Issue 42 by The Independent Student Press

Fort Lewis College News Magazine

Issue 42

ONE DOOR CLOSES,

ANOTHER OPENS WHAT STUDENT FEES ACTUALLY PAY FOR

ALTERNATIVE WAYS

TO BUY THOSE

TEXTBOOKS

ABIDING TO THE LAWS OF THE SLOPES STIs, OH MY! IS THE FLU IN YOU? MAKING FLC GREEN HOW TO PREP A CAR FOR WINTER DRIVING February 2013 FREE

theindyonline.com

Haley Pruitt

Ayla Quinn

BUSINESS DIRECTOR

Amanda Penington

Emily Griffin

Indy Editors & Staff

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Michaela Leach Meryl Ramsey Bob Brockley Daniel Huppenthal PHOTOGRAPHY

Bryanna Kinlicheene Tom Rosenbaugh REPORTING

Trevor Ogborn

Graeme Johnston

Allie Hutto

Shannon Roe Carter Solomon Meagan Prins Deanna Atkins Christina Tsosie

EVENTS COORDINATOR

MARKETING & PR DIRECTOR

Cover photo by Hana Mohsin ONLINE MANAGER

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

ASSISTANT CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Michaela Goade Livia Hooson Shiala King ONLINE

Courtney Ragle

Jordan Alexander

Andrew Mangiona WEB DEVELOPER

Emily Fagerberg

Hana Mohsin

Jimi Giles To contact The Independent or a Indy staff member, please see “Contact Us” on The Indy Online.

Chloe Eckerman Adam Romero Aimee Gardere DESIGN

EDITOR IN CHIEF

CHIEF COPY EDITOR

CONTENT EDITOR

BUSINESS

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

FINANCIAL MANAGER

Corrections: In Issue 41, Kenny Miller was misquoted in a pull quote for the story titled ‘Physiological Effects of Alcohol, THC & Caffeine. It should have read ‘within physiological addiction...’ All of us on staff at the Indy offer their condolences to the family and friends of Peter Carver. This issue is dedicated in his honor.

ws, e n g n aki news, e r b r b fo mmunity e w e h on t us and co ch more! s u t i Vis ily camp and mu da sports,

www.theindyonline.com

CONTENTS Breaking Campus News

FROM THE E d i t o r ’s D e s k

One Door Closes, Another Opens: The Resign and Replacement of a Head Football Coach Story by Carter Solomon

Campus Living

Hello to all The Independent’s readers!

What Student Fees Actually Pay For Story by Christina Tsosie

Money Saver

Alternative Ways to Buy Those Textbooks Story by Deanna Atkins

COVER

Abiding to the Laws of the Slopes Story by Meagan Prins

Sex

10 STIs, Oh My! Story by Deanna Atkins

Health

Is the Flu in You? Story by Jimi Giles & Meagan Prins

Green

Our news organization would not be anything it is today without the extremely talented and hardworking staff. Every day our staff holds themselves to high expectations and standards, continuing to bring the Fort Lewis College community the most accurate, newsworthy, and timely information. The Indy’s staff stops at nothing to achieve what needs to be done. I appreciate every staff member for the work they put into producing this publication. For without one of them, our work would not be possible. The Independent will continue to strive to provide services to reach a wide range of people and establishing goals to strengthen what we produce in our magazine, online, and social media. The Independent News Magazine will feature a new format this semester, revolving around columns including: Breaking Campus News, Campus Living, Money Saver, Cover, Sex, Health, Green, DIY, and Entertaiment. The Indy Online will continue posting numerous times a week, providing FLC with event coverage, photo slideshows and multimedia. Associated closely with our website are our growing social media outlets: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Through all of these mediums, our staff hopes to provide you with the most convenient way to obtain the news of what is going on at FLC and in Durango. I thank you very much for your support of The Independent! Check us out and follow us on our social media sites! Here is to another successful semester! Sincerely,

Making FLC Green Story by Christina Tsosie

D.I.Y.

I hope you all share my enthusiasm as the start of a new semester is once again upon us, bringing new classes, goals, challenges, and experiences. The beginning of the semester is always my favorite time, allowing everyone a clean slate ready for anything that lies ahead. This semester is especially exciting for me as I start in my new position as Editor in Chief of The Independent. I am truly honored by this title and look forward to continue working on this publication.

How to Prep a Car for Winter Driving

Ayla Quinn Editor in Chief

Story by Carter Solomon

Entertainment

Horoscopes, Recipes, Crossword, and Indy on the Street

Got something to say? We want to hear from you! We encourage reader participation through our perspectives section. Submit letters, cartoons, or anything else you’d like to see in print to Editor in Chief Ayla Quinn at amquinn@fortlewis.edu or News Editor Jimi Giles at jegiles@fortlewis.edu. Note: The Independent reserves the right to edit submissions as necessary or deny publication. News tip? Contact Jimi Giles at jegiles@fortlewis.edu. For any other inquiries, contact Ayla Quinn at amquinn@fortlewis.edu

If you would like to receive the Indy straight to your campus P.O. box, contact Jordan at: jmalexander@fortlewis.edu

Breaking Campus News One Door Closes, Another Opens:

The Resign and Replacement of a Head Football Coach Story by Carter Solomon

New Fort Lewis College football coach John L. Smith (right), seen here with athletic director Gary Hunter (left) and President Dene Kay Thomas (center).

ed. Jan. 9, Cesar Rivas-Sandoval announced his res- the coach during each program evaluation. ignation from the position of head coach of the footThe general reaction to Rivas-Sandoval’s resignation ball program at Fort Lewis College. amongst the players was sad yet understanding, Hunter said. “I was pretty shocked at first,” said, sophomore football Rivas-Sandoval was the head coach at FLC for 3 seasons, player Daryion Morgan. “There was a good vibe at the meetwith 15 years of college coaching and playing experience. Rivas-Sandoval also helped lead FLC to its first winning ing, and then he dropped it on us.” season in 20 years as the defensive coordinator during the Rivas-Sandoval was popular with his players, but they un2004-’05 season. derstand that his resignation will benefit his career as a future coach, Hunter said. “Cesar is an outstanding coach, and Cesar is an outstanding coach, and Wed. Jan. 16, it was announced that even better person,” said Gary Hunter, the FLC athletic director. “He is com- even better person,” said Gary Hunter, John L. Smith will replace Rivas-Sandomitted to the well-being of students, the FLC athletic director. “He is com- val’s position as head coach of the FLC mitted to the well-being of students, Skyhawks, effective March 1. both academically and athletically.” Smith has 40 years of college coachLeading up to his resignation, Hunt- both academically and athletically. Gary Hunter ing experience, 19 of which he was the er and Rivas-Sandoval had meetings that reviewed the performance of playhead coach at multiple universities, and ers on and off of the field during Rivas-Sandoval’s three sea- he has several championships under his belt. sons as head coach, Hunter said. John L. Smith is no stranger to Hunter or FLC President “Academically, his team performed very well,” he said. “Last Dene Kay Thomas. “I hired John L. Smith as the head football coach in 1989 fall they were between a 2.5 and a 2.6, and that’s a pretty good grade point average for an excess of 100 football players.” at the University of Idaho, and President Dene Thomas was an Both Rivas-Sandoval and Hunter felt that they were not associate dean at the University of Idaho,” Hunter said. achieving the success on the football field that they had hoped Thomas and Hunter reached out to Smith, describing FLC, the program, and Durango, Hunter said. for, Hunter said. Thomas and Hunter convinced Smith and his wife to visit It was mutually agreed by the two that Hunter would accept Rivas-Sandoval’s decision to resign, and that Hunter would assist Durango. Rivas-Sandoval in finding another opportunity elsewhere, he said. “It’s a beautiful place,” Smith said. At the end of each year, each head coach meets with HuntRaising the number of athletes on scholarships is a goal er, and that coach’s program is assessed and evaluated at mul- that Hunter and Smith have for the future FLC football program, Hunter said. tiple levels, Hunter said. “Number one, we review their academic performance dur“The Rocky Mountain Athletic Scholarship allows a total of ing the year,” Hunter said. “We take the team GPA’s and the 28 equivalent full scholarships, and we’re only at about 17,” team graduation rates over a four to five year period.” Hunter said. “So one of the things that we will need to do is go The program’s involvement within the community is also eval- out into the community and raise money to get that scholarship money up to its maximum amount.” uated, along with field performance including wins and losses. FLC likes to see that the teams are competitive, more so Smith also hopes to increase the salaries of assistant coachthan a team’s win-loss record, Hunter said. es in order to attract and retain high quality coaching, he said. All of these factors are collected and then discussed with Smith intends to develop a fundraising campaign to help improve

“

”

Photo by Scott Griggs, courtesy of William Grimes

FLC football player Matt Radi practices throwing (right) and spots teammate Tyler Carr (left) in the Student Life Center. the facilities used by the football team as well, Hunter said. “Our weight room, our training room, and our football complex are way behind our peers in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference,” Hunter said. When asked, “Why come to Fort Lewis?” Smith replied, “Why not?” Smith is at a point in his career where it does not matter so much as where he works, but whom he is working for, referring to Thomas and Hunter. Smith is looking forward to helping the program become as good as it can be, while also helping players get their degrees and win some games, Smith said. The players are also looking forward to playing for Smith. “I can’t wait, I’m excited,” Morgan said. “He’s a big time coach

and it’s definitely going to be a new experience for the team.” The goal for the FLC football program is the same as it is for all other programs on campus. “Number one is to send our seniors out with two things: a degree in their hand, and as a winner,” Smith said. “That has always been what I’ve strived to do.” Much like with Rivas-Sandoval, Smith stresses the importance of academics within the program. “For me, it’s going back and coaching for the right reasons: for the love of the game, and to maybe make a difference in a young man’s life, and make sure that he does get his degree,” Smith said. “I’m looking forward to that.”

Photos by Tom Rosenbaugh Graphics by Livia Hooson

Campus Living What Student Fees Actually Pay For Story by Christina Tsosie Photo by Bryanna Kinlicheene

ti c s

$5.10 . $8

s $ 0.35 rvice er S e e r a C Arts $0.55 Club Sports $1.00

$2.70 s Use Facilitie Health/Counseling

Student Union Building $17.00

$9.15

s tie iv i 35 $4.

Student Life Center

$4.10 tdo or P urs ui $3 ts .05

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Exercise equipment is available in the Student Life Center paid for through student fees.

Mandatory Student Fees

Ath le

tudents pay an amount of student fees depending on their number of enrolled credits, but what student fees entail may not be well known. The use of student fees is to provide Fort Lewis College students with a wide spectrum of services. “I have no clue whatsoever where my student fees go or what exactly I’m being charged,” said Shaquana Desiderio, a freshman at FLC. Currently, Desiderio is enrolled in 14 credit hours, totaling around $800 in student fees for the semester, she said. Each semester, students are charged $55.40 per credit hour. This fee caps out at 18 credit hours, meaning that students are not charged additional fees once they exceed 18 credit hours. The total amount is divided among different categories throughout the college, including athletics, Career Services, club sports, arts, facilities use, Health and Counseling Center, Outdoor Pursuits, intramural sports, student activities, the Student Union Building, technology fee, and sustainability initiatives. “Students actually do have a voice in deciding where their student fees go,” said Steve Schwartz, the vice president of finance and administration at FLC. The Student Union Building was renovated out of a student initiative. The student body of 2008 moved to expand the old Student Union and rebuild it to be more environmentally friendly, Schwartz said.

Total - $55.40

The renovation of the building accounts for about $17 of fees per credit hour, he said. The facilities use fee, $2.70 per credit hour, and the technology fee, $5.10 per credit hour, pay for all of the buildings that students and faculty use, including classrooms, the Student Life Center, the library, and computer labs, Schwartz said. Those fees pay the operating costs for running the facilities, he said. If students feel there is a priority to make a change, it is the faculty’s job to consider it, not to overturn it, Schwartz said. Students pay for these services and the Associated Students of FLC does the best it can to listen to what students want, but it is hard to get their input, said Lewis Wittry, the Vice President of ASFLC. ASFLC tries to get as much input as they possibly can through circulated e-mails containing surveys regarding certain student services, such as the Durango Transit survey, which was recently circulated, to get a feel for what can be improved upon, Wittry said. ASFLC only gets a couple hundred responses through these surveys, and usually these responses come from the same group of people, he said. ASFLC also holds forums where students are able to voice their opinions. ASFLC cannot make decisions without the study body, because then there would not be an equal representation of the students on campus, he said. It comes down to the apathy, the student body needs to care about making changes on campus, Wittry said. It can be done, the student body just has to get involved, he said.

Money Saver Alternative Ways to Buy Those Textbooks Story by Deanna Atkins Photo by Hana Mohsin

The Fort Lewis College Bookstore conveniently provides texts needed for all courses offered this semester.

he Fort Lewis College Bookstore is not the only place students can purchase books and supplies for the semester. Alternative options are available. Thousands of students are enrolled at FLC each semester and many are in need of purchasing books at an inexpensive price. The FLC Bookstore tends to be more expensive than other places that sell certain textbooks because books prices are not determined book by book, but instead by an agreement with the publisher and the college, said Haleigh Morgan, the public & campus relations specialist for the Follett Higher Education Group. For each sale, a portion of the money goes to the bookstore and a portion goes to FLC, Morgan said. Every effort is made to supply students with the right texts at low costs, she said. Students are also able to rent books or sell back used texts to the FLC Bookstore for 30 to 50 percent of the original cost if the publisher or the bookstore is in need of the book, she said. The Bookstore always does their best to provide the required texts for all students, she said. Even though books could become out of stock, the Bookstore makes every effort to obtain more at a fast rate, she said. Students are not limited to using the Bookstore as their source for texts. Several book stores around the Durango area provide students with the same texts for similar or less expensive prices. “Several hundred students come in every year,” said Ann Perkins-Parrott, the owner of Bookcase Inc., located at 601 E. Second Avenue. Bookcase Inc. does not sell textbooks, but it does sell books needed for some literature or writing classes, Perkins-Parrot said. Students can also purchase textbooks from Bookcase Inc. online or they can borrow a book from store as long as it is free of

highlighting and writing upon return. Bookcase Inc. prices books according to online sources and can often price products less expensively than the FLC Bookstore and provide either free or two day shipping when purchasing online, she said. If a student does not have enough money to purchase a text, Bookcase Inc. will loan them the book, Perkins-Parrott said. “I do everything that I can to accommodate students as much as possible,” she said. “I always give college students a discount, and not just limited to books.” Students can also purchase books online through sites like Amazon that are less expensive than the FLC Bookstore. FLC student Emily Billings uses the Bookstore and the Internet to purchase her texts. Online book sources include but are not limited to Amazon, Chegg and Ebay. Students typically need more than one book per class, so purchasing them at the least expensive price possible is beneficial. Billings had to purchase seven or eight books for the current semester. “I mostly just used Amazon,” Billings said. “I saved over $150, if not more.” Some textbooks are available for renting, so if that is possible, it is the option I choose, she said. Renting books from the FLC Bookstore and selling books back to the Bookstore are methods Billings has used in the past. “I paid $50 for the book and I got back $2.36,” she said. Students are also able to sell their textbooks through a classified ad section that FLC provides through theFort, through Bookcase Inc., and through online sources.

Cover Story

Abiding to the Laws of the Slopes Story by Megan Prins Photos by Hana Mohsin

At Durango Mountain Resort, Colorado skiers ride the chairlift. Part of the responsibility code requires lift users to know how to load, ride, and unload safely.

urango’s most popular winter sports, skiing and snowboarding, can often be dangerous if the proper precautions and rules are not followed while hitting the slopes. Zach Nordlund, a Fort Lewis College freshman, knows what it is like to get in trouble on the slopes. While skiing in Keystone, Nordlund advanced towards the gondola and hit a steep hill. “Supposedly they had just gotten new signs that said no straight-lining and I didn’t see them,” Nordlund said. Not seeing the sign, he proceeded to straight-line and picked up speed down the hill, and was met at the bottom by a row of ski patrol, one of whom asked why he was going so fast and if he had seen the signs, he said. “I got written up for skiing fast and dangerously,” he said. Ski patrol recorded Nordlund’s pass information and administered a ticket. If another ticket is issued, he will lose his pass for the re-

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mainder of the season. Breaking the rules on the slopes can happen to anyone, especially for skiers and snowboarders not accustomed to the regulations. All ski areas in Colorado base their policies off of the Colorado Skier Safety Act. It is a piece of legislation that allows ski areas to operate with a limited amount of legal risk, said Eric Deitemeyer, patrol director at Wolf Creek Ski Area, in a phone interview. The act states that any risk of injury to a person or property due to the risk of skiing or snowboarding or riding a ski lift is assumed by the skier or snowboarder. Also under this act is the responsibility code, established in 1966, which outlines the necessities of courtesy and safety on the slopes. According to the code, safety on the slopes is everyone’s responsibility, and this is fulfilled through the following rules:

As an industry, there have been a lot of skier vs. skier and skier vs. tree collisions this season alone, and these types of accidents can usually be prevented when participants know and follow the code

”

-Eric Deitemeyer, ski patrol director at Wolf Creek Ski Area

*Always stay in control and be able to stop or avoid objects. *People ahead always have the right of way and it is your responsibility, if you are trailing, to avoid them. *Do not stop where you could be an obstruction from the trail or are not visible from above. *Whenever starting downhill or margining into a trail, yield to others. *Always use devices to prevent runaway equipment. *Observe all posted signs and warnings. *Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas. *Prior to using the lift, you must know how to load ride, and unload safely. *Do not speed in slow zones. They have been designed for high traffic areas to slow skiers and snowboarders down when approaching a busy intersection of trails or nearing lift-loading areas where slower speeds make a safer experience. Some policies differ between various resorts and ski areas. At Wolf Creek Ski Area, there are different boundary policies than most ski areas and there is a higher emphasis on avalanche closures, Deitemeyer said. The two offenses that Wolf Creek sees the most are skiers and snowboarders speeding in slow zones and violations of avalanche closures. People who violate these rules are at the greatest risk of injuring themselves or other people, he said. For most ski areas in Colorado, the guide to these rules and any changes made can be found online and on resort websites. Durango Mountain Resort follows the responsibility code and Colorado Safety Skier Act as well, said Kim Oyler, Director of Communications for DMR, in a phone interview. On top of those groundwork regulations, DMR also implements the 10-foot rule, which minimizes the number of on-mountain accidents and maintains the overall safety of skiers and riders. By staying at least 10 feet away from others on the slopes, the

chances of collision are reduced drastically, Oyler said. The best advice to give anyone on the slopes, from new skiers to experienced ones, is to familiarize and know the responsibility code. The code is taught by most ski schools and the mantra for most ski areas is â&#x20AC;&#x153;Know the Code,â&#x20AC;? Deitemeyer said. It is just like knowing the rules of the road before you learn to drive, he said. Any skier or snowboarder who is not informed on the rules of the slopes is in danger of not only breaking them, but also severely injuring themselves. As an industry, there have been a lot of skier vs. skier and skier vs. tree collisions this season alone, and these types of accidents can usually be prevented when participants know and follow the code, he said. There are consequences to breaking the rules too. Safety Patrols are set up on the mountain to ensure safety, and when caught breaking any of the responsibility code items, there are consequences. The most common offenses at Telluride Ski Resort are going out of bounds or ducking ropes, which is illegal and speeding or being reckless, said Tom Watkinson, director of communications and public relations at Telluride Ski Resort, in a phone interview. Most offenses are handled on a case-to-case basis and have many factors to consider. If there is any injury, the police are brought in and all offenses are put under investigation by the safety staff, but consequences can range from getting a warning to losing a ski pass for two years, he said. Repeat offenders will definitely get more severe consequences, or if an offense was done intentionally, but Telluride stresses safety and following the rules at all times. That way the experience is enjoyable for everyone, he said.

Paramedics attend to an injured participant of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s X Games.

Sex

STIs, Oh My!

Story by Deanna Atkins

ll college students have a possibility of contracting sexually transmitted infections while at school and Fort Lewis College students are also susceptible to the risk. The most common STIs are bacterial and viral, said Jane Cobb, a nurse at the FLC Health Center. These include herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and human pappilomavirus, which are bacterial STIs, Cobb said. “Every STI has the ability to be transmitted orally,” she said. “Viruses can be transmitted as well.” Students may have an STI and are unaware of it because most do not have side effects, she said. “The consequences of an STI can vary,” she said. “One of the most important things that impacts college students is the social stigma.” The FLC Health Center provides students with free condoms, testing for all STIs, free HIV testing once a month, chlamydia and gonorrhea testing and blood or urine sample testing, Cobb said. Using condoms is the number one prevention against STIs, she said. “They really, really work,” she said. Risk taking and substance abuse, such as drinking too much alcohol or using drugs, should be avoided as well. “Secondly, being a designated condom carrier for you or your friends will be your best bet against contracting an STI,” she said. Although some STIs can be treated and cured, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomoniasis, some can never be cured, including herpes and HIV/ AIDS, which are called incurable diseases. Genital warts and hepatitis B, may go into remission in the body but can never be cured, Cobb said. Suppressive antiviral medications can be taken to prevent a bigger viral load in the body as well, she said. Students who are already sick or pregnant may be at a higher risk and more vulnerable to contracting an STI, she said. “Women are screened for every STI when pregnant,” Cobb said. “Antibiotics for premature labor and C-sections may also be performed.” Some cases could be life threatening to the mother and the child, she said. “STIs are also transmitted from an infected mother to child during birth,” said Rachael Carlevale, the education

Photo Illustration by Hana Mohsin program manager for the Responsible Sex Education of Planned Parenthood in Durango, Colo. STIs can also be passed through breast milk, Carlevale said. “There are steps that a doctor can do to prevent the baby being born with an STI, but is not always 100 percent,” she said. A person may also contract an STI through blood exchange, sharing needles, using drugs, getting a tattoo or piercing, or through kissing, she said. Knowing that you have contracted an STI is not always easy. Some symptoms can be burning during urination, rashes, or seeing bumps and blisters, Carlevale said. Because genetics differ from person to person, symptoms vary greatly, so using condoms and getting tested will prevent passing an unknown STI, she said. “The most common STI in the area is chlamydia,” said Kristi Stump, clinic manager of the San Juan Basin Health Department in Durango, Colo. It is estimated that 2.8 million are infected by chlamydia each year and have no symptoms. For this type of STI, vaginal samples are taken for women and urine examples are taken for men, Stump said. “Pelvic exams work as well and can usually produce the results in a week to two weeks,” she said. Skin to skin contact can increase the risk of contracting chlamydia because the symptoms may take a while to appear, she said. Because most STIs do not have symptoms, it is important for students who are sexually active to get tested and treated before they pass an infection to another person.

Is the Flu in You?

Health

Story by Jimi Giles & Meagan Prins Photo by Bryanna Kinlicheene

Washing your hands is the first step to staying healthy this flu season.

t is that time of the year again, and even Fort Lewis College knows it. On Jan. 16, FLC emailed an official announcement to students warning that this year’s seasonal flu is on the rise. One can quickly tell if they have influenza, said Susan Pugh, a nurse at the on-campus Student Health Center. Sudden onset is an early sign, including high fever, headache, body aches, and dry cough. “We don’t know what the goal of influenza is,” said Roger Dilts, a visiting professor of biology at FLC. “Originally we thought viruses, we being the scientific community, thought viruses were just bad berries.” Now some scientists believe that viruses are a means to insert and change genomes, creating new genes in the biome, Dilts said. All viruses, including influenza, are made of two parts: a genetic blueprint with instructions for its replication and proteins that allow its attachment to the host, he said. After the virus’s attachment, the host cell replicates the intruder. The flu shot is a method of prevention for influenza, and is available to anyone at the Student Health Center. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta makes an educated guess on what proteins are going to be in this year’s strain, and this collection of proteins is what makes up the shot, Dilts said. Because the virus is constantly changing, the CDC is constantly monitoring influenza. The shot allows the body’s immune system to respond to the virus by creating different proteins, antibodies, which will eliminate it. “It you don’t have those proteins present, the virus has time to get inside the cell, reproduce itself, and then you’re playing catch-up,” Dilts said. The body gets sick during this “catch-up” period, as influenza likes to choose cells that are in the respiratory track, accounting for its common symptoms. Sometimes recipients do get a fever after the flu shot, but this is a good thing, he said. Getting sick is the body’s way of responding or working against the proteins injected via the flu shot.

If recovery does not follow a day after the shot, a doctor should be seen, he said. “If they haven’t had a flu shot or been exposed to the virus, they are very likely to become sicker with the disease than if they have been recently exposed,” he said. “The proteins change, but they don’t change that much.” Other than the flu shot, or even with the flu shot, good hand washing and trying to avoid others who have the flu or any other illness is key for personal health, Pugh said. Homeopathic remedies, besides the flu shot, are available, said Becky Most-Reinfeld, the department manager of vitamins and supplements at Nature’s Oasis Natural Market. Oscillococcinum, homeopathic goose liver, eliminates common symptoms of the flu and helps the body recover faster. Elderberry, another homeopathic product available in many forms, blocks cell receptor sites, which deter the flu and other viruses from quickly spreading over the body, Most-Reinfeld said. The important part of preventing the flu is making sure the immune system is strong, she said. Dilts agrees that the more antioxidants, which are the immune system’s key players, the better. Vitamin C will not help unless it is taken on a consistent basis to have initially strengthened cells, Most-Reinfeld said. It is important to keep fluids and electrolytes in your system in order to prevent the flu and to help heal while sick, she said. Adequate sleep and a proper diet also aid in influenza’s prevention. Having good culture in the stomach is a good first defense against getting sick, Most-Reinfeld said. A healthy gut will allow bad bacteria to go straight through the body, and probiotic-like foods, such as plain yogurt, create thousands of enzyme functions that can increase the good bacteria in the stomach, she said. “This current flu is unusual in that it started sooner than they often do,” Dilts said. Influenza usually occurs in the Northern Hemisphere later in winter and follows a spike of Southern Hemisphere infection. There have been minimal cases of influenza on the FLC campus, and even Durango, this year so far, Pugh said.

Green

Making FLC Green Story by Christina Tsosie Photo by Bryanna Kinlicheene

Recycling bins are located throughout Fort Lewis College.

ort Lewis College and the community of Durango strive to be environmentally friendly. “It is not only the students who are taking on the responsibility, but the faculty as well,” said Rachel Landis, FLC’s interim coordinator of the Environmental Center. “Many professors try to reduce paper waste by asking their students to submit papers electronically through e-mail or to print using the Eco-Smart printing option.” The goal to stay green is also a focus of the college as a whole. FLC became a part of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment on April 6, 2007. This commitment states the college will commit to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from campus operations. One factor of this commitment is the pledge to be completely carbon neutral by 2080. “FLC only purchases electric appliances powered by Energy Star, we only use 100 percent recycled paper, and 100 percent recycled napkins,” Landis said. “The lights in all the educational buildings are now motion activated; this is to reduce waste of electricity.” Many of the buildings on campus have been built with the idea of conserving energy. The Student Union Building addition is the third Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design building certified facility at FLC. The dining areas and the west end of the Student Union Building are LEED certified gold, said Brad Hitti, the director of auxiliary services and the Student Union Building. There are different levels of LEED certifications, platinum being the highest, followed by gold. Animas Hall is also gold certified, he said. A building must pass a rigorous expectation to meet LEED certification. One factor of the certification is water efficiency on campus. This includes ultra low-flow and low-flow toilets and urinals, lowflow faucets with automatic sensor operation and low-flow showerheads. This results in more than 42.5 percent savings over baseline fixture performance requirements of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Storm water is also used and 100 percent of run-off water is directed across a vegetated area.

The Student Union houses San Juan Dining and the Rocket, where environmentally friendly options are applied as well. Energy Star powers 58 percent of the food service appliances. Sodexo has also moved to reduce food waste through composting. “In 2010, food waste weighed in at 170,000 pounds,” Landis said. In a landfill, those numbers add up. When food is deposited into a landfill, it releases methane gas, she said. To avoid the waste, a vessel compost unit was purchased for $60,000. With this vessel compost, 90 percent of the food waste does not head to a landfill, Landis said. Instead, the food from that compost is replacing some of the chemicals used on the FLC lawns. The Student Union Building has also moved to take on eliminating the waste of plastic water bottles by installing a machine that provides filtered water for those who have reusable containers. The machine keeps track of how plastic water bottle use is being avoided and also counts how many people have used the machine, Hitti said. Many recycling stations on campus can be utilized more effectively by both students and faculty. Ran Lazo, the leader of the anthropology club, is beginning a study focusing on what motivates students to recycle. Last spring he also conducted a study on how many students actually recycle. Although the sample size was small and may not reflect the college as a whole, the study found that 89 percent of the people on campus claimed to recycle, and that they recycle more than half of the recyclable material, he said. Last semester, the Environmental Center collected all the trash from the buildings on campus, other than the dorms, and dumped it all on the quad and sorted it out. The findings concluded that 17 percent could have been recycled and that 10 percent could have been composted. There were nine pounds of disposable coffee cups. Lazo also went around campus and noted all of the trashcans and recycling bins around campus, finding that there were 241 trashcans versus 57 recycling receptacles, he said. Forcing someone to recycle is not a feasible option, but helping to change habits is possible, Lazo said.

D.I.Y.

How to Prep a Car for Winter Driving Story by Carter Solomon Photos by Tom Rosenbaugh

Keeping jumper cables in your car is one item advised for winter car maintenance.

inter driving can be bothersome, if not downright hazardous, and simple precautions can prevent a hindrance to a day and eliminate a situation of being stranded on the side of a road.

Center Inc. “You can never be too prepared,” Kennedy said. Food, blankets, flares, tools, extra car fluids are miscellaneous items to carry, he said.

What should you keep in your car? “If you are planning on going anywhere that is very snowy, you’ll want some snow chains or some cables so that you don’t get stuck,” said Sam Choate, the part sales manager at Auto Zone. Another winter car incorporation is a small bag of cat litter. “It is the best thing you can put on the ground if you get stuck on the ice or snow,” said Joe Nelson, the assistant manager at Four States Tire. “It’s obviously very cheap too, and it’s environmentally friendly because it’s just clay.” A shovel and duct tape should be included as well, Nelson said. The shovel can be used to dig out a car if needed, and the duct tape is useful for such tasks as temporarily repairing damaged tubes. Emergency blankets are useful if a driver gets stuck and needs extra warmth, Choate said. A small set of tools, including adjustable wrenches and a few screwdrivers, are needed as well, Nelson said. These tools can help in various circumstances such as tightening loose parts within your car. A flashlight and jumper cables are excellent items to store in the vehicle. The flashlight is useful for such things as changing a tire at night, and the jumper cables can start a dead battery, he said. A tow strap is highly recommended, not only so that a car can be towed, but so that others can be towed if the need arises, Nelson said. A spare tire is important as well. “You’d be surprised how many people don’t have one,” he said. There is really no limit to what can be placed in a car just in case a situation arises, said Jeff Kennedy, owner of Durango Car Care

What should be up-to-date in your car? Changing the oil on a regular basis is one way to keep a vehicle running, Choate said. Any fluid in a vehicle should be checked and eventually changed, Nelson said. Such fluids include brake fluid, engine coolant, antifreeze, motor oil, power steering fluid, and windshield wiper fluid. “There are two different grades of windshield wiper fluid,” he said. “If you use straight Windex from under your sink, it could freeze.” The products that are more resistant to freezing do not cost any more than the products that are not resistant. When putting antifreeze into a vehicle, be sure to dilute the antifreeze 50/50 with water, Nelson said. If the antifreeze is not diluted, it will be less effective and could potentially overheat your engine. One of the best things to do is have a professional check and see that your car is functioning correctly, Kennedy said. “Take your car in and have it inspected,” Kennedy said. If you do find yourself on the side of the road… “Try to get off the road and put on your signals, and be careful if you’re working on changing a tire and you’re in incoming traffic,” Nelson said. Also, putting your hood up signals that something is wrong with your car to people that drive by, which may elicit help from other motorists, he said.

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HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

oscopes r o H

CROSSWORD

Aquarius (Jan. 20- Feb. 18) – Expect the unexpected this month, new things will blossom and luck is in your favor. Variety will bring you much peace.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 19) – Work through your discouragement and tired feelings to attain all you’ve ever wanted. Through change you will find bliss.

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Aries (March 20 – Apr. 20) – Eliminate distractions and decide what it is that you truly want. Trust your instincts and all will be okay. Taurus (Apr. 21 - May 21) – Your career will surge forward this month, so be ready for it. Let planning subside and go with what comes your way.

Gemini (May 22 - June 21) – Narrow down a goal of yours you’ve been dreaming about lately and decide how you will achieve it. Do not let fear get in the way of your desires. Cancer (June 22 - July 22) – Rely on the ones who care about you this month and do not be afraid to trust in others. Through love you will find all the answers of happiness.

Leo: (July 23 – Aug. 23) – Be prepared for romance this month. Someone you may have not seen before will come to light and you will learn to appreciate them. Virgo (Aug. 24 - Sept. 23) – Success will come through the help of others. Let your perfectionist ways subside and allow other people to help you. Libra (Sept. 24 – Oct. 23) – Life has not been easy to you, but this month will definitely be a breather. Through leisure you will find sanity. Scorpio (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) – Home will bring you much sanctity this month. Change will seem easier if you maintain fluidity through your environment. Sagittarius (Nov. 23 - Dec. 21) – This month will seem weary for you, but decide where you want to go and who you want to be and choose the path that will take you there.

ACROSS 1. An emotion to which humans dedicate a holiday 3. An edible substance composed mainly of sugar 5. The organ which pumps blood through the human body 6. A gesture of affection made with the lips 7. A deep feeling towards someone. DOWN 1. Carnal desire 2. The saint who was martyred on Feb. 14 3. A candy made with the cacao bean 4. An intense emotion, usually of desire

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan 19) – Your inner self is dying to come out. Don’t be afraid to let all of you out, everyone will love you either way.

Graphics by Graeme Johnston

Indy on the Street What was your New Year’s resolution? Connor Nahoskey Engineering

Morgan Kozinski Environmental Studies

To eat better.

To live a healthier lifestyle, not go out as much or smoke as much.

Kim Schoep Business Administration

Hunter Briggs Communications

I didn’t make one because I never go through with them so why bother making one?

To keep up the good work.

Recipe Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookies (makes 2-3 dozen, size dependent) Ingredients: 1 C. unsalted butter 2/3 C. white sugar 1 egg 21/2 C. all purpose flour 1/2 tsp. salt 1 tsp. vanilla extract Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together butter and sugar in a mixer. Mix in egg, and combine with flour, salt and vanilla. Roll into a ball and refrigerate for at least two hours. After the dough has cooled, roll with a rolling pin to desired thickness, then cut into desired shape. Bake for 8-10 minutes for softer cookies. Bake longer for crispier cookies. Submitted by Jimi Giles

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