Testing Center
Perhaps one of the most stressful places on the entire campus, Elise Lesuma, a sophomore studying psychology from Utah calls the Testing Center her workplace. “My responsibilities are to administer tests to the students as directed by professors. I also watch students as they take their tests and make sure that they don’t try and cheat.”
“Most of the time when people are caught they try and act like they have no idea what is going on,” she said. “Then they try and apologize as a last resort. I feel sorry for them but I have to report them to their professors.”
The Testing Center has technology that is able to view what students are viewing on their monitors as they take tests. “It’s really funny to see students trying to be sneaky. All of the sudden Google appears and disappears on their monitors. And we see it all.”
Lesuma said one time she left in the morning to go to class, and when she came back later that afternoon the same student was in the Testing Center. Lesuma said, “Whatever that class is, I don’t want to take it.”
Lesuma gave some pointers for students preparing to enter her workspace and take their tests. “The hours are posted, so plan accordingly, and bring a pencil.”
Museum Of Natural History
Kerstin Orgil, a junior studying biology from Colorado, is the Head Curator at BYU–Hawaii’s Museum of Natural History. Her responsibilities are to care and tend to the museum’s artifacts and provide tours of the museum to students and community members.
Orgil also does research on behalf of BYUH. “Currently I am doing research on sexual dimorphism and how you can identify gender based on skeletal measurements.”
Orgil said BYUH leads all other institutions on research and analysis of the Pacific Golden Plover, which is a species of bird that often stakes out its territory on lawns around campus.
Orgil has the opportunity to gain knowledge about various animals and artifacts as she works at the museum. One such piece of knowledge: “A wolverine can actually take down a much larger moose.”
Orgil has come to know that wolves have made such an impact in Yellowstone National Park that they have been the cause of rivers changing course.
“Wolves that were recently released in the park have hunted and decreased the massive elk population in the park. Elks were a major problem in river erosion, as they would destroy riverbeds as they came down to take drinks. Now with fewer elk, the rivers are starting to flow different courses.”
Orgil explained how the Museum of Natural History was supposed to be a planetarium; which explains the circular dome ceiling. “Because of funding and issues with the projector, the university decided to just makes it a museum instead.” The museum is located opposite of Hale 2 next to the security office.
Arbinger
Arbinger is a student-run organization located inside the McKay Center that helps people create environments where peace can be felt. It works with businesses, students, and most of the major athletic teams here on campus.
Lillian Bradley, a sophomore studying intercultural peacebuilding from Utah, works at Arbinger. “Arbinger helps you grow both spiritually and mentally as a person. We are successful when we have helped other people. That is our main goal.”
Rebecca Vigoren, a junior studying intercultural peacebuilding from Washington, said, “Seeing people as people creates peace. When we see them as objects our state of thinking turns to ‘how can I get around them and forward my life.’ But when they are seen as actual people we automatically start thinking of how we can help them.” Vigoren is a volunteer at Arbinger.
Another volunteer, Jose Gomes, a sophomore studying ICS from Costa Rica, said Arbinger has changed his relationship with his father. “I hadn’t spoken with my dad for eight months.”
Gomes said through workshops and seminars hosted by Arbinger, he was able to mend his broken relationship with his father before he passed away. “I finally saw him as a person, and I realized how much time was wasted in conflict between us.”
If you want Arbinger in your class or work place, contact Lillian Bradley at lillianemartino@gmail.com.