Summer 2012

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Orientation Issue, Vol. 36, Iss. 29

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University of Colorado Colorado Springs Weekly Campus Newspaper

Centers provide assistance for overwhelmed students April Wefler awefler@uccs.edu

Upon first entering college, you might become overwhelmed with your workload. The classes are more difficult, and the assignment requirements are unlike those you had in high school. The Centers for Academic Excellence can help.

The Centers for Academic Excellence, formerly known as the Excel Centers, try to not only help students in their classes but also give them a place to socialize.

“I think it’s important for people to know that we’re a lot more than a place for students to get help,” said Dr. Jerry Phillips, director of the Science Center. He said that students sit, eat, relax and talk to other students.

“Sometimes all students need is an orientation for

how to study for a particular class. I can help students with all kind of stuff – advertising, careers,” he added.

The Science Center has a staff of 20-30 student tutors who can help students with chemistry, physics, biology, anthropology or psychology.

“A lot of ‘pre’ students come in here. Pre-med, pre-health, pre-vet, prepharmacy,” noted Phillips.

However, the Center is available to anyone.

“A lot of times students don’t know how to prepare for after undergrad and I can help with that,” said Phillips.

The Science Center is located in Centennial 204 near the Gallery of Contemporary Art and has 32 computers with headphones available for checkout.

The Math Center has a similarly relaxed atmosphere. “Students show up individually, see people

Lily Giddings (right) helps a student understand a math problem in the Math Center.

Photo by Nick Burns

from their class and then pair up. Their study skills develop and then they just use us to check answers,” said Mike Bihn, a graduate student in the math program.

“I continued on toward my Master’s and made it a point to show up every day. I got stuck, I had help, I re-learned calculus,” he added.

You can find the Math

Center in Engineering 136 near the main entrance. Online tutoring is also available at web.uccs.edu/mlc.

Like the Science and Math Centers, the Communication Center located

in Columbine 312 strives to make students feel at ease.

“We’re highly encouraged to make students feel comfortable so they can

step to getting connected.

If you’re looking to meet people in Summit Village and just aren’t sure where to start, there’s usually someone hanging around the Monarch Office in one of the lounge chairs. Spend enough time there and you’ll start recognizing people pretty consistently.

You already know that your room doesn’t have

much in the way of a kitchen – but that’s okay. If you need to access an oven, talk to your RA and ask him or her to let you into the Breckenridge kitchen.

Your RA will have to be in the room with you while you’re using it, but it’s handy for making your own hot dinners when the Lodge dining hall becomes unbearable.

If you eat at the Lodge on a weekly meal plan, you’ll eventually get tired of the pizza, burger and salad options. If you want to try something different, ask the grill for a veggie burger or turkey burger, which are available on request.

Something else you probably don’t know about Summit is that there’s a short-term rental car available behind Monarch for quick trips around town.

If you go to ucarshare. com and select Colorado Springs, there is a map and timeline about the UCCS vehicle, a Ford Focus. Register an account, pick a timeslot, get a code and you’re all set. The keys are already inside.

If you find that your room is simply overloaded with study pillows, extra bookcases and empty soda cans, you can also request to store your possessions (not your trash) in the basement of Steamboat.

Send your request via email to housing@uccs.

edu. Requests are approved a case-by-case basis, so they may not be able to oblige you; if they do, know that it’s dusty down there. Wrap everything you care about with a trash bag or plastic cover.

In Alpine Village, you may have noticed that none of the bedrooms have light fixtures. This is not a mistake. If you have a room there, you will need to bring your own lamp, unless, of course, you have night vision.

The first floor of every building in Alpine also has a convenient public bathroom. So if you should find yourself locked out of your room and you suddenly have to go, don’t despair.

Finally, if you’re interested in hiking, the Sherpa Trail between the two Villages has a side trail that leads to the top of the bluffs with breathtaking views of the Front Range. Just watch your step because the trails aren’t officially maintained yet. S

Continued on page 2 . . .

On-campus living includes various practical secrets Peter Farrell pfarrell@uccs.edu

If you’re living in the Summit dormitories or Alpine apartments this year, you might find yourself wandering around wondering what exactly there is to do in the Village besides sit in your room and ponder life.

The good news is you don’t have to figure out your life right this instant.

The better news is that you’re not alone if you live on campus.

Living on campus has benefits outside of the fiveminute walking distance to classes and greater independence from family members.

Some of the more prominent benefits are the accessibility of peers and the potential to meet friends who will last long after college has ended. There’s also some pretty cool stuff that you can do that you probably didn’t know about.

A good place to start

Inside this

Issue

would be meeting and greeting your neighbors at least to a first-name basis.

This isn’t a secret per say, but you’ll be surprised by how uncommon the practice is.

You won’t be best friends with all the people in your building, and you might not even be friends with your roommates, but introducing yourself early is the first

Photo by Alex Gradisher

This short-term rental car can help students in Summit make quick trips around town.

news Textbook guide page 2

culture

Starting and joining clubs page 4

opinion

Using open electives page 10

sports

Getting to know the Rec Center page 15

News

Page 2

Orientation Issue

Academic Centers Alternatives are available when textbook shopping and at times stu(continued from page 1) Lucas Hampton years, dents will find that at the come seek us out and work with one of us every time,” said junior Dustin Ramos.

Ramos explained that this way, the tutors can watch the students grow throughout the semester.

He noted that he thinks the Communication Center offers a unique staff.

“Every one of our tutors has something different to offer – biology, geography, accounting, marketing…. it isn’t just communication majors,” he said.

Rayven Irons, outreach coordinator, added that the Center offers presentation filming so students can get feedback from the tutors, as well as a virtual audience.

“It projects an audience on-screen. You get the real deal of what it’s like to present in front of students and interact with students,” said Irons.

She added that the Center offers mock interviews, whether they’re for law school, medical school, grad school, internships or anything else.

“We offer feedback – interview questions, tips on how to answer effectively, looking at their nonverbal

communication,” Irons said.

Similar to the Communication Center, the Writing Center in Columbine 316 also offers feedback.

Like the Communication Center, it is located on the third floor of Columbine.

“We help people with every kind of paper at every stage of the process,” said sophomore Katie Harrington.

She mentioned that the Writing Center has helped her in her own writing.

“It has let me see different kinds of writing and it makes students feel like they’re not alone,” she said.

“We know what teachers will be looking for.”

The fifth Center is the Language Center in Dwire 270. The Language Center offers native speakers that can help in Spanish, French, Japanese and American Sign Language.

“Native speakers have more of a concept of the language – slang, as you were in that country,” said Emilie Green, junior and native French speaker.

The Language Center also plans to offer Chinese this year. S

lhampton@uccs.edu

Throughout your college career, you’ll likely hear more than one of your professors say, “I am trying to be conscious of the prices of textbooks.” When you learn those prices, you may be tempted to wonder if they really meant it.

Walking away from the UCCS Bookstore after purchasing an entire list of required reading for a semester can be a cruel experience that no one should suffer; for it not only empties your wallet, but you may need to hire a chiropractor after you carry all that weight home.

Although it is easy to get disheartened by the initial price and quantity of the textbooks that classes require, there are ways to avoid such inconveniences.

The first lesson in buying textbooks that all freshmen should be aware of is that textbooks do not necessarily need to be purchased prior to the first day of class.

This rookie mistake has haunted the bank accounts of freshmen’s parents for

the

end of the year there will be at least three or four textbooks with the receipts still tucked inside the covers, never opened.

Get your syllabus, go over the assignments and find out on the first day of class whether or not certain textbooks are really necessities.

Once you have established which textbooks you actually need to buy, it is time to evaluate the best method to purchase them.

Many students do not realize the multiple methods for purchasing textbooks.

It is often the case that students consider the means of buying them, but they decide a visit to the Bookstore would be easier.

Not only can it be more difficult to buy a textbook at the Bookstore than elsewhere, but it will often be more expensive. A textbook is rarely more expensive online than at the Bookstore.

Some of the better sites for purchasing textbooks are abebooks.com, half. com and amazon.com; students can also qualify for free shipping at Amazon through the Amazon

Photo by Robert Solis

Buying textbooks can be an expensive, arduous process.

Prime education promotion.

Ordering textbooks online does take a few more days than going to the Bookstore, but it can save vast amounts of money; moreover, professors are typically very understanding with textbook issues.

If the online method is not preferred, there are still multiple ways to bypass the Bookstore racket.

One method that requires urgency is checking textbooks out from the library.

Most books are in circulation at the Kraemer Family Library, but get an early start: assigned readings tend to go quickly.

Students can also search for their textbooks through the Colorado Prospector system, which can have

books delivered to UCCS from other libraries all around the state.

Students who are intent on using the Bookstore also have several options.

The Bookstore offers a rental program on some titles, in which a student pays a price considerably smaller than the sale price but then returns the textbooks at the end of the semester.

The Financial Aid Office also offers a textbook loan of up to $700, and you can receive cash the same day; however, $5 is charged for every $100.

The task of purchasing textbooks may at first seem daunting, but the university, as well as other resources, provides alternatives that can save both time and money. S

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News

Orientation Issue

Page 3

University Center offers many services for students April Wefler awefler@uccs.edu

When prospective students are first shown the campus, chances are that one of their first stops is University Center (UC).

However, many students might not know exactly what amenities the UC offers.

At the Info Desk on the first floor of the UC, students can buy Scantrons, blue books and stamps.

It’s also the place to have your student ID made (or remade if you lose it).

Additionally, you can check out pool cues for the pool tables, buy bus passes for the Colorado Springs Metro system (bus schedules are available), find maps of the campus and get approval to hang up advertisements.

The student employees who work at the Info Desk have heard just about everything related to the campus, so if you ever have an odd question, they can probably help you find the answer.

Near the Info Desk and next to the Bookstore is the Scheduling Office.

Photo by Ariel Lattimore

The ROAR Office is a place for student clubs and organizations to meet and hang out.

Here you can reserve rooms in the UC for your club or organization by coming in person or filling out the form on the UC website (www.uccs. edu/~uc) located under Event Services and Scheduling.

You also have the option to call 255-3664 or contact Megann Powell at ucsched@uccs.edu.

Students wishing to do a little shopping might want to check out the Bookstore. It sells a variety of college essentials – everything from Easy Mac and ramen noodles

to Arabic-English dictionaries and textbooks.

Additionally, the Bookstore boasts dorm supplies and has a space for students to sell their textbooks back later in the semester. It’s also the place to buy official UCCS merchandise to show off your school spirit.

The Copy Center, located down the hall from the Bookstore, is for those files that need to be laminated, faxed, bound or stapled.

Students can either bring their files into the Center or email them to

the complex paperwork involved in receiving financial aid through the GI Bill. It also coordinates activities through the Colorado Springs Mobile Vet Center, which visits the campus on a regular basis to provide free readjustment services.

Hall 201 − By the end of your academic career, you might be an expert in your field, but do you know how to succeed in the job hunt after graduation?

The Career Center offers a variety of assessments and services to help students pin down a career field they want to work in and land the job they really want.

Students can take assessments to find out the kinds of work they may be more interested in (great for helping pin down a major), get a one-on-one proofreading consultation with their resume and even take a mock job interview.

copycenter@uccs.edu.

Dan Lemack noted that the Center offers graduation announcements, as well as 25-cent color copies. “Other places sell them for 50 cents,” said Lemack.

The MOSAIC Office deals more with a student’s need to socialize.

The Multicultural Office for Student Access, Inclusiveness, and Community (MOSAIC) is a place where students can share their cultures with other students.

“Everyone has a culture,” noted Anthony Cor-

dova, director. “A student that’s just lived in Colorado can learn so much by talking to a student who’s lived in Nairobi, Kenya, Korea, any city, any place in the world.”

Cordova explained that incoming students are overwhelmed trying to find resources and trying to survive that they don’t think about making friends.

“It’s a good place to come, to get answers, to get connected. College is so much more than the academics; it’s learning about yourself by interacting with other people,” he said.

Like MOSAIC, the ROAR Office across from the Info Desk also focuses on socializing. “It’s a diverse, really chill, lively area. Students hang out and get to know each other,” said Brittany Reese, junior.

“Kappa Sigma and Phi Sigma Sigma come in here daily; APISU [Asian Pacific Islander Student Union] meets every Friday. There’s a variety of different clubs daily.”

Reese noted that the ROAR Office has a mixture of students. “If you

want to get the social aspect of campus, you’d hang out here,” she said.

The ROAR Office is also the place to start clubs. Reese mentioned that it only takes two people and there is no deadline to start a club.

The first floor also has ENT Credit Union and Clyde’s restaurant and bar. ENT prints out student ID/debit cards the day they sign up for an account, and Clyde’s offers burgers, sandwiches and beer. There are also pool tables, vending machines, video games and an arcade room.

The second floor of the UC has Jazzman’s coffee cart and the Overlook Cafe, as well as many places to sit. Jazzman’s sells smoothies, coffee, tea, sandwiches and wraps, and the Overlook is the main food court on campus. There are also lockers by the Overlook that students can rent out at the Info Desk for $5 a semester.

On the third floor of the UC, there is a piano available for students and many places to sit. There are also meeting rooms and the athletic offices. S

Multicultural services enforce diversity on campus Matt Sidor msidor@uccs.edu

Many at UCCS would argue that one of the primary strengths of our campus is its diverse student population of both traditional and nontraditional students from across all socioeconomic backgrounds.

Bearing this in mind, there are a number of offices and organizations on the campus that can provide students with the support they need to succeed in their academic careers: Veteran and Military Student Affairs, Main Hall 106 − The transition from serving full-time in the armed forces to taking a full-time credit load at a civilian institution can be daunting, especially for those service members who have been stationed overseas in areas of conflict.

This office is here to help veterans apply to the school and navigate

Student Disability Services, Main Hall 105 − Taking classes is challenging enough without having a physical or mental condition that can put limits on your activities.

Disability Services seeks to help those students who may need additional accommodations to successfully complete their coursework.

Students who can document their disability can register with the office and learn about all of the support services available to them, including extended testing time in an isolated exam room for those students who cannot take tests in a normal classroom environment.

Career Services, Main

Student Health Center, Parking Garage − Tucked in a discreet location past the Parking Services desk is the Health Center, where all fee-paying full-time and part-time students can receive quality medical services from a licensed doctor or nurse practitioner at reasonable rates. A typical office visit costs

Photo by Robert Solis

Dr. Anthony Cordova is the director of the MOSAIC Office. just $30.

It doesn’t accept outside health insurance providers, but the Center may be more convenient and timely if you have an immediate health issue.

It also offers a student health insurance plan that covers most of the costs of services, as well as a $125 per semester Clyde’s Care plan that covers an unlimited number of office visits and some basic

services.

MOSAIC, University Center 110 − The Multicultural Office for Student Access, Inclusiveness and Community office offers a safe and welcoming place for students of all backgrounds and identities to hang out and exchange advice and support.

The office’s primary mission is to serve as an advocacy group for in-

clusiveness in all aspects of education and campus life.

The office can connect you with a club or organization that can help you to explore your specific background or identity.

In addition, the office is home to the LGBT+ Resource Center, which provides information and support to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender students and faculty. S

Culture

Page 4

Orientation Issue

Freshman seminar seeks to ease college transition Sara Horton shorton@uccs.edu

On April 28, the first freshman orientation for Fall 2012, almost 90 percent of incoming students signed up for one of 80 freshman seminar sections.

Before arriving at UCCS, all new students receive a freshman seminar flyer with their orientation materials. Because so many have signed up, said Constance Staley, director of the freshman seminar program, they have apparently done their homework.

To generate new ideas for topics that will be offered this fall, she had to do a little of her own, too.

“Sometimes people come to me with an idea, or sometimes I seek people out,” said Staley.

“For example, I met with some people, and I said, ‘If you could make up a course and teach anything you’d like to teach, what would it be about?’”

For Brian Burnett, Martin Wood and Chris Beiswanger, their answer was baseball. They will be instructing Baseball: Hot Dogs, Home Runs and Life, one of the new sections being offered

Photo by Ariel Lattimore

Constance Staley (right), head of the freshman seminars, and her colleague prepare for the upcoming freshman seminars. this year.

Staley said the section will take a tour of Coors Field, meet Colorado Rockies players and have the team’s owner visit.

In addition to the quotes from faculty course questionnaires that Staley shares during her presentations at every orientation, she also cites the results of studies that the university has conducted on the program.

Among the findings are that “students who take freshman seminar tend to have better overall GPAs than students who do not,” and those same students “tend to be more likely to finish their degrees at UCCS.” Freshman seminars not only introduce new students to faculty, staff and other students, but they also aim to acquaint them with the campus.

“It’s also teaching and encouraging students to use all of the resources that we have on campus,” said Carrie Arnold, freshman seminar and honors program manager.

She added that some freshman seminars may require students to have their papers checked by the Writing Center or visit the Oral Communication Center.

“We want to give

them the resources and the tools they’re going to need, not just their first year but throughout their four years, and I think introducing them in the freshman seminar setting is not intimidating, where it could be if you were just thrown into something.”

Demetrio Cutaran, a junior computer science major, and David Harris, a sophomore math ma-

jor, who have both taken freshman seminars, said they would recommend the program to incoming students.

“Yeah, I liked it,” said Cutaran, who took Mindstorms. “It helped me adjust to college life.”

Harris, who took Unreality, added, “I feel like they told us everything we needed to know.”

Other students, like Danielle McKinley, a junior history and secondary education major who transferred here from Pikes Peak, have managed to adjust to the campus without a freshman seminar.

“I also had my previous college experience, community college or not, so I was comfortable in the transition,” she said, adding that taking a campus tour also helped.

Despite the program’s most common critique of being too rigorous or academic, Staley said students’ responses to freshman seminar have been positive.

“I read every single course evaluation that comes through, and that’s whole bunch of them,” she said, “and overwhelmingly, students say, ‘I’m glad I did this. This was a good thing to have done.’” S

Clubbing on campus doesn’t require a dress code, cover charge Lucas Hampton

lhampton@uccs.edu The search for friendship is difficult, especially for incoming freshmen from out of state, but a college campus can be the best place to socialize – if you know where to look.

Although some students may know that student clubs exist, most are not aware of the number and variety of them.

Student clubs are perhaps the best resource for finding friends, for not only does there already exist a club for almost every – ahem, legal – interest, but students are also able to start their own.

There are over 180 student-run clubs at UCCS, ranging from the 4-Square club to the Zombie Awareness, Preparation and Protection (ZAPP) club.

Clubs focus on the many possible interests a student may have.

You may find that your interests lie in the more bizarre clubs, such as the Nickleback Resentment Association, or you may relate to sports or political clubs, like the Youth for Ron Paul club. Clubs exist for virtually every interest, whether it be academic, athletic or just plain weird.

Clubs also exist for the more nefarious hobbies, including the Brew club, the Poker Etc. club and the Tobacco Aficionado club.

Those socialites who enjoy the larger crowds will find that the most popular clubs are often the most encompassing in their genres.

For instance, two of the largest clubs on campus are the Asian Pacific Islander Club and the Black Student Union.

Whereas some organizations appeal to a particular interest, the most popular

clubs appeal to an entire social group or ethnicity that extends beyond simple likes and dislikes.

Every student pays a student activity fee, which funds club activities – so why not find a way to utilize that cost?

If you have trouble making friends in a new environment, one option is to check out the clubs that students have already created.

You can visit the Photo by Nick Burns ROAR Office in Brittany Reese stands next to the Club Resources board in the ROAR office, the source for all University Cen- your club questions. ter, where you can pick up a list of able online at uccs.edu/ starting a new club. mum member requirement every club on campus. cao.

One stop to the ROAR of a president and one However, if you review office will provide all the other officer, and further, When you find a club you’d like to join, contact the clubs and can’t find required information for a club is recommended to the club president and get one that best represents starting one. However, if have a faculty sponsor for involved. Information on your interests, then there you plan on starting your stronger campus integrastudent clubs is also avail- is always the option of own club, there is a mini- tion. S

Culture

Orientation Issue

Adjust easier to dorm life with a few simple tips April Wefler awefler@uccs.edu

Since freshmen often move into the dorms after having lived their whole lives with their families, dorm living can be a difficult adjustment. However, by following these tips, it can be a little bit easier.

First, be prepared for dorm cleaning. Lauren Pickett, freshman, said she wished that she and her roommates had established a cleaning schedule. “The room got really, really nasty,” she explained.

Emily Jennings, freshman, agreed. She said to be prepared and bring cleaning supplies.

More specifically, bring a duster, suggested freshman Eric Plotkin. “I don’t think they’ve cleaned out the air vents in this place since they built it,” he said.

Next, Pickett suggested checking with your roommates before bringing anything. “We all have microwaves, we all

have fridges. You really only need one microwave for four girls,” she said.

You’ll also want to balance work with fun.

Don’t miss out on socializing, especially with your roommates.

“I wish I had gotten close with my roommates. Be open-minded to everything you approach; just don’t shut down when something’s unappealing,” Pickett said.

Jennings and Sam Mickens, also a freshman, agreed with Pickett.

“Make friends with your hall early on. Leave your door open; if you see somebody, say hi. It starts a chain reaction; they’ll know someone, and that person will know someone,” said Mickens.

And that includes getting to know your RA. Don’t forget to program his or her number in your phone. You’ll be glad you did if you ever have a problem or lock yourself out of your room.

“Try to get along with your roommates. If you don’t, try to find some-

body you do get along with,” added Jennings.

Haydn Holgate, freshman, agreed. “It’s just a matter of putting yourself out there and being wellrounded –making friends with people who can show you a good time on the weekends and those who can keep you motivated in school,” she said.

Just make sure that dorm socialization doesn’t involve drinking.

Alcohol is not allowed in the dorms at all – even if you’re over 21.

If you can’t leave the dorms, opt for snacks instead. Plotkin said to stock your room with them. “The hours of the Lodge are pretty bad.

Sundays have two meals you can eat.”

However, Kathryn Porter, an alumnus of UCCS and author of “Too Much Stuff: Winning the War Against Clutter” (copies are available in the bookstore) cautions students to keep food to a minimum.

“Avoid snacks that make lots of crumbs like cookies, crackers and chips,” she advised.

“Your body will thank you for it, too.”

Porter pointed out that the dorms are only temporary living quarters.

“You don’t need to move everything you own into your dorm. Set boundaries on the amount of clothes and other items you bring.”

Porter also noted that if you struggle with keeping your side of the room clutter-free, be sure to make your bed every day.

Mickens advised to avoid lofting that bed.

Lofting is typical in Alpine Village but is a choice in Summit. The bed is moved higher to make more room for other items; beds in Alpine are placed over both a bookcase and a dresser.

“Getting in and out of it is just a pain,” Mickens explained.

Also, make time for exercise. Julien Bechel, freshman, said to go to the gym and work out as much as possible. Maybe if you do decide to loft the bed, working out will help you escape it more easily. S

Photo by Robert Solis

For many students, moving into the dorms can be a new and somewhat frightening experience.

Fight the freshman 15 with healthier decisions Peter Farrell pfarrell@uccs.edu

You have likely been warned about the infamous freshman 15 and want to keep as far away from it as possible.

Essentially, the freshman 15 is the number of pounds freshmen tend to gain by eating regularly on campus and grabbing take -out during their first year of college. If you live in the dorms, you’re even more likely to experience it.

The Lodge isn’t your only source of unhealthy food; take out pizza and a couple trips to Smashburger are just as problematic.

Lodge Executive Chef Keith Livingston knows that each student has different needs and encourages everyone to be responsible when eating at the Lodge. One of the ways to start is by reading the nutritional information that’s on the menu posters.

“For the most part, throughout the year we have nutritional guide-

Photo by Alex Gradisher

Beware of the freshman 15; healthy eating choices and lifestyle changes can help to avoid these extra pounds. lines for each individual item that’s in the cafeteria.

If it’s not posted, definitely seek me out and I’ll get that information for you.”

Avoiding the freshman 15 also requires exercise, which means commitment.

Andrea Tapia, co-owner and coach at CrossFit Continuum, said that it’s important to exercise in a way that appeals to the individual. “If you’re a runner or you like to bike and that’s what works for

you, and you’re active and moving, then that’s a start in the right direction.”

Staying motivated includes breaking bad habits and starting good ones. Instead of snacking on chips and soda, Tapia advises

Page 5

keeping healthy snacks on hand: “A nice lean-protein source, a good source of fruits and vegetables, so maybe a side-salad and grilled veggies, and then some nuts and avocado.”

If you eat out fre-

quently, look for menu options that include whole -grains and low fat.

Also avoid grabbing more food than you need.

At a buffet-style facility like the Lodge, it’s hard to do. Make a decision to eat smaller portions and at regular intervals to avoid gorging yourself, even if that means sacrificing pancakes as a late-night snack.

Some residents have fought the freshman 15 and actually lost weight their first year.

Addis Alemayehu, a freshman living in Summit made it a point to exercise via Zumba and regular workout sessions to stay fit.

Alexis Stanford, also a freshman, would encourage other students to be aware of what they eat.

“Limit what you’re eating. I mean, I’m not saying starve yourself, but try to eat stuff that is healthy, like salad.”

Ultimately, the decision to eat healthy foods and fight the freshman 15 starts with you making the decision and sticking to it. S

Culture

Page 6

Orientation Issue

New All Campus Read selection raises questions about ethics, poverty Sara Horton shorton@uccs.edu

To family, she’s Henrietta Lacks. To scientists, she’s HeLa. To us, she is likely a mystery, yet her contributions to medicine and science are anything but.

“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” a nonfiction book by Rebecca Skloot, which will be the 2012-2013 UCCS All Campus Read selection, chronicles the book’s namesake, a poor black tobacco farmer who died from cervical cancer and had her cells harvested without consent.

Years after her death, Lacks’ cells have contributed to various medical breakthroughs, such as the development of the polio vaccine, but her family still struggles to afford health insurance.

Christina Martinez, senior instructor and head of user services at the Kraemer Library, served on a

committee that based its selection on multiculturalism, a theme that Provost Peg Bacon selected.

“Basically, we were really tasked with coming up with selecting something that would appeal to … freshmen students,” she said, “so that’s always kind of a challenge.”

The committee took suggestions from faculty and staff and compiled a list of 10 books. Committee members then suggested seven more, narrowed down suggestions to five and voted.

In addition to “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” they chose “The Brief, Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” by Junot Dias, “Enrique’s Journey” by Sonia Nazario, “Just Like Us”

by Helen Thorpe and “The Thing Around Your Neck”

by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

“I would say that all five of the books that we read were very good books, and we could have picked any of them for different rea-

sons,” said Martinez.

She added the committee was split between “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” and “Enrique’s Journey,” a story about a Honduran boy’s mission to find his mother in the United States.

“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” said Martinez, is “very well written” because it’s not only about science, but Lacks’ family members and the ethical questions that surround their circumstances, a broader appeal that ultimately decided the selection.

“Even for people who don’t read a lot of nonfiction books, it’s written almost like a novel. It goes very quickly, and we thought readability was important.”

While the All Campus Read program is focused on being incorporated into freshman seminar classes, it is not restricted to them.

“This book really could be incorporated into any

number of classes,” said Martinez. “It could certainly be used in women and ethnic studies classes, it could be used in biology classes, it could be used in chemistry classes for that matter.

“It could be used in sociology. There are a lot of issues in there that connect poverty and health care and what options people have in their lives.”

The All Campus Read program began with “Apology,” Plato’s account of a speech given by Socrates, and “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King Jr. Both selections were used for two years. So was the next selection, “The Last Lecture”

by Randy Pausch.

The last selection, Colin Beavan’s “No Impact Man,” reinforced the 20112012 academic year’s sustainability theme.

Martinez compared the All Campus Read program to a book club in which students can share a common

Photo by Robert Solis

Rebecca Skloot’s novel “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” will be featured as this year’s All Campus Read. reading experience and have a discussion about a book they may have not chosen on their own.

“I hope it serves a purpose of having students read something that will expose them to a different kind of life and experienc-

es that they may not have come across.”

The Kraemer Family Library is currently working with planning committees to sponsor events and speakers – possibly even Skloot herself – related to the book. S

Culture

Orientation Issue

Think outside the Lodge

Page 7

Creative Corner James Sibert, a junior mechanical engineering student, sent his poetry to The Scribe. If you would like to share your creative work and have it published in a future issue, email scribe.eic@gmail.com

To Be a Friend

By James Sibert

Photo by Ariel Lattimore

Clyde’s is the only place on campus that sells alcohol and offers a great view to watch sports.

Aaron Collett acollett@uccs.edu High school is finished.

More importantly, high school lunches are finished. No more is there a lunch period. No more is there one cafeteria, which, as a monopoly, is not required to care about anything as mundane as taste.

No, now it’s time for college. College, however, has a more pragmatic system in place for meals: Eat what you want when you’re hungry. The problem is sometimes it’s hard to find where to eat on campus.

Jazzman’s The very first place that most freshmen find to eat at is Jazzman’s. Directly above the Info Desk, this coffee shop is central to the campus. It has all the standard coffee fare – both espresso and drip forms as well as cookies, brownies and other baked treats.

Not only that, but the breakfast selections are

parfaits, which have different fruit daily, and breakfast sandwiches with ham, bacon or sausage.

Jazzman’s is open from 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m., so no late snacks are available here.

Overlook Cafe Just up the hall from Jazzman’s is the Overlook Cafe, which offers a variety of food choices. Pizza, a salad bar, Chinese, hamburgers and sub sandwiches are all offered here.

In the Fall 2012 semester, students can look forward to some changes in the Overlook’s offerings. Sodexo is working on making the options healthier and (perhaps more importantly) tastier.

Be careful, though – many a student has been caught unaware by the Overlook’s hours. It opens at 10:30 a.m. and closes at 3:30 p.m.

The Lodge Across campus from the University Center, tucked away behind the

dorms, is the Lodge. It’s easy to miss, especially if you don’t live on campus. Ignoring it isn’t wise, however – the Lodge is the go-to place for easy meals.

There is always a little bit of variety – there’s a sandwich station with veggies, tuna and turkey at least, and sometimes there’s a veggie sandwich wheel already made.

The Lodge is also the only place to get breakfast besides Jazzman’s – and there’s a bit more to choose from here. Fruit and coffee are available all day, and meals change daily.

Don’t be late for a meal, though – each meal is served between specific hours and not outside of those. Breakfast is between 7 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., lunch is served from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and dinner runs from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.

And Monday through Thursday, the Lodge is also open from 10:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. for those

people who just crave that late-night snack.

Clyde’s Finally, the question that is always asked: “Can you drink on campus?”

The answer is yes – at the pub. On the bottom level of the University Center is Clyde’s.

Newly refurbished, it features a two large-screen TVs as well as a pool table. The servers and cooks there will make sure you have some good food to wash down with beer or wine or a variety of nonalcoholic beverages.

It (almost) goes without saying that you must be over 21 to order any alcohol there. Even if you’re not at a legal drinking age, though, you can still hang out and watch TV or play pool.

Clyde’s is open from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays. It stays open an hour later on Fridays and Saturdays and is open on Sunday from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. S

She came into the center with her cell phone in one hand; The other clasped her books, and up around her shoulder ran Her purse’s strap; she walked erect – her head she held up high; Well dressed; wrought hair; just then I caught a twinkle in her eye.

She punched her student number in and sat down at a table, Pushed books aside, purse close beside, plugged in her charging cable, Glanced anxiously at phone, and then quite far away awhile; And then the blessed text came through – O how it made her smile!

One day a few weeks later she came back, but things had changed; Something had happened that her simple mind had never gauged.

Now shuffling steps led from the door straight to an empty seat; Pajama pants and frazzled hair; no stars when our eyes meet.

How I then wished to ask her just a sympathetic question!

To say I cared; the thought, however, gave me indigestion; So I just simply asked instead if she had any questions – Perhaps she needed one of my authentic math suggestions.

“I’m good,” she said, a little stiff; I said alright, okay, But down inside I knew for her today was no good day; Friend, you can smile and say you’re good, and run, but you can’t hide; Hearts broken know a broken heart, and long to come beside.

Jazzman’s is the central spot for coffee on campus.

Photo by Ariel Lattimore

To come beside, and hear you pour out everything that’s hurting, And listen without giving the impression that I’m flirting; I only want to be a friend who laughs when you laugh too, And cry with you when life is hard; and just be there for you.

Feature

Page 8

Orientation Issue

Places to Know 1 2

3 1

Campus Recreation Center

2

Summit Village Dorms

5

Columbine Hall

The Writing Center (3rd Floor): Get your papers proofread and brush up on your grammar skills.

Oral Communication Center (3rd Floor): Practice for your next presentation or speech and learn how to get over those public speaking jitters.

Daz Bog Coffee (2nd Floor): Coffee and pastries. Bring your own mug to get a cheap refill. (You’ll probably wonder why they picked such an awkward location to put a coffee cart, but don’t question it – just get your coffee and get out of there!)

Parking Garage

5

Osborne Center

Parking Services (1st Floor): Buy your parking permit here or, more often, pay off your parking tickets.

Student Health Center (1st Floor): A full-service, low-cost doctor’s office open to all students – no insurance plan required. Be sure to get your flu shot here when it becomes available (unless you actually like staying in your dorm room all weekend with a fever).

6

11 12 14 10

13

4

Housing Office at Monarch Dormitory (1st Floor): Check your mail here (if you live in the dorms) and sign up for meal plans.

Cafeteria at the Lower Lodge (1st Floor): Offers typical cafeteria fare and is open all day and during select weekend hours. (A hidden resource for those of us who live off campus but don’t have time to dash off for something to eat!)

4

8 9

7

A large gym, a solar-heated swimming pool, indoor track, weightlifting, cardio machines and an indoor rock climbing wall.

Don’t let the freshman 15 creep up on you – you pay about $80 a semester in student fees for this place whether or not you actually use it, so take advantage of it.

There’s also an outdoor rec center where you can check out hiking and camping equipment and get your mountain bike serviced for cheap.

3

6

Story by Matt Sidor msidor@uccs.edu Photos by Nick Burns

Foucault Pendulum (2nd Floor): Check out this amazing science art exhibit in the main foyer, demonstrating the rotation of the Earth. Put your hands on the electrode panels and convince yourself that the little whirlpool actually does anything.

Engineering and Applied Science

Math Learning Center (1st Floor): Get free walk-in tutoring with your math (and some science) assignments here.

7

Kraemer Family Library

8

University Center

9

Gallogly Events Center

10

Centennial Hall

11

Dwire Hall

12

Main Hall

13

Cragmor Hall

14

Campus Services and Building

A treasure trove of materials for your next research report or just some pleasure reading. Take advantage of Prospector (prospector.coalliance.org) and you can request books to be delivered from almost any library in the state. Check out the third floor for cozy spots to study and private group study rooms.

The Information Desk, Copy Center, MOSAIC, ROAR, Clyde’s, Jazzman’s and the Overlook Café. Reference Page 3 for a full description.

Main Gym (1st Floor): The main venue for athletic games and larger events on campus.

Science Learning Center (2nd Floor): Get free walk-in tutoring with your science assignments here.

Gallery of Contemporary Art (2nd Floor): Stop by here during idle moments to check out some really interesting exhibits by student and faculty artists.

Daz Bog Coffee (1st Floor): Coffee and pastries. Bring your own mug to get a cheap refill between classes.

Student Success Center (2nd Floor): All undergraduate advising is here – this should be your first stop any time you’re considering picking up a minor, changing your major or just trying to figure out what classes you’ll need to take next semester.

Campus Services Center (2nd Floor): Get your resume looked over, brush up on your interview skills and find out about internship opportunities related to your major.

Financial Aid and Student Employment Office (2nd Floor): They’ll help you navigate the myriad of paperwork for grants, scholarships and federal loans, and you can learn how to apply for student jobs on campus.

Office of Sustainability (2nd Floor): UCCS is committed to lowering our carbon footprint by 20 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. Stop by to learn about events you can volunteer for and other ways to help. S

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Sundays 1:30 - 2:30 Avanti Ballroom, 1337 N. Academy www.DanceZ.us (719)510-3443

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Opinion

Page 10

Orientation Issue

Editorial

Jump before you’re pushed during your freshman year Sara Horton shorton@uccs.edu

As The Scribe’s new Editor-in-Chief, I would first like to welcome you to UCCS. In the same breath, I would also like to propose a challenge for your freshman year.

If you’re here simply to earn a degree, then this will not apply to you. But if you’re here to enjoy the whole college experience and to take a hold of your future, I challenge you to jump before you’re pushed.

In many ways, our annual orientation issue is geared to help you do just that. Every article in this issue is written by students with incoming students like you in mind.

Once you learn where your classes are and how to take advantage of the many resources available on this campus, you can stop worrying and start having fun.

We have tried to make that process as painless as possible because, at some point or another, we have all asked the same questions that you now have in mind.

One of the best things about college – for me, at least – is that it’s not high school. Whether or not you went to prom is now no longer as important as how you apply what you learn.

You’re no longer being babysat, either. You make

Sara Horton, the new Editor-in-Chief of The Scribe, hopes for more student involvement at UCCS.

Photo by Alex Gradisher

the decisions here, and you decide how to use that freedom. Don’t waste it in hiding.

Still, being a freshman can be intimidating and prevent you from taking that jump. You may struggle to find a way for your voice to be heard.

Let The Scribe be your means for that. To have your name and thoughts printed in an issue, you don’t necessarily have to write for us – just to us.

We encourage letters to the editor to spark a com-

mon conversation among us students of a commuter campus, where many only show up to attend classes.

If you’re happy with what you’re reading, if you would like to suggest coverage of something else, or if you want to comment on the university, we won’t know how you feel unless we hear from you.

And we do want to hear from you. We have fought for our funding this year because we are, after all, a student newspaper and represent the student

population, which should never be minimalized.

Without our unique coverage, you would miss not only what’s happening around the campus but also who sits next to you in class every day.

In nearly two years of writing for The Scribe, I have interviewed numerous students about their personal projects: directing a play, starting a fundraiser, displaying art, recording an album, creating a film, even writing a novel in a month.

To thank The Scribe for all it has done to help me grow both as a student and person, I think it’s only appropriate for me to return the favor and ensure it will continue to thrive with a spotlight on us students.

Cherise Fantus has done an outstanding job as editor-in-chief in this respect, and I intend to continue the legacy she will leave after she graduates. Her efforts during the last two semesters will make this goal easier for me, but I still anticipate my share of

challenges.

The Scribe, like you, is now in a state of transition. Cat Jensen, Julianne Sedillo and Matt Sidor will also graduate this semester, leaving many important seats of our editorial board empty.

While I will miss the sleepless Friday afternoons when we toiled over story ideas, I also look forward to the new faces that will come to us with fresh ideas and experiences. I hope you will be one of them. S

you can choose from.

Look at any of UCCS’s model degree programs, and the courses you need are mapped out down to the semester.

That is, except for one category – open electives. Open electives can be filled by basically any college-level course.

Yoga, physics or underwater basket weaving classes can fill these slots.

As a result, a lot of students tend to see these as “fun” classes where they can just take whatever sounds appealing or find a class that can get them an easy A. It pays off to be more strategic, however.

I changed my major from communication to

business at the end of my first semester at college.

One course I had taken that fall didn’t count for a specific requirement in my new major, so I found myself with three open elective credits immediately filled.

After that, I realized that open electives give students a lot of needed flexibility. If I had used all my open hours on fun throwaway classes and then switched majors, I would have been stuck paying for extra hours to complete my degree.

I decided to save up my open electives for my final semester. I knew that, if I switched majors again, there was a good chance I

would already have them filled by the time I graduated. If not, I could enjoy an easy final semester and perhaps take on an internship.

Recently, I decided to move out of state for some personal reasons. Unfortunately, the timing of the situation has me moving right before my last semester here at UCCS. If I transferred to another school, I would lose dozens of credit hours.

But because I saved up my open electives, which can be taken at any accredited college, I can finish up my last few hours and transfer them back to UCCS, allowing me to graduate on time.

Other students find that saving up open electives can be beneficial for a multitude of reasons. Want to avoid piling up more student debt? Fill up those last few open credits at a community college, which will have lower tuition.

You can even take several CLEP tests for open electives – tests equivalent to an average final for a college course. Sounds intimidating, but “clepping out” of a basic 101 course is actually very doable, especially with the study tools available for each specific test.

Fees for the test and study guide for a three credit hour class hover around $100 total, saving

you a ton in tuition costs.

Let’s say you don’t switch majors, have a full-ride scholarship and stick to your degree plan perfectly. Saving up open electives doesn’t hurt you at all; in fact, you’ll be rewarded by a fun senior year.

You can take a break from those last few required courses with a fun class or pick another elective in your major that could give you a skill set helpful to your chosen career path.

Whatever your goals are for your time at college, make sure you think ahead. Leaving yourself some room to flex is only going to help you. S

Strategies on how to effectively use your open electives

Kaitlin Nelson knelson6@uccs.edu Most major programs are pretty nicely regulated.

You know, based on your degree, what the general education requirements are, which core classes you have to take and which major-specific electives

Opinion

Orientation Issue

Five tips on choosing the major that is right for you

Jesse Byrnes jbyrnes@uccs.edu “What’s your name?

What do you do? What are you studying?”

It comes up quickly.

Unless you’re at Harvard or Yale, simply going to “college” isn’t enough.

People want to know what drives you and how you’ll be a productive member of

society. You need to figure that out, too.

Hopefully you’ve given your future a decent amount of thought and have talked with your parents, older adults or even graduate students, as they can offer you advice and perspective on entering college.

Whether you’re 100 percent confident with your major or have yet to determine one, it’s good to keep a few things in mind: Know what you’re good at Before you can pick a field of study, you need to understand your natural talents and strengths – you need a firm foundation for whatever subject you will choose.

If you love speaking, choosing something like chemistry may not be your

best bet. If you’re not sure what you’re good at, ask those that know you best.

Choose a field of study that utilizes your skills but that also allows for more growth.

If you love a lot of subjects and are good at several, don’t feel overwhelmed.

Understand which is most important to you and give it a shot. If possible, choose a major that allows for a bit of flexibility for when you enter the job market.

I am majoring in communication because I want to enter the field of journalism and eventually become a TV anchor for national news. That said, a communication degree allows for a certain degree of flexibility so that I could also pursue things like politics, economics or

introverts tend to be quiet, enjoy small groups or one-on-one conversations and recharge by themselves. Extroverts are just the opposite; they are the social butterflies and the outgoing party hosts who can talk to anyone about anything anywhere – they need to be around people or they start to break.

I am personally an introvert with extroverted tendencies. I default to enjoying small groups of people that I’ve known for a long time and zoning out by myself, but I can also start up a conversation with someone for almost any reason, and I enjoy teaching people to dance.

I’ll be honest: I think the “introversion equates to disadvantage” idea is total crap. I can see potential merit behind the idea that an internal desire for isolation eventually leads to missed opportunities, but people are simply not static. We change.

Yes, I do not have a bajillion friends on Facebook, and I’m OK if I don’t talk to anyone for six entire hours – blasphemy, I know. I’m also working two jobs and will be in a good buddy’s wedding this summer.

So, how do you have fun if you’d prefer to sit in your room and read up on your latest hobbies instead of meet people? The astoundingly simple answer is to meet people who share your

interests and regularly spend time with them.

You won’t become instantly great friends with someone as soon as you meet that person; it will take some time for you to get acquainted and be comfortable.

If you’ve had a good professor or two, you’ve already been told that college is an opportunity that gives back depending on how much you put in. For the most part, I agree.

The more people you meet and develop connections with, the more likely you are to find opportunities. However, you can still find opportunities by being yourself without completely changing.

I am more outgoing now than I was two years ago when I started college, but that doesn’t mean my hobbies and interests are completely different. I still enjoy videogames, dancing, hiking, music and time with close friends.

I encourage you to do some research about yourself and take a free test.

The Myers’ Briggs Personality Test is a good start.

Don’t change yourself because some study says you’re statistically disenfranchised due to your personality, but do reach out while you’re in college. Although these years don’t feel like it, they’re some of the freest and most influential of your life. S

education, utilizing skills like writing, speaking, teaching and managing.

Pick a field that’s interesting This doesn’t mean “Oh, I’ve always wanted to learn French” or “I bet criminology would be fun – I see that on TV all the time.” Don’t pick a major just because it’s intriguing from a distance. Know more about the field before committing.

Don’t worry about clichés Not everyone is cut out to be a scientist, physician or businessman. If you love writing and the humanities, major in communication or English – sure, maybe they’re not as glamorous, can seem easier and might pay less. But society will always need good writers

and speakers.

Don’t pick the major that pays the most or sounds the coolest but one that resonates with your heart and goals. As Confucius put it, if you have a job that you love, “you will never have to work a day in your life.”

Try to commit If you choose a major and realize that you absolutely hate it, don’t panic. You can always change majors.

But be careful. Education is never a waste, but changing majors requires more classes and more money, extending school and delaying your career.

Don’t be anxious Even the most ambitious and focused students have had to adapt to the economy and shift career options.

You’ll quickly find that it’s common to end up in

Page 11

a different field than you studied in college, so don’t feel like you’re limited and thus need to choose a field that you want to pursue for the rest of your life.

At some point, the degree you have will become less important than the experience you have. So yes, get a degree so you can land that first job, but don’t stop there – keep working hard, pursuing excellence in all you do.

Know who you are and what you’re good at, pick a field that’s interesting, know your options yet try to commit and don’t be anxious about your decision. Be ambitious and work hard. You set your own limits, so reach higher – shoot for the stars while keeping your feet on solid ground. S

Are the introverted out of luck? Leave your high school drama in

Peter Farrell pfarrell@uccs.edu Depending on whom you believe, if you’re an introvert, you’re simply going to have a harder time in life.

I often hear people compare their traits with this thing called a personality type. I’d admittedly not heard of such a thing until my mid-teens, but the concept has been interesting to me since I learned of it. The idea that there’s a qualifiable measurement regarding personalities helps explain why people do things.

There are lots of personality tests and types out there, ranging from numerical assignments and the commonly touted “A-type personality” of the corporate world to the color spectrum of “You’re a ‘red!’” These are all well and good, but the two types of measurements that you’ll commonly encounter are introverts and extroverts.

The differences between the two are usually easy to distinguish;

the trash can by the door, please

Aaron Collett acollett@uccs.edu College is a brand new time in everyone’s life. The possibilities are absolutely endless – you can be whoever, whatever you want!

Not only that, but it’s like you have a whole new slate – you can recreate yourself as anyone once you’re at college – primarily because you’re no longer with with the same people who you’ve been going to school with for the past 12 years.

Here’s the thing, though.

All of that stuff that went on in high school, the drama, the cliques? Those are done, too.

That blank slate that you begin your college career with? It’s blank for everyone. Not just you. No one knows that you were the president of the chess club for four years.

No one knows that you were the quarterback for half of your senior year.

No one knows about that one time you slipped and

knocked yourself out on a locker.

No one knows any of that unless you tell them.

More importantly, no one cares. Once you’re here in college, all that matters is how you act and react.

The last four years of public education can be wildly different for different people: jocks can focus on sports, nerds and geeks focus on Dungeons and Dragons and band and the cheerleaders – I have no idea.

Anyway, because you spend four years around the same people, getting to know them (or hate them), every single relationship hiccup or change is absolutely critical to know about – and more importantly – to let everyone else know about.

That causes drama. And a little known fact about drama is that most people outside of high school don’t care about it. Drama is annoying, and it causes less work to get done. And that is key.

High school is primarily free. Public school doesn’t cost anything to attend, and as long as you keep a modicum of self-control, you’ll graduate. I say a modicum because you can screw around in class, and you probably won’t get kicked out of school for it.

You can fail some classes and probably won’t have to pay any money because of it. College, however, is not

free. In fact, as you will learn, college is quite expensive.

So while you might be bored in your communication theory class (which, it must be admitted, is a staggeringly dull subject), others may be desperately trying to pass it so their GPAs don’t drop and they lose their scholarships.

You might not think that the anthropology lecture is terribly interesting, but there are some people in that class studying that for their career.

In other words, nobody much cares if you don’t like the subject of the class you’re in. They care very much that they pass the class – because if they don’t, they have to take it again. And that costs money.

Every time you distract other students so that they miss important information in the lecture, that’s money out of their pocket.

So nobody cares that you’re just in that boring intro class for the easy credits.

They just want you to suffer in silence.

College can be one of the best times of your life.

It may be the first time that you’ve gotten to experience some things, and it can change your life in so many ways.

But it’s not high school writ large. It’s totally new, and the sooner you get that the high school crap doesn’t fly anymore, the happier you’ll be. S

Page 12

Life on the Bluffs

Caption Contest

Campus Chatter

Orientation Issue Kaitlin Nelson knelson6@uccs.edu

Photos by Robert Solis

Fill in Obama’s thought bubble for the chance to win a prize! Turn in As we welcome the new incoming freshmen, many students reflect on the things your captions to the Scribe office (UC 106) during the first week of they wish they had known their first year. Listen to current students’ advice on how to the Fall 2012 semester for a chance to win. make the most of both your freshman year and your college experience as a whole.

Madeline Conrique

Junior, Psychology/Criminal Justice What’s the biggest piece of advice you have for the incoming freshman class? Is there anything you wish you had known?

Really use your advisors. They always told me that during orientation and stuff, and I just figured I could do it on my own, they weren’t going to be much help, but through the years I’ve learned that they actually are.

Alex Carbo

Junior, Human Biology/Pre-med

Photo by Nick Burns, photo illustration by Alex Gradisher

What’s the biggest piece of advice you have for the incoming freshman class?

Make sure you ask teachers good questions or any help they have. Even if they’re not the listening types, keep talking to them. Go to the Math Learning Center and Science Learning Center. Trust me, they help a lot.

Alyssa Snedeker

Senior, Elementary Education/Geography What’s the biggest piece of advice you have for the incoming freshman class? Is there anything you wish you had known?

Definitely study more. When you get home from your classes, review your notes or else you’ll just forget it all by the next class, and that way it can help you study for your finals. Definitely have friends. Especially if you live in the dorms, don’t make enemies. I would say contact your teacher as much as you can, because with the extra help and actually getting to know your teacher, they will know your work and see if you’re progressing through what you’re doing and everything and, if they see you not progressing, they’ll actually be able to talk to you and offer help. I think those are my three biggest mistakes that I learned to fix.

That, and do homework, because I never did homework, but now I do.

Josh Goldman

Senior, Biochemistry What’s the biggest piece of advice you have for the incoming freshman class? Is there anything you wish you had known?

Pay attention, actually buy your books and parking passes ahead of time, and most of all, remember this isn’t high school. Everyone here is just as smart as you were when you were used to being the smartest in class. You’re just going to have to work for it. S

Orientation Issue

Life on the Bluffs

the Scribble

Freebies like pizza and chocolate make for easy dorm living Ella Vader uccsscribble@gmail.com

At the beginning of a new semester and with the transition of moving into the dorms, students often wonder what dorm life will be like. However, not even the upperclassmen know all the secrets of the dorms.

Elizabeth Morgan, senior, discovered an old dorm secret when she was working as an RA last semester. After much persuasion, which may or may not have included buying her a new canvas and paint set, she revealed that the RAs have chocolate fountains in their armoires.

The fountains, which were installed when the dorms were first built, house milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate and any other kind of chocolate you can think of.

After realizing that the RAs might need initiative to take time away from their own studies and help struggling students, housing manager Erika Strasser ordered them built.

“It’s simple, really,” said Strasser. “If RAs have free chocolate, they’ll be more likely to want to help these students get adjusted to college life.”

Strasser indicated that there was more to the dorms than the chocolate fountains but refused to comment further. After

hearing that there were chocolate fountains only available to RAs, her assistant was more than willing to give comment for her.

“There’s a tunnel between the dorms.

We don’t usually tell anyone; once someone finds the tunnel, it makes it easier to get around and party all night,” said Jason Chandler, junior. “I found it freshman year. Some of us wanted to make it easier to party and well, the tunnels are perfect.”

The tunnel runs by the stairwell of “Monkey Ridge,” the nickname for Monarch, Keystone and Breckenridge.

Once you walk far enough into the tunnel, you’ll find anything you need for a welcome bash.

“It lets us throw kick-ass parties. Maybe if the people in Alpine had the tunnel, they would too,” added Chandler.

One other key ingredient in those parties is the Slurpee machine on the second floor of Breckenridge. The frozen Mountain Dew is more likely to be empty, but the mango-raspberry is always available.

Chandler noted that you can buy the best frozen pizza you’ll ever eat in the vending machine next to the Slurpee.

Also, if you’re really nice to your RA, maybe he or she will share the chocolate fountain with you. But don’t count on it; it isn’t easy to share chocolate, as everyone knows. S

Page 13

Disclaimer: The contents of the Scribble are completely fabricated, peppered with inconsistencies and laced with lies. Any resemblance to the truth found herein is a matter of sheer luck. The Scribble should be approached with a healthy dose of skepticism, and its claims should be taken - if they are taken at all - with many grains of salt.

Hidden Object Contest

A little-known fact about UCCS is that, prior to its founding, the campus served as a hideout for a venomous pack of land pirates. Legend has it that thieves have stashed nine of their flags in various buildings around campus, but they have yet to be found. The first student to collect them all and return them The Scribe will win pirate booty. S

Photo illustration by Nick Burns

Invisible Joe

Photo by Robert Solis, photo elements courtesy of Joe Shlabotnik and ofeverydaylife Photo illustration by Alex Gradisher, photo elements courtesy of Joe Shlabotnik Chocolate fountains, provided for RAs in the dorms, are hidden their armoires.

It’s always important to pick a dorm mate you trust. It is also important that they don’t dress like this and ask “Got any weed?” before saying hello. Does Joe even come to school anymore?

Sports

Page 14

Orientation Issue

Intramurals give students chance to play competitive sports Kailey Hernandez

khernand@uccs.edu UCCS has a plethora of opportunities for student athletes to play and for fans to watch them play.

The university is home to women’s softball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, cross-country and track, as well as men’s basketball, soccer, crosscountry, golf and track.

Throughout the year, students will have an opportunity to cheer on their teams, both at the Gallogly Events Center and the Four Diamond Athletic Complex.

But for the students who are not interested in or qualified to play on the official teams but still want to play competitively, the Rec Center offers a variety of intramurals. Options for

students include dodgeball, flag football, ultimate Frisbee, water polo and others.

Upon choosing an intramural sport, students are required to fill out a roster entry form. Once their roster is filled, they must bring the form back into the Rec Center with the team payment of $30.

Sports that require a payment are typically a league format, with several weeks of regular season games and a postseason tournament to decide the champion.

Winning isn’t the only perk to intramurals said sophomore in chemistry Ross Haugberg, “I like how you can show up for intramurals and even if you’re not very good, you can still have a great time. We had an ultimate Frisbee team and we didn’t win any games,

but everyone was still all in and had fun.”

Sports such as indoor hockey, handball, table tennis, grass volleyball, kickball and dodgeball are one-night only tournaments that do not require an admission fee.

After signing up for an intramural sport, students will want to make sure that their captains attend all captain meetings. At these meetings, the team captains will be briefed on the rules of their league and also receive their schedules for the season. Event schedules can also be found online at the Rec Center’s website as well.

It is not required that you have a full team in order to participate in intramurals. If there is a student that wants to play but can’t seem to find people to make up a team, then they can sign

up for the free agent roster.

Here, students will be assigned to teams that do not have enough players, or a new team will be made of free agents.

For teams that are full, but are looking for additional players, the free agent roster can also be helpful. In this case they can simply look upon the free agent roster and pick up players that are looking for teams.

For more information on fall intramurals, contact the Rec Center or check out the Rec Center Photo by Nick Burns website at uccs. edu/~campusrec/. Basketball is one of many intramural sports offered at UCCS throughout the year.

S

Outdoor recreation opportunities abound within area Tyler Bodlak tbodlak@uccs.edu

Colorado Springs is an outdoor lover’s paradise.

With Pikes Peak serving as the city’s backdrop, there are a variety of hiking, biking and fishing options for students within the immediate area.

Hiking If you don’t mind sidestepping the occasional Segway tour or being trapped in an endless line of cars, one of the most spectacular hiking destinations within Colorado Springs is Garden of the Gods. And with good reason.

With its otherworldly formations and reef-like line of fins, the scenery at Garden of the Gods is tough to beat. The park has many miles of trails, both paved and gravel, as well as multiple climbing routes.

Due to its sterling reputation, however, Garden of the Gods is not the place to go if you’re looking for solitude.

Cheyenne Canon is. Located at 2110 N. Cheyenne Canon Rd., this canyon is less well-known than Garden of the Gods but every bit as spectacular. With its towering canyon walls and the occasional waterfall, Cheyenne Canon has

both demanding hikes and short, pleasant strolls.

During the early fall months, visitors to the canyon have access to High Drive, a winding gravel road that takes drivers to a series of overlooks high above the city.

Also, if you’re looking to catch a glimpse of the uber-touristy Seven Falls without touching your wallet, the Mount Cutler hike (located within the canyon) will give hikers an excellent vantage point from which to view the falls.

Mountain Biking The premiere mountain biking destination within Colorado Springs is Palmer Park (3650 Maizeland Rd.). Located just a short ride down Austin Bluffs Parkway, Palmer Park is an ideal location for both experienced and beginning mountain bikers.

The trails at Palmer Park are divided into three categories: blacks, blues and greens. This allows bikers to easily gauge the difficulty of the trail before beginning a ride.

The most difficult trails are rock-strewn single track paths that will challenge even the best riders.

But no matter which trail you choose, you can rest assured that you will have a great view.

For mountain bikers

Garden of the Gods is a popular hiking spot for many students. who are looking for a loop trail, the two best options in the area are Rampart Reservoir and the Air Force Academy’s Falcon Trail.

Rampart Reservoir is located between Colorado Springs and Woodland Park off of Rampart Range Road. It is hands down the area’s most scenic ride, a 16-mile joy ride around a reservoir that offers constant views of Pikes Peak.

The Falcon Trail offers a little bit of everything, smoothly mixing techni-

cal sections, long climbs and lengthy downhills into a single 12-mile loop.

Riders will cruise past both Falcon Stadium and the chapel while biking the loop.

As this trail is located on Air Force Academy property, please note that a car search will be required for entrance into the Academy.

Fishing Though there are no great fishing locations within Colorado Springs,

Photo by Ariel Lattimore

there are several within an hour’s drive of the city.

One of these is Eleven Mile State Park and Canyon (4229 Country Rd. 92).

The reservoir is stocked with trout, pike and salmon. During the winter months, it is also a great location for ice fishing.

Located within short driving distance of the park is Eleven Mile Canyon, an excellent location for fly fishing. Here, a gently flowing stream meanders its way through a boulder-

strewn canyon and gives access to some of the best fly fishing around. Camping is also permitted within the area.

For some small-scale fishing within city limits, Quail Lake Park (Cheyenne Mountain Boulevard and Quail Lake Road) is good for a quick fishing trip. Along with fishing from the shore, you can take your non-motorized boat out on the water, play on the volleyball and basketball courts, or take a run around the fitness trail. S

Sports

Orientation Issue

Page 15

Rec Center offers variety of ways to work out and have fun Ryan Adams

radams3@uccs.edu Year round intramurals, state-of-the-art equipment and fun classes attract students and faculty alike, making the Rec Center one of the busiest places to be from August to May. Yet, for brand new Mountain Lions, it may seem a tad difficult to know exactly what the Rec Center is, what is there and who can help.

gust when school starts to see which ones you want to participate in.

Some events like the fall and spring tournaments are free to students, but the costs for the intramural leagues are $30 dollars a team (which comes out to around $5 per person, since most sports have six or more players). Winners of intramural tournaments get a free meal from Chipotle and the highly coveted intramural champion t-shirt.

In addition to intramu-

Photos by Nick Burns

Above: Zumba is one the of the many group fitness classes offered at the UCCS Rec Center.

Left: Students can swim laps, play water polo or slide down the drop slide at the pool.

Below: The fitness area includes cardiovascular machines, a weight area and a stretching area.

Not to fear, though, as this short guide will help incoming students navigate the facility and begin to enjoy it themselves.

The first thing to know about the Rec Center, especially for freshmen and new students, has to be its outstanding intramural program. From the day school starts in August until the week before finals in May, the intramural calendar is full of events.

During the first week of the fall semester, there are three or four free tournaments for students.

The Rec Center also adds new intramural offerings each year, so be sure to check its website (uccs. edu/~campusrec) in Au-

rals, the Rec Center also offers plenty of exercise classes for students looking to keep off that freshman 15 or to just stay in shape.

Each semester, there are a multitude of activities, including the Zumba class, aqua exercise, pilates and cardio kickboxing, The Rec Center website has a calendar that lists these and other classes.

Aside from intramurals and exercise classes, the Rec Center is also home to the Student Outdoor Lead Expedition (SOLE) Center.

Here, students have access to a variety of outdoor gear and camping gear that is available for

rent. The offerings include backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, cook stoves, sleeping pads and other camping gear. In addition,

UCCS students are also allotted 10 free days of mountain bike checkouts per semester.

The Rec Center is a

great place for students but especially new students. The staff is always around to answer any questions you may have

and can be reached by phone at extension 7515 or individual emails, which can be found on the website. S

Ryan Adams

Yes, it would be awesome if UCCS had a football team. It would provide weekend entertainment during the fall and serve as a unifying force for the school’s student body. Indeed, it would enhance the student experience here, but right now, it is not in the cards.

From speaking with Athletic Director Steven Kirkham, it doesn’t seem to be in the best interests

of the school to have a football team here right now.

Yes, UCCS is in a “growth stage.” We all know that. But what people don’t realize is how much it costs to run a football team.

UCCS would have to build a stadium, recruit coaches and players, gain NCAA certification and try to cover the endless list of miscellaneous costs that will accompany

a football team.

I agree completely with Kirkham that we first need to focus on the sports we have rather than the sports we want. It doesn’t make sense to blow money on a football team when we are trying to reach our potential in other sports like soccer, golf, basketball and softball.

Sure, some of those sports are struggling right now, but won’t that be the same case for football?

Won’t the football team experience the growing pains that all new team go through? I don’t think they can just magically become good and be an instant profit center like everyone thinks.

Yes, those last few paragraphs are pretty negative and I don’t see eye-to-eye with many students who want a football team.

A football team at UCCS may one day happen. For right now, though, why

don’t we just continue rooting for the teams we have instead of the team we want?

The Blackout and Whiteout nights at soccer, basketball and volleyball provide opportunities for students to show their school spirit. Showing the administration that we have an interest in existing sports teams will make the addition of a football more likely in the future. S

Root for the teams we have, not the ones we don’t radams3@uccs.edu The UCCS administration gets the same questions every year.

“When will UCCS ever get a football team?”

“Why don’t we have one in the first place?” “Can’t we afford one with how much we are growing?”

The answer to all three is a collective and emphatic, “No!”

Our company name Mystery Guest Inc has a vacancy in our office for the post of a team player and a shopper, Requirements: -Should be computer Literate.

-24 hours access to the internet weekly.

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