I decided to return to BYU earlier than planned, coming back for the Spring and Summer terms as opposed to waiting till Fall, and what a great decision that has turned out to be. Of course, more details will be coming later, but for the time being, I have succesfully completed Spring term, and it was fantastic! I have learned some good gems about BYU methods and bureaucracy that I will share later, as well as some great stories.

In other great news, since returning I have discovered the 100 Hour Board, the largest wealth of BYU-related (or otherwise) information around! Had I known about the 100 Hour Board before I created this site, there is a high chance that I would not have done so. But the best news is that today, Prospectus Y received a badge of honor by being linked to and quoted in response to one of the board questions! Board Question #46326 is from k. so. asking about Y Weekend. Well of course I detailed my Y Weekend experiences here, and as Board writer Portia pointed out, probably because I was “507 times more excited to attend BYU than [she] was.” Well well, I’m glad I could help! My friend pointed it out to me, and I was more than excited! Hooray for the 100 Hour Board.

Welcome back, and more to come later.

I have never had such an amazing few months in my life, and I truly do not want to leave it. I am incredibly excited for my mission, but I also love learning, and am going to miss it dearly. I also don’t know how I am going to say goodbye to the incredible network of friends I’ve built up here! Luckily, that doesn’t have to happen for a few days, so we’re good.

BYU, I am going to miss you over the next two years. It has been an indescribable blessing, one I cannot put in words. I can’t wait till I come back!

I have been called to serve in the France, Toulouse Mission! I will report to the MTC on February 22, 2006. I will (obviously) be speaking French. O my goodness I cannot believe it! I am so happy, I am just about ready to burst!

Have an amazing day everyone!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I AM SO EXCITED!!!!

Everybody should watch it! And now I must totally retire, because we are going to have to leave at like 6AM. Have an incredible weekend everyone!

Amulek - A Diamond in the Rough

For the first 19 years of their lives, young men of the Church today are prepared, molded, and taught, in anticipation of serving a two year mission. The time is scheduled, and the lessons are organized. But what if you lived your whole life not knowing much of the Church, only to be visited by an angel, commanded to preach with someone you’ve never met, to a people so agnostic and wicked that they torture prophets, kill masses, and burn holy writ, only to lose all of your worldly possessions and family in a matter of three months? Such is the call of Amulek.

Son of Giddonah, great-grandson of the prophet Aminadi, Amulek was a “man of no small reputation� and who had “acquired much riches,� through his labors (Alma 10:4). Yet, even being the great-grandson of a prominent prophet, Amulek said that he “never [had] known much of the ways of the Lord,� which lack of religious education was most likely a byproduct of the wicked city that he lived in - Ammonihah (Alma 10:5). Ammonihah was a city so wicked, it earned the rare distinction of securing a spot on the Lord’s one-day-destruction list, an infamous position that very few other cities in the Book of Mormon qualified for. Amulek would have spent his childhood in this abominable place, would have had to decide which set of values to follow, and also raise a family in such a city.

It was on a trip to visit one of his family members that Amulek received his call, but not in a familiar white envelope. Rather, an angel of God appeared to Amulek, and showed him Alma in a vision, and commanded, “Thou shalt receive.� (Alma 8:20). Acting upon great faith, Amulek invited Alma into his house without even so much as knowing his name, after which Alma blessed all of Amulek’s family, and tarried with him for a long while (Alma 8:21-27).

Yet Amulek’s true luster is not evident until he began preaching to his colleagues, who wished to “put [him] away privily,� or secretly kill him (Alma 14:3). But what a brilliant and cutting rebuke he delivers to the wicked! Pleading from the depths of his compassionate heart, the Book of Alma records: “but Amulek stretched forth his hand, and cried the mightier unto them, saying: ‘O ye wicked and perverse generation, why hath Satan got such great hold upon your hearts?’� (Alma 10:25).

It is not long after this denunciation that Alma and Amulek are thrown into prison, mocked and humiliated by the chief judge and lawyers, and broken down to an animalistic level. He is denied food and water, is stripped of his clothing, and is regularly beaten and questioned. In the midst of his imprisonment, he is forced to also watch the horrific and evil scene of the leaders of Ammonihah burning all the women and children of those that believed on the missionaries’ word. To anyone, this would be a terrifically crushing crime to witness. But imagine Amulek’s utter helplessness as he watched his wife, mother, and children scream in agony as the flames consumed their flesh. All of Amulek’s family had been converted, and therefore would have been among the believers that had been gathered together and burned for believing in a God and Messiah. One can sense Amulek’s tenderness as he cries, “How can we witness this awful scene?� and wishes to exercise Priesthood authority to save the people, and surely his family, from pain (Alma 14:10). Yet this is not to be, and Alma and Amulek are sent back to prison to be subjected to more beatings and sufferings, until they are finally heard by the Lord and are freed from the crumbling walls of the prison.

And as if this weren’t enough, after being freed from prison, Amulek loses all of his worldly possessions (which are many), is disowned by his father, and is abandoned by his kindred (Alma 15:16). Amazingly, this occurs within three months of his call, a painfully short amount of time for you to lose everything near and dear to you (Alma 10:6, 14:14). But through it all, the giant of the man named Amulek stands resilient, with an eye perfectly single to the glory of God. The divinely-refined Amulek goes on to teach the word of God to many people, accompanying Alma on his famous teachings of faith to the Zoramites, and staying faithful all his days.

Would you or I heed the command of an angel? Most likely. Would you or I have the courage to testify against our friends and neighbors? Could you or I watch our wives, mothers, and children burned right before our eyes? And could we then continue to serve the Lord, unquestioning? He may not ask us to find out, but the inspirational rock that is Amulek can certainly teach us of the extreme faith and strength that is needed to accomplish all.

Written by Josh Lyman

Honors 200 English

Professor: Julia Carter

Thus far, this class could be considered intense but also helpful. The 200 level English classes are specifically designed for those who have taken AP English in high school, and applies a level of difficulty accordingly. There is a far amount of reading, though not too much, but quite a bit of writing and rewriting in particular.

We are currently working on a personal narrative essay, wherein we give a story, and then explore how that story has helped form part of our life philosophy. It has been a very difficult essay to write so far, but many of the exercises that we have done with it concerning revising, rewriting, rethinking, etc., (can you tell the first drafts weren’t exactly stellar) have been a great help and are great tools that I’m sure I will continue to use throughout college.

I give the class a pretty good grade for learning and usefulness, a good grade for work, and a moderate grade for having a pretty intense and serious teacher.

Mass Media & Communications 101

Professor: Tom Robinson

This class is good fun, as well as educational! Our professor, Brother (how cool is that!) Robinson, is a great guy who always has a fun video clip or something to start off class, and can always relate what we are learning about in the vile world of communications back to the Gospel.

This class has the most reading of any, plus some rather large and demanding projects, but I really enjoy it. You have to read one 30-40 page chapter out of our Comms book per class period, but it keeps your interest, and has nice color pictures. Our group project right now is to create a 10 minute presentation on a given topic and position, meaning we weren’t allowed to choose either. Our group was assigned the issue “The mass media only has harmful effects on the body image of women,” and our position was “Yes.” In other words, we are to prove that the media does not have a harmful effect on male body image. Tough, but a good challenge.

Sharing the Gospel 130

Professor: Rick Jorgensen

A very different class in many respects. Obviously, it’s for those who are preparing for their missions, and as such everything we do is to prepare us to live a certain principle of the Gospel better. As such, there are a lot of “learning experiences” where someone messes up and we all get taught a principle from it. Certainly keeps you on your toes! But you can often feel the Spirit in class, so it is definitely worth it.

Brother Jorgensen is a pretty cool teacher. He loves what he does and does it well, and is very open to his students, whether to help them in class or out of class. From time to time it feels like he is just a little too excited about what he is teaching, and for some that can get on your nerves. But in general, I’d say he’s going to prepare me very well for my mission in January.

Honors Literature: Old Testament Roots in the Book of Mormon 203R

Professor: Ann Madsen

This is one amazingly incredible class! Probably my first or second favorite. Sister Madsen, wife of the Mormon-world famous Truman Madsen, is one of the best teachers I have ever met. Of course, the class material is conducive to it, but every single class we have held so far I have felt the Spirit so strongly. Did I ever have that in public education? No! Not once! We are examing the roots and qualities that are evident in the Book of Mormon as they come from the Old Testament, and looking at it from a literary perspective.

We are also expected to write a research paper by the end of the semester which is “worthy of appearing in a religious symposium.” Quite a tall order to fill, but such a stimulating and interesting prospect! I have not finalized it yet, but I think that I will either write about the types of governmental attributes that the BoM inherited from the OT, or the languages and progression thereof from the OT to the BoM to the New World. Wonderful class, everyone should take it!

Book of Mormon 121

Professor: Jim Walsh

Intro to the Book of Mormon is another wonderful class! It is an “Intro” to the BoM because you only cover the first half of the Book of Mormon - you cover the second half in 122. Unlike many of the other sections for this same class, we do not have to read the whole thing in 2 weeks, or 10 chapters every night, or keep detailed notes on every verse. Instead, Brother Walsh teaches concepts from the Book of Mormon, and applies it to the Church in general, which is a hugely beneficial method of teaching. He also allows us to ask questions whenever we like, and we often get into deep doctrinal teachings, which I have never been able to do in any seminary classes or anything before, as the teacher usually just shies away from it. Brother Walsh however will dive right into it, and has the depth of a sure scriptorian to back it up.

He is also a very powerful teacher too, and every class period my friends and I just walk away totally filled and awe-struck. We have two mid-terms and a final, but instead of reading and reporting on what food Ammon ate on the 32^nd day of his mission, he has us purchase a packet of selected talks from the leadership of the Church, read those, and we are tested on that, as well as some general principles from class. If at all possible, get a class with Brother Walsh, he is one of a kind.

Visual Arts Seminar 111

Not much to say here. I haven’t really mentioned it, but I pretty much changed my expected major from Graphic Design to Communications on the second day here. VA Seminar was a class I signed up for (one of the only) after I found out that you had to have passed a portfolio review to be accepted into the college before you could take classes, so that’s why I have it.

Thus far, it has been interesting. A new professor is brought in every week to talk about their particular focus in the college, and they often share their own personal work and beliefs. The class grade is entirely attendance-based, so there is no pressure whatsoever. If you are interested in art but are still feeling out what particular area, I would recommend this class. Otherwise, it’s just an easy way to get 1 credit.

Progressing in Honors: Seminar 292R

Now here is an interesting seminar class! Every week a guest speaker or professor is brought in to talk about whatever they want. Often, the topics are based in their area of expertise, so they are very in-depth, focused seminars given on a variety of subjects. We have had two teachers come in so far, one talking about balancing your life and the other talking about life-long learning. Both were very well done, and both linked back to the Church excellently.

The only homework required for this class is attendance and a 250-word response after every seminar, but it is certainly worth it. The Honors seminars are actually open to anyone who wishes to attend, but if you have any desire at all to go to them, why not get a credit for it?

And those are my 7 classes, worth 15 credit hours. I have 15 credit hours from AP classes, so next semester (pending no disastrous failed classes) I will technically be a sophomore! That’s a good thing, because I’m leaving after this semester for my mission, and don’t want to come back two years later and have to claim I’m a freshman! I am very happy with my schedule, and hope that everything goes as planned. Toodaloo!

• There is a disturbing amount of thefts at a place that is called “The Lord’s University.” 12 reported this week. That’s ridiculous, and I think that anybody who has committed any of these should go and see their bishop.
• “A faculty member claimed someone entered his office in the Snell building and took football tickets from his desk. The police checked the seats during the game but there was nobody with his tickets.” Hmmm, does it sound to anybody else like this faculty member… lost their tickets?
• Evidently, someone cemented 14 ceramic animals to the rocks by the water feature by the bell tower. I would have loved to have seen this!
• My hall totally made the Police Beat! Our RA’s window was smashed, and we don’t know who. We suspect the Ninja.
• Quite possibly one of the oddest stories to be in the Police Beat recently is this: “A father was trying to play Cupid between a Bookstore employee and his son. He tried to pressure her to go out with him but she told him that she didn’t want anything to do with her son.” What a wackjob.

Stay tuned next week, at the same Criminal Channel, same Criminal Place! BYU Police Beat!

In general, it was a good experience. The basic process is you meet underneath the tunnel by the Marriott Center at 10 PM, and someone somehow declares themselves the leader of the group. The songs start out fast-paced, and then become gradually slower and more reverent as the night goes on. In the middle, they have everyone sit, and the to-be missionaries announce their call, followed by and energetic “Called to Serve.” Everyone then sings the EFY Medley, and more songs until the night is ended with “I Need Thee Every Hour.”

Singing hymns? Great! I love it! Singing with a big group? Awesome, sounds quite good too. Having large groups circle, hold hands, and sway during the EFY Medley as if they were back in the midst of it… not so cool. Standing next to a senior male cheerleader and his girlfriend, who are both way too excited to be there… even less cool.

So the conclusion is that the experience in general is pretty good, although there are some odd spots. If you all still think you are at EFY when you are at BYU, it’s time to move on. Singing hymns together is great, but I’m guessing it’s kind of a one-time thing. And senior male cheerleaders are not invited.

This is what happens on holidays in the dorm rooms when everybody gets a “good idea!” We duct-taped our Elder’s Quorum 1^st Counselor to the wall, and he hung there. Just about the sweetest thing ever! Better pictures to come when I get my film developed.

More pictures are including, click “More”

And the fun begins! That’s my RA on the right, looking evil.

He was complaining too much, so our other RA taped his mouth shut. Effective when you have not hands to use!

Finished, and he’s hanging without assistance!

Does he look in pain to you?

If it turns out to be a homework intense class at all, I will drop it, because it’s only 1 credit. I stand at 15 now with 7 classes, though two of them are “seminar” classes with many people, so I think those will not turn out to be a heavy load.

Of course, I’m just a freshman and could be wrong, but that’s why we can drop classes, right?

But as I said, this was my first semester where this was the case so I wanted to write in to reassure all of you who are stressed about the new semester and not having the classes that you think you need.
So here is my list of tips for getting the classes that you need for Fall Semester 2005.

1. Check AIM as much as possible. Once classes start people are going to be adding and dropping and changing their schedule around like crazy. If you are patient you will be able to add the class eventually.
2. Start going to the desired classes beginning the first day of class. Pretend like you already have the dream schedule. If it is a smaller class the persistence will impress the professor. My Mom told me about a class that she desperately needed during college and the professor absolutely refused to sign her in. She kept going and sitting in the front row, taking notes furiously, asking questions, and he finally gave in and signed her up.
3. Show up to classes that you want at least 10 minutes early and be the FIRST person to go up to the professor and ask them to sign an add/drop card.
4. I have even gone so far as to sign up for another section that didn’t work out so well and making an announcement during that first day of class asking anyone if they would like to switch sections with me. It has actually worked.
5. Next semester be smart. If you know any upperclassmen, get them to reserve the most important classes for you if they have room on their schedule to do so (because registration opens up for people depending on credit hours accomplished). I found a graduate student in my one of my classes first semester Freshman year and she let me in on a little secret. Graduate students are allowed to sign up for an UNLIMITED number of credits and they are some of the first people who get the opportunity to sign up for new classes. If you can find one who would be willing to do so, you could have them reserve your dream schedule for you. Then you just need to get on the phone with them, or meet up with them at side by side computers and have them drop the classes one by one, as you slowly add them to your schedule.

Viola! You have everything you want!

Ciao,
Jenna

After our short breakfast, we went inside for a devotional, which talked about the great privilege it is to be a student at BYU (it truly is!) and how we need to “raise our anticipations to meet their [parents and staff] expectations.” Hard seats, but a good devotional.

We then had a mini-lesson given on the topic of “Habits of the Mind,” the first college “class” where I actually took notes! Go me! But then again, almost everyone did as well. Points covered in the lesson included how coming to this University can help build your character, through teaching you integrity, service opportunities, a work ethic, time management, self-discipline, etc. One quote presented that struck me was this quote, from the Aims of a BYU Education:

Since a decreasing fraction of the Church membership can be admitted to study at BYU, it is ever more important that those who are admitted use their talents to build the kingdom of God on the earth.

That idea certainly put a new spin on the reason I am receiving an education at BYU. Also, the thought that a dirt poor family somewhere in South America, simply by paying their tithing, has allowed me to come to University basically free, is an incredibly humbling thought. Don’t take anything for granted, and always remember President Hinckley’s first B: Be Grateful!

Lunch was provided (yes! more free food!) and we ate as an NSO group out on the grass in front of the Wilk. Being new BYU students, we felt the obligation to have deep, intellectual discussions concerning such globally important topics as time travel, who in the group was actually an alien, and what kind of car Bill Gates drives. ‘Twas a grand time! A math professor also stopped by and ate with us, and provided several points on the math department at BYU (hint: go to your professors (1) during their office hours (2) with specific questions.).

For several hours, all students were also able to go and listen to presentations given by their particular major’s department. I myself, looking at Graphic Design and in the Communications Fresh Acad group, went with some of my buds like Maria and Nicole to the Fine Arts presentation, which was great! They had faculty and students present different topics, with great little helps that I could relate to, such as the notion that just because you aren’t the best at something, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t pursue it. Following the general college presentation, we split into smaller groups for different areas (viz. Visual Arts, Communications, Theater, etc.) for more specific instruction. How did it go? Well….

I am now seriously seriously reconsidering my previous considerations of becoming a Graphic Design major. Why? Because the Visual Arts presentation was such an amazing downer, unimpressive, and discouraging in general, that I don’t know if that’s where I want to be for four years! Basically, the gist of the presentation was that IF you get accepted, which only 25% do, then consider yourself a lottery winner, work work work, reapply to be in a BFA, hope your stars and planets are all cosmically aligned, get in, and then finally be able to take the classes that you really want to. Didn’t make it past either of the two portfolio reviews? Sorry, you don’t get to expand your horizons by taking any of our classes, you aren’t good enough for them!

Now I know that the Visual Arts department staff truly aren’t evil, and actually do want students to succeed. However, almost all of the staff came off with a rather elitist attitude, seemed a bit unorganized (didn’t know which classes were being offered this fall), and not incredibly supportive. I might be reviewing my options in Communications a little more seriously in the next couple of the days. One of the good things that did come out of the presentation, was that missionaries are now allowed to apply for the portfolio review, be accepted, and then defer for their mission - something that was not possible before. Hooray, I might have a chance!

Since this is incredibly long-winded, I’m going to summarize the rest of the evening. I made myself a killer dinner, consisting of chicken noodle soup, Milanos, and a banana! It was awesome, totally hit the spot! Tons of people (including myself) went and saw “The Color of Paradise,” an Iranian film about a young handicap boy and his life. Not only did it fulfill an Honors program Great Works List requirement, but it was also interesting! I probably missed 90% of the symbolism and meaning, but it was still entertaining and thought-provoking.

The culminating event of the evening (and NSO) was the “Friday Night Extravanganza.” Goodness, sounds incredible! If that’s the word you’d like to pick… In short, it was a meet-as-many-people-as-fast-as-you-can-in-a-team-building-environment type event. Fun, but unfortunately I remember about 3 people’s names, so a little odd. But it was a fine activity in general.

Tomorrow? Yes, it’s a…

NSO Saturday Night Finale Dance!!!

The first stop is to check-in, and my recommendation to all future Freshman Academy students: get there early! The line to check-in for Fresh Acad students was only about half a mile long when I showed up there at 8:15, but luckily it did move quickly. Next came a great assembly about BYU, it’s history and goals (in movie form) along with a speech by BYUSA President Adam Larson, and BYU President Cecil O. Samuelson. Finally, the marching band and cheerleaders came in and entertained us for a few songs. In general, the assembly was great, I highly recommend it!

We then split into our individual groups, and met each other as best we could. I met Paige, whom I know from Y Weekend (I’ve seen a bunch of those guys around!) as well as the other four guys in our group, plus a bunch of girls. More names to come as I remember them. Our group leaders took us on a rather helpful tour of the campus, and then we were done!

I had to get a new ID card, even though I received my first one back at Y Weekend, because in the year since, I definitely lost it! I was also able to purchase most of my books at the Bookstore today as well, and it only came out to $86.10. I still have two more books to purchase, “Constructing a Life Philosophy” by Williams (for English 200) and my Mass Communications textbook, which has not yet arrived. Still, I don’t believe I’ll be spending anywhere close to the $300 to $450 that my engineering-bound roommates have spent!

In the afternoon, I went to a meeting regarding the Honors Program (great, I think I’ll be committing), a meeting for Scholarship recipients (not so great, wouldn’t recommend), and the Honors Program Banquet (highly recommended, free food!). In summary, go to the Honors stuff, read the scholarship packet when you get it and skip the meeting.

During the banquet, all attendees were also able to cross off their very first Great Works List event - a jazz concert. Absolutely incredible! Four men, some BYU graduates, entertained and taught us about jazz, talking about great artists and diatonic progressions. It was a great event!

(BTW, it’s really late by now so my grammar and diction is probably falling apart)

The finale of the evening was a production about the Honor Code, presented by the Student Honor Association. It was a multimedia, theatrical event that was surprisingly entertaining! I realized tonight that I love BYU because of the entertwining of the Gospel and Education, represented very well by the Honor Code. Okay I’m entirely exhausted, I’ve got to go. More tomorrow!

Anyway, I’ve also talked to the five other guys that will be staying with me in the same dorm, and they all seem pretty cool. Two from Utah, three from Washington, and of course me, from Colorado. One, Andy, has already spent a summer term at the Y, so I’m going to be counting on him to let me know of all the good ins and outs that he knows of already.

I’ve also been able to start getting all of my schwah ready to move. Of particular note was my Wal-Mart run extraordinaire, where I ventured with my Mom to try and get all of the supplies and various objects that I would need to live with for a semester. I set a $100 budget for myself, and came in at a rockin’ $86! You’d better believe it! Check out the picture of the receipt for further proof of my amazing shopping abilities. Now of course I didn’t get every single thing I could possibly need, but I’ve got a ton of kitchen supplies, academic supplies, etc. My mom kindly gave me a bedspread set for graduation, and accidentally bought my set of dinnerware, which cost $7, but other than that I believe I have most of everything that I’m going to need.

My current employer, Paperless Technologies, with whom I have been working all summer as a web developer/graphic designer, has been totally awesome! I love working with my two bosses, Travis and Wade, who both happen to be LDS. Anyway, to make a long story short, I’m going to continue working part time this semester, and as such, get to take the Tablet PC that I’ve used (an integral part of the product, Dentforms, we sell) to college with me! I am so very grateful for this opportunity, it has made my entire week! If you haven’t tried out a Tablet PC yet, you are missing out, and have not yet tried the future of computing. I’ll be giving a full review of how the Tablet is working for me taking notes and whatnot after a few weeks of actual class experience. And yes, much of this paragraph has been a shameless plug with links to the site for better Google rankings.

Here’s what I have so far:

• Wastebasket
• Utility basket (for carrying toiletries to and from the bathroom)
• Kitchen was rags (with scrubbing action on one side!)
• Set of pots and pans
• Under-shelf basket for more storage
• Some cups
• Mesh bag (for carrying laundry around)
• Spray Bottle
• Scrubbers (Kitchen)
• Spices (Salt & Pepper, Cinnamon, Garlic, etc.)
• Utensils
• Brushes (Kitchen)
• Can Opener
• Cheese grater (I’m one heck of a quesadilla maker)
• Pens, pencils, notebooks, staplers – the regular back to school work
• Knives
• Tupperware
• Tablet PC (HP Compaq tc1100)
• Bedspread set
• Clothes
• TV (Yes I know! How lucky! Totally an old junker, but hey, why not?)
• Snowboard (I’m hoping for a super heavy, early winter)
• “Where’s Mom Now That I Need Her?â€? by Kathryn J. Frandsen
• Set of speakers
• Toiletries
• Iron
• Mini crock pot
• Scriptures
• About 20 DVD’s (Copied onto an external hard drive. Is it legal? Who knows… see the comments)
• Microsoft Office, plus OneNote
• …probably a lot more junk that isn’t worth noting

Anywho, I will also be posting a more comprehensive list on the Resources page after the first few weeks of school, when I will have realized the piles of stuff that I should have brought, instead of the frivolous niceties like the TV and movies. Our contributors will also be contributing to this list as well, I hope.

It has also been a week of lasts and farewells… but what was to be expected? My last Sunday at church, last time seeing friends, etc. It’s sad, but the sadness is overshadowed by the excitement. Well, that’s all my ramblings for right now! Anyone else found out their housing and wish to share? I’m moving this Saturday!

What to look for in a housing website:

1. How often are the prices updated? Is the information maintained current?
2. Does the site allow searching based on price and amenities?
3. Does the site require you to give personal info to access the listings? (ie: register/create an account) You don’t want to have to give out private info/go through a long registration process just to access the site’s info.
4. Are the listed properties comprehensive of what is available in the market? If the site only has 2 or 3 properties, the site it probably not going to help in finding a competitive price.
5. Is the site maintained by locals? Locals know the market and have connections to the best deals in the area. Corporate sites often cater to only larger, more-expensive properties.
6. Does the site help you get an idea of what the listed properties are ACTUALLY like? Are multiple photos provided (rather than just the apartment’s ‘best’ side)? Does the site provide 360 degree virtual tours? Does the site provide outside ratings/reviews of the properties?
7. Is there enough information about the property to help organize your search? Does it have amenity information (searchable)? Does it provide addresses/maps to help you find the property?
8. Does the site have an easy way to contact the property management/sign a lease online?

Check out the following sites to aid your search for an apartment:

housingSEEK is my pick for finding housing in the Provo/Orem area. The site is run by Provo locals, is updated regularly, allows price-based and amenity-based searching, shows multiple photos, brochures, virtual tours, and movies to help get an idea of each property. The “contracts” section is a real-time look into available contracts for sale and is updated daily, and lets anyone sell their contract for free. This site is useful for those looking for BYU-approved, non BYU-approved, married housing, large or small complexes, and condos. The site is totally free to those looking for housing and doesn’t require an account to access the info.

BYU runs a free service at www.byu.edu/offcampushousing that allows a limited search and provides rental prices in a spreadsheet style format.

Rent.com has detailed listings with photos, virtual tours, and amenity information, but only lists a 2 or 3 larger properties in the Orem area. You are also required to create an account giving your email address to view any of the listings.

Cougar Housing is run by Provo locals and lists quite a few properties near BYU (only BYU-approved large complexes). They claim to have a price-based search, but it doesn’t actually work. They have photos, floor plans, and amenity info about each property.

Good luck!

Nick Pasto

Of BoM Toons fame, Nick Pasto is an art education major at the Y. He enjoys web design and Flash animation, as is demonstrated by his side-project BoM toons. He has lived in Provo for approximately 5 years, and has moved 4 times during those 5 years, making him a perfect candidate to provide information on housing and related, and he has already written an informative article on such.

Jenna Anderson

Jenna, age 20, is a junior at BYU, is a Recreational Management major, minoring in Womens Studies. “I want to go into event planning, and isn’t it convenient that the easiest major at BYU will get me there?” She has lived in Heritage Halls, King Henry, and the Avenues south of campus. Jenna is also the former BYUSA Executive Director.

Jessica Lindsey

As someone who “thinks on post-its” and prefers conversation over dessert, Jessica Lindsey will be a junior at BYU this fall semester. Her concentration is in Media Arts Studies, where she was recently accepted into the Film major, and runs a Xanga. Don’t tell anyone, but her secret ambition is to become a fly fisherwoman!

You will from now on see posts and articles written by these fine individuals, and hopefully get to know them better. Be on the lookout for more content! Thanks guys!

• The BBQ Club: To create a zion-like community through BBQ’s.
• Want to see: Brand X Comedy Club and Laugh out Loud(check out LOL’s videos)
• College Republicans
• The Cougarettes: As um, official photographer, or male-supporter
• The Fencing Club
• The French Club: I hope they have crêpe fêtes like we did in High School! You’re the best Madame K!
• Freshman Academey: I guess I’m kinda already in this one.
• Friends of Samoa: They have a sweet logo, and they say that everyone is invited.
• Gutenberg
• Ping Pong Club (Check out that picture!)
• Student Advocates for Traditional Family Policy
• Student Film Committee
• Swing Kids Club
• The League of Superheros
• Web Consulting
• Y-Rocks / BYU Climbing Club

Phew, looks like I’m going to be a busy boy with all these clubs I’m joining! I mean, who needs time for homework and study anyways? Haha, anyone know any great clubs to join?

The Short:
I run Prospectus Y, an information hub about BYU, and am looking for contributors to add their knowledge, experiences, and advice to the site, for the aid of those looking for the info.

The Long:
I have a request for all of the visitors of ProvoPulse.com. I, Josh, run Prospectus Y an “informational hub” of sorts when it comes to information regarding BYU in every aspect, from admissions to classes to social stuff. I started it last August when I found that there was a lack of information for new students regarding BYU. (For a more detailed explanation, click here.)

However, I am but a lowly freshman, and have maxed out just about all of the knowledge I have gained from simply knowing BYU, reading literature, or going to Y Weekend, etc. Therefore, I am looking for volunteers who, for the good of all those interested in BYU, would be willing to be contributors to Prospectus Y, to add their know-how, experiences, and advice to the site. Specifically, I am looking for two kinds of contributors:

• Knowledge Contributors
• Story Contributors

Knowledge Contributors
You’ve actually attended BYU, you’ve survived your freshman year, you’re an old-fogie at this whole college thing. And certainly by now you know how everything works, the ins-and-outs of the system, and tips for success. Well then why not help out those that don’t have your background? Knowledge Contributors would help fill out questions on the FAQ’s, make postings about concentrated topics (vic, How to Use Blackboard, Choosing Good First-Year Classes, etc.) and help out when questions arise in the comments or likewise. Media is also great, such as pictures of dorm rooms, the campus, videos of tours of the campus, or anything else of interest. Anything and everything that can be contributed to beef up the actual content in the site is sorely needed and would be greatly appreciated!

Story Contributors
Up until now, Prospectus Y has been very focused on my story about applying, getting accepted, the bumps and adventures along the way, etc. However, I am just one person, and in no way represent the array of students at BYU and their stories. I can also only represent the story from the perspective of someone just starting out in college, not of one who has already been there for a few years, might be close to graduating, or might be going for their Masters. Story Contributors would begin to document news relevant to BYU in their life, to provide even more information to those curious. A few different authors at different spots in their lives as well as different backgrounds would be ideal. Also, of course I’ll be taking a 2-year hiatus when I leave on a mission, and it would be great if the site could stay active with different authors not on their missions to keep the information current and fresh. Story Contributors would also be free to contribute in the same areas as Knowledge Contributors.

…To make an endless story longer…
In short, I just want some people who can help out add pertinent information to a central BYU info center. The aim of Prospectus Y is different from ProvoPulse.com in that Prospectus Y is about information, facts, and advice, whereas ProvoPulse.com is more about reactions/viewpoints and current news. The more the merrier I say! If you feel that you could contribute PLEASE let me know through email at josh -aatt- prospectusy.com or through a comment here, and I’ll get right back to you. If you’d like to know visitor stats or anything like that, I can provide those for you. Also, experience with WordPress is a definite plus, though not at all required. Thanks a ton everyone!

Usability

First and foremost, any site that I visit that doesn’t work correctly in the best browser on Earth (Opera) immediately loses somewhere around 25 impression points, right off the bat. Such is the case with Blackboard. The frames that make up the page each want me to log in, I don’t think so! Luckily, after logging in once, it fixes itself… mostly. At least it does work in IE and Firefox, don’t know about Safari, which I’ll be needing.

The home interface isn’t that bad, with different tasks and topics split up nicely. You’ve got your general tabs up top, a sidebar of “Tools,” and your main area filled with different contents. Interestingly, you can customize your home page to a suprisingly high degree, much like you would a My Yahoo! page. You may pick a different color scheme (all rather ugly or unusable, as usual), shift around the layout of your contents, and even add more modules, such as the Blackboard Feed Status, a calculator and notepad, even headlines from sections of the New York Times and others. You can also add other modules that seemingly have no relation to Blackboard, BYU, or learning in general. For example, why in the world should I be able to add an Expedia.com Travel sidebar to my Blackboard Online Learning system home page? Do I need to book an airline, hotel, and rental car to Rome to study up a bit on the first century AD? Of course, and rack up them upgrades on my poor college budget! Okay okay, so they are nice, but why? O well.

Trying to get into my course, however, took three different attempts. First, I tried the “Courses” button at the top, but evidently I’m not enrolled in any. Then I tried the first link I saw to “How to Guide to BYU.” Nope, sorry, that’s just announcements. Ooohhh! I have to click under “My Organizations” to get to it! Courses, organizations, they’re all about the same, right? Kind of confusing.

One final note about usability for my first run through. When finally on a course/organization/holistic experience page, in Opera and every other day in Firefox, the Organization Map sidebar doesn’t show up, and I have to click the button to open it in a new window. Luckily I can then navigate from that popup, but it’s annoying. O well. All in all, the Blackboard is pretty simple to figure out without even consulting the help manual, but it also has small quirks an oddities that will be sure to drive some nuts.

Course Contents and Experiences

First of all, what is up with this intro picture on the “How To Guide to BYU”? The guy looks like a creepy stalker, the girl looks like she’s sea sick, and somehow all of this is supposed to be representative of learning about BYU? Huh. Anywho, moving on. There are announcements on the main page here, which I suppose would com in handy if a teacher wanted to tell the class about something coming up. You can also access your course materials (where all of the information is), staff information (interesting! numbers and all! ;-)), communication (for chats and virtual classrooms), view your grades, and course tools (such as digital drop boxes and address books).

Most everything is what you would be expecting. The Course Materials are basically divided up like lessons, with each general topic giving way to more and more specific topics. However, it is aggravating to know that in order to read most of the topics in the lessons, you must download Word documents to read. Only a few resources are actually available in the browser through Blackboard. Well guess what, my computer doesn’t have Word, nor do most Apples and many entry-level PC’s. Sure, you can open them in generic WordPad or TextEdit, but what about when there are tables or special formatting? Good luck! In general, it seemed as though there was way too much information that was only available by either downloading a Word document, or by clicking a link to go to an external site. Very little content was actually contained in Blackboard itself.

Actual “coursework” or lessons, as it were, are called “Learning Units.” Basically, you can review all of the stuff contained in the course materials, then take the Learning Unit to go through a lesson, which will contain more stuff to go through, and then have two types of interactive sessions. One is similar to an essay style question, where you can type in an answer or upload a file, and the second is a quiz-based test. The quiz is just basically filling in a form as you would any on the internet, nothing really special. You are graded immediately, and your scores are available in your “View Grades” section. Not too interesting.

One of the funny things I noticed about this course in particular is that if you go to Communication > Roster, and click “List All,” you now have a very complete list of every incoming freshman in the upcoming class. Hi everyone! Unlike the directory in Route Y however, information is only available if you have customized your Blackboard Personal Information. Evidently privacy isn’t a huge issue in the Blackboard world ;-).

In General…

Well, for now that about sums it up. This entire review may sound a little harsh, but I’m quite excited about the prospect of online learning. It’s simply the first time I’ve used Blackboard, and I’m coming from a biased background of hearing others complain about it. BYU even has set up a contigency plan for selecting a new software provider if the Blackboard system hasn’t been stabilized, which is a good thing.

I believe that Blackboard (if it isn’t replaced) will be a good tool to use. I hope that my teachers utilize it, and correctly, and that everything gets worked out! Put on those rose-tinted glasses and have a happy day!

The solution: A quick email to the Housing Department reveals that if you are only staying for first semester, you only have to pay July - November, saving yourself one month. Hooray! Don’t know if that will help anyone, but I was rather concerned about it!

Perhaps you are an amazingly gifted person, and have received more funds in scholarships than you can use for expenses. What now? Does that money go to waste? Of course not! If you are that blessed, and if there are no restrictions on how you can use that money, and if all of the stars and planets aligned on the second trimester after your birthday, thenyou can use the excess funds in any way you see fit! Such as buying me a car!

Data is not available on how many incoming freshmen receive scholarships, as it is based up the incoming class’s academic performance.

Today I received (after also receiving an email about it) A nice little tri-fold silver cardboard card, which inside contained two slips of paper. It was an invitation to attend a “Welcome to BYU” type meeting now that I have been accepted, to be held on May 10, at the Denver Stake Center. Sounds good to me! Information about classes, paying for college, and different opportunities will be discussed.

Finally, I thought I’d leave you with this quote, which was imprinted on the card. I found it quite nice.

“Our roots spring from Palmyra, rather than Cambridge… If most institutions of higher learning aspire to be only communities of scholars, we are privileged to be also a congregation of disciples.”
- Ernest L. Wilkinson

The BYUSA Book Exchange could be likened to an officially-endorsed eBay, located inside the security of NetID’s and the BYU website. I’m a little unsure of the history, but it appears to have been running for about four years now by Nathan Given. It has some 6600 users, who can either buy or sell course books on the site. Sounds handy!

I decided to see just how much this was going to save me. Nathan quotes some examples of 44% off the new price, and 26% off the used price. As an example, I took the standard American Heritage “Fulfilling the Founding.” New from the BYU Bookstore, this book would cost $48.00. Not too bad for a college textbook. The Bookstore will buy back used books at 60% of the new price, so used this book would cost $28.80. Looking at several sellers on the Book Exchange gives prices between $5 - $10! Much better! So in my (severly short) study, here are the results:

What a deal! Has anybody purchased or sold any books over the Exchange? Any comments on how well it works?

• 2 Semesters - Half LDS Tuition
• 2 Semesters - Full LDS Tuition
• 8 Semesters - Full LDS Tuition

LDS tuition is specificed because the amount of the scholarship is based off the LDS tuition number, not the non-LDS tuition figure. Therefore, if a non-LDS student receives a scholarship, they will still technically have to pay for a small part of the tuition, as non-LDS tuition is slightly higher than LDS tuition (due to tithing).

Qualifications for these scholarships are based on academic achievement; or in other words, your ACT and unweighted GPA specifically. (Why an unweighted GPA?) These two numbers are matched up on a matrix (available at the BYU website) to determine which scholarship you will receive. To apply, simply go to the BYU website and, after registering for your NetID, go to Route Y and click on the “Scholarship Application” link.

For incoming freshmen, your GPA will be based on the figure submitted when you applied, and the ACT score based on your latest submitted ACT score. Make sure you fill out those bubble forms correctly when you take the ACT!

Gordon B. Hinckley Scholarship

BYU also offers the Gordon B. Hinckley scholarship, a 1.5x LDS tuition scholarship awarded to 25 boys and 25 girls from across the country as the most prestigious undergraduate scholarship. To qualify for the Gordon B. Hinckly Scholarship, you must fall within the 8 semester full tuition scholarship on the matrix, be a current worthy member of the LDS church, and be attending your final year of high-school. You will also have to qualify in other areas of your life, such as extra-curricular activities, leadership, service, etc.

The deadline for the Gordon B. Hinckley Scholarship is a month earlier than regular scholarships, on January 15th. The name of this scholarship is based on the current president and prophet of the Church, so don’t worry when it changes!

“Congratulations on your excellent preparation, exemplary performance, and impressive record of achievement. The Scholarship Committee is pleased to offer you the Brigham Young Scholarship in the amount of $1,705 for Fall Semester 2005 and $1,705 for Winter Semester 2006.”

This is absolutely wonderful news, I had been worrying about if I had actually qualified for a scholarship after calling the department with a question. But here is the confirmation of a two-semester full-tuition scholarship! Rock on! I can also now answer more questions regarding scholarships with the information I received. Thank you so much BYU and Contributing Alumni! I am forever indebted.

View Scholarship FAQ’s for more information.

It also contains a glossary, which I have now added to a new part of the site in Resources called the “BYU Glossary.”

The brochure also includes some details about several interesting programs offered to freshman to aide the transition. Included are Freshman Academy (http://academy.byu.edu/), the Freshman Seminar (http://fye.byu.edu/FYE/univ101.html), and the Late Summer Honors course (http://latesummerhonors.byu.edu) which provides an intensive one-week honors course that “allows students to earn their first Honors course credit under the stimulating tutelage of some of BYU’s finest professors, meet other new Honors students, enjoy a number of exciting out-of-class activities and familiarize themselves with campus before the fall semester begins. Sounds good to me!

Update: I found out from the Scholarship office that notices will be mailed around the end of April. I got a little nervous about it because they said that they hadn’t “made a decision” on my scholarship yet. At Y Weekend we were told that it was guaranteed! Oh boy, scary scary!

As for on-campus housing, you have three available options. Deseret Towers, Helaman Halls, and Heritage Halls. All three are dormitory living areas, providing many of the common necessities and amenities, including laundry machines, bathrooms, fridges, lobbies with games, pools and courts, etc. Rates for housing ranges from $1600 - $5000 per year (2 semesters).

You are only required to submit 6 semesters of grades. If you do so, the last two semesters (aka your senior slack off year) will never be requested or inspected. However, if you wish to submit an extra semester from the beginning of your senior year, to boost your apparent GPA, you are also able to do that as well.