WSU Student Population Continues to Grow: The Signpost 02/08/2024

Thursday | February 8, 2024 | Volume 98 | Issue 9 Cover Photo By: AJ Handley | The Signpost

Culture | Pg. 10

Culture | Pg. 4

Kennedy Camarena | The Signpost

Norlito Ranchez | The Signpost

2 | NEWS | thesignpostwsu.com | February 8, 2024

DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEWS? 1.

By BRISA ODENTHAL Section Editor

After announcing her return to competitive gymnastics, which famous gymnast is considering the Olympics? a. Simone Biles b. McKayla Maroney c. Gabby Douglas d. Shawn Johnson

2.

Utah lawmakers rejected a proposal to expand health coverage to who? a. Pregnant women b. Disabled people c. People of Color d. Mentally ill people

3.

Where is the Super Bowl being held?

a. Los Angeles b. New York City c. San Francisco d. Las Vegas

4.

Which international figurehead was diagnosed with cancer?

a. King Charles III b. Joe Biden c. Justin Trudeau d. Emmanuel Macron

ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS ON PAGE 11

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GRACE HAGLUND | The Signpost

4 | CULTURE | thesignpostwsu.com | February 8, 2024

By MEGAN SWANN Section Editor

On Jan. 30, Governor Spencer Cox signed House Bill 257. This means schools and government buildings will now require people to use bathrooms, showers and locker rooms corresponding to their sex assigned at birth.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Kera Birkeland, frames the issue as protecting women’s privacy. However, it limits the rights of transgender individuals.

Jayden Mason, treasurer for Weber State University’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance, explained how this is troubling since a large majority of students likely won’t even notice, but it is harmful to the transgender students at Weber.

The bill creates penalties for those who enter bathrooms of the opposite sex, listing offenses such as lewdness, loitering or even voyeurism.

“My hope is that it’s not enforced as strictly as it theoretically could be. But I wouldn’t particularly count on that,” Mason said.

The bill designates that these buildings will include a unisex bathroom or facility for those uncomfortable using men’s or women’s restrooms.

Weber State is already ahead of the game in this regard as most buildings already have a single-stall bathroom.

According to the LGBTQ Center’s website, there are 28 single-stall bathrooms on the Ogden Campus and six on the Davis Campus. The website includes locations of these restrooms, as well as an online map. Additionally, Swenson Gym offers a single-stall shower and changing room near the pool.

In 2014, Adrienne Andrews reached out to Mark Halverson, director of campus planning and construction at the time, to address a complaint made by a few transgender students who didn’t feel comfortable changing

in either the women’s or men’s locker rooms.

He and his team came up with a few options.

The first option was adding a shower to a unisex restroom that was already located near the pool. However, that would require removing the baby changing station that was already there.

“The second option was we would rearrange everything in the bathroom, push a wall out the back, eat a little bit of storage room that comes off the pool, and create a full shower in there and leave the baby changing station so that it could still be used for a single occupant or family bathroom as well,” Halverson said.

An additional option was that they could put a shower out on the pool deck so people could shower there and then get changed in the bathroom.

The final decision was the second option.

The project began at the end of 2014, costing $34,000 to renovate and taking 2-3 months to complete, according to Halverson.

On top of the bathroom map, the LGBTQ Center has other resources available on its website as well as in its office. The center currently shares an office with the Women’s Center in Shepherd Union, Suite 323.

As far as current efforts go, leaders from GSA want students to know that the best thing to do is to vote and make their voices heard.

“I think it’s important to use our voices and make sure that the government hears us and understands that we are not okay with this bill. And I think it’s important to keep up hope, too,” Kit Byrd, president of GSA, said.

“We have made a lot of really great strides in the past, so I don’t think that this one bill is going to signal a change in everything. I think we can still fight this and fight for our rights.”

GRACE HAGLUND | The Signpost

February 8, 2024 | thesignpostwsu.com | CULTURE | 5

POR NELLY HERNANDEZ TEJADA Traductor

POR MEGAN SWANN Editor de Sección

El 30 enero, el Gobernador Spencer Cox aprobó el House Bill 257. Esto significa que escuelas y edificios del gobierno van a requerir las personas a usar baños, duchas y vestuarios correspondidos con el sexo asignados al nacer.

Esta propuesta de ley, patrocinada por la Representativa Kera Birkeland, presenta el asunto de proteger la privacidad de las mujeres. Pero, esto limita los derechos de los individuos transgéneros.

Jayden Mason, tesorero para la Alianza de Género y Sexualidad de la Universidad de Weber State (Weber State University’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance), explicó porque es una cosa inquietante como una mayoría de estudiantes no se van a dar cuenta, pero cómo les va hacer daño a los estudiantes transgéneros en Weber.

Esta propuesta de ley crea castigos para las personas que usan los banos opuesto de su sexo, enumerando delitos como indecensia, holgazaneando o hasta voyeurismo.

“Mi esperanza es que no sea tan aplicado tan estrictamente como teóricamente podría ser. Pero yo no contaría con eso”, dice Mason.

Esta propuesta de ley designa que que estos edificios vana incluir un bano unisex o instalacion para las personas que se incomodan usando los banos de hombres y mujeres.

Weber State tiene una ventaja en esto porque varios edificios tienen un baño individual.

Según la página web del Centro LGBTQ, hay 28 baños para una persona en el campus de Ogden y 6 en el campus de Davis. La página web incluye las ubicaciones de estos baños, y también una mapa en línea. Adicionalmente, Swenson Gym ofrece una ducha individual y un vestuario cerca de la piscina.

En 2014, Adrienne Andrews contactó a Mark Halverson, director de la preparación de campus y construcción en ese tiempo, para abordar una queja hecha por algunos estudiantes transgéneros que no se sintieron cómodos en ambos vestuarios. Él y su equipo inventaron algunas opciones.

La primera opción fue agregar una ducha en el bano unisex que ya esta cerca a la piscina. Pero, eso requiere sacar la estación de cambio de bebés que ya estaba allí.

“La segunda opción era que podemos reorganizar todo en el bano, mover una pared por atras, usar un poco del almacén que viene de la piscina, y crear una ducha entera y dejar la estación de bebés por sí solamente una persona o una familia puede usar el baño”, dice Halverson.

Una opción adicional era que pudieran poner una ducha en la terraza de la piscina para que la gente pueda bañarse allí y luego cambiarse en el vestuario.

La decisión final fue la segunda opción.

El proyecto comenzó en el final de 2014, costando $34,000 para renovar y tomando 2-3 meses para completar, según Halverson.

Además del mapa de los baños, el Centro LGBTQ tiene otros recursos en su página web y también en su oficina. El centro comparte una oficina con el Centro de Mujeres en Shepherd Union, Suite 323.

Según nuestro esfuerzo actual, los líderes de la Alianza de Género y Sexualidad quieren que los estudiantes sepan que la mejor cosa que pueden hacer es votar y que sus voces se escuchen.

“Yo creo que es importante usar nuestras voces y asegurarnos que el gobierno nos escuche y entienda que no estamos de acuerdo con esta propuesta de ley. Y yo creo que es importante tener esperanza, también”, dice Kit Byrd, presidente de la Alianza de Género y Sexualidad. “Hemos tomado pasos largos en el pasado, entonces no creo que esta propuesta de ley sea un signo de un cambio de todo. Yo creo que podemos luchar por esto y luchar por nuestros derechos”.

AJ HANDLEY | The Signpost

6 | NEWS | thesignpostwsu.com | February 8, 2024

Students converse with each other in Shepard Union.

By MCKINNA BAIRD Reporter

Weber State University hit an all-time high for enrollment this past fall semester and the numbers have only been climbing.

“I think that it’s a huge milestone for us,” Jessica Oyler of Student Access and Success said. “This fall, we saw growth for the first time in at least five years.”

Oyler attributes this success to new efforts in making student navigation easier at Weber State. One of the tools implemented is an automated chatbot and text system. This system gives students reminders about enrollment,

tuition, FAFSA and more. “​​A lot of national data is showing the impact that has on students,” Oyler said.

She also mentioned seeing students respond to messages about things like plateaued tuition rates — tuition being the same whether students take 12 or 18 credit hours — by enrolling in more classes.

“It’s pretty cool to be able to track some of that outreach,” she said. “It feels like our efforts for both recruitment and retention are really starting to make a difference.”

Oyler also mentioned expanding learning communities and revising some classes to better benefit students. Her team worked on Math 1035, designed to help students knock

out most of their math requirements in just one class.

“I’m even more excited about our spring numbers, because it’s showing us that we have new levels of growth,” Oyler said, “This year, we’ve had higher year-over-year growth for spring than we’ve probably ever had.”

Another factor contributing to Weber State’s growing numbers is the collaboration with high school administrators regarding Concurrent Enrollment.

“One of our goals is to meet with at least all of the seniors and we started doing some outreach to junior highs and stuff as well,” Oyler said.

Almost 20% of students in concurrent en-

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rollment enroll at Weber State University following May graduation, not including those students who may leave on church missions right out of high school.

Oyler even mentioned efforts to better track the enrollment of students who had gone on missions or taken a gap year. Counting returned missionaries, university enrollment following concurrent enrollment may be even higher.

Student Access and Success has been working hard to see these results and Oyler is excited to see their efforts bring growth to Weber State.

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AJ HANDLEY | The Signpost

February 8, 2024 | thesignpostwsu.com | NEWS | 7

A group of students walk through Shepard Union together.

POR MARIA MANTILLA Traductor

POR MCKINNA BAIRD Reportero

La Universidad de Weber State alcanzó un récord histórico de matriculaciones el semestre de otoño pasado y las cifras no han hecho más que aumentar.

“Creo que es un gran acontecimiento para nosotros”, dijo Jessica Oyler, de Acceso y Éxito Estudiantil. “Este otoño vimos un crecimiento por primera vez en al menos cinco años”.

Oyler atribuye este éxito a los nuevos esfuerzos por facilitar la navegación de los estudiantes en Weber State. Una de las herramientas implementadas es un chatbot au-

tomatizado y un sistema de texto. Este sistema ofrece a los estudiantes recordatorios sobre inscripción, matrícula, FAFSA y más.

“Muchos datos nacionales muestran el impacto que esto tiene en los estudiantes”, afirma Oyler.

También mencionó que los estudiantes responden a mensajes como la estabilización de las tarifas de matrícula, la matrícula es la misma si los estudiantes cursan 12 o 18 horas de crédito- matriculándose en más clases.

“Es estupendo poder hacer un seguimiento de este tipo de actividades”, afirmó. “Da la sensación de que nuestros esfuerzos tanto de reclutamiento como de retención están empezando a marcar la diferencia”.

Oyler también mencionó la ampliación de las comunidades de aprendizaje y la revisión de algunas clases para beneficiar mejor a los

estudiantes. Su equipo trabajó en Matemáticas 1035, diseñada para ayudar a los estudiantes a completar la mayor parte de sus requisitos matemáticos en una sola clase.

“Estoy todavía más entusiasmado con nuestras cifras de primavera, porque nos están mostrando que tenemos nuevos niveles de crecimiento”, dijo Oyler. “Este año, hemos tenido un mayor crecimiento de año tras año para la primavera que probablemente nunca hayamos tenido”.

Otro factor que contribuye al aumento de las cifras de Weber State es la colaboración con los administradores de los institutos en relación con la matriculación dual.

“Una de nuestras metas es reunirnos con al menos todos los estudiantes de último año, y también hemos empezado a acercarnos a los estudiantes de primer ciclo de secundaria”, dijo Oyler.

Casi el 20% de los estudiantes en la matrícula dual en la universidad Weber State puede seguir la graduación, sin incluir a los estudiantes que podrían salir en misiones de la iglesia en lo que terminan de la escuela secundaria.

Oyler incluso mencionó los intentos de hacer un mejor seguimiento de la matrícula de los estudiantes que habían ido a misiones o se habían tomado un año sabático. Contando a los misioneros retornados, la matrícula universitaria que sigue a la matrícula dual puede ser aún mayor.

Acceso y Éxito Estudiantil ha estado trabajando duro para ver estos resultados y Oyler está emocionado de ver sus esfuerzos traer crecimiento a Weber State.

By COLLYN COWLES

Big Sky Academic All-Conference honors all five years at Weber State University.

Wildcat Softball finished the 2023 season with a 13–32 overall record and a 6–9 Big Sky Conference record. The season ended on May 10 with an 11–7 defeat to Portland State University in the Big Sky Tournament opener.

Following the opener the Wildcats played two consolation games with a 7–5 win over Sacramento State and ending the season with a 7–1 loss to Portland State.

Lauren Hoe -- Shortly after the 2023 season ended, Lauren Hoe became the first ever Wildcat to sign a professional softball contract. Hoe signed with the 2022 German softball champion Bonn Capitals and departed from Weber State University on May 28.

Hoe was a four-time all-conference selection during her time at WSU. She won the 2021 Big Sky Conference Player of the Year and ranks in the top 10 in the Big Sky Conference for a career in virtually every offensive statistic, including home runs (32), slugging percentage (.572), on-base percentage (.408), runs scored (87), and doubles (29).

Hoe played a total of 193 career games at Weber State and ranks second in school history with 34 career home runs and ranks third in walks and slugging percentage.

Hoe graduated from Weber State with dual bachelor’s degrees in Exercise and Sport Science and Rehabilitation Sciences. She earned

Kevin Jensen -- Heading into the 2024 season the Wildcats softball team made some changes to their coaching staff. Kevin Jensen, softball pitching coach, retired after his fiveyear tenure at Wildcat softball. During Jensen’s five years as a Wildcat, he was a part of three Big Sky Championship teams, including the 2019 team that won the first NCAA regional in Big Sky Conference history.

Jensen was a vital pitching coach who developed five all-conference pitchers, and two of the most dominant pitchers in Big Sky Conference history in 2021 Big Sky pitcher of the Year, Mariah Ramirez and 2022 Newcomer of the Year, Arisa Henderson.

Section Editor

Head coach Mary Kay Amicone –- Weber State softball owes much of its success to Head Coach Amicone, who has clinched 10 Big Sky regular season and tournament championships during her tenure at Weber State University. After a distinguished career spanning multiple institutions, including Weber State, Salt Lake Community College, and BYU, Coach Amicone has decided to retire following the conclusion of the 2024 Wildcat softball season.

Coach Amicone’s contributions extend beyond Weber State’s campus. Prior to her role at the university, she enjoyed successful coaching stints at Salt Lake Community College and BYU.

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KENNEDY CAMARENA | The Signpost

8 | SPORTS | thesignpostwsu.com | February 8, 2024

Makayla Donahoo prepares to scoop up the softball in the April 2022 softball season.

RAYSHAUN BAKER-LYNCH | The Signpost

February 8, 2024 | thesignpostwsu.com | SPORTS | 9

Mia Rushton (14) steps up to bat for the Wildcats during the April 2023 softball season.

Her influence transcended sports, breaking barriers as the first female head coach of a Utah high school boys baseball team.

With nearly 800 victories under her belt, Coach Amicone’s impact goes beyond the win-loss column. Her dedication to nurturing both the athletic and personal growth of her players has been unwavering. Reflecting on her journey, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to guide young athletes and impart valuable life lessons on and off the field.

“I started my college playing career here at Weber State and it’s been a real honor to end my career here,” Amicone said.

Having served as both a player and head coach at Weber State since 2014, Coach Amicone’s legacy is etched in the record books.

Her tenure has seen remarkable achievements, including 275 wins and numerous conference accolades. Amicone has steered Wildcat softball to six Big Sky regular season titles and four Big Sky tournament champion-

ships.

“I’ve been so fortunate to be a coach and a teacher for so long and as a coach, it’s been my mission to give back to our families and our players on and off the field, to make their lives excellent, and leave them in a better place,” Amicone said. “For me, it feels like I’ve set the path in a good direction and I’m ready to pass the torch.

Wildcat softball will start their 2024 season at the Kajikawa Classic in Phoenix, Arizona,

from Feb. 9-11. The first game of the season will be against the University of Wisconsin at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 9. Shortly after, the ‘Cats will face off against the University of Maine at 1:15 p.m.

On Feb. 10 the team will have more back-toback games with Northwestern at 10:30 a.m. and Grand Canyon University at 4 p.m.

Share this story at thesignpostwsu.com

NORLITO RANCHEZ | The Signpost

10 | CULTURE | thesignpostwsu.com | February 8, 2024

Inside the copy center lies equipment that meet student needs for presentations, reports, or marketing materials.

By JACEY ROE Reporter

Weber State University’s copy center in the Shepherd Union building is now offering to take and print passport photos in one day.

Pricing for the first set of two-by-two photos starts at $12.99, and any additional photos

cost $4.99.

Jessica Septom, WSU student and staff member, loves the idea of skipping Walgreens and other photo centers all together, giving her the opportunity to make the most of her time while she is still on campus.

“I’m just glad they can do it here so I can do my renewal faster,” Septom said.

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There are a few rules for those coming in to take passport photos: wear dark, pattern-free clothing; no head coverings except for religious purposes; avoid large jewelry; no glasses; and no smiling.

Brooklyn Medell, an employee at the copy center, said getting a passport from Weber State is cheaper than going to Staples, where

prices can start at $17.99. It is an easier process too; students just need to arrive at the copy center and ask for help.

“Yeah, just follow the rules of how to take a passport photo and come in and they’ll take it for you,” Medell said. “Definitely come here.”

February 8, 2024 | thesignpostwsu.com | NEWS | 11

DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEWS? QUIZ ANSWERS FROM PAGE 2

The answer is C, Gabby Douglas. According to NPR, the 28-year-old gold medalist is getting back into competitive gymnastics and is set to compete in an Olympic qualifying event later this month in Kentucky.

The answer is A, pregnant women. According to KSL, Utah lawmakers rejected a push to give more health coverage to low-income women, despite the testimonies of doctors and child advocates.

The answer is D, Las Vegas. According to AP News, this year’s Super Bowl LVIII is being held in Las Vegas. The teams playing in this year’s Super Bowl are the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers with Usher playing the halftime show.

The answer is A, King Charles III. According to Fox13, Buckingham Palace announced that the British Monarch was diagnosed with prostate cancer. This comes less than two years after the King was crowned after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

THE SIGNPOST TEAM Editor-in-Chief Kennedy Camarena kennedycamarena@mail.weber.edu

Chief Copy Editor Justin Steed justinsteed@mail.weber.edu

Managing Editor Marianna Lopez-Luritta mlopezluritta@mail.weber.edu

News Editor Brisa Odenthal brisaodenthal@mail.weber.edu

Design & Graphics Editor Star Neil starneil@mail.weber.edu

Asst. News Editor Gretel Monjar gretelmonjar@mail.weber.edu

Design & Graphics Editor Emilie Hart emiliehart@mail.weber.edu

Sports Editor Collyn Cowles collyncowles@mail.weber.edu

Photo Editor Anna Kuglar briannakuglar@mail.weber.edu

Asst. Sports Editor Jacoba Jones jacobajones@mail.weber.edu

Asst. Photo Editor Norlito Ranchez norlitoranchezjr@mail.weber.edu

Culture Editor Adam Montgomery adammontgomery1@mail.weber.edu

Culture Editor Lexie Andrew lexieandrew@mail.weber.edu Asst. Culture Editor Megan Swann meganswann@mail.weber.edu Translation Editor Nathanael Stout nathanaelstout@mail.weber.edu Adviser Jean Norman jeannorman@weber.edu

The Signpost is a student publication, written, edited and drafted

by Weber State University students. Student fees fund the printing of this publication. Opinions or positions voiced are not necessarily endorsed by the university. The Signpost reserves the right to edit for reasons of space and libel and to refuse to print any letters.

Letters should be submitted online to thesignpost@weber.edu and read letter to the Editor in the subject box. Letters should not exceed 350 words.

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