DEPT. OF EDUCATION’S LETTER CHALLENGES HIGHER ED. DEI POLICIES
Story by Chloe Waskey
Photo by Lauren Mascardo
See page 4
THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN
NEWS: Students stage sit-in protest at Administration Building, call for clarity on future of CRCs PAGE 3
LIFE: Belly Dance Club fosters rejuvenating, body-positive space PAGE 7
SPORTS: Increased shooting confidence opens up CSU men’s basketball offense PAGE 9
SCIENCE: CSU aids in NASA’s search for extraterrestrial life PAGE 14
ARTS:‘The Monkey’ successfully blends humor, horror using toy monkey PAGE 15
OPINION: CSU admin’s public statements fail to address student concerns PAGE 17
MEDIA: Students respond to federal DEI policies PAGES 10-11
Fat Friday at The Lyric 7-10:30 p.m. Feb. 28
Vincon at Foothills Mall 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. March 1
Little Shop of Physics Open House 10:00 am. to 4:00 p.m. March 2
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
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Allie Shane sits in a chair alongside her booth of vintage bags, pants, sweaters, shirts and more in the interior of Fort Collins’ Foothills Mall at its Vintage Market Winter Series Feb. 24. Shane runs Reborn Mercantile, where she collects and sells vintage clothing and well-made modern clothing at affordable prices. “A lot of this stuff I brought with me from Ohio,” Allie said. PHOTO BY
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Students stage sit-in protest at Administration Building, call for clarity on future of CRCs
By Aubree Miller & Sam Hutton @csucollegian
Colorado State University students gathered in the main lobby of the Administration Building ursday for a sit-in protest of CSU President Amy Parsons’ announcement of changes to the university’s policy on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, as well as the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Cultural Resource Centers on campus.
Parsons’ statement was prompted by the United States Department of Education’s release of a Dear Colleague letter, which states that federally-funded educational institutions are prohibited from “using race in decisions pertaining to admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, nancial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies and all other aspects of student, academic and campus life.”
Following the DOE directive, which gives educational institutions 14 days to comply, Parsons wrote that changes will be made to university policy, human resources operations and assigned job duties to ensure CSU remains in accordance with the executive branch’s interpretation of regulatory law.
Organized by a group of students following demonstrations in the Associated Students of CSU chambers mere hours before, messaging for the organized sit-in was limited in an e ort to surprise administration, evidenced by the unlocked front and rear doors as the sit-in rst began. Both entrances were soon locked, in
“I
refuse to be erased. ... Whatever we do, we will make sure that we are working to support you as students, even if it has to look differently.”
BLANCHE HUGHES CSU VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS
addition to the doors for sta o ces adjoining the lobby.
In response, students frequently let outside students into the lobby to join the protest and propped the doors open in multiple intervals. With classes still in full session, the group’s numbers uctuated, though a core group of organizers remained. e demonstration was intended to be limited to the central seating area, though the group’s numbers eventually encompassed the majority of the room’s standing area.
Following brief remarks by O ce of the President Chief of Sta Matt Tillman and Associate Dean of Students John Henderson thanking students for their public participation, demonstrators were met by Assistant Vice President for Safety and Risk Services Marc Barker.
Barker began by requesting no additional students be let into the building and that the demonstration be limited to the central seating area. Students responded by continuing to keep the doors open and found additional chairs from the basement, bringing them to the lobby.
Barker argued the Administration Building is simply a public space, not a public forum where students can demonstrate. He o ered to give students grace and allow them to demonstrate until 5 p.m., though the next day “will be di erent.” Organizers responded, stating they were simply studying, with each demonstrator using their laptop or other school materials.
As demonstrators repeatedly and silently ignored Barker, he procured a document that outlined the university’s distinction between a public space and public forum, arguing the sit-in was a disruption to university business if students continued to block walkways and stairways.
Students quickly took the document to Student Legal Services for review, leaving Barker to address the group.
“ e university, to include your university president, is willing to make a concession and does not want to escalate this today,” Barker said. “If you willfully disobey, the next step would be a public citation. ... If you didn’t move then after that citation, then, frankly, they’d come and arrest you.”
Group organizers were then invited by Tillman and Barker to a private discussion, which lasted over an hour.
e discussion centered on the lack of information being communicated between students and administration.
“We are not defunding any programs — not until we have to,” Tillman said following concerns over changes that have already occurred, including a website listing resources for undocumented students being taken down and a pause on the Pride Resource Center’s Safe Zone trainings.
Students also highlighted concerns over police presence at the previous day’s senate session of ASCSU, where students gathered to share their concerns and experiences. Members of university administration said the police presence was for the safety of students, but student Yoseline Rivera said that was not made clear to those in attendance.
“When you have marginalized students who have literally been impacted, ... they’re already scared to speak out, and they’re sending two police o cers, that is also sending another message,” Rivera said.
A major concern cited by students was the lack of transparency on behalf of the administration, which left many feeling confused and unsupported.
“I want to be clear that ... we’re trying to be truthful,” Tillman said. “ e
message on Tuesday, we’re not trying to say that nothing’s going to change. We don’t know.”
e lack of information was not the issue, students said; the main concern was the lack of communication and clarity, as well as the lack of speci city in the university’s statements thus far.
“We’re consciously trying to walk this really tight line of saying and not saying” Tillman said. “But I hear you, we didn’t do it well Tuesday, so there’s another message coming today.”
Attendees emphasized the peaceful nature of the demonstration to the administration members present before returning to the larger group to relay the details of the conversation and determine next steps. Students discussed various ideas for plans of action, including engaging in student government and getting involved with more activism groups on campus.
CSU student Haydin Johnson organized the protest and asked for feedback from the larger group.
“We want every marginalized community to feel represented, you know, and we want to be honest and transparent,” Johnson said.
Amid conversation surrounding future potential action was civic engagement, particularly on the student government level. Student Ferrin Jaudon discussed the power that student government has and how that impacts all students.
“You see how many people showed up to all the protests,” Jaudon said. “If we could get all those people to vote for someone that we would like to see, ... you would have so much more power.”
A second meeting followed the deliberation period, this time joined by Vice President for Student A airs Blanche Hughes, who listened to each
student, recalled personal experiences and o ered support to those in the room.
“ is is really personal, and this is really hard, and I know the way to get through this because I was born in segregation,” Hughes said. “So this is like me going back in time right now. I wish my parents were alive so I could say, ‘How did you do it? How did you live being a second-class citizen your whole life?’ But I never felt it as a child because (they) gave me hope and said, ‘You’ve got to make it better.”
Hughes reassured students that although there are very few answers right now, the CRCs are vital to CSU’s campus and the surrounding community.
“We are going to work together to gure this out,” Hughes said. “ is university cares deeply. We would not have had these centers for 50 years. ere is no other university — predominantly white university — in this country that kept their cultural and multicultural centers for as long as we have.”
Hughes said the ultimate goal is to support students and help them succeed.
“I refuse to be erased,” Hughes said. “Whatever we do, we will make sure that we are working to support you as students, even if it has to look di erently.”
Following the demonstration, Parsons sent out another email ursday afternoon in response to student concerns.
“Students, faculty and sta have told us they fear the CRCs will be closed and sta will be red by the end of the month.” Parsons’ statement reads. “ is is not accurate. ere will be no substantial changes made to the Cultural Resource Centers at this time.” Reach Aubree Miller and Sam Hutton at news@collegian.com.
PHOTO BY CAIT MCKINZIE THE COLLEGIAN
FEDERAL UPDATES
Department of Education’s Dear Colleague letter challenges DEI policies in education
By Chloe Waskey @csucollegian
On Feb. 14, the acting assistant secretary for civil rights of the U.S. Department of Education issued a letter to colleagues declaring diversity, equity and inclusion measures illegal in federally funded K-12 and higher education institutions.
e following Tuesday, Colorado State University President Amy Parsons sent an email to students and faculty stating that “CSU will begin to adjust to the new federal directives.”
Unlike CSU, some colleges have chosen not to comply with the letter, stating that it is executive overreach from the Trump administration. In a footnote, the letter states that it “does not have the force and e ect of law.”
According to Colorado Public Radio News, “CSU Fort Collins is the rst college in Colorado to announce several changes in response to directives from the Trump administration to eliminate programs aimed at fostering diversity, equity and inclusion.”
A closer look at the letter provides insight into how the Trump administration intended the directives to function across the board.
CSU political science Professor Courtenay Daum said a dear colleague letter is a common practice in the executive branch for federal departments
to clarify how they intend to interpret the law.
“Di erent administrations utilize dear colleague letters,” Daum said. “ e Trump administration is telling people, ‘ is is how we intend to interpret the law.’”
However, the letter issued by the department is unique compared to other administrations. Daum said it stands out in three ways: It expands Supreme Court precedent, it threatens to withhold funds already allocated by Congress and it does not clearly de ne the parameters that are grounds for punishment.
e letter states that Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Supreme Court case Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard support the argument that DEI in education is unconstitutional.
“Although SFFA addressed admissions decisions, the Supreme Court’s holding applies more broadly,” the letter reads. “At its core, the test is simple: If an educational institution treats a person of one race di erently than it treats another person because of that person’s race, the educational institution violates the law.”
While the Department of Education can use Supreme Court cases to justify its interpretation of the law, typically government departments will stay within the bounds of the case they use.
SFFA v. Harvard ruled that higher education cannot use a rmative action in admissions, but the letter argued
GOVERNMENT ENGAGEMENT
that DEI is entirely illegal in every educational institution. Importantly, DEI is not mentioned in the case at all.
“ e SFFA case versus Harvard talks about one thing, and that is the consideration of race and ethnicity in college admissions decisions,” Daum said. “ at’s it. It doesn’t talk about considerations of race and ethnicity or gender in employment. It doesn’t talk about considerations of race or ethnicity or other identities in promotion. It doesn’t talk about student advocacy centers. It doesn’t talk about student a nity groups. It doesn’t talk about curriculum.”
e letter then states that the department will begin to investigate schools 14 days after the issuance of the letter, and schools that are found to have DEI measures will face losing their federal funding.
Daum pointed out that the executive branch has legally withheld funds in the past, like when the Department of Education was allowed to withhold funds from schools when they would not comply with Brown v. Board of Education — the di erence being that Congress authorized it rst.
“Here, you have executive branch o cials who are not lawmakers, who are law executors, saying we’re going to front full federal funds,” Daum said.
Additionally, the directives outlined in the letter are vague, making it di cult to determine which programs may be at risk of losing federal funding. By
de ning DEI in such broad strokes, it is not clear what the department would consider a violation.
“I mean, it kind of reads like a laundry list of things somebody’s annoyed about,” Daum said.
Daum argued that the directives could face legal challenges once they go into e ect due to their broad interpretation and lack of clear legal backing.
“I think a lot of schools feel like, substantively, there are grounds for
litigation and procedurally there are grounds for litigation,” Daum said.
“Substantively, that the letter is wrong.
Procedurally, this isn’t how governing works in the U.S.”
Because the letter is not actual law and has not yet been enforced, legal action has not been taken against it.
Read the full version of this article at collegian.com.
Reach Chloe Waskey at news @collegian.com.
What to expect in CSU’s upcoming College of Liberal Arts Democracy Summit
By Riley Paling @rileypaling
Colorado State University’s College of Liberal Arts is set to spark a vibrant dialogue on democracy with its upcoming Democracy Summit from March 5-7. is three-day event located in the Lory Student Center will invite CSU students and faculty and the Fort Collins community to explore the many facets of democracy under this year’s theme of democratic innovation.
e summit will open March 5 with an energizing keynote by renowned economist Darrick Hamilton. Titled, “Democracy, Race and Economic Inclusion: A Vision for a Human Rights Economy,” Hamilton’s address in Ballroom D will set the tone for a week of transformative ideas. With the reception at 4:30 p.m. and a follow-up talk at 5:20 p.m., the conversation will aim to welcome participants into the unfolding story of the democratic process.
On March 6, the dialogue will deepen through parallel sessions and interdisciplinary discussions. e morning begins with two thought-provoking tracks: In room 376, Professors Dan BeachyQuick, Greg Dickinson, David McIvor, Johnny Plastini and Colin Rice will present “Democracy, Ecology, Science and Myth: An Interdisciplinary Conversation,” from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Meanwhile in room 386, Professor Ann Little and graduate students Sean Nelson, Devon Rebelez, Melanie Grande and Evan Stackpole will tackle, “Brotherhood and Democracy in Colorado: Fraternal Organizations, Unions and Mob Violence.”
Straayer Center for Public Service Leadership Program Manager Sam Houghteling is hopeful for the 2025 Democracy Summit, with the second
annual set of events centered on innovation in the democratic process.
“ e second annual CSU Democracy Summit has a theme of democratic innovation this year,” Houghteling said. “Students, faculty, sta and community members will have the opportunity to hear from top scholars, practitioners and creative leaders on issues pertaining to governance, human rights, community engagement, democratic systems and leading dynamic organizations through an era of disruptive change.”
e dialogue continues past midmorning with back-to-back sessions. From 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Little and graduate students Samantha Hanek, George Moncaster and Logan French will present, “Wild res, Grass Roots and Local Harvests: Democratic Civil Society in Northern Colorado,” in room 376. Concurrently in room 386, Professor Elizabeth Sink and Instructor Leah Holz will introduce, “ e Living Library Project,” a unique initiative that champions bridge building through innovative storytelling and radical listening.
e afternoon of March 6 is designed to widen the lens of democracy. From 2-3:15 p.m., Professors JB Bae, Gamze Çavdar and Ernesto Sagas will present,
“Democracy under Stress: Global Perspectives,” in room 376, while a team comprising Patti Schmidt, Sabrina Slagowski-Tipton, Katie Knobloch, Jonathan Cable and Kinsey Zeigner will discuss, “Building Belonging through Community-Led Dialogue and Action: Key Findings from CSU’s Rural Action Project,” in room 386.
A standout keynote by Professor Lee Drutman, “Building Back a Better Democracy-Breaking the Two Party Doom Loop,” will run from 12:301:45 p.m. in the Never No Summer Ballroom. Later on, the Bernie Rollin Memorial Lecture, “Animal Dignity,” presented by Professor Lori Gruen at 4 p.m. in Longs Peak room 302 will further enrich the day. e evening will wrap up with a panel on local governance and innovation from 4-5 p.m. in the Never No Summer Ballroom, followed by a special screening of, “CSU: e Democracy Project,” at 6:30 p.m. in the LSC eatre.
March 7 brings the summit to a dynamic close. e morning features research presentation sessions and creative engagements. In room 376, Professor Grace Gallagher and student collaborators will lead, “Dancing for Climate Action,”
while in room 386, Louise Jennings, Knobloch, Tamanda Chabvuta and Silvia Terol will present, “Creating the Civics Classroom: How to Build a Pedagogy for Critical Youth Engagement.” A session with NCAA President Charlie Baker, hosted by CSU President Amy Parsons, is scheduled to happen from 10-11:30 a.m. in Ballroom D and promises additional insights. Closing out the summit are three studentfocused events: “Ramplify: Community Engagement in Action” in the Never No Summer Ballroom; “Code vs. Consequence: e Tech & Policy Debate on Misinformation and Social Media” in room 390; and “Student Impact and Local Action Simulation” in room 386. All events are free, and Houghteling encourages anyone eager to participate in a rich exchange of ideas to attend.
“If you’re someone who is concerned about the world and interested in what you can do to help or you just want to learn more about some interesting and relevant stu , then make sure to join us next Wednesday to Friday in the Lory Student Center,” Houghteling said. Reach Riley Paling at news @collegian.com.
Colorado State University students protest around campus to bring awareness to the vitality and importance of the university’s Cultural Resource Centers Feb. 19
PHOTO BY LAUREN MASCARDOTHE COLLEGIAN
Colorado State University President Amy Parsons introduces student speakers and Rep. Ken Buck to the stage of the University Ballroom in the Lory Student Center Jan. 26, 2024. PHOTO
COLLEGIAN
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Guess what Rams! After a 23-year break, Rocky Mountain Student Media is bringing back an o cial yearbook to celebrate all of our CSU seniors. We have partnered with Lauren Studios to publish the new CSU Grad Book!
GLOBAL GATHERING
World Unity Fair celebrates diversity across nations
By Ella Dorpinghaus @csucollegian
Bringing excitement, laughter and music to the Lory Student Center, the annual World Unity Fair has been a Colorado State University tradition since 1951. e fair is held yearly to showcase of all the di erent cultures and communities represented at CSU, and the gathering is largely sta ed by CSU students themselves. Behind the scenes, however, Bronwen Watts, the assistant director of programming for the O ce of International Programs, and Greg Wymer, the director of international student and scholar services, played an instrumental role in facilitating this event.
“It’s a wonderful evening where you can get together and celebrate others for their differences — not in spite of their differences.”
GREG WYMER INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AND SCHOLAR SERVICES DIRECTOR
e fair, which is a towering e ort on Bronwen’s part, is designed to allow CSU students to expand their horizons without the barriers or expenses of international travel. Bronwen and her team spent the past six months working out logistics and preparing for the event. For her, working with
clubs and students is the highlight of the fair.
“It’s really, really fun to see their creativity and their excitement,” Bronwen said. “ is event is for them to share what they think is important about their country or culture or club.”
is year, the fair took place in the LSC and featured a fashion show, a bazaar, clothes and a new cookbook.
e fair’s o erings are guided largely by student talents and interests and harness the passions and talents of the CSU community. Historically, the event has seen massive turnouts of students and community members.
“Last year, we estimated approximately 5,000 people went through the doors of the unity fair,” Wymer said.
e fair is more than just a celebration of culture at CSU; it is a time of gathering, healing and conversation. e fair is a celebration of what it means to be human and what it means to be in community.
“It’s a wonderful evening where you can get together and celebrate others for their di erences — not in spite of their di erences,” Wymer said. is year, the fair o ered a cookbook that contains some new recipes and some old favorites. With 24 recipes total, the cookbook has something to o er from every corner of the world. All of the money raised at the fair, be it from ticket or cookbook sales, goes straight back into the community in the form of funding for CSU’s International Programs.
e World Unity Fair, which has become a CSU tradition, is an opportunity for students to showcase their talents and draw recognition for their work in clubs or extracurriculars.
e combined e orts of Bronwen and her team are manifested in the behind-
the-scenes logistics of the events, giving students real-world experience.
Twenty-six clubs tabled at this year’s World Unity Fair, representing a vast array of interests and skills. Sophie Smith, a student and member of the CSU French Club, helped out at the fair this year. Smith helped serve macarons at the booth and is one of many students who was instrumental in making the fair what it was.
When asked to describe the event, Smith said it was “an upbeat celebration and informational gathering of the di erent cultures at CSU.”
Smith noted that her favorite food at the fair was the macarons that her booth served. Food, a portable and accessible part of culture, is one of the most essential ways that culture was shared at the World Unity Fair. is year was the rst time in a while that the fair featured a cookbook.
Additional changes were made this year to ensure that all students got to experience the World Unity Fair. Last year, the fair struggled to accommodate the 5,000 people, leading to massive lines. is year, tickets have been shifted to a digital format to help shorten the lines and streamline the process.
“I think that’s the rst time we’ve ever done it, and we’re hoping to be able to reduce the incredibly long lines that we had last year,” Bronwen said.
For students, clubs and the larger Fort Collins area, this event opens up access to places and cultures without expenses and the hassle of travel. When asked what she loves most about the fair, Bronwen talked about the access the club provides and the joy it brings to campus.
“Travel around the world in just a few hours!” Bronwen said.
Reach Ella Dorpinghaus at life @collegian.com.
Members of the Bangladesh Student Association perform “A Tale of Bangladeshi Culture and The Colors of Bengal” at Colorado State University’s 69th annual World Unity Fair held in the Lory Student Center ballrooms Feb. 22. PHOTO BY LAUREN MASCARDO THE COLLEGIAN
Belly Dance Club fosters rejuvenating, body-positive space
By McKenna Van Voris @mckenna_vv
Antonella Torres Peralta’s interest piqued when she rst learned about belly dancing in elementary school. Now, after 14 years of honing this passion, Torres Peralta founded Colorado State University’s rst-ever Belly Dance Club in Fall 2023 and has been sharing her love for it ever since.
Torres Peralta’s motivation for establishing the club was to provide a
TASTY MILESTONE
By Lexi Urbom @csucollegian
fun environment where others could foster well-being for both their body and mind.
“For me, I’m just trying to show people what belly dance can do for you, for your mental health, for your body and for your self-image,” Torres Peralta said.
e Belly Dance Club is for everyone, whether someone has never danced before or been dancing since they were young. e welcoming environment of the Belly Dance Club creates a safe space for individuals to focus on the capabilities of their bodies.
“I wish more people knew that you don’t have to be a great dancer to come, (and) that you don’t have to know how to shake your hips,” Torres Peralta said. “I like to show people that you can still dance, and if your stomach moves while you dance, that’s OK. You just need a belly to belly dance.”
In fact, CSU individuals do not need to know how to belly dance prior to joining the club. Audra Richister, the Belly Dance Club nancial o cer and secretary, said her rst time belly dancing was when she came to the rst meeting.
“ ere was no judgment at all,” Richister said. “Everyone was there to just explore and have fun and get to understand belly dancing on their own terms and what it means for them.”
Crystal Asiaw, a member of the club, said she sees the club as a type of meditative experience: a place to ground oneself and calm the mind.
“I feel like some other clubs you have to go with people, but I always go by myself, and I’m able to relax and just focus on the sensation,” Asiaw said.
Coupled with this idea of tranquility, the club provides a place of peace. It is a sanctuary where individuals can rejuvenate themselves after a long day of classes or connect with the intimate community that composes the heart of the club.
“Belly Dance Club is meant to be a place to rest and a place to reset and not only feel through those emotions or process anything that’s come up but
also nd a space of release and reconnect with one’s body,” Richister said.
However, the club is more than just a dance class. It focuses on teaching the cultural and historical sides of belly dance as well as breaking down societal assumptions.
“It’s
a place for people of all body sizes and abilities … to come and enjoy a nurturing, positive environment to explore not only the art of belly dance but how they can construct their own unique presence in that environment.”
AUDRA RICHISTER
BELLY DANCE CLUB FINANCIAL OFFICER AND SECRETARY
“It’s something we try to make a really holistic experience,” Richister said.
“We’re going to talk about the culture, we’re going to talk about inclusion in the art form and community of belly dance
and we’re going to get into di erent preconceptions of belly dance and why that may or may not be the case — and ultimately just grow awareness of both belly dance and dance as a whole and how it ought to be accessible.”
Not only is the environment of Belly Dance Club inclusive but so is the activity itself. While many popular forms of dance all tend to involve one type of movement, belly dance brings variety.
“I was able to get comfortable in it really fast, which I like because I feel in other dance clubs, I have no control over my body,” Asiaw said.
Belly dancing helps club members feel strong in their bodies, no matter their size, experience or background.
rough fostering body positivity, the club has been making the CSU community more con dent.
“It’s also a great place to build strength and remind myself of my capabilities and how I can grow,” Richister said. “It’s really empowering.”
Richister wants more people to understand that belly dance is not a onesize- ts-all activity. It is an environment where everyone can participate.
“It’s a place for people of all body sizes and abilities … to come and enjoy a nurturing, positive environment to explore not only the art of belly dance but how they can construct their own unique presence in that environment,” Richister said.
Reach McKenna Van Voris at life@collegian.com.
Nick’s Restaurant and Bar celebrates decade of flavor, resilience
In the heart of Fort Collins, Nick’s Restaurant and Bar has become more than just a dining spot — it’s a community cornerstone. Known for its signature dishes and warm atmosphere, Nick’s has long been a favorite for locals and CSU students alike. But behind the scenes, the restaurant’s journey tells a story of resilience, adaptation and hope in the face of economic uncertainty and unprecedented challenges.
Owning a small business in today’s economy is no easy feat. With in ation driving up costs and supply chain disruptions still rippling through the food industry, restaurant owners like Nick Doyle have had to navigate turbulent waters to stay a oat.
“We’ll be open for 10 years in February, and the rst couple of years, you know, I’m trying to get noticed in a town full of restaurants,” Doyle said. “We had to gure out how to be better marketers. … It’s a roll of the dice: what works, what doesn’t. By year four, we were doing much better. ey usually say it takes four or ve years to become pro table every month in the restaurant business, and that’s what we saw before the pandemic began.”
Doyle’s journey echoes the struggles of countless small businesses nationwide, grappling with unpredictable sales, rising costs and an ever-changing economic landscape. As it was for everyone around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic was a de ning chapter not just for Doyle himself but also for the entire restaurant and the community surrounding it.
“We had to shut down for weeks — I don’t even remember how long it was,” Doyle said. “ en we were allowed to open for takeout. When we had to close for (COVID-19), we had to lay everybody o .”
Doyle, his kids and his nephew Luke kept the business alive during those di cult weeks by pivoting to takeout.
“We pre-made some food, like pizzas and lasagnas for carry-out and salads, and just did that for a while,” Doyle said. “We had to gure out what we could do with fewer people and less laborintensive items. It was a lot of work for a long time.”
As dining restrictions eased, they brought back limited seating and faced tough decisions. Adjustments were necessary, including downsizing the menu to reduce labor and operational costs. When the economy began to stabilize, Nick focused on rebuilding.
“Surviving was tough, but it taught me how to be a restaurant owner in ways
I never thought I’d ever have to deal with,” Doyle said. “It’s a minor miracle that we’re still open after all that.” Doyle also expressed an immense amount of hope for the future.
“In the last six months, we’ve had a lot more people checking Nick’s out for the rst time,” Doyle said. “ e catering business has picked up. ... We’re (gaining) momentum after 10, almost 10 years, which feels good. e future looks brighter than it has in a long time.”
At its core, the story of Nick’s Restaurant and Bar is about more than just food; it’s about people.
“ e restaurant is me and my sta ,” Doyle said. “ ey’re the face of the restaurant just as much as I am. It was Nick’s’ reputation prior to (COVID-19), what we did during (COVID-19) and how much people loved the sta here. It was that combination that helped us persevere.”
Nick’s innovative approach during the pandemic included hosting creative events like drive-in burger nights with live music.
“ at was fun, doing some little stunts to get people to come in,” Doyle said. “It created a little scene during a time when people still couldn’t really congregate and have fun together.”
Social media also played a key role in maintaining customer engagement.
“We just tried to let people know we were open,” Doyle said. “Social media did help. e people who followed us knew we were doing something right.”
As Nick’s continues to navigate the challenges of a uctuating economy, its story serves as a testament to the resilience and spirit of small businesses everywhere.
Still, he remains optimistic. “It took a lot of e ort from my sta to help us stay open, but we did survive,” Doyle said. “ e future feels better than it has for a while, and we’re looking forward to a brighter future.” rough innovation, community support and unwavering determination, Nick’s has not only survived but emerged stronger, ready to embrace whatever comes next.
Reach Lexi Urbom at life @collegian.com.
“Margins shrink, shrink, shrink,” Doyle said. “We have to either charge more or nd ways to make do with less. It can be expensive to go out to eat but too expensive to run a restaurant, so we have to respond somehow.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY BELLY DANCE CLUB
Nick’s Restaurant and Bar, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, resides off College Avenue across from Colorado State University’s campus Feb. 24. PHOTO BY ABIGAIL BURNS THE COLLEGIAN
CSU track and field strives for 2nd consecutive MW championship
By Adam Gross @agrose_22
Colorado State track and eld is making its nal preparations for the 2025 Mountain West Indoor Track and Field Championships, being held from Feb. 27 to March 1 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
At the beginning of the indoor season, coach Brian Bedard said the goal was to claim a second consecutive men’s and women’s MW indoor title. But over the last three months, the team dealt with its share of injuries, sickness and missed time.
e nal two weeks of training before the championships is considered the “taper down” period, intended to give the athletes time to recover and perform their best at the championships. Despite the adversity present, Bedard is still con dent in the goal of sweeping the podiums.
“I mean, we get some folks that may be injured or some sickness going around,” Bedard said. “We’re not completely healthy, but for the most part, we’re in a pretty good position healthwise, and I liked a lot of our performances last weekend in Washington and down in New Mexico at Don Kirby, so we seem to be peaking at the right time.”
Despite the challenges, things are falling into place for the Ram squad on both the men’s and women’s sides.
Although Bedard has slightly scaled back his expectations because of the aforementioned challenges, the team overcame similar di culties to earn titles last season.
e goal is to score the most points across the team, regardless of where an athlete nishes individually.
Bedard said he is still con dent that is achievable.
“We do have some holes on a few events on the women’s side that we knew were there, but it kind of gets exposed a little bit more when you get closer to the championship,” Bedard said. “And we start looking at projections and where the results are and everything. ... We try to do everything we can to have the most well-balanced team we can. at’s how we’ve won championships before.”
Kajsa Borrman is a sophomore thrower with early success on the women’s side of the team. is season, she claimed rst place in all ve weight throw events she competed in.
Her success is not by chance. Bedard’s message to her was to stay low in the throwing motion. e
work done in practice and meets set Borrman on a tear.
“It’s been a lot,” Borrman said. “Just a long process of going through practice every day and trusting the process. So even though my goal is nationals, Mountain West is going to be great.”
“Go help the team out, get some points, see if we can get that championship — that’s what it’s all about.”
RHYS TRAVIS JUNIOR JUMPER
Borrman, like the other athletes, is spending the weeks before the championships tapering down her training to maximize her performance.
Setting up for a big weekend in New Mexico, Borrman’s preparation and success at this season’s meets leave her with a sense of excitement and anticipation for the MW championships and a shot at nationals.
“I’ve de nitely been training more weight days but less reps so I
can go harder on each one because I don’t want to tire myself out,” Borrman said.
Borrman competes in the weight throw at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28.
While Bormann looks to compete in her second MW Indoor Championships, junior jumper Rhys Travis awaits his third appearance. Specializing in the high jump, Travis set a personal best mark this season of 6 feet, 9.75 inches.
Having competed in only a few triple jump meets during his college career, coach Maria Creech is throwing Travis into triple for the championships. While Travis has experience from high school competing in triple, the goal is to put points on the board for the team to score well at the championships.
“I’m kind of excited, actually,” Travis said. “I’m just going to go out there. It’s kind of fun. ere are no expectations for me to do anything because, I mean, (Feb. 22) is my rst time practicing it. Just going to get an approach down and see what can happen. But I did it in high school, and I’m proud of myself for some of those performances, so I know I’ve got it in me.”
Even if the triple jump is not Travis’ strong suit at the championships,
the point is to score for the team and increase the chances of claiming a MW title again.
“Go help the team out, get some points, see if we can get that championship — that’s what it’s all about,” Travis said. “I missed a conference meet my freshman year, so just being able to go to this meet and just be there in general, that’s always exciting. But I think for the high jump, I think I’m in a good position to go out and win. If not, (I’ll) get another medal this year. And triple jump: (I’m) just looking to see if I can pick o a fth place, pick up a few extra points for the team.”
With one week remaining until the MW Indoor Championship, veteran Rams like Travis bring a con dent experience to the team, which shapes the success of the entire program.
It’s safe to say that Travis speaks for most of the team when he expressed his excitement about taking the Rams back to Albuquerque for a chance at another men’s and women’s title.
“I just feel like a kid for Christmas,” Travis said.
Reach Adam Gross at sports@collegian.com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF NCAA
SETTING STANDARDS
NHL revived All-Star Week, created new tradition other sports should follow
By AJ Merriman @rmcollegianspts
Editor’s Note: All opinion content re ects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by e Collegian or its editorial board.
For the rst time since 2016, the NHL’s best of the best played for their respective countries in the 4 Nations Face-O , and it was nothing short of spectacular. Four teams competed in this tournament: U.S., Canada, Sweden and Finland. ese are arguably the best teams to face-o against one another, and the fans and players knew it.
All-Star events have been a cherished tradition in professional sports for a long time, as they have provided a competitive yet entertaining environment for the most talented athletes to exhibit their abilities.
However, these events have lately lost their appeal in major leagues such as the NBA, NFL and MLB. Fans have expressed their dissatisfaction with the absence of competitive spirit, intensity and overall enthusiasm.
In contrast, the NHL has e ectively revitalized its All-Star Weekend, which sets a precedent that other notable sports
SCORING SURGE
organizations should emulate. e NHL has revitalized what was previously perceived as a tedious exhibition game by incorporating new formats and increasing the competitive nature of the event.
e NBA, NFL and MLB allstar events were once considered must-see events.
e 2016 NBA All-Star Weekend is famous for the legendary dunk contest between Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine, which is considered one of the greatest dunk contests of all time. In a similar vein, the NFL Pro Bowl showcases genuine tackle football, with players wearing complete pads and the game’s legends playing a prominent role in coaching and selecting teams, resulting in a competitive and engaging atmosphere.
Michael Irvin and Jerry Rice — who are arguably the two best wide receivers of all time — held a schoolyard pick for their teams. ey selected some of the greats at that time, including Aaron Donald, Eli Manning, Richard Sherman, Julio Jones and Odell Beckham Jr.
In this year’s NFL Pro Bowl, 16 AllStar caliber players opted out of the games, replacing stars like Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen with Russell Wilson and Drake Maye. e NFL Pro Bowl has shifted away from traditional football in favor of
ag football and skill competitions, which has further diminished its appeal to fans who expect intense action.
ere has been a substantial decline in the level of enthusiasm for the all-star events of these organizations in recent years. e NBA’s most recent All-Star Weekend received numerous critiques for its lackluster performances and general decline in competitiveness. e latest NBA All-Star game averaged 4.7 million viewers, a 13% decrease from last year’s All-Star game, said Ryan Glasspiegel, a Front O ce Sports media and entertainment reporter.
Many fans agree that the only reason they even reached that number was to watch Mac McClung attempt a threepeat in the dunk contest.
e NHL, however, has e ectively revitalized its All-Star Weekend by adopting an innovative and captivating approach — in contrast to its competitors. e league has implemented a tournament-style competition that incorporates national representation, thereby enabling the most talented players to showcase their abilities in a manner that improves both entertainment and competitiveness. is change is reminiscent of the NHL’s previous decision to permit its most
talented players to represent their respective countries in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, a tournament that continues to be one of the most exhilarating international hockey events in recent memory. ese countries have been able to play in recent years but not with their best players. e risk of injury did not seem worth it for the NHL, so up until now, the foreign competition has not been at its best.
e NHL has provided fans with a reason to tune in once more by
reintroducing elements that emphasize team-based competition, pride and talent. Additionally, the NHL has attracted new fans who were previously unfamiliar with hockey — a challenging feat considering the U.S. is not traditionally known for being a hockey-oriented country. Read the full version of this article at Collegian.com.
Reach AJ Merriman at sports @collegian.com.
Increased shooting confidence opens up CSU men’s basketball offense
By Michael Hovey @michaelfhovey
Being ready to shoot matters more than the shooting itself.
For Colorado State men’s basketball, balancing jumpers and other o ensive schemes has gotten easier with time. Among all the particulars of the game, the Rams are more prepared to pull up when necessary. While the shots might not always fall, it’s the mindset that has transformed this team into postseason form.
As the primary mentor for CSU’s guards, assistant coach Ali Farokhmanesh has witnessed the progression rsthand.
“I think we’ve gotten to the point now where (the players are not) thinking, ‘Should I shoot or not?’” Farokhmanesh said. “I think losing some of that thinking comes from making shots but also them being shot prepped and then getting used to the o ense, too.”
Sophomore Kyan Evans has clearly embodied that mindset despite being one of the team’s youngest starters.
His 39.6% season 3-point shooting tops the roster in just his rst year with real opportunity. In-game, his set up is quicker, more decisive and more con dent.
His metamorphosis mimicked that of a familiar CSU legend.
“We joked and said he was apologizing for shooting sometimes,” Farokhmanesh said. “Before, he’d pass up so many (shots) — similar to (Isaiah Stevens) in a lot of ways — where they have that point guard mentality. … And it’s like, man, when you’re open, there’s a reason why you’re open.”
Evans is one of many players working through new circumstances.
Graduate student Ethan Morton hit his rst three of the year in the Rams’ 26th game of the year against Nevada, pacing center Nikola Djapa. Additionally, senior Jalen Lake has improved upon his shooting percentage beyond the arc from last year despite playing a career-high number of minutes.
“I think (shooting con dence) has risen a lot,” Farokhmanesh said. “I also just think some of those guys had to go through it a little bit, and that sometimes happens. … But now I think they’re getting more con dent, even just getting more detailed with how they’re approaching their shooting.”
With con dence comes opportunity, and the Rams seem to have adjusted well on o ense. Better shot selection usually means more respect for those shots from the opponent, which can create vulnerability if even for a split second.
“I think as long as we’re taking the right shots and the more paint touches we get, that usually collapses the defense and leaves us open for more threes,” Farokhmanesh said. “We’re spacing better for one another, whereas early in the year, you saw we’d oat around a lot or we wouldn’t keep moving.”
CSU has focused on diversifying their o ense to free up the court and get those open looks. Jaylen CrockerJohnson bene tted from that in the Rams’ most recent matchups against Wyoming and Nevada by opening each game with a 3-pointer. Against UNR, CSU capitalized on the early momentum with a 53.8% 3-point shooting performance in the rst half.
Hitting several threes often leads to settling for deeper shots, though. Despite the sound reasoning, neglecting a mix of physicality and nesse can extinguish a run, so the players have to actively balance shot selection.
Lake knows that struggle deeply as the leader in deep attempts.
“You sometimes see a three going in, see another one go in and you want to be ready to pop up to shoot the next one,” Lake said. “Sometimes you have got to just stay poised and continue to play the game as you know — getting in the paint and staying poised.”
Rashaan Mbemba, who’s known for his paint presence and physical playstyle, ignited a spark for a complacent game
plan Feb. 18 against UNR. In that game, CSU shot 53.8% from three in the rst half but saw a slight decrease in production just before the break. Mbemba was there with and-1s to generate momentum and get CSU back to driving more.
Some matchups, like the one against San Diego State, are inherently grittier. e game plan could revolve more around one thing than another, so it’s up to the players to be exible.
“Every game we come in here for practice each week, and then every day we just work on something di erent — what we think we’ll have an opportunity to do in the game,” Evans said. “(We do) whatever we feel like will pay o in the game coming up.”
As the Rams progress into Mountain West tournament territory, each game provides an opportunity to take a step forward. With di erent scouting reports each week, managing unique scenarios only increases the breadth of knowledge.
It all boils down to one thing: feeling ready.
“(It is about) just being ready to shoot,” Farokhmanesh said. “Are your hands ready? Are you thinking about the shot? Are you loading up your body and your muscles to be ready to shoot the ball? at’s probably No. 1.”
Reach Michael Hovey at sports @collegian.com.
GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY TRIN BONNER THE COLLEGIAN
Jalen Lake dodges University of Wyoming’s Matija Belic Feb. 15. Colorado State University men’s basketball won their game against UW 88-53. PHOTO BY AVERY COATES THE COLLEGIAN
GALLERY
1. Colorado State University students chant in support of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility policies with the CSU Student Coalition of DEIA Feb. 19. PHOTO BY
LAUREN MASCARDO THE COLLEGIAN
2. Haydin Johnson shares her statement in the Associated Students of CSU senate chamber Feb. 19. “It’s disheartening to be standing here before you all, in the same position that my grandmother was in, as a member of the minority class,” Johnson said. “A fraction of the merely 3% of Black students on this university, begging for something as simple as community and arguing why community is vital to our existence.”
PHOTO BY CAIT MCKINZIE THE COLLEGIAN
3. Students quietly sit in the CSU Administration Building as a form of protest against CSU’s stance on changing DEI policies Feb. 20. The sit-in was organized by a newly formed student group with a goal of letting university administration know they would not be silenced.
PHOTO BY CAIT MCKINZIE THE COLLEGIAN
4. United States Navy and Vietnam War Veteran Larry Stoddard encourages CSU students and community members to stand together during the ght for continued funding and support of Cultural Resource Centers on CSU’s campus Feb. 19. PHOTO BY LAUREN MASCARDO THE COLLEGIAN
5. Taylor Beverford holds ASCSU Parliamentarian Madeleine Kamberg’s hand while giving a statement in the senate chamber Feb. 19. “When I was sexually assaulted on campus, CSUPD did nothing to help me and it was insinuated that I was lying,” Beverford said. “The only help I got was from the SAFE Center and the Pride Resource Center. ... Our institution does not have the resources to protect our students without these CRCs — I got no help from anyone but the CRCs.”
PHOTO BY CAIT
MCKINZIE
THE COLLEGIAN
6. Over 250 students and community members gather at the CSU Administration Building to protest against the defunding of Cultural Resource Centers Feb. 19. PHOTO BY LAUREN MASCARDO THE COLLEGIAN
7. A student attending the protest held by CSU’s Student Coalition for DEIA holds a sign criticizing President Donald Trump Feb. 19.
PHOTO BY LAUREN MASCARDO THE COLLEGIAN
8. Dozens of students ll the ASCSU senate chambers to share their experiences and listen to statements from others about the student impact of Cultural Resource Centers Feb. 19.
PHOTO BY CAIT
MCKINZIE
THE COLLEGIAN
9. A CSU student marches in the DEI protest with a handmade sign Feb. 19. PHOTO BY LAUREN MASCARDO THE COLLEGIAN
10. Vice President for Student A airs Blanche Hughes addresses students during a meeting in the Administration Building Feb. 20.
PHOTO BY CAIT MCKINZIE THE COLLEGIAN
11. CSU students gather for a DEIA protest that started on the Lory Student Center Plaza Feb. 19. Students and community members gathered with homemade signs on poster boards and spiral notebooks.
PHOTO BY LAUREN MASCARDO THE COLLEGIAN
Students respond to federal DEI policies
Photos by Lauren Mascardo and Cait Mckinzie
CSU’s AI tutoring system shapes future of pollinator conservation
By Mckenna Van Voris @csucollegian
ere are more than 1,000 bee species in Colorado alone. Although pollinators are responsible for one-third of our diet, their populations have been on the decline.
It was facts such as these that motivated Lisa Mason, the horticulture specialist and entomologist for Colorado State University Extension in Arapahoe County, to create Native Bee Watch. rough this project, Mason has taught dozens of volunteers how to identify pollinators, a process that becomes di cult when there are not enough educators to give volunteers timely feedback about their observations.
“ at feedback loop is critical not only for the longterm scienti c outcomes of Native Bee Watch but also for volunteer engagement, volunteer retention and just overall individuals having a fun and enjoyable experience,” said Lauren Vilen, a graduate research assistant within CSU’s school of education.
is is when the idea to create an arti cial intelligence tutoring system to teach volunteers formed.
“ e AI tutoring system is a way that we hope can bridge that gap between learners identifying bees, or at least photos of bees, and then being able to get some timely feedback as to whether they identi ed that photo correctly,” Vilen said.
Not only do researchers want the AI tutoring system to issue a correct or incorrect response to volunteers’ bee identi cations, but they also aim to design a system that provides tailored feedback.
“So if you didn’t identify it correctly, it would perhaps give you some tutorials about the
features that you can look for and then give you the option of going to a more in-depth explanation with some other resources,” Vilen said.
Sarath Sreedharan, assistant professor in CSU’s department of computer science and the principal investigator of the project, explained the two parts of constructing the AI system. First, the system has to be coded. But after that, the machine can teach itself.
“We use this method called machine learning, where we build AI programs that can just look at a lot of data and then learn on its own,” Sreedharan said. “For example, identifying a bee, it’s not very easy for people to program
“They’re vital to humans — they’re also vital to the ecosystem. Over 75% of all plants in our world are dependent on pollinators for plant reproduction. So our world (and) our ecosystems also need pollinators.”
LISA MASON CSU EXTENSION HORTICULTURE SPECIALIST
how to identify a bee.” e project is a combined e ort between CSU’s school of education, the department of computer science and Native Bee Watch. While computer science researchers construct the AI portion, the school of education has been analyzing which e ective strategies the AI system should use when teaching volunteers.
“From the educational side, we’re really thinking about how
people learn and what things need to be in place for it to be a positive and e ective learning experience,” Vilen said. is project will allow individuals to learn with multiple facets of support, an opportunity that can be rare for adult students.
“ ere’s not always quality opportunities for people to engage in adult science learning outside of (a) formal education context (in which you’re) supported by adult learning experts and science contact experts,” Vilen said. “So I think this is a really unique opportunity to provide this experience to Colorado residents and be able to support the program with research from CSU.”
Sreedharan added to this, explaining that AI is an adaptive form of education and something that has the potential to accommodate a variety of individuals.
“I think there is a lot AI could o er towards providing e ective education, especially for education for nontraditional students and education outside the classroom,” Sreedharan said. is project is not just a prominent advancement in Larimer County or even Colorado. Pollinators are important to most life on Earth, whether directly or indirectly.
“ ey’re vital to humans — they’re also vital to the ecosystem,” Mason said. “Over 75% of all plants in our world are dependent on pollinators for plant reproduction. So our world (and) our ecosystems also need pollinators.”
Mason said she thinks the potential of AI has promise for the future of conservation.
“ ere’s a lot of room for innovation and learning how to use AI for good to help with conservation,” Mason said. “I think there’s a lot of cool things that could happen or will happen in the future.”
Reach Mckenna Van Voris at science@collegian.com.
STELLAR AGRICULTURE
Harvesting solar energy, crops: CSU researches agrivoltaics’ possibilities
By Chloe Waskey @csucollegian
As climate change accelerates and competition for land resources increases, researchers are seeking innovative solutions to balance food production with renewable energy generation. At Colorado State University, scientists are exploring agrivoltaics — the practice of growing crops beneath solar panels — as a promising approach.
Assistant Professor Jennifer Bousselot said agrivoltaics presents a sustainable way to integrate agriculture and solar production, challenging the traditional notion that these systems must remain separate.
“A lot of times, these two systems have been exclusionary,” Bousselot said. “You can’t practice both in the same place. But with combining them and sort of optimizing both systems, we’re able to generate energy and generate food in the same footprint.”
Analissa Sarno, a postdoctoral scientist at CSU, received a $225,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Institute of Food and Agriculture postdoctoral fellowship program to research agrivoltaics in Western Colorado.
“ ere are a lot of synergies within an agrivoltaics system that are mutually bene cial to both crop production and energy production,” Sarno said. “Some of those include increased water e ciency and keeping soil temperatures cooler.”
Sarno highlighted several additional bene ts,including how plant transpiration can help cool solar panels to improve energy e ciency and how livestock can be integrated into the system for added sustainability.
“Being able to have shade where the animals can kind of retreat to is really nice,” Sarno said. “It keeps them cooler, allows them potentially less stress, which can then lead to them gaining weight faster.”
Bousselot underscored how combining agriculture with energy production addresses larger debates about land use.
“It really comes down to the fact that food and energy are two of the major building blocks of our society, and there are all kinds of controversies about mixing the two or one excluding the other,” Bousselot said. “If we can actually open the door to allowing for both to be practiced on the same space, then that’s important.”
Sarno’s research aims to focus on how agrivoltaics impact crops like Palisade peaches, chardonnay wine grapes and other fruits and vegetables.
“My studies will look at soil health — both the biological and the physical characteristics of soil and how it changes during the construction process — but then also best management practices throughout the life of a solar array,” Sarno said.
Considering that agrivoltaics is a relatively new eld of study in the United States, Sarno said she anticipates running into hurdles. Some potential challenges include livestock interference, problems with energy companies, accounting for necessary farm equipment, soil damage from construction and more.
In an emailed statement, CSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences acknowledged how much research there is to be done.
“Combining energy and food production in this way gives Colorado farmers new opportunities,” the statement reads.“Much remains to be learned in this area, from the economic impact of these systems, the best way to implement agrivoltaics and the most appropriate regulations and policies to support agrivoltaics in Colorado.”
Daniel Mooney, an assistant professor of agricultural and resource economics, said agrivoltaics could be bene cial in smaller urban settings, but the feasibility of using agrivoltaics on a large commercial scale needs to be researched further.
“We need to think more about the translational piece and the
scaling up piece from a business management perspective,” Mooney said. “I think we do know a lot about the technical potential of it, but is it feasible on a large scale?”
Mooney pointed out that agrivoltaics requires permanent infrastructure, which can pose commercial business management challenges, especially given the limited research on its large-scale viability.
Agrivoltaics ideally relies on coordination between the utility company, the landowner and the farmer to maximize land use and diversity revenue streams. While this model works in smaller settings, Mooney noted there’s little data on its large-scale feasibility.
“I think we’re starting to understand the relationships and trade-o s, you know, really well, but we don’t have the numbers to make a de nitive conclusion,” Mooney said.
e commercial success of agrivoltaics could also depend on the location, Bousselot said.
While urban areas are typically successful, the more rural areas that Sarno plans to conduct research in need to be studied.
“Because agrivoltaics is very speci c to the climate that it’s being installed in, it is critical to characterize all di erent types of scenarios, and there isn’t much that’s known about that speci c set of climate conditions that occurs in the Western slope,” Bousselot said.
Sarno said she plans to ll some of these research gaps and hopes her work can be translated to other areas as well.
“I think the project that I proposed is relatively new to our area and something that’s going to be really important and impactful to our grower community but also the food production community at large,” Sarno said. “A lot of the things that we learn from this project, we will be able to apply to other systems in the Southwest.”
Reach Chloe Waskey at science@collegian.com.
COLLEGIAN FILE PHOTO
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES
OUT OF THIS WORLD
CSU aids in NASA’s search for extraterrestrial life
By Riley Paling @rileypaling
What is life? is is the typical big question scientists have been trying to answer for millenniums. But this time, the big question is: Where is life?
Colorado State University’s Santangelo Lab, housed in the Molecular and Radiological Biosciences building, was awarded a $1.3 million grant in partnership with researchers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab and Rice University. is grant aims to discover a way to detect extraterrestrial life and the signs to look for that would imply there are life forms outside of Earth.
When thinking about this idea, the Fermi paradox is applicable. is paradox is the idea that there is a high likelihood of extraterrestrial life, yet no evidence has been found.
“Astrobiology research is taking place because its time has come,” NASA’s astrobiology webpage reads. “Scientists across the country and around the world are diving into origin-oflife and life-beyond-Earth issues and developing exciting and cutting-edge work. But NASA also has an astrobiology ‘strategy’ describing where the agency sees promising lines of research — from the highly speci c to the wide and broad — that the agency might support.”
After realizing that there is not yet a way to detect life in space, NASA decided to invest in scientists to determine methods
that can be used to identify extraterrestrial life. Postdoctoral researcher Seré Williams is focusing on creating samples to answer this very question.
“I’m going to be creating samples that are samples of lipids and samples of amino acids and samples of full complex proteins and samples of lipids that have been turned into what we call micelles — so like a lipid vesicle,” Williams said.
Once these samples have been created, Williams plans to test them against ve di erent methods. is process will be used to discover which combination of methods will be most reliable in detecting life.
“It’s, like, actually a whole composed thing,” Williams said. “We are going to take ve methods, and they’re all generally spectroscopic methods. … e idea is to take these samples and a combination of these samples and run them through these ve methods to be able to use, you know, from one and then up to ve, like a combinatorial approach of potentially ve methods to say every time there is life or not life in this sample. And so the samples are, you know, going to be composed of both actual cells but then also things that look like cells that aren’t living at all.”
e samples that will be used are not coming from space, as they are very di cult to obtain.
A sample from space would have to come from an asteroid or other space object. For example, there was abundant ammonia and nitrogen-rich soluble organic matter in samples from
an asteroid. Scientists detected multiple amino acids that are part of the building blocks of life on that planet, which is similar to what this program is aiming to look for.
CSU’s lab does not research astrobiology but rather DNA.
“We do have grants from NASA, but they’re about DNA repair,” Williams said. “So when an organism is replicating, it wants to make sure that its DNA is replicated accurately. If there are too many errors, it will mutate and then not survive.”
While there is currently no concrete evidence for life in space, NASA’s goal is to have a de nitive answer to this question.
“ e size of space is incomprehensible, and the speed of light in a vacuum is the fastest speed at which information or matter can travel, according to our current understanding of physics, and it still takes, like, ve hours, ve and a half hours, for light from the sun to even reach Pluto,” Williams said.
Just as the vastness of space leaves us questioning the existence of life beyond Earth, the uncertainty of human existence and purpose is a central theme in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet: “To be, or not to be.”
H.A.M.L.E.T. is the research study’s acronym for Holistic Astrobiological Metric for Life on Extraterrestrial Targets.
“Hamlet was the guy who said ‘To be, or not to be,’ which is exactly what this project is answering,” Williams said.
Reach Riley Paling at science @collegian.com.
Shelves full of bottles, lab equipment, notes and test tubes sit on top of a desk, among other supplies Feb. 18. In the lab, postdoctoral researcher Seré Williams has been conducting research under NASA’s astrobiology grant in the Molecular and Radiological Biosciences building on Colorado State University’s main campus. PHOTO BY SOFIA RAIKOW THE COLLEGIAN
Donning a lab coat and blue gloves, postdoctoral researcher Seré Williams holds an organism sample of thermococcus kodakarensis inside an anaerobic chamber Feb. 18. “So we’re using organisms that come from really weird places on the Earth, so hyperthermophiles, so salt living organisms — we’re using things,” Williams said. PHOTO BY SOFIA RAIKOW THE COLLEGIAN
ARTISTIC ADVOCACY
B/AACC, ACT Human Rights Film Festival host Short Films on Black Brilliance
By Sananda Chandy @csucollegian
Heartbreak, joy, pain, love: e audience stares at these emotions depicted in ickering images, re ecting on the rich expression of Black identities throughout history.
In celebration of Black History Month, the ACT Human Rights Film Festival collaborated with Colorado State University’s Black/African American Cultural Center to present a collection of short lms that highlight the beauty of the diverse, resilient voices of Black artists, changemakers and activists.
On Feb. 24, the organizations came together on CSU’s campus for their fourth annual Short Films on Black Brilliance screening, meant to encourage individuals from di erent backgrounds to soften their hearts and minds and acknowledge underrepresented experiences. ey presented ve short lms that discussed distinct themes and messages of Black brilliance.
John Miller IV is the newest director for CSU’s B/AACC and sees an immense power of storytelling in lm. He said he is excited to step back into this partnership.
In initial introductions, Miller IV emphasized that they would play the credits of every short lm. ey hoped
EVERYBODY DIES
to shine a brighter light on all of the individuals who contributed to these multi-dimensional and intersectional stories of Blackness.
“It allows people to be able to see ve distinct windows into multiple kinds of Black life,” Miller IV said. “We get to see resilience in a lot of ways, but we also get to see joy. ... We get to tell ve completely di erent stories that embody Blackness in their own version.”
Beth Seymour is the managing director for the ACT Human Rights Film Festival and said this screening is a prominent event that collaboratively ampli es voices while uplifting identities and increasing accessibility to these rich cultural stories.
From stories about dance and hand games to rallying together as a community and nding family through trials, each story embodies the complexity and beauty of Blackness.
“Joy is a form of resistance, and there are a lot of joy moments (in the lms),” Seymour said. “Cultivating moments of joy for all of us is an important way to sustain ourselves and sustain the conversation around Black History Month and Black brilliance.”
Miller IV found value in the variance of the lms, from short animations about a father’s love when doing his daughter’s hair to a story about the arts and navigating more limited spaces. He sees how it encourages the audience to connect
with the people in the lms in short yet impactful ways.
“If you have one de nition of Blackness, you’re thinking too small,” Miller IV said. “I hope people are able to not only see pictures for what they are but to actually see how they’re di erent from each other while also being about Black people, Black culture and Black bodies.”
Anya Guttormson is currently a junior at CSU majoring in communication. Guttormson is the campus PR intern for the ACT Human Rights Film Festival, coordinating with student media outlets to get coverage for the festival. As a former dance major, she was excited to see that one of the lms illustrated the ourishing presence of ballet in underrepresented Black communities.
Guttormson discussed the importance of an open event that promotes the celebration of Black excellence and history among diverse groups and individuals, facilitating open perspectives and conversations.
“Just having the space to show lms and celebrate the joy but also the hardships that come with human rights is really special,” Guttormson said. “Being respectful and having these conversations and knowing that the only way to move forward is to challenge the status quo.”
Moments of connection manifested when everyone laughed at light-hearted scenes or grew emotional during more
heartfelt scenes. Miller IV mentioned that when picking from the over 20 lms ACT had shown over the years, they hoped the stories would embody the complexity of life.
“It was about not only picking the stories that we think are most impactful but also the stories that will give us a full spectrum of emotion and experience,” Miller IV said. “When we put them all together, you will hopefully cry in some of it, but you’ll also be proud.”
Seymour said she hopes that screening short lms will be a true act
of celebration for Black brilliance and the unique voices that ourish from multiple directions.
“ ere is true joy in gathering, laughing and watching lms together,” Seymour said. “Bringing community together to celebrate Black History Month, to celebrate Black brilliance and to celebrate human rights is a really meaningful experience, and I am looking forward to celebrating these themes in the future.”
Reach Sananda Chandy at entertainment@collegian.com.
‘The Monkey’ successfully blends humor, horror using toy monkey
By Christian Arndt @csucollegian
“Everybody dies” is the motto of Oz Perkins’ new lm, and he has drummed up one of the most thrilling and entertaining movies in recent times.
Who knew a simple toy monkey could cause so much death and destruction?
Directed by Perkins, who released the thriller “Longlegs” in 2024, “ e
Monkey” garnered generally positive reviews, highlighting its use of surreal death and humor. Oz Perkins used Stephen King’s short story of the same name as the basis for the lm.
e story follows young twin siblings Hal and Bill Shelburn, both played by Christian Convery, who uncover a drumming monkey toy in their father’s belongings.
What follows is a string of accidental murders supposedly caused by this monkey. Each time
the nal drumstick hits the drum, a bizarre, gory and surreal murder occurs — each one happening under increasingly insane circumstances as the movie progresses.
“Overall, the best thing that ‘The Monkey’ does is embrace its own outrageousness, illustrating great selfawareness. Perkins knew exactly what he wanted to project to the audience, and he did it exceptionally well within a well-rounded film.”
e story advances and returns to Hal in the present day, now played by eo James, who has lost contact with his brother and is spending time with his son. After years of believing it to be gone, the monkey returns to, once again, wreak havoc on Hal’s life. at’s essentially the gist of the movie, but there is so much more to
“ e Monkey” than just death — it’s also an outstanding dark comedy. Although this lm sounds dark and scary as a typical horror movie should, “ e Monkey” o ers an incredible number of well-timed and perfectly placed comedic moments throughout the lm. e blend of comedy and horror couldn’t have been done better, and the placement of the jokes between moments of intense horror works impeccably well.
ere are numerous occasions when Perkins takes advantage of the freakish deaths that occur in the movie. Once the brutality ends, a character or well-placed jump cut catches the audience o guard and delivers impactful humor. No joke went by without explosive laughter from the audience.
In true Perkins style, the cinematography in “ e Monkey” is also excellent. Shots holding on certain characters as something happens slightly o screen provides thrill and anticipation for what might happen next. Each shot in this movie is great and stylized in a very Perkins manner. e performances in the lm were fantastic and really leaned into the crazy reality. e best performances came from James and Convery. Convery put on an excellent performance by showing panic and distress when it came to the toy monkey; meanwhile, James
successfully plays a tired deadbeat who’s traumatized by his childhood. e writing is equally as excellent, with smart and hilarious dialogue that embraces its strange themes. Every piece of dialogue owed e ortlessly into the next.
Overall, the best thing that “ e Monkey” does is embrace its own outrageousness, illustrating great self-awareness. Perkins knew exactly what he wanted to project to the audience, and he did it exceptionally well within a well-rounded lm. e only thing that would make “ e Monkey” better would be if there were another 25 or so minutes. It didn’t feel short and it ended on a great high note, but the movie is such a fun watch that even more time dedicated to this twisted reality would be a joy.
Yes, Perkins has successfully made the audience want more laugh-outloud moments as well as gruesome death scenes.
With easily one of the most outrageous endings to a movie in recent times, “ e Monkey” succeeds in being one of the most exciting movies of the year. If you are ne with graphic material and want to watch something to satisfy a dark humor craving, “ e Monkey” is a must watch.
Reach
Christian Arndt at entertainment@collegian.com.
An audience watches the first short film of the night, “Black Girls Play: The Story Of Hand Games” Feb. 24. The Short Films on Black Brilliance event was held by the Black/African American Cultural Center with help from the ACT Human Rights Film Festival. PHOTO BY LAUREN MASCARDO THE COLLEGIAN
GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY TRIN BONNER THE COLLEGIAN
PARTISAN CONCERNS
The Democratic Party has failed America
By Will Engle @willengle44
Editor’s Note: All opinion section content re ects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by e Collegian or its editorial board.
President Donald Trump and his legion of fascists and oligarchs marched their way into the White House this January, and the Democrats handed him the golden key while doing an interpretive dance to protest his evergrowing power.
e Democratic Party has been aware of the overwhelming in uence Trump holds within the Republican electorate since his victory in the 2016 Presidential Election, and they have done almost nothing to stop it.
In doing so, the Democrats have not only failed the interests of their own party; they have failed the United States of America.
Trump certainly never made his intentions a secret. Leading up to the election, he ran on a platform of mass deportation, cutting funding to schools that support diversity, equity and inclusion, allowing Elon Musk to cut any government spending he sees t and drastically slashing protections for transgender Americans.
It’s now more obvious than ever that he intends to keep every single one of those promises.
Since his Jan. 20 inauguration just over a month ago, Trump has signed 70 executive orders. In his four years as president, Joe Biden signed 162 — 78 of which were immediately repealed on Trump’s rst day in o ce with Executive Order 14148.
e power of the executive o ce is expanding at a rate never seen before in American history. What are Democrats doing to stop it? Almost nothing.
In a Feb. 7 press brie ng, House Minority Leader Hakeem Je ries stood in front of a room of journalists, looked the American people in the eyes and asked, “What leverage do we have?” is is not an excuse. is is not a simple policy dispute. is is not an argument over funding new roads or designating a new United Nations ambassador. ese are policies that are a ecting — and ruining — the lives of real human beings.
Democrats are standing to the side, angrily shaking their sts while the Trump administration posts ASMR videos of immigrants being chained up and ripped away from their livelihoods and repeals funding to academic institutions for implementing diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
Crying that they have no power in the face of impending fascist dictatorship is not just cowardice — it is compliance.
e Democrats have the blood of every human being caught in the crosshairs of Trump’s dangerous policies on their hands — every migrant ripped from their families and communities, every transgender American who lives in constant fear because their legal documents now forcibly identify them as transgender and every Palestinian who witnesses a genocide unfold before their eyes while the most powerful nation in the world signs the check.
When South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on the night of Dec. 3, 2024, the opposition party did not sit on the sidelines and complain they no longer had the power to resist; they fought against Yoon’s militarized forces, climbed over barricades and rallied to instantly suspend Yoon from power and impeach him.
When Musk’s Department of Government E ciency attempted to gain access to the private nancial data of millions of Americans, a group of Democratic representatives and senators organized two protests to stop the proceedings. In both instances — one at the U.S. Agency for International Development and the other at the
Treasury Department’s headquarters — the protesters were told they weren’t allowed to enter, and so they simply stopped at that and ended their protests.
“We were just told by a spokesperson that the o ce is closed and that they are following the (executive order) and that’s it,” Rep. Suhas Subramanyam said at the USAID protest.
Walking up to the door of the facility where Musk — an unelected o cial — is threatening to steal the nancial data of millions and then turning away just because someone said the o ce is closed is utterly unacceptable.
e Democrats have a responsibility as the opposition party to actually oppose Trump. As Trump continues to push the boundaries of executive power
to unprecedented levels, it is no longer acceptable to be the party that turns the other cheek.
Even if the Democrats are powerless to stop every advance Trump makes toward fascism, they had four years of power to set up concrete legal protections and a competent opponent to defeat Trump.
If Biden kept his promise to stay a one-term president and the Democrats held a legitimate primary to oppose Trump, the party could have gained a greater understanding of what their electorate was looking for in a candidate.
Read the full version of this article at collegian.com.
Reach Will Engle at letters @collegian.com.
UNMET DEMANDS
CSU admin’s public statements fail to address student concerns
By Emma Souza @_emmasouza
Editor’s Note: All opinion section content re ects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by e Collegian or its editorial board.
At what point can a public institution stand against policies thrust upon them by those who have historically funded it? is is what I have been asking myself repeatedly — in sadness, in frustration, in the hallways between classes, outside of resource centers soon to be changed, in the kitchen, my bed and while reading through the Colorado State University’s core principles and mission statements that once meant something but now feel wholly empty.
Even as I write this, I stare blankly at CSU’s student activism website. ough the page is still intact at this moment, I know the site is soon to be some foreign artifact, something untraceable and inaccessible, like a word on the tip of my tongue I can never quite nd. I read the sentences over and over, trying to snap a picture in my brain so I could remember when our school — our country — still cared about the needs of its students.
On Feb. 18, President Amy Parsons and CSU administration released a statement echoing a letter from the
UNEQUAL SEATS
U.S. Department of Education, which essentially gave public universities two weeks to prohibit using race “in decisions pertaining to admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, nancial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies and all other aspects of student, academic and campus life.”
e university administration’s statement was horri cally vague. After stressing the importance of funding and following federal orders, CSU administration wrote, “ e path forward may challenge our campus in di erent ways. For some members of our community, these changes will be disruptive and concerning, and I understand that many individuals feel uncertain. I ask that we extend grace, dignity and respect to each of our fellow Rams.”
I acknowledge that, as a public college, Colorado State University is controlled by the nancial hand of our government and, therefore, regrettably, by the hand of President Donald Trump. While CSU’s administration addressed this, they have failed in correctly acknowledging the concerns and emotions of the very community they represent. e reality is that many CSU students simply do not feel just “uncertain.” Uncertainty implies a lack of assuredness
or, almost, a lack of full, concrete emotion.
e CSU administration and Parsons know about the sit-ins, the protests and the petitions yet still fail to properly address these fears and these emotions that are certainly more palpable than uncertainty. ey are more than aware of the anger and fear running rampant throughout campus right now — anger and fear caused in part by federal policies and in part by CSU’s compliance with them but also due to the vagueness of the statements released.
No wonder we began to speculate about the Cultural Resource Centers being eradicated — not a single plan was speci ed other than the fact that “the path forward may challenge our campus in di erent ways.” What were we supposed to think? CSU tells us that campus is a safe space then vaguely threatens to eradicate the rst places we’d go. ey promote degree o erings for whomever desires one then end the scholarships that allow us to do so.
Over the last few months, as explained in a statement by CSU’s Cultural Resource Centers, CSU has intentionally rolled back resources for students and faculty pertaining to DEI initiatives. ey have taken down online resources for undocumented students, not to mention completely wiping out the use of “undocumented” on these
pages. ey have paused hiring in all CRCs. ey have stopped DEI training for all faculty. e word “multicultural” has been removed from the MURALS program and all its related materials. ese are just several out of over a dozen instances that have been quietly swept under the rug. Again — I don’t know the legality or the loopholes that admin can do to protect students targeted by Trump’s plans. I don’t know how vocally a public institution
can refute policies made by the people funding it. But there is a blatant di erence between following orders out of nancial obligation and deliberately ignoring the concerns and confusion of your constituents. We are not uncertain about how we feel — we are uncertain about whether you value our voices as much as you claim.
Reach Emma
at letters @collegian.com.
Combination desks are inconvenient, uncomfortable
By Audrey Weishaar @csucollegian
Editor’s Note: All opinion section content re ects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by e Collegian or its editorial board.
Most classrooms on Colorado State University’s campus have some sort of combination desk, which is any sort of desk that has a chair attached. e most common type is individuals — those oriented so that the bar connecting the desk to the chair can be lifted, allowing for easier entry. e bar should go under your dominant hand. e other type I have seen on campus is one in which the chair is on a swivel mounted to the desk. After the person using it pulls it out, the spring-locked chair will slide back toward the desk.
ese desks are extremely inconvenient for a number of reasons. I am a lefty; I understand the disadvantages that come with this. I do not know how to use regular scissors or left-handed scissors. If I am lucky, my classroom will have, at most, ve lefthanded desks. It is not the biggest deal in the world; I can still write. Although my handwriting is worse and I sit at an awkward angle, cramming myself in to be able to write, I can make it work. Another inconvenience is the inability to move. Most of these desks that lift are not on wheels. If I have to move the desk to make more space, or if the room needs to be rearranged into a circle, these
desks are incredibly frustrating to move. If you grab it by the desk, the desk will lift instead of being pulled in a direction. If you push it, it will tip forward and dig the front legs into the ground. at desk will not move without putting up a ght. If you want to move while sitting at the desk, it’s di cult. e gap between the front of the desk and the back of the chair is not wide enough, but it is still manageable — if frustrating.
Most of these desks are angled at a slope. You have to hold onto a pencil or else it rolls onto the oor, and picking things up from the oor in those desks is hard. Papers will slide toward the seated student unless there is a weight on the paper. I can not think of one justi able reason why the desk needs to be at an angle. All it does is make it harder to keep stu on an already small desk. ere is barely enough space on the desk to t a computer. If there are handouts or you need to sign a form or ll out a sign-in sheet for attendance, you have to write on top of your computer. Otherwise, you risk dropping something.
ese desks are simply too small for most people, both in terms of writing space and room in the chair. e desks that lift are simple enough to get in: lift the desk or slide in. However, the chairs that rotate out from under the desks are not as easy. Rotate the chair toward you, sit in it, and unless you are very thin or have legs of steel, you are jammed against the desk. I am a fat girl, and these desks are uncomfortable and painful. e chair sits slightly rotated because it cannot get to its normal position. I force the chair to
point forward every few minutes, which results in an aching hip by the time class is over. My stomach is pushed against the chair, biting and pinching my skin. e chairs also creak a lot. Many fat jokes are about a fat person sitting down and their chair breaking underneath them. I worry, perhaps irrationally, that this will happen to me. In classrooms
that have these rotating chairs, many are missing. I don’t know how they break, but I worry about my chair being the next to join the fallen. is fear is perpetuated by the loud squeaking that accompanies me as I rotate the seat to face the front of the classroom.
At the end of the day, the comfortability of the chairs I occupy
for an hour is low on my priority list. ere are bigger issues in the world, and I can make these awkward desks work. However, they are impractical at best and inaccessible at worst. Desks with separate chairs are a better option for everyone.
Reach Audrey Weishaar at letters @collegian.com.
Souza
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY CADEN PROULX THE COLLEGIAN
PUZZLES
Sudoku
WEEKLY HOROSCOPE
By Sophia Masia
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (02/27/25)
ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)
Mars, your ruling planet, has finally gone direct, and although you’re probably buzzing with mental energy, it doesn’t need to be acted on right this moment. The cosmos always knows what they’re doing, so if everything feels like it’s moving slower than you, find healthy outlets to release pent-up energy. Recharging will do you well, Aries.
TAURUS (APRIL 20 - MAY 20)
The new moon is bringing magic to your friendships and communities this week. It will be easy to widen your network, have special moments with friends, organize activism in the community or ask others for favors. Don’t let your comfort zone keep you from new beginnings. Get out there, Taurus.
GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 20)
If your money matters and possessions are causing you stress, prepare for a break this week. Motivation, discipline and desire to uphold responsibility all increase early in the week while your public reputation is getting a refresh. Use this energy to pick up on any gut feelings surrounding your profession, and shift gears if needed. The sky’s the limit, Gemini.
CANCER (JUNE 21 - JULY 22) You might feel like you’ve been
to enjoy the present a little more. There’s no due date in life — your path will naturally diverge in the best direction for you when the time is right. Rest, recalibrate, take time for your passions and ground yourself, Scorpio.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21)
stuck learning the same lesson over and over again. Now free from the constraints of Mars retrograde, you’re eager to debut a brand new you and move forward. It’s time to use what you’ve learned and assess what has worked and tweak what hasn’t. Where are you redirecting your energy, Cancer?
LEO (JULY 23 - AUG. 22)
It’s an emotional week for you, as the Pisces new moon takes you to the depths and back. If you’re bogged down by debts, finances, negotiations or your relationships with others, find a healthy outlet through creative expression. Have a good cry, grab a paintbrush or dance it out. Tell your intuition you’re listening, Leo.
VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEPT. 22)
The week ahead is spotlighting your partnerships, whether in business, love or social circles. It’s time to audit your relationships, and this new moon can make you feel extra sentimental or romantic, so be sure to practice strong discipline when reinforcing and protecting your boundaries. Value all that you bring, Virgo.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23 - OCT. 22)
Are you still nailing those New Year’s resolutions? It’s time to assess your habits objectively, reset your intentions and finetune your work and wellness routines moving forward. Routines shouldn’t feel like pulling teeth; it’s TLC for future you. Commit to wellbeing, Libra.
SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)
If you find yourself anxious to move forward yet unable to progress, take it as a sign
Things might have felt cramped in your domestic arrangements recently, but this week brings gentle solutions to the homefront. If you’ve been meaning to negotiate your rent, tell your roommate to be cleaner or refresh stale design choices, why wait? Be honest about what you need for a more stable foundation, Sag.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19)
You have a rush of energy and discipline that will help you knock out what you’ve been dragging your feet on completing. You’ll have plenty of time to rest during the new moon, which refreshes your local communities, friendships and romantic relationships. This could be a good time to plan a spring break trip or start a local club. Rally the hive mind, Capricorn.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18) This week, you’re reaping what you sow. If you’ve been making smart financial choices, you can expect positive changes, as money will be going in and out of your account over the coming weeks. While money is tight, spend time focusing on other pursuits of happiness, security, creativity and fun. Stability comes from within, Aquarius.
PISCES (FEB. 19 - MARCH 20)
You’re the main event this week. It’s your birthday season, and the universe is feeling extra generous in granting birthday wishes. Ask yourself what you want to accomplish this year. Who do you want to be? You’re finding it easier to relax and enjoy yourself, so indulge this week. Let inspiration lead you, Pisces.
Last edition’s crossword solution
Last edition’s sudoku solution
PUZZLES
“The gay rumors have been swirling around me since seventh grade.”
“Wait — talking about furry porn is ME coded?”
“I’m about to buy adderall from TikTok shop.”
“I do not work out just so I could get some cougar from Boeing.”
“Instead of just breaking up with him like any normal person would, she decided, ‘Why not just kill him?’”
“If a man tried to crack my knuckles, I would punch him. I don’t like my fingers or toes touched.” Have you overheard something funny on campus? Put your eavesdropping to good use. Tweet
