DU Clarion Volume 126 Issue 3

Top Stories N: USG hosts presidential town hall O: DU While Native part 1: navigating academia S: Men’s tennis takes Summit League Regualr Season Title A&L: Khalid album review

DU Clarion [www.duclarion.com]

April 24, 2019 Volume 126 Issue 3

Weather Wed: sunny, 74° Thurs: cloudy, 70° Fri: rain, 77° Sat: cloudy, 79° Sun: coudy, 78° Mon: rain, 63° Tues: rain, 67°

Chopp to step down A

fter five years at DU, Chancellor Rebecca Chopp announced her decision to step down as chancellor in an email to the university community. The first female chancellor in university history, Chopp oversaw the implementation of the DU IMPACT 2025 and the groundbreaking on several new buildings, including the Diamond Family Residential Village and the Community Commons.

Chopp arrived in Denver in 2014 after serving as president at Swarthmore College, a private institution in Pennsylvania. Chopp cited her desire to be closer to family in Denver as her reason for stepping down from Swathmore and taking on the role as Chancellor at the University of Denver.

In 2016, after arriving at the university, Chopp announced the DU IMPACT 2025, “present[ing] a new model of higher education that is designed to move our high-engagement, high-value

Photo courtesy Business Journals

university forward over the next decade.” There are four “Transformative Directions” that are the backbone of DU IMPACT 2025; “Educate and Empower,” “Impact,” “Design and Collaborate” and “OneDU.” As a part of DU IMPACT 2025, Chopp recently broke ground on the Diamond Family Residential Village, one of three buildings designed as a part of the initiative.

The other two buildings are an updated Community Commons, replacing Driscoll Bridge North, and a new Career Achievement Center. Chopp stated that these buildings would help Denver “create real momentum for our bold and innovative strategic plan.”

Her tenure at Denver has not been without criticism or controversy, however. In 2017, the University of Denver settled a lawsuit with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission after accusations of systematic pay discrimination against female law professors.

Story continued on page 3

History made: Gymnastics places fourth

D

Victoria Valenzuela | Clarion

enver Gymnastics finished their 2019 season with a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Team Final. Their final ranking of No. 4 is the highest final ranking for the team.”

“They showed that they deserved to be on that stage tonight and held their own in the first Four on the Floor,” head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart said.

“It took a tremendous amount of mental toughness to do what they just did. They were locked in and showed determination from start to finish. It was a complete performance, and they represented the University of Denver with pride.”

Denver started on floor, scoring a team total of 49.200. Senior Kaitlyn Schou (Orland, Fla.) earned a 9.8375 in her final floor routine of her career, matched by freshman Alexandria Ruiz (Lake Mary, Fla.).

Senior Claire Kern (Charlotte, N.C.) scored a 9.7625, sophomore Mia Sundstrom (Boulder, Colo.) added a 9.825. 2019 NCAA Floor Champion, sophomore Lynnzee Brown (Kansas City, Mo.) earned a 9.9125.

On the vault, the Pioneers totaled a 49.2125, setting a new NCAA Nationals record. Junior Maddie Karr scored a 9.9125, earning the program’s second-best vault score at the NCAA National Championships. Sophomore Emily Glynn (Longmont, Colo.) and

Brown scored matching 9.8625s, while Sundstrom contributed a 9.825. Senior Diana Chesnok (Charlotte, N.C.) scored a 9.7625.

Denver moved to bars and scored a 49.2375 overall. Ruiz was the team leader, scoring a 9.8875, while Karr scored a 9.8625. Brown scored a 9.850, Sundstrom scored a 9.9.825 and Kern earned a 9.8125.

In its final rotation, Denver set a new program record for the highest score for beam at NCAA Nationals after earning a 49.350.

Ruiz and fellow freshman Alexis Vasquez (Arcadia, Calif.) scored matching 9.835s, while Sundstrom earned a 9.8375. Brown scored a 9.8625 and Karr scored a 9.8875.

Senior Kaitlyn Schou anchored the Denver beam rotation with a team-best 9.9375. Schou finished out her Pioneer career having never fallen in competition, ending with 158 consecutive hit routines.

In the all-around, Brown lead the team with a 39.5125, followed by Karr with a 39.350.

Sundstrom totaled a 39.3000 and Ruiz scored a 39.2875.

Denver’s final score of 197.00 was Denver’s 11th score of 197+ for the season.

Hannah Branit | Editor-in-Chief

2

DU CLARION

| NEWS

APRIL 24, 2019

Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg enters the 2020 race

A

ccording to The New York Times, there are currently 18 different democratic candidates running for president in 2020, but one currently stands out as different from the pack: Pete Buttigieg.

The 37-year-old announced his candidacy on Apr. 14. Buttigieg studied at Harvard University and also as a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford. He was elected mayor of South Bend, Ind. in 2011, though he took a seven-month unpaid leave to serve as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserve in Afghanistan. He is currently in his eighth and final year as mayor, the position from which he is hoping to slingshot into the presidency in 2020.

Although the young progressive was initially disregarded by many, Buttigieg’s participation in the presidential race feels important.

If elected, he would be the youngest president in history.

Despite Buttigieg’s youth, his website boasts, “Pete has more years of government experience than the president, more years of executive government experience than the vice president, and more military experience than anybody to walk into the Oval Office since President George H. W. Bush.”

Buttigieg would also be history’s first openly gay president. He lives with his husband, Chasten, and has branded himself as a pro-LGBTQ candidate, both commending the Supreme Court marriage equality ruling that changed his life and condemning the current presidential administration for erosion of LGBTQ rights.

He has built a campaign around the idea of looking toward the future. Buttigieg claims to have his sights set not just on 2024, but on 2040, 2050, even 2054, when he will reach the age of the current president. Some criticize Buttigieg for his lack of strong

ABOUT US

Photo courtesy of People

stances on the hot-ticket issues, but he seems to hold steady, according to On The Issues, as pro-choice, pro-Green New Deal and in favor of radical action to combat climate change, pro-civil rights, progun control, anti-electoral college and in favor of Medicare and single rate health care.

The New York Times reports that Buttigieg has seen exceptional social media success, particularly for his linguistic and musical talent alongside

his stances on the issues. His campaign also apparently saw a huge surge of funding recently, which could boost his viability as a true contender. Only time will tell if the young Midwestern favorite will find success in the months leading up to the 2020 election.

Taryn Allen | Editor-in-Chief Emeritus

DU Clarion EDITORIAL STAFF

HANNAH BRANIT, Editor-in-Chief VICTORIA VALENZUELA, Executive Editor TARYN ALLEN, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus GRACE CARSON, Executive Editor Emeritus 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. 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 Hub. 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.

ISAIAH G. JAKAB, News Editor LAWSON MONTGOMERY, Sports Editor ELIZABETH LOCHHEAD, Opinions Editor NINA PETROVIC, Arts & Life Editor CAITLAN GANNAM, Photo/Video Editor SARA LOUGHRAN, Copy Editor MAYA PINON, Copy Editor CHELSIE FINCHER, Illustrator VISHAL BEEKI, Paper Delivery Person HALEY BIRT, Paper Delivery Person SYDNEY KAPP, Business Manager ANDREW MATRANGA, Faculty Adviser Masthead graphic design: David Fain

CONTRIBUTING STAFF GRACE GANZ

JAKE GLOTH

MEGAN COONEY

HALEY PAEZ

EMMA COHEN

HALEY BIRT

RACHEL KUNZI

ANDREAS PEREA

GRACE WILKINS

CONOR CHAPMAN

RYAN SULLIVAN

REBECCA SHAGRIN

DU CLARION

APRIL 24, 2019 STORY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

In her letter to the school after the settlement was reached, Chopp did not acknowledge wrongdoing on the University’s side, nor offered an apology to the campus, instead stating that the University was “confident in our legal position.” The price of attending the University of Denver has also increased steadily during Chopp’s tenure. In 2019,

NEWS | 3 the tuition is estimated to be $51,336 for a 12-18 credit student, a $1,944 increase from the current tuition of $49,392.

Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Jeremy Haefner will serve as Interim Chancellor, beginning in July, as the Board of Trustees begins its search for the university’s 19th Chancellor.

Taryn Allen | Clarion

Hannah Branit | Editor-in-Chief

USG hosts presidential town hall

O

n Wednesday, Apr. 18, the DU community had the opportunity to hear from their future Undergraduate Student Government (USG) executives. In an unusual election year, in which the candidates ran unopposed, a traditional debate was forgone in favor of a town hall, hosted in Davis Auditorium. Despite a low turnout of only a dozen-or-so people, Matt Walter, presidential nominee, and Sophia Gonzalez-Mayagoitia, vice presidential nominee, took the stage with energy and an air of professionalism.

The town hall began with an opportunity for the candidates to introduce themselves and their platform. The two thanked those in attendance and expressed their enthusiasm to serve in office. Walter is a public policy and political science double-major, and Gonzalez-Mayagoitia is a public policy and interna-

tional studies double-major.

Both currently serve as junior senators in USG. The ticket described their platform as having “three core pillars”: encouraging sustainability, creating a student-first experience at DU and fostering a more tangible DU identity that is inclusive and diverse.

Their first pillar, “encouraging sustainability,” refers to their commitment towards creating a more environmentally sustainable campus.

But it also refers to their commitment to creating a more financially sustainable experience for DU, such as a tuition-lock and more effective financial-aid.

Gonzalez-Mayagoitia then described the second pillar of the student-first practice. She said that she wanted “students to feel like the university truly cares

and is engaged with them past the admissions process—especially minority students.” Walter cited services such as the notoriously expensive student parking passes, as institutions which can be stripped of “largesse” and made more financially accessible. The ticket also expressed a commitment to explore how under-advertised or unknown resources, which are already available to students, can be made more accessible.

Their third pillar seeks to create a strong DU school identity that doesn’t compromise on inclusivity and diversity. The ticket acknowledged DU’s lack of binding identity, even pointing to the small attendance of the important town hall as an example of the problem. The candidates expressed a commitment to affirming minority

communities in cases of emergencies or harmful incidents, to reaching out to clubs and organizations to create spaces where different people on campus can spend time together and to working with the school to recognize and advertise the efforts and events of minority organizations on campus which have traditionally flown under the radar.

When the candidates were asked what their closing remarks were, Walter and Gonzalez-Mayagoitia asked those in attendance to vote despite running uncontested.

They both expressed their belief that the community needs to fight apathy together to create a stronger community. With a win guaranteed, DU students will have to see how their platform plays out in the coming year.

Ryan Sullivan | Contributing Writer

Meet the future leadership of USG

C

andidates spend a significant amount of time and effort each year campaigning.

Three weeks prior to election week, students were gathering petition signatures from their peers, writing platforms and campaigning to be a member of USG for the 2019-2020 academic year. On Apr. 19, the winners of the election were released.

The following students will serve as USG President, Vice President and senators for this upcoming school year:

Daniels College of Business Senator Michael Huang Ericka Bremer Hospitality Senator Sophia Burge Korbel School Senator Lawson Montgomery Natural Sciences Senator June Churchill Roman Shrestha ECS Senator Christian Anton

CAHSS Senator President & Vice President Tasha Feichtinger Matt Walter & Sophia Gonza- Ben Cohen lez-Mayagoitia Diversity & Inclusive Sophomore Senator Excellence Senator Dajah Brooks Abdul Ayad Mason Estes For more information about Junior Senator what these positions entail, Ashley Neal please visit the USG FaceAnit Tyagi book page (USG at DU). The Clarion will continue to write Senior Senator articles about the USG agenda.

Melissa Shambach Students are welcome to visit USG’s website or attend USG’s Abroad Senator weekly meetings Tuesdays at 6 Isaiah Jakab p.m. in Room 301 of Anderson Academic Commons.

On-campus Senator Marshall Marrs Ryan Sullivan Grace Wilkins | Contributing Writer

4

| NEWS

DU CLARION

APRIL 24, 2019

On the Denver ballot: Initiative 300

I

nitiative 300 in Denver, better known as the “Right to Survive” initiative, is set to be on the ballot this election season. With election day a little over three weeks away (May 7), there is already a substantial amount of money and powerful players involved.

What exactly is Initiative 300? In a nutshell, the “Right to Survive” initiative seeks to repeal and replace Denver bill CB12-0241, which prohibited “unauthorized camping on public and private land…[and or] to reside or dwell temporarily in a place, with shelter.”

Enacted in 2012, this has meant that any homeless person or persons found on public land for an extended

period of time with a tent, lean-to, tarp, sleeping bag, cott or any other kind of moveable shelter would be considered in violation of the Unauthorized Camping ordinance.

However, the key text of Initiative 300, the most controversial portion of the bill is what same see as laissez-faire language which only states, “including the right to rest and shelter oneself from the elements in a non-obstructive manner in outdoor public spaces, to eat, share accept or give free food in any public space where food is not prohibited,” but doesn’t define shelter or how that should affect the public other than

“non-obstructive.”

Proponents argue that the semantics of the language aren’t the most important aspect of the measure, but instead say it is the measure as a whole that acts as a first step in addressing Denver’s growing and complex homelessness problem. Opponents on the other hand aren’t so optimistic, arguing that such broad strokes could affect the vitality, growth and economic stability of valuable and historic neighborhoods.

And their worry shows.

The opposition’s worry about “economic stability” has helped raise upwards of 1.5 million dollars, with heavy support from the

National Association of Realtors, Downtown Denver Partnership and Denver Concern. In stark contrast, proponents of the bill have only been able to raise just over 80,000 dollars. Even though there still may be time to raise more, with an opposition so well-funded and well-secured by large and moneyed organizations, the question remains: what shall become of Denver’s many homeless people?

Andreas Perea | Contributing Writer

Five Denver gymnasts earn WCGA All-American honors

F

ive gymnasts from DU earned All-American during the 2019 NCAA National Champions, as announced by the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association announced on Friday.

Sophomore Lynnzee Brown (Kansas City, Mo.) was named as the 2019 co-NCAA National Champion on the floor after scoring a 9.950. She led the team with four All-American awards, earning a third-place finish with a 39.575 in the all-around competition during the Semifinals on Friday, Apr. 19. With her third-place finish, Brown earned first-team status, as well as setting Denver’s NCAA Nationals record. After tying for sixth on bars and seventh on beam, she added two second-team honors.

Junior Maddie Karr (Stillwater, Minn.) earned two postseason All-American awards, totaling five career awards. On the bars, she scored a 9.9125, earning first-team status. Karr’s score is also the highest bars score by a Denver gymnast at the NCAA Nationals. She also finished fifth in the all-around with a score of 39.3875, earning second-team honors.

Freshman Alexandria Ruiz (Lake Mary, Fla.) placed in the all-around with a 39.300, earning her first All-American honor of her career.

Fellow freshman Alexis Vasquez (Arcadia, Calif.) brought back first-team All-American honors for her first-place tie on the beam in the NCAA Semifinal.

Senior Kaitlyn Schou (Orlando, Fla.) tied with Brown for seventh-place in finish in beam to take home second-team honors.

The WCGA All-american awards are distributed at the NCAA National Championships based on placement in each of the different events, as well as the all-around in each of the semifinal sessions. The top four competitors earn first-team honors while those who placed fifth through eighth earn second-team honors.

Hannah Branit | Sports Editor

Photo Courtesy of Denver Athletics

Victoria Valenzuela | Clarion

APRIL 24, 2019

DU CLARION

SPORTS | 5

Men’s Tennis finishes atop the Summit League

T

he Pioneers were able to take control of the Summit League regular season title for the fifth time in six years as they took both matches this week.

In their first match, the Pioneers were able to defeat the Omaha Mavericks by a score of 6-1 on Friday. The Pioneers were able to secure points in doubles as Matt Summers (Maidstone, U.K.) and James Davis (Barnstaple, England)

won 6-0 at No. 1 and Mattia Ros (Latisana, Italy) and Pedro Fernandez del Valle (Newport Beach, Calif.) won 6-3 at No. 2.

The Pioneers were able to pressure the Mavericks more as the match moved into singles as the Pioneers took wins in the No. 1, No. 2, No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 matches to secure the win and the regular season title.

The Pioneers pushed into the weekend with a 4-3 win in their final

match of the regular season against the No. 1, No. 3 and No. 6 spots.

New Mexico, closing out the season This had Denver on the ropes, but with a 12-8 overall record. they were able to take back the The Pioneers were able to match and win in the No. 2, No. 4 take the win at the No. 2 double and No. 5. spot with Ros and Fernandez Del Denver will turn their attenValle securing the win. The No. 3 tion to Day 1 of the Summit League doubles match was a come-from- tournament Friday, Apr. 26. behind victory for Daniel Krulig (Miami, Fla.) and Eric Morris (Corinth, Texas) as they won 7-6.

However, New Mexico was able to claw back up in singles at Lawson Montgomery | Sports Editor Photo Courtesy of Carol MacKay

Photo Courtesy of Carol MacKay

The Pioneers capture a 14-8 win on Senior Day

T

he Pioneers earned a 14-8 win over Providence College this past Saturday, Apr. 20.

The Pioneers’ junior Ethan Walker (Petersburg, Ontario) and sophomore Jack Hannah (Milford, Ohio) seemed to be the dream team this week, collectively scoring six of the 14 total points for Denver.

Walker put Denver in the lead, scoring two goals within a minuteand-a-half of each other. Hannah and redshirt senior Matt Neufeldt

(Naperville, Ill.) kept speed, both scoring goals only two minutes later. Providence regained its composure, scoring three goals in the last five minutes of the quarter.

Providence brought their newfound gumption into the second quarter, scoring another goal in the second minute to tie the game 4-4. Denver found its footing again as senior Quinn McKone (Novato, Calif.) and Hannah broke the tie on a two-goal streak. The half time score was 6-4 with Denver taking the lead.

Photo Courtesy of DU Athletics

After halftime, Walker scored later. Hannah, Walker and Sullihis 32nd goal of the season with van each contributed goals, and assistance from sophomore Riley senior Colton Jackson (Highlands Curtis (Brampton, Ontario). Ranch, Colo.) closed out the game One minute later, Sophomore with two consecutive goals in the Ted Sullivan (Tuscon, Ariz.) last three minutes. scored to bring the third quarter The win brings the Denver score to 8-5.

Pioneers to 3-1 in the big east The score was not long stand- season conference with the only ing, as Denver junior Schuyler loss being against Villanova. They Blair (Huntington Beach, Calif.) are set to play Marquette in Milscored within the first 10 seconds waukee this upcoming Friday, of the final quarter. Providence Apr. 26. was quick to respond, scoring goal number six two minutes Haley Birt | Contributing Writer

Photo Courtesy of DU Athletics Photo Courtesy of DU Athletics

6

DU CLARION

| OPINIONS

APRIL 24, 2019

DU’s new test-optional policy will strengthen the student body

D

U recently announced their decision to move to a test-optional policy, under which students can choose whether or not to submit their SAT and/ or ACT scores as part of their application. This will go into effect for those applying for admission for the fall of 2020, which is as soon as it could have possibly been implemented since the application deadline for the incoming class of freshmen has already passed.

This new policy could give more opportunities to students who have average, or below average, test scores yet excel in other areas such as grades and extracurricular activities.

DU cites studies that show little correlation between a student’s overall academic abilities and standardized test scores and states that, “high school grades are the best predictor of first-year college performance.”

This is especially true for students with learning disabilities or those who simply aren’t good test takers, because being pushed to complete a test that could determine your admission to college in just a short amount of time can be stressful and cause kids to freeze up.

Furthermore, there are students who have below-average grades in high school yet score

well on tests, making it possible for them to get accepted into college even if their overall academic performance does not warrant it.

I personally wish I could have had the choice to submit my test scores when I was applying to college because they did not reflect my overall academic abilities. I was refused extra time accommodations by my school, despite having ADHD. As a result, there were a few sections where I could not finish all the questions or I simply answered quickly out of fear of not being able to finish, thus making sloppy mistakes. My scores were not bad—they were average, but my grades in school were a better indicator of how I would actually perform in college.

It is a step in the right direction that DU has decided to go the test-optional route, and while more than 1,000 schools have become test-optional, many more need to take the same steps. The standardized testing system is outdated and arbitrary and can limit a good student’s options for colleges if they simply aren’t good test takers or have a learning disorder. Hopefully as more colleges and universities make the decision to become test-optional, others will follow suit.

Sara Loughran | Copy Editor

Taryn Allen | Clarion

Racial profiling by AI raises an ethical dilemma

A

Victoria Valenzuela | Clarion

rtificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly developing, and numerous countries (in particular, China) are trying to implement it into their government, specifically in regards to law enforcement. China has deployed AI to work in cohesion with their security department by utilizing it to racially profile people: engineers are able to input data into AI systems, thus training it to pick up on patterns or traits. In relation to racial profiling, they will tell the machine a plethora of labeled images of the selected group.

Technology is fascinating

and lucrative, yet when it is used in this fashion it points us down a dark path where authoritarian governments can better inject their rules and thoughts into society. If AI continues to be manipulated for ill causes, it can foreseeably threaten democracy and disrupt any hopes of a somewhat unified world.

Let’s take a moment and dissect what China is currently doing. A large Muslim minority group in China, the Uighurs, are being racially profiled. The bias against this group of people took root in 2009 when violent riots occurred between Uighurs and the Chinese and has drastically

escalated in the preceding years.

Millions of Muslims are being held in detention camps as well, in accordance with the Chinese re-education campaign that is forcing cultural assimilation, or as authorities call it, “transformation-through-education.”

Using facial recognition technology that is integrated into China’s surveillance cameras, they look exclusively for Uighurs based upon their appearance and then keep records of their comings and goings. It’s virtually automated racism.

Particularly in the western region of Xinjiang, where many Uighur reside, China is also tracking DNA. Nearly 12 police departments in 16 different provinces across China have requested this AI. Similar tools are used that could automate biases based on a person’s ethnicity and skin color, too.

Technology companies in China are beginning to market their products towards this. A startup called CloudWalk touts that their surveillance cameras can track “sensitive groups of people.”

Perhaps the most intimidating aspect of all is that this practices social control. For the bulk of the technological era, AI has been swallowed by democracies and greeted with intrigue and optimism. Prominent examples of AI include Siri, Amazon’s Alexa and features of Tesla and Netflix. Their softwares are capable of tracking and understanding their consumer bases and then are adapted towards their company’s marketing strategy.

Who isn’t a sucker for Netflix?

Yet, few have thought about the dark side of technology.

AI is as captivating as it is efficient, and it has an incredibly small margin of error and lacks emotion. The downside is that AI is expensive, therefore making it most accessible to the wealthy. As wealth oftentimes implies power, it means that these extremely valuable and influential machines are in the hands of the few. In the case of China, in the hands of the authoritarian government. AI is virtually a superhuman without a moral compass.

Without caving into melodrama, it is worth acknowledging that this can have detrimental effects on society, if not utilized for the betterment of the people. If countries continue to implement AI as China has, it will perpetuate current societal issues in regards to discrimination, racism, sexism, homophobia and virtually any “-ism” that can be thought of. This circulates and inadvertently facilitates a groupthink atmosphere and most certainly furthers the divide between the in-group and the out-group.

Technology is supposed to better society and hopefully propel us towards a more unified world. We cannot let ill-intended groups prohibit us from such a future. It’s necessary that we acknowledge and act on the strategies used in China.

We mustn’t turn on technology, rather it’s the people behind it that we need to watch out for.

Megan Cooney | Contributing Writer

APRIL 24, 2019

DU CLARION

OPINIONS | 7

PIONEER VOICES Question of the week:

What are your thoughts on Chancellor Chopp stepping down?

“I’m kind of sad to see her go. I really didn’t know she was struggling with health problems... I think she did do some good while she was here though there was a lot she could have improved on”

“She has contributed well to the university, but with that being said, it is always good to bring in fresh people to get different perspectives. So I guess we will see what happens next.”

Lydia Taylor, Second Year

Ismael Mamdu, Second Year

“I think it’s sad that she is leaving in the fashion that she has to but I think its exciting to have a new person in charge.”

“I hope that she is doing well and I know that she has the best ideas for this school so I know they will find the best person to replace her.”

Andrew Johnson, First Year

Jenn Marsh, First Year

8

| OPINIONS

DU CLARION

APRIL 24, 2019

DU While Native part one: Navigating academia while Native

T

he DU While Native project is a five-part series, explaining the unique situation Indigenous students are in by attending DU, considering the institution’s history in the Sand Creek Massacre; highlighting the struggles these students face on campus and on their journey through higher education; telling stories of their resistance and survival on campus and more. It serves as a space in which Native students at DU can tell their own stories — stories often shared by many Native students around the country. It serves to educate those outside of the community and give insight to the devastating national statistics about the retention of Indigenous students in higher education.

Some students have chosen to use pen names to protect their safety on campus. If you have any questions or comments, please send them to duwhilenative@gmail. com.

A little over three years ago, I took my first steps on DU’s campus as an eager first-year student. When I first arrived, I was filled with pride. This had been the moment my mother and I had worked hard for: attending college and earning my bachelor’s degree. You see, not only am I a first-generation, low-income student, but I am a part of the Diné (popularly referred to as “Navajo”) tribe.

For my family and me, it was well-known that, for our community, only one percent of Native students comprised the U.S. undergraduate population and less than one percent of the graduate population. Only ten percent of the Indigenous community as a whole has obtained a bachelor’s degree. The fact that I was able to even access the space of academia was an accomplishment in and of itself.

But after only a few weeks into my first quarter, I felt so overwhelmed and isolated at DU that I considered transferring or even dropping out. My experience was not uncommon: not only is accessing higher education difficult for Native students, but retention of those students has been proven a struggle for institutions. Twenty-three percent of first-time, full-time Indigenous students attending a four-year institution beginning in 2008 graduated within four years, compared to nearly 44 percent for white students.

Forty-one percent of Native students graduated within six years, compared to nearly 63 percent of white students. While there has been little study in the area, the studies that do exist conclude

that this low graduation rate is likely the result of a lack of role models, feelings of isolation, racial discrimination and a cultural mismatch in higher education, paired with the challenges of being a nontraditional student. Many of the students also struggle due to being first-generation. Too many are living in poverty and are either employed while in college, raising children or attempting to do it all at the same time.

The stories of Native students in higher education—both how they experience it and how they survive it—too frequently remain untold. I was lucky and privileged enough to be able to access higher education and to find the resources that have motivated me to stay in school, but many other Native students have a different story, not because of their own limitations but because of institutions that continuously fail them. Not only is access to and retention in higher education difficult for Indigenous students, but these students are not accurately being represented in data, studies or media. Neither our stories of struggle nor of resilience are being told. And so this project is born: a telling of the experience of Native students on DU’s campus and an attempt to analyze how those experiences might relate to the national story of Indigenous students and of higher education itself.

Who I am as the storyteller I am made of stories. Stories flow through me and from me— they crash onto the tip of my tongue and fall from my lips as easily as they come. I am made of stories because I was born from stories. My ancestors spoke my life into being with their prayers which weave together elaborate poems of direction and love. I often imagine my grandmothers gathered around the fire, praying protection over their daughters and their daughters’ daughters and all who come after. I imagine that they finally get to me, and they take the time to pray that I never forget where I come from: sharp words, powerful prayers and resiliency that run so deep it could tear the world in two, but that are wise enough to know not to do so.

I am born from stories, and raised by them, too. From the moment I left my mother’s womb, stories held me closely, comforting and teaching me. I grew up listening to my mother and grandmother’s stories about their childhood, growing up and other experiences—about loss and love and grief and joy and

abuse and everything in-between. I still remember sitting at my grandmother’s feet and listening to her tell me about what it was like to be a younger her.

I remember long car rides with my mother and her repeating to me a story she’s told me at least a dozen times, but still holding onto every word as though it was the first.

Our family’s stories have been passed down for generations, despite over 500 years of colonization, which actively seeks to erase them from existence. My mother still tells me the story of our grandmother who died helping her family cross the border for a better life. She tells me of another grandmother who was raped by a white man, left by her husband who didn’t believe the resulting pregnancy was due to the assault, but still had the strength to raise her children alone. And another grandmother who dropped out of the fifth grade to take care of her five younger siblings after her own mother died in a fire and her father left them to fend for themselves during the Great Depression. I carry these stories. These stories are in me, and they flow from me. That’s why storytelling matters to me— it keeps our stories alive.

As an Indigenous woman, I hold stories close to my heart.

I recognize how deeply important they are. As a descendant to my ancestors, a relative to my brothers and sisters and non-binary siblings and as a future ancestor to my own decedents, I have a responsibility to keep our stories alive, and that’s why I choose to be a storyteller.

As well as a storyteller, I am a fourth-year Indigenous woman at DU. I have lived this experience myself. Like many, I was thrilled to arrive on campus, but the excitement I felt was quickly diminished. Like my peers, I had little to no support systems on this predominantly white and wealthy campus, and as a first-generation student I was unsure how to navigate the college environment and classes.

By the end of my first quarter, like many of those before me, I seriously considered deferring for the rest of the year or transferring institutions.

My identity does matter, because it’s important to have representatives from our community telling the stories of our people. But this story is not about me. It is about the 35 Native students currently on DU’s campus, and the Native students on campuses across the U.S., who are going through the same thing I did—the same thing many of us do. I acknowledge that my iden-

tity is similar but also different from some members of our community. For example, the fact that I am often white-passing and am from urban areas has made my experience easier than that of Black and Brown Natives or those from their reservations, and there are many of these students both at DU and elsewhere.

This project seeks to highlight all Indigenous students’ experiences—each unique in their own way, but bound by one reality: being in academia while Native.

The project’s goals This project will be a five-part series, explaining the unique situation in which Indigenous students find themselves as they attend DU. It considers their past and present relationships to the devastating experience of the Sand Creek Massacre, which is uniquely bound to this university’s history. The series highlights the struggles these students face on campus and on their journey through higher education, telling stories of their resistance and survival on campus and beyond. The series aims to educate those outside of the community while providing a space in which Native students at DU can tell their own stories—stories often shared by many Native students around the country.

Through this, our stories shed light on the devastating statistics about the retention of Indigenous students in higher education and may help to explain where we are now and where we hope to be in the future.

In a world where Native voices lack an outlet and Native peoples lack representation, it’s important that our stories are being told and that we have agency over the way they’re being told. I chose to start this project not only because of my own experiences at DU but because I believe I have a responsibility to tell these stories. As someone who is currently learning and earning a degree on stolen Cheyenne and Arapahoe land, as a sister to current Native students at DU, as someone who wants to maintain hope for the creation of effective and sustainable change on DU’s campus and across the country, I want to honor those who have taken this path before me.

Because of who I am, because of my peers and because of all those in my family who came before me, I am compelled to tell these stories. I have a duty to tell and share these stories.

Grace Carson | Executive Editor Emeritus

Victoria Valenzuela | Clarion

The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the Clarion or of the DU community.

APRIL 24, 2019

DU CLARION

OPINIONS | 9

Mayor Pete’s inexperience is risky for Democrats

M

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

ayor Pete Buttigieg is for the people: in the four hours after the South Bend mayor announced his run for presidency, his campaign received about a million dollars in donations. A millenial, openly gay, military veteran mayor who turned run-down housing into fresh new living spaces, diversified business in his town and turned one-way streets into two-way thoroughfares seemed to easily grab the hearts of his own constituents and Americans from all over the country alike.

The likable, successful politician and Rhodes scholar who speaks eight languages wants to make history by becoming the very first person to become president directly after being a mayor, and clearly, he’s a capable force. To some, this portrays Mayor Buttigieg as an ambitious underdog worth rooting for, but his inexperience does not inspire confidence from everyone. It is unnerving, though, that someone with so little experience could follow a president with a similar lack of experience. Though Mayor Buttigieg admittedly has

more political experience than Donald Trump did when he was elected, whoever is elected in 2020—Democrat, Republican or otherwise—ought to be apt in political proceedings.

Running on an anti-Trump platform, Mayor Buttigieg prides himself on being the new, fresh take on policy that many believe will lead the charge of the 2020 presidential election, but so far, his novelty seems to be most of what’s going for him.

This is not to say that this ought to be written off or ignored, but it shouldn’t be why he receives support. When electing the President of the U.S., one should more seriously consider their ability to effectively lead large groups, compromise, make progress and deliver on their plans. Of course, Buttigieg has done that in South Bend, but other 2020 candidates have done so on a much larger scale, and that fact shouldn’t go unnoticed. Though he revitalized business in his city and brought new jobs to the area, executing a bold plan to reinvigorate South Bend’s business district and downtown area, his lack of tangible experience is still a factor with which voters should be concerned. While results are imperative to a successful political run, and it’s apparent that Buttigieg can follow through on his promises, his 2020 election counterparts have held more powerful offices for a much

longer time than Buttigieg. Senator Kamala Harris served as attorney general for California for five years and is currently a senator, and Senator Cory Booker has held his position since 2013.

However, Mayor Buttigieg has clearly been successful during his stint as South Bend’s mayor, so to consider his leadership capability isn’t completely misguided, just a bit risky. Additionally, Mayor Pete got wrapped up in a racial controversy in his own town that involved illegal wiretapping. Given that the details regarding that situation aren’t exactly apparent, given Buttigieg’s own inability to divulge details to the public, it causes people to be wary about Mayor Pete’s views on racial equality, as well as his ability to handle controversy. As well as that, he claimed to have created a citizens’ review board regarding police discipline and positions but appeared to have not made anything new at all, about which citizens were not pleased.

To expect somebody to run an entire country even though they’ve never governed more than a city is a risky decision, given the condition of the U.S.— the people need someone with experience to spare and the ability to make difficult decisions while handling conflict. Mayor Pete hasn’t proven himself proficient in those subjects just yet.

Rachel Kunzi | Contributing Writer

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

I am tired of our long campaign seasons

T

here are 564 days and counting until the 2020 election, and the election is in the news every day. I check the news every day so I am up to date, but I am tired of seeing the election coverage.

In a democracy, elections are the most essential tool in running a nation. They are the way that people are connected to the government and the way the population’s voice is heard. But is our election season too long?

The U.S. does not have any laws governing the start of election season. Therefore, technically a candidate can announce his or her candidacy whenever they want. For example, Donald Trump announced his re-election campaign the day he was inaugurated in to his first term as president.

There is really only one limit that dictates how long a campaign is: money. The U.S. and Finland are the only two democracies that have a contribution limit but no spending limit. In

the U.S., donors are only allowed to give $2,600 to a campaign at a time. While created to fight corruption, it means that candidates have to spend more time asking for donations, lengthening the running process. The lack of a spending limit also means that candidates race to outspend on advertisements, campaign events and traveling.

In 2016, a total of $2.4 billion were spent on presidential campaigns that lasted 596 days.

With that much money, we could have fixed Flint’s water crisis six times over.

Instead, we spent it on a campaign that many of us could not bear to follow.

Another reason we have long elections is the type of system we have. In parliamentary systems many of the parliaments have to be disbanded or “dissolved” before each election, leading to shorter elections.

Therefore, the longest modern Canadian election was 11 weeks.

And the Canadian public was

furious. Many other countries have strict time limits.

In comparison, long elections in the U.S. have come to be a part of our democratic system.

Party primaries started in the early 20th century in order for the public to gain more control over the nominations and to end corruption in the political parties. Before, those who controlled the parties chose the candidates for every race in which the party was involved. With primaries, the people had a voice in their party. Primaries became a greater focus after John F. Kennedy won the West Virginia primary as it showed allowed parties to judge who would be successful in certain areas.

In parliamentary systems voters are choosing the party they want to rule, more than any candidate. Because of this they can have shorter elections because they don’t need to wade through candidates. While the voters in parliamentary systems may be happier, they are less

informed about candidates. They also do not have a choice in who their leader is, as the majority power chooses, and that leads to incumbents being favored.

While we may hate how long elections are in the U.S., they force us to be more well-informed than our counterparts in other nations. However, they are still excessive. There is no reason that an election for 2020 has to seriously start at the end of 2018, and for someone to declare for re-election before they have even been president. The costs that then build up only permit the rich to run, leaving some out of the race. Political scientists Randolph Stevenson and Lynn Vavrek studied elections and concluded that the best length for campaigns are six weeks.

Start campaigns six weeks before the Iowa caucus and we will all be happier, well-informed and just as democratic.

Conor Chapman | Contributing Writer

10

| ARTS

DU CLARION

& LIFE

APRIL 24, 2019

Anderson .Paak returns home to “Ventura”

F

rom the start of Anderson .Paak’s latest album, lush piano, ambient harmonies and a casual flute meet the listener to welcome them into the world of “Ventura.” If the start of the album’s whimsical instrumental flair and cotton candy timbre indicate anything, those first seconds signal the beginning of the album’s yellow brick road heading straight back to the singer/drummer/rapper/ producer’s musical roots. A notable return to .Paak’s dominantly R&B origin, this latest release exhibits the classic bubbly side of his personality that initially launched him to popularity with his first album “Venice.” Tastefully saturated with his characteristic concoctions of rap, funk and jazz, .Paak delivers a huge success on his fourth solo project.

In continuation with Anderson .Paak’s tradition for naming his albums after southern California destinations, “Ventura” represents both the place he went to high school and a type of musical homecoming.

This fourth album follows the November 2018 release of “Oxnard.” Another full-length solo project, “Oxnard” showed .Paak sharply deviating from his typically shiny musical surface.

While still releasing the happy hit “Tints” (feat. Kendrick Lamar), .Paak chose to focus more heavily on a more Kendrick-esque rap album.

The release of these two projects together appears intentional, serving as juxtapositions to each other and representing two opposing attitudes of growing up in Oxnard and Ventura. .Paak’s November release sounds like the gritty, cocky rush of youth with the album’s in-your-face, hard beats. .Paak also chooses to rap more instead of using his usual raspy yet silky vocals. Rather than rapping steadily and somewhat angrily over a consistent beat in songs like “Mansa Musa,” Anderson .Paak’s latest project showcases the breezy yet mature vibrancy that he is so successful in achieving. Songs on “Oxnard” are rough and driven by .Paak’s disgust of American politics, as heard in “6 Summers” and “Saviers Road.” Songs on “Ventura,” however, are love-centered and light. Even “King James,” the album’s politically-driven first single, discusses protest and the struggles of the African American community in America over a Stevie Wonder sounding funk track that makes you want to dance.

The two continue to oppose each other in themes of relationships. While “Oxnard” spins off rhymes of casual, explicit sex (most notably in “Headlow” feat.

Norelle), “Ventura” discusses deep, passionate love. This is most evident when he sings “Do you want to make it better/do you want to stay together?” in

“Make it Better” feat. motown legend Smokey Robinson over a modern sounding soul beat. This integral theme of “Mrs. Right” appears on countless songs on the album. At the beginning of “Winners Circle,” the song samples a quote from Robert de Niro’s character in the movie A Bronx Tale: “You're only allowed three great women in your lifetime. They come along like the great fighters, once every ten years. Rocky Marciano, Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Louis. Sometimes you get 'em all at once. Me? I had my three when I was 16. That happens. Maybe she's your first great one.”

This then leads into a bass-driven, rhythmically and harmonically superb track unconcerned with shallow physicality and sex, but more about “...that get to know me/ kiss me slowly.”

“Ventura” sonically matches up to the blissful, endless summer one can easily find in southern California. Motown-influenced with typical Anderson .Paak horn lines, the album effortlessly grooves. “Jet Black” (feat. Brandy) and “Reachin’ 2 Much” (feat. Lalah Hathaway) glow with all the smooth background vocals and bass-driven feel of the disco and funk music of the ‘70s. .Paak is often nostalgic like this, but he is so successful as an artist today because of his modern take on these elements. His ability to write poetic lyrics over these happy, lively sounds also propels him to the top.

In this album, .Paak longs for his lover to “Come Home” to him on that first, old-soul track. The song almost travels to a different world when Andre 3000’s of Outkast’s verse falls on a typical .Paak subsection of a song that also speaks on a missed romantic partner. The track perfectly sets up the album’s thoughtful yet fun-to-listen to personality. .Paak shines on this album as a vocalist, rapper and lyricist. Like Robert de Niro said, you’re only allowed a certain number of greats. Thankfully, we’re allowed more than three solid albums of the year, but this truly represents one of the “great ones.”

Grace Ganz | Contributing Writer

Photo Courtesy of Exclaim!

DU CLARION

APRIL 24, 2019

ARTS & LIFE | 1 1

What to know about marijuana pesticide contamination

T

wo weeks ago, the Colorado departments of Agriculture and Public Health and Environment and the Department of Revenue’s Marijuana Enforcement Division released a public health advisory that declared certain products from MMJ Downtown, the dispensary chain MMJ America’s Denver location, were found to contain a banned pesticide called diuron.

There is varying research on the effects of diuron, but it is known to potentially cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, in addition to a number of harmful environmental effects. You can find out information on exactly which products have been recalled and more on Westword.com.

Though it is rare for dispensaries to have such problems considering the strict regula-

Chelsie Fincher | Clarion

tamination is still a very real problem for black and grey market products being sold across the U.S., especially in pre-filled cartridges.

There is no real way to tell if a vape cartridge is authentic or not, which poses a great risk to anyone buying their product tions for products sold under secondhand. Lab testing is the state-licensing, pesticide con- only way to determine the exact

contents of the cartridge, which means you can’t know if you’re getting the THC concentration you’re paying for, and more importantly, you have no way to know what unwanted substances like pesticides the distillate may contain.

Tests have found popular fake brands and counterfeit cartridges such as Dank Vapes,

Mario Carts, King Pen and Brass Knuckles to contain highly concentrated levels various pesticides. People have experienced chest pains and shortness of breath as a result of smoking the cartridges, and because of the high concentration, the longterm effects can be fatal.

Bottom line: Though I do understand it isn’t an option for everyone for varying reasons, buying your carts directly from a licensed dispensary will always be the best way to ensure you’re not unknowingly ingesting dangerous pesticides. While slip-ups like MMJ America’s do happen, it’s likely that your dealer won’t be sending you any health advisory warnings.

Emma Cohen | Contributing Writer

Denver Biscuit Company will leave you stuffed

D

enver Biscuit Company is a Southern-retro style restaurant that specializes in buttermilk biscuit sandwiches and platters, pizza and beer.

When you first walk into the restaurant, you will be greeted by a pleasant host or hostess who will probably tell you that you are going to have to wait about an hour for the next free table. Help yourself to a bottomless cup of coffee, available to customers before they even sit down, which will be necessary with the long wait times that you should expect when dining at the Denver Biscuit Company.

In addition to the coffee bar, this restaurant offers tons of different beers on draft, killer Bloody Marys and Mimosas at their full bar. With five different locations throughout Colorado, this Denver brunch hub is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day to provide you with a casual and festive eatery.

The first time I ate at the Denver Biscuit Company, I ordered the famous Biscuit French Toast, which was one of richest and heaviest meals I have ever had. Of course, I saw sweet potato fries on the menu, so I had to get an extra crispy side of sweet potato fries with my meal. The crunchy and perfectly seasoned sweet potato fries were a beautiful addition to the doughy biscuit French toast that seriously makes my mouth water just thinking about it. I loved my first Denver Biscuit Company experience, so I had to come back to see what else they had to offer.

My second time at Denver

Biscuit Company, I decided to try one of the famous gourmet buttermilk biscuit sandwiches that everyone raves about. I ordered “The Schooner,” a fried catfish sandwich loaded with everything you could possibly need. When my meal first arrived in front of me, I did not know how to approach it. The ridiculous size of this sandwich was daunting until I dug in and feasted until I was physically unwell. It felt like it was a never-ending sandwich, and I loved every second of it.

My friend and I also shared a giant cinnamon roll biscuit that was topped with a mountain of icing. Again, this order was very heavy, huge and fulfilled all my cinnamon roll needs for the next few months. The cinnamon roll, which I previously had seen featured all over various Denver food Instagram accounts, was even more astonishing than it looked on my Instagram feed.

All in all, I have had two great dining experiences at Denver Biscuit Company, and I look forward to recommending this awesome restaurant to my friends in the future. Whether you are looking for a quick bite to eat, a slice of pizza and a beer or a massive boozy feast, check out this restaurant to try one of Denver’s most talked about establishments.

Rebecca Shagrin | Contributing Writer

Rebecca Shagrin | Clarion

12

| ARTS

DU CLARION

& LIFE

APRIL 24, 2019

Khalid releases “Free Spirit” in new album

W

hen R&B artist Khalid released his debut album “American Teen” in 2017, he sang of “young, dumb, broke high school kids” falling in love in a new generation connected through smartphones and social media.

His audience associated his work with carefree days, happiness and optimism towards the future as his teenager self began to make choices that would impact his life.

Two years and five Grammy nominations later, Khalid delivered his sophomore release, “Free Spirit,” that took a different direction than “American Teen.” Now 21-years-old and gaining worldwide fame, Khalid now seems to grapple with themes of insecurity, self-identity, anxiety and new relationships he discusses in “Free Spirit.”

Although Khalid now discusses darker themes in “Free Spirit,” the album uses layering vocals, smooth synthesizers and upbeat claps reminiscent of ‘80s and ‘90s R&B. The contrast between his lyrics and backing tracks show that Khalid may be struggling with his transition into manhood and fame, but he still has an optimistic attitude that one day he will have everything figured out.

Khalid’s internal struggles also seem to come through in his relationships. “My Bad” looks at how the relationship between Khalid and his lover has worsened due to communication problems. Khalid becomes frustrated with his lover for con-

stantly calling his phone and admits he turns off his phone to ignore her and warns this is a sign that their relationship is failing.

Other songs such as “Hundred” focuses more on Khalid’s distrust when it comes to friendships, stating that he doesn’t need friends who only use him for favors and would rather not have any if it means he can complete the “hundred things he’s gotta do today.”

Photo Courtesy of TheMiddlePhinger

While Khalid struggles with relationships in songs such as “Hundred,” the album focuses more on his internal anxiety and self-identity. In songs such as “Self,” Khalid’s biggest fear is failure, saying that he has had so many wins in his life so far, that losing is something incomprehensible and terrifying. However, at the of the song, he makes a promise to “be one with the sun,” likening this to his goal of having peace and being satisfied with the person he is and the person he will become in the future.

Khalid recognizes his demons, but he does not succumb to them nor does he overcome them in “Free Spirit.” Khalid does not depict himself as the victor or anti-hero in the album, but rather as an everyday person going through life, hoping that one day everything will fall into place and he will be satisfied with the man he chooses to become.

Nina Petrovic | Arts & Life Editor

The Clarion Crossword: Week 4 Need some help? Visit duclarion.com for the answer key.