Horizon Magazine Spring 2018

SPRING 2018

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ARCHITECT OF EMOTIONS

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IS CMU PREPARED?

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Horizon Magazine is published semesterly.

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER: EYSTIN SALUM | PHOTO ILLUSTRATOR: SARAH COEN TITLE PAGE PHOTOGRAPHER: MEGAN DIRKSEN | PHOTO ILLUSTRATOR: SARAH COEN

DEAR READER, Welcome to the Spring 2018 issue of Horizon Magazine. Let’s start at the beginning…

Storytelling has been the primary focus of Horizon Magazine since its founding in 1998, but because the editorial board changes every semester, an identity was never clearly established. The transition between staff began with a clean slate, which in theory seems ideal, but in practice created difficulties for the magazine itself. Past issues were themed which inherently forced each staff member to find a story that fit the particular theme. Horizon was struggling to tell organic stories because we were crafting stories to fit a desired message or outcome. This had to change.

In becoming the editor in chief of Horizon, I had the following goals: improve the production and content quality, build a foundation for the environment of a consistent identity for future issues, foster a more journalistic approach to the storytelling process, create a more interactive and real-world experience for staff members and, of course, use student fees in the most responsible and ethical manner.

The first step was to establish the magazine’s core mission.

Coming to this conclusion seemed daunting, so we let answers come to us. The editors and I sat around the table in our newsroom asserting words and phrases that we thought Horizon embodied.

Perception! Reflection! Accuracy! Human stories! Truth!

Representation! Page by page!

And just like that, we realized Horizon Magazine’s mission: to accurately reflect the students of CMU and the Western Slope community while keeping a central focus on the story, one story at a time.

Once we applied Horizon’s purpose to its content, stories bloomed beautifully and photography worked cohesively with design. In every story worth telling, there is some form of conflict and that truth also transcends to our process telling these stories. Sometimes, interviews didn’t happen soon enough, stories got cut or the photos didn’t turn out right.

Despite all the obstacles, everything fell into place because we allowed it to. We let the stories tell themselves.

We tell the stories of the people who inhabit the streets of Grand Junction, the athletes of CMU and the ambitious alumni with visions for the Western Slope. Every story in this issue offers a lesson — a lesson that may make you feel happy, angry, sad, surprised or even curious. We hope you find the significance in every story because, after all, they are yours.

Enjoy!

Alexis Dymek Editor in chief PHOTOGRAPHER SIENA SHUPE

EDITORIAL BOARD

ALEXIS DYMEK editor in chief

CHRIS MARCINEK managing editor

SIENA SHUPE photography editor

SARAH COEN art director

JOSH CLINE

advertising director

KYLEE CLINE

social media director

EDITORIAL STAFF CASSANDRA BURKEPILE - writer IVONE RODRIGUEZ - writer AMY SULLIVAN - writer JENNA KRETSCHMAN - writer ANTHONY VIGIL - writer MCKENZIE MOORE - writer KAYLA MILLER - writer JULIANNA KENDALL - writer JAKE MELIA - writer EYSTIN SALUM - writer, photographer MEGAN DIRKSEN - writer, photographer CHRISTINA MARTIN - writer, photographer BRIDGETT SKINNER - writer, photographer LOHGAN MCCLUNG - writer, photographer ABIGAIL M. GARTON - writer, photographer MADISON STARBUCK - writer, photographer MIKAYLA HANNEGREFS - photographer BRENNA RHINESS - writer, photographer RYNE DUTCHER - writer, photographer ZACH RODRIGUEZ - writer, photographer, designer KAILEY RIVENBURGH - writer, photographer, designer LOGAN WAGNER - designer JOHN SPRIGGS - designer DAKOTA HUNT - designer MEGHAN SWANSON - designer BRYAN LEU - designer JAMIE VAN DYKE - designer SAGE MEYER - designer AJ URBINA - designer MARK RENTFRO - designer RYSSA ASUNCION - designer MEGAN FROMM - adviser ELI HALL - design consultant

HORIZON Staff

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FEATURED STORIES

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ARCHITECT OF EMOTIONS

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IS CMU PREPARED?

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HUMANS OF GRAND JUNCTION

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HORIZON Spring 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS

06 08 12 14 HIDDEN GEMS campus

ONE STRIDE AT A TIME wellness

ARCHITECT OF EMOTIONS psychology

THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY social media

17 20 22 25 IS CMU PREPARED? safety

STELLAR PARTNERSHIP astronomy

MAVERICK STAMPEDES band

DON'T TAKE IT FOR GRANITE history

28 35 38 40 LOCAL TRAVEL DESTINATIONS

BUZZKILL law

AMERICAN DREAM student

GOING GREEN

sustainability

wellness

42 45 49 54 MAVERICK IN THE HOUSE alumnus

END THE STIGMA mental health

HUMANS OF GRAND JUNCTION

WAR ON WILDLIFE investigative

feature

58 60 MATH AS A LANGUAGE

mathematics

ETHICS IN JOURNALISM ethics

HORIZON Table of Contents

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HIDDEN GEMS WRITER LOHGAN MCCLUNG | DESIGNER SARAH COEN

SOCIAL MEDIA EXPERTS - PUBLIC RELATIONS CLUB

If you have ever wondered who is in control of most of the social presentations and other activities— there is something for media and advertising you see on campus, wonder no more. everyone. However, the most important part of Chemistry “What we do actively is take over social media accounts of Club is the networking it provides between upper and lower clubs and organizations on campus and try to revamp them, gain level students, as well as professors. them followers and help them utilize what social media platforms “When you reach the hard points of your classes, you have a whole community to help you out,” President Erin Bair said. already provide for them,” President Julianna Kendall said.

“We show the fun parts of chemistry, as opposed to what you Not only does PR Club help run social media for different do in class, like notes and lectures.” organizations on campus, but they are also working on branching

Whether you are pursuing a career in science or just need out to take on local businesses as well. Kendall believes that help studying, Chemistry Club is a wonderful learning outlet with the social media proposals they are working on, businesses for science enthusiasts. will see the value of PR Club taking over their social media.

Another essential part of PR Club is Media Day, where high schoolers from all over Colorado visit CMU to learn more about the Mass Communication program and student media such as An essential part of Colorado’s culture revolves around the fish Horizon Magazine, The Criterion, KMSA 91.3 FM and CMU TV. and wildlife inhabiting this wonderful state. This organization offers an educational experience to its members through the guest speakers, workshops, field trips and service that it Chemistry Club provides an excellent opportunity for provides. The hands-on nature of this club helps to prepare aspiring scientists of CMU. They host a slew of events such students for a career related to wildlife biology, environmental as Demos On the Quad, the Carbon Day bake sale, research science and ecology, and is also a great opportunity for those

EDUCATIONAL OUTDOORS - FISH AND WILDLIFE CLUB

A FORMULA FOR FUN - CHEMISTRY CLUB

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HORIZON Spring 2018

MOSS

who simply wish to learn more about the wildlife of Colorado.

Fish and Wildlife club provides an abundance of opportunities for students but perhaps the most valuable is the free hunter safety courses they offer to students.

“Once a year we pair up with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and offer a free hunter safety course, which is a huge deal for people who are interested in getting into hunting or fishing,” Vice President Tyler Walton said. “Fish and Wildlife Club is a great opportunity to get out and find your dream job. There are so many resources like connections with professionals, meeting new people and hands-on experience."

arts. Mesa Thespian Society is also home of CMU’s very own Oddly Appropriate Improv Group, which puts on comedic performances on campus. If you're looking for a group of entertaining performers, the Mesa Thespian Society might be the group for you.

DISCUSSION CLUB - TRUTH MATTERS

Being exposed to different ideas and beliefs on a college campus is important because it offers students a rich educational experience and challenging viewpoints. However, in recent years, college campuses have become more homogeneous in ideology. In response to this lack of discussion, a group of students created a space to discuss different beliefs.

“Mesa Thespian Society is a collection of artists that come “The purpose of Truth Matters is to provide a positive together to discuss and show art. If you like art, or just want and open community that allows the opportunity for any to express yourself, come,” President Justin Whittenburg said. student to be able to ask questions and discuss the more During meetings, students are given the opportunity to serious matters of culture, religion, science and life. This showcase their work and gain valuable feedback from their will allow students to wrestle with what they believe peers. Guest appearances from professionals in the field give and why they believe it,” Vice President of Truth Matters advice to student artists striving for careers in the performing Karissa Erickson said.

PERFORMING MAVERICKS - MESA THESPIAN SOCIETY

HORIZON Campus

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ONE STRIDE AT A TIME THE INSPIRATION, THRILLS AND STRUGGLES OF AN ATHLETE WRITER ANTHONY VIGIL | PHOTOGRAPHER BRENNA RHINESS | DESIGNER MARK RENTFRO

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magine running a competitive long-distance endurance run help others follow their dreams and find what they love to and never knowing what obstacles are ahead on the course do. Weber has held several positions including junior coach, or how to prepare for a race. This is what it is like to compete in volunteer with the elementary school programs, summer camp a Spartan Race — a series of obstacle races of varying distance counselor, assistant director and last year she oversaw four and difficulty ranging from three miles to marathon distances. summer camps throughout western Colorado.

Some of the obstacles include crawling under barbed wire, “I got more involved and started volunteering as much as I navigating monkey bars, climbing over an inverted wall, plus could,” Weber said. “Then I started being a part of the summer much more all on rugged trails. Also, failure to complete an programs. This past year, I got to lead the summer camps. My obstacle means the competitor has to do 30 burpees before overall goal was to inspire one little girl the way I was inspired.” continuing the race.

Executive Director of Girls on the Run Western Colorado Colorado Mesa University student, Spartan racer and and high school cross-country coach, Jill Henwood, coached track and field athlete, Heidi Weber, embraces this kind of Weber for Girls on the Run and Weber’s senior year of crosschallenge when preparing for a Spartan country in high school. Henwood Race. For Weber, Spartan Races were believes that Girls on the Run was a “I DO MOST OF MY OBSTACLE-SPECIFIC not her first introduction to running. positive impact on Weber.

Weber’s passion for running began when TRAINING ON OUR FARM WHERE WE HAVE “Girls on the Run combines the she was much younger.

— the running is just sort of TRACTOR TIRES, HAY BALES AND BUCKETS.” running “I started [running] when I was in third means to an end — and the end is getting grade, and we had this new program in girls to feel confident in who they are and Olathe, [Colo.] called Girls on the Run,” Weber said. “I use to their abilities and giving them life skills,” Henwood said. “She be a super shy girl that would not talk to anybody. Whenever is incredibly giving and generous and will do anything to help my mom let me join, the coaches were super nice and it taught anyone so that’s what we want Girls on the Run to develop.” me to break out of my shell.”

After running track and cross-country in high school, Weber As Weber got older, she joined track and field with the attended a junior college that unfortunately did not offer track mindset of giving back to Girls on the Run. She wanted to or cross-country. Henwood thinks that by going to a college

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that did not offer track or cross-country, it may have helped Weber find a new passion.

“Sometimes you don’t realize how much you enjoy something or how important it is to you until maybe it’s gone for a little while and I know that year was a little hard for her,” Henwood said.

During this time, Weber experienced some challenges when she came to CMU by trying to find what type of running best suited her.

“I came to CMU to run cross-country, but I guess coming from not as much of a background in actual distance running every day, I just got a little overtrained and [it] just ran me down,” Weber said. “My energy decreased and then I’d see people running and I was like, why would you ever want to do that, and I almost quit. My coach talked me into joining track and it reignited the flame.”

The 400-meter and 4x400 meter relay are Weber’s specialty in track at CMU. She is a member of the 4x400 relay that broke the school record in the 2017 outdoor season.

Weber has competed in a total of seven Spartan Races; five times in the Sprint level and two times in the Beast level. One of the Beast level competitions was in Breckenridge, Colo. — it was 14 miles long with over 30 obstacles. Weber placed seventh overall in the female category, earning her an invite to the 2017 Spartan World Championship at Lake Tahoe last September.

Weber finished 55th out of 188 elite female competitors. She was thrilled to get the opportunity to compete among the best racers in the world.

“I got to compete with the pros. It was the most challenging thing I have ever done, mentally and physically,” Weber said.

The championship race was 16.5 miles long, double the obstacles, and instead of carrying one sandbag, she carried two and had to carry them twice the distance.

Henwood believes that growing up in rural western Colorado with an agricultural background has helped Weber’s performance in Spartan Races.

“Heidi takes that ethic to everything she does and that’s sort of the natural fit, is [that] she’s a great runner but she’s strong and hardworking and that’s what is going to get you to [succeed] in something like a Spartan Race,” Henwood said.

Why compete in these grueling obstacle course races?

For Weber, it’s a test of mental and physical strength.

“You don’t know what you’re training for, so you have to train for everything and it makes you more well-rounded as an athlete,” she said.

One element that Weber loves about the Spartan Races is when she thinks she has reached her limits in the race, the obstacles help break up the running part.

“Say you’ve been running for like four miles

without an obstacle and you’re like, I’m done, but then an obstacle comes and it kind of changes energy systems you use so you kind of get the break of running so you get to use your strength in a different way and it just cycles through that same pattern,” Weber said.

Training for an event like a Spartan Race involves more than just running.

“Spartan Races are more like the aerobic training, long distance — but hills, you have to train for those and you have to train in swimming,” Weber said. “You kind of just got to get a five-gallon bucket and fill it up with rocks and start walking and hiking. There are a ton of different aspects to it.”

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of her Spartan Race career is that she does not have a coach.

“I coach myself for Spartan Races,” Weber said. “I do most of my obstacle specific training on our farm where we have tractor tires, hay bales and buckets.”

Ever since Weber competed in the Spartan World Championship, she has come to realize that she has a future in it, as well as competing in CrossFit. “I am really excited to see where I can go with it and hopefully just keep placing higher and higher and maybe [I will] get to travel more and see the world and do the races I love to do,” Weber said. “I am excited to start competing in CrossFit as well, which goes hand in hand with Spartan Races.”

The next Spartan Race Weber plans to compete will be at Fort Carson Army Base near Colorado Springs during May 5, 2018.

H.I.I.T. OR MISS WRITER, PHOTOGRAPHER & DESIGNER ZACH RODRIGUEZ | MODEL KEALLAN DOWELLS

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epending on the person, it’s hit or miss as to what exercises will work for them and which ones won’t. High Intensity Interval Training, or H.I.I.T., is a good way to mix things up in the gym. H.I.I.T. allows each individual to change the intensity level of the workout to match their physical ability. Experiment with different exercises and difficulty levels until an appropriately challenging workout program is found.

“Whether you’re motivated by events or short and long–term goals, the most important thing is taking care of yourself. If you don’t have any goals and if you don’t have any events, just do it to be healthy and to take care of yourself,” Manager of Wellness and Fitness at Hamilton Recreation Center Kylie Holley said.

1

H.I.I.T. is a good option to experiment with.

This type of workout takes up less time in the gym and works the body better than traditional training techniques. Have a 30–minute break?

Do a H.I.I.T. workout.

Holley recommends constructing a workout that involves a push and pull movement for both upper and lower body exercises so that each muscle group gets worked evenly.

This prevents imbalances in strength and body proportion. Each workout should be performed for 30 seconds with 15 seconds of rest between each exercise. With H.I.I.T., one week’s workout might include two H.I.I.T. days, a cardio day and a strength day.

Make sure to do a warm–up and cool– down for each workout.

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PUSH-UP TO KNEE TUCK (ABOVE)

Get into position by placing the feet in the Total Body Resistance Exercise straps (TRX straps) and lay face down on the floor. Get into a high plank (position one) to prepare for a push-up. Make sure the back is flat and not rounded. Engage core muscles, triceps and chest muscles. Bend the arms, lowering the torso to the floor (position two) while keeping core, triceps and chest muscles engaged. Using the triceps and chest muscles, extend the arms and lift the body to return to a high plank (position one) and pull the knees in towards the chest, making sure to use the abdominal muscles (position 3). Alternative: Switch between push-ups (either on knees or on toes) and crunches without using a TRX strap.

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TRX SQUAT-JUMPS (BELOW)

Grab the TRX straps with the arms fully extended and squat down, keeping the arms extended and the back straight — not rounded (position one). The knees should not push forward past the toes. While using the arms as levers and the hands as hooks to keep the body in place, jump using the muscles of the legs and butt (position 2). Alternative: Without jumping, do body squats (either using or not using the TRX straps). Advanced: Do one leg squats with the TRX strap with or without jumping.

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KETTLEBELL SWINGS (RIGHT)

Get into position by holding the kettlebell with the hands at waist height (position one). Hinge at the waist, keeping the back straight and not rounded, shoulders back and chest up, lowering the kettlebell between the legs with the knees slightly bent (position two). Swing the kettlebell up to shoulder height by tightening muscles in the back, extending at the hips, flexing the butt and muscles in the back of the legs while using the arms as levers to swing the kettlebell (position three). This exercise should work the legs and back more than the arms. Alternative: Use a lighter or heavier kettlebell.

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MED BALL SLAMS (LEFT)

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NOTE: Be sure to use a soft ball that doesn't bounce. Start by bending over to pick up the ball, bend at the knees and hips while keeping the back straight (position one). Straighten the knees and hips, raising the ball above the head and completely extend the arms (position two). Tighten the core muscles, throw the arms swiftly towards the floor while slightly bending at the knees and waist and slam the ball into the ground (position three). Alternative: Kneel on one or two knees and perform the same slamming movement with a lighter ball.

Advanced: Standing on one foot at a time, perform the same movements or use a heavier ball. Make sure to alternate between left and right feet.

HORIZON Wellness

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ARCHITECT OF EMOTIONS YOU HAVE MORE CONTROL THAN YOU THINK WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHER EYSTIN SALUM | DESIGNER JOHN SPRIGGS

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rom the overwhelming joy of personal achievement to the heartache of losing a loved one, emotions characterize a large portion of our identities as individuals and as humans. Since the 1880’s, the classical theory of emotion — which suggests that emotions happen instinctually as a response to the world around them — has been widely accepted and mostly unchallenged.

However, psychologist and neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett has constructed a theory that directly challenges the classical theory of emotions. The theory of constructed emotion states that, "humans are in commanding control of their emotions." Barrett’s research has led her to the conclusion that all of the emotions experienced are purely concepts based off of responses from previous experiences.

“We have a physical, emotional experience when we go through something, but that physical experience is determined by the thoughts that we attribute to whatever happens,” Jacob Jones, associate professor of psychology at Colorado Mesa University, said.

Emotional responses attributed to any situation are categorized in the brain as a concept based on past experiences. For example, there are recognizable emotions that exist in one culture but not in another.

This supports Barrett’s theory and implies that an emotion cannot be felt if it has not been previously experienced and conceptualized by the individual.

If a person that was born blind were to undergo surgery and gain their sight, they would see a red apple but they would

MODEL BRIANA SPRUILL

not be able to understand that the apple’s Everybody has past experiences that play redness until they learned the concept of a critical role in their interpretation of the color. Thus, previous knowledge allows present. This theory does not suggest that us to comprehend concepts in a way that people can simply snap their fingers and we can understand. change their emotions. However, it does One function the brain performs is to provide evidence that if we choose how control the many complicated systems to emotionally respond today, then it can in the rest of the body. Interoception change the manner in which our brains is the body's monitoring system that is predict emotions tomorrow. It requires constantly in communication with the awareness to become the architect of of brain, sending status updates. one’s emotions. The direction of energy In the book “How Emotions are Made,” and attention of the mind leads to its Barret writes that “in every waking moment, reactions. People cannot always control your brain uses past experience, organized events that occur, but they can control their as concepts, to guide your actions and interpretation and cognition of an event and give your sensations meaning. When the therefore control their personal outcome. concepts involved are emotional concepts, This state of mind is attained with the your brain constructs instances of emotion." knowledge that humans are overwhelmingly This idea is not entirely new in the in more control of their emotional state psychological realm. It is actually the than we have been led to believe. basis for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy With practice, humans have the capacity (CBT), a primary practice most therapists to dial down emotional suffering by use for improving mental health. Dr. constructing their experiences differently.

Albert Ellis created the ABC Model for It holds major implications of responsibility CBT in 1955. ‘A’ is the activating event in people's personal lives, because if they that happens in life, ‘B’ is a person's belief are not at the mercy of emotions, such as on the event and ‘C ’ is the consequence, fear, then they are totally responsible for feeling, or action as a result of ‘A’ and ‘B.’ their actions. So-called ‘uncontrollable Therapists tr y to intervene at the belief emotions’ cannot be blamed for any stage to hopefully change or influence misguided behavior, they have always been future consequences. responsible as the only ones that can change “If you can go back and change the way their personal behavior. you process an emotion, then you can Admittedly, Dr. Barrett states that actively, in the present, change the way this responsibility can be a tough pill to you react,” Jones said. “How can you change swallow for some. However, she suggests your thoughts on what happened so that to embrace it sooner rather than later. “It we can create a new is the path to a healthier emotional experience. a more just and "EVERYBODY HAS PAST EXPERIENCES body, Use it to grow and informed legal system, and move forward. Change THAT PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN THEIR a more flexible and potent the way you process it.” emotional life.”

INTERPRETATION OF THE PRESENT." The signif icance Jagadish Va s u d e v, commonly known as of Barrett’s theory of constructed emotion is established with Sadhguru, is an Indian yogi and mystic that the suggestion that humans are capable preaches about a philosophical theory that of formulating their own feelings in every is very similar to the theory of constructed waking moment, backed by 50 years of emotion. Both figures implicate tremendous research and over 200 scholarly articles. rewards with an even greater responsibility in Understanding how to interpret events the lives people live every present moment. can potentially alter emotional reactions “If you choose, you can be joyful every and free the individual from the burden moment of your life. It's time you made of an emotional scar. your choice.” — Sadhguru

HORIZON Psychology

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THE

, THE

, & THE

HOW SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCES OUR LIVES WRITER IVONE RODRIGUEZ | PHOTOGRAPHER & DESIGNER SARAH COEN | MODEL NATHAN TURNER

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hile social media has provided an incredible, instant ventures,” Nicoletti said. He views social media as something connection for some people, it has also been a double- to take advantage of since we live in the digital age. “Even edged sword in its negative impact for others. Without the though you may not like using social media, it’s important to rise of social media, what would society be like? Today, most at least familiarize yourself with it because it will be a useful people are glued to their phones at all times. They wake up tool now and in the future.” and check social media first thing in the morning, look at the Unfortunately, social media has become the perfect place number of likes they have gotten and compare themselves to for bullying and anonymous attacks on others. CMU Mass the seemingly perfect lives of others.

Communication Professor, Elaine Venter specializes in Colorado Mesa University student and business major Bruno emerging media and knows the ins and outs of its adverse Nicoletti, 22, built his following on Instagram by what seemed effects, as well as its benefits. “[It’s] more under the microscope like chance. The large following he has accumulated on Instagram led to the "THEY WAKE UP AND CHECK SOCIAL MEDIA than it’s ever been,” Venter said. growth of his other social media accounts.

Venter explained that the FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, LOOK AT most obvious issue is the power “I was dating a girl with a lot of followers who went viral, so I got a lot of followers THE NUMBER OF LIKES THEY HAVE GOTTEN of anonymity online. Facebook is taking steps to avoid catfishing by from that ... I have the most followers on AND COMPARE THEMSELVES TO THE [my] Instagram at 17.2k,” he said. being more strict with verification of a person’s identity. In comparison, Twitter For Nicoletti, social media has yet to SEEMINGLY PERFECT LIVES OF OTHERS." be destructive to his personal life and is more lenient, thus fake accounts are he intends to grow and enhance his online image even more. more common. Sites like LinkedIn have opened the door to “I plan on using my account as a marketing tool for future job opportunities by being able to connect with employers,

as well as employees. Venter has found connections through other professors online and had the opportunity to join a classroom in Egypt and learned how their digital media and Internet laws compare to those of the United States. Though there are great opportunities like she has experienced, she does make a point that not everyone may be the same person they claim to be online.

“You never really know if the person you’re talking to is the person you’re talking to,” Venter said.

There have been instances where employers find content on the profile of an applicant that does not fit with the company’s image. Venter explained that employers do not have the right to go through someone’s profile and not hire someone based on what they see. This certainly does happen, but it is hard to prove because an employer isn’t required to give a reason why an applicant was not hired.

“It’s illegal to do that kind of digging on someone’s personal life, but that doesn’t mean they don’t do it,” she said.

Remember that social media can be as detrimental as it is advantageous. Now, more than ever, one’s digital footprint will be online forever.

IS CMU PREPARED? CAMPUS EVALUATES WHAT TO DO DURING AN ACTIVE SHOOTER EVENT WRITER JULIANNA KENDALL | PHOTOGRAPHER & DESIGNER KAILEY RIVENBURGH

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unshots erupt from the classroom across the hall from yours. As bullets fly at over 3,000 feet per second, thoughts of where to go and what to do ambush your mental process.

You decide that your safest option is to stay in the classroom, turn the lights off and lock the door. But what do you do if the doors cannot lock from the inside and no one has reported the shooting to police?

In February, Colorado Mesa University added a new segment to their Emergency Response Guideline — how to respond to an active shooter on campus. According to CMU’s Director of Media Relations Dana Nunn, the segment was added on the same day the Parkland, Florida shooting occurred at Marjory

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HORIZON Spring 2018

Stoneman Douglas High School. It took less than seven minutes for the gunman there to kill 17 people with an AR-15.

“We have a whole variety of technologies in place that makes us safer than many campuses, but at the end of the day we aren’t designed to prevent mass violent incidents — we are designed to provide you with a really outstanding learning environment,” Vice President of Student Services John Marshall said. “I think we have labored a lot to provide training, resources and education.”

The active shooter

segment lays out content provided by the Hall, they can be put on an automatic lockdown.

FBI and gives three options that someone The National Association of State Fire Marshals has in the case of an active shooter: run, published a suggested classroom door checklist hide, or fight. Each of these has multiple for school security in conjunction with the Sandy tips to best accomplish whichever option Hook Advisory Committee, stating the following: best fits the situation.

1) The door should be lockable from inside the For example, when choosing to run it states, classroom without requiring the door to be opened. “have an escape route and plan in mind,” or 2) Egress [exit] from the classroom through the when picking to fight, it suggests to “act with classroom door should be without the use of a as much physical aggression as possible.” key, a tool, special knowledge, or effort.

“You have to think about it ahead of time 3) For egress, unlatching the classroom door from and have a predetermined plan so when it inside the classroom should be accomplished happens, you don’t have to stop and make with one operation. these thoughts,” Grand Junction Police Officer 4) The classroom door should be lockable and Hina Telinde said. “You know what to do and unlockable from outside the classroom. that increases your chances of survival.”

5) Door operating hardware shall be operable One of the tips under the “hide” option without tight grasping, tight pinching, or is to “lock door or block entry to your hiding twisting of the wrist. place,” leaving many students and teachers 6) Door hardware operable parts should be located wondering why they can’t lock classroom between 34 and 48 inches above the floor. The bottom 10 inches of the “push” side of the door doors from the inside.

“It may be hard to contact them[police],” surface should be smooth.

CMU sophomore Karina Saucedo-Chavez said. 7) If the school building does not have an “The judgment of a automatic fire sprinkler teacher or student "ONE OF THE TIPS UNDER THE "HIDE" OPTION IS system, the classroom may be better and door hardware TO "LOCK DOOR OR BLOCK ENTRY TO YOUR HIDING door because they could may be required to be react faster. I trust PLACE," LEAVING MANY STUDENTS AND TEACHERS fire-rated and the door should be self-closing the judgment of all WONDERING WHY IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO LOCK these teachers, and and self- latching.

I think they would 8) If the door is required CLASSROOM DOORS FROM THE INSIDE." be able to react.” to be f ire-rated, the Depending on the building, many of CMU’s door should not be modified in any way that buildings have an automated remote control invalidates the required fire-rating of the door lock that can be accessed with a card swipe. and/or door hardware.

If an active shooter were to attack a building In addition to being able to lock a door from like Escalante Hall, Houston Hall or Dominguez the inside, training for an active shooter and

HORIZON Safety

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"THE SCHOOL OFFERS TRAINING TO TEACHERS AND STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WHETHER IT BE IN TEACHER/STUDENT ORIENTATION, FYI OR A TRAINING SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR STAFF PERSONNEL. " situational awareness is also stressed as an important step to be prepared. The school offers training to teachers and students throughout the year, whether it be in teacher/student orientation, FYI or a training specifically designed for staff personnel.

The Campus Safety Officer Program includes five full-time Grand Junction police officers on campus. Their station is located north of campus at 1060 Orchard Avenue. They also provide training for anyone interested in learning more about safety.

“It’s more of a request thing, but we don’t really get them,” Grand Junction Police Officer Isaac Gallegos said. “We are happy to provide training anytime people ask us to. We even come in our off-time to do presentations because it is important to us.”

CMU Student and President of CMU Collegiate National Association for Music Education (CNAFME) Darcy Dackonish contacted Director of Campus Safety and Student Conduct Sergeant Pua Utu to set up a session with the police department for her club and “highly encourages” other club presidents to “dedicate a meeting to campus safety.”

“We all hope that we never have to use the information received in these meetings, but CNAFME [band members] students seem to have greater peace of mind now that they know what precautions they can take for their own safety,” Dackonish said. “When I discussed the presentation with Sergeant Utu, we concluded that these officers possess a wealth of specialized knowledge, and students in our club would benefit most by asking about the aspects of policing that they are most curious about.

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Students in CNAFME received great information regarding the incident on how to assess threats to one's personal safety, situational awareness, and of course, the "Run, Hide, Fight" principle for an active shooter situation.”

CMU also has an automated text notification system to keep students updated and a ‘person of concern’ form on the school website that can be filled out anonymously, notifying officials of anyone who may seem deranged, acting different or strange or susceptible to cause harm to themselves or others.

“Our best time, resource and energy investment is on the frontline by prevention, education, detection and disruption,” Marshall said. “It really requires a campus culture saying ‘I’m going to care enough about you.’

That requires an ongoing commitment from all of us.”

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A STELLAR PARTNERSHIP

CMU AND AIR FORCE ACADEMY TO ESTABLISH TELESCOPE ON GRAND MESA WRITER JENNA KRETSCHMAN | PHOTOGRAPHER MEGAN DIRKSEN | DESIGNER LOGAN WAGNER

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This August, CMU will become one of the few FTN partner ith its low humidity, frequent clear nights, high institutions in the world as it becomes the eighth operational elevation and nearly zero light pollution, the Grand partner in the network.

Mesa has the perfect conditions for the Air Force’s newest The total cost of this project to CMU is about $30,000 for astronomical research observatory.

Colorado Mesa University has partnered with the United the observatory building, plus an additional $200 per month States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs to for electricity and internet access. The observatory itself is establish a world-class telescope on the Grand Mesa as part of worth an estimated $250,000, the majority of which will be the Falcon Telescope Network. contributed by the Air Force.

The Falcon Telescope Network (FTN) is a collection of The telescope will be stationed on the property of the Grand research grade, 20-inch Ritchey-Chrétien telescopes that Mesa Observatory, a nonprofit organization established in peer into space from various locations Dec. 2017 whose mission is to educate the around the world. The Department community about science and astronomy.

“I’D LIKE TO DO SPECTRA OF STARS THAT of Physics at USAFA developed the There are currently six telescopes at the FTN. They provide the telescopes and ARE VARIABLE AND INTRODUCE STUDENTS Grand Mesa Observatory, most of which are equipment to universities, while the primarily dedicated to astrophotography.

TO HOW YOU MAY POTENTIALLY DETECT partnering university provides the The FTN telescope will become the seventh building and the infrastructure required telescope on site. It is approximately 56 EXOPLANETS AROUND OTHER STARS.” to support an observatory. percent more efficient in gathering light Each observatory in the network shares raw image data than the next biggest telescope at the observatory due to its to all FTN partners around the world, allowing each station larger size and dedicated scientific instruments, according to to simultaneously view objects in space from various angles CMU Associate Professor of Physics Jared Workman. Research on Earth. There are currently three FTN partners in Colorado, performed with the telescope will be overseen by Workman. two in Australia, one in Chile and one in Pennsylvania. There Students will have access to the raw data from this telescope, are plans for telescopes in Hawaii, South Africa and Germany. as well as from the other seven operational telescopes in the

FTN. The telescopes themselves operate remotely, meaning one does not have to be on the Grand Mesa in order to collect data.

“Today, people have that idea that you go to a telescope and there’s an eyepiece, and you change eyepieces. But the reality is that in telescopes that are being used for research, you don’t have an eyepiece on it anymore. It’s very similar to the things that you would have on digital cameras but much higher end,” Workman said. “You log on to these things remotely and set up observing schedules.”

He hopes to work with students to study the spectra of variable stars, as well as exoplanetary photometry. This involves identifying astronomical bodies that may be orbiting around stars outside of our solar system.

“There are planets in the exoplanetary database that have not been confirmed as exoplanets. If enough people go and say, ‘this looks like an exoplanet,’ you get NASA checking it out and confirming or refuting its existence,” Workman said. “I’d like to do spectra of stars that are variable and introduce students to how you may potentially detect exoplanets around other stars.”

Any student, regardless of major, will be able to work with the telescope, as it only requires a basic understanding of trigonometry. Next fall, Workman hopes to incorporate data from the telescope into his astronomy class. He is also developing a paid summer internship that will launch in the coming years.

“The straightforward goal is to get people interested in areas of STEM, so I’m looking for people from any discipline. If you can do trigonometry and you’re willing to try to learn a little bit of computer programming, I’d be more than happy to have people come and talk to me,” Workman said. “I’m predominately excited about being able to bring research in astronomy down to a level where students don’t need to be in their second semester of their senior year of physics to know what I’m talking about.”

While the general public won’t have access to the FTN telescope, the Grand Mesa Observatory holds public viewing nights in which people from the community may view the night sky using some of the other telescopes on site, as well as tour the facility and view demonstrations of the equipment.

“Stay tuned. There are potential future enhancements to CMU’s observational astronomy capabilities coming up over the next couple years,” Workman said.

The telescope is expected to be ready to use in August, just in time for the 2018-19 school year.

MAVERICK STAMPEDES INTO NEW FACILITY NEW BUILDING MAKES MARCHING BAND PRACTICE EASIER

WRITER MCKENZIE MOORE | PHOTOGRAPHER BRENNA RHINESS | DESIGNER SAGE MEYER | MODEL TIM MCKEE

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f marching bands have mastered anything, it’s the art of good a gate, down a lower level on the field, and we didn’t have a timing; construction workers had just finished building the lot of room to put things on the field. There were all sorts of new Colorado Mesa University Maverick Stampede practice logistical problems that didn’t allow us to maximize rehearsal facility minutes before the drumline set foot in the building time,” Hinkle said. for their first rehearsal.

During construction of the practice facility, Hinkle kept Just in time for its fifth season, CMU’s ever-growing marching the needs of the band in mind and lobbied for proper storage band took its operation to a practice facility dedicated solely to and rehearsal space. the university’s athletic bands. The Maverick Stampede logo is “People that aren’t in band don’t quite understand what stamped on the middle of the turf field, located across Orchard it takes to get a rehearsal going. I tried to teach the people Avenue on the northeastern end of campus. who helped us with the facility what we needed and why we The university marching band practices six hours per week needed it,” he said.

— with additional rehearsals on game days — to perfect each After one season in the new facility, he believes it will help season’s show. Drill movements are rehearsed to near-perfect the band program continue to grow and improve. precision and paired with music, which requires specific, “We have the infrastructure now that is really setting our subtle changes in dynamics, articulation and tune. In order future up for big-time success,” Hinkle said. “I’m looking forward to focus on creating an artful and entertaining performance, to seeing what happens with the building.” the band needs proper space and time Adrianna Garcia, cymbals section leader to rehearse effectively.

“WE HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE NOW in the Maverick Stampede drumline, said Before having a dedicated facility, the new storage space alone has had a THAT IS REALLY SETTING OUR FUTURE UP the Maverick Stampede stored instruments positive impact on the athletic bands. The and equipment in a small room in the building can store large instruments, cases FOR BIG-TIME SUCCESS.” Mav Pav. They practiced on the nearby and uniform racks, then still have room football practice field, where they had to share the space left over to use as rehearsal space. with other campus organizations and individuals who would “Just the sheer amount of room that we have… instead of it sometimes use space on the field while the band was rehearsing. being like a game of Tetris, it’s more like, ‘what’s actually best Maverick Stampede band director Jonathan Hinkle says the for this instrument?’” Garcia explained. Proper storage saves facility has improved the quality of rehearsals by allowing time at the end of practice and reduces damage to instruments. members to start practice in a timely manner.

The facility also gives the band a permanent location in which “We were moving equipment around the Mav Pav, through they can rehearse as needed rather than try to schedule around

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other organizations that also shared the field.

Maverick Stampede drum major Darcy Dackonish mentions how the dedicated field impacts the productivity of rehearsals.

“We love having our very own field. Rehearsals and game days are infinitely more productive now that we do not have to worry about interruptions by other organizations that need to use the field,” Dackonish said.

With only the athletic bands using the facility, cleanliness and organization have improved and allowed the band to rehearse without distractions.

“I cannot emphasize how nice it is to not see trash and gum on the field we march on anymore,” Dackonish continued. “The marching members are the only ones that use that field and we take very good care of it.”

The turf on the practice field is shorter than usual to reduce friction and allow band members to march more efficiently. It also gives the band a dedicated space to hold events, such as inviting local high school band members to the field for CMU Band Day — a recruitment process that gives Grand Valley students a firsthand college marching experience.

Garcia says the facility will help attract prospective students to CMU. “I think it’s a huge draw-in for any music kid who is planning on marching to see that the university cares about the marching band,” she said.

Dackonish agrees. “No other band in Colorado has a facility quite like this, and this serves as a great selling point to future members,” she said.

Garcia says the marching band plays a much bigger role at the university than many may think.

“When you go to college, the first thing you hear is the marching band playing as you’re coming onto campus,” she said.

“The last thing you hear as you walk off the stage getting your diploma is the band playing you out… it’s just constant energy that we provide for football games and basketball games… we are the soundtrack to the university life,” Garcia said.

Dackonish says the impact is even more prominent in band members.

“I think being involved in extracurricular activities is so important in college. Otherwise, the best years of your life can easily be dominated by study groups and constant stress.

Everybody deserves a chance to forget about school and play music with their friends a few times a week,” she said.

The athletic band program will continue to use the practice facility and hopes to improve upon it in the future. Until then, current and future band members will enjoy the dedicated space and it is likely to attract prospective students to CMU.

DON’T TAKE IT FOR GRANITE TELLING THE GEOLOGIC STORY OF THE GRAND VALLEY WRITER KAYLA MILLER | DESIGNER MEGHAN SWANSON | ILLUSTRATOR BRYAN LEU

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he last light of the day shines onto the Book Cliffs, showcasing purple, pink and gold colors that many in the Grand Valley look forward to seeing each evening. The Book Cliffs, Colorado National Monument and Grand Mesa are all unique and compelling geological formations that surround the Grand Valley.

“We are sitting in a classroom for geology, and the geological features that we are exposed to are amazing,” Associate Director of Development at Colorado Mesa University and geology enthusiast Rick Adleman said.

Looking back hundreds of millions of years, the Grand Valley had an ancient mountain range that was then worn down by erosion. Then, layers of sediment were deposited on top of this ancient mountain range, forming a delta system.

The Mancos Sea came through, which was 500 to 1,500 feet deep, and is where

Mancos Shale comes from. As the years went by, more sediment was deposited, creating the Mesa Verde formation.

Adleman describes each of the sedimentary formations as layer cakes. Each formation in the Grand Valley has distinct layers of rock and each layer tells a story of the geologic history.

The Book Cliffs are famous in geology for the story it tells, and many universities study the Book Cliffs formation. The Book Cliffs are also the longest escarpment in the world, winding about 200 miles from Helper, Utah and ending near Palisade, Colo., in De Beque Canyon.

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The Book Cliffs are layered with many different types of soil.

The top of the Book Cliffs is Mesa Verde sandstone, which is on top of a layer of Mancos Shale — the same soil that makes up most of the Grand Valley floor.

The Grand Mesa has Mancos Shale underneath its top layer of basalt. The top layer of the Mesa was formed by a lava flow that was near Green Mountain. There was a valley where the Mesa is now, and the lava flow filled up the valley, forming hard volcanic basalt on top of the old sedimentary layer.

The basalt top layer was more resilient and resisted erosion, while the surrounding sediment eroded away around it. This erosion caused the basalt cap on the valley floor to rise up, reversing what was once a valley into what we know today as the Grand Mesa.

THE GRAND MESA (LANDS END)

THE EVOLUTION OF MAIN STREET HOW MAIN STREET REVITALIZED GRAND JUNCTION

WRITER KAYLA MILLER PHOTOGRAPHER RYNE DUTCHER | DESIGNER MEGHAN SWANSON

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The Colorado National Monument tells a different story of the history of the Grand Valley. The Monument was part of the ancient mountain range as well, and at the base are dark purple, Precambrian granite rocks. Geologists say that the monocline was formed during a mountain-building phase called the Laramide Orogeny, then different layers were formed on top. The Wingate formation explains how this area was like the Sahara Desert because the Wingate sandstone — the tall redorange cliffs in the Monument — are fossilized sand dunes.

The Wingate sandstone is approximately 200 million years old and was deposited during the Jurassic period.

“Visually it’s stunning and beautiful, that’s one part of the beauty, but I think the other part of the beauty is the story they tell about all the plants and animals that have walked in the same spot 300 million years ago,” Adleman said.

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alking down Main Street can evoke a meaning that all structures for businesses and nostalgic feeling as historic and modern houses at the time were tents. Many railroad buildings line the street. The sidewalks are lined towns did not survive after the railroad was with trees and artwork, creating a pleasant built, but Grand Junction was one that did. atmosphere. Downtown Grand Junction Lifelong resident Marie Tipping has lived in has much to offer for anyone who wants to Grand Junction for 73 years. She describes Main experience a small yet thriving town with Street as being wide and a place where you knew events, shopping and eating. everybody. “I kind of like the way For Main Street to get where “I KIND OF LIKE THE WAY IT it used to be, but it’s got to grow, or it dies,” Tipping said. it is today, a lot had to happen USED TO BE, BUT IT’S GOT and change. On Sept. 26, 1881, In the 1960’s Main Street the town site was established. became heavily trafficked and TO GROW, OR IT DIES,” The original town occupied a the area was getting worn. square mile from 1st Street to 12th Street and Operation Foresight began in 1962, which from North Avenue to South Avenue. During was the plan for renovation of downtown the summer of 1882, George Addison Crawford Grand Junction. They reconstructed buildings, incorporated the town of Grand Junction and streets and expanded parking. When the formed a municipal government. project was complete, Main Street was closer Grand Junction was founded a year before to what it is today.

Today, investments in Main Street have paid the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad came through. When the railroad came to town in dividends to the city of Grand Junction, attracting 1887, the population began to grow to around business investors and emerging markets.

2,000. The town was originally a tent city,

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CRESTED BUTTE | PHOTOGRAPHER MEGAN DIRKSEN

FIVE MUST-SEE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS WEST OF THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE WRITER ALEXIS DYMEK | DESIGNER & ILLUSTRATOR DAKOTA HUNT

  Whether you are a student, local or transplant, anyone is bound to journey to one of the many nearby destinations that surround Grand Junction. Here are a few popular travel destinations that Mavs enjoy exploring.

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CRESTED BUTTE WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHER MEGAN DIRKSEN

Crested Butte is a small ski town nestled in the Elk Range, just south over the mountains from Aspen. Often times, locals and tourists alike can be seen around town with their skis and snowboards, ready to venture up to the ski resort on Mt. Crested Butte.

From Niky’s Mini Donuts and Ice Cream Parlor to Camp 4 Coffee, there are a plethora of boutiques and local shops in the town. Especially on snowy days, Camp 4 Coffee is normally packed with what seems like the entire population of Crested Butte. Residents and visitors gather inside to enjoy a cup of Blue Mesa Blend, warm up and enjoy friendly conversation.

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TELLURIDE WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHER MEGAN DIRKSEN | PHOTOGRAPHER BRIDGETT SKINNER

  Telluride is one of the many mountain towns in Colorado that thrive in both summer and fall. During the winter, the town is full of ski and snowboard lovers, and also people who want to stay warm and cozy inside a coffee shop. In the summer, Telluride hosts music, film and art festivals that attract people from all over the world. There is also Bridal Veil Falls, which you can see from the downtown area, as well as plenty of hiking and off-roading opportunities.

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OURAY WRITERS JAKE MELIA & CHRISTINA MARTIN | PHOTOGRAPHER CHRISTINA MARTIN

The towering peaks that surround the small town give Ouray the nickname, “Switzerland of America.� Historical Main Street runs through the town below Mt. Abrams and is home to buildings that date back to the nineteenth century.

Tunnels were bored into mountain sides to extract gold, silver, copper and other precious metals, putting Ouray on the mining map in Colorado.

Alongside the rich history of Ouray, the natural terrain features offer seasonal recreational activities for activities such as hiking, biking, rock climbing and rock-crawling with off-road vehicles. During the winter months, intrepid climbers scale frozen waterfalls in Box Canyon. The annual Ouray Ice Festival has everything from beginner workshops to a competition that attracts world-class ice climbers. Ouray is one of the top ice climbing destinations in the country, contributing to the local economy during the winter.

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PALISADE WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHER BRIDGETT SKINNER

Palisade is well known for its peach orchards and wine vineyards. With a mild climate suitable for growing, Palisade is home to many wineries and orchards. If you aren’t much of a wine person, Palisade also has a brewery and distillery.

Beer in wine country? The folks at Palisade Brewing Company make it possible by using local ingredients in a micro-style fashion. Don’t forget to grab a sampler or some delicious smoked pulled pork when you visit.

Once you’re done enjoying the award-winning Dirty Hippie Dark American Wheat beer or grubbing on a BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich, head over to the distillery just down the road.

Peach Street Distillers also uses local ingredients, and you can see, “many of the trees [their] ingredients grow on, from [their] distillery door.” More specifically, Peach Street uses their famous GOAT vodka, as well as other liquors, in their cocktails.

They also offer gin, whiskey and brandy.

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MOAB, CO UTAH

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SEE OUR CORRECTION ON PAGE 64

WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHER KAILEY RIVENBURGH

  Moab is an inviting town no matter what time of year you come. Adventure lurks around every river bend, rock formation and beaten trail. Ask any local about the secret spots nobody knows, what food is good, what hikes are the best and where the best places to camp are.

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BUZZKILL

COLORADO CANNABIS INDUSTRY SHRUGS OFF THREATS FROM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHER ABIGAIL M. GARTON | DESIGNER MARK RENTFRO & MEGHAN SWANSON

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in ending marijuana prohibition.

As various senators have opposed and threatened retaliation against Session’s ruling, it seems that the movement to legalize marijuana is not going down easy in the fight with the federal government’s prejudice against pot.

“Justice Department officials would not say whether they intended to carry out a crackdown and begin prosecuting commercial growers, distributors and shopkeepers, or were instead merely trying to sow doubt and slow growth in the semi-legal industry,” The New York Times reported.

In states like Colorado that have decriminalized recreational usage of marijuana, the discrepancy between state and federal law could cause issues for the industry. The threat of this federal overruling creates uncertainty for dispensaries and could lead to legal trouble.

Colorado Weedery is the recreational side of Colorado Alternative Health Care in Palisade, Colo. A call to this dispensary shows the

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he move by the federal government to pull the trump card and disregard state laws could impact the marijuana industry in a number of ways. Even in its early stage of development, the movement to legalize marijuana is not faltering — at least not in Colorado.

The protection afforded state marijuana legalization under the Obama era ‘Cole Memo’ has been rescinded, opening the possibility to federal enforcement of drug laws. The federal government still classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug, alongside heroin, LSD and meth.

“Marijuana is a dangerous drug. Marijuana activity is a serious crime,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement. However, states that have legalized marijuana for recreational use are not giving in to this misrepresentation.

Colorado became the first state to legalize recreational marijuana with the passage of Colorado Amendment 64 in November of 2012.

“Senator Cory Gardner, Republican of Colorado, threatened to retaliate by holding up Justice Department appointments that require Senate approval,” The New York Times reported in an article.

The rescinding of the Obama era policy on marijuana by the federal government seems to be uniting states under their mutual interest

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attitude of the company; before prompting callers to leave a voicemail, the answering machine leaves a less-than-subtle statement about their viewpoint.

“Thank you for calling Colorado Weedery, we are open from 9am to 8pm, seven days a week, for the rest of our lives.” The message gives the impression that this dispensary believes in marijuana legalization and has no intention of backing down at the threat of prosecution from the federal government.

Colorado Weedery’s website lays out their vision, ending with this statement: “We constantly strive to educate and inform on the health and social benefits of cannabis, while also working to dispel the common misconceptions surrounding this amazing plant and cannabis culture in general.”

These misconceptions are felt by many individuals in the pot industry. Natalie Ricks, manager at Rocky Mountain Cannabis in Ridgway, Colo., said when she first started working at the dispensary four years ago, she wasn’t sure if she could tell people that she worked at a pot shop because she was aware of the stigma surrounding the plant.

Her community has become more accepting of the plant since its legalization.

"THANK YOU FOR CALLING COLORADO WEEDERY, WE ARE OPEN FROM 9 A.M. TO 8 P.M., SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES."

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“It’s amazing to see the evolution of people accepting it more and more now,” Ricks said.

“There is no going back now. When we first heard [of the federal ruling] we were a little nervous. Once the attorney general of Colorado said that he wasn’t going to prosecute anyone here, and we saw a lot of attorney generals in all the legal states stand up, I think that eased a lot of our fears,” Ricks said. “We’re hoping that the more states that push for it, the more we can continue with this. I feel like with the amount of states that have legalized it, there is no turning back at this point.”

Despite the federal threat, Ricks stated that they have not seen any effect on their sales in response to the Trump administration ruling. “Everyone is using pot: [even] your Trump voter,” she said.

Ricks spoke of the relationship between the pot shops in her town and that, rather than competing with the other shops in town, the shops are on good terms. “I think as a community we are all pretty strong here; just

in the marijuana industry in general, you see a really tight-knit community,” Ricks said.

When asked about the reasons behind the federal ruling and the prohibition of pot in the first place, Ricks acknowledged that prejudice played a large role in the laws surrounding marijuana. “The more people realize that everyone can benefit from marijuana in their own way, I think the less criminal it is seen,” she said.

Ricks explained that she felt “the biggest thing is realizing how many people use marijuana, and it’s not just to get high.

Marijuana is so good medicinally, and everyone from your 82-year-old grandma to kids with really serious seizures can benefit from marijuana. My biggest thing is it’s been so un-researched, there’s so much potential there, like why not? We have this opioid crisis going on in America. Instead of putting more money into producing more prescription drugs, let’s put time and energy into using cannabis and see what that can do. It has remarkable effects on pain and cancer.”

Ricks was not apprehensive in her desire to educate people on marijuana. The message she wants to convey to people is clear. “[I want to] ease everyone’s worries that this isn’t bad, this is a beautiful thing and it’s really good for our economy,” Ricks said.

HEMP: ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL ADVANTAGES MONTROSE BUSINESS OWNER MAKES CASE FOR INDUSTRIAL HEMP WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHER ABIGAIL M. GARTON | DESIGNER MARK RENTFRO & MEGHAN SWANSON

“ The Declaration of Independence was written on hemp paper,” founder of Little Flower Hemp Shop in Montrose, Colo.

Peggie Baker said.

Baker opened her hemp shop one year ago. Hemp can be used to produce biodegradables such as paper, body oil, lotion, plastic, construction material, food for pets and humans, clothing and fuel. Through its many uses, the hemp plant not only has environmental benef its, but it is also economically benef icial.

“In terms of building materials, this is a carbon negative material, so we’re not only contributing to the environment by using hemp. It ’s actually sucking carbon out of the air [and] the soil,” Jessica Klein, co-founder of Little Flower Hemp Shop said.

“It takes up to four months to regenerate hemp.

It takes 40 years to grow a tree; so if we use hemp, think of all the trees we wouldn’t have to cut down,” Baker said. “I really, really don’t understand why people are not out marching to get this legal and calling senators and congressmen.”

Hemp products are plant-based and biodegradable and the variety of products that can be manufactured from hemp is broad. Hemp seeds are edible and highly nutritious, falling in the superfood categor y. Baker and Klein sell hemp supplements that are aimed at the endocannabinoid system, creating balance within the body.

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WRITER IVONE RODRIGUEZ | PHOTOGRAPHER MADISON STARBUCK | DESIGNER RYSSA ASUNCION

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he alarm sounds at 7 am and he heads off to work. When taken. Definitely wouldn't have had the opportunity to take he isn’t working, he is in class, jotting down notes as the a path filled with college, financial success and even a good professor quickly flips through a PowerPoint presentation. He is daily life if I couldn't even drive,” he said. “I think at the like any 22-year-old college student in the United States, hoping end of the day if they want to deport me they’ll find a way. to better his future. He feels as American as any other U.S. I believe if they wanted to they would’ve done it already. I citizen, yet his uncertain future holds him in constant limbo. have essentially put my trust in the government but it’s the “I really got a little worried just because I wasn’t sure if I’d best I have for right now.” get deported,” Colorado Mesa University student Jose Terriquez DACA recipients must renew an application every two said. He immigrated to America with his parents who wanted years in order to keep their immigration status. Application a better and secure future for their children. Terriquez has fees are $495 per person, according to the National not been to Mexico since he immigrated at the age of 2; the Immigration Law Center. The cost begins to add up if an U.S. is the place he calls home. entire family is undocumented, adding financial stress “I mean, I literally have no memories from Mexico because and burden. Applicants must submit their applications I came here at such a young age so if I ever got deported, I before the expiration date, making it very important to would in a sense, be thrown into a completely new world,” make arrangements and payments before the deadline. To he said. Even though Terriquez does have family in Mexico, be eligible for DACA status, applicants must have a nearhe hasn’t met any of them. If he were to be deported, he spotless criminal record.

“The kicker is how good of a lawyer you need to help you would be reunited with strangers. “[Deportation] would definitely be frightening because fill out the paperwork. I generally pay about another $100 everything I’ve ever worked for or everyone I’ve ever met in for a lawyer but I have friends that end up paying over $2000 the USA would completely be taken because of their bad records so they away from me,” he said, recalling a better lawyer. So for what I "DEPORTATION WOULD DEFINITELY BE FRIGHTENING need pay, it’s not horrible; I basically pay the moment he became aware of the uncertainty of his immigration status. $1 a day to stay in the U.S., which is BECAUSE EVERYTHING I'VE EVER WORKED FOR Terriquez is one of the almost less than coffee. It does suck that I OR EVERYONE I'VE EVER MET IN THE USA WOULD 800,000 young people protected have to continuously pay and even under the Deferred Action for then, it’s still not 100% guaranteed, COMPLETELY BE TAKEN AWAY FROM ME." Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which but for less than $1 investment a was established by the Obama administration in 2012. day for assurance that I won’t get deported, that’s a good Those protected under DACA — also known as “Dreamers” price to pay,” Terriquez said.

— are able to work legally and obtain a driver’s license. For Timothy Foster, president of CMU, sent an email to all Terriquez, DACA gave him peace of mind when it came to students in February of 2017: his job for the past five years. It also meant trusting the “ With regards to undocumented students, CMU has government with all of his personal information, something quietly been a statewide leader in supporting our students, many undocumented people are hesitant about for the fear regardless of immigration status. We were providing a of being deported at any moment. pathway to students to get an education — again, regardless “Without DACA, I have no idea what path I would’ve of immigration status — because we believe deeply in the

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power of a college degree to change our communities and empower families.”

No matter what happens, CMU is committed to making sure each student has the opportunity to broaden their horizons through education. Whether or not Terriquez chooses to go down a different path, it’s clear that DACA created a foundation which enables success for him.

“My future is to have my own business, primarily it will be all run online, so essentially it could put me anywhere in the world and I’ll be okay. That being said, I still love this country very much for all of the things that it offers,” Terriquez said.

ADVANCING SUSTAINABILITY ON CAMPUS WRITERS ALEXIS DYMEK & CASSANDRA BURKEPILE | DESIGNER & ILLUSTRATOR JAMIE VAN DYKE

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hen the Sustainability Council Vice incoming freshmen and students. It’s completely President Meghan Cline returned to reusing [items] which for one, is obviously better Colorado Mesa University after attending for the environment and reusing it until you the Association for the Advancement of can’t use it anymore and then it will be cheaper Sustainability in Higher Education annual for students,” Cline said. “The money will be conference in San Antonio, Texas last year, she feeding back into the program. We are thinking felt out of place. of diverting that to either a nonprofit in the “Coming back to CMU and seeing all the community or something more green and things that we could improve on, it was almost sustainable that we can implement on campus.” hard to accept the fact of where I was going to The compost drop-off allows students and school because other campuses are leading the faculty to integrate their organic waste, or nation in sustainability and have these amazing compost, with the CMU and Western Colorado practices,” Cline said.

Community College compost facility. Doing this Since then, the Sustainability Council at CMU returns valuable nutrients to the soil to help has been taking significant strides toward a more maintain soil quality and diverts waste from sustainable campus by creating two innovative being sent to landfills. The campus Starbucks programs for students. With the long-term has already taken advantage of this opportunity goal being a zeroby contributing their used waste campus, the coffee grounds to the “COMING BACK TO CMU AND SEEING ALL THE Sustainability Council compost drop-off. has implemented a “[Coffee grounds] are THINGS THAT WE COULD IMPROVE ON, IT WAS compost drop-off and perfectly compostable ALMOST HARD TO ACCEPT THE FACT OF WHERE I aitem. a move-out program.

It is small so they “It’s the future,” break down really fast WAS GOING TO SCHOOL." Cline said. “People and it spikes the compost don’t realize that sustainability is not just some temperatures which helps break down faster hippie, plant tree, green kind-of-a-thing. It’s how and gets the microbes really going,” Cline said. to utilize any type of a resource or knowledge Created with the intent of extending the that you can prolong and continue to use rather celebration of Earth Day on April 22, the than using it up all at once and running out of it.” Sustainability Council hosts Earth Week The move-out program will make its debut to demonstrate support for environmental in the Fall of 2018 and will offer campus protection. From trail clean-ups to tree planting, residents and commuters a resource to get rid the council offers many opportunities during that of unwanted small furniture items and kitchen week for students to get involved in sustaining supplies. This program is a valuable addition the university and the surrounding community. with the purpose of combating the current Alongside student endeavors, CMU has landfill crisis that our planet faces. obtained Green Globe Certification Levels on “In the fall we are going to re-sell [the items] to several newer buildings such as Houston Hall,

Tomlinson Library, Escalante Hall, Dominguez Hall, Health Sciences and Confluence Hall.

“This certifies that these buildings exceed current standards for energy efficiency and sustainability,” Keegan Pfeiffer, CMU’s energy and utilities manager said in an email to Horizon. “Energy savings features that have been incorporated into these building include Geoexchange systems, ground source heat pumps, energy recovery ventilators, solar, occupancy and CO2 sensors, variable frequency drives and energy management software. Green Globes certification plaques can be found on the walls of the buildings listed above.”

According to Pfeiffer, CMU is continuing efforts to use 100 percent LED lighting fixtures in newer buildings which then reduces the electrical consumption by up to 80 percent.

CMU has installed over 375 low-flow showerheads since 2014 after CMU student Hayden Murphy suggested that the use of lowflow showerheads in residence halls would reduce water consumption by an estimated 40 percent. This adjustment has decreased the

university’s monthly water bill and provided significant end-of-the-year savings on hot water heating costs.

CMU also has a large geothermal heating system that cools and heats the buildings around campus, reducing natural gas use by 25 percent.

“Geothermal systems are essentially pulling warm and cool air, depending on the season, so in the summer you pull the cool air and in the winter you pull the warm air. You are heating and cooling through the ground. It is really effective.

It is cost efficient,” Cline said.

With the help of students, faculty and the Sustainability Council, CMU is heading towards a more green and sustaining future. These efforts not only make life better for today but for tomorrow as well.

EARTH WEEK EVENTS CMU_SUSTAINABILITY_COUNCIL

Sunday, April 22

Earth Day river Float & Trail Clean Up 9-3 p.m. Meet at the Outdoor Program

Monday, April 23

Recycle Audit 11-2 p.m. at the UC Pop-up thrift Shop 2-7 p.m. at The Plaza

Tuesday, April 24

Tree Planting 10-11 a.m. location TBD Guest Speaker (TBD) 6-8 p.m. at Houston Hall

Wednesday, April 25 Environmental Topics - Debate& Panel 6-9 p.m. at UC Ballroom

Thursday, April 26

Pop-up Bike Shop 9-4 p.m. at The Plaza Environmental Topics - Documentary 6-9 p.m. at UC 213

HORIZON Sustainability

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MAVERICK IN THE HOUSE WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHER MADISON STARBUCK | DESIGNER & ILLUSTRATOR DAKOTA HUNT

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n District 54, an area that makes up all of Mesa County and part of Delta County. The representative seat, currently held by Yeulin Willett, is open and a Maverick has the seat in his sights.

Matt Soper, a 2007 Colorado Mesa University alumnus, looks to fill Willett’s state legislature seat this November and make a difference in Mesa and Delta Counties. He plans to use his knowledge in law, connections, and experiences to help him succeed in the position.

Soper is a Delta, Colo. native who attended CMU and studied law in the U.K. and Washington, DC. He remembers spending summers picking Olathe sweet corn to help him earn money for school and how he had always wanted to be a lawyer to make a difference, but realized he had a passion for more.

When asked how he introduces himself to voters, Soper said, “I’ll usually start out by telling them that I’m the guy who’s the local candidate. I was born in Delta, grew up in Delta, went to Mesa State College. I never forgot where I was from and I always kept coming back.”

People who have influenced his run are Tim Foster, the president of CMU, as well as, Josh Penry and Mark Hillman, who have both represented Colorado in the Senate. Matt Smith is another one of Soper’s big influences as he served District 54 as well.

“Growing up, Matt Smith campaigned on getting the road from Delta to Grand Junction made from a two lane to a four lane and it took him eight years, but he finally did it. I guess to me, the Matt Smith story really inspires me because it’s the idea that you can make a difference and you can improve western Colorado. You may have to be the squeaky wheel and you may have to go over to Denver and just constantly remind the Front Range legislators that we exist. Eventually if you work hard enough, you can actually help out western Colorado and be a positive influence and that’s what I would like to do,” Soper said.

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Along with Soper’s role models, he has his experiences and connections to push him forward in his run, such as his previous work with campaigns and degrees in law.

After graduating from Mesa, he attended the University of Edinburgh and the University of New Hampshire, studying international and intellectual law.

“Studying law teaches you to look at the world in a different way and in many ways. You use the scientific method, you learn principles of argumentation and debate that you wouldn’t normally do,” Soper said.

If Soper attains the legislative seat, one step he wants to take is to find funding to repair roads. Soper sees fixing the roads as a necessity in helping the economy in the district.

He wants to see some of the federal dollars from project plans for I-70 go to roads like US-50. Soper believes that seeing improved roads means safer drives for students and workers who commute on those roads.

For his positions on state laws such as legalization of marijuana and the increase of minimum wage, he shared where he stands. Soper supports amendment 64 as it is the “law of the land.” On the other hand, he does have his reservations about marijuana and believes it does increase crime and homeless rates in Colorado. Soper feels that the legalization of marijuana brought people from out-of-state, looking to get rich quick off the “Green Rush” and had not realize the burden of regulations and application fees. For minimum wage, he believes “there is no net increase of a person’s wealth.” He explains that the increase of minimum wage increases the cost of everything else, leading to inflation.

As for how he believes Mesa County is doing in educational resources, he thinks the schools have proper funding but the

funding is not allocated to the right places, such as teacher’s wages. Soper likes that people get to choose where their children go to school but understands that when a student leaves a school, some of the school funding goes with them.

Soper hopes that schools are taking notice of this issue.

“If you have students leaving your school because they’re not able to get the education that they need, then that’s when the school needs to take a real cold, hard look at themselves and say, what is it that we are doing wrong?” Soper said.

Given his experience, Matt Soper’s advice to students looking to a path similar to his is “If you want to take classes that will directly add benefit to your life after you graduate, stick with things like business and law.” Along with this advice he suggests that students struggling with debt look at alternate mechanisms for paying for school. Ultimately, he highly recommends for all students to “do what you are passionate about” and that “any student will be successful if they do what they are truly passionate about.”

HORIZON Alumnus

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Depression and mental illnesses do not target a specific age, race, or gender. They are faceless diseases that affect many more people than anyone realizes.

HOW TO HELP SOMEONE WHO MAY BE THINKING ABOUT SUICIDE WRITER BRENNA RHINESS | REPORTER & PHOTOGRAPHER MIKAYLA HANNEGREFS | DESIGNER & PHOTO ILLUSTRATOR MEGHAN SWANSON

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our friend is acting strange. Really strange.

They don’t seem like the person they used to be; you want to ask if something is wrong, but you’re scared. You see them less and less.

Their smile disappears and when they do smile, it’s forced. It doesn’t reach their eyes. They are wearing a mask. Would you know what to do?

Suicide can be one of the most difficult subjects for people to talk about. They want to cover their ears or turn a blind eye. However, turning away from something does not make it disappear. In 2016 alone, according to the Mesa County Suicide Report, there were 48 deaths by suicide. Comparing Mesa County to the rest of country, the count of 32.3 suicides per 100,000 persons is 2.5 times higher than average.

Statistics are easy to look at until real people are added to the equation. Cassidy Zieman is a junior at Delta High School where two deaths by suicide occurred in January. Her personal experience makes suicide very real.

“It’s still hard for me to sit at lunch and he’s not there bugging me like he would,” she said.

Zieman walks through the halls of her high school every day, forced to reminisce when she sees the locker across the hall.

Deaths always cause ripples in the community, but suicides hit a little harder. There’s an underlying question people can’t seem to answer easily: why? To help combat the suicide rate, the average person should be able to identify the signs of suicide and what to do if the issue arises.

HORIZON Mental Health

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“That’s not to be like, forever vigilant and “There’s some basic motivational strategies on edge, [it’s about] A: self-awareness and at play here, in the sense that whenever you B: being aware of the people around you,” have a particular point of view, if someone Student Health Coordinator and Prevention tries to push you to a different point of view, Specialist Kate Simonds said. She went on to all you’re going to do is push back,” Psychology discuss how to identify what she refers to as Professor at CMU Susan Becker said. The real “invitations to talk about suicide.” Every person work begins if the person says yes. is different; this is by no “Be willing to hear about means a complete list, and be that caring person "THE BIGGEST THING TO LOOK FOR IS suicide but distancing oneself who connects them with more from friends, not coming EMOTIONAL PAIN; THOSE A PERSON IS help,” Becker said. to club meetings or important to realize there CLOSEST TO KNOW WHEN SOMETHING is It’s class as often as before a movement to help people and drastic changes in before they get to the point ISN’T QUITE RIGHT." where they feel as if taking attitude or outlook.

When you have identified something may their life is the only option. The You Portal is a be wrong, the next step is to intervene. Talk website that CMU offers to help students navigate to your friend in a private place and if you through college. It’s filled with articles about feel comfortable, ask the question: “Are you working toward success, thriving in your daily thinking about suicide?” The important part life and knowing your worth. to remember is to ask directly, avoid asking, “[We’re] just trying to build resilience and “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?” awareness,” Simonds said. or, “You’re not thinking about suicide, are Intervening isn’t an exact science or an easy you?” The former question doesn’t get you process, but creating a caring community that to the place you need to be, and the latter notices and knows how to deal with suicide question makes it sound like you’ve already saves people. A societal movement toward decided for the person. support and encouragement instead of endless After you’ve asked the question, listen to the pressure can strengthen mental bonds. Looking answer. With the answer, gauge where they’re out for others means someone will look out for at. Avoid pushing. you. End the stigma.

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HORIZON Spring 2018

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HUMANS OF GRAND JUNCTION WRITER ALEXIS DYMEK | DESIGNER MEGHAN SWANSON

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rand Junction, Colo. is full of scenic views and stunning history, but what truly makes up its wonder are those who live in it. Different stories, adventures, paths and journeys — the inspiration of capturing the unique individuals of Grand Junction stemmed from Photographer, Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York (HONY). HONY began as a photo project in 2010. Twenty million followers later, the photoblog series, that gained its popularity primarily through social media, has gathered street portraits and interviews of hundreds of humans on the streets of New York City.

Through HONY, Stanton has provided a glimpse into the lives of the inhabitants of New York City to a worldwide audience.

HARRY WARREN

“Well, it was becoming obvious that WWII was breaking out, and I was going to be drafted. So I thought, ‘where do I want to be if I’ve got to be?’ So I decided on the Army Air Corps. We were stationed in a small town in India and we would get a Jeep and go into town to look around. I wanted to get some Indian money to send as a novelty gift, so I went into the bank, and one of the sacred cows had laid down in front of the teller stand, so they had closed it. The conditions that people lived in were surprising. They believed that if they had some of the sacred cow dung, it would prevent them from all sorts of things, so they would smear it on the outside of their huts. You can imagine the odor that they lived in.”

REPORTER & PHOTOGRAPHER LOHGAN MCCLUNG

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“I am from Grand Junction but have traveled quite a bit. Having been to places like Romania and New York has caused this shift in my perception of my reality... especially coming back home.

I don’t know whether I am happy or sad to be back. Everyone has always seen me as the girl that will travel far and wide, and its sometimes heartbreaking when I get asked what I am doing back here as if it's my duty to be out there. But on the other hand I enjoy home because I feel special with this hula hoop. I am unique. The rest of the world can sometimes be too intimidating and competitive for a soul.”

REPORTER & PHOTOGRAPHER SIENA SHUPE

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t wan y. I p a p a e ak eh to m er.” to b d r e n h h ta ant t for righ ust w reat her all I wan j I . t .. s w bout ry to py, that I gro nk a oes mar p i a h t h hen t I d ng s W i o e u e . j - “S t sh e's tive about b y i a l h s l h s o t a t S p a n ally hink erso r. Th be re rent. I t the p fe for he o t a g li goin loving p er.” good I’m a k th e e n i g b e to “I th oing to f i l n d de I’m g ing a goo Hay hink t hav I NER up and T SKIN r e h IDGET t R e B g R to HE GR AP

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“My point is that I’m just doing my natural thing. But I am in everybody else’s point of view so I have to explain at least somewhat just to keep people’s mind at ease.”

REPORTER & PHOTOGRAPHER MADISON STARBUCK

SOPHIE BELLAND

"The strangest encounter I’ve ever had was when I got chased by a llama. I was, I think about 14 and my friend and I went into this neighbor’s pasture and we probably weren’t supposed to be there. We were just walking along and all of the sudden there’s this llama looking at us. It’s probably about a hundred feet away and it starts walking towards us, so we start backing up. It starts moving faster so we run and then my friend’s little brother gets stuck in a barbed wire fence as we’re trying to run away from it. It was still coming at us like crazy, we made it out alive, but it was a close one."

REPORTER & PHOTOGRAPHER BRENNA RHINESS

HORIZON Feature

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. frica y in A ted r a n io n miss ys wa and a ave alwa ople e e s r p elp ,Ih a nu r h e e o g b t n help.” you nt to lling “I wa nce I was el this ca the most si ust fe hat need Ever t at. I j h t e aces to b to pl o g DY M E K o ALEXIS and t APHER

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SALIM CLEGHORNE

“[It was either] the 3rd or 4th grade. I was out on the patio, and me and friends were listening to some music, it was like some Resident Evil stuff, like from the movie… And shortly after that we were like, ‘oh let’s make a movie!’ Because as little kids all we wanted to do was make movies. We would do whatever day and just get together and do something. And one of the girls I was… low key in love with at the time – who passed away a few years ago – she was in the complex next to us on the second floor of her place and there was a window where we could see her. And she was acting like there was something going on where we could see her on the other side and she was acting and was like ‘ahhh!’

That’s a good memory. Damn, I forgot about [her]. [Her passing away] hit me, because that was my first girl that I liked, she was my first girlfriend even though it lasted for like a day, that was middle school. She moved away and then moved back. I almost couldn’t recognize her the second time I saw her [again], ‘cause she was completely different.”

“In terms of legacy for me, I want to leave behind a message, a platform, almost a community; something that helps out outside of myself and helps out the world. It either has to do with art, or deals with the environment: something outside myself, other than just, ‘oh I want to be known,’ it’s more about what I want to leave behind, something that I know I was able to do what I can to help out other people and the world when I’m gone.”

REPORTER & PHOTOGRAPHER ABIGAIL M. GARTON

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HORIZON Spring 2018

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WAR ON WILDLIFE OR PROTECTING LIVESTOCK?

FEDERAL AGENCY DEVELOPS PLAN TO REDUCE PREDATORY WILDLIIFE IN COLORADO WRITER JULIANNA KENDALL | DESIGNER & ILLUSTRATOR AJ URBINA

S

ince 1931, a federal agency has sparked controversy among their practices. The federal and state funded US Department of Agriculture subunit and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services (WS) states that their mission is to resolve wildlife conflicts to allow people and wildlife to coexist; but organizations such as WildEarth Guardians, Center for Biological Diversity and The Sierra Club claim they are inducing a “war on wildlife.”

“They are focused on carnivores because we have this mindset that carnivores are bad, and for ecological reasons, we realize that’s not true,” Sierra Club Rocky Mountain Chapter Wildlife Committee Chair Delia Malone said.

“The battle between livestock and native wildlife has been going on since the 1860s, and we still have not been able to resolve our ability to coexist.”

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HORIZON Spring 2018

Their recent predator management plan for Colorado is bringing light to the agency and their methods after they released an environmental assessment with the finding of “no significant impact” and failing to provide an environmental impact statement.

Wildlife Services has until August 1, 2018 to provide a newly revised Environmental Assessment (EA) after a lawsuit was filed under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) on behalf of the agency, WildEarth Guardians and others.

“I hope our state wildlife agency learns the vast majority of Coloradans love the state because of how beautiful and how vibrant the ecosystems are,” Wildlife Program Director for WildEarth Guardians Bethany Cotton said.

The Wildlife Services partners with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau

of Land Management and several other state Lethal methods include: and federal agencies to help manage wildlife.

Elimination by the use of f irearms.

The lawsuit also halted the Colorado Gunning consists of not only from the Parks and Wildlife’s Piceance Basin Predator ground, but helicopters and small aircrafts Management plan that addressed early mule that can also affect non-target species deer fawn survival in efforts to boost the mule through lead poisoning. deer population by using cougar and black bear Poisoning with toxicants. Toxicants removal. CPW contracted with WS to handle include anticoagulants, alpha-chloralose, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, phosphine, the killing of the bears and cougars.

On March 8th, a lawsuit was filed against cyanide gas, aluminum phosphide, avitrol, the Fish and Wildlife Service by The Humane sodium cyanide (M-44s), sodium fluoroacetate Society, The Center for (Compound 1080), DRCBiological Diversity and "THE BATTLE BETWEEN LIVESTOCK 1339, glyphosate, sodium WildEarth Guardians for nitrate/nitrite, strychnine, AND NATIVE WILDLIFE HAS BEEN and zinc phosphide. They funding CPW’s plan. This is the third lawsuit filed against GOING ON SINCE THE 1860S, AND are typically released with baits or in gas form, with the Piceance Basin Plan.

WE STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO “The Fish and Wildlife many being so toxic that only Service has an obligation, RESOLVE OUR ABILITY TO COEXIST." federal agencies are allowed under federal law, to evaluate to use them. the environmental implications of its actions, M-44s are baits used to lure carnivores. relying on the best available science, and to Once an animals bites down, a pellet of sodium allow the public to review that analysis,” said cyanide is shot into the mouth, producing Anna Frostic, managing attorney for wildlife and a deadly vapor that morphs into a hydrogen cyanide gas. The gas is then absorbed into the animal research at The Humane Society.

According to CPW ’s document of animal’s lungs, often causing hemorrhaging responses to WildEarth Guardians’ and convulsions before death. questions regarding the plan, there Trapping with both restraining and killing has been documented high black bear traps. Killing traps are intended to kill animals predation of neonate mule deer and instantly but can fail, leaving animals to suffer “likely influences the rate of population slow deaths. Traps can be placed above and growth” of mule deer. Furthermore, underground and on private and public lands, fawns dying from predation would have depending on cooperator request. likely survived otherwise.

In November 1996, Colorado voters “Predator species are self-regulating,” approved constitutional Amendment 14, an Cotton said. “There is no such thing as an anti-trapping initiative, which prohibited the overpopulation. They are fairly territorial and taking of wildlife with any leg hold trap, any don’t have high densities, they have conflict instant kill body-gripping design trap, or by with each other and are dependent on a prey poison or snare. base population. The idea they are on killing “ We were pretty concerned how sprees is just not backed by scientific data.” disrespectful the plans were of the Colorado Scientists and scholars submitted an public’s clear choice that trapping and snaring open letter to CPW that addressed four issues: should not be allowed, especially on public “(1) a lack of proper control (zero cougar killing); lands,” Cotton said.

(2) a risk of selection bias when treatments are According to the most recent 2016 data not assigned randomly; and (3) the sample size charts, WS killed 2.7 million animals in 2016 is too small to make robust inferences. These in the United States with 1.6 million being factors preclude scientific conclusions from native species. This includes 415 gray wolves, the studies and (4) legal and ethical concerns.” 76,963 adult coyotes, plus an unknown Among the ethical concerns are the number of coyote pups in 430 destroyed lethal methods that WS uses to kill animals. dens; 407 black bears; 334 mountain lions,

HORIZON Investigative

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997 bobcats, 535 river otters, including 415 killed “unintentionally,” 3,791 foxes, plus an unknown number of fox pups in 128 dens and 21,184 beavers.

Furthermore, they killed 14,654 prairie dogs and an unknown number killed in more than 68,000 burrows that were destroyed or fumigated.

“Some of these species cause localized or seasonal damage whereas other species impact valuable agricultural and natural resources most of the year,” the EA states.

A 2015 WS Colorado report states that thousands of domesticated farm animals are killed by predators each year. In Colorado, landowners have the right to leave their land unfenced and can acquire federal grazing permits.

“They basically want to put defenseless domesticated animals on our public lands, and then want the authority to kill the animals that are native to those public lands because they didn’t do enough to protect these domesticated animals,” Cotton said. “It’s just crazy.”

The EA addresses four alternatives and their projected environmental impacts. Currently, WS uses Alternative 1 which states to continue the Current Federal Integrated Predator Damage Management Program (No Action/ Proposed Action). A comment period was held in December, with 533 comments received on the website and an overwhelming majority of the comments opposing the current plan.

CEO of Fishpond, Inc. and rancher with 450 acres John Land Le Coq commented in

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support of a nonlethal plan. “Coloradans value our wildness, even if that means there are occasional conflicts. Those conflicts that cause monetary damage can be mitigated through many levels of assistance, both private and public,” Le Coq said.

Vegetation, modifying water habitats to prevent unwanted species, gridding, fencing, wire wraps, shelter, noise-makers that produce sounds to scare away unwanted species, penning livestock during calving, proper disposal of carcasses, herding dogs, solarpowered electric fences and fladry (flags tied to fences) are all non lethal methods that WS and livestock owners could use.

Predators are also known to help contain the spread of chronic waste illness among animals such as elk or deer. They attack the “diseased, feabile and sick,” Malone explains.

“Carnivores benefit the prey that they are taking out as a whole,” Malone said. “Most people don’t realize how important all the critters are, not just the ones we like.”

The Center for Biological Diversity has a nationwide campaign against WS and has pending lawsuits against them in California, Texas, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Colorado.

“This goes much further than just Colorado,” Center of Biological Diversity Collette Adkins said. “We are finding situations all over the nation where this program is violating the law and we are trying to use the legal system, not only to bring them up to the law, but to alert the public.”

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970.241.9866 THEVETS@OMVETS.COM ORCHARD MESA VETERINARY HOSPITAL AND BOARD OMVETS.COM 2668 HIGHWAY 50 GRAND JUNCTION, CO 81503 HORIZON Spring 2018

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WRITER AMY SULLIVAN | DESIGNER & ILLUSTRATOR JOHN SPRIGGS

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hen you hear the word mathematics, does it make you feel nauseous or perhaps get a little nervous? This is a reasonable response toward something that has caused many people much frustration.

Professor Christi Hein, an adjunct teacher at Colorado Mesa University, said that growing up she was okay at math until she had a teacher in middle school who made it awful for her. Hein describes a moment during class in seventh grade: “I did a problem [in class] and she [the teacher] called me stupid in front of the whole class,” Hein said. Because of Hein’s experience, she felt math had been ruined for her. She feels that a crucial aspect of math is “absolutely how it’s presented.” Unfortunately, math is frequently presented as this vague thing we have to figure out. It can seem as though we are playing a game of battleship while trying to solve a problem and each answer is a shot in the dark. Why is the subject of mathematics so confusing to so many?

Randy Palisoc, founder of five schools, grades one through 12 math curriculum writer and professor at the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education, claims that we have been taught math from the wrong perspective. Professor from CMU Ed BonanHamada similarly states that, “People are scared of math because we have failed to look at the

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cognition of the way people think about the math [compared to] how we are actually doing it.” Various mathematicians are convinced that math is a language; that it speaks, but maybe we have been listening incorrectly. A large portion of the population believes that math is only for a particular type of person — but for the general population — it is just a foreign language that they may never truly comprehend.

Author and mathematician Keith Devlin states that, “The Greeks’ interest in mathematics was not just utilitarian; they regarded mathematics as an intellectual pursuit having both aesthetic and religious elements.” Math is beautiful, but what is beauty? Philosophers through the centuries have disagreed on the definition of beauty. Plato and Aristotle argued as to if beauty is objective or subjective. In the end, the answer might be yes.

There are phenomena throughout the world, such as the Grand Canyon or Northern Lights, that are valuable and absolutely beautiful — having objective worth. Therefore, they are beautiful objectively, but without the subjective eye, that beauty can neither be appreciated nor comprehended. According to the Stanford Article of Philosophy, without our objective state, there would be no reason to call it beautiful in the first place. Though arithmetic is complicated, it is useful for architecture, economics, and engineering. However, it

can also reveal great beauty. In his book, the number of branches that naturally occur on The Language of Mathematics, Devlin claims a tree are in the Fibonacci Sequence. that the symmetry of a snowflake is an array Fibonacci is also credited for the “Golden of beauty. He also says there is mystery all Ratio” and the Divine Proportion. If you look a little closer at nature, you observe these two around us and math is the key component sequences everywhere. The Golden Ratio is ⅔ which, “makes the invisible visible.” This means arithmetic takes the world we observe and and the Divine Proportion is 1:1.618. The Mona puts it into a reliable set of rules or equations Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci in 1503 C.E., to create other beautiful images or artifacts. contains this Divine Proportion throughout During his TED Talk, Palisoc explains why her entire face. She is widely considered to math ought to be viewed as a language He be a beautiful woman. The reason is because discusses the fact that math is a language the proportion of 1:1.618 is very pleasing to because it enables people to communicate the eye and the artist used this proportion with one another about specific information. for sizing and widths all over her face. One of many examples is that the length of her nose “We’ve been teaching math as a dehumanized is 1.618 times the width of her nose. Also, for subject, but if we make it human again, it will most people, the length from their fingertips start to make sense again,” Palisoc said. to the wrist, and from the wrist to the elbow Math has been thought of as a language for is the proportion 1:1.618. centuries, it was only more recently that it Music is another subject that contains both was changed to be taught as it is in schools today. Galileo Galilei said, “The great book of beauty and math. The harmonies or sometimes nature can be read only by those who know dissonance of the space between two notes can the language in which it was written. And this be beautiful or unpleasant. Math can be used to language is mathematics.” explain the distance between the notes to make The world is written in a language with steps, half-steps, or an off note. Sounds are patterns of numbers. There is a specific set wave frequencies and joining notes together, such as C, G and E, create harmonies and, in of numbers that shows up everywhere in the natural world called the this case, a chord. Music can Fibonacci Sequence. The emotions and ideas, yet "PLATO AND ARISTOTLE ARGUED trigger the fascinating thing is that it is first two numbers in this all connected by mathematics. sequence are one. After AS TO IF BEAUTY IS OBJECTIVE that, those two numbers Math is a language. It OR SUBJECTIVE. IN THE END, THE allows us to communicate are added together to get the number two. The next information that is cognitive ANSWER MIGHT BE YES." number is equal to the yet also expresses emotion previous two numbers added together. In this through mediums such as music. Its uses case, that is one plus two which equals three. are varied, but it also can display tremendous This sequence goes on indefinitely. The first beauty in the natural world around us. It is several numbers in the sequence are 1, 1, 2, 3, not something that ought to trick us, but 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89. These numbers show rather, we should discover the rules and up everywhere from the number of pedals on patterns of the universe. Traci Friedman, a daisy to the number of spirals in a sunflower. another CMU professor, makes a compelling When it comes to the visual aspect, home case for math being a language. “You can designers are generally told that groups of 1, find mathematics in all artistic expressions, 2, 3 or 5 are the most pleasing to the eye when [music, art, dance, etc.]. [Mathematics decorating. Pineapple scales are in spirals that is] everywhere you look; you cannot look are sectioned into 8, 13, and 21 parts. Finally, anywhere and not find it somewhere.”

ETHICS IN JOURNALISM WRITER CHRIS MARCINEK | DESIGNER & ILLUSTRATOR MEGHAN SWANSON

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hen President Trump reportedly used the word “shithole” to describe El Salvador, Haiti and African countries in a meeting with lawmakers, newsrooms and editorial staffs across the globe had to figure out how they would report the story.

The Daily Sentinel ran the story with the uncensored profanity in the body of the article, including a note from the editor explaining to readers their justification in printing the vulgar language.

“This is the most powerful man in the world using this language on an important policy discussion,” managing editor Mike Wiggins said in an interview with Horizon Magazine.

“Words matter — particularly words coming from him [Trump], or anybody in that position of authority.” But not all newspapers were on the same page. The Los Angeles Times and the Minnesota Star-Tribune decided to publish the uncensored vulgarity in a subhead on the front page, without a note from the editor.

Ethical dilemmas in the press have been around long before the Trump era. From deciding whether to print the Unabomber manifesto to publishing disturbing photos of the gunman from the school shooting at Virginia Tech, journalists are tasked with reporting the facts while minimizing harm from their stories.

The Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics serves as a guide to help journalists

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navigate these ethical dilemmas, but not all reporters follow it or use sound reasoning when deciding how to publish articles.

THE STORY OF OLIVER SIPPLE

From a crowd across the street from the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, Sara Jane Moore fired a round from a .38 caliber revolver at President Gerald Ford. The bullet missed. It was 1975 and political tensions were at an all-time high. She raised the weapon and took aim again at Ford, but a Vietnam veteran in the crowd named Oliver Sipple grabbed her arm, saving the President’s life.

The press initially ran the story touting Sipple’s military background, framing him as a national hero. But gossip columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle Herb Caen received a tip from two local gay rights activists that Sipple was a close friend of theirs and that he was gay.

One of the activists, Harvey Milk, explained why he gave the reporter this information without Sipple’s consent.

“It’s too good an opportunity. For once we can show that gays do heroic things, not just all that caca about molesting children and hanging out in bathrooms,” Milk said, according to the book “The Mayor of Castro Street: The Life and Times of Harvey Milk.”

Caen published an article in the San Francisco Chronicle in which he strongly

suggested that Sipple was gay. The initial passed away decades later, his father refused to article did not make national headlines, but let Oliver attend the funeral. He struggled with it caught the attention of Los Angeles Times alcoholism and in 1989, Oliver Sipple was found reporter Daryl Lembke. dead in his apartment with an open bottle of According to a podcast published by Jack Daniels next to him. He was 47 years old.

WNYC’s Radiolab, a recording of the interview When asked by Radiolab in 2017 if he between Lembke and Sipple is available to could change anything about the way the the public at the Huntington Library in Los story had been reported, Lembke doesn’t give Angeles. In the recording, Lembke asked Sipple a straight answer. for permission to report that he was gay. Sipple “I don’t know, I hadn’t taken into account the explicitly said he did not want his sexuality potential harm from saying it,” Lembke said in printed in the newspaper. the podcast. “I don’t know if I’d do it again or not.”

Lembke called in the story from the Los Angeles Times office in San Francisco and reported that Sipple was a prominent figure When a half-mile edge of the Grand Mesa in the gay community. He says he asked the gave way on May 25, 2014, it sent a torrent of writer to put this information in the third line rock, vegetation and topsoil careening down of the story, but instead it went in the headline, the West Salt Creek Valley, leaving a trail of “no call from President, hero in Ford shooting mud 2.8 miles long and, in some areas, 250 active among S.F. gays.” feet deep. Collbran locals Wes Hawkins, Clancy This is where ethics in journalism enters the Nichols, and his son, Dan Nichols, had been in story. In 1975, Sipple was comfortable being the area on ATV’s to investigate a smaller slide openly gay where he lived in San Francisco, that had blocked an irrigation canal when the but did not feel that he significantly larger mudslide could share his sexuality subsequently “WORDS MATTER — PARTICULARLY released, with his family in Michigan. taking their lives.

However, journalists The Daily Sentinel WORDS COMING FROM HIM assumed that reporting on dedicated their front page [TRUMP], OR ANYBODY IN THAT Sipple’s sexuality would be to the story with a headline good publicity for the gay that read in big, bold type, POSITION OF AUTHORITY.” community. According to “Tomb of Mud.” A steady the SPJ Code of Ethics, journalists should stream of angry phone calls and letters poured “realize that private people have a greater into the office of the newspaper that week. right to control information about themselves Managing editor Mike Wiggins decided to than public figures and others who seek publish a ‘Letter from the Editor’ to address power, influence or attention. Weigh the the concerns of many upset readers. He wrote consequences of publishing or broadcasting that the headline both succeeded and failed personal information.” in that, while it was stark, accurate, and eyeNewspapers all over the country ran the catching, it also was insensitive to the friends story; his parents discovered that he was gay, and families of the deceased.

“Readers have long memories, and if you disowned him, and told his siblings that they no longer had a brother. When his mother mess up and don’t acknowledge the mess-up,

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that’s the sort of thing that can stick with you for a while and readers will hold on to that,” Wiggins said. “Making a mistake isn’t the problem, it’s in not responding to the mistake or in failing to acknowledge the mistake that’s the problem. Newspapers should not ever consider themselves unworthy of scrutiny or criticism.”

According to the SPJ Code of Ethics, The Daily Sentinel exercised appropriate judgement by taking ownership of their insensitive headline. The SPJ Code of Ethics states that journalists should “acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly.” Wiggins also echoed a section of the SPJ Code of Ethics that states that journalists should “abide by the same high standards they expect of others.”

LEWD MESSAGES

The Criterion, student-run newspaper of Colorado Mesa University, created buzz on campus last November after publishing an article — in print and online — with the headline, “Sodexo: Employee quit after admitting to lewd messages.” With permission from the victim, The Criterion published the unsolicited, uncensored and sexually violent text messages verbatim that one Sodexo employee had sent to another.

The Criterion reported on the story because the employees worked at a coffee shop in

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the campus library and because of how disturbing the messages were.

Criterion news editor and writer of the article, Chris DeLeon, explained that publishing the message verbatim left nothing to the imagination.

“It was very, very important to actually pull back the curtain to show precisely what he had said because, by using it in those direct quotes, it wasn’t just embracing vulgarity. It was removing the defense that could possibly be presented for him,” DeLeon said.

Editor in Chief of The Criterion Alec Williams said that the decision to publish the obscene messages was between himself and DeLeon, and that no faculty advice was sought before making the decision.

“It was a simple discussion. It wasn’t — I think both of us understood the ramifications either way, and we understood there’d be more of an impact if we printed it exactly,” Williams said.

“We decided it would be more unethical for us to try to hide that and try to rephrase it and say that those were just crude messages.

That doesn’t get to the depth of what those messages entailed,” Williams said. In response to concerns about the lack of a warning to readers, Williams said he felt the headline served as a trigger warning and that he hoped readers would “steer clear” if they were sensitive to sexual assault.

However, mental health experts on campus are concerned that running the story without a proper warning could have triggered a reaction in readers who were victims of sexual assault.

“I don’t know that ‘lewd’ really covers what those text messages are,” said Kate Simonds, student health coordinator and prevention specialist at CMU. “I’m not even sure that a lot of campus would know what lewd meant. It’s not a very common word. I mean, they could have put disgusting, triggering, disturbing, sexually violent, that would have been better.”

Associate professor of psychology at CMU Jacob Jones was also concerned that not including a warning for readers may have been damaging for victims of sexual assault. Jones said that this has been proven with people who struggle with PTSD. “We can hook people up to monitors and see that they are having a very strong emotional and physical reaction to these associated events,” Jones said. “From my point of view, a disclaimer is needed there to help those people be able to make that decision because looking at that title, I don’t think a reasonable person would say, ‘I’ve read this title and that warned me not to read this.’”

Managing Editor of The Daily Sentinel Mike Wiggins believes The Criterion could have chose from many different ways to report the story.

“It just comes off as unprofessional and prurient and just appealing to base interests. I don’t even know who would have those interests in reading that,” Wiggins said. According to the SPJ Code of Ethics, journalists should “avoid pandering to lurid curiosity, even if others do.”

SPJ CODE OF ETHICS SEEK TRUTH AND REPORT IT

Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair. Journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.

MINIMIZE HARM

Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect.

ACT INDEPENDENTLY

The highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public.

BE ACCOUNTABLE AND TRANSPARENT

Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for one’s work and explaining one’s decisions to the public.

THE HUMAN ELEMENT

Journalism is a human enterprise, prone to poor decision-making. Striving for perfection — albeit a valiant goal to strive for — is simply impossible. But after those poor decisions are made, journalists will make a binary choice to decide how to respond. Will they sweep it under the rug and hope that nobody says anything? Or will they take ownership to acknowledge their mistakes? The court of public opinion can be brutish and cruel. Owning the missteps that journalists sometimes take is one of the few options that journalists have — but its value cannot be overstated.

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A NOTE TO OUR READERS...

As student journalists of Horizon Magazine, our goal is to accurately reflect the stories of students at CMU and the community around us. We strive to apply what we have learned in the classroom to this real-world opportunity. Unfortunately, we aren’t perfect — no one is — and that is OK. However, we are constantly learning from our mistakes and encouraging each other to produce factual and ethical content, as it is our duty as journalists to seek the truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently and exercise accountability and transparency.

With that being said, here is a list of the mistakes and ethical dilemmas we published in the Fall 2017 issue:

PAGE 33-39 WEEKEND WANDERLUST

We improperly named a few of the travel destinations that were featured. We mistakenly published Canyonlands National Park being in *Moab, CO instead of Moab, UT. Also, Antelope Canyon is near Page, AZ. It was mistakenly reported as being in Colorado.

PAGE 45 FRUSTRATION WITH ADMINISTRATION

In the first sentence of the lede, the word “abroad” is mistakenly spelled “aborad.”

PAGE 66-67 CMU CONFESSIONS

The confessions were meant to be anonymous, however, we lose accountability and credibility if we do not source our quotes. Anonymous sources should only be used in extreme circumstances such as when a source may may become unemployed or criminally charged for speaking to a reporter on the record.

Alexis Dymek Editor in chief

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