Volume 41, Issue 19 - Feb. 6, 2019 by Met Media

The Student Newspaper of MSU Denver

mymetmedia.com

@themetonline

VOL. 41 NO. 18

FEBRUARY 6, 2019

themetropolitan

Teacher-district standoff reaches boiling point

Photo by Ali C. M. Watkins | awatkin9@msudenver.edu

Denver Public School teachers and supporters march down Lincoln Street towards the Emily Griffith Campus on Jan. 28. The start of the line carried a Denver Classroom Teachers Association banner as they marched from the capitol.

By Madison Lauterbach

Cordova. “Hey Susana, we’re no

mlauter1@msudenver.edu

fools, you rob teachers, steal from schools,” the crowd chanted.

A week after the Denver Public

A handful of state legislators

imprint he left on his students. “Education is honestly the

And why have we made it so

INSIDE

that teachers need a CPA and

foundation of our society,” Tipper

a crystal ball to figure out how

NEWS

said. “When we don’t value

much they make?” Lemme

AHEC submits proposal for campus repairs

| pg. 3

School district’s request for state

also gathered on the steps of

education, then we’re doing an

asked. ”It’s clear to me that the

intervention in negotiations, close

the capitol building to show

absolute injustice to not just

district leadership is not here to

to 700 teachers, students and

their solidarity with the city’s

current generations, but future

work with you. Their agenda is

parents marched to the district’s

teachers. Rep. Kerry Tipper from

generations. It’s the bedrock of all

to work against you, to in fact

OPINION

central administration office.

Colorado District 28 said her

things democratic in this country.”

devalue you. The only recourse

Despite heavier snows drought still

The protest slogans on

you have is to stand and fight.”

persists

| pg. 4

connection to public schools

The assembly heard from

Jan. 30 focused on persuading

is personal, as her late father

five speakers before the march

Governor Jared Polis to prevent

taught in Jefferson County for

began, including Matt Lemme,

FEATURES

state intervention, demands for

30 years. She knows how much

just one of the many parents

Poet Yosimar Reyes discusses

fair wages and an explicit call-

he loved having an impact on the

who came out to show support.

out of Superintendent Susana

lives of young children, and the

| Continued on pg. 2

| pg. 6

stigma and immigration

“Why don’t we value them?

SPORTS

| pg. 8

McGhee delivers gem of a performance in softball opener

NEWS

FEBRUARY 6, 2019

Teachers protest for the right to strike BRIEFS

Cont. from cover

The fight for your right to party On May 7, Denver voters will have the option to legalize hallucinogenic “magic” mushrooms. The ballot option was added after petitions obtained enough valid signatures to send decriminalization to the voters. Denver would be the first city in the U.S. to legalize the drug, which is classified in the same category as heroin, LSD and marijuana. The federal government and the Drug Enforcement Agency would still see the mushrooms as illegal, and may choose to enforce federal law.

John H. Amesse Elementary teacher and protest speaker Tanessa Bass said she has been in the district for 19 years and feels let down by the ProComp compensation system. When the program was rolled out, she was given the choice between pursuing her 60 graduate credits or joining the system. She chose to opt out, and because of that decision, does not receive any of the incentive pay related to the program. Bass wants a system that works for all teachers, not just a select few. “Denver’s cost of living is skyrocketing, and the compensation system is not keeping up with that. We are also tired of not knowing what our salaries are going to

Colorado considers compromise on rent deadlines

be in the next five years,” Bass said. “As a

A new bill working its way through the Colorado legislature would give renters more time to pay rent. Currently, Colorado has some of the nation’s harshest laws on late rent, allowing tenants to be evicted after being three days late. Rep. Dominique Jackson hopes to provide those living paycheck to paycheck a chance to stay in their homes by extending the deadline. Switching from three to 14 days would give people a second paycheck to help meet their rent.

better way to show them how to advocate

teacher of color, to students of color, what for what they feel is unfair and inequitable than to participate in a peaceful strike?” Photos by Ali C. M. Watkins | awatkin9@msudenver.edu

On Jan. 31, during a last ditch effort for resolution, the union walked out of arbitration.

City Councilman Paul López joins others in chant on the steps of the Colorado State Capitol on Jan. 28.

According to The Denver Post, lead union negotiator Robert Gould said, of the district’s latest offer, “They didn’t bring a proposal

negotiations,” according to The Denver Post.

tonight. They brought a small IOU.”

Barela said the state may interfere because

The district proposed to increase what it

communication, according to Denver7. “That made me sick to my stomach. As

it would be in a “better place to ensure a

a former union organizer, and somebody

already spends on teacher pay by an extra

process is designed to resolve disputes within

who’s a lifelong supporter of workers and

$3 million and fund two additional years

the scope of the contracts at hand,” and the

laborers, that is unacceptable. Those are

of cost-of-living raises. According to the

“lack of shared mutual understanding of the

union-busting tactics. And not only that,

district, their offer would have invested

facts and costs of the competing proposals.”

those are intimidation tactics,” López

Magnetic north exits stage left

an additional $50 million into teacher pay

The lost art of orienteering continues to suffer as magnetic north creeps toward Siberia at a rate of 34 miles a year. While the movement seems minor, it may have a drastic effect on your phone’s map-based navigation apps. The drift is due to continuous changes in the Earth’s molten iron and nickel core. The National Oceanic Administration releases an updated World Magnetic Model every five years. In between these releases, the accuracy deteriorates. However, the shift has become so bad in past years that an updated WMM was released in February, a full year early.

over the next three years. After this latest

playing hardball, so too is the district,

the right to organize should be protected.

failed attempt at reconciliation, Colorado

according to City Councilman Paul López.

Teachers should have a right to organize and

labor officials have invited representatives

In January, a letter sent from DPS human

assemble freely, without intimidation.”

from the district and the union to meet with

resources, and published online by Colorado

Polis for one final opportunity to come to

People’s Alliance, warned teachers in the

to come together, some teachers seem

an agreement before the state responds to

county on work visas that they would be

determined to exercise their right to

the district’s request for intervention.

reported to immigration officials should

strike and are using it as a lesson for their

Joe Barela, executive director of

they participate in the union-approved

students. Louis Washington, a teacher-in-

the Colorado Department of Labor and

strike. DPS spokesman Will Jones has

training at Arkansas Elementary School in

Employment, wrote in a memo sent on Feb. 4

since said that the letter was the result of

Aurora, said that educators were teaching

that, “Thursday night’s negotiation turned into

“misrepresentation” of information received by

students how to ensure their rights.

political theater at its worst, not meaningful

the district’s immigration firm and an incorrect

Although the union may appear to be

said of the letter. “The right to unionize,

Despite the state’s plea for both sides

“It’s teaching them civics. It’s also teaching them history on what unions were designed for, for unfair situations such as this. So we are teaching our students in essence, by doing this strike,” he said. Eva Hathaway, an English language development teacher at Isabella Bird

President Trump calls for bipartisanship

Community School, said that those criticizing

President Donald Trump gave his State of the Union address to Congress on Feb. 5. After the federal government shutdown in January, due to tense negotiations over funding for a wall along the southern U.S. border, Trump insisted that he would not make the speech until after it reopened. He touched on his promise to build the wall, healthcare, employment rates and foreign affairs, among other issues. He also made calls for bipartisan cooperation, as well as claimed that the government could not function well with, “ridiculous partisan investigations.”

a potential strike are short-sighted, and

teachers for leaving their students during that if they can’t afford to live in Denver, many teachers will leave the profession. “What matters for students the most in the long run is the quality of teaching that they have. You can’t just have anybody in the classroom. You need to have highly qualified people. You can’t keep experienced people if they can’t afford to live in the city,” she said. Many attendees of the march agreed that teachers were doing the best thing for themselves and their students. “This is an important lesson for kids, too. This is how democracy works,” Hathaway said. “This is how people do gain

Lisa Yemma, DPS teacher at Slavens Elementary School, speaks at the rally before the march. Teachers and allies took their voices to the streets on Jan. 28.

more rights, is by participating in these kinds of activities. I think they’re actually learning a lot from this experience.”

FEBRUARY 6, 2019

AHEC is hoping for financial aide from Denver The extra millions would be slated for campus maintenance efforts By Corey O’Leary, Oscar Navarro

environment for students, but

to make accommodations.

and Gibson Shaffer

would save money in the long run.

Everything is functioning well,

coreyhqs@gmail.com, obaronav@

“We will save up to two-

msudenver.edu and gibsonshaffer@

thirds of our heating utility bill

yahoo.com

which is fairly significant — about

The Auraria Higher Education

it’s just that it’s 40 years old and it is time to replace them.” The Colorado Department

two extra million dollars per

of Higher Education submitted

year in utility savings that we

AHEC’s request to the capital

Center is seeking an $80 million

can put back into enhancement

development committee on Nov.

capital renewal request from the

projects,” Stamper said.

1, 2018, according to Director

state of Colorado to repair and update infrastructure on Campus. “All those projects that make up

He also said that he is hopeful and confident that the legislature is going to help out with AHEC’s

of Facilities Planning and Space Management, Tina Wells. The capital development

the $80 million are necessary repairs

capital funds for these kind of

committee will prioritize projects

and updates of various building

improvements because the

throughout the state, divvying up

systems all over campus,” said

legislators AHEC have spoken

available funds. The process will

Chief Operations Officer for AHEC,

to believe the expenditure

last until July 1, when Gov. Jared

Jeff Stamper. “Wherever MSU

would be appropriate.

Polis will sign the bill, Wells said.

students are taking classes in these

Although there are $80

At that point AHEC will be able

classroom buildings, these projects

million worth of repairs and

will improve that experience; be

updates needed across Auraria,

it from air quality improvements,

Stamper made assurances that

that the state budget committee

lighting improvements,

students are safe on campus.

will see our needs and benefit by

to find out if it was successful. Photo obtained from AHEC

“We are cautiously optimistic

AHEC hopes that Denver politicians will allot funds to help with campus maintenance.

safety improvements,

“We’re absolutely safe. We

those kinds of things.”

couldn’t put anybody, student,

the state does not provide funding,

Carroll, current students will not

addressed at some point. So there is

staff, faculty, at risk,” he said.

the campus will provide funding

be affected by these changes.

no immediate impact at this point.”

is to replace steam heat boilers

“But over time, if one of these

for deferred maintenance.”

with natural gas heat in 11 aging

steam systems failed and we

buildings across campus — not

couldn’t heat a building on a

only would this improve the

day like today, we would have

One of AHEC’s main goals

providing funding,” she said. “If

According to Associate Director

“I mean it really doesn’t apply

MSU Denver can look forward

at this point,” Carroll said. “It is one

to future developments in the

of Media Relations and Faculty

of those things where the use of

next year as plans continue to

Liaison of MSU Denver Tim

the facilities definitely needs to be

form and legislation decided.

YOU AND A GUEST ARE INVITED TO A SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING OF

VISIT

IN TIVOLI 313

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A PASS! ONE PASS PER PERSON. EACH PASS ADMITS TWO. WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. HAPPY DEATH DAY 2U HAS BEEN RATED PG-13 (PARENTS STRONGLY CAUTIONED – SOME MATERIAL MAY BE INAPPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 13) FOR VIOLENCE, LANGUAGE, SEXUAL MATERIAL AND THEMATIC ELEMENTS. Sponsors and their dependents are not eligible to receive a prize. Supplies are limited. Passes received through this promotion do not guarantee a seat at the theater. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, except for members of the reviewing press. Theater is overbooked to ensure a full house. No admittance once screening has begun. All federal, state and local regulations apply. A recipient of prizes assumes any and all risks related to use of prize, and accepts any restrictions required by prize provider. Universal Pictures, Allied Global Marketing, The Metropolitan and their affiliates accept no responsibility or liability in connection with any loss or accident incurred in connection with use of prizes. Prizes cannot be exchanged, transferred or redeemed for cash, in whole or in part. Not responsible if, for any reason, winner is unable to use his/her prize in whole or in part. Not responsible for lost, delayed or misdirected entries. All federal, state and local taxes are the responsibility of the winner. Void where prohibited by law. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. NO PHONE CALLS!

IN THEATERS FEBRUARY 13 HappyDeathDayMovie.com

THE METROPOLITAN

OPINIONS

4 staff Editor-in-Chief Ali C. M. Watkins awatkin9@msudenver.edu

FEBRUARY 6, 2019

Great snowpack doesn’t mean water surplus Even with snow levels at 118 percent, Coloradans still face a dry summer

Managing Editor Isaac Banks cisaacbanks@gmail.com

2019 will be just as hot and dry as

individual regions such as Delores,

just Arizona’s problem, it’s not just

News Editor

the previous one. Colorado has

San Miguel, Animas and the San

San Juan County’s problem, and

Madison Lauterbach mlauter1@msudenver.edu

been in a state of extreme drought

Juan river basin are still below

it doesn’t just affect farmers. Over

for the past decade, which means

normal. The issue at hand is whether

the past summer, cities and towns

it will take a lot more than one

the snowpack will be enough to

in western Colorado enforced

steady snow season to pull us out.

refill reservoirs in July, and with

their own water restrictions

Water is life, and in order to

temperatures already beginning

which prohibited activities such as watering residential lawns

Assistant News Editor James Bofenkamp jbofenk1@msudenver.edu Features Editor Megan Webber mwebber6@msudenver.edu

sustain life in the western U.S.,

to rise, it doesn’t look promising.

Sports Editor

we need to change the way we

On Feb. 2, Punxsutawney Phil

James Burky jburky@msudenver.edu

use water. If it means 40 million

predicted that spring is on its

really didn’t have enough water,

people will have a year’s supply of

way, dooming us to another early

and water professionals have

water, I don’t mind taking shorter

summer. Once the runoff begins,

said that the situation is looking

showers or recycling city water.

meteorologists and water advocates

similarly grim this year.

Apart from that, people are going

will have a clearer picture of what

By Megan Webber

to have to start working together

the dry season will look like, and

lakes and water parks in all

mwebber6@msudenver.edu

to understand how the situation

whether all of Colorado will have

directions, drought seems far

can really be improved, and all we

access to the water they need.

away. But you only have to drive a

can do is continue studying these

Colorado just signed an

Assistant Sports Editor Deicy Gomez dluevan3@msudenver.edu Photo Editor Kaileigh Lyons klyons9@msudenver.edu Assistant Photo Editor Joel Mathew jmathe19@msudenver.edu Copy Editor

How about that snowstorm that

each day. Last summer, Colorado

Living in Denver, with rivers,

few miles west to Pitkin, Garfield

hit Denver last Monday? The skiers

patterns, year after year, just to

agreement with the other six

or Mesa Counties to see that river

in the mountains must have been

make sure that the western U.S.

Colorado River Basin states —

levels haven’t been full in about

Director of Met Media

head over heels, while those of us

doesn’t turn into another Dust Bowl.

Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, New

a decade. So next time you leave

Steve Haigh shaigh@msudenver.edu

trying to get to work or school were

Mexico, Arizona and California

the faucet running, ask yourself

Sun, two or three years of

— and Mexico to cut back water

where that water came from and

steady precipitation would

supplies to keep reservoirs like

what you can do to make sure it

hardly unusual, and when we look

be necessary to even make a

Lake Mead full. While we should

doesn’t disappear for good.

Production Manager of Met Media

ahead to spring, a healthy snowpack

dent in the current drought.

be grateful that we live in Denver

Kathleen Jewby kjewby@msudenver.edu

can only be a good thing for run-off

Office Manager

season, right? Not necessarily.

Daniel Sutton dsutton3@msudenver.edu

Assistant Director of Met Media Ronan O’Shea roshea3@msudenver.edu

Elizabeth Norberg enorbert@msudenver.edu Sales and Marketing sale@mymetmedia.com marketing@mymetmedia.com

silently wailing, “Nooooooo!” A snowstorm in January is

Even with all the precipitation,

According to The Colorado

The Boulder Daily Camera

and not arid Phoenix, if the

Megan Webber is the Features

reported that statewide snowpack

lake empties by August, Rocky

Editor at The Metropolitan and a junior at MSU Denver.

levels are currently at 118 percent

Mountain cities will see dramatic

the ground is still far too dry to last

of normal, up from 63 percent at

decreases in water supplies.

another summer, meaning summer

the same time last year. However,

The drought is real. It is not

Brady Nelson bnelso73@msudenver.edu Derek Brekken dbrekken@msudenver.edu

Book on rape opens up conversation

What we do The Metropolitan accepts submissions in the form of topic-driven 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. The Metropolitan reserves the right to edit letters for formatting and style. All submissions should be sent by email to awatkin9@msudenver.edu. 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 Wednesday during the academic year and monthly during the summer semester. Opinions expressed within do not necessarily reflect those of MSU Denver or Met Media’s advertisers.

Want to voice your thoughts on a current event or subject that has been covered in the paper? Send your pieces to Managing Editor Isaac Banks at cisaacbanks@gmail.com

stigma, and the social pressures

that they go and report it. If the

father supported his daughter by

to just move on and shut up, while

crime is committed a second time

listening to what she needed rather

giving family members of rape

by the same person, it is much

than sweeping it under the rug.

victims the resources to understand

more likely to be brought to trial.

When dealing with things as delicate

how to move forward with healing.

Even though rape is a hot

as rape, it is almost impossible

political subject here in the U.S.

to provide all the necessary help

been raped, and the number of

due to the #MeToo movement, it is

to survivors without backup.

them who did not go to the police

common everywhere, and every

is astounding. They didn’t want

society has their own unique way of

post-traumatic stress disorder and

to relive the attack and doubted

dealing with the crisis. Abdulali uses

struggle with jumping back into

that anyone would believe them.

her own experiences to connect

life after being raped because of

According to National Institute of

with readers, but by interviewing

hypervigilance, nightmares and

Justice, only a measly 36 percent

other victims, anyone who has

other factors that may deter their

of rapes are reported, meaning that

undergone the trauma is able to

healing process. The book puts

over 60 percent of survivors have

connect with someone in the book.

the reader in the shoes of both the

By Eva Doherty

to deal with the hardships of being

This book does not emphasize

survivor and of someone trying

edohert7@msudenver.edu

a survivor without support from

the inequality of the U.S. judicial

to support a loved one. Both of

organizations that are equipped

branch, rather it makes connections

these positions are tricky and

in dealing with those situations.

between multiple different

are necessary for getting help.

I have many friends who have

Poignant, controversial and moving, “What We Talk about

For many, this has been

Most, if not all, victims deal with

countries, giving the readers the

Books such as “What We

message that they are not alone.

Talk About When We Talk About

When We Talk About Rape” by

detrimental to their healing.

Sohaila Abdulali is a book that

Reporting a rape is traumatizing,

Due to America’s manner of

I read in one sitting and have

however coming forward puts the

dealing with rape, helping a loved

everyone because it highlights the

been recommending to all my

rapist on the law enforcement’s

one can be tricky without the proper

epidemic that is occurring as well

friends since. In less than 300

radar. Victims here in the U.S. can

tools. Loved ones may have trouble

as informating us on how to help.

pages, the book tackles some of

receive access to medical care,

providing victims with the medical

the most difficult topics today.

therapy, psychologists and other

and psychological help that they

What stands out about this book

professionals that can help make

need. Loved ones are encouraged

modern languages. In her freetime,

is the explanation of psychology

their nightmare more livable.

to listen to victims, give them

she enjoys translating books.

and emotions as well as the blunt

Even though it is the survivor’s

support when needed, and reach

honesty about the subject itself.

choice whether or not to report

out for help when the victim needs

Abdulali touches on the shame, the

the crime, I strongly recommend

additional assistance. Abdulali’s

Rape” are essential read’s for

Eva Doherty is a freshman studying

MSU Denver Counseling Center | Spring 2019 Free resources for students

303-615-9988 (V/TTY) • www.msudenver.edu/counsel/ • Tivoli 651

MENTAL HEALTH AND AWARENESS SCREENING DAYS The Counseling Center will provide free screenings that are open to the Auraria community. Mental health professionals will be available to answer your questions and concerns relevant to the day’s topic and provide resources, as appropriate.

National Eating Disorders Screening Day

Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Counseling Center, Tivoli 640

National Alcohol and Cannabis Screening Day Wednesday, April 3, 2019 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Counseling Center, Tivoli Multicultural Lounge

Groups and workshops provide a safe space for personal growth and processing. To participate make a reservation by calling 303-615-9988. Groups and workshops are open to currently enrolled MSU Denver students only. They meet in Tivoli 651.

GROUPS

Groups require a brief meeting with the facilitator(s) before their start.

Stress and Anxiety

A Group With Real Substance

What—Me Worry?

Discuss, explore and process in a safe environment issues surrounding the difficulties with substance abuse. Gain great benefits from working with other peers dealing with and managing substance abuse issues.

Mondays • 10:15–11:30 a.m. or Tuesdays • 1–2:15 p.m.

Address anxiety when worries start to crowd out other important thoughts or emotions.

Facilitators: Anne Edwards, Psy.D., Staff Psychologist (Mon.) & Ray Gornell, Psy.D., Staff Psychologist (Tues.)

Mind Your Own Mind

Tuesdays • 10–11:15 a.m. or Fridays • 1–2:15 pm

Facilitator: Kathy Schoech, Ph.D., LPC, Staff Psychotherapist

Interpersonal

Moving Beyond Trauma Mondays • 1–2:15 p.m.

Individuals who have experienced ongoing trauma in the past will learn how trauma has impacted them in the present, how to deal with ongoing difficulties, and work on processing past trauma. Facilitator: Jeanne Burkhart, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist

Survivors

Tuesdays • 10:15–11:30 a.m .

Survivors of sexual trauma learn about how sexual trauma impacts self-identity and the relationships in our lives.

Fridays • 3–3:50 p.m.

Shy No Longer

Facilitators: Douglas Graves, Psy.D., Staff Psychologist & Vicky Tuakoi, Psy.D., Staff Psychotherapist

Facilitator: Ray Gornell, Psy.D., Staff Psychologist

Address anxiety in social situations and learn practical methods to increase confidence.

DBT: Better Relationships Through Better Boundaries

Practice mindfulness and integrating skills into a mindful approach to life.

Special Focus A Place for Veterans: Support for and Processing of Military Experiences Thursdays • 4–4:50 p.m.

Explore, understand and process the various experiences of being in the military, experience of veterans and exposure to combat. Facilitator: Steven C. Lee, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist

A Group for the Graduate Mind Thursdays • 2–2:50 p.m. or Fridays • 11–11:50 a.m.

Wednesdays • 3–4:15 p.m.

Facilitator: Michael Malmon, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist

Working It Through: Processing for Well-Being Mondays • 9–9:50 a.m. or Wednesdays • 11–11:50 a.m. or Thursdays • 3–3:50 p.m.

Ever had the feeling you’re drowning in all of your responsibilities? Students facing everyday stressors join together and learn strategies for finding balance in your life and letting go of stress in order to breathe easier.

Facilitators: Steven C. Lee, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist (Mon.), Douglas Graves, Psy.D., Staff Psychologist & Garrett Warshay, M.A. Practicum Student (Wed.) & Anne Edwards, Psy.D., Staff Psychologist (Thurs.)

Students in various graduate programs process their experiences of managing life as a graduate student. Sharing a variety of issues and needs.

Relationally Strong: An Interpersonal Process Group

Eating for Life

Designed for individuals who desire growth, insight and awareness of both self and others by relating effectively with others in a safe, supportive environment.

Facilitators: Kathy Schoech, Ph.D., LPC Staff Psychotherapist (Thurs.) & Douglas Graves, Psy.D., Staff Psychologist (Fri.)

Thursdays • 1–2:15 p.m.

If you have issues with disordered eating, body image or your relationship with food, this group can help you explore contributing factors to these issues and learn skills and techniques to manage these attitudes and behaviors.

Mondays • 3–4:30 p.m. or Fridays • 9–10:30 a.m.

Facilitators: Michael Malmon, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist (Mon. & Fri.) & Maya Badwan, M.A., Practicum Student (Fri.)

Tuesdays • 3–4:30 p.m. or Thursdays • 10–11:30 a.m.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) emphasizes group skills training classes in areas like mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation and effectiveness. Facilitators: Vicky Tuakoi, Psy.D., Staff Psychotherapist & Garrett Warshay, M.A. Practicum Student

Emotion Focused Saving the Soul: Working With and Through Depression Thursdays • 8:30–9:45 a.m. or Wednesdays • 1–2:15 p.m.

Explore experiences of depression while offering practical methods for managing life with depression.

Facilitators: Douglas Graves, Psy.D., Staff Psychologist (Wed.) & Ray Gornell, Psy.D., Staff Psychologist (Thurs.)

The Monster Under the Bridge Tuesdays • 1–2:15 p.m.

If anger seems to take control and ruin the good your life, this group will help you understand the problems, causes and detriments/benefits of anger. Learning control and managing anger responses is a primary focus.

Facilitator: Kathy Schoech, Ph.D., LPC, Staff Psychotherapist

Facilitators: Jeanne Burkhart, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist & Mackenzie Jessen, M.A., Practicum Student

WORKSHOPS Successful Student Series

Substance Abuse

What is the Answer? My Mind Has Blanked!

Drinking: When is Enough Too Much?

Assists students who are typically well-prepared for tests, but lose confidence or blank out on the day of the exam.

Recognize when alcohol use is becoming problematic and how to reduce the risk of developing a serious problem.

Explore areas of stress and offer healthy coping techniques for DACA students dealing with employment, access to health care and threats to traditional family values.

Facilitator: Jeanne Burkhart, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist

Facilitator: Steven C. Lee, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist

Marijuana Use and Abuse:

Sexuality & Disability

Explore some of the issues that have emerged since marijuana became legal in Colorado and other states.

Discussion on ableism and why it’s an important discussion within the LGBTQ+ community.

Thursday • Feb. 28 • 1–2 p.m.

Facilitator: Anne Edwards, Psy.D., Staff Psychologist

Procrastination & Perfectionism: Two Roads to Shame and Suffering Thursday • March 7 • 1–2 p.m.

Discover techniques to escape and avoid the traps of procrastinating to the point of extreme stress or struggling to make deadlines. Facilitator: Douglas Graves, Psy.D., Staff Psychologist

Road to Success When Driving Distracted Thursday • March 14 • 1–2 p.m.

Struggling with staying on task or focusing on being organized could be related to ADHD. Learn basic information and resources about ADHD. Facilitator: Anne Edwards, Psy.D., Staff Psychologist

Monday • March 25 • noon–1 p.m.

DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) Workshop Series: Dealing With Ongoing Stress

Wednesday • March 20 & April 17 • noon–1 p.m.

Monday • April 8 • noon–1 p.m.

Thursday • March 7 • 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Facilitator: Jeanne Burkhart, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist

Tivoli Multicultural Lounge

Diversity

Transgender Day of Empowerment

Veterans Workshop Series: Veterans and Resilience

Wednesday • March 13 & April 10 • noon–1 p.m. Identify ways to bolster resilience for veterans in six domains: physical, interpersonal, emotional, cognitive, behavioral and spiritual. Facilitator: Steven C. Lee, Ph.D., Staff Psychologist

Wednesday • March 20 • noon–3 p.m.

A celebration of the full diversity of the gender spectrum and an honoring of the achievements and contributions that trans people make every day.

Tivoli 440

Advancing Our Community

Wednesday • April 10 • 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

A chance to showcase the contributions to the LGBTQIA+ community of the Auraria Campus and Denver. Papers, presentations, performances and more.

Tivoli Multicultural Lounge

FEATURES

FEBRUARY 6, 2019

Poets gather to destigmatize immigration By Ali C. M. Watkins awatkin9@msudenver.edu Identity lines crossed as

“It took a lot of strength that I

topics, like the deaths of his sister

didn’t know I had, since I exposed

and grandfather in his poem “Day

myself. I feel like I’m finally

of the Dead,” he tries to keep it

living in my truth,” Tsogo said.

lighthearted and said his targeted

poets and artists assembled

Spoken word poet Alejandro

in a tri-institutional effort to

Jimenez kicked off the program.

destigmatize undocumented

One of the two poems he

and LGBTQ communities.

performed was “How the Women

senior and intern for the Center

The Gender Institute for

audience is made up of other undocumented immigrants. Jessy Perez, MSU Denver

In My Family Dance In Four Parts.”

for Multicultural Excellence and

Teaching and Advocacy,

It honored his great-grandmother,

Inclusion, has been following

Immigrant Services Program and

grandmother and mother for the

Reyes’ work since 2012. She has

the LGBTQ Student Resource

adversities they experienced and

seen him perform in Colorado,

Center worked together for six

the impact they left on his life.

California and Arizona. Though

months to bring the “I Love My

Jimenez was followed by

she received her Green Card in

Undocu-queer People” event to

Cara L. Lipford, a social work

2006, his poetry inspires her

Auraria Campus. Doors opened

major at MSU Denver. Her poetry

to seek activism to this day.

at St. Catejan’s at 10:30 a.m.

surrounded her sexuality and race.

and closed at 2 p.m. on Feb. 5. Attendees trickled in from

“I appreciate that Photo by Ali C. M. Watkins | awatkin9@msudenver.edu

Yosimar Reyes was the featured speaker and poet of the

MSU Denver student and emcee Angelica Prisciliand listens to visiting poet Yosimar Reyes as they sit on the St. Catejan’s stage on Feb. 5.

the cold to enjoy Mexican

day. His small stature contained

cuisine while viewing artwork

an animated personality that

from MSU Denver grad student

earned laughs from the crowd

with a monologue from a play

Eriko Tsogo. She displayed her

during his presentation.

he is writing called “Prieto,”

DREAMer apparel line, which

Reyes immigrated with his

undocumented people are organizing in the way that I couldn’t think of when I didn’t have a status, it just seemed risky

and educate others. “Some people feel like they

to me,” Perez said. “So, when I saw that people are actually

which is a word used to describe

get pressured into sharing

doing this, that undocumented

she describes as subtle activism.

family at the age of 3 from

dark-skinned people. The play

their status,” Reyes said. “The

people are rising up and

All of her work surrounds her

Guerrero, Mexico. He grew up

is four years in the making, and

reason I share things is because

organizing, it was great.”

experience as a Mongolian-

in East San Jose, California. He

is a memoir on his childhood

I already processed them and

American woman and immigrant.

recited three poems, followed

and his queer identity.

so that’s why I can talk about

Last year, she publicly

by a speech on destigmatizing

One of the issues he touched

announced on Colorado Public

undocumented immigrants.

on is the pressure undocumented

Radio that she was undocumented.

Reyes completed his performance

immigrants feel to out themselves

it, write about it, make fun of it, because I already released that.” Though Reyes covered serious

REVIEWS

Super Bowl halftime show was subpar By Megan Webber

show, Scott kept his face down

to be played by Maroon 5, but

mwebber6@msudenver.edu

and out of view from the cameras

instead, they saw a video clip that

the whole time. It was no better

lasted less than half a minute and

than watching an actor perform

the next thing they knew, Scott was

rolling their eyes after a boring

with his back to the audience.

dancing his way across the stage.

game and a mediocre halftime

Big Boi at least made an

Super Bowl 53 left fans

There was another highlight to

show. Music critics are tearing

entrance, driving up to the stage

the show, and that was the marching

apart Maroon 5’s performance

in a Cadillac and a big, white, fur

band which performed a routine

just as harshly as sports critics

coat, but is that really entertaining,

around the stage while Levine sang

are analyzing the game.

or just a plea for attention? As

and did his own thing. However,

someone who doesn’t listen to

while I enjoyed the glimpses I got

halftime show was that it felt

a lot of rap, I wonder why there

of them, they didn’t make the show

ordinary. Maroon 5’s most creative

were two rap artists present at all

anything extraordinary either.

tactic was to allow Adam Levine to

when only the younger population

strip his jacket and then his shirt

of Super Bowl-watchers would

is supposed to be one of the biggest

halfway through. This is a sort of

likely be interested. My taste in

American music events of the

tradition of Levine’s, who has been

music is quite old-fashioned, so I

year, and I look forward to it each

open in the past about his fondness

was excited to see a gospel choir

of not wearing clothes and makes a

joining Maroon 5 for a number.

Perhaps the worst part of the

point of taking off his shirt to reveal full-body tattoos at Maroon 5 shows. The headliner wasn’t the

However, I have to agree with The Washington Post’s Emily Yahr

The Super Bowl Halftime Show

year, hoping to be surprised and Photo obtained from USA Today

entertained. Last year after Justin

Adam Levine of Maroon 5 performs at the Super Bowl halftime show on Feb. 3 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Timberlake’s performance, I felt a

who wrote an article on Sunday

dull normalcy and lack of surprise similar to what I am feeling now.

only artist to play it safe. Travis

night titled, “Maroon 5 Super

Levine was singing, or what he

at the organizers of the halftime

The last halftime show to really

Scott’s brief performance, while

Bowl halftime show: 5 important

even sounded like, compared to

show or whoever it was who put

surprise me was Lady GaGa’s

apparently pleasing to the fans

questions, from Spongebob to

the overly-passionate, smiling lady

the Spongebob video together.

in 2017, and I can only hope that

in the crowd, was a bit of a let-

shirtless Adam Levine.” She wrote

with the microphone. She certainly

The clip was meant to be a tribute

whoever performs in 2020 will

down for those of us watching at

that the choir, especially the lead

favored her high notes, but she

to Stephen Hillenburg, the creator

make me feel that way again.

home on a screen. Unlike Levine,

vocalist, upstaged Levine by a long

should have stayed within her range.

of “Spongebob Squarepants”

who sang a song directly into the

shot. And she would not be wrong.

camera towards the end of the

I have no memory of which song

And finally, I’ll jump on the wagon and express my confusion

who died last fall. Fans had been expecting the song “Sweet Victory”

36Annual th

Black World Conference Performing Politics: Elections, Succession and democratic processes in Africa Dr. Praise Zenenga Keynote Address Feb 13th 2019 11:00AM

Feb 13th - Feb 14th 9:30-3:15 St. Cajetanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Event Center Associate Professor and Director of the Africana Studies Program, University of Arizona, Tucson Hosted by MSU Denver - Department of Africana Studies www.msudenver.edu/aas

8 BRIEFS Tennis teams start spring seasons The MSU Denver men’s and women’s tennis teams opened their spring seasons. On Feb. 1, the women lost to the University of Northern Colorado and Oklahoma Baptist University on Feb. 2. Also on Feb. 1, the men lost to Oklahoma Baptist, and then fell to the Air Force Academy on Feb. 4. The men’s next match will be on Feb. 15, where they will visit Southern Utah University. The women’s next match will be at an invitational on Feb. 17. Men’s basketball winless in South Dakota The MSU Denver men’s basketball team lost a pair of road games against conference opponents this past weekend. They were defeated by South Dakota School of Mines on Feb. 1 by a score of 70-67. Garrett Carter tied the game with five seconds left, but Mines drained a buzzer-beating three-pointer for the win. The following day, MSU Denver lost to Black Hills State University, 64-62. The Roadrunners, 8-11 overall and 6-9 in the RMAC, will be back on the road this weekend to face the University of Colorado Colorado Springs on Feb. 8 and Colorado School of Mines on Feb. 9. Women’s basketball increase win streak to six The MSU Denver women’s Basketball team is now on a six game win-streak after winning both of their away games in South Dakota from Feb.1-2. In their first game, they faced South Dakota School of Mines and dominated them by a score of 70-38. Mariah Schroeder scored a career-high 11 points. The next day, Roadrunners beat Black Hills State University, 69-54. Senior Emily Hartegan dropped 23 points. The wins put the Roadrunners at 11-10 overall and 10-5 in conference play. They are now fourth in the RMAC. They will continue their road trip this weekend against the University of Colorado Colorado Springs on Feb. 8 and Colorado School of Mines on Feb. 9.

Baseball winless to start season The MSU Denver baseball team lost all three games in their series against California State University San Marcos from Feb. 1-3. Logan Soole started on the mound in the first game and finished his Roadrunner debut with five strikeouts, but surrendered four runs in four innings. Javi Vega started the second game, allowing one run on five hits and striking four players in four innings. The Roadrunners were outscored 18-7, batting a collective .245 average with seven extra basehits. The Roadrunners will travel to Emporia, Kansas to face Emporia State University from Feb. 9-10.

SPORTS

FEBRUARY 6, 2019

McGhee shines for inconsistent Roadrunners on opening weekend By James Burky jburky@msudenver.edu For the second season in a row, the MSU Denver softball team has won just one of their first five games. The Roadrunners hosted both the University of Sioux Falls and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs from Feb. 1-3, delivering a mixed-bag of frustrating mistakes and attention-grabbing plays that show the team’s potential. The weekend showcased new talents like freshman outfielder Rebecca Gonzales, a Highlands Ranch native who was 10-for-20 at the plate on the weekend with six RBIs. For her performance, Gonzales was named the conference’s freshman of the week. Another standout was Photo by Darral Freund | Obtained from MSU Denver athletics

freshman pitcher Julia Heitz, who gave up three runs in the first inning of her career, then

Darby McGhee aims a pitch in the Roadrunners’ 7-5 loss to Sioux Falls at the Regency Athletic Complex on Feb. 2. McGhee pitched 6.1 shutout innings and was 3-of-4 from the plate in the game.

delivered four straight shutout frames before surrendering three

the fourth and drove in another

of head coach Annie Van Wetzinga,

II. The key to unlocking the door