While student government leaders had high hopes for the first "State of the ASUU Address," many seats in the Union Ballroom remained empty Monday night. Student government leaders expected two to three hundred students to attend the event, but only 60 students were in attendance, the majority being ASUU members.
MapQuest never seemed so cool. In conjunction with national Geography Awareness Week and Geographic Information System (GIS) Day, on Wednesday the U Geography Department informed students what the world of geographic research has to offer. Geography Information Systems are computerized maps that are wired to satellites and other databases and are used to do mapping analysis, simulations, study environmental and climate change, do urban planning, study the relationships between geography and disease and map transportation routes.
Rick Pehrson's resignation as ASUU chief of staff in mid-October created a domino effect of changing student government positions. Former Associated Students of the University of Utah Attorney General Alicia Taase took over Perhson's position as chief of staff.
Former ASUU Deputy Attorney General and Student Outreach Director Lorraine Evans has been appointed to serve as Elections Registrar for the 2006-2007 school year. Evans will be replacing Jeff Mathis, who served during the 2005-2006 term. A new elections registrar is chosen each year.
Standing at attention before 12 Utah veteran honorees and a full audience, David Shepard presented the American flag at the Veterans Day commemoration ceremony held on Friday in the Union. "It's an honor to carry the flag--it's a symbol of their sacrifices," said Shepard, a junior history major and a member of the U Army ROTC.
Guided by the famous words of Socrates--"The unexamined life is not worth living"--the U philosophy club wanted to give back to the community. Under the direction of Brin Bon, club president and junior philosophy major, the philosophy club hosted a forum Wednesday night at Libby Gardner Hall, featuring six panelists from the Salt Lake community.
The U student government dished out about $8,000 more for student groups this school year than last. Thus far, the Associated Students of the University of Utah has awarded nearly $168,500 for student groups.
A U student was refused the ability to make a purchase at a Zurchers party supply store Oct. 21 after being told the account being accessed had been closed due to outstanding debts. The student, who refused to comment, had presented an authorized purchase order from the U, but could not access the account due to an unpaid $235 bill, which included transactions from Housing and Residential Living and the U President's Office.
Amid the grayness and wetness of Saturday, a mass of red-clad students and community members marched down 200 South to show support for AIDS awareness. As part of the "Walk Away AIDS" project, participants gathered at Presidents' Circle and walked to the Gallivan Center Plaza, where they were greeted by Utah AIDS Foundation executive director Stan Penfold and Craig Sudbury, father of student director JuleeAnn Sudbury, a junior chemistry major.
U students will show their true colors Saturday as they unite to "Walk Away AIDS." Joining in the global fight against the AIDS pandemic, students will gather at noon and march from Presidents' Circle to the Gallivan Center Plaza. Participants are asked to wear red to represent AIDS awareness.
