Volume 43, Issue 1 - September 22, 2020

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

What we do The Metropolitan accepts submissions in the form of topic-driven columns and letters to the editor. Column article concepts must be submitted by 1 p.m.

Thursdays and the deadline for columns is 9 p.m. Sundays. Columns range from 500 to 600 words. Letters to the editor must be submitted by 5 p.m. Mondays to be printed in that week’s edition.

There is a 500-word limit for letters to the editor. The Metropolitan reserves the right to edit letters for formatting and style. All submissions should be sent by email to themetonline@gmail.com.

The Metropolitan is produced by and for the students of Metropolitan State University of Denver and serves the Auraria Campus. The Metropolitan is supported by advertising revenue and student fees and is published every Wednesday during the academic year and monthly during the summer semester. Opinions expressed within do not necessarily reflect those of MSU Denver or Met Media’s advertisers.

Share your voice Have an article you’d like to contribute? Want to voice your thoughts on a current event or subject that has been covered in the paper?

Send your pieces to themetonline@gmail.com or Editor-in-Chief Laura Casillas at lcasilla@msudenver.edu.

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.