Volume 44, Issue 13 - May 2, 2022

The Student Newspaper of MSU Denver MyMetMedia.com

@themetonline

VOL. 44

NO. 13

MAY 2, 2022

themetropolitan

It’s not easel to say goodbye MSU Denver graduating seniors display their final thesis projects at CVA

By Reanna Medina rmedin36@msudenver.edu Metropolitan State University opened a new exhibit at its Center for Visual Art off Santa Fe Drive. The “Spring 2022 Bachelor of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition” features the work of 25 artists and designers as they wrap up their undergraduate studies at MSU Denver.

The art has many themes relating to the world we are living in today.

Some of these themes include mental health, culture and sanctuary.

Artist Jordan Fuqua created her piece called “The Metaverse,” which recreates a typical all-American living room scene with midcentury modern furniture. Fuqua said her piece was inspired by the misinformation spread on Facebook after the COVID-19 pandemic began. After talking to some of her loved ones, Fuqua learned that so many are interacting with abusive content through algorithms including vaccine propaganda.

“The Metaverse” was created to be a physical manifestation of types of digital content that we all interact with everyday.

“It’s the new American way of life, to not differentiate between what information is truthful and what’s not,” said Fuqua.

On Fuqua’s description of her piece she stated : “Simply put: Americans are being exposed to extremist content and millions are susceptible to its persuasion.

The time has come to demand a more honest content moderation policy and strive for healthier algorithmic design.”

Photo by Reanna Medina | rmedin36@msudenver.edu

| Continued on pg. 4

Izabella Balcer’s work, “Confusion Conversation Continuum,” is displayed at the Center of Visual Arrt on April 1. It’s composed of snippets of conversations with strangers. The piece, inspired by Balcer’s feelings of isolation during coronavirus lockdown, invites guests to add their own words alongside the artwork in an effort to build community and connection.

2

NEWS

MAY 2, 2022

RTD free during ‘spare the air’ days Free fares will be offered all of August to reduce air pollution Colorado state

By Isabel Guzman

lawmakers and the Regional

iguzman4@msudenver.edu

Transportation District

Briefs Avs Begin the Last Stretch Before Playoffs

The Colorado Avalanche, in

a 7-4 win on April 16 versus the

announced that August is likely to be the month of free fares in hopes of reducing ozone during one of the smoggiest months of the year.

Senate Bill 180, if passed,

visiting Carolina Hurricanes,

would give RTD a grant to

secured the top seed in the

provide free transit services

Western Conference for the

for 30 days. The Colorado

2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The

General Assembly’s website

Avalanche is finishing off its last

stated in the bill’s summary

five games of the season before

that the grant could cover

the postseason begins. Their

any costs related to an

upcoming games feature some

influx of travelers and lost

of the top performers in the NHL

revenue from fares.

like Edmonton, Nashville and

Photo by Isabel Guzman| iguzman4@msudenver.edu

RTD Bellevue light rail station in Denver on April 11.

However, the bill’s goal is not only to decrease

August, so I don’t think

is up for the task,” said CEO

vehicle emissions, but to

their ridership numbers

and General Manager of RTD

also welcome riders back on

will be drastically higher

Debra A. Johnson in a public

public transportation after

this year. I also think most

meeting in October 2021.

the pandemic measures

people prefer driving than

Cup officially begins on May 2.

and restrictions are much

taking public transportation

can leverage federal funding

Florida Forgoes Federal Law

looser than they have been

because it’s more

through congestion and

in the past two years.

convenient,” Wooley said.

mitigation air quality funds,

Washington. The squad is in a tight race for the Presidents’ Trophy this season, as there are a few high contenders in the standings. The race to the Stanley

A federal judge in Florida

Gov. Jared Polis’ budget

Utah is already one step

Johnson then said RTD

just as RTD has done with

request stated, “At a time

ahead of Colorado —Utah

the free MallRide project

when area transit agencies

Transit Authority’s “Free Fare

along 16th Street Mall.

are still working to bring

February” was the highest

as exceeding the authority

riders back following the

monthly ridership of the

aimed for the free fares to last

of U.S. health officials in the

COVID-19 pandemic, this

COVID-19 pandemic, according

through the entire summer

coronavirus pandemic. An

program will serve to save

to Utah’s monthly ridership

season, and the 30-day target

appointee of former President

riders money, help rebuild

report, and has given Colorado

was a compromise between

Donald Trump, U.S. District Judge

ridership, and reduce driving.”

lawmakers hope that the

lawmakers and the RTD board

free fare pilot will increase

officials. Johnson said that

numbers of RTD riders.

RTD currently is managing

has voided the national mask mandate covering airplanes and other public transportation

Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, said

On Metropolitan State

Originally, lawmakers

the Centers for Disease Control

University of Denver’s campus,

and Prevention improperly failed

students who commute by

to justify its decision and did

light rail share what they think

sponsors, free transportation

shortages, and a multiple

not follow proper rulemaking.

of the proposed bill. Taylor

is a small step in the right

month-long free fare proposal

The U.S. Justice Department

Wooley, a student at MSU

direction to reduce greenhouse

would only further strain

Denver who occasionally rides

gas emissions; no-cost

resources and funding. RTD

the RTD light rail, said that the

fares are not asking people

officials even pushed that free

free transit plan is a good idea

to simply stop driving, it’s

fares one day a week would be

in terms of minimizing ozone,

asking them to take the better

more feasible, and ultimately

but isn’t sure if many people

route, the guilt-free route,

the month of August as “spare

will actually take up the offer.

the burden-less route.

the air” days was agreed upon.

declined to comment April 18 if they would appeal the ruling.

“Mostly students use

In the mind of the bill’s

“Public transport is a major

the light rail when the

vehicle as we look to reduce

fall semester begins in

greenhouse gasses and RTD

security concerns and staffing

MAY 2, 2022

OPINIONS

3

The constant limbo of women’s hockey has expressed a lot of concern with

learn exactly what everyone kind of lived

By Tiffani Hernandez

how the PHF is handled. John Boynton,

through. I know that a lot of the national

therna30@msudenver.edu

the chairman of the PHF board of

team players get backlash that they’re

governors and a team owner, is also a

just complaining, or they have really high

founding shareholder and chairman of

standards or they’re high-maintenance.

women’s hockey gold medal game

Yandex. Yandex, a Russian technology

But there’s kind of two parts to it, I think it’s

between Canada and the United States

company, was recently described

great that there is a way for women to play

pulled in an estimated 5 million viewers

by Wired as “Russia’s Google, Uber,

hockey after college, but I think there needs

across North America compared to

Spotify, and Amazon combined.”

to be a longer, greater objective here of

This last Winter Olympics, the

2018 when it was 3.7 million. It seems

With the invasion of Ukraine in

having the right resources, infrastructure,

like there is a growing desire to see this

February, many sports federations

support, and just overall treatment and

sport on a larger scale but the messy

have not only condemned the actions

transparency communication, everything.”

relationships between the largest voices

but have also cut ties with Russian

in the professional women’s hockey

partners including the NHL suspending

seen between the NBA and the WNBA is

world has only hindered that growth.

its relationship with Yandex — and

also out of the question. NHL and Gary

all Russian business partners.

Bettmen has made it very clear they will

Professional women’s hockey has a tumultuous history that has resulted in

Is also a concern that tickets to the

A potential partnership like the one

not have anything to do with operating

being able to see arguably the best athletes

PHF’s Isobel Cup Final were free, not

a women’s league while there are two in

in women’s hockey go head-to-head once

exactly a smart business move. The MVP

play. It should be noted that the PWHPA

or twice a year. With the exception of the

of the game (Taylor Wenczkowski) received

currently lists 10 NHL teams as partners

Olympics — which only happens every four

$1,000 in gift cards from Dick’s Sporting

(Arizona Coyotes, Calgary Flames, Chicago

years — there is no way for the best women

Goods, who sponsored the game, instead

Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Ottawa

hockey players in the world to play with

of a cash bonus like you might see in

Senator, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh

or against each other on a normal basis.

the NHL. Olympic gold medalist Hiliary

Penguins, St Louis Blues, Toronto Maples

Knight played for the NWHL for its 2015-

Leafs and Washington Capitals) while the

Women’s Hockey League in 2019 and

16 and 2016-17 seasons and later called

PHF is affiliated with two different NHL

the rebranding of the National Women’s

the league “a glorified beer league.”

teams (Boston Bruins and Minnesota Wild).

After the collapse of the Canadian

Hockey League, the new Premier Hockey

Currently the PHF has six teams

Last month, NHL Commissioner Gary

Federation was the first women’s

— (Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts,

Bettmen requested the two leagues meet

league to pay its players. While the

Connecticut Whale, Metropolitan Riveters,

to discuss forming a unified women’s

pay is miniscule in comparison to the

Minnesota Whitecaps, Toronto Six) with

league. Those plans didn’t seem to

NHL league minimum ($750,000), the

unofficial plans to expand to eight. Like

go well as the PWHPA unanimously

PHF currently has a $750,000 salary

its competitors, the league has faced

voted to end any further conversations

cap with further plans of expansion.

multiple setbacks. But on Jan. 18, ahead

about collaborating with the PHF.

Instead of a merger between the

of the 2021-2022 season, Commissioner

Jeff Marek of Sportsnet reported

fallen CWHL and the PHF, over 200 CWHL

Ty Tumminia announced a $25 million

April 17 that the rumored PWHPA league

and NWHL athletes chose to boycott

investment by PHF’s board of governors

will be composed of six teams from

the PHF and released a joint statement

that will see a significant increase in the

Canada and the United States each with

announcing their intent to not participate

league’s salary cap — 150% over the

23-player rosters. Marek also reported

in any North American professional

next three seasons. Additionally, players

that players may have a base salary of

league for the 2019–20 season.

will now receive healthcare benefits and

$35,000 and an average salary of $55,000

10% equity in their respective teams.

plus bonuses. The inaugural season will

Those other players went on to form a work union called the Professional

However in February, it was announced

include 32 games and reportedly will run from January to April of 2023.

Women’s Hockey Player’s Association

that Tumminia was not seeking to renew

whose goal is to create a cross-border

her contract and would step down at

league where women athletes can be

the end of the 2021–22 season. This

for the PWHPA’s I can’t imagine Bettmen

paid as professional athletes and not

comes just three months after the $25

going back on his word that he will

have to have 9-to-5 jobs on top of being

million investment announcement.

endorse one league over the other.

While this like a hopeful step forward

Will that lead to the collapse of yet

professional athletes. This association is

Since its founding, several athletes

home to the majority of the best women’s

have talked about some of the issues they

another women’s hockey league? More

hockey players in the world, including all

have faced while in the PHF. A former

uncertainty in the sport and more missed

2022 Olympians from Canada and the U.S.

Boston Pride player told Victory Press in

opportunities for the sport to grow.

In the last few years. the PWHPA

May 2020: “It’s important for people to just

4

FEATURES

MAY 2, 2022

MSU artists say an eloquent farewell Continued from cover

Many pieces in the new exhibit are interactive including “Confusion Conversation Continuum” by Izabella Balcer. The piece includes conversations that have been turned into material using writing and Balcer’s dad’s Sunday newspaper.

Balcer started this piece a year ago when they were craving interaction after two years of isolation due to the pandemic.

“That’s where my place is, that’s where I feel like I belong is when I’m interacting and having social engagement with people,” said Balcer.

Balcer started the piece by asking

Photo by rmedin36@msudenver.edu

questions such as, “How have you experienced displacement? What feels like home for you? What

Mae Elizabeth Acuña’s series of pieces called “Dianne” showcaseing works of art dedicated to her great “Auntie.”

brings you joy and happiness?”

“And I would just get the most

of engagement with their piece and

“It just didn’t feel right to have this

amazing answers from strangers.

said: “Just seeing it on the wall and

blanket of anger being shown next

So this is kinda the one way of

seeing people interact with it, it’s giving

to everything else,” said Acuña.

showing all of those interactions

me a lot of joy. And seeing children

with people. And just recognizing

interact with it as well because I believe

hanging on the wall. Acuña explained

everyone’s humanity,” said Balcer.

children are just as capable of processing

that after her Auntie’s passing, Acuña’s

what’s going on around them.”

family covered all the mirrors in the

Balcer’s piece is designed to help people feel seen and not so alone by being able to draw their thoughts and

Mae Elizabeth Acuña is the artist of the piece “Dianne” which is a series

Across from the mattress is a mirror

house and opened the windows.

“So I decided to have this mirror in

feelings on the wall next to the piece,

to remember her great “Auntie” who

front of the window to have this interaction

therefore becoming part of the piece.

was a grandmother figure to her. Acuña

back and forth and allow this endless

used her art to confront her grief with

tunnel where it’s neither inside nor outside

compassion and the will to heal.

and people can freely walk through and

“Feeling that isolation and seeing that it doesn’t have to be that way, being able to see someone else is experiencing

Acuña’s artwork consisted of three

also be in the center of the art and in

what you’re going through. I think that

paintings, a mirror and a floating

really helps,” said Balcer as they watched

mattress along the window of the

people write their thoughts on the wall.

gallery. She said that the mattress is

and her art contributed to her healing

a raw part of this exhibit because it

process. Now seeing her exhibit together,

was used as a journal for Acuña.

she said she has mixed feelings.

An attendant at the exhibit, Stephanie Groves said that this exhibit and the writings on the wall show how much

“I wrote a lot of my feelings and

that subliminal space,” said Acuña.

She also mentioned that using school

“On one hand, it’s everything I

everyone can relate to each other

a lot of the things I wish I could tell

wanted it to be but, also, I wanted it

because of so many messages on

her but didn’t have the chance to,”

to be more and I want to do more.

the wall. It can speak out to you or

said Acuña when talking about some

I guess I’m feeling motivated,”

you can take something from it.

of the writing on the mattress.

Acuña said. “It’s a good feeling.”

The mattress has writing all over

The exhibit will be on view at the

Angela Groves agreed and said that

and other small details like handprints.

Center for Visual Arts from April 1 – May

she thinks this is a community piece.

Over top of the mattress is a thin sheer

6. Admission is free and more information

piece of fabric. Acuña mentioned the

about the artists can be found on the

symbolism of the fabric was to ease

BFA Thesis Exhibition website https://

the harshness of the mattress.

www.msudenverbfathesis.com.

Along with Stephanie Groves, visitor

“You can feel safe being a little more vulnerable,” she said.

Balcer was thrilled by the amount

MAY 2, 2022

FEATURES

5

Auraria plans to sustain the future New Sustainibality Trail highlights campus-wide conservation efforts

By Travis Brooks

One Water Center, such as the water

Using externally sourced grey water would

tbrook21@msudenver.edu

conservation system that pulls water

conserve water on campus, but it would

directly out of the air using solar power.

require new infrastructure to be installed.

The “Sustainability Trail” that took

The One World One Water Center is a

“It’s incredibly expensive,” Shipman

place in March highlighted some of the

collaboration between MSU Denver

said. “At this point the resources just aren’t

most impactful projects MSU Denver and

and the Denver Botanic Gardens with a

there to make it happen in an efficient way.”

Auraria have built toward sustainability.

focus on educating students, faculty and

The Sustainability Trail was a highlight of 10 different sustainability

the public about water conservation.

These water systems, called

The Auraria Sustainable Campus Program leaders look forward to new projects on campus too, and they face similar challenges.

projects on Auraria. One World One Water

atmospheric water harvesters, are

Center, Auraria Sustainable Campus

useful for small-scale water needs

Program and Auraria Higher Education

such as for herb gardens or drought

years getting another large (solar) array

Center collaborated to create the trail.

tolerant gardens that need little water.

on campus,” said Cadwallader. She said

One of the stops along the trail was

“It’s not a huge source of water,”

“We’re hoping in the next two to five

that material costs have risen 200% to

at the Auraria Library, which boasts the

said Nona Shipman, the co-director

500% since 2019 amid the COVID-19

largest rooftop solar array in Denver.

of One World Water Center.

pandemic and other economic realities.

“The solar array is by and large our

These projects on campus are useful for

This adds to the difficulty of new

greatest project that has the biggest ROI,

garden beds and for educating students,

large-scale solar projects on campus. Even

or return on investment, for the carbon

faculty and visitors about the importance

in prior economic times, it is difficult to

emissions that we are avoiding,” said Cassy

of water conservation, but they cannot be

balance the need for new rooftop solar

Cadwallader, the sustainability coordinator

used to sustain entire fields of grass.

installations with aging rooftops.

for Auraria Sustainable Campus Program.

Shipman emphasized one aspect

Chris Herr, the director of sustainability

of LEED certified buildings as one

for Auraria Sustainable Campus Program,

779-kilowatt system. An average home solar

of the most important elements of

explained the problem with aligning new

panel system would be 10-13 kilowatts, and

water conservation on campus.

roofs with new solar. Roofs should be

The library rooftop solar panel array is a

“Water efficiency is absolutely

replaced about every 20 years, and most

equivalent to the needs of 100 average U.S.

the best way to conserve water, to

solar panels are warrantied for 20 years.

homes for a year. The system saves Auraria

see the biggest water savings, and

Most Auraria roofs are about 10 to 15 years

about $45,000 per year in energy costs.

to really use water wisely,” Shipman

old though, which means that the roof

said. “That comes down to indoor

must be replaced early when installing

compost system. Throughout campus there

water use through efficient appliances,

new solar arrays or new arrays can be

are three-way disposal bins marked for

conservation measures, stuff like that.”

installed on aging roofs, which would later

the energy produced by the library system is

The trail also highlighted the campus

trash, recycling and compost. This compost

Cost and administrative hurdles are

require extra storage and labor costs.

“It seems like we’re going to get

system was made possible by the 2020

the primary challenges faced when trying

Compost Referendum, which dedicated

to implement new water efficiency or

caught with some sort of take–down,

an additional $3 from each student every

other sustainability projects on campus.

store and then re-apply cost no

semester directly to composting efforts.

One World One Water Center is currently

matter what we do,” Herr said.

“We are also working with vendors

working on a proposal for a new drought

While these institutional projects are

on campus to try and increase their use

tolerant garden in front of the Jordan

being considered and developed, Shipman

of compostables and get away from

Student Success Building which would

intends to continue work with the One

single-use plastics,” Cadwallader said.

use water directly from the existing

World One Water Center to educate Auraria

atmospheric water harvester. Other

students, faculty and members of the public

projects are currently beyond reach.

about sustainability and water conservation.

Requirements for vendors to reduce the use of Styrofoam and plastic for food packaging were temporarily waived due

“Truly one of the things that would

“You can care about these things, and

to supply issues. Going forward, Auraria

make the biggest difference is being

you can do something about it, and it

Sustainable Campus Program aims to

able to bring purple pipe to campus,

doesn’t necessarily need to feel like you’re

help form new contracts that require

which is grey water,” Shipman said.

taking on the weight of the environment

a minimum of 75% compostable to-go materials for all vendors across campus.

Other projects on campus are a product of MSU Denver’s One World

Grey water comes from bathroom sinks, kitchen sinks, showers or other similar uses. It is water that is no longer safe to drink but is well-suited for field irrigation.

on your shoulders,” Shipman said.

6

FEATURES

MAY 2, 2022

There’s journalism and there’s being human

By Haley Lena hlena1@msudenver.edu As the world has faced mass violence, political unrest, natural disasters, the pandemic and scrutiny from the public, journalists have been trying to find ways to address their mental health.

“You will cover tragic events over and over and a human response to that is to have your mental health impacted,” said Elizabeth Hernandez.

“To keep good journalists, you have to address mental health.”

Director of Acute Services at Mental Health Partners, Ronnie Vasquez, joined journalists Susan Gonzalez, Jeremy Jojola and Elizabeth Hernandez in a Photo by hlena1@msudenver.edu

discussion about the importance of taking time for yourself as a journalist.

Mentioned by Jojola, an investigative

Panelists, from the left: Susan Gonzalez, Chalkbeat; Jeremy Jojola, 9News, Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, and Ronnie Vasquez, Mental Health Partners.

reporter at 9 News, mental health resources and social services have often been buried in the workplace

that way, you shouldn’t be a reporter.”

Hernandez, an enterprise reporter at

with one another and checking on co-workers, even if they look like they

benefits. It is time that journalists

the Denver Post, believes that if you are

are doing fine. Although therapy and

start conversations about balancing

going to be a journalist for the long haul,

social services are beneficial for your

work, the emotional toll of events

you have to prioritize your mental health

mental health, connecting with one

and your personal mental health.

and you have to advocate for yourself.

another is more beneficial to your

“We need to take breaks. We

She also mentioned that having a

need to have leaders and managers

diverse background and having existing

“Listen. That’s what we do

set limits,” said Gonzales.

conditions helps journalist bring a new

anyway. We should extent that to

perspective when reporting the news.

our colleagues,” said Gonzalez.

Being a journalist is often associated with having to have thick skin. The

“I think it makes you a better

mental health than anything else.

Journalism has not been the best

philosophy of thick skin is destructive,

journalist to bring those things into

when it comes to addressing mental

harmful, and toxic, according to

your stories,” Hernandez said.

health and providing social services

Vasquez. The panel continued to agree that managers need to understand that journalists are people too. Journalists are expected to put their human emotions away, when in fact, it is toxic.

Jojola shared the moment he

Burnout was another popular topic among the panel.

“I don’t think burnout is work related.

It’s human related,” Vasquez said.

It was voiced among the panel that many people are burnted out, especially

to their employees. It is important for journalists to set boundaries for themselves related to what you will allow people to say and do to you as well as how much work you do and the content you produce.

realized that having thick skin is a lie.

from the pandemic as it is a natural

While covering the STEM shooting in

human response to stress. Burnout can

and what you are able to produce is

Highlands Ranch, May 2019, Jojola

come from many aspects of life, not just

enough. Be who you are and know

spoke with a girl that was at the school.

from work. It is about being a human

that that’s enough,” Vasquez said.

“This philosophy is damaging,” said Jojola. “It’s ok to have anxiety. It’s ok to feel depressed. Because if you don’t feel

being dealing with real life issues.

The panel closed their discussion on the importance of staying connected

“You’re enough. How you are

MAY 2, 2022

FEATURES

7

Auraria hosts SPJ regional conference Photos by Meghan Cody mcody2@msudenver.edu After months of hard work and planning by the SPJ Auraria student chapter, Auraria hosted the Society of Professional Journalists’ regional conference. Over the course of the last century, SPJ has evolved into one of the nation’s largest and most well-known journalism organizations.

SPJ encourages the free practice of journalism and stimulates high standards of ethical behaviors and promotes the continuation of a free and democratic nation through accurate, ethical and timely journalism. The conference took place in early April, and hosted an array of panels, conversations and presentations from the best of local journalism.

Kenn Bisio, MSU Denver professor emeritus, is a world-renowned photojournalist.

Over nearly half a century, he’s made countless images capturing critical moments that illuminate the human condition. On April 9, he gave the closing speech at the SPJ regional conference, where he encouraged young journalists to continue doing their “holy work.”

Denver 9NEWS anchor and investigative reporter, Kyle Clark, spoke to the

MSU Denver journalism instructor and president of SPJ Auraria, Doug Bell, sits

journalists and students gathered in CCD’s Confluence Building April 9.

across from a student at the conference’s job fair April 9.

MSU Denver journalism and media production students covered the

Journalists and students gathered after the “How to Get a Media Job” panel for

conference in print, photo and video.

the conference’s job fair, April 9.

8

FEATURES

MAY 2, 2022

Green roofs for a sustainable Auraria Covered in dirt, grass and shrubs, alternative roofing offers ecological benefits

By Haley Lena hlena1@msudenver.edu Over the past 10 years, the Auraria Sustainable Campus Program has utilized three green roofs across campus to reduce Auraria’s ecological footprint.

“Our explicit mission is to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Reduce our ecological footprint. And then improve our diversion rate,” said Chris Herr. “So, every day we are trying to move towards those ultimate goals.”

Herr is the director of sustainability for the Auraria Sustainable Campus Program. Whether it is working on contract language or education and outreach programs, Herr is involved in the community, building

Photo by Haley Lena | hlena1@msudenver.edu

relationships to make the goal of being a sustainable campus possible.

In 2012, the Jordan Student Success

A planter on the green roof of the CCD Confluence building overlooks Colfax Avenue on April 14.

Building included a green roof in construction. Tecta Roofing Colorado

they include environmental and

of going into the gutter and down the

— a roofing company that specializes

sustainability benefits as well.

drain. It can be used to grow fruits and

in green roofs — used about 6 inches

“It improves stormwater

vegetables, and is used for research in biology and chemistry courses.

of soil to insulate the roof. Divided

management, insulates the building

by three paths of gray gravel, short

and extends roof life,” said Murillo.

“I know they run a fair amount of

The added insulation from the

research projects up there,” said Herr.

shrubs cover the entirety of the roof.

Although it is not the most visually

green roof lessens the need for

There are two other green roofs

pleasing, “from a sustainability

cooling the building during the hot

located on campus. Accessible through

perspective, it still has all the main

months. The green roof also helps

the third floor of the CCD Confluence

benefits that any green roof will give

reduce the heat island effect.

building, there are tall native grasses

you, whether it looks ornamental or

“With all of these buildings clustered

and solar panels. CU Denver recently

beautiful or not,” said Herr. “Because

in downtown, storing all this heat, it

it insulates the inside, so it reduces

literally raises the temperature in the

what you need for cooling.”

air, so it makes it difficult for plants,

Murillo. “Our roofer is scheduled

animals, and makes it uncomfortable

twice a month to weed it and

for humans to live in,” said Herr.

address any watering issues.”

The biggest challenge Auraria faces is that it is a commuter campus.

“We have 42,000 students,

To reduce the heat island effect,

added a green roof to the dorm building.

“It requires little attention,” said

As the green roof only covers

and the average commute is 14.8

improve on stormwater management

a portion of the buildings, it is

miles one way,” said Herr.

and increase renewable energy,

difficult to measure the number

Denver’s Green Buildings Ordinance

of emissions that have decreased

make an effort to get to campus, there

went into effect Nov. 2, 2018. Property

because of the green roof benefits.

is a large amount of greenhouse gas

owners and developers of buildings

emissions coming from transportation.

in Denver are required to select a

and add another green roof so

sustainable strategy for their building.

we could compare the before and

With students and faculty having to

According to Jason Murillo, the facilities manager, the green roofs

Other benefits of the green roof

are a nice amenity for students,

include the reuse of stormwater runoff.

staff and visitors to enjoy, but

The water is absorbed in the soil instead

“I would love to see a renovation

after more clearly,” said Herr.

SPORTS

MAY 2 2022

Spring sports update MSU Denver standings as of April 18

By Joshua Glenn

for MSU. The women didn’t

in the division, maintaining

jglenn9@msudenver.edu

let Fort Lewis go easy. In the

their dominating win

third game of the series they

streak puts MSU on path

secured a dominating 13-2

to cruise their way up the

victory. Freshman Hannah

conference leaderboard.

MSU makes history against Grizzlies

DiFabio also hit a pair of two-run homers in the final game of the series. Head

MSU Baseball had a

Ladies on par to take RMAC title

coach Annie Van Wetzinga

historic weekend in their

mentions that she was proud

back-to-back doubleheaders

of her team’s aggression in

has landed in some rough

against the Adams State

the beginning of the second

patches throughout the

Grizzlies. They are currently

doubleheader. Going into the

season. After narrowly

27-15 overall and 16-8 in the

final weeks of the season,

missing the first place

Rocky Mountain Athletic

the Roadrunners will have

title last year, the team is

Conference, almost tying

to remain consistent if they

determined to change the

them with Colorado Mesa

want a chance at NCAA

narrative for this year’s

for first spot in the division.

championships in May.

RMAC Championships that

Throughout the weekend, the Roadrunners scored 80 runs total, surpassing the previous record of 69, set in 2012. They didn’t stop

started April 17. Hosted

Roadrunners finish strong with weekend sweep

there. After the final game of the series, the team beat

MSU women’s golf

at Whirlwind Golf Club in Chandler, Arizona, the team currently stands in third place overall. Freshman Isabel Botero came out

Both men’s and women’s

swinging and currently

the Grizzlies 27-8, making it

tennis won their matches

holds first place, shooting 2

the largest margin of victory

this weekend, ending the

under par 70. “She [Isabel]

between the two teams in

regular season on a high

thought herself around the

MSU history. Two weeks of

note. The Roadrunners met

course probably the best she

play remain before the RMAC

in Colorado Springs April

has so far and she putted

Tournament May 11 and the

16 to secure the away game

so well,” says Head Coach

Roadrunners are determined

victories against Colorado

Stef Ferguson in a post-

to bring the trophy home.

College. Women’s tennis

game interview. As the first

won their first match 6-1

three rounds of play came

against CSU Pueblo before

to an end, MSU was only

traveling to the Springs to

10 strokes behind Colorado

play again hours later. The

Christian and nine strokes

men’s team has solidified

behind the University of

3-1 defeat to Fort Lewis slows momentum Currently sitting at fourth

9

staff Editor-in-Chief Sara Martin smart333@msudenver.edu Managing Editor Corbett Stevenson hsteven9@msudenver.edu News Editor Tiffani Hernandez therna30@msudenver.edu Features Editor Yzeppa Macias ymacias@msudenver.edu Sports Editor Joshua Glenn jglenn9@msudenver.edu Spanish Editor Elisa Lobatos-Briones elobatos@msudenver.edu Online Social Media Editor Reanna Medina remedin36@msudenver.edu Faculty Adviser Doug Bell belld@msudenver.edu Associate Director of Met Media Alfonzo Porter aporter@msudenver.edu Creative Director of Met Media Kathleen Jewby kjewby@msudenver.edu Office Manager Meher Noorulamin mnoorula@msudenver.edu Sales and Marketing Kathleen Jewby kjewby@msudenver.edu

What We Do

their second place spot in

Colorado Colorado Springs.

in the RMAC, MSU softball

the Pacific West division

stands at 30-17 overall and

and are only two wins away

The first day of the weekend submissions in the form of topic-driven at Whirlwind was the third- columns and letters to the editor. The

18-12 in the conference. “The

from taking the first position

best round the team has had Metropolitan reserves the right to edit

Roadrunners outscored Fort

from Hawaii Pacific. Their

all season. The Roadrunners

Lewis 23-17 in the series,

7-2 victory against the Tigers

will need to maintain their

but lost three of the four to

allowed them to end the

momentum through the

the Skyhawks,” according

regular season on a 7-game

rest of the torunament

to Rob White, Director of

win streak. Although the

if they hope to win this

Athletics Communications

women are currently sixth

year’s championship.

The Metropolitan accepts

letters for formatting and style. All submissions should be sent by email to meditors@mymetmedia.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. Opinions expressed within do not necessarily reflect those of MSU Denver or Met Media’s advertisers.

10 ESPAÑOL

MAYO 2 2022

Informes breves VIAJAN A LA GUERRA PARA OFRECER SU AYUDA Dos Coloradenses viajaron a

JOVEN DESAPARECIDO HACE 3 AÑOS ES ENCONTRADO

NUEVA ESPECIE DE TORTUGAS ES DESCUBIERTA De acuerdo a un análisis

Joven desaparecido hace casi

Ucrania en medio de la guerra

3 años fue encontrado con vida

genético se descubrió que la

para proporcionar ayuda. Benito

a más de 1.000 kilómetros de

familia de tortugas gigantes

Mares viajó a Ucrania a mediados

distancia. Connerjack Oswalt, 19,

de San Cristóbal, Ecuador,

de marzo con la finalidad de

fue encontrado por unos policías

es desconocida. En el 2019 el

proporcionar ayuda financiera de

locales deambulando por las

Parque Nacional de Galápagos

su propia bolsa a mujeres, niños

calles de Summit, Utah. Los

tomó muestras de tejido y

y organizaciones que se dedican

agentes comenzaron a investigar

de sangre de tortugas para

a rescatar animales abandonados

sobre Oswalt y descubrieron

realizar pruebas genéticas y

tras la guerra. En un viaje corto,

docenas de páginas web con

los resultados no coincidían

Mares donó aproximadamente

un cartel de desaparecido. El

con las evidencias que habían

$15.000 dólares y planea volver

joven había sido reportado

sido tomadas en 1906 por

a mediados de abril para

como desaparecido en Clearlake,

la Academia de Ciencias de

distribuir miles de dólares más

California en el 2019. Los

California de algunos esqueletos

en suministros médicos donados

agentes pudieron ponerse en

de tortugas. Con los análisis

por la comunidad Ucraniana

contacto con su madre la cual

tomados se llegó a la conclusión

de Colorado. Taras Overchuk

les informó que Oswalt tenía

que la especie que está en

regresó a su país natal para

una marca distintiva en el cuello

San Cristóbal aún no ha sido

reunirse con voluntarios militares,

y así lo pudieron identificar.

identificada. La especie de

compró y donó tres vehículos

El padrastro y el abuelo de

1906 podría ser considerada

para los que luchan en la guerra

Oswalt viajaron hasta Park

extinta. Aún falta realizar otro

y visitó a sus familiares que aún

City, Utah para identificarlo

monitoreo para saber si las

viven ahí, también condujo a

en persona y reunirse con él.

dos especies se encuentran

algunos de ellos al sur de Kiev.

todavía vivas, mientras tanto las expectativas de encontrar dos especies vivas son altas.

Eventos Una noche de moda mexicana con la

Celebración Cinco de Mayo

diseñadora Gabriela Martinez Fecha: Mayo 15

Fecha: 7-8 de mayo

Locación: 9755 East Hampden Avenue Denver, CO 80231

Locación: Civic Center Park

Hora: 2:00-6:00 p.m.

Hora: 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Precio: $60-400

Precio: Gratis

Primer viernes paseos de arte

Concierto de Reik

Fecha: Primer viernes de cada mes

Fecha: Mayo 8

Locación: 525 Santa Fe Dr. Denver, CO 80204

Locación: Paramount Theatre

Hora: 5:30-9:30 p.m.

Hora: Puertas abren a las 8:00 p.m.

Precio: Gratis

Precio: $49-159

MAY 2, 2022

BREAK 11

On this day in Metropolitan history

12 BREAK

MAY 2, 2022

Horoscopes The signs as campus bathrooms

Capricorn

Taurus

Virgo

Science Building, second floor. It’s peaceful there, and I feel like you could use a little peace and quiet. Just be wary of male physics majors whenever you’re in the Science Building, we don’t trust them. If you’re really lucky you’ll run into a geologist, they’re weird in a cool way.

The hidden gender-neutral bathroom on the third floor of the Science Building. They require key card access (which seems unfair to trans and gender-nonconforming folks, but that’s a whole other issue) but if you manage to get in there they are so beautiful and so quiet.

Jordan Student Success, second floor.

The clean, organized and modern feel of these bathrooms just make sense for you.

Aquarius

Gemini

Second floor Tivoli. The ones across from iPIE that only have two stalls and are always super busy? That’s you. Don’t ask me why, we’ve just decided we’re mad at you this week.

Plaza Building. I don’t even know what floor the bathroom is on because this building is so confusing. I have choice words for whoever designed it. Missing 10 minutes of class to journey to Tivoli is better than the 30 minutes of class I’d miss wandering around and getting lost in Plaza.

Pisces

Cancer

Historically, The Metropolitan hasn’t been nice to y’all, and it’s not about to start now. If you were a campus bathroom you would be the pile of what I can only assume was human feces I saw once behind one of the modular buildings across seventh Street. Sorry.

West Classroom, first floor. I’m aware that the asbestos levels of West Classroom are well below any level that could cause me harm, but just knowing that it’s there makes me feel uneasy.

Scorpio Tivoli, first floor, specifically the ones by the food court. This bathroom is cursed, and I will not be convinced otherwise. Either the tables are full and everyone has front row seats to me walking in to pee, or it’s completely empty and the perfect opportunity for an 1800s brewery ghost to attack me with my pants down (literally).

Leo

Sagittarius

Auraria Library, first floor. Beautiful and bougie, just like you. It’s also so quiet in the library that peeing in there makes me a little nervous. You also make me a little nervous, so it works.

First floor of Central Classroom. Y’know, the ones that were closed forever and now require key card access? I think it’s a metaphor for being closed off emotionally or something.

Aries The gender-neutral bathroom in the Tivoli

by Turnhalle. Why does the door take so long to close? It feels so embarrassing to just stand there staring at the wall until the door closes but it’s not like you can take your pants off, and sit down before it closes so you’re just stuck there for like 45 seconds while the door closes as slow as physically possible.

Libra Arts Building, first floor. Every time I go in here I get to look at all the pretty art on the walls. Props to the art students, I know you’ve all suffered severe emotional damage (as is the nature of being an artist) but just know that I appreciate your hard work whenever I pee in your building. :)

Top 5 The Metropolitan staff’s favorite Animal Crossing villagers

Hornsby

Cube

Cherry

Jacques

Deirdre

Sara

Corbett

Tiff

Josh

Reanna

“I like how he stands around and looks at my flowers and studies them with his book. He makes me feel safe — if I got stung by a wasp, he would give me medicine.”

“I don’t know why the designers made his eyes little crosses, but I love it. It makes him look dead but in a cute way. I love him. He’s just a little guy.”

“He beatboxes, so he must be cool. And he wears a green hat, which I like. He’s low-key, you know? He’s the chillest guy on the island.”

“I like deer, and she’s cute so that’s why I picked her. She looks like one of the reindeer from the old Rudolph movie, She has a nostalgic kind of feeling to her.”

“She’s a little girly and a little goth — I love her. I like that her aesthetic is constantly Halloween-themed, it speaks to my soul. I wish I could live in perpetual Halloween.”