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Show StatesmanCampus News Monday, Aug. 24, 2009 Page 3 ‘Golden Toaster’ parking goes BLUE Briefs Campus & Community By RACHEL A. CHRISTENSEN news editor Students will no longer be able to find free parking on campus, said James Nye, assistant director of USU Parking and Transportation Services. The last free parking lot on campus – the one belonging to the LDS church west of campus known as the Golden Toaster – is now designated as a BLUE parking area, Nye said. A student can purchase a BLUE permit for $87 for this school year, Nye said. BLUE permit holders have access to many lots across campus, including a large two-hourlimit lot near the TSC. The Golden Toaster now requires a permit to park Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Nye said, which allows the church full use of the lot for evening activities and weekends. Due to the relocation of tennis courts on campus, Nye said 240 parking spots were eliminated that were previously reserved for BLUE permits. Students who paid for parking suddenly found themselves without a place to park. The newly acquired lot recovers 105 parking stalls for permit holders, Nye said, which helps make up for the loss. Lisa Leishman, director of Parking and Transportation Services, said because of the recovered number of stalls, the value of the BLUE permit increased since the spring. “When people come in for BLUE permits and we tell them about the new lot, they are elated,” she said. Mitch Smith, senior in graphic design, however, said as a non-permit holder, he doesn’t share the same enthusiasm at the news. Smith used the church’s parking THE PARKING LOT OF THE LDS CHURCH, known as the lot before it was converted into university Golden Toaster, will no longer be a haven of free parking for students. parking because it was free and close to BLUE permits are now required to use the lot. CODY GOCHNOUR photo most of his classes. Although he didn’t use the lot often, he said he still doesn’t approve of this decision. “Separation of church and state, anyone?” he asked. “I never even understood how (USU) could ticket for a parking lot they didn’t even own.” A parking document provided by Nye states USU has helped regulate the lot, pay for snow removal and pay for signage in the lot in the years before it became a permit-lot. USU never recouped the costs of these services. Last fall, the university stopped all parking enforcement for a month. During that time, the church experienced “complete chaos” in their parking lot, such as vehicles parked on the grass and in reserved stalls, and the church had no way to enforce these rules, the parking document states. This led the university to resume regulation. USU signed a memorandum with the USU First Stake in September 2008, giving the university permission to use the lot during designated hours. According to the parking document, the Parking and Transportation Advisory Committee – composed of five students, three staff and three faculty members – created a recommendation for administration to go through with plans to change the church’s lot into a BLUE parking area last spring. The Golden Toaster’s parking lot officially became BLUE parking Aug. 1. The parking documents states USU Parking receives no money from USU tuition or state dollars; it is completely self-sufficient. While Parking works to give students the best parking experience possible, the document states “everything comes at a cost.” –rac.ch@aggiemail.usu.edu Doty: Counselor initiated the animal therapy program at USU -continued from page 1 Student Services provides. As a Center, we have lost the matriarch of our office but it has pulled us together as a family. Mary trusted us to do our jobs and provided us with encouragement and resources to better serve the students of USU. She was instrumental in supporting multiple worthy causes on and off campus, from Sub for Santa to literacy to the women’s shelter.” This list hardly illuminates the essence of Doty according to USU friends – the essence which Dickinson attributed to those who are great friends. A disheartened student or a downcast co-worker couldn’t amble past Doty and not feel her immediate warmth and wisdom engulf them. Rosenthal said, “For almost half of my life we shared so much laughter and tears and simple quiet times together, and I never thought I would live out my life without her. I’ll never trust anyone as much as I’ve always trusted Mary nor experience the unconditional acceptance I always felt from her. I want to find some meaning from her death, but I don’t believe I really ever will. There’s so much ugliness in life, and Mary had so much more to give to lessen that ugliness. So many lives will not be changed through her now.” Doty not only provided encouragement for the lives of people but animals as well, like her trusty therapy and companion dogs, Griffin and Remy, and her cats, Piper, Tango Bob, Calais and Tenzen. Doty often took her animals around the university to visit anyone in need of comfort. It was common to see Remy waiting by the window of the Counseling Center for her return. Certainly animal friends aren’t the only ones missing Doty, as attested by Suzanne Thorpe, vice president of student services. “Mary was an incredible and inspirational woman,” Thorpe said. “She was truly loved by countless people and animals. She had such a compassionate heart and would always take time to listen to your ideas or concerns. Mary’s kindness, generosity and love showed in her daily interactions with faculty, staff and students.” Simply put, Bush said, “Her generosity was exemplary, her sense of humor a joy, and her commitment to USU unequaled. She will be missed.” A memorial service was held Thursday, Aug. 20, at USU in the Evan Stevens Ballroom where many friends recalled the life of Doty. Thorpe said, “Her excitement for life was contagious, and you couldn’t help but be touched and motivated. She has left each of us with priceless memories of what it is to live and love life.” –storee.powell@aggiemail.usu.edu • USU Housing personnel contacted USU Police about a BB gun, CO2 cartridges, and BBs that were found in Summit Hall. Police took possession of these items. Sunday, August 17 • Police stopped a vehicle for an expired registration. Upon further investigation police located marijuana in the driver’s possession and the vehicle was not insured. The driver was arrested for possession of marijuana and for driving without insurance on his vehicle. Monday, August 18 • Complainant called the police department wanting to report some troubles she had over the summer with an ex-boyfriend. Complainant wants the police department to have a record in case the problems continue while she is attending USU. • An individual reported that he car had been hit while parked in the Aggie Terrace and that the other driver did not leave a note about the accident. Police are investigating. Continuing the Museum of Anthropology’s Saturdays at the Museum series at Utah State University, the museum will explore the exhibit “Message on a Body” Aug. 29. Activities look at the traditions, symbolisms and beliefs of various cultures’ concepts of beauty. “There are many reasons behind what we do as humans to adorn or decorate the body,” said Holly Andrew, Saturday’s program coordinator. “In some cultures, tattoos, piercings and body art play an important role in cultural identity representing strength and beauty. In others, it is viewed as a form of expression, rebellion or rejection of conformity. This exhibit is unique because it discusses how cultures perceive beauty and asks the viewers to reflect on their own concept of beauty. We invite all people to come.” USU students and members of the public are invited to the museum any time during the 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday hours. Activities will include a lecture and tour highlighting the exhibit along with activities for children and adults. Funding for the program is provided by a grant from the Institute of Library and Museum Services. The USU Museum of Anthropology is located in the south turret of Old Main, Room 252. Free parking is available in the adjacent lot, south of the building. For more information on this event, call museum staff at 797-7545. Campus wellness goal of passport program MARY DOTY, ABOVE CENTER, poses with her staff from the Counseling Center. Carol Rosenthal, director of the Academic Resource Center, said, “I’ll never trust anyone as much as I’ve always trusted Mary nor experience the unconditional acceptance I always felt from her.” photo courtesy of CAROL ROSENTHAL. Below, Doty’s picture is displayed by the lectern at a memorial service in the TSC Thursday evening. TYLER LARSON photo PoliceBlotter Friday, August 15 Museum explores body art traditions • USU Police assisted a student on the Quad with a sprained left ankle. No medical treatment was requested from the student. Tuesday, August 19 • USU Police was called to the Parking Office to meet with an individual who said one of her old roommates used her personal information to obtain a parking pass. This old roommate signed the complainant’s name to obtain the pass. This person also has some outstanding parking violations. USU Police is following up on this incident. • USU Police was dispatched to the emergency phone near Valley View Towers. On arrival, one individual reported that the button was pushed by a group possibly made up of USU football players. The coaching staff was informed of the problem. USU Police was unable to find any problem in the area. The alarm was reset. • Police investigated a report of an odor that was making individuals feel sick. It was determined that a sealant had been recently sprayed in the area. The area was aired out and the individuals felt better. Contact USU Police at 797-1939 for non-emergencies. Anonymous reporting line: 797-5000 EMERGENCY NUMBER: 911 • USU Police responded to a fire alarm in the Family Life Building on a fire alarm. This alarm was caused by water leaking onto a heat detector resulting from some ongoing building construction. The leak was repaired so that the alarm could be reset. Wednesday, August 20 • USU Police responded to the LLC to remove a squirrel from a dorm room. When the officer arrived, the squirrel had already been removed from the building. • USU Police responded to an animal problem at the LLC. Upon arrival, USU Police located a black and white Husky dog. The dog was taken to the Cache Meadows Veterinary Clinic. Thursday, August 21 • Police and Fire Marshals responded to a fire alarm at Rich Hall. The alarm was caused by an individual that was having a curling iron problem. The alarm was reset. -Compiled by Catherine Meidell Campus Recreation and USU Wellness have come together again to promote the Fitness Passport. The program offers exercise classes on campus, including: yoga, pilates, body sculpting, cardio sculpting, kickboxing, step aerobics, spinning, water aerobics and harmony in the world (gentle Aikido). To keep a workout routine fresh, students should choose to attend any of the classes offered with the passport. The program’s motto is, “Any class, any time, any day.” Enjoy free classes from Aug. 31 through Sept. 4. Passports can be purchased at the service desk (pool cage, HPER) or Nelson Fieldhouse. For more information, students can visit www.usu.edu/camprec or contact Shelly Bybee of Campus Recreation at 797-7218. Prices are $45 per semester for USU employees/spouse with USU ID and $99 per semester for community members. USU students pay $25 per semester. ‘Crossing Boundaries’ highlights artists The Caine School of the Arts at Utah State University plans a yearlong series under the title “Crossing Boundaries.” The series opens with performance artist Jose Torres-Tama Monday, Aug. 31, at 7 p.m. in the Morgan Theatre of the Chase Fine Arts Center at USU and is presented by the Department of Art and the Caine School of the Arts. Torres-Tama’s performance, “Cone of Uncertainty,” is free and open to the public. Torres-Tama uses fire and costuming to explore themes of self, social and political identities. He has been featured on NPR’s Latino USA and has traveled extensively, performing and giving academic lectures and workshops. In addition to the performance, a selection of Torres-Tama’s work is on exhibit Aug. 31 – Sept. 26 in the newly remodeled gallery, Studio 102, located in Fine Arts Visual, Room 102. The exhibition, “Contemporary Voices in Visual Narrative,” features additional artists and celebrates the beginning of the year-long Tanner Project. -Compiled from staff and media reports |