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Show new/ MONDAY- APRIL 9 • 2007 A7 BYU students protest Cheney Peaceful protesting against commencement plans Justin Ritter News Writer Clad in white shins and armed with signs and flags, more than a hundred Brigham Young University students gathered on their campus to protest Vice President Dick Cheney, who will speak at the university's commencement ceremony. According to the BYU College Democrats who organized the event, protesters at the Apr. 4 sitin not only opposed Cheney, they were also "Concerned [...] that the Vice President's visit may be incorrectly interpreted as an endorsement by the university-which ts politically neutral-or by BYU students, who arc politically diverse." Sitting on the sidewalk outside BYU's Joseph F. Smith Building and holding a sign reading, "Cheney is killing our troops," BYU student Mark Jessop said that the decision to invite the, Vice President "Quells the notion that BYU has dialogue balance." Jessop said he disagrees with Cheney's policies but is glad he is coming because it gives him a chance to voice his opinions about those policies. "My big thing is that he's towards torture," said protester Anne Zobell. 'That's unacceptable." A senior at BYU who will be graduating later this month, Zobell said she might not attend commencement ceremonies because her father objects to Cheney's visit. If she does go, she said, she will leave before Cheney speaks. Another senior Patricia Campbell is considering an ' alternate attending commencement ceremony being organized by the BYU College Democrats. Members are currently trying to find a speaker for the ceremony. the LDS Church, which operates BYU, defended the board of trustees* decision to invite Cheney in a statement released last week. According to that statement, "The invitation is seen by the university's board of trustees as one extended to someone holding the high office of vice president of the United States rather than a partisan political figure." Students were asked by the administration to not criticize BYU or the LDS Church during the protest. Justin Ritter/College Times BYU students peacefully protest Vice President Dick Checey's upcoming commencement address, scheduled April 26. Natural history class take excursion From EXCURSION • A1 wide by 770 foot deep volcanic crater. "Ubehebe Crater is only two to six thousand years old," said Horns. "By geologic standards, that's still considered active." Devil's Golf Course, an area identified by the presence of jagged salt pinnacles that form as the result of a complicated series The BYU College Republicans staged their own rally in support of Cheney's visit on another part of campus. The College Democrats are planning on holding another protest on Apr. 26, when Cheney arrives to speak at commencement. of processes triggered by rain water, was also on the list of stops. Afghani immigrant Najib Niazi was taken along on the trip by virtue of a department scholarship arranged by Horns. "I liked Death Valley because the climate and the landscape reminded me of my home country," said Niazi. "That's the best experience I've had in my life. But for me, the fun part was the social part." Mechanical problems with one of the UVSC motor pool vans forced trip leaders to cancel a planned stop at Racetrack Playa, a dry lake bed best known as the home of small boulders that move unassisted by any human or animal interaction. "We were almost there," said Reynolds. "We were like nine miles away when the van broke down." Reynolds said that despite the frustration of mechanical problems, she still considered the trip a success. The destination of the next Natural History Excursion is Yellowstone National Park which is scheduled for Jun. 6-9. Preventing college suicide Heather Brown News Writer WE'RE LOOKING FOR TALENTED STUDENT PERFORMERS! The Disney Theme Parks & Resorts College Program is seeking Animated Character Performers HJ and Parade Performers to perform at the Walt Disney World® Resort consideration will be given to ^ Disney Animated Character Renormtfofta j't ,| "look-alikes" and individuals I 4'8"-5'and6'-6'3". I $. Applicants must view an online H • z presentation and attend an £j audition. Perhaps no one can really know why someone commits suicide, yet according to the Suicide and Mental Health Association International (SMHAI), suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students after accidents. SMHAI points out that college students don't usually fit the profile of other young adults that commit suicide. Most young people that commit suicide use or abuse drugs and alcohol or have impulsive, risk-taking personalities. College suicides tend to be depressed, quiet, socially-isolated people who draw little attention to themselves. There is no foolproof way of being able to know that someone is thinking of hurting her or himself, but the following signs, given by the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, may indicate that a person is considering suicide: Threatening to hurt or kill oneself www.disneycollegeprogram.com and an online application. gretted their decision. In an article in The New Yorker, Survivor Ken Baldwin said, "I instantly realized that everything in my life that I thought was unfixable was totally fixable- except for having just jumped." If you or anyone that you know is showing warning signs of being suicidal, there are things you can do. First, ask them if they are suicidal. Don't be afraid to ask—it does not increase the risk of them committing suicide. Listen to what they have to say. Ask them to follow up with getting help. Refer them to others. Don't be sworn to secrecy. Walk them to Student Health Services Department. If they refuse help, call for help. There is always someone to call. UVSC Student Health is located in SC 221, and can be reached at (801) 863-8876. The Utah County Hotline number is (801) 226-4433. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK. Community Job Fair jj Check out our Web site at /entertainment for further details or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself, A suddenly worsening school performance, and Violent mood swings or a sudden change in personality among others. In 2003, UVSC student Garrett Lee Smith committed suicide. In 2004, Congress passed the Garrett Lee Smith Youtn Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Program (GLSMA), the first legislation to provide funding specifically for campus suicide prevention programs. UVSC is in the process of implementing the GLSMA on campus. J.C. Graham, M.S.W. recently accepted the position as the UVSC Coordinator of Suicide Awareness & Prevention. She is in the process of implementing the program campus wide. Suicide has been called a permanent "solution" to a temporary problem. A study was conducted with people who had jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge to commit suicide and lived through it: All of them re- April 11,2007 10:00 am • 6:00 pm McKay Events Center AUDITION . April 13, 2007 Need a job or career change? Center Stage Performing Arts Studios 575 N 1200 W Orem, UT 84057 4:00 pm Over 80 Local Employers Recruiting For more information visit: www.uvsc.edu/communityjobfair lltahValkv EOE • Drawing Creativity from Diversity • ODisnay 0U)SEMPLOmfNT 4 ^ f fROVOflllEM [ m a SERVICES |