Month: August 2014

Not even a changing of guards altered one of Dixie State University’s most continuous aspects: renovations.

Major campus additions since university status arrived became symbols of DSU’s progression upon completion — the Jeffrey R. Holland Centennial Commons and University Clock Tower, especially. But the slate of projects from summer break polished Dixie’s ever-changing face rather than transfiguring it.    

Sherry Ruesch, campus services executive director, said although a change in leadership like  Richard “Biff” Williams assuming the role of DSU president has large implications on campus, all planned renovations have stayed on course.

“Most of those were well underway under the direction of Nadauld …  so all summer we were just business as usual,” she said.

And that business included putting finishing touches on features like the University Clock Tower, which still needed concrete work finished when commemorated spring semester, and upgrading older buildings on campus.

However, changes to both campus parking and a field for student use will impact students the most, Facilities Planning Director Jon Gibb said. 

Ruesch said 400 South now includes 52 new stalls for street parking. All parking there is first-come, first-serve. All stalls on campus through streets — 300 South, 400 South and 800 East — require a DSU parking permit.

As far as new rec space for intramural leagues and students’ leisure in general, the lower Encampment Mall is blocked as new hybrid Bermuda grass begins to sprout. Gibb said in mid- to late-September students can use the field, and once lighted, its convenience will benefit intramurals and other DSU-held activities.

Gibb said both the North Instructional Building and newly-renamed Performance Arts Building received numerous facelifts this summer.

The NIB’s four restrooms, faculty break room and offices underwent remodeling. New touches in classrooms, like curtains and paint, helped achieve “a fresh feeling for the faculty, staff and students,” Gibb said.

Formerly the Education and Family Studies Building, the Performance Arts Building’s new purpose meant it needed numerous renovations too, he said. 

The PAB, which used to house elementary education and family studies primarily, now includes mainly dance classes. So campus services turned old offices into practice rooms, equipped with sound panels.

In addition, Gibb said two major, anticipated projects’ planning stages continue. The Burns Arena office expansion is being designed. Expect construction to commence this winter and wrap up by fall 2015, he said.

A new health/wellness building on campus remains a top priority. However, Gibb said as administrators still look for funding avenues, a date for approval of the building is still unclear. 

Gibb said other future plans include fire lane replacement, installation of an ADA ramp between Edward H. and Idonna E. Snow Science Center and Science Building, and upgrades to the North Plaza after a sprinkler line broke earlier this summer.  

A “We Do” mentality has molded student council members’ plans for the 2014-15 academic year.

Dixie State University’s Student Association outlined the next two semesters’ schedules to follow an experiential learning theme, with new activities and an emphasis on more community connections.

“We as a student association we are holding ourselves accountable to try to provide opportunities and resources to our students to give them support at a university level,” said Student Body President Gregory J. Layton, a senior English major from Cottonwood Heights.

New department

Megan Church, vice president of service, is heading the DSUSA’s first-ever service department, which she said is in place to provide chances for students to learn the rewards of volunteering. While student government has provided volunteer opportunities in the past, 2014 will be the first year an official department is in place to organize and promote volunteer events. 

“This year we’re trying really hard to make [service] something that students want to come and do,” said Church, a senior integrated studies major from St. George. “We want to give them the opportunities they need for graduation and to network with people outside of school because that’s really where they’ll meet people where they’ll eventually find a job.”

Church said she’s been in touch with 17 different organizations that seek volunteers every day, including Big Brothers Big Sisters and Dixie Share and Care.

Service events, like a special needs pageant arranged for Nov. 11, have been planned in order to show students volunteering can not only be excellent for resumes, but also fun, Church said. The first service project was Tuesday, Aug. 26 at the SwitchPoint Community Resource Center (948 N. 1300 West) at 6 p.m., where students will help assemble beds and set up living spaces for those in need.

The new service department was conceived at an opportune time, since one of DSUSA’s main goals this year is to build community-campus relationships, Church said.

“Dixie was supported and founded by our community, and I think it’s really important for us to give back,” Church said.

Community focus

Layton said in order to become more community-focused and to cater to more non-traditional students (those older than 25 who may have children), DSUSA is planning more family-friendly events this semester, like carnivals and drive-in movies.

Jill Wulfenstein, vice president of student life and a senior integrated studies major from Pahrump, Nevada, said she’s coordinated with Tuacahn to offer $8 tickets for students to see “The Little Mermaid” Sept. 3. Also, DSUSA members have teamed up with city officials to organize a pool party at the city pool (250 E. 700 South) Sept. 12. 

“We have a big portion of non-traditional students who have families, jobs and kids, so we’re trying to come up with activities that they can go to and feel comfortable,” Layton said. “Most of the community-involved activities are also family friendly, so with them we get to cater to those students and also build the community relationship.”

Future initiatives 

Additionally, DSUSA members are backing a handful of new initiatives. Layton said while DSUSA members intend to continue to implement the Tobacco-Free Campus initiative, they are also planning to pursue a stronger campus cheating policy.

Two Utah Student Association initiatives are also on DSUSA’s white board: a college affordability initiative to push the state legislature to pass a bill that commits to always pay 50 percent of Utah students’ tuition — called Hold the Line 50/50 — and a sexual assault prevention and education initiative.

Layton said the Hold the Line 50/50 initiative, with a rally on the steps of the Capitol, will consume a large bulk of DSUSA’s time, but the White House-backed sexual assault prevention initiative will also be a great focus.

Academic goals

Vice President of Academics D’Andre Mathews, a senior biology major from Las Vegas, said his goal for this semester is to ensure students know they have resources for funding their academic milestones, whether they be humanitarian trips, capstones or graduate record examinations. Mathews said this semester he and other council members will also continue progress with bringing the first master’s degrees to DSU, as the process is still in its beginning stages. 

Additionally, Mathews said he has been working with the board of regents for construction of a new building on campus. Because the building is still in its early planning stages, he said he could not provide many details besides the fact that the building “could possibly bring the opportunity for a physical education degree.” 

“My vision for academics this year is to make it a stronghold of student government,” Mathews said. “Of course when we come to college we want to do all the fun stuff, and that’s all great and good, but we have to remember the main reason we are here: our education.”

Anyone with suggestions or questions for DSUSA members can visit dixiestudentlife.com.

Experienced students and a teacher have figured out how to balance success and fun; now, they’re sharing their secrets.

Students Brandon Price, Jordyn Hanevold and professor of biology Del Smith were presented with these awards at the end-of-the-year Dixie Awards ceremony for the 2013-2014 school year. 

They offered advice for how they managed to be successful and enjoy themselves at Dixie State University.

Be involved and know your limits 

If there is one thing that all freshmen should know upon entering college, it’s that being involved is crucial, said Price, a communication graduate from Brigham City, and Hanevold, a senior communication major from Logandale, Nevada. 

The importance of involvement was a common priority between Price and Hanevold. Students tend to think being involved will cause their academic success to drop, but Price and Hanevold said being involved kept them busy, gave them commitments and helped them to become more productive individuals. 

While being involved is certainly important, knowing when to say “no” to a social activity and focus on studying and resting is also important, Hanevold said. 

She said she attended all school-sponsored events, but she was thoughtful about other social events and carefully weighed the importance of schoolwork, sleep and having a social life.

“Sometimes saying ‘no’ can be really awkward … You have to look out for your own sanity and realize when you have taken enough onto your plate,” Price said. 

Engage your brain

Take time to learn new information and keep your brain busy, Smith said. He said an important part of this engagement happens in the classroom. Come to class prepared so that you can talk with your classmates and professors about the material and gain a deeper understanding of it, he said. 

The more involved and engaged students are in clubs and other extra-curricular activities, the better they generally do in their studies, Price said. 

“It’s kind of a weird anomaly — you learn to manage your time better, adapt quicker, and you don’t waste your time on things that are less engaging,” Price said. 

Engage your muscles 

Engaging your brain is important, but if you don’t take time away from studies to engage your muscles you won’t be able to focus your brain, Smith said. 

“If you aren’t physically healthy, your brain isn’t there,” he said. 

Take a walk, hit the gym, play Frisbee, just do something to get away from the computer, away from books and out and about, he said. 

Sleep is an important part of physical health, Hanevold, Price and Smith said. If you don’t set aside time for your body to recover then you will not perform. Smith said recovery time is sleep, and yes, you need it. 

Challenge Yourself

Challenging yourself is a big part of being successful, Price said. Expand yourself by taking an elective class, joining a club, taking on a leadership role or whatever it is that challenges you, he said.

“There are times where you are in your comfort zone, things are going good, and you’re kind of in a rhythm, but if you stay in that rhythm for too long, you kind of get into a rut,” Price said.

It is important that students figure out what challenges them, what they are capable of, and what they want to gain from school, Smith said.  

Once the comparison stops, students are able to more easily focus on themselves and what they want, Smith said.

He said determining what students want from their DSU experience is the first step, then they must realize what it will take to make what they want from their college life a reality.

“Yeah, I was totally born with these long, dark, luscious eyelashes,” said no one ever.

I was born with little, blond, wimpy lashes that only my Scandinavian grandmother could love. I’ve spent years applying coat after coat of blackest-black mascara. I’ve tried in vain to apply false eyelashes only to end up with an injured cornea and looking like Nicki Minaj after a rough night.

Let’s just say I could use some help in the lash department.

Luckily, the heavens have opened and offered me and all lash-lacking women a solution: eyelash extensions. They are long, luscious, and your dad will think they are the real deal.

Eyelash extension are made of synthetic mink and silk and are applied to each and every one of your natural eyelashes. You heard me right — each and every one. Since the task is so tedious and, let’s be honest, dangerously close to a vital organ, finding a capable professional to apply the eyelash extensions is priority No. 1.

I went to Wink, located at 230 N. 1680 East in St. George, because I heard ravereview after rave review from happy women with lashes that could make men fall to their knees. All of the eyelash extension artists at Wink are aestheticians or master aestheticians and are qualified to handle the delicate task of applying lash extensions. You can read more about Wink’s aestheticians and services at Wink’s website, www.winklashesandwaxing.com 

I went into my appointment, lay down on the table, and nearly fell asleep as the extension artist glued black, curved, faux lashes to each of my own lashes. Beforehand, I thought  the process would be irritating or painful, but I could hardly feel anything as the artist gracefully worked.

The entire process took nearly two hours. But once I got up off of the table and looked in the mirror, I felt like I could rule a country. The eyelashes looked striking, long, natural, but glamorous. Definitely worth two hours and $95.

That brings me to my next point: Eyelash extensions are an investment. The first set of eyelash extensions are $95. Fills, which are generally needed every three to five weeks, are $40. Now don’t  go running off to a cheapo eyelash extension salon. Generally, you get what you pay for, so research the salon and the individuals who will be applying your lashes beforehand.

Since getting my eyelashes, I’ve received remarks like, “Are those your real lashes?” and “Oh my gosh, your eyes are so pretty.” Even my dad thought the extensions were my real eyelashes and that I somehow sported Kim Kardashian eyes overnight. Bless his heart.

When you have eyelash extensions, you don’t need to and shouldn’t wear mascara since it can lessen the life of the extensions. It’s also important to be delicate with your lashes and not use oil-based skin care products. The extensions are a tad high maintenance but worth it for the everyday ego boost.

I’m sold on the eyelash extension movement. So sold, in fact, that I made my next appointment the first day I got the lashes.

So go on divas, make your appointments too.