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Show WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2014 THE SIGNPOST WWW.WSUSIGNPOST.COM Weber State pushes for diverse campus g Signpost VIEW Throughout October, both the Ogden and Davis campuses will be hosting events for Hispanic heritage celebrations with activities such as Ballet Folklorico and food experiences around campus. Events like these are part of Weber State's push to be diverse, started by President Wight. Wight has been actively involved in spreading diversity around campus. He has been committed to showing up when it matters by participating in events that matter to the students. He attended the Pride Parade in Tune because he wanted students to know about diversity and be involved. How does his message reach out to the rest of students? Many of us grew up in communities where everyone looks just like us. Some of us have moved to Ogden from other cities where the dominant race is Caucasian. According to the student characteristics survey of 2013-14, Weber is only 52 percent Caucasian, which can open students' eyes to other cultures they may not have experienced before. To be exposed to diversity is to appreciate the true beauty of the world. Attending college has opened many of us up to a variety of unique opportunities. Our campus offers the diversity center, multicultural center, Women's Center, LGBT resources, the nontraditional center and the list goes on. Weber welcomes a diverse student body and we as students readily work with all different cultures. Our administration on campus does everything it can to make everyone feel welcome. The Center for Diversity and Unity has events taking place on campus every week. Events like Taboo Talks and panel discussions open up the floor for stu dents to freely voice their opinions and get feedback. At these events, panel members are there to provide feedback and expert advice. At the Taboo Talks, there have been debates, panels and presentations set up right next to the atrium of the Shepherd Union building, according to the diversity program coordinator Teresa Holt. Being open to all ideas helps expose students to all cultures. In order for everyone to feel accepted, you have to be open to all the aspects their culture offers. We need to stay away from the "us versus them" mentality that creates the barriers in our society. Staying in your bubble kills creative and critical thinking. In classes and on campus, we learn how we are different and how we are the same. Understanding diversity helps to build bridges and defuse conflict. Our country, though initially settled by white men, was founded by many people from different cultures coming together for freedom. The English, Spanish and French all settled on American soil to form one nation. America is known as the melting pot, and while we have all come together in one country, our differences make us unique. On the campus level, we are constantly experiencing each other's cultures. On the other hand, cliques can still be seen around campus, segregated by race, and students may be scared to blend cultures. The opinion within The Signpost staff is to put yourself out there. By keeping sheltered, you are shutting your self out from all the amazing experiences that the campus has to offer. Students and faculty alike are constantly trying to figure out more ways to get students involved, and there are so many opportunities, like free events, lectures, panels and dances. No one should exclude themselves, because then they are going to feel like they missed out when it's all over. Comment on this column at wsusignpost.com WSUSA ROUNDUP BY MICHAEL ANDERSON KRUSE I News Reporter Here's what went down Monday at the WSUSA Senate meeting: SNOW REMOVAL WSUSA representatives met with Facilities Management in order to make plans for snow removal as winter approaches. Senate President Teffrey Henry said snow removal is a different challenge this year due the construction on campus. Facilities Management pushes snow but they don't remove it due to the cost. Henry pointed out that if a student parks in a place where Facilities Managementisplowing.the plowing must stop. One of the main areas of concern is the sidewalk outside of Elizabeth Hall. One option is to close it off completely. Henry said the best thing to do is educate the students now so they can change their routes to class once the snow falls. UTA ISSUES Davis campus senator Tyler Hall has been the leader of an ad-hoc committee dealing with Utah Transit Authority and student concerns with bus times and schedules. Hall said if students have concerns or complaints to call UTA customer service. The more complaints they get, the more likely they are to do something about it. Hall announced he was starting a survey. He said his goal is to have 2,000 responses as soon as possible. The survey asks students to say how they get to school, where they come from and what time they come to campus. Hall said the more responses he gets the more data he can present to UTA. The survey can be found at studentvoice.com/wsu/ davisride. "We just have to prove people will actually ride it," Hall said. WI-FI PROBLEMS Some students are still experiencing problems with Wi-Fi at University Village. The university has been making upgrades, but according to residence hall senator Anastasia Austin students are still having issues. Austin said she would try to meet with her Housing contacts this week to get an update. "It's a problem that's being worked on," Austin said. Comment on this brief at wsusignpost.com FIVE FAMOUS BLIND OR DEAF CELEBRITIES BY ALEXIS RAGUE News reporter With so much news covering every In fact, a few have pushed their way to moment of celebrity life, there isn't much we don't know about our favorite idols. Some of these famous people take on more than just the regular, day-to-day tasks. the top with severe impairments such as blindness and deafness. Check out these famous icons who overcame their impairments and became global prodigies. STEVIE WONDER musician A singer, pianist and songwriter, Stevie Wonder is an American prodigy who was born blind. One of the most acclaimed musicians to ever live, Wonder taught himself all the elements of music throughout his childhood. From the drums to the harmonica, Wonder played it all and released over 20 albums throughout his career. SOURCE: KRT ENTERTAINMENT/MCT RAY CHARLES musician SOURCE: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Like Wonder, Ray Charles was a musical genius. Born in 1930s Georgia, Charles suffered from glaucoma that left him completely blind by the time he was seven. Despite his impairment, Charles brought heart and soul into music with groundbreaking hits that left a lasting impression for years to come. Not only responsible for pioneering soul music, Charles also helped overcome racial barriers during his time. Visually impaired since birth, Bocelli went completely blind at the age of 12 in a soccer accident. Despite this tragedy, Bocelli was fascinated with music throughout his childhood and played classical instruments like the piano and saxophone. Cementing his prodigal status with his famed piece "Songo," Bocelli became an acclaimed tenor and still creates beautiful music to this day. SOURCE: JOYCE MARSHALL/FORT WORTH STAR/MCT Heather Whitestone suffered a virus which left her deaf at 18 months old. However, on Sept. 17, 1994, Whitestone was nominated liss America, the first deaf contestant to win. Her success didn't end there as she went on to expand her S.T.A.R.S organization where she continues to help people across the globe. SOURCE: MARK RAUTERKUS (PICASA) via WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Keller is remembered as an American educator and one of the 20th century's leading humanitarians. She is often recognized for overcoming the adversity of both blindness and deafness at a very young age. With the help of her tutor, Keller learned communication, mostly through her fingertips. Her legacy forever impacted education, women's suffrage and labor rights. SOURCE: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Editor- in-Chief Skyler Pyle skyler.pyle@gmail.com Opinion Editor Kate Konchar kathrynkonchar @gmail. com News Editor Matthew Kunes matthew.musicman99@gmail.com Sports Editor Michael Grennell mjgrennell@gmail.com Features Editor Danielle Murphy june241995@hotmail.com Science Editor Liz Ruttenbur lizruttenbur@weber.edu A&E Editor Abby Payne Abigail.Payne@hotmail.com Lead Copy Editor Kelsy Thompson a.k.hunter@live.com Digital Content Coordinator Timothy Potter timothy.potter@aol.com Photo Editor Kaitlyn Johnson kaitlynjohnson9@yahoo.com Webmaster Andrew Leon Andre w.E. Leon@gmail. com Adviser Jean Reid Norman jeannorman@weber.edu Ad Manager Shelley Hart shelleyhart@weber.edu Office Manager Georgia Edwards gedwards@weber.edu The Signpost is a student publication, written, edited and drafted by Weber State University Students. Student fees fund the printing of this publication. Opinions or positions voiced are not necessarily endorsed by the university. The Signpost reserves the right to edit for reasons of space and libel and also reserves the right to refuse to print any letter. Letters should be submitted online to thesignpost@weber.edu and read Letter to the Editor in the subject box. Letters should not exceed 350 words. |