1+ week, 4+ day ago (180+ words) Throughout the yearlong celebration, BYU continues its mission to nurture divine light in its students Church News podcast: BYU celebrates 150 years with "gifts of light," featuring President C. Shane Reese and Vice President Keith Vorkink Throughout the yearlong celebration, BYU continues its mission to nurture divine light in its students In recognition of Brigham Young University"s 150th anniversary and its sesquicentennial theme of "Celebrating Gifts of Light" (see Doctrine and Covenants 50:24), students, faculty and alumni are invited to perform 150 hours of service each. Throughout the yearlong celebration, BYU continues its mission to nurture divine light in its students, who then share the Light of Jesus Christ with the world by honoring the past and envisioning the future. On this episode of the Church News podcast, BYU President C. Shane Reese and BYU Advancement Vice President Keith Vorkink join reporter Mary Richards. They…...

3+ week, 3+ day ago (281+ words) Editor's note: This story was originally published on Nov. 6, 2024. On Nov. 6, 1964, James C. Fletcher was installed as the eighth president of the University of Utah. Under his tenure, the university underwent significant growth in student and faculty numbers, campus size as well as funding and research awards. He later served twice as administrator to NASA during a time of great space exploration Born June 5, 1919, in Millburn, New Jersey, Fletcher attended high school in New York City and earned a bachelor's degree in physics from Columbia University in 1940. He worked as a research physicist for the Navy's Bureau of Ordnance, then became a research associate at Harvard University. His time as campus leader also came during the Vietnam War, but Fletcher was known for his uncommon ability to mediate disputes between students, faculty and administrators with tolerant wisdom. In March 1967, he was…...

2+ hour, 27+ min ago (375+ words) Continuing to lean into artificial intelligence rather than fight against it, the University of Utah last week launched OpenAI's ChatGPT Edu " a version of the AI tool specifically designed for higher education and securely deployed for university use " across its campus community. Every U. student, faculty and staff member can now request access to the tool via the U.'s IT Service Catalog, and they'll receive an email with login instructions. "We've been steadily building a foundation for responsible AI across campus, and ChatGPT Edu represents a major leap forward," Manish Parashar, chief AI officer at the U., said. "The U. is at the forefront of reimagining how we teach, learn and research in the age of generative AI, and ChatGPT Edu will help us maintain an edge. "We're excited for our community to use this tool in a way that's secure, optimized for…...

2+ week, 4+ day ago (179+ words) We are both BYU men from the ground up: President Dallin H. Oaks and President Jeffrey R. Holland have traveled parallel paths " as students, university presidents and supervising Apostles, as school reaches 150th birthday. What President Oaks and President Holland say about BYU from their lifelong ties as school reaches 150th birthday "We are both BYU men from the ground up: The 2 have traveled parallel paths " as students, university presidents and supervising Apostles To help Brigham Young University celebrate its 150th anniversary, two presidents " both past BYU presidents and current senior leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who carry the title of "President" " shared memories and perspectives of their time learning from and leading at the Church-sponsored university in Provo, Utah. President Dallin H. Oaks, President of the Church, and President Jeffrey R. Holland, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke…...

3+ day, 17+ hour ago (707+ words) It's been a year marked by well-publicized uncertainty, visa hold-ups and deportation fears " but international students remain keen on enrolling in Utah universities. The public University of Utah and the private Brigham Young University continue to be popular destinations for thousands of degree-seeking students from outside the United States. And that same enthusiasm for Beehive State campuses appears to be extending to traditionally regional institutions, such as Utah Tech University. Many across the country's higher education community worried there would be sizable dips in international enrollment following a series of events this year impacting foreign students " including the Trump administration's decision requiring student visa applicants to make their social media profiles public. And earlier this year, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement temporarily revoked the legal status of hundreds of international students " including several studying at Utah colleges and universities. But…...

2+ week, 5+ day ago (549+ words) Leaders of Utah's most populated county say they still plan to close four county-run child care centers, but voted Monday to extend services a few more months amid pushback from the community. The Salt Lake County Council voted 5-3 on Monday to extend funding to a parks and recreation program that operates day care services at the Kearns, Magna, Millcreek Activity and Northwest Activity (Salt Lake City) recreation centers through the end of May 2026. The council also voted unanimously to ensure that staff remain in place at the day cares through the new end date. It had been set to close on Dec. 31, which raised concerns because it would have coincided with the middle of the school year. "I think it's really important for us to give these families some additional time to find alternative arrangements for their child care, and…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago (994+ words) During the first pandemic summer and soon after George Floyd's murder, the BYU football team held a players-only meeting. The college students wanted to add messages to their uniforms or warm-up clothing like other teams and players. The issue was agreeing on a message to meet the moment without adding to the controversy swirling around Black Lives Matter, Blue Lives Matter or diversity, equity and inclusion. "With their own inspiration, they came up with what was a perfect solution," former BYU President Kevin Worthen said Tuesday during a panel discussion of past and present university presidents. That fall, the football team wore, to national acclaim, warm-up shirts that said "We are one" on the front and "Love One Another" on the back. "It was a great example of people receiving inspiration following gospel principles here on campus," Worthen said. BYU…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago (708+ words) The Granite School District Board of Education on Tuesday night unanimously voted to indefinitely suspend the study looking into closing two eastside elementary schools. For now " Eastwood Elementary, 3305 S. Wasatch Blvd. in Millcreek, and Morningside Elementary, 4170 S. 3000 East in Holladay " are safe from closure. The decision was met with raucous cheers from community members attending the meeting, many of whom spoke against the closure recommendation during a public hearing that lasted well over an hour. "I've said a couple of times throughout the study that I was uncertain about the closure recommendations this time around because the schools involved seem to be succeeding despite their small size," board member Kim Chandler said. "This stands in stark contrast to previous studies and last year, as an example, one of the schools that they closed in particular was definitely struggling. Morningside and Eastwood, however,…...

2+ week, 23+ hour ago (215+ words) Readers" Forum: Utah"s most vulnerable students are at risk of losing their rights in education A large number of staff at the Department of Education"s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) were recently fired, effectively dismantling that agency. Without OSEP, Utah"s families face the potential risk of loss of services for their children with disabilities. One of OSEP"s primary functions is to provide the capacity and support to states to implement the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the nation"s special education law. A federal judge has temporarily reversed the decision. Although this is a temporary win, the threat of dismantling still looms over the department. I can attest that IDEA opens doors for children with disabilities. Not only am I a special education teacher, but I was also a child with a disability. Children…...

5+ day, 21+ hour ago (623+ words) The Utah Board of Higher Education recently released its annual report highlighting developments over a year marked by systemic disruption and change " even while looking ahead to future challenges and opportunities. "This past year has been one of meaningful progress for Utah's higher education system," wrote board Chair Amanda Covington. "The Utah Board of Higher Education has worked closely with our presidents, Commissioner (Geoffrey) Landward, and partners across the state to support initiatives that keep higher education affordable, accessible, and aligned with Utah's long-term needs." Added Landward: "Students are earning more credentials than ever before, institutions are innovating to meet Utah's workforce needs, and faculty and staff continue to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to their communities. "These are not just statistics; they represent lives changed, families strengthened, and the state's future being built one student at a time." Perhaps the…...