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Show VOICEOFDIXIE II VA, no 04 00 - DuL,L-- DIXIESUNNEWS.COM . I.....''''1: r:1 F L.T..!1,....711 61:1 WEDNESDAY faces delays bringing and Pizza Hut to campus. Pg. 2 Chick-fil-- BY RYANN HEINLEN AvereeRHeinlen shares a student perspective on the longest government Ryann Hein len Dixie State University Athlet ics announced its decision to join :' the Division I Western Athletic shutdown in American history. Pg. 3 I Men's and women's basketball attempt to bounce back after tough series of losses during winter break. , ence on Jan. 11 in the Student ! 7 , Pg. 5 Activity Route 7 is an online literary journal that submission. Pg. 7 ,14) NEWS 1 OPINION 3 SPORTS 5 FEATURES 6 , ;, e-A- , NEWS TIPS AND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ' , DixieSunDixie.edu . Jennings room 134 225 S. University Ave. St. George, UT 84770 1 - 1' SEE D1 PAGE 2 1 e i ft ... ,.. . 1 ty , , 0... It I , , ..., c-- ,,,,. . tit' ,..,,,.. ? - IN . ,.. f . 0 . .. t 1 I 4 ) , I i - tom- - , crease the 3 ' o, ,,, , He said he bility enjoys of bring- - ing new - ' - - ' , . , t. I i ft r717()) , . 0 - n 0 schools into the conference. "I've seen just a little bit of everything happen," Hurd said. "I can honestly say that one of the most enjoyable parts of my nity to job is the opportucome to a new p , community, to a new campus, and to be f an part of ' - 1 er , o NO.16 Cli,c5I1(Ck newly-admitte- 435-652-78- '40 r-- DSU ." Williams made the announcement to a gym full of students, faculty, staff and members of the community. He emphasized to the audience that this opportunity is not only for the athletes and coaches, but the 66 Rocky. university and We have enjoyed Mountain community as a over a decade of Athletic Con- whole. championship-leve- l ference for the Williams said: NCAA at success the WAC, and all "Joining the Western Athletic Division II level. sports will en- Conference will ter the confer- Jason Boothe ence by July 1, not only elevate Athletic Director our athletic 2020, Athletic 99 Director Jason teams and Boothe said. allow them "We have enjoyed to play other over a decade of competitors, but it will elevate our championship-leve- l success at the entire university and DiviNCAA expand the stage . , sion 11 level," on which we can Boothe said. share the message ; I "With the curabout the ! ( r academic rent trajectory t i i ' of our instituprograms, individ) tion, coupled with ualized attention k the increased and active learning 'ler St. of growth opportunities availt ' able at DW." George and 74. 7 1 , WAC Commis- ,iot. southern Utah, sioner Jeff Hurd we feel the i is has the with been timing conference for perfect to 34 years and take that t next step is in his sixth forward year as its DixieSunAdsDixie.edu fax: , .. Lionel Hollins, DSU alumnus and basketball member of the Hall of Fame, hosted the event, and Gov. Gary Herbert, President Biff Williams and other public officials were also present. DSU will be leaving behind d the 435-652-78- 435-656-40- - I VOLUME 57 - M. p.....,...., 1 (77.) high-quali- 8 tel 1:4711 high-calib- accepts global 40)0 1 0 SU, Z,UNMOITAC . Dixie State University BISON TAIL Mind CAD:1--1 ,t 01 El) Ryann Heinien, Editor-in-Chi- En Abby Doman, News Editor Monique Chavez, Sports Editor Noe Ile Spencer, Features Editor Kelly Seaton, Opinion Editor Madison Anderson, Photo Editor Valerie De La 0, Design Editor Autumn Nuzman, Copy Editor Justin Ford, Social Media Kelly Seaton, Ad Manager A o , aly 0 FIRE BY ABBY Ariel le Cabrera Hannah Dismuke Stephanie Du Par Isaac Garcia to weigh in on First Amendment rights DOMAN abbydomanDSN Kristi Harris Jonathan Holland Jessica Johnson Tia Walker Rhiannon Bent, Adviser The Dixie Sun News is distributed each Wednesday during fall and spring semesters as a publication of Dixie State University, the communication department and Dixie State University Student Activities. DSU administrators do not approve or censor content. The student editorial staff alone determines its news coverage. The unsigned editorial on the opinion page represents the position of Dixie Sun News as determined by its editorial board. Otherwise, the views and opinions expressed in Dixie Sun News are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Dixie Sun News or any entity of the university. (4iIi!h' "Open Carry on Campus: Pro" referenced Lauren McCluskey in the issue released Jan. 9. Dixie State University men's and women's basketball faced Chadron State on Jan. 11 and Jan. 12 as mentioned in the issue released Jan. 9. Dixie State University and the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education may soon be in a legal battle after disputes about a former professor's First Amendment rights. FIRE sent DSU a letter on Dec. 19 explaining its involvement in former music professor Ken Peterson's case. "We ask DSU to adhere to its binding legal obligations under the First Amendment by rescinding Peterson's termination and by restoring him to his tenured professorship," the letter said. "We also ask DSU to make clear that its faculty will not face punishment for the exercise of their First Amendment Rights." Peterson was terminated in early 2018 for allegedly violating DSU policies including 4.4.3.2.4. (exhibit professional standards of behaviorcivil discourse) and 4.4.3.2.5. (strive to achieve the purposes of the university). After the recommendation of a faculty review board, Peterson was issued a Last Chance Agreement, which he called "punitive, vindictive, disenfranchising and dehumanizing;" he said he "could not sign it." Some of the requirements of signing included: "Dr. Peterson shall not utilize social media to make unfounded derogatory or untruthful statements about DSU and its faculty, staff, students or admin- istration... "Dr. Peterson shall not make unfounded or untruthful derogatory statements about DSU1 and its faculty, staff, students or admin- istration. Peterson shall not use any devices to take or transmit pictures andor photographs of students, faculty, staff, or administration without their express permission." Will Creeley, FIRE senior vice president of legal and public advocacy, said, "We were very concerned that professor Peterson was being targeted for punishment due to his speaking out about matters at the university, so we took an immediate interest." DSU's General Counsel Doajo Hicks responded to FIRE's letter on Dec. 8. Hicks said rescinding the Last Chance Agreement as FIRE asked would "create sig "WE ASK DSU TO ADHERE TO ITS BINDING LEGAL OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT BY RESCINDING PETERSON'S TERMINATION AND BY RESTORING r7 rT' 0 0 HIM TO HIS TENURED PROFESSORSHIP." - FIRE LETTER A z zm t.n nificant downstream due process issues." Hicks also requested FIRE file a GRAMA request in order to obtain a full view of the events that led to Peterson's firing. However, after the Dixie Sun News made this request, it was made clear by Assistant General Counsel Alison Vicroy that no documents regarding Peterson have been made public since the documents the Dixie Sun News reported on in September. Hicks denied to comment. "FIRE is skeptical as to the contentions made by DSU counsel," Creeley said. "Their response to us is incredibly nonresponsive." Peterson said his plans have not changed since DSU's response. "What I would like is to remain here," Peterson said. "St. George is my home... and my plan, my hope, is to return to DSU..." Creeley said when it comes to moving forward, FIRE is currently keeping all of its options open. |