JAN. 30, 2019 VOLUME 126 ISSUE 3
THE POTENTIAL RETURN OF SAE PAGES 3, 5, 8: A DISCUSSION OF THE CONTROVERSIAL FRATERNITY, A STRONG NEGATIVE OPINION AND A LETTER SUBMITTED BY THE CURRENT USG PRESIDENT
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DU CLARION
| NEWS
JAN. 30, 2019
Denver teachers are ready to strike
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his week, the members of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association voted to strike as soon as Jan. 28. 93 percent of the teachers voted yes to a tentative strike plan. Denver Public Schools announced that during this period of protest, the schools will remain open with the help of an increased pay rate incentive for substitute teachers. However, it was also announced that the schools would be closed if a lack of staff became a safety issue. According to NPR News, this urge to strike is a result of a “pay incentive system,” in which teachers working in highneed areas of the district receive bonuses on their salaries. The union leaders believe that this keeps the teacher salary base for Denver Public Schools at a lower level than it should be. The union is pushing the strike to advocate for doing away with incentive bonuses, raising the lowest salaries in
their public schools and for more pay incentives aimed at teachers with higher levels of education and training. Much of the administration at these schools on strike believe that if these guidelines are met, the district will attract a higher level of experienced and determined teachers to meet the needs of their students. The United States has seen an influx of teacher strikes and walk-outs since early last year, with most demands only being partially met by their respective states or not met at all. The Denver Public Schools teacher strike will be an ongoing negotiation between the district and the administration over the next couple of weeks, with no end in sight so far.
Photo courtesy of Denver Post
Carmen Leibrock | Contributing Writer
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TARYN ALLEN, Editor-in-Chief GRACE CARSON, Executive Editor DANIELA SANTOS, News Editor HANNAH BRANIT, Sports 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. 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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ELIZABETH LOCHHEAD, Opinions Editor JUSTIN CYGAN, Arts & Life Editor NINA PETROVIC, Arts & Life Editor CAITLAN GANNAM, Photo/Video Editor VICTORIA VALENZUELA, Photo/Video Editor SARA LOUGHRAN, Copy Editor MAYA PINON, Copy Editor CHELSIE FINCHER, Illustrator LAWSON MONTGOMERY, Paper Delivery Person HALEY BIRT, Paper Delivery Person SYDNEY KAPP, Business Manager ANDREW MATRANGA, Faculty Adviser Cover photo courtesy of Sigma Alpha Epsilon
CONTRIBUTING STAFF CARMEN LEIBROCK
MEGAN COONEY
KYLE HORNICK
LAUREN KIESEL
LAWSON MONTGOMERY
TORI EVERSON
RACHEL KUNZI
KIANA MARSAN
CAMERON ELDER
SKYLAR NITZEL
T NAST
BRYCE ARMIJO
JAN. 30, 2019
DU CLARION
NEWS | 3
SAE makes its case to come back
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n Thursday, Jan. 24, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) held an informational session in conjecture with the Interfraternity Council (IFC) to present its case regarding recolonization at DU.
The Colorado Zeta chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon received a four-year suspension in 2015 as a result of repeated offenses. Now at the end of the four-year suspension, SAE petitioned to “recolonize” at DU. Recolonization of fraternities is the process which an inter/national headquarters that was previously established on DU’s campus is invited to re-establish a colony on the campus. Students that had questions or concerns regarding this re-establishment were encouraged to make their concerns clear and clarify any questions they had at the meeting. Liliana Rodriguez, Vice Chancellor of Campus Life and Inclusive Excellence, began the night by explaining the purpose of the panel, as well as explaining the history of SAE on DU’s campus. Four years ago, SAE was suspended from campus due to repeated offenses. Rodriguez emphasized that this decision was a joint decision between both the administrators at DU as well as the national board of SAE. As was agreed upon, after the four years of suspension, SAE was allowed to petition for recolonization. At the beginning of this year, the national headquarters from SAE and SAE alumni began asking to petition to recolonize the Colorado Zeta chapter. The process of recolonization, Rodriguez explained, is one in which students are encouraged to speak up with any concerns that they might have. This process is a partnership between the administrators, the fraternity and the students of the school. The presenters included Kyle Shatto, Coordinator of Chapter Development; Alan Fisher, a Manager of Chapter Development; J.J. Simon, an alumni who is also a DU graduate; and a fourth alumni from Boulder, Colo. Shatto started the presentation with an overview of the fraternity. Founded in 1856 at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, SAE was revived after the Civil War in 1867 at the University of Georgia at Athens, Georgia, as well as at the University of Virginia. SAE considers its core motto “The True Gentlemen” by John Walter Wayland. This year, SAE put an end to the pledge process. In its place, they instituted the True Gentleman Experience, a “holistic educational program for Sigma Alpha Epsilon members that provides a well-rounded learning experience throughout all of their collegiate academic years.” The program is divided into five different parts,
each corresponding with different stages in school; the Baseline Experience, the Loyalty Experience, the Friendship Experience, the Honor Experience and the Fraternity Experience. After receiving an invitation, potential new members are given 96 hours to accept their bid and become “new members” at SAE. During their four years in SAE, members would be expected to complete a combination of online and in-person trainings regarding alcohol and sexual assault, as well as programs based in the significance of SAE, wellbeing, personal growth, citizenship and leadership. In addition to these trainings, members would be required to attend any trainings required by the University. Shatto outlined the requirements that SAE is looking to uphold for new members. Among them is a requirement for a 2.5 GPA and involvement with one other student organization. Throughout the course of the year, the members would be expected to attend 75 percent of ritual meetings, 85 percent of chapter meetings and complete 20 hours of service. Despite these new policy changes implemented this year, SAE still faces national problems. Previously, a 2013 report by Bloomberg highlighted the longstanding trends of suspension that have followed SAE. From 2007 to 2013, Bloomberg found that out of the 240 chapters that SAE hosted, over 100 had received disciplinary action from universities. SAE reported more drinking, drugs or hazing deaths than any other fraternity, with nine related deaths reported since 2006 to the time of the report. These problems persist. On Jan. 11, 2019, an SAE student was found dead at UC Irvine due to binge drinking. The investigation is still pending, but preliminary reports link the student to an SAE UC-Irvine recruitment event where “drugs and copious amounts of alcohol were present at the party.” On Nov. 27, 2018, the SAE chapter at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette was placed on a four-year disciplinary suspension after they were found responsible for hazing. At Western Virginia University, the SAE chapter was placed on interim suspension on following member David Rusko’s fall in the house on Nov. 10, 2018. Reports from the incident show that more than two hours had passed between Rusko’s fall and the call for help by his brothers. SAE released a statement, placing the chapter on suspension and starting their own investigation, results of which are still pending. As of Nov. 1, 2018, the SAE chapter at the University of Texas - Martin, was placed on interim suspension pending the outcomes of a university investi-
gation regarding alleged hazing. Students and organizations on campus worry about SAE’s return to campus. In a conduct report sent out to the presidents of organizations, there were over 75 pages of conduct reports on DU’s SAE chapter, including inappropriately themed parties, drug and alcohol possession, vandalism and harassment of women walking on campus. Another part of SAE’s suspension were conduct reports from individual members of the fraternity, which cannot be released due to FERPA laws. Britta Peterson, member of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority Inc. (TNX) chapter, a Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) sorority, told the Clarion, “Nationwide, their [SAE’s] reputation is one of regular assault, sexism, racism and systemic abuses and a refusal to address these issues in a meaningful way. I think the lack of transparency around their conduct, their return and the processes in between, is shameful and dangerous. Keeping people in the dark, and refusing to have open communication is how abuses, like those detailed in the 50-page conduct report that got SAE removed from campus, continue to happen.” Some students and organizations are also upset that SAE’s return did not involve their input. Sawyer Nash, a member of IFC organization Theta Chi, told the Clarion, “I am incredibly disappointed but not surprised that DU students did not have a say in this, considering it is the students who will have to face the consequences of allowing SAE back.” In response to student concerns, Carson Lance, Associate Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at DU, stated, “Return agreements are set forth between DU and inter/national fraternal organizations, not the governing councils. Students do and have had a say in the matter. Voices from all councils were heard last Thursday, additional feedback is being provided by students to the IFC, IFC is listening to this feedback as they prepare for the vote, and IFC members will be voting when to allow SAE members to come back to campus.” TNX placed a statement on SAE’s return on Jan. 24 that stated, “The responsibility of voting on the reinstatement has been granted to the Interfraternity Council organizations. The opinions of these organizations are not representative of the voices of FSL as a whole, nor of the DU community as a whole. Those who identify as women within Fraternity and Sorority Life and all members of Multicultural Organizations have not been given a chance to share their voices because of the format
of student voting…. The entire community [of FSL] should have a voice in who is allowed to represent them on campus, and in who they feel will represent FSL in a way that is congruent with community and university values.” Lance stated that the reason why MGC and Panhellenic organizations are unable to place a vote is because this would “not respect the sovereignty of council governance and decision-making in all of our FSL councils. Every council is given sovereignty and makes decisions accordingly for their council community. In addition, MGC and Panhellenic bylaws do not allow any other council to vote in matters regarding their expansion process.” While the partnership between SAE and DU was described as a “partnership between the administrators, the fraternity and the students of the school,” Lance has stated to the Clarion that IFC will be determining not “if” but rather “when” SAE will be allowed to return on behalf of IFC. This is because, in DU’s agreement to suspend SAE in 2015, the administration agreed that it is best practice to create a return agreement when a group has their recognition revoked. The people involved in creating and approving the return agreement were from Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL), Office of Student Engagement (OSE), Student Rights and Responsibilities (SRR) and other administration like Rodriguez. Lance explained that SAE has been undergoing the petition to recolonize process for the last part of the year, and since the fraternity has completed everything they need to do to petition to come back per their return agreement and current IFC expansion plan, DU is required to follow the return agreement they established. IFC organizations will vote on when SAE will return to campus on Feb. 7, and the meeting will be closed to the public. There is no minimum or maximum length in which they can return set. Although five of the seven IFC organizations on campus are currently participating in the conduct process and their rights to operate as a chapter are not dismissed, dissolved, or suspended on unless the University chooses to suspend all chapter activities. Notes taken by Clarion and all conduct reports on SAE can be found and accessed on duclarion.com. Grace Carson | Executive Editor Hannah Branit | Sports Editor
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| SPORTS
DU CLARION
JAN. 30, 2019
Men’s and women’s Swim and Dive drop duals in Georgia
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espite winning several different events, the men’s and women’s swim and dive teams dropped a pair of duals to Georgia Tech On the first day of the meet, Jan. 25, women took first in the 200 free relay, touching in 1:34.07, with a squad comprised of senior Lauren Moden (Parker, Colo.), sophomore Aysia Leckie (Georgetown, Ontario), redshirt senior Heidi Bradley (Victoria, B.C.) and junior Josie Vallette (Boulder, Colo.). The men also won in their 200
relay with a quartet comprising of Cameron Aunchinachie, sophomore Jackson Gainer (San Jose, Calif.), sophomore Adriel Sanes (Rosharon, Texas) and junior Hugo Sykes (Weston, Conn.), finishing with a time of 1:20.65. Other wins on Friday night included junior Colin Gilbert (Kamloops, B.C.) in the 1000 free (9:23.43), freshman Brandi Vu (Longmont, Calif.) in the women’s 100 breast (1:03.44) and Bradley in the 200 back (2:00.01). The Pioneers rounded out Friday by taking the women’s 400 medley relay
with the quartet of Bradley, Vu, junior Kylie Cronin (Marblehead, Mass.) and Moden, touching in a time of 3:44.26. On Saturday, Jan. 26, the women started out with a win in the 200 medley relay as Bradley, Vu, Cronin and Moden combined for a time of 1:43.37. Cronin claimed another win later in the day after touching first in the 100 fly with a time of 55.82. Moden also claimed an individual win that day after finishing first in the 50 free with a time of 23.57. On the men’s side, Sanes
took first in the 200 breast with a time of 2:04.44, while teammate Gilbert finished first in the 500 free with a time of 4:29.32. The men finished the night with a win in the 400 free relay. Aunchinachie, Sykes, junior Neil Wachtler (Waco, Texas) and Sanes combined for a time of 3:00.96 to touch first.
Hannah Branit | Sports Editor
No. 7 DU scores a season-high at Metroplex Challenge
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he No. 7 ranked women’s gymnastics team scored a season-high at the Metroplex challenge, facing three other top-25 teams, including No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 15 Missouri and No. 21 Arkansas. The Pioneers finished second with a score of 196.350, while Oklahoma finished first (197.975), Missouri in third (196.200) and Arkansas in fourth (195.825). Denver started the meet on floor, scoring a 48.875. Senior Katinlyn Schou (Orlando, Fla.) led the team with a 9.875, followed by freshman Alexandria Ruiz (Lake Mary, Fla.) who eanred a 9.800. Sophomore Lynzee Brown (Kansas City, Mo.) and junior Maddie Karr (Stillwater, Minn.) both
scored 9.775, and senior Claire Kern (Charlotte, N.C.) scored a 9.700. The Pioneers moved on the vault, scoring a 49.250, led by a pair of 9.900s from Karr and Brown, who would finish tied for second overall in the event. Sophomore Mia Sundstrom (Boulder, Colo.) set a new career-best scoring a 9.875, and senior Diana Chesnok (Charlotte, N.C.) earned a 9.800. Ruiz and Schou both posted 9.775s. On the bars, Denver scored a 49.225. Karr won the event title with a 9.950, followed by a 9.850 from sophomore Emily Glynn (Longmont, Colo.) and a 9.825 from Brown. Kern and Ruiz both scored 9.800s. In the final event, the beam, freshman Alexis
Vasquez (Arcadia, Calif.) tied the fifth-best score in DU gymanstics history after scoring a 9.950 and finishing second overall in the event. Ruizscored a9.825, Brown had a 9.800, Sundstrom scored a 9.700 and Schou took a 9.675. In the all-around, Brown finished third with a 39.300. In her first time competing the all-around for the Pioneers, Ruiz finished fourth with a 39.200. “Tonight wasn’t perfect. There are a lot of places we know we can improve,” Head Coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart said. “But tonight shows the potential of this team to be away from home and score above a 196 with mistakes. We’re not focusing on wins or scores. We’re focusing on
continued growth and development.” Denver will travel to Mogantown, W. Va. for a Big 12 matchup against West Virginia and Iowa State on Feb. 2. They will return to Magness Arena on Feb. 10 to take on No. 1 Oklahoma.
Hannah Branit | Sports Editor
Caitlin Gannam | Clarion
DU Hockey struggles against Western Michigan
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he No. 3 Pioneers faced a tough opponent in Western Michigan as the Pioneers fell in both games on Friday and Saturday 3-1 and 5-1, respectively. The two losses over the weekend snapped the Pioneers’ eight-game unbeaten streak and put the Pioneers at 14-6-3 on the season. In the Friday game, the Pioneers were outworked by Western Michigan until freshman Emilio Pettersen
(Manglerud, Norway) found freshman Brett Stapley (Campbell River, B.C.) for a shot off the post during a power play in the closing minutes of the second period. The Pioneers would break through at 6:06 in the third when junior Liam Finlay (Kelowna, B.C.) deflected fellow junior Michael Davies’ (St. Louis, MO) shot into the goal. On Saturday, the Pioneers struggled as Western Mich-
igan went up by five goals during the first two periods. It was not until Pettersen’s power play goal at 4:24 in the third period to ruin the shutout for Western Michigan. The team combined for 48 penalty minutes. Freshman Filip Larsson (Stockholm, Sweden) combined for 41 saves over the two games and fellow freshman Michael Corson (Darien, Ill.) stopped 10 in 30:48. The Pioneers will look
to bounce back in Magness Arena as they take on North Dakota this weekend with puck drop at 7:07 p.m. MST on Friday and Saturday.
Lawson Montgomery | Contributing Writer
JAN. 30, 2019
DU CLARION
OPINIONS | 5
Letter to the Editor: USG president weighs in on the SAE decision
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ear Editor,
As the undergraduate student body president, I have an invested interest in the health, safety and well-being of all students here at DU. It has been my belief since my first days here that the student body is the most important factor of any decisions that the university makes. Therefore, I am here to comment on the return of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) to the university. As a former brother of Theta Chi, I have a holistic understanding of what good a fraternity can do for those who identify as male. During my time has a brother I had a support system of brothers, both academically and emotionally, whose goal it was to not let me slip through the cracks. I had unique leadership opportunities that allowed me to experience various jobs and expectations, which I believe prepared me for my current position as president. Finally, I saw what good can be done when people of various racial, sexual and political identities come together with a shared vision and mission. I feel as though a portion of my own identity could not exist without my time as a Theta Chi. SAE does not represent these values. Upon reading the article authored by Grace Carson and Hannah Branit, it is clear to see that SAE has had a long history of committing abuse to not only their own brothers but also to the general student body. With
Photo courtesy of Sigma Alpha Epsilon
incident records stretching back to 2003, SAE has consistently violated a number of university and Inter-Fraternal Council (IFC) policies, with such infractions having merited a meeting with Chancellor Ritchie, multiple cease and desist letters as well as the recent suspension in 2015. To allow them to return to campus would only hurt the students. This matter will need to be resolved in the near future. As per the article,it is not a matter of “if” but “when” SAE will return to the campus, but it is important that the chap-
ter will return when there is a more democratic, campus-wide manner for it to occur. While I respect the sovereignty of the IFC board, to disregard even the Multicultural Greek Council fraternity chapters in this decision leaves the decision up to a homogenous voting body that is not representative of the larger campus. Further, as per several national by-laws, several chapters are required to vote yes on the return of SAE regardless of what their own chapters believe is the best course of action. With all this in mind, I write this letter to inform and
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to warn. I hope the university understands the consequences of allowing such an organization to return to campus. It is important to note that our choices now will have lasting consequences.
Bryce Armijo | USG President
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| OPINIONS
DU CLARION
JAN. 30, 2019
No justification exists for the transgender military ban
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wo years following an unexpected, unprovoked tweet, one of Donald Trump’s most controversial announcements finally took effect after being voted on by the Supreme Court this past Tuesday: most openly transgender people will not be able to serve in the U.S. military. Despite having been able to sign up openly since January 2018, following a monumental Obama-era injunction that allowed transgender people to safely serve, the Department of Defense is working on removing those troops from both active and reserve duty, though it is not yet clear when the ban will go into effect. There are some exceptions for those willing to serve while being recognized according to the gender they were assigned at birth if they have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria. For reasons unbeknownst to the public at this moment, the Supreme Court was made to vote on short notice, without even hearing opposing arguments regarding the ban, ending up in a 5-4 voting tally. The reasoning behind this blow was cited in 2017 by Trump himself as being “tremendous medical costs and disruption,” but following Tuesday’s ruling, no new official statement has been given by the White
House. From this, it’s clear that this policy is based mostly, if not purely, in discrimination against transgender people, as those reasons are easily fallible. The RAND Corporation released study results exposing the fact that only anywhere from $2.4 $8.4 million was spent on transgender medical services per year. Considering the fact that the government’s annual military budget totaled $574 billion in 2018, this logic is clearly not logic at all but simply alienating mindsets making their way into governmental policy. One must also take into account the amount spent to treat erectile dysfunction in military personnel, a whopping $84 million by comparison. Sometimes, erectile dysfunction medication is prescribed to treat hypertension, amongst other heart conditions, but that exists as only a very small percentage. The military’s concern with men’s sexual health, something one would initially expect to be unnecessary for military troops, is surprisingly high. While one might argue that treatment for transgender-related medical services is unnecessary for a person to serve, keep in mind that many of the 102,885 active duty military men being prescribed erectile dysfunction medications are being done so
for issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and other mental issues. If the government is willing to provide medical funding for such a reason, spending significantly less to treat the obstacles that may occur for transgender service people (both on active duty and reserve) would not give the impression of being a significant complication. The question of noteworthy disruption to regular military activity must be discerned as well, and rightfully so, as the safety of the nation shouldn’t be jeopardized to make allowances for anyone serving. It remains apparent, though, that transgender people have not disrupted the workings of the military to any great degree. Transgender people’s occasional decision to transition from their birth-assigned sex is a strenuous ordeal, which is a fair observation to make. However, so long as transitioning people can still competently and effectively complete the duties required of them, there is no reason they should be discharged or deemed unfit to serve. Not only was the decision clearly discriminatory, it is illfounded and unjust and was regarded as such even when it was initially introduced, as a district judge from Washington,
D.C. believed it violated transgender people’s Fifth Amendment rights in 2017. And, even though former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis proposed rightfully that those willing to serve must also be willing to make sacrifices, giving up the core of one’s basic identity ought not be contained within that sacrifice. The notion that transgender people are impeding on the military’s ability to be a Herculean force of power in the world’s affairs goes unproven, despite the Department of Justice’s apparent support for the ruling. The “professional military judgment” being exercised appears to exist as just an outlet to garner the president’s support and has little to no scientific or logistical basis to it. Removing the current 14,700 transgender people serving in the military would do far more harm than good, and replacing hardworking, loyal troops willing to fight subsists blatantly as a strategy to remove a marginalized group from the armed forces. Seeing as military enrollment is declining, removing such a large number of troops for such an unsupported reason is flatout destructive to the U.S. military and does far more harm than transgender people’s presence in it does. Rachel Kunzi | Contributing Writer
Tulsi Gabbard is a Democratic presidential candidate to watch
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he 2020 election is slowly approaching, and there is already a pool filling with potential presidential candidates for the Democratic party. Of those running, there is a variety of candidates of different races, genders and political experience. Most known within those declaring candidacy are former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Development Julián Castro, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, California Senator Kamala Harris and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren. Less known, but equally a contender, is Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. Representative Gabbard is on the younger side of candidates at 37years-old but has been involved in politics since 2002 when she was elected to Hawaii’s State Legislature. Right after committing to this position, the attacks on 9/11 occurred. Representative Gabbard couldn’t stand still and wanted to take part in fighting for this country. To do this, she joined the Hawaii Army National Guard and voluntarily stepped down from Legislature to serve two tours of duty in the Middle East. Between the tours, she still worked with the U.S. Senate to advise on certain issues which added to the commendible nature of her want to serve. The platform that she is running on stems heavily from environmental passions, civil liberties and changing economic allocations. Her enthusiasm for protecting the environment,
our air and water quality and sustainable energy stems from experience. She began Healthy
ing the environment. Her drive for unity and serving the American people can also be rooted in
Photo courtesy of Politico
Hawai’i Coalition when she was a teenager, a non-profit focused on educating about and protect-
her past service to the country through her time dedicated to the National Guard, with whom
she still serves as a Major. In a candidate, it is nice to see someone who wants to affect real change and is not making claims just to appease the people of the U.S. The issues she is fighting for are passions she has been pursuing the majority of her life and will hopefully continue into the future. Aside from these motives, a main criticism that Representative Gabbard faces is her 2017 meeting with Bashar al-Assad, the incumbent president of Syria. Many see her as being too close to al-Assad as well as weak on Syria and the humanitarian crisis. This could be an issue as individuals do not want the acts of Syria or its leaders to be legitimized or supported by the leaders of the U.S. Questioning DU student John Haddock about Representative Gabbard elicited a response of, “She is progressive and she has not always been progressive so she has shown that you can move from a very conservative viewpoint into a very progressive viewpoint and that is something I admire. She supports bipartisanship which I am a big fan of and she has all of these qualifications; I am a big fan of her foreign policy ideals so I think she is all around the best candidate.” Actions toward sustainability, both in aspects of the environment and economy, are needed in the U.S. and we should seek a presidential candidate fighting for this.
Cameron Elder | Contributing Writer
DU CLARION
JAN. 30, 2019
OPINIONS | 7
PIONEER VOICES Question of the week:
What would you rather have built in place of the new Commons?
“I feel like because DU is such an outdoorsy school, maybe an outdoor cafe.”
“I would rather have a whole new laboratory for the science department.”
Marisa Lowe, First Year
Sergio Luna Gonzales, First Year
“Another place where students could hang out. Maybe a restaurant or a cafeteria.”
“Maybe more areas for student programs.”
Jad al Jabi, Third Year
Zac Frost, Third Year
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| OPINIONS
DU CLARION
JAN. 30, 2019
SAE: “Sexual Assault Expected”
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igma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, better known as SAE, was kicked off of DU’s campus on Dec. 11, 2015. After a little more than three years, they are now asking to be welcomed back onto campus. SAE was suspended for a string of conduct violations that include sexism, substance abuse and disrespect. The cases of alleged sexual assault are not public, but if you ask any sorority on campus, you will find yourself a horror story. Their sexist nature, however, is quite public in the official reports leading up to their suspension. SAE was notorious for using sexist advertisements during rush and harassing females. Their infamous reputation led into their numerous alcohol probations along with distastefully themed parties. To top it off they showed a blatant disrespect for other campus organizations as shown by their vandalous nature. Those who support SAE’s return cite that they will be a new and better fraternity because the former members are gone. These people blatantly ignore SAE’s national reputation as the most deadly fraternity in the U.S., and its long history of sexual misconduct throughout the U.S. Can we trust them
not to bring death and sexual violence back to DU? Sexual violence and sexism are not something we stand for at DU, but SAE, on the other hand, is all too familiar with them. There are many sexual assault survivors on campus that would not be delighted to see that SAE is back on campus. This reputation carries over internationally as one brother at Northwestern exposes the rape culture in the fraternity to the university’s paper. On May 20, 2004, the DU’s chapter was found guilty of using sexist remarks on fraternity advertisements. On September 26, 2015, members of SAE at DU were cited for harassing a female campus security officer. It is not as if the chapter “simply had a few bad apples,” they were actually trying to present a sexist image to the community. A positive image was something SAE never really cared for based off of their constant probations and disrespect they showed during their time at DU. On May 20, 2004, SAE was found guilty of cutting Pioneer Leadership Program (PLP) tent cords and burning the Theta Chi See-Saw. After their suspension in 2015, their house was rented out to Chi Omega. SAE
members, however, in protest to their suspension decided to harass members of Chi Omega. The housing advisor recalls SAE brothers defecating on the property, throwing pumpkins at windows and forcing their way into the house—this being the same house SAE would like to move back into. After their actions, they most definitely do not deserve to move back in. Before their suspension in 2015, SAE threw a “drug cartel and southern belle” party in that same house, and they were unable to see how their theme was extremely distasteful. They thought the 20,000 people who died in Mexico the year before due to drug-related violence was funny. Though I guess the U.S.’s most deadly fraternity might find a country in chaos funny. In March of 2013, brothers of SAE fraternity at Salisbury University forced 19-year-old freshman Justin Stuart to recite the fraternity’s creed in his underwear on a cold night from the inside of a trash can that was filled with ice as brothers poured buckets of water on his head. Stuart was also beaten with a paddle, forced to consume alcohol to the point of passing out, forced to wear women’s clothing and
diapers and even locked in the basement without food for nine hours as German rock music played at “ear-splitting volume.” A lawsuit against the fraternity sighted “SAE’s flawed oversight and management of chapter and member activities.” DU does not need a rogue unregulated fraternity on campus that subjects undergraduates to this torture. DU cannot trust SAE to keep its national problems away from Denver. First, their history of sexism and sexual assault both at DU and nationally is not something that belongs at DU. Second, their lack of respect for DU’s administration and student organizations in the past is not something we want back or deserves to come back to this campus. Third, their horrendous reputation is a national one, and it shows that if they came back to DU, they would likely bring it with them. SAE’s motto is “The True Gentleman Experience,” but at DU a gentleman is certainly not an SAE member. To help prevent SAE’s return to campus talk with IFC and the fraternities on campus as they will be having a vote on SAE’s return.
T Nast | Contributing Writer
What comes after the burnout generation?
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s alluded to throughout the thought-provoking article, “How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation” by Anne Helen Petersen, beginning with millennials and foreseeably the following generations, a “satisfactory” life is becoming more and more unrealistic. Peterson explores this statement through a quick traipse into the growth of millennials, the generation that includes people born between 1981 and 1996. This generation entered the workforce during a period of exponential growth in the IT industry predominantly marked by the quick turnover of technology and the emergence of social media platforms. It became challenging for people to brand themselves towards a company in an increasingly competitive job market. So, millennials’ focus soon became establishing this “brand.” It’s why efficiency and convenience are at the forefront of millennial values. As the focal point of success became branding, work standards rose and it tipped the scales. The nine to five work day became an utter utopia as millennials figured out that working the 80 hour week and always being “on call” was the way to garner a competitive advantage. It soon caught on, and this competitive advantage became the norm. In just one sentence, Petersen summed up the struggle by stating, “Things that should’ve felt good (leisure, not working)
felt bad because I felt guilty for not working; things that should’ve felt “bad” (working all the time) felt good because I was doing what I thought I should and needed to be doing in order to succeed.” Unfortunately, people have become products to feed the consumption society of America. It would be naive to believe that this “burnout” generation is strictly affecting millennials— it will and has trickled down to the following generations. Generation Zers—those born between 1997 and 2015—are dealing with “burnout” too. Perhaps one of the most distinct differences between Gen Zers and millennials is that Gen Zers have a different interaction with technology. The technology consumption current teenagers and pre-teens experience is vastly different than what it was a decade ago. We Gen Zers never had to learn how to use smartphones, tablets or computers—it is second nature. Interestingly enough, because we live in a period of time where we have, arguably, too many options, it becomes difficult to stand out from the bulk of society and grasp at the opportunities available. In acknowledging this, the “burnout” phase continues to evolve, as do the expectations for each generation. The question for Gen Zers becomes: How do I stand out? We’re often told in high school to create a well-rounded profile of ourselves. Be sure to have
some leadership experience, garner volunteer hours, receive good grades and show that you have productive leisure time by playing sports or maybe joining the debate team. Every aspect of our lives is part of the structure of our brands. Yet, how can you stand out when every high school student is told the same thing? Easy, work harder. Instead of 100 volunteer hours, do 200 hours. Instead of making the honor roll, reach for high honors. With this methodology in mind, the standards continue to rise and the concept of a balanced life becomes an enigma. It reaches a point where it becomes difficult to understand why you’re doing what you’re doing. Is it because you were told that steps x, y and z will lead to the successful life that’s so desired, or is it because you genuinely enjoy what you’re doing? The problem that needs to be addressed, is how the coming generations can market themselves without burning themselves out. It must be acknowledged that there is no standardized way of living. What works for someone else may not work for you—and that’s perfectly fine. It’s also perfectly fine to focus on your interests. It shouldn’t be necessary to clock in 100 volunteer hours for a cause to which you aren’t dedicated. Not only will it waste your time, but it will not contribute greatly to the organization; if anything, it makes you blend in with everyone else.
We must adapt to today’s current job market. A college degree is merely a foundation for your future—it’s not an influential asset. What makes you appealing is your experience. Instead of spreading yourself thin, recognize what interests you. If you’re majoring in marketing, then look for marketing internships and network with marketing professors. Search for opportunities, and grasp for them. In doing so, it’s possible for a cultural shift to occur that no longer places a person’s value on the quantity of their work, but rather the quality of what they do. Don’t settle for the norm, because that won’t cut it anymore. If anything, doing that forces you to overwork yourself just to meld in with everyone else. Prioritize your time and recognize your potential, and once you begin to value yourself, companies will begin to value you, too.
Megan Cooney | Contributing Writer
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JAN. 30, 2019
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Kyle Hornick | Clarion
“You” is a chilling take on love, technology and control
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n our modern era, it is reasonable to have a fear of being watched and analyzed at any given moment, especially as it is becoming easier for someone to observe the life of almost anyone they choose. This is mostly due to the evolution of the technology we use daily as well as the rise of social media. The paranoia that we feel about these aspects of society plays into the hands of Hollywood and has become a common theme of hit movies and tv shows. Netflix recently came out with an original series titled “You” that portrays romance in this era of technology in an intriguing yet chilling manner. This series also provokes thoughts about what we put on social media and how it may affect our image and quality of life, as well as how our inner perceptions of ourselves might differ from how the rest of the world sees us. The show is based on the novel “You” by Caroline Kepnes released in 2014. The story dives into an interaction between two people living in modern-day New York: Joe Goldberg, a bookstore employee, and Guinevere Beck (who goes by Beck), a writer with money troubles. The plot follows how their random meeting turns into a relationship filled with lies, obsession and toxicity. In the
beginning, viewers may see Joe as a caring, reserved man and Beck as a perfect college girl, but the show later reveals that the former is a narcissistic psychopath and the latter is struggling with school and how she appears to her rich friends and professors. The main cast contains major actors such as Penn Badgley, Elizabeth Lail and Shay Mitchell. Themes explored in “You” include the role of social media in our connections with other people, the relationship between love and control and the increasing possibility of danger and abuse that women face in romantic relationships. While this show is definitely binge-worthy, many viewers may find the series unsettling due to minor psychological fear and some violence. Netflix reported that more than 40 million viewers streamed the series within the first month. The show has been renewed for a second season that is based off Kepnes’s second novel “Hidden Bodies” with an unannounced release date.
Lauren Kiesel | Contributing Writer
Photo courtesy of Netflix
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JAN. 30, 2019
Chris Brown facing allegations of aggravated rape
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n February of 2009, R&B singer Chris Brown pleaded guilty to a felony assault against pop star Robyn Rihanna Fenty. Rihanna had to be treated for bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse disorder due to the stress of the attack. Brown has been through domestic violence and anger management counseling following the battery charge. His music career diminished after the attack but was revived after the release of the popular album “F.A.M.E,” which stands for Forgiving All My Enemies, in 2011. Throughout Chris Brown’s life, there has been an absurd amount of assault and battery charges against him. All of these accusations have been from women who have filed full police reports. Brown even brutally attacked his own manager, Nancy Ghosh, who then immediately quit her job with the performer. On Jan. 16, Chris Brown was accused of aggravated rape and drug infractions in Paris. The woman, who remains unnamed for privacy, is only 24-years-old. She has accused Brown of raping her in his suite at the Paris Man-
Victoria Valenzuela | Clarion
Photo Courtesy of HotNewHipHop
darin Oriental Hotel. The woman discussed with the police that she met him in a nightclub in central Paris that evening through a friend. Around 4 a.m., Brown then continued to invite her back to his suite, along with more women. She claims Brown’s friend grabbed her by the arm and “convinced” her to go back to the hotel. Later on in the night, she claimed the bodyguard took all of their phones. She was then walking to the restroom when Brown followed her and pulled her into a room. She found herself alone in the room with Brown where he allegedly raped her, and Brown’s friend and his bodyguard also joined in on abusing her. She stated that the alleged attack lasted around thirty minutes. She then got her phone back and left the hotel in tears. Brown denied these accusations through an Instagram post. Brown stated, “I WANNA MAKE IT PERFECTLY CLEAR...... THIS IS FALSE,” the post read. “FOR MY DAUGHTER AND MY FAMILY THIS IS SO DISRESPECTFUL AND IS AGAINST MY CHARACTER
AND MORALS.” Brown has also stated on Instagram on Jan. 22, that the women’s allegations were, “false...and so disrespectful [to his family] and against my character and morals.” Brown has since deleted both of these lengthy social media posts. Brown, his friend and bodyguard have been released on Tuesday evening, Jan. 22, from custody over the rape allegations. Brown’s lawyer, Raphael Chiche, has submitted the defamation case for suing the unnamed accuser, who is identified as “K.M.” in the suit, to the Paris Prosecutor's’ office. Chiche has decided to place the false accusation case under the penal code, and not as a civil case. Since this is under French law, this can result in up to one year of jail time. Chiche and Brown are both claiming for a criminal prosecution for “slanderous accusation” against Brown. The investigation is still ongoing. This type of situation has become a trend within male celebrities. For example, R. Kelly, Harvey Weinstein, Ed Westwick, Matt Lauer, Charlie Sheen and many more have
been accused of sexual misconduct. In the U.S., every 98 seconds someone is sexually assaulted. Over 17,700,000 women have been the victims of rape since 1998. Almost 99 percent of perpetrators of sexual violence walk free. These acts of sexual misconduct are easy to pull off as a famous male in our society. They can use their fortune and brand to cover up any acts of violence. Chris Brown has had a track record of assault, violence and sexual misconduct upon women. At this time, Brown is still denying the allegations against him.
Tori Everson | Contributing Writer
JAN. 30, 2019
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Speaking in Tongues: The politics of translation in literature
Photo by Prof. Adam Rovner
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n Tuesday, January 22, the Center for Judaic Studies hosted a roundtable discussion on the profound impact the work of translating between cultures can bring to both politics and literature. The event, “Speaking in Tongues,” featured three internationally lauded translators and writers: Jessica Cohen, Dr. Dory Manor and Moshe Sakal. A Man Booker International Prize-winning translator, Cohen aides in bridging the gap for readers between Hebrew and English literature. She has translated books including the likes of “A Land Without Borders” by Nir Baram and “All The Rivers” by Dorit Rabinyan. “I grew up bilingual, so I’ve always existed in a dual culture,” she said when reflecting on the path her career has taken. “I don’t live in Hebrew; the Hebrew lives in me.”
Manor—a prize-winning editor, poet and translator of books from French to Hebrew—carried similar affinities for the language and how it has changed over time. He has translated the works of literary icons such as Charles Baudelaire and René Descartes. “Hebrew is a mixture of all these languages and layers of meanings,” Manor said, “[As translators, we have to] try to find ways—often peculiar and strange—to say things that are very simple, and it is one of the magical things about Hebrew.” From the writer’s perspective, he was also able to touch on the political undertones of writing in Hebrew. A language with a complex history that is closely associated with the Israel-Palestinian conflict, those who use it are expected to assume the role of activist. “Israeli poetry is im-
portant because the poets carry the spirit of the nation. The authors represent the sound, the voice, of the people,” said Manor. “Writers are constantly aware of the illusion of words.” Sakal, a prize-winning novelist of the Arab Jewish experience, echoed the same sentiment. In his latest release, “The Diamond Setter,” a Syrian named Fareed crosses the border into Israel in search of his roots and family history, and the act opens up a Pandora’s box of politically charged questions. “Israeli poetry has more of an obligation to be prophetic and visionary,” he commented. “Once I erased the border [for Fareed in The Diamond Setter], I realized that other boundaries can break as well: about love, about gender and about sexuality.” While the three disagreed on whether or not
these political perspectives are truly representative of Israeli and Palestinian masses, they all recognized the importance of providing them for readers to consume and opening up the conversation towards alternative viewpoints that were once nonexistent. “When I was looking for a role model during my adolescence, I was forced to look at foreign models or invent my own,” Manor said during the closing of the event. “But now, through our writing, we can take part in reinventing and refounding a new culture.”
Kiana Marsan | Contributing Writer
Make your voice heard! Email duclarioneditor@gmail.com for information about how to contribute.
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Future’s new album “The WIZRD” brings in new and old style
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ith the Jan. 18 release of his highly anticipated seventh studio album “The WIZRD,” rapper Future brings a riveting mixture of fervid energy and emotional melancholy into his newest music. Future released a medley of music in 2018, including the two commercial mixtapes “Beast Mode 2” and “Wrld on Drugs,” but this has been his first full-length album since his 2017 “HNDRXX” with a track list of 20 songs, each one telling its own story in a way that further distinguishes the rap and hip-hop industry. The album, which was accompanied by a film documentary produced by Apple Music, features additional successful artists such as Travis Scott and Young Thug, lyrics that evoke strong images and an explorative approach to Future’s musical storytelling. His lyrics create a fresh perspective on a difficult life and even more difficult themes while maintaining the familiar style that listeners have come to love about his world. However, despite notable songs like “Never Stop,” “F&N” and “Promise U That,” all of which draw on the raw melody of Future’s personal story, there are a few songs halfway through
the album and onwards which feel incomplete, such as “Krazy But True.” This then raises the concern of length. The songs following the halfway point gradually lose passion and commitment as the same beat; rhythm and eventually the message are replayed over and over again
without regard for complexity. It’s almost as difficult for listeners to find one song that doesn’t resonate with them as it is to find a song that doesn’t sound like a copy from his previous work. Still, it’s hard to compete with the unforgettable pictures Future paints for the first half of the album. In a music genre that
is constantly in competition for the spotlight, Future doesn’t fail to make his voice heard and his style unique. Perhaps, though, his voice lingers for a little too long in this hour-long compilation infused with both feeling and depravity. Skylar Nitzel | Contributing Writer
Photo courtesy of Epic Records
Sweet Leaf owners will serve one year in jail for looping
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n Jan. 25, Sweet Leaf owners Anthony Sauro, Christian Johnson and Matthew Aiken accepted a plea deal with the Denver District Attorney to serve one year in prison and face a year of parole and a one year probationary sentence to run concurrently for drug and racketeering charges. City officials have stated this is the first local prosecution of a legal pot enterprise in the U.S. Sweet Leaf was known as one of Colorado’s largest marijuana companies, with eleven dispensaries at one point, until a yearlong investigation was conducted by the Denver Police Department that was centered
on “looping,” the act in which a customer purchases the maximum amount of marijuana that Colorado permits (28 grams) and repeatedly returns to the same retailer to purchase more on the same day. On Dec. 14, 2017, multiple locations were forced to close across the Denver Metro Area after the Denver Police Department issued search and arrest warrants. Sweet Leaf’s cultivation, processing and dispensary licenses were then suspended by the Excise and Licenses Department. Prosecutors stated that Sauro, Johnson and Aiken were aware of the looping committed and stated that it led to nearly 2.5 pounds of marijuana
entering the black market in Colorado and other states. The case began after a tip the DPD received, and budtenders were caught selling an ounce of marijuana to undercover DPD officers multiple times per day. However, charges against at least eighteen budtenders arrested in connection to the investigation were dropped. Former Sweet Leaf Vice President Nicole West and Retail Operations Manager Ashley Goldstein also pleaded guilty to felony marijuana distribution charges and served thirty days in jail in November 2018. The investigation and Sweet Leaf case have prompted Colorado regulators to clarify the law limiting how
much marijuana an individual customer can buy per day. In May 2017, Colorado’s Marijuana Enforcement Division sent a memo to marijuana business license owners to explain the law prohibited that customers could not buy more than 28 grams of marijuana per day, not per transaction. Colorado regulators reached a settlement with Sauro, Johnson and Aiken to surrender their state-issued business license. The former owners will also be banned from working in the Colorado marijuana industry for 15 years. Nina Petrovic | Arts & Life Editor
Logo courtesy of Sweet Leaf