DU Clarion Volume 123 Issue 14

Voice of the University of Denver Pioneers since 1899

duclarion.com

VOL. 123, ISSUE 14

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PIONEERS CROWNED BIG EAST CHAMPS

6 The No. 2 Pioneers clinched their third consecutive BIG EAST conference title after a 14-11 win over Marquette pa g e

LOCAL FLAURAL ROCKS BLUEBIRD

ARE STUDENTS BEING SCAMMED?

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USG PRESIDENT AND VP ELECTED

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DU SENIOR HELPS NEW COMPANY

N E WS DU CLARION

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USG election results JILLIAN QUERI & KELLSIE BRANNEN

Editorial Staff JILLIAN QUERI, Editor-in-Chief KELLSIE BRANNEN, Executive Editor JOHN POE, News Editor BRAIDEN ALBRECHT-REED, Sports Editor ADRIAN BOGART, Opinions Editor CHLOE BARRET, Lifestyles Editor MADELINE ZANN, Entertainment Editor MONICA MCFADDEN, Assistant Entertainment Editor GINNY STOUSE, Copy Editor JACK FOERSTERLING, Copy Editor

Business Staff JOHN POE, Business Manager CONNOR W. DAVIS, Advertising Representative MEG MCINTYRE, Advertising Representative ANDREW MATRANGA, Faculty Advisor

Digital Staff GUSTO KUBIAK, Photo Editor

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EDITORS

n Friday, April 29, juniors Tess Greenwald and Chandler Carlson were announced as the President and Vice President elect of Undergraduate Student Government (USG) for the 201617 school year.

Greenwald and Carlson ran on a platform centered around pillars of transparency and authenticity, inclusivity, access, unity and distinguishment.

“We envision a greater DU and it begins with conversations and engagement, that, in turn, enables a larger student body to fight apathy through the generous resources we as a University have access to,” said Greenwald-Carlson in their platform document.

Greenwald and Carlson campaigned against Aish Narang and Danny Kay, who resigned from the race on Wednesday April 27 at 8:27 p.m. via their Facebook page.

The Narang-Kay campaign was suspended on April 26 after being found guilty of violation of the Senate Affairs 2016 Elections Bylaws and the DU Honor Code for counts of misrepresenting the support of and relationship with the Chancellor’s Office, serving

alcohol at a campaign-related event, serving alcohol at a campaign-related event to minors and hosting a campaign event for students, including those beyond the campaign team, before teams were allowed to campaign, according to the campaign’s Facebook page.

The day following the suspension, Narang-Kay announced that they would be removing themselves from the race, informing the public via a letter on their campaign’s Facebook account.

“I believe that DU deserves the absolute best from its leaders, and at this current time, as a team, we are not able to provide the kind of leadership that you deserve; at this time, our values and ethics in our leadership styles differ,” Narang posted on the campaign’s Facebook page.

Narang declined to comment for this story.

Greenwald-Carlson will take over for current USG President and Vice-President, Cam Hickert and Jess Davidson.

“Tess and I could not be prouder of DU and the support we’ve received. We’re elated that a number of you voted in this year’s election, and we’re really excited for all that’s to come in the coming months. Reach out to us at any time, we’re more than stoked to work with you all. Go Pios!” said Carlson.

NIKKI FRICK, Co-Social Media Director MADELINE ZANN, Co-Social Media Director OLIVIA HYDE, Staff Photographer

Staff Writers CAROLYN ANGIOLLO RUTH HOLLENBACK JOCELYN ROCKHOLD

Contributing Writers TARYN ALLEN DUSTIN AMICK GRACE CARSON JUSTIN CYGAN EMILY GRABOSKI MADISON HELLER SYDNEY KAPP SASHA KANDRACH SAM METIVIER ERIN SULLIVAN

Cartoonists TONY BOREK, Staff Cartoonist ARTEMIS KATSARIS, Contributing Cartoonist

photo courtesy of greenwald-carlson facebook page

DU CLARION

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NEWS | 3

DU awarded Black Male Initiative Summit empowers students silver in GRACE CARSON sustainability CONTRIBUTING WRITER

TARYN ALLEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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he Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) recently awarded DU with a silver rating in their Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS). This rating was received in mid-April. AASHE STARS provides a comprehensive look at many aspects of colleges and universities to give credit and recognition to schools with high standards of sustainability efforts and performance.

The current goal of the STARS program is to provide an incentive for successful sustainability, to build strong and diverse sustainable communities, to share information about sustainability practices and to collect data and framework for overall sustainability in higher education. DU is one of 755 institutions participating in AASHE STARS—of those recently rated, 137 were silver, 93 were gold and one was platinum.

The STARS analysis is organized into four categories: Academics, Engagement, Operations and Planning and Administration. This means that STARS examined aspects of DU like waste, grounds, buildings, diversity, affordability and innovation. DU was praised for programs and practices like supplying bike racks, encouraging alternative transportation, offering coursework regarding sustainability and utilizing sustainable food options.

Any school can apply to track and manage sustainability data and be recognized by STARS. The rating scale runs from bronze to platinum. DU’s silver rating is a result of sustainability efforts from the 2014 fiscal year, and, with feedback, the university hopes to improve results for the 2016 fiscal year.

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n Friday April 29, DU hosted its 7th annual Black Male Initiative Summit (BMIS). This program was hosted by the faculty at the Center for Multicultural Excellence (CME) in order to give black male students in 8th and 9th grade the opportunity to be in an environment that supports academic achievement in graduating high school and higher education, leadership and a space of fellowship as they build their identity as black male students.

The program is inspired by the figures from the National Center for Education Statistics that in 2008, the high school graduation rate for black males was 31.4 percent, while black women graduated at 43.1 percent. BMIS now seeks to empower these men to thrive both in and out of school, as well as present tools best needed to support young black men.

The theme for this year’s Black Male Initiative Summit was “My Legacy: Achieving Black Excellence”. The program offered workshops led by black males on topics centered around their education and identity, which are important subjects for black male students.

The workshops were also created

to inspire these students to make a change within their home, schools and communities.

The event began at 8 a.m. on April 29 with an environment of excitement and passion. The students were not only excited to be missing a day of class, but were also thrilled to be in a community of people who shared the same experiences.

Friends were made among the students easily and stories of their desires were shared. The workshops gave them a passion to strive to do their best academically and in their everyday lives. The Black Male Initiative Summit is sure to be a memorable event for all the black male students who participated.

photo courtesy of university of denver facebook page

On April 29, the faculty at the Center for Multicultural Excellence hosted its 7th annual Black Male Initiative Summit in Sturm Hall.

Daniel Ritchie awarded Ellis Island Medal SYDNEY KAPP CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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aniel Ritchie, DU chancellor emeritus, was awarded the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations’ Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Ritchie and more than 90 American citizens will be bestowed with the award on May 7.

According to the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor is “presented each year on historic Ellis Island to a select group of individuals whose accomplishments in their field

ABOUT US

The Clarion is the official student newspaper of the University of Denver, serving as the “Voice of the Pioneers.”

Founded in 1899, it covers campus and local stories with the highest level of journalistic integrity possible. 1000 copies are distributed each Wednesday afternoon (throughout the academic year) across the DU campus, and every article is also published at duclarion.com. The Clarion does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the faculty, staff and/or administration of DU, and the opinions expressed by columnists and contributing writers do not necessarily reflect those of the Clarion.

Reproduction of The Clarion in whole or part in any form written, broadcast or electronic without written permission of The Clarion is prohibited. The opinions expressed by columnists and contributing writers do not necessarily reflect those of The Clarion. Weather forecasts are of courtesy of the National Weather Service. The Clarion reserves the right to reject advertising, stories, columns or letters to the editor that it deems graphic, obscene or that discriminate on the basis of race, culture, gender or sexual orientation.

The Clarion welcomes letters to the editor. Those who submit letters must limit them to 500 words. Some letters may not be published because of space limitations, overly-libelous content or similarity to past submissions. Please submit letters to duclarioneditor@gmail.com.

and inspired service to our nation are cause for celebration.”

The award is meant to honor citizens who have dedicated themselves to community service and to “preserve and celebrate the history, traditions and values of their ancestry while exemplifying the values of the American way of life, and who are dedicated to creating a better world for us all,” according to the NECO’s website.

Ritchie was the chancellor of DU for 16 years from 1989-2005, a Harvard alumnus and former CEO of major communications corporations like the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and Westinghouse Broadcasting.

Ritchie has been a main con-

tributor to the School of Engineering and Computer Science by donating property valued at $27 million. He was invited to the university in the 1980s and became the 16th chancellor of DU shortly after. After being the chancellor for 15 years, Ritchie stepped down to work as chairman of the Board of Trustees from 2007 to 2009.

He will be one of many well known winners of the award.

Other recipients include six U.S presidents, former secretary of state and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and other famous Americans like Frank Sinatra, Muhammad Ali, Elie Wiesel and Rosa Parks.

HOW TO JOIN

The Clarion is open to contributors of all years and majors at DU, including both undergraduate and graduate students. There’s no application necessary; all you have to do is show up to one of our weekly meetings, which are held every Monday at 6 p.m. (during the academic year) in the Driscoll Underground. Can’t make it to a meeting? Send an email to duclarioneditor@gmail.com and we’ll do everything we can to get you published.

SPORTS DU CLARION

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DU CLARION

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SPORTS | 5

: Women’s club lax heads to National Championship CAROLYN ANGIOLLO

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STAFF WRITER

dedicated. We have a strong incoming freshman class and our upperclassmen became more committed this year,” she said.

Senior captain Amy Franks has seen a similar shift in the team since last season.

“The difference this year is we are a lot more committed and there is a lot of team camaraderie and I think that has really helped us.”

In order to get to nationals, the team had to earn it, performing over the course of the season, spe-

cifically in a tournament in Santa Barbara, California. In California, the Pioneers went undefeated and conquered the highly ranked University of Utah. DU lost to the University of Utah at regionals in April, but since Denver had beaten them before, their ranking was strong enough to advance.

The mental side of the game will be a huge component heading into national championships.

“We’re trying to be pretty confident, but it’s gonna be a lot

of teams we haven’t faced before.

I think we have a strong team overall, so we’re feeling good and we’re pumped to go play,” said Franks.

Coach Stone and the team are obviously very excited for this opportunity, but there is a serious task at hand.

“Our main goal is to win the national championship, and everyone needs to be focused mentally and physically and come out ready to go,” said Stone.

he No. 1 DU women’s club lacrosse team is headed to the national championship for club division II. The tournament is set to take place on the weekend of May 4 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Last season, the team was ranked No. 3 in the nation heading into the national tournament.

They ended up finishing No. 6.

This year, 12 teams have advanced to the national tournament. The tournament is structured in a pool format. Each pool contains three teams, where a sole victor will advance on to the semifinals.

The Pioneers were seeded No. 1 heading into the tournament. Their pool contains No. 8 Iowa State University and No. 12 University of Montana. If DU wins their pool, they will have to defeat either Oakland University, Grand Canyon University or Utah State University to advance to the championship.

DU did not face Iowa State or the University of Montana during the regular season.

DU’s regular season record was 10-2. However, one of the losses came from the University of Colorado, which is a club division 1 school. In division 2 play, the team is 10-1.

Head coach Mindy Stone attributes the success this year to talented freshmen and overall commitment.

“All of the players have been jillian queri | clarion hardworking and they’re very The Denver women’s club lacrosse team celebrates after defeating rival University of Utah in Santa Barbara, CA in February.

PIO BIO: brendan bomberry SPORT: Lacrosse GRADE: Sophomore

MAJOR: Communications HOME STATE: Ontario CAROLYN ANGIOLLO STAFF WRITER

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his week, the Clarion spoke with men’s lacrosse player Brendan Bomberry.

photo courtesy of du athletics

Q: How old are you and what year are you?

A: I’m 20 years old and a sophomore.

Q: What are you majoring in?

A: Communications.

Q: What is your hometown?

A: Ohsweken, Ontario.

Q: How and why did you begin playing lacrosse?

A: It’s part of our culture. We always say: “You’re born with a stick and you’re buried with a stick.” I’ve pretty much just always had a stick in my hand.

Q: What is your biggest accomplishment in lacrosse that occurred before college?

A: I think winning the Minto Cup back home. It’s our national championship for Canada so that’s a big

part of my accomplishments. I’m definitely really proud of that.

Q: What was the highlight for you from the championship run last season?

A: I think coming back from Ohio State in the quarterfinals at Mile High Stadium was definitely huge.

It was a lot of fun. The overtime win against Notre Dame, as well.

We definitely have had a lot of battles with them and it was great to come out on top. It was awesome.

Q: What are your individual goals for the rest of the season?

A: I just want to contribute any way I can to help the team win.

That’s really all I can ask for.

Q: How has the dynamic of the team or the style of play shifted since last season?

A: I don’t think it has changed that much. We have a team offense, everyone is contributing, everyone is doing their part and that’s really ultimately helping us be successful.

Q: What are your goals after college?

A: I’m Native American, so I want to help benefit our Native American youth, whether that be in sports, education or in life.

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Men’s lacrosse tops Marquette, earns BIG EAST title SASHA KANDRACH CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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laying in windy conditions and frigid precipitation, the Pioneers powered a 14-11 victory over the Marquette University Golden Eagles to claim the BIG EAST regular season title on April 30. Denver and Marquette clashed in the final regular season game to determine the No. 1 seed for the BIG EAST tournament. The triumphant Pioneers earned their third consecutive conference title after remaining undefeated in BIG EAST play for the 2016 season.

“Proud of our guys,” said head coach Bill Tierney. “It’s been a four month battle to try to get here and to try to win. This is the first of three championships that we [will] compete for and we got it. It wasn’t the prettiest, certainly wasn’t the easiest and wasn’t the cleanest. You have to give Marquette credit for that.”

Tewaaraton nominees Connor Cannizzaro (Cazenovia, New York) and Zach Miller (Steamburg, New York) led Denver’s offense with five points apiece. Cannizzaro tallied four goals and one assist, while Miller provided four assists and one goal.

“We knew they were going to be a tough opponent, they’ve always given us a tough fight,” said Cannizzaro.

“We came out ready to battle and ready to battle the elements again with the snow and rain.”

Marquette denied Denver’s attack in the first quarter, preventing the Pioneers from yielding an early lead, as was the case in previous matchups. Goals from junior captain Tyler Pace (Coquitlam, British Columbia) and Miller gave Denver a 2-0 lead with 8:35 left in the opening stanza. Marquette countered with a three-goal run to silence Denver 3-2 after the first 15 minutes of play.

Denver’s attack found its rhythm and regained the lead after constructing a three-goal run within the first half of the second quarter. The Golden Eagles responded with two goals to equalize the score at five apiece. Cannizzaro would add one more for the Pioneers before half, as would Marquette, to deliver a tie score of 6-6 heading into the warmth of the locker room at halftime.

Following intermission, Denver returned electrified, stunning Marquette with six unanswered goals during the third quarter.

“We always try to come out and catch our stride, and today we didn’t do that. We readjusted at halftime.

Everyone hit their shots when they had the opportunity. We grinded it out,” said senior captain Jack Bobzien (Littleton, Colorado).

The Pioneers held a 12-6 edge over the Golden Eagles going into the final frame. Marquette outscored Denver 5-2 during the final fifteen minutes, delivering the 14-11 result.

Tewaaraton nominee Trevor Baptiste (Denville, New Jersey) aided in Denver’s possession, finishing the day with 19 faceoffs wins along with 15 ground balls. Despite Denver’s 15 turnovers throughout the game, freshman netminder Alex Ready (Lancaster, Pennsylvania) secured eight saves.

Denver will host the BIG EAST tournament May 5 and 7. The Pio-

neers will face Providence at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 5. The winner will advance to the BIG EAST tournament final May 7 at 2:30 p.m.

“The good news is, you’re playing someone you played a week ago, so you remember them. The bad news is, you’re playing someone you played a week ago, so they remember you. All of a sudden you’re in championship mode. We talk about the three championships and this one is number two, coming up. We’re excited to be in it and we’re excited to be hosting it,” said coach Tierney.

photo courtesy of du men’s lacrosse Junior attack Connor Cannizzaro (Casenovia, New York) cradles the ball against Marquette.

Men’s and women’s tennis win Summit League titles

photo courtesy of du men’s tennis

The DU men’s tennis team poses after winning the 2016 Summit League title.

BRAIDEN ALBRECHT-REED

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SPORTS EDITOR

oth the DU men’s and women’s tennis teams claimed Summit League championships on April 29-30 in the Koch Family Tennis Center in Omaha, Nebraska. For both teams, it was their third straight championship title.

Ranked No. 48, the men’s team began their title conquest with a match-up against the University of Nebraska-Omaha. DU would defeat their opponent 4-0.

Collectively, the team would accumulate a 3-0 mark in singles play, thanks to performances from Henry Craig (Murrieta, California), Yannik James (St. Georges,

Grenada) and Alex Gasson (Alton, United Kingdom).

The men’s team also went undefeated in doubles play, going 2-0. James and Jesse Ruder-Hook (Denver, Colorado) were victorious in their match, while Zach Fryer (Centennial, Colorado) and Diogo Rocha (Lisbon, Portugal) also pulled out a win.

Matched up against Oral Roberts University in the final, Denver would again win 4-0, earning them their third straight Summit League title.

Although the team did surrender one loss in doubles play, they still earned a 2-1 record in those matches overall. Once again, DU went undefeated in singles play with a 3-0 mark.

Rocha, the Summit League Player of the Year, was one of the players who dominated his

photo courtesy of du women’s tennis The DU women’s tennis team take a team photo with their Summit League title trophy.

singles match. He clinched the championship for the Pioneers with his victory.

Denver secured a bid to the NCAA National Championship, which is set to take place in Tulsa, Oklahoma on May 13-15.

Not to be outdone by their male counterparts, the women’s tennis team brought home a Summit League title of their own. The two teams combined to become the first men’s and women’s tennis teams in the Summit League to win three championships concurrently.

Entering the weekend ranked No. 43, the team arrived at the tournament focused. They defeated their first opponent, Oral Roberts University, 4-0.

An impressive 6-0 singles record was attributed to the work of Julia O’Loughlin (Highland Beach,

Florida), Maureen Slattery (Newport News, Virginia), Bianca Mok (Boise, Idaho), Charlotte Derbyshire (Stockton, England), Evy Van Genechten (Antwerp, Belgium) and Morgan Barnhill (Austin, Texas).

Denver was also undefeated in doubles, going 2-0 after combinations of O’Loughlin and Slattery, as well as Derbyshire and Gracia Mboko (Burlington, Ontario) won their matches.

To claim their third straight Summit League Championship, DU would defeat South Dakota State University 4-0 in the final. The team replicated 6-0 marks in singles and again went 2-0 in doubles play.

The team earned a bid to the NCAA National Championship with the hard-fought victory, which will take place in Tulsa, Oklahoma on May 19-30.

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OPINIONS DU CLARION

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Divestment is a decisive point for DU GRACE CARSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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n April 14, 2016, Divest DU organized a rally with over 100 students to ask the Board of Trustees (BOT) to vote in favor of the university divesting from fossil fuels, causing the group to gain more attention than ever. Currently, over 1,700 students, faculty and community members are demanding that DU divest from fossil fuels. Divest DU states that it is immoral for the university to claim to be environmentally sustainable as it profits off of climate destruction by investing in fossil fuels which cause many of the environmental problems the world faces today, including climate change, air pollution, oil spills and acid rain. In response, the group has been questioned on the reality of the demand for DU to divest.

When taking into account the moral benefits of divesting and the history of other universities’ divestment, it is clear to see that divesting from fossil fuels is a realistic demand.

In order to collect information on the reality of DU divesting from fossil fuels, senior Nick Stubler, one of Divest DU’s institutional coordinators, gave the Clarion an interview explaining the benefits, importance and possible negative effects that could come from the university divesting.

“Divesting from fossil fuels is one of the most significant and impactful acts DU can take towards combatting climate change,” Stubler started. “As an institution with a vision of being a ‘great private university dedicated to the public

good,’ DU has a moral obligation to take action in combating the climate crisis. Furthermore, by investing in the fossil fuel industry, DU remains complicit in the violence and injustice perpetuated by the fossil fuel industry and forces the DU community to bear those costs.”

Stubler went on to talk about the benefits of divesting.

“Divesting from fossil fuels would realign our institution with its values, decreasing institutional hypocrisy; protect and stabilize our finances, since the fossil fuel industry is falling rapidly and taking our financial returns with it; rebrand the university as an innovative and ethical institution, which would increase student interest on our campus; and give the DU community pride in our institution, increasing alumni donations in the process.”

The question some students and faculty have still remains: How would DU divesting from fossil fuels potentially harm the university?

“Some argue that it [divesting] has the potential to harm DU financially, though we [Divest DU] advocate that DU reinvests the divested funds in just and sustainable solutions that champion the public good. We believe these investments are the direction society is headed, and must head towards, and believe doing so will actually increase the financial stability and security of the university,” said Stubler.

When asked about the reality of DU divesting, Stubler responded with certainty.

“Yes, absolutely. It is unacceptable for DU not to. Over 60 universities have already partially or fully divested from fossil fuels, demonstrating that it is wholly realistic to do so. On the contrary, it is unreal-

istic for our administrators to think that their students would allow the university to continue remaining complicit in the perpetuation of the climate crisis,” said Stubler.

The passion of Divest DU is undeniable, and they remain strong in their fight for climate justice. Only one question still remains: when will DU answer the call of thousands of students and faculty to fight the injustice of climate change?

It is not enough for DU to simply have sustainability councils and “zero-waste” hockey games.

Though these are helpful programs and events, it is not enough for the university to claim it is environmentally sustainable if it is not doing everything it can to be as sustainable as possible. The community of DU will bear the responsibility of

being a part of climate destruction as long as DU takes part in investing in fossil fuels.

Furthermore, DU has a responsibility to answer the demands of its student and faculty body. DU’s community has made it clear that they do not want to be a part of the destruction of our environment, yet still Chancellor Chopp and Board members refuse to answer these demands.

Divest DU’s work to influence the university is admirable, as they show a passion for the earth and its wellness. This conversation is important, because it helps DU reflect on its morals and what it stands for. DU must take responsibility for its part in environmental destruction, as well as answer the demands of its students and faculty.

hayden cox | clarion

Carson argues that DU can join universities across the US in divesting from fossil fuels.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Sustainable dining services needed on campus KATE ALDRICH GRADUATE STUDENT, 2016

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ear Editor,

I am concerned over the legitimacy of our university’s mission. This apprehension comes after attending the Provost’s conference on sustainability and justice last week, where DU’s Provost Gregg Kvistad introduced the day of events with references to our socially minded mission, DU Impact 2025, and DU’s vision of a private university intent on public good. I left the conference wondering to what extent these words were backed by measurable actions.

There is now the chance to test this concern. The university’s dining services contract with Sodexo is up for renegotiation. If the administration lives up to its

mission, this negotiation process could bridge the past with a future of dedicated sustainability. If DU is truly rethinking its fundamental approach to so many aspects of development, as stated in DU Impact 2025, how can it rethink its food system?

The Denver food community is in the midst of a progressive change in the way it produces and consumes food. Denver International Airport hosts local vendors like Etai’s Bakery and Root Down.

Farmers markets, CSAs, and cottage foods are commonplace. Our city has even initiated a Sustainable Development Plan with the objective of sourcing 20 percent local food by 2020.

Where can DU’s food system fit in this culture of localism and community engagement? It could have dining services supporting Colorado businesses by using local distribution services. It could transform an area on campus

into a food truck venue similar to Avanti in the Highlands. It could allow meal plans that are financially viable to all DU students. It could build a community kitchen to host activities for local food entrepreneurs. The administration should direct the University as a community leader, not a follower, in the continued evolution of Colorado’s food system.

This vision does not necessarily exclude Sodexo. The Sodexo administration has been responsive to student input in the past.

Sodexo at DU also participates in the Real Food Challenge, an organization aimed at shifting university food budgets towards more responsible and sustainable sources of food, and they sourced 14.75 percent “real food” options as of Fall 2015.

However, Sodexo’s purchasing agreements with other large entities prevent them from sourcing substantial amounts of food from

local growers and businesses.

Additionally, there is no doubt that the labor rights abuses of Sodexo do not fall in line with the values of our university (as per a 2011 TransAfrica forum report citing labor rights abuses by Sodexo in five countries).

What will DU do? Will it represent the mission and values of our school and enact greater sustainability measures into our next dining services contract, or will it continue in its current form? Are the administration and the Board of Trustees truly concerned about the triple bottom line of people, planet and profit, or is a low-cost dining contract the only factor?

In the end, the university has two options: fall behind in efforts towards food sustainability in higher education, or be a leader in food systems change.

Sincerely, Katie Aldrich

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| OPINIONS

DU CLARION

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Basketball success lies in recruiting for DU SAM METIVIER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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n April 4, Villanova University and the University of North Carolina played in one of the greatest college basketball games of all time. After exchanging runs and leads for 40 minutes, Marcus Paige hit a seemingly impossible game-tying three-pointer with only a few ticks left on the clock. But Paige’s grandeur was all for not.

That’s because Villanova’s Kris Jenkins hit a buzzer-beater to win the national championship.

Fourteen former Top 100 recruits — seven on each side — saw the floor in that game.

Jenkins was the 73rd ranked recruit in the nation in 2013.

Ryan Arcidiacono, the player who assisted Jenkins, was ranked 46th in 2012. Paige was ranked 22nd in 2012.

In a roundabout way, recruiting top players is vital for consistent success in college basketball.

Denver basketball will never be North Carolina or Villanova, but they can certainly strive to maximize their talent via recruiting.

The Pios won’t have to divert resources or scholarships, per se, not if they focus their recruiting on local prospects. That strategy is more enticing right now than it’s ever been before.

To put it bluntly, it’s difficult to recruit college players to schools like DU. It’s a small school in the Summit League (not exactly the ACC in terms of history) with highly selective academic standards (which

As you probably deduced from the headline, there’s reason to be optimistic about DU’s chances of moving up. Newly hired head basketball coach Rodney Billups comes from Boulder, where he built himself a reputation for

photo courtesy of the university of denver

Rodney Billups, previously an assistant men’s basketball coach at CU, joined DU this year.

eliminates prospects with so-so grades). To make matters worse, the Colorado Buffaloes scour the state in search of the best prospects and often come away with them. CU’s Tad Boyle has turned the Buffs into a consistent Pac-12 power and he’s done so by relying on Coloradan recruits.

recruiting and player development. He knows how to recruit the best of the best, especially in the state of Colorado. He’s a major reason CU landed Colorado’s top recruits year after year.

In order to carry over his success to Denver, he will need the same recruiting success.

Of course, this all underlines the progress of high school basketball in Colorado. Before Billups’ older brother Chauncey became a basketball icon, Colorado was the antithesis of a basketball pipeline. Teams simply didn’t recruit the state because there weren’t elite prospects.

In recent years, Colorado high schools have pumped out top flight college basketball players like never before. Basketball powerhouses like Indiana and Gonzaga are dipping into the state for starter-caliber recruits.

The Buffaloes were only able to reach the Big Dance with four Coloradans in their starting lineup because there were actually four Coloradans capable of playing heavy minutes in March.

That last bit seems facetious, but I assure you otherwise.

Recruiting doesn’t exactly make or break a program, but if DU wants to join South Dakota State and Stephen F. Austin (just to name a few) among the mid-major powers, they will have to take advantage of Colorado’s progress as a basketball recruiting hub.

Billups knows that he will face stiff competition from top-flight programs—including from his mentor at CU—but if he can pick off a mid-tier or even top-tier prospect from the hooves of the Buffaloes, it will go a long way in showing that DU basketball has the potential to be great.

Summer classes: worth the cost to get ahead MADISON HELLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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ummer classes: are they worth the money, or the time? Summer is supposed to be a break from school. These months tend to be spent lounging by the pool, swimming at the lake or eating snow cones with friends: stressfree months that allow us to recharge for the fall. However, there are a lot of strong reasons that suggest summer classes are in fact worthwhile.

First, consider the price.

Summer classes boil down to $1,199 per unit. For a typical four credit class, this means $4,796 in direct costs. The cost could quickly add up if students need to stay in Denver while attending DU’s classes and then the additional cost of a textbook or two. The cost is definitely something to think about when considering online classes. If you are not going to take the class seriously or use it to further your academic progress, then don’t bother. But, there are a lot of reasons for taking summer courses that make the price tag worth it.

Taking a glance at the media, film and journalism studies department, all except for one of their summer courses were offered online. This could be

beneficial for a lot of students; by taking required classes for a major online, students can work to get ahead without the added expense of living in Denver. Major requirements aside, this could be a quick fix to get rid of those pesky common curriculum classes. If a student is already living in Denver, then this is probably a futile discovery. However, for students who live out of state and enjoy going home for the summer, online classes could be very useful.

Here is the real question: how much of the summer would this class take up?

Surprisingly, many of DU’s courses begin around June 13 and then end by the second week of July. In the grand scheme of things, this is really not a lot of time. During the regular school year, we spend 10 weeks on a particular class.

By taking summer classes, you will spend less time in the courses. However, this short window can lead to a lot of work. Be prepared to buckle down, because 10 weeks worth of work and learning has just been crammed into four weeks.

At first, taking summer classes does not seem like an efficient course of action. The regular school year is already expensive without factoring in the extra few thousands of dol-

lars needed for a single summer class. Additionally, it takes up time—valuable time we need to rest our brains and prepare for the fall.

Depending on what class students decide to take, summer classes can be beneficial for furthering their academic progress.

If students enroll in classes for their major to get back on track or get ahead, it could actually be a money and time saver. One or two major classes online (or at DU) for three summers could

potentially shave a whole quarter off the expected graduation date and save a little money in the process.

After some research and consideration, summer classes are worth it. Especially if students are trying to get ahead or catch up. Plus, with the availability of online classes, students have the option to take courses from home and not sweat about going to class every day. Overall, this is an option more students should consider.

| clarion Summer classes, especially those online, could save students time and money, says Heller. jillian queri

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JULY M A Y 23, 0 4 2015 , 2016

OPINIONS | 9

Attraction or retainment: what are DU’s priorities?

ERIN SULLIVAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

U

ndergraduates at DU often feel like the forgotten stepchildren of our administration.

Higher-ups look at prospective students with longing eyes, just hoping that they will choose DU, and the student body is often forgotten. The administration seems to be willing to go to great lengths to cater to the wants and needs of prospective students, but doesn’t want to spend time, money or resources on students already in attendance. DU’s priorities are severely skewed, as can be seen by aspects of our dining halls, housing department and website.

If you have ever lived in the DU residence halls, you can see the double-edged sword of tour days.

The dining halls are extremely overcrowded, but the food seems to taste better. However, Ira Simon, the resident district manager of Sodexo at DU, said that this is a myth, and that the food isn’t changed at all for tours.

Among students, including second year Aristotle Johns, this doesn’t seem to be the case.

“If it’s a bigger tour day, like Pioneer Days, then the food’s a lot better,” he said. Ingredients seem to be fresher, and desserts are freshly made—not just leftovers from the previous day.

Cooking better food for prospective students, if this happens to be the case, is a huge slap in

the face to the student body. At the moment, the truth is unclear— perhaps an article for another day.

Furthermore, DU incurs great costs when allowing each touring family to eat in the dining halls.

Sodexo does not absorb this expenditure; Simon said that DU has to pay Sodexo $7.25 for every visitor who eats in a dining hall while touring. The dining halls are only one example of how DU is prioritizing prospective students over those who are already here.

On another note, due to the increasing number of students at DU, our housing department is greatly lacking and cannot provide enough accommodations for students.

“DU is growing exponentially every year, but housing isn’t growing that fast. Admissions let in so many new students this year that there isn’t enough room for all the first years to live in either Nagel or Nelson next year. We’ve had to open up spots in Centennial Towers for them,” said Meagan Traver, a second year student who works in the housing department. This year, Towers houses mainly first year students, but more second years will be living there as of this fall.

According to the DU housing website, DU is expanding their housing options—opening up University Lofts this fall, as well as constructing a new building on University Boulevard and Iliff Avenue.

Unfortunately, these changes aren’t happening fast enough, and third and fourth year students will still have difficulty finding on-campus housing.

Another housing issue involves students coming back from study abroad. DU often brags about our high rates of study abroad involvement and excellent programs, but doesn’t mention that students may not have housing when they get back.

“The fall wait list is very lengthy for juniors who aren’t even going abroad,” said Traver.

This means that juniors coming back from abroad almost have to find housing elsewhere, defeating the purpose of $3,000 a year housing grants that many students receive. If DU does not plan on allowing students to live on campus, they should not allocate specific housing money to students—this only creates a false sense of financial security.

When DU tells an incoming first year student that they will receive $3,000 per year for living on campus, this creates an incentive for the student to come here.

However, the student will likely only find out that they won’t be able to use this scholarship for as many years as they would like once they have already committed to and are attending DU. Comparing the university website to websites that students frequent, the university’s main website, compared to Canvas and PioneerWeb, clearly shows where the administration’s priorities lie; the main website is beautifully designed and intuitive, whereas student portals are confusing and difficult to use.

Some may argue that the main DU website is meant

equally for prospective and current students, but this is clearly not the case. The first link on the top banner proclaims, “Prospective Students.” You’ll also see “About the University” and “Apply” links on the main screen (uncomfortably reminiscent of Trump’s multiple “Donate” links on his campaign site).

As for functionality, students consistently experience difficulty with PioneerWeb when registering for classes, often being kicked out of the program. Registering for classes is already a stressful time for students, and needing to email or visit counselors in person when the portal isn’t working is an unnecessary hardship. Spending money on DU’s outward image (the main website), instead of on student portals is just another way that the administration is prioritizing their reputation to high schoolers and their families over students who are already paying tuition here.

More money should be allocated to bettering student websites instead of DU’s outward image on their main site.

Students oftentimes forget that DU is not only an educational institution, but a business as well.

This is not to say that DU should not operate as a business, but it should take a more big-picture approach to education. Making prospective students happy while ignoring current students is not a sustainable model, and if the administration does not recognize this now, it will certainly become obvious in the years to come.

Pioneer Voices

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: SHOULD DU DIVEST FROM FOSSIL FUELS? WHY?

“Divestment is possible if done in the right way. However, DU is a business, and not personable.”

— carlos villagrana Senior Colorado

“DU should divest, because fossil fuels are a dying industry and renewable energies are growing.”

— jack thomas Freshman Missouri

“DU should divest and should also divest from other immoral pratices on campus as well.”

— ryan collins Junior Colorado

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L I F E ST Y L E S

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Wheeler Morris launc h e s A t t i k a t D U CHLOE BARRETT

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LIFESTYLES EDITOR

inals are enough pressure without the added stress of finding somewhere to store your belongings for the summer.

That’s where Attik comes in—an Airbnb-esque business recently launched by DU senior Wheeler Morris that connects users in need of storage space with those looking to rent theirs.

“It’s perfect for students going home for the summer or abroad,” said Morris. “And it’s a really easy way for renters to make an extra $20 to $500 a month without doing much of anything.”

Similar to Uber and Airbnb, Attik relies on the shared economy model whereby people rent assets—beds, car rides, whatever—directly from each other through the internet, at often cheaper prices than previous options. It’s a model that has proved successful despite initial concerns about safety; Attik goes the extra mile, though, to ensure the safety of its users’ stored

belongings. All renters are required to have either homeowner’s or renter’s insurance and all spaces must be approved prior to being listed.

“Safety is a completely legitimate concern for users,” said Morris. “But we do everything we can to make Attik as secure a platform as possible.”

The marketing student from St. Paul, Minnesota was originally approached about getting involved with the company by friends and Colorado College graduates Nate Burt, Bryce Daniels, Jack Ordway and Luke Urban in January. DU student Jace Lieberman has also assisted the team with the creation of their website.

“They wanted to start the company at DU and they were impressed by my enthusiasm for the idea and my work ethic, so they brought me on as a partner. Now I’ve kind of become the sales and marketing guy.”

With humble beginnings at DU favorites like Kaladi Coffee, Attik has come a long way since the addition of Morris.

“We started out just meeting at Kaladi and the nearby Starbucks to talk about it,” said Morris.

“Before I knew it, we were going door to door at every house near campus to get the word out.”

On Tuesday, May 10, Attik will be having a promotional event at Asbury Provisions. Starting at 4 p.m., customers who sign up for Attik will get happy hour prices on food and drinks for the remainder of the night.

Pios looking for a safe, cheap place to store their belongings while they’re on-the-go can visit Attik’s website at attikstorage.com or visit their Facebook page.

chloe barrett | clarion Attik connects people in need of storage space with those looking to rent out theirs.

photo courtesy of attikstorage.com LEFT: Attik’s website is easy to navigate. RIGHT: Renting out storage space is an easy way to make a little extra money.

Student street style: Colorado spring trends RUTH HOLLENBACK STAFF WRITER

ruth hollenback | clarion “90’s trash aesthetic” sums up Papadopoulos’ style.

Stephanie Papadopoulos Year: Freshman Studying: Biology with a concentration in cognitive neuroscience, Spanish and pre-med Hometown: Chicago, Illinois Layers of yellows and blues brightly contrast with the wet, green colors coating Colorado’s spring. Stephanie Papadopoulos explains that, while her inventive style has been stagnant since her senior year of high school, college has made her explore new possibilities of finding cheap clothes at thrift stores. She would describe her style as “’90s trash aesthetic,” inspired by places like American Apparel and natural fashion icons like Frankie Cosmos. Finally, Papadopoulos comments on Colorado’s weather and how it affects her ability to put together an outfit. “I have to change a lot throughout the day. My dependence on outer-

ruth hollenback | clarion Papadopoulos, whose style is inspried by Frankie Cosmos, snagged her Doc Martens from Journey’s.

wear and layers has transformed and I have learned that checking my weather app before I leave my dorm is essential.”

Doc Martens: Journey’s High-waisted jeans: Urban Outfitters Jacket: PacSun Sweater: Savers Thrift Store Collared blouse: Forever 21, purchased at a thrift store Watch: Walmart Lipstick: NARS, purchased at Sephora Meredith Gee Year: Freshman Studying: Emergent digital practices, sustainability and entrepreneurship Hometown: Boise, Idaho Meredith Gee is the epitome of successful layering for Colorado’s finicky spring weather.

“I’m obsessed with scarves and hats. I love kimonos and black and

white… I think that mismatching with flannels and jackets and other layers is what makes a great outfit.”

While Gee struggles to put a name to her eclectic style, she says she is inspired by fashion icons in the Pacific Northwest and she tries with each outfit to be an even mix of “boho, hipster and classy.”

“Her fashion style is she always looks put together,” commented Avia Cohen, freshman international studies major from Los Angeles.

Shoes: REI Bogs Pants: GAP jeans White blouse: Hollister, purchased at TJ Maxx Rain jacket: Target Long pendant necklace: Anthropologie Watch: Swatch Hat: Ecote, purchased at Urban Outfitters Necklace: hand-me-down from mother

ruth hollenback | clarion Gee uses classic fashion staples like scarves and hats to combat Colorado’s finicky spring weather.

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DU CLARION

THE GRIND COLUMN

Reviewing Denver’s many restaurants, bars, breweries, food trucks, coffeeshops and everything in between

Purple Door Coffee: 5.0 / 5.0 stars

justin cygan | clarion Purple Door Coffee’s bright and well-decorated interior and bar lit by floor-to-ceiling windows.

JUSTIN CYGAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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very few minutes outside the large street-side windows at Purple Door Coffee the light rail rumbles past with a distinct rhythm, ferrying passengers up to the north-most stop of the RTD system. Located in the heart of Denver’s historic Five Points neighborhood, Purple Door represents more than just delicious coffee, but the revitalization and strengthening of a community that has endured crime and poverty for decades.

Inside the namesake door of the beautiful corner Purple Door occupies is an exercise in perfect coffee-shop aesthetics. The interior is wonderfully bright, with large floor to ceiling windows filling the space with natural light. The decor is clean and homey-feeling, with exposed brick and heavy, wrought-iron tables that were once parts of old sewing machines making up the majority of seating. The bar is simply decorated with glasses, chalkboard menus and the large La Marzocco espresso machine, in a beautiful glossy black, taking up most of the space on the bar (and customers’ attention). The menu is simple— lattes (small $3), Cappuccinos ($3.25), macchiatos ($2.75), chai tea offerings (small $3) and delectable cortados ($3), which this Grinder had. The baristas are incredibly knowledgeable and offer different milk varieties and coffee blends for the customer to choose from. The aforementioned

cortado was made with whole milk and a blend of Corvus Roaster’s coffee. The drink was smooth and velvety, with a slightly nutty taste expected from Corvus.

What makes Purple Door different from the other similarly designed coffee shops in Denver (and this is not to downplay the quality of Purple Door, which is fantastic) is the shop’s mission of serving the community. Through innovative programs which directly impact downtrodden individuals, Purple Door strives to make lives better for those that need it the most.

Purple Door operates a program which in their own words aims “to reclaim and sustain the lives of homeless youth and young adults through supportive and meaningful employment.” Each year, Purple Door gives three to five young people who have suffered from homelessness and poverty the chance to revitalize themselves and their community. Through both job and life skill trainings, Purple Door aims to provide those in less-than-fortunate conditions with the ability to live as healthy and happy a life as possible.

Employees work for six to 12 months, learning essential skills needed for employment along the way. In addition, Madison Chandler and Mark Smesrud, the co-directors of the Purple Door program, meet individually with employees twice a week to help facilitate the learning process and discuss future goals and job prospects. Employees then leave after their time at Purple Door more than ready to navigate the difficult

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Best ways to celebrate Mother’s Day EMILY GRABOSKI CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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other’s Day is on May 8—right around the corner—and trying to find something to do (or make) can be difficult. Here are some ways to celebrate the mothers in and around the Denver area: Go on a shopping spree Denver is home to several shopping malls and outlets which offer many deals on Mother’s Day; one of the most prominent is Cherry Creek Shopping District. Walk through the mall with Mom and explore many of the brand-name stores like Nordstorm or Neiman Marcus. You can also walk through Cherry Creek North and check out the boutiques, spas and galleries that are sure to entertain with their individuality and locally-owned charm.

This is ideal for those who are drawing a blank on a gift for Mom since they can pick their gift out together.

Go to an art museum The Golden Triangle Museum District is home to Denver’s distinct art museums that enrich Colorado culture with captivating art. Try going to the exhibitions at the Denver Art Museum (DAM). A noteworthy exhibit is “Samurai” by the Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Foundation, which shows a collection of Japanese armour and accoutrements. Alternates to the DAM are the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver or the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art. Enjoy a gourmet meal After shopping and strolling through the art museums, sit down and savor a lovely dinner. Any and all types of restaurants can be found in the metro area. LoDo has a high concentration of restaurants such as Elway’s, a classic Colorado steakhouse. Cherry Creek boasts notable restaurants as well, one of which Second Home Kitchen and Bar, a terrain of employment and life in the city.

The importance of Purple Door’s mission cannot be understated, especially as their corner-location in Five Points is a direct testament to the power of positivity within our urban environment. Five Points has long been considered one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Denver, and compared to other areas of

artemis katsaris| clarion A bouquet of flowers are an easy go-to Mother’s Day gift.

great location for comfort food. Other Denver areas to try include the Highlands and RiNo. Grab some elegantly arranged flowers Receiving a bouquet of flowers can brighten anyone’s day, especially Mom’s. Lehrer’s Flowers is Denver’s largest florist as well as one of the best Mother’s Day florists around. They offer fragrant bouquets of freshly-cut and colorful flowers. Bouquets in LoDo is alternate to Lehrer’s as well.

Send a gift For the students whose parents are out of town, write a letter to mom and send her a box of her favorite things. For the more crafty students, try a DIY project, from handmade coffee mugs to hanging window hearts made out of yarn.

Several more can be found on Pinterest or Youtube.

Overall, Mother’s Day is a fabulous time to celebrate all mothers.

Whether it’s shopping in Cherry Creek or making a DIY coffee mug, the most important thing about this upcoming Mother’s Day is that we take the time to honor the mothers and motherly figures in our lives. the city, still has not yet felt the full grasp of modern, wealthy gentrification. Purple Door Coffee’s role as a neighborhood harbinger of goodwill and positivity brings forth change into the community, positive change which aims to directly affect those in need. Purple Door does more than just gentrify and ignore, it wholly uplifts the surrounding community and makes it better for all.

justin cygan

One of Purple Door’s delicious handcrafted cortados, perfectly suited for study breaks.

| clarion

JULY M A Y 23, 0 4 2015 , 2016

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LIFESTYLES | 1 3

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ENTERTAINMENT

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Flaural plays fantastic set at Bluebird

photo courtesy of heyreverb.com

Local psych rock band Flaural stands out in a Denver music scene over-saturated with psychedelic rock, as evidenced in their show Saturday night at the Bluebird.

JOCELYN ROCKHOLD

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STAFF WRITER

ast Saturday, April 30, an incredibly long line stretched down Colfax Avenue to get into a Red Bull Sound Select show (curated by the Denver music fest Underground Music Showcase) to catch sets from opening local bands Flaural and Inner Oceans, as well as main act Wild Nothing.

Despite a pesky entrance process at the Bluebird Theater that kept the crowd in line longer than necessary, the audience finally shuffled in for what shaped up to be a great show.

The oversaturation of “psych rock” in Denver has led to some creative, fantastic music from local bands, and one of these bands is four-member Flaural.

Flaural started off the night with shoegaze greatness, which was received by a small group of local music fans enthusiastically yelling their support. The band, comprised of Collin Johnson (vocals and bass), Noah Pfaff (guitar),

Connor Birch (keyboards) and Nick Berlin (drums), was born out of other bands such as Shady Elders and A Band in Pictures.

This previous experience has obviously paid off, as Flaural proved it has a long, successful future ahead.

Flaural sets itself apart with obvious technical ability and practice at crafting some of the dreamiest tunes currently coming out of Denver. Even though Johnson’s vocals could have stood a boost from the sound booth, it was clear his voice melds perfectly with the band’s instrumentals. Flaural’s music is a fresh take on elements from the ‘70s with modern shoegaze weaved in expertly; the band is a fresh breath of mountain air for psych rock.

The next local act, Inner Oceans, was a bit lackluster, but still put on a solid set. The crowd enjoyed the pop-rock outfit and certain members of the audience yelled enthusiastically for bassist Julia Mendiolea, an incredibly talented musician that, notably, also plays guitar in Denver band

Freaky North. Inner Oceans, while putting on an entertaining set, just seemed to be missing a certain spark. This isn’t to say the band isn’t musically talented; they could have just had an off night, so don’t write off Inner Oceans completely.

All in all, Flaural was a perfect opening act for excellent Wild Nothing. Inner Oceans, though not as exciting as Flaural, still played a decent show, and will probably be better in sets to come. Either way, these two bands promise exciting things to come for Denver local music.

photo courtesy of heyreverb.com

Flaural is made up of Collin Johnson, Noah Pfaff, Connor Birch and Nick Berlin.

JULY M A Y 23, 0 4 2015 , 2016

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ENTERTAINMENT | 1 5

Beyoncé unapologetic with ‘LEMONADE’ Drake’s ‘Views’

not noteworthy DUSTIN AMICK CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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photo courtesy of chron.com

Beyoncé’s new visual album “LEMONADE” revolves around themes of infidelity and freedom, exploring new genres for the artist.

EMILY GRABOSKI

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CONTRIBUTING WRITER

hen Beyoncé released her self-titled album back in 2013, hysteria encompassed the Beyhive. The album, featuring hits such as “Drunk in Love” and “***Flawless,” received unprecedented praise. The question remained, could Beyoncé outdo herself?

Apparently yes. In fact, she recently debuted her new album, “LEMONADE” on April 23, coinciding with a one-hour film special on HBO. “LEMONADE” is Beyoncé’s sixth album and it does not disappoint.

The first single, “Formation,” debuted on Feb. 6 and was performed during the Super Bowl on Feb. 7.

Some critics said that Beyoncé stole the show from Coldplay, the main Super Bowl headliner, and yielded a politically charged performance that was talked about in the following weeks. Her appearance at the Super Bowl, surprisingly enough, was only a glimpse into what was to be released in the following months.

The album begins with a wounded heart on “Pray You Can Hear Me,” then collapses into “Hold Up” where she grieves for all the good love her husband put to waste. “Don’t Hurt Yourself” features Jack White of the White Stripes and relentlessly takes down a cheating and faithless husband with distorted vocals and discordant chorus. “Sorry” is a beauti-

ful clap-back about an imperfect boy who was messing with “Becky,” specifically “Becky with the good hair.”

This lyric obviously caused controversy, as the public tried to piece together who “Becky” was. Some speculated that Rachel Roy or Rita Ora were “Becky,” but both have denied the accusation.

The album also talks about issues beyond romance, such as the suffering of African-American women in America. More specifically, “Freedom,” a motivational anthem, spotlights a sharp rap from Kendrick Lamar as well as mixes in a spoken work snippet from Jay-Z’s grandmother that ends up becoming the title of the album: “I was served lemons, but I made lemonade.”

“6 Inch,” even with its appearance from the Weeknd, is somewhat forgettable. “Love Drought” and

“Sandcastles” serve as the album’s ballads, displaying impeccable and soaring love songs. The album ends with “All Night,” a ballad where the couple makes up and together lives happily ever after, perhaps signaling a reconciliation among the couple.

Her album is not solely a gossip machine or basic “crank-it-out” pop album. At the center of its lyrics are gut-wrenching and contemptuous confessions about adultery and sneering, sarcastic remarks about the hardship of African-Americans in America. The music solidifies Beyoncé as a regal and momentous queen of pop music. “LEMONADE” is simply refreshing and only leaves fans waiting to see how she will triumph beyond the barriers she created herself in the future.

“LEMONADE” is available on Tidal and iTunes.

photo courtesy of independent.co.uk

“LEMONADE” was accompanied by a film released on HBO and Tidal on April 23.

rake’s new album, “Views,” comes after a huge week in the music industry.

Last weekend, Beyonce launched her already culturally defining visual album, “LEMONADE,” cultivating a flurry of think pieces on fidelity and the role of black women in society. The two albums are similar as they both deal with issues of loyalty and love. Maybe it’s bad timing, but “Views” has less impact when hearing Beyonce’s approach compared to Drake’s.

The rapper may offer an introspective on struggling to find love when living such a lavish lifestyle, but it’s difficult to sympathize with at some points in the album. There’s nothing wrong with Drake lamenting on his failed relationships and trust issues, but it feels like well-tread ground. He continues to encapsulate his sad-face internet meme persona while keeping the egotistical raps calling out his critics and competitors. Nevertheless, Drake brings powerful beats and enough swagger with each song to elevate his music above simple whininess.

In an interview with Beat 1’s Zane Lowe leading up to the release of “Views,” Drake said that “the album is based around the change of the seasons in our city. Winter to summer and back to winter again.”

The album is structured as the passing of seasons, starting with the cold and distant “Keep the Family Close.” Though hurt and bruised, Drake heats up throughout the track list with songs like “Hype” and “Still Here.”

The strongest songs are when Drake pulls himself out of his selfpity and brings a greater self awareness to the music. While you can skip slow and shallow tracks like “Redemption,” definitely seek out more insightful collaborations with PARTYNEXTDOOR (“With You”) and, of course, Rihanna (“Too Good”). Future, Drake’s co-headliner for their upcoming Summer Sixteen Tour, features on “Grammys” but doesn’t make much of an impact compared to Drake’s particularly strong verses in the song.

Despite the epic 82 minute runtime of the 20-track album, Drake finds wonderful consistency in the music. Songs ebb and flow smoothly, but rightly never stand out as possible big radio hits unlike his previous album, “Nothing Was the Same.” Drake’s latest, however, finishes much stronger with the soaring, penultimate “Views,” perfectly wrapping up the previous hour-plus experience with thoughts on his journey to success, tackling morals, and facing disloyalty among the music industry. The only song that feels out of place is the final one, the poppy hit single “Hotline Bling,” which feels tacked on simply because it was a hit. Once “Views” goes silent, however, it won’t be difficult to hit replay.

The new album is available exclusively to purchase on iTunes and stream on Apple Music.

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Prince’s iconic legacy lives on through music ter, but when you mix together a crowd of thousands, rain and Prince, no one could expect anything less than a historic set.

Miami in 2007 had the honor of witnessing probably the best Super Bowl halftime show since the founding of the event. With the stage designed as Prince’s Love Symbol, the musician shredded through songs including “Baby I’m a Star” and “Purple Rain.”

There is nothing more fitting than Prince performing “Purple Rain” surrounded by fantastic purple lights, a showering of rain and a crowd screaming their praise.

Watch the set on YouTube.

photo courtesy of yournewswire.com

Prince, the iconic music legend who got his start in the 1970s, died at his estate in April, leaving fans grieving throughout the world.

JOCELYN ROCKHOLD

T

STAFF WRITER

he year has not been kind to music; with the passing of David Bowie, Glenn Frey, Lemmy and others, 2016 was off to a bad start. When the news of the untimely death of music legend Prince hit the news, many at first believed it to be a hoax until a statement from the icon’s publicist emerged. It was almost impossible to believe that the man who influenced so

many was gone. His music, his personality, his style, his intelligence and his humanity created a combination that is once in a lifetime. Now, all the world can do is reflect on Prince’s extensive and world-changing life. Look below for just a small sample of the historic musician’s work.

Best guitar solo At the 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, the likes of Tom Petty and Steve Winwood graced the stage with Prince to perform “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” to

honor the late George Harrison.

It was already a pretty special performance by iconic rockers, but when Prince launched into one of the most righteous guitar solos of all time, the rest of the musicians were just as shocked and enthralled as the audience.

Notably, George Harrison’s son, Dhani Harrison, looked completely flabbergasted—though who wouldn’t? Watch Prince’s legendary solo on YouTube.

Most iconic performance Super Bowl performances can sometimes be incredibly lacklus-

Best album It’s impossible to remember Prince without talking about his album “Purple Rain.” The album has sold over 20 million copies and won two Grammys in 1985.

Since the album is a soundtrack, it also garnered an Oscar for “Best Original Song Score.” “Purple Rain” is, notably, the first of Prince’s albums to include backing band “The Revolution.” The album is routinely considered one of the best of all time and features songs such as “When Doves Cry,” “I Would Die 4 U,” and, of course, “Purple Rain.” Pick up a physical copy, if you can—this album isn’t on Spotify and most likely never will be (though it is available on Tidal and iTunes).

“Purple Rain” will be showing at Red Rocks on May 12 in honor of the musician.

Upcoming May album releases promise range TARYN ALLEN

A

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

s the school year winds down, don’t forget to tune into the newest albums being released in May. While there are many popular artists who are dropping new music in the coming weeks, there are three can’t-miss release days approaching.

The first big day is May 13, when Meghan Trainor will premiere “Thank You,” her second studio album. Trainor recently won a Grammy for Best New Artist and her four preview singles off of “Thank You” promise only good feedback for the rest of the album. The pop artist will embark on a 2016 tour after her album release as well, and she will appear in Denver on July 26 at the Bellco Theatre.

Also on May 13, electronic duo 3OH!3, originally based in Boulder, will release “Night Sports.” 3OH!3 consists of Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte, and they have been active since 2004. The group will appear at the Pepsi Center in Denver on July 31 as part of the Vans Warped Tour.

On May 20, Ariana Grande, increasingly famous pop and R&B artist, will release the longawaited “Dangerous Woman” album. The title song was already released and has topped charts

in recent weeks. Grande has been gaining publicity through her music, but also through her memorable appearances on shows like “Saturday Night Live” and “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” and her newest work should impress fans and non-fans alike.

In a change of style, Bob Dylan is also putting out a new album on May 20. Fans of older folk and blues music will appreciate “Fallen Angels,” the 37th studio album from Dylan. The album will consist of twelve covers of classic songs like “Young At Heart” and “All the Way,” chosen and performed by Dylan. Everyone should appreciate this album, as Dylan has been performing since 1959.

Finally, come May 27, both Flume and Dierks Bentley will release new music. Flume is an Australian electronic music producer; he has been active since 2008, but is really just beginning to hit the mainstream, especially in America; his newest album, “Skin,” should only continue his success. Best known for remixes of hits by other artists like Lorde and Sam Smith, he will play at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on August 18.

Dierks Bentley’s newest album, “Black,” is set to be released on May 27 as well. Bentley is a country and bluegrass singer-songwriter from Arizona and has been performing since

2003. Bentley has been nominated for a Grammy 12 times overall for different country music categories, and his ninth album, “Black,” should only further his career.

The entire month of May promises great new music aside

from the few listed. Other artists to watch in the next few weeks include Fifth Harmony, JMSN and David Banner. There are amazing artists old and new to listen to, whether people are stuck in the library or out enjoying the Colorado sunshine.

photo courtesy of josepvinaixa.com

Boulder-based electronic band 3OH!3 is releasing their fifth studio album this May to fan hype.