Weber State is the home of many reputations. From lackluster to scholarly, cheap to obscure, homebound to inner city, Weber State is constantly construed in several different lights that can’t seem to agree. Regardless of whatever light WSU is set in, most can clearly agree that students have a hard time getting involved.
It’s understandable. Between the commuters and the nontraditional students, it can be difficult to engage students who are otherwise preoccupied or absent from campus. Compared to USU or BYU, Weber State’s campus is relatively vacant, if not apathetic. Logan and Provo can be seen bustling with undergraduates boasting school pride and collegiate investment far beyond checks made out to their alma maters.
Engaging WSU students is a puzzle that can be difficult to crack. Last week, the annual Clubs & Orgs Carnival was held in the Shepherd Union. The carnival featured free food (a sure trick to attract attention), spectacles ranging from acrobats to African boas, and a venue to expose clubs and organizations to students, in attempts to revitalize the activity of a relatively atrophied student body.
Despite the close of the semester, a review of the responsibilities of student government seems prudent and, as always, intriguing. WSUSA is the long arm of student leadership, responsible for all non-academic aspects of a student’s experience at WSU. This carnival was put on by the programming offices of WSUSA, with Courtney Ellis Woodfield as the programming and events VP. WSUSA uses a great deal of money, time and resources to host these parties that engulf the union in festivities.
This carnival marks one of the most lavish and expensive events on the WSUSA calendar, and was a riotous success. Rarely have students been stopped cold in their tracks by boas or acrobats, but the carnival was such a spectacle that students had no choice but to engage.
Courtney Woodfield and associates should be credited with one of the most successful student events in recent history. In the business of reviewing responsibility, The Signpost has had a fairly public and examined year. Between letters to the editor, articles and columns ranging from subjects on WSUSA to building developments, the press has had a bit of negative press.
Our jobs focus on disseminating and commentating on events at and around Weber State. If we do our job effectively, people will be more informed and more likely to talk about these events than if we did not print. News tells the story. Opinion pieces, much like the one you’re reading now, comment on what that story means.
In this particular instance, we have both told the story of the carnival (printed April 10, 2014) and are now commentating on its success. Journalists and storytellers can be found at The Signpost as long as we have news to print. Acrobats, rock bands, boas and a kindling of student enthusiasm certainly qualify as news — good news, in fact, and that deserves recognition.
From the pass-along story at Metaphor’s booth to WSUSA’s inflatable obstacle course, students could not turn a blind eye to the opportunities that await them at Weber State. At the end of the day, isn’t that what The Signpost and WSUSA are all about? Both boost awareness, both encourage activity, and both would have students as active participants at WSU. Whether it’s through print or acrobats, may we both look forward to a successful year in 2014-15.
