OCR Text |
Show Meeting the faces behind 1:11q 1 By FAITH HEATON Life Writer Every spring, we see the campaign posters plastered on the halls. Ominous leadership positions open up and we wonder how much power the student government really holds on campus. One position that remains a bit of a mystery is the student senator. If there is a bit of a veil over the purpose this position, it is unintentional. What many students don't realize is that there are seven student senators at UVU - one for each school or department. These student senators act as the student voice to help make changes that improve their school. The student senators collaborate and collect improvement ideas from the frequently-checked suggestion boxes that are spread out across campus. David Millet is the Vice President of Academic Affairs. One of his roles is to oversee the activity of the student senators. Attending UVU since spring semester of 2009, this is his second year in a student government position. He started out as a senator himself, last year for the School of Business. He explained the motivations behind this arm of the student government as being centered on what stu- dents want. "Some of the big changes that we helped to bring to campus this year were the Costa Vida and Subway at the food court. We took a survey and asked students what they wanted, and that is what they got," Millet said. Millet also talked about the change of adding a cafe in the Education Building because of an expressed need from the students. Together with the student senators, Millet coordinates events and brings speakers on campus, with Bill Nye being one of their latest guests. However, the "final say" on the guest lectures, said Millet, ultimately lies with the faculty because they are in charge of the school budget. Millet also attends meetings with the Faculty Senate and the Academic Affairs Council where he meets with the deans of all the schools to represent the Student Body. Citing a desire to "actually improve the campus life" as a reason to be involved in student government, Millet explained that he wanted more from his experience at UVU than the monotonous rhythm of going back and forth from school to home. "I really love UVU and wanted to impact the school. Plus, the experience looks good on a resume," Millet said. With the obvious benefits that come along with involvement in student government, it's a wonder that more people don't get involved. Knowing how to get involved is the first big hurdle for people who are interested, Millet explained. "I think students that are interested realize how much work it is, and then decide that they don't want that much responsibility," Millet said. Before dismissing the idea, students should recognize that there are some definite perks to being involved with student government beyond jazzing up your resume and getting to pick speakers to give lectures on campus. All of the student body officers are in one-year positions and are paid for their time. The student senators don't get a salary, but they do receive tuition reimbursements. The only requirements to run in the student government elections, typically held in March, is that students are full time, don't have any holds on their records, and meet minimum GPA requirements. For anyone interested in participating in student government, the first step would be to drop by SC 105 or to go to uvu.edu/ studentgovernment to fill out an application. Student Senator Q&A: 1 - What brought you to UVU? 2 - Why did you become a student Senator? MEAGAN DALRYMPLE +ill I [11010 3 41111C111[1] ■ 114 ■ /41‘41 DULGUUN "DODIE" ZORIGT MI C[11 JUNIOR - MAJOR: COMMUNITY HEALTH 1311 01 AP SOPHOMORE - MAJOR: ELEMENTARY EDUCATION 1 - My mom came here when it was UTC, and she grew up in the area, so I visited every summer. Since I have family here, everything just fell into place 1- I am from Mongolia and the landscape of Mongolia is very similar to Utah. Mongolia has dry climate and surrounded by high mountains just like Utah. I also had an aunt who graduated from UVU. She loved the school and recommended it to me. I am grateful for my aunt because I have a great love and loyalty for UVU. 2 - I was really inspired by the people I have met in student government. They were really passionate about what they did. I like the idea that I could make a change like that and make a difference. I want to make UVU a better place for future students. 2 - Being a senator provides me the opportunity to connect with Administration and also to get to know more students and help them to get involved both academically and socially. I believe students learn a great deal from their interactions in and out of class and that benefits both the students and the college as a whole. I love serving students, and seeing them succeed! BRAD SPENCER 410: DM I ■ i *ill 1 JUNIOR - MAJOR: ACCOUNTING [II ■ IP CHAD WORKMAN El I I I M NMI 1113;1(111 JUNIOR - MAJOR: POLITICAL SCIENCE 1- The Center for the Advancement of Leadership. I was involved with student government in high school and got scholarship because of that. I like how Student Government caters to students who want to be involved in leadership on and off campus. MI 1 - I had wanted to go here with my friends for 3 years, while I was attending high school in Colorado. After I came back from my mission my parents had moved here from Johnstown, Colorado so that made it easy. 2- Helping other students be engaged in succeed. I help let them know what's going on and get feedback from them. DANI VAN WAGONER 11 ► I I'll IIK111111P1 111 2 - I wanted to make a difference and wanted to get involved. Last year I volunteered as the student representative for a department in the School of Business, and this year I moved up to the senator. SOPHOMORE - MAJOR: EXERCISE SCIENCE ERIN HASKELL (11:=1 1 - Scholarship opportunities and the CAL program, as well as the opportunity for leadership. 2 - I originally applied for an activities position in UVUSA, but was later given opportunity to be senator. I find I'm a better student when I'm involved in lots of things, and ultimately I'm happier when I'm involved in a lot of things than when I attend classes without doing anything extra. JUNIOR - MAJOR: FINE ARTS 1 - Because I didn't want to go to BYU and I didn't want to commute to the U. 2 - I knew that changes needed to be made in the school, but I didn't know how to make them. I've never been involved in student government, but the previous senator called me, and suggested that I look into the position. I didn't want to be a puppet. I wanted to make changes that mattered. The position is what you make of it, and that's what attracted me. I'm going to do everything I can to make things better for the students. ALEX MACHARIA SENIOR - TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT 1 - I came to study aviation, but later changed my major. Basically, I just came for school. 2 - I have been involved in Student Government since my first year, but I am very academically oriented - not necessarily doing things for fun, but doing things that would help advance students' academic focus. I like to help students with issues, to facilitate their success as students and to help them grow as individuals. We are always in need of people who are ready to serve and help out. To talk to your senator go to uvu.edu/studentgovernment or visit SC 105 Wind Symphony fine-tunes for first concert of the semester By SIERRA WILSON Life Writer Heading down the Gunther Trades building staircase, instrumental music trails your steps. In a room on the fifth floor, the UVU Wind Symphony is rehearsing for its first concert of the semester. The concert, Heroes of the Modern Era, is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 4th at 7:30 p.m. at the Covey Center for the Arts located on Center Street in Provo. The concert will be directed by Dr. James Colonna accompanied by pianist Dr. Hilary Demske, and will feature four pieces of music presented in a multimedia format. For the concluding piece, the symphony will play the original "Star Wars" suite by John Williams Colonna, who serves as UVU's Director of Bands, says students should attend because the show is going to be incredible. He says that his shows are not put together randomly; instead, each piece is specially selected to compliment the theme. For this show, all of the pieces compliment the "Star Wars" suite very well. The first piece is a sophisticated and quirky suite by Lyn Murray. "Firefly," a piece with a cinematic feel, will follow. Then the symphony will play the "Red Cape Tango" which is part of a symphony that commemorates Superman. Colonna says the students will be familiar with some of the music and will be able to enjoy the rest as it leads up to "Star Wars." Tuba player Jared Harding explained that high quality music is not usually found for such a low price. Harding also says Dr. Colonna has a knack for choosing "exciting pieces." Jessica Wiley, principle bassoonist, said the concert is "a great way to broaden your horizons." Fans of Star Wars and Superman, Wiley said, will be pleased. Upright bass player Dyana Durfee explains why she feels students would be pleased to make it to this Tuesday's performance. Durfee described it as a "very intricate and lively performance" with plenty going on. According to Colonna, the Wind Symphony has come a long way over the years as UVU embraces its new university status. In fact, during a recent rehearsal Colonna told his musicians they were "definitely the finest wind players in Utah Valley." But it wasn't always this way. Colonna said that when he began working with the Wind Symphony three years ago, they were still playing like a high school or community college music group. Now, said Colonna, the Wind Symphony is on par with groups at schools like the University of Utah and Utah State University. According to Colonna, when he started as director, the group would not have been able to play the mu- sic lined up for their Tuesday performance, but now they are ready. Due to their improvement and great sound, the group has been receiving a lot of recognition. So much, in fact, that they were invited to play at the 2012 Olympics in London. Unfortunately, they will not be able to attend the Olympics due to funding issues. The group was also selected to play at the Band Directors National Association's regional conference in Reno, Nevada this coming March. Colonna says this achievement is an even greater honor than being invited to play at the Olympics. On their way to the conference, the Wind Symphony will be playing at different high schools in an effort to recruit students to UVU. The symphony also has a second concert lined up for later this semester and several concerts scheduled for the spring. Students can expect continual and growing excellence from the UVU Wind Symphony. Colonna said he plans to keep stretching the students and himself and he can only imagine how far they'll go over the next years. Tickets for Heroes of the Modern Era, purchased through the Covey Center, are sold by phone at 801852-7007 or online at www. coveycenter.org . Tickets for students cost $8 each while general admission is $10 per ticket. |