Author: Cat Taylor
The missed traditions at Westminster
From Late Night Breakfast to convocation, Westminster has over 140 years worth of traditions. Each year, students are introduced to both official and unofficial customs that give them a sense of community and school spirit. When Westminster moved some of its courses from in-person to remote due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many traditions were either cancelled or turned virtual to keep the community ...
Westminster requires COVID-19 vaccinations by Oct. 15
Westminster requires all staff, faculty and students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 15. The college will also require the community, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks indoors and in substantial to high transmission areas. Westminster requires all staff, faculty and students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 15. The college will also require the co...
Incoming first-year students experience two major milestones amid COVID-19
In the 150 days since the World Health Organization declared the Covid-19 a global pandemic, major life events have continued. These could be birthdays, weddings or graduating high school. For incoming first-year students, high school graduation was virtual — often accompanied with a drive-thru parade to get their diploma. As the Fall semester begins, these students will experience a second ...
Staying at home helps to discover new hobbies, some students say
In between online classes and spending time with the people they’re quarantined with, students say they have discovered new hobbies in their free time. Whether it’s a newfound passion for art or learning the basics of coding, some students at Westminster College say hobbies are a good distraction to have while in quarantine. Staying at home has encouraged some students to learn a new language, acc...
There is lack of awareness for people at high-risk of contracting COVID-19, some students say
In order to slow the spread of COVID-19, Westminster College encourages people to not hang out on campus and to practice social distancing. Precautions like these are not only to protect oneself, but to protect people who are at high-risk for contracting COVID-19. “I think that people are aware of [those] who are at high-risk, however, they do not care to be cautious,” said Makenzie Rowe, a sophom...
Skateboarding becomes more inclusive as women create community groups, say Westminster skateboarders
As a kid, Kyra Teply dreamed of surfing as she watched Lilo & Stitch in her living room. However, there were two problems: she didn’t know how to surf and she didn’t live by the ocean. To resolve these setbacks, she put herself in front of her television set and pretended to surf on a skateboard. Once Teply was old enough, she took her skateboard off the carpet and onto the streets. ...
Out-of-state students say its difficult to handle the pandemic
After Westminster College announced classes will remain online until June 5 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, out-of-state students living on campus are left with the choice to either stay or move back home. Family members of out-of-state students are influencing the decision they make, according to Alessa Duran, a first-year psychology major from Texas. “My dad expects me to go home,” Duran sai...
Art students push for more opportunities to display work
For Westminster College students studying art, the annual student art exhibit serves as one of the only sources on campus to share their work with the public. Some students say it isn’t enough, and believe the school should provide more opportunities. The University of Utah, on the other hand, hosts juried shows, faculty shows and student art shows throughout the academic year. Westminster s...
Student balances college, work, cheerleading to visit family each weekend
After a week of attending honors classes, work and cheerleading, Brynlie Green travels back to her hometown of Syracuse, Utah, every weekend. Green, a first-year student majoring in English, balances college-life and family-life by prioritizing both, but keeping them separate. “Sometimes, I feel like I’m living a double life,” Green said. “I don’t want to bring my stress home to my family an...
Westminster students form student union unaffiliated with institution
The student organization Westmini Students Speak Out announced their “tuition-protest specific coalition” has moved to a “broadly defined student union,” according to the group on Instagram Jan. 16. Now called the Westminster Student Union, they seek institutional change, community care and mutual aid. Generally, a student union advances a sense of community, unifying the institution ...
Some students say protesting builds community
“I’m not going to just protest for myself,” said Char Crear. “I’m going to protest for the people that are being affected but they’re too discouraged to.” After the announcement of the 8.5% tuition increase, students at Westminster organized a silent protest in December. Through participating, it created a strong sense of community and allowed for students to enter new spaces, ac...