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Articles by Sasha Poma
Poma: It’s Okay to Change Your Mind in College – The Daily Utah Chronicle
Many children of immigrants feel like they have to choose between being a lawyer or a doctor. I chose the lawyer route. My parents sacrificed so much to leave their home countries so my brother and I could have a better life. The “follow your dreams” mindset wouldn’t pay the bills and guarantee success. A law degree certainly would. During my freshman year, an advisor told me that English majors do great on the LSAT. Incidentally, I liked to read and am a good writer (I guess).
Poma: BIPOC Mental Health Needs More Attention – The Daily Utah Chronicle
During the past decade or so, mental health has become more validated and stigmas around seeking help have slowly started . But in communities of color, mental health stigmas remain, causing hesitation among younger BIPOC to seek treatment. Although such as BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month in July certainly help these issues gain recognition, we should acknowledge that BIPOC mental health struggles persist.
Poma & Soter: Who Will Fill the Shoes of Ruth Watkins? – The Daily Utah Chronicle
By Theadora Soter and Sasha Poma August 5, 2021 President Ruth Watkins left the University of Utah in April 2021. Her resignation, while unsurprising, still was a shock to the campus community. While Watkins did positive things during her presidency, she will always be remembered as the president who failed to properly handle the Lauren McCluskey case. As a result, the search for her replacement carries a lot of weight. On Aug.
Poma: White Saviorism in Education Hides in Plain Sight – The Daily Utah Chronicle
Maya Fraser West High School Thursday afternoon in Salt Lake City (Photo by Maya Fraser | Daily Utah Chronicle) By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer April 22, 2021 Conversations about racial discrimination against Black, Indigenous and people of color ask us to reflect on our own social privileges and experiences with racism. True reflection means examining every facet of our lives — especially our academic environments.
Poma & Saifee: Don't Wait, Just Vaccinate – The Daily Utah Chronicle
Joshua Seeley, wears his mask out and about to help stop the spread of COVID-19 on Tuesday in Salt Lake City. (Photo by Maya Fraser | The Daily Utah Chronicle) By Zahra Saifee and Sasha Poma April 6, 2021 After a year of COVID-19 health restrictions, Utah is beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Vaccine administration is on the rise as hundreds of Utahns receive the vaccine daily.
Poma: Why I’m Cautiously Optimistic about Post-Pandemic Education – The Daily Utah Chronicle
Gwen Christopherson Fourth-year student, Thomas Stone, works on a GIS project at a computer lab in Gardener Commons on October 30, 2020. (Photo by Gwen Christopherson | The Daily Utah Chronicle) By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer March 24, 2021 As we hit the one-year mark of schools moving classes online, all of us feel Zoom-fatigued.
Poma: Utah Needs a Clear Definition of Consent – The Daily Utah Chronicle
By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer March 11, 2021 During the 2020 legislative session, I wrote about Rep. Angela Romero’s H.B. 213, otherwise known as the Consent Amendments. Unfortunately, while the bill passed, the final language of the bill read very differently than the original and failed to provide a concrete definition of consent that would protect victims of sexual assault. This year, Romero is working once again to define consent in clear language with H.B. 78.
Poma: Blocking Porn from School Servers Won’t Solve Anything – The Daily Utah Chronicle
By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer March 9, 2021 The internet is a wonderful place where we can access everything instantly. If the past year has taught us anything, it’s that technology is a necessity in academic environments. But in a society where we issue laptops to children for school use, children are bound to come across the darker corners of the internet. Since H.B. 38, sponsored by Rep. Travis M.
Poma: Free Speech is Not Under Attack. Universities Should Clarify That – The Daily Utah Chronicle
From Google The Park Building at the top of President’s Circle, where the U administration works. (The Daily Utah Chronicle) By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer March 9, 2021 Free speech versus hate speech has been a topic of debate for several years now. In response, many institutions in Utah and nationwide have adopted codes of conduct that punish verbal harassment, which many people feel the First Amendment. H.B. 159, sponsored by Rep. Jordan D.
Poma: Utah Can’t Tolerate Distracted Driving – The Daily Utah Chronicle
By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer February 28, 2021 One recent morning, I woke up early to meet with a friend. I got in my car and made the same maneuvers I’d done countless times before — backed out of my garage, switched gears, and turned the corner. Light snow fell the night before, so my car felt colder than usual, and I briefly glanced down to turn on the heater. The next thing I knew, I’d rammed into the sidewalk just outside my house. I wasn’t hurt. My front tire, however, was not so lucky.
Poma: Let K-12 Students Have “Mental Health Days” – The Daily Utah Chronicle
Peter Howard (Courtesy Flickr) By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer February 17, 2021 Mental health challenges have reached the point of becoming a public health crisis — especially since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Concern about K-12 children’s mental and emotional wellbeing has also increased with good reason. Rep. Mike Winder is sponsoring H.B. 81, which would add mental and behavioral health to the list of valid reasons for an excused absence from school.
Poma: Utah Needs In-School Suicide Prevention at Every Grade Level – The Daily Utah Chronicle
The McGillis School in Salt Lake City on Nov. 14th 2020. (Photo by Gwen Christopherson | The Daily Utah Chronicle) By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer February 15, 2021 Utah’s youth suicide rates have steadily increased over the past decade. According to the Utah State Board of Education, “From 2011 to 2015, Utah saw a 141% increase in suicides among youth ages 10-17, compared to an increase of 23.5% nationally.” This statistic is frightening to say the least. Thankfully, Rep. Brian S.
Poma: Immigrants Are the Unsung Heroes of the Pandemic – The Daily Utah Chronicle
By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer January 26, 2021 We’ve all struggled through this pandemic in one way or another, but some have faced harsher challenges than others — especially those in immigrant communities. Many of the common hardships that stem from the pandemic affect immigrants disproportionately, but state and local leaders haven’t addressed this disparity with the thoughtfulness or focus it demands.
Burton & Poma: What It Means to Be a Citizen during the Pandemic – The Daily Utah Chronicle
An American flag (Photo by Justin Prather | Daily Utah Chronicle). By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer January 18, 2021 Between the COVID-19 pandemic, the presidential election and the summer’s Black Lives Matter protests, the news felt virtually all-encompassing in 2020 — but those weren’t the only things happening. As new and uniquely urgent stories took center stage, immigration, a frequently discussed issue in previous years, was crowded out of the national dialogue.
Poma: A Vaccine Will Help Curb the Pandemic, but We're Not Off the Hook – The Daily Utah Chronicle
Joshua Seeley, wears his mask out and about to help stop the spread of COVID-19 on Tuesday in Salt Lake City. (Photo by Maya Fraser | The Daily Utah Chronicle) By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer December 3, 2020 As soon as the COVID-19 lockdown began, people began banking their hopes that a vaccine would be ready by the end of the year. Some clinical trials started as soon as late March.
Poma: The Pandemic Reveals Cracks in Our Education System – The Daily Utah Chronicle
The McGillis School in Salt Lake City on Nov. 14th 2020. (Photo by Gwen Christopherson | The Daily Utah Chronicle) By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer November 18, 2020 In the age of the pandemic, schools have drastically changed and experienced difficulties in maintaining a safe but productive learning environment. In Utah especially, students of all ages have had classes move online. Even though we’ve done this for many months now, students continually encounter problems in this learning environment.
Poma: COVID-19 Isn't Taking a Holiday Break – The Daily Utah Chronicle
(Design by David Onwukeme | The Daily Utah Chronicle) By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer November 12, 2020 Everyone hoped the coronavirus pandemic would dwindle in severity by the end of summer. But here we are, seven months after the lockdown was initiated, facing terrifying increases in case counts statewide — on Oct. 30, Utah had a spike of 2,292 cases in one day.
Poma: I Was Undecided. After Weeks of Research, I'm Voting for Biden. – The Daily Utah Chronicle
Former Vice President of the United States Joe Biden speaks at Kingsbury Hall on the University of Utah Campus on Dec. 13, 2018. (Photo by: Justin Prather | The Daily Utah Chronicle) By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer October 29, 2020 Over the past few weeks, I’ve kept an eye on the presidential candidates so I could make an informed decision about whom to vote for. The task of choosing the right man for the job while simultaneously keeping my conscience intact was difficult but ultimately fulfilling.
Poma: Undecided Voter? Skip the Negative Ads and Do Some Research – The Daily Utah Chronicle
(Courtesy Wikimedia Commons) By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer October 22, 2020 Election Day is just weeks away, and some Utah candidates have resorted to negative campaign tactics in a sad, last-minute attempt to sway voters. With an already strange presidential election, there seems to be no break from the insanity. Everything — from TV ads to websites to mailers — has become plagued with misleading statements about candidates across the state.
Poma: Where I Stand after the VP Debate – The Daily Utah Chronicle
Natalie Colby The vice presidential debate on Oct. 7, 2020 at Kingsbury Hall in Salt Lake City. (Photo by Natalie Colby | Daily Utah Chronicle.) By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer October 13, 2020 The vice presidential debate was more informative for me than last week’s presidential showdown. Many issues that I thought would be discussed were not, and other topics came up unexpectedly.
Poma: How to Navigate Today's VP Debate – The Daily Utah Chronicle
Camille Rousculp Advertisement for the 2020 Vice Presidential Debate on the Student Union at the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City on September 28th 2020. (Photo by Camille Rousculp | The Daily Utah Chronicle) By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer October 7, 2020 For those who haven’t heard, the vice presidential debate will be held at Kingsbury Hall today, Oct. 7. Students at the U and Utahns alike have a chance to be more civically involved in this election.
Poma: Fellow Undecided Voters, We Need to Make a Decision – The Daily Utah Chronicle
Camille Rousculp Advertisement for the 2020 Vice Presidential Debate on the Student Union at the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City on September 28th 2020. (Photo by Camille Rousculp | The Daily Utah Chronicle) By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer October 6, 2020 With all of the challenges we’re facing in 2020, our vote has never mattered more. Yet around half of eligible Americans don’t cast a ballot during election season, and the rate is even lower for young adults.
Poma: LDS Members Must Do More to Fight Racism – The Daily Utah Chronicle
Gwen Christopherson Conference center for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in downtown Salt Lake City, photographed on Aug. 28, 2020. (The Daily Utah Chronicle | Gwen Christopherson) Conversations surrounding racism and the 2020 election have prompted many institutions, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to reevaluate their stances and actions against racism in our communities — and rightfully so.
Head to Head: Are We the 'Utah Utes'? – The Daily Utah Chronicle
Members from the Ute Indian tribe performa a ritual dance during the game vs. the Washington Huskies at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, October 29, 2016. | Chronicle archives Over the past few months, the powerful resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement has reignited discussions about racism in the United States – including cultural appropriation. Within these discussions, the problematic names of military bases, schools, professional sports teams and mascots have been under scrutiny.
Poma: Achieving Gender Equality in Utah Will Require Better Attention to Women's Health – The Daily Utah Chronicle
Improving women's health care is essential to achieving gender equality. (Photo by Camille Rousculp | The Daily Utah Chronicle) By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer September 8, 2020 For the third year in a row, Utah recently ranked the worst state in the nation for women’s equality. And, sadly, most people weren’t surprised.
Poma: No, America Isn’t Pure Evil. But It’s Still Time for an Intervention. – The Daily Utah Chronicle
A masked demonstrator, holding an upside down American flag, faces Utah law enforcement officers gathered in front of the Utah State Capitol Building on June 4th, 2020. (Photo by Mark Draper | The Daily Utah Chronicle) By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer September 2, 2020 An op-ed published a few weeks ago from Utah Representative Chris Stewart defended what he called an unpopular opinion: “America is good.” Perhaps it’s not the most controversial topic to exist, especially at this moment in history.
Poma: Utah Leaders, Stop Treating COVID-19 Like a Purely Economic Issue – The Daily Utah Chronicle
Legislative meeting at the Utah Capital building in Salt Lake City, Utah on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. (Photo by Cassandra Palor | Daily Utah Chronicle) By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer August 28, 2020 Let’s face it — the coronavirus pandemic is far from over. Health guidelines such as social distancing and masks are still in place, which caused cases to decline in Utah in recent weeks.
Poma: What's in a Name? More than Institutions May Realize – The Daily Utah Chronicle
Members from the Ute Indian tribe performa a ritual dance during the game vs. the Washington Huskies at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday, October 29, 2016. | Chronicle archives By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer August 12, 2020 Over the past few months, the powerful resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement has reignited discussions about racism in the United States – including cultural appropriation.
Poma: Yes, We Need to Wear Masks This Fall Semester – The Daily Utah Chronicle
"Some individuals have taken to social media to make memes about the coronavirus while others have documented instances of discrimination in public spaces and taken a stand against xenophobia." (Photo by Justin Prather | Daily Utah Chronicle) By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer August 10, 2020 Over the past several months, we’ve all experienced unprecedented changes in our daily lives due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Poma: “Wokeness” and the Teenage Psyche – The Daily Utah Chronicle
Ivana Martinez Protestors sit on Salt Lake City streets outside the Public Safety Building listening to organizers speak at the Juneteenth protest. (Photo by Ivana Martinez | Daily Utah Chronicle) In the age of social media and a rocky socio-political climate, younger generations now have the ability to use their unique voices for change.
Poma: Anti-Mask? Keep Your Kids Home from School – The Daily Utah Chronicle
By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer July 29, 2020 Masks have stirred a lot of confusion and debate during the coronavirus pandemic. With most allowed to hold in-person sessions this fall, Governor Gary Herbert declared that schools across Utah must require everyone in a school building to wear masks. But recently, many parents tried to protest this mandate, claiming that the masks don’t help their kids and that the mandate is an infringement on their very constitutional rights.
Poma: Utah College Students Have Been Right All Along: We're Being Ripped Off – The Daily Utah Chronicle
From Google The Park Building at the top of President's Circle By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer July 22, 2020 College costs a lot – that’s a known fact. At the University of Utah, the average resident student could pay well over $20,000-$30,000 a year for expenses like tuition, housing and, notoriously, miscellaneous fees. While tuition comprises roughly 34% of that cost, mandatory fees make up a growing portion.
Poma: The Supreme Court on Immigration: One Step Forward, Two Steps Backward – The Daily Utah Chronicle
By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer July 19, 2020 The Supreme Court recently undertook cases involving the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and political asylum seekers. On June 18, in opposition to President Donald Trump’s efforts to end DACA, the Supreme Court ruled that they could not do so — at least, for now. The decision felt victorious for many undocumented immigrants, especially with the unrest the community has experienced during the coronavirus pandemic.
Poma: Utah, Please Look at Your Numbers – The Daily Utah Chronicle
By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer June 18, 2020 As public health regulations relax and more businesses reopen amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Utah Governor Gary Herbert has considered moving most of the state to the “smart green” phase of the state’s health guidance system. For the time being, he has decided to extend the yellow phase until June 26, with Kane County being the first Utah county to move on to the new normal.
Poma: Trump’s COVID-19 Immigration Policies Are Self-Serving at Best – The Daily Utah Chronicle
President Donald Trump (Courtesy Flickr) By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer June 14, 2020 In March, Trump announced that he would close Canadian and Mexican borders until Easter – or at least until the pandemic subsides. In May, Trump announced that he would be extending the border closure “indefinitely,” and we have yet to see any developments. I speculated in an earlier op-ed that given his track record, Trump may not lift the ban any time soon, and so far, he’s only proven that right.
Poma: The U Cannot Safely Open for Fall Semester – The Daily Utah Chronicle
By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer June 5, 2020 Since March, students have been anxiously speculating about what universities will do come fall semester – and on May 25, the University of Utah announced that in-person classes will resume in August. The school will adhere to applicable health guidelines and take necessary precautions once the fall semester begins, but even with social distancing, different class options and other safety measures, the threat of a resurgence of the virus still looms.
Poma: The U's Tuition Freeze Could Cost Students – The Daily Utah Chronicle
(Courtesy Wikimedia Commons) By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer May 27, 2020 Over the last decade, college students in Utah and across the country have grappled with ever-growing tuition costs – but now, the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic has led many institutions to consider delaying tuition increases. The University of Utah announced last month that it won’t raise tuition until at least 2021.
Poma: Maintaining Common Courtesy in the Coronavirus Pandemic – The Daily Utah Chronicle
The jobs of U students working in health care have changed drastically during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Courtesy Alexis Olivas) By Sasha Poma, Opinion Writer May 22, 2020 During these challenging times, many of us may feel unlike ourselves for one reason or another. One key stressor for all of us is the loss of routine, especially since we can’t know for sure when – or whether – we’ll be able to return to our old patterns.
Poma: The Elusive Purpose of the Student Success Fee Leaves Transparency to be Desired – The Daily Utah Chronicle
"Fees are slapped onto our tuition every year, and we deserve more upfront transparency regarding those expenses," writes Sasha Poma. "We need to have a say in where the money is going and why."(Courtesy Wikimedia Commons) By Sasha Poma April 17, 2020 Colleges charge a lot of money, and while everyone who attends college knows that, the smaller fees that are added to tuition pile up fast. But not every student understands precisely what their payments fund.
Poma: The Lingering Effects of COVID-19 Border Closures – The Daily Utah Chronicle
President Donald J. Trump, joined by United States Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan and Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Kevin McAleenan Department of Homeland Security, visit the border area of Otay Mesa, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, a neighborhood along the Mexican border in San Diego, California. (Photo by Shealah Craighead | Courtesy Wikimedia Commons) By Sasha Poma April 15, 2020 Coverage of COVID-19 can be difficult to sift through.
Poma: Trump Wants to Close the Border to Slow the Pandemic. I Don’t Trust Him to Reopen It. – The Daily Utah Chronicle
President Donald J. Trump, joined by United States Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner Mark Morgan and Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Kevin McAleenan Department of Homeland Security, visit the border area of Otay Mesa, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, a neighborhood along the Mexican border in San Diego, California. (Photo by Shealah Craighead | Courtesy Wikimedia Commons) By Sasha Poma April 15, 2020 Coverage of COVID-19 can be difficult to sift through.
Poma: Students’ Futures Should Not Be Decided By Test Scores – The Daily Utah Chronicle
"Though many college students will continue to endure the brunt of standardized tests in our post-graduate careers, there’s hope that the next generation will not," writes Sasha Poma. (Courtesy Wikimedia Commons) By Sasha Poma April 11, 2020 The standardized test system impacts many students’ college careers, and it continues even after undergraduate admissions with tests like the GRE, GMAT, MCAT, LSAT and CLEP. Plenty of problems with these tests have arisen in recent years.
Poma: Panic Will Not Get Us Through COVID-19 – The Daily Utah Chronicle
"Calm commitment to public health will ensure safety not just for ourselves, but for the people around us."(Courtesy Pikrepo) By Sasha Poma March 31, 2020 The coronavirus changed the course of everyone’s lives in a matter of days. Grocery stores have been emptied, social events postponed or canceled and classes at the University of Utah and other educational institutions moved online. Utah Gov.
Poma: What is Consent? Utah Needs a Clearer Definition of it. – The Daily Utah Chronicle
(Courtesy of Ruth Basagoitia) By Sasha Poma March 16, 2020 Rep. Angela Romero’s H.B. 213 Consent Language Amendments passed the Utah House and the Senate during this year’s general session and made important clarifications about consent. Unfortunately, due to major changes made to the bill, certain aspects of affirmative consent remain unclear.
Poma: For A Safer Utah, Police Need to Quit Investigating Themselves – The Daily Utah Chronicle
The legislature needs to combat the conflict of interest present when police departments investigate themselves and make Utah’s policing system more accountable. | Chronicle archives By Sasha Poma March 8, 2020 In recent years, discussions of incompetence and corruption within police departments have seemed more and more prominent, especially here in Utah. Just last year, the Utah State Auditor’s Office found that Utah tolerates police misconduct more than most other states. State Rep.
Poma: Banning Handheld Devices While Driving Is Common Sense – The Daily Utah Chronicle
"Too many Utahns have gotten into accidents, become injured or lost their lives because of distracted drivers."(Courtesy Ellsworth Military Base) "Too many Utahns have gotten into accidents, become injured or lost their lives because of distracted drivers."(Courtesy Ellsworth Military Base) "Too many Utahns have gotten into accidents, become injured or lost their lives because of distracted drivers."(Courtesy Ellsworth Military Base) By Sasha Poma February 20, 2020 Send email to this address...
Poma: Protecting Children from Abuse Will Help Religious Communities, Not Harm Them – The Daily Utah Chronicle
By Sasha Poma February 12, 2020 Send email to this address Enter Your Name Add a comment here Verification: What's 10 + 9? Utah State Rep. Angela Romero’s H.B. 90 Child Abuse Reporting Amendments has made some religious communities in Utah concerned that their first amendment rights may be stripped away and clergy may be punished for performing a religious rite. This bill, however, may lead the way to a safer community, especially for children.
Poma: Undocumented Students Are Just as Worthy of the Resources Given to Citizens – The Daily Utah Chronicle
(Courtesy of Flickr) By Sasha Poma February 9, 2020 Send email to this address Enter Your Name Add a comment here Verification: What's 5 + 4? Undocumented students in the U.S. are unable to apply for federal aid and thus face the difficult challenge of finding alternative means to pay for higher education. While the University of Utah and other colleges have resources to help these students, their reception of financial aid as a noncitizen is oftentimes misconstrued as a “free pass” to college.
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