UTAH TECH UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE | October 24, 2025

Category: News

Undercover Video Sparks Controversy Over Utah Tech’s Compliance With New DEI Law

by Miguel BalksaterPosted on

Recently, a video was released about Utah Tech University’s changes in policy that can lead to the cut of the school’s state funding.

Accuracy in Media is the independent media group that released the video. In it, Adam Guillete, the president of the organization, confronted Drusilla Bottoms, assistant dean of students and director of student resource center, on reorganizing the diversity, equity and inclusion policy in the school.

The organization collected the information with an undercover camera that recorded an interview with her. She explained how the school adapted to the changes in the DEI laws.

The law that was changed earlier this year, the House Bill 261 “equal opportunity initiatives,” restricts the university from promoting differential treatment in students, staff or faculty based on personal identity characteristics.

This means that, for example, diversity groups on campus must allow other students that might not match the personal qualities the group is trying to represent to join them.

Mike Nelson, director of student belonging, said: “The bill is to allow all students equal access to opportunities, which is something that we have done anyways.”

He said the new law has affected clubs on campus since they are student-ran and flourish with peer-to-peer support. One of those clubs was the LGBT Student Organization, which isn’t available to receive enough resources on campus to support them because of this new policy.

”Now there’s a little bit more weight put on the students for peer-to-peer support,” Nelson said. Since you already said this in the paragraph above, I would either keep this and get rid of you saying it above, or get rid of this quote.

Nelson also said non-profit organizations like Encircle, Equality Utah and Pride of Southern Utah had to step up and support students in a way that the university isn’t legally allowed to anymore.

”In the past, our area were able to help them,” Nelson said. “Now it’s like, if you want to do it, you’ve got to do it on your own.”

When it comes to the Accuracy in Media group, the description of their goal is listed as exposing “corruption and holding bad public policy actors accountable.”

Therefore, the purpose of the video was to expose Utah Tech for infringing the law that was recently passed on DEI, which would suppose the state stops funding the school if enough evidence is presented. link this!!

In the undercover video, Bottoms was recorded saying that the practice of DEI was reorganized and “made differently.”

“What [the university] did is they resolved our Center for Inclusion and Belonging, but we just kind of reorganized it; we didn’t really get rid of anything,” Bottoms said.

She said the department is now called Clubs and Belonging.

“They focus on clubs and then also all of the inclusion services and belonging,” Bottoms said.

When confronted about it, she said the context of the conversation revolved around student support services and denied any implications of the university doing equity work.

[Comment: I don’t know if you want me to also add that the reporter and his crew had the cops called on them because of reports of fighting] <I think that would be worth mentioning!

Nelson gave his input on the situation from his position as the director of the program: “The state law required an area to be closed down. So things had to be restructured.”

The main point that the media group was trying to get across is that Utah Tech is still doing DEI but reorganizing it.

However, Nelson said “things can be taken out of context or twisted and turned,” while also pointing out that the original undercover video was filmed a year ago. Wait this is great information!

“We don’t do DEI; things had to be reorganized to comply with state law. And I think that’s where the twist comes in,” Nelson said. “By default, reorganizing is changing and doing something different.”

He said the university still tries to help all students as much as the law allows them to.

“The simple fact is, if you are looking at what the law says: did we have to reorganize?” Nelson said. “Yes. So we did it and we are in compliance with the state law.”

MIGUEL I LOVE THIS!! I know you were only get Nelson to answer, but I think your research was fabulous! I do think it would be worth mentioning how the group has been going to other universities as well! I honestly don’t have many comments, great job!!-Ireland

ALSO ON SUN NEWS DAILY

General Classroom Building awaits installation of menstrual product dispensers

by Yasia OleksiukPosted on

Feminine hygiene products are unavailable in women’s restrooms in the new General Classroom Building, causing discomfort for some women students and faculty at Utah Tech University.

Utah HB 162 states that feminine hygiene products are required to be available for students and faculty at K-12 public and charter schools, not colleges.

However, in March 2023, Utah became the first state in the U.S. to have free menstrual products in state-owned buildings.

Sherry Ruesch, assistant vice president of facilities management, said all of Utah Tech’s buildings currently have feminine hygiene product dispensers, except the GCB.

The custodial services are responsible for checking the availability of feminine hygiene products and restocking them.

“I do not ever get complaints that they [dispensers] are empty,” Ruesch said. “Usually, there is always some [and] I have never had a work order saying that they [dispensers] were empty.”

Despite the availability of feminine hygiene products on campus, the lack of them in the GCB building during the current semester raises concerns among some of the students and faculty who work in the building every day.

Ruesch said they are working on delivering feminine hygiene products in the new building to provide students with necessities.

“It is super important to have feminine products available on a college campus, in my opinion, because those products can be pretty expensive, and so I think it is a good idea to have them free,” Shelley Rawlins, an assistant professor of communication, said.

Ruesch said the challenge for expanding access to more restrooms is the cost of the dispensers.

The lack of feminine hygiene products in GCB has affected students who face unexpected menstruation and those who struggle with the cost of these items.

“I am really only on the third floor, but I have not seen any feminine products in the bathrooms [in] this building,” Olivia Cosner, a senior communication studies major from Cortez, Colorado, said.

Another student who studies in GCB and notices the lack of feminine hygiene products is Jessica Terc, a senior communication studies major from Orange County, California. 

Terc said, “I do think that we need more of [menstruation products], because sometimes, you know, girls’ time of a month just come[s] randomly, and sometimes it is nice to have those [products].”

Rawlins said the variety of feminine hygiene products is necessary to meet the needs of students and provide them with comfortable bathrooms. 

The hygiene products are planned to be in GCB by next week, as the university is now waiting for dispensers and products to be delivered.

“I think it is important [to] have pads and tampons, because people have different needs,” Rawlins said. “Students deserve access to quality feminine products.”

ALSO ON SUN NEWS DAILY

Navigating classroom disruptions: Utah Tech faculty lean on policy, support systems

by Miguel BalksaterPosted on

When professors encounter situations with students that disrupt the class, there are a few complications they may encounter when trying to assess the situation.

At Utah Tech University, faculty members are encouraged to read and familiarize themselves with university-provided documents that outline how to effectively handle disruptive student behavior.

  • Disruptive behavior guidelines
    This resource provides faculty with clear directions on how to identify and respond to disruptive behavior in the classroom.
  • Student conduct code
    This policy outlines the standards of behavior expected of all students and the procedures for addressing violations.
  • Code of student rights and responsibilities
    This code defines both the rights of students and the responsibilities they carry as members of the university community. It establishes the university’s authority to maintain discipline and provides guidance to foster an educational environment where students can pursue meaningful academic goals.

“I encourage everyone to be familiar with the policies and guidelines that support a safe, respectful and productive learning environment,” Chris Guymon, interim provost and vice president of academic affairs, said.

When a student misbehaves in class, the professors must deal with it in a way that discourages future negative behavior and protects their well-being and the rest of the class. Usually, this means that the class is given a general warning to inform the conduct is not appropriate for the classroom, which can lead to a private conversation with the student.

The university’s policy is to communicate first, then find and solve any misunderstandings before resorting to asking the student to leave class. Shelley Rawlins, assistant professor of communication, said students are still technically allowed to come again for the next class time.

“[The faculty policy] is just one step of asking the student to leave. We don’t have the authority to do anything further than that,” Rawlins said. “We have to go through the dean of students, so if they don’t respond to our email in time, then that student is well within their right to return to class.”

Professors are also told to make it clear in their syllabuses and verbally what the consequences are if a student disrupts the class in any of the following ways:

  • Physical violence, verbal abuse or harassment
  • Intoxication or illegal drug use
  • Use of profanity
  • Failing to respect others when expressing their own viewpoints
  • Talking while the instructor or another student is talking
  • Constant questions or interruptions that interfere with classroom presentation

The next action that faculty should consider is to explain this case to any in-campus organizations that can help them, like the dean of students or campus police if they feel endangered.

Shariq Sherwani, assistant professor of communication, talked about preventing these situations from happening: “The first thing is to be observant as to what is happening around you. Not necessarily pointing fingers, but coming from a place of humility to learn instead of accusation.”

In the case of a student disrupting the class every week, he said he feels safe with the resources and policies Utah Tech has. He also encourages other people equipped with the proper tools to deal with these scenarios in order to assist teachers.

Guymon said: “Whenever possible, complaints should be resolved informally by the faculty member. If informal resolution is not successful, they may submit an oral or written complaint to the dean of students.”

Although he hasn’t seen many situations that required his assistance in his short time in the position, the assistant vice president and dean of students, Tamron Lee, said he has been able to effectively resolve the ones that have come his way.

The response to each complaint can vary, but it can include an investigation, disciplinary proceedings and follow ups with stakeholders.

“I believe that our current student code of conduct sufficiently addresses sanctions for disruptive behavior and allows for progressively punitive sanctions for repeat violations,” Lee said.

Rawlins said the student policy and faculty policy could be improved by aligning them more, since students understand what rules they should adhere to, while teachers have less comprehensive policies.

The Faculty Senate has had meetings where they discussed this topic. One of the ideas that came up was adding a button on faculty member’s computer screens that they can click on. This would alert campus security and help the teacher deescalate the situation without alerting anyone in the classroom.

Since the primary concern of the teacher is keeping students safe, they are looking for ways to improve safety during their lectures.

“I think teachers should have a say when we are making these changes,” Rawlins said.

Rawlins also said there could be better communication between higher administration and professors. What she recommended was that faculty be more aware that they can contact the mentioned resources in order to deal with these situations, and higher administration should also be ready to attend to these needs as quickly as possible.

ALSO ON SUN NEWS DAILY

Huntsman Games brings visitors to St. George, local businesses see results

by Mackenzie RobbPosted on

The Huntsman World Senior Games returns to St. George in October, bringing around 12,000 senior athletes and millions of dollars to the community over a two-week period.

The event consists of 40 sports, including rowing, square dance, horseshoes and more. The two-week-long showcase is one of the largest events held for athletes 50 years and older, and it runs from Oct. 6-18.

Athletes can register in one sport or multiple sports. Each sport offers different skill levels, so any senior can compete. The Huntsman Games is also a qualifying event for the National Senior Games, held every two years. 

The sporting events are held at venues across St. George. Banners line Main Street to advertise the Games, and one of the local locations hosting activities is Contact Climbing Gym.

Since they are one of the location hosts, they have gained more visibility from the Games, but not in sales, said Savanah Hartness, the gym’s operations manager.

Stores that sell sport-related items and restaurants see an increase in business and often bring in more employees to meet demand.

Ethan Osness, co-owner of Rock House Records, said the event doesn’t have much effect on their business since their main customers are high school and college students, not seniors. Meanwhile, Abby Larkin, an employee at the St. George Running Center on Main Street, said the store sees an uptick in customers shopping for shoes.

Bee Sweet, a family-owned ice cream store, has seen a rise in customers during the two-week event.

“We have like one or two people [working] but events like this, we will bring in an extra third person that will either be stuck [at the] register or going around and doing a little bit of advertising,” Cody Ross, a Bee Sweet employee, said. “And just kind of prepping, stocking up on extra ice cream, and our mix and stuff like that.”

Some community members have competed in the Games. Bryce Dickenson won a gold medal in pickleball, and said he stopped watching a few years later. 

“I stopped watching because it got too big and unruly. [It] wasn’t that much fun and got me uninterested,” Dickenson said.

The Huntsman Games may not affect every business the same way, but the event continues to bring in millions of dollars for the St. George community.

ALSO ON SUN NEWS DAILY

Utah Tech’s Booth Wellness Center supports students with services, events

by Yasia OleksiukPosted on

The Booth Wellness Center at Utah Tech University offers various medical and mental health services, along with yearly on campus events that every student can attend.

Medical health services

The center provides multiple medical services for the students:

  • sick visits
  • urgent care
  • wound care
  • medical tests

Mental health services

The BWC also offers mental health services which help with:

  • emotional issues
  • behavioral issues

The services are available by scheduling an appointment at the center. Students can make an appointment on the website, call 435-652-7755 or visit in person.  

“Anyone can make an appointment, come and see us, and then you get to determine whether you want to continue,” Carla Weaver, director of medical services and health promotion, said.

Events

The BWC hosts events throughout the school year.

One of the events is Nobody Told Me This, which is held every Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Gardner Student Center.

Weaver said topics range anywhere from boundaries, sleep survival for students and financial wellness.  

“We also have a Decompress and Stress Less event, which is at kind of around finals,” Weaver said. “The one this semester is at Holland [and] there is hot cocoa, donuts and the therapy dogs.”

Wellness Fair

The most recent event organized by the BWC was a Wellness Fair. The event was Oct. 1 at the Gardner Plaza.

The event included vendors who provided information about well-being and services to students.

Weaver said the event featured over 45 vendors, who were people from the campus resources and community resource centers.

Reagan Bottoms, BWC student wellness and prevention coordinator, said, “We have so many different options that they [students] can really come and see at our Wellness Fair.”

Organizations such as Zion Massage College and Rising Sun Therapy were among the organizations providing resources.

Kate McKinnon, an admissions adviser at Zion Massage College, comes to the event every year to tell students about how they can be healthy.

“We are [a] federally accredited massage school [which] offers 900-hour and 600-hour courses,” McKinnon said.

The organization offers different types of massage, such as Thai massage, Swedish massage and chair massages.

“We like to have a really well-rounded approach and what we teach our students as well, so they are able to help everyone be healthy,” McKinnon said.

The health benefits of the massages include reduced pain, flexibility, relaxation and improved circulation.

Angela Shields, therapist and owner of Rising Sun Therapy, said it’s her second year coming to the Wellness Fair. She provides students with professional advice on mental health and offers appointments with her.

“I specialize in trauma, relationships and self-development, [help to] figure out who [students] are, who they want to be,” Shields said.

For the entire academic year, the faculty of BWC is present to help the students.

“We are completely focused on students,” Bottoms said. “Whether it is providing counseling services, medical services or having awesome events like this on campus.”

ALSO ON SUN NEWS DAILY

LDS church mourns death of President Russell M. Nelson amid tragic Michigan shooting

by Annie MuirbrookPosted on

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints faced heartbreak this weekend with the death of President and Prophet Russell M. Nelson and a deadly shooting at an LDS church in Michigan.

President Russell M. Nelson

Nelson was 101 years old and the oldest president in church history. He is remembered for both his medical and spiritual contributions, and led the church through significant changes during his leadership. He was called as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1984 and later President of the Quorum in 2015.

Prior to service in the church, Nelson was a heart surgeon, performing the first open-heart surgery in Utah in 1955. Nelson served in multiple capacities for various health organizations, including president of the Society for Vascular Surgery and the Utah Medical Association, among others.

Abi Schmidt, a junior exercise science major from Caldwell, Kansas, said, “The most impactful thing that he [Nelson] said, to me, is that, ‘The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.'”

Within weeks of ordination in 2018, he commented on immigration laws in the United States. He also created a strong relationship with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The LDS church has donated and contributed to the organization.

Nelson implemented policy changes including:

  • Corrected the name of the church — dissolved the associated name “Mormon,” and emphasized the names The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and LDS church.
  • Implemented global programs for youth members of the church.
  • Missionaries instructed and allowed to call home weekly instead of semi-annually.
  • Revising temple ceremonies to be more empowering for women by incorporating alternate readings that emphasize gender equity.
  • Key changes in LGBTQ+ related policies, including reversing a policy that had restricted baptisms for children of same-sex couples, and removing the word “apostasy” from church handbooks regarding same sex marriage.

Dominic Dodge, a junior software engineering major from St. George, said he acknowledges how much Nelson served in his life.

Dodge said, “[I think about] how devoted he is, the gospel was not a side project for him, it was his thing.”

There will be a public viewing service Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. A public funeral service will be held Oct. 7 at noon in the Conference Center, and streaming options will be available.

A statement from the church reads: “As a ‘beloved physician’ President Nelson literally touched the hearts of hundreds of patients suffering from physical ailments. As a disciple of Christ, he healed hearts through word and deed.”

Michigan shooting

A gunman drove a car into an LDS church service the morning of Sept. 28, shooting into a congregation of people and then setting the building on fire in Grand Blanc, Michigan.

The church was charred and burned to the ground, with police and FBI officials still on the scene as of Sept. 29.

Four people were killed and eight others injured in the attack, police have said. Some of the injured individuals were shot, while others suffered from smoke inhalation.

The gunman, identified as 40-year-old Thomas Jacob Sanford, was shot and killed during police interactions.

From ongoing investigations, it has been revealed that Sanford was a decorated Iraq war veteran and lived in Utah briefly in 2008. He dated a member of the LDS church, but he was not a member. Sanford also had a history of drug addiction, and was “heavily involved” in his family life.

Kris Johns, a local politician in the Michigan area, spoke with Sanford days before the attack. Sanford asked Johns what he knew about Mormons, then told Johns, “Mormons are the anti-Christ.”

“The FBI is currently executing multiple search warrants at the residences and the family homes of this perpetrator to try to get to the bottom of why he would commit such an act of evil,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News.

Despite tragedies, the semi-annual General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be held Oct. 4 and 5 at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. Streaming options are available.

Kaitlyn Peterson, a senior population health major from Idaho Falls, Idaho, and vice president of the LDSSA club at Utah Tech University, said: “People are just coming together, people who are of different faiths are coming together because we all know we have one thing in common. That is that we all know and love Jesus.”

ALSO ON SUN NEWS DAILY

Self-defense training aims to empower Utah Tech students, faculty, staff

by Ireland SalvoPosted on

The Utah Tech University Police Department is offering a free self-defense program aimed at equipping students, faculty and staff with life-saving skills that extend beyond campus. 

The program, held Oct. 2 begins with lessons on awareness, prevention and risk reduction before moving into hands-on practice.

The course also provides practical physical defense techniques designed for everyday people, not martial arts experts. All instruction is led by Utah POST-certified trainers, ensuring the methods taught are up-to-date, effective and accessible.

Teresa Starnes, Utah Tech police records administrator/system-based victim advocate, said the program aims to move from a reactive approach to a proactive one. It encourages students to stay alert and confident in any situation, whether they are crossing campus, attending events or handling daily activities.

Self defense techniques taught include:

  • Situational awareness — recognizing potential dangers before they escalate.
  • Verbal strategies — boundary setting, de-escalation and calling for help.
  • Escape techniques — breaking free from grabs and holds.
  • Defensive moves — basic strikes, blocks and ground escapes for everyday people.
  • Confidence and mindset — knowing when to act, seek help and trust your training.

Wes LiCalzi, Utah Tech chief of police, said: “We want participants to develop a comprehensive safety mindset that starts with awareness and prevention. Rather than living or being influenced by fear, we want our community to feel empowered and confident, understanding that personal safety involves both mental preparation and practical skills that can be applied in various situations, both on and off campus.”

The campus community has consistently supported this program, which the department has offered each semester for several years. The strong participation demonstrates ongoing demand.

Starnes said: “As a victim advocate, my role is to support, empower and equip individuals with the tools they need before, during and after a crisis. This class is a preventative resource. It’s about giving people the skills they need to avoid or escape harmful situations before they escalate.”

Preparedness is a key benefit. She said many victims she has worked with admitted they froze or didn’t know how to respond in threatening situations. 

“This class helps students and faculty build a ‘memory bank’ of techniques and responses they can draw from if needed,” she said. “When stress hits, you don’t rise to the occasion, you fall back on your training.”

Both LiCalzi and Starnes said they hope students leave the class feeling more confident, aware of available resources and committed to a sense of community responsibility — looking out for themselves and for each other.

Ally Cannon, a junior digital media major from St. George, took this course. She said she would highly recommend this class, noting the instructors cared about the material they were teaching.

“We learned different defense techniques and practiced hypothetical situations that could potentially happen so I thought that was super helpful,” she said. “I work late at night at both of my jobs, so I feel safer walking to my car knowing I have the knowledge to defend myself if needed.”

The self-defense class is on Oct. 2 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Human Performance Center, room 367. Open to all students, faculty and staff, the session encourages participants to wear comfortable athletic clothing. Scan the QR code to fill out the waiver and make sure policeservices@utahtech.edu is a recipient.

“When people know how to protect themselves, they walk taller, speak more confidently and feel more in control,” Starnes said. “That sense of security and autonomy is a major contributor to mental health and wellbeing, especially in high-stress environments like college.”

ALSO ON SUN NEWS DAILY

Utah Tech students prepare for an AI-driven workforce

by Miguel BalksaterPosted on

With artificial intelligence’s continuous development, the concerns of human labor being replaced affect Utah Tech University’s future graduates.

This topic is becoming more relevant, with data showing the unemployment rate for college graduates reaching its highest point in four years at 5.8%. While not all of it is attributed to AI, it still has an impact on the job market.

The jobs that AI replaces are those that involve repetitive tasks and a set of rules, such as data entry clerks or market research analysts, among others.

A couple professors at Utah Tech addressed the rise of AI infiltrating their fields and the rising concerns among college students.

Jiachun Hong, assistant professor of communication, said the advancement of AI should be acknowledged by teachers if they want to stay up to the standard of their field. Teachers need to proactively redesign curriculum and learning experiences to prepare students for that transformation.

“AI technologies provide new opportunities, and I believe that students with necessary AI skills will have a competitive advantage,” he said. “Just as skills shifted from newspapers and broadcast to social media over the last decade, the next 10 years will favor students who understand and can apply AI.”

Hong said that AI will not replace traditional storytelling skills.

“Some people mistakenly believe that if you can type, AI will automatically produce anything for you,” he said. “You must have the vision about a story and have the prompting skills to work with AI as if you were addressing an entire production team.”

Andrew Wilson, associate professor of design, said AI has been improving the market of user interface and user experience design.

“You’ll dictate what you want and then watch the computer in real-time accomplish your task,” Wilson said. “No more clicking/searching through menus and folders.”

Wilson said knowledge is the best way to prepare for this and that students should work with AI, not against it.

Students at the university comprehend the meaning and place of this tool in their future jobs.

Gilbert Junior DaCosta, a freshman programming major from Accra, Ghana, said, “AI is supposed to help, not take over jobs.”

He said that AI is not that advanced and isn’t dominating in the computer science field.

“You always need a software engineer to fix any bugs or errors in the programs, so it’s not that reliable right now,” DaCosta said. “I correct AI sometimes and I don’t even know everything.”

Brayan Martinez Pelayo, a sophomore digital media major from St. George, said AI can replace humans in certain tasks, such as editing, but he stands on the belief that students should not be afraid of artificial intelligence.

“AI can’t replicate what humans can do because the human touch gives a different feeling to the media that you’re producing, so I feel like that makes it harder for AI to take over jobs,” Martinez Pelayo said.

Wilson said that what makes people more valuable than these programs is the ability to make decisions, think critically, analyze opportunities and our social skills. Instead of scaring student about AI, he reminds them this tool is here to amplify our productivity rather than shying away from it.

Wilson said: “Instead of wondering if AI can do your job or not, ask yourself the question, ‘How could having instant access to the largest library in the world help me in my current job/skillset? What can I do that AI can’t?’”

ALSO ON SUN NEWS DAILY

St. George growth drives up expenses for students

by Yasia OleksiukPosted on

Rapid population growth in St. George, caused by students and new residents moving to the city, is raising housing and tuition costs and creating financial struggles for students.

The cost of living in St. George has risen above the national average. The overall expenses in St. George are 7.7% higher compared to other U.S. regions. To cover all needs and live comfortably, a renter in St. George must earn around $59,124 yearly, not including taxes.

The salary of most students who work in Utah starts at approximately $30,000 yearly, which makes it difficult to afford the high cost of housing and food.

Housing

Increasing prices affect students at Utah Tech University, who cover both tuition and off campus or on campus housing. According to the housing office of Utah Tech, the prices of the rent go up due to several reasons.

Director of housing and resident life, Seth Gubler, said, “Every year, there are efforts made to conduct data to see how much does the cost of healthcare, services, transportation, food, retail, all those items [change].”

With the increase in the cost for all the needs students have, the price for rent becomes higher as well.

Gubler said, “We might see if we can get by without raising it [rent cost] this year.”

Student perspectives

Some students choose to live on campus because they pay once a semester instead of each month. Students living on campus do not have to pay separately for water, electricity or sewer.

“So, for example, our rent in some comparisons look a little bit higher, but then when you see what you get, they [students] realize that they are getting more for what they pay,” Gubler said.

Orionna Manchester, a freshman elementary education major from Price, lives in Campus View I and pays $2,225 for the semester.

“I think that Utah Tech prices are reasonable,” Manchester said.

Other students prefer to live off campus and rent an affordable apartment elsewhere in St. George.

Morgan Gatto, a junior psychology major from Ogden, said after having experience with both off campus and on campus housing, the rent off campus is better for her because of the price difference.

“My freshman year, I lived in CVI [Campus View I], and it was around $2,500 for both semesters,” Gatto said. “Now, I live in a very nice part of St. George with just one roommate, and I pay less than $1,000 [per month].”

Resources

Faculty at Utah Tech offer opportunities to make finances easier.

Mike Nelson, director of student belonging, said, “There are students [who] run into some of the affordability issues and things of that nature, and that is one of the things where we can connect them to resources on campus and also in the community.”

Nelson said one of the things that students can do for saving money is adequate and proper budgeting.

The university also has a Student Resource Center, which is an option for students who need help with food and necessities.

“We help alleviate some of the financial burden by providing access to free food,” Dru Bottoms, assistant dean of students and director of the Student Resource Center, said. “We don’t ask for any proof of income or anything like that.”

A student needs to order online and schedule a time to receive their order. Food and necessities can be ordered once a week with a maximum of 25 items per week. 

The Student Resource Center gives food for students every Thursday at the Browning Learning Resource Center. Notifications about available food can be received through the my UT app.

ALSO ON SUN NEWS DAILY

Encircle closure, tensions leave LGBTQ+SO students feeling cautious but resilient

by Annie MuirbrookPosted on

Reports that the suspect in Charlie Kirk’s shooting had a relationship with a transgender individual have created tension and raised concerns among some LGBTQ+ community members on and off campus.

Encircle St. George, an organization united to bring the LGBTQ+ community together, went virtual, as they closed the house Sept. 15 and reopened Sept. 22. The Encircle Instagram stated they were going virtual due to an abundance of caution.

Their Instagram said, “Thank you for your understanding — the safety of our youth, families, and community is always our top priority.”

This led to Utah Tech University’s LGBTQ+ Student Organization requesting police presence at events.

Despite recent political changes due to state bills, clubs and organizations have come together to support the LGBTQ+SO by collaborating with events and reaching out personally to club members. One club collaborating has been Birds Aren’t Real and future-wise they are collaborating with the K-Pop Dance Club. This effort has helped club members of LGBTQ+SO feel seen on campus.

Mason Britton, president of LGBTQ+SO, and a senior history major from Lake Havasu City, Arizona, said: “I think a lot of people think just because we are the LGBTQ Student Organization on campus, that means that all students aren’t welcome. We don’t need the same political beliefs to get your nails painted and have a bagel… we welcome all people.”

Mitski Avalox is a part-time instructor and graduate student at Utah Tech, and the founder of Southern Utah Drag Stars.

Avalox described the current climate for LGBTQ students and staff on campus as cautious. “With everything going on, we’re on our toes a little bit,” she said.

Visibility for LGBTQ events on campus has decreased in recent years, she said.

“Every year the budget’s been getting smaller, and the visibility has been getting smaller… I think it’s in fear of being either retaliated against or the backlash that could potentially happen,” Avalox said.

The recent assassination of Kirk at Utah Valley University, along with ongoing debates surrounding policies in the state, has left some faculty and students worried about safety. “Some of us [faculty] have tried, but obviously, the DEI bill has eliminated the structure and the support systems that we used to have [on campus],” Avalox said.

Mars Tankard, vice president of LGBTQ+SO, and a sophomore psychology major from Yuba City, California, said, “I think with the climate of the nation in general… no matter who you are or what you believe, [community] is important.”

While Encircle declined to comment for this story, the organization’s mission of creating safe spaces and fostering community for LGBTQ youth remains central to its work.

Despite rising tensions, the LGBTQ+SO advises the Utah Tech community to remain hopeful about the future.

“Resiliency is just making sure you’re able to do what you came here to do,” Avalox said. “Don’t let these other factors affect you or prohibit you from getting your degree.”

If any students, faculty or staff feel unsafe on campus, contact the Utah Tech Police Department. For mental health guidance, students are directed to the Booth Wellness Center.

ALSO ON SUN NEWS DAILY