DU Clarion Welcome Back Edition Volume 123 Issue 17

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DU Clarion EDITORIAL STAFF JILLIAN QUERI, Editor-in-Chief KELLSIE BRANNEN, Executive Editor JOHN POE, Business Manager SASHA KANDRACH, News Editor BRAIDEN ALBRECHT-REED, Sports Editor GRACE CARSON, Opinions Editor SYDNEY KAPP, Lifestyles Editor RYAN NINESLING, Entertainment Editor DUSTIN AMICK, Photo/Video Editor TARYN ALLEN, Copy Editor MADISON HELLER, Copy Editor OLIVIA HYDE, Social Media Director ANDREW MATRANGA, Faculty Adviser

Nelson Dining Dining Hall Hall Nelson

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TAKING ON THE DINING HALL

hether you have grown up eating yummy fast food or being pampered with home-cooked meals every day, switching to three meals a day in a college dining hall can be a bit of a rough transition. Dining halls have a reputation for being underwhelming and unappealing no matter where you go to school, but they don’t have to be. Here are some tricks to making the most out of your experience:

1. It’s all in the approach

If you enter Nelson Dining Hall for the first time expecting the worst of the worst, that’s probably how it’s going to seem (and taste).

Every dining hall on campus actually has a lot of good options, so be optimistic about what you’re going to find.

2. Surround yourself with good people (and meet new ones) The dining halls are great places to study, unwind, be alone or be with friends. If the food on your plate isn’t the best, just make sure the people you’re surrounded by are. Enjoy routine meals with your friends or make it your goal to sit with someone new each day.

3. Be healthy

One myth about dining halls is that it’s difficult to eat healthy.

Let’s be honest—the “freshman fifteen” is definitely real for some people, but it doesn’t have to be for you. Instead of hopping in the burger line every day, make a salad with fresh vegetables or enjoy a vegetarian or vegan choice, which should be available for every meal.

4. Splurge and eat deliciously On the other hand, don’t miss out on the cheese quesadillas at Nagel or the chocolate fountain that is brought out for special events in Nelson. Whether it’s sweet or savory, there are certainly options to appeal to the comfort food craving or sweet tooth in all of us.

5. Change it up

If you live in Centennial Halls, it may be tempting to never leave the building for a meal when the dining hall is right downstairs, but making the trek to Nelson or Nagel can be a good variation when you feel like eating something different. Each dining hall has different options, so be sure to scope them out and find your favorite choices.

Gusto Kubiak | Clarion

6. Alternate on-campus and off-campus meals It may tend to kill your bank account, but sometimes you just need to get off campus for some Qdoba or Noodles and Company.

To make the dining hall food less tiresome, set a goal to eat out once a week or so. Go even further and splurge for a meal downtown every once in awhile. If you are from the Denver area, lucky you—take advantage and go home for a meal on the weekend, and maybe even bring some new friends.

7. Try everything once

One of the most important things to keep in mind while on the dining hall diet is variation.

Even if you eat in the same dining hall all the time, don’t ignore the omelet line or the pizza station just because you’ve never been before.

Give everything a try so you know what you do and don’t like and so you never miss a hidden gem (like the brownies in Nelson).

8. Break the rules

Don’t be afraid to try out your own creations. If it’s Taco Tuesday and you aren’t feeling it, combine the taco stand with the salad bar to make a taco salad. If a plain sandwich doesn’t sound good, use a fresh bagel as your bread.

Add ice cream to your waffles for a sweeter treat. There are more options than you think, so don’t be afraid to get creative.

9. Make sure you have the meal plan that’s right for you

It will probably be trial and error for the first and even second quarter at DU, but make sure that you have chosen the correct meal plan. You don’t want to end the quarter with 50 extra meal swipes, and you also don’t want to be rationing them so you don’t run out. If you pay careful attention to how often you cook for yourself, how often you eat out and how many swipes you’re using each week, you’ll be sure to pay the correct amount for the right meal plan.

10. Remember that dining halls aren’t forever

If you really miss home cooking or if you find yourself being too picky to really enjoy dining hall food, try not to forget that it won’t last forever.

In a couple months you’ll probably be home with things back to normal, and in a few years you’ll have the independence to eat exactly what, where and when you desire.

Taryn Allen | Copy Editor

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Connor W Davis | Clarion

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fter 18 years in the comfort of your own bedroom, you’re suddenly forced to live with someone you don’t know very well and on top of that, you’re stuck spending time in a small, cramped room with a bed that’s too narrow bed and in communal showers that stink. Dorm life.

While cons may seem to be piling up, living in the dorms is easier than you might think.

1. Headphones are more impor tant than you may have ever believed. Remember that road trip you took with your parents when they listened to NPR the entire way?

You’ll need them more than you did then while living in the dorms. Say goodbye to the quiet tranquility of your childhood home and say hello to loud neighbors and blaring music.

To survive the dorms, you will need to tune people out, whether to study or just catch a little “me time” on the way to class. Investing in a good pair of headphones should be near the top of your back to school list.

2. It can be nerve-racking to move to a place where you know basically no one, but a simple way to make friends in college is to get to know your neighbors. It can be as simple as knocking on your neighbor’s door and introducing yourself and, who knows, you might just

meet your new best friend.

3. Be sure to make your dorm room your own. Between all of the craziness of classes and the drama of new friendships, you’ll need somewhere you can unwind. The best place to do that will be in your dorm room, so make sure to make it as comfortable as possible.

4. Honesty is the best policy when it comes to roommates. It can be easy to avoid confrontation with your roommate in hopes of avoiding any drama, but the more you hold in all of your annoyances, the more explosive and detrimental it will be when it eventually comes out.

Always be truthful.

5. In regards to roommates, be sure to lay down house rules right away. When you first move into the dorms you will be required to fill out a roommate agreement. Make sure you and your roommate thoroughly go over the answers to make sure you both really agree on how you want to live in your room. This is crucial to a healthy living arrangement and roommate relationship.

6. This should be obvious, but shower shoes really are essential to surviving in the dorms.

Seriously. You have no idea what kind of deathly diseases you could contract from those shower floors.

Always wear your showers shoes.

No matter what.

7. Organization is key. Your space is limited as it is, so don’t make it more cluttered by filling it with books, assignments and the inevitable takeout container. Invest in some organization bins and be sure to tidy up your space on a regular basis.

8. Cleaning and organization go hand in hand. Your dorm room is the only place on campus that is really yours, so keep it as clean as you can. In the long run, you will be happier and feel more comfortable living in your room. No one wants to end up having to clean live maggots out of their trashcan at the end of the year. Trust me. It happens.

9. Oddly, one of the best tips to surviving the dorms is to get out every once in awhile. DU is a beautiful campus in a beautiful city, so be sure to explore all that Denver has to offer. Plus, getting a break from your dorm is a very good thing.

10. Not to be cheesy, but make the most of it. You will only get to have this experience once or twice in your lifetime, so don’t waste it. It might not always be easy living in the dorms, but it will definitely be memorable.

Sydney Kapp | Lifestlyes Editor

DORM SURVIVAL

Gusto Kubiak | Clarion

Connor W Davis | Clarion

5 THINGS TO LOVE ABOUT DU W

hether you’ve just started school at DU or are returning for another year, everyone has a reason for coming to the university— whether it be academics, study abroad or even skiing.

There are many things to love about DU, but here are the top ten.

1. Location

Denver was ranked No. 1 in U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Places to Live” rankings, and not unjustifiably. Denver is a cultural hub; it’s a city where you can explore art museums, watch plays in the theatre district and go clubbing all in one day.

There’s something for everyone and something is always happening. DU is located right near the light rail station, so downtown Denver is only one train ride away. In addition to the awesome city life that Denver offers, DU is also just a short drive away from the mountains—therefore, not only do students always have a sweet view, they also have easy access to opportunities like hiking at Red Rocks or skiing at Breckenridge.

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U announced on Aug. 25 the introduction of new dining options and housing renovations scheduled to debut on campus this fall.

Connor W Davis | Clarion

2. Surrounding restaurants

DU is right in the middle of a college-centric area, so students never have to worry about how to fix their late night munchies. The university is right by the world’s first Chipotle (on Evans), for the Tex-Mex lovers. Fat Shack (on University) is a popular place for students to pig out on food such as deep fried Oreos and Twinkies, burgers topped with mac and cheese, wings and “Fat Sandwiches” topped with mozzarella cheese sticks, onion rings and more.

3. Awesome library

Every college student needs a good place to study, and DU has just that in the Anderson Academic Commons (AAC). In fact, DU took number 18 in the Princeton Review’s “Best College Library” countdown. The library even has its own cafe (Front Porch Café), so students have easy access to caffeine to help them stay aware and awake while studying. There are also various centers in the AAC that help students with their homework. The Math Center, Language Center and Science and Engineering Center are helpful

resources for all students. The Technology Center is also conveniently located here to help students with any issues they have with their computers or other devices.

4. Amazing study abroad program Ranking number eight in the Princeton Review’s “Most Popular Study Abroad Program” list, DU is well known for its comprehensive study abroad program. Not only are there a great number of programs partnered with DU to choose from, but the Cherrington Global Scholarship makes the trip affordable as well. The scholarship is available to all junior or senior students who have a 3.0 GPA or higher. It waives the study abroad application fee, gives students a stipend to use for transportation to and from the host city and reimburses students for visa application fees, resident permits, permits to study and other fees. There is essentially no other fee to study abroad other than a student’s normal tuition amount, city transportation, books and optional excursions.

DU “strongly invests in study abroad because

we [DU] believe that as many students as possible should have the opportunity to discover how education really comes to life in an international context,” according to the Office of International Education’s website.

5. The quarter system

The quarter system may have its downfalls, such as more stress and course work in a shorter amount of time than in a semester, but it also has it’s perks. The quarter system allows students to take more classes they are interested in, as well as double major or minor if they would like. For some students, the system has allowed them to graduate early because of the increased amount of credits they were allowed to take. It also gives students a much needed month and a half winter break to relax and spend time with friends and family. While the increased amount of work may be difficult to deal with, DU’s professors are always great at helping student thrive in their classes.

GRACE CARSON | Opinions Editor

WHAT’S NEW AROUND DU The newly established Daniel Felix Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science will house the World of Wings (WOW), projected to open on Oct. 3. The new eatery’s menu features a vari-

Gusto Kubiak | Clarion

ety of American-style foods, including wings, burgers, wraps and salads.

There is also good news for coffee lovers on campus, as Starbucks Coffee will replace Jazzman’s Cafe in the lower level of the William T. Driscoll Center (Driscoll Bridge).

Employees originally employed at Jazzman’s Cafe will transition to Starbucks, as well.

Juniors and seniors will now have additional housing options, as the university recently converted the Lynn Marie Apartments from a mixed housing option for students and the public to housing reserved for undergraduate upperclassmen. The building, located at 1995 S. University Blvd, will provide housing for 20 students. The building is structured similarly to the former student housing option,

the Cavalier Apartments, which is in the process of being completley demolished.

Renovations were implemented in University Place, Centennial Towers, Centennial Halls and Nelson Hall.

Upgrades in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act were completed in University Place and Centennial Towers. A study room within Centennial Towers was converted into a meditation and prayer room for a variety of faiths, available for all students, faculty and staff. Waste stack pipes were replaced in Centennial Towers along with study chairs in Nelson Hall.

For the latest news on ongoing renovations at DU, make sure to follow the Clarion on social media and pick up a new copy every week.

Sasha Kandrach | News Editor

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ports on the DU campus thrive at the varsity, club and even intramural levels. In a naturally active city like Denver, there’s plenty of opportunities to both watch and participate in sports near campus. Here’s a list of 10 tips to get the most out of your DU sporting experience.

1. The hockey program has a great shot at their 8th National Championship After advancing to the Frozen Four last season, the DU hockey team will be looking to bring home another national title. The season kicks off against DU’s most anticipated opponent, Boston University, on October 14 at DU’s own Magness Arena.

2. Head to the Ritchie Center for your personal workouts The Ritchie Center is home to DU’s gym (Coors Fitness Center), which is a great place to relieve your academic stress. Access is free for all students and you can check their website for daily activities like yoga and open swimming lanes.

3. Lacrosse returns hopeful for the future

The men’s lacrosse team was ranked as the No. 1 program in the nation for a majority of last

FUN FACTS FOR ACTIVE PIOS season before being knocked out in the early rounds of the playoff tournament. Despite winning the National Championship in 2015, the program has unfinished business after last year’s early exit. Senior attack player Connor Cannizzaro returns to lead a lethal Denver squad.

4. Enjoy the sunshine at Wash Park

If you’re seeking an outdoor exercise experience, look no further than down the road. Wash Park features a 2.35 mile track perimeter, along with multiple fields and some beautiful bodies of water in its center. Whether you want to go for a run, play some volleyball or just want to study in the sun, it’s a great spot only one mile northwest of campus.

5. Intramurals are a great way to meet new people

You can still keep your high school sports skills sharp without having the time commitment of a D-1 athlete. Intramural sports include volleyball, flag football, basketball, soccer, broomball and tennis, giving students a nice range of opportunities to stay active during the weekday nights.

6. Club sports offer serious games for time-strapped students

With 31 club sports, DU gives students ample opportunity to try out on a team that respects the demands of the college lifestyle.

Although many teams practice weekly in season, club sports offer an outstanding balance between having a social experience, serious physical play and understanding time constraints. The university has a history of successful club teams, including the national championship-winning women’s lacrosse team last season.

7. Tailgates are an absolute blast

Hosted in front of Magness Arena, DU tailgates are community-oriented, rowdy events that allow students to transparently show off their Pioneer pride.

Usually held in the mornings, the energy feeds directly into the game of the day in the afternoon.

8. Men’s basketball receives big boost

9. Free fitness classes to fit your schedule

Jumping into a fitness class with a friend can be a great way to keep your body and mind in unison during a hectic college career.

Cycling, yoga, pilates, cardio and dance classes occur daily and provide coordinated, instructor-led classes for students.

10. Local bike loops for adventerous cyclists If you’re fortunate enough to already have a bike on campus, you can take it down the road to the South Platte River Trail. It’s a great trail to explore Denver on, winding right around the downtown area for a total of 17.8 miles.

Have you heard of Colorado basketball legend Chauncy “Mr. Big Shot” Billups? He was a star at the University of Colorado-Boul- Braiden Albrecht-Reed | Sports Editor

Gusto Kubiak | Clarion

Gusto Kubiak | Clarion

der before winning an NBA Championship with the Detroit Pistons and eventually played his final years with the Denver Nuggets. DU hired his brother, Rodney Billups, who has compiled a solid basketball resume of his own, including time spent as a player at DU and as an assistant coach at CU Boulder for the last six seasons. As the team’s new head coach, he brings a fresh and exciting brand of ball to the Pioneers.

Gusto Kubiak | Clarion

Jillian Queri | Clarion

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mongst the chaos of the academic year, from moving into residence halls to keeping up with classes, it’s important to remember to take time to relax and enjoy some well-deserved free time. Luckily for you, Denver offers an awesome variety of entertainment venues to keep your life outside of college interesting.

Movie theaters

If you have a penchant for film, Denver has a number of great movie theaters ranging from standard multiplexes to indie art houses, so you’ll never be lacking options for the silver screen around DU. Are you looking to see the biggest blockbusters of the year?

Two great chain theaters are easily accessible by light rail.

Only one stop away at the Colorado station, UA Colorado Center & IMAX offers standard movie showings as well as an IMAX theatre, one of the only ones in Colorado.

It certainly doesn’t hurt that the theater is attached to a Dave & Buster’s if you’re looking for some food and/or arcade gaming before or after your movie. Down a few stops at the Southmoor station, Regal Cinemas Continental 10 & RPX has a luxury theater as well as a usually expanded selection compared to the UA Colorado location.

Interested in moviegoing a little more on the eclectic side? The Landmark Mayan Theatre and the Esquire Theatre are only a short drive or Uber away and offer great indie and foreign films as well re-showings of classics.

Beyond these venues, the Alamo Drafthouse Littleton is the best of both worlds, holding showings of mainstream and indie films with full food and drink service as well as many special events including giveaways and classic film showings preceded by live music or conversation panels.

BEST ENTERTAINMENT IN THE MILE HIGH CITY Music venues

Luckily, Denver is a city with a bustling music scene. All throughout the city are incredible and charming music venues that host shows from a diverse number of artists. Downtown, the most storied and prolific artists play at venues such as the massive Pepsi Center, the dazzling former ballroom The Fillmore Auditorium and the classic Ogden Theater. If your music taste is more on the indie side, small venues such as The Bluebird Theater and The Gothic Theater offer some of the most intimate and memorable shows in Denver. Of course, none of these can top the breathtaking experience of seeing a show at

the world-renowned Red Rocks Amphitheatre, often considered the greatest musical venue in the world and only a short drive away to Morrison, Colorado.

Theatre

Finally, if your passion is for the stage, Denver has one of the most acclaimed and award-winning Off-Broadway theater centers in the country at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA). At the DCPA, you can see almost any sort of show you can imagine in the very best theatres.

The Buell Theater features extravagant and unforgettable Broadway shows year round, ranging from “The Phantom of

the Opera” to “Hamilton”. On the smaller scale, The Stage Theater offers exciting and imaginative plays and musicals, such as reimaginings of “Sweeney Todd” and “Frankenstein”. These are only two of the DCPA’s many fantastic theatres, as many more shows are offered throughout the year at each of their stages.

Hopefully this guide will serve you well as you venture out into Denver to seek out the next great artistic triumph.

Always remember to check out the Entertainment section of the Clarion for all the best entertainment happenings in Denver.

Ryan Ninesling | Entertainment Editor

BEST PLACES TO STUDY ON CAMPUS U

nfortunately, college can’t be all fun and games.

DU students know that better than anyone, as the university was ranked by University Primetime as having the 33rd hardest finals in the nation. Classes might be difficult, but there are plenty of nooks and crannies around campus where you can concentrate and get the job done.

there are many options for a student to be as studious as possible. There are single person pods downstairs for the more serious studiers, group study rooms for study sessions, public tables for students who need more space and, for a more scenic view, the third floor offers a beautiful view of the Rockies to enjoy while catching up on homework.

This is the most obvious choice of places to study around campus, as the library offers the perfect studious environment to get down to business. With it’s three floors, 154,223 square feet and 2,000 seats,

buildings around campus usually offer individual study rooms or public rooms to study in if you need a change of pace without actually leaving the building. WIth a good pair of headphones, the dorms are the

2. Dorms 1. Anderson Academic ComWhile your room is always an mons (AAC) option to study in, the different dorm

Gusto Kubiak | Clarion

Gusto Kubiak | Former Photo Editor

perfect place to study in without ever having to leave the comfort of home.

3.

Outside

Denver gets about 300 days of sunshine per year. If the temperature cooperates, a perfect place to study is anywhere outside on campus. There are tables scattered throughout campus that you can study at, along with other options such as spreading out a blanket on the grass or setting up a hammock between some shady trees near Johnson-McFarlane Hall.

4.

Mary Reed Hall

Don’t let the ghost of Mary Reed stop you. The Renaissance Room is one of the quietest and most inter-

esting places on campus. When not occupied for meetings, the Harry Potter-esque room is a perfect location for studying. Though the building is not open late at night like the library, it’s a perfect place to study in between classes.

5.

Beans Café

For the coffee junkie in all of us, Beans Café provides a nice bohemian environment to prepare for classes in. Though a little crowded, if you can snag a table, Beans is a great place to settle down and study.

After all, nothing makes cramming for a final more bearable than a lavender Chai latte.

Sydney Kapp | Lifestlyes Editor

Gusto Kubiak | Former Photo Editor Lai He | Clarion

Jillian Queri | Clarion

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iving on campus, there are a variety of restaurants that surround DU. The best part is that they are all located within walking distance from campus, along with being affordable for college students. Here’s a few of this Pio’s favorites.

Illegal Pete’s

I had the misfortune of not testing this place out until spring break of my freshman year, and I fell in love instantly, wishing I had been eating here

the entire year. Located on Evans Ave, it is easily accessible for all students. Illegal Pete’s is a Mexican restaurant much like Chipotle. Customers wait in line and once they are at the counter, they can specify exactly what they wait on their quesadilla, taco, burrito, etc.

Chipotle (the original one) is a few blocks further on Evans, but something about the hip and laid back vibes at Pete’s tends to draw more of a crowd.

You can get typically get a decent sized meal here for

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 Driscoll Underground. Can’t make it to a meeting? Send an email to duclarioneditor@gmail.com and we’ll do everything we can to get you published.

ABOUT US

The Clarion is the official student newspaper of the University of Denver, serving as the “Voice of the Pioneers.”

Founded in 1899, it covers campus and local stories with the highest level of journalistic integrity possible. 1000 copies are distributed each Wednesday afternoon (throughout the academic year) across the DU campus, and every article is also published at duclarion.com. The Clarion does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the faculty, staff and/or administration of DU, and the opinions expressed by columnists and contributing writers do not necessarily reflect those of the Clarion.

Reproduction of The Clarion in whole or part in any form written, broadcast or electronic without written permission of The Clarion is prohibited. The opinions expressed by columnists and contributing writers do not necessarily reflect those of The Clarion. Weather forecasts are of courtesy of the National Weather Service. The Clarion reserves the right to reject advertising, stories, columns or letters to the editor that it deems graphic, obscene or that discriminate on the basis of race, culture, gender or sexual orientation.

The Clarion welcomes letters to the editor. Those who submit letters must limit them to 500 words. Some letters may not be published because of space limitations, overly-libelous content or similarity to past submissions. Please submit letters to duclarioneditor@gmail.com.

about $8-13, if you choose to get a standard meal with a drink.

Not that hungry when your friends are going? Go along for the ride and enjoy an order of chips and queso for just $2.49.

Some good memories can be made during a Pete’s run for chips and guac at 1 a.m., since they are open until 2:30 a.m. three days a week.

Noodles & Company

Noodles is a popular chain that is almost directly across the street from Pete’s. It is always a safe bet for yummy and cheap food.

The first few weeks of school it is packed with other DU students, since many freshmen receive coupons for Noodles during freshman Orientation Week.

A bowl of noodles with a drink is more often than not about $10 or less. They

have plenty of seating for large groups, and it isn’t too terribly loud, so conversation is doable.

There are plenty of options to choose from without getting too sick of it. If the dining hall is a bust, take the quick walk to Noodles for a safe bet of pasta.

Snarf’s Sandwiches

Snarf’s is a local sandwich place located right next door to Noodles. It has a retro college feel to the place, with its neon signs and booths. What makes Snarf’s so interesting is that they toast all their sandwiches.

If you’re looking for something really simple and cheap, Snarf’s kid’s menu features PB and J sandwiches for under $5. They also have brownies by the register that are a tasty snack for later. Craving a more traditional sandwich? Check out Jimmy John’s off of University Blvd. They are open until about 3 a.m. and deliver, which is a saving grace for the midnight snackers. An eight inch sandwich, drink and cookie is always a good steal.

TARYN ALLEN | Copy Editor