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Show Columnist Sarah Clark asks for support from the U in student-veteran suicides » 5 U 11 1ST SHMT: Utes fall to Nevada despite dominating shots on goal » g t 29, 2011 DIAIEILY UTAH CHT:ONI E www.dailyutahchronicle.com The University of Utah's Independent Studen,A, _e Since 1890 ARM Senate confirms members cD2gipl A Crimson Nights premiere COOL DOWN Students converge at the laid-back Americana party after first week Scott Wiseman STAFF WRITER Laura Schmitz NEWS EDITOR After confirming nearly 20 members of the executive cabinet Aug. 18, the Associated Students of the University of Utah held its second Senate confirmation meeting Thursday, finalizing its executive cabinet by confirming nearly 20 remaining candidates. The Senate then heard from each appointed executive cabinet member, one-byone, as the senators looked over each nominee's letter of intent. Fifteen of 16 senators were present, ruling out the possibility for a tie. All but one nominee was confirmed. Favoritism among candidates was discussed. Neena Pack, confirmed director of campus relations for ASUU, was questioned in the previous senate meeting on allegations of nepotism because of her sister Neela Pack's position as ASUU president. One senator asked Sallee Bennion, a sophomore in accounting who was up for confirmation as executive assistant, about her relationship to ASUU vice president Tobin Bennion and Neela Pack. This was the only time that question was asked during the three-hour confirmation meeting. "Tobin is obviously my brother," Sallee Bennion said in response. "I hope Tobin being vice president won't keep me from being involved as well." Shortly after the question of Sallee Bennion's relationship to her brother was mentioned, another senator asked if the issue was relevant. Among other leadership responsibilities mentioned, Sallee Bennion was philanthropy chair of her sorority, Chi Omega, and said she changed her schedule to accommodate her potential responsibilities as executive assistant, where she would be the first point of contact for the president, vice president and chief of staff. "I feel I (should be chosen) based on my qualifications," Sallee Bennion said. After answering questions posed by the Senate and delivering her speech, Sallee Bennion was ultimately the only appointed executive-cabinet candidate not confirmed by the body as she garnered five yeas, seven nays and one abstention. The vice president and president will now have to find another candidate for the executive assistant position. "This will put a big burden on us," said ASUU President Neela Pack. "Sallee was definitely a huge resource for all of us." Another candidate questioned on grounds of nepotism was Chase Rigby, a senior in mass communication and Spanish and candidate for attorney general. Rigby's association with vice president Tobin Bennion was the issue at hand. "My résumé speaks for itself," Rigby said. The senior participated in an internship in Vol. 111 No.6 PHOTOS BY SPENCER SANDSTROM/The Daily Utah Chronicle Yousun Lee, a sophomore in business, tries her hand at riding the mechanical bull at Crimson About 7,000 students attended the event held in the Union on Friday. Nights. The Union Programming Council held its first Crimson Nights of the year Friday, offering an all-American-themed festival that brought together about 7,000 students. Keeping in line with the Americana theme, the night featured free food, a packed dance floor hosted by DJ Marcus Wing, billiards, bowling, a fried-food stand, airbrush tattoos and a mechanical bull. "School is more serious than it was in high school, but Crimson Nights gives it a laid-back and chill feel," said Christopher Bell, a freshman in biomedical engineering. Crimson Nights, which immediately followed the annual Greek Block Party, also played host to fraternity and sorority recruitment tables outside the Union. Students donning Greek letters and Ute gear littered the plaza, eager to meet new students and reconnect with friends. "I really like all the school spirit," said Kya Palomaki, a freshman in political science. "We didn't have too much of that in high school, and everyone's wearing Utah gear." Most students spent their time gathering around the dance floor, which was held in the Union Ballroom and drew increased crowds as the night went on. "It looks like this is where everyone is at tonight, so people might as well come out and meet other people," said Connor Howard, a freshman in business. Bridger Harris, director of Crimson Nights, said all the activities—especially the free food offered all night—made it a popular event. "My favorite part of Crimson Nights is always walking around, talking to people and seeing everyone have a good time," Harris said. "The reason we have Crimson Nights is so students have a chance to meet new people, have fun with their friends and enjoy and enrich their college experience, so it's really fulfilling to see it happening." For some students, Crimson Nights acted as an avenue to make new acquaintances. "This is a really big campus, and there are a lot of kids living on and off campus," said Griffin Morris, a freshman in history. "The cool See CRIMSON Page 4 See CABINET Page 4 Greek Block Party starts rush Steve Mouritsen STAFF WRITER KIMBERLY ROACH/The Daily Utah Chronicle Many non-greeks went to the Greek Block Party to learn more about the greek system Friday night. On Friday, fraternities and sororities hosted a block party on Greek Row to introduce recruits to greek life just hours before rush, which began Saturday. Surrounded by sorority and fraternity houses Friday night, students gathered to participate in wall climbing and miniature golf, and to check out local radio station U92's promotional booth. "There are two purposes of the event," said Robbie Boettger, a junior in chemical engineering and president of the Interfraternity Council. "The first is to have a back-to-school event for all the students who are in fraternities and sororities. The second purpose is to get kids who aren't involved in greek life really interested in it, and See GREEK Page 4 Fans mingle with athletes at Ute Fest Tyler North STAFF WRITER Ute supporters showed up Saturday to interact with athletes for the nth annual Ute Fan Fest. All 18 Ute varsity sports teams participated in the event at Rice-Eccles Stadium, where fans and athletes were able to mingle and show appreciation for one another. The Crimson Club is responsible for organizing and directing the event, which was cosponsored by Deseret News. "We get a lot of donations, and it's something that the athletics department and the Crimson Club feel is very important for the community," said Olivia Hall, Crimson Club board member. About $20,000 went into making this event happen. It has now run annually every year since 1999, with the exception of 2008 because of budget cuts. "Chris Hill was generous enough to find a way to fund it, and we are excited to have it back," Hall said. Admission to the event was free, as was everything else with the exception of concessions. Activities ranged from golfing and soccer to a dunk tank, and filled the Rice-Eccles Stadium from the entrance to the field itself. "My whole family is here, doing the dunk tank, getting the face tattoos and can't wait for the band to perform," Hall said. See FAN FEST Page 4 |