Feb. 24, 2014

Since 1966

Vol. 38, Iss. 20

Monday, February 24, 2014

NEWS

Prioritization UCCS to be graded, reviewed, ranked 2

Job interviews Students learn confidence 3 SCIENCE & BUSINESS

Prof Spotlight Chemistry has musical talent 4

Marie Curie Club aims to increase female presence in science field 4

CULTURE

‘Scandal’

UCCSScribe.com University of Colorado Colorado Springs

New parking garage several weeks behind schedule Jesse Byrnes

jbyrnes@uccs.edu

The crane will be the unofficial UCCS mascot for a while longer.

Students circling around campus in their cars will have to wait several more weeks to find new parking spots as the 1,234-stall parking garage expected to open March 1 has been delayed until after the spring semester.

While officials say the garage, under construction on Austin Bluffs Parkway and Stanton Road near the Rec Center, could open as early as May, it will likely open in June.

The delay is largely attributed to weather.

Delays “We’ve had primarily weather delays and we had some initials trouble with our retaining wall,” said Charles Cummings, project manager for

JOSH CAMACHO | THE SCRIBE

Snow and ice has delayed the construction of the new parking garage on Stanton Road.

the new parking garage.

The initial delay happened when a retaining wall failed last June, Cummings said.

Torrential rain in September caused significant delays.

“At that point we were a hole

in the ground,” Cummings said.

Crews couldn’t work for two weeks.

There was concern that the rains would damage the wall that failed previously.

“That was essential Arma-

geddon for a wall like that,” Cummings said based on readings from the four inclinometers used to track wall movements. The result: “The wall is completely sound.”

Continued on page 2 . . .

Why you should be addicted to it 5

Understaffed, counseling center tackles waitlist

GOCA

Nick Beadleston

Exhibits showcases richness and realness of Cuban-American experiences 7

OPINION

Drunken Democrats

Democrats drink more, according to study 9

Disruptive classes Some classes distract from major 9 SPORTS

Intramurals

nbeadles@uccs.edu

Students looking to receive help at the UCCS Counseling Center will have to get in line and they could be waiting a while.

On Feb. 3 The Scribe reported there were 55 students on the center’s waitlist at the end of fall semester. At the beginning of spring semester there were still 35 students waitlisted, according to Benek Altayli, the center’s director.

Some had been waiting up to two months.

While the center has provided treatment for many students over the past month, 23 students remain on the waitlist.

Alice Leckenby, a clinical mental health counseling graduate student, sought the services of the Counseling Center at the beginning of fall semester.

According to Leckenby, she did not receive counseling services for almost two months after her initial phone screening.

“It’s hard to have the courage to call there and set up counseling to begin with, and then having to wait so long…” she said. Leckenby was told it would be three to four weeks before she would be able to come into the center.

When Leckenby was eventually seen, she was put through a more thorough intake. She was then told it would be another three to four weeks before she would receive service.

“That part of the process was pretty stressful,” she said.

“Having to wait almost two months to get any services was pretty difficult.

Leckenby was seeking assistance in coping with the stresses of juggling school, work and personal relation-

ships.

“All that was crashing together, and was becoming overwhelming,” she said. “I just needed some help processing through that, and learning some skills to manage all of that stress.”

Leckenby indicated once she was able to receive counseling, she was very happy with the service provided.

Despite her education in the counseling field, the wait length almost deterred Leckenby from receiving help, she said.

“I think I’m more on the open side to counseling than the majority of people, and by the end of that waiting process I was ready to not continue to seek counseling,” she said.

Currently the center has four licensed clinicians (two of whom are part-time), including the director.

Altayli indicated the current full time clinician position to

Blood, sweat and victory for few 11

Seductive Sochi Athlete and viewer indulgences 11

TEXT "THELODGES" TO 313131 FOR MORE INFO

student ratio is 1:3,500.

According to the Association for the University and College Center Directors, national ratio is less than half that.

“We are and have been severely understaffed,” said Altayli. “We barely function.”

“We have a lot of military related students who deserve better,” she said. “We have a lot of first generation students who deserve better.”

Students seeking clinical services are rank in three tiers, based on the severity of their needs as determined after their initial screening. This is frequently done over the phone by student clinicians.

Students are placed in the emergency tier when they are determined to pose an imminent threat to themselves or others.

Crisis situations are those where “the world is falling Continued on page 3 . . .

News

Feb. 24, 2014| 2

(Continued from page 1) Parking garage behind schedule

“

We’ve had primarily weather delays and we had some initial trouble with our retaining wall.

“

— Charles Cummings

uses. Two years ago they repaved Lot 3 and 4 for $350,000 and added a lot by the Lane Center for $500,000.

Additional delays occurred in the first few weeks of the spring semester with snow and temperatures reaching below zero. “You can’t pour concrete when it’s that cold,” Cummings said.

The school also lost “a little bit of time” getting permits from Colorado Springs Utilities, Cummings said.

All told crews lost up to 11 weeks of progress.

Cummings noted that March and April are Colorado’s biggest snowfall months.

“Our biggest hurdles at this

point are strictly weather,” Cummings said.

Crews are working two shifts a day, six days a week to complete the project. “We have expedited this as much as possible,” Cummings said.

“I never really expect them to get anything done as soon as they say,” said Jenny Ishida, a senior psychology student who lives in the dorms.

The garage is set for final completion in June, though the school is looking to occupy the four parking levels starting May 1, Cummings said.

The new parking garage will include LED lights, individually-controllable light fixtures, a 40 kilowatt solar panel, and four electric vehicle charging stations. The parking garage is not eligible for LEED certification, Cummings said, “however we did our best.”

“I’m not parking on the campus at the moment, but it would be nice to have it done sooner rather than later,” said Shannon Triplett, a junior biology student who commutes to campus.

Housing Parking “I can imagine [the parking garage] is somewhat sheltered so then it wouldn’t be as bad

when it snows,” said Genesis Hernandez, a freshman chemistry and Spanish double major who parks on campus. “I honestly don’t mind parking in Lot 9.”

About 650 of the 1,092 UCCS student residents have a car on campus. Those will move to the new parking garage once it’s complete.

Construction starts March 24 for Villages at Alpine Valley, which will eliminate Lot 9.

Transportation and housing officials are working to find other locations for residents to park until the new garage opens, reviewing about seven options.

As of Friday officials had not told students parking in Lot 9 would disappear next month.

Additional University Hall Parking Lot Lot N by University Hall saw overflow parking last semester, Jim Spice, executive director of Parking and Transportation Services, said, and the city will be permitting that area at the end of the spring semester. Campus officials are searching for parking alternatives in that area, considered North Cragmor, for 250-300 parking spots, according to Spice.

Parking Permit Waitlist About 400 students are on a waitlist for a parking pass this spring, within the average 350400, according to Spice.

When the new garage opens, 174 spaces occupied by residents in the top levels of the current garage will be freed up for parking permits, along with spots taken up by construction

“

I can imagine [the parking garage] is somewhat sheltered so then it wouldn’t be as bad when it snows ...

I honestly don’t mind parking in Lot 9.

“

The Department of Parking and Transportation spent $100,000 to repair the wall. The department typically keeps about $500,000 in reserves for such

— Genesis Hernandez

staging for the new Academic Building, totaling about 450, Spice estimates. This should take care of the parking waitlist, he said.

Circulator Route The circulator route was split in two starting this semester.

Instead of a single route from University Hall on the east side of campus to the Timberline apartments on North Nevada Avenue, there are now two buses running every 15 minutes: one between University and Centennial halls, and another from Timberline to Centennial Hall, which makes stops at Alpine and the Lodge.

Transportation received a “significant” number of complaints from those trying to get on a bus at University Hall, Spice said. “Every 25 minutes was not quick enough.”

After surveying residents, a Centennial Hall bus stop for the circulator was re-added, while the Rec Center stop was dropped, as it was too close to the Lodge and Alpine and slowed down bus times, Spice said.

Transportation has leased one 24-passenger bus the past eight months, which it will return once a newly purchased 32-passenger bus arrives within a couple weeks.

While they were supposed to wait until next year, they plan to order an additional bus soon - “the demand is so great we feel like we need to order it now.”

Campus-wide effort underway to rate all aspects of UCCS Jesse Byrnes jbyrnes@uccs.edu

Staff and administration members may already have full-time jobs, but they’re culling together an unofficial transcript to keep them.

Leadership heads from across campus are in the process of grading more than 120 degree and non-degree programs in terms of innovation, technology and efficiency to lay grounds for potential changes come budget season.

“What is it that we do that is really consistent with the mission of UCCS and how critical is it that we do what we do?” That’s the question staff and university officials will be forced to answer, said Mary Coussons-Read, provost and executive vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, who is overseeing the academic side of the review.

The evaluation is part of a system wide University of Colorado effort to prioritize campus programs and services per the request of the Board of Regents.

While campuses utilize internal reviews on a “fairly regular” basis, according to Coussons-Read, this is the first

time everyone at each campus has sat down at the same time to grade their programs.

The focus is to identify trends in each program based on innovation, technology and efficiency, she said.

Scale & Expectations Programs and services will be rated as exemplary, accomplished, strategic or in need of further study, and the results will give the school “an opportunity to reconfigure,” Coussons-Read said. “[It’s] likely some are gonna be for further study,” said Brian Burnett, senior executive vice chancellor for Administration and Finance.

Burnett is overseeing the non-degree portion of the review, including everything from the library and bursar to athletics and financial aid.

Teams will meet and discuss dissimilar scores, aided by a facilitator, if there is disagreement.

“We don’t anticipate anyone losing a job,” CoussonsRead said. “We don’t anticipate discontinuing anything at this time.”

The provost said those involved in rating their departments and programs feel

“pretty safe.”

Process Rating teams were formed Jan. 24, received “extensive training” and got access to individual evaluation portals to score themselves starting Feb. 10, Coussons-Read said. The data will be compiled over a three-week period, and an open forum will be held on campus in April to hear feedback and answer questions.

Since academic programs are already reviewed every 5-7 years, and non-academic internal reviews happen year round, university officials describe this new prioritization as “an additional process.”

UCCS and CU-Boulder will present their respective report cards to the Regents at their April board meeting, in time for the new budget cycle (CUDenver is taking a different approach and will present in fall; Anschutz Medical Campus will conduct a separate review).

While Boulder is looking at numbers, UCCS is taking a more comprehensive approach by viewing both quantitative and qualitative data, officials on campus said.

“We can’t just grow without thinking of all the other ways

that affects students,” Coussons-Read said, referencing parking and housing.

on campus have each read the book, according to CoussonsRead.

Raters Nine teams totaling 110 people will complete the evaluation, including six teams of faculty and staff looking at degree and non-degree-granting programs (three teams each), one team of all the deans and one with all executive directors.

The Leadership Team, comprised of the vice chancellors, provost and chancellor, make up the final group.

Scoring of all teams is weighted equally, CoussonsRead said.

With about 1,100 full-time employees and staff at UCCS, not including lecturers and student employees, those involved in the evaluation on campus make up about 10 percent of the staff.

“That’s not a small effort,” Burnett said.

The idea for the prioritization sprang from a Regent retreat last summer when the board read the book “Prioritizing Academic Programs and Services” by Robert C. Dickeson.

At this point the chancellor, vice chancellors and provost

Data & Results Burnett said programs will be “reorganized, rethought and restructured” based on the data.

“I don’t know that you can infer anything right now,” Burnett said.

Burnett said the data will likely not influence resource allocation for the upcoming fiscal year. “It may impact some of our decisions for next year but it’s too early to tell.”

“It’s gonna help me as provost understand more clearly where we need to invest more resources in terms of faculty, staff, space,” Coussons-Read said.

The education quality and student experience on the degree-granting side is especially important, Coussons-Read said, as well as outcomes, student demands and program trends.

“We’re already very careful, by the way, how we invest dollars,” Coussins-Reed said, noting the administration’s “tremendous responsibility to students.”

News

Counseling center waitlist

apart but there is no imminent danger,” said Altayli.

Regular treatment is provided to students in the absence of any serious health concerns. According to Altayli, regular services are provided to patients “where there is no crisis, but the person needs to change something about their [habits] to be able to fulfill their potential.”

Students who are determined to be in need of immediate treatment are expedited through the process. If necessary they are either referred to outside treatment or are hospitalized.

Altayli indicated last semester 492 students received clinical services, 94 received crisis treatment and 59 received emergency treatment.

Altayli stated the center is hoping to expand its staff

provided the proposed Wellness Center Fee is passed.

The proposed $35 fee is an additional student health fee to the $25 each student already pays per semester, totaling $60.

The fee is intended to fund an integrated wellness center at the Rec Center and increase staffing for several departments.

When asked what would happen if the fee is not passed, Altayli indicated center services will suffer.

“Our hands are tied. Then the services are probably going to shrink, the wait times are going to be longer,” Altayli.

However, according to Susan Szpyrka, vice chancellor for Administration and Finance, there are plans in place to fund at least one additional staff member for the counseling center.

“Counseling is getting an

“

egies for behaviors employers expect during the interview

allocation from the General Fund, because we have to address that issue,” she said.

“They’re hiring now for a position that’s funded effective July 1. We’re bringing one time monies to pay for it this fiscal year.”

“We know that the [Wellness Center Fee] alone won’t address the university’s counseling center issues,” Szpyrka said.

“So it is appropriate to have some General Fund allocation to it. We have it this year and we are looking at future years as well.”

When asked about using general funding to pay for additional staff, Altayli stated “well maybe that’s in the works and I’m not aware.”

Altayli indicated the center has recently brought a postdoctoral fellow on board,

whose salary has been funded entirely by counseling center revenue.

“

I guess I’m just confused at why they are understaffed. I feel like we pay a pretty healthy amount for the tuition.

—Alice Leckenby

“

(Continued from page 1)

Feb. 24, 2014 | 3

According to budgetary information provided by Altayli, previously the center has utilized auxiliary funds to purchase psychological and neuropsychological tests.

Regarding funding going to the center, Leckenby stated, “I guess I’m just confused at why they are understaffed. I feel like we pay a pretty healthy amount for the tuition.”

“It seems like we’re paying fees for everything possible.”

Leckenby indicated college is the time in students’ lives when they will experience the most transition and have the greatest need for support.

“I just wish we could put more money towards that.”

More than 51 percent of collegiate counselling centers saw a budgetary increase during 2011-2012, according to the most recent data from the AUCCD. Altayli stated since Jan. 1 the center has treated 12 emergency and crisis students, and provided therapy services to 77 students.

UCCS hosts interview, technology Rec Center usejob restricted to overweight students andseminar faculty anedd@uccs.edu

The job market is becoming increasingly competitive as scholars arm themselves with new skills to earn the most lucrative position in their field.

With the class of 2014 fewer than 100 days from graduation, UCCS is providing resources to help soon to be graduates seize employment opportunity.

For many, that opportunity begins with an interview.

Bev Kratzer, director of the Career Center, is working to prepare students for their first step after college.

“I think that they lack confidence in their story,” said Kratzer, referring to how most students present themselves to future employers.

She indicated students need to come across as confident, an approach so students may see instead as arrogant.

The Career Center hosted an hour long presentation on Feb. 18 oriented at teaching students how to become better interviewees.

Kratzer listed tips and strat-

“

”

thinks are essential. than being unable to focus on interviews.

“Get your technology in “I was especially interested your future employer because order, test your internet connec- in the tech-related aspects of you are physically uncomfortthe interview,” Jett said. “I tion and look at your environable.

Imagine that learned that with phone interKratzercovering also included a liststory. ment,” Kratzer said. “Make of commonly overlooked issues sure you are [hardwired], don’t views it’s important to use a There are a lot of use a tablet,” she added. landline instead of a cell, and to address before an interview [how] it’s recommended you Sarah Mayer, graduate including having immaculate different resources Ethernet versus wireless.” student activities coordinator personal hygiene (to the point here on campus, Apply as a reporter forofThe Scribe and learn all sorts of interesting things.useJett hopes to apply this to getting a manicure), poland president of the Graduate students should find a his next job in the near future. ishing ones shoes and keepStudent Association, helped place to practice. SEANS Place or Scribe@uccs.edu coordinate the event.

“In the field that I am going ing cologne or perfume to a — Bev Kratzer in with technical writing, this “Every campus has a career minimum. virtual [information] is pretty “Allow yourself extra time, center but people rarely go in,” Mayer said. “Graduate students important to me.” Jett said. drive by your interview place “Outside of interviews, this [prior],” Kratzer also cautioned. are so busy, along with comstuff can apply to meetings as The lecture also included muter students, so we began recording these services and well which is pretty cool.” process. Jobs are always evolv- information for conducting a putting them on the internet.”

Kratzer also offers mock ing and with that, the manners professional phone interview.

“Our goal is to find resourc- interviews from her office in in which interviews are taken “There are some differMain Hall 201. Each appointes so the stressed out graduate as well. ences with phone interviews,” “When you’re in an interstressed Kratzer. “You can have student doesn’t have to,” Mayer ment is two hours long and students must schedule ahead view it is never about you ever, your notes with you. Have your said. covering that story. The presentation was reof time. it is always about the employ- Imagine notes organized so there is not “There are a lot of differers,” Kratzer said, explaining a lot of rustling paper.” ceived well by students. Many expressed eagerness to try the ent resources here on campus, “Record yourself to know what students should be focusskills discussed during the eve- students should find a place to ing on during their interview. what you sound like, and prening at their next interview.

Kratzer said.

Her presentation began with pare a [specific] place for your Apply as a reporter forinterview,” The Scribe and learn all sorts of interesting things.practice,” Nathan Jett, junior English To view upcoming events the basics, namely dressing for she added. aimed at helping students in the job you want.

“Disable all other phone fea- and profession technical writSEANS ing major, was one of those the job market visit uccs.edu/ tures Place such as or callScribe@uccs.edu waiting and “If you buy a new suit make students. He attended interested gsa or call the Career Center at sure you wear it before the email notifications.” in learning about phone and 255-3340.

Kratzer concluded her preinterview,” Kratzer said. She stated there is nothing worse sentation with tips for virtual virtual interview skills, tips he

“

“

Alexander J. Nedd

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Finals anxiety kills student

”

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson to speak at UCCS Imagine covering that story.

(And, yes, we met him personally)

Apply as a reporter for The Scribe and learn all sorts of interesting things.

SEANS Place or Scribe@uccs.edu

”

sCIeNCe & BUsINess

Feb. 24, 2014 | 4

For Ruminski, hands-on music to hands-on chemistry Audrey Jensen ajensen@uccs.edu

Not many chemistry students can correctly answer the extra credit question on Ronald Ruminski’s quizzes and exams.

What instrument did your professor used to play in a rock ‘n’ roll band?

While an undergraduate at the University of New Mexico, Ruminski played six-string and bass guitar in rock ‘n’ roll and blues bands. The group he was in, The Fat Chance Band, played concerts, fraternity parties, bars, dances and outdoor events.

His passion exceeded the music field and extended into the world of science.

Although initially interested in synthetic and inorganic chemistry, after receiving his doctorate in chemistry in 1980, Ruminski trained as a photochemist with cross-training in synthetic, inorganic and photo

chemistry. He completed his postdoctoral training in South Carolina.

Ruminski has been teaching chemistry at UCCS since 1984.

Many departments on campus have changed since then, he said, adding that UCCS is not as science-based as it used to be.

“The breath of the campus has really changed…intellectually and recreationally, the campus has more abroad-based programs,” he said.

Ruminski indicated as a professor, he contributes to what he considers to be a newer field in the science community.

He stated he is a part of “designing molecules that are applicable to photo-induced solar energy.” Ruminski explained these would contribute to building water tanks that absorb light and photo-panels on roofs that absorb solar energy.

“This area of study is ultimately designing molecules

that absorb light,” Ruminski said. “If they last a long life and stay sufficient [we’ll] have the ability to convert water into hydrogen.”

“I’m a very hands-on person. I like the laboratory work,” he said. “It’s a type of field that allows me to go into the lab, do the manipulations, obverse the results and change the [experimental] procedure.”

He offers both upper and lower division courses. These include General Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry and Photochemistry as well as Molecular Symmetry and Chemical Applications of Group Theory.

Ruminski believes chemistry and biochemistry are going to become popular career choices and continue to grow, especially in medical and biofrontier areas.

Ruminski keeps his science work contained to UCCS. Outside of work he enjoys hiking, going to Colorado State parks,

NICK BURNS | THE SCRIBE

Chemistry professor Ronald Ruminski also plays the guitar.

biking trails and swimming.

After living in the humidity of the east coast, Ruminski said he and his wife appreciate the atmosphere, figuratively and literally, of Colorado.

In addition to music, Ruminski and his wife of 34 years are both devoted fans of the Colorado Rockies. They usually attend around five games per season, baseball being

Ruminski’s favorite sport to watch.

Ruminski continues to play guitar at home, without a band, and enjoys music from artists like B.B. King, the Grateful Dead, Albert King and Cream and Santana. He also listens to a variety of genres such as classical, classic rock and Celtic.

Marie Curie Society aims to stop stereotypes of women in STEM April Wefler

awefler@uccs.edu

When learning about scientists in school, textbooks are dominated by men. Students will learn about Charles Darwin or Johannes Kepler long before they hear about Grace Hopper, inventor of a computer language. Or about Mary Anning, whose discoveries aided scientists in piecing together the Jurassic world.

Hannah Ryan, president of the Marie Curie Society of Women in Science, aims to fix this.

“My goal is to encourage young women who are interested in science that this isn’t a man’s world,” said Ryan, graduate student in the chemistry department. “It also doesn’t have to be dominated by the stereotype of nerdy, socially

awkward, one-dimensional individuals.”

The stigma of women in the science, technology, engineering and math community is a nationwide issue.

A 2011 study by the Economics and Statistics Administration found that while “women fill close to half of all jobs in the U.S. economy, they hold less than 25 percent of STEM jobs.”

The study also showed the STEM field has also seen no employment growth in female employees since 2000.

To many, Marie Curie, a 19th century, Polish-born scientist, represents the antithesis of a male dominated science field.

According to the Nobel Media, she “developed methods for the separation of radium from radioactive residue…to allow for its characterization and the

careful study of its properties.” “[She] was Sonja’s role model growing up and we really appreciate how she was such an influential scientist at a time when it was so dominated by men,” Ryan said. “She was just an exceptional scientist and thinker.”

“I think that women can be underrepresented in fields involving science and engineering,” said Liz Lata, senior biochemistry major.”

“I also think that this club is a good opportunity to encourage women and everyone else to pursue a career in science and engineering.”

Currently, Marie Curie Society of Women in Science has 20 members; both males and female. Ryan indicated anyone who wants to support women in science is welcome to join.

The club doesn’t have regu-

lar meetings and is primarily event and field trip-based.

They plan to have an event where female faculty in STEM will share their experiences with club members. The event’s date has yet to be determined, and will be posted on the club’s Mountain Lion Connect page.

“One thing we really want to do is a lot of outreach, especially to young girls interested in STEM,” Ryan said.

Members of the club help judge middle school science fairs and Ryan said that some of the cabinet members plan to talk with middle schools and high schools about being a female student in STEM. Lata said she will likely do a workshop on reading scientific articles effectively.

“The first time I had to read a couple articles for a class, I

felt overwhelmed and I think if I had known how to effectively dissect a scientific article, then I would’ve saved myself a lot of grief.”

“Those articles are dense and can be difficult to read and having a firm grasp on the literature makes much more of undergrad go by smoothly,” Lata added.

Ryan said she is most excited for faculty mentorship and outreach, as well as breaking stereotypes.

“I hope members gain a sense of camaraderie in having a group that is specifically focused on women in STEM,” Ryan said.

“They feel they can meet other women that they can relate to and that the club will help facilitate opportunities that will advance their careers and interests in science.”

CULtUre

Feb. 24, 2014 | 5

Why you should be addicted to ‘Scandal’ Alexander Nedd anedd@uccs.edu

Rating:

Love, betrayal, power and greed, together under one house located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue – The White House.

ABC’s latest hit TV series “Scandal” follows the hectic, politically charged life of Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington). Pope is a “fixer,” handling scandalous cases throughout the nation’s capital.

Her associates are known throughout the corridors of the Capitol as the Gladiators. Together, they help bring or avoid justice for their clients who pay top dollar for the best.

“It’s just a really great show,” says Elizabeth Gonzalez, criminal justice junior. “Each episode is just amazing to watch. I think it’s great that the show is based off a real life person as well.”

So why should you watch it?

Simple – because it’s a show that has the best of everything.

The heart of the show lies right in its name, the scandals.

What sets this series apart is its

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Kerry Washington stars in ABC’s powerhouse drama ‘Scandal.’

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captivating drama. A first lady with political schemes of her own. A chief of staff who tries to keep his political affairs away from his White House journalist husband. And a President who has his hands on both the government and his mistress.

And these are just the ongoing side plots.

The inventive and intervening storylines are enough to fuel conspiracy theories on our government for years to come.

Each episode is succulent, filled with lawyers, senators, cops and those in our highest office hell bent on keeping their lives out of the public eye or face repercussions.

Though it includes everything from election-rigging to moles in the CIA, “Scandal” never completely satisfies the appetite because it leaves people wanting more.

The actors showcase what we as a modern audience are addicted to. These characters are realistic and poised; the ability to relate to any of them is incredible easy. Each one has a story of their own.

Through all the plots and twist, what lies underneath each episode and keeps fans looking forward to next week’s drama is

show the relationship between Pope and President Fitz.

Their chemistry on screen sizzles between the two, both in the White House and out.

It’s not often we see an interracial relationship take main stage on TV, especially one morally flawed, but “Scandal” makes it work.

“Scandal” also offers fans a unique behind-the-scenes perspective as well. The cast live tweets during each episode and often uses funny hashtags to interact with their fans. Photos and videos are posted are also promptly posted.

Each one of us holds secrets we desperately try to keep below the surface, and will go through great lengths to protect if threatened. “Scandal” blurs the lines between morally right and wrong and easily highlights our fascination with big-time media scandals, political fairs, forbidden love and a great storyline.

The first two seasons of “Scandal” are available on Netflix. Season three of “Scandal” resumes Feb. 27 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

CULtUre

Feb. 24, 2014| 6

Fashion tips for your spring wardrobe Megan Moyles

mmoyles@uccs.edu

With spring quickly approaching, it’s time to begin de-winterizing our wardrobes and start spring-ifying Cutoffs.

Save money by chopping off the bottoms of your pants, making shorts.

This is punk rock and DIY. It also gives you a lot of freedom with your wardrobe. You can cut

them. Here are a few fashion tips to spruce up your spring wardrobe.

your pants into any length you want.

Too long? Cut some more off.

Too short? Well, I guess there’s nothing you can do but wear them under your clothes and become a Never-Nude (you’re welcome, “Arrested Development” fans).

JAMES SIBERT | THE SCRIBE

Using a blanket as a shawl can save a lot of time and fashion sense.

Blanket shawl.

Stay warm and sleep in longer with this latest spring trend, which is perfect for those brisk mornings.

All it requires you to do is to literally roll out of bed. It looks much better than wearing a poncho, which is, of course, just an old blanket with a hole in it.

Chalk, everywhere.

Nothing says springtime like pastels.

You may have seen a “suggested post” from Gap on Facebook that reads, “Our women’s chalky denim comes in five shades of soft sorbets, so you can find your perfect match.”

Well then I say why not make your own chalky denim? Buy a light pair of pants and cover them with chalk. It’ll be

JAMES SIBERT | THE SCRIBE

Cutoff shorts change long, claustrophobic jeans into skimpy pieces of denim for ease of breeze.

Top left, Scribe employee Nick Beadleston, top right, Ashley Enroth, bottom, Kristen Sciacca.

a fun arts and crafts project.

You can wash them and use a new color every time. Just be as courteous as possible when you inevitably leave chalk dust everywhere.

An alternative solution is to cover your pants in sorbet. This way, you’re achieving the “soft sorbet” look the Gap mentions.

Voluntary animal fur.

Roll around in a few litters of puppies (or maybe kittens) and get fur all over your clothes to rock a cruelty-free Cruella DeVille look. Wear the appropriate inverse colors of the critters so the hairs really pop.

Make sure you don’t get any of your own hair on your clothes.

CULtUre

Feb. 24, 2014| 7

GOCA exhibit offers students a new perspective on Cuba Megan Moyles mmoyles@uccs.edu

The Galleries of Contemporary Art’s new exhibit “Cuba & Other Considerations” allows students a new perspective on Cuba, a country often stereotyped with negative connotations.

The exhibit, held at 121 S. Tejon St., Suite 100, in the galleries’ downtown location, showcases photography from two Cuban-American artists and Colorado residents, Manuel Cárdenes and Estaban Blanco.

Their art allows the viewer to learn about “the richness and realness of the Cuban-American experience,” said Daisy McConnell, director of GOCA. Cárdenes’ work, titled “FACES,” is a series of black and white photographs of Cuban artists living and working in Miami.

In a statement accompanying his photographs, Cárdenes describes his subjects as those “whose work is helping to define Miami’s image as a center for contemporary art in the United States and the international scene.”

Cárdenes spent close to two years planning and arraigning

time with over 100 artists.

According Cárdenes’ biography, he believes the artist cannot be divorced from their work. His vision is “to see the art and the artist as one.”

This exhibit may seem familiar as it has been featured at the Kraemer Family Library.

Following the exhibit, they will be returned to UCCS for permanent display.

Blanco has two projects featured: “Violent Toys” and “The Invisible Cities.”

“Violent Toys” features sculptures of child-like toy versions of militaristic items, such as ships and other war machines.

“As children, we may imagine ourselves powerful, wealthy, or desirable beyond our reality within the comfort zone which our toys and imaginary world provide,” said Blanco in a written statement to accompany his exhibit.

“We continue the fantasy in the form of daydreams, or by object-worship.”

“Through this project, Blanco tackles…issues of militarization, war, and tensions between Cuba and the United States,” said McConnell.

“The Invisible Cities,” also

have long departed.”

“The more art you take in… the more you will understand your world and have to offer the world in your adult life,” McConnell said, regarding the importance of observing art.

“Experiencing art makes life worth living.”

“Cuba & Other Considerations” will be featured downtown until March 22.

The Lowdown

What: Cuba & Other Considerations JAMES SIBERT | THE SCRIBE

‘Paris,’ by Esteban Blanco, represents the symbol of the city.

a sculpture series, illustrates several capital cities using a definitive symbol of each city.

The city landscapes are carved on each symbol.

Paris, for instance, is carved onto a high-heeled shoe, since it is referred to as the fashion

capital of the world.

“I’m primarily interested in subjective perspective,” Blanco in his accompanying written statement.

McConnell stated the project “addresses the human tendency to idealize our home after we

Where: GOCA 121 121 S. Tejon St Suite 100 When: Wednesday-Saturday Noon to 5 p.m.

Cost: Free

eDItorIAL

Feb. 24, 2014 | 8

A more sustainable Scribe Scribe Staff

scribe@uccs.edu

Over the past several months The Scribe has made strides toward changing the way we impact the world around us. This has meant increasing the quality of content presented to the student body, while reducing the waste we return to the environment.

The process began with taking a look at the printer we were employing.

The determination was made to partner with a local, more ecologically in-sync operation.

The result?

A decreased impact on the environment while getting more copies of higher quality paper, using fewer dollars of UCCS students’ money.

Last year we spent $600 per week printing 550 copies in Denver. The company would then have to send a driver in a truck to deliver the newspapers to Colorado Springs.

This year we spent $331 per week printing 600 copies in Colorado Springs.

And the printer is about 6 minutes away.

In a cost savvy nut shell, production is up 10 percent, while cost is down 45 percent.

This reduced the amount of gas and time involved in getting the newspapers from production and into the hands of students.

The Scribe is now printed on paper

that is recyclable, reusable, renewable and biodegradable. That last point is particularly important.

The words our staff slaves over every week are 100 percent consumable (in every sense of the word). You heard right; the ink used by our printer is a soy-bean based ink.

And not just any soy-bean based ink would do. This ink exceeds the American Soybean Association requirements for soybean oil content.

Our paper comes from sustainable forests in North America. The process has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Counsel and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

The paper is also chlorine free, so while what we write may occasionally bring a tear to your eye, what we write it on will never be the cause.

The printer uses renewable printing plates. This means thermal process-free plates, which eliminate volatile organic compounds by up to 98 percent, while reducing water usage.

By committing to readers, committing to environmentally-friendly printing practices and committing to remaining a weekly publication, we have been able to secure more than $12,000 in revenues from print advertisements this year.

This allows us greater financial independence and reduces the potential amount of student fee money going toward the newspaper.

This helps us climb out of a hole and into the future.

More than 95 percent of those funds having come from off-campus advertisers, we’re bringing in outside funds to something that benefits students.

And that’s the point: students.

Working at a student newspaper is an experience for everyone, from reporters and photographers to layout staff and those handling the business side.

Coupled with the fact that we have more than 550 active readers each week, the social engagement of The Scribe is nothing to shy away from.

We enjoy the journalistic things we do, too.

Moving forward our publication will look for new and innovative ways to serve both the members of our campus and the environment on which the university resides. We like win-win, and we plan on continuing to pursue those kinds of solutions for the sustainable future.

When students go to vote next month in Student Government Association elections, one of the issues before them will be whether or not The Scribe should continue its print publication, in addition to evolving online presence, past August 2015.

We hope you’ll join us voting YES and supporting the financial, environmental and social sustainability of The Scribe for many years to come.

Jesse Byrnes Editor-in-Chief

Nick Beadleston

Managing/News Editor

Taylor Hargis Copy Editor

Eleanor Skelton

Science & Business Editor

April Wefler Culture Editor

Crystal Chilcott Opinion

Christopher Schmidt Video Editor

April Wefler

Life on the Bluffs/Social Media Editor

Jonathan Toman Sports Editor

Nick Burns Photo Editor

Samantha Morley Layout Editor

Edwin Satre

Website Manager

Reporters

Dezarae Yoder Alexander Nedd Attiana Collins Ryan Adams Megan Moyles Melanie Whitcomb Audrey Jensen

En

Samantha Morley

vi

al

Graphic Designer, Reporter

Fin a

nc i

e nt nm ro

Photographers James Sibert Joshua Camacho

Business Manager Hussain Albahrani

Ad Sales Representative

al

Michael Petrucelli

Advisor

Laura Eurich

Letters to the Editor: scribe@uccs.edu

Contact us:

On campus: UC 106 Phone: (719) 255-3658 www.uccsscribe.com

Follow us:

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THE SCRIBE

The new seal of Scribe Sustainability encompasses the three pillars of our continuing mission.

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opINIoN

Feb. 24, 2014 | 9

The DNC cup runneth over

Dezarae Yoder dyoder@uccs.edu

The more of a drunkard you are, the more of a Democrat you must be.

As shown in a recent study from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, states that vote blue consume more alcohol than red states.

The study finds democrats not only consume more, they consume a wider variety of alcohol than republicans.

“Holding everything else constant, our findings suggest that when a state becomes more liberal politically, its population consumes more beer and spirits per capita,” authors of the study write.

They arrived at this conclusion after review-

ing shipments of alcohol from 1952-2010.

It’s obvious to me now how the last two presidential elections were won. Drinks were handed out and the democrats came clawing to the voting polls like cats to catnip.

Like wine tastings to mid-life female divorcees, they just can’t help themselves when alcohol is thrown into the mix. It promises to wash away all of their problems in a tasteful setting.

The Democratic National Convention simply pinpointed their constituents’ poison and then craftily exploited it.

Also noted by the authors was a perceived ethical importance.

“People may behave irresponsibly when they do not fully bear the cost of their behavior,” the authors indicated.

Of course this is not to say Republicans don’t partake: they just don’t imbibe as much.

Apparently they also prefer a different type of hooch.

We know the two parties are deeply divided on issues of policy. It should come as no surprise then that the two are also divided as to what kind of alcohol should be had when kicking back.

Research firm National Media confirmed while Democrats prefer vodka, their Republican counterparts make bourbon the number one choice.

Such decisive division.

I’ll assume the political environment had a hand in this – the democrats were no doubt drowning themselves in straight Russian water, as Republicans mulled it all over with some fine Kentucky bourbon on rocks.

What is also unsurprising is that Republicans also prefer the harder stuff, according to the study. It seems they’re interested in forgetting about all the losses of the past several years.

In light of these brilliant findings I say we start hosting election parties immediately in preparation for the 2016

presidential election, since media is already discussing it.

Political current events are worthy of our attention and we should salute them well advance as the bickering will become more tolerable.

It’s in everyone’s best interest, whether it’s probable Republican nominee Chris Christy or Democrat Hilary Clinton, to play it safe and let the booze start flowing heavily now.

Just be aware of what kind you’re serving, and how many democrats you’re inviting as the provisions might fall short.

It’s also in the best interest of alcohol companies to crank up the ads during campaign season because in the end, America is a country of drinkers.

The 2010 Gallup Poll drinking rate set the U.S. at 67 percent, the highest recorded since 1985 when Ronald Reagan was president.

Drink up America.

We’ve got to support this economy somehow.

Needless education requirements hinder student success

April Wefler awefler@uccs.edu

For a communication major, attempting to understand biology can be as difficult as Hollywood screenwriters attempting to come up with a new idea, which then brings up the question: Why should a communication major have to take biology in the first place?

High school curricula include a range of general education requirements.

These courses supposedly help in future career choices. (Although it is unlikely that a journalist will be required to use geometry at any point in his or her career.)

When we’re in high school, we’re told the high school general education requirements are necessary for succeeding at standardized tests. This is supposedly the vehicle for getting into a good college.

But here’s the bottom line: once you’ve succeeded at the ACT and gotten into college, general education courses should stop.

By the time one gets to college, or is a few years in, they know what career they want. They will likely make classes related said career their first priority.

This means by making those classes a priority, the irrelevant general education requirements (for instance math and science for an art history major) take low priority.

These courses rob a student of much needed time, and can easily result in sub-par grades, prolonging graduation.

Why should an English major be forced to

suffer in chemistry? Why should a nursing major struggle in humanities?

College is supposed to be the place for us to hone our skills and prepare for our future careers. While we do get the chance to focus on our career goals, it’s buried under a mound of other, unnecessary classes.

According to the British Council Education UK website, students in the United Kingdom can earn their degrees after being enrolled full-time for only three years. The average college experience in the United States is four years.

Why are UK students’ college experiences shorter? Perhaps because the majority of UK colleges allow the students to build their own degree plan.

This means students will be less likely to choose a course they consider unimportant for their career progression.

It also means students are not required to take a

large amount of specific, required classes for their majors.

Meanwhile, here at UCCS, students are forced to take research methods and public speaking, as well as a host of other general education requirements, on top of specific major classes.

This only adds to the course load, the expense and the inevitable loan debt.

If we were required to take less general education requirements, or if high schools were required to teach those courses on a more collegiate level, than by the time students reached college, they could focus primarily on their majors.

General education requirements are praised for making students more well-rounded individuals, but do they? Or is it more likely students learn what they have to, pass their general education classes and then forget the material completely?

Karaoke Public singing trumps fear of public speaking

Megan Moyles mmoyles@uccs.edu

“According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death.

Death is number two.

Does that sound right?” the Jerry Seinfeld line goes.

“This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.”

Presenting in front of a large group is incredibly daunting. But everyone has to do it at some point.

Say you were in class and your instructor asked you to sing a song in front of everyone. Most would refuse. Others may do it; perhaps they would be amused, but feel pretty sheepish at the same time.

I had an art teacher in 8th grade who would allow students to sing a Britney Spears parody called “Oops I’m Tardy Again” instead of getting marked late. While it was a nice gesture, I think I opted for the tardy.

But what are we so afraid of? Being judged?

Messing up?

There seems to be an exception to this fear of public speaking – public singing. Namely, karaoke.

So why is karaoke so different from the above scenarios?

The obvious answer: alcohol.

But it’s not like everyone who does karaoke is completely smashed. And it’s not like alcohol is the solution to your inhibition issues. Something else is at play here.

Perhaps people do karaoke because they DO want attention. They get to fulfill their lifelong dreams of performing Whitney Houston covers in front of a live audience (or, if you’re like me,

non-karaoke-traditional punk rock covers).

The performance is legitimized by the stage, microphone and lights; having the lyrics and the music likely helps, too.

Still, why would anyone care about singing in front of strangers?

There seems to be a bit of camaraderie at karaoke places. This is often established by song choice.

Everyone in the crowd typically sings along to the songs, too. The best songs are those that hold nostalgic value. And it’s funny to hear other people’s terrible renditions of their favorite songs.

I also love seeing fantastic performances from people you wouldn’t expect to have tremendous talent.

Karaoke provides a reason to go out. Going out to sit at a crowded bar filled with annoying creeps just to sip on overpriced, weak cocktails sounds like a reason to stay at home and drink an entire bottle of Barefoot Moscato.

With karaoke, there’s more of an agenda for the evening.

If you’ve never done karaoke before, I highly recommend you give it a shot (and maybe take a shot before you go on).

Karaoke bars are less crowded on weeknights.

If you are intimidated, sing a duet with a friend.

“I did a Michael McDonald song with my sister a few weeks ago,” said Erin Seymour, senior art major. “It was really funny and the crowd seemed to respond really well.”

Karaoke is for everyone, not just for people with talent. It gives you an opportunity to experience nightlife in a less intimidating setting.

Clubs can, frankly, make you lose faith in humanity once some 40-year-old inevitably grinds all up on you.

But karaoke can be amusing to watch and gives you a chance to shine as well.

LIFe on the BLUFFs Campus Chatter Samantha Morley, smorley2@uccs.edu

What Sochi Winter Olympic sport did you follow and why?

Sudoku

Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.45)

6 5 6

6

5

4

2 - 7 p.m.

Trails Public Forum UC 302

Tuesday, Feb. 25 6 - 8 p.m.

Asset Allocation: Understanding the Basics of Investing Workshop Clyde’s

Wednesday, Feb. 26 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A Multicultural Affair Berger Hall

Thursday, Feb. 27 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.

“Eating Healthy? Signs of Disordered Eating Habits” UC 307

Friday, Feb. 28 Noon to 1:15 p.m.

THHC Brown Bag Presentation: 14 Months in Darfur Osborne Center, A-343

7 - 9 p.m.

Bingo Night Clyde’s

Saturday, March 1 6 - 9 p.m.

Poetry Slam Clyde’s

7 - 9 p.m.

Re-Run the Night Breckenridge 5101

6

9

1

8 3

7 8 4

5

5:30 - 7 p.m.

EPIIC Night Speaker Series, The Lion’s Den Pitch Night Upper Lodge

5

2

Snowboard half-pipe.

I think the tricks are some of the hardest and most intense.

1:40 - 2:40 p.m.

Study Smarter, Not Harder Workshop UC 307

Organizations UCCS should form

10

5

7

Austin Toney, freshman, business with finance emphasis

Monday, Feb. 24

2

1

3

8

This week at UCCS

9

Top Ten Jesse Byrnes, scribe@uccs.edu

I follow speed skating because I used to speed skate.

I watched bobsledding.

It was interesting because of the announcers. They sounded so excited.

Bring your completed sudoku to the Scribe office (UC 106) for a prize!

1

Brian McFadden, junior, English literature

James Stamps, sophomore, computer science

Feb. 24, 2014 | 10

5

7 1

4

8

Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/~jdhildeb/software/sudokugen/ on Tue Feb 18 22:47:28 2014 GMT. Enjoy!

e! t i s b e w ut our

o k c e h C

uccsscribe.com the Scribble

Disclaimer: The contents of the Scribble are intended as satire.

University Center to implement new flushing rules John Lu scribe@uccs.edu

UCCS facilities is implementing drastic measures to cut back on water usage around campus.

Beginning in April, the school will enforce the “if it’s yellow, let it mellow; if it’s brown, flush it down” practice in order to cut back on sewage costs.

“We have been reviewing the stats and found costs are straining the budget for waste products management,” said Missus Murphy, director of wastewater watching.

“If we enforce this practice, we can save thousands of gallons of water, and several times that in dollars.

“Think of the extra parking garages we could build.”

In order to make sure students are following the rules, sensors will be put in the toilet bowls. The sensors will have enough sensitivity to know what kind of waste product has been deposited. The toilet

handles will be controlled accordingly.

“This is absolutely disgusting,” said Suzy Spots, freshman sports management major. “I can’t believe they would think this was a good thing to do.”

“I think this is a great thing, actually,” said senior greenhouse guardian Peter Pots. “It could save all of us lots of money.”

“It’s either put this practice into effect, or charge the students more for waste. I’d rather not have to pay more.”

The school expects incoming freshmen will be more welcoming of the change, while the sophomores, juniors and seniors may be resistant.

“The key here is to understand that we’re trying to do what is best for the school and students,” said Murphy. “We will make this change happen.”

Sensors are expected to be installed at the end of March or the beginning of April.

Curling Club

9

Ice Sculpting Squad

8

Fair Trade Student Exchange

7

Tahitian Vanilla Student Union

6

Terry Tate Cheerleaders

5

Steel Crane Watchers Anonymous

4

Deficit Reduction Seduction Club

3

Regency Delinquency Club

2

Guerrilla Gorillas for Evolutionary Research

1

Some kind of government association that represents students

&

Sweet Salty Tweets “These damn right handed

desks are a joke for leſt handed people. Why isn’t my tuition going towards desks suited for my note taking. #UCCS” @kmgreffin

“But really UCCS has the

prettiest views walking to class #beautifulday #uccs” @Lizzzzzzard17

“Hate to complain, but

they’re got to gew new washers here.. I’m tired of having problems with trying to wash my clothes #ridiculous #uccs” @DresseMarrakchi

“#UCCS knows how to party (;”

@katlysauresrex

“Question...why does @UCCS

give us MLK day off but not Presidents’ Day...doesn’t bother me but still” @J_Westerb

sports

Feb. 24, 2014 | 11

Spring intramurals see more participation, events Ryan Adams radams3@uccs.edu

Blood will be drawn, sweat will pour out and there will be glory for the victorious few.

It’s intramural season at UCCS and students are coming out in full force for a chance at an elusive championship T-shirt.

This spring, the Rec Center has seen a rise in intramural participation.

Starting in early February, five on five basketball, indoor soccer and inner-tube water polo each saw a record number of teams.

“Intramurals lets me get away from school and clears my mind of everything except the sport I’m playing,” said Jeff Moore, a junior.

Mallory Price, coordinator of Intramurals and Club Sports, is happy with the turnout.

“We’ve had a fairly steady increase in participation over the past couple seasons in all of our sports,” said Price.

“There are 11 more indoor soccer teams this spring compared to last spring and in the fall we had nine more teams in volleyball than last fall. It’s great to see.”

When asked why the intramural programs have experienced a spike in their participation numbers, Price attributed it to students wanting to join more activities on campus.

“It’s a better college experience when you’re involved,” she said. “Most students who

JAMES SIBERT | THE SCRIBE

A student competes in the intramural slam dunk competition.

play in our intramural sports meet their friends by joining a team. Then they become friends with other teams.”

Price also explained the benefits for the Rec Center student employees, namely the referees.

“We have 18 officials that ref our games during the week and its great experience for them,” she said. “They get to deal with making tough decisions as well as how to handle numerous conflicts on a daily

basis.”

“I really like still being able to have a high level of competition but without the stress of practice and road games,” said Jake Strack-Loertscher, a junior. “That makes it more fun for sure.”

New events The Rec Center also has two new events this semester that will be held off campus.

The first event, team bowl-

ing, will take place March 7 at King Pin Lanes (3410 N. Academy Blvd.) from 2-5 p.m. Each team will be composed of four players and, for $6 a player, students can play three games.

The highest total team score wins and each student will receive a Chipotle burrito card and champion T-shirt.

The second event will be a team golf scramble. Each team will have two players and will play the best shot between the two players.

The tournament will take place May 5 at Pine Creek Golf Club (9850 Divot Trail) and tee times will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The $30 a person (normally $55) pays for 18 holes, a golf cart and a Chipotle burrito card.

“We wanted to work more with the community and so doing two events outside of UCCS accomplishes that,” said Daniel Bowan, manager of intramurals, outdoor recreation and club sports.

Price added these events will bring out more students because they are a little outside of the box.

“Different people like different sports,” she said.

“Most of our events spread via word of mouth or through friends and so hopefully having these events will attract more people.”

Though the first half of the spring intramural season is nearly over, students interested in playing intramural sports in the latter portion of the semes-

ter still have a chance to do so.

Ultimate Frisbee, flag football, softball and volleyball will be available to sign up for until March 13. The season for those sports will run from March 19 until April 9.

For more information on those sports, peruse the UCCS IM Leagues page or e-mail imsports@uccs.edu.

The Lowdown What: Team Golf Scramble Where: Pine Creek Golf Club 9850 Divot Trail When: May 5, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. tee times How much: Two-player teams $30/person

The Lowdown What: Team Bowling Where: King Pin Lanes 3410 N. Academy Blvd.

When: March 7, 2-5 p.m.

How much: $6/person, four-player teams up to three games

OPINION: Sex, drugs and sometimes gold in Sochi

Dezarae Yoder dyoder@uccs.edu

Each Olympics season I am pumped up for two things: USA domination and my yearly indulgence of McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets.

Go America.

Lately, however, I am learning more about the full Olympic experience than I’d like.

Shaun White takes the top of the negatives for me this year. The “Flying Tomato” not only cut those lovely, cascad-

ing locks, he now fronts guitar for the band “Bad Things.” Tell me where his motivation is at now. Is it in laying down the next most insane move snowboarding has ever seen? No, he leaves that to someone else, namely fellow American Sage Kotsenburg.

White would rather dress up and sing a little bit.

Not to mention snub Kotsenburg, who said in a recent interview with Rolling Stone, “No, me and Shaun, we don’t really talk that much.”

“We hang out if he’s riding slopestyle but he definitely distanced himself from a lot of snowboarders.”

In a 2013 interview with “Rolling Stone,” White said about his band, “I drop everything for these guys…practice, anything I need to do. Because it’s a very serious thing for us.”

I’m sorry, did you just say “the hell with gold, I need to jam?” The last thing the world needs is another folk-rock me-

diocre band.

Shaun, I thought you were above this.

Do what you will on the side, but remember what your No. 1 job is come Olympics season.

It would be fine if you could just get your priorities straight and bring home some more medals. But if you’re showing up to the Olympics more to have a good time than to bag gold, why should the country support you?

The more we see inside the actual culture of the Olympics the more I wish I hadn’t.

American Olympic athlete Jamie Anderson made a public statement on the dating app Tinder, referring to the 2014 Sochi Olympic Village as “next level.”

The apparent hook ups did our girl good, though, as she took the women’s gold in slopestyle, enabling an American sweep of the new event.

While fit young people hav-

ing sex are not a new phenomenon, the media is now able to acquire and share information from the Games in a way like never before.

About 100,000 condoms were shipped to Sochi medical centers this year for the event, according to Yahoo News. In addition, ESPN reports 100,000 condoms will be made available at every Olympics following the debacle in 2000 when the 70,000 condoms supplied during the games fell short of the needed number.

Following the 2012 London Games, stories of Olympics past from ESPN reporter Sam Alipour illuminated much.

One report detailed American javelin thrower Breaux Greer’s need to have sex with at least three women a day during the summer Olympics in 2000 in order to stay relaxed.

While more recently in 2010, ESPN reported six athletes had an orgy outside of the Village.

And of course in a lead up

interview to the 2012 games American swimmer and 11time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte looked on with excitement, not for the golden goods but the other goods.

“My last Olympics, I had a girlfriend, big mistake. Now I’m single, so London should be really good. I’m excited.”

It’s disappointing this winter that we won’t hit or come close to the 37 medal mark we did in Vancouver in 2010. This is especially demoralizing considering this year we have the largest group of athletes to ever represent the USA at the Winter Games.

Continue with the apparent hedonism, Olympians – I’m sure the ancients were having a hell of a time too. But bring home what you’re actually sent there to bag, would ya?

Sports

Feb. 24, 2014­| 12

RMAC adds two schools jtoman@uccs.edu

The face of Division II sports along the Front Range is changing.

The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, of which UCCS Athletics is a member, has been around for more than a century. Within the last two months the RMAC has accepted two new schools, bringing the total to 16.

In January and February, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and Westminster College in Utah became RMAC members. Mines will begin conference play in the 2014-15 season, while Westminster will begin conference matchups in 2015-16. Both schools are awaiting acceptance into the NCAA and the National Association of Intercollege Athletes.

“We added schools with strong academic and athletic records,” said Chris Graham.

“It creates a great outlook on the short- and long-term future of the RMAC.” “When I started at Mesa in

1988, our conference record in basketball was 9-3,” said Steve Kirkham, UCCS athletic director. “That means there were seven teams in the conference.”

Kirkham explained this expansion is part of a trend in NCAA Division II to expand the conferences. When new schools join Division II, rather than making new conferences to accommodate them, they are encouraged to join existing conferences to limit the number of automatic qualifiers in national tournaments.

These additions will help lead to future stability, access to greater resources as well as schedules that allows for more flexibility, according to Graham.

Graham speculated as to why teams are choosing to join the RMAC. “We’ve got history,” said Graham. “Tradition, history, and success mean a lot no matter your line of business.”

“We have a footprint which is unique, the mountains on our logo say it all,” he added. “We have strong media markets, especially the schools in Denver;

it’s value that you buy into.”

“

We have a footprint which is unique, the mountains on our logo say it all.

“

Jonathan Toman

— Chris Graham

Despite the recent addition of Mines and Westminster, Graham does not see additional expansion in the near future.

One way the conference could expand however, is through affiliate members.

They could potentially help boost the sports in the conference that are not as universal, such as lacrosse, swimming, tennis and golf.

With a now even-numbered 16 teams, the idea has been floated to perhaps split the conference into two divisions, creating eight teams in each division.

This type of division “can

assist with travel if we do the divisions correctly,” said Kirkham. “We’re going to do the ethical thing, what’s the most equitable thing for all the schools.”

To Kirkham, this would favor a north-south division as opposed to an east-west split. That way, the travel time is limited for all schools in the RMAC, not just those in Denver.

For UCCS, the possible split doesn’t have too big an effect on travel, since, as Kirkham indicated, “we’re in the middle of everything anyway.”

However, Kirkham indicated reduced travel costs may free up more Athletics funding for potential scholarships.

“We don’t want to create hardship,” Graham said, but he acknowledged “there are committees within the conference discussing that potential.”

“It was considered as we entered this process. I won’t say it’s inevitable, but it is possible within the next two years.”

New head of RMAC The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is under new leadership.

“I came in at a very exciting time, with the help of a lot of administrative people already in place,” said Chris Graham, who became RMAC commissioner December 2013. “We’ve made significant progress in a handful of key areas.”

Part of what attracted Graham to his current position was Colorado Springs, which is where the RMAC offices are located.

“Colorado Springs is the center of the RMAC, both geographically and when looking at the general perspective of operations,” said Graham.

Graham indicated his hope the RMAC can have a role in the growth through City for Champions as well.