Drinking at Clyde’s page 2
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Monday, February 20, 2012 Vol. 36, Iss. 21
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University of Colorado Colorado Springs Weekly Campus Newspaper
Possibility of new tuition hike to significantly affect UCCS Micki Cockrille mcockril@uccs.edu
It is no secret these days that tuition increases exist for college students everywhere, every year. With a continuing recession that has affected the revenue streams of local and state governments, tuition costs must go up in order to make up for education cuts and to properly fund schools. In the case of the CU system, the University of Colorado Boulder’s tuition increased by 9.3 percent last year, while UCCS implemented a less significant 7 percent tuition raise. As the new school year approaches, new tuition hikes are being proposed for both CU-Boulder and UCCS with 15 and 7 percent raises, respectively. But what exactly does the UCCS tuition hike proposal mean for students? Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak elaborated on the tuition hikes and explained that the decisions are not final, as they must pass through the Board of Regents. “These proposals are altered significantly,” said Shockley-Zalabak. “There is great discussion involved
in these processes.” Coinciding with last year’s tuition hike, a salary pool was created to give faculty and staff members pay raises. Shockley-Zalabak defended the salary pool. “It is absolutely true that faculties’ and administrators’ [income] are at a lower income than our peers,” the Chancellor explained. “It’s also true that of all our peer groups, we have least amount of funding. This places a higher burden on tuition and that’s just a mathematical reality.” Shockley-Zalabak continued to give details about what exactly the proposal would cover. “Tuition hike covers inflation,” she said, “and if you don’t pay your utility bill, that’s a problem. We have a huge utility bill that has gone up, healthcare costs have gone up and insurance costs have gone up. Four percent [of the hike] covers that.” “The other piece is to cover an 8 percent cut from the state budget: the governor’s budget proposal,” Shockley-Zalabak continued. “As for the question regarding what percentage of the budget went to these raises, it was 1.38 percent.”
Photo by Isaiah Branch-Boyle
Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak explains intricacies of the budget in her office. Last year’s tuition increase netted the CU system approximately $36 million in additional revenue, with $11.8 million of that money or about 33 percent set aside for the faculty and staff salary pool. “The reality is that faculty and staff deserve
raises,” she went on to say. “They have not had raises in three years.” The salary pool funded a $24,878 (or 10 percent) raise for Chancellor Shockley-Zalabak. Other chancellors within the CU system received comparable increases, in the range of 6 to 14 percent.
higher than in-state tuition and 60 percent lower than out-of-state tuition. A student may qualify for standard-rate tuition so long as the student has completed the last three years of high school education in Colorado and received a diploma or GED. The student must also provide the university with information stating that they are in the process of obtaining legal citizenship, and the student is not eligible for federal financial aid. The implications of such a bill go beyond the ethics of it, for whether
morally opposed to the bill or not, it is predicted to be a significant source of revenue for universities. UCCS graduating senior Melody Klema agreed with the Regents, expressing that undocumented students are not going anywhere; “most have lived here their entire lives…and they are going to need a degree to find a good job.” She added that, “as a country, we should want more people that are living here to go to college,” and furthermore, they are contributing more to society, “through going to
Meanwhile, the possible raises for lower-ranked faculty and staff members are capped at just 3 percent. The total amount depends on their individual performance reviews, where a positive review would result in a maximum of a 3 percent increase. Regardless of where the funds go, students are still affected by the tuition hike. Darcy Wallace-Judy, sophomore in geography, is a typical example of a student facing these increases. “I’m going to get a job but I’ll have to increase my financial aid, and it’s especially hard for those who pay out of state tuition,” Judy said. Mark Alcantara, a freshman in mechanical engineering, has a similar story. “I pay for my own things right now, but next year I’ll be getting a job,” he said. Both students, however, have somewhat similar opinions. “I support the proposal if it helps the faculty,” said Judy. “If it doesn’t really do that, then it’s bull.” “I think they’re doing it for a good reason,” said Mark. “I don’t want to assume it’s bad just because it’s a tuition hike.”
Chancellor Shockley -Zalabak upholds that she is aware of the students’ concerns. “We do believe our students are stretched thin,” she explained. “Are we trying to help? Yes. The university budget advisory committee is talking about how we can increase financial aid to make it as neutral as possible for students.” The Chancellor clarified that the committee does have to model it into the budget for next year, which cannot be completed until the long bill shows an “absolute, bottom line cut.” “We have to figure out exactly how much it would be – about 1.5 million dollars – and look up projections for inflation,” she said. “There have been proposals and public discussions of tuition hikes, but there never is one until regents vote on them.” Students and everyone involved in paying tuition should mark April on their calendars when the vote for the tuition hike will occur. “There’s a meeting in March and after that we’ll have a firm agenda for April when we know what the state tax cut is,” she said. S
CU supports lower tuition for undocumented students Lucas Hampton
lhampton@uccs.edu The CU Board of Regents voted Feb. 1 to support Senate Bill 15, a bill that would create a third tuition rate for undocumented students who attend high school in Colorado. As it stands, tuition rates are either in-state or out-of-state, but if this bill passes, there would be a third level of tuition rates for undocumented students called the “standard rate.” The CU Board of Regents consists of nine
Inside this
Issue
members – five republicans and four democrats. The decision to support the bill came down to the last vote, with Republican Tillman Bishop tipping the scale as he sided with the democrats to pass the bill. Kyle Hybl, the representative of the 5th Congressional District, including Colorado Springs, voted not to support the bill. Colorado Senate Bill 15 “requires an institution of higher education to classify a student [pending certain qualifications] as a standard-rate student.” The standard rate is approximately 20 percent
Photo by Ariel Lattimore
Senior Melody Klema supports lower tuition for undocumented students. college than staying at home living with remedial jobs.” Colorado Senate Bill 15 has passed through
two sessions of the senate with just one remaining before it moves on to the house; this last session is scheduled for Feb. 20. S
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opinion
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Dorm Conservation Contest page 3
Vagina Monologues page 4
Dueling Opinion: PP vs. Komen page 9
Hockey or Football? page 11
News
Page 2
February 20, 2012
Price unveils the war against superbugs at Cafe Scientifique Aaron Collett acollett@uccs.edu
tant professor at the CU School of Medicine in Denver. The title of her
discussion is “Super bugs vs. super drugs: the ongoing arms race between
bacteria and humans.” Price’s focus will be on multi-drug resistant bacteria. “Bacteria are getting The ideal environment smarter, and we don’t of scientific discovery is have any weapons to a free exchange of ideas, combat them,” she said. untroubled by messy polPrice also hopes that itics and unsympathetic there will be discussion of bureaucracies. Regardless alternative viewpoints – of whether the discipline especially the viewpoint spoken of is medicine or that antibiotic-resistant physics, science thrives bacteria are not nearly as in an open forum. bad as the medical comCafé Scientifique first munity suggests. started about seven years She will also touch on ago. Thomas Huber, a some practical preventaprofessor in the geogrative tips. “It’s mostly stuff phy and environmental we learned in kindergarstudies department, origiten,” she said. “Don’t nally started the informal spit on your friend, wash gatherings at downtown your hands.” restaurants for several She recommends years. good, common sense The meetings had to practices – washing your take a hiatus two years hands before eating food ago, but returned last and after going to the year when the college ofrestroom, not sharing fered the use of Clyde’s towels and taking good as a gathering place. The care of your skin. Those event now draws an averare all things that can beage audience of about 35 come vectors for bacteria people. to develop an infection. This month’s guest Photo by Robert Solis Price’s prognosis for lecturer is Connie Savor Price, an infectious dis- Teresa Brooks examines some bacteria in her Biology this issue can be seen as grim. “Bacteria have ease specialist and assis- lab.
been around a long time,” she said. “They double in number every 20 minutes, when conditions are happy.” In contrast, the average lifespan of a human being in the United States is about 78 years. Genetic mutations occurring within each new generation can spawn whole new strains of bacteria that can potentially become resistant to antibiotics. “They’re going to adapt faster than we ever could,” she added. All is not lost, however. While bacteria have generational evolution on their side, humanity is not without its weapons. “We have technology on our side,” Price said. Price was very clear about what would be needed to solve this problem: “A lot of solutions involve working together,” she said. This is not just Americans – antibiotic-resistant bacteria are a global problem. But not everyone wants to get on board.
“There are not a lot of incentives for pharmaceutical companies,” she explained.
Kaitlin Nelson knelson6@uccs.edu
safe as well. Voorhees has also increased the staff to help alleviate some concerns. “The idea is the more eyes watching, the better,” she said. “It’s just a matter of being vigilant and the clientele knowing what the boundaries are and how Clyde’s differs from Joe’s bar down the street.” For most students, this is understood. “I go to Erin Inn, Dublin House, clubs, places in
Denver,” Emily Hecker, a senior in biology, said. “Clyde’s is a lot more chill. I don’t expect to go to Clyde’s to go wild and crazy. All the other places, you never know what you’re going to see.” When she heard there may have been issues at Clyde’s, she was surprised. “I would not expect that at all,” said Hecker. So far, Clyde’s has not suffered or lost business due to the disruptions. S
“It’s everywhere in the world, some places more than others,” Price said. She has even run into some of these superbugs herself.
“Especially in the military population and wounded warriors,” she said. “I have to use older antibiotics that are more toxic.”
The next Café Scientifique is scheduled for Feb. 21 and will be held in Clyde’s. The event will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. There is no charge, though students are expected to pay for their own meal and beverages. Free parking will be provided in lots 3 and 4 for this event from 5:30 to 9 p.m. In the UCCS Communique, Huber recommends arriving early so that students will not struggle to find a seat, as the available space is somewhat limited. S
Drinking problems at Clyde’s are not as bad as rumored Clyde’s, the popular restaurant, bar and hangout in the first floor of the
University Center, is usually characterized by its fun, relaxing atmosphere. Recently, however, the staff has had a few problems with some rowdy patrons. “The incidents have increased in frequency over the last few semesters, and they are nothing any other bar or lounge that sells alcohol doesn’t have to deal with,” said Jen Voorhees, manager at Clyde’s. “I think it’s the fact that we have now been open for over a year and people are testing the boundaries of what they can and cannot get away with.” None of the problems have resulted in injuries, so Public Safety’s involvement has been minimal. When they have come in, it has always been due to a patron that was already drinking before entering Clyde’s. In these Photo by Isaiah Branch-Boyle cases, according to Abbie Lewis, a Clyde’s employee, pours a beer. On Lewis’ Voorhees, the bigfirst day at Clyde’s, she had to call Public Safety to remove a gest issue is simply man who was intoxicated and yelling at the television. Lewis someone trying to understands that people come to Clyde’s to drink, but says, drink too much in too “It is not the appropriate place to get drunk.” small of a time frame.
As with many bars and restaurants that serve alcohol, most issues are minor, revolving around having proper identification. Colorado law does state that anyone wishing to buy or consume alcohol at this kind of establishment is required to have a valid ID. Contrary to rumors that college restaurants and bars are more lenient about IDs, Clyde’s is strict on the practice. “We offer alcoholic beverages to only those patrons that are of age, with proper ID, and want to utilize the pub in a responsible and respectful way,” said Voorheers. “Anyone without proper ID – even if it just expired yesterday – or anyone that brings their own alcohol in will not be served.” Even with these precautionary measures, all of Clyde’s staff is prepared to handle any potential challenges. Voorhees has made sure that all staff members have the necessary training, such as alcohol safety classes. Additionally, the Office of Student Activities has trained its own staff, so that events they put on at Clyde’s are
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Correction:
In Campus Chatter on Feb. 6, we directed students interested in studying abroad to The International Student Services Offices in Main Hall 322. The International Student Services Office is in Main Hall 108 and is for international students coming to UCCS. Those interested in studying abroad should go to The Center for Global Education in Main Hall 322.
News
February 20, 2012
Page 3
Anthropological perspective sheds new light on Occupy Wall Street Lucas Hampton
lhampton@uccs.edu While many college courses create excitement and valuable information and experience for students, one course has created the opportunity for students to present a research paper at a national conference and to write a book. Anthropology Professor Linda Watts and a team of six of her students began a project in Anthropology 3500, Ethnographic Methods and Theory, that examines unemployment through many different lenses. The project has now yielded a research article accepted for presentation at the Society for Applied Anthropology, a prestigious conference for the social and behavioral sciences taking place in Baltimore at the end of March 2012. After the conference, the group intends to start writing the book, titled “New Hope for American Dreamers: Prolonged Unemployment as a Call in the Dark for Cultural Renewal.” Both of the projects stem from work done during the course, when
Photo by Alex Gradisher
Lindsey Raymond reviews transcripts from interviews the group has conducted as part of their research. the group conducted interviews with dozens of unemployed people at the Pikes Peak Work Force Center. According to Watts, one of the lenses used to explore unemployment included what are called rites of passage – life stages that all individuals in society pass through, such as adolescence, adulthood, marriage and death. Viewing unemployment in these terms inspired the team to focus their research on themes relating
to rites of passage, such as an individual’s history of unemployment, the effects on his or her health, possible patterns of substance abuse and the methods by which the individual either escaped unemployment or remained unemployed. “The interviews included demographic background and open-ended qualitative questions,” explained Watts; the results were then loaded into a program that isolates specific responses and the frequency at which they oc-
cur, enabling quantitative analysis of the data. As Watts and her students analyzed the data, they began to see response patterns suggestive of traditional rites of passage, stages such as periods of rest and unrest, crises, revitalization and returns to rest. UCCS senior John Palka, a student attending the Baltimore conference with Watts, said of the project, “We saw several fascinating things; many respondents were clearly stuck
in a liminal stage after a prolonged period of unemployment.” In societal terms, individuals who become unemployed are thrown into a state of crisis, entering what Watts calls a “liminal stage,” or an intermediate stage between two different states of being. Responses that indicated a feeling of misplacement or exile from or within a society led to their classification as being in a liminal stage. During unemployment,
“individuals are thrown into a state of despair… What we found was that people lost hope immediately,” said Watts, noting that, “after about 12 months of unemployment, people either became more hopeful, or they dropped out completely – they gave up – but some people maintained a middle ground.” While the team was conducting its research, the Occupy Wall Street movement began to form, and the team “wasn’t surprised by it. We can fit it into the theory nicely,” said Watts, who noted, “Society is experiencing the problem of structural unemployment, job loss that will not be replaced, [and as a result] people are calling for renewal. If we hold onto the old values of self-reliance and individualism, then those locked out of the system will bear the brunt of social stigma.” She noted that some members of society are labeling the unemployed as “lazy” and asking them, “why can’t you get a job? So rather than lay that trip on them, [the research team is] looking toward more positive values … [so we can help the unemployed] regain a sense of identity.” S
CoPIRG students to sponsor dorm conservation contest Aaron Collett acollett@uccs.edu
The UCCS dorms are in a race. Specifically, they are in a Race to a Gigawatt. Campus Conservation Nationals, or CCN, are hosting their second annual Race to a Gigawatt event. It is a national competition between colleges. CCN hopes to raise awareness of conservation and lower the total usage of colleges across the nation. “Gigawatt” refers to a gigawatt-hour, a measurement of energy usage. According to Katie McCormack, the campus organizer, lowering usage by one gigawatt-hour would be the same as shutting down a coal-burning power plant for four hours. Colorado Public Interest Group, or CoPIRG, is a registered club on campus that has been working
to get UCCS involved in the CCN competition. Originally, CoPIRG had wanted the competition to be between the individual dorm buildings. However, the design of the meters on campus makes this unfeasible. Instead, the organizers are working with Colorado College to set up a competition with them. McCormack said, “They’re competing a week earlier, but they are totally on-board.” For our college, the competition begins on Feb. 27, and will run until March 19. During the course of the event, measurements of dorm energy and water usage will be taken regularly. These will be reported to CCN. Anyone who is interested will be able to track UCCS’ progress on CCN’s website (competetoreduce.org). McCormack wanted students to form habits
from this event. “We want them to make long-lasting changes,” she said. To this end, COPIRG is working on getting supplies to assist students in their conservation needs. They will be giving out low-energy light bulbs, commonly known as CFLs, as well as power strips. McCormack said, “Power strips are great for students; they have a ton of electronics that suck electricity if you leave them plugged in, but you don’t have them [switched] on, necessarily.” The beauty of power strips is that you can plug all of your electronics into the strip, and turn off the whole strip, saving the electricity from those electronics. COPIRG is hosting a kickoff event in the Upper Lodge starting at 6 p.m. on Feb. 27. McCormack is working with the Residence Hall Association, as well as the dorms’ RAs, to make the kickoff event
worth going to. “We are working on trying they’re doing well.” She said, “It’s going to get some cool prizes for “The prize is kind of to be Mardi Gras themed; students. We’re probably abstract,” she added, rewe’re just going to try to going to design some cool ferring to the carbon emisget all the dorm residence, V-necks and crew-neck T- sions that the competition have a party, get them mo- shirts that they can win if aims to reduce. S tivated.” Carlos Rincon, one of COPIRG’s members, added, “It’s our main goal, to motivate, want them to want to do the challenge.” Though this event is a competition, CCN is not offering any prizes for winning. However, CoPIRG is Planned Parenthood provides affordable & confidential working on health services including family planning, emergency getting prizcontraception, & STD testing & treatment. es to give out 3958 N. Academy Blvd. #108 | 719.573.8880 to students. 3480 Centennial Blvd. | 719.475.7162 McCormack said, www.pprm.org
Someone you know wants to protect themself.
Culture
Page 4
February 20, 2012
Annual ‘Vagina Monologues’ gets updated for 2012 show Kaitlin Nelson knelson6@uccs.edu
Since 1996, it’s been performed on stages on Broadway, off-Broadway, on college campuses, high school auditoriums and everywhere in between. Monologues have been delivered by Melissa Etheridge, Whoopi Goldberg and countless girlsnext-door. “The Vagina Monologues” has become an institution for women, and more recently, for UCCS. When asked about it, psychology freshman Brittany Martin giggled. “I don’t know. Kind of
The Lowdown What: The Vagina Monologues When: Feb. 23, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Where: Upper Lodge How much: $10 What else: Free parking in lots 6 and 7
weird,” she said. Melanie Strescino, a sophomore in the same major, has a similar take. “It’s probably funny.” This is many students’ first reaction when hearing about the upcoming play. There is more than meets the eye about this performance, however. The show, written by Eve Ensler and staged internationally, focuses on a wide range of women’s issues, flowing back and forth between vignettes that range from humorous and relatable to sobering and edgy. “The Vagina Monologues” is an annual piece for UCCS, and visual arts and performing senior Chris Medina will be back to direct the show for a second year, despite the fact that he’s male. “If I can direct 10, or 12, or 16, or 18 women, and I survive, I can do anything,” he said. When Medina became involved three years ago, he immediately connected to the play. He said, “I was very interested in the cause, and I am very fascinated by the aspect of the activism and the theatricality of it mixed together. That’s kind of where it started.” Although happy with
the production in 2011, monologue. This year’s great.” great, because something Medina and his cast of 11 addition focuses on PortEven better, in Me- like V-Day, which is an women plan to add a few au-Prince and the Women dina’s mind, is the cause organization that’s utinew aspects to the 2012 and Children of Haiti. behind the Monologues. lized all over the world, show. “I think that’s probably Proceeds from the show they ask for 10 percent of “This year it’s going to the most interesting piece will benefit TESSA and what you raise.” organizations “For 90 percent of be a little more theatrical because you can do any V-Day, devoted to stopping dosomething that you do, in than it was last year. Last play all the time, but in year it was minimal, we order to keep it fresh and mestic violence against any aspect, to be able to did it in the gallery. I kind keep it relevant? She’s women and children in go directly into your comof set it up so it was almost able to focus on some- Colorado Springs and munity is awesome,” said Medina. “This year, we’re a cabaret feel, there were thing that’s happening in across the world. trying to raise $10,000.” “We are pretty much chairs and small tables the world. It may be ConThere will be a silent everywhere,” he said. go or Haiti, or women in promising what we raise “This year it’s going Darfur, or Middle Eastern to go to TESSA. That’s auction after the last show women – anything. It’s something that’s really to help reach this goal. S to be more of a nightclublike lounge feeling. The girls are going to be assuming roles that would be for a ladies night or girls night out. I’m trying some stuff this year that I’ve never tried before, so I’m nervous, slash excited, slash very interested to see what happens.” Each year, the author of the play Photo by Ariel Lattimore adds a new The cast of this year’s Vagina Monologues practicing at the director’s house for their show. spotlight
Culture
February 20, 2012
Page 5
Creators of ‘Lost’ set sail for a new island in ‘Alcatraz’ Lucas Hampton
lhampton@uccs.edu Rating:
Producer J.J. Abrams teams up with several writers from his TV series “Lost” to create “Alcatraz,” a new FOX television series that premiered mid-January of this year. The series is exactly what one would expect if “Lost” had drunkenly stumbled into the wrong room of his seedy apartment complex only to find a depressed and overweight “Law and Order” droning on about her bygone success, which isn’t to say it’s a bad thing. The plot begins as the remaining inmates of Alcatraz prison are being transported when the prison shuts down in 1963. The conflict arises as a conspiracy is revealed
– the inmates were never actually transported off, they all disappeared. The story then takes us to present day. A team consisting of a lucrative corporate backer, played by the familiar face of “Jurassic Park’s” Sam Neill; a young, street savvy cop, played by Sarah Jones; and a witty prison expert, played by “Lost’s” Jorge Garcia, search for the suddenly reappearing Alcatraz inmates. Presented in the framework of “Law and Order”esque unraveling of clues and soaked with character development reminiscent of “Lost,” “Alcatraz” appears to be checking all of the boxes of traditionally successful elements. Providing its viewers with a healthy dose of detective thrills, crime fighting action and highly rich and implausible back-stories of the char-
Colorado Springs’
Best Kept Secrets
acters involved, the series looks brilliant on paper; unfortunately, only about half of its attractiveness makes it to the screen. The writers pained to chalk each episode full of character development, and in the process, they have failed at creating one fully relatable character. Several moments expect a real emotional investment to the characters, which, either due to the young age of the series or overzealous writers, simply hasn’t been made possible; the result is a failed attempt at dramatic action. Producer J.J. Abrams assured his audience that “Alcatraz” would not require such a heavy investment, as was the case with “Lost.” He stated that “the show could not be more different” and that it “will be infinitely easier to come into after it has
Image courtesy of fox.com
“Alcatraz” the new FOX series, proves to entertain, but only for avid fans. begun,” which potentially gives new viewers reason to be thankful. The series is seven episodes in with only episodes 3 through 7 available online. “Alcatraz” is not without hope; its premiere night brought in almost 10 million viewers – overtaking “The Bach-
elor” for the number two most watched television show. Yet, since its premiere, the series brought in only about 6 million viewers – dropping its rank down to eighth, causing speculation that its days may be numbered. Perhaps the series is
more akin to “Lost” than Abrams thinks; the plot may be easier to pick up, but actually caring about the show does require a heavy investment, and therein lays the hope. The series will entertain, but only if one is dedicated to staying in every Saturday night. S
Freaky’s Gift Tattoo & Body Piercing
Freaky’s is the go-to boutique for everything outlandish Aaron Collett acollett@uccs.edu
Freaky’s, a smoking accessories and tattoo store, is a perfect example of its namesake’s definition: a seemingly pointless idea or turn of the mind.
The store was first opened in Denver in 1992. Over the past 20 years, Freaky’s has expanded, and it now includes four stores in Denver and two stores in Colorado Springs. Specializing in fringe items, the store carries things like swords, hoo-
kahs and specialty tobaccos. As Moe Johnson, a store manager said, “We have items that are not everyday items.” Johnson said, “We have smoking accessories up the wazoo.” And indeed, the store does. Along one entire wall is a glass display case
with nothing inside but pipes and hookahs of all shapes, sizes and colors. It also offers specialty tobaccos. According to Johnson, hookah tobacco is one of the store’s number one sellers. “It’s honey based; it’s soaked in honey,” he said. Along with fringe
Photo by Isaiah Branch-Boyle
Jay Karpan-Lowman, an empoyee of Freaky’s, displays some of the unusual piercings available in the store on Brookwood Drive, off North Academy.
items, Freaky’s also offers tattoos and piercings – and with safety in mind, the shop is certified by the Department of Public Health as well. Johnson said that all employees were also required to take a blood-borne pathogen class. Because Freaky’s sells so many items that have become associated with illegal activities, staff is very careful about any discussion of illegal activities. There is a sign clearly posted on the sales counter that says, “If you make reference to anything illegal you will be asked to leave.” Despite this dire warning, Johnson says that he doesn’t have to ask very many people to leave. “Being established for 20 years, people know what we’re about,” he said. Freaky’s also sells Montana spray paints. Johnson said, “It’s really popular with graffiti artists and canvas artists.” Graffiti is not illegal on its own. According to graffiti.org, graffiti can be considered an art form just the same as Picasso’s and Monet’s pictures are
art. The difference primarily is permission – the art style is perfectly legal. If you paint on someone else’s property without their permission, it’s vandalism, no matter what art style you’re using. The store also does quite a bit of business with the UCCS community. “We get a lot of UCCS kids for hookah tobacco,” said Jay Karpan-Lowman, an employee. “Hookah and piercings are really popular with the UCCS kids,” added Johnson. S
The Lowdown What: Freaky’s When: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, Noon-6 p.m. Where: 1714 Brookwood Dr. and 308 E. Platte Ave. More Info: freakys.com
Culture
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Club
February 20, 2012
Spotlight
UCCS Dance Club adapts passion to fundraising Sara Horton shorton@uccs.edu
While the Rec Center is winding down on a Thursday evening, the UCCS Dance Club is just beginning to warm up for its second weekly rehearsal. Members stretch while Flo Rida’s “Good Feeling” streams from the aerobic room speakers, and they discuss registering for Relay for Life. Although they will participate in the event, the club’s 16 members have also started their own fundraiser: selling $15 Tshirts to raise money for a dancer’s mother who has cancer. Captain Alyssa Markle, a business major, and Cocaptain Britney Nunes, a health science major, both wear the shirts as they practice routines; they have
“DTF” printed on the front and “Dance Team Fan” on the back. Markle said the club officers collectively decided to sell the shirts, which may be purchased by emailing her at amarkle@uccs.edu. “We want to do Relay for Life as well as raise money for this family because it is important to remember we aren’t all as fortunate with our health and in life,” she said. “But those of us who are in a place to help, should.” Markle and Nunes agreed the club enjoys a family atmosphere, which is evidenced in how the girls talk and laugh among one another between routines. This is a contrast to last year, which Nunes notes was “a lot less friendly.” They described the members as an “awesome group of girls” who hang out together outside of class and
rehearsals. Both juniors, Markle and Nunes danced in studios together before they joined the UCCS Dance Club last year. Markle and Nunes respectively teach at Turning Pointe Dance and the Springs City Ballet, experience they adapt to club rehearsals and members with varying dance experience. The club prefers jazz style techniques and dances to up-tempo songs such as Alexandra Stan’s “Mr. Saxobeat” and “Dirty Dancer” by Enrique Iglesias. While Nunes said the club didn’t have a favorite music genre, she added, “I think this year we’re just trying to find stuff that occurs mainstream.” To join the UCCS Dance Club, students must demonstrate their skills during an all-day audition held every September.
Markle said no new dancers are being accepted at this time because of how far along the team has already progressed with its routines. However, students interested in joining are welcome to be spectators until they have an opportunity to participate in the next round of auditions. The UCCS Dance Club performed at Blackout Night on Feb. 4, and its next performance is scheduled for Feb. 25, when the UCCS men’s and women’s basketball teams will play Colorado School of Mines. “I think the one on Feb. 25, we want to incorporate a lot more style,” she said, adding it is “a lot harder” for the club to learn. As the club practiced and modified moves late into the night, each dancer appeared willing to embrace the challenge. S
Photo by Alex Gradisher
The dance team aims to fundraise for Relay for Life.
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Opinion
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Editorial
Chancellor works hard; so do the rest Lately, there’s been a lot of chatter on campus regarding what many students usually regard as a pretty dull topic: our budget. CU-Boulder just announced that they’ll need to hike their in-state tuition by a whopping 15.7 percent next year. The main reason for the jump is simple: Funding for higher education from the state government has been on a steady decline. Since individual income taxes account for 65 percent of our state’s budget, the Great Recession creates a double-whammy: Less income tax goes to the state because there’s less money going around across the board. Last year, UCCS tuition went up by about 7 percent, one of the lowest of all four-year public universities in the state. Although figures haven’t been officially released for the next academic year, several vice-chancellors indicated they expect that 7 percent figure again this year - less than half the jump at Boulder.
This amazing fact is a real credit to our skilled administrators who have endeavored to reduce our costs and increase enrollment while raising other, more non-traditional sources of revenue. The huge increase in conferences and weddings over the past several years is a great example of our entrepreneurship: Why let our conference rooms and dormitories sit empty over the summer when we could be making money off of them? But even just a 7 percent increase is 7 percent more than we’d like, and with tuition going up year-after-year with no end in sight, is it only a matter of time before our public universities become private ones? Part of last year’s increase went to fund a special salary pool voted in place by the CU Regents to give professional staff and faculty members up to 3 percent raises based on their performance reviews, as well as onetime bonuses for classified staff members.
This was a great idea because salaries had been frozen for years to help cut costs while we waited to crawl out of the recession. Most everyone agrees that a small raise right now is a “good thing.” The controversy lies in the raises that were given to our top administrators - particularly the chancellors and vice-chancellors. In most cases, their salaries went up way more than 3 percent. Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak, for example, saw her salary jump by $24,878 or 10 percent. “I’ve got to pay for good people,” CU President Bruce Benson told the Boulder Daily Camera last month. This is absolutely true - but if Benson truthfully agreed with that statement, why were the chancellors’ raises so disproportionately larger than the rest of their employees? During a time when many students our age are sympathetic to the Oc-
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cupy Wall Street movements and are appalled by growing income disparities, we think the CU system has taken a pretty bold risk here. We’re not trying to argue that Chancellor Shockley-Zalabak didn’t deserve her $24,878 raise. She’s a shrewd, hard-working, accomplished leader at this campus, and someone that we can all really look up to. But there are many other hard-working, accomplished people on this campus who deserve to share in her credit for helping this campus to grow and thrive as much as it has. In the next couple of months, our Board of Regents will be asked to raise tuition at all four CU campuses again, and they’ll be asked to approve another salary pool to fund raises. It is our hope that the Board will look a little more closely at the budgets and study their full implications before casting their votes. S - Scribe Editorial Board
February 20, 2012
Letter to the Editor
Only in a health care information-free world would someone think Mr. Collett’s advice sound. The National Institute of Health (NIH) website lists the risk factors for cervical cancer: having sex at an early age, multiple sexual partners, sexual partners who have multiple partners or who participate in high-risk sexual activities, etc. The Susan G. Komen for the Cure web site reports use of birth control pills slightly increases the risk of breast cancer. The EHealth web site reports effectively using condoms may prevent some STDs, while it only reduces the risks of catching other STDs. Translation: The federal government is downplaying the actual probabilities of catching an STD even while using a condom. Assume a condom protects you 97 percent of the time. Then, with repeated sexual relations with an infected partner, the probability of infection increases. The formula ‘1 – (Probability of Protection) to the power of the number of sexual encounters = the risk of infection’ demonstrates that risk. If a person has sexual
relations with an infected partner 25 times, then 1 – (0.97) raised to the 25th power is the risk of infection. Probability of infection is 0.467 or 46.7 percent. NIH studied cancer in nuns compared with U.S. women in general, and found dramatically lower cervical cancer rates. The Catholic Bishops are concerned about women’s health urging males/ females to refrain from sex outside of marriage, to wait for marriage before having sex, and for women to only have sex with their husband. The Catholic Bishops base their concern based not only on Bible teachings, but on sound science! Oh, yeah, and with regard to abstinence – how many times have you been so angry you wanted to smack someone around? Did you do so, or did more intelligent reflection tell you that following through with your “natural impulses” might have some pretty unpleasant consequences for you – and you abstained? Regards, Richard Allen rallen@uccs.edu
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Opinion
February 20, 2012
Page 9
I challenge you . . . to a duel!
The Susan G. Komen Foundation, which is dedicated to fighting breast cancer, experienced a wave of public outcry when they cut their funding from Planned Parenthood. Is Komen justified in cutting funding from the organization that supports family planning and women’s health? These two Scribe reporters share their feelings on the controversial topic. Photo by Alex Gradisher
Paying for women’s health? Flip-flopping doesn’t help Jesse Byrnes jbyrnes@uccs.edu
Randy Robinson, rrobinso@uccs.edu
From Chick-fil-A to Starbucks, Microsoft to Target, Americans like public protests over companies and organization’s political inclinations, with the most recent example involving Planned Parenthood and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Komen – synonymous with pink ribbons and breast cancer awareness – cut ties to controversial Planned Parenthood, but after a wave of emotional outcry, decided to reinstate their grants. Komen was entirely justified in cutting ties with Planned Parenthood, and should do so again based on Planned Parenthood’s ineffectiveness in tackling breast cancer. First, let’s be clear that private organizations can donate to whomever they would like and that individuals have the right to refuse funds to any organization with whom they disagree. That said, Komen was donating $700,000 to Planned Parenthood out of its $1 billion fund, and was only responsible for a fraction of Planned Parenthood’s total funding. Komen defunded 19 Planned Parenthood clinics that failed to meet a certain criteria on effectively treating breast cancer. As Live Action points out, Planned Parenthood admits it refers patients for mammograms since they don’t offer them. Komen wanted to take out the middle man and give directly to the clinics that do offer mammograms. While Planned Parenthood has more services than just abortion, they remain the largest abortion provider in the nation, performing 329,445 abortions in 2011. They claim abortion accounts for only 3 percent of their services, but their abortion income in 2010 accounted for more than 50 percent of their total clinic income, with the number of prenatal clients and adoption referrals dropping. Opponents of the Komen-PP separation said that the money was going toward breast exams, not abortions. Unfortunately, money is fungible, meaning that it frees up other money to be used for other services, including abortions. What neither side will admit is that abortion is the leading preventable cause of breast cancer. According to Louise A. Brinton and others in the Cancer Epidemiology journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, among seven risk factors, abortion is the “best predictor of breast cancer.” Though there is no scientific consensus for the abortion-breast cancer link, the 2009 peer-reviewed report demonstrates recent research in the topic and a shift in perspective: Brinton was the lead researcher for the government-funded National Cancer Institute that originally denied the abortion-breast cancer link. When the news broke that Komen was cutting ties with Planned Parenthood, many claimed it was a politically-driven decision and that anti-abortion activists had bullied the organization. As if making a choice to no longer support Komen was NOT politically driven? If anti-abortionists “bullied” Komen, what should it be called when pro-choicers publicly decry the organization, curse its leaders and vow to never financially support it until it agrees with their political views? While Komen was justified in cutting funds based on Planned Parenthood’s ineffectiveness in diagnosing and treating breast cancer, it would have also been justified in cutting funds due to the simple fact that the money was able to be used for abortions – something not in Komen for the Cure’s mission – which may aggravate the breast cancer problem. If the thousands of Americans that had publicly dissed Komen over the Planned Parenthood controversy were really worried about women’s health, they should stop donating to the inefficient and problem-provoking Planned Parenthood and instead look at tackling another possible cause of breast cancer – abortion. For Komen, the controversy was over private funds, but the situation serves as a good litmus test for the broader debate over using taxpayer money to fund Planned Parenthood. Mob rule aside, if a private organization in the free market is unable to justify supporting an inefficient, problem-provoking organization, why should the federal government? S
The Susan G. Komen Foundation’s reversal to cut funding to Planned Parenthood is just a tiny part of the story for a massive struggle in America. While our media and politicians have you distracted about reproduction rights, there are much deeper cultural and institutional problems buried by the abortion debate. A couple of weeks ago, Karen Handel, the former vice president of public relations for Komen, initially announced that Komen would not lend Planned Parenthood its annual $700,000 grant. The reason: Planned Parenthood was being audited, and a new rule (drafted by Handel herself) prevents Komen from giving donations to any organization under federal investigation. Now, the audit for Planned Parenthood is a yearly occurrence; it’s nothing new or scandalous, despite what Cliff Stearns (R-Florida) claims. Stearns, who vowed to cut all federal funding to Planned Parenthood, has spent much of his political career restricting Americans’ access to health care services, all the while claiming he is fighting against Planned Parenthood to save lives. Stearns voted for bills that added new and unnecessary requirements for older citizens to qualify for Medicare or Medicaid. He approved other bills that increased prices for prescriptions that are already over-priced. On top of this, Stearns also voted against the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which would require tobacco companies to disclose complete information regarding the harmful chemicals in their tobacco products. He also voted against the FDA Food Safety and Modernization Act, which increased safety standards for our nation’s food production. For Stearns, life apparently needs less federal protection after a person is born. Although Stearns gets a large amount of his campaign funding from pharmaceutical lobbies, his major financiers are TV and telecommunications companies - which makes me wonder if his political posturing against Planned Parenthood is more about increasing news ratings and less about preserving life. The strange double-standards continue with Stearns’ partner in crime. While Handel was busy enforcing her “no funds if you’re being investigated rule” on Planned Parenthood, she had no problem giving $7.5 million to Penn State. Penn State is still under investigation for the Sandusky scandal. For those of you who were living under a rock, the heads of Penn State’s football team were using the university to pimp out underage boys - apparently that’s not an investigation worthy of Handel’s attention. Handel resigned from Komen because her moves were purely political. She lost the 2010 gubernatorial race in Georgia because, as part of an Atlanta committee, she approved a bill that gave $400,000 to Planned Parenthood back in 2005. Her opponent, Nathan Deal (R-Georgia), smeared her for being “soft” on abortion. I know, the irony is painful. My guess is that Handel felt she had some making-up to do. In reality, Planned Parenthood provides a number of health services to women, and most of these aren’t abortions. Actually, abortions account for only 3 percent of their services. Studies show that when Planned Parenthood has funds to offer more contraception (and not just to women, as they give out condoms to men), the number of abortions go down. That’s right. If you want Planned Parenthood to perform fewer abortions, give them more money, not less. But really, this isn’t an attack on all women, per se. The bulk of Planned Parenthood’s patients aren’t just any woman: they’re poor women, and many are ethnic minorities. Seeing the connection? This onslaught against Planned Parenthood isn’t about reproductive rights or saving babies. It’s about restricting low-income females’ access to affordable health services - like STD testing and family planning counseling. Handel and Stearns’ scheme is just a single skirmish in a much larger battle to restrict all poor Americans’ rights to health care. The poor will remain impoverished if they can never be healthy. S
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Life on the Bluffs
Campus Chatter
Kaitlin Nelson knelson6@uccs.edu
Photos by Robert Solis
February 20, 2012
Crossword: Presidents’ Day
Bring your completed crossword to the Scribe office for a prize! Last week’s crossword answers can be found online at uccsscribe.com.
Voting for the UCCS Student Government Association [SGA] will be held March 5-7 at Jazzman’s, as well as the Upper and Lower Lodges. However, many students feel that they are not familiar with the issues or candidates.
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Are you planning on voting? Yes.
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Why? I’ve voted the past few years and it’s important. Being a GES major, last year that solar energy fee passed; we’re allowed to use different things for it, and we’re having a meeting to figure out what we’re going to use it for. It kind of shows that our vote does matter.
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Does the SGA need better communication with students? Oh yeah. I think that [more students would vote] if more people knew what the issues were about. I know last year, the “Take out the Tap?” There was a lot of press about that; I know a lot about that one. The more you know, the more you want to vote.
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Across Across Do you think that the elections could be betAcross 3 Presidents' 3 Presidents' faces, infaces, stonein(2stone (2 ter promoted? Words) 3 Presidents' faces, in stone (2 Words) 5 His in Tennessee is named inhouse Tennessee is named I never really hear anything about it. I 5see His a house Words) The Hermitage (2 Words) The Hermitage (2 Words) lot of flyers, but not particularly past in 7Tennessee Shares the name of a famous cat 5 anything His house 7 Shares the name ofis a named famous cat 8friends Waswith friends with Lewinsky Monica Lewinsky that. 8 Was Monica The Hermitage (2 Words)
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Are you planning on voting? We [mechanical engineers] don’t even know that there are windows outside.
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This term first This 9 term was firstwas used in used 1877in 1877
in reference to Lucy Ware Webb Shares the name oftoaLucy famous cat in reference Ware Webb Hayes (2 Words) Dallas Gierlach Hayes (2 Words) 11 I like Ike Was friends Monica Lewinsky 11 I likewith IkeWas English, Senior 13 related to 11 other 13 Was related to 11 other This term was first used inWords) 1877 presidents (3 presidents (3 Words) 17 Ordered deployment of the first in reference to Lucy Ware Webb Are you planning on voting? 17 Ordered nuclear deployment of the weapon thatfirst ended WWII. nuclear weapon that ended WWII. Hayes (2 Words) 19 America's most famous peanut You know, I don’t spend a whole lot of time on 19 America's most famous peanut farmer 11 I like Ike campus besides going to my classes. I’ve seen it farmer 20 Most common religious affiliation 20 Mostto common religious affiliation 13 Was related 11 other among presidents advertised, but I really don’t know what the issues among presidents 23 He may have been handy with an presidents (3 Words) are or who’s going to be running, so I wasn’t re23 He may have been an axe, but he handy was nowith vampire axe, but hunter. he wasof nothe vampire ally planning on it. 17 Ordered deployment first hunter. 24 "I am not a crook." nuclear that ended WWII. cut down 24 weapon "I am25 notWashington a crook." supposedly If the SGA communicated those more clearly 25 Washington supposedly cut down (2 Words) 19 America's most this famous peanut this (2 Words) with you, would you reconsider? farmer Sure, yeah. It’s just that I don’t know anybody 20 Most common religious affiliation who’s running, so I feel like I couldn’t really vote among presidents for anyone with any sort of knowledge of what’s 23 He may have been handy with an going on. axe, but he was no vampire hunter. How could they do that? 24 "I am not a crook." If there was some sort of event where we could 25 see speeches, or just know who’s running, then that would help a lotWashington for me. Just supposedly cut down (2 Words) knowing what the different candidates are trying to do if they get electedthis is really the
Down Down Down 1 Longest-serving president (2 Longest-serving president (2 Words) 1 Words) Longest-serving president (2 2wasHe was theand 22nd and the 24th 2 He the 22nd the 24th Words) president president 4 bin "Ich ein Berliner." 2 "Ich He was the 22nd and the 24th 4 einbin Berliner." 6 soWas so he large, he needed a custom 6 Was large, needed a custom president bathtub installed the White bathtub installed in the in White House 4 House "Ich bin ein Berliner." 10 Lost sight in one eye from boxing (2 10 Lost sight one eye from boxing (2 Words) 6 Words) Was soinlarge, he needed a custom 12 Host of the first Easter egg roll on 12 Host ofthe theWhite first Easter roll on bathtub installed in the White House egg lawn the14 White lawn His House term was only one month - the House 14 His term was only one month - the shortest ever 10 shortest Lost sight inever one from boxing ( 15 Was born on Julyeye 4 15 Was born on July 4 16 The only bachelor president Words) 16 The only presidentpresident 18 At bachelor 5'4", the shortest 18 5'4", thethe shortest 12 AtHost of firstpresident Easter egg 21 The only president buried in roll on 21 The only president buried in Washington, D.C.lawn the White House Washington, D.C. 22 Only president who was appointed, 22 whoonly was appointed, not elected 14 Only Hispresident term was one month - the not elected
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Invisible Joe
biggest thing for me.
James Kaan
Nursing, Freshman Are you planning to vote? No. Why not? I’ve never really understood the point of student elections. I don’t understand what the [SGA] does. I don’t know if any changes have been made. I just associate with what high school would be. If the SGA communicated more clearly with you, would you reconsider? I don’t know, I guess I just don’t understand why we need [student government]. I guess I’m just lazy. S
Photo by Robert Solis
Joe is the only one of his friends on board with the new “clothing fad.” It hasn’t come between them though - Joe and six of his friends are just starting out on a roadtrip.
Sports
February 20, 2012
UCCS Mountain Lions men’s basketball looks to finish season strong Micki Cockrille mcockril@uccs.edu
With the basketball season coming to a close, the UCCS men’s basketball team aims to go out with a bang. Despite a current eight-game losing streak, players are still optimistic about finishing the season successfully. “I think we as a team have been taking larger strides towards success
and are getting better as time goes on,” said freshman guard Darius Pardner. On Feb. 11, the Mountain Lions suffered their latest setback, a 66-60 defeat at the hands of Fort Lewis. “I thought as a team we played really well,” said Pardner. “It was one of our better games lately, but it came down to us doing the small things and we didn’t get it done. Plus, it’s hard
Sport
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to win when a guy almost hits you for 40,” he continued. An exciting game unfolded as Fort Lewis Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) offensive player of the week, Matt Morris, dissected the Mountain Lion’s defense to the tune of 35 points. At one point, UCCS held an eight-point advantage, but were not able to hold the lead. Leading the team with
Buzz
My hockey team can beat up your football team Ryan Adams radams3@uccs.edu
In recent years, many UCCS students have wondered why the University has not considered creating a UCCS football team. The student population is growing, revenues are higher, and the University seems to be focused on one thing: growth. At its current rate of growth, it’s not farfetched to think that by the end of the decade, UCCS could rival CUBoulder in student population. So, why then, has the University not even seriously considered the idea of having a football team? One simple reason: We don’t need one. Sure, I would love to have a football program at UCCS. It would be fun to go to “Mountain Lion Stadium” every Saturday and cheer on my Mountain Lions. Yet, actually having a football team just really isn’t in the cards for the school. UCCS would rather spend money on things that they need: parking facilities, building renovations, new housing and better technology.
Despite the fact that the university continues to expand and is trying to meet student needs, it seems that students will not be satisfied until the UCCS fields its own football team. Well, I have a great proposition that may not solve the student’s desire for a football team, but may be a quick solution to a fresh face for UCCS athletics. What UCCS really needs is an NCAA recognized hockey team. We already have a club hockey team that is vastly improving, so why not make that official and ask for it to be recognized by the NCAA? UCCS already has great rivalries brewing in basketball, soccer and softball. Why not add hockey, a huge rivalry sport, to the mix? It would be great for the school and give us a new sports team to cheer for in the winter and spring. Hockey has already become a huge hit at crosstown rival Colorado College and I am sure with the right amount of money, UCCS could become just as big in the next decade. Being from Minnesota, I was born and raised
to like and play hockey. I know how big of a sport it can become and that is why I want to see it at UCCS. In proposing this idea, I really have nothing against the winter and spring sports teams we already have here. The basketball teams are improving and show signs of being conference contenders. But while they are developing, why not start a new team at UCCS that will be fresh and something the students have never seen before? A football team, and all that it comes with, will take a decade to just start. It is more expensive, needs more planning, and is a sport that requires a massive amount of support. A hockey team, on the other hand, is much simpler. We already have the basic outline of a squad in our club hockey team. We would have a place to practice and play (World Arena) and we would also have a set of natural rivals in Colorado College and Air Force. Football may be what everyone wants, but hockey could be the cheaper, easier option. S
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13 points, Darius Pardner also had a game high seven steals, which was also a season high for the Mountain Lions. Kyle Clark and Alex Koehler also scored in double digits with 13 and 12 points, respectively. With four games left in the season, the Mountain Lions are not giving up yet. The next two games on the road at Chadron State and Nebraska-Kearney, where the team hopes
to come home with a pair of wins. The final two games of the season will be at the Gallogly Events Center. “Fans should still support us and look forward to the team finishing Photo by Robert Solis out the season strong,” Assistant Coach Joey Halley and the Pardner said. S Mountain Lions leave for the next game.
Kailey Hernandez
you are representing the university a student comes from and everything it stands for. “Our coaches are always preaching to us about the importance of school,” said junior basketball player Lauren Wolfinger. “They not only want us to be on top of our game on the court, but in the classroom as well.” In order to be successful in both the academic and athletic arenas, college athletes are required to learn how to effectively manage their time. Pouring too much time into school can result in a dip in performance on the court. But the opposite is also true. Unusual practice and game schedules limit the amount of time available for school. For senior softball player Christina Blanton, giving her full focus to both is a tall order. “To be able to fully focus on homework when needed, and then change
Sports and school: Where do athletes find time? khernand@uccs.edu For freshman basketball player Darius Pardner, being a student athlete has helped him strive to become something great. “In order to compete you have to have a certain GPA, and in my mind, I don’t want to ever just be close. I always want to exceed in everything I do. Basketball has taught me to push myself and has showed me determination. In a way, being a student athlete has allowed me to become a man and learn how to assume responsibility.” For many college athletes, each day is a struggle, a tedious juggling act between the demands of school and sports. Despite public perception, college athletes are, and have always been, held to a higher standard. As an athlete, you are not only representing yourself, but
direction and focus solely on softball was a challenge for me. Whenever juggling softball, school, work, family and a social life became too overwhelming, you realize that this is what you have been working your life up to and everything else comes into picture and makes sense,” she said. Being a student athlete requires responsibility, discipline and a strong sense of self confidence. Every day, athletes are pushed to their limits, fighting to stay on top in the classroom and on top in their sport. If an athlete does not perform to his or her requirements, everything they have worked for could disappear in a flash. “We are unlike any other student in this school,” Wolfinger stated. “This is our job and we treat it like a job, so we dedicate our lives to being a student, and an athlete in order to do our job to the best of our ability.” S
Photo by Ariel Lattimore
Payden Ackerman and other athletes must juggle sports with school.
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February 20, 2012
Heidi Smart: The only girl on men’s club hockey team Ryan Adams radams3@uccs.edu
Heidi Smart has always enjoyed being out on the ice. Whether it was figure skating when she was in grade school, or being on an ice hockey team as she is now, Heidi has a passion for skating. “I love just being out on the ice. I have always liked to play hockey and I really enjoy all that it brings,” said Smart, a freshman at UCCS. “Playing, practicing, skating, the whole “team feel;” it’s almost like we are a second family.” Smart is originally from North Dakota and has been playing hockey off and on for many years. She began playing in 2000 and continued to play when her family moved to Finland in 2002.
“I had been playing for a couple of years, and then my family decided to move over to Finland,” said Smart. “My mom is actually Finnish, and we thought the move would be nice because then we could be closer to family,” she furthered. While in Finland, Smart was part of a women’s team, but she said that she likes being a member of the UCCS team more. “You can check in this league!” she said. “I didn’t like how there was a no-checking policy in Finland because I really don’t mind getting hurt.” Smart continued to play hockey through her freshman year of high school, but soon began to realize that practices and games were sapping the amount of time she had to study. “After my freshman
year of high school, I took a break from hockey for a while,” she stated. “It was just really time consuming and I didn’t have enough time to study during the week.” Following high school and the move back to the United States for college, Smart began to feel the urge to lace up her skates and take to the ice. “In the fall, I was walking with some friends through the club fair and spotted the hockey table,” she said. “I was super excited and called my dad to ask him if he could help me pay for the equipment and he thankfully did,” she stated. “I then went to the try out and, well, they didn’t say don’t come again, so at that point I knew I had made the team.” Being the only female on the team would probably be intimidating for
Photo by Isaiah Branch-Boyle
Heidi Smart is not intimidated by being the only girl on the hockey team. some girls, but for Heidi Smart, it is not a problem. “So far, I am the only girl who has tried out and made the team, and for me, I don’t really care too much. I love to play
hockey and so do they, so they just treat me as their teammate, not a girl,” she said. Smart’s passion and love for the game is genuine and she hopes, like all of her teammates, that
the team will only continue to improve. “We won’t be able to participate in the playoffs this year, but we are getting so much better and becoming, well, a real team.” S
Take the walk that matters!
Relay For Life of UCCS April 13-14 | 6pm - 6am |4 Diamonds
Food, Games, Entertainment...Celebrate...Remember...Fight Back!
To join a team or donate, visit www.uccsrelay.org or like us on Facebook “Relay For Life of UCCS” For more information, contact Nic Hostetter at nhostett@uccs.edu Ad sponsored by Student Government Association