Oct. 29, 2012

Paul Ryan, page 3

the

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UCCS weekly newspaper

Monday, October 29, 2012 Vol. 37, Iss. 7

First Annual Cemetery Crawl to raise funds for damaged headstones Samantha Morley smorley2@uccs.edu It’s the middle of the night. Traffic is dying down, allowing the soft hum of darkness to take over. A loud crack, followed by a dull thud, disturbs the evening’s peace.

The noises continue

The Lowdown What: First Annual Friends of Fountain Fairview Cemetery Crawl When: Nov. 3 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: 757 South Santa Fe Ave. Fountain, CO How much: $10, free for children younger than 12 More Info: ksignsasl@gmail.com

throughout the night.

Come morning, family and friends enter the cemetery only to find several headstones scattered across the grass.

Between 12 and 24 grave markers were vandalized at the Fountain Fairview Cemetery on Aug. 13 and 14. Many of the stones date back to the late 1800s or early 1900s.

“This is really sad.

They don’t have any more family to take care of the stones,” said Annette Saumure-Barnhart, a previous Fountain resident. Saumure-Barnhart is the daughter of George Saumure, a former Fountain city councilman.

Earlier in the summer, history instructor Barbara Headle’s UCCS class “Cemeteries, Legacies and American History” toured the cemetery.

The group was studying the history of the gravestones.

Kimberly Sweetwood,

one of the students, expressed indignation about the incident. “I was so angry,” she said.

Sweetwood channeled her anger into motivation and constructed a fundraiser. “A couple others [and I] immediately said, ‘OK, what are we going to do?’” she said.

The Cemetery Crawl – not literally a “crawl” but a guided tour – will take place Nov. 3 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Attendees will receive a one-hour tour through designated paths in the Fountain Fairview Cemetery. Some 20 UCCS students have volunteered to wear costumes and act out educational skits.

The slow-moving tour will provide guests with six stations that are “headstones and gravestones plots of people who were influential in the pioneering and settlement of Fountain,” Sweetwood explained.

Photo by Nick Burns

After several grave markers were vandalized, the Cemetery Crawl on Nov. 3 looks to raise funds to help restore them.

Headle and Sweetwood teamed with the City of Fountain, the Fountain Valley Preservation Society, Fountain Valley Foundation, Fountain Valley Historical Society and Museum and many others to make this event

possible.

Tickets are $10 per person, and children younger than 12 are free. The money will be put into a fund to restore the stones. “The goal is to raise $2,013 by 2013,” Sweetwood said.

Sweetwood is request-

ing donations of clothing for the volunteers from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Also, the group is in need of three additional male actors. If interested, contact Kimberly Sweetwood at ksignsasl@ gmail.com. S

Theft rate on campus increases slightly from last year April Wefler

awefler@uccs.edu Students and faculty on campus are reminded to keep a watchful eye and help Public Safety prevent incidents of theft.

In the past year, there’s been a slight increase of theft on campus. Between 2009 and 2010, theft increased from 51 to 72 incidents; in 2012, it rose to 74, according to the latest Annual Security Report that the university is required to submit.

“Seventy-four in a year is not good,” said Jim Spice, director of the Department of Public Safety.

He added that the campus only has 10 holidays, and for 355 days out of the year, the buildings are unlocked.

Spice said that although Public Safety is not required to report on the theft rate, the campus chooses to because it’s an issue.

He explained that the

Inside this

Issue

biggest problems involve people leaving laptops unattended, students keeping their dorm rooms open and professors leaving offices unlocked.

Spice noted that places where people congregate and leave their items behind – namely the library and the bus – were more likely to have theft.

“People tend to go upstairs to look for books and leave all of their stuff on the tables. It’s not a huge problem right now, but if people continue to vbe too trustworthy…” said library technician Carol Pacheco.

She said that theft in the library tends to occur toward the evenings when people leave their purses or laptops. She also added that the nighttime hours have more activity from the public patrons, and it’s a temptation if people leave their possessions behind.

Pacheco explained that the library staff is alert

news Waldo Canyon Fire restoration page 2

There are simple steps everyone can take to lower the risk of being a victim on campus. and has supervisors walking around during the evening. Still, she added, “I’m surprised I don’t see more of this.”

During the summer semester, Joanna Johnson, a senior majoring in geography, looked up some of the campus crime rate

statistics. “I finally got my concealed carry,” she said.

“There was a disturbance in the Financial

Photo by Nick Burns

Aid office – I guess this guy wasn’t getting his money, so an officer Continued on page 2 . . .

culture

opinion

sports

Zombie club page 6

2012 election page 9

NCSA ranking page 11

News

Page 2

October 29, 2012

Theft rate on campus increases (continued from page 1) showed up and escorted him out,” she said. “I had no idea that you could look this stuff up … why am I finding all this out my last year here?”

Spice said that the campus only has a total of 16 officers, and although officers are on campus 24/7, they can’t be everywhere at the same time.

Generally, there are two or three officers per shift.

“We have to rely on the eyes and ears of the community,” he said.

Spice noted that the best precautions for students to take are to be aware of their surroundings, report suspicious activity, keep valuables attended, keep things locked and ask a trusted friend to watch the belongings.

Additionally, the campus offers a security awareness and crime prevention program, as well as the National Bike Registry. Students can register their bike, and if it is stolen, it can be re-

Chart courtesy of the 2012 UCCS Annual Security Report covered.

Public Safety also leaves postcards in unattended offices, explain-

ing that theft can occur that way and reminding people to keep their door locked and closed after

leaving.

“If something doesn’t seem, look [or] feel right, report it. We’d rather have

you report something that turns out to be nothing, than not report it,” Spice said.

“It takes a community,” he said. “This is not something that we can tackle alone.” S

SEAS club aids in Blodgett Peak fire restoration effort Peter Farrell

pfarrell@uccs.edu The Waldo Canyon Fire is still fresh in the minds of the Colorado Springs community, but the effects of the fire that ended more than three months ago are already fading away.

Local vegetation and

wild grass are starting to resurface, and advocate groups are contributing their time and resources to helping the damaged areas recover more quickly.

On Oct. 19, Students for Environmental Awareness and Sustainability (SEAS) hosted a Waldo Canyon Fire restoration

event to help the Blodgett Peak area recover.

The SEAS club was established in 2003 to spread awareness and advocate eco-friendly policies at UCCS. A recent campaign, “Take Back the Tap,” was proposed by a former SEAS member to eliminate plastic bottled

SEAS members spent four hours restoring the Blodgett Peak burn zone on Oct.19.

water on campus.

The campaign brought new water-filling stations, in places like Cafe ‘65 and the Osborne Center, to reduce the volume of used plastic water bottles.

Andrea Hassler, cochair of the SEAS club, oversaw the operation earlier this month. “This

is my third time working out in the Blodgett Peak [area] … my first time taking UCCS students out there,” she said.

Notable plant life that has begun reappearing includes Gambel oak and mountain mahogany, both species of native wild shrubs that grow between 5,500 and 8,000 feet.

The SEAS group, composed of 20 students and faculty, spent roughly four hours in the Blodgett Peak area moving logs and creating semi-natural dams to prevent soil erosion.

Hassler said, “The ultimate goal is to speed up the recovery of vegetation to the Hayman burn area. The main impetus behind this is that, after a fire, you lose vegetation.” Without roots from plant life, rainfall can cause soil erosion and damage the landscape.

Despite discomforts, the group maintained Photo courtesy of SEAS a positive attitude throughout the day.

“[I was] looking down the hill slope and seeing 20 students and faculty, faces and clothes covered in black char, just digging in the dirt and struggling to carry these huge, heavy logs,” Hassler said. “But [there were] smiles, and everybody was laughing and having a good time.”

A large reason for the group working specifically in the Blodgett Peak area is due to politics.

“The reason why we’re working in the Blodgett Peak area is because it’s owned by the city. And the city has granted approval for groups to go in and work,” said Hassler.

Acres belonging to the U.S. Forest Service are still off-limits to the public due to safety concerns, and large organizations such as Coalition for the Upper South Platte have been working to restore private property.

With colder weather and shorter days, it is important for the area to gain a head-start before the winter temperatures set in and nullify additional plant recovery.

SEAS’ next event will be the Public Display of Plastic on Nov. 2 in the El Pomar plaza outside the library. Students interested in becoming active with SEAS can contact the club at seas.club@gmail.com. S

News

October 29, 2012

Advisors, services available for spring registration Mikaila Ketcherside mketcher@uccs.edu Students’ fall course loads may make springtime planning an afterthought, but with registration for spring classes opening Nov. 5, planning ahead is key.

Freshmen and other students looking to register for a new set of classes have a range of services to help aid the process.

Academic advisors can be a helpful resource for students unfamiliar with registration. They can be accessed through the “Email an Advisor” page on the Student Success Center website or in person with an appointment.

Emailing an advisor allows students to quickly get feedback and answers for any questions they may have. If those questions can’t easily be answered via email, appointments are also available.

“The Student Success Center will have additional walk in advising to help accommodate as many students as possible for spring course planning,” said Academic Advisor Bill Bannister.

Freshmen and any other students needing help

registering for classes can also do a 15 minute walkin advising session in the Student Success Center, located in Main Hall Room 208.

Advisors offer walkin appointments for three weeks Monday through Wednesday starting Oct. 29 until Nov. 14 and are available for students in every major.

Walk-ins are available on a first-come first-serve basis Mondays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. except during lunch from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Advisors also offer 30 minute appointments on Thursdays and Fridays and must be scheduled ahead of time. Students more than 15 minutes late for their appointments will have their sessions canceled.

Students can access self-services at their UCCS portal to find their date and time to register. The portal also allows students to view their holds and to-do list.

Holds need to be taken care of before registration can be completed. Anything on the portal’s to-do list will eventually become a hold and should be com-

Students looking for help should talk to academic advisors in Main Hall. pleted before registration.

The course shopping cart is available through the student portal and aids with viewing the dates and times of classes and arranging a schedule.

Classes can be added to the shopping cart before officially registering.

The Student Success Center’s website has a step-by-step guide to reg-

istering, including how to access the student portal and a guide to searching for classes.

Full course schedules, the 2012-13 course catalog and information about which advisors to see for each major can also be found there.

Academic advisors suggest students access their degree audits and view

the major advising sheets available on the Student Success Center website.

Degree audits allow students to view the courses necessary to complete their degree and find out how many hours have been completed. The DARS Audits can be accessed through the student portal.

Past the audits, major

Page 3

Photo by Robert Solis advising sheets provide a four-year plan for nearly every major available at UCCS and detail the recommended classes students should take each semester.

The Student Success Center seeks to make registration as easy a process as possible and is available to any student in need of help. S

Ryan addresses local voters, points to Obama’s failed record Eleanor Skelton

eskelton@uccs.edu Afternoon sunlight outlined the crowd streaming into the airline hanger as the doors opened nearly two hours before the vice presidential candidate was

scheduled to speak.

On the evening of Oct. 21, the Romney-Ryan campaign held a rally open to the public near the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport at 1575 Aviation Way. Congressman Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., was

the featured speaker.

The Josh Abbott band, a Texas country group, melded notes from their fiddles and guitars with the conversations of people trickling into the building, gradually building in intensity as the light

faded.

The energy in the hanger heightened as people gathered, and the music grew more political in tone, ending one of their more popular songs with improvised lyrics, “She’s like Texas, and she sup-

Photo by Nick Burns

Paul Ryan came to Colorado Springs for a victory rally as a part of the last push before the election.

ports Mitt Romney.”

About an hour before Ryan was scheduled to speak, Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs, addressed the audience, opening the rally with the El Paso County Sheriff’s honor guard, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem.

In his speech, Lamborn supported Romney’s economic plans and displayed enthusiasm for Ryan’s upcoming appearance. Kyle Hybl, another Republican and one of the regents of University of Colorado, spoke after Lamborn.

Jennifer George, Colorado House of Representatives candidate for District 18, was the next speaker, taking the opportunity to describe her own campaign goals as well as support Romney and Ryan.

George advocated the need for the government to prepare for future generations, saying that her children inspired her to run for public office.

Rock music reverberated over the sound system concert-style, the volume

matching the audience’s anticipation and enthusiasm while they waited for the main speaker. In between each song, the crowd erupted into applause, expecting Ryan’s appearance.

About 20 minutes after he was scheduled to start, the entire back wall of the hanger opened from the center as Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., and Ryan stepped onto the stage.

Supporters cheered as a united mass of hands and banner-waving.

“The last four years have been defined by bailouts, dropouts and handouts,” Gardner said, arguing a Romney presidency would be different as he stepped away from the lectern.

“Guess what? You got a big choice to make,” Ryan said. “In a little more than two weeks, you’ll look back at this moment.

You’ll know that we did what we needed to do to put our country back on the right track, to save our country for our young Continued on page 4 . . .

News

Page 4

October 29, 2012

Ryan addresses local voters (continued from page 3) ones that are here with us.”

He mentioned fond memories of vacationing in Colorado and complimented the military community, adding, “This is a beautiful state. This is the state that has shown America what leadership looks like. ….

You’ve got entrepreneurs, you’ve got immigrants that have [come] here and made a difference, and you’ve got a piece of the finest military the world has ever seen.”

“We’re not just picking … who’s going to be president for four more years,” Ryan said. “This is a generation-shaping election. We are deciding what kind of a people we are going to be and what kind of a country we are going to be for at least a generation.”

On the subject of the economic climate and President Obama, Ryan said, “The president – he can’t right his record. He can’t come here and tell you how he’s made things better. He can’t come here and tell you about the people living in poverty today

– 15 percent of our countrymen and women, 46 million people. He can’t tell you about the 23 million Americans struggling to find work today.”

“He won’t even come and tell you about the only thing he [seems] eager to cut in government – that is our military,” Ryan said.

“Since he cannot run on his record, he is going to try to distract you, he is going to try to distort and he is going to try and win by default, and we’re not going to fall for it, are we?”

Ryan continued, “You know, four years ago, he said when he was running for president that if you don’t have any fresh ideas, you use … tactics to scare voters. That if you don’t have a good record to run on, you paint your opponent as someone people should run from. You make a big election about small things. That’s exactly what he said four years ago, and unfortunately ... that’s precisely what he’s become.”

“The president himself [said] on TV a few weeks

ago that he can’t change Washington from the inside. … If he can’t change Washington, then I say we change presidents,” he said.

“We are not going to cut our military,” Ryan assured the audience. “We have so much energy in this country. We have so much energy in this state.

Let’s use that energy and put people back to work.”

Ryan looked to the future and what a Romney administration would look like.

“On day one, when they ask Mitt Romney, ‘Can we build the eastern pipeline,’ he’ll say, ‘Yes, you can build that!’”

The vice presidential candidate emphasized the importance of Colorado voters in an election decided by only a few swing states.

“Colorado, you can decide,” he said. “You’re one of the key battleground states. You have the ability in the palm of your voting hands – the ability to shape the future of this country for yourselves and your kids.” S

Photo by Nick Burns

Paul Ryan visited Colorado Springs for battleground-state support.

Culture

October 29, 2012

History of Cragmor Hall brought to life in tribute thing from reenactments of oscillations to X-rays aalves@uccs.edu and vapor rubs, audiences will walk through a feast A rich, dark history lies for the senses that includes in Cragmor Hall. music, theater, art and the When walking past lost stories the building, of both the many have “We’re turning Berger Hall tuberculono idea that sis-stricken into a huge replica of what it served as a patients and tuberculosis Cragmor Sanatorium may the doctors sanatorium in have looked like. and nurses the late 1800s who cared and into the - Jane Rigler, interim director for them. early 1900s. of the VAPA Music Program “Every Now, stusingle posdents, faculty and the Colorado Springs tive show, by sound artist sible aspect has double and triple meanings,” Rigler community are coming to- Philip Blackburn.

The event is titled af- said. “Everything has been gether to unearth Cragmor ter the fact that Cragmor’s thoroughly researched.”

Hall’s curious past. ideal floor-to-ceiling winThe hyperopera will dows were used to drench shine light on both the inThe Lowdown patients in sunlight, help- ternal and external strugWhat: ing to treat them. gles that the TB patients The Sun Palace: A Filled with interactive had to overcome, remindTribute to Cragmor Hall multimedia experiences ing audiences that those for audiences, the interdis- who fought with strength When: ciplinary opera will take either for their own lives, Friday, Nov. 2 place in Berger Hall. or to save the lives of othat 7:30 p.m.

“We’re turning Berger ers, were not just patients, Saturday, Nov. 3 Hall into a huge replica of doctors or nurses but reguat 3 p.m. what Cragmor Sanatorium lar people. may have looked like from “If [audiences] just Where: [a patient’s] eyes,” said come curious, and they Berger Hall Jane Rigler, assistant pro- come with the willingness How much: fessor and interim director to be and be present with Free of the VAPA Music Pro- us in this moment of celegram. bration and homage, that’s More Info: Audiences will be taken all we are looking for,” facebook.com/pages/ back in time as they are Rigler said.

The-Sun-Palaceled through various situaThe VAPA chamber and A-Tribute-to-Cragtions that actual patients at vocal ensembles will permor/463478763692135 Cragmor Sanatorium may form, and UCCS nursing have faced. students and members of jrigler@uccs.edu Participating in every- the Colorado Springs com-

“

Presented by the UCCS Department of Visual And Performing Arts Department, “The Sun Palace: A Tribute to Cragmor Hall” is a hyperopera, an interac-

“

Kellie Alves

Page 5

Photo courtesy of VAPA

The Sun Palace reflects on Cragmor Hall’s past as a sanatorium. munity will help shape the event.

Blackburn’s hyperopera gives participants an opportunity to be enlightened by the humanity and expe-

riences of TB patients.

But he’s also providing a detailed account of Cragmor Hall and the role it played in the history of Colorado Springs.

“There are a lot of joyful moments in The Sun Palace, but it’s also touching and moving, and we want to be able to combine those ingredients,” he said. S

Simpich Showcase tells tale of one man, a life-sized lion and Aesop Shelby Kotecki skotecki@uccs.edu Fast-paced action films and blood-pumping mystery plotlines offer an adrenaline rush, but for one local actor, delivering a strong, thoughtprovoking story involves

a unique interpretation and performance style.

“Sometimes, puppets do an even better job of acting than humans,” said David Simpich, owner and head puppeteer of the Simpich Showcase Marionette Theater.

In his one-man shows,

Simpich tries to fuse the lightheartedness of classic tales and the desire for respect that he wants to give his audience, both adults and children alike.

In his current show, “Aesop,” Simpich takes on the role of a hunchback slave, presumably

Photo courtesy of the Simpich Showcase

David Simpich’s shows attract both children and adults.

portraying Aesop himself, a narrator who is a part of the show and also interacts with the puppets while on stage.

The show is comprised of many of Aesop’s famous fables, including “The Slave and the Lion” – which acts as a catalyst for the entire show – and stories of the stork and the fox, as well as the grasshopper and the ant.

However, all of the tales mold together into Simpich’s own, new take on the fables. The stories are so intricately weaved into each other that, at times, the audience may not even know that they’re supposed to be separate narratives.

Simpich was inspired by his parents, who introduced him to the world of marionettes and inanimate characters.

“They were doll designers for 54 years … their dolls and figures were shipped all over the world,” he said.

Simpich participated in drama during high school and wanted to figure out a way to mix his passion for theater with the art that his parents took part in – the start of what is now his beloved theater.

Both his puppets and his parents’ puppets are handmade. The difference between the two is the size of the figures – Simpich’s designs range to about 20 inches tall, while his parents’ were only about a foot in height. Simpich also wants to incorporate life-sized puppets, or at least puppets on a larger scale.

“I don’t want to just put on a puppet show,” he said. “I don’t want it to be a condescending performance. I want to give something that can challenge children and be thought-provoking. Not a show where I talk down to them.”

A majority of Simpich’s audience, nearly 80 percent, is adults. When

writing a script, Simpich said, “I need to keep that in mind. That I need to appeal to both groups.”

Upcoming shows

by Simpich include “A Christmas Carol,” in which he will be playing the part of Charles Dickens as he retells the story from his own perspective. S

The Lowdown What: Aesop When: Oct. 31-Nov. 4 Fridays at 7 p.m.

Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

Where: Simpich Showcase Marionette Theater Old Colorado City 2413 W. Colorado Ave. How much: $8-12 More Info: simpich.com

Culture

Page 6

October 29, 2012

ZAPP helps prepare students for the zombie apocalypse Sarah Palma

spalma@uccs.edu People felt uneasy when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published an article about preparing for the zombie apocalypse.

Yet some are taking the CDC’s warning into account and are planning ahead.

Students who wish to prepare for this disaster can look into the Zombie Awareness, Preparation and Protection (ZAPP) club at UCCS. ZAPP was formed as a response to the CDC article and recent movies depicting zombie outbreaks.

Club members discuss theories about how zombies will emerge, watch zombie movies and discuss survival techniques should an outbreak occur.

Brenden Valdez, the president of the club, explained that “the most prevalent theory concerning a zombie outbreak is a mutated viral infection.”

Valdez went on to explain his top tips for surviving the zombie apocalypse. “You want to have a safe house,” he said.

“That’s the first step. Settle there, assess the situation and make decisions from there.”

Valdez suggested having a basic survival kit ready to go with items such as food and a firstaid kit. Staying away from highly populated areas, such as malls or schools, is important. “They all seem like safe places, but all it takes is one infected, and everyone’s infected.”

While it is important to stay away from populated areas, forming a zombie

survival team is just as crucial. “You don’t want to isolate yourself,” Valdez said.

He suggested a group of 10-15 people at the most.

A diverse group of people is preferable, with skills ranging from basic wilderness survival to hardened combat veterans.

Students may be concerned that with all of the disaster theories surrounding the year 2012, the zombie apocalypse may occur within the next couple months.

While Valdez is prepared for a possible zombie outbreak, he is not convinced it will happen anytime soon. “I’m sure there are people who think it will happen soon, but I’m not so convinced.

But it’s always good to be prepared.”

The CDC has a similar

stance to Valdez when it speaks of being prepared for a disaster and the likelihood of a zombie infestation.

Under “Zombie Preparedness” on the CDC website (cdc.gov/phpr/ zombies), CDC Director Ali Khan wrote, “If you are generally well equipped to deal with a zombie apocalypse you will be prepared for a hurricane, pandemic, earthquake, or terrorist attack.”

Students who are serious about the zombie apocalypse and those who are skeptical are all welcome to attend the ZAPP club meetings. “The club is meant to be fun,” Valdez said. “We watch a lot of movies and just talk about zombies.”

ZAPP club members are still working on set-

Photo by Tyler Anderson

Brenden Valdez is the club president of ZAPP. ting up regular days and times for meetings. Anyone interested in learning

more about the club can email Valdez at bvaldez@ uccs.edu. S

Veronika String Quartet demonstrates art of breathing, silence April Wefler awefler@uccs.edu Rating: Here are two words I never thought I would hear in the same sentence: “kumquat” and “rubber baby barn car,” spoken so fast it might as well be one word.

Yet, during GOCA 121’s Messis Autumni, “Church Car” took these words and made it into a melody of sorts.

Messis Autumni, an Oct. 22 concert, was the first in a series of collaborations featuring the Veronika String Quartet, founded in Moscow in 1989.

The concert opened with “Church Car,” one of the most fascinating pieces of the night, a song composed in the 1980s by Charles Amirkhanian.

Two people repeated different words over and over and made a melody mainly out of the words “car,” “box,” “kumquat” and included many “bang”

The Veronika String Quartet performed at GOCA121 amid church bells, silence and a collaboration of vocal melody.

Photo by Nick Burns

sounds as well.

“Church Car” was followed by two pieces from the Veronika String Quartet. In the first, Anton Webern’s 1906 “Rondo for String Quartet,” there was slight squeaking from the instruments, perhaps purposely. The piece was beautiful overall but, in some places, a tad grating.

“Rondo for String Quartet” included a lovely cello solo, performed by Scott Kluksdahl, who made his debut with the San Francisco Symphony. His solo

was followed by the first violist and then two violinists.

The musicians, especially the first violinist and the cellist, were deeply involved in their playing, adding another element to the music. They felt the passion and despair in the piece.

After the Veronika String Quartet, members of the Ensemble Peak Frequency and members of the quartet performed “Infinito Nero,” which began with the sounds of church bells, fol-

lowed by a breathing-type sound.

The breathing was followed by silence, then more breathing (played by flute and clarinet) and more silence, and it continued like this for some time.

Eventually, the singer speaks up, startling the crowd, which expected more silence and breathing.

The other instruments played a little, but they only became noticeable if the singer reached a high pitch.

The “Infinito Nero” might have been some kind of nightmare or internal struggle because the singer talked as well as sang, and what she said (it was incomprehensible) sounded like she was fighting with herself.

Later in the piece, the percussion made the sound of a beating heart, which also gave the impression that the piece might have been about a nightmare.

At times, it was slow and unsettling, though largely dramatic. S

Culture

October 29, 2012

Page 7

‘This Book is Full of Spiders’ also full of laughter, terror Mikaila Ketcherside mketcher@uccs.edu Rating:

Spiders may be the scariest arachnids around, and they play on the primal fears that nearly all humans face.

“You may have a huge, invisible spider living in your skull. This is not a metaphor,” warns David Wong in his new book, “This Book is Full of Spiders: Seriously, Dude, Don’t Touch It.” The novel balances clever humor with spine-chilling horror and never lets up on suspense.

Wong’s real name is Jason Pargin, and he is the senior editor of the humor website cracked.com.

Readers familiar with the site will enjoy Wong’s occasional references to popular articles.

“This Book is Full of Spiders” is the sequel to “John Dies at the End.” While the first installment does explain the setting and

characters, reading it isn’t necessary to enjoy the second book.

The protagonist, David Wong, with his best friend John and girlfriend Amy, attempts to save the world from parasitic brain-eating spiders and fail spectacularly at it.

Now the trio must fight to stay alive in a world on the brink of apocalypse and keep spiders from crawling down their throats.

The novel is written as if it were a telling of reallife events, as evidenced by the protagonist having the same name as the author.

This makes the novel’s events more personal, enhancing sympathy for the characters and the reader’s feelings of urgency.

Most of the story is told

by David, but a few sections are narrated by John and fewer by Amy. David’s narration is familiar to fans of “John Dies at the End.” He is sarcastic, jaded and can crack a joke in just about any situation he gets himself into.

John’s sections contain

the expected antics of a narrator who is drunk for half the novel. He is an appealing character despite being lazy, snarky and generally unlikeable. These qualities only manage to make his narration more amusing.

Amy’s sections, however, are less compelling. Her narration establishes her as more responsible and reasonable than her companions but lacks the clever and dirty humor David and John provide. As a result, her sections are dull and lifeless in comparison.

The novel illustrates the world’s fall into utter lunacy as confusion and fear reign supreme. With television so dominated by post-apocalyptic shows, “Spiders” is a welcome and unique twist on a commonly used scenario.

Fans of “John Dies at the End” will have greater appreciation for the panic the apocalypse brings, as they know David and John as the bumbling and immature morons they are, and they’re taking the situation seriously.

The book manages to do what so few novels accomplish – it combines two genres into one balanced masterpiece and does so with two very different fields. The contrast of humor and horror increases the reader’s terror without diminishing the humor.

The chapter titles are structured as a countdown to an event, such as “48 Hours Prior to Outbreak” and “8 Days 12 Hours Until the Massacre at Ffirth Asylum.”

Titling chapters this way builds tension and encourages continued reading to find out just what the “massacre” is.

Some readers will be put off by the frequently risque humor and vulgar language, but if given a chance, the filthy jokes are extremely entertaining.

The book’s only imperfection is Amy’s occasionally tedious narration. The writing style is very casual, mainly because it is meant to be an account by David as he experiences the apocalypse, and the frequently

ignored grammar rules can grate on the reader.

The fear “Spiders” provokes plays on primal ter-

rors every human has, such as the dark, the unknown, feelings of helplessness – and of course – spiders. S

pensable.

With the amount of overplaying her new single has received since its August release, it’s hard to give the rest of Taylor Swift’s album a chance.

But while the mainstream sound of “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” has left many fans disappointed, every other track on her newest

CD, “Red,” is worth hearing.

Not to worry, Swift fans, she’s back with her country-twang voice and brilliant lyricism.

“State of Grace” opens the record with a strong country-pop theme and clever wordplay. Swift sings, “These are the hands of fate/You’re my Achilles heel.”

“Red” gives a good example of Swift’s poetic ability. The lines use colors to describe the feelings at different stages of a relationship: “Losing him was blue like I’d never known/Missing him was dark grey all alone/ Forgetting him was like trying to know somebody you never met/But loving him was red.”

It’s not her only play on words. “All Too Well” uses an intense acoustic sound behind Swift’s strong voice, singing the lines, “Time won’t fly/I’m paralyzed by it,” and “You … break me like a promise.”

Across all genres, almost every album this year has had at least one track with dubstep chords, and Swift hasn’t been left behind.

“I Knew You Were Trouble” shows Swift’s experimentation with the dubstep sound, featuring a catchy techno background to her chorus. It’s a fun song about ignoring the warning signs of people who mean trouble.

The same fun style is used in the song “22,” in which Swift describes being 22 years old. She sings about forgetting deadlines and being “happy, free, confused and lonely.”

Another memorably

fun song is “Treacherous.” Swift sings about how daring it is to cling to hope, how dangerous it is to daydream. The optimistic sound indicates that she’s not afraid to dream anyway.

Following the angry, pop-sounding “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” is a sweet love track reminiscent of Swift’s classic “Our Song.”

“Stay Stay Stay” has a country Tennessee feel, complete with clapping and a bouncy tune to the lines “I just like hangin’ out with you/All the time/ All those times that you didn’t leave/It’s been occurring to me I’d like to hang out with you/For my whole life.”

Featuring a second artist tends to slow Swift’s momentum. Her collaboration with The Civil Wars to record “Safe and Sound” for the “Hunger Games” soundtrack was an exception.

This album’s song “The Last Time” feels too slow, and featured artist Gary Lightbody sings the unimaginative rhymes, “Found myself at your door/Just like all those times before/I’m not sure how I got there/All roads they lead me here.”

The end of the album

contains slower, redundant songs. Her other track with a featured artist, “Everything Has Changed,” is more enjoyable than the first but still lacks the creativity her own songs contain.

Swift regains her own style – and positive image – at the end of the album. The last two songs are uplifting and happy.

“Starlight” is about someone who encouraged her to dream. She sings, “He said, ‘Look at you, worrying so much about things you can’t change/ You’ll spend your whole life singing the blues if you keep thinking that way … Don’t you see the starlight, starlight?/Don’t you dream impossible things?’”

The last song is the most thoughtful lyrically. Swift plays a soft tune about healing from past heartbreaks, singing, “I’ve been spending the last eight months/Thinking all love ever does is break and burn and end/ But on a Wednesday/In a café/I watched it begin again.”

Maybe listeners will learn something from Swift’s catchy lines: Dreaming about the impossible, and trying again after heartbreaking failure, is worthwhile. S

Photo courtesy of Macmillan Publishing

“This Book is Full of Spiders” is by the senior editor of cracked.com.

Swift’s ‘Red’ album delivers colorful, powerful return Cynthia Jeub

cjeub@uccs.edu Rating: Most country stars rely heavily on failed romantic interests for their lyrics, but many can learn that dreaming about the impossible, especially after heartbreak, can be indis-

“Red” is Taylor Swift’s fourth studio album.

Photo courtesy of Billboard.com

Editorial

Page 8

October 29, 2012

Voting is the easiest task you’ll complete all year Throwing together a 500-word paper is easy.

Completing a 100-point midterm? Done. But when it comes to casting a ballot, people are easily apathetic, don’t get all the details or understand both sides and still refuse to take part.

As Americans come together and split their votes down presidential, congressional, state and local lines, voting remains a necessity, not an option.

To be fair, Colorado has one of the highest voter turnout rates in the nation; our state is ranked fourth nationally with more than 70 percent of eligible voters casting ballots in the 2008 election. (Less than half of eligible voters in Hawaii, ranked last, bothered to cast a ballot.)

But paying attention to news and understanding campaign stances is vital for casting an informed

the

ballot. Yet according to Pew, only 18 percent of those under 30 say that they are tracking campaign news very closely. That’s nearly half the percentage from just four years ago.

Despite less enthusiasm than previous election cycles, there is evidence that younger Americans are becoming more interested in issues like the economy and having jobs after college.

Today’s “Millennials”, those people ages 1829, want to see what Washington can do to tackle the nation’s growing debt and how elected leaders can transfer economic responsibility from the government back to the individual – or at least make them comparable.

And as voting and taking part in the democratic process becomes more socially expected, turnout

Photo courtesy of Laura Bittner, Flickr.com

Will you vote in this election? to advance such issues will also increase.

Younger Americans don’t want politicians who blame each other, but they want leaders who show how they can work with others in presenting and implementing a solution.

Freedom and rule of law, essential elements for elections, distinguish America from dictatorial nations – whether dominated by a few tyrants or a mob of overly

cribe

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passionate citizens.

Those who pay attention to foreign disputes and campaigns understand the importance of free and fair elections. When thousands have to fear for their lives when casting a ballot in the Middle East or wonder how far they can go in speaking out against their government, freedom and rule of law have been replaced with totalitarian control and intolerance.

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As a constitutional republic, voting plays an important role in the function of our society and government. It allows citizens to speak up for candidates that they believe in and speak out against policies that they dislike.

But the right to vote does not come without certain consequences.

Whether electing Francois Hollande in France, who stands against measures to tackle Europe’s debt woes and who is already advancing policies like banning homework, or reelecting Hugo Chavez in Venezuela, a controversial socialist and sworn enemy of the U.S., a candidate and his or her policies are only as sound as the votes that are cast to elect them.

Citizens who rely primarily on emotions as they check a box on a

piece of paper can only expect leaders who utilize such emotions – those who vote out of fear can expect leaders who will govern by using fear.

Those who vote as if their voice doesn’t matter will be treated as if they are powerless.

Whether considering the state of the economy, civil liberties, foreign wars, drug policies or leadership experience, voting for the next president of the United States – or for state and local representatives and ballot initiatives – should not be taken as lightly as a single collegiate assignment.

The next four or more years will be governed by those appointed Nov. 6.

And all you have to do is vote. S – The Scribe Editorial Board

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Opinion

October 29, 2012

Page 9

President Barack Obama understands student needs

Riley Coltrin Chairman, College Democrats rcoltrin@uccs.edu

Time to wake up, UCCS! As a student and part of the generation that will become the new

leaders of the free world, I feel the need to address something that we often feel about politics – apathy I am telling you this with every hopeful and urging bone that I have in my body. There is a need to understand what is going on in the political world. Politics affects you right now as a student; it also affects your future and the future of all Americans.

Because there is so much is at stake, you need to support President Barack Obama for reelection.

Looking back on the

last four years, I see a president who is committed to improving education. He championed the Race to the Top program, doubled the funding for Pell Grants and cut out the middle man in student loans, which will save tax payers close to $68 billion.

He sees the need to support the Department of Education and education policies in this country, not cut them.

By passage of the Affordable Care Act, we can stay on our parents’ health insurance until we are 26, making the transition from life at home to

life in the real world that much easier.

Through education reform, low-income schools and community colleges are getting more funding than ever, and students are being offered more grants to go on to higher education after high school.

This president understands the need to innovate our schools so that we can achieve higher standards by praising charter schools and small class sizes and putting more technology into the classroom.

He understands that to compete worldwide, we

need to be number one again, and to make that happen, education must be a top priority.

Now I know times are tough and that we have a struggling job market.

“No president – not me, not any of my predecessors, no one could have repaired all the damage that he found in just four years,” Bill Clinton said.

“But he has laid the foundation for a new, modern successful economy.”

Others will tell you differently. They will say it is easy. They’ll say anyone can do it.

Believe me, though, we cannot afford to disman-

tle fundamental programs that make our country great. We cannot afford four years of the other guy. We need change, and we need it now.

OK, maybe not right this instant. Reelecting the guy does not mean he will be able to snap his fingers and fix all the problems of the world in one night, nor does it mean he can do it all by himself.

It means we must work together to move this country forward. A vote for this president is a vote for a better future.

So wake up! Let’s make it work. S

Your future depends on the election of Mitt Romney

Bill Casey Chairman, College Republicans

uccsgop@gmail.com I urge everyone to vote for Governor Mitt Romney this year. Why should you vote for Romney instead of Pres-

ident Barack Obama?

Ask yourself the following question: “Am I better off today than I was four years ago?”

As a fellow college student, you and I are worse off today than we were before Obama took office. There are many reasons for this, but I will focus on the issues that directly impact college students.

Many students take out loans to pay for their college education.

Obama has said that higher education should be prioritized and made more easily attainable for the youth in this country. If that’s the

case, why has college tuition gone up an average of 25 percent during Obama’s tenure?

Every college student who takes out student loans understands that a post-graduation job is necessary to simply pay off the student loan debt accrued while attaining one’s degree.

Today, more than 50 percent of college students move back in with their parents because they cannot find a job in their field.

That leads to my next question: Where are all the jobs that were promised with the trillions of dollars spent by the

Obama administration in stimulus?

None of us should be content with having to pay higher tuition and have far fewer job prospects after graduation.

That is not the American dream. The American dream is about prosperity. The Obama administration, through overindulgent spending and waste, has endangered that dream.

Unlike Obama, Romney understands how the private sector and job growth work through his time as a business owner and entrepreneur.

Romney also knows how to be an effective

executive within a government; he was successful as governor of Massachusetts in reaching across the aisle, working with Democratic colleagues to pass important legislation and reform.

The only major legislation passed by the Obama administration was forced down the throats of the Republicans when his party possessed a supermajority in the Congress.

Romney will be able to combine his experience in both the private sector and as a governor to help bring the United States back to fiscal re-

sponsibility and prestige in the world economy.

He wants to encourage small businesses to flourish and grow. Small businesses employ more than 97 percent of the country’s work force and are vital in providing jobs to new college graduates.

Romney can and will guarantee us all a better, more prosperous future by pulling us out of the economic downward spiral the Obama administration has sent us tumbling down.

Vote this year like your future depends on it – because it does. Vote for Romney. S

Gary Johnson liberty-minded, tackles important issues

Michael Mangin UCCS Chapter Chair, Young Americans for Liberty uccs.yal@gmail.com

The 2012 elections have stirred up quite the season for political controversy.

The Democrats want more progress, and the Republicans are fearful of four more years. This election has also proven to be a large battleground

for the Independent and Libertarian voters.

With elections every four years, one can observe that Americans are getting more and more fed up with the whole political system.

Yes, the faces change and so do the parties, but the overall direction of government remains constant.

So what alternatives to the two-party political machines do we have?

Some have suggested voting for Jill Stein (Green Party), Virgil Good (Constitution Party) and finally Gary Johnson (Libertarian Party).

With national polls listing Johnson as high as 10 percent, he is considered the viable alternative to the current candidates who face off

in the larger arena.

Latest polls from “Politico” show Johnson with 5 percent in Colorado (with Obama at 47 percent and Romney at 47.7 percent). In a state that swings an election, this could prove to be very important for the 2012 election.

Johnson has run an honorable campaign this presidential season and tackles all of the main issues facing the country.

Although critical of the establishment, he has never once run an attack ad. He’s a candidate for Democrats who have become disenchanted with their own party’s economic policies and also for Republicans who want to go back to the Goldwater years

of believing in small government.

While governor of New Mexico, Johnson focused on the most important issue – debt.

He not only turned around the state debt and balanced the budget; he was also able to pull off an 11.6 percent job growth rate.

New Mexico had the best job growth rate in the country under Gary Johnson. With a $16 trillion national debt and a souring deficit, America must get its finances under control.

Johnson himself said, “The math is simple: Federal spending must be cut not by millions or billions, but by trillions.

And it must be done today.”

Ron Paul may not be on the ballot, but liberty

is.

Johnson opposes the PATRIOT Act, NDAA, TSA Security, police stop and frisks, racial profiling, Internet censorship, UN suppression, reproductive choice, education choice, unwarranted searches and seizures, military torture and any other liberty-leeching laws, departments and practices that threaten our freedoms.

He does not believe in sacrificing liberty for safety. ACLU rated Johnson the highest on its Presidential Report Card.

Johnson will most likely not win, but that should never keep one from contesting the vote and protesting the system.

Ross Perot, a thirdparty candidate, won nearly 20 percent of the vote in the 1992 election.

Although he did not win, the debt and other issues became a hot topic for most Americans.

Third parties shake up the playing field. Do not let your two-party friends bully you into voting against Johnson if you believe he’s the best candidate.

Johnson supporter Beth Lancaster said it best: “I don’t go to the polls to vote against someone, I go to the polls to vote for the person I believe will be the best person for the job. The only way to bring about true change is to vote for someone who’s proven they can change things for the better. Gary Johnson has done just that.” S

Life on the Bluffs

Page 10

Campus Chatter

by Sarah Palma, spalma@uccs.edu, photos by Nick Burns

Garrick Slack, sophomore, mechanical engineering Do you plan to vote this November, and who are you voting for?

Yes, I’m voting for Romney.

What issues are most important to you in this election?

There are a lot of issues important to me. The economy, moral issues. I don’t believe what Obama believes. I don’t like the debt he’s created. I don’t believe in taxing the upper class more, and I don’t believe in abortion.

How would you recommend other students get information about the issues in this election?

I have a lot of conversations with friends and look online at websites. But it’s hard to figure out the truth online because a lot of sites are biased. I feel like this is mainly a liberal college, but in my economics class, I received a fact sheet that proves to me things haven’t changed during the last four years. Things have just gotten worse.

Presidential elections occur once every four years, and election day is only one week away. Many UCCS students are ready to cast their votes, while others are unsure or simply not participating in this year’s election. What do students have to say about the election?

Mitchel Castle, junior, mechanical engineering Are you planning to vote this year, and if not, why?

No, I’m not voting. None of the candidates appeal to me. All they do is bash each other.

They aren’t saying anything that appeals to me to get my vote for either of them to become president.

What would you have liked to have seen in a candidate?

I’d like to hear more about real-life situations and people. I’d like to have seen someone from the middle class running for president, someone who actually knows people and what they are going through.

Top 10: Worst campaign slogans

Aubree Carter, sophomore, hospitality Do you plan to vote this year, and who are you voting for?

Yes, I’m voting, and I’m voting for Obama.

Why do you feel Obama is a better choice than the other candidates?

Well, that’s the problem. I’m not really sure about Romney or Obama, I just feel like Obama is the lesser of two evils. I feel like we’re in a pretty deep hole right now.

Romney would have to spend a lot of time learning about everything and uncover a huge mess, but Obama already knows what’s happened.

What do you wish students understood about voting?

Voting is so important. People died so we could vote.

My boyfriend is in the army. We have worked so hard so we could have this right to vote. If you don’t, it’s like kicking sand in the faces of those who have fought for it. S

Crossword

1

by Sara Horton, shorton@uccs.edu, photo illustration by Robert Solis Photo elements courtesy of Thomas Hawk and Stevendepolo

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

2

5

1 2

Better Hair Than Mitt Romney

6

8

7 4

3

5

6

7

8

9

Hey, It Could Be Worse

10 9

11

10

I’m Crazy, and I’m Right

12 11

13 12 13

Show Me the Money

Stylin’ and Racial Profilin’

17

2 8

10 13 15

Backward

17 18

The Lesser of Two Evils

Tuesday, Oct. 30 Free Pancakes University Center 7:30 a.m.

Jay Shinn: Illuminated GOCA 121 Noon Psychology Colloquium Series University Center 303B 12:10 p.m.

14 14

16 16

9

War Like “1984”

15

15

Screw the Constitution

UCCS

4

3

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

Last week’s crossword answers can be found online at uccsscribe.com.

We Have Your Mom’s Vote

This week at

October 29, 2012

18

18

Across Across Gun runners, Vin Diesel (3 Gun runners, Vin Diesel (3 Words) 2 (3 Words) Words) (3 Words) Batman villain starting cash? (2 Words) 8 Words) Batman(2 villain starting Incumbentcash?

El Paso County (2 Words) (2 Words) commissioner (2 Words) (2 Incumbent El Paso County Words) 9 commissioner (2 Words) (2 Romney household game: You're it! Words) Wonky chart maker 10 Romney household game: Second debate arrest (2 You're it!

Words) (2 Words) 13 Wonky chart maker 5th Congressional District incumbent (2 Words) 15 Second debate(2 arrest (2 Words) Words) (2 Words) CU system government

17 5th Congressional District incumbent (2 Words) (2 Words) 18 CU system government

Wednesday, Oct. 31 Core Express Rec Center 5:10 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 1

CSI (Cardio Strength Intervals) Rec Center 6 p.m.

Zumba Rec Center 4:40 p.m.

The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity Dusty Loo Bon Vivant Theater 7:30 p.m.

17

Hula Hoop Fitness Rec Center Noon

Stretch and Flex Rec Center 6 p.m.

Basic Dance Rec Center 7 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 2

Philip Blackburn, sound artist Berger Hall 7:30 a.m.

Aquacize Rec Center 5 p.m.

Improv Night Clyde’s 6 p.m.

Down Down Obama's equal rights first (3 1 Words) Obama's equal rights first (3 (3 Words) Words) presidential (3 Words) 3 Sitcom candidate Words) (2 Words) 3 (2Sitcom presidential candidate 4 Electoral college playground (2 Words) (2 Words) (2 Words) (2 Words) Electoral collegecandidate playground (2 5 4 Crowd-surfing (2 Words) Words) Words) (2 (2 Words) 6 5 9/11 anniversary attack Crowd-surfing candidate (2 7 BLS conspirator, Words) (2 Words) grape guy (2 Words) (2 Words) 9/11 anniversary attack 11 6 Oven glove 7 BLS conspirator, grape guy (2 12 Massachusetts beach shoes (2Words) Words) (2 Words) (2 Words) 14 11Fowl jeopardy (2 Words) (2 Oveninglove Words) 12 Massachusetts beach shoes 16 Colorado's electoral vote (2 Words) (2 Words) 14 Fowl in jeopardy (2 Words) (2 Words) 16 Colorado's electoral vote 1

Saturday, Nov. 3 Karaoke Night Clyde’s 6 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 5 Spring Registration Begins

Ultimate Conditioning Rec Center Noon

Sports

October 29, 2012

Page 11

Mountain Lions ranked 25 in annual NCSA power rankings Jonathan Toman jtoman@uccs.edu UCCS is ranked No.25 in the 2012 National Collegiate Scouting Association power rankings, which looks at all the schools in the nation in each division.

Developed 10 years ago as a tool for families of student athletes to evaluate possible institutions of higher learning, the ranking objectively evaluates schools.

The annual ranking, which is a comprehensive conglomerate of both academics and athletics, includes an average of the U.S. News & World Report academic rankings, student athlete graduation rates and the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup standings (which determine a school’s overall athletic performance) to achieve the score.

“To get in the top 25, you have got to be pretty balanced,” said Steve Kirkham, UCCS athletic director. “It’s a good thing to have going for you.”

Many Mountain Lion programs are beginning to win consistently.

“Two years ago, we were around 90-something,

and last year they messed up our graduation rate,” he said. “We could be in the top 10 next year.”

UCCS is the top-ranked Division II school in the state of Colorado, one spot ahead of Colorado School of Mines. One of the biggest benefits for UCCS in the new ranking will be for recruiting.

“Recruiting is the lifeblood of college athletics, and our coaches can now have a powerful discussion with both parents and kids,” said Kirkham.

“We’re winning,” he added. “And we now have both the scholarship and salary money to retain our players and coaches.”

This fall, various sports are doing well; some are even having the best season in the history of their respective programs.

“We’ve never hosted a fall RMAC (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) postseason game, and we have a great shot to host three this fall,” said Kirkham.

Postseason is set to begin for several Mountain Lion teams within the next few weeks. S

Photo by Joshua Camacho

Above: Alyssa Wendt, who competes on the women’s cross country team, hits the books and the trails to help our school reach its academic and sports goals. Below: UCCS has a 118 NCSA power ranking.

Chart courtesy of ncasports.org

Chasing the Olympic dream comes with crippling price

Tyler Bodlak tbodlak@uccs.edu In August, sports fans all across America watched as gymnast Gabby Douglas twisted and flipped her way to Olympic gold.

Douglas had seemingly come out of nowhere to snag the top spot on the podium, finishing with a gold medal dangling from her neck and a huge smile splitting her face.

Anyone watching could tell Douglas had worked hard for that moment, investing thousands of training hours in sweaty gyms for this one shot at history.

But what viewers didn’t see was the finan-

cial strain that the pursuit of this dream, the Olympic dream, had placed on her family.

Prior to the Olympics, Douglas’ mother filed for bankruptcy. The cost of supporting her daughter’s quest – on a $30,000 a year salary – had simply gotten too large.

Stories like these are hardly unique, which raises the question: Is it really worth it?

Aside from a few highprofile athletes, most Olympians compete in anonymity. They receive no sponsorships, and the only way that their training investments will be repaid is through the winning of a medal, a feat that garners a payout from the U.S. Olympic Committee and also makes them likely to land some sort of endorsement deal.

But realistically, for your average Olympic athlete, the chances of this are slim. Most likely, he or she will never make it to the Olympics, and even if he or she does, a medal is still elusive.

To most of these athletes, it is probably still worth it, to them at least.

But it doesn’t come without a cost.

For example, parents of elite gymnasts can expect to spend upwards of

$1,000 a month to support their children.

Olympic-caliber gymnasts begin training at an early age, making this a sustained cost. Factor in travel expenses – and there are plenty – and the num-

ber climbs even higher.

For Douglas, the story has a happy ending; she stands to make thousands in sponsorships. But for other gymnasts, the ones who didn’t make the flight to London, the ending is

Photo courtesy of On Being, Flickr.com

The costs of pursuing a gold medal paid off for Gabby Douglas, but many athletes have a hard time financing their training and traveling.

not so happy.

Even some of the Olympics’ more obscure sports are hugely expensive.

Olympic fencer Maya Lawrence estimated that the annual cost of her sport is $20,000.

And training full time, the money necessary to support these athletes has to come from external sources. Usually, it falls on the athlete’s family.

So is it worth abandoning the Olympic dream? I don’t think so. However, something needs to be done to prevent the Olympics from becoming a burden for those involved.

It might be time for the U.S. to take a look around and realize that it is one of – if not the only – country that doesn’t directly support its athletes through government funding.

For some Olympic athletes (LeBron James, Michael Phelps) funding is unnecessary, but for others, a paycheck would be a lifesaver. For many, it would prevent the Olympic dream from becoming a financial nightmare. S

Sports

Page 12

October 29, 2012

Women’s cross country program building on success Jonathan Toman jtoman@uccs.edu The UCCS women’s cross country team is having one of the most successful seasons in team history.

The Mountain Lions are ranked No.4 in the south central region as of Oct.23, their highest ranking this season.

They are one of three Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference teams ranked in the top four in the regional poll, along with Adams State and Western State. The team has also reached a new high in the national poll, ranked No.14 in the country.

The Mountain Lions are enjoying the success of their hard work building the program, said Head Coach David Harmer.

“You have to set the expectations and attitude in any program, and that takes time,” Harmer said.

“It becomes the norm as opposed to having to enforce it.”

“This year, it is all about the team, and it’s really cool to be a part of it,” said Melanie Diep, a

Photo by Tyler Anderson

The UCCS women’s cross country team received the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference honors award. freshman biology major from Thornton, Colo.

Harmer is in his sixth year as a coach at UCCS, but this is his first as head coach of the women’s cross country team. Be-

fore this year, Harmer coached both men and women.

“It’s tough to transition between male and female athletes within a few seconds, and I think this ar-

rangement has helped both teams (men and women) focus,” explained Harmer.

“It’s not too different, and it’s nice to be able to focus on one gender,” he added.

In recent meets, the

Mountain Lions have enjoyed much success. They took second in the Regis Invitational on Sep. 17.

“That meet showed us that we can compete with the top teams, and we

got to run on the regional course,” said Harmer.

“At that meet, people were like, oh, OK, let’s take a look at UCCS,” said Diep.

“That experience and having a good performance bodes well for regionals,” added Harmer.

The team won the Roy Griak Invitational Sep. 29 in St. Paul, Minn., coming in first out of 38 teams.

“That was a standout meet for us, and it was a simulator for a nationaltype environment,” said Harmer.

The Mountain Lions got to host the RMAC Championships on Oct. 20 for the first time in program history – and they responded well, taking third out of 14 teams.

Madison Neher led a balanced attack for the Mountain Lions, finishing twelfth overall.

On tap for the Mountain Lions is regionals in Denver on Nov. 3, on the course they saw in the Regis meet. Following regionals, the team is hoping for a trip to nationals in Joplin, Mo., on Nov. 17. S

Expansion and new athletic facilities planned for UCCS Kyle Marino

kmarino@uccs.edu More athletic teams (baseball, anyone?) could be making their way to UCCS within the next five years. The expansion and development of new athletic facilities on campus will result in more prac-

tice and playing space.

The expansion, which includes a 4,000-seat arena, will serve as the home for many different sporting events. Construction is set to start in 2014 with an estimated completion date sometime in 2017.

According to the master plan, the university

“envisions a 4,000- seat arena anchoring a complex with a soccer and track stadium, softball diamond, baseball diamond, and one or two practice fields.”

In addition, sites will be reserved for an indoor sports field house and a natatorium, an indoor

The future athletic facility will be located near the Four Diamonds Sports Complex.

swimming pool. Due to their large footprint and dimensional constraints, it is important to reserve adequately sized sites for these facilities even though they are considered long-term needs.

The master planning team, led by Gary Reynolds, executive director of

facility services at UCCS, and Jim Rees, project manager for the Colorado Springs Urban Renewal Authority, facilitated the overall process of planning the facilities.

The current Four Diamonds Sports Complex accommodates UCCS athletics, as well as Colorado Christian School athletics and recreations for the community.

The student body is increasing, with an estimated 15,000 students by the year 2020. The demand for the Four Diamonds site will become very high, and expansion is needed to meet these demands.

Finding spots for construction of new facilities takes time. According to the master plan, “Finding flat sites for new and relocated fields amidst the campus’ significant topography is challenging.

The Master Plan Photo by Robert Solis identifies opportunities for artificial

turf fields that accommodate intensive use and are integrated into housing and parking developments.”

Not only does the university need money to fund such facilities, but it is also important to be aware of the natural environment around the building area.

Some are concerned that destroying the natural environment around the facilities could make the facilities look less appealing to the eyes of the students, faculty and Colorado Springs community.

It is essential, according to the master plan, that “the responsible capacity of the land is being respected.”

Building and financing new athletic facilities and new sporting events on campus takes a lot of time and money to become a reality.

Many current students will not see the project come to fruition, but future Mountain Lions will be able to experience the excitement of new facilities and possibly even a football team in the near future. S