The Daily Universe: An Obituary

January 12, 2012 by

I was seriously (seriously) bummed to read today that The Daily Universe is discontinuing its daily print edition, moving to a weekly print format (“The Weekly Universe”?) and increasing the emphasis on its digital component.

I’m sure this makes total sense, given the current media landscape that BYU’s journalism students are graduating into. Traditional print skills like copyfitting and page design/layout aren’t as crucial as they once were—certainly not as crucial as search-optimization and multimedia-reporting skills. A friend of mine in the Comms department at BYU told me the change was necessary because of the resources involved in “feeding the beast” and keeping a daily print edition on schedule. I get it.

Here at BCC, we like to poke fun at The Daily Universe with features like Police Beat Roundtable. But all jokes aside, several of the BCC permas got their first taste of ink-stained wretchedness while working for The Universe, and I’ve seen a couple of good backlist discussions today about the value of our experiences there.

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Filed Under: Education, Mormon, Society & Culture Tagged With: , , ,

Police Beat Roundtable #22 – Halloween Edition!

October 27, 2010 by
No Candy Here.

Sorry, kids!

The 22nd installation of our ongoing look at that most charming column of the Daily Universe. Previous installments can be read here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.
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Filed Under: Features, Gender & Sexuality, Mormon, Police Beat Tagged With: , , , , ,

Interview with BYU student Cary Crall

September 9, 2010 by

On Tuesday, BYU’s student newspaper, the Daily Universe, published a letter to the editor from pre-med student Cary Crall about Prop. 8 and the ensuing Perry v. Schwarzenegger trial. Crall noted that many of the arguments that were used during the campaign were never even presented at trial, and those that were presented did not stand up to Judge Walker’s scrutiny. Crall’s letter concludes that, “The real reason [for supporting Prop. 8] is that a man who most of us believe is a prophet of God told us to support the amendment.” His letter has since been removed from the Daily Universe website (the above link is to google cache), with this explanation:
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Filed Under: Family, Gender & Sexuality, Marriage, Mormon, Politics, Theology, Doctrine & Policy Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Police Beat Roundtable XXI

April 22, 2010 by

The XXIieth installation of our ongoing look at that most charming column of the Daily Universe. Previous installments can be read here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here, here and here.

This week: Eric Russell demonstrates how funny Marines can be. Also, Ken Jennings and GST do their schtick.

Two 16-year-olds are under investigation for illicit sexual conduct. They were found in the Caroline Hemenway Harman Continuing Education Building by two custodians.

GST: That’s what you get when you name a building after a woman. They haven’t done it since. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Features, Mormon, Police Beat Tagged With: , ,

Police Beat Roundtable XX

February 9, 2010 by

The XXieth installation of our ongoing look at that most charming column of the Daily Universe. Previous installments can be read here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here, and here.

This week: GST, SB2, KJ, AG and SE duke it out.

On Saturday an unexpected skydiver landed in the north end zone bleachers during the Stadium of Fire and caused considerable damage to the metal bench. A 19-year old visitor sustained the brunt of the impact. The victim complained of sore arms and legs.

Adam: Told you you shouldn’t have ditched the MTC, Elder. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Features, Gender & Sexuality, Mormon, Police Beat Tagged With: , ,

Police Beat Roundtable #19

December 4, 2009 by

The nineteenth installation of our ongoing look at that most charming column of the Daily Universe. Previous installments can be read here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

This week: an Advent treasure for you all, as we are joined (at various moments) by GST, Matt Page, “Brunhilde”, Ken Jennings, and Aaron Brown. Ronan also joined us, but his profane comments were all left on the cutting room floor (foreshadowing, perhaps, the fate of England in Group C).

From a window in Chipman Hall, a male student exposed his buttock to two University police officers who were in the area on foot patrol Nov. 30 at 11:22 p.m. A female student who witnessed the incident identified the suspect and a $300 citation was given.

Brunhilde: Which buttock? [Read more…]

Filed Under: Features, Gender & Sexuality, Mormon, Police Beat Tagged With: , ,

Police Beat Roundtable #18

September 15, 2009 by

The eighteenth installation of our ongoing look at that most charming column of the Daily Universe. Previous installments can be read here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Today we’re joined by GST, Ken Jennings and a mysterious female BYU alumna who we shall call “Brunhilde.”

March 8: An individual reported money and medication stolen from a backpack during Dancesport. The individual had left the backpack unattended containing $10 and a prescription of Lortab. Upon return, the items were missing.

Brunhilde: Dancesport participants definitely need their meds. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Features, Mormon, Police Beat Tagged With: , ,

Police Beat Roundtable #17

July 6, 2009 by

In honor of PBR being nominated to win Niblets in all categories (vote!), we present:

The Seventeenth installation of our ongoing look at that most charming column of the Daily Universe. Previous installments can be read here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

This week, we are joined by a philosopher (Jim Faulconer) and a economist (Scott B.), and a special surprise guest!

June 13: In lot 26, a Yamaha Zuma scooter was stolen from the parking area. The victim left his scooter parked over night. Later, an officer saw a scooter matching the description of the missing scooter parked in lot 16. There was no evidence that the scooter was tampered with and police suspect that the owner probably forgot where he parked.

Jim F.: Must have belonged to one of the philosophy department profs who frequently forgets things like where he parked. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Features, Gender & Sexuality, Mormon, Police Beat Tagged With: , ,

Police Beat Roundtable #16

April 21, 2009 by

The Sixteenth installation of our ongoing look at that most charming column of the Daily Universe. Previous installments can be read here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

This week: Matthew Page joins our regular cast of characters.

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

A student received a random phone call on his cell phone Oct. 24 from someone trying to sell him drugs using the slang language and when he replied “What?” the person hung up the phone. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Features, Gender & Sexuality, Mormon, Police Beat Tagged With: , ,

Police Beat Roundtable #15

March 25, 2009 by

The Fifteenth installation of our ongoing look at that most charming column of the Daily Universe. Previous installments can be read here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

This week: S.P. Bailey and Scott B. join us.

BYU Police Capt. Michael Harroun’s tip of the week: “When in doubt, never give anything out!”

S.P.: Not even candy? [Read more…]

Filed Under: Features, Gender & Sexuality, Mormon, Police Beat Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Police Beat Roundtable #14

March 4, 2009 by

The Fourteenth installation of our ongoing look at that most charming column of the Daily Universe. Previous installments can be read here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

This week: repeat guest Ken Jennings is caught lollygagging.

Steve: I believe you are all familiar with our little game. Three four players. One police blotter.

GST: Two men enter, one man leaves.

Ken: NO RULES! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Features, Mormon, Police Beat Tagged With: , , , , ,

Police Beat Roundtable #13

December 22, 2008 by

The Thirteeth installation of our ongoing look at that most charming column of the Daily Universe. Previous installments can be read here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

This week: former guest Ken Jennings drops in as a holiday surprise for BCC readers.

Between Feb. 6 and March 3, University Police received a phone call from students’ parents. The parents gave police information about criminal activities their sons were involved in. The police found no criminal records for the students, but upon further investigation, discovered the two individuals were impersonating a police officer. Both individuals were cited in court for impersonating a police officer. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Features, Mormon, Police Beat Tagged With: , ,

Police Beat Roundtable #12

December 3, 2008 by

The Twelfth installment of our ongoing look at that most charming column of the Daily Universe. Previous installments can be read here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

On the 12th Day of Police Beat, BCC brought to me: Peter LLC as a guest.

Steve: So, because we got so many complaints about PBR #11, we decided to invite aboard someone that nobody finds offensive: Peter LLC. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Features, Mormon, Police Beat Tagged With: , ,

Police Beat Roundtable #11

November 24, 2008 by

This one goes to eleven.

The Eleventh installment of our ongoing look at that most charming column of the Daily Universe. Previous installments can be read here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

This week: Special Guest Eric D. Snider.

A 21-year-old man visiting Heritage Halls overdosed on aspirin Tuesday night. He was not feeling well due to an upset stomach and attempted to remedy it with medication. The person with the man was too upset to explain to the police what had happened. The visitor was taken to the hospital and is reportedly doing well. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Features, Mormon, Police Beat Tagged With: , ,

Police Beat Roundtable #10

November 8, 2008 by

The tenth installment of our ongoing look at that most charming column of the Daily Universe. Previous installments can be read here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

This week: Geoff J. drops in as special guest, with disastrous results.

A former student, carrying a hacksaw and a bike, was stopped in the Deseret Towers area at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. An officer interviewed the individual, and the former student claimed the bike was his. The individual was warned and released due to lack of evidence. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Features, Mormon, Police Beat Tagged With: , ,

Police Beat Roundtable #9

October 28, 2008 by

The ninth installment of our ongoing look at that most charming column of the Daily Universe. Previous installments can be read here, here, here, here and here, here, and here, and here.

A female student walking on East Campus Drive was hit in the back by a substance similar to chocolate pudding. The victim was unable to identify the suspects but said they may have been driving a red four-door car. The victim said the impact of the chocolate pudding hurt her back but did not require medical attention. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Features, Mormon, Police Beat Tagged With: , ,

Police Beat Roundtable #8

October 21, 2008 by

The eighth installment of our ongoing look at that most charming column of the Daily Universe. Previous installments can be read here, here, here, here and here, here, and here.

Guest Starring: Adam Greenwood. Also, Steve Evans decided to start calling himself “Stephen,” to the hilarity of all.

Suspected Gunman

The Provo Police Department called the University Police for assistance after a jogger reported a man scaling a fence carrying a gun while exiting the Provo Temple grounds on Monday at 1:36 a.m. Police searched for the suspect but could not find anyone. Police think the witness could have mistaken a security guard for the suspect.
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Filed Under: Features, Mormon, Police Beat Tagged With: , ,

Police Beat Roundtable #7

October 15, 2008 by

The seventh installment of our ongoing look at that most charming column of the Daily Universe. Previous installments can be read here , here, here, here and here, and here.

Special guest this week: a random John.

A witness reported four males throwing water balloons at vehicles from the pedestrian overpass on North Campus Drive, Nov. 13 at 3 a.m. Police responded and approached the individuals. They fled and were arrested. The suspects were charged with interfering with officers, throwing missiles and public intoxication. Three of the four suspects were BYU students. The individuals were released after receiving citations and will be referred to the Honor Code Office. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Features, Mormon, Police Beat Tagged With: , ,

Police Beat Roundtable #6

October 3, 2008 by

The sixth installment of our ongoing look at that most charming column of the Daily Universe. Previous installments can be read here , here, here, here and here.

This time, a special guest: Kenneth J. Jennings III.

Basketball Assault

A BYU fan assaulted a Utah fan after the basketball game between the two schools on Jan. 25. After the game, a BYU fan and Utah fan began arguing. The Utah fan was blowing a long trumpet-like horn in the BYU fan’s face. The BYU fan shoved the horn, and the mouthpiece hit the Utah fan’s tooth and chipped it. The Utah fan was treated at the First Aid Room. The two individuals shook hands and had no further problems. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Features, Gender & Sexuality, Mormon, Police Beat Tagged With: , ,

Police Beat Roundtable #5

September 23, 2008 by

The fifth installment of our ongoing look at that most charming column of the Daily Universe. Previous installments can be read here , here, here and here.

This time, a special guest: Adam Greenwood.

A male was seen disposing of a cup out the window of his truck at Wymount Terrace on Jan. 16. A female witnessed the act and returned the cup to the owner. She asked him not to litter, and while driving away, the male threw the cup out of his window. A second witness called the University Police and reported the act. The male, a non-student, was cited for littering.
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Filed Under: Current Events, Features, Gender & Sexuality, Mormon, Police Beat, Society & Culture Tagged With: , ,

Police Beat Roundtable #4

September 15, 2008 by

The fourth installment of our ongoing look at that most charming column of the Daily Universe. Previous installments can be read here , here, and here.

In late December police received a call from a man who claimed he was being stalked by a woman he worked with. Police said the woman believes she is supposed to marry him and won’t leave him alone. Officers advised the woman about the possible consequences of her actions. The case is pending to see if there is any further activity. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Current Events, Features, Mormon, Police Beat Tagged With: , ,