March 22 & 23, 2004
In the News
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
STOCKS ISSUE
IS UP TO VOTERS
Voters this fall will be asked to change the Utah Constitution
so the University of Utah and Utah State University can legally
hold stocks in private companies created as the result of research
at those schools -- something the two institutions have been
doing for years. Now, the constitution, in a section dating
back to the 19th century, prohibits state institutions from
"subscribing to stocks and bonds" in private companies.
The amendment, if passed, would settle the question, giving
the U. and USU legal authority to hold equity, or ownership,
in inventions developed by professors and students. "The
proposed amendment will permit universities to benefit from
the risks and investment they make in research that is subject
to being commercialized," said USU President Kermit Hall.
"This allows state universities to earn additional income
that otherwise would not be available for them." (Salt
Lake Tribune, 3/21/04) Click on: http://www.sltrib.com/2004/mar/03212004/utah/149767.asp
GRANITE CENTER
IS SET IN STONE
Remember high school biology? For some, it was the first time
since second grade that they used real animals in science class.
Most students dissected dead frogs to learn about anatomy. The
lucky ones got to use cats. Child's play, say Granite School
District officials. If all goes according to plan, Granite's
high school students will plunge into the atomic world of nanotechnology
-- where researchers arrange atoms and molecules to create microminiature
machines. … A few Utah colleges and universities, such
as Salt Lake Community College and Logan-based Utah State University,
have begun talks with the district to offer other programs at
the center. Again, the key is access, said Vince Lafferty, who
heads distance education at Utah State. "We'll increase
our capacity to deliver our classes not only in Granite, but
around the state," he said. "In Granite, we could
develop programs that meet the specific needs of the local community.
That would complement the master's and bachelor's degree programs
we already offer." (Salt Lake Tribune, 3/22/04) Click on:
http://www.sltrib.com/2004/mar/03152004/utah/148019.asp
LANGUAGES, CULTURES
MELD
Midvale students become fluent in Spanish, English. English
speakers learning Spanish: To Maria Requena, that's a gift.
Spanish speakers learning English: That's survival. Children
learning them together: That's a "beautiful human relation."
"You can see English speakers with Spanish speakers and
see their respect for culture and language," said Requena,
a first-grade teacher whose eyes well up when she speaks of
the Dual Language program she started at Midvale Elementary.
"They need each other." Dual Language, which was showcased
over the weekend as part of the Educators for Diversity conference
at Utah State University, is turning some 140 Midvale students
into fluent speakers of both English and Spanish. The program
seems a perfect fit for Midvale Elementary, where 60 percent
of students are Spanish-speaking, and most teachers are endorsed
to teach English as a second language. (Deseret Morning News,
3/22/04) Click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595050711,00.html
TARGETING STUDENT
MISDEEDS: REPORT NOTES TRENDS IN VIOLATIONS AT UTAH SCHOOLS
There has been one shooting in a Utah school: six years ago,
when a student held classmates hostage in Davis County. Nobody
was hurt. But a look at a new state report of school violence,
weapons possession incidents and other mischief shows weapons
are carried, and confiscated, on Utah's campuses. School districts
for nearly a decade have tracked student misdeeds, from gang
activity to terroristic threats and even homicide, as part of
federal Safe Schools Act grants. They report information online
to the Research Institute for Safe and Effective Programs at
Utah State University, which contracts with the State Office
of Education. (Deseret Morning News, 3/20/04) Click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595050400,00.html
CLEAN 'N' GREEN:
WITH A LITTLE HELP, YOU, TOO, CAN BE...
Wouldn't it be nice if we could all breathe easier? According
to the Environmental Protection Agency, even in the most industrialized
cities, the air indoors can be more polluted than the air outdoors.
Heidi Nybo, of Layton, learned that fact a few months ago while
attending a workshop at the Utah House, an educational extension
site of Utah State University. Part of the facility's mission
is to promote environmentally friendly living. Because household
cleaners are one source of indoor air pollution, Nybo threw
out all of her commercial products and began using baking soda
and vinegar to clean everything. She not only wants to protect
herself from toxins, but, pregnant with her first child, she
has a baby to consider as well. (Standard Examiner, 3/20/04)
Click on: http://www.standard.net/standard/news/print_story.html?sid=00040319203006011061
TOP OF UTAH VOICES:
CHOICE IS OBVIOUS: GANGS OR EDUCATION?
Every once in while you hear a statistic that really makes
you sit up and take notice.
Not that it is outrageous, mind you, or unbelievable, and not
that it is "good," reinforcing a personal belief,
or that it is "bad" and makes you a little nervous.
Just one that you had not considered in quite those terms --
a statistic to which you ought to pay attention. Here's one
I heard earlier this month: by the year 2015 -- let's just say
"10 years from now" -- one out of every five utahns
will be of Latino background. … I bounced some questions
off a handful of Hispanic students at Utah State University
recently, questions about this influx and what it means for
both the Latino and Anglo population. Based on their responses
and that darn gut of mine, can I throw out some ideas? (Standard
Examiner, Letter to the Editor, Jay Wamsley, 3/22/04) Click
on: http://www.standard.net/standard/news/print_story.html?sid=00040321193035867413
GARDEN VARIETY:
NOTHING BUT PANSIES BRIGHTEN UP YARD THIS EARLY
Things are starting to grow again. Despite our pessimistic
view in the middle of winter that we'd probably never see green
or living plant life again, spring always comes. It usually
starts small, with a couple of plants braving the newly discovered
warmth, and then slowly builds. One of the first plants daring
enough to show a little color is the pansy. The pansies in my
yard are already beginning to bloom. The day the snow melts
off, they start blossoming. How cool. I like plants that are
willing to take a little risk. … Jerry Goodspeed is a
horticulturist with the Weber County branch of the Utah State
University Extension Service. (Standard Examiner, 3/20/ 04)
Click on: http://www.standard.net/standard/news/print_story.html?sid=00040319204504831243
USU SETTING PACE
FOR AIR QUALITY CONTROL
With the spring sun finally burning off the inversion and Cache
Valley's air quality back in the "green" category,
some may be tempted to fire up the SUV for a Sunday drive and
forget about air pollution until next winter. Thankfully, Cache
Valley's largest employer is not among them. Utah State University
has announced it will voluntarily test the emissions of its
entire fleet of 692 vehicles. Those that don't comply will be
repaired or replaced. (Herald Journal, 3/20/04)
USU DEPARTMENTS
RECEIVE TELLYS
"Archaeology-Why it rocks!" a Utah State University
produced interactive CD-ROM, is the recipient of a prestigious
Telly Award, announced Barbara A. White, vice president for
Information Technology and chief information officer at Utah
State. Designed and developed by Utah State's University Media
Productions, a department of Technical Services, in partnership
with the Utah State's Museum of Anthropology, the CD-ROM was
recognized at the Telly Awards 25th anniversary competition
in Cincinnati. (Herald Journal, 3/21/04)
STUDENTS LEARN
COUNCIL ROLES
The Association of Youth Councils holds it Youth City Council
(YCC) Leadership Institute March 25-27 at Utah State University.
As part of the conference, high school students from St. George
to Lewiston will practice responding to hypothetical natural
disasters. Power outages coupled with food and water shortages
caused by severe weather are among the role-play scenarios the
YCC students will take on when they convene on the Utah State
campus. (Herald Journal, 3/21/04)
USU COLLEGE OF
ENGINEERING HONORS TOP MEMBERS
Utah State University's College of Engineering honored its
outstanding seniors, distinguished alumni and distinguished
service recipients at the college's annual awards banquet help
during Engineering Week. Five students were recognized as outstanding
seniors by their respective departments. (Herald Journal, 3/21/04)
BATTLE PLANS
FORMED FOR MORMON CRICKETS
Increased snow and lower temperatures than the last three years
aren't likely to decrease the number of Mormon Crickets the
state sees this year. They may hatch out later but still reach
maturity by mid-May. The three main players in Utah's war on
Mormon Crickets — Utah State University Extension, the
State Department of Agriculture and Food and the U.S. Department
of Agriculture/APHIS — met in Rush Valley March 4 to assess
the coming year. (Herald Journal, 3/21/04)
USU ENGINEERING
FACULTY, ADMINISTRATORS GET AWARDS
Faculty administrators in Utah State University's College of
Engineering are earning kudos throughout the state for merit
in their areas of expertise. Professor Dave Widauf, professor
industrial technology and education, recently received the Utah
Engineer's Council 2004 Engineering Educator of the Year award
for the state of Utah. (Herald Journal, 3/21/04)
KSTU
NEWSCAST: COMMUNITY CALENDAR "SWING TIME"
Utah State University Swing Club presents "Swing Time"
at the Kent Concert Hall in Logan. You can get $1 off ticket
prices if you bring a can of food. (KSTU newscast, 5:25 a.m.,
3/19/04)
Monday, March 22, 2004
RESEARCH AMENDMENT
WOULD BENEFIT U., USU: IT WOULD ALLOW SCHOOLS TO CASH IN ON
INVENTIONS
Utah's two research universities haven't invented anything
wildly popular like Gatorade. But it could happen, and when
it does, a proposed amendment to the Utah Constitution would
allow both schools to financially benefit. The amendment voters
will decide on this fall would effectively bring Utah in line
with what the federal government already requires. But the proposed
change does raise some questions. A 2001 report by the Association
of American Universities (AAU) raises the question of how schools
like the University of Utah and Utah State University handle
potential financial conflicts of interest on the part of researchers.
Another issue is whether the U. and USU will be tempted to move
more toward research that has greater potential for financial
gain and away from less lucrative humanitarian causes. "Research
that derives strong commercial benefit doesn't just fall off
a tree," said USU President Kermit Hall. "No one's
going to be successful in developing technologies and then commercializing
them without having a strong, underlying fundamental research
program. It just doesn't work that way." Deseret Morning
News, 3/19/04) Click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595050088,00.html
KNOW ROSE TYPE
BEFORE PRUNING
Roses are never pretty after the winter, and this year is particularly
gruesome. Many canes are bent and broken, and the matted-down
plants are a sorry-looking sight. The good news is that most
roses won't have as much winterkill as in previous years because
they were insulated from harsh temperatures by snow. But now
that the snow has melted, it's time to take stock of your plants
and get the roses back into shape. Before you wade in with pruners
blazing, however, take a moment to brush up on your rose anatomy
because the type of rose dictates how and when to prune. …
Larry A. Sagers is the regional horticulturist, Utah State University
Extension, at Thanksgiving Point. (Deseret Morning News, 3/19/04)
Click on: http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595049932,00.html
USU JUSTIFIES
TIERED TUITION: INCREASE FOR NEW FRESHMEN TO BE 2 PERCENT HIGHER
Headed to Utah State University as a freshman this fall, Krystal
Bryner, a senior at Bonneville High School, isn't thrilled she'll
be paying higher tuition than current USU students. Tuition
for incoming freshmen for the 2004-2005 school year will be
9 percent more than this year; current students will pay 7 percent
more than they do now. Under the state's tuition plan, the state
Board of Regents approved a 3 percent increase, with the remainder
of the increase decided by the school. Returning Utah State
students paid up to $2,615 in tuition this school year and will
now pay up to $2,798 for 2004-2005. Incoming freshmen will be
expected to pay $2,850, or $52 more than upperclassmen. (Standard
Examiner, 3/19/04) Click on: http://www.standard.net/standard/news/print_story.html?sid=00040318233006227081
STACEY EARL,
THE 'SIMPLE GEARLE'
On Friday, March 19, the Bridger Folk Music Society continues
their season with a performance by Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart.
The concert will be held at the Eccles Conference Center on
the Utah State University campus at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12
in advance, $14 at the door, and are available in Logan at Sunrise
Cyclery (138 N. 100 East), Maya's Corner (1 N. Main) and the
USU ticket outlets in the Spectrum and Taggart Student Center.
Musician Steve Earle's sister Stacey is hacking out her own
musical path. A few years ago, she teamed up with her long-term
partner (both personal and musical), Mark Stuart; the two married
in 1994, and Stuart not only produced her two solo albums, but
he served in her backing band, the Jewels. He also played in
Steve Earle's band for awhile. (Herald Journal, Cache Magazine,
3/19/04)
WASSERMANN FESTIVAL
TO INCLUDE FRY STREET QUARTET
Concert offerings at Utah State University's Wassermann Festival
get underway with a collaborative concert featuring pianist
Misha Dichter and the Fry Street Quartet. Originally planned
with Nelson Freire, who cancelled due to illness, Dichter stepped
in so the concert program could go ahead as planned, announced
festival director Dennis Hirst. The opening Wassermann concert
is Wednesday, March 24, at 7:30 p.m. in the Kent Concert Hall
of the Chase Fine Arts Center. Tickets are available at the
door. Adult admission is $10 and all students are admitted free,
but in deference to performers and audience members, children
under the age of 6 are not admitted. A three-concert pass for
all Wassermann events is available for $20. (Herald Journal,
Cache Magazine, 3/19/04)
THE GUESTS OF
WASSERMAN
A group of guest artists and lecturers has been assembled this
year for the Wassermann Festival at Utah State University. The
2004 Wassermann Festival takes place March 23-27 on the USU
campus. It is a program in the department of music and a part
of the School of the Arts, a division of the College of Humanities,
Arts and Social Sciences. Festival Director Dennis Hirst said
the artists represent a diversity of training and background
that adds to the diversity and strength of the event. Lecture
topics include "Romanticism in the Piano Literature,"
"The Relation of Knowledge to Performance," "Rubato:
When and When Not To," "Technique for the Pre-College
Student," "Interfacing with the Piano Machine"
and "The Sound Fades -- Help!" The lectures are offered
in addition to a number of master classes conducted by the guest
artists. This year's guests include Emilio del Rosario, Nelson
Freire, Sophia Gilmson, Olga Kern and Jerome Lowenthal. (Herald
Journal, Cache Magazine, 3/19/04)
TWO FOCUS EXHIBITS
AT ECCLES MUSEUM
The Claire Falkenstein and Eleanor Antin focus exhibitions
are on display through May 1 at Utah State University. For more
information, contact the museum at 797-0163 or Jay Heuman, curator
of education, at 797-0165. Exploding volume and 100 boots may
sound like the aftermath of war, but at the Nora Eccles Harrison
Museum of Art, they are the subjects of two noteworthy exhibitions.
The museum houses more than 4,300 artworks; some are new acquisitions,
many others have been in storage out of the public eye for some
time. To provide greater access to the collection, museum Director
Victoria Rowe has initiated a series of focus exhibitions that
showcase individual artists included in the collection. (Herald
Journal, Cache Magazine, 3/19/04)
CALAMITY JANE'S
CALAMITY
The Heritage Theatre, 2505 S. Highway 89 in Perry, presents
"Calamity Jane" at 7:30 p.m., Mondays, Fridays and
Saturdays, March 5 through 27. A matinee will be presented at
2 p.m. on March 13. Tickets are $6 for adults and $5 for children
and seniors. There is a Monday night special of six tickets
for $25. For reservations, call (435) 723-8392. "Calamity
Jane" is a romantic, frontier musical based on the life
of Calamity Jane, a young woman who dresses, rides and shoots
like a man. … Calamity Jane is portrayed by Jessica Pace,
who has appeared on stage as Agnes Gooch in "Mame"
and in "My Fair Lady." She is an instructor of English
at Utah State University and is a volunteer instructor at the
Logan Institute of Religion. Jessica lives in Logan. (Herald
Journal, Cache Magazine, 3/19/04)
PLAGIARISM MOST
FOUL: REVIEW: "SECRET WINDOW" (ONE STAR OUT OF FOUR)
Chief among the guilty pleasures of reading Stephen King is
his streak of gleeful masochism: Think how much horror -- both
supernatural and psychological -- King has inflicted on protagonists
who happen also to be novelists like himself. In "The Shining,"
a struggling writer takes a job as winter caretaker in a haunted
mountain hotel, where all work and no play makes Jack a psychotic
boy. In "The Dark Half," a bestselling author retires
the pseudonym ("George Stark") under which he has
written his trashiest books, only to find himself hunted down
by George Stark who, even if imaginary, is very upset. And in
"Misery," the self-described "number one fan"
of a romance novelist rescues him from a car accident only to
lock him up (and worse) in her home, where she demands he write
just one more story, just for her. … Brian McCuskey is
an associate professor of English at Utah State University (Herald
Journal, Cache Magazine, 3/19/04)
LAST VISITING
ARTIST OF YEAR TO SPEAK AT USU
Sculptor Patrick Dougherty, the last guest in the Visiting
Artist Program in the department of art at Utah State University,
will be on campus March 22-24. He is featured in a public lecture
Monday, March 22, at 7 p.m. in the Eccles Conference Center,
Room 216. Dougherty will show slides and speak about his artwork.
"I construct large-scale temporary sculptures that are
built on site from tree saplings gathered in the nearby landscape,"
Dougherty said of his work. "I use the linear quality of
the saplings to sketch out large gestural forms. These forms
are often worked into an existing architectural space in such
a way as to suggest reciprocity between contemporary architectural
structures and a more ancient and direct way of building. I
believe one's childhood shapes his or her choice of materials
as an artist. For me, it was exploring the underbrush of my
hometown in North Carolina. (Herald Journal, Cache Magazine,
3/19/04)
INTERNATIONAL
BANQUET AND SHOW CELEBRATES DIVERSITY
The biggest international gala of the year is coming to Utah
State University on April 3."Each spring, international
students at Utah State University showcase cuisine from their
countries in an international banquet," said Maribeth Evensen-Hengge,
an advisor in the office of International Students and Scholars.
"The event also features a cultural show that is an added
bonus." The banquet begins at 7 p.m. in the Stevenson Ballroom
of the Taggart Student Center. The cultural show immediately
follows. Tickets are available in advance at the Utah State
Ticket Office in the Smith Spectrum. Tickets will not be available
at the door. Adult tickets are $12, tickets for students and
children under 12 are $8. (Herald Journal, Cache Magazine, 3/19/04)
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
TO SPEAK AT USU
Noted landscape architect Laurie Olin -- the landscape architect
and designer for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Convention Center rooftop gardens -- will speak at Utah State
University as part of the Marie Eccles Caine Foundation Guest
Lecture Series, presented by the department of landscape architecture
and environmental planning. As part of his visit, Olin will
provide two public sessions. The first, an informal discussion
of his work, is Friday, March 26, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the
Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art on the Utah State campus.
A more formal presentation of Olin's work is that afternoon
at 3 in the Eccles Science Learning Center auditorium on campus.
Both presentations are free and open to the public. (Herald
Journal, Cache Magazine, 3/19/04)
CHOIR FESTIVAL
AT TABERNACLE
The Concert and Lecture Series at the Tabernacle will present
a Cache Valley High School Choral Festival on Friday, March
19, at 7 p.m. The choral students from Lofan, Mountain Crest,
Sky View and Preston high schools will perform to bring in the
first day of spring. Admission is free. … A combined "antiphony-fest,"
conducted by Utah State University Choral Director Cory Evans,
and accompanied by members of Musica Reservata, will conclude
the evening. (Herald Journal, Cache Magazine, 3/19/04)
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