Volume 37, Issue 29 - April 16, 2015 by Met Media

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The Student Voice of MSU Denver

Volume 37, Issue 29

April 16, 2015

‘Middletown’ meanders into King Center

Steven Hartman performs as Mechanic in a production of Middletown presented by MSU Denver theater in the King Center April 13. Opening night is April 16 at 7:30 p.m. For our review, see Page 12. Photo by Trevor L. Davis • tdavis84@msudenver.edu

Homeless push for Right to Rest Act

Spective 8

Sports 15

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Opinions 5

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Sexual Assault Regis spoils nineNo single-school rec April isPAGE 9 game win streak centers for Auraria Awareness Month Vote On Issues that matter!

April 13–19 Check out the back page for how to vote!

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“Cities are not in the business of wanting to kick homeless people out of public areas.” — Meghan Dollar, Colorado Municipal League

April 16, 2015

Proposed Right to Rest Act aims to protect Colorado homeless

Bill awaits committee review, state campuses seek exemption for current camping bans By Kate Rigot krigot@msudenver.edu State higher education representatives are currently at odds with those advocating for a homeless bill of rights. Known as the Colorado Right to Rest Act, the bill is set to be heard in the state house committee on state, veterans and military affairs April 15. House Bill 151264, which the bill’s sponsors say would keep people from being criminalized based on housing status and protect certain uses of public space, has prompted representatives from Auraria and other public campuses to seek an exemption. Denver and 11 other cities currently have “camping bans,” which prohibit covering oneself while sleeping on public property. Opponents of these laws, who say they only serve to criminalize homelessness, are running a “homeless bill of rights” in the state house that would likely overturn the state’s camping bans and similar laws. According to its summary, the bill would protect the rights of Coloradans to “use and move freely in public spaces without discrimination, to rest in public spaces without discrimination (and) to accept food in any public space where food is not prohibited.” It would also grant the right to sleep in a legally parked vehicle and prohibit the violation of privacy of property regardless of housing status. The house bill is being sponsored by Reps. Joe Salazar, D-Thornton, and Jovan Melton, D-Aurora, John Kefalas, D-Ft. Collins, is the sponsor of the senate version of the bill. Supporters of the bill refer to such measures as laws that “criminalize homelessness,” and argue that the Right to Rest Act would protect the basic civil rights of

homeless individuals. “I think for the most part the reason why the conversation’s come up has been because of the camping ban, but I think we can further the conversation into how do we provide services that really help,” Melton said. “I’m hoping that, by doing this, it’ll force cities to deal with their challenges as opposed to just pushing them aside.” He noted that Denver’s passage of the camping ban had only forced people experiencing homelessness away from centrally-located services. Salazar confirmed that several representatives of the state’s higher education lobby asked April 6 for an amendment that would exempt them from the bill. Salazar said that campus representatives are concerned that the wording of the bill would result in being forced to keep their buildings open past operating hours, and had general concerns for safety. Salazar stated that the bill’s wording would not in fact extend building hours, and questioned the idea that homeless people would present a safety threat. “We’re trying to ensure that we stop criminalizing people who are homeless. And a good part of that is that we get rid of the prejudice around homelessness,” Salazar said. “And this whole idea that it’s all about safety, that continues that narrative. So if that’s the argument that (the colleges) are going to be coming with, they might be a little shocked at the data that would come forward to refute what they’re saying.” Tony Robinson, chair of UCD’s political science department, stated that the facts do not point to homeless people being more dangerous than anybody else, questioning the motives of the campus lobby, attributing it to “a mixture of primitive, uninformed fear, or a kind of disingenuous or hidden desire to keep their campus ‘clean.’”

Denver Homeless Individuals and Shelter Bed Growth, 1988-2011

Infographic from “No Right to Rest: Criminalizing Homeless in Colorado.” Used with permission of Tony Robinson.

Joe Salazar, D-Thornton, one of the sponsors of the bill for the Colorado Right to Rest Act, speaks at a festival put on by supporters of the bill Feb. 2. Photo by Kenneth White

“When they say they don’t want their campus to be opened, that’s correct, they don’t want the homeless on campus—but they hide that desire by talking about campus safety,” Robinson said. “What they don’t want is for the homeless to move through campus. But campus is open to anybody else to walk across at different times. There should be a definitive right for homeless people to move through public space.” Blaine Nickeson, a campus spokesman and assistant vice president of campus relations and chief of staff for AHEC, confirmed that AHEC opposed HB 15-1264 “due to its possible negative impact on the campus and its facilities.” However, Nickeson denied that AHEC was worried about building hours or a direct concern for campus safety, but said that the concerns instead revolved around the logistics of the use of the campus by those who weren’t students, faculty, staff or invited guests. “Given the limited space on campus, allowing free and open access to all of our educational facilities could require additional maintenance, custodial or security services, and could detract from the educational environment,” Nickeson said, adding that it was students who should benefit from the campus’ facilities. Nickeson clarified that Auraria’s

opposition centers around the belief that campus facilities are not able to handle increased use, or usages like bathing in sinks or sleeping outside. He characterized the campus as “more of a limited public use facility” and stated that the campus has regulations that restrict its use to members of the campus community and invited guests.

“I’m hoping that, by doing this, it’ll force cities to deal with their challenges as opposed to just pushing them aside.” —Rep. Jovan Melton Rhonda Bentz, the director of media and legislative communications for the Colorado Community College System confirmed that CCCS could support an amendment that would exempt higher ed. “It’s a situation where we’re responsible for everything that happens on that campus and we’d like to be in control of it,” Bentz said. “The three colleges work closely with Auraria on policies and procedures on the campus, so safety is one thing that’s important to be mindful of. But it really

comes down to policy – which may include safety, but it’s not limited to safety.” Meghan Hartvigson, of MSU Denver’s marketing and communications office, confirmed that MSU Denver was in support of AHEC’s lobbying efforts but wasn’t actively pursuing any action on its own. Much of the opposition to the bill comes from the Colorado Municipal League. Meghan Dollar, the CML’s legislative and policy advocate, confirmed that the issue of local control did play a minor role in the league’s opposition due to the nature of its constituency, but was quick to emphasize that it was a lot bigger than that. “Cities are not in the business of wanting to kick homeless people out of public areas,” Dollar said. “What we would like to see is more money for shelters, mental health services, other services–we would rather see that money go to those services.” She said CML fears the passage of HB 15-1264 would hinder cities’ ability to fund such things, due to what she described as the possibility of frivolous lawsuits brought against local governments for supposedly violating the new law. “Litigation is litigation, and you’ll always have lawsuits when there’s a civil rights action,” Dollar said. Melton said that he understood the position of groups like CML, but said that their response was just “perpetuating the same mistakes” made by the cities that have passed camping bans. Robinson also noted what he called the unpragmatic nature of laws that cost cities money for policing homelessness. “It’s awfully costly,” he said. “It extends the time of homelessness, because when you get out of jail it’s harder to get a house, harder to get a job. We need a clear statement in the law that localities can’t pass these rules.” He said that such laws were immoral, due to “the fact that every jurisdiction admits that there will be, tonight, thousands of people sleeping in public. There’s not room in the private housing market or in public shelters for these people,” he said. “Yet they adopt rules that say ‘you can’t sleep, you can’t rest, you cannot be here.’ It’s fundamentally immoral to say ‘you must exist in public, but we’re going to make it impossible to exist,’” Robinson said. For more on this story, go to www.mymetmedia.com

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April 16, 2015 Met News

Construction and instruction: Visual news of the week

Paths made around road maintenance: Speakers display diversity

MSU Denver seniors Jennifer Reins, left, and Jasmine Budnella are forced to walk around the construction on 9th street after leaving class April 14. The roadway was demolished over spring break, allowing the least interference with student traffic. The construction expands from the main entrance of the Auraria Library to the pedestrian mall between Western and Central classrooms. Alternate routes, in accordance with standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act, are accessible to every building as the area undergoes maintenance. Photo by Alyson McClaran • amcclara@msudenver.edu

Ericka Huggins, a former Black Panther Party member, gives one of the key note addresses at the Higher Education Diversity Summit in Turnhalle April 10. Huggins provided a strong female voice to the Civil Rights Movement. An advocate for education, she became a lifelong teacher after leaving the party. Photo by Trevor L. Davis • tdavis84@msudenver.edu

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“The schools on this campus have a tradition of sharing resources, which is great not only for pragmatic reasons but also because it builds community. It brings together in some capacity people who wouldn’t otherwise be connected.” — Kate Rigot on the proposed plan for a UCD-only rec center mymetmedia. com

UCD, don’t be elitist on rec center By Kate Rigot krigot@msudenver.edu UCD recently conducted a feasibility study on the possibility of building its own UCD-only wellness center, and has referred this to a student vote as part of its student government elections. I will be very disappointed if this passes the student vote and is approved by the Board of Regents. I’m currently a full-time UCD student and a part-time MSU Denver student, and plan to start a graduate program at UCD this fall. But I’m far less concerned about how the proposed fees will affect me than I am about the significant problems with this plan. The most obvious is pragmatic: We already have access to a recreation center that is more than adequate for a commuter campus, so creating another one would be redundant. There’s also meditation rooms in the Tivoli.

But in a “quick survey,” UCD’s Office of Student Life found that students are confused about the existing rec center and “don’t necessarily feel welcome there.” Are you kidding me? Your response to mild confusion is to try to build an entire fancy new building, instead of just clearing up the confusion? How does this make any sense to anyone? How hard is it to just put up some damn signs? And where is this even coming from? It should be obvious to anyone who’s attended classes on this campus for more than a week that just about every facility on campus is shared. Can you imagine if MSU Denver built its own library because its students got confused? While MSU Denver athletes do take up some space, I’d bet that the two biggest reasons UCD students don’t use the existing rec center are because we don’t have time due to studying and that Denver is full of opportunities for all kinds of recreation off-campus. You might have a few students who are staying away because they haven’t received a graven invitation, but that’s their problem. A UCD-only rec center would be flat-out stupid just by itself, but the price tag for students that this would come with — $8 per credit hour per semester, and eventually $16 per credit hour and possibly even higher in the future — is far from worth it.

Like others, I attend UCD to get a good education for an affordable price. I’m trying to keep debt down, and every $10 I can save on tuition helps. Paying an extra $192 to $384 a year for a redundant rec center is not the kind of thing I’m going to appreciate when I’m paying off my debt. This doesn’t make much financial sense for anybody. While a bike repair shop is one of the few good ideas here, there are better, probably self-funded ways to do this. Has it occurred to anyone to try to start a tri-institutional bike shop somewhere on campus? We’re not the only ones who bike to school. But there are bigger reasons than the redundancy and stupidity that I oppose it, mostly concerning our campus community. The schools on this campus have a tradition of sharing resources, which is great not only for pragmatic reasons (can you imagine how much we save by splitting overhead for the library alone?) but also because it builds community. It brings together in some capacity people who wouldn’t otherwise be connected. I definitely feel this community-sharing does much more for our student body than what having our very own special wellness center that only UCD can use. It’s like we want everyone else to think we’re a bunch of elitists. This applies whether or not student government decides to pull

funding from the campus recreation center, but if they do end up going that route, it will be a tragedy — and an avoidable one at that. This is an important discussion to have now, because if this goes through, we’re either going to all be contributing financially to two different but redundant rec centers, which sets our own students back, or we’re going to pull funds from the existing rec center, which would almost certainly shaft the people with whom we’re supposed to be sharing. It’s a lose-lose situation. Instead of pouring a bunch of money into a bad plan, why not contribute a little bit extra to the existing campus rec center, so that it can be fi xed up a bit and have some more facilities added and its hours extended? Maybe do a little rebranding to make sure it’s clear how tri-institutional it is, and throw a bit into developing UCD’s club sports program while we’re at it. Then in five years or so, if that still isn’t working for us, explore whether we really need to do something like this. I strongly encourage UCD students to vote no on the proposal slated for the SGA vote this week. Although I’m typically populist, I hope the Board of Regents recognize that if this proposal passes, it’s likely only because students saw the shiny architectural drawings instead of actually considering the harmful ramifications.

Emphasis on speed over quality hurts Americans

By Steve Musal smusal@msudenver.edu When Eric Schlosser called us a “Fast Food Nation” in 2001, he was mostly talking about the kind of food we eat. However, the term also describes our work ethic: Get the product out as fast as possible, meeting a bare minimum standard

of quality, as cheaply as possible. But assuming half an hour and a full wallet, who would choose a fast food cheeseburger over a freshly-grilled one from a local restaurant, even if the second one took longer? The quality is just better. The same is true for the rest of our industry. Too often in an office environment the emphasis is on speed of completion and low production costs, at the expense of product or service quality. It’s good for profits, and even resale — after all, a product that breaks down needs to be replaced — but is it good for consumers, or the work environment? No. An emphasis on quality means a better product, one that lasts longer. Companies can charge more for a better product, with the tradeoff being that it doesn’t have to be replaced quickly. Sure, the cheap

bookshelf is the staple of college furniture, but a good, well-crafted bookshelf, while more expensive, will last a lifetime or longer. On the worker side, the emphasis on quantity and speed creates a rushed environment, where even meeting the minimum standard is sometimes not a possibility. More errors in the rush to complete a product or service cost the company money, as well as increasing the stress and turnover of the work force. Furthermore, a rushed environment leads to worker injury in any environment where safety is a concern. So why do we do it? We live in a culture that demands what we want, when we want it, as cheap as possible. We’re an instant-gratification society, and we need to learn a little patience. I’m not sure how to

do that, and I’m as guilty as everyone else as far as instant gratification goes. Part of it is certainly the economy. Cheap, fast-produced goods are all some of us can afford, and we would buy higher quality, longer-lasting goods if we could. An increase to earnings for the lowest wage-earners would increase our buying power, and make it more profitable for companies to pay attention to quality over speed and cost of production. But for those of us who have the option, maybe we can forgo finishing a product a few minutes early, and take a few minutes longer to make sure everything is quality. And maybe, those of us who are managers might encourage this behavior in our employees. It’s a small step, but every change starts somewhere.

April 16, 2015

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What we do The Metropolitan accepts submissions in the form of topicdriven columns and letters to the editor. Column article concepts must be submitted by 1 p.m. Thursdays and the deadline for columns is 9 p.m. Sundays. Columns range from 500 to 600 words. Letters to the editor must be submitted by 5 p.m. Mondays to be printed in that week’s edition. There is a 500-word limit for letters to the editor. The Metropolitan reserves the right to edit letters for formatting and style. All submissions should be sent by email to themetonline@gmail.com. The Metropolitan is produced by and for the students of Metropolitan State University of Denver and serves the Auraria Campus. The Metropolitan is supported by advertising revenue and student fees and is published every Thursday during the academic year and monthly during the summer semester. Opinions expressed within do not necessarily reflect those of MSU Denver or its advertisers.

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April 16, 2015

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Some works from featured artist Jeff Klapperich, including Fusion (left) and The Shaper.

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Photo by Carlos Escamilla

Mike Wright Gallery’s “Analog” Exhibition By Carlos Escamilla cescamil@msudenver.edu Will analog photography ever be completely replaced by digital? It’s sadly a possibility, which is why Denver’s Month of Photography is an important time to celebrate the many creative avenues for the fine art of image recording. Mike Wright Gallery, located at 1412 Wazee Street, joined in the festivities with its group show, “Analog,” which was curated by MSU Denver alumnus Jason Bye and opened on March 12. Featuring works from national and local artists, the show is a careful exploration of the seemingly boundless applications of traditional analog, or fi lm, photography. This is the first group and first photographic exhibition at

the gallery and it doesn’t disappoint. Each artist collection is based on vastly different themes and processes, which is what makes the exhibition so exciting to experience. Bye curated the show around the featured artist, Colorado-born and New York-based Jeff Klapperich, whose “Metamorphosis” series consists of photos prepared from multiple exposures combining portraiture, sculpture and painting. Each finished work is richly detailed and blurs the boundaries of the mediums used. “I’m interested in metamorphic phenomenon of any kind,” Klapperich said, “even if it’s something simple like a blooming flower, or something really complex, like nuclear fusion, and applying that to the human experience.” Of the other six artists in show, five are working locally. Two, Carol Golembeski and Bill Adams, are

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University of Colorado Denver professors. Golembeski’s collection, “That Old Black and White Magic,” is an ethereal nod to the inherent magic of photography. Adams’ photos contain an element of magic as well, since each creation is constructed from a lengthy process of staged self-portraits. Joe Addison and Ted Preuss challenge photography as an easily definable medium, while Keith Brenner employs traditional techniques in a fun and surprising manner. Texas-based Galina Kurlat included a number of photos from her introspective project of one hundred self-portraits. The show closes this evening with a reception lasting from 6 to 8. There will be talks given by Kapperich, Golembeski and Adams.

“I exist simultaneously as the artist and the work. I define the work as the viewer’s reaction to it.” — Adrian Piper Catalysis IV, 1971

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April 16, 2015

New fire program ignites interest at MSU Denver By Samantha Coulter scoulte3@msudenver.edu When your home is burning or an emergency strikes, firefighters arrive in minutes to address the situation, armed with the skills to do so. But how they came by that knowledge is something that the average person probably gives little thought. Since 2012, MSU Denver has been developing a program to educate firefighters and others in these vital skills. For the last few years, the fire and emergency services program has been run through the Individualized Degree Program and the Department of Human Services. The program was in a test phase, to see how successful it would be and what sort of student interest it might attract. The first semester, 12 students enrolled, but by the second year that number was up to 34. The program saw its first graduates in the fall of 2014. It has been so successful that it has been added as a new major of its own. Starting in the fall of 2016, students can major in fire and emergency response

administration. “The students have already formed a club, and they are so gung-ho,” said program director Brian Bagwell. “They went out on their own and they designed their own logo, they got their own shirts, and that’s just how the club works. They just love this stuff.” The students have also put together their own service learning projects. “They’re just incredible,” Bagwell said. In one case, they sought out low-income housing that had been built under outdated building codes and installed fire detectors for the residents. In another, they went to a complex inhabited mostly by people new to the country who did not speak English, brought interpreters and educated the community about first aid and fire safety. They wanted to show the new residents what firefighters wear in the US so they would know what to expect and recognize them in an emergency. The students have enjoyed being able to take their knowledge and share it with the community. “My favorite experience with the program was hands down the service learning projects,” said Tim Stilen, a gradu-

ate of the program and former president of the fire services club. “These service learning projects gave the me a real world application to what I was learning in the classroom and really added a large amount of value to my education.” “I feel I connected with all of the teachers in the program. Every professor has one goal in mind, and it’s for each student to be successful in both their academic and professional career,” Stilen said. The program offers 13 courses, six considered the core curriculum and seven non-core. The curriculum has been approved by the National Fire Academy division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education initiative. Students in the program register with the National Fire Academy and receive a certificate from FEMA upon completion of each Fire and Emergency Response Administration course, in addition to their bachelor’s degree upon completion of the program. This builds up their portfolio, which can be an important advantage in

landing a job in the extremely competitive field of firefighting. “We’re the only four-year program in the state that those 13 classes have gotten the official recognition from FEMA,” Bagwell said. Classes are set up in a hybrid format to 33 the schedules of working firefighters, meaning that most of the material is online and students and instructors meet in person once a month. FERA courses are all threecredit, upper division courses. With four classes running at a time, students can take four three-credit classes a semester and meet only two Saturdays out of the month. Students do not need to be pursuing a career in fire services to enroll in or benefit from the classes. The same classes can also be used as electives for students in related fields, or for those who are simply interested in learning about the topics, such as fire dynamics or emergency preparedness. But even students who do not participate in any of these courses can rest assured that MSU Denver’s FERA program is providing the hands-on training needed to prepare firefighters for real-life situations.

A day in the life of an MSU Denver life-drawing student

MSU Denver junior Jordan Shew prepares for her drawing of a live model in her Life Drawing class April 16. Photo by Michael Ortiz • mortiz26@msudenver.edu

April 16, 2015 Met Spective

MSU Denver sophomores Ryan Hawley, left, and Nick Ringleman grab dinner April 14 in the Tivoli where the Clothesline Project will be displayed all month long. Photo by Alyson McClaran • amcclara@msudenver.edu

T-shirts draw attention to Sexual Assault Awareness Month By Cheyenne DeChristopher cdechris@msudenver.edu The muffled roar of conversations accompanied by slow shuffles and quick clacks against the tiled floor of the Tivoli reverberate within the rapidly filling space. Among this sporadic movement, some individuals slow their pace and glance upward to the multi-colored display hanging above the staircases in the atrium. Black, yellow, green and red t-shirts intersect one another and create X formations on tight clotheslines. The AC ripples cotton fabric hand-painted with messages of personal experience and solidarity for victims of sexual assault and interpersonal violence. Jenn Doe, the Phoenix Center’s Violence Prevention and Education Coordinator, describes the Clothesline Project national campaign as “a way for people to heal through artistic expression.” Shirts have been decorated by survivors, friends of survivors and supporters for victims of sexual assault. “It allows a voice to be given to the voiceless because a lot of times people don’t speak out about these issues so that might be the only way they feel comfortable doing that,” Doe said. Nearly 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men re-

port experiencing rape at some point in their lives, according to a 2012 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey on sexual violence, while 1 in 20 men and women experienced sexual violence other than rape in the 12 moths prior.

“It allows a voice to be given to the voiceless because a lot of times people don’t speak out about these issues, so that might be the only way they feel comfortable doing that.” — Heather DeLong The Phoenix Center, located in Tivoli 259, saw 28 clients, responded to 10 on scene cases and received 22 calls to the helpline regarding sexual assaults in 2014. The frequency of sexual assault has prompted

a national movement to recognize April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. According to Jenn Doe, the Phoenix Center’s Violence Prevention and Education Coordinator, sexual assault is an umbrella term which refers to a continuum of behaviors that involve unwanted sexual contact. This can include anything from verbal sexual harassment to rape. Anyone can be the victim or perpetrator of sexual assault, regardless of gender identity or orientation. “It’s actually much more common that sexual assault is perpetrated by someone you know,” Doe said. This means a stranger or violent offender attacking someone is more unlikely than an intimate partner, acquaintance or friend. According to Doe, sexual assault occurs regardless of an individual’s actions or what they choose to wear. “Sexual assault is not about sexual desire — it’s about power and control,” said Doe said. “It’s about a person wanting to take control over another person and force them to do something.” The idea of victim blaming — the notion that those who experience sexual assaults are somehow at fault due to their actions — is not only untrue, according to Doe, but creates an unsafe atmosphere for survivors of sexual assault to share their stories or seek

help. “If someone comes to you and discloses that they experienced sexual assault, probably one of the most important things is to believe them,” Doe said. Regardless of who they were with or what they were doing, they should be riminded that if they didn’t say yes then they did not consent, and that their experience is valid. The Phoenix Center helps survivors of sexual assault, whether the incident happened on campus or not by providing advocates who will speak with survivors about their experience, and can give referrals for long-term counseling or legal resources. Phoenix Center staff can also help explain to professors why a student needs an extension on assignments or time off from class. To use the Center, one can make an appointment, walk in, or call the 24/7 helpline. All services are free and confidential. For more information about Phoenix Center events or resources offered, visit their website, thepca.org.

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Parks to enjoy

in Colorado springtime By Christina Serieno cserieno@msudenver.edu

The sun has started shining and the weather is beginning to feel sweet. It’s time to put ice in the cooler, pull out the flip-flops and dust off the yard games. Living in Colorado is all about being outdoors, fully experiencing the 300plus days of sunshine. The Metropolitan found the top 3 parks that readers should definitely check out.

Wash Park

“The Volleyball Mecca”

It’s foolish to talk about Colorado parks without mentioning the famous Washington Park, more commonly known as Wash Park. The 165-acre park has made the top ten on more than one list. 10best.com voted Wash Park “One of the Top Ten Reasons to Return to Denver.” Its central location off Downing Street, in between Virginia and Louisiana Avenues, makes the park very accessible to most Denverites. “On any Sunday afternoon, don’t be surprised to see that park packed with plenty to do.” I think that’s what she’s trying to say here. Visitors can jog with four-legged friends along the 2.6 mile path; play tennis, basketball or even shuffleboard; drop a fishing line into Smith’s Lake, or join the masses and play volleyball. “It’s the volleyball mecca of Denver,” said Dominick K., a local volleyball player. If volleyball is the plan, it’s wise to arrive early. The park has designatedspecific areas where volleyball nets are allowed to set up. Orange cones and large signs direct patrons to the specified areas. Though it seems like everyone is sipping on some sort of alcoholic libation, you shouldn’t see anyone drinking from glass containers. The only alcohol permitted in any Denver park is canned or kegged 3.2 percent alcohol by volumebeer. Those drinking must be at least 50 feet from any roadway, playground, recreation facility or swimming pool, and violation cost $100. “This is how you get away from your phone,” Dominick said. And he’s right. Wash Park is the perfect place to meet friends and kick off shoes.

Cheesman Park

and pairs perfectly with its 150-mile panoramic view of downtown Denver and the Rocky Mountains. The park has a haunted past. For most of the 19th century, the land was used as a cemetery, which was mismanaged and left for abandonment several times before the City of Denver bought the land for $200. Some believe that as many as 2,000 or more bodies remain beneath the surface ofthe park. The claim is subject to controversy, but most believe at least some bodies remain. For visitors who aren’t afraid of a couple ghosts, the park provides some solace to the crowds that gather at other outdoor areas around town. Located in between 8th and 13th Avenues and between Humboldt and Race Streets, the park neighbors the Denver Botanical Gardens. “It’s not as overwhelming as Wash Park,” said Meghan Russell, a Capitol Hill resident. Russell seemed comfortable as she shared a blanket with her shih tzu, Chewie, and friend Eliza Harding. Chewie was leashed, following one more Denver park regulation: for fourlegged friends caught off leash, park rangers will slap owners with a $100 citation.

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Sean Burke tips the ball over the net April 11 at Washington Park. Burke plays volleyball with his friends every weekend to stay in shape.

“The Hip Hideout”

Cheesman Park is an oasis of grass in the middle of the 12-car-pileup that is Capitol Hill. The atmosphere is laid back

Eliza Harding, left, and Meghan Russell with her dog Chewie, come to Cheesman Park to hangout and relax in the sun April 11. Photos by Alyson McClaran • amcclara@msudenver.edu

Met

Reviews

The Metropolitan review staff rates works on a standard “A to F” scale, similar to that used in MSU Denver classes. mymetmedia.com f: themetropolitan @themetonline

April 16, 2015

“Middletown” By Trevor L. Davis tdavis84@msudenver.edu The delivery is top-notch, but Middletown is a change in tone for MSU Denver theater. Penned by Will Eno, the play starts dreary, doesn’t stray too far into happiness and laughter, but nevertheless doesn’t let its audience down. Those familiar with the department’s recent shows will notice some similar faces. They will see a whole new side of the players as they leave the laughs behind for flawed characters in a flawed world coming together at a crossroads where the choice is to remain numb or to feel and explore the world. “What’s cool about it is, (the audience) can leave with thoughts this show has given them,” said Steven Hartman who plays Mechanic. “The show covers so many things — philosophy, science, math, life and death — but it doesn’t answer these questions. It just asks you to ponder them.” A Public Speaker (Logan Steven Hartman, front, and Michael Rossitto as Mechanic and Cop in a production of Middletown presented by MSU Denver theater in the King Center April 13. Opening Mohlman) welcomes the crowd night is April 16 at 7:30 p.m. with a warning of what’s to come, while the character referred to as Cop (Michael Rossitto) opens the show with a visceral police beating. What comes is a delightfully unpredictable drama that is as philosophically rich and entertaining as anything the theater department has done recently. Tourists who come to Middletown find a lost civilization, longing for a new direction. The characters are numb and struggling to find meaning in a repetitive, redundant existence. The words they use are lost in translation, even to their speakers of the words. The people miss the significance in the sacred and profound. “There are so many people I talk to all the time that I know nothing about,” said Mallory Kidd, who plays Mrs. Swanson, on the cosmic significance of the ideas presented in the play. Intercut with beautiful and ironic vignettes of lost souls like an astronaut who has to leave earth to find meaning in the world, Middletown doesn’t disappoint. Instead, incites thought and conversation. The ideas introduced in Middletown are enticing and Michaela Lamb and Percy Grant White as Female Doctor and John Dodge in a production of Middletown presented by MSU Denver theater in the King Center April 13. deserve meditation. See it with a Photos by Trevor L. Davis • tdavis84@msudenver.edu friend and enjoy the discussion that follows.

Met

Sports

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Lady Runners shut out UCCS to clinch playoff berth By Mike Tolbert mtolber3@msudenver.edu Coming off a two-game win streak against Fort Lewis in Durango, Metro softball commanded the field as they trampled over UCCS in the first doubleheader of senior weekend April 11-12 at The Regency Athletic Complex. The Lady Runners had added inspiration defeating the Mountain Lions 4-0, then 12-3 on Teal Day—the first day of the weekend bringing about ovarian cancer awareness. The Roadrunners wore alternate turquoise and red jerseys April 11 in honor of the day. Ovarian cancer is something that hits home to many women and their families, especially the Runner family as former softball player Aubree Maul overcame the disease in 2014 and earned pitcher of the year for her accomplishments on the field. “Aubree is really close to us,” senior second baseman Kaylynn Harmon said. “She was our pitcher last year and she came back stronger than ever. I was really proud of her, it represents a lot for us.” Harmon displayed great reverence for her teammates when she hit a two-run RBI to left center field. The hit came on a full count with one on base in the bottom of the fourth inning to give the Runners a 2-0 lead. “The first two strikes was not really what I wanted,” Harmon said. “So I knew that this one had to be it, so I just swung and hit and it was gone.”

By Mario Sanelli

Senior second baseman Kaylynn Harmon slides into third base in a 4-0 shutout win against UCCS April 11 at The Regency Athletic Complex. Photo by Abreham Gebreegziabher • agebreeg@msudenver.edu

Senior first baseman Chelsea Brew found holes in the Mountain Lion infield after she singled up the middle for an RBI, which advanced freshman first baseman Carissa Terry to home plate. The Roadrunners topped the game off with one last run in the fifth inning when freshman catcher Sarena Espinoza hit an RBI double to left field to cap the eventual 4-0 victory. Sophomore Cassidy Smith pitched the entire seven innings to earn a win and threw a complete game shutout, allowing eight hits throughout the game. Game 2 began with the Lady Runners jumping off to a two-run lead before UCCS strung together

three runs to take a 3-2 advantage in the top of the fourth. Freshman Kenzie Mattey started the game on the mound and pitched the first three innings. Mattey allowed four hits and three runs in her stint. Metro then looked to its bullpen. Junior pitcher Nicole Larsen replaced Mattey and allowed two hits and no runs in the fifth inning. It didn’t take long for the Mountain Lions to surrender their brief lead, largely due to back-toback singles from senior shortstop Susie Oury and senior third baseman Mary Towner later in the fourth. The two hits led to two runs scored. “I was just watching it out of

Golf

msanelli@msudenver.edu

Women’s golf won the Maverick Spring Invitational championship with a two-day score of 617 (313-304) April 13 and 14 in Grand Junction. The Roadrunners beat an eight-team field and finished 23 stokes ahead of second place Adams State. Senior Nathalie Gallacher won the individual title after she defeated teammate Cha Cha Willhoite, a sophmore from Palm Desert, California, in a playoff. Gallacher has fared well at the Maverick Spring

Invitational, winning the tournament last year as a junior. Gallacher’s victory this year was the second of her career. Willhoite shot three over par on Day 2 after tying her own school record for lowest round with a three under 69 on Day 1. SophomoreAllie Johnston, a Castle Rock, Colorado native and Rock Canyon high school graduate, placed fourth at 155 (80-75) and freshman Kim Moore, from Scottsbluff, Nebraska and Scottsbluff high school was tied for 31st with a score of 91 on Day 1 and 89 on Day 2.

her hand,” Towner said. “I watched it all the way in. I just felt comfortable in the box.” The Runners finished the game in the fifth inning, scoring six consecutive runs—all unearned— to complete the 12-3 win against UCCS. “We came together as a team really well,” Towner said. “Different people did different things and we strung it all together.” In Game 1 April 12, the Lady Runners again imposed their will on the Mountain Lions to take both games, 9-1 and 8-0 respectively. This time around, Brew provided the pivotal play when she notched a three-run homer to left

field in the bottom of the first inning. That was followed by another home run off the bat of Oury to go up 6-0 in the second inning. Smith pitched the entire five inning game to earn the win, allowing just three hits and one run that came in the fourth for the Mountain Lions. The Runners tacked on three additional runs to cap off the 9-1 win with three players finishing 1-for-2 at the plate while Espinoza went 2-for-2 with two RBIs. In Game 2 of the last doubleheader, Metro played much of the same as they did previously, beginning with impressive pitching from Mattey on the mound. The freshman struck out 10 batters and allowed no runs through the five-inning game. The bottom of the third saw the most action when the Lady Runners scored six times, primarily led by both Brew and Oury, who each had three plate appearances for the game with two hits and a run scored. Metro shutout UCCS for the second time with an 8-0 victory and extended its win streak to six to grab a spot in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference playoffs with a record of 30-10, (215 RMAC). The No.25 Runners have two doubleheaders April 18-19 against Regis away from The Regency Athletic Complex where they have a record of 8-5 on the road.

Tennis By Mike Tolbert mtolber3@msudenver.edu

Metro men’s tennis beat Colorado College in both the singles and doubles competition April 12 at The Regency Athletic Complex. With the 9-0 victory, the Roadrunners completed five straight sets out of six to raise their record to 12-9 overall. The Runners will take on CCU April 16 at home in their last regular season match before the Rocky Mountain Athletic Tournament begins April 24. The women’s team had a similar outcome in

its meet against Colorado College as the ladies won 7-2, again in both the singles and doubles competition. The win over CC ended a six-game losing streak dating back to March 29 when they lost to Air Force in a shutout. Women’s tennis will also take on CCU April 16 at The RAC then South Dakota April 17 at home. With the two games remaining in the regular season, the Lady Runners currently sit at just 4-15 overall and winless in the RMAC.

Sophomore Josh Graetz, hitting a backhand volley, and the men’s tennis team have one regular season match left April 16 before regionals. Photo by Abreham Gebreegziabher • agebreeg@ msudenver.edu

@themetonline f: themetropolitan mymetmedia. com

April 16, 2015 Met Sports

Baseball extends winning streak to nine By Scott Corbridge kcorbrid@msudenver.edu

Redshirt freshman third baseman Trent Maloney rounds third base after hitting a walk off homerun against the Adams State Grizzlies April 12 at The Regency Athletic Complex. Photo by Mackenzie Masson • mmasson@msudenver.edu

In dramatic and clutch fashion, the Roadrunners baseball team won its ninth straight after a walkoff homerun from redshirt freshman third baseman Trent Maloney as Metro edged Adams State 8-7 April 12 at The Regency Athletic Complex. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Maloney was called upon to make something happen for the Roadrunners, who have won 10 of their last 11 games. Metro opened the scoring with five runs in the first two innings to jump out to a 5-0 lead. A single and help from a couple Grizzlies fielding errors aided the Runners. In the second inning, Maloney got his second hit of the game on a double to right field, which brought home sophomore shortstop Jake Thurston. Thurston found home plate again in the fourth inning, connecting on a pitch and driving it to left field on a 2-1 pitch count, which extended the Runners’ lead to 6-2. Thurston went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a homerun. Thurston is also the brother of Adams State

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second baseman Tyler Thurston. “I’m very proud of him,” Thurston said. “It’s hard (winning) against him. But that’s the game of baseball and you kind of have to. It’s a once in a lifetime experience that I’ll never forget.” Senior catcher Darryl Baca gave the Roadrunners a little breathing room in the bottom of the fifth with a shot to left field on a full count that gave Metro a 7-5 lead. Baca’s homer was his only hit, going just 1-for-4 with a strikeout and homerun. “If somebody doesn’t get the job done, we’re going to pick them up,” Maloney said. “We’re going to come up to each other and say, ‘Hey, go get it and let’s get the job done.’” The Roadrunners (20-13, 15-9 RMAC) did allow the Griz to come back within one run at 7-6 before the game would be squared at seven due to a ground out RBI from Adams State left fielder Dillon Bollig. With the game tied at 7-7, Maloney was called on once more and with the first pitch of thrown, he drilled the ball to left field and with the help of the wind, gave the Runners their second-consecutive

conference sweep since 2008 when they did it against Colorado Christian and New Mexico Highlands. “I stepped into the box and I knew he was a new guy coming in to throw and I was thinking he was going to throw a first pitch fastball,” Maloney said. “I saw it, outside corner and just let her rip and hopefully got all of it and it was a hell of a hit.” Maloney finished the day 4-for5 with three RBIs and the gamewinning homer. Metro looks to continue its hot streak to 10 straight as they take on rival Regis April 14 for a quick one-game series before hosting Colorado Mines for a four-game series April 17-19.

Four-game recap vs. Adams State Grizzlies:

4/10 — 5-4, 10 innings W: Ryan Baca (5-1). 4/11 — Game 1: 7-6 W: Mike Thill (2-2). Game 2: 5-2 W: Julian Garcia (5-3). 4/12 — 8-7 W: Ryan Baca (6-1).

Mile High 16

Events mymetmedia.com

April 16, 2015

f: themetropolitan

@themetonline

Denver Concert Calendar

Auraria Events 4.16: Jared & the Mill, Chella & the Charm, The Rabbits Atom Location: Larimer Lounge Price: $15 Time: 9 p.m.

4.19: Sleep, Primitive Man, In the Company of Serpents Location: Ogden Theatre Price: $25 Time: 10 p.m.

4.16: The Disco Biscuits Location: Ogden Theatre Price: $35 Time: 9 p.m.

4.20: Kaleo, Ponder the Albatross Location: Larimer Lounge Price: $12 Time: 9 p.m.

4.17: Author’s Visit: Eduardo BonillaSilva 9:30 a.m. St. Cajetan’s

4.17: Reptar, Clouds and Mountains Location: Larimer Lounge Price: $18 Time: 9 p.m.

4.17: OXFAM America Hunger Banquet 6 p.m. Tivoli Turnhalle

4.17: Twin Shadow, Erik Hassle Location: Bluebird Theater Price: $25 Time: 9 p.m.

4.20: Billy & the Kids Feat. Bill Kreutzmann, Jason Hann, Aron Magner, Dominic Lalli, Reed Mathis and Tom Hamilton Location: Ogden Theatre Price: $30 Time: 8:30 p.m.

4.16: ALPACA Game Night 4 p.m. South 240 4.16: At Home in the Mile High City: What Does Home Mean To You? 10 p.m. Auraria Library Discovery Wall

4.17-4.18: MSU Denver Opera Theatre Ensemble: “A Night at the Opera” 7:30 p.m. King Center Recital Hall 4.20: Mondays at MSU Denver Recital 2 p.m. King Center Concert Hall 4.20: Chamber Music Ensembles 7:30 p.m. King Center Recital Hall 4.21: Young Artis Studio 4 p.m. MSU Denver Center for Visual Art

Seven-Day Forecast

4.17: 100 Shots, Oveda, Scarlet Canary, Nexkin, Poedic, 8th Element, DJ Diabolic Location: Gothic Theatre Price: $13 Time: 8 p.m. 4.18: Kodak to Graph, Big Wild, Obeson, Bollywood Life Location: Larimer Lounge Price: $12 Time: 9 p.m.

4.18: H*Wood, Kayla Collins aka DJ Dollface, Kid Vegas, H aka HNTR, NaPalm, Zach Raab Location: Bluebird Theater Price: $13 Time: 8 p.m. 4.18: Wish We Were Floyd (Tribute to Pink Floyd) Location: Gothic Theatre Price: $18 Time: 8 p.m. 4.19: Seven Sea Voyage, A World Like Ours, Taking Canyon, My Ascension! Location: Larimer Lounge Price: $10 Time: 8 p.m.

OpenAir 1340 Top Five 1. Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit, Courtney Barnett 2. The Legends of Chavo Guerrero (Single), The Mountain Goats 3. Policy, Will Butler 4. Strangers to Ourselves, Modest Mouse 5. Happy New Year (EP), Violent Femmes

4.16: Rain

48º/37º

4.17: Rain

53º/36º

4.18: Cloudy

61º/59º

4.19: Cloudy

59º/38º

4.20: Rain

62º/36º

4.21: Sunny

72º/40º

“Did he pay to be a cop? Volunteer deputy in Tulsa shooting was big donor” (CNN)

4.22: Sunny

74º/44º

“Senate panel approves bill to give Congress a say on Iran nuke deal” (Fox News)

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