Oct. 24, 2011

the

Monday, October 24, 2011 Vol. 36, Iss. 9

Chancellor encourages student participation Catherine Jensen cjensen2@uccs.edu The tables lining the walls of Berger Hall at the Chancellor’s strategic plan discussion each held three drop boxes. Faculty, staff and students were invited to pen their thoughts on everything from sustainability to academics to university visions and values.

On Thursday, Oct. 20, students, faculty and staff were invited to drop their ideas and suggestions into boxes which asked participants to answer these questions: “What should we keep doing?,” “What should we stop doing?” and “What should we create?”

In a presentation leading up to the activity, Chancellor Pam ShockleyZalabak addressed two major efforts over the last six years which guided the presentation: the sevenyear growth plan which began in ‘05 and the last strategic plan which began shortly after in ‘07.

Both are scheduled to expire this year.

The talk looked at these measures in relation to the plans: degree progress, enrollment growth, faculty and staff growth, general funds and budgets and buildings and grounds.

UCCS has added six new degree programs, including a B.A. in women’s and ethnic studies.

According to the presentation, enrollment is ahead of what was projected by both plans and the total headcount has gone up by 22.7 percent since 2005.

UCCS is the only Colorado institution except private and for-profit groups to re-fill all faculty positions as well as add 78.75 faculty, Shockley-Zalabak said, also commenting that she was unsure of who the 0.75 is.

Revenue was just

Inside this

Issue

off this year. The seven-year plan projected $89,237,603; actual revenue was $89,376,084, a difference of just 0.16 percent. “I promise no one that we can get that close again,” said ShockleyZalabak.

The University was off on general funding from the state by 11.9 percent for the seven-year plan and 34.5 percent in the strategic plan. The Chancellor said not to worry, however: Lower state support was overcome by the exceeded growth in the general fund project as well as an increase in enrollment.

State revenue continues to be a problem, but the Chancellor added that revenue is still under the University’s control through other outlets like tuition, auxiliary earnings, philanthropy and research awards.

For the buildings and grounds section of her presentation, slides were shown of the Osborne Center, Dwire Hall, the Recreation Center and Gallogly Events Center, all of which have been LEED certified over the last six years, as well as a slide of the Centennial Hall remodel which is pending LEED certification.

The talk concluded by asking everyone to engage and give their opinions.

Students, faculty and staff gathered at the 13 different tables to fill out cards to place in the boxes.

Reference Desk Librarian Norah Mazel, said of the setup, “It’s a really good way to get feedback. It’s more interactive than surveys and I think they did a good job on the setup so people feel like they are being heard.”

The results of the forum will be presented again in February and a suggestions plan on being used in the new strategic plan to be finalized in April. S

news Theft on the rise page 4

FREE

cribe

Your school.

Your voice.

University of Colorado Colorado Springs Weekly Campus Newspaper

Photo by Shandi Gross

An actor at Viral Shock haunted house. See page 10 for more haunted houses in Colorado Springs.

SGA supports Proposition 103 Maggie Olague molague@uccs.edu

The annual increases in tuition at UCCS may begin to decrease or even stop completely with the help of Proposition 103.

Proposition 103 would temporarily increase the state income and sales tax in Colorado for the next five years to benefit public education.

The increased revenue would be specifically earmarked for K-12 and higher education and Student Government Association (SGA) members are voicing concern.

Vice President, Hector Flores said, “It will freeze cuts on education.”

If the proposition passed, the state income tax would increase from 4.63 to 5 percent and state sales tax would increase from 2.9 to 3 percent on Jan. 1, 2012, according to the 2011 State Ballot Information Booklet available on Colorado.gov.

Taxes on households,

businesses, telephone ser- said, “UCCS is stable.” vice and food and drinks This temporary soluat restaurants and bars tion to funding education would increase. However, might slow down Colotax on food bought at the rado’s economy. Coloragrocery store, prescription dans are still struggling fidrugs and electricity and nancially and higher taxes heat for households would may result in less spendnot increase with Proposi- ing. tion 103, the booklet said.

Proposition 103 doesn’t From 2012 to 2016, mention how the $2.9 bilthe tax inl i o n crease is will be Any money expected split beto bring tween we get is in $2.9 p r e beneficial. billion for school education. through The 2011-2012 school high school and higher edyear budget in Colorado ucation or how the money for preschool through will be used to improve high school is $3.7 billion education. and the higher education SGA President Jarod budget is set at $624 mil- Gray said, “We need to relion. alize every kid has to go The money from the through K-12. Any money tax increase will be added we get is beneficial.” onto the budget for future Flores said, “People school years. are against it, but it is benThe state of Colorado efiting your kids and their has cut $120 million in education.” education. UCCS had to Higher education is cut $4 million this semes- often the first to be cut in ter. Despite all the educa- an economic crisis. Since tion cuts, SGA Director 2006, tuition for higher of Finance Evan Shelton education has increased by

culture Rocky Horror page 10

“

“

Plastic camera art Page 6

opinion Hunger strike duel page 12

an average of 43 percent.

Voting “yes” on Proposition 103 will help to stop the increase in tuition and provide additional funding, according to proponents.

Gray said, “It’s just a band-aid to the major issue.” Proposition 103 will give policymakers time to come up with a long-term solution for education.

SGA supports Proposition 103 and is setting up a rally in the Lower (Mountain Lion) Plaza on Oct. 25 and 26 to gain student support. Over the next few weeks, SGA will be tabling and handing out information about Proposition 103 to students.

The statewide election is Nov. 1. It is a mail-in ballot election, and these ballots were sent to active voters earlier this month.

If you have not received your mail-in ballot yet and you are a registered voter, a replacement ballot can be requested from the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder’s Office.

Call 575-VOTE (8683) for more information. S

sports Ice Golf page 15

News

Page 2

October 24, 2011

Students voice concerns at Chancellor’s forum Aaron Collett acollett@uccs.edu

Chancellor PamShockley-Zalabak prides herself on being hands-on. Heck, she even still teaches in the communication department. And she likes to take the time to get student input.

She held a Q-andA session on Thursday, Oct. 20 to give students a chance to ask questions about their campus. She covered any topic brought up by students – questions ranging from parking to fu-

ture growth to football were all brought up and addressed.

The forum started with a short “State of the Campus” address, simply letting the students know where the Chancellor’s focus is.

Shockley-Zalabak started with the enrollment numbers, which are up this year.

She also confirmed that there is definitely going to be a budget cut in state funding to the general fund. She added, however, that the University was going to do all it could do to fill that hole with alternate

sources of income.

The goal, the Chancellor said, was to make it so that students did not feel the effects of a budget cut.

The Chancellor talked about the new constructions projects.

She did confirm that the college would be breaking ground on two new residence halls in the spring.

As a capstone, the Chancellor kept her personal remarks brief, and gave most of the time over to questions. There ended up being a total of 17 questions from the roughly 30 people in the

theater, most of which revolved around future growth and on-campus residency.

Denise Perez asked Shockley-Zalaback what her vision was for the next 20 years. ShockleyZalaback said that the goal for the campus is to have at least 15,000 students. She said, “15,000 students doesn’t cost as much as 10,000 students.”

She added that the growth would actually save money per student, as many of the on-campus services cost the same whether there are 10,000 students, as

there are now, or the 15,000 that the campus is working toward.

The Chancellor also mentioned the water budget in the residence halls.

“We use way too much on water in the housing village,” she said. “Fortyfive-minute showers are not needed to be clean.”

The Chancellor gets water bills broken down by each building. “You can pretty much guess that it’s not coming from anything except showers.

For example, Boulder campus has put in their new housing budgets a five-minute hot water turnoff. We are not get-

ting ready to do that right away.”

When asked for comment on this policy, several employees at the Farrand and Willard dormitory complexes in Boulder hadn’t heard anything regarding this possible change.

Ashley Lawrence, a senior in psychology, asked if the growth that was being forecast and planned for included the possibility of a football team. The Chancellor cited the cost of a football team as the primary reason that UCCS will probably not have one for a while. S

In Memoriam: UCCS mourns passing of students Matt Sidor msidor@uccs.edu

UCCS mourns the loss of two students this week.

Hope Pugh, age 19, was killed in a car crash near Fort Carson on Saturday, Oct. 15. Pugh was a sophomore psychology major

originally from Wylie, Texas.

Hope was remembered by friends and family for her energy, love of life and passion for animals, “Even if it was a roly poly or an ant she would not let you squish it. Hope was my first true best friend and I will never forget her,” wrote a lifelong

friend on the memory page of her tribute site.

Family, friends from home and members of the UCCS community contributed to Hope’s memory on her Facebook page, as well as the tribute site where Professor in Engineering, Tina Moore wrote, “Hope was a wonderful person and a great asset

the

to my class last year.

She was smart, witty and full of spark. My deepest condolences to her family. She will be missed.”

Contributions can be made to Hope’s memory at tributes.com under Hope Pugh. Memorial services for Pugh were held on Wednesday, Oct. 19.

Willard “Will” Mason, age 59, died over the weekend of Oct. 15 in Florissant. The details of his death were not known at the time of publication.

Will was an alumnus of UCCS, having earned his bachelor’s degree in geography and environmental studies in 2007.

He was also enrolled as

an unclassified graduate student in 2009 and was admitted to the biology undergraduate program for Fall 2011.

A public memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 5375 Centennial Boulevard, Colorado Springs. S

cribe

UC 106 | (719) 255-3658 | www.uccsscribe.com | scribe.eic@gmail.com

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Copy Editor News Editor Culture Editor Opinion/Life on the Bluffs Editor Sports Editor Business Manager Art Editor Graphic Designer Web Designer Ad Sales Representatives Illustrators Photographers

Reporters

Columnist/Reporter Junior Reporters

Distributor Advisor

Cherise Fantus Cat Jensen Julianne Sedillo Matt Sidor Sara Horton Nate Siebert Tyler Bodlak Matt Baatz Emily Olson Nathan Jones Dorian Rogers Nikolas Roumell Jamie Burnett Pearrot Arno Robert Solis Alex Gradisher Ariel Lattimore Shandi Gross Tasha Romero Ryan Adams Molly Mrazek Mark Petty Aaron Collett Jay Kim April Wefler Tori Kay Laura Eurich

Letters to the Editor

The Scribe strongly encourages letters to the editor. Letters intended for publication must not exceed 350 words, must be legible and include the writer’s name and contact information. Letters must be submitted to The Scribe via email at scribe.eic@gmail.com by 5 p.m. on Wednesdays before publication.

The Scribe reserves the right to reject letters to the editor that are libelous, obscene or anonymous and has the right to edit as necessary due to space limitations, spelling or other grammatical errors and AP style guidelines.

Distribution Policy

The following conducts are prohibited by The Scribe: Publication and news rack theft. A person commits the offense(s) of publication and/or news rack theft when he or she willfully or knowingly obtains or exerts unauthorized control over more than one copy of any edition of a publication distributed on or off campus (a “publication” is any periodical that is distributed on a complimentary basis). Any person who commits these offences is responsible for compensating The Scribe for any reasonable costs incurred, including, where appropriate, the refunding of advertising fees.

Archives

Additional copies of the current publication volume are available in The Scribe’s office. The Scribe keeps issues from the past five volumes for internal use only. The Office of University Archives will handle any request for additional issues from the past five years and before.

Advertising

If you, your club, organization or business wishes to advertise with The Scribe, please call (719) 255-3469 or email scribeadvertising@gmail.com.

News

October 24, 2011

Page 3

UCCS teams with CU Boulder to lead electric vehicle development studies Jay Kim jkim@uccs.edu

With perpetually rising gas prices, alternative forms of transportation have been gaining in popularity. Even Public Safety has taken up the call with its fleet of hybrid police vehicles.

The U.S. Department of Energy has granted UCCS a five-year, $954,000 grant for courses designed to prepare engineers for careers in developing new electric vehicles.

Greg Plett, an associate professor of the College of Engineering and Applied Science, said “This program offers them [engineers] the opportunity to retrain without relocating.” Due to the rising costs of oil, many engineers have been displaced.

Other engineers have a rising interest in vehicles of the future, he said.

Plett has spent his career working with battery

controls, and he has previously worked with General Motors engineers to develop a new method for battery control in ranged electric vehicles, like the Chevy Volt. He is the principal investigator on this project.

The GATE Center of Excellence in Innovative Drivetrains in Electric Automotive Technology Education will offer students four courses: battery dynamics, battery control, power electronics and a course in adjusting alternating current drives.

These courses will contribute toward a graduate certificate in electric drivetrain technology.

Classes will be offered in a variety of ways. To allow the most exposure, the class will be held online in addition to a traditional lecture, and might include CISCO Telepresence technology, a resource that would allow the creation of international conferences.

The biggest issue on current electric cars is that they don’t have a lot of power. They need to be charged on a regular basis and are almost impossible to take on the highway.

According to an article in the Communique, “Battery life and power outputs have been considered hindrances to the development of electric vehicles.”

Plett hopes that these classes will lead way to new battery technology.

He predicts that there will be 30 to 40 students per year, and since the courses are shorter, this certificate costs less than other graduate certificates.

In addition to General Motors, Plett will be working with professor Scott Trimboli of the UCCS College of Engineering and professors Regan Zane and Dragan Maksimovic of the CU Boulder Department of Electrical, Computer and

Photo by Tasha Romero

Dr. Gregory L. Plett will be teaching courses that prepare students to develop new electric vehicles.

Energy Engineering.

The test laboratory is located in the Engineer-

ing building on campus.

It spans 540 square feet, with additional support

from the College of Engineering and Applied Science. S

Socialist Equality Party to hold public meeting Sara Horton shorton@uccs.edu

The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and the International Students for Social Equality, its student branch, have organized at least nine meetings at universities and offices across the country in the past month.

As part of this series, both organizations will host an hour-long meeting on Nov. 2 at University Center room 124. The meeting will start at 7 p.m.

The SEP is an American sector of revolutionary Leon Trotsky’s world socialist movement.

Through the World Socialist Website at wsws.org, the SEP has encouraged readers to organize meetings in their communities. Online activism has resulted in the upcoming meeting, which may be the first of a series in Colorado Springs.

“We hope that the upcoming meeting will be the first of many our movement will hold in Colorado Springs,” said Tom Carter, who has been a SEP member since 2003 and will speak at the meeting.

He is also a writer at the World Socialist Web Site and recently wrote about Anwar al-Awlaki, a U.S. citizen assassinated in Yemen, and is-

sues surrounding its legality.

Carter furthered, “It will bring together for a serious discussion all those interested in building a movement of the working class that will fight for social equality independent of the two parties of big business.”

The meeting will cover hot topics such as the Occupy Wall Street movements and the state of the economy.

“

Young people graduate with massive debts, to discover that they have no hope of earning what their parents earned.

gists of capitalism have proclaimed that American-style ‘free enterprise’ is the most perfect form of economic organization,” states the World Socialist Website in its program.

It continues, “The president of the United States publicly acknowledged that the survival of the capitalist system was at risk. The emergency bailout protected the wealth of rich investors but failed to contain the crisis.”

The SEP also notes how the crisis has affected people.

“Jobs are disappearing, wages are declining and basic necessities like housing and education are becoming prohibitively expensive,” said Carter.

“Young people graduate, often with massive debts, to discover that they have no hope of earning what their parents earned. These protests are not going away.”

Carter called the protests the beginning of “massive social upheavals” that will raise questions about “program, perspective and leadership,” which the meeting will also address.

He encourages students to read the World Socialist Web Site and “participate actively in the efforts to build this meeting” in addition to joining ISSE. S

“

Carter noted that these subjects could easily be the focus of semester-long classes, so the meeting will only be long enough to allow a short survey.

However, he said that he hopes to launch a discussion that will last long after the meeting has concluded.

“I plan to place particular emphasis on the origins and consequences of exploding social inequality,” Carter added.

According to the SEP, the current economic crisis is an example of such inequality.

“For decades, the apolo-

No Minimum Ba L ance Student I D Over 100 L O cal ATMs No Mo N thly Fees Free Savings Acc O unt Free eStateme N ts Student M E al Card Free Visa® C heck Card Free Email A lerts Cash R ewards Earn D ividends

If only everything about college were this easy.

The Ent Lion OneCard. It’s everything you need to control your money. Without costing you any money. And it’s only available from Ent. Get yours today at the Ent UCCS Service Center.

For more information, visit Ent.com/UCCS, or call us at (719) 574-1100 or 800-525-9623.

Ent is a community-chartered credit union • Equal Opportunity Lender • Federally insured by NCUA © Ent Federal Credit Union, 2010 • Ent is a registered trademark of Ent Federal Credit Union.

News

Page 4

October 24, 2011

MOSAIC director Anthony Cordova honored by NAACP April Wefler awefler@uccs.edu

Anthony Cordova is the man you’ve probably seen in the UC with a huge smile on his face.

He’s probably said hi to you or welcomed you without question into the MOSAIC office.

He strives for inclusiveness and never turns anyone away.

He is the director of MOSAIC, and he was given the 2011 Freedom Fund Education Award by the Colorado Springs NAACP Branch.

The award was given at a gala at Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Members of the NAACP attended, as well as Wade Henderson, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and the Leadership Conference Education Fund.

According to the Colorado Springs Independent, Henderson is one of the leading voices for civil rights in the nation.

After a speech by Henderson, awards were given to various members of the community, including Cordova’s award.

As stated by Tom Hutton, director of Media Relations and Internal Communication, the Freedom Fund Education Award is an award given to a professor, administrator or university professional who has made significant contributions in promoting

excellence, diversity and inclusion in higher education in the Pikes Peak region.

Cordova was honored to receive the award.

“I’ve always enjoyed working with the NAACP,” he said.

Theo Gregory, senior vicepresident of El Pomar Foundation, who has worked with Cordova, said, “I started at UCCS in 1993. He was there and very professional. A lot of passion for the University. I was the director of Athletics and he worked with the team that provided me with all the things we needed.”

Gregory noted that Cordova has an interesting life story.

“He went to school, graduated later in life. His accomplishments are all very appreciative.”

Gregory added that since Cordova completed school here, UCCS has contributed greatly to his education.

“Students get degrees, better quality of life, opportunity to be competitive in workforce and improve quality of life,” said Gregory.

Cordova has tried to stay connected with the community and tried to reach out to each minority on-campus.

“I target the minority, but I work with other students. Jewish groups, Muslim groups, disabled students, international students. Any population.”

MOSAIC stands for the Multicultural Office for Student Ac-

Photo by Ariel Lattimore

Anthony Cordova stands with Wade Henderson, President of the National Branch of the NAACP, after receiving his award of excellence. cess, Inclusiveness and Community, and Cordova believes that each word in MOSAIC is important.

Cordova said, “Access: I help

students get admitted to campus that might not otherwise. Inclusiveness: I try to help people feel connected. Community: I help the student find a place

they belong on campus.”

As the Colorado Springs NAACP Branch stated, Cordova is helping to provide equal education for all. S

Drug and theft violations on the rise Ryan Adams radams3@uccs.edu

Zumba® & Hot Hula Fitness® Classes Free First Class! Multiple Locations ($4-6/class) www.DanceZus.us 719.510.3443

Released around the beginning of October each year, the Annual Campus Safety Report is one of the most important documents for the Office of Public Safety.

The report aggregates statistics of all thefts, sex offenses, aggravated assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, liquor arrests and drug violations over the past three years.

Chief of Police and Executive Director of Public Safety Jim Spice said he believes that the report really helps the service out more and more every year.

“The Annual Campus Safety Report helps us identify and take the necessary steps to reduce the crime and problems that have come up on campus,” he said. “It allows us to focus our attention on the safety problems that are growing and take care of them as soon as we can.”

Besides reporting the prior year’s crime statistics, the report also gives information on many other facets of public safety.

For example, it states how to report crimes and emergencies,

the types of crime prevention programs on campus, campus closure policy and fire safety.

The statistics over the past couple of years have been somewhat encouraging, but a rise in campus theft and drug violations has left Spice a little more concerned than in past years.

In 2010, there were a reported 72 thefts on campus, 22 of which happened in on-campus housing.

Both those numbers are dramatically up from 2009 when there were 51 thefts on campus and eight in on-campus housing.

Spice said that these types of thefts can be a result of just one person doing a whole lot of stealing. “If we can catch the one person who is stealing and committing these thefts across campus, usually that drops the number quite dramatically,” he stated.

In addition to theft, drug violations were also on the rise in 2010, according to the report.

There were 50 reported drug violations on campus, 48 of which were in on-campus housing. Spice said that marijuana is the drug most reported and it’s rare that they hear of any other drugs being used.

“Due to the recent legalization

of medicinal marijuana, the drug is now more available to students than alcohol or other drugs are, and that is why the number of violations is higher,” said Spice.

On a more positive note, the number of liquor arrests has decreased and leveled out dramatically in the past years.

In 2007, there were 79 liquor arrests, 67 of which were in the dorms; in 2010, those numbers were cut almost in half with 32 liquor arrests, 30 being in the dorms.

Spice stated that although Public Safety feels they have good control of crime and safety on campus, they cannot do it all.

“We only have so many officers on campus each day, so we need students, faculty and staff to be our eyes and ears,” stated Spice.

“If you see or hear anything suspicious, call Public Safety so we can take care of it as soon as possible,” he furthered.

The procedures and policies of public safety are also found in the Annual Campus Report which is available through the Public Safety website.

Public Safety is located on the first level on the parking garage and can be reached at 255-3111. S

Culture

October 24, 2011

Colorado Springs’

Best Kept Secrets Aaron Collett acollett@uccs.edu Halloween. As a holiday, it’s got a history. To many people, it’s a fun kid’s holiday. To most kids, it’s the most candy they’ll see in one place for the entire year. Christians call it satanic or pagan.

Pagans often call it All Hallows Eve, or Samhain, or something similar.

Whatever Halloween means to you, Zeezo’s has been providing costumes for this holiday for over 40 years. As Emily Murdock from sales staff said, “We absolutely rock!”

Zeezo’s is a costume shop. While that conjures up images of the fly-bynight seasonal stores, Zeezo’s is open year round.

It has one of the largest

selections of costumes that you will find statewide. Store employee Chris Robertson said, “We’re the largest independent costume shop in the state.”

Zeezo’s not only provides costumes for Halloween, it also provides stage makeup and costumes for local theater companies. In fact, if you’ve seen any of UCCS’ Theatreworks productions, you’ve seen Zeezo’s work.

According to Manager Jessica Modeer, “Any play that you see in town definitely has something from us.”

Some people might question that a costume shop could be successful at any other time of year than October. Zeezo’s, however, has persevered

Page 5

Zeezo’s Costume Shop through many years.

Modeer said, “Any little holiday does really well for us. We do quite a bit with Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day, Fourth of July. Christmas is huge.”

The shop originally opened in 1974 as part of a franchise. According to Modeer, there were originally 16 locations, but due to mismanagement and changing market trends, the location in Colorado Springs is the only one left.

Modeer said, “They

were mostly magic shops, and the downtown location has always supplemented that with costuming and costuming has become our main business.”

When asked why people should shop at Zeezo’s rather than go to one of the seasonal shops or WalMart, Modeer said, “Our selection is definitely more thorough, and with a like quality product, our prices are generally less.

And our sales staff is incredibly knowledgeable and most of them are per-

forming artists.”

Zeezo’s is working on cleaning out its old stock of costumes and putting them up for sale at a discount. It has rented the space next door to its primary location and has pulled out a lot of out-ofdate costumes.

Modeer describes it as “20 years of one-of-akind, discontinued, rental, not as popular stuff… It’s all marked at least 50 percent off.” This clearance sale will go through Nov. 10. S

Zeezo’s large selection of Halloween costumes

Club

The Lowdown What: Zeezo’s When: Mon-Sat 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Sun. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Where: 104 N. Tejon St. How much: Varies More Info: zeezos.com 633-2571

Photo by Robert Solis

Spotlight

Life Club promotes awareness of human rights Sara Horton shorton@uccs.edu

On Sept. 29 at Berger Hall, the Life Club screened “Nefarious: Merchant of Souls,” a documentary on human trafficking that left its audience in tears.

Although Life Club President Kyle Popish didn’t intend to make anyone cry, he was pleased with the emotional reaction and that members of the community were exposed to some of the many human rights violations present in the mod-

ern world.

Popish, a senior English major, and former student Julie Baron founded the Life Club last fall. Popish said the club aims to “promote awareness and activism for human rights,” and it is mainly focused on highlighting marginalized groups of people.

Among those marginalized, said Popish, are minorities, gays, lesbians, transgender peoples and the women and children victimized by human trafficking.

“Women are still a group that is abused and

marginalized,” Popish explained. “They’re treated to be used, not valued.”

Human trafficking has been a major focus of the Life Club since its founding. In the club’s early stages last year, members visited the Human Trafficking Awareness Symposium.

The Human Trafficking Task Force of Southern Colorado hosts the event and held its fourth annual symposium on Oct. 21 and 22.

Popish said that much of his time has been invested in organizing the “Nefarious” screening,

so no more major club events are planned at the moment, but he is currently seeking more members to help organize additional events for the spring semester.

In the meantime, Popish is seeking to establish a partnership with the International Justice Mission, an organization that prosecutes human right violators.

The International Justice Mission is based in Washington, D.C. and has multiple ongoing operations in locations such as Cambodia, Thailand, Rwanda, India and the

Philippines.

Depending on the level of interest expressed by the International Justice Mission, Popish hopes the partnership with the organization will grant him the opportunity to participate in activist work like fundraising and promoting awareness.

The Life Club currently does not have a regular meeting time or place because it is still recruiting new members.

Depending on members’ schedules, Popish is willing to move meeting times around for their convenience.

Students

interested in joining can contact him at kpopish@ uccs.edu.

Popish wants students to know that the club’s area of emphasis remains a critical issue on a local, national and international scale and deserves to be addressed.

He encourages students to join the cause.

“This is such an important thing,” Popish said in reference to human rights and the club’s mission.

“People are being mistreated in this country.

It’s important for us as students to do something and not be silent.” S

Culture

Page 6

October 24, 2011

Students to exhibit photography at ‘Low Tech: High Art’ Jay Kim jkim@uccs.edu

brings to the photo, which is difficult to get any other way.”

A Holga has a different Imagine going to your style than a professional local McDonald’s and us- camera because it has a ing the happy meal toy to plastic lens, and the backcompete professionally. ing for it isn’t made corThat is essentially what is rectly.

This gives the higher happening with the Holga, a toy camera given away exposure, which gives pictures a natural blur and for free in China.

The Holga cameras vignette.

“It’s a different mindwere invented as a means of cheap photography set,” said Smith.

For these artists, “Low for China’s middle class.

When it was imported to Tech: High Art” is one of other countries, it found the first times they can popularity as an art cam- share their work.

“Simply being able to era, following the likes of Diana and other toy cam- put work out is exciting,” said senior Perri Rotheras.

Now students of VA weiler.

“Most of us are ex3170, Plastic Camera cited,” Photograadded phy, are Something about Smith. utilizing the Holga the crappiness is Along for an upendearing. with coming t h e photography exhibit in Manitou students, nationally reccalled “Low Tech: High ognized artists will also have art on display. The Art.” “Toy camera has their author of the book the own...vernacular, for lack class uses, Michelle Bates, of a better term, because will be there, along with of the way it’s made,” said artists such as Jennifer Aaron Smith, a senior in Shaw, Mary Ann Lynch, Anne Arden McDonald the class.

Holga cameras give a and Mark Sink, who has picture a natural vignett- photographed the likes ing and blur, which gives of Grace Jones and Andy each picture a different Warhol.

“It’s exciting to get an look than what one would expect from a professional outsider’s opinion, not just professors and peers,” camera.

“Every Holga is differ- Rothweiler said about the ent…It’s a different way event, adding, “That’s to view the world,” said what the outside world is Rebecca Howard, a trans- like.”

Carol Dass, organizer fer student. “Something about the crappiness is en- of the event and professor of VA 3170, said that the dearing.”

Angela Jacobsen, a se- students are an important nior, said that the best part part of “Low Tech: High of the Holga is that “due Art” and stated that “beto cheap quality, the vi- ing part of the show is begnetting is seductive that ing part of the class.” S

“

“

The Lowdown What: Low Tech: High Art When: Oct. 28 to Dec. 31 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: Business Center of Art 513 Manitou Ave. How much: Free

Photos by Shandi Gross Top: One of the Holga cameras used by the Plastic Camera Photography class.

Bottom left: A toy camera was used to take this picture of the Business Center of art in Manitou, where the Plastic Camera photography exhibit will take place.

Bottom right: Venue 515 is a part of the Business Center of Art.

Icon Studios encourages community involvement Mark Petty mpetty2@uccs.edu

Student Isaiah BranchBoyle took a small, cluttered classroom and turned it into a photo studio at his old high school.

Now he wants to build a bigger and better community of photographers by networking on campus with a new club.

As chairman and innovator of this new club, Icon Studios, freshman

communication major Branch-Boyle is looking to bring more options to students with an interest in photography.

“Each meeting will be an informal way to create community through the catharsis of creativity,” said Branch-Boyle.

Branch-Boyle went in front of the student government council and gave the proposal for a club that would promote the school and community involvement. The council

approved the initial startup funding of $2,200.

The money has allowed Icon Studios to purchase all of the equipment necessary for a mobile photo studio. The equipment is easy to carry and can be readily used wherever there is an outlet.

With the addition of a battery pack, the mobility of the club is limitless.

You may have already seen some of BranchBoyle’s work. He has won over 20 awards in

photography and his photo of Clyde was on the cover of the first issue of The Scribe this fall.

Many of his photos are on display throughout the month of October in University Center.

Icon Studios hopes to be involved in all of UCCS’ big events such as homecoming. Photos for student clubs are only the beginning, though.

Icon Studios has already been approached for a social inequalities

study and hopes to do other community outreach projects.

Branch-Boyle wants to encourage membership in Icon Studios. The club needs photographers and other talents, such as managers, marketers, web developers or anyone that would just like to contribute.

Anyone interested can contact him at ibranchb@ uccs.edu.

Soon, Icon Studios wants to create a website

where photos of the club can be displayed. This would facilitate membership and interest in the club.

The equipment should be arriving within a month, after which the mobile studio will be fully operational. If you have an idea you think should be captured on film or if you wish to be immortalized by one of Branch-Boyles “Iconic” photos, be sure to contact him. S

Culture

October 24, 2011

Page 7

A student’s guide to Halloween costume hunting Leslie Randolph lrandolp@uccs.edu

costume or a more modest one, there are some options:

When we were kids, most of us couldn’t decide what we were going to be for Halloween.

Well, even though you’re an adult now, you probably still face that same problem.

Whether you have the budget for an elaborate

Walmart 8250 Razorback Road Although an obvious choice, Walmart has costumes for both men and women that are friendly to a student’s budget.

The price range for the women’s costumes is anywhere from $19.97 to

Photo by Tasha Romero

Spirit Halloween offers a range of masks along with other Halloween products.

$36.97.

Men’s costumes are anywhere from $19.97 to $29.97. It also offers masks, the cheapest being a goalie mask at $1.97 and the most expensive being a fire-clown mask at around $10.

It also has an array of accessories around $3, wigs, makeup kits and hair color.

Spirit Halloween 7207 N. Academy Blvd.

Spirit Halloween, a seasonal store, has a gigantic selection of Halloween items. Costumes range in price from $9.99 to $99.99 for both men and women.

It also has wigs, makeup kits and masks. The biggest difference is that this store, although prices tend to be higher than Walmart, offers many items to choose from so you should be able to find anything you need.

Party City 1730 E. Woodmen Rd. Party City has hundreds of costumes, as well as sections devoted to certain costume types such as pirate, flower power or policeman.

Women’s costumes are anywhere from $14.99 to $69.99. Men’s costumes are from $19.99 to $59.99, so this is a good medium between Walmart and Spirit.

If you are looking for smaller accessories, this might be a great place to go because it has a good selection of smaller accessories like necklaces or earrings.

Goodwill 3506 N. El Paso St. If you are looking to go really cheap, try checking out your local Goodwill.

It has a rack devoted to costumes that range from $1.99 to $14.99.

You might find a vampire costume, hockey jersey, clown suit, jail inmate suit and even a witch’s hat for 99 cents. There isn’t a large selection, but some items can be discovered with a little digging.

Make your own costume!

Something else to consider is buying your costume in pieces, like junior Mady Freeman. “I went out and bought little pieces. Like, I’m buying feather cloth stuff.”

Photo by Tasha Romero

Goodwill offers used costumes for as low as $1.99.

“I bought a leotard at Party City. It’s definitely cheaper to buy pieces,” she said.

Sophomore Sarah Adams is doing the same thing. “I’m going to be cave woman so I plan on buying cloth and sewing it together,” she said.

If you don’t want to buy a costume kit, then be creative or improvise.

“Reuse your costumes and trade with other people,” Freeman suggested.

If you would like more ideas for making your own costume, visit squidoo.com/make-yourown-halloween-costume.

Whether you decide to make your own costume or purchase a kit, there are many available options. S

Student photographer makes name for himself April Wefler awefler@uccs.edu

landscapes in his hometown. “Durango, Colo. is a beautiful area,” BranchBoyle said.

He moved on to people and is now If you’ve played a game of pool at going to shoot both. Branch-Boyle University Center, then you have most wants to show how people interact with likely already seen Isaiah Branch- their surroundings – an environmental Boyle’s work. portrait.

While photography serves a different The freshman has shot senior porpurpose for everyone, for student and traits and different events for over professional photwo years. He tographer Branchhas been shootBoyle, photograing professionLook for yourself. phy is a tool that ally for about What do you see? can be used to tell six months to a a story. year.

One of BranchBranch-Boyle Boyle’s stories is now on exhibit in the now thinks of photography as more University Center. The piece is enti- than a hobby or a part-time job; it’s a tled “Story of Human Soul” and uses way to make a living. pictures including that of a policeman, He has taken trips to Los Angeles a criminal, a homeless woman and a and other places to shoot band events, rich man. as well as shooting bigger events in the The pictures aren’t of the people community with other photographers.

– they’re of their eyes. “There’s this Branch-Boyle has been in his local open-ended idea that the eye is the newspaper, the Durango Herald. window to the soul,” he said. “I used He has also won some photo consocial contrast – age, criminal status, tests, ranging from local to magazines. wealth to show this idea.”

Additionally, he has put on some shows Branch-Boyle has been shooting for to display his pieces. about four years. “I picked it up as a With all of the success he’s had behobby and took a trip to Mexico, shoot- cause of his photography, it may come ing photos in an orphanage there,” he as a surprise that Branch-Boyle has said never taken a photography class.

He started out with shooting a lot of “I don’t know how much more

“

“

Photo by Tasha Romero

Isaiah Branch-Boyle’s exhibit “Story of the Hunan Soul” focuses on the idea that the eye is the window to the soul. The exhibit is on display in the University Center. someone can teach me,” he said. “My method of learning is to always teach myself.”

Since he’s never taken a photography class, Branch-Boyle isn’t majoring in photography. He’s going to school for communication, specifically to learn more about digital filmmaking.

Branch-Boyle sells his photography,

but it depends on the job, location and client. The prices can range from low to high and examples of his work are available at isaiahbranchboyle.zenfolio.com.

He isn’t concerned with people seeing what he sees in Story of Human Soul.

Instead, Branch-Boyle said, “Look for yourself. What do you see?” S

Feat October

Page 8

Centers for Academic Excelle a wealth of free help to stu “Picture everyone in their underwear,” is the classic piece of advice offered to someone who is nervous about giving a public speech.

But the Center for Excellence in Communication would say that prac ticing in front of the new virtual audi-

ence is a better idea. It lets you give your speech without the pressure of a room full of people staring at you.

This virtual audience is just one of many new services that the Centers for Academic Excellence, formally the Excel Centers, can offer students.

UCCS has created the Centers for Academic Excellence not to hold students to any standard, but to give students the tools to define their own standard of Academic Excellence.

Whether you are a straight A stu-

dent looking to keep your GPA high, or you are struggling with a specific class, at least one of the Centers will have what you need.

And who knows, you may end up practicing your next speech to a virtual audience.

Science Center Many people cringe at the term “tutors,” perhaps thinking that they are going to just tell them the answers. NothWhere: ing could be further from the Centennial Hall 204 truth according to Dr. Jerry Phillips, the director of the When: Science Center.

Mon. - Thurs. 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.

“We’re not about correctFri. 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. ing homework assignments, Extended hours: Sun. 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. grading homework assignments, reading over lab reports. We’re about helping students understand the process involved with getting the answers for themselves,” he said.

The Center for Excellence in Science, or Science Center, is home to an enormous staff of helpful tutors. It is a place to get problem solving assistance for What: Center for Excellend in Science

your science classes.

The Science Center aims to help students with their critical thinking skills. To this end, they have “El Sessions.”

These are sessions that professors volunteer to run to assist students with their problem solving skills. Professors can bring in old exams or just sets of problems to get students thinking.

These can happen pretty much any time that the center is open. The schedule for these El Sessions can be found at the front desk of the Science Center, or online at the center’s website (uccs.edu/~slc).

This center is often quite busy. Phillips reports that they average about 300 to 400 visits a day, and so far this semester, the Science Center has logged over 12,000 separate student visits.

Despite the volume, no reservation or appointment is required to receive tutoring. In fact, Phillips said, “Most of our tutoring is done on a drop-in basis.

Appointments are recommended, he said, if a student would like to continue to meet with the same tutor.

Communication Center Formerly known as the Oral Communication Center, The Center for Excellence in Communication, or Communication Center, specializes in assisting students in any type of communication-related issue.

Raven Irons, the coordinator of Communication Across the Curriculum, said, “Our mission is basically to provide students with the motivation, the knowledge that they need and the skills that they need to be effective communicators.”

Photo

by Ar

iel La

ttimo

re

This, however, can take sevWhat: eral different forms.

Center for Exellence in Communication Though the Communication Center does offer “clasWhere: sic” tutoring in preparing for Columbine 312 public speaking, such as outline assistance, brainstormWhen: ing and offering direct feedMon. - Thurs. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. back to a presentation, they Fri. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. are experimenting with other Extended hours: Wed. 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. methods. One of their most recent innovations is the virtual audience.

Irons said, “We have the audience projected on the screen; It’s a virtual audience. They actually respond to your speech.”

She went on to describe how the simulation is based on actual student audiences – that is, students will walk in late; if you are boring, students will start to yawn or whisper to each other. If these “students” like your speech, however, you can get a standing ovation.

With all of the name changes around campus recently, the centers were not immune. When discussing the name change, Irons remarked, “People often get kind of scared by the ‘Oral’ in Oral Communication Center. They think that’s basically what we do is just help with oral presentations.”

In addition to helping with public speaking, the center offers mock interview sessions to prepare you for interviews, be they for grad school or getting that dream job.

ture

Page 9

24, 2011

ence offer udents

Photo

by Sh

andi G

Molly Mrazek - mmrazek@uccs.edu Aaron Collett - acollett@uccs.edu

Writing Center Writing does not come easily for many students.

The Center for Excellence in Writing has people who Where: can help with any and all Columbine 316 composition issues.

At the Writing Center, you When: can make an appointment Mon. - Thurs. 8:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. and sit down with a student Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. consultant for a 45-minute session to go over any paper or essay you may have.

Like all of the centers, they allow walk-in tutoring; however, it’s better to make an appointment at the Writing Center, because they have a limited number of available consultants at any given time and can become quite busy.

Alex Frampton, a student consultant at the Writing Center, said a common misconception about the center is that only struggling students come What: Center for Excellence in Writing

in for help; many students are doing well in their writing classes but want to continue to polish their skills.

He also said that they don’t actually edit the papers at the center; you can’t just drop them off. Writing tutors sit down with the students and go over the papers together.

The responsibility of making changes and improving the work is always on the student. According to the staff, however, their goal is to help students think more critically about their writing, build better writers, understand the writing process and provide extra strategies for writing.

The writing center employs about 15 peer tutors or student consultants.

Starting this fall, they’re offering a synchronized online tutor program.

With this program, students can email in their work and talk with a consultant over the internet using a microphone. The function is similar to Skype, but without the video feature.

Students and tutors have the papers displayed on both of their screens to discuss them together.

Math Center Dedicated to helping students overcome their issues with mathematics, The Center for Excellence in Math is the place to go for help not only with any math class, but also in computer sciences, statistics or physics courses.

Students should check the center’s website (uccs.edu/~mlc) for specific dates and times tutoring for those subjects are offered.

There is also supplemental instruction for 1000-level math classes and problem sessions offered at various times throughout the week, led by student tutors.

An online option for tutoring is available and only a UCCS email address is required to receive help with math from home.

Students can interact with the tutors by speaking over their computer’s microphone or writing in a chat box or on the whiteboard.

If students wish to have private tutoring, they can check out the center’s referral list, however, these math tutors are not employed by the university.

The center also participates What: in a program called Project Center for Excellence in Mathematics Success. In this program, students get together in smaller Where: study groups and work on EAS 136 their math skills with a tutor.

It is aimed at students takWhen: ing Math 090 (Fundamentals Mon. 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. of College Algebra) through Tues. - Thurs. 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Math 1360 (Calculus II).

Fri. 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Sun. 11 a.m. -2 p.m.

“It’s a very supportive atmosphere,” said sophomore Natalie Lynn. “People were very friendly and I actually got my homework done, which is a plus.”

Language Center The Center for Academic Excellence in Language is equipped to help students with Spanish, French, GerWhere: man, Japanese and American Dwire Hall 270 Sign Language (ASL).

At any time – no appointWhen: ment necessary – language Mon. - Thurs. 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. tutors can help students go Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. over homework, practice Sat. 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. conversations in the language they’re learning and review papers for grammatical errors.

Some of the student tutors at the language center hail from Venezuela, El SalWhat: Center for Excellence in Language

vador, Switzerland, France, the Dominican Republic, Germany and Mexico.

The center also has Rosetta Stone software available in 12 languages for students to study for free. For more practice, students can go into the center and watch movies in the language they’re studying on the flat screen while they lounge on the plush couches.

There is also online tutoring that students can take advantage of from home.

The staff stated that students are welcome to come in and just hang out between classes; they don’t have to be studying a language. One of the language center’s staff members, Kate Walters, said that the center is also a place of social support and a way to make contacts on campus.

They also said that they are one of the most fun centers because they always have treats and coffee up for grabs.

ross

Culture

Page 10

October 24, 2011

Haunted houses frighten Colorado Springs Maggie Olague molague@uccs.edu

The smell of death lingers in the air and creatures, waiting for the opportunity to jump out to scare you, lurk in the shadows.

OK, maybe the “creatures” are just actors in masks and heavy makeup, but don’t allow that reality to spoil a night of fun.

Halloween is upon us, which means that haunted houses are opening their doors all over Colorado Springs to whomever is brave enough to visit.

Photo by Tasha Romero

Photo by Shandi Gross

Ghoul’s Gulch When: Oct. 28 and 29: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Oct. 25, 26, 27, 30 and 31: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Where: 3910 Palmer Park Blvd.

Admission: $15 for one haunted house, $25 for two haunted houses, VIP and other deals are available

Ghouls Gulch isn’t just a haunted house. UCCS student and Ghouls Gulch Manager Aaron Butcher said, “We call it our haunt family.”

The owner’s dog is included in the festivities; he comes to the haunted house in his own costume.

Many of the actors in the haunt family have been with Ghouls Gulch since 2003, when they worked with UCCS’ Theatreworks on “Dante’s Inferno.”

Now Ghouls Gulch is part of The Rocky Mountain Haunt Fest. Photo ops in a coffin, the black hole tunnel and psychic readings are all available for an extra cost.

Butcher said, “We try to focus on the atmosphere.”

The props look authentic, which makes it harder for guests to distinguish between what is real and fake.

You’ll jump when you least expect it from animatronics or an actor.

Airbrush artist Frank Dougherty custom painted all the walls to go along with the theme of each room.

The snake room incorporates two live Burmese pythons. Don’t worry – the pythons won’t slither up your leg. They are kept in a tank.

Butcher said, “Nine out of 10 people are having a blast. They are thrilled.”

Viral Shock When: Oct. 28 and 29: 7 p.m. to midnight Oct. 26, 27, 30 and 31: 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Where: 5825 Mark Dabling Blvd.

Admission: $17, $20 for VIP, The Trail of Terror and the Field of Screams is included in admission prices.

The Gazette has named Viral Shock the “Scariest Haunted House” for the last two years. Owner Vince Stites is confident Viral Shock will be named “Scariest Haunted House” again this year.

Several of the actors have been with Viral Shock since it opened in 2009. Actors pick up on scared guests and will push them to their limits until they crack.

Many guests run through the haunted house, while others can’t handle it and quit. Stites said, “Ten to 15 people [a night] didn’t make it through.”

Viral Shock is advertised as 40 minutes of freak, but Stites likes to ask guests, “How fast can you run?”

Be sure to wear your tennis shoes.

Returning to the haunt this year is Dr. Vonhellton, the main character in Stites’ story for the haunted house.

Dr. Vonhellton is responsible for sending patients to hell to see what kind of horror they bring back to his Screamatorium.

The crazed patients turned on Dr. Vonhellton and, years later, they still inhabit the Screamatorium.

Photo by Tasha Romero

Haunted Mines When: Oct. 28 and 29: 7 p.m. to midnight Oct. 26, 27, 30 and 31: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Admission: $15 for general admission, $20 for VIP

Where: 225 Old North Gate Rd. Steampunk, a subgenre from the Victorian Era, puts a new twist on the Haunted Mines this year.

Changes to the designs and layout have added new surprises, but guests can still find some of the classics, such as the chainsaw maze and marionette dolls.

Haunted Mines is best known for being interactive and its focus on the actors. Guests won’t only be walking or running, but they will also be crawling through tunnels.

Actor Halston Reasor said, “It’s a really different acting experience.”

Last year, head actor and actor trainer Brittany Widhalm made two 40-year-old men pee themselves.

This year, Widhalm heard a girl say, “I just peed myself” after seeing her acting scene. Widhalm has been acting at Haunted Mines since it opened five years ago in 2006.

Not all actors are intended to scare you. Actor Farris Rajab’s character provides comic relief. Rajab said, “I get to have shenanigans.”

Rajab explained that guests expect him to be scary and typically have a shocked and scared reaction.

Widhalm hasn’t heard of one person not liking Haunted Mines; everyone has loved it.

All the haunted houses offer guests an otherworldly experience. One thing is clear; everyone involved in the haunted houses are passionate about their jobs. S

Rocky Horror to be shown at Berger Hall Catherine Jensen cjensen2@uccs.edu

A rock-musical that features some scared newlyweds, a “sweet-transvestite” from “Transsexual Transylvania” and performances that include a live cabaret show and birth via a tank, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is sure to excite another audience during its campus screening.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” or TRHPS, is a 1975 screen adaptation of a British rock stage play, “The Rocky Horror Show” written by Richard O’Brien, who wrote both the lyrics for the book and stage.

Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon star in the film following newly engaged Brad and Janet who, after getting lost in the rain, search for a

place to make a phone call.

They come upon a castle and inside meet Dr. Frank –NFurter and a group of outlandish individuals holding a Transylvanian convention.

The night’s shenanigans include bringing to life the creation of Rocky Horror, dancing, a character riding out of deep freeze on a motorcycle and dinner that has been prepared from a mutilated body.

“It’s a fun show and we ask students to come with an open mind,” said Mitch Karstens, OSA student activities coordinator.

The show includes audience participation. People yell back at the screen or stage, throw props, dress up and act out the film. Participation, according to the history on the film’s official site, has been occurring in theaters since the early ‘70s.

Though people can feel free to participate by showing their familiarity with the show by dressing up and responding to pauses, viewers of this screening are asked not to throw things and will not be marked as “virgins” as is traditional, Karstens said.

“We felt like people might be made uncomfortable by this,” he said of the tradition.

The practice is typical of live shows, during which those who have never attended a show and are visibly not participating are called out sometimes to come on stage.

Rituals vary by theater as do the number of virgins, so if you are considering attending a live show at some point, you may not get picked.

Once you have endured a live show of TRHPS in a theater, you cannot be

marked as a virgin. With participation comes proper etiquette, as stressed by the official site.

Rules listed go like this: Don’t throw anything harmful and stick to things like rice or toilet paper; don’t make fun of others for dressing up; don’t be jealous if you dress up as a character and someone shows up looking better than you; respect the management, in this case OSA, and leave Berger Hall the way you found it.

Also, the tradition of calling the character Brad an “asshole” is appropriate but not every time you see his face on screen.

If you plan on bringing props, easy ones include a newspaper, flashlight, rubber gloves, party hat and a noisemaker.

A newspaper can be used to cover your head when

Brad and Janet get caught in the rain; a flashlight to light up the theater during the “there’s a light” line of the song “Over at Frankenstein Place;” rubber gloves to snap during and after the creation speech; a party hat to be worn during the dinner scene and a noisemaker for the appropriate times.

Let’s do the Time Warp!

The Time Warp is an integral participation dance in the show. Though instructions will be given during the film and you can watch the actors for steps, here are some instructions to bring to the show just in case.

1. Jump to the left with your hands up 2. A step to the right (it is recommended you take a very wide step) 3. Now with both your hands on your hips, you bring your knees in tight

4. The pelvic thrust!

5. Hip swivel (with your hands still on your hips move them in a circular motion from right to left) This is the first time TRHPS has been shown at UCCS and Karstens is hoping for a good turnout. “We are hoping that students won’t be afraid to participate and will have fun.” OSA will provide candy, soda and popcorn. S

The Lowdown What: The Rocky Horror Picture Show When: Oct. 28 at 8 p.m.

Where: Berger Hall How much: Free

Opinion

October 24, 2011

Halloween costumes at their finest

Editorial Take a stance and vote, even for the Propositions This year’s general election is a quiet one: no Presidential race, no Congressional races, no city council or mayoral races.

The airwaves aren’t being blasted with sound bites, attack ads and political rhetoric, so when that red-and-white envelope with your mail-in ballot showed up in your mailbox a couple weeks ago, you might not have even realized there was an election taking place.

This fall, aside from the usual school board races and some isolated city and county referendums, there’s just one item being asked of Colorado residents – but don’t let its isolation on the ballot fool you into thinking it’s unimportant.

Proposition 103 seeks to make some raises to the income and sales tax rates in our state from 2012-2016.

The income tax rate would go from 4.63 to 5.0 percent, restoring it to 1999 levels; the sales tax rate would go from 2.99 to 3.0 percent, adding a slight but still noticeable cost to many things we purchase.

In 2017, the tax rates would be restored to their previous figures.

These days, considering our current economic predicament, tax hikes on anyone but the über-wealthy are usually frowned upon. But Prop. 103’s purpose gives it a reasonable chance of actually passing, even in the middle of this prolonged recession: It’s earmarked specifically for education.

Prop. 103 would raise an estimated $2.9 billion over five years in additional revenue for public K-12 schools, as well as community and four-year colleges.

This includes, of course, our campus – meaning that Prop. 103 could have a substantial effect on every one of us. We literally have a vested interest in the outcome of this tax increase; the question is, on which side will we stand?

The pros seem obvious: Instead of raising our tuition a dramatic 7-9 percent every year, we may be able to dial those increases down to more modest rates that match a little more closely with inflation.

In exchange, all we’d ask is that each tax-paying citizen of Colorado help us out a little more.

And therein lies the heart of all the con arguments: Is it wise to raise taxes on everyone in the middle of a recession, even if its cause is a noble one?

Some argue that we’d be giving more money to an educational system that is already bloated and inefficient, or that this money would just help to prop up the teachers’ unions.

We at The Scribe advise you to ignore that kind of rhetoric.

What it all really comes down to is this: Should we try to finance our state’s educational system at numbers closer to pre-recession levels, or should the system continue to struggle alongside the rest of our economy until we find

our way to a recovery?

You can argue that boosting financing for education has a net positive economic effect, one that might not be seen for years to come. You can also argue that it would hurt individual and businesses too drastically, forcing more job cuts and worsening our recession.

Either way you look at it, what matters most – and what we at the Scribe strongly advocate – is that each of us read up on the issue, debate its complexities amongst ourselves, take a stance, and VOTE. Voting in elections is one of the most potent ways to take control of the issues that matter the most to us, yet according to a study by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, voter turnout among young citizens aged 18 to 29 in the 2010 Midterm Election was just 24 percent.

The worst thing we can do in this election isn’t to vote “yes” or “no” on Proposition 103 – it’s not voting at all.

So do us all a favor: Take five minutes out of your day to fill out that ballot and mail it in.

Whatever the results of this election are, it’s important that we as students can confidently say that we had our say on the issue. This is an opportunity we’re being given; let’s not pass it up.

Sincerely, The Scribe S

Letter to the Editor

I am so thankful that our protest in Acacia Park made the front page of the Scribe. It is important for everyone to see that we aren’t just going to sit by and that we demand real change.

Most of America is upset with the direction our country is going, and we have to block roads, make signs that are hard to read and wear masks to get our point across.

I know I’m upset with our economy. I feel that I deserve to make at least twice the hourly wage I earn now. I ditched work a little early so I could attend this protest.

I made a sign that said, “stop the fed.” I really don’t know what exactly the fed is, it might be the Federal Reserve or the federal government, but either way, it sounds pretty evil.

It’s great that there are so many young people getting involved in this. Yeah, I spend 90 percent of my time playing “Gears of War 3,” but I’m pretty sure I know a lot more about the Constitution than other people.

I threw away my economics text-

Page 11

Molly Mrazek mmrazek@uccs.edu Oh boy, here it comes.

Another article about inappropriate Halloween costumes! That’s what you’re thinking, isn’t it?

Well, I could definitely spout off an entire article about the evils of dressing like a naughty nurse or a sexy witch.

However, that has already been pounded into everyone’s head, and has it made a difference? No, not really. Girls are still going to put on an impossibly short Dorothy Gale dress that would make Judy Garland blush, or throw on a black bra, short-shorts and some cat ears and call herself Catwoman.

So, instead of following form with other opinion columnists, I would like to point out a few unique costume ideas that I would like to see this Halloween.

First, however, I will establish some credibility on the subject (thank you, public speaking classes) and tell you why I am the best person to speak to you about unique Halloween costumes. My dad

didn’t like my siblings or me to dress as anything scary for Halloween, so we had to get creative.

Example one: my fourth grade costume. In previous years, either I or one of my sisters had been a cat for Halloween.

I decided this was too over-done.

So, I made my mom do some sewing and add fur and a tail to the back of the costume and went to school on Halloween dressed as a skunk. Yes, you read correctly, a skunk.

Example two: my sixth grade costume. Once again, I reused an old costume, my older sister’s ladybug costume.

I had decided this was not good enough to win the contest my middle school had each Halloween. So I wrapped the ladybug costume in shiny silver fabric, made a square yellow hat and called myself a baked potato.

I won best costume for my homeroom. You’re not surprised, and neither was I. That was the best free junior Frosty of my life.

Credibility established.

I will now give you a few ideas of appropriate and unique Halloween costumes.

Let’s start with “Star Wars:” both inexpensive and classic. Girls can wrap a sheet around themselves, throw their hair up in buns and go to the party as Princess Leia.

Guys, how hard is it

to put on a tool belt and a black vest bought from Goodwill and be Han Solo? I know Halloween is about wearing the sexiest costume you can find, but I ask you, is there anything sexier than Han Solo and Princess Leia?

If you and your friends want to dress up together, you should find some spare cardboard and be Tetris blocks. You just have to be willing to poke a couple people in the eye with the sheer size of your costume. Also, it might be difficult to use the bathroom. But that’s the price you pay for creativity.

An interesting experiment as well as a fantastic costume would be to wear the uniform of a well-known retail superstore such as Walmart or Target. I’m sure we all have khakis and a blue or red shirt.

You could also walk around the store and give people incorrect information all day. And when the managers approach you, you can just say you were wearing your Halloween costume and people started asking you questions.

“I don’t know what to tell you, sir, I was just looking for the candy aisle.”

Finally, as a general rule of thumb, a good costume is anything that covers your entire face and body, preferably something fuzzy that you can sit in a corner with and barely move and never speak. You’re welcome. S

book along with every other book in my parents’ house because young people are so much smarter than everyone else. We don’t need books; we need more Facebook and more opinions that aren’t based on facts.

Hopefully one day we won’t have politicians, and our country will be run by the well-educated citizens (that don’t read books). I may have chosen who to vote for based on what Kanye West told me, but let’s face it, he is the voice of a generation.

I too am willing to go to jail for what I am protesting. What exactly that is, I’m not 100 percent sure, I think it involves banks maybe, perhaps the government.

I actually have no idea what it is I’m protesting, but it needs to change because I’m entitled to more money, otherwise life won’t be fair. I figured this protest was the best way to get more money, instead of going to my job.

Ian Penn ipenn@uccs.edu

Comic by Arno

Page 12

Opinion

October 24, 2011

California prison hunger strikes

In several prisons across California, prisoners are refusing food in an attempt to change policies and ease restrictions. Here’s what two columnists have to say on the matter.

We’re all potential prisoners

Nate Siebert msiebert@uccs.edu If we’re going to have a coherent conversation about prisoners’ movements and the nature of prisoners’ rights, we need to have an informed understanding of what prison is all about.

In his essay, “Gardens of Law,” Joel Olson argues that despite common views to the contrary, prison is not about crime reduction, rehabilitation, nor even punishment.

According to Olson, prison is about perpetuating the myth of the “criminal class.” In this myth, the role of the prison is to protect the rest of us from the criminal class; that class made up of ‘the kind of people’ who commit crimes.

Prison serves as a permanent reminder on the landscape that there is a place where ‘that kind of person’ belongs. It is a threat, a promise, that if you become that kind of a person, there is a place waiting for you.

In this way, prison is about far more than controlling the group of people inside its walls; it is about controlling everyone.

As Olson puts it, “Prison isn’t a place to keep the ‘bad apples’ from spoiling the rest of society. It is for the social control of the entire population – good and bad apples alike.”

If the idea of the criminal class is just a myth, then those of us outside of prison don’t stand in quite the oppositional relationship to prisoners that we often think we do.

The belief that “I’m not the kind of person who would do the kind of

Let them go hungry

thing that would land me have as a non-prisoner in prison” tends to mis- are conditional upon my take what’s criminal for standing in a certain rewhat’s immoral. lationship to those in Of course, legality and power. morality might overlap If I find myself in an anat times, but there is cer- tagonistic relationship to tainly not a one-to-one those in power – for whatcorrespondence between ever reason – my rights are the two. Some of what’s stripped down, reduced to immoral is perfectly le- that minimal set of rights gal, and some of what’s reserved for prisoners – illegal is perfectly moral. those viewed as member Aaron Collett Not only that, but the of the “criminal class.” acollett@uccs.edu line between legality and So, when a group of illegality wavers from prisoners joins together place to place and from to struggle for prisoners’ Marie Antoinette is fatime to time. rights, the struggle is for mously quoted as saying, What counts as crime that minimal set of rights “Let them eat cake,” when here is different from that we all have in virtue presented with evidence what counts as crime of being potential prison- of her people starving in there. What counts as ers. the streets. crime now is differ It is a struggle to Now we have maxient from what counted redefine what counts mum security prisoners as crime then.

For this reason, I suggest we view prisoners’ movements – like the recent California prisoner hunger strikes – with gratitude.

Why? Because we’re all potential prisoners.

The rights that you and I experience on a daily basis on the outside of prison are contingent upon our not being viewed as members of the criminal class. But the myth of the criminal class is constantly evolving to reflect what’s expedient for those in power.

This means that even if I am an “upstanding citizen” today, I could Photo by Andrew Bardwell find myself in Prisoners have initiated a hunger strike, sparking debate. prison tomorrow without changing any of my behavior. among our non-con- in California on a hunger And if we’re all po- ditional rights, those strike. They are demandtential prisoners, then the rights we have regard- ing more privileges, such rights of prisoners are less of how we’re viewed. as wearing sweat suits fundamentally tied up If we’re all potential when working out and with the rights of every- prisoners, then the failure self-help treatments and one else. of a prisoners’ movement education.

In a very real way, the is a failure for all of us. If My response is, “Let prisoner’s rights are my they starve, we could all them go hungry.” rights. The rights that I starve. S These men and women

are not at a hotel. They are not on an extended vacation. They are in prison.

They have committed at least one crime. They do not deserve pampering or pandering to.

These prisoners forfeited many of their rights when they decided to commit the crimes that caused them to be sentenced to prison.

I just can’t feel bad that these prisoners don’t get to be comfortable when they work out. I don’t feel bad that they don’t like the food that they’re being served. I don’t even feel bad when they have to spend long periods of time in a six foot by 10 foot concrete cage for a long time.

The reason I don’t feel bad about these conditions is that my sympathy is entirely for the victims of these prisoner’s crimes. I wonder how comfortable their victims are.

How does a mother who had her daughter brutally murdered feel?

Does she get lonely?

Well, the murderer who is responsible for it should be feeling at least that lonely. He should be required to go through every single feeling that that mother who now has to bury her daughter feels.

The Declaration of Independence talks about certain “inalienable” rights that we as humans have, simply by virtue of being human.

Everyone knows this line: “….endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights; Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

In our culture, “life” is the most important, with liberty a close second. Criminals who have committed crimes that demand imprisonment have forfeited their right to liberty.

They chose to act in a way that is contrary to our laws. This has consequences that are clearly spelled out.

Proponents of these hunger strikes will quote

statistics about how bad it is for people that are in maximum security prisons. They will regale you with stories of people who have been in solitary for *gasp* 30 years!

They will tell you sob stories about wives visiting their husbands every single week for years, insisting on their innocence. What they won’t tell you is that solitary confinement is used when inmates can’t be trusted to be in the regular population.

They won’t tell you that the reason that solitary prisoners are in solitary confinement is that many have tried to kill other inmates or guards.

Probably the only valid argument that the supporters of the strike will make is that there is a possibility of innocent people in prison — that the justice system wrongfully convicts people all the time.

The innocent conviction rate is actually quite small, though it does exist.

Unfortunately, there is nothing to do about this possibility — it is not the job of the prison system to determine who is “probably innocent” and therefore deserves better treatment. It is their job to administer the punishment for the crimes of which they have been convicted.

That does not include making their stay in the state prison comfortable.

Also, these prisoners that are hunger striking are not people that have been wrongfully convicted; they are in a maximum security prison, and many of them are in solitary confinement.

You don’t go from one conviction to long-term solitary — you have to earn that by not being a good prisoner.

In fact, if you’re a good prisoner, you sometimes get those extra privileges.

So these prisoners want to go on a hunger strike to demand that we make their lives more comfortable?

Fine. I’ll say it again: Let them go hungry. S

October 24, 2011

Life on the Bluffs

Campus Chatter

Page 13

- Story by Aaron Collett, acollett@uccs.edu - Photos by Alex Gradisher

We’re three-quarters of the way through October, and the campus is gearing up for Halloween. Even though dressing up for the holiday is traditionally the purview of children, many college students still enjoy dressing up and getting out for Halloween parties.

pearrot@gmail.com

Danielle Glassner

Sophomore, Political Science What are you dressing up as this year?

I have a birthday party. It’s a golden theme, so everyone is coming dressed as Goldilocks or dressed as something that has to do with gold.

The other thing I’m dressing up for is called a Dagoff. Basically, you go with your friends to Goodwill or another thrift store and dress each other in the most ridiculous outfits, so it’s not necessarily a themed or an actual costume.

Seth Shoemaker

Junior, Electrical Engineering What is your best Halloween memory?

Back when I was in high school, I dressed up as Spock.

What is the best costume you’ve ever seen?

I was actually in Las Vegas a few years ago for Halloween, and someone was dressed as a space marine of some sort. I don’t think it had any specific story or anything. The interesting thing was that they were wearing this eight foot tall suit that actually lifted them off the ground a couple of feet.

Alison Jay

Doctoral Student, Clinical Psychology What is your favorite Halloween memory?

Probably trick or treating as a kid. I remember Halloweens in Michigan when it got really cold. We’d have to wear jackets on the outside of our costumes, which was lame, because the costume was the coolest part, right? So I’d try to stuff it on the inside of my costume. Not so cool.

Jessy Knudson Senior, Sociology What are you dressing up as this year?

Either the changeling from Star Wars, or a safari outfit.

What is your favorite Halloween memory?

One year my mom made me a Pocahontas costume when I was little, and it was the most legit Pocahontas ever.

What is the best costume you’ve ever seen?

My friend Jake looks exactly like Heath Ledger and he dressed as the Joker one year, and it was like the Joker was back from the dead.

Erin Steinman

Sophomore, Biology What are you going to dress up as this year?

Well, this year, I’m going to dress up as Ke$ha.

What is your favorite Halloween memory?

A couple years ago, we had an exchange student from Cambodia, and we took her trick or treating.

That was really fun.

What is the best costume you’ve ever seen?

In my hometown, they rode their horse around town and put a costume on their horse, too. I think it was a knight or something. S

We’re hiring!

We have reporter/sports reporter internships available with the possibility of becoming a paid senior reporter.

Send a resume, cover letter and two writing samples to scribe.eic@gmail.com.

Page 14

Life on the Bluffs

the Scribble

October 24, 2011

the Scribble

TOP TEN

Disclaimer: The contents of the Scribble are completely fabricated, peppered with inconsistencies and laced with lies. Any resemblance to the truth found herein is a matter of sheer luck. The Scribble should be approached with a healthy dose of skepticism, and its claims should be taken - if they are taken at all - with many grains of salt.

Invisible Joe

Photo by Robert Solis

Invisible Joe high fives Kevin Filippelli after telling an inappropriate joke.

Worst places to go trick-or-treating

10.

9.

8.

7.

6.

5.

4.

3.

2.

1.

The bridge at Cimarron The government (they’re not in the business of handouts) On Facebook That creepy house down the street Charles Manson’s house Whole Foods The maternity ward at the hospital The medical marijuana dispensary The house that’s handing out bibles and tracts Your mom’s house

- Aaron Collett, acollett@uccs.edu

Crossword: Halloween Halloween Halloween 1 1

2 2

4

3 4

3

6

6

5

7

7

8

8

9

9

10

10

13

13

14

15

15

17

17

20

16 17 18 19

Photo illustration by Alex Gradisher 20

The fashionable dog in a bag era is over! Move over Paris Hilton! Carrying around your cute little Tinkerbell is SO Spring 2011. Ariel Zeigler (left) and Danielle Johnson (right) show us the #1 must have Fall 2011 accessory, the Fish Purse. S

18

19

19

11 13

14

16

16

18

8

11

11

12

12

3

5

20

AcrossAcross first penny penny candy in 3 wrapped first wrapped candy in America America Stephen King was inspired to 8 Stephen King was inspired to write "The here. here. writeShining" "The Shining" Ghost, or spy or spy 11 Ghost, Post-Halloween Catholic 13 Post-Halloween Catholic holidayholiday Irish fruitcake 16Halloween Irish Halloween fruitcake Mike Myers and Jamie 17 Mike Myers andLee Jamie Lee Curtis Curtis get spoked in this film get spoked in this film The Ouija Board ended 18 The Ouija Board up ended up outselling the game its outselling the during game during its first year first year Gaelic harvest festival 19 see Gaelic festivalit if you thisharvest on Halloween 20 if you see this on is the spirit of a loved onHalloween it is the spirit watching over you of a loved on watching over you

1 2 4 5 6 7 9 10 12 14 15

Down Down vampire bats livebats herelive here 1 vampire This2actor is actor predicted to be theto be the This is predicted most popular Halloween most popular Halloween costume. costume. top 4 candy for this topbar candy bar holiday for this holiday the 5 vehicles in "Halloween" have the vehicles in "Halloween" have CA plates the film wasfilm set in CAbut plates but the was set in They’re all together ooky. ooky.

6 They’re all together It's alive!

7 It's alive! mythical beings who defywho death 9 mythical beings defy death by sucking the blood of blood humans by sucking the of humans Over million this of this 1020Over 20pounds million of pounds "candy""candy" is sold annually. is sold annually. witch's familiars who protected 12 witch's familiars who protected their powers their powers a unibrow, hair palms, tattoos, a unibrow, hair palms, and14 a long middle finger are tattoos, and a long middle finger are signs of a signs of originated a Jack O' lanterns here 15 Jack O' lanterns originated here

Sports

October 24, 2011

Page 15

Second leg of fall intramurals, tournaments set to kick Ryan Adams

radams3@uccs.edu

The second half of the fall semester can be a grind. Tests, papers and too many late-night study sessions take their toll. One of the best ways to unwind is to slam the books shut and head to the Rec Center for some exercise.

After a successful week of intramural tournaments at the beginning

of the semester and another strong season of flag football and outdoor soccer, the second leg of UCCS fall intramurals is set to begin.

This leg of the intramural season always seems to be a favorite of UCCS students due to a larger variety of sports and more options for participation.

There will be billiards and water polo tournaments, along with three intramural sports

leagues: volleyball, basketball and dodge ball.

According to the Campus Recreation Department, which oversees all intramurals, the first intramural event of this “second leg” is a free billiards tournament held at Clyde’s on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. The registration deadline is also Oct. 25.

The other tournament, two-on-two water volleyball, takes place the next day at the Rec

Center pool at 7 p.m. and it is also free to participate.

Both of these tournaments are considered “open” which means men, women and corec teams can compete.

If any student is interested in either billiards or water volleyball, they should consider checking out these free events.

Information can be found at the Rec Center or on the Rec Center website (uccs.edu/~campusrec).

In addition to the two tournaments, three six-week long intramural leagues that have been steadily growing in popularity are about to begin. Each league will cost $30 per team.

The six-on-six volleyball league will begin on Nov. 1, and league games will be played every Tuesday and Thursday until Dec. 8. The volleyball league is also considered “open.”

Three-on-three basketball is set to tip off on Nov. 2, with weekly league games every Wednesday night in the Rec Center gymnasium. This league offers separate men and women’s divisions, so no co-rec teams will be eligible.

Finally, a seven-on-seven dodge ball league is also slated to begin play on Oct. 31. League games will be

contested on Mondays and, like volleyball, is an open league.

All three leagues will conclude the week prior to fall finals.

Winners receive a free Chipotle burrito, as well as an intramural champion T-shirt.

The registration deadline for all three of these intramural leagues will be Oct. 27. Captain meetings will be held the same day with the volleyball meeting set for 7 p.m., basketball at 8 p.m., and dodge ball at 9 p.m.

It is important to note that the $30 fee is due at the time of registration, with no exceptions. Also note that if you are having difficulty organizing your own team, you can register as a free agent, and the Campus Recreation Department will find you a team.

So as the semester heads down the home stretch, set the books aside and participate in the fun of UCCS intramurals. S

obscure

Sports Tyler Bodlak tbodlak@uccs.edu

Ice golf

Towering pinnacles of ice, subzero temperatures and plenty of frozen balls.

Golf balls, that is. Ladies and gents, welcome to the World Ice Golf Championships. Just keep an eye out for polar bears.

Contested 366 miles north of the Arctic Circle in the town of Uummannaq, Greenland (no, this is not a typo) the World Ice Golf Championships annually attracts a handful of golfers willing to brave the cold for their shot at ice golfing immortality.

Participants are encouraged to pack their warmest parkas, as the average tournament temperature is a frigid 7 degrees Farenheit, with thermometers routinely dipping below -10 degrees.

Set on a vast sheet of

ice dotted with spellbinding views, the nine-hole course changes every year. “The real architect of the course is the ocean,” states the sport’s official website.

And it’s true. Laid out just one week before the championships begin each March, the course is, in large part, determined by the position of the icebergs, giving returning golfers a new challenge each year.

The greens are actually whites and the balls are bright orange. The sand traps are made of ice and the trees are actually icebergs, but apart from these minor differences, ice golf is almost identical to a traditional golfing experience.

“The whites are very hard and it is important to decide whether the ball should be chipped or rolled into the white.

The play has more to do

with normal golf than I expected,” said tournament participant Annika Östberg of Denmark.

There you have it.

Those same problems have been vexing golfers for years.

The tournament is 36 holes and played over two days, with par being 35 or 36 per nine holes, depending on the year.

The course is, on average, 5-7 percent shorter than a traditional one.

However, the dramatic change from fairway to fairway more than makes up for this lack of length.

So if you find yourself with an unquenchable desire for a round of ice golf this winter, take heart; the sport is alive and well.

Simply catch the cheapest flight to Uummannaq, find a musk ox to be your caddy, and swing away.

A world championship could be yours. S

$2 Off per person with UCCS ID

Apartments available – within 1.3 miles of UCCS. Location:

325 Cragmor Road, just down Mount View by the 7-11

Rents:

$399 for 1 bedroom, $499 for 2 bedroom plus utilities.

With one year lease will throw in first month rent free.

Laundry rooms available on site

Deposit:

Depends on credit score- we run a credit check for all applicants - will work with.

Contact:

John Simons: 719-492-1111 or johns@cornerstoneretail.com

Sports the

cribe

UCCS Intramurals page 15

October 24, 2011

Golf team wraps up season at Fall Invitational Ryan Adams radams3@uccs.edu

Although a victory is what they hoped for, the UCCS golf team ended, yet again, only a couple shots out of first place, finishing two strokes behind Colorado School of Mines.

The team, as has been the case all season, started off slow, but golfed a brilliant final round, shooting a team score of 284 (four under par).

The great finish helped the Mountain Lions leapfrog both Colorado StatePueblo and Western New Mexico State, but was not enough to overtake the Orediggers of Colorado School of Mines for first place at the CCU Invite.

The tournament took place at Raccoon Creek Golf Club in Littleton, a course that, according to Coach Phil Trujillo, was not well suited for the Mountain Lions.

“The golf course wasn’t a good set up for us and we struggled taking advantage of certain holes,” stated

Trujillo.

“There are many holes that allow you to attack them off the tee by taking risks and that isn’t our style of golf. We like to play aggressively, but not when the risk outweighs the reward. It took us four rounds to finally get comfortable and it was a little too late,” he furthered.

Being the third of four RMAC tournaments that determine the individual championship, the CCU Invitational was one that the team needed to play well in. Despite finishing second, there were still plenty of highlights.

Junior Spencer Biersdorff continued his stellar play, firing a three-under par 69 on the final round, and ending in a tie for fourth with a total score of 213.

“Besides Spencer’s great play in the last round, another bright spot was playing freshman Patrick Skakel, an international student that played the tournament in two- under par,” said Trujillo.

“He’s been hitting the

ball well, but struggled with his putting early on and it kept him out of some events. It was good to give him another chance and watch him make the most of the opportunity,” Trujillo added.

Since the CCU Invitational was the final event of the season for the Mountain Lions, the team enters the off season with their sights set on a big spring season.

Coach Trujillo certainly wouldn’t mind a return to last fall’s form and hopes that the 2012 spring season will be much better than the 2011 version.

“Not the way we wanted to end our fall season, but at least we know what needs to be done in the spring. Starting in March, we will play six events during the season, kicking things off with the St. Edwards Argonaut Invitational in Austin, Texas,” said Trujillo.

“This is a very good field and will test us early to see what kind of competition we can bring for the spring season,” he added. S

Photo courtesy of gomountainlions.com

Patrick Skakel at the Fall Invitational.

One Sunsational T A N The Powerhouse of Tanning Unlimited tanning only $20 a month

Someone you know wants to protect themself.

Student Discounts Mystic Specials Collagen Red Light Therapy (719) 444-8477 3103-B W. Colorado Ave. (31st & Colorado across from Starbucks)

(719) 576-3483 819 Cheyenne Meadows Rd. (Hwy. 115 & Cheyenne Meadows next to Starbucks)

(719) 599-3637 747 Garden of the Gods Road (Chestnut & Garden of the Gods behind Wendy’s)

see store for details, exclusions may apply

Mon.-Fri. 8am - 9pm Sat. 8am - 8pm Sun. 8am - 7pm

Planned Parenthood provides affordable & confidential health services including family planning, emergency contraception, & STD testing & treatment.

3958 N. Academy Blvd. #108 | 719.573.8880 3480 Centennial Blvd. | 719.475.7162 www.pprm.org