Thursday, March 13, 2025 Vol. 134 No. 24

THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN

FOCO EVENTS TOP STORIES

NEWS: History of DEI programs highlights decades of student advocacy PAGE 4

LIFE: Gender and ethnic studies majors face programming changes at CSU PAGE 7

SPORTS: Changing conversations redefine treatment of athletes in sports PAGE 9

SCIENCE: Hundreds in FoCo community rally against censorship in Stand Up for Science march PAGE 12

ARTS: Federal policy shifts threaten CSU art department’s DEI initiatives PAGE 14

OPINION: Thorn: DEI does not mean what Trump says it does PAGE 17

MEDIA: Community calls for academic freedom in Stand Up for Science demonstration PAGES 10-11

The Crucible at The Lincoln Center 7 p.m. March 14-15

Jourdain Fisher at The Comedy Fort 6 p.m. March 21-22

Pink Pony Club at The Movement Apothecary 7:30-10 p.m. March 21

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

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

Evelyn Jacobi speaks to a crowd of protesters outside the Fort Collins Post Office March 4. As a former member of the League of

Voters who is still in contact with the group, she came to be with the community and offered to speak. “When you are

people who are willing to stand up and take a stand for what is right, for our democracy, for diversity, for all the values that

hold dear,

energizing to see people here,” Jacobi said. PHOTO BY CAIT

Allie Seibel | Editor in Chief editor@collegian.com

Hannah Parcells | Managing Editor managingeditor@collegian.com

Claire Vogl | Executive Editor copy@collegian.com

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Nathan Carmody | Print Director design@collegian.com

Trin Bonner | Illustration Editor design@collegian.com

Aubree Miller | News Editor news@collegian.com

MCKINZIE THE COLLEGIAN

EDITORIAL STAFF

Sam Hutton | News Editor news@collegian.com

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

Katie Fisher | Science Editor science@collegian.com

Ruby Secrest | A&E Editor entertainment@collegian.com

Michael Hovey | Sports Editor sports@collegian.com

Sophie Webb | Sports Editor sports@collegian.com

Dominique Lopez | Opinion Editor letters@collegian.com

Garrett Mogel | Photo Director photo@collegian.com

Cait Mckinzie | Photo Director photo@collegian.com

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Isabella Trinchero | Social Media Coordinator social@collegian.com

CAMPUS REACTIONS

CSU students discuss federal higher ed initiatives amid uncertainty

By Chloe Waskey @csucollegian

Less than two months into his second term, President Donald Trump has enacted a series of sweeping federal initiatives that could directly impact thousands of students at Colorado State University, leaving many uncertain about the future.

Students voiced concerns about potential federal funding cuts, the rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion measures and the broader societal impact of Trump’s policies.

Many worry that reductions in federal research grants could have significant consequences, especially in light of federal efforts to slash funding for the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Agency for International Development and other agencies that support academic research. Last year, CSU received nearly $437 million in federal grants, a critical source of funding that is now at risk.

In addition to defunding research efforts, Congress recently proposed a budget bill that would drastically reduce funding for colleges and remove tax provisions that are aimed at making college more affordable for students.

Jebrail Dempsey, a Ph.D. candidate and Associated Students of CSU director of diversity and inclusion, said she would not be able to finish her degree if the NIH stopped funding her, as her research on malaria currently relies on funds from USAID.

“It’s been tough trying to think of what the future may look like for me within science and within American society,” Dempsey said. “At the same time, I have to be living in the present and finishing the projects that I currently

They want us to still be engaged, but they’re not telling us what action plan they’re doing to keep us safe. Until I know what they’re doing to keep me safe, I will not feel protected.”

JEBRAIL DEMPSEY CSU STUDENT

Colorado State University students and faculty and Fort Collins community members gather on the Lory Student Center Plaza for the nationwide Stand Up for Science protest March 7.

ABIGAIL

have and working with funding that I currently have.”

Dempsey and hundreds of other students gathered at the Lory Student Center Plaza on Friday, March 7, to support the national Stand Up for Science march, demonstrating CSU students’ support for research initiatives.

Zack Topham, a CSU student studying zoology, attended the march to advocate against partisan barriers to science.

“When it comes to conservation, that is one of the things, of course, that they’re gutting,” Topham said.

“It’s important because we all live on this planet, and we all need to keep the planet livable.”

While anxieties over potential funding losses have risen, many students acknowledge that CSU must comply with federal guidelines in order to secure the money it relies on.

“I think a lot of people are really upset,” restoration ecology major Aisling Groarke said. “But it’s a landgrant university. It is literally funded by the government, so I really feel like there’s not much (CSU) can do. Like, if there are new directives that come out, they can’t (not) follow them.”

On several occasions, the Trump administration has attempted to halt funding to universities on partisan grounds. Many of these orders have been stopped by the federal judiciary, but universities across the nation have already begun to prepare for budget cuts by reducing admissions, inciting layoffs, scaling back research and more.

CSU has engaged in preliminary action as well, although it is unclear to what extent. Several students have raised concerns that the university may be attempting to scale back DEI initiatives in order to comply with the Dear Colleague letter that was issued

Feb. 14, but CSU President Amy Parsons said in a Feb. 20 statement that this is not yet the case.

“It’s really disappointing to see when no action is really being taken against CSU directly, and they’re still taking all these resources that students actively use,” said Fiona Miller, ASCSU associate senator for the Asian Pacific American Cultural Center. “I’ve also heard a lot of other people that feel like the administration isn’t really telling them everything.”

DEI policies have been a key target of the Trump administration’s funding cuts, alongside past student activism surrounding the Israel-Hamas War. On March 7, the White House canceled $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University, citing its involvement in last year’s pro-Palestine movement — a directive that has since triggered hiring freezes across multiple Ivy League institutions.

However, the federal government has not yet passed any legally sound resolutions that would restrict DEI, activism or federal funding at CSU.

Given CSU’s Principles of Community and its current lack of restrictions on DEI initiatives, some students are upset that the university has not reaffirmed its commitment to protecting vulnerable groups over securing federal assistance.

“I feel like CSU would try to give me a sense of security that I’m not on the chopping block, but I feel like when it gets down to it and I am on the chopping block, it will just be condolences, thoughts and prayers,” Dempsey said. “They want us to still be engaged, but they’re not telling us what action plan they’re doing to keep us safe. Until I know what they’re doing to keep me safe, I will not feel protected.”

Other students doubt that CSU would fully eliminate DEI processes,

predicting that the university will comply with federal directives on paper while maintaining the same values in practice.

“I don’t think they’re just going to change philosophies overnight, even if they’re not officially allowed to do (DEI) anymore,” CSU student Brianna Pernicka said.

Uncertainty over how the university will respond to federal DEI initiatives led to a student-organized march and a sit-in, both urging the administration to explicitly commit to protecting CSU’s Cultural Resource Centers and inclusive values.

The administration at CSU has since stated that it values CRCs and believes they are in compliance with the law but noted that changes may occur as federal guidelines are updated.

“I like some of the words that ... admin is saying, like saying that they’re not going to get rid of DEI things and are just going to change the wording around it,” Miller said.

“But it also feels like they’re not doing enough, and they’re also not really holding themselves to the words they’re saying to us in these (ASCSU) meetings.”

In addition to the potential direct impact on students, many fear that the Trump administration’s measures are fostering a contentious environment that will ultimately fuel bigotry and division.

“The executive orders are really going to encourage a more hateful culture in the U.S., and I am concerned about that,” Miller said. “I worry for my friends and my family that live in the D.C. area because of that promotion of hate toward marginalized groups.”

Reach Chloe Waskey at news @collegian.com.

PHOTO BY

BURNS THE COLLEGIAN

DIVERSE LEGACY

History of DEI programs highlights decades of student advocacy

By Audrey Weishaar @csucollegian

Colorado State University has an extensive history with diversity, equity and inclusion. From the college’s founding in 1870 until today, CSU has had a variety of students walk the grounds of its campus.

The first graduating class of the Colorado Agricultural College, CSU’s original title, was in 1884 and comprised only three students: Leonidas Loomis, George Glover and Elizabeth “Libbie” Coy. Coy was not only one of the first students to attend CSU, but she was also the first woman in Colorado to earn a degree from a higher education institution. Coy would later become an instructor at the college and a co-founder of the alumni association. For her entire life, Coy was an advocate for education. In 2020, she was posthumously given a Founders Day Medal.

Only a handful of years after Coy graduated, another first was made at CSU by Grafton St. Clair Norman, the first Black student to attend CSU. He enrolled in 1892 and graduated in 1896. He was incredibly active in student organizations, including the College Choir and the Science Club, and he was also a manager of The Rocky Mountain

Collegian. After graduating, he joined the army at the time of the SpanishAmerican War. He would later go on to be an instructor at Blue Grass Normal and Industrial School in Kentucky and eventually at Alabama A&M University.

The first Cultural Resource Center to open on CSU’s campus was Project GO, which eventually evolved into separate resource centers. Project GO’s mission was to support and encourage students from low-income households with specialized programs, especially those that enabled Black and Latinx/é students to pursue higher education.

Though Project GO was established in 1968, the majority of the services and projects formed following a list of demands presented to university administration by the Black Student Alliance and the Mexican-American Committee for Equality in 1969. Members of the organizations organized daily sit-in demonstrations in the Administration Building and outside the home of then CSU President William Morgan to ensure that the university took the demands seriously.  Project GO would last from 1968 to July 1976, when the Office of Student Affairs split the program into two distinct cultural offices. This division created the Black Student Services Program and the Chicano Student Services Program, the programs later evolving into the Black/

African American Cultural Center and El Centro. Both centers opened during the 1976-77 school year.

Shortly after Project GO’s installation, CSU began to enforce affirmative action policies in 1971. CSU’s plans were regarded favorably but received some backlash for lacking clear timelines and goals.

In 1970, the Office of the Student Relations was created through the consolidation of the Dean of Women and Dean of Men positions into one office. The Office of Women’s Relations within the Office of Student Relations evolved to become the Office of Women’s Programs, which housed both academic and student affairs programs.

The academic program was eventually moved, and the Center for Women’s Studies and Gender Research was established within CSU’s ethnic studies department in 2010. The student services offered by the Office of Women’s Programs became the full focus, and the office was renamed as the Women and Gender Advocacy Center and operated within student diversity programs and the Services Division of Student Affairs.

“We often say that our office has existed in some iteration on campus for 50 years, with our Victim Assistance Team hotline being founded in 1975,” said Charlotte Durkin, the office

manager of the Survivor Advocacy and Feminist Education Center.

After many changes to both their services and title, the office became the SAFE Center in 2024.

In 1977, the Office of Student Relations established the Office of Resources for Disabled Students as part of their efforts to bring CSU into compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which made it illegal for schools funded by the U.S. Department of Education to discriminate against students with disabilities. Student relations had to implement aids and remove physical barriers. The office evolved over the years and was renamed as the Student Disability Center in 2018.

Originally based in Project GO, the Native American Cultural Center opened its doors in 1979 and was formed by 54 Native American students. The Vice President of Student Affairs approved the creation of the NACC, originally called the Native American Office, with the goal of supporting their current students and increasing the number of Native American students.

“(The NACC has) definitely made me socialize a lot more, learn more about myself and my culture and just be able to make new friends,” CSU student Jared Hodison said.

The next cultural center to open was in 1984. The Asian Pacific American Cultural Center originally started as Services for Asian American Students and was directed by a graduate student. APACC hosted a lū’au in April 2024 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the office’s founding.

In 1998, the newest resource center opened: the Pride Resource Center. The Associated Students of CSU and the Student Organization for Gays, Lesbians and Bisexuals proposed a university department to support LGBTQIA+ students. With the support of donors and the Office of the Vice President Division of Student Affairs, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Services opened in August 1998.

In June 2023, affirmative action was deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College. CSU remained steadfast in its acceptance policies and stated: “Enrolling students with a broad range of experiences, skills, perspectives and identities helps fulfill our mission to make a college education accessible and enriches the educational experience.”

Reach Audrey Weishaar at news @collegian.com.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY TRIN BONNER THE COLLEGIAN

Democracy Summit hosts Lee Drutman for conversation on polarization, system reform

By Claire VanDeventer @csucollegian

Colorado State University’s College of Liberal Arts hosted its annual Democracy Summit from March 5-7, inviting students, faculty and the Fort Collins community to engage in dialogue surrounding this year’s theme of democratic innovation.

On the second day of the summit, CSU featured a keynote presentation by Lee Drutman, “Building Back a Better Democracy – Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop.” Drutman is a lecturer at Johns Hopkins University and a senior fellow at the think tank New America.

He also co-hosts the “Politics in Question” podcast and is the co-founder of Fix Our House and the Center for Ballot Freedom.

In his book, “Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop: The Case for Multiparty Democracy in America,” Drutman argues that our rigid, two-party political system is the source of heightened political polarization and division in America, creating what he calls the “two-party doom loop.”

“The vast majority of us prioritize belonging and social cohesion almost above everything else,” Drutman said. “With these needs for cohesion and status, turned disagreements and existential threats, then we have a big

KEYNOTE KICKOFF

problem. In this twisted logic that we’re in of this ‘us versus them’ conflict, radical action — even physical harm — starts to feel justified.”

Sam Houghteling, the program manager for the Straayer Center for Public Service Leadership and a key member of the team behind the Democracy Summit, said he hopes students will leave these kinds of events with a strong sense of agency.

“Our democratic systems are really important, and right now there is a heightened focus on democratic systems for very obvious reasons with what’s going on at the national level,” Houghteling said. “We at the Straayer Center view our students not as just future leaders; we view them as current leaders.

Drutman said the shift in America’s political landscape began in the late 1960s when social issues like race, culture and religion started shaping national party alignments.

“Sixty years ago, America was a twoparty system, but both parties contained multitudes,” Drutman said. “This diversity within the parties created this real, fluid pluralism. Today, every single issue of national importance is partisan. Local variety (is) gone.”

Today, parties are complex forces with considerable influence in the political landscape. Drutman highlighted their power and how messaging contributes to political polarization.

“Today’s parties are actually these abstract, floating presences where professional pollsters, messaging

gurus and fundraisers call the shots,” Drutman said. “Their primary message (is that) the other side is threatening your very existence. This drives this doom loop.”

To break the two-party doom loop, Drutman advocated for a political system that embraces a broader spectrum of views, rather than being limited to just two.

“We face a party-system problem that demands a party-system solution,” Drutman said. “Since we form beliefs socially, we need a political structure that supports multiple overlapping perspectives, capable of finding a common reality — not just two that are diametrically opposing each other.”

Drutman called for proportional representation, an electoral system where multiple representatives are elected based on voter proportions. This is a key element of his broader solution: fluid pluralism.

“(Fluid pluralism is) a political state where the coalitions can shift and evolve and where people have multiple overlapping identities and multiple sources of meaning,” Drutman said. “Since elections are the central event of modern, representative democracy, the most effective path to get there is by changing our electoral system.”

Additionally, Drutman said he supports fusion voting for single winner races — a system that enables candidates to appear on multiple party ballots, giving voters the freedom to support their preferred candidate without being tied to a major party.

Senior fellow at think tank New America and lecturer at Johns Hopkins University Lee Drutman gives a keynote speech about democracy innovation during the College of Liberal Arts Democracy Summit in the Lory Student Center Thursday, March 6. “This is a system process and it requires system solutions,” Drutman said.

“This is where fusion voting, another reform, can offer a complementary solution,” Drutman said. “It means that voters can vote for candidates while expressing specific values.”

While Drutman acknowledged the current political crisis, he encouraged people to remain hopeful and recognize that moments of turmoil can provide opportunities for positive change.

Following the presentation, London Nicol, a political science student and one of this year’s democracy ambassadors with the Straayer Center, emphasized

the importance of youth involvement in politics and speaking out on issues, such as those discussed by Drutman.

“There is a huge gap in our age group, as in the younger age group, with getting connected in politics,” Nicol said. “Events like this one are a great way to encourage students to partake in civic participation and see that other students are also trying to get their voices heard and that we can build spaces for those voices.”

Reach Claire VanDeventer at news @collegian.com.

Darrick Hamilton opens CSU Democracy Summit with call for economic justice

By Chloe Waskey @csucollegian

Colorado State University’s Democracy Summit 2025, hosted by the College of Liberal Arts, kicked off Wednesday with a keynote talk from Darrick Hamilton, highlighting the summit’s theme of democratic innovation with a lecture on democracy, race and economic inclusion.

Hamilton is the founding director of the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy at The New School in New York City and is the chief economist for the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. His work, which has influenced legislation in several states, examines how racial and generational conditions influence economic disparities.

CSU graduate student Kemal Perdana said Hamilton had been a prominent figure in his studies.

“As graduate students in the (economics) department, a lot of what we do is very theoretical, and we don’t really get to see the fruits of that theory,” Perdana said. “Being able to learn from someone who’s taken that theory

(and) applied it to the real world in a meaningful way with the aim of making the world more equitable (and) more just, it’s really inspiring.”

The event was the first of many to take place over the three-day-long Democracy Summit, which began last year as a part of CSU’s thematic year of democracy. Now the summit is back to continue to facilitate conversations on democracy, this year with a focus on democratic innovation.

“We understand that democracy is always something we’re making together,” said Greg Dickinson, director of the Joe Blake Center for Engaged Humanities. “It’s never finished. It’s never finalized. So we always need to talk about democracy.”

Hamilton’s talk centered on creating a “human rights economy” — an economic model that seeks to promote human flourishing and civic engagement. The model is based on A. Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin’s “A ‘Freedom Budget’ for All Americans” as well as Martin Luther King Jr.’s Poor People’s Campaign.

“Our growth and obscene concentration of wealth and power is wreaking havoc on our democracy as well as our capacity to collectively

envision, establish and implement a just and inclusive society,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton attributed the current wealth disparities in the U.S. to an economic system rooted in slavery that has yet to overcome racist precedent that has been reinforced throughout history.

“To achieve racial justice, we need an honest and sobering confession about historical sins,” Hamilton said. “Reparations provide a retrospective, direct and parsimonious approach to redress the black (and) white wealth gap. Moreover, it requires public responsibility and atonement for that long history of racial injustice.”

A human rights economy would seek to correct existing racial and class imbalances through an understanding of the economy driven by civil rights.

Hamilton said the modern framing of poverty as a choice needs to be challenged with historical context that suggests economic disparity is intentional and systemic.

“The racial wealth gap, income inequality, wage stagnation and the persistence of poverty that characterize the American economy, they’re not natural nor are they accidental,” Hamilton said. “They are the direct and

deliberate result of laws, practice and policy, both past and present, designed to serve specific interests.”

Given these systemic inequities, Hamilton said the American people need to fight for meaningful policy interventions that address poverty at its root.

“The solution to poverty is to abolish it directly by a now well-discussed measure: guaranteed income,” Hamilton said. “King’s call for a federal job guarantee, guaranteed income and even reparations reflected his belief — broadly speaking — that poverty is a moral failing of the nation, and for people to truly be free, it requires resources.”

For example, he proposed that the government implement publicly funded trust accounts, known as baby bonds, which would provide all Americans with financial resources upon turning 18. Baby bonds function like social security, in which taxes are collected and redistributed to each person at a certain age.

“Baby bonds is a guaranteed birthright to capital,” Hamilton explained. “It ensures that the benefit of wealth building will not be reserved exclusively for those that have wealth

and opens the door for many people to have that wealth.”

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

Reach Chloe Waskey at news @collegian.com.

Professor Darrick Hamilton answers questions during the Q&A after his keynote speech at Colorado State University’s Democracy Summit March 5. PHOTO BY ALI MASHBURN THE COLLEGIAN

PHOTO BY SOFIA RAIKOW THE COLLEGIAN

FREE EXPRESSION

Students, faculty reflect on chalking as tool for protest, activism

By Carlee Elders @csucollegian

In the middle of the Lory Student Center Plaza, crouched in a squat position, Colorado State University junior Sophia Johnson uses a light yellow Crayola chalk marker to touch up one of her previous works, once bright blue but now faded on the pavement.

The large sans serif font read, “Let this radicalize you rather than lead you to despair.”

Johnson was lucky that only feet and bicycle wheels had worn the chalk out. Not everyone agrees with what she says or respects her First Amendment right to express it. One day, she found that her drawing of President Donald Trump and a guillotine had been washed away. Throughout history, activists have used chalk to spread awareness of their cause. Johnson is one of those activists, making her mark at CSU.

A pot of boiling passion

During her first week at CSU, Johnson saw a man holding up a sign, voicing his beliefs on campus.

“(The comments were) Islamophobic, homophobic, transphobic, very sexist (and) very misogynistic,” Johnson said. Although he received pushback from those on campus, he did not stop. The memory of his presence embedded itself into Johnson’s brain.

She decided to act, setting aside twoto-three days a week to express her beliefs where her fellow CSU students could see.

The pot filled with passion began to boil in her small hometown of Pueblo, Colorado. Her first actions as an activist, however, were far from small. During high school, Johnson founded the Gender & Sexuality Alliance club. Following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Johnson held a citywide protest in Pueblo, demanding that her body be released from the government’s restraints.

As the time drew near to vote on Amendment 79 in 2024, which gives women in Colorado the right to have an abortion paid for with state insurance, Johnson gained support by collecting signatures, facilitating voter registration and handing out contraceptives, to name a few.

Her anger overflowed following Trump’s presidential inauguration.

The DEI initiative was overturned, threatening Johnson’s chances for employment as a young brown woman in America.

“(Chalk) is free speech, and with everything that’s happening and me having my rights systematically taken away from me, … this is my way of kind of being able to take control of what I can do and exercise the rights I have while I still have them,” Johnson said.

Activist in the craft section

On the bottom shelf of a children’s craft section, shoppers will likely find a large box containing 48 chalk markers. Little do they know, these colorful sticks that stain kids’ hands have been activists’ tool for decades.

CSU’s policy on free speech and peaceful assembly dedicates an entire section to how students can use chalk on campus.

“Chalking is allowed only on the horizontal concrete ground (not on steps, paving stones, buildings or walls) and must be at least 15 feet away from any building entrance,” the website reads. It states that washable chalk must be used for these writings and drawings.

“Folks who work in the student center, you work for students,” said Pamela Norris, associate executive director of the Lory Student Center. “We’re trying to figure out how to uplift and elevate student opportunities to share their thoughts and concerns, even if that is against the administration.”

Norris said they are less concerned about the chalk message and more about how they can enforce it within the bounds defined by this policy.

“A lot of campuses don’t have a plaza that is anywhere near the size of ours to be able to chalk like that,” Norris said. “I think it is a really special part of campus.”

Professor of communication studies Karrin Vasby Anderson, who teaches an undergraduate course on political communication at CSU and studies gender and political identity, acknowledged that political cartoons and writing like Johnson’s have been utilized as an effective form of protest.

“This is a strategy that Banksy has used (along with) many artists throughout history, and so that’s always been a form of protest that has been recognized,” Anderson said.

Johnson said her artistic choice was inspired by activists in the Black Lives Matter movement who used chalk to spread the message to anyone looking at the ground.

“In Denver, walking around, you would see all sorts of BLM kind of chalk everywhere,” Johnson said.

One of Johnson’s friends, who is Palestinian, approached her after viewing her art.

“This work gives her hope and (reminds her) she’s not alone in her beliefs,” Johnson said.

Johnson’s friends are not the only people who show appreciation. Johnson said people of all backgrounds come and thank her for speaking out.

An activist’s groceries

“The first step to activism is to take care of our community,” Johnson said. How? With something as simple as a handheld grocery basket.

The black basket is decorated with small butterfly stickers, and a label lists web browsers safe from the government’s eye. Crowded together on the sides, there are a variety of QR codes that are designed to help struggling students. One directs students to a website that can help them receive abortion funds. Others include a helpline for Black transgender people and students who risk going back to red states because tuition is too expensive.

Johnson always keeps her “mutual aid basket” close. The resources inside help get people who pass by involved while they’re having fun being college students.

“When I get on the bus or (am) walking around Old Town, people can

“(Chalk) is free speech, and with everything that’s happening and me having my rights systematically taken away from me, … this is my way of kind of being able to take control of what I can do and exercise the rights I have while I still have them.”

SOPHIA JOHNSON CSU STUDENT

stop me and get some goodies,” Johnson said. “The purpose of my talk is to draw in people. … They can kind of see what I am doing on a deeper level.”

Inside the basket, students can find hand-printed flyers for meetings and petitions for the Young Democrats, which Johnson is an organizer of. She also includes heart-shaped queer flag stickers, legal rights cards for undocumented people, pregnancy strips, naloxone in case of an overdose, emergency Plan B and even small packets of fruit snacks in case students are hungry.

“Each Plan B I hand out, that is life-changing,” Johnson said. “That is going to stop a whole different alternate reality of someone caring for a baby and struggling with unwanted pregnancy. And so it’s these little domino effects that we’re putting in place. They all lead to something bigger.”

Freedom is a struggle

Johnson has been approached by people who discourage her work.

“A lot of people have issues, specifically with my ‘free Gaza’ and with my ‘free Palestine’ (chalking),” Johnson said. “People get really triggered over that.”

On the surface, verbally attacking Johnson or washing away her art appears immoral

and harsh, but according to Anderson, this is just another exercise of free will.

“Counterprotest is allowed in the free speech zone, so either writing oppositional messages or even washing messages away,” Anderson said. “They are both forms of protest.”

Anderson said that, in her opinion, there are better ways to engage, for example, with the situation in Gaza than through faceless protest.

“People of different political wings or religions should try to come together and share a meal and their perspectives,” Anderson said. “Engagement like that is a much more fruitful way to talk through some of these really hard issues.”

According to Johnson, facing criticism or getting involved is not the most difficult obstacle, whichever approach an activist may choose.

“The hardest part of being an activist is feeling like you’re failing constantly because we are in regression,” Johnson said. Johnson takes pride in her contribution to the success of Amendment 79 but is saddened that, under the Trump administration, it means nothing. Despite this, she still holds her head high.

“Like Angela Davis said, freedom is a constant struggle,” Johnson said.

Reach Carlee Elders at life @collegian.com.

Chalk writing that reads “If protest didn’t change anything, why is it always met with violence?” on the Lory Student Center Plaza Feb. 4. PHOTO BY CAIT MCKINZIE THE COLLEGIAN

Chalk is written across the Lory Student Center Plaza to let students know about a Young Democratic Socialists of America petition to make Colorado State University a sanctuary campus Feb. 4. PHOTO BY CAIT MCKINZIE THE COLLEGIAN

INFLUENTIAL FACULTY

Camille Dungy creates lasting impact through writing, teaching

By McKenna Van Voris @csucollegian

University

Distinguished Professor Camille Dungy is well-known in the English department at Colorado State University. Along with Dungy’s handful of publications, her experience in environmental writing, editing, podcasting and directing CSU’s creative writing program makes her an influential presence on campus.

It is this well-rounded experience that makes Dungy a magnetic force among community members. In fact, for some students and faculty, Dungy is the reason they attend and teach at CSU.

“Camille is part of why I came to the job,” said Sarah Perry, an assistant professor of creative writing at CSU. “We’re reading admissions applications right now, and even in creative nonfiction, people mentioned Camille. … So she’s a big draw for the program, for students and for participation.”

One of the reasons individuals are so drawn to Dungy is the unique perspective she brings to literature. Dungy’s knowledge makes her a valuable asset to the students around her.

“From the very beginning, I feel like the way that she was commenting on my work and talking about it and reframing it for me has changed a lot of how I’ve

thought about it,” said Linnea Harris, a creative writing graduate student and Dungy’s assistant.

Dungy’s popularity can also be attributed to her unwavering passion to help others, whether through her teaching, advising or written work.

“The common denominator of all of these moments is that other people read the work that I’m doing and are moved by it, and maybe even changed or find themselves growing or understanding something better because of something that I wrote or edited, shared, gathered,”

Dungy said. “To me, (that) is the most rewarding thing.”

Dungy is largely known for her writing — likely another reason individuals are drawn to study under her. More specifically, Dungy has been recognized for her expertise when writing about concepts like landscape and culture.

“She seems like one of the people that is at the forefront of how we’re thinking about environmental writing now, especially in a creative nonfiction sense, like, writing about personal connection with landscapes, which is a lot of what ‘Soil’ is about,” Harris said.

Dungy’s most recent publication, “Soil: The Story of A Black Mother’s Garden,” delves into the connections between Dungy’s garden and the cultural and historical elements of the city surrounding her.

CULTURAL EDUCATION

“I was really interested in paying careful attention to what was happening right around me, starting super close to home and then expanding out to think about how the work that I was doing at home and the changes that I was putting into my very local space was influenced, and the larger cultural and historical questions that were rolling around all of us at that point,” Dungy said.

Harris elaborated on Dungy’s writing style, describing it as a unique blend between her poeticism and her skillful capacity to link concepts.

“I remember just sort of being so struck by the way that she was able to connect different things that I didn’t think were connected,” Harris said. “Because she’s a poet, too, she is able to write in a way that’s so lyrical and beautiful while also talking about really important things.”

Dungy fits into many different hats at CSU. Instead of assuming one role, Dungy welcomes a combination of different titles.

“To me, (she) feels like a really nice blend of a mentor but also a friend and a colleague,” Perry said. “She is more experienced as an academic and (in) publishing than me, but I don’t feel a hierarchy there.”

However, Dungy’s influence stretches beyond just the CSU community. Her work covers important trends that can be seen in societies across the globe.

“At CSU, she is such a force within our department, and we all know her so well, but I hope more people know her and the impact of her work in Colorado and in the world,” Harris said. Through her work, Dungy hopes to leave a positive impact on those around her.

“I just want more love, more true care for other people and other

living beings on this planet and more ways of understanding how we’re all interconnected and dependent on each other for our mutual, positive flourishing,” Dungy said. “I want my work to be part of that effort to increase the expansiveness of love and care in our society.”

Reach McKenna Van Voris at life@collegian.com.

Gender and ethnic studies majors face programming changes at CSU

By Ella Dorpinghaus @csucollegian

The class EDUC 265: A Culture of Care in Schools has been offered at Colorado State University since 2014.

Taught by Fulbright scholar, nonprofit owner and CSU Professor Tom Cavanagh, this class provides a variety of techniques for up-and-coming teachers to make their classes more welcoming for all students.

During class on Tuesday, however, Cavanagh announced that his class will not be offered next semester. The class, although it is housed within the race, gender and ethnic studies department, attracts students from a variety of majors and backgrounds.

Cavanagh’s work occupies a unique place in academia at CSU. As the founder of Restorative Justice Education, a nonprofit that aims to bring restorative justice to classrooms across the United States, Cavanagh brings a distinct perspective regarding education.

“I have a very unique niche, and my work actually travels between both education and ethnic studies,” Cavanagh said. “It’s not unusual in ethnic studies. ... Mine is all about asking, ‘How do we create a culture of care in schools?’”

When asked about his work, Cavanagh was quick to note that teaching restorative

justice in the classroom is not a political issue. By teaching various techniques that promote collaboration, communities are encouraged to be stronger and more supportive. Cavanagh cares deeply for the students within his own classes.

The students sat in a circle and spent the first few minutes of class checking in with each other. During the check-in, multiple students, especially those majoring in ethnic studies, expressed fear and concern for the future of their major. Facing recent changes like those detailed in the Dear Colleague letter, the race, gender and ethnic studies department may have to adhere to new policies.

“We didn’t know what we’d be teaching in the fall in the department until this week, which is pretty darn late,” Cavanagh said.

For ethnic studies students like Alexis Sixtos Mejia, the upcoming semester is largely up in the air. Sixtos Mejia said that even his professors are unaware of what is going to happen in the near future.

“The department itself is, like, facing so many changes, ... and it’s just really sad that it has to go away,” Sixtos Mejia said.

As a student with many semesters ahead of him, Sixtos Mejia, like many race, gender and ethnic studies students, is unsure if the classes needed for the major will be offered next semester.

For other students at CSU like Jose Gutierrez, who is majoring in both ethnic

studies and political science, significant alterations to the race, ethnic and gender studies major may cause students to switch their courses of study.

“I’m an incoming freshman and, moving to my sophomore year, I might have to change my major because there’s not going to be many courses offered,” Gutierrez said.

For students whose college plans hinged on earning a degree in race, gender and ethnic studies, their plans may have to change quickly, as fewer and fewer of the courses are being offered at CSU.

“Classes are going to be taken away, so that’s really what sucks,” Gutierrez said. “I was really passionate about ethnic studies.”

As for Cavanagh, he said he hopes to provide his students with as much reassurance and information as possible. When asked what he would tell students who are nervous about upcoming changes at CSU, he said, “Just as you are, you’re good enough.”

Reach Ella Dorpinghaus at life @collegian.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAMILLE DUNGY

From Serbia to CSU: Nikola Djapa brings European basketball presence

By Devin Imsirpasic @dimsirpasic

Belgrade, Serbia, to Fort Collins, Colorado: a near 5,700-mile journey to find a place to call home.

For Nikola Djapa, he found just the place to continue his basketball career.

Djapa is from Belgrade, Serbia — a city with a population of over 1 million — where he played basketball his entire life. Starting from club basketball as a child all the way to the Serbian national team and FIBA U18 tournaments, Djapa grew accustomed to international games.

However, with sights set on playing Division I basketball in the United States, he felt a change was needed.

“I started playing basketball when I was 8 in one really small club in Serbia,” Djapa said. “That’s how I started my journey. After that, I transferred to a team named Red Star and played there for a couple of years. Then I went to the club named Mega, which is a really big club in Serbia. ... And after that, when I was supposed to start playing professionally, I decided instead of that to go and finish my last year of high school in America.”

To test his game at the American level, Djapa played a year of high school basketball at Hoosac School in New York.

Djapa’s fresh start involved the significant sacrifice of moving across the world. Although his primary intention was to advance his basketball career, this colossal adjustment also came with changes to his everyday life.

“The biggest struggle was adjusting to a new culture and language,” Djapa said. “Everything was different, from the

food to the way people interact. It was challenging at first couple months, but over time, I got more comfortable.”

After that single year, he committed to play in-state at Long Island, fulfilling his goal to play American Division I basketball.

At LIU, Djapa finished his freshman season with an average of 6.1 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per game. When he decided to find a new destination to utilize his skills for his sophomore season, his sight was set on the Rams.

“My set of skills as a big man, I think I can do a lot,” Djapa said. “How coach plays basketball, I think that’s a really good system of playing where I can show all my skill set.”

Djapa transferred to Colorado State during the offseason and came in as the tallest on the team at 6 feet, 11 inches, as well as the only true center.

Throughout the regular season, as the Rams have settled into their conference schedule, Djapa’s minutes continued to increase. Averaging 9.4 minutes per game in his final 10 games of the year, Djapa found himself a steady role on a flourishing CSU squad.

“I’m just doing what I’m supposed to do: playing defense, getting rebounds, protecting the post,” Djapa said. “(The chemistry) has been great throughout the whole year, especially before the season, as if you can get really good chemistry between players before the season, it will be much better during the season.”

For Djapa, an entire lifestyle change from Serbia to America along with leaving a huge part of his life behind for his future benefit was an extremely hard decision to make and fulfill.

As much as Djapa dominates as an international player within the NCAA,

there are over 2,000 combined Division I and II international basketball players.

The international stage around men’s and women’s basketball in the NCAA is reaching extreme heights. In the past, international players approaching college — specifically those from regions in Europe, such as Djapa — frequently chose to play professionally in their home countries, with solid basketball competition and clubs in the surrounding areas.

“Just work hard. (Hard work) is always going to pay off; your opportunity is going to come like mine came here. I didn’t play the first part of the season. I started one game and played really good, and if I wasn’t working hard, I wouldn’t play good that game.”

NIKOLA DJAPA CENTER

Now, with new changes in the way the NCAA treats its players, a large shift has been taking place, changing the entire look of college hoops.

“The rise of international players shows that talent is everywhere, all around the world, and the game is

evolving to be more global,” Djapa said. “I think the NBA and NCAA are really recognizing that the best players can come from all over the world, and it’s changing the style of play to be more diverse.”

“I think there’s a huge impact,” Djapa said. “Many, many players from foreign countries are coming to the U.S. because of the (name, image and likeness) opportunities. And social media is really big here, so if you play good, that really can impact scouts seeing you and other coaches from Europe when you want to go play professionally.”

A longstanding stereotype regarding European basketball in comparison to American basketball is the difference in physicality and game fundamentals.

As Djapa transitions off the court, he seeks to approach the game differently in order to adapt to the style of play in the United States.

“My game has become more individualoriented in the NCAA,” Djapa said. “In Serbia, the focus was more on the team, but also here is team-oriented. … It’s all about playing within the system and trusting the team. The pace is much faster and the athleticism is higher, and that really pushed me to improve my conditioning, strength and decision making.”

As absurd as the growth of players from the Eastern European region has been in college basketball around the country, the numbers in the state of Colorado alone are head-turning.

Players such as Andrej Jakimovski from North Macedonia, Matija Jordovic from Serbia and Viktor Lukic-Gavric from Sweden make up just a fraction of the European men’s basketball population in the state.

Considering NBA champion and reigning MVP Nikola Jokic — who is

from Serbia — is dominating for the Denver Nuggets, it shows the shared strength between players through their similar backgrounds.

“It’s really nice to see how many people that you can speak your language with, and that really makes me happy,” Djapa said. “(I like) when I can have a conversation with someone that is from my country or some country around Serbia.”

As international numbers climb, some challenges arise for those from foreign countries as they get accustomed to a college game that is still mainly American at the end of the day.

“I think international players are generally respected, but there are always challenges,” Djapa said. “Sometimes, there’s a bit of a cultural barrier, and we’re not always fully understood. But I hope for more support in terms of adjusting off the court. But overall, I think international players bring a unique style and mindset to the game.”

As the Rams prepare for a run at the Mountain West title, Djapa’s eagerness to improve and show how the international game can help the college basketball landscape increases. He said he wishes the best to any young player trying to make their American basketball dream come true.

“Just work hard,” Djapa said. “(Hard work) is always going to pay off; your opportunity is going to come like mine came here. I didn’t play the first part of the season. I started one game and played really good, and if I wasn’t working hard, I wouldn’t play good that game. ... Wait for the opportunity. Somebody’s going to see you and be prepared.”

Reach Devin Imsirpasic at sports@collegian.com.

Nikola Djapa (23) swings from the hoop after dunking the ball Jan. 28. Djapa proved himself as an asset against the U.S. Air Force Academy, helping Colorado State University win 79-58. PHOTO BY AVERY COATES THE COLLEGIAN

SHIFTING PERSPECTIVES

Changing conversations redefine treatment of athletes in sports

By Michael Hovey @michaelfhovey

The way fans view athletes is changing as new conversations reshape the sports landscape.

As the conversation surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion in sports continues to evolve within the United States, some fans are addressing the intricate issues at play, especially regarding women athletes, social media dynamics and the evolving treatment of athletes within various systems.

Aaunterria T. Bollinger-Deters, an instructor in the department of race, gender and ethnic studies at Colorado State University and a doctoral candidate in journalism and media communication, specializes in the intersection of digital culture, racialized womanhood and media representations.

“I love women getting recognition for the sport,” Bollinger-Deters said. “It’s important to see generational interest in women’s sports. It’s something that shows how thirsty people are for women-centric teams.

The fans shouting, ‘We want a team,’ at the Colorado takeover tour showcased that there’s a real demand for women’s teams, and I believe the same for the WNBA.”

However, tensions persist despite the rising attention.

The treatment of women athletes stems from the history of their profession, but an increasingly digitized age creates thinner boundaries for the public. How fans react to players’ personal lives has varied.

“There are interesting tensions around women’s sports, especially in the U.S., where we love sports but also have an antithetical view on women,” BollingerDeters said. “The level of aggression, especially toward women athletes, is heightened by misogyny and racism, as seen with Breanna Stewart’s wife receiving death threats because of her performance. There’s a toxic competitiveness with women, and it’s also racialized.”

With a recent national increase in interest within the WNBA, athletes face greater scrutiny.

Chaz Callendar, a master’s student in the journalism and media communication department at CSU, noticed the broader societal challenges that influence DEI efforts in sports.

“DEI, at its best, is supposed to be fixing a problem that has been embedded in America for a long time,”

Callendar said. “The only problem with that is that a lot of Americans don’t like the idea of it — don’t like the process of it — because fixing the structure means that people are inherently going to be shifted within a particular

INCREASE REPRESENTATION

power structure that they have become comfortable in.”

Online media platforms have created more security in these beliefs and less reception to those opposed. As evidenced by the Pew Research Center, “79% (of people) in the U.S. believe access to the internet and social media has made people more divided in their political opinions.” With a more apparent integration between athletes and the beliefs they hold, this effect could extend to a more divisive level.

Luckily, good still exists within the sports sphere.

“On social media, fans will create accounts to uplift underappreciated players, showing the positive ways people connect through sports,” Bollinger-Deters said. “But there’s also toxicity with players receiving death threats when they perform poorly, such as in betting losses. It’s a toxic space but also one where fans rally around players they want to see succeed.”

The popularization of sports gambling led to a record-high $11 billion in annual revenue in 2023. Athletes are, of course, at the center of that rapid expansion.

In a separate evolution, college athletes are now more intertwined in dollars than ever before. While the structure of college sports may have changed, its effect still remains the same.

“It is a money-making scheme,” Callendar said. “Athletes are there to be

able to fund the university. That’s why we have this, you know, a massive football stadium that costs ($220 million), but, like, our teachers, we have adjuncts who still can’t make a livable wage because adjuncts don’t fund the university — the stadium does.”

Having experienced both roles, Callendar felt the pressure as an athlete.

“I played basketball for over half of my life,” Callendar said. “But I was also well aware that as a young Black man playing basketball, there was this inherent playing, entertaining the crowd who don’t necessarily see you as a human being.”

Some sports fans aren’t as receptive to personal showings from athletes, as

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY ELI CROCKER THE COLLEGIAN

they are paid professionals in a particular sport. Navigating societal roles has become increasingly harder, and athletes often have contractual obligations to a certain organization or team with its own unique set of values.

“‘Stay in your lane,’ essentially comes from not choosing what the particular fan wants you to say,” Callendar said. “Because (they) always (say), ‘Stay in your lane,’ when ... you’re advocating for DEI or something that actually goes against how sports are structured.”

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

Reach Michael Hovey at  sports@collegian.com.

Graser, Vu: Colorado deserves WNBA, PWHL sports teams

By Alex Graser & John Vu @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. Now is the perfect time for Denver, Colorado, to get a Women’s National Basketball Association and a Professional Women’s Hockey League team. Recently, women’s sports have been growing at a rapid pace with the

addition of the PWHL and increased viewership of the WNBA. With the surge of recognition for rising stars like Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky, fan engagement in women’s professional sports has spiked. Additionally, the National Women’s Soccer League announced a new expansion team Jan. 30 to Denver. This new team is the only current major professional women’s sports team in the state.

However, Colorado deserves more than just one pro women’s sports team. Colorado should become one of

the leading states in the professional women’s sports movement.

In the past year, the WNBA received a lot more attention due to its new, exciting players. The competition is getting interesting, and the players are performing at an even higher level than in the past. This is the perfect time for a new Colorado-based team to enter the mix.

The peak of the WNBA hasn’t even started yet, and Colorado desperately needs to be a part of it. Right now, fans are seeing the formation of tomorrow’s legends. Most current fans are too young to remember the golden age of the NBA, with Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing, but the WNBA hasn’t had its golden age yet. It’s just now coming out of its early developmental years and is finding its foothold in the market. Denver needs to be a part of the WNBA and, consequently, witness the approaching golden age of women’s basketball.

Some ideal places for a WNBA team include Denver, Colorado Springs or Loveland. Denver is an obvious choice because it’s the capital of Colorado and has a well-established sports market as well a large arena capable of hosting a new team.

Colorado Springs would be a good option because it’s the second-biggest city in Colorado, with a population of almost half a million people. The Springs also has an arena that can hold nearly 8,000 people for a basketball game, which is a good size for a budding team.

Also, there are no other professional sports teams in Colorado Springs, creating less competition for a pro team.

Loveland already has a pro team: the Colorado Eagles, an American Hockey League team with an average attendance over 5,000 people. A dedicated following like that might just translate over to the WNBA. The team is also looking to build a new arena, which would be perfect for an expansion team. Northern Colorado, with its three large cities and proximity to the Wyoming market, offers a profitable region where fans can easily commute to see games.

Hockey, a game generally dominated by men, could see some great change in the future with the PWHL gaining traction.

The PWHL, announced in August 2023, is gliding through its second season and aiming to expand the popularity of women’s hockey. Denver represents the perfect city for this emerging sport.

The National Hockey League’s Colorado Avalanche already consider Denver to be home and have fostered a hockey culture that rivals any other city. The Avalanche’s average home attendance last year met Ball Arena’s near 18,000 capacity for hockey games.

Denver should be the next city to host women’s professional hockey because of the strength of its existing hockey culture.

A women’s professional hockey team can provide a great opportunity for the PWHL to grow the game. Having any professional sports team can be a great

inspiration to generations of women who want the same opportunities as men to grow and compete.

Many young women don’t get the same opportunities as their male counterparts, largely because of the lack of resources. But with the addition of a PWHL in such a highly invested city, it could provide additional resources to young women wanting to compete in the sport.

The addition of a team in Denver would also promote deeper community engagement. The game of women’s hockey is full of devoted athletes, coaches and fans, and with the potential expansion of another professional women’s sports team, the community could grow exponentially. The growth of one community can lead to the inception of another, and in this case, expanding the women’s hockey franchise could broaden the women’s sports community.

A Denver professional women’s hockey team may even inspire more diversity and inclusion within the sport. Women’s hockey would provide another environment for athletes to grow and learn.

Colorado sports fans are some of the most loyal fans throughout the entire country. They only want to see their teams succeed and grow, and it’d be no different with a women’s hockey team.

Reach Alex Graser and John Vu at sports@collegian.com.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY KAYLEE MADSON THE COLLEGIAN

Community calls for academic freedom in Stand Up for Science demonstration 7

Photos by Abigail Burns

1. A sign reading “Put Planet Over Profit” towers over Colorado State University students and faculty and Fort Collins community members who gathered for the nationwide Stand Up for Science protest March 7.

2. A protester holds up a sign referencing the new U.S. Department of Government Efficiency March 7. The department’s namesake used to be primarily equated with the widely recognized internet dog meme.

3. Students Oliver Milles, Reese Good and Torin Monthathong show off their homemade signs on the Lory Student Center Plaza at the start of the protest March 7. “Standing up for science means standing up for underrepresented communities and protecting the Earth,” Good said. “I am a conservation biology student devoting my life to research in this field, and as a research assistant, I have seen firsthand the realities of what these stop-work orders and the pulling of federal funding is doing to such critical research. Without science, important decisions being made about our Earth and our communities will become even less informed, and that’s the alarming reality I’m fighting against.”

4. CSU students and faculty and Fort Collins community members walk through The Oval on their way to Old Town Square March 7.

5. CSU students and faculty and Fort Collins community members rally at the LSC Plaza March 7. “This is the worst existential threat that higher education has ever faced,” said Mary Van Buren, president of CSU’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors. “Whether we use critical race theory or the theory of evolution in our research, we must defend our right — our obligation — to investigate, freely, the world around us.”

6. Students and other protesters temporarily stop traffic on College Avenue while marching in the Stand Up for Science protest March 7.

7. A student holds up a sign that reads “Hands Off Our Careers!” March 7. Attendees created signs like these to protest the firing of federal employees in agencies like the U.S. Forest Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Park Service.

8. Fort Collins community members gather on the LSC Plaza, hearing opening statements for the protest March 7. Most signs referenced the threat of federal funding toward scientific research and the firing of federal workers in recent weeks.

9. Protesters hold signs on their way up College Avenue toward Old Town Square in support of the nationwide Stand Up for Science protest March 7.

10. Demonstrators gather in Old Town Square March 7. Protesters held various political signs, such as “Fascists Fear Education,” “Science Not Silence” and “Time To React.”

8 9 10

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Hundreds in FoCo community rally against censorship in Stand Up for Science march

By Chloe Waskey @csucollegian

Nearly 1,000 Colorado State University students and faculty and Fort Collins community members gathered at the Lory Student Center Plaza Friday, March 7, to march in the national Stand Up for Science 2025 movement. For three hours, participants marched from the LSC to Old Town and back, giving speeches and reciting chants.

The march, which was organized by the local STEM Interdisciplinary Ram Alliance at CSU, advocated for bipartisan support for the continuation of scientific research. Fort Collins Police Services stopped traffic along College Avenue to allow protesters to safely march along the route.

“It was the desperate plea for people to understand that science is unbiased and that it benefits everyone,” said Victoria Silva, SIRA co-president.

Participants held signs with slogans reading, “Defend Not Defund,” “Science Saves Lives”and “Vaccines Cause Adults” while chanting, “Fight for science, fight for the future” and “Research makes our country grow.”

The crowd of demonstrators steadily grew as community members joined in support, with no significant counterprotests emerging.

“We just wanted to support students who are concerned about their rights

and future,” Silva said. “We wanted to be able to name and put a face to the repercussions of what’s going on.”

The march followed a series of actions by President Donald Trump, who stated his intent to block federal funding for higher education, potentially impacting scientific research programs at CSU and nationwide.

“In an honest world, truth would be enough and science would be apolitical,” said Brian Munsky, CSU associate professor and march organizer.

“Dishonest politics promote lies, hate and fear in efforts to intimidate us into ignoring the data and accepting their biases, even in the face of overwhelming, contradictory evidence. When confronting movements of lies and prejudice, scientists no longer have the luxury to be apolitical.”

According to CSU’s federal updates website, “The White House has issued multiple executive orders and taken federal actions that have implications for federally funded grants, agreements and contracts.”

The website warns that some federal research grants could be halted on March 14, 2025, when Congress determines whether to continue a financial resolution. Already, some research grants have been put under stop-work orders, though the orders have been temporarily blocked by the federal judiciary.

“People are being told that they can’t get grants with ‘climate change’ in it;

they have to change it to ‘an unusually hot summer,’” said Giovanna Paterno, protest marshal and CSU student. “The blatant, unlawful censorship is concerning because if they can censor climate change, what else will they decide that doesn’t meet their agenda?”

Many protesters expressed their concern that the Trump administration’s actions against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives could impact the future of science. A list of federally restricted words and phrases was released Friday, March 7, which could censor past and future research efforts.

“People who are not qualified to be making decisions about science are making decisions, and that has great impacts,” Silva said. “It’s a detriment to the pursuit of knowledge.”

Silva said SIRA plans to collaborate with community members and students to construct a list of concerns that will be presented to college deans and state representatives.

“Our research is done by all kinds of people, and this research benefits all of us,” Ph.D. candidate Gabrielle Leung said in a speech. “We are calling on our state officials and CSU leadership to do better.”

Infectious disease doctor Akash Gupta said science-adverse public policy could lead to detrimental outcomes.

A protester holds up a sign that reads “No Censorship in Science” in reference to the recent attempts to censor certain words and topics from federally funded research March 7. “For me, it’s essential to stand up for truth, and the truth is — whether or not it’s reflected in judiciary choices — these executive orders defunding good, hardworking people who protect and manage our lands based upon facts and data and the censorship of climate change is absolutely unconstitutional,” Colorado State University senior Giovanna Paterno said. “This is not the United States I believe in, and I will fight for what I believe this country can be no matter what the administration does. I will never give up on fighting for the lands that raised me and the people that depend on them.” PHOTO BY

ABIGAIL BURNS

“In the last month, I have seen the policy be so terrible and so awful that people are already dying,” Gupta said. “The future is incredibly scary if that continues.”

Echoing these concerns, Silva highlighted the responsibility of scientists to garner awareness for the importance of their work.

“Our academic freedom was and is being threatened, and it has been already impacted,” Silva said. “As scientists who understand the ramifications and potential ripple effects of what’s being done now that could impact the world literally forever, we cannot stay silent as the people who understand those ramifications literally better than anyone.”

Reach Chloe Waskey at science @collegian.com.

STAGE MAGIC

‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ explores whimsy of fables, theater culture

By Robert Sides @csucollegian

Colorado State University Theatre is showcasing “Peter and the Starcatcher,” adapted by Rick Elice, from March 7-14. The play is a theater classic that tells the tale of Peter Pan’s backstory, following his journey across ships and forests to find his home.

The listing for the play on CSU’s Events Calendar says the fable features how “marauding pirates, jungle tyrants, unwilling comrades and unlikely heroes playfully explore the depths of greed and despair and the bonds of friendship, duty and love.”

“I’ve seen a CSU play before, and it’s so good,” attendee Avery Adair said. “I loved the last one, too, but this one is fabulous.”

The play puts a unique spin on the ebb and flow of traditional play structure. Its pacing is dynamic, keeping the audience on their toes and making it almost impossible to guess what comes next.

Humor plays a substantial role in the production as well. Though bouts of seriousness for the purposes of plot and character development are present and well utilized, the jokes make up the foundation of the play’s appeal.

Jokes of many sorts frequently spill from the cast, consisting

of silly humor and pithy banter. Most everyone can find a part of the play to laugh at or with.

The humor, along with several fourth wall breaks, displays a side of theater that few other plays dare to explore: the absurdity of theater plots. The play shows the raw nature of theater in a way that simultaneously mocks and celebrates the craft.

“I am really impressed with the whole setup, and it’s creative that they’ve done two ships on the same set; I think that’s cool to see.”

TIM STASEVICH “PETER AND THE STARCATCHER” ATTENDEE

“It’s one of my favorites in general because it makes fun of theater plotlines,” said Auden Henning, an attendee. The sound design enhanced the atmosphere of the play.

A notable part of such was the organic use of a keyboard, a drum set and a variety of auxiliary percussion instruments. These were used

for both music and general sound effects.

The set design contained replicas of two ships in the first act, one named “The Wasp” and the other called “Neverland,” and a forest for the second act.

The set crew utilized the most of an otherwise limited space, and the result of their effort drew in as much attention as the acting.

“I am really impressed with the whole setup, and it’s creative that they’ve done two ships on the same set; I think that’s cool to see,” attendee Tim Stasevich said. “We were sitting next to the sound, so seeing that next to us as well was really exciting.”

The play’s keystone scenes drive the mood of the play. In between the comical moments that progress the plot — and make light fun of it at the same time — the audience gets hit with an emotional punch right through the soul. What is most impressive is not how well the show jokes around but how well it weighs on viewers in the spots where it counts.

“Peter and the Starcatcher” will be showcased at 7:30 p.m each evening from March 1214. Tickets can be found at the Ticket Office website for the University Center for the Arts.

Reach Robert Sides at entertainment@collegian.com.

LOCAL CREATIVITY

First Friday Art Walk lights up FoCo with art,

music

By Riley Paling @rileypaling

Downtown Fort Collins came alive with vibrant energy during the First Friday Art Walk, a cherished monthly tradition that celebrates the city’s rich tapestry of art, culture and community.

From 6-9 p.m. March 7, residents and visitors alike embarked on a self-guided tour through the heart of the city, exploring a diverse array of artistic expressions showcased across numerous venues.

One of the evening’s highlights was the Dandelions & Rust Spring Fashion Show. Attendees were treated to a preview of the latest trends, featuring fresh denim, flirty intimates and must-have styles for spring 2025. The runway event exuded confidence, creativity and effortless chic, setting the tone for the upcoming season.

Art enthusiasts found a haven at the Center for Creativity, which featured the works of Daniel Slack. His sculptures, inspired by timelessness and the natural world, captivated visitors with their depth and artistry. Complementary wine and soft drinks added to the ambiance, making it a memorable stop on the art walk.

Edge Optics transformed its space into a sensory experience, combining visual art, live music and culinary treats. The evening featured artworks by Noodle in a Haystack, Jaden Scott and Lydia Cruz, accompanied by live music from Jesse Lee. Guests indulged in handmade chocolates from Voulez Vous Bonbons and savored Southern Asian Mexican fusion cuisine from the Sam Sauce food truck, creating a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

Walnut Creek is another vibrant collective that brings

together artisans, crafters and artists under one roof. Housed in the historic P. Anderson Mercantile Co. building, this market-style venue offers a diverse array of unique, handmade items, including jewelry, repurposed furniture, boutique clothing, vintage goods and handcrafted gifts. For First Friday, they hosted a nonprofit called “Living Her Legacy,” which highlights 48 important and influential women who made history in Fort Collins.

“It’s a nonprofit that’s 10 years old, and we’ve been approved to create the first historic public outdoor art education exhibit in Fort Collins,” said Patti Smith, founder and executive director of LHL.

Trimble Court Artisans, a longstanding co-op gallery in Fort Collins, presented Mug Madness, a special showcase of handcrafted mugs. The exhibition featured a lineup of designs, from rustic Earth-toned pieces to vibrant contemporary creations, each reflecting the unique craftsmanship of local artisans. Visitors were invited to explore and purchase these functional art pieces, deepening their connection to the local art community.

“I love First Friday because it’s like a party,” said Diane Findley, the oldest standing member of Trimble Court Artisans. “I am going to turn up the music, and I’m going to put on some Otis Red and dance.”

At the Museum of Art Fort Collins, the evening featured a reading of Ekphrastic Poetry inspired by the current exhibition, “Remember me,” by Jane Waggoner Deschner. Led by Fort Collins Poet Laureates Melissa Mitchell and Ally Eden, the session offered a unique blend of visual and literary art, enriching the cultural tapestry of the event.

Bookstore on the Square, an LGBTQ+ and woman-owned

independent bookstore located in Old Town Square, opened its doors to art and literature enthusiasts. The event featured live music performances that added a melodic backdrop to the evening, enhancing the ambiance for visitors exploring the curated selection of new and used books. Additionally, the bookstore showcased artwork from local artists, creating a vibrant fusion of visual and literary arts.

“I started out actually as an artist with a booth with (Petrichor Collective) doing my pop-up bookstore,” said Megan Murray, owner of Bookstore on the Square. “And then as soon as I got my brick and mortar location, I invited them to have their artists come different ones each month, so rotating groups of artists for First Fridays.”

The First Friday Art Walk not only highlighted established venues but also embraced emerging artists and unique collaborations. For instance, CC’s Flowers hosted members of the Good Bones studio collective, Amy Powell and Bethany Economos. Powell’s watercolor and oil paintings, rich with folklore themes, and Economos’ mixed media art offered visitors a blended artistic experience within the floral shop’s charming setting. Another notable collaboration was at Mugs Old Town, where Tangled Antlers Art showcased unique skull art inspired by nature. The evening was enhanced by live indie-alternative rock music from Eli Brady, shaping a dynamic atmosphere of both tangible and intangible expression.

For those who missed the March event, the First Friday Art Walk is a recurring celebration held from 6-9 p.m. on the first Friday of each month, inviting everyone to explore and engage with the local art scene.

Reach Riley Paling at entertainment@collegian.com.

Xavier Pereira, an artist whose work was showcased at the Fort Collins First Friday Art Walk, smiles with his painting March 7. “I’m a local artist here in Fort Collins,” Pereira said. “I partner with, like, this art collective in town where we have a number of different artists.” PHOTO BY KATELYNN ORTEGA THE COLLEGIAN

The cast of “Peter and the Starcatcher” performs as mermaids at the beginning of act two March 6. PHOTO BY ALLIE SEIBEL THE COLLEGIAN

The cast of “Peter and the Starcatcher” performs as mermaids on Mollusk Island March 6. The play runs through March 14 at the University Center for the Arts. PHOTO BY ALLIE SEIBEL THE COLLEGIAN

CREATIVE FREEDOM

Federal policy shifts threaten CSU art department’s DEI initiatives

By Riley Paling @rileypaling

Recent executive orders issued by President Donald Trump in early 2025 have introduced significant challenges for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives nationwide, including those at Colorado State University.

With the elimination of federal DEI programs and grants, CSU’s art program faces potential funding reductions, curriculum changes and shifts in hiring and admissions policies. One of the most immediate concerns for CSU’s department of art and art history is the potential loss of federal grants that have historically supported diversity-focused initiatives.

The National Endowment for the Arts, a key funding source for arts education, has revised its grant guidelines to align with Executive Order 14151, “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing.” This change limits support for programs that promote DEI or gender-related themes, potentially slashing financial aid for students, faculty positions and outreach programs aimed at underrepresented communities.

Similarly, the National Science Foundation has begun reviewing and flagging grants containing DEIrelated language to comply with the order. This scrutiny could impact

CSU’s ability to secure research funding that integrates diversityfocused elements.

A decrease in DEI funding could lead to modifications in CSU’s curriculum, particularly regarding courses that teach diverse artistic traditions. Without financial support, the university may struggle to offer programs that highlight historically marginalized voices in the arts.

Further complicating matters, federal pressure on accreditation agencies could influence how art programs structure their courses and policies. The American Bar Association, for example, has already suspended its DEI standards under pressure from the U.S. Department of Justice. While this decision directly affects law schools, it signals a broader federal stance that may impact accreditation bodies overseeing art programs, potentially forcing CSU to adjust its DEI-related course offerings.

If DEI-focused hiring and admissions practices come under legal scrutiny, CSU may be required to alter its recruitment processes. Executive Order 14173, “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring MeritBased Opportunity,” specifically prohibits race- and gender-conscious hiring and contracting practices within federal agencies. As universities nationwide reassess their DEI initiatives to ensure compliance, CSU could face challenges in maintaining diversity among faculty and students.

Without specific efforts to help recruit underrepresented groups, the program’s student body and faculty composition may shift, potentially reducing the range of perspectives in classroom discussions and in artistic expression.

CSU’s partnerships with external organizations could also see shifts as a result of the federal policy changes. Many institutions and businesses that prioritize DEI may reevaluate their collaborations with universities adjusting to the new federal mandates. This could impact internship opportunities, external funding sources and exhibition partnerships that previously supported CSU’s art students and faculty.

Conversely, some organizations may step in to fill the gap left by federal funding cuts. State arts councils, private foundations and local nonprofits could provide alternative financial support for diversity-driven art programs. However, securing these funds may require CSU to modify its existing programs to align with the priorities of new funding sources.

Students and faculty invested in diversity initiatives may advocate for maintaining DEI principles through alternative means, such as studentled programs, private fundraising or partnerships with organizations that continue to prioritize inclusion. At the same time, state-level policies and university leadership decisions will play a crucial role in shaping CSU’s response to the federal mandates.

To mitigate the impact of lost federal grants, CSU’s art program may explore these alternative funding sources. Entities like the Ford Foundation have historically supported diversity in higher education and could offer financial backing for DEI-related art programs.

Colorado’s state art councils and local cultural organizations may provide funding for initiatives that promote diverse artistic representation. Also, collaborations with local businesses, museums and nonprofits could help sustain programs that support underrepresented artists and diverse artistic traditions.

Despite the challenges posed by the federal orders, CSU’s art program

has options to adapt and maintain its commitment to artistic inclusivity. By securing alternative funding sources, fostering community-driven initiatives and strategically adjusting its curriculum, the university can continue to support a variety of artistic voices while navigating turbulent policy changes.

As the situation unfolds, CSU’s response will serve as a case study in how universities nationwide adjust to federal shifts in DEI policy, balancing compliance with their institutional values and educational missions.

Reach Riley Paling at entertainment@collegian.com.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY ALLI ADAMS THE COLLEGIAN

FIRST-YEAR PROGRAM

RLCs help students find belonging on CSU’s campus

By Dominique Lopez @caffeinateddee6

Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board. When I was staring at the residence halls’ website, deciding where I wanted to live and where I would best fit in, I struggled. I knew I was entering a predominately white institution, and I knew I had to find a place where I would be able to form community and find friends within the dorm. For me, it was a tie between a community focused on reading and Key Communities. Living in the Key Communities, for me, was a no-brainer. Not only did Braiden Hall, which is where these communities are located, have suitestyle rooms, but they also had classes that aligned with what I wanted to learn about. I knew that if I joined this community, I would be able to surround myself with people of color.

STATEWIDE CHANGE

I would also be able to learn about topics that interested me and catered toward my desire to learn more about my future career choices while at Colorado State University.

I was not only able to learn more, but I was able to find my own personal community that helped me thrive and feel comfortable in my new environment. Even now, many of the friends I have at CSU were found through Key Communities.

The problem with programs like Key Communities and other diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives being challenged by the government and CSU is that removing them makes it harder for students to find a community where they feel they belong. They also lose the chance to have someone on their side who is willing to advocate for them.

During my first semester at CSU, I was able to have a mentor within the Key Communities program who helped me navigate an issue of discrimination on campus. Thanks to Key Communities, I was able to understand and learn how to best advocate for myself. I might

not be at CSU today — or have had the same experience — if it weren’t for Key Communities.

Various challenges for students of color have arisen since inclusive language adjustments were made regarding DEI policies at CSU. There are programs in place on CSU’s campus that help students gain an understanding of the community they are a part of and feel as though they belong. It helps with the transition.

Plus, by including the Spanish version of the Key Communities website, a wider range of Latinx/é students and families can understand the community they are choosing to join. I’m not sure what my future would look like if I hadn’t been a part of the Key Communities environment my first year.

I can assume that I wouldn’t have the roommates and house that I have now. I know that I probably wouldn’t be able to have an extensive understanding of the history of Indigenous people. I may even not have had the chance to make

connections with professors outside of the journalism department. As someone who came to CSU and joined a residential learning community, I know how extremely important they are to the campus community and the people of color who choose to attend this institution. Key Communities is something that I promote and support, as it provides incoming students with a great learning opportunity.

But with all the challenges that the CSU community is now facing around DEI, I am struggling to find the best way to promote the benefits offered to those who are Latinx/é if they are unable find a community and mentors to help them understand and navigate challenges in their first year.

Reach Dominique Lopez at letters @collegian.com.

CSU isn’t advocating for DEI as well as other Colorado universities

By 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.

It may appear as though Colorado State University has discussed the recent diversity, equity and inclusion changes sweeping across the country, but let me remind you: The CSU administration is not addressing these executive orders; they’re rolling them over.

In fact, our own student body has taken a stronger, more definitive stance against the DEI bans than the

administration. We have been forced to stand up and advocate for our rights because the administration has made it clear that it will not do it for us or, at the very least, properly address our concerns. Other Colorado universities, however, have proven that it is possible to stand in solidarity with their students by advocating for DEI policies and programs that are crucial to their education and livelihoods.

The CSU administration portrays its compliancy as essential when, in fact, other universities that are equally affected by the same DEI policies have not removed nearly as many resources.

For example, CSU has removed several online resources for

LGBTQIA+ students, such as website pages with pronoun information and all-gender restroom locations, while Metropolitan State University of Denver, at the time of writing this, still has an extensive page of pronoun information and external resources.

MSU’s apparent defiance extends beyond links and pages. MSU Senior Director of Media and Public Relations Tim Carroll said in a statement: “We define ourselves by who we include, not who we exclude,” further emphasizing that its programs are open to all students. MSU has long offered a variety of DEI resources, including a DEI council, a center for equity and student achievement and

various affinity groups for those of similar backgrounds.

I understand that MSU’s response is the bare minimum; students shouldn’t have to ask their administration to protect their safe spaces — their rights, even — in any regard. But when CSU falls so desperately below the bare minimum, MSU’s outspokenness and lack of ambiguity is comparably appreciated.

Perhaps the loudest advocate for DEI initiatives has been the Colorado Community College System.

“What we care about is ensuring that people from diverse backgrounds have the opportunity to demonstrate their merit and advance based on it,” Chancellor Joe Garcia said in a statement to The Colorado Sun. “And of course in this country, historically, that’s not always been the case. … Some people with great merit, with great aptitude, with great intelligence, with great ambition simply have not had the opportunity to compete on a level playing field.”

The CCCS is composed of 13 different institutions that serve around 124,000 students per year, which is an undeniably immense number of people to represent. Though the schools have announced that they will now be more precise in what constitutes

DEI, their statement in its entirety is a commitment to support and continue their longstanding DEI programs. It’s honestly a pretty stark comparison when pitting CSU’s response against that of CCCS’s. As a school with an undergraduate population about a quarter of CCCS’s size, CSU is entirely capable of hearing, acknowledging and vocally supporting its students and staff, as well as the DEI initiatives impacting them, in the same exact way as CCCS. In a time when students need to hear affirmations and support from their public institutions, it’s important to look at other schools not only as a framework for improvement but as a way to pinpoint the flimsy excuses made by our own.

Students at CSU deserve better. We deserve a university administration that will vocally acknowledge our wants and needs — one that will stand by us and our rights as the federal government tries to take them away. And when we are told that such actions are not possible, we can point to other universities — within both the state and the country — and show that if institutions truly care enough about their students, they will stand up.

Reach Emma Souza at letters @collegian.com.

“Students at CSU deserve better. We deserve a university administration that will vocally acknowledge our wants and needs — one that will stand by us and our rights as the federal government tries to take them away.”

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY LAURYN SMITH THE COLLEGIAN

POLITICAL LIES

DEI does not mean what Trump says it does

By Astrid Thorn @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.

Since reentering the White House in January, President Donald Trump and his administration have made no effort to hide their extremist, far-right agenda. From waging a war on undocumented immigrants to withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and more, he has made it clear that he is in office for one reason: to promote a self-serving, oppressive, white supremacist agenda. Additionally, Trump has cracked down on programs that promote diversity and provide equal opportunities for people from marginalized communities. Diversity, equity and inclusion, more commonly referred to as DEI, are initiatives that ensure equitable opportunities for people of diverse identities and backgrounds, specifically in higher education and the workforce. DEI initiatives exist to ensure that people of different racial, ethnic and cultural

backgrounds, socioeconomic statuses, abilities and other diverse identities receive the same treatment and opportunities as their wealthy, white, systemically privileged counterparts.

A foundational aspect of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign was his aversion to DEI policies and his promise to halt all DEI programs and penalize organizations that keep such initiatives in place. Immediately after storming back into the Oval Office, Trump signed numerous executive orders attempting to put an end to what he refers to as “illegal and immoral discrimination programs.”

It is no secret that Trump is an avid user of conservative buzzwords, and the term DEI has been tossed around frequently within the MAGA community. However, much like other terms that are frequently used by Trump and his followers, the definition of DEI seems to be lost on all of them. Much like the references he makes to antifa and BLM, the way Trump speaks about DEI is completely inaccurate and serves to promote fear and hate among fragile white people.

Trump and his administration have long pushed the narrative that DEI policies are rooted in anti-white discrimination and have doubled

down on that idea since he got back in office. Staunch Trump supporters often believe that DEI programs have led to the forced removal of jobs and educational opportunities from qualified white individuals and have instead been offered to unqualified people of color. Additionally, they appear to be under the impression that DEI is part of a greater plot to erase white people from prestigious spaces, but this could not be further from the truth.

Trump’s harmful rhetoric surrounding DEI and equal opportunity programs has been extremely popular among the fascists and white supremacists that make up his — literal — cult following. Trump supporters are not known for their critical thinking, and his administration takes advantage of that. His administration has successfully convinced a significant portion of the American population that taking opportunities away from marginalized people is healthy for the nation and will, as he says over and over again, “Make America Great Again.”

In reality, revoking DEI initiatives is inarguably a profound step back for the United States and a glaring indicator of a shift into a fascist

governmental structure. Through his anti-DEI executive orders and the way he speaks about such initiatives, Trump is waging a clear attack on anyone who is not white, ablebodied, Christian or a native English speaker, along with those deemed to be an “outsider” through the Republican eye.

The United States was built on the idea of the “American Dream” — the belief that anyone, no matter their identity or background, can

build a successful life in this nation. This country was built by the hands of people from all over the world, who, despite their cultural, linguistic and religious differences, all came together for one common reason: They had faith in the American Dream. The United States thrives on diversity, equity and inclusion, and if those ideals are not protected, the entire country will suffer.

Reach Astrid Thorn at letters @collegian.com.

GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY TRIN BONNER THE COLLEGIAN

PUZZLES

Sudoku

WEEKLY HOROSCOPE

By Sophia Masia

TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (03/13/25)

ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)

If it feels like no one is listening to you, they probably aren’t. With all the retrograde happening in your sign, miscommunication is rampant. Don’t waste your energy explaining yourself to those who are committed to misunderstanding you. Everyone’s a critic. Hit “k” and move on, Aries.

TAURUS (APRIL 20 - MAY 20)

If your routine feels like a slow march toward burnout, it’s time to reevaluate. This week is about integrating more fun into your life. Take a break, step away from responsibilities and let yourself recharge. Solitude isn’t just a preference right now; it’s a necessity, Taurus.

GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 20)

Socializing might feel like a chore this week, and honestly, that’s fine. If drama is swirling in your friend group or you’re feeling disconnected, take a step back. Find pleasure in your own space, a creative project, a comfort show or just turning on “do not disturb.” Tune it all out, Gemini.

CANCER (JUNE 21 - JULY 22)

Changing how you communicate might shake

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)

The universe is forcing you to slow down. If your daily routines feel impossible to maintain, that’s your cue to switch things up. Assess what you need more of, when you feel best, who or what is draining you and what your body needs. Shake-ups and reroutes are just part of the process, Scorpio.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22DEC. 21)

things up, but staying silent isn’t an option anymore. You’re not going to walk on eggshells — nor should you. Just be mindful in professional settings, as Mercury retrograde messes with your public image. Speak up, Cancer.

LEO (JULY 23 - AUG. 22)

The eclipse this week is pushing you to get clear on what you value and change your perspective around sharing money, ideas or space with others. Stop resisting the change if something isn’t working. Avoiding the conversation — whether it’s with yourself or someone else — will not magically solve the problem, Leo.

VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEPT. 22)

The lunar eclipse in your sign is throwing everything under a microscope. Self-doubt, financial stress, intimacy issues — it’s all coming up. But instead of spiraling, use this time to edit. What narratives about your selfworth need rewriting, Virgo?

LIBRA (SEPT. 23 - OCT. 22)

The full moon is putting you front and center, ready or not. Big emotions are surfacing and relationships are complicated right now, so give yourself time alone to check in with yourself, how you show up in the world and how you navigate friendships, love and everything in between. Confidence is a work in progress, Libra.

Take some time to think about your friendships, communities and public life this week. Who you surround yourself with can make a world of difference in your own happiness, so surround yourself with people that fill your cup. Don’t let just anyone in your energy, Sagittarius.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19)

Sometimes when you work toward something for a long time, you forget, and it becomes less of a goal to achieve and more of a task to complete. This week, give yourself permission to walk away from whatever you need in order to move forward. Focus on the projects that energize you, Capricorn.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)

Your perspective is shifting, but articulating it is another story. Mercury retrograde in your communication sector is making conversations tricky, especially when it comes to shared resources. People can’t read your mind, so you’re going to have to advocate for yourself more than you usually would. Use your words, Aquarius.

PISCES (FEB. 19 - MARCH 20)

Some of the most common stressors in the world are money, relationships and careers. If you find yourself spiraling about one — or all — of these issues this week, focus on what you can control. There’s a way out of every situation. Clarity comes from reflection, not reaction, Pisces.

Last edition’s crossword solution

Last edition’s sudoku solution

“You’d also be the bitchiest person on the planet if your uterus was dying.”

“No vehicular manslaughter — it would hurt the car.”

“Depressed and he’d look good doin’ it.”

“What’s the criteria for white trash?”

“I can tell when it’s about to rain because of a bike accident I had on campus.”

“You are in at class at CSU; you clearly are not at Harvard.”

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!

Buc-ee’s

Sabrina