Thursday, February 29, 2023 Vol. 133 No. 23

STORY BY LAILA SHEKARCHIAN

PHOTO BY ARIA PAUL

THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN

Grant Houdesheldt, a bartender and band manager at The Atrium

At The Alley Cat in Fort Collins, models a pair of vintage boots sold by vendor Gaia Bachar Feb. 22. “The Atrium of Fort Collins is a music venue, bar, pizza joint and a great place to hang out,” Houdesheldt said. “We house a lot of local Fort Collins talent.

Since we don’t get a ton of foot traffic, I started the Bizarre to encourage people to come and see what we’re all about. I’m also an antiques dealer, so it also functions as an event I can sell my stuff at.”

PHOTO BY

Lory Student Center, Suite 118

Fort Collins, CO 80523

ADVISING STAFF

JAKE SHERLOCK STUDENT MEDIA ADVISER

CHRISTA REED SENIOR MEDIA TRAINER

NEWS: English department explores positive side of AI’s impact on education PAGE 4

L&C: Meet ‘the ocarina guy’ behind LSC Plaza’s magical music PAGE 6

SPORTS: Behind the battery: Looking into CSU softball’s pitching, catching squad PAGE 9

SCIENCE: Woman, nonbinary psychologists break barriers in research PAGE 11

A&E: ‘Madame Web’ is unapologetically bad, forgettable PAGE 17

OPINION: Your favorite slang terms originated from drag culture PAGE 20

PHOTO: B/AACC fashion show celebrates Black joy PAGES 14-15

FOCO EVENTS FOCO EVENTS

Spring Get Down with Astral Productions at The Emporium Sports Bar

6-9 p.m. March 1

17th Annual Seed Swap & Giveaway at Old Town Library

10 a.m. to noon March 2

“The Creation” by Franz Joseph Haydn presented by the Larimer Chorale at Griffith Concert Hall

4 p.m. March 3

CORRECTION

The Collegian’s Feb. 22, Vol. 133, No. 21, incorrectly listed the dimensions of the art piece titled “And With Your Spirit” on page 2 as 23 x 17 inches. The correct dimensions should have been noted as 6.5 x 7 feet.

EDITOR

KIM BLUMHARDT ADVERTISING MANAGER

ASHER KORN KCSU ADVISER

KEY PHONE NUMBERS

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EDITORIAL

CLASSIFIEDS 970-538-1183

ADVERTISING 970-538-7186

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

Everybody makes mistakes, including us. If you encounter something in the paper you believe to be an error, please contact us at: copy@collegian.com.

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ABIGAIL BURNS THE COLLEGIAN

New bill would provide $50 million to CSU veterinary education program

By Laila Shekarchian @csucollegian

In 2023, the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University announced an expansion of the veterinary education facility to meet the growing demand of veterinarians in the United States and assist in fixing the current shortage of veterinarians.

The new HB24-1231 bill introduced in the Colorado General Assembly would give $50 million to CSU to contribute to the new Veterinary Health and Education Complex.

CSU’s veterinary school is ranked second in the nation, but veterinary students want to incorporate more modern equipment and update the way they are being taught to keep up with the evolving field.

“I love our program, but there’s always ways to improve,” veterinary student Rebecca Williamson said. “A lot of schools are starting to use virtual technology, virtual reality kind of simulation systems, so I think it’d be cool if they could

incorporate some new technologies that are coming out.”

Williamson explained that having access to updated technology will introduce handson learning to the program earlier because most students don’t get experience with live animals at the start of the program.

The project will do just that by revamping the curriculum to allow for more hands-on learning, collaborative learning and more modern technology in their education.

“It’s really a transformational project that will upgrade older facilities and also add a primary care clinic for both training and service to the community,” said Sue VandeWoude, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. “We’re updating our curriculum, which really hasn’t been updated in several decades, to match what other professional programs have found to be the best way to educate.”

In addition to updating the curriculum, the expansion of the complex would allow the college

to increase its class size by up to 20% to fill the gap in the field of veterinary medicine.

“We don’t have any concerns that we won’t be able to (increase class size) because we get more applications than any other vet school in the world, probably,” VandeWoude said. “We get 3,0004,000 applications per year for about 140 slots. This allows us to bring it up close to 170 per class.”

The gap in veterinary medicine that CSU aims to fill is primarily in rural areas because of the lack of facilities and specialists in those places.

“We’ve been spending a lot of time on rural considerations,” VandeWoude said. “We haven’t implemented anything yet because we’re doing research on what can we do to specifically address the shortage of people that are going into rural areas where there’s a really terrible need for a really difficult shortage in those areas.”

Although current CSU veterinary school students will not be able to experience the benefits of the project and expansion, they are still excited

about the possibility of the funding provided by the proposed legislation because of how it will impact the future of veterinary medicine.

“I think, in general, it is a benefit for the majority of the population to provide more veterinarians, more access to care,” veterinary student Katie Kroeker said. “Obviously, as a student, I personally probably won’t be able to experience the new facility, but I think it’s a great idea for the university and for future students to have more resources, more labs, more classroom space (and) the ability to see more patients.”

CSU is aiming to both finish the new veterinary teaching complex and have the new curriculum rolled out in 2026.

“There have been just thousands of hours that people have put into it, and then the recent legislation — we’re just really grateful for our administration in promoting that to the state and then to the state for supporting it in a bipartisan way,” VandeWoude said.

Reach Laila Shekarchian at news @collegian.com.

“It’s really a transformational project that will upgrade older facilities and also add a primary care clinic for both training and service to the community. We’re updating our curriculum, which really hasn’t been updated in several decades, to match what other professional programs have found to be the best way to educate.”

SUE VANDEWOUDE COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES DEAN

First-year veterinary students Rebecca Williamson and Jenna Luttrell prepare for a practice feline exam at the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Feb. 26. The CSU Veterinary Hospital receives over 42,000 patients a year, has 28 veterinary specialties and employs more than 79 veterinarians.

PHOTO BY ARIA PAUL THE COLLEGIAN

English department explores positive side of AI’s impact on education

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY TRIN BONNER THE COLLEGIAN

By Sananda Chandy @csucollegian

Artificial intelligence has risen in visibility at Colorado State University, impacting the creative voices of students and staff alike. However, the English department has been working to bring more awareness to this technological advancement, incorporating AI into the classroom in more productive, ethical and humanizing ways.

Colorado State University has been actively acknowledging the use of AI on campus through the College of Liberal Arts task force and The Institute for Learning and Teaching. Even with the initial fearbased response toward AI and its risks, the task force is advocating for a more positive implementation of AI in student conversations and engaging activities.

Maurice Irvin is a senior instructor in the English department and has been working at CSU since 2011. He spoke on how students must learn to use AI accurately and not utilize it to construct pieces that

are not truly theirs. If students use AI with more negative intentions, it would harm the classroom rather than help it.

“I take no issue with students using AI to assist them with their writing so long as it helps them express their original thoughts more clearly,” Irvin said. “If they are using AI to do their critical thinking for them — that’s when I start getting concerned.”

Timothy Amidon is an associate professor of digital rhetoric and has been a part of several projects and initial conversations revolving around components of AI and what can be learned from those algorithms.

Amidon recalled some of the biggest contextual reasons for plagiarism through AI: Students feel this lingering fear of “complex assignments with high stakes” that can lead to them unethically resorting to using an AI-generated piece of writing, Amidon said.

However, Amidon said he believes this task force is a relevant stepping stone to humanize the use of technology and be an ethical part of the communication process.

“Moving away from the policing approach towards plagiarism and towards more constructive stances to students is what my hope is in the classroom space,” Amidon said. “(We can learn) how we can use AI to help learners.”

Amidon has already experimented with AI, asking his graduate students to use it with complex data sets and different texts to see its computational interpretation on the inputted information. He did not shy away from the topic of AI, encouraging his students to ask critical questions and integrating it into his teaching style.

“My stance is less about the fearbased approach and more about what (it means) for these technologies to be around us (because) they’re going to be here anyway,” Amidon said. “How do we work with them in ways that are more productive and ethical? How do we teach students and understand the ways that those technologies can be used in workplaces?”

Tobi Jacobi is currently the director of the University Composition Program and has been

“My experience is to think about how we can treat this as an opportunity to think a little differently and not be trying to end or having a response that’s trying to stop it. We can either figure out how it can be useful to use and be critical users of information — or we can pretend it doesn’t exist, and that’s not helpful.”

TOBI JACOBI UNIVERSITY COMPOSITION PROGRAM DIRECTOR

meeting with the TILT group to discuss what this community needs when teaching AI in writing classes.

Jacobi said she found in past Community of Practice meetings, which are organized within TILT, discussing AI as a tool can be helpful in understanding the positive outcomes of this technological advancement in student learning and opportunities.

Last fall, Jacobi helped train new teachers and spent a couple of days talking about AI in relation to teaching writing. She said that she hopes the conversations about the risks and benefits of AI can highlight how AI can evolve to be a part of the writing process.

“My experience is to think about how we can treat this as an opportunity to think a little differently and not be trying to end or having a response that’s trying to stop it,” Jacobi said. “We can either figure out how it can be useful to use and be critical users of information — or we can pretend it doesn’t exist, and that’s not helpful.”

Reach Sananda Chandy at news@collegian.com.

UNC’s new tuition program aims to relieve students’ financial burden

“Today, we not only cover tuition and fees for low-income students, we also offer additional institutional support to help with food and housing costs.”

TOM BIEDSCHEID CSU ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT OF ENROLLMENT AND ACCESS

By Tyler Weatherwax @twwax7272

Some students at the University of Northern Colorado will be seeing some changes to their tuition prices coming soon, thanks to a new program being introduced by the university to make attending UNC more affordable and accessible.

UNC’s new Tuition Promise is intended to help students reach their goals of attaining a college degree without the stress of high tuition prices. With the prices of attending college rising in recent years, the new promise hopes to help students with those struggles.

“The UNC Tuition Promise program provides early information on financial aid awards through the Office of Financial Aid and the Office of Admissions,” said Cedric Howard, UNC vice president for student affairs and enrollment

services. “This program helps educate students and families on how to pay for college and guides them through the additional steps toward enrollment.”

The new program is also focused on providing aid to students of color. UNC is working to become a Hispanic-serving institution in Colorado to help provide more Hispanic students with higher education. Additionally, the program aims to help first-generation college students.

“ The new awarding model also addresses equity gaps by recognizing that many of our most needy students identify as underrepresented minorities and firstgeneration college students,” Howard said. “Additionally, the new financial aid awarding process aligns with our intent to become a Hispanic-serving institution.”

However, students who apply to the Tuition Promise need to make sure they have the correct qualifications for the break in tuition prices to

apply to them. Some of the requirements students must check are to make sure they can appropriately receive their tuition breaks.

One requirement is that the student must be a Colorado resident or an eligible Advancing Students for a Stronger Econoomy Tomorrow undergraduate. They must complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid or Colorado Application for State Financial Aid before June 1. The student must also be evaluated based on household income, credit hours and academic standing.

The Colorado State University System has a similar program: Commitment to Colorado.

“CTC ensured full tuition and fees would be covered for Colorado resident students who qualified for the Federal Pell Grant,” said Tom Biedscheid, CSU assistant vice president of enrollment and access. “In addition to a Pell Grant, students also qualify for the state’s Colorado Student Grant.”

The program at CSU has been a valuable resource for those seeking their degree.

“Today, we not only cover tuition and fees for low-income students, we also offer additional institutional support to help with food and housing costs,” Biedscheid said. “So while other institutions are just now starting to offer tuition-free programs, I’m proud to say CSU has been doing it for well over a decade. We have graduated over 15,000 students through this program.”

Universities in Colorado all have their own set tuition prices and differ from each other. While the universities do not have to set tuition rates similar to each other, programs like these will help students better understand how to attend college while not breaking the bank.

“It’s important to know that each campus in Colorado has the autonomy to set its tuition rates independently with the guidance of its respective board of trustees,” Howard said. “This means that

each institution has the freedom to create a tuition structure that reflects its unique priorities and values.”

The purpose of allowing each institution to set its own standards and create unique programs is to enable those institutions to prioritize based on the needs of their specific student communities. The goal is to create a system wherein each university offers aid while creating space for prospective students to prioritize their own goals and needs.

“This approach ensures that Colorado students get the best possible education and value for their money,” Howard said.

The Colorado Department of Education works closely with educational institutions within the state to further initiatives such as the Commitment to Colorado and UNC’s newly created Tuition Promise.

Reach Tyler Weatherwax at news@collegian.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN COLORADO

Meet ‘the ocarina guy’ behind LSC Plaza’s magical music

By Cadence Cardona @csucollegian

Enchanting music has been heard in The Lory Student Center Plaza since the beginning of the fall 2023 semester with Cameron Turner, a first-year student at Colorado State University, orchestrating the ocarina for all to admire.

“I see myself playing my ocarina for my lifetime,” Turner said. “I feel like as though this thing is connected to me because of the way I learned this thing. It feels like a part of me if that makes sense.”

The Legend of Zelda influenced Turner’s interest in the ocarina, the songs he plays and his location on The Stump outside the LSC. Saria, a character from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, sits on a tree stump and plays “Saria’s Song” — one of the first songs Turner learned.

A variety of pieces from Legend of Zelda can be heard across The Plaza, but Turner has also expanded to songs like “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion, “Save Your Tears” by The Weeknd and “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes.

Turner started to perform publicly on The Stump outside the LSC in late August 2023 with his headphones in.

“I have an extremely good musical ear — that means I can listen to a song and play with it very well as long as I am very familiar with it, … which is why I’m always seen playing with my earbuds,” Turner said. “It’s like I’m constantly having my teacher playing my music for me.”

Before Turner became accustomed to learning through audio, he used the website tabs-ocarina.com. He

also gained musical experience playing the clarinet for eight years, beginning in fifth grade and playing in his high school honor band.

“It wasn’t the instrument I felt most connected to,” Turner said. “I take very good care of this thing compared to my clarinets.”

Turner’s first ocarina was 3D printed by his cousin, and he began practicing in July 2023. He later purchased a clay ocarina in August 2023 at the Colorado Renaissance Festival in Larkspur, Colorado. He stores the 3D-printed ocarina as a backup and has his clay ocarina attached to a string necklace for safekeeping.

Turner’s love for video games also began at a young age. One of Turner’s favorite parts of growing up in Dacono, Colorado, was playing The Legend of Zelda on the Nintendo 64.

Although his performances are often sporadic, Turner tends to play for an hour at a time, taking breaks when pedestrian traffic slows down. Valentine’s Day was an exception, as he played romantic tunes for nearly six hours.

“The ocarina guy” and “the ocarina boy” have been common names that students have created in reference to Turner. Students on campus have shown appreciation for him and his musical skills through social media, brief chats, waves and gifts, including plastic Rupees, the currency featured in The Legend of Zelda.

“I think it’s just a fun way to brighten everyone’s day,” said Tessa Romney, a sophomore at CSU. “I mean, I smile every time I see him doing it. It’s fun, and it’s also impressive.”

Daniel van Lille, a first-year student at CSU, met Turner

“(The ocarina) feels like a part of me and the fact that everyone else seems to really enjoy it — because their enjoyment is what keeps me going. I certainly have made my mark despite being here only for a year.”

CAMERON TURNER FIRST-YEAR STUDENT AND OCARINA PLAYER

through a Ram Welcome event and became friends with him through their mutual interest in The Legend of Zelda.

“He practices a lot, and he definitely has a talent for it, right?”

van Lille said. “So I think it’s cool that he’s getting some recognition for this, especially considering how rare of an instrument this is.”

Turner said he appreciates the recognition from peers but still

requests space and respect to perform his music.

“(The ocarina) feels like a part of me and the fact that everyone else seems to really enjoy it — because their enjoyment is what keeps me going,” Turner said as to why he loves playing the instrument. “I certainly have made my mark despite being here only for a year.”

Reach Cadence Cardona at life@collegian.com.

Colorado State University first-year Cameron Turner plays The Legend of Zelda theme song on the ocarina in The Lory Student Center Plaza Feb. 20. “I hope one day I can get a very nice mic so I can record my ocarina songs and post them to YouTube,” Turner said. PHOTO BY AVA PUGLISI THE COLLEGIAN

Holocaust survivor highlights importance of fostering positivity

By McKenna Van Voris @mckenna_vv

The audience quieted as Esther Basch took her seat in front of the microphone for what could be one of the last times. Despite being on Colorado State University’s campus for the first time, Basch claimed that because she is 96 years old, this would be her last tour for the foreseeable future.

Hosted by Students for Holocaust Awareness, Holocaust Awareness Week is an annual seven-day event at CSU cosponsored by the Associated Students of CSU, the Residence Hall Association, the Lory Student Center, Chabad Jewish Student Organization, CSU Hillel, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi, Alpha Epsilon Pi, the Advisory Council on Jewish Inclusion and International Programs.

As the largest Holocaust awareness event in Colorado as well as some neighboring states, it is estimated that around 2,000 people are hosted by CSU during Holocaust Awareness Week, Rabbi Yerachmiel Gorelik said. This event is so popular not only due

CULTURAL HISTORY

to Basch’s inspiring story but also because her message is something that everyone can heed, no matter their religion or race.

“Every human being needs to hear that message because everyone struggles with their own darkness, and who better to share that message of hope and unity and love than someone who survived a concentration camp?” Gorelik said.

The main event of Holocaust Awareness Week was Basch’s presentation, Evening With a Holocaust Survivor, in which she spoke about her experience living through one of the largest genocides in history. Despite the hardship she has been through, Basch uses her voice to emphasize the importance of remaining positive throughout life.

“These Holocaust survivors who have been through absolute hell on Earth are such positive people full of light and full of inspiration and full of hope, and that’s really what this message is all about,” Gorelik said.

Rachel Basch Turet, Basch’s daughter, said because of her mother’s strong mindset and positivity, she has never heard someone complain about her mother. It is Basch’s core beliefs

that are responsible for her friendly, welcoming demeanor.

“My motto is to believe in God, to think positive,” Basch said. “Forgive and love God, and you’ll have a happy life.”

Although people come from all over to see them, it is not just the audience that enjoys interacting with the mother-daughter pair; Basch and Turet are also passionate about connecting with their audience.

“The students — they just warm my heart, the way they listen to me and the way they react and ask the most intelligent questions, and that makes me feel very, very good,” Basch said.

In addition to being passionate about speaking to younger generations, Turet also touched on the importance of students’ capabilities in creating the future.

“It’s fun to talk to students, and they’re our next leaders,” Turet said. “They’re the

decision makers of the future, so we’re trying to let them all know that we can’t let this happen again.”

President of Students for Holocaust Awareness Lauren Maskus touched on the cruciality of utilizing Holocaust Awareness Week as an educational opportunity.

“There’s a very common misconception that all Jews died in the Holocaust when that is wrong,” Maskus said. “We’re still here. We’re still alive. And it’s a way of just bringing knowledge to people.”

It is this importance of educating others that is the reason Basch and Turet are in the process of creating

a documentary, which people can contribute to by donating at honeygirlfilms.org. All funds will go to the creation of the film.

Instead of focusing on the morbid events of the time like most other Holocaust films, Basch’s documentary will be centered on spreading her message of positivity.

“The fact that she is still going on, she is still alive, she’s still strong and powerful, … it’s an honor and a privilege to see that these people have taken back their lives after such a horrific event,” Maskus said.

Reach McKenna Van Voris at life @collegian.com.

Reviewing B/AACC’s history as source of strength for students, community

By Cadence Cardona @csucollegian

In unison with the Civil Rights Movement, Black students at Colorado State University organized Project Generating Opportunities in 1968, which evolved into today’s Black/African American Cultural Center.

Project GO was founded after Black and Hispanic students fought for inclusive class courses, services and resources. The approximate total of 40 Black students achieved their

requests. Among those students was Vivian Kerr, who later became the first director of Project GO.

Kerr installed influential programs, including an annual fall retreat for new students, the center’s newsletter The GRIOT and a paraprofessional support program that is now known as the Black Educational Support Team.

Current CSU Vice President for Student Affairs Blanche Hughes took a similar path, volunteering for the center during her graduate studies and accepting the offer to be director in 1985.

“My goal was to have a place where they could go and at least see somebody that looked like themselves because you could be on campus, sometimes for days, and not see another person of color or another Black person,” Hughes said.

When Hughes began her tenure, Black students and student-athletes were living separate lives and didn’t interact with each other very much on campus, leading to her immediate action in building community. The African American Success Project Seminars were developed in the early 1990s for all Black students to work together and practice peer mentoring, public speaking, writing and group discussions. The classes later formed first-year seminars.

“If all I’m doing is just helping the students to feel comfortable in their environment but I’m not doing anything to change the environment, that’s not sustainable,” Hughes said. “So I needed to do both.”

Partnerships with athletics and other CSU departments were another core goal for Hughes in order to preserve student-athlete retention. She also advocated for

students’ success by leaving her door open for conversation on issues they faced on campus.

“First off, with academics, part of what happens is — especially if you’re first-generation or if you’re in a large school — you find yourself what we call racialized,” said Ray Black, an associate professor of ethnic studies at CSU who holds office hours at B/AACC for students. “Stereotypes and misconceptions and discrimination and microaggressions (...) go on, and then you look for places of affinity.”

In 1997, B/AACC moved to its present location in the Lory Student Center from 205 Aylesworth Hall.

Former Director Jennifer Williams Molock began her tenure in 1998. She enhanced the former peer mentoring program to make B.E.S.T., recreated the Rites of Passage program and added new awards to recognize outstanding students through the annual awards program. Molock was also attentive to reuniting alumni and hosted events in partnership with the CSU Alumni Association.

Current Director Duan Ruff has followed the lead of previous directors since 2021 with the same

value of supporting Black students through the college journey. Only a small number of programs have been discontinued through B/AACC, some of which have transferred to related departments on campus.

“The biggest thing I want to do is make sure that whatever we’re doing in here is honoring the evolution of students, society (and) technology to where we’re still centering Blackness, still centering the Black culture and community,” Ruff said.

The mural of a baobab tree featured outside of the center has served as a symbol of their mission: baobab trees thrive in challenging climates and provide life to the ecosystems they grow in.

“You can thrive ... no matter what you come with, no matter what experiences you have,” Ruff said. “As long as you are still alive, you still have breath in your body, you can go thrive at this institution. So every time students walk into this office, that’s the energy that they walk into. That’s what we want them to know and truly believe for themselves.”

Reach Cadence Cardona at life @collegian.com.

Esther Basch, a Holocaust survivor, talks about her experiences at the Evening with a Holocaust Survivor event Feb. 21. PHOTO BY CAIT MCKINZIE THE COLLEGIAN

COLLEGIAN FILE PHOTO

PAINT BEAST

CSU’s strongman: Joel Scott’s rise to MW stardom

By Damon Cook @dwcook2001

If Joel Scott’s on the schedule, it might be a good idea to hit the gym.

Scott has been a crucial part of the physical play that Colorado State men’s basketball has showcased this year. While he’s reluctant to take credit, it’s apparent when he’s being posted up and stands as sturdy as a brick wall.

That pure strength was what stood out to guard Nique Clifford when he first met Scott.

“I was just impressed (by) how strong he is, how physical he is and

just how skilled he is,” Clifford said. “He can play the perimeter, he can play in the post, so he’s just a versatile guy that we needed on our team.”

Scott doesn’t necessarily go out and try to play physical ball, but he’s not opposed by any means to asserting his dominance.

Scott remains reluctant to take that kind of praise, instead focusing more on just doing his job. However, he still recognizes the physical toolkit he has.

“I just kind of play basketball at the end of the day,” Scott said. “Sometimes I know I’ve got to assert myself a little more, whether that be

rebounding, defense — whatever it is — even offense. … That’s always been a part of my game, just being a little bit more physical. I’ve got a big body, so I can a little bit.”

Oftentimes a team has at least a couple of players whose games go beyond the box score.

While Scott has filled up his fair share of box scores this season, when he doesn’t, he’s still on the floor making an impact.

“He’s making an impact being a rim protector for us and just showing his presence in the paint (with) his physicality and fighting down low with the bigs,” Clifford said. “He does a lot offensively: He’ll duck guys in just to let another guy score on a drive. Certain little things like that that you don’t really recognize.”

bring — not just on the defensive end but on the offensive end as well.

Scott averaged 18 points and six rebounds in those games, helping the Rams to an undefeated start.

players around the nation. However, the size and speed of the competition was one of the biggest changes. While Scott oftentimes was on the court as the biggest player, he is now considered undersized as a four.

“I think you could see the athleticism was no problem — he was a Mountain West-level athlete.”

NIKO MEDVED MEN’S BASKETBALL COACH

“Usually when you see a guy who’s playing at a great program, at a high level, having to do it every night when the scouting report is to stop him, you can see that talent and that skill is going to translate,” Medved said. “I think you could see the athleticism was no problem — he was a Mountain West-level athlete. It was really cool how quickly you could tell right away, ‘All right, he’s going to be a major player at this level.’”

Scott grew up in a basketball family. One of his brothers, Josh Scott, played for Colorado, intensifying the rivalry within the family.

One of the biggest jumps the Rams saw from a season ago was on the defensive end.

After sitting ninth last season, the Rams now find themselves as the No. 4 scoring defense in the conference.

Sure, getting Josiah Strong back and having Clifford transfer in are a couple of big reasons for that, but having a 6-foot7-inch, 225-pound monster down low who can guard one through five might be one of the biggest reasons for that jump.

“Having a versatile dude like that is a coach’s dream and a teammate that everyone wants to have on their team as well,” Clifford said. “He makes up for a lot of people’s mistakes on the defensive end. … It’s always fun to play with a guy like that.”

In his first three games in green and gold, it became apparent the value that Scott would

While Scott did go through a midseason lull, he’s found himself bursting back onto the scene, including being one of the most pivotal pieces in CSU’s 20-point victory over the No. 1 team in the Mountain West Feb. 17: Utah State.

“We were pretty familiar with him, being (that he’s) from Colorado,” coach Niko Medved said. “His career and the film and the accolades and everybody around him speaks for itself. So he was a priority for us right away.”

Scott played his high school ball at Lewis-Palmer High School in Monument, Colorado.

While he’s a local, the chance to return to his home state wasn’t at the forefront of his mind when he decided to pick CSU. In fact, Scott said he didn’t think he would ever come back to the Centennial State, but he fell in love with the people, and the rest is history.

“I’ve made some really good friends,” Scott said. “We’ve come together really quick, and it’s been an easy transition, and even everyone in Fort Collins — all the people around us — have been super nice. It’s been super welcoming.”

While there is never certainty when making the jump from Division II to Division I, it was at least clear in the recruiting process that Scott was as close to a sure thing that there was.

Scott has comparable athleticism, strength and IQ to a lot of NCAA

But one thing Ram fans can thank CU for is helping intensify that love of basketball for Joel Scott.

“I’ve always loved basketball,”

Joel Scott said. “I don’t remember a point where I didn’t love basketball. I think seeing my oldest brother go to CU and going to those games is kind of a moment where I was like, ‘Man, I really want to go play like that.’”

Joel Scott got his chance, and with an opportunity to beat his brother’s alma mater, he again was a pivotal piece with 15 points and five boards. However, he might have been most valuable on the defensive end, being a key part of holding NBA lottery prospect Cody Williams to zero points in the first half.

While Joel Scott has yet to get Josh Scott in any green and gold gear, Josh Scott did have to post “Go Rams” on his social media.

“After we played (CU), I definitely gave him a call right when I got into the locker room,” Joel Scott said. “I had to talk a little bit, but no, he’s more happy where I’m at and the fit I’m at, so it’s all love.”

Joel Scott has made lasting impressions, especially with the people in his former program.

“Everybody loves this kid and loves who he is as a person and what he brought,” Medved said.

Reach Damon Cook at  sports@collegian.com.

Forward Joel Scott dunks in the Colorado State University men’s basketball game against Utah State University Feb. 17. CSU led the entire game, winning with a final score of 75-55. PHOTO BY JULIA PERCY THE COLLEGIAN

Behind the battery: Looking into CSU softball’s pitching, catching squad

By Will Engle @willengle44

There is perhaps no relationship more integral to a team’s success in sports than that of the team’s pitcher and catcher.

This duo, also known as the battery, is crucial to the pace, execution and outcome of the each at-bat, inning and game.

For Colorado State’s softball team, these relationships are built off of hours of work on and off the field, all working toward a common goal: commanding the defense through innings to bring their batters back up to the plate.

“Coach (Jen Fisher) is really pushing this year to have a team within the team with the pitching staff,” pitcher Sydney Hornbuckle said. “We’re all in support for each other.”

Hornbuckle, Danielle Serna and Reagan Wick make up CSU’s primary pitching rotation, each having pitched at least one inning per game on average this season.

With this group of three already having pitched 84.1 of

the total 93.2 innings CSU has played, their execution has been paramount to the Rams’ success thus far this season.

The hard work put in before the season quickly paid off for Serna, who pitched a full-game shutout in her first start of the season against Pacific, throwing eight strikeouts.

Carolina Buffaloe, Serna’s catcher for her shutout against Pacific, praised the work Serna put in before

the season and in the game, which she said encourages and motivates the whole pitching and catching staff.

“(Serna’s) really good,” Buffaloe said. “She’s working hard every pitch and always making adjustments. She wants those outs, and we see that from her, and she’s just firing up everybody.”

With the exception of her start against No. 2 Texas, Serna has yet to give up more than two earned runs in

a single appearance, helping her team’s offense tremendously.

“We check up on each other and genuinely care for each other as people.”

DANIELLE SERNA PITCHER

For Serna, that success wouldn’t have been possible without the relationships and camaraderie she’s found with the pitching staff at CSU.

“It’s a privilege to be a part of such a great pitching staff,” Serna said. “We check up on each other and genuinely care for each other as people. I think it just makes it easy to just go out there and know that I have all their backs and we have each other’s.”

When it comes to bonds within the battery, perhaps no one knows how integral they are to success more than Hornbuckle.

“I grew up with my sister being my catcher,” Hornbuckle said. “We always had a good bond, and she’s here at CSU too. I think (having a bond with your catcher) is really good, ... especially when they know what my typical pitches do or where they’ll miss typically.”

Together, the twin sisters Sydney and Katelyn Hornbuckle exemplify the ways in which offthe-field bonding can contribute to game day execution. With the pitcher getting to know their catcher and the catcher getting to know their pitcher, they are able to find new ways to achieve success on the field.

Buffaloe described the sense of responsibility she feels as a catcher to form a bond with her pitchers, saying that the deeper their understanding of one another is, the easier it is to find success.

“(That relationship) is huge,”

Buffaloe said. “I mean, if you don’t have a good relationship, then the chemistry on the field is not going to be there, so you definitely need that.”

Reach Will Engle at sports @collegian.com.

COLLEGIAN FILE PHOTO

FEATHERED RECLUSES

Island scrub jays are ‘serious homebodies,’ research finds

By Lizzy Rylance @csucollegian

About two hours off the coast of California lies a small island nearly twice the size of Fort Collins. This island is home to an ecological curiosity: a brightly colored bird called the island scrub jay, which is found nowhere else on Earth. Scientists have spent the better part of two decades trying to understand the evolutionary puzzles surrounding this unique bird. Santa Cruz Island is one member of an eight-island archipelago

dotting the Southern California coastline. In stark contrast to its mainland neighbor of Los Angeles, Santa Cruz Island looks more like something out of Jurassic Park with its rugged terrain and jutting cliffs. It is mostly uninhabited — save for a small handful of scientists and technicians who live there to study the island scrub jay.

One of those researchers is

Hannah Horowitz, a master’s student enrolled in the graduate degree ecology program at Colorado State University. Horowitz has worked on Santa Cruz Island for

five years, first as a field technician and now as a graduate researcher.

Horowitz explained that the island scrub jay is unique because the species is entirely contained on Santa Cruz Island. In fact, it has the smallest home range of any bird in North America. Considering the island ecosystem it inhabits, this makes the island scrub jay a prime case study for evolutionary biologists.

“You can think of it as nature’s science experiment gone wild,” Horowitz said, referring to the island ecosystem.

Islands are heavily isolated from other ecosystems, limiting the movement of animals and plants. Finite space also means finite resources, driving competition. At the same time, island environments are highly susceptible to change because of natural disturbances like earthquakes and storms, Horowitz said.

The result is akin to a pressure cooker for evolution.

“You end up getting some really weird, funky species,” Horowitz said. “They’re so finely tuned to that specific environment that they

become really different from their mainland counterparts.”

The island scrub jay, for example, has experienced a phenomenon known as island gigantism, Horowitz said. They are around 30% larger than their closest relatives on the mainland.

Perplexingly, there is no evidence of island scrub jays flying to the neighboring Santa Rosa Island, even though they are perfectly capable of doing so, Horowitz said. No one knows exactly why these birds stay on Santa Cruz Island while other bird species readily fly between the islands.

Rebecca Cheek, a CSU alum and former student in the graduate degree program in ecology, began working with the island scrub jays in 2016 for her Ph.D. research.

During her research, she noticed another unexpected pattern in the scrub jays. Certain populations on the island had developed distinctly longer beaks than others, despite living only miles apart. Ordinarily, she said, such closely related populations are expected to be extremely similar.

“Instead, we are seeing these differences, which go completely

against what we would expect as evolutionary biologists,” Cheek said.

It soon became clear that the scrub jays with longer beaks were mostly living in pine habitats, while the others were found mostly in oak habitats, Cheek said. The two neighboring populations developed different beak shapes to crack open different nuts. It was remarkable to see these differences on such a small geographic scale.

“My impression is that the (island scrub jays) are very serious homebodies,” Cheek said. “Once they’ve established a territory, they will stay there pretty much for the rest of their lives.”

This could be one of the factors reinforcing the differences in beak shape among the different populations because it could mean there is less motivation to move into different habitats, Cheek said.

However, more research is needed to tease apart the mechanisms at play, Cheek said. For now, her results remain somewhat of an evolutionary enigma.

Reach Lizzy Rylance at science@collegian.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WILL DEMOTT

Woman, nonbinary psychologists break barriers in research

By Caden Proulx @csucollegian

Many nonbinary and woman psychologists have been breaking the glass ceiling in mental health research for the past couple of years. Covering topics from women’s and LGBTQIA+ issues to highly sensitive people and the practice of radical self-compassion, their research has been quite impactful for groups who, historically, haven’t had the same level of education on mental health topics.

Below are five psychologists breaking new ground in their research fields to watch out for as Women’s History Month begins to honor their contributions.

Hillary L. McBride

Hillary L. McBride is a licensed psychologist and researcher based in Vancouver, Canada. She is best known in the mental health community for her 2021 book “The Wisdom of Your Body.” She has also conducted groundbreaking research on the therapeutic model of embodiment.

Chicago, and they are also known for their mental health Instagram @queersextherapy.

Tanner belongs to The Expansive Group, which is a group of therapists focusing on sexuality, gender and relationship counseling. Tanner rose to fame with their Instagram account, where they post mental health infographics related to the queer experience and other therapy tips.

with a Ph.D. in health behavior. She describes her mission in life on her website as to “teach women to live with confidence and joy inside their bodies.”

to women. She also has workbooks published for “Come as You Are” and “Burnout.”

When the World Overwhelms Them.”

Aron identifies as a highly sensitive person who gives real insight into the lives of HSPs and a better understanding of how people with this trait experience the world. Her research has helped validate many people’s emotions, and it has helped clinicians put a name to experiences they’ve felt alone in. She describes HSPs as feeling ashamed for being so sensitive, but in reality, it is a part of who they are, and around 15-20% of the population are highly sensitive people.

McBride has written several other books, such as “Embodiment and Eating Disorders: Theory, Research, Prevention and Treatment.” She released “Practices for Embodied Living: Experiencing the Wisdom of Your Body” in January.

McBride also has a podcast discussing religious trauma called “Holy Hurt” with Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries. She can be found on Instagram @hillaryliannamcbride.

Casey Tanner

Casey Tanner is a sex therapist practicing in

Tanner co-founded a podcast with fellow therapist and Expansive Group member Kamil Lewis called “Safeword” on Instagram. The “Safeword” podcast is named for the safe words people have with their partners during sex, which signal that the individual saying the agreed-upon safe word needs to pause. The podcast covers various topics dealing with sex, relationships, gender and more, and they describe the podcast as “sex therapy unhinged.”

Tanner has a book titled “Feel It All: A Therapist’s Guide to Reimagining Your Relationship With Sex” coming out May 2024.

Emily Nagoski

Emily Nagoski is a sex educator and psychologist

Nagoski became popular after publishing several books on sex and appearing in the Netflix documentary “The Principles of Pleasure.” She discusses the “orgasm gap” in this documentary and in her book “Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life.” The orgasm gap refers to the difference in the frequencies of orgasms between heterosexual men and women during sexual activity, which for women is much lower.

In their book “Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle,” Emily Nagoski and her twin sister Amelia Nagoski tackle together why women experience burnout differently than men do.

Emily Nagoski just released a book in late January titled “Come Together: The Science (and Art!) of Creating Lasting Sexual Connections,” which tackles sex in long-term relationships as it relates

Emily Nagoski has a podcast with her sister called “Feminist Survival Project 2020” in which they discuss the burnout experienced by feminists in 2020 and everything that needs to be accomplished as a result. Emily Nagoski can also be found on Instagram @enagoski.

Elaine Aron

Elaine Aron is a clinical psychologist leading research on a new personality trait characterized by being highly sensitive. She describes this new research on personality traits of highly sensitive people in her books “The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You,” “The Highly Sensitive Person in Love: Understanding and Managing Relationships When the World Overwhelms You,” “The Highly Sensitive Parent: Be Brilliant in Your Role, Even When the World Overwhelms You” and “The Highly Sensitive Child: Helping Our Children Thrive

Aron has resources on her website to help users figure out whether they are an HSP, what this means for them and how they can better navigate the world as an HSP.

Kristin Neff

Kristin Neff said her research in selfcompassion stemmed from her interest in Buddhism. She has been at the forefront of this research ever since, studying compassion empirically.

Neff authored “SelfCompassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself” and most recently “Fierce SelfCompassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power and Thrive” on her research topics.

Neff is also the cofounder of the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion. This organization provides free mindfulness and compassion resources such as meditations, practices, workshops and teacher training. Neff can be found on Instagram @neffselfcompassion.

Reach Caden Proulx at science@collegian.com.

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SOUTH AMER IC AN W INE

B/AACC fashion show celebrates Black joy

By Sophia Masia @sophie_masia

In honor of Black History Month, the Black/African American Cultural Center at Colorado State University is celebrating students and their heritage with this year’s theme: Redesigning Our Future.

B/AACC partnered with RamEvents to host a fashion show with clothing by Black student designers and models on Thursday evening in the Lory Student Center ballrooms.

“I put on this fashion show because I was in charge of the keynote event for Black History Month, and we usually get a speaker, but last year, we got Bobby Seale, and I was like, ‘There’s literally no way we’re going to top this,’” said Ashenafi Paulos, peer coordinator at the B/AACC and B/ AACC coordinator for RamEvents. “So we decided to completely reimagine it and do something that focuses more on appreciating our culture and facilitating community between these groups and enjoying Black joy.”

All throughout February, B/AACC has hosted weekly events for their Redesigning Our Future theme to celebrate and honor Black history at a predominantly white institution.

“America is always so focused on the worst parts of Black history during Black History Month, and the reason why we created the theme to be Redesigning Our Future is because we just want to be able to not base our future in the roots of our past or the past that keeps on getting shoved down our throats,” said Joshua Duran, president of United Men of Color and co-planner of the fashion show.

The designers were allowed full artistic expression in their looks, which ranged from neutral palettes with high fashion influence to casual streetwear and brightly colored statement pieces.

“The fashion show was just a way to kind of exemplify not only the excellent and beautiful parts of our past but also show where we’re moving as a Black people — as a race and as a community,” Duran said.

After the fashion show, attendees were able to watch a performance by up-and-coming hip-hop group Coast Contra and browse art from local Black vendors, like art major and self-taught rug maker Jahvon Lee.

“The way I taught myself was by looking at TikTok videos and YouTube, and I was studying for, like, two weeks, and I ended up just taking some money out of my savings and said, ‘You know what? Let’s just go

for it,’ and now I’m here doing this,” Lee said.

Vonrugs, Lee’s business, makes small- to medium-sized decorative rugs of both his original designs and other iconic images like the Las Vegas Raiders logo, customized Nike swooshes and characters like Kirby or Spider-Man.

Duran also showcased his art with his clothing brand AllLoveNoHate, which aims to unite marginalized people in Northern Colorado.

“I’ve always been very focused on bringing in people from the margins and just trying to lift up not only people of color but just marginalized communities in general,” Duran said. “That’s what my clothing brand is really aspiring to do.”

Beyond his clothing brand, as president of CSU’s United Men of Color, Duran seeks to bring together male-identifying people of color on campus through service, leadership and culturally inclusive programs.

“The United Men of Color has always been focused on just uniting all the men of color up here on campus just because there’s such a light population of us up here on this campus,” Duran said. “And with being president, my focus has been this year to just really set it up for the next generation.”

Reach Sophia Masia at entertainment@collegian.com.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN MASCARDO

1. Colorado State University student Dhyonna January shows off her retro look at the Black/African American Cultural Center Hair/Fashion Show in the Lory Student Center Ballroom A Feb 22.

2. Jolly Green-Palmer, a local hair stylist, judges the B/AACC Hair/ Fashion Show alongside fellow judges Nathaniel Addison and T.J. Anderson.

3. Dhyonna January struts down the runway in the freestyle category.

4. Student designer Ramsey Whitaker displays a self-designed futuristic outfit.

5. Art student Nura Abdullaah models clothing designed by students.

Community members gather for the Colorado State University Black/African American Cultural Center Hair/ Fashion Show in the Lory Student Center Ballroom A Feb. 22. The show had three categories: Retro, Redesigning Our Future and Freestyle.

PHOTO BY LAUREN MASCARDO THE COLLEGIAN

Redesigning Our Future

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Intro to blues: 5 artists to start with

By Tyler Weatherwax @twwax7272

The blues has influenced many kinds of music and artists and is one of the most impactful genres. An American music staple, the blues has been around for over 150 years and is essential to the sound of today’s music. It is also a way to deeply connect with others, as the blues is all about sharing deep emotions — most often about troubles and worries — hence the name “the blues.” Here are five artists so start with for a beginner blues listener.

1. Muddy Waters

Muddy Waters is often considered one of the most important and influential blues artists of the 20th century. Born in 1913 in Mississippi, his forwardthinking look at the electric guitar in the blues changed how people think of the genre. The blues are often associated with guitars, but before Muddy Waters, electric was less common. His lyrics and electric change of the blues gave birth to a generation of rock ‘n’ roll musicians

who were heavily influenced by the blues player. With a voice deep enough to reach the bottom of the ocean and guitar riffs that can make anyone shiver, Muddy Waters is a must-listen for any blues fan.

Recommended tracks: “Mannish Boy,” “The Blues Had a Baby and They Named It Rock and Roll,” “I’m Ready,” “I Can’t Be Satisfied,” “Rollin’ Stone,” “Baby, Please Don’t Go.”

2. John Lee Hooker

One bourbon, one scotch and one beer: That’s what you need to fix a heartbreak, John Lee Hooker said. His lyrics and voice will speak to you with songs

about living fast and dying young. Hooker’s themes in his music include sex, drunkenness, killing and lots of heartbreak. Not only will you hear the lyrics, but the feeling is there, too — a prime example of what the blues is all about: expressing yourself and releasing emotions into the music. Another Mississippi-born blues player, Hooker captures the raw themes and emotions the blues is famous for.

Recommended tracks: “Boom Boom,” “Cry Before I Go,” “The Motor City Is Burning,” “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer,” “Crawlin’ Kingsnake,” “Blues Before Sunrise,” “Mustang Sally And GTO.”

3. Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble

Stevie Ray Vaughan was inspired by his guitar hero, Jimi Hendrix, and the sound of country music. The combination of rock ‘n’ roll and country in Vaughan’s guitar creates a unique and genre-bending sound. You can’t really call it country, and you can’t really call it rock in a traditional sense, but you certainly can call it

the blues. If the blues isn’t quite your cup of tea and you want something more familiar to introduce you to the genre, then Vaughan might be your preferred choice to start listening.

Recommended tracks: “Pride and Joy,” “Texas Flood,” “Couldn’t Stand the Weather,” “Cold Shot,” “Tin Pan Alley,” “Look at Little Sister.”

4. B.B. King

Somebody who really puts their heart and soul into the blues is B.B. King. With singing that comes from the gut and guitar solos that will make your ears listen whether you like it or not, King takes charge with his music and grabs people’s attention. Having a career that lasted decades, King was a master of his craft. He took the idea of playing the blues on guitar and elevated it to another level. King also covered a wide range of feelings, from the usual themes of heartbreak and loss to lust, with a feeling of confidence in life.

Recommended tracks: “The Thrill Is Gone,” “How Blue Can You Get?,” “Sweet Little Angel,” “Every Day I Have the Blues,”

“Rock Me Baby,” “Why I Sing The Blues.”

5. The Black Keys

Lastly, if you want a more modern take on the blues that still has the fundamentals of what makes the blues so great, The Black Keys have taken the genre and brought it to an audience in the 21st century. With a deeply personalized guitar sound and influences from Mississippi Delta blues, people may have heard The Black Keys and never realized they were a blues group. They are often considered alternative or alternative rock, but their blues roots shine in their music and are keeping the genre fresh and alive. With so much history and tradition behind the blues, it can be easy to lose track of its progression. Their fuzzy tone and punchy drums are the perfect fit for the blues.

Recommended tracks: “Do the Romp,” “Heavy Soul,” “Thickfreakness,” “Howlin’ for You,” “I’m Not the One,” “She’s Long Gone,” “Stay All Night,” “Wild Child,” “Good Love.”

Reach Tyler Weatherwax at entertainment@collegian.com.

COLLEGIAN FILE ILLUSTRATION

‘Madame Web’ is unapologetically bad, forgettable

By Christian Arndt @csucollegian

“Madame Web” has masterfully spun a tangled mess of superhero Hollywood garbage that is void of all cinematic feeling and emotion.

“The overall plot is about as hollow as it could be. Watching the film’s trailer serves the exact same purpose in understanding the plot as going and watching the film.”

“Madame Web” was released Feb. 14 to much critical disdain from film reviewers and the audience, receiving an astounding 12% on the Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes.

Madame Web follows Cassandra Webb (Dakota Johnson), a New

York City paramedic who meets a ragtag group of teenagers: Julia Carpenter (Sydney Sweeney), Anya Corazon (Isabela Merced) and Mattie Franklin (Celeste O’Connor). After discovering that the antagonist of the film, Ezekiel Sims (Tahar Rahim), is attempting to murder them, they do everything in their power to prevent it.

That sums up the movie, really. Who knew the base premise of the film would spoil the entire movie because that’s all there is to it?

The movie has a run time of 1 hour and 54 minutes and cost $80 million to make, all of which was used to create one of the most lifeless and unenjoyable superhero movies to date.

The overall plot is about as hollow as it could be. Watching the film’s trailer serves the exact same purpose in understanding the plot as going and watching the film.

The opening 15 minutes feel out of place from anything the movie portrays later on and only serve as a minor plot point toward the end.

Johnson’s performance has as much depth as a kiddie pool. Her lines have such a monotone delivery that you would think she was being

held against her will to perform in the movie. There were plenty of instances in the movie when Johnson delivered a line so poorly it was almost laughable.

In addition, the writing is flatout bad. There are no instances in the film when the writing shines through, and it leaves the audience either cringing at a scene that’s supposed to be a tender moment between characters or rolling their eyes over a predictable plot point anyone could see a mile away.

One of my biggest gripes about the movie is we are shown that Cassandra is empathic and sincerely enjoys her profession as a paramedic and helping people in need, but when it comes to saving the lives of three teenagers from the aforementioned antagonist, she could not be more reluctant to help, which makes zero sense.

Another aspect of Cassandra’s character that is frustrating is the consistent reiteration of her superpower: being able to see into the future. After the third or fourth time, it is so frustrating to watch, it’s almost unbearable.

There’s a scene in the movie wherein Cassandra looks into the

future, sensing an imminent threat, and she then becomes confused and scared about these visions. The scene takes five minutes to show and serves as an enlightening moment for the character. The worst part is the movie played many scenes similar to this beforehand, which bores the audience because it’s so recycled.

The antagonist, Ezekiel, is a lifeless character. His motivations are muddled and obscured by a traditional bad-guy plot; his whole reasoning behind the events of the film is to get to the teenagers before they can get to him. That’s it. There is no further character development behind Ezekiel.

What does Ezekiel do for a living? Why is he so adamant about reaching the teenagers as quickly as possible when it’s not required? Why should the audience care about literally anything he does? A poorly written teenage fanfiction would have more character and depth than Sony’s Ezekiel.

The film has the classic premise of a superhero’s journey. However, there is nothing unique or present to diversify the plot. It’s just taking the formula, putting basic

characters into it and sprinkling poor pacing to result in a headache.

This contributes to another frustrating aspect of this film: how utterly predictable it is. It wouldn’t take a genius to guess what is about to occur in the film minutes away.

The cinematography and editing are immensely horrendous as well in this film. The many unnecessary jump-cuts and quick transitions into spinning camera angles and quick zoom-ins leave the audience feeling overwhelmed and left with a strong sense of motion sickness.

There are no redeemable aspects to “Madame Web.” It’s not so bad that it’s good, like many people have said about Sony’s previous Spider-Man spinoff “Morbius,” which was released back in 2022. It’s just flat-out forgettable, bad and unenjoyable to watch.

Save the money and sanity by not watching “Madame Web.” It’s a tortuous experience. In fact, create a metaphorical restraining order for this film, and keep at least a mile between you and this steaming hot Hollywood cash grab garbage.

Reach Christian Arndt at entertainment@collegian.com.

CSU student is convinced her roommate is a vampire

By Hana Pavelko @hanasolo13

Editor’s Note: This is a satire piece from The Collegian’s opinion section. Real names and the events surrounding them may be used in fictitious/semi-fictitious ways. Those who do not read the editor’s notes are subject to being offended.

Most people never think that horror movies can come to life. Stories about ghosts and monsters are simply tales to scare us. The idea

of monsters being real is too farfetched for anyone to give it a second thought, which is why a Colorado State University student was taken aback when she came to the conclusion that she might be living in a real-life horror movie.

Charlie Cullen, a secondyear Colorado State University student living in the Transylvania Standard apartment complex, is convinced her roommate is a vampire.

“I didn’t think much of it when I first moved in,” Cullen said. “But all the clues came together, and I realized that I was living with a reallife vampire.” Throughout the year, Cullen has observed her roommate’s vampiric habits firsthand. The first symptom Cullen remembered was her roommate’s unconventional sleep schedule.

“She’ll wake up around 5 or 6 p.m., and then she’s awake for the rest of the night,” Cullen said. “One time, I got up to get water in the middle of the night, and she was standing in the kitchen claiming she was doing homework.”

Cullen noticed her roommate’s strange sleep schedule during the

first week of school. She thought that maybe her roommate simply suffered from insomnia — a common illness that affects many stressed college students. However, as the semester has gone on, Cullen has come to the conclusion that her roommate’s sleep habits are due to her vampire nature.

Cullen also noted that her roommate avoids going outside whenever possible, refusing to go to lunch together or attend football games.

“We invited her to go hiking with us one day, but she told us no because it was way too sunny for her,” said Edward Swann, Cullen’s boyfriend. “I mean, I’m all for skin care, but that’s why we have sunscreen.”

Neither Cullen nor Swann reported seeing the roommate leave the apartment during the day.

“I’m not even sure she goes to class,” Cullen said. “I’ve never seen her anywhere on campus.”

While Swann and Cullen have not yet confirmed if Cullen’s roommate is in fact a vampire, they are taking all necessary precautions to protect themselves.

“We’ve started wearing garlic necklaces when we’re in the living room or the kitchen,” said Buffy Gellar, a close friend of Cullen’s who frequents her apartment.

“I’ve read it’s the most effective way to repel vampires.”

In addition to wearing garlic necklaces, Cullen has also strung up strands around the door of her room and has added extra garlic to her meals when cooking.

Cullen has also stocked up on silver jewelry to wear around the apartment when her roommate is there.

“Usually, I wear gold because silver washes me out, but apparently, silver is supposed to repel vampires,” Cullen said.

“Hopefully it will work.”

Cullen is looking forward to the end of year when she can move to a different vampire-free apartment. And she hopes that other CSU students can learn from her experiences this year.

“Roommates are so tough,”

Cullen said. “I mean, you never know if you’re going to be the next person who ends up with a vampire for a roommate.”

Reach Hana Pavelko at letters @collegian.com.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY KATHRYN PAKIZ THE COLLEGIAN

COLUMNIST

Your favorite slang terms originated from drag culture

By Claire Vogl @clairecvogl

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.

It seems like a new word or phrase enters the limelight of popular culture every week.

Whether it gains attention through TikTok or Twitter, it quickly becomes ingrained in the language of — primarily — Gen Z individuals.

The origin of these terms is widely misunderstood and flatout unknown by most people.

The traditional influencers we recognize on social media are known for pioneering beauty and health trends, but as far as everyday lingo, you can thank drag culture and the brilliant minds that created it.

Known for having quick wit and ungodly talent with a makeup brush, the people under the wigs generated a lot of the colloquial language we speak today. So let’s give credit where credit is due and shower these queens with the

attention they wholeheartedly deserve.

Gagged

Meant to be used in the moment, the state of being gagged is synonymous with shock. Have you ever been in a room with someone who looks so unbelievably goddess-like and ethereal, and meanwhile, you look like you haven’t showered in five days? They gagged you.

The state of being gagged refers to a person, situation or thing so fierce that you are losing your mind and choking on your words. If another drag queen has a look or a comeback that leaves the others speechless, they’ve gagged everyone else in the room.

This certainly isn’t a bad thing; acknowledging that you’re gagged or that someone else has been gagged is a huge step toward selfawareness — and Lord knows some of us don’t have it.

Serving C.U.N.T.

“Serving C.U.N.T.” is another way of saying that someone is embodying or portraying power and realness — regardless of gender identity. And unless you’re a frequent “RuPaul’s Drag Race” watcher, the meaning

behind this one might come as a complete shock.

Used as the ultimate compliment by drag queens, C.U.N.T. is an acronym for charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent. Originally attracting mainstream popularity in 2021 on Twitter, the term was introduced by drag queens in the early 2010s.

In 2017, RuPaul released her song “Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve & Talent,” coining the phrase as a certified drag classic.

Kiki

My personal favorite on this list, “having a kiki” essentially means to gossip. I tend to use this one with my roommate in place of a “morning debrief” because, seriously, it’s so much more fun to say.

In drag language, “kiki” is a direct translation of “chit-chat” but with more pizzaz. For example, if a certain person is doing that annoying thing you hate again, a kiki might be required with your best friends to really psychoanalyze the situation.

Having a kiki is no small feat. It’s a ritualistic, essential part

of friendship that fosters new bonds and strengthens existing ones. Yes, they can get messy. But would you really have it any other way?

She’s so mother

Lana Del Ray, Beyoncé, RuPaul, Megan Thee Stallion — I’m certain that at some point, you’ve heard someone call at least one of these individuals “mother” or “mom.” Just like mother figures, these pop culture icons have shaped how we perceive the world and weigh in on certain issues.

According to a New York Times article, calling a femaleidentifying person “mother” is a way to praise their accomplishments and success in their respective industry, whether that be modeling, acting, singing or anything else.

Introduced in the 1970s New York City ballroom scene, the term “mother” was a byproduct of the racism drag performers faced at the time. The culture of drag encouraged surrogate family bonds for LGBTQIA+ people of color, thus giving rise to the usage of the phrase “she’s so mother.”

Snatched

By this point, “snatched” has become fixed in the English language. This classic drag term is used to describe someone with that perfect eye makeup and winged liner or hourglass waist.

Drag involves some of the most complex forms of artistic expression a person can do, which are makeup, styling and fashion. So when a queen shows up in a jaw-dropping full beat and a magical outfit, the No. 1 compliment they will receive is, “Girl, you’re snatched.”

“Snatched” is also used in the context of shade. If you’ve ever heard, “I snatched her wig,” it means someone made a comment so cutting that it figuratively “snatched” away the other person’s composure or dignity, similar to how removing a wig can expose someone’s vulnerability.

Spanning from shock factor to LGBTQIA+ empowerment, these phrases and words enrich our language while honoring the creativity of drag culture. Let’s begin to celebrate their influence and recognize the queens who gifted us these linguistic treasures.

Reach Claire Vogl at letters @collegian.com.

COLLEGIAN

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY PRESTON BOX THE COLLEGIAN

CSU, student media deserve more transparency from university administration

By Collegian Editorial Staff

@csucollegian

Editor’s Note: This is an editorial. Editorials do not reflect the view of all employees of The Collegian but instead represent a stance taken by The Collegian’s editorial board, which consists of the editor in chief, the content managing editor, the executive editor and other members of the editorial staff.

When rumors popped on Twitter the morning of Feb. 19 that Colorado State University Athletic Director Joe Parker had been removed from his position, the details were murky at best. Thirty minutes later, reports from the Coloradoan and then The Denver Post validated the hearsay, confirming Parker’s departure through unnamed sources.

As journalists, we aspire to uphold the truth first and foremost, and that is the priority of the editorial staff of The Collegian. When anyone in a prominent university administration position leaves, we consider it breaking news.

It is a point of pride of both this staff and last year’s staff that when former President Joyce McConnell parted

ways with the university and when current President Amy Parsons was hired, our breaking news coverage made us the first media outlet to report those changes.

Breaking news for college journalists often involves several staffers completely rearranging their days, frantically running around on phone calls and sometimes missing classes, all for that glimmer of hope that we, the university’s newspaper not by ownership but by coverage proximity, will be the first and best to report any changes at the institution we all attend.

When the news about Parker broke,  The Collegian was missing one key thing to go ahead and publish breaking news: verbal confirmation that the administrative change had occurred.

To uphold ethical standards, our staff went right to CSU’s public relations experts to get a statement or at the very least confirmation that Parker had left the university. Not knowing who to talk to, we were redirected through a seemingly endless loop of phone calls. Our journalists left messages and emails, called any public phone number we could find and even visited several

offices in person, only to be turned away. We weren’t the only ones left without answers; CSU students, faculty and staff also received no confirmation.

We published our coverage before receiving any public communications from the university. Three hours later, student media was sent a SOURCE article published as a statement on Parker’s departure. No further comment was provided. Like so many times before, students were notified of a major staffing change but left with more questions than answers.

This is not intended to criticize the PR process in the slightest. The PR team at CSU is home to many wonderful supporters of student media, some of whom worked at student media. They provide essential resources for media coverage often in the form of press releases and source contacts.

The Parker situation is indicative of a bigger problem at CSU. It demonstrates how little students and other stakeholders are meant to know about our leaders and their mistakes.

When information concerning the departure of a prominent university figure

is withheld, whether that be the athletic director, the president or the football coach, a disservice is done. Secrecy is a breeding ground for rumors, misinformation and distrust.

While waiting for official news about Parker, staffers working on the story searched social media and called sources for a confirmation while actively watching speculation run rampant online. The silence brought out the worst instincts of gossip, rumors and intrigue.

Speculation also followed the departure of McConnell, and to this day, there’s no clear answer as to why she and the university “parted ways.” People are inherently fascinated with drama, and without clear answers, they take vague statements and make salacious assumptions.

Parsons makes $600,000 a year. Parker made $439,192. If Parker were to be removed from the university entirely, his contract would require that the university pay him $750,000. When McConnell was removed, her buyout clause was $1.5 million, and when football coach Steve Addazio was fired, he was owed $3 million.

CSU is a public institution funded by public funds — some funds that go to paying the

salaries of the most prestigious and highly paid positions at this university. Every student and member of Fort Collins has contributed to the salaries of our administration.

Public relations is an essential part of the CSU community and serves the university well. But when prominent employees who make upwards of half a million dollars annually are removed, don’t we — the public community and the media — have the right to know more than just what a short, empty press release can provide? Don’t we deserve answers that silence rumors and build trust?

CSU is an institution that every member of The Collegian  is proud to attend. As students, we are all invested in the things that happen here. We take the task of covering breaking stories with utmost respect, delicacy and neutrality. Our interest goes beyond that of reporters as students who are affected by every decision the administration makes. In exchange, the university owes us and the community more transparency.

Reach The Collegian’s editorial staff at letters @collegian.com.

A stack of Collegian print editions Feb. 28. PHOTO BY GARRET MOGEL THE COLLEGIAN

Sudoku

WEEKLY HOROSCOPE

By Abby Flores

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (02/29/24)

ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)

You are feeling confident and bold this week. Positive affirmations have been boosting your energy levels.

Self-care tip: Kick-start your mornings by working out.

TAURUS (APRIL 20 - MAY 20)

You are feeling more sleepy than usual. It’s OK to take naps — you just need to rest.

Self-care tip: Chef up a comforting meal.

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 20)

You’ve been feeling more curious about everything lately. Your third eye is open right now, which means you have strong intuitive powers at this time.

Self-care tip: Dive into a book or podcast.

CANCER (JUNE 21 - JULY 22)

You’ve been needing time to rest and reflect. Besides that, your art has been drawing others to you, opening up new connections.

Self-care tip: Paint or draw your emotions in a soothing environment.

LEO (JULY 23 - AUG. 22)

You are ready to go outside again and enjoy the upcoming spring air. You may feel pulled to work out again.

Self-care tip: Connect with your friends and family.

Last edition’s sudoku solution

Last edition’s crossword solution

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEPT. 22)

You have been working on yourself and setting up dates for future events. Accomplishing goals is your top priority right now.

Self-care tip: Organize your room to declutter your mind.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23 - OCT. 22)

You’ve been on the grind, Libra, and people have been seeing how hard you work.

Self-care tip: Bake something sweet for yourself and those you love.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)

You’ve been in the mood to go out with your friends. Plan something fun, and they’ll appreciate you making time for them.

Self-care tip: Experiment with new outfits that feel like you.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21)

You’ve been needing more outings lately, Sagittarius. Don’t stay at home too much. You may feel drawn to working out in the next week.

Self-care tip: Plan a spontaneous outing or day trip.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19)

You’ve been feeling more grounded and relaxed at home. It is totally OK to want more alone time. You need to bathe in your earthy energy right now to receive clarity.

Self-care tip: Go on a peaceful hike.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)

Abundance in all forms is on the way to you, Aquarius. You’ve worked extremely hard in the last couple weeks and accomplished all the goals you wanted to. Give yourself a week to rest.

Self-care tip: Give yourself positive affirmations.

PISCES (FEB. 19 - MARCH 20)

You are feeling excited about life again. You may have had some spiritual revelations in the past couple days, and it’s completely refreshed your perspective in life.

Self-care tip: Try a new hobby such as jewelry making.

4 Geographical boundary

5 Easy on the eyes

6 Mathematician Descartes

7 Baseball’s Master Melvin

8 Rough stuff

9 Roman goddess of good luck

10 Oxlike antelope

11 Port ___, Egypt

12 Top-notch

13 Cold war initials

19 Salon job

21 Concerning

24 Sound system necessity

25 Top the competition

26 Mill output

27 Love, Italian-style

29 Teddy Roosevelt, e.g.

30 Everglades wader

31 Billfish

33 Heartthrob

34 Orange relative

37 Green

39 Sovereign

42 Maui dance

43 Puddinglike dessert

44 Church offering

46 Singer Toni

47 South American Indian

48 Bygone title

49 Qualm

50 marked down

51 orient

53 Food additive

54

“Jesus can dunk.”

car towed

Duolingo on social media

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