Volume 21 Issue 25 April 2, 1999 |
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Contents:
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NEWS |
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Supreme Court to hear fee
case Students who disapprove of their student fees going to groups with political agendas will have a date with the Supreme Court. The court announced March 29 it will hear a case involving the allocation of student fees to campus groups. The plaintiffs, five students from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, filed suit against the university in 1996, claiming the mandatory fees to fund organizations that advocate political viewpoints violate their First Amendment rights. Groups the students targeted include the university's chapter of the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Campus Center, and the International Socialist Organization. The students won the case in U.S. District court and the Board of Regents appealed. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Illinois also ruled in favor of the students Aug. 10, 1998. "The (university) does not dispute that these and other organizations engage in political and ideological speech," wrote the appeals court judges. "Instead the regents argue that the First Amendment protects the right of these organizations to engage in such speech. Of course it does. But the students do not ask that we restrict the speech of any student organization; they merely ask that they not be forced to financially subsidize speech with which they disagree. "The Regents (of the University
of Wisconsin) argue that because the organizations do not purport to speak
for all students, the First Amendment is not violated," the judges
continued. "This is irrelevant. The First Amendment protects the right
to free speech and the corresponding right not to be compelled to fund private
speech." "The fees aren't going to fund specific speech," she said. "It is going to the funding of a forum for all ideas. This is the point of universities; to have all ideas to learn from." The Supreme Court will include the case, Board of Regents vs. Southmore, in this year's session, which begins in October. Karen Bensen, director of Auraria's Gay, Lesbian Bisexual and Trans Student Services, said she is concerned about the outcome of the case. "Programs can't survive on that kind of tenuous funding," she said. "I think of student fees like taxes," she said. "While we have representation, we don't get to choose where (the taxes) go. If I had my way, I wouldn't support taxes that go to war. People don't use all of the services the fees pay for, but it makes sense that they are there." |
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Library fines don't fit the bill The Auraria Library spent more money on new books and replacing lost and damaged books this year than it collected in fines for the overdue or lost books. The library spent $607,574 on new books and replacing lost and damaged books last year. It purchased 16,037 books using state dollars and money collected from fines. The library collected $76,486 in fines from patrons who have lost their books since April 1992. "We use the money we collect from fines to buy other books," said Sandra Dedrick, financial services manager of the library. Of the yearly library $6 million budget which serves the three colleges on campus, $1.8 million comes from state government dollars. Of the 12,571 overdue books referred to the collections department, 6,820 were returned, a 54 percent success rate. That leaves 5,751 books out of circulation. "When you include the selection, ordering, cataloging, shelving, processing part of it, the average is $37.89," Dedrick said. But that doesn't include the purchase price of a book, she said. Overdue accounts of more than $50 are referred to Dedrick in the accounting department. If the patron cannot locate the book, he or she must pay a $60 fine to restore borrowing privileges with the library, Dedrick said. "If you find the book seven months or two years later, and bring that book back, I will reimburse you $50," Dedrick said. "We really want these books." |
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Increased recycling costs campus money It's getting harder to recycle. Auraria Campus' recycling program has seen an increase in the number of recyclables, but according to Craig Bisgard, general services manager of facilities management, the increase makes the program more expensive. Auraria recycles seven tons of white paper every month. The company Metro uses to recycle white paper, Republic Fiber Co., pays $75 for each ton of paper. "Recycling isn't a money maker," he said. "We do it for the environment." This year the recycling program has earned $3,000. Bisgard said recycling is an expensive process and most of the money generated goes back into the program or into a general fund. There are three bins behind the Technology Building that are picked up monthly, and the money made from recycling is minimal. Auraria Campus recycles white paper, newspaper and aluminum cans, but not plastic or glass. "I don't think we ever recycled plastic or glass," Bisgard said. King Soopers had been recycling glass and plastic, but closed its facilities because it became too expensive. Bisgard said the increase of recycling on campus resulted from the closure of King Soopers facilities. But the increase makes recycling more expensive because more staff members are needed to collect it. "We don't have enough staff to make the program work at its full potential," said Tony Lucero, custodial supervisor with facilities management. "The program isn't perfect, and there's always room for improvement," Bisgard said. Bisgard said when he took over the program three years ago, it was in disarray. Records of how much material was going out and how much money was coming in were non-existent. The program needed to be streamlined, Bisgard said. He worked on improvements slowly with his limited funds and staff. "I remember a few years ago CoPIRG (an environmental advocacy group) rated us and gave us a D plus," he said. He said he felt the program would get a better grade today. Bisgard and Lucero said the Colorado Public Interest Research Group's involvement in the recycling program has been minimal. Occasionally the two have met with CoPIRG members, but no action resulted. Bisgard said he could use CoPIRG's help. Amber Stewart and David Craig, members of CoPIRG, said the group isn't involved in the recycling program, but hopes they will be soon. "Right now, we're in the beginning stages of developing a program," Stewart said. Craig said he hopes to enlist the help of other clubs to sponsor the program. Lucero said one thing he wants to do to make the program better is installing large recycling bins for white paper in the hallways of campus buildings. He said people on campus are willing to recycle, but often lack the feeling that they are involved in the recycling process. People put their recyclables into the bins but don't get to participate in the program beyond tossing items into the bins. If people had to walk small boxes of paper to large bins in the hallway, they might feel more actively involved, Lucero said. Some of the problems Lucero has with the program are people putting trash in the recycling bins, or failing to sort out their paper he said. "If colored paper gets mixed in the white paper, then the load is considered contaminated and has to go into the landfill," Lucero said. Republic Fiber Co. is strict with that rule, he said. |
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Poet, activist delivers message to Auraria Most Americans see black men as criminals and abusers, but don't acknowledge it when black men do good for their families, a celebrated writer said on campus March 25. Accomplished writer, activist and educator Nikki Giovanni spoke to students in the Tivoli in a presentation titled, "Diversity as Art: Art as Diversity." The talk covered myriad topics including health, politics and diversity. "We are afraid of ourselves·and afraid of people that could be like us," said Giovanni. "If you can love who you are, then we can understand another level of truth." Giovanni gave an example of NBA star Allen Iverson. Iverson's sister has epilepsy. He left school because she wasn't getting any treatment. "The NCAA is sitting on their butts, and Georgetown has one of the best hospitals," she said. They wouldn't allow Georgetown to treat Iverson's sister, thinking it would be special treatment, and they would have do it for everyone. "I get tired of people not giving any praise to black men when they try to do something right," Giovanni said. "Iverson had to do what he had to do by joining the NBA to pay for his sister's treatment," she said. Giovanni is also a great supporter of the former rap artist Tupac Shakur and said his death was a great tragedy. "He told the truth, he wrote about real life and people are still going through it today. Tupac was all of our sons." At one point Giovanni asked a Metro student who was asking questions to leave. Giovanni took exception to the questions, saying she didn't want to hear anything negative about Tupac. "I have nothing against her. I still admire her very much," the dismissed questioner, R. Chris Clark, said. "The only thing that Nikki could bring for the younger generation was Tupac. I know now that I shouldn't have challenged her authority in front of the group of people. Her knowledge of the younger generation is very limited. "She studies society and the world in general, and this is a society
where children are seen but not heard. She knows of society and not of us
because as we get older our thinking changes," Clark said. Giovanni is considered one of the most widely read American poets. She prides herself on being "a black American, a daughter, a mother, a professor of English." She has received many awards and has been named "Women of the Year" by three different magazines. "She is one of the most phenomenal speakers I've heard since I've been attending school here. She is profound and passionate," said student Brooke Blanchette. "Nikki was very exciting to listen to," said Metro student Rashawn Fultcher. "From poet to poet she inspired me to look deeper for the 'why' in life: meaning why do we as Americans say certain things, accept certain things and think certain things?" "We have to go into year 2000 knowing that all men and women, black, white, brown, yellow are created equal," Giovanni said. Added Clark, "She has the guts to speak out and the talent to |
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Metro students honor Roadrunners after second-place NCAA finish
More than 300 people attended a rally March 25 to celebrate the men's basketball team's performance in the NCAA championships. "It's great to have a celebration for all the hard work. It is nice that other people in the school recognize our effort and achievement," said David Adler, member of the men's basketball team. The Roadrunners lost to the Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers, 75-60, at the NCAA Division II championships, which were held in Louisville, Ky. Though the team did not win the championship, they were the first Metro sports team to play in a national championship that aired on national television. Their 28 wins this year tied the school's record as well. Vic Lombardi of KCNC - TV Channel 4, hosted the rally and said there is no better way to get your name out there than to be in the NCAA tournament. Metro President Sheila Kaplan read a proclamation from the City and County of Denver stating it was honored to salute Metro's outstanding men's basketball team and Mayor Webb officially proclaimed March 25 as Metro's Men's Basketball Day. Coach Mike Dunlap said the fans had contributed to the journey. Those who came to celebrate the team's victory also had a chance to win prizes and receive free food at the rally, courtesy of Subway, Dominos and Alice Radio. Festivities also included dance performances by the cheerleaders. Metro student Andy Beakman, who attended the rally, said, "It's nice
to see the school supporting the team. They showed great skills, enthusiasm
and commitment, and I'd like to see them go all the |
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Survey indicates approval of Metro's online classes It is too soon to know the full impact online courses will have on the way colleges do business, but one thing is certain — they are here to stay. Student surveys conducted at the end of each semester indicate Metro students like the virtual classrooms and want more of them, said Andrew Breckel, assistant vice president for academic affairs and extended education. "They like the flexibility," he said of the online offerings. Darby Walker, director of CU Online, the online course program at the University of Colorado at Denver, echoes that sentiment. The most popular log on time when the program started was between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., she said, and surveys indicate "students are happy with the program." Both schools began offering online courses in spring 1996 with a single pilot course. This semester Metro offered 51 online courses and had 1,226 students enrolled. Walker said CU-Denver had 60 to 70 courses with 1,200 to 1,500 students enrolled for the semester. About 65 online courses will be offered for fall semester at Metro, according to Claudia Romans, coordinator for academic support services. In addition, 10 hybrid courses will be offered, Breckel said. Hybrid courses are a combination of online and classroom teaching, a response to requests from students and teachers for more personal interaction than the online courses offer, he said. "Online courses raise a socialization issue," he said. "Some students and teachers want the personal interaction experienced in the traditional classroom setting." Metro student Rodney Lane, who is taking an online political science class, agreed. "I prefer the classroom setting because of the opportunity for more personal interaction," he said. "I've met the teacher who teaches the Internet class I'm taking. Having met him makes me wish I had taken the regular class even more." Breckel and Walker said dropout rates and grades for students taking online courses are comparable to those taking traditional classroom courses. Walker said. However, that wasn't always the case. "In the beginning, there were a lot more dropouts because students didn't realize the courses weren't self-paced, like independent study courses," she said. "They thought they could do them whenever they wanted. They didn't know they would have due dates and timelines like regular classes." Through literature CU-Denver published about the courses and word of mouth, students now know what to expect in the electronic classroom, Walker added. And Breckel said grades for online courses "in some cases are even better than the in-class equivalents." Breckel and Walker said while the course content of the online courses is the same as the in-class equivalent, these courses will never replace classroom instruction, but are an additional learning option for those students who choose to use them. "We hope they will become more dynamic and interactive," Breckel said. Online courses are not in the "pooled" courses between the two schools because the tuition structure and the direction of the programs differ, they said. CU-Denver has and will continue to market to students beyond Denver, Walker
said. Lack of money has been a stumbling block to development, but she expects
the online program to be able to expand this year. "Our goal is to make the online courses available to students who want to be affiliated with Metro," Breckel said. One of the conclusions that can be drawn from Metro's student surveys and statistical data is students are using online courses as a means to completing their degrees quicker, Breckel said. He also speculated transferring credits will become easier and faster as students increasingly opt for online instruction from schools nationwide. He said the current process for "transferring courses is more difficult than it ought to be" and online education may be the catalyst to smooth future transfers. |
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COMMENTARY |
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We're :) about online News: Views: Three years ago, Metro offered only one class over the Internet. Now there are 51 classes, 1,226 students and plans for further expansion. This is good. Metro's mission has always been serving nontraditional students. Not too many trust-fund babies attend classes here. Instead, 80 percent of students maintain a job outside of school. Nearly half are on financial aid. Many take care of a family. Online classes are not appropriate for every degree program. But many students can't fit a specific class time into their schedule. That explains why so many students are taking advantage of the service late at night. Internet classes are also convenient for professors and the college. Professors can grade papers whenever and however they want, from school or from home. And after start-up expenses, it doesn't cost as much to maintain a virtual classroom as one located on campus. Metro should pass this savings along to students in the form of lower tuition for Internet classes. But Metro shouldn't stop at Internet classes. There are many ways to serve students who can't come to campus on a traditional schedule. A few other suggestions:
The apparent success of Internet classes is testament to the fact that students will use technology to enhance their college experience when it's available. It makes sense for the college to serve its greatest customer base: nontraditional students. Offering virtual services adds to the attraction for students who don't have time or motivation to navigate the state bureaucracy. |
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Vote 'yes' on CSA membership Next week Metro students will have the opportunity to vote on a referendum that will determine the school's future involvement with the Colorado Student Association. As a former Metro student, I urge students to vote "yes" on this extremely important referendum. Last August, I resigned my position in Metro's Student Government Assembly to take a job with the Colorado Student Association as director of campus affairs. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. The association is a nonprofit organization that lobbies all levels of higher education decision-makers on behalf of students. They lobby state legislators to keep tuition affordable, financial aid more accessible, and to keep the state funding technology, programs of excellence and quality indicators. Against all odds, the association has proven time and again that students are competent spending their fees and that they care and are interested in the quality of their education. CSA has a board of directors, which consists of 11 dedicated students from 11 campuses across the state. These students dedicate their time, without compensation, to develop plans and platforms derived from student concerns. They meet every week via phone and once a month at schools across the state. You will never find a group of students that works as hard for fellow students. The staff consists of two full time employees who coordinate efforts across the state and at the state capitol. The association has one staff member who works pro bono, writing policies driven by students that will be presented and adopted by the Colorado Commission of Higher Education. The association has a staff member who works full time during the legislative session and part-time the rest of the year. This staff member is at the capitol fighting for students every day. CSA has had many successes on the behalf of students. For example, it successfully lobbied for a $4.5 million increase in need-based financial aid in 1993, the largest increase in Colorado history. In 1995, CSA supported and received a $6.2 million increase in financial aid, another new high in aid funding. This year, CSA secured another $4.3 million increase in financial aid. For the first time in Colorado history, due to the efforts of CSA, the legislature is allocating $6.7 million to technology funding at state-funded colleges. CSA is also in the midst of writing a statewide academic advising policy, which will ensure quality advising at each institution for all students. Every Metro student benefits from CSA's efforts. If you have questions, call (303) 572-3193. The staff and board of directors want to talk to students. I urge you to vote "yes" next week. You won't regret it. |
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Harassment inquiry is on the hush-hush "MSC(D) has an affirmative duty to foster an employment and academic
environment free from all forms of sexual harassment, sexual intimidation
and sexual exploitation." Metro is investigating whether its former vice president of Student Services sexually harassed a female student. Percy Morehouse, director of Equal Opportunity, and Lee Combs, the college attorney, confirmed March 30 they are investigating a student's claim — reported by professor James Brodell — that she had been sexually harassed by Vernon Haley, the former administrator. Morehouse and Combs denied my request for all written materials, including electronic mail, accumulated to this point in the investigation. This information is available according to law. I'll get back to that. Haley denied sexually harassing anyone. He left Metro last summer to take the vice president of Student Services job at Palm Beach Community College in Florida. "It's totally unfounded," Haley said. "Nothing like that ever happened. This is totally out of the blue." Morehouse said he received e-mail from a professor before spring break relating a story about Haley that a student had discussed openly in class. Morehouse said President Sheila Kaplan asked him to investigate the matter. He said he has since turned the investigation over to Combs. "We still haven't made a determination whether the allegations are true or whether they rise to the level of harassment," Morehouse said. Haley said he knew the student because she used to work in Student Services, but he said the relationship was purely professional. "My only conversation with this young lady was in reference to her work situation," Haley said. So how will we ever know if this woman was sexually harassed? Yes, we can wait for Kaplan, Morehouse and Combs to make their decision, but will we really know the truth then? No. We can't blindly trust those in positions of power to be honest. This is precisely why open records laws exist in the first place. The law protects the powerless from the powerful conducting fixed investigations. I'm not saying that is the case here, but it could be without protection. Combs said the records are closed to the public because they involve a student. Some student records are not available to the public under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. That's fine. Just one thing. These aren't student records. This is the college investigating its former administrator while hiding behind a student. Which brings to mind another issue. Haley, Morehouse, Combs and Kaplan worked closely together before Haley left. Are these really the people who should be investigating this claim? I'd feel a little more comfortable having an independent agency or individual handling this. In my view, this couldn't have happened at a better time. Metro is in the midst of rewriting its sexual harassment policy. The lessons learned from this can benefit everyone at Metro in the future. It's been three weeks since Morehouse received the e-mail, but Haley said he has yet to be asked for any kind of written statement. "We basically just spoke about it," Haley said. "(Morehouse) just asked me about it. He didn't ask me to submit anything in writing." That brings another thought to mind. Other than the professor's e-mail, are there any records to examine? I can't tell you. But I can offer this: As long as the secrecy policy continues, this woman, Haley and future unfortunate souls who become involved in similar situations won't know if they're getting a fair shake. Shhhhhhh. |
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SGA a study in effort, success People are often under the incorrect assumption that when you become a member of Metro's Student Government Assembly, your word suddenly becomes the policy that administration works under. In actuality, what SGA brings to the table is a collective voice, which tries desperately to be in tune with students' desires. A voice, which at times rings loudly within the ears of the powers that be, and at other times is looked at as a polite suggestion in the most patronizing way. We are a voice that can be heard and as easily be ignored no matter how loud we are. This was the case with parking and a full week of fall break (of which the latter was both a Colorado Commission on Higher Education issue and an administrative one). We said we would address those issues and that is what we did. Short of chaining ourselves to each other and laying down in front of the bulldozer that threatend our parking spaces, we did all that we could. Several hundred students, faculty and administrators will benefit from having an arts complex. Eventually, it might even make money for the departments that will use it by selling event tickets to the community outside of Auraria that often frequents performances by our talented students for free. That will create exposure and experience for students, and dollars for departments, which will then make the most of those benefits. Should we stand in their way of progress? To be sure, parking is a valid issue on which this administration has spent plenty of time. Remember all those parking forums that were held by your representatives on the Student Advisory Committee to the Auraria Board, and Auraria? When course-specific fees and student affairs fees were going to be increased, we held forums to educate the students so that they could have redress with the heads of departments, faculty and other related personnel who advocated for the increases. The lack of attendance could be construed as condoning fee increases. Yet, that did not deter us from continuing to hold the forums. Attendance at forums and meetings is also a gauge for SGA members to determine what students find important. That determination allows us to focus our attention elsewhere if need be. For instance, after the first half of our term, we determined that advising and childcare were critical issues, so we focused some of our efforts on that, while continuing to plug away at other issues. Retention is another issue we pledged to address, and we did so successfully. It is the spirit of giving to students and others in our communities that motivated SGA to partner with the Denver Broncos' wives to raise five boxes of food that went to various families and assistance organizations for distribution. Student government also spearheaded a drive to feed our students' families directly. Over the holidays, through a student government initiative and other campus groups, 11 needy student families received full holiday dinners, baskets of food, and certificates to grocery stores to help make their holidays a little merrier. SGA also worked directly with a student who had difficult circumstances. She was so frustrated with her admittance process, that she gave up trying to be enrolled at Metro. It was a desperate call from her mother to our office that alerted us to her situation. We walked her through the registration process so that she could attend classes last fall. We have also worked with other indigent students in crisises that dealt with financial aid matters. Showing support to the students of Metro through the giving of food, time, experience and knowledge directly relates to retention. The numbers may not be huge, but every one is a success for the college. It is important to keep in mind also, that retention is not something that is solved and done with. It is an on-going issue that should always be a goal of any college to get better and better at. Six of our eight members have a voting position on the Student Advisory Board. The SAB functions to carefully analyze 17 campus organizations' programs management and outreach effectiveness. It then makes critical funding determinations for those organizations. We do this to ensure that students get the most bang for their buck, and so that those organizations that are truly contributing to students academic and extracurricular interests continue to be funded. We worked with Academic Advising to ensure that students who are taking general studies are properly guided through academic advising and followed through with departmental advising, once they've selected a major. During election season, we worked in conjunction with the Colorado Public Interest Research Group to register voters. We exceeded expectations by more than 700 registrations, due largely to the diligence of SGA members that continually staffed tables the entire duration of the voter registration drive. Yes, we had some issues with turnover. Working in SGA is not for everybody. In retrospect we only lost two of the original members of the SPI ticket. It was the position of vice president of student fees that had a high turnover ÷ an indication that some students were not ready for a leadership position or that other duties prevailed upon them. However, it was an opportunity for students to try their hands at the leadership reins and make that determination. Turnovers are an unfortunate casualty, but not one that we did not recover from. Our doors are open and we are available to any student who cares to come to us for help. If they don't come to us, we as students go to them, to address issues that we believe are of concern to everyone. Alvis Montgomery is vice president of campus communications for Metro's Student Government Assembly. |
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FEATURES |
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Musical Expressions Metro music professor and well-known jazz musician Ron Miles, doesn't like to talk. He would rather express himself with his music. He does just that, and people listen. Miles began playing the trumpet at a young age. His mother needed something for he and his sisters to do while she taught summer school, so she told them to join a band. "I didn't even know about instruments like the trumpet. I just knew the instruments that The Archie's played, a cartoon show when I was a kid. The trumpet looked interesting so I picked the trumpet," Miles said. "Everybody in elementary and junior high are trying to find a place for themselves it seemed like band was for people who weren't very athletic or social. You could go there and be among people who were a little bit freakish like yourself and fit in." Miles continued to play the trumpet because it gave him a sense of accomplishment he couldn't get from the academic life alone. After graduating high school, though, he was still interested in music, he began attending the University of Denver for electrical engineering. "People would say, 'You know, you really could be good if you just dedicated yourself to music,' " Miles said. "So I went to my folks and told them that I really just wanted to be a musician instead." Miles devoted himself to jazz and graduated from the University of Denver with a bachelor's degree in music. He went on to get his master's in music from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Miles began teaching at Metro in 1990 because he wasn't ready for an orchestral career, he said. "I quite enjoy teaching here, primarily because the students are quite wonderful. I think Metro is a model for how colleges are going to be in the future," he said. Miles attributes this to the diversity of races, ages and economic status of Metro's student body. "We're all really here trying to do the same thing on this Earth. It's nice to see how other people's experiences have enriched their lives, and in turn, maybe they'll enrich yours." Miles is known around campus for his generosity and willingness to help others, said Hal Tamblyn, chairman of Metro's music department. "Ron is a wonderful person to work with. I admire him greatly," he said. "He cares tremendously about the students, and at the same time is the ultimate professional." Miles said he is always on the look-out for people who need encouragement in getting noticed for their music. "I try and be aware of people who are coming up (in the music industry) and might not get noticed. It's hard to get noticed. I try to keep my ear out and my eye out and lend support whenever I can," Miles said. "People come to me and ask me to help out, and I'm always down with that." C.J. White, chairman of the African American Studies Department, said, "I've worked with Ron on many occasions, and he always receives rave reviews." Miles is an international figure, and Metro is lucky to have him here, White said. "I would hate for anyone to attend Metro and not know about Ron Miles," he said. Miles has recorded two albums, My Cruel Heart and Woman's Day. He has worked with Ginger Baker, Bill Frisell, Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello. Miles has toured Europe, Japan, Singapore, Canada and the United States. He recently finished helping produce the new Ginger Baker album and may return to Europe to go on tour for the album this summer. Projects with Elvis Costello and Bill Frisell will also be completed in April. Miles takes music seriously and practices every day, he said. "I don't know what the future holds. I imagine that I'll be teaching less, not because I don't like it as much. I don't enjoy talking that much. Every time the semester starts I get so nervous about walking into class for the first time and having to talk. I feel like my great mission is to write music." |
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Defying Sanctions Members of the Colorado Campaign for Middle East Peace are outraged over the economic sanctions being imposed on Iraq by the U.S. government. Members sent a single aspirin to a doctor in Iraq on Jan. 30 in defiance of the sanctions that outlaw the sending of goods to Iraq. "We seem to have a little momentum built, but any hope of ending the sanctions is going to take a lot more active engagement," said Ben Harnke, a CCMEP member. "There's only so much 20 people can do," he said. Robert Hazan, a political science professor at Metro, said this symbolic action is a "prescription for peace." "It is always nice to see that there are individuals engaged in creative ways to alleviate pain," he said. Mark Schneider, a CCMEP member, said the group has not yet heard any information about the status of the aspirin, or if it has reached its destination. "To be honest, we should have," he said. "It still could be in transit, but after seven weeks, it's still a good idea that it hasn't been received." Universal Agent No. 3922 for the U.S. Postal, who is not permitted to give her name, said, "Once it arrives at customs, we have no control over the delivery of it. They have certain restrictions to different countries." Schneider said he would not be surprised if the aspirin never left the United States. "Technically, for anything of value you have to get a certain permit
from the U.S. Treasury Department," he said. Hazan said he opposes the sanctions because they punish the citizens of Iraq rather than the ruler. Voices in the Wilderness, another group that supports ending sanctions, was cited in 1998 with $160,000 in civil penalties for sending goods to Iraq. Salam Alrubaily, a CCMEP member, said the people of Iraq are suffering twice: from the Iraqi government and from the sanctions. He said he doesn't see any reason for the restrictions on medical supplies and food to Iraq. Alrubaily, 21, was born and raised in Iraq and escaped to the United States in 1991. He said he may never be able to return home again. "If I go there, it will be a one-way trip," he said. "If I'm lucky, they will put me in jail, but they will kill me anyway. Saddam Hussein cannot forget his enemies." "It is always nice to see that there are individuals engaged in creative ways to alleviate pain." UNICEF Reports: 239,000 Iraqi children have died since sanctions began in 1990. 960,000 Iraqi children younger than 5 are chronically malnourished. 5,000 Iraqi children die every month as a direct result of sanctions. The Oil-For-Food program has not resulted in adequate protection of Iraq's children from malnutrition/disease. |
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Valiunt eccentricities It's hard to make something good out of nothing. The Boulder's Dinner Theatre production of Man of La Mancha tries very hard at making this awkward musical flow. The story tells of Don Quixote (Wayne Kennedy) who, through his insane conquests, teaches lessons of philanthropy. It's really a kind musical, only it's a difficult task for theater companies to make this show work. Disjointed scenes are slated between lame songs, and although it includes many memorable moments and endearing characters, the trippy times really count against it. Boulder shows incredible proficiency in the vocal aspect, hyping exemplary voices in the leading roles. The acting also works well. The problem here is murky direction. La Mancha has some humorous moments. The songwriting is clever, and there are multiple opportunities to find laughter in the staging of a lighthearted play such as this. Boulder, however, evokes few laugh-out-loud moments. The song "I'm Only Thinking of Him" is witty, but the slow pacing is dull. Sancho (Derek Phipps), Quixote's cutesy sidekick, needs work on his timing. Sancho can be funny as hell, or he ends up uncomfortable. Phipps accomplishes something in the middle. Also counting against the company is the sound. The system cracked and spat throughout the first half of the show, annoying the audience and upstaging the performers. The actors were able to ignore and overcome, with tight performances from Quixote and his lady, Aldonza (Joanie Brosseau-Beyette). Kennedy's voice compliments Brosseau-Beyette's, and she skillfully covers the gamut of emotions in her songs "It's All the Same" and "Aldonza." A great supporting actor is Andy Lusche, who plays the bipartisan padre. His voice comes across as innocent and undeveloped, yet thoroughly controlled. However, the reverb on his mic during "To Each His Dulcinea" was simply corny and icky. His voice is strong enough to carry such a superfluous song without added technology. Since Boulder performed this one-act, the dinner was severely rushed and some "pre-show entertainment" was given. Please. Boulder's actors have great voices, but let the audience finish their dinner in peace without time limits. The show stands on its own. Man of La Mancha runs through June 13. Call (303) 449-6000. In its own class The Tony winner (1996's Best Play) is set in a Julliard lecture room with opera diva Maria Callas (Gordana Rashovich) at the helm. The students sing and she critiques them. But she adamantly tells the class that she will not talk about her own famed career and tabloid life, because this is not about her. Of course the play centers around the egoist, complete with her emotional fits and insightful soliloquies. Playwright Terrence McNally (Love! Valour! Compassion!, and the book for Ragtime) has Callas throwing wit at the audience in buckets. McNally was lucky; Callas' attitude is there, burned in many biographies and memories. All he had to do was organize the ammunition in a hypothetical situation. (It would be as simple as writing a screenplay centered around the follies of the current presidency.) Callas makes her students cry and leave the room, and Rashovich's intense approach to the character keeps the audience's collective eye peeled. She mostly shows her depth as an actor upon entering Twilight Zone-esque flashbacks, where she recalls trying times in her life. The ferocity on her face and her ruthless approach to the character spells out Callas. The ensemble is strong, although it could be argued that this show consists of no ensemble. Many see it as a one-woman show because Callas was such a dominating character ÷ both in life and on the stage. But the tiny supporting roles of the three brave students and accompanist are given strong performances. The proscenium Stage Theater at the Denver Performing Arts Complex is the perfect venue as Callas easily treats it as a lecture hall full of music students. Master Class runs through April 17. Call (303) 893-4100. Dancing brings down 'Beauty' The fairy tale opens with the christening of the king and queen's newborn baby, Princess Aurora. Members and fairies of the court offer their gifts in her honor. An evil fairy hits the scene and casts a murderous spell on the princess that will be her demise upon turning 16. The saintly Lilac Fairy can't reverse the spell, but she changes it so the princess sleeps instead of dies. She sleeps for 100 years. Blah blah blah. Of course, Prince Charming wakes her up with a kiss. Yada yada. They get married. Rapeteta. It keeps going and going and going · The production flows nicely through the first two and a half acts. It then runs into a problem even the Tchaikovsky-written music cannot save: insipid choreography. It's all good 'till the third act, when the storybook characters are running around in pointless solos and duets. The dramatic music provides the background, but the choreography runs out of energy and creativity when the audience's attention most needs a boost. The third act aside, the narration was competently put forth by the cohesive unit. The company at times matches the music, which is the potion that makes the beauty sleep. But the performance as a whole lacks the passion of a prince with lackluster courting options. Sleeping Beauty runs through April 4. Call (303) 837-8888. |
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UCD students creating CD University of Colorado at Denver students are collaborating on a CD project they hope to release later this spring. The purpose of the CD is to bring students together under one record label in the CU-Denver professional studies program, said Dick Weisman, professor and a member of a committee that decides criteria for selection. All facets of the album's production, playing, arranging, engineering, graphic design, and even marketing, will allow students to interact on a single project, he said. The label will be called R.I.M. records, which stands for Revolutions in Music. The selection process for who plays on the CD is determined by a committee, which is made up of only students, some of whom appear on the CD. To make sure the judging process is impartial, a second committee, of both students and professors was formed. Sahara Martinez, whose song "Could've Been" appears on the CD, is a a member of the all-student committee. She said students who submitted songs for consideration were not allowed to judge their own work. The content of the album ranges from techno to rhythm and blues. The criteria for deciding was based on the technical quality of production rather than the actual content of the piece. This presented a problem. Martinez said there are only two studios available on campus that all students must share. Weisman said it was not necessary for students to use the on-campus facilities and that some utilized home studios. Both Weisman and Martinez were optimistic that with the new performing arts building being built there will be larger facilities for students to use and that the R.I.M. project could grow. Weisman said that similar projects have been done at schools in Florida and Tennessee and that those programs are successful. The problem is with funding, Martinez said. Some money has come from a department grant and some from students. Weisman said although students put up money for the CD, they are not required to pay for anything. "It's a means for creating a positive interaction between students, in hopes that they have had a real experience working on something by the time they graduate," Weisman said. Weisman said he would like to see the record label grow into something that will eventually incorporate all Auraria students, bringing together people from different departments to collaborate on projects. |
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SPORTS |
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A rocky road behind them If the Metro men's baseball team had its way, it would probably never leave Auraria Field. The Roadrunners are 11-3 at home this season, but on the road they have not been as impressive. Metro has won only three of its 16 games on the road this year, unlike last season when the Roadrunners were 8-7 away from Auraria Field. After opening the season with a road loss to Regis University (6-2), Metro came home and won eight of nine games against non-conference teams. The Roadrunners were unable to extend the winning streak on the road as they traveled to face West Texas A&M. In a four-game weekend series, the Roadrunners lost all four games, including their worst defeat of the year, 12-4. "I don't think it's the quality of the teams on the road," coach Vince Porreco said. "Good teams will go in and beat teams at their home. We just haven't done that yet." The Roadrunners were rejuvenated when they returned home, sweeping three games from Panhandle State. The home wins were a small confidence booster. Then Metro went to California during spring break where it lost all three games. "We have been just shy of getting over the hump," Porreco said. "Making mistakes, little mistakes, have cost us games on the road." In California, the Roadrunners had good pitching and good hitting, but never at the same time. It's a problem they've faced all year, and it was evident again March 30 when Metro dropped a doubleheader to the University of Northern Colorado. Metro scored a lot of runs but couldn't provide good pitching, falling 16-15 and 15-14. "We've tried everything to pinpoint the problem," Metro pitcher Ariel Garibay said. "We just can't seem to put two things together in the same game." Statistics show the same problem. Metro has outscored its opponents, 149-111, and has a lower team ERA (3.62) than its opponents (6.63). The Roadrunners finally got the road woes off their back March 21. After losing its first 10 games on the road, Metro swept a doubleheader from the Colorado School of Mines, 8-5 and 6-0. Metro is back home April 2-3 with two doubleheaders against Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference foe Regis. |
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Garibay down but not out — yet It was the worst pain he'd ever felt. At first it was in the arm of Metro starting pitcher Ariel Garibay. Now, it's going to his head and his mind. Garibay, the top returning pitcher for Metro with eight wins last year, laid motionless on the diamond on the campus of West Texas A&M March 6. He knew he had done something to his pitching arm but didn't imagine what it was going to do to his life. "I knew something was wrong," he said. "I heard it pop." Garibay heard what a doctor calls a torn MCL in his throwing elbow. The doctor said he was out for the year. That's when the real pain set in, as Garibay realized his baseball career might be over. Garibay "refused to believe" the diagnosis the first doctor gave him. So he went to a second doctor with the X-rays. The second doctor said he only has bone spurs and could return this season. In fact, Garibay said he has been throwing the ball without any pain and thinks he can return. With doctors having different opinions, Garibay said he is going to look for a third person to look at the X-rays. Then he will make a decision as to what his future holds. It's a tough one to make. If he comes back this season and throws just one pitch, he uses up his eligibility, no matter what happens afterward. Or he can file for a medical redshirt year and play his final season next year. "I haven't really thought about it yet because I just found out," he said. "I'll make a decision as soon as possible." In the meantime, Garibay must suffer on the bench as he watches his teammates struggle through an average season. "I've never been in this situation before," he said. "It's getting harder. I know I can throw, and I want to make a difference on this team." Garibay looks back at the past couple of seasons, coming from California and Ohlone College to play for Metro, having a super season in 1998 and being named a preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball this season. It makes his decision even harder. "I didn't realize how much I love this game until I went down," he said. "I worked so hard to get to where I'm at, I feel like I deserve to go out right." |
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Spring into a club sport Spring has arrived, and most students are finding it hard to concentrate. Eyes wander to open windows, and minds wander to thoughts of recreation and fun in the sun. There is one way to cure cabin fever without leaving campus. Join a club sport. These sports, registered with Campus Recreation at Auraria, are open to every student, but few people know of them, said Scott Reetz, assistant director of club sports and intramural programs. "Not many people are aware that club sports exist on campus," Reetz said. "The clubs are responsible for their own awareness. They start a club, recruit members and advertise around campus." There are six club sports registered with Campus Recreation at Auraria, which is located on the first floor of the Auraria Events Center. There is a men's rugby team, men's and women's lacrosse teams, the Snowbashers ski club and a co-ed water polo club. The martial arts club, Aikido, is a class as well. It is possible to start a new club sport on campus, but there are membership requirements to do so. For individual sport clubs, five members are required to start. For team sports, clubs must have enough members to form a complete team before a club will be recognized. Of course, paperwork and other organizational requirements must be met to become an official club sport. These requirements are listed in the Campus Recreation at Auraria club sports manual, which can be obtained from Reetz. Some club sports are competitive. Teams practice on a regular basis to prepare themselves for games. Each team is a member of a league or conference. However, not all club sports have to be competitive. Some clubs specialize in teaching newcomers the sport rather than competing. Others are considered "social clubs" which meet just to enjoy the camaraderie and the sport. |
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Bring it on Assistant men's tennis coach Buu Le is looking for his team to take some small steps this season. The steps will take them right into the regional tournament for the first time in school history. Le's players are looking beyond those little steps and are looking to take some giant leaps this season. A chance at the national tournament would be another first for Metro. The coach and players have different ideas about what would make this season a success, but they both agree that Le has taken the necessary steps to accomplish such a feat. The Roadrunners have a schedule that pits them against some of the top teams in Division II. With only the top 13 ranked teams in the region getting a bid to the regional tournament, Le and his players feel his team must face these top-ranked teams during the season to prove that Metro belongs with the elite teams in the Mid-West Region. The top four teams from regionals will advance to the national tournament. "It should help us in all sorts of ways," said No. 2 singles
player Michael Judd. "It can help us get equipment and get sponsors.
When we started this year we had no reputation, and this is probably the
best team we've ever had." "We prefer it that way," Judd said of the tough schedule. "We will play tough guys because of the schedule and right now things are looking up." The Roadrunners are coming off a road-trip that proved they are equal to the top teams in the region. In a three-day span, the Roadrunners defeated West Texas A&M (No. 10 in the region), Cameron (No. 9 in the region) and Central Oklahoma (No. 6 in the region and No. 27 in the nation). Metro was ranked 8th in the region going into these matches and Le feels it should be nationally ranked when the next poll comes out. "I was surprised and impressed we took all three matches," Le said. "It's definitely an accomplishment. Now we need to see how well we can do down the road." The win over Central Oklahoma was the biggest victory of the year. Not only was it against a nationally ranked team, but it was the third match in the road trip. Metro has also defeated Southwest Baptist (No. 15 in the region) and lost by only one point to Nebraska-Kearney (No. 7 in region), which is one of the Roadrunner's two losses this season. Leading Metro at the No. 1 singles spot is Peter Lantz, who is 7-1. Lantz is pleased that the Roadrunners have a difficult schedule even though he wasn't sure what kind of team Metro would have. "My first year here we didn't play any good schools," Lantz said. "This year we're a stronger team, and getting to regionals is our first goal." His only loss of the season was to a player from Southern Colorado at a time when Lantz had the stomach flu. Besides that match, Lantz has been unbeatable despite a sometimes inconsistent game. "Something will work one day and in another match it might not," he said of his game. "Then sometimes nothing works." Lantz and Judd team up as Metro's No. 1 doubles team and are 6-2. Judd said their record doesn't indicate how well they are playing. "We had a rough start at the beginning of the season," he said. "But we've picked it up lately and really coming together." The entire team will have to work to get to the regional tournament. Le would like to see his team win the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament before anything else. It would be another first for Metro. |
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