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Show S 4 On Campus FORUMFORTNIGHTLY.COM Westminster digs into geology The field is projected to have a shortage of qualified employees in the coming years: lead to a Shannon Boyle a Staff Reporter Students can now pursue their interests in rocks, minerals and earth with a bachelor of science in geology. According to a recent Westminster press release, the expansion of the fuel industry and an increase in mineral exploration created a high demand for a geology major. Were going to be about 10,000 geologists short within the next 20 years, said Dr. David Goldsmith, geology professor and program chair. Theres been an increased interest in geology in the past decade, but the idea of a geology major only started to gain traction at the administrative level in the past two years. Students want to enroll in geology courses, and businesses want to hire geI I ology majors, Goldsmith said. A bachelors degree in this field could high-payi- ng job market with employment rate, , according to projections by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Geology careers are al- mostly in the field of though environmental work and educa- tion are other options Senior Aurora Green decided to take an unconvenI tional career route. With help from Goldsmith, she developed also an environmental gefaster-than-avera- ge oil-drilli- ng, future students getting the opportunity for a geology major, because Westmin- ster will be able to bring small class sizes and individualized attention to the sub- ject. Now that its available, she said that she encourages undecided students to think about geology for their major. Were in the perfect place for it, Green said. wanted to play in the mountains, but I wanted to know them. ology contract major. Her goal is to go into the field of glaciology, which is the study of glaciers. The work that went into Greens directed study helped with the development of Westminsters own geology major. I think I was kind of a guinea pig for this, Green said. Green said that she happy about w classes. According to Goldsmith, curiosity is what makes a good geologist, first and foremost. Students who have a trained eye for keeping track of multiple objects moving relative to one another, such as athletes, will also do well in geology. Aside from that, a passion for the subject never hurts. People come into geology courses already interested in the subject more often than they do with the other sciences, according to Goldsmith. Thats what happened with Green, whose fascination in geology was sparked by hiking and why theres ploring the outdoors, talk of creating I wanted to play in the mountains, a field geology but I also wanted to know them, Green course where stu- - said, ex-Th- ats dents from out of state can come over the summer to study in Utahs backyard, the field course up and run- ning is one of the big goals for West- minsters geology program, according to Two other goals are to hire a second faculty member and to get more students interested in taking geology students can begin working on their geology major this year. Sopho-Gettimores and ambitious juniors will most likely to be able to complete a geology minor if they start now. A major in ogy will take 73 to 76 credit hours, and a minor will take 21 to 23. First-ye- ar ng geol-Goldsmi- th. Photo by Jack Link Westminster Senate creates sub-committe- es a lot like congress in that aspect. Amy Dominguez Stan Reporte According to Wilkins, one of the of attending a small, liberal arts college is that students are better represented by their student government. Students are more aware of what is going on around them and are personally invested in their school; they want their opinions to matter. Another benefit Westminster Senate has is that you can definitely see the changes that we implement a lot more, Wilkins said. When we get something done, people notice. Students are more aware of the changes that take place here. Some senate seats have not yet been filled, including the nursing and graduate seat. Komhauser encourages students to apply for positions, because she believes that Senate involvement is a great way to get opinions heard and to create W benefits Having already tackled changes in food service, the academic calendar orientation for year and second-yesophomores, the Senate has been actively working on changes students have voiced they want to see. ar This year, senators are working on becoming more integrated with the student body by creating to better address changes students wish to see. The purpose of the Senate is to represent student opinion. Senate is one of five branches that sub-committ- ees make up ASWC. It is the policy-costructing branch that represents the student body. It is comprised of at least two representatives from each year and from each academic department. The Senate is the only voted student body, and its the only group that can n- say that students feel a certain way, said speaker Kaiiey Komhauser. The student body has already realized that the Senate is a resource and they know how to use it to represent them effectively. This year, senators will divide into five that include financial, student life and student initiative. Social Science Senator Anne Wilkins and second-year Senator Kat Lincks agree that this change will narrow down student matters, creating solutions from people that know the topic best. sub-committ- ees Any legislation or budget request that comes from a student or organization will go to die financial committee, and that committee will put it forward to the bigger group, Komhauser said. Its J . r 1 i f Korn-haus- er ! SiPTlfJlIl: 25; Second Annual States jFair 6-- 8 p.m. , j s I f i28: Presidential Bike Tour v tTI t910:30 a.m. j 5 ! i - tSupport Utah Undie j iRun I 7:00-9:- 00 p.m. i i OCTOBER: j jl: Opportunity Quest Kick-Of- j Event 5:30 p.m. f I f j j i5: To become a part of the Senate, students fill out an application at myaswc.com. Anybody with a 3.0 GPA average and good behavioral standing One thing I tell the freshmen that come into the office, or anyone who isnt involved yet, is that there is a place in student government for you, said. Even if you run and youre not elected, you can still be involved in a different facet of ASWC. Get involved no matter what. : I f change. can apply. CALENDAR EUE1JTS i 1 Dine-O-Rou- I nd t I 18: Fall Fest 89:30 p.m. Photos by Amy Dominguez From top , Second Year Senator Kat Lincks, Social Sciences Senator Anne Wilkins and Speaker ofthe Senate, Kaiiey Komhauser. they are unhappy about something we want to be able to do something about it, Lincks said. We have a lot of students who really care about Westminster. It helps us to stay motivated and to Lincks also emphasized the imporwant to keep making things improve. tance of the Senate as a community Students can visit the ASWC office builder and as a communicative resource. or email or walk-u-p to their representaWe really do want students to come tive to make their voices heard on camup to us with their opinions, because if pus. The Senate is always open to ideas. I I j IlilOuIl: J i ' 6: Chili Cook off 7 p.m. ! ! j i i 21: Movie t9 p.m. I Premiere Buyout; i , 125: Thanksgiving Potluck 7-8- :30 p.m. i |