Author: Molly Karasick
Some students out of treatment facilities say they came to Westminster for a healthy environment
Utah is home to 47 residential and wilderness treatment programs geared to help students experiencing distress, impairment and dysfunction, according to the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs.The intimate, holistic community at Westminster College is the ideal place for a student who’s struggling to get their feet on the ground, said Ellen Behrens, a professor in the master’s...
Some Westminster community members concerned about Republican tax reform proposal impacts on higher education
The Republican tax reform plan in the U.S. House of Representatives has some members of Westminster College’s community concerned about the future of higher education and who can obtain a degree.Among other things, the House’s tax plan would consider tuition waivers — which makes some students’ tuition tax free— as taxable income. That means many students could pay significantly higher taxes than ...
Westminster community members attend rally protesting proposal to shrink Utah national monuments
Several members of the Westminster College community attended a “Rally Against Trump’s Monumental Mistakes” at the Utah State Capitol Saturday to support the continued protection of Utah’s monuments.The National Parks Conservation Association and 15 other organizations hosted the rally in response to President Donald Trump’s visit to Utah Monday and his plan to eliminate parts of Bears Ears Nation...
International students concerned about leaving U.S. since Trump Administration began
Some of Westminster College’s 121 international students said they have been negatively impacted since President Donald Trump’s administration began in January 2016. Because of the administration’s travel ban issued in January on refugees and immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries, some international students said they’re concerned about leaving the United States — even if the ban d...
Students concerned about what entry price increases mean for National Parks access
Some students at Westminster College are concerned about the increased entrance price for National Park Service (NPS) passes — which they said may make it more difficult for those from lower socioeconomic groups to enjoy the nation’s federal lands.The entrance fees at certain national parks, including four of the five parks in Utah, had previously cost $25 or $30 to enter but will now cost $70 in ...
ASW says students aren’t taking advantage of free learning opportunities
On Oct. 6, 385 students showed up to Classic Skating for roller disco, which is one of ASW’s most popular events. Four days later, only 15 students attended a Taboo Talk at Westminster College — an event ASW flew an expert on Islamophobia in for to inform students about the topic.ASW Events staff said this isn’t an isolated incident, as students continue to pass up many of the free learning opport...
Westminster hosts college readiness event for African American and black students for the first time
Westminster College hosted a day-long college and career awareness and readiness event on Oct. 28 for African American and black students for the first time since the initiative, Expect the Great, began in 2011.Tamara Stevenson — an associate professor of communication and faculty fellow of diversity, equity and inclusion — co-chaired the statewide planning committee for the event, which she said ...
Westminster faculty member reflects on walking the Camino de Santiago with Westminster after shoulder injury
Since he began working at Westminster College, 71-year-old faculty member Robert Brinkman has walked hundreds of miles on the Camino de Santiago May Term Study Experience trip three different times. But his experience last year was perhaps the most physically challenging after he injured his arm on the trek.The French route on the Camino, which is the route the May Term trip follows, is an almost ...
Westminster president reflects on how college students have influenced his perspective of diversity
ust months after Westminster College President Steve Morgan’s inauguration in 2015, students taped their mouths shut and brought x’ed out copies of The Forum to a faculty meeting to protest statements from administration about diversity.Now, as Morgan prepares to retire from Westminster after 36 years, he said he now has a different perspective on the issues surrounding diversity — forcing him out...
Students say price isn’t their biggest consideration when purchasing a ski pass
With six acclaimed mountains less than 30 miles away from Westminster College’s campus, the big back-to-school question on many students’ minds is where to buy their ski or snowboarding pass for the upcoming season.“I’ve spent more time these past couple of weeks trying to decide where to ski than I’ve spent getting into my classes,” said Jessica Morgan, a junior business major.Though students ski...