1982-1991
First Crystal Crest award ceremony, 1983
Male windsurfing on the duck pond, 1980s
In 1982-1983, tuition was $254 a quarter, or $762 per year. In 1983-1984, enrollment reached 11,000 day and evening students, and students could choose from over 80 degrees and certificates. By 1990-1991, enrollment increased to 13,000 and tuition was $1398 for the year.
Students have always had an opportunity for hands on experience with their programs. From 1982-1985, 60 students from the School of Technology, in collaboration with 20 businesses, built the first satellite sent into space by students. The satellite collected data on radar patterns to help the FAA and other similar agencies to improve monitoring aircraft flight. Two additional satellites were built and sent into space in 1987 and 1990. In 1985, a cable television channel was started, giving students production and management experience.
During this time period campus continued to expand. In 1984, class start time was changed from on the hour to the half hour to allow time for another class. The Masters of Accountancy program started in 1985, becoming the second master’s program at Weber. A shuttle service was started in 1986, with 8 different stops around campus. In 1987, students began registering by phone rather than in person. New services, including the outdoor program (1984), computer labs (1984), and writing center (1985) were started during this decade. The first satellite campus opened in Clearfield in 1991.
Dr. Yasmen Simonian working with Clinical Laboratory Science students, 1980s
Crystal Crest Awards began in 1983, with Tanya Tucker as the first MC. The Student Association added 10 new senatorial seats including Black students, Hispanic students, Native American students, international students, and disabled students in 1984. The Mount Ogden Hike was restarted in 1987. The tradition of kissing at midnight during Homecoming to become a True Wildcat began in 1989. In 1990, convocation was added to graduation, allowing commencement to finish in a shorter time.
Notable events: First BIPOC senators, 1984; Challenger explosion, 1986; Tiananmen Square massacre, 1989; Weber State becomes a University, 1991; U.S.S.R. ends, 1991; First satellite campus opens, 1991
