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Show StatesmanCampus News Friday, Sept. 12, 2008 USU gets new agriculture facility Briefs Campus & Community Students need to get W cards checked By NICHOLAS PETERSON staff writer The Utah State Legislature has funded the construction of numerous agricultural learning centers for USU students located in Wellsville. The centers are mostly for animal studies such as breeding, medicine and genetic research. Noelle Cockett, dean of the College of Agriculture said, "I think the reason the legislature provided the funding for most of this is because they wanted to continue our legacy and agriculture here at Utah State University." The most recently constructed building is the Matthew Hillyard Animal, Teaching and Research Center. The building was built completely for the purpose of animal studies. The center is split up into different sections, each having their own purpose. There are areas for animal living, classrooms and state of the art research labs. Cockett said she is very excited about the future this center holds. She feels it will help greatly with the agricultural department and their research. Cockett said some students will be studying under the instruction and research of Ken White, who helped to create the first cloned mule. "It's very very high tech," Cockett said. "It's a research and teaching facility focused on animal reproduction, genetics and health, so it has to be." Every classroom is set up in a great way for students, Cockett said. There are individual microscopes and many other researching tools for each student to use. She said tools like these could be used to help student's research and maybe even help cure animal diseases, deformities and other health issues. Cockett said this building was not the end in this expansion of agricultural learning centers. She said the department is currently working on the construction of another new building right next to the research facility. This building will be used for more animal storage and student classrooms, in order to do more research and studying. Cockett said the College of Agriculture has done numerous fundraising and raised almost a million T H E U T A H STATE LEGISLATURE funded the agiculture learning facility located in Wellsville. The building is for animal studies. CAMERON PETERSON photo dollars for this new building. When asked about why the location of Wellsville was chosen, Cockett said it is a slow process of what they would like to see in the future. Cockett said that process is trying to transfer all animal related facilities in the area to where the new building is located, and keeping all strictly research related buildings on the north side of Cache County. She said there are already animal facilities on the north side of Logan, but right now they are slowly trying to move everything over to the new area. Cockett also said she is encouraging all students lo get involved with agricultural science and even to go look at the new facility. She said this facility is for students, and she wants them to feel comfortable with it and get excited about it. "I want students to see how beautiful the facil- ity is," Cockett said," and it's surrounded by beautiful views of the area. My favorite view is when you're coming from Wellsville into Logan. You can see the front of the facility right from the road and capture how beautiful it is." Sam Urie, junior in agricultural education, said he is very excited about the new research facility. He thinks it is important for everyone to realize how crucial agriculture research is. "I think it's sweet that they're finally investing money in what's most important in our civilization, which is agriculture," Urie said. Cockett said classes for students in the facility will start in spring semester. She said she knows students are excited, and she only hopes to see more growth in the amazing agricultural learning that takes place at USU. -mcholas.peterson@aggiemail.usu.edu The USU Card Office wants to ensure that all students' access to campus facilities and events are not hindered in any way. The Card Office recently completed a major update of its computer system. If you have used your card to access a computer lab this semester your card is working as it should. If you have not used your card to access a computer lab this semester the Card Office wants to help make sure your card is working perfectly. The Card Office will quickly test your card to ensure you are able to use it as expected with no cost to the student. The Card Office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and is located on the second floor of the TSC. Don't let a card problem prevent you from getting into a game on the weekend or a computer lab when you have an assignment due. Sexual assault awareness day USU's Sexual Assault & AntiViolence Information (SAAVI) Office keeps campus safe and informed by challenging students to open their mouths and take a bite out of crime at its first ever donut eating contest in coordination with the annual Red Zone Day, Monday, Sept. 17. The donut eating contests will be held at 10:20 a.m., 11:20 a.m., and 12:20 p.m.. Contestants at the TSC Patio will have two minutes to eat all of the powdered donuts they can stomach; prizes will be given the winner of each round. an assistance with a personal problem, we can help "We want to use this funny them. We help people get good benefits, we help them spectacle as a way to remind get signed up for things, we lead them through some campus that we can all make difof the complexities of a large bureaucracy. We have ference if we are willing to open a very active wellness program, to keep employees our mouths and talk about sexual healthy, let them know what their risk factors are, etc. assault," said Rachel Brighton, We really do make it a point to serve the employees of USU SAAVI coordinator. "If, Utah State," she said. through our words and actions, "Space is such a premium, and by allowing us to we send the message that rape will find a building that was more appropriate for our not be tolerated, we can stop this needs, we really could show the importance of the problem in its tracks." Human Resources Department to the rest of campus. During USU's annual Red For us to get this building was just a real coo, and Zone Day students, faculty, staff thank goodness Vice President Hunsaker saw that, and community members are and the opportunity," she said. -Hndsay. anderson@aggiemail. usu. edu invited to visit a variety of exhibits from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the TSC Patio. Exhibitors will include SAAVI, Student Health & Wellness, USU Counseling Center, USU Police, USU AA/EO, CAPSA, Planned Parenthood, One-in-Four and more. The exhibits are aimed at building awareness of campus and community resources for education and assistance. Visitors can also register to win gift certificates. Human resources moves to a new location By LINDSAY ANDERSON news senior writer The USU Human Resources Department's location has changed from the Military Science Building to their own location on the northwest corner of 1200 E. and 700 North. "We were really lucky in changing locations. A building became available, and Vice President Hunsaker in business and finance, saw the opportunity to put human resources in a place where it would be much more visible physically," said BrandE Faupell, executive director for USU's Human Resources Department. Faupell said the new location is "fantastic" and much more ideal for the work human resources does. "We've been in Military Science Building for as long as I can remember, and I don't why. But it was a difficult place for us, we were on two floors, essentially separated work space, it was hard to find each other, hard for employees to find us, it was just a very difficult space," Faupell said. The main function of the Human Resources Department is to serve faculty and staff who are on contract and benefit eligible, Faupell said. "We touch everything that happens here," Faupell said. Human resources provides a variety of functions, Faupell said, including retirement, life, health, and death insurance plans, short and long term disability, compensation plans and adjustment, and EPAF's (electronic personal action forms). "We exist to serve the employees here. If they need Republican: Student delegate 3 continuedfrompage 1 "I'm pleased now that McCain got it and hearing him talk more, I think he is the right man to do it," Irvine said. "I heard Romney speak and I was a little disenfranchised with him." Irvine said he is impressed with McCain's foreign policy experience and his service during wartime, something that gives McCain an edge over opponent Barack Obama. "He's not only seen but felt the atrocities of war," Irvine said. Irvine said McCain is best suited to lead the country at this time, mentioning the tensions with Russia, North Korea and Iran. "I think McCain is set to lead with the issues we face today," he said. At the convention, Irvine said he was most impressed with vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin. The energy on Wednesday, when Palin spoke, was unbelievable, Inane said. By Thursday, he said the audience was just tired. Irvine said the choice of Palin as a running mate says a lot about McCain because she is a "very dangerous choice." "It reinforces that he is doing what he thinks is right for the people," he said. Despite the questions of her experience, Irvine said she will be good for Washington. D.C. Irvine, junior in business, was able to attend the Republican National Convention after being chosen by USU's Honors Program to participate in the Washington's Center Presidential Nominating Seminar. Irvine was in Minnesota about two weeks. The week prior to the convention, the Washington Center hosted several guest speakers and also took other participating students to the state fair. They also received a tour of the Xcel Center, where the convention was held. However, Irvine said he was struck most by what he saw going on outside the convention, not inside. He said he witnessed a lot of poverty in St. Paul, making him questions the priorities of political parties. "Why are we doing this?" Irving said he thought. "There are problems in society and here we are having this grand old party." During the convention there were a number of riots. Irving said things were so bad, he and the others he traveled with had to be accompanied by armed guards. Irvine said the circumstances were like a "miniature civil war." In the Xcel Center, Irvine said there were television sets everywhere broadcasting different news networks. Prior to exiting the convention each night, he said they would watch the news broadcasts to make sure it was safe to leave. "It was unlike anything I have ever been to," Irvine said. He said the animosity told him a lot about humanity. Irvine said breaking windows doesn't make any point but sitting down and discussing issues can have real influence. At the convention, Irvine was a delegate aid, a delegate without a vote, for Arizona, helping with whatever the party needed. Irvine said, "Overall, I was very appreciative to the honors department to sending me. I definitely walked away learning a lot more." -arie.k@aggiemail.usu.edu Shovelingfor a grade Best selling author gives work reading STUDENTS FROM BEN BALDWIN'S CONNECTION CLASS spread bark and gravel on the "Pollinator Garden" located at the southwest corner of the Biology and Natural Resources building as part of a service project incorporating the students' curriculum concept of sustainability. Classes from several colleges participated in the design of the garden, focusing on low water usage and specific "water-wise" plant selection with the goal of creating a habitat for pollinating insects. More information on USU's efforts toward sustainability can be found at http://sustainabilitY.usu.edu. CAMERON PETERSON photos Author Mark Spragg is the next featured guest in the Utah State University Department of English Speakers Series. Spragg will read from his work at noon, Thursday, Sept. 18, in the David B. Haight Alumni Center on campus, approximately 650 N. 800 East. The free event is open to everyone. Spragg is the author of three books - "Where Rivers Change Direction," a memoir that won the Mountains & Plains Booksellers Award, and the novels "The Fruit of Stone" and, most recently, "An Unfinished Life." All were top-10 BookSense selections and have been translated into 15 languages. Spragg and his wife, Virginia, wrote the screenplay for "An Unfinished Life," which was released in 2005 by Miramax Films. The series features faculty writing and research accomplishments and noted visiting authors and scholars sharing their work. Next up is poet Robert Wrigley. He'll read from his work at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at the USU Haight Alumni Center. For more information call 797-3858 or email marina.hall@usu.edu. [MCompiled from staff and media reports |