THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN
CSU COMMUNITY
CELEBRATES
CSU COMMUNITY CELEBRATES
CAM THE
BIRTHDAY
BIRTHDAY
Story by Riley Paling
Photo by Julia Percy
THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN
FOCO EVENTS TOP STORIES
NEWS: Former Rep. Ken Buck visits CSU, engages with students PAGE 3
LIFE: 9 Celestial Seasonings herbal teas to try this winter PAGE 7
SPORTS: Fab first-years: Froebe, Carlson aid CSU women’s basketball success PAGE 9
SCIENCE: Smoke signals: CSU studies wildfire impact on firefighter reproductive health PAGE 14-15
ARTS: ‘Community Smog’ exhibit visualizes wildfire pollution through art PAGE 16
OPINION: We need to choose to fight for a better future PAGE 20
MEDIA: ‘The Hangman at Home’ VR exhibit creates dialogue between poetry, science, art PAGES 12-13
Body/Speak: Dance Community Celebration at the University Center for the Arts 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7 and 8
Daft Disko at Aggie Theatre 8:00 p.m. to midnight Feb. 8
Create Your Own Closed Terrarium Class at Bath Garden Center Noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 9
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Local artist Laura May displays her marine life collection at Bath Garden Center Feb. 2. “I am happy to say there are more sea creatures to come,” May said on her social media. Bath Garden Center will be displaying local art shows every weekend until March 9. PHOTO BY
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JULIA PERCY THE COLLEGIAN
ENDURING CONNECTION
Former Rep. Ken Buck visits CSU, engages with students
By Sam Hutton @sam_hut14
Former Colorado Rep. Ken Buck visited Colorado State University Jan. 30 to meet with interested students in an effort to continue his relationship with the university community. Also in attendance were Vice President for Engagement and Extension James Pritchett; Dean of the College of Liberal Arts Kjerstin Thorson; Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences Carolyn Lawrence-Dill; and Director of Athletics John Weber.
Buck began his tenure as a member of the United States House of Representatives in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District in 2015, serving until March 2024. His abrupt resignation prompted a June special
election and would later open the door for former 3rd District Rep. Lauren Boebert to fill the vacant seat in the November general election.
Though CSU is not encompassed by Buck’s former district, the region’s shared roots in the agriculture and livestock industry has made Buck a core supporter of the university and its research efforts.
Buck’s most recent CSU visit came in the months leading up to his resignation and following the announcement of his decision to not seek reelection. As part of the university’s thematic Year of Democracy, Buck spoke on the state of the American democratic process and fielded questions from audience members relating to his experience as a public servant.
Citing the country’s explosive political climate and his new station as a private citizen, Buck insisted
his comments while meeting with undergraduate students and university administrators remain off the record and focused on the input of students.
In an attempt to bridge Buck’s areas of expertise, students in majors ranging from livestock and agricultural business management to political science and economics were included in the lunch hour discussion. Buck began the conversation by asking students about their individual CSU experiences, centering on their separate backgrounds and decisions to attend CSU.
“I had to come to a realization with myself, coming from a farming background, that I really didn’t want to leave agriculture, and having a network with the College of Agricultural Sciences here made it really easy to get connected,” agricultural business student Kai Siep said.
Siep said he originally intended to study aerospace engineering at Colorado School of Mines, though, the robust system of support and career readiness within CSU’s College of Agricultural Sciences ultimately led to his decision to attend CSU.
Students from around the table and, by extension, from around the university, seemed to echo Siep’s sentiments. Political science student and Democracy Ambassador for the Straayer Center for Public Service Leadership Harper Dorris said she was also impressed by CSU during her college search due to the resources outside of her chosen field of study.
“CSU just felt like the best fit — it was hard to stop smiling,” Dorris said. “I also spoke to a few individuals in the music department because that was something important to me that I could do outside of my major.”
Dorris also cited internship and fellowship opportunities provided by the political science department as a major factor in her final decision.
ASCSU Director of Finance Tangia Zheng spoke about her experience working with Buck as a congressional intern during her first year at CSU. Zheng said she hopes to build a company in the hopes of returning to support the university later in her career.
“In 10 to 15 years, I hope to have raised enough money to be able to use that money to do good,” Zheng said. “When I first started interning for (Buck), I was not very confident, and I feel like (he) believed in me before I believed in myself. It’s about taking every opportunity that you get.”
Reach Sam Hutton at news @collegian.com.
Former Colorado Rep. Ken Buck visits with Colorado State University students and faculty Jan. 30. Buck spoke with students about future job prospects, careers and plans in the Animal Sciences building.
PHOTO BY ALLIE SEIBEL THE COLLEGIAN
LOCAL
CSU students discuss recent immigration policy changes
By Chloe Waskey @csucollegian
As mass deportations escalate across the country, students at Colorado State University shared their perspectives on ongoing immigration policy changes under President Donald Trump’s second administration. With approximately 150 undocumented students enrolled at CSU and many more with undocumented family members, the issue remains a significant concern on campus.
“I currently live in constant fear,” said Vladimir Lora Pardo, a senator for the Associated Students of CSU’s academic advancement center for first-generation and undocumented students. “It just takes me back to when I was younger, and I had the fear that I wouldn’t see my mom and dad when I got home.”
As the first undocumented senator in ASCSU, Lora Pardo is a fierce advocate for undocumented students.
“I know that my community lives in fear of speaking out,” Lora Pardo said. “I want to show them that there is power in our stories and that there is power in our voices, and that at the end of the day, we have the power to rise together.”
Last week, Trump signed into law H.R.7511, otherwise known as the Laken Riley Act, which requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain non-U.S. nationals “who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny or shoplifting.” The act does not require that the person facing detainment be formerly charged or convicted of such crimes to face deportation.
“It’s a way for people to literally racially profile and find a way to deport people that they think are immigrants,” said Kristina Rodriguez, an associate senator for ASCSU. “I think that’s very concerning.”
The act is one of several policy changes Trump has authorized since his term began less than a month ago. Colorado has been a unique target in Trump’s immigration enforcement
measures, as he announced “Operation Aurora” in October.
Since then, the Pentagon has authorized the use of Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, Colorado, as a temporary operations center for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The DHS reportedly planned to begin an immigration crackdown in Aurora Jan. 30 but postponed the effort due to publicity leaks, according to the Colorado Sentinel.
ICE raids have been reported in other parts of Colorado, including one in Adams County that involved the arrest of 49 people at a nightclub, 41 of whom were undocumented. According to Colorado Public Radio, none of the detainees have made an appearance in federal court so far, and it is unclear where they are being held.
Last week in Loveland, Colorado, a man — whose immigration status is still unclear — was arrested by immigration officials near an elementary school, garnering attention from Northern Coloradans. Several reports of ICE
presence in Fort Collins and Larimer County have been made, but they have yet to be tied to any arrests regarding citizenship status.
As federal immigration laws tighten and ICE becomes more visible in the Fort Collins area, some CSU students worry the lives of people they know might be changed forever.
Yoseline Rivera, an ASCSU senator representing El Centro, said she worries about her parents, who are immigrants with residency status.
“Just seeing anything that’s happening right now, it’s really scary because they’re down in Denver, and I’m like, ‘Who’s taking care of them?’” Rivera said.
Tyler, a CSU student who requested his last name be kept anonymous, said he worries for his immigrant coworkers.
“It almost feels like it’s not their fault,” Tyler said. “They put in a lot of work to get here where they are, and it’s like they have no control over what’s going to happen to them.”
“When people say, ‘Oh, these people are coming and taking our jobs,’ there’s so much context and nuance around it that just gets ignored for the sake of it being political. I feel like education is really what would help solve a lot of these issues here.”
A banner reading, “Our presence in higher education is a right, not a privilege,” is placed at a table at the Wellness Wonderland event hosted by the Associated Students of Colorado State University Sept. 20, 2024. The banner, which was previously removed from The Plaza Sept. 11,2024, is an anonymous form of protest from undocumented students at CSU
PHOTO BY ALLIE SEIBEL THE COLLEGIAN
LUCAS HUBER STUDENT
A chalk message is written across the Lory Student Center Plaza to let students know about a Young Democratic Socialists of America petition to make Colorado State University a sanctuary campus Feb. 4.
PHOTO BY CAIT MCKINZIE THE COLLEGIAN
Tyler and several other students said they believe deportation measures should be carried out on a smaller scale and on a case-by-case basis.
“I feel like (deportation) should be circumstantial,” said Alexia, a CSU student who also requested her last name be kept anonymous. “Instead of just deporting them right away, there should be other options.”
Many students criticized Trump’s immigration policy given the important role that immigrants played and continue to play in U.S. history, as student Joey Reyes pointed out.
“I’d say it’s pretty hypocritical that we have, like, this immigration problem when the U.S. was founded by people that are not native to the U.S.,” Reyes said.
Lucas Huber, another CSU student, said support for Trump’s immigration policies can be attributed to a lack of information and nuance in political conversations.
“When people say, ‘Oh, these people are coming and taking our jobs,’ there’s
so much context and nuance around it that just gets ignored for the sake of it being political,” Huber said. “I feel like education is really what would help solve a lot of these issues here.”
In terms of safety on campus and in the surrounding community, students have varying perspectives. In general, those who are or know someone who is undocumented questioned CSU’s ability to protect students, while those with U.S. citizenship reported feeling safe in Fort Collins.
Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen issued a statement Jan. 29 regarding the role of local police amid recent ICE activity in the area.
“Our agency is focused on public safety, not immigration,” the statement reads. “ICE detainer requests are not court orders; in accordance with state law, our jail will not hold someone solely on a detainer request if they’re otherwise eligible for release.”
Rodriguez said the statement gives her some sense of safety in the community but is not enough to help her feel safe on campus.
“It does bring me some sort of comfort,” Rodriguez said. “But then again, like, seeing how it is with our own president at CSU, I just really wish she would be able to do something similar.”
CSU President Amy Parsons has not issued an official statement regarding recent immigration policies and their potential impact on students. This contrasts the university’s 2017 response under former President Tony Frank, who reassured students amid uncertainty over their immigration status.
“Certainly, the benefit to our campus community from the presence of these strong, hard-working and talented student leaders is also significant,” the 2017 statement reads. “We support any efforts to allow these students to complete their educations at Colorado State University.”
When The Collegian reached out to CSU for comment, the university provided the following statement: “Like other institutions of higher education across the country, CSU is in the process of reviewing the Trump administration’s executive orders and directives.”
Lora Pardo said the lack of clear communication from Parsons is stressful for him and other undocumented students.
“No statement is a statement,” Lora Pardo said. “Delaying a message due to the uncertainty just causes more fear and more panic in our community — silence is loud.”
Students seeking support can visit Student Legal Services, the CSU Health Network and attend ASCSU meetings. Rivera said students can pick up “know your rights” information cards from ASCSU.
“I think that the undocumented community has to be reminded that we have prevailed,” Lora Pardo said. “We have prevailed every single time — every time that there’s been an obstacle faced. It’s because of the incredible work ethic that the undocumented community has that we persevere.”
Reach Chloe Waskey at news @collegian.com.
Chalk is written across the Lory Student Center Plaza to let students know about a Young Democratic Socialists of America petition to make Colorado State University a sanctuary campus Feb. 4 PHOTO BY CAIT MCKINZIE THE COLLEGIAN
PARTY HEARTY
CAM the Ram celebrates his birthday at CSU
By Riley Paling @rileypaling
Colorado State University’s beloved mascot, CAM the Ram, turned 3 years old Saturday, Feb. 1. His birthday party was held at the Student Rec Center.
The event, which drew in a crowd of students, faculty, alumni and fans, was filled with festive decorations, interactive activities and, of course, plenty of birthday treats for both CAM and his supporters.
The party kicked off at 10 a.m. with a line of people outside the Rec Center to see CAM himself, who was accompanied by his dedicated Ram Handlers. Most attendees dressed in CSU-themed attire.
CAM has to prepare for his birthday party like anybody else.
“We actually gave him a bath last night for about two hours or so,” said Suzie Halvorson, head trainer and coach. “And then we usually start day off getting ready about an hour and a half beforehand. We spot clean him; we chop up all of his treats, which are romaine lettuce and alfalfa pellets; we get his truck and trailer ready; we make sure we’re ready ourselves; and we talk through training techniques that we’re going to be using for the day with him.”
“We needed to celebrate CAM’s birthday. I love that we have an actual animal mascot. Happy birthday, CAM.”
KYLEIGH BALLINGER STUDENT
“His birthday represents everything that the university stands for,” said Lynn Dusek, a volunteer at CAM’s birthday party.
At 11 a.m., the crowd gathered outside to sing “Happy Birthday” to CAM, who was wearing a green party hat. After the singing of “Happy Birthday,” CAM got
Organized by the CSU Alumni Association and the Ram Handlers, the celebration featured various activities for attendees. There was face painting, balloon animal making and guessing games consisting of how many teeth CAM has and what his horns are made of. There were cupcakes and donuts for the children who attended and stickers for everybody. Attendees also had the opportunity to make a birthday card for CAM.
his favorite treat: lettuce. The CAM the Ram human mascot was also present for the party and received a party hat of his own, making for a fun photo opportunity for students and alumni alike.
CAM the Ram has been a staple of CSU pride since the live mascot tradition began in 1946. The current CAM — the 26th in the lineage — has been a fan favorite at football games, university events and community gatherings. His role is more than just symbolic: CAM represents the spirit and resilience of CSU students, alumni and fans.
For many students, CAM is more than just a mascot; he’s a symbol of their time at CSU.
“We needed to celebrate CAM’s birthday,” said Kyleigh Ballinger, a junior at CSU. “I love that we have an actual animal mascot. Happy birthday, CAM.”
By the time the event wrapped up at noon, it was clear CAM’s birthday had been a huge success. Many attendees lingered to take final photos with CAM, while others made plans to attend the next big university event, knowing that CSU traditions like these continue to strengthen the bond of the Ram family.
As the day came to a close, two things were for sure: CAM had an unforgettable birthday, and the CSU community is already looking forward to celebrating again next year.
Reach Riley Paling at life@collegian.com.
CAM the Ram, Colorado State University’s live mascot, celebrated his birthday with his human counterpart Saturday, Feb 1. Both mascots wore birthday hats for the celebration.
PHOTO BY JULIA PERCY THE COLLEGIAN
CAM the Ram celebrated his birthday at the Colorado State University Student Rec Center Feb. 1. The party was organized by the CSU Alumni Association. PHOTO BY JULIA PERCY THE COLLEGIAN
9 Celestial Seasonings herbal teas to try this winter
By Aubree Miller @aubreem07
Most people are either coffee or tea fans, and most tea enthusiasts are probably familiar with Celestial Seasonings. Most well known for its original Sleepytime tea — complete with mascot Sleepytime Bear — Celestial Seasonings has cemented itself in the warm beverage realm.
A Boulder-based company that began in 1969, Celestial Seasonings specializes in herbal teas. The lack of actual tea leaves means most of their blends are a combination of spices, herbs and other plants.
Tea has a rich history in each part of the world, and Celestial Seasonings noted that, “For centuries, people have steeped herbs in hot water to enjoy their unique qualities and benefits — but Celestial Seasonings first introduced expertly blended herbal teas to North America,” according to their blog.
With over 80 varieties of tea, along with seasonal offerings, there is no shortage of blends to choose from. Here is a list of a few, along with their notes and flavor profiles.
Chamomile
As one of the company’s bestselling teas, the Chamomile is light
and calming with a hint of earthiness. It’s a nice nighttime vibe, which makes sense, considering it is the base of Celestial Seasonings’ bestselling Sleepytime tea. It is soothing and warm but with a mild flavor. The slight earthiness can be a bit bitter if steeped too long, but it would be great for anyone feeling under the weather.
Sleepytime Vanilla
Presenting itself as a variation on a theme, Sleepytime Vanilla does have a sweeter and more robust flavor than the classic Sleepytime. It is warm and soothing, and the vanilla does shine through and adds some depth, making it the perfect way to wind down at night.
Sleepytime Melatonin
Along with the flavored versions of Sleepytime, there are a number of wellness varieties, one of which is melatonin. The melatonin doesn’t have a very distinct flavor, so it seems like regular Sleepytime but with a little extra boost of sleepy. It could be a good option if you like the flavor of Sleepytime but are having trouble winding down.
Sleepytime Detox
Similar to the melatonin variety, the detox version is similar to the original Sleepytime. However, when compared side by side to the melatonin, the detox variant had a slightly more robust and
round flavor. The aloe, green rooibos and dandelion root blended with the chamomile worked well but didn’t alter the traditional Sleepytime notes.
Wild Berry Zinger
Wild Berry Zinger was not a personal favorite; there was a distinct berry flavor, but it was rather artificial and overpowering. There was also a bitterness that was at the forefront of each sip, which made it less enjoyable. It could be good iced, potentially if used to make a berry lemonade or something of that nature, but the warmth and flavor weren’t very complimentary to each other.
Jammin’ Lemon Ginger
The lemon flavor in Jammin’ Lemon Ginger was present at the front of a sip but melted away, and the ginger was more felt than tasted. The ginger provided a warm, spicy sensation, which wasn’t very pleasant. There was some sweetness with the lemon, but the punch of ginger took away from that smooth flavor. Lemon Zinger might be a better option for those who don’t enjoy ginger.
Bengal Spice
The flavor of Bengal Spice missed the mark. It tasted very simple, like warm cinnamon water. It appears to be a chaiadjacent, as it is categorized under “chai tea” on the Celestial Seasonings website, but it did not taste like chai.
The only spice that came through was cinnamon, aside from the presence of ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, black pepper and cloves. The cinnamon provided a nice warm spice, but it was a very flat and dull flavor, especially because it was the only noticeable taste. There is better chai elsewhere; a better alternative is Bigelow’s Vanilla Chai.
TeaWell Sleep
Wellness Tea in chamomile mint
A slight outlier in the Celestial Seasonings collection: The TeaWell Sleep Wellness Tea came individually packaged with a string and tag. The company prides itself on eliminating unnecessary waste, so all other teas came loose in a box with no string and tag.
The flavor was mild; the mint was slightly fragrant but not detectable by taste. Similar to Sleepytime Melatonin, the melatonin didn’t have a distinct flavor, and although Sleepytime has different ingredients, the chamomile and spearmint lent similar flavor profiles for both teas.
This isn’t a comprehensive list of each tea Celestial Seasonings has to offer, but this selection showcased a small variety of blends and spices used to create a unique taste with each tea.
Reach Aubree Miller at life@collegian.com.
APACC celebrates Lunar New Year with food, explores different Asian traditions
By Rebekah Barry @csucollegian
The Colorado State University Asian Pacific American Cultural Center held a Lunar New Year celebration Jan. 29 in the Lory Student Center.
The holiday is a festivity based on lunisolar calendars derived from the moon and sun. The celebration typically lasts around 15 days.
Angel Tejawijaya, one of the event organizers and a senior at CSU, talked about the importance of the Lunar New Year to her family.
“I’ve always celebrated with friends and family,” Tejawijaya said. “Everything is about starting off fresh, and we always have a big family dinner. And what my family does is we always get new pajamas, even matching.”
Another student, Richard Tran, spoke about how his family celebrates the holiday.
“We usually have a meal together,” Tran said. “But this year, they’re off in
Hong Kong visiting family, so I came to this event to celebrate.”
The celebration originates from the zodiac wheel, which marks 12 different animals across 12 years.
According to legend, the Jade Emperor — who some contended was the Buddha — held a race between several animals on his birthday, and the first 12 animals now determine the zodiac wheel. Most start with the dragon, but some start with the rat, depending on the legend.
The snake marks the year of 2025, making this the zodiac animal for people born in 1989, 2001, 2013 and so on.
Lunar New Year symbolizes a new start and a fresh beginning — similar to the idea of New Year’s Day in different cultures. The holiday keeps cultural traditions and customs alive.
“The significance of Lunar New Year is to bring each other together — it’s about community, family and food,” CSU junior Lilianna Nono said. “For Vietnamese New Year, we eat 10 meals to signify the importance of being with family and sharing food.
For Chinese, they stay up all night, and they eat vegetarian dishes to signify a good health.”
And the celebration continues all throughout Asia, including in both North and South Korea, where they celebrate Korean Seollal.
“For Korea, they may celebrate for about two to three days,” CSU veterinary student Billy Poon Wing Bill said. “(For them), it’s more about celebrating and offering to their ancestors.”
Across many cultures, a clean house is believed to rid the dwellings of all bad and evil spirits. The loud noises during the dragon and lion dance and the firecrackers are also believed to ward off evil spirits.
Food also represents key components of the Lunar New Year.
“Dumplings are for wealth, fish for abundance (and) sweet rice bowls for unity,” Nono said.
One of the key components of this celebration is the color red. Red symbolizes joy and good fortune in many Asian countries, making it a staple color for decorations. Meanwhile,
gold represents wealth and health. The decorations included lanterns, envelopes and streamers.
“A big thing in Chinese culture is red envelopes,” CSU junior Skyy Macaraeg said. “And it’s about passing good fortune onto those who are younger than you.”
More Lunar New Year festivities include family reunions and parties, parades, lion dances and lighting firecrackers. Macaraeg said the use of firecrackers tells the story of Nian, the Lunar New Year dragon.
“(The dragon) came once every year to feast on the villagers,” Macaraeg said. “So one year, a traveler came and told them, ‘You need to wear red and make a lot of noise.’ What ended up happening was the night that Nian was going to come, the villagers wore red, made a lot of food and (set off firecrackers). So that was the last year. The dragon died because it starved to death, so they started to do this every year to celebrate.”
Reach Rebekah Barry at life @collegian.com.
GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY TRIN BONNER THE COLLEGIAN
Fab first-years: Froebe, Carlson aid CSU women’s basketball success
By Devin Imsirpasic @dimsirpasic
Colorado State women’s basketball knew they would need substantial contributions from new faces coming into the season.
What first-year guards Kloe Froebe and Brooke Carlson have done so far exceeded high baseline expectations.
This season, Froebe has started in 18 out of the team’s 22 games played, averaging 7.1 points per game on 43.1% shooting from the field and adding in 3.8 rebounds per game.
Carlson has received more opportunities as of late and has caused a huge spark while averaging eight points per game — fourth on the team — and 1.4 steals per game.
“We came in just trying to do whatever we can to make our team better — whatever that role implied for us,” Carlson said. “And it’s kind of gotten bigger throughout the year, and that’s when we’re going to step up and say we have the opportunity.”
Froebe has been tasked on most nights with being the starting guard, as she was named a starter in the first game of the season, which was also her first career game.
As she began to settle in and learn her role throughout the starting stretch of nonconference games, Froebe recognized her impact on her team’s success.
“It’s just game by game,” Froebe said. “Just what personnel they have, what personnel we have and we always want to go into each game maximizing our strengths so we can walk away with the W.”
Carlson started her debut collegiate season with fluctuating minutes through the first nine games, and with that came a lesser bench role. However, she gave eye-popping flashes of her skill every time she set foot on the court.
After a breakout performance Dec. 8 against Gonzaga in which she scored 18 points off the bench — including her game-winning layup with 2.6 seconds remaining — it was undeniable that Carlson provided value to this squad, and coach Ryun Williams could not leave her out of the starting lineup.
“When (Williams) gives me confidence, I build off of that so I can play to my full potential and get everyone else involved,” Carlson said. “It’s just so fun, especially playing with our team because we all love each other and we all just want to get that W, so whatever it’s going to take is what it’s going to take.”
Frobe had her career night in a road win against an impressive San Diego State team Jan. 15, in which she scored a season-high 18 points alongside an astounding 18 rebounds in her first career double-double performance.
Following right behind her was Carlson, who chipped in 15 points of her own as the first-year duo led the way to a Rams’ road win — something that does not happen often in a league that upperclassmen lead a majority of the time.
“I think it’s great for Colorado State in general,” Froebe said. “We’re going to be able to play together for four years or whatever, and our chemistry will continue to develop, and so I think it’ll be exciting as the years go on.”
The two have a special connection that helps them bond both on and off the court: their hometown.
Both players are from Illinois, where they hail from a supreme reign in the basketball scene. Froebe was named the 2024 Ms. Basketball of Illinois as well as the 2024 Gatorade Illinois Girls Basketball Player of the Year in her senior season, while Carlson left as her high school’s all-time leading scorer and a 2023-24 First Team AllState member.
“Brooke just brings the type of speed that makes everybody on the court take
it up a notch,” Froebe said. “It’s really fun being out there with her, and just playing alongside with her is really nice.”
Carlson noted that a strong bond between her and Froebe off the court has contributed to their great start in their first year at CSU.
“We’re just building how we are off the court and contributing it to on the court also,” Carlson said. “And then I just go in trying to play my hardest, so if that brings energy to the team, that’s my role and that’s what I’m going to try to do.”
The first-years each seemed to solidify themselves into strong roles, starting alongside each other in the team’s last three games.
Now Froebe and Carlson aim their focus at keeping team spirits high while the duo continues to excel at their roles as the Rams finish out their remaining nine games.
“We’ve all been really connected, and we’re feeding each other and building off each other’s energy,” Carlson said. “That’s something that has to keep continue growing because when we see each other succeeding, that’s going to make everyone else succeed because we’re building off of that.”
Reach Devin Imsirpasic at sports @collegian.com.
“We’ve all been really connected, and we’re feeding each other and building off each other’s energy.”
Guard Brooke Carlson gets ready to pass the ball to her teammates during Colorado State University’s game against the United States Air Force Academy Feb. 1. CSU lost 75-71.
PHOTO BY KATELYNN ORTEGA THE COLLEGIAN
BROOKE CARLSON GUARD
Guard Kloe Froebe dribbles around a San Francisco University player to get to the basket Nov. 4, 2024. Colorado State University beat San Francisco 52-47.
PHOTO BY JULIA PERCY THE COLLEGIAN
PHOTO COURTESY OF CSU ATHLETICS
CSU hurdler Cole Nordman turns 4 years into less than a second
By Adam Gross @rmcollegianspts
It took four years of shaving off less than a second from Cole Nordman’s time to set the Mountain West record in the 60-meter hurdles.
When Nordman crossed the finish line Jan. 18 at the University of Colorado Boulder’s Colorado Classic, he did not realize he set the conference record of 7.71. He knew he had a good start and a clean execution through the five hurdles, and shortly after, he finally realized he set Colorado State’s program record.
Nordman went to hurdles coach J.J. Riese for a reaction.
“(Riese is) always so nonchalant,” Nordman said. “He just goes, ‘Nice job,’ and that’s pretty much it — nothing crazy. And then (Brian Bedard) gave me a big hug, dapped me up and said, ‘You’re a stud.’”
It was not until the following Monday when Nordman saw that he had set the Mountain West record on social media.
Riese did not match the excitement of Nordman after the race only because he said the time followed the natural progression of Nordman’s races this season. He was impressed but not yet satisfied.
Riese said he has his sights set on bigger goals for Nordman. The NCAA indoor championships start March 14, which he believes Nordman is fractions away from qualifying for.
“I don’t want to say it’s expected — that would sound presumptuous,” Riese said. “But it wasn’t like it was a total shock. … I was like, ‘Cool.
Great. Now we need another half of a tenth (of a second).’”
That half of a tenth is Nordman’s chance to compete at nationals and consider hurdling after graduating. Otherwise, Nordman said he would move onto starting a career. There are a few technical things Riese needs fourth-year Nordman to improve before that time comes.
“The goal is to try and make him get indoor nationals, which means he’s probably going to have to run a 7.65,” Riese said. “He has the ability; he has the foot speed. It’s just about him cleaning up the hurdles.”
Sprinter Jack Wetterling often trains with Nordman. Viewing him as an older brother figure, Wetterling said Nordman is one of the best examples of a successful, unrecruited walkon. Wetterling watched Nordman’s record-setting race and said it was one of the most dialed races Nordman ever ran in the 60-meter hurdles. Even brushing the hurdle on the way over it is enough to add time to a race, which is why Nordman’s technique mastery is so crucial heading into the MW Indoor Track and Field Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Wetterling said he believes the sky is the limit for Nordman.
“He’s definitely been cleaning things up,” Wetterling said. “I still think there’s a lot formwise that can be done with him, which is a good problem because if he is running as fast as he is with some technical issues, once he figures that out, he’s going to be a problem for a lot of people.”
With the Feb. 27 championship looming, Nordman has one more opportunity to
run in New Mexico on Feb. 15 before the championship.
Nordman takes goal setting to the max — sometimes too far. What he is sure of, though, are his expectations at the MW championship.
“Right now, I think I am the best hurdler in the conference,” Nordman said. “I want to win those hurdles. That’s my one goal.”
Nordman ran his first 60-meter hurdles in 2021 at the Air Force Holiday Open. His time was 8.30, and he finished sixth. An expression used among the hurdle group to describe Nordman is “a full 360,” meaning that when people first saw Nordman as a hurdler, they turned their backs.
Now, four years later, they have turned back around.
Even with a shaky first year, Nordman learned quickly what it required to reach this level of success. It is amazing what less than a second does to an athlete’s status in a race as short as the 60-meter hurdles.
“I started out as one of the worst hurdle athletes to come into here,” Nordman said. “I was a freshman; I was stupid; I was an idiot; I didn’t try my best. Then come around sophomore year, I really started focusing on track a lot more.”
There are many different things an athlete could tell themselves before a race. As he gets down on the starting line, Nordman could remind himself of all the technical cues needed to shave off that half of a tenth of a second.
But Nordman only has one thought: Don’t lose.
Reach Adam Gross at sports @collegian.com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CSU ATHLETICS
CSU softball strives to prove itself in upcoming season
By Alex Graser @alexgraser5354
It’s the start of the new year and the spring semester on campus, and accompanying it is a fresh start to the Colordo State softball season.
Last year, CSU made its way to the 2024 Mountain West Softball Championship as the sixth seed but lost to No. 3 Nevada, cutting its postconference season short. But after 10 players graduated last season, the Rams are back with a new lineup, and several faces are making their first appearance in green and gold.
The Rams have 13 first-years on the roster, and only three are redshirt freshmen returning from last season. Each first-year adds something unique to the team, all gunning for the chance to prove themselves on the field.
CSU recruited several in-state players and picked up a handful of out-of-staters in this recent class. A notable recruit to the team is Kyra Smith, an infielder from Payallup, Washington. Smith was named to the Washington High School All-State Softball Team in 2023 and led her high school in career home runs.
“Kyra Smith is going to have a big impact, at least in our lineup,” senior Brooke Bohlender said. “Hittingwise, she did pretty well in the fall. We have good expectations for her.”
Another great addition to the roster is Clarissa Castillo, an outfielder from
BROOKE BOHLENDER CATCHER AND UTILITY PLAYER
Rialto, California. She had a career batting average of .462 and 66 RBI in high school, according to MaxPreps.
“(Castillo is) really big (in) helping out fielding, really good arm, big bat as well,” Carolina Buffaloe said. “(We’re) really looking forward to how she grows and to see her success as well.”
Four seniors will be leading the team going into the season: infielder Morgan Crosby; catchers and utility players Bohlender and Buffaloe; and outfielder Morgan Coleman. The team doesn’t have many experienced players at the helm, but the ones it does have are some of the best players in the Mountain West. These seniors will have to lead the fresh collegiate players in order to go far in the season.
This new roster will be a breath of fresh air for the Rams, unlocking the team’s potential and paving the way for what they can achieve. CSU has been predicted to finish sixth in the Mountain West, according to the league’s nine head coaches, but CSU has a roster free from expectations, allowing it to become anything it wants to be.
“You just have to have the energy and the freshness of the thought process and
the openness to learning,” coach Jen Fisher said. “They’re both great places to be as a coach, and they’re really fun for me. Last year, I was able to kind of sit back and hear them and (their) thoughts, and they were coaching each other up in a sense. And this year, there’s just a ton more of, ‘What do you think, coach? What do you think?’ And so there’s a lot of learning.”
The Rams play in five invitationals before they head into league play. CSU will face some tough teams this year, including Texas, Arizona and Stanford in the Hillenbrand Invitational scheduled for late February. The Rams won’t play in Fort Collins until Feb. 28 against Texas A&M - Corpus Christi. “I think last year we were focused on personal performance and stats,” Bohlender said. “This year, people aren’t going to expect us, so it’ll be more of our grit and our will to want to win. So we want to prove people wrong — that’s for sure.”
Reach Alex Graser at sports@collegian.com.
Brooke Bohlender hits the ball during Colorado State University’s softball game against Iowa State University March 1, 2024. CSU won 6-2. PHOTO BY CAIT MCKINZIE THE COLLEGIAN
Morgan Crosby goes to make a throw from third to first during Colorado State University’s softball game against Manhattan College March 2, 2024. CSU won 13-5. PHOTO BY AVA PUGLISI THE COLLEGIAN
‘The
Photos by Ruby Secrest
1. Colorado State University Director of Exhibitions and Community Engagement Xinran Yuan tests the virtual reality side of “The Hangman at Home” exhibit while surrounded by displayed art, created by Kim Ferrer Jan. 28. She created a cohesive dialogue by combining postconvergent art with a physical display. The virtual reality exhibition by Michelle and Uri Kranot is being displayed alongside art installations by Kim Ferrer, Nathan Cory Seymour and Xinran Yuan at the Hatton Gallery from Jan. 24 to Feb. 14.
2. Handcrafted fabrics hang from the ceiling at “The Hangman at Home” art exhibit, which were showcased at the Hatton Gallery Jan. 28. Burlap and cheese cloth work together to create a translucent display, feeding into the narrative of Carl Sandburg’s 1922 poem, also titled “The Hangman at Home.”
3. Ferrer, an instructor of foundations in the art and art history department at CSU, stands among her artwork in the exhibition Jan. 28.
4. Handcrafted fabrics hang from the ceiling Jan. 28. The fabric display feeds into the narrative of Sandburg’s poem.
5. Maddie Christian has her first experience with virtual reality at the opening of the exhibit Jan. 24.
6. Ferrer and Nathan Cory Seymour peek out from their hanging installation Jan. 28. The installation is a cohesive art piece that works in conjunction with “The Hangman at Home” virtual reality art show.
7. CSU junior Isabella Trinchero experiences the virtual reality art exhibit that is surrounded by carefully crafted installed art Jan. 24.
8. Handcrafted fabrics hang from the ceiling Jan. 28.
7 8
Smoke signals: CSU studies wildfire impact on firefighter reproductive health
By Katie Fisher @csucollegian
As large-scale wildfires erupt around the world at an ever-increasing rate and scale, understanding the health effects of smoke inhalation are of critical importance. While lung and respiratory system side effects are a possibility, researchers at Colorado State University are seeking to understand the impact wildfire smoke has on reproductive health.
Luke Montrose, an assistant professor of environmental and radiological health sciences in CSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, began his research into wildfire toxicology while completing his Ph.D. at the University of Montana. The field investigates how organisms react to toxic substances in their local environment — a reality wildland firefighters are all too familiar with.
“Firefighters (are) another at risk group — that’s for obvious reasons,” Montrose said. “They’re highly exposed. But they’re also different from the elderly in that they’re mostly young, mostly fit, otherwise healthy individuals. They’re just getting these really high doses of wildfire smoke.”
During a wildfire, those on the front lines are exposed to particulate matter: solid particles and liquid droplets present in the air. The impact intensity on human health derives from fundamental concepts in toxicology, which distinguish the scale difference found between a campfire in contrast to a major wildfire.
“The key sorts of concepts of toxicology (are) dose, duration and frequency, so your dose will be small because of the duration and the frequency is small,” Montrose said. “If you’re not sitting around a campfire every single day for 10 hours a day, that’s the difference between, you know, these major wildfires, where you can’t get away from it.”
These factors are compounded by the long-term deployment of firefighters, as undergraduate research assistant and on-call Larimer County Sheriff’s Office wildland firefighter Jasper Kehoe explained.
“Firefighters are gone for 14 to 21 days at a time,” Kehoe said. “They work 16 hour shifts every one of those days, and then they get two days off before they do it again. So it is an incredibly time-consuming, time-intensive career.”
When smoke is inhaled and enters the body, an inflammatory response occurs in the central nervous system, including the brain and lungs. These particles reach critical organs through the blood stream, which Montrose said he theorized includes the
reproductive system, even without direct exposure.
“The brain is the master hormone regulator of the body, and by causing neuro-inflammation, smoke may actually not need to get to the reproductive tract directly,” Montrose said. “It could influence the reproductive tract by influencing things in the brain.”
The study’s sample population is currently limited to male wildland firefighters due to sperm’s regenerative lifespan of 74 days. Comparatively, women are born with all eggs cells they will have in their entire lifetime. This makes for a potential exposure timeline that cannot be as easily pinpointed as sperm.
Under a branch in his laboratory, Montrose set out to test this hypothesis of wildfire smoke’s impact on reproductive health through a new study. Entitled the Smoke and Wildfire Impact on Male Reproductive Success study, funding is secured through the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety for a two-year operation.
Montrose launched the study this past fall and is actively working to recruit 50 to 60 wildland firefighters to participate in year one, with the hope of extending for a second year to include an additional 40 to 50 firefighters, said Frances Rabon, the Montrose Lab project manager.
“(We’re studying) any exposure that happens throughout their entire life, up until the point that that particular egg is released and is going to be potentially fertilized by sperm,” Montrose said. “All of their exposure matters.”
Sample collections are made through at-home tests that firefighters perform themselves, with results then being relayed back to the laboratory for interpretation.
“We give them an at-home sperm collection and analysis kit,” Montrose said. “They are essentially scientists. They collect the sample, they analyze the sample with this at-home test kit and then they send us the results.”
The at-home nature of the tests provides firefighters with several advantages, including not taking away from their limited time off the front lines of active blazes.
“There’s a lot of benefits to the athome test,” Montrose said. “It’s easy for the firefighters to participate. It’s convenient and private. They can do it in their own home. They don’t have to go to a clinic.”
Montrose is hoping to distinguish between sperm mobility before the fire season, actively during the season and three months afterward to distinguish if fertility levels return to preseason measurements. However, a lengthening fire season is threatening the original design.
“That (design) doesn’t work if there is no fire season,” Montrose said. “If fires occur throughout the entire year, it’s going to be very tricky for us to find a period of time when they’ve received no smoke exposure at all in about a threemonth period.”
While the increasing frequency of fires is concerning, it also reinforces the importance of studies like Montrose’s to understand the extent of smoke’s effect on fertility and, in conjunction, family planning for firefighters and their partners.
“As wildfires continue to grow in frequency and intensity due to climate change, understanding the long-term health effects of this exposure is critical not only for those in the field but also for their families and communities,” said Emmie Morales-Arguello, graduate research assistant. “Research like this can lead to better health guidelines, protective measures and ultimately improve quality of life for those at risk.”
The human-based pilot study is further compounded by simultaneous studies that measure the effect of smoke exposure on the reproductive health of mice and bulls. From an ethical lens, using mice allows researchers to perform tests that are unable to be done on humans while also analyzing smoke’s impact across an entire lifetime over a much smaller duration.
Domesticated cattle contain approximately 22,000 genes, 80% of which are directly shared with humans. Comparatively, mice and humans have an approximate 85% compatibility genome rate. The similar reproductive tracts of all mammals — the classification all three species are filed under — results in the three species’ compatibility to successfully study short- and long-term impacts on their reproductive health.
“If you wanted to see how (smoke exposure) affects a male mouse over its life, you can do that in about a year and a half,” Montrose said. “It would take 70 plus years to do that in a human.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF GARRETT MOGEL AND LARIMER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Tangentially, bulls are utilized to better simulate the variety of compounds and entities humans interact with in a natural, nonlaboratory setting during an active wildfire.
“Bulls along the Front Range of Colorado are exposed to the same wildfire smoke that me and you are in nearly the same way,” Montrose said. “Also (not just) about bulls (but) cattle in general, they have a much more similar lifespan to us than do mice.”
Additionally, if an organic compound is found present within bull specimens, exposure to the substance can be isolated at a more concentrated level compared to mice in the laboratory. This allows Montrose and other researchers to easily judge the lasting effects of various chemical structures.
“We can go back to the lab, and we can actually expose mice to those individual chemicals for certain periods of time under much more stringent conditions and understand the mechanism a lot better in those mice,” Montrose said.
With the sensitive nature of the study, Montrose harnessed Kehoe’s familiarity with active firemen and tailored the recruiting material to language firemen would easily understand. MoralesArguello has also assisted by translating recruiting materials into Spanish to reach a broader population of firefighters. Regardless, recruitment has still remained an uphill battle.
“(Recruitment has been) incredibly difficult — really, very difficult,” Kehoe said. “It was difficult to the point where I had to go in front of my entire team, in front of my crew, and pitch it to them.
That’s not an easy conversation — it’s very taboo.”
“As wildfires continue to grow in frequency and intensity due to climate change, understanding the long-term health effects of this exposure is critical not only for those in the field but also for their families and communities. Research like this can lead to better health guidelines, protective measures and ultimately improve quality of life for those at risk.”
EMMIE MORALES-ARGUELLO GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Some current participants were introduced to the study by their significant others, a notion that further emphasizes the critical need for more research into the field of firefighter family-planning efforts.
“We work in an inherently dangerous job, and any additional education that we can receive, I think, is paramount to increasing our safety of an already dangerous job,” Kehoe said. Only through overcoming taboo topics of discussion can research be further conducted, including in the discipline of environmental toxicology.
In its next phase of research, the laboratory is hoping to utilize more sophisticated collection and measurement techniques, including testing that is only available at sperm clinics — a next step that would require securing further funding.
“Long-term goals are going to be applying for some more funding to do epigenetics on the samples,” Kehoe said. “(We’re looking to do) temperature-controlled sperm analysis, or sperm transportation, that requires an additional lab to look at it. That requires sending to a specialized facility — one day shipping — things of that nature.”
While more sophisticated measurement techniques are not set in stone yet, it does not deter from the importance of Montrose’s current research and resulting knowledge — an understanding he hopes firefighters will learn from, not be scared of.
“What I’m doing is trying to benefit the health of firefighters, but tangentially, I would never want it to deter firefighters from becoming firefighters or staying firefighters,” Montrose said. “Instead, what we’re trying to do is work hand in hand with firefighter leadership to make firefighting safer and not preclude firefighters from having a family while they’re fighting fires.”
Reach Katie Fisher at science@collegian.com.
“I’ve come to understand the significant gaps in knowledge surrounding the long-term health risks faced by populations, such as wildland firefighters, who are regularly exposed to harmful pollutants,” MoralesArguello said. “Reproductive health is often overlooked in environmental toxicology, yet it’s a critical aspect of overall well-being.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF GARRETT MOGEL AND LARIMER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
ARTS
CREATIVE CONTAMINANTS
‘Community Smog’ exhibit visualizes wildfire pollution through art
By Evan Borman @csucollegian
The five senses are incapable of perceiving reality — which is to say, air pollution and the effects of climate change.
“Community Smog” is a collaboration between artist Kim Abeles and the community members of Northern Colorado. The art gallery highlights the dangers of atmospheric pollution in the Front Range and across the Western United States.
On display at the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art until March 14, this
exhibit illuminates the effects of smog by unifying art and science.
Rather than a list of data, an article or numbers and letters to bring about fleeting ideas in audiences, the gallery forces viewers to face Northern Colorado’s air pollution through the visible accumulation of smog.
“It makes it very real, tangible and visceral,” said Robert Alexander, creator of one of the plates at a smog collector workshop. “You can’t deny that it’s there; it’s right in your face. That’s part of what I love about the power of art — you can communicate things even without words that immediately impact people on a deep level of consciousness.”
Smog collector images are created by placing stencils on plates or fabrics and leaving them outside to collect particulate matter, microscopic solids or liquid suspended in air — all of which can be inhaled and cause serious health problems. The worse the air quality, the darker the image.
“Smoke contains thousands of different compounds in it, but wildfire smoke is one of our major air quality issues here,” said Emily Fischer, a professor in atmospheric science at Colorado State University. “The part of smoke that you see is the fine particulate matter.”
Abeles, the artist of the exhibit, explores environmental issues, civic engagement and feminism, among other wildlife and community concerns. She innovated the method of creating images from smog in 1987, making her internationally renowned.
“What we need is not only thinking about this stuff but really having a human connection to what it is, why it is and what we can do about it,” Abeles said.
Most of the pieces on view at the exhibit were created by Fort Collins seventh graders and residents of Boulder County and Northern Colorado who worked with Abeles on part of the project.
“I see the value in any of the exchanges I make,” Abeles said. “I do workshops sometimes with little kids, and I think that’s just as valuable as if I’m on a panel at the Natural Resources Defense
Council. I think it is really important, especially with the youth to inform them in these creative ways.”
“Community Smog” is presented in collaboration with the Center for Environmental Justice and the department of atmospheric science at CSU, alongside the City of Fort Collins and Larimer County.
While the exhibit focuses on fine particulate matter that accumulates over a short period of time, it is only a fraction of the pollutants in Colorado’s air.
“We are routinely receiving these big pulses of wildfire smoke, and that’s being exacerbated by climate change,” Fischer said. “We have a lot of oil and gas activity, which brings air toxins to our air like benzene and other carcinogens.”
The Front Range and Denver metropolitan area are in an ozone nonattainment area, meaning the region exceeds federal ozone standards and must take steps to reduce emissions to comply with regulations.
“Because it’s odorless and colorless, you don’t see it,” Alexander said. “It’s affecting us, and it’s affecting the health outcomes of people along the Front Range without them even knowing about it.”
Specific cities and communities are affected differently depending on where you are. When smog collectors were placed closer to concentrations of traffic, particulate matter and air pollution residue was darker.
The amount of air pollution is also largely dependent upon the seasons, as
particulate matter in Colorado has a seasonal cycle.
“When you get in fire season and through summer, that’s when activity kicks up,” Abeles said. “That’s why it’s important to really compare the results.”
Fischer emphasized the connection between climate change and wildfires.
Climate change is heating up North America and the Western United States, which is drying out the environment. Because warmer air can hold more water, it dries out the landscape.
“The vast majority of the increase in wildfire burn area that we’ve seen across the West since the 1980s is directly linked to climate change,” Fischer said. “Climate change is enabling fires to advance higher, for them to advance faster, for larger burn areas to occur.”
It is crucial to outline this connection so people understand just how much climate change impacts their health.
“We have to learn to live with fire, and living with fire means living with smoke,” Fischer said. “It’s important for people to recognize that these more extreme fire years will become more routine.”
Additional events for the exhibit and an Artist Talk with Kim Abeles is being held from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Feb. 27 in the Organ Recital Hall at the University Center for the Arts. Family Day in collaboration with the exhibition is from 10 a.m. to noon March 1 at the University Center for the Arts.
Reach Evan Borman at entertainment@collegian.com.
A large gallery room features many distinct sculptural and wall-hung twodimensional art pieces as part of the “Community Smog” exhibition by Kim Abeles at the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art in the University Center for the Arts Feb. 2.
‘The Hangman at Home’ VR exhibit creates dialogue between poetry, science, art
By Ruby Secrest @csucollegian
The award-winning virtual reality immersive artwork, “The Hangman at Home,” has begun its display at the Hatton Gallery at Colorado State University.
“The Hangman at Home” is an art piece that is immersive in its VR storytelling and haunting in its poetry. The exhibit is also reflective, as viewers experience the fourth wall breaking throughout the story.
Carl Sandburg’s 1922 poem, “The Hangman at Home,” reflects on the aftermath of World War I and the haunting nature of the hangman’s profession while suggesting the simplicity of a hangman’s domestic life.
Wife-and-husband duo Michelle and Uri Kranot took inspiration from Sandburg’s poem and composed a visual masterpiece. It won the 2020 Grand Jury Prize for Best VR Immersive Work at the Venice Film Festival as well as the 2021 Best XR Work at the Cannes Film Festival.
Throughout the VR experience, viewers choose from different points of entry to then be immersed in multiple different portals. They then get to watch intimate moments of domestic life relating to Sandburg’s poem.
For the audience, it does not feel inappropriate to simply observe. But as each story ends, the animations break the fourth wall and the characters direct their focus and gaze toward you as the viewer. By breaking the fourth wall, the artwork communicates an uneasy feeling that facilitates the haunting tones of the poem.
Allowing the CSU department of art and art history to showcase the virtual reality artwork inspired an unwavering creative and innovative group to then turn a masterful story into a conversation.
Xinran Yuan, a new addition to the CSU art faculty, is taking on a much-needed role: director of exhibitions and community engagement. Throughout Yuan’s creative career, she has taken an interest in art, science and the human experience, making her the ideal curator for this project. Yuan introduced the piece to her colleagues, looking for authentic feedback and reactions. It was from this that Yuan inspired two of CSU’s esteemed art department members.
“Obviously, I was floored by the experience and thought it had merit as an installation,” said Nathan Seymour, a student engagement coordinator and studio technician at CSU. “It was so moving and introspective,
causing so many reactions and emotions. I was excited for other colleagues to view the piece and offer feedback. Along with having been deeply impacted by the work, it was also jarring to remove the goggles, returning to a white, empty, unimaginative room. I felt that reaction took away from the art.”
Experiencing a beautiful, intense, immersive story conflicted with the vacant white walls and abrasive overhead lighting when removing the VR headset. While it took away from the VR experience for some viewers, it also left creative minds with a vision.
Kim Ferrer is an instructor within the art and art history department at CSU as well as an experienced and accomplished artist. When initially viewing “The Hangman at Home,” Ferrer wrote that she was “intrigued by the sense of shifting realities and not only being a spectator but also being seen.” She also found inspiration in adding elements that dynamically interacted with the virtual experience.
Working with Seymour, Yuan and a group of handselected students, Ferrer set out to create an installation that would not only reinforce the story being told but enhance it by adding new elements like insight and dialogue.
“The desperation and sense of hopelessness of that time period was haunting,” Ferrer wrote. “Much later, I realized my vision was an offering of hope, a safe place to reside, an invitation to look behind (or) beyond the veil.”
The installation was collaborative in every sense of the word, with students and faculty working together to give a creative platform to the highly acclaimed VR artwork. They shared ideas, reflected on ways to improve and always looked for ways to deepen the audience’s connection with “The Hangman at Home.”
Using cheesecloth and burlap, Ferrer and Seymour hung the fabrics to create four spaces for the audience to use the headsets and experience the VR. All the fabrics used were individually hand-processed in unique ways, allowing the remaining audience members who did not have the headsets to view those experiencing the VR art in real time.
“The cheesecloth and burlap have the ability to become a border (or) wall that contains a space while also letting us see through it, beyond it,” Ferrer wrote. “It has the ability to create a sense of another world that resides in or alongside our physical world.”
Everything about this exhibit was done carefully and
thoughtfully, creating a space to inspire, comfort and prepare viewers for “The Hangman at Home” experience.
“I was walking around before and seeing everyone engage with the space while I can’t see what they’re seeing,” Maddie Christian said after she experienced the VR exhibit for the first time. “It was really interesting to see that before I actually did the VR.”
What started as a poem reflecting on the aftermath of World War I turned to utilizing a postconvergent art form to share imagery and art within the poem, which then turned to looking for ways to express comfort and safety alongside the experience. The unsettling story of “The Hangman at Home” not only evolves through art but also evolves through its meaning.
“Art is about inviting the viewer to connect emotionally, intellectually and psychologically,” Ferrer wrote.
“Art is something that has the ability to transport us to another place and space, and I think this piece does that through both physical and virtual worlds.”
The exhibit is open until Feb. 14. Tickets are free to the public but must be reserved in advance.
Reach Ruby Secrest at entertainment@collegian.com.
Xinran Yuan, Kim Ferrer and Nathan Seymour stand side by side in front of collaborative work from select students, which was made in the beginning of their creative process, setting a tone for the art that would later be made Jan. 28. “The Hangman at Home” virtual reality exhibition by Michelle and Uri Kranot is being displayed alongside art installations by Ferrer, Seymour and Yuan at the Hatton Gallery. PHOTO BY RUBY SECREST THE COLLEGIAN
Pick up these 5 romance books for Valentine’s Day
By Audrey Weishaar @csucollegian
I have been reading romance novels for years, and I believe there is nothing better than curling up with a cute book about two people falling in love. So with Valentine’s Day right around the corner, what better time to share some sweet romance novels?
‘At First Spite: A Harlot’s Bay
Novel’ by Olivia Dade
Athena bought a house as a reckless wedding present for her fiance, who broke up with her after being convinced to by his older brother. With very little money and a strangely narrow house in a tiny town, she is forced to move into said house, lovingly titled the Spite House. When she gets there, her neighbor is her ex’s older brother, Matthew.
“At First Spite” is a rom-com full of banter, warm and fuzzy feelings and a handful of sex scenes. It is also the first romance book I’ve ever read with a fat woman as the protagonist. I, as a fat woman, was very excited to find this book and author.
‘The
Lady Travelers Guide to Happily Ever After’ by Victoria Alexander
Viola Branham is an independent woman. She travels the world, seeing all that she can, when she is summoned back to her home in England. A stipulation in the will of her uncle requires her to reconcile with the very man who crushed her heart: her husband.
“The Lady Travelers Guide to Happily Ever After” is a romantic period piece that showcases an independent woman living her life. It has all you want from a period piece: fabulous dresses, gentlemen and the occasional sex scene. I highly recommend this novel for anyone who wants a witty period piece.
‘Delilah Green Doesn’t Care’ by Ashley Herring Blake
Delilah Green has been living it up as a photographer in New York, hopping from bed to bed. Though she promised she would never go back to her hometown, she must return to photograph her stepsister’s wedding. She trails along behind the wedding party, made up of her stuck-up stepsister, Astrid, and her equally stuck-up friends, including the incredibly pretty Claire Sutherland.
“Delilah Green Doesn’t Care” follows two women as they learn to grow past their first impressions of each other while also exploring the experiences of a woman figuring out her sexuality. This is a fun, queer romance novel with all the fuzzy feelings.
‘A Discovery of Witches’ by Deborah Harkness
This book — and the rest of the trilogy — follows the intertwining story of Diana Bishop, a historian who would prefer to pretend she’s not a witch, and Matthew, a geneticist vampire. When Diana discovers a soughtafter alchemical manuscript, they become unlikely allies to keep the book out of the wrong hands. “A Discovery of Witches” is a contemporary, low fantasy novel with a subplot of romance for all those who don’t want romance at the forefront.
‘The Bride Test’ by Helen Hoang
Esme Tran lives and works in the slums of Ho Chi Minh City to support her mother and young daughter. When the opportunity to travel to America arrives on a silver platter, she can’t ignore it. The opportunity is granted to her by the mother of Khai Depp, an autistic man convinced he is incapable of loving others.
Esme’s attempts to seduce Khai only throw her head over heels for him. With her time in America coming to a close, Khai must grapple with the fact that he was wrong and confront his love for Esme.
I highly suggest these romance novels, which range from being purely focused on romance to those in which the romantic elements are secondary to the main plot. All of them are fantastic reads, ready to suit all of your needs for Valentine’s Day.
Reach Audrey Weishaar at entertainment@collegian.com.
Then schedule a day and time to get your photo taken. Schedule your senior portrait on one of the following days: February 1-2, 5, 7-10, 12, 14-17, 21-24, 26, 28 GET YOUR SENIOR PHOTO
1. 2.
Scan the QR code or go to LaurenStudios.com and use the school passcode "CSURams2025" to create an account without a Client ID number.
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!
MASCOT HOROSCOPE
A look into CAM the Ram’s natal birth chart
By Sophia Masia @csucollegian
Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.
On Feb. 6, 1954, during halftime at a home basketball game against the University of Wyoming, former Colorado State University President William E. Morgan officially named CAM the Ram as the university’s ambassador, and the rest is history.
He has been a steady spirit booster ever since, still escorted in style by student volunteers for more than six decades. Based on the unveiling of CAM as our ambassador, I’ll go over his big six planets — aka his sun, moon, rising, Mercury, Venus and Mars signs.
Sun in Aquarius
The sun sign represents one’s personal identity and where they truly shine. Those born between Jan. 20 and Feb. 18 have their sun sign in Aquarius. They are strong-willed, persistent, original, forwardthinking, short-tempered and often restless.
While they might seem arrogant and inflexible, Aquarius suns have gentle souls. They are philanthropists and problem solvers at their core, often advocating for social justice and equality. Having the sun in one’s sixth house typically indicates someone who desires success at work, specifically in fields related to law, politics, health care, wellness or helping others.
Moon in Aries
The moon tells us about our emotions: how sensitive we are, how we nurture ourselves, what our knee-jerk reactions are and how we find security. Fittingly, CAM’s moon is in the sign of the Ram. Those with the
moon in Aries feel strongly; they’re impulsive, emotional, courageous and intense, making for natural-born leaders.
These people don’t beat around the bush. They have a tendency toward anger issues, but they also don’t tend to stay in a mood for too long. With a keen awareness of social trends, they are likely to engage in a movement that will be for the general good of humanity. The moon in his eighth house makes security very important to CAM, and it gives him a strong sense of responsibility for others’ security.
Virgo rising
The rising sign, or ascendant, is the zodiac sign that was rising in the east when someone was born. It can tell one about their physical appearance, their personality, how people perceive them and their motivation for living life. Virgo risings are ruled by the intellectual planet of Mercury, making them reliable, analytical and empathetic problem solvers with a strong sense of duty.
Emotional displays are not their thing, and they tend to appear clean and composed and have everything under control — even when they feel like a mess. While their meticulous and disciplined nature rewards them in many aspects, it can also turn these people into overly critical perfectionists. However, this doesn’t mean they’re cold in the slightest, as they are often seen as eager to help others and good communicators and know how to connect with almost anyone.
Mercury in Pisces
Mercury is the planet that brings us interest in intellectual things; it’s about communication, teaching, learning and sharing ideas. People with this planet in the sensitive sign of Pisces are interested in art, psychology
and spirituality. They speak with their emotions and are able to effortlessly imagine solutions, ideas and plans; however, they tend to doubt their credibility and intelligence. With this sign in the seventh house, CAM has a talent for communicating with the public and could be a good adviser, mediator or judge.
Venus in Aquarius
Venus is the planet of love, affection, beauty, aesthetics and art. It can tell us how we like to give and receive love, our values, what we think is beautiful, where we can be shallow and what makes us happy. These people are experimental — they like to push the envelope with their art and interpersonal relationships. They might be seen as cold or frigid in social situations but tend to show their love through enthusiasm and curiosity of others.
With this planet in the sixth house, CAM has an emotional bond to his work and can find his friends, chosen family or partner in the workplace.
Mars
in Scorpio
Mars symbolizes the need to get what we want, and it shows us how we initiate, exert force, fight and overcome obstacles. Scorpio is ruled by both Pluto and Mars, so it’s happy being here in someone’s chart.
These people tend to move in silence until the moment is right to act; they have a strong sense of survival and make all their moves with purpose. Scorpio is an opinionated water sign with a strong moral compass and a challenging aura, so people never feel differently about a Scorpio Mars. They will always attract great loyalty or great hostility — nothing in between. Having this placement in the third house suggests aggressive intellect. CAM is bright, quick-witted and sharp.
Reach Sophia Masia at letters@collegian.com.
DEFENDING OUR RIGHTS
We need to choose to fight for a better future
By Dominique Lopez @affeinateddee6
Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.
After the 2024 national election results were finalized, I joked I would just move out of the United States for the next four years because I was close to graduation. However, with each day that passes, I am starting to realize this is no joking matter. Last week, my mom texted me with urgency, reminding me to have my ID on me at all times. Suddenly, the weight of what the next four years of my life in the U.S. would look like as a woman of color sunk in.
Policing myself because of the color of my skin is nothing new. I mean, on my first day of kindergarten, I became best friends with someone because we wore the same skin color, and we followed each other around throughout high school. I acknowledge that
“More
the Biden administration was flawed and that Democrats failed to secure protections that are being stripped away now. Yet everything feels a bit more hopeless.
I understand the somewhat complicated history of who I have become and how I came to be a person who grew up in the San Luis Valley. I have had the privilege of receiving an education, challenged to do just about whatever I want to do. I was raised to speak perfect English and know how to engage in intellectual conversations.
As a woman of color, I can say that I am fearful for what my future holds, and leaving the U.S. for four years is still at the front of my mind — that way I can come back to a place that I call home with a president who best matches my beliefs.
But the fear of leaving for four years and leaving those I love behind because I have the means to do so is similar to what held me back from leaving Colorado four years ago. More than anything, staying and fighting for my rights and making sure that my story, culture and community
aren’t being erased is extremely important for me and the future I want for my younger cousins and future family members. So rather than fear, I propose hope, joy and community.
When I remember that my grandmother had more rights than I do now, especially when it comes to abortion rights and women’s rights, I use it as an opportunity to learn from past advocates. I remember to care for myself first and my community next. I remember that I cannot allow myself to feel overwhelmed. Instead, we must love each other and stay focused. I am not sure exactly what my next move will be, but as I continue to finish my college career, I am beginning to understand more that I can’t hide from the realities that have been put in front of me — in fact, none of us can. Rather, I need to try to use the knowledge and minimal power I have to try to advocate for others. That has been my best solution in trying to cope with the current political climate that we live in.
Reach Dominique Lopez at letters@collegian.com.
than anything, staying and fighting for my rights and making sure that my story, culture and community aren’t being erased is extremely important for me and the future I want for my younger cousins and future family members.”
COLLEGIAN FILE PHOTO
AI isn’t as amazing as it seems
By Audrey Weishaar @csucollegian
Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.
I am an artist. I paint, draw and do textile art. In fact, I am a creative writing major. So believe me when I say artificial intelligence is the worst thing I’ve ever had the displeasure of interacting with.
Starting with a small yet well known program, the Google AI assistant sucks. At this point, most people have seen it, and there are many reports of poor interactions. The program was developed when Google made a deal with Reddit and has since resulted in the AI assistant being fed mostly information from Reddit. This prompted people to get results that listed glue as a pizza ingredient and rocks as extra dietary nutrients. Additionally, there is no way to opt-out of this mostly useless feature. No one asked for Google to add this. Nobody wanted this. But I suppose it is easy enough to ignore.
AI also has a large number of environmental impacts. In a 2023 study on AI’s energy footprint, Alphabet Inc’s chairman said that interacting with large language models could “likely cost 10 times more than a standard keyword search.” Google’s AI assistant appears with a response to most every search, meaning that each of those searches could use the same amount of energy required for an LLM interaction. With the looming shadow of irreversible climate change, the environmental costs do not justify the benefits of AI.
AI. Many students use AI to generate their work for them. I don’t understand why they attend school then, especially in a college setting. These people are paying to be here, yet instead of doing the work that is costing them thousands of dollars, they use a computer program that isn’t even good at doing its job.
ChatGPT can’t do math because it tends to separate numbers with four or more digits. And through its use of patterns, it uses previous equations to assume what the last digit should be. It then tries to fill in the gaps with what it knows, often producing the wrong answer.
“As a writer, I simply do not understand why one would get a computer to write a bad paragraph when it takes only 15 minutes to write one on your own.”
But my biggest gripe is the quality of the results of
The writing from AI is also poor, to say the least. AI will take some of the best writing on the internet, break it up and scramble it together to make a subpar writing result. As a writer, I simply do not understand why one would get a computer to write a bad paragraph when it takes only 15 minutes to write one on your own. I understand that writing isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I would rather get a poorly worded email from a real person than an uncomfortably formal email from a computer.
And the art from AI is, of course, atrocious. Like with
writing, it scrambles the best art on the internet to make really bad art. AI art also has a weird sheen to it that makes the object look like plastic and makes it clear that it is AI.
No matter the subject of the art — person or not — each image is reminiscent of the uncanny valley. Something about the art just doesn’t look right. Part of that stems from my own beliefs about what makes humans, humans. Some think it is when we made fire or learned to cook food or started caring for others. I believe it is when we started making art.
There is a cave in Argentina that is covered in hand art. The creation of art with meaning has transcended generations and civilizations. That is beautiful. It proves we have always felt the need to create art. That is why it is so uncomfortable and truly horrific when a computer tries to imitate it. I would take a stick figure any day over some AI “masterpiece.”
I have no desire to use AI. It adds nothing of value to my life that I cannot do or learn to do on my own — and I’d rather learn to do it on my own.
Reach Audrey Weishaar at letters @collegian.com.
GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY TRIN BONNER THE COLLEGIAN
PUZZLES
Sudoku
WEEKLY HOROSCOPE
By Sophia Masia
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY
(02/06/25)
ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)
As Venus enters your sign, expect to feel a lot more like yourself this week. You’ll feel secure in your life and confident that you can handle any situation thrown your way. You may also notice more romantic attention, and with Gemini direct in your house of communication, you’re quite the flirt. Schmooze wisely, Aries.
TAURUS (APRIL 20 - MAY 20)
Since October, you’ve been asked to assess your spending habits and what makes you feel secure. Now that you’ve learned safety doesn’t come from external factors, you’ll find yourself blessed with opportunities to make more. Start from within, Taurus.
GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 20)
Now that Jupiter is direct in your sign, you’ll find a wealth of confidence over the next week that will allow you to move forward and show up for the people in your life. No more canceling at the last minute because you don’t want to go out, Gemini. Your friends want to see you!
CANCER (JUNE 21 - JULY 22)
If you’ve been withdrawn from the world lately, it’s time to step out of your shell. With Jupiter going direct in the private sector of your life and Venus
Aries is asking you to focus on romance, joy and art. On the other, Gemini direct in your house of taboo and resurrection wants you to lean into all things dark and indecorous. Enjoy the chaos, Scorpio.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21)
moving into the most public section of your chart, you’re sure to make a good impression wherever you go. Don’t be shy; walls aren’t meant for flowers, Cancer.
LEO (JULY 23 - AUG. 22)
Jupiter retrograde asked you to assess who your real friends are and why you’re entertaining those who don’t fill your cup more. Now that it’s direct, you have more opportunities to make longlasting, true friendships so long as you reflect on how they align with your values. Raise those standards, Leo.
VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEPT. 22)
While the other zodiacs find themselves getting a bit of a break with the current transits, you are still being asked to do some healing. Gemini direct in your career sector brings opportunities in school and work, but Venus in Aries is asking you to examine your unconscious thoughts about work and friendships. It’s up to you to keep a work-life balance, Virgo.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23 - OCT. 22)
Over the coming weeks, curiosity and being open to learning will elevate your romantic and creative endeavors. Jupiter is offering an extra sweet boost into your higher education and worldly wisdoms while Venus is gracing your sector of romantic relationships. Magic is made through discussion, Libra.
SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)
These two transits hold very different energies for you. On one hand, Venus in
Since October, you’ve put up with other people’s demands and expectations of you. You might feel like your cup is empty, but as Jupiter stations direct and Venus moves into your house of daily routines, you’ll find a renewed sense of dedication to self-care. Pick off the energetic lint you’ve picked up, Sagittarius.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19)
Lately you’ve spent a lot of time on the external circumstances in your life. This week, turn inward to your home life and assess the ways you’re decompressing. Sure — rotting in bed after class can be self-care, but so is taking all the trash out of your car. Allowing yourself good times requires some unfun self-care, Capricorn.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)
If you have had a hard time expressing your emotions or feelings about your favorite things, fear not because the clouds are parting this week. Jupiter is going direct in your sector of fun and creativity, allowing you to more easily enjoy yourself. Venus in your communication sector gives you an extra intellectual edge. Yap away, Aquarius.
PISCES (FEB. 19 - MARCH 20)
Things in your home life may have been sticky over the past five months, but the stagnant energy is finally moving as Jupiter brings you opportunities to deepen connections with your nearest and dearest. Venus will be entering your sector of money and finances as well, so if there’s a time to take your roommates to lunch, it’s this week, Pisces.
Last edition’s crossword solution
Last edition’s sudoku solution
OVERHEARD AROUND CAMPUS
“The guy who made it a law not to punch people in the face probably needed to be punched in the face.”
“You’ve got air bubbles in your head.”
“I’m not the most familiar with orphan fashion.”
“Sometimes I look at a man and I’m like, ‘God half assed that assignment.”
“Here is a picture from the internet if you search, ‘Where is the g-spot?’”
“Anyone else here for killing socrates?”
Have you overheard something funny on campus? Put your eavesdropping to good use. Tweet us @CSUCollegian and your submissions could be featured in our next paper!
Delayed flights Insomnia
Sleepytime tea
Rice cookers
Pink Red Bull NyQuil chicken
Adobe Creative Suite
