The
Eagle VOICE OF THE
Volume LXXXI • Number 4
STUDENTS
Viewpoints pages 2 & 3 Lifestyles pages 4 & 5 Sports pages 6 & 7 The Eagle Life page 8
www.usueagle.com
October 18, 2018
Students voice campus concerns in open forum Emma Campbell co-editor
With a stunningly beautiful campus, USU Eastern’s student enrollment saw a slight increase fall semester.
photo by Kalli Pendergast
USUE enrollment sees nearly three percent spike fall 2018 Kevin van der Spek news editor
Utah State University Eastern raised its full-time enrollment (FTE) by 2.7 percent fall 20182019, according to USU’s Analysis, Assessment and Accreditation office. The raise brought Eastern’s FTE to 1,170 students and headcount to 1,550. While the jump in enrollment went in a positive direction, it matches the enrollment of three years ago. When USU merged with Eastern in 2010, there were 2,323 FTE and 2,634 headcount. Eastern also jumped in headcount by 63 students, going up 4.2 percent. Kristian Olsen, director of academic records and registration, gives credit to the rise in student to people like Mark Dickey, who is the recruitment specialist for Eastern. Olsen comments that Dickey has
about 30 schools which he focuses on recruitment for Eastern, and this recruitment position has been a beneficial addition. Eastern is being presented to more students, more consistently both in high school and by the USU system, Olsen stated. In high schools, consolers are being educated better on Eastern being a viable option to students. Eastern is a viable option for students because of the competitive price offered, and by the swiftness of scholarships being sent and accepted. Olsen explained, the way students are accepting scholarships has been changed to being an online system, which, he believes helps enrollment go up. Student leaderships have done a great job on campus, and that translates into enrollments number heavily. Olsen Explained, how and what student leaderships do affect the way students talk to perspective
students. Furthermore, the impact students have to enrollment is large on Eastern because of the campus size. Olsen believes across the board, student and recruitment, are doing an excellent job at getting and keeping students. USUEastern Blanding, according to USU’s Analysis, Assessment and Accreditation office, FTE is down 12.1 percent or 50 students. While USUE increased both the head count and the FTE, Snow College saw a headcount decrease of 0.9 percent and an FTE decrease of 2.3 percent. Salt Lake Community College also dropped in headcount 1.6 percent and FTE 3.1 percent. USU Logan also saw an increase in its FTE by 1 percent, bringing it to 14,260 students. The overall growth of the USU system brings the headcount to 27,932 which is an increase of 0.9 percent. The growth seen on Price campus helped to increase enrollment
in Utah for public higher education. Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) reported on Oct. 4, an overall 2.17% increase, or 3,915 more students from the third week of fall semester 2017 to fall 2018. The school with the largest percentage of headcount growth is Southern Utah University with a 7.7 percent growth, followed by Utah Valley University with 7.1 percent growth. The largest school in the state is UVU with 39,931 students, followed by the University of Utah at 33,023; SLCC 29,156; Weber State University 28,247; USU 27,932; SUU 10,196; Dixie State University 9,950 and Snow 5,514. The Utah Board of Regents website states eight out of 10 people who graduated from a Utah high school and enroll in college will attend a Utah public college and university-
Enrollment P3
USUE Aviation Technology and Aviation Maintenance program coming Fall 2019 Two new aviation programs will debut at Utah State University Eastern’s campus fall semester of 2019: aviation technology (pilot’s license) and aviation maintenance management. The Price program will be an extension of the Logan campus program which has grown to its capacity of 300 students, 15 instructors and 15 aircraft. USU administrators have crossed all the T’s and dotted the I’s and are waiting for
Federal Aviation Administration approval of the Carbon County Airport, classrooms, hanger space and security. They teamed up with the Carbon County Civil Air Patrol who already has classrooms and hanger space for the program. According to Dr. Jamie Cano, associate vice chancellor of professional and technical education, Eastern’s program will admit between 25-100 students. He could not say enough positive statements
of how well the local airport lends itself to the new program. “It’s got one of the longest and best maintained runways in the state. The capacity at this airport is tremendous for our students.” Eastern will start by offering an associate of applied science program using cutting-edge technology with exceptional training to produce high quality pilots and technicians the industry needs. Upon graduation, students will
transfer to the Logan campus for their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The professional pilot students can choose an emphasis in fixed wing or rotorcraft. Upon completion of the program, student receive FAA certifications and are trained to be commercial pilots. Maintenance-management students complete courses required for FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) licenses.
Warburton steps down as athletic director, retains position as women’s basketball head coach Scott Froehlich managing editor
Utah State University Eastern’s Chelsey Warburton is stepping down from her role as director over the athletic department. Hired March 17, 2017, Warburton took over for long-time Eagles Athletic Director David Paur, who retired after 25 years with the university. Her hiring marked the first female collegiate athletic director named at USU Eastern. However, after a year and a half at the helm, she announced her resignation pending the selection of a replacement. Greg Dart, vice chancellor of student affairs & enrollment services, attributed Warburton’s departure to the full-plate of responsibility in her life. “She is a full-time [Eagles women’s basketball] coach, athletic director [which] is a full-time job and she’s a graduate student,” he said. “She is the kind of person that gives everything to everything that she does. She just felt that she couldn’t give everything needed to all of those things.” Chelsey Warburton Warburton has been a mainstay at
USU Eastern, not only as a former stand-out basketball player, but also as a volleyball coach and currently as the aforementioned women’s basketball coach. In her three seasons behind the bench, the women’s basketball team has become a force to be reckoned with and is churning out numerous all-star players. In addition to the day-to-day work that goes into coaching, Warburton also tackled the heavy load of running the entire athletic department. Some of the many responsibilities she addressed were scheduling, fundraising and overseeing academics for students. She will retain this position up to, and during, the transition period once a new director is named. Dart said that the pursuit for a replacement is currently underway, starting with an internal search which he looks to have completed by the end of October. The goal of the search, as he put it, is “to see if, among our internal folks, we have someone who can step in and fill a role similar to what she has done.” It will likely be difficult to replace someone to fill the shoes of someone of Warburton’s caliber, as she makes an impression in every endeavor she tackles. “We would keep her for a long time if she would,” Dart said. Warburton will stay on as basketball coach and has even expressed an interest in returning as athletic director in the future. Dart gave further high praise, noting that “she is someone who puts a ton of work into everything that she does. “We are definitely going to miss her leadership…it will definitely be different than it was with Chelsey. We are very, very sad to lose her.”
Utah State University Eastern’s students voiced their concerns regarding campus-related services during “Cookies & Complaints,” Oct. 11. The event was hosted by Laura Eisert, student advocate, with topics covered including the JLSC, housing, the BDAC and the cafeteria. Eisert had many updates on the Jennifer Leavitt Student Center to share. She showed plans for the new welcome center to be remodeled where the bookstore used to be. Construction for the welcome center will start in January 2019 and open in the spring. The convenience store is on the same schedule. The gender-neutral bathroom will be available by December. For students living on campus, it was asked that RAs should have sensitivity training for mental illness. RAs are trained to look for signs of struggling students, especially in regards to suicide prevention. The discussion for parking passes and cable usage will be on the minds for the future. The BDAC may be open possibly on Sunday. In the next few weeks, a card machine will be set up for stricter access into the gym. There will be a tiered membership for part-time students. Meal swipes cost approxi-
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mately $6.85 per meal and Aggie Express is $6.28 per meal. Students want to know why the swipe costs so much. The amount of food has been getting smaller, but the price has not followed. Director of Dining and Event Services Emily Bradley responded to that comment, “We have exchanged quantity for quality.” An issue students complain of is not knowing what options will available and when. The online menu will be updated soon and will be kept up. Many meals go unused and it is a waste of money. Bradley responded to that comment, “Unused meals are a constant problem and the responsibility of the students. More options will be coming.” Students and faculty want to k now how often the cafeteria has a health and safet y inspection. Bradley told Eisert, “Inspections happen when the health department deems it necessary.” Finally, what everyone wants to know… When will the ice cream machine be back? The answer, the ice cream machine is broke and there are no plans to fix or replace it. The next open call is Nov. 13 at 3 pm. With more details to come. If you have any questions, concerns or complaints contact Eisert, ESA student advocate at, esaadvocate@usu.edu Office #: (435) 613-5552
We have exchanged quantity for quality.
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Mcdonald’s offers great benefits to college students Employees get yearly $2,500 tuition assistance benefit
“We are always hiring good people, especially those who need flexibility,” said Sherrie Dodge. The flexibility she is talking about is attending college classes while working a minimum of 15 hours a week. An additional caveat to this flexibility is her employer gives a $2,500 tuition assistance to its employees after 90 days on the job to attend those classes. The employer is McDonalds, a company Dodge started working for almost 30 years ago while a Michigan high school student. As supervisor of operations for the Price and Ephraim stores, she is excited to announce the Archway to Opportunities program to help McDonalds’ employees afford a college education. Each year, employees are eligible for a $2,500 tuition assistance allowance; managers $3,000. They can use this funding at a community college, four-year college or trade and technical school. There is no lifetime cap on tuition assistance, allowing McDonald’s employees to pursue their education and career passions at their pace. She hopes that USU Eastern students will take advantage of this program because at least 15 positions are open at the Price McDonalds. Students need to apply online to work at McDonalds at restaurantjobs.mcdonalds.com. They start at $8.50 and hour. “Most of our employees at the Price store make at least $10 an hour.” In-state tuition at USU Eastern is $3,376 per year. With the $2,500 tuition assistance allowance, a student who works at McDonalds
would have to pay $876 out of pocket to attend the university two semesters. Leadership skills and high standards are two qualities Dodge looks for in her employees. She also likes outgoing and friendly employees with great social skills. The flexibility of working hours is a bonus for McDonald employees who work, attend classes plus enjoy friends and family. “We want students to know that we will work with their class schedules so attending classes is a priority. By working at McDonalds, the employer helps pay for those classes.” “It’s nice to be part of this community to help make it a better place,” Dodge said. My phone number is on every receipt so customers have access to call me. “If something is not right, I can change it and that is a good thing in this business model.” Her philosophy is make a plan, work your plan and finally work to live. Contributing to the three Ronald McDonald houses in Salt Lake City is another aspect McDonalds supports, she said. The funds raised locally go directly to the Utah Ronald McDonald houses.