DU Clarion Volume 124 Issue 22

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VOLUME 124, ISSUE 22

BLACK OUT ASKS DU STUDENTS TO #TAKEAKNEE

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PIONEERS DEFEAT PRONGHORNS 3-1 AT HOME

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FOUR FRIENDS PROVIDES SOUTHERN COMFORT

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| NEWS

Jason Baldwin on unjust imprisonment

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n Thursday, Sept. 28, DU welcomed Jason Baldwin who, along with Damien Echols and Jessie Misskelley Jr., was imprisoned for 18 years for a crime he did not commit.

Coined the “West Memphis Three,” the story of injustice was the subject of four documentaries and a feature film.

Baldwin gave two lectures at DU, one in the Davis Auditorium and the other in the Sturm College of Law. At the law school, in a small classroom setting--Baldwin reflected on the judicial system, the way it treats criminals and, more generally, human beings. He argued that this system was an antagonistic system in which the title of one’s job creates a set of expectations that can tarnish the role at hand.

An example he gave of this was the expectations for the role of a prosecutor who, “if he wants to keep the job, he has to

continue to get convictions,” said Baldwin.

The problem, he argues, lies in how the job of a prosecutor is not to get the truth but to prosecute. “You’re primed to look for evidence of guilt,” continued Baldwin as he argued that the presumption of innocence is tainted due to how the term “suspect” becomes synonymous with “guilty” and the phrase, “innocent until proven guilty,” gives leeway for the justice system to pursue reasons for convicting the suspect rather than searching for the truth.

In the lecture, Baldwin recalled the moments that lead to his and his friend’s arrest, beginning with him and his neighbors being charged for breaking and entering because they were playing at a lake nearby their West Memphis, Ark. trailer park. He, his brothers and his neighbors, he said, were given probation

ABOUT US

for five years and each kid was charged $500 in fines. Since then, the trailer park where Baldwin lived, garnered a negative reputation. “We’re just those kids from the trailer park who all have records,” Baldwin explained.

Echols, Baldwin’s friend and another one of the wrongly convicted West Memphis Three, was immediately connected to the murder of the three second-graders due to his probation officer’s skepticism over his religious explorations, said Baldwin.

“They didn’t go into facts of the crime, they started with this idea that Damian must have done it because Jerry has been messing with Damian about his interest in Wicca and alternate religions, Buddhism, Catholicism,” said Baldwin, “he was ostracized to the point where he was called a Satanist.”

Misskelley’s questioning,

which lead to the conviction of Baldwin and Echols, “was a collaborative effort between the detectives and Jessie,” said Baldwin who said Misskelley’s low IQ was taken advantage of. “They would lay out photos of the boys’ bodies after they were found and just make up a story about what he saw in the photos with the caveat that he put Damian and me there,” he said.

With those three recollections and the description of his court hearing not allowing him to testify for himself, Baldwin tells the audience that the judicial system needs amending and that it all goes back to the title of the prosecutor and the presumption of innocence— something he said neither he nor Echols and Misskelley had.

Baldwin, Echols and Misskelley were released from prison on Aug. 19, 2011.

Daniela Santos | News Editor

DU Clarion EDITORIAL STAFF

JOHN POE, Editor-in-Chief RYAN NINESLING, Executive Editor DANIELA SANTOS, News Editor NIKKY JOHNSON, Sports Editor ELIZABETH LOCHHEAD, Opinions Editor 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.

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.

ANNMARIE MARLOW, Arts & Life Editor KENDALL MORRIS, Arts & Life Editor CAITLAN GANNAM, Photo/Video Editor GRACE HOUSER, Photo/Video Editor MONICA MCFADDEN, Podcast Editor JUSTIN CYGAN, Copy Editor MAYA PINON, Copy Editor ANDREW MATRANGA, Faculty Adviser Cover Photo Courtesy of Cate Daniels

CONTRIBUTING STAFF EMMA COHEN DREW KORT ANNIE NAGEL GEORGIA PEDEN AUBREY POLLIARD KATE POWELL

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NEWS | 3

Black Out protest asks students to #TakeAKnee

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his year’s second-annual Black Out hosted

by DUSA (DU Student Activists) blocked traffic of Driscoll Bridge on Oct. 2 at noon and brought students together to protest police brutality and systemic racism. The group of student protestors proved over 100 strong, uniform in all black clothing and the desire to take “action against the systemic and institutional forces that racism and white supremacy to exist globally, domestically and across college campuses” (DUSA).

The protest was eerily silent, Driscoll Bridge pedestrians heedfully wove their way through the maze of student protesters as Makia Jones—previous president of DU’s Black Student Alliance (BSA)—invited the student and faculty members present to #TakeAKnee in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick the football player currently in the national spotlight for protesting against police brutality. Jones, among other members of DUSA, proceeded to name victims of police shootings.

“We’ve come a long way y’all.

It’s not just this moment. We’ve been doing this since the 60s, even before then. We’re here in 2017 and continuing this work to make sure that people are aware that this issue matters,” said Jones to protest attendees.

As this year continues to face the issues that, as Jones recalled, activists have fought for decades, DUSA is trying to be unfazed and hopeful for the aspiration of a more inclusive, and safer future.

Cate Daniels, vice president

of BSA and a representative of DUSA, voiced her hopes and excitement heartfully, “We’re (DUSA) so happy with the turnout as an indication of a bright future that we hope to see for this campus and for our nation. Additionally, we’d like to challenge all of those who were inspired by today’s events to get more involved on campus to fight for social justice alongside DUSA and other organizations.”

During the protest, Daniels read off a list of ten rights that every human being deserves including freedom, health, safety, love, courage, education and the right to know our rights. “We’re here to recognize the value of the lives who have had their rights stripped from them,” Daniels said.

DUSA is a student-led coalition whose mission is to “courageously support and mobilize the DU and greater Denver community members to advocate for social, political and environmental justice. Through collective dialogue, education and action, DUSA will neither rest nor remain silent until the DU community becomes the inclusive and socially aware campus that students, faculty and staff deserve it to be.”

The alliance hosts meetings every Thursday in the Driscoll Underground at 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm and welcomes all students to come, to listen, and to help create a better future collectively.

Kendall Morris | Arts & Life Editor

Kendall Morris | Clarion

DU committed to Title IX process

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n early September, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it would be rewriting the rules surrounding sexual assault on college campuses. The morning of Sept. 22, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos released the planned changes to Title IX guidelines on sexual assault, spurring many reactions by colleges and universities across the U.S. These changes to Title IX outline that it will no longer be abiding by the previously used guidelines in the 2011 Dear Colleague Letter or the 2014 Questions and Answers on Title IX and Sexual Violence. Instead, there is a new Interim Q&A policy that schools should use in place of the old documents.

Under previous guidelines, universities were required to use a standard called “preponderance of evidence” that would find someone guilty of sexual assault if the evidence suggests it’s more than likely that that student is responsible.

Now, under the new system, it gives universities the option to

use “clear and convincing standard of proof,” which makes it more difficult to convict students who commit sexual assault.

“The withdrawn documents ignored notice and comment requirements, [and] created a system that lacked basic elements of due process and failed to ensure fundamental fairness,” says the statement released by the U.S. Department of Education.

Supporters of these new guidelines say that this fixes the problem of having different standards for due process nationally versus on college campuses, and it keeps innocent people who have been accused of sexual assault from getting convicted.

However, critics say that this fails to address how difficult it is to properly convict those who have committed sexual assault in the current system, and that many students who have actually committed rape and sexual assault walk free.

Regardless of these new options, DU sent an email to the student body assuring that

this will not change the way the school addresses issues of sexual assault. “[T]hese developments do not obligate the University to revise any of its existing policies or procedures,” the email stated.

“Further, today’s announcement does not compromise the University of Denver’s mission to create a safe and inclusive campus environment, or its commitment to providing thorough, prompt, and equitable response to allegations of gender-based violence.”

Chancellor Rebecca Chopp also released a statement addressing the original announcement about Title IX changes, which affirms similar sentiments about the university’s commitment to the Title IX process.

For more information about Title IX and sexual assault, visit the Department of Education’s website and the DU’s page on the Center for Advocacy, Prevention and Empowerment (CAPE).

Monica McFadden | Podcast Editor

How a Blue Bench is fighting to stop sexual assault

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his academic year, in one of the busiest parts of campus, students may notice a non-intrusive blue bench at the end of the bridge hallway near the north end of the Driscoll Student Center.

With minimal explanation to its purpose, those who may consider taking a second glance at the seat will notice a sign with The Blue Bench organization’s logo, their slogan, “Putting an end to sexual assault through prevention and care” and their website and the phone number to their 24/7 support hotline.

The Blue Bench organization, founded in 1983, is a Denver-based sexual assault prevention and support center that assists nine Denver counties with a plethora of resources for sexual assault victims and advocates. The resources include the 24/7 hotline, informational pages addressing common misconceptions and educational programs each helping different demographics including schools, bars/music venues/ clubs, parents, businesses, detention centers, etc.

Kayla Ham, coordinator of advocacy services for the Center for Advocacy, Prevention and Empowerment (CAPE), explained the process for deciding where to locate the bench, “Vice Chancellor Lili Rodriguez requested a location that is visible and could draw attention. Through this, and a collaborative effort with facilities and other departments on campus, the Driscoll Bridge was chosen for its visibility and practicality.”

“I feel the addition of the blue bench on the Driscoll Bridge communicates commitment to supporting survivors of sexual assault and brings awareness to these issues,” said Ham who hopes the bench “can be a place where people can reflect on issues impacting our community, and where victims/survivors can feel they are supported.”

DU, Ham says, partners with the organization for support services and both are connected through Denver’s Sexual Assault Interagency Council (SAIC) which commits to improving the response to sexual assault in the city and county of Denver. A second blue bench can be found in the Health and Counseling Center’s Asbury location.

Daniela Santos | News Editor

Daniela Santos | Clarion

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| SPORTS

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DU Hockey sees victory in exhibition game, 3-1

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U Hockey came out strong in their first home game in their Magness Arena on Oct. 1, when in the first period they stole two goals over the University of Lethbridge for a final score victory of 3-1.

Crimson and Gold opened the scoring on an odd-man rush at 4:30 of the first period, despite being shorthanded early in the game.

Junior forward, Logan O’Connor (Calgary, Alberta) helped set up the shorthanded goal with a pass through the neutral zone to sophomore forward, Tyson McLellan (San Jose, Calif.), who finished the play with a wrist shot over the glove of

Pronghorns goalie, Garret Hughson.

Shortly after, sophomore forward, Liam Finlay (Kelowna, B.C.) found himself alone in the right circle for a power play assisted by senior defenseman, Adam Plant (Penticton, B.C.) which extended the Denver lead 2-0. Freshman forward, Jaako Heikkinen (Helsinki, Finland) had the secondary assist, and the two-goal advantage held through for the Pioneers to the first intermission.

At 5:30 of the second period, junior forward, Troy Terry (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) put the Pioneers back on the board. Junior forward, Dylan Gambrell (Bonney Lake,

Wash.) and junior forward, Jarid Lukosevicius (Squamish, B.C.) had the assists on Terry’s goal from the corner to the front of the net.

The Pronghorns scored their first goal of the night at 16:56 of the second period when Lethbridge’s Brandon Clowes took the puck up the left-wing boards and fired a shot through freshman goalie, Dayton Rasmussen’s (Eden Prairie, Minn.) legs, resulting in a 3-1 score.

Senior goalie, Tanner Jaillet (Red Deer, Alberta) started the exhibition game, but was subbed in the second period by freshman Rasmussen. Rasmussen helped preserve the Pioneers’ lead with a glove save on a

breakaway in the early moments of the frame.

Denver finished 1/3 on power plays and 6/6 on penalty kills.

Denver outshot Lethbridge, 37-31.

Jaillet finished with eight saves, and Rasmussen finished with 14 saves.

The second freshman goalie, Devin Cooley (Los Gatos, Calif.) made four stops in the final 10:18 of the third period.

DU Hockey will see its first regular season game against Notre Dame on Oct. 13 in South Bend, Indiana.

Nikky Johnson | Sports Editor

Erika Sobelman | Clarion

DU Women’s soccer falls 2-1 in Summit League Opener D U Women’s Soccer lost to South Dakota State on their home turf this past Friday, Sept. 29, when in overtime Marisa Schulz scored for South Dakota resulting in a 2-1 final score. The Pioneers took a fifth-minute lead when Jessie Dancy (Park City, Utah) scored her seventh goal of her campaign.

But, it wasn’t enough, as Schulz answered back with a goal from the top of the box, ending the Summit League opening game as a loss for the Denver Pioneers.

Denver led at the half, 1-0, but South Dakota State equalized quickly out of the locker room off of Nicole Hatcher’s fourth goal of the season.

South Dakota State’s, Annie Williams, played her free kick into the penalty area to an unmarked Hatcher who scored from eight yards out.

Heading into overtime, the Pioneers almost saw victory when in the 95th minute senior Riley Welch (Littleton, Colo.) attempted a goal, but was blocked by South Dakota goalkeeper, Maggie Smither, who recorded six saves on the night to keep the teams level.

Off a Denver corner, South Dakota State saw their game-winning attack with the final two passes coming from Darien Poelstra and Hatcher to set up Schulz for the win.

Denver’s Dancy became the fifth Denver player since the 2006 season to score at least seven goals in their

first 12 games of the campaign when she headed home a Hannah Adler (Oak Park, Calif.) cross 4:44 into the match. The senior joined former Pioneers, Francesca Garzelloni (2013), Kristen Hamilton (2011 and 2012), Kaitlin Bast (2009 and 2010) and Taryn Hemmings (2008) on that list.

Freshman midfielder, Brittany Lewis (Centennial, Colo.) assisted Dancy’s play, sending a cross field pass to the right to the run of Adler.

The DU sophomore swung in her cross just outside the six yard box, and Dancy put her glancing header into the side netting.

The soccer team faced the North Dakota State Bison on Sunday on their home turf, and won 3-0. Dancy scored in the 30th and 37th minutes and junior outside back Hannah Bricker (Fort Collins, Colo.) curled a free kick in the 60th minute.

Head coach Jeff Hooker commented on the difference of play between Friday’s and Sunday’s games: “Everyone was strong on the ball today, and everyone looked to play team soccer, after I thought we were a little too individualistic on Friday night.”

DU Women’s soccer heads to Vermillion, South Dakota this Friday to face the University of South Dakota, followed by another away game in Tulsa, Oklahoma against Oral Roberts University on Oct. 12.

Nikky Johnson | Sports Editor

Victoria Valenzuela | Clarion

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SPORTS | 5

Latham records 500th kill in loss to North Dakota A

fter a stellar home performance that proved a flawless record for the Pioneers in their home gym, the DU Volleyball team headed to North Dakota last weekend to face the lady Bison. After a victorious first set coming to win from behind (28-26), the Pioneers lost the next three sets, giving the big ‘W’ to the Bison (15-25, 23-25, 23-25).

The Pioneers now home a 10-4 record, and stand 1-1 for conference games. The Bison improved their record to a 12-4 and 3-0 in league play.

As a team, the Pioneers recorded 52 kills, hitting .127. They had 69 digs, 49 assists, seven service aces and four blocks.

Junior outside hitter, Becca Latham (Austin, Texas), continued her strong performance, amounting 13 kills in the set, including her 500th kill of her career. Graduate student middle blocker, Teal Schnurr (Westminster, Colo.), also landed in double digits with her play on the match, counting 11 kills. Senior setter, Piyusha Boteju (Euless, Texas), led the team in assists with 23. Senior libero, Cassidy Rooke (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.) led the

team in digs as she saved 20 balls from slamming on the Pioneer floor.

Rooke is now seated fourth in DU All-Time history as she has 1502 digs in her DU career. Freshman blocker, Tina Boe (Plymouth, Minn.) lead the Pioneers in blocks, amounting 3 assists. Junior blocker, Emma Willis (La Jolla, Calif.) counted a single block for the match. Senior outside hitter, Cassie Baird led Denver with three service aces, but five DU players recorded aces for the match.

Pioneer volleyball showed its true colors in their fight for the set one victory. Down 20-24, they fought back and gained the set momentum, and Denver took the victory as they impressed the entire crowd. There were a total of eight ties and three lead changes in the opening frame.

A Schnurr kill and Anderson service ace completed the comeback to take the set, 28-26. Latham had seven kills in the first set, senior right-side hitter, Kayla Principato (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) had five kills and Schnurr had three. DU hit .196 with 17 kills and the team had two service aces from Baird and freshman Ellie Anderson (Cedar Rapids, Iowa). Boe combined with Baird and Schnurr for the two Pioneer blocks in the set.

get:

The second set of the match only allowed for eight DU kills, and the team hit a struggling .067 overall.

Boteju and Baird were the stars of the set, as Boteju recorded a team-high of four assists, and also accounted for two of the five digs of the match.

Baird had back-to-back service aces, as well as two kills, both team-highs in the set. Schnurr also had two kills in the set.

The last two sets were both very close, and in set three, DU had an early lead of 4-7. But, the Bison came back out of a timeout to claim the victory, 23-25. There were ties at 21, 22 and 23 before the Bison closed the set with the last two points to take the set. Denver hit another low percentage at .070 in the set, with Baird registering four kills and Willis and Latham having three kills each. Boteju had seven of the team’s 14 assists, as well as the team’s lone service ace. Willis had a solo block, the only block of any kind recorded in the set for the Pioneers.

The fourth set followed suit of the third, as DU played in a promising manner, yet fell to the Bison in a 23-25 final score. Crimson and Gold Volleyball gave the overall victory to the Bison.

hyped festive rhythm hungry spirit #piohoco • du.edu/homecoming

The Pioneers swept the South Dakota Jackrabbits on Sunday in three sets, 3-0. The 25-15, 25-20, 25-10 straight set victory moved the Pioneers to 11-4 overall and 2-1 in the Summit League, while the defeat dropped South Dakota State to 2-15 and 0-4 in the league.

As a team, the Pioneers had 43 kills and hit .278, while holding the Jackrabbits to 25 kills and a hitting percentage of .074. Denver Volleyball recorded 37 assists, 59 digs, 10 service aces and five total team blocks in the win.

Principato led the visitors in kills with 10 in the match, while Rooke and Bartalo provided 13 and 12 digs.

Boteju assisted on 19 Pioneer points, and Willis contributed five assisted blocks. Bartalo, Baird, Rooke and Anderson all had two service aces in the match.

Denver Volleyball heads to Nebraska on Tuesday, Oct. 3 to face the Omaha squad. This weekend they head to Tulsa, Oklahoma to face Oral Roberts University.

Nikky Johnson | Sports Editor

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Korte and Men’s Golf squad compete in Albuquerque

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n only two days’ rest, the men’s squad hit the road again; this time down in Albuquerque, New Mexico where they competed in the Tucker Invitational hosted by the University of New Mexico. The 54-hole event was held on Sept.

22-23 at the UNM Championship Course, a challenging par 72 layout that plays at a lengthy 7,555 yards.

Head Coach Erik Billinger chose a lineup consisting of seniors Chris Korte (Littleton, Colo.) and Jake Kelley (Littleton, Colo.), and a Sophomore trio of Eric Hagen (Aberdeen, Wash.), Roy Kang (North Vancouver, B.C.) and Isaac Petersilie (Colorado Springs, Colo.).

Freshman John Sand (Hoquiam, Wash.) competed as an individual.

Hagen led the way early, jumping out to four under par through

his first eight holes, and at one point had made four consecutive birdies.

Although he stumbled a bit on the way in, he managed to card a solid two over par 74 in round one. He followed his morning round up with a three over par 75 in the afternoon, and would close the day at five over par. Korte struggled early on shooting a birdie-less four over par in his opening loop, but bounced back nicely in the afternoon with a one over par 73, leaving him at five over par as well after day one of the tournament. The two sat in 33rd on the individual leaderboard and were the best positioned on the team. The youngster, Sand, was able to position himself nicely as well at six over par going into the final day.

As a unit, Denver was in 11th out of 17 competing squads when play ceased after 36 holes, and 26

strokes behind clubhouse leader, Petersilie and Kang all ended with the University of Nevada Las Vegas. five over par 77’s and all finished “The wind and the course setup outside the top 50. Sand struggled were extremely challenging, but we on his final outing shooting a 12 still have one more round to go and over par 84, but nonetheless has we have the opportunity to get some showed great promise early in his key head-to-head wins against some collegiate career. good teams,” said Billinger Friday Brigham Young University came afternoon. “Time to build on our from behind to snag the title, shootpositives and go out tomorrow with ing an impressive final round one some determination.” under par.

After the final day, the Pioneers Overall, the team has looked rose one spot on the team lead- balanced in the early going. It will erboard to finish in the 10th slot. be crucial moving forward that the Korte shot a nifty two under par team continues to receive contribu70 that consisted of three birdies tions from its talented underclassand a lone bogey to close out his men. They will look to build on their weekend. His efforts put him into momentum when the team hosts a tie for 11th individually, and this the Paintbrush Invitational on Oct. marks his second consecutive finish 9-10 in Parker, Colorado. just outside the top 10. Hagen shot a Saturday two over par 74 to put him in a tie for 27th, and Kelley, Drew Kort | Contributing Writer

Photo courtesy of DU Athletics

A M E R I C A’ S L A R G E S T CO N S U M E R A U D I O S H O W

14 TH AN N UAL RO CKY MOUNTAIN INTE RN ATI ON AL AUDIO FEST 06 - 08 OCTOBER 2017 / DENVER, COLORADO

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OPINIONS | 7

Including all in IMPACT 2025

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or anyone who has been near campus in the last several weeks, changes related to DU’s IMPACT 2025 strategic plan are becoming apparent. The plan is ambitious to put it modestly, and aims at large-scale revamp, renovation and engagement of campus and the community. The master plan, announced by Chancellor Chopp this past April, is supposed to incorporate input from students, faculty, staff, outside advisors and neighbors, and as this herculean project advances, sights have been set on a future DU that is a “vital resource” in more ways than twenty.

IMPACT 2025 is currently divided into ten working groups focusing on the plethora of elements the project has taken on, both off and on campus. In line with DU’s intention to be a private university for the public good, many efforts are being focused outward. The working group on the Collaboration for the Public Good has selected a theme of “Thriving Communities” for its Grand Challenges Initiative, which is focusing on more large-scale problems (sometimes keeping track of these project subsets can feel like repeatedly increasing the magnification of a microscope). Another working group is focusing on DU engagement with Denver and the region.

It is goals like these that tend to garner the most attention from the wider community.

Over the summer, the Denverite covered some of the changes happening in the DU area. As millions of dollars of building projects take place on campus, there are also plans for

new restaurants nearby, more programming to bring visitors to campus and the possibility of one-way traffic on York St. The article quoted Debbie Harrington, the president of the University Park Community Council, as saying that the neighborhood is “cautiously optimistic” about the efforts. While there is lots of benefit to be gained from the changes, realistically-minded people like Harrington are likely wise to put caution on their optimism—strategic plans do not usually go entirely and swimmingly according to plan.

However, Harrington mentions that many people live in the neighborhood in part because of the resources the university can provide, and the changes could be a positive boost.

Harrington was quoted in another Denverite article expressing hope for a “mutually enriching” relationship between community and campus. A part of that relationship will most certainly come through buildings themselves, and as this article lists, demand for housing near DU is sky high and being acted on by various developers. Herein lies one of the most crucial parts of IMPACT 2025’s community efforts.

Moving the DU area away from a Hogwarts-Hogsmeade model (in which interaction is fairly transactional) and towards an inviting and bountiful place of porous community engagement will, in the hopes of project leaders, make it a more desirable place for everyone. But as has been observed in many other notoriously-expensive college towns, this can mean that the area will

Elizabeth Lochhead | Clarion

become less and less affordable.

The text of IMPACT 2025 mentions a focus on affordable housing, but it is not entirely clear how this can be achieved.

Public transportation is a good first step, and an Urban Land Institute committee that gave recommendations to DU over the summer included emphasizing public transit and possibly installing a shuttle system around campus. There have also been recommendations for down-payment and rental assistance for faculty and staff as an incentive to live near campus.

However, more concrete ideas about how to ensure we aren’t on our way to being an even more expensive little enclave

are needed.

Keeping neighbors included in the process will help, and as Harrington mentioned, neighbors are being encouraged to participate.

To some extent, rising demand for housing in the area will inevitably make it more expensive, but DU has made it wildly apparent that it has the capability to transform the area, and this can include strategies to keep the district as accessible as possible. If DU has the ambition and imagination to come up with a plan like IMPACT 2025, there should certainly be enough creativity when it comes to including people of all incomes in the plentiful benefits the plan seeks to bestow.

Elizabeth Lochhead | Opinions Editor

Kneelin g for Americ a: Trump and the NFL

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t a rally on Sept. 22, President Trump took to the stage and gave his opinion on what should happen to NFL players who decided to kneel during the national anthem. Amid calling players “sons of bitches,” he called for owners of NFL teams to immediately fire anyone who kneels or otherwise protests during the anthem. Much to his surprise, the NFL fired back with shocking force.

The controversy started with Colin Kaepernick, a former San Francisco 49er, who knelt during the national anthem back in September of 2016.

Since then many have followed in his footsteps, kneeling during the national anthem as a form of peaceful protest and to raise awareness about police brutality in the U.S. Interestingly enough, as the frontrunner of this movement in the NFL and despite leading the 49ers to the Super

Bowl, Kaepernick remains a free agent for the upcoming season.

But with Trump’s newest media feud, #takeaknee has become more than just a movement about police brutality.

This past weekend, almost 250 NFL players and numerous teams across the country took to the field in protest of the president himself. Many teams were joined by their owners – a scene that is very rare in normal circumstances – including Dallas Cowboy’s owner Jerry Jones, who formerly gave Trump’s campaign $1 million. Players locked arms and knelt before their games throughout Sunday and Monday, sending a powerful message about equality and standing up for what is right.

Yet Trump continues to take his hard-line stance on kneeling during the anthem. Following the protests, he took to Twitter in true presidential style, saying that he approved of linking arms,

however kneeling was absolutely not acceptable. But what he and thousands of angry white Americans do not realize is that they are missing the point.

To kneel during the national anthem is not to disrespect the country or anyone who has sacrificed their lives defending it. Quite the opposite, it’s a peaceful protest meant to bring awareness to police brutality and the value of black lives in the U.S. that keeps our country from reaching its full potential.

The people who are protesting (peacefully, as it is very important to keep in mind) do not do so out of malevolence for America, but rather out of a vision for her future – a vision where we are all afforded equal rights and no one faces discrimination because of the way they were born.

Kaepernick did not stand for the anthem for a very specific purpose. In 2016 he said, “Ultimately, it’s to bring awareness

and make people realize what’s really going on in this country.

There are a lot of things that are going on that are unjust, people aren’t being held accountable for and that’s something that needs to change… This country stands for freedom, liberty, justice for all and it’s not happening for all right now.” He used his platform to take a stand for something that he believed in, to make meaningful social change and push the country to take a step in the right direction. Almost exactly one year later, his simple act inspired hundreds to follow suit, in turn earning attention from the president himself and media headlines for over a week.

But now it is time to capitalize on this strength and force the movement forward— for a brighter future and a better America.

Aubrey Polliard | Contributing Writer

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| OPINIONS

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It isn’t always an agenda

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t has been such a politically fraught year that talking about this year as a politically fraught year has been tiresome for a while now. First comes the news story or tweet and analysis of policy implications, then comes public controversy, then comes controversy over the controversy. For many average people, avoiding debate has been difficult, and the same can be said for many of the novels, movies and TV shows that have been released this year. The cyclical nature of criticism shows itself in this area too, with arguments strongly in favor of politics in entertainment, adamantly against and everything in between.

Jimmy Kimmel, host of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on ABC, is one of the primary

Photo courtesy of Architect of the Capitol

examples of a public voice that has received heavy praise and backlash for bringing politics into entertainment. Following the recent birth of his son who underwent heart surgery almost immediately and was diagnosed with a congenital heart disease, Kimmel has spoken several times over the last few months in criticism of the various proposals for health care overhaul.

Praise has rolled in from across the internet, including tweets from Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, commending his personal stories. Others are not as enthusiastic, including Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina (who, along with Senator Bill Cassidy (La.), put forward the most recent and now-over iteration of the healthcare replacement), who

said on “Fox and Friends” that Kimmel used this as a “liberal talking point.”

But there is another example of an individual in a similar situation of personal closeness to the issue who is going against what his job suggests he should do, and that is Republican Senator John McCain (Ariz.). Sen. McCain, recently diagnosed with brain cancer, voted no on a Republican healthcare proposal for the second time to defeat the Graham-Cassidy bill. Though Republican support for the various health care proposals has not been unanimous, the general expectation of Sen. McCain would be to support his party’s efforts to pass a bill promised by their party’s president. But Sen. McCain’s personal link to the agenda item has undoubtedly transformed his process.

Sen. McCain and Jimmy Kimmel, while occupying very different realms of public attention, are now linked by the shared experience of knowing necessity when it comes to healthcare and speaking out influentially from that position.

Following Sen. McCain’s “no”

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vote, Kimmel tweeted a thank you to the Senator for being a “hero again and again.” Sen. McCain’s and Jimmy Kimmel’s parties and politics are likely very different, indicating that the decisions on both of their parts were transcendent of political maneuvering.

Through these events, it becomes clear that even while political issues are now an element of everyday conversation and late-night talk shows, there is not always a political agenda.

When we are faced with situations such as the birth of a sick child or diagnosis with a fatal disease, plotting and posturing do not come first. The rest of us would do best to listen to the people closest to the issues, which sometimes involves putting aside the assumption that there is an agenda at work.

Taking this lesson from both Jimmy Kimmel and Sen. John McCain, maybe we will look less for the scheme behind the statement and instead seek out the people who have deeply human reasons to believe what they do.

Elizabeth Lochhead | Opinions Editor

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OPINIONS | 9

PIONEER VOICES Question of the week:

What is the nicest thing somone has done for you lately?

“The nicest thing someone has done for me was when my friend got me coffee when I was feeling really tired.”

“The nicest thing someone has done for me was when the car in front of me paid for my drink at Starbucks in the drive-thru.”

Esther Ki, First year

Madi Redman, First year

“The nicest thing someone has done for me lately was bringing me a cookie when I was studying for a really long time.”

“I just had dinner and joined a get together with my friends.”

Mariner LeBlanc, Fourth year

Yung-feng Chen, Ed.D. Morgridge College

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| ARTS

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& LIFE

“Wonderful Wonderful”: The Killers almost had it

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arning their fifth consecutive No. 1 on the UK Official Charts with their newest album “Wonderful Wonderful,” Las Vegas rock band The Killers just might elbow their way to the top of the Billboard charts this time— maybe.

Despite a few break-out hits like the nostalgic rock-anthem “When You Were Young,” The Killers have been wandering the valley between indie and punkrock, authenticity and duplicity, greatness and so-so. The world has struggled to pinpoint just exactly who they are and what they are trying to say. This fifth album states quite plainly that they don’t really know either.

“Wonderful Wonderful,” a reference to the iconic catchphrase of 1950’s “champagne music” host Lawrence Welk, is a name-dropping, self-deprecating ode to the vainglory of a rockstar. In the album’s debut single, “The Man,” lead, Brandon Flowers, sings “I got skin in the game, I’m a household name.”

The song struts with eighties’ club funk and is unquestioningly the most successful moment on the record.

While the band’s newfound

sense of humor is refreshing, their sound still comes off as stale. With simplistic garage rock vocals of The White Stripes and heavy handed blues harmonies of The Black Keys, their boyish wit seems to have also rubbed off on their maturity as musicians, receding into a cover-band recording out of someone’s basement.

There are, however, a few moments in the album when the mask comes off, and Flowers addresses his own personal demons with moving earnestness. In “Tyson vs. Douglas,” he speaks to the fears of fatherhood and the pressure to maintain an air of strength in his children’s eyes. “Rut,” an airy, melancholic ballad discusses the torment of watching someone you love cope with depression. In the chorus, Flowers writes: “don’t give up on me, I’m in a rut, I’m climbing but the walls keep stacking up.”

Although the lead has been open about the song’s inspiration, it could certainly be otherwise interpreted as a comment on the band’s past immobility within the music scene.

Such flashes of empathy and soft— falsettos do help to round out the record and identify the

JOIN6 P.M.US! EVERY MONDAY DRISCOLL UNDERGROUND

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overall message of “Wonderful Wonderful” to be one of unapologetic candor. That is until you get to “Run for Cover,” an antiTrump number which could have benefited from a touch more subtlety, considering the phrase “fake news” can be heard wedged

into the bridge. Once again, The Killers have brushed shoulders with resolution, only to wander their way back into the valley of uncertainty.

AnnMarie Marlow | Arts & Life Editor

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Shawn Colvin’s “A Few Small Repairs”: timeless excellence T wenty-one years ago this Oct. 1, Shawn Colvin’s Grammy award-winning album, “A Few Small Repairs” was released. This September the album was reissued with seven new bonus tracks for its 20th anniversary, following an extensive campaign on PledgeMusic. It will be followed by a national tour starting on the album’s anniversary.

Though Colvin’s recording career began in 1989 with the album “Steady On,” “A Few Small Repairs” garnered the highest critical acclaim and commercial success. It features her biggest hit to date, “Sunny Came Home,” which Colvin declares in liner notes to be, “A song I’ll be happy to play for the rest of my days”.

The album, remastered for the new release, opens with “Sunny Came Home,” (“It’s time for a few small repairs she said/Sunny came home with a vengeance”) a song about a woman committing arson, inspired by the album’s cover art (“Setting the World on Fire” by Julie Speed.) Its opening mandolin riff is mesmerizing, drawing you into a blissful trance for the rest of the song. The album moves forward with “Get Out of this House” and “The Facts About Jimmy,” touching upon the resentment and insecurities within a toxic relationship. Though “A Few Small Repairs” was written following the end of Colvin’s first marriage, Jeff Slate, songwriter and music journalist, points out in the liner notes, “to simply refer to the album as a ‘break-up record’ does it a disservice.”

The album reaches its second half with the haunting lament “If I

Were Brave” which Slate deems to be “as affecting a meditation on the universality of loneliness as there ever has been on a record.”

It is a song for anyone who is searching for a purpose, for anyone who feels alone, for anyone who needs to be humbled. Part of the magic of Shawn Colvin’s music is its universality, acting as a hand reaching out for anyone who needs to grab hold of one.

The nostalgic “Wichita Skyline” is a view of Colvin’s picturesque childhood hometown (which is actually Vermillion, SD) and the cautionary “Suicide Alley” follows.

Colvin eventually comes to a triumphant, unapologetic conclusion of the album with “Nothin On Me,” a declaration of victory after surviving the end of a relationship unscathed.

The bonus tracks on the new release are all live performances by Colvin from the years following the original release of the album. Naturally, the first of the bonus tracks is “Sunny Came Home (Live at KFOG),” with performances of other tracks from the album such as “Trouble,” about struggling with depression, and another captivating performance of “If I Were Brave.” The last of the bonus tracks, “Ricochet in Time” is from Colvin’s debut album Steady On, and as it details the passing of time during Colvin’s early years as a musician, it is the perfect note to end on.

Colvin’s PledgeMusic campaign has sold out for the most part (a bonus EP entitled “A Few Extra Repairs” and a DVD of live performances and promo videos from the original album release are no longer

Photo courtesy of The Montgomery Advertiser

available) but there are still rare items being offered such as vinyl test pressings of the album (its first time being release on vinyl) signed replicas of the notebook where she wrote the songs for the album, and even voodoo dolls crafted by Colvin herself. There are also interviews with Colvin about the album and her

nearly 40-year career as a musician.

Colvin will be performing two shows with her full band in Colorado, one in Palmer Lake on Oct. 18, and one in Boulder on Oct. 20. Information about the album and shows can be found at Colvin’s website.

Emma Cohen | Contributing Writer

Frozen dazzles audiences at the Buell Photo courtesy of Slash Films

Photo Courtesy of DU Theatre

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rozen the Broadway-Bound Disney Musical is both nothing and everything like you would expect it to be. With creative uses of lighting and staging as well as a dynamic cast, the musical lives up to the hype of the movie while veering from the original enough for it to be a unique experience for those both familiar and new to the Disney tale.

The storyline of the play is the same as in the movie, with two sisters making difficult choices while searching for acceptance and love. The protagonists face obstacles in the form of a lackluster prince charming and an inconvenient summer blizzard, but they come together to discover that true love is found in family and selfless sacrifice.

The most prominent difference between the film and the play is the soundtrack. Songs such as “Do You Want to Build a Snowman” are adapted, while songs such as “Hans of the Southern Isles” (and its two reprisals), “Dangerous to Dream” and “Colder by the Minute,” introduce new themes and expand upon ideas.

The result is something almost disjointed, as the intentions of the movie come together with the choices of the stage director.

As one theatregoer commented, there was not a prevailing theme amongst the songs as is seen in other productions. While there were different reprisals of songs and lyrics, the whole did not come together seamlessly.

The original songs, however, were done flawlessly. Caissie Levy

delivers a fierce performance as Elsa, inspiring cheers with her much anticipated rendition of “Let it Go,” a dramatic number that served as the production’s Act One closer.

With shimmering special effects and a well-timed quick change, the number is truly fabulous.

The special effects surrounding Elsa’s ice powers were consistently impressive throughout the show.

Lighting and staging came together with Levy’s well-timed choreography to make her magic truly, well, magical. The shimmering stage invokes a nostalgic winter wonderland sensation. There was even a chill that filled the air as the snow swept Arendelle.

Puppetry was used to invoke some of the more cartoon-like characters, and while their performance was well done, their presence in

what is predominantly a human show felt out of place. No matter how skilled the dancer may be, it is difficult to replicate the motions of a reindeer.

Costuming was a hit and miss throughout the show. Tails were an unwelcome addition to the folksy healers of the forest. Others seemed more deliberate, like the different dresses Elsa dons throughout the production (more than in the movie) that seem to mirror the evolution of her character.

The show is fun and lighthearted, and delivers that which Disney has created a legacy upon – love, magic and princesses in pretty dresses.

By retelling the story and bringing it to life on the stage in a new and interesting way, a new audience can be welcomed to Arendelle.

Kate Powell | Contributing Writer

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| ARTS

& LIFE

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Four Friends Kitchen: Southern-food done right R edford’s Tavern may have set the stage for many a fun weekend night and perhaps, a few questionable decisions, but it’s newest replacement, Four Friends Kitchen, won’t have you missing it for long.

The Southern eatery has been open for less than a month and already it’s established itself as one of the hottest breakfast spots in the area.

Dissatisfied with the absence of local places to have a quality brunch, four next-door neighbors teamed up and opened a place of their own. Serving up scratch-made dishes inspired by co-owner and general manager Genefer Thornton’s Georgia roots, Four Friends Kitchen is a home away from home.

Regardless of how familiar you are with Southern cuisine, the restaurant offers a soulful menu of both modernized and old-school classics. For an appetizer, we began with an order of the fried green tomatoes which along with being a heart-breaking film about female friendship is one of the best fried vegetable dishes out there.

It was served with a jalapeno buttermilk aioli and a side of pickled vegetables.

Next, we ordered the Berries and Cream French Toast which comes drizzled with créme anglaise and triple berry preserves. For those who

prefer something savory in the morning, the University Breakfast Sandwich is a delicious and filling option, served on housemade potato bread with cheese, two fried eggs and maple smoked bacon.

Although breakfast is served all day, they also offer a selection of tempting lunch specialties like the Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles or the DU Veggie Sandwich.

Four Friends Kitchen is dedicated to serving prime, locally sourced ingredients which leads to comfort classics that are indulgent without leaving you considering the need to start a juice cleanse. The care and diligence that goes into the preparation of each dish shines through in the taste as well as the presentation.

With an eclectic and colorful interior complete with whimsical star-shaped light fixtures and a wall of etch-a-sketches, the owners transformed the limited amount of space into a contemporary, playful environment. On days when the weather permits, the garage like walls at the front of the restaurant are rolled up, opening the room and allowing customers to be served at the outdoor bar.

Considering the large portion sizes, the prices are very reasonable- an average meal running you about $10-15. As the brunch spot has already achieved local stardom, there

is often wait on the weekends, so it’s best to show earlier than later in the day. If not, the meal will always be worth the wait.

With a fresh, affordable menu, a friendly staff and a lively atmosphere, Four Friends Kitchen was a much needed addition to

the University neighborhood.

Four Friends Kitchen accepts Flex and is open everyday from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and are located at 2070 S. University Blvd.

AnnMarie Marlow | Arts & Life Editor

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“Stronger”: A breath of fresh air

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he recent release “Stronger” is a heartfelt journey to recovery based on the memoir by Boston Marathon bombing survivor, Jeff Bauman. Bauman, who lost both his legs to the 2013 tragedy that killed three spectators and injured hundreds, is played by Oscar nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal (“Brokeback Mountain”).

Directed by David Gordon Green (“Pineapple Express”), “Stronger” is not a story about the Boston bombing. Rather, it is a story about one of its survivors going from an everyday Chelmsford man to the face of “Boston Strong.”

Gyllenhaal gives us a raw and compelling performance as we see Bauman struggle

Photo courtesy of Lionsgate

to recover while being faced with the outside pressures of heroism. His saving grace and the backbone to the film is his on-again/ off-again girlfriend, Erin Hurley, who is portrayed by the captivating Tatiana Maslany (“Orphan Black”).

The relationship between Bauman and Hurley carries the film as Bauman battles with vivid flashbacks and struggles with day to day routines. Bauman was at the finish line of the Boston Marathon in an attempt to prove to Hurley that he could actually show up for her. Her guilt of this and her love for Bauman tears at Hurley throughout the film while she sacrifices her family and job to stay by and help him 24/7.

There is no glorification of

Bauman or his family in the film.

While the outside world is labeling him a hero and saying things like, “you beat those terrorists,” Bauman wrestles with the idea of being something more than a victim. This struggle is magnified as he navigates countless rehabilitation appointments, a smothering alcoholic mother and a dwindling love life.

Through flashbacks we see glimpses of what the tragedy looked like. Bauman struggles with symptoms of PTSD as he is wheeled onto the ice at a Boston Bruins game, waving a “Boston Strong” flag just weeks after the bombing.

Gyllenhaal rips to the very core of his character’s pain in a performance that is already

getting Oscar buzz.

The ending, just like the rest of the movie, is not clean-cut and doesn’t wrap up all the loose ends. Rather, Bauman gradually comes to a point where he can see how people find hope in his situation. Through encounters with family of military members that died in action and a breakdown from Hurley, Bauman realizes that the bombing didn’t just happen to him, it affected everyone he knew and countless others who have dealt with loss.

“Stronger” is a much needed breath of fresh air that allows viewers insight into the process of recovery and true human nature.

Annie Nagel | Contributing Writer