Thursday, August 24, 2023 Vol. 133, No. 2

ON TRIAL FOR BEST FLOWER: CSU’S ANNUAL TRIAL GARDENS

STORY BY JENN DAWSON

PHOTO BY MICHAEL MARQUARDT

SEE PAGE 14

FOCUS

TOP STORIES TOP STORIES

NEWS: CSU Greek life brings connections, community to students PAGE 4

L&C: Games Ahoy! houses Fort Collins’ retro gaming community PAGE 8

SCIENCE: Resources for mental health at the CSU Health Network PAGE 16

SPORTS: Tackling change: A new linebacker roster for the Rams PAGE 17

A&E: Psychedelic wonderland: Endless Fest returns PAGE 20

PHOTO: Ramapalooza PAGE 10-11

FOCO EVENTS FOCO EVENTS

Fort Collins Comic Con at the Northside Aztlan Community Center

Aug. 26-27

Endless Fest psychedelic music festival at The Lyric

Aug. 24-26

Tour de Fat bike parade at City Park

9:30-11:30 a.m. Aug. 26

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Letters to the Editor reflect the view of a member of the campus community and are submitted to the publication for approval. Readers may submit letters to letters@collegian.com. Please follow the guidelines listed at collegian.com before submitting.

Zhaoying Song performs his own music for Colorado State University students during the first day of classes Aug. 21. “I want to perform at local events in Fort Collins,” Song said. “I am planning on joining open nights at The Lyric.” Zhaoying is on Instagram @song.zhaoying.

THE

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This publication is not an official publication of Colorado State University, but is published by an independent corporation using the name ‘The Rocky Mountain Collegian’ pursuant to a license granted by CSU. Approximately 59% of Rocky Mountain Student Media Corp’s income is provided by the Associated Students of Colorado State University (ASCSU) for the purpose of fostering student careers post-college and greater campus awareness and engagement. The Rocky Mountain Collegian is a 4,000-circulation student-run newspaper intended as a public forum and is printed on paper made of 30% post-consumer waste. It publishes every Thursday during the regular fall and spring semesters. The Collegian publishes online Monday through Thursday. Corrections may be submitted to the editor in chief and will be printed as necessary on page two. The Collegian is a complimentary publication for the Fort Collins community. The first copy is free. Additional copies are 25 cents each.

CORRECTIONS

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EDITORIAL STAFF

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Allie Seibel | Editor in Chief editor@collegian.com

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Samy Gentle | News Editor news@collegian.com

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Christian Arndt | L&C Director life@collegian.com

Jenn Dawson | Science Director science@collegian.com

Dominique Lopez | Opinion Director letters@collegian.com

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Emma Askren | Sports Editor sports@collegian.com

Alex Hasenkamp | A&E Director entertainment@collegian.com

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COLLEGIAN

Pride Resource Center celebrates 25th anniversary

By Alexander Wilson @alexgrey0604

In August 1998 the Pride Resource Center opened its doors to students, staff and faculty to use its space and resources. This year the Pride Center will be celebrating its 25th anniversary through LGBT History Month in October.

“We opened in the ‘90s, so before the Pride Center formally existed, a few different groups existed on campus,” Pride Resource Center Director Maggie Hendrickson said. “The FoCo Gay Lesbian Bisexual Alliance group did meetups and was a student organization for gay, lesbian and bisexual students to work with (the Associated Students of Colorado State University) asking for money to build the Pride Center. Many events they hosted, like National Coming Out Day (and) their education panel, are still used in the Pride Center.”

In the 1970s, queer people in Fort Collins would meet in secret in a small storage closet in the basement of the Lory Student Center.

ADMISSIONS

Before the Pride Center, pride meetups on campus would often be hidden and secret for fear of hate crimes and retaliation for being queer. In the 1960s there was a hotline number used by students to call and say a secret word to get the location of the hidden meeting.

When the Pride Resource Center opened its doors for the Student Diversity Programs and Services, many different names were used throughout the years before they settled on “Pride Resource Center.” Originally it was opened as the GLBT Student Services. Adaptation and change are at the forefront of the Pride Center, from their name and location to their inclusivity and the services they provide.

The Pride Center has worked diligently all summer to ensure the space is a bit more accessible to all students. This work has included changing out furniture and moving it around to allow people with mobility aids to access the space easier, hosting virtual programs and changing lighting for people with sensory issues.

Liri Sananes, a transgender student at CSU, is currently a resident assistant in Summit Hall in the All Gender & Open Housing hall. This initiative began with the Pride Center to accommodate all students. This hall is chosen by students who need a caregiver or want to room with a fellow transgender student regardless of gender and sex and students who are seeking a mixedgender housing option.

“I really like the trans advocacy stuff in Pride,” Sananes said. “But we don’t need just one week of the full year — we need at least once a month. We’re struggling right now.” Sananes went on to speak about hate speech within housing and how it affected them as a first-year. However, the Pride Center had an open door for them.

“I’ve gained a safe space,” Sananes said. “Whenever I walk in there, I always see someone I know, so it’s like a community.”

A future goal for the Pride Center is to not only have the Pride Center as a safe queer space for students but to also have clubs,

housing and sports for students to find community.

“I am real excited because we have three full-time professional staff, and we haven’t had a settled staff of professional staff in a while, so I’m excited to be able to extend the program and try to ensure that the facility is accessible and is a home for multiple students across the community,” Hendrickson said.

On Aug. 25 the Pride Center will be hosting their annual Welcome

Back Bar-B-Queer, where they will be serving birthday cake for the 25th anniversary.

In October there will be a video playing that highlights alumni and their experiences at CSU before the Pride Center. Hannah Tran is the videographer behind this project and is planning to interview former directors of the center as well.

Reach Alexander Wilson at news @collegian.com

CSU drops in-state application fee

“I do think that we are going to see a higher number of students applying to Colorado State University who previously didn’t think so,” said David Ferree, assistant director with CSU admissions. “If you think about it, for a student who has a limited income, they may be identifying only a handful of schools because (they) can only apply to so many based on (a) budget.”

With the inclusion of all instate Colorado students, CSU plans to see a slow but steady increase when it comes to the number of students applying.

“I think we are going to see third-party scholarships coming in — I do think that’s going to change,” Ferree said. “I don’t think it’s just going to change on the state level. I think we’re going to see some changes at a federal level. I also think about, especially to Colorado, where we have wildfires. And I think we’re going to start seeing more money put behind it to get more students into those fields.”

By Rebekah Barry @rebekahb24708

For most graduating high schoolers, Free Application Day in Colorado is important. However, applying to Colorado State University as an in-state Colorado student means there is no longer an application fee to worry about.

The usual application fee is $50, but for students who meet the academic requirements of

CSU, that fee will now be waived.

Graduating high schoolers apply to an average of six colleges, which makes the $50 fee add up. This fee waiver is available through the Common App, which is an online tool that thousands of colleges use to aid in the application process.

CSU is also committed to making sure all incoming students have a chance to apply. This includes its application for a fee waiver and enrollment deposit referral.

There are also scholarship opportunities for in-state students: The in-state merit award from CSU is offered to those who are Colorado residents. The Honors Program also offers a scholarship for those students applying or planning to apply to the program. A full list of scholarships can be viewed on the CSU financial aid website.

It is also important to note that the Colorado Opportunity Fund and the Colorado Tuition Assistance Grant are available for in-state students.

“I think we’re casting a bigger net, but in terms of getting the word out, it takes time,” Ferree said.

“I think this is, for me, exactly what the land-grant mission should be,” Ferree said. “We are here as an accessible institution for the state of Colorado. So I want to tell every single student in Colorado: You can go here, and you can apply for free.”

With this free application, CSU will be one of many colleges to see an increase in the field of in-demand jobs.

Not only does CSU have plenty of scholarship opportunities, but they also have other resources such as mental health counseling and a food bank that is free for everyone — faculty and students alike. Another change that happened during COVID-19 was CSU’s decision to become test-optional.

“Not having ACT or SAT scores is pretty transformational,” Ferree said. “Especially when you really dig into data and it shows that actually, what SAT and ACT really measures is more aligned with household income, not collegiate readiness.”

Reach Rebekah Barry at news @collegian.com.

COLLEGIAN FILE PHOTO

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY CHLOE LELINE THE COLLEGIAN

CSU Greek life brings connections, community to students

By Alexander Wilson @alexgrey0604

At first glance, Greek life at Colorado State University can seem intimidating, with over 50 organizations to consider; however, many find their home away from home in fraternities and sororities. At CSU, Greek life is split between five organizations: the Panhellenic Association, the Multicultural Greek Council, the Interfraternity Council, the Professional Fraternity Council and the National PanHellenic Council.

The Panhellenic Association is the governing body for 11 sororities at CSU: Alpha Sigma Kappa, Chi Omega, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Phi Mu, Pi Beta Phi, Sigma Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi and Zeta Tau Alpha. All of these sororities have their own charity — otherwise known as philanthropy — that they support and fundraise for. Each sorority has requirements for recruitment, such as a student’s GPA. It is important to note that every Panhellenic sorority has a house, and many have requirements to live in the houses.

“The purpose of recruitment for Panhellenic sororities is to help students find a community on CSU’s campus that makes a large campus feel more like home, a community that aligns with their personal values and supports organizations that a

member is passionate about and a community that will become lifelong,” said Jordan Mahaffey, president of CSU’s Panhellenic Association.

The recruitment process to join, otherwise known as “rush,” has a fee of $35 and no guarantee of being able to join.

“Incoming members can anticipate a three-day process with opportunities to meet Panhellenic chapters followed by bid day,” Mahaffey said. “The dates for Panhellenic recruitment this fall are Sept. 23-24 and 26-27.”

More information on fall recruitment for the Panhellenic Association can be found on their webpage.

The Multicultural Greek Council provides support to 11 organizations at CSU, primarily focusing on underrepresented students: Alpha Phi Gamma, Beta Gamma Nu, Delta Xi Nu, Gamma Zeta Alpha, Kappa Delta Chi, Lambda Theta Nu, Lambda Sigma Upsilon, Nu Alpha Kappa, Pi Lambda Chi, Sigma Lambda Beta and Sigma Lambda Gamma.

“I think one of the biggest benefits I’ve seen from being part of a Latinx organization on campus is being surrounded by like-minded individuals,” said Alejandro Manuel Munoz, president of Gamma Zeta Alpha. “A lot of us are firstgeneration college students who are learning to navigate an already confusing and stressful part of our lives, so being able to surround

yourself with people who are going through the same struggles is a reassuring feeling. It provides you with a great support system while you go through these tough times, having people who are there for you and have your best interest.”

Every organization within the MGC has its own recruitment process to join, but more information can be found on their social media or on CSU’s Fraternity & Sorority Life website.

The Interfraternity Council is the governing body for 22 fraternities: Alpha Epsilon Pi, Alpha Gamma Rho, Alpha Sigma Phi, Alpha Tau Omega, Beta Theta Pi, Delta Chi, Delta Tau Delta, FarmHouse Fraternity, Kappa Sigma, Lambda Chi Alpha, Nu Alpha Kappa, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Gamma Delta, Phi Kappa Tau, Phi Kappa Theta, Sigma Nu, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Pi, Sigma Tau Gamma, Tau Kappa Epsilon, Theta Chi and Triangle Fraternity.

The IFC goes by a 365 recruitment process, meaning they recruit throughout the year. However, many chapters hold larger recruitment events at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters. Similar to the PHA, the IFC holds requirements for recruitment such as financial obligations.

The Interfraternity Council denied comment, but more information on their recruitment process can be found on their webpage.

The Professional Fraternity Council is made up of six fraternities and sororities that have a professional focus: Alpha Phi Omega, Delta Sigma Pi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Phi Sigma Pi, Sigma Alpha and Sigma Alpha Iota.

“Students who join APO can gain professional resume experience (an example is animal/biology related majors can work with the Colorado wolf sanctuary) as well as benefit from the social aspects of APO, which include doing fun/new activities with a group of like-minded people,” said Fiona McKenna, the president of Alpha Phi Omega.

Joining an organization within the PFC is different depending on the organization, but more information can be requested on CSU’s Fraternity & Sorority Life website.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council encompasses nine historically Black fraternities and sororities traditionally called the Divine Nine: Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta, Sigma Gamma Rho and Iota Phi Theta.

The NPHC “promotes academic achievement, leadership development, health and wellness and civic engagement,” according to the CSU Fraternity & Sorority Life 2023-24 informational pamphlet. The NPHC currently has no undergraduate officers

but hopes to fill those positions and welcome new members to their chapters, Director of CSU Fraternity & Sorority Life Lindsay Sell said.

Interested students should be comfortable attending meetings as well as completing an application and interview, and they can find more information on the NPHC Instagram @nphccolostate.

“Colorado State University has a zero-tolerance policy regarding hazing that is consistent with Colorado anti-hazing legislation,” the CSU Fraternity & Sorority Life website reads. “Visit the Hazing Prevention Education and Resources page to read specific definitions of hazing to which students are expected to abide at the council, university and state level. If you sense your student may be participating in inappropriate activities as a result of membership in a fraternity or sorority, we encourage you to visit the End Hazing website to complete a report on the website or call our office at 970-491-0966.”

Editor’s Note: In the interest of transparency, The Collegian discloses that Jordan Mahaffey has written articles for the publication in the past but did not work on this story.  Reach Alexander Wilson at news @collegian.com.

COLLEGIAN FILE PHOTO

CSU’s residence halls: A history of difficulties

By Garrett Mogel @garrettmogel

In 2022 Colorado State University began work on a planned renovation of Westfall Hall that took 500 beds offline, leading some students of the largest enrolled class to be housed in the Best Western University Inn on South College Avenue and East Elizabeth Street.

Nik Olsen, director of integrative communications at CSU, said the decision to utilize the Best Western was due to a prior partnership established in 2020 when social distancing requirements meant students would need more space and the university’s attempts to keep firstyear students close to campus were in full swing.

Even with an on-campus housing capacity of approximately 8,500 residents, CSU Housing & Dining anticipates residence halls to be near capacity.

In anticipation of higher enrollment this year, CSU completed a space audit in which they were able to find space for 120 more beds within existing facilities. This was achieved by configuring room types to provide students with a smaller space at a lower

cost and more amenities such as air conditioning.

Last year was not the first time CSU had difficulties with housing students. Many of the existing halls were not opened until the late 1950s, when there were less beds because many of the first students at CSU commuted to class from home.

It was not until 1881 that CSU opened its first dormitory, consisting of only two floors. The first floor was for women and the second for men. By 1893 the dormitory was converted into academic space, and the growing number of students had to find their own housing off campus.

The university soon realized the need for on-campus housing and opened an all-women’s dormitory, sparking a trend of gender-specific halls.

After World War II a surge of veterans and their families enrolled at CSU, which prompted the university to install 90 prefabricated dorms that were described as “tin cans cut in half” and more akin to culverts, according to CSU SOURCE.

Remnants of the hastily constructed housing known as Veterans’ Village can still be seen around Fort Collins, notably south of

campus along Spring Creek Trail and Bay Road.

Eventually, complaints about the “tin cans” being too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter prompted CSU to build its first three permanent residence halls by 1949: Rockwell, Braiden and South.

Over the next 20 years, CSU built 12 more residence halls, including Allison, Edwards, Durward and Westfall.

As enrollment continues to increase today, CSU faces yet another housing issue. With a substantial deferred maintenance backlog across existing dorms, CSU initially planned to develop Meridian Village on the former lot of Aylesworth Hall between Newsom Hall and Braiden Hall. However, a decision was made to not move forward with the new housing development due to pressures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the next several years CSU will continue to explore possibilities such as redeveloping current residence halls like Ingersoll, Allison and Newsom. CSU assured students that they will continue “to work to ensure there is enough space in the residence halls to house all first-year students,” Olsen said.

Reach Garrett Mogel at life @collegian.com.

Games Ahoy! houses Fort Collins’ retro gaming community

“(Games Ahoy!) is not like GameStop where it’s only new stuff,” Fort Collins store employee Ewan Wummel said. The store sells games for Atari, old Playstation, Xbox and Nintendo. “(The store is) dedicated to people who love retro games.”

areas, as Ray feels rooted in the Fort Collins and Loveland area due to Games Ahoy!’s yearly convention in Loveland: Vincon.

Vincon began in 2015, and “it’s meant to be a place where collectors, players and families can come and enjoy video games and video game-themed carnival games, vendors and music,” Ray said. “It’s meant to be a place to celebrate video games.”

The convention is not the only opportunity gamers have to compete against one another. Gaming tournaments are held at the Fort Collins location of Games Ahoy! frequently throughout each week and are easy to get involved with.

By Samy Gentle @samy_gentle_

One of the business’ three locations, Games Ahoy! on College Avenue is home to a variety of retro consoles, video games, board games, collectibles and more. The company was founded in 2012 by Adam Ray, who originally resided in Arkansas.

From about 2009 to 2012, Ray ran a small business reselling retro games.

“At the time, people on YouTube like collectors and buyers were showing off their

finds and collections,” Ray said. “The retro video game collecting scene sort of blew up because of YouTube. A lot of the stores had video games way underpriced compared to online averages.”

Ray would go to many of the game stores around Arkansas and buy retro games for a low price and sell them for a significant profit online. After a few years of this operation, Ray relocated to Colorado to open the first location of Games Ahoy! in Loveland in 2012.

After a second Loveland store was opened, Ray found a home for the third and final store in Fort Collins.

A lot of the store’s retro stock comes from trade-ins and customers selling to the store as well as retail distributors for newer games, Wummel said. There are no current plans to open more stores in additional

A large portion of the convention is a free-to-play area with video game consoles dating from the 1970s to the present day, including virtual reality. There are about 60 to 70 consoles set up for the event, Ray said.

“Almost every year, we increase our attendance by 50-75%,” Ray said. “This past year we hit 1,700 attendees, and this year we plan on over 2,000 attendees.”

Tickets for the convention start at $15 per day, and with admission, attendees are given game tokens for the carnival games, where they can win prizes. In addition to those games, Vincon also has various console and card gaming tournaments in which winners can receive trophies and prizes.

“Just show up on the day of,” Ray said. “We usually have a poster on our window that explains what day or what time (the tournaments are). The best thing to do is just follow our Facebook page because we also post about events there.”

The tournaments are just one side of the community fostered by Games Ahoy!

“I was so attracted to it as a customer and prospective employee because of just how wonderful everybody is,” Wummel said. “Everybody at the Fort Collins store especially is so chill and nice, and you’re able to have great experiences.”

“It’s a nice, fun community for people of all ages and identities who just love video games,” Wummel said. “I love Games Ahoy! a lot.”

Reach Samy Gentle at life @collegian.com.

“(Games Ahoy! is) a nice, fun community for people of all ages and identities who just love video games.”

EWAN WUMMEL FORT COLLINS GAMES AHOY! EMPLOYEE

Games Ahoy! on South College Avenue in Fort Collins Aug. 21.

PHOTO BY JAIDEN STANFORD THE COLLEGIAN

LOCAL EVENTS

Annual Poudre RiverFest entertains NoCo community

out the ways that they can get involved with our organization.”

The event boasted booths from 60 organizations and businesses, said Annemarie Fussell, volunteer community coordinator for the Wildlands Restoration Volunteers.

The festival also featured a lineup of diverse live music and periodic classes and seminars on everything from the basics of bird-watching to an in-depth breakdown of current efforts to support the Poudre River ecosystem through the impact of the devastating Cameron Peak Fire.

Volunteers were currently looking to undertake.

Fussell said donations were being put to use on two projects the Wildlands Restoration Volunteers were involved with this year. The first was a project to collect native ponderosa pine cones and grow them in a nursery into plantable saplings in an attempt to combat the native pine tree shortage Colorado currently faces.

we can work together, the more we can get done.”

The festival appeared to succeed in its goal of engaging the community with a large crowd circulating through the booths and enjoying the live music on New Belgium’s outdoor lawn for the duration of the event, despite the threat of rain early in the day.

By Grant Coursey @grantcoursey

The annual Northern Colorado Poudre RiverFest took place at New Belgium Brewing Company this past weekend.

The focus of the festival is to bring the community together to celebrate the Cache la Poudre River while simultaneously informing the public of the river’s impact on Northern Colorado, said Hally Strevey, executive director of the Coalition for the

Poudre River Watershed, a Fort Collins-based nonprofit.

The Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed has been involved in the planning of the festival since 2014, when the modern iteration of the Poudre RiverFest began.

“It’s a great day to showcase our work and to be here with a bunch of different partners who all care about the Poudre River,” Strevey said. “The community collaboration piece is really key, which is why this event is so important to us. It’s a really great time for the community to figure

The Wildlands Restoration Volunteers were another of the six collaborating organizations responsible for organizing the event. They became involved with the event because of the opportunity it provides to inform the community on what dangers face the Poudre and other local rivers, what can be done to help and how the community can get involved, Fussell said.

Fussell explained that the organization works to restore rivers after floods, fires or other humancreated impacts that have damaged a river and that the donations the Poudre RiverFest generates were responsible for funding some of the work the Wildlands Restoration

The second project bookends the first: Once the saplings have grown large enough to be planted, volunteers will plant the trees specifically in the areas impacted by the Cameron Peak Fire in an attempt to heal some of the damage the fire caused to the Poudre River watershed. Fussell emphasized that the undertaking was a joint project with partner organizations OneCanopy and the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed, both members of the festival’s planning committee and sponsors.

“A lot of our work is the same, and the great thing about this festival and a lot of the groups involved is that we all work collaboratively together because there is too much for all of us to do,” Fussell said. “So the more that

New Belgium has been an integral part of the event for several years, said Tera Been, the event coordinator on New Belgium’s side. Been said the festival is one of the busiest days of the season for New Belgium and is aligned with the core values of environmental stewardship and sustainability that the brewery has championed since its inception. Several community members present at the festival mentioned how impressed they were with how informative the event was while also being a fun time.

Several also commented on the importance of the Poudre River and expressed pride that there was an event dedicated to celebrating it in Fort Collins.

Read the full version of this article at collegian.com.

Reach Grant Coursey at life @collegian.com.

A crowd listens to local band Fancy Bits on the lawn at New Belgium Brewing Company as part of the Northern Colorado Poudre RiverFest Aug. 12.

PHOTO BY GRANT COURSEY THE COLLEGIAN

Ramapalooza welcomes students back to campus with live music, activities

1. Jack Costanza and Seeder Whaley of Fort Collins indie-pop band Co-Stanza perform a cover of Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” at Ramapalooza at Colorado State University Aug. 18. The event featured live music, succulents, ax throwing and information booths for campus organizations as part of CSU’s Ram Welcome orientation week for incoming first-year students.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL MARQUARDT THE COLLEGIAN

2. Ryan Adams, Simon Martin, Jack Costanza and Seeder Whaley of Fort Collins indie-pop band Co-Stanza perform for incoming first-year students during Ramapalooza at Colorado State University Aug. 18.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL MARQUARDT THE COLLEGIAN

3. Jack Costanza, Ryan Adams, Seeder Whaley and Simon Martin of Fort Collins indie-pop band Co-Stanza perform “I Don’t Mind” for incoming first-year students during Ramapalooza at Colorado State University Aug. 18. PHOTO BY MICHAEL MARQUARDT THE COLLEGIAN

4. Ryan Adams and Jack Costanza of Fort Collins indie-pop band CoStanza perform “I Don’t Mind” for incoming first-year students during Ramapalooza at Colorado State University Aug. 18.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL MARQUARDT THE COLLEGIAN

5. Fig FX artist Tina Moonie paints a music-inspired design on the shoulder of Z, who did not provide a last name, a CSU senior at the Lory Student Center Plaza at Colorado State University Aug. 18. “I love helping build community by letting people express themselves,” Moonie said. “People lighten up when there’s face paint around.” Z said he came to Ramapalooza because he didn’t experience it during his first year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

PHOTO BY SAMANTHA NORDSTROM THE COLLEGIAN

6. Glass blower Drew Hsu, also known as Torch Mouth, uses heat to manipulate glass into a ram at the Lory Student Center at Colorado State University Aug. 18. Hsu has been blowing glass since 1994. “My friends made a bet to see how fast I could learn to blow glass,” Hsu said, and he’s been doing it ever since.

PHOTO BY SAMANTHA NORDSTROM THE COLLEGIAN

7. Ryan Adams and Jack Costanza of Fort Collins indie-pop band CoStanza perform “Method Actor” for incoming first-year students during Ramapalooza at Colorado State University Aug. 18.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL MARQUARDT THE COLLEGIAN

8. Alysse Renae, an artist at Fig FX, has her supplies spread at Ramapalooza at the Lory Student Center plaza at Colorado State University Aug. 18. PHOTO BY SAMANTHA NORDSTROM THE COLLEGIAN

9. Lolita, lead vocalist of the band Lolita, sings a number onstage while her bassist plays next to her at the Lory Student Center Plaza at Colorado State University Aug. 18. “I wanted to find people and have a good time,” transfer student Jayna Tanabe said when asked why she came to Ramapalooza.

PHOTO BY SAMANTHA NORDSTROM THE COLLEGIAN

10. The band Lolita performs onstage at the Lory Student Center Plaza at Colorado State University on Aug. 18. “I wish they had more music, but Ramapalooza is a great vibe,” CSU first-year Juju Hunt said. Lolita was the second act that went onstage.

PHOTO BY SAMANTHA NORDSTROM THE COLLEGIAN

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Flower power science: CSU’s trial gardens open for annual competition

By Jenn Dawson @jennfriend_y

Colorado State University’s version of “flower power” is not only a Fort Collins main attraction but also the most popular, colorful and interactive science project on campus.

The Flower Trial Gardens are in the middle of their annual competition, when the public votes alongside green industry professionals for the best plants of 2023.

The department of horticulture and landscape architecture — with the help of dedicated student employees — hosts and maintains more than 1,000 varieties of plants just outside the University Center for the Arts. The blooms attract visitors, scientists and students throughout the warm seasons, permitting Colorado’s unpredictable frosts remain on hold from May to October.

Right now is an ideal time to wander through the garden and cast votes for the best flowers of the year.

“The salvia — the red one on the corner — I think that’s my favorite,” guest Linda Aley said while strolling past Bed A before dropping off her grandson at business school. “The hummingbirds go nuts for it.”

The trial gardens first launched in 1971 and transitioned to the park on Remington Street in 2000, according to the garden website, where there awaited 5,000 square feet of bedding space and 20,000 square feet of total planting space. In 2016 the UCA officially became the permanent home of Fort Collins’ favorite flowery research project, leaving behind the W.D. Holley Plant Environmental Research Center to undergo new development.

“Due to its close proximity of the Perennial Trials and the Annual Flower Trial across the street, the site is becoming known as the Fort Collins Garden and Art District,” the website reads.

David Staats has seen the garden grow for the last 30 years as a research associate for the College of Agricultural Sciences.

“Just go out and enjoy it,” Staats said. “(We’re) glad to have visitors. And invite your friends — we do this every year.”

Public feedback is valuable information to researchers and the industry professionals who judge the competition.

“You can probably vote all the way through September,” Staats said, though ultimately, Colorado’s first frost determines the true deadline when the flowers resign from their rivalry.

“The begonias — they’ll just keep looking better and better right up until the very first frost, whereas some other plants will start looking tired,” Staats said.

Though everyone has their favorites, this year’s winners are far from decided.

“I like one called Supertunia Mini Vista, and it comes in a

whole bunch of different colors,” Staats said. “You can see them from across the garden — they really stand out. Every single color is very impressive.”

“I like the GEM series from Lantana,” said Erin Simpson, a student employee found tending the plants between classes. “They also smell really nice — like grapefruit. It’s called GEM Citrine.”

Simpson recounted a summer of fulltime work with two other student-workers, running and maintaining the garden.

“I’ve worked with them all summer, so they’re like my little children, and I’m watching them grow up,” Simpson said while looking over each flower bed she had tended for 40 hours a week. “Now that we’re all back in school, we all just pop in when we can. Today I don’t have a class until noon, so I’m going to weed until 11:30.”

Until winter hits Colorado and the flowers have completed their trials, the garden remains full of life, precious pollinators and welcome guests. Once industry professionals have completed their second evaluation and the flowers have finally retired, the longawaited winners will be announced, securing their place in next year’s coveted Best of Bed.

Reach Jenn Dawson at science@collegian.com.

Flowers in the Colorado State University Annual Flower Trial Garden Aug. 18. ALL PHOTOS BY JENN DAWSON THE COLLEGIAN

Resources for mental health at the CSU Health Network

Counseling and therapy options are available to students who first attend on-call counseling, Schatte said. Students can access brief problem-focused therapy, group therapy and referrals to long-term individual therapy.

student success,” according to the Health Network website.

On-call counseling services are supported by student fees and therefore are at no cost to students. Additionally, all students at CSU are required to have health insurance, which can be billed to access medical and psychiatric services.

“If someone is wondering if they should seek professional mental health services, there is likely something going on that is bothering them,” Schatte said.

The Health Network uses feedback to influence future improvements and obtains much of this feedback through the Student Health Advisory Council, “a group of students who serves as liaison between the student body and the CSU Health Network,” according to the Health Network website.

By Samy Gentle @samy_gentle_

College brings many new challenges to students as they navigate growing up and new independence. One area in which students may face these challenges is in mental health.

“Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds,” according to the World Health Organization. A large portion of Colorado State University students fall into this age range, highlighting the importance of having accessible mental health support at the university.

“Traditional college students are at a vulnerable age when many serious mental illnesses present, so screening and treatment are important to prevent the consequences of untreated illness,” said Dawnelle Schatte, director of psychiatry services at the CSU Health Network. “Mental health is critical so that students can focus on living their best lives, building relationships and succeeding academically.”

The CSU Health Network offers services including well-being workshops, online tools and screenings that students can take at home, Schatte said.

In addition to counseling, psychiatric services are also offered. “CSU Health Network providers can assess (mental illness) concerns and determine a possible medication solution, if appropriate, to support ongoing stability and

“I think if a student is concerned that they are not functioning at their best (not sleeping, not enjoying life, not able to study and perform like they used to, etc.) it would be worthwhile to look into what might be going on.”

Student feedback has played an important role in the development of CSU’s mental health services, Schatte said. For example, neurodivergent students asked in the past for ways to contact the team through methods not involving phone calls. As a result of those concerns, there is now a secure messaging platform for students to use text-based communication.

“We have a process of quality improvement and review where we analyze wait times, student feedback and numbers of visits to try to target resources where they are most needed,” Schatte said.

In addition to feedback, accessibility is also valued by the Health Network, Schatte said.

“We want everyone to feel welcome at CSU Health Network, and we don’t want any barriers keeping a student from seeking care,” Schatte said. “A recent graduating student told me how sad they were to be leaving CSU because it had been so convenient to get such high-quality care for body and mind health all in one place.”

Reach Samy Gentle at science @collegian.com.

“We want everyone to feel welcome at CSU Health Network, and we don’t want any barriers keeping a student from seeking care.”

DAWNELLE SCHATTE CSU HEALTH NETWORK DIRECTOR OF PSYCHIATRY SERVICES

FOOTBALL

Tackling change: A new linebacker roster for the Rams

One of the exceptions to that is the linebacker room.

The Rams lost two AllMountain West Conferencelevel talents in Cam’Ron Carter and Dequan Jackson, leaving Chase Wilson as the longest tenured linebacker for the Rams.

Despite Wilson only playing 17 total games heading into his redshirt junior year, linebackers assistant coach Adam Pilapil still looks to him to be the leader of the room.

when given the opportunity to lead this group.

“It’s taken a lot of work to get here, and I’m grateful for all the people that have allowed me to get to the position I’m in, and I think it’s a privilege to be able to lead this linebacker room,” Wilson said. “We have a lot of talent and a lot of special guys, a lot of great young men, a lot of great young players in the room, so it’s really a privilege.”

Now at the helm, Wilson is ready to improve on last year and truly help take the defense to the next level.

every freshman you start, you lose a game.

One of the transfers CSU brought into the linebacker room was Tramayne Mejia-Paster. MejiaPaster came over to CSU from California. As a graduate transfer, he brings in veteran leadership to help out the young linebacking unit.

“From the day he got here, (he) has just been humble and hungry for success,” Pilapil said. “He comes from a really good program, and they did a lot of good things there, and so he’s able to bring some of those things to us.”

camp ready to learn.

“I’ve been playing college football — this is my fourth year now — but honestly all of these guys are smart,” Mejia-Paster said. “They’ve been teaching me, and I’ve accepted the fact to be a forever learner. … Just because I’m older doesn’t mean I know it all, but I definitely know some things. I’m still learning a lot.”

As the start of the season looms over the CSU football team, expectations are heightened for the Rams. Pilapil expects his unit to go out and play their hardest in order to meet those expectations.

By Damon Cook @dwcook2001

The Colorado State football team added a lot of experience and age to many of their positional groups this offseason.

SPORTS UPDATE

“I think Chase Wilson immediately stepped into a role the day after the New Mexico game,” Pilapil said. “I think he’s done an incredible job of just really trying to lead in his own way. He’s different than DJ, he’s different than Cam (Carter), but I think he’s doing a great job leading our guys. He does a great job motivating the younger guys.”

Wilson turned heads in the team’s final game last season against New Mexico. He tallied seven tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss, giving fans a glimpse of who he can truly be

“I think one of the special things on defense is that everybody’s got to do their 1/11th for the defense to work as a whole,” Wilson said. “Last year, I feel like we had a decent year, but there’s obviously always improvements to be made and strives to make, so I think we’re just keeping the pedal to the metal and really strive to answer that question.”

Over half of the linebackers on the CSU roster are freshmen. One thing head coach Jay Norvell has been adamant about is trying not to play freshman. He reiterated this by saying that for

Mejia-Paster immediately came into the spotlight after asking fans on X, formerly known as Twitter, to give him recommendations for the best places to eat in Fort Collins. He said he still has a lot of places to try, but for now he has found his favorite spot.

“I’m going to tell you right now: Krazy Karl’s wings — specifically the wings,” Mejia-Paster said. “That place is fire. I’ve been there quite a few times.”

Despite being the oldest linebacker on the CSU roster, Mejia-Paster still came into the fall

“I hope we play really, really hard,” Pilapil said. “I hope we play with precision, we play with execution and I hope we’re running the ball and making plays. If we can play with tremendous effort and play really hazardously, I think that’ll make up for some of the lack of playing time … because they’re playing really hard, and they love each other, and they love the guys around them.”

Reach Damon Cook at sports @collegian.com.

CSU soccer puts faith in new transfers

By Damon Cook @dwcook2001

With the soccer season now officially underway, the Colorado State soccer team looks to improve on their previous season, when they saw a 4-7-8 finish.

One of the big holes the Rams have to fill was left by midfielder Liv Layton. Layton scored six out of the 15 total goals for the Rams a season ago. The next highest goal totals came from midfielder Kaitlyn Abrams and forward Aleyse Evers with two goals last season. While Abrams remains on the roster this season, Evers does not.  “We’re not just scoring in the same way — we have a variety of ways, which is difficult to defend, and we do have those personnel that can do that,” head coach Keeley Hagen said.

Despite an influx of young talent, the Rams have had their eyes set on the Mountain West Conference tournament since they started their spring camp. The team uses the #October hashtag.

“Since this spring, we’ve been focused on October and tournaments,” defender Kenady Leighton said. “We started off strong last season, and we’re looking to carry that all the way through October and play our best soccer in October.”

Despite lofty expectations, the Rams still have their work cut out for them. With 17 remaining games until the end of the season, the Rams are still taking it in small increments.

CSU finished near the bottom of the Mountain West last season. In order to improve that, Hagen said the team has to score more goals. Some new faces around Ram country will help bring to light Hagen’s vision of scoring in a variety of ways.

One of those new faces is Olivia Fout, who comes to CSU to help do just that. The forward from Auburn didn’t score any goals in her freshman season for the Tigers. However, she’s off to a hot start for the Rams, notching two goals in two games so far this season.

Liv Stutzman is a familiar face around Fort Collins, attending Rocky Mountain High School before committing to Wyoming. Stutzman is also a second-year transfer, adding to the youth of this CSU team. Last season, she started in all 19 games for the Cowgirls and scored one goal.

“We have our ‘big five moments’ — or first five, last five — five minutes after a goal is scored,” Stutzman said. “Everything just remaining consistent throughout the whole season is really what we’re striving for.”

Taking the five-minute moments is something the Rams will use to

both start and finish the season off strong. This was another struggle for the Rams last season: Of the 15 goals they scored, seven of them came in the first four games — nearly half of the season’s goals. Finishing strong will be crucial if the Rams want to make noise in October.

Avery Vander Ven is the most experienced of the four CSU transfers. Despite not scoring a goal for her previous school, Texas, Vander Ven comes in highly praised, as shown by her playing the full 90 minutes in both of the first two CSU games.

Kate Dunne transferred to CSU after playing her freshman season at Oklahoma State. She previously attended Regis Jesuit High School, where she earned several accolades during her time. Some of those include a first team all-league selection, team defensive MVP and an all-state honorable mention.

Dunne played in 11 games in her solo season for the Oklahoma Cowgirls but garnered no starts for them. The defending room is competitive for the Rams, but Dunne will help bolster that room, which looks to be a strength for the Rams this upcoming season.

“I’m sure you guys have watched the ‘Ted Lasso’ (show) and (know) the importance of

belief,” Hagen said. “It’s a real thing — the energy is a real thing bringing in the transfers we brought in. We’re expecting

them to have an impact, especially (with Stutzman) over here.”

Reach Damon Cook at sports @collegian.com.

Chase Wilson poses outside the Orthopaedic & Spine Center of the Rockies at Canvas Stadium

Aug. 16. PHOTO BY MILO GLADSTEIN THE COLLEGIAN

Soccer team captain Kaitlyn Abrams (11) goes against a Louisiana Tech University player to gain back possession of the ball Aug. 19.

PHOTO BY PAIGE MOLENKAMP THE COLLEGIAN

COLLEGIAN COLUMNISTS

Netflix’s password sharing rules challenge my routine

By Dominique Lopez @caffeinateddee6

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.

From “Stranger Things” to “Grey’s Anatomy” and even “Bridgerton,”

the endless number of binge-able shows on Netflix makes it almost

impossible to stop streaming through their services. This is especially true as a college student; many of us aren’t required to pay for our streaming subscriptions and would rather use our parents’ accounts. However, with the recent announcement Netflix made about charging subscribers more money for sharing account passwords, the struggles of being a broke college student have only been amplified. Some families may choose to no longer allow their children in college to use their passwords or spend the extra money required for sharing the account.

The inability to share the account with your family could mean not being able to keep up with the shows you watch to distract your brain for a few hours or to watch the newest seasons of shows you have kept up with for years. These are just a few of the reasons why we have held on so tightly to the passcodes our parents shared with us.

Despite this, Netflix seems to want to put a stop to it, meaning many students will lose these TVwatching habits we have known for so long. This may affect students’ ability to create a boundary between home and school — something Netflix offers many individuals. Living without Netflix might mean going without hourlong episode breaks to bear the day or opportunities to have selfproclaimed dinner shows. Streaming has become a center point of our culture. Netflix is something many of us grew up with and have continued to use shared accounts for. So what does the future of having a streaming service that won’t let us share our accounts mean for college students?

It means limited access to shows we have streamed for so long. It also threatens a distance in communication concerning what shows mean to other people. More than anything, it means not being able to have the comfort shows that we enjoy so much.

While there are many other streaming services out there similar to Netflix, the number of people who enjoy the platform cannot be ignored. With over 200 million subscribers, Netflix is still an extremely popular streaming service that has led to many conversations between like-minded individuals.

The first question you might be asked during this week of getting to know people is, “What’s your favorite show?” Most students have a favorite program that can be found on a streaming site, and Netflix being one of the most popular ones, you can almost bet some of these shows will be mentioned.

By preventing password sharing, Netflix is taking the ability away from certain students to connect over TV programs on the platform. As a very common source for streaming, the update could make the commonality of having a cheap streaming service with many people’s favorite shows obsolete.

Reach Dominique Lopez at letters @collegian.com.

Glitter, microplastics, biodegradable alternatives

By Gray McCoy

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.

Like many microplastics in our ocean, glitter is causing irreparable harm. It may seem like tiny, pretty pieces of plastic can’t do very much damage, but therein lies the problem: Glitter is small. Glitter is often sold at sizes between 50-6,000 micrometers. That makes it a microplastic — or rather, polymers or plastic less than 5 millimeters in length.

These plastics can do a lot of damage to our environment. While bigger pieces like plastic grocery bags can choke or tangle sea animals, microplastics are sinister in a more subtle way. Most microplastic plastic makes its way to the ocean, where it can bioaccumulate in plankton, fish and even marine birds. It can get into an organism’s bloodstream, wreaking internal havoc by causing damage to cells.

A study by Dutch scientists from 2022 showed that around 80% of people that were tested had microplastics in their blood. Another study showed that microplastics can get into rain and fall down into what was previously thought to be pristine,

untouched wilderness. So where does glitter play into all of this?

By definition, most glitter is already considered to be microplastic. The size of glitter varies, of course, but even the largest pieces are usually less than 1/4 inch. Glitter is already sold directly as a microplastic, and it is everywhere. From gift wrap to beauty products and from shoes to holiday decorations, every store you look in, you can probably find some product covered in the shiny bits of plastic.

Sure, glitter makes up only a tiny amount of microplastics worldwide. But its other impacts are just as — if not more — harmful than the plastic that breaks down into smaller pieces over time. Often, glitter makes it impossible for any items containing it to be recycled. Because it is plastic sold in its most destructive form, very little breaking down needs to be done, thus speeding up the timetable in which plastics can bioaccumulate and spread throughout the world.

So what can be done about this? Admittedly, for the glitter and microplastics already polluting our waters and wildlife, not much. Scientists have been making strides to try and remove or break down plastic waste for a long time with very little payoff. Some have

proposed plastic-eating bacteria or enzymes, and while this may seem like a viable solution, it often runs into a lot of problems.

For one, plastic waste is often made up of multiple different types of plastics, and organisms that have been shown to be able to digest plastic are often only able to digest a specific type. Another concern is the cost, as it would be wildly expensive to try and synthesize a number of bacterium that could digest the amount of plastic waste that we have already. Clearly, completely getting rid of already existing microplastic waste is out of the question with the science and resources we have now. However, halting production of some of our microplastic waste is not.

The glitter problem already has a solution: biodegradable alternatives. Biodegradable glitter is glitter that will break down into smaller harmless components in the environment. It is a sustainable alternative that provides the same function while still being environmentally friendly.

One problem with a lot of current industries is “green-washing,” a term that means a company might claim to have sustainable, environmentally friendly alternatives without actually having them. Such is the

case for a number of biodegradable glitter brands. Some glitters with this label are biodegradable as long as they can be broken down through industrial processes.

Obviously, this is highly unlikely to happen with products like glitter.

One manufacturer, however, has managed to be able to produce truly environmentally friendly biodegradable glitter. Bioglitter makes cellulose-based glitter that

is soluble in water and has been verified by third parties as truly biodegradable. Not only is this a true solution for environmentally friendly glitter, but hopefully the success of bio-glitter will be able to inspire others to follow in the path of environmentalism when it comes to microplastics.

Send letters to letters@collegian.com. When submitting letters, please abide by the guidelines listed at collegian.com.

Acceptance is a virtue our democracy relies on

feel American democracy is functioning well.

If so many feel American democracy is struggling, should we be concerned about its future? As people lose faith in the system, should we embrace barreling forward, or should we look back to restore aspects of our democracy at risk?

Democracy considers a “power to the people” form of government. For Americans, this is supposed to embody a representative government. Maintaining democracy requires people to show up and be heard.

isolate anyone who doesn’t agree with you.

Partisanship drives distrust and division.“About eight in 10 Democrats say the Republican party is failing at upholding democratic values, and a similar number of Republicans say the same about the Democratic Party,” according to the AP-NORC poll.

Right here on the Fort Collins campus of Colorado State University, we have a government that represents us, yet rarely do people show up to vote. So how are they really representing us if we are not communicating what we need?

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY TRIN BONNER THE COLLEGIAN

By Ivy Secrest @ivysecrest

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.

The persuasive game of American democracy has included aggressive attacks for nearly 200 years, and though heated opinions have persisted, unprecedented challenges have manifested in the past decade.

The tense tussle has prepared generation after generation at the polls, but recently, it has motivated election deniers, civil

unrest, hyperpolarization and even an attack on the Capitol.

The heat of debate doesn’t mean a democracy is healthy or even functioning, and as elections approach yet again, it is time we consider how to achieve that.

Americans have become less and less confident in democracy as time has passed. Half of the public feels our democracy is functioning poorly, according to the June Associated Press and National Opinion Research Center poll.

The distrust of government extends through parties. In this poll, 61% of Republicans, 56% of independents and 36% of Democrats reported they didn’t

Because this representation is at risk, we should absolutely be looking at and criticizing the democracy that currently exists. First and foremost, if voices of the American people are not heard, then our democracy is not representative. The best way to voice an opinion within the status quo is to vote.

Even so, when votes aren’t respected or are disregarded by the masses, democracy struggles. Consider the movement to deny that President Joe Biden won the 2020 election. Convictions against Biden and his performance are subjective, and ideally, opinions should be respected, but the fact that he won should not be a controversial statement.

The concern is that each side is out to get the other, and that means you should either give up or

It’s a beautiful day

Opinions change based on how well a demographic’s goals are being met. The AP-NORC poll found that six in 10 Democrats said Biden somewhat upholds democratic values, whereas four in five Republicans said he doesn’t uphold those values. Democrats and Republicans flip that same opinion in regard to the Supreme Court.

The inability to accept defeat or even accept our role in democracy through public criticism discourages voters.

Roughly 80 million people didn’t vote in 2020, and of those surveyed by the Medill School of Journalism, 16% said it was because they didn’t feel like it mattered, 20% didn’t like the candidates and 23% weren’t interested in politics.

Even though 67% of American voters showed up in 2020, that is not the standard, and it still leaves a third of Americans without input on their government.

CSU student voter turnout decreased from 15% in 2020 to 6.17% in 2022. At best, that isn’t even a fourth of students who are voting in Associated Students of Colorado State University elections.

Some students aren’t aware they can vote, some feel unaffected and some don’t believe actionable change can be made by the student government.

These concerns are a true reality for many, but by not participating, we co-create an environment in which we are not supported.

American philosopher John Dewey said, “Democracy is more than a form of government; it is primarily a mode of associated living, of conjoint communicated experience,” a quote CSU has used in launching their Thematic Year of Democracy and Civic Engagement.

It is time we accept our role as contributors and show up for our democracy.Telling your representatives what you want is a power democracy relies on, whether it be in ASCSU or the federal government.

Reach Ivy Secrest at letters @collegian.com.

COLLEGIAN COLUMNISTS

Psychedelic wonderland: Endless Fest returns

gather for a highly anticipated psychedelic art and music festival. This is the third year Endless Fest returns to Fort Collins with both new and familiar talent.

Sidney Gilford, a member of Ducki, who will be playing Endless Fest Aug. 26 at The Lyric.

By Sophia Masia @sophie_masia

In just a few days, music enthusiasts and artists alike will

From Aug. 2426, Endless Fest will become a hallmark event for local alternative bands. Similar events are only for people 21 years of age and older; however, Endless Fest has plenty of underage-friendly activities such as Happy Hour at Pinball Jones and musical performances at The Lyric. Presale tickets are available on their website with multiple options all under $60.

“We are fairly new to the scene, so getting an opportunity to play for this event has us very excited,” said

Over the course of three mesmerizing days, festivalgoers will be transported to a world where reality and imagination merge, fueled by the power of music and art at The Atrium At The Alley Cat, The Lyric and Surfside 7 in Fort Collins.

The festival’s lineup boasts an eclectic mix of musical acts spanning over various genres, each selected to enhance the overall psychedelic experience. From trippy electronic “final boss” music, such as DR3AM CA$T, to transcendent rock melodies like The Crooked Rugs, there’s something for every musical palate.

This year’s musical headliners include acclaimed DJs, experimental bands and visionary solo artists whose goal is to take attendees on the sonic journey of a lifetime.

“We are stoked to be playing the festival with so many great bands,” said Miles Stevenson, guitarist for hospital socks. “We’re most looking forward to playing in Fort Collins for the first time in a while.”

“It is really a dream to be a part of, and there is something truly special that we need to celebrate and recognize here while it is happening,” said Nolan Brumbach, drummer for The Crooked Rugs.

The Crooked Rugs is one of the bands who have played at Endless Fest all three years.

“The inspiration behind Endless Fest was festivals curated to the northern psychedelic rock scene,” Brumbach said. “This is our attempt to put Fort Collins and Northern Colorado on the map when it comes to where great music is happening.”

The festival is important to the Northern Colorado music scene not only for exposure but for culture.

“Endless Fest is not only about musical acts but also visual acts (and) local vendors and artists that constantly surround and inspire us,” Brumbach said. “It is really a dream to be a part of, and there is something truly special that we need to celebrate and recognize here while it is happening.”

Endless Fest inspires local art and music lovers to explore their own creative depths. Attendees are encouraged to embrace their inner artists by experiencing music, art, sculpture and other immersive art forms that await them at every turn.

So mark your calendars for Aug. 24-26 and prepare to be enchanted by the Endless Fest, where music, art and consciousness converge in a psychedelic celebration of creativity and connection. This is an experience you won’t want to miss.

Reach Sophia Masia at entertainment@collegian.com.

Intro to new wave: 5 bands to start with

style music with funky and lively world music. A great example of seeing them in their element is by watching the live concert film “Stop Making Sense.” Talking Heads’ track list is quite dense and has plenty of unique songs that can resonate with anybody. David Byrne’s imagery shown through lyrics paired with the band’s funky and fun instrumentation makes Talking Heads an essential band to not only the new wave genre but music as a whole.

Recommended tracks: “Pulled Up,” “Once in a Lifetime,” “And She Was,” “Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On),” “Burning Down the House,” “The Book I Read,” “Psycho Killer.”

Blondie

disco. All of these genres combined make Blondie an essential new wave listen.

Recommended tracks: “Call Me,” “Heart Of Glass,” “Hanging On The Telephone,” “Atomic,” “Rapture.” Devo

By Christian Arndt @csucollegian

New wave as a genre was very exciting and innovative when it first came into the mainstream. Bands during the late ‘70s and early ‘80s were blending punkstyle music — for example, lyrics and exciting instrumentals that encompass traditional punk sound — while also embracing a more

forward approach of using popstyle sound and song structure. The new wave genre as a whole is a real treat for people looking to expand their taste in music. Here are five bands to check out who fall under the new wave genre.

Talking Heads

The Talking Heads were truly innovators of their craft. They excellently blend fun, post-punk-

Blondie’s music is a staple of the early ‘80s. With hit songs like “Call Me” and “Heart of Glass,” it was inevitable that they would carve out their place in new wave history. Debbie Harry, the lead singer of Blondie, has an impressive voice that complements her equally impressive style. Harry, along with the other members of Blondie, has brushed shoulders with iconic bands and artists like the Ramones, Iggy Pop and David Bowie, which undoubtedly influenced their sound in one way or another. Their music takes a little bit of punk, pop and

Devo is about as artsy as they come. Their live performances consist of all members wearing matching jumpsuits and red cones for hats and running on treadmills. Devo’s approach to new wave is undeniably very unique. Although their music may be pretty all over the place, their lyrics always dive into more serious issues. For example, their own name, Devo, is derived from their ideology that humans are actually “de-evolving” due to technological developments. Devo lays more into the punk aspect of new wave, but their use of synths and catchy pop style makes them a cornerstone of one of new wave’s greats.

Recommended tracks: “Girl U Want,” “Gut Feeling,” “Gates of Steel,” “Planet Earth,” “Jocko Homo,” “Freedom of Choice,” “Gut Feeling / (Slap Your Mammy).”

New Order

New Order had an unfortunate history as a group. Before New Order, all of the members were initially in Joy Division, a band that bridged the gap between post-punk

and new wave. However, after the passing of the lead singer, Ian Curtis, the band members decided to come together once more to make music under the name New Order. What resulted is consistently fleshedout tracks, hit songs and a massive dedicated fanbase. New Order is a must-listen for anyone wanting to dive into this genre.

Recommended tracks: “Bizarre Love Triangle,” “Ceremony,” “Crystal,” “The Perfect Kiss,” “Temptation,” “Age of Consent,” “Dreams Never End.”

The Cars

It is hard to mention the new wave genre without bringing up the iconic band The Cars. The Cars have put out numerous classics, such as “Drive” and “Good Times Roll.” More likely than not, you have probably heard one of their songs playing on the radio, at the roller rink or perhaps at an ‘80s-themed event. They are the absolute poster child of new wave music and have plenty of good tracks anyone can enjoy.

Recommended tracks: “Drive,” “Good Times Roll,” “Just What I Needed,” “Let’s Go,” “My Best Friend’s Girl,” “Since You’re Gone,” “Candy-O.”

Check out RMCollegian on Spotify to find our new wave playlist. Reach Christian Arndt at entertainment@collegian.com.

COLLEGIAN FILE PHOTO

COLLEGIAN FILE ILLUSTRATION

What’s new with CSU theatre this year?

By Alex Hasenkamp @alexhasenkamp

The 2023-24 school year is bringing some changes to the Colorado State University theatre department.

In previous years, being admitted to CSU was an automatic acceptance into the theatre program, but an audition tape or portfolio submission — depending on your concentration — is now required.

Concentrations include but are not limited to project design, costume design, performance and set design.

According to CSU’s Acceptd page, for musical theater and performance concentrations, the audition tape doubles as a scholarship audition.

“We did a curricular overhaul,” said Megan Lewis, the director of CSU theatre since 2020. “We basically looked at all of our courses, we streamlined things and we made the prerequisites better.”

Lewis explained that these changes make it easier for students to focus on more specific things

within their concentration as well as have the option to study more than one, such as lighting and sound or costume and set.

“Due to some budget constraints, we had to make a decision about who we can effectively support in our department,” Lewis said.

Last year they decided to cap the major at cohorts of 16 so that the limited staff can deliver the best education to students.

“This doesn’t mean that we are some sort of elite conservatory thing — it’s nothing like that,” Lewis said. “We are still very much committed to our liberal arts approach and accessibility.”

Saffron Henke, associate professor and head of performance for the CSU theatre department, shared some of the potential drawbacks to this decision.

“The biggest drawback, and we considered this carefully, was access,” Henke said. “In addition to making sure prospective students can easily submit video auditions, the capped class cohort also means that not every student who applies may get accepted.”

Although this change has its disadvantages, overall it was the right decision for students and teachers because it allows for more attentive and in-depth feedback, Henke said.

In terms of auditions, Henke said she is looking for students who are talented and hungry to get better.

Students get to pick what auditions they submit as long as they fit the criteria and genre the department is asking for.

“We are looking for potential,” Lewis said. “I mean, why would you come to college if you’re already a professional?”

Lewis explained that maintaining these smaller class sizes enables students to get the hands-on learning and experience they need to become successful artists.

“We now have a better way to assess who’s coming in (and) what their strengths are and then help them in the path that they want to take through the major,” Lewis said.

In addition to the admission requirement developments, there

is also a new faculty member. Javier Hurtado joined the theatre team this year as assistant professor of theatre after getting his Ph.D. at Tufts University.

Walt Jones, who previously taught playwriting and directing, retired last year, giving Hurtado the opportunity to join the team. According to the

CSU theatre website, Hurtado specializes in contemporary U.S. Latinx theater and performance, 19th and 20th century U.S. theater and LGBTQ+ theater and film. Read the full version of this article at collegian.com. Reach Alex Hasenkamp at entertainment@collegian.com.

Sudoku

WEEKLY HOROSCOPE

By Abby Flores

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (08/24/23)

ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)

Just as your sign marks the beginning of spring, you are emerging from a phase this week and embracing newfound realizations. It is highly likely that you will run into a group that is part of your soul family soon. You have grown so much, and you should be proud of yourself.

TAURUS (APRIL 20 - MAY 20)

Your root chakra is strong, Taurus, which is great because you have a good sense of staying grounded. The only thing you need to watch out for this week is overexerting this aspect of your energy flow, as it could lead to an excessive attachment to work and the material world. Meditate on your crown chakra, and you will find bliss.

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 20)

Tuning into your energy, I hear the song “Origami Lover” by Gold Spectacles. Are you possibly experiencing frustration and confusion over someone? If so, I can assure you that

sometimes souls need time to reflect on their true desires. For now, I encourage you to focus on yourself this week because you deserve peace. If someone wants to choose you, they will.

CANCER (JUNE 21 - JULY 22)

Family is important to you, and as of late, you’ve been feeling more pulled to learn more about your roots and where you come from. You value culture and want to be able to uphold tradition. You will feel more connected than ever this week.

LEO (JULY 23 - AUG. 22)

As your season comes to an end, you feel more confident in who you are and ready to move toward a new beginning of abundance. You may rekindle an old flame you haven’t seen in a while — be certain this is what you want.

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEPT. 22)

Your energy is more lifted this week, which means you will get a lot of things you put off to the side done. You are excited to begin a new project that involves using your creative mind. You will succeed in it, and people will find it intriguing.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23 - OCT. 22)

You feel happy and are working on rebuilding relationships this week. This could be anything from friendships to reconnecting with family members you haven’t seen in a long time. You are learning how to maintain a balance between seeing people and having time for yourself.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)

Peace is what you need in order to live a fulfilling life. You have been achieving this through powerful visualization

and manifestation. People are impressed with how well you take care of yourself and may ask for advice on how to live their best lives this week.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22DEC. 21) Sometimes you start something and don’t finish because you criticize your work or get perfectionistic. A lot of people actually admire what you do because your eyes light up when you talk about it. There are many people and perspectives surrounding you to support you.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19) You may have recently joined a new group of coworkers you will be working closely with on a project. You are business-minded, so you will have no issues communicating to your team. If you do have concerns, don’t be afraid to voice them. As experienced as the other members may seem, you may find they relate to you in some way.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)

As you form new, diverse friendships this week, you will find yourself bringing everyone together to form a harmonious social dynamic. A lot of these friends will continue to want to be around your energy, and you will have enjoyable hangouts.

PISCES (FEB. 19 - MARCH 20)

You tend to be a daydreamer who gets lost in the cosmos and beyond this earthly plane. Although this sounds like you are unaware, you are actually heavily in tune with the spirit world. You think about life in totally different ways, and it is charming!

Last edition’s sudoku solution

“Thespian?

“Wasn’t

“There

“Your