Bill seeks separate governance from state colleges for Metro
John R. Crane
The Metropolitan

A bill enabling Metro to discontinue funding other state colleges and to set up its own governance board passed through the House Education Committee Jan. 28.

House Bill 1165, sponsored by Nolbert Chavez, D- Denver, and State Sen. Penfield Tate, D- Denver, passed by a vote of 10 to 1.

Under current policy, Metro, Adams State College, Mesa State College and Western

State College are overseen by the Board of Trustees of State Colleges in Colorado. Funds are distributed among the schools by the board according to budgetary needs.

The bill would permit Metro to set up its own board of trustees while the state board will have a base fund for the other colleges to fall back on when enrollment fluctuates at those colleges.

"We’re pleased a bill met the needs of all stakeholders," said Sheila Kaplan, president of Metro.

The bill was introduced in January 2001 by Chavez and failed to pass the Education Committee by a narrow margin the following February. Opponents last year said the bill would financially cripple the other colleges.

With per student state funding for Metro less than that of the other colleges, as much as $4 million has been taken away and given to the other schools, said Joan Foster, president of the Faculty Senate at Metro.

" The other schools are traditional, rural and residential," Foster said. " Metro is non-traditional, urban, and is a commuter campus. Therefore Metro has a different mission."

While Metro is an urban four-year school of opportunity, the other schools offer graduate programs, like more traditional schools, Foster said.

Under the present allocation system, Metro has been helping pay the bills for those programs.

If the bill gets signed by Gov. Owens after passing through the House Appropriations Committee, the House floor, and the Senate, it will give Metro its own, said Stefanie Vassilaros, Student Government Assembly’s vice president of student organization.

"The bill will promote easier fundraising ," Vassilaros said." It will bring in more money for scholarships as well."

Metro will also have more clout in effecting state education decisions, Foster said.

"It will be good to have our own governing board alongside CU, CSU and UNC," Foster said.

With more fundraising, its own governance board and the burden of financially supporting three other schools lifted, Metro will be able to better focus on its mission as an urban school of opportunity. And with base funding from the state board for the other colleges to rely on if needed, everyone benefits.

"This is a good first step," Kaplan said." We were pleased to get support from the House Education Committee. Everyone’s interests were met."

Auraria students said they support the decision of the Education Committee.

"If there’s not a way to divide the money more evenly, then Metro is better off by itself," said Masood Zeerak, Community College of Denver student.

Marcella Moreno, Metro sophomore, said she likes the idea of having autonomy.

"As long as the students benefit from what Metro has to offer as a result, then I’m all for it," Moreno said.

Lou DiMartino, University of Colorado at Denver graduate student, said he would like to see more tangible results as well.

" I support it," DiMartino said, "As long as it brings more resources to the campus."

"With Metro being under the state system, students are not sure what’s going on," said Rebecca Bruno, Metro senior. "It’s better to have students know who they’re dealing with."

‘Metro is non-traditional, urban and is a commuter campus. Therefore Metro has a different mission.’

-Joan Foster
president, Metro Faculty Senate
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Tivoli conjures up celluloid past
Matthew Campbell
The Metropolitan

Let the fun begin, and let the film roll. Tivoli Theatres, as well as the Mann Tamarac Square theater complex, will be converted into art film venues. The theaters will be showing everything from independent films to cult classics.

The Tivoli theater complex houses 12 screens. It is hoped that 5 to 6 of those will be used to show films seven days a week.

The Denver Film Society, sponsors of the Denver International Film Festival, and Starz Encore, have an agreement worked out with the University of Colorado at Denver, the current tenants of the space, to use the theaters for specific events. The society is looking to turn that space into the Starz Encore FilmCenter. The theaters were previously operated by AMC, which vacated in the spring of 2000.

"We are hoping to be up and running by April 1," said Britt Erickson, The Denver Film Society's director of public relations. "Our hope is to bring more of what is presented at the Festival, to the public, on a year round basis."

Starz Encore has also pledged to raise 9 million dollars for renovation of the theater space. The ground-breaking for renovation is hoped to be in November of this year. The final vision is a complex with a total of five theaters.

The Denver area currently has three art film venues. The Mayan, Esquire, and Chez Artiste have eight screens combined and are owned and operated by Landmark Theatres. Landmark has controlled the market on art houses for over 20 years.

Erickson said the society is not concerned about competition. "We are a non-profit organization that has been around for 25 years," Erikson said. "We are not looking to compete with Landmark, but rather we are just looking for a place where we can continue our work of providing the public with this product."

Landmark could not be reached for comment.

Jake Manley, Metro senior, seems to be excited about the prospect of having the theaters on campus. "I am a big fan of independent film and I am glad that there will be such an easily accessible site to take in films. It will be good to see things that aren't always available in Denver," Manley said.

Nicole Adams, Metro freshman, also expressed a positive interest in the theaters. "I think that anything that can make people more aware of the arts is a good thing," Adams said.

"Students should expect opening week festivities that include free screenings," added Erikson. "We want the students to be aware of what is going on and that we will be present on campus."
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Rioting students face out of state tuition
Sean Weaver
The Metropolitan

A bill that would require students convicted of riot-related offenses to pay out-of-state tuition passed a third reading in Colorado’s House of Representatives Jan. 29.

Rep. Don Lee, R-Littleton, said rioting following the University of Colorado’s football team’s Big 12 Championship game Dec. 1 and riots at the University of Northern Colorado last year prompted him to introduce H.B. 1173.

"I don’t see why anyone would want to defend this behavior," Lee said, following his announcement of the bill. "It makes Colorado look bad." Lee’s original idea was to prohibit students convicted of riot-related offenses from returning to a public college or university for one year. The current bill would still allow students to attend a public college or university, but charge them out-of-state tuition. "Some people thought it was too harsh to kick them out for 12 months," he said. "I felt when the dust settled it would have quite a bit of support."

The bill, which passed the House by a 56-7 vote, would require students convicted of inciting a riot, arming rioters, engaging in a riot and disobeying police in riot conditions to pay out-of-state tuition at any public university for one year following conviction.

Rep. Bob Bacon, D-Larimer, who voted against the bill, said he agrees with most of the bill, but has misgivings about including disobeying police in riot conditions, which is a misdemeanor, with the other felony crimes in the bill.

"Any of us could be convicted of that simply because we went to look," Bacon said. Bacon also said it does nothing to punish students already paying out-of-state tuition. "It’s the out-of-state-student-right-to-riot bill," he said.

The bill also requires the district attorney in each judicial district in Colorado to report the name of any student convicted of a riot-related offence to the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, which will make the conviction reports available to the State Board of Agriculture, the Board of Regents of the University of Colorado, the Board of Trustees for the Colorado School of Mines, the Board of Trustees for the University of Northern Colorado, the State Board of Community Colleges in Colorado and Metro’s governing board, the Trustees of the State Colleges in Colorado.
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$2,500 - $4,000 scholarships available for travel to Japan
David Proviano
The Metropolitan

Funding for study abroad programs in Japan is getting easier for American students.

To assist students with travel and living expenses, the Association of Teachers of Japanese is offering scholarships. They will range between $2,500 for single-semester students and $4,000 for multi-semester students. Fifty scholarships will be awarded this beginning fall 2002.

"The cost of living in Tokyo, of course, is much higher, but I would say the scholarships would cover about half," said Susan Schmidt, executive director of the Association of Teachers of Japanese. "Of course, the cost of living is determined by how each student lives. Many stay with other families. This lowers the students costs dramatically."

Schmidt said increased out-of-country tuition may not even be an issue.

"A lot of universities have exchange agreements with schools in Japan," Schmidt said. "If the college does, it means that the students will just pay their regular tuition to their original college."

The awards are not based on fields of study. Applicants must be enrolled in a college or university in the United States and must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Funding for the awards come from private organizations and U.S. corporations. Contributors to the scholarship fund include Teradyne Corp., Merrill Lynch, Weyerhaueser, IMCA, Lockheed Martin, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Northwest Airlines, Shinsei Bank, the Freeman Foundation, and the Starr Foundation.

Recipients of the awards will be required to submit a report about their education in Japan within 60 days of their return to the home.

"These reports will be valuable both for students, who plan to study abroad in Japan and for teachers and advisors who are helping students to select suitable programs of study," said Schmidt.

Three copies of materials, except letters of recommendation and transcripts, will be required. Deadline for fall 2002 applications will be April 3, 2002. All materials must be received on, not post-marked, by that date. Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted. Winners of the awards will be announced in mid-May.

For further information and application instructions, visit www.colorado.edu/ealld/atj
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Doors locked to increase security, prevent theft of video equipment
Jenni Grubbs
The Metropolitan

Auraria no longer has an open-classroom policy.

Locking empty or unscheduled classrooms on weekends and weeknights is the lastest security measure taken by the Auraria Higher Education Center and Auraria Police to defend the campus against the theft of expensive data projectors, said Dick Feuerborn, AHEC division director of facilities planning and use.

"Most break-ins occur on weekends," Feuerborn said. "We had levels of security in place, but the criminals would get more aggressive and defeat those. This is one more level of security."

On weekdays, the classrooms will be opened before the first classes and locked after the end of classes. Feuerborn said students should not even see an effect from the locking from Monday morning to Friday night.

On weekends, only scheduled classrooms will be opened, he said. So far, he said, only two "glitches" in the unlocking process have occurred, but both were straightened out quickly. Feuerborn also said that the classrooms now have instructions on the door about who to call if a needed classroom is locked.

"We’ve had some reaction from faculty, and they’re generally in favor," he said.

Feuerborn also pointed out that only the approximately 200 general assignment classrooms are part of the lock-down procedure. The classrooms that are considered departmental or laboratory will still be under departmental control for locking and unlocking, he said.

This is a fairly economical decision to a very expensive problem, he said. Loss in projectors during January is estimated to be $40,000.

"The campus can’t afford to keep replacing these," Feuerborn said. "We just hope that this is the end."

Security information concerning the protection and theft prevention of the projectors was shared by AHEC with other campuses which have had similar problems, Feuerborn said. The hope is that AHEC’s experience may help other institutions deter audiovisual equipment theft and that they, in turn will share their ideas with Auraria.

"I hope, out of this, that the thefts will stop," Feuerborn said.

‘We had levels of security in place, but the criminals would get more aggressive and defeat those. This is just one more level of security.’

-Dick Feuerborn
Auraria Higher Education Center,
Division Director of Facilities Planning and Use
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news brief

Award deadline

The deadline for the Students to Watch Award has been extended to Feb. 8, 2002. This award is presented to students who have overcome obstacles and circumstances to pursue educational goals. The award ceremony will take place April 3, at 4:30 p.m. in the St. Francis Center.

If you know a student who should be honored, contact Tara Tull at 303-556-8441.
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Corrections

Wrong caption

In the Jan. 24 issue, the photograph on Page 3 was mis-identified. It should have read:

"Aviation department chair Jeff Forrest poses in front of one of metros many flight simulators Jan.22."

Factual error

In the Jan. 24 story "Student fees increase in fall," it was reported that fees will increase when, in fact, increases are only being proposed.

There will be an open Student Fee Review Panel on Fri., Feb. 2, at 1 p.m. in the Student Government Assembly office in Tivoli 307 to discuss the fee increase proposals.

For information e-mail Chris Meskow, SGA vice president of student fees at:

meskow@mscd.edu

Contact Information:

The Metropolitan strives for accuracy.

All errors can be reported to Jenni Grubbs at: grubbs@mscd.edu
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police briefs

Projectors stolen

Mark Adam Nichols, an Auraria Campus employee, reported a theft Jan. 15. Nichols told Officer Leonard W. Peete someone stole three video digital projectors from the King Center Building Jan 14. According to reports, the projectors were taken from ceiling mounting brackets in rooms 201, 203, and 205. They were removed by cutting or pulling the electrical wiring and cutting the projectors from the brackets. Total value of the three projectors was estimated at $20,520.

Key missing

Maria Estrada, an Auraria Campus employee, reported a theft Jan. 15. Estrada told Officer B. Bowles someone stole a grand master key from the King Center Building Jan. 14. According to reports, Estrada left the key ring in her cubicle in room 248 when she left for the day. When she returned the next morning, she discovered a grand master key missing from the key ring.

Man arrested

Robert Bruce Laauwe, no campus affiliation, was arrested on charges of shoplifting and contempt of court Jan. 15.

Campus theft

Susan Gale Lowe, an Auraria Campus employee, reported a theft Jan. 15. Lowe told Officer Jason Mollendor someone stole a telephone and four desk lamps from the office at 1045 9th Street Park between Dec. 20 and Jan. 2. According to reports, the contents of the office were moved by a moving company Dec. 20. When the office was returned to its site Jan. 2, Lowe discovered the telephone and four lamps missing.

Irene Oliver, an Auraria Campus employee, reported a theft Jan. 16. Oliver told Mollendor she had placed two binders and a desk calendar on her office table in room 202A in the Physical Education Building on Jan. 11. When she returned to her office Jan. 14, she discovered the items missing.

Jane Nelson-Rud, an Auraria Campus employee, reported a theft Jan. 17. Nelson-Rud told Mollendor someone stole a flight helmet, four fedora hats, one box of safety pins, six scissors and one pair of leather dance boots from room 160 in the King Center. According to reports, Nelson-Rud saw the items Dec. 16, before leaving for vacation. When she returned Jan. 8, she discovered the items missing.

-John R. Crane
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Denver deserves protection from predators
Walter Gant
Staff columnist

The break is over and everybody is finally back in the swing of things. A lot of crazy things happened during the break. My break was no different.

Since I don’t have a car, I’m easily spotted at 15 stops all across the city. A couple weeks ago I was walking to the stop after buying a pack of cigarettes. I became engaged in a conversation with a gentleman from a federal halfway house not to far from where I live. He started to tell me about his situation–a non-violent felon caught with a gun. The man said he was part of a government project called program exile. He is required to do all types of things such as weekly urine test and wearing an ankle bracelet. He also isn’t allowed to drive a car.

All the stipulations on this man got me to thinking very hard on that ride to work. If this man has to do all this and hasn’t hurt anybody why don’t convicted rapists get scrutinized the same way? By the end of 2001, scores of rapists were released from prison who hadn’t complied with the federal registration of sex offenders. If they have, the public was certainly not notified. As a result, several heinous acts have taken place, including the one a few weeks ago in which a man assaulted three different girls.

As a state, what can we do when most don’t truly know the laws? That doesn’t even take into account how some of these people are prosecuted. I thought Colorado would be taking even swifter measures to let people know the location of high profile or dangerous sex offenders. Colorado, however, doesn’t even have information on the Web like a majority of other states. Even if people register, enough information is not presented to protect people throughout the city.

According to the Associated Press approximately 30 percent of registered sex offenders are not in the houses where they are registered. That number could easily relate to Colorado, especially since people don’t know who or were these people are.

How can we find out about more about sex offenders in our state? The fist proposed method was boycotted in a southern state recently. That would be to place a sign in the offender’s front yard stating that they are a sex offender. The second thing would be to truly make sex offenders knock on every person’s door in the neighborhood saying they are a sex offender. You could also mail a brochure to people telling them an offender has moved into their neighborhood. This way neighbors whould have a picture of the sex offender as well as their address in the brochure.

The biggest travesty of all is that these types of efforts will probably never happen.

You shouldn’t have to go to the police office to get this type of information. This should be the type of stuff that is told to you every time one of the offenders change a residence.

A problem like this deserves more than lip service whenever someone new runs for political office. We’re too busy punishing non-violent offenders. We throw the book at them and let the truly sick of this world walk around and continue to commit these violent atrocities
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Looking between black and white
David Hindman
Staff Columnist

Somebody help me. I think my mind is expanding.

I used to revel in my rightness and in my right-wingness. As far as I was concerned, this was the appropriate terminology to describe political and social conservatism. Right.

There were times when my chest swelled with a degree of pride as I looked down from my shining tower of superiority at the "wing nuts" (as in left-wing nuts). "If only they were educated instead of indoctrinated," I would think. "If only they would read Bork, Bennett or Saffire (preferably with Mozart or Bach playing in the background) and consider, for a moment, that the other side might have a point or, wonder of wonders, finally figure out that right is right and left is wrong."

"It’s that lousy biased media," I thought. "Liberals! They’re brainwashing people who are too lazy or too stupid to think. They’re giving one side of the story and people are hearing only what they want."

"You see, what we have here is a failure to communicate," as the warden in "Cool Hand Luke" used to put it.

Do you think I was right to think these things or was I just arrogant?

I won’t go into the details here but three things happened to me in the last couple of years. They were somewhat isolated yet, simultaneous events. I went back to college. I made new friends. I became more spiritual.

I began to comprehend ideas I hadn’t previously. I understood people I hadn’t before. I started caring about those people.

I learned we all want the same things. We just have different ideas on how to obtain them and which ones are the most important.

I started to understand it’s not so much political philosophy that divides us but, rather, our arrogance. Perhaps it is also the fear that, by accepting someone different, we may become different ourselves.

Bias is a funny thing. It means basically the same thing as prejudice.

Across our land are people with many backgrounds. Some grew up under the guidance of Democratic ideals. Some under Republican values. Our blackness, our whiteness, our education, our geographical location, the mentoring we received from our elders all forms the mix of ideas that make each one of us unique and individual.

One person is emphatic about progress in education. Another is passionate about the importance of national security. Our personalities and experiences make us who we are and determine what we value.

The fact everyone is different is the reason everyone is biased. It’s based more on relative perception rather than fact. That’s why the liberal media are certain they are objective and why political conservatives are certain they are not.

People hear what they are able to hear. They see only what they can see based on who they are.

This being the case, the best we can do is decide to care for, respect, and try to understand each other and our differing values. Only when we create an atmosphere of love and respect are we going to be able to let our guard down and stop fighting each other over ideas instead of sharing them. Some people will be capable of this. Others will not. Which one are you?

I have always seen the world in wrong or right, black or white; not in shades of gray. Maybe I always will. I see what I can.

I have learned over time, however, that arrogance is the fuel of ignorance and, somewhat paradoxically, the latter fuels more of the former. It can be a centrifuge of narrow-mindedness and stupidity. It is a closed system, a vacuum, and a void. It is a self-protective metal shell that only humility, knowledge and communication can crack.

Does this mean I’m not a political or social conservative anymore? Does it mean I won’t champion the conservative cause? What, are you nuts?

Does it mean I can accept people for who they are and find value and interest in their ideas, their views, their biases? You decide.

Somebody help me. I think my mind is expanding. Or is it my heart?
People hear what they are able to hear. They see only what they can see based on who they are.
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After four-and-a-half years, time to hand over the reins
Sean Weaver
Outgoing editor

I love this place. I love the soft hum and blue glow of a handful of Macs in our production room. I love the smell of the wax machine after an often time-exhausting night of putting The Metropolitan to bed. And after four-and-a-half years, I still look forward to seeing a cart of freshly-printed newspapers sitting in our lobby. Most of all I love the people.

This semester, due to some unfortunate personal circumstances, I had to do something I didn’t want to do – give up the reigns of this crazy horse I’ve been riding for the last several years. I am comforted, however, by the fact the paper will be in capable hands. Jaimie Jarrett and Jenni Grubbs will be taking my place as co-editors for the remainder of the year. I have worked with Jaimie for almost all of my stint here at the paper and I can confidently say I can’t think of anyone more qualified to take over the position. Jenni came on board at the beginning of last semester, and is one of the most eager young journalists I have ever had the pleasure to work with. The paper can only grow with her enthusiasm. The Metropolitan is in good hands.

Besides Jaimie and Jenni, I have had the pleasure of working with some of the finest people I have ever met. I would like to thank each reporter, editor, designer and photographer by name, but that would take up much more than the 500 some words allotted to me. So here is the short list.

Jane Hoback. My feet are scorched from the many, many times she has held them to the fire. We didn’t always agree on everything, but I can’t think of anyone whose opinion means more to me.

Doug Conarroe. Doug has brought exciting changes to the office in his position as Director of Student Media. I don’t think there is anyone who can sit in an office with him for more than two minutes without becoming excited by his visionary ideas.

Donnita Wong. We’ve laughed, we’ve yelled at each other, and we have become great friends.

Danielle Haraburda. I couldn’t wait until Danielle came on board at the Met. I met her when she was the editor of the Community News, where she achieved the impossible. She achieves the impossible at this paper as well – she makes people think.

David Hindman. David started at the paper last summer with a burning passion to write. His desire to follow his dreams has been an inspiration.

Chris Ward. Like me, Chris also had to leave the paper because of some personal problems. The paper will suffer without his talent.

Chris Mancuso. Like Doug, Chris was a visionary who guided the paper well during his many years at the Met.

Tim Fields and Perry Swanson. During their careers as students, these two have inspired more people by their tireless work ethic and wide ranging talents. I only hope I have in some way lived up to their tradition.
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Letters to the editor

Dear Editor,

This is in response to the article written about Metro’s women’s basketball team in the Jan. 17 issue of The Metropolitan.

Basketball isn't always about making many points to win, it's about teamwork, effort and support, knowledge and thinking. This is why the men's basketball team has been having a great success throughout the past four years. Two years ago they won the championship, and from the looks of it this year, they might win another.

Although Coach Dunlap strives to win, he stands proud when his team puts forth much hard work and effort in attempting to come out a winning team. Coach Power has his own coaching technique, and one that should not be compared to Coach Dunlap’s as such. Having had the experience of working with the women’s team for two summers, I must support Coach Power as one who does care about his team and the difference in coaching styles does not make him a bad coach.

I would like to speak on behalf of the women’s basketball team and share my observations during last year’s season and this year’s. Last year, the team had it hard. They practiced diligently and ended up with a season of tears and disappointments. This year with only three returnees, they won their first game and thereafter have not done so hot. I have to admit most games that they lost this year came very close. Why? Because they are a good team…a team that is developing skills to deal with the pressures, especially during the end of the game when the score is close.

Which leads me to my intentions of this letter. I would ask that anyone who reads this take a look at the developments, accomplishments and hard work that the team has displayed despite their losses. Their record is not all that it should be; however, I have attended most of their games and have seen how they care about each other, how they work hard, and how they have overcome the daily struggles they have encountered.

I am not a genius regarding basketball, however, I would say in my four years around Coach Dunlap and Assistant Coach Clark, I do know what winning a game takes – and the women’s team has it.

My hope is to impress upon readers that we do have a quality women’s team in the works….and most importantly, I would hope we can provide Coach Power and the team with more respect and support.

Miriam Rabih
Metro Sacab Representative
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Letters Policy

The Metropolitan welcomes letters of 500 words or fewer on topics of general interest.
Letters must include a full name, school affiliation and a phone number or e-mail address.
Letters might be edited for length, grammar and accuracy.

Mailbox:
The Metropolitan
900 Auraria Parkway, Suite 313
Denver CO 80204

e-mail: haraburd@mscd.edu
phone: 303.556.2507
fax: 303.556.3421
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Assignment: Auraria

The Metropolitan photo editor, well-rested and energized after four weeks of winter vacation, has been on the prowl. Camera in hand and bag stocked-to-the-hilt with rolls of Tri-X and P-3200, he’s begged us – pleaded with us – to send him on the motherlode of all assignments.

But let’s face it. We’re a student newspaper. Frankly we don’t have the kind of budget to send our photographers out on some National Geographic style expedition into some remote rain forest in South America to photograph some long-lost tribe. He moaned. He cried. He pleaded with us a little more. After a while it got pretty old. We had to get him out of the office.

"Why don’t you just take photos of campus life while making a bunch of rain forest animal noises," someone finally suggested. It worked.
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Metro professor seeks peace in Middle East through education
Elena Brown
The Metropolitan

A businessman is dead. Women out shopping have died. Children know of violence way too early-- it’s hard to miss with tanks in your streets. It’s the Middle East. There is no peace here.

"It’s frustrating talking, writing and teaching about the Middle East," said Robert Hazan. "There is so much pain there."

The sorrow and pain is just a news article away.

Hazan, 49, is the Department Chair for Metro’s Political Science Department. He and two Metro alumni have just returned from Israel.

One of the main purposes of this trip was to interview and document Jews and Arabs in Israel. The interviews are intended to show their attitudes about and toward peace. And, most importantly, the strategies to achieve it.

Hazan said he believes the goal to creating an atmosphere of tolerance and tranquility is through education, which he tries to provide through his lectures and seminars.

Andrew Bateman and Jacob Futro were students of Hazan, and eager to go with him on this second week-long trip. Bateman and Futro joined as videographers and they highlighted the changes since the May 2000 visit.

Since that time peace talks have ceased and the violence has escalated. In just under a year the combined deaths of Palestinians and Israelis were close to 1,000.

The group met with Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert and Former Defense Minister Moshe Ahrens. The main questions were: Will there be an independent Palestine state? Are the Palestinians willing to co-exist with Israel, and vice-versa?

Unfortunately there was no consensus about the answers to these questions. It is very hard to bring these opposites together and agree, Hazan said.

At the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a dispute over land and borders. Shortly after WWII, Israel became a state, although Palestinians and Arabs were in the area, they now have to abide by Israeli laws. Disputes over possession of sites thought to be holy to both Jews and Muslims has caused conflicts. The Palestinians also believe that they should have a state.

In July, 2000 Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak met with Palestine leader Yassir Arafat, and there seemed to be hope. But it’s been over a year since the last time any serious discussions were held.

"I could see how young Jews and Muslims were so excited about peace," Said Hazan, "but now those voices of peace have turned to voices of war, violence and hatred."

Current Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon was overwhelmingly elected this past year. But he has promised no negotiating with the Palestinians as long as there is Palestinian violence. He has lost trust in Arafat and publicly stated Arafat as "irrelevant." He believes Arafat is doing too little to stop the terrorism.

Hazan has been at Metro for 11 years. He has actively played a role in encouraging peace talks. In 1998, he was the recipient of the Martin Luther King Peace Award. He wishes the fresh air of peace spoken about by King were translated to the Middle East.

The video documentary of the first trip is available in Metro’s Political Science Department. The second documentary should be completed by late spring.

So what keeps Hazan on his path, throughout the sorrow and despair?

"Faith. We owe it to the next generation," Hazan said.
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Anderson the royally underrated director of a new generation
Chad Frade
Independent Florida Alligator

(U-WIRE) GAINESVILLE, Fla. - After Sept. 11, a few over dramatic critics proclaimed the age of cynicism, sarcasm and irony was over. Well, don’t plan on going to a funeral just yet because in one brilliant and unexpected swoop, writer/director Wes Anderson has revitalized the genre for smart assholes with his searing portrait of the dysfunctional

American family, "The Royal Tenenbaums."

This Texas native, whose previous masterpieces (and I do not use this word lightly) include "Bottle Rocket" in 1996 and "Rushmore" in 1998, has carved out a niche for himself using self-debasing humor and dead-pan emotion.

In a short time, Anderson’s films have evolved from landmarks of independent filmmaking to films worthy of comparison to great playwrights like Tolstoy or even Shakespeare (I kid you not).

Even though his indie film did poorly at the box office, he managed to introduce the world to the Wilson brothers — Owen and Luke. Owen Wilson has been Anderson’s co-screenwriter from the beginning, and even if you’ve seen "Shanghai Noon" which really blew chunks, you get the sense that this guy’s got something.

but the sardonic intensity and subtle humor explode on screen as the film portrays youthful angst at its best. Pretty much, he made the shittiest life seem gut wrenchingly funny.

When I first heard of Anderson in 1998, he was introducing the world to an overachieving underachiever named Max Fischer, who made going to school his life. "Rushmore" captured the horrors of youth with a theatrical drama that made

"Clueless" seem like garbage. The sterling aspect of "Rushmore" was the evident sophistication that had evolved from "Bottle Rocket."

Anderson and Wilson were not afraid to tackle any cliche and fart in its face. Once again he introduced new actors, such as Olivia Williams, but without brace-faced bee-keeper Max (played by then-newcomer Jason Schwartzman), the film would not represent every loser who had ever been the butt of any school joke.

Even more, Anderson coerced Bill Murray into his best performance ever. I loved "Ghostbusters" and "Stripes," but Murray was never an actual actor until the moment he dove into the pool with a cigarette in his mouth, while wearing a Budweiser bathing suit. To make a funny man a better actor takes brains as well as balls.

Now, more than ever, we need Wes Anderson. Not just to laugh, but to feel human once again even if life has kicked us in the face. Irony is a part of life and sarcasm is a real human emotion that will never actually leave. "The Royal Tenenbaums" is not a way to show those terrorists that they haven’t won, but the film does make an effort to shit on anything we believe is sacred: family, fidelity, sex, love, childhood and especially forgiveness. What more can you ask for in a film?

Once again, Anderson and Wilson have crafted an even more impressive and mature work than the one that preceeded it. This film surpasses their two previous efforts because it tackles even more serious issues and makes them eat dirt.

This time, however, the humor is at its most subtle, yet its most effective. We can all relate to Margot, Chas, and Richie because we have all despised our parents at one point.

Drawing from literary masters like J.D. Salinger and William Faulkner, "The Royal Tenenbaums" is a rich picture that says more about who we are than any other film in recent history.

The cast is superb and why wouldn’t it be when it includes Oscar winners Gwyneth Paltrow, Anjelica Houston, Gene Hackman (who actually won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of family patriarch Royal), Ben Stiller sans cum on his ear, Danny Glover without Mel Gibson and Bill Murrary unlike Mr. Blum.

The whole film is intricately constructed. Pay attention to the background because it answers so many questions about the narrative film. Look at where they place Margot throughout the film. And realize how royal Gene Hackman and Anjelica Houston truly are.

I do not just love this film, I believe in it because it is sharply written with a wicked tongue, flawlessly created with details that can be overwhelming, and so fucking hilarious that you might actually cry.

However, this film does not give a crap if you are laughing hysterically or weeping uncontrollably because it is based in an apathetic detachment that causes viewers to walk away with different emotions. The film explores the comedy of drama as a family falls apart and comes back together.

With these final notes, Wes Anderson becomes undoubtedly the director of a new generation. I have a feeling we are not Generation X anymore even if Anderson is.
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His time has arrived
Eric Eames
The Metropolitan

Hours after morning practice, Patrick Mutombo is inside the Metro men’s basketball locker room, encouraging his "main man" O.J. Thomas.

In truth, he is fishing for compliments.

"Hey man, you got to hook me up man," Mutombo says to Thomas, who was posed the question: What makes Mutombo interesting?

"Well," Thomas begins, "he speaks four different languages and he’s humble, even though he doesn’t show it."

"He’s intelligent," Mutombo provides for his teammate.

"He has a lot of knowledge about places I haven’t been and…and that’s it," Thomas responds.

"That’s it!" Mutombo exclaims while throwing his hands up. "Awww, maann, there is more to me than that!"

Suddenly, freshman Ryon Nickle enters the locker room. Nickle is asked the same question.

"Patrick is a deep person," Nickle states. "His facial expressions give minor insights into his psyche."

"Yeah, yeah. That’s me," Mutombo says, pleased with the quote and then turning to the reporter. "Did you get that? Give him time to write it down."

Got it.

Patrick Kabongo Mutombo was born in 1980 in Kinshasa, Congo, the eldest of five and the only son. His life consisted of school, homework, chores, and a lot of soccer.

Then in 1993, the economy plummeted when political tensions intensified, leading to a general strike in the country’s capital, Kinshasa.

"We started to struggle and our family got close," Mutombo says. "You learn to live not only for you, but for other people too. I had five sisters and you have to share food, clothes, shoes.

"I don’t talk about stuff like that a lot, because it’s in the past. I’ve past that level, but at the same time it helps me to understand that we live in a community."

The family moved to Belgium for security, but having to be uprooted from the only thing he knew and thus forced to find his friends and causes in a new world, Mutombo struggled adapting to Western culture.

"I know that if he had a wish, it would have been to stay in the Congo and not having to move," Metro head coach Mike Dunlap says. "I believe that that adversity has made him a strong person and he is very understanding of other people’s struggles, because he’s had his own."

In Belgium, childhood friend Ali Ntumba Yam introduced Mutombo to basketball at age 14. Mutombo, who speaks French, English and two African dialects (Lingala and Tshiluba,) felt basketball was inferior to soccer. That was before he played the game.

The four-part harmony of ball, hand, feet and hoop had Mutombo twisted in knots, thus Ali dominated him on the court and bragged about it continually.

Know this: Mutombo hates losing.

When Ali got done whooping him, Mutombo returned to the scene of the crime alone to practice.

Shooting. Retrieving. Shooting. Retrieving. He went from non-basketball player to mediocre basketball player to MVP of the Forma Sport Club in Belgium to beating his friend to starting forward for the Roadrunners.

His first two years at Metro were spent developing. Now as a junior he is blossoming. He’s averaging a team-high 17.4 points and is shooting .555 from the field.

Mutombo creates mismatches all over the floor with his speed and inside-outside game, while his albatross-like 7-foot wingspan makes it hard for opponents to shoot over him.

"In this game, having long arms and big hands is a huge advantage," Dunlap adds. "He has a basketball body at the highest level."

At 6-5, 190 pounds, Mutombo’s frame is thin, but muscular and this year’s success hasn’t inflated his head. A political science major and a voracious reader of philosophers Plato and Machiavelli, Mutombo, at 21, is mellow with an aw-shucks attitude, still remembering the African values his parents taught—respect for elders, friendship, importance of God and solidarity.

Some of his fans question if he is related to NBA all-star Dikembe Mutombo, who was also born in Kinshasa.

"No, I’m not," he answers with a smile.

It’s a smile that suggests he’s hiding something, deep down.
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Men’s b-ball suffers heartbreaker at home
Jason Sheehan
The Metropolitan

One streak ends, another begins.

After racing to a school record tying 13 consecutive wins and a No. 1 ranking in the North Central Region, the men’s basketball team dropped two in a row in the highly anticipated match-ups between two powerhouses in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference over the weekend.

It was the first time since Mike Dunlap took over the program five years ago, his team lost consecutive games at the Aururia Events Center.

On Jan. 26, the Roadrunners must have thought they were in Kearney, Nebraska instead of the comfy confines of the Auraria Events Center. The Roadrunners (15-4, 9-2 RMAC) attempted just six shots from the charity stripe, compared to 26 free throws for the Lopers, who took full advantage, sinking 23 of them in the 83-73 victory.

"Just totally disagree this week with what happened with the officiating. It was way out of line," said head coach Mike Dunlap, whose team now has two conference losses after starting league play with nine straight victories.

Metro led at half-time 31-30, but the effects of constantly playing from behind the night before took a toll on Roadrunners.

That, coupled with the fact that the Lopers shot an amazing 62.8 percent from the field and the Roadrunners only connecting on 7 of 21 three point attempts didn’t help the cause either.

"They shot the ball extremely well," said Dunlap. "They hit all the big shots, when we forced them to burn the clock, at the very end, they had four or five when there was no time on the clock and they nailed them. So, you have to give them credit for hitting those shots."

Lee Bethea led the scoring charge with 17 points, and Lester Strong controlled the glass with 15 rebounds, including 12 from the offensive side. Strong now has an impressive 72 offensive rebounds on the season.

"With my rebounds, it’s good," said Strong. "It’s something that I’m always looking forward to every game, I come in thinking I’m the best rebounder."

On Jan. 25, despite a tremendous rally that saw the team come from 19 points down to take the lead at one point, the Roadrunners lost a heartbreaker 82-81 to Fort Hays State.

The loss snapped not only the longest winning streak in the RMAC, but also their ten game home winning streak.

"In terms of heart, it was an unbelievable fight back but we just dug our own hole tonight," Dunlap said. "We didn’t play smart. We didn’t play Metro basketball. We’re a ball movement team. We took impulsive shots and that led to more shot attempts. We gave up 82 points, so we weren’t very good defensively. We lose hard in this program. We take great pride in winning here and I thought they did a great job not letting us climb over the top and win this one."

Metro had a balanced attack offensively, with five players registering double figures in points.

Luke Kendall led the charge with 22 points, followed by Patrick Mutombo (16), Bethea (12), Mike Buggs and Joe Kelly contributed 11.

Despite the setback, Dunlap has confidence his team will rebound.

"I like are chances on a level field...and that will happen in the playoffs," said Dunlap.

The Roadrunners get a chance to get back to their winning ways Feb. 1 when they travel to Colorado Christian and Regis on Feb. 2.
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Ups, downs for young women’s team
Jason Sheehan
The Metropolitan

Consistency.

Veteran teams learn to rely on it, young teams constantly try to find it. Right now, Metro State Women’s basketball team is a young team searching. As well as they played in their 90-63 rout of Fort Hays State on Jan. 25, they couldn’t find a way to keep the ball rolling in the 75-60 loss against Nebraska-Kearney the next night.

"When you think about it, we have nine new players," said head coach Mike Power. "From the moment go, they’ve been trying to learn each other’s game...it’s just a matter of taking time to gel."

Against the Lopers, last year’s Co-Most Valuable Player in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Beth Swift, torched the Roadrunners defense to the tune of 34 points. Swift a top candidate to win the award again this season, was remarkable from downtown, hitting 8-13 from behind the arc.

Despite the strong performance from Swift, the Roadrunners (8-10, 6-5) were down by only four heading into the break after Malene Lindholm hit a three to close the first half. But, the Lopers hot shooting was too much to handle in the second half. They connected on 7-10 from downtown, compared to 4-12 for the Roadrunners, as they pulled away down the stretch for the victory. The Roadrunners were led by Lindholm(14) and Swanson(13).

The loss to Kearney took some of the shine of the sparkling victory the previous night against Fort Hays State. The Roadrunners came out with high intensity and dominated the game from start to finish. The defensive pressure forced the Tigers into mistakes that led to turnovers and a big Metro lead.

"We knew if we could apply pressure, a half court or three quater trap, then eventually they’d start turning the ball over," said Power. "Our kids have done a really good job throughout this whole course of the season whether we were on a five game losing streak or a five game winning streak, they’ve done an excellent job of just focuing on that day of practice or that game. How we get things done is to try and play harder than someone else."

By half-time, the Roadrunners had built a 19 point lead. Jennifer "A.J." Anderson showed she didn’t need to practice to dominate. The senior, who missed practice all week, scored 14 points in the first half in just five minutes of playing time. She finished with 21 points in 12 minutes. "I thought I played more than that," said Anderson when informed of her minutes. "I thought I played around 18 or 20. They were giving me open looks and I just knocked em down."

In the second half, the Tigers never got closer than 13, but the relentless defensive pressure was too much as Metro finished the game outscoring Fort Hays State 39-20.

Anderson was matched by Lindholm with 21 points and Rachael Grove scored 10 for Metro who shot 52.3 percent from the field. The Roadrunners travel to Colorado Christian, Feb. 1 and Regis University Feb. 2.
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