Men’s basketball, page 11
the
Monday, November 26, 2012
Inside this
cribe Vol. 37, Iss. 9
Faculty, staff and students participate in Veterans Day Roll Call Eleanor Skelton
Issue
eskelton@uccs.edu
news
Amendment 64 page 2 Despite the amendment passing, marijuana isn’t legal quite yet.
culture Expressions of Awareness page 5 Respect on Campus combats relationship violence with artwork.
Photo by Nick Burns
More than 5,000 names of men and women who have died since the start of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were read at the National Roll Call on Nov. 12.
opinion Benghazi cover-up page 9 The Obama administration may have made more mistakes surrounding the Sept.11 attack than it lets on.
sports Women’s basketball page 11 The Mountain Lions prepare for their first home game against Fort Lewis.
UCCS Student Newspaper
The mist from the breath of heavily bundled spectators huddled in plastic folding chairs melded into the early dawn light. The names reflected off of the glass corners of the University Center plaza on Nov. 12. A volunteer speaker at a podium read from a list: “Lt. Cmdr. Thomas L. Robinson. Spc. Pedro Pena. Sgt. Steven Checo.” The second annual Roll Call and Remembrance Day event, part of the National Roll Call project that many universities participate in across the nation as a part of Student Veterans of America, was sponsored by the UCCS Student Veterans Association and the Office of Veteran and Military Student Affairs. Volunteers read a total of 6,633 names, beginning at 7 a.m. and ending between just before 4 p.m. The names read were from a comprehensive list of military personnel who have died to date from in-
volvement in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The UCCS ROTC Color Guard placed the flags as part of the opening ceremony when the readings began. The event also included a resource fair for students who are current or former members of the military, with 20 vendors scheduled for later in the morning. The participants reading varied in age, ethnicity and background but shared a common desire to commemorate the fallen. Some had relatives who are or have served in the military. One of the first readers was MP Spc. Gunner Kristi Smith, the president of the UCCS Student Veterans Association and a participant in the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003. Beth Cutter, an instructor in the College of Education, another one of the earlier readers, said, “Members of our armed forces have made a Continued on page 2 . . .
Student government to volunteer in Waldo Canyon, Cragmoor areas Mikaila Ketcherside mketcher@uccs.edu During the holiday season, many volunteer their time to help others and communities in need, and the UCCS student government is pitching in, too. The Student Government Association, SGA, is volunteering Nov. 30 to work in the Waldo Canyon Fire burn area and in the Cragmoor community. SGA Judicial Branch Chief Justice Justin Adams is leading the volunteer projects to help the community. Transportation to both Flying W Ranch and Cragmoor will be provided, though the latter is within walking distance. To sign up, students can take a survey at surveymonkey.com/s/ XCZMBW6. The Waldo Canyon Fire destroyed the homes of many community residents and devastated the historic Flying W Ranch. “This is important because of the impact the fire had,” Adams said. “It was clearly a devastating
event in terms of negative impact on the community. Students have the opportunity to make that situation better.” UCCS volunteers will be working on assigned plots at the ranch to install sandbags and work to prevent erosion and chipping corrosion. Student Body President Steve Collier supports the effort to reach out to the community. “I am proud to see our university’s Student Government Association leading the charge to provide critical volunteer work to some of the most hardest hit areas of our community,” Collier said. “The Waldo Canyon Fire was painful for both the Colorado Springs and UCCS communities with the loss of life and property as well as the overall destruction to the beauty of the Front Range.” Collier noted that volunteering shows UCCS’ commitment to the greater community. “The volunteerism showed by UCCS students and its student leaders should remind us
all that this university is committed to Colorado Springs and its surrounding communities for now and always,” he said. Another volunteer project promoted by the SGA will be within walking distance of the UCCS campus. Volunteers will get involved in the Cragmoor community by cleaning up trash, raking
leaves and hauling them away from Cragmoor residents’ lawns. “Because of the location of the school in terms of the neighborhood, we have a lot of contact with Cragmoor, and it’s important to have a favorable impression on the community,” Adams said. Students interested in becoming involved
with the community can bring ideas to the student government or run for a position in SGA by participating in the elections starting March 11. “We want to encourage people to run for positions in student government. The best way for students to have an impact is to be in those positions,” Adams said. S
Photo by Sara Horton
A deer grazed at Flying W Ranch, where SGA will lead a volunteer effort.
News
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Veterans Day Roll Call (continued from page 1) tremendous sacrifice, and the least we can do is acknowledge it. Every one of these names is some mother’s child, and we want to honor that.” Similarly, Tamara Moore, director of Auxiliary Services Marketing and another reader, commented, “A life seemed like a pretty big price to pay. My day-to-day problems seemed pretty small compared to someone who decided to give their life, so I wanted to honor that.” Inside University Center and Berger Hall, Phillip Morris, the director of the Office of Veteran and Military Student Affairs, oversaw the volunteers checking in at a table for their reading times along with his two assistants, Rusty Coomes and Natasha Bergeron. “I served in the army, as all of our veterans here, and …. most college students …. now are the age where they’ve probably, if they’ve served, a good portion of them at least, have served in the post
November 26, 2012
Photo by Nick Burns
Phillip Morris, director of the Office of Veteran and Military Student Affairs, read names during the National Roll Call. 9/11 [environment] and have done deployments,” Morris said. “Again, any of our
names could be on the list,” he said. “I think that if my name were on the list ... my family members
would be happy to know that colleges around the country are remembering that. So I think it’s good
that we do it.” Morris added, “I think it’s a good time for the campus – all the faculty,
staff, students, everyone – to recognize the sacrifices that a lot of our young men and women have made.” S
Amendment 64 prompts campus discussion, learning shorton@uccs.edu Learning about marijuana, said student Meral Sarper, has been a game of Jenga. “You build up your knowledge,” said Sarper, a mechanical engineering major and sustainable development and aerospace engineering minor. “As a society, as a person, as a world, we have these norms, and this is like pulling out that one piece that just makes it all fall down,” she said. “And not like in a destructive, bad way, but in a good way where we can start from a clean slate.” Amendment 64 passed with a 54.8 percent majority in the Nov. 6 election, legalizing regulated recreational marijuana use, possession of up to 1 ounce and the private growth of
Correction In the Nov. 12 article “Next Cafe Scientifique to analyze the development of time,” Leee Overmann was incorrectly referred to as Lee Overmann.
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six plants for adults 21 and older. Marijuana will be sold through retail stores, which won’t open until January 2014, and taxed no more than 15 percent for five years. Despite Amendment 64 passing statewide, 50.6 percent of El Paso County voters opposed it, and CU policy still outlaws the use, possession and sale of marijuana. Until the State of Colorado and the federal government can reach a resolution, the federal drug policy prohibiting marijuana is still in effect. The next step is for Gov. John Hickenlooper to certify Amendment 64 by Dec. 6, one month after its passing. At press time, the certification had yet to be made. Still, the amendment will become law after that
We’ve already expressed our desire to have medical marijuana, and the intransiency and the stupidity of the federal government demanded we speak louder. - Robert Melamede, associate professor
deadline and will allow, according to the amendment, “possessing, using, displaying, purchasing, or transporting marijuana accessories or one ounce or less of marijuana.” People can then distribute marijuana “without remuneration,” or as long as no money is exchanged. “It is difficult for me to think of a time when states have so explicitly fought back against federal law and said, ‘We want to go our own way,’” said Josh Dunn, associate professor, department of political science.
after people because it “essentially can bribe states with federal money in order to accomplish federal purposes and objectives.” The federal government’s potential intervention concerned Dr. Robert Melamede, associate professor, department of biology. Endocannabinoids and Medical Marijuana is among the courses he teaches. “I think anything other than the support for democracy is criminal behavior. The people of Colorado have voted, voting is the basis of democracy, and if Washington, D.C., doesn’t like what was voted on, that’s tough. They have no right to act like terrorists to try and control the vote of the American population,” he said.
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Sara Horton
“Washington passed something similar. But, in a way, Colorado’s is more radical than Washington’s. It’ll make it more difficult for the federal government to regulate what Colorado does,” he said, referring to Colorado’s option for people to grow their own plants. The federal government has regulated dispensaries up until this point, so regulating thousands of people will prove another challenge. Still, Dunn noted that the federal government can pressure states to go
“We’ve already expressed our desire to have medical marijuana, and the intransiency and the stupidity of the federal government demanded that we speak louder.” Sarper had a similar fear. “Amendment 64 was a great move, and we need to be really careful because it’d be just as easy for the federal government to say that they want to make it like how tobacco is now,” she said, explaining tobacco is illegal for people to grow privately. Dunn said that, as a parent himself, he didn’t expect most people to like the idea of their kids having easier access to marijuana. But Melamede sees it differently. “What does recreational use mean? It means that you’re feeling a little Continued on page 3 . . .
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November 26, 2012
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Amendment 64 prompts discussion (continued from page 2) better. That’s what ‘getting high’ is. You’re feeling peaceful, you’re feeling cooperative, you’re feeling relaxed – those are good things. There’s nothing wrong with getting high,” he said. Sarper said she anticipated the biggest challenge for Colorado to overcome would be marijuana’s negative connotation. “I understand that there’s a long-running joke for the past 50 years that you’re a stoner, you smoke dope, you do all this,” she said. “It’s easy because media is so powerful, and media is the reason why people believe it kills you or makes you dumb or all these things.” For Melamede, his stance on marijuana stems from personal experience. “I was one of these children who everybody’s so worried about. But for me, it was a blessing in my life,” he said, describ-
ing his 16-year-old self as being the “world’s worst student.” “Cannabis, by the virtue of how it promotes self-reflection and opens you up to change, it made me realize what a fool I was and helped me start to focus to the best of my ability on learning, and I view it very responsible for helping me create my world view and for becoming a lifelong learner.” Sarper said that students should learn more about marijuana – especially its ability to send cancer into remission, which she learned about after watching the 2008 documentary “Run from the Cure.” As a former Relay for Life and American Cancer Society volunteer, she said she didn’t think raising awareness was bad but was disturbed that some organizations may be profiting from cancer. “You’d think by now,
Photo illustration by Nick Burns
Changes are in store for marijuana legislation. The state must now determine the future controls and punishments for the controversial substance. with all the money that’s being put into it, that they’d find a cure,” she said. Sarper said she hoped
to join with other students and create a committee within the Students for Sensible Drug Policy club that can spread the mes-
sage to people on campus and in the community. “There’s a huge inequality because everyone thinks that you just give
the money to the people who know best, and they’ll make the decision. Well, what if that answer can come from the people?” S
Quilt blocks memorializing AIDS victims to be on display awefler@uccs.edu At 1.3 million square feet, it is too large to be displayed anywhere in its entirety. The last time it was fully assembled was on the Washington Mall in 1996. The NAMES Project Foundation AIDS Memorial Quilt remembers those who have died from AIDS, representing all 50 states and 28 additional countries. “It is so large that if you spent one minute with each panel, it would take you 33 days to see it all,” said Vanessa Delgado, the LGBT program director on campus. The university will be displaying four blocks of the quilt (one block is 12 feet by 12 feet) from Nov. 29 to Dec.1. One block will be in the main entrance, one in front of the ROAR Office and two in the lounge area by The Scribe’s office in University Center. Two of the blocks were requested because they are specific to Colorado Springs and UCCS. Delgado mentioned that a man named Cleve Jones in San Francisco started the memorial quilt in 1987. Jones created the quilt panels to honor his friend Marvin Feldman, who died of AIDS. “In 1987, no one really
knew about the disease – organizations would not take the bodies of people they thought died of AIDS because no one really knew how it was spread,” said Delgado. People started making 6-by-3-feet quilt panels that were the size of a standard American grave to add to the quilt. The quilt panels were their way of memorializing their loved ones because they often would just be handed their loved ones’ ashes in a box. “There’s something
like 48,000 panels representing 96,000 names, and that’s not even a quarter of the people who’ve died of AIDS,” Delgado said. “If it were, it’d be three quarters bigger; it’d be exponentially large.” Delgado encourages
those who have not seen the quilt to view it at least once in their life. “It’s moving, it’s powerful; it’s unlike anything else,” she said. “This is a living memorial.” She noted that one of the stereotypes about
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It’s moving, it’s powerful; it’s unlike anything else. This is a living memorial. - Vanessa Delgado, LGBT program director
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April Wefler
AIDS that she tries to dispel is that it affects disenfranchised or minority groups. “AIDS is not an African-American, gay, Latino disease. It is one of the few things in life that does not discriminate against anyone,” she said. “AIDS doesn’t care how old you are or what you look like or who you love.” Delgado explained that HIV is the pre-disposition to AIDS, so people are tested for the HIV virus. She recommended people get HIV tested every six
Photo by Nick Burns
From Nov. 29 through Dec. 1, two sections of the AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display at UCCS.
months because it can take up to that time for the virus to show. HIV can be contracted through the exchange of any bodily fluids, specifically the exchange of blood. According to livestrong.com, the three main ways to contract HIV are by sexual contact, injection drug use and vertical transmission (HIV passed from mother to child). On Nov. 29, a panel of three to four local women who created a panel on the quilt will share their experiences of caring for children with AIDS. They will also talk about what it’s like to lose a son or daughter to the disease. “It’s that kind of idea of who would make your panel and how would it effect others – hearing from a different perspective,” Delgado said, adding that it will be a “reverent, moving event.” “We need to continue to spread awareness about this pandemic,” she said. Delgado added that people are still diagnosed with HIV every single day and that it is important to know your status, get tested and be aware of how it’s spread. “The numbers between 16 and 24 are on the rise again, the population at any university,” said Delgado. “It’s not out in the world; it’s happening here at home.” S
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November 26, 2012
Potential bomb threat situation rehearsed by Public Safety Peter Farrell
pfarrell@uccs.edu Though many find it unlikely that UCCS will encounter an active shooter or bomb threat scenario, the Columbine High School shooting in 1999, as well as the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting, shows how schools and universities can be targeted. Campus security is preparing to deal with such threats. On Nov. 6, students and faculty received an email from Public Safety about a recently conducted “tabletop exercise.” Public Safety is always preparing for potential threats to the campus – in this case, a bomb. The exercise encompassed a meeting with several on-campus departments including student housing, auxiliary services and the chancellor’s leadership team. It also satisfied certain standards as established by the Clery Act, which
requires all academic institutions receiving federal funding to issue timely warnings for crime and other emergencies. Members of the university’s incident command, a collaborative response unit, include UCCS Public Safety Police Chief Jim Spice and Lieutenant Brian McPike, the CSPD, the CSFD and CSPD’s Falcon division commander. There are three different tiers of exercise, the tabletop being the most basic. “Each group talked about, ‘What are we going to do during the response?’” said Tim Stoecklein, program director for emergency management. “That’s what the tabletop is. It’s talking and communicating those ideas.” After the tabletop exercise is a functional exercise, which is conducted twice annually, and finally a full-scale exercise, which involves live
roleplaying and response teams. The last full-scale exercise was in 2008, which demonstrated an actual emergency with medical response teams, and a person roleplaying as an active shooter. While no live-action roleplaying occurred earlier this month, Public Safety is constantly preparing for an actual threat. The e2Campus Emergency Alert System used by UCCS is the direct means of communication employed by Public Safety in an emergency. The system can be utilized by campus dispatch or an authorized cellphone. Stoecklein said, “What was unique about this [e2] drill was that we sent it from a mobile platform.” Given that the tabletop exercise was a rehearsal, no public notification was sent out through the e2 system. Emails are also sent out through the system,
but Public Safety has noted that social media is typically faster. Beside cellphones, classroom phones can also be used. The numbered zones on campus also serve a role in emergency planning, though they are largely for assessment purposes. “If we have an emer-
gency, we’re not going to say ‘Everybody in Zone 1 go to Zone 2,” said Spice. “It’s too hard to get the word out on what exactly is ‘Zone 1’ and ‘Zone 2.’” Stoecklein said that awareness is the most important part of any individual’s safety. “Being
aware of your surroundings [means] ‘Now that we’re in this room, what are three different ways we can get out of this building if we had to?’” Those interested in being updated about campus emergencies can sign up for the e2 alert system at e2campus.uccs.edu. S
of engaging your community,” said Jesse Perez, a graduate student and the competition coordinator. “Each individual donor probably isn’t donating more than $50, so you can see how big an impact each individual can have,” said Perez. He added that the UCCS competition is asking for a minimum donation of $10 to help reach a $500 goal. “Little donations add up to a big number like that,” he said. “Traditionally, when colleges offer volunteer
opportunities for students, it’s usually in the form of things they donate their time for. This is unique because we’re not asking them for their time; we’re asking them to contribute financially,” said Perez. One hundred percent of the donations go directly to Peak Education, Perez’s alma mater. Peak Education is a local nonprofit that support students facing economic and social culture barriers. According to its website, Peak Education’s mission is to “inspire students
to become well-educated, self-fulfilled adults who enjoy their life work, are engaged citizens and give back to their community.” The program also helps students become confident individuals with goals for their futures. “The goal is to guide these bright students to college, and a majority that participate come to UCCS,” said Perez. “By supporting Peak Education, then you’re also supporting UCCS.” Perez noted that the idea is to get the com-
munity involved and to not restrict the funding to clubs alone. He recommends that participating individuals talk to family and other friends. The competition has prizes for the organizations that get the most individuals to donate. First-place prizes include $200 in the student organization’s club account, a pizza party and recognition in the local newspapers and in the Peak Education newsletter. The organization will also be awarded with
a Community Engagement Award at the annual ROAR Awards Ceremony. Second place receives the same prizes as first but without the cash prize. “We’re hoping they’d be able to boost the club morale and help with their own membership,” said Perez. “I think it’s really important for college students to feel like they have a say in their community.” Students who would like to be involved with the fundraising competition can contact Perez at jperez@uccs.edu. S
Photo by Nick Burns
Tim Stoecklein outlined the preparations the UCCS Public Safety and local emergency response agencies are taking for the safety of the campus community.
Club competition to raise money, give back to community April Wefler awefler@uccs.edu In the spirit of benevolence this holiday season, many are giving back to the community. One way is through the university’s Club Fundraising Competition. The Club Fundraising Competition is a UCCS challenge similar to the Indy Give campaign. Indy Give started on Nov. 1 and raised about $128,000 by Nov. 15. “I think it’s really emphasizing the importance
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Culture
November 26, 2012
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Expressions of Awareness focuses on art, domestic violence Shelby Kotecki
skotecki@uccs.edu Many stories about sexual assaults, rapes and other crimes are never shared. To encourage an open dialogue, steps are being taken on campus to prevent these situations and also better inform people about them. Respect on Campus, ROC, is a violenceprevention program at UCCS that aims to reduce acts of domestic and dating violence, stalking and sexual assault on campus, as well as other circumstances. The program will host Expressions of Awareness Nov. 27 in the Upper Lodge. The display will showcase student artwork while tackling the issue of relationship violence. The event will explore domestic violence themes that range from testimony to healing and culture, said Carrie Horner, the education specialist with ROC. Students, not just members of ROC, signed up to be a part of
The Lowdown What:
Expressions of Awareness
When:
Nov. 27, 7 p.m.
Where:
Upper Lodge
How much: Free
the display back in late October. The event is structured as an award ceremony and will showcase all the students’ work. Each student will be given the opportunity to present his or her piece to the audience, explain and discuss it. The audience will then be able to vote to determine the top three winners. “The purpose of the Expressions of Awareness event is to inspire cultural change in our community,” explained Horner. “My hope is that this event and others like it will challenge the stigmas associated with domestic violence and create a safe
File photo by Nick Burns
Respect on Campus has partnered with TESSA for several displays, events and programs for October’s Domestic Violence Prevention Month. place for people to share and receive help.” Horner expressed her desire for the event to make attendees consider the background and effects of relationship violence. “I hope that people also
leave with a heightened awareness of the cause and a deeper appreciation for the people who have endured relationship violence and overcome it,” she said. The whole point of the display is to give
people some insight into the issue from a different perspective they may not see by just turning on their TV. Expressions of Awareness is meant to be more realistic and personal, given that the
presenters are showing their own art. ROC also delivers information in classrooms and has other events throughout the academic year, such as Take Back the Night and Denim Day. S
international students that are on campus and learn about their educational systems and how they are similar or differ from the U.S.,” said Mary Hanson, assistant director of the Office of International Affairs at UCCS, who coordinated the activity. Six students and two staff members attended the Brown Bag event. Despite their language
barriers, attendees helped each other to best communicate their messages in English. Wangyun Chao, originally from Taiwan, is an international student specialist at the Office of International Affairs. She explained how she interprets the school system in Taiwan to be much more difficult compared to American ways.
Describing the educational system in Taiwan, Chao said that “students never leave their classroom. Teachers come and do the math, science. This is your classroom for the six years for elementary, three years for junior and senior high.” Students also commented about the manner in which teachers are treated, with China, Japan and Taiwan having similar systems. “You never interrupt the teacher,” said Vivi Chen, a student from China. Both Chinese students also shared struggles of motivating themselves to ask to go to the bathroom. The teacher would often deny their requests. Another noticeable difference between the U.S. educational system as compared to the majority of the world is that people have the option of going to college when they get older. “It is really rare,” said Erika Nakagama, a student originally from Japan. She said that it is not expected for students to go back to school. “We usually have to work at the age of 30.” The average age for someone to be out of
school is 22 or 23 in Japan. From there, people are expected to get jobs soon and begin their career. Suzanne Cook, senior instructor in French, agreed. “In France, it has traditionally been that it is expected that you don’t go back to school,” she said. “But now they’re trying to continue education programs for adults.” Each meeting attendee was able to experience another culture’s educational methods. Currently there are just fewer than 140 international students at UCCS on different types of visa, Hanson said. She hopes to grow the international student community on campus. “In the strategic plan for the university, we want to get about 700 students by 2020,” she said. To accomplish this goal, Hanson, along with Anthony Shull, the executive director of the Office of International Affairs, and others will make occasional trips overseas to recruit new students. So far, faculty has contacted students in Vietnam, India and several other countries. S
Global students share cultural, educational differences Samantha Morley smorley2@uccs.edu Most UCCS students have gone through the American school system from elementary through high school. After graduation, they are free to choose where to go for college. But other countries approach education differently. The International Pro-
fessor Brown Bag meeting on Nov. 14, part of International Education Week at UCCS, involved several students from around the world. Attendees sat around a large conference table and provided insight into their personal experiences of learning in their respective countries. “We wanted to celebrate and learn from our
Photo by Nick Burns
Graduate student Vira Kravets explained the differences between school in Ukraine and the United States.
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November 26, 2012
‘Skyfall’ aims and shoots for timeless franchise charm Jesse Byrnes
jbyrnes@uccs.edu Rating:
The name is still Bond, but the developing character traits and storyline possibilities are limitless. “Skyfall,” the latest installment in the James Bond franchise, aims to extend the reaches of the 007 storyline while developing the intricacies of his character in the evolving world of international espionage. It shakes you even if it doesn’t stir up many emotions. The movie, released Nov. 9 in the U.S., delves into deeper elements of Bond’s character – mainly that he and the expansive franchise is (spoiler alert) getting old. “Skyfall” ventures into a crowded Turkish market, a transparent Shanghai skyrise, a colorful waterfront Macau casino, a deserted island and London’s inner streets and London Underground. It then comes full circle, returning to Bond’s childhood home in the Scotland countryside. Bond, played for a third time by the ever-raw Daniel Craig (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”), aims to find a shadowy
hacker and reestablish MI6’s internal security and public identity. Resurrecting from hiatus, he returns to a compromised intelligence team and races to protect the secret profiles of many MI6 operatives. Javier Bardem (“No Country for Old Men”) plays the villainous Raoul Silva. “England... MI6... so old-fashioned!” he skewers. What he lacks in maniacal detail he makes up for with wavy, bleachedblonde hair and a childlike vendetta against M (Judi Dench), the director of MI6. This is one of the film’s lacking components, as it pits the villain against M, not the main character. This forces Bond to first understand Silva’s hatred for M before he can build his own resentment. Still, his disdain for Silva is limited to his orphan love for M. But here, the film emphasizes the aging franchise and shifts toward deeper, richer history between the characters – not primal, short flings. (Don’t worry, Bond still murders bad guys and women are still objectified, albeit less than many previous 007 films.) Past Bond and Silva, the film also establishes several of the franchised characters, including M, Q
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons
“Skyfall” has become the top-grossing film of the James Bond franchise. and Moneypenny. M brings Bond down to earth and assertively pushes him into the MI6 fold while avoiding her inner motherly charm. “Take the bloody shot,” she extols, to Bond’s expense. After a reevaluation of his mental and physical strength, she changes Bond’s results, returning him to the field. “You passed by the skin of your teeths.” We’re introduced to a new, young Q (Ben Whishaw) – a hipster quartermaster genius with a mind for new technology and a knack for oldschool radios. Bond’s first impression? “You must be joking.” Miss Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) goes the whole movie without
being formally identified, though 007 connoisseurs can guess pretty well by the end where she fits in. She carries a fresh look and nicely balances theatrical clichés of bright-eyed personal assistance and dangerously provocative teammate. The nondescript Bond girl Sévérine (Bérénice Marlohe) lacks enough face time and character development to make her relevant, another lacking detail, while the underscored intelligence proponent Gareth Mallory (Ralph Fiennes) will have plenty of lines in the following 007 films. In addition to apathetic employees and misguided international terrorists, “Skyfall” tackles topical issues like cyber security,
with multiple references to those that hide behind masks and work in the “shadows” (channeling coverage of the hacktivist group Anonymous). It also touches on the timeless dynamics of aging cultural heroes. It’s an interesting paradox: Craig (44) has obviously aged since his first two Bond films (he even lets some of his white facial hair show) – and the Bond identity itself has been around for 50 years – yet the storyline for the Craig movies pegs him as the one who tells 007’s backstory. The writers and director incorporate many of the vintage 007 novelties while acknowledging their shared history with the audience. To this extent, there are several parts for
avid Bond fans to chuckle. In one scene, when Bond approaches the bar with his newfound ladyfriend, he doesn’t have to ask – the bartender defaults to shake, not stir, his martini. “Perfect,” he says, smiling. Toward the end, Bond swaps a luxurious company car for a lookalike, functioning 1964 Aston Martin DB5 (think iconic Sean Connery). Unfortunately, the DB5 sees a worse fate than the DBS of “Casino Royale,” making the fight between Bond and Silva personal. “Skyfall” succeeds in many areas, not to mention its brilliantly marketed Adele hit single of the same name or the Wolf Blitzer cameo midway through. The movie has earned nearly $90 million in the U.S. on opening weekend, $20 million more than Bond’s 2008 show. In its first two weeks, it grossed more than $500 million worldwide – the most successful Bond ever. Compared to Craig’s first two 007s, while this one outpaces “Quantum of Solace,” it fails to achieve the emotional high rises of “Casino Royale.” If the sky is the limit, “Skyfall” falls short. But as a charming, puzzling piece of franchise history, it is exciting and well worth your time. S
Lana del Rey croons a ‘Paradise’ for the ears in latest EP Sara Horton
shorton@uccs.edu Rating:
“Paradise” was released Nov. 13.
Photo courtesy of Interscope Records
Comparisons to a “gangsta Nancy Sinatra” and Lolita who “got lost in the hood” hinted that Lana del Rey was my kind of songstress. She doesn’t have much range, but del Rey’s sound – a hybrid of old Hollywood and modern sensuality – can still embarrass any auto-tuned hot mess on mainstream radio, as evidenced by her latest EP, “Paradise.” Like her first album, “Born To Die,” it delivers but has more than a few fillers. I would have preferred to buy three or four songs instead of all eight – nine if you buy from iTunes. I blame “Ride,” a soaring piano-and-violin anthem, for making me set high expectations.
“Don’t break me down / I been traveling too long / I been trying too hard / With one pretty song,” drawls del Rey with impeccable grammar, sounding like a vulnerable twenty-something who’s endured more than a woman twice her age. She helped pen every track on “Paradise” except her somber cover of “Blue Velvet,” but it may as well have been written specifically for her smooth, sultry tone. In fact, “Blue Velvet” outshines most of her original songs. But del Rey hasn’t run out of material. The character in her voice that first launched her to fame is hypnotic, her rhymes perfectly timed. “Elvis is my daddy / Marilyn’s my mother / Jesus is my bestest friend,” she deadpans in “Body Electric.” “We don’t need nobody / ‘Cause we got each other / Or at least I pretend.” And that’s just a sample
of the reader-friendly lyrics. Maybe because she feels like she needs to validate that “gangsta” image, del Rey has become more gratuitous with four-letter words. She also repeats a line in “Cola” that compares her lady bits to the track’s namesake, earning “Paradise” its parental advisory label. While the language is a nonissue, the comparatively clean “Born To Die” is stronger. The dirtiest tracks, like “Cola” and “Gods & Monsters,” sound like fillers anyway. Ever since del Rey has gained a following, she has started to play with how far she can push her lyrics. Yet too many other artists are doing the same. Now that del Rey has found and perfected her own sound and image, she could risk returning to obscurity if she opts for the tired shock-and-awe route. She can do better. S
November 26, 2012
Culture
Page 7
‘Regine’s Book’ emotional but less than compelling read Cynthia Jeub
cjeub@uccs.edu Rating:
Expressing the death of a young cancer victim is hard, yet this doesn’t stop many parents from trying to accomplish that with a memoir. “Regine’s Book: A Teen Girl’s Last Words,” released Oct. 23, falls into the same category. The book was translated into English from Regine Stokke’s Norwegian blog about her journey through leukemia. Diagnosed in 2008 at the age of 18, Stokke started a blog to record her journey to recovery. After conquering the cancer through chemotherapy, the cancer returned the following year and killed her. Stokke’s blog became the most-read blog in the country. She gained hundreds of comments on each post and was featured in several local
news publications. Printed on magazine paper with poor book binding, “Regine’s Book,” put together by her parents and a publisher, feels heavy for its 300 pages. In addition to every blog post Stokke wrote, it contains introductions, letters and diary entries from her parents, sister and friends. Selected comments from her blog posts accompany each entry, along with multiple fullcolor pictures throughout. The book provides a thorough study of the medical side of leukemia, too. It opens up with an introduction to what leukemia is and how it attacks the body. Stokke’s descriptions of her time in therapy are accompanied by footnotes that explain the medical terms. Stokke’s blog is a thick collection of soulsearching. She begins with a hopeful endurance of her treatment, and the writings of her family and friends praise her high pain tolerance. As the book progresses,
Photo courtesy of yathinkbpl.blogspot.com
Regine Stokke started her blog after being diagnosed with leukemia in 2008. the linear blog entries descend into realizing how little time she has to live. “You get a new outlook on life in a situation
like this,” Stokke writes. “I wish there was another way to get this kind of wake-up call. Maybe there is, but I just don’t
know about it.” Her point is about how much she appreciated her life when it was taken away from her. When she found out the cancer was back and she didn’t have long to live, she wrote a long post describing her reaction. “I’m devastated, and so is my whole family. Life is so incredibly unfair – and now I just have to sit at home and wait to die? I don’t have words to express how cruel this seems.” She continued about the bleak predictions from her doctors. “I’m also crushed by the thought that, after I’m gone, my family will be left to deal with the fallout on their own,” she said. With the media coverage and fame she was receiving for her writing, Stokke received hundreds of questions and emails from fans. One section of the book contains interviews she held online. Inquiries include whether she wanted to write a book or
if she was afraid of death. To both questions, she answered yes. Stokke wanted to be a writer and journalist, and the publication of her blog posts was the realization of her dream. One reason the book is worth reading is for Stokke’s heartfelt, if infrequent, end-of-life reflections. Near the end of the book, Stokke wrote, “I hate it when people tell me they’re dissatisfied. Dissatisfied with what, I wonder. You shouldn’t complain about your life to someone who’s hanging on by a thread.” Her words are piercing and powerful, similar to the musings of another girl who wanted to be an author – Anne Frank. Like the diary of the Holocaust victim, the story behind the words in “Regine’s Book” is more haunting than the words themselves. This book lands among countless other memoirs proving the same thing: that the loss of a young person is inexpressible. S
Tech review: iPad mini also contains mini advantages Robert Solis
rsolis@uccs.edu Rating:
It may seem like the latest, greatest gadget. But you’re wise to save your money for the next one. Apple unleashed the iPad mini Nov. 2. While Apple has remained a major player on the large (approximately 10-inch) tablet market, it was strangely absent in the small (7-inch) market. Tablets running Google’s Android operating system have managed to not only grow but flourish in this consumer niche. Many felt it was only a matter of time before Apple would expand into this area as well. Behold – the iPad mini. Upon release, it was received positively throughout the tech community. However, with its starting price point of $329 and iPad 2 generation specs, Apple may have already stumbled in a new market that was bursting with tough competition. At first glance, the iPad mini is aesthetically pleasing and maintains the physical quality that has become synonymous with Apple. At only .28 inches
thick, Apple still finds the room for the hardware. Something that I always look for is how a device feels in my hand. At 5.3 inches wide, I had no problem holding it in one hand and using the other to navigate. The user interface was easy to use, and everything seemed very responsive. That noted, I wish Apple did not go with the same processor used in the iPad 2. Granted, the small screen does mean the A5 dual-core processor has less work to do, but I still felt as though I was taking a step back with technology. (Most users will have no trouble and are unlikely to encounter an issue the processor cannot handle.) Another issue is the fact that it does not come with a Retina display. In fact, it comes with a screen resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels, the same resolution that can be found on the iPad 2. Many other critics have voiced their dislike for the display, claiming a Retina display should have been used. Still, the screen resolution is not a big issue. I would love seeing a device with more pixels, but at its present screen size, the
1024 x 768 pixels resolution will suffice. From smartphones, tablets and even TVs, Apple iOS’ greatest rival is Google’s Android. The iPad mini doesn’t escape this rivalry. Google teamed up with Asus to create the Nexus 7. Not only does it feature a quad-core processor and a higher resolution screen, its price point of $199 guarantees the iPad mini has a rough road ahead. And the market has already started responding. On the day of announcement, Apple’s stock was hovering around $630 a share. Ever since, it has been steadily declining. At deadline, it was suspended around $525.62. The iPad mini is not the sole cause of this decline. The unveiling and release of the iPad 4 so soon after the release of the iPad 3 has angered more than a few customers. If you find yourself in awe of the iPad mini and cannot imagine anything else, wait. Save your money. Wait six months, if that, for the next-generation iPad mini to be released. It will hopefully correct the iPad mini’s drawbacks, allowing Apple to become a true competitor in the small tablet market. S
Photo by Robert Solis
The iPad mini marks Apple’s introduction to the small tablet market.
Opinion
Page 8
November 26, 2012
Secession pleas and petitions stir up needed discussion Staff Editorial
scribe@uccs.edu It’s easy to say that America is a great nation and should remain united. And those who are signing and starting the petitions for secession on whitehouse.gov will be called anti-American, sore losers and bigots, among other names. But that reaction is unproductive, misguided and wrong. Past the obvious Civil War references, secession is a valid political topic and should be given special attention, especially since such an antiquated idea has returned to headlines. More than 860,000 signatures have been collected for petitions representing all 50 states, with 21,000 for Colorado. Granted, that’s not any type of official poll – anyone can sign any petition. And, given the nature of online petitions, few restrictions stand in the way of people signing the same petition multiple times. But these petitions are
the
more than just numbers. They highlight the dissatisfaction and disdain felt by a significant portion of the U.S. against the heavyhanded policies of the federal government. Texas, which has the most signatures (about 110,000), cites the poor economy and the federal government’s failure to reform domestic and foreign spending, abuses as a result of the NDAA and TSA and Texas’ strong economy – ranked 15th in the world – as reasons for a peaceful secession. Others have petitioned to “allow the city of El Paso to secede from the state of Texas,” with another petitioning that Austin, Texas, be allowed to secede from the state and stay in the Union. One asks that Texas’ attempt to withdraw be disregarded, another that Texans who have signed the petitions be stripped of their citizenship, as well as another two asking to deport everyone who has signed a secession petition. There is no reason why
this country cannot have a reasonable discussion about secession. There’s no reason why secession couldn’t end up happening, either – as long as it happened peacefully. We’re not supporting secession, but the conversation should not be dismissed, either. In a free nation, discussion must be open. If certain topics are “off limits,” then those affected are being silenced. If we allow any one person or organization, such as the government, to dominate the conversation about a topic, then we’re not a democracy. We’re silencing people. Discussion must be unrestricted and open. It must allow all opinions, no matter how unpopular they may be, the opportunity to be represented. Otherwise, America is no longer a free nation. The Supreme Court has ruled that unilateral secession, what happened in the Civil War, is illegal. But this nation was never a single, monolithic entity. We’ve always been a nation of states. That’s what
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News is abuzz with talk of state secession. Congress is for – our representatives and senators are ostensibly there to look out for the interests of each state. There are close to a million people who have placed their names on the
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petitions that many will see as, for all intents and purposes, treasonous. But every single person who has signed the petitions is free, and the ability to utilize that freedom should not be impinged
Comic by Robert Solis because of support for this movement. Instead of berating and counter-petitioning secession petitioners into silence, we may happen to learn something if we listen. S
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November 26, 2012
Opinion
Page 9
Benghazi cover-up: Americans accept Obama admin’s lies
Nick Burns nburns@uccs.edu The fate of America’s future is now in the hands of a liar and a deceptive administration. The few representatives of the press who will touch the subject are calling it Benghazi-gate. It is a cover-up and a scandal with repercussions for all of the United States. Evidence is slowly coming to light showing that President Barack Obama made decisions that led to the potentially preventable deaths of four American citizens on Sept. 11, 2012. The list of mistakes seems to be endless. There was the failure to
provide additional security to the consulate after a series of escalating threats and requests. A timeline shows the threats in Libya becoming more severe, with requests for more security from State Department Regional Security Officer Eric Nordstrom and U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens that began in March and continued until the day of the attack. We also know that there was a military drone monitoring the consulate by the time the president was notified. Obama watched the attacks unfold from the White House. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta received repeated pleas from State Department emails asking for help, saying that the consulate was under attack. The question of there being an organized attack was apparent to Obama and his staff, and they discussed potential responses. We have been told by the administration that everything that could have been
done was. That is very apparently untrue. Two former Navy SEALS died on the roof of the complex that housed the remaining consulate staff. They died from mortar fire (because protestors use mortars … apparently) after they refused to obey a “stand-down” order given to the CIA teams in the area. The facts themselves should make you angry, and if they don’t, then maybe the consequences will. We all know that there are people in the world who will kill Americans at any opportunity. These terrorists will be like bullies in the schoolyard who feel emboldened by de-pantsing you and taking your lunch money. All we have succeeded in doing is letting the terrorists know that they can provoke us and nothing will happen. Portraying weakness in the face of an adversary – that the president would have you believe he con-
quered by killing Osama bin Laden – can only lead to more attacks. (That is, of course, after the terror cells stop laughing at how stupid the American people look for believing such a weak story.) The repercussions from this cover-up – of the facts and failure to act – will do more than set America back a few steps on the global scale: We have allowed a very serious precedent to be set. And it’s unfortunate that the majority of national media sits in the pocket of a politician and lets it happen, when it should be functioning as a watch dog. As the old adage goes, “If you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything.” Go read the transcripts from the press conferences and see the evasive stance of our president and his administration. Go look at the timeline of events and see that we had available troops and airpower that could have helped long before the 20 hours that it took them
for itself. Our government has publicly burned SEAL Team Six by using legalities for a minor consultation job in a video game. This screams of injustice, as the commander in chief himself, President Obama, abandoned military confidentiality surrounding the May 2011 attack on Osama bin Laden. Members of the team disclosed “classified” information about their gear with videogame publisher Electronic Arts for the game “Medal of Honor,” which is played through the eyes of a U.S. Navy SEAL. That’s a very petty reason to enact legal artillery,
especially when compared to the White House inviting filmmakers in to discuss making a spectacle of the bin Laden mission for political gain. When SEAL Team Six killed bin Laden last year, the mission quickly became very public after the Obama administration released classified information regarding the raid and invited Hollywood producers in to glorify the event. At the moment, the issue is caught up in the stupidity of the political circus. Comparatively, as a result of consulting for the game, the seven members of the team have received punitive letters of reprimand for
music now. It is way too early for all of this. Every year, the day after Halloween, the Christmas madness begins in America. Radios start playing Christmas music to get people in the mood for the holidays. Retailers rush their Christmas merchandise onto store shelves, preparing for the biggest shopping month of the year. Every December, it’s the same thing. For those who work in retail, the Christmas fever is really getting on people’s nerves. It’s not even December yet.
The only music played is Christmas music, over and over. Retail employees get to listen to it every day for six to eight hours straight. Most of the Christmas merchandise had already arrived in the warehouse by early October, the same time the Halloween candy and costumes arrived – there is something seriously wrong with that. I thought my managers were crazy when they instructed the employees to start assembling the Christmas tree displays before Halloween. When customers walked
Photo illustration by Nick Burns
Four Americans died in a terrorist attack in Benghazi. to arrive officially. Eventually, the information will be clear and available, but will the media even present it? I doubt the
American public as a whole will notice. The Obama administration is successfully running the clock down on the public’s attention span. S
violating their contracts and had half their pay taken for two months. The situation reeks of political cow feces. When the Obama administration invited movie producers to the White House to discuss how they were going to glorify the bin Laden mission, nobody was publically reprimanding the administration. SEAL Team Six is still angry about how the mission was handled, and you can’t blame them. If you are going to compromise men who are sworn to secrecy by publicly announcing to the world the tactics, members and locations of a covert mission,
you’ve got some nerve to stab them in the back with legalities and a public reprimand for a minor offense. Apparently, talking about your gear is a more heinous act than making a 90-minute TV movie and broadcasting to the world how a secretive mission transpired. While I’m not implying that two wrongs make a right, there is something wrong here with the way that the members of SEAL Team Six are being treated by their commanding officers and the government they answer to. Not only did the government break the SEAL team’s trust by disclosing
what had transpired only hours after the mission to kill bin Laden ended, but they also violated a code of honor that common sense would insist never be disregarded. Apparently, loose lips don’t sink ships anymore. Yes, SEAL Team Six is technically in the wrong, but breaking an already broken seal of secrecy should not be punished this severely. There needs to be a long, serious talk about what kind of government compromises you can get away with and then hold the men they’ve wronged to the standard they themselves didn’t keep. S
past the displays in October, they would shake their heads and mutter under their breath about how it was too early. Last I checked, Christmas was on Dec. 25, not Nov. 1. The song talks about the 12 days of Christmas, not the two months of Christmas. Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ (hence, Christmas), not about getting more stuff. When did all of this change? When did Christmas become an excuse to spend money on all of the newest gadgets? Edward Bernays, a nephew of Sigmund Freud, is a
huge reason for this transformation of Christmas in America. In the first half of the 19th century, Bernays took his uncle’s ideas of psychoanalysis and applied them to marketing and advertising. He manipulated and appealed to consumer emotions, convincing them how much better they would be as a person and how much more people would like them if they bought certain products. Advertising companies have latched on to his ideas and continue to make a huge profit because of
them, especially at this time of year. I’m not saying we should all be bitter about Christmas turning into a corporate holiday and boycott getting presents for friends and family. By all means, keep shopping. I like presents just as much as everyone else. (It will help the economy, anyway.) Preparing for Christmas so early is just not right. Save it for December! October is for Halloween, November is for Thanksgiving and December is for Christmas. Can we please keep it that way? S
White House burns SEAL Team Six, has double standards
Peter Farrell pfarrell@uccs.edu When it comes to disclosing details regarding sensitive military operations, the federal government holds military members to a different standard than it sets
Christmas in July on schedule to arrive at any year now
Sarah Palma spalma@uccs.edu Everywhere you look, you see Christmas lights, Christmas decorations, Christmas toys. You can’t even escape the Christmas
Life on the Bluffs
Page 10
Campus Chatter Mikaila Ketcherside, mketcher@uccs.edu, photos by Nick Burns
November 26, 2012
Top Ten
There are over 20 million students in America, and over 10,000 of them are at UCCS. Their opinions matter.
Worst marijuana puns
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Yes on 64: “We need to weed out all of the haters.”
No on 64: “Things are going to pot these days.”
Jordan Durbin, sophomore, philosophy and economics Do you support Amendment 64? I support it. I feel that people should make those decisions for themselves, and I feel if you can go out and get drunk, then you should be able to go out and smoke weed. What restrictions should be in place to regulate marijuana? It should be treated the same way as alcohol and cigarettes. It should be highly taxed and have age restrictions. There should also be areas set aside to smoke it in, like restaurants and airplanes.
Ashley O’Dea, sophomore, philosophy and psychology Do you support Amendment 64? I don’t support it. I don’t agree with the studies that come out and say it has the same effects as alcohol. I’ve seen other studies say it affects your brain more than alcohol. Plus, we already have underage drinking problems, and this will bring underage smoking problems. Will legalizing marijuana hurt the community? One of my friends recently got into a car accident because she was high. She could have killed someone. I feel like that will be an increasing threat.
Local news: “A student brought the ‘high’ to high school.”
Garrick Slack, sophomore, mechanical engineering Is marijuana as dangerous as or more dangerous than alcohol? Your body is made to metabolize alcohol. It isn’t made to metabolize smoke. By that logic, you’re simply destroying your body. How will the federal government respond to Amendment 64? They are going to shut it down. I believe that the cartels in Mexico are going to set up a legitimate business, and the ATF will have to crack down on it. S
Dog House Diaries
FBI drug bust: “Let’s smoke ‘em out.”
Rachael Ray: “Stir the pot – don’t want the leaves to burn.” PG-13 ad: “Don’t smoke alone: make it a joint decision.” Colorado to U.S. attorney general: “Let’s hash this thing out.” Broncos fans: “We’ve always been Mile High!” PPCC student: “Smokers are dope!” News: “Petraeus to head up Colorado’s joint operation force.”
Sudoku
Bring your completed sudoku to The Scribe Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.58)Office (UC 106) for a prize! Last week’s sudoku answers can be found at uccsscribe.com.
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Tuesday, Nov. 27 Free Pancakes University Center 7:30 a.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 28 Intermediate/Advanced Yoga Rec Center 12:10 p.m.
Psychology Colloquium Series Core Express University Center 116 Rec Center 12:10 p.m. 5:10 p.m. Gamers’ Night Clyde’s 6 p.m.
CSI (Cardio Strength Intervals) Rec Center 6 p.m.
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Monday, Dec. 3 Thursday, Generated Nov. 29 Friday, Nov. 30 Saturday, Dec. 1 15 00:15:10 by http://www.opensky.ca/~jdhildeb/software/sudokugen/ on Thu Nov 2012 GMT. Enjoy! Hula Hoop Fitness Rec Center Noon Zumba Rec Center 4:40 p.m. Stretch and Flex Rec Center 6 p.m. Basic Dance Rec Center 7 p.m.
The World Electroacoustic Listening Room Project University Center 302 3 p.m. Women’s and Men’s Basketball vs. Fort Lewis Gallogly Events Center 5:30 p.m.
Festival of Lights Parade Downtown Colorado Springs 4 p.m. Women’s and Men’s Basketball vs. Adams State Gallogly Events Center 5:30 p.m.
Lecture: “Overcoming Text Anxiety” University Center 116A Noon Late Night at the Library Kraemer Family Library 7 p.m.
November 26, 2012
Sports
Mountain Lion men building confident, talented basketball team Kyle Marino kmarino@uccs.edu After a 9-17 season, the men’s basketball team came into this year knowing that changes needed to be made to boost morale and build a winning culture. Athletic Director Stephen Kirkham believed that Jeff Culver was the right man for the job and hired the first-year head coach, who has an ambitious goal. “It’s going to take some time, but the goal here is to get our program on the national level and eventually win a Division II championship,” said Culver. With eight new players joining the team and a revamped coaching staff, coordinating the head coach and players has not always been easy. But the team has an air of confidence heading into the season. “We have a lot of new faces, but we are feeling good, much improved from last year, and we are focusing on getting on the
same page,” Culver said. “I believe I have 10 starters on my team and plan on using a 10-man rotation,” he added. “Guys will be pushing each other for minutes, and we have a lot of different options.” Athleticism and sharpshooting could be the key to the Mountain Lion’s success this year, as the frontcourt is raw but has potential to thrive. “We are very quick and shoot well on the perimeter; our frontcourt is raw, but we are working on utilizing our big men and their abilities,” Culver said. Perhaps one of the most important players on the team and someone to keep an eye out for this year is sophomore shooting guard Darius Pardner. “Darius is a little undersized for the two guard position, but he is my version of Richard Hamilton,” Culver said. “He has bailed us out a few times with his competitive spirit and quickness.”
Alex Koehler ran drills during a practice before the men’s basketball season began. Pardner, the team’s second-leading scorer from last season, leads a confident, sharp-shooting and athletic backcourt for the Mountain Lions. “Right now I am filling
in for Jake Darby at the starting two guard, but usually I come in off the bench to provide a Jamaal Crawford, James Hardenlike spark for our team,” said Pardner.
If this team works hard and learns to play together, it could be a formidable foe not only this year but for years to come. According to Pardner, “We have the upmost
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Photo by Nick Burns confidence and we are a hard working team. Our goal is to run deep into the RMAC tournament and into the NCAA tournament, point, blank and period.” S
Women’s basketball prepares Don’t park on the street, for new season, new team park your car at . . . Jonathan Toman jtoman@uccs.edu If the early season is any indication, the women’s basketball team is poised for a successful year. Following a blowout win over Oklahoma Panhandle State in the season opener, the team cruised to a 31-point victory over Northern New Mexico on Nov. 17. The team entered this season coming off a 17-13 record in 2011, where the women lost to Fort Lewis in the RMAC semifinals. “We graduated four seniors, which were all cornerstones of the program. Three of those four were starters,” said Head Coach Corey Laster. “There was an age
gap between our freshman and seniors last year, and those freshmen really developed and gave us a boost,” he added. Coming into this season, UCCS was picked sixth in the RMAC coaches’ poll. “Those same freshmen are now becoming the leaders in the program as they continue to step up and play a bigger role,” Laster said. Youth is the main challenge facing the team this year, but Laster expects immediate contributions from the new players in the program. “Our team competitiveness has been really good, and all the players get along really well,” said Laster. The strength of UCCS this winter will be in the
backcourt, led by RMAC All-Preseason Team selection Abby Kirchoff, who was the team’s leading scorer as a freshman a season ago. In the frontcourt, despite the general youth, there is some added height from a season ago “This year, we can match up in ways that we couldn’t last year,” said Laster. Laster is excited to see what this year’s team can accomplish. “Everything they do is new, young and exciting. And we will gain experience, and we have a really bright future.” The team’s first home game is Friday, Nov. 30 when conference foe Fort Lewis comes to the Gallogly Events Center at 5:30 p.m. S
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Sports
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November 26, 2012
Volleyball wraps up regular season, hopes for NCAA bid The UCCS women’s volleyball team finished the regular season 1810 with a 10-4 record at home. The Mountain Lions finished the 2012 regular season, falling one team short of national tournament qualification. “We had a good season,” said Head Coach Keith Barnett. “We had to replace five starters from last year, and we finished tied for fifth in the conference this year.” “I couldn’t have asked for a better season to finish my career on. The chemistry with the team on and off the court was unlike many teams I’ve ever played on,” said senior middle blocker Nikki Kinzer, who is originally from Colorado Springs. “Each player was able to bring their own talents to the court, which was really special to watch,” she added. As with any sport, the UCCS women’s volley-
biggest change and improvement: The younger girls learning about how the college game is different from the high school game,” said Kinzer. Further, the Gallogly Events Center became a bastion of winning for the team this seaI am confident in their son. “We were potential and can’t wait great at home to watch them take until the last four games and the UCCS volleyball started 10-0 for program to places it’s the first time,” never been before. said Barnett. Kinzer, who - Nikki Kinzer led the nation in blocks per set, leaves the past our potential,” said program in good hands. Kinzer. “It was awesome “I keep telling the to see everyone capital- girls how excited I am ize on their strengths and to see what they do with shock a few teams.” this program for the next For the head coach, three-plus years. It’s awehaving the team gain ex- some to think that we had perience was the most such an awesome season important aspect of their with a young team, so it’ll successful season. be super exciting to see “The main change was what these girls can do that we have gained a ton when they’re juniors or of experience. We have seniors,” said Kinzer. seen the gyms, under“I am confident in stood the travel and got- their potential and can’t ten used to the rigors of wait to watch them take college volleyball,” said the UCCS volleyball proBarnett. gram to places it’s never “I think that was the been before.” S
long. We provide instruction and wax at no charge,” he said. Bowan said that they will host Wednesday night wax parties, show ski movies in the outdoor center and stay open later for “waxing madness.” If waxing madness isn’t really your thing, there are plenty of other activities and sports to explore on your own. “In the winter, I love to go to the mountains and snowboard with my buddies,” said Sean Borah, a senior. “We usually go to
either Keystone or A-Basin to shred the gnar.” Jaclyn Nelson, a junior, enjoys the occasional snowball fight with her friends. “Winter activities of course means snowboarding for me, maybe with the occasional snowball fight,” she said. So where can students go to ski or snowboard? “Within our reach are a plethora of world-class resorts,” said Bowan. Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin and Monarch ski resorts are all within driving distance.
Jonathan Toman jtoman@uccs.edu
ball team saw change and improvement as the season progressed. “We started the season off with a ton of raw talent, and because we were such a young team, I think other teams kind of looked
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Photo by Nick Burns
A strong season for the UCCS women’s volleyball team has lead them to a top 10 ranking for our region.
Wintertime activities available on and close to campus Kyle Marino
kmarino@uccs.edu Despite the near summertime temperatures in Colorado Springs, wintertime is almost here. Along with snow in the mountains, winter brings a host of recreational activities to enjoy both on and off campus. One way to keep entertained this winter is with intramural sports. “This winter we have a really awesome lineup of
intramural sports,” said Mallory Price, coordinator of intramural and club sports. “Our IM basketball league should be bigger than ever,” she said. “This year we are adding a competitive and recreation league so that students of all skill levels can play against similar competition and have a lot of fun.” Aside from intramurals, the Recreation Center’s Student Outdoor Leadership Expeditions Office
(SOLE) also offers winter trips and an area for skiers and snowboarders to buff up their gear. “Our normal offerings with regards to outdoor trips [include] ski and soak trips, snowshoeing, ice climbing [and] avalanche awareness workshops,” said Daniel Bowan, manager of outdoor, intramural and club sports. “We also offer students the opportunity to use our outdoor center to wax their boards for free all winter
“Another option is smaller resorts like Loveland Ski Area and Monarch Mountain,” Bowan said. “These smaller places often hold better snow and offer affordable single-day lift tickets without the crazy Front Range crowds.” Whether you like playing winter sports at the Recreation Center, shredding the gnar somewhere up in the mountains, enjoying the occasional snowball fight with friends or just relaxing next to a warm fire, winter activities may be closer than you think. S
We exclusively carry Photo by Alex Gradisher
It’s time to start thinking about gear for the upcoming winter sports season.