Volume 23, issue 4, September 8, 2000

news

Bond fee resurfaces
Micaela Duarte
The Metropolitan

Auraria students might get a second chance to vote on a bond fee referendum this fall, if approved by the governing boards of the three colleges.

The Auraria Higher Education Center is hoping to resurrect the fee, which was rejected May 11 by the Community College of Denver’s governing board, even though the majority of the campus voted in favor.

Another vote may occur because the first vote was not defeated by the combined student bodies of the Auraria Campus, said a memo from the Attorney General’s office.

When the spring 2000 Student Bond Fee Referendum question, whether the current bond fee should be raised $20.50, was asked, the majority of the Auraria student body voted in favor of the increase. Both Metro and the University of Colorado at Denver voted as a student body in favor of the increase.

The Community College of Denver student population voted 51 percent against the increase and 49 percent for the increase. The governing board of CCD, the Colorado Community College and Occupational Education System, voted unanimously in the spring to deny the implemention of the supplemental bond fee on the fall 2000 tuition bills.

"The CCD students voted narrowly against it and the board voted to go with the student’s wishes," said Doug Hawk, manager of media relations of the Colorado colleges June 30.

It was CCD’s governing board’s rejection of the spring 2000 Student Bond Fee referendum question that led to the fee not taking effect in fall 2000.

"We’re hoping to have (the vote) in mid-October," said Emily Newman, representative to the Student Advisory Committee to the Auraria Board. "However the governing board of CCD turned down the new referendum question."

At the Aug. 10 meeting of the board of the Community Colleges of Colorado, the board was asked to approve the language of the Student Bond Fee Referendum, which would send the question to a vote, by the Auraria Campus. The board did not approve the question due to lack of a majority vote. The question will be asked again at its next monthly meeting.

According to Colorado statues, whenever the students vote on a campus-wide referendum, the governing boards of the three colleges at Auraria are obliged to vote the same way the entire student body voted, not the same way their students.

Toni Gray, Assistant Attorney General, wrote in an informal opinion that the Student Advisory Committee to the Auraria Board can hold another vote anytime, even though the first vote was rejected by the governing board of the CCD.

SACAB has been working on having another vote on the Bond Fee Referendum, but first it must get the consent of the three governing boards of the Auraria Campus.

The new bond fee question asks for a $18.50 fee increase, less than the spring vote which asked for $20.50. Both Metro and The CU-Denver governing boards approved the idea of having another vote, and CCD declined the idea.

If the second vote of the bond fee were to be passed, the money would go to help compensate for the current $455,000 deficit in the AHEC budget. The current deficit has left Sigi’s Pool Hall closed June 1 for at least one fiscal year. The Auraria Child Care Center and the Events Center also suffered from the budget deficit by losing some of their student hourly workers, Newman said.

The student Club Hub, where the three institutions have offices for their various student organizations had to trim their operation hours in the fall from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. to 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Jeff Stamper, assistant director of the Tivoli, said June 30 nothing else in the Tivoli would be shut down, but said if something were to break down within the Tivoli, there would be no money to fix it, which would end up closing that area down for use.

CCD’s defeat of the Auraria Campus referendum question does not constitute defeat of the referendum, Gray said in the memo. "Defeat by CCD of an Auraria Campus-wide referendum vote does not constitute defeat of the referendum; "by the student body" pursuant to 23-1-123-(5)(h), C.R.S, consequently, SACAB may conduct an election regarding the amended referendum at anytime," the memo said.
Back to Table of Contents

Kaplan: Metro recognized nationally
Bernadette Baca
The Metropolitan

Metro President Sheila Kaplan said Metro is being recognized locally, statewide, and nationally as a college of distinction in her 2000-2001 college convocation address.

Kaplan told the crowd in the Tivoli Turnhalle Wed. morning that Metro is being recognized more because of its advances in technology, affordability, meeting educational goals, serving non-traditional students, and scoring well with the Quality Indicator System which measures performance for Colorado’s public colleges and universities.

In 1996 Metro introduced its first 11 on-line courses. The college offers nearly 100 online courses today and more are being developed Kaplan said.

"And this year, we expect as many as 5,000 students to enroll in on-line classes," Kaplan said.

She credited Metro’s Information Technology staff for itshard work and keeping Metro at the technological forefront it is at today. Kaplan said Metro has become Colorado’s leader in instructional technology.

In a Kaplan/Newsweek College Catalog that was just released, Metro was ranked as one of the top schools in the country that offers students the best value for their tuition dollar.

Metro has also been ranked No. 1 statewide in student satisfaction. Alumni students say the college met or exceeded their educational goals. Metro has achieved other notable rankings in Colorado and in the nation.

"Metro is No. 1 in Colorado in graduating Hispanic students," Kaplan said. "And No. 9 in the nation in awarding computer science degrees to Hispanics."

Last year Metro also scored well on the Quality Indicator System which measures Colorado’s 28 public and private colleges and universities. Metro received a perfect score in six of the nine categories for the system. Kaplan cited one area of excellence.

"Metro faculty spend 97 percent of their time in the classroom or in activities directly related to teaching students," she said.

The school’s accomplishments have not been achieved alone, Kaplan said. They represent all the planning the college community has worked for.

"And those planning themes – academic excellence, enrollment management, diversity, technology, and urban partnerships will continue to inform and guide our work in the year ahead," she said.

Kaplan said Metro’s most valuable asset is the faculty, administrators, and staff. They are the foundation of Metro and bring in their real-world experience to the classroom, and they invest in helping the students achieve their educational goals.

Kaplan said she looked forward to working with the faculty, administrators, and staff to continue building on the progress they have already made at Metro.
Back to Table of Contents

Auraria team hopes to raise $15,000 for AIDS Walk
Chris Ward
The Metropolitan

Student Government Assembly President Stefanie Vassilaros is looking forward to this year’s AIDS Walk Colorado.

"It’s my first year doing the walk, and I’m looking forward to it," Vassilaros said of the AIDS Walk. In addition to walking, Vassilaros is heading up the Auraria Walk Team.

The 10-kilometer walk will be held the morning of Sept. 10 at Cheesman Park. After signing in and attending the opening ceremony, participants will walk the 6.2-mile route, arriving back at the park for lunch and a free concert, featuring Denver singer Nina Storey.

AIDS Walk participants raise money through donations, sponsorships, and pledges. All money raised by the walk will go to the Colorado AIDS Project, which will use it to research AIDS and AIDS prevention.

According to the Colorado AIDS Project, during its 13-year run, the AIDS Walk has raised several million dollars "to help people living with HIV and AIDS and to raise the level of compassion and awareness in the state."

According to Vassilaros, Metro President Sheila Kaplan had expressed interest in walking in this year’s event, but couldn’t fit it into her schedule.

"She’s a very busy person, and at least she’s in support of it." Vassilaros said. She also noted that several other cabinet members are planning to participate.

Vassilaros said the Auraria Walk Team is about 200 strong, and should raise enough money to top last year’s $12,000. She is very optimistic about reaching the $15,000 goal. In addition to getting people to sponsor walkers, SGA is collecting general donations for the AIDS Walk.

"There are a lot of very supportive people," Vassilaros said about the progress of SGA’s fund raising efforts. "Donations have been very easy to come by."

Vassilaros said that SGA isn’t simply waiting for people to write checks. It raised $303 for the AIDS Walk in one day after setting up a table and asking for people to donate whatever cash they had.

"And that’s just people’s spare change. That says something."

Vassilaros’ only concern is that not everyone who signed up to walk with Auraria will be at Cheesman Park.

"Hopefully they’ll all come," she said, pointing out that pledges only help the cause if the person participates in the walk.

The possibility of a few absences aside, the AIDS Walk and the Auraria Walk Team have consistently set records during the past several walks, and will most likely do so again this year.
Back to Table of Contents

Student scientists help wine industry
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) – Students from Mesa State College are helping local wine growers in their quest for the perfect grape.

It’s part of a research project aimed at teaching science outside of the classroom.

Chemistry and biology students participating in the Grape Wine Project are conducting research in four vineyards to help Colorado growers and vintners reach their potential.

"We’re studying how best to address the problems that growers and wine makers encounter," says Larry Madsen, a Mesa State chemistry professor.

Colorado’s emerging vineyards in Mesa and Delta counties are among the highest in the world, and growing the perfect grape can be a challenge. The winters are relatively cold, the summers are hot and the 4,500- to 6,500-foot elevation is exposed.

The students are doing chemical analysis of grapes, leaves and soils, and studying the micro-climate of the vineyards. Their main focus is on a large class of compounds in grapes called phenolics.

From vineyard growth to wine production and aging, better wines can result from management of the compounds. As a whole, they are responsible for nearly every characteristic associated with quality wine – astringency, aroma, complexity and color.

Though Western Slope grapes have phenolic compounds similar to the world’s more established grape-growing regions, local red grapes are highly variable. For example, some local grapes may produce deep red wines one year and lighter more transparent wines the next.

Students are concentrating on grapes known for color instability such as Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Sangiovese.

At the same time, students are searching for correlations between exposure, temperature and phenolic compound levels.

"My husband used to work as a taster in the wineries and I became interested in what the grapes do," said Carrie Williams, 26, a junior chemistry major from Grand Junction.

"My freshman year I took a chemistry class and I enjoyed it so much I switched majors. Now I want to see what they’re doing with the grapes and the chemistry.’’

The study is backed by $8,500 in grants for supplies and equipment.
Back to Table of Contents

Corrections
The Metropolitan strives for accuracy. If you spot a mistake, please contact Sean Weaver at 303-556-8353.
Back to Table of Contents

computers & technology

Manager moves from paper to pixels
Brian Keithline
The Metropolitan

Changes happen quickly in the realm of the World Wide Web and no one knows that better than the technology administrators at Metro.

In the fast-paced field of technology, Metro staff members are working to ensure the college and its students benefit from the wealth of information at their fingertips.

One of those members is Chris Mancuso, Metro’s Manager of Web Communication, which is a newly created position. Mancuso accepted the job in July after serving as the interim director of Metro’s student publication’s office for two years.

The new position for Mancuso compliments his interests in the way a phone cord benefits a computer modem. He says he has a fascination with technology, enjoys working with computers and among all other things, has great expectations for Metro’s web technology.

"Being director of student publications taught me how I can have a positive effect on students who worked on the paper and those who read it," Mancuso says, who also is a 1992 Metro Alumnus.

"But in my new job here, I can help all those who use Metro’s web pages by building a dynamic web site."

His job duties include–above all–coordinating the team efforts of staff members in evaluating Metro’s web site. They determine what links prospective students and current students visit the most often. They also conduct research and listen to student feedback to find out how to accommodate the needs of both students and faculty members.

As a part of the college’s communications department, which produces the course catalogue and college view book, the web site must also appear attractive to people who are searching the web for possible colleges to attend.

Mancuso says that at least 85 percent of college students shop the web for enrollment information. Those school "shoppers" are more likely to spend time at a web site that offers an appealing design and accessible information, thus increasing the chances they might enroll at that college.

"Our web efforts need to make everything look consistent," Mancuso says. "My job is to find out the items (in the web site) that need to be easily found."

In the upcoming Spring semester, Mancuso says his staff hopes to launch the first phases of their lengthy web site re-design plan. It will be the third time the Metro web site has been re-designed, which coincides with the dramatic rise of students taking on-line classes.

The re-design should integrate the appearance of Metro’s web pages with other pages that offer information about various services and departments within the college. Academic departments will be provided with templates to help faculty members make the designs of their web pages match the style of Metro’s homepage.

"We don’t stifle creativity and we listen to feedback from everyone," Mancuso says about the re-design, which will likely take more than a year. "What’s great is that all these different areas are coming together to work and to create a beneficial web site."

Currently, Metro offers academic advising on-line, where students can find out what classes they need to take through the college’s homepage. On-line advising and on-line registration are among the concerns that Mancuso and his staff are considering as they prepare to re-design the web site. Mancuso says he wants to ensure unique features of the web site remain easy to find and beneficial to students. He even plans on creating a web site index where web surfers can quickly look up keyword references.

Faculty members might even be able to transfer and review documents easier if they access that information from within the web site.

But the web management process doesn’t come easy, and it requires a lot of planning.

A typical day for Mancuso involves countless meetings as well as researching ideas, reading up on technology issues, setting timelines, examining web pages and asking himself whether each Metro web link accomplishes its goals.

"I learned a lot by working in student publications and it will help me here," Mancuso says, reflecting on the four years he worked in the student publication office. In 1996, he accepted the assistant director job within the office and then served as interim director.

"I saw how I could help students directly," Mancuso adds. "Now I can help in a different way and I know my new job is making a difference to all those who access the web site."

Currently, Mancuso is finishing his work on a master’s degree in computer information systems from Regis University. The emphasis focuses on multimedia technology and Mancuso says the program has remarkably benefited him.

The future, however, for web technology is harder to forecast than Colorado’s quickly changing weather. In looking five years down the road, Mancuso says he sees the web communication department preserving Metro’s dedication in helping students reach success. No matter what form the Internet world transforms into, it will somehow continue to affect students and administrators.

"Most of all, I’d like to see an Internet community among faculty and all staff members," Mancuso said. "I’d like to see a web community for all of Metro."

So, for students and staff members who haven’t met Mancuso yet, all they need to do is click on Metro’s homepage and see a creator and his team at work. In fact, Mancuso says he strongly believes creativity and technology go hand-in-hand and that it will pave the road that leads to the future.

"Creativity and technology doesn’t collaborate enough out there, but lately there has a been a real synergy going on … and we need to encourage that," Mancuso said. "It benefits us all."
Back to Table of Contents

Editorial

Bush makes major league mistake
Danielle Haraburda

Once again, presidential nominee George W. Bush has put his foot in it. Aug. 31, in front of an audience of reporters, Bush referred to New York Times political reporter, Adam Clymer as a "major league asshole."

The comment was said as an aside to Bush’s running mate Dick Cheney, and was apparently meant to be private. In all fairness, it was said in a whisper, but this mattered little as it was whispered in front of a live microphone. This faux pas not only casts doubt about Bush’s intelligence (he was sitting in front of a room of reporters, for goodness sake), but also makes one wonder a bit about his character.

Bush is running on a platform of compassionate conservatism. His comment was neither compassionate, nor conservative. There’s really nothing wrong with disliking the press. Many people do. Additionally, Clymer is well known for his many criticisms of the candidate, so it isn’t hard to figure out from where Bush’s sentiments spring. In a public forum, however, you expect a man running for the land’s highest office to use good judgement, and to be fair, regardless of personal sentiment. This insult was just small minded and mean, not to mention flamboyantly stupid.

Bush’s campaign has also stressed the importance of morality during this election. Was this comment, made a short distance away from Clymer, something a "moral" man would say? Rather, it just seems hypocritical that someone who spends a great deal of time promoting his Christian faith would resort to petty insults better suited to a bar room then a campaign press conference.

Bush’s campaign has tried to portray Gore as a chameleon. Perhaps this is true, but if so, it is no less true for Bush himself. He has proven that he is as phony as those he tries to disparage.

Bush eventually apologized. Not, of course, to Clymer, the recipient of the public insult. Instead, he apologized to the American people. But it seems he’s sorry in the latest tradition of politicians. Sorry he got caught, not sorry that what he did was wrong.
Back to Table of Contents

God, Gore don’t make divine combination
Seth Wood
Cavalier Daily (U. Virginia)

(U-WIRE) CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - A vice president does not directly have the responsibility to do anything, save preside over the Senate and await the president's death. However, in the case of the 2000 Democratic ticket, the vice presidential candidate has assumed an almost-omnipresent role.

He has helped to resurrect the seemingly lifeless Gore campaign from the tombs of political irrelevancy. In fact, what this vice presidential candidate has done amounts to nothing less than a miracle. I refer, of course, to God.

For those who might think that God would never want to involve Himself in a political campaign, Team Gore thinks otherwise. After all, imagine the press conference for such an announcement. They could probably even convince Jimmy Carter to attend.

Team Gore may even have God's endorsement for a few policies. On "ABC This Week," Lieberman was quoted as saying the Democratic prescription drug plan agrees with the Bible's commandment to honor thy father and thy mother. One can't get a much stronger endorsement for policy.

What the Gore team has done during the past month with regard to instilling religion into the daily, public operation of a political campaign has been nothing short of disgusting.

Prior to selecting Lieberman as his earthly vice presidential nominee, Gore found himself at the losing end of every national poll. The reason for such a lack of support was fairly clear – Gore lacked character.

More specifically, his attachment to President Clinton and his ludicrous abuse of the truth ("I created the Internet" and "no controlling legal authority" among them) hurt him significantly. Enter Joseph Lieberman.

Prior to his nomination, Lieberman’s convictions in following his beliefs as an Orthodox Jew contrasted sharply with Gore's own aforementioned character problems. With his religious credibility, Lieberman literally brought Gore out of the depths of the Clinton brothel and into a more sanctified, respectable light. Although Lieberman's pick was clearly a political one designed to distance Gore from Clinton, it is an understandable choice.

The Gore campaign, however, has crossed the line of respectability in its almost daily use of Lieberman as the token religious guy.

Knowing that Americans, by and large, like the notion of God in a broad sense, Gore has appeared virtually nowhere without his trusted religious friend.

In the past, Republicans have scarcely mentioned the name of Jesus without unleashing a Gomorrah-like storm of controversy. The standard of leaving religion as a largely personal matter has made sense in the past. The Democratic ticket should place less of an emphasis on attempting to convince voters of their piety and more of an emphasis on convincing them of their sincerity and commitment to a list of attractive issues.
Back to Table of Contents

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,

Denver CO 80204

e-mail:wev@earthlink.com

phone: 303.556.8353

fax: 303.5563421
Back to Table of Contents

Features

horoscope by miss anna

ARIES: Any family squabbles may come as a result of tensions. Be at your best and don’t let anyone spoil your upbeat mood. Once harmony is restored, turn your attentions to making plans with a few good friends. You are inclined to be jealous and possessive of a mate. Stay cool.

TAURUS: Think before you speak. That temper of yours may flare without any provocation. Your idealistic side usually wins out, so try real hard to follow your dreams. Hopefully something that has been bothering you for the last several months is now gone for good.

GEMINI: A friend of yours has a serious problem and is relying on your help to come up with a solution, so think fast. The week will go by pretty smoothly for it will have plenty of variety. At least you won’t have to worry about getting bored.

CANCER: It’s time to take a serious look at the romance in your life - and ask yourself if your expectations are realistic. Try not to take life to seriously and have fun with those you love. You tend to accomplish alot and everyone around will catch your enthusiasm.

LEO: This week brings a welcome relief from recent pressures, so spend time with those you love. Your strong ego may get you in hot water with a mate, and those old feelings of whether you’ve made the right choice or not are going to surface again. Your plans for the future are very realistic.

VIRGO: If you feel that your friends have been difficult to deal with lately, perhaps you should take a good look at yourself. Listen to what a loved one has to say about your personal life, there is more merit there than you are willing to admit. Start improving things on the job.

LIBRA: People close to you are charming and agreeable, but not very good about keeping promises, so be realistic at all times. Share some of your more creative ideas with someone who can take them one step further, in a practical way. Keep an eye on the food your eating.

SCORPIO: All you want this week is peace and quiet, but it seems like everyone needs to speak or be with you. Find time to sneak off on your own. Your feelings for a lover are intense, so try and remain as realistic as possible. Concentrate on organizing family matters that need your attention.

SAGITTARIUS: The focus is on your private life for the next month or so. This time you may find it easier to sort out old misunderstandings. Don’t take any risks with your money right now, you may regret it. You can accomplish a lot if you move ahead with confidence and grace.

CAPRICORN: Finish up with routine projects at work or at home as opposed to starting new ones. You will do best with what’s familiar right now. You tend to worry about money, so just be extra careful about how and where you spend. With your delightful charm you may get just what you need.

AQUARIUS: Even though you try your best to please everyone, you won’t be very successful. Maybe you should try to please yourself. You are going to be more thoughtful and introspective than usual. Let your thoughts move to spiritual matters. Your have a strong need to help and serve humanity.

PISCES: The people you care about are very receptive to your ideas right now. That’s the kind of support you really need. When it comes to your homelife, things have been going in ten different directions, it’s time to get organized. Get out and mix with new friends.

IF THIS WEEK IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: Now’s time to review projects and former decisions. Re-structuring will be important at this time. It’s also ripe for wise investments and business dealings. Some of your most cherished beliefs about security may be tested in the coming year.
Back to Table of Contents

Walker reflects on 15 years at Tivoli
Sarah Carney
The Metropolitan

Do you remember the days when Tivoli was filled with upscale restaurants and retail shops? Not too many people have witnessed the changing faces of the Tivloli building. There is one person, though, who has watched the building since the grand opening in August 1985. Bill Walker is the supervisor of the Tivoli Security and has spent 15 years keeping an eye out for the building and its visitors.

"In the mid-80s when it first opened, this was the place to be," Walker said. In October 1986 Tivoli started hosting the Denver International Film Festival in the AMC theaters which attracted big names like Lou Gossett Jr. and Jimmy Stewart. Well-known restaurants like Morton’s Steakhouse and The Rattlesnake Club also helped bring in the famous crowd, Walker said. Popular nightclubs were located in the Tivoli at one time. Club America was one of them that was frequently visited by Denver’s elite, he said.

"Life was different then. It was fun at the time but I don’t know if I would like to see it go back to that," Walker said.

The Tivoli also hosted many large events. The KYGO concerts were held right on the Tivoli’s front lawn until 1992, Walker said. The largest crowd at one time was 55,000 people, he said. The Tivoli was also a part of the World Youth Day in 1993. There were assemblies at Mile High Stadium and at Civic Center Park, so Auraria was right in the middle of all of it, Walker said. The Parking and Transportation Center accommodated 4,000 Italian students. There were cots set up on every floor and showers were also supplied. Walker said that it took six months of preparation to get ready for all of their guests. It was the second largest event to hit Denver, only surpassed by the victory parade after the Broncos won the Superbowl, he said.

"This was the best day without a doubt," Walker said. "The Pope and the President met at Regis. There were kids from all over the world. They were so nice to deal with and there was just a certain aura that went along with that event."

Of course with any job, there are the ups and downs. Walker recalls one of the worst days he experienced.

"It was in 1989. There was a young lady, Linda Bigil, who worked with us. She had gone up to the fourth floor to show off her new baby to the secretaries up there and she collapsed on the floor. She had had a brain aneurysm and there wasn’t much we could do," Walker said. He still keeps a picture posted in his office.

The business in the Tivoli was not always booming. In 1988 and 1989 things started to decline, which is when the big oil crunch hit, Walker said. This was also the time when the city closed down Lawrence and Larimer to create the pedestrian malls, he said. When Tivoli lost the AMC theaters, it also felt a decline in attendance.

"At one time our theater was the second largest grossing theater in the Western Region," Walker said.

In 1992, the Auraria campus took over the Tivoli lease and focused on turning it into a student union, Walker said.

The new Pepsi Center has helped increase the business at the Tivoli. "We experienced a little bit of that heyday with the opening of the Pepsi Center," Walker said.

Walker has not always lived in Colorado. He is originally from California and spent some time working on investigative insurance cases. He worked in air pollution control in the San Francisco Bay area. He grew tired of California and the crowds and his love of Colorado brought him to Colorado Springs in 1970. He spent some time in Alamosa and finally the availability of jobs and money drew him to Denver. Walker had no intention of taking this security job as a long-term position, but he said it was so much fun and the people were great that he just hasn’t wanted to move on.

On a normal day, Walker spends most of his time dealing with the general public. If anything criminal occurs, Tivoli Security’s job is to assist officers as needed, Walker said. "We get some medical calls and we unlock a lot of cars for students," he said. "And with my job as supervisor comes the inherent paperwork."

In the 15 years that Walker has been on campus he did not have one incriminating story about any of the students. "I am very proud of the students down here," Walker said. "They are very friendly and outgoing. They may walk around in a fog sometimes, but that’s about it."
Back to Table of Contents

Metro grad completes first book
Sarah Carpenter
The Metropolitan

After decades of mastering and teaching three foreign languages as well as developing her own weight training program, Metro graduate Leonore H. Dvorkin has just begun to fulfill her dreams. 225 pages and more than 20 years of work define Apart from You, her first novel, published earlier this year by Wildside Press.

It’s a tale of deception, separation, infidelity and hope. Protagonist Elizabeth Nye is a 20-year-old German major who gets caught in a tangle of basic human miscommunication among her lovers, friends and family – most of which involves an interesting love triangle between her, her soul mate, Alan Abrams, and her fling, Brian Petersen. Although the ending isn’t your typical happily ever after, there is an implied optimistic future for all characters.

Most of the story takes place at Indiana University during the late 1960s. Likewise, the idea for Apart from You was born during Dvorkin’s initial undergraduate studies at Indiana University in the 1960s. She had always enjoyed writing and the artistic escape it offered her. So she took advantage of her fresh English composition skills and began her novel.

However, it wouldn’t be until 23 years later that she would complete the final page.

She graduated from IU in 1972, with a BA in German and English. The next time she would receive a degree was in 1991, after studying German and French at Metro. Before attending IU, she immersed herself in culture and language studies for two years near Munich, Germany. In 1988 and 1990, she took part in Metro’s intensive German language study program at the Akademie Klausenhof in Rhede, Germany.

Her language skills have remained polished through nine years of German-English translating experience with Translation Partners International, occasional teaching of German for Metro, more than a dozen years of tutoring German, Spanish and French, and participating in German, Spanish and French conversation groups. She currently tutors German and Spanish Tues., Wed., and Thurs. on campus at the Mercantile Restaurant, and Mon., Fri., and Sat. in her southwest Denver home.

Dvorkin also finds time to teach her self-designed, trademarked weight training program, "Conditioning with Weights." Since her college days, she had exercised on her own, and after years of practice, taught weight training at the YWCA and other locations between 1976-1986.

In 1977, she was awarded the YWCA Sportswomen of Colorado Award in Health and Physical Fitness for her "innovative program and outstanding teaching." Later, she taught at what is now the Point Athletic Club and then at the Westhills Apartment Clubhouse in Lakewood.

Currently, she enjoys coaching out of her house, where she promotes the fitness motto, "train, don’t strain!"

"What my students say they like most about these small, informal classes is that the atmosphere is so fun and non-competitive," Dvorkin said. "Because the classes are held in my bright, cheery basement workout room, rather than in a noisy commercial space, we can chat while we work to get healthy. The classes are especially appealing to those who have never lifted weights before and to those who are pursuing overall health rather than a high level of athleticism," she said.

When she's not tutoring languages, teaching weight training, or writing fiction, Dvorkin spends as much time as possible with her husband, David, and her son, Daniel, and daughter-in-law, Andrea. Andrea Dvorkin is the manager of the gift shop at the Molly Brown House Museum in Denver.

Daniel Dvorkin is a Metro junior, majoring in Mathematics with a double minor in Computer Science and Biology. He works part-time as a programmer for Intelligent Imaging Innovations, a Denver biotech firm.

With his father, he co-authored a Star Trek novel, The Captains' Honor (Pocket Books, 1989). David, Leonore's husband of 32 years, has spent over 25 years as a writer. He has published 14 books, including science fiction, horror, mystery, and non-fiction. His latest novel and first mystery, The Cavaradossi Killings, was just published by Wildside Press. David also works full time as a programmer for InfoNow, a Denver Software firm.

Dvorkin emphasized that her husband has always been supportive of her writing and that he aided in the development of her novel. "We help each other a lot with one another’s writings– we proofread, develop plots together, critique mechanics and are always bouncing ideas back and forth." The two will be attending Bouchercon, the World Mystery Convention in Denver this weekend.

You will recognize them by their t-shirts, which advertise their latest works. In October, they and their son will be attending MileHiCon, the area's largest science fiction convention.

Since the release of her novel, Dvorkin has been living in a world of excitement. "Although I previously thought I would never write more than one novel, the publication of this one has inspired me. Now I have some ideas for a sequel," she said. At 54, Dvorkin considers this novel to be her "largest single accomplishment, as it is truly original, truly unique."

Apart from You can be found in the "Campus Authors" section of the Auraria Book Center in the Tivoli, as well as at the Denver Book Mall, 32 Broadway.

It can also be ordered online at www.amazon.com, www.booksamillion.com, www.bn.com, or www.buybooks.com. You may e-mail Leonore at leonore@csd.net.
Back to Table of Contents

Greenhaus kicks off The Gig Series
Toby Donar
The Metropolitan

The trio Greenhaus, who performed Thursday at the Tivoli as part of the Gig Series, can best be described as Lenny Kravitz meets Elvis Costello.

According to Paul Moore, the band’s lead vocalist and guitarist, the Kravitz-meets-Costello description was born out of necessity for their fans to be able to identify the band’s sound.

"We were trying to come up with a reasonable reference people could relate to," Moore said. "For me, it’s more accurate to say Terence Trent D’Arby meets XTC, but a hell of a lot more people know about Lenny Kravitz and Elvis Costello."

Moore, who attended Metro State about five years ago as a pre-med Student, recently graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia with a doctorate in medicine. He is currently in his second year of family practice residency at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver.

According to the band's web site at www.greenhausmusic.com, Moore is juggling his career in medicine with his career in music. "Medicine is my lawful wife, and music is my mistress. When I grow bored of one, I spend the night with the other," he said.

Greenhaus, who’s other members include bassist Leslie Gaston and Drummer Ian Hardin, have been playing together for two years, according to Moore. Moore has been playing guitar for 17 years, and was influenced in utero by guitarist Jimi Hendrix’s 1968 Spring show at Regis University in Denver, according to the web site.

Moore met Hardin, who, Moore says, "can play pretty much anything," at a recording studio that Moore is a partner in. "We were just hanging out, jammed and got along well," Moore said of Hardin.

Gaston was a classically trained pianist since the age of 8, but decided to pick up the bass at 20 because she wanted "the much sexier role of playing while standing," according to the web site. Gaston was referred to Moore, jammed with him, and got the job. "I jammed with Leslie, and Leslie is (bleeping) great," Moore said.

Moore does all the writing and singing for the band, but he is not shy about spreading the kudos to Hardin and Gaston. "They’re a great band," he said. "I’m really lucky to be playing with them."

The band’s most recent album, Bitter Suite, which is available on the web site and in stores such as Wax Trax, Twist & Shout and Cheapo Discs, is what Moore describes as "basically about one relationship and the excruciatingly painful end of it." Moore admits that he actually stole the title for the album from an episode of the tv series Xena Warrior Princess.

However, Moore doesn’t describe this album as a concept album. His first album, Image Crisis, is more of a concept, but Bitter Suite is "very much focused on the end of a relationship and moving on,," he said.

While Moore said the band is content being a trio, they wouldn’t mind "thickening up the sound."

"We’re looking around for somebody who can sing or play an instrument," Moore said. If anyone is "inspired," they can give the band a call at 303-522-4381.

Greenhaus’ next gig will take place at Round Midnight in Boulder on Friday, October 6. Moore said the band will be opening for Matthew Moon and should take the stage around 9:30 p.m.

If you missed Greenhaus recently, not to worry. The Gig Series will be featuring different bands downstairs at the Tivoli every Thursday between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. during the Fall and Spring semesters.

According to Khushnur Dadabhoy, the Coordinator of Student Activities for the University of Colorado at Denver, The Gig Series, with a budget of between $1,500 and $2,000 a semester, is a great opportunity to give exposure to local bands while they earn a little bit of money.

"Our intention is to provide a little bit of entertainment, but also provide some kind of education," Dadabhoy said. "We like to provide a variety of different music."

Dadabhoy said she also likes to provide something for the bands that participate in the series.

"Our goal is to allow students to have an opportunity to be heard, and maybe market their bands, and give them an opportunity to showcase," she said.

Dadabhoy admits that there is more to higher education than just getting A’s in physics.

"We don’t have enough cultural type events, and I want to make sure that we do," she said. "Because part of the learning process is also learning to appreciate other forms of art and entertainment and music."

Dadabhoy admits that getting bands to play in the series is not that difficult. While she doesn’t keep a running list of bands to contact, most of them come to her. "About 95 percent of the time, they call us," she said.

One of the next events the combined Student Activities Department is planning is the World Friendship Festival and Fall Fest. The event will be held on Sept. 20 and 21 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. between the flagpole area and the Tivoli.
Back to Table of Contents

Sports

Tournament debilitating and exhilarating
Eric Eames
The Metropolitan

Metro’s women’s volleyball won the bronze pool and went 2-for-2 in the Colorado Premier Challenge volleyball tournament at the Auraria Events Center, Sept. 1 and Sept. 2.

Metro lost both games Sept. 1 to highly ranked opponents, but regrouped and won both its games Sept 2. Metro’s final win not only gave coach Debbie Hendricks her 200th career win, but it also installed hope in a team heading into the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference season.

"Playing this caliber of competition helps us prepare for (the RMAC)," Hendricks said.

No. 25 Metro (4-4), lost 3-1 against Northern Colorado (4-2), which was tied for ninth in the American Volleyball Coaches’ Association poll going into the tournament. Metro also suffered a 3-0 first round loss against No. 19 Minnesota-Duluth.

The Minnesota-Duluth Bears took the first set 15-8, but the Roadrunners reversed the field in the second set, winning 15-8 to tie the match at one game apiece. Metro won the last seven points. Freshman Devon Herron dished out 21 of the team’s 22 assists in the game. From then on, it was a neck-to-neck battle as both teams pilfered points off each other between sideouts, with neither team giving ground.

Northern Colorado reached 15 first to take the last two sets, 15-10, 15-12. Erin Deffenbaugh lead the Bears with 19 kills, while junior Marina Bazana led the Roadrunners with a match-high 25. Herron finished with 67 assists. The Bear’s win, however, left Northern Colorado coach Linda Delk feeling enigmatic.

"I don’t know why we came out on top," she said. "Maybe the thing was, is that we outlasted them, because I think it could of gone either way at any minute.

"Certainly there is no secret (to our win). I was just praying, and I kept hoping that we would score points when No. 6 (Bazana) was in the back row," Delk said.

"We’ve got to stay focused all the time—stay positive," Bazana said. "We know we can beat everyone, but the problem is we got to stay in that upper level (of intensity)."

"There were a lot of swings in the momentum, more so than I would like to see," Hendricks added.

A couple hours later, Metro’s intensity and focus from the first match to the next match was like day and night, as Minnesota-Duluth debilitated Metro, handing them a straight set loss, 15-6, 15-10, 15-3.

The Bulldogs registered 24 blocks to Metro’s two, and out-hit Metro .376-.147. Minnesota-Duluth also had 19 fewer errors than Metro. Hendricks blamed the loss on lack of motivation rather than fatigue.

"Minnesota-Duluth got in our face and gave us a challenge and we didn’t respond to it," Hendricks said. "Maybe some of that is being a young team, but I think it is finally time for this group to make a decision about what type of team they want to be. I certainly think we can be very strong, competitive team. We’ve got to make that choice."

Metro made a choice Sept. 2 to play as a team, to contend, and to augment its record back to .500.

Metro fought through four sets to beat Florida Southern, 15-12, 15-10, 16-14, 15-13, extending its day to one more match. Down 4-12, Florida Southern scored 11 unanswered points to take the first set. Metro riposted in the second set, getting back-to-back kills for points by freshman Jessy Roy and a kill by Bazana to end it. In the third set, both teams bandied spikes off each other like a whip, and if it were not for two reception errors by the Moccasins, Metro could have easily found themselves down a set.

Metro went up 13-0 to start the fourth set as Roy seemed to kill everything Herron was setting up. But Florida Southern came back with a flourish, smashing set-ups through, past Metro defenders, who were scrambling for a sideout for the final two points.

"We got too nervous," junior Mei-Rong Lu said.

"We shouldn’t have put ourselves in that position, but I had confidence that we were going to win that (set)," Hendricks added. She might have been the only one who remained calm, as Metro weathered the storm and got the victory when the officials called the Moccasins for an attack violation.

Roy (20), freshman Michelle McBurney (17), Bazana (15), Lu (11), and junior Diana Marques (11), paced the Roadrunners attack with double digit kills. Herron set-up 65 assists for them.

In the next match, the Roadrunners, let loose, and played promising, unalloyed volleyball.

"We had to go out there and take the upper hand right away to get confidence," junior Laura Darling said.

While Metro didn’t land any upper hands, they did connect for plenty of left and right hand, overhead smashes to beat Southern Colorado in straight sets, 15-4, 15-6, 15-5 to improve its record to 4-4 on the season.

The Roadrunners abated the errors, regained the verve, and buffeted balls at Southern Colorado like a prizefighter going for a knockout. At one point in the third set, Marques strafed a kill off Renee Magalong that sent her staggering backward.

But there were no ropes to hold up the Thunderwolves, as Metro out-hit them .359-.131, including .429-.073 in the second set. Southern Colorado didn’t have one player reach double figures in kills, while Metro had three—Bazana (16), Roy (15), and Lu (11). Bazana and Roy also had 20 digs.

Darling said the team "got after it" this game and didn’t hold anything back. Hendricks added Metro displayed its potential, but still has room to grow.

"We did a really nice job of coming out and taking the momentum early and keeping the momentum," she said.

With each game and practice, Metro is becoming more coherent, Hendricks added.

"A lot of these other teams, because they have so many returning players, they are going to be a little bit more cohesive than we were early. But we wanted a gauge to see where we would like to be and where we need to be, so it will be helpful down the road."

Metro’s next game is against No.9 Nebraska-Kearney, Sept. 7.
We shouldn’t have put ourselves in that position, but I had confidence that we were going to win.’
Back to Table of Contents

No. 6 Augusta captures volleyball tournament title
Eric Eames
The Metropolitan

Augustana, ranked No.6, upset No. 4 West Texas A&M, 15-8, 15-11, 15-12 to capture the Colorado Premier Challenge volleyball tournament title at the Auraria Events Center, Sept. 2.

Augustana reached the final with a straight set sweep over No. 11 Barry (Fla.) 15-10, 15-5, 15-7. The Buffs, in the meantime, had to battle through a five-set semifinal match against Minnesota-Duluth.

Lindsay Voss, the tournaments most valuable player, recorded a match-high 19 kills, while Sara Larson (15), Katy Peterson (13), and Lori Fossum (10) reached double figures in kills as well for Augustana. The Vikings out-hit the Buffs .331-.181 in the final. West Texas A&M was led by Laura Anderson of Greely, Colo., who had 14 kills.

Along with Voss, a senior outside hitter, other members of the all-tournament team include: junior Kari Peterson of Augustana (the only setter voted to the team); senior Jennifer Catano and sophomore Shannon Stroud of West Texas A&M; sophomore Becky Hoffman and senior Anne Sitek of Minnesota-Duluth; sophomore Tricia Stanton and junior Jade Harper of Barry; senior Tia Self and sophomore Teale Goble of Northern Colorado; junior Janell Mohme of Central Missouri State; and junior Renee Faubion of Regis.
Back to Table of Contents

Men’s soccer continues shut-out streak
Nick Garner
The Metropolitan

St. Mary’s men’s soccer team played an even-matched game with the Roadrunners for the first 29 minutes and 39 seconds of the first half.

That was until freshman forward Victor Adetoye came into the game and took over.

Adetoye scored two goals and sophomore goalkeeper Eric Butler recorded his third shutout of the year as the Metro men’s soccer team defeated St. Mary’s 3-0 on Sept. 2 to stay undefeated (3-0) and has yet to be scored against (11-0).

When Adetoye came into the game at 15:21 in the first half, the pace of the game went from sluggish and slow to crisp and quicker.

Adetoye made his presence felt over the field, swiftly moving through the St. Mary’s defense, getting the ball and giving the Roadrunners more opportunities to score and keeping the ball on the offensive for most of the game.

To Metro coach Brian Crookham, it wasn’t just the speed of the Roadrunners that won the game.

"We did a good job with our speed, but we utilize our speed by the way that we played," he said. "We just didn’t flat out run, they were an athletic team themselves.

"I think in a lot of places they could match our speed, but we were pretty intelligent with the way we used it."

It would take Adetoye the final 13 minutes in the first half to record his second goal of the season, scoring after receiving a pass from freshman Henrik Dahlback, and shot the ball in the lower left hand corner of the goal to beat St. Mary’s keeper Sean Stanko.

Adetoye would strike again, this time at almost six minutes into second half, getting a perfect give and go pass from senior Chris Thomas to give the Roadrunners the 2-0 lead.

Metro would add a late goal in the second, scored by junior forward Cory Fitzsimmons, after getting a pass from sophomore midfielder Jonathan Gille at midfield.

Fitzsimmons went uncontested into the goalie box and dumped it past the keeper to put the finishing touches on the game.

Besides Adetoye’s play, sophomore keeper Eric Butler has not let a goal get past him in the first three games of the season.

"We are going to keep it that way if we can," Crookham said. "It’s nice if he doesn’t have to face a lot of shots on goal and they had their chances, one ball hit off the post and Eric was there. Eric doesn’t have to make saves; instead he directs the defenders in front of him."

Adetoye said shutting out opponents was something the team had talked about in the pre-season.

"He is like a wall back there," Adetoye said. "Our defense is pretty good and one of our goals this year to record all shutouts."
Back to Table of Contents