DU Clarion Volume 125 Issue 25

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SCHWARZENEGGER SPEAKS AGAINST GERRYMANDERING

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DU CLARION

| NEWS

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Cost of living continues to make Denver housing prices flunctuate

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he increased cost of living in the U.S. is a growing trend among the bigger cities, as the large influx of population has led to increased prices of products and homes. The high cost of living and housing is not a new trend in Denver, as the rate of listing prices for homes has been increasing since 2012. In recent years, the rising population and increased interest rates add to such high costs of buying homes, reducing the quantity demanded for such high prices. While in recent months the prices of homes have been increasing at a slower rate, homes still aren’t selling and the supply of homes is not increasing as predicted. Due to sellers being forced to lower the

listing prices to increase the chances of buyers taking their offers, prices are expected to decrease in order to balance the gap between buyers and sellers on the market.

De sp i t e the rate of p ri ces de cr e asi ng i n t he Denver ho u sing m arket , t he over a l l c o st of housi ng i s sti ll hig h . Zi llow Real E st at e, a n o nli ne marketp lace for ho u sing, li sted t he average p r ice of housi ng i n Denver t o b e at $ 41 4,5 0 0 , alm ost $20 0 ,00 0 hi gher t han the na t io n al average p ri ce of ho m e s. T hese hi gh p ri ces a r e l a rgely beli eved t o be a r e su l t of a heavy i ncrease in p o p ulati on i n Denver.

Sinc e 2 0 1 0 , over 30 0 ,0 0 0 r e sidents have m oved to De nv e r, as the hom es are no t a ble t o be construct ed

ABOUT US

as fast as the p opul atio n is i ncreasi ng. Along w ith s uc h hi gh p ri ces, the m id d l e an d lower classes of D e n v er are unable to afford suc h h o m es ; At tom Dat a Soluti o n s f o un d that the i ncome n eed ed to p urchase a home in D e n v er i s about $ 1 77,0 0 0 , w h il e th e average i ncom e i n th e c ity is about $ 68,0 0 0 .

In resp onse t o th e h ig h p ri ces, buyers ar e s im p l y refusi ng to p urchas e h o m es at t hose p ri ces. S al es h ave drop p ed by 1 .5 p er c en t s in c e last year, p rovi n g th at in order for hom es to b e s o l d , selli ng p ri ces must g o d o w n .

Such a decrease i n s al es w il l eventually cause h o us in g p ri ces to decreas e , w h ic h econom i st s expec t w il l restore a balanci ng b etw een buyers and sellers in th e housi ng m arket s.

Ov eral l , d es p ite b uy ers h av in g s trug g l e d to f in d re as o n ab l y p ric ed h o m es in re c en t y e ars , b uy ers c an e x p e c t s el l ers to d ro p l is t in g p ric es in th e f uture .

Th e m e d ian l is tin g p ric e s o f h o m e s in D e n ve r is s til l h ig h e r th an th e n atio n al av erag e , b ut th e h o us in g m arke t is s h o w in g s ig n s o f re s to rin g b al an c e as s el l ers h av e m o re p re s s ure to l o w er th e ir p ric e s an d e x p e c ta tio n s as s al e s h av e d ro p p ed .

Vishal Beeki | Contributing Writer

DU Clarion EDITORIAL STAFF

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.

HOW TO JOIN The Clarion is open to contributors of all years and majors at DU, including both undergraduate and graduate students. There’s no application necessary; all you have to do is show up to one of our weekly meetings, which are held every Monday at 6 p.m. (during the academic year) in the Hub. Can’t make it to a meeting? Send an email to duclarioneditor@gmail.com and we’ll do everything we can to get you published.

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 ANDREW MATRANGA, Faculty Adviser Cover photo by Hannah Branit

CONTRIBUTING STAFF RACHEL KUNZI

VISHAL BEEKI

MEGAN COONEY

HALEY BIRT

JAKE GLOTH

LAWSON MONTGOMERY

JULIA BARELA

VALERIA MONCADA

MADALYNE HEIKEN

EMMA COHEN

SERENA BETTIS

BARBARA URZUA

NOTE: In last week’s print edition of the Clarion, an opinions article was published concerning the recent Title IX policy changes. This piece contained incorrect statements concerning the office’s new policies. To learn more about the changes and why they were implemented, visit page 4.

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NEWS | 3

Schwarzenegger to terminate gerrymandering New

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riscoll Green was filled with excitement on Oct. 20 as Gov. John Hickenlooper and former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger came to visit DU and give remarks about the Y&Z Amendment to terminate gerrymandering in Colorado.

Though Amendments Y and Z are two different measures, they are grouped together as they both strive for the same goal: to prohibit gerrymandering, the practice of manipulating district boundaries by a group or party to establish a political advantage. Amendment Y would focus on Congressional redistricting, while Amendment Z would focus on Legislative redistricting.

Games, food and booths with various groups from Young Republicans to League of Women Voters were set up before the rally began. People could walk up to these organizations to discuss the purpose of Amendments Y&Z, as well as learn about the organizations themselves.

“Voters should choose politicians; politicians should not choose their voters,” said Jean Fredlund, the At-Large Director of the League of Women Voters.

“Hopefully Amendments Y&Z would provide more competitive and representative districts.”

When the rally began, Campaign Co-Chair Kent Thiry opened by welcoming everyone to the rally and stating his passion for Amendments Y&Z. Thiry then went on to explain his passion for these amendments and the importance of ending gerrymandering to give voters a better opportunity to vote for a politician that aligns more with their beliefs.

Gov. Hickenlooper then followed Thiry’s remarks by emphasizing the percentage needed for Amendments Y&Z to pass. 55 percent of voters must

vote “yes” to pass Amendments Y&Z. Gov. Hickenlooper then emphasized the change voting “yes” on Amendments Y&Z could have on the United States as a whole.

“The national change on voting this is unrivaled,” said Gov. Hickenlooper. “Together we’re going to terminate gerrymandering with your support.”

After the Colorado governor spoke, the most anticipated part of the day came. Schwarzenegger rose to speak about his opinions on gerrymandering. He stated how he saw firsthand that Democrats and Republicans could not work together on any issues and realized gerrymandering was the reason. He then went on to say that gerrymandering put Democrats in one district and Republicans in another. Schwarzenegger said the only options voters had was a candidate who was either extremely liberal or extremely conservative.

“The Democrats and Republicans

get together in a smoky backroom, and that’s where all the deals are happening every ten years,” said Schwarzenegger. “You never know anything about it and the press did not write about it.”

Schwarzenegger then said Democrats and Republicans in their respective districts could not be challenged or opposed because of their extreme left and right views. Schwarzenegger also said politicians can stay in office year after year and not perform to their voters’ wants and expectations.

“We want the politicians to be public servants and not party servants,” said Schwarzenegger.

“They should serve the public, not the party.”

Schwarzenegger then encouraged voters to vote “yes” on the two amendments and he concluded his speech with one of his famous movie lines, “Hasta la vista, baby.”

Nina Petrovic | Arts & Life Editor Hannah Branit l Clarion

app for international student support

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ransitioning into college is difficult for almost anyone, as young adults are away from home and parentsforthefirsttimeandmust balance social life, homesickness, school work, jobs and more. This transition is especially difficult for the 1,125 international students who attend DU and experience culture shock alongside the typical transition difficulties.

In addition to the International Student Support Program, DU is now offering a support app for international students. Sponsored by Morneau Shepell, a human resource company, the support app is available to all students for free. The primary function of this app connects students with counselors who speak their language, know their culture and are trained in helping international students thrive at their university.

The app is simple to use and available for download on iOS or Android devices. It will ask a first-time user for their name, country of origin and university. All information and conversations shared on the app are completely confidential. Students can speak with counselors via phone call or text message 24 hours a day. The app provides video support, as well as guides to adjusting to life in the United States, staying healthy and making friends and keeping up with schoolwork.

Support is offered through a website as well for those who do not wish to download the app. For further information and DU specific advising, the International Student and Scholar Services staff is available by appointment or varying walk-in times Monday through Friday at the International House, located off Josephine Street, east of University Boulevard.

Serena Bettis | Contributing Writer

Divest DU shifts focus to renewable future

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y Fall Quarter of 2019, seven to eight percent of DU’s energy consumption will rely on solar power. This initiative was accelerated by Divest DU, a student organization that started five years ago to spread awareness about DU’s investments with energy companies that produce fossil fuels.

Divest DU has been working to lobby DU’s Board of Trustees to end this investment in fossil fuels. Although this specific goal was shot down by the board during the 2017-2018 school year, Divest DU aims to hold DU to its sustainability goals.

On Wednesday, Oct. 17, Divest DU hosted an event to talk about DU’s fossil free future. Present at the event included Chad King, DU’s Sustainability Director, James Rosner, the Associate Vice Chancellor of Facilities, Lynn Baker, the Assistant Director Utilities Manager, Mat Elmore, the Managing Director of Pivot Energy and Sara Hall, the Marketing Associate for Pivot Energy. Though not all officials spoke, they were there to show their support for those with Divest DU, who are pushing for faster change in light of the recent UN Climate Change report.

To introduce Elmore and the overall goals and successes of Divest

DU, King said, “I know that can be a sad day. But, we did get to invest, and that’s the word that’s happening now on campus. What you’re going to see today about what’s happening in our investment in renewables here on campus would not have happened had it not been for Divest getting out there. You are the customer, you have the biggest voice on our campus and you should be using that.”

Elmore spoke on the solar panel project that will start at DU this winter, giving an overview of how solar panel construction works and what it means for the campus. As part of DU’s 25 by ’25 goals, Pivot Energy’s partnership with DU will provide the campus with seven thousand solar panels on sixteen existing buildings and the two new buildings set to be completed by 2020. In his presentation, Elmore also detailed the design plans for each building, giving a mini lesson on why certain designs and roof styles work better than others.

For example, they have to be careful about how many solar panels they place on flat, old roofs to avoid any complications with roof cave-ins when it snows, adding extra weight to the building.

The university currently has a 20-year agreement with Pivot

Energy. DU will buy the clean energy from the company, which owns the solar panels despite their installment on campus. This saves DU the upfront cost of the panels. The average four kilowatt (kW) solar panel system costs 15 thousand dollars, and DU’s system will provide 2,250 kW of power, which is over 500 times larger than the average system.

They are also looking into installing two solar panel trees on campus.

Most of the solar panels will lay flat on the rooftops, so people visiting campus may not know they are there. The solar trees, though they do not produce very much energy, will act as a visual representation and center for students and visitors to learn about solar energy’s impact on DU. Additionally, these trees can serve as a meeting place with benches and can support phone and laptop charging stations.

One of the most important aspects of this project is that DU will own the Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) of the solar energy.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a REC is “a market-based instrument that represents the property rights to the environmental, social and other non-power attributes of renewable

electricity generation.” When universities and personal homes invest in solar panels, companies such as Xcel Energy often offer a bonus to the purchaser if they give their RECs to the company. This takes away the ability for the people who use the panels to report their energy-saving data to the government. Additionally, it allows companies to meet their renewable energy percentage goals without enacting major change.

Elmore said, “I don’t know a single other institution that has done anything like this. This actually reduces the carbon emitted by the university and shows other universities this can be done, and there’s an urgency in that.”

Construction on solar panels is estimated to begin in January of 2019, with full completion in June and July 2019. As each building’s solar panel installation is finished, the building will go live with solar power, so the campus will start using renewable energy as soon as possible. A video that details the impact of fossil fuels in comparison to clean energy is available on Pivot Energy’s website.

Serena Bettis | Contributing Writer

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Title IX office explains new policy changes

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n Aug. 31, the Title IX office at DU updated their Title IX procedures, including some new policies. DU’s Title IX policies and procedures go under revision every summer based on feedback they get from parties going through the process throughout the year.

The office also meets with campus partners, such as the Health and Counseling Center (HCC), the Center for Advocacy, Prevention and Empowerment (CAPE) and Campus Safety in the month of June to examine case debriefs and talk about which cases went well and which went poorly. In August, their provisions are rolled out to internal stakeholder groups, comprised of different groups at Campus Life & Inclusive Excellence (CLIE), to look the changes over and then attempt to get changes in place before DU’s law school begins.

Many students at DU were confused and concerned about the new policies put in place this year. In response to students’ concerns, officers from the Office of Equal Opportunity and

Title IX— Monica Renoso, Molly Hooker and Rufina Hernandez —and the Vice Chancellor for Campus Life & Inclusive Excellence, Dr. Liliana Rodriguez, spoke at the USG meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

The first concern they discussed was the fact that people in Title IX cases can be issued amnesty for drugs and alcohol use. They told students that this was done so that survivors and witnesses may feel comfortable coming forward about what happened without worry of getting in trouble for incidents involving alcohol and drugs. They explained that the office also reserves the right to make referrals for any party participating (respondent, complainant, witness) to counseling for mental health or substance issues.

Another concern was the case resolution timeline. Previously, the office stated that an investigation would be conducted within 60 days. However, in past years, this has not been the average length. The average length for a case to be resolved for the 2017-2018 academic year was 82.5 days.

The office found that the 60 day process was unrealistic to complete a thorough investigation.

An investigation could be only done in 60 days if there were no other circumstances and complexities of the case. Otherwise, these complexities would extend the deadline further. The office removed the 60 days timeline because of feedback from participants that “the deadline is anxiety inducing, especially in an already stressful situation, and it sets an unrealistic expectation.” The Title IX Office hopes to instead have an average number in the document to ease students involved.

Lastly, the office discussed the removal of the prohibition of alternative resolutions.

Alternate resolutions could be a mediation, Standing No Contact order, Temporary No Contact Order and Location Restrictions. This was done because the office believes this gives more alternatives to survivors to heal and move forward.

They said they believe it is not fair to dictate how to go about a case without the survivor’s input. A mediation will only

be offered if the complainant wants to do it, and respondent and mediator must also agree.

There is no requirement that a complainant must meet with a respondent, though it is recommended when facts are not in dispute and both complainant and respondent agree to the same alternative resolution. If mediation is not wanted, other resolutions are offered.

In response to the students’ complaints about the new Title IX changes and them being left out of the conversation, the office has agreed to implement a student advisory board that will review the policy changes every year. The board will be involved with Title IX, honor code, as well as others university policies for every year going forward. Composing the board will be an effort between the USG Executive Branch and DU’s administration.

Grace Carson | Executive Editor

DU partners with soccer giant FC Bayern Munich

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n a joint announcement by DU and FC Bayern Munich, the two institutions have joined together to create a strategic partnership that provides the opportunity to hold cultural, academic and athletic exchanges.

In a statement by Rebecca Chopp, DU’s Chancellor, she explains, “We are dedicated to delivering the highest level of education, and by partnering with FC Bayern we will be delivering a global soccer program, too.” She continues, “As an educational institution, we will be able to support the club in their research initiatives as well as offer their staff excellent educational opportunities in the U.S.”

The opportunities for both organizations are immense with the potential of sharing facilities, the ability to collaborate through research and the exchange of individuals to pursue coursework at the collegiate level. The Men’s Soccer program has seen enormous success as they have consistently conquered the Summit League with domination in the regular season and tournament championships. The Pioneers, for the first time in club history, were ranked number one in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer.com this year.

FC Bayern is committed to growing the sport of soccer in North America, as they have created a grass-roots

program called Global Premier Soccer and partnered with MLS side FC Dallas to create an elite player development program between the two sides. Rudolf Vidal, FC Bayern Munich’s President of the Americas, comments that “We have a permanent presence in the U.S., allowing us to constantly learn about the country’s culture of which higher education through sport is a big element. With the University of Denver, we are enabling young athletes to achieve academic excellence as well as the very best on-field development.”

“I’m thrilled about this partnership that will give our staff the opportunity to benefit and observe some of the best coaching practices that

helped develop world class talents including Philipp Lahm, Thomas Müller and Mats Hummels, that we can then bring back to our program to train our student-athletes,” commented Jamie Franks, head coach of DU’s Men’s Soccer team.

This is a huge step forward for not only DU and FC Bayern Munich, but for the soccer programs of both institutions. This exchange will assist the staff of DU in learning from a team that is one of the most dominant in the history of German soccer.

Lawson Montgomery | Contributing Writer

DU CLARION

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SPORTS | 5

Pioneers stay perfect with North Dakota State win

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enverVolleyball defeated North Dakota State 25-21, 2-18 and 25-13 to complete their 11th consecutive sweep of the season.

The Pioneers’ 18-win streak is the longest winning streak in program history.

“We did a great job on the defense side today,” said Head Coach Tom Hogan. “The players executed the game plan, and they were very sharp with their eyework. We improved throughout the match in several areas.”

Denver put up 14 kills in the first set, 11 in the second and 17 in the last set to complete 42 kills overall. Senior Becca Latham (Austin, Texas) led the team, totaling 11 kills and one block. Junior outside hitter Katarina Marinkovic (Belgrade, Serbia) had nine blocks while sophomore Lydia Bartalo (Colo-

rado Springs, Colo.) tallied eight kills.

Sophomore Ellie Anderson (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) totaled 20 assists against North Dakota State, bringing her career assist total past 1,000. She needs only 289 more assists to break into DU’s top-10 career records.

Senior middle blocker Emma Willis (La Jolla, Calif.) had five blocks, one solo block, over the course of the match.

Denver had ten total blocks against NDSU, with four of the blocks coming in the first set.

Denver plays again against South Dakota State on Friday, Oct. 26. They return home to play Omaha on Sunday, Oct. 28.

Photo courtesy DU Athletics

Hannah Branit | Sports Editor

Pioneers dominate Western Illinois with 4-0 win

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he No. 7 Pioneers welcomed Western Illinois to Ciber Field for a Summit League clash where the Pioneers took the win with four different Pioneers getting on the scoresheet. The Pioneers now go to 11-2-2 on the season with three games left to play in the regular season.

The offensive pressure by the Pioneers began early in the first half as senior Andre Shinyashiki (Sao Pãulo, Brazil) had a header hit of the woodwork in the second minute. In the 12th minute, sophomore Destan Norman (Fort Collins, Colo.) passed to senior Moshe Perez (Shim’a,

Israel) waiting in the middle of the pitch. From there, Perez turned, pushed forward and took his shot from 20 yards out to place it into the left corner to make it 1-0.

The Pioneers maintained the pressure as Western Illinois looked for their chance to strike on the Pioneer goal.

However, with two chances, the backline lead by redshirt senior centre-back Scott Devos (Centennial, Colo.) and redshirt sophomore goalie Will Palmquist (Denver) stood strong. As the first half was coming to a close, senior Tosh Samkange (Sammamish, Wash.) and freshman Liam Johnson (Golden,

Colo.) combined their efforts to set up Shinyashiki at the top of the box, who curled a beauty of the ball past the goalkeeper’s fingertips. The first half ended with the Pioneers on top 2-0 .

Freshman Stefan DeLeone (Fort Collins, Colo.) made it 3-0 in the 56th minute when he received a perfectly weighted through ball from senior Kenny Akamatsu (Niigata, Japan) inside the box and placed into the back of the net. Shinyashiki recorded an assist alongside Akamatsu for the DeLeone goal. Three minutes later in the 59th minute, Johnson passed the ball along to Aka-

matsu on the right side of the pitch. Akamatsu ran inside and took a shot from 25 yards out that took a skip past the Western Illinois keeper. The Pioneers would hold on to the clean sheet to get their 11th win of the season.

The Pioneers continue to impress on the offensive side of the field with great teamwork and continual pressure throughout matches. The Pioneers will look to continue their undefeated home record as they take on the Saint Louis Billikens at Ciber Field on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. MDT.

Lawson Montgomery | Contributing Writer

Pioneers beat Tulane behind strong dive performance

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he Denver Swim and Dive team beat Tulane on Saturday afternoon in the Dual-A-Pool-Ooza, improving to 3-1 in duels this season. Denver scored 118 points against Tulane’s 87 points.

In the diving pool, sophomore Zora Opalka (Bainbridge Island, Wash.) qualified for an NCAA Zone meet by scoring 284.25 in the 3-meter dive, winning the event.

Denver began the duel with a win in the 100 medley relay, clocking in at 46.79. Redshirt senior Heidi Bradley (Victoria, B.C.), freshman Brandi Vu (Longmont, Colo.), junior Josie Valette (Boulder, Colo.) and senior Lauren Moden (Parker, Colo.) took their third medley relay victory with their win.

In the 200 breast, the Pioneers swept spots 2-5, with strong performances from sophomore Ally Yancy (Cave Creek, Ariz.), who touched for second with 2:26.19, followed by Vu in third with 2:26.20. Sophomore Charlotte Simon (Saint Remy, France.) took fourth with 1:28.02, and sophomore Emily Vandenberg (Ajax, Ontario) took fifth in 1:29.57.

Sophomore Alysia Leckie (Georgetown, Ontario) placed first in the 50 free, with a time of

24.02. In the 200 fly, junior Julie Cronin (Marblehead, Mass.) won with a time of 2:06.68, and freshman McKayla Sanchez (Temecula, Calif.) took second place with 2:09.34. Bradley took first in the 100 back with a time of 55.80.

In the second session, Valette took second in the 200 free with a time of 1:55.68, followed by senior Avery Niemann (Oklahoma City, Okla.) in third with a time of 1:56.19. Vu out-swam the field in the 50 breast with a time of 29.59 to give Denver its fifth victory of the duel.

In the 100 IM, the Pioneers took four out of the top five spots, with Bradley taking first in 58.06, Cronin in third with 1:00.53, Yancy in fourth with 1:00.64 and Vandenberg in fifth with a time of 1:00.69.

In the final event, the 400 free relay, Leckie, Niemann, Valette and Moden took first with a time of 3:30.04, ending the weekend for the Pioneers with a high note.

The men’s team will open up its duel season with a trip to Air Force on Thursday, Oct. 25.

They return on Saturday, Oct. 27 to host a meet with the women’s program against Wyoming, starting at 12 p.m. MST. Hannah Branit | Sports Editor

Photo courtesy DU Athletics

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Pioneers go 1-0-1 in double header versus Nanooks

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n Friday night, the No. 9 Pioneers dominated the rink in their first of two games against the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks as they outshot the Nanooks 43-16 and won the faceoff dot by a tally of 46-27 to win the game 4-1. The win helped the Pioneers reach a record of 3-0-0 for the first time since 2014-2015 season.

The first period began slow as both the Pioneers and Nanooks took their time to adjust to the competition. The Nanooks struck first with a goal at the 8:21 mark. The Pioneers began to find their momentum as they controlled the puck and berated the goal with 12 shots. On lucky number 13, freshman Emilio Peterson (Manglerud, Norway) hit the net with a tap-in to get the Pioneers level at 16:34. He was assisted by senior Jarid Lukosevicius (Squamish, B.C.) and freshman Cole Guttman (Los Angeles, Calif.).

The Pioneers continued to lay down the law and at the 18:21 mark; junior Michael Davies (St. Louis, Mo.) would join the scoring with a backhanded shot right between the legs of the Nanook goalkeeper. Davies was assisted on the play by Guttman and

Caitlan Gannam l Clarion

Peterson. Within the 29 seconds, the puck was back in the Nanook net with the goal coming from junior Liam Finlay (Kelowna, B.C.). The first period would end with the Pioneers on top 3-1.

The Pioneers and Nanooks would go scoreless in the second period.

The Pioneers outshot the Nanooks by a tally of 28 to 8.

The third period would see pushback from the Nanooks as they tried to crawl their way back into the game. The Nanooks were awarded a penalty shot after a hooking on the Pioneers at the 12:50 mark. Sophomore Devin Cooley (Los Gatos, Calif.) would stand tall and save the one-v-one shot to crush the Nanook momentum.

Finlay would finish off the Nanooks with a goal on an empty net at 18:16. He was assisted by senior Colin Staub (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and junior Tyson McLellan (San Jose, Calif.).

Guttman, Pettersen and Finlay would end the night with two points to each of their names. Cooley stood strong in the net where he saved 25 of the 26 shots he faced as Lukosevicius and Pettersen record points for the third game in a row with four and six points, respectively. The

Pioneers showed grit to come back from being down in the first period and take control of the game with three goals in 2:16 in the first.

On Saturday, the Pioneers would hit the ice to take on the Nanooks for the second game in the double-header.

The Pioneers would see an immense amount of pressure early by the Nanooks who wanted to get payback for the 4-1 defeat the day before.

The Nanooks got on the scoreboard at the 9:57 mark to make it 1-0. The Nanooks would increase their lead to two goals off of the power play at 14:31 in the first period.

The Pioneers would end the period with an onslaught of seven shots on a late power play, but none was able to get past the Nanook goalkeeper.

In the second period, the Nanooks would strengthen their lead to 3-0 over the Pioneers with a goal in at the 5:58 mark. Quickly after the Nanook goal, Lukosevicius would score to get within two goals of the Nanooks. He was assisted by Guttman and freshman Slava Demin (Cypress, Calif.). This would close the second period.

The third period saw the Pioneers control the puck as they looked to equalize the score. As the third and final period reached two minutes

left, Guttman scored while the Pioneers utilized the extra attacker on the empty net.

He was assisted by Peterson and sophomore Ian Mitchell (Calahoo, Alberta). With 35 seconds left in the game, senior Les Lancaster (Ypsilanti, Mich.), with an extra attacker on the ice, zipped a one-timer into the net to level the score at 3. Lancaster was assisted by Mitchell and Peterson. With the score at 3-3, the Pioneers and Nanooks would enter overtime.

Overtime would see the Pioneers take the majority of shots, but none could hit the back of the net. The five minute overtime period would end with the Pioneers and Nanooks tying at 3 goals apiece. Cooley would end the night with 19 saves as Peterson and Lukosevicius continued their point streaks to four games with five and eight points, respectively.

This game demonstrated the grit and determination present in the Pioneer squad as they fought back from a 3-0 deficit.

The Pioneers will face Western Michigan in a doubleheader two weeks from now on Nov. 2 and 3 at 7:07 p.m. MST.

Lawson Montgomery | Contributing Writer

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SPORTS | 7

Lauryn Butler l Clarion

Pioneers top Alumni All-Stars 16-9

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n Saturday afternoon at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium, the Pioneers defeated the Alumni All-Stars 16-9 behind strong performances from junior Ethan Walker (Peterborough, Ontario) and freshman Drew Erickson (Danville,Calif.).

Junior goalie Alex Ready (Lancaster, Pa.) made four saves in the first half, helping the Pioneers open up and increase their lead against the Alumni All Stars.

Walker was the first to score at 14:09, with an assist from senior Colton Jackson (Highlands Ranch, Colo.), following his goal up with an assist to Erickson’s 10:41 goal. The Alumni finally got on the board at 6:25 in the first period with a goal from Eric Law ‘13 (Centennial, Colo.), who was assisted

by Connor Cannizzaro ‘17 (Cazenovia, N.Y.).

The Alumni tied up the game at 4:51 when Cannizzaro scored his first of the game with an assist from Law. Walker, assisted by sophomore Ted Sullivan (Tucson, Ariz.) at 2:57. The Alumni responded at 00:56 with a goal from Mark Matthews ‘12 (Oshawa, Ontario).

Denver opened up the

second period with an unassisted goal from freshman Alex Simmons (Smithville, Ontario) at 9:52 to bring the score to 4-3, Pioneers.

Cannizzaro quickly added another goal for the Alumni, assisted by Law at 8:10 to even the score back at 4-4.

The quarter continued that way, as Erickson, assisted by freshman Austin Stewart (Arlington, Va.) scored for the Pioneers, followed

by Matthews, assisted by Law. The Alumni would get their only lead of the game at 4:28 when Law scored an unassisted goal to bring the score to 6-5, Alumni. From there on, the Pioneers fired back and scored six unanswered goals in the second and third periods to grab the lead. Sullivan opened up the run for the Pioneers, scoring an unassisted goal at 1:54. He was followed by Simmons who had an assist from sophomore Riley Curtis (Brampton, Ontario).

The Pioneers would continue their run in the third period, led by freshman Ellis Geis (Tustin, Calif.). Geis scored an unassisted goal at 14:06, followed by Walker at 11:51. Senior Dylan Johnson (Englewood, Colo.) scored off an assist from Walker

at 9:45 to bring the score to 10-6, Pioneers. Walker scored his fourth goal of the game at 6:28 with an assist from Jackson to close out the Pioneers’ scoring run. The defense and freshman goalie Cole French (Danville, Calif.) shut down the Alumni and did not allow a single goal in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Max Planning ‘17 (Alexandria, Va.) scored at 12:37 with an assist from Bryce Parietti ‘16 (Centennial, Colo.). He was followed by Colton McCaffrey ‘18 (Parker, Colo.), who was assisted by Zach Runberg ‘18 (Centennial, Colo.). The Pioneers responded with four unassisted goals; freshman Johnny Marrocco (Cincinnati, Ohio) at 8:48, Geis at 7:09, freshman Jackson Harvey (Greenwood Village, Colo) at 7:01, and Erickson at 6:09. Cannizzaro scored one last time for the Alumni at 00:49, but the current Pioneers had the last goal of the game with an unassisted goal from freshman Josh Dawick (Oakville, Ontario) at 00:04.

“Today was a great day for lacrosse all the way around.

To host our friends from Unified Lacrosse at halftime and play a game with beautiful weather against a skilled

group of our alumni was a great way to finish off our fall,” Head Coach Bill Tierney said. “All in all, we got out of this game healthy and showed some good things at times throughout. We’ll enjoy our banquet tonight to celebrate the 2018 season, and then our minds shift to getting ready for February.”

Walker totalled four goals and two assists, while Erickson secured a hat-trick.

Simmons finished with two goals and an assist, and Geis scored two goals. Freshmen Brett Boos (Parker, Colo.) was 16-of-21 from the faceoff, while freshman Harvey was 5-of-8 with a goal.

On the Alumni side, Law, who won the MLL Championship this summer, was the team leader with six points on two goals and four assists. Cannizzaro, who scored 29 hat-tricks in his Pioneer Career, returned and scored another hattrick. In goal for the Alumni were junior Josh Matte (Issaquah, Wash.), who made 10 saves on 17 shots, and sophomore Tristan Wright (Reno, Nev.), who stopped 10 shots out of 19.

Hannah Branit | Sports Editor

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It’s time to actually abolish slavery

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s November voting in Colorado fast approaches, one topic is a hot button issue: the abolition of legalized slavery. Legally, slavery is defined as forced work without due compensation, and it is still commonly found across the country. By way of the United States’ prison system, as well as ambiguities in the Thirteenth Amendment, inmates can be forced to do work without pay, and it’s all perfectly legal. Since the passing of the Thirteenth Amendment in 1865, slavery in this form has still been anything but uncommon. Inmates often receive only cents for an hour of labor and are not permitted

leave for medical issues or given forms of insurance.

Typically, the jobs that inmates are assigned to do not construct marketable skills that employers search for. One example includes sewing American flags for a meager $20 a week. The irony of this seems to be lost on the American justice system, considering the whole notion of forced servitude is blatantly unconstitutional and, not to mention, inhumane.

Prisons already exist as a form of punishment for crime, and extending that punishment via jobs that don’t reform or prepare inmates for jobs outside of incarceration is unjust.

Prisoners have expressed

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

their discontent with these conditions too, launching strikes and sit-ins to protest the unconstitutional conditions. While some inmates are grateful for a chance to work, most say that the pay, or lack thereof, is unreasonable and doesn’t allow for saving up properly for when they’re released.

All of this assists in exposing the fault at the root of the U.S. prison system: the country is exploiting incarcerated people in order to make a profit. The numbers show that the U.S. additionally takes the cake for the highest total population of prisoners, beating second place China by about 500 thousand people and third place Brazil by almost 1.5 million. This fact means that the United States also has about a quarter of the planet’s incarcerated people within its borders. This information just further supports the idea that the U.S. is attempting to exploit its people by way of mass incarceration. Once in the system, using inmates for cheap, almost free, labor is only “logical” from the government’s point of view.

This November, though, the public has a chance to help take

a step to correct this system.

By voting “yes” on Amendment A, voters will “prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude in all circumstances” (ACLU). Those who oppose the proposition stand on shifty ground, simply declaring it unnecessary, as Colorado already opposes slavery. This may be true, but the passing of Amendment A would cement the doing away of even the possibility of forced work without pay in Colorado. Opponents also say that its passing could stir major problems within employment practices in Colorado prisons, but that exists as a risk that should be taken; ensuring that inmates are properly compensated for their work should be prioritized over other prison employment practices.

Even though the vote would only adjust the Colorado Constitution, not the American Constitution, the odds of other states following suit would likely increase should it be passed.

The bottom line is that voting “yes” on Amendment A would be a step towards getting incarcerated people their due rights.

Rachel Kunzi | Contributing Writer

Proposition 112: Is it realistic?

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n initiated state statute on Nov. 6 will include Colorado Proposition 112 on the ballot. Proposition 112 would set the minimum distance requirement for new gas, oil and fracking projects initiative at 2,500 ft from “vulnerable” areas or occupied buildings. The controversy lies in the perspective of both sides. Those that vote “yes” are looking at the environmental implications, and those that vote “no” are looking at the economic impact.

To clarify what “vulnerable” areas includes, it references public places such as playgrounds, rivers, amphitheaters, etc. Presently, according to BallotPedia, “The current restrictions as of 2018 specified that wells must be 1,000 feet from high-occupancy buildings such as schools and hospitals, 500 feet from occupied buildings such as homes, and 350 feet from outdoor areas like playgrounds.”

These restrictions don’t suffice in the minds of some voters, because of the dangers of fracking. It can be life threatening. The process of fracking requires millions of gallons of water to be used from lakes, rivers, etc. The chemicals used to frack easily leak into the clean water supplies. According to Investopedia, “Between 20 percent and 40 percent of the water used for fracking that is returned to the ground surface consists of toxic contaminants.”

A study completed in 2011

by Duke University found levels of methane in the drinking water of 60 sites throughout Pennsylvania and New York. The U.S. Department of Interior cites methane as dan-

tance of the fracking site from people, it will decrease the likelihood of contamination.

On the other side of the argument, those that oppose the proposition claim that it

Photo courtesy of Colorado Public Radio

gerous and requiring urgent “hazard mitigation” action. It is evident that fracking has its negative effects. It’s presumed that in increasing the dis-

will hinder the economy.

From the words of the Common Sense Policy Roundtable, “ By 2030, over $26B in state GDP would be lost annu-

ally. For comparison, the GDP of the entire Boulder MSA was just under $24B in 2016.”

If Proposition 112 were to be approved, approximately 85 percent of Colorado’s non-federal land would be excluded from development with the 2,500 ft setback. The oil and natural gas production is prevalent to Colorado’s economy, providing roughly $10.9 billion in revenue.

While people’s moral compasses may be telling them to vote “yes,” realistically, it isn’t the best option.

It sounds cruel to state that the economic impact is more prevalent than the environment impact, but it is true.

Proceeding with Proposition 112 will not stop fracking. The U.S. has built its economy off of the exploitation of the land.

The economy and the environment are interlaced. The focus has to be turned towards finding safer alternatives to utilize the environment without exploiting the land, and the people. Fracking is a temporary solution to oil and gas production. It is a finite source that is quickly exhausting natural resources for the coming generations. Proposition 112 will stall economic progress, and regardless of the environment and health fallout, it is not plausible to believe that change will occur if the economy falters in the process of searching for better means of production.

Megan Cooney | Contributing Writer

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OPINIONS | 9

A look at Homecoming Weekend

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fter seeing friends at other schools post their pictures from their homecoming/parent weekends, I was really looking forward to seeing what DU put together. This being my first year, I wasn’t sure what to expect besides a hockey game and the possibility of free stuff. However, for other first-year students and me, we were unaware of the preplanned homecoming activities; some students didn’t even know DU celebrated a homecoming.

“I didn’t know that there was even a hockey game,” commented Curtis Myers, a first year theatre and computer science double major from Lawton, Okla.

If it weren’t for the Pioneer Leadership Program and DU Programming Board (DUPB), I wouldn’t have known about Hocktoberfest or Fall Fest. As for other homecoming activities, I was totally unaware of the volleyball game, student internship panel and “Yoga on the Lawn.”

While the events I knew about were well-executed, I’m still wondering what can DU and its students do to make homecoming a more prominent and celebrated tradition on campus?

The success of DUPB’s May Days and Winter Carnival and other events is due to the promise of free shirts and food, a variation of activities for the average college student (concerts, ice skating, canvas painting, carnival games) and student excitement.

Because the students involved

in creating these events are enthusiastic about what they are producing, they are more likely to get other students interested in attending. Word of mouth is often an overlooked form of marketing, but it’s vital to the success of many campus events.

DU could utilize word of mouth to build student interest and anticipation for future homecoming weekends by involving students in the development of spirit and school related activities. This could create a more inclusive atmosphere where students are more excited about the traditions their school is attempting to organize.

In addition, students have a responsibility to search for information. We cannot expect everything to be given to us, and if we are disappointed with the outcome of an event, we should involve ourselves in the organizations that are the creators. We make the conscious decision to incorporate ourselves and our voices when it comes to what we want our life on campus to look like.

Ultimately, creating long-lasting traditions is difficult, but not impossible. Homecoming, parent weekend activities and any future new traditions could be more successful through the development of a more stable and inclusive partnership between DU and its students.

Taryn Allen | Clarion

Madalyne Heiken | Contributing Writer

Is DU accessible for students with disabilities?

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any students don’t really think about the layout of campus, whether each building has an elevator or not or whether ramps are available wherever outside stairs are. But for students with physical disabilities and/or mobility impairments, it can be a constant struggle to figure out different routes or ways to get into a building, often taking much longer and expending more energy to get somewhere than students without disabilities or mobility impairments. DU is relatively accessible, with elevators in all of the dorms and the majority of the main academic buildings. Outdoor ramps are also available in most of these areas. However, there are still some issues, like uneven sidewalks and hilly terrain, as well as buildings that are not Americans with Disabilities Act compliant, that make it difficult for students with disabilities to navigate.

I was born with osteogenesis imperfecta, aka brittle bone/ glass bone disease, which causes my bones to break very easily, poor muscle tone, hyperflexibility/hypermobility, loose joints and skin that bruises and scars easily. I have had countless fractures and other injuries in my life due to this. I also have sec-

ondary endolymphatic hydrops, or the inability to regulate the amount of fluid in my ears, making it so I have compromised balance and bad vertigo.

I am at a greater risk for fall and injury because of these things, and it has always been a challenge to make sure I can find a route around campus that does not put me at risk of injury. With other students around, that adds another challenge, because all it would take is for someone to bump into me hard enough, causing me to fall, and I could end up with a broken foot or arm.

Many colleges are notoriously behind when it comes to making their campus American with Disabilities Act compliant.

For example, my sister, who has the same brittle bone condition I have, visited a school when looking for colleges that did not have elevators or ramps in any of their buildings except the newest one, and the outside terrain was extremely hilly and difficult to navigate. Even at the college she currently attends, her residence hall has a set of stairs leading up to an elevator but no ramp. To their credit, DU is trying to make the campus more accessible. With the recently implemented Chariot program, one of the buses was made to be Americans with Disabilities Act

compliant, giving students with disabilities another option for getting around campus. There is also a project in the works to build another ramp by Sturm Hall, which is why there is currently a fence up.

However, there are some things that still make traversing DU as a student with disabilities difficult. There are many uneven and bumpy sidewalks, particularly near Centennial Towers and Halls and near the on-campus apartments, which are tripping hazards and practically inaccessible for students in wheelchairs. DU’s campus is also very hilly, which adds an extra challenge for students with mobility impairments. I constantly worry that I am going to step wrong and turn my ankle, breaking it or my foot like I have in the past in different situations with uneven sidewalks or terrain.

One other thing that poses a challenge is navigating through the throngs of students going in between classes, which is even more treacherous now that Driscoll bridge is closed. The Evans Avenue crosswalk, which just opened back up this past weekend, is going to be the only way to cross between classes, which means bigger crowds of students trying to go back and forth in an already crowded

area. I have already had two different people open a door on my foot when trying to get through Driscoll while Evans was closed, cutting it open and leaving me with some nasty bruises (which is another thing—many doors do not have door sweeps, which is a hazard for injury), and I have rolled my ankle while navigating through the crowds of students when trying to get to my next class on time.

All in all, many of the buildings at DU—not all, but several— are for the most part accessible for students with disabilities.

Not everything is perfect, and the outside terrain as well as crowds of students make navigation difficult for some students with mobility impairments. But some of the recent implementations, like the Chariot that is Americans with Disabilities Act compliant—although not a perfect solution as it can take more time—are steps in the right direction. DU is making progress toward improving accessibility for students with disabilities, and as long as they keep thinking of ways to implement it as well as listen to students’ concerns, things should only continue to get better.

Sara Loughran | Copy Editor

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PIONEER VOICES Question of the week:

What has been your favorite class this quarter?

“My favorite class has been Israeli Culture Through Film.”

“My favorite class is Oral Skills, which is a class through the music program.”

Jessica Nudelman, first year

Leslie Hisman, first year

“My favorite class so far has been Anthropology: Humankind in Context.”

“My favorite class so far has been User and Access Services.”

Katie Sage, first year

Callie Cherry, graduate student

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OPINIONS | 1 1

Homeownership may not be entirely out of reach

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f all of the life steps that can be difficult for college kids to envision in their futures, homeownership is one of the more elusive and stress-inducing ones. With minimal current income, knowledge of high rents in most urban areas like Denver and no concrete careers as of yet, the prospect of affording to buy a home in the next ten years seems an implausible one. A lot of this fear is justified—only 37 percent of millennials owned homes in 2015. But as negative as our generation’s outlook on homeownership is, there are a lot of dynamics at play here.

Where our generation chooses to move and how we disperse as we exit college will have a large influence on what homeownership looks like for us.

There are plenty of factors behind low rates of millennial homeownership, major ones including student debt that hinders ability to pay for housing as well as high rents in cities in general. Another more recent trend in the last decades is what economists have come to call “the Great Divergence.”

CityLab analyzed this concept, showing how high-skilled jobs are pulling people to high-cost cities—highly-paid “knowledge workers” and lower-paid “service workers” are sorting into different cities in geographies in ways that didn’t used to happen. This is also intensified

by the wide range of housing costs by state—lower-skill workers use more of their income on housing relative to higher-skill workers and therefore choose to live where there are lower housing costs.

But another interesting dynamic is at work that could signal some hope yet for young people pessimistic about homeownership: movement to the U.S.’s mid-size cities is on the rise, and a lot of these cities are making comebacks. Writing for CityLab, Oklahoma City’s longtime mayor Mick Cornett describes smaller yet growing metro areas—growth rates are strong in places like Fort Collins, Buffalo and Boise, and thousands of people are moving to these places from other, larger metro areas.

Affordability is a major reason for this—Cornett cites the fact that with digitalization of work, it is becoming more realistic for highly-skilled workers to live in midsize cities instead of major ones and afford housing they could not otherwise.

Moving to a mid-size city does not sound glamorous to recent college graduates just launching their careers, but the option is an interesting one. In many ways, Denver is a city that has risen in attractiveness to young professionals in the last decades, and that will happen in other cities, too. It is important not to forget the problems

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

this urban “revitalization” can cause—gentrification, income segregation and congestion are huge challenges that face growing cities, not to mention upward rent trends with more people moving in. But homeownership remains an important way to build wealth for people of all incomes, so it is important for that to be an achievable goal.

Affordability of housing and prospects for homebuyers are exceedingly complex dynamics.

College kids are nervous for a reason when thinking about future housing, especially given

student loans owed and limited income, but it may help to expand our consideration to more areas of the country when planning future moves. Living comfortably in New York or San Francisco may be out of reach, but every community has a lot to offer. How we think about homeownership will change as we include more places in our vision of where we want to live and work.

Elizabeth Lochhead | Opinions Editor

Give me liberty or give me oil

“

Give me liberty or give me death.” The legendary words of Patrick Henry are what this country was built on, but in recent years, the U.S. has ignored those words. A country built on liberty should not support tyrannical regimes like that of Saudi Arabia. The reality of their dark human rights policy was pushed into the spotlight with the murder of anti-regime journalist Jamal Khashoggi. This, however, is just one instance that has luckily caught international attention. Mohammed Bin Salman, the acting king, has an ugly past that includes suppressing their people, committing horrid war crimes and the murder and kidnapping of countless journalists and political officials. Those who support close relations with Saudi Arabia are only concerned with the resources and money that we gain from them. The U.S. should not be involved in billion-dollar arms deals or any deals with regimes as tyrannical as Saudi Arabia’s. The Saudi Arabian argument is one of monetary gain vs. human rights.

Saudi Arabia has a despicable human rights record that the U.S. cannot ignore. Journalists like Khashoggi risk their lives to expose what he called the “iron curtain” of Saudi Arabia.

Khashoggi was reportedly dismembered with a bonesaw by

Saudi men for his disagreements with the regime. The voice of the people has been silenced

by Salman, and Khashoggi is not the first to face his wrath.

Saleh al-Shehhi, a colleague of Khashoggi, was sentenced to five years in prison in 2017 over his negative column on the royal court.

One week after a progressive investment conference at a

Photo courtesy of The New York Times

Ritz Carlton, Salman executed a ruthless “corruption” campaign in the same hotel. More than 200 officials were arrested, and those officials were forced to pay exuberant fees to be released. In August, Salman had “a dozen female activists” arrested for campaigning for the right to drive. Saudi Arabia’s aggressive foreign policy also is creating problems. The

careless bombing in Yemen has resulted in over 16,000 casualties with over 1,200 of those being children. This “climate of fear and intimidation” as Khashoggi called it is not something that should be associated with the land of the free.

Supporters of American-Saudi relations focus on economic and political gains, but they ignore the values and principles that the U.S. was built on. They ignore the millions of scared Saudi people who are forced to live under an oppressive regime. They claim that the U.S. is not responsible for what Saudi Arabia does, but the U.S. currently has a 12.5 billion dollar arms deal with them. So is the U.S. really not at fault when it is American bombs killing children in Yemen? Is the U.S. not at fault when it is American weapons that are used to imprison human rights activists? Is the U.S. not at fault when it is American dollars that fund so-called “corruption” campaigns? Are oil and money really worth more than lives?

The U.S. cannot ally itself with a country like Saudi Arabia, no matter the monetary or political gains. As far as I know, Patrick Henry never said, “Give me liberty or give me oil.”

Jake Gloth | Contributing Writer

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The danger of teenage vaping is a complicated question

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ccording to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, teenagers are about 20 percent more likely to start smoking e-cigarettes than real cigarettes.

According to a lot of concerned parents and adults, e-cigarettes such as Juul, Vaperesso, Smok, Breeze and Aspire are the devil, but stating that a simple machine is toxic simply because of its misuse is dangerous and ignorant, especially when assumptions are made. Let me uphold my position: vapes, juuls and e-cigarettes are not a bad thing. Nicotine is a bad thing.

For people who are addicted to cigarettes, e-cigarettes are a much better alternative due to the fact that e-cigarettes do not contain many of the chemicals that are in real cigarettes. Now, the argument stands that e-cigarette and vape manufacturers have no legal binding to reveal

what is in their products, so how can we know they are safer? But what we do know is that e-cigarettes do not contain any of the following that are in cigarettes: acetone, tar, formaldehyde, butane or carbon monoxide, etc.

The main issue with e-cigarettes besides their ambiguity is their appeal to teenagers. Nicotine is a very addictive drug, as is caffeine and as is alcohol. Now, e-cigarettes, vapes and Juuls all require a person to be 18 in order to buy, but a lot of vape shops do not properly ID people. For instance, in the eight vape shops I have entered since becoming 18, only about three have ID’d me. This makes it extremely easy for children to access the nicotine drug, and since nicotine is so addictive, teens who did not intend to become addicted when they bought their mods during the summer find themselves on nicotine

withdrawals when school starts.

Not a lot of people know that one can buy an e-cigarette and refill it with water-vapor-based juices that contain no nicotine.

A lot of danger and issues grow from ignorance, and the e-cigarette industry is a lot more than just the small looking juuls and such one finds at the gas station right next to cigarettes. A lot of these juuls only have the option of pods, and those do not have a no-nicotine option as they cannot be refilled with personal juices. For instance, Marlboro, one of the main leaders in the cigarette industry, has their own e-cigarettes, the IQOS; these are tobacco based and as far as we know, not refillable.

When asked, 66 percent of teenagers who smoke e-cigarettes reported that their vapes and mods contain no nicotine, only flavoring. We hope that they are all telling the truth, and

that they all know their options.

Teenagers becoming addicted to anything questionable is dangerous. Nicotine by itself isn’t dangerous, as the addictive drug does not cause mouth or lung cancer; nicotine is only dangerous because it can get people addicted to cigarettes.

Teenagers should not smoke e-cigarettes that contain nicotine if they have never been addicted to nicotine before. Teenagers should not binge drink alcohol every weekend, and they shouldn’t drink six cups of coffee a day. The danger here isn’t the alternatives to cigarettes, it’s the danger of ignorance and teenagers smoking nicotine because they do not know their options of refilling cartridges with a juice without nicotine. E-cigarettes are not the enemy—the danger of addiction in every context is dangerous.

Julia Barela | Contributing Writer

The Clarion Crossword: Week 6 Need some help? Visit duclarion.com for the answer key.

Chelsie Fincher | Clarion

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ARTS & LIFE | 1 3

The recent rise of international music in Western culture “Despacito” was the song of the summer in 2017 and is currently the most viewed video on YouTube. The remix with Justin Bieber would play every time you turned on the radio in your car.

For the first time, non-western music was extremely popular not only in the U.S. but around the world, with it matching the record for longest time on the Billboard Hot 100. This is practically unheard of—a non-English song (at least the original version) becoming so viral outside of their native country. According to Billboard, this is due to “streaming. And yes, that’s a huge factor... it’s no secret that the global clout of platforms like Spotify and YouTube has allowed an increasing number of Latinx tracks to seep into the upper echelons of streaming charts.”

The popularity of “Despacito” has spawned many collaborations between Latinx artists and American artists trying to emulate the success. From the highly successful “Mi Gente” remix featuring Beyonce to the recent “Taki Taki” featuring Selena Gomez and Cardi B. Not only that, but non-English songs without American artists have also been popular, like Nicky Jam and J. Balvin’s “X (Equis),” when previously a Latinx artist had to translate their songs into English in order to get any sort of western recognition.

A prime example of this is Shakira, who in the past has released two albums simultaneously, both containing the same songs, one in English and the other in Spanish. Though this spawned many amazing crossover artists like Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin, the necessity for such action has become obsolete. Shakira has recently returned to her roots and produced Spanish language songs without an English version, like

2016’s “Chantaje” featuring Maluma, the latter of which even performed at this year’s VMAs. As opposed to 2017’s trend of collaborations between Latinx artists and American ones, this year we are seeing more and more popularity with solely Latinx artists collaborating with each other, for example Prince Royce and Maluma’s “El Clavo (Remix),” which is starting to normalize the idea of non-English music becoming mainstream in the U.S. The rise in popularity of Latinx music has opened the door for another, though quite unexpected, genre to become popular: K-Pop. Yes, you read that correctly, K-Pop, short for Korean Pop; the name is pretty self-explanatory, meaning pop music coming from South Korea.

The world really became aware of K-Pop as a genre in 2012 with Psy’s “Gangnam Style,” a video which actually surpassed YouTube’s view counter, as well as being the most watched video on the site for five years before being surpassed by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth’s “See You Again.” Though Psy is credited with introducing the world to the genre, as well as other songs having minor success in the western world, K-Pop didn’t become appealing to the masses until very recently with boyband BTS. Their name has two meanings; in English, it is Beyond the Scene, and in Korean, it is Bangtan Sonyeondan, translating to “bulletproof boy scouts.” The septet has become synonymous with K-Pop in the past year with two albums debuting at number one on the Billboard Top 200 this year, May’s “Love Yourself: Tear” and August’s “Love Yourself: Answer,” a first for any Asian artist. Not only that, but their most recent music video, “Idol,” has the most streams in 24 hours at 45 million, beating Taylor

Swift’s record of 43.2 million.

The group’s popularity can be attributed to not only their dancing and vocals but the message in their music. From the beginning of their careers, they’ve been openly criticizing Korean culture, with their first album talking about the pressures of going to college and now talking about self-love with their three-part album series, “Love Yourself.” To sum it up best, “the act is breaking through in America singing and rapping in Korean, creating intimacy through wide exposure on social media, expressing political ideas without stirring up controversy and inspiring fervent obsession with mild-mannered

wholesomeness. It is the underdog that has arrived.”

With the rise of international music these past couple of years, we see a diversity that better represents the American public.

For the first time, thanks to the internet, we are seeing a greater exposure to international media, and it is becoming impossible to isolate ourselves from the outside world. There is a greater diversity in opinions and perspectives in today’s day and age, and we can see that reflected in the media we consume.

Valeria Moncada | Contributing Writer

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons

Young The Giant’s new album walks a tightrope

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oung the Giant dropped their fourth studio album “Mirror Master” and it landed with a thud. Fans of the DC comic Flash will appreciate the allusion to the infamous villain, but will they appreciate what comes after the catchy title?

While previous albums, such as “Home of The Strange,” are social critiques, this 12 song record turns inward, showing the more vulnerable and introspective side of the band.

Songs, such as “Darkest Shade of Blue” and “Simplify,” contemplate commitment and grapple with what it means to love unconditionally. In theory, the premise sets the stage for a hit, but in reality, these two songs capture one of the biggest pitfalls in the album—simplicity. The band isn’t presenting anything new or exciting. Honorably, they try to convey the reality of being in a relationship; however, in their effort to avoid the generic love song,

they ended up writing a generic love song. With lines as revolutionary as “I’m here with you when your hands are shaking” or, more concisely, “I don’t want to live without you,” the lyrics come off as underwhelming and watered down. Their melodies are repetitive, and unlike their past albums, poorly pieced together. However, credit must be given where credit is due.

Even though “Mirror Master” won’t go down in the history books, It did have some better qualities, “Tightrope,” being one of them. In this catchy single, Young the Giant finally finds their sound. They stop shoving their guitarist into the background and suddenly, magic.

The high energy funk riffs pull the album out of the dredges.

The lyrics finally take on a meaning that doesn’t feel washed out.

The metaphor of the “Tightrope” isn’t exhausted, but well thought out. Similarly, “You+I” and their closing track “Mirror Master”

are phenomenal examples of the strengths of the band. Here, all the pieces come together.

Sameer’s voice doesn’t sound processed, Francisco finally gets to play the drums and all three guitarists get their moments in the spotlight. Lyrically, they move from generic to innovative and leave you wanting more.

Unfortunately, these are the last two songs on the album, so it will be another two years before we see more of where that came from.

Overall, the album felt halfhearted. In some moments, the band seemed purposeful. In others, it seemed like they were just trying to fill space. Maybe two more years of contemplation will yield something among the likes of “Home of the Strange,” but until then, we’ll have to live with the “Tightropes” and “Mirror Masters.”

Haley Birt | Contributing Writer

Photo courtesy of Young The Giant

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Taylor Swift shakes off political silence

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n the weeks leading up to the midterm elections on Nov. 6, encouragement and emphasis on the importance of voting has become more prominent than ever. Democrats find this election critical, as they have the potential to shift control from the Republicans in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

In order to take back control of the House, Democrats need a net gain of at least 23 seats, while a net gain of two seats are needed for Democrats to take control of the Senate. Both parties hold stake for the midterms, as it could mean Republicans continue to hold control in Congress or lose it to Democrats and thus change the current political climate and outcomes of passing bills and amendments.

Amidst all this tension, one celebrity has surprisingly spoken out in a statement of her political leanings: Taylor Swift.

Throughout her career, Swift has been criticized for her silence concerning politics. In her early country star days, Swift stated that she had voted during the 2008 election but refused to say who she voted for in fear of alienating her fan base, who were most likely conservative at the time. In the 2016 election, Swift posted a picture of herself in line to vote, but she again did not state who she voted for. She received criticism once again for refusing to state her political leanings during such a divisive time.

However, Swift must have felt strongly about her political convictions, because on Oct. 7, Swift posted a photo on Instagram with a 400-word caption, stating that due to events in the past two years and her own personal life, she feels differently about staying silent.

Swift went on to state that she will always vote for the candidate that protects human rights for all genders, people

of color and LGBTQ people.

She further slammed Tennessee Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn, who Swift stated has a track record of voting against equal pay for women and voting against the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act that would attempt to protect women from domestic violence, stalking and date rape. Swift also stated that Blackburn believes gay people do not have the right to marry and can be refused service from businesses.

Blackburn does not align with Swift’s “Tennessee values,” and therefore Swift stated that she will be voting for Jim Cooper for the House and Phil Bredesen for the Senate. She then encouraged her fans to register to vote, even if they do not fully agree with a party or candidate.

Why Swift decided to speak out in 2018 remains a mystery.

Her countersuit for one dollar for sexual assault and battery in Colorado last year and recent tension surrounding Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination may have had an effect. Whatever her reason, her statement inspired 65,000 people to register to vote 24 hours after her post. President Trump even responded by stating he likes Swift’s music “25 percent less now.”

However, Swift seems unbothered by Trump’s statements, as she continues to encourage fans to vote, vote, vote and shake off the hate.

Photo courtesy of Wired

Nina Petrovic | Arts & Life Editor

Pumpkin Nights dazzles in Denver

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umpkin Nights has returned to amaze spectators once again. Situated near Brighton, Colo., the event is an amazing spectacle of lights, fog, food, events and of course, pumpkins. More than three thousand real and artificial pumpkins make up the walk throughout this maze of fall fun.

Throughout the half-mile stretch, visitors pass through various themed lands. Whether it be pumpkin pirates, a spider’s web, an underwater journey or even the Great Hall from Harry Potter, there is sure to be something to delight everyone.

Every corner offers a unique photo opportunity. Visitors can stroll through colorful hallways lined with pumpkins and lights.

At the end of the entire course, guests can feel free to hop on a giant seesaw, catch a movie projected on a giant outdoor screen or take a photo with a magical wizard who congratulates visitors on completing the walk.

Luna Hernandez, a psychology major at Red Rocks Community College, was pleasantly surprised by the event.

“It’s cool how family friendly it is,” Hernandez said. “There was no sense of craziness that comes with most fairs, and it just had a more intimate and individual atmosphere.”

Despite the calm atmosphere, there is still an abundance of food and beverage vendors in the large outdoor courtyard area. People can grab a hot chocolate to warm themselves up while they peruse the rest of the activities. Hot dogs, nachos and funnel cakes also add to the line up of treats.

Pumpkin Nights is located at the Adams County Fairgrounds.

The attraction will remain open until Nov. 4. Buy tickets online for a cheaper cost and to skip the lines. Pumpkin Nights is definitely an impressive and dazzling event to put on your to-do list this fall season.

Barbara Urzua | Contributing Writer

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Old School Cool Vintage Market is scary good Victoria Valenzuela | Clarion

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n Sunday, Oct. 21—a day of worship—two girls found themselves in a blue tent rather than a white chapel when they made a confession: “We’re cheap.” Before this revelation, they geared up in their favorite secondhand snags and went on their way to find the best bang for their buck.

The Globeville neighborhood held a free service where everyone was welcome,

from trendy millennials to eccentric baby boomers.

A hidden gem within this neighborhood, the Fort Greene Bar housed 27 Denver area mobile and online based independent vintage shops. It was a makeshift mini-mall that sold only the best of the best.

Unfortunately, authentic vintage pieces are not always cheap, but vintage shops do make it convenient to find items when you have less time and

more money. If money isn’t an issue, you can feel good about spicing up your wardrobe while supporting small business owners. On the other hand, if you are a frugal finder, there are always bins of five dollar or one dollar items where one can find refuge.

The girls basked in the sun that blanketed them in warmth.

The light may as well have been rose-colored, because between the thick stitched embroidery framed in wood that you swear

use to hang on your grandmother’s wall, and the yellow school bus that now holds old records, nostalgia was around every corner.

The Old School Cool Vintage Market does not have any upcoming events as of now, but you can track their next pop up on Facebook and/or Instagram.

Victoria Valenzuela | Photo Editor

Chi Omega makes a difference with Wish Week

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Do small things with great imagine going through what love.” Mother Teresa’s words they’re going through. They’re all guided Chi Omega during so strong.” yet another successful Wish Sophomore Allie Newman Week, as they raised over 3 thou- added, “It’s a super cool way to sand dollars for the Make-A-Wish give back. It’s cool to see that we Foundation. This contributes to can make a difference.” the total of close to 1 million dolThe week finished with a lars raised by Chi Omega chapters bang at Friday’s cookout and throughout the country. volleyball tournament. They The week started on Monday spread out on Carnegie Green, with “Cup a Joe with Chi O”; sta- playing games like cornhole and tioned outside of both Sturm Hall volleyball to celebrate the sucand Anderson Academic Com- cess of their hard work. With mons first thing in the morning, the focus of our society on oththe Chi O sisters gave a needed er not-so-wholesome things, pick-me-up (midterms, people) it is refreshing to be reminded to DU students all while support- that there are still selfless, kind ing a great cause, proving that people out their with one goal Wish Week is a win-win situation in mind: to do good. for everybody involved.

You can learn more about Wednesday brought “Wings the Make-A-Wish Foundation at For Wishes,” the perfect way to wish.org, and you can still doeat all of the Buffalo Wild Wings nate at Chi O’s fundraising page you want, guilt free. The Chi O on their website. house was decorated fabulously; rows of blue tables were dressed with confetti, Make-A-Wish temporary tattoos and rubber bracelets. The sense of community in the room was palpable—each sister was truly proud to have a part in granting kids the experiences of a lifetime.

I got the chance to talk to some of the sisters, asking them why Wish Week matters to them.

Senior Ashley Baker said, “It’s so great to give hope to kids who need it the most right now. I can’t Emma Cohen | Contributing Writer

Photo Courtesy of Ashlyn Bronson

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Can a da’ s c a nna bis e x p e r i me n t

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n Oct. 17, Canada joined a historical legacy as they became only the second country in the world, and the first major industrial nation, to legalize cannabis for full recreational use. The legalization of cannabis across the nation will usher in a new tide of challenges and change for the country, altering the social, cultural and economic structures of the state, and propping up Canada as an experiment for the entire world.

While nine states—plus the District of Columbia—have legalized cannabis for recreational use in the United States, the plant still lingers in a grey area of legality as the federal government still considers it a Schedule I drug, i.e. a substance that is considered to have no accepted medical use and has a high potential for abuse and dependence. Because of the federal government’s prohibition, the U.S.’s cannabis experiment has been confined to only a handful of states, all with their own different laws, systems and industries. Canada’s new journey will give the world a glimpse of how legalized cannabis might change—and challenge—an entire country, and might create the schema that the rest of the world could possibly follow in legalization.

Canada joins Uruguay in legalizing cannabis across the entire state, but Canada is quite a different experiment than Uru-

Chelsie Fincher | Clarion

guay. Canada’s economy is magnitudes greater than Uruguay’s (by GDP, Canada is 10th in the world, Uruguay 75th). As such, Canada is the first major global power to legalize the substance, and as such, its legalization will be on show for all to see.

Canada’s experiment is possibly the largest public policy matter to happen to the country in decades, and as such it is being met with celebration and trepidation. When Justin Trudeau was elected in 2015, he promised broad legalization, a lofty goal and a demanding challenge that will possibly only rear its head in the coming months as Canada grapples with the issues that sprout from legalization. For instance, while the drug is legal nationwide, the exact specifics of its sale and use is up to the governments of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories. As each deals with the

issues of legalization in its own way, it is easy to see how the federal government might struggle with maintaining an entire nation of cannabis.

Canadians will be allowed— per federal law—to possess, carry and share up to 30 grams of dried cannabis flower, and as well will be able to purchase cannabis oil. Edibles, however, are still illegal, and won’t be allowed for another year.

Where you’ll be able to buy cannabis, where you’ll be able to smoke it and how old you’ll have to be to purchase it differ from province to province.

Cannabis will be sold in government-run dispensaries, private dispensaries and online. Quebec, for instance, will only have government-run stores open, 12 to be exact. By contrast, Saskatchewan will have 51 private stores available. British Columbia—arguably Canada’s most

cannabis-happy province—will have only one store available, a government-ran outpost in Kamloops, so most will be left to purchase cannabis from the government online. Most provinces will have a legal smoking age of 19—two years younger than any legalized state in the U.S., Quebec will be 18 years old for the time being, though a newly elected government seeks to raise that number to 21. In Ontario, Quebec and Alberta (besides Calgary), users will be able to consume cannabis wherever they can smoke cigarettes, and Halifax will have designated areas for cannabis consumption.

Canada’s great cannabis experiment is welcomed by many with open arms, and for proponents of legalization across the globe, it gives hope and guidance for the future, an optimistic future of legalization around the world. For others, those who wish not to see the permitted recreational use of the drug, Canada’s legalization will be a transparent moment in which the negative effects of the drug are showcased on a never-before-seen scale. For most Canadians, though, the end of prohibition in Canada represents a voter-supported shift in public policy and an economic opportunity that had once only existed in the margins of society.

Justin Cygan | Arts & Life Editor

DU Theatre tackles two Sam Shepard plays

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he DU Department of Theatre put on two short plays from Oct. 11 - Oct. 21 that were both written by Sam Shepard.

“Savage Love” and “Red Cross” were performed in Johnson-McFarlane by a set of talented actors.

“Savage Love” was performed first by six members of the theatre department. The one-act play explores various stages of love, not through storyline, but a series of poems. The play began by acting out a poem about meeting someone for the first time and calling it love at first sight. The play then went on to describe other stages of love, from toxic relationships to waking up to someone in the middle of the night for the very first time. At times, the actors

would play a guitar or a violin to contribute music, singing songs of love, an act that has passed down through the ages.

Following the “Savage Love” play was “Red Cross,” another one-act. This time, there was a storyline rather than a reading of poetry. The play involves three people, Carol, played by Evan Monteith, Jim, played by Samuel Sage and a maid, played by Caitlin Gurtner. Carol and Jim are lovers staying in a cabin in the middle of the forest. The play begins with Carol complaining of an illness and eventually leaving to run errands. Once she leaves, Jim begins to take off his clothes and scratch crabs he has all over his body. He tries to pick them out but finds that more crabs are inside his skin.

Photo courtesy of DU Department of Theatre

The maid then knocks on the door to change the sheets, annoyed by the fact that Jim refuses to have his sheets changed.

Jim and the maid then get into a complex vocal rhapsody, as Jim admits he has crabs all over his body and the maid pleads with him to consent to driving to town with her to see a doctor. This banter goes on until they reach the subject of Jim stating the maid should explore the forest and try to go swimming at night.

Jim demonstrates to the maid how to swim, yelling “in and out” loudly, while the maid struggles to keep up with his fast-paced instructions. Eventually, the maid yells she has a cramp and can no longer move, imagining that she is at the bottom of the lake and turning into

a fish. She eventually leaves and Carol returns, complaining of constantly scratching her whole body. Jim realizes Carol has crabs all over her as well, but when Carol turns to face him, Jim has a trickle of blood coming from his forehead, and the play ends.

The actors on stage displayed a passionate, fiery performance, fully immersed in their characters and keeping the audience engaged. The audience laughed at humor shown and clapped loudly for all the actors when both shows had ended.

Upcoming performances by the Department of Theatre can be found on their website.

Nina Petrovic | Arts & Life Editor