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Show Business & Science THE SIGNPOST Updating addictions Cole Spicker Signpost columnist A few Wednesdays ago, I had an extraordinary opportunity that many of us indulge in during the summer months. If you thought anything other than boating, you're wrong, because I went boating. As I was preparing, packing my sunscreen and other boating essentials, one question haunted me: "Do I bring my cell phone or not?" Why the struggle? Exposing my precious cell to such conditions while boating, I thought it might get water damage. I calmly arrived at the conclusion that it would be best to leave my cellular in the car. I was having such an excellent time amongst my friends, good food and an awesome wake that I hardly noticed the absence of that iPhone of mine. In fact, we were having such a good time that we spent nearly six hours on the glassy surface of Pineview Reservoir. At the end of our water excursion, I felt a little anxious to see my phone — c'mon, six hours is a long time! Immediately clutching my cell phone as it neared arm's length, I checked to see what I had missed. You're absolutely right, folks— I1 new e-mails, six missed phone calls, eight junk e-mails, 13 Facebook notifications and eight text messages. Now, I believe I am fairly representative of traditional students at Weber State University. I am 22 years old, unmarried, heterosexual, with blond hair and blue eyes, juggling work and school—not to mention extremely handsome. With that in mind, I think that my recent scenario at the reservoir was not unique to me; I think that many of us have formed a twisted dependency on technology. Youmay be thinkingl am anti-technology; on the contrary, I want to see a greater dependence on technology! I want to see more people in socially awkward situations because they don't know how to interact with others unless it be through an interface composed of a keyboard and screen. I want to see more of those flattering Bluetooth earpieces clinging to people's ears. I want to see more students watching movies, surfing the Web and doing all that Facebook encompasses—including that ridiculously awesome virtual game Farmville—in WSU computer labs and classes. OK, OK, you caught me. Perhaps not a greater dependence on technology, but newer technology would be brilliant. I fondly recall a book quartet I read in my See Tech page 8 MONDAY, AUGUST 30,2010 WSU adds neuroscience minor to undergraduate repertoire By Christee Kyle Correspondent I The Signpost In January of 2010, Weber State University officially began , teaching courses for the new' neuroscience minor. The new curriculum makes WSU the Schmolesky said second university in Utah to offer a neuroscience minor and he recognizes that WSU the volition of three deans, three already has an attractive chairs and more than four faculty psychology and zoology' members. The neuroscience program, but also believes minor is the collaborative effort that potential students may of the Social and Behavioral choose WSU on the merit of the Sciences and Eliza R. Dumke neuroscience minor alone. "This is a huge aspect of C o l l e g e medicine and of Health any student Professionals 'This is a interested in and the huge aspect of getting into Sciences medical school colleges and medicine and any will have to the chairs of take courses the psychology, student interested in the aspects zoology and in getting into of the brain," health science Schmolesky departments at medical school said. "Even WSU. will have to take those students "All have interested in helped to courses in the pharmacology fund and a n d support this aspects of the ophthalmology program," said brain" and drug Dr. Matthew research will T. Schmolesky, have to take — Matthew assistant in Schmolesky courses professor at neuroscience. WSU and Director of Today we have director of the Neuroscience minor 30 students neuroscience ^ / " enrolled and minor program. /--'' nine students o "I am charged enrolled as neuroscience with trying to create meetings, minors and over 100 students documents, courses, and apply have taken the course now." for grants to build the program. David Webb, a senior at WSU I find neuroscience research for and one of the nine students our students to be involved in." minor, said he hopes to continue his research in brain chemistry and the development of new drugs to treat brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease. Webb heard about the plans to develop a neuroscience program from the beginning stages of inquiry as the committee surveyed the students to assess the interest three years ago. "Right away I said, 'This1 is what I am interested in/ Webb said. Webb said that before the neuroscience minor, he didn't have much advisement on routes to take without directly asking for I advice. The neuroscience program gives Webb a structured course of action that he said other departments haven't been able to provide for him. See Neuro page 8 attaining the new neuroscience Are STDs on WSU campus? By ShayLynne Clark Business & Science Editor I The Signpost Many colleges across the United States have built sexual reputations for themselves. At Weber State University, however, such a reputation has not been created. "My general impression is that there aren't that many cases of STDs in the Health Center," said Shawn D. McQuilkin, a medical doctor working at the Student Health Center. "I think that is a reflection of the fact that it is a consewative campus. I have been at Weber for about 20 years seeing the students, and it's always been a relatively low rate, probably because of the conservative base." Although Utah has long been known as a conservative state, it has recently had an increase in ^ variety of sexually transmitted diseases, according to the Center for Disease Control. This statewide trend, though, hasn't been observed significantly on the WSU campus. "Those who choose to be sexually active are, for the most part, smart enough to practice safe sex habits," said Ben Gochberg, a WSU graduate in business. "The trulyfrighteningthing is when the conservative and naive portion chooses to participate, they are often unable to fully grasp the scope of their actions." Although the prevalence of STDs hasn't increased, they are still a potentially serious problem that students need to be aware of. According to the CDC, per every 100,000 people in Utah, there are 200.65 cases of chlamydia, 25.60 cases of gonorrhea and roughly one case of primary and secondary syphilis reported. Important to note is that, although these are the numbers reported to the CDC, there are many more undiagnosed or unreported cases of STDs out there. "Just in general, when people choose to be a 'player,' so to speak, there is about a 1 in 4 chance that they're going to come in contact with some sort of STD with any new given* sexual contact, and you are not completely protected with condoms, although you are certainly asking for trouble if you don't use them," McQuilkin said. Chance Cummings, an anthropology major at WSU, said he believes most WSU students are likely to be using the appropriate protection. "People are going to be people, regardless of being on a conservative campus or not," Cummings said. "It is only natural to want to explore one's sexual side. Are students using safe sex practices? Of course. Most people at Weber have hopes, dreams and goals. Nobody wants herpes to come along and mess that up." McQuilkin said the most prevalent STD he sees in the clinic, about five times a month, is a member of the pox family called molluscum contagiosm. "Molluscum contagiosm is a ^ p e of genital wart," he said. "It is not genital warts, per se— those are called HPV. Molluscum is caused by a different *gfeus and causes multiple little bumps. It's See STD page 8 |