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UOG Film Festival to screen in April
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Spring 2016, Vol. 40, Issue 2, March
UOG Charter Day commences for 48th year By Rianne Peredo For Triton’s Call The University of Guam held its 48th annual Charter Day on March 8. The theme for this year was “Triton Spirit: One University; Many Voices.” UOG Charter Day is a yearly event that celebrates culture following Guam History and Chamorro Heritage Day (formerly known as Guam Discovery Day) on March 7. UOG student organizations and ethnic groups held miscellaneous activities on campus that are open to the public. Campus events included cultural dances and ritual demonstrations, live entertainment from local musicians, as well as game booths, food, beverage and souvenir stalls.
Abel Pagal, a member of the Yapese Student Organization (YSO), chants during the cultural dance performance on March 8. Photo by Elizabeth Wells Student Government Association Vice President Samantha David said “Charter Day is an opportunity for student organizations and cultures to
network.” One of the cultural dances was performed near the UOG Student Center Rotunda where a stage was set up. The Yapese Student
Organization (YSO), which had more than 15 members during the performance, stood on the grass instead of the stage. Next, they gathered in
a formation of two horizontal lines facing each other. A majority of the YSO members wore colorful skirts in varying shades of red, green and yellow. They also wore woven headbands and used wooden sticks during the dance while they chanted and sang. In addition to cultural dances by the Micronesian island groups, the Pohnpeian Student Organization as well as those from Yap, Chuuk, and Palau constructed huts for ritual demonstrations. Bert Palacios, a member of SGA, provided coverage on the social media platform Snapchat during the cultural dances. In regard to the YSO dance, he said “Major events were shown through dance Continued on page 2
University plans to hire new athletic director by end of Spring 2016 By Elizabeth Wells For Triton’s Call The University of Guam is in the process of hiring a new athletic director, according to Randy Wiegand, vice president of administration and finance. The university plans to have the position filled by the end of the Spring 2016 semester.
The position responsibilities fall into three main categories: revitalizing the intermural programs, maximizing opportunities to make a profit from the field house, and re-creating the UOG athletic program. Wiegand explained that by recreating the athletic program, the university hopes to give students a
chance to continue to develop their athletic ability at a competitive level. The university is putting a team in the National Basketball League, and plans on starting sports programs such as women’s basketball, soccer and volleyball. “We’re looking at how we can make more and better use of the Field House
and improve the student experience,” Wiegand said. Jonas Macapinlac, director of Integrated Marketing Communications, explained that while the university has had athletic programs in the past, it hasn’t focused on much more than intermural programs. He said that now is a perfect time to restart the athletic
program due to the recent renovations of Calvo Field House. Macapinlac also feels that athletic programs are important to enriching student life and the overall profile of the university. “Athletics at the university-level builds camaraderie and a sense of belonging among its communities,” he said.