FEB. 07, 2018
VOLUME 125, ISSUE 05
“CRADLE TWO GRAVE” SHOWCASES FEMALE TALENT
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CHOPP GIVES STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY ADDRESS
DU HOCKEY WINS SERIES AGAINST DULUTH
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STATE OF THE UNION 3 DISAPPOINTS pa g e
HIPPO CAMPUS BRINGS VIBES TO THE GOTHIC
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DU CLARION
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FEB. 07, 2018
| NEWS
Chopp’s address looks at past in order to move forward
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hancellor Rebecca Chopp reunited about 800 DU faculty and staff on Jan. 29 for lunch as she made her annual State of the University address. Marking three-and-a-half years as the university’s chancellor, Chopp began her speech by acknowledging the qualities she’s discovered during her time in the city of Denver and at DU. She described its people as, “relentless optimists, tenacious doers and resilient builders.” She sees these qualities as assets that will bring forth a brighter future in the years to come for the university. Before discussing the goals for the upcoming years, Chopp looked back at the influential milestones of DU’s history. Chopp reminded the audience of DU’s renowned departments such as the Daniels College of Business (which was one of the nation’s first business schools in 1881) and the Graduate School of Social Work at DU
which, according to Chopp, is currently ranked as one of the top 20 social work schools in the nation. Along with its humble origins, when DU was originally called the Colorado Seminary, and the schools earlier mentioned successes, Chopp also acknowledged the tragedies and trying times of the university. “Very much on our mind is the tragedy of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe people. The land upon which DU now stands was once the land that was home to generations of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe. The forced migration and broken promises made to the natives is one of the great tragic flaws in our country and we live daily thinking, never forgetting, healing, trying to rebuild; never forgetting,” she said. “Every institution has a storied past,” said Chopp as she brought up the DU Impact 2025 plan which marks the outline for the future for the university by
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continuing to push the development of the school forward and preparing students for the 21st century. “That’s where we’re at in history right now: building on our past but willing to look radically at changes,” she said. Chopp then proceeded to outline the plan’s four objectives. The Interdisciplinary Research Incubator for the Study of (In)Equity (IRISE) and the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning (CCESL) are among the many organizations in DU that are helping address the challenges in the society on a local and global level. Chopp concluded her praises by celebrating the DU Athletics program. “Our student athletes represent DU with pride and honor. They represent what DU excellence is about […] the ability to take risks, to work hard, to fail; yes occasionally to lose a game but to get up. It exemplifies what we’re about never just
athletics but also academics, also leadership.” Finally, the chancellor rhetorically asked guests, “what comes now?” To which she responded by mentioning DU’s big picture plan “Denver Advantage”—a series of projects curated with the help of community members bringing to light the changes they would like to see on campus. The closest change to come is the new community commons which will replace the Driscoll Student Center. To the faculty and staff in attendance, Chopp urged them to speak up regarding changes they hope to see for DU in order to continue the university progress for years to come.
Daniela Santos | News Editor
DU Clarion EDITORIAL STAFF
JOHN POE, Editor-in-Chief RYAN NINESLING, Executive Editor DANIELA SANTOS, News Editor NIKKY JOHNSON, Sports Editor ELIZABETH LOCHHEAD, Opinions Editor The Clarion is the official student newspaper of the University of Denver, serving as the “Voice of the Pioneers.” Founded in 1899, it covers campus and local stories with the highest level of journalistic integrity possible. 1000 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 opinions expressed by columnists and contributing writers do not necessarily reflect those of The Clarion. Weather forecasts are of courtesy of the National Weather Service. 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.
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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 Driscoll Underground. 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.
TARYN ALLEN, Arts & Life Editor KENDALL MORRIS, Arts & Life Editor CAITLAN GANNAM, Photo/Video Editor GRACE HOUSER, Photo/Video Editor MONICA MCFADDEN, Podcast Editor JUSTIN CYGAN, Copy Editor MAYA PINON, Copy Editor ANDREW MATRANGA, Faculty Adviser
CONTRIBUTING STAFF CLAIRE BOGGS HANNAH BRANIT GRACE CARSON MADALYN GAHARAN CLAUDIA GLENN BEN ROSSI
FEB. 07, 2018
DU CLARION
SPORTS | 3
DU Hockey defeats Minnesota Duluth in series
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n a rematch of last year’s NCAA Hockey championship game between the second ranked Denver Pioneers and tenth ranked Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs the Pioneers came into the game off a pair of ties against North Dakota the previous week. On Friday night’s game, both defenses were in championship form through the first couple of periods as the game remained scoreless. Each team saw a pair of power play opportunities only to see strong penalty kills from both teams despite Duluth’s seventh ranked power play. Denver became more aggressive on the attack in the second period outshooting Duluth 18-7 only to continue to see the game scoreless. At 2:35 into the third period, sophomore forward
Henrik Borgstrom (Helsinki, Finland) finally broke through on an unexpected shot from the side of the goal that ricocheted off the mask of Minnesota Duluth’s goaltender Hunter Shepard to find its way behind the net for the game’s only goal. Duluth looked threatening late in the game as Denver struggled to defend but managed to hold off Duluth 1-0 on Friday night. “We got the 1-0 lead, they started to push and I thought we started to panic a little bit and that’s an opportunity for us to grow,.” said Head Coach Jim Montgomery after Friday night’s victory. On Saturday night the Pioneers got a 1-0 lead on a shorthanded breakaway goal by junior forward Logan O’Connor (Cal-
gary, Alberta). That goal however was followed by two Minnesota Duluth goals to put the Bulldogs in front. The Pioneers then tied it up five minutes into the second period on a perfect pass from freshman Jake Durflinger (Walnut Creek, California) leading to a centered slap shot goal by freshman Ryan Barrow (Banff, Alta). However, Minnesota Duluth’s tall forward Riley Tufte found an opening moments later to put the Bulldogs back out in front. The Pioneers did not let up however, as red hot junior Jarid Lukoseviscius (Squamish, B.C.) backhanded the puck in the net to tie the game up going into the third. Halfway through the third, senior defenseman Adam Plant (Penticton, B.C.) took a shot that
ricocheted off Shepard but was recovered and poked in by junior Dylan Gambrell ( Bonney Lake, Washington). Denver’s defense recovered from a rough second period to hold on and win the game 4-3 outshooting Minnesota Duluth 44-35. “Once we got that goal to go ahead I thought we were a lot better then we were last night as far as playing with a lead, ” said a satisfied Jim Montgomery after Saturday’s victory. The Pioneers will have a second bye week next week prior to rivalry weekend against Colorado College but will be without two star players as Troy Terry will be playing for team USA and Henrik Borgstrom for team Finland in the winter Olympics which start Feb. 9. Ben Rossi | Contributing Writer
Erika Sobelman | Clarion
Houses for Rent Next Year
Now is the time to reserve a quality home for next school year with leases starting in the summer or fall. Large 2, 3, 4 or 5 bedroom homes include washers, dryers dishwashers, appliances, garages, yards, basements. Walking distance to campus and light rail. Don’t be left out! CALL OR E-MAIL NOW!
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Erika Sobelman | Clarion
DU CLARION
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| SPORTS
FEB. 07, 2018
No. 4 Denver beats Delaware in exhibition scrimmage
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n its final exhibition match before its season opener against Air Force, DU Men’s Lacrosse defeated Delaware 19-12. Fourteen different Pioneers scored, including goals from each one of the midfield lines, and 10 players in the first 30 minutes. “First of all, I want to thank Delaware for coming out here to play. A lot of teams won’t do that, and we really appreciate them flying out here for this scrimmage. The two things we’ll take away from this is first of all, thankfully we will now have film of us against an opponent, and secondly, we have a lot of work to do, and a
week to do it in,” Head Coach Bill Tierney said following the match. “There were some things we did well. Obviously Trevor [Baptiste] was really good again. I thought offensively we went on some real runs, which we’ve been known to do, but other times we were kind of flat. Defensively we need to be more aware of what’s going on around us. Sometimes when Trevor wins every faceoff, you get a little complacent at the other end, and I thought you saw that today.” Senior Trevor Baptiste (Denville, N.J.) won 17-24 faceoffs, and picked up 10 ground balls, pick-
ing up from last year’s success. Baptiste started his final season with the Pioneers when he was awarded the 2018 Big East Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Denver’s scoring was led by junior Colton Jackson (Highlands Ranch, Colo.), who had four goals, all in the first half. Junior attackman Austin French (Danville, Calif.) had two goals, and junior attackman Colin Rutan (Walnut Creek, Calif.) finished with one. Sophomore and 2018 Big East Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Ethan Walker (Peterborough, Ontario) had two goals. Other scorers for Denver
included Baptise, redshirt-senior Connor Flynn (Charlotte N.C.), sophomore Kyle Smith (New Canaan, Conn.), freshman Ted Sullivan (Tucson, Ariz.), junior Nate Marano (Tustin, Calif), senior Jeremy Bosher (Kamloops, B.C.), senior Sean Mayle (San Carlos, Calif.), sophomore Danny Logan (Upper Arlington, Ohio), redshirt-freshman Zach Hutchko (Charlotte, N.C.) and freshman Jack Hannah (Milford, Ohio). Denver opens its 2018 season on Feb. 10 with a trip to Air Force. The match starts at 1 p.m. and will be broadcast on 104.3, the Fan. Hannah Branit | Contributing Writer
Caitlin Ganam | Clarion
DU Gymnastics wins sold-out Quad Meet O n Feb. 3, Denver posted its second-highest score of the season, 196.750, to win the quad meet against Ball State (195.450), No. 18, BYU (194.875) and Bowling Green (194.525). This meet was the second consecutive sell-out, setting a new record in Hamilton Gymnasium for DU Gymnastics. The Pioneers opened on vault, with six student-athletes competing for the first time all season. DU scored a 49.275, the highest team score on vault all season. Sophomore Maddie Karr (Stillwater, Minn.) tied for the event title with a score of 9.925. Freshman Lynnzee Brown (Kansas City, Mo.) and junior Diana Chesnok (Charlotte, N.C.) each posted 9.850, with Chesnok tying her best score on the event. Senior Nikole Addison (Fort Myers, Fla.) and freshman Mia
Sundstrom (Boulder, Colo.) each had 9.825, matching Sundstrom’s personal best. Junior Kaitlyn Schou (Orlando, Fla.) competed on the vault for the first time, scoring a 9.725. In the second rotation, DU competed six gymnasts, after competing only five gymnasts last meet. Karr tied her personal best of a 9.900 for the third straight meet, and finished second overall. Brown tied her personal best with a 9.875, and tied for third overall. Sundstrom scored a new career-high of 9.850, and freshman Emily Glynn (Longmont, Colo.) returned after missing two meets with an injury and scored a 9.850. On the beam, DU swept the podium with Karr and Sundstrom sharing first place with scores of 9.925. This was a new career-best for Sundstrom, and tied Karr’s
personal best. Schou completed the sweep with a 9.900, placing her in third. Addison scored a season-best 9.825, and Brown scored a 9.800. Denver’s score of 49.375 was the fifth-best mark in program history. Denver competed only five student-athletes on floor, scoring a 49.350. Brown had a career-high and event-winning 9.950, Addison placed second with a score of 9.900, and Karr was third with with a 9.875. Schou scored a 9.825, and Sundstrom finished with a 9.800. Denver swept the top spots in the all-around for the second straight meet. Karr placed first with a score of 39.635, which was the sixth-highest score in DU gymnastics. Brown earned a 39.475, placing second, and Sundstrom placed third with a new personal-best of 39.400. “I’m impressed with the char-
acter of the team. I’m pleased with the performance, and we just need to stay patient as we work to get back to full strength,” Head Coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart said following the meet. “Once again, we want to thank our fans and friends for our second straight sell out. The atmosphere was electric, and we’re so pleased to watch the sports of collegiate women’s gymnastics grow and the visibility increase. We hope to continue the momentum from the last two meets, and we’re very blessed to have this support.” The Pioneers will finish their three-meet home stand on Feb. 10, against Big 12 Conference team, West Virginia, starting at 6 p.m. in Hamilton Gymnasium.
Hannah Branit | Contributing Writer
FEB. 07, 2018
DU CLARION
SPORTS | 5
Backup Nick Foles leads Eagles to Super Bowl upset
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uper Bowl LII proved to be one of the most dramatic and inspirational upsets in the history of America’s game. Going into the game the New England Patriots, led by Quarterback Tom Brady, were favored to win. However, the Philadelphia Eagles could not be counted out as they had proven themselves as a come-from-behind, underdog story all playoffs. The Eagles flew out of the gate to a 22-12 lead in the first half as Philadelphia Head Coach Doug Pederson continued to design play after play, including the rare touchdown pass to Quarterback Nick Foles himself. Viewers across the country knew however that five-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady could break that lead in a heartbeat. And that the Patriots did as Tom
Brady connected with top receiver Rob Gronkowski for a four yard touchdown to open up the third. The Eagles did manage to respond with another touchdown but that was then followed by two other Patriot touchdowns including another pass to Gronkowski to put the Patriots in the lead 33-32 with 9:22 remaining in the game. Time looked like it was running out for the Eagles, but in came Nick Foles, the centerpiece of the Philadelphia Eagles underdog playoff story. This started when the Eagles’ star quarterback Carson Wentz went down with a torn ACL in week 14. This allowed Nick Foles, who they had previously traded away, to prove that his NFL career was not over. After impressive playoff upsets over the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings,
this moment in the Super Bowl proved to be his defining moment. The defining play was a bold decision by the Eagles to go for it on fourth down from their own 45-yard line as Foles managed to save the game for the Eagles on a completion to start Tight End Zach Ertz. Ertz would also close the drive out on an 11-yard pass from Nick Foles to put the Eagles back in the lead 38-33. The Eagles defense knew they had to make a stop as the Patriots had plenty of time with 2:21 on the clock for another legendary Brady-Belichick Super Bowl comeback. The Eagles defense, who hadn’t gotten to Brady, made their mark when it mattered most. On second and two at the Patriots’ 33-yard line the Eagles Philadelphia’s star defensive Brandon Graham forced
a fumble on the sack, recovered by the Eagles. An Eagles field goal just about put the game away, leaving little time on the clock for a Brady comeback. With nine seconds left on the clock, Brady launched one last Hail Mary to the end zone which fell incomplete, winning the Eagles their first-ever Lombardi Trophy. “I felt calm, we have such a great group of guys, such a great coaching staff,” said Foles. “We felt confident coming in and we just went out there and played football.” Foles received Super Bowl MVP honors as he was the leader of this dramatic upset throwing for 373 yards and three touchdowns. Ben Rossi | Contributing Writer
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia
Five Pios competing at the Winter Olympics F ive DU athletes will be competing at the 2018 Winter Olympics that begin on Feb. 9 in PyeongChang, South Korea, and will compete in winter sports events until the closing day of Feb. 25. The Winter Olympics schedule features non-stop matchups and medal ceremonies. Pioneers looking to support DU in the Winter Olympics can begin watching competition as the events open up with NBC’s primetime coverage with figure skating at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 8. At the age of 20, the youngest to compete in the USA Hockey team, junior forward Troy Terry (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) will skate for the U.S. after winning a World Junior and NCAA DI Men’s Ice Hockey Championship last year. Terry was selected by Anaheim in Round 5 (148th Overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft and most recently has been named NCAA Third
Star of the Week (Oct. 31, 2017), named to U.S. Olympic Team (Jan. 1, 2018) and named 2018 Hobey Baker Award Nominee (Jan. 16, 2018). Before competing as a DU Pioneer, Terry spent the 2014-15 season with USA Hockey’s National U18 Team, tallying 19G-25A-44P in 66 games played. Terry won gold with Team USA at the 2015 IIHF World U18 Championships in Switzerland, and captured bronze at the 2014 U18 Junior World Cup where he tallied 4G-1A-5P in five games played. Terry grew up watching DU Hockey and always dreamed of being a Pioneer. His career goal is to have a successful collegiate career and then play professionally. Sophomore Alpine skier Andrea Komsic (Zagreb, Croatia) will represent Croatia and be joined by current DU skier Erik Read (Canada) and two alum: Leif Haugen (Norway) and Trevor Philp (Canada). Komsic is an NCAA All-Academic athlete and has earned two first-team
All-American honors at the NCAA Championships, placing second in the Slalom and the fifth in the Giant Slalom races. Komsic is one of 12 skiers to compete at the NCAA Championships in New Hampshire, and skiid dominantly in her debut as a Pioneer, finishing in the top-10 in all but one meet she has competed in. Komsic made the first RMISA All-Conference Team, and was ranked fifth at the RMISA Championships in Slalom and sixteenth in the Giant Slalom. She won the Seawolf Invitational in the Slalom race, and placed seventh in the Giant Slalom. Komsic finished tenth in the Alaska Invitational Giant Slalom event. Junior Erik Read (Calgary, Alberta) was one of 12 DU skiers to compete at the 2017 Championships in New Hampshire. Read earned two first-team All-American honors at the Championships. Read finished third and fifth at the NCAA Championships in the Slalom and
Giant Slalom races, and he scored more World Cup points this season than all Pioneer skiers over the last 30 years combined. Trevor Philp (Calgary, Alberta) graduated from DU in 2015 and was named to the All-American Team his senior year. Philp is a member of the National Collegiate All-Academic team, and won a silver medal for Canada in Team Event at World Alpine Ski Championships in Vail. Philp had a second place finish in the Slalom and fourth place result in the Giant Slalom at NCAA Championships. He also finished fifth place in slalom at RMISA Championships in 2015. We wish all of our Crimson and Gold athletes the best of luck as they compete on the other side of the globe.
Nikky Johnson | Sports Editor
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FEB. 07, 2018
Women’s Basketball takes down Fort Wayne, 86-65
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he DU Women’s Basketball team ended its three-game losing streak, defeating Fort Wayne 86-65 on their home court on Feb. 4. With the win, Crimson and Gold basketball improved to a 13-11 record overall and a 4-5 record in the Summit League, while the Mastodons dropped to 4-19 and 1-9 in the league. Five DU players scored in double figures, and junior guard Samantha Romanowski (Mountlake Terrace, Wash.) led the team with a game-high 18 points, while adding a careerhigh of six steals. She shot 88.9 percent on the game (8-for-9) from the field and 100 percent (2-for-2) from behind the threepoint line. Sophomore guard Briana Johnson (Carson, Calif.) totaled
12 points, freshman guard Claire Gritt (Arlington Heights, Ill.), sophomore guard Lauren Loven (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and sophomore forward Madison Nelson (Dover, Minn.) all scored 11 points. Nelson almost had a double-double in the game, as she grabbed a team-high of nine rebounds. Denver shot 47.1 percent (33-70) from field-goal range and 35.7 percent (5-14) from behind the arc. The squad also grabbed 39 rebounds, forced 22 turnovers and had 11 steals. In the first three minutes of the game, Fort Wayne took a 7-6 lead over the Pioneers. But Denver responded by hitting back-to-back threes from Romanowski and Gritt. The Crimson and Gold then went on an 11-3 run, and had a seven-point
advantage, 24-17 with 15 seconds to play in the first quarter. Fort Wayne ended the quarter with momentum, though, as Kierstyn Repp hit a shot from behind the arc to limit the Denver lead to four points to end the period. Denver started the second quarter strong with an 8-2 run, which gave the Denver squad a 10-point lead. At the half, the Pioneers dominated a 17-point lead, 47-30. The Denver offense was dominant in the first half, as the team shot 57.6 percent (19-33) from the field and 40 percent (4-10) from three-point range. The Pioneers grabbed 14 rebounds, six assists and forced 13 turnovers. In the first half, Romanowski scored 14 points, shooting 85.7 percent (6-7) from field-goal range and a perfect 100 percent
(2-2) from behind the arch. Fort Wayne started the second half with an 8-4 run, trimming DU’s lead to 13 points. After the Mastodons cut the DU advantage to only 15 points, Loven responded for Denver, sinking a three. Se also drew a foul and connected for the extra point. The four-point play put DU up by 19 with just 3:46 left in the third quarter. To start the fourth quarter, the Pioneers took their largest lead of the contest, 69-58, with a Romanowski drive to the basket. The game ended with a 21-point win over Fort Wayne. Denver basketball returns on Feb. 8, as they travel to Brookings, S.D. to take on the Jackrabbits. Nikky Johnson | Sports Editor
Caitlin Ganam | Clarion
Men’s Basketball falls to Fort Wayne, 91-63
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U Men’s Basketball ended a three-game winning streak on Feb. 3, falling 91-63 to Fort Wayne. The Pioneers fell to a 10-13 overall record and a 4-5 record in the Summit League. The Mastodons improved to a 16-10 overall record and a record of 5-4 in the Summit League. The Crimson and Gold got sloppy with the ball, finishing with 20 turnovers in the game. The Denver squad turned the ball over 13 times in the first half alone. It was the first time since Omaha that the Pioneers had
turned it over that much. DU is 2-5 this year having at least 20 turnovers in a game. Senior guard Jake Pemberton (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) led Denver with a team-high of 12 points, while both junior guard Joe Rosga (St. Paul, Minn.) and sophomore guard Ade Murkey (Minneapolis, Minn.) each contributed 10 points. The fall of the Pioneers was at the hands of the combination of Bryson Scott and John Konchar as they led the way for Fort Wayne. The duo recorded 43 points, 10 assists and eight
steals in the victory. Denver started strong as they opened with a 5-0 run after a pair of made baskets from Pemberton and Murkey before Fort Wayne responded with eight straight points to go into the first time out leading by three. The Mastodons pushed the lead to nine after a Konchar steal and score at the 12:40 mark. Denver fought back, making it a two-possession game after a three-pointer from sophomore forward Jake Krafka (Austin, Texas), his first points of the game with just under six min-
utes left in the first half. Fort Wayne picked up their defense over the final minutes, amounting a 13-point lead going into the half, 42-29. Fort Wayne came out strong in the second half, too, going on a 7-4 run, which extended their lead to 16. By the end of the game, Fort Wayne would extend their lead to over 30, amounting in a 91-63 loss for the Pioneers. Denver will take on South Dakota State on Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. on their home court in Magness Arena.
Nikky Johnson | Sports Editor
FEB. 07, 2018
DU CLARION
OPINIONS | 7
Making America great for whom?
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n Jan. 30, Donald Trump gave his first State of the Union address. He started the address with these words: “Each day since, we have gone forward with a clear vision and a righteous mission — to make America great again for all Americans.” Fact-checks have pointed out false and exaggerated statements throughout the speech, but this one seems to me to be the biggest of them all. Last year was not great— not for me, not for communities of color and certainly not for immigrants and refugees who reside in our country. In fact, it’s been awful. When I look back at this last year, I look back at the ways my community has suffered. At the beginning of the year, Trump signed an executive order to advance the Dakota Access and Keystone XL pipelines, which directly affected Native communities. The Dakota Access pipeline travels underneath the Missouri River, threatening to contaminate the primary drinking water source for the Dakota, Lakota and Nakota people who live on Standing Rock. The Keystone Pipeline has already leaked 210,000 gallons of oil, contaminating land in South Dakota. Not only has he impacted my
community negatively, but also the communities of my friends. He made my Muslim friends feel unsafe by signing an executive
that the president openly discriminates against their faith, and has even instituted policies that embody this prejudice. It
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
order that prohibited citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States for 90 days and barred Syrian refugees indefinitely. This reminded them
also separated Muslims in the United States from their family members abroad. For my friends who are protected by Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) —
those who have been in America since the beginning of their lives — the looming threat that their lives may be taken away from them is a fear they have faced everyday since Trump ended the program. In fact, he insulted DACA recipients when introducing Celestino Martinez, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, right after saying, “Americans are dreamers, too.” That wasn’t the only time he pushed his xenophobic ideologies. He used his guests, Evelyn Rodriguez and Freddy Cuevas, whose daughter, Kayla Cuevas, was killed by MS-13 gang members on Long Island in 2016 as an example of bad immigration policy that allowed the members of MS-13 to kill their daughter because they were able to come into the country through what he called, “deadly loopholes.” It’s clear that the greatness envisioned for America does not include certain groups of people, such as indigenous communities, communities of color, the Muslim community and those immigrants who have called America their home for years. And so I ask: For whom is the Trump administration making America great? Grace Carson | Staff Writer
Donald Trump can’t save coal
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hen it comes to coal power, President Trump seems to believe two major things that are both false: that coal power is clean and that he will save it. In his State of the Union address last week, Trump declared that he had “ended the war on American energy—and we have ended the war on beautiful, clean coal.” This statement is incorrect on many levels, and represents a misguided view of what the future of energy in
the U.S. is currently and what it should be. Trump’s intention is to save coal mining jobs and give renewed strength to the industry, but that hope is not supported by actual market trends. To begin, calling coal “clean” is perplexing on its own (and let’s not even go near the “beautiful” part). Coal mining and coal emissions are both extremely disruptive to the environment, and the burning of coal for energy releases carbon dioxide and other emissions
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
into the atmosphere, contributing to pollution and humancaused climate change. The president did not make clear whether “clean coal” referred to the practice carbon capture and storage, a process by which carbon emissions from plants are captured and the stored underground (and for which this term has been used in the past). But even this process has received criticism from scientists and environmentalists who argue that this will not make a dent in the carbon dioxide already in the air and could take resources away from developing more sustainable technology. To reference a “war on coal” is also to blame the wrong forces for the decline of this energy source. Trump implies that Obama-era regulations such as the Clean Power Plan have been choking the coal industry, and repealing this plan has been a priority. But no amount of deregulation is going to change the inevitable: market forces are leading to the shutdown of coal plants across the country, and other forms of energy are on the rise. According to Forbes, new coal is now more expensive than renewable energy, and in some areas, keeping coal plants open can be more expensive than building new wind turbines. Natural gas is largely displacing coal, and even better, the renewable energy sector continues to grow. Coal
plants are shutting down independently of what is happening politically with deregulation. If we want any sort of sustainable future, moving away from coal and toward renewable energy is going to be the way to go. Thankfully, this is already happening. Colorado is already a leader in wind power, a capacity that the state should keep utilizing. While renewable energy may seem difficult or expensive at the present, technological advancement in this industry is high-speed. Colorado can continue to lead the way on supporting renewable energy, an industry that should continue to expand worldwide. While Trump clings to the idea that coal will make a comeback in a new era of loose regulation, the world is moving ahead in the realm of energy innovation and sustainable solutions. Instead of wasting time repealing Obama-era environmental measures in an attempt to support coal, this time and effort should go toward supporting energy sources that are on the rise and far superior in the long-term. Coal is on its way out no matter what the federal government does, and that is a good thing. The longer the Trump administration refuses to acknowledge this, the longer it will be playing catch-up later. Elizabeth Lochhead | Opinions Editor
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FEB. 07, 2018
| OPINIONS
PIONEER VOICES Question of the week:
What are your Winter Carnival weekend plans?
“I’m going to be working this whole weekend, but I’m going to the events with friends this week.”
“I’ll be working with DUPB this weekend.”
Kristy Fraser-Jones, Third Year
Daniela Gamundi, Third Year
“I’m going skiing for the first time, so that’s exciting.”
“I am going skiing for the first time with a friend. It’s going to be fun.”
Julia Sonnenfeld, Second Year
Hunter Hall, Second Year
FEB. 07, 2018
DU CLARION
OPINIONS | 9
Examining food insecurity on college campuses N
ext week on campus, from Feb. 12 to Feb. 16, “Swipe Out Hunger” will take place in the dining halls, allowing students to donate meal swipes to fellow students who need them. Joining other programs across the nation, this initiative seeks to address the problem of food insecurity among college students, an alarming issue that is more prevalent than one may guess and which DU should keep in mind as it plans for the future. A recent opinion in the New York Times detailed the issue of food insecurity in college, revealing high percentages of students who struggle with not being able to afford meals and missing meals entirely. The study cited shows that nearly half of college students have experienced some kind of food insecurity and that this is impacting graduation rates. This goes beyond the normal college scenario of eating cheap meals and keeping a tight budget— food insecurity in this context is
affecting student performance and well-being (and students of color and LGBT+ students are often at a higher risk). Though there is not much public information when it comes to food insecurity here at DU specifically, several ongoing projects indicate that there is some awareness of this problem. The Swipe Out Hunger week is an important event to have, and reallocating meal swipes from students who can spare them to students who can use them is a collaborative and student-driven way to help the problem of hunger on campus. Additionally, Sustainable DU has started a food pantry on campus—students with a valid student ID can access the pantry, on the first floor of Towers North, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month. This is a similar effort to other colleges around the country that have opened pantries for students with low levels of food security. DU is currently in the midst
of a master planning project, known as IMPACT 2025, which is far-ranging in the types of goals the university will seek in the coming years. The campus food bank has already brought addressing student hunger into this set of goals, but this strategic planning period is an interesting time to take a look at food insecurity on an even larger scale. Learning about the scope of this problem among college kids nationally is startling, and DU is surely not spared. At the present, it is difficult to find information on food insecurity at DU—if those involved in the strategic plan do have detailed information on this problem specifically at DU, then the information should be used to strategize for solutions during this planning phase especially. If data have not been collected on this issue, then looking into DU students’ access to nutrition should be a consideration. If some students at DU are facing issues with hunger in the way that students at other colleges are,
this will need to be something for which the university strategizes. Swipe Out Hunger already is helping students in need, and DU could also consider expanding the locations at which Meal Plan Cash can be used and where Flex Cash can provide a discount. The topic of financial aid is an onerous one, but more information about how students experience food insecurity at DU could also be part of future financial aid planning. At the student level, we can be sure to donate swipes between Monday and Friday of next week—the cause is worthier than many people realize. Hunger that affects performance in academics should not be something that DU students (or students anywhere) experience. Gaining a better understanding of the intricacies of this problem on our campus specifically will help us support our existing resources as well as plan for the future.
Elizabeth Lochhead | Opinions Editor
Photo courtesy of Connor W. Davis
Letter to the Editor:
Amazon HQ2 in Denver Dear Editor, I sit in class while writing this (don’t tell my professor), and I was struck by the conversations we were having about the possibility of Amazon HQ2 anchoring itself in Denver. I am a born and raised native and I could not be more excited about the possibility of Amazon moving here. When I graduate in two years (hopefully) I want to work and live in a thriving Denver, one that sets a national example of what a modern city should be. Colorado has an opportunity to succeed, but we can only do this with a heavy dose of strategery. Denver’s growth will only be further stressed by the 50,000 additional jobs and the many more to follow. However, the opportunity here to innovate the way cities grow is huge. Denver should be more than willing to take this on, and I know DU will be there to help.
I want to have Amazon, but only if we plan on doing it right. For such rapid growth to occur, and occur well, a Denver/ Colorado Strategic Plan needs to be created with the purpose of mitigating the negative impacts of such expansion. Involvement from infrastructure maniacs, policy wonks, economic pioneers and business leaders is all but too needed, this isn’t a conversation for politicians (who have a historic way of fudging things up) this is a conversation for everyone. From activists fighting against gentrification to Mr. Bezos himself, everyone is welcome at this table. Your move, Denver. Do it right. Scott Romano BSBA International Business, BA Economics University of Denver, 2020 Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
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FEB. 07, 2018
Doing our part to conserve water
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olorado is known as “The Headwater State” because of the crucial rivers flowing throughout the Rockies. The snowfall in the Rockies is the source of much of the water for most of the state. However, because of the Continental Divide traversing most of the state, only some water flows to the eastern portion of Colorado, where the population is larger. Additionally, much of the Colorado River does not provide for Colorado residents at all, but is used as water supply for much of the southwestern United States. While many trans-mountain projects to divert more of the water to the east have been helpful to remedy the problem, a rapidly rising population in Denver and the surrounding areas has caused Denver Water Management to seek alternative solutions to deal with the inevitable water crisis in the region. As a result, Denver Water Management has adopted a three prong approach. The strategy involves promoting residential and commercial water efficiency, recycling water and finding new water supplies. A large part of the solution, how-
ever, relies on more education for water consumers. Considering everyone uses water, understanding not only where residents’ water comes from, but the most efficient ways to use this water is important. Denver Water Management has adopted a “Culture of Conservation” in which Denver residents are offered residential rebates for efficient water usage. For instance, if residents remodel and opt for more water efficient options in their homes or businesses, with certain conditions, Denver Water Management will help pick up the tab. In addition, strict laws are enforced between May and October to ensure that water is being properly rationed during dry months. Denver’s water system covers more than 4000 square miles, operates facilities in twelve counties and maintains more than 3000 miles of distribution, which is enough to flow from Los Angeles to New York. Despite the great range the water supply covers, the most effective ways to conserve and protect water start on the small scale. At DU, the Center for Sustainability reports that water preservation has to stay as a
Photo courtesy of Flickr
top priority for a sustainable campus. The center for sustainability reports, like Denver Water Management, that behavior plays the largest role in water conservation, and these small actions need to be habit rather than an afterthought. At DU, halls like Nagel prioritize sustainability, however all DU residents should be implementing ways to decrease flow of water. First, students should be aware of finite water levels, especially in Colorado. Doing even small things to reduce water consumption levels are important, and many areas on campus are attempting sustainability features, many of the problems of water supply and water accessibility come from issues that DU cannot control but which we can promote action to mitigate. Landscaping with local grasses and plants is one of the easiest
PIONEER FUNNIES
ways to promote water control. Surrounding most buildings on campus are low-water usage plants. For instance, Nagel’s dual flush, water-saving toilets and low flow shower heads are things many Denver residents should be implementing in their own homes to reduce the flow of water in their homes. Additionally, Nagel utilizes an intermittent lake on the northwest side of the building that acts as a regional water quality and water retention feature. Without water conservation efforts, it will be difficult to impossible to continue living normally. While Denver Water Management has made important efforts toward conservation, all efforts must begin with our own actions. Madelyn Gaharan | Contributing Writer
DU CLARION
FEB. 07, 2018
ARTS & LIFE | 1 1
Tips for surviving the stress of college
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eing on campus can be an incredible experience, and an incredibly stressful one at that. With deadlines, expenditures, time management and the work loads we tackle on a daily basis, we can often become overwhelmed with our to-do lists and lose sight of the excitement. Sludging through the snow with our headphones and laptops in our backpacks, we easily forget the importance of destressing and enjoying the ride. The following list contains reminders and encouragements for all of us; college is hard, but certain habits will help to keep our heads above the water.
Compete only with yourself, and be kind to your opponent DU is a competitive and challenging college. Small, discussion-based classes serve as motivation to complete every assignment and contribute to every discussion. The nature of the class structure is helpful and a part of what makes our campus unique, but sometimes it can feel
like we’re reaching toward the unattainable, and “everyone else” is already in the know. Remember that as humans, we all have limitations. Don’t overexert yourself in an attempt to be the best; sometimes we learn more looking at the race from a distance rather than at the finish line.
Make your bed in the morning This seems overly simplistic, but there is value in it. When our list of assignments is as long as the line at the bookstore, it’s just a little bit easier to finish them when we’ve worked out our own organization. Having a clear desk space to write that ten page essay makes that essay just a little easier, as does hopping into a nicely made bed afterward. Moreover, as we transition into adulthood, it can feel daunting. But if you can make your bed in the morning, it might just convince you that you can accomplish anything. Stop telling yourself could be doing more
you
Today’s world hosts myriad pressures to do everything and to do it well. Be the perfect student, the perfect son or daughter, the best player on the team or the best guitar player in the class. Balance every textbook on your shoulders, work on the weekends and make time for every single one of your friends. But when we strive for perfection, we lose sight of ourselves and why we do what we love. Instead of chiding yourself for going to a concert on a weekend when you could have been working out or doing something “more productive,” step away and destress for a little. If it makes you happy, it makes you a better person. Listen to your body Sitting, studying and typing all day, we can tune-out from our natural rhythms, sleep patterns and healthy eating habits. Instead of trusting our bodies, sleeping when they say sleep, eating when they say eat, we can feel the need to push ourselves past our natural limitations in order to get that
grade or finish that project. Ironically, we can finish a lot more work when we’re not overextended. If you’re hungry, eat. If you’re tired, sleep. The textbooks will still be on your desk in the morning. Remember the purpose of your efforts Campuses are like little safe houses for innovation, creation and learning. They’re full of resources for our minds to run wildly through the subjects. Ultimately, our college years are reserved for the opportunity to become who we want to be as a member of society. It’s a privilege which allows us to discover our true interests and to find how we may contribute to the world. Although you might find a certain class frustrating, remember why it had interested you. Hold on to the things you’ll need afterward, be kind to yourself and remember to have fun in the process because it won’t last forever. Kendall Morris | Arts & Life Editor Kendall Morris | Clarion
Winter Carnival sweeps the DU campus F
or the 57th year, DU is celebrating the snowy season with Winter Carnival. Each year, DUPB organizes this event and students head up to Keystone for a weekend of student priced festivities. We all know how expensive it is to invest in a day of skiing on the mountain, but Winter Carnival is an excellent way for students to experience all the fun it has to offer while also not breaking the bank. You may just think of Winter Carnival as a weekend of discounted lift tickets, tubing fun and clumsy ice skating, but there is actually more to the festivities than just the good time on the mountain. All week on campus, there are various events that students can pop in on to keep it a week long event rather than a weekend one.
Conveniently, these events are also where you can pick up your Winter Carnival packet, that has all your purchased tickets as well as a free t-shirt. On Feb. 5, DUPB invites students to join them on Driscoll Green in the evening. The festivities of the week begin here, with hot chocolate and soup and a chance to take a horse carriage ride. An event to kickstart the winter wonderland, you won’t want to miss the chance to participate in some virtual skiing games. Next, on Feb. 6, stop by Ruffatto Hall in the evening for a night of relaxing. Since week six is often notorious for midterms and papers, his event features an all-you-need kit for de-stressing. Movies, refreshments, masseuses, you name it. Come to this event to
get your own Winter Carnival mug and remind yourself of the chill weekend awaiting you at the end of the long week. Then on Feb. 7, Driscoll Ballroom hosts the chili cook-off. Swing by in the evening to join in and witness the competition unfold. Students will be able to enter a raffles to win some cool prizes as well, so be sure to check out this spicy Pio competition. To wrap up the on campus events, Feb. 8 coincides with a home game at Magness Arena. To enter the final phase of Winter Carnival week, this event will be kicked off with a tailgate to support the basketball team. Students are encouraged to cheer on the team and have yet another chance to win some prizes throughout the night. The events don’t just stop after
Thursday. All weekend there will be various activities up on the mountain. All day Friday there will be snacks and refreshments around, and the evening will be finished off with the newest Thor movie. Saturday afternoon and evening also have some events that include free drinks and snacks, as well as live music and night time ice skating, so keep your eyes open for your fellow DU friends up at Keystone. Registration has already closed, but don’t let that stop you from joining in the festivities with the rest of the student body, whether it be on campus or up at Keystone. If you are looking to hang out with friends or hit the slopes hard, all are welcome to attend and celebrate the joyous winter months.
Madison Heller | Staff Writer
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FEB. 07, 2018
Hippo Campus brings good vibes to the Gothic
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Courtesy of Katherine Halterman
n the Jan. 31, the expressive and vibey indie-rock band Hippo Campus brought their new threetrack EP and a glimpse of new music to a packed, denim shirtladen crowd at the Gothic Theater. The band was joined by indie-pop openers, Sure Sure. It was Sure Sure that started the night off with an impressive, high-energy producing opening set of dancy, synth-ruled pop songs. The band showed glimpses of strange, left of field song structure and beats in their songs, such the as weird yet strangely enticing “Hands Up, Heads Down” which is accompanied by an instructional, zombie -like pulsing dance. After the high-energy opener, the crowd was treated to
a perfect set by the headliner in a mix of up-tempo energetic songs and chiller, more ambient slow tracks. Hippo Campus started off the show with the beautifully melodic, choral tinged slow track, “Poems.” This slightly sadder, emotive song started the set off on a melancholic note, but this was replaced with a more lively bounce with two successive hits, “Suicide Saturday” and “Western Kids.” The group played through their relatively new (released on Sept. 12, 2017) EP “warm glow” in the album’s order, which was a treat for many of the fans eager to hear the newish songs live. As well, the band gave the insatiable crowd a glimpse of new material in the form of the performance of two brand new,
unheard songs. Both the songs went over quite well with the crowd, but the standout was the second track, which featured lead vocals and presumably lead songwriting by the band’s guitarist, Nathan Stocker. The song was an uptempo, slightly lofi sounding punkyier track, that appeared a little offset from the typical fare of the band. It was a success with the crowd though, and was met with raucous support. The band finished off the night with a couple more fan favorites, the punchy “Buttercup” and the existential, poetic warmth of “The Way it Goes.” However the climax of the night was the encore track, the raging “Violet” which itself is probably the most popular of the group’s
songs. The song was finished with a sonic puzzle of guitar solos and feedback, and it left most of the crowd exiting the theater sweaty and out of breath. Hippo Campus is still a rather young band, but their musical output has been consistently excellent and their fantastic stage-presence and well-executed live show have elevated the band to a very professional position. The presumed release of new material, especially material written with the poetic language and springly guitar work that has come to represent their work, soon might push the band onto larger stages and higher success. Justin Cygan | Copy Editor
Leela’s European Cafe: A 24-hour haven L
eela’s European Cafe has been nestled in the center of downtown Denver for just over 10 years. Keeping its doors open 24 hours, Leela’s is far from your average study spot. A bar/lounge hybrid, you are just as likely to see a freelancer using a high top table and the free wifi to crank out expense reports as you are to see a group of friends lounging on the well-worn couches, enjoying a craft beer. The ceilings at Leela’s are lofted tall, preventing the dark decor from making the space feel claustrophobic. The lights are dimmed down at Leela’s,
with string lights and eclectic furniture lighting the room. Old wooden floors and a frill-free decor aesthetic make Leela’s feel cozy and comfortable. Music flows from speakers perched above a small stage area. Playlists mix ’80’s classics with new school alternative to keep the soundtrack interesting. While quiet enough to allow conversation, the ambient noise makes Leela’s unideal for devouring chemistry chapters. The menu at Leela’s is just as diverse as the clientele: specialty espresso drinks with kitchy names, as well as cocktails, wine, beer and a full
food menu. The food here is nothing notable. The mushroom veggie burger that I had on this visit came with a bun on the dry side and mediocre fries. Nothing too wow, but nothing to swear off. However, their unique flavored espresso beverages, like the Crème Brûlée latte, creates a caffeinated sugar rush that puts artisan coffee houses to shame. If you come to Leela’s for their alcoholic selection, your wallet will probably be pleased to know that beers range from $2.50-5.50, with most hitting the $4 mark. There is also a range of wines and cocktails available
behind the bar. Alcohol service at Leela’s runs 7 a.m.-2 a.m. The staff here is uber friendly and accommodating to everyone who walks through the door. As can be expected in a 24-hour dive bar, the best thing to do at Leela’s is people watch. Characters that embody almost every part of Denver culture come to gather here. Leela’s has a little something for everyone. If you find yourself in the neighborhood, or are looking for a new dive bar, it is worth a visit for drinks (alcoholic or otherwise). Claire Boggs | Contributing Writer
FEB. 07, 2018
DU CLARION
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The Santa Fe Art Walk: where creative minds govern T
he Santa Fe Art Walk is a romantic event for creatives; Santa Fe Drive, lit with holiday lights, feels like a world within ours where creative minds govern. Walk ten steps in any direction, through a crowded door and you’ll find vibrant, exploding canvases, sculptures of miniature worlds inside of worlds and a total liberty of expression. Santa Fe Art Walk is a place in which, between the hours of 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., absolutely anything and everything goes. In a working world, the busy and the bored rarely have the moment to indulge in the creative. A few minutes of gallery exploration reopens the imaginative and infinite wonder of the subconscious. Spanning between 6th and 10th Avenue, the Art Walk proves that Denver is a vibrant, living city teeming with artistic energy. Street-poet Devon Kingsford drew a crowd around his typewriter stand, fishing singles out of the wallet in exchange for what he calls “impromptu poetry.” Fox News dubbed Kingsford as the “16th Street Mall poet”, as he often sets up shop near the mall to sell his poems and watch the city got by. Kingsford is one of the many poets to have called Denver his home, but he remains a largely enigmatic entity. If you happen to stumble upon Kingsford in the city, spare a dime and walk away with an inky recordation of the poet’s passing thoughts. The poem may be about the color of your shirt or, perhaps, Kingsfords opinion on life’s abstract and absurd purpose. The Kanon Collective exhibited “Mattilta’s Enchanted Patchwork Forest,” an installa-
tion by local artist Matt Graff. Patches from quilts hung from the ceiling in a colorful canopy. A man and a woman lay nearly naked at the foot of the tree covered by strips of silver metallic paper. According to the artist’s statement, the installation is a materialization of the Garden of Eden, “post fateful bite.” CHAC Gallery + Cultural Center offered the artworks of the local Latino and Chicano community in the Denver area, with both traditional and modern influences. Multiple gallery spaces were brimming with both artists and attendees, talking with one another and enjoying the vibrant artistic atmosphere. The Denver Art Society featured live music, performances and the artwork of hundreds of local creatives. The building functions as an art studio, a music venue and a gallery, so it’s a great opportunity to see all aspects of the arts, from maker to the made. Although First Fridays on Santa Fe Drive might be the most vibrant, there are events held on a weekly basis. If you’d like to check out the gallery spaces, attend a painting class or perhaps see a play at Su Teatro, all you have to do is go online to see everything that is offered. The District itself is run completely by volunteers, and it takes a lot of work, dedication and love to keep events such as First Fridays running smoothly. If you’d like to get involved through volunteering, a meet and greet will be held on Feb. 7 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Mai Wyn Fine Art gallery.
Kendall Morris | Clarion
Kendall Morris | Arts & Life Editor
Photo courtesy of Europa Coffee House
Kendall Morris | Clarion
Kendall Morris | Clarion
DU CLARION
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| ARTS
& LIFE
FEB. 07, 2018
Its surprise release may be daring, but “The Cloverfield Paradox” is anything but
Photo courtesy of Netflix
W
hen “Cloverfield” was released just over ten years ago, it arguably birthed a phenomenon that we now call “viral marketing.” By the time the film was released, no one really knew what it was about even after internet sleuths spent months scouring for clues on unprecedented viral websites detailing aspects of the world. When “10 Cloverfield Lane” was released in 2016, it followed a similar trend, with a trailer dropping for it only months before its release and a great deal of mystery surrounding the film. Producer J.J. Abrams and new partner Netflix have now outdone themselves by releasing a Super Bowl trailer for the newest entry in the (sort of) anthology franchise, “The Cloverfield Paradox,” with a surprise announcement that the film would be releasing on the streaming platform once the game had concluded. Originally called “God Particle,” speculation around the movie inten-
sified once it was announced that Abrams had picked up the script to be part of his “Cloverfield” universe, and Netflix capitalized on the hype with this rather daring decision. It’s a pity that the film that accompanies said decision is a thoroughly mediocre one. Following a group of astronauts abroad an international space station designed to test a particle accelerator that could solve a critical energy crisis on Earth. The plot mostly focuses on Hamilton (Gugu MbathaRaw, “Black Mirror”), a communications officer pressured to take on the mission by her husband (Roger Davies) after they suffer a personal tragedy. “Paradox” kicks into action as Hamilton and crew finally get the accelerator to work, albeit with disastrous consequences. The film churns along nicely for the first half as the crew deals with the weird and terrifying implications of their invention working, as dimensions meld
and the fabric of their reality shifts unpredictably. While relying heavily on science-fiction convention, the set pieces in the scenes following the successful test are at least interesting and fun enough to distract you from the unoriginality. However, the latter half of the film becomes a derivative and frankly rather boring slog through virtually every space thriller plot beat you’ve seen before. While “Cloverfield” and “10 Cloverfield Lane” were absolutely genre homages themselves, they pushed the boundaries of the medium interesting enough ways to warrant that homage. “Paradox,” however, feels like an alien-less rip-off of last year’s “Life,” which in itself was kind of rip-off. It becomes more and more evident as the film goes on that this was a messy and uninspired script that need salvaging, so Abrams and company attempted to do so by injecting some lazy connections to the original “Cloverfield” into the
plot and creating hype with the release that the film is not good enough to warrant. The real crime of the film is that its diverse and massively talented cast, led by MbathaRaw and including the excellent David Oyelowo (“Selma”), Chris O’Dowd (“Bridesmaids”), Daniel Brühl (“Inglourious Basterds”) and Elizabeth Debicki (“The Great Gatsby”), is largely wasted. Mbatha-Raw is perfectly fine in the lead role, but like the rest of the cast is given very little to do. Most of the script consists of arguing, spitting out science terms designed to sound smart and providing jarringly misplaced gallows humor. In the end, none of it really works the way it could have, and all involved suffer for it. Not even the “Cloverfield” tie-in that the film builds to isn’t really worth the effort of sitting through this. But hey, if you have a Netflix account already, at least you can say you watched this for free.
Ryan Ninesling | Executive Editor
“Solo: A Star Wars Story” trailer finally arrives to assure us everything is fine
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fter months of both anticipation and speculation, the first footage for “Solo: A Star Wars Story” has arrived with a short spot, airing during the Super Bowl before a full teaser was dropped on Good Morning America the following morning. The exciting initial footage shows off the all-star cast, including Donald Glover (of Childish Gambino and “Atlanta” fame) as the suave Lando Calrissian, Emilia Clarke (“Game of Thrones”) as Qi’ra, Woody Harrelson (“The Hunger Games”) as mentor Beckett and of course Alden Ehrenreich (“Hail, Caesar!”) as the man himself, Han Solo. The trailer sets up fans to dive into the backstory of the Star Wars universe’s famous rogue, presumably setting up the iconic relationship between him and the loyal wookie Chewbacca, the heists that made him the greatest pilot
in the galaxy and the cons that earned him his notorious ship, the Millennium Falcon. Fans and industry insiders have been worried about the status of the film after reports emerged that production was in trouble after Kathleen Kennedy, the head of Lucasfilm, fired original directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (“The Lego Movie”) and replaced them with Ron Howard (“A Beautiful Mind”). Rumors have suggested that Kennedy and others at Lucasfilm had felt Lord and Miller were taking the film in the wrong direction and wasting resources and budget, taking too many takes of scenes, while Ehrenreich, a relative newcomer with only one (albeit well-received) major performance to his name, was forced to take on an acting coach late into production. The fact that no footage had yet been released despite the film’s quickly upcoming release date fueled the fire of these
fears, but the teaser seems to have quelled those anxieties for now. In light of this production drama, the grinning delivery of the final line of the teaser seems like just the tonguein-cheek humor Solo himself would use to calm fans: “Thought we were
Photo courtesy of Disney
in trouble for a second there, but it’s fine. It’s fine.” We’ll have to see if Solo is right when “Solo: A Star Wars Story” hits theaters on May 25. Ryan Ninesling | Executive Editor
FEB. 07, 2018
DU CLARION
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“Cradle Two Grave” shakes audiences to the core
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he DU theatre depart- highlights the diverse talent of DU’s ment’s first mainstage actors. The impeccable synchroproduction of the Winter nization of the ensemble serves Quarter, “Cradle Two as a reference to the unspoken, Grave,” opened Feb. 1 and lit up the underlying harmony of twins that intimate stage of the JMac White exists even in times of emotional Box with an emotionally intense or physical separation. Further, story of sisterhood and mental the show combines James Blake’s illness. Set under bursts of confetti resonating music with actual audio and dangling birthday cards that clips from the family’s therapy are reminiscent of an art exhibit, sessions for a uniquely touching the audience is easily engrossed in experience, all orchestrated by the unconventional lives of twins, Stage Manager Sam Pierce III. With a considerably small Mo and Fran. “Cradle Two Grave” is an cast of six women, each charautobiographical tale, created by acter is able to stand out, even Morgaine “Mo” Gooding-Silver- the chorus of four (Molly Carter, wood, about the complexities of Hayley Emerson, Evan Monteith having a twin sister with Border- and Tess Neel) who move and talk line Personality Disorder (BPD). almost exclusively in sync. Mo is The show is extremely informative portrayed by freshman Isabelle about BPD along with the history of Chern, whose heart-wrenching mistreatment of women in psychi- performance captures the struggle atric care. While the center of the of trying to understand an often show is Fran’s illness, the message misrepresented illness, as well as extends far beyond a public service how to love someone in their time announcement to a distinct, capti- of need. Mo’s twin, Fran, is beautivating lesson about love and sepa- fully portrayed by junior Rhianna ration. Perhaps the reason for DU’s DeVries, who invites you into her wonderful rendition of this show world with intimate, at times blunt, was the help of Gooding-Silver- discussions of her mental illness wood herself, who was able to offer and the challenges it brings. Cast guidance during the production’s members are constantly moving, early stages, where the majority keeping the audience enthralled in of the blocking and dances were the action throughout. “Cradle Two Grave” has shows developed. Additionally, DU got the honor of being the second produc- Feb. 7 through Feb. 11. Tickets tion of the show, and the first to not are going quick and can be purstar Gooding-Silverwood. Director chased through the DU theatre Ashley Lauren Hamilton, who had department’s website. Not to worked with Gooding-Silverwood mention, the current buy one get on past theatre-related endeavors, one promotion gives students who does the story justice by taking seri- buy a “Cradle Two Grave” ticket a ously the deep themes at hand and free ticket to the next production, providing a visual representation “Trojan Women.” of a misunderstood disorder. In order to tell a deeply poignant story, “Cradle Two Grave” relies not on dialogue, but rather on movement and audio. The show’s implementation of modern dance Claire Boggs | Contributing Writer
Photo courtesy of DU Department of Theatre
Photo courtesy of DU Department of Theatre
“Man of the Woods” is the best of Timberlake
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ustin Timberlake has been a household name for nearly three decades now, and his success continues with the release of his new album, “Man of the Woods,” which debuted on Feb. 2 and is already a favorite.
Photo courtesy of Crank 11
The R&B and pop artist is certainly stealing the spotlight in America in 2018, coming back with “Man of the Woods” after a five-year stretch of no album releases, not to mention a dazzling performance at Super Bowl LII. He has been keep-
ing busy the past few years splitting time between the film and music industries, starring in the animated comedy “Trolls” and for his pop hit “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” that earned him international acclaim. “Man of the Woods” is a bit of a departure from “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”, but it’s a risk that has earned high rewards. The new album still has the classic Timberlake creativity and catchiness, but there is a wide variation of styles on “Man of the Woods” that is sure to leave any audience satisfied. Some focus heavily on the R&B tone, such as the first song “Filthy,” which has a warped electronic back beat that sets the innovative tone for the rest of the album. The following “Midnight Summer Jam” shifts, however, to a quick and funky tune that brings out Timberlake’s southern roots with acoustic string lines playing over the refrain. More different still is the love song “Flannel,” which highlights harmonies and has almost the simple rhyme and rhythm of a lullaby. A surprising favorite on the
album is the slightly out-of-place “Wave,” which has consistent acoustic off-beats that combine funk and what feels like influences of folk and hints of reggae to create a song like no other. The title song, “Man of the Woods,” is another favorite, as it slows the pace and feels comfortable and simple compared to others while remaining catchy and soulful. Timberlake also collaborated with both Alicia Keys and Chris Stapleton on different tracks: “Morning Light” and “Say Something,” respectively. Overall, “Man of the Woods” combines the best of classic Timberlake with personal incorporations of his Tennessee upbringing and his new role as a family man. The album is available now for purchase or streaming. Timberlake will start a tour for “Man of the Woods” in March, including a recently added stop in Denver for a show at the Pepsi Center in 2019.
Taryn Allen | Arts & Life Editor
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SPRING
INTERTERM COURSES
ARTS 3701 . 4 credits Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico Instructor: Roddy MacInnes March 18-24
SIGN UP NOW AT du.edu/interterm
FEB. 07, 2018