Since 1966
Vol. 40, Iss. 16
Monday, February 1, 2016 SCRIBE.UCCS.EDU /UCCSTHESCRIBE @UCCSSCRIBE
IN BRIEF NEWS
Online Grad Program Nursing program ranks high in national poll 2
Swasey Scholarship New milestone reached 3
CULTURE
UCCS Student Newspaper University of Colorado Colorado Springs
U.S. Capitol building flag presented to Public Safety in honor of Garrett Swasey Austin Chasse achasse@uccs.edu
On Jan. 29, an American flag that was flown at the U.S. Capitol building in honor of UCCS Police Officer Garrett Swasey was presented to Public Safety by the fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Travis Tafoya, the current Sigma Alpha Epsilon president, and Aaron Novy, who was the first president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at UCCS, came up with the idea and represented their fraternity in the ceremony. “We really wanted to do something unique,” Tafoya said. “There are so many groups on campus that were raising money and that need
was already met by the community.” “It was the right thing to do,” Novy said. “I’ve seen many flag presentations given for different occasions, and I figured that this was an appropriate one.” Novy goes to graduate school in Washington D.C., and coordinated with Congressman Doug Lamborn, who attended the event. The flag was flown under Lamborn’s name at the Capitol. “What happened to Officer Swasey was tragic, but his example serves as a great inspiration of bravery and heroism,” Lamborn said. “This is just one small way we can remember his memory.”
AUSTIN CHASSE | THE SCRIBE
Police Chief Brian McPike holds the flag during the presentation.
Neighborhood complaints lead to Alpine Field LED light installation International Students
Global engagement office provides resources to students 5
UNDIET workshops
Spring program cancelled 5
OPINION
Suicide
Discussion on topic must happen 9
Voting
It matters more than you think 9 RACHAEL DEEGAN | THE SCRIBE
SPORTS
Super Bowl
Dueling opinions on outcome of game 11
Track and Field Indoor season serves training purpose 12
New LED lights look over the Alpine field on the north end of campus.
Hannah Harvey hharvey@uccs.edu
New LED lights illuminate Alpine Field after complaints from neighbors in the Eagle Rock area were submitted to UCCS. Residents expressed several complaints that the lights on the field created a glare that could be seen from their homes. Musco, a sports lighting manufacturer based in Iowa, created and installed the new, glare-reducing and
energy-efficient LED fixtures that now light the field. All of the lights on the field were replaced at a total cost of $182,969. According to a Musco press release, energy use at the field was cut by 53 percent. Alpine Field is used for recreation and intramural sports. The original lighting design met criteria for light levels and evenness, but glare was not factored in. “We verified that we would not be shining much
light beyond the perimeter of the field. But we didn’t allow for the glare caused by the fixtures,” said Charles Cummings, design and construction project manager for Facilities Services. Cummings took meter readings to measure the glare in the surrounding neighborhoods and found that the readings came back as zero, indicating there was no measurable light. But this did not mean that the complaints were not valid.
“The human eye is so sensitive, that when you have a situation of extreme contrast, that when there is a bright object, your eye picks it out immediately,” said Cummings. Problems with glare were a geometrical issue, said Cummings. The field is about 40 feet above the surrounding neighborhoods, with the lights being another 80 feet up. This meant the lights shone directly down into the neighboring houses. Originally, the southeast light was the only one that was going to be considered for change. But, Musco noticed that light from the southwest pole was spilling over into the Alpine Village dorms, even though there were no student complaints. Gary Reynolds, assistant vice chancellor for Administration, said that Musco replaced the lights over the course of a weekend. Two cranes were brought in to do the job: one was used to illuminate lights, while another was used to lift the crew to install them. LED lights were not considered during the original 2012 construction of the field because of their high cost. In 2012, the cost to install LED lights on the field would have been around $450,000, according to Cummings.
News
February 1, 2015 | 2
Online nursing graduate program ranked 13th in the country Abbie Stillman
astillma@uccs.edu
Online graduate programs allow people to keep their jobs or careers and take care of their children without worrying about getting to class on time. The graduate program for the College of Nursing was ranked 13th in the country by U.S. News & World Report on Jan. 12, the highest of any program offered by a university in Colorado. Each graduate program differs according to their subject, so they all run in different fashions. There is no minimum or maximum amount of courses students are allowed to register for. The nursing program has to incorporate in-person clinicals into their program. “While the degree program is totally online, wherever the students live, many of them are not in Colorado,” said the dean of the College of Nursing, Nancy Smith. “So they will do their clinical in their hometown.” A helpful part of taking a
COURTESY | COMMUNIQUE
UCCS celebrates the naming of the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences in April.
class online is the flexibility. “Most of the people in the online program are in the workforce who have family and other commitments,”
Smith explained. Students that are in the military can benefit from online nursing courses. “Our nursing doctoral
program is also completely online, so the students that get deployed are able to continue their education while on duty,” Smith said.
“We had a student that was about to graduate and she got deployed to Iraq in a hospital so she finished the program in Iraq,” Smith said.
News
February 1, 2015 | 3
Swasey scholarship achieves its halfway mark, over $56,000 raised Rachel Librach rlibrach@uccs.edu
Out of the tragedy of UCCS Police Officer Garrett Swasey’s death on Nov. 27, UCCS, along with Swasey’s family, created a scholarship in his name. This month, the scholarship fund reached its halfway mark at just over $56,000. The goal is to raise $100,000, which will be invested and calculated to earn an annual interest of $4,000. That interest will then be used to fund the Swasey scholarship in perpetuity. Jaime Garcia, the executive director of development for University Advancement, explained that requirements for the scholarship have not yet been determined, due in part to allow Swasey’s family the proper time to approach the subject when they deem fit. “We have been in contact with the family, they are in support of what we are doing, they’re just not ready to make the decisions about what program or college it would support, or the criteria for the scholarship,” she said. To find out more information about the scholarship or to donate, visit cufund.org/swasey.
COURTESY | GIVING.CU.EDU
COURTESY | COMMUNIQUE
The scholarship to honor Garrett Swasey passed the initial goal of $50,000.
4 | February 1, 2015
News
Peyton Manning Coloring Page Share your masterpiece on social media by tagging @uccsscribe on Twitter or post it on the ‘UCCS The Scribe’ Facebook page!
Culture
February 1, 2015| 5
Global Engagement Office offers resources to help international students transition Rachel Librach
rlibrach@uccs.edu
When a student decides to travel internationally for the first time, the uncertainty of their environment can be both exciting and overwhelming. UCCS welcomed over 300 international students from 49 countries last semester. This type of diversity and exchange of culture starts with the Global Engagement Office. Mandy Hansen, director of the Global Engagement Office, believes it’s nice to give first-time travelers a buffer to establish the resources around them and help adjust to American classrooms and expectations. “We coordinated for the first time in our office the International Student Checkin and Welcome. One of the challenges for international students is they can’t come in June to Orientation then fly all the way back home,” she said. Hansen added that many international students arrive at the university before classes begin. “It is really important that the International Checkin and Welcome provide some parallel experiences to summer orientation. This was something that didn’t happen in the past and I look forward to that being institutionalized,” said Hansen. Roger Habimana, an
international student from France, has been in the U.S. for two weeks. Habimana is currently completing the first year of his master’s degree, and is studying international relations. He hopes to become an Army officer along with completing his degree. Part of his education in France demands that he travels to another country to continue his studies. “Basically, I had to choose between two universities: UCCS or the University of Dubuque in Iowa. For me it was a quick choice,” he said. “I feel good here, people are really friendly, I love the landscape, the culture and I have been enjoying everything so far.” Habimana remarked that one of the biggest differences between UCCS and his college in France is the sheer diversity of students on campus. Habimana came from a private Catholic university where religion and education were both emphasized. “I think it is great to have people so different and to practice being open minded. That’s why I love these kind of experiences,” he said. Because Habimana has high hopes for joining the army, he plans to take advantage of internship opportunities offered through UCCS. He has also been taking history classes to learn more about Colorado Springs,
MEGAN LUNSFORD | THE SCRIBE
Mandy Hansen, director of the Global Engagement Office, stands at her desk in Copper House.
MEGAN LUNSFORD | THE SCRIBE
The front desk of the UCCS Global Engagement Office.
its military background and its relationship with the federal government. Hansen pointed out that not only do international students benefit from their experience, but the blending of cultures and ideas enhances UCCS students’ understanding and cultural development. “A great example of this is the Indian Student Association; during our International Week in November, they shared with the UCCS community the Diwali Festival of Lights event,” she said.
New communication class seeks to teach students skills in commercial production Halle Thornton hthornto@uccs.edu
A new commercial production class is being offered this semester through the Department of Communication. The class, COMM 4900, will be offered on Fridays from 9:25 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in El Pomar Center room 106, and is taught by instructor Jeff Dempsey. “This is the only course that is specifically focused on the production of 30-second
commercials for TV,” said communication professor David Nelson. Students will learn how to produce a 30-second commercial from one concept and also focus on preproduction, editing, music and broadcasting. This entire process will be repeated throughout the semester but with different ideas, contexts and topics, according to Nelson. Nelson said Dempsey proposed the idea of a commercial production class
to him and offered to teach the class this semester. “The class is great for any student interested in pursuing advertising or production companies that specialize in commercial production”, Nelson explained. But it can also be beneficial to any student in any field of study, even if it is just taken as a general elective. According to the course catalog, current topics and issues related to communication will be
explored, but these topics may vary from semester to semester if the class is offered again. Dempsey began his career in 2004. He has worked on numerous video and film production shoots, and has experience as a feature film camera operator for PureFlix Entertainment. He has also directed photography on various national commercial and television projects for companies around the country. “He is very talented and
experienced in commercial production,” said Nelson. Nelson, who teaches courses such as Contemporary Mass Media, History of TV Programming and Directing Studio Performance, explained that there are a number of different production classes offered. These include Digital Cinematography, Directing for Film and TV, Digital Film Production and other classes where students produce films or for the TV series “The Bluffs.”
Free Expression Poetry Club encourages self-expression through open mic nights Abbie Stillman astillma@uccs.edu
Slam poetry has been a popular form of self-expression for hundreds of years, but students can participate in the variety of events that the Free Expression Poetry Club offers right now. The club hosts monthly open mic nights at Clyde’s, which include a feature and then a poetry slam. About two dozen participants show up to these events.
The club is co-sponsoring an open mic and poetry slam with the Black Student Union. The event will take place on Feb. 11 and will honor black history month. On March 4, the club will honor the LGBTQ population. They are hoping to co-sponsor the night with Spectrum. Kim Southcott, senior nursing major, leads the club and explained there is usually a full crowd at their events. They have judges in the audience, and a brief history of why slam exists is offered at each event.
“Poetry slam looks a lot like open mic, (but) there are a few rules, like you can only read a three-minute piece and it has to be your own work,” she said. Free Expression Poetry Club was founded eight years ago. The club typically meets at 7 p.m. in the MOSAIC office, according to Southcott. “The whole point of slam, starting in the ‘80s in Chicago, is that people were getting tired of poetry readings being boring and dry,” Southcott explained. Special guests are sometimes
brought in by the club to offer perspectives on the issues being discussed. “We’re going to have an awesome local Colorado Springs poet named Tinico, who is an advocate for the queer and trans community,” said Southcott in reference to the event on March 4. The club is also a good place to meet well-known artists. On Jan. 23, the club hosted Jared Paul, a social activist and hip-hop musician. Free Expression Poetry Club
is in the midst of sending a team to compete nationally. They are hoping to send a team to the Collegiate University Poetry Slam Invitational April 6-9 in Austin, Texas. Only four people are allowed to be on a team. An alternate will also serve as a coach to join on the trip. Southcott and another member are the current coaches of their team. Information about how to join Free Expression Poetry Club can be found on their Mountain Lion Connect page.
Culture Bean-off: The best coffee near and at UCCS 6 | February 1, 2015
Kyle Guthrie kguthri2@uccs.edu
College students have more coffee running through their veins than blood. They depend on a cup of joe to get them through class, work and to power through late night study sessions. But before 8 a.m. class, students have to decide where to buy the best coffee near campus. Six staff members at The Scribe participated in a blind taste test from four popular coffee shops. Each person scored the coffee on a scale from one (undrinkable) to 10 (ambrosial). As you’ll see, The Scribe has some picky coffee drinkers. #1 Kangaroo Coffee Cumulative Score – 32/60 Kangaroo Coffee uses all organic ingredients, has military discounts and offers a punch card. The caramel mocha was the winner of the contest. The drink tasted sweet and silky on the palette and is so rich it tastes like a milkshake. This was also the second cheapest drink of the contenders. A 16-ounce cup was $3.75. The closest of Kangaroo Coffee’s three Colorado Springs locations is 434 W. Fillmore St., about 10 minutes away from campus. #2 University Center Coffee Shop Cumulative Score – 31/60 Coming in second by one point is University Center’s
Coffee Shop, outside of the Kraemer Family Library. While their concoction was more expensive than Kangaroo Coffee’s ($4.10),
it was just as tasty, with the added convenience of being on campus. But at $4.10 for a 16-ounce cup, it doesn’t seem like college students
are their largest targeted consumer. Their coffee is tasty, but students should know they close at 3 p.m. on Fridays.
MEGAN LUNSFORD | THE SCRIBE
A look at the four coffee samples and rankings completed by Scribe staff members.
MEGAN LUNSFORD | THE SCRIBE
The University Center Coffee Shop was evaluated by Scribe staff taste-testers.
#3 Dutch Bros. Coffee Cumulative Score-21/60 Dutch Bros. Coffee, a distant third, scored low among staff. While the coffee didn’t taste bad, it was weak and tasteless. It didn’t help that they messed up the order, but the staff was friendly, and it was still better than a lot of coffee shops. Their 16-ounce iced coffee was the cheapest of all the coffees we tasted at just $3.50. They also have the largest selection of items on their menu. Everything from energy drinks to smoothies and teas can be purchased there, giving students a variety of beverages to choose from. The closest Dutch Bros. is located on 1440 N. Circle Dr., is open until 10 p.m. and offers a punch card. #4 Starbucks Coffee Cumulative Score – 14/60 It’s hard to throw a stone without hitting a Starbucks, but placing last is the largest coffee chain of them all. After paying $5.60 for a 16-ounce iced caramel mocha, I was handed a cup of coffee that was already separating by a barista with an unpleasant demeanor. The coffee tasted bland and flavorless, with a subtly bitter flavor underneath that tasted like battery acid. But the sheer convenience of Starbucks locations makes up for the inferior taste. The store also offers a variety of meals and free Wi-Fi for students wanting to take it easy and knock out an essay or two. The closest Starbucks is in the University Village Shopping Center on Nevada Avenue.
UNDIET workshops cancelled, ways to stay healthy still offered Joe Hollmann
jhollma3@uccs.edu
The UNDIET workshops are cancelled for the spring semester due to lack of interest. The 12-week class that aims to provide expert health coaching for lifelong eating habits was scheduled to begin Jan. 20, but no students registered for the winter section. “Only one person signed up and we need a minimum of five people total to make it a group learning environment,” said Julie Anderson, who headed the UNDIET workshop before it was cancelled. The classes, located at HealthCircle at the Lane Center, were open to the community. The 12-week program cost $325. According to Anderson, who is also the peak nutrition
clinic director at the Lane Center, the workshops were designed through individualized nutrition strategies and sustainable activity plans. She added that it is important for students to develop healthy habits now. “What college students do now impacts their future and how they will age,” said Anderson. Some students do not consider the idea of the workshops a necessity. “$325 is a big commitment, and I’m trying to save up for a car and pay for books,” said freshman nursing major Al Bouchard. Sophomore international business major Eva Honkanen said she wouldn’t use the program even if she bought it. Freshman psychology major Jake Haugerud said that he can use the internet to research information.
Wellness Center Where: Inside the Rec Center Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call for appointment availability: 719-255-4444 Website: uccs.edu/recwellness /index.html ARCHIVES | THE SCRIBE
The planned UNDIET workshops at the Lane Center were cancelled.
According to Anderson there are other ways to develop healthy habits in the colder months. She recommended getting away from the environment to overcome any tendencies.
“It’s all about the portions and balance, not cutting something out of your normal diet,” said Anderson. Anderson added that finding a passion is a good place to start.
“Find an activity you enjoy and really incorporate it into your life,” she said. Anderson said she is also an advocate for eating foods you like. “The foods (students) can afford and enjoy are going to help meet their (eating and lifestyle) goals,” she said.
Culture
February 1, 2015 | 7
Confessions of an Uber driver: Respect one another, be kind in the process Alexander Nedd anedd@uccs.edu
7,353. That’s how many miles I’ve put on my Chevrolet Cobalt since becoming an Uber employee last July. That’s more than 250 trips. When I think about these trips, I’m reminded of the people I met and what we have shared with each other. In that moment, we both travel in the same space, before going our separate ways. I’ve enhanced my people skills and continued to treat those around me with the respect and courtesy that they deserve during my time with Uber. I’ve learned a lot from my customers during those drives, but one common theme continues to dominate the future of sharing rides and public transportation. People lack respect for one another, and the golden rule is quickly being forgotten. Just before the beginning of the year, it was obvious my client was stoned and slightly intoxicated when I picked him up, but those aren’t immediate grounds to deny a fare in my book. It wasn’t until he tried to use my phone without my permission, smoke in the car and use vulgar, homophobic language that I said enough was enough. I kicked him out on Colorado Boulevard and 22nd street, into the cold.
As I reflect on what happened, I realize there is nothing I would change if I was put in that situation again. Respect was once considered important, but this skill is now lacking when it comes to talking with others face to face, thanks to the 4.5-inch screen that sits in your hand as I write. While most people I give rides to do not compare to the man I kicked out, the number of people that hop in my car, give me an address and sit in the back distracted by their phone baffles me. As a communication major, I often overlook how difficult it might be to start a conversation with somebody. But we weren’t always this way, and it’s sad to see this trend continue as I get older. While awkward silence in the car is a routine I’ve learned to expect on my trips, I refuse to tolerate disrespect for others and myself. Last year, another Uber driver picked up an intoxicated passenger when he was brutally assaulted by the individual. Caught on film, the man was upset he was being kicked out because he couldn’t provide clear directions to the driver. This man was later revealed as a Taco Bell executive. Earlier last month a female doctor assaulted another Uber
MEGAN LUNSFORD | THE SCRIBE
Scribe Opinion Editor and Uber driver Alexander Nedd stands in front of his Chevy Cobalt.
employee and tried to hijack his car while punching the driver in the face. This behavior is completely unacceptable, and it begs a bigger question of why high profile customers feel the need to belittle and harm those that are working for them. During that time in the car, the driver and the customer are equals, even though we may be different in many ways. Let’s treat each other that way, and make the world a better place in the process.
MEGAN LUNSFORD | THE SCRIBE
The identifying Uber logo featured in Nedd’s car.
EDItOrIAl
February 1, 2015 | 8
Win or lose, let the Super Bowl bring you together Jonathan Toman Editor-in-Chief
Audrey Jensen Managing Editor
Eleanor Sturt Copy Editor
Evan Musick News Editor
Hannah Harvey Culture Editor
Alexander Nedd Opinion Editor
Alexander Nedd
Life on the Bluffs Editor
Taylor Garcia Sports Editor
Megan Lunsford Photo Editor
COURTESY | FLIKR USER JEFF KALIKSTEIN
This Super Sunday, make sure you take time to enjoy the people around you as you enjoy the game.
Scribe Staff scribe@uccs.edu
Congratulations Colorado, your football team has made it to the biggest game of the year: The Super Bowl, which is now as old as UCCS, 50 years. Super Bowl Sunday has nearly become a national holiday; more people will be watching their television than listening to their spiritual advisors. Whether you are a football fan or not, you’re likely to receive an invitation to watch the game. Before you turn that down to catch up with the latest episode of “The Flash,” think about going.
The Super Bowl is more than just a game where two teams run a football to opposing sides of the field and kick it between two metal poles. The game is a forum to bring friends together in a unified effort of cheering for a positive outcome, in this case, bringing home a trophy. Football is something people can come together and cheer for without any hateful divisiveness. It’s a distraction from Hillary’s emails and Trump’s hair. It’s important to have something that brings us together in the middle of social strife. We become distracted by good friends, food and laughs. If the team you’re cheering for wins,
the feeling of euphoria can carry over for days, and arguably could be one of the better ways to start the year. If they lose, you and your team still have the gratification of being champions, and your friends still leave the party in a sense of unity. Even if you don’t get caught up in the thrill of competition, there is always the food, drink and companionship of other football, or non-football, friends. So, this Sunday, find a party to go to. Scream at the top of your lungs with friends. Cry at the commercials. Be entertained by the halftime show. Go have fun and join America in setting aside a time to be distracted from the world.
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OPINION Suicide: A conversation that needs to happen more
February 1, 2015 | 9
Eleanor Sturt esturt@uccs.edu
The U.S. suffers from 40,000 suicides a year. Colorado is in the top five states in the country in this category, with 20 in every 100,000 people successfully committing suicide a year. These numbers are too high.
As a country we are doing something wrong. Why is suicide not addressed by more people? Death is a strange concept and the way we treat it here in America is abnormal compared to other countries. We have no set way to mourn, while some countries take time out of their lives to lament the deceased. Other countries have days to celebrate the dead. The U.S. has no such customs. We even avoid using the word “dead.” We use idioms like “passed away” to avoid saying the word “died.” We are so afraid of death,
we can’t even bear to say the word. The same applies to suicide. When there are press releases about people committing suicide, the term is avoided, stating that they “passed away abruptly” or skirting the fact all together. This can be to provide sensitivity to the family and friends of the victim. Respect to the family and friends of the deceased is needed from media, because people are the source of information. If you burn those bridges, you are out of a source. But how does one talk about suicide to
the public without offending those affected? I decided to push past personal embarrassment in writing this, but more importantly, comfortability, because this subject is important. Suicide needs to be talked about more often, but the sensitivity around the subject makes the conversation of suicide difficult. I’ve had multiple friends express to me they either have or had thoughts of suicide. One is afraid to be home alone with knives. Another would
have gone through with it if it wasn’t for a coworker nagging them to come to a party. These conversations are never comfortable. They can be emotional, awkward and cynical, but they are always extremely uncomfortable. Americans like to be comfortable. We don’t like situations that test our limits or are controversial to our views. We like safety and consistency. But uncomfortable conversations about suicide need to happen, claims need to be stated and solutions need to be made. There are arguments
about political issues like immigration and human rights, but there are none about suicide. Suicide is a problem that needs to be fixed, but first we need to show that it is a problem. People gladly talk about presidential candidates, women’s rights and racism, but the conversation of suicide is almost unheard of. It shouldn’t be like that. Get out of your comfort zone and talk about suicide with friends and family. For such a huge phenomenon, it shouldn’t be this taboo.
Turn your words into action, every vote counts
Joe Hollmann jhollma3@uccs.edu
College students walk out of their sociology and philosophy classes critiquing every institution within reach, proclaiming the good news of social justice and systematic change. But while we equip our intellect with statistics about injustice and
inequality, we fail to carry out what we could change through voting. Instead, we settle for Facebook commentsection debates and coffee shop conversations. Our political system relies on the power of one person and one vote. By law, your broke, malnourished and coffee-aided vote counts just as much as Warren Buffet’s and Will Smith’s. But almost every college student I talk to disagrees. A common belief among my peers is that their vote doesn’t matter, that it is lost in the abyss of eternal insignificance, where
mandatory freshman seminar classes and eyebrow alterations dwell. College students believe in the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot (1 in 292 million) more than their vote counting in an election. We don’t think voting is necessary to go on with our lives or else we would actually do it. Students are more concerned with bubbling in scantrons than ballots. Maybe our voic e doesn’t feel heard. Maybe our interests are being trampled on by old white men in D.C. Or maybe we were never concerned about our interests being
A common belief among my peers is that their vote doesn’t matter, that it is lost in the abyss of eternal insignificance, where mandatory freshman seminar classes and eyebrow alterations dwell.
represented in the first place. All it takes to vote is being registered, a small amount of time out of your Tuesday and a photo ID. The beauty of the upcoming general election is how two
concepts might get us off our couches in the middle of Netflix and chill: Donald Trump becoming the 49th president and Bernie Sanders raising taxes so college tuition is free. We finally have something fearful and enticing enough to get us moving. And they both have pretty ridiculous hair. We need to talk about this at all times of the year, because voting is not a season, it’s an attitude. It is an internal understanding that you have power over what happens. But our power does not lie just within general elections. As students, you
have the power to vote for our own student government. You have power to vote in the primaries, helping to determine the platform your respective party embraces. You have the power to vote on local community leaders, or whether or not to raise taxes. So how much of your talk about change is genuine? Do your statistics mean anything if they aren’t glued to action? How long does it take to buy a Powerball ticket? Because it might be just as long as it takes to fill out a ballot and put it in your mailbox.
GoFundMe used to trick people into donating money to pointless causes
Kyle Guthrie kguthri2@uccs.edu
After the $1.5 billion Powerball drawing, a woman named Cinnamon Nicole created a GoFundMe to collect back her family savings, all of which she spent on lottery tickets. Nicole asked for $100,000 in donations
and explained that her family spent all of their money on lottery tickets expecting to win. If this isn’t sickening enough, she added that the donated money will go to MORE lottery tickets. The first time I came across a GoFundMe, it was a page created to prevent a World War II veteran from losing his house. I heard of crowdfunding before, but it was limited to film studios trying to kick start fan films such as “Veronica Mars,” or trying to collect enough money to create a working prototype of a cool
invention. Now, there was this site that uses the same tactic to give a hand to those suffering through hard times. It was inspirational and beautiful. But over time, I have crossed paths with numerous shams, and that’s not even counting the plethora of pages dedicated to people getting boob jobs, hair plugs or new cars. After reading through another GoFundMe page that hoped to raise $25,000 for a fellow veteran, I realized that his “sob story” was him being passed over for a
promotion. One of my favorite pages is a man asking kind patrons for cash so that he can buy Kanye West’s new clothing line. It’s sad to see a site dedicated to helping those who are down on their luck being abused by people looking for a quick buck. But the real problem with these pages is from the contributors themselves. GoFundMe removed Nicole’s page, but not before she miraculously raised over $800 worth of donations. The second the donation counter on
It’s sad to see a site dedicated to helping those who are down on their luck being abused by people looking for a quick buck.
these funds increase, other scumbags use GoFundMe as another get rich quick scheme they can’t wait to hop on board with. Meanwhile, legitimate and respectable non-profits wonder what cause could possibly be
more important than their mission to save children dying from cancer, or veterans dying from medical conditions that could easily be treated. Everyone loves an inspirational story of someone down on their luck who had their fortunes changed because of the kin dness of strangers. But next time you consider donating to a cause, realize there is a difference between helping a good-hearted man who needs hope in his life and helping a woman begging for donations she plans to throw away on lottery tickets.
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Sweet Salty Tweets access to the UCCS Rec Center again... ran a mile, did some stair steppin, and swam. Feeling GREAT.”
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February 1, 2015 | 10
“Ashley just told me she got
accepted into UCCS and I’m crying so much I’m incredibly proud of her but I’m not ready for her to go to college” @raquelrazo4
Rodents that didn’t make the cut for Groundhog Day Kyle Guthrie, kguthri2@uccs.edu
10 Woodchuck 9
Timon
8
Honey Badger (who didn’t care anyway)
7
Bill Murray
6
Splinter the Rat
5
Sonic the Hedgehog
4
Capybara
3
Kristen Stewart
2
Mr. and Mrs. Beaver
1
Hugh Jackman
Campus Chatter Rachel Librach, rlibrach@uccs.edu
Why do you watch the Super Bowl? Destinee Vigil, sophomore, biomedical science and pre-med “I’m from Pueblo and a longtime fan of the Broncos. People expected us to lose in our last game against the Patriots but we still came out on top, so I have faith in my Broncos.” Roger Castellano, sophomore, criminal justice “I’m not really into football, so it’s more for the commercials. I hope the Broncos don’t win though, there’s just too many fans that are coming out of nowhere now once [the Broncos] hit playoffs and the Super Bowl, and now everyone’s wearing orange.”
Capture
Clyde
Mon
1
at UCCS 3
Resumes and Cover Letters Webinar 6 p.m.
“I just like football, I play off the atmosphere. This is the biggest game meaning the competition’s higher.”
Win a prize! Come to The Scribe office (UC 106) and tell us where the picture was taken.
This week Wed How to Write Better
Christian Kelly, sophomore, health sciences
SGA Election Luau SLL Office, University Center 6 p.m.
Thurs Inner Tube Water Polo (7v7)
4
Recreation and Wellness Center Pool 7 p.m.
Tues International
2
Sat
6
Student Workshop Wellness Center 2 p.m.
Fourth Annual Build-a-Bear Drive 1710 Briargate Blvd 9 a.m.
February 1, 2015 | 11 SPOrts A happy post-Super Bowl The Broncos will be Colorado is still possible brought to a slaughter
Taylor Garcia tgarcia@uccs.edu
The Carolina Panthers are hungry, and horse is on the menu. It’s too bad Super Bowl 50 isn’t going to be a dance, because Carolina would have the game in the bag. Cam Newton’s touchdown dances are a necessity each game. While it isn’t his dances moves that will win them the game, Newton is the key for the Panthers. It’s hard to compare the two quarterbacks, especially when Peyton Manning sat six games due to injury. But it seems that any game against the Broncos is set up as Manning versus the other quarterback, and this game will be staged no differently. But that isn’t the real matchup for this year’s Super Bowl. It isn’t Manning that’s going to be Newton’s biggest challenge, it’s Denver’s defense. “Defense wins games” must be tattooed on every single one of Denver’s players because they do their job and they do it well. Denver leads the league in passing and total yards allowed per game, plus they are third in rushing yards allowed. Von Miller has 11 sacks on the season and DeMarcus Ware has 7.5, Carolina’s line will have to be ready to hold them back. Denver’s defense is impressive, no doubt. But Carolina’s offensive resume is just as pristine, and that will carry them to a championship. The Panthers score more points per game than any other team, is second in the league for rushing
yards per game and is third in average yards per completion. Newton is one of the best, if not the best, rushing quarterback in the league right now. Averaging 4.8 yards per carry, he is responsible for 10 of the team’s 19 rushing touchdowns. And it’s not just Newton making plays; his receivers have 35 touchdowns on the season. Compare those stats to Manning’s negative rush yards per play, and 11.5 receiving average with 19 touchdown catches on the season. You may say that Manning was out or his foot was injured. But he hasn’t had a positive rushing average since his first season with the Broncos in 2012. And while Miller and Ware are terrifying for the Broncos, the Panthers have only allowed 61 quarterback hits on the whole season. Even with their 17-1 record, the Panthers have faced doubt this whole season. No matter who they beat, the critics always had an excuse for their success. They overcame the preseason loss of Kelvin Benjamin, their best wide receiver. In less than a week, they will be competing in a game they were never supposed to get to. And they’ll win.
Jonathan Toman jtoman@uccs.edu
It would be a storybook finish, wouldn’t it? The Broncos win the Super Bowl, vanquishing the demons of two seasons ago, and Peyton Manning is offered the opportunity few athletes are afforded: to walk out on top, leaving the game a champion like his boss and Colorado folk hero, John Elway. Here’s why that dream is still not only possible, but probable. Yes, Manning is the story, and all eyes will be on him from when he steps off the plane in California to when he returns to Denver. But he won’t be the reason the Broncos win, because he is no longer the star.
That honor belongs to the defense, reminiscent of the scary “Orange Crush” defense that was before my time. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has his group confident, almost arrogant, in their abilities. Denver had the number one overall defense in the NFL during the regular season, allowing 83 yards rushing per game (third best in the NFL) and 200 yards passing per game (best in the NFL). They stifle opponents throughout the game and always seem to make a play in critical moments to move the needle toward a Broncos victory. I mentioned that Manning is no longer the star. The success of the somewhat flawed 2013 Broncos team was predicated on the success of one man: Manning. As No. 18 went, so did Denver. Not so anymore. That means that the stars and playmakers can come from everywhere, and that was true throughout the season and into the playoffs. Running back C.J. Anderson beat the Patriots in the regular season snow. Kicker Brandon McManus and his powerful right leg beat the Steelers in the playoffs, accounting for 15 of the team’s 23 points. Tight end Owen Daniels helped win the AFC Championship with two ginormous touchdown catches in the 2018 win. Head coach Gary Kubiak is a playmaker in his own right, guiding the team through the Manning-Brock Osweiler drama and still winning despite the challenges. When needed, Peyton has enough magic in the tank to make a play. But the winning touch is in capable hands, because so many players can be the difference. Not many are giving this Broncos team a chance. VegasInsider.com had the Panthers as a five-and-a-half point favorite on Jan. 28. It’s going to be tough, no doubt. The obvious MVP choice Cam Newton dabbed his way through the NFL schedule with little regard for, well, any team. The Panthers have an it factor, they’ve got swag at levels I will probably never approach. But so do the Denver Broncos. And swag, combined with talent, experience and motivation can combine Feb. 7 to make some serious “Orange Crush.”
Upcoming intramural events and tournaments 3pt. & Slam Dunk
Bowling (4v4)
Kickball (9v9)
Sitting Volleyball (6v6)
Crate Stacking
Swim Meet
3/3
3/9
3/31
2/11 2/18 2/26 7pm
7pm
7pm
7pm
7pm
7pm
Softball (9v9)
Bubble Soccer
Dodgeball (7v7)
Disc Golf
Kick It (5v5)
4/2
4/6
4/6
4/15
4/29,30
7pm
7pm
7pm
7pm
7pm
SPOrts
February 1, 2015 | 12
Track and field expands their program, uses indoor season for training Hannah Harvey
hharvey@uccs.edu
Indoor track and field is a fast-paced program, and that’s not just because the student athletes are runners. The track and field program is looking to expand as they recruit and add more focus to their sprinters, jumpers and throwers to go with their already successful distance runners. Brandon Masters, named track and field head coach in September, took over the coaching of students who compete as sprinters, jumpers and throwers this spring. Training for these events is focused on growth and individuality, according to Masters. “We definitely do individu alized training because every event group is different,” he said. Most of the sprinters, jumpers and throwers currently on the team are training and saving their eligibility for competition
COURTESY | SPORTS INFORMATION
Molly Klotz competes in the 400-meter hurdles in May. Klotz is part of the UCCS indoor track and field team.
next year. Both the men’s and women’s teams are currently in a developmental stage as they expand to include more events and athletes on their
roster. Corey Kubatzky, head women’s cross country and middle distance track and field coach, explained the approach to this year’s
indoor season. “Right now, we’re focusing on individual events in track and field; we’re not trying to win the conference team title right
now, but that will change next year,” said Kubatzky. For now, the teams are mainly distance focused. The men’s team is primarily working on long distance events, while the women’s team is focused on middle distance. “Our main focus right now is training; outdoor track is what’s most important in the grand scheme of things,” said men’s cross country and distance/middle distance head coach Mark Misch. On the other hand, the women’s team is focusing on the distance medley relay this year. The team has enjoyed recent success in the form of sophomore Molly Klotz, who was the conference champion in the outdoor 400-meter hurdles last year. “We have five girls who are really strong in middle distance,” said Kubatzky. Both the men’s and women’s track and field teams are back in action Feb. 6 at the Western State Alumni Open in Gunnison, Colo.