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Show www.utahstatesman.com Logan, Utah Utah State University Today is Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009 Breaking News The military will seek an immediate 120-day halt to Guantanamo trials pending review by President Obama. Campus News USU alumna speaks to students about acquiring skills inside and outside the classroom. Page 3 BARACK OBAMA, LEFT, JOINED BY HIS W I F E Michelle, takes the oath of office from Chief Justice John Roberts to become the 44th president of the United States at the U.S.Capitol in Washington, Tuesday. AP photo Features Millions witness history Obama makes history USU professor attends asfirst black president Tuesday's inauguration USU student shares his experience getting to the inauguration of President Obama. : ; ' " -" :'-; page7 Sports USU captures an automatic spot in NCAA indoor championships. Page 8 Opinion Thankfully, many have seen the problem with boycotting an artistic outlet because of its location, but only time will tell if the attitude surrounding this year's Sundance film festival will provide a blow to Utah's economy. Page 10 Almanac Today in History: In 1977, U.S. President Jimmy Carter granted an unconditional pardon to hundreds of thousands of men who evaded the draft during the Vietnam War. Weather High: 43° v r Low: 30? ^ ^ Skies: Partly cloudy, freezing rain expected Thursday. Archives and breaking news always ready for you at www.utahstatesman.com WASHINGTON (AP)-Before a jubilant crowd of more than a million, Barack Hussein Obama claimed his place in history as America's first black president, summoning a dispirited nation to unite in hope against the "gathering clouds and raging storms" of war and economic woe. On an extraordinary day in the life of America, people of all colors and ages waited for hours Tuesday in frigid temperatures to witness the moment as a young black man with a foreign-sounding name took command of a nation founded by slaveholders. It was a scene watched in fascination by many millions - perhaps billions - around the world. "We gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord," the nation's 44th president said. The presidency passed to Democrat Obama from Republican George W. Bush at the stroke of noon, marking one of democracy's greatest gifts: the peaceful transfer of power. But a stark transfer all the same. In one of the new administration's first acts, Obama ordered federal agencies to halt all pending regulations until further review - this after Bush's final weeks raised heated debate over rushing new rules into effect on the way out the door. Obama plunges into his new job in earnest on Wednesday, meeting with his economic team and Iraq advisers while Congress gives By GREG BOYLES assistant news editor \* See HISTORY, page 4 [ ] See INAUGURATION, page 3 Jeff Doyle and his 12-year-old daughter, Mikayla, were among the millions who shuffled through security check points and stood for hours in the frigid cold on the U.S. Capitol lawn Tuesday morning, all to be present at one of the most historic events in U.S. history to date. Doyle, associate professor in the School of Accountancy at USU, said the tickets he received for the event got him and his daughter only 50 yards away from the inaugural podium. "It was an amazing event," Doyle said. "Even though it was cold and we had to wait in the security line for two hours, it was still worth it." Doyle said he and his daughter started their day by leaving their hotel at 5:30 a.m. and arriving at the National Mall around 6 a.m. After their arrival they made their way through security among the throng of Obama supporters who, Doyle said, were all in high spirits. "The crowd was so positive. Everyone was singing and shouting. You could really feel the enthusiasm," Doyle said. Katie Christensen, 16, of Sandy, Utah, also flew to D.C to witness the inauguration in person. She, too, attested to the incredible energy that was present throughout the day. Facebook group calls students to arms from a letter e-mailed to students from USU President Stan Albrecht. "It all of a sudden hit home, the severity of the stakes involved in Save Higher Education in the Legislature," Babbel said. "I Utah, a Facebook group created wanted word to spread, I wanted by USU student Danielle Babbel students to mobilize. What easier devoted to organizing comway to do it then with a simple click munity involvement with Utah of a button?" Legislature's budget cut plans, Pat Lambert, Babbel's anthrohad 2,846 members as of 5 p.m. pology professor, encouraged her to Jan. 20 and the numbers continue get involved with and to get other to grow. students involved as well, Babbel Babbel said the group was cresaid. A fellow anthropology student ated barely two weeks ago and suggested Facebook as a means of has already received quite a bit of inciting involvement and Babbel attention. said she toyed with the idea before "The first few nights I just kept making it a reality. refreshing the page, watching the "It was late one night and I was (membership) numbers go up," in bed, I thought 'Why not do it said Babbel, senior in geology and now?"' Babbel said. "I've never creanthropology. ated a Facebook group before; I'd The group is dedicated to never used Facebook much before," softening the impact of the Babbel said once she created the Legislature's budget cuts on USU's group she invited her friends to campus as well as throughout join and the group has continued Utah, Babbel said, and she hopes growing since. Although the group it will get students involved. is focused around USU, she said the "It's really a positive thing," group is open to members throughBabbel said. "We're really promot- out the state and has received intering Huntsman's plan, trying to est from Facebook users all around lessen the blow. We're fighting to Utah. She said even though the preserve the quality of education." budget cuts directly impact USU, Babbel said she first became other universities in Utah are feelaware of USU s financial situation ing similar pinches and this will By RACHEL A. CHRISTENSEN news editor RENEE R A N S O M , UNDECLARED SOPHOMORE from Texas, signs a petition against the proposed budget cuts. TYLER LARSON photo radiate into the local communities. "We're all working towards the same goal - students, faculty, members of the community," she said. Jackson Olsen, ASUSU vice president, said ASUSU has teamed with Babbel and will use the Facebook group to get students involved with the legislative process. "Both (ASUSU and the Facebook group) had efforts going simultaneously," Olsen said. "We didn't want conflicting efforts or conflicting methods. The more united we are, the better off we'd be." The Facebook page has links for students so they can find the address of their legislator and write them concerning the budget cuts, Olsen said. "If you're from Layton, write your Layton legislator; if you're from Sandy, write your Sandy legislator," he said. "Say, 'Please don't pull the • I See FACEBOOK, page 3 |