Photo by former CSU-Pueblo Today photographer Dustin Cox

by Chianna Schoenthaler

Student Engagement and Leadership hosted a “We have $5: Budgeting 101” training for student organizations, Thursday, Feb. 23 at 5:00 p.m.

During this training Vanessa Gallegos, a fifth year senior majoring in biology and Favian Arredondo, a senior majoring in automotive industry management and accounting spoke to various student organizations about budgeting.

Gallegos and Arredondo highlighted on how to comprehend basic financial policies, knowing your student organization’s university account number, and how to keep a financial record.

The do’s included how to keep track of donations, the money received must stay in the university account, and the student organizations are totally responsible for their account.

The don’ts included not spending money your organization doesn’t have and not to solely rely on sponsorships or donations.

Gallegos and Arredondo recommend sending thank you notes to any organization or person who donated money to the student organization.

When a student organization needs money, often the student organization resorts to fundraising. For fundraising purposes, Gallegos and Arredondo recommended planning early, gather as many members as possible, and have the members attend the fundraising events that are planned.

Many fundraising options were brought up during the presentation including Go Fund Me pages, bingo, do it yourself crafts, silent auction, talent show, car wash, manicures, holiday themed, pie the professor, bowling, kiss a donkey, Butter Braids, walk-a-thon, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chipotle, Cold Stone Creamy, Noodles and Company and Little Caesars.

Gallegos said, “Our goal was to teach student organization about budgeting and fundraising.”

When a student organization needs to fundraise, marketing and collaboration were highly recommend by Gallegos and Arredondo. Collaboration helps for student organizations to network with other students on campus and student organizations. While marketing helps get people to attend the event.

Student organizations who have questions about their campus accounts or companies to ask donations from should talk to Nick Potter or Valier Gallegos of the Foundation Office and  Robin Arwood or Val Pfingstan of the Financial Services.

Noelle San Souci recently took over student organizations in the Student Engagement and Leadership office and can be contact at 719-549-2255 or noelle.sansouci@csupueblo.edu to help with any questions student organizations might have or concerns.

Photo provided by CSU-Pueblo Today AV staff of 2014

by David Buck

In today’s fast-paced, modernized society, college students are busy people. Colorado State University-Pueblo students are no exception. With education taking top priority in the lives of many students, not to mention career planning and personal concerns, it can sometimes be daunting to find time for recreation.

While there are a few excellent resources on campus – the University Recreation Center, Outdoor Pursuits and the Library and Academic Resource Center to name a few – the city offers some genuine recreation and entertainment possibilities.

For those familiar with the area, such attractions as the Pueblo Zoo, City Park and the Riverwalk are common destinations. Students unfamiliar with the area, however, may be interested in the following inexpensive things to do around town.

The Pueblo Library District serves the Pueblo and Pueblo West areas with several branches and satellites, including a Colorado State University-Pueblo library branch at the Rawlings Library. Their website, http://www.pueblolibrary.org, allows users to request materials, place holds, renew materials and access digital content.

The website also has postings of local events and community information. The Pueblo Library District provides extensive community support in education, career opportunities and recreation. Computers, reference materials and study rooms are available for library card holders.

Cinemark Tinseltown USA, 4140 N. Freeway, is conveniently located down the street from CSU-Pueblo and offers a discount Tuesday. Every Tuesday is discount day. So, only on Tuesdays, tickets are $5.41 per person, with an additional $2.50 surcharge for 3-D films. No discounts are available for concession items, but Cinemark does offer a rewards program through the Cinemark app, called, “Connections.”

Per www.cinemark.com, Connections allows users to accumulate points through transactions, which can be redeemed for various movie-themed rewards and concession coupons. The app also offers a theatre mode, which gives the user 10 points and a concession coupon upon completion of the film. Any other day of the week, ticket prices range from $6.95 for early bird to $10.04 for evening showings. For movies and show times, visit https://www.cinemark.com/colorado/cinemark-tinseltown.  

Pueblo also offers bowling at Bowlero Lanes in the Midtown Shopping Center, located at 1000 W 6th St. Shoe rental and games are reasonably priced. Bowlero Lanes offers events, including color pin, on occasion. For more information, their Facebook page is a good place to start: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bowlero-Lanes/321515781221652. Bowlero regularly places coupons for a free game at various local businesses. Another bowling alley, Big Daddy’s Sunset Bowl, is located at 1227 S Prairie Ave.

Pueblo is also home to an extensive bike trail system, a variety of museums, cultural destinations, the Nature and Raptor Center of Pueblo, The El Pueblo Museum, Weisbrod Aircraft Museum, Rosemount Museum, the News Infozone Museum and more. Liberty Point in Pueblo West offers a view of the reservoir and a minor climbing opportunity.

Both Pueblo and Pueblo West have large trail systems suitable for hiking, with fold-out maps available at any of the libraries and in the Buell Communications Visitor’s Center. The North and South shore Marina’s supply fishing and boating opportunities and more trails.
Visit  http://pueblo.org/visit/what-to-do and https://natureandraptor.org/ for more information about these and other recreational destinations in Pueblo.

The freshman to sophomore workshops provide students with the resources they need to gain the most possible from their college careers.
Photo taken by Shelby Aebischer

by Chianna Schoenthaler

CSU-Pueblo’s Center for Academic Enrichment and home to first year advising began hosting mandatory freshmen to sophomore workshops in the fall of 2015 for current CSU-Pueblo students. The goal of these workshops is to help first year students be able to navigate all the tools they need to be successful properly throughout their college career.

John Sandoval, the Associate Director of the Center for Academic Enrichment, and advisers of the department attended a conference. At the conference, they learned about similar workshops that other institutions host and decided to try the workshops out on CSU-Pueblo’s campus.

“We have seen a growth in number of attendees, and hope that we continue to see the numbers grow,” Sandoval said.

The workshops allow first year advisors within the center to be able to convey their messages to large groups. This helps more students at one time rather than a one-on-one basis. However, advisers are still willing to meet with first year students on a one-on-one basis.

First year students are asked to sign up for the workshop session time they would like to attend since space is limited; however, walk-ins are welcome.

The technical information that the workshop sessions provide include learning the proper usage of PAWS, why they need to use their university email, how to use Degree Audit Report System (DARS) and how to use the university website.

Some of the general information provided at the workshop sessions include Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and financial aid, how to audit their degree, the important dates for the semester and how to prep for advising appointments.

Sarah Lira, a freshmen pre-vet emphasis chemistry major with a minor in honors, said, “I hope to learn how to take the next steps in pursing my degree. College seems to be intimidating and stressful but with this workshop I hope to better my understanding.”

Students that attend a workshop session are also granted priority advising and area allowed to schedule their appointment before students who have not been to a workshop.

When students do not attend the mandatory workshop sessions for their first year, it sets them back in the advising process.

They are not allowed to schedule a meeting with their first year adviser until the students who have attended the workshop are done scheduling their appointment.

Not attending the workshops also sets students back because they are unaware of advising restrictions that exist and can be unable to register for specific classes due to a restriction placed on their account.

For more information visit the Center for Academic Enrichment at https://www.csupueblo.edu/center-for-academic-enrichment/

by Ashley Schaerfl

The Occhiato University Center remodel is not only on schedule, but it is also ahead of schedule.

“The project is a couple of weeks ahead of schedule at this time,” John Barnosky, the Director of Planning and Construction for Colorado State University Pueblo, said.

Currently the OUC is being remodel by Nunn Construction Company, and Architectural design firm, Hor, Coplan, Macht. These crews have completely gutted the building and have it down to bare-bones as they continue with the beautification of the building. The crews are not only remodel the 90,00-square-feet building that originally built back in 1974, but they are also building a 76,000-square-foot addition.

The project will cost around $35 million and is providing a state of the art building for students and staff to use, a student lounge and a grand ballroom.

“When the project is complete, everyone will be going back to a state-of-the art student center,” Barnosky said.

All of this has been made possible thanks to the Student Facility Fee and a grant from the CSU-Pueblo Foundation.

This month the crews will working on adding the new walls, floors, ceilings, plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling. They will also be completing new student life, dining and lounge areas to make progress toward the grand opening in April 2018.

“Nothing this extensive happens without a lot of work, demolition, mess and effort,” said Barnosky.

With the help of John Barnosky students can see the progress that the construction and architectural crews with photos of the interior of the building and some of the drawn-out views of what is to come.

“Thanks to all the students that have been temporarily eating in the new OUC ballroom addition, and to the departments that were located in the old OUC and had to temporarily relocate while the renovation work proceeds,” Barnosky said.

by Ashley Schaerfl

The Pre-Veterinary Club is holding a fundraiser this week in the LARC that ends with a professor kissing a donkey on Valentine’s Day.

This week the club is holding a fundraiser in the LARC building and in different classes in the LIfe Science building. The fundraiser will ultimately help get their members K-9 CPR certified and will hopefully help start the funds for members to attend the American Pre- Veterinary Medical Convocation in March. “Just a donation for a vote,” Kira Braun, the President of the Pre-Veterinary Club, said. The club is taking donation to help not only raise money for the club but also to help vote on which professor will kiss the donkey known as Taffy.

Students only need to bring loose change or even a $100 to vote for the professor that students may either like or dislike to kiss the donkey, according to the Treasure of the club Kyla Nesmith. Students are more than welcomed to bring their pennies nickels and dimes in order to help the group get past their goal of $150.

The actual kissing will be held tuesday, Valentine’s Day, at 1:30 p.m. for all students to come and watch and to meet the lucky donkey Taffy after the kiss is held.  The four professors that are being voted on are Dr. Franziska Sandmeier, Dr. Matthew Cranswick, Dr. Claire Ramos and Dr. James Steel. “ All of the professors are animal lovers but it would be funny to see DR. Cranswick kiss Taffy,” Kira Braun. The professor that has the most votes for the fundraiser will be at the reveal on Tuesday to potential kiss their first donkey. The last day to vote is Monday Feb 13 in the LARC.

The are also fundraising for new members to join the club. “As of right now, we only have 6 active members,” Kira said.  They are a club that wants to expand and help other people get K-9 CPR Certified and help those who want to go to veterinary school get the volunteer hours they need. One trip new members could possible attend is a trip to The  W.O.L.F Sanctuary here in Colorado.

by Tiffany Underwood

“As Americans learn about themselves and where they come from through their history, it is just as important for Africans Americans to see what happened in their past and what had lead to how things are today.” Jackie Stroud, history professor at CSU-Pueblo

The tunnel of oppression was an event for black history month put on by Steven D. Parker and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion Feb. 6 in the psychology building in the office of diversity and inclusion.

Black history month is appreciation and acknowledgment of African-American history. These are things in black history including heritage, culture and the struggles that people have dealt with.

Stroud said, “That early history is important to see the growth not only to African-Americans but to all cultures because it shows how far people have come and the things that have been overcome by these people.”

The tunnel of oppression showcased eight different people and told their story in detail about who these people were and the things they did that made them so important to African American history. The tunnel of oppression had both photos and descriptive documentation of the event and or person.

Someone who was showcased at this event was Emmett Till, who was a 14-year-old black boy from Mississippi who was beat and killed for being accused of flirting with a white cashier lady.

The goal of this event was to show people more information about black history, give more detail about someone who might be know or to introduce someone who people don’t know but was important to black history. “It’s surprising the things that happened, who had power, who fought against the problems at that time and this event showed this very well.” Stroud said.

Parker believes that collaboration is important with surrounding groups in the division of student affairs at our school with the goal of getting information out about the programs but also to give students an area or event to enjoy where they could also find people with things in common to them.

Rodrick Reed, senior at CSU-Pueblo, said,” I really appreciate what they went through trying to represent what happened without dressing it up or dumbing it down, the details they presented were really interesting to me and they weren’t afraid to show the tragic graphic things.”

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion was developed in fall 2009 with the mission to promote and support a welcoming environment for underrepresented students, faculty and staff by providing transformative and educational learning experiences.  

Their mission is to develop, promote and support a welcoming environment for underrepresented students, faculty and staff by providing transformative and educational learning experiences.

Throughout the year, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion participates in six different diversity group representation. For each month, they host 4 different events that are open to anyone.

by Tiffany Underwood

Courtesy photo- CSU-Pueblo Today’s AV Staff

The university’s representatives discussed their strategic plan and how they plan on moving forward, including five new approved academic programs for the Colorado State University- Pueblo, during the Board of Governors meeting that was held on the CSU-Pueblo campus in the Thunderbowl field house. It began at 11a.m. Feb. 1 and lasted until ended Feb. 2 at 5p.m

The Colorado State University System Board of Governors is a group composed of Colorado State University, Colorado State University- Pueblo, Colorado State University- Global Campus and their corresponding agencies, institutes and services.

The Board of Governors consist of 15 members. Nine of which are voting members and the other six are nonvoting members that represent each school, one faculty member and one student leader.

The nine voting members are William E. Mosher, Scott C. Johnson, Nancy R. Tuor, D. Rico Munn, Mark A. Gustafson, Jane Robbe Rhodes, Dennis E. Flores, Joseph C. Zimlich and Dean Singleton..

The CSU-Pueblo representatives are student body president Antonio Huerta, and David Volk, music department chair.

At the early February meeting, each institution talked about their strategic plan and how they plan on moving forward. “Each plan looked on track and the future looks bright for the CSU System.” Antonio Huerta, Senior at CSU-Pueblo said, “One topic that was discussed that will impact CSU-Pueblo is five new approved academic programs, one of which is a BS (Bachelor of Science) in wildlife and natural resources.”

The next decision made by the board of governors was to forgive an outstanding loan CSU-Pueblo had received in recent years to sustain the institution through a period of budget constraints. They also made the decision to assume the on-going outstanding debt as a system for the residence hall. Volk said, “The February meeting was mostly informational, the main significant decisions for Pueblo came out of the December meeting.”

An important part that happened during the meeting was an executive session where the voting members of the board are in a room to receive the Litigation Report, which is a report used in referring debts to the Department of Justice for litigation and enforced collection, and legal advice from General Council.

“They also discuss two honorary degrees and several honorary namings concerning CSU-Fort Collins, and to consider confidential real estate matters and a Project Development Agreement for a P3 development at CSU-Fort Collins at that time.” Said Mike Hooker

A goal of the Board of Governors is to promote administrative efficiency through a small central system staff, relying upon the expertise of institutional personnel where necessary and appropriate, also to measure and promote administrative efficiency consistent with the policies of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education. according to their website http://www.csusystem.edu/board-of-governors

More of their goals they are determined to uphold are to support the institutions in their development as separate and distinct institutions through planning and resource development, to support opportunities for cooperation program and resource sharing between schools, to facilitate system-wide financial accountability through annual financial audits as well as the program of the internal auditing unit within the CSU-system structure and to maintain each institution’s flexibility to address challenges and opportunities that arise as the institutions seek to fulfill their statutory missions.

“The Board of Governors meeting is informative for anyone who wants to know the overall well-being for the CSU-system. The next meeting is the first week of May and should be a very interesting meeting covering a range of topics,” said Huerta.

Over 60 companies will be attending the CSU-Pueblo Career Center’s annual spring career fair this year.

The staff of the Career Center has been working very hard to put on this event since September 2016.

The fair will take place March 1 in the student recreation center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for students to meet with potential employers.

Leading up to the career fair there will be three identical workshops entitled: How to Make a Career Fair Work for You, hosted at different times.

The workshops will take place Feb. 9 in LARC 108 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Feb. 15 in GCB212 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Feb. 22 in GCB 212 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.   

All students no matter their year or their major at the university are able to attend. The Career Center requires all students however to wear business professional attire, as their staff will be monitoring this.

With all students being able to attend, there are added benefits for each of them including networking, job opportunities, internship opportunities and career exploration.

“Students should be prepared, take notes, and bring a resume is optional but suggested,” said Megan Gregorich, an Employer Relation Specialist, of the Career Center.

During the career fair, there will also be a LinkedIn booth for students to get a professional headshot taken for their LinkedIn profile.

Gregorich added, “If they want help with their LinkedIn profile, students can make an appointment, and meet with either Michelle or I.”

Some of the companies that will be coming cover a variety of different majors including Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Geico, Denver Water Department, Department of Corrections, Parkview, Mutual of Omaha, the Marines, USAA and various school districts.

by Hannah Plummer

On Feb. 1, the Black Student Union, co-hosted with Residence Life and Housing, and the Office for Diversity and Inclusion, for an event to honor Martin Luther King Jr. and his work. The event took place in the general classroom building, with a layout of food and a variety of drinks.

The event was originally supposed to take place on Jan.16, but was canceled due to bad weather. When the event was rescheduled, it was scheduled for the kick off of black history month.

There were nearly 50 people who showed up to the event to see keynote speaker, Jaki Taggart. She spoke of her story as a child with segregation, and her reaction when King died.

“I looked at the screen of our little black and white TV and saw the headline ‘Martin Luther King dead at 39,’” said Taggart.

Most of the speech was about Dr. Kings three main principles, which were to have a purpose, be proactive, and to be productive.

“I’ve always looked at Martin Luther King Jr. as role model, and he makes me more motivated,” said Jasmine Embry, sophomore at Colorado State University-Pueblo. “My favorite part was the keynote speaker and how she said everybody should be there for each other.’

Taggart also spoke highly of what she hopes the world will become smarter, and wiser.

“My hope is that every generation will never have to deal with segregation,” Taggart explained.

At the end of Taggart’s speech, she discussed how everyone needs to be there for each other, and how we need to be able to make somebody else’s life better.

“Make your life count by striving to make someone outside of your family, life better. Our lives begin to end when we stop caring about what matters.”

Taggart offered many words of encouragement to everyone in the room.

“Make the best of every situation. You are going to go through hardships, but you will make it through them. Don’t let other people determine your emotions.”

After Taggart’s speech, there was a quartet known as the Sankey Sisters, who sang a set of four different songs for everyone in the lobby. Some people were singing along with them, and many were dancing. Shortly after the performance, everyone was conversing, and eating.

The purpose of this event was to bring people together, and to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr.

“I came because I’m learning more, and we should always be lifelong learners,” said Erika Lindstrom, a residence life coordinator who attended the event.

by Thomas Thortvedt

Colorado State University Pueblo men’s and women’s basketball faced off against the Fort Lewis Skyhawk’s Saturday night at the Massari arena in Pueblo The women won 66-50 and the men fell short losing 84-75 to the Skyhawk’s who are ranked No. 14 in NCAA Division II.

The women’s victory came from a rally in the third period. Lead by Coach Jim Turgeon the women were able to outscore the Skyhawk’s 18 to 11, giving them the momentum to push through the fourth period and putting their record at 23-0, continuing the best start in school history.

Joe Folda, the athletic director at CSU-Pueblo, spoke about the effort last night and how it’s a testament to how the season is going so far: “Defensively they play hardnosed man to man and rebound well at both ends of the world. Offensively they have a nice balance between the inside game and perimeter game,” he said.

Besides outscoring the Skyhawk’s throughout the game the pack were able to out rebound the Skyhawk’s 45 to 36. Katie Cunningham, junior, was able to collect 11 of the rebounds and was also able to score 12 points giving her a double-double.

Tuileisu Anderson, junior, was able to score 26 points off 11 of 23 field goals made, making her the highest scorer in the contest. This wasn’t the only milestone Anderson was able to accomplish. Friday, Anderson tallied her 1000th career point in a winning effort against Adams State.

Next, the No.3 ranked Thunderwolves will take on New Mexico Highlands University to keep their winning record alive. Tuesday’s game will tip off at 5:30 p.m. at Masarri Arena. The night will also consist of recognizing all student-athletes who achieved a 3.0 GPA or higher as part of Honor Roll Night.

The men’s basketball lost a hard fought battle against the Fort Lewis men’s basketball team Saturday night after the women finished their game in Masarri Arena. The score was 84-75, the pack were able to head into halftime only trailing by two but the Skyhawk’s jumped on the Thunderwolves early to start the second half going on a 11-3 run.

Senior Nelson Kahler, was the leading scorer for the pack with 16 points and Mark Williams, junior, led the team with rebounds recording seven. Fort Lewis who was ranked No.14 in the country for NCAA Division II heading into Saturday was shooting 52.7 percent from the field which was currently ranked third nationally but only shot 46.2 percent against the pack.

The Thunderwolves won the turnover battle only giving the ball away 10 times but it was the rebound game being out rebounded 35-29 as well as the bench points that put the pack in a hole that was later hard to dig out of.

The pack look to bounce back Tuesday at Masarri Arena against New Mexico Highlands University at 7:30 p.m. which would close out a three-game homestand for the Thunderwolves.