Photo by - Shannon Davidson Snow destruction was found all over town after the blizzard on March 18. 4105 E. Cornell Ave in Denver suffered from 5 1/2 feet of snow falling on the back patio awning causing it to collapse. The storm also shut down Auraria Campus for three days, the longest closure ever. See story page 3.

Auraria campus was closed for three days due to a snowstorm March 18-20.

Tony Rockwood, a meteorologist from the Metro earth and atmospheric sciences department, said there has not been a storm of this magnitude since Auraria opened.

“It was a once-in-100-years storm, the second biggest snowstorm in Colorado,” Rockwood said. 

He added that the biggest blizzard in Colorado history took place in December of 1913, during which Denver received 52 inches of snow; whereas this most recent snowfall measured 31.8 inches at Stapleton, which is pretty close to what fell on campus. 

The highest snowfall measured was 87.5 inches in Rawlinsville, near Eldora Ski Area.

He said the last time Auraria was closed for more than one day because of weather was the “Thanksgiving blizzard” in 1979, when the campus closed for a total of one-and-a-half days.

Gloria Kennison, administrative assistant for the history department, said the last time she can recall Auraria being closed due to weather was March 8, 2002, when the campus closed early. 

She also recalled the campus being closed early March 18, 1998, but she said in her 23 years at the college she could not recall it being closed for three days.

Rockwood said that although the campus was reopened Friday after the storm, “There weren’t many folks here.”

Most students were happy with the closure and said it gave them time to catch up on schoolwork.

“It was nice for the first day, but after that it really threw off my schedule,” said Stefan Geyer, UCD student.

Rasheed Craig (“DJ Woogie Fresh”) said, “Basically, I thought the storm was a blessing from God. My baby’s mama got a brand new car outta the deal and I got an extra week of spring break.” 

Craig said that a carport collapsed on his child’s mother’s car and crushed it.

“School being cancelled actually helped me get caught up on my paper,” Metro student Richard Hanson said.

He also said he lives in Evergreen and his car was stuck for several days.

Auraria Campus Bookstore employee Travis Wilson said the storm delayed his paycheck, but the staff was able to put in extra hours over spring break and caught up on all their work.

“The snow has been fairly slow to melt, which is a very good thing because it will slowly melt back into the soil,” Rockwood said.

He added that the storm was extremely beneficial and will certainly ease the water shortage, yet he stressed the importance of continual water conservation in Colorado because we still need a lot to replenish the reservoirs.

“This was a meteorologist’s dream come true; a wonderful storm,” Rockwood said.


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A web-based communications system, also known as a portal, will be implemented on Metro’s web site in July to help students, faculty and administrators expedite registration and email.

“It (the portal) is an integration system which will provide one-stop shopping for personalized college information services,” said Portal Project Manger Ben Zastrocky.

With the new system, users will only need to log in one time to access everything from email, to transcripts, to announcements.

Photo by - Shannon Davidson Student Marin Chase rests while taking part in a peace camp set up by Auraria students, in conjunction with Creative Resistance, to protest the war with Iraq April 1. The group is also gaining signatures asking the U.S. Congress to impeach the Bush Administration.

“The portal personalizes the visit, customizes the visit and the information presented to the user is based upon their role at the institution,” Zastrocky said.

Mike Barnett, vice president of administration and finance, said the total cost of the portal system is $460,000, 50 percent of which will be paid for with funds already set aside for the project, and the other 50 percent will come out of student fees.

Catherine Lucas, director of communications, said the portal is a good use of student fees, and many other colleges are moving in this direction. 

“Not only is it going to save money in the long run, but it’s a great way to get target emails out to students,” Lucas said.

She also said it will not cause student fees to go up at any point. “The fees go up regularly, but the portal will not be a factor in that.”

“It’s not about adding to people’s workloads but, hopefully, simplifying their lifestyles,” Zastrocky said.

E-den computer lab employees Mark Sittner and Marie Mai said they have heard about the portal, but have yet to be trained on the new system.

“We were supposed to have training over spring break, but our supervisors had not been given enough information,” Sittner said. He added that he thinks the new system is a positive thing and everyone should learn to use it because this is where technology is headed.

Metro student Angela Roy said she is not in favor of the portal because she does not have time everyday to be on the Internet .

“Maybe not everybody has access to computers that often,” she said.

Zastrocky said many groups and organizations on campus have been pushing for technology like the portal for a long time. 

Photo by - Joshua Buck "Gilgamesh" sits in front of a peace camp set up by Auraria students, in conjunction with Creative Resistance, to protest the war with Iraq April 1. The group is also gaining signatures asking the U.S. Congress to impeach the Bush Administration.

“Sure it’s going to be a change, but this is a response to requests we’ve had for quite awhile.”

Services such as registration, grades and transcripts will be done through the new system.  Lucas said the college’s goal is to eventually be paperless.

“The college is moving more and more in that direction, much of it driven by the budget. We don’t have the print resources we had in the past,” Zastrocky said.

He also said that although the new system’s email service is much more efficient than the current one, email service may be down for one weekend while they migrate all mail from the old service.

Lucas said email is Metro’s official means of communication.

Metro student Brian Peisley said he thinks the portal will be a positive addition for the college. 

“Fine with me, I’m a computer science student,” Peisley said. “Regardless of what you do, everyone should be computer literate. It’s better to have to learn now then when you can’t find a job because of it.” 

Zastrocky said most of the faculty is ready to go with the new system, while some are still resistant.  The portal project has already conducted several focus groups, and Zastrocky said overall, the new system received a lot of positive feedback.

“It’s been amazing to me how quickly users pick it up,” Zastrocky said. “They jump in, and if they’re familiar with surfing the web, it’s all right there. Within five or 10 minutes, people are checking their email, finding their way around, sending messages, looking at calendars, viewing announcements and customizing their websites.”

Lucas said students will be given demonstrations on the new system and should be able to seek additional training if necessary.

“Most of our students are already pretty savvy, so they’re going to have more demonstrations — rather than training — to show them how to get online and access the portal,” Lucas said.

She also said the project will be done in stages and students can expect to be using the system by the fall semester.

Metro student Marie Officer said she thinks the portal is a horrible idea.

“I work full-time, I don’t have time to deal with computers,” Officer said. “I can’t afford Internet access from home; I’m a poor working college student.”

Zastrocky said all the architecture and framework of the portal was purchased from Campus Pipeline, a company that has approximately 200 schools, including Pepperdine, Drexel University and the University of North Carolina in Charlotte, currently running its product.

He said, “The feedback we’ve obtained from schools has been very positive to this point in terms of being able to communicate with students, faculty, staff and administrators in a way that hasn’t been available in the past.”

 “The syllabus for each course will be available through the portal,” Lucas said. “You’ll be able to log in, pick up your class schedule, and that will factor into your calendar.”

Zastrocky said implementing the new system is somewhat of a challenge.

“The time frame we’re looking at; most schools are taking a year to 18 months.  We started in December and we’ll be going live with the system in July,” Zastrocky said.
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Several anti-war groups and students will be speaking out about the negative affects of war during a protest at 11 p.m. today at the Auraria campus flagpole. 

This rally will be different than previous ones held on campus.  Melissa Hedden, Metro student and organizer, said the primary focus is on how people here are going to be affected by the war and what things will happen as a result. 

Erin Durbin, Metro student and announcer for the rally, said the main message they want to get across is the affect this war is having on the self-determination of people of different cultural descents in this country and others. 

Family members of those in the military are scared to protest on their own, Durbin said, and the rally will provide support for those who want to speak out but don’t want to be directly involved. 

Salem Belal, president of the Arab Student Association, said protesters are going to voice their opinions of the current state of war, which many consider unjust, because the majority of soldiers are students and many victims are civilians.  Belal considers the war to be of an “unjust cause,” because there is no strong evidence of weapons of mass destruction.

The protesters will be mostly local students, some from the Boulder area, and several anti-war groups, Hedden said.  The Colorado Coalition for Middle East Peace, and the Radical Anti-war Resistance will be among groups speaking and handing out fliers at tables set up near the flagpole.  A mock jail-cell will also be constructed and displayed.

Durbin said this event has not been publicized as much as previous rallies because they have been putting all their energy into organizing.  There were 300-400 people at the last rally held on campus, Durbin said, and she expects at least 200 at today’s rally.

Anyone interested in putting together a rally can go to the Auraria Events Center, (303) 556-3437, and fill out a worksheet request form.  A faculty adviser or student activity director signature is required to reserve space for a rally on campus.  Irean Oliver, assistant director at AHEC, said up to 20 tables with 40 chairs can be used for events.   

For sound system equipment, an additional form must be filled out and signed by an adviser.  For a sound system request, contact Charles Bryant at the Auraria Media Center, (303) 556-4304.
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The Student Government Assembly will hold elections April 21- 24.

“Our job (the SGA) is to be a vehicle and a voice for the students and to work with the administration. If there is something that the students need, it is our job to get it done,” said Felicia Woodson, SGA’s Vice President of Communications. 

Any student who meets the state-set qualifications for each position may run for that position. Any student who wishes to run for office must submit an Intent to Run form by 3:55pm on April 8 and attend a mandatory candidates’ meeting from 4-5 on the same day.

A second meeting will be held at the same time the following day for candidates unable to attend on April 8.

“There is no excuse not to vote. You don’t have to stand in line, you don’t have to fill out a piece of paper, you simply have to go online,” Woodson said. 

She added that the SGA has influence on many major decisions made at Metro such as Student Fees and campus parking, and the people elected will be the ones influencing those decisions.

In order to vote, students will need to log onto the Metro State home page and follow the provided link. Students will enter their student identification number in order to ensure that each student votes only once. 

The results of the election will be verified by Metro’s IT Department and confirmed by the appointed SGA Election Committee.

Students may vote online at www.mscd.edu.

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As the 2002 tax deadline nears, several new credit options are available to students to assist them in receiving larger tax returns.  The Hope Credit and Lifetime Credit are both available and can be used by students depending on whether they attend college full or half-time.

“Right now, there are two tuition credits available for college students,” said Connie Ashley, Master Tax Adviser for H&R Block.  “Either the Hope or Lifetime Credit can be used; it just depends on which one is best for an individual’s situation.”

When filing taxes students must meet certain criteria depending on which of the two credits they choose to use.

“The Hope Credit is generally a higher credit but is only available for freshman and sophomores, and the Lifetime Credit is available to all students,” Ashley said.  “Students also cannot be claimed by their parents to qualify for a tuition credit.”

Now available for students, and new for the 2002 tax season, are adjustment to income, IRA and 401-K credits.

“New for 2002 is the adjustment to income for tuition expenses,” Ashley said.  “Tuition can now be taken either as tuition or and adjustment to income.”

Ashley is also quick to remind students about the tax benefits of Traditional or Roth IRAs and 401-K contributions.

“If students are able to, they should look into starting Traditional or Roth IRAs and 401-K plans because credits are available to half-time students,” Ashley said.  “Students should start investing in a pension plan now while they are young, because they (the dividends) will grow faster than you think.”

Some Metro students, like Jason Grunzweig, are already reaping the benefits of the tax credits available to students.

“I looked into the Hope Credit and got $1,500 back,” said Grunzweig, a public relations major.  “I’m a sophomore now, so I wanted to take advantage of it before I couldn’t use it anymore.”

Also helping students reap the benefits of their tax returns, is the filing of taxes electronically over the Internet.  Benefits to e-filing include greater accuracy, faster refund time and an acknowledgement of filing from the Internal Revenue Service.

“E-filing works well,” Ashley said.  “I almost always refuse to file paper returns.  Paper returns seem to introduce more opportunities to make mistakes.”

The website for the Internal Revenue Service, www.irs.gov, reports that e-filing by individuals has increased 28.6% to 7.5 million when comparing tax returns received by March 15, 2002 to March 14, 2003.  On March 21, 2003 the IRS had already received 67 million of the 132 million expected individual returns.

Meanwhile, though the dreaded number crunching that is tax time is upon many Metro students, some are ready to relax.

“I’m done,” Grunzweig said.  “I used my refund to pay off my credit card.”
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Noam Chomsky to appear at Auraria April 4

Author, professor and activist Noam Chomsky will speak at the Auraria Events Center April 4 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Tickets are available in Tivoli 305. Ticket prices are: $3.00 -- Students, staff, and faculty of the Auraria Campus with ID ( 2 ticket limit) $20.00 all others

For more information, call 303-556-2595.

Seku sends appeal to Metro’s administration

Former Student Government Assembly President, Brotha Seku, was suspended from Metro Feb. 28 for five different charges of breaking Metro’s Student Conduct Code.

Seku and his lawyer, Walter Gerash, sent an appeal to the administration on March 27, which states that Metro’s Judicial Body and Judicial Officer, Eylis Yamauchi, violated Seku’s rights to free speech and right to assemble.

Seku said he did not get a fair hearing because Yamauchi refused to call any witnesses in his behalf. Yamauchi will not comment.

2 $500 scholarships to be awarded May 7, deadline April 15

The Latino Faculty and Staff Association Scholarship Committee will be awarding two students with $500.00 scholarships. To qualify, students must complete 24 credit hours with at least a 2.5 GPA, and fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aide form. The award will go to students who have made outstanding contributions to the Latino community on or off campus Applications are distributed across campus and must be submitted by April 15. Contact Program Counselor Cynthia Baron at (303) 556-2772.

Editor application deadlines extended

Due to the snow days, the deadline for application for editor of The Metropolitan and Metrosphere have been extended to April 11, 2003.

Application requirements are listed in advertisements in The Metropolitan on pages 20 and 26.

Self defense classes offered by Health Center

SELF DEFENSE: Protecting Ourselves will be offered in three consecutive classes on April 3 in Tivoli 444, April 10 in  Tivoli 440 and April 17 in Tivoli 640, all from    5-7 p.m.

This course is appropriate for women age 13 or older regardless of strength or physical ability.  It is an excellent opportunity for women to benefit by developing protection skills.   The program is supportive and non-competitive.  Bring your friends and bring your daughters!

To sign up, call 303-556-6954 or e-mail wilkinli@mscd.edu.
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Multiple arrests on campus

A Community College of Denver student was arrested on outstanding warrants March 10, at 11:50 a.m. at the South Classroom parking meters.

A transient with no campus affiliation was arrested on outstanding warrants March 11, at 12th Street and Curtis.

Another man with no campus affiliation was arrested on outstanding warrants March 12, at 11th Street and Curtis.

Thefts still increasing on campus

A student reported a theft March 11, in Parking Lot A.

When the student returned to his car in the afternoon he said he discovered the passenger window of his car had been smashed in and his guitar had been taken from the backseat.

Stolen: Fender Electric Guitar, $250.

There are no leads or suspects at this time.

Total Loss: $250.

A University of Colorado at Denver staff member reported a theft March 12 in North Classroom.

The staff member’s purse was stolen from her office.

Stolen: Purse and contents including wallet, cash and Nokia phone, $116.

There are no leads or suspects at this time.

Total Loss: $116.

A student reported a theft March 13, in North Classroom.

While in class the student said she noticed her day timer missing, the last time she saw it was at the beginning of the class hour.

There are no leads or suspects at this time.

Total Loss: $30.

A Metro student reported a theft March 13, in Parking Lot H.

Upon returning to her car in the afternoon the student said she noticed one of her license plates missing from her vehicle.

Stolen: Colorado license plate, $25.

There are no leads or suspects at this time.

Total Loss: $25.

- Andrea Terrones
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