S E P T. 2 6 , 2 0 1 8 VO L U M E 1 2 5 ISSUE 21
RAPPER NONAME SHINES WITH ALBUM “ROOM 25”
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DU CLARION
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USG funds NYT membership for students
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he DU Undergraduate Student Government has launched its College Readership Program, which provides DU undergraduates with complimentary digital access to The New York Times. This program replaces a previous student government-backed initiative that provided print copies of the publication to students on campus. While the print editions were only available to students while school was in session, the switch to a digital platform will allow enrolled undergraduate students to access the Times year-round. Eligible students can sign up for the program by submitting their DU email address to the university’s New York Times access site. Once a student has registered and verified their email, they can receive full access to The New York Times and its affiliated content. Owin Orr, a USG senator representing the Daniels College
of Business, worked on securing funding for the project and said that he hopes to open up the program to all DU students, faculty and administrators in the future. “We are hoping to obtain institutional access, which means not only undergraduate students but graduate students, which are a likewise number here at DU,” said Orr. “Institutional access will help these credible publications be able to fully become a part of those classroom conversations and our campus community when the graduate population is still so prevalent here.” Orr noted that student’s user information will be kept confidential, but that USG will be able to gauge the number of students accessing the Times. This figure could be vital in securing the program’s funding in the future. Furthermore, Orr postulated that the myriad of recent changes across DU’s campus might usher in an evolving student body
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eager to take advantage of an academically-minded initiative. “We believe that our campus is evolving, and this is a great transition period where the readership program can help contribute to the evolution of DU and a more informed campus community,” said Orr. “This is not just a one-year thing; we believe that this can contribute to our campus community as Impact 2025 and other initiatives take place on campus.” Lynn Schofield, a DU professor and director of the Estlow International Center for Journalism & New Media, added that the program allows students to access a well-regarded publication at a time when they are likely forming lifelong media consumption habits. “Research for years has told us that during the years of college is when most people start to form their habits of how they will learn about the communities in which they live,” said
Schofield. “The New York times is a venerated news organization that is largely recognized around the world as the paper of record for the United States, and I think that is the reason why DU has decided to subsidize that particular venue as opposed to perhaps others.” “We want to prepare students to be global citizens, and we recognize that in order to do that we need to be providing students with sources of information that are on par with the way the rest of world also views and values information.” Undergraduate students can enroll in the College Readership Program by going to DU’s New York Times access page.
Ryan Dunn | 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.
VICTORIA VALENZUELA, Photo/Video Editor
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The Clarion is open to contributors of all years and majors at DU, including both undergraduate and graduate students. There’s no application necessary; all you have to do is show up to one of our weekly meetings, which are held every Monday at 6 p.m. (during the academic year) in the 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.
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JOEL ROBERTS
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SERENA BETTIS
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DU CLARION
NEWS | 3
BB“Q” kicks off LGBTQ+ programming
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ith pride flags draped, music playing and food on the grill, people gathered at the Leo Block Alumni Center on Tuesday, Sept. 18 for the Welcome Back BB“Q.” Students, faculty and staff all spent the sunny evening mingling, eating and celebrating a safe space on DU’s campus for members of the LGBTQ community. The event was organized in collaboration with the DU Queer Student Alliance (QSA), the DU Pride Lounge and Jasmine Pulce, Assistant Director
of Affinity Group Support and Co-Chair of Queer University Employees. Pulce has been at DU since 2016, and the BB“Q” was a tradition before this time, a way of welcoming LGBTQ students both new and old to campus. It has since grown with attempts to expand outreach, as organizers and attendees of the BB“Q,” including Pulce, see a great deal of importance in inclusive events like it. “For me personally, in my professional role, I support transfer students, students of
color and LGBT students. LGBT students are the one community we cannot do direct outreach to, because we don’t collect that data via the admissions process. Events like this are ultra-important just to show visibility and representation, to try to establish and build community,” said Pulce. The BB“Q” was a success, but it was also only the beginning of a quarter rich with LGBTQ-centered programming. Only one day after the BB“Q”, a mixer was thrown by QSA. They are also looking ahead to the month of
October and celebrating LGBT History Month, including Oct. 11 as National Coming Out Day. Plans are in the works for Halloween and homecoming events, too, as well as programming for Transgender Awareness Week in November. Note: The Clarion recognizes that “LGBTQ” is not an all-inclusive acronym for all members of the community but uses it per AP Style guidelines. Taryn Allen | Editor-in-Chief Taryn Allen l Clarion
The ballot bulletin: guide to the Colorado candidates
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he date of the general election is closing in and candidates are making their final moves to secure a seat in public office. The Colorado primary election, which leads the candidates here, had the largest voter participation ever; Coloradans have a vested interest in the outcome of these elections. This is to be expected, as salient and controversial issues have arisen during the campaigns and future office holders will exert significant power over these issues. Below is a guide to all the candidates registered voters in Denver will decide on. If you live in another district, you can find more information about candidates on the Secretary of State’s website. Governor Since Colorado’s current governor, John Hickenlooper, is term limited, new candidates will vie for his seat in the state capitol. The gubernatorial primary produced two candidates for Governor: Jared Polis (D) and Walker Stapleton (R). Jared Polis currently represents the Second District of Colorado in the House of Representatives as a Democrat and has done so since 2009. He has made a name for himself as an entrepreneur, starting from his college dorm room and continuing beyond. He is a passionately progressive candidate, campaigning for universal healthcare, full day kindergarten and preschool and a full, statewide transition
to renewable sources of energy by 2040, just to name a few. If he were to win, he would be the first openly gay governor in the country’s history. Walker Stapleton is the current Colorado State Treasurer and has been since 2010. Prior to his work in public office, he was an executive in a variety of capacities in the private sector. Stapleton is a Republican who shares many of President Donald Trump’s ideals and aspirations for the future. He has campaigned on protecting Coloradans’ Second Amendment rights, protecting citizens from sanctuary cities and protecting energy jobs and the energy industry from detrimental regulation, to name a few. He is a “proven conservative fighter” who aims to improve the state. Third party candidates include Bill Hammons (Unity Party of Colorado) and Scott Helker (Libertarian). Attorney General George Brauchler and Phil Wieser will be competing for Attorney General, a seat previously held by Cynthia Coffman. Brauchler is a Republican who currently represents Colorado’s 18th Judicial District as District Attorney and is a member of the U.S. Army Reserve. Wieser is Democrat; he was the Dean of the University of Colorado Law School and served under Barack Obama as his Deputy Assistant Attorney General. Secretary of State
Wayne Williams in the current Secretary of State and is running against Jena Griswold. Williams, a Republican, has a pristine track record when it comes to keeping Colorado elections safe. He previously was the El Paso County Clerk and Reporter. Griswold, a Democrat, has worked as an attorney and worked in Governor Hickenlooper’s Washington, D.C. office as Director. Treasurer The open Treasurer’s seat is in contention from Republican Brain Watson and Democrat Dave Young. Brain Watson is from the private sector. He is the CEO and founder of the company Northstar Commercial Partners. He promises to offer the wisdom of an outsider and says he will not take a salary as a government employee. Dave Young is a former math teacher and currently serves on the Joint Budget Committee in the state legislature. He has been a state legislator for seven years. Colorado House of Representatives District 2 Incumbent and Democrat Alec Garnett is running unopposed. Colorado Senate District 32 Robert Rodriguez (D), Mark Calonder (R) and Peter Smith (Independent) will run against one another for Colorado Senate District 32. Rodriguez is campaigning on economic justice, healthcare as a right, affordable and impressive public school-
ing and clean energy. Calonder champions low taxes and wants to help our environment and our infrastructure without demanding revenue from Coloradans. Smith is campaigning to raise teacher pay, reduce pollution in our neighborhoods and make living in Denver affordable. U.S. House of Representatives District 1 Incumbent and 11 term Congresswoman Dianne DeGette, a Democrat, will face challenger Charles Casper Stockham, a Republican. DeGette beat Stockham in 2016 when he ran against her. DeGette prioritizes accessible health care, protecting natural resources and fighting for women to have agency of health care decisions, to name a few. Stockman priorities reducing homelessness, better care for veterans and facilitating better energy options, to name a few. U.S. Senate There are no U.S. Senate seats open for election in 2018 in Colorado. To find out more about candidates on the ballot, visit their respective websites and independently search their voting record. The mail-in ballots will be delivered starting the week of Oct. 15 and must be received by Election Day on Nov. 6.
Isaiah Jakab | Contributing Writer
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A beginner’s guide to blood donation
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lood drives are vital to the operation of hospitals and surgical procedures that constantly save lives. According to the American Red Cross, someone in the United States needs blood every two seconds. These blood drives occur four to five times a year on the DU campus, with the most recent one starting off the quarter on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 18 and 19 in the Anderson Academic Commons. Mass collection of blood and distribution to local and national medical centers is complex and multifaceted, but Bonfils, which has recently rebranded to Vitalant, one of Colorado’s largest nonprofit healthcare organizations, makes it simple. An interested blood donor does not need to go far to find a blood drive or donation center that is easily accessible. In addition to their three fixed donation sites, located within 10 miles of DU, Bonfils hosts blood drives year-round at schools, universities, community centers, churches and businesses. Community Donor Representative Sarah Miller recommended that those looking to host their own blood drive should initially explore the possible donation sites near them and consider taking a group there first. Miller said, “If you called me to say ‘I want to host a blood drive at DU,’ first I would ask you to help me support the other blood drives we are already doing on campus.” Those passionate about hosting their own local blood drive need to complete an Interest Form online and determine an expected participation rate for their drive. Bonfils will then send a representative over to the potential drive location to scout out a room suitable to hold their equipment. Once the details are finalized, Bon-
fils provides all materials and volunteers needed for the drive with no fees and free snacks for donors—all the community needs to do is provide the blood. The entire process of donating blood takes approximately an hour, depending on the number of Bonfils staff and the number of donors in the room. It is a straightforward process that is broken down into a flow chart on Bonfils’ website for those interested. Before giving blood, a donor must complete a questionnaire that reviews their recent medical history to determine their donation eligibility. A full breakdown of donor eligibility can be found here. The basic and most important guidelines are that a person should not donate blood if they have recently been out of the country, engaged in unprotected sex or have felt ill. This is to ensure that all blood donated is safe for others to take in. As Miller said, “It’s definitely a precious resource, so we don’t waste it.” After the medical history review is complete, donors are taken over to a chair where a nurse will sanitize their arm, locate a vein and begin drawing blood. Once a full pint of blood
is drawn, the donor is bandaged up and instructed to eat a snack to avoid feeling faint. For those who want to donate blood but are afraid of needles or pass out easily, Bonfils offers other methods of volunteering, including assisting directly with one of their centers or spreading the word around to friends about when they can donate blood. Additionally, people who are not eligible to donate blood to the community blood supply can still donate to the Blood Systems Research Institute, which conducts studies that explore ways blood can be used more efficiently. An individual may donate blood every 56 days. Healthy bodies constantly replenish their blood supply, bodies undergoing surgical operations constantly need more healthy blood and communities consistently hold blood drives that are accessible to anyone. Miller said that Bonfils will be back at DU in November and all students need to do is stop by with a photo ID and a hydrated body and they will be good to donate. Serena Bettis | Contributing Writer
Grace Carson l Clarion
Supreme court nominee causes controversy
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ith the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy in late July, the current administration is attempting to push through their replacement nominee Brett Kavanaugh. The hope of a hasty confirmation is most likely to allow Kavanaugh to begin work on the Supreme Court’s next session—beginning Oct. 1st. The confirmation process for a Supreme court nominee begins with a nomination by the current administration. The nominee is reviewed by the Senate Judiciary committee—11 Republican, 10 Democrat—who review the nominee thoroughly and either recommend or reject the nominee. If recommended, a nominee must receive a majority vote from the Senate to be seated. Rules were recently changed from a 60 vote majority to 51 votes in the confirmation process of Justice Neil
Gorsuch’s confirmation. Kavanaugh, if confirmed, would become a consistent conservative voice on the bench. What sets Kavanaugh apart from other potential nominees is his defense of presidential immunity, seemingly shaped by his time in the Bush administration. In a 2009 Minnesota Law Review article, he argued that sitting presidents should be immune from civil and criminal cases. The purpose of the propositions is to allow the president to govern without unnecessary distraction, making impeachment the singular mechanism for removing a toxic administration. Kavanaugh is currently in hearings with the Senate Judiciary committee. Recently, sexual assault allegations became public when Christine Blasey Ford wrote a letter claiming that, when she and Kavanaugh were in high
school, he had drunkenly locked her in a room, and pinned her down while groping her and trying to remove her clothes. Only this past Sunday, a second allegation was reported by the New Yorker involving a second woman, Debbie Ramirez. Kavanaugh has denied the two allegations. The White House continues to support their nominee. Now Democratic senators are calling for a delay in the confirmation process for full investigations, demands that were denied by Senate Judiciary Chairperson Chuck Grassley when there was just one allegation. Currently, Ford is scheduled to testify thursday in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, but with the current state of the allegations, there will almost certainly be new developments. Joel Roberts | Contributing Writer
Hurricane Florence: What’s the damage?
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urricane Florence first hit the East Coast of the U.S. on Sept. 9 in Maryland. More damage occured a week later when the storm reached North Carolina. As the storm continued to move down the coast to South Carolina, many individuals were evacuated from their homes. The damage in South Carolina alone is estimated to reach $1.2 billion, and Florence claims the title for the worst storm in the state’s history. Rainfall as a result of the storm reached over 50 inches in some areas and eight trillion gallons total in North Carolina alone. Most destruction so far has been a result of flooding from this rain and has not only resulted in power outages across states in the region but also the loss of lives. As of right now, 42 deaths have been recorded, most of which were individuals found in vehicles. The storm has also lead to many other health concerns as flood water begins to mix with animal waste and carry it throughout many parts of the cities. Most of this pollution is coming from pig farms, but also a coal ash spill. These contaminants threaten drinking water and will cause damage long after waters have receded. Another lasting effect comes in cities such as Conway, S.C. where rivers continue to rise as the flood waters diminish and drain into them, resulting in continued flooding and danger to come at any time. Still present flood waters and road closures, as well as lost vehicles and outed power, has kept over 8,000 individuals in shelters throughout the Carolinas and Virginia. Those working in agriculture also have their lives on hold as 3.4 million poultry birds and almost 6 thousand pigs were lost to the flooding. Many crops such as cotton, peanut and hemp were also damaged and will be detrimental to many of those whose livelihood is in agriculture. Going forward, over 40,000 workers are in the affected areas to help restore power and attempt to aid in repairing flood damage. South Carolina’s Governor McMaster has applied for over $1 billion in federal aid for the recovery process. Of this money, $165 million is under the National Flood Insurance Program and $125 million is going to be put towards agriculture. Officials will attempt to repair damage as soon as possible. When water recedes, roads will be thoroughly inspected and opened if safe. Repairing all roads and bridges after the 2016 hurricane in North Carolina took over a year, so it is estimated that Florence will require even longer with the continuing flood damage.
Cameron Elder | Contributing Writer
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DU CLARION
SPORTS | 5
Fight Oar Die: 3000 miles across the Atlantic
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hat would it take someone to row almost 3000 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean? Or perhaps, better yet, why would someone row about 3000 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean? While it may be a wild question for some, a group of four military veterans are making history as the first all-American, military veteran team to take on the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge. Starting in December, 2018, the Fight Oar Die crew will race other crews, rowing from La Gomera, Canary Islands, to Antigua, West Indies. While winning the race is always a goal, Fight Oar Die is rowing for something more than just a prize at the finish line; they are rowing to draw awareness to military mental health. Bryant Knight, a former major in the U.S. Army, says that Fight Oar Die was born when the four men gathered and were talking about the difficulties that veterans were facing reintegrating back into society. After several discussions, the team settled on rowing after discussing the success that team member Alex Evans’s friend had had rowing in a group of British
military veterans. The Fight Oar Die team is connected with DU’s Graduate School of Psychology, Dr. Jacob Hyde, who studies the effect that isolated, confined and extreme environments have on the brain. “I want to know what happens to them afterwards in terms of how they have gotten better, how they have grown, how this has made them better.” Dr. Hyde says. “Is there a way that they have gotten stronger, physically or cognitively stronger? [...] How they have grown after going on a mission like this?” Dr. Hyde’s interest in this team is not only professional - he is also a veteran of the Iraq War. He connected with the team’s goal to draw attention to military mental health, as well as “show veterans and [other] military members that no matter what happens in your life, you can do anything you want to do. There can be any sort of stumbling block or barrier in your way; you can find a way around that.” The team’s desire to bring awareness to military mental health is a goal that the team members take quite seriously.
Although they each may have their own more personal reasons for rowing, all the team members emphasize the importance of being a representative of the veteran community to the world, as well as the importance of being a model to the veteran community. Team member Beau Maier says that he hopes to have the opportunity to speak to veterans and “show them how much they can do if they can just go do it, because they’re capable.” Knight says, “Representing our veteran community across this country, that’s a big part of why we’re doing this.” Personally for him, “Fight Oar Die is a gold standard for what it means to be a veteran and representing the veteran community and showing that there’s so much more to the veteran community than what you see and hear on TV.” His goal is to be “a message to the all veterans out there that, hey, life does continue and there are hardships, and there are things that you gotta be willing to do to continue on living and be successful.” For him, this team and their goal to race across the Atlantic is a symbol of the drive to continue living.
Team member Christopher Kuntz says he’s involved with Fight Oar Die because “I’ve dealt with reintegration, [...] I’ve dealt with post traumatic stress, I’ve been diagnosed with it; [...] it took me a while to figure it out.” He wants people “to become more aware [...] of the human emotion behind [military mental health].” It is a wellknown and well-recited fact that 22 veterans a day commit suicide. However, for Kuntz, people do not look beyond the statistic and do not see the human emotion behind this. His personal goal with this row is to increase awareness and conversation around the people that are behind the numbers. To keep up with the Fight Oar Die team, students can follow them on Instagram @FightOarDie, like them on Facebook and sign up on the mailing list for updates. During the race, live updates will be posted on the official Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge App. The team encourages everyone to check out their website, USVetRow.org. Donations are always welcome and will go towards funding research and helping fund the team. Hannah Branit | Sports Editor
Hannah Branit | Clarion
Benjamin Dossett | Clarion
Women’s Volleyball sweeps South Dakota
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he DU Women’s Volleyball team extended their win streak to 11 matches after sweeping South Dakota State at Hamilton Gymnasium. The Sunday afternoon game was the Summit League home opener for the Pioneers, who were named as the pre-season favorites to repeat as both the Summit League Regular Season Champions and Summit League Tournament Champions. This marks Denver’s fifth straight year on top of the pre-season poll. Denver took a commanding lead from the beginning of the
match, winning the first set 25-22. Despite several times in the first game where San Diego inched closer to Denver, the Pioneers continued to play excellent defense, totalling 17 kills. In the second match, sophomore Lydia Bartalo (Colorado Springs, Colo.) lead the team on a six-point run, earning one service ace. This match was notable for the DU sophomore as she notched her second double-double of the weekend after totalling 10 kills and 10 digs in the match. The Pioneers would go on to win the second set
25-18, making 20 kills in the set. Sophomore Tina Boe (Plymouth, Minn.) lead the team on a five-point scoring run in the third set, helping Denver finish the third set with a commanding score of 25-15. With the sweep of South Dakota State, Denver stays perfect in Summit League play (2-0) and improved to a 13-1 record for the season. Senior Becca Latham (Austin, Texas) had 13 kills against South Dakota, bringing her career totals to 833 kills in 376 sets. Junior Katarina Marinkovic (Beglrade, Serbia) and redshirt junior Taylor
Joachim (Baroda, Mich.) totalled nine kills each, while sophomore setter Ellie Anderson (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) recorded 14 assists, freshman setter Michelle Feliciano (Laguna Niguel, Calif) recorded 13 assists and senior Emma WIllis (La Jolla, Calif.) totalled five blocks. Denver plays next at North Dakota State on Sept. 30, returning to Hamilton Gymnasium on Oct. 12 to play Fort Wayne.
Hannah Branit | Sports Editor
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Shinyashiki scores four in comeback win over Omaha
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t was a game to remember for the No. 4 Pioneers as a second-half comeback secured their Summit league opener with a win over their rival, University of Nebraska-Omaha. Senior Andre Shinyashiki (Sao Paulo, Brazil) netted a careerhigh four goals on the day and his fourth hat-trick on the season. The win extends the Pioneers’ record to 7-0-1 to remain undefeated on the year. The first half saw the Pioneers controlling most of the offensive action as they had done in previous matches. However, Omaha was able to find their fair share of opportunities and eventually capitalized to score the first goal of the game in the 30th minute. In the 36th minute, a red card was awarded to Omaha for a foul on redshirt freshman Brooks Craw-
ford (Greenwood Village, Colo.) to take Omaha to ten men. The second half was filled with action as Omaha quickly scored to make it 2-0 in the 49th minute off of a corner kick header. Many would have predicted that the Pioneers were finished; however, Shinyashiki and the rest of the Pioneers knew they would not go down without a fight. Just over a minute after Omaha’s second goal, Shinyashiki, running down the left side of the 18 yard box, netted his fourteenth goal of the season right under the Omaha keeper where it barely trickled over the goalline. The assist came from a well-placed through ball by senior Kenny Akamatsu (Niigata, Japan). The 51st minute saw Shinyashiki score with a long ball played over the top by redshirt senior Scott DeVoss
(Centennial, Colo). Shinyashiki’s well placed boot would send the ball into the goal to make it 2-2. In the 54th minute, freshman Callum Stretch (Encino, Calif.) would send a ball out to redshirt junior Shae Smalley (Columbus, Ohio) who, from the left side, would curl the ball into the middle of the box where the outstretched leg of Shinyashiki would knock it into the goal to complete the hat trick. With the momentum and the scoreboard behind the Pioneers, it seemed the Pioneers could sit and ride out the rest of the match. In the 81st minute, an argument with the referee resulted in the Omaha manager receiving his second yellow and being sent off. With a final score of 4-3 Denver, the Pioneers mounted an impressive comeback win and resulted in a record night for
Shinyashiki as he broke Denver’s single-season goals record of sixteen with his tally of seventeen. The Pioneers are on a hot streak and will hope to continue this run through the rest of the week. Lawson Montgomery | Contributing Writer
Denver soccer fails to finish to UC Riverside
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his weekend the Denver Women’s Soccer team traveled all the way across to UC Riverside for their first of two games in California. The Pioneers looked on point in the first half; five different players made six shots total with four on target, including one from keeper Brittany Wilson (Littleton, Colo.) in the 40th minute. UCR managed only two, both of
which swung high. Denver also claimed three corners compared to UCR’s one. “I’m so happy with the effort that we turned in today and how well we played to create the chances we created on that surface,” Head Coach Jeff Hooker said. “Soccer’s unfair, and soccer on the road especially is cruel, but I don’t think we deserved that result the way we played today.
We moved the ball well, and created a lot of chances, but couldn’t find the final ball tonight. Give them credit though, they’re very effective in the way they play, and how they defend as a team. I’m still super proud of our effort and am looking forward to watching us compete again on Sunday.” Despite being in control for most of the game, the Pioneers just couldn’t find the back of
The Clarion Crossword
Chelsea Fincher | Clarion
the net, and in the 59th minute, UCR’s Maddie Feist opened and closed the scoring with her 6th goal of the season. Denver would finish the game 0-1, with twelve shots total and seven on target. Jon Staffel | Contributing Writer
Down: 1. Lightning’s follower 2. Buzz’s lunar partner 4. Hill dweller 6. Wagon maker 7. Concrete, primarily 8. Love god 11. Do again 12. False appearance 17. Chimney liner 18. Zodiac ram 23. Poetic Tribute 24. Redact 25. Desert haven 26. Disney elephant 29. Back, to a a captain 31. Orange cat 34. The mind’s “I” 37. Deady sepet 38. Thwart 39. Stiff 40. Apple computer 41. Prepare, as espresso 43. Toy bricks 44. Flamenco cheer Across 2. Forearm bone 5. Pretentiously stylish 7. Funnel-shaped 9. Fixed telephone 10. Video streaming service 13. Group of ravens 14. SI unit of work 15. “The Tempest” wizard 16. New newts 19. Female fox 20. Philippines’ language 21. Vehement speech 22. Presidential power 24. Place in a crypt 26. “Fresh as a” flower 27. Sugar suffix 28. By way of 30. Buddhist scripture 32. “Star Trek” doctor 33. Worry 35. Decay 36. Major shindig 38. Old marketplace 41. Heehaw 42. Ice sheet 45. Game I play in Rome
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OPINIONS | 7
PIONEER VOICES Question of the week:
Who is the celebrity you love to hate?
“Donald Trump, for lack of a better answer. He’s probably the most fun to make fun of.”
“Kylie Jenner.”
Royce DeZorzi, third year
Camille Kitten, fourth year
“I love to hate Kanye West.”
“I love to hate Paris Hilton with a burning passion. The most entitled creature.”
Ashley Neal, second year
Isaiah Wright-Wiggins, fourth year
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The new Scrivner Institute has a strong group of undergrads
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n a special announcement made by Chancellor Chopp on Sept. 20, DU’s Institute for Public Policy Studies was renamed the Scrivner Institute for Public Policy in honor of a $14 million donation from former board of trustees chairman Doug Scrivner and his wife Mary. Planning for the new Institute will continue in the coming years as the Scrivners and DU administration seek to connect the goals of DU Impact 2025 to enhanced curriculum, interdisciplinary research and overall strength in the public policy program. Major changes are coming to the department, and because a Public Policy program that is available to undergraduates is a rare opportunity that sets DU apart from other schools. Undergraduate voices will be important in upcoming decisions. Undergraduate public policy students at DU share a common interest in social change and the concrete steps that are needed to make it happen—students that choose this major are
Taryn Allen | Clarion
generally involved on campus, politically active and engaged in other fields of study as well. By nature of DU’s demographics, many are also from Colorado and are familiar with the public policy issues discussed in our city and state. Many of us are drawn to the public policy program because it is unique to find this as an undergraduate major. For all of these reasons, DU’s public policy undergraduates are motivated to learn about this field and also to use that knowledge to do real work locally, even before graduation.
The quality and motivation of undergraduate public policy students will hopefully mean that the new Scrivner Institute seeks our input on program changes in addition to that of administrators, professors and graduate students. Connecting curriculum more to local policy, establishing our own internship process and providing more opportunities to learn technical skills like data analysis are examples of changes in which undergraduates have been interested in the past. DU Newsroom reported
that the program will include more data sciences and analytics, topics that undergraduates will hopefully embrace when learning policy analysis. Involvement with local public policy also already seems to be a goal of the Scrivner Institute with its connection to Impact 2025 and Denver Advantage, though if the details of this relationship have been established, they are not yet public. Getting undergraduates into the field through internships or classes that include Denver policy will be a way to commit to the community-focused goals of Impact 2025. The changes coming as a result of this generous gift will be interesting, and undergraduate students have a large stake in them, just as graduate students and members of administration do. Valuing the input of our uniquely motivated group will be one of the best ways the Scrivner Institute can improve in the coming years. Elizabeth Lochhead | Opinions Editor
Construction on campus causes frustration for students
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U’s campus master plan, Impact 2025, promises to transform DU’s campus with new buildings and expanded sustainability on campus. The plans include a new freshman dorm and the replacement of Driscoll Student Center with a “Community Commons” that will offer new dining options and even a coffee shop. It also has brought noisy construction, fewer pathways and disruption to numerous campus clubs. For the students currently residing on campus, this can be frustrating combination. Yet DU might be able to ease some frustrated student organizations by making sure all students have been properly communicated with and that there are alternative buildings in place for clubs. Perhaps the biggest impact will be on numerous student organizations that chose to meet at the Driscoll Student Center. Many clubs chose Driscoll as their meeting place, including DU Dungeons and Dragons, DU Clarion, and the DU Programming board. Until construction on the building is finished, many student organizations will be left with limited options. Some clubs have proposed the Anderson Academic Commons as an alternative. Yet clubs meeting there could potentially be disruptive to students studying. While the DU administration did a good job informing all clubs of the construction and the closure of Driscoll, there was still some confusion over how clubs should find new spaces. While there is not much that could be done to improve the crosswalk at Evans being temporarily closed, it is possible DU could be more clear on what alternatives there are for student organizations now that Driscoll is unavailable.
While DU has said they have communicated with all clubs, some clubs claim otherwise. Marcus Merrit, president of DU Dungeons and Dragons said the only warning he got was from a friend at USG. “If anyone from DU tried to contact us, it never got through.” Marcus says. “We just assumed nobody even tried,” he said. Not every club has found a new place that is adequate
gested do not work for every club and alternatives that have been put in place for offices are confusing to find. For example, there is a sign within Driscoll bridge that explains where offices and spaces that were previously in Driscoll are now. Yet some of the locations mentioned are confusing and not precise. The only information for The Hub provided is that it is in “SAE.” There is no
Victoria Valenzuela | Clarion
for their meetings, either. For example, both DU Clarion and DUPB have relocated to the Hub. DU has recommended this place for various organizations to meet. Yet the meeting place may not be ideal for all student organizations. The building is much smaller in comparison to Driscoll, and the rooms are often tiny. The Hub might be an ok fit for smaller clubs, but larger organizations may find The Hub does not meet their needs. Right now the options sug-
address, no non-abbreviated version or a description. There also appears to be no information on the DU website about it. Perhaps the sign could be more clear by providing addresses to the locations or have a clearer map on the sign pointing to each building. DU should also consider adding the location to Google Maps and putting info about it on the website. When it comes to clubs, the DU administration should try to choose one building as a
temporary place where clubs can meet until the construction is finished. The place needs to be somewhere where the clubs won’t disturb others and with plenty of rooms. Perhaps instead of the Hub being suggested as a alternative, Sturm would be a better option. It has plenty of options for students to have their club meetings and as long as students meet later in the day, no classes would be disturbed. Another possible option could be the Engineering building. Similar to Sturm, it has plenty of space available and is also open late. After the administration chooses a building, they should notify organizations as well as try to accommodate the chosen building for the clubs. Another important thing DU can do is continue to keep contact with student organizations until construction is finished. This will allow clubs to communicate needs and concerns to DU directly, as well as allow students to be notified about changes quickly. By listening to students, DU will able to make the construction process a little less frustrating. Conversely, DU will have a better idea of the needs of each organization and be able to communicate better with students. By making the construction plan more clear to students and providing viable alternatives for students affected, DU can make the process a lot less frustrating for everyone. It is important that DU understands that students are heavily affected by Impact 2025 and that not all students will get to see the finished project. Therefore, it is critical that DU makes the building process as painless as possible for students and faculty. Stephenie Thorne | Contributing Writer
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To rush or not to rush? The cons:
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ll summer, I’ve been bombarded with questions about whether or not I am going to rush. Honestly, I didn’t even know what “rushing” meant, so I shook my head and went on with my day. Since arriving on campus, I’ve pondered the benefits of joining Greek life. At DU, every organization that I’ve encountered thus far have seemed inclusive, fun and devoted to their beliefs. So, that begged the question: Is Greek life the same? I did a little research on the pros and cons of Greek life in general. The first thing that I noticed was that joining a fraternity or sorority can be extremely pricey. The price of membership varies between different chapters at different schools, but it can cost up to $1000 on factors like chapter dues and insurance. Depending on a student’s personal financial situation, joining Greek life may put unnecessary burden on their families. Personally, I don’t think that I could afford to join a fraternity if it put me even more in debt. The fees — both the upfront costs and the hidden ones, such as apparel and formal events — are something to consider before jumping into Greek life.
The pros:
I’ve never believed the sorority stereotypes portrayed in movies or television shows. I’ve always thought, “There has to be more to it, right?” After watching friends post their rush week pictures on their Instagrams and seeing the relationship “big” and “small” sisters have, I was intrigued by what Greek life had to offer an individual and a university’s community. Yes, Greek life is expensive. Yes, some chapters participate in hazing. (Luckily, DU has a strict policy against hazing.) But, there are several benefits to being inducted as a fraternity brother or sorority sister. I’ve been in a class with two young sorority women for about two weeks now, and I can tell you one thing: they are thrilled about recruitment weekend. This made me realize the sense of community Greek life cultivates. Houses are welcoming and excited to gain new members, and they want to help each other become their best selves. After listening in on a Rho Gamma conversation at the library café Wednesday night, I realized how willing current members are to assist potential sisters. They offered to look at their outfit choices for the weekend, make accommodations for any conflicts and would even send morning messages to ensure the recruitees
Another aspect of fraternity/ sorority life that made me wary was the idea of hazing. I’ve always heard that hazing is essentially humiliation as a form of initiation. Hollywood has casually depicted hazing as a bunch of buff jocks forcing skinny pledges to do embarrassing acts, like excessive drinking or streaking through the quad. The intense desire to fit in somewhere pushes pledges to do whatever it takes to get in the fraternity or sorority, which leaves room for seemingly harmless activities to turn into dangerous hazing. It doesn’t happen everywhere and there are hazing bans all around the country, but being cognizant about the potential dangers of hazing is important before joining Greek life. I don’t think that I’ll be joining a fraternity, at least this year. It’s not because Greek life is scary, or that it doesn’t have any benefits. In fact, I believe that there are countless pros to joining a fraternity or sorority. I don’t think that I’d personally thrive in a frat, but for those that are considering it, I advise you to be well-informed about the organizations that you’re looking into.
Connor Rodenbeck | Contributing Writer
were on schedule for the day. Additionally, students committed to Greek life must maintain at least a 2.2 GPA and be in Good Standing with DU; this encourages brothers and sisters to be accountable for their academic pursuits. So, if you’re looking for a community that’s invested in the growth and success of each other, joining a chapter might be a good option. It’s not just individual growth that chapters are interested in either; they want to have an influence on a community. On DU’s campus, all sororities are devoted to fundraising for a picked philanthropy. For instance, Chi Omega’s charity is the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Tri-Delta donates to the St. Jude’s Research Hospital. Philanthropy offers members the chance to immerse themselves in their communities and to commit to something meaningful. It also builds a sense of selflessness and gratitude which are necessary to becoming strong, independent leaders. Therefore, if you believe in giving to a cause or you’re passionate about making the world a better place through philanthropic means, participating in Greek life would make a good fit for you. Madalyne Heiken | Contributing Writer
So, to rush or not to rush? Here’s the thing about Greek life: it’s not for everyone. But, it is for a lot of people. If you are one of those people, you will no doubt benefit from the community, philanthropy and inclusivity that comes with joining a fraternity or sorority. The key is to
be aware of the pros and cons of Greek life and only joining if it’ll be a good fit for you personally.
Connor Rodenbeck | Contributing Writer Madalyne Heiken | Contributing Writer
OPINIONS | 9 Taryn Allen | Clarion
Bird is the word
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he Bird Scooters that are littered throughout Denver and DU are revolutionizing the way that people travel. It has never been so convenient, cheap and eco friendly to get around the city. Every few blocks, there are scooters waiting to be ridden. In order for someone to use these battery operated scooters, you have to be eighteen years of age or older, and after downloading the Bird app, it scans your driver’s license. You have to pay an upfront one-time fee of $1, and once you begin riding, it charges 15 cents per minute. The $1 fee goes towards city governments to use the money for building bike lanes and to promote safe riding. Bird was very wise, and really honed in on the safety aspect. All scooters are picked up at dusk by a “charger” — you can become a charger through their website and get paid to pick up the scooters at night, charge them at your residence then drop them off in the morning. An entire tab on their website is devoted to safety. Most scooters go about 15 mph, but Bird tells you to wear a helmet and even offers to send you a free helmet. What’s really cool about this is that Bird will ship a helmet to you if you request it; you just pay for the shipping. They’ve already sent out over 30,000 helmets. The website also specifies on where to park, where to ride, the rules of the road and adds emphasis on using caution. As with anything, Bird does face criticism. There are the
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
few people who abuse it and irresponsibly ride the scooter and throw caution to the wind. Regardless, the benefits of Bird far outweigh the downsides. One of the most common complaints from people are that Birds are placed inconveniently, such as sitting in the middle of the sidewalk. A quick solution is to create Bird stations every few blocks, comparable to bike racks. The potential Bird Scooters has is tremendous, and if the trend continues, we could advance to having scooter lanes to optimize safety and reduce pollution in the process. To all the naysayers, just test it out for once. Don’t criticize it until you’ve experienced it, because once you hop on, there’s no going back. Megan Cooney | Contributing Writer
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Brett Kavanaugh: Should his past affect his future?
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Speak like a survivor is listening,” says Jess Davidson, a DU alumna and the Executive Director of the End Rape on Campus organization, during a recent interview discussing the prominent case of Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford. This is one important piece of advice to remember with all the buzz circulating about the latest story— Brett Kavanaugh being accused of sexual assault by Christine Blasey Ford. Some people are supporting Brett Kavanaugh, stating that these actions in his younger years should not affect his approval rate and his chances of becoming the next Supreme Court Justice. A few have even gone as far as to say things like “He was a teenager,” “It’s just something to expect from high school or college party life” or “It is in the past now.” However, it is likely that the accusation will have some sort of effect on his confirmation. Kavanaugh himself has actually allowed an unsigned order to affect a young woman who may have made some not-so-good decisions in her past, as well. This instance is known as the 2017 Garza vs. Hargan case in which a young woman was kept from getting an abortion because of her citizenship status without a sponsor. If Kavanaugh believes that she should face the consequences of her actions at a young age merely because of her status, then should he not be held accountable for the traumatic experience he put Ford through? According to NBC News, Cristina King Miranda, a former
schoolmate of the accuser, has come forth to admit that she had heard of the incident while in highschool and now believes
with the initial intention of defending Kavanaugh, but he has actually only made things worse for him. Ford replied to
Photo courtesy of NBC News
that it could have been true all along. Along with that, Ed Whelan, current president of the conservative Ethics & Public Policy Center, recently tweeted
the rumors these tweets brought up, confirming that she could not have gotten Kavanaugh and the citizen Whelan was accusing mixed up. Ford did not want
to come out and tell her story originally until it began being warped by those who believed she only came forward anonymously to delay Kavanaugh’s confirmation. Nonetheless, notes from Ford’s therapist in 2012 and 2013 have been released, verifying that Ford had brought up the incident far before Kavanaugh’s nomination for the position. Despite these additions to the case, Brett Kavanaugh’s approval has never been the highest to begin with (ranging from 32-34 percent over the years). As stated in the polling results from NWLC, 92 percent of voters feel as though sexual assault is a serious problem, 26 percent being survivors themselves and 51 percent claiming they know a survivor. There is no doubt that this will have a detrimental effect on Kavanaugh’s confirmation. As a result of these statistics, if Ford does come forth to the hearing, then the likelihood of Kavanaugh becoming the Supreme Court Justice will dwindle to close to no chance. As our society is growing more and more aware, we are becoming less tolerant of these types of occurances. Though, whatever Ford decides to do should be respected. As she may view going to the hearing and recalling those events as traumatic, it is up to Ford to decide what is best for herself. We have to ask ourselves, though, if putting someone like this in a position of power could have potentially drastic effects on our government. Destiny Blankenship | Contributing Writer
How to fight our administration’s current immigration policies
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e have witnessed the injustices caused by the current immigration policies set in place by the current administration. We have become disheartened as a nation to watch families separated, children in cages and people banned from entering our country. While we may think of ourselves as spectators to this issue, there are many ways to make a difference within the Denver metro area without spending a penny. Listed are three organizations that remain to advocate upon the voices of those left without them. The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC), located in the hub of Denver, provides a generous opportunity to volunteer with the organization at their events, legal workshops, fundraising events and so much more. Simply send an email to the organization, call or sign up to become part of the CIRC’s mission. Another option is The Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN), an organization that provides free legal information to those in need of it. They provide two options for pro-immigration activists.
The first is volunteering in roles translating legal documents and interning with the organization. The second is joining their mailing list to get current updates about the network’s activity. The ACLU of Colorado strives to protect immigrants’ rights with the most opportunities for college students to get involved. The easiest method is by joining the mailing list for Take Action events held by the organization across the state. The next step up is to volunteer for ACLU at local opportunities as well as statewide initiative projects. The final step is to intern with the non-profit with multiple options to participate in the fall, spring or summer. Although the current administration continues to have an agenda to unconstitutionally diminish the rights of immigrants, as scholars we have an obligation to support those without the privilege or skills to advocate for their own rights for themselves or their families. We will not stop our fight for earning the human rights immigrants deserve regardless of their place of origin. Tahlia Lucero | Contributing Writer
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
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The injustices of Colorado prisons
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olorado’s crime rate per 100,000 people is at 635, pretty much in the middle of state rankings. Compared to the United States’ incarceration rate of 698, this looks good; compared to Canada’s rate of 114 or the Netherlands’ of 59, not so much. Non-violent crimes that do not greatly affect other people’s lives should not result in incarceration. Rehabilitation programs should be established to preserve human dignity. Aimé Césaire, a Martinican author, highlights, “[A person] who in order to ease his conscience gets into the habit of seeing the other man as an animal, accustoms himself to treating him like an animal, and tends objectively to transform himself into an animal.” Humans must be treated as human beings; if not, chaos ensues. People who commit crime cannot be looked down upon, seen as less human and subjected to months or years of imprisonment where animosity is forced upon them. In Colorado, Hispanic people
are 2.31 times more likely to be incarcerated than White people, and Black people are 6.44 times more likely to be incarcerated than Caucasians. That this is still up for discussion is bizzarre; how long must discrimination be fought against and equity for? Statistics reflect the de facto discrimination occurring in everyday life, and yet almost nothing is being done against it. It is ironic that the U.S. calls itself the “Land of the Free” when blatant racism causes Americans of color to be more likely to be put behind bars. In Colorado, an inmate makes $0.84 to $2.45 per day for a full time assignment. The Federal Prison Industry earned $500 million in sales in fiscal 2016. At the state level, the business can be even more extreme—a market of 61,000 captive laborers is worth well over a billion dollars. It is a human rights violation and a pure disgrace to the modern world when slavery is allowed within any society. People are profiting off of slave labor—hard, menial, monotonous or unpaid work. While
work is essential for an inmate because it is an active interaction and contribution to society, they need to be compensated justly. When the Constitution allows slavery under the Thirteenth Amendment through a single clause, “except as a punishment for crime,” the reliability of the law, a body providing justice and safety to the people, is questioned. The dissenting view that prisoners should work because their housing and food is being provided by the government for free is hypocritical because the majority of prisoners are not willingly jailed. Slavery, in all forms, needs to be abolished, and it is absurd that this is still debated. In Colorado, the change to the 13th was on the ballot in 2016, but it failed because of a multitude of possible reasons ranging from ignorance to racism. What happens to incarcerated people after they are released? The unemployment rate of formerly incarcerated people is over 27 percent—the U.S.’s is 3.9 percent. Formerly incarcerated people are
almost 10 times more likely to be homeless than the general public. 12.83 percent of new commitments in Colorado prisons are returning paroles with a new crime. Also apparent is the discrimination against people who appear poor; people think themselves better than others in more unfortunate circumstances and once again don’t wish to interact and “dirty” themselves with the sick or impoverished. The stigma against incarcerated people is severely damaging their chances to become employed, stabilized and to live life. Colorado prisons have massive problems that prey on human rights and dignity. There is no easy way to fix this, but a good place to start is to decriminalize personal choices to take drugs, fight against discrimination of people of color and people living in poverty, pay prisoners justly for their work and break down barriers preventing formerly incarcerated people from re-entering society. Alessandra Brunton | Contributing Writer
The lessons we learn from Hurricane Florence
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Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
n Sept. 7, a state of emergency was declared in North Carolina. The next day, the same was done for South Carolina and Virginia. Over the next two weeks, these three states would see evacuations, flooding and 38 deaths. However, it is difficult to consider the effects of Hurricane Florence with-
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out comparing it to Hurricane Maria, which made landfall in Puerto Rico in Sept. 2017. Hurricane Florence has been on the forefront of the media. It is impossible to turn on the news and not empathise with displaced fellow U.S. citizens. The same could never be said during and after Hurricane Maria. We aren’t talking about how many on the island lacked power for months after the storm. We aren’t talking about the countless blue tarps that still serve as roofing for homes across the island. We aren’t talking about the 2,975 people that died—or the fact that President Trump denied the reality of this tragic death toll. On Sept. 11, 2018, Trump claimed that the U.S. response to Hurricane Maria was “one of the best jobs that’s ever been done.” Are we to believe that a death
toll of nearly 3,000 equates to success? If the U.S. response to Hurricane Maria was really our best work, can we consider ourselves prepared for any storm at all? As states remain flooded, it’s hard not to question how long it will be before they’re back on their feet. Being a part of the continental U.S., these states likely won’t face the same issues of timeliness and political ignorance that Puerto Rico dealt with—but the East Coast’s struggles are still valid and tragic. This comparison, of course, is not to weaken the tragedy of Hurricane Florence; any natural disaster that creates so much distress should be taken seriously, and those in its wake deserve as much aid as possible. However, this comparison is still important. For us to better our responses and our government’s responses to disasters like these,
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we must understand the actions and patterns we’ve condoned in the past. In the face of rising sea levels, we cannot expect these superstorms to lessen. On the contrary, we must be prepared to better deal with these storms’ aftermath. Every region has a right to aid after a natural disaster. Our government must be much more prepared to provide the aid that it takes credit for, regardless of whether or not the disaster strikes the continental U.S. The aftermath of a natural disaster is not a place to make empty promises or appeal to the press—it is the place to provide support and reparations to people who desperately need them.
Megan Munson | Contributing Writer
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New director of Lamont praises DU music scene
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U is known for having a renowned music program through the Lamont School of Music, along with students who are passionate about their field of study. In August 2018, Lamont gained a new director of music, Dr. Keith Ward. Dr. Ward is an accredited pianist and current president of the College Music Society. He is also the seventh director of Lamont since the school was founded in 1924. “DU really has a variety of programs,” said Dr. Ward, “from the steel drum ensemble, to spiritual music and experimental jazz, the campus scene is vibrant and incredibly diverse.” Dr.Ward described his excitement for upcoming performances put on by the Newman Center. Whether it be various ensembles or performances by faculty or guest musicians, DU is host to hundreds of events per year. “Every event and performance this year is sure to be great, although I’m personally excited for Pat Metheny,” said Dr. Ward. “There are just so many great events waiting to be discovered.” Students involved in any of Lamont’s programs at DU are just as passionate about the music scene on campus. Carl
Berner, a sophomore jazz studies major from Cleveland, Ohio, is a member of the Lamont Jazz Orchestra. The orchestra is currently performing in the Monterey Jazz Festival in California. However, along with performing with the jazz orchestra, Berner is also a member of the popular student band, The Tonics. The Tonics are known for having performed at the 2018 DUPB MusicFest. “Being in the city of Denver makes DU’s music scene unique,” said Berner. “There are so many young musicians and bands and jazz jams happening every day of the week.” Whether students are interested in classical music, jazz, voice or even student bands, there is sure to be a program on campus for every genre. As for the future of the music program at DU, Dr. Ward is excited for what is ahead. “If changes happen within the music program, I would like them to be evolutionary instead of revolutionary,” said Dr. Ward. “The Lamont School of Music deserves national recognition, and I hope to further develop our program to achieve that status.” Barbara Urzua | Contributing Writer
Connor W. Davis | Clarion
Getting cheeky and Chicanx at Shwayder
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crylic goat tongues, the mystery of a moody artistic dickpic and traditional Hispanic derogatory termsturned proud label are just a little of what you’ll experience in the Vicki Myhren Gallery’s first art exhibit of the school year, Axis Mundo: Queer Networks in Chicano L.A. Having opened on Thursday, Sept. 13, this condensed version of a broader traveling exhibition illustrates the vastly intertwined and complex worlds of the LGBTQ and Chicanx communities of Los Angeles’s past. Initially, the oddly-specific exhibit engenders a feeling of slight overwhelm. How can one art collection delve into topics such as sexuality, the AIDS epidemic, LGBTQ rights, Chicanx heritage (meaning of Mexican descent—the “x” replaces the respective “o” and “a” endings of masculinity and femininity), political activism and a previously hidden cultural history? Not to mention, this interconnected showcase of over 50 artists’ work stems exclusively from the L.A. area, between the late 1960s and early 1990s. It’s a lot to digest. However, this complexity is what makes the exhibit so fascinating and visually stimulating. Combining traditional 2D art in a myriad of mediums along with less conventional pieces, such as photographs of performance art, fashion, postcards and interactive headphones
through which you can listen to music and news reports, this collection will leave any viewer feeling inspired and more connected to the visual world around them. While some pieces highlight a cheeky, celebratory pride to belong to such a community, others emanate a darker, more serious tone, memorializing those who have died of AIDS or exposing the struggles of activism and inequality. The collection also features many pieces from Edmundo “Mundo” Meza, for whom the exhibition was named. As a painter and multi-media artist, Meza’s work and involvement greatly influenced the advancement of the Gay Liberation and Chicano movements. Beyond the rich colors, alluring textures and sensory detail of the works, the art and their stories stimulate something far deeper than simply an impression on a canvas: they epitomize the meaning of community. Yes, the collection has a lot going on, but this entanglement of history and culture mimics that same craziness of the networks and connections in our own lives. It is this shared experience— the common bond—that the art encapsulates, allowing viewers to link reflections to their own memories, cultures and most of all, each other. Axis Mundo: Queer Networks in Chicano L.A. will remain on display until Dec. 2. Grace Gonzalez | Contributing Writer
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Paul McCartney: The new legend drops “Egypt Station”
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fter 55 years in the spotlight, music icon Sir Paul McCartney releases his 17th album, entitled “Egypt Station.” McCartney’s songs cover a lot of ground in terms of topics. From uncertainty in life to unbridled happiness, each piece makes its mark with several sticking around to be hummed for hours after. Listeners are almost shocked as McCartney’s soothing voice spills, “I don’t think I can take anymore.” This line instantly emerges from one of the first songs simply titled “I Don’t Know” where McCartney expresses overcoming the hardships provided by life and time. No matter how uncertain you may feel about your decisions, you need to continue to help others. Previously criticized in his attempts to stay relevant via collaborations with Rihanna and Kanye, McCartney rebounds successfully, although he has yet to reach the popularity of his 2013 album “New” where he unearthed his unique and modern expression, creating the new legend. Thankfully for listeners, the best parts of old and new McCartney remain for “Egypt Station,” resulting in a wholly enjoyable album. In spite of this fact, the album suffers as the target audience seems too large with McCartney’s original “Confidante” following the somewhat suggestive “Fuh You.” In terms of style, Paul places his signature on any music he touches, and this collection is certainly no exception. The inclusion of refreshing acoustic sounds—classic McCartney—is a breath of fresh air needed in the music charts and beaten out only by Eminem’s “Kamikaze.” Producer
Greg Kurstin offers tremendous help in adjusting McCartney’s traditional style for easy digestion without damaging the singer’s signature.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Photo courtesy of The Montgomery Advertiser
Photo courtesy of Juice
One song in particular, “Dominoes,” speaks clearly on the passage of time and how life is falling into place one step at a time. The acoustic guitar and bass drive the song steadily forward as the backup singers drive home the song’s apparent message: life will inevitably go on, so why not get out and enjoy it? These small instrumental moments are what so many love about classic McCartney. The song has the audacity to make you wait as it builds to a satisfying conclusion. From the picturesque scenes of
a loving family portrayed in “Back In Brazil” to the melancholy, nearly hopeless tale of a self-centered ship captain that the piece “Despite Repeated Warnings” follows, the album remains balanced. Though one too many may focus on an unnamed and extraordinarily vague love interest, all remain enjoyable to listen to. Ultimately, the album acts as a memoir towards McCartney’s own career. Through success, hardship and nostalgia emerges his music. However, with the legend’s advancing age, this musical documentary of the singer’s life may wind up being a send off; hopefully not. “Egypt Station” appeals to all, regardless of age, as the new legend weaves an excellent balance of what he once was with what he is now.
Connor Lukes | Contributing Writer
Sanity & self-care: A new app for you Julia Schultz | Clarion Photo Courtesy of Julia Schultz
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ongrats ladies, we’ve made it to Week Three! But, how are we feeling? As our classes begin to pick up, the workload is getting heavier, inevitably making us a little (or maybe not just a little) stressed out. We know the drill—stay organized, exercise, eat healthy and get enough sleep—but are we really on top of our self care? Even when we set goals for ourselves, it can be easy to forget and get lost in the day to day demands of #StudentLife. If only there was an app that reminded us to do things, gave us inspiration and helped us accomplish all of our self-care goals in one place. Girls, say no more.
The new app designed for women by women is titled Sanity & Self. The app focuses on getting women to prioritize their self care with a range of podcasts, a community to engage with and encouraging reminders. The podcasts range from sleep visualization, learning how to quiet one’s inner critic, and even one entitled “Give Less F#cks! Live More Life!” Different categories within the self care section include personal growth, breathe, massage and journal, while the fitness section of the app offers guidance on everything from bodyweight to kickboxing to stretching. Each podcast is led by a different professional, be
it a personal trainer, yoga instructor or holistic medicine professional, many of them offering a different series to follow. One of the best features of this app is the ability to set reminders. Some encourage users to listen to a podcast, while others simply give that little extra confidence needed in the day. For whatever else users might desire, they can even create their own reminder with a personal message. The community section of the app allows users to connect via sharing photos, posting their thoughts or questions and the ability to comment on one another’s threads. Users also have the ability to bookmark sessions
they may find interesting for a later time. The app is intuitive, easy to use and was created with a message that is clearly expressed through every piece of the app. We are living in a time in which women are more stressed than ever, so it is important we create a habit of making time for ourselves. #OneStopSelfCare “The Self Care Women Deserve.” Male or non-binary, but looking to join in on the selfcare wave? There’s plenty of apps for you too. Check out Headspace for the day and Sleepfulness for the night to help to achieve all of your health and wellness goals. Julia Schultz | Contributing Writer
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Park Burger remains a Denver classic
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ark Burger, a casual American restaurant, offers its diners award-winning burgers, over 20 rotating craft beers on tap and a variety of sides that perfectly compliment your burger of choice. With five different locations all in Denver, this family-friendly restaurant has become a go-to hot spot for locals and a frequently recommended burger joint for the many tourists of Denver. When I walked into the restaurant, I was immediately greeted by an enthusiastic hostess that was able to seat me right away. Although it was pretty busy inside, the noise level was not too loud, and the service was quick. I was surprised with how quickly my food was delivered to me, as most of the tables were full. Many customers also enjoy sitting on the patio, which adds to the easy, neighborhood feel. Park Burger embraces the classic Denver vibe, as they have sports games playing on the TVs that are hung over the timeless bar, allowing its diners to cheer on their favorite teams. The restaurant is run using a modern operation. The servers are able to take and send in your order directly from your table using their convenient electronic devices, catering to a smoother and more refined dining experience. Although the menu is not too long, you are able to create any burger you desire, choose from a list of sides including a variety of crispy fries or fresh salads. And don’t forget to order an authentic Park Burger milkshake. I had to try one of the rich and flavorful chocolate malt milkshakes which
was topped with whipped cream and extra malt powder. The milkshake and the tender, juicy burger paired with the famous truffle fries made for a wonderful combination of flavors. Park Burger is also very accommodating for all your dietary needs. The veggie burger was very tasty and noticeably fresh, especially when ordered with extra well-done sweet potato fries. One of the best parts about Park Burger is their use of local and fresh ingredients. All of the burgers are always fresh and never frozen, which creates a more gourmet feel. The prices were definitely reasonable for the location, the quality of the food and the eager employees. The area has ice cream and coffee shops, boutiques, an adorable flower shop and many other stores that make for an exciting post-Park Burger meal. Once I completed my feast, I enjoyed taking a stroll down Pearl Street and visiting the quaint community environment. Its flexible menu makes this restaurant a great place for anyone and everyone to eat and has become my first thought whenever someone asks for a restaurant suggestion in Denver. Park Burger lives up to its reputation with its relaxed atmosphere, making it a great place to grab a bite to eat with friends, bring your whole family or even just stop by for a drink. This restaurant is an essential aspect of your Denver experience that will truly live up to its hype. Rebecca Shagrin | Contributing Writer
Photo courtesy of Park Burger
French EDM artist CloZee rocks the Ogden
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he Ogden Theater was full of excitement last night as French EDM artist CloZee delivered an energetic, vibrant performance as part of her “Evasions” tour. Opening for CloZee were Cloudchord, best known for incorporating elements of jazz along with electronic music. Melodic synths were infused with live instruments, from electric guitars to trombones. Also opening was IHF, an artist well-known for his dream-like, melodic songs similar to artists such as Odesza and Tycho. Both opening acts hyped up the sold-out venue, with the audience dancing and waving their hands in the air, fully engaged with the music and building up their excitement for CloZee. CloZee was welcomed to screams of, “I love you CloZee” and “You are beautiful.” Many in the front row made a heart shape with their hands and smiled with the joy of seeing one of their favorite artists. Surrounded by color-changing lights and smoke, CloZee played her most popular hits, from “Koto” to her newest single, “Evasion.” Similar to her opener Cloudchord, CloZee also incorporated live instruments into her set, notably an acoustic guitar for an infusion of an indie rhythm with electronic music. CloZee is well-known for
creating music with Asian instruments, such as a katana. When her most popular song, “Koto,” was performed, the audience could clearly hear the katana playing over melodic, dream-like synths. She continued to engage the audience by having them clap along to the beat of the music and dancing along to her own music. She also told the crowd to look at the back of the theater, where the lights from her stage would create different shapes along the wall, from criss-cross patterns to spirals. CloZee also displayed humility on stage, telling the crowd that she loves them for their enthusiasm and love for her music, eventually walking toward the front row to shake hands with the crowd, thanking them for coming to her show. When she had finished her set, the crowd chanted, “One more song, one more song,” and she decided to return onstage to play one last song, satisfying the crowd’s wishes for more music. Concerts are known to take crowds away from everyday life and into another world, similar to reading a good book or watching a good movie. CloZee’s show was no different, creating a world of bright lights and harmonic melodies, leaving the crowd in love with her music and her humility as an artist.
Nina Petrovic | Arts & Life Editor
Photo Courtesy of DU Theatre
Nina Petrovic | Clarion
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Noname shines on “Room 25”
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first heard Chicago rapper Noname’s poetic, spoken-word style raps on Chance the Rapper’s track “Lost” off of 2013’s “Acid Rap.” Her calming (“I make lullaby raps”) voice, complex, syllable heavy rhymes and relatable lyrics struck me—and many others—immediately. After crawling through YouTube and Soundcloud for her tracks, many—including myself—became hungry for more, but Noname (who rarely accepts interviews and shys from social media) was nowhere to be found. Besides appearances on others’ albums, such as Chance’s “Coloring Book,” Mick Jenkins’ “The Waters” and Kirk Knight’s “Late Knight Special,” Noname released little music to satisfy the new audience that had come to enjoy her laid-back, cozy raps. In 2016 though, Noname came through with “Telefone,” a beautiful, bouncy album that showed Fatimah Warner finding her place in a tumultuous world, moving from childhood nostalgia such as on “Diddy Bop,” to “Casket Pretty,” a dark track that tackles a summer of death and police brutality in Chicago. The album brought Noname mainstream recognition, and her music became a symbol of Chicago’s close-knit rap scene. On “Room 25,” Noname’s sophomore studio-album, the biting wit and multiple-sylla-
ble rhymes of Telefone are still there, but the lullaby style raps have faded for more confident, assured bars. Noname raps openly and boasts about her abilities and her sexual awakening and shows the complete and welcome control of her place in the patriarchal rap world. On opener “Self,” she raps with unadulterated conviction, “Fucked your rapper homie, now his ass is making better music.” This new confidence might be a surprise to longer-term listeners, but it shows a complete sense of control for Noname, who in “Room 25” bleeds more introspectively, focusing not only on the formation of a newfound sexual freedom, but as well on macabre reflections on mortality and existential dread. The album isn’t just dark patterns, though. On “Montego Bae,” Noname trades lines about a hypothetical Caribbean relationship with Ravyn Lenae over a sunny, bubbly beat that sounds something like 21st century Bossa Nova—pure beach music. On “Blaxploitation,” Noname sheds any shyness in her persona by firing off bar after bar of fast, politically tinged lines (“I’m struggling to simmer down, maybe I’m an insomni-black / Bad sleep triggered by bad government”) fitting the name—a reference toofthe film genre of the Coutesy Sydney Kapp 1970s—and the driving, rhythmic base that propels the track.
Entirely produced by Phoelix, whose neo-soul, jazzy beats have become as much part of Noname’s appeal as her lyrics, collaborations on the album are light, focusing on fellow Chicago collaborators (and Noname regulars) Smino, Saba and Ravyn Lenae. Noname, who herself became known from a superb guest verse, returns the favor in featuring Benjamin Earl Turner, a new talent out of Chicago who provides a tight, immersive verse on “Part of Me.” The topics of dealing with
death, black life in America and Chicago and the anxiety of your twenties is not new territory for Noname, but she sounds more confident in her words, more confident in her ability and voice. Wherein on “Telefone,” Noname was shyly inviting the world to peek at her inner thoughts, “Room 25” finds her presenting them up-front to an audience fully interested in what she has to say. “Room 25” is out now on all streaming platforms. Justin Cygan | Arts & Life Editor
Photo courtesy of Noname
Amy Ray finds catharsis on “Holler”
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his coming Friday, Sept. 28, musical chameleon and one-half of folk-rock duo Indigo Girls Amy Ray will release her sixth solo album, “Holler.” Recorded live at Echo Mountain Studio in Asheville, N.C., Ray’s southern spirit is as strong as ever; her first country/ Americana album “Goodnight Tender” came before Trump, but now Ray combines her traditional twang and progressive mind to finally say her piece about the state of our nation. The of album starts off with Coutesy Sydney Kapp “Gracie’s Dawn (Prelude),” a pacifying instrumental track that sounds like the elevator music at the Grand Ole Opry: it’s still fun to be there, but it’s not where the excitement’s happening. From there, Ray jumps straight into the deep end with the leading single on the album, “Sure Feels Good Anyway.” Being queer with deep southern roots and making a living by touring the country, Ray has faced more than her fair share of adversity in her life, particularly from her neighbors in rural northern Georgia. Ray expresses the dissonance between her identity and the old-fashioned ideologies of the South, singing, “I know that you don’t like me / But it sure feels good anyway.” She also touches upon her conflicting political beliefs: “I’m gonna tell them boys, / ‘Don’t be a drag.
Ain’t ya tired of fightin’ ‘bout the damned ol’ flag?’ Well, it ain’t Southern pride. It’s just Southern hate.” Ray brings peace and tolerance to a genre and region where it’s desperately needed, which is just one of many successes on this album. The album continues to move along with ease; Ray has found a sweet spot within the genre, blending hints of rock, punk and bluegrass to excel at anything from a lively, toe-tapping song to a somber ballad. The next two songs, “Dadgum Down” and “Last Taxi Fare,” are somewhere in between; banjo runs from the great Alison Brown, Ray’s acoustic guitar and harmonies from singer-songwriter Lucy Wainwright Roche give “Dadgum Down” a bluegrass sound, while baritone electric guitar gives the song a punk-style growl. The star-studded “Last Taxi Fare” features harmonies from Brandi Carlile and Vince Gill, backed by an uplifting horns section and gospel undertones, over which Ray delivers the message to keep the faith even in the hardest of times. “God sends an angel / to teach you to fly / above your transgressions / fears of your life.” Later in the title track, Ray reflects on the times where she feels uncertainty about the future but perseveres nonetheless: “I’m treading water with no sign, keeping my head just
Photo courtesy of Compass Records
high enough to holler.” Next, Ray makes her most transparent criticisms of Trump and his supporters in her most “country” song yet, “Jesus Was A Walking Man”; she touches upon the xenophobia and ignorance that is currently reigning in this country, citing that Jesus would have done the exact opposite. “Some would build a wall and say / ‘Send them back from where they came’ / But do you know would’ve let ‘em in? / Jesus would’ve let ‘em in.” Ray concludes the album with “Didn’t Know A Damn Thing,” where she reflects on the ignorance her white privilege has afforded her, starting with being born in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement, “Bodies were
hanging / bodies were burning / And my mama and daddy / They were earning / I was rockin’ the cradle / In that fertile Black Belt / They were takin’ the blows / For every toll of that liberty bell / I didn’t know a damn thing.” You can preorder the album at CompassRecords.com, and listen to it on Spotify once it’s released. Amy Ray will be embarking on a fall tour, with more dates to be announced through the winter. Visit amyray.com for more details.
Emma Cohen | Contributing Writer