Volume 23, issue 17, January 26, 2001

Metro News

Board change proposed
Sean Weaver
The Metropolitan

Metro would have its own separate board of trustees if a proposed bill passes in the state Legislature.

House Bill 1192, which was introduced Jan. 17, would transfer control of Metro from the Trustees for the State Colleges in Colorado beginning July 1. In addition to Metro, the Board of Trustees for the State Colleges in Colorado currently oversees Adams State College in Alamosa, Mesa State College and Western Colorado Graduate Center in Grand Junction and Western State College in Gunnison.

"Metro is a unique school and it deserves its own board that can adjust and shift to the divergent populations," said Tracy Rhines, Metro student body vice president of administration and finance. "I don’t think the state college board can truly represent this college and three rural colleges. Our mission is different, our student body is different. I think it causes Metro to miss out on a lot of opportunities. We really deserve to have our own device to speak to the Colorado Commission on Higher Education."

Metro’s administration has not adopted an official position on the bill, according to college spokeswoman Debbie Thomas, but Metro’s Student Government Assembly, Faculty Senate, Alumni Association Board, and Metro’s Foundation Board have released statements supporting the bill.

"We are disadvantaged in the system economically because the funding formula drains money from our institution to go to the others," said Faculty Senate President Monys Hagen. "We also think we’re dissimilar to other institutions and the issues the faculty face are not the same. The way you teach traditional students and the way you teach returning adults are very different. The trustees would be interested in advancing the interests of metro, and not four institutions."

Metro’s Faculty Senate passed a resolution Jan. 17, which outlined its support for the bill. The resolution states, "The funding formula within the State Colleges has drained the resources of Metropolitan State College of Denver for so many years that the institution faces economic crises of such magnitude that it is unable to maintain the diverse faculty needed for its diverse student body, to fill tenure track positions, and to hire and retain a quality part-time faculty." The resolution continues, "The issues faced by the faculty at Metropolitan State College of Denver such as intellectual property, professional development, distance education, parking, educating a diverse student body, the highest cost of living increases in the state, and commuting are substantially different from those faced by the faculties at Adams, Mesa, and Western State Colleges."

The Trustees for the State Colleges in Colorado oppose the bill.

"The trustees position has and continues to be that the system of state colleges should remain intact," said trustees spokesman Lee Halgren. "We have seen no clear reason as to why it is to the advantage of students and to Metro State to break away from the State Colleges."

Metro’s Board of Trustees would be composed of seven members who would be appointed by the governor with the consent of the Senate, an elected full-time Metro junior or senior, and an elected member of Metro’s faculty. The student and faculty representatives would be advisory positions with no vote on the board. The bill would empower the new board to hire or dismiss Metro faculty, set salaries and define degree programs for the college.

"I think Metro has grown in its student population, its clout and its fund raising abilities to the point where it deserves its own board," said State Rep.Nolbert Chavez, a Denver Democrat who is one of the four sponsors of the bill. Chavez said the bill has been referred to the House Education Committee, but has not been scheduled to be heard.

In addition, the bill would require every applicant to Metro undergo an entrance examination by Metro’s faculty. The provision states, "If it appears that the applicant is not a person of good moral character, or if the applicant fails to pass the examination, the applicant shall be rejected."

Rhines said he disagreed with the moral character provision of the bill.

The school isn’t here to teach morals, its here to give an education," he said. Chavez said the provision could be taken out.

Additionally, the bill would transfer control from July 1, 2001 to July 1, 2002, of Mesa, Adams and Western state colleges from the Trustees of the State Colleges in Colorado to a governing board, which will be chosen by the Legislature.

'I don’t think the state college board can truly represent this college’

Tracy Rhines
Student Government Assembly vice president of administration and finance
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Kaplan named finalist in president search
Sean Weaver
The Metropolitan

Metro President Sheila Kaplan has been named one of 11 finalists by a presidential search committee for the University of Toledo in Ohio.

"As I look forward to my next professional challenge, the chance to serve as President of the University of Toledo has extraordinary appeal," Kaplan wrote in an application letter dated Dec. 18.

Kaplan, who has been Metro’s president since 1993, was one of 46 candidates for the position, according to Joe Brennan, executive director for public relations for the University of Toledo. The university narrowed its choices to 11 candidates Jan. 18, and will meet Feb. 6, to determine which candidates will be interviewed. Interviews will begin Feb. 23.

"It is a personal compliment – and a recognition of Metro State’s success – that I could be nominated to head another institution," Kaplan said in an e-mail to The Metropolitan. "Of course I will talk with the search committee, but it’s entirely too early to speculate how far those discussions will go. I am quite proud of our accomplishments at Metro State, and I remain committed to the college."

The search committee for the university released a statement Nov. 10, saying it is seeking a president who can "forge strong relationships both on campus and off, to encourage diversity, to have the ability to work with all campus constituencies, including faculty and staff unions, and with city leaders, and to build support for the University of Toledo with the State of Ohio." The university has a student population of 19,000, with on-campus housing for approximately 3,000 students.

Other candidates the university is considering include Owen Cargol, president of the University of Maine; Betty Youngblood, president of Western Oregon University, Joseph Gilmour, provost at Northwest Missouri State University; Daniel Johnson, provost of the University of Alaska; Edward Uprichard, provost at the University of North Carolina; David Young, dean of the college of arts and sciences at the University of Missouri; Richard Ringeisen, vice chancellor for academic affairs at East Carolina University, and Stephen Lehmkuhle, vice president for academic affairs at the University of Missouri.
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Director dusts of campus gallery
Chris Ward
The Metropolitan

Kathryn Charles wants to put the Emanuel back on the map. As the gallery’s new interim director, she’s in a good position to do just that.

"I think this is a great venue to present local talent," Charles said of Emanuel. "It’s an important visual art space…because it’s so convenient, so central to daily academic life."

The gallery closed its doors in July, when then-director Ken Peterson’s contract wasn’t renewed. The building remained empty until Jan. 22, when Charles began her new job. For the time being, however, the walls are still bare and will remain that way until an exhibit can be arranged. Charles is planning to meet with the chairs of the campus’ three art departments and Auraria Facilities, Planning and Use director, Dick Feuerborn, in the coming weeks to discuss.

"I’m looking forward to the opportunity of meeting with the faculty so we can put in place a schedule for the next five months," she said.

In the meantime, Charles has spent her first few days as gallery director getting to know the campus, meeting some of the people she will be working with, and cleaning the dust that has gathered during the last six and a half months.

"Dick Feuerborn has been very, very generous of his time," Charles said. "He’s given me an extensive tour and introduced me to a number of important resources."

Acting as a gallery director is nothing new to Charles; she has spent the majority of the past decade working with the arts. A Colorado native, she grew up in Denver and attended the University of Colorado at Boulder. After graduating in December of 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in theatre arts and a minor in fine arts, Charles worked as a registrar at an archeological site in Calabria, Italy in 1991. There she excavated and registered Hellenistic artifacts dating back to 700 B.C.

Charles then returned to CU-Boulder to get her master’s degree in art history. While there, she served as director for the University Memorial Center Art Gallery from 1992 through 1994, when she received her degree.

"It was a great training ground for me," Charles said of her time as a graduate student. "I had the opportunity to work with very talented professors and other curators."

In 1995, Charles went to Virginia to act as curator of the William King Regional Arts Center, where she managed, directed, and coordinated activities for several area galleries. In 1999, she returned to Denver, where she worked as the director of marketing and sales for the William Havu Gallery.

"I think just this region is filled with great talent, and I am a big spokesperson for local and regional artists," Charles said. "I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to get to know these artists better working through commercial venues, but I’m very interested in working in non-profit, and working in an academic setting as well."

Charles has been hired to serve as director until the end of June, by which time a permanent director will be hired. Charles said she would consider applying for that position.

"I’m very interested in the director’s position here on a permanent basis," she said, "and I think that the next five months will give me a good idea of what it would be like."
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police briefs

University of Colorado at Denver student reported that a man exposed himself to her in the North Classroom on Jan. 5.

In the Auraria Police report the student said the man approached her in the North Classroom, pulled his black jacket back and pulled his genitals out of his pants exposing them to her. The man was described as a bald black man, with a mustache, in his mid-20s, approximately 5 feet to 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing about 140 pounds. He was wearing a black jacket and jeans and carrying a black suitcase–style bag, the report said. Afterward the suspect fled toward the Tivoli.

An Auraria Higher Education Center employee reported a broken window in a parking lot hut to the Auraria Police on Jan. 15. Robert Vaughn Pipes, II, an AHEC employee, reported that the broken window is located at the southernmost point in the Tivoli parking lot.

The police concluded that a heavy object had broken the window. The repair to the window of the parking hut is estimated at $100. At this time police no suspects or current leads.

A student hourly employee reported the theft of $600 from the Auraria Child Care Center on Jan. 12, an Auraria Police report said.

The employee, Camille Oliver, reported that money had been stolen from her unattended purse, which was stored under a couch located in the break room of the Auraria Child Care Center.

According to the report, the money was kept in a zippered pocket within the purse. The break room where the theft took place is open to all Auraria Child Care employees, as well as those dropping off children to the center. At this time, Auraria Police have no suspects.

~ Micaela Duarte
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Bush restricts international abortion funds
Ron Fournier
AP White House Correspondent

Opening the White House for business, President Bush pleased conservative supporters Monday by imposing strict restrictions on U.S. funds to international family-planning groups involved in abortion. Pushing his education and tax-cutting proposals, too, Bush told senior aides, "We are not here just to mark time."

Abortion-rights groups accused Bush of "bending to the will of the far right" by reinstating limitations on U.S. aid that his father and former President Reagan had imposed.

The first major act of his presidency reversed actions by the Clinton administration and dominated media attention, an early test of his ability to govern from the middle while appeasing his conservative base.

"This policy recognizes our country’s long history of providing international health care services, including voluntary family planning to couples around the world who want to make free and responsible decisions about the number and spacing of their children," read a statement by press secretary Ari Fleischer. Bush had cautiously addressed the abortion issue during his GOP campaign, concerned about alienating swing voters.

At the White House, new carpeting and fresh paint gave the building a just-moved-in look, two days after Democrats cleared out with former President Clinton

Flustered aides struggled to find computer passwords, West Wing telephone numbers and their own offices. "Ari Fleischer. Press Secretary," read a sheet of paper dangling by a corner outside his corner office.

"I expect every member of this administration to stay well within the boundaries that define legal and ethical conduct," Bush told senior advisers after they were sworn into office by Vice President Dick Cheney.

Bush told them to be civil and respectful to everyone they meet – "There is no excuse for arrogance" — and to move quickly behind his agenda. Mindful that his father was criticized for a slow start in 1989, Bush said, "We are here to make progress."

Bush met separately with educators and GOP lawmakers to highlight his school-improvement package _ a top issue in his campaign and a signal that he intends to govern from the middle. Bush said he told lawmakers about his $1.6 trillion tax cut proposal, as well as his plans for the military, Medicare and Social Security.

He told lawmakers privately that he would not bow to Democratic pressure on his tax-cut plan. "I am not worried about my legacy," he told them, according to two participants in the private meeting. Afterward, he met in the White House residence with House Speaker Dennis Hastert.

First lady Laura Bush sat at the Roosevelt Room table beside her husband for the meeting with education experts.

On a busy day, Bush’s White House also announced his first foreign trip, to Mexico on Feb. 16, convened a meeting of several agency heads to discuss the California energy crisis, though Fleischer said it was "mostly a California matter," and prepared to unveil his education package in a Rose Garden ceremony Tuesday, with aides saying he would include a school voucher plan opposed by most Democrats.

Bush met with nearly a dozen Democratic Party elders such as Jody Powell, press secretary for President Carter; former Ohio Sen. John Glenn and former Democratic chairman Robert Strauss. Bush said he wanted their advice on how to be a bipartisan leader.

"Get used to it," Fleischer said. "He’s going to continue to identify those Democrats who are most willing to work with him." Bush meets later in the week with Democratic congressional leaders.

On the 28th anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling legalizing abortion, Bush stepped into a politically and emotionally charged issue with orders to maintain the $425 million foreign aid budget but prevent the money from flowing to organizations that provide abortion-related services -- even if those services are provided with the agency’s own money.

The action recalled the first week of former President Clinton’s term, when the Democrat re-evaluated a ban on gays in the military. The move pleased Clinton’s liberal base but raised questions about his commitment to govern as a centrist Democrat.

Abortion puts Bush in a similar quandary. "It’s not exactly a middle-of-the-road issue," said Kathleen Jamieson, an expert on political rhetoric at the University of Pennsylvania.

In a statement to anti-abortion marchers marking the anniversary of the court ruling, Bush said, "We share a great goal, to work toward a day when every child is welcomed in life and protected in law ... to build a culture of life, affirming that every person at every stage and season of life, is created equal in God’s image."

Bush did not deliver the statement in person or by telephone -- but had it read to marchers.

"He clearly is bending to the will of the far right on these issues," abortion-rights supporter Kate Michelman said. "He so quickly shed his facade and his cloak of moderation on this issue."

Current law bans the use of U.S. funds for any abortions in foreign countries. Former Presidents Reagan and Bush further banned U.S. aid to international groups that use their own money to support abortion _ either through performing the surgery, counseling on abortion as a family-planning option, or lobbying foreign governments on abortion policy.

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Counties balk at governor’s Internet plan
Steven K. Paulson
Associated Press

DENVER (AP) – Colorado officials are determined to create high-speed Internet access for all counties, even if they don’t want it.

It may take years to fulfill Gov. Bill Owens’ dream of wiring counties which has been dubbed the "Beanpole Project" because of the stalk-like line drawings of fiber optics and the gangly copper, cable and wireless connections required.

The project was designed to provide a financial incentive for private telephone companies to run high-speed fiber optic lines to rural county seats that were largely ignored.

It provides the last-mile link for governments, homes and offices to the other part of Owens' vision, the Multi-Use Network Project to link every county seat to state agencies as part of a step toward e-government.

In all, 36 of 63 counties are participating.

The program, approved by the Legislature in 1999, has not been without its problems.

Delays in getting fiber optic cable and upgrading switching stations on the supply side were complicated by problems on the other end, such as convincing counties it was in their best interest to join.

So far, the project is about a year behind. The latest plan calls for the first hookups to be complete by July 1. Participants say there already have been so many setbacks they expect it to be later in the year. The state predicts it will take four years to complete it.

The program already has cost $4.8 million. This year, Owens is asking for $5 million more to keep it going. Program managers predict the final state cost could reach $30 million.

Park County officials refused to participate, calling the program a Trojan horse, said Flo Raitano, director of the Colorado Rural Development Council.

"They said this is going to bring growth, we don’t want growth, go away. Who are we to tell them they’re nuts?" she asked.

Some counties complained that the application process was too complicated, and were given state help filling out the paperwork. Other counties that have balked include Grand, Logan, Phillips, Washington and Eagle.

Gary Ashida, vice president of Otero Junior College, agreed to help link city and county offices in Bent, Prowers, Baca, Kiowa, Crowley and Otero counties. He expects to be one of the first to connect. Other counties ready to participate include El Paso, Pueblo, and Mesa.

The southeast counties have big plans, with 60 of 80 offices ready to flip the switch. Two state prisons and two private prisons want to hook up video monitors to county courthouses so officials can avoid having to transport prisoners. Social service agencies say they can provide better service to welfare clients and job seekers. Hospitals plan to tap into the expertise offered by metro area hospitals for consultations and training.

The plan is part of Owens' bigger goal of helping control growth by encouraging big companies to take businesses to places that need the jobs and growth, and away from the Front Range which enjoyed the bulk of the economic boom.

"When you talk about economic development for communities outside the Front Range, companies want to know about high-speed Internet connections. Until that occurs, nothing else can be seriously discussed," said Dick Wadhams, Owens’ spokesman.

Bob Brooks, director of the state Department of Local Affairs, said the state is hoping recalcitrant counties will see the savings and economic benefits of the program and eventually join.

Raitano said Eagle County was reluctant because Vail has upgraded many of its phone connections. She said that view is shortsighted because other county residents will be left out, along with those in smaller counties which cannot participate at all.

"This will put a lot of citizens at a disadvantage. We are not going to force communities to do things they do not want to do. Those people need to tell those officials what they want," Raitano said.

On the Net: Beanpole project: http://www.ruraltelecon.org/beanpole
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corrections
The Metropolitan strives for accuracy. If you spot a mistake, call Sean Weaver at (303) 556-8353

Metro Editorial

The Qwest for competent service
Danielle Haraburda

I had to do something loathsome this week. Something I find myself needing to do at least a couple times a year. Something I find not only altogether unpleasant and stressful, but usually expensive as well.

No, I didn’t go to the dentist. I had to call the phone company.

By phone company I mean, of course, Qwest, since, like most Coloradans, I don’t have much choice about my phone service provider. According to Qwest, they’ve really improved their service so I guess this lack of competition isn’t really a problem to customers like you and me.

In fact, fourth quarter earnings at Qwest are up 44 percent, so they must be doing something right. Right?

Maybe. Maybe I just have really bad luck in the telecommunications department. Or maybe, in the land of limited options, the one choice of service providers is king. In any case, I found myself pressing "1" for "service and repairs" this week.

Why did I have to call the phone company this week, or, more specifically, why did I have to call the phone comapany again? Because they cannot seem, no matter how hard I try to convince them, to just provide the service for which I pay dearly.

I’m having another problem with my voice mail. It’s non-existent. When people call me they don’t get my voice mail, just a busy signal. I called them a few days ago. They promised that it would be fixed in two business days.

It’s now going on day three. My dilemma? Should I call them again, taking the risk that some double service order will further delay and complicate my already malfunctioning service. Or do I wait around a few more days, supplicant to the only phone service provider with whom I can attain shared voice mail.

In the last five months, I have had four separate problems with my voice mail, completely lost the ability to receive calls on my wireless phone, and had at least one billing error. I have spent literally hours on the phone waiting on hold, pushing buttons, and explaining, and re-explaining, since there is no consistency in customer service care, my many phone woes.

It is, however, (next to the actual lack of seeming competentcy), the varied and ridiculous excuses that make me the craziest.

I moved last September and asked that my wireless service transfer to my new address. My home phone and wireless phone share voice mail, a service I find helpful and needed. I was told that there would be no problem transferring this service, and like a naïve child, I believed.

In all fairness, I must say that the voice mail might have worked. I couldn’t tell though because anyone who called my phone was told that it was no longer in service. Instead of correcting the problem, my Qwest customer service representative (about the fourth or fifth one I spoke to) told me that my phone was outdated (it was a year and a half old) and that I needed to purchase a new phone from Qwest. Meanwhile, they were still billing me for service.

When I got my new phone it worked, but, no big surprise here, the voice mail didn’t.

I really started to think I might be the problem. Perhaps there’s some weird magnetic abnormality that I possess that causes my phone to go on the blink. Or maybe I’m serving some karmic sentence for all those crank phone calls I made as a kid. But then I started sharing my pain with others. I found out I am not alonee.

Tales of horrible billing errors, months of waiting for service, dropped wireless calls came pouring out of my friends and co-workers with little urging. Just among my office co-workers, the testimonials of personal angst with Qwest took up a good portion of an evening.

"My phone calls are dropped constantly," said one woman, complaining of her wireless phone. She added, "and my voice mail, oh my God, sometimes I don’t get it for days."

"We went for three months without a phone at my new house," said Paul.

All this personal hardship via the hands of Qwest has brought us in the office all closer together, though. We’re forming a support group (please turn your phone off before joining us, please.)

The worst complaint I’ve heard came from a woman who, like me, had her home and wireless service with Qwest. She decided to cancel her home service and use her cell phone instead. When she received her bill she discovered a strange charge of $75. "What’s this?" she asked. She was told that since she started her home and wireless service at the same time it was considered a "new" service to just have a wireless account. Hence, the $75 service charge.

Wow, $75 to continue a service already functioning? No wonder their earnings are up 44 percent.
...maybe I’m serving some karmic sentence for all those crank phone calls I made as a kid
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HB 1192 to give Metro State local control

Dear Editor,

The worst position to be in when you’re the third largest college in the state of Colorado, have a student population comprised of mainly non-traditional students, are a nationally recognized leader in on-line courses, and are centrally located in the heart of a metropolitan city steeped in cultural diversity is to be directly governed by a board of trustees that are also responsible for three other small, rural, traditional colleges. However, that is exactly where Metropolitan State College of Denver is stuck. When Metro was created in 1965, I’m sure the idea of grouping it with Mesa, Adams, and Western seemed like a good idea, but as Dylan said, "these times they are a changing."

Administration and faculty have done a good job in making sure students don’t see the shortage of teachers due to an unequal distribution of state allocated funds that send millions (yes, millions!) of dollars to the other three colleges every year while Metro can’t retain or attract new professors. For example, Adams State receives $5,002 per full-time student enrollment from the general fund, while Metro State receives only $3,278 per student (based on 1998-1999 figures). How does the current Board of Trustees explain the reason for the apparent financial discrepancy? Well, aside from refusing to divulge the equation they use to divvy up the funds beyond explaining that it is a complex formula, they maintain that these rural schools cost more to run than Metro. They also insist that because Metro can run "efficiently" without additional resources, your money is better spent at the other institutions. They stand firm that not only is the cost of living equal, but property values are the same in Grand Junction, Gunnison, and Alamosa, as they are in Denver and, therefore, Metro professors do not need to be paid more than Mesa, Western, or Adams State professors. Yes, these people control your education—not to mention your tax dollars.

Thanks to the NORED report, a independent study commissioned by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education to examine the existing system and recommend possible options to enhance and improve higher education in the state of Colorado, legislation has been drafted and sponsored by Rep. Nolbert Chavez, D-Denver, in the State House of Representatives (House Bill 1192) to give Metro its very own governing board. What would the benefits be to Metro should it receive its own governing board, besides no longer having to grab our ankles at every board of trustees meeting? When students, administration, and faculty have complaints or concerns, they will no longer have to stand in line behind three other colleges to have their voices heard. No longer will the governing board of Metro be forced to compromise what is in the best interest of Metro for the sake of the other three colleges when their interests are in direct conflict.

Gov. Bill Owens and the Republicans in the State Legislature have been saying for years that schools should be controlled locally, and I agree with them wholeheartedly. This bill gives them the opportunity to show how serious they are on the subject. As with any legislation, the final amended copy never looks like the original, however, the legislators must keep their eyes focused on the main purpose of the bill which is to give Metro its independence.

This bill will be introduced into the House Education Committee in the coming weeks and I think this is a fantastic opportunity for students to show the Legislature where they can put their student apathy. The Chair of the Education Committee is Rep. Nancy Spence, R-Centennial, and I cannot commend her enough for making every effort to learn students’ views on this issue. She has been very interested in hearing what students think. She may be reached at:

House of Representatives
State Capitol
Rm. 271
Denver, CO. 80203
(303) 866-2904

Matthew D. Roberts
Board of Trustees Representative,
Metro Student Government Assembly
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Gag rule undercuts rights
Special Guest Commentary

As NARAL and others gathered to celebrate the 28th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court decision that made abortion safe and legal, our new President was re-imposing the global "gag" rule on international family planning programs.

International family planning funds were appropriated this past fall without the global "gag" rule, but anti-choice lawmakers insisted that the funds be held until Feb. 15, gambling that if Bush were elected, he would re-impose the restriction before the funds were released.

The global "gag" rule bars international family planning organizations from seeking U.S. funds unless they declare they will not use their own funds to provide abortions or advocate for abortion laws.

Our foes argue that all they want is to make certain that none of our money is paying for abortions. They fail to mention that in the past it has meant women may not even be told that abortion is a legal option. They certainly never mention that it is contraception that is being stopped, not abortions. The very real consequence of this action is that there will be more abortions because fewer women will have access to birth control.

The policy is simply not acceptable for those of us who want families to be able to prevent unintended pregnancies. We believe that making contraception more accessible is what stops abortions, not denying people information and threatening to stop their reproductive health care services.

It is not just this executive order that is troubling. This action sends a message to the pro-choice community. When one of the first actions an administration takes is to undercut reproductive rights, it is clear that this is the first of many affronts.

The nomination of former Sen. John Ashcroft to the position of attorney general is equally as troubling. It is the attorney general who enforces the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. That is the law that effectively deterred clinic violence. While in the U.S. Senate, Ashcroft argued against this very piece of legislation. Are we to believe that this person will vigorously enforce a law he worked so hard to block?

The issuance of the executive order that re-imposes the global "gag" rule must serve as a call to action for those of us who care about reproductive rights.

We must remain vigilant. Too often we feel that we cannot make a difference, but must not give up. It is important that when elected officials do not vote for choice that they hear from pro-choice people in our state who do not agree.

Barbara Baldwin
Colorado NARAL
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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:
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e-mail: haraburd@mscd.edu
phone: 303.556.2507
fax: 303.556.3421
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Metro Active

Portraits from a road less travelled
Story by Elena Brown
Photos courtesy of Camera Obscura Gallery

There is a framed clear picture of a young girl; she is looking directly at the camera. The picture to the left of her is of an old woman; she is looking directly at the camera. The little girl is about 10, the older woman about 80. The little girl is in Siberia in a pool. The older woman is in Ecuador in the jungle. They are worlds apart, but their eyes are the same.

They share the gift of prophecy. They are the shamans of their tribes.

Both women, and others, are subjects of photographer Phil Borges’ Spirit of Place exhibit currently on display at The Camera Obscura Gallery at 1309 Bannock St. The exhibit will be shown at the gallery from Jan. 19 -- Feb. 25.

Borges, 58, has been presenting photos of indigenous tribes and their people for more than 25 years. Most recently, Borges began focusing on the shamans in the tribes. Shamans are described as spiritual guides and healers. Many have psychic-like abilities, which manifest when they are children. The signs include fainting, dizziness and blackouts.

Borges was fascinated by the reaction from the tribe over children with these symptoms. What "Westerners" would commonly treat with medicine, tribes of indigenous people will nurture. From the Arctic Circle, Siberia and the Amazon, Borges believes, "shaman exist in all cultures, unchanged."

He has titled his latest book, The Gift. The photos focus on indigenous people and cultures that communicate spiritually with the natural world and the shamans who mediate this spiritual communion. The mediation Borges refers to is known as Animism; the belief that the natural world is animated with powerful spirits.

The Camera Obscura Gallery held a reception and book signing for Borges on the opening evening of his exhibition. The framed and unframed pictures were sold from $1,200 - $3,500.

This exhibition is the third to be hosted at the oldest gallery in Denver; Hal Gould, owner of the gallery is a big fan of the artist.

Gould opened the gallery because he felt there was a lack of appreciation of photography as a fine art. "Hal is very knowledgeable man," Borges said. "He recognized photography long before photography was popular. He is one of the originals."

Gould was recently featured in the Denver Art Museum’s Colorado Masters of Photography. Gould believes the work of Borges is very important and should be noticed.

Loretta Young-Gautier, the gallery’s associate director, agrees.

"It’s very important to document cultures that are vanishing," Gautier said. "(Borges is) the modern-day Edward S. Curtis."

Borges began his photography with black and white photos documenting the birth of his son. He took a few photography classes, to learn how to develop the pictures. With some hesitation, he made the decision to move from the financially secure field of dentistry -- he was an orthodontist for 18 years – and focus his attention on photography. He has been a professional photographer for 12 years. Having made that decision he has not looked back.

"I was swept away with photography," he said.

Borges’ photos are concentrated on a healthy dose of promotion and perseverance of cultural diversity.

His exhibit and award-winning book, Tibetan Portrait. The Power of Compassion, focused on the endangered people of Tibet, marginalized by the Chinese occupation of their homeland.

"I came out with an appreciation of their culture and practice," said Borges. "After years of hardships, being jailed and tortured for sometimes 30 years, coming out of jail with no bitterness. It puts things in perspective if someone cuts me off on the highway."

In 1998, he joined Amnesty International to present Enduring Spirit, an exhibit and book celebrating the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Borges discovered throughout his travels across the world, he kept running into the spiritual side of the tribes. In Spirit of Place the artist spent more than a month capturing images from Siberia, Mongolia, the Philippines and Ecuador.

The spirituality was so heavily dominant as a fixed structure within the cultures, it couldn’t be ignored. Having abandoned the Mormon religion at age 16, he began to feel a connection with the Animist way of life.

"It just makes sense to me," he said. "We are all related to the natural world."

The book, Spirit of Place, is scheduled for release in spring 2001. It will coincide with a four-part series to air on the Discovery Channel called Trail Blazers. The series will focus on the selected indigenous cultures of the Amazon and the Philippines who practice Animism.

The exhibit will move onto the Telluride Film Festival after concluding its run at the Camera Obscura Gallery.

The Seattle-based grandfather wants to instill a message into his family, "Be sure to follow your heart and not be swayed by money or status," Borges said. "Do what turns you on."
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Couple sells students Good Stuff
Jennifer Grey
The Metropolitan

Rumor had it he used the collected pennies from Good Stuff to buy a Harley Davidson.

"Some of the money for my scooter came from the pennies, but not all of it. I used to thank people for contributing to the Harley fund, maybe that’s how it got started," said Dennis Hogland as he shuffled around in the little, white hut next to Cricket Caroll. Caroll is his girlfriend and the owner of the business, Good Stuff. Together they sell food, drinks and snacks at 10th and Curtis between the Arts Building, the library and Central Classroom.

Metro student Luella Lovell hadn’t heard the rumor although she’s been a Good Stuff customer for a couple of years.

"I come for cups of coffee, sandwiches and hotdogs. [Hogland] always has a smile for you and if they’re out of cream or sugar or something, they’ll say it’s on the house," she said, as Hogland asked another customer if she was staying busy or just loafing around.

The owners sold the business to Caroll in 1999 after eight years of working for them.

"They didn’t think I could do it at first. I love people who tell me I can’t," she said as she bumped into Hogland on her way to get a hotdog for one of the customers lining up during the lunch rush.

"I’m thankful for the chance they gave me, selling me the business. I don’t think they know how much I appreciate it," she said.

Hogland used to work as a campus groundskeeper and would stop at Good Stuff to buy a burrito and soda. One day he offered Caroll help with the trash. He said she put up a fight and offered to at least buy him a drink for helping, but he refused and kept coming around for food and to help her with the trash.

"Well, before you knew it, when I would come around she would be falling out of the hut to come talk to me. The rest is history," he said looking over to Caroll with a big smile as she looked back and nodded in agreement.

She rents the space from the Auraria Higher Education Center and -- since it’s government property -- she has to submit and win bids to run Good Stuff paying 18 percent of food sales or $700 per month- whichever is greater.

Caroll and Hogland cart their stuff to campus from a commissary in an industrial park where one of her daughters helps prepare the food. It’s an early morning process. Hogland is up at 3 a.m. to be on campus by 6:30 with the breakfast burritos -- which regularly sell out -- in time for the breakfast crowd.

"People don’t know that they can get our Good Stuff off campus. The commissary has a dining area and it’s not far from campus," Caroll said as she loaded unsold goods into her car to take back to the commissary at 747 Sheridan Blvd., Unit A5.

"I love this business. The people are great and so is the academic atmosphere," she said.

They use change belts and brains instead of a cash register and don’t see the need for one since they’re so pressed for space.

They offer a "buy one-get one free" sale at the end of the day and donate the unsold hotdogs, sauerkraut and leftover sandwiches because they hate to throw food away.

"A guy comes around and says he’s sending someone out to collect the food for the Samaritan House. I don’t know what he means by that, but someone always comes and gets it," Caroll said as she put food into a bag for donation.

Caroll and Hogland take their breaks when business is slow during the day and often one of them will need to go to the car for more supplies or to run errands, but they make sure they’re both there for the lunch rush. They work when school’s in session and take their vacations between semesters.

The Good Stuff Hut is as much a part of the Auraria campus as the Tivoli and the 9th Street Park. Students and faculty have been lining up in the middle of campus for years hoping the breakfast burritos haven’t sold out and for the small talk the vending machines don’t offer.

Last summer, the Harley fund became the Harley repair fund when Caroll and Hogland were in an accident. He has his Harley up and running again, although he says the front end still shakes and needs some work. Go donate to the Harley fund, say "Hi" to Cricket and Dennis and if you’re lucky, they’ll have a breakfast burrito for you- with or without meat.
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horoscopes by miss anna

ARIES: Tact and foresight will further your career goals. Hard work will pay off sooner than you think. Your family life is changing, a bit more rapidly than you are comfortable with, but the change will be for the good. Express your ideas.

TAURUS: If you've been feeling depressed, ride it out and the feeling will be replaced with the urgency to accomplish tasks you've been putting off for some time. You are full of energy, even aggression, don't overdue it though.

GEMINI: Try to stay centered, because all those around you are in quite a funk. Co-workers are grumpy and your mate wants to squabble. This tension will continue to drain your energy until you take time out for you - pamper yourself and buy something special.

CANCER: It's a pretty uneventful week, don't expect much from those close to you. Resolve financial questions for long and short term investments, easing a loved one's mind. You will accomplish more than expected, despite opposition from a foe.

LEO: You are on top of the world both emotionally and physically. Take advantage of the high energy to convince those around you about an idea you've been toying with for sometime. You are surrounded by love, so show you appreciate it. The pace at work is hectic.

VIRGO: Many demands will be made on your time. Watch out just where you spend your energies and with who. Share any dreams with your mate - you are able to read each other's mind. Your evenings are made for romance. Expect a battle of wills in the workplace.

LIBRA: A few authoritarian types may get in your way, so pursue independent projects. Your financial outlook is on the upswing. Pressures at work will probably ease up, and your cheerful mood contagious. Share the passion and romance with your lover.

SCORPIO: Be sure to think before you speak, or you may come off sounding like an opinionated pain in the neck. Take it easy if you're feeling washed out, the flu may be coming on. There's nothing happening at work that can't wait until tomorrow.

SAGITTARIUS: This may not be the best time to interact with others. You and your sweetheart experience a clash of egos, so play it cool. If confused about your motives, wait until you are seeing things more clearly to sort out the situation. A vacation is a great idea.

CAPRICORN: The people around you need your help just when you want to hide out and get your own act together, try to at least listen to their problems. Play it cool with colleagues who may demand a confrontation. Any tensions from earlier in the week seem to be gone for good.

AQUARIUS: A friend with problems may need to talk. Laughter in this situation will be the best medicine. A co-worker is looking for a fight, so try to keep a low profile and don't be a target. Make sure to think before you speak, your bluntness may land you in trouble.

PISCES: This week promises to be full of fun, laughter and friendship. All you need to do is be yourself. You may be feeling that everything is against you at work - the obstacles are only temporary. If you accept a new challenge, you can increase your income.
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Metro Sports

From the gym to the swimming pool
Eric McConnell
The Metropolitan

She was a gymnast at the age of three. All her life, she’d been trained to land on her feet.

But, a lot of handsprings and a few back flips later, things have changed just a little bit. These days, when Metro senior diver Cari Lewton finds herself executing even the most difficult of dives, it’s not her record-setting scores that still surprise her.

"I was scared to jump off a 3-meter board when I started," Lewton said. "When I first went into diving it was hard for me. That whole head first thing just wasn’t natural. For a while I was basically doing gymnastics on a board, landing feet first."

There were no signs of fear when Lewton set a pool record at Colorado College in early December. Her amazing 3-meter diving score of 443.55 did nothing less than prove that she is one of the premier divers in Division II. Maybe just slightly less amazing is the fact that the record she broke with that performance was her own, a very respectable 435.20 set two seasons ago when she was a sophomore.

"She just has a desire to compete," said Metro diving coach Brian Kennedy. "She’s very talented. I think it’s within her grasp to be an All-American."

In the meantime, Lewton has a conference meet to prepare for, followed by nationals. Still, with as much physical ability as she possesses, Lewton insists that diving takes something more than just past gymnastics experience.

"I’d say diving is 70 percent mental," Lewton admitted. "The other 30 percent is actual ability. If you get up on the board and you’re not confident, it shows. Your scores will definitely reflect that, too."

That confidence may be what was lacking in Lewton’s early career as a diver. Even with her amazing physical ability, Lewton finished 20th at nationals as a freshman. Then, just one year later, she finished fifth in the same competition.

"That’s a pretty good jump," Kennedy said. "Twentieth to fifth in one year! She has the ability to compete with anyone. And she’s very coachable, very responsive to feedback. She doesn’t complain. Cari just comes in and does her work. She’s a great kid to have at practice."

It’s qualities like these that make Lewton what coach Kennedy would call a leader. She’s well liked by all, she does what’s asked of her, and she does it with passion. These are the very things that champions are made of.

"Cari’s at a point where, if she puts together a good meet, she could place in the top three at nationals," Kennedy said. "We’re really shooting for top five. That’s the realistic goal.

Lewton tends to agree with her coach.

"Conference, probably in the top three," Lewton said. "Nationals, top five."

It’s that agreeing spirit, that single minded, goal oriented attitude that Lewton and Kennedy share which makes their relationship both in and out of the pool a special one.

"I knew I’d have a much better senior year if Brian came back to coach," Lewton said, referring to the one-year break Kennedy took from the pool during her junior season. "He’s been a great friend. We’re at the pool for three hours a day. I’d hope that anyone who spends that much time with someone else would be impacted in a positive way both in performance as well as in life."

Kennedy shares Lewton’s sentiments.

"It’s been a pleasure coaching these kids," Kennedy said. "It’s really rewarding to know I’ve been able to help, not just with their diving, but with their lives. I think I’ve helped them as people, you know?"

That help has played a major role in Lewton’s vault to the top of the Division II diving ranks. In fact, Lewton shared what she thought was the key to being successful at the collegiate level of diving.

"It’s all about motivation," Lewton said. "You need motivation from your team and from your coach. Brian’s a great motivator. Sometimes, though, you just have to be consistent and motivate yourself."

Lewton admitted that it wasn’t always easy motivating herself to make it to practice, though. She recalled those cold days when the last thing she wanted to do was get out of bed in the morning and dive into a pool full of cold water. But it’s sacrifices like these that have made Cari what she is today: a top- rank athlete.

Still, with as much attention as she as drawn of late, Lewton has not let any of it go to her head. In fact, when asked about her feelings on the record setting dive in December, Lewton couldn’t even remember what it was. Scores aren’t really what’s important to her anyway.

"When I’m diving, more than competing against the other divers in the field, I’m competing against myself," Lewton said. "When I’m preparing myself for a competition, I place myself in that nationals situation. I play it in my head. The announcing of my dive, the degree of difficulty, I run through all of it."

Lewton has been diving since her sophomore year in high school, when she first attempted the 1-meter board. She admits, though, that she enjoys competing on the 3-meter board more than the 1-meter board.

"3-meter is just more fun to watch," Lewton said. "It’s a lot harder, too. There’s a longer fall and there’s more to do."

Regardless of which board she’s leaping from, Lewton is confident that she can compete with the best. Her scores reflect her skill, and her attitude towards the sport definitely suggests the maturation of a young athlete. She’s respected by her peers, touted by her coach and revered by diving fans throughout Division II competition. And just think, she used to be afraid of landing headfirst.
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What’s On Deck

Metro women’s basketball @ Nebraska-Kearney, Jan. 26, 6 p.m.: This will be a tough test for the Roadrunners. The Lopers are a perfect 10-0 in the East Division and are very difficult to beat on their home court. The Roadrunners (7-9, 5-4 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) limp into this game with a two-game losing streak and the last time Metro defeated Kearney in their place was back in 1992-93 season. The Roadrunners lost last season 75-59 to the Lopers.

Metro men’s basketball @ Nebraska-Kearney, Jan. 26, 8 p.m.: Metro and Kearney are in a second place tie and with a win, the Roadrunners would be in sole possession of second, and could trail first place Fort Hays State by as little as a single game.

The Roadrunners (12-3, 7-2 RMAC) have owned the Lopers number of late, winning the last eight meetings, including a 78-72 victory last year. This will be the best defense (Metro) going against the highest scoring offense in the conference (Kearney). Something has to give here.

Metro women’s basketball @ Fort Hays State, Jan. 27, 6 p.m.: For Metro, a win will help gain ground on fourth place Hays. The Roadrunners had won six consecutive meetings with the Tigers before last year, losing 72-64 in Hays, Kan.

Metro men’s basketball @ Fort Hays State, Jan. 27, 8 p.m.: This is one of the more anticipated games of the conference schedule to date for the Metro men. Hays is 9-1 in the RMAC and the Roadrunners are the defending Division II national champions and trailing Hays in the East Division.

The Roadrunners are 0-4 lifetime at Hays, 0-3 in the Mike Dunlap era. Last year, Metro was handed a 26-point defeat from the Tigers, 88-62. The closest Metro has came to beating Hays at their place was in the 1998-99 season when the Roadrunners lost by six points in overtime, 85-79.

Metro men and women’s swimming/diving @ Denver University, Jan. 27, noon: The men and women’s swimming/diving team is coming off a disappointing performance at Colorado School of Mines and is looking to rebound against the Pioneers.
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Kangaroos, crocodiles and spinning water, oh my
Eric Eames
The Metropolitan

His first mascot was a kangaroo.

They taste like a "tough steak," said Metro’s starting small forward Luke Kendell, a native of Melbourne, Australia.

Anything else you want to know about The Land Down Under?

Does the toilet water spin backward when you flush in Australia or not?

"It’s funny, but it does," Kendell said.

How about Steve Irwin?

You know, the "Crocodile Hunter," whose documentaries air on Animal Planet.

"I’m good friends with (him)," Kendell said. "He was at a couple of basketball games (in Australia) and I met him. He’s a pretty good guy."

Been there, done that. Kendell is looking for a new gig in America and it looks like he’s found one in the Roadrunners’ starting lineup.

He has improved his play this January, leading Metro in scoring in three games and is tied with senior forward Rashawn Fulcher with a 14.7 scoring average while the team is riding a seven-game winning streak.

Besides scoring, Kendell also has shot the ball well from the field during that stretch, shooting 51 percent from the floor and 46 percent from behind the arc.

"He knows where his shots are coming from now, whereas a month ago he didn’t." Metro coach Mike Dunlap said. "He was just trying to fight for playing time.

"Now, he is settling into a role and being a leading scorer and it doesn’t matter that he’s 18 or 19 or a freshman. It makes no difference to me."

While we look upon college players today as being young men because of their size, they are really still boys in maturity and that’s how Dunlap views the 19-year-old Kendell: A "pup" who has an enormous amount of potential and growth brewing inside him.

"He’s got a lot more to show once he gets comfortable with the system and being out of his environment for a year," Dunlap said. "He hasn’t fully matured yet physically."

Kendell has added 13 pounds to his 6-foot-4 frame since coming to Metro and following a schedule that rarely has any breaks in it.

"We get up at quarter past four in the morning to go train," Kendell said. "Then we go to school. Then we shoot around in the afternoon or lift weights. Then we’ll have dinner and do homework.

"It’s a pretty tough schedule than what I was used to."

In Australia, he was used to waking up at maybe 10 a.m. Go motor bike riding. Then, if he wanted, workout and practice in the afternoon. Or perhaps catch a film.

With a carefree, fun-loving persona engulfing him, Kendell is a joy to be around. Even when he has an off night — like his 1-of-8 shooting performance against Chadron State on Jan. 19 — his smile will still stretch from ear-to-ear. Basketball and social life never mixing.

"Typical Australian, in terms of culture," Dunlap said. "Life of the party kind of person."

Dunlap first heard of Kendell when he contacted a good friend of his in Australia, Brian Goorjian, who has the most wins in the National Basketball League and was coaching Kendell at the time.

But it wasn’t the first time Kendell had heard of Dunlap, who coached the Adelaide 36ers to the NBL Grand Final in 1995.

"He won a championship with that team and is fairly well known (in Australia)," Kendell said.

In Kendell, Dunlap instantly saw a player with "raw talent" and someone who was a capable passer, rebounder, slasher and scorer.

Dunlap liked that, and invited Kendell to Metro.

"I was pretty confident that I was coming out to someone that I trusted," Kendell said about the prospect of playing for Dunlap and moving half-a-world away. "I was more excited than I was scared."

Not only is Kendell an offensive weapon, but he’s also a mainstay on defense. This month he leads the team with a 2.67 stealing average and he works hard on the offensive and defensive glass, despite averaging just three rebounds a game.

"The constants in this game are rebounding and defense," Dunlap said. "He’s shown maturity beyond his years by being able to contribute (in other areas). He’s shown that, game in and game out."

Those are the best team players, Dunlap adds. The ones who are convinced that every detail of the game is important. Details that Dunlap and his coaching staff preach. Details that make the difference between champion and near champion. Details that can make Kendell become the best he is capable of becoming.
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Weekly Wrap-Up

Men’s Basketball (12-3, 7-2 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference): The Roadrunners continue their winning ways, defeating both Colorado School of Mines 78-64 and Chadron State 73-50 at the Auraria Events Center.

Against Mines on Jan. 16, senior Kane Oakley had game-highs in points (16) and rebounds (14). Three of Metro players were in double-digit scoring; junior Lee Bethea with 15, freshman Luke Kendell with 14 and senior Rashawn Fulcher added in 12.

Bethea went off against Chadron State on Jan. 19, scoring a career high 27-points, which included 5-for-10 shooting from beyond the arc and 10-of-16 shooting from the field. Oakley recorded his second double-double in two games, scoring 11 points and 14 rebounds.

Women’s Basketball (7-9, 5-4): After scoring three straight wins, the Roadrunners have lost two in a row, with losses to Colorado School of Mines (73-60) and Chadron State (76-66) at the Auraria Events Center.

Turnovers (27) and poor shooting (40.0 percent) did in the Roadrunners against Mines Jan. 16, although Metro did out-rebound the Orediggers 45-36. Senior Yvette Barrios led the Roadrunners with 17 points. Freshman Rachel Grove added 12 points while senior Sara Gordon led the team with 11 rebounds.

Against Chadron State Jan. 19, Gordon had a big game, scoring 14 points and pulling down a career-high 16 rebounds. Senior Michelle McArthur added in 11 points of her own. The Roadrunners shot under 34 percent (33.8) for the game.

Men’s and Women’s Swimming/Diving: The men’s swimming and diving team lost to Colorado School of Mines 132-84 and the women’s team lost to University of Northern Colorado (188-25) and to Mines (151-41) on Jan. 20 in Golden.

The men’s 400 medley relay team (seniors Todd Schmitz, Jeremy Johnson and juniors Jess Schwartzkopf, Jason Holmes) set a Colorado Mines pool record with a time of 3:39.63. Junior Jason Holmes broke two pool records; the 100 freestyle with a time of 49.23 and the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:47.39. Senior D.J. Hummel broke two diving records as well, in the 1 and 3-meter dives.
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