ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS ON PAGE 15

By GRETEL MONJAR Reporter

The Student Fee Recommendation Committee held their second meeting of the semester in the Shepherd Union on Jan. 27 and discussed the state of student fees for the upcoming academic year.

The committee is made up of 10 WSU students and two full-time faculty members and serves to divide student fees among different university departments.

“The main difference between student fees and tuition is that student fees are not for curriculum or instructional use,” Daniel Killcrease, executive director of Student Affairs, said.

In two upcoming meetings, the SFRC will discuss dividing the fees among departments.

“We have $100,000 in one-time funding that we are allocating this year,” Kilcrease said. “There’s about $175,000 worth of requests, so there will be some deliberation with that.”

Fourteen departments from the university have applied for funding from the committee. Several, such as Disability Services and Studio 76, were requesting funding to pay student staff.

“We rely heavily on hiring students,” Shawna Werner, a representative of Disability Services, said.

Representatives from each department were given seven minutes of presentation time during the meeting to explain what they plan to do with the funding and how it would benefit WSU students. After each presentation, SFRC had seven minutes to ask questions.

“Hopefully, you can see how important this is to help students actually stay in school and to get to graduation,” Katharine French-Fuller, a representative of the Weber Cares Pantry, said during her presentation.

The pantry, run by the Center for Community Engaged Learning, asked the committee for $10,000. The money would be used to provide “culturally appropriate food” and continue regular pantry maintenance.

“It’s an awesome opportunity, and it’s really nice to apply what I’m learning into an actual department,” Emily Sorenson, a student member of the SFRC, said.

This is Sorenson’s second year on the committee. She values her position and is committed to being an advocate for WSU students.

“We are here to voice student opinions,” Sorenson said. “It’s our money, so that’s why I really like to be a part of this.” the struggles that students face with WSU’s late fee policy.

Not all universities have a student-involved process for the allocation of student fees.

“What we want to do as an institution is say, ‘the students have a voice in where their student fee funds go,’” Kilcrease said.

The next SFRC meeting is open to the public and will be held Feb. 3 at 12:30 p.m. in room 404A in the Shepherd Union building with options to attend in-person or virtually.

WSU’s Young Democratic Socialists of America chapter spearheaded the initiative to abolish late fees given to students who miss payments for their classes.

Efforts were initially made through an active petition that has now gathered over 350 signatures, with nearly 100 of those signees leaving their own testimonials of how the financial burden put onto them by late fees has negatively affected their ability to succeed in both academic and personal life.

Currently, according to WSU’s Office of the semester with an annual rate of 12%, an interest rate that Brexton Olesky-Lee, chair of the coordinating committee for WSU YDSA, said is comparable to interest charged on a credit card.

Olesky-Lee said that when looking over the responses provided through WSU YDSA’s petition, he was shocked to find multiple instances of students who attested to accumulating $1000 or more in late fees. Many who responded to the petition said falling behind on late fees made them feel guilty for eating or caused them to skip meals altogether.

Hunter Jex, a student majoring in music direction at WSU, said he had taken a fall

‘Do I put away $5 every day for food?’ or ‘Do I feel guilty every time I eat because that money isn’t going towards the late fees?’”

Jex also said he lost a significant amount of weight trying to save money on food while paying off his unpaid balance in late fees. He was unable to clear his balance until the holidays arrived and his family gave him money during Christmas.

Indavady Sopraseuth, a freshman who started at WSU in fall 2022, said she had begun falling behind on her tuition payments, unaware of the repercussions for doing so.

Sopraseuth found herself having to choose between buying food and buying textbooks for her classes due to the fees accumulat-

Sopraseuth said that because she is someone with a smaller frame and a low BMI, it’s important to her physical well-being that she makes sure she doesn’t skip meals.

As a result, Sopraseuth said her academic performance in class suffered due to her not being able to afford the textbooks needed. With the passing of the resolution, Olesky-Lee hopes the struggles students face because of the consequences of WSU’s late policy become more visible to WSU’s decision-makers, namely President Brad Mortensen.

“We can’t make the goal to just be to get people to agree, we have to make the goal to actually use that to turn an advantage and really improve these students’ lives,” Olesky-Lee said.

En una reunión celebrada el 23 de enero, el senado estudiantil de la Universidad

Estatal Weber aprobó una resolución que adopta una postura estricta contra los recargos por mora. La aprobación unánime de la resolución demuestra la comprensión de los senadores de las luchas que los estudiantes se enfrentan con la política de pago tardío de WSU.

La sección de la WSU de los Jóvenes Socialistas Democráticos de América encabezó la iniciativa de abolir las multas impuestas a los estudiantes que no pagan sus clases.

Los esfuerzos se hicieron inicialmente a través de una petición activa que ahora ha recogido más de 350 firmas, con casi 100 de los firmantes dejando sus propios testimonios de cómo la carga financiera impuesta sobre ellos por las cuotas atrasadas ha afecta- do negativamente a su capacidad para tener éxito en la vida académica y personal.

En la actualidad, según la política de multas y recargos por demora de la Oficina del Ecónomo de la WSU, a los estudiantes se les aplica una multa de 40 dólares por demora en el pago si su saldo no se abona en su totalidad antes del viernes anterior al primer día de un semestre determinado.

La política también establece una evaluación de intereses sobre los saldos impagos en la cuenta de un estudiante comienza 30 días después del inicio del semestre con una tasa anual del 12%, una tasa de interés que Brexton Olesky-Lee, presidente del comité de coordinación de WSU YDSA, dijo que es comparable a los intereses cobrados en una tarjeta de crédito.

Olesky-Lee dijo que al examinar las respuestas proporcionadas a través de la petición de WSU YDSA, se sorprendió al encontrar múltiples casos de estudiantes que atestiguaron haber acumulado $ 1000 o más en cargos por pagos atrasados. Muchos de los que respondieron a la petición dijeron que el atraso en los pagos les hacía sentirse culpables por comer o les hacía saltarse las comidas.

Hunter Jex, estudiante de dirección musical en la WSU, dijo que había sufrido una caída justo antes del semestre de otoño de 2022 que le había dejado hospitalizado con la mandíbula destrozada. Jex dijo que pasó tres meses entrando y saliendo del hospital mientras acumulaba más de 600 dólares en cuotas atrasadas por pagos no realizados de las clases de otoño.

“Llegué a un punto en que no tenía dinero, pero aún así tenía que comer”, dijo Jex. “Así que se convirtió en ‘¿Guardo 5 dólares todos los días para comer?’ o ‘¿me siento culpable cada vez que como porque ese dinero no se destina a las cuotas atrasadas?’”.

Jex también dijo que perdió una cantidad significativa de peso tratando de ahorrar dinero en comida mientras pagaba su saldo impagado en cuotas atrasadas. No pudo saldar su saldo hasta que llegaron las fiestas y su familia le dio dinero en Navidad.

Indavady Sopraseuth, una estudiante de primer año que empezó en la WSU en otoño de 2022, dijo que había empezado a retrasarse en los pagos de su matrícula, sin ser consciente de las repercusiones por ha- cerlo. Sopraseuth se encontró con que tenía que elegir entre comprar comida o comprar libros de texto para sus clases debido a las cuotas acumuladas.

Sopraseuth dijo que, como es una persona de complexión pequeña y con un IMC bajo, es importante para su bienestar físico que se asegure de no saltarse comidas. Como consecuencia, Sopraseuth dijo que su rendimiento académico en clase se resintió por no poder permitirse los libros de texto necesarios. Con la aprobación de la resolución, Olesky-Lee espera que las luchas a las que se enfrentan los estudiantes debido a las consecuencias de la política de retraso de la WSU sean más visibles para los responsables de la toma de decisiones de la WSU, en concreto el presidente Brad Mortensen.

“No podemos hacer que el objetivo sea sólo conseguir que la gente esté de acuerdo, tenemos que hacer que el objetivo sea realmente utilizarlo para convertirlo en una ventaja y mejorar realmente la vida de estos estudiantes”, dijo Olesky-Lee.

By BRISA ODENTHAL Reporter

Thirty-nine percent of Weber State University students identify as first-generation students. Weber State University has resources for these students to acclimate to university life, such as the First Generation Club.

First-generation students are defined as students who are the first member of their family to either attend a college or university or whose parents have not completed a bachelor’s degree.

The First Generation Club is open to students who identify as first generation students or peers who want to help support these students.

“The Weber State First-Gen Club helps bring students together, providing academic and social support, new friendships and networking opportunities ultimately creating a sense of belonging at Weber,” Ernesto Hernandez Jr., an advisor of the club, said.

The club offers a multitude of resources to these students, including financial help, academic support, networking opportunities and connections, student support services and services that can help these first-generation students transition from high school or the workforce into college.

The club’s mission statement is “The First

Generation Club strives to create a community of first generation students, but not limited to, and facilitate opportunities for recreation, community service and networking.”

First-generation students receive a cord at WSU graduation ceremonies to show off their pride in becoming a first-generation degree holder.

“The first gen club holds monthly activities, either social or service related, in order to connect with each other and the campus community. Some activities that we have done are the Horror Movie Festival, Christmas Lights, and an Ice Cream Social,”

Hernandez said.

The First Generation Club welcomes all first generation students and allies to their events and hopes to gain new members with each activity. Students are welcome to join the club at any point in the year.

The First Generation Club is currently planning events for the future months. They are planning a Valentine’s Day dance and a first-generation student, staff and faculty mixer on March 3 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the Wildcat Lanes in the Shepherd Union.

By RAYSHAUN BAKER-LYNCH

Asst. Section Editor

Weber State University’s women’s softball team dominated last season, going 13–1 in the Big Sky and 38–10 overall. They were named 2022 Big Sky conference champions and won their ninth overall championship as a program, run-ruling every team they faced in the playoffs on their road to the title.

Last season, coach Mary Kay Amicone won her 100th game. In 2019, the Wildcats were the first Big Sky school to win an NCAA regional game.

With all of the success from past years, Weber State will host the Big Sky tournament, getting an opportunity to repeat as champions.

“We won a lot last year,” middle-fielder Faith Hoe said. “We’re going to have to learn a new way to win. Every year, you have to get to that point and learn how the team ticks.”

With the first game of the season just weeks away, it’s time to look again at the Wildcat’s roster.

2023 Roster

Outfielder Katelyn Whiting is a veteran from last year who had 46 putouts with two assists for a 1.000 fielding percentage — the highest on the team.

Third base/utility sophomore Abby Grundy is going into her second year and was previously a part of the 2022 championship team.

Utility player Taegan Smith is an incoming freshman. She was named Mountain Ridge’s Most Valuable Player her senior year and will bring new blood to the Wildcat locker room.

A team veteran, senior outfielder Kortney Kemper was a part of Weber State’s Big Sky Championship teams in 2021 and 2022. She earned All-Academic Big Sky honors last season.

Infield Emily Ruhl is going into her junior year. In the 2022 season, she was an All-Big Sky conference honorable mention and had 14 putouts and 54 assists for a .958 fielding percentage.

Junior infielder/pitcher Brooke Hatfield pitched in eight games last season. Pitching against notable programs last season like the University of California, Hatfield played a total of 8.2 innings and made one start.

Jayci Finch is a sophomore but hasn’t played for the Wildcats. She will make her season debut this year. In 2021, she played at Clearfield High School and was named First Team All-State and a three-time Golden Glove recipient.

Junior pitcher Madison Peterson played in four games last season, starting in one. She pitched 6.1 innings for the Wildcats.

Sophomore outfielder Gianna Memoli had 10 putouts and a .833 fielding percentage last season. In her prep/club career, she won Region Defensive Player of the Year in 2021.

Middle fielder Faith Hoe is a Veteran on this team. Playing second base, she has been named to the All-Big Sky Conference First Team the past two seasons. She was also a part of the 2019 team that won the NCAA regional tournament, the first in Big Sky history.

Veteran infielder McKell McCuistion last season had 10 home runs, a .583 slug percentage and 41 RBIs. McCuistion also had 294 putouts and nine assists for a .993 fielding percentage. She was also a part of the 2019 championship squad.

Outfielder Victoria Rey is an incoming freshman. During her prep/club career, she was named First-Team All-State in 2021 and First-Team All-League in 2021 and 2022.

Junior middle infielder Makayla Donahoo received All-Big Sky honorable mentions in 2021 and 2022, having 52 putouts and 81 assists for a .943 fielding percentage.

Junior outfielder Mia Rushton was named Big Sky Freshman of the Year in 2021. Last season, she had 145 at-bats and 16 RBIs with a .359 slugging percentage. Rushton was also an honorable mention for an All-Big Sky team last year.

A veteran presence, senior outfielder Noelle Foster has been a part of two Wildcat regular season titles and last year’s championship-winning team. Last season, she had eight putouts with a .889 fielding percentage.

Catcher Mika Chong is going into her second year. Last season, she was named to the All-Big Sky Conference First Team as a nonpitcher/utility player. As a freshman,

Chong led the Big Sky in batting percentage and won a player of the week award.

Freshman catcher/outfielder Riley Whalen received First-Team All-League every year she attended at Vista Murrieta High School in California. Her prep/club career was played at Mercado Academy.

Senior pitcher Amanda Johnson pitched for 62 innings last season with a 10–1 record in the games she played. She had a total of 39 strikeouts, two putouts and a fielding percentage of .941.

Sophomore pitcher Cali McCraw was a four-year all-conference athlete while playing for her club team, the Indiana Gators. This season will be her debut with the Wildcats.

Veteran catcher/utility Lauren Hoe was named to the Big Sky Conference Second Team last season with 123 at-bats, 17 runs, 40 hits and 21 RBIs. She also had 300 putouts with a fielding percentage of .991. In 2021, she was named Big Sky Conference Player of the Year.

Sarah Ruhl, an incoming freshman, is Emily Ruhl’s sister. In 2021 and 2022, she won First-Team All-League at Diamond Bar

High School in California.

“We have a lot of returners coming back on the infield and our defense looks strong,” Faith Hoe said. “We have enough solid hitters to make something happen, and we’re excited about a couple of freshmen that should make an impact. I think all around, the team is very close this year.”

Facing the 2022 NCAA-championship-winning University of Oklahoma team this season, Memoli is excited for the tough matchups.

“There’s always a little bit of pressure but I feel like if we’re just confident and playing the way we know how to play, we should have a great season,” Memoli said.

Faith Hoe said as a team, they have already been through a lot and it’s a privilege to be a part of this game. She is hoping to do whatever it takes to help the team win.

The Wildcats start their season on Feb.10 against Baylor University at a tournament hosted by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

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