Volume 23, issue 18, February 2, 2001

Metronews

Fire alarms lacking in Tivoli
Edward B. Winslow
The Metropolitan

Fire alarms in the Tivoli Student Union can be heard loud and clear in the building’s common areas, but because there are no fire alarms in some interior offices they can be difficult, if not impossible, to hear.

John Lovshin, director of Design and Capital Construction of Facilities Management for the Tivoli, said bid requests have been issued to bring the system to proper standards. Yet, it will be about 60 days before a contractor is selected, Lovshin said.

"I think it’s dangerous, very dangerous," said Student Body President Stephanie Vassilaros regarding the amount of time it will take to bring the system to proper standards. She added that because they go off all the time, no one seems to care.

Metro student Carlos Santa Cruz, who works in Metro’s Office of Student Activities, said the last time the fire alarm went off no one left because they thought it was a drill.

But Adam Schecter, who works with Cruz in the Office of Student Activities, suggested the building’s manager be reported to OSHA. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s mission is to "assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women."

The Denver Fire Department has no legal fire-safety enforcement authority said Denver Fire Captain S. J. Garrod. Since an agency controlled by the State of Colorado manages the 327,000 square-foot Tivoli, it is not subject to the Denver city ordinances that privately owned buildings are. If the Tivoli does not conform to Denver’s fire-safety ordinances, "they can just say ‘take us to court,’" Garrod said.

"If (the fire alarm system) is something that must be addressed immediately, then I’m sure it will be addressed immediately," Lovshin said.

The bond issue that students approved in the fall will fund the proposed fire alarm improvements along with other repairs.

Space in the Tivoli occupied by private businesses are required to obtain a building permit when their space is retrofitted, but space occupied by agencies of the Auraria campus colleges do not. Instead, C-West, a consulting firm hired by the state, along with campus staff review the plans and make design and safety recommendations. Jeffrey D. Stamper, assistant director of the Tivoli Student Union said these inspections assure that the space will meet or exceed Denver code.

Yet the fire alarm system needs to be updated, said Steve Swain assistant director of facility management. "Some areas are not as well served as others."

B&J Fire Safety Co., a contractor hired to inspect the Tivoli’s fire system, proves Swain’s theory. B&J found 47 items that needed repair. Items mentioned in its report included inoperable smoke detectors and heat detectors.

As space in the facility changed occupancy, the space was reconfigured with different partitions, heat ventilation and air conditioning, electrical wiring and the like, but the fire-safety systems were left as they were, Garrod said.

When the building was remodeled five or six years ago, the Denver fire department tested the fire-safety system, Lovshin said. But he added when building codes are modified, unless there is a major building remodel consisting of about 40 or 50 percent of the total building area, upgrades are not required.

Meanwhile, students and staff occupying areas that could potentially be dangerous must wait until building managers schedule fire alarm repairs.

'If (the fire alarm system) is something that needs to be addressed immediately, then I’m sure it will be addressed immediately.’

John Lovshin
Director of Design and Capital Construction of Faculties Management, Tivoli
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Bill attacks gay relationships
Sean Weaver
The Metropolitan

Colleges and universities in Colorado would be prohibited from providing benefits to partners in homosexual relationships if a Senate bill passes.

In addition to barring benefits to domestic partners of state employees, SB 139 would also free companies and non-profit organizations from providing the same benefits.

"Domestic relationships are against the strong public policy of Colorado, and …domestic relationships are not recognized under Colorado law," the bill states. The bill defines a domestic relationship as any relationship which is not between a man and a woman, and not licensed and registered.

"The public policy of the State of Colorado is not to recognize homosexual marriages," said Rep. Mark Paschall, the House sponsor of the bill. "Benefits structure is not a question of equal protection. It is a matter of public policy. There is nothing to deny a person from getting benefits, just tax dollars can not be used to promote it."

Karen Benson, director for Metro’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Student Services, said the bill is designed to deprive people of their rights.

"It’s just time for us to expand our reality," she said. "It’s another ploy by the far right to bit by bit strip away any potential for our gaining our due rights in this society. There should be a basic underlying standard of fairness and equality, not based on individual religious beliefs."

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Marilyn Musgrave, was introduced in the Senate Jan. 26 and referred to the Senate Judiciary.
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Bill to expand hate-crimes law advances

DENVER (AP) — A bill to expand Colorado's hate-crimes law to include those motivated by the victim's age, sexual orientation and mental or physical disability passed 4-3 Monday in a Senate committee.

It's the fifth time the bill has been introduced by Sen. Penfield Tate, D-Denver. Tate sponsored it each of the past four years when he was a member of the House of Representatives. Each year, it has gotten a little further in the process.

Sen. Doug Linkhart, D-Denver, said SB 75 did not create a protected class, as opponents have argued in the past. Rather, it targets people who prey on elderly, homosexual and disabled people. Current law covers race and religion.

Law enforcement authorities have endorsed the bill in the past because they say it would give them another tool to fight hate crimes and would send a message that such crimes will not be tolerated.

But Sen. Jim Dyer, R-Arapahoe County, said he did not want the government making moral judgments. He said the law already criminalizes violent acts

Last year, the bill passed the House with the help of moderate Republicans, but was killed in a Senate committee. Republican Rep. Mark Larson of Cortez will carry it in the House this year, if it makes it there. It still must pass the Senate Appropriations Committee and the full Senate.

"The fact that it has bipartisan support is reason to be more hopeful," Tate said. "It shows there are changing attitudes on both sides of the aisle."
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police briefs

Cash, pants stolen

A patron of the Auraria Events Center reported clothing and currency missing from a locker on Jan. 24.

Robert Mercier, reported the theft of various clothing items as well as his wallet on Jan. 24. Mercier said in the police report that he had put his belongings into an unlocked and unsecured locker in the men’s locker room of the Auraria Events Center.

When Mercier returned, he found that his wallet, estimated at a value of $10, which contained his ATM card, credit cards, keys and $2 missing as well as his Dockers dress pants with an estimated value of $20. The Auraria Police have at this time no leads or suspect information

Purses stolen at gym

Two Metro cheerleaders reported their purses and various other items missing on Jan. 23.

Nicole Pacheco and Sabrina Zoeller reported to the Auraria Police that during their cheerleading practice at the Auraria Events Center, they had placed their belongings in the front lobby of the gym.

Upon their return from practice the two found their purses estimated at a total of $65 containing a total of $46, a cell phone estimated at $80, electric day planner estimated at $25 and various other items were gone. At this time Auraria Police have no suspects of leads.

Car theft in Tivoli lot

The owner of a red Jeep Cherokee reported a theft from her car Jan. 19.

The victim, Kelly Tretter, had parked her car in the Tivoli parking lot at 2:30 p.m.

When Tretter returned to her vehicle at 3 p.m. she found her compact disc case with various compact disc’s amounting to $750, gym bag, running shoes, workout clothes and her make-up bag, totaling to $210 in missing merchandise. The Auraria Police have no leads or suspect information.

Man arrested for indecency

Joe Gerald Sandoval was arrested for unlawful public indecency, disturbing the peace, and unlawful acts on school grounds at 5 p.m. at the Tivoli Jan. 22.

~Micaela Duarte
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Bill would require data collection on racial profiling
Jon Sarche
Associated Press

DENVER (AP) — A bill that would require certain law enforcement agencies to collect information on whether officers engage in racial profiling appeared ready to die in a House committee Jan. 30 before its sponsor pledged to work on a compromise.

Rep. Peter Groff, D-Denver, was prepared to try to force a vote on HB 1114 after several hours of testimony in which law enforcement representatives told the House Civil Justice and Judiciary Committee that it would require time-consuming and expensive paperwork.

"I understand budgetary constraints," Groff said. "But on the eve of Black History Month and as an African-American male, I'm not sure I can continue to shape and mold this bill any more.

"I was elected to come down here to make a difference," he said. "Is it inconvenient? You bet it's inconvenient. But it's also inconvenient to be stopped because you look a certain way or appear to be in a certain group."

Several members of the committee advised Groff to ask for a delay so he could work on changes that would make the measure more palatable.

The initial version would require all law enforcement agencies representing at least 25,000 people to gather data on racial profiling, which occurs when an officer takes action based on ethnicity rather than behavior.

The state Division of Criminal Justice would gather agencies’ reports and then present an annual analysis to the Legislature for five years.

Several law enforcement officials said they would take swift action against any officer who engages in racial profiling. They also said the bill's requirements would be expensive and take up significant amounts of officers’ time.

"There's no doubt in my mind that many officers will avoid making minor and courtesy stops they do now," said Littleton Police Chief Gary Maas.

He also said under the measure, anybody could complain about racial profiling and that complaint would be included in the report without any investigation into whether it actually occurred.

Supporters said while it may appear that racial profiling is not a problem in some areas, incidents often go unreported because victims do not trust law enforcement agencies to investigate complaints.

Three-quarters of respondents to a recent survey of northeast Denver residents by the Colorado Progressive Coalition said they felt they had been victims of racial profiling.

"If we must err, let us err on the side of justice," said the Rev. Patrick Demmer, past president of the Greater Denver Ministerial Alliance. "Increased paperwork must never be the criteria by which we do not seek to ensure justice."

The Rev. Willie Simmons, president of the East Denver Ministerial Alliance, said even if racial profiling is not found to be a problem, gathering information to prove that would help rebuild trust between police and minorities.

"If we don’t do something about it, I’m afraid it's going to explode," he said.

Denver police and the Colorado State Patrol already are gathering information on whether racial profiling occurs. Some committee members suggested using those efforts as a pilot project, but Groff and other supporters said a wider program is necessary because other law enforcement agencies have not had the diversity training and education that officers in those agencies have had.

Groff said he will work on changes that would make data collection voluntary for agencies representing 25,000 to 75,000 people, and mandatory for larger agencies. He also said he would propose reducing the length of the program from five years to three and eliminating costs by allowing the use of grants and donations.
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Group distributes racist fliers to Colorado State University faculty, staff

FORT COLLINS (AP) — Colorado State University faculty and staff found racist literature slipped under their office doors in four campus buildings Jan. 8.

The fliers, from a group called the National Alliance advocated an all-white society and criticized the crime rate among blacks, said Capt. Bob Chafee of the CSU police.

The same group’s fliers were distributed at the University of Colorado in Boulder Dec. 18-19 after the student council rejected a proposal to fight affirmative action.

Chafee said CSU police were investigating this month's incident. It was not clear what law was broken or what charges might be filed, but Chafee said the distributors could be charged with littering, if nothing else.

Greg Boiarsky, a journalism professor who is Jewish, said he recently lectured about multiculturalism and students might have targeted him to receive the literature.

"I take this very seriously," Boiarsky said. "I got beat up pretty regularly growing up by people ... with this mindset."
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Metroeditorial

No faith for Bush’s charity proposal
Sean Weaver

It appears President Bush would like to see an old law overturned: The First Amendment.

On Jan. 29, Bush signed two executive orders, which call for the creation of a high-level White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, and instructs five Cabinet departments to establish Centers for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

The motive behind Bush’s action might seem noble — support charitable organizations to help combat drug addiction, poverty and homelessness. Very few people would deny the benefit charitable organizations — both religious and secular — provide for society. In Denver, several organizations, such as the Capitol Hill United Ministries, provide invaluable service to the community. Bush’s method, however, is flawed. Very flawed.

Bush maintains he can create the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and still be consistent with the First Amendment. The Supreme Court, in deciding Lemon v. Kurtzman , ruled a law does not violate the First Amendment if it meets three criteria: the law has a secular purpose, the law does not advance or hinder religion, and the government would not become entangled in religious affairs. While Bush’s proposal does serve a secular purpose — helping charities — it falls short of the second and third qualifications. In explaining his program, Bush claims funding will only be provided for charitable uses by faith-based organizations with no funding provided for ministering. Providing public money to religious charities, however, frees more money for religious ministries. Bush’s plan would also place the government in the position of tracking public money to ensure charities were using the funding for non-religious purposes, creating unnecessary government entanglement in religious affairs. Bush claims his plan would remove charity away from "distant bureaucracies." In reality, it would create more.

Contrary to how Bush’s plan might seem, religious institutions would not win a victory. Just as government needs to be separated from the church, the church needs to be separated from the government. Government funding seldom comes with no strings attached. By dictating how funding may be used, the government could be, in essence, dictating how a religious institution conducts its business.

According to Gallup polls, most Americans, 55 percent, believe the government should be responsible for alleviating poverty, while 28 percent believe it is up to religious institutions. Certainly, with the scope of poverty and social ills facing many people in America, the solution lies in religious, secular and governmental institutions. The solution, does not require, however, un-Constitutional measures.

— Sean Weaver is a Metro student and editor of The Metropolitan.
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Walking while black
Special Guest Commentary

Original article written in the Whittier Neighborhood Spotlight dated Sep. 01, 2000. Reprinted with permission.

On Wednesday evening, Aug. 30, 2000, while walking home, I was stopped by a Denver police officer. The officer pulled up beside me and asked, "Can I ask you a question?" I, of course, said, "yes" and approached the officer. He stopped the car.

He and his partner then got out of the car. Officer Jose Perez, District 6 Patrol Division came towards me and asked, "Do you have any weapons?" I stood there blown away that someone, a police officer, would ask me if I was carrying a weapon. I responded, "No!" "He then asked, "Can I search you?" I said, "Yes." I had nothing to hide.

Of course I wasn't thinking that I have the right to say "NO." As he was searching me he asked, "Do you have any drugs on you?" I angrily responded, "I came over here because you asked me if you could ask me a question. I thought you needed my help. I don’t do drugs and I don’t know why you are searching me." Officer Perez responded that I gave him permission. He stopped searching me.

I asked "Why did you stop me?" He said that he didn’t stop me; he asked me if he could ask me a question. I stopped and approached them.

I identified myself as the president of Whittier Neighborhood Association and explained that these random stops hurt the relationship between the police and the people who are paying their salary the community.

I asked for his name and badge number. He game me his business card and I walked away angry and humiliated. I was only two blocks from my house. In my family, we have police officers, firemen and legislators. My family believes, as I do, that public service is an extremely noble endeavor. I am also not cynical or ignorant about the great responsibilities our men and women in uniform face every day. I am very aware of how poorly we pay them and the lack of incentives provided. However, there must be a better way.

I have been stopped while walking three times since I’ve moved back to Denver. None of these times have I been accused of any crimes. I haven’t even been asked for identification. Almost all of my African-American male friends have also faced the same problem. Yet not one of my white male friends has ever been stopped. This perception of uneven "justice" does little to bring the community and the police together.

There are steps we as a community should take to create change. We should encourage the police to have a file with the name, race, and gender of the people they stop. This would create quantitative data on whether police are making stops like these in all Denver communities and whom are they stopping.

I strongly recommend that if you face such an encounter, get the police officer’s name and badge number. Document the event as soon as you get home and report it.

We also should be just as vigilant in notifying the superiors of police officers that are going above and beyond the call of duty.

Officer Dan Andrews, District 2, is one of these officers. Whittier applauds his responsiveness to our neighborhood, and for attending our meetings and neighborhood events.

It is my hope that we as a community will insist on the common sense changes that are needed to get there.

By Darrell B. Watson
President Whittier Neighborhood Association
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Bush’s actions speak louder than words

(U-WIRE) UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Sen. John McCain, R.-Ariz., has been making a big push for his campaign finance reform bill. Just this week he began a series of town meetings, with the first stop in Little Rock, Ark., which he hopes will help lead to an overhaul of the nation's campaign finance laws.

One of the biggest provisions of his bill, which was co-authored by Sen. Russell D. Feingold, D-Wis., would ban unregulated and unlimited donations to political parties -- known as soft money -- which McCain says has corrupted American politicians.

Unfortunately, President George W. Bush doesn't want to do that.

Although Bush agreed to meet with McCain last week to discuss campaign finance reform, little progress resulted from the talk. Publicly, Bush agreed with the need for campaign finance reform. But what about privately?

Actions speak louder than words, and Bush has taken little action on the issue.

While the meeting was genial and both men presented a "we'll-work-together" image, Bush wanted to include a provision in the reform bill that would still allow individuals to donate soft money.

In actuality, with this loophole, anyone or any group could still donate money, just as long as it was done in the name of an "individual."

For years, GOP congressional leaders have blocked legislation to regulate campaign financing, claiming it infringes on free speech and tilts the fundraising advantage to Democrats.

But Democrats and Republicans are both guilty of accepting soft money donations, as was the case in the last presidential election.

McCain's proposed bill would not help either party significantly more than the other. His reform plan is nonpartisan — something politicians have pledged to work toward after the election.

Bush's suggestion to allow individuals to make soft money donations would be a billion-dollar loophole that would basically do nothing to change the way politicians campaign for office.

While Bush has said he will support McCain in reforming campaign finance laws, he isn't doing much to help.

Bush's lack of cooperation coupled with his spoken pledges to work with McCain leave us wondering what exactly his position is on the subject.
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Student club funding money gathering dust

Dear Editor,

The Club Funding Committee provides financial assistance to recognized student organizations by helping to fund events throughout the school year.

For some reason this year, NO ONE SEEMS TO WANT CFC MONEY–WHAT IS UP WITH THAT? DON’T FORGET THAT WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU.

This is the skinny: let’s say a club decides to host an event but they don’t have enough money. What can an organization do? Well, let me tell you that there is a way that is fairly painless--all you have to do is submit a proposal to Tivoli 305 that tells us about the event.

Chances are EXTREMELY GOOD, that Club Funding Committee will fund you!!

Guidelines: Be a recognized club, present to CFC, have at least 10 percent of the total cost of the event. CFC will not fund off campus events and will not fund alcohol, or security for events with alcohol.

Raaki Garcia-Ulam
Vice President of Student Organizations
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Ashcroft no racist

Dear Editor,

Danielle Haraburda’s writing ability is impressive, but in her Jan. 19 column, "Ashcroft nomination stinks," she depends on her artful rhetoric to cover for a lack of fact and analysis. She successfully skimmed the surface of every topic from abortion and racism, to the unfounded assertion that Bush portrayed himself as a moderate during the campaign.

The author’s epithetical use of the word "Christian," as in "…right-wing Christian extremist…" is particularly objectionable for its prima facie religious intolerance. Every politician has a world view which anchors his political views and decisions, whether it falls into the category of Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Bahai, New Age, atheist, or otherwise.

A politician’s ideas, whether liberal, moderate or conservative, should be weighed on their merits and effect, rather than the stereotypical category in which they seem to fall.

Haraburda claims Ashcroft is anti-choice, opposed gun control, is against affirmative action and hate crimes laws and fought to overturn desegregation laws. By implication then, she appears to claim Ashcroft desires restriction of personal freedoms (anti-choice), that he desires as many random shootings and murders as possible, hates everyone of minority races, and wants whites separated from minorities. If these things were true, I doubt Ashcroft could get a job as a janitor for the State of Missouri, much less hold a governorship and receive a cabinet nomination.

Let’s consider the allegation of racism. Most people are at least cursorily aware of Medgar Evers, the civil rights leader who was murdered. Less are familiar with his brother, Charles Evers. If Ashcroft is a racist, then why did Charles Evers write to judiciary committee members supporting his nomination because accusations regarding racism "…are not supported by the facts?" (Please refer to Rocky Mountain News article, "Attorney general…," Jan. 16, 2001)

It seems to me that "racist" is a title befitting those who support the billion dollar abortion industry which convinces women to abort a staggeringly disproportionate number of minority babies before they even see the light of day. Liberals, however, shouldn’t fear that Ashcroft would use his position to thwart their precious legalized genocide.

As governor, he faithfully executed the laws of the State of Missouri, (including, according to the above mentioned article, setting up the administration of the state lottery though he is personally against it) and he will execute his duty to the laws of this land as U.S. attorney general with excellence.

Adding to the list of politically self-serving inaccuracies in Haraburda’s article, is the idea that Bush portrayed himself as a moderate, and that he was only lying.

At our house, we recorded both the Democratic and Republican conventions, as well as every presidential and vice presidential debate. I would really like to know where Bush portrayed himself as a moderate, but that’s impossible because he didn’t. So then, Bush didn’t lie because he never misrepresented himself.

Finally, Haraburda wrote concerning Bush’s alleged moderate rhetoric and claims to support diversity: "Look for yourself. Watch who he surrounds himself with, see who he tries to appoint. Ashcroft. Chavez. Norton." She very conspicuously omitted the two major African-American nominees: Condoleeza Rice, as national security advisor and the pro-choice Colin Powell, as Secretary of State. Does this mean she’s a racist? Of course not! And neither is John Ashcroft.

David T. Hindman
Metro Student
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Letters Policy

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

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

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

Gallery owner devotes time to others
Matt Davis
The Metropolitan

Angelo Van Fleet is not a selfish man.

The 42-year-old Metro fine arts major and owner of the Pot Boiler art gallery in west Denver is all about giving.

Whether it’s giving student artists a chance to exhibit their work at his gallery, or whether it’s helping students find their way through college at Student Support Services where he works on campus–Angelo Van Fleet is ready to help.

"I try to influence a lot of the students that I run into even if I don’t know them," Van Fleet said. "I hear a lot of stories about boyfriends, husbands, pregnancies. ‘I can’t do this. I can’t do that. Math sucks. English sucks.’ I try to get them to rationalize the situation."

Van Fleet knows a lot about rationalizing situations. When he was 28 he was stricken with encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. He spent two months in a coma and a year in the hospital recovering.

"Before the sickness I never paid attention," he said. "I never paid attention to anything, really. I had a nine-to-five job, came home and did drugs–went to bed and did it all over again."

Before his illness, Van Fleet had never drawn or had a desire to draw. That desire would come when he was in the hospital and his godmother brought him a set of colored pencils.

"I drew something," he said. "I can’t remember what it was."

Van Fleet said a passion for art awakened in him. It is a passion that he would develop over the next 12 years. In 1995, he enrolled at Metro seeking a degree in fine arts with a painting emphasis. In 1996, he started working for Student Support Services, where he began mentoring students who needed some guidance getting through college.

Van Fleet mentors first-generation students, low-income students, and students with disabilities. He said he draws from his own life experiences to help him with his mentoring.

He fathered the first of five daughters when he was only 14. He abused alcohol and drugs. And continued that way until his illness struck.

"The head injury shut off my other life, drugs, alcohol, partying - being wild and crazy. After that, it was the road to recovery."

Van Fleet said his coma gave him visions that he bases much of his artwork on. He describes these visions as transitions.

"When a Native American dies, their spirit is transformed into the winged brothers and sisters–the hawk, the raven, the crow. When the spirit dies, you turn into a winged creature to watch over the natives who were left on the earth."

Van Fleet said that as he recovered from his illness, his artwork evolved. He said it is still evolving.

"I’m kind of unbalanced," he said. "I’m not on an even keel with everything yet."

His work reflects this unbalance. Spiritual oil paintings of his visions adorn the walls of his gallery. Stone sculptures are on display too, as well as a lamp that looks like it could have come from the Orient. There are also photographs that look like they were taken at the turn of the last century.

At first glance, the casual observer might not realize that the same man created them. But they are all his vision. It is a vision of self-expression. And it is a vision of wanting to help others express themselves.

The idea to open an art gallery evolved from a desire to give "closet artists" a place to show their work, Van Fleet said.

The Pot Boiler runs an average of nine exhibits a year. Most shows, he said, are from new and obscure artists, and students from Metro.

And although the Pot Boiler gallery is his, Van Fleet said he has never had an exhibit of his own work.

"I want to focus on other people," he said. "You should see the expressions, the feedback, and the compliments the students get."

Student Development Specialist Rebecca Fernandez said that Van Fleet’s contribution to the students is invaluable.

"He is a great resource," she said. "He is very caring. He helps students find their strengths."

Fernandez said that although Van Fleet is required to work with the students he is assigned for only a year, he maintains contact with them throughout their college career.

"He is a very strong influence in keeping them in school," she said.

Van Fleet said that Student Support Services was there for him when he needed help, so he has given back to the program.

"I put out a lot," he said. "I reach out to students. I get deep with them. I’m not the type of person to shove you off. It’s a good place to be."

Van Fleet will graduate in the fall. And after that he plans to continue using his gallery to help others express themselves.

As for his own art?

"I haven’t determined yet where I want to go," he said. "I’m enjoying doing this, showing other people’s work. Right now it’s more about giving the artist the opportunity. I know I’ll get my turn."
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Metro grad leaves a ‘piece’ of herself behind
Story and photos by Jennifer Grey

Metro graduate Marlene Kryza wanted to leave campus something to remember her by after spending eight years working and attending classes here. When she graduated in May 1999, with a bachelor’s of fine arts in sculpture, she started on the sculpture she installed outside the West Classroom Jan. 26. Then, she drove to Boston.

"I’m saving $300 by digging this hole myself," Kryza said, a breaker bar in her hands and standing in the 3-foot-deep hole that would later be poured with concrete to mount the 10-foot, steel-spiraled sculpture.

"Yeah, it’s funny I got this spot, too, because I worked in the financial aid offices right over there for four years," she said, pointing to the Central Classroom across Lawrence Street.

She had an engineer design a way to mount the base of the sculpture and figured the project would cost her about $500. The concrete for the bottom of the hole cost $250 alone.

She wanted the sculpture to look like it belonged in nature, climbing up toward the sun like the trees it sits with.

"This whole thing is a huge risk for me," she said. "I’m not sure if the thing is going to stand and I have to fund the project myself." She was happy that when the sculpture was soldered to the base, it stood.

Kryza had to go through Auraria Higher Education Center’s Facilities Management, and Facilities Planning and Use departments to get approval for one of the three sites she applied for. Originally, Kryza bid to put her sculpture in the RTD circle at 10th and Larimer. Her second bid was for a space in the library courtyard. Then, the committee designated the temporary space outside of the West Classroom to Kryza for a year. Dick Feuerborn, divisional director of Facilities Planning and Use, says he hopes the concept catches on.

"We decided to try to develop an opportunity for students to display their work," he said. "So we identified a location and we are in the process of refining the qualifications to ensure fairness," Feuerborn said.

"Getting approval was the hard part. After that, I had the support of AHEC to help with the installation and they’ve been great," she said as she worked a rock loose from the side of the hole with a pick ax.

"They even drove this Bobcat over for me," she said hurling the rock into the trough of the little earthmover parked by the hole.

Three-dimensional design caught Kryza’s interest during her third attempt at the 3-D processes and design class. She started with drawing and painting but when she "finally got the right teacher for 3-D," the welding bug grew on her and she started hanging around Atlas’s metal scrap yards.

The sculpture was Kryza’s last "hoorah" on campus, a gift from her to us. She took a job at a music school in Boston as a financial aid administrator, but she says she’ll be back to give the sculpture a paint job before the year is through.
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Audience gets good laugh from confession
Russ Bynum
Associated Press

MACON, Ga. (AP) — Autographed portraits of Gallagher, Tommy Chong and dozens of other touring comics hang inside the Comedy Cafe. If the owners want to add the latest sensation who left an audience in stitches, they’ll need his mug shot.

Glenn Matthews upstaged his favorite comedian and cracked up a sold-out crowd at the comedy club when he hopped onstage to make a criminal confession — "I’m the guy who’s been robbing these banks around here."

Three days earlier, Macon’s so-called "bicycle bandit" had made his third getaway in more than a year, pedaling away after holding up tellers with a rifle.

Matthews’ impromptu stage act got him booked into the county jail. Comedian Rickey Smiley, host of the show "Comic View" on Black Entertainment Television, is still laughing about the suspect who stumbled into his standup routine.

"That was funny as hell!" Smiley said. "I was on the microphone, and I pretended I was whispering. But I said, where the audience could hear me, ‘where’s the money?’ The audience was dying!"

No doubt Matthews stole the show. But did he really steal the money?

Police think so. They’ve charged the 43-year-old with three counts of armed robbery. If a jury decides Matthews wasn’t kidding, he could be sentenced to life in prison.

Three times in the past 14 months, a masked man walked into a bank and fired a warning shot from a rifle before robbing the tellers and escaping on a bicycle. Police were stumped before Matthews’ bizarre one-night performance.

The Jan. 12 show had sold out at the Comedy Cafe, where an audience of 300 sipped wine and bottled beer at candlelit tables as Smiley took the stage.

"What’s going on?" he asked a burly, salt-and-pepper bearded man dancing down front.

Matthews hopped on stage and grabbed Smiley’s hand before he could even tell a joke.

"I’m your biggest fan. I watch you on TV every night. You make me laugh, and I got pressure on me," Matthews said, according to Smiley. "I’m the guy who’s been robbing these banks around here. And before I went to jail, I just wanted to come see you."

Club owner Mike Smith, a former cop, didn’t care if the guy was joking. He was disrupting the show. So Smith had his staff call police immediately.

Meanwhile, Smiley tried to goad his confessional fan into telling where he’d stashed the cash. The audience howled with laughter.

"They’re blowing it off as truly part of the comedy show," said Smith, who persuaded Matthews to leave the stage after about seven minutes.

"I don’t feel he was drunk at all," Smith said. "There was alcohol on his breath. But I feel there was some real emotional distress on his part — ‘You’re not giving me enough attention.’ He’d been robbing banks for 14 months, and nobody had caught him."

Smiley said he also believes the confession was the real deal.

"The situation was funny, but he was serious when he was saying it. He didn’t crack a smile," Smiley said. "Didn’t take his medication, that’s all. I think they should’ve had him on Ritalin or something."

Matthews may have told a roomful of people that he pulled off the robberies. But police say that wasn’t enough to charge him — it took two days to dig up enough evidence to put him in jail.

Since the comedy club episode, Matthews’ only public appearances have been in court. During two brief hearings, he didn’t repeat or retract his confession.

Matthews has no telephone listing in his hometown of Warner Robins, 15 miles south of Macon, where police say he had a pressure-washing business. And he has yet to be appointed a permanent lawyer who can give his side of the story.

Ben Willis, an indigent defense attorney who advised Matthews in court Monday, brushed off Matthews’ outburst at the Comedy Cafe as a "humorous admission" that would carry little weight in court.

"I think everything must be put in its proper context," Willis said. "There’s a difference between saying something in the confessional and saying something in a comedy club."

No kidding, said District Attorney Howard Simms. "I don’t think I would want to go to trial on just a confession in a comedy club."

Police expect to have the last laugh, saying they’ve got enough evidence to link Matthews to the robberies. Police Capt. Robert Hernandez wouldn’t discuss most of the evidence, but he did offer two tidbits:

First, Matthews drove to the comedy club in a white Chevrolet van, the same type vehicle witnesses said the bandit loaded his bicycle into after the third robbery Jan. 8.

Second, Matthews resembles the robber caught on the banks’ security cameras. Still, the bandit wore a mask.

"We recovered sufficient evidence to obviously believe that it’s him," Hernandez said.

Smiley says Matthews should still be able to watch him on "Comic View" from prison, if necessary. He says he knows this because other inmates are fans.

"Do your time, get out and let’s split the money. That’s what I say to him. Just give me some of it," Smiley said, laughing. "When he gets out, he gets free tickets to the next show. He’s part of my official fan club.

"He’s not just a member. He’s the president."
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horoscopes by miss anna

ARIES:Focus your energies on personal challenges, instead of expecting too much from others. Your career is heading on an upward climb, and a promotion or more fulfilling position is possible. Your intimate relationships need more quality time now.

TAURUS:Take direct actions to improve your relationships and career goals. There will be progress at work if you can get your ideas across successfully. Keep taking steps forward, no matter how small, to bring you closer to your goal at work.

GEMINI:You will be able to accomplish anything you set your heart and mind to. This is one of your best times at home - harmony is everywhere. It's time to take a personal inventory and start a self improvement program for yourself. Go it alone and stay focused at work.

CANCER:Avoid making any promises, especially if it concerns money - you may not be able to keep those promises, no matter how hard you try. There are challenges in front of you at work, so make sure to do your personal best. Re-examine your goals and opportunities.

LEO:Go after your highest goal in the workplace, and you will be amazed at how close to this cherished goal you can get. You are in a serious mood, lost in thought... so go it alone. Be wary of your self-absorption, which makes you less sensitive to others.

VIRGO:There finally will be an end in sight concerning the problems and obstacles regarding money. Be on your guard, for you may encounter someone who likes to surprise you with head games and power plays. Make decisions about important purchases - find the bargain.

LIBRA:Any issues with your mate that have previously caused conflict will be resolved. If you are feeling restless, it may be time to take an impromptu pleasure trip. You've earned the right to be lazy, so explore at a leisurely pace. Your friendships are emphasized.

SCORPIO:This week will find you starting new activities and making new friends. If you are in a strong relationship, it may possibly move towards marriage, and if you are married, you may start having children. It will be a challenging work week, pace yourself.

SAGITTARIUS:Take time alone to sort out conflicts that may be hampering your closest relationships. A great number of things can be accomplished in the workplace if you get cooperation from others. Your friends need to rely on you for emotional support and advice.

CAPRICORN:Fireworks are likely at work. Take care of your own responsibilities and sidestep any arguments with co-workers. You are learning from your past mistakes, so there may be a clash with a close friend. Remember you can disagree without being disagreeable.

AQUARIUS: You will make rapid progress with projects, and come up with fresh ideas for existing projects. There may be a relative who needs your help. There is great financial news in the near future for you and your family. Enjoy the company of good friends.

PISCES:Your priorities need to be straightened out, for both career and household responsibilities are competing for your attention. Taking on additional responsibilities at work - will mean more money coming your way. Your household is filled with affection and cooperation.
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Metrosports

Taking baseball tips from a real pro
Corrigan Willis
The Metropolitan

If you ever happen to stroll by the baseball field on Metro’s campus and see something resembling the movie Karate Kid, don’t expect to see Daniel Laruso or Mr. Miyagi. It’s just Metro’s new pitching coach, Anthony Gutierrez, leading the pitching staff in a set of mental and physical exercises called isometrics.

"He brings a different approach to the pitching staff," Metro baseball coach Vince Porreco said of the former Houston Astros triple A pitcher. "Anthony is extremely knowledgeable about pitching."

Gutierrez brings professional baseball experience and fresh methods of pitcher development to the baseball team. His practices consist of everything from daily conversations with his players on pitching philosophy to the yoga-like isometrics.

"It looks like a session with Mr. Miyagi," senior outfielder Jack Edwards said.

In reality, isometrics is a way of weight lifting without the weights that Gutierrez learned in his minor league playing days. It’s the lifting of imaginary weight, using the power of the mind, the 31-year-old Gutierrez said.

"It’s the safest method to push and pull the most weight you can imagine," said Gutierrez.

A strong baseball philosophy was developed while playing with and against the likes of Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, Darryl Kile and Brian Hunter. He roomed with Kenny Lofton in 1989 and is still has a friendship with Hunter.

"A lot of the things I do preach I’ve learned first-hand from seeing what must be done to be successful at a higher level," said Gutierrez.

One day at spring training, he had the privilege of learning how to throw a changeup from former Cy Young Award winner and Atlanta Brave pitcher, Tom Glavine.

"He was really down to earth and willing to teach me the pitch. His changeup dove straight down," Gutierrez said of Glavine. "I came across a big leaguer with one of the best changeups of all time. He taught me the pitch and I had my best season to date that year."

Taking for granted experiences like meeting Glavine was never a feasible option for Gutierrez. Throughout his seven years in the minors, he took note of his experiences in a book that is now more than an inch thick.

"Basically, I found myself at the computer typing away about my emotions and experiences," Gutierrez said. "It has everything I have been taught from my dad and coaches. Adversity, jokes, rituals, personalities are all in there."

He has thought about someday putting the book in some type of order for publication, because he said there is a base for three or four different books within its covers. He frequently cites his book to help teach his players, and has compiled a pitching philosophy sheet directly from its contents.

Gutierrez graduated from Englewood High School in 1988, was drafted and signed right out of high school by the Astros, and has stayed in baseball since. He coached at Englewood in 1996 and established three youth teams in the Apache Baseball League. He currently gives private pitching instruction through a business called Inside Sports.

He joined the Roadrunners in November as the head pitching coach. In between coaching the pitchers, Gutierrez is taking classes at Metro and one day would like to become a teacher.

Although he missed all of the team’s fall practices, Gutierrez saw his late arrival during individual workouts as an advantage.

"It gave me the opportunity to know the guys individual personalities, and physical abilities. I then could assess the group as a whole from judging each player individually," said Gutierrez.

"He takes the time to make sure the guys are learning," Porreco said. "I’m really impressed by the way he is relating to the pitching staff. What’s more impressive is how the players are reacting to him, he relates well to the college player."

His love of baseball and coaching makes the match with his family a good one.

He describes his wife, Dana, and three kids as being a "baseball family." He even has a dog named Slider, after a type of breaking pitch.

"He’s a great teacher and is passionate about the game," Dana said. "Sometimes I have to quiet him down about it."

"I could stand here and talk about baseball from 7 a.m. to midnight," Gutierrez said.

The Roadrunners have enjoyed successful pitching in the recent past. Former pitching coach Kenny Leonesio led the 1998 pitching staff to a national ranking of 14th among Division II, and had second-ranked staffs in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in 1999 and 2000.

However, the respect already gained from Roadrunners coaches and players alike, make Gutierrez look qualified to continue the tradition.

"He has opened up his life to us, and allows us to come to him about problems on and off the field," senior pitcher Caleb Parmenter said.

"I see the past success here as an extreme motivation. I want to use some of the things that have worked, and add my knowledge and experience to bring the pitchers to the next level," Gutierrez said.

"It’s good to hear him share his minor league stories with us. His experience is important," Parmenter said.

Although he is quick to discredit it, player sentiments suggest that they had prior respect for Gutierrez because of his baseball resume.

"I still had to earn their respect through opening the doors of communication and being someone they can rely on for trials and tribulations on and off the field." Gutierrez said. "This is more important than playing at a higher level.

"But I bring experience that I have had with coaches that have pitched at the big league level that have translated messages to me. I’m taking those messages and installing that to the pitchers here."

For every great teacher there is inspiration from elsewhere that drives them. Gutierrez credits his father, who died three years ago, as being his greatest teacher. From him, Gutierrez learned important lessons about baseball, and more importantly, about life.

"His ability to send a message with a calming fire will always stay with me. I’ve learned to be a successful teacher because of that, and now I’m trying to pass that to the kids," Gutierrez said.

The Roadrunners will be striving toward appearing in the RMAC playoff in 2001, and much of that hinges on the success the pitching staff will have on the field. But Gutierrez realizes that his success not only lies in the final win-loss record.

"You can learn important lessons about life when pitching. You could make the right pitch at the right time and get a bad result. To be able to learn from that mistake is important in life because you have to adjust to things out there," Gutierrez said.
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Dunlap seeks his 100th win this weekend
Taylor Osieczanek
The Metropolitan

When the Metro men’s basketball team left for their pivotal two-game road trip against Nebraska-Kearney and Fort Hays State last weekend, coach Mike Dunlap was two victories shy of his 100th career win at Metro.

No team in history has ever swept the Kearney-Hays road trip making it hard to envision a more perfect scenario for Dunlap to earn his 100th victory. First, beat Nebraska-Kearney on Friday and move into sole possession of second place in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Second, defeat Fort Hays, the No. 1 team in the RMAC, on Saturday.

Instead, heading into this weekend’s home games versus Regis on Feb. 2, and Colorado Christian on Feb. 3, Dunlap is still stuck with 98 wins.

Metro’s first game of the trip was against Nebraska-Kearney.

"They (Nebraska-Kearney) are the best team in the league, without question," said Dunlap. Both teams entered the game with identical 12-3 records, with Kearney holding a one-game lead over Metro for second place in the RMAC. During the first half, Metro kept the game close, but trailed 36-28 at the break. Metro had the Lopers’ lead down to four during the second half, but Kearney pulled away down the stretch. Metro was then forced to foul at the end of the game and ended up losing 76-58.

One key statistic from the game was each team’s three-point shooting. Metro was 2-14 (14.3 percent) and Kearney shot 6-15 (40 percent). Freshmen Luke Kendall has been outstanding so far this season for the Roadrunners, but he had a sub-par one-for-seven shooting performance from the field.

"Freshmen always hit a lull, and he is definitely in the middle of a lull," Dunlap said of Kendall’s performance." He is being educated, and he’ll definitely come back strong once he smells the finish line." "All eyes then turned to Fort Hays. A win and the road trip would still be a success.

It was a close game from the opening tip. After the first 20 minutes of play nothing had been decided as the two teams were tied at 32 points. Metro led late in the game when Fort Hays (14-3, 9-1) made what Dunlap termed "A big bucket inside of a minute," Metro proceeded to have two baskets rim out, and when the final buzzer sounded, Metro had lost 62-58 to finish the trip 0-2.

"We lost (to Fort Hays) by four but it was a great game," Dunlap said.

Again, Metro’s three-point shooting again gave Dunlap a headache. Metro finished a woeful 1-15 (6.7 percent) while Fort Hays went 9-19 (47.4 percent) from behind the arc.

"We have a tendency at times to have some struggles from the field," Dunlap said. "But we are also in the top 10 of keeping our opponents down in field goal percentage, so the signs for us are hopeful because once our offense catches up to our defense we can be an explosive team. And we’ve shown at times we can do that."

There was a positive the Roadrunners could take from the unsuccessful road trip. They had the ability to take the crowd out of both games.

"We did a good job for the most part at taking their crowd out of the game. And from now, on they don’t get their crowd (when Kearney and Hays travel to Denver on Feb.16-17)," Dunlap said.

And with their strong defense, the Roadrunners held both Nebraska-Kearney and Fort Hays under both teams’ season scoring average of 90 points a contest.

The Roadrunners return home this weekend for two games with the keys of winning being the same as they have been all season long.

"Taking care of the ball, reestablishing ourselves from the three-point line, and continue to be tenacious on defense," Dunlap said.

"I know we’re the best defensive team in the RMAC so that holds well for us coming down the back stretch. "

If the Roadrunners are able to stick to their game plan and regain their shooting touch come Saturday night, Mike Dunlap should be celebrating his 100th Metro victory at the Auraria Events Center.
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Metro athletes treat trainers as a part of team
Eric Eames
The Metropolitan

On game day, Metro athletic trainer’s duties are much more then just sitting on the bench waiting to help injured Roadrunners.

Things start two hours before tip-off. The gym is quiet; the players are not yet in uniform. But in the locker rooms at Auraria Events Center, four people are scurrying about.

They’re putting out fresh towels, filling water bottles, and lugging coolers, ice and medical equipment onto the floor.

About an hour before tip-off, athletes are lining up for ankle, wrist and finger wraps, stretches, therapeutic ultrasounds, electric stimulation and more.

Finally, it’s game time. A time to search the players’ faces for any sign of blatant or hidden pain.

At halftime, there is just enough time to get the players re-wrapped and stretch them out before play resumes.

The final buzzer sounds. Time to unwrap the tape, ice a knee here, ice an ankle there.

After the players leave the gym, the trainers are still at the Events Center, cleaning up the trash and doing paperwork. They usually get home by 11 p.m.

Even though they are not on the roster, the trainers are valued members of the athletics teams.

"They certainly are part of the team," said women’s soccer coach Ed Montojo. "A important part of the team."

The trainers are important to the teams they work with because they are responsible for keeping the players playing.

"They keep all our guys on the court and ready to go," said men’s basketball coach Mike Dunlap.

There are six student trainers that serve Metro’s 10 athletic teams.

"These guys work tremendously hard," said Metro’s Head Athletic Trainer Paul Troyer. "They put in more hours than the athletes do and they really don’t get a whole lot for it.

"(We’re) the oil that keeps the machine going that people don’t ever see."

Everything starts with Troyer, who has upgraded the Metro training room from the mess he inherited four years ago to the one it is at the present.

"I’ve been here 16 years now, and it’s probably the best it’s ever been, really, since Paul Troyer took over," Montojo said.

"This is the best place I’ve been from the places I’ve worked as a head coach," said Dunlap, who previously coached at California Lutheran University and in Australia. "And that speaks volumes about the job Paul Troyer has done, because he is the leader of that."

Troyer, the staff’s only certified athletic trainer, obtained a master’s degree in advanced athletic training from California State University at San Jose in 1992, and has been in the business for 15 years.

For 65 hours a week, including most holidays, Troyer serves as the link between players and student trainers, a problem solver and an effective evaluator of injuries. The six student trainers follow and learn as much as they can from him.

There is Mat Thomas, Daniel Purifoy, Jaime Caldwell, Mellissa Briscoe, Beth Ress and Jolene Emricson. All are seniors and all are working together, so the 167 Metro athletes do not falter physically on game day.

"They’re very professional in what they do and they treat any type of injury you have," said men’s basketball senior forward Rashawn Fulcher.

From broken bones to diet tips, it doesn’t matter – they want to help.

"Our whole plan is to try and return the athletes to competition as soon as it is safe for them," Troyer said. "That’s the difference between sports medicine and other types of medicines you’ve got this timeline pressure."

Troyer said athletic trainers take an aggressive approach to treatments, because anxious, injured athletes can’t wait to return to play.

The trainers are just as eager to get them there, but safely. And therein lies the reward every athletic trainer, from beginner to the pros, strives for.

"When you take a injured athlete and implement a rehab program and be there with them going through training and every day you see them get better and you see them back playing like nothing happened" said Thomas, who oversaw the women’s soccer team this season. "That’s what I love."

Helping an athlete overcome a dramatic injury is priceless and feeling Troyer and past student trainers got when they took on the challenge of rehabilitating former Metro diver Jennifer Larwa two years ago.

In practice, Larwa smacked her hands on the diving board, when she flung her hands out from her tucked position, she broke several bones in both as she fell into the pool.

Kicking her way back to the surface, Larwa looked at her hands–they were limp.

"I put my hands in front of me, but they just weren’t working," she said.

In shock, and on the verge of tears, Larwa kicked her way to the side, where teammates helped her out of the pool.

By slowly incorporating various hand exercises and range of motion techniques, Larwa, with her hands protectively taped, was back on the diving board in six weeks, practicing carefully.

She continued to recover and eventually returned to the three-meter diving platform, where after six months of rehab, she qualified for Nationals and earned an All-American honorable mention.

"That was great to work with her," Troyer said. "Something like that, it’s just the human spirit saying: ‘I’m not going to let that keep me down and I am going to come back from this.’"

A bond is usually created between the athlete and the trainer.

"I used to avoid Paul at first and tried to stay away, because to me, Paul seemed a bit rigid," Fulcher said. "But over the years we’ve become close. Now we joke, talk about family. He’s a special person."

They all are student trainers and are not just there for the 1,500 hours of hands— on experience needed for the athletic training certification. If that were so, Purifoy, who is working with the men’s basketball team and has more than enough hours, could have ditched the team mid-season.

"Probably the biggest thrill of the training experience," Purifoy said, "is being part of the team."

Purifoy is in the training room at 5 a.m. to wrap ankles and get players properly stretched for the 6 a.m. practice session. He even showed up, without complaint, when the team practiced on Christmas Day. He attends team meetings and dinners as well. Without his face around, Fulcher says he and the rest of his teammates would worry.

"He’s not there just to be there, he’s there because we want him to be there with us," Fulcher added. "And he wants to be there. If we get together, look around and he’s not there we’ll wonder, ‘Where is D at?’"

Before becoming a trainer, Troyer was on another athletic team.

Troyer wrestled throughout high school and college, but things didn’t always turn out well for him.

"I’ve torn cartilage in my knee, broke both ankles, separated my shoulder," Troyer said. "I’ve been through it all."

Yet the fire still burns in the 36-year-old.

"I enjoy the competitive environment and the chance to work with teams and do something special," Troyer adds. "For instance, working with a national championship team doesn’t come along very often. To be a part of that team. To experience everything that goes with that the camaraderie. The sacrifice as a whole that everyone puts into that in order to achieve that goal, that’s very rewarding."

Awards for athletic trainers don’t come on plaques. Motivation doesn’t lie within a paycheck, because there’s none for Metro’s student athletic trainers.

"People do it for the same reason they teach: they love to do it, they love sports, they like working with athletes," says Dr. Mary Johnson, the athletic training curriculum director at Metro. "It takes a special person to go into athletic training. You don’t do it to be rich."
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