OCR Text |
Show 2 OPINION EDITORIAL BUSINESS & ADVERTISING (801)832.2320 forumeditorwestminstercollege.edu (801)832.2319 forumbusinesswestminstercollege.edu T ?Ji s.t5IS University of Utah students arent fans of their fight song anymore- - i i&M glli& lJgL TAYLOR STEVENS CONTRIBUTOR OP-E- D Earlier this year, the University of Utah announced its decision to make changes to its traditional fight song, Utah Man. It came to the attention of many student leaders that the song, which was first written in 1904, could potentially create an environment of sexism and insensitivity to minorities within the school. A panel of students decided to update the 110 year old song in order to reflect the diverse culture of the college today. The Associated Students WHAT IS IT? HOW CAN IT BE CURED? Ebolavirus is a virus found in Africa parts of Sub-Sahar- an and dates from at least 1976, when the first outbreak was recorded. Scientists believe that bats are the natural host of ebolavirus, meaning they can have the virus in their bodies and not get sick. The disease can spread to humans by eating infected bats. Infection with ebolavirus produces Ebola virus disease, also called Ebola hemorrhagic fever or just Ebola. WHAT WILL IT DO TO ME? Ebola has an incubation period of between two and twenty-on- e days, after which symptoms appear. These usually start as fever, fatigue and muscle pain very common and symptoms for viruses can progress to the bleeding phase, where internal and - - subcutaneous bleeding occurs. This can turn the eyes red, cause a lot of bruises, and make blood squirt out of every orifice. Not all Ebola cases progress to the bleeding phase, however, and doing so usually indicates a worse chance of survival, especially because the blood loss itself can cause death. of the University of Utah (ASUU) released a statement on the Universitys website regarding the changes. ASUU is committed to working for a more inclusive environment on our campus. With this in mind, our administration drafted and presented a Joint Resolution to our Student Assembly and Senate in support of examining the Utah Fight Song for ways to make it more ...Wait it out. Supportive care is really all that is available now, which includes rehydration to compensate for fluid loss. There are some experimental drugs, such as ZMapp and Avigan, but their effectiveness is unknown. HOW CAN I AVOID IT? Dont eat bats in Africa. And dont handle the bodily fluids or corpse of Sub-Sahar- an inclusive. The new draft was approved. The controversial revisions to the song include the replacement of our coeds are the fairest which could potentially be interpreted as a statement on race to our students are the finest. Other changes were made to avoid gender-specif- ic language, such as the change from no other gang of college men to no rival band of college fans and, most controversial of all, the change from Utah man to Utah fan. Last years ASUU president Sam Ortiz was the main proponent behind the changes. Ortiz was on his way out when he did it, said Mat-tia- s Schade, University of Utah student. He decided to change it when he had two weeks left before he was gone, so he knew people were going to be upset about it. Ortiz was smart to wait. His role in the decision-makin- g process caused many students to lash out, sending him harassing emails and even death threats. The conversation the controversy has fostered is, at its someone infected with Ebola. So, in other words, unless you are in a country dealing with an Ebola outbreak, you are not going to get it. WILL IT SPREAD HERE? No. And even if an infected person arrived in the States and promptly started spewing blood all over the airport, our health system is such that the infected and exposed would be quarantined, contaminated areas would be sterilized, and the infection would not spread. ISNT THAT A BIT OPTIMISTIC? No. Its realistic. WHATS YOUR BIAS? HOW LIKELY IS IT TO KILL ME? It depends on the specific virus, but ranges between 50-9- 0. This current outbreak has a mortality rate of about 55- - Ebola is a bad thing to get, theres no denying that. However, I think the public health system in the U.S. is coordinated enough to swiftly and effectively handle an infected traveler. . rm I h .1 ft k f, S 5 3 dent. president of Westminsters Feminist Club, Anabel Alvardo, agreed. sue. I believe the University of For Westminster student Utah made the right choice, Christian Anderson, tradition is incredibly important. she said. The former fight Its kind of wrong to get rid song lyrics of Utah man of something thats held true might be argued irrelevant, in society for so long, he said. but it actually reinforces paI am a big fan of tradition in triarchal society by accepting general. Im a big sports fan. that men are the default gender. Utah fan is much more Tradition is what fuels histowithout tradition ry, and you inclusive, and it acknowledges cant have consistent history the diverse student populabecause youre not sticking tion at the University of Utah. to the script of things. Youre Carlson went on to further argue the importance of the new just jumping back and forth. Uniin the fight song. words the Many students at I am very strongly versity of Utah feel similarly. When the term man was opposed to things like genused in the original context dered language. I think our discourse does shape our realof the song, it was a differreand ent time, ity. The words we choose obviyou could fer to everyone as man, said ously do have meanings, and Scott McKennon. You have those meanings reflect our to think about it not just as a inner feelings about things. man, but as mankind. At the By using a gendered language time they made that term, it fit like Utah man instead of Utah woman or something for the culture. Ryan Green agreed thats gender neutral that I rewith this stance, arguing that, ally like, like Utah fan were Lots of words have differnecessarily excluding not only ent meanings now, but that a population of women, but doesnt mean we have to go also genders that dont idenback and change the words to tify as man. While the official traditional songs. Even University of Utah version of the fight song has alumna Marsha Caldwell bechanged, the University of lieves the controversy over the Utah has attempted to comchange is Much ado about promise on the decision, ennothing. Its a great song, she couraging students to sing said, and to me it was fine whichever version of the song the way it was. I think some they feel most comfortable people get a little too upset with. over things that are a little bit The ASUU statement minor. I dont think I need ended, saying, We are ento change words in a song to couraged that the dialogue has make me feel equal. begun and are hopeful that students and it will continue and all voices Many will be heard. We understand community members are confused about why this topic was the passion that many feel for brought up at all. However, the traditions of the Universisome view the changes as ty of Utah and hope that more part of a bigger picture as an students will desire to particioutlet to a large and incredpate in these traditions. We conversation ibly important encourage all to review both about societal norms, the role the Joint Resolution passed of both tradition and equality and the current fight song and in society, and the extent to share their thoughts. It will which we need to mold and be critical to maintain civility transform our culture to fit toin the process and respect for society. days differing views on this Sexist tradition is not good, said Rachel Carlson, University of Utah stu a & " heart, a battle between tradition and equality, with strong views on both sides of the is- t it M ?! ; i m ; The J i 4 mJ mi ilil tt if 1 4 i if fS iK'll U Kh i I Ifc -- 4 fil nil I ill) tj 9 9 fj J M I fa 9 . j 1 |