USU’s I Am That Girl to have first I Am That Person meeting

Utah State University’s I Am That Girl will have its first I Am That Person meeting of the semester on Thursday. The event will feature speakers discussing sex and gender stereotypes and an interactive activity.

 “We will have transgender, intersex and pansexual people there to speak about their experiences with gender stereotypes and then open it up for discussion,” said Sheree Haggan, the club advisor.

Ashley Brown, a member of the club’s executive council, said the meeting will feature an activity for the audience to participate in.

 “We will be doing a genderbread activity which allows people in attendance to express their sexual and gender identity,” Brown said. “It'll be an opportunity to learn about different stereotypes as well as come and support each other.”

Sandra Martinez, a member of the club’s executive council, said I Am That Girl meets twice a month to discuss topics that relate to women or people who self-identify as female. She said I Am That Person is once a month and everyone is welcome to attend the meetings.

“We will be discussing sex and gender stereotypes and breaking them down,” Martinez said.

The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. and be at the University Inn in room 507.

USU Foosball club receives two new tables

Utah State University’s Foosball club received two new Tornado 3000 tables this semester. The tables were sponsored by John Allen, the dean for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and James Morales, the vice president for student services.

 “They are amazing and extremely high quality,” said Jacob Olsen, the club president. “Each table costs $2000 a piece and are very nice.”

Allen said sponsoring the tables was important to him to help foster a full college experience for students.

“As a dean I believe it is my responsibility to support creating a broad educational experience for our students,” he said. “Assistant Professor Schwabe has helped create a unique opportunity for our students at USU that I felt was worthy of supporting.”

Claudia Schwabe, the club advisor and assistant professor of German, said the club now has a total of four tables.

Morales said he helped to sponsor the tables because they are recreational items for all students at USU and the club needed new tables.

“The Foosball club, a recognized student club, was in need of upgraded equipment that would allow them to be more competitive in their chosen sport,” he said.

Allen said his contribution came from a pool of funds he has to support student experiences. Morales said his portion came from a student services discretionary account he manages.

Olsen said anyone is welcome to use the tables, which are located on the third floor of the Taggart Student Center.

UNICEF at USU to have Tap Week next year

Utah State University’s UNICEF at USU is preparing for its third Tap Week next semester. It will be in March and feature a number of events to raise money and educate students about the world water crisis.

Jorgen Madsen, the club president, said the club plans to have various activities during the week to educate students and the community.

“One we do every year is sell water,” Madsen said. “We are hopefully doing a water walk in which members of the community can see how hard it really is to carry a bucket of water for these long distances.”

Madsen said the group is planning interactive activities to show people how easy it is to help the cause.

“We are going to be implementing the UNICEF phone app where money is donated by Giorgio Armani Fragrances for every minute you do not use your phone,” he said.

Madsen said the group wants to inform students about how important it is to help in any way possible.

“We try and educate the students that water borne illnesses are the largest causes of death in children under the age of five,” Madsen said.

Grant Holyoak, a club member, said the week will help raise awareness about the goals of the club.

“Our campus initiative helps children suffering in international crises by educating USU students about issues related to poverty, disease and wars,” Holyoak said.

USU global communication club plans opening events, implements social media

Utah State University’s Global Communication club is new this semester and planning to commence its opening events next year. The club plans to participate in the Involvement Fair in January, hold an opening social and expand on social media use.

“Right now we are planning an opening social which will be happening probably near the end of January,” said Sawyer Garrity, the club president. “We are also going to try and make an appearance at the Involvement Fair, which will be held on the 15th of January in the TSC.”

Jennipher Ramirez, a club member, said the club was formed late in the semester.

“Since our club started so late we are planning on an agenda for next semester,” Ramirez said.

Garrity said the club is working on a social media presence to engage current and perspective members.

“We have a Facebook page that anyone is welcome to like and follow,” Garrity said. “We are also currently working on other social media outlets.”

Ramirez said the club wants to use its Facebook page to show where USU students have traveled.

Garrity said the club welcomes students even if they are not Global Communication majors.

“Our goal is to create a place where people can meet together to learn more about communication practices and cultures across the globe,” Garrity said. “We try and foster that environment by leaving the club open to anyone that has had experiences with cultures and languages across the world and also those who haven't, but have the desire to do so.”

USU Foosball club has second annual tournament

Utah State University’s Foosball club had its second annual tournament Tuesday night. For $3 attendees received food provided by Buffalo Wild Wings and were able to play in teams to compete for prizes. This year the club increased advertising for the tournament.

“We had a big article in the newspaper, we promoted our event online and we made a banner for the TSC,” said Claudia Schwabe, the club advisor. “Since the club has more members we got the word out to more people.”

Schwabe said the club has forty active members.

“It started last fall when we as a club decided that it would be fun to hold a full-fledged tournament with lots prizes, food and a trophy,” said Jacob Olsen, the vice president of the club. “It turned out to be a really fun event.”

Schwabe said the event had a total of 60 people in attendance, something they weren’t expecting.

“It was amazing,” she said.

Schwabe said the event has grown since the first tournament, which was an unofficial one in her basement in 2012.

New USU club Oxfam America has first official event of the semester

Utah State University’s new club Oxfam America had Oxfam{ily} Movie Night, its first official event of the semester. The event was Tuesday night where the documentary "A Place at the Table” was shown.

“The main purpose of Oxfam{ily} Movie Night is to spread the word about Oxfam around campus,” said Pamela Veloz, the club president.

Veloz said Oxfam America is a new club that works to end poverty, hunger and social injustice.

Katie Roberts, the vice president of the club, said because the club is new this semester events like Oxfam{ily} Movie Night are a great way for the club to get its name out there. 

"Events come up randomly because we are so new,” Roberts said.

Veloz said the film corresponded with Oxfam America’s goals and was a way to introduce the club to USU.

“The film is about hunger in America and it's a great way to make the USU community aware of what is happening in our world today,” Veloz said.

Roberts said publicity is key since it is a small club.

“We have many events planned but need a lot more people to join the club for next semester,” Veloz said.

Oxfam America meets Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in Old Main 301.

Quidditch club to host first tournament at USU

Utah State University’s Quidditch Club will host Top of Utah Classic on the Quad Saturday. The club is new this semester and the event is the first tournament the club has hosted at USU.

“At Top of Utah we are hosting two Salt Lake City teams and two Boise teams for a five team tournament,” said George Williams, the Co-Captain of the team.

Williams said competing at Top of Utah Classic is a way teams can qualify for the regional tournament.  

 “In order to qualify to play in our regional tournament that takes place February in Northern California we have a certain number of games we have to play and a certain number of tournaments to attend,” he said.

Williams said he and Dakota Briggs, the captain of the team, started the club this semester and are happy with how people are reacting to the club.

“We got a great response from a lot of enthusiastic students and we're happy our team has grown from the original two players up to the team of fifteen or so people we have now,” Williams said.

Williams said Quidditch is one of the fastest growing competitive sports in America.

“Quidditch is a full contact, co-ed sport that is played on brooms. It consists of seven players, three chasers, two beaters, one keeper and a seeker,” Briggs said.

Briggs said he encourages students to try out for the team and check out the tournament.

“Our club is open to all that want to come try Quidditch out. We also welcome athletes who want to compete on a competitive level to join our travel team,” he said

Top of Utah Classic will be Saturday at 10 a.m.

True Blue Comedy has first show of the semester

True Blue Comedy had its first and only show of the semester in the Taggart Student Center Auditorium at Utah State University on Saturday night. The show featured live sketches, pre-recorded skits and a live musical performance from local singer-songwriter and group member James Shepard.

Meghan Abbot, a club member, said pre-recorded skits and Shepard’s two performances gave the members a chance to prepare for the next.

“We anticipate a musical guest will be part of all of our shows, though we don't know yet if we would audition or approach people to perform,” said Chloe Hanson, a club member.

Jake Smith, the club president, and Abbot said the show was the first after a year break.

“We typically do one or two a semester but this semester we unfortunately only had time for one,” Abbot said.

Shepard said his involvement in the show was due to his friendship with Smith. He said Smith approached him for the musical performance and joining the group.

“I wanted to be involved primarily to support my friend and because it sounded like a pretty fun way to spend time outside of school and work,” he said.

Hanson said all the members are new except for Smith. She said the group formed at the end of September.

 “All of the skits are new and were written by Jake as well as a couple which were written or co-written by me,” Hanson said. “Next semester we hope to have even more participation in the actual writing aspect of our shows.”

Hanson, Abbot and Smith said the group wants to continue featuring musical guests.

 “We plan on creating videos for a YouTube page to keep the project going throughout winter break,” Shepard said.

Smith said the group will be updating its Facebook soon with show dates for next semester. 

Interfaith Student Association has second speed-faithing event

Tuesday night Utah State University’s Interfaith Student Association had its second speed-faithing panel. The event featured five USU students of different faiths answering questions and discussing their religion. The club and event are new this semester.

 “The IFSA has focused on speed-faithing panels and basic social events to promote religious literacy and interaction between students of different faith traditions,” said Allison Fife, a member of the association.

Audrey George, the moderator of the panel, said it took a lot of time to put together an event to create interfaith expression.

“Today’s panel is to help promote and create interfaith cooperation,” George said.

The panel represented students of the LDS, Islam, Episcopalian, Pantheist, Asatrur and Shoshone Native American religions.

George said the event is meant to be a safe place for discussion and it was fine for the audience to ask sensitive questions in a respectful manner.

“We want to create opportunities for people to contribute to the interfaith effort,” Fife said.

The panelists answered questions about their religions concerning their beliefs and how they play a role in their lives as Aggies.

Omima Khalat, a Muslim panelist, talked about misconceptions about her religion. She said as a Muslim girl there are a lot of misconceptions about what she believes.

“I believe in peace and love,” she said. “I believe that all the religions share the Muslim worthy message which is making people better and making this world a better place to live in.”

After the panel there was an interactive speed-faithing session the audience participated in. During the speed-faithing portion of the event attendees were able to interact with panelists and other audience members through discussing their religious beliefs.

Fife said the association puts on speed-faithing events to promote religious literacy and interaction between students of different faith traditions.

“We hope to continue to see institutional development and growth for the association as we move forward throughout the year,” she said. “Because we are new as an organization, the best way for students to get involved is to come support us at our events and tell us about themselves.”

Fife said the group hopes to sponsor interfaith events on campus including service projects and leadership development.

True Blue Comedy to feature musical guest at first show in a year

On Saturday night True Blue Comedy will have its first show in more than a year in the Taggart Student Center Auditorium at Utah State University. Along with live sketches the show will feature a live musical guest, something that is new to shows this semester.

 “We want to feature local musicians and bands who want some stage time,” said Jake Smith, the club president. “This show we will be starting off with local singer-songwriter James Shepard.”

Chloe Hanson, a club member, said the decision to feature a musical guest would benefit both the group and the musical performer.

“We thought a musical guest would break up the show a bit and give the audience yet another reason to be engaged,” she said.

Meghan Abbot, a club member, said it would give the group a chance to prepare for the next skit and give the singer-songwriter publicity.

“We incorporated a musical guest to benefit both us and the artist,” she said. “He will invite his friends, fans and family which will create a bigger turn out for our show and we will do the same which will get him more recognition. It helps increase both of our fan bases and plus it gives us a little extra time for costume and set changes.”

Smith said True Blue Comedy was inactive for a year due to members going their separate ways and Smith having an internship in Hawaii.

“I decided to revive the group and put together an entirely new show with a new cast, new venue and a new format,” he said.

The group is doing one show this semester, but Smith said they would like to do more.

“This year we'll probably do one or two shows per semester," he said. "But once we start gaining some publicity I would really like to do more.”

The show will be at 8 p.m. in the TSC auditorium. 

USU chemistry club battle physicists for Science Week

On Thursday night Utah State University’s Chemistry club and the Society of Physics Students held its Battle of the Scientists event as a part of USU’s annual Science Week. The event was held in the Eccles Science Learning Center Auditorium at 7 p.m. and is a new event put on by the USU science council.

"It’s just a fun outreach event where people can see learning about science can be a lot of fun," said Mary-Ann Muffoletto, the public relations specialist for the College of Science.

Mikayla Mills, the student senator for the College of Science, said the science committee has been planning the event since last spring and details were finalized this semester. She said this is the first time a competition event has been put on between the two clubs.

“Usually we have a small demo,” she said. “Last year we had a teacher do one.”

The event featured demonstrations such as the physicists blowing up pumpkins using air and a Tootsie Roll, and the chemists exploding gummy bears with chemicals. After each demonstration the audience voted on the best one. There was no final vote for the winner, but the physicists won the majority of the five rounds.

Mills said this year the committee wanted to incorporate the clubs into Science Week as much as possible. Along with the battle there was an all clubs service project.

More than 500 people were in attendance including USU students, local elementary school students and members of the community.

“We didn’t expect that at all,” Mills said.

She said the committee and college worked to publicize the event to all the schools in Cache Valley by putting up fliers in Wal-Mart and Smith’s, and e-mailing local school teachers. She said the clubs frequently go to schools in the community to do demonstrations.

Mills said she hopes the Battle of the Scientists will become an annual part of Science Week.