UTAH TECH UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE | October 05, 2025

Month: September 2021

Say goodbye to Jerry the sea cucumber, friends

by Izzy JohnsonPosted on

The closure and remodel of the old science building at Dixie State University forced the fish tank to be unexpectedly removed.

With the opening of the new Science Engineering and Technology (SET) building at DSU, the old science building is being repurposed as the new home for the College of Education.

In the old science building, there was a fish tank home to a variety of sea life over the past 10 years. The tank was home to Jerry, a sea cucumber, that was selected as the biology department mascot.

The animals in the tank were brought in from local pet shops and aquariums.

The fish tank was made possible because of the funds from a professor of biology Karen Bauer and the biology department. It was a resource for the department and students.

“I am very unhappy to see the fish tank leave because it had great value for educational purposes and gave students the opportunity to observe the animals up close,” Bauer said.

The marine life biology course and behavioral science students would occasionally observe the fish tank during the semester.

“The marine biology class travels to the Pacific Ocean as part of the class, and now there will be more time devoted to that [trip] rather than the aquarium,” Biology Department Chair Aaron Davis said.

The fish tank does not have a place in the new SET building and will not be kept as part of the remodel of the old science building.

“We did look at finding a new building for it and that just wasn’t an option,” Davis said. “The fish tank is very large and very heavy and there are space requirements, so there wasn’t room to house it elsewhere.”

DSU has found a new home for marine life and is planning to convert the money raised from selling the tank into scholarship funds for future students.

The fish tank may no longer be on the DSU campus for future students to see, but past and current students will remember its impact.

“When touring the DSU campus, seeing the fish tank in the science building made me realize I want to go into marine life biology,” said Isabelle Moreno, a freshman biology major from South Jordan.

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DSU women’s volleyball under direction of new head coach

by Sydney JohnsonPosted on

It’s never easy to do something for the first time. As Dixie State University embarks on this 2021 volleyball season, it will do so under direction of first-time head coach Camilla Hafoka.

DSU women’s volleyball takes their first win of the season with new head coach Camilla Hafoka. Hafoka’s been in the volleyball scene since she was young and has always been determined to continue on that path.

“My parents were coaches [and] they coached me in volleyball since I was young, my passion of volleyball started from them,” Hafoka said. “I saw the differences they were making in young lives and I wanted to be a part of that.”

Oregon State University is where Hafoka began her involvement with university level volleyball. She attended OSU on a volleyball scholarship, and she said this is where she had the opportunity to compete against some of the best volleyball players in the world.

Hafoka said: “After I graduated from OSU, I moved home and coached under Wilfred Navalta at Brigham Young University of Hawai’i. He [had been] coaching there since my mom played for him. My mom took over the BYUH program after Navalta retired and hired me as her assistant. That year we took our team to the National finals.”

Hafoka then had the opportunity to help with Washington State University volleyball camps while her husband finished his Ph.D. Her husband, Moana Hafoka also works at DSU as an assistant criminal justice professor. They have been in the St. George area since 2019 and this is when Hafoka started as DSU’s women’s volleyball team assistant coach.

“After [coach Felder] resigned, I applied for the [head coach] job and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of something great,” Hafoka said.

There is no question about the experience and involvement Hafoka has and this shows in her coaching skills at DSU.

“She [Hafoka] was our assistant coach last year, so she knew our individual strengths and weaknesses and therefore was able to jump in very effectively from day one,” said Kate Hardy, a freshman dental hygiene major from Fruitland, Idaho. “It was a very smooth transition and has benefited the team immensely.

Hafoka said she was able to bring on new staff that support her vision for the future of the team. This was the opportunity to be part of DSU as it is growing so quickly.

“We are here for a reason and coach implements this type of mentality to help us become better athletes on and off the court,” said Jordyn Nelson, a senior exercise science major from Phoenix. “She takes the game of volleyball further than just the physical side and brings in the psychological side of it.”

Nelson said her ways of coaching are unique as she wants to not only get practice time in, but also educate each of the players about the game

Nelson also said each week they break down the fundamentals of the game so each player knows the simple skills in order to succeed. This is beneficial to the team as they are able to gain a better knowledge of the game and what Hafoka wants to see in future games.

Nelson said: “She connects with us on a personal level and wants to have a relationship with each individual player. At the same time, she is a constructive coach and will give you direct feedback. She finds the balance of each characteristic and helps us achieve our goals.”

DSU earned its first win of the season last week against SUU, and are on the road facing up against Chicago State Oct. second.

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‘I’m excited to shape the soccer program’: Kalea Woodyatt looks to grow with women’s soccer

by Grayce PaynePosted on

A Dixie State University freshman soccer player is quickly establishing herself as the player to watch this season.

Kalea Woodyatt, a freshman business management major from Layton, is a midfielder for the DSU women’s soccer team. Woodyatt said she was drawn to the university because of its location and the strength of the soccer program. 

“Our coaching staff is amazing, so that really drew me into the soccer program,” Woodyatt said.

Woodyatt is a starter for the team and has racked up 273 minutes of playtime during the five games she has played in this season. Over the course of those five games, Woodyatt has had four shots on goal, one assist and two goals.

Head coach Molly Rouse said it is exciting to see the significant impact Woodyatt has had on the team in such a short amount of time. Woodyatt’s tactical strengths and skill set coming into the program enabled her to influence the game from an attacking perspective, Rouse said. 

“Your freshman year is a really exciting time, and it’s a fun time to be able to step into kind of a more impactful role,” Rouse said. 

Woodyatt said she is looking forward to seeing how the team progresses over the next few years and what traditions she develops with her teammates. 

“I’m excited to shape the soccer program because our coaches are still new and we’re still trying to build team chemistry,” Woodyatt said. “[This season is a] really exciting thing to be a part of because I get to be a part of something new and developing.”

Rouse said Woodyatt didn’t begin on the best foot during preseason training. Preseason training is short for women’s soccer, so Rouse said it’s important that the players come prepared and ready to showcase their skills. Woodyatt turned it around and remained driven and determined throughout preseason training to demonstrate her talents, Rouse said.

“By the end of preseason, it was pretty evident that she was going to be somebody who was going to be able to step on the field in a starting position,” Rouse said.

Outside of athletics and academics, Woodyatt still manages to find time for fun. Woodyatt said she enjoys hanging out with friends, going roller skating, listening to music and taking advantage of hiking opportunities in the area. 

“I like to explore, so this area is a good place for that,” Woodyatt said.

Jaci Cook-Dandos, a senior biology major from Farmington, is one of Woodyatt’s teammates. She said Woodyatt is not afraid to put herself out there and be silly. Dixie Idol is a tradition where freshmen players crank music up high in their headphones and sing the song playing in their headphones. Cook-Dandos said freshmen are usually scared or shy while singing, but not Woodyatt. 

“She was just like lighting it up, she was dancing, she was singing so loud,” Cook-Dandos said. 

Woodyatt is serious when she needs to be during games and she “turns it on” while she’s playing, Cook-Dandos said. However, Woodyatt makes time to be funny and goof around. 

“She’s definitely someone you can approach on or off the field and she’ll have something kind to say or something funny to say,” Cook-Dandos said. “She doesn’t take herself too seriously at all.” 

On the field, Rouse said Woodyatt has a strong technical foundation that allows her to manipulate the game. Off the field, Woodyatt has established herself as one of the players who run the team’s social media accounts. 

“She’s striving to be an influencer on TikTok,” Rouse said. 

Woodyatt said she’s excited to make more friends and bond with her teammates. As a freshman, Woodyatt said she can’t wait to begin taking more classes in her major. 

“She’s a very fun individual who you can tell is enthusiastic about this environment and really excited to be able to help the program continue to grow at this level,” Rouse said. “She’s somebody on and off the field, we’re very excited about being in the program.” 

The women’s soccer team plays their next home game against Utah Valley University on Oct. 16 at 1 p.m.

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OPINION | Students shouldn’t rely on Rate My Professors

by Cammie JohnsonPosted on

Choosing your professors is one of the glorious perks of being a college student, but don’t get carried away in the process.

Rate My Professors is a website I am sure a great deal of you have heard about, or quite possibly used yourself. While this website does offer students a slight glimpse into the classroom setting a teacher may have, it is simply just that: A glimpse.

“RateMyProfessors.com is a common website that college students use in order to determine what professors or classes to take based on reviews given by previous students,” The State Press article stated. “However, it shouldn’t be the only resource students rely on.”

I have seen countless times students refuse to take a professor or drop a specific class for the sole reason they based their opinions on the comments of others on Rate My Professors.

“Besides the obviously messed-up morals of publicly rating another human being, Rate My Professors has no form of verification for users, an article by Reveille stated. “This means that anyone can create an account and post whatever they want about whomever they want.”

This is something that needs to be taken into great account when reading the comments on professors. How can one be completely sure the information they are receiving is 100% factual when you can’t tell if the writer of the comments even attends the same university?

Some of the most influential professors I have had since I started attending college don’t have the best ratings on Rate My Professors, but if I wouldn’t have attended their classes for the simple fact of a few poor reviews, I wouldn’t be as confident in my work as I am today.

The Daily Targum brought light to a crucial point when it comes to why students may use Rate My Professors, and it goes to show this tool can easily be misused; therefore, leading future students astray.

“Emotions run high at the end of any semester,” The Daily Targum article stated. “The anger surrounding a lowered GPA will color the contents of any review, regardless of what caused the bad grade to begin with. Navigating Rate My Professor becomes slightly more challenging when considering all the factors that go into a professor’s ‘score.'”

Don’t jump the gun and instantly assume the worst in a professor for the simple fact there are people out there who may have had a less than pleasing experience in a class. It doesn’t mean every student has the same fate in said class.

Rate My Professors is a website that should solely be used as a guideline, not as your ultimate deciding factor. Try taking a class from a professor that may seem slightly out of your comfort zone and you never know, one of your best college experiences may come from it.

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OPINION | Long distance relationships don’t work

by Bailey ChismPosted on

Long-distance relationships are not real relationships; they are false hopes in a virtual reality that don’t work out.  

In the heat of the moment, agreeing to a long-distance relationship seems like a good idea. You’ll promise to stay in touch, FaceTime and schedule visits, but how often does this stay strong? As time goes on, one of you will start to get tired of only being able to talk over text or only see each other over a screen. When that happens, there’s no saving it. 

According to writer Tom Scheve from HowStuffWorks: “Long-distance relationships are even more difficult to maintain, and the reasons why they can fail are numerous … Many potential pitfalls await every hopeful attempt at cross-country love.”

We fool ourselves into thinking it’s a genuine relationship, holding onto the hope that it could turn into something more, but words lose meaning over time and it’s not enough anymore.

Scheve said it was once easy to talk in relationships, but while in long-distance relationships, those once normal actions are gone. He said it requires real effort to stay connected.

According to ThoughtCatalog: “Words are nothing without action, but with the distance between you two, any and almost all action is impossible. So you make up for this impossibility with words, but words only tell and do nothing in showing the person on the other side of the world what and how you feel.”

Needing to assure your partner every day that you are still involved and not giving up gets tiring after a while and someone will eventually give up.

A group of couple’s counselors came together to write a list of reasons long-distance relationships don’t work out. One reason they gave was when we are away from our romantic partner, it’s hard to maintain a physical and emotional connection for a long period of time.

Long-distance relationships are very demanding on your mental and emotional wellbeing. For those in long-distance relationships, they’ll often get asked the question: How do you know they aren’t cheating on you? It’s hard to keep telling people that you trust them and you know they aren’t cheating on you, but after time, all those questions will put doubt in the back of your head and you won’t be so sure anymore.

There’s also the fact of not being physical with your partner if you’re long-distance. Physical touch is a big part of relationships, and being away from them will keep getting harder. It’s difficult to have patience when you aren’t sure it’ll be worth it. 

Being in a long-distance relationship will make you miserable. Not being able to be with your partner and sometimes rarely getting to talk to them will hurt. There may be times that you break down crying out of nowhere just because you’re lonely.

Having to see your partner through a screen will get tiring and it will make you sad. Sometimes the little exercises like counting to 10 won’t help anymore and all hope is lost. 

Long-distance relationships aren’t worth it, they only end up hurting both people involved. It may seem like it’s going to work out at the start, but as time passes, one of them won’t want to keep fighting for it.

No one is happy for long in these relationships. Either one person will cheat and make the other miserable or both people will be miserable and not want to let each other go.

To avoid the most hurt and be the happiest you can be, don’t involve yourself with a long-distance relationship; you’ll only end up putting yourself in more pain than you need to.

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Suicide awareness month sheds light on student struggles

by Emma BrownPosted on

September is suicide prevention month and Dixie State University has different ways to bring awareness to the struggles of dealing with mental health.

The Booth Wellness Center held an event on campus on Sept. 9th. There were pinwheels and backpacks placed in the grass to represent students who have been affected by suicidal thoughts. They also left messages of hope through sidewalk chalk and by hanging ornaments on the trees.

Cameron Wimmer, a freshman psychology major from Pleasant Grove, said, “I’m a visual person and having that display out showing pinwheels for every student who had contemplated [suicide] and backpacks for every student who had actually attempted [suicide] was so moving to see.”

Another event about suicide prevention was held on Sept. 10. The university’s performing group that travels around the world, Raging Red, performed their set about mental wellness at the Question, Persuade, and Refer training which is a training for instructors on the warning signs of a suicidal person.

Raging Red Director Geoffrey Reynolds said, “We perform our Impact set because that is a topic that needs more conversation. . . around 1 in 4 people struggle with mental health.”

The Impact set performed by Raging Red focuses on spreading messages about mental wellness, anti-bullying and kindness.

Reynolds said, “It is very impactful for the schools we perform it for, and it raises important conversations about mental health.”

Talking about mental health is a reminder that everyone is going through their own problems. The Hope Squad is a student-focused club trained to look for signs of struggling students and guide them to professional help.

Wimmer said, “Spreading awareness is incredibly important because the more we make it something people feel like they can talk about, the more likely it is that someone who is struggling is going to feel more comfortable speaking up and asking for help.”

Wimmer was nominated in high school to be on the Hope Squad. She never had actual experiences dealing with suicide until a month after getting voted in, she witnessed a public suicide.

“Treat everyone as if you know they are going through something really difficult because chances are, they really are,” Wimmer said.

Another method of suicide prevention DSU has is uplifting messages on the mirrors in vinyl in the campus bathrooms. Those messages are from the company See Your Strength that was created by DSU alumnus Amber Murray.

Murray went through times of feeling suicidal and would write in soap on her mirror positive phrases to help her keep going. This led to her company which DSU and 800 other schools and universities use in their bathrooms.

Murray said, “It is extremely beneficial to see the phrases written out because they can stay with you and remind you of your worth when you need it most.”

The events from the Booth Wellness Center, the Raging Red performance, Hope Squad, and the See Your Strength vinyl are all on campus to raise awareness for suicide in hopes that students who are struggling will reach out for help.

If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health reach out to the Booth Wellness Center at 435-652-7755.

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DSU’s new layout brings changes for students

by Cammie JohnsonPosted on

Dixie State University is undergoing drastic changes and will continue to develop a new campus layout in the future.

President Richard “Biff” Williams said there are some rather intriguing plans in the works for DSU in hopes to further help every Trailblazer achieve the ultimate goal of success.

One of the first matters of business DSU is facing is the need for more student housing to be available for students; therefore, the preparation for Campus View Suites phase three is underway.

“With more and more students on campus each year, we recognize the tremendous need for more student housing,” Williams said. “So, we are working on the plans and resources to build another housing facility.”

As DSU continues to grow with each passing year, more incoming college students are enticed to attend the university, ergo the expansion of housing units offered. Alongside these housing preparations, the campus will also be undergoing construction for new academic buildings.

“This year we will be requesting $59 million to build a new general classroom building that will feature 51 new classrooms and 93 new faculty offices,” Williams said.

Williams said DSU will also be expanding the campus grounds to Desert Color thanks to the Legislature’s $15 million contributions toward the expansion. One hundred and eighty acres had been purchased, and a master plan is in the works in order to decide the best use of the land.

“Being strategic about our growth will not only help our students, but it will also contribute to our rapidly-growing economy and overall community,” Williams said. “Population estimates predict this area will be the size of Pittsburg in less than 14 years. As a university, we have adopted a strategic plan that will allow us to contribute to this tremendous growth and be a vital factor in providing the workforce for this area.”

As southern Utah proceeds to grow, DSU will be growing alongside it to ensure the quality it has continually offered.

With all of the new features coming to campus, there will be some current ones that will be obsolete, starting as soon as next summer.

“The WEDU building is scheduled to be demolished in summer 2022,” said Paul Morris, vice president of administrative affairs. “It will provide 150 new parking stalls.”

Morris also said the North Plaza will be one of the buildings being demolished, but this will not be happening until the new general classrooms building has been funded and built. The soonest this change may occur would be the fall semester of 2025.

When asked about the plans for the campus in the next five to 10 years, Morris said the Gardner Student Center needs to be expanded and remodeled. Morris also said DSU needs to build additional academic buildings and student housing not only for those students who are single but married as well.

Allie Vanlandingham, a freshman digital film major from Hurricane, said DSU is heading in a worthwhile direction in order to help the university expand.

“I think DSU is taking the correct steps in the right direction,” Vanlandingham said. “It will attract more students and it will help our school get the recognition that it should as a university.”

Vanlandingham said as the university continues to increase, perhaps adding more majors should be on the table for incoming and current students.

“I feel as though there are not as many majors offered at DSU as opposed to other universities,” Vanlandingham said. “I would personally love to see a wider variety as we continue on.”

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What you need to know about credit cards

by Sydney JohnsonPosted on

Having a credit card does not mean automatic debt; there are many rewards that come with owning a credit card. You just have to know how to use it appropriately.

Entering the life of being a college student comes with bounds of responsibility, and many students are most likely not thinking about obtaining a credit card. Here are reasons and tips to begin using a credit card in your college years.

Build Credit

Why would you want to begin building your credit in college? This will only benefit your future if it is done correctly.

Kaplan Sanders, assistant professor of finance, said having a “solid credit history” will make it easier to buy a home one day. It will also show responsibility and this will make it easier for you to borrow money in the future if needed. It shows you are a trustworthy individual who knows how to manage money.

“I think students should have credit cards if they are money conscious and responsible because it is never too early to start earning credit, but it isn’t worth going into debt if you are not responsible with money,” said Kaya Newman, a freshman business management major from Herriman.

The first step to building credit is to start using a credit card. According to Real Simple, steer clear of debit cards because they benefit you in no way. Credit cards come with benefits if used correctly, and they also boost your credit score for a more secure future.

How to use a credit card

Using a credit card is not an easy task; you are required to be on top of your bills and have an understanding of exactly how much you are spending. In order to earn the potential rewards, it is important to ensure you know how to use a credit card.

“If you’re interested in getting a credit card, you need to start with a level of responsibility [and] commit to spending less than you make,” Sanders said. “Make sure your checking account can pay off the credit card [balance].”

According to Investopedia, paying your bills on time is the most important thing to remember about having a credit card. If it is easier for you, you can set up automatic payments, which is when your personal bank account is automatically billed so you don’t miss any payments.

“I pay off my credit card payments as soon as I am able to, and it’s like I get rewarded for buying things that I need,” Newman said.

Set a reminder on your phone for each month a week before your payment is due. Ensure you are tracking your spending’s so you are able to pay off your credit card payment appropriately.

Kyle Wells, the dean of the College of Business, said: “Use [a credit card] for daily, regular purchases and pay it off every month on time. It won’t take too long to build a respectable credit score. If you do mess up, there are many ways you can pick yourself up, but it all starts with the discipline of following rule number one.”

Do your research

There are plenty of things you need to consider when deciding on a credit card to begin using. Here are a couple of things to look out for:

  • Annual fees
  • Benefits offered
  • Interest rates
  • Credit limit
  • Places the card is accepted

Sanders said it is important to read the fine print of a credit card before using it. Each card is different and offers various entities of benefits, penalties and rates.

Ensure that you do your research and choose a credit card that best fits your needs. You can learn more about the various types of credit cards for students on NerdWallet.

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DSU’s Multicultural and Inclusion Center has openings

by Madisyn DwigginsPosted on

Dixie State University currently has positions open in the Multicultural and Inclusion Center.

DSU has open full-time positions for black/African American coordinator, Latinx/undocumented coordinator, and women’s resource coordinator. With these positions open it has raised some concerns the students within the Multicultural Inclusion Center are not being supported enough; however, Dean of Students Ali Threet reassures everyone that students are getting the support they need.

“I think that the students who already know about the areas are absolutely getting the support they need because they are still being covered by our current staff,” Threet said.

Threet explained how she is excited to see the support the MIC receives from the university.

“Though we are short-staffed right now, what is exciting is the support that this area has from the university; we received funding for two additional full-time positions that were all previously part-time,” Threet said.

Mike Nelson, assistant director of the MIC, said Cesaria Selwyn was the previous part-time Latinx/undocumented coordinator, but they have now shifted over to the assistant director of the MIC while still covering the LGBTQIA+ students.

Nelson said the staff members who are covering multiple positions in the MIC are inspiring and will make the MIC stronger throughout the years.

“We want to be able to show that we have staff that has upward mobility, we have staff moving from one position to another,” Nelson said. “We hate to see faculty that leave the institution but to see staff continue to rise all while taking new positions in other areas is very exciting.”

Nelson explains how the changes occurring will provide growth throughout the MIC.

“As we have gotten two new leaders [Ali Threet and Del Beatty] within three months this allows us as a division to reassess what our goals and needs are so we are making sure that students are getting serviced,” Nelson said.

Threet explains the MIC will be interviewing for these positions but the positions close on Sept. 21. Threet said top candidates will be brought in for a presentation, an in-person interview, and they will have the opportunity to interact with students and clubs.

Threet said there is also going to be a new strategic plan for the MIC to reach out and help more students.

Threet said, “It will be perfect because these new people will be hired and be able to step into a new program that is moving in the best course of action for our current student population and the next.”

Threet said she is devoted to helping students which is another reason why she stepped up to be the new director of the MIC.

Dylan Kime, a junior biology major and president of the LGBTQ+ Student Association from Salt Lake City, said, “I enjoy the Multicultural Inclusion Center because it’s a safe and inclusive space to come and socialize and work without fear of repercussion.”

The MIC is currently coming up with a plan to outreach all DSU students.

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Gone but not forgotten: DSU honors 43 missing students in art exhibit

by Hannah HickmanPosted on

Dixie State University honors the lives of 43 students who disappeared during a political demonstration in 2014.

On Sept. 26, 2014 in Iguala, Mexico, 43 students took part in a political demonstration which left three dead and the rest missing.

The art instillation, being hosted by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, will consist of 43 life-sized silhouettes with a biography of each missing student on it. These silhouettes will be placed around campus for all to view starting Sept. 17 through Oct. 1.

The art installation gives students the opportunity to reflect on what happened to the missing students and shows how something in another country can affect us here in the United States.

“While some might see the barbarity of this event as distant and far-flung, we know that freedom of speech, the right to protest, and other rights are something that we must be eternally vigil in defending,” Institute of Politics Director Vince Brown said.

Brown said the messages of free speech the art installation shares are similar to those of the DSU students who protested in front of the Utah State Capitol to be heard by the Senate.

The art installation opens up the possibility for discussion about what role the police play in our communities, he said.

“Police brutality and the conversation surrounding law and order should be fresh in all our minds,” Brown said. “I hope this will further that discussion.”

DSU Chief of Police Blair Barfuss said corrupt governments play a role in policing and this art exhibit serves as an example of this.

“When corrupt political leaders gain complete control and compliance of their established police departments, the role of police changes from public service to political enforcement,” Barfuss said.

The art exhibition gives DSU students, faculty, staff and community the opportunity to discuss topics pertaining to freedom of speech and police brutality.

“It shows that ideals such as freedom of speech are fragile rights that can only exist if both the government and its citizens equally support and defend the principle,” said Stephen Lee, dean for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

The art installation gives the DSU community an opportunity to be made aware of situations happening abroad and gives people the opportunity to reflect on what can happen in the U.S.

“My hope is that our students will look at these 43 strangers and see themselves,” Lee said. “I also hope they will realize that the terrible social and political problems the installation explores are not problems unique to Mexico.”

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