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Show Features TUESDAY, JUNE 14,2011 THE SIGNPOST The Stars and Stripes By Jerrica Archibald features editor 1 The Signpost Military students reflect on what the flag means to them PHOTO BY CRYSTAL CHARRIERE | THE S1GKPOST Spring and summer brings a slew,of patriotic holidays, with National Flag Day right in the middle. For some, it might seem like just another holiday, but to the Weber State University Veteran Affairs Office, Flag Day hits close to home. "Any holiday that benefits veterans or the flag or America in general is important to our office and people that served in the military," said social work major Jennifer Carver. / Carver, along with several other students, works in the Veteran Affairs Office, located in the Student Services Building. She has also served five years in the Army, and completed two duties in Iraq in a communications unit. The Veteran Affairs Office offers advice and counseling to the estimated 700 WSU students who are veterans or currently serving in the military. They provide information on registration, admissions, career and academic paths, and paying for education. "We have a lot of oudets for veterans, even if they're not getting a G.I. bill/' Carver said. "We can recommend them to Veterans Upward Bound, which offers tutors. We can find them sources to help them pay for school. They can come in here and hang out and eat their lunches. We have open doors for all those serving and who have served." Because of their military backgrounds, the employees in the Veteran Affairs Office are part of the few that don't let Flag Day slip by unnoticed. For them, Old Glory is a reminder of why they chose the path • of service. ^'; "Not only does the flag represent a symbol of patriotism as well as liberty, but it^s something that we would die for as indiViduals Who have'servecf in tfie armecl The American and Utah flags are displayed over Weber State University, giving many students a chance to reflect on patriotism. Cell Phone Courtesy T h p The dos and don'ts of your device 1 1 1 \# • :; •* See Flag page 8 nq act H 5) 15) I I P I ^ # %M I %m I I %0 I Jerrica Archibald • Signpost columnist The crowded room is focused on the presenter when, all of a sudden, Princess Leia cries out from my purse, "Help me, Obi Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope!" The room is scattered with giggles, as the presenter locks eyes on me and says, "Tell Luke I said hi." This embarrassing moment could have been avoided if I had practiced simple cell phone etiquette, and turned my phone ringtone off (and possibly if I didn't love Star Wars so much). Cell phones are more than just gadgets that may or may not give you a brain tumor these days. They are a permanent fixture in society, and chances are you'll be in public when you need to take or make a call. luly is the official "Cell Phone Courtesy Month," and there are a few dos and don'ts to follow for whenever you need to answer that important call or text. Do keep a distance from others around you. It is generally recommended that you keep at least 10 feet away when taking a phone call. This rule doesn't apply to contained spaces such as elevators, bathrooms or public transportation, where the rule is to not take the call at all. Don'f talk about personal life details in public. Strangers generally don't want to hear about the hot chick in your math class or that your kid puked at Barnes & Noble. Politely tell whoever you're talking to that you'll call them back. Privacy is golden. Don't talk too loudly. Imagine roaming the aisles of the grocery store and catching every word of one stranger's conversation, no«matter how far away they are. Nobody wants to be that guy. Also, the person on the other end of the phone call probably doesn't appreciate you bellowing into their ear. Do turn your ringtone down to the appropriate setting. I know you want to feel like you have a part in defeating me Dark Side, but there is a time and place for Princess Leia to chime in. Classrooms, theaters, libraries and church are just a handful of places where a noisy phone could cause grief. Do realize where cell phones are completely inappropriate. Cell phone etiquette calls for no cell phone use at all during meals, and to turn your phone completely off during movies and performances. Texting might be an acceptable alternative to a phone call, but not always. Don't use cell phones and multitask. For one, it is rude See Cell phone page 8 PHOTO BY CRYSTAL CHARRIERE I THt'SlCNPOST Left to Right: Tyson Hartman, Tyler Abbot, Russel Myer and Chayce Pfuhl break from jobs and school to go camping. Making time for fun on top of class, family and work By Paisley Woodruff reporter I The Signpost Summer has finally come, and the students at Weber State University are gearing up for a new season of fun in the sun - but how much fun does a student really have time for after they've exhausted themselves with studying and working? Alysha Sutton, a sorority president on campus, said she enjoys a wide range of summer activities, spending an estimated 12-14 hours a week on leisure. She spends the rest*of her time working a full-time job and making plans for her sorority. She plans activities such as trips to Lagoon, going to parades, leadership-building and sisterhood-bonding retreats, and community service projects. She also attends every WSU orientation. When asked if her duties at WSU interfered with her summer fun, Sutton said, "Sometimes, but luckily I'm not going to summer school." Many students taking full course loads during the summer have found time to relax and enjoy themselves as well. "I'm starting to develop some time-management strategies, thanks to my First Year Experience course," said full-time, non-traditional student Christi Yarrington Most non-traditional students experience not only the pressures of school, but also the responsibility of a job and a family. Yarrington said that thanks to the knowledge she's gained from her FYE class, she is able to enjoy activities such as swimming, going to Lagoon and spending time with her family. She is also able to put aside about 15 hours a week for leisure. "It's not just a balance between WSU and my family life," Yarrington said. "It's about making sure that everybody's needs are met." Hanalee Hawkins, FYE instructor and Student Wellm See Balance page 8 |
