NEWS BRIEFS A student reflection of the UNC community
Ensuring safety in the midst of violence
UNC will be celebrating International Education Week this week. The week-long event takes place at hundreds of colleges and universities throughout the nation and provides students with a variety of opportunities to learn about studying abroad and world culture. UNC’s event will feature keynote speaker Katie Krueger, author of “Give with Gratitude: Lessons Learned While Listening to West Africa,” and many other activities. A complete schedule of the week’s activities is available at http://www.unco.edu/ cie/events/iew.html.
With violent events taking place around the turn a blind eye and dismiss tragedies as if they could never happen close to home. Reporter Riley Krumpholz investigates UNC’s readiness.
Leaders for civic engagement will host a public forum to raise awareness of civic issues on Tuesday. The forum, which is targeted at young people throughout Greeley, will take place from 6–9 p.m. in Michener L0074.
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Colorado is ranked second among states with the least number of weight problems, according to a WalletHub study. The study looked at the percentage of adults who are considered overweight or obese, residents with high cholesterol, children who are considered overweight or obese and several other factors within each state and found that Colorado is among the states with the least number of weight problems. For the full report, visit: https://wallethub. com/edu/fattest-states/16585/.
THE BEGINNING AND ENDING OF A WAR ON TERROR on Paris terrorist attacks and the aftermath that may follow. PAGE 8
VOLLEYBALL HONORS SENIORS IN HOME GAME
HELPING HANDS AIDS FACULTY FOR HOLIDAY SEASON
Volleyball’s win over
A program collects donations and nominations for UNC
going into the Big Sky Tournament. PAGE 7
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UNC business students won the 2015 Deloitte FanTAXtic Regional Case Competition and will be advancing to the national contest, taking place Jan. 15-17. The team, comprising of five accounting students, will go up against the winners of eight other regional contests in an effort to win $50,000 in student scholarships.
For the week of
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News
NEWS CALENDAR
TUE 11/17
Editor: Chelsea Hinspeter
November 16, 2015 | uncmirror.com
Is UNC prepared for an active shooter?
Complete Schedule Withdrawal Deadline 9:30-10:30 a.m. Student Listening Session with President Kay Norton APASS/NASS/Kohl House
WED 11/18 5:30-7 p.m. Student Senate Meeting University Center- Council Room 5:30-7 p.m. Student Senate’s Town Hall University Center- Council Room
THU 11/19 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Well Rounded Scholar Lecture Series: Getting Medieval: What Does That Really Mean? Candelaria Hall- Room 1375 6-8 p.m. Student Leadership for Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) Meeting University Center- Spruce B
FRI 11/20 9-10 a.m. Student Listening Session with President Kay Norton Marcus Garvey Cultural Center /Davis House 1-2 p.m. National Student Exchange Information Session University Center- Spruce A
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By Riley Krumpholz news@uncmirror.com
With violent events taking place around the world, it has become increasingly difficult to turn a blind eye and dismiss tragedies as if they could never happen close to home. Gun-related violence has never been absent from the media. Recently though, it seems like gun violence at American universities has become more prominent in the news. During his speech after a shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon, President Obama emphasized that gun violence is becoming too common in the U.S. “Somehow this has become routine,” Obama said in an address. “The reporting is routine. My response here at this podium ends up being routine, the conversation in the aftermath of it... We have become numb to this.” Some UNC students think school shootings are something distant— something that happens elsewhere but not on Greeley’s campus. “Even when you hear about shootings at universities, you never think anything like that could happen to you or happen at your university,” said Alex Kleidon, a senior graphic design major at UNC. Regardless, UNC has taken precautionary steps to initiate awareness of gun violence on campus in addition to the safety of the community. “I can’t speak for other universities, but our university is well prepared for campus violence and offers training to all employees in how to deal with campus violence,” said Diane Schott, a lecturer of sociology at UNC. “For example, most classrooms are equipped with ‘panic buttons’ near the professor’s work station in case we would need to quickly lock down or lock in our classrooms.” UNC also hosts classes aimed at teaching students and faculty what to do in case of an emergency situation. “The first thing you should try to do is get out, if you can, and call the police,” said Lynn Klyde-Silverstein, an associate professor of journalism and
mass communications, who attended one of the safety classes offered by the university. “If you can’t, you should hide. They said not to stay in one place. Everyone should spread out.” Precautionary steps are often just as important as knowing what do during an emergency. In most cases of active shooters, the aggressor will indicate they plan on harming others. Not only is awareness potentially lifesaving, but in some cases, being aware of a situation can stop it from ever occurring. “There are multiple reporting systems at UNC where an individual can report an incident or a person of concern,” said Dennis Pumphrey, chief of UNC police. “This includes reporting directly to the UNC police department, web-based reporting on the Dean of Students’ website under ‘submit a report’ or under the emergency management website. Web-based reporting should not be used if a threat appears to be imminent, as web-based reporting has a delayed review.” While the Constitution states, “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed,” many Americans have interpreted that the Second Amendment protects the rights of citizens to own firearms. As a result, access to firearms is not necessarily difficult. “This debate, in this country, often centers around gun control and gun laws,” Schott said. “However, there is a stigma attached to mental illness that keeps families and those with emotional problems from seeking the help they need, [which] is not always available, especially if you’re under or not insured. As a sociologist, we tend to look at overall rates of violence in our society as compared to more peaceful societies to see the differences, such as gender socialization and media’s availability and influence.” Schott also mentioned in addition to the stigma surrounding mental health, American society and culture is often desensitized to violence. “I believe the steps the UNC campus has taken are great steps,” Schott said. “I also believe as people, we often are afraid to get involved when we see
Maeve Widmann | The Mirror
UNC displays information about active shooter situations provided by the Department of Homeland Security, including the profile of an active shooter and how to respond. It is also featured in a printable pocket handbook available on the UNCPD website.
something that doesn’t look quite right. I like the campaign that says, ‘If you see something, say something.’ In other words, we need to be vigilant about protecting ourselves and others, not afraid to intrude on someone’s privacy or afraid to get involved when something doesn’t look right.” David Diggs, a professor of geography, said although UNC isn’t necessarily unprepared for this kind of situation, the university isn’t as prepared as it could be. Currently, UNC does not brief incoming students on active shooter awareness or preparedness, something Diggs said he believes should change. He said gun violence isn’t discussed at new student orientation in order to avoid making parents uncomfortable. But while gun violence isn’t a pleasant conversation, it may still be worth having. “Uncomfortable situations should never trump safety,” Diggs said. Regardless of the cause, many argue that campus shootings have become too common on American soil, and precautions need to be made despite discomfort. “At the very minimum, every fac-
ulty member, every staff member and every student should be required to attend UNC’s active shooter workshop,” Diggs said. “I would argue that it’s not enough—but that it is an excellent start for being able to claim that the faculty, staff and student elements of campus have basic training on how to respond in case of an active shooter.” While reports of gun violence have become more common and awareness is becoming more important, some students do not live in fear that a mass shooting will happen at UNC. “I don’t feel unsafe here, but with recent events in the news, it makes you more aware of what is going on,” Kleidon said. Pumphrey explained that, overall, campus shootings are a rare occurance. “It’s important to remember that an active shooter or mass shooting event is a statistically rare occurrence,” Pumphrey said. “You’re at significantly greater risk of injury or death when driving.” For more information regarding campus safety, active shooter awareness classes or to get in touch with a UNC police officer, contact the UNC Police Department at 970-351-2245.
November 16, 2015 | uncmirror.com
Professor’s last chance to impart knowledge Political science professor makes
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THE MIRROR STAFF 2015-16 Editor-in-Chief Katarina Velazquez editor@uncmirror.com Production Manager Manuel Perez adproduction@uncmirror.com
By Drew Heiderscheidt news@uncmirror.com
Lecturer Gregory Williams of the political science department recently gave a presentation called “The Last Lecture.” The topic: What knowledge would you impart upon the world if it were your last chance? “Can I do a mic drop?” Williams asked the UNC Mortar Board staff at the beginning of the lecture. The answer was a resounding no, as he would break the microphone. Williams said the knowledge he would want to give to the world had less to do with his own mortality and more to do with the lives of social systems. Williams explained that the best system would be one where people are not forced to live in destitution and exploit the environment. He said society would be better off if it believed it could make that change. Social systems are massive, Williams said. They encompass almost everything, ranging from institutions like the Catholic Church to nations like the Kurds in Northern Iraq to entire economies. He also mentioned in all social systems, there is both inequality and interaction with the natural world. “The lives of social systems lie with resources’ scarcity,” Williams said. “Essentially meaning that as resources become scarcer, new social systems come into place or vice versa.” Williams argued that historically, scarcity has been the norm— even now people only live under the illusion of abundance. As a result, societies have formed as a way to combat scarcity, he said. Williams said this interaction could be seen within feudalism, a system where agrarian labor would usually work in exchange for protection, which lasted from around the ninth to 15th centuries in Western Europe. Agrarian laborers were known as serfs, a group that was neither enslaved nor entirely free. And, just like the lives of people, feudalism was born. It grew. It became sick, in this case due to the Black Death. It declined. And it finally perished. Remaining on the topic of how society functions as a way to address resource scarcity, Williams said the environment and economy are not separate entities, and instead, capitalism functions as a way to divide nature. “Capitalism is driven by the need for endless capital accumulation,” Williams said. Capitalism must have resources to expand, Williams said, and the world is running out of those resources. Peak production has been passed. Williams said he had three thoughts he wanted to make clear about social systems: First, systems do not last forever, whether or not they are disliked; second, despite newfound scarcity, society has no idea how long capitalism will last; and third, scarcity does not always lead to the same outcomes.
News Editor Chelsea Hinspeter news@uncmirror.com A&C Editor La’Asianee Brown arts@uncmirror.com Sports Editor Dylan Sanchez sports@uncmirror.com Photo Editor Cassius Vasquez photo@uncmirror.com Copy Editor Mikhala Krochta Marketing/Social Media Managers Libby Harrington Maria Morante marketing@uncmirror.com Advertising Manager Hannah Crowley ads@uncmirror.com General Manager Matt Lubich mlubich@uncmirror.com Office Address: 823 16th St. Greeley, Colorado 80631 Phone Number: 970-392-9270
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Arts & Culture
ARTS CALENDAR
MON 11/16 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Daily Event) The Ballast: Anja Marais Art Show Guggenheim Hall- Mariani Gallery
Editor: La’Asianée Brown
November 16, 2015 | uncmirror.com
Oak Room Gallery presents: How to Explain Death to a Dead Hare Staff Report
10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Daily Event) How to Explain Death to a Dead Hare: Art Exhibition by Chelsea Ruiz Crabbe Hall- Oak Room Gallery
Photos by Maeve Widmann arts@uncmirror.com
Chelsea Ruiz shares her resolution to personal experiences through mixed media artwork in the art exhibition “How to Explain Death to a Dead Hare.” The exhibition will be on display through Dec. 5 in Crabbe Hall at the Oak Room Gallery. Ruiz received her art K-12 teaching license from the University of Northern Colorado in 2013. She is currently a visual arts graduate student emphasizing in painting at the College of Performing and Visual Arts. Ruiz teaches art at Highland Middle School in Ault, Colorado and works as project manager at the Center for Integrated Arts Education at UNC. The CIAE began at UNC in the fall of 2006. The center provides professional development for Colorado teachers, administrators, artists and arts education advocates through leadership training, facilitated planning and arts workshop opportunities. They are centered in the understanding of the arts.
9-11 p.m. Open Mic Night University Center- Fireside Lounge
TUE 11/17 8 a.m.-5 p.m. UNC Globetrotter Photo Exhibit University Center
WHEN: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Nov. 4 - Dec. 5
4:30-6 p.m. International Education Week: Swag your Ramen University Center- Columbine A & B
WHErE: Crabbe Hall Oak Room Gallery
8-10:30 p.m. Movie Premiere: TransWorld Snowboarding’s “Origins” Michener Library- Lindou Auditorium
WED 11/18 11 a.m.-3 p.m. African Student United presents: Taste of Africa University Center- Fireside Lounge
THU 11/19 7:30 p.m. Performing Arts Series: “Marathon 33” Frasier Hall- Langsworthy Theatre
”Antonia the Bingo Saint.” Acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 2014.
“Allegory of the Elk Tanks.” Acrylic and graphite on canvas, 2011.
November 16, 2015 | uncmirror.com
Holiday howto: Help UNC By La’Asianee Brown arts@uncmirror.com
The chili cook-off this year included a $5 admission fee that was used to fund the Helping Hands program at the University of Northern Colorado. Elizabeth Mahoney, chair of professional staff administrative council (PASC), shared how UNC students and staff can help faculty during the holiday season through the Helping Hands program. Can you elaborate on why this program was established? UNC Helping Hands was established as a fundraising effort to help fellow employees and faculty on campus who need an extra hand during the holidays. For example, a few years ago, this program was able to help some of the UNC faculty and employees who were affected by the Colorado floods. What are other fundraisers that will be held for this cause? Additional donation efforts are being asked of the UNC community, especially faculty and staff. These are done by private donations and may be made by contacting Ben Rudolph at (970) 351-1871. Only cash and gift card donations can be accepted. We are accepting donations and nominations until Nov. 20. Please visit www.unco.edu/pasc and look for UNC Helping Hands to learn more about this fundraiser. Are donations to individuals anonymous? All nominations and individuals who receive donations are anonymous. Only a small selection committee that is responsible for reviewing the nominations, and ultimately disbursement of the funds raised, see the names and any information asked on the nomination forms. They all agree to not disclose any personal information to anyone outside of that particular selection committee. Recipients of the Helping Hands program receive gift cards from a local vendor, instead of cash, and will be contacted the week of Nov. 23.
Donate and lend a hand: Contact Ben Rudolph at (970) 351-1871.
Only cash and gift card donations can be accepted. We are accepting donations and nominations until Friday, Nov. 20. Visit www. unco.edu/pasc and look for UNC Helping Hands to learn more about this fundraiser.
Arts & Culture
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Sports
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Editor: Dylan Sanchez
November 16, 2015 | uncmirror.com
For next-day game recaps, check UNCMIRROR.COM SPORTS CALENDAR YELLOW = HOME GAME BLUE = AWAY GAME
MON 11/16 7 p.m. Women’s Basketball vs. Western State University Bank of Colorado Arena
TUES 11/17 7 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs. Colorado Christian University Bank of Colorado Arena
THUR 11/19 4:30 p.m. Women’s Volleyball vs. Sacramento State Flagstaff, Arizona 7 p.m. Women’s Basketball at University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado All Day Swim and Dive at Phil Hansel Invite Houston, Texas 5 p.m. Wrestling at Oklahoma University Norman, Oklahoma
FRI 11/20 All Day Swim and Dive at Wildcat Invite Tucson, Arizona
SAT 11/21 12 p.m. Football vs. Abilene Christian University Nottingham Field 5 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs. University of MarylandBaltimore Bank of Colorado Arena
Redshirt freshman QB leading by example By Kyle O’Neal
sports@uncmirror.com
Jacob Knipp is just a redshirt freshman for Northern Colorado’s football team, but he has shown a consistently calm demeanor and has proven to be wise beyond his years during his debut season as the team’s starting quarterback. The Arvada native out of Ralston Valley High School has led the Bears to five wins in nine games, three of which are conference wins against Big Sky foes. One of the most noticeable factors in the team’s recent success has been Knipp’s refusal to be rattled during big moments in important games. “He’s so young, but he’s smart enough to read the defenses, call quick checks and he’s just a really smart guy on the field,” senior defensive back James Davis said. But perhaps even more impressive than the intellect he displays on the field is the level of respect Knipp garners from his peers and his coaches. “We knew Jacob was a very mature
young man when we recruited him,” head coach Earnest Collins Jr. said. “He studies like you want a quarterback to study. You never see him too high, and you never see him too low. He’s a steady-eddy kid and he’s what you want in leadership regardless of position.” Knipp’s age and experience don’t necessarily gel with being loud or vocal. Instead, he prefers to lead with his actions on and off the field rather than his words. “He’s leading more by example,” Collins said. “He’s doing what he’s supposed to be doing. He’s studying. He’s got a GPA over 3.0, but he still finds time to get two or three extra hours of film work a week when he’s studying the opponent. The upperclassmen respect that because they see Jacob constantly working day in and day out.” The young quarterback recognizes his attitude has an impact on this team, and he credits his ability to stay calm as his primary attribute. “I think the biggest thing is to remain calm on the field, especially when times are tough or when you face adversity,” Knipp said. “That’s a huge part of being quarterback. Coach Collins says it
all the time: ‘When adversity hits you in the face, you have to remain cool, remain calm and make big plays in those situations.’” Knipp’s “cool play” couldn’t be more evident than in UNC’s biggest games against top-notch competition this year. In two games against nationally ranked teams in the top 10, Knipp has exhibited an impressive amount of maturity during the most clutch of moments. During the games against Eastern Washington and Portland State, Knipp threw for over 250 yards in each and combined for five touchdowns compared to just one turnover. His performance against PSU led to an upset victory over the ninth-ranked Vikings in the final minute of the game. The young quarterback showed poise as he drove the Bears down the field for the go-ahead touchdown. Northern Colorado is playing its best football in a long time, and the team is still very young, even outside of the quarterback position. If this season is an indication of things to come, Knipp and other members of the UNC football team must build on this steady foundation.
Mark Harro | The Mirror
Redshirt freshman Jacob Knipp carries the ball against Eastern Washington.
This week in Northern Colorado sports Staff Report
sports@uncmirror.com
WOmEN’S SOCCER
Less than a week after winning the Big Sky Conference Championship, the University of Northern Colorado women’s soccer team traveled to Tucson, Arizona for their first ever appearance in the NCAA tournament on Friday evening, falling to the University of Arizona 2-0. The Bears finish their 2015 season with their best D-I record since making the transition from D-II with a 13-8-2, 8-2-1 Big Sky season. Arizona, hosting their first ever NCAA tournament, put on a show for their home crowd, outshooting the Bears 27-7. Junior goalkeeper Kaitlin Ruff was excellent in net for UNC, making 10 saves on 12 shots on goal. True Freshman Mariel Gutierrez was the most dominant player for the Bears, firing three shots. Coming into the match, the Wildcats (12-5-2, 6-41 PAC-12) were 10-1 when scoring first, which made their 38’ minute goal feel like a game-sealing one.
Ruff was solid in the first half leading up to the Wildcat goal, making a series of saves which started with a free kick from the Wildcats. Ruff finished the first half with eight saves while the UNC offense had produced zero shots on goal. A better offensive showing led to three shots on goal in the final half, but a Wildcat goal at the 73’ minute led to UNC’s defeat. Northern Colorado will graduate five seniors but will retain leading scorers Gutierrez, sophomore Brooke Braden and junior Sydney Schroeder for the 2016 season.
graduates’ shoes but had a career night against KU, putting up 27 points, going 6-for-16 and 9-for-9 at the free-throw line. Michael was the highest scoring player of the night, with junior Anthony Johnson backing him up with 17 points and a block. As a team, the Bears shot 39 percent from the field and were 7-for-21 from three-point range. Kansas finished off the Bears, shooting at 55 percent from the field, hitting 15-of-26 three pointers. UNC returns for their home opener at 7 p.m. on Nov. 17 at the Bank of Colorado Arena.
mEN’S BASkETBALL
FOOTBALL
The University of Northern Colorado’s toughest task came on opening night as the Bears faced No. 4 Kansas on Friday night in Kansas, losing 109-72. The matchup was UNC’s second time playing a top 10 opponent, with their last game being played in 2004 against No. 6 Syracuse. College ball rosters change every year, but for UNC, this was the first time since 2011-2012 that Tevin Svihovec or Tim Huskisson weren’t on the court for a UNC season opener. Junior Cameron Michael has a tall task of filling the
Northern Colorado’s kryptonite appears to be indoor fields, as the University of North Dakota ran over the Bears with a 45-14 win on Saturday afternoon in the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The Bears have lost in two indoor games this season and have been out-scored 108-35 in those contests. UNC returns for their season-finale against Abilene Christian University at 12 p.m. on Saturday Nov. 21 at Nottingham Field. Continued on page 7.
Sports
November 16, 2015 | uncmirror.com
Volleyball honors seniors Alex Kloehn said. Currently, the team is riding the hottest streak in the conference. By Zach Blackburn Coach Oates smiled as she talked about her sports@uncmirror.com team’s performance in the game on Saturday and Roars and yells echoed throughout Butler- said she is looking forward to the tournament. “We’re the team making the big plays when it Hancock at the Bank of Colorado Arena on Saturday night. Fans and family from all over matters, and we’re confident in those situations the country came to support the Bears in their right now.” The Bears went on an 8-0 run to close out the last home volleyball game of the season. The day first set and a 9-3 to close was made even more special out the third. by honoring the three seniors Even with the win, UNC on the team. lost the tiebreaker for the Before the game, seniors second seed in the tourKendra Cunningham, Meanament against Idaho. But gan Garcia and Katie ChamOates said she wasn’t worpion were all presented with ried about it. flowers and standing ovaCoach Oates wasn’t just tions and were joined by their business as she took some families. Smiles and teary eyes time to reflect on her three flashed before the crowd on seniors and their final regthese seniors’ special day. ular season. The Bears (14-15) took on “Those three have had the Idaho Vandals (13-15) tremendous careers,” Oates for their last game of the said. “I wish Katie could season before the Big Sky not be in pain, but she has Conference Tournament. still had an amazing career, Junior setter Ashley Guthespecially leading us to the rie and freshman outside Big Sky championship last hitter Kortney Lockey both year and being named to let out booming cheers after the all-tournament team, crucial points. too. Kendra and Meagan But tensions were equalhave been on the floor a ly high, and after a missed lot, and their stats speak tip call by the referee, redBreelyn Bowe | The Mirror shirt freshman Emily O’Neil Sophomore outside hitter Timarie Ny- for themselves. They’re in and her team expressed meyer sends the ball spiraling into Eastern the thousands in terms of digs and kills, so they’ve their frustrations. Washington’s defense. done a lot for this program. The Bears won the match in four sets (25-22, 18-25, 25-23, 27-25). They They’ve set a standard for solid work ethic, and closed out sets when it mattered, something that’s what we want in our program.” The Bears play Northern Arizona University head coach Lyndsey Oates has harbored on next week for the Big Sky Tournament, where all season. “I think it’s a confidence thing,” Guthrie said. they will play three matches to determine who “Confidence in ourselves and each other. But we will go home with the championship win. have to turn it on when it matters most.” That confidence has helped the Bears win their final six games of the season. “A few weeks ago we sat down as a team and had a hard One Bedroom Loft........................................ $700 utilities paid talk,” Cunningham said. “Our goal was to go 6-0. We did it, Studio ..............................................................$500 plus lights and it’s an awesome feeling.” “Knowing that we set our Contact: minds to something like going Call Bill: (970) 371-2532 6-0, and then going out and Call Ryan: (970) 518-6446 doing it—it’s a great feeling,” sophomore middle blocker
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This week in Northern Colorado sports Continued from page 6.
Women’s BasketBall
Northern Colorado started regular season play and came out with a win over the University of Denver 60-51 on Friday night in Denver. Redshirt Savannah Smith led the game with 16 points, going 5-for-11 from the field, connecting on 3-of-7 three-pointers. Smith also had three assists and three steals for UNC. Northern Colorado finished with .418 shooting from the field, better than DU, who finished with .370. The Bears’ home opener against Western State University is at 7 p.m. on Monday at the Bank of Colorado Arena.
WRestlInG
Northern Colorado traveled to Arizona for a dual matchup with Arizona State and Grand Canyon University. On Thursday, UNC faced the Sun Devils and lost 21-14. Redshirt freshman Dylan Gabel had one of the toughest matches of the night when facing ASU’s Blake Stauffer. Stauffer is the No. 2 ranked wrestler in the country. Gabel wound up falling 3-1. UNC faced Grand Canyon University on the same day, winning 25-16. The Bears took the upper hand early, winning the first five matches,
including two technical falls by redshirt junior Trey Andrews and junior Sonny Espinoza. The Bears are on the road next week, traveling to Norman, Oklahoma on Thursday for their first dual against a Big 12 school since making the jump to the conference.
Women’s sWIm and dIVe
The Bears went 1-1 in two home swim meets, beating Colorado School of Mines 164.5-97 on Friday night and losing to Northern Arizona University 214-86 on Saturday afternoon. Overall, the Bears had two first-place finishes, five second-place finishes and finished third in seven total events in Saturday’s meet. UNC’s divers head to Tucson, Arizona for the Wildcat Invite on Friday, while the swimmers head to Houston, Texas for the Phil Hansel Invite on Thursday.
Women’s CRoss CoUntRY
Northern Colorado competed in the NCAA Mountain Regional hosted by the University of New Mexico. It is the final outdoor competition for them in this season. The Bears finished 18th overall with a total time of 1:58:28.61. Indoor season begins Dec. 10 when the Bears compete against the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado.
Opinion November 16, 2015 | uncmirror.com Paris: The beginning and ending of a war on terror 8
By Jett Goldsmith At 11 a.m. local time on Saturday, French President Francois Hollande released a statement condemning the series of highly coordinated terror attacks that plagued France late Friday night, resulting in immeasurable damage and the loss of over 150 lives. Hollande declared the attacks an “act of war” and vowed a “merciless” response against the culprits. The attacks, he said, were coordinated and carried out by ISIS. ISIS confirmed this several hours later in an online statement, taking full credit. In the aftermath of these attacks, escalations are almost inevitable. Emergency meetings will be held, and a coalition may likely be formed to combat ISIS in Syria and Iraq. The world’s attention—global media, citizens and governments— will turn to Islamic extremism once again. If current sentiments are to be
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believed, the event could herald the start of a new war on terror. And it will also herald the end of one. The end of a war on terror—state terror—has finally come. Terror groups have finally superseded dictators as the recipient of the world’s ire, and a special impunity has been granted to state actors who so blatantly and egregiously violate international humanitarian law. For the past four and a half years, the Western-backed Free Syrian Army, grown from Syrian citizens and defectors from Assad’s Syrian Arab Army who revolted against the myriad abuses of power under Bashar al-Assad and his father before him, has been engaged in a long and bloody conflict with the Syrian state. This conflict has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions more—over 4 million, according to September 2015 statistics from Amnesty International. It is within this conflict that ISIS
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established its foothold and pieced together a half-functional state in the power vacuum of the northern Syrian countryside. It is a direct result of the Syrian conflict that ISIS was able to orchestrate and carry out such a large-scale attack with perfect precision. And as the world turns its attention to ISIS, Assad will be lost in the mix. Since the inception of the Syrian Civil War during 2011’s Arab Spring, the United States has lent its support and blessings to the Syrian opposition. This act of foreign policy is far from based in humanitarianism and often has served as detrimental to the conflict—U.S. armaments, on multiple occasions, have ended up in Islamic hands. But the fact can’t be escaped that Assad, like many other Middle-Eastern theocrats, is a brutal dictator. In fact, he is exceptionally brutal, rivaled contemporarily perhaps only by Saddam Hussein. Ask the people of Syria—perhaps those belonging to the White Hel-
mets, some of the only search and rescue operators currently active in the country. They’ll tell you the onset of conflict was indeed a legitimate revolt against a nasty dictatorship, a sad state of affairs which has led to the establishment of their organization. And they have their work cut out for them, cleaning up after the SAA’s indiscriminate barrel bombings, which have claimed the lives of tens of thousands, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Assad’s wartime tactics, which include the use of chlorine, sarin and makeshift explosive devices dropped from 10,000 feet up on entire suburban towns, are largely an expression of an armed forces’ suffering from chronic shortages. Despite this, they have been widely condemned by international organizations from the United Nations to Médecins Sans Frontières, as in direct violation of international law. And they are the hallmark of state terror,
which embraces the same tactics as extremist networks within the framework of a functioning country. Assad’s role in the rise of ISIS can’t be understated. Aside from the state of chaos caused by the civil war, which led directly to the establishment of the Islamic State, Assad has delicately embraced ISIS’s presence within his country, both militarily and propagandistically. SAA strikes on Ar-Raqqa province, a main stronghold of ISIS, have been heavily limited. Instead, Assad has focused primarily on striking FSA positions and has even maintained service and support for state-run mobile phone and internet services in ISIS-held territory... *To read the ending of this opinion column, visit uncmirror.com. - Jett Goldsmith is a freshman international affairs major with an emphasis in Middle Eastern studies. He can be reached at editor@uncmirror.com.