Issue 41

Fort Lewis College News Magazine

Issue 41

PHYSIOLOGICAL

EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL, THC AND CAFFEINE

STUDYING ABROAD:

AN EDUCATION

THROUGH EXPERIENCE

MEDICAL

MARIJUANA:

A HISTORY CREATIVE OUTLETS WHEN ACADEMIC

SLIPS BECOME

ACADEMIC FALLS SHALLOW WALLET

IN DEEP SNOW

FLC TO OFFER

December 2012 FREE

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© The Independent 2012

FROM THE E d i t o r ’s D e s k

CONTENTS Physiological Effects of Alcohol, THC and Caffeine

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Story by Megan Ripe

Studying Abroad: An Education Through Experience

6

Story by Jandrea Fevold

Medical Marijuana: A History Story by Carter Solomon

Creative Outlets

Dear Indy Readers,

8 10

Story by Megan Ripe

When Academic Slips Become Academic Falls

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I never imagined I’d enjoy being part of a publication so much, but somehow I find myself craving the last-minute struggle and frantic perseverance to somehow pull everything together. So why do we do this? We put all our energy into providing beautiful, convenient news that you process, and we receive all that energy back from you in your comments and suggestions. It’s a cycle that allows mutual thriving and, without it, we’d be nothing. I used to merely design for myself, but I’ve found that it’s much more gratifying to design for all of you.

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Keep reading, and enjoy the work we do for you, because it makes it all worth our while. Know that every time you pick up the newest, freshest issue up from our bright yellow news boxes, it brings us much happiness.

11

Story by Carter Solomon

Shallow Wallet in Deep Snow Story by Meagan Prins

FLC to Offer Gender Neutral Housing Option

I’d like to begin by stating my unconditional gratitude and love for each and every one of you.

Knowing that, every issue we produce, someone out there appreciates and enjoys our publication makes all the sleepless nights and hours of dedication completely worthwhile for me.

Being able to devote myself to a bigger purpose and to have the opportunity to design for all of you, that, my friends, is true bliss.

Story by Rachel Giersch

Indy on the Street & Horoscopes

15

Good vibes,

Allie Hutto Assistant Creative Director

Cover Graphics by Graeme Johnston

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Physiological Effects of Alcohol, THC and Caffeine Story by Megan Ripe Photos by Daniel Huppenthal Graphics by Allie Hutto

Alcohol, medical marijuana, and caffeine, shown in places of respective distribution from left to right, have various effects on individual brains.

T

hree widely used substances, alcohol, THC, and caffeine create different physiological effects on the body.

There are two types of addiction: physical and physiological.

Within physiological addiction, no concrete withdrawal symptoms occur, but suffering from physical addiction may cause things such as headaches, said Kenny Miller, a Fort Lewis College chemistry professor.

Caffeine and alcohol are both physically addictive, whereas THC, a chemical that is found in marijuana, has the possibility to create physiological dependencies, Miller said.

ALCOHOL Alcohol is a depressant, Miller said.

After consuming a few drinks a person may feel energized, but excessive drinking causes the brain to slowly shut down over time, he said.

The first part of the brain affected after consuming alcohol is the frontal cortex. This is the area of the brain that contributes to rational thought, Miller said.

Since this area of the brain shuts down, it gives reason to why people lose inhibitions and may act out more irrationally than normal, he said.

There are many factors that contribute to the differentiating affects alcohol can have on people, such as body size, diet, and metabolism speed, he said.

The liver filters the body’s blood and contains enzymes called alcohol dehydrogenates that deactivate the alcohol, Miller said.

“The more alcohol dehydrogenase you produce, which is genetic, and the bigger you are, the less you are affected by alcohol,” Miller said.

Size is only one factor contributing to alcohol consumption, as tolerance can play a big part in the affects on the body, he said.

“You can see a small little girl that you think can’t handle alcohol and she

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can, or you can see a big guy who gets sloppy drunk after a few beers,” said Kendra Gallegos-Reichle, the FLC student wellness coordinator. “People blackout sooner than others and it depends on so many different factors.”

After consumption of alcohol becomes regular, the body can produce more alcohol dehydrogenase and thus provide a higher tolerance for the absorption of alcohol, Miller said.

A recent alcohol screening was conducted in the Student Union Building, collecting 275 screenings, and the data has shown an increase in consumption from last year, Gallegos-Reichle said.

Around 150 participants were proven to be at the moderate to high risk drinking level, show that alcohol consumption has increased, Gallegos-Reichle said.

THC THC, an active ingredient in marijuana, is a hard substance to classify because of the controversy that surrounds it, Gallegos-Reichle said.

THC is a cannabinoid fostering from the scientific word for marijuana, cannabis. The body naturally produces cannabinoids and contains cell receptors that perfectly fit the THC molecule which causes psychoactive effects, Miller said.

“When it binds to these receptors it produces an affect that makes you more relaxed,” Miller said.

Each marijuana user reacts differently to the substance. For some consumers, relaxation occurs, while for others, added stress can be the affect.

“If your already anxious or have stress, it’s definitely not going to do good things for you,” Gallegos-Reichle said. “Sometimes it calms people down who are anxious.”

THC is also a mechanism used to manage stress, which can hinder a

persons development of proper coping skills, Miller said.

Marijuana is not necessarily psychologically addictive, but it can become physiologically addictive, leading to withdrawal symptoms in that sense, such as irritability, Miller said.

CAFFEINE Caffeine is a commonly used substance that stimulates the body, increases heart rate, and raises alertness.

A study was released displaying that coffee is a similar substance to Ritalin, a stimulant, which raises heart rate and increases concentration, Miller said.

Caffeine is consumed in high quantities, such as coffee, and easily becomes a large part of a person’s daily routine. The caffeine craze can be directly shown, seeing that coffee is the second most traded commodity after oil, said Zachary Ray, a roaster at Desert Sun Coffee.

“Coffee is such a huge beverage worldwide that people drink it out of principle, out of habit, out of culture, the fact that their parents did for a long time, and some people are just looking for a sweetened beverage,” Ray said.

The coffee crash that many people experience can be associated with the added sugar some coffee lovers add to their cups, Ray said.

The sugar added to coffee can cause peoples blood sugar levels to go up and down, because the common sugar used is refined. Refined sugar hits the blood stream faster and sends a sugar rush immediately, but this rush only lasts so long, causing a crash, Ray said.

As a stimulant, coffee is often used to help one get through the day, ward off fatigue, and keep up with society’s fast pace, he said.

In this day and age, many people are faced with social pressures and the demands of the work place, which directly affects the amount of

“

sleep or relaxation many get, leading to a response of drinking coffee as a way to stay awake, Miller said.

Caffeine can be found in other substances, such as green tea, containing more caffeine, but in a milder form, Ray said.

The body processes caffeine molecules differently. A person is likely to have a stronger response to caffeine from coffee as opposed to green tea, Ray said.

Antioxidants are found in coffee, and many people consume them this way rather than eating blueberries and other food sources that contain these vitamins, Ray said.

“The strongness or weakness of a coffee is based on the total dissolved solids of a beverage,” Ray said. “You can have a higher concentrate of material in the water, which will make a stronger coffee, and you can do it with a light or dark roast.”

“For some people the caffeine is too much for their bodies,” Ray said, “Body metabolism and tolerance will change the way caffeine affects the body.”

CONCLUSION The main aspect of each substance is figuring out why it is being used.

If it is being used as an escape, a user can figure out what the affect may be on the body, Gallegos-Reichle said.

To relax, to subvert, or to inspire, these substances alter the brain’s psyche to potentially benefit or contradict their purpose.

Overtime, through the use of each of these substances, a tolerance can be built. People, however, may need to look at why they are using a substance. Analyzing the driving force behind the usage can allow a further understanding of its own physiological effects on each individual.

Caffeine and Alcohol

are physically addictive whereas THC, a chemical that composes marijuana, has the possibility to create physiological dependencies.

”

-Dr. Kenny Miller, Fort Lewis College chemistry professor

“

There are two types of ad-

physical and physiological. diction,

Within physical addiction, no concrete withdrawal symptoms occur, as opposed to physical addiction, that may cause things such as headaches.

” 5

Studying Abroad: An Education Through Experience F

Story by Jandrea Fevold Photos provided by Morgan Boaman and

ort Lewis College students can earn college credit through many different Study Abroad options and gain an additional education experience while traveling during college.

About 200 FLC students participate in Study Abroad each year, said Jennifer Gay, the FLC director of international programs.

The college is seeing an increase in students using exchanges, which are an affordable way to participate in Study Abroad, Gay said.

Student Exchange is a program where students pay the FLC tuition and fees or apply for a waiver to go abroad, she said. Students can use financial aid for most Study Abroad programs, which makes the program feasible for a wide range of students, she said.

Students have obtained internships, have published different projects, and have secured post-graduation employment through Study Abroad, she said.

The biggest success with the program is seeing how excited students are about life when returning to FLC, she said.

Studying abroad ignites a passion, and students come back with a transformed self and purpose, she said.

It is rewarding to see students who come back and are more engaged in participating in their own community, she said.

A lot of students come to the international programs office knowing it has been a college opportunity and personal goal since childhood, she said.

Students want to experience travel and immersion into a culture, and experience the challenges and rewards that come with doing it, Gay said.

Many students decide to travel abroad when the realization hits that Study Abroad coincides with the standard four-year plan and financial aid allows an affordable trip, she said.

FLC’s International Programs can help design an individualized plan to enable students to travel where they want to and to study what they want to study, she said.

Financial aid can be used in most cases, she said.

With early planning, students can utilize the Study Abroad program and gain experience that will enrich the four-year undergraduate degree, she said.

Studying abroad is a great way to apply a lot of theory and concepts learned in classes in an immersed active living situation, she said.

It helps students continue to develop cultural understanding, which proves beneficial in academic con-

“

texts, she said.

Students interested in studying abroad should enroll in the General Studies 250 course, which is one credit and a half-semester, she said.

The course provides an orientation on all different ways to study abroad while achieving academic plans.

Students can also stop by the International Programs office in Jones Hall, room 106 to set up an appointment, she said.

Morgan Boaman, a FLC senior pursuing environmental studies, traveled to Thailand last summer for seven weeks.

Boaman took three classes through the USAC, an organization for students studying abroad in Thailand, she said.

“I took an anthro-sociology class on the Hill Tribes in Thailand, and I was able to get a lot more hands on than I would have been able to taking a course on campus,” she said.

Her group traveled through the lush, green, tropical country, she said.

“I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my life,” Boaman said.

She stayed in the small mountain town of Pai and spent a week at an elephant sanctuary, she said.

Through the university in Thailand, Boaman was able to travel throughout the weekends, she said.

Boaman visited the Golden Triangle, where Burma, Laos, and Thailand meet, she said.

Boaman traveled to Bangkok with her class, spending a weekend in the mountains on motor scooters and taking a lot of treks to hill villages, she said.

“I chose to go to Thailand because I love elephants, and in life I have always wanted to work with elephants,” she said.

“I looked at programs that would enable me to work with them,” she said. “In the sanctuary I worked with elephants and was able to cuddle with a 3-year-old baby elephant.”

While in Thailand the language barrier was tough, she said.

“I spoke a little Thai but communicating was challenging,” she said.

“Also, I got there early, before others did, and I had to find my hotel alone, which was scary,” she said.

Jet lag was a difficult issue for Boaman for the first couple of days because Thailand is 13 hours ahead of Colorado, she said.

Traveling to Thailand was terrifying, but leaving was absolutely

It forces students to become more self- reliant. They have to draw upon a lot of patience and perseverence.

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”

-Jennifer Gay

heart breaking, she said.

“One really cool experience I had was a homestay in a village belonging to the Aka Tribe,” she said. “The tribal elder called me over and started dressing me in traditional dress.” “‘You wear, you wear’ is what she kept saying to me,” she said.

The people performed a welcome ceremony with a huge fire and dance circle, and everyone in the village was there, and all the children were running around in traditional dress as well, she said.

“I learned a lot about myself, being in such a different atmosphere and having this opportunity,” she said.

Her advice to students thinking about studying abroad is to do their homework and know where they’re going, she said.

It is important to learn about the culture and what is accept-

able and what isn’t, and to be familiar with the risks of the country which they are traveling to, she said.

It is easy to get sucked into partying or lost in blogging and Facebook, which causes the student to miss out on certain experiences, she said.

“I am absolutely, 150 percent going to go back to Thailand,” she said.

“I want to see the people I met there and travel south to the beaches this time,” she said.

Studying abroad forces students to become more self-reliant, forcing them to draw upon a lot of patience and perseverance, navigate through bureaucracy, and develop and apply life skills, Gay said.

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Medical Marijuana: A History Story by Carter Solomon Graphics and Photos by Allie Hutto

Up close and personal displays of the medical marijuana dispensaries are distributing to patients

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he City of Durango has several health related businesses, and among its largest and most popular is the medical marijuana industry.

The use of medical marijuana for persons suffering from debilitating medical conditions was legalized in Colorado by amendment 20 during the 2000 general elections, said Amy Phillips, Durango’s city clerk.

In May of 2009, Durango saw the first application for medical marijuana put forth, Phillips said.

The application process is a long one and it continues to evolve, she said.

When medical marijuana dispensaries first started coming forward for licensing, they were given a standard business license, Phillips said.

The cost of each business’s license depended on how many people the individual businesses had employed, she said.

As the industry grew, the City Clerk’s office ended up issuing ordinance #0-2009-18, which adopted the new section 13-110, she said.

This addition laid the base for regulation of medical marijuana concerning such issues as the location, the hours of operation, and the manner of which the facility would be operated under the requirements of the applicable laws in place, as well as taking the welfare of the community into account, she said.

At first, the State Health Department was to help with the set up of regulation for the medical marijuana business, but later the responsibility was turned over to the Department of Revenue, Phillips said.

Guidelines were formed which defined what a dispensary was, the hours it could operate, and how their product should be stored, amongst others, she said.

To achieve proper regulation, the City held meetings with the medical marijuana industry, which was represented by lawyer Stuart Prall, she said.

“It was a really good collaborative effort from both the industry and the City,” Phillips said.

Around this time, the State began enforcing regulations, she said.

The enforcement of these regulations meant the businesses had to have notified the State, sent in their application for a license, paid all licensing fees, and re-licensed with the city of Durango by Sept. 1, 2010, Phillips said.

In hopes of preventing the medical marijuana licensing process from being too time consuming, it was determined that the license fee would be the same cost as obtaining a liquor license,

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$50, she said.

At this point in time, medical marijuana businesses had to be approved by Durango’s Local Licensing Authority, she said.

The Local Licensing Authority used to be known as the Durango Liquor Licensing Authority, but because of the new state regulation, the City revised its name, Phillips said.

All applications for a medical marijuana license must go through the Local Licensing Authority, however license renewals do not have to go before the Authority, she said.

The process for hiring new employees is taken seriously. A thorough background check is conducted, and if any suspicious activity appears on a person’s record they must appear before the Authority before being considered for hire, she said.

None of this was done when the businesses first came forward; there were no real regulations in place, and the dispensaries could receive a business license.

The reason the licensing process didn’t occur until 2008 and 2009 was due to the Bush administration holding a staunch stance against medical marijuana, Phillips said.

It wasn’t until President Barack Obama took office that medical marijuana businesses could start applying for licenses, she said.

When the first medical marijuana business applications were received many were startled, she said.

“We were kind of blind-sided when we got our first one,” Phillips said.

This year, all of the fees for the licensing process were raised, she said.

The application fees for both a new medical marijuana license and for a transfer of location are $3,000.

The standard renewal application fee is now $2,000, and a background check costs $150 per person.

After evaluating how many hours it took to regulate the medical marijuana business, it was found that taxpayers were losing money, and is the reason for the price increases in applications and other fees, she said.

Durango has eight dispensaries, also called centers, and one optional premise cultivation, also known as a grow operation, she said.

A city ordinance that prohibited grow operations in Durango was created, but because this grow operations was established before the ordinance, it may continue to operate, she said.

The City seems to be accepting of these businesses, although, there have been a few issues, Phillips said.

One of the first dispensaries to receive a license and begin the process of opening their facility was located on 32nd street.

Shortly after the dispensary was set up the new Animas High

School opened up within the same block and wanted the dispensary to move away from the school, Phillips said.

It was later decided that the dispensary was allowed to stay there, she said.

In 2012, however, the federal government came in and made the business move, saying it was too close to the school, she said.

There was one other business that was in the licensing process of being approved, however some association members were against it, she said.

The Colorado Municipal League did a group webinar explaining the rules and guidelines for licensing and code making, she said.

“They said you could adopt your own code and regulations; they could be either more strenuous or less strenuous,” Phillips said.

“So what we did is we took our code, which was our liquor code.”

“We had a council at the time that did not want to be more restrictive on one business than they are on another, so we took the liquor license code,” Phillips said.

Dispensaries must remain 500 feet away from any school, registered day care center, and dedicated parks, she said.

The State calls for a 1,000 foot distance to be recognized, which is why they made the business near Animas High School move, she said.

According to the Durango ordinance dispensaries only need to remain at a 500 foot distance, however, this is due to the fact there haven’t been any new medical marijuana dispensaries open, she said.

The lack of new medical marijuana businesses is because a state moratorium was placed on licensing new medical marijuana businesses from summer of 2010 until the summer of 2012, she said.

Moratoriums temporarily prohibit specific activities determined by local, state, or federal governments, she said.

It was decided that medical marijuana centers were allowed, but grow operations were prohibited, Phillips said.

The city has nine ordinances concerning medical marijuana, she said.

The process of proposing, reading, and then enacting an ordinance is no short process, it consists of four meeting over a two month period, she said.

The process consists of requesting a public hearing, holding a public hearing, reading the ordinance at the hearing and then holding a final hearing to determine if it will pass, Phillips said.

“When the state came down and did their first inspections, they did say that Durango was one of the most regulated and best-run centers,” she said.

A Brief History of Medical Marijuana 200 BC- Medical Cannabis Used in Ancient Greece

Information taken from the Ordinance Laws of the City of Durango, courtesy of City Clerk Amy Phillips

1840s- Marijuana Becomes Mainstream Medicine in the West

1578- Chinese Medical Text Describes Medical Uses for Marijuana

1956- Inclusion of Marijuana in Narcotics Control Act Leads to Stricter Penalties for Marijuana Possession

1911- Massachusetts Becomes First State to Outlaw Cannabis

Nov. 5, 1996- California Becomes First State to Legalize Medical Marijuana

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Students gather around UniTEA’s Coffee house to indulge in celebration of self-expression.

Creative Outlets C

Story by Megan Ripe Photo by Daniel Huppenthal

reative outlets are a way in which people can express themselves, and the community of Durango offers multiple places where creativity can be expressed.

Outlets are infinite, ranging from poetry, music, exercising, and even stretching to cleaning, said Mimi Gates, a counselor at Fort Lewis College.

“Journaling is a big one, I know a lot of students that journal, and it’s a creative outlet because you are really getting in touch with the conscious and unconscious aspects of yourself,” Gates said.

The community of Durango offers many places for expressing creativity, such as the UniTEA House, the Smiley Building, and Studio 10. These places provide an atmosphere where creativity can be showcased.

The UniTEA House is a donation based, volunteer-ran organization located at 666 E College Drive.

The UniTEA House hosts a variety of community events every week, said Brandon Bashers, a regular volunteer at the UniTEA House.

Some of these events include open mic night, hosted every Thursday, ecstatic dance every Friday, and also meditation each Sunday. Local bands are showcased weekly as well, he said.

“It really gives people a space where it’s not too intimidating, everybody can come here,” he said. “It’s really free and open environment.”

People are inherently creative beings by nature and creative outlets help tap into each individual’s purpose, Gates said.

Sharing creativity encourages others to pursue what they

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love to do. The UniTEA House holds volunteer meetings every Wednesday night where anybody can present an idea and schedule it in an open time slot, Brashers said.

Anyone can participate at the UniTEA House, playing the music they would like, reading poetry, or displaying creative talents in other ways as well, Brashers said.

With the constant constraints society and culture has on everyone’s life, creativity allows people to tap into a true self, Gates said.

“The school we have to go to, the job we have to do stifles our creativity, so it’s important to stay connected to that or reconnect with that,” Gates said.

The UniTEA House is a substance free establishment for people who want to participate in a community without feeling the pressures of consuming substances while still feeling accepted, Brashers said.

The community of the UniTEA House are loving and accepting of everyone, and are far from judgmental, he said.

People are often disconnected with personal creative outlets and don’t really know what may hold their interests. With time, patience, and exploration, creative connections can be found, Gates said.

There are many ways to express individuality, such as going to the UniTEA House and simply participating, or standing up in class and sharing personal work, Gates said.

“It’s that process of beginning to reconnect for those that do feel even more disconnected from that creative place,” she said.

Culture today works at a very hyper and aroused pace that can cause stress to accumulate into many health problems such as heart issues, Gates said.

“Creative outlets help to calm the nervous system and allow you to be really able to be present in the moment,” Gates said.

Expression of creativity can help lead people away from stressing over past, present, or future problems and give people the chance to focus in the now, she said.

“It’s an exercise in coming home to ourselves when we‘ve really lost that creative connection,” she said.

When

Academic Slips Become

Academic alls Story by Carter Solomon Graphics by Sarah Zoey Sturm

F

ort Lewis College has created a new system regarding academic standing for all students.

This year FLC implemented a new academic standings system, said Beverly Chew, the chair of the Academic Probation Committee.

This system has three parts: academic warning, probation, and disqualification.

An academic warning is issued when the committee sees that a student’s grades have begun to slip, Chew said.

If a student’s term GPA is below a 2.0 but they have a cumulative GPA above a 2.0, an academic warning is sent out through a generic email, Chew said.

If a student’s cumulative grade drops below a 2.0, that student is placed on academic probation, she said.

When a student is placed on academic probation, seeking help from a professional advisor in the admissions and advising office is often the next step, she said.

The advisor will then examine the student’s GPA to see why he or she is failing, and examine the math behind the GPA and the reasons why the student is struggling, Chew said.

Students have three semesters to bring their cumulative GPA back above a 2.0, Chew said.

If a student is negatively digressing after being put on probation, the student is then disqualified, she said.

“Once you’re on probation, you have to make a semester, or term, GPA above 2.0 every semester while you are hanging out on probation, or you will be disqualified,” she said.

When academically disqualified, a student can no longer pursue classes as a degree-seeking student.

“You have the right to appeal,” Chew said.

The appeal has three parts as well, she said.

Students are sent a special GPA calculator as a part of the appeal, she said.

The calculator estimates what the student’s GPA will look like based on grades from classes which a student is currently enrolled in, Chew said.

Students then look at classes they would take if they were allowed back into academic probation, and submit grades that they believe they could earn in those classes, Chew said.

“That will then show you whether in one additional semester you

can raise your GPA above a 2.0 or not,” she said.

The second part is a statement providing reasons why a student’s grades may have fallen, she said.

Students will explain and provide evidence about why their GPA is suffering in this step, she said.

The third part is providing any documentation supporting the personal statement, she said.

“We are really expecting people to say and have documentation of some unexpected significant event,” she said.

“Once you are dismissed, you have two ways to get yourself back,” Chew said.

Students may attend another college that is willing to accept them, complete a prescribed amount of college work, and pass with at least a 2.4 GPA, she said.

After this step is taken, a student can reapply to FLC, she said.

“We are doing this because, occasionally, we have students who are fairly far into their junior year or even sometimes in the first semester of their senior year who get, or, in the past, got, disqualified,” Chew said. “This is always a problem because there isn’t anywhere they can go to make up their GPA.” Students cannot study courses within their major at another institution if taking classes to boost their GPA, she said.

If a student is academically disqualified, the student does not have to reimburse financial aid money, said Jerry Martinez, the FLC financial aid director.

“Typically what happens is that there is no reimbursement for any funds that they already had,” Martinez said. “It is just a discontinuation of funds in the future.”

Many times, being on academic probation can also place a student on financial aid suspension, said Crystal Fankhauser, the FLC coordinator of degree completion.

There are many on-campus resources designed to assist students in need of bringing up grades.

“You can get tutoring for a lot of the classes that are offered through the tutoring center,” Fankhauser said.

Talking to instructors when under academic pressure is a way to prevent these problems, Chew said.

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Shallow Wallet in Deep Snow Story by Meagan Prins Graphics by Allie Hutto

T

he winter months provide many outlets for student entertainment without breaking the bank.

Skiing and snowboarding are often seen as the priciest winter activities, but many nearby ski and snowboard locations offer local days and student lift tickets with discounts.

Durango Mountain Resort is offering season passes for students at a current rate of $609, with a breakeven point of eight days skiing or riding, said Kim Oyler, the director of communications at DMR, in a phone interview.

For those not purchasing a season pass but have plans to ski at least three to five times this year, there is a 50/50 pass that costs $50, which allows skiers and riders to buy $50 lift tickets throughout the season, Oyler said.

“Purgatory is continuing the Locals Benefit Day program, which includes four dates offering $40 adult lift tickets,” Oyler said.

A portion of the proceeds received on the Locals Benefit days will go to local non-profit organizations, she said.

Wolf Creek Ski Area offers discounted college lift tickets on different days from November through April where any student with college identification can purchase a lift pass for $35, said Elesha Goad, the office supervisor at Wolf Creek, in a phone interview.

Wolf Creek also hosts Local Appreciation days throughout the winter, offering $50 lift tickets which do not require identification, Goad said.

Chapman Hill, located on Florida Road with the top of the hill touching the northeast side of Fort Lewis College, is a closer option for students to ski and snowboard.

Chapman Hill is a good location for students who live on campus, or those who don’t have cars, because students can walk to the top of the hill, spend the day, and then take the lift back up to campus when

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finished, said CJ Fuss, the recreational assistant at Chapman Hill.

Chapman Hill offers a $10 day pass and an $80 season pass, Fuss said.

There are other winter activities available at Chapman as well.

One option is ice-skating, with a fee of $5 Monday through Friday for adults and $6 fee on the weekends, with a $3 skate rental, Fuss said.

The Chapman Hill Ice Rink also hosts an adult coed hockey league that begins Nov. 28 and continues through April. Players may choose their own teams to play along with their expertise level, he said.

Each team pays a fee of $2,300, but this money can be supported by sponsors, which allows players an inexpensive season, he said.

Drop-in hockey passes at the rink are $110 for 20 punches and there are ice-skating punch passes available for $70, Fuss said.

Outdoor Pursuits, an organization on campus with a $40 membership fee provides many opportunities for students who don’t have a lot of extra cash, said Tom Whalen, the OP director.

“We are putting together the winter calendar right now,” Whalen said.

The goal of OP is to provide activities at a reasonable cost, he said.

After winter break, OP will offer an introduction to avalanche training, which includes a Friday night lecture followed by hands on field experience on Saturday for $35, he said.

OP will also provide an avalanche certification, which costs $250, but earns each participant a Level 1 certification for avalanche hazard management with 24 hours of training, Whalen said.

OP day trips usually cost between $10 and $20 and include activities such as cross country skiing, backcountry skiing, and ice climbing, he said.

Any OP member can get into the Nordic Center at DMR for free all year, which would otherwise cost $100 for a membership, he said.

The Nordic Center also offers $15 ski clinics, he said.

Once a member of OP, students can rent a wide variety of outdoor and winter equipment for free, Whalen said.

OP runs in a manner similar to a co-op, Whalen said.

Cross-country skis, snow-shoes, winter camping supplies, alpine touring skis, snowboards, and other items are available to OP members throughout the season, he said.

For students who are not members of OP, other options are available in Durango for affordable winter equipment.

Quality ski and snowboarding equipment is available at affordable pricing at the Humane Society Thrift Shop located off of Camino del Rio, said Kevin Bates, the dock supervisor.

Ski hats and apparel range anywhere from $1 to $8, boots range from $10 to $15, and skis go up to about $45, he said.

The quality of products depends on the brand, but the store has everything from low-end to high-end equipment of all kinds, Bates said.

Dunn Deal Resale Store located on 31st Street and Main Avenue also offers winter and ski gear at affordable prices,

said John Dunn, the owner of the shop.

Dunn Deal sells clothing, hats, gloves, goggles, skis, snowboards, ice skates, and other equipment, Dunn said.

Alpine skis tend to be about $39 or more and crosscountry skis can be purchased for $20 and up. The store also offers college students a 10 percent discount with a student ID, Dunn said.

There are many options for good quality winter equipment with low prices for students, Bates said.

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FLC to Offer Gender Neutral Housing Story by Rachel Giersch Graphics by Michaela Goade Gender neutral housing is being adapted at many colleges and universities across the country, placing Fort Lewis College on a list of schools focused on this option for students.

FLC student housing and conference services will be providing gender neutral housing beginning in Fall 2013.

With gender neutral housing, students are able to request roommates of the opposite sex. More likely, a student will request another student they know, but students who do not have a specific roommate in mind will be accommodated and placed with a roommate who has also expressed interest in living within gender neutral quarters, said Julie Love, the FLC director of housing.

Two main types of gender neutral housing currently exist: one where students are consolidated to specific areas on campus and one where students are not. The former is considered a theme oriented program. By consolidating students of the gender neutral housing option, schools believe more peer support, programmatic initiatives, and directed education within a community can create more camaraderie among the students, Love said.

Providing the option for gender-neutral housing is a way to support students when the traditional, same-sex roommate paradigm doesn’t fit or isn’t appropriate, Love said.

“I think gender-neutral housing could really serve our LGBT and transgendered students, but it could also serve students who just happen to have a best friend from high school who is of the opposite gender,” she said This will be an option available to students applying for housing as admitted freshmen this December and for the returning students applying to live on campus this January, she said.

Because an average of 34 to 36 percent of the school’s population lives on campus every year, and two thirds of these students being freshmen, residential offerings must incorporate a diverse population of students, she said.

The housing industry is changing, and it is responding to students who have made it clear that gender-neutral housing is a way to provide a comfortable and supportive environment for all students, Love said.

“I think this housing option could be attractive to anyone, as the goal of living on campus in college is to be open and inclusive

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of everyone,” said Laura West, a second year resident advisor in Escalante Hall. “It lets you have another housing option, and it is such a positive step.”

There’s no division based on how one identifies their self, West said.

“I look forward to being able to answer students’ questions and help them to determine the best housing option for their specific needs,” said Laura Latimer, the assistant director of FLC’s residence life.

After research was done last spring, the housing department decided not to use a programmatic methodology, and instead, the housing option will be spread out amongst apartments and suites, Latimer said.

“Gender-neutral housing could be in any of the current housing options, such as a suite in the Adventure House or within the faculty in residence Animas housing,” said Love.

According to the Association of College and University Housing Officers – International, a nationwide survey of their members, which includes more than 900 colleges and universities in 21 different countries, revealed that as of last spring, 21 percent of their members were offering some kind of gender-neutral housing option, she said.

“Since the study, I have attended two conferences where it seemed more and more schools were figuring out the logistics of implementing a program,” Love said.

Schools all over the nation, including Dartmouth, University of North Dakota, University of Chicago, Syracuse, University of California at Santa Barbara, and many other colleges and universities, have incorporated the gender-neutral housing option into their housing programs, she said.

“We have students at Fort Lewis who helped make suggestions and be a part of the change, and I think knowing that students were involved here within our own student body makes me proud that we live in a campus that is responsive to its students,” Love said.

Of the schools surveyed, the participation rate is between one and four percent, which is determined by the percentage of students living on campus, Love said.

“Schools have not seen huge surges of popularity, but it has helped us to know what to expect,” she said. “We’re still unsure of what the participation rates could be.”

Indy on the Street What is the worst gift you have ever received?

Shauna Hay 20 Denver A jar of pennies, but it was still pretty cool.

Dylan Ruckel 19 Daytona beach, Fla. I actually received coal once.

Lewis Wittry 21 Denver Socks and underwear.

Tayler Elwell 21 Fort Collins Everything is great, I even like rocks.

Someone you know needs affordable health care.

Birth control • Emergency contraception Well woman exams • STD testing & treatment Planned Parenthood offers women the choice of getting most birth control without a pelvic exam 46 Suttle St 970.247.3002 www.pprm.org

Horoscopes Aquarius (Jan. 20- Feb. 18) – This month you will feel full of strength for yourself and others. Remember not to forfeit promises for personal desires.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 19) – Put trust in your relationships with others and don’t be scared to be vulnerable.

Everything you’ve been craving is finally at your grasp,.

Aries (March 20 – Apr. 20) – Use this time of happiness and contentment to further your understanding of inner self.

Listen to the advice from the people who love and care about you.

Taurus (Apr. 21 - May 21) – Understand that you must give in relationships in order to receive. Separate yourself from the person you once were and decide what you want.

Gemini (May 22 - June 21) – Change is near, but do not fear it. Listen to your instincts and life will lead you through.

Remember to be imaginative in solving problems.

Cancer (June 22 - July 22) – Take some time to yourself this month and leave behind the things keeping you from happiness. Stay strong and remember that peace and silence are near.

Editor’s Note: Indy horoscopes are for entertainment purposes only and are done by students on the Indy staff.

No professional astrologist contributed to this piece.

Leo: (July 23 – Aug. 23) – Remember to look for the good in others and to not always focus on the bad, which also pertains to yourself. Act with confidence and love yourself!

Virgo (Aug. 24 - Sept. 23) – No matter what you do this month, you will enjoy it. Life will feel bliss, but remember everything is good in moderation and balance.

Libra (Sept. 24 – Oct. 23) – Try new things and you will find happiness in work you never imagined doing. Inner change and growth will result and you will be satisfied with reality.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) – Let go of your distrust and be willing to give others a chance. Cut away the things in life that make you unsure of yourself.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23 - Dec. 21) – Love is coming your way, take initiative and get out there. Nothing will happen if you don’t try.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan 19) – When your inner self wants to be greedy, push the feelings away and strive to do good. The people who love you are here for you.

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