Month: January 2015

Multimedia editor Cody Eckman spoke to educators about what it takes to succeed in their field.

Independent filmmaker Sandra Schulberg held the Utah premiere of “Nuremberg: Its Lesson for Today,” a film her father helped produce and she helped restore, at Dixie State University last week.

Schulberg, who spoke at last week’s Dixie Forum, stated her hope for those who view the film was greater political awareness and involvement, especially to encourage the United States to join the International Criminal Court, which prosecutes individuals for crimes against humanity, and ultimately for world peace.

“[I hope to] find a way to end all armed conflicts,” Schulberg said. “I’d like to think we could all agree on that.”  

“Nuremberg: Its Lesson for Today” was produced soon after World War II by Schulberg’s father Stuart. The film shows the trials of those involved with atrocities during the war, especially the genocide of millions of Jews in Europe. Although created to help people understand the importance and the process of holding war criminals accountable to the rule of law, the film was never shown in the United States because some felt it would weaken their alliance with Western Germany.

Over 65 years later, a team of film professionals including Schulberg have restored the film to its original quality. According to the film’s website, nurembergfilm.org, “Nuremberg: Its Lesson for Today” is being screened across the world and is also available at DSU’s library.  

Associate English professor Stephen Armstrong helped make Schulberg’s visit possible. Armstrong had been studying depictions of the Holocaust in film for several years when he learned of the Schulberg film.

“[I] thought that bringing her out here to screen her documentary would fit into one of DSU objectives, which is to sponsor independent documentary production,” Armstrong said.

In addition to filmography, Armstrong said that Schulberg’s message was an important one.

“Having underrepresented stories of injustice, violence, but also justice and social progress … told at a regional small university are incredibly important,” Armstrong said. “It’s the fulfillment of the university’s objectives in the highest sense.”

Armstrong said students specifically benefit from visitors like Schulberg.

“When [students] hear the stories of the Holocaust, their exposure to them broadens understanding and increases empathy,” he said.

Schulberg encouraged students to learn about the field of international law, which owes much of its foundation to the Nuremberg trials.

“This is a field where you really get to really act on your ideals, and there are very few jobs in the world where you can combine paid employment with idealism,” Schulberg said.

Schulberg said the field could be approached from many backgrounds, such as sociology or economics.

“It’s not inaccessible,” said Schulberg. “They want intelligent, passionate young people to come into the field. You’re needed [and] you can make a difference.”

Keiran Presland, a junior English major from Brighton, England, noticed Schulberg’s passion.

“She made it clear that we have a long way to go in terms of peace and that it is up to our generation to continue the work,” Presland said.

Missy Jessop, a senior English major from Salt Lake City, said watching “Nuremberg” brought a lot of emotions.

“After watching ‘Nuremberg’ I couldn’t help but feel sad and a little hopeless,” Jessop said. “It’s awful that we live in a world where people deliberately hurt each other. It has made me feel like it’s important for me to seek out the good in humanity.”

Many college students in Utah lack the verbal and written communication skills employers want, according to a recent survey.

Concerns about the coming crop of professionals arose in a recent convention of Utah educators and businesses. In a recent survey by Dan Jones & Associates, 90 percent of employers felt recent graduates lack adequate oral and written communication skills, as reported by the Deseret News.

Some of Dixie State University’s students, such as Damian Miera, a sophomore general education major from Kearns, are confident in their capabilities. Miera credits participating in student government and performance groups such as Raging Red for part of his communication confidence.

“I think [the article is] an over-generalization, but I can see where the companies are coming from, ” Miera said.

Robert Long, a junior elementary education major from Ewa Beach, Hawaii, said he sees both sides. Prior to attending DSU, Long spent three years teaching special education in Hawaii.

“Honestly, after my two years here, I’ll probably be about ready,” Long said. “I’ve found my college classes haven’t totally prepared me, so I’ve had to do some on-the-job training.”

Jeremey Forsberg is an adjunct instructor of digital design and art director at TCS Advertising & Public Relations. Forsberg sees poor communication skills from new graduates during interviews at his workplace as well as students presenting projects verbally to their classmates or in writing.

“I think people need to be more aware of how they communicate,” Forsberg said. “If you’re typing something that you’d type to your friend through a text message, that’s not the same as when you apply for a job.”

Forsberg said he feels the convenience of technology sometimes leads to causal behavior.

“You have to make sure you’re speaking appropriately,” Forsberg said. “[If you] send some kind of introductory letter to a prospective employer and they’re like, ‘Whoa … should I text back or just update their Facebook status?’ [Or] the way you’re spelling and the way you’re speaking is the equivalent of a fifth grader, that’s not going to transition well to the job market.”

Forsberg advised students who want school to help prepare to look at the required English or communication classes as an opportunity to improve themselves rather than a burden.

“I think a lot of it is attitude and how we look at our classes,” Forsberg said. “They might not be the [most fun] classes ever, but if its going to help us be better prepared or better for going out into the workforce, do it.”

Jocelynne Hayward, a senior medical laboratory science major from Castle Dale, said she knows staying in student housing has improved her communication.

“I’ve had to be able to communicate with my roommates and suitemates,” Hayward said.

Joy Cooney, English adviser for literary studies and technical and professional writing, said she feels if employers better understood and valued the humanities, students would have the skills employers seek.

“The humanities — particularly literary studies — teach all of the in-demand skills listed in Jacobsen’s Deseret News article: oral and written skills, critical thinking, analytical reasoning, social sensitivity and cultural awareness,” Cooney said.

Cooney draws fault away from students or teachers and toward culture.

“The problem is that we receive strong messages daily that the professional emphasis is on specialized skill and vocational or technical skill, which are necessary, of course,” Cooney said. “But so too is the ability to complement these skills with good communication and critical thinking.”

Steve Bringhurst, executive director of the career center, said DSU students are well prepared for the workplace in many ways but overlook gaining experiences, especially internships.

“[If] you’re going to college to get a job, […] the internship piece is pretty important,” Bringhurst said.

Bringhurst stressed that students seek help in their preparations.

“The experience piece is really big,” Bringhurst said. “We can help you do that, your professors can help you do that. […] we’re always trying to engage students to get connected to us so we can connect them to employers.”

The Dixie State University Student Association has made an effort to plan activities for non-traditional students and traditional students in hopes of more participation at events.

Jill Wulfenstein, a senior integrated studies major from Pahrump, Nevada, and vice president of student life, is in charge of putting these events together.

“We realized that activities for non-traditional students had been overlooked in previous years so we wanted to fix that,” Wulfenstein said.

Latrisa Garcia, a senior criminal justice major with an emphasis in digital forensics from San Diego, California, said she feels she has been able to bring her family to more events this past fall semester then since she started at Dixie. However, Garcia said she feels like most events are geared towards young, single students.

“I don’t necessarily think that activities should be put on only for non-traditional students, but feeling like I can bring my family to activities, and not feel like I should’ve left them at home would be a [welcoming] feeling,” Garcia said.

Garcia said events that are family-oriented should be offered, not only for non-traditional students but for community members also.

“Any time an entertainer is chosen it is made sure they are family appropriate and that way more non-traditional students are willing to participate,” Wulfenstein said.

When the activities are announced, student life organizers always make sure the signs say if it is a family-friendly activity or not. They want all students to feel comfortable while on campus, so awareness of the events is really important to them. When publicizing something like the foam dance, DSUSA makes sure it says it is a dance for students, and most people are not going to want to bring their family.

Garcia said she thinks more non-traditional students should be more willing to come if there is a wider variety of family oriented activities.

“I would love to bring my family to more of the activities on campus,” Garcia said. “Being a full time, senior-level student with two internships, and a position on student government, I don’t have the time to spend with my family that I used to. When I do attend activities it’s usually because I feel comfortable bringing my family.”

DSUSA has two events coming up that are geared toward every student on campus. During D-Week, there is going to be a magician and also a picnic with the president activity.

“We want to make sure everyone feels welcome, and we want events that everyone will have fun with,” Wulfenstein said.

Chocolate and beer for dinner with hours of “Downton Abbey” aren’t necessarily the cornerstones to healthy living.

With the new year comes the inevitable resolutions to be healthier. Just like everyone else, I made a goal to clean up my food intake, exercise more, and get more sleep. By volunteering for a healthy student challenge I am now going be accountable.

First, I need a plan that adapts to my class schedule and my crazy work schedule, where I often work until 2 to 3 a.m. At this point, I just tend to fit in sleep whenever I have a chance.

Also, I do have the dreaded dietary restrictions due to food allergies that I have to keep in mind. This is a no-compromise zone for me.

Cost concerns for purchasing quality food about three times a week are also a consideration. This just comes with the territory of being a student.

This challenge came at a time when I started to really evaluate my values on health and optimal living.

My main focus is to get back to clean eating with having a serving of a fruit or a vegetable with every meal; eating foods that are as close to nature as possible, like Michael Pollan’s philosophy; and drinking at least 64 ounces of water a day. I am allowed one cheat meal per week, which I will have to save my Redbridge for. 

For my workouts, I am required to work out at least four times a week for a minimum of 30 minutes. I do high-intensity interval training, run, ride my bike, or do compound lifts. Part of the challenge is to vary one’s exercise routine to one new thing a week, so I know I am looking forward to trying out a few new exercise classes like pole dancing and ballet.

I am curious to see if the pressure of making a serious effort to put the value of “clean eating” and a exercise routine at the top of my priority list will end up being worth it, or if it will just make me even more stressed out.