Digital Commons Network^™

The Status Of Women Leaders In Government – Utah Counties: A 2024 Update, April Townsend, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

Organizations increasingly thrive when both men and women hold leadership roles and work together. This is true not only in Utah’s businesses, but also its government organizations, such as state legislatures, city councils, and state and local bureaucracies.¹

American democracy is based on the concept of representation.² Governments mirror this idea by encouraging agencies to employ a workforce that shares the demographic characteristics of the community it serves.³ In fact, the presence of a diverse public workforce “implies equal access to government positions promoting empowerment and connection with government in diverse communities, [and] can also signal the …

Educational Policies Committee Minutes September 5, 2024, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Approval of Minutes – April 4, 2024
• Subcommittee Reports
• Curriculum Subcommittee
• Program Proposals
• Academic Standards Committee
• General Education Subcommittee
• Other Business
• Adjourn: 3:35 pm

Curriculum Subcommittee Agenda September 5, 2024, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Approval of Minutes – April 4, 2024

• Program Proposals

• Semester Course Approval Reviews:

• College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences,
• Caine College of the Arts,
• Jon M. Huntsman School of Business,
• Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services,
• College of Engineering,
• College of Humanities and Social Sciences,
• S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources,
• College of Science,
• College of Veterinary Medicine,
• Other

• Other Business

• Adjourn: 3:00 pm

Supplementary Files For: Quantifying The Impact Of Rain-On-Snow Induced Flooding In The Western United States, Emma Watts, Brennan Bean

Browse all Datasets

Serious flooding can happen when rain falls on snow, which we call a rain-on-snow (ROS) event. Increasing our understanding of the behavior of floods resulting from ROS events can help us design better systems to manage flood water and prevent it from causing damage. This thesis explores how ROS events affect streamflow in the Western United States by examining the weather conditions that precede a streamflow surge. We classify stream surges as ROS or non-ROS induced based on these weather conditions, which helps us separate floods caused by ROS events from those caused by other factors. By comparing these different …

General Education Subcommittee Minutes September 5, 2024, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Call to Order
• Welcome and Introductions
• Approval of Minutes - No April Meeting
• Course Approvals/Removals/Syllabi Approvals
• New Business
• Revised CL/CI Proposal Guidelines
• General Education Accreditation
• USHE "What is an Educated Person?" Gen Ed Conference
• R470 Updates and Related Tasks for USU
• Additional Items
• Adjourn: 9:34

Educational Policies Committee Agenda September 5, 2024, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Approval of Minutes – April 4, 2024

• Subcommittee Reports –

• Curriculum Subcommittee,
• Program Proposals,
• Academic Standards Subcommittee,
• General Education Subcommittee

• Other Business

• Adjourn: 4:00 pm

General Education Subcommittee Agenda September 5, 2024, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Call to Order

• Welcome and Introductions

• Approval of Minutes - No April Meeting

• Course Approvals/Removals/Syllabi Approvals

• New Business – Revised CL/CI Proposal Guidelines

• Additional Items

• Adjourn: 9:30 am

Nursery Cultural Practices Influence Morphological And Physiological Aspen Seedling Traits: Implications For Post-Fire Restoration, Aalap Dixit, Owen Burney

Aspen Bibliography

Aspen forests are threatened by the impacts of a changing climate and are showing large-scale mortality with meager natural regeneration to restore these loses. Therefore, there is an increasing demand for high-quality aspen seedlings to assist with forest restoration efforts. Nursery cultural practices can be used to alter aspen seedling traits to improve adaptability to dry planting conditions. In this study, the effects of container size (SC10 and D30; 158 and 590 mL, respectively) and nursery irrigation treatment (high and low irrigation; 90% and 70% container capacity, respectively) on seedling growth and a suite of morphological and physiological traits were …

Effects Of Revegetation Approaches On Wetland Plant Community Reassembly Under Hydrologic Extremes, Maddie Houde, Karin Kettenring

Browse all Datasets

Active revegetation is often necessary to recover native plant communities in disturbed or degraded wetlands. However, active revegetation has been pursued less in wetlands than other ecosystems and thus, there are few established best practices to guide implementation. Additionally, wetland revegetation is challenging due to dynamic hydrology becoming more extreme and high invasive plant propagule pressure that can limit native plant recruitment and favor invasive plant dominance. In this study, we tested the efficacy of varied revegetation approaches on native plant reassembly and invasion resistance in semi-arid wetlands subject to seasonal hydrologic fluctuations. In a Great Salt Lake wetland in …

Assessing The Feasibility Of Implementing A Hands-On Diabetes Course Curriculum In Community Settings, April Litchford, Jenna Dyckman, Carrie Durward

Transforming Communities

Diabetes remains a significant health concern in the United States, with millions affected and at risk. Despite the known benefits of diabetes education programs, barriers such as accessibility and engagement persist. To address these challenges, Utah State University Extension developed the Diabetes Cook Along (DCA) program and conducted a study to determine the feasibility of implementing these classes in community settings. The DCA curriculum is based on national standards and emphasizes changes in dietary and lifestyle components critical for diabetes management. Data collection included pre- and post-surveys, along with qualitative feedback. Overall participation in the classes and satisfaction of participants …

Educational Neglect In Utah: How The State Allows Children To Fall Through The Cracks, Celeste D. Barker

Transforming Communities

Chronic absenteeism due to educational neglect is a prevalent social need in the state of Utah. Thousands of children in Utah are falling through the cracks of the system that is designed for their success and it is imperative that Utah’s State Legislature examines this dilemma more closely. It is recommended that the legislature examine real cases of educational neglect and realize how current decision making and policy framework is impacting the future success of Utah’s children. Modifications include extending the scope of intervention to secondary school-aged children, creating standardized attendance infraction letters for every school district in Utah, reevaluating …

What Kane County Leaders And Residents Can Do To Strengthen The Impact Of Girls And Women In Their Area, Deborah Lin, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

This idea sheet is based on a 2024 gathering of leaders in Kane County, with input from 23 individuals. Girls and women face challenges unique to the area in which they live, and the goal of this gathering was to identify those barriers and determine strategies and initiatives that local leaders and residents can implement to address them. This document includes recommendations in the following areas: home and family, education, business and economics, government and community, and culture.

What Wasatch County Leaders And Residents Can Do To Strengthen The Impact Of Girls And Women In Their Area, Amy Z. Anderson, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

This idea sheet is based on a 2024 gathering of 42 leaders in Wasatch County. Girls and women face challenges unique to the area in which they live, and the goal of this gathering was to identify those barriers and determine strategies and initiatives that local leaders and residents can implement to address them. This document includes recommendations in the following areas: home and family, education, health and wellbeing, culture and community engagement, and business and economics.

The Utah Statesman, September 2, 2024, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

What Millard County Leaders And Residents Can Do To Strengthen The Impact Of Girls And Women In Their Area, Deborah Lin, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

This idea sheet is based on a 2024 gathering of leaders in Millard County, with input from 20 individuals. Girls and women face challenges unique to the area in which they live, and the goal of this gathering was to identify those barriers and determine strategies and initiatives that local leaders and residents can implement to address them. This document includes recommendations in the following areas: home and family, education, culture, business and economics, and government and community.

Scale-Dependent Population Drivers Inform Avian Management In A Declining Saline Lake Ecosystem, Aimee M. Van Tatenhove, John Neill, Russell E. Norvell, Erica F. Stuber, Clark S. Rushing

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Shrinking saline lakes provide irreplaceable habitat for waterbird species globally. Disentangling the effects of wetland habitat loss from other drivers of waterbird population dynamics is critical for protecting these species in the face of unprecedented changes to saline lake ecosystems, ideally through decision-making frameworks that identify effective management options and their potential outcomes. Here, we develop a framework to assess the effects of hypothesized population drivers and identify potential future outcomes of plausible management scenarios on a saline lake-reliant waterbird species. We use 36 years of monitoring data to quantify the effects of environmental conditions on the population size of …

Ephemera As A Versatile Primary Resource: A Case Study Of The Nancy Tucker Postcard Collection, Dylan J. Mcdonald, Jennifer Olguin, Monika Glowacka-Musial

Journal of Western Archives

Ephemera are rich primary sources too often overlooked within archival materials and at collecting institutions. This case study argues that archivists and librarians should recognize ephemera, specifically postcards, as powerful historical documents worthy of scholarly investigation. By analyzing a sample set of digitized postcards held at the New Mexico State University Library, we show how scholars can use postcards to develop evidence-based arguments. Through the images, printed texts, and hand-written inscriptions found on these early 20th century postcards, we demonstrate how researchers can examine the pro-development messages found in southern New Mexico postcards.

Acceptance And Commitment Therapy Versus Progressive Relaxation Training For Misophonia: Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol, Interventions, And Audiological Assessments, Emily M. Bowers, Mercedes G. Woolley, Karen Muñoz, Julie M. Petersen, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background: Misophonia is a disorder characterized by an intense emotional reaction to specific sounds, often leading to significant distress and impairment in daily functioning. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a promising psychotherapy for treating misophonia, but has only been previously tested in case studies. This paper presents a protocol for the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessing the efficacy and feasibility of ACT supplemented by audiological interventions for misophonia versus progressive relaxation training (PRT).

Methods: The outlined protocol is a RCT with 60 adults with misophonia. After undergoing a comprehensive psychological and audiological evaluation, participants were randomly assigned to …

Do Firms Follow Through On Environmental Commitments? An Empirical Examination, Rick Hardcopf, Kevin Linderman, Rachna Shah

Management Faculty Publications

In response to ever-increasing pressure from stakeholders to reduce the impact of their operations and supply chain on the natural environment, firms frequently make public commitments to improve environmental performance. However, the commitments are difficult to validate and thus of unknown quality. Understanding whether and when the commitments are valid proxies for action is essential because they are used by environmentally conscious stakeholders to assess firm environmental performance in anticipation of buying from, investing in, working for, or selling to a firm. Results from examining 442 U.S. manufacturing firms show that firms generally follow through on such commitments. Larger firms …

Dynamic Optimization With Timing Risk, Erin Cottle Hunt, Frank N. Caliendo

Economics and Finance Faculty Publications

Timing risk refers to a situation in which the timing of an economically important event is unknown (risky) from the perspective of an economic decision maker. While this special class of dynamic stochastic control problems has many applications in economics, the methods used to solve them are not easily accessible within a single, comprehensive survey. We provide a survey of dynamic optimization methods under comprehensive assumptions about the nature of timing risk. We also relax the assumption of full information and summarize optimization with limited information, ambiguity, imperfect hedging, and dynamic inconsistency. Our goal is to provide a concise user …

Unraveling The Impact Of Dog-Friendly Spaces On Urban–Wildland Pumas And Other Wildlife, Alys Granados, Zara Mcdonald, Katie Mcpherson, David Stoner

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

As the most widespread large carnivore on the planet, domestic dogs Canis lupus familiaris can pose a major threat to wildlife, even within protected areas (PAs). Growing human presence in PAs, coupled with increasing pet dog ownership underscores the urgency to understand the influence of dogs on wildlife activity and health. This knowledge can mitigate the adverse repercussions of recreation, optimizing PA management. Drawing on five years (2017–2021) of data from 101 camera traps in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States, we measured the spatiotemporal responses of puma Puma concolor, bobcat Lynx rufus, coyote Canis latrans …

Damage Of Nickel-Coated Glass/Epoxy Foam-Core Composites Induced By Artificial Lightning Strikes, Van-Tho Hoang, Won-Ho Choi, Juhyeong Lee, Chanyeop Park, Jin-Hwe Kweon, Byeong-Su Kwak, Young-Woo Nam

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

In the field of composite materials, many reports have shown that catastrophic structural damage is caused by lightning strikes. In this study, new design concepts were proposed for the lightning-strike protection of nickel-coated glass/epoxy foam-core composites. Instead of using a neat metal mesh, glass fibers were modified with nickel particles via a plating technique to improve their thermal and electrical conductivities. In addition, a thin Invar plate was inserted at the middle of the structure and a foam core was introduced to reduce damage to the structure. Three models with different materials and stacking sequences were used in this study. …

Instruments For Dual-Factor Mental Health Screening In Elementary Schools: Implications In Mental Health Classification, Mei-Ki Chan, Michael J. Furlong, Emmy Ruff

Psychology Faculty Publications

This research study holds practical significance for educators, school administrators, and mental health professionals. The study utilized structural equation modeling on two samples of elementary school students in grades three to five to create and validate condensed versions of the Social-Emotional Health Survey-Primary and the Me and My School questionnaire. These abbreviated scales exhibited strong internal validity and reliability across grade levels and genders, allowing for the assessment of wellness and distress among a diverse range of elementary school students. Furthermore, data from a longitudinal sample investigated dual-factor mental health profiles and their consistency over one year. Based on the …

Alfalfa Nutrient Management Guide, Megan Baker, Matt Yost, Clara Anderson, Grant Cardon, Jody Gale, Earl Creech, Cody Zesiger, Kalen Taylor

All Current Publications

Proper nutrient management is key to maintaining high yields, quality, and stand longevity for profitable alfalfa production. By the time that visible symptoms of nutrient deficiencies have appeared, yield, quality, and economic losses have already occurred. Soil tests provide a proactive opportunity to prepare fertilizer or amendment supplementation before the growing season. Fertilizer applications can greatly improve crop yield and quality and, in turn, greatly increase economic returns.

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Agenda August 26, 2024, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• 3:00 Call to Order
• Approval of Minutes
• 3:05 University Business
• 3:20 Faculty Senate Business
• 3:35 Information
• EPC Report
• HB 261 Compliance Efforts
• Faculty Senate Discussions
• 3:55 Reports
• Center for Instructional Design and Innovation
• Empowering Teaching Excellence Annual Report
• 4:10 Old Business
• 4:15 New Business
• Adjourn: 4:30 pm

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Minutes August 26, 2024, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• Call to Order
• Approval of Minutes
• University Business
• Faculty Senate Business
• Information
• EPC Report
• HB 261 Compliance Efforts
• Reports
• Center for Instructional Design and Innovation
• Empowering Teaching Excellence Annual Report
• Old Business
• New Business
• Adjourn: 4:15 pm

The Utah Statesman, August 26, 2024, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Coping With Loneliness (Part 2): Look Outward, Melanie Dabb, Jared Hawkins, Christina Pay, Eva Timothy, Cindy Jenkins, Christine Jensen

All Current Publications

Experiencing loneliness sometimes is part of the human experience. However, when experienced long-term, loneliness can lead to detrimental impacts on physical, mental, and emotional health. In a series of four fact sheets, Utah State University (USU) Extension faculty compiled some of the most effective ways to enhance connectedness. This second fact sheet suggests simple ways of looking outward to experience greater connectedness. These include increasing social group memberships, connecting through art and laughter, spending time in nature, strengthening friendships, and providing service.

Coping With Loneliness (Part 1): Look Inward, Melanie Dabb, Jared Hawkins, Christina Pay, Eva Timothy, Cindy Jenkins, Christine Jensen

All Current Publications

Experiencing loneliness sometimes is part of the human experience. However, when experienced long-term, loneliness can lead to detrimental impacts on physical, mental, and emotional health. In a series of four fact sheets, Utah State University (USU) Extension faculty compiled some of the most effective ways to enhance connectedness. This first fact sheet describes ways of looking inward that can reduce loneliness. These include identifying sources of loneliness, increasing acceptance, practicing mindfulness, seeking solitude, practicing self-reflection, and practicing self-care.

Coping With Loneliness (Part 4): Support Others Who Experience Loneliness, Melanie Dabb, Jared Hawkins, Christina Pay, Eva Timothy, Cindy Jenkins, Christine Jensen

All Current Publications

It is natural to want to offer help and support when someone we love or care about is experiencing loneliness. Paradoxically, this is one of the best ways to reduce our own loneliness. In response, Utah State University (USU) Extension faculty developed three fact sheets to describe some of the most effective ways to reduce loneliness. This fourth fact sheet suggests ways to ensure our efforts to support others who are experiencing loneliness are helpful and supportive.