Volume 126 Issue 2

Page 1

Top Stories N: Colorado snoozes O: Senate race in Colorado S: Women’s soccer falls to CU Boulder A&L: Driscoll Green - on vaping and incoming legislation

DU Clarion [www.duclarion.com]

September 25, 2019 Volume 126 Issue 2

Weather Wed: sunny, 83° Thurs: sunny, 89° Fri: rainy, 77° Sat: cloudy, 78° Sun: sunny, 84° Mon: sunny, 75° Tues: sunny, 68°

Youth climate activism in Colorado Grace Ganz | Clarion

A

lmost 8,000 people turned out for the Worldwide Climate Strike in Denver this last Friday to raise awareness about global warming and climate change in light of the upcoming United Nations Climate Action Summit and nationwide political elections. On a sweaty and viciously hot day in Denver, the weather proved to be a fitting backdrop for the circumstances that brought Coloradans together to march down the 16th Street Mall from Union Station to the Colorado State Capitol building. Denver’s march was a part of a worldwide event catalyzed by Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old climate activist from Sweden.

Through her ever-growing media presence, she rallied the world to walk out on school and work on Friday in order to call legislative and general public attention to the global warming crisis. The marches ran the strongest in New York City, London, Berlin and Melbourne with numbers in the 10,000s and 100,000s. “I think we’re just trying to make a change and make the government listen to us, to get everyone on the track to help the earth. I’m actually here with The North Face, so the whole company came out here to speak up,” said a participant who did not work on Friday in support of the movement along with her fellow employees at the

outer-wear company. The protest also showcased a strong representation of youth. Thousands of young people of all ages sporting brightly colored signs took to the streets to fight for their future. “I’m 12. I guess [today is important] just because the adults aren’t doing anything. Because they’ll be dead by the time it’s our adulthood, and I feel like we get a chance to say something,” said a young female student who walked out of school with two of her friends to participate in the rally. After the march, crowds huddled around the microphone on the steps of the capitol building for the closing rally. Representatives of the Native American

community in Denver sat on the steps performing a continuous smudging ceremony, a tradition of Native American and indigenous culture in which sacred herbs are burned for cleansing purposes. The Native American presence at the march was especially important due to the community’s historic devoted protection of the earth and its natural resources. CONTINUED ON PG. 2

Grace Ganz | Arts and Life Editor


2

DU CLARION

| NEWS

Continued from front page Eight year old climate change activist Mahdvi Chittoor spoke to the crowds regarding her passion in banning single-use plastics and glyphosate chemicals, both of which harm the enviroment. One teen musician also sang a satirical rendition of “This Land is Your Land,” featuring the punch line “Oh this land is used for corporate greed.” Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke was also in attendance at the Denver march as well as Colorado Senate candidates Andrew Romanoff, Trish Zornio, Alice Madden and Lorena Garcia. These candidates looking to take Republican Cory Gardner’s seat in the next Senate election all signed a petition at the rally stating: “I pledge to not take contributions over $200 from oil, gas and coal industry executives, lobbyists or PACs and instead prioritize the health of our families, climate and democracy over fossil fuel industry profits.” The pressure from the public for harsher US legislation surrounding climate change

SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

has been especially prevalent since America’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement in 2017. In Colorado specifically, legislation is moving to curb pollution as Governor Jared Polis signed a law in May that looks to reduce climate pollution by “at least 26 percent by 2025” and “at least 50 percent by 2030” in the state. “We have to stop climate change by stopping any oil and gas and fossil fuel industries, and we just have to be carbon neutral,” said a 9-year-old participant marching through the streets of Denver on Friday. He continued, saying, “We have to stop climate change because the science proves that we have very little time left and if we don’t stop climate change now, then we won’t be able to live on this earth and the world will be pretty much extinct.” If Denver echoed any message out to the public on Friday, it was from the voices of kids like this, and the chanted consensus of “hey hey, ho ho, fossil fuels have got to go.” Grace Ganz | Arts and Life Editor

ABOUT US

Grace Ganz | Clarion

DU Clarion EDITORIAL STAFF

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 STAFF HALEY PAEZ

ANA ORTEGA

CONOR CHAPMAN

RACHEL WRIGHT

MARIO MELO

HENRY HARGRAVE

JOHN SEWARD

MILLIE WINTER

OLIVIA FARRAR

ALEXANRA WELCH

LUKE ROSE

ANGIE BUSTILLOS

CHRIS FARRAZI


DU CLARION

SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

OPINIONS | 3

The frontrunners of Colorado’s Senate race

T

he 2020 election cycle has been predicted by many to be one of the most crucial in our lifetimes. Mounting disapproval towards President Trump has sparked a nationwide

movement from the left. They seek not only to unseat the Commander-in-Chief, but to flip the Republican-controlled Senate and clear a path towards radical change in both national and international policy.

Photo courtesy Senator Gardner’s Office

Cory Gardner On education, the CSU graduate believes in loosening federal roles in education and leaving decisions to be made on state and local levels. He recognizes the growing concern that education costs pose towards young people and advocates for more affordable education. Despite his belief in climate change and its human causes, Gardner supports the development and utilization of all different kinds of energy. This, unfortunately, includes fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas and coal. This lack of emphasis on curtailing the use of fossil fuels is a troublesome stance for a senator in a position of authority on energy. On healthcare, Gardner has long been opposed to the Affordable Care Act. He intends to focus on lowering the costs of healthcare by encouraging competition in the private healthcare market; a stance that will undoubtedly meet strong opposition from constituents and competitors alike. In January of 2018, he supported a ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy and has repeatedly supported the defunding of Planned Parenthood. He is also a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and is unlikely to support any common sense gun

Because of this, Democrats are closely watching Senate races across the country. Among the most contested of these races is that of our very own state. Republican incumbent Cory Gard-

ner and Democrat John Hickenlooper, the clear frontrunner for the nomination, are the most noteworthy candidates.

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

John Hickenlooper control measures. While Gardner supports increased border security, he spoke in contempt towards President Trump’s travel ban on Muslim-majority countries. Aside from this one-off example of opposition to the President, the Senator tends to support the President’s decisions and has already endorsed him for re-election. Gardner stands as a runof-the-mill Republican. It’s clear that many, if not all of his stances would be at odds with legislature pushed by any Democratic president. Personally, I find it hard to support Gardner. In a time when student debt cripples the young workforce, when healthcare costs threaten to bankrupt countless Americans in need of care and climate change threatens to destroy or at least fundamentally change our way of life, how could I support a candidate who presents no solid plans to curb student debt, is against a public, federal healthcare system and proposes not to curtail, but expand on the fossil fuel industry?

John Hickenlooper, who many remember because of his failed bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, is best described as a moderate. Despite his staunch opposition to Colorado’s legalization of marijuana in 2012 as governor, he has hinted that his view on the topic has evolved in a progressive manner. It’s difficult to predict whether or not he’d support the federal legalization of the substance, though. Hickenlooper is in favor of the USA rejoining the Paris climate agreement and instituting a carbon tax; a position that’s hard to complain about, given our federal government’s current lack of plans to reduce emissions. In contrast to many of his leftwing peers, though, his pro-business tendencies have led to his support of the fracking industry. The former Denver mayor has implemented legislation that requires background checks for the purchase of firearms and has limited the capacity of magazines sold in the state. Hickenlooper has expanded Medicaid in Colorado in the past, yet was opposed to a plan to create a publicly-funded healthcare option. In recent times, however, he has come out in support of a single-payer option.

In regards to reproductive rights, the Senate hopeful has a record in favor of expanding programs that give women easier access to long-acting, reversible contraception. While he is prochoice, he tends to focus on enabling women to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Hickenlooper is a step up from Gardner. For those seeking fast, radical change, though, he might not be the candidate to support. His candidacy begs the question: Is a moderate enough? Seeing as how he’s poised for the nomination, he may be the best option. His nuanced stances, though, were a major contributing factor to the failure of his presidential bid. While there’s no doubt that a term for Hickenlooper would be a step in the right direction for the nation, only time will tell if his voting record will uphold the values sought by so many left-wing supporters, should he achieve his goal of becoming a Senator.

Luke Rose | Contributing Writer


4

| OPINIONS

DU CLARION

SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

The United States is not the best example for Hong Kong

O

ne of the world’s largest economic cities, Hong Kong has been in turmoil for over 16 weeks. And with both sides standing fast to their demands, the protests are not close to ending—they are escalating. Hong Kong is a special case in the international system. The city is a part of China, but at the same time, it is not. In 1997, Great Britain handed Hong Kong back to China after the city was a territory for 150 years. As part of this agreement, Hong Kong is supposed to stay a democracy and run its own government for a span of 50 years. However, mainland China has been exerting its influence through the Basic Law— Hong Kong’s constitution—and altering the electoral process. While technically a democracy, Hong Kong chooses its chief executive through a committee of 1,200 people. Made up of those mainly from the business sector who are pro-Chinese, many argue that they do not fully have the right to choose their leader. They also argue that they do not have the rights, such as freedom of speech and the right to assemble peacefully, they were promised in their constitution. The protests started due to an extradition bill that, if passed, would allow the Beijing government to imprison those in Hong Kong who speak out against mainland China. Furious at the disregard for their freedom of speech, the Hong Kong people began to protest. After weeks of

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

unrest, Chief Executive Carrie Lam, who is pro-Beijing, prevented the bill from being voted on in Hong Kong. However, more demands came forward: to fully repeal the bill, have Lam step down, investigate alleged police brutality that occurred during the beginning protests, release arrested protestors and allow for more personal freedoms. During protests, a group of protestors waved the American flag and sang the United States national anthem. While some protestors used this tactic to antagonize China, other protestors did it because they want the U.S. to come and “liberate the city.” While the United States has the military power to go against China, we are not the role model protesters should strive to become. The issue with using the

United States as an example of what they want is that the protestors don’t realize that the U.S. is struggling with the same issues the protestors are. Police brutality. A corrupted voting procedure. A leader that divides the nation. A crackdown on the right to protest in some areas. To the protestors who hold the American flags, the flags represent the American Dream and a perfect democracy where all rights are respected. In reality, the dream is a cover for all that’s wrong in our government. As a nation, we in the United States hold onto the optimistic dream that everyone can succeed no matter their background. Every action we do is made to achieve this goal. The American Dream, however, hides the fact that there are wrongs that continually occur. Citizens say that the United States is perfect, the

land of opportunity, but do not acknowledge the fact that the United States has oppressed the rights of minorities all throughout its history. Just like how China is trying to oppress the rights of the Hong Kong people. People in the United States do not acknowledge the police brutality that occurs, especially during nonviolent protests. Just like what is occurring in Hong Kong. In recent times, there has been attempts to rig elections to favor powerful groups. Just like what is occurring in Hong Kong. While the United States was once the symbol of what a powerful democracy, that has since changed. We are not anymore.

Conor Chapman | Contributing Writer

Vaping bans are a distraction from the real issues

V

aping. The word that has taken over the nation. It seems as though everyone is doing it these days, especially high school teens. But, is it as big of a problem as society has recently made it? There’s a big movement growing against vaping. The movement is due to the increase in consumption of e-cigarettes by young teens. According to Harvard Medical School, 37 percent of high school seniors reported vaping in 2018. In 2017, over 2.1 million middle schoolers and high schoolers reported vaping. Some states have gone as far as changing the legal smoking age in order to prevent vaping from reaching younger audiences. Back in June, Illinois changed the legal smoking age to 21, instead of 18, as an effort to prevent teenagers from vaping. Many people want to go as far as banning vaping. The explanation for such an extreme solution is due to the popularity of vaping has gotten, especially with younger audiences. Recently, there have been deaths in connection with vaping. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), seven deaths have

been confirmed in California, Illinois, Indina, Kansas, Minnesota and Oregon, all linked to vaping. The CDC explains how these deaths have no specific explanation because research on the effects of vaping is still ongoing. The cause for the specific lung injuries are still unknown,

and age limits put on them, does not mean usage habits are going to change. There are good intentions behind ending the vaping epidemic, but the passion behind these intentions can be put to better use. Yes, people are dying because of vaping. But

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

and the CDC continues to work with states to further continue research on the harmful effects vaping can have on users. But the efforts to ban e-cigarettes are useless. If teens want to vape, they will always find a way. It’s the same as alcohol or other drugs. Just because there are laws against these substances

those numbers are new and researchers are still working on finding the specific cause of the lung injuries. Vaping is like smoking, so what were we expecting it to result in? Of course it isn’t healthy. Smoking and alcohol cause greater numbers of death than vaping and probably will continue to—yet there is no strong movement to

ban either. Our history has taught us a lesson or two about banning very popular items. Back during the Prohibition era, it caused an increase in violence and illegal markets. When it comes down to it, everything in this world is dangerous. Vaping is a bad habit, so its effects shouldn’t surprise anyone. It would be foolish to ban them when so many people smoke and drink regularly. It will only cause the same societal chaos as it did during the Prohibition era. Vaping is a choice and so people should be free to do as they wish. People are warned everyday through ads about the harmful effects and yet they still do it. These measures simply aren’t working. The world has greater issues to worry about. The great “vaping illness” everyone is overexaggerating is merely a distraction from what is actually going on in the world. Instead, get involved and put efforts into changing the world through better means. Don’t waste your attention on things like vaping. Go save the damn Amazon Rainforest instead. Ana Ortega | Contributing Writer


DU CLARION

SEPTEMBER 25, 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

Notre Dame Law School Penn State Dickinson Law

Concordia University School of Law George Washington University Law School Golden Gate University School of Law

Saint Louis University School of Law Santa Clara Law

Gonzaga University School of Law Howard University School of Law Indiana University Maurer School of Law

Southwestern School of Law Suffolk University Law School Thomas Jefferson School of Law

Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Lewis & Clark Law School Loyola Law School, Loyola Marymount University

University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law University of Colorado University of Denver Sturm College of Law

McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific Mitchell Hamline School of Law

Pepperdine University School of Law

Seattle University School of Law

University of La Verne College of Law University of Minnesota Law School University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law University of Oregon School of Law University of San Diego, School of Law University of San Francisco School of Law University of Southern California, Gould School of Law University of Texas School of Law University of Wyoming College of Law Whittier College School of Law Willamette University College of Law

University of Iowa 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


6

DU CLARION

| NEWS

SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

Colorado #3 in “drowsy driving” fatalities

F

Photo Courtesy of PixaBay

or many, driving is just another part of day-today life. Commuting from home to work, grocery store to the park or school to church, driving for many is second nature. When you get home after a long day, you hit your bed and that’s that. However, recent studies conducted by Sleep Junkie suggest otherwise. According to a study conducted by the organization, 795 people were killed by “drowsy driving” in the nation during 2017 alone. Out of all 50 states, Colorado rests at an uneasy no. 3 in the nation, slowly trailing behind the neighboring state of Wyoming, which ranks no. 1. Even scarier is that Colorado was also no. 5 in the “largest

increase in sleep-related driving fatalities” in the nation. In fact, Colorado had a 2.2 percent increase in drowsy driving fatalities from the year 2016 to 2017, according to the Sleep Junkie report. In other words, it looks like Colorado is in the hot seat when it comes to this issue. While many students take the light rail while travelling around Denver, and many walk for classes around campus, that doesn’t mean that this fatigue isn’t known to both students and teachers alike. As a student with a car on campus, Stevie Ostman, firstyear Psychology and Biology double major from Phoenix, Ariz., was incredibly shocked to hear about these statistics, especially in relation to Colorado.

“I drive five out of the seven days of the week,” Ostman said. “There have been times where I’ve felt tired while driving, but that’s when a driver should decide to pull over. I’ve most certainly never fallen asleep behind the wheel.” When asked why she was shocked Colorado ranked so high, Ostman said she thought that the “roads are scary here,” and that the difficulty of navigating through Colorado would perhaps discourage drivers from driving while they were too fatigued. “It seems a lot of people here are visitors or passing through Colorado on road trips, so maybe that is why there is an increased rate in those types of fatalities,” Ostman said.

Ostman’s reasoning behind increased drowsy driving fatalities may not be far off from the actual reason. According to Sleep Junkie, the highest spikes in sleep-induced car crashes occur during the summer months (in particular May through August), which also happens to be the time when many families get time off from work and school. Regardless, may Colorado’s high ranking remind students, teachers and faculty alike that while they may be well-acquainted with the side effects of fatigue, it’s still important to know when that fatigue could potentially impair them from living a healthy life on and off the road. Olivia Farrar | Contributing Writer

COLORADO MIGRAHACK REGISTER NOW September 27-28 University of Denver

What is a Migrahack? A multimedia storytelling and data-driven approach to improving understanding about immigration through a collaboration of journalists, community partners, web developers, designers and students.

What is the purpose of a Migrahack? To bring diverse groups of people together Visit our website for additional resources and information. https://coloradomigrahack.school.blog/

#migrahackco

to

“hack” open data on immigration in order to tell stories differently, improve understanding, and change the conversation about immigration.

Want to sponsor a student to attend this event? Each participating student will be eligible for $100 for two days upon completion of their team's project. more info contact lynn.clark@du.edu.

For


SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

DU CLARION

NEWS | 7

Uncovering the CSU blackface incident

O

n September 8th, four students at Colorado State University (CSU) photographed and shared an image of themselves participating in blackface. The text in the picture read “Wakanda forevaa,” a reference to Marvel’s "Black Panther." According to a student at CSU, the photo was first shared by the students in the image and sent to their floor group chat. Another student in the group chat took a screenshot of the post and the image began to circulate soon reaching viral status in Instagram. After the image caught the attention of the school administration the CSU President, Joyse McConell, sent out an email to the students, faculty and staff of the university stating, “We know that images like this one— whether consciously racist or not—can perpetuate deliberate racism and create a climate that feels deeply hostile.” Despite acknowledging the matter, many students felt ag-

gravated and disappointed in the school administration’s following statement: “Our community members— students, faculty and staff—can generally post whatever they wish to post on their personal online accounts in accordance with their First Amendment rights. This recent post runs counter to our principles of community, but it does not violate any CSU rule or regulation, and the First Amendment prohibits the university from taking any punitive action against those in the photo.” Soon after, students at CSU began participating in peaceful protests. One student called out the administration asking them to take action by writing around the school with chalk. The student’s demands were washed out the next day. “I was very disappointed with her response as were many other people of color. I think that she hid behind the First Amendment,” reported Alyssa Sanchez, a student at the university.

Shortly after, the school responded with another email laying out some actions the school would be taking to encourage students impacted by the issue to be heard including a diversity symposium to be held from Oct. 14 – 18. Students have continued to speak up and start conversations. Others students have reported that racial tensions at CSU remain high especially in light of the event, but hope that continued dialogue will raise awareness to the divisions in the school. “Incidents like these happen all the time and it’s easy for some people to let them slide, because it has become the norm,” stated Janeth Rodrigez, another student at the university. One of the students photographed in the image released a statement regarding the image on Sept. 13 to the Coloradoan. Students at Colorado State University report that the actions of the students were not free speech, rather these actions

signified hate speech. For schools going through similar issues, Rodriguez stated, “the best thing you can do is speak out. Sometimes it’s the only thing you can do and keeping quiet won’t do anything. It can be scary, especially when there’s so many people against you. Educating others can be very beneficial as well. Some people are raised to be racist and it’s all they know. For those who aren’t POC it’s important to acknowledge your privilege and ask what you can do in situations like these to make your peers feel welcomed.”

Angie Bustillo | Contributing Writer

DU ranked 97 in top 400 schools nationwide

Connor Davis | Clarion

T

he University of Denver has been ranked 97 out of nearly 400 as one of the nation’s top colleges to attend by the US News & World Report this month. The ranking from US News & World Report looks at six main factors: outcomes, faculty resources, expert opinion, financial resources, student inputs and alumni giving. Outcomes is the biggest category and looks at among other things; graduation and retention during a sixyear period. The expert opinion score comes from a survey that is completed by top administrators at other schools that share the classification as a national university, while the president, provost and admissions director each complete a separate survey. The financial resources score comes from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). The 2020 rankings look at data from 2018. DU is classified as a national university by Carnegie Classification of Higher Education Institutions, that means DU is in the same class as the nation’s most pres-

tigious schools like Harvard and Yale. The scores in each of the six sections are added together to get an overall score. DUs overall score rose from 51 to 52, and ranked higher in every category this year except for faculty resources. Linda Kosten, the Vice Provost for University Budget, Planning and Administration, said this is because Denver has become a more expensive city to live in. In contrast, the biggest area of growth was in the graduation and retention category. With a student to faculty ratio of 11-to-1 and a graduation rate of 77 percent, DU is able to remain toward the top of the student outcomes metric. To improve on scores from last year, Corinne Lengsfeld, the Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, said that DU prioritizes certain factors, from class size reduction to alumni giving and graduation rates, to continue to make room for improvement. “We go through and find categories we can move on and then move them up,” said Provost Lengsfeld. She continued“We looked at the cohort of

students that started in fall 2013 and found people that were close to graduating but still had a few things left to do. We had academic advising call each of them to work toward graduating.” Provost Lengsfeld wants to see DU at the top of every chart, and continues to work on how to achieve this goal. “This year we are setting aspirational goals,” she said. “We are thinking about all the things that are important to us and then we are going out and working to improve those things.” This year’s priorities include the expert survey, where the administrators at other schools give DU a ranking. However, this can be one area where DU struggles. “Denver is a hidden gem, but we want the rest of the country to know about us so our degrees have more prestige,”said Vice Provost Kosten. Priorities also include improving alumni giving and raising the graduation rate. The road to graduation does come with some challenges. These come in many forms, be that a change of interest, change of priorities or

financial challenges. “There are lots of reasons why people who start here don’t graduate from here. That said our graduation rate is in line with schools of the same size and stature” Provost Lengsfeld said. “Hands down financial reasons are why students don’t persist and finish their degree.” Provost Langsfeld further stated that factors such as financial aid can be a roadblock, and DU administration continually looks for a way to overcome these factors. In a written statement Chancellor Jeremy Haefner said, “There is nothing more vital than helping our students succeed — both while they are in the classroom and also after they graduate.” Provost Lansfeld said “We are not chasing rankings. We want to be the best and our students deserve the best.”

John Seward | Contributing Writer


8

| SPORTS

DU CLARION

SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

Broncos plagued by offensive errors, drop to 0-3

A

fter starting the season 0-2 for the first time since 1999, the Broncos looked to turn things around heading into Sunday’s game against Green Bay. Unfortunately for the Broncos, the Packers dominated play on both sides of the ball and left Denver winless for at least another week, winning 27-16. Green Bay wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, with quarterback Aaron Rodgers (Chico, Calif.) connecting a forty yard pass to wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (St. Petersburg, Fla.) in the endzone less than three minutes into the game. The Broncos responded at the

beginning of the second quarter with a one yard touchdown run from running back Phillip Lindsay (Denver) to tie it up. After two straight possessions resulting in a field goal from each team, Denver quarterback Joe Flacco (Haddon Township, N.J.) got strip-sacked by Green Bay linebacker Preston Smith (Stone Mountain, Ga.) for a loss of seven yards. The play resulted in a fumble recovered by Packers linebacker Rashan Gary (Plainfield, N.J.). The Green Bay offense was able to capitalize on the sack with a seven yard touchdown run from running back Aaron Jones (El Paso, Texas) to close out the first half.

The Broncos committed another offensive mistake at the start of the second half with tight end Noah Fant (Omaha, Neb.) fumbling the ball, which was then recovered by Green Bay cornerback Jaire Alexander (Charlotte, N.C.). Once again, the Packers were able to take advantage of the turnover with a one yard touchdown run from Jones, who tied his career high with two touchdowns. The Broncos marched down the field the next possession getting another one yard rushing touchdown from Lindsay on fourth and goal. After a missed extra point attempt from Denver kicker Brandon McManus (Philadelphia, Pa.)

and an unproductive possession for the Packers that resulted in a punt, Flacco threw an interception caught by Green Bay safety Darnell Savage Jr. (Seaford, Del.). The Packers closed the game by scoring a field goal before missing another attempt in their final possession of the ball with 1:09 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Broncos will host the Jacksonville Jaguars next week at 2:25 p.m. MST. The game will be broadcast on CBS.

Henry Hargrave | Contributing Writer

Photo courtesy of CBS Denver

Women’s soccer falls short to Colorado

O

n Saturday night, the Denver Women’s Soccer (3-4-1) team fought to pick up a win on their home pitch against Colorado (8-1-0). After a hard fought 90 minutes, the Pioneers fell short in their attempt to avenge last years 2-1 loss. The Pioneers allowed two goals and four corners, but were unable to get the ball in the back of the Colorado net. In the first half, Denver fought hard against the Buffaloes and kept the game close, Photo courtesy of DU Athletics

attacking well and creating multiple scoring opportunities from impressive plays up the left sideline. But in the 35th minute, CU took advantage of a break in the Denver back line and scored off of a play between Boulder’s Taylor Kornieck and Libby Geraghty. Geraghty got her first goal of the season by chipping the cross from Kornieck over the head of Denver senior goalkeeper Brittany Wilson (Littleton, Colo.). In the first half, CU outshot Denver 6-4 and

each goalkeeper recorded 2 saves. In the second half, the Buffaloes began to take control of the game. Denver had only one shot on goal in the last 45 minutes and struggled to connect passes. In the 75th minute, the Buffaloes once again took advantage of a break in Denver’s defense when CU player Tessa Barton picked off a miss-judged pass from the Pioneer back line and went to goal. The Buffaloes outshot the

Pioneers 15-5 and took home the 2-0 victory. Denver looks to come back from this loss as they finish up non-conference play in their next two games. The Pioneers travel to California next weekend to play University of California-Riverside on Sept. 26th and California State Northridge on Sept. 29th.

Rachel Wright | Contributing Writer


SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

DU CLARION

ARTS & LIFE | 9

Colorado moves to curb rising number of vaping-related illnesses

V

aping-related illnesses are continually on the rise in Colorado. Six Coloradans have now been diagnosed with a still unsolved sickness known to directly stem from vaping either cannabis or nicotine. With the majority of these illnesses found in young people, Colorado lawmakers are hustling to protect the youth with new legislative moves. The beginning stages of legislation against teen e-cigarette and tobacco use are underway in Colorado with a recent proposal to raise the statewide tobacco usage age to 21. This makes the substance on par with alcohol and marijuana accessibility. Tobacco usage includes the purchase of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaping juice or chew tobacco. Although certain cities like Boulder and Aspen have already raised their tobacco age to 21, and Denver is considering doing the same, the call for statewide legislation is heavy in order to prevent underage citizens from simply hopping towns to get tobacco products. Governor Jared Polis is also pushing for a higher tax on vaping products, as the current rate in Colorado is

low. Vaping products are not affected by tobacco taxes in the state, making them cheaper than actual cigarettes. These flavored products are also vastly more concentrated, with one single JUUL pod equaling the nicotine level of a whole pack of cigarettes. According to a 2018 study from the United States Center for Disease Control, Colorado has the highest rate of teen vaping in the nation with 27 percent of high schoolers found to use vape products. These statistics are twice the national average. With these numbers, Colorado has reason to be concerned as 67 percent of the now 530 vaping related illnesses recorded in the US are from people between the ages of 18 and 34, with minors claiming another 16 percent. However, national action may get to regulation before Colorado does. The Trump administration recently announced a proposed national ban on e-cigarettes. New York, a state just as liberal as Colorado in smoking and marijuana politics, just became the first in the nation to completely ban all flavored e-cigarettes this last Tuesday.

The United States only recently experienced an onslaught of vaping-related illnesses. Though e-cigarettes have been vastly popular for many years in the US, the first serious string of lung illnesses were reported in April. The first of now eight deaths was only reported in the last month on Aug. 23. The sickness is mainly isolated in young people who vape either cannabis or

nicotine. Many illnesses so far have been traced back to THC material. Colorado will continue to debate lessening the accessibility of vape products. In keeping with the national push for harsher legislation and regulation, the state will negotiate their own methods as the illnesses continue to rise in the state. Grace Ganz | Arts and Life Editor

Denver prepares first year students for transition with “The Newcomers”

F

Photo Courtesy of Google Images

or freshmen going into their first year of college, Helen Thrope’s book “The Newcomers” provides an accurate account of what it is like to welcome new people into a student community. This book was assigned for all freshmen to read through the OneBook, OneDU program. The subject point of the story was through the lens of those accepting the newcomers into their society. Helen Thorpe herself is sitting in on a class of refugees and observing their transition into Denver, Colo. “I love hearing other people’s stories and it was nice to know that I was heading to a school that really does prioritize inclusivity, diversity and open mindedness,” explained first-year student Margot Fiegen. It was clear that the book was assigned to give incoming students a sense of the importance of how to properly welcome those around them. The booked provided several stories that first-year students could admire and apply to their transition. “We are all newcomers this year, whether we are from Colorado or not. We are in a new school, with new people, learning to find our way. These are some of the most important years of our lives in terms of finding out more about our future. In a way, we are not only newcomers to University of Denver, but to the real world,” said first-year student Kenny Moll.

For new students, it is important to realize that everyone they meet in college is coming with their own story and their own completely different lives. Thorpe provides intense perspective and the strain on the need for more acceptance today. “It delves into immigration and community. I think it’s important to learn about different perspectives, and although personal perspectives in the book were lacking, I think acknowledging these themes are important,” said Moll. “One of the most relevant topics is obviously the refuge crisis. At various points in the book, Helen Thorpe describes the political climate that parallels the students’ lives. Thorpe also discusses the reputation refugees have and how hard it is to get refugee status in America,” stated Fiegen. The book also requires a certain type of audience. It makes it so incoming Pioneers have to engage in the book with a very open mind. Moll explained his view on what type of audience Thorpe attracted as “An audience that’s never dealt with needing to open up to a completely new community.” “The Newcomers” sheds light on DU’s values and what type of student they expect out of the incoming ones.

Millie Winter | Contributing Writer


10

DU CLARION

| OPINIONS

SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

VOICES Question of the week:

What will be the best part of fall?

“Looking forward to my last quarter as an undergrad.”

“Connecting with my core group as a new student at DU.”

Itchel Cardenas

George Bolaños

“Sweet Potatoes.”

“My last fall quarter at DU.”

Antonio Campana

Mary Major


SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

DU CLARION

ARTS AND LIFE | 1 1

The Unbearable Impermanence of Things

T

oday, the world is changing before our very eyes. Glaciers are melting, animals species are growing extinct and the rainforest is on fire. In this time of constant upheaval, it’s no shock Libby Barbee wishes to capture the beauty of nature before it slips away. In the gallery “The Unbearable Impermanence of Things”, curator Barbee showcases the work of various nineteenth-century naturalism and contemporary artists. As it quotes on the wall of the gallery these artists focus on the “pervasive yearning to arrest and preserve nature.” This desire to prevent change is showcased through different pieces of art that host parts of nature, essentially freezing them in time. As I enter the building, I am immediately greeted at the entrance by a full size, taxidermied deer. In the front of the gallery there are around 20 other woodland animals placed in front of a green screen. These animals range from hanging falcons to a snarling wolf, making it an in-

credible sight. There is even a spot in the gallery where you can get your photo taken with this variation of animals. In an age where dozens of species of animals go extinct every day, these animals are permanent. As I advance through the gallery, I can see a variety of different contemporary drawings, photos and sculptures. With a variation of different mediums and artists, this gallery offers something for everyone. These art pieces attempt to defy the impermanence of things by preventing them from changing. While it is impossible to stop the constant extinction occurring in our world, galleries and artists like these serve as a memory of what was.

Alexandra Welch | Contributing Writer

Alexandra Welch | The Clarion

Alexandra Welch | The Clarion

Unexpected deliciousness at Jaya Asian Grill

T

he media has forced its audience to perceive life in a certain light – everything has to be in accordance to these unquestioned rules and anything astray is wrong. This spans fashion, beauty and has even corrupted food. Instagram food accounts can show the most indulgent treats, where milkshakes are adorned by candy, cookies and frosting before being brought to the table. A single straw with whip cream and a cherry is no longer sufficient, it needs to be grandiose and eye-opening. The same goes for works of art escaping the world’s most acclaimed kitchens. They showcase monochromatic color schemes, fluid patterns, or designs that are achieved through the use of tweezers and molds on each plate. This fixation with the right look bypasses what a great dish has at its roots, which is the flavor. Therefore, in my ode to David Chang’s Netflix series “Ugly Delicious,” I have strayed away from the perfect aesthetic and have enjoyed meals based solely on flavor profiles. Instead I challenge his show to be

called “Unexpected Delicious” because nothing is more satisfying than when a dish causes the ends of your mouth to curve up into a gentle smile. This concept screams hole in the wall, multi-generational eateries, and that is exactly what I found as I craved Asian food one night after a yoga class. Jaya Asian Grill, in the shopping center at the corner of Colorado Boulevard and Mexico Avenue, specializes in four cultures of Asian cuisine: Chinese-Cantonese, Thai, Singaporian and Malaysian. The restaurant represents authenticity as its decorations are minimal, leaving room for the flavor to be the reason you return for your South Asian food fix. Although the menu has options for those that stick to orange or kung pao chicken because the Panda would have suggested it, this is the type of restaurant where letting the waiter order their favorite dish would turn into a roulette that always ends with you cashing out. I played, and in front of me was the Nasi Lemak. Typically found in a traditional Malaysian household, the star is the crispy wok

fried chicken. It has developed the thinnest crust that emulates the snap of a chip as you rip into that bag of Lays. This creates a protective layer for the succulent meat hidden beneath that is still steaming from the protective chip exterior. A crucial aspect is the coconut milk rice that lays as the base for all the other layers to mash up together. It has that bright coconut fragrance but not anything that would take away from the rest of the components. Each aspect has its own rightful spot on the plate. The boiled peanuts, hard boiled egg, steaming chicken and pickled vegetables each have their own rightful spot on the plate. It is up to you to pick a bit of this and add some texture to your bite from that in order to see how each separate item unifies the dish into one. This dish calls upon all types of taste, salty from the roasted nuts, sour from the pickled veggies, sweet from the coconut, umami from the chicken and bitter from the fried anchovies. Each element is an unlikely combination to any American food that grazed our childhood kitchen counter but it is a proud staple in South

East Asia. Most restaurants pass out bread that they rarely expect patrons to finish. At Jaya, you can order a delish carb starter that won’t leave a crumb on the plate. To the naked eye, the roti resembles naan or pita bread. Upon further investigation, however, the flakey layers begin to expose themselves. Each sheet of dough is as thin as paper but loaded with rich, buttery flavor. Accompanying this is a deep red curry starring red chilis and complemented by garlic, ginger and lemongrass. The soft flat bread soaks it up effortlessly like a sponge. Jaya can be great in terms of executing Americanized Asian food that we have all come to crave, but it also allows for a new cultural integration with flavors, combinations and textures that can become your new cravings. With large portions and a friendly staff, it has become my post-yoga treat, as well as my highly anticipated lunch for the following day.

Haley Paez | Contributing Writer

Photo courtesy of jayagrill.com


12

| ARTS

DU CLARION

SEPTEMBER 25, 2019

AND LIFE

The Clarion Crossword: Week 3 Need some help? Visit duclarion.com for the answer key.

Across

Down

12. This bird is just as elusive as its mouse 2. This mouse has compatriot a monoply on the film 13. Whats green and industry wants you to get out of 5. This bunny is well his swamp? known for asking “Eh, Whats up Doc?”

The Clarion Crossword was concieved by Chelsea Fincher, and continued by Jake Gloth. Each week follows a different 1. OOOH WHO LIVES theme. This week’s theme is IN A PINEAPPLE UNDER cartoon characters. THE SEA If you have any suggestions of what the topic for the next 3. Who is the grumpiest Clarion Crossword should be, squid under the sea? feel free to email duclarioneditor@gmail.com.

7. This character tricked kids into eating spinach

4. “The inner mechanations of my mind are an enigma”

9. This lovable adores his honey

bear

6. This skeleton man just can’t stand He-Man

10. The most elusive mouse in the cartoon world

8. This cat just can’t kill mice

11. Give him a snack and he will unmask any ghoul, goblin, or ghost

11. The second worst cat in cartoon history Jake Gloth | Copy Editor


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.