University of Utah Student Newspapers | 2010-02-02 | Page 1

MAKING HISTORY: The U's FACE TO hockey team beats BYU for the first time » 6 The Chronicle takes a look at a few of the people who make the U unique» 3 DAILY www.dailyutahchronicle.com The U d niversity of Utah's Independent Studen U's low tuition debated in Legislature Jake Hibbard STAFF WRITER NATHAN SWEET/The Daily Utah Chronicle The Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee met with representatives of the Utah State Board of Regents to discuss issues involving tuition rates and state funding of colleges and universities in the West. Speaking before the Legislature on Monday, David Buhler, spokesman for the Utah Board of Regents, described the need 200 for state-funded colleges in Utah to maintain their tuition rates at "below the national average." Buhler compared the price of tuition during fiscal year 2007 for Utah schools to colleges in the eight closest states, and the U placed as the fifth cheapest. "What a value and a bargain our (colleges) are," said Sen. Ross Romero. "I think our students need to understand and appreciate that." Buhler said, howegislative ever, that the price essi on for tuition in Utah might actually be more for many families than in other states. "It's not uncommon (for families) to have two, three, four, even five kids in college at one time," Buhler said. "So that factors into the affordability of tuition." After a 9 percent cut this year, the U is facing an additional 4 percent budget cut next year. Paul Brinkman, associate vice president of budget and planning, previously said that tuition at the U will likely increase about 8 percent next year. Buhler said tuition at schools would continue to increase as long as state funding decreases. "As state support for higher ed See TUITION Page 4 UTA proposes more route cuts Katie Harrington STAFF WRITER The Utah Transit Authority is proposing more service cuts. Earlier this month, the agency announced its plan to reduce and eliminate several bus routes last month in order to help make up the $38 million in sales tax revenue that it has lost during the past two years. Last week, the agency announced that it would be reducing TRAX and FrontRunner services as well—including a direct line to the U—to save $2 million. Route 703—the direct train from Sandy to the U—is going to be reduced by about 6o percent starting Aprils, according to Gerry Carpenter, the agency's spokesman. UTA is proposing to eliminate all northbound trips between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Southbound trips would not pick back up until 4:04 p.m. "This was a nice addition that we added a while back, and we hoped UTA would have the funding to maintain it," Carpenter said. "But with the economic recession and our sales tax revenues being down so far, we're looking to have to make cuts somewhere, and this is the area that has been targeted." The proposal would eliminate all early morning and evening trips as well, Carpenter said. The last outbound train will leave just before 5:40 p.m., he said. People will have to make a transfer at the Gallivan Center stop downtown during off-peak hours instead of riding all the way through. FrontRunner changes will be less significant. UTA is proposing to reduce midday service to every hour rather than the half-hour service that is implemented now, Carpenter said. The agency is also proposing that one early morning trip from Ogden be added, hourly evening service begin earlier and the last northbound and southbound trips be earlier, he said. UTA does not have any other plans to propose more route changes between now and April, Carpenter said. It would only propose more changes this year if the recession worsened significantly, he said. Public hearings will also be held on Feb. II, 16 and 17. The Feb. 17 hearing will be held at the Rice-Eccles Stadium Tower. For specific times and addresses, go to UTA's website, www.rideuta. RICHARD PAYSON/The Daily Utah Chronicle gov. MEChA hopes tamales will fund conference trip Josh Bennett STAFF WRITER With their national conference drawing closer, Chicano/a students are working hard to attend the event. Members of the Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan, a Chicano-student organization at the U, are trying to raise enough money to attend their annual national conference. The event will take place from May 27 to 3o, at the University of Washington in Seattle. But after a funding shortfall, MEChA members are trying out new ways to pay for their trip to the west coast. To raise money, MEChA is selling tamales—sic) for half a dozen. "The tamales will help a lot," Rebecca Cedeno said. "They pay for about half of the conference. We plan on doing it again in March." To send 15 students to Seattle will cost $6,000. Historically, MEChA has found help through two primary sources—the Associated Students of the University of Utah and through members' major departments. In the past, ASUU has aided MEChA with about half of its traveling expenses, said Rebecca Cedeno, regional representative to MEChA. Because of the budget cuts, that funding didn't come through this year, she said. "As much as they would like to aid MEChA, ASUU doesn't have the ability," said Michelle Cedeno, a sophomore in political science. "They are doing all they can, and that's what matters." In addition, MEChA seeks sponsorship from students' various departments, Rebecca Cedeno said. MEChA will also be hosting a benefit concert Feb. 20, at the Boys & Girls Club in Midvale. The concert will cost $5, and proceeds will help send the students to Seattle, said Arturo Torres, co-chairman of MEChA. The concert will include live music, food and dancing, all with a Chicano theme. "The conference gives us cultural experiences we wouldn't get here in Utah," Rebecca Cedeno said. "It definitely gives me motivation to continue school." [e-mail] k.harrington@ chronicle.utah.edu A loss of $38 million in tax and sales revenue during the past two years has caused the Utah Transit Authority to propose a reduction in the frequency of the direct TRAX line between Sandy and the U by 60 percent. U department, Google to provide outlet for children with autism Deborah Rafferty STAFF WRITER The Google designers of SketchUp, along with the U department of family and consumer studies, will host an event Saturday to demonstrate the possibilities of the modeling program for an unlikely group—children with autism. SketchUp, a 3-D modeling program provided free for downloading by Google, was originally intended for use by architects, Hollywood set designers and video game designers, said Chris Cronin, co-manager for Project Spectrum and senior strategist for Google. However, about six years ago, SketchUp developers started receiving phone calls and e-mails from users saying that autistic children had hopped onto the computer and were doing amazing things with the program, said Tom Wyman, co-manager for Project Spectrum and manager of business development for Google. The developers decided to look into the matter, contacting the local chapter of the Autistic Society of America in Boulder, Colo., he said. They found the reason children and adults have such a good response to the program was because SketchUp is a visual program, Wyman said. Many people with autism are visually and spatially gifted, and SketchUp provides an artistic outlet for them, he said. From there, they teamed up with the Autism Society of America to create Project Spectrum to help get the word out about the possible benefits for SketchUp. They have spoken at national conventions for the Autism Society, as well as visiting schools in the Boulder and Denver area, Cronin said. "When we find such a great fit (for a program like this), we make sure See AUTISM Page 4 Prof to run against Matheson for Congress Veronica Pineda Candidate group are dissatisfied with Matheson's negligence in terms of climate control, environment and civil After 20 years of research at the U, rights. pathology professor John Weis will ex"Jim Matheson has sold out to corpochange his lab coat for a suit to stand rate interests and abandoned so many up for the progressive interests principals of the Democratic of Utah Democrats. Party that it has become esWeis' run for Congress began sential to remove him from after he responded to a Craigpower," said Troy Williams, slist advertisement posted by executive producer of the environmental activist Tim show RadioActive on local DeChristopher, searching for a radio station KRCL and the "Courageous Congressman." moderator for Saturday's Supporters of the Citizens' event. Candidate group gathered at "He continues to stray Joh n Weis the Salt Lake City Public Lifurther and further away brary and nominated Weis on Saturday from the democratic ideals that a lot of as the "Citizens' Candidate" to face us have," Weis said. Rep. Jim Matheson in the 2010 election The group is seeking someone who for Utah's second congressional seat. would tackle seven progressive issues: Weis and members of the Citizens' climate change; health care; lesbian, STAFF WRITER gay, bisexual and transgender rights; labor; immigration; peace; and environmental issues. Weis, an outdoorsman and scientist, is excited to take on the challenge and push for bills supporting cleaner energy and wilderness protection. "He is a very capable person with enough intelligence and knowledge to oppose Matheson if given the opportunity to do so," said Michael Minch, chairman of the department of philosophy at Utah Valley University and a Weis supporter. Although the group doesn't support Matheson, there are those in Utah who do. A statewide survey performed in January by Dan Jones & Associates— a political polling firm—showed Matheson has a 71 percent approval rating. [e-mail]