Top Stories N: Saudi Arabia opens up O: Mental health and fashion week S: Hockey opens season with a win A&L: Driscoll Green - raisng the tobacco age
DU Clarion [www.duclarion.com]
October 9, 2019 Volume 126 Issue 4
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Lincoln, converse and Chancellor Haefner Photo Courtesy of Wayne Armstrong
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he first thing DU students may notice that the Chancellor Jeremy Haefner is a fan of wearing converse sneakers. He traces his love of converse shoes back to a photo of him when he was eleven years old, and continues to wear them so that everyone can feel comfortable coming up to him and starting a conversation.
“They reflect my personality, especially when I have enough pairs and colors and so forth,” he said. “I’m not a person to put on big airs, and so for me to wear converse is a way for me to tell people that you can come up to me and you can approach me.” Chancellor Haefner continues to promote his advocacy for approachability through his future plans for DU. One way he’s going about this is by creating a blog page on his website that focuses on the DU community, and allows for people to give feedback directly. “It’ll mostly be about moving this institution forward faster and accelerating,” he said. “That’ll be a great input.” And with DU IMPACT 2025, Chancellor Haefner is looking
forward to creating more changes at DU. Structures such as the Community Commons will be able to bring students and faculty together in one place in order to bring the DU community closer together, and more is being done than just the new buildings currently under construction. The launch of the Ethnic Studies program and Grand Challenges has also been part of the DU IMPACT 2025 plan. “I’m thinking about how do we focus, and accelerate and amplify to really make sure that we fulfill our aspirations in the plan, but also really get ready for that change,” he said. “That’s part of the dialogue we’re having on campus.” Chancellor Haefner’s background in mathematics has also contributed to his role at DU. He notes that everyone perceives mathematicians as problem solvers, but points out that mathematicians also look for patterns to try and explain why mathematics is structured the way it is. Building theoretical frameworks is also important to explain why mathematics is the way it is and understand how
mathematics solves problems. “Those three skills is what I’ve identified over my years of what I like to tell people this is the way I think,” he said. “So that when you’re scratching your head about why I’m doing what I’m doing, it’s because of that.” Chancellor Haefner is putting his mathematics skills to use when looking at future improvements for DU. He said he’d love to see a more intentional approach around the total educational experience for students. Having students reflect on all academic experiences, from classes to studying abroad, would be able to show future employers and graduate schools a full picture of the student, not just past work experience or their GPA. “I want you to be able to tell a really compelling story about what you took away,” he said. “In those chances outside the classroom, you’re learning competency classes aren’t able to teach you. Chances are you’re learning about teamwork or you’re learning about project management of some kind during an internship. Those are the competencies that employers are going
to be listening for. I want you to have a leg up ahead of all the other graduates out there.” And stories are what Chancellor Haefner enjoys hearing. In fact, one famous person he’d love to hear stories from is Abraham Lincoln. He called Lincoln a “voracious learner,” and someone who was able to pull people together overtime, which included making tough decisions. “There’s a little bit of uncertainty as to why Lincoln created the Emancipation Proclamation,” he said. “I’d love to ask him about that.” Those in the DU community wanting to ask Chancellor Haefner questions themselves can find him walking to work every day with his wife and his dog, Gromit. “It’s a wonderful time to connect with each other,” he said. To hear more about the work Chancellor Haefner is doing at DU, visit his Remarks & Statements page on DU’s Chancellor website. Nina Petrovic | News Editor
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DU CLARION
| ARTS & LIFE
OCTOBER 9, 2019
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
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ctober is National Domestic Violence Awareness month, and since October has just started, we at the Clarion are here to inform you about the history of this month and what it represents. It started in 1981 as a “Day of Unity” that was meant to bring together survivors and supporters alike, but this day extended into a month to further bring awareness and support to the issue of domestic violence According to the United States Department of Justice, an estimated 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are victims of domestic violence every year. These numbers are staggering, and many people are not aware of the magnitude of this problem. This month intends to not only bring aid to survivors, but to inform the general public about how many people are affected by domestic violence every year. People who are victims of domestic violence often have their self-esteem affected by
their abuser and therefore, are less likely to reach out for help. Additionally, victims are often caught in a cycle of abuse and are not even aware they are in an abusive relationship. By recognizing this month, people are able to bring more awareness to the issue of domestic violence. The goal is to help victims identify that they are in an abusive relationship and give resources to reach out to for help or counseling. You can help bring awareness to this issue by using the #VoicesHavePower or #DomesticViolenceAwareness to further inform people about this month. If you or someone you know are a victim of domestic abuse, you can call the Nation Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233.
Alexandra Welch | The Clarion
Alexandra Welch | Contributing Writer
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HANNAH BRANIT, Editor-in-Chief VICTORIA VALENZUELA, Executive Editor NINA PETROVIC, News Editor LAWSON MONTGOMERY, Sports Editor The Clarion is the official student newspaper of the University of Denver, serving as the “Voice of the University of Denver.” Founded in 1899, it covers campus and local stories with the highest level of journalistic integrity possible. 300 copies are distributed each Wednesday afternoon (throughout the academic year) across the DU campus, and every article is also published at duclarion.com. The Clarion does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the faculty, staff and/or administration of DU, and the opinions expressed by columnists and contributing writers do not necessarily reflect those of the Clarion. Reproduction of the Clarion in whole or part in any form written, broadcast or electronic without written permission of the Clarion is prohibited. The Clarion reserves the right to reject advertising, stories, columns or letters to the editor that it deems graphic, obscene or that discriminate on the basis of race, culture, gender or sexual orientation. The Clarion welcomes letters to the editor. Those who submit letters must limit them to 500 words. Some letters may not be published because of space limitations, overly-libelous content or similarity to past submissions. Please submit letters to duclarioneditor@gmail.com.
HOW TO JOIN The Clarion is open to contributors of all years and majors at DU, including both undergraduate and graduate students. There’s no application necessary; all you have to do is show up to one of our weekly meetings, which are held every Monday at 6 p.m. (during the academic year) in the Hub. Can’t make it to a meeting? Send an email to duclarioneditor@gmail.com and we’ll do everything we can to get you published.
KIANA MARSAN, Opinions Editor GRACE GANZ, Arts & Life Editor CLAUDIA PHILIP, Photo/Video Editor SARA LOUGHRAN, Copy Editor JAKE GLOTH, Copy Editor MEGAN COONEY, Business Manager ANDREW MATRANGA, Faculty Adviser Masthead graphic design: David Fain
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS BARBARA URZUA
ALEXANDRA WELCH
DREW JOINER
HENRY HARGRAVE
ANA ORTEGA
SOPHIE CARNOALI
CONOR CHAPMAN
GABRIELLE PISANO
OCTOBER 9, 2019
DU CLARION
ARTS & LIFE | 3
Denver City Council votes to raise tobacco minimum age to 21
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n Monday, Oct. 1, the
minimum age to buy tobacco products in the city of Denver was raised from 18 to 21. The Denver City Council discussed the issue at their meeting, and all voted in favor of the ordinance except for one councilwoman, who was absent. The law was signed by Mayor Michael Hancock and went into effect immediately. The new ordinance includes all products containing nicotine, along with devices used to consume them. Also, beginning in 2020, all retailers of tobacco products must obtain a license in order to sell them. The license will cost $500 annually to renew. Retailers will also have to be at least 1,000 feet away from schools and city-owned recreation centers and pools. This new law comes in the midst of a nationwide debate over teen vaping. Originally marketed as electronic ciga-
rettes used to help people quit smoking, there has been a sudden surge in minors using products from companies like Juul. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, one in four high school seniors reported vaping in the past month. Many have accused companies like Juul of marketing their products toward youth. Recently, there have been reports of many teens being hospitalized due to vaping. The CDC and FDA are investigating nearly 200 such cases. The Trump administration also announced that they would look into banning flavored vape products as the reports of vape related hospitalizations grows. While the new law currently only affects the city of Denver, a few lawmakers have discussed raising the minimum age statewide. State Rep. Colin Larson, R-Littleton, and State Sen. Kevin Priola, R-Henderson, have
discussed drafting a statewide bill, according to the Denver Post. Whether or not the new law in Denver will show a decrease in minors accessing
vapor and tobacco products remains to be seen. Barbara Urzua | Contributing Writer
A Denverite’s guide to fall and spooky season
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ctober is a month of change, which means Denver’s weekend festivities fall into a trend of embracing the new weather, color and wardrobe. Being close to the heart of the city allows DU students to celebrate Halloween, fall and the Day of the Dead within Denver. Denver offers a multitude of activities to get into the erie and dark Halloween spirit. One of the most popular options is the Elitch Gardens Fright Festival, which runs Sept. 27 through Nov. 2. $45 will get you admittance to the park, access to roller coasters, haunted houses and an overall frightening time. Driving for about an hour and a half outside of Denver will take you to the famous Stanley Hotel, which was the birthplace and inspiration behind Stephen King’s novel “The Shining.” You and your friends can take a tour, visit the room in which Stephen King wrote his masterpiece, or even stay in a spirited room with high paranormal activity. Following the trend of the undead, Denver’s 13th floor haunted house has been scaring Coloradians since 1983. This year, the organization has four different haunted houses that promise to be as terrifying as possible. On the more classic side of Halloween, the Boettcher Concert Hall at the Denver Performing Arts Complex is putting on an event titled: “Disney in Concert: Tim Burton’s ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas.’” At a starting price of $15, you and your friends and family are invited to watch “The Nightmare Before Christmas” on the big screen with effects and score played by the Colorado Symphony.
Another notable Halloween festivity in Denver this year is Coloween, which is a massive Halloween themed bar crawl and costume contest. Red Rocks Parks and Ampitheatre has also put together an event this year named Hard Halloween where artists like Gramatik, Kayzo, Ghastly and more will be playing on Oct. 26 to get people into the Halloween
and “Maleficent”, which make the big screen on Oct. 18. If October is more about fall than halloween for you, then there are still plenty of things to do around Denver to help you celebrate the season. Denver Botanic Garden’s famous Corn Maze is open now until Oct. 27. The Denver Zoo is holding an event called the “Enchanted Hollows” that runs from Oct.
Photo Courtesy of Elitch Gardens spirit. This event leads up to the Wu Tang Clan’s concert Red Rocks on the night of Halloween. There are also many Halloween centered movies coming out this October, including “Joker” which hits theaters Friday, Oct. 4, “The Addams Family” cartoon in theaters on Oct. 11, and sequels of both “Zombieland”
3 to Oct. 25. The zoo offers two different fall activities, one being the Harmony Hill Bigfoot festival and the other being a showcase of professionally carved pumpkins and other activities. If you are wanting to celebrate fall in a more classic way, for five dollars, Cottonwood Farms Pumpkin Patch
in Boulder, Colo. has pumpkin picking, a corn maze, and hay rides. Denver’s monster dash is a 5K/10k on Oct. 26 that lets you wear a costume and race around Sloan’s Lake. After the race there will be a costume and pie eating contest, music and more. Denver Botanic Gardens is offering an event called Glow at the Gardens from Oct. 21 to the 25. Attend and enjoy the lit-up pathways that wind through the gardens and show the professional pumpkin displays along with circus performers. As Halloween comes to a close, Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead begins. This year, Denver has a few events to commemorate the annual Mexican celebration. Denver Botanical Gardens is offering a celebration on Nov. 2, with themed activities including a screening of Disney Pixar’s Coco. The annual celebration of Dia de los Muertos at the Museo de la Américas is free to attend. The event will include a procession, costume contest and sugar skull decorating. You also can celebrate Dia de los Muertos locally by attending events that allow you to honor and celebrate deceased loved ones. Whether you celebrate the month of October through Halloween, fall or by celebrating your loved ones, there is something in Denver for everyone to enjoy during October and fall season.
Sophie Carnoali | Contributing Writer
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| SPORTS
DU CLARION
OCTOBER 9, 2019
No. 2 Pioneers sweeps Alaska Fairbanks
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ctober means one thing for many fans across the country: college hockey is back. Denver made the trip north to Fairbanks, Alaska for a two-game series against the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks with games on both Saturday and Sunday night. The Pioneers won both games and are off to a strong start to their 2019-2020 campaign. Last season, Denver lost in the Frozen Four semifinal to the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in overtime in what was a heartbreaking end to an otherwise phenomenal year. On Saturday night, the Pioneers struggled early on, giving up a goal just 16 seconds into the game. Denver
was unable to pick up any offensive momentum for much of the first period and went shotless for over 13 minutes, until sophomore forward Ryan Barrow (Banff, Alberta) scored a goal late in the period for the Pioneers. Kyle Marino scored a goal for Alaska at 16:13 to go into the second period with a 2-1 lead for the Nanooks. In the second period, Denver was able to catch up and take control of the puck, while also playing excellent defense, with freshman goaltender Magnus Chrona (Stockholm, Sweden) saving 8 shots in the period. Junior forward Kohen Olischefski (Abbotsford, B.C.) scored a goal on a power play at 9:47, and freshman forward Bobby Brink (Minnetonka, Minn.)
scored the first goal of his college career at 11:15. In the final period, UAF forward Steven Jandric scored a goal at 12:00. The second half of the period included lots of back-andforth action from both teams, with a total of 11 combined shots in an eight minute timespan. Sophomore forward Cole Guttman (Los Angeles, Calif.) scored a goal with one minute remaining to secure a 4-3 win for the Pioneers. On Sunday’s game, the Pioneers’ defense dominated the whole game and shut out the Nanooks. Two out of the Pioneers three goals came from defensemen, and Chrona saved a total of 28 shots. Nearly 40 minutes went by without a score from either team, until junior
defensemen Ian Mitchell (Calahoo, Alberta) scored a two-on-one shorthanded goal with 55 seconds left in the second period. Junior defensemen Griffin Mendel (Kelowna, B.C.) doubled Denver’s lead with a wrist shot at 6:07 in the third period. Barrow scored his second goal of the weekend with 29 seconds to go in the game to give the Pios a 3-0 win. Denver will play at Lake Superior State next weekend before returning home to play Boston College on Oct. 18 and 19 for homecoming and parents’ weekend. Henry Hargrave | Contributing Writer
Photo Courtesy of Shannon Valerio
Danielsson shines in Ron Moore Intercollegiate
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his past weekend the Men’s and no. 18/19 Women’s golf teams hosted the Ron Moore Intercollegiate at the par-72 University of Denver Golf Club at Highland Ranch. For the women’s team, freshman Erika Danielsson (Mellstenintie Espoo, Finland) earned her first ever collegiate medalist honors. She ended the tournament with a score of 143 (-1) over two days and was the only competitor to finish under par for the tournament. Seniors Alison Armstrong (Tampa, Fla), Mary Weinstein (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) and freshman Anna Zanusso (Castelfranco Veneto, Italy) were the other Pioneers who finished all tied at second with a two day score of 144 (E). For the men’s team, the squad took the team title along with sophomore Jackson Solem (Longmont, Colo.) ending his tournament with co-medal honors. Solem finished with a three round total of 204 (-9) to capture his first win as a Pioneer. The Pioneers had five other players end up in the top 25 with fourth, ninth, 16th, and 21st place finishes.
Lawson Montgomery | Sports Editor
Photo Courtesy of Denver Athletics
DU CLARION
OCTOBER 9, 2019
OPINIONS | 5
Saturday, October 19th, 2019
Join us for a law fair hos ted by the Wes t Coa st Con sort ium of Priv ate Law Sch ools . Mee t one -on- one with repr ese ntat ives from 37 diff eren t law sch ools !
App lica tion fee wai vers will be give n to all atte nde es!
California Western School of Law Case Western Reserve University School of Law Chapman University Dale E. Fowler School of Law Concordia University School of Law George Washington University Law School
Notre Dame Law School Penn State Dickinson Law
University of La Verne College of Law University of Minnesota Law School
Pepperdine University School of Law Saint Louis University School of Law Santa Clara Law
University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law University of Oregon School of Law University of San Diego, School of Law
Golden Gate University School of Law Gonzaga University School of Law Howard University School of Law
Seattle University School of Law Southwestern School of Law
University of San Francisco School of Law University of Southern California, Gould School of Law University of Texas School of Law
Indiana University Maurer School of Law Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Lewis & Clark Law School Loyola Law School, Loyola Marymount University McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific Mitchell Hamline School of Law
Suffolk University Law School Thomas Jefferson School of Law University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law University of Colorado University of Denver Sturm College of Law University of Iowa College of Law
University of Wyoming College of Law Whittier College School of Law Willamette University College of Law
RSVP to lawadmss@lclark.edu or 503.768.6613 The University of Denver Sturm College of Law is committed to providing facilities that are accessible to persons with and without disabilities. We encourage persons who use wheelchairs to contact Laurie Mlinar at 303.871.6139 for further information.
University of Denver Sturm College of Law 2 2 5 5 E E v a n s A v e , D e n v e r, C O 8 0 2 1 0
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DU CLARION
| OPINIONS
OCTOBER 9, 2019
Gucci model advocates mental health awareness on the runway
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hen it comes to modeling and mental illness, the two topics are so distinct from one another that they are rarely seen in the same sentence. That is, until model Ayesha Tan Jones spoke out about mental health awareness while walking the runway. Back in September, they participated in a Gucci fashion show where models wore controversial outfits that appeared to resemble vamped-up straitjackets. By displaying these straitjackets as “fashion,” mental illness was exploited. It was reduced to a style used to create a sense of uniqueness. The straitjacket contributes to a false representation of the mental health community and adds to the negative stigma of “crazy.” Because of this, in the middle of the show, Jones did the unexpected and rose both their hands to reveal the phrase “mental health is not fashion” written across their palms. Jones did this to strongly advocate against the modeling industry exploiting mental health for its own benefits. Their goal was to peacefully protest against the straitjackets but to also make sure that people are aware of what people with mental illnesses are going though. Right after the catwalk, they went on to post on Instagram a thank you to all their followers and the people who supported them throughout the entire process of standing up for what they believe in and spreading awareness of mental health issues. In their post, Jones stated, “I want to use this opportunity to remind people that this sort of
bravery, is only a simple gesture compared to the bravery that people with mental health issues show everyday.” Jones is contributing to a much-needed movement of taking action to help those who suffer from mental illness. They and other models from the show went on to donate the money they earned from working it to mental health charities such as Project Lets, Mind and PAPYRUS.
gastrointestinal conditions.” Mental health is often not taken seriously because it is an internal issue that isn’t always present with physical symptoms But it should not be taken lightheartedly. Ignorance is mostly to blame for the little knowledge people have of mental health. Many are not aware of the clinical terms and definitions for different mental disorders, so they are often misused during conversation or falsely dis-
Photo courtesy of CNN
Jones’ protest is important to pay attention to because mental health is not a joke. It is a serious topic we should always keep on our minds. We often focus on our physical health and negate our mental health, as if the two are not related. But according to Harvard Health in 2008, “Anxiety has now been implicated in several chronic physical illnesses, including heart disease, chronic respiratory disorders, and
played in the media. We often find ourselves throwing out sentiments such as, “I literally had a panic attack” or “kill myself, I got the answer wrong on the test.” People who say these phrases might not think much of their meaning, but they do mean a great deal for those of us struggling with mental illnesses. Since there is a lack of awareness present, many struggle with mental illness in silence. They are either afraid to speak up or don’t
realize the magnitude of their illness and are not aware they are dealing with one. How can we fight against this ignorance? For starters, the media has a large role in contributing to stigmas. If large brands, such as Gucci, display straitjackets as “fashion,” it only adds to the cloud of ignorance that has engulfed society. People will not take mental health awareness seriously if it is glamorized The only way to make people understand its vast impact is by educating people on different mental illnesses and how to seek help if they believe they are suffering with one. Health classes for young teens should focus on the impacts of mental health and how not to be afraid to speak up and seek treatment. According to the Health and Counseling Center, “DU students consistently rate depression, anxiety, stress within the top 5 factors that affect their individual academic performance,” with that in mind, don’t be afraid to reach out for help during the school year. There are plenty of resources on campus that can help you or someone close to you when times are hard. The My SSP (Student Support Program) app is available for download and provide free and confidential counseling/ advising 24/7. To call the HCC directly and talk to someone, dial: 303-871-2205. For afterhour counseling, call: 303-8712205 and follow the prompts. For life-threatening emergencies, dial 911 or call Campus Safety at 303-871-3000. Ana Ortega | Contributing Writer
The Trump whistleblower deserves to stay anonymous
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n late September, it was doing occurred. should be seen as a form of emboldened by our toxic and discovered that PresOn Sep. 26, the New York illegal threats and retaliation. divisive political climate, ident Donald Trump Times released information Trump said at a meeting with Trump supporters are all over had asked the Ukranian about the whistleblower, the U.S. mission to the U.N.: social media, making threats government to investigate uncovering that they are a “You know what we used to do against the whistleblower. Hunter Biden, Joe Biden’s CIA official assigned to the in the old days when we were If their identity is revealed, son, while he held millions White House and an expert on smart? Right? With spies and they have a right to fear for of dollars over the country’s Ukraine. This information is treason, right? We used to their safety and worry that head. From information already enough for the White handle them a little different testifying at Congress will released by a whistleblower House to begin investigating than we do now.” Here, he lead to retaliation. in the intelligence commu- who the whistleblower might alludes to killing the whisIt doesn’t matter who put nity, impeachment inquiries be. And enough for retaliation tleblower who, in Trump’s in the report. All that mathave started moving forward to occur. While the language eyes, is a spy. ters is what that report says. in the U.S. House. Despite itself does not amount to full Trump’s use of this lan- Trump has published a memo this, though, the media, and retaliation, coupled with the guage has led to his support- of his phone records and the allies of the president seem supposed actions, it is against ers doing the same. Many of texts from those involved, to be focusing on something the law. his supporters have echoed so the identity of the whisother than the inquiries: the As soon as the report came his cries of “coup” and “witch tleblower matters even less identity of the whistleblower. out, Trump began calling the hunt” with some on Twitter now. It is easy to see from According to the Office whistleblower a ‘partisan attacking the integrity of the the texts and memos released of the Inspector General for cheat’ and a ‘leaker.’ Accord- whistleblower. Through this by the White House that the the Department of Justice, a ing to the Whistleblower Proj- language, groups such as the report is true. Now is the whistleblower complaint can ect, the usage of leaker when Oath Keepers, a far-right time to investigate the abuse be made and be seen as an describing a whistleblower is militia, have threatened to of office claims. actual complaint if the com- typically done to delegitimize use force to stop the impeachNot who the whistleblower plaint is made to someone their claim. It makes it easier ment of Trump. Regarding is. who has the necessary secu- to say that the whistleblower Trump, his vengeance would rity clearance to handle it and is motivated by personal most likely be aimed at getif there is a reasonable belief gain or trying to start a con- ting the whistleblower fired, that wrongdoing occurred. troversy instead of bringing which is against the law. In Trump’s case, the com- up a questionable action The New York Times’ plaint was filed for abuse of for scrutinization. choice to come out with this office, with the Inspector Using language such information is plain irresponGeneral of the Directorate of as “highly partisan” and sible. This information can National Intelligence deem- “leaker,” coupled with launch- lead to a lot more coming out ing that there was enough ing an internal investigation and to the reveal of the whisreasonable belief that wrong- to find out who the hacker is, tleblower’s identity. Already, Conor Chapman | Contributing Writer The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the Clarion or of the DU community.
OCTOBER 9, 2019
DU CLARION
OPINIONS | 7
It’s about time—Mayor Hancock proposes $15 minimum wage
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arlier this year, Gov. Jared Polis signed into law a measure allowing local governments to raise their minimum wage beyond where it stands at a state or national level. Next month, Denver may prove to be the first city in the state to exercise this power. The mile-high city was already on track to increase the minimum wage to $12 per hour by January of 2020, along with the rest of Colorado. In a new proposal from Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and City Councilwoman Robin Kneich last Thursday, though, over 100,000 workers may find themselves getting a raise to $13.80 per hour instead. The proposal—which won’t reach the City Council for approval until the end of November—isn’t stopping there, though. Its end goal is to reach $15.87 per hour by 2021—a fifteen percent increase from our current minimum wage, $11.10 per hour. In accordance with Polis’ law, town halls are being held throughout the month of October for the affected populace to voice their opinions with their representatives. The responses to this proposal have been mixed; the
age-old question of whether or not to raise the minimum wage produces little consensus between workers and business owners. Restaurateurs in particular are worried about its impact, citing that it may result in workers receiving less hours, being laid off, or in the closure of small mom-and-pop establishments. “It makes me sick to think about the fast-changing expenses restaurants are having to accommodate for. Especially with the already slim margins they’re operating under,” Katie Lazor, executive director of EatDenver, a nonprofit group of locally-owned, independent restaurants told 5280, “The question is, where will restaurant operators get that budget from?” They also fear it will worsen the wage gap between fronthouse employees (waiters and servers who earn below the minimum wage as well as tips) and back-house employees (cooks who rely solely on wages). For restaurants to ensure they can keep their back-house employees, they’ll have to raise that baseline as well. “You continue to spread this problem of kitchen staff making $13-$18 and waitstaff all making $25-$30 an hour,”
said Denver restaurateur Ryan Fletter, continuing, “It makes the hardest job in the restaurant, which is in the kitchen, that much more of a pathetic position to be in.” But studies have shown that in cities where the minimum wage has been raised, these ominous premonitions have yet to come to fruition. The only exception has been Seattle, where the results were inconclusive. It seems to be all talk, no action. “You can always find businesses that will tell you that they’ll have to lay everybody off and close down, but we haven’t seen that happen,” Sylvia Allegretto, co-chair of the Center on Wage & Employment Dynamics at Berkeley, told the Denver Post. “[A higher wage] helps with efficiency, it helps lower turnover, [and] it increases productivity.” While restaurateurs bring up valid concerns, upping the minimum wage is a natural byproduct of inflation that is pointless to fight against. As a city with a growing technology industry that some are beginning to refer to as ‘Silicon Mountain,’ the cost of living in Denver has seen some dramatic shifts. In the last five years alone, rent has gone up 18 per-
cent and continues to climb at a rate of two percent a year. “Our residents are struggling to keep up with the cost of living in the face of a decade of wage stagnation, and all the housing policies in the world cannot make up for wages that don’t keep pace with our local costs,” Councilwoman Kniech said in an interview with the Denver Post. The raise is more than overdue. On any given night, there are over 5,000 homeless people in Denver—a significant portion of whom hold minimum-wage jobs. If this proposal was approved, 50 percent of Latinos and 38 percent of African Americans working in Denver would get a raise. While it may not be enough to bring people of color out of poverty and the homeless into shelters, it can at least take some of the burden off the shoulders of those who make up the heart of our city. Our local restaurants and businesses have to be adaptable, if they seek to stay relevant in an ever-changing landscape. As Henry Ford once said: “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” Kiana Marsan | Opinions Editor
New Google protocol raises monopoly concerns
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n the middle of September, the House of Representatives’ Judiciary Committee sent a letter to Google inquiring about their new internet protocol. Currently, the cause for concern is how it threatens antitrust laws, but no formal action has been taken yet as Google is still under investigation. The protocol aims to improve online security by making it more challenging for companies to access consumer data. This would occur by encrypting the domain name system (DNS) so that the consumer has control over who shares their internet-surfing history. DNS is important because it is a decentralized naming system for resources connected to the Internet, and it is able to tie information with the domain names given to people active on the website. In other words, it can track individual user activity on a website. The new DNS will be deployed on a small-scale relatively soon. In doing this, Google hopes that by encrypting internet traffic it will deter hackers and sleazy data mining companies. While this measure may come off as well-intended, it is a slick way for Google to potentially monopolize search browsers, limit competition and leave consumer privacy
concerns unsatisfied. According to StatCounter, 63.7 percent of the worldwide browser market uses Google Chrome. Safari is the next contender with 16.34 percent, and Firefox follows up with 4.45 percent. In this oligopolistic setting, it’s feasible that
lishing the norms for browsers. If companies want access to the best information available, Google is obviously the better option just by the mere bulk of data in their hands. Data equals power. In retaining this power, Google can mitigate competition on their
Photo courtesy of Wall Street Journal
Google will strive for a pure monopoly. Google has an immense database of consumer information that is of great value to marketers, so it is a necessary asset in today’s world of data-driven marketing. If Google limits what data is and isn’t available for companies, it will hinder an organization’s marketing capabilities. Since the closest competitor to Google is Safari, Google has plenty of leeway in estab-
terms. Companies may not be able to observe user behavior as they have before. Therefore, businesses will lose a crucial outlet in understanding consumer behavior unless they adhere to Google’s regulations. Understandably, Google is trying to address consumer concern over data rights— a major issue that has to be dealt with—but this won’t fix it. People want their data to be protected and under their control.
This is an unrealistic approach, though, because marketers need access to consumer data in order for them to cater to the increasing expectations the market places on companies. If Google truly wants to make a change, then it should ban companies who abuse consumer’s data from using their browser. For example, when platforms such as Facebook enable data to be used for political purposes, the repercussions should be felt on the federal level, but also on the online realm. We already know Google is the God of content, so let’s see some of this power go towards defeating the unethical businesses.
Megan Cooney | Business Manager
The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the Clarion or of the DU community.
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DU CLARION
| NEWS
OCTOBER 9, 2019
Saudi Arabia opens its doors to tourists
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wo weeks after the attacks on their oil facilities, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has opened its doors, allowing nationals of up to 49 countries including the United States, all of Europe and some Asian and African nations to enter its borders. After decades of strict limited access, previously only allowing citizens from neighboring states, those partaking in the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca or business travel, Saudi Arabia hopes to attract foreign tourists as it attempts to change its reputation on a global scale. The online application to obtain a multiple entry, 90-day tourist visa takes an approximate ten minutes and will allow visitors to explore the “adventure, heritage and history” said Ahmad Al-Khateeb, chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage. Saudi Arabia is still well known for its below-standard record regarding women’s rights and is often harshly criticized abroad for its lack of dissent. Previously, women have been viewed as inferior to men, all foreigners were required to obtain local sponsorship in order to visit the kingdom and women were to follow the enforced driving ban which prevented them from being behind the wheel of a vehicle. These strict social policies have been slowly changing including a lift on the driving ban last summer and ceasing the segregation of sexes. The new tourism developments will loosen the strict culture of Saudi Arabia, including allowing for-
eign women to forgo the abaya -the traditional black cloak women wear to cover themselves. Modest dress, including covering shoulders and knees, even at public beaches, will be mandatory. Alcohol consumption is still strictly forbidden within the Islamic state. Will this deter tourists? Khateeb doesn’t believe it will. He noted that “Riyadh will offer heritage, food and many other great things... we have a lot to offer other than alcohol.” The kingdom’s 2030 agenda includes increasing tourism economic contribution from three percent GDP up to ten percent, and plans on targeting tourists and appealing to foreign companies to invest in the tourism sector. Currently, Saudi Arabia welcomes 40 million international and domestic visits, mostly relying exclusively on those who travel to the country to partake in the religious pilgrimage for Hajj, and they hope to raise that number to 100 million annually in the next ten years. Saudi Arabia hopes to become one of the top five destinations globally and Khateeb and the rest of the nation believe that by using a mix of sand, sun and historical sights, Saudi Arabia can compete with the already established destinations in the area, such as Dubai. With the new tourism developments, Saudi Arabia will be moving away from some of its old laws and into a new era working to transform its image on the world stage.
Photo Courtesy of PixaBay
Gabrielle Pisano | Contributing Writer
The Clarion Crossword: Week 5 Need some help? Visit duclarion.com for the answer key.
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2. “The Joker” released this past weekend and Joaquin Phoenix played a version of the character named Arthur Fleck. What was the first name of Jack Nicholson’s version of the character? 3. This mayor just proposed a fifteen dollar minimum wage in his city 5. This person said in an interview that his sneakers ‘purpose’ are to bring people an incalcuable level of joy. 8. Who chopped down the cherry tree? 9. The 19th chancellor of DU
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1. President Donald Trump asked this government to investigate Hunter Biden. 4. The best buisness manager that ever was and ever will be. 6. The ______ Gardens Fright Festival runs from Sept. 27 through Nov. 2 7. This city raised the minimum age for tobacco to twenty-one on Oct. 1 Jake Gloth | Copy Editor