The Signpost: IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE A COVID CHRISTMAS >>> 2021 CALENDAR

Tuesday | December 1, 2020 | Volume 93 | Issue 28

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE A COVID CHRISTMAS >>>PAGE 8

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SPORTS » PAGE 5

NEWS » PAGE 3

BOUNCING BACK TO BASKETBALL

PODCASTING THE PANDEMIC BRIELLE HARKER | The Signpost

WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY

2 | MyWeberMedia.com| December 1, 2020

By MARISA NELSON Section Editor

Caught in the act On Nov. 7, an officer saw a vehicle in the W3 parking lot with a male in the back seat whose head kept popping up and down.

The officer made contact with the individuals and advised them that WSU was public property and that they were okay so long as they were not causing a lewdness issue.

Ongoing threat Email threats were sent to the office of a college on campus. Officers were able to obtain screenshots but have not identified the individual at this time. The case is still open and pending investigation.

Fainting in class A student in the Kimball Fine Arts Building was reported to have had a seizure and was unconscious. When the officer arrived, the student was alert and awake. The officer spoke to a witness, the professor, who had seen the student’s head dropping while he

was giving instruction.

He caught her head as she was falling over and placed a towel on the back of her head while she was on the ground. The professor reported that he had not seen her convulsing or shaking. The student was cleared by a medical evaluation and the officer found that no external circumstances were related to the possible seizure.

Cat fights An officer was dispatched to the ice sheet, where individuals were making threats at a

vehicle in the parking lot and yelling profanities. When the officer arrived, both parties had left, but the complainant stated that they were putting stickers on her vehicle and trying to start a fight with her.

The officer made contact with the other individuals who reported a stolen sticker, but ultimately no further police action was taken, and the case is closed.

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WEBER CAMPUS COVID CASE UPDATES 7 days: 34 14 days: 93 total: 373 DAVIS COUNTY

WEBER COUNTY

7 days: 1,561 total: 16,308

7 days: 34 total: 12,945

COVID CASE UPDATES

COVID CASE UPDATES

UTAH total: 193,809

WEBER CAMPUS COVID CASE UPDATES

Photo by Matt Popovich on Unsplash

ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS ON PAGE 15

MyWeberMedia.com| December 1, 2020 | 3

By JOSHUA KAMP Reporter

WSU students have created a new podcast, “Covid, College Chaos” to give tips on thriving as a college student during the pandemic.

Each of the three-episode podcast covers a practical topic including how to spend time wisely while planning for the future, tips about self-care and how to get involved in outdoor recreation.

Each episode is co-hosted by a different pair of students, featuring interviews with WSU faculty who give insight on how to make the best out of the college experience in spite of challenges posed by the pandemic.

“We really want this to be something they can get something out of, whether it’s funny, relatable or helpful,” said Shaylee Stevens, a senior studying public relations and advertising, who worked on the podcast.

The podcast is a product of Professor Leslie Howerton’s Comm 4500 class, “Topics in Public Relations.”

The class changes topics every semester and fall 2020 was supposed to cover PR production, Stevens said.

Due to pandemic restrictions, Howerton had to shift the approach of the class, and the students collectively decided to do a podcast, Stevens said. The flexibility of a podcast allowed for remote collaboration via Adobe Audition or for the co-hosts to plan how to meet in-person.

With the class being an upper level class, the podcast creators also touch on the big question of what will happen when college is over.

“A lot of us are getting ready to graduate in April,” said Olivia Bailey, another PR and advertising major who worked on the podcast.

“We are all thinking, how do we find a career when that happens? Everything feels like it is shut down.”

In the first episode, “Navigating College During Covid,” released Nov. 25, Bailey and Dusty Hinze addressed this uncertainty as they spoke to Amelia Williams, advisor for Career Services and the College of Arts and Humanities at WSU. Williams emphasized there are many resources available to students who need help finding future direction, even during this time of COVID-19 restrictions. She also believes that a lot of students do not seek much-need- Top left photo: Dusty Hinze ed help earlier because they think Career Top Right: Olivia Bailey Services can only help those who are about to graduate and enter the workforce.

“Certainly, we do help at that stage, but we can help students the minute they become DEC. 7–18 Wildcats,” she said.

Aside from helping to pin down internships and the after-college job, Career Services can provide students with resources to research different career fields, which can help students decide on the right major early on.

The second episode, “Mental Health & Self Care,” hosted by Stevens and Mikaela Bingham, will release Dec. 2, and the third episode, “Outdoor Recreation,” hosted by Callia Oyama and Chase Moffett, will release Dec. 9.

“Covid, College Chaos” is available via the SoundCloud app and website.

Stuffed Toy

DRIVE

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Office of Diversity Weber State Police Access & Diversity

Women’s Center Student Involvement & Leadership Athletics

Weber State University

Weber State University

PODCAST PROMOTES POSITIVITY AND PROACTIVENESS IN PERIOD OF COLLEGE CHAOS CAUSED BY COVID

Help us provide stuffed toys to comfort children suffering from a traumatic event.

Police meet children daily who are coping from a recent car accident or the arrest of a loved one. A gift of a stuffed animal can provide them with a level of comfort.

Bring your new and un-wrapped stuffed toys to any of the drop-off locations:

Women’s Center (SU 323) Access & Diversity (SC 150) WSUPD (3734 Dixon Pkwy) Student Involvement & Leadership (SU 326) · Stewart Stadium Sky Suite · Miller Admin · Center for Diversity & Unity (SU 232) · · · ·

weber.edu/womenscenter

For more information or to request accommodations in relation to a disability, contact Jessica Pleyel at jessicapleyel@weber.edu

4 | MyWeberMedia.com| December 1, 2020

Section Editor

Farmers Feeding Utah partnered with Weber County law enforcement to hand out Thanksgiving meals to families in need for their Cops and Crops event on Nov. 24 at the Weber County Fairgrounds.

Cars of hungry families lined up to receive the needed food. Law enforcement officers loaded turkeys, gallons of milk and bags of onions, potatoes, eggs, cheese, butter, milk, stuffing, apples, squash and flour into the cars.

“It’s a great deal of gratitude that goes with the ability to serve those that stand in need,” Randy Watt Ogden Chief of Police said. “And to see all of these organizations come together during this holiday season kick-off now with Thanksgiving, and into the holiday season, to serve those who have this need is just extremely gratifying and we’re grateful to partic-

ipate in this event.”

Prior to the event volunteers contacted the recently unemployed and those struggling with food insecurity with details about picking up the food. The Utah Farm Bureau Federation said they were looking at serving about 1,000 to 1,200 families that day.

The Farmers Feeding Utah campaign, started in 2020 and part of the Miracle of Agriculture Foundation, raises funds to then purchase food from local farmers, especially those who are currently struggling, and give it to families in need.

Matt Hargreaves, vice president of communications for the Utah Farm Bureau Federation, said that, prior to the event, Farmers Feeding Utah had so far raised about $600,000 and given out about 600,000 pounds of food to various spots throughout the state, including to the Ogden Salvation Army pantry after they

were robbed in September. Cops and Crops was the sixth miracle project for the campaign.

The Miracle of Agriculture Foundation is a nonprofit that was launched in early May of this year by the Utah Farm Bureau Federation.

The organization was formed in response to the needs of farmers and ranchers negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as in response to the growing rates of unemployment throughout the community due to the pandemic.

As the Miracle of Agriculture Foundation website says, plants keep growing and animals keep eating, but closures of restaurants and other food chains, which make up over half of the intended destinations of agricultural production, made it difficult for farmers and ranchers to get their goods out and make money.

The Miracle of Agriculture Foundation provides a step up for both the agricultural community and the food-sensitive community by buying the food from struggling farmers and ranchers and then giving it out to families in need of food.

The Miracle of Agriculture Foundation also partners with other organizations such as Utah State University, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Farm Bureau Financial Services.

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AUBREE ECKHARDT | The Signpost

By CAITLYN NICHOLS

MyWeberMedia.com| December 1, 2020 | 5

Section Editor

During the opening week of college basketball season, the Weber State Wildcats were supposed to play on Nov. 25 against the Adams State Wolverines and against the Dixie State Trailblazers in St. George on Nov. 28.

However, due to a potential outbreak within the program, only one of those games were played.

In the Wildcats’ lone game of the week, they beat the ASU Grizzlies 88–60 inside the slightly-more-than-empty Dee Events Center.

The game was tight in the beginning, but, eventually, through scoring spurts and defensive stops, WSU was able to pull away and secure a comfortable win.

While the game was a bit closer than preferred, head coach Randy Rahe wasn’t surprised by his team’s early struggle.

“It was kind of what I expected. In the first half we played frantic, we’ve been beating on each other since July 1 and guys are really excited to play,” Rahe said.

He thought the team came out and tried too hard, so at halftime he told the team to approach the second half normally after taking a deep breath.

The first half was different for a number of reasons for the Wildcats. Not only was it the

opening game of the season, where you have to knock the rust off, but WSU was also playing in a nearly-empty gym with a team that only was returning five players from the previous season.

Newcomer Isiah Brown, a senior point guard who transferred from Grand Canyon, felt the difference in environment early but wasn’t bothered by it too much.

“You don’t really know what it’s gonna look like or feel like until you get out there, but it was weird,” Brown said. “In the first couple minutes, it was something to get used to, but once we really started playing, it’s just basketball,” said Brown.

Of those five returning players for the Wildcats, only senior forward Michal Kozak was in the starting lineup. Alongside him were four players making their Wildcat debuts.

Starting at the forward position next to Kozak was fellow senior Cody Carlson. Accompanying them at the guard position was senior Brown, sophomore Seikou Sisoho Jawara and junior Zahir Porter.

From the moment the game tipped off, Brown had his fingerprints all over WSU’s scoring contributions. He opened the half up with 18 points in his first game at the Dee. Despite his first-half scoring, the Wildcats found themselves in a battle, mostly due to their unfamiliarity with one another, which

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By RAYMOND LUCAS

Porter and Kozak, from Weber State, block Adams State’s Crane from a shot.

Rahe compared to the “relationship phase” of dating.

“We’re not married yet. Pretty soon we have to come up with an engagement ring. But in the meantime, I thought we could have pulled away, but sometimes when you have too many new guys and they make a run, you can splinter.” Rahe said.

After the team made pushes, though, Rahe said they would regroup in the huddle and stick together back on the court.

In the second half, the scoring dramatically improved for both teams. WSU poured in 52 points while ASU pitched in 40 of their own.

The Wildcats leading scorers were Brown, who had 26 points, Carlson, who had 13 (including a put-back jam on the opening play of the game) and Kozak, who finished with 8.

All eleven players who saw action got in the scoring column, including sophomore forward Donatas Kupsas, who played in his first game since tearing his ACL in the second

game of last season against San Diego.

While winning the opening game of the season is always a big boost, WSU lost their junior forward Tavian Percy for the season after he broke his foot during the game.

“I’m sick to my stomach. This kid has come in here… been working really hard and getting better. I want to throw up.” said Coach Rahe, “He’s going to be out for the season.

We’ll rally around him and help him through this.”

Weber State’s next two games are scheduled to be against The Westminster Griffins on December 8 and the Utah State Aggies on December 12, both at the Dee Event Center.

However with COVID-19 cancellations surrounding college athletics, don’t be surprised if another game pops up or is removed on the schedule.

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6 | MyWeberMedia.com| December 1, 2020

JENNIFER GREENLEE Columnist

Before Thanksgiving, I was working on a column about how we need to stay safe but change the narrative. I wanted to tell people to put COVID-19 further down in news stories and keep it out of the lead. Perhaps, I thought, it would help the pandemic fatigue from the news.

However, that’s a column I can no longer write.

Because now, many of my family members were exposed to and diagnosed with COVID-19 a day prior to Thanksgiving. High-risk family members. The ones who might not recover. The ones I had hoped and prayed would stay safe and had been able to so far.

Because now, every day is a surge in the numbers. Now, every day is someone else watching their loved ones fade into nothing.

This is not a column telling you to stop living in fear. This is not a column that is going to tell you to stop thinking about the pandemic. I won’t be telling you to take comfort that a vaccine will be out soon.

Because for months, I have lived in fear of COVID-19. I have lived in fear of my family getting it. I have lived in fear of saying goodbye to loved ones over Zoom. I have lived in fear of watching my loved ones wither to nothing on a ventilator. And suddenly, my fears

Lt. Gov. and Gov. Elect Spencer Cox tweeted about giving protestors on his property cookies and hot chocolate.

shifted from nightmare to reality in an earth-shattering few hours.

For months, hundreds of thousands of people gave up everything.

For months, it wasn’t a question if we would leave because it wasn’t an option to be the ones spreading the virus.

For months, the world cowered in fear.

And then, at some point, half of America just decided that the pandemic was over. Travel was on again. Sports came back online. Seeing friends and family was worth the risk of giving

them COVID-19 and never seeing them again.

38 percent of Americans were planning to have Thanksgiving with more than 10 people or people outside of their households, according to a survey by the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

38 percent of Americans didn’t care that their tables were about to become epicenters of the virus.

38 percent of people were willing to give the virus to someone despite ICU beds reaching capacity.

38 percent of people were willing to disregard 262,020 American deaths as of Wednesday Nov. 26. 266,051 Americans had died as of the publishing of this column.

Despite the death toll doubling U.S. troop loss in World War I, hundreds of thousands have disregarded mandates to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Despite the daily death toll of 9/11 happening at least every two days, and sometimes in just one, mask mandates and gathering restrictions are protested.

MyWeberMedia.com| December 1, 2020 | 7

And now, talks of a national shutdown, or even a state shutdown, bring anger to the pandemic discourse.

But if you are so concerned that a second lockdown is going to change your day-to-day lifestyle drastically, then you are the reason we need a second lockdown. You are the reason that people are dying.

You are the reason this pandemic isn’t under control.

Protesters scream that wearing masks infringe upon their rights. However, your right to not wear a mask ends where my family’s right to live begins.

Your rights end where other’s lives are at stake.

Yet instead of political action from our leaders, Utah’s Lieutenant Governor and Governor-elect Spencer Cox gives protesters outside his home who refused to wear masks hot chocolate and tweets about it. One can only imagine how many times over he was exposed to COVID-19.

Instead of real action, Utah’s Gov. Gary Herbert gets bullied by the Utah

State Legislature into lifting the household-only gathering restrictions to less than 10 people. Because if there are only nine people in the house, they can’t possibly spread COVID. So, help me understand: what’s the worst that will happen to you if you wear a mask? Acne? Your right to not have a breakout is not an excuse to cause a viral breakout that kills thousands of Americans every day.

This pandemic killed 26 Utahns on Nov. 25. The worst kind of record to keep breaking.

One of them was between 25 and 44 years old. That could be the person you will never see in class again. Your best friend. Your aunt. Your uncle. Your cousin. Your mother. Your father. Your daughter. Your son. Your loved one.

Two of them were between 45 and 64 years old. Who were their loved one’s watching them die from the other side of a screen? Who lost them decades too soon?

10 of them were between 65 and 84. Children are losing grandparents.

Adults are losing their parents more often than might have been necessary.

13 of them were 85 or older. Decades of experience gone in a few weeks. No matter how long someone was here, it shouldn’t be ripped away by a virus we all could have come together to fight.

It is terrible and difficult that many of us won’t be at Thanksgiving gatherings this year. Even harder will be to ask how many won’t be at the table next year.

So, I ask those who refuse to wear masks, those who refuse to distance and those who refuse to acknowledge this disease: What don’t you understand about this pandemic? What do you need so badly that you won’t stay home? What is so infuriating about a piece of cloth over your mouth and nose?

I ask because I don’t understand. I don’t understand the flippancy with which you have treated a national crisis. I don’t understand why you don’t care about your neighbor. I don’t understand how you can look at your loved ones and put them at risk.

I know we are all sick and tired of this pandemic. I know that for most of us life will never be the same. I am sick and tired. I miss my friends and family.

I miss family traditions and baking and parks and restaurants and traveling.

Still, it’s not time to put COVID-19 in the backseat. It’s not time for us to give up on precautions. It’s not time to throw our hands in the air and retreat, masks down.

For now, we must take care of each other by doing our best to not spread COVID-19. For now, we give up a piece of ourselves, our social lives and our traditions, so we can have them in the next year when we can all embrace and hold our loved ones near.

If even one plea is enough to keep you going for just a few more months, take mine: stay home, socially distance and wear a mask. Don’t do it for me but do it for everyone you care for.

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PRESENTS

MARY MAPES

Mary Mapes, author of Truth and Duty: The Press, The President, and the Privilege of Power. Award-Winning Former producer of 60 minutes.

DATE: TUESDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2021 | 7PM VIRTUAL EVENT!

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Honors Program

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8 | MyWeberMedia.com| December 1, 2020

By KIERSTYNN KING Reporter

By CAITLYN NICHOLS Section Editor

Every night from now until New Year’s Day, people will be able to visit downtown Ogden’s Municipal Gardens to see colorful Christmas lights and a themed village of cottages. However, Ogden’s annual Christmas Village looks a little different this year than in years past.

Usually the event gets started the Saturday after Thanksgiving with a holiday electric light parade through the gardens, ending with Santa Claus turning on the village lights and an opening gala with a firework show. However, this year all of those events were canceled and the village was opened the Friday night after Thanksgiving.

Ogden City Communications said visits with Santa in his castle, Mrs. Claus tours, the “I Spy” game in the cottages, stage entertainment, photo-ops, reindeer appearances, train rides, breakfast with Santa and hot chocolate booths will all be missing from the village this year as well.

Typically there are about 68 cottages in the village, but this year that number has been scaled back to 44 cottages to allow for adequate distancing.

Craig Bielik, vice chair of the Christmas Village Advisory Committee, said even though they’ve scaled back and limited the cottages they feel fortunate to be able to continue the village this

The Municipal Gardens are full of Christmas lights and small houses.

year.

“Obviously we’d like this year to be a year just like any other year, but that’s just not realistic,” Bielik said. “The steps that we have taken are just to make sure everyone still has a great time and are still safe.”

Despite the changes, the Municipal Gardens will still be filled with lights and cottages decorated by locals and local businesses, including the “Where’s Waldo” cottage created by the Weber

State University Alumni.

Other cottage themes include the “North Pole Theater” from Peery’s Egyptian Theatre, “Frosty’s Firehouse” from the Ogden Fire Department, “Santa’s Print Shop” from the Standard Examiner, “North Pole Express” from UTA and Mt. Ogden Business Unit and “An Early Pioneer Christmas” from Daughters of Utah Pioneers.

The event has worked with local artists to record holiday songs that will be

played throughout the village.

The theme for the Christmas Village this year is “Gnome For The Holidays.”

Guests are asked to wear a mask while visiting Christmas Village, keep six feet of distance from other groups, refrain from touching the cottages and to wash their hands before and after visiting the village.

A virtual tour of the village, with pictures and details of each cottage, will also be available on Ogden City’s

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Each little house features local organizations/businesses that showcase what they offer to the community.

Each little house features local organizations/businesses that showcase what they offer to the community.

Each little house features local organizations/businesses that showcase what they offer to the community.

website. This service is available every year for those who can’t visit the village in-person. There, guests can also find a map of the village.

The Christmas Village has been an Ogden tradition since its beginning in 1962. Bielik said that he went to the village with his parents as a child, took his own children and is taking his grandchildren now. He said there are a lot of people in the area who could say the same thing.

Bielik said he’s glad they were able to

make the changes necessary to continue with the tradition.

“We’re just very happy to be able to do the portion that we can,” Bielik said.

The Corner Kiosk will sell holiday hoodies with the theme “Gnome For The Holidays.” Mugs, glasses, cards and other hoodies will also be available for purchase.

Jeff and Beth Furton, owners of Daily Rise Coffee, are this year’s honorary mayors of the village. To celebrate they will be offering a special drink called

“Christmas Village,” a Peppermint Eggnog Mocha with a dash of cinnamon, throughout the month of December.

Christmas Village will also host a silent auction, from Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. through Dec. 12 at 7 p.m., with various donated gift items and baskets. Details can be found at the Christmas Village page on Ogden City’s website, and donations are still being received. All funds from the auction go towards new displays, events and repairs.

Hot chocolate has been provided by

the Ogden Breakfast Exchange Club in past years, proceeds of which go to Shoes for Tots, a program that provides shoes to Ogden/Weber school children in need. Even though the hot chocolate booths will not be available this year, the village is still encouraging guests to make donations to Shoes for Tots.

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10 | MyWeberMedia.com| December 1, 2020

College life is a lot like buying bacon.

ELORA WITHERSPOON Columnist

College life is a lot like bacon.

There are so many different brands of bacon, different kinds, different ways to cook it and different prices.

Stores have thick-cut, thin-cut, pre-cooked, maple, brown sugar, smoked and cracked black pepper bacon. You can cook the bacon in a pan, the oven or the microwave.

The first time you make bacon, you don’t know what you want, so you get a variety.

Then you try cooking it, but you don’t really know the right temperature, so it either cooks too fast and burns or it cooks too slow and is rubbery.

Starting college, you have different schools to choose from, different degrees, different majors and cost of tuition often play a factor in what you pick.

When I started at Weber State University five years ago, I tried to pick my bacon with-

out really knowing what I wanted. I thought I would want one kind but decided that I didn’t actually like it. I started to cook the bacon without knowing the best way to, wasting time and money.

I learned a few things in my adventure to find the perfect bacon.

First, if you don’t know the exact kind of bacon you want, sample a few. Take general education classes the first few semesters. Figure out which classes you enjoy and which ones are not your favorite. If you excel in a specific subject, take a few more of those classes.

You don’t have to settle for the first type of bacon you pick.

Second, find the right cooking method.

Just like how you can cook bacon in different ways, there are different ways to go through school. I prefer in-person or virtual classes, others do better with all online classes. Figuring out how you learn best and enjoy learning saves you time and money because you won’t have to repeat classes.

Sometimes cooking bacon in the oven is easier than cooking it on the stove.

Third, find the right temperature. Taking school too slow or too fast causes stress, frustration and lowers motivation. Finding the perfect temperature to cook your bacon is all about balance. If you like your bacon floppy

and chewy, you have to cook it at a lower temperature. If you like it crispy, it needs to be cooked at a higher temperature.

Taking too many or too little classes is the same. For some students, they prefer to do school part-time. Other students want to take as full of a class load as possible.

Fourth, don’t settle on a pack of bacon because its expensive so it must be good. You also shouldn’t settle on a pack simply because it’s there and convenient.

Explore your options. Weber shouldn’t be your school because it’s convenient, there needs to be more of a reason. You’re major shouldn’t be your major because that’s what people want you to do or because it’s convenient. Don’t buy books from the bookstore simply because it’s convenient. Don’t take a class because you need three more credits and the class fits your schedule.

I picked WSU because it was close to home and tuition was a good price. I stayed at WSU because I love the faculty and the communication department.

Each semester, I would do my research on the professors teaching classes I’m interested in. RateMyProfessor.com and other students are amazing resources.

I also waited to buy textbooks until the week before the semester because professors

change their minds. I would also compare prices of the books on different sites. The WSU bookstore isn’t your only option for buying a textbook and it’s often over priced.

I started at Weber as a psychology major, switched to criminal justice and eventually switched to be a communication major. My second semester I took a public speaking class and loved it. Instead of taking the communication route then, I waited three more semesters taking classes that are now only elective credits.

It’s OK to change your major. Don’t be stuck with a kind of bacon that you hate or one that doesn’t interest you. Don’t add semesters and push out an anticipated graduation date because you spent too much time on a major you knew you didn’t like.

Bacon is a weird and complicated food.

Find the kind that you enjoy and could eat everyday if you had to, or wanted to. If you like the microwavable or precooked kind, then buy that. Do what makes you happy.

Don’t intentionally make yourself miserable during your college experience, and don’t eat bacon you don’t like. It will be a long road that you may not end up finishing if you do.

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MyWeberMedia.com| December 1, 2020 | 11

By CATIE WEIMER Reporter

Four faculty members have been honored with Weber State University’s annual Research, Commercialization and Entrepreneurial Awards.

Professor John Mukum Mbaku was awarded for outstanding research, professors Michele Culumber and Craig Oberg both received the innovation success award, and professor Edward Walker was awarded the Norsatch Entrepreneurial Spirit award.

The Office of Sponsored Projects and Technology Commercialization sponsored the awards, which provided the university with an opportunity to honor faculty members that have made a significant contribution to WSU.

Specifically through research and innovation benefiting the community and the world.

“Our research activities and services have critical economic, societal and environmental impacts locally, nationally and internationally,” said James Taylor, director of WSU’s sponsored projects and technology commercialization.

Each recipient earned recognition for their achievements and a $1,500 prize.

Walker is known for his support of local industry and its intersection with chemistry.

He has 47 patents and his work has been featured in numerous publications.

Walker is the founder and director of the Chemical Technology Center, which serves to connect regional chemical industries with the WSU campus and university students.

Mbaku is a professor of economics who has written numerous books and articles over the course of his career. Mbaku has consulted with research centers around the world, including African Economic Research Consortium and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

Mbaku has been interviewed by news organizations worldwide for his expertise on Africa, and has appeared as an expert on issues like child marriage, political crises in Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo and others.

His research has been cited in several newspapers and magazines around the world.

Culumber’s research in microbial ecology looks at unique microbial habitats. She is also

part of WSU’s BUILD Dairy Program, which is designed to help university students research and build careers involving food science.

Culumber helped develop the courses “Geomicrobiology,” “The Story and The Cell” and the honors course “Your Microbial You.” Oberg has been actively researching for the past 40 years as a microbiology professor and has collaborated with colleagues at WSU and other universities and students. He has made over 200 presentations.

Oberg mentors many WSU undergrads during their research projects. This allows many WSU students to present at national conferences.

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12 | MyWeberMedia.com| December 1, 2020

Massage chairs in the Stress Relief Center at the Swenson Gym.

By ALLY NELSON

Senior Reporter

With finals approaching, along with managing online classes during COVID-19, student stress levels are high.

A group of researchers from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and Harvard Medical School recently released results from a survey conducted in late May that showed 55 percent of students said they were more stressed than they were in January, before the virus was a widespread threat.

Other stress factors that ranked as moderate or greater included frustration about not being able to enjoy everyday activities, worry about the possible breakdown of society, concern about personal finances and being bored.

Although Weber State University’s Stress Relief Center is currently not open, there are still ways students can manage stress.

Michael Olpin, director of the Stress Relief Center, has always been interested in individual wellness and high-level well-being. He teaches the course HLTH 1110, which is designed to help students learn why stress happens, how to reduce it and how to prevent it.

He said some of his students’ favorite ways of managing stress include cognitive restructuring, which is perceiving things in ways that do not activate the stress response, meditating, listening to music and spending time in nature.

Nicole Hadley, senior student at the University of Michigan Medical School, shared tips for students in her article “Coping with the COVID-19 Pandemic as a College Student.”

Some of those tips were knowing that it is okay to feel how you are feeling, maintaining a routine, practicing good sleep and hygiene, connecting with others and taking a break.

Feeling lonely is a common occurrence for many college students.

“It is easy to quickly feel lonely and seclud-

ed from others during this stay-at-home period,” Hadley said. “Make an effort to stay socially connected by engaging in regular video or phone calls with friends and family.”

In addition to loneliness, Hadley said many college students also face uncertainty regarding the future. That leads them to feel vulnerable or develop mental health concerns. Students need support from friends and loved ones.

Alongside staying in touch with loved ones, Olpin suggests students should attend the Stress Relief Center when it’s — hopefully — set to open again next semester.

“The successful manager of stress is willing to do that which the unsuccessful manager of stress is not willing to do,” Olpin said.

When the center is open, it offers proven methods of relaxation. Olpin said they have massage chairs, a chi machine — an aerobic exercise device — hydro-massages, which is the use of water pressure to apply massage techniques and a soothing lounger.

WSU student Jayk M. left a review for the center after attending for the first time.

“I never knew that Weber State had a place like that on campus,” Jayk M. said. “I tried the light and sound treatment, the inversion table and the massage chair. I did the full body massage and left feeling very relaxed.”

The Stress Relief Center is found in room 124 in the Swenson Complex on the Ogden campus.

More tips on managing stress and leading a healthy life can be found at the Stress Relief Center page on WSU’s website.

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MyWeberMedia.com| December 1, 2020 | 13

By CATIE WEIMER Reporter

Benefiting Local Weber, Davis & Box Elder County Children

Over 2,500 local children NEED your help this holiday season!

Select a tag • Buy the gifts • Drop off your donations!

visit: bit.ly/WSUChristmas20 Drop-off Hours: 1:30-5 p.m. | Monday-Friday

The Nontraditional Student Center is accepting applications for its child care program for the spring 2021 semester until Dec. 11. Students who are themselves enrolled in virtual classes or who need time to study and complete homework can also apply for child care for their children.

Child care services are available to children ages two through nine. Children must be two years old when they are enrolled, and all kids must be completely potty trained.

Those who apply will need to work on homework at the nontraditional or veteran’s center during the time of studying to use child care services.

Child care costs $3.50 per hour, with a one-time, non-refundable $15 application fee. There is also a $42 deposit required before the child’s first day that is applied toward child care hours.

Parents will need to complete the new or returning parenting application form prior to attending. The center will notify parents via email of the next steps in the

process.

The hourly child care program is available to Weber State University students’ children, with faculty and staff children able to attend during the summer. Faculty and staff may enroll their children during the year if space is available.

Child care is available for class time on an on-going basis, with a set schedule for attendance. Parents can also request up to two hours of extended hours via the extended hours’ request form.

If space allows, child care may also be available as an alternate to a primary care provider, but parents will need to call as soon as possible to confirm availability.

The center does not accommodate the hours needed if it is at capacity.

Payments are required every Friday for hours used during the week in order for children to be able to return on Monday.

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14 | MyWeberMedia.com| Decebmer 1, 2020

YOU ASKED, WE LISTENED

January 9 SKI & SNOWBOARD RENTALS Coming November 2nd

Weber.edu/Outdoor

TUESDAYS

WEDNESDAYS

THURSDAYS

Family Night 6 NIGHT TICKETS

Ladies Night NIGHT TICKETS

College Night

*Blackout dates apply

$15

*Blackout dates apply

WSU will be open on Saturday for you to access the resources you may need!

Free Parking!

Night Skiing DISCOUNTS!

$82

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

$17

NIGHT TICKETS

*Must show valid College I.D. *Blackout dates apply

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO PURCHASE VISIT POWDERMOUNTAIN.COM

weber.edu/StudentAffairs/saturday.html

WEBER CARES PANTRY GIVES THANKS

MyWeberMedia.com| December 1, 2020 | 15

Reporter

The Weber Cares Pantry has bounced back from a period of low donations and supplies after a successful month of on-campus donations and food drives.

“It’s been absolutely fantastic,” said Weber Cares Pantry specialist Rebecca Wolford. “I honestly don’t know if I have enough room for everything.”

On behalf of the Weber Cares Pantry, the Energy and Sustainability Office hosted drivethrough drop offs in front of the Browning Center for two Saturdays: Nov. 14 and Nov. 21.

The pantry also placed donation sites around campus at Tracy Hall, the Wattis Business Building, the Student Services Building and Shepherd Union.

In addition to the Weber State University community, Wolford also expressed gratitude for Catholic Community Services for their donations after she reached out earlier this month.

“We were starting to get just a little bit bare,” she said.

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MARISSA WOLFORD | The Signpost

As November progress, posters, donation bins and awareness of the pantry’s need spread across campus, and donations began pouring in. Wolford expressed gratitude for all those who have raised awareness and assisted in restocking the pantry.

Due to pandemic restrictions, the pantry has been limited to accepting nonperishable food items, bottled water, hygiene products and cleaning supplies.

Wolford continues to look forward to the end of restrictions, at which time the pantry also may move to a location in Stewart Library with more space.

The pantry continues to accept donations Monday through Friday at CCEL in the Student Union. To set up a time to drop off, first contact webercarespantry@weber.edu or 801-6267737.

By JOSHUA KAMP

A picture of Weber Cares Food Pantry from pre-COVID times.

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.

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Email resumes to AOA-NowHiring@autoliv.com or visit Autoliv.com/careers.

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COVID-19 TESTING All WSU students living or working on campus and those attending classes in person are expected to be tested for COVID-19.

- If you are currently NOT experiencing COVID-19 symptoms: Sign up for your free test at weber.edu/coronavirus.

ARE currently experiencing COVID-19 symptoms: Complete the self-report form found at

- If you

weber.edu/coronavirus and we will contact you with instructions for your free testing.

Find a list of common COVID-19 symptoms, forms for testing and more information at weber.edu/coronavirus.