Wildcat Tech Expo: All the latest tech for students and fun prizes too!

Posted on September 23, 2011 by Alisha

What’s that?

The Wildcat tech expo is a huge technology fair Weber State hosts every year. World renown companies come to show off their cool products. Reps from Adobe, Skull Candy, Apple, Dakine, Wacom, and iFrogz are all coming out to this year’s wildcat expo (and that’s just naming a few)!

Why is the Wildcat Tech Expo so Great?

The Expo has a variety of free current technology classes taught by professionals that are designed to empower attendees with technology trends of today.

During the expo they will be offering special show discounts from brand name technology vendors.

You can enter the vendor showcase raffle worth hundreds of dollars in prizes!

A student who attended last years expo said, “The Wildcat Tech Expo is awesome! You can get all of your computer stuff and printers for really cheap prices, plus vendors and there giving you free products and doing all sorts of contests and it’s way cool. I even got a free ipod case!”

Cool classes…

Blogging Best Practices

Learn how to create a business blog, a family blog, or make your very own diary blog (note-online diaries are not confidential ; ). Find out how to promote your blog, connect with your community, get your blog sponsored, and embrace the world of bloggers.

Wed. Sept. 28

9:30-10:20 a.m.

Student Union 404A

Securing Your Home Network (Firewalls and Security)

Don’t let creeper identity thieves use your internet and steal your personal information by leaving the door wide open. Find out what is required to secure a PC or group of PCs on your home network.

Wed. Sept. 28

10:30-11:20 a.m.

Student Union 312

Digital Photo Editing for Beginners

So you’re not a professional photographer, but you like taking photos and wish you knew how to edit them. Well then this class is for you! Come learn simple and free options for editing your photos.

Wed. Sept. 28

2:30-3:20 p.m.

Student Union 321

Register Today

To register, visit Wildcat Tech Expo. Check out the available classes and register for each individual class you would like to attend.

Weber State’s Wildcat Tech Expo 2011

September 28- 29

Weber State University
3848 Harrison Blvd.

Student Union Building

Check out this video for cool pics from last year’s expo

Tips from an Insider: Navigating the WSU Bookstore

Posted on August 8, 2011 by Alisha

So you just registered for classes and you need to buy textbooks, but you don’t know how. As a former bookstore employee, let me guide you through the process.

Print out your detailed schedule

The first thing you need to do is print your schedule. Log into your Weber Portal, click on the student services tab, then click view my detailed schedule under the Registration heading. Print off what’s called the detailed schedule. This has all the info for your course, so hold onto it.

Going to the Bookstore

Now you have some options, you can either go to the WSU Bookstore in Ogden (see directions below), the WSU Davis Campus Bookstore (2nd floor) in Layton, or you can shop online. My advice is to go as soon as you have your schedule. I’ll say it one more time for effect, GO AS SOON AS YOU HAVE YOUR SCHEDULE. This way you can avoid the crowds and you’re more likely to get used copies of the books you’ll need. If you wait for school to start, be prepared for a jungle of students all massed together foraging for books.

IF YOU SHOP ONLINE: The online searching method is really simple, you can search by department, course number, and section number. When you checkout, you can either choose the “Pick Up” shipping method (you pick the books up at the Ogden, Davis or West Center) or you can just have them mailed to your house. The online shop at the bookstore is a good way to see what your book looks like, so it will make it easier to find if you go in person.

Translating your schedule and locating textbooks

Ok so your schedule will look something like this. I’ve highlighted the department and course number in yellow. The number in green is your CRN (course reference number), which is completely unique to your class. So for this example we’re looking for ENGL 3500, CRN#21701. First go a few aisles in and look for signs above the book isles that say ENGL, then look for the course number 3500. You’re getting warmer, but wait, there’s more. Check the CRN. Sometimes professors teaching the same course will use different textbooks. So check the CRN to make sure you have the right book for your exact class. Keep in mind there may be more than one book listed on the tag for your class.

Tips from a bookstore insider

Use the new WSU online price comparison website to get good pricing on textbooks. On their website you can see the WSU bookstore’s prices right alongside those of Amazon, Half.com and other textbook retailers. Keep in mind shipping costs and added time as you plan for the first day of school. So it may be worth the peace of mind to just get your books at the WSU bookstore.

Make sure to keep your receipts. If the professor makes any changes for textbook requirements (which they do!) or if you drop a class, you can still get your money back as long as you return your books unopened and with your receipt before 4:30pm on the first Friday of the semester.

Remember you can always resell your books to WSU. However, for the best prices bring your books in during the scheduled Finals Buyback (the Wednesday of “Dead Week” through Finals week).

Follow the arrow on the right to enter the bookstore on 2nd floor through the Union building . Or if you want to enter on the 1st floor take the path on the left and it will lead you the the main entrance of the bookstore.

If you took the route on the left you will be looking for this entrance (it will be on your right after about a minute of walking)

If you chose to enter on the 2nd floor, take a left right here! Get it?

Note: There are 2 floors to the WSU bookstore. The fun stuff; WSU apparel and foam wildcat paws are on the 2nd floor and the essentials; textbooks, computers, & school supplies are on the lower level. So look for the staircase in the back to get to the textbook department.

The textbooks are organized alphabetically by the departments starting with Art textbooks (who knew you needed textbooks for art!?) and ending with Zoology textbooks. So if you know your alphabet you'll be golden.

The employees don't wear name tags and aprons for nothing, so don't hesitate to ask them a question.

And just a side note, your class schedule and the shelf tag at the bookstore will not actually be highlighted. So don’t be shocked when you don’t see a cute colored schedule and shelf tag

If you can't find your book on the shelf tag, come to the information desk and an employee can look up the status of your textbooks.

Go Outside and Play: Canoeing, Camping, & Climbing

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Alisha

Oh what do you do in the summer time?

Living in Ogden Utah the possibilities are endless for outdoor family fun. For some good family bonding time this summer read through these fun things to do and then go outside and play!

Canoeing

Canoeing is the perfect family activity for a hot summer day, not to mention there are plenty of options for reservoirs and lakes around the Ogden area, although Causey Reservoir (which is 15 miles northeast of Ogden) is my favorite place to canoe because of the smooth water, and the little coves between the cliffs you can paddle through. If you decide to go to Causey dam there are a few things you should know; there are no dedicated boat-launch facilities, powerboats are not allowed, and parking is on the north part of the dam at the Boy Scout camp. Canoeing, fishing, swimming and cliff jumping are all very popular at Causey. Just remember to bring life jackets, sunscreen, water, and snacks for a great day on the water.

Camping

Bring your family together this summer in the beautiful mountains that line the Wasatch front. The Outdoor Program has the gear you need to make an awesome camping trip including; sleeping bags, tents, camping stoves, lanterns and more! So let’s say you decide to camp overnight at Anderson Cove (next to Pineview dam) so you rent a four person tent at Outdoor Program it would only cost you $18.00 if you’re a student and $27.00 if you’re not. To reserve a campground at Anderson Cove call 877-444-6777. Anderson Cove is conveniently located right next to the beach and is right next to a doc. The campsite also has a boat launch ramp, public restrooms, volleyball courts, and pets are allowed in some campsites.

Indoor Rock Climbing

Weber Rocks Climbing Wall is a great place to bring all your little monkeys and let them loose for a day, or bring your significant other and make it a date. With your Wildcard each person costs $5.00 dollars ($8.00 if no one in the group has a Wildcard) which includes shoes, harness, and a student belaying clinic. Weber Rocks is located in the Swenson Stromberg complex in the northwest corner of the gym. This indoor climbing facility is open in the summer Monday-Thursday 4pm – 8pm and Saturday 10am-5pm. Youth (ages 13-17) can only climb on Saturdays from 10am-5pm.

Want someone else to organize your summer fun?

Not only does the Outdoor Program talk the talk but they walk the walk. Throughout the summer they are taking groups of both community members and WSU students to the Snake River July 22-24, August 12-14, and September 9-11. If you would like to go give the Outdoor Program a call at 801-626-6373, pay the trip cost ($85 for students $95 for public), attend your pre-trip meetings, and then show up ready to have some fun. Visit their website for more info on their weekend Snake River trips. Or Check out their complete list of events, adventures, trips, clinics, and workshops.

With the help of WSU’s Campus Recreation you can have fun family outdoor activities, make memories and have experiences that your family will never forget. Rivers, smores and adventure are awaiting you. So contact the Campus Recreational Center today!

Step 8—Use support services:
A Step-by-Step Guide for Returning Students

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Adam

Step 8: Use support services

First-Year Experience

If you’re new to the whole college thing, be sure to check out the First-Year Experience Program (FYE). This program includes a three-credit class (EDUC 1105-Introduction to the University) designed to help with your transition to the college experience. Improve your academic skills, explore majors and become familiar with campus resources. The class is offered at both WSU Ogden and WSU Davis.

Services for returning students

WSU offers a wide variety of programs and services for our diverse student population. Whether you’re just looking for a quiet place to study or you need a place to drop off the kids while you’re in class, there are dozens of services throughout campus that can help. Take a look at the list below to see what services may be helpful to you.
Here is a list of important offices sorted by campus location.

WSU Ogden

Bookstore

Shepherd Union Building, Rm. 101
801-626-6352

Testing Center

Student Services Bldg. Rm. 262
801-626-6803

Advising

Student Services Bldg., Rm. 140
Student Success Center
801-626-6752 (option 5)

Financial Aid and Scholarship Office

Student Services Bldg, Rm.120
801-626-7569

Multicultural Student Center

Student Services Bldg, Rm. 150
801-626-7333

Nontraditional Student Center

Shepherd Union Bldg, Rm. 322
801-626-7794

Veteran Services

Student Services Bldg, Rm. 154
801-626-6039

Student Support Services

Student Services Bldg, Rm. 265
801-626-7009

Women’s Center

Shepherd Union Bldg, Rm. 322
801-626-6090

Registration Help—Online

Lampros Hall
Computing Support, Rm. 218
801-626-7777

Registration Help—In person

Student Services Bldg
Registrar’s Solution Center,
Rm. 101
801-626-6100

Parking

Annex 5 (South end of campus)
801-626-6533

Wildcard/ UTA ed pass

Shepherd Union Bldg.
Information Desk
801-626-6367

WSU Davis

Testing Center

Rm. 215
801-395-3495

Advising

Enrollment Services: 801-395-3480

Bookstore

Rm. 201
801-395-3487

Services for Nontraditional Students

Rm. 260

(801) 395-3514

Services for Multicultural Students

Rm. 260

(801) 395-3514

Services for Women Students

Rm. 260

(801) 395-3514

Registration—in person

Rm. 241
801-395-3480

Parking

Bookstore, Rm. 201
801-395-3487

Wildcard/UTA ED pass

Student Services (2nd Floor)
801-395-3460

WSU West Center

Testing Center

801-689-4007

Advising

Enrollment Advisor: 801-626-7362 or 626-8975

Registration—in person

801-626-8975

You made it! Congratulations! You successfully went through steps one, two, three, four, five, six, seven and eight!

Step 4—Find out about financial resources:
A Step-by-Step Guide for Returning Students

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Adam

SPOILER ALERT, you may want to read Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3 first…

Step 4: Find out about Financial Resources

So this step is kind of a big one, a lot of people talk themselves out of coming back to school because they feel like they can’t afford it. Even if you think you make too much money to qualify for financial aid, you still have plenty of options. Basically there are three types of financial aid.

Grants

Grants do not have to be repaid if you maintain satisfactory progress. Since this is the best kind of aid to get, funds are limited. You should apply early (March 1) to maximize your chances.

Scholarships

As a new student, you are automatically considered for academic scholarships as part of your admission application. All other scholarships require a separate application.

Student Loans

Student loans must be repaid, and there are many different types to choose from. Student loans can be a great resource for returning students (see below).

It all starts with FAFSA

All financial aid options start with filling out an application at fafsa.ed.gov. Make sure you have your most recent tax returns and W-2’s when completing the forms. WSU’s school code is 003680. It takes about 10 days before the Weber State financial aid office receives your FAFSA info, then you’ll need to log in to your student portal and complete the WSU Financial Aid application. (Remember Step 2? This is why you have to be admitted as a student before you can qualify for aid.) After that, you can log on to the student portal to check the status of your application and accept your award.

A note on Student Loans

Sure, grants and scholarships are great, and you should always look for the free stuff first when you’re trying to pay for college. But if you’re not able to secure that kind of financial aid, you should think about student loans.

Federal students loans offer benefits not typically found in private loans. These loans can help pay for part or all of your college expenses. You’ll never get financing terms this good for other major purchases (auto, home, appliances, etc.). So why not take advantage of this kind of borrowing for your education? Federal student loans offer:

Low fixed interest rates.
Income-based repayment plans.
Deferred payments while you’re in school.
Grace period once you leave school.

Make the investment in yourself, these loans are a great option for students who may not qualify for scholarships or grants. Remember, you should always exhaust federal student loan options before considering a private loan.

Yes, this is confusing…but it gets easier.

Navigating your way through the financial aid process can be very tricky (and intimidating) at first. Figuring out how to pay for college is one of the top reasons why people talk themselves out of coming back to school. But this gets easier. Once you’re in the system, it’s easier to renew and reapply for aid in the future. As a student, you’ll get very comfortable working around the student portal. And remember, there is always a deadline coming up and you have the chance to start this process every year. The financial aid office is very helpful, don’t be afraid to contact them if you have any questions.

Now…on to Step 5.

Little Known Resources: WSU’s Outdoor Program

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Alisha

Looking for Summer Fun?

For all your outdoor family fun and outdoor gear this summer check out WSU’s Outdoor Program. The Outdoor Program is Ogden’s personal outdoor gear closet. They have everything from canoes and tents, to bocce ball sets and even rock climbing shoes! The Outdoor Program has rentals to accommodate many summer recreational activities. WSU’s rentals include . . .

Camping necessities
River and lake equipment
High adventure outdoor gear
Sport sets

How can I rent WSU’s outdoor gear?

To get equipped for your next adventure, visit the Outdoor Program’s Rental Center and check out all the rentals WSU has to offer. After you have decided on what to rent, stop by the Outdoor Program anytime Monday –Saturday, 8am to 6pm. They are located on 41^st and Taylor, in Annex 9 on the WSU Campus (see map below). Or if you would like to reserve your equipment over the phone, call 801-626-6376. Community members are welcome to rent from the Outdoor Program but if you’re a wildcat you can rent at a discounted price with your Wildcard. When renting don’t forget to bring your drivers license, and a debit or credit card for the deposit.

If you're thinking that's a house. You're right! The Campus Rec Outdoor Program is in a house. And just in case you're wondering, even though it is a house the workers don't actually live there.

Just beyond that little grove of trees.

The parking lot is for Wilderness Rec Center customers. That's you. So enjoy it while it lasts cause everywhere else is permit only.

You don't need to knock because it's not a real house. Just walk right in.

This guy knows everything about outdoor gear so don't be afraid to ask questions.

Wet suits over your clothes are not a great idea in the middle of the summer. FYI

"Just around the river bend, my river trip is just around the river bend!" Think I would make a good Pocahontas?

Rafting last Friday on the Snake River. Thanks to my wet suit from Wilderness Rec I didn't die of hypothermia with 47º water! (And yes I do wear purple on Weber Wear Fridays even when I'm not on campus.)

How the West Center Was Won

Posted on June 2, 2011 by meganpratt

Ch-ch-ch-changes

As you can see from the photos to the left, big changes are going on at the WSU West Center located in Roy. What was once a dry and frozen wasteland is now a colorful fiesta. For those of you who were afraid to try this place out before because of the rumors of zombie skeletons and ninjas hiding behind garbage piles, put your fears behind you! After a long and grueling battle against all that is evil, this place is now just as wonderful on the outside as it always has been on the inside. We’ve added an array of colorful window graphics to show how spacious the West Center is inside. We’ve also added new signs that are purple during the day and change to white in the evening (ahhh, magic…), so passersby can see our Roy location in all it’s glory.

It’s the Inside that Counts

“But,” you might ask, “what is so wonderful on the inside?” I might answer that question with another question. “What is NOT wonderful about the inside of this place??” This place is full of resources for people trying to get back to school. We’ve already told you about the workshops that they have there (read this article here), but they also offer for-credit courses to help you fulfill your general education requirements. In addition to that, you can take tests there, visit with an advisor, use the state-of-the-art computer lab, pick up your textbook order and so much more.

No More Excuses

So along with the zombies and ninjas, we’ve annihilated a few excuses for you. No more “I can’t afford to become a brain-eating zombie.” No more “I’m allergic to ninja throwing stars.” And especially no more “I can’t drive all the way to campus.” So what are you waiting for? Check out the website!

Stress Management – There’s a lab for that

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Jon

Let’s face it, most WSU students endure an unending battle with stress. Work, family, classes… it all adds up and you’re left with too many obligations and not enough hours in the day. To help combat the daily pressures of your life as a student, Weber State University Stress Relief Center offers an array of nirvana inducing relaxation strategies. Sponsored by the Health Promotion program in the Department of Health Promotion & Human Performance at WSU, the center includes:

-Massage Chairs
-Chi Machine
-iPods & iPads
-Light sound machines
-Biofeedback machine
-Inversion table

What can I expect when I go to the lab?

Students will normally be greeted by a staff member, who will show them around the stress lab. You can then treat this like a smorgasbord, and find your favorite stress-relieving technique.

What are the lab’s hours?

Monday: 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. / 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. / 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Thursday: 10:15 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Where is this utopia?

The Stress Relief Center is located on the WSU Ogden Campus in the Swenson Complex on the second floor in rooms 60 and 61.

How do I sign up?

You don’t have to sign up to use the stress center. All you have to do is swipe your wildcat card to gain entry into the Swenson Complex. Other than that you can just walk on in.

If the stress center isn’t appealing to your taste, maybe you can make your own stress reduction kit…

Little Known Resources: Free Workshops

Posted on May 13, 2011 by meganpratt

Got Skills?

Do you have a friend who is just so good at everything? I know you do. We all do. This is the amazing person that can be baking the perfect crème brule one minute and go right to changing the oil in the family car. How do they DO it? Well, yet again, Weber State is here to help and this time your knight in shining armor is coming from the WSU West Center and Davis Campus.

Free Workshops to the Rescue

The West Center and Davis Campus offer workshops that are absolutely jam packed with valuable information. Some of them pertain to skills you can use to get back in to school and some are things you can use in your everyday life. For example, this summer they are offering classes on:

Financial planning.
Communication strategies.
Summer time family fun ideas.
Methods of memorizing.

Did I mention that they are totally and absolutely free?

Online Workshops

Don’t have the time to stop by the workshops? Well tons of awesome workshops from photography to weight-loss to child-rearing skills are available online. These workshops are a little more in-depth and run $95 each. They generally last for about 6 weeks each and do not count for college credit. What better way to get yourself into the college going mode? Not to mention you can cultivate some great skills along the way.

Interested?

Check out this website for the free workshops and this one for the online workshops.

Little Know Resources: Health Center

Posted on April 26, 2011 by meganpratt

So picture this: you’re a student, working hard at school and work and using your superhuman powers to take care of all of your responsibilities. But wait. What’s that? It’s your old foe, the sore throat accompanied by his evil sidekick, the fever. They also brought along a gang of their dastardly friends, the aches and the chills. What’s a poor student to do? Hospitals are like your kryptonite with expensive fees and creepy paper covered beds. Is this it? Could this be your undoing?

The WSU Health Center

Before you surrender to your foe and curl up in bed with a bowl of soup, make sure you check out the WSU Health Center. This center is a league of heroes dedicated to providing you with quality care for all your minor aches and pains at a low cost. The funding for these services comes from student fees and only WSU students can take advantage of them.

Not only do they offer care for common illnesses but they also offer preventative care, physicals, contraception instruction (we love those little ones but superheroes can only do so much, right?), and minor surgery. There is also a pharmacy available for students and their spouses and many prescriptions are available for $4 or less.

You’re saved! You’re back to your old ways of writing papers, passing your classes with flying colors and keeping your little ones clean and healthy to boot (now to keep them from bickering… that’s another article for another day.)

This is just one of the many resources WSU has to offer to help you be successful. You can learn more about the WSU Health Center and their services here.