The Signpost: CAMPUS UPROOTED >>>PAGE 8 WALK IN THE PARK_ING LOT NEWS >>>PAGE 2 SUICIDE PREVENTION D

Friday | September 25, 2020 | Volume 93 | Issue 10

CAMPUS UPROOTED >>>PAGE 8

NIKKI DORBER| The Signpost

NEWS » PAGE 2

OPINION » PAGE 4

WALK IN THE PARK-ING LOT

SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY NIKKI DORBER| The Signpost

NIKKI DORBER| The Signpost

02 | MyWeberMedia.com| September 25, 2020

ROBERT LEWIS | The Signpost

PULL UP TO NEW PARKING DURING THE PANDEMIC W4 and W5 parking lots are located on the north side of Stewart Stadium.

By MARISA NELSON Section Editor

Weber State University made rapid changes to accommodate pandemic protocol, which has now affected campus parking.

On Sept. 14, the university sent out a campus-wide email that stated “due to the limited number of faculty, staff and students parking on campus,” adjustments had to be made.

Adjustments to parking did not change

much for individuals who have valid A permits. Those who have valid permits can now park in any of the A lots.

However, parking Lots W4 and W5 will now be open to students who purchased a Dee Events Center parking pass, as well as individuals with W permits. The campus shuttle service from the Dee Events Center, however, is no longer running during the fall 2020 semester.

“The shuttle service from the Dee Events

Center will be discontinued on Friday, Sept.

18, end of business day, for the remainder of the semester,” the email from Crystal Taylor, director of Event Facilities and Parking, said.

A shuttle from Wildcat Village will still be available and will run on weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. This service can be used by students who are parking in the W4 and W5 lots.

The final change was for those students accessing Wi-Fi from their vehicles. These indi-

viduals will need to park and access the wifi through the south end of the W4 lot.

Students are required to stay inside their vehicles with the vehicle turned off. If there is no occupant, the vehicles will need to have a valid parking permit.

Those who have questions about these adjustments can contact Parking Services through email or phone.

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WEBER CAMPUS

COVID CASE UPDATES 7 days: 7 14 days: 12 total: 54

Will you be outside your personal vehicle?

DAVIS COUNTY

WEBER COUNTY

7 days: 348 total: 4,686

7 days: 251 total: 3,944

COVID CASE UPDATES

COVID CASE UPDATES

UTAH

WEEKLY AVERAGE:

total: 63,772

WEBER CAMPUS

COVID CASE UPDATES

No mask needed Are you going inside a building?

Are you outside?

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

Are there people around?

Can you guarantee that?

Bring a mask just in case

MyWeberMedia.com| September 25, 2020 | 03

$

Where do your student fees go?

Apply to serve on the

? $ ?

STUDENT FEE RECOMMENDATION

COMMITTEE to make recommendations for the distribution of your student fees

m o n t h

TO APPLY

Pick up an application at the Student Involvement & Leadership Office or online at weber.edu/studentaffairs

SEP 15 - OCT 15 weber.edu/diversity

Diversity and Inclusive Programs Access and Diversity Center for Multicultural Excellence Office of the President

For more information or to request accommodations in relation to a disability, contact Andrea Hernรกndez at andreahernandez2@weber.edu

APPLICATION DEADLINE

4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020

Submit completed applications to Student Involvement & Leadership, Shepherd Union 326 or email to miloannphillips@weber.edu Questions: 801-626-6008

04 | MyWeberMedia.com| September 25, 2020

By NIKKI DORBER Photographer

Our world has an enemy; one so powerful that even the largest military force cannot stop it. It doesn’t care about location, gender, status or race.

It is responsible for taking 132 lives per day, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The organization reports that a staggering 950,000 years of potential life were lost to suicide before age 65 in 2019 alone.

It is an epidemic, and it stalks our citizens. It takes its toll on families, friends and loved ones and leaves a trail of destruction behind.

According to the CDC, suicide is the tenth-leading cause of death in the U.S., and the second-leading cause of death among people ages 10-34. There were 1.4 million suicide attempts in the year 2018. And, while females are more likely to attempt suicide, men are far more likely to die during suicide.

Fortunately, government and non-government entities have developed guidelines, support groups, crisis lines, prevention and awareness programs for those in crisis and those left behind.

On World Suicide Prevention Day, Sept. 10, the AFSP held a virtual meeting to offer hope to those who have been impacted by the enemy that plagues so many.

The research into what causes suicide and potential ways to stop it is an ongoing process.

The AFSP described commonalities in past and ongoing studies; researchers often look for mile markers, such as blood work, that could possibly indicate the risk of suicide. Meanwhile, they are searching for answers in the social realm of our society.

Research by mental health experts indicate there is an uptick in young people — those between the ages of 10-34 — ending their lives.

Some research suggests that it may correlate with

social media. Social media allows for cyber bullying, taunting and ostracizing their peers. It has also offered a platform, webcams and, unfortunately, an audience, which some may use to share their pain or suicide attempt.

“Data shows that though life events are not thought to be the cause of suicide or suicide attempts, if there is an underlying issue, it could be a trigger,” according to the AFSP. They also explain the importance of having at least one friend or loved one whom you can trust and talk to about anything, including potential triggers.

“It is important to recognize warning signs,” the AFSP said.

They went on to explain that suicide awareness is important to advocate.

In light of COVID-19, the AFSP hosted a virtual candlelight service in honor of loved ones who have been lost or those who survived an attempt of suicide. During the service, certain beads were

used to represent those who had lost a loved one to suicide and those who had survived a suicide attempt.

“It is a way of connecting with one another. If I see that someone else is wearing a red beaded necklace due to losing a spouse, I feel as though I can approach them without judgement,” said one attendee.

Each person on the virtual candlelight service lit the candle while telling those in attendance what their color was.

Throughout the month of September, mental health advocates, prevention programs, suicide survivors, families of lost loved ones and communities rally to end the epidemic which plagues our country. Our country has taken a stand against this enemy by offering hope, promoting healing and advocating life.

Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com NIKKI DORBER | The Signpost

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September 10 is World Suicide Awareness Day and the month of September Suicide Awareness Month.

It’s Almost Here.

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

Powerful hurricane winds hits Northern Utah on Sept. 8 and 9, toppling trees and causing destruction throughout Weber State University’s campus.

By LISSETE LANDAVERDE

Reporter

Weber State University canceled classes on all campuses on Sept. 8 and Sept. 9 due to high winds that damaged buildings and trees, and left 150,000 Rocky Mountain customers without power.

As a result of the winds, 60 trees on campus were lost. Another 92 had damaged limbs, requiring they be trimmed and monitored so they are not entirely lost.

Employees were quick to respond, as the Facilities Management group had an “all hands”

day of help on Sept. 9. According to WSU landscape manager Troy Bell, over 100 members were able to help with a large portion of the cleanup.

Despite the damage done to the trees and landscaping, it will not impact WSU’s status as a Tree Campus USA. “We will definitely submit higher numbers in loss for the year, but also higher numbers in resources spent to maintain and improve our trees,” Bell said.

Some of the fallen trees will be replaced with identical tree species, but some will be changed.

Bell said while it is hard to plan for situations like this, there are still many things to consider when choosing what trees to plant around campus, such as the soil, color and size.

Weber State has been named a Tree Campus USA school for nine years in a row by the Arbor Day Foundation.

Every fall and spring semester there is a tree planting event in which both students and the community can participate.

Students and staff helped plant nine new trees during the fall 2019 tree planting event; however, the spring 2020 tree planning event was canceled because of COVID-19 restric-

NIKKI DORBER | The Signpost

06 | MyWeberMedia.com| September 25, 2020

tions.

Bell praised his landscaping group’s work, particularly following the windstorm.

“They show up every day to create a safe and gorgeous place for us all to enjoy,” he said.

“Their hard work, especially in stormy conditions like this, makes me proud to be a part of their group.”

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Trees were put to the test during this month’s windstorms; some made it out with broken limbs and branches, while others were pulled from the ground.

NIKKI DORBER | The Signpost

MyWeberMedia.com| September 25, 2020 | 07

08 | MyWeberMedia.com| September 25, 2020

By TYLER HASLAM Columnist

Typically, when the first week of the NFL season concludes, people start jumping to conclusions. Especially when expectations aren’t met.

If a team that’s expected to be successful looks bad in the first game, it might as well be doomsday for that team’s fanbase.

On the flip side, if a supposedly-poor team comes out and gets a win week one, the hopes of many wins and playoff aspirations suddenly fill the minds of that team’s fanbase.

I somehow find myself guilty of this every NFL season. I tell myself that it’s just one game and that I should withhold judgment, but my mind still manages to drift there anyway.

This is just what sports fans naturally do. We make conclusions with whatever sample size we have, however small that sample size may be.

Sometimes these conclusions end up being accurate, but other times they end up being total overreactions.

However, with the COVID-19 pandemic looming over this season, fans may actually be entitled to jump to

conclusions because we don’t know how the virus will affect players, teams and the league as a whole.

A star player may get the virus and have to miss multiple games, or, if an outbreak occurs, the NFL may shorten the season.

Because of these big unknowns, maybe jumping to conclusions this early in the season is justified in 2020.

In an NFL season, every game counts.

But under unique circumstances, early games might count even more down the road.

Regardless, the only way we can truly find out if our assumptions are true is to wait and watch how the rest of the season unfolds.

With week two now in the books, we have a two-game sample size instead of one.

With that larger sample size comes more clarity. Our week one judgments begin to turn into reality or become silly overreactions.

Let’s consider some of the conclusions I rushed to after week one and see where they stand after week two.

Everyone watched Tom Brady suit up in a different jersey for the first time in 20 years as he took the field for his

debut game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Brady threw two interceptions and the Bucs struggled to consistently move the ball on offense against the Saints.

Week one me started to wonder if there was a possibility that the marriage between Tom Brady and the Buccaneers might not work and whether or not the 42-year-old was finally approaching that dreaded decline all older quarterbacks encounter.

That thinking now appears to be an overreaction following Tampa Bay’s victory over the Carolina Panthers this past Sunday.

It still wasn’t a pretty game from Brady individually, but the Buccaneers rushing attack and defense were exceptional. Tampa Bay’s newly-acquired running back Leonard Fournette exploded for 102 yards and two touchdowns and the defense held all-pro running back Chistian McCaffrey in check for most of the game.

Yes, I know, they played the Panthers, who are now winless through two games, but progress is progress.

After an offseason of loading up talent on the offensive side of the ball,

it appears that Tampa Bay has a legitimate defense and a strong running game that can buy Brady the time he needs to develop in-game chemistry with his new offensive playmakers.

I may have made another overreaction when I watched the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens play in week one.

These two came as the top two highest odds to win this year’s Super Bowl and they looked the part.

Both teams appeared to be nearly invincible in their opening games.

Reigning MVP Lamar Jackson and reining Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes both looked like their usual, dominant, electrifying selves.

I began thinking that these squads were going to plow through everyone they’d face, but they seemed more vulnerable than I initially thought. Both teams came away with a victory, but they didn’t make it look as easy as they did in week one.

Jackson was sacked four times and was under pressure for many of his drop-backs. If not for Jackson’s elite elusiveness, that sack number would’ve been much higher.

The Chiefs struggled to get things

pixabay.com

MyWeberMedia.com| September 25, 2020 | 09

going on offense, punting on five of their first six possessions. Mahomes was able to get things rolling later on, but the team needed overtime to win.

I’m not saying these teams are no longer legitimate title contenders, because they absolutely are. I’m just saying that week two showed that the elite players on these teams are human after all.

Surprisingly, a handful of my premature week one conclusions appear to be accurate following week two.

The Eagles looked bad in their week one loss to Washington, and I thought they might be in trouble.

They are now 0-2 and Carson Wentz struggled for the second game in a row. Wentz already has four interceptions after throwing only seven last year. Things will have to improve quickly if the 2018 champs want to salvage their season.

The Arizona Cardinals looked great in their season opener against San Francisco and Kyler Murray looked like he might play his way into the MVP conversation this season. My week one self didn’t feel like that win was fluky.

They looked good once again this week as they handily defeated the

Washington Football Team.

Arizona has their work cut out for them as a member of one of the toughest divisions in the NFL, but they certainly look vastly improved from last season.

Let’s be real though: things are so fluid in the NFL, it’s really pointless to make these conclusions so early in the season unless something unexpected comes from COVID-19.

Teams will be playing differently now than they will be closer to playoff time. Week two showed that injuries can come to anyone at any time as star players like Saquon Barkley and Nick Bosa suffered season-ending injuries along with many others.

So, I really shouldn’t be jumping to conclusions now when the NFL landscape changes so frequently week to week. But hey, I’m a sports fan. I just can’t help myself.

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The search

ANDRE EREBIA

MyWeberMedia.com| September 25, 2020 | 11

for Shelby

Campbell

is still on

By FRANCIA BENSON

Asst. Section Editor

On the morning of Sept. 8, 29-year-old Shelby Campbell went out hiking along the North Ogden Divide and hasn’t been seen since.

The windstorm that hit Utah that day could have played a role in her disappearance, potentially pushing her down the mountain. For this reason, Weber County Search and Rescue Weber and volunteers have been looking through bushes and limited accessibility areas.

Her boyfriend, Andre Erebia, said his last contact with Campbell was at 10:07 a.m. on Sept. 8. He stated that her car, a tan-colored 2009 Nissan Maxima, was found at 8:57 p.m. at the South Skyline Trailhead on North Ogden Canyon Road.

Erebia expressed that the family called 911 at 9 p.m. when she didn’t return home. Weber County Search and Rescue started looking for her within an hour after the call.

Erebia and Campbell’s sister, Heather Oxborrow Cummins, created a Facebook page dedicated to finding her. As of writing, the page has a total of 4.3 thousand members.

Every day, volunteers search where she is believed to have hiked and post on the page the areas and trails they covered.

They also post their tracks on the searchfor.us page to let others know where they have searched.

Many people have been donating their time, resources and supplies. Some groups have searched using drones; others on horses. Several people have donated water and snacks that are left at the trailhead up the North Ogden divide.

In an official statement, Cummins said T-mobile hasn’t given

Shelby Campbell and her boyfriend Andre Erebia.

Campbell’s phone records to the family. They were requested by law enforcement within 48 hours of her disappearance. The tardiness caused people to contact representatives to make it illegal for phone companies to withhold phone records and to provide them to the victim’s families within a reasonable time.

“Top priority is finding her,” Erebia said. “We won’t rest until we do.”

He thanks everyone for the support they have offered to find Campbell.

If you have any information about Campbell, contact Andre Erebia or her sister Heather Oxborrow Cummins through the official Facebook page. Or contact the Weber County Sheriff’s Office at 801-629-8221.

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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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