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Freshmen
‘hang out’
at parties
Diana Westover, a freshman teacher education major from
Lehi, and Julie Gurney, a freshman from Lehi, play UNO
at a friend’s house to pass time between study and
sleep.
ANNIE BROWN/ UNIVERSITY JOURNAL
By RODNEY STATON
UNIVERSITY JOURNAL
Several freshmen at SUU agree attending parties is a
great way to relax and take a break from classes, but
to what extent should students play?
Some believe the party gets going when someone passes
out. Others are more solidly of the opinion the party
ends when the first bottle is opened.
No corollary could be determined between freshmen who
liked to drink when out on the town and those who thought
it better not to.
Contrary to opinions, all of the freshmen who preferred
to drink while at a party were in-state students. In fact,
only one of the eight freshmen interviewed was out-of-state
and she preferred not to drink.
Everyone who was interviewed said they preferred to attend
a party whenever they got the chance, and the major source
of
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party information is word of mouth. Formal
invitations are a rare occurrence and not because such illegalities
as underage drinking may occur, but simply because all good
parties are spontaneous affairs.
So why do students attend parties? The most popular answers
were to unwind, hang out, have fun, and pick up women. (Not
to say that picking up men was not mentioned as well.)
Everyone interviewed said they have respect for those who
preferred to attend a party in a fashion opposite of their
own.
“I don’t drink, but I’m not opposed to
people who drink; if they want to, hey, more power to them,”
said Ezekiel Nunez, a freshman engineering technology major
from Provo.
There are others who said they attend to see the local color
and live it up.
For these people drinking and doing drugs is something to
be done whenever you can.
“We all eventually die, so live the way you want to,”
said Derek McDonald, a freshman business management major
from Heber City.
Other students expressed a distaste for over-zealous individuals
who try to control others outright.
“You shouldn’t be sheltered your whole life,”
said Tiffanie Ure, a freshman business management major
from Kamas, in response to those who believe no one should
ever drink.
The Wellness Center in the Sharwan Smith Center has several
programs to help students deal with alcohol-related problems.
Its Drug and Alcohol Education Program features one-on-one
counseling with peers to educate about the dangers of alcohol
misuse.
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The Real World
Three SUU grads call work
for NBC station in Montana
By MELISSA NIELSEN
UNIVERSITY JOURNAL
SUU and the Communication Department are preparing students
to enter the reality of their field of study, and it shows with
three SUU graduates who now work together at KTVH in Helena,
Mont.
Jon Smith, Communication Department chair, said having three
graduates working in the field of broadcasting shows the department
is preparing students well.
“We...replicate the environment...so when they get out
into the real world, it’s not a big change,” Smith
said.
Travis Christy from Panguitch graduated with a degree in communication
with an emphasis in broadcasting and a minor in geography. He
is working as the chief weather forecaster and reports a weekly
series on the history of Montana.
He said he thought he would never have to do research again
after graduation. He said he enjoys it anyway and plans on attending
school to become a professional meteorologist.
Christy said his experience with SUTV and student government
helped prepare him for his job at KTVH.
“The professors are great,” Christy said. “In
my opinion (SUU) is the best broadcast school in the state.”
Janelle Reichert-Reese from Salt Lake City graduated with a
degree in communication and a minor in political science. She
joined Christy as an evening producer, reporter and anchor soon
after she graduated.
Reese said it was a combination of things that helped prepare
her. Her experience with SUTV prepared her for an internship
with KUTV in Salt Lake City. That internship prepared her for
her current job.
Reese said because it is a smaller news room, “everyone
(there) takes on a lot, all doing about 10 different things.
It is so challenging...(and a) heavy responsibility.
“You couldn’t handle it for the rest of your life,
but it will really prepare (me) for the future,” Reese
said.
Shane Johnson from Salem, Ore., received his communication degree
with an emphasis in broadcasting and a minor in sociology. He
is now working as a general assignment reporter. He also has
other responsibilities, including substitute weather and sports
anchor.
“SUU did a great job at preparing me,” Johnson said.
“The communication professors told us what it was going
to be like - long hours, low pay...”
“Janelle, Travis and Shane were dedicated and committed
to learn what they needed to
know,” Smith said.
Smith also said they had a passion for the business, which is
a critical characteristic.
“You have to have a passion for what you want to do,”
Smith said.
Reese said she has a one-year contract with the station in Helena
and she will decide in November if she wants to renegotiate.
“The field is so broad and it could change, but right
now I love
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Travis Christy (left), chief forecaster, Janelle Reese
(center), head anchor, and Shane Johnson (right), reporter,
of KTVH, the NBC affiliate in Helena, Mont., are SUU graduates
and were students at SUTV.
KTVH / FOR THE JOURNAL |
it,” Reese said. KTVH is a starting market, mostly giving
experience to new reporters. These three will more than likely
move in a few years.
Christy said with KTVH being a smaller market, they can’t
afford to keep people there.
Christy’s said that his ultimate goal is to end up in
a bigger market like Las Vegas or Salt Lake City.
Like Christy, Reese and Johnson are all keeping their options
open.
The KTVH news director in Helena was impressed that the SUU
graduates didn’t have to be trained.
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