Story by McKenna Van Voris
Photo by Garrett Mogel
FOCO EVENTS TOP STORIES
NEWS: Rep. Neguse presents federal funding for CSU Drone Center, firefighting efforts PAGE 4
SPORTS: Community, brotherhood pushes CSU men’s hockey to success PAGE 7
LIFE: Old Town lighting ceremony draws in citizens, drives rise in local business revenue PAGE 10
THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Center, Suite 118 Fort Collins, CO 80523
SCIENCE: CSU Spur Water Symposium to foster collaboration in water conservation PAGE 14
ARTS: Jazz Combos Concert showcases student emotion through music PAGE 17
OPINION: Music is more than just background noise PAGE 20
MEDIA: 4 decades of tradition: AISES powwow celebrates indigenous heritage month PAGES 12-13
Atomic Legacy on the Navajo Nation 5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 8
Holiday Village Craft Fair at Peace With Christ Lutheran Church 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 9
CSU Rams Improv!! at The Comedy Fort 7 p.m. Nov. 10
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procession around Old Town Square at the BIPOC Alliance’s 4th annual Día de Muertos Community Celebration at Old Town Square. “Her mom is the one that makes the dresses, so it takes a couple of months for her to come with the decision,” Luis said. PHOTO BY
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Jose Luis dresses as La Calavera Catrina, wearing a black suit and skull mask, and Bumce Mora dresses as La Catrina, wearing a colorful crown of flowers and intricate skull makeup of pink, white and black Nov. 2. They’re figures who many children and adults interacted with, and they led the community
SOFIA RAIKOW THE COLLEGIAN
COMMUNITY CONCERN
Students share perceptions of safety on campus following increased alerts
By Allie Seibel @allie_seibel_
Between Oct. 16 and Oct. 22, five safety alerts were sent to the Colorado State University campus community.
Within seven days, alerts for a student death, an aggravated assault and three altercations placed swaths of campus under shelter-in-place orders and warnings to avoid certain areas.
CSU uses an email and text system to alert the campus to incidents.
CSU works with Everbridge, a mass notification system supported by the Larimer Emergency Telephone Authority. Nik Olsen, CSU’s director of crisis communications and public information officer, said anyone with a colostate.edu email address is attached to the Everbridge alert system.
Olsen said anyone with an organization-specific email address is given the option to opt into additional text notifications, and about 30,000 people are signed up for the text messages, which are a relatively new system for CSU.
“That’s why we’re assuming more people are getting text messages than there were before,” Olsen said.
In addition to the emergency notifications, CSU is required by law to issue timely warnings for any imminent danger — which fall under a different legal designation.
The Clery Act, a federal law that mandates public colleges and universities report on-campus crime data, applies to the timely notifications CSU sends out.
Olsen said emergency alerts are threats to safety as well as natural disasters, severe weather alerts, infrastructure failures and evacuation notices. Timely warnings required by the Clery Act are any crimes, including criminal homicide, sex offenses, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, arson and motor vehicle theft. The Clery Act requires email notifications are sent to the campus community.
“If we were to resolve an issue before we had a chance to send the clarity notification out, ... we wouldn’t have to send anything out because it’d be resolved,” Olsen said. “So our general axiom is maximum disclosure with minimal delay. Now, there are times that sharing, like, details of the investigation would actually impede the investigation and make it much harder to bring justice to the situation, so we couldn’t — we can’t just share information.”
Olsen said the CSU Police Department has the authority to issue an emergency alert, often by
someone in dispatch. From there, Olsen and the crisis communication team will work to get as much information shared as possible while keeping campus safety in mind.
“We’re able to get our message out more quickly through this new text message system,” Olsen said. “So people are knowing more about (incidents). I don’t know that we’re up or down anything on our calls this year. ... I think we’re probably about static. It’s just kind of manifesting a little bit differently this year.”
Olsen, who spoke with a police captain, said the influx of reported incidents might be due to people being more likely to call the police in the moment when they see something going on.
“I’ve been at CSU for a long, long time, and I don’t remember ... different incidents kind of stacking up like the way they did in October,” Olsen said.
The Collegian conducted an Instagram poll Oct. 27 asking students if they feel safe on CSU’s campus. One hundred and one students voted yes, and 59 students voted no — 63% yes and 37% no.
In a second poll asking if students’ perceptions of safety changed this semester, 136 students voted yes, and 43 students voted no — 76% yes and 24% no.
The Collegian also asked how students they feel safety is handled by CSU.
“I feel like CSU values their reputation more than informing their students of what is happening,” Annelise Dusterberg said over Instagram.
Students also voiced concern that alerts do not include areas immediately off-campus. With many students living in areas bordering campus, proximity to an incident can be a concern.
“CSU Police does not consider the safety of those living off of but close to campus,” Annika Davis responded.
Students expressed displeasure with the lack of follow-up notifications and information following incidents.
“It really fosters a distrust for the PD than anything,” Emma Simpkins said over Instagram.
“Sending out a hold order with little/no information makes almost everyone feel uneasy, especially those who live on campus. Instead of being ominous, they should give at least a little information while maintaining privacy, followed by a strong recommendation of what they deem the safest response.”
Some students also expressed displeasure with the lack of information communicated.
“Instead of, ‘Hey, there’s a person with a weapon — don’t worry ‘bout it, but stay put,’ CSUPD would be much better off giving a little more information and including a, ‘Proceed at your own risk,’ or, ‘Try your best to stay away from this area,’” Simpkins wrote. “Also, by not giving a resolute notification about the situation, they really allow for rumors and fears to multiply. We all want a safe, informed, open campus, but when the campus PD doesn’t communicate effectively, there is no way to ensure that outcome.”
Olsen said the changing landscape of safety alerts has led to adaptation in communication about safety on campus.
“Well, if there’s no emergency, then, you know, people don’t really want to talk about it,” Olsen said.
“But when there is (an) emergency and they are getting notifications, it’s definitely top of mind. And you know, it’s like, ‘Why is the university hiding something?’ And we just try to give as much information as we can and then let people know when it’s OK. Some of the stuff from October is still under investigation.
So we just can’t say more. That’s not a great feeling for a lot of people.
The nature of each investigation, every alert is a case-by-case basis.” Reach Allie Seibel at news @collegian.com.
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
Rep. Neguse presents federal funding for CSU Drone Center, firefighting efforts
By Sam Hutton @sam_hut14
Prominent members of the Colorado State University and Larimer County communities braved the weather to convene at Christman Airfield Tuesday Oct. 29 to officially receive a $500,000 check from the United States federal government.
Presented by Colorado 2nd Congressional District Rep. Joe Neguse and CSU President Amy Parsons, the CSU Multiuse Unmanned Aircraft Systems Airfield Project will address major facility renovations, allocate additional resources for the CSU Drone Center and increase wildfire training efforts.
“Although I’d like to take credit and was very inspired by the submission we received from CSU, it really goes to your university administration, which decided that, of the projects they would submit, ... this ought to be at the top of the list,” Neguse said. “We’re grateful that our colleagues in the House Appropriations Committee agreed.”
The funding comes as part of a total $1,140,000 in Community
NEXT STEP
Project Funding for Larimer County, with the remaining $640,000 allocated for refrigeration upgrades for the Food Bank for Larimer County. The funding received congressional approval in March, and it will allow first responders to use the airfield as an emergency operations center and a staging ground for aerial firefighting operations.
“We utilize this location as a base of operations, and over the years, the infrastructure just hasn’t been maintained,” said Matt Branch, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control northeast district chief. “Getting it fixed up will actually make it so this is a more viable location in the future for incidents.”
Additionally, the airfield serves as a hub for student members of the CSU Drone Center, which works in conjunction with the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering to train the next generation of UAS pilots and develop technology related to aerial imagery, agriculture and natural disasters.
“This is really meaningful, not just to CSU but to our whole region,” Parsons said. “This funding will provide the improvements necessary for emergency firefighting
operations across the Front Range and improve drone research and training for our students, which is very important for workplace development going forward.”
Christman Field was built in 1929, serving as Fort Collins’ municipal airport until 1965 and briefly as a World War II pilot training facility. CSU, then named the Colorado State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, purchased the complex before 1940, though the airport operated under private interests until it was fully transferred to CSU in 1966.
CSU Drone Center Director Christopher Robertson said he hopes the funding will allow the facility to return to its former glory, having fallen into disrepair that limits the capacity and capability of the field’s facilities.
“Being able to invest back into the facility, bring it back online and plan for those upgrades for the next generation of aviators is what’s really important to us,” Robertson said. “The other piece is the longstanding history and support of the community in aerial firefighting all over Colorado.”
Robertson showed Neguse and Parsons the areas of the facility in need of upgrades using aerial
Colorado State University President Amy Parsons and U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse hold a ceremonial check for $500,000 at Christman Airfield Oct. 29. Neguse presented CSU with $500,000 from the U.S. government to renovate the airfield and aid in research of drones for use in emergency services.
PHOTO BY GARRETT MOGEL THE COLLEGIAN
imagery captured by Drone Center UAVs, illustrating the capabilities of the Drone Center and the potential for further technological and research advancement.
Student members of the CSU Drone Center were also in attendance and demonstrated to Parsons and Neguse their work, although the high winds prevented test flights of two of the Drone Center’s most advanced UAVs.
One drone featured a studentdesigned imaging system for crop analysis, while the other can be used for surveillance and highaltitude testing.
“It’s an incredible opportunity here, and with a little help from outside entities, it can be a much more utilized asset,” Drone Center student Henry Freund said. Reach Sam Hutton at news @collegian.com.
‘Heart of campus’: CSU breaks ground on new Clark building
By Chloe Waskey @csucollegian
Colorado State University officials, students and faculty gathered Oct. 30 to watch the groundbreaking event on phase two of the Andrew G. Clark Building revitalization, beginning the next chapter of development on the notorious liberal arts building.
Phase two of the remodel will replace the recently demolished Clark B wing with an entirely new four-story structure that will include large classrooms, small study spaces, research labs, collaboration spaces and outdoor balconies. The project is scheduled for completion in 2027.
“This is going to be amazing,” College of Liberal Arts Dean Kjerstin Thorson said. “Finally, being a student in the liberal arts will look like what it has always
felt like: energizing, transformative, meaningful, joyful.”
CSU President Amy Parsons, a College of Liberal Arts alumna, officially broke ground on Clark B when she ceremoniously drove a CSU-branded shovel into the dirt where Clark B used to stand.
“Today is not a memorial service for the Clark building,” Parsons said. “Today is a celebration marking a new era in which we reaffirm that statement about the importance of the liberal arts to our university and to the world.”
Built in 1968, Clark is one of the most-trafficked buildings on CSU’s campus, with 99% of graduates having a class in Clark at some point. Attendees of the event recounted their fond memories formed in the building but expressed their excitement for a more modern and cohesive “heart of campus.”
“I used to sit on the ledge outside of Clark A to people watch,” student Daniel Brown said. “I’m sad they’re taking out the bridge. But you know, time and change is inevitable.”
Jonah Rupe, a fellow student who attended the event with Brown, said he is happy for future students even though he will graduate before the construction project is finished.
“It’s a good opportunity for the next generation of students,” Rupe said. “It’s awesome that they get to have that as something to look forward to, something to experience.”
So far, CSU has worked with Haselden Construction to begin renovation on Clark A and demolish Clark B. The new building plans have been advised by interviews with staff and students.
Although the Clark construction project was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the presence of asbestos, Haselden Assistant Superintendent Amanda Seltzer said clear communication with CSU has streamlined the construction process.
“We have weekly meetings with the owner,” Seltzer said.
The construction of Clark has already served as a useful tool for some CSU students. Haselden Construction and CSU collaborated
to allow CSU’s department of construction management to observe and learn from Clark’s revitalization process.
Haselden Senior Project Engineer Ben Weiss shared his appreciation for the project and CSU’s involvement.
“It’s been neat to kind of talk about what we do and share our passion for building with people who are just kind of dipping their toe in that water,” Weiss said.
Revitalizing Clark is a uniquely rewarding process that has allowed him to express creativity through problem solving and collaboration with CSU, Weiss said.
“We’re here to make a better campus for you guys,” Weiss said. President of the Associated Students of CSU Nick DeSalvo gave a speech commemorating his time spent in Clark.
“It’s amazing to think that we’re finally at this point,” DeSalvo said. “It is, for a generation of Rams, an end of an era.”
Reach Chloe Waskey at news @collegian.com.
People involved in the Andrew G. Clark Building revitalization dig into the dirt outside of Clark C during the groundbreaking event Oct. 30.
PHOTO BY JACE CARLTON THE COLLEGIAN
ASCSU Housing Caucus advocates for affordable student housing, food security
By Claire VanDeventer @csucollegian
Every Friday morning in the Associated Students of Colorado State University conference room, Lory Student Center visitors can find the weekly adjournment of the Housing Caucus, a legislative body that advocates for students’ basic needs at CSU.
These meetings are open to anyone and everyone, offering an open and welcoming space for students and faculty to voice their concerns and engage in constructive conversations about affordable housing, food security, accessible transportation and more.
The Housing Caucus was formed during the 2024 spring semester by former caucus Chair Faraaz Bukhari and current Chair Lauren Davis, who took over after Bukhari graduated last spring. Davis, who sits on the ASCSU senate as a representative for the Housing Caucus and the Survivor Advocacy and Feminist Education Center, explained how
the caucus operates within and outside of ASCSU.
“What’s cool about the Housing Caucus is that we are really trying to reach out to the broader CSU community,” Davis said. “We are a part of ASCSU and run through ASCSU, but we distance ourselves from the whole thing because we want it to be really accessible for students and be a space where they can come in and air their concerns in a place that has resources for them.”
Housing Caucus meetings offer students a space to ask questions and speak on their concerns surrounding student housing and food security at CSU. Jorja Whyte, the director of basic needs for ASCSU, said the meetings address students’ needs without judgment.
“Giving students a place to feel seen and heard in the issues that they’re experiencing is the first step to actually creating change,” Whyte said. “A lot of these issues with housing and food security also come with so much stigma associated with them. I think it’s really hard for students to talk about what’s happening and what they’re experiencing. (Housing
Caucus) serves to destigmatize that experience.”
The Housing Caucus often collaborates with similar organizations at CSU, including Rams Against Hunger, the basic needs department, the SAFE Center and Off-Campus Life. Valeria Valles Castañeda attends the weekly meetings as a representative for RAH and touched on the value of these collaborations.
“It creates a more collective approach to creating more solutions to the issues that we are facing (while) also bringing that comfortability where people can just come in,” Castañeda said. “You are valued because you are a student that lives on campus, and that’s why we’re trying to support you.”
While the caucus is still fairly new, they have already made strides in their policy work and advocacy efforts. Alongside RAH and the Food Security Advisory Council, the Housing Caucus was a key player in advocating for an increase from two to four meal swipes. Students could donate these extra swipes to the Rams Against Hunger Meal Swipe Program. Davis also touched on two
of their current projects: the caucus’ affordability report and Prospect Plaza Apartments.
The affordability report, once finalized, will offer a comprehensive overview for students on what it really looks like to live in Fort Collins.
“We compiled data from every survey that we could find for students that asked about what their affordability looked like,” Davis said.
“The goal of the report is to just be a comprehensive report of what it actually looks like to live in Fort Collins: to rent, to eat, to transport yourself, to do anything you need to do to be a human and how expensive it really is.”
Prospect Plaza, an off-campus student apartment complex near CSU, is set to be demolished in summer 2025 and eventually rebuilt. Concerns over student displacement and affordability following renovations have been a pivotal point of conversation in the caucus meetings. Castañeda, a Prospect Plaza resident and a member of the LuMin Safe Housing Initiative — a subsidized housing program located in
Prospect Plaza — expressed her and the caucus’ desire to put students’ needs first in this complex process.
“We really want to make sure that we try anything and everything that we can to mediate the situation and make sure that our students are being housed because that is the No. 1 priority,” Castañeda said.
While the Housing Caucus has already started influencing policy at CSU, their efforts in addressing prominent issues in affordable housing and food security have been of equal value.
“I feel like even the things that we haven’t felt successful in are just us planting the seed and hoping sometime later in the future that things will happen,” Castañeda said.
“We have ideas. If they don’t work, let’s move around it. The need will still be there, and we want to make sure we are addressing it in whatever creative way that we can.”
Reach Claire VanDeventer at news@collegian.com.
The Associated Students of Colorado State University Housing Caucus holds their weekly meeting Nov. 1. Their mission is to “address inequalities in housing both on and off campus by empowering students to share their experiences with the CSU community to make housing more equitable and accessible,” according to a post on the Housing Caucus Instagram. PHOTO BY JULIA PERCY THE COLLEGIAN
SANCTIONED SUCCESS
SPORTS Mountain View flag football’s journey ends with state title
By Gideon Aigner
One year ago, high school girls flag football wasn’t a sanctioned sport in Colorado.
Now Mountain View High School has won the 4A flag football state championship — its first in any sport since 2017. The Mountain Lions, led by coach Tim Test, are the only flag football team north of Thornton. On Saturday, Nov. 2, they defeated the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, The Classical Academy Titans, 26-0.
When the Colorado High School Activities Association sanctioned flag football in April, interested parties that had been hoping for this change for years were excited. One of them, Test, took a position with Mountain View High School as soon as possible.
“About this time a year ago, I put on Facebook, ‘Girls flag football is going to come to Colorado. I’m going to do my
Mountain View High School’s Violet Hidalgo celebrates scoring a fourth quarter touchdown that put the Mountain Lions up 20-0 over The Classical Academy Nov. 2. Hidalgo, a senior at Berthoud High School, started at center all year for Mountain View, and this was her sixth touchdown reception of the year.
part of it,’” Test said following his team’s win. “To be the head coach of the only team up north, … to work with this incredible group of girls, to win one game would have been enough.”
Mountain View won far more than one game. The team, composed of players from seven different schools around Northern Colorado, went 181, leaving eight of their 19 opponents scoreless. Despite this, the state championship was the team’s first shutout in almost a month.
Mountain View entered the playoffs with the No. 2 ranking in the 4A classification, only sitting behind their eventual opponent in the Titans.
“We don’t know a ton about TCA, other than what we see on the stat sheet and what we hear about,”Test said following the semifinal win against George Washington High School. “For us, we’re happy to
not going to be satisfied just getting there.”
Mountain View may have been satisfied following the championship, but they waited with bated breath throughout the contest. The Mountain Lions didn’t score until there was only 2:43 left in the first quarter, with a pass from quarterback Mason Premer to utility player Kendal Finley on 4th-and-goal from the 3-yard line. Though the ensuing PAT was just short, Mountain View was still up 6-0.
Mekayla Macias, a junior running back from Thompson Valley High School, was the next to score for Mountain View. With only 22.8 seconds left in the first quarter, Macias took a direct snap and rushed down the left side, scraping the pylon for another touchdown. After that, Premer rushed in the PAT, extending Mountain View’s lead 13-0.
The score remained the same until the 9:49 mark in the fourth quarter, when — on the 5-yard line — Finley flipped the ball to senior center Violet Hidalgo, who caught it in the end zone, making it 20-0 for the Mountain Lions. The final score to seal the deal came from a pick-six by Gwyneth Marks, the team’s third interception in the fourth quarter.
With the Lions up 26-0 with only 1:30 remaining, everyone in the stadium knew the deal was done.
Mountain View quarterback Premer said that though these playoffs were tough, where teams that they had previously beaten by 50 were suddenly up by a score at halftime, the team locked into focus at just the right time.
“We could not have timed that better,” said Premer, a senior at Berthoud High School. “I wasn’t scared, but we definitely peaked at the right moment for our last game.”
And for many of these seniors, like Finley, the sole
player from Longmont, Colorado, on the roster, this 19th game of the season is also the last of their careers.
“We got one chance,” Finley said after the championship game. “This is our one and done. I like to call us the ‘Dream Team’,because we’re all seniors, and we’re all going to be gone next year. We got the job done, and to be the first (champions) in the state of Colorado is an amazing feeling.”
After his team’s 47-8 senior night win over Legacy High School Oct. 1, Test called the Mountain Lions “Team Northern Colorado,” as his players come from seven different schools: Mountain View, Loveland High School, Thompson Valley High School, Berthoud High School, Longmont High School, Roosevelt High School and Resurrection Christian High School.
Reach Gideon Aigner at sports @collegian.com.
PHOTO BY GIDEON AIGNER THE COLLEGIAN
FAMILY MATTERS
Community, brotherhood push CSU men’s hockey to success
By Sophia Schaller @sophschaller
With many new additions to their roster, the Colorado State men’s hockey team has dreams of reaching nationals this season.
Returning star Alex Latkovski is a senior this year and plans to become a team leader for the fresh faces in the locker room.
As last season’s highest scorer, Latkovski has puck skills and an ability to perform under pressure that make him
an extremely valuable asset to the team.
“I think he sees the ice very well,” coach Camden Lambert said. “He’s got very good hands, handles the puck well (and is) strong on his feet. He’s aggressive. So just all around, he knows the game very well. He’s got a good hockey IQ and a good sense of the game.”
Latkovski also has spots to fill on the team, as last year’s second- and third-highest scorers did not return this year. However, he hasn’t filled those scoring spots alone.
Alongside Latkovski are Christian Collins, Riley Hunt-Bahn, Justin
Rudrow and Connor Pietrangelo. All four of them are on the path to beating their record for points scored this season.
Their skills on the ice and faith in the new players on the team have helped lead CSU to success — including beating long-time rival Colorado.
“Having a lot of new faces in the room this year is definitely going to be a struggle,” Rudrow said. “A lot of the younger kids that we brought in this year — they work really hard, and they’re going to give us a good chance to win some games.”
Currently 6-5-1-0, the Rams rank No. 5 in the men’s Division I Western Collegiate Hockey League, but for this team, winning isn’t everything.
This year, the team has a new motto: Build the culture. As a club team, the Rams thrive with the support of the Fort Collins community and CSU students.
“There’s a huge team emphasis on building up the program and making sure that our image in the community is really good,” Vice President Cameron Cromwell said.
This new motto emphasizes CSU’s appreciation for community and its efforts in creating a safe space for people to come enjoy a good hockey game. The team demonstrates this as they spend hours passing out flyers
“It’s such a special group of guys and just such a fun and competitive environment throughout the whole year.”
CHRISTIAN COLLINS HOCKEY FORWARD
to students and inviting them to have some fun at home games.
The bond this team has created on the ice extends to the families and friends they made off the ice as well. They receive appreciation that’s demonstrated on campus and around town.
“We’re working hard every day so that when the weekend comes, we can put a good product on the ice for our fans,” Cromwell said. “We really want to be a staple for CSU students to be able to go and have fun.”
The hard work this team undergoes has provided the ultimate reward: the family and brotherhood they have created among each other.
The cost of being on the team, the hours the players put into games and practice, the classes missed for travel and more have all been worth it for these men.
“I’ve never thought twice about being a part of the team just because it’s so special,” Collins said. “It’s such a special group of guys and just such a fun and competitive environment throughout the whole year.”
Even against their toughest opponents and challenges, the teamwork and communication the Rams demonstrate on the ice shines.
After losing their past two games to Missouri State (6-6-2-0), the Rams will face off against the University of Central Oklahoma (26-0-0) 8 p.m. Nov. 8 and 9 at Edora Pool and Ice Center.
While not at the top of the division’s standings, the team has the chance to edge their way closer to the top of the board this weekend.
As this hockey season intensifies, the Rams aim for victory by utilizing their skill and comradery.
“We kind of trailed off at the end of last year,” Cromwell said. “But I think we’ve put the right pieces together this year.”
Reach Sophia Schaller at sports @collegian.com.
Colorado State University defenseman Zachary Podlesh (20) skates away from the goal while running practice drills Oct. 1.
PHOTO BY AVERY COATES THE COLLEGIAN
Cook: CSU football was always going to go bowling; it’s stupid to think otherwise
By Damon Cook @dwcook2001
Editor’s Note: All opinion content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.
To become prisoner of a moment often means being shackled by one’s own invisible chains.
For the Colorado State football universe, that moment came during a second-half meltdown against Colorado.
The energy hit rock bottom, and plummeting with them was common sense. While things now are certainly far from perfect, the collective meltdown from Ram faithful now lies alone in a dark corner, overshadowed by CSU becoming bowl eligible.
“It’s big,” coach Jay Norvell said on what it means to become bowl eligible after CSU beat Nevada.
“That’s always a goal that we have.
In preparing for this game, we really had bigger fish to fry than just this one game. ... If this team continues to prepare the way it has and focus the way it has, there’s some special things we can accomplish.”
“The good thing is we have a lot of season left.”
JAY NORVELL FOOTBALL COACH
Through three games, CSU met expectations recordwise.
Going 2-1 was the best-case scenario at that point, but 1-2 was the expectation. Although it might not have felt the best, CSU was only beginning to find its offensive identity.
“The good thing is we have a lot of season left,” Norvell said following the loss to CU.
While disappointed, Norvell maintained the belief that every goal the team had was still in front of them, something echoed by every member of the team.
The discourse through three games would have you thinking the season was already over. And when everything prior to the season pointed to this being a
turnaround season for CSU, it was not the time to give up hope.
The Rams had continuity and, with that, a year more experience for many of their players.
A big part of that expected turnaround was the offensive line, which was one of the best in the nation a year ago, returning with captain Jacob Gardner.
In a woeful rushing season, CSU found its diamond in the rough in Justin Marshall, and Norvell adjusted the way his offense functioned. Although Avery Morrow ended up the featured back, the groundwork for CSU to have a good run game was already set.
“We owe it to ourselves and owe it to (the fans) who aren’t the ones on social media giving us as much as they want,” Paddy Turner said in the Monday presser following the CU loss. “(We play for) the ones that stay patient and (have been) been patient for a while. We know that; we feel it more than anyone.”
This patience eventually paid off.
Coaches are often praised for their ability to form an offense based on the personnel they have. Norvell adjusted, but praise didn’t follow. In its place was a collective outcry for CSU to throw the ball more.
With the season Morrow and Marshall have had thus far, it is crazy to think CSU would ever take as many pass attempts as it did a year ago.
CSU is now bowl eligible for the first time since 2017. The Rams are responsible for their own destiny in reaching the Mountain West championship, with games against Wyoming, Fresno State and Utah State.
Winning a MW championship isn’t something CSU has accomplished since 2002, which is — coincidentally — also the last time CSU beat Air Force at the Academy before breaking the streak this season, another feather in Norvell’s cap.
Presently, the vibes could not be higher.
Despite the allure of name, image and likeness deals in college football, Norvell has fostered a culture of loyalty. Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi and Tory Horton each declined six-figure offers to enter the transfer portal to remain loyal to their coach.
Virtually none of the Colorado State football big names from a year ago transferred, with the exceptions of Louis Brown IV and TJ Crandall. Then there’s Justus Ross-Simmons, who was more forced out rather than leaving on his own.
When the emotions of a season are captured, important context is often missed.
With how easy CSU’s conference schedule turned out, the beginning of this season should have been looked at as nothing more than growing pains of a team with a shifting identity, something Norvell echoed after each loss.
With young guys like Caleb Goodie, Jalen Dupree and FowlerNicolosi producing on the offensive end and Gabe Kirschke, Dylan Phelps and Nuer Gatkuoth doing well on the defensive end, there is a lot to be hopeful about.
The future is bright in Fort Collins, and CSU has finally returned to national relevance, something that’s been under construction, seemingly as long as the Interstate 25 roadwork.
A lot of that credit has to go to Norvell and his staff for the way they’ve built the team. Time will ultimately tell, but those earlyseason overreactions remain a reminder that time doesn’t stand still, and CSU isn’t perpetually doomed to irrelevance.
Reach Damon Cook at sports @collegian.com.
A section of Canvas Stadium packed with Colorado State University students looks out at the field as the University of Colorado Boulder takes the lead Sept. 14. CU Boulder won the Rocky Mountain Showdown football game 28-9. PHOTO BY CAIT MCKINZIE THE COLLEGIAN
JEWISH TRADITION
Chabad NoCo, students, families celebrate annual Shabbat dinner
By Em Barry @csucollegian
The Jewish tradition of Shabbat is a day of rest and recovery and a chance to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. For Jewish students at Colorado State University, it is also a chance to connect with the greater Jewish community in Northern Colorado.
Shabbat 500 is an event organized by Chabad, a national organization connecting Jewish students across the country. They sponsor large Shabbat campus dinners as a way to connect Jewish students and faculty members.
“The idea is to provide an opportunity for the Jewish students, who are a minority on campus, to feel like they’re part of the university as well as provide an opportunity for other students to get
some cultural awareness,” CSU Instructor and Rabbi Yerachmiel Gorelik said. “Judaism is not well understood in general, so it’s an opportunity to showcase Jewish cuisine and Jewish tradition in a meaningful, fun and educational manner.”
President of the Chabad board and third-year CSU student Kiki Gleiser explained some of the differences between the Shabbat 500 dinner and an average Shabbat dinner.
“It’s structured a little differently so that the nonJewish students or faculty can learn more about what we do each Friday night,” Gleiser said. “We want to make sure that people don’t feel lost because we have prayers and things like that. We’ll explain a little bit of what we’re doing for each prayer so people understand what’s happening.”
The dinner began with singing shalom aleichem,
a prayer welcoming two angels into the home for the Sabbath. Then kiddush, a blessing to sanctify Shabbat, was recited, and attendees were asked to wash their hands before eating challah. Each of these steps was accompanied by a brief explanation of their origin and purpose.
Laughter and chatter filled the air as each course was served. Students and community members connected and talked about their weeks. Matzo ball soup, chicken, rice and other traditional Shabbat foods were served. Gorelik, other members of Chabad and employees of the Lory Student Center had been preparing the food for the dinner since Wednesday, Oct. 30.
Mrs. Goldberg, a 94-year-old member of the community, told a story of her experience living in Britain during World War II near the
end of the meal. Gorelik then led a few Jewish songs to end the meal.
“It was really sweet to hear everyone talk, especially Mrs. Goldberg,” attendee Gabi Greenberg said.
Another attendee, Adam Schuller, described feeling welcomed by the community.
“Everybody’s super nice, very friendly,” Schuller said. “I’m as newbie as it comes, and I felt very welcome.”
Chabad said its mission is to be a “home away from home” for Jewish students at college campuses across the country. For many Jewish students, coming to college can result in feeling isolated from their Jewish roots.
“I’m from out of state, and I felt very isolated,” sophomore Jacob Maddock said. “I’m involved in the theater department, and to my knowledge, I am the only
Jew there. That feeling of isolation and not having anyone to connect with led me to take (Gorelik’s) Philosophy of (Traditional) Judaism class and getting much more involved in the Jewish community here because of that.”
For non-Jewish students interested in learning more about Judaism, Gorelik offers a Philosophy of Traditional Judaism course. Chabad also invites interested students to come to their events and learn.
“We’re always willing to have non-Jews come and learn and become part of our community,” Gleiser said. “We’re always welcoming. We just ask that you’re open to hearing us and going to events and different activities to help you learn.”
Reach Em Barry at life @collegian.com.
“We’re always willing to have non-Jews come and learn and become part of our community. We’re always welcoming. We just ask that you’re open to hearing us and going to events and different activities to help you learn.”
KIKI GLEISER CHABAD BOARD PRESIDENT
Attendees of the Shabbat 300 Dinner gather in the Colorado State University Lory Student Center Main Ballroom Oct. 20, 2023.
PHOTO BY GARRETT MOGEL THE COLLEGIAN
Old Town lighting ceremony draws residents, increases local business revenue
By Robert Sides @csucollegian
Northern Colorado residents and community members gathered Nov. 1 in Old Town Square to witness the Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony. The ceremony featured live music, discounts and deals from local businesses.
The lights will shine every evening until Feb. 14 in Old Town. Along with the lights, deals offered by local businesses, such as restaurants and gift shops, drew in local attendees.
Through sales and deals, local shops and restaurants take advantage of large community gatherings around Old Town. Wright Life, a vendor in Old Town that sells disc golf, skateboarding and snowboarding gear, set up a stand in front of their store with winter apparel discounts.
“People like a sale, and it’s just good advertising in front of our store,” said Jayce Haley, Wright Life employee.
The holiday lighting ceremony piqued consumers’ interest in stores they otherwise might
not have stopped by or noticed. Bandwagon Retro Sports Apparel has seen a continued rise in sales following annual holiday lighting ceremonies, often from those looking to buy sports merchandise for the holiday season.
“(The holiday lighting ceremony) shows me new places. When I’m walking, I notice more businesses. I just saw a candle-making shop that I had never noticed before because it was where we were standing while looking at the lights. It inspired me to come back other days.”
KELLI PETERSEN DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY LIGHTING CEREMONY ATTENDEE
“It really gets people interested in the store,” said Wayne Weldin, owner of Bandwagon Retro Sports Apparel. “We get a lot of traffic. People that haven’t seen our store get introduced to it, so they come back later and do a lot of holiday shopping here. It gives us exposure if nothing else.”
Residents get more exposure to businesses through the ceremony as well. The City of Fort Collins encouraged attendees to arrive early to the ceremony with the express purpose of shopping and dining at local businesses before the event. The closure of Walnut Street, Linden Street and parts of Mountain Avenue was implemented to increase foot traffic to local businesses.
“(The holiday lighting ceremony) shows me new places,” said Kelli Petersen, lighting ceremony attendee. “When I’m walking, I notice more businesses. I just saw a candle-making shop that I had never noticed before because it was where we were standing while looking at the lights. It inspired me to come back other days.”
The ceremony connected business owners and consumers. The lighting for the holiday season got attendees to not only engage with local businesses but also to converse with their peers and establish a sense of community among one another.
“It was just so fun because Old Town is just packed with people, and we wanted to be a part of that,” said Larissa Wach, lighting ceremony attendee.
Reach Robert Sides at life @collegian.com.
Attendees fill Old Town Square to celebrate the lighting ceremony Nov. 1. The lighting ceremony represents the start of the holidays by turning on the festive lights in Old Town.
PHOTO BY KATELYNN ORTEGA THE COLLEGIAN
40th annual AISES Powwow kindles deeper community connections
By McKenna Van Voris @mckenna_vv
Organized by American Indian Science and Engineering Society, Colorado State University’s 40th annual Powwow turned the Lory Student Center Grand Ballroom into a display of ornate attire, pounding drums and singing. The Powwow hosted individuals from a variety of states, such as Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico and Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 2.
AISES President Miya Chavez explained a large draw behind hosting events like the Powwow: to emphasize that Indigenous culture is still alive.
“I mean, there are some people out there that think that we’re not in existence anymore,” Chavez said. “So I think it’s really important to
recognize that, hey, this is a group that’s here.”
The fact that the event is held on the university’s campus is significant — an ode to the history Indigenous peoples have with academia and the struggles endured to get to where they are today.
“Your family has put up so much for you; your ancestors have gone through so much, and so for you to keep going and get an education is huge,” said Rasa Humeyumptewa, Native American Cultural Center assistant director. “That speaks volumes to the resilience of Native people and also just how much strength we have.”
Community also plays a large part in the Powwow, as it is an event that welcomes anyone, regardless of their background, religion or culture.
“There’s no sort of expectation of how you’re supposed to come,” Humeyumptewa said. “Community exists within our tribes, but
community also expands out beyond that. As Native people, we really sort of welcome everyone.”
Doreen Martinez, an Apache tribe member and an associate professor within the ethnic and gender studies research department at CSU, touched on the deeper connotation of the event.
“This is an act in which we’re engaging in connection to our spirituality and in connection literally to the ways in which we seek to be as human beings,” Martinez said.
It’s events such as these that can make one feel at home when in a new place for the first time.
Chavez gave her perspective on being from a different part of the country and moving to Fort Collins as a Native American.
“For me, as an out-of-state student coming into such an urbanized area, it’s really nice to see a lot of people that look like me
Kimberly Dominguez-Davis of the Yaqui tribe dances the jingle dress dance during the grand entry song at 40th annual American Indian Science and Engineering Society Powwow in the Colorado State University Ballroom Nov. 2. “What I wear is a healing dress, a medicine dress,” Davis said. “I dance for the people.”
PHOTO BY GARRETT MOGEL THE COLLEGIAN
and a lot of people that understand where I come from and who I am as a person,” Chavez said.
Thatcher Boehr, a member of the Lakota tribe, discussed his feelings as an annual spectator of the Powwow.
“It’s just very nice being able to reconnect with the past and kind of just feel connected with everyone else,” Boehr said. “It’s very important to accept who you are, but it’s also important to know who you are.”
The Powwow is a space for the community to come together at CSU with a larger purpose.
“Really, it’s about a larger understanding of what it means to be who you are and how you connect to not just our presence but particularly our Indigenous peoples, our past and also our future,” Martinez said.
Reach McKenna Van Voris at life @collegian.com.
“Your family has put up so much for you; your ancestors have gone through so much, and so for you to keep going and get an education is huge. That speaks volumes to the resilience of Native people and also just how much strength we have.”
RASA HUMEYUMPTEWA NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
4 decades of tradition: AISES Powwow celebrates Indigenous heritage
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ALL PHOTOS BY GARRETT MOGEL THE COLLEGIAN
1. Anthony Martinez of the Oglala Lakota tribe prepares to dance the grass dance during the 40th annual American Indian Science and Engineering Society Powwow in the Colorado State University Ballroom Nov. 2. “My dance comes from a warrior society,” Martinez said. “We were scouts. We would go out and be the first ones to look upon where we would (make) our camp and where we would hunt. … We’d be the first ones out there to lay down the grass. (And) as our people would put up our tipis, we would dance the whole time.”
2. Trevon Brown dances the fancy dance.
3. Yellowhorse-Davis Thomas of the Oglala Lakota and Tlingit tribes dances the dog soldier dance. “The regalia I wear takes up to about a year to make,” Thomas said. “You can’t make one overnight, so you have to keep building onto the regalia.”
4. Antonio Aranda-Stevens and Trevon Brown dance the fancy dance. The Powwow kicks off Native American Heritage Month at CSU by providing a learning experience for non-Native Americans and a chance for Native Americans to connect with one another.
5. A dancer bows their head during the grand entry song.
6. Yellowhorse-Davis Thomas holds a buffalo horn dance wand.
7. A traditional jingle dress is worn by a dancer.
FLOWING IDEAS
CSU Spur Water Symposium to foster collaboration in water conservation
By Adah McMillan @csucollegian
As this week wraps up an election season marked by conflict and disagreement, water experts from across the American West prepare for a conference dedicated to cooperation and synergy.
Next week, Colorado State University Spur will host the seventh annual Water in the West Symposium, a conference that brings together people from every corner of the field of water distribution, research and conservation. The event will kick off with a welcome from Spur Associate Vice President Jocelyn Hittle and CSU President Amy Parsons the morning of Thursday, Nov. 14, in Spur’s Hydro Confluence Theater.
Talks and panels about multisector collaboration, state water planning, water finance and other topics will fill the rest of the day, centering on the 2024 Symposium theme of Building Bridges: Collaborative Water Action.
This year’s theme was largely inspired by the Nov. 5 elections and CSU’s Year of Democracy, a universitywide initiative encouraging civic engagement and highlighting CSU’s work around democracy. The focus on cooperation contrasts the recent contentious election season by gathering perspectives from researchers and industry
experts across political and geographic boundaries.
“This is really a time for us to come together to showcase what the power of collaboration and cooperation can be in helping to solve really important problems related to water in the American West,” Hittle said.
The discussions at the Symposium will highlight examples of collaboration between state and local governments, nonprofits and the private sector.
Jessica Thrasher, interim associate director for the Colorado Water Center, said it is vital that people from different sectors talk with each other about water as a resource because water discussions affect everyone.
“We can’t separate water into buckets, if you will, because it all flows together,” Thrasher said.
Water is an essential resource for so many parts of people’s lives, like drinking water, agricultural irrigation and industrial production, plus water-based activities like floating down the Cache la Poudre River on a hot day.
While water connects each of these needs and activities, the people involved don’t often work together and discuss how their responsibilities overlap. Even most water conferences only focus on specific topics, like policy around just one river or just one kind of filtration technology.
The Symposium takes a step back from the details and engages those involved in a broader conversation.
“Without bringing people together, we won’t be able to build a sustainable, equitable water future for all.”
JESSICA THRASHER COLORADO WATER CENTER INTERIM ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
“Without bringing people together, we won’t be able to build a sustainable, equitable water future for all,” Thrasher said.
Everyone needs water, so everyone needs to talk about its stewardship. The hope for the Symposium is that through collaborative conversations, attending researchers and stakeholders will be able to find holes in their research that may be filled by other people’s work.
“What, of course, would be wonderful — and our researchers are already really good at this — is having folks continue to think about how they can work together and work with people who might be in a different discipline or a different sector or a different geography,” Hittle said.
One group that has not been included in many conversations about water in the past is the Indigenous people who are the original stewards and stakeholders of the American West. The Symposium will host a dialogue with Ute Mountain Ute Chairman Manuel Heart, who has led his tribe in fighting for access to Colorado River rights.
“It is vital that (Indigenous people) are engaged in all water conversations moving forward,” Thrasher said.
Another Symposium speaker — the keynote speaker — is someone who isn’t actually involved in water conservation. Harvard University Associate Professor of Management Michaela Kerrissey will share her knowledge on “Teaming with
Intention” to set the tone for the conference. She’ll talk about multidisciplinary teams and how those teams best work together.
“One of the things we like to do with the Symposium is to bring in people from outside the water sector who can share their expertise in their area and help to inspire and generate thinking for the people in the room who are more water focused,” Hittle said.
The final speaker, Martín Carcasson, founder and director of the CSU Center for Public Deliberation, will similarly teach Symposium attendees how they can hold conversations with the public and find thoughtful solutions to problems that may seem challenging at first.
“Everyone comes back with some inspiration and … some new knowledge,” Hittle said.
The Symposium is also an opportunity for CSU to display the water-related work being done at the Colorado Water Center, the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering and other university departments.
“Having the symposium down here at Spur is a nice way to (showcase) the strength that CSU has already brought in water for a really long time,” Hittle said.
General admission to the Symposium is $175, and government and nonprofit organizations can purchase discounted tickets for $125 each. Attendees can register separately for a free lecture the evening before the Symposium from Pat Mulroy, a
senior fellow for climate adaptation and environmental policy at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. A limited number of free Symposium tickets is available for students with the promo code WITWStudent, and the Colorado Water Center will be bringing down students from its Colorado Water Fellows Program.
The Colorado Water Fellows Program “is designed to prepare students for careers in the water field and connect them to opportunities,” according to the Water Center’s website. Water fellows obtain an interdisciplinary understanding of issues like water law, tribal perspectives and water equity and justice through attendance of monthly meetings, field trips and conferences like the Symposium.
While anyone can connect more deeply with water conservation by attending the Symposium or watching the recording posted afterward — or recordings from previous years — Thrasher suggested people try to notice more of water’s role in their daily lives.
“A lot of times, we don’t notice that we’re using water until we can’t use it,” Thrasher said.
Just appreciating water when turning on the tap or going out to watch the river can cultivate a greater connection with water conservation.
“Without that connection, we don’t know what we’re trying to protect,” Thrasher said.
Reach Adah McMillan at science @collegian.com.
LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
The Atrium Music Lounge welcomes new owners
By Riley Paling @rileypaling
The Atrium Music Lounge is officially under new ownership: Hail Groo and Nic Federle. This intimate music venue located beneath Alley Cat Coffeehouse in Fort Collins is a hidden gem that quickly became a cornerstone of the local music scene.
Known for its welcoming atmosphere and newfound commitment to showcasing a diverse range of musical talent, the music lounge is officially ready to reopen. With a focus on promoting connections between artists and audiences, The Atrium offers an experience that is as
much about community as it is about music.
“We’re looking at expanding the types of events that we are doing,” Federle said. “The focus is on live music as much as we can and pulling in bigger names. We’ve created and curated symbiotic relationships with other venues in town, including Mishawaka, Music District, KRFC.
Kind of this whole little area is a hotspot for local musicians, so we definitely wanted to tap into that as much as humanly possible.”
With a capacity of 99 people, The Atrium strikes the perfect balance between intimacy and overall good vibes. The venue’s layout is designed to ensure that every seat offers a great view of the stage, allowing fans to feel closely connected to
performers. This intimate setting creates a dynamic atmosphere where artists can engage directly with their audience, making for memorable performances that resonate long after the last note has been played.
The programming at The Atrium is as eclectic as its audience. From indie to electronic beats and all the way to rock, the venue prides itself on its diverse lineup. In addition to music, The Atrium plans to hosts various private events. This versatility not only enriches the local music scene but also keeps the programming fresh and exciting.
The ambiance at The Atrium is carefully curated to enhance the concert experience. With dim lighting, unique decor and an inviting bar area, the venue exudes
a relaxing yet energetic vibe. The decor reflects the creative spirit of Fort Collins, with art installations and posters on the walls.
The sound system is being improved each day, with the new owners listening to customers’ critiques and ensuring every note and beat is delivered with clarity. The ultimate goal is to allow artists to shine and audiences to immerse themselves in the music.
“There have been some complaints about sound not sounding great or being too loud, etc.,” Federle said. “A lot of the changes we have done has been on the sound side (and) won’t be visible. …We’re doing a lot to make the stage bigger and a lot easier to accommodate other bands.”
The bar at The Atrium complements the experience, offering a selection of local craft beers, wines and signature cocktails, but no big changes are in the works.
“We kind of wanted to keep the spaces the same as much as possible,” Groo said. “Everybody already knew and loved The Atrium, and so we wanted to keep it the same Atrium everybody knows and loves.”
Easily accessible for both Fort Collins locals and outside visitors, the venue is designed to be inclusive, and it ensures everyone can enjoy live music regardless of their background or ability. This emphasis on accessibility helps foster a diverse audience reflective of the community’s spirit. Reach Riley Paling at entertainment@collegian.com.
The front of The Atrium Music Lounge on Laurel Street in Fort Collins Oct. 31.
PHOTO BY AVERY EVANS THE COLLEGIAN
SMOOTH SENSATIONS
Jazz Combos Concert showcases student emotion through music
By Robert Sides @csucollegian
As rain turned to snow the evening of Oct. 30, the Griffin Concert Hall showcased the Jazz Combos Concert, which featured three jazz combo bands.
The evening opened with Combo IV. Playing songs such as “Recorda Me” by Joe Henderson and “Strasbourg / St. Denis” by Roy Hargrove, the combo projected the emotion of the music onto the audience.
Combo IV comprised Otto Berga on piano; Jenison Brown on guitar; Henry Bridgeman on bass; KC Flanagan on saxophone; Caelan Herk on trombone; and Hunter Luedtke on trumpet.
“It was my first time performing on stage in a combo, so I thought it was super fun,” Luedtke said.
Combo III took the stage shortly thereafter. Their performance drew from several genres, making for a diverse yet intriguing musical number. One of their performed songs included “Someday My Prince Will Come” by Frank Churchill and Larry Morey, popularized by the Disney movie “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” They also played “Straight,
No Chaser” by Thelonious Monk, in which each musician showcased their talent in a solo feature.
Starring in Combo III were Myles Launer on piano; Aedyn Simon on drums; Zach Gast on guitar; Delaney Wolinski on bass; William Edmundson on saxophone; and Riley Meadows on trumpet.
Combo II took the stage to close out the night. Their pieces had a lot of emotion attached to the members of the combo. “Starboard” was written by piano player Damian Lesperance-Young and was inspired by his experience on a cruise ship.
“The Peace You Bring” was written by alto saxophone player Anthony Sacheli for his girlfriend.
Along with the other three pieces performed by Combo II, these songs created a distinct atmosphere of ease and undivided attention.
Combo II is made up of Damian Lesperance-Young on piano; Brian Tremper on drums; Henry Allison on guitar; Garrett Yackey on bass; Anthony Sacheli
on alto saxophone and flute; and Samuel Helgerson on trumpet.
Although Combo I did not play that night, their next performance will be Nov. 14.
All three groups let loose on stage and filled the night with jazz of all sorts: quiet, loud, fast, slow, cheerful and somber. The musicians embodied the music they performed and did so while living in the moment.
“We don’t have to prove anything; we just go out and play,” Tremper said. “Taking that to every performance is a really good way to not only just enjoy yourself more but also to play better.”
The audience was exposed to several emotions throughout the 90-minute show. Like the musicians, they got lost in the music that illuminated the air and walked out of the concert hall with an array of emotions.
“The one from Anthony (Sacheli) was very emotional because he wrote that for his girlfriend who lived in Michigan,” attendee Lucas Huesman said. “It really hit home because you could tell that he put a lot of his emotions into how he feels about her and their relationship. It was just really nice to listen to.”
Reach Robert Sides at entertainment @collegian.com.
GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY MADELYN HENDRICKS THE COLLEGIAN
IT TAKES A CREW
CSU theater’s ‘Into the Woods’ transports viewers
By Audrey Weishaar @csucollegian
Adding a twist on classic fairy tales, “Into the Woods” follows the interlocking tales most of us know and love from our childhoods.
Colorado State University Theatre is presenting its own showing of the play until Nov. 10.
Created by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, “Into the Woods” tells the tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack of “Jack and the Beanstalk” and Rapunzel. The story is woven together by a baker and his wife, exploring the endings and consequences they face after their story is told.
CSU theater’s production of the show does the story justice.
Director Noah Racey said the process took months, showcasing a labor of love.
“(It took) hundreds upon hundreds upon hundreds of many hours … starting the year prior,” Racey said.
That hard work showed in more ways than one but especially in the set design, which is all done by students. The stage looks as if it were transported straight from the woods, with large trees and many leaves extending toward the audience. The costumes are perfect for what the show requires: beautiful simplicity for some and marvelous detail for others.
Racey described the process of designing the set, saying it starts with diving deep into the script.
The crew pulls images and begins to generate ideas from it, and from there, they develop more solid ideas and begin the process of making props and other set pieces.
The technical elements of the performance are very intricate. The
sound is phenomenal and used in creative ways, and there is smoke that creeps onto the stage. The crew uses the technical components of the show to fully immerse the audience and bring them into the woods with the characters.
The crew was very professional, running a tight ship and getting things done effectively. It was clear how much the cast and crew both care about the show.
“Everyone put their heart and soul into it,” said Lauren Gentry, assistant director and first-year theater major. “Everyone’s put so much work into the show.”
From the acting to the singing and dancing, the actors demonstrated their natural skill on stage. Sondheim is notorious for his complex songs and writing prowess, and he is regarded as one of the best of the best in musical theater by many, including the cast and crew of the show.
OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY IS BETTER WHEN
“It’s a Sondheim musical, which means everything goes into this,” Gentry said. “It’s been so many moving pieces.”
The actors pulled the play off without a hitch. India Thompson, who plays The Witch, delivered a strong performance of the song
“Witch’s Lament” with her powerful vocals and expressive acting. Ethan Bowman, who plays Cinderella’s Prince Charming and Wolf W.
Wolf, is a talented singer and makes the audience laugh every time he is on stage.
“I’m super excited for people to see it,” Gentry said. “I think people are going to love it.”
The show is held at the University Theatre in the University Center for the Arts. Tickets are available on the CSU theater website.
Reach Audrey Weishaar at entertainment@collegian.com.
EVERY RAM IS FED
Operating from The LSC’s Office of Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement (SLiCE), Rams Against Hunger offers a menu of services that support students, faculty and staff experiencing food insecurity. Services include:
• Food Pantry
• Ram Food Recovery
• Meal Swipe program
• Pocket Pantries
• Connect to SNAP Benefit Specialists
Our hope in providing these services is to ensure that basic needs are not overlooked at the expense of a degree.
The Colorado State University School of Music, Theatre and Dance and the University Center for the Arts present “Into the Woods,” created by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine Oct. 30. CSU theater’s production of the play was directed by Noah Racey. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN EISELE
ELECTION REALITIES
3rd-party voting is possible but not successful
By Chloe Waskey @csucollegian
Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.
In a time when basic political engagement can mean voting against your own ideologies, it is understandably tempting to vote third party. Why vote for the lesser of two evils when there is an option that doesn’t seem evil at all?
I am admittedly sympathetic to those who vote for a third party. If I believe that complacency equals violence, how can I vote for a candidate who is complacent in the face of genocide? As a more leftleaning Democrat, I’ve had issues with the Biden administration, and I have issues with Kamala Harris’ policies. It feels like I am
contradicting my own ideologies by voting for Harris.
However, as communication studies Professor Karrin Vasby Anderson put it, “A protest vote for a third-party candidate feels more productive than supporting a party you have disagreements with.”
However, this election has taught me that voting in America is not a way for me to represent my ideologies; it is a tool that I must use to strategically protect the rights and livelihoods of marginalized groups that are at risk.
Anderson suggested that voting should be used as a mechanism for harm reduction rather than a way to protest politics.
“As citizens in a deliberative democracy, we should choose the candidate who can serve the interests of those most vulnerable in our community and who can govern in a way that is equitable and ethical,” Anderson said. “If
we think about voting as harm reduction, then we’re never throwing away a vote.”
Christopher Celaya, the program assistant for the Straayer Center for Public Service Leadership, said voting third party can introduce the dreaded spoiler effect.
“Voting for a third party generally leads to a spoiler effect where you want somebody on the left and you vote for somebody else on the left that’s less likely to win,” Celaya said. “That diminishes both of their chances to win, and then the other side wins.”
But what about in a state like Colorado, where the electorate is most likely to vote Democrat regardless of how I vote? Celaya said voters should be careful of this mindset, especially considering Colorado is a “light blue” state.
“If too many people think that way, all of a sudden it becomes a
problem,” Celaya said. “I wouldn’t vote third party in Colorado as readily as I would in, like, Massachusetts or a very red state like Mississippi.”
The fact is I won’t feel proud to cast my vote this year, no matter what. Voting third party serves nothing by my ego, and voting Democrat feels like I am not making an effort to create meaningful change. Young Democrats warned Harris that taking a lukewarm stance on Israel could cost her the election, and she has treated that like an empty threat. Maybe it was.
But maybe it wasn’t. Ultimately, voting is just one of many forms of crucial civic engagement. While a single vote might feel insignificant, it is powerful when combined with active participation in community issues, advocacy for policy change and support for local movements.
Supporting third parties outside of presidential elections
is not a lost cause. Even though third parties are unlikely to impact the electorate, they can still impact the major parties.
History has shown us that thirdparty candidates within major parties can change the party as a whole.
“If their ideas are more popular than the current platform, then the platform will have to evolve,” Celaya said. “Voters who are ideologically aligned with third-party policies should still advocate for them. This means participating in local politics, supporting grassroots movements and protesting the executive branch when needed.”
Voting is incredibly important, but change requires sustained action beyond Election Day. If we genuinely want to see change, we need to make our voices heard in every arena — not just the ballot box.
Reach Chloe Waskey at letters @collegian.com.
MIDDLE CHILD
CSU does not prioritize its journalism department
Emma Souza @_emmasouza
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.
When Colorado State University first announced its plan to renovate the Andrew G. Clark Building, I was ecstatic. As a journalism and media communication major, 99% of my classes — as well as my professors’ offices — are located in Clark; it’s practically my second home, so I couldn’t wait for my building to look as beautiful as the ones surrounding it.
About a month ago, one of my classes in Clark C took a break to “change our chairs.” At first, I was incredibly confused. Those chairs were older than my grandparents, so why they chose to switch them on a random Monday was beyond me.
Regardless, we wheeled those dusty fuckers to a random hallway corridor and exchanged them for brand-new plastic ones. These chairs were less cushiony but undeniably a longoverdue upgrade.
To me,this replacement represented something way bigger than just chairs. I get how that probably sounds dramatic, but this was a huge win for the journalism department — as
underrated and forgotten as we are. Those chairs marked the start of an upward progression for JMC: First, the school gave us new equipment, and soon, they’ll give us an entirely new building, both of which are, again, long overdue.
But as we wheeled these plastic chairs back to our broom closet of a room, grins plastered to our faces like we’d won the lottery, one of my peers said, “If only Clark C was included — that would be goated.”
That was the quickest I’ve ever gone from ecstatic joy to complete disappointment.
I’m not sure whether CSU changed their renovation plans or if I didn’t notice from the start, but my classmate was right: Clark C was not included in the renovation.
The bulk of the renovation is for Clark A, home to lecture halls for students of all majors, especially the more popular — and seemingly more important — ones. The offices in Clark B are getting a glow up, too, though it’s ironic that the Clark C rooms those professors teach in will remain ugly, cramped and outdated.
The journalism classrooms and tech labs will look the exact same as they do now — and as they probably did in 1967 — in 2027. Though, maybe one of the lucky classrooms that received improvements last month will
include the addition of some beautiful consolation chairs.
JMC students, including myself, are frankly agitated with the lack of priority CSU and the Office of the Registrar give our department. We have to beg for new equipment while millions of dollars are poured into more popular majors, sports programs and building renovations.
Half of the time, when our classrooms aren’t hidden in Clark’s butt crack, we’re in the basement of Willard O. Eddy Hall, the basement of the Engineering Building or way off in the Gifford Building.
I know these issues pertain to more majors than journalism; there are many other departments located in Clark C that likely share identical frustrations. It’s just so aggravating for all of us who have wished, prayed and fought for upgrades on one of the most shitty buildings on CSU’s campus, only to be excluded from renovation plans happening 50 yards away.
Beyond Clark and classroom locations, journalism is vastly overlooked by the university in general. I view journalism as a major that gives back to the school. The bulk of our assignments are about CSU: For labs, we meander around The Plaza, walking up to students and asking for impromptu interviews. For assignments, we write stories about current events around campus.
The Collegian publishes breaking news, local event coverage, opinions, celebration stories and scandals happening around CSU’s campus and the City of Fort Collins.
So much of my journalism degree revolves around the CSU community; I’m essentially graded on my technical ability to share and talk about the school and the Fort Collins community. Despite only being a sophomore, I can recite much of CSU’s history and culture and many of its traditions because of the journalism program.
And for this I am grateful. But unfortunately, I feel like CSU does not reciprocate the attention. I feel like our department deserves more than consolation chairs. I feel like the Rocky Mountain Student Media
Corporation and its six branches — though financially independent from CSU — deserve more space than a spot in the Lory Student Center basement. I feel like The Collegian deserves more recognition outside of breaking news coverage or a scandal on campus.
Journalism is consistently ranked one of the most-regretted college majors across the country. I’m happy to say I won’t look back at my experience here and regret my degree, the time spent with my professors or my journalism education. Instead, my biggest regret would’ve been not using my platform as a journalist to advocate for our department. So that’s why I’m doing that now.
Reach Emma Souza at letters @collegian.com.
Music is more than just background noise
Gigi Young @csucollegian
Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.
I average more than 100,000 minutes listened on Spotify a year and spent a week without music. Spoiler alert: It sucked.
I’ve always known that music is a big part of my life, but it wasn’t until I had to go a week without it that I realized just how essential it is. On Oct. 16, I lost my AirPods. I know — tragic. Like your average college student, I rely on music to get through almost everything. Walking to class, studying, working out, decompressing — there’s always a soundtrack in the background keeping me company. And honestly, I listen to an absurd amount of music, and Spotify could probably expose me to a breakdown of my habits. But when I suddenly found myself stripped of this constant comfort, I
was surprised at how much it threw me off.
Day one was brutal. I woke up and instinctively reached for my AirPods, only to remember they were lost somewhere, probably stuck between the cushions of a library couch or left behind in a lecture hall.
My walk to class felt endless and eerily quiet. No Sade or Erykah Badu blasting in my ears, no MF DOOM or niche Japanese jazzy house to wake me up or set the mood for the day. It was just me, the wind, my footsteps and my thoughts about how much better it would be with music. My brain tried to compensate by playing songs in my head, but it wasn’t the same; I would catch myself humming to myself internally and felt insane.
Without my usual soundtrack, I noticed how crazy and anxious I actually was, even waiting in line for coffee. There was this hyperawareness that hit me. I found myself spiraling over the tiniest things for no reason, feeling jumpy and irritated by every little sound around me.
Without music to drown out the world, I started noticing everything around me. Snippets of conversations, the hum of engines, shoes clacking on the pavement — things I usually tune out without a second thought. Every sound seemed sharper and more invasive, making the quiet feel loud in an uncomfortable way. The absence of music wasn’t peaceful; it was tense and unfamiliar.
By my second horrid Airpodsless day, I sat down to do assignments and realized my productivity was tanking. Normally, music helps me zone in, tune out distractions and get things done. But without it, every little noise pulled my attention away. I’d hear the creak of a chair, someone flipping through notes, a phone vibrating across the table — it was like my senses were working overtime, and I couldn’t focus on my work.
After days of this strange, musicless existence, which I highly do not recommend, by the way — three out of 10 experience — I found myself thinking about why music matters so much, not just in general but to me personally. It’s not just background
noise; it’s self-expression. It’s a way to connect with emotions or escape them — a form of communication without words. Music tells stories, evokes feelings and connects people across cultures and generations in ways that words sometimes can’t.
It’s almost a religious experience, bringing people together, helping them find a sense of belonging.
It’s more than an accessory; it’s a way to navigate life and add meaning to everyday moments. It reminds us how art and sound shape
how we experience the world. I feel like I appreciate music in a way many don’t — so this week, honestly, was awful. But it did remind me of something I couldn’t ignore: Music is everywhere. Even if JPEGMafia wasn’t accompanying me on my walk home, music was still there: playing in stores, on other people’s speakers and in the random rhythms of daily life. Music is, thankfully, inescapable. Reach Gigi Young at letters @collegian.com.
GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY ALLI ADAMS THE COLLEGIAN
INCLUSIVE FASHION
Fat girls deserve cute clothes, too
By Audrey Weishaar
@csucollegian
Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.
I like to say I am a fashionable person. I like to wear nice clothes, and I generally have a good time putting together an outfit. The process of picking out accessories is fun.
I am also fat — that is simply a fact of life. Admittedly, I am not very fat, and I do not always face the struggles of finding clothing that those larger than me do. However, that’s not to say I have an easy time of it. I started to cry when four out of the five prom dress shops I went to didn’t even carry a single dress in my size.
As TikTok spreads trends across the internet, many clothing brands struggle to keep up. However, plus-sized clothing companies haven’t been able to keep up with trends since the 2010s. A lot of plus-sized clothing that is affordable is cardigans, cold shoulders and florals. These things haven’t been fashionable for a while.
One of the most popular plussize clothing brands is Torrid.
On occasion, Torrid has some cute things. I have a sundress from there that I love. Torrid also tends to be on the pricier end of things.
More often, Torrid is not cute. They have a lot of buttonups, and most of their blouses are florals. A lot of those blouses have a weird elastic waistline, which makes it impossible to tuck those blouses in. There are a lot of peplum tops with puffy sleeves, similar to what you would find at Old Navy four years ago — I would know; I loved those shirts.
it only goes up to size 20. For reference, a typical size 20 is only a 40-inch waist.
However, Torrid was specifically made to only carry plus-size clothes for plus-sized people. Let’s talk about a brand made for straight-sized clothes that has expanded to have plus-sized options.
Before we get into this, I need to lay out the difference between straight-sized and plus-sized clothing. Straight sizing is what we see in most clothing stores: 00-20 or XSXXL. No matter how many X’s are added to that XL, it will continue to be straightsized. Plus sizing is designed differently than straight sizing and takes the form of 0X, 1X, 2X and so on and so forth.
The distinction comes down to how the fabric is cut because, in straight sizing, as the size of the clothing increases, so does the height. Plus-sizing doesn’t do this, at least not to the same extent, and it is noticeable.
On top of that, most of the clothing in these plus sizes are sold out online, and they are not sold in store. So even if they weren’t sold out and I decided I liked something, I would have to put full trust into the idea that these clothes might fit me.
The final issue I have with Lululemon’s plus-sized section is that not a single model is actually wearing the plus-sized clothes. It is all skinny women modeling clothes that are advertised to be able to fit me.
I want to wear cute clothes, and I want to wear trendy clothes. I should be able to do both of these things. I deserve to do both of these things. But in the eyes of the fashion industry, I have committed the unforgivable crime of being fat.
I am happy in my body. I do not want to change my body. I should not have to change my body to wear something fashionable. I deserve cute clothes, too.
Reach Audrey Weishaar at letters @collegian.com.
GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY ALLI ADAMS
Sudoku
WEEKLY HOROSCOPE
By Sophia Masia
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (11/7/24)
ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)
Power is in your voice this week. Stand up for what you believe in, even when it’s hard to be heard. It’s time to embrace change as a chance to break from what’s not working and add your unique perspective to the mix. You’re all about bold moves, so speak up, Aries.
TAURUS (APRIL 20 - MAY 20)
Is it hot in here, or is that just you? It’s not just political texts blowing up your phone this week; everyone is fighting over a minute of your time. Remember to stay connected with what matters when dealing with romantic partners. Find your values, and hold steady as others share theirs, Taurus.
GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 20)
Question everything. This week wants you to challenge stale beliefs and refresh your outlook. Maybe you’re changing your vote or inspiring someone to change theirs. Conversations may bring new insights, so stay
open to what others have to say. Either way, be the voice of change, Gemini.
CANCER (JUNE 21 - JULY 22)
Yeah, voting is our civic duty. But you know better than most that change comes from the choices you make daily. This week, your community is calling, and small actions can help you feel at home in a shared mission. Show up, Cancer.
LEO (JULY 23 - AUG. 22)
It’s time to expand your horizons as this week supports big inner growth. Think of it as a chance to vote for your future — you’re creating something new. Shed outdated mindsets, and ignore any doubts you have in yourself. You’re worth it, Leo.
VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEPT. 22)
You’ve done your research and submitted your ballot, and you’re ready to take a stand. This week supports your natural drive to plan for the future and asks you to turn things up a notch. You’re becoming a strong leader, but you need to remember to be patient with others. Take charge, Virgo.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23 - OCT. 22)
This week you’re redefining what balance means to you in your work life and social life. Your unique perspective will shine brightest when you’re surrounded by allies, so work on creating a space where you can bring harmony into shared goals, and remember, there’s no shame in delegating tasks to others. There’s power in numbers, Libra.
SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)
It’s estimated only 3% of voters are undecided, and you are not one of them; you know who
you are and where your values lie. The path forward is clearer when you reflect on what’s important and get rid of what no longer serves you. Out with the old, Scorpio.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22DEC. 21)
Prepare to fall down some informational rabbit holes, as this week brings new perspectives, new people and big ideas. Allow yourself to dive into topics you’ve been curious about — these discoveries can unlock a fresh way of looking at things, Sagittarius.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19) This week asks you to reflect on how you create community. You’re not the same person you were last election, but has your communication style evolved with you? Remember that traditions and habits are meant to be questioned or bucked altogether. So get out of your own way, Capricorn.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)
As Pluto makes its way into your sign this month, it’s time to vote for your own authenticity. Question your traditions, and find your own unique way of doing things. It’s time to build your own beliefs and inspire others to follow. What truly resonates with you, Aquarius?
PISCES (FEB. 19 - MARCH 20)
Self-awareness is shining bright this week as you’re being asked to reflect on how you spend your days. Do you have a stable routine or just concepts of one? Whether you’re overworking yourself or procrastinating it all, now’s the time to make the change, Pisces.
Last edition’s crossword solution
Last edition’s sudoku solution
OVERHEARD AROUND CAMPUS
“What is death if not final, unlimited access to floor time?”
“God
“I
“I
think someone needs to call the exorcist on Blucifer.”
Have you overheard something funny on campus? Put your eavesdropping to good use. Tweet us @CSUCollegian and your submissions could be featured in our next paper!
