Author: Lauren Shoughro

COVID-19 protocols to change in upcoming athletic seasons

On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic and college students, many of whom were on spring break, were asked not to return to campus. The next day, professional, college and recreational sports were canceled.  Since students have been invited to return to campuses across the country, Westminster College has worked to ensure college athletes could participat...

ASW looks to create community in Spring semester with ‘CommUnity Talks’

Fall semester brought unexpected struggles to many students at Westminster College, including screen-fatigue, lack of motivation and a missing sense of community. While ASW has done its best to combat that, officers report they have faced trials with student involvement at events.  Despite these challenges, ASW President Obaid Barakzai said he believes ASW has been successful this fall. ...

Thanksgiving is a ‘myth,’ says member of the Sovereign Choctaw Nation

Roasted turkey, cranberry sauce and any type of potato one can think of — These foods all represent Thanksgiving for most Americans. As students approach the holiday season, it’s important to understand the true history of the American holiday.  Franci Taylor, the director of the American Indian Resource Center at the University of Utah and a member of the Sovereign Choctaw Nation, shar...

Viral game alleviates stress as Westminster students near end of semester

Society has faced adversity in 2020: Struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic, issues with racial injustice and uncertainty surrounding the presidential election.  To ease their minds of the madness, some students have turned to the viral mobile and PC video game “Among Us.” What is “Among Us”? “Among Us” is a mobile and PC game produced by the American game studio Innersl...

Despite disappointment, some students say they support two-day Spring break

Westminster College announced an altered Spring 2021 schedule Monday, implementing a later start date and shortening Spring break to just two days. However, students expressed concerns about the lack of a full break and its effects on their mental health. Michael Santarosa, registrar at Westminster, said the school changed the schedule to discourage students from traveling and to promote a safe re...

West Coast fires affect Utahns emotionally, worsen air quality

States along the West Coast are reporting record numbers of wildfires over the last few months. Over five million acres have burned in California, Oregon and Washington since August, according to the New York Times.  Each of the three states declared a state of emergency as hundreds of residents were forced to evacuate their homes. Washington and Oregon airlines suspended flights because of v...

Jewett Center expansion project has students excited, worried

Large cranes, dirt ditches and workers wearing hard hats are now a common sight inside a perimeter of a chain-link fence on the campus of Westminster College.  Students and administrators of Westminster College shared their enthusiasm and concerns as construction on the Florence J. Gillmor Hall —  an expansion of the Jewett Center for the Performing Arts — continues.  Pr...

First-year students reflect: how COVID-19 affects ability to meet new people

For several at Westminster College, it’s a familiar sight: The Shaw Student Center is bustling with activity as friends gather at tables to eat breakfast. Richer Commons is flooded with people walking and sitting to drink a cup of coffee before their first class.  Occasionally, it’s common to see local neighborhood residents strolling through campus with their dogs for a quick walk.  How...

Disability services director: Disabilities affect more people than society acknowledges

“First and foremost I want to welcome every student to Disability Services and the Testing Center,” said Jody Katz. “But speaking especially to students with disabilities on campus, I want them to know that my passion and goal here at Westminster is to be an advocate.”  Katz joined Westminster College as the director of Disability Services in November 2019. Before that, she worked as a disabi...