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<title>The Howl Archives - The Utah Statesman</title>
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<title>The Howl Archives - The Utah Statesman</title>
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<item>
<title>The Howl’s “Trails of Terror” theme takes aggies through haunted camp of horrors</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/the-howls-trails-of-terror-theme-takes-aggies-through-haunted-camp-of-horrors/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brook Wood]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 04 Nov 2024 14:57:25 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Lifestyles]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[2024 the howl]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Halloween costumes]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[halloween party]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[haunted hiking]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Haunted House]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[haunted house actors]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[haunted house usu]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[student costumes]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[The Howl]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[The Howl trails of terror]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Trails of Terror]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[usu events]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[USU Government Relations Council]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[USU halloween costumes]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[usu howl]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[USU party]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[USU party event]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22131792</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Upon entering the 2024 Howl, party-goers were met with an electrified atmosphere from the “Go back” signs and hiking boots…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/the-howls-trails-of-terror-theme-takes-aggies-through-haunted-camp-of-horrors/">The Howl’s “Trails of Terror” theme takes aggies through haunted camp of horrors</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span data-contrast="auto">Upon entering the 2024 Howl, party-goers were met with an electrified atmosphere from the “Go back” signs and hiking boots hanging from the ceiling to the swaths of costumes around every corner. People continuously flowed in throughout the night as the dance floor became more and more popular. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Some activities at this year’s Howl included a hypnotist show, haunted house, silent disco, karaoke, temporary tattoo and bracelet-making stations and the Fieldhouse dance. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“I love karaoke. I will sing it all night long,” said Tyson Pap, an attendee at the Howl.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The theme seemed to stick out this year to many of the partygoers. “Trails of Terror” connects to Utah State because of the university’s proximity to the woods and a student body full of hikers. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The haunted house stuck to the horror summer camp theme and maintained a line that stretched down the hall. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Ronan Spencer is a second-year student and member of the USU Government Relations Council.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“I love summer camp slashers, and it encapsulated that perfectly. And the Slenderman stuff — it really creeped me out so much,” Spencer said. “There were really good costumes, and strangely, everyone was amazing actors.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<div id="attachment_22131536" style="width: 484px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-22131536" class=" wp-image-22131536" src="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-15-2-600x452.jpg" alt="" width="474" height="357" srcset="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-15-2-600x450.jpg 600w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-15-2-1000x753.jpg 1000w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-15-2-300x226.jpg 300w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-15-2-1536x1156.jpg 1536w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-15-2-72x54.jpg 72w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-15-2-335x252.jpg 335w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-15-2-1050x790.jpg 1050w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-15-2.jpg 1800w" sizes="(max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px" /><p id="caption-attachment-22131536" class="wp-caption-text">Howl attendee poses through cobweb decorations at the Howl on Oct. 25.</p></div>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The haunted house involved a variety of scenes through the illusion of camper cabins. It included a seance room, chainsaw killers, bigfoot, Slenderman and a ghastly swamp. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Savannah Seal, senior at USU, went through the haunted house with a group of friends. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“This one is more memorable in a lot of ways,” Seal said. “There’s just more iconic moments.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Seal said she was pleased with how long the haunted house was and was surprised at how good the actors were. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“They really had good hiding spots,” Seal said. “I could never tell where they were coming from.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Josie Packer, USUSA activities director, was in charge of orchestrating the event this year. This year marks her third Howl as she continues into her junior year.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Packer was on the Activities Committee her first and second years at USU before applying for the position of director. She began planning for the Howl over the summer.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“I actually picked the theme when I was on a hike in Oregon with my sister and my best friend,” Packer said. “We were just driving through the trees, and I love hiking, and I love Oregon. We were just spitting out terrible ideas — we could not think of a theme. I was like, ‘I just want the theme to be hiking.’” </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Packer said there are differences between the event this year and last year. The first main difference is the theme and how that affects everything else surrounding the event, particularly the haunted house.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“The theme really heavily influences the vibe and the decorations,” Packer said. “We also actually changed quite a bit. This year we got 600 headsets for the silent disco, which is a lot more than we have had in the past. We changed the area of the silent disco.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<div id="attachment_22131525" style="width: 610px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-22131525" class="size-medium wp-image-22131525" src="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-04-2-600x238.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="238" srcset="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-04-2-600x238.jpg 600w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-04-2-1000x396.jpg 1000w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-04-2-300x119.jpg 300w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-04-2-1536x608.jpg 1536w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-04-2-335x133.jpg 335w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-04-2-1050x416.jpg 1050w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-04-2.jpg 1800w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" /><p id="caption-attachment-22131525" class="wp-caption-text">Camp Howl attendees dance at the silent disco in the Sunburst Lounge on Oct. 25.</p></div>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The silent disco ran like a well-oiled machine as volunteers handed out headsets and instructed people on how to use them. People were told to leave after five songs so others could join in. Headsets were immediately cleaned and disinfected before given to the next person.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“We changed the area of the tattoos and got temporary tattoos instead of airbrushes,” Packer said. “We definitely switched and moved some things around, which has been really fun and exciting to see how that has played out.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Each year, the event has looked different depending on the changes the committee chooses to implement. The changes to the temporary tattoo station was designed to create a smoother process that more people could enjoy. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<div id="attachment_22131526" style="width: 529px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-22131526" class=" wp-image-22131526" src="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-05-2-600x387.jpg" alt="" width="519" height="335" srcset="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-05-2-600x387.jpg 600w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-05-2-1000x646.jpg 1000w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-05-2-300x194.jpg 300w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-05-2-1536x992.jpg 1536w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-05-2-700x450.jpg 700w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-05-2-335x216.jpg 335w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-05-2-1050x678.jpg 1050w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20241025_usuhowl-05-2.jpg 1800w" sizes="(max-width: 519px) 100vw, 519px" /><p id="caption-attachment-22131526" class="wp-caption-text">Howl attendees dressed as a pair of grapes pose in the Big Blue Room on Oct. 25.</p></div>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">The committee set up several tables with many sheets of temporary tattoos ready to be cut out and used by party-goers — a quicker process than if they were individually airbrushed. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">“I’m the kind of person who likes to put in a lot of work and see that reward,” Packer said. “I’m a pretty high-achieving, go-getting person, and I love to see things come to life. So for me, the Howl is like seeing all of that hard work actually play out, and seeing other people having fun and enjoying themselves after something that I’ve done is really rewarding to me.” </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Many students quickly responded with “Absolutely,” “100%” and “Positively” when asked if they would recommend the Howl to future students. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/the-howls-trails-of-terror-theme-takes-aggies-through-haunted-camp-of-horrors/">The Howl’s “Trails of Terror” theme takes aggies through haunted camp of horrors</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<item>
<title>The Howl: Trails of Terror</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/the-howl-trails-of-terror/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Claire Ott]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Sun, 27 Oct 2024 21:53:21 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Lifestyles]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Student Life]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[The Howl]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Trails of Terror]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22131386</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>USU hosts the annual Howl “Trails of Terror” on Oct. 25 in celebration of halloween.  </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/the-howl-trails-of-terror/">The Howl: Trails of Terror</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>USU hosts the annual Howl “Trails of Terror” on Oct. 25 in celebration of halloween.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/the-howl-trails-of-terror/">The Howl: Trails of Terror</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<title>The Howl 2022</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/the-howl-2022/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Elise Gottling]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Sun, 30 Oct 2022 00:00:54 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Gallery]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Lifestyles]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Student Life]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[costumes]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Halloween]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[party]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[The Howl]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22121873</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>On October 28, 2022, The Howl was held at the Taggart Student Center. The Howl featured activities such as a…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/the-howl-2022/">The Howl 2022</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>On October 28, 2022, The Howl was held at the Taggart Student Center. The Howl featured activities such as a dance, haunted house, mechanical bull, hypnotist, karaoke, and many more.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/the-howl-2022/">The Howl 2022</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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<item>
<title>USU’s biggest party of the year returns: The Howl</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/usus-biggest-party-of-the-year-returns-the-howl/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jared Adams]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Sat, 23 Oct 2021 15:00:57 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Activities commitee]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Colton Fetzer]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Felicia Gallegos]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Gracie Shippen]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Halloween]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[saavi]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[The fieldhouse]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[The Howl]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[USU]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[USU party event]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[What Lies Below]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22116333</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>The Howl, Utah State University’s annual Halloween event and one of the largest Halloween parties in the state, is returning…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/usus-biggest-party-of-the-year-returns-the-howl/">USU’s biggest party of the year returns: The Howl</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Howl, Utah State University’s annual Halloween event and one of the largest Halloween parties in the state, is returning on Oct. 29.</p>
<p>This year’s event will have a dance, laser tag, archery tag, virtual reality, a hypnotist, a comedian, fortune tellers, airbrush tattoos, karaoke and a photo booth.</p>
<p>Colton Fetzer, the activities director for the Utah State University Student Association, is excited about the event.</p>
<p>“Everyone knows about the dance in the fieldhouse,” Fetzer said. “But what a lot of people don’t realize is that there’s more than just the dance.”</p>
<p>Fetzer said students can also look forward to different activities and entertainment in the Taggart Student Center.</p>
<p>“All the different lounges will have something, and the ballroom will have something,” he said.<br />
“There will be a lot of things for people who don’t necessarily want to go to just the dance. It’ll be an amazing time.”</p>
<p>While Fetzer wants to keep a lot of the event a mystery, he said he’s looking forward to having not only a photo booth, but also having a slow-motion video booth, which he described as a fun twist on a normal experience.</p>
<p>The theme for the Howl this year is “What Lies Below,” a committee chosen theme, to reference the tunnels below USU’s Logan campus.</p>
<p>“The theme is centered around the students that are leading a research project,” Fetzer said. “They are trying to figure out what USU is hiding in the tunnels underneath campus. They run all over and they’re sort of a mysterious place that students don’t know about.”</p>
<p>Students can also expect the Howl to be a very different experience than it was in 2020.</p>
<p>Rather than having the one-night party like what is typically seen, the Howl in 2020 was composed of a week of Halloween themed activities, such as the Aggie Howl, a drive-through haunted house, a virtual costume contest, a Halloween Scotsman’s Quest and a drive-in horror movie.</p>
<p>Gracie Shippen is in her second year as a USUSA activities committee member and helped plan and orchestrate the event in 2020.</p>
<p>“I am so excited for the students to be able to attend a true Howl event,” Shippen said. “I’m also excited that we, as students, are able to experience it together.”</p>
<p>While events have returned to USU, the coronavirus was still considered when planning the 2021 Howl. The event this year will only be open to USU students, with tickets only being available with a student ID in the TSC card office.</p>
<p>Any student who resells tickets to a non-USU student will be subject to action from the USU Office of Student Conduct.</p>
<p>In addition, masks covering the mouth and nose are permitted and encouraged, but full head masks are not allowed. There will also be space to maintain social distancing.</p>
<p>Outside of those coronavirus restrictions, the event will be comparable to what was seen before the pandemic. Fetzer is excited to reintroduce the Howl to students who didn’t get to experience it in 2020.</p>
<p>“The event will be different from previous years in some ways,” Fetzer said. “One big thing is our emphasis on consent throughout the event. We are really working with SAAVI and the Title IX office to create a safer environment for students at the Howl.”</p>
<p>SAAVI, or the Sexual Assault and Anti-Violence Information Office, is an on-campus organization that provides counseling, advocacy and information to university members.</p>
<p>Sexual violence is typically a concern at the Howl. According to the <a href="https://www.hjnews.com/news/crime_courts/three-sexual-assaults-reported-to-usu-on-day-of-howl-event/article_01ec3809-3877-5213-b12d-6ae9b35bbccf.html">Herald Journal</a>, three sexual assaults were reported at the event in 2019.</p>
<p>Aubrey Hampton, a junior at USU, attended the Howl in 2019. She reflected on her and her friends’ safety leading up to the event.</p>
<p>“We had a system set up beforehand,” Hampton said. “If we didn’t hear from them at a certain time, we would contact friends and the police. We also stay in bigger groups.”</p>
<p>Hampton also said that while she’s excited for the Howl, she will be taking similar precautions this year, especially considering what happened in 2019.</p>
<p>Felicia Gallegos is the outreach and prevention coordinator with the SAAVI office. Her office has worked with the USUSA activities committee and USU to help ensure a safe Howl.</p>
<p>“The university takes several precautions each year in hopes of preventing sexual misconduct from occurring at the Howl,” Gallegos said. “First, the hiring of police officers and security, who are trained to monitor the event. Second, USUSA recruited nearly 100 volunteers. They receive an upstander bystander intervention training designed specifically for the Howl from SAAVI and the Office of Equity.”</p>
<p>Gallegos and Fetzer both also mentioned marketing tools to raise awareness about consent and sexual misconduct behaviors. There will be large banners and announcements regarding consent and flyers in every bathroom stall and urinal and information about how to report behavior.</p>
<p>Additionally, a SAAVI advocate will be available at the event. Any student who feels unsafe is encouraged to notify a police officer, security member or volunteer that they would like to speak to an advocate.</p>
<p>“The Howl is an incredibly safe event because so many individuals are present who are trained to recognize and stop sexual misconduct,” Gallegos said. “It is very common for us to call attention to the Howl, but I encourage everyone to be alert and aware at any festivity you attend this Halloween season.”</p>
<p>USUSA and SAAVI also want to remind students about the definition of consent prior to the event.</p>
<p>“Consent is an agreement to do the same thing, at the same time, in the same way,” Gallegos said. “Sexual activity without consent is sexual assault. Costume is not consent. No groping or grinding at the Howl without consent.”</p>
<p>Howl tickets are available for $15.00 with a student ID and cannot be purchased online.</p>
<p>More information on upcoming USU events can be found by following @ususaevents on Instagram.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>-Jared.Adams@usu.edu</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/usus-biggest-party-of-the-year-returns-the-howl/">USU’s biggest party of the year returns: The Howl</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<title>Robbed of their final year, USU seniors share their stories</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/robbed-of-their-final-year-usu-seniors-share-their-stories/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Karcin Harris]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2020 04:51:59 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[concerts]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[COVID-19]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[experiences]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Festival]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[future]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[graduation]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Hansen]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Hill]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Logan]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Maverik Stadium]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[online]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[PoBev]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Professor]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[scotsman]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[senior]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[spring break]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[students]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[The Howl]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Utah State University]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Velazquez]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Warr]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://usustatesman.com/?p=22112162</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Freshman year at any college can be an intimidating experience. Students are in a new place surrounded by strangers, and…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/robbed-of-their-final-year-usu-seniors-share-their-stories/">Robbed of their final year, USU seniors share their stories</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Freshman year at any college can be an intimidating experience. Students are in a new place surrounded by strangers, and still figuring out what to do with their lives. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Sophomores might have a little more clarity. They’ve made some friends, picked a major and have started to feel familiar with the college campus and town. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">In junior year, college starts to feel like home. School might be a little stressful, but juniors have grown to love this life. They’re excited about the future and the path they’re on. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">With senior year approaching, students are generally excited to spend one more year living college life to the fullest, making valuable memories and really savoring the experience. That’s what senior year is all about, right? </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">At Utah State University, that means cheering loudly in the stands at Maverick Stadium, going to dances and parties, singing The Scotsman — loudly and badly — in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum and celebrating years of hard work at graduation. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">This year seniors won’t be able to do that. At least not in the way they’ve been looking forward to.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">USU seniors Jonah Hansen, Alyssa Hill, Kirsten Warr and Lydia Velazquez don’t expect to have a graduation. They don’t expect to have the same experiences as previous seniors. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">And they don’t expect finishing their degrees to feel satisfying.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Hansen, an economics major, said his education is entirely online this semester. He was originally expecting a great semester for his last year of college and made plans to ensure it would work out that way.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Hansen handpicked his professors for this semester, and he was excited. This semester was going to be about attending his classes and getting great one-on-one time with the professors, but he can’t do that now. The online classes, he said, are the biggest disappointment of the school year.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Just the other day, Hansen was trying to do his homework assignment. He watched a recorded lecture and couldn’t find the part where the professor talked about the knowledge he needed to answer the questions.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">He tried clicking on different spots, in hopes of stopping on the right part of the video, with no luck. Hansen viewed the lecture twice before turning to Google to find the answer. He wished he had a way to ask the professor for help in real time, instead of needing to resort to asking the internet. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">“I was so angry I hadn’t learned what the professor thought he was teaching,” he said, “and I couldn’t get any help from him or the online class.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Hansen said while he applauds what professors have tried to do while adjusting to this new way of teaching, they’re missing the mark. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">“It’s my last year and I feel like I’m being robbed of a full learning experience,” he said. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Most seniors taking online classes this year feel similarly. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Hill, an international studies major, is trying to focus on things she actually can control right now, but with all of her online classes and professors who aren’t exactly tech savvy, it’s a challenge. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">“The classes are not going great,” Hill said. “I have one professor who still has a hard time with recording videos or keeping up with Canvas because they didn’t use it at all before this whole thing.” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Seniors wanted more. They wanted to communicate with their professors and classmates. They wanted to get more out of their last few college classes. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">They didn’t want online classes filled with busywork and technical difficulties. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Velazquez, an English major, said all five of her classes are online this semester. She said she’s thankful for her great professors and classmates, but her coursework feels pointless. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">“I can confidently say that I have cried more this semester than I have during any other semester,” </span><span style="font-weight: 400">Velazquez</span><span style="font-weight: 400"> said. “I can’t help but feel hopeless and like there is nothing to look forward to. Everyday feels like limbo.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Recreation administration major Kirsten Warr is taking five online classes and one in-person class this semester. She’s trying to stay optimistic about virtual learning, but has still had her moments of frustration regarding her senior year. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">One of the measures USU has taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to cancel spring break and add a week onto winter break. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Warr and her husband had plans to travel to Hawaii over spring break. It was something they both had wanted to do before graduating. Now that the break has been cancelled, they’re still going to try and go, with the worry of working around their schoolwork and preparing for graduation. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Hill said even though USU cancelled its spring break, she’s still planning on taking a week off in the spring. It’s her last one, and she feels she deserves it. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">“I think students still need that break from going nonstop with school work and their jobs. At least, I know I do,” Hill said. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Hansen said he was devastated to hear that spring break was cancelled. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">“I had really big plans for spring break with a lot of my friends,” he said. “The fact that it was cancelled for a pretty much arbitrary reason made me really sad.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Along with the cancellation of spring break, Hansen has lost other activities this year. He’s a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon and said the fraternity has cancelled event after event. No brotherhood retreat, no weekly get togethers and no ice cream socials. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Events that may seem unimportant, but were still hard losses for the seniors who were expecting them and won’t get another chance to go to them. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">There’s also the Howl, USU’s Halloween party, and PoBev, a monthly on-campus poetry night. They were both modified to be online and meet social distance requirements, but Hansen said it’s just not the same.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Like many of her fellow seniors, Velazquez was planning on having more control over her last year. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">“I feel like </span><span style="font-weight: 400">I’m feigning control, but something happens and suddenly I feel like a little kid,” she said.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Velazquez originally had big plans for her last year at USU. She was going to go to concerts, to the Sundance Film Festival and the Treefort Music Fest, but those plans have crumbled. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">“I live for concerts, so not going to concerts and not having those experiences has been hard,” she said. “There have been modified concerts happening, but it doesn’t feel the same and I don’t feel entirely safe attending them.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Hansen, Hill and Warr aren’t expecting a ceremony. It’s too risky, they said, and the cases are higher than they were when last year’s seniors lost their graduation ceremony. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Just one more promised event stolen from these university seniors. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">“I’m not holding out for a graduation ceremony,” Velazquez said. “Considering how Utah is doing in terms of cases and how Logan is doing in terms of being cautious, I wouldn’t hold my breath.”</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>-karcinrose@gmail.com</p>
<p>@HarrisKarcin</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/robbed-of-their-final-year-usu-seniors-share-their-stories/">Robbed of their final year, USU seniors share their stories</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<title>Reselling tickets to the USU Howl</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/reselling-tickets-to-the-usu-howl/</link>
<comments>https://usustatesman.com/reselling-tickets-to-the-usu-howl/#comments</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Landon Stuart]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 23 Oct 2018 22:14:22 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Lifestyles]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Student Life]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Halloween]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[howl]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Landon Stuart]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[party]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[resale]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[reselling]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[selling]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[The Howl]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[tickets]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[USU]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[USU Aggies]]></category>
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<description><![CDATA[<p>Many parties occur every year around Halloween time throughout the state of Utah, but there is one that infamously stands…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/reselling-tickets-to-the-usu-howl/">Reselling tickets to the USU Howl</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many parties occur every year around Halloween time throughout the state of Utah, but there is one that infamously stands above the rest: the Utah State University Howl. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Students come all the way from Salt Lake City, Orem, Cedar City, St. George and even out of state to participate in an event that is notorious for how wild it gets, both on and off the dance floor. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Due to high demand and limited supply, Howl tickets are often resold for profit. The high price of attendance and the act of resale has carried negative consequences in years past.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tickets in the USU card office are $15 for students and $25 for general public admission. These prices jump higher once tickets are posted for sale on social media. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To get an idea of how the Howl ticket reselling culture works, Zane Williams, a junior at USU who has made a name for himself reselling thrift store items, explained what constitutes a good flip versus a mediocre or bad one.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“A good flip to me is a flip where I can at least double the money I put into a single product after shipping and listing fees,” he said. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A timely return on investment helps significantly, he said. The demand for Howl tickets is hot and they go quickly, making them an appealing opportunity for resellers. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s popular (to resell) because you can easily make $40-60 selling howl tickets purchased at a student price ($15). I sold two last year at the door for $45 each. People come from all over and are willing to pay big bucks. The biggest howl ticket flip I’ve seen was on the (freshman 2016) student Facebook group that sold for around $85.” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At $45 dollars, when tickets are bought at the student price, resellers are getting 300 percent of what they originally paid for the Howl admission. Despite the more expensive tickets, people are still willing to pay these prices to get in. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hype and buildup surrounding the Howl coupled with the steep asking price of resold tickets could create unrealistic expectations for non-USU students attending the Howl. Every year there are arrests made at the Howl, but the majority come from students representing other schools.</span></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-22094715 " src="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/thehowltickets-1000x379.png" alt="" width="422" height="159" srcset="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/thehowltickets-1000x379.png 1000w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/thehowltickets-300x114.png 300w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/thehowltickets-335x127.png 335w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/thehowltickets-1050x397.png 1050w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/thehowltickets.png 1630w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 422px) 100vw, 422px" /></p>
<p><a href="https://usustatesman.com/23-arrests-recorded-at-the-howl/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">In 2014</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for example, according to former Statesman writer Christopher Farnes, there were 23 arrests made at the Howl, but only 4 of them were USU students. The arrests ranged from a minor in possession to disorderly conduct.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Police officers from the 2014 writeup suggested that perhaps the reason for this disproportionate amount of non-USU student arrests is that they attend the Howl expecting to have a consequence-free good time without realizing how strict Logan law enforcement is in regards to alcohol and other situationally illegal substances.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tickets and more information about the Howl can be found at </span><a href="https://howl.usu.edu/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://howl.usu.edu/</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">— </span><a href="mailto:landon.stuart@aggiemail.usu.edu"><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">landon.stuart@aggiemail.usu.edu</span></i></a></p>
<p><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">@Landos84</span></i></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/reselling-tickets-to-the-usu-howl/">Reselling tickets to the USU Howl</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<title>Police Chief Steven Mecham to retire: A look at his 35-year career at USU</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/police-chief-steven-mecham-to-retire-a-look-at-his-35-year-career-at-usu/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Melanie Fenstermaker]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 28 Nov 2016 22:57:26 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Campus News]]></category>
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<category><![CDATA[FBI National Academy]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Latter-Day Saints]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Logan]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Steven Mecham]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Steven Milne]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[The Howl]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[USU Police Department]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Utah]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://usustatesman.com/?p=22010851</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>On New Year’s Eve, Utah State University’s police chief will celebrate more than just the new year. At midnight, Chief…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/police-chief-steven-mecham-to-retire-a-look-at-his-35-year-career-at-usu/">Police Chief Steven Mecham to retire: A look at his 35-year career at USU</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On New Year’s Eve, Utah State University’s police chief will celebrate more than just the new year. At midnight, Chief Steven Mecham will officially retire from his 35 years with the on-campus police department.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This year, he plans to enjoy the holiday with family board games and movies, as long as students don’t create a disturbance. If they do, he’ll put on his badge, head back to campus and celebrate by facilitating a few last arrests to finish his career.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But he hopes that doesn’t happen.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Fortunately there’s no activities for campus on New Year’s Eve,” he said. “I hope that doesn’t change this year.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mecham looks forward to retirement. He wants to catch up on golf, travel, spend time with family and maybe serve a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with his wife, Darlene. But that’s not to say he hasn’t enjoyed his years on the force.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s just been a great place to work,” he said. “It’s been good for my family and I’ve just loved it here.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Looking back on his career, Mecham says, the 35 years at the campus police department have “flown by” in a way they never do when he’s looking toward the future.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now, as Mecham begins to pack his office, he can look back at the memories he’s made and the moments that led him to Cache Valley years ago.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_22010858" style="width: 267px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-22010858" class="wp-image-22010858 size-medium" src="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/1992-257x300.jpg" alt="" width="257" height="300" srcset="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/1992-257x300.jpg 257w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/1992-855x1000.jpg 855w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/1992-335x392.jpg 335w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/1992-1050x1228.jpg 1050w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/1992.jpg 1199w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 257px) 100vw, 257px" /><p id="caption-attachment-22010858" class="wp-caption-text">Steven Mecham in 1992.</p></div>
<p><b>Coming to Cache Valley</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Although Mecham has been in the profession for 39 years, he says “nothing really specific” drew him to law enforcement. He had a friend who was a police officer at Rick’s College </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">— </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">now known as BYU-Idaho</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">— </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">and Mecham thought it sounded like a good job.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When he came home from serving a two-year LDS mission in Anaheim, California, he signed up for the law enforcement program at Rick’s College.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> “I just fell in love with the profession 39 years ago,” he said.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mecham earned an associate’s degree in law enforcement from Rick’s College in 1976. In 1977, he was hired as a patrol officer at Rick’s College.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_22010857" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-22010857" class="wp-image-22010857 size-medium" src="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/1979-300x218.jpg" alt="1979" width="300" height="218" srcset="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/1979-300x218.jpg 300w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/1979-335x244.jpg 335w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/1979.jpg 550w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><p id="caption-attachment-22010857" class="wp-caption-text">Steven Mecham worked at Rick’s College — now known as BYU Idaho — in his early career. This photo was taken in 1979.</p></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Four years later, he heard Utah State University was starting its own police department. He got the job as a patrol officer in 1981, and was one of nine officers who were hired to get the department running.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mecham had only two of his six children at the time, and he said his wife was “very pregnant” with their third. As his family grew in size, his love for Cache Valley grew as well.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Cache Valley is just a beautiful, beautiful place,” he said. “We’ve always had great neighbors, good friends.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mecham was promoted to sergeant shortly after he was hired, but his full-time job didn’t stop him from pursuing an education. He finished a degree at BYU in justice administration in 1986, went on to earn a master’s degree from USU in social science in 1990 and graduated from the FBI national academy in 1992. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That year, he was chosen to be USU’s chief of police. Over the years, he’s watched the police department and the university grow and change.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s been a great ride,” he said. “I’ve made lots of good memories.”</span></p>
<p><b>Chief Mecham’s Memories</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some of Mecham’s favorite memories come from his days as a patrol officer.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He said the city didn’t send many patrols to the university in the 80s, so when he first arrived the university had a big problem with alcohol </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">— </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">students passing alcohol around Greek Row, drinking liquor openly at sporting events and holding parties on campus </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">— h</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">e made lots of arrests in</span></p>
<div id="attachment_22010863" style="width: 179px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-22010863" class="size-medium wp-image-22010863" src="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/steve-milne-1-169x300.jpg" alt="Chief Steven Mecham, who has always been a big fan of Utah State University sports, watches a softball game with USU's mascot, Big Blue. Photo courtesy of Heather Strong." width="169" height="300" srcset="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/steve-milne-1-169x300.jpg 169w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/steve-milne-1.jpg 306w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 169px) 100vw, 169px" /><p id="caption-attachment-22010863" class="wp-caption-text">Chief Steven Mecham, who has always been a big fan of Utah State University sports, watches a softball game with USU’s mascot, Big Blue. Photo courtesy of Heather Strong.</p></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">his early years.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“As a young officer, that was a lot of fun to make a lot of arrests </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">— </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">not hardcore arrests, just alcohol arrests,” he said.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mecham said he remembers making a lot of arrests at Tequila Day every year. Tequila Day was held at one football game every year in the 80s, usually when the team played the University of Utah or Brigham Young University.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The event wasn’t university-sponsored, but the school allowed it to be promoted in the student center. Mecham said he still doesn’t understand the logic of the advertisement because USU has always been a dry campus, and he is happy the university stopped allowing advertisements and that Tequila Day has been forgotten.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One fun part of Tequila Day, Mecham said, was dressing in plain clothes and arresting students by surprise. Mecham said he was once sitting in the student section dressed in plain clothes when a student next to him sat down and pulled out several mini bottles of tequila.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I pulled out my badge and said, ‘Come with me,’ and he was pretty bummed, but the look on his face was priceless,” Mecham recalled.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But the chief hasn’t enjoyed every event on campus.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’m not sad that I’ve been to my last Halloween Howl,” he said with a chuckle.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_22010856" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-22010856" class="wp-image-22010856 size-medium" src="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-5-howl-2016-300x225.jpg" alt="Chief Mecham, Sergeant Jessica Vahsholtz, Captain Steve Milne and Sergeant Joe Huish sit around before the Halloween Howl, USU's most popular party of the year, in October 2016. Photo courtesy of Heather Strong." width="300" height="225" srcset="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-5-howl-2016-300x225.jpg 300w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-5-howl-2016-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-5-howl-2016-72x54.jpg 72w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-5-howl-2016-335x251.jpg 335w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-5-howl-2016-1050x788.jpg 1050w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-5-howl-2016.jpg 1869w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><p id="caption-attachment-22010856" class="wp-caption-text">Chief Mecham, Sergeant Jessica Vahsholtz, Captain Steve Milne and Sergeant Joe Hush wait around before the Halloween Howl, USU’s most popular party of the year, in October 2016. Photo courtesy of Heather Strong.</p></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Although the Howl brings a lot of mischief to the university, Mecham said it still makes USU students look good.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“That’s our biggest day of the year for arrests and most, the vast majority of those arrests, do not involve USU students, so that’s kudos to our students who are wise enough to not drink alcohol,” he said. “Most universities wouldn’t be able to throw a party like this.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mecham said alcohol problems have decreased over the years. Officers no longer dress in plain clothes at sporting events and more students are aware of the consequences of consuming alcohol on campus. But he’s watched other problems increase.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He said the number of students with emotional and mental illnesses has increased over the years.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The number of students we’ve seen who have threatened suicide or have sought help because they have suicidal thoughts has just skyrocketed over the years,” he said. “It’s sad and it’s hard. There’s just too many students feeling that way and hopefully things will start changing and students will start seeing that there’s help, there’s reason to live and there’s happier days ahead.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mecham said the officers try to help students through those suicidal thoughts, and work closely with student affairs and the counseling center to help students work through mental illness.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He said the department has also been more attentive to the possibility of an on-campus active shooter situation because of increasing incidents around the country.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s been kind of sad to watch that happen across the country, and of course sad when it happens on a college campus, but the reality is it can happen anywhere,” he said. “It can happen here today or tomorrow and nobody I think can consider themselves immune, so we have to prepare.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mecham said these and other prominent issues at USU, such as sexual assault, are at the forefront of the officers’ minds. For the most part, though, he considers USU a safe place.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Overall at Utah State University, we have not a had a lot of the real hardcore crime and that’s a good place to be,” he said.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_22010859" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-22010859" class="size-medium wp-image-22010859" src="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/office-photo-graduation-2015-300x133.jpg" alt="Sergeant Travis Dunn, Officer Andy Barnes, Chief Mecham, Captain Milne, Sergeant Joe Huish, Officer Travis Robson and Officer Kim Ellis prepare to enforce the law at Utah State University's 2015 graduation ceremony. Photo courtesy of Heather Strong." width="300" height="133" srcset="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/office-photo-graduation-2015-300x133.jpg 300w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/office-photo-graduation-2015-1000x444.jpg 1000w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/office-photo-graduation-2015-335x149.jpg 335w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/office-photo-graduation-2015-1050x466.jpg 1050w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><p id="caption-attachment-22010859" class="wp-caption-text">Sergeant Travis Dunn, Officer Andy Barnes, Chief Mecham, Captain Milne, Sergeant Joe Huish, Officer Travis Robson and Officer Kim Ellis prepare to enforce the law at Utah State University’s 2015 graduation ceremony. Photo courtesy of Heather Strong.</p></div>
<p><b>Service and Safety</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Every week, among more serious incidents like car accidents and rape investigations, campus police officers respond to lockouts, jump starts and other minor issues on campus.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Steven Milne, the captain of the department, said the USU police responds to more service calls than most other police departments.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We do far more general service calls than we did in the old days. A lot of that’s because of (Mecham),” Milne said. “Are they really in the realm of the police department? I don’t know, but he pushes that. He wants people to call us. He’s quick to say, ‘Absolutely.’”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since his first day on the job, Mecham has believed officers should care about and serve the campus community in any way they can.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Milne said Mecham tells officers, “Don’t just sit in the car all day. Get out and interact with your community and get to know the people you’re serving and protecting.”</span></p>
<div id="attachment_22010860" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-22010860" class="size-medium wp-image-22010860" src="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-6-walk-a-mile-in-her-shoes-2010-300x289.jpg" alt="Ryan Barfuss, Chief Mecham and Officer Chad Vernon of the Logan City Police march against rape while wearing high heels at Walk a Mile in Her Shoes in 2011. Photo courtesy of Heather Strong." width="300" height="289" srcset="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-6-walk-a-mile-in-her-shoes-2010-300x289.jpg 300w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-6-walk-a-mile-in-her-shoes-2010-1000x964.jpg 1000w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-6-walk-a-mile-in-her-shoes-2010-335x323.jpg 335w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-6-walk-a-mile-in-her-shoes-2010-1050x1012.jpg 1050w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-6-walk-a-mile-in-her-shoes-2010.jpg 1454w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><p id="caption-attachment-22010860" class="wp-caption-text">Ryan Barfuss, Chief Mecham and Officer Chad Vernon of the Logan City Police march against rape while wearing high heels at Walk a Mile in Her Shoes in 2011. Photo courtesy of Heather Strong.After Mecham was made chief, he created a bicycle patrol program.</p></div>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I felt like that was one way to get officers closer to people,” he said. “We’re human. They can stop and talk to us. I think that provides a sense of safety and security. You can be safe, but if you don’t feel safe, you’re not safe.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And safety is Mecham’s top priority. He’s happy that USU is frequently ranked among the safest college campuses in the nation.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It speaks well of our citizens; it speaks well of our law enforcement,” he said. “Really I think it speaks to the overall quality of citizens that we have in the valley. Good people, good schools, good opportunities.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mecham said one challenge of enforcing laws in a safe community is avoiding becoming complacent.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“When you work in a department like ours when there’s not a lot of bad crime</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">—</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">we’re so grateful for that</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">—</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">but it could happen tomorrow,” he said. “It demands that we train. Even though it may not happen, we train as though it would happen tomorrow.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Judy Crockett, the department’s emergency management coordinator, said Mecham encourages officers to adjust their work schedules to make time for education.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“He is very, very supportive of furthering your training and doing whatever he can to help you and support your job,” she said.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In case there’s a campus-wide crisis, Mecham also encourages officers to join focus groups in the valley and get to know other members of law enforcement.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“He’s very attuned to the fact that, just being a small department, that if we ever have a big emergency, we’ll be relying a lot on the outside agencies. So he works to make sure those lines of communications are established,” Milne said.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_22010861" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-22010861" class="size-medium wp-image-22010861" src="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-7-special-olympics-torch-run-2009-300x223.jpg" alt="Fire Marshal Jason Winn, Captain Milne, Lieutenant Shane Sessions, Chief Mecham, Office Sutton Hanzalik demonstrate their strength before the 2009 Special Olympics torch run. Photo courtesy of Heather Strong." width="300" height="223" srcset="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-7-special-olympics-torch-run-2009-300x223.jpg 300w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-7-special-olympics-torch-run-2009-1000x742.jpg 1000w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-7-special-olympics-torch-run-2009-72x54.jpg 72w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-7-special-olympics-torch-run-2009-335x249.jpg 335w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-7-special-olympics-torch-run-2009-1050x779.jpg 1050w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-7-special-olympics-torch-run-2009.jpg 1889w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><p id="caption-attachment-22010861" class="wp-caption-text">Fire Marshal Jason Winn, Captain Milne, Lieutenant Shane Sessions, Chief Mecham, Office Sutton Hanzalik demonstrate their strength before the 2009 Special Olympics torch run. Photo courtesy of Heather Strong.</p></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mecham also cares about his team. He makes sure the officers have personal needs taken care of and have time to spend with family.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I have a firm belief that if people are happy at home, they’ll be better employees,” he said.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Those he’s been in charge of are grateful for his influence on the department.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“He’s very calm and easygoing. He’s very service-oriented,” Crockett said. “He’s just a good man.”</span></p>
<p><b>Making space for a new chief</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In December, Mecham will pack up his graduation diplomas. He’ll pack up the pictures of his grandchildren, the knick knacks on his window sill, and the handfuls of Snoopy dolls </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">— </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">one representing almost every year he was chief at USU </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">— </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">sitting by his desk.</span></p>
<div id="attachment_22010862" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-22010862" class="size-medium wp-image-22010862" src="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-1-300x225.jpg" alt="Chief Mecham poses with his wife, Darlene." width="300" height="225" srcset="https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-1-72x54.jpg 72w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-1-335x251.jpg 335w, https://usustatesman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/heather-strong-1.jpg 723w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><p id="caption-attachment-22010862" class="wp-caption-text">Chief Mecham poses with his wife, Darlene.</p></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He’ll do so confident that his coworkers and friends will move on without him.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A nationwide search for a new chief has already begun, and the hiring committee will review applications in early December. If a replacement isn’t immediately found, Milne will temporarily fill the position.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’m confident that whoever steps into this office will understand a college environment, what we need to be and what we need to be prepared for,” Mecham said. “I’m confident that they’ll continue on in a new path and probably move to new heights.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The campus police department will hold a farewell party for Mecham on Dec. 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Alumni House. Everyone is invited to attend.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">—</span><a href="mailto:melmo12@gmail.com"><span style="font-weight: 400;">melmo12@gmail.com</span></a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">@mcfenstermaker</span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/police-chief-steven-mecham-to-retire-a-look-at-his-35-year-career-at-usu/">Police Chief Steven Mecham to retire: A look at his 35-year career at USU</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<title>Glitter, gum and vomit: The Howl behind the scenes</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/glitter-gum-and-vomit-the-howl-behind-the-scenes/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Alyssa Roberts]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 31 Oct 2016 16:42:43 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Campus Crime]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Fieldhouse]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[howl]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Kameron Drage]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Logan]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Nadan Mohomed]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Rachael Fresh]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Taggart Student Center]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[The Howl]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Tresa Barton]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[USU]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://usustatesman.com/?p=22010044</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>They’ve been yelled at. They’ve been jumped over — literally, vaulted over. They’ve had trash cans thrown at them. Saturday…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/glitter-gum-and-vomit-the-howl-behind-the-scenes/">Glitter, gum and vomit: The Howl behind the scenes</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They’ve been yelled at. They’ve been jumped over </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">— </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">literally, vaulted over. They’ve had trash cans thrown at them. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Saturday night, they even stayed hours after Howl-goers had gone, scraping gum off the Fieldhouse floor and sweeping up gigantic piles of glittery garbage </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">— </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">the aftermath of Utah’s greatest Halloween party. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s not all glittery feathers and trampled chewing gum, though. Tresa Barton, assistant facilities coordinator at the Taggart Student Center, said cleaning up vomit and urine after the Howl is also typical. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Barton said clean-up crews scrub floors, buff walls and spend a week cleaning carpets every year after the Howl.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But volunteers say they’d do it all over again. And most of them do, every year. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I would rather volunteer than actually attend it,” said Joe Busby, a junior studying elementary education who volunteered at the Howl this year and last year. “You get to know an aspect of the Howl that people don’t see </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">— </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">you know the blueprint to the Howl, in a sense.” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Freshman Brice Jorgensen said she, too, would volunteer again “in a heartbeat.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I would only come to the Howl if I was volunteering because I’d feel like I was more a part of things,” Jorgensen said. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While volunteers agreed working the Howl is fun, they also said it can be hard </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">— </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">and sometimes even a little scary. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rachael Fresh, the Utah State University Student Association’s student alumni VP, said she had a garbage can thrown at her one year. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It was traumatizing,” Fresh said. “I was more just really intimidated by someone doing something like that and it was my first time ever volunteering, so I was a little afraid.” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nadan Mohamed is a sophomore studying communications. Last year </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">— </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">her first year volunteering at the Howl </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">— </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">she said someone actually vaulted over her to get into the dance. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It was terrifying, but it was a lot of fun,” Mohamed said. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kameron Drage, a senior studying mechanical engineering, said he’s worked the front entrance for the past few years and likes it because it’s usually “kind of mellow.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We see a lot of drunk people get called off,” Drage said. “I’d say that’s probably it.” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Aside from confiscating props, of course. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">By 11 p.m., the prop bins at the front entrance were nearly full of handcuffs, swords, bright pink pepper spray keychains and even the occasional trident. One party-goer tried to walk in on stilts </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">— </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">but didn’t get very far. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Inside, volunteers had to manage crowd control, which can be another problem entirely.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Similar to years past, there were two dance parties at this year’s Howl to entertain the roughly 5,500 guests. But like always, the Fieldhouse was the most crowded. After 2,750 people had gone in, volunteers and guest services workers had to turn others away. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s hard for other people to say no,” said Katelyn Miles, who works for USU’s guest services, “especially when there’s a bunch of people telling you that they really want in and appealing to your empathy.” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Miles said after three years working events like this, she’s developed a thick skin, though. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I don’t cry,” she said. “That’s why I’m here.” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Inside the Fieldhouse, volunteers mingle and dance with the rest of the party, but they’re also watching out for people’s safety </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">— </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">like making sure no one passes out in the middle of a thrashing crowd of thousands. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Jorgensen said paramedics came twice during her Fieldhouse shift to remove students who seemed close to losing it. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I was expecting a couple of people to pass out,” said McKay Frederickson, a freshman who worked security in the Fieldhouse as well. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That expectation is what drives the volunteers and staff who make the Howl happen every year. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“When you’re at the Howl, everybody’s just having a fun time,” Busby said, “but then you know you’re there as a safety net to have their backs.” </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And to clean up the glittery mess they leave behind. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">–– </span><a href="mailto:ac.roberts95@gmail.cm"><span style="font-weight: 400;">ac.roberts95@gmail.com</span></a></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">@alyssarbrts</span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/glitter-gum-and-vomit-the-howl-behind-the-scenes/">Glitter, gum and vomit: The Howl behind the scenes</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<title>Clown costumes highly discouraged at Howl, USUSA says</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/clown-costumes-highly-discouraged-at-howl-ususa-says/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Alison Berg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 27 Oct 2016 21:51:20 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Campus Crime]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Halloween]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[October]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Spencer Bitner]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Taggart Studen tCenter]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[The Howl]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[ususa]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://usustatesman.com/?p=22009943</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>Clowns seem to be everywhere lately: on the news, in movies and even on campus — but you probably won’t…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/clown-costumes-highly-discouraged-at-howl-ususa-says/">Clown costumes highly discouraged at Howl, USUSA says</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Clowns seem to be everywhere lately: on the news, in movies and even on campus — but you probably won’t see one at Saturday’s Howl. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Utah State University Student Association recently published a press release stating, “Due to the current climate towards clowns, we highly discourage dressing as a clown; this is for your safety inside and outside of the event. If you come dressed as a clown, you may be refused admission.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While heavy face paint and props have always been discouraged at USU’s biggest party of the year, dressing as a clown has never been a ticket to admission refusal. In fact, USU has used “creepy clowns” as a past theme for the Howl. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Spencer Bitner, the Taggart Student Center associate director and student events adviser, said USUSA is mostly concerned about students’ safety.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There have been accounts around the nation of students creating mobs to try to hunt down — and possibly hurt — people dressed as clowns on campus. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We are discouraging clown costumes for the students’ safety,” Bitner said. “We’re worried that someone could take offense to someone people dressed like a clown and try to hurt them.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The rule against clowns was created in early October, when clowns were popping up all over the nation, and some were causing harm and distress to citizens.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We feel like the clown hype has kind of died down recently,” Bitner said. “Originally our administrators were concerned about students’ safety. We were concerned about a student dressing like a clown, acting creepy and getting hurt.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Because the Howl attracts thousands of people, certain precautions are taken to ensure participants’ safety. These precautions include banning props of any sort, masks, and heavy face paint which can cover someone’s identity.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Our biggest concern is identifying people if they do cause problems. If someone has face paint on, it’s harder to take face paint off than to take a mask off,” Bitner said. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Crimes happen every year at the Howl, and a precaution is taken to ensure these crimes are handled properly.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We can’t let someone come in and potentially do something nefarious and not be able to identify them,” Bitner said. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Although the Howl is an event in honor of Halloween and it has a scary aspect to it, Bitner said it is intended to be fun and safe for all attendees.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We want people to come and have fun in the context of The Howl, but we also want them to know if they come dressed in any way that is offensive or obscene, they may not be let in,” he said.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Howl sold out at 3 p.m. on Wednesday. </span></p>
<p><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">— aligirl123@gmail.com</span></i></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/clown-costumes-highly-discouraged-at-howl-ususa-says/">Clown costumes highly discouraged at Howl, USUSA says</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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<title>Ask the President: Advice for October</title>
<link>https://usustatesman.com/ask-the-president-advice-for-october/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Shanie Howard]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 04 Oct 2016 22:15:16 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[All]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Campus News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Ashley Waddoups]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[Nontraditional Students]]></category>
<category><![CDATA[The Howl]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">http://usustatesman.com/?p=22009241</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>As October begins, student body president Ashley Waddoups has some advice for how students can stay safe, healthy and have…</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/ask-the-president-advice-for-october/">Ask the President: Advice for October</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As October begins, student body president Ashley Waddoups has some advice for how students can stay safe, healthy and have fun during the fall season.</span></p>
<p><b>The Howl:</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though she isn’t sure what this year’s Howl theme will be, Waddoups has heard rumors.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Last I heard they are doing a creepy carnival type of thing,” she said. “It could have changed since then.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though Waddoups hopes all students attend the Howl this year, she encourages them to stay safe.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You should make sure that you have people you can trust with you,” Waddoups said.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Waddoups encourages students going alone to this event or any other event, “Make sure you tell someone who won’t be there when you’ll be back or when they can expect to hear from you next.”</span></p>
<p><b>Student Health:</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As the weather gets colder, Waddoups encourages students to get more sleep in order to stay healthy and to take advantage of campus’s services.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Waddoups hopes students will take advantage of the many lectures that will be held on campus about student health this month and that students will work together to stay healthier.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“One of the greatest things we can do is create a culture where self-help is acceptable and normal,” Waddoups said.</span></p>
<p><b>Students’ Questions:</b></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">@theSqurrl asked: So many activities are geared toward traditional students. What are you doing to get fringe & notational students involved?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though Waddoups has representatives in her councils for non-traditional students, she still is not sure what to do to better accommodate for these students.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“At this point I’m open to suggestions,” Waddoups said.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Waddoups encourages students to either come to her office hours to talk, schedule an appointment or even send her an email.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I don’t want to try and put a band- aid on something that we don’t quite understand,” she said. “I want to hear more from these students.”</span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://usustatesman.com/ask-the-president-advice-for-october/">Ask the President: Advice for October</a> appeared first on <a href="https://usustatesman.com">The Utah Statesman</a>.</p>
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