Since 1966 Monday, September 9, 2013
News City for Champions
UCCSScribe.com Vol. 38, Iss. 2
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Campus pedals into fifth annual Bike Jam
UCCS part of citywide project 3 9/11 flags on West Lawn College Republicans remember 9/11 3
Science & Business Professor spotlight Taylor Lilly conducts research for AFA 4 Research Academy Undergraduate students perform research on campus 4
Culture Cello concert Acclaimed cellist performs at GOCA 5 Balloon Classic Dozens of balloons take flight over city 7
Opinion Syria vs. 9/11 Events in Middle East need attention 9 Colorado strong Making the city your home 9
Sports Cross country The men’s and women’s cross country teams kick off their seasons by developing chemistry and focusing on their goals 3
nICK BUrnS | The Scribe
monika reinholz mreinhol@uccs.edu
Amid record enrollment and a battle for on-campus parking spaces, some may opt to lose a couple wheels and toss on some pedaling shoes. The fifth annual Bike Jam, held Sept. 5, was an event aimed at persuading the UCCS community to use more sustainable transportation. Organizations including the Office of Sustainability, Sustainable Transportation, Campus Recreation, UCCS Police, Kramer Library, Green Action Fund, Metro Rides, MyHandleBar and the Roll Bike Exhibit all had tables at the event. Josh Hendrickson, supervisor and event coordinator for the Office of Sustainability, called
the turnout “phenomenal.” “It’s excellent,” he said. “One of the great things that I’ve seen so far is that we look at our bike racks that we set up and a couple of times they’ve been completely full.” The Bike Rider’s Breakfast at 8 a.m. consisted of potato, egg and cheese burritos catered by Sodexo. Bike-powered smoothies and Top That! Pizza was available at 11:30 a.m. The Parade of Bikes, a guided tour of the UCCS bike paths, then followed at noon. UCCS staff attended to promote a bike-friendly atmosphere. Andrea Hassler, the trails coordinator at the Rec Center, promoted the new administrationapproved trails system program on campus. The SOLE Center was also
Colorado suicide rate shows need for more awareness Samantha morley smorley2@uccs.edu
Colorado has been ranked among the states with the top 10 highest suicide rates for the past several years. This past year, the situation has worsened. With World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10, more and more people across the country and around the globe are focused on raising awareness about suicide so people in need can get help. According to the state health department, Colorado’s suicide rate increased by 16 percent in 2012 as 1,053 people committed suicide that year, the highest number since 1940. Of those who took their
lives, 76.9 percent were male and a majority working age (25-54 years old) who typically undergo great levels of stress, according to the Denver Post. “Most people think it’s teens, but it’s actually not,” said Sally Spencer-Thomas, CEO of the Carson J Spencer Foundation. Spencer-Thomas started the foundation after the suicide of her brother, who suffered from bipolar disorder. The foundation now strives to provide tools for those who may be contemplating, or have attempted, suicide. “One of the things that we first noticed when we [were] Continued on page 2 . . .
available to do minor bike repairs next to the Campus Rec table. Kramer Library, promoting its new Borrow a Bike Lock program, held a drawing for a bike lock and bag combo as well as a book and bag combo. To participate in the program, students must be registered patrons of the library, own a UCCS ID card and have a bike registered with the department of Public Safety. Also present was Sergeant Grant Lockwood of the campus police. There are five bike police officers on campus, all of whom are required to take a five-day long International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPIMBA) training course. “People don’t realize that a bike is actually considered a ve-
hicle by state law. You need to abide by all the traffic rule just like a vehicle,” said Lockwood. Bike Jam is the beginning of Bike Month, a series of bikerelated challenges that will end Oct. 5. The department or office team with the most collective miles will win the yearly Traveling Trophy. Additionally, the winners will receive free pints of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and a year’s supply of Green Mountain Organic Coffee. Bike Month Challenge prizes will also be awarded to those who rode the most days and the most miles throughout the month. Interested students can register at bikejournal.com to participate in the month-long challenges. S
SGA members optimistic about coming year, involvement attiana Collins acollin2@uccs.edu
As students start the new semester, officers of the Student Government Association are heading back to work. SGA President Jasmine Caldwell is beginning her first year in office with Vice President Donald Apelo. Caldwell’s primary focus this semester is to ensure students are aware of their influence on the rapidly changing campus. “I want to concentrate on guiding students in the right direction in order to utilize their influence,” Caldwell wrote in an email. Caldwell’s personal plans include developing “strong, efficient, supportive, positive, successful, and
well-rounded student leaders within and through Student Government.” Additionally, Caldwell urged students to get involved on campus. She stated that doing so “provides [students] with opportunities that are beneficial to [their] academic, personal, and professional development.” As this year’s president, Caldwell hopes to accomplish “a better organization, a better year, and better outcomes” and to provide positive representation and a great legacy of UCCS as this year’s chair of Colorado University’s Intercampus Student Forum. Caldwell also plans on attempting to bring back the Continued on page 2 . . .