UTAH TECH UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE | January 20, 2025

Month: November 2024

New club tier system rewards leadership, engagement

by Kate PearsonPosted on

Clubs are a large part of campus life at Utah Tech University. There are over 70 listed on the Utah Tech website ranging from Acapella Club to Psychology Club to Utah Tech Pole Fitness. There is something for everyone.

Keeping a successful club requires much effort from the leadership of the clubs as they plan activities, service projects and recruit new members.

“Club presidents, they’re passionate about what they do, and they’re putting in five to 10 hours a week because they love their club,” Mike Nelson, director of student belonging, said.

To recognize the work these presidents put into their club, a new club tier system has been created that divides the clubs into three tiers. Clubs that lie in the first tier receive priority on A-frames, spots for club rush and more funding. The presidents also receive a scholarship for their work on campus.

“We were like, ‘You know what? Let’s compensate them. Let’s award them a leadership scholarship,'” Nelson said. “Just because they don’t have an official title in a formal university leadership program like the ambassadors or alumni ambassadors or UTSA, doesn’t mean they’re not student leaders.”

Criteria to be a tier one club has to include four of the following:

  • 10+ events per semester
  • 50+ active members
  • 80% inter-club council meeting attendance
  • Major campus event contributions
  • Two annual service projects
  • Effective activity tracking

The last two on the list are required to make sure the number in attendance is known, and the clubs are giving back to their community. Tier two does not include a scholarship, but they receive more benefits, such as priority on funds and promotion, than tier three.

The criteria of tier one ensures that a variety of clubs can earn a spot. They don’t necessarily need a large membership and campus presence to be considered for the tier.

“We wanted to make sure that even if it was a small club, you have just as much opportunity to be a tier one club as a club that has 150 members,” Nelson said.

The tiers are reevaluated every semester to give more students an opportunity to showcase their dedication to their club by earning their spot in tier one. This also is helpful for clubs that have activities primarily in the spring semester, such as the Black Student Union and Pasefika Student Union, whose heritage months are in the spring.

The clubs that were in tier one for fall semester are:

President of the Table Top club, Miranda Keller, a freshman biomedical sciences major from St. George, thinks the tier system is a great way to help students.

“I think it’s really nice how they want to support the clubs that put so much into the community, giving them more support and money to continue giving to the community and to the students,” Keller said.

The tier changes have already helped in increasing club presence on campus.

“Up until this semester, the largest number of clubs that we’d ever had chartered in a single semester was 17. This semester, we’re at 30,” Luke Kerouac, director of student involvement and leadership, said.

The tier system is meant to encourage students to be more engaged within their clubs and to reward the effort.

“So, essentially, the reason behind it is we’re trying to create more opportunities for more students,” Kerouac said. “We want more students to be involved. We want more clubs to have leadership opportunities and then reward those students or incentivize those students for the things they want to do.”

The system was new this semester and is still being adjusted and fixed as new clubs are created and clubs are changed.

Kerouac said he and the rest of his team want students involved in the process to provide their feedback, but there is no specific way to give feedback other than contacting those in charge of the system so they can work to better serve students.

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Let it Snow Somewhere Else brings joy to students before finals

by Joseph Avila HernandezPosted on

On Nov. 20, the annual Let it Snow Somewhere Else event, planned by the Utah Tech Student Association, had students so excited that they were lined up four hours before the event. 

This event was held in the Gardner Ballroom, where even though the doors didn’t open until 7:30 p.m., it didn’t stop the students from showing up early to secure their Let is Snow Somewhere Else crew neck.

Students were lined up at 3 p.m., student body president Bella Estes said.

Sydney Porter, a sophomore history major from Weber, said she was there at 5 p.m., and the line was almost out of the door. 

UTSA created activities where students could sit down and make a wide variety of decorations and ornaments with friends and other students. An additional activity students could participate in was writing letters. These letters are being sent to senior homes to bring joy and the Christmas spirit into their lives.

With these activities, UTSA created a Christmas environment with Christmas songs, people full of Christmas spirit and delicious pancakes that left you wanting more. The pancakes were served with maple syrup and whipped cream. They ran out of pancakes halfway through the event.

“It’s like you’re a kid again,” Gabby Gonzales, a junior digital design major from Logan, said. “Making all the cute little ornaments I used to make in elementary school.” 

Dimmed lights, a projected fireplace, paper snowflakes hanging from the ceiling, Christmas lights draped around the ballroom, a Christmas tree and candles on all the tables—these decorations set the merry mood, even though it is before Thanksgiving. 

The atmosphere was like a chill Christmas, Porter said.

“I started planning for this event during the summer, although I didn’t start putting everything together until eight weeks out,” Journey Catlett, a junior marketing major from Wasilla, Alaska, and director of traditions in UTSA, said. “At four weeks out, I am planning the looks, purchasing items and begin working with our lovely marketing team on how I am wanting the event to be portrayed when being presented to the student. At about two weeks out, I begin finalizing with marketing on their design they create and any last requests.”

An event this size takes many hands, and there were multiple branches of UTSA that were responsible for planning and carrying out the event. The student life branch was responsible for the event. Academics were in charge of the pancakes. The service branch was in charge of distributing the letters to the seniors. The marketing team took care of promoting the event and the crew necks. Lastly, the volunteers helped with the different sections of the event.

Catlett said: “The hardest part about planning any event for me personally is figuring out how I want to budget certain things… How much money I want to put towards food, how much I want to put towards the decorations, the craft. So, figuring all that out was the hardest part, but I’m stoked about how it came together.”

To figure out a budget, Catlett converses with her adviser, and they figure out the number of students they hope to serve at the event. The last thing that goes into the budget is the decorations since they can be made and reused.

The event left students with happy memories, new friendships and gratitude that comes from serving other people. 

Catlett said: “My favorite part is getting to see all the friends together and laughing and enjoying… It was really sweet to see how many people participated.” 

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OPINION | ‘SNL’—shaping, defining pop culture

by Abby AcostaPosted on

Since the show’s debut in 1975, “Saturday Night Live” has been more than just a comedy sketch show—serving as a reflection of current events with a hint of comedic relief.

In a way, “SNL” has become the heart of pop culture, capturing the spirit of each time era while influencing how we see the world around us.

I’ve been watching “SNL” for as long as I can remember. My dad would watch the show every Saturday night, no matter what. I’ve seen the show at its highs and lows. I’ve watched the cast change more times than I can count. It’s gotten to the point where when something big happens in the news or the pop culture universe, I start anticipating when “SNL” will cover it. 

“SNL” doesn’t just reflect pop culture—it helps create it. Over the years, cast members, hosts and guests have all benefited from their time on the show. Comedians we all know and love like Adam Sandler, Bill Murray, Chris Rock, Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler all got their start on “SNL.” The show serves as a platform for comedians to show the world what they’re capable of. 

The hosts and musical guests often reflect who is trending at the time. Each week, the host brings their style and energy, whether they’re a seasoned comedian, an actor or even an athlete.

Recently, “SNL” has secured a lot of names meant to attract younger audiences like Charli XCX, Jenna Ortega, Miles Teller and Austin Butler.

They do the same with the musical guests. Chappell Roan was a musical guest this season, and her performance generated one of the loudest crowds I’ve heard on “SNL” in a long time.

“SNL’s” live weekly format sets it apart as an instant reaction to what’s happening in the world. Whether addressing major political events or poking fun at viral trends, the show captures the moment in real time.

The best example of this would be the show’s segment, Weekend Update. This segment, currently hosted by Colin Jost and Micheal Che, is a comedic take on the week’s top news stories.

The hosts take up a good chunk in the middle of every show to poke fun at the current political state, pop culture and anything else they deem newsworthy. I find that the comedic relief this segment provides is needed.

In a world like today where the facts are everywhere, it’s nice to take a step back and laugh at it. Jost and Che will sometimes write the jokes for each other and keep them a secret until the live show. These episodes are always my favorite.

What makes “SNL” unique is its ability to act as a time capsule. Each season and episode offers a snapshot of what mattered at that moment. Watching old episodes isn’t just a trip down memory lane, but it’s also a way to understand what people were thinking, laughing at and worried about during specific periods in history. 

Recently, I watched an episode from 2017 with host Ryan Gosling and musical guest Jay-Z. Gosling was there to promote one of my favorite movies, “La La Land,” which was the theme of his opening monologue.

When it was time for Jay-Z to perform, my boyfriend and I started to guess what songs he’d do. We had to think about what he was doing back in 2017 and what his biggest hits were at that time. The sketches were filled to the brim with popular names from that time and trends. One of the sketches was about being “woke” and wearing Levi’s jeans. Watching this sketch, I thought “wow this is so 2017.” It felt like I was transported back in 2017 watching this episode. 

“SNL” isn’t just part of pop culture; it defines it. Through its constantly changing cast, hosts and sketches, the show continues to capture the essence of every era, blending humor with cultural significance in a way no other show can.

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Jubilee of Trees brings holiday cheer, raises money for cancer services

by Rainey FacerPosted on

The annual Jubilee of Trees kicked off its 41st year of being a St. George tradition for many families welcoming in the first leg of the holidays.

The event brings holiday cheer, dazzling decorations and beautiful trees for the public to see and enjoy while getting in the festive spirit. The event is held at the Dixie Convention Center and has Christmas trees that are up for auction to raise funds for this years cause—”A future where no cancer is untreatable.”

This cause area focuses on raising money for St. George Regional Hospital’s advanced cancer services.

“There is something for everyone, people of all ages, to be uplifted by the holiday spirit and to join with us and ensure that every cancer patient has access to services, the latest state-of-the-art therapies, and personalized, multidisciplinary approach to their care,” Loriana De Crescenzo, executive director at Intermountain Health Foundation, said.

The Jubilee of Trees showcased a beautiful array of large trees, mini trees and everything in between designed by local designers and businesses. Even Utah Tech University’s Fusion got in on the fun and decorated a bison themed tree.

The designers who are volunteers start planning their trees a year in advance, and register for their spot when registration opens July 1. This gives them a few months to begin forming an idea of what they want their tree to look like and time to start collecting the different ornaments and decorations for their trees.

“We have several designers that have come back to decorate trees. We even have a tree that the Future Farmers of America club at Desert Hills High School designed and donated,” Colin Searle, vice president of programmatic giving at Intermountain Health Foundation, said.

To reinforce how important Jubilee of Trees fundraising is to advance cancer services, they told the story of Autumn Rasmussen, who survived Ewing sarcoma, which is a type of bone cancer. Rasmussen, who endured months of chemotherapy, replacing her hip socket joint and pubic ramus bone and having a chunk of her femur removed, found that this year’s event brings on a new meaning for her.

“I am even more excited now for Jubliee of Trees, because before my treatment, I loved coming and seeing the trees, but now I feel like I love coming to support the cause area… Because I am more immersed in it and what the fundraiser is for,” Rasmussen said.

The funds raised from Jubilee of Trees, will be benefiting patients like Rasmussen, who may find themselves face to face with rare and aggressive forms of cancer.

“We wish no one gets a diagnosis of cancer, but if you do, we want you to know that there’s excellence of care, compassionate care thats close to home,” De Crescenzo said.

For many attendees, Jubilee Of Trees is a part of their holiday traditions. Whether it’s marveling at the trees, children enjoying writing letters to Santa and even getting a picture with him, or donors quietly bidding on trees and wreaths to fund this year’s cause area, this event fosters a sense of hope and togetherness.

For more information about the Jubilee of Trees or to contribute to the cause, visit their website or follow their Instagram.

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Changing majors can help students discover new career paths, goals, improve mental health

by Madisyn BishopPosted on

On average, one in 10 students will change their major more than once within the first three years of college. This is more common than most people think, with at least 80% of students switching within the first year of their major. This could be due to changing career paths, interests and even peer influence.

After completing an informal survey in the Holland Centennial Commons by asking 50 people if they did change their major, including students, over 60% said they changed their major at some point during their education. However, some students said they never declared a major, or they didn’t know what they wanted to major in.

Brianna Iverson, a career coach at Utah Tech University, said this semester they had 160 students come into Career Services to receive help, while from July 2023 to July 2024, that number was 326.

However, this number is specific to Career Services and doesn’t include students who see their advisers to officially change their majors. But despite this, the number has significantly increased this semester alone.

“If you’re in a major that isn’t good for you, it may take longer to graduate, but you may be more fulfilled in the long term,” Iverson said.

Career Services has many resources for students who are interested in changing their major. On their website, under the resources tab, there are three different resources that can help students either narrow down on a major or explore possible jobs.

Some of these resources include:

Additionally, students can also speak with a career coach if they need help deciding what to do. When students plan to change their major, Iverson said first, students should make an appointment with an academic adviser who works in the major they want to switch to. But before doing this, she suggested that students should talk to professors, explore classes and gather information to make an informed decision.

Exploring classes is one of many ways students can decide what they want to major in. This way, students can explore classes in various fields they are interested in, alongside their general education courses. In fact, Iverson said the second largest college at Utah Tech is the University College, which is specific to students who are majoring in general studies or are undeclared.

This provides students with the opportunity to explore various options before deciding on a major that requires certain classes.

It’s common and completely normal for students to switch their majors, especially as a freshman.

Shinfei Quek, a senior communications major from Phoenix, first came to Utah Tech as a biology major. Quek said he changed his major because his previous one wasn’t as suitable to his career choice of becoming a lawyer, so he chose one that would give him the necessary skills needed to succeed in his new field.

“Biology was giving me a lot of stress, and I realized that this career choice of becoming a doctor wasn’t right for me,” Quek said.

Despite this change, Quek is graduating in his third year of college—just one year ahead of his peers. He spoke with the biology adviser and then spoke with the communications adviser to ensure he would be on the right track.

“I think it’s OK to want to change your major, but at the same time, I would advise against switching them like you do socks,” Quek said. “At the first sign of a challenge, don’t just switch it, make a careful and informed decision first.”

Chasta Chamberlain, a junior English major from St. George, first majored in integrated studies, then she changed her emphasis before switching to English. She said she was very depressed and didn’t feel happy in her classes, but once she switched her major to English, her mental health drastically improved.

“At first, I thought about switching to English because I found out I really loved writing after my 2010 English class,” Chamberlain said. “I felt fulfilled, I felt satisfied, I was proud of what I was doing, and I wasn’t depressed anymore.”

The American Psychological Association reported that 45.6% of college students surveyed reported feeling hopeless, while 30.7% reported feeling so depressed that it was difficult to function for 12 months. The APA states this could be due to high stress levels, and it is entirely possible being in the wrong major could contribute to this significantly. 

When a student declares a major, they may realize that it just doesn’t suit them, and it’s completely normal. However, with the resources available, such as career services, academic advising and major exploration websites, students can make an informed decision about what is right for them.

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Order in court: new mock trial team provides real work experience

by Alyssa BaylesPosted on

Students at Utah Tech University are ready to take on competition in the courtroom through the new Utah Tech Mock Trial Team.

The mock trial team was created this fall semester by Susan Hunt, instructor of criminal justice, to provide students with the skills needed to succeed in the courtroom. After interviews, 10 students were selected to participate on the team for the year.

“The biggest goal is that they come out of this with some, not necessarily trial skills, although that’s what they’re doing, but they come out of it with these skills that I think are essential for them in the workplace, regardless of whether they go to law school or not,” Hunt said.

Some of these skills include teamwork, critical thinking and public speaking. Along with these skills, the team has a personable goal of learning and expanding their knowledge of court procedure. Team captain Jax Barton, a senior criminal justice major from St. George, said part of the goal is fostering a community and opportunities for students in the criminal justice field.

“It’s been big for me, as I’m going to law school, to participate in something that kind of gets me into what I’m headed into and what to expect,” Barton said. “For students, not just interested in law school but in the criminal justice field as a whole, it’s an opportunity to participate and be a part of something and learn court procedure and public speaking.”

The team competed in their first competition Nov. 8 and 9 at the Cactus Classic Invitational in Tucson, Arizona. The tournament was split into two days, with two rounds each day.

Karsyn Collins, a junior criminal justice major from Lumberton, Texas, is one of the members of the team and won the “Outstanding Witness Award” at the invitational by playing a witness in the case. This was done by acting like a social media influencer who was one of the witnesses for the trial.

“She put in so much time to know how to speak like the character, how to answer like the character, how to stick to her affidavit, that award was well earned with many, many hours of work,” team captain Kennadee Law, a senior criminal justice major from Bluffdale, said.

In addition to the award, the team was able to gain experience and knowledge about what to expect from future competitions. Barton said the competitions were very tightly kept with strict guidelines, which is something they learned to adapt to during the two days.

With the experience came the friendships amongst the team. Collins said the whole team is like a huge friend group, and the memories gained from the trip are something she’ll have forever. Part of this was creating friendships that go beyond the classroom.

“When you’re in a classroom, the relationship you have with your peers is like an association, you know a little bit about them, but you don’t get to know the nitty gritty,” Law said. “In this sense, we got to talk about real personal life, and it was so fun to be able to laugh and have someone close in an actual friendship.”

However, a challenge the team is currently facing is funding to be able to participate in more competitions. Collins also said if the team was able to receive more funding, then they would be able to support having a larger team than 10 members.

With the funding issue, the next projected competition for the team will be the regional tournament in the spring. To prepare for the regional tournament, the team is currently accepting donations in hope of being able to participate in more competitions. A lot of their support has come from their coach Hunt.

“Kudos to Susan for everything she’s done and Rob, her husband,” Law said. “They’ve put in so many hours for this team, and it goes beyond what the majority of professors are willing to do.”

In the meantime, the Utah Tech Mock Trial Team is competing through free scrimmages and multiple practices on campus to ensure they are fully prepared for regionals. Hunt said she has seen their confidence rise as they continue practicing complicated problem-solving skills while creating new strategies in the courtroom.

“[They] are understanding how satisfying it is to work with a team when everybody’s working so hard, and then you’re proud of what you accomplish,” Hunt said. “It’s something that not everybody gets to experience in their lifetime, and it’s really rewarding.”

For any interested students, tryouts for next year’s team will occur during the spring semester. The mock trial team encourages anyone to try out despite their major because of the experiences and skills they could gain by being a member.

Through the challenges of being a first-year team, the Utah Tech Mock Trial Team is blazing a new path in the courtroom for criminal justice majors at Utah Tech. With the support of their coach, the team is ready to take on their competition, starting at the regional tournament.

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OPINION | Who SHOULD HAVE been candidates for Sexiest Man Alive

by Kate PearsonPosted on

The name of 2024’s Sexiest Man Alive has been released by People magazine, and the title goes to John Krasinski.

My first thought was, seriously… the guy from “The Office?” He’s cute, but Sexiest Man Alive? I don’t think so. I can think of other people who are way more deserving of the title.

Here’s who I would’ve chosen.

Drew Starkey

Drew Starkey is best known for his role as Rafe Cameron in “Outer Banks.” He plays the antagonist for seasons two and three, but something about his character is very attractive, especially when he buzzes his hair in season three. His anger in the series appeals to the part of us women who like a bad boy, someone who defies the normal.

Starkey isn’t a social person by nature. He’d rather spend his time alone because that is where he feels most like himself. He also isn’t very active on social media, having very few posts on his Instagram. Despite this, his interviews are very engaging.

He has very captivating blue eyes and a small smirk that reinforces the bad boy idea. He not only has attractive features, but something about the way he carries himself makes him all the more fascinating.

Henry Cavill

Honestly, how has this man not won the title yet? Henry Cavill has played many iconic characters, including Superman from 2013-2022, Geralt of Riveria in “The Witcher” and Sherlock Holmes in “Enola Holmes.”

Cavill is a huge family man and talks in his interviews about how much he appreciates them and how they support him. He is also very engaging and humble.

With his broad shoulders, dark hair and square jawline, he is well-deserving of the title. Each character he plays is insanely attractive in different ways because Cavill is playing them.

Pedro Pascal

Pedro Pascal is the oldest candidate on this list at 49 years old, but Patrick Dempsey won last year, and he’s almost 10 years older, so Pascal is not out of the running. He is also Chilean, while most previous candidates have been white Americans, so his winning would be a win for diversity in the competition.

Pascal is known for his roles as Oberyn Martell in “The Game of Thrones,” Joel Miller in “The Last of Us,” The Mandalorian in “The Mandalorian” and Whiskey in “Kingsman: The Golden Circle.”

However, he was asked, along with Glen Powell, to be nominated for Sexiest Man Alive 2024 but refused the title because he says he doesn’t need the ego boost. He should have accepted the nomination because he is a very attractive candidate, and the title needs more representation.

Pascal has a very charming and charismatic personality both on and off screen. He is very humble and desires to make those around him comfortable. He is also physically attractive with his warm brown eyes and dark mustache.

Jonathan Bailey

Jonathan Bailey is a perfect candidate for this title. His roles as Lord Anthony Bridgerton in “Bridgerton” and Fiyero in “Wicked” have shown us that he is attractive and can bear the weight of the title.

His characters are charming and lovable. He would also be the first openly gay man to take on the title.

In his interviews, he talks a lot about the misconceptions and hatred he’s faced for his sexuality. His experiences haven’t shut him down. Instead, he hopes to be an inspiration to the LGBTQ community and openly talks about his experiences.

Bailey is captivating with his dark hair and toned body. Beyond that, he has a very open face that portrays both kindness and intensity.

Simu Liu

Simu Liu has gained popularity recently with his entrance into the Marvel universe as Shang-Chi in “Shang-Chi: The Legend of the Ten Rings.” He also played one of the Kens in “Barbie.” He is impressive in both movies, portraying an effortless confidence.

Liu mentioned in an interview previously that he would love to hold the title of Sexiest Man Alive. Liu is very vulnerable in his interviews, openly talking about race issues and his hard climb to the fame he has now.

The 35-year-old star is also built. Between that, his symmetrical face and small smile, he deserves to be labeled as the Sexiest Man Alive. He would also be one of the first Asian men to win the title.

Krasinski did not deserve the title he received compared to the men on this list. He cannot be described as sexy, only cute. Every man on this list has sexy qualities, both inside and out, that prove them superior to this year’s choice.

Next year, I better see some of these men nominated for the title of Sexiest Man Alive.

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OPINION | Stress less this holiday season with these five tips

by Curtis KeddingtonPosted on

While most people remember the holidays for the food piled on their plates and the time spent with friends and family, sometimes it can feel like the stress piles on top of you instead.

The holidays can be a great time to spend with family and friends, but they also bring a lot of stress with them. Whether it’s pressure to live up to the high expectations we set for ourselves or conflicts with time and money, the holidays can quickly turn from a winter wonderland into a nightmare.

Luckily, I have several different ways that will let you kick back and relax this holiday season.

Time

Finding ways to manage your time can be tricky during the holiday season due to all the commitments we feel we have to make with friends, family or even work celebrations.

A great way to mitigate this stress is to plan ahead of time so that there’s no pressure to make commitments at the last minute when there’s no time to fulfill them.

Another great way to manage time during the holidays is to be willing to say ‘no.’ While it can be difficult, letting people know ahead of time that you aren’t able to make commitments eliminates stress to make various events but also mitigates stress for everyone else.

Budgeting

In addition to managing your time appropriately, budgeting ahead of time will make the holidays more enjoyable.

Especially as college students, I know there’s extra stress to get Christmas gifts when many of our budgets are tight as is. Planning your budget ahead of time helps you know how much you have to spend and eliminates the surprise from last-minute spending. 

There are several different ways to plan your budget ahead of time during the holidays. Making a list of all the people you have to shop allows you to plan for how much you will have to spend. Planning ahead of time also allows you to look for bargains during sales like Black Friday, which can help save money.

Positive habits

Along with the added stress to time and our wallets, the holidays can also throw off our normal routines.

This is often a great break from things such as school or work, but it can also disrupt positive habits such as exercise and healthy eating.

Finding time to continue those habits will not only help keep the pounds off but also allow us to feel a sense of accomplishment and normalcy.

I have a tradition of working out with my family on Thanksgiving and Christmas, and it not only helps us feel better the rest of the day but also helps us get along better.

Respect differences

While the holidays are a great time to gather with friends and family, there can also be stress about the possibility of disagreements between family members.

Many of us dread the tense political conversations over the dinner table at Thanksgiving, so it’s important to respect differences to avoid those tense moments.

Another way to avoid those uncomfortable moments, especially coming off an election, is finding ways to redirect the conversation or leave it entirely. Setting ground rules ahead of time or trying to think positively can help make the holidays more enjoyable for everyone.

When uncomfortable conversations do happen, there are several ways to ensure it doesn’t ruin the holiday. Assuming the best intentions, looking for things in common and taking the time to listen are all great tips to ensure that everyone can feel comfortable at the dinner table.

Set expectations

Many of us have preconceived notions of what the holidays should look like, which can lead to disappointment due to the overall chaos of the holiday season.

Setting realistic expectations with yourself can help manage the stress of when things don’t go as planned. It can also make those situations more positive and make them memorable for the future.

Living in the moment helps to avoid disappointment when plans inevitably change or fall through, especially when making plans with friends and family.

The holidays can feel overwhelming at times, but there are ways to make them more manageable and enjoyable. While it is not possible to remove all the stress from holidays, that is part of what makes them enjoyable and memorable in the first place.

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Big Screen Verdict: ‘Wicked’

by Lexy BorgognoPosted on

“Wicked,” based on the Broadway musical, has been one of the most anticipated movies of 2024. Yet, I kept thinking to myself, “What in the hell am I watching and who thought to create this?”

Granted, a lot of people out there know “Wicked” and they love it. I, however, had ZERO prior knowledge on the story whatsoever. I went into the movie with a fresh set of eyes, not being blinded by any previous love for it. 

Because of this, “Wicked” was strange because there’s intense themes like racism, but they are undermined by a story of friendship. I had to ask myself, “Is the theme of friendship the most important aspect of Elphaba’s life?”

For those like me who have no prior knowledge, “Wicked” is an origin story about the Wicked Witch of the West—Elphaba—from the “The Wizard of Oz,” and how she met and knew Glinda the Good.

I wanted to love this movie, I really did. But, at the end of the day I didn’t feel connected to it, and I left with more questions than I had before. 

What worked

The beginning was extremely boring, but by the middle and end of the film, that’s when the action happens. And when it gets good, it gets REALLY good. 

The plot twists were exactly what I wanted to see. I didn’t want to watch some musical. When different storylines started to connect toward the middle and end, that’s when I became invested in the story. Although I do wish there was a shift in themes, but I’ll get to that soon. 

This movie is visually interesting and appealing because practically every single set was built, not CGI, including a giant tulip field, emerald train to Oz and the Wizard of Oz’s golden face. And that pays off because as a viewer, I could tell. It looked truly impressive. 

And the clothing was incredible. Every single item Glinda and Elphaba wore were tailored for them for that exact scene, and costume designer Paul Tazewell is a genius for every item. 

Kudos to Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande for singing the songs live on set. That’s not a common thing to do, but it paid off in every way. While I’m not a fan of the music, the voices—especially Erivo’s—were rich to listen to. 

Erivo’s voice is angelic yet has this real soul to it, and I credit that to the fact there was live singing involved, and of course her raw talent. 

What didn’t work

This movie is only part one of “Wicked,” and part two doesn’t come out until NEXT YEAR. That is an insane amount of time to make an audience wait for part two when it’s already filmed. 

The creators shot part one and two back to back, so if the wait time was two weeks and not an entire year, I’d be more excited to see how the story ends. But, because I have to wait a year, I Googled what happens throughout the rest of the musical because I don’t want to wait to find out. 

Because this is a musical, obviously there are going to be songs in it. However, for a film adaptation, I really wished that there were significantly less songs. 

I’m not saying get rid of them, because there’s a time and place. But every 10 minutes of the movie it felt like a song was interrupting what was going on. I didn’t feel connected to the songs, and I didn’t want to go learn them after. 

What was confusing to me, and I don’t know if part two will address this more intensely, but the movie focused heavily on friendship, which isn’t a problem, but there was this underlying message of racism and discrimination. I kept wanting to know more about that part of the story.

Interestingly enough, the musical was based on a book called “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.” I went down a rabbit hole learning about this book, and it has more mature scenes and content in it—very different from the musical. 

So, while I understand the Broadway play and this film want to appeal to a wider audience by making it more friendly, the adaptations still could have gone the route of exploring the discrimination theme rather than the friendship theme. 

And this is for those who have watched the movie, but I honestly was anticipating to see what happens to Dr. Dillamond, the talking goat, and my favorite character just from his few scenes. BUT I Googled it and am extremely disappointed. #justicefordrdillamond

The verdict

What it comes down to is I didn’t love the main storyline of friendship, and I wished other routes were explored. I’m rating “Wicked” a 2 ½ out of five stars and you should wait to stream it at home. 

While I love me a good “villain” origin story, I really wanted to see less of Glinda the Good in “Wicked” and more of Elphaba, along with exploring the discrimination theme. It just didn’t have the effect I wanted it to. I know people love this story and the play, but I wanted more from the film. 

I’m hoping part two will change my mind on this, but as of now “Wicked” is just OK by me. 

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EDITORIAL | Enough is enough: we deserve administrators who take accountability

by Sun News StaffPosted on

The “zuweenie” is just the tip of the iceberg—what seems like a harmless joke barely scratches the surface of a lawsuit against the Utah Tech University administration about racial comments, misconduct and toxic work environments. 

If this was just about the “zuweenie” incident, it wouldn’t have been a whole ordeal. However, the names signed on the “zuweenie” were people who had no idea about it and didn’t consent to having their names signed.

Because this isn’t the first time within the past eight years that faculty or staff members have sued the administration, all under Richard “Biff” Williams’ presidency, this is an unprofessional and embarrassing look for our university that we once had pride in. Yet, we are concerned administrators will receive no consequences for creating toxic work environments.

Background 

The Salt Lake Tribune published an article Nov. 8 that said employees Hazel Sainsbury, director of equity compliance and Title IX coordinator, Rebecca Broadbent, general counselor who hasn’t been allowed to return to her position in nine months, and Jared Rasband, senior associate general counsel, filed against:

  • Richard “Biff” Williams, previous Utah Tech president 
  • Jordon Sharp, vice president of marketing and communication 
  • Del Beatty, vice president of student affairs
  • Michael Lacourse, provost and vice president of academic affairs
  • Henrie Walton, interim chief of staff, BOT secretary and assistant to president for government and community relations 
  • Tiffany Wilson, chair of the Utah Tech board of trustees 
  • Utah Tech University
  • Geoff Landward, commissioner for USHE, UBHE and OCHE
  • Utah Board of Higher Education 
  • Utah System of Higher Education
  • Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education
  • Alison Adams, general counsel for the UBHE, USHE and OCHE
  • Eric Pedersen, professor of software engineering and previously a dean
  • Matt Black, photographer and videographer
  • Jyl Hall, director of public relations
  • Jared Madsen, director of university design and branding 
  • Stacy Schmidt, assistant director of public relations
  • Brooke Ulrich, director of university events and promotions
  • Travis Rosenberg, executive director of human resources
  • Courtney White, interim president and previously chief of staff

The 42-page report includes allegations of resistance, intimidation, harassment and retaliation. This includes the unknowing signing of the three plaintiffs on the note with the “zuweenie,” mockery of Title IX, Broadbent’s wrongful put on leave, obscene and vulgar quotes on a public break room wall, harassment from mandatory reporting, verbal abuse and discrimination based on Sainsbury’s race. 

Embarrassing and concerning

It’s difficult to have pride in our university when lawsuits over hostile environments are filed every couple of years, yet these administrative individuals remain working here. 

Despite lawsuits and a push for change, nothing ever changes. 

We don’t see the consequences that should be mandatory concerning misconduct and toxicity. Provost Lacourse was said to be “put on leave,” and women’s basketball coach J.D. Gustin was given a two-week suspension. There are no consequences for these men.

Email Interim President Courtney White sent about Provost Lacourse Sept. 25, 2024. Nowhere in this email does it give any hint as to what he is accused of or why he is on leave.

Right now, Utah Tech does not have a good appearance. When Googling our university, lawsuits and allegations against current faculty and staff arise.

Googling “utah tech university” on Nov. 13, 2024.

This is not only embarrassing to say this is where we go to school but also concerning for our future careers. 

The entire point of changing Utah Tech’s name was to assist in the hiring process after graduation. However, with lawsuits like this, our school looks like a joke.

Future employers will not take us seriously if all our school is known for is lawsuits against the administration. It doesn’t establish a credible education for us as students. 

With Title IX matters not being taken seriously by administrators, how can students expect their situations to be handled and protected? How can students trust who is making decisions about what is labeled as “important” to report and what is not, or the fact that allegations aren’t even taken seriously and are made a mockery of?

Williams has since released his apology, while those being sued have declined to comment to Sun News. The same public relations statement that every other news organization has is what we were given. 

It’s ironic that the people who give out public statements are the people who are also being sued right now. It doesn’t make sense that the people being sued are also the people issuing the public statement.

Repeated pattern 

Even after stepping down as president in January, Williams received payment from Utah Tech until he obtained his position at Missouri State University. Where are his consequences for condoning toxicity at our university? He gets money from Utah Tech and a new job like nothing ever happened.

Under Williams’ presidency, Gustin was also sued yet faced only a two-week suspension and still works in his position.

In 2018, two professors were fired and found not guilty, and they said they were not given fairness in their terminations before being found not guilty. 

In 2016, a professor was terminated and found not guilty on his accounts, in which he sued for wrongful termination and received a settlement. 

Sainsbury, Broadbent and Rasband have also since released their thoughts, and it’s ridiculous and disgusting they are still facing retaliation.

The pattern here is undeniable. Administration is sued. The same people get practically no consequences and continue their work at Utah Tech. 

The change we want to see 

It’s unfortunate that when lawsuits come out against Utah Tech, we have to hear about it from The Salt Lake Tribune when students are simply told Provost Lacourse was put on leave, or President Williams was stepping down when that’s not the truth. There is zero accountability from these administrators.  

We now see that this lawsuit contributes to what’s keeping our university from hiring a permanent president, which is what we need.

We need someone who hasn’t previously been associated with Utah Tech. A clean house is what needs to happen. No one mentioned in this lawsuit should be considered for our next president because we need someone who can speak up when something is wrong, be transparent and take accountability.

We’d rather have the time taken to find candidates outside of Utah Tech than have a president associated with these allegations, who knew about them but chose to remain silent or anyone who has knowingly mishandled Title IX cases.

We surely don’t feel comfortable with anyone on this list of individuals being sued to be our next president. In fact, those named who purposefully created hostile environments, made fun of Title IX and made racial comments should be fired. 

There’s no reason why a new president, found outside the Utah Tech community, can’t turn the page and create an entirely new work environment here. We want to see a future free of racism, retaliation and toxicity.

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