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Month: January 2024
EDITORIAL | Build or bust? The Student Union Building is not what students need
Dear students,
You have probably heard of the new Student Union Building, the Utah Tech Student Association’s ambitious plan to create a social hub for students on campus. But as far as the details go, we’ve noticed a few issues with the project.
The project is spearheaded by UTSA. It is proposed to provide increased dining options, larger event spaces, a new campus store and centralized student services. But these plans are largely incomplete and subject to change. Final designs for the building have yet to be completed, so students can’t be guaranteed anything.
We also find many of the tactics used to promote the building unethical and misleading. UTSA continues to advertise the Student Union Building to “meet student needs” and provide “access to campus resources,” but they haven’t been able to tell us exactly what we’re paying for. We have seen an overwhelming amount of marketing for the positive side of this project, but little to no information on the negative.
As students have expressed their opposition to the building, we have seen members of UTSA shutting them down online. As leaders of our student body, we want to see UTSA members listening and responding to the voices of student concern. This project is supposed to be for the student body. If we vote “no,” we should still be supported and respected.
Similarly, we have noticed a large amount of misinformation circulating as a result of misleading advertising. If you’ve walked around campus recently, you have probably noticed posters with “$22 fee increase” in big bolded letters. What you might not have noticed is the small text printed underneath, which outlines that this increase is per year. This type of marketing is misleading to the many students just strolling past.
A sign posted outside the Gardner Building advertising the Student Union Building.
Additionally, the Student Union Building is advertised to break ground in 2026 but fails to mention that the project will undoubtedly span over at least the next decade. This means that the pledged renovations to the Gardner and Browning buildings if approved would not occur for far over a decade—a greater span of time than advertised. Current students will be long gone by the time it is completed.
But that doesn’t change the fact that we’ll be the ones paying for it.
UTSA is advertising a fee increase of $22.25 over the course of the next four years, capping at $89 per academic year. However, we find it problematic to vote “yes” for a fee increase that has no plan for exactly how it will be spent.
We don’t feel comfortable casting our votes for a design so susceptible to change. Voting “yes” means going forward blindly with a plan that could end up costing students more than they’re willing to pay for.
A vast majority of the planned additions to the Student Union Building, like a brand new UTSA office, are things that students already have or don’t need. While many of us would love to see new dining options on campus, we didn’t ask to pay for a new lounge for UTSA.
In the eyes of UTSA, the improvements that we really want to see, like improved parking, come second to constructing the Student Union Building. If the vote passes, these are changes that the university can’t expect to see for over a decade.
Our student leaders are prioritizing the wrong changes—we are in far greater need of a new testing center than we are for new dining options. The time spent rushing this project forward could be time better spent pushing for meaningful change.
With the lack of planning and reliable information currently in circulation, we do not support the project in its current state.
Our student leaders should be advocating for the changes that will benefit students most. We want to see our leaders focusing our time and resources on supporting the reason we’re here: our education. At the end of the day, students are here to get their degrees, and the focus of Utah Tech’s growth should reflect that.
The resources the Student Union Building might provide would be good for students but don’t address the main priorities of the student body. There are too many unanswered questions that UTSA doesn’t have the answer to, but they’re advertising like they do. This proposal is incomplete, and UTSA is masking its flaws with misleading marketing and backlash to those who oppose it.
UTSA has also failed to properly inform students how to vote. The vote will take place through MyUT, but the system utilizes geocaching to only allow students on campus the ability to vote. By spreading misinformation about the voting process, UTSA is tipping the scales ever more in their favor.
Voting for the Student Union Building will open Feb. 5 at 11 a.m. and close on Feb. 6 at 11:50 p.m.
But before you vote, consider the consequences of the outcome. Let your votes speak louder than misleading promises—is gambling on a project that prioritizes flashy amenities over the true needs of our student body the best future for Utah Tech?
What you need to know about the proposed Student Union Building
A new Student Union Building is being proposed for students to vote upon, which would replace the Student Activities Center standing in between the Human Performance Center and the Gardner Student Center.
If the majority vote is “yes,” it would start a years-long process of approvals and voting before the building is on campus. This vote is just the beginning in terms of the completion of the Student Union Building.
The building is advertised to bring more dining options, more space for students and a new and bigger campus store. The Utah Tech Student Association website estimated groundbreaking for the building would be in 2026.
The website also said: “Student Union Buildings serve as a destination that connects the university community. It becomes the hub of campus where students can unwind, dine, access centralized serves, and build Trailblazer Nation.”
Cost estimations broken down
The Student Union Building is estimated to cost $75 million. The breakdown of the cost estimations includes:
- $33 million from State of Utah appropriations
- $14 million from donations
- $28 million from student fee balances
Students can expect to see a $22.25 fee increase each academic year over four years, capping at an $89 increase. The general student fee needed to fund the debt service for the cost of construction will be $65 per semester. Each semester, the student fee amount allotted to cover necessary operating expenses will be $24 per semester.
If the budget of the building would increase, Utah Tech would get more money from a bond and not from the students.
A savings account for the Student Union Building has been around since 2015, and $5 of our student fees already goes toward it each semester.
Vice President of Student Life Karson Ray, a senior healthcare administration major from St. George, said, “At the moment, it [the savings account] can only be used for the Student Union Building because that is the purpose…Like how student fees can only be used for student fees…”
Essentially, the savings account is only to be used to benefit the student body. Ray gave the example of the new UT sign by the encampment mall.
If the majority vote is “no,” the savings account would be reconsidered for other student purposes.
Amenities
There have been multiple features advertised in the Student Union Building including:
- Three times more square footage of dining space
- Outdoor and indoor seating areas
- New ballroom areas and bigger space for students
- Campus store
There have been ideas of moving around student resources like the Booth Wellness Center and the Testing Center, but nothing has been confirmed on where these will be relocated to.
Benji Welch, a senior marketing major from Las Vegas, said, “We’ve talked to a lot of student organizations across campus and have gotten some really good questions and have been able to find answers even if we don’t have them.”
The process of deciding where each idea will go will be determined by students. UTSA has been collecting data through Instagram polls, presentations and word of mouth through students.
“The goal of the building is obviously to meet the needs of students as a whole,” Ray said.
The current student building, the Gardner Center, would coincide with the Student Union Building to hold all student resources. Any remodel of the Gardner would be funded and remodeled separately.
The process of getting a concept for the building started two years ago, which included hiring an artificial firm and doing a feasibility study.
Paul Morris, vice president of academic affairs, said, “The feasibility was designed to determine whether adding on was the right move…”
What was learned is that no amount of money toward a remodel would accomplish what is needed. A new building was the only option.
Future plans
If the majority vote is “no,” there are no plans to demolish or replace the Student Activities Center.
The savings account will continue to accumulate, and UTSA will recirculate to the idea of a Student Union Building in the future. This is all up to a new student body leadership. If a new student concern arises, the funding will go toward that.
If the majority vote is “yes,” fees will be added in the fall 2024 semester.
There are multiple steps in approving, voting and creating building plans. The estimated ground-breaking is in 2026, and this building is a five-year build. Students attending Utah Tech will not see the final building before they graduate.
Voting for the Student Union Building will open Feb. 5 at 11 a.m. and close on Feb. 6 at 11:50 p.m. Students need to have a D number and have to be on campus to vote as voting is geocached. Voting can be done through MyUT.
Utah Tech springs into semester with events students can look forward to
Spring Semester is now in full swing, and with that comes more work and more classes. But not all of campus life consists of those things. There will be plenty of events for students to look forward to, so mark your calendars for these upcoming events.
Valerie De La O, events and promotions coordinator, said, “There will be fun events for both the community and students to come together and have fun.”
D-Week
D-Week is a week-long celebration of community, tradition and pioneering spirit. It occurs during the first full week of April. Some activities that occur include an art tour, painting the “D” on the hill, Brooks’ Block party and more activities for community members and students.
During D-Week, there is an event called The Great Race. This is a traditional event that consists of different activities to participate in such as a mud pit, obstacle course and slide pull. People can build teams and compete in various physical activities to take home prizes.
Kite Festival
Utah Tech University partners with different businesses for events throughout the year such as Dixie Power for the Dixie Power Kite Festival April 6 at 10 a.m.
About 25,000 people come to this all-day event. This event is for everyone including the Utah Tech community, elementary schools and Washington County residents.
UTSA Events
Christian Hildebrandt, executive director of campus life and wellness, said a lot of activities are put on by the actual students themselves, such as the Utah Tech Student Association. There are many collaborations with clubs and businesses as well.
These UTSA events are typically on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. but times can vary. UTSA plans many of these events months in advance to ensure students have the best time possible.
Some events happen annually, such as Casino Night Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. Students get to dress up and enjoy playing various casino games like Blackjack, Texas Hold’em, Roulette and Craps.
Another event people can enjoy is Live and Local April 10 at 7:30 p.m. where local bands come and play live music. This is held on the encampment mall.
To end the year and celebrate the start of summer, UTSA puts on the last dance of the year, Inferno, April 13 at 9 p.m.
TAT Events
Every Thursday, the Trailblazers Activity Team puts together activities that are open to all students but designed for those who live in the on-campus dorms.
An event that the TAT team recently organized was a Big Shots Night where students were invited to golf for free.
Hildebrandt said, “These events can include connection and engagement to others on campus.”
Pageants
More activities put on by UTSA are the Mr. Trailblazer pageant as well as the Trailblazer Queen pageant. This is where students compete in various levels of competition to win a title and scholarship while demonstrating school spirit.
Mr. Trailblazer will be Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m., and Trailblazer Queen will be April 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Be Well Workshops
The Booth Wellness Center hosts the Be Well Workshops every Wednesday from noon to 12:45 p.m. in the Campus View Suites II multipurpose room They are meant to encourage positivity and help students accomplish their goals while engaging in various wellness topics.
Ali Threet, dean of students and assistant vice president, said: “Any students who may need help with basic life skills or adulting, from topics that include, but are not limited to self-care, test anxiety, navigating relationships and sleep hygiene, can go to the Be Well Workshops.”
Threet said if students get involved, they’ll be able to make connections and form a sense of community. Threet also said if any student needs help with feeling like they belong, they can come to her or to the Dean of Students Office.
Upcoming events are advertised in a variety of ways, such as the a-frames around campus, the Blazer Digest posters in the bathroom stalls and social media.
Attending these events can give students a break from classwork and stress while giving the Utah Tech community events to look forward to for the spring semester.
Utah transgender bill sparks concerns among state, students
Two different Utah State Representatives wrote two transgender bathroom bills. One of them went to the senate.
Currently, there are two lawmakers, Representative Kera Birkeland and Representative Phil Lyman, who have different bills pertaining to transgender bathrooms.
Birkeland’s HB257 is the one going to the Senate. Birkeland’s bill will restrict access to gender-specific bathrooms for transgender individuals unless they have gone through reproductive surgery. However, the bill will also increase the amount of unisex bathrooms in new government buildings.
Lyman’s HB253 restricts transgender access to both men’s and women’s bathrooms and locker rooms in public K-12 schools, colleges and universities. No solution or accommodations are mentioned.
How a bill gets passed in the Utah Senate
Vince Brown, instructor of the practice in political science, said the House and Senate must agree on the same bill. Once they agree on it, it can go to the governor for signature and become a law.
In the Senate, it can be amended and sent back to the House where they have to vote for it again. If it passes both the House and Senate, then it will go to the governor for his signature of approval. If the bill doesn’t pass the House, then the House and Senate will meet and discuss the bill.
How long it takes
Brown said: “Sometimes, a controversial bill can take the whole legislative session and will be passed or defeated on the last day. Sometimes, they can move a bill within a week. There is work being done on these things long before the session begins.”
HB257 is currently sitting on Governor Spencer Cox’s desk waiting for his signature for approval or his veto.
What it means for transgender individuals
“It means feeling like they can’t go anywhere in the state of Utah and be safe,” said Rowena Webb, the dance accompanist at Utah Tech University, who is a trans woman.
Benji Welch, a senior marketing major from Las Vegas, said it’s very scary for transgender and gender non-conforming students.
“I feel like it puts targets on a lot of people’s backs… or at least they feel like it does,” Welch said. “I feel like that has repercussions with mental health.”
Potential outcomes if the bill passes
Birkeland’s bill would be adding gender-neutral or single-stall bathrooms, which would take time and space. Currently, there aren’t many gender-neutral bathrooms on Utah Tech’s campus. Webb said the school might have to build a new building just for the bathrooms.
Welch said, “This is an opportunity for hate crimes and vigilantism and other things to kind of become, into a worse state than what they already are.”
The message it sends to the transgender community
Webb said it means that we are all equal. It doesn’t matter what your gender identity or expression is. We are all welcomed and accommodated for.
“It’s kind of neutral,” Welch said. “I think that there are positive aspects of it, but I think that because of the way that they are passing it, it has negative implications for concerns of safety.”
Welch organized a rally in support of the transgender community Jan. 30 from noon to 2 p.m. in the Gardner Plaza. The theme is “I’ll go with you.”
“We are here to say to our Utah Tech community and to our St. George community and southern Utah community that we are here to support our trans siblings and friends,” Welch said. “That we will go with you to the end…So many people think you are so brave for simply existing in this space that is hostile to you for simply being who you are.”
Introducing Utah Tech’s first doctorate degree
Utah Tech University will be offering a new 108-credit occupational therapy doctorate degree for its students starting in fall 2024.
Occupational therapy is a way for people of all ages to be able to work through injuries, illnesses or disabilities with the use of everyday activities and tools. Those who are involved in this corporation want to ensure that rural places in Utah have access to occupational therapy because there is a lack of people trained in the practice.
Samira Hall, manager for curriculum and graduate studies operations, said she hopes that all students involved will appreciate the program as well as take lifelong lessons and skills from it.
Sheila Longpré, associate professor of occupational therapy, and Jamie Garner, support specialist for the program, have been at work in creating this program from the ground up.
Eli Bermudez, dean for the College of Health Sciences, said this program has been in the works since summer 2017.
There are multiple requirements for those who are interested in joining this program including:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree
- Pay a $50 application fee
- Pay a $150 Occupational Therapist Centralized Application Service fee
- Complete prerequisite coursework at a regionally accredited institution within the past 10 years
- Provide three letters of recommendation
- Complete all bachelor’s degree and prerequisite coursework prior to the first day of class in the occupational therapy curriculum
- Include official transcripts from all institutions attended post-high school
- Have at least 20 observation hours
- Participate in a criminal background check
The priority deadline to submit applications is March 1, 2024, and the final deadline is May 1, 2024. For more information, in-person and virtual meetings will be available on the following days:
- Feb. 6: HPC 203 at 5:30 p.m.
- Feb. 7: Zoom meeting at 5:30 p.m.
For this eight-semester program, the tuition and fees for in-state students are about $86,500, and for out-of-state students, the total tuition & fees are about $121,250.
Eight semesters of training will allow students to dive directly into an occupational therapy career. This will offer the opportunity to enter the work field straight after graduation and help meet the need for occupational therapists in many parts of Utah.
Longpré said: “They’re [students] going to be the next generation who teach the next generation. They need to be well prepared and practitioners who are competent and confident to be able to be those change agents.”
Starving for change: Utah Tech University lacks reliable meal plans
The epitome of a college experience: crowded sports games, late-night homework assignments and the iconic dining hall.
What is the one thing Utah Tech University students are missing from the college experience? A dining hall and meal plans that are affordable, tasty and healthy.
Dining at any university should be convenient and healthy. Most universities have a dining hall with a cafeteria-style section, then the different restaurants. At Utah Tech, there are restaurants and no cafeteria section. This is limiting students, faculty and staff with allergies or dietary restrictions from the convenience of having food they can eat on campus.
Utah Tech has the convenience of having food on campus, but it severely lacks the inclusivity and healthy factor of meals. There are little to no places for students to obtain healthy food; it is all fast food.
A meal plan is a pre-paid account that allows all students to have access to restaurants and stores around campus. Many restaurants and stores on campus offer popular food but lack the variety to be worth eating at regularly.
A meal plan for spending money on fast food? Might as well walk to the local Taco Bell or Swig.
When I was exploring colleges as a senior in high school, my parents and I were surprised that Utah Tech didn’t have a well-organized dining hall and a meal plan that was worth paying for. For how old the school is, you would think this is something Utah Tech would have by now.
If you were like me and wondering what meal plans are offered since there isn’t a proper cafeteria, here are the options for Utah Tech students living on campus:
- Plan A: $850 a semester or approximately $50 per week
- Plan B: $1,250 a semester or approximately $73 a week
- Plan C: $1,650 a semester or approximately $97 per week
- Plan D: $2,250 a semester or approximately $132 per week
If you had Chick-fil-A and Subway for lunch and dinner, you would spend about $15 a day. This doesn’t include snacks and an optional breakfast.
There is also Bison Bucks, an alternative option for students who live off-campus. This allows students to load money onto their Utah Tech ID card. Students have the option to use their ID card when buying food from stores on campus.
The so-called convenience store in the Gardener Student Center is not a reliable grocery store for anyone. It is more of a gas station when it comes to selection. The store’s selection of quick snacks and energy drinks are not sustainable meal sources.
With the completion of Campus View III approaching, I hope the grocery store inside will have healthier choices and accommodate all dietary needs. I want to see more variety of options like fresh fruit, vegetables, healthy frozen meals and gluten-free options.
Healthier dining options and a full cafeteria is a lot to ask for. But taking little steps like adding more inclusive dining options and grocery stores will fix the lack of food diversity and readiness on campus. When contemplating whether or not to buy a meal plan, skip the headache and the wasted money on fast food.
Here’s what you need to know about Black Desert Resort
Ivins has grown 22% in three years, and Black Desert Resort will only make it bigger. Resting between the city of Ivins and Santa Clara, the 630-acre resort is four times the original 150-acres of Disneyland when it first opened in 1955.
The resort will have amenities such as a 19-hole golf course, spas, fine dining, shopping, pools and over 3,300 living spaces.
This resort also has plans to hold the PGA tour in fall 2024, a professional golf tournament that hasn’t been held in Utah since 1963. While the resort is on track to hold the PGA later this year, full completion won’t be until 2027.
The mega-resort is reported to bring 600,000 people annually, and 40,000 people for the PGA tour this fall, according to the developer.
At a joint budget meeting held Jan. 25 by Santa Clara and Ivins, Ivins councilwoman Sharon Gillespie raised concerns about the current project and its plans to hold the PGA.
“What concerns me is everything surrounding Black Desert and the PGA, what they might not have responsibility for and what we would have responsibility for in terms of operational planning and parking,” Gillespie said. “How will these conversations go, and how will we prepare for 225,000 people to visit Ivins in October?”
Currently, the two cities have plans to prepare for this influx of people, yet council members are still concerned.
Bob Flowers, Santa Clara Ivins Chief of Police, said he has full confidence that law enforcement and the infrastructure can handle this event.
“When we look at the people [emergency services] we’re going to use, it’s going to affect both cities very well,” Flowers said.
Brennan Brown, managing director at DA Davidson Group and financier for Black Desert Resort, said they have been raising money to build the infrastructure to prepare for a resort of this size. The resort, in conjunction with the DA Davidson group, also has plans for the conservation of water and energy.
“C-PACE [Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy] financing allows you to pay for clean energy enhancements to a project,” Brown said.
Both entities plan to initiate energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation enhancements.
Black Desert Resort is utilizing low-voltage power over Ethernet and an advanced regenerative media filter for reusing water.
The water usage is a concern for many residents, and the resort plans to use a third of the water that would typically be used on a resort of this size.
This resort may impact commute times for students, but it also opens up more opportunities. This resort will open 550 new jobs, from management to serving.
With a 3,000-foot boardwalk, residents and students can explore more shopping, restaurants and boutiques.
“From a high level, this really is a world-class project,” Brown said. “They’re really trying to do this right and make it a world-class destination that many people will enjoy for a long time. I think it’s going to be a great addition and a great boon to the local community and local economy.”
Shape your university experience with these 3 student resource organizations
From the moment a student thinks about attending college to the moment they decide to graduate, Utah Tech University has many resources available for its students to help in every stage of their academic journey.
However, three specific resources at the university work on welcoming, supporting and guiding students throughout college life. They give back to the student body, and if you’d like the chance to do the same, each of the organizations is hiring for fall semester positions. Here is what the resources contribute to campus.
Ambassadors
When you go to the welcome desk of the Holland Centennial Commons & Library, the first people you see are the ambassadors. Commonly known as the students in the red polos, they have more responsibilities beyond sitting at the welcome desk and driving around in golf carts.
The Ambassador Program is a part of the admissions department for Utah Tech. They give tours on campus, travel to local high schools and promote the university while demonstrating a positive representation of Utah Tech. They also travel to other states including Nevada, California, Idaho and Arizona to educate other people about the university.
“What’s cool is we’re also growing where we’re recruiting,” said Ambassador President Bella Estes, a junior communication studies major from Scottsdale, Arizona. “It’s a very exciting time for the university as we’re growing so much, and the Ambassadors play a huge part in promoting the university and recruiting more students to attend.”
Oftentimes, an ambassador is one of the first people a prospective student may meet at the university. Whether ambassadors visit a high school to give a presentation or offer a campus tour, they work toward recruiting students while offering a first impression of what college life is like.
“My favorite part about being an ambassador is the connections that I’ve gotten to make across campus,” Estes said. “Not only am I making connections with ambassadors that I work with…But also connections that I’ve made on and off campus with very successful people that have helped promote me to my future career.”
The application for the Ambassador Program is open until Feb. 15.
Peer Coaches
Most freshmen and transfer students will receive a peer coach during their first year at the university, but peer coaches can be requested regardless of what academic year a student is in.
The responsibilities of a peer coach are to meet with students throughout the year while offering support and knowledge about different resources, events and advice.
Peer coach Logan Gonzalez, a junior accounting major from Logan, said: “I think one of the biggest purposes of a peer coach is honestly, being here for the students and being a professional friend, who can both provide resources and be there to support in difficult or good situations.”
Peer coaches work toward making a student’s experience in college as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. By meeting with students, peer coaches work with Utah Tech to increase the university’s retention rate among freshmen.
Gonzalez said, “Just being there to watch someone grow and develop into a better person and become a better version of themselves, that’s my biggest reason for peer coaching.”
The application to become a peer coach is open until Feb. 5.
Alumni Ambassadors
While the ambassadors work on getting students to attend the university, the Alumni Ambassadors work on guiding students as they begin to transition into life after college by connecting students to alumni.
“I love to see the opportunities that come from being an Alumni Ambassador and helping other students,” said Alumni Ambassador President Cortney Houston, a junior communication studies major from Panguitch.
The Alumni Ambassadors help as the post-graduation phase of a student’s academic journey comes closer. They help students understand what awaits them and what future they can build for themselves so they are better prepared after receiving a diploma.
“We have this beautiful unity of authentic and genuine care for each other,” Houston said. “We have a lot of fun, but we also get the work done.”
The application to become an Alumni Ambassador is open until Feb. 20.
While each resource at our university is geared toward a different demographic of students, they each provide support for students before, during and after their time in college.
If you’re a student seeking an opportunity to make an impact on your peers, now is the time to apply. Whether you envision yourself as a welcoming face, a supportive peer or a guiding bridge to the future, there’s a place for you to contribute and shape the university experience.
The ultimate guide to planning your college semesters like a pro
