The Signpost: EXTREME WINDS FORCE CAMPUS CLOSURES - PHOTO ESSAY» PAGE 6 HOLDING ONTO HOPE

Friday | September 11, 2020 | Volume 93 | Issue 6

EXTREME WINDS FORCE CAMPUS CLOSURES >>>PAGE 02

PHOTO ESSAY» PAGE 6

HOLDING ONTO HOPE STEVEN CLIFT | The Signpost

BRIELLE HARKER | The Signpost

MyWeberMedia.com| September 11, 2020 | 03

People walked the streets the morning of Sept. 8 trying to see if there was any damage to their property.

By JENNIFER GREENLEE

BRIELLE HARKER | The Signpost

Editor in Chief

2020 CONTINUES TO INTERRUPT SCHOOLS

By MARISA NELSON

Section Editor

Weber State Campuses sent out a Code Purple for the second day in a row, canceling classes again on Sept. 9 after a another day of high winds that have been causing damage across Northern Utah.

The Code Purple stated, “Due to widespread power and internet outages and other wind related damage, all WSU classes at all locations have been cancelled Sept. 9.”

Code Purple is WSU’s campus-wide alert

system to warn students and staff of danger or campus closures.

“We made this decision taking into account several factors,” Dr. Ravi Krovi, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, said. “We were definitely concerned about the safety of our students, faculty and staff because there were continued microbursts this morning, even though the storm itself was subsiding.

Many homes around the Ogden and Salt Lake area are still without power. According to KSL, over 110,000 Utah residents are without

power.

“Most of the area is still dealing with widespread power outages and, as a result, a significant lack of internet connectivity,” Krovi said. “This became even more important since most of our classes have a virtual component this semester.”

Several school districts are closed for the second day because of the high winds. The districts with complete closures are Davis School District, Weber School District, Salt Lake School District and Ogden School District. Both Gran-

ite and Canyons have schools that are closed, but all other schools in those districts will be in session.

The wind advisory was sent out Monday night and was in effect until 9 a.m. this morning, but winds have continued into Sept. 9 and residents should expect not to regain power until Sept. 10. The National Weather Service still has a Hazardous Weather Outlook until Sept. 9 and into Sept. 10.

BRIELLE HARKER | The Signpost

WITH ONGOING WIND STORM

During the windstorm on Sept. 8 trampolines could be seen down the street.

Weber State University sent out a Code Purple message at 6:47 a.m. on Sept. 8 alerting students that all classes on all campuses will be canceled until 12 p.m. due to the hurricane-force winds that are being seen across Utah. WSU sent out a second Code Purple at 7:14 a.m. additionally canceling all online classes until 12 p.m.

The Code Purple also said there would be an update about afternoon classes later in the morning, and after 10:30 a.m. the university canceled all classes in all delivery methods for the day.

Several K-12 school districts are also canceling school for the day as gusts buffet Northern Utah.

Davis School District, Weber School District and Ogden School District are closed for the day. NUAMES High School is also closed on both the Weber and Layton Campus for the day. Cache School District is on a two-hour delayed start.

On Sept. 7, a High Wind Warning began at 8 p.m. The winds are expected to peak between 6 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Sept. 8. Wind speeds could be higher than 70 mph, according to KUTV. A model on Sept. 7 also predicted that Centerville and Farmington could see wind speeds upwards of 90 mph.

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Join us for virtual and in-person events and involvement opportunities the first four weeks of school!

weber.edu/wildcatwelcome Tree branches shattered windows and totaled cars.

BRIELLE HARKER | The Signpost

02 | MyWeberMedia.com| September 11, 2020

04 | MyWeberMedia.com| September 11, 2020

MORE MONEY, MORE EDUCATION, MORE OPPORTUNITY

By ADAM RUBIN Senior Reporter

Weber State University is staying adaptable through difficult times with its Flexible Learn and Work Study paths. These allow busy students to earn stackable credentials and certificates of proficiency on a streamlined educational path. The paths are designed to translate into jobs for certificate-earners in high-demand industries and to open the opportunity for continued education.

The flexible, low-cost study programs are available for everyone. It is a rare opportunity, especially because there are grants and money available to help incentivize people to take advantage of these “once-in-a-lifetime” educational opportunities.

“These funds are from the State Legislature that created the GOED and USHE Fund,” said Director of Sponsored Projects and Technology Commercialization at WSU James Taylor. “However, these funds are part of the CARES Act given to the state of Utah.”

These funds are available for all residents of Utah.

The funding for the program is not a grant that students

can apply for; the money was granted to WSU in order to help create this opportunity for those who have been impacted by the recent pandemic.

“They are grants given to the university to help build programs that will help community, industry and current students return to work through up-skilling and retooling their education,” said Director of Credentials and Concurrent Enrollment at WSU Beth Rhoades. “These (funds) are meant to help employees get back to work if they have been displaced due to COVID-19.”

Associate Dean of The College of Engineering and Applied Technology Dr. Brian Rague has been heavily involved with the program. Both WSU and the local industry advisory council have come together to ensure the curriculum for these certificates are suitable for the high demand of unfilled jobs in their respective fields.

“An individual from the community who earns this certificate can bring it to a place of work and the employer will recognize it as a substantial effort of trying to learn whatever skill sets they have been certified on,” Rague said. “These certificates of proficiency have intrinsic value and can help launch someone’s career.”

In addition to the funding for better education, the paths stack for future education for students.

Weber Rec We’re ready for you!

“This is a unique and special opportunity for individuals who have thought about becoming proficient in a certain skill to take advantage of the tuition support that is available,” Rague added. “It’s probably a one-time opportunity, so it’s best to take advantage of it now.”

A.J. and Angela Harold, husband and wife, have both taken advantage of this opportunity. A.J. was working while Angela had already earned a bachelor’s in accounting as well as international economics at WSU in 2017.

They both spoke with their academic advisor in January because they wanted to allow themselves to be more flexible for post-graduation opportunities. With A.J.’s experience in working with agencies, he felt that he wanted to earn his education in computer science.

Angela, although having already earned her bachelor’s from WSU, also wanted to expand her educational and learn computer science because she felt she did not have the knowledge that she knew would be useful.

“If there are people who are debating whether or not they should do it,” Angela Harold said. “Just do it because this is an awesome opportunity that doesn’t come to everyone.”

Before A.J. jumped into the CS Flex Computer Sci-

ence program, he was attending an all-online school. He felt that it would be a cheap, flexible and useful opportunity for his educational goals; however, it didn’t work for him.

“There wasn’t an instructor, it was just tests. There just wasn’t the same value there. If you got it, you could move forward, but if you didn’t, or you got stuck, it was like ‘Oh well,’” A.J. said.

The one major benefit to attending WSU’s CS Flex and Work Study programs, A.J. went on to explain, is that it follows the traditional learning environment that Weber State offers: instructors and people who are resources for students. Plus, the content that the Harolds’ are “absorbing” through the CS Flex Program is content they feel like they can use on a job already.

This opportunity will be available to all Utah residents; however, in order to make use of the financial aspect of this perhaps once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, students who are interested have until Spring 2021 to complete their respective educational proficiency certifications.

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SCAN

WITH YOUR PHONE CAMERA FOR A CONTACTLESS MENU!

(6) lunch Specials with drinks $9.99 10% off weber for all students Open from 10 am to 9:00 pm.

Fall 2020

Virtual and in-person services and engagement opportunities WEBER REC For more information go to Weber.edu/CampusRecreation or contact us at CampusRecreation@Weber.edu

weber.edu/keepingconnected

06 | MyWeberMedia.com| September 11, 2020

By STEVEN CLIFT Photographer

A duck in its natural habitat.

A lovely street art rendition of a ghost. Located in a concrete tunnel.

STEVEN CLIFT | The Signpost

The Beatles album “Revolver” is playing on vinyl.

STEVEN CLIFT | The Signpost

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A bee enjoying the gentle breeze while pollinating the sunflower.

STEVEN CLIFT | The Signpost

MATTER

STEVEN CLIFT | The Signpost

STEVEN CLIFT | The Signpost

YOU

Each year, over 800,000 lives are lost to suicide. Young people are more likely to die from suicide than any other cause of death. The entire month of September is dedicated to raising awareness for mental health issues and suicide prevention. According to the CDC, a quarter of all Americans deal with depression in their dayto-day lives.

2020 has been a year unlike any others. The pandemic has changed the world as we know it. It seems as if the country is more polarized than ever. Businesses are restricted, classes are online and most extracurricular activities are no longer being held. In an effort to stay safe, people are spending most of their time isolated inside their homes. Employees are working from home more than before. Concerts are a thing of the past.

But there is always hope. We must never lose hope. Nothing is more beneficial for your mind, body and soul, than taking a day for yourself to do anything and everything that you want to.

Some things can help us more than others.

Music has endless benefits. It is background noise to help you focus. Music is entertainment for a long drive. Music can be the difference between having a good day or a bad day. Music is the much-needed distraction from the chaos of the world.

Appreciate the little things in life and get outside! After a long, hard day, a short stroll in the great outdoors can do wonders for the human mind and soul.

We can learn so much from animals. The mothers always protect the young. Birds will always fly away when they get scared. Dogs bark and cats meow. With so many variables in life, it is comforting to know that some things will never change.

While vandalism is never acceptable, art must be appreciated. When you paint, you transform the vision you have in your mind into a real and everlasting impression on the world.

As the day ends, take a moment to reflect on what you accomplished. Do not focus on the negative. It does not matter if you still have work to be finished, that is for the next day. Give yourself the accolades you deserve.

You matter.

If you or someone you know is at risk, please call the Suicide Hotline at 800-273-8255.

MyWeberMedia.com| September 11, 2020 | 07

Floral Arraignment saying “Hope” at Sugar House Park.

6ft

08 | MyWeberMedia.com| September 11, 2020

SLOW

FEELING SICK? ¿Se siente enfermo?

THE SPREAD OF

COVID-19

NO ENTRE si tiene tos, fiebre, falta de aliento o se siente mal.

WASH YOUR HANDS

Cúbrese la Cara

Lávase las Manos

Wear a mask or face covering.

They are required on campus.

Wash your hands often with soap for at least 20 seconds.

Use una máscara o cubrebocas.

Son requeridas en el campus.

Lávase las manos con jabón por al menos 20 segundos.

SOCIAL DISTANCE

Asymptomatic COVID-19 Carrier

LIMIT CONTACT 6ft

Distanciamento Social 6ft

HOW FACE COVERINGS IMPACT SPREAD OF COVID-19

DO NOT ENTER if you have a cough, fever, shortness of breath, or are feeling unwell.

Reduzca la propagación del COVID-19

COVER YOUR FACE

MyWeberMedia.com| September 11, 2020 | 09

Límite Contacto

Maintain six feet of social distancing.

No handshakes or unnecessary physical contact.

Mantenga la sana distancia de al menos seis pies.

No salude de mano ni tenga contacto físico innecesario.

6ft

Uninfected Person

CHANCE OF TRANSMISSION

VERY HIGH AYUDE A MANTENERNOS A TODOS MÁS SEGUROS EN EL CAMPUS

visit

HIGH

weber.edu/coronavirus for more info and updates

THE SHOW GOES ON

By ALLY NELSON

Senior Reporter

The Local Artisan in Ogden did not want to let the global pandemic get in its way of its annual Art Stroll, so owners, entrepreneurs and artists, Stephanie Saint-Thomas and Jenny Rawson de Venegas organized the virtual event from Facebook Live so local artists could have a platform to share their art while socially distanced.

This new way of life has left people with a sense of disconnectedness from the world.

The Local Artisan started doing giveaways to get people interested in products, so a few local businesses and independent artists chose viewers from the Facebook streaming event to give away their products to as a method of establishing a closeness often hard to accomplish these days.

Some of the products in the giveaway were author Heather Green’s newly-released book titled, “Fan Girl,” a serving-size container of microgreens from Urban Prairie Agriculture and two hand-sewn leather credit card holders designed by Earl Talbot of The Local Artisan, among other prizes.

As the featured artist of the night, Earl Talbot, showcased the leather workshop from his basement at home. The shelves and work tables were littered with leather pieces of all different colors and designs.

Earl and his wife Marygail are business partners, where he sews leather backpacks, purses, satchels, wallets and card holders, and she stitches one-of-a-kind leather earrings.

Earl said he makes sure to use up as much leather as he can, and the leftover leather fabric can be used for jewelry, which often makes for a matching bag and earrings.

Putting to use new and antique leather, Earl finds it important to work with all types of leather for all ages and styles for women and men. He also teaches a wide selection of leather sewing classes at The Local Artisan.

Saint-Thomas and Venegas’ goal for their business was for people of all different backgrounds to become involved in the arts, so they chose an author who wrote a book about the worldwide issue of child trafficking.

When Green streamed for the event, she read from the prologue of her unreleased book “For Her” to see if her audience could tell her what the story was about and how it might end.

She described a 19-year-old daughter named Dasha with an alcoholic mother who later revealed that she had already sold her youngest daughter, and that she was going to sell Dasha the next day. After repeatedly call-

ing her daughter vile names, the mother grew frustrated and threw her whisky bottle at the door so Dasha ran for her room. She’d planned to keep the money from her job so she could go save her sister.

Green left the story off there and let the audience write the ending for themselves to encourage the understanding that everyone can write.

Green confirmed the book was about child trafficking, but left with the message of paying close attention to the things more closely. Green said she hoped that reading from her prologue inspired others, writers and non-writers, to be thinking of new ideas.

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MEDIUM LOW

Will you be outside your personal vehicle?

No mask needed

VERY LOW

Are you outside?

Can you guarantee that?

Bring a mask just in case

VIRTUALLY NONE

HELP KEEP US ALL SAFER ON CAMPUS. visit weber.edu/maskup for more info and updates The Local Artisan Collective has banded together in the pandemic to create an online Facebook Live Art Stroll.

ALLY NELSON | The Signpost

Will you be in a classroom, hallway, bathroom, lobby, study space, office, stairwell, elevator or lab?

Are there people around?

ALLY NELSON | The Signpost

Are you going inside a building?

6+ feet

Earl and Marygail Talbot create many items, including bags and earrings, out of leather.

SHAKING HANDS WITH POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS THROUGH HANDSHAKE

14 10 | MyWeberMedia.com| September 08, 10, 2020

MyWeberMedia.com| September 11, 2020 | 11

It’s Almost Here.

Section Editor

participate in mock interviews.

Other resources are also available through the Career Service website and Handshake.

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ost

DS | The Sig np

The many life changes brought by COVID-19 continue to shape our future. Finding internships and quality employment is part of that ever-growing list.

Many workers have found that working at home is doable and sometimes more effective. Working through technology and communicating with potential employers is hard enough, but putting them together makes the game even more complicated.

WSU uses the application Handshake to help students find the best opportunities for them. Handshake is a virtual job board that helps connect students to employers specific to their university. But its features range beyond just job postings.

According to the WSU Handshake website, the app allows students to learn about upcoming job fairs, meet with career advisers and reach out to WSU-approved employers.

Employer and Events Specialist for Career Services Kyle Hole said the best way to use Handshake is to become familiar with it.

Creating your profile will help Handshake pick jobs that specifically relate to you, while searching and applying for jobs brings up more related options.

When looking for internships or jobs, Handshake allows you to use keywords such as ‘part time’, ‘remote’ and other key terms related to your field. One big bonus of using the app is that it is all online. You can search for jobs, and contact employers and Career Service mentors all from home.

WSU was one of the first schools in Utah to adopt Handshake as its primary job posting site. Now over 1,000 schools use Handshake

“You can’t just mention to someone down the hall that you need something from them,” Hole said.

This distance aspect has made school and work more challenging, but companies will be looking for those who can communicate well in a remote setting.

Director of Career Services Dr. Winn Stanger said they encourage students to use the resources offered at the center as early and as often as possible. Discovering who you are and what your interests are can help lead students to a great future.

Career Services on campus offers many resources to students. Meeting with a career mentor can still be scheduled through Handshake but is done through virtual means. The Career Station is open from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. each day, virtual and in-person, where students can get hands on help with their resumes and

ALLI RICKAR

Young Adult Pass Just $619 Prices Increase Sept. 9th

to connect with real employers and find students their dream job.

During the time of COVID-19, jobs and internships have started to look a little bit different. Many workers have done well with remote working, and companies may look to that in the future.

Remote working has been proven to work for many companies. Hole said that we could see a difference in how frequently companies allow their workers to work from home.

Handshake allows you to search for specific jobs that are remote right now because of the global pandemic. This could be enticing to students who wouldn’t have the means to move out of state for a internship, but could participate in a remote option for the company.

“Obviously the work environment is going to be different, especially with a lot of places working from home,” Hole said. “They have to be able to rely on you still getting all your work done, without having the structured schedule.”

Employers on Handshake are looking specifically for students. This means that you won’t have to have 10 years of experience on your resume, and companies will know that your schedule and resources could look different from other adults. Applying on Handshake gives you the advantage over applying in the regular pool.

According to The National Association of Colleges and Employers list, there are 8 critical skills students should have for career readiness. Some of these include critical thinking and problem solving, professionalism/work ethic and written and oral communication.

Good communication is now more essential than ever. Communicating takes more time.

By MARISA NELSON

THE SIGNPOST TEAM Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Greenlee jennifergreenlee@mail.weber.edu

Photo Editor Robert Lewis robertlewis7@mail.weber.edu

Sports Editor Raymond Lucas raymondlucas@mail.weber.edu

Managing Editor Daryn Steed darynsteed0@gmail.com

Asst. Photo Editor BriElle Harker brielleharker@mail.weber.edu

Asst. Sports Editor Miles Shaw milesshaw@mail.weber.edu

Chief Copy Editor Nic Muranaka nicholasmuranaka@weber.edu

Culture Editor Caitlyn Nichols caitlynnichols@mail.weber.edu

News Editor Marisa Nelson marisanelson@mail.weber.edu

Social Media Manager Kalli Prendergast kandidkalliP@gmail.com Webmaster David Morris david.lee.morris@gmail.com

Design & Graphics Editor Aubree Eckhardt aubreeeckhardt@mail.weber.edu Asst. Design & Graphics Editor Alli Rickards alexandrarickards@mail.weber.edu Videography Editor Sarah Earnshaw sarahearnshaw@mail.weber.edu

Asst. News Editor Francia Henriquez Benson fhenriquezbenson@weber.edu

Adviser Jean Norman jeannorman@ weber.edu Ad Manager KC Sanders kcsanders@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.

12 | MyWeberMedia.com| September 03, 2020

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