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Show Wednesday, December 10,2008 THE DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE Vol.118 www.dailyutahchronide.com Plan for Dixie merger stalls Michael McFall Master's degrees available at U Graduate Center: STAFF WRITER America's faltering economy has put the future of a possible University of Utah-St. George on hold. The Utah Legislature approved funding three years ago to create a graduate program partnership with Dixie State College in St. George with the U. As a first step in the partnership, the college began offering several U graduate programs on their campus, including nursing and education. The Board of Trustees for each school had a larger vision: renaming DSC as U of U—St. George and transforming it into a satellite campus that would serve under the U and its president, Michael Young. However, after the Legislature cut state education budgets earlier this year, Dixie State no longer has the financial ability to undergo such a transformation, said Chuck Wight, an associate vice president of academic affairs and a chemistry professor who was chosen to help lead the task force to examine a larger partnership. "My guess is that they won't decide if they can go forward for at least another three to four years," Wight said. Prior to the budget cuts, a transformation of the Dixie State campus into a satellite university was estimated to cost anywhere between $5 million and $io million, Wight said. No one knows how bad this recession is going to get or how long it will last, so Dixie's, transformation could be put on hold indefinitely, he said. Neither school has been able to pinpoint an exact price for the transformation, but the STAFF WRITER recent financial strain is enough discouragement to lower its priority, said DSC spokesman Steve Johnson. Even if the economy were to turn around overnight, it might still be a challenge to bring the school under the U's umbrella. There have been pockets of opposition in the St. George population that does not want to lose the Dixie name and the tradition it carries, Johnson said. He" said opposition might rise again. Groups of St. George locals have voiced their disapproval to the local school as well as the U, but the name change decision would ultimately be up to the Legislature and out of either school's hands, he said. Until then, DSC students interested in a local U education can utilize the new U Graduate Center in St. George, which officially opens today. During the summer, the U spent about $272,000 to remodel the University Plaza building a block away from the Dixie State campus, which will house U graduate programs in business, nursing and education. Despite the misleading name, The Dixie Foundation, not the college, previously owned the building. Thanks to new video conferencing equipment, the center will allow Dixie students to participate in graduate classes even when the instructor is in Salt Lake City. The technology will also allow students to interact with their professor through new microphones connected to the Internet, said Brandon Garcia, a spokesman for the U's continuing education program. Young will attend the official ribbon cutting for the new center today at 5 p.m. m.mcfall@chronicle.utah.edu The hourglass figure that models showcase might seem like the ideal form of female beauty, but a new study See SHAPEPage?' ^ shows that women with a rounder shape can better handle a competitive job and raising children. U anthropologist Elizabeth Cashdan said she always heard the argument that men prefer women with an hourglass shape. Whenever she listened to lectures on evolutionary biology that proclaimed men preferred that body type because it increased fertility, she was stumped because it seemed obvious that plenty of women had a larger waist-to-hip ratio. "Most women don't look like playboy models," Cash- About the study: dan said. "Men appreciate beauty, but an hourglass •U researcher Elizabeth Cashdan found that although the hourshape isn't necessary." Cashdan studied the glass shaped body is better waist-to-hip ratios in women for reproduction and usually throughout the non-Western healthier, many women have an world and found that most "apple-shaped" body, which also women have a more "apple- leads them to be more aggresshaped" figure. "Most had above a 0.8 sive and competitive. waist-to-hip ratio, (even though) 0.8 or above is con- •Cashdan found that more sidered unhealthy for wom- women frbm non-Western civilien," Cashdan said. "In our zations in Africa and New Guinea society, women who tend to are likely to have the rounder put on a lot of fat on their body type because the same bellies are at greater risk for metabolic syndrome, diabe- hormones that store fat more in tes and other weight-related the stomach give women higher levels of testosterone and male problems." An hourglass figure might personality traits. Furniture $33,172 $44,000 Provided by Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Chuck Wight STAFF WRITER Parry Sorenson, who died Dec. 9 at the age of 92, was an instrumental part of the U's communication department. During his 46 years at the U, he taught journalism, started internship programs, developed a lecture series and founded a chapter of the public Relations Student Society of America. Sorenson passed away in his Salt Lake home early TAiesday morning. Robert Avery, a communication professor, visited his friend and colleague Monday night to find him sleeping and slipping in and out of consciousness. It all happened very quickly, Avery said, of the man he described as a friend to everyone in any station in life. As the snow blanketed the city below, the U's golf course was silent Monday, as if saying goodbye to the valley over which it has kept watch for the past 85 years. The golf course, which has hosted students, faculty, amateurs and professionals since 1923, will be torn up early next year to make room for a massive construction project that includes four new research buildings, intramural fields and health science buildings. "We're just not going to have another place like this. They just don't exist anymore," said Mike Nickas, the assistant golf professional employed at the course. "It's for everyone—it's the kind of place where you can go with the money you find in your couch cushions." Although the golf course has decreased in size during the years, it has had moments of inSee GOLF Page 4 ternational recognition. Exhibit showcases creepy crawlers Jeremy Thompson STAFF WRITER A new exhibit at the Utah Museum of Natural History is attempting to help people overcome their fear of creepy, crawly-bugs., one insect at a time. "I think this exhibit helps people understand what is fact and what is fiction," said Catie Webb, an assistant in the new Bugs Alive exhibit. "Most people don't understand that most bugs are harmless and pose no threat." The exhibit features bugs ranging from native species of crickets found in Utah to spiders collected from exotic lands such as Australia and the Caribbean. "Most people think that a tarantula will attack and bite," Webb said. "In fact, they don't even use their fangs as a weapon." By exploring bugs from different perspectives, the museum hopes people will understand them better and appreciate them more. Some of the insects on display have unique traits and characteristics, such as one beetle that shoots vinegar when upset, and there will be information such as diet and habitat posted next to each cage. "Over half of the animals on display were collected right here in Utah." Webb said. "It just shows that not all bugs are scary. In fact, they can be pretty cool." The exhibit usually at- tracts a younger crowd, with most of the visitors from elementary schools, but each display offers something for people of any age. "We like it because we can show our son what type of bugs are harmless, and what type of bugs to avoid," said Jeremy Smith, who toured the exhibit with his wife, Katie, and their son, Paxtpn. "And we get to see some pretty unusual stuff, too." However, Brandon Madsen, a junior in communication at the U, remains skeptical whether the exhibit will calm fears through knowledge. "I am definitely here because of the fear and fascination factors," Madsen said while touring the display. "I think it is cool to see all the different bugs, especially since I can see ones that are found in my own backyard. But I think most of them are just plain creepy." As the exhibit attempts to help people appreciate and understand bugs, it has already convinced one person. "They have legs all over," said 3-year-old Paxton Smith. "And they are pretty cool." The exhibit utilizes bugs collected locally, mostly by museum insect expert Christy Bills, as well as from other sources such KATE KElVf/Ibt Daily UtohQmnidt as donations and from bug This Chinese praying mantis is one of the many bugs found at the "Bugs Alive!" at the collectors. j.thompson@ Utah Museum of Natural History. The goal of the new exhibit is to educate people chronicle.utah.edu about bugs and help them overcome fears of insects. Communication professor passes away at 92 Michael McFall In 1945, Lord Byron Nelson had been victorious in his previous 11 PGA tour events, a record that is unrivaled in golf and still stands today. As Nelson entered the Utah Open to earn a 12th straight victory, he underestimated both his opponents and the course. It was at the U's course, known then as the Fort Douglas Country Club, that a player named Emery Zimmerman defeated Nelson to end bis streak. With so much history, many golfing enthusiasts are reluctant to bid the course a final adieu. "I play at other places sometimes, but this golf course is my backyard, it's my comfort zone," said Tim Herrick, a regular at the course. "I've met all walks of life there—doctors, college kids, everyone. It's sad that it's going. It's meant a lot to me." The U is exploring options to save part of the course. Mary STAFF WRITER Video Conferencing Equipment seem healthier for women, but Cashdan's study shows that, in fact, women with a rounder shape are more likely to effectively handle pressure Golfers say adieu to campus course Trent Lowe U Graduate Center at Dixie State College Costs - Special Education -PreK-12 Education -Educational Psychology - Education Administrative Licensure Program - Masters in Business Administration -Nursing Informatics - Psychiatric/Mental-Health Nurse Practitioner -Clinical Nurse Leader -Teaching Nursing - Primary Care Nurse Practitioner WXII: STATIi -Gerontology Round-figured women are more competitive Lana Groves New Dixie State Center: No. 72 ©2008 Even after he retired in asking them if they were think1992, Sorenson continued ing about internships or advising to visit the U and inspired them on what they could do with students to get internships their talents and futures. and gain the experience Before he returned to pass on they needed to succeed in life lessons at the U, where he journalism and public reearned his undergraduate delatiofis. Unfortunately, the gree, Sorenson was a journalist former professor's strong for the Los Angeles Examiner, presence will no longer The Washington Post and The grace a campus he left Daily Utah Chronicle. years ago. Sorenson even had a stint with Parry Sorenson "Parry was such an adthe FBI, Avery said. Practical exvocate for students and cared perience was always very imporgenuinely about their careers and help- tant to him, Avery said. Sorenson walked ing them get their start," Avery said. his talk. Brendan Shumway, vice president of "He was a genuine person. What you the U's PRSSA chapter, said he always see is what you got," he said. remembered seeing Sorenson at its funcm.mcfall@ tions. He was talking to students, always chronicle.utah.edu V Inside: OPINION: Student Body President; Patrick Reimberr defends his idea for a community engagement requirement. Page5 The women's basketball team blows by * # v J Westminster: Page 6 :- :•;'••;; |
