1976 Signpost - October 1

              Signpost Weber State College
Oct. 1, 1976 
Attorney claims
WSC Insurance Unconstitutional
by Rick Libby Copyright Oct. 1, 1976
Weber State College is selling a school life insurance policy that is "totally invalid" according to Sam A. Herscovitz, Executive Director of the Utah Civil Liberties Union, Ogden Chapter.
The policy has a provision for a pro-rata refund on premiums "if a student should be called on an LDS Mission." Herscovitz stated that Weber is a state institution with a studentbody open to all persons, and that a pro-rata refund of premium might be made available to any religious group is in total violation of the concept of separation of Church and State as provided in the Constitution.
Greg Coronado, Director of the Equal Opportunity Program on campus, said that the words "LDS Mission" were used only as a convenience. He said that they would give the refund for any religious mission and the phrase was "grammatically incorrect." Coronado said that the literature is to blame and not the school.
The determination of qualification of students and the collection of registration and tuition fees requires an expenditure of funds by the college and constitutes a use of public funds according to Herscovitz.
Herscovitz also referred to Article I, Section 4, of the Constitution of the State of Utah which says:
"There shall be no union of church or state, nor shall any church dominate the state ... No public money or property shall be appropriated for or apply to any religious worship ..."
The actual clause in the policy reads:
"If an insured student should be called for an LDS Mission, he may ... obtain a pro-rata refund of premium as of the date he enters the Mission Home."
The insurance policy, which was arranged by the Continental Agency Company in Salt Lake City and underwritten by World Book Life Insurance Company in Chicago, was distributed through the mail to students attending Weber this fall and is also available in the Administration Building.
Tech Ed behind
During all the ripping, tearing and building of new facilities on this campus during the summer one building has been almost completely ignored and the completion date has been changed.
Scheduled to open for classroom instruction this fall, the new Technical Education building has been postponed for use until Spring.
That's if the weather doesn't become the major "cop out" for the building not being completed on time for this year.
Strange Event
A reliable administrative source says that it is really strange that the "technology education building is six months behind schedule at a cost of $4 million and the Dee Special Events Center is ahead of schedule with an $11 million contract."
And that's where one finds the "rub."
Robert Folsom, director of campus planning and construction explains that the delays are normal and legitimate - that they can be documented by the contractor - and there are no penalties to be paid by the firm. Technology Responds
Dale Cowgill, Dean of Technology, diplomatically explains that the factor with weather is the reason for all the delays.
cont. on page 2, col. 3
PRESENT DAY CARE room holds 20 children ranging from ages 3-5 years old. New facilities are needed but got lost in the shuffle. Photo: Clyde Mueller
THE NEW TECH. ED building; waiting for inside completion and lights. Photo: Clyde Mueller
Survey shows day care need
Last spring quarter, 4100 questionnaires were mailed to married students attending Weber State College. Its purpose was to determine what need may exist on campus for an additional day-care center.
According to Carroll Finley, vice president of Weber's Constructive Living Organization (WCLO), there is definitely the need and desire around campus to organize such a program. Finley stated the only drawback now is funding.
Meanwhile, Executive Council's Student Services Vice President, Mike Hunsaker, is trying to find a chairman of the Married Students Committee. The present system has the chairman of the married students also head of the Day Care Committee.
Finley said that such a responsibility is too much for one person to handle. Finley favors a separate committee that works with married students instead of under them.
The questionnaire showed that 350 children would enter the center if it were open. Also, the questionnaire showed that 79 people would volunteer their services if the facility were open. The Day Care Center would facilitate children three years of age and under according to the survey. If you would like more information concerning the Day Care Center, contact Carroll Finley in the Student Government offices.