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.”