The Student Newspaper of MSU Denver
mymetmedia.com
VOL. 43 NO. 1
@themetonline
SEPTEMBER 22, 2020
themetropolitan
MSU Denver hampered with financial woes Tuition slated for increase in spring 2021
Archive photo by Isaac Banks
The Metropolitan photo archive: MSU Denver President Janine Davidson in The Future of Higher Education panel Sept. 5, 2018. On Sept. 8, Davidson announced that MSU Denver’s Board of Trustees voted to raise a tuition and fees for the upcoming spring semester.
The lack of face-to-face courses, officials
The decisions were made to meet the
Act; this provided relief for students who
Pattrica Serrano-Bann
say, has contributed to the enrollment
financial obligations of the university and to
experienced financial problems. According
ogaytan@msudenver.edu
decline. Before COVID, students could
continue to serve students, Davidson said.
to the financial aid website, it says the
pserran1@msudenver.edu
take courses on-campus; however, now
By Odaliz Gaytan |
“MSU Denver did eliminate 10 positions
university received $7.1 million in aid to
switching mostly to virtual learning, the
on campus as a result of our budget
MSU Denver students. To learn more,
university has minimized student, faculty
challenges,” Tim Carrol, MSU Denver’s
visit the office of financial aid on the MSU
are experiencing financial problems
and staff exposure. On campus, students
director of media relations, said.
Denver website. Some students were not
due to the disruption in the wake of
must wear a face mask and show their
the COVID-19 pandemic. MSU Denver
school ID to the staff. In the classroom,
to students to fill out between April
the University provided undocumented
is no exception as the global virus has
only one student per table is allowed.
23 – May 10, 2020. It was conducted
students, including Deferred Action for
For the fall semester, Metropolitan
to better understand what students
Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students, direct
State University of Denver’s Board
need. The survey was anonymous, and
support from the Student Emergency
of Trustees decided not to increase
students were given the option to share
Fund, the COVID-19 Impact Grant, and
enrollment for this academic year has
undergraduate students’ tuition costs.
their information if they wanted to.
the Dreamer Emergency Fund.
fallen 6% for the current semester.
The board waived fees for RTD passes,
“Since 2011, MSU Denver’s
campus recreation and other expenses
results on June 1 in a document called the
to subdue students’ financial impact.
COVID-19 Student Impact Report. According
Many higher education institutions
caused significant financial strain for both the university and its students. For instance, MSU Denver’s
enrollment has been remaining relatively flat to a 2% decrease. This year we
On Sept. 8, President Janine Davidson
A COVID-19 Impact Survey was sent
eligible to apply for the CARES Act, so
The university released the survey
Spring 2020 Tuition and Fees Update On Sept. 8, Davidson informed the
to the report, 1,720 students participated,
MSU Denver community that plans are to
saw a 6.2% decrease,” said George
penned a message about the budget
and 45% of the student population lost
increase tuition by 3% beginning with the
Middlemist, associate vice president of
update and spending cuts, including the
their job due to the pandemic. To see the
spring 2021 semester. MSU Denver’s Board
administration and chief financial officer.
furloughs for faculty and staff. These
full survey, visit the Division of Student
of Trustees has approved the measure.
That decrease accounts for a total of
actions allowed the school to avoid an
Affairs on the MSU Denver website.
To find more information, visit Tuition
revenue loss, almost $17 million.”
increase in tuition for the fall 2020 semester.
INSIDE
NEWS
| pg. 2
Are in person classes worth the risk?
NEWS
| pg. 3
University matches minimum wage
The University was given the CARES
NEWS
| pg. 3
Study abroad resumes in 2021
Increase FAQ on the MSU Denver website.
NEWS
| pg. 4
Student government agenda
NEWS
2
SEPTEMBER 22, 2020
Campus classes risky decision Even though it may jeopardize the lives of family members, some college students must decide if it’s worth taking classes on campus The biggest problem Miller
By Heather A. Davis hdavis16@msudenver.edu
home to keep each other safe.
has with online learning is how
The MSU Denver Safe Return
difficult it is to focus while working
to Campus webpage has a list of
On March 30, all classes at
at home. Miller said, “I get very
health protocols that students,
MSU Denver moved to an online
distracted in my comfort zone.”
faculty and staff are required
format due to the coronavirus risk.
Some of the downfalls that
to follow if they are planning to
The college announced in June,
students have been finding in
be on campus. Some of those
“To ensure the safety of students,
remote learning are the in-home
protocols include performing
faculty and staff, the Auraria
distractions such as kids, pets
daily health assessments before
Campus is planning to adopt
and even household chores.
going on campus, wearing a mask
a mixed teaching and learning
Frickey said, “I have a hard time
or face shield at all times and
model that supports a robust array
focusing in online courses and
frequent handwashing or the use
of on campus and online classes
the in-person interaction tends to
of hand sanitizer. Students must
for the fall 2020 semester.”
help me succeed in the course.”
follow signs for entry and exit
Some students are not
Frickey, also a grocery store
doors, avoid touching surfaces
comfortable attending classes
worker, said the precautions are
and maintain social distancing.
on campus. Anna Marie
second nature at this point. He
No events will be allowed that
Sanchez, a senior at MSU
has been taking all the necessary
have food. Time on campus is
Denver said, “I personally
precautions not only at work
limited, and faculty and staff
wouldn’t feel comfortable
but at school too, including
are required to wipe down
going back to campus.”
wearing a mask, washing
surfaces and workspaces often.
Even though Sanchez isn’t
and sanitizing his hands and
ready to be back on campus, she misses being in class with Artwork created by Zhen Tang | ztang@msudenver.edu
her professors. She said, “It’s difficult to feel like there is
While students are apt to
maintaining social distancing.
say their degrees are worth the
Chris McCarron, a senior
risk of attending college, senior
majoring in political science,
Adam Barnhardt said that he
started working in MSU Denver’s
has sacrificed to get his degree
an actual relationship when
person journalism classes this
taking any in-person classes, she
President Janine Davidson’s
but his feelings could change as
you never see them.”
semester. Frickey believes that
would if it were required because
office on Sept. 11. He said that
time goes on. Barnhardt said, “I
the course would be more difficult
she is ready to get her degree.
because his partner is at-risk
don’t want to die or potentially
for him to complete online.
But she has been able to attend
they are planning to take extra
kill those I love for what’s
more honors events because she
precautions when he starts his job
ultimately a fancy piece of paper
doesn’t have to find a babysitter.
like showering as soon as they get
that proves ‘I learnt good.’”
Grant Frickey, a journalism senior, is taking Ethical and Legal Journalism with professor Kip Wotkyns, one of the in-
Honor student Ashley Miller said that even though she isn’t
Successful virtual learning rodeo. Yet, for some it is, and
they should need in order to work
By Chantel Merriex
they all must figure out how
on and complete assignments.
cmerriex@msudenver.edu
to get through the semester. The most important
Life has taken a turn--
“The greatest challenge has been supporting the
perspective that a student should
campus community in a virtual
2020 has become more than
have when tackling virtual learning
environment,” says Kevin Taylor,
a challenge; it has turned into
is “schedule the work and work
Chief Information Officer of
a test of will, an experiment
the schedule,” Matt Griswold
Information Technology Services.
in survival on many levels.
of academic affairs suggests.
Times can be hard right now as
The idea of virtual learning is
It seems apparent that technology is not always reliable.
students are still trying to figure
not so unusual when really nothing
Luckily there’s 24/7 support
out what to do. The biggest issue
has changed but the location.
plus virtual assistance along
for most appears to be acclimating
Although some students
to our new reality. Many suggest
say they don’t enjoy virtual
numbers provided by Information
that they are feeling extremely
learning, they had to find their
Technology Services.
unprepared as time passes.
niche; especially for those
The biggest hardship students
that learn better in a hands-on
face is virtual learning. It
environment or prefer having
may seem impossible right
direct access to their professor.
now but it is really something we’ve been prepared for. Although everything has been condensed into one, virtual
Plainly, virtual learning is no longer spending the night, it’s moving in! Naturally, students must
Artwork created by Zhen Tang ztang@msudenver.edu
with numerous websites and whole lives revolve around a
more, in order to maintain
computer and all things virtual;
the grades they’ve become
this is constantly forgotten. The
accustomed to receiving. The key
world has drastically changed
to a successful virtual semester
enough how important it is
and continues to evolve with
is to show up to class and to be
for students to stay on top of
technology. Virtual learning
consistent. Questions should
things while staying sane!
is part of this evolution.
always be asked right away to
Keep in mind that preparation is not only physical, it’s also mental. It cannot be stressed
“You can’t have a
The most important
successful semester without
aspects of virtual learning are
prevent lingering confusion. The human brain should always
learning can still be treated as
make sure to have access
a successful week,” student
time management, creating
be challenged, but both body
an in-person class. This may
to a computer or tablet with
Chase Remme states.
a solid schedule and most
and mind need proper rest in
not concern those who have
the required software such
critically, participation.
order to function properly; so be
taken online classes in the past
as Microsoft Office 365. This
virtual learning like it’s something
because this isn’t their first
provides access to everything
they’ve never done before.Our
Students should not walk into
Students must put in the same amount of work, if not
mindful to take breaks throughout the day and get enough sleep.
NEWS
SEPTEMBER 22, 2020
3
MSU Denver matches city minimum wage By Corbett Stevenson
even more important when the
Denver’s compliance with
hsteven9@msudenver.edu
Metropolitan State University
the ordinance is the subject
of Denver’s Board of Trustees
of an open investigation.
In the eyes of the city of Denver, many MSU Denver staff members have been making less than
voted to increase tuition by 3% in the spring of 2021. “We had advocated for quite
minimum wage since January.
MSU Denver’s General Counsel David Fine confirmed that the university is currently discussing
some time, ‘Hey let’s not do this,
the matter with the city and if
the world feels like it’s falling
the university is found to be in
Denver announced that it would
apart, please don’t do this!’” said
violation of the ordinance, it
begin enforcing a new minimum
Weart of the tuition increase. “But
could cost over $1.5 million.
wage higher than both the
they had a few things to offset the
national and state requirements.
tuition increase, like scholarships
if MSU Denver is required to
However, MSU Denver has not
and the wage increase.”
match the city minimum wage,
In November 2019, the city of
been following it until last week. On Sept. 8, 2020, MSU Denver
Council Bill 19-1237 was
Denver Wage Growth vs. Housing Growth
Although it is still unclear
the board voted to increase
Graphic from www.denvergov.org Source: Wage data from Quarterly Census of Employment and Wage data downloaded from Bureau of Labor Statistics; Fair Market Rent data Downloaded from Department of Housing and Urban Development; and home price data downloaded from Zillow.
passed by the city in November
wages anyway. A decision that
President Janine Davidson,
2019. The bill was passed after
Chief Financial Officer George
exactly how many hours
time when $10 was too much to
announced that MSU Denver
months of research and outreach
Middlemist said won’t be easy
employees will be working. But
afford,” Middlemist said. “So $108
would be increasing its staff
from Mayor Michael Hancock
on the university’s budget.
even with many people working
is not an insignificant amount of
wages to offset the burden
and Councilwoman Robin Kniech
When asked if the 3% tuition
fewer hours, MSU Denver will
money in our students’ lives.”
of the 3% tuition increase
showed that the increase was
increase alone would cover the
still be left with a deficit after
coming in spring 2021.
necessary to keep up with the
cost of a higher minimum wage,
allocating funds to scholarships
or not the university is legally
rising costs of living in Denver.
Middlemist said, “probably not.”
and increasing hourly wages.
required to follow the city
For Student Government Assembly President Braeden
The bill stated that by January
“The tuition increase of 3%
Even though the deficit caused
With no answer to whether
minimum wage, the increase
Weart, learning about the city
2020, all employees in the city of
generates right around $1.7
by the wage increase is large,
could have been delayed until
minimum wage was a surprise.
Denver would be paid a minimum
million. We will take about
Middlemist said that the board and
MSU Denver’s budget recovered
For Weart and many others in
of $12.85 per hour, with an
$700,000 of that money to
Davidson decided it was necessary
from the damage caused by
SGA, paying staff members
increase to $14.77 in Jan. 2021 and
allocate to student scholarships,”
to keep student well-being as
COVID-19. But Middlemist said
above the state minimum was an
another increase to $15.87 in 2022.
Middlemist said. “We’re
their top priority in a time when
that wasn’t really the point.
important way for MSU Denver to
Whether or not MSU Denver
estimating that for this year
many college students are in more financial trouble than usual.
stay ahead of the curve. So when
should have been following
the wage increase will cost
they found out about the city
the bill since it was passed
us close to $1.5 million.”
minimum wage, they knew they
is still unclear. According to
wanted the university to follow it.
the Office of the Auditor’s
Raising MSU Denver wages to match the city’s wage became
Middlemist also noted that
“For a student taking 15 credit
“We can wait until the city and state lawyers decide if we have to follow it, but at the end of the
hours the 3% tuition increase
day it isn’t about the legality of
the cost of the wage increase
adds $108 for the spring semester,
it,” Middlemist said. “It’s about
Director of Communications,
is difficult to estimate because
that may not seem terrible, but
it being the right thing to do.”
Tayler Overschmidt, MSU
there is no way of knowing
the reality is that we remember a
Study abroad looks to resume in 2021 The global health pandemic
By Sara Martin smart333@msudenver.edu
MSU Denver’s President Janine
behind us,” she mentions as
said, “The situation here in Italy is
the end of 2020 draws closer.
quite stable because of our status
has created some obvious
Davidson made the announcement
challenges and reluctance for
on March 9, suspending all
those wanting to travel or study
university-related travel
array of studies for international
be almost taboo, MSU Denver and
abroad from within the U.S.
including study abroad through
students, where the school’s
our re-opening since May has
program providers remain hopeful
as cases continue to climb.
the end of the calendar year.
primary spoken language is
continued with a very positive
English. The Hungarian university
trend. By the end of the summer,
As international travel seems to
for the upcoming spring semester
Jennifer Provizer, who
“Unfortunately, there has been
The University of Pécs offers an
in the timeline of the pandemic.” “I am happy to share that
during the COVID-19 pandemic.
manages Study Abroad in the
a decrease in students connecting
offers a unique experience for
almost everything was open
Although normally taking place on
Office of International Studies,
with us to go abroad. That’s
students visiting the heart of
here,” she explained.
Auraria, a virtual study abroad fair
offered some insight into faculty-
not to say there’s no interest,
Europe. Only a few hours from
took place Sept. 8-11 over Zoom
led programs. “During the
and a number of students are
Budapest and a train ride away
European countries hit with
instead. MSU Denver study abroad
spring semester, faculty can lead
wanting to go abroad, but with
from Vienna, students who study
cases early on in the pandemic.
advisors and representatives
study abroad programs during
the uncertainty of traveling a
here are bound to experience
Joh offered some insight
from third party programs were
winter or spring break. At this
number are hesitant in starting
the best of eastern Europe.
into how FUA handled the
available to discuss options
time, MSU Denver’s limit on
any process,” Provizer said.
with interested students.
travel is through December.”
The virtual fair was a step
pandemic, “Our institution took
preventive measures to
a very proactive approach as
in the right direction to share
keep students in classes on
it applied to the pandemic.”
resources with students. Normally,
campus. Kanyuk said, “We
many become interested in
are wearing masks, keeping
students are required to have
studying abroad as they find
social distancing and there are
their temperatures monitored,
on-campus events and hear from
information signs everywhere
maintain social distancing and
fellow classmates about their
to wash hands properly.”
follow university protocols.
Whilst on campus this fall,
previous experience. Provizer and
“We hope to start the spring
“We care greatly about the
her office are hopeful to find other
semester with normal face-to-face
health and safety of our students
ways to connect with students
teaching,” Kanyuk concluded.
and campus,” Joh said.
as many are not physically
More information regarding
attending classes on campus.
the spring semester is to be
in the arts including but not
announced later this year.
limited to photography, culinary
Flóra Kanyuk, an International Relations Coordinator for the
Artwork created by Zhen Tang ztang@msudenver.edu
The university is taking
Italy was one of the hardest
Grace Joh, senior counselor
FUA offers extensive courses
arts and fashion design.
University of Pécs located in
to the provost, was available
Hungary, is optimistic about
to answer students’ questions
in Italy as international
bringing students to study this
during the virtual study abroad
students enrolled in a formal
upcoming spring semester. “We
fair regarding Florence University
academic program.
hope to leave this pandemic
of the Arts in northern Italy. Joh
U.S. citizens are welcome
NEWS
4
SEPTEMBER 22, 2020
Town halls, restructuring on student government agenda staff Editor-in-Chief Laura Casillas lcasilla@msudenver.edu Photo Editor Sara Martin smart333@msudenver.edu Illustrator Zhen Tang ztang@msudenver.edu Production Team Creative@mymetmedia.com Kiran Majid kmajid@msudenver.edu Kat Cafaro kcafaro@msudenver.edu Adviser Alfonzo Porter aporter@msudenver.edu Interim Director of Met Media Cynthia Baron, Ph.D. baron@msudenver.edu Production Manager of Met Media Kathleen Jewby kjewby@msudenver.edu Offi ce Manager Meher Noorulamin mnoorula@msudenver.edu Screenshot by Rachel Lorenz | rlorenz7@msudenver.edu Sales and Marketing sales@mymetmedia.com marketing@mymetmedia.com Brady Nelson bnelso73@msudenver.edu
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The MSU Denver Student Government Assembly team meets via Zoom on Sept. 4, 2020. Top row, left to right: Guillermo Ramirez, Braedan Weart. Center row, left to right: Stephanie Braun, Cynthia Baron, Dominique Perez. Bottom row, left to right: Alaura Ward, Sheldon Solis-Manus, Birungi Balijahe.
By Rachel Lorenz
problem they had or a question
much recent activity on the group’s
into is everybody’s a political
rlorenz7@msudenver.edu
that needed answering.
Facebook, Instagram or Twitter
science major,” Weart said
accounts. But Weart said that when
of past student government
just aren’t taking place in the
SGA’s social media is “up and
assemblies. “Everybody comes
Government Assembly began the
same way, so we have to be
rolling,” it will promote the website.
from the same background.”
new school year with innovation
more intentional about creating
in mind. Physically separated from
that space,” Baron said.
“Those informal connections MSU Denver’s Student
the students they represent and
Tuesday’s student town hall
To reach their student
To combat that phenomenon
government leaders, Weart
and better represent the entire
suggested that students use the
student body, SGA created a new
each other, the group initiated
is one way SGA is creating that
site’s contact us page. They can also
committee at their Aug. 28 meeting.
remote student town hall meetings,
space to connect. Students had
participate in future student town
The committee will recruit students
moved all their business online
the opportunity to share their fall
halls or speak during the public
from an assortment of MSU Denver
and has plans to restructure.
semester experiences and ask
comment portion of SGA’s weekly
departments and colleges to fill the
questions during the Microsoft
Zoom meetings. To do the latter,
seven senator seats left vacant after
SGA Advisor Cynthia Baron, student
Teams video conferencing event.
students need to email Ramirez
the election concluded in April.
officers are trying to figure out the
Over 40 Roadrunners participated.
and request the meeting link.
Other changes that may
SGA is also reviewing
occur this year as a result of the
Ramirez said the event launched
recommendations from ABL
consultants’ recommendations
“a new door for student
Education Consulting on how to
include shifting SGA’s meeting
student body to administration
government,” allowing them to
restructure to be more equitable and
schedule, redefining positions
and faculty but interacting with
step forward as elected leaders
representative of the student body.
and voting in new governing
their constituents during a global
and check in with their peers.
pandemic is tough. SGA’s offices
The town halls, planned
According to Associate Dean and
best way to support their fellow students in this virtual environment. SGA speaks on behalf of the
SGA Advisor Guillermo
According to Ramirez, last year’s SGA team brought the
documents, Ramirez said. It’s SGA’s job to understand and
closed March 16 along with the
to occur monthly, are SGA’s
consultants in after spending
advocate for their fellow students.
rest of the campus, and the group
biggest effort to bridge the gap
time reviewing their governing
That’s difficult when the pandemic
eventually began meeting over
in student engagement caused
documents — the SGA constitution,
has taken away their opportunities
Zoom. This fall, an estimated 90%
by the pandemic, Ramirez said.
bylaws and handbook — and then
to engage face-to-face and their
determining that the documents
organizational structure needs
of MSU Denver students are taking
Weart wants SGA to focus on
all of their classes remotely. With
connectivity and communication
did not accurately reflect who
updating. Yet the members of SGA
the office shuttered and in-person
this year. He says the SGA
MSU Denver and its students are.
are passionate and excited about
campus events canceled, SGA has
website is their tool for conferring
lost its usual way of connecting.
information to students but noted
significant change when it comes
that the website is not up to
to our student government
everybody was in the office,” SGA
date. For example, it still lists the
and how it works,” he said.
President Braedan Weart said.
2019-20 officers and their contact
“It was so much easier when
In the past, students might
“There’s going to be
One change that is
information, even though the new
already underway involves
pop into Tivoli 307, grab a snack
team for this school year took office
the selection of senators.
and bend an officer’s ear about a
in June. In addition, there’s not
“The problem we always run
being the voice of MSU Denver’s students, according to Baron. “It’s a unique challenge, but I think it’s one they are up for,” Baron said.