the scribe
A Look Inside
Tent City & Haiti: How we can help
The official student newspaper of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. February 23 to March 1, 2010 [Volume 34; Issue 19]
Track: Another Broken Record Rob Versaw
Catherine Jensen
the ISSUE
NEWS
ENT and UCCS reveal new student-created mural
page 4
CULTURE
James O’Shea IV
Ariel Lattimore Hundreds of homeless are living along the side of the Interstate in Colorado Springs in what has been named “tent city.” In early February, Colorado Springs City Council voted to outlaw public camping, leaving the 300 to 500 homeless people with nowhere to go.
One week after shattering a school record at the New Mexico Classic in honor of former teammate David Mueller, the Track and Field Men’s 4x400-meter relay team broke its own school record again at the Air Force Invitational Feb. 13.
The disaster in Haiti is being named the worst earthquake to hit the island in over 200 years. Students at UCCS are stepping up to show concern and help with issues on both local and global scale.
From pole-vaulting to the 60-meter dash and hurdle, track and field has been competing consistently with stamina and drive.
Continued on page 6
Movie Review: The Wolfman
page 5
Continued on page 7
D-2 partnership gives students a head start
Church, booze and firearms: Recession-proof?
page 8
PARADOX Pulpit Rock only visible to social science majors
page 9 OPINION Dueling Opinions | The National Tea Party? | Biscotti, anyone? An alternative to bickering
page 10 | Many Hats| Bizzaro City’s budget
page 10
SPORTS A winning ‘whiteout’ storms the mountain: Basketball victorious
page 11
In the Middle Tent City & Haiti: How we can help
page 6
Track: Another broken record
page 7
Meral Sarper, a student from the Chancellor’s Leadership Class, leads a group of District 2 students around campus.
Kay Wynarsky kwynarsk@uccs.edu
UCCS is teaming up with local high schools in District Two to create a new initiative intended to help prepare students to start thinking about college realistically at a younger age. Developed through the Chancellor’s Leadership Class (CLC), the program will give students a head start on college visits by giving them tours of the UCCS campus and discussing the application process, as well as providing some advice on how to succeed in college.
The visit to UCCS is also intended to give the students an introduction to the school as a possibility for their higher education. Robert Wonnett, formerVice Chancellor for Student Success, said he and those in charge of initiating the partnership chose District Two because they wanted to pick a district that was not often selected to participate in such initiatives. “D-11 and D-12 are closer and usually selected for these kinds of things. But we wanted to reach out to districts that aren’t typically chosen. We want to give potential first generation college students an idea of school.” Wonnett hopes the pro-
gram “will do service by teaching students leadership,” he said. “Our mission is to educate southern Colorado.” Wonnett is working with teachers to create workshops between groups, such as the 21st Century Program, an excelled educational program students and CLC scholars volunteer for in the Springs. Last Thursday, Harrison High School’s 21st Century Program students came to campus to learn not only about UCCS, but about the steps necessary to enter college as well. A primary objective of the program is to give kids who want to get into college
but may not have the funds to do so, an understanding that higher education is still a possibility. A ninth grader in the program, Derek Davis, said that he is hoping to attend either UCCS or the Air Force Academy. But with his mom currently out of work, he, like many other students, worries about how to pay for higher education. During their visit the students were spoken to about financial aid, grants, loans, working on campus and scholarships as their most promising options for assistance in paying for school. Before taking a tour of the campus, students were given information on UCCS
Ariel Lattimore as well as information on support and help to be successful in college. MOSAIC Director Anthony Cordova spoke to the Harrison students about his own school experience and why it was so essential for him to attend college in order to move up in the job world. They were also told about the differences between high school and college; how they will have independence and will need to be responsible for their own actions. To make sure they were considering higher education seriously, students were asked how they are preparing for college. One replied, “We are starting to worry about our GPA now.” u
CONTACT | phone: (719) 255 - 3658 | fax: (719) 255 - 3600 | email: scribe@uccs.edu | website: www.uccsscribe.com
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editorial
February 23 to March 1, 2010
scribe staff
Student life opportunities: The key to student retention
Jackie Parkinson Editor-in-Chief
I don’t exactly remember when I first decided to attend UCCS. But I do know that it was the free t-shirt in the mail that did me in. In all actuality, my college decision was based on three things: 1) in-state colleges, 2) nowhere near Fort Collins and 3) a well-known university. There were only three schools that fit the requirements: UCB, UCCS and UCD. I declined going to Boulder on the basis that I did not want to attend a ridiculously large college with gigantic class sizes. I’m originally from Denver, and would have had to live with my parents at home if I attended UCD, so my decision was made. I would attend UCCS for its small class sizes, moderate tuition rate and a gut feeling. My first year here was my favorite. While I experienced an interesting adjusting process of living in the Residence Halls, I learned to love being on campus that year. The people I lived with in the residence halls became my family and I felt a true connection to the campus. The following summer I even found the opportunity to live on-campus working for the Office of Residence Life and Housing as a conference assistant and applied to be a junior reporter at The Scribe, because I loved being at UCCS. Once I had moved offcampus, it was a different story. Suddenly, my entire life
was not consumed by being on-campus and constantly being around fellow students. I was also working off-campus part-time, and this is where the feeling of disconnect began. While working for The Scribe, I was able to see what was truly going on around campus, yet I never felt a part of it because I devoted most of my life to off-campus activities. Also, that was the year Dwire Hall reopened, so everything I knew about having classes in Columbine Hall my freshman year completely changed. Many of the people I had known during freshman year had chosen to not return to UCCS. Dennie, Kevin, Chris, Tyler, Parker, Ashleigh, Mary, Kurt and Lindsay from my floor of 23 people, including myself, had all left for other colleges or opportunities. There were only 14 of us left, a retention rate of 60.8 percent. For the first-time freshmen of 2006 the retention rate was 68 percent. This is compared to a retention rate at UCB of 84 percent and at UCD of 71 percent. So why did I stay? Why didn’t the remaining ten members of my floor leave? On-campus activities; or, quite simply, student life, of which I became a bigger part. In my sophomore year, I chose to leave my job offcampus for a job on-campus as the Student Government Historian. I remained working for The Scribe and was promoted to senior reporter. That year I also worked in the Office of Student Retention and First Year Experience. I have worked on-campus ever since, devoting my time solely to The Scribe, and have only worked off-campus during breaks. However, with these exceptions, my involvement on-campus is why I have remained at UCCS. Of my fellow freshman floor-mates, there are currently nine left in their se-
nior year including myself, and most of us are involved in campus activities. One is a member of the Chancellor’s Leadership Class, two are in Delta Sigma Pi, one was a Resident Assistant, one is a Navigator, another in Alpha Lambda Delta, and the list goes on. People do not stay at UCCS for the small class sizes, the moderate tuition rates or a gut feeling, but for the community that they find here. We stay because we want to be part of something that is bigger than what we are. After all, we are attending college to improve ourselves, and by being involved in different programs and opportunities on-campus, we feel connected and a need to stay. However, with the ever-changing surroundings of new buildings and new dynamics, it is hard to stay connected from year-toyear, unless our student life activities remain stable. What I have seen in the past four years is that one year we can be living it up in the dorms with a few friends, but then they’ll be gone the next. The looming budget cuts should not be an issue if we are retaining these students at higher levels, and the key to retaining students is continuously having them feel like a part of the campus. Whether it is through student life or just a job on-campus, UCCS can keep its students here by valuing them, while listening and respecting what they have to say, rather then allowing them to stray offcampus because they feel like mere cogs in a corporate education machine. If my fellow floor mates had stayed at UCCS, there would have been fourteen more tuition checks for three or more years. If UCCS retains more students after their first-year by better using the resources it already possesses, then it can more easily pull itself out of the looming budget holes. u
striving to present the truth to the students by creating an open forum for opinions and ideas
Editor-in-Chief Jackie Parkinson
Managing Editor Tim Canon
Copy Editor Randy Robinson
Culture Editor Avalon Manly
Opinion Editor Byron Graham
Campus News Editor Catherine Jensen
Sports Editor Matthew Crandall
Layout Editor Rosa Byun
Advertising Manager Sarah Tindell
Business Manager Robert Rodriguez
Information: Archives Additional copies of the current publication volume will be available in The Scribe office. The Scribe keeps issues from the past five volumes for internal use only. The Office of University Records will handle any request for additional issues from the past five years and beyond.
Letters to the Editor The Scribe strongly encourages Letters to the Editor. Letters intended for publication must not exceed 300 words, must be legible and must include the writer’s name and telephone number. Letters must be turned into The Scribe office, emailed or
Columnists Tim Canon, Steve Farrell, Byron Graham, Veronica Graves, Brock Kilgore, Greg Reilly
Reporters Rhiannon Conley, Jessica Lynch, Lauren Mueller, Rob Versaw, Averi Walker, Kay Wynarsky
Photographers Kevin Kassem, Ariel Lattimore, Carrie Woodruff
Layout Designers
Alec Bishop, Shreya Raj
Cartoonist Arno
Web Designer Dorian Rogers
Marketing Intern Amanda Luchini
Interning Reporters Brandi Ballard, Jessica Vaughan, Carly Webb
Interning Photographer James O’Shea IV, Chelsea Bartlett
Distributor Donald Trujillo
Advisor Laura Eurich delivered to The Scribe mailbox in the ROAR office by 5 p.m. the Friday before publication. The Scribe reserves the right to reject Letters to the Editor that are libelous or obscene or anonymous, and has the right to edit as necessary due to space limitations, grammatical or spelling errors and AP style guideline errors.
Distribution Policy The following conduct is prohibited by The Scribe: Publication and News Rack theft. A person commits the offense of publication and/or news rack theft when he or she willfully or knowingly obtains or exerts unauthorized control over more than three copies of an edition of a publication distributed on campus. A “publication” includes any pe-
riodical that is distributed on a complimentary basis. A person who violates this provision is responsible for compensating the publication for all reasonable costs incurred, including, where appropriate, the refund of advertising fees.
Corrections In Volume 34, Issue 18 of The Scribe, the headline on page 11 should have read “Volleyball: Year round dedication.”
For more information about The Scribe, email requests to: scribe@uccs.edu
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Why was the second half of the article on the Vagina Monologues missing in your print edition last week? I was so excited that your newspaper featured the Vagina Monologues on the front page. I thought it was great that you thought an event to raise money for TESSA, an organization devoted to helping women and children affected by domestic violence, merited front page recognition. Imagine my confusion and disappointment when the article ended midsentence. I was crushed when I realized the continuation of the article on page 4 did not exist. Over the years, I overlooked the occasional grammatical error in your paper. I reminded myself that it was a student-run newspaper and that your staff juggles many responsibilities outside of the paper. However, I cannot overlook this mistake. There is simply no excuse to not printing half an article. Worse yet, you missed half an article for an amazing event that helps abused women. Shame on you, Scribe! Nina Ellis Frischmann Graduate Student Participant in V-Day 2010
student life
tues: 2/23
wed: 2/24
thurs: 2/25
Vinyasa Flow Yoga @ Rec Center 12:15 p.m.
Cardio Circuit @ Rec Center 6:30 a.m.
Aquacize @ Rec Center 6:30 a.m.
Hip Hop Dance @ Rec Center 4 p.m.
Student commuter donuts @ Eng. Bldg. 7:30 a.m.
Step Aerobics @ Rec Center 5:30 p.m.
Avalanche Awareness Clinic @ Rec Center (SOLE Office) 6 p.m.
Ballroom Dance @ Rec Center 4 p.m. Cardio Circuit @ Rec Center 5:30 p.m.
fri: 2/26
sat: 2/27
sun: 2/28
mon: 3/1
Indoor Track RMAC Championships @ Golden, CO 8:30 a.m.
Indoor Track RMAC Championships @ Golden, CO 9:30 a.m.
Sevendust @ Gothic Theatre, Englewood 6:30 p.m.
Cardio Circuit @ Rec Center 6:30 a.m.
Bookstore OPEN @ 10 a.m.
Darryl Worely @ Grizzly Rose, Denver
Ice Climbing @ Rec Center contact dbowan@ uccs.edu
weekly calendar
quote of the week: “To Room 117” A satirical place poem in response to “To Penshurst” by Ben Jonson
counter-cyclical products (pg. 8): do not use all at once.
O Room 117, thou glorious star! Thy walls indeed no prison are— Students flock to thy repose For thy allure is like the rose. Comm, English, Philosophy are here enshrined For the formation of malleable minds. Ancient wisdom teems within thy walls— Deep in the basement of Columbine Hall. ~ Freshman Eleanor Skelton email quotes of the week to: scribelayout@gmail.com
first steps
the first person to bring both of these completed sudoku puzzles will receive a $10 La’au’s Tacos gift card. bottom floor UCenter rm. 106
2 easy
✁
cut and stick between the pages of your textbook (you know, the one you never read)
✁ ii You are HERE ii
BOOKMARK of the week
Tue Feb. 23
+ Vinyasa Flow Yoga @ Rec Center 12:15 p.m. + Hip Hop Dance @ Rec Center 4 p.m. + Step Aerobics @ Rec Center 5:30 p.m.
Wed Feb. 24
+ Cardio Circuit @ Rec Center 6:30 a.m. + Student commuter donuts @ Eng. Bldg. 7:30 a.m. + Avalanche Awareness Clinic @ Rec Center (SOLE Office) 6 p.m.
Thur Feb. 25
+ Aquacize @ Rec Center 6:30 a.m. + Ballroom Dance @ Rec Center 4 p.m. + Cardio Circuit @ Rec Center 5:30 p.m.
Fri Feb. 26
+ Indoor Track RMAC Championships @ Golden, CO 8:30 a.m. + Darryl Worely @ Grizzly Rose, Denver
Sat Feb. 27
+ Indoor Track RMAC Championships @ Golden, CO 9:30 a.m. + Bookstore OPEN @ 10 a.m. + Ice Climbing @ Rec Center contact dbowan@ uccs.edu
Sun Feb. 28
+ Sevendust @ Gothic Theatre, Englewood 6:30 p.m.
Mon Mar. 1
+ Cardio Circuit @ Rec Center 6:30 a.m.
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campus news
February 23 to March 1, 2010
New gender neutral bathrooms ENT and UCCS reveal designated in Columbine Hall new student-created mural Catherine Jensen cjensen@uccs.edu
With the support of the Pikes Peak Gay and Lesbian Community Center, the GBLT Resource Center and campus community, gender neutral bathrooms have come to Columbine. The installation means UCCS will join its sister school CU-Boulder, where unisex/ single user restrooms are all over campus. The eight Columbine bathrooms which have made the switch to gender neutral were preexisting, so no major construction was needed, according to Executive Director of the Pikes Peak Gay and Lesbian Community Center (PPGLCC) Ryan Acker, who has formed a partnership with UCCS’s GBLT Resource Center. The switch involved little
or no construction or renovation, so the only visible change can be seen on the placards next to the bathrooms, which instead of being labeled “women’s” or “men’s” are labeled “restroom.” Plans for the change began in the later part of 2008 and was completed within a six-month period, said Acker. The purpose of gender neutral bathrooms is to create a safe environment for students, Acker said. “Gendered restrooms can cause uncomfortable situations, safety concerns and harassment. UCCS has transgendered students, and it is important we are aware of their needs.” Jarod Gray, a student government house member helping with the change, told The Scribe he hopes the bathrooms’ installation will “promote the end of discrimination to transgender, androgynous, and intersex peoples.”
Gray echoed Acker’s sentiment. “My main hope is to eliminate some of the harassment or assault people may get from having to choose a bathroom. I also want these people to feel free and comfortable in their own skin.” Most of the restrooms are located in the hallways leading to offices. Student Caitlin Thorton said she may never use them due to location. “If I did have to use them, it might be a hassle to try and find them, especially if I had never had to visit an office in Columbine before.” In response to some hesitations regarding the safety of allowing anyone to enter the bathrooms, Gray said, “most gender neutral bathrooms are single stalled so it would look specious if any more than one person entered a gender neutral bathroom together. Let me remind everyone that we’re all adults, let’s do the adult thing.” u
Assault in Lot 9 thwarted Jessica Lynch jlynch@uccs.edu
Self-defense training teaches women to act confidently, fight back, and never do as the attacker wants or says. On Feb. 1, one UCCS student effectively resisted and escaped her aggressor. Campus Chief of Police Jim Spice relayed the details of the assault, imploring students to come forward with any information on the attacker. Spice explained that the victim parked in Lot 9 around 6 p.m. on Feb. 1. Walking through the parking lot towards her apartment, she noticed a suspicious white male. The assailant, a man in his twenties wearing blue jeans and a t-shirt, then grabbed the victim roughly from behind. The victim immediately kicked out, aggressively
fighting her assailant’s attempts to pick her up and take her away. After continued screams and a few head butts, the victim successfully broke the attacker’s grasp. Free, she ran straight to her apartment building. As noted by Chief Spice, the victim “did everything right,” and it was her ability to defend herself that enabled her escape. Unfortunately, not every woman is so adequately prepared. A few tips given by Chief Spice were to walk confidently, give direct eye contact to strangers, and always say “Hello.” These tools allow women to gain control of the situation and avoid a potential assault. One program, Rape Aggression Defense, (RAD) which focuses on developing and enhancing options of self-defense for women, is offered here at UCCS. The R.A.D System is a women’s only course that begins with awareness, prevention, risk
reduction, and risk avoidance. Women will learn effective yet simple defensive techniques. Chief Spice advises all women to enroll in the school’s program and learn to fight back. The next available R.A.D. course will be Friday, Apr. 23, in the training room of the Public Safety Department, with additional information on the UCCS Public Safety web site, http:// www.uccs.edu/~pusafety/ police/prevention/schedules/programsspring10. html. The course costs $25, and women can be certain to feel more confident and capable after the hands-on sessions, according to Spice. Another service offered by Public Safety for student protection is the Safety Escort Program. By calling (719) 255-311, campus safety will send either an officer on duty or student security to accompany the caller. u
Want to advertise in The Scribe? Just call (719) 255 - 3469
Top: The new mural, “Communigate,” newly unveiled. Bottom: Student artists Edna Price, Clarianne Medina, and Ashley Thompson. Ariel Lattimore
Carly Webb
cwebb@uccs.edu
On Wednesday, Feb. 17, Ent Federal Credit Union and UCCS unveiled a new mural to be displayed in the University Center for roughly the next 18 months. This was the third mural that showcased the relationship between the on campus credit union and the university. The three students who created the mural were visual arts majors: juniors Edna Price and Clarianne Medina, and senior Ashley Thompson. These students were chosen by Associate Professor of Visual and Performing Arts Valerie Brodar, who served as a contextual advisor to the students and also was the liaison between Ent and the student team of artists. Brodar picked these three students because of “the quality of their work, their openness to ideas,
willingness to work collaboratively, and their technical abilities.” The students each received a check from Ent for 300 dollars for their work, and are excited to see their work displayed so prominently. The mural, called CommuniCircle, “represents the relationship between Ent and the student body,” said Thompson. “It’s our generation speaking,” commented Price. This year’s mural is essentially a digital collage of photos of students and highlights Ent’s logo. “We wanted to bring the logo into prominence,” said Thompson of the idea for the design of the mural. It was a group project that sent each artist into the field individually to take pictures around campus and even use photographs of themselves. According to Medina, the most difficult aspect of the piece was “composing it. We wondered, how we were going to make this all happen?” The group dedicated itself
to “countless hours” of work from October to December, said Thompson. Ent Senior Vice President James Moore, who oversees marketing and communication, has been a part of the mural projects since Ent joined UCCS three and a half years ago. He expressed how impressed he was that the students were able “to take a commercial logo and turn it into a work of art.” Compared to previous year’s murals, he feels that this year’s project “better reflects personalities of students involved,” and asserted that “the three women that worked on it gave it more cohesion.” The guidelines that Ent requires the students follow are loose and can be chalked up to two main points. The art must be noncontroversial and should embody the relationship between Ent and UCCS. Did the students succeed? “Absolutely,” said Brodar. Thompson wasgrateful for the opportunity. u
The FREX rolls on ... for now Kay Wynarsky kwynarsk@uccs.edu
The Colorado Springs City Council made a decision on Feb. 9 to keep the Front Range Express (better known as the FREX) commuter bus service running through 2010. The service, which takes
commuters to and from Colorado Springs, Monument and Denver, was preparing to shut down last Friday, Feb. 12 due to lack of funding from decreases in sales tax revenues. Nine of the FREX buses, however, were recently sold for $1.44 million to Pennsylvania’s York County Transportation Authority, bringing additional funds to the service.
The proceeds from the sale will keep the FREX running for the rest of this year, but will not carry into 2011, although transit officials are hoping this extra revenue will buy them time to keep the bus service afloat for even longer. The FREX will continue to run on the same limited, workday only schedule that has been in place since Jan. 4. u
culture
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The C
February 23 to March 1, 2010
5
Byron Graham bgraham2@uccs.edu
Brock Kilgore
4/5
bkilgore@uccs.edu
7 E. Vermijo Ave., 80903, open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Going to court is rarely a good thing. Fortunately, a “mom and pop”-style diner directly across the street from the El Paso County Courthouse offers respite from the sting of a traffic ticket, with home-cookin’. The Corner Café downtown is the descendent of a restaurant by the same name, which the owners operated in Clovis, Cali. for over a decade. They brought with them food that is representative of both the hardy-worker food traditions from the agricultural and timbering people of the San Joaquin Valley in central Cali., along with healthy Mexican fusion culinary traditions of southern Cali. The dining area also represents these diverse backgrounds. The interior could be described as country home-style with plenty of duck motifs, and – my favorite – a signed photo of the legendary country star Sourdough Slim. But alongside these rural motifs are a
decorative mirror advertising The Shamrock Whiskey, several naked Victorian women and a signed photo of Miss California 1984. Depending on the timing of your particular court experience, the Corner Café has an option. If you are early, lucky, or your legal issue adjourns early, breakfast is served from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Several options of enormous breakfast burritos ($6 to $7) are accentuated nicely by the mild and chunky pork green chili. Eclectic breakfast sandwiches ($4 to $5.50) are a nice break from the norm. The Venice Beach with bacon, pepper jack and cream cheese, and purple onion on ciabatta is innovative, and the Navajo Grill with sausage, jalapeños, grilled onions and two cheeses will wake you up and put you back to sleep. Lunch service begins humanely at 10 a.m., alongside breakfast for an hour, so the persecuted may have
a little choice in their day. The lunch menu centers on true deli-style sandwiches, quality burgers and meal size salads ($6 to $8). My favorites are the Hell’s Cheeseburger with homemade garlic habanera ketchup; the San Diego with grilled roast beef, pepper jack and jalapeño ranch; and the Spicy Cucumber with bacon, pepper jack, veggies and jalapeno ranch. My tastes run spicy, but not everything at this restaurant is. Any of the classic salads are plentiful, the create-your-own sandwiches offer many choices, and the veggie burger is top notch. Ordering at the counter can take a while depending on the item you desire, but the food always arrives quickly. My lawyer friend who recommended the Corner Café said, “Don’t leave there without having some pie,” and he was correct. The Corner Café offers only a couple kinds each day, but they are worth being adventurous. u
“The Wolfman is an evicerated cadaver of film.” Shortly after the opening credits of Universal Studios’s $150 million remake of the 1941 Lon Chaney Jr. classic “The Wolfman,” the dead body of the protagonist’s brother is discovered. His werewolf-ravaged, grotesquely mangled corpse is a fitting metaphor for the movie as a whole: The Wolfman is an eviscerated cadaver of film, only it was no lycanthrope, but rather short-sighted consumerism responsible for the ghastly state of this thoroughly mediocre retread. The Wolfman is schlocky B-grade horror guised in the petticoats of period details and pseudo-literary affectations. The A-list cast, which includes Benicio Del Toro, Emily Blunt, Anthony Hopkins and Hugo Weaving, are utterly wasted, inhabiting characters too archetypal and half-formed to carry the story, which recycles every
careworn monster movie trope without adding anything to the mythos it treats so carelessly. The actors flounder through the inconsistent script’s 21st century approximation of Victorian dialogue, and seem either to overact wildly like Weaving and ham-fisted Hopkins or fumble through the narrative in a Thorazine haze like Blunt and Del Toro. Del Toro portrays Lawrence Talbot, an American actor who returns to England upon the discovery of the aforementioned corpse/ brother to comfort his grieving father (Hopkins) and to spit tepid, unconvincing game at his bro’s widow. Enough with the summary: If you’ve ever seen a werewolf movie before, you’ll know what happens next. Perhaps in an effort to spice up “The Wolman’s” leaden expositional scenes, director Joe Johnston apparently de-
cided to push the violence envelope, and, indeed, many of the wolf attack sequences were far bloodier than I’d expected. The spurting CGI gore exists seemingly only for its own sake, however, as it adds nothing to the narrative and undercuts the film’s potential box office gross by earning an R-rating. Word to the wise, Universal: if you’re trying to sell an inferior product like The Wolfman, whittle the rating down to a PG-13. The only moviegoers desperate enough to see a film this bad are bored suburban teenagers in need of a make-out screensaver. “The Wolfman” had a notoriously troubled production fraught with rewrites, delays and shifting directors. It shows when the movie unreels in its uninspired and compromised form. It is a film that was, indeed, mauled to death by studio werewolves. u
“It is a film that was, indeed, mauled to death by studio werewolves.”
Tent City & Haiti: How we can help Catherine Jensen cjensen2@uccs.edu
Tent City: A growing problem Along the banks of Fountain Creek near the intersection of Highway 24 and Interstate 25, hundreds of people are living in Tent City – an encampment of people with nowhere else to go. A recently formed organization on campus as well as leaders in the community are making the move to help out. The Colorado Public Interest Research Group (CoPIRG) is a statewide organization with chapters at UCD and CU-Boulder and is in its first semester at UCCS. The organization works on issues like environmental protection, consumer protection, hunger and homelessness. Tommy Cox, president of the UCCS chapter, expressed, “UCCS needs an activist group where likeminded students can organize and make a difference in their community. The people in Tent City are just like us and need as much help as we can give them.” CoPIRG volunteer Brian Shaw, who has brought firewood and jackets to Tent City, said that dropping off donations was not the only objective in mind. “People who are down on their luck often feel that they are looked down on by everyone else and pitied. We just wanted to have some conversations with them, letting them know that they were still important, interesting people whose stories mattered.” Shaw said that when asked what they needed, people most commonly asked for camping heaters, stoves and a way to wash laundry. Though some people were hesitant to accept the clothes brought by Shaw and a fellow volunteer, he said most campers grew more open once they realized the intentions to be non-threatening. “Not everyone is your stereotypical homeless person with an addiction and no drive,” Cox said. “With the economy in a rut, a lot of families can be one missed paycheck away from checking in themselves.” CoPIRG is not the only organization stepping up to deal with Tent City, according to Bob Holmes, Executive Director of Homeward Pikes Peak (HPP), a non-profit group that assists other homeless providers in the city. Holmes told The Scribe, “Organizations all over the city are stepping up to get as many people off the streets as possible, and this includes those in Tent City.” HPP works with members of the community, including Springs Rescue Mission and Recovery Homes
to provide housing and other basic needs to the homeless of Colorado Springs. In the last two weeks, HPP has helped fifteen to twenty people get off the streets and into their former homes or motels, according to Holmes. In response to the passing of last week’s “No Camping Ordinance,” which bans camping within city limits, Holmes said, “I supported it. People argue that allowing them to live there is compassionate; I find it to be unacceptable. We should not be allowing people to be living in freezing cold and their own waste without basic needs.” Holmes also cautioned community members to refrain from making visits. “If people want to help they should stay out of the camping areas. They are dangerous. The best thing to do is write a check to somewhere like Care and Share or the Colorado Springs Rescue Mission, organizations who are already trained and aware of what to do in such situations.” Those interested in getting involved on campus should keep an eye out for upcoming events, said Cox. CoPIRG will be holding a Penny War fundraiser for the dorms to help raise funds in March, and in April will be teaming up with Kappa Sigma’s “Night without a Home” sleep-out, where CoPIRG will host the media in an effort to raise homelessness awareness in the community.
A not so silent plea for Haiti On Feb. 26 a silent auction put on by the UCCS French Club, Pikes Peak Community College (PPCC), Colorado College (CC) and Palmer High School will be held at the Antler’s Hotel Ballroom from 5 to 8 p.m. The auction will feature artwork and jewelry from students, faculty and community members, and 100 percent of the funds will go directly to relief efforts in Haiti. Planning for the event began the day after an earthquake struck Haiti, according to Gaetan Delavignette, chair of the French Club at UCCS. “The earthquake destroyed most of the country. The news is starting to move on to different subjects, but Haiti will need help for years to come. I think that people should come to the auction to show their support even if they won’t spend money.” The donations will be divided between the four
schools, and each school is donating to an organization involved in relief efforts. The French Club at UCCS will give to Direct Relief International. CC and PPCC will be donating to Partners in Health, Haiti4ever and the Clinton-Bush fund, according to Delavignette. Student Perri Rothweiler said she feels that though money is tight for most students, donating is not impossible. “When you look at the coffee shops and other places on campus, most of the stuff you buy is around $5. Make a sacrifice of one trip to the coffee shop so someone can be helped in Haiti,” she said. One World One Race, a newly formed group on campus, will be hosting an additional event for Haiti on April 3. Though the location has yet to be determined, Chair Helen Galega said, “We need to continue to create awareness. This is a problem that isn’t going to go away after one event. Even though times are rough, a dollar or two can make a huge difference.” Delavignette encouraged students to spread the word. The club is also looking for student, faculty and community donations. Anyone interested may contact the French Club at frenchcb@uccs.edu.
Simple ways to donate: Red Cross
- text HAITI to 90999 to send a $10 donation
Yéle Haiti
- text YELE to 501501 to send a $5 donation
United Way
- text HAITI to 864833 to send a $5 donation
International Medical Corps
- text HAITI to 85944 to send a $10 donation
We Are the World 25
- text WORLD to send a $10 donation - download the firlm at weare25.org to donate
Join the Facebook group “UCCS Students Raising Money for Haiti” for more places to donate and to connect with other students.
Track: Another broken record Coming off an impressive team performance at the New Mexico Classic, the Track and Field team’s tenacious attitude and momentum guided them to success once again at the Air Force Invitational.
Mitch Jones clears a hurdle during the Air Force Invitational’s 60-meter hurdle race.
Matt Crandall mcrandal@uccs.edu Just one week after the New Mexico Classic on Feb. 6, in which the men’s 4x400meter relay team broke the school record in a dedication to former teammate David Mueller, the same 4x4 team once again set the UCCS school record at the Air Force Invitational Feb. 13. “Basically the guys that
had run on the 4x400-meter relay that day had all had very good races earlier in the meet and just felt like things were lining up to take a crack at the school record in the 4x400,” Head Coach Mark Misch said. “Three of the men had run on the relay with David Mueller last year when they set the record (Shaver, Reynolds and Vazquez) so they felt that the race should be dedicated to him. Obviously it was a special moment when they broke the re-
cord, and that particular relay team has had some very good success this season.” Misch concluded, “What better way to honor your former teammate than by competing to your upmost like he would.” At the Air Force Invitational, the men’s distance medley and 4x400 relay both won their perspective heats and, as Misch put it, “Opportunity plus preparation equals success.” The relay team of Senior Alex Vazquez, Freshman Jon
BELOW: Steven Gomez clears the high jump bar. RIGHT: Brien Hopkins, number 6, fights his way through the middle of the pack during the 60-meter hurdle. BOTTOM RIGHT: Ally Watson sprints through the women’s 60-meter hurdle.
All photos by James O’Shea IV Christian, and Juniors Jason Shaver and Chris Reynolds beat the UCCS record for the relay once again, one they had previously set a week earlier, with a time of 3:22.20. On the women’s side, Freshman Lauren Graham cleared a mark of 3.65 meters in the pole vault and continued to maintain her streak in 2010 by clearing at least 3.55 meters in every vault attempt. Sophomore Ailena McDonald finished the 60-yard dash with a
time of 8.54 seconds. Juniors Kaitlin Frier and Alicia Del Pardo finished in the 3000-meter with times of 11:05.07 and 11:19.46, respectively. The Mountain Lions experienced great success in their last two competitions but the season is far from over. With a remaining schedule that could last until May, the strength and endurance of the athletes may be put to the test. The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Championships
are just around the corner, and training will play a part in future success. As coach Misch stated, “We train year around, but just with different emphasis on sharpening at different phases of the year. But without a doubt, one of the main keys to success is the quality and consistency of your training and racing.” In terms of the rest of the season, Misch concluded, “It’s pretty simple, we have a long ways to go and the best is yet to come.” u
8
culture
February 23 to March 1, 2010
Church, booze and firearms: Recession-proof?
Churches and more affordable food products are booming in the midst of the recession. During periods of ecoAvalon Manly nomic downturn, the American mentality shifts, amanly@uccs.edu and we the people begin to buy – and not buy – different kinds of things. This process of isolating ourselves from the commercial world is referred to by retail analysts as “cocooning,” and the new things appearing at the top of our shopping lists during recessions are called “counter-cyclical products.” They can be anything from objects to foods to places to activities. Here are some of the things that become important to us when the rest of the world seems to be crumbling:
People are buying more: Alcohol Alcohol has been called “recession proof ” because its sales are rarely injured by negative economic trends. While people traditionally bar-hop less during depressions to save a few bucks, they still tend to seek the self-medication that booze provides by drinking at home, says Sean Gregory of Time Magazine. Firearms Smith & Wesson’s sales jumped more than 30 percent during the last quarter of 2009, according to CNBC.com. As unemployment rates continue to rise, many people begin to fear for their homes and loved ones – so they purchase guns for protection. Firearm sales in Colo. have been particularly high, with a measureable increase having occurred after Nov. 2008. The non-profit sector Marisol Bello of USAToday.com noted that during a recession, more Americans tend to donate their time to charitable organizations, only partially because such acts help to beef up résumés in a time of high unemployment. Churches, too, commonly experience an upswing in donations and volun-
Chelsea Bartlett
teer efforts. Condoms and contraceptives (and canoodling) The last thing people want when the money is tight is another child, wrote Gregory. The sales of condoms and oral contraceptives rise predictably during recessions – just as predictably, in fact, as the entertainment industry suffers. Pressed for cash and usually stressed, people then create their own forms of entertainment, taking the necessary precautionary measures to prevent having another mouth to feed. Home-cooked meals and fast food To save money, people are beginning to utilize methods last practiced by their grandparents, said Gregory. They’re purchasing raw forms of food and preparing large meals at home, freezing or canning the leftovers for later. On the other end of the spectrum of frugality, fast food restaurants like McDonald’s have experienced exponentially increasing success, as families purchase inexpensive food on the go. The bare necessities If it doesn’t feed, clothe or shelter, most people are beginning to feel that it’s unnecessary. Families are cutting back to the more basic parts of life, consuming few or no discretionary items, wrote Gregory. People are forsaking decorative and more superfluous forms of furnishing in lieu of pennypinching.
Dessert Instead of buying cookies or brownies, people are purchasing flour, sugar or powdered mixes and preparing dessert at home, or skipping it entirely. People can always go without dessert, said Gregory. It’s an area of life where it’s easy to cut funds. High-tech lifestyle Luxuries like new computers, cameras and film have been laid by the wayside when the money gets tight, explained Gregory. Many Americans have decided that the step down in technology is worth the ease on their wallets. Used technology sales have measurably increased since the recession’s onset as well. Entertainment Movie theaters, public attractions, newspaper and magazine subscriptions, and other forms of entertainment have all suffered amidst the current economic bleakness. While companies like Netflix have thriven on their ability to provide affordable entertainment to stressed Americans in need of escape, expensive movie tickets are out of the reach of many people; a myriad of entertainments once considered commonplace are now considered expendable.
People are buying Fewer:
Sniffles and scents Over-the-counter cold and flu medicines like cough syrup, as well as ointments like bug-bite salves, have been hurting for sales during the current economic downturn, stated Gregory. Many Americans have decided that dealing with a runny nose or some itches is worth the dollars they’d spend treating the symptoms.
Luxurious gifts With Valentine’s Day not yet fully forgotten, Gregory wrote in another Times article on how Americans are commonly making the decision to purchase less expensive gifts. Jewelry stores and high-end restaurants experienced a decline during this month’s romantic day, as couples tried to express their feelings with more fiscal responsibility.
New cars, houses, shoes (durable goods) Be they cars or houses or shoes, people are always more apt to repair than replace during a recession. Repair shops all across the nation are thriving, according to an article by Dee DePass on istockanalyst.com. So when the strap on your purse snaps, don’t fret the cost of a replacement: There are those with fingers adept to fix it, good as new. u
Solving the beauty conundrum: Thrifty tips for looking lovely Averi Walker awalker@uccs.edu Ladies, imagine a world without makeup and hair dye. Now, imagine how much money would be left in your wallet. Realistically, a world without beauty products is almost laughable. And even though it sometimes requires super-human strength to resist the latest Chanel and Dior products,
there are ways to achieve a beautiful exterior without skimping on your heating and electric bills, or most of your food for the month. Starting at the roots, you can change your whole look at home, in an hour, for under $10 – with no need to make an appointment, to tip the snotty colorist at the overpriced salon, or sit awkwardly under the alienesque heat dome surrounded by strangers doused in nauseating chemicals.
For the best home hair dye, Toni and Guy Hairdressing Academy student Sharaya Mendez recommends the L’Oreal brand. “But really, if you want to color your hair, you should just get it done professionally, because it is healthier for your hair,” Mendez suggests. Though this may be true, most store brands offer healthy endeavors for much less money. Glazes and conditioning treatments attempt to mini-
mize chemical damage. For example, L’Oreal offers a Healthy Look Crème Gloss Color that doesn’t use ammonia and – prepare yourself – is only $9.99. On this economic note, Cosmopolitan magazine offers some interesting homemade dye recipes in the March issue. One recipe recommends a steeped combo of unshelled walnuts, hot water and rubbing alcohol in the hopes of boosting brunette hues.
Another remedy suggests combing organic blueberry yogurt from roots to ends to brighten blonde locks. Now you, too, can be part of the color craze without having to empty your wallet. For the rest of the body, a few kitchen products can go a long way. On the Cosmopolitan website, makeup experts recommend recipes like a body scrub made from honey, brown sugar and apple-cider vinegar as a clarifying and
shine-boosting shampoo, and olive oil to soften skin. If you’re skeptical about the product substitutes mentioned above, look for Rimmel Blush in Pink Sorbet, Revlon Shadow in Electric Pop, and Sally Hansen PM Lip Plumper, all for under $10. With tips like these, it won’t take your entire paycheck to stock your makeup bag, so you’ll have more cash (and time) left over for other things. u
the news is full of contradictions
satire : irony : hilarity
“Still, if a statement cannot reasonably be interpreted to be one of express or implied fact, it cannot be libelous. This means that humor columns, spoofs, cartoons and satire are protected as long as readers understand that the material is not intended to be taken seriously.”
Veronica Graves [vgraves@uccs.edu]
Contact aliens. SETI’s been working on this for years but who knows, you and your flashlight might have better luck. Sunday brunch. Pack crepes, ham and cheese and croissants and a Nalgene bottle full of mimosa. Yes, of course it’s safe to drink champagne on top of a giant rock.
Lauren Mueller [lmueller@uccs.edu]
A TV was stolen from the SGA’s office on Feb. 5, according to Jimmy McFlubbernickel of SGA. The TV was returned with an “out of order” notation. The student who returned the TV claimed he found it sitting in the middle of Austin Bluffs; it had apparently been dumped by the thief after discovering it was not working. The TV bounty hunter would hand over the stolen item only with the fulfillment of his demand for free tickets to 3OH!3. SGA’s Jimmy McFlubbernickel was apparently extremely disgruntled about this whole situation. Sobbing, McFlubbernickel commented to campus police, “I’m sad that people are so mean and disrespectful to SGA.” Although there is an ongoing debate as to whether the TV was broken before or after the heist, campus police are hard at work to find the perpetrators. The police think the perps are likely “associated with the guys who attempted to steal a couch to put on the bluff.” As of now, the police have several theories as to who the guilty party may be. The campus police suspect that the TV was stolen and dropped by some disgruntled super bowl fans. Another theory is that the TV was carried up to the bluff when the responsible student realized there was no power supply. Or, perhaps, the TV was stolen for an Xbox 360 gaming night, and later destroyed by an overzealous gamer. Rumors are circulating, however, that one of SGA’s own stole the TV. The belief is that he or she returned the TV due to a combined fear of being discovered and hearing McFlubbernickel whine. “We try to not make Jimmy mad around here,” an SGA employee commented. “Flubby’s complaining will make your life miserable.” J
Things to do on top of Pulpit Rock
10 Pulpit Rock 9 only visible to social science 8 majors
- Student Press Law Center
SGA TV stolen then returned
Top Ten
Rhiannon Conley
paradox the
The beautiful bluff that houses our fine school has a deep, dark hidden secret. The landscape actually offers a beautiful rock formation called Pulpit Rock. For years, this rock formation has been enjoyed by the social science majors and the social science majors alone because Pulpit Rock is invisible to everyone but social science majors. “I used to go up to the rock to relax between classes. You know, breathe some of Mother Nature’s fresh air, if you know what I mean,” said Communication major Ahab Miller. “I would usually see one or two other sociology majors just leaving as I arrive or just arriving as I left.” Miller, along with many other social science majors, frequents the location known as Pulpit Rock. Strangely enough, it is only social science majors who can even see the formation. Myths of the rock formation surround the beautiful bluff. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” said Cindy Lambert, a physics major. “I mean, I know there is a geological feature on the northeast side of our institution which the community fondly refers to as a bluff, but a pulpit shaped rock formation? I just have never seen that. Can I go now?” Lambert and other physical science majors have never seen the rock formation. This is because certain areas of study require students to stay indoors all day long. Social science majors, on the other hand, have ample opportunity to look for rocks and actually absorb their surroundings. In fact, the whole idea behind social sciences is to study the way people interact with people in certain environments. Who knows, the next big theory in human social interaction could strike a researcher visiting “an invisible rock.” If seeing this large rock formation sounds interesting, it is. There is a trick and several requirements to actually seeing it. First of all, you must change your major. Declaring a social science major will not be good enough; you need to truly change your interests for this to work. Next, you must go out in the daytime. At night your major is weaker and fear of being attacked by a mountain lion is heightened (a real one, not Boomer). So pick a nice day to leave your studies behind, and hike out behind our lovely campus to look for the tallest thing you can see. This action will not only reveal the invisible Pulpit Rock; it will give you exercise, sun exposure and, if you are lucky, a new perspective outside of the classrooms with no windows. J
Build a zombie fortress. It’s isolated enough so that you’ll be certain to spot any shamblers clawing their way uphill. Bonus, once they start rotting they’ll be totally incapable of the hike and you can kick it until you get rescued or some unfortunate twist occurs and you die.
7 6
Calling Cthulu. Satan is so 1960s. The evil in this world needs a new under lord to worship and there’s not many scarier than the tentaclemouthed Old One. Catching Pokemon. At least 3 people I know have found shiny Pokemon up there. They’re always Gravelers and Rattatas but the trade value on a shiny is epic regardless of the lameness of the actual Pokemon.
5
Throw the most dangerous dance party ever. You’ll need strobe lights, lasers and really, really loud music. Invite the bravest people you know, especially vikings. Whoever hasn’t danced off the mountain at the end of the night will be named King of Booty Pop Mountain and can also help clean up.
4 3
Ritualistic meditation. Start a Facebook group, invite your friends, gather one day without warning and chant. Blame Alanis Morissette for your actions. Work on your damsel in distress routine. You’ve got the flimsy gown, the flowing hair, the bare feet, big eyes; all you need now is a wolfman or a vampire to fall in love with you. Consider Pulpit Rock your Match.com. He’s out there. Lurking.
2 1
Live-action role playing. Tennis balls are fire balls but I can repel them and if anybody hits me in the face I’m calling my mom and I’m leaving. You can get your own ride back to the comic shop. Have you recently given birth to a lion cub? Grab your favorite Baboon and show your baby off to all the different kinds of animals he’s going to eat when he grows up. rconley@uccs.edu
10 opinion Biscotti, anyone? by Byron Graham
O
h, how lovely; it seems I’ve been invited to a tea party. I say, and just as I’d begun to fancy a spot of Darjeeling! Wait a minute, why are your several thousand guests marching with swastikas? Egad, that child is brandishing a pistol! Everyone, please, stop shouting! Your conduct is not befitting of a tea partygoer of my stature and I shall take my leave at once. That was the worst tea party I’ve ever attended. Unless I’m mistaken, I’d say that this was, in fact, a political rally populated by slackjawed sub-literates uniting in myopic fear and not a tea party at all! They didn’t even offer me a biscotti! The fear that animates the Tea Party phenomenon is real and warranted. The rising deficit and government misspending are bedevilments that will hinder our progress for years to come, and indeed they must be addressed. I would contend, however, that the Tea Party patriots are misdirected, and that their ill-defined ideology is nothing new. The first tea party events were organized by Ron Paul’s camp and were, accordingly, more Libertarian than what the party has become, as evidenced by the tone at their recent convention, where former Governor and Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin was the keynote speaker.
After watching most of the speeches, particularly those by Palin (who was paid $100,000 for her appearance) and former Congressman Tom Tancredo (R, CO), it seems as though the Tea Party espouses the same Reagan-tastic rhetoric as the RNC and most prominent conservatives, just at greater volume. For example, many Republican lawmakers are opposed to illegal immigration, but Tancredo – no longer running for re-election and therefore unbound by our State’s diversifying constituency – can publicly champion a return to Jim Crow-era literacy tests on electoral ballots to discourage minorities from voting. The argument that voters who oppose taxes, immigration, abortion, spending and entitlements while favoring guns, deregulation and oil drilling are underrepresented in the U.S. political system is ludicrous. Those issues are the Republicans’ bread and butter, and all the Tea Party is likely to accomplish should they wade into electoral waters is Democratic victory over a split conservative vote. I doubt the Tea Party will make it that far, however. Their kooky ideas and folksy speeches make for fascinating television, but if Sarah Palin is the most visible advocate they have, they don’t stand a chance in a national election.u
February 23 to March 1, 2010
Dueling Opinions
|TheNationalTeaParty? |
VS.
bgraham2@uccs.edu
sfarrell@uccs.edu
An alternative to bickering by Stephen Farrell
A
s every student who hasn’t had their head stuck in the freezer since September knows, the “National Tea Party Movement” is quickly becoming a serious entity in the political arena. The fact is that millions of Americans no longer trust the pledges and commitments of either political party (Democrat or Republican). Americans are just outraged and sick of the empty promises and political stances of those in power that deviate as frequently as my toilet paper preference. These very same Americans came together to form what is now known as the National Tea Party Movement. Though a large portion of this movement happens to be contrived of Americans who voted for the Republican ticket during November, 2008, some Democrats, tired of dealing with the childish bickering and squabbling amongst own their party, have joined the Tea Party Movement as well. And the same goes for the Tea Party-loyal Republicans, many of whom also side with the Tea Party because of the divisive atmosphere in their own party. The House and Senate are constantly gridlocked on just about every bill being put through the Congress’s long legislative process as a direct result of both parties refusing to compromise.
The National Tea Party movement represents a rapidly growing hunger for common sense and compromise, which lacks in our battered political system. It has very little, if nothing, to do with conservative or liberal ideologies being placed into fruition; but everything to do with our government actually being of any use to you and me. By the masses, more people (realizing this aforementioned purpose) are jumping onto this bandwagon. And if it gets large enough, it could quite possibly become a new political party in itself and could have a substantial influence on future elected officials in our government. And indeed, it very possibly already has. As most everyone reading this is already aware, Sarah Palin is seen as the “ringleader” for this movement because of her steadfast beliefs and her actions of holding true to those beliefs, which I won’t delve into now. And like it or not, she is someone of character and action whom many Americans can identify with; and it is because of our seemingly useless government that Americans so desperately crave common sense, a government that actually gets things done for us, and a leader who hasn’t been immersed into the Barnum and Bailey environment of Washington. u
| Many Hats | Budget woes will test extremist Springs’ learning abilities
Brock Kilgore bkilgore@uccs.edu
Colorado Springs has never been a gentle blending of many voices, but instead a bizarre backwater of extremism. From day one, General Palmer decided to separate his newly formed Fountain Colony, or Colorado Springs, from the existing Colorado City with its bars and brothels. His reasoning was ground-
ed in a Quaker upbringing that sought temperance, combined with the capitalist ideals necessary to sell a moralistic colony to potential residents. The more raucous smining supply town of Colorado City sat as a polar opposite to Palmer’s Puritan community. Strangely, this dichotomy has survived since the 1870’s. I remember Manitou Springs getting national attention as ‘The Satanic Capitol of America’ in the late seventies and early eighties. Residents got worked up about what was perceived as satanic rituals at the ruins of the gold refinery along 21st street. So much so that ‘The Ruins,’ a place of exploration for generations of children, not to mention historical significance, was buried. To be fair, in Bizarro City
there are always extreme opposites. The mine tailings surrounding ‘The Ruins’ contain potentially dangerous chemicals, and from a Christian perspective, the Paganism prevalent in Manitou might seem satanic. The Westside, Manitou and Downtown may be where I have always preferred to live, and they do classically represent the liberal minority, but they are by no means without fault. Each of Colorado Springs’ liberal strongholds is dominated by a hippy bourgeoisie that is every bit as judgmental as any Limbaugh faithful. REI clothing that spends more time in a coffee shop are the equivalent of suits, and mudless Subaru’s are just the politically correct SUV of choice. On the other hand, I shake my head daily at the
sudo-intellectual acceptance of anything the GOP puts on talk radio. The Republican platform seems to have eroded to personal finance, but not personal thought. Put simply, that Colorado Springs is at the center of an extremist controversy surprises me little. So what affect will the reality of budget cuts have on residents of Colorado Springs, and UCCS students alike? In a classic overstatement, the Gazette reported that “Cuts mount city on national microscope slide” (2/12/10). This is the real problem for anyone doing legitimate business in the Springs because, as General Palmer knew all too well, the only marketable natural resource in the Pikes Peak Region is scenic beauty. Tourism may not be our
only industry, but it is our oldest and dearest. Unfortunately for everyone, the modern American conception of a vacation destination usually involves green parks and a reputation for public safety. Two things we can no longer offer. Kentucky Blue Grass was never meant to grow here, so we should all switch to native grasses anyway, yet the reality is that most tourists are not used to brown parks. These changes will also make Colorado Springs less attractive to our other economic staples: the military, retired military and high tech industries as well. The inconveniences of fewer expected municipal services are, unfortunately, problems we will all have to deal with now. UCCS students will be particu-
larly affected by safety concerns rising from fewer streetlights and less police presence. Be careful in the downtown bar super machine: We just might have a significant riot soon. The most important question is: Do we, as an extremist community, have the capacity to learn? Every resident will feel the budget cuts, whether it be my dangerous bike ride home from school late at night because of reduced bus service, or potential profit losses by the business elite because of a bad national reputation. How we handle these present obstacles, and future ones, will continue to define us as a community, and will ultimately be the deciding factor in whether this will remain such a great place to live. u
sports
February 23 to March 1, 2010
11
A winning ‘whiteout’ storms the mountain: Basketball victorious
Rob Versaw rversaw@uccs.edu
All photos by Ariel Lattimore
“We came out with a spark and actually started on a good note,” exclaimed Junior Mallory Lowe after the lady Mountain Lions won their second RMAC game this season, 101-93 over the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers Friday evening at the Gallogly Events Center. Senior Captain Janean Jubic elaborated, “We added a few things to our offense, mixed it up a little, just went out there and played some hard basketball.” In addition to shooting 24 of 25 from the charity stripe, Sophomores Ashley Miller, Payden Ackerman and Freshman Lauren Wolfinger all netted career best single game scoring totals as the lady Mountain Lions came within a single point of setting a new school record for scoring. “We didn’t do much differently. The biggest thing was we actually made our shots. For once it was nice to be the team making all the shots,” recounted Jubic. Lowe agreed, saying, “It is much more exciting to play with a lead. It is cool to make the other team feel disgruntled, because that’s how we usually feel.” In a season that’s had its struggles for the women, the fans appeared to be showing their support in the team’s victory. “I had a lot of fun tonight. It was a fun game to watch,” Freshman Sam Feldotto said. “This was the first time I got to see the girls win, and it was an epic 101 points!” Despite the 77-66 Saturday night loss to Chadron
State, who is a possible contender for the last spot in postseason play, the weekend may have brought life back into the team. “It was good for our morale and confidence,” Jubic said. “If we keep on playing as a team and making shots, we might have a chance to win another game or two.” The men’s team was able to pull out victories against both Nebraska-Kearney and Chadron State. The theme for Saturday night’s game against Chadron State was labeled “whiteout,” and all Mountain Lion fans were issued white tee shirts upon entering the Gallogly Event Center to show support during the game. Coming out of halftime down a single point, UCCS kept the score within a few points for most of the half. Trailing 48-45 with just under six minutes left in the game, Junior Brent Jones drove down low and found a wide open Chris Fernandez on the perimeter just beyond the arch. Fernandez drained the three point shot and tied up the game. “I was just looking for the open shot,” said Brent Jones. “I had a pull-up (jumper) that I passed up for a better look and Chris made that shot. As I passed it, I trotted back because I knew it was going to go down. He just hits big shots like that.” 34 seconds later, Fernandez struck again giving UCCS the lead and momentum they needed en route to a 66-57 win. With a 7-8 standing in the RMAC, UCCS is in the driver’s seat for the final playoff berth. Regular season play will conclude for both teams as they travel to Regis and Metro State on Feb. 25 and Feb 26. u
Check out Sports Shorts on the back!
Sports Women’s Softball Feb. 14 at Las Vegas, Nevada St. Mary’s 5, UCCS 3 Feb. 13 at Las Vegas, Nevada Grand Canyon 12, UCCS 0 Feb. 13 at Las Vegas, Nevada St. Edwards 15, UCCS 5 Feb. 12 at Las Vegas, Nevada Dixie State 20, UCCS 6 Feb. 12 at Las Vegas, Nevada UCCS 12, Mary 4 The lady Mountain Lions defeated the University of Mary 12-4 in their season opener at Majestic Park on Feb 12. Sophomore Christina Blanton went 3-4 with four RBIs. Junior pitcher Sarah McCauley allowed only four runs on 11 eleven hits in six innings. UCCS will return home to Mountain Lion Field on March 2 as they play Oklahoma Panhandle State.
Women’s Basketball (6-17, 1-13 RMAC)
Feb. 13 at Gallogly Events Center Chadron State 77, UCCS 66 Feb. 12 at Gallogly Events Center UCCS 101, Nebraska-Kearney 93 The lady Mountain Lions defeated Nebraska-Kearney 101-93 on Feb. 12 at the Gallogly Events Center. The high output of scoring nearly broke the school record of 102, which has been standing since 1994. Sophomore Payden Ackerman led the team in scoring with an impressive 27 points, while freshman Lauren Wolfinger added 20 points. Sophomore Ashley Miller followed with 16 points. UCCS will finish their season on Feb. 26 at Metro State.
Men’s Basketball (9-14, 7-8 RMAC)
Feb. 13 at Gallogly Events Center UCCS 66, Chadron State 57 Feb. 12 at Gallogly Event Center UCCS 82, Nebraska-Kearney 74 The Mountain Lions defeated Chadron State 66-57 on Feb. 13 at the Gallogly Events Center. Junior Chris Fernandez led the team in scoring with 15 points while junior Brent Jones contributed with 14 points. With two must-win victories over the weekend, UCCS has released the pressure in obtaining the final playoff spot in the East Division of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
Photos by Doug Fitzgerald, courtesy of UCCS Sports Information
Shorts