Category Archives: Instructors

Norris Covers Economic Issues

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Story by Steven Blomquist

Norris Covers Economic Issues

“Capitalism messes with a lot of things up but it’s better than the alternatives” said Floyd Norris.
An audience of eager students packed the Marriott Library’s Gould Auditorium to discuss the challenges with the US economy with Floyd Norris, chief financial correspondent for The New York Times.
Norris began by remembering one of the most influential men in American government Andrew Mellon, who served as Treasury secretary in the early 1900’s. Who is said by many “three Presidents served under him.” according to Norris. Mellon was supporter of free-market ideas, urging government to refrain from getting involved.
Quoting Herman Cain, Norris said “Don’t blame Wall Street, don’t blame the big banks, if you don’t have a good job blame you.” There is a lot of talk lately about the struggling job market and expectation for the government to provide jobs for the people.
“While we don’t really have a lot of faith in government now, that lack of faith may have been earned” through a stimulus plan that hasn’t fulfilled on its promises and bad regulation, according to Norris.
This country needs more stimulus, Norris said, comparing it to a student who studied for an exam and did poorly on it doesn’t mean the student shouldn’t study.  The student may need to take the next step and study a bit more or in this case of the economy it may need more stimulus.
“Bad regulation and lack of regulation got us into this mess,” Norris said. “The financial crisis would not have happened if either the financial system or the government regulators had performed better.”
Norris said that the banks are also partly to blame for the today’s economic issues, for allowing people to purchase houses knowing they wouldn’t be able to pay back the loans. Norris said, “We should have intervened before the foreclosures happened.”
Norris also said that it is time to extend a helping hand. One thing Norris mentioned was to give lower interest rates. That would make it so the American people can begin to dig us out of economic downturn.  He said we the economists/American public don’t know how long it is going to take to bounce back but went on to say bounce back could take an upward to seven years from the time economy blew up.
Norris began to close the forum by saying “I love this country… proud to pay taxes and wouldn’t mind paying more to help us get out of this crisis.
“Norris also went on to say, “ (while) capitalism messes… a lot of things up but it’s better than the alternatives.”
Rachel Thomas, a communication major, said it was a good opportunity to learn about the complicated issue of the economy.
“There is so much going about the state of the economy its hard to follow with all the homework we have,” said Thomas. “Opportunities like this allow for college students to take a brake and get informed on what’s going on in the economy.”
Makaylee Pettit, a communication major, said “It was very informative and a great opportunity to hear a national financial journalist take about the current state of the economy.”
“Norris’s presentation was great opportunity for college students to understand why we are in this economic downturn. For college age students don’t have time to focus on todays issues as they are so busy studying textbooks.” Thomas.

Media watch politicians, but who watches the media?

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Story by Shannon Hunter

“Our audience is the biggest fact checker we have,” said reporter John Daley referring to the role of citizens in journalism.
This was one of many topics discussed during a panel at the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics on Friday, Oct. 28.
The panelists included: Matt Canham, Washington correspondent for the Salt Lake Tribune; John Daley, a reporter for KSL and Deseret News; and Susan Tolchin, a professor at George Mason University.
The importance of reader participation was emphasized throughout the discussion. All three panelists agreed that journalism is different today. The pressure to publish things daily, even hourly, has created a lack of fact checking, thereby increasing the amount of mistakes.
“When you as a reader see a mistake it is your responsibility as a media reader to tell us,” said Canham.
The panelists also talked about the importance of the corrections the readers send in. They also mentioned the effect that mistakes can have on a piece, even when a correction is made. Tolchin confronted the matter of how few people read the corrections, including herself among those who don’t.
Canham said there are different kinds of errors that can be made, not only factual errors. He explained that a mistake can be made in the way a reporter words things in his or her writing and that it can have just as much, if not bigger, of an effect on the piece. According to Canham, this is one of the many ways journalism has changed in this generation.
Canham believes this is an “interesting time to be in the business,” and that the upcoming generation can accomplish the role of journalists.
“It’s the best of times (and) the worst of times,” said Daley when referring to the difficulty in finding jobs while new technology helps reveal more information.
For example, journalists now not only compete with other journalists but also with citizens who can download information or videos from their cell phones to the web and post stories before reporters do. Sarah Vaughn, a member of the audience, considered this an “important issue.”
Tolchin expressed that she’s excited for the current state of the media. She hopes that the future of journalism will correct government issues and keep politicians honest.
Canham said he disagrees with how politics are being reported and that in his reporting he wants to spend his time most effectively and find a way to give his readers both what they need and want.
“It’s like you’re watching coverage for the NFL (and) who’s going to get that touchdown… It’s a big problem,” said Daley, referring to the current trend of reporting about polls and standings instead of proposed policies from the candidates.
Canham agreed, pointing out the importance of the media in elections by influencing what the voters do or don’t know going into the booths. He emphasized that they “are part of this process.”
Laura Qualey, a member of the audience, found the distinction between “reporting relevant things” from irrelevant topics to be the most important issue discussed by the panelists.
When coming to an end, it was clear that all three panelists agreed that while the media needs to keep an eye on politicians citizens need to keep an eye on the media.

Veterans Learn to Fly Solo

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Five veterans with spinal cord injuries take to the sky to learn how to paraglide.

By Elizabeth Briggs

SUN VALLEY, Idaho– Despite spinal cord injuries, five veterans will learn to fly solo this weekend using paraglide flight chairs developed by engineers at the University of Utah.

Training for the veterans will be directed by Mark Gaskill from ABLE Pilot who has spent years developing programs to teach disabled persons how to paraglide.

“Able Pilot is an organization committed to getting people with spinal cord injuries, amputations, and neuromuscular diseases safely into the air, piloting, and flying with the minimum amount of assistance,” said Gaskill.

Gaskill proposed the idea of an adaptive paragliding chair to the engineers at the University of Utah, who then made it a reality. Under the direction of Don Bloswick, four students developed the chairs named the Phoenix 1.0 and the Phoenix 1.5. that will enable the veterans to fly.

Beforehand, the veterans will begin Friday by learning how the paraglide functions and how to pilot it. Throughout the following days they will begin by flying 3 feet off the ground, will take several tandem flights and by Monday will be flying solo.

For more information visit the ABLE Pilot website at http://ablepilot.com/

Learn From The Past. Change The Future.

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Story by Avery Mills

Learning from and not repeating the mistakes made yesterday can help to create a better world for everybody tomorrow.

That was the message during Wednesday’s speech entitled, ‘What’s Wrong With the American Economy?’ presented by Floyd Norris, the chief financial correspondent for the “New York Times.” Fisher stated that he believed that the problems within the U.S. economy at the present time could be traced back to what actually caused the Great Depression.

“The fact that we never reached a consensus then, is critical to what happened recently,” he shared, after summing up what exactly has happened recently.

He placed a great amount of the blame on the banks that had been handing out loans left and right without much thought for how or when all of the money was going to be paid back.

When the banks began to fail and the government issued bailouts to help, that money didn’t go to the people who needed it most, it went right back into the banks. This has made it harder to get a loan, refinance homes and has put even more people into an economic crisis.

Norris explained that the banks are “profiting at the expense of people who can’t refinance.”

At this point, most people realize that the government is not going to be able to save the economy on its own, as Floyd referenced the recurring CBS poll featured in the “New York Times.”

It was asked if the reader “trusted the government to do what is right” with 10 percent answering “almost always,” the lowest percentage answering in the affirmative since the 1970s.

Although this number doesn’t reflect a very positive attitude amongst American citizens, Norris seemed confident that something like this would never happen again, as far as the situation with the banks go.

“A cat won’t jump on a cold stove after jumping on a hot one,” he stated.

It’s not all negative though. Norris sees this as an opportunity for Americans to exercise what he calls “joint sacrifice.” This term can be translated to mean that Americans may have to pay a little more in taxes right now, but it will be the most beneficial option in the long run.

The problem is, people don’t want to sacrifice now, they want results now, and as far as Norris is concerned, he doesn’t see an “easy fix” anytime soon.

At the end of his speech, Norris was asked why all of this information should be important to the audience, as a majority of the crowd was made up of college students for some of whom, the current economic crisis, including home loans and refinancing, isn’t really a major concern at this moment in their lives.

Norris answered, “At some point you will need a job, that is assuming there will be one available with the current state of the economy.”

This affected several people in the audience who quickly realized that if the mistakes of the past continue to be repeated over and over, the future of the economy and everybody’s individual future would be defined by errors that should have and could have been fixed a long time ago.

When Morals and Laws Collide

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Story by Scott Stuart

 
Former Tribune Editor Jim Fisher, now an Associate Professor of Communication at the University of Utah, spoke about ethics in journalism to newswriting students at the U. of U. last month.

Fisher’s speech covered:
•    The differences between the law, morals and ethics
•    How they relate to the Code of Ethics
•    His own experiences as an editor

“There’s a big difference between ethics, law and morality,” said Fisher..
According to Fisher, they lie on a continuum with the law at one end and morals at the other.

“Morality is defined by culture within a set of rules,” said Fisher. “Ethics is a decision making process.”

Fisher described that this decision-making process involves which morals one should confine to within the realm of legality.

•

The Code of Ethics created by the Society of Professional Journalists guides this decision-process.

 
“Reporting the truth is what you have to do,” said Brenda Manjuano, a student in the class.

 
This is in accordance to the first of four standards in the Code of Ethics – “seek truth and report it.” The other three standards are: “minimize harm,” “act independently” and “be accountable.”

•

“Journalism ethics is about to publish or not to publish, to name or not to name,” said Fisher.

 
Fisher followed by discussing decisions he was forced to make as an editor.

 

“It was helpful to hear examples of how these ethical decisions are made,” said Montana Peterson, another student in attendance. “Sometimes you can’t avoid hurting someone.”

Norris Give No One Right Answer To Economy

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Story by Stephanie Graves

Norris Gives No One Right Answer to Economy

“The recession officially ended in 2009” said Floyd Norris to a packed room of University of Utah faculty and students.  So if the recession has officially ended then why is the government still actively bailing out banks and companies?  “We can hope that the government has learned its lessons with bailouts.” Said Norris

This is just one of the points that Norris touched upon in his Oct. 26 presentation in the Marriott Library on the U. of U. campus.

With the crowded auditorium of anxious college students and professors, many of who were looking for guidance in this unpredictable job market, Norris summed up how Americans found themselves in a recession.

“When credit is easy, it is a lot of fun” Norris said.  It is no wonder that with banks granting loans of all kinds that the average person would rather take the money now and worry about the consequences later.

80 years ago, the United States was so fiscally conservative that the economist and Secretary of Treasury Andrew Mellon recommended “liquidate labor, liquidate stocks, liquidate farmers, liquidate real estate… it will purge the rottenness out of the system,” to the present day bailout by the government of big companies.  So what has changed?

Norris argued that by setting up the Central Bank in 1913 in the United States, suddenly the Federal Government felt like it was responsible for the well-being of iconic American companies such as Ford, Chrysler and General Motors.

Norris said, “The good news is that Central Bank has learned a lesson.” He affirmed that it would be wise that the government not get involved on such a large scale again.  To this assertion, student Bonnie Adison said, “The government must have some plan for the average citizen, whether it be a bailout or something else.”

Adison was not the only frustrated student after the presentation had concluded.  Shawn Christophson said, “So personal ethics and self-control are the answers to the recession. I just thought there would be more.”

Although the presentation was brief, Norris did drive home his point that “Ethics are not being taught as well as they should be” and there are two parties involved on all loan defaults.

Investors need to do their homework, and if that is not possible, hire someone you can trust,” Norris said.

It is up to the American people to be responsible for their own financial decisions, and while not all newly established laws concerning the economy benefit everyone, it is still those individual’s duty to do their own research, balance their own expenses and ultimately make the decision on what they can afford.

Norris said, “When capital is wasted in a massive way there (are) consequences.”  Whether he meant the government wasting the millions of dollars on the bailout of big businesses or the American population spending recklessly on non-necessities is unclear.

The point that Norris did make quite clear was that it is not wise to wait around for the government to bail out its citizens or solve their problems. One must weigh their own circumstances and make things work to the best of their ability to survive during this recession. (512)

National poll reveals public’s preferable sources for news

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Story by Shannon Hunter

Have new communication technologies, such as the Internet, made the world a better place? Recent reports show that most people, including almost half of nonusers, believe they have.
According to polls, 66 percent of Internet users and 49.3 percent of nonusers believe that new communication technologies have benefited the world.
More than half of the people polled also believe that stories are often inaccurate, with 63 percent of people preferring that their news does not come from a source with a political point of view.
“Reading news on the Internet is always a good way to kill time, but I usually only believe a story once I’ve seen it from multiple sources,” said Hannah Skarsten, a third-year student at the University of Utah.
Her father, Mike Skarsten, also said that the convenience of the new communication technologies does not out weigh his doubt that sources are offering non-biased news. However, he said he is thankful that he has multiple options to go to.
“It may be silly, but I rarely believe a story until I see it reported in a reputable newspaper, but the different technologies let me pick where I look for it,” said Matthew Yessick, a second-year student at the University of Utah.
Out of the people polled, 21 percent, the largest number of people, go to Google to search for news. The largest percentage of people who depend on broadcasts or reporting sources for their news is 13 percent, who go to CNN for their news.
While some people hesitate to believe what they read on the Internet, there is a dominant trend of people who turn to the web for news before reading or watching news from reporters.

The Changing of the Guard

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The evolution of technology is changing the roles of journalism

Story by Elizabeth Briggs

As a cop mercilessly pepper sprays a peaceful protestor at the Occupy Wall Street movement, a passerby films what will soon become a YouTube phenomenon. Exposing how quickly a police officer overstepped his boundaries, an average person recorded a newsworthy video with a mediocre camera phone.

Today, not only do people want their news and want it fast, they also want to participate and report for the news. Martin Tolchin coined this new media trend as civilian journalism at the University of Utah’s 15th annual Siciliano Forum.

The colossal impact of new technology has left many to think that the future of journalism is dead. Despite the significant decrease of newspaper readership, Tolchin, drawing on experience as the founder of The Hill newspaper and Politico and over 40 years with the New York Times has an optimistic view about journalism’s fate.

In a time where print journalism is struggling to earn a profit, Tolchin keeps what some deem an eccentric outlook. He spoke about how before online media, mainstream print media was the gatekeeper of information, publishing only the things it reasoned newsworthy. Pronouncing the end of an era, Tolchin expressed an undeniable enthusiasm to the challenge online social media has incurred to this role of authority. Unlike twenty years ago, journalists now look to the Internet, in order to find leads from the common citizen.

Tolchin is a fan of the upcoming civilian journalism and likes how technological advancements have brought new opportunities. He added to this saying, “At each stage of technology, people can begin to deliver more information and access it easier. Until now, information has never been greater needed and essential to democracy.”

However, with the abundance of information and media, Tolchin mentioned how American’s attention has shifted from hard to sensational news, outlining how priorities have changed. In one of his very few discouraging remarks he said, “I think that if you surveyed, Americans would better identify a liquor company than a news organization.”  Cody Salrin, a student at Utah said, “ I think that even with the new wealth of information, people need to work harder to be informed.”

While it is great that social media has allowed people to express their opinions and expose political scandals, people have stopped checking credibility and rushed to conclusions based on illegitimate evidence.

Nick Dunn, the political reporter for the Daily Utah Chronicle, added to this conflict saying, “The fact that citizens cannot discern good journalism from bad journalism is one of the biggest problems with our society. It means that people do not know how to consume good information, which is important when going into the voting booth.”

So instead of succumbing to Kim Kardashian’s divorce drama this week, empower the mind with global information and the things that will actually affect America’s future. Make a difference in the voting booth by being an active and participatory citizen. Pay attention to the things happening in the world, partake in the news and make the decisions that count.

Should I Write Or Is It Wrong?

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Story by Avery Mills

As a journalist, the question of ethics usually comes down to one simple question: “to publish or not to publish.”

This was the message that Jim Fisher, a professor in the University of Utah’s communication department, had for the Intro to News Writing class during a lecture on ethics Monday morning.

“Ethics is a decision making process that depends on circumstances,” Fisher said, adding that ethical choices can only be measured “against ourselves” and not a “law book or moral code.”

Amongst other things, Fisher talked about the journalists’ ethics code and told several stories about this time working at the Salt Lake Tribune, bringing some ‘real world’ experience into the classroom setting.

“The most important thing I took away is you have to cover all of your bases,” Megan Combe said after the lecture, “basically just make your ethical decisions using the ethical guideline.

As Fisher pointed out, these choices may not be as easy as people think. “When you are making a decision, it’s not between right or wrong, but several good choices,” Fisher said.

Kourtney Mather, in response to some of the more difficult scenarios presented by Fisher, said, “It’s not always easy to report certain stories. Sometimes you have to make a decision whether to protect someone or report the truth.”

A Panel Debate Defines the Change in Journalism

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Story by Sarah Vaughn

Members of the panel at the Hinckley Institute Forum shared the stage in the Hinckley Caucus room at the University of Utah; discussing the issues of journalism and political reporting in the 21st century on Friday. Members of the panel were Matt Canham, a member of the Salt Lake Tribune’s Washington Bureau, where he has covered congress; Bush and Obama administration.  Also present was John Daley, a reporter for the Deseret News and KSL and a former social studies teacher. The final member of the panel was Susan Tolchin, a professor in the school of Public Policy at  George Mason University.
The panel discussed the state of political reporting and how it has significantly changed over the years.  Social media is the new concept that is being used as main source of communication, which has put damper on print media.
“ Traditional roles in new media has changed and has impacted journalism,” said Matt Canham.  He furthered discussed the lack of boundaries that is evident, between the media and personal lives of citizens. Tolchin sees political reporting in this era in a different light,
“ The state of political reporting is great,” said Tolchin. However, she discussed later on that the media reveals the horrible things of the government and some reporters are not checking the facts anymore.
“Loved the pointers they gave and made me want to read more print media. The panel motivated me in the selection in what I read and to be more informed about the government,” said Ashtin Miller, a political science student. The panel encouraged the audience to read more print media and get involved with the issues of journalism and politics.
People today rely more on social media to receive information and to express their thoughts on issues through sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus. Kylee Mecham, a senior at the University of Utah said, “I want to read more newspapers and be more informed. I rely too much on social media and especially Facebook.”

John Daley spoke on the worst of times and the best of times of journalism. Daley explained to the audience that there are fewer people in the newsroom, fewer people to report on issues, and go deeper into stories. However, the best of journalism now is more resources are available to get information and we can get information out faster to the audience. “I found Daley’s points on the times of journalism interesting and I didn’t know that print media was struggling in that way,” said Laura Qualey, a University of Utah student.

The panel left the audience pondering about the revolution of print media and the impact that social media is currently having on society. An society should not abandon the old for the new because both can co-exist.

The Hinckley Institute was established in 1956 through the Noble foundation and Robert H. Hinckley. It serves as a teaching for students for practical politics and to engage university students in the political process.

Beyond the Call of Duty

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Two citizens help to apprehend suspects in attempted bank robbery

Story by Megan Combe

Two bank couriers are being hailed as heroes after they aided in the arrest of three suspects in a bank robbery. Dennis Boushie, of Festus, Mo., and Willie Moore, of St. Louis, Mo., went “beyond the call of duty,” said Capt. Ed Kemp of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department. “They acted more like police officers than private citizens or bank couriers.”

According to the police report, a man entered the Boatman’s Bank of Pevely, Mo., and demanded, “Give me the money or else!” After the suspect took off with the cash in hand, Boushie and Moore decided to take action. Boushie chased the suspect on foot, while Moore hopped in a bank van to pursue the getaway car.

When later asked why he persued the suspects without a second thought, Boushie answered that it was “just common sense.”

Boushie then helped police identify the vehicle, which was found after a police dispatch was put out. The suspects were traveling northbound on I-55 when police pulled them over and searched the vehicle. Thousands of dollars were found in the suspect’s car, as well as stuffed down the pants of the female suspect, according to Capt. Kemp.

The three suspects are being held in jail at Pevely and have been booked on suspicion of drug possession.

Tolerance lets us live together

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By Morgan Powell

Intolerance: Lack of toleration; unwillingness or refusal to tolerate or respect contrary opinions or beliefs, persons of different races or backgrounds, etc.        — Dictionary.com

The other day I was just minding my own business, walking to my cubicle at work with my hands warm from the steaming brewed cup of joe I was holding. I was just about to flick on the light above my desk when my coworker (we’ll call her Susan) said with such disgust in her voice “Is that coffee?”
My heart thudded frantically as I tried to force an excuse from my lips. I could say it was herbal tea, but the scent was pouring from the lid. It could have been hot chocolate, but the culprit lingered on my lips. All that I could manage was a meek and simple, “yes.”
You see, Susan is a Latter-day Saint, a Mormon. As am I. I was baptized last summer and found faith in the religion. I have had coffee my whole life and grew up in a loving family that drank coffee too. Well, one of church’s guidelines, as you could call them, is the Word of Wisdom, a doctrine in which followers of the faith should not ingest of harmful things or hurt their bodies, coffee being one of those poisons.
Now, why in the hell do you care about me, my religious preference, my warm cup of coffee or my co-worker Susan? Well, you don’t. But you might care about what I’m saying next.
All I could do in those few fateful seconds when “yes” slipped out of my mouth was feel ashamed. But why should I feel ashamed? I wasn’t a murderer, I didn’t hurt, connive, or insult anybody. The reason for my own emotional reaction was because of somebody else’s intolerance for my personal lifestyle.
Intolerance isn’t just found in the LDS religion – it is found in all religions, in all countries, states, cities, neighborhoods and homes. It is found when people are killed for reasons of hatred, when somebody is turned away because of race or gender, when religious people (and non-religious people) clash over personal beliefs, when others are bashed for their sexual preference, or even when a political candidate is attacked for expressing personal opinions.
My good friend and I were discussing this over a lunch break a few days after the incident. She brought up what I believe is the most vital point of all. “Why is it that, when one person strongly believes in something, they feel that it’s their right to police others? Why are they so intolerant?”
It seems to me that the policing of others is something that is so common in our society that’s it’s almost commonplace. We all police others and show blatant intolerance, whether it is a situation I have already mentioned or one much more miniscule, like judging people because of their clothing, their size, the amount of money they make, their standing in church or their intelligence. Maybe even by their drink of choice.
Since that day I have kept this feeling of injustice in my back pocket – until now. I realize how much harm and sadness is brewed by the intolerance of others, and by the intolerance of my own doing.  I am going to start having a more open mind, not always offering my opinion on something I don’t like, not flipping off the driver who cuts me off, not getting mad when someone makes a remark about my clothing, and maybe, just maybe, by understanding somebody else’s point of view. Instead of getting riled up about my morning brew, I’ll just smile and say “yes.”

Steven Blomquist

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MY STORIES:

MY RESUME:

ABOUT ME:

I was born in Logan, Utah on February 23, 1988. I grew up in Holladay, Utah, where I attend Olympus High graduating in 2006. Growing up I was very activity and still am. I also love spending time with family and friends. I played football and lacrosse while in high school but also enjoy basketball, snowboarding and wake-boarding.

Following high school I served an LDS mission in the Canada Toronto East Mission, under Tad R. Callister, from November of 2006 through December of 2008.

Currently a student at the University of Utah studying mass communication focusing on the strategic communication sequence. I planning on graduating in 2012 and then attend graduate school.

Morgan Heath

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MY STORIES:

MY RESUME:

Morgan Heath
Morrgi101@hotmail.com

322 H Street
Salt Lake City, Utah
84103

Education:
University of Utah 2009-present
Majoring in Mass Communication
Lone Peak High School Graduate 2009

Experience:

Retail Manager of Journeys Kidz 2010- present

Fashion Coordinator of Invisible Children Fundraising Event-2009

Sales Associate of Head Over Heels- 2008-2009

Secretary of Firehouse Car Wash and Detail 2006-2008

Other Skills:
Computer:  Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Programming

ABOUT ME:

I’m a 20-year-old student currently stuck somewhere in between a sophomore and a junior at the University of Utah.  I’m majoring in mass communication with a emphasis in public relations. I’m a hardworking, busy college student who is constantly out to try new things. News writing was an exciting way to explore new ways of writing. News writing allows me to think freely and research new topics. On top of being a full time student, I also work full time as  a manager for a retail company. If I’m not at school you will find me at the workplace managing my store. I live a very busy but yet fulfilling life and enjoy every minute of it!

Pac-12 easy move for gymnastics

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By Larissa Giuliano
When Utah moved to the Pac-12 conference last year, it greatly affected the schedules of most sports, but not gymnastics.
The Utah gymnastics team has always been one of the best. They have won 10 national championships and qualified every single year.
Formerly being part of the Mountain West Conference, most of Utah’s athletic teams played other teams in that conference, which isn’t as competitive as the new conference. The gymnastics team, however, was not in a conference prior to the move. As one of the most dominant gymnastics teams in the country, it already competed against most of the teams in the Pac-10, as well as top-ranked teams all over the country.
Their schedule from last year to this year has barely changed at all. The main difference will be the addition of the Pac-12 championship. When they weren’t in a conference, the Utes had no opportunity to win a championship. Now, they will have the chance to compete for a conference title.
Only eight schools in the Pac-12 have gymnastics teams. Out of the seven other teams, Utah faced five of them last year. This year, Utah will start the season against UCLA, the same team that has been their first opponent all but one season in the past nine years. This meet is a significant test since UCLA won the 2010 nationals and was second last season.
While the move to the Pac-12 doesn’t impact Utah’s gymnastics schedule too much, it will actually make future schedules easier. Before, Utah could choose its schedule and it chose to go up against the best teams in the country. Now, its schedule will already be determined based on the conference rules.
While the more popular sports like football and basketball get most of the hype surrounding Utah’s conference change, we shouldn’t forget that the gymnastics team has been competing with and beating schools in the Pac-12 all along. Gymnasts deserve as much recognition as these other athletes because of their outstanding results.
The gymnastics meets draw large crowds, as Utah frequently has the highest average attendance in the nation. Still, the attendance is only about one-third the attendance of football games.
Utah’s first home meet begins at 7 p.m. on Jan. 13 in the Jon M. Huntsman Center. So come and support the team that is always one of the nation’s best!

Love, marriage, and laziness

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By Julie Burggraf

After 72 days, Kim Kardashian filed for divorce from husband Kris Humphries and further tainted the meaning of marriage.
In the United States, men and women aged 20 to 24 statistically show the highest divorce rate of any other age group getting married. When older couples marry, they have a significantly less chance of divorce.
When someone first marries, there is a 41 percent chance of divorce; marrying for a second time means that there is a 60 percent greater chance of divorce. Seventy-three percent of third marriages will end in divorce. According to marriage101.org,  “The Americans for Divorce Reform estimates that probably, 40 or possibly even 50 percent of marriages will end in divorce if current trends continue.”
The sanctity of marriage has long been sought by many, and this is true for the Hollywood elite as well. The difference is, is that when celebrities get married there is no promise of forever. Marriages were not created to be an event for publicity and fame, but for love. While marriages have been arranged for centuries, love has undoubtedly conquered all.
Marriages such as Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe were married for nine months. Pamela Anderson and Rick Salomon were married for only 10 weeks, and Britney Spears and Jason Allen Alexander annulled their 56-hour marriage. Couples like these are just a few of the many examples that celebrities marry for all the wrong reasons.
With constant scandals of divorce in the media, statistics have come to prove that celebrities are the royalty of the United States and have an immense influence on the public and their actions. At 9.4 percent, Utah held the seventh-lowest divorce rate in the country in 2008.
Thinking that marriage is as temporary as a fake tattoo, and knowing that someone can find happiness in another person, are just two of ways that celebrities and now the public look at marriage. While many do file for divorce, not all are reasons because of boredom within the marriage or that they stopped trying. A marriage can end for a multitude of reasons. Marital abuse, people and circumstances that change and even death are just a few examples.
Stating that one will love another forever, through good and bad, has been indisputably changed to, we will love each other until one of us gets lazy and stops trying. With such appeal that comes from Hollywood it is hard to not think that someone’s everyday life could be the same as theirs.
Living an ordinary life without public prying into one’s life may be God’s biggest blessing. True love is something that everyone strives to find in his or her lifetime. Celebrities and their influence on the public should be portraying a positive and true meaning of love, rather than tainting the sanctity of marriage by marrying with the thought of maybe this could work.

Batman in the big house

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By Zack Renner
Arkham City looks awful. The special kind of awful that makes you want to explore its every beautifully articulated nook and cranny.
It’s time to don the cape and cowl and step inside the world of everyone’s favorite bat enthusiast for Rocksteady Studios’ Batman: Arkham City. Does the Dark Knight rise above expectations or fall in line with the many third-rate superhero adaptation games clogging disc drives these days?
If 2009’s Batman: Arkham Asylum was a love letter to comic book fans, and then Batman: Arkham City is a full-blown romantic novel.  Whether it’s the deliberate yet hectic gameplay or the cameo-laden story, being Batman has never been this much fun.
After the events of the first game Batman’s rogue’s gallery repository, Arkham Asylum, is out of order. The solution to this problem is a bigger, better prison built right into the heart of Gotham City. The narrative opens with prisoners taking control of Arkham City under the command of Dr. Hugo Strange. Strange being the one villain smart enough to connect the dots from Bruce Wayne to Batman. It’s up to Batman to clean up the big house any way he can—and oh, the ways he can.
The story will have you running, rolling, grappling, gliding and diving through the missions spread throughout Gotham City’s district turned prison camp. While the main story can keep gamers busy for up 20 hours, the side missions provide fleshed-out optional stories with much incentive for deviation from the beaten path.
Think Grand Theft Batman. While there is no Batmobile in the game, Batman has no trouble traversing rooftops with grace that would give Spiderman a run for his money.  It can be difficult to stop and smell the roses of Arkham City, but if you do you’ll see just how gorgeous and painstakingly realized the environment is.
Once you use the game’s x-ray vision like detective mode, the game’s elements of exploration and treasure hunting come into play. Revealing side quests like the Riddler’s challenges or random chatter among thugs, the game is out to distract you. Although the detective mode is helpful in finding Easter eggs hidden in the vast city, the world simply looks too good not peep out behind the x-ray specs.
Did I mention the game is gorgeous?  Each section of the city has a unique flair that alone provides enough incentive to progress through the story as it takes you from gothic cityscape to art deco underground ruins.
Pitch perfect sound design and a stellar voice cast breathe life into every character you encounter. Anyone familiar with Batman: the Animated Series from the ’90s will recognize the voices of Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill as they reprise their famous roles once again as the Batman and Joker.
Fans will appreciate the dark and personality driven architecture of Arkham City. The city itself feels alive and volatile, ready for some bone-breaking brawls and sleuthing about. There is plenty to see here and whether you’re a fan of the source material or not and have a good time doing it. (Rating: A)

Kardashian wedding a stunt

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By Kate Van Wagoner
Kim Kardashian is famous for being famous. How is it that the Kardashian name is so well-known all over the world for the sole reason to entertain audiences without a significant talent-or is the talent itself the ability to make an empire off of the public eye? Kris Humphries, an NBA player, helped boost the family fame in his 72-day marriage to Kardashian.
Kardashian began dating Humphries October 2010. They became engaged May 2011, and married Aug 20, 2011, in Montecito, Cali. After 72 days of marriage, Kardashian filed divorce on Oct 31, 2011, citing irreconcilable differences. It was an unnecessary rushed wedding.  The unexpected divorce had the public including me, questioning if this wedding was a hoax or not.
It was a publicity stunt. If anything, I give credit to them both. Bad publicity for not marrying someone for the right reason will blow over. However, the money and camera time they both received is exactly what celebrities are after. It was great for ratings and the wedding brought in millions.
Kardashian’s wedding featured a $2.5 million, 65-carat sparkling diamond headpiece by Lorraine Schwartz; a $2 million, 20.5-carat diamond engagement ring; and 28-carat diamond earrings worth $5 million. All told, she was wearing well over $10 million worth of jewelry on her big day. Not to mention the $150,000 she spent on hair and makeup that day.
Kardashian may have upset her loyal fans but she did exactly what she needed to do to take the negative spotlight away and make it positive. Kardashian donated all of her wedding gifts to charity.
It is incredible to see the money Kardashian made off of this wedding. Besides the reported $2.5 million she got from People, Kardashian is said to have made between  $12 and $15 million for the E! TV special. She also reportedly banked hundreds of thousands of dollars for selling exclusive rights to her engagement announcement, bridal shower and bachelorette party.
Why do people care do much about other people’s lives? Being on television you have to know that you will be criticized. Your every move will be watched but if anything the Kardashian network skyrocketed and that is what being a celebrity is all about.
The New York Times calculated that the couple made $10,358.80 per hour of marriage. Pure genius.

Thanksgiving a forgotten holiday

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By Sarah Stevens

Santa Claus is coming to town, already?
It is the day after Halloween, and Lennox Mall in Atlanta has Christmas trees adorning every corner. “Jingle Bells” is blaring out of the speakers and Santa Claus is sitting proudly in the middle of the mall, ready to lend an ear to the little ones. It is Nov. 1 and we are already forgetting Thanksgiving.
Too many people skip the precious time we are given in the month of November to acknowledge the importance of Thanksgiving. The tenderness of Thanksgiving is easy to miss. It is the most understated and non-commercialized holiday relying on one theme, being thankful.
Most people take down their spooky décor the morning after Halloween, only to drape bright lights on their artificial Christmas tree that very same day.  Where is the momentary lapse in time where we pause between the two most commercialized holidays in America?
Thanksgiving matters. It is the most important holiday. It is not Veterans Day, when we graciously pay our respects to those who fight for our freedom. It is not Christmas, when we pay tribute to Christ. It is Thanksgiving, when we express gratitude for everything and take a day to be grateful that we live in America. I am a firm believer in Thanksgiving, in the celebrations it encompasses as a holiday in America, and I believe we need to give it the attention it deserves.
This past fall break I was at Lennox Mall in Atlanta and I noticed that Nordstrom had signs posted on every exterior door reading, “At Nordstrom…we won’t be decking our halls until Friday, November 27. Why? Well, we like the idea of celebrating one holiday at a time. From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving.” How revolutionary that a department store in one of the most popular shopping cities in America would not put up Christmas decorations well in advance, so much so that they have to post signs for concerned consumers.
Even Facebook has a group created last week called “Please Don’t Forget Thanksgiving” boasting 127 members. The group’s information reads, “To many Americans, Thanksgiving is just a time to eat turkey and watch football. We should enjoy Thanksgiving for what it is: a day to thank the Lord for America, our freedom and the many blessings we have.”  These days, it seems like Americans are more concerned with being showered with new gifts rather than be thankful for what they have.
Though some may see Christmas as a legitimate reason to skip Thanksgiving (if honored the right way), the commercialized appeal that perpetuates Christmas and Halloween for so many Americans demonstrates how different the approach of Thanksgiving is.
Thanksgiving needs more attention. We are giving thanks to the nation that provides us with the freedom to celebrate other holidays. We need to take appropriate time to pause and reflect between the busy holidays of Halloween and Christmas and dwell on what it really means to be thankful.

Penn State not about football

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By Mary Stevens
“Beat Nebraska!” was Joe Paterno’s last message to the Penn State football team the Wednesday afternoon before he was fired for not reporting to police a sexual abuse allegation within his coaching staff.
On Nov. 5, Jerry Sandusky, former Penn State defensive coordinator, was arrested and charged with 40 counts of sexual abuse of young boys.
According to the indictment, 28-year-old graduate student and assistant coach Mike McQueary witnessed Sandusky sexually abusing a young boy in the Penn Sate locker room and formally met with head coach Joe Paterno to report what he saw.  Paterno notified his superiors and let them handle the situation from there.  Neither Paterno nor McQuery reported the abuse to the police.
“I think he tried to do what he could,” said Matthew Van Wagoner, an English major at Westminster College.  “In most jobs, there is a protocol and I think he simply followed protocol and did what he was trained to do.  Whether he agreed with how the university handled the situation after that is really out of his control.”
Joe Paterno was one of the most successful and influential coaches in the history of college football.  Of course he has control of the situation.  That is his job.  Paterno has made a living instructing men both on and off the field.  For anyone to say Paterno did not have the means or the influence to do something about the situation is a complete misjudgment.
Paterno and other members of his coaching staff and authorities at Penn State had received eyewitness reports that a child predator was on the prowl, and they did nothing.
It is astonishing that these men were not courageous enough o come forward with this sort of information to the police. Regardless of how many games Paterno has won for Penn State he has failed the ultimate test: to stand up for what is morally correct.
“Somebody has to question… the moral requirements for a human being that knows of sexual things that are taking place with a child,” Pennsylvania state police commissioner Frank Noonan said.  “I think you have the moral responsibility whether you’re a football coach or a university president or the guy sweeping the building.  I think you have a moral responsibility to call us.”
Some Penn State students and fans have expressed concern about how this will affect the upcoming football season and whether or not they will ever find a coach to adequately replace Paterno. But at the end of the day, in light of all the real problems at Penn State, who cares if they beat Nebraska?

Is feminism lost in translation?

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By Anna Peterson
Feminism, like almost everything, evolves over time.  The fight for women’s rights has evolved, and some say polluted. The sexualization of women and rejection of traditional roles offends many people, including members of the LDS Church. And I have to say I see their point.
Does being an active member of the LDS Church mean I have to forsake my upbringing as a feminist? I shouldn’t have to choose, but I feel as if I can’t reconcile the two. It makes me wonder: Is something lost in translation?
The crusade for equal job opportunity and the ability to choose work over traditional female roles has translated to a fight for equal pay and recognition in the workplace, as well as a continuation of the sexual revolution.
Just like our “foremothers,” we feminists like to make a splash. Instead of the disposing of our under-things and “wearing mini-skirt[s] and a button that said ‘c— power,’” as Gloria Steinem told the New York Observer, many women embrace the sexual side of their personalities and promote it.
The HBO show “Sex and the City,” for example, documents the lives and friendships of four women in New York City. The focus on their sex lives has been viewed as something of a modern sexual revolution; they view their experiences as men would, which was uncommon on television.
This gives me pause. Does having casual sex give women empowerment or have women conformed to a male paradigm instead of creating their own sexual identities?
The recent image of an “empowered woman” promoted in the media shows women who are empowered because they choose to be sexual objects as opposed to having the role forced on them. What happened to bra burning?
My religious beliefs and moral code prevent me from many of the behaviors that these feminists participate in.  But why should I have to conform to these behaviors in order to be a feminist?
The feminist movement, to me, promotes the ability for women to take on any roles they like without facing discrimination.
Many people find my religion sexist because of its emphasis on traditional female roles of wife and mother. Many feminists regard the role of stay-at-home mom with disdain, as it represents years of female oppression before the feminist movement.
To these critics, I say: Isn’t some kind of reverse sexism to discriminate against a woman who chooses to embrace the role of wife and mother? Does one have to be a CEO or sex symbol to fit the modern ideal of feminist?
So much of feminist ideology has been polluted by modern society. Many young women regard Kim Kardashian as a kind of role model.
Let’s face it: She runs a successful business with her sisters, she is beautiful and she has lots of money. Her behavior, however, is so antithetical to feminist ideals it makes my head want to explode.
The images of “strong females” give a false sense of empowerment to women. I don’t need to be sexualized in order to take control over my life.
Kim Kardashian is a feminist because she runs a business. The short-lived “The Playboy Club” promoted female empowerment because a bunny can wear a corset and heels while killing a major mob boss. Again, I’d like a match and a bra, please.
The choices a woman makes should be taken into account. There is no need to conform to the male paradigm; a woman does not need to be masculine or overtly feminine to assert her role in society.
As a feminist, it’s my right to choose.

Shoes are a $75 million lie

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By Amy Murakami

Millions of Americans embraced the athletic shoe created by Skechers called the Shape-Ups.  Many pairs were sold because they promise to strengthen and tone muscles without setting foot into a gym.  Let’s be real, people, how can a shoe magically make you achieve a rear like Kim Kardashian?
The way I see the Shape-Ups is just another form of a fad diet.  They are telling you to take the easy way out; just lace up these shoes and fitness is guaranteed.  Like a crash diet they promote exercising less and promising to look beautiful while wearing them.  Even more gag-worthy, they have a celebrity endorsing the shoe who was already famous for her body prior to the shoe’s creation.  Kardashian and her mother, Kris Jenner, advertise Shape-Ups with the tag line, “Get Fashionably Fit.”  Another advertisement encouraging people to look the “part” in Hollywood.
Fortunately, I am not the only one  who sees past these claims.  The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has recently fined Reebok $25 million because of their EasyTone shoes that made bogus claims to tone the calf muscles.  Skechers now is facing the same battle and a larger fine of $75 million.  Starting out with furious bloggers, now the media is attacking the brand for its preposterous claims.
Skechers is planning to stand up for its shoe and fight.  In an article in Advertising Age, Skechers is quoted, “We believe that our claims and advertising, with respect to our core toning products, are supported by scientific tests, expert opinions, and other relevant data.”
Skechers leads the shoe-toning category with a 60 percent share.  Making a number of people believe that Skechers has done something right.   Some bloggers have given better feedback with saying that the shoe gives them more thought about walking and exercise is more on their mind when they have them on.   This is a positive aspect to the shoe when people are willing to walk further distances.
As for the most part, people just need to get it in their heads that you have to pay visits to the gym and do more than walk from your driveway to your front door to get a toned bottom half.  The only fashionable aspect of this phenomenon is the advertisements that feature Kim Kardashian, and that is because you are looking at her face and not her feet. Therefore, may these ridiculous allegations and ugly shoes come to and end faster than her 72-day marriage to Kris Humphries.

Resort plans raise questions

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By Erika Keffer

The greatest snow on Earth, our snow here in Utah, is cause for profit and environmental degradation.
Utah ski resorts have proposed several plans for expansion, including expanding skiable terrain and connecting Summit and Salt Lake counties over the Wasatch mountain range. These expansions are an unnecessary addition to the resorts and would have an enormous impact on the environment.
Alta seeks to add two separate lifts connecting to Big Cottonwood Canyon in two different gulches. Park City Mountain Resorts also wants two new lifts accessing Guardsman Pass and Brighton. Canyons Resort, the biggest in Utah, wants to build a tram to connect to Solitude, and Solitude wants another lift of its own for more skiable terrain. Also, Snowbird wants another tram.
These connector expansions, according to Ted Wilson, director of government affairs for Talisker Mountain Inc., are a “public service” and another way to access the high mountains. He admits it would also be profitable for his company. Wilson believes it will be an easier way for skiers to travel among Utah resorts and there would be no environmental impact.
This is ludicrous because Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons support the watershed that supplies drinking water to almost a half-million Utah residents. Providing easier access implies more recreators. In order to accommodate such recreation, concessions, restrooms and lodging are bound to follow. Also, more people mean more trash and less land for wildlife to roam and forage.
Carl Fisher, executive director of Save Our Canyons, said, “We as people are loving this place to death.” Traffic up and down Big and Little Cottonwood and Parleys Canyon causes severe pollution in the Salt Lake Valley. This is inevitable because of the enormous popularity of ski and snowboard tourism in Utah, but more reasons for people to travel the canyons is not helpful.
Expanding resorts in order to access more skiable terrain is profit-motivated and has a negative impact on the environment. All of the terrain where these resorts wish to expand is currently accessed by low environmental impact backcountry users who would be displaced if the expansions were put into effect. Backcountry skiers are more susceptible to avalanches because of the uncontrolled terrain, but there are great local resources about avalanche education.
If what these resorts are seeking is a more efficient way to get skiers from one resort to another, it would be more beneficial to negotiate lift ticket deals among resorts. Package deals for multiple resorts in the same canyon, or package deals for different nights at different resorts with corresponding lift tickets seems like a less impactful way to help winter tourists. Also, reworking the public transportation system to more effectively access the different canyons and resorts would benefit not only skiers and snowboarders, but ideally reduce pollution-causing traffic.
Changes like this would be much more beneficial to Utahans and visitors. We must protect our most valued resource, our champagne powder, and at the same time, drinking water.

Rachel Thomas

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MY STORIES:

MY RESUME:

Rachel Thomas
15 West Oak Drive ▪ Woodland Hills, Utah 84653
(801) 722-9890 ▪ u0661926@utah.edu

Resume

Education:

•    Currently studying at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, Expected Graduation – April 2013
•    Diploma, Spanish Fork High School, Spanish Fork, Utah, May 2009

Recognition and Awards:

•    Graduated high school with high honors maintaining a 3.80 cumulative GPA.
•    Made Dean’s List throughout the 2009 and 2010 school years at University of Utah.
•    President of Health Occupation Students of America.
•    Selected as High School Academic All Star.

•    Selected as All Star at High School Cheer camps for two consecutive years; an award given only to two cheerleaders in each squad.
Job Experience:
Central Utah Stars    Salem, UT
Dance Teacher
August 2007 – July 2009
•    Job requirements included teaching students proper technique, and keeping a group involved and motivated
•    I was also required to be punctual and come prepared each time with a lesson plan.

Phoenix Energetics     Spanish Fork, UT

Vice President of Company
Business Product Labeler
August 2003 – August 2005
•    Job requirements included labeling explosives, creating spreadsheets, and organizing shipping orders.
•    I was taught to meet deadlines, and to perform fast and efficient work.

Judge Memorial High School    Salt Lake City, UT
Head Cheer Coach
April 2009- Present
•    Job requirements include provide training to high school students in cheerleading, organize schedules, plan events, and deal with the needs of students and their parents.

Experience:

University of Utah
April 2009 – Present
Cheerleader
•    Was among the nine cheerleaders selected from a group of sixty applicants during the try-out process.
•    Have significant experience training high school cheerleaders through a variety of safety clinics.
•    Able to juggle various responsibilities in cheerleading and school and have maintained a 3.75 GPA while being selected for the Dean’s List.

Spanish Fork High School
April 2007 – April 2009
Cheerleader
•    As Competition Caption, oversaw routines used for a variety of multi-squad competitions, worked with coaches to improve routines, and trained other members of squad when needed.
•    Choreographed multiple routines used during performances while working as squad’s Half-time Coordinator.
•    Organized as Song Leading Captain to ensure efficiency and preparation during games, competitions and other performances.
•    Song leading team was Division Champions for both years of participation.

Various Dance Studios
September 2000 – April 2009
Dancer
•    Learned dance fundamentals which have been used to excel in both high school and college dance/cheer programs.
•    Choreographed several solo and group routines used during performance and competition. Taught dancers the routines choreographed.
•    Took advantage of many opportunities to teach and train other members of dance teams.

References

Rob Gramse (Coach)
University of Utah Cheer Coach
981 Mogul Peak Rd. #g303
Midvale, UT 84047
(801) 243-9750

Mckenzie Beck (Supervisor)
Central Utah Stars Dance Instructor
High school Cheer Advisor
Central Utah Stars
576 W. SR 198
Salem, UT 84653
(801) 310-6130

Alissa Degreef (Captain)
University of Utah’s Head Cheerleader
11988 So. Genova Drive
Draper, UT 84020
(801) 864-6889

ABOUT ME:

My name is Rachel Lynn Thomas, and I grew up in Woodland Hills, Utah. I am a 21-year-old junior at the University of Utah. While attending Spanish Fork High School I made the University of Utah cheerleading squad, which made my decision of which college to attend a lot easier.

After researching many occupations and interviewing different sources I finally decided to major in strategic communication. After I graduate I plan to use my degree to enter the public relation field.

Eat what our grandparents ate

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By Catherine Johnson

I too am jumping on the organic bandwagon. I make sure my products are locally grown, or if they can’t be local then at least they are organic. I get a special sense of pride and dignity when I choose to walk into Whole Foods rather than the other grocery stores. There seems to be a little bit of a righteous feel when you  walk in there. As you shop with fellow customers, there’s an unspoken word going around about how we made the right choice.
I was not always this way. I am an easily persuaded person, and once persuaded I am passionate. My influence was the movie Food, Inc. After watching the movie I picked up my phone and started to call everyone I knew, telling them how we only need to buy organic and “Did you know chickens are injected with hormones and raised to have so much meat on them they can’t take two steps without collapsing?”
This became a new obsession of mine.  I would start conversations with perfect strangers, asking them if they knew where there milk was coming from. To me it was something that just made sense. Why would I want to eat anything that had hormones injected into it? I remember seeing a cartoon that made my organic choice even more simple it said “Organic… or as our grandparents called it, ‘Food.’”
I understand that not everyone has the luxury of spending money on these fancy organically grown apples, but there are alternatives.  Community gardens are a good way to receive organic food without paying expensive store prices.
I get into disputes with people on the subject of organic food. People tell me that organic is a new craze that will die out.  I like to rebut by saying organic is what has always been around, and hormones being injected into food is the new craze.
One of my favorite scenes in the movie Food, Inc. is when hamburger restaurants are being examined and the process of making the hamburger is being described.  Many hamburgers have cardboard filler. There are tiny pieces of cardboard put in to make a bigger burger with less meat.
I can understand my sources are biased, but it seems pretty simple to me. When I pay $6 for a hamburger I don’t want to be eating cardboard. In that case why don’t I just squirt some mustard on a box and save a few dollars?
I don’t need to have an outrageously huge strawberry; I would just like a basic strawberry. One that came straight from the earth untouched until it was picked just for me. I am taking some words of wisdom Ludwig Mies van der Rohe: “Less is more.”