David Garibaldi will be the first speaker from the Distinguished Speaker Series to speak at Colorado State University-Pueblo this year. He will be at the Hoag Recital Hall at 7 p.m. on Aug 28. Photo courtesy of http://thebeat.iloveny.com/artist-david-garibaldi-to-appear-at-farnham-event-nov-6-at-american-foundry-in-oswego-1878.html

The Distinguished Speakers Series will be returning to Colorado State University-Pueblo for the 2013-14 academic year.

Painter David Garibaldi, former congressional intern Daniel Hernandez, author Asma Hasan, Medal of Honor recipient Roger Donlan and socio-political comedian W. Kamau Bell will all be coming to CSU-Pueblo.

David Garibaldi will speak on Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. in the Hoag Recital Hall. Tickets for Garibaldi’s lecture will cost $8 for non-CSU-Pueblo students.

The Student Fee Board decided that due to budget cuts there would be an $8 ticket charge for community members, according to Gena Alfonso, the program assistant in the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership. This ticket charge will go towards helping pay the speakers who come to CSU-Pueblo, according to Alfonso.

All events of the Distinguished Speakers Series are free to students, as the cost is already covered in their regular fees, according to Pueblo Chieftain reporter Jeff Tucker in his article “Distinguished speakers announced: university will charge admission for first time.”

Garibaldi is an American performance painter who placed fourth on the television show “America’s Got Talent,” according to a CSU-Pueblo press release.

Garibaldi is known for his stage act called “Rhythm and Hue,” which focuses on Garibaldi’s painting of rock musicians using body movements and brushes while he communicated through music.

Garibaldi works with charities such as the Special Olympics, Echoes of Hope, Sacramento Children’s Home and World Vision. He has raised more than $1 million dollars for non-profits and charities throughout the country, according to the press release.

On Sep. 25 Daniel Hernandez will speak in the Occhiato University Center Ballroom at 7 p.m. Tickets for Hernandez’s presentation will also cost $8 for non-students. Hernandez is a political science graduate of the University of Arizona and a former congressional intern to the former congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford.

Hernandez was credited with saving congresswoman Gifford’s life after a gunman shot her and 18 other people on Jan. 8, 2011, according to the press release. Hernandez, as a Hispanic homosexual, speaks about his experiences overcoming “discrimination in language, ethnicity, poverty and sexual orientation,” according to the release.

Asma Hasan, an author, lecturer and respected American Muslim community expert, will be speaking in the OUC Ballroom on Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. This event will be free to all attendees.

Hasan is an author of two books “American Muslims: the Generation” and “Why I am a Muslim” which addresses the stereotypes of Muslims, according to the release.

Hasan is a magna cum laude graduate from Wellesley College and Groton School and she earned her Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law. She is also the Chief Legal Counsel and Senior Vice President of HealthTrio, LLC, according to the press release.

Roger Donlan was the first in the Vietnam War and also the first Special Forces to receive the Medal of Honor, according to the press release.

Donlan received this honor because on July 6, 1964 he led a Special Forces camp defense at Nam Dong against a reinforced Viet Cong Battalion, according to the release. Donlan will be speaking on Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. in the OUC Ballroom for no charge.

On Jan. 22, 2014, W. Kamau Bell will speak in the Hoag Recital Hall at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $8. Bell is a socio-political comedian, community activist, and late night TV host. His television show, “Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell,” premiered at the beginning of 2013, according to the release.

Antonio “Tony” Mendez is the former CIA technical operations officer who managed the “Canadian Caper” during the Iran hostage crisis. He rescued six American diplomats who were held hostage in Iran in 1979, according to the press release. This event was the inspiration for the movie “Argo” that was directed by Ben Affleck.

Mendez will speak on February 26, 2014 in the OUC Ballroom at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $8 for non-CSU-Pueblo students.

The death of a cop is not usually a matter taken lightly, but in the movie “R.I.P.D. Rest in Peace Department,” actors Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds have their audience dying from laughter… literally. Photo courtesy of http://www.hdwallpapers.in/ripd_movie-wallpapers.html

The death of a cop is not usually a matter taken lightly, but in the movie “R.I.P.D. Rest in Peace Department,” actors Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds have their audience dying from laughter… literally. 

Nick, played by Ryan Reynolds, is a cop who is gunned down and murdered while in the line of duty. However, instead of being judged for the foolish decisions of his life, he is given the option of becoming a Rest In Peace Department officer, someone who captures and contains the dead who hide among the living.

With help from his grumpy and vulgar new partner Roy, played by Jeff Bridges, Nick must deal with his unresolved business while stopping a disaster that could threaten the safety of all living kind.

After watching the movie for a small amount of time, there is no doubt that this film will resonate with a certain type of person, mainly a person who appreciates a warped sense of humor and violence. Throughout the movie, there is an abundance of odd or unusual concepts.

To ensure that R.I.P.D. officers do not try to resume the lives they led before their deaths, they are given a new appearance and identity. However, for Nick and Roy, those new identities are the polar opposites of what their lives used to be.

Rough and tough cowboy from the Old West Roy has the avatar of an attractive blonde in a tight skirt. Nick, on the other hand, has the avatar of an elderly Asian man who runs around town with a banana. This eccentric idea of an afterlife “witness protection” plan is just one example of the twisted humor in the movie “R.I.P.D. Rest in Peace Department”

The manner in which the real appearances of the disguised dead are revealed is another quite unusual concept. Let’s just say that the dead will probably refuse a meal if it is from a certain country.

It is probably not surprising that a film about a deceased cop chasing after the escaped dead is full to the brim with violence. For those who are uncomfortable with high-powered guns blowing the dead to dust, it is very wise to avoid this movie.

Also some may consider the appearance of the dead to be unsettling. As a warning, in some scenes there are very realistic deaths that may be too graphic for some viewers.

However, for those who like action scenes and violent deaths, this movie has pretty decent effects. For some of the scenes, which have truly out-of-this-world concepts, “R.I.P.D. Rest in Peace Department” holds its own with brilliant color and twisted creature effects.

The quality of sound may be a drawback to the film.  During some of the high-speed action scenes, Roy, who had a prevalent accent, was often hard to understand.

“R.I.P.D. Rest in Peace Department” is a film that is inappropriate for children or sensitive adults to see. The rating of PG-13 should not be taken lightly.

With a tough lawman like Roy, who died during the 1800’s, it is expected that his manners and language would fit his era. Roy is not shy about speaking about women in a manner that some may find inappropriate. Obscene content, such as prostitution and sex can be found in the movie.

With a film such as “R.I.P.D. Rest in Peace Department,” there are going to be action scenes in which the main characters are not too concern with their language, so anyone who is upset by foul language should steer clear from this movie.

However, if you can stomach the graphic violence and the crude content and language, this movie is sure to be a hit with those who like to see death in a new light. For its twisted humor, its abundance in violence, and its decent visual effects, I would give this movie four and a half stars.

Dr. Sylvester A. Kalevela will begin his new duties as acting dean of the College of Education, Engineering and Professional Studies on August 1, 2013. 

According to an email from President Di Mare, Dr. Kalevela started his career at Colorado State University-Pueblo at the beginning of 2005. Dr. Kalevela taught for 15 years, seven of which he taught at Georgia Southern University.

Currently, Dr. Kalevela serves as a Civil Engineering Technology professor and the chair for the department of Engineering, Technology, Construction and Automotive Industry Management, according to President Di Mare’s email. He also evaluates engineering technology programs.

Dr. Kalevela’s involvement in engineering is extensive. In the states of Arizona, New Mexico and Georgia, Dr. Kalevela is a registered professional engineer. He is also an ABET commissioner serving on the engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, according to the email.

He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers ASCE, the American Society for Engineering Education ASEE, the Transportation and Development Institute TDI and a Fellow of the Institute of Transportation Engineers ITE, according to the email.

Dr. Kalevela served as a chair of the American Society of Civil Engineers committee on Technology Curricula and Accreditation. In the past he was the Director of the CSU-Pueblo Host Site for the National Summer Transportation Institute, according to President Di Mare’s email.

When a truly great movie hits the theaters it seems to become immortalized and anticipation is always high when the sequel for this successful movie comes out. However, even this exalted movie can fall from glory. According to a variety of newspapers and entertainment articles, these are the consensuses of which movies ranks the top five best and worst movie sequels. 

Top Five Best Movie Sequels

1. Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back- For most science fiction fans the “Star Wars” series sparked their love affair with alien movies. So it is not surprising to see that the movie sequel “Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back” was listed on numerous top ten sites. It appears as if the movie’s popularity sprung from a surprising end.  The Time Staff called the movie “an epic story at a perfect pace until it reaches a beautiful crescendo in perhaps the most memorable cliffhanger of all time,” in the Time Entertainment article “Top 10 Movie Sequels Better than the Originals.”

2. Terminator 2 Judgment Day- The “Terminator’ movie series took technology meant to be an aid for humans and turned it into a terrifying enemy. However, the second movie changed this dynamic by taking the villain from the first movie, played by actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and turned him into the protector. “Terminator 2 Judgment Day” was the first instance in which human motion was utilized for computer-generated characters, according to Time Entertainment writer Feifei Sun in the article “Top 10 Movie Sequels Better than the Originals.

3. Godfather Part II- In any genre, one of the classic movie series that is known by almost everyone, even those who have not watched the films, is the Godfather movies. And the second Godfather movie made quite a lasting impression. According to the MSN Entertainment Fix article “Best and worst movie sequels ever,” “The Godfather Part II” was the first sequel to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. “‘The Godfather Part II’ was not merely rinsing and repeating the formula that worked so well in the first film,” said an MSN Entertainment Fix writer.

4. Star Trek 2 Wrath of Khan- “Star Trek” is a name that transcended television shows to make a presence in cinema. The sequel “Star Trek 2 Wrath of Khan” improved “the sleepy first” adaptation of the television series, according to Time Entertainment writer Gilbert Cruz in the article “Top 10 Movie Sequels Better than the Originals.” Cruz believed the faster pace, sense of humor, campy and iconic Trek moments, and photon-torpedo space attacks saved the “Star Trek” movie franchise.

Bride of Frankenstein image courtesy of Cine Text / Allstar/Sportsphoto Ltd. / Allstar, used on http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/dec/20/close-bone-friend-visualise-death

5. The Bride of Frankenstein- “The Bride of Frankenstein” was a perfect example of how a popular movie could transcend time. This black and white horror movie was made memorable by the “iconic white-streaked beehive that graced the head of Elsa Lanchester,” Cruz said in the article “Top 10 Movie Sequels Better than the Original.” This movie was listed on Time’s top 100 greatest films list. “This is one of those rare sequels that are infinitely superior to its source,” said Time’s Richard Schickel.

Top Five Worst Movie Sequels

1. Speed 2 Cruise Control- Daniel Caw and James Mcivor, in the Sun article “Forget Hangover 3 … Here are the top ten worst sequels of all-time” mentioned that the events in “Speed 2: Cruise Control” may have been similar to the original movie. Chris Nashawaty, in the Entertainment Weekly article “The 25 worst sequels ever made,” was disappointed with the movie’s characters. “We know fellow passenger Willem Dafoe’s evil because he attaches leeches to himself after planting bombs on board,” Nashawaty said. “Frankly, the Norwalk virus would have made a more convincing villain.”

2. Dirty Dancing 2 Havana Nights- Although the title implies that this movie is a sequel, “Dirty Dancing 2 Havana Nights” had no connection to the original except for a cameo of Patrick Swayze, according to Nashawaty. “The only difference being that the film is set in Cuba the night before the revolution takes place, presumably as an attempt to give the film a hint of gravitas,” said the Independent staff in the article “10 of the worst movie sequels ever made.” Caw and Mcivor, in their Sun article said that Dirty Dancing 2 lacked the “sizzling chemistry, sexual tension and a captivating storylines” of the first movie.

3. Dumb and Dumberer When Harry Met Lloyd- This sequel chronicled the earlier years of the less than intelligent duo Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne. Unfortunately the duo lacked their humor in the sequel “Dumb and Dumberer When Harry Met Lloyd.” Caw and Mcivor said that the movie was “nothing more than a money making exercise for Hollywood bigwigs aiming to cash in on the original’s popularity.” “It’s saying something when the height of cleverness… is right there in the title,” Nashawaty said in his article.”

Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace. Image courtesy of starwars101 posted

4. Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace- It is quite amazing that such a successful movie franchise such as the “Star Wars” series could have one sequel that just did not cut it. “Star Wars Episode I Phantom Menace” was an example of this occurrence. And from the opinion of many writers, it appeared that the failure of this movie was due mainly to the character Jar Jar Binks. “Right off the bat, Liam Neeson saved the life of Gungan minstrel Jar Jar Binks and it all went to hell from there,” Nashawaty said. “Ace special effects couldn’t paper over the by-the-numbers storyline, or Jar Jar Binks,” a Mirror reporter said in the article “Best and worst movie sequels: triumphs and the turkeys include Aliens, Grease 2, The Phantom Menace and more.”

5. Jaws The Revenge- You would think that a movie franchise which created a theme song for shark attacks would be able to come up with a good sequel. However, this was not the case for “Jaws The Revenge.” According to Nashawaty, the less than ideal attention to details, for example a wet actor instantly becoming dry in the next shot, was part of the reason why this sequel did not become a hit… “The film isn’t helped by the constant over-the-top shark set-pieces and by the end you’re just left with the feeling that you should’ve watched the original,” Caw and Mcivor said.

The affectionate villain Gru and his adorable minions are back in the hilarious and exciting family friendly sequel to “Despicable Me.” The photo was posted by Allan Ford on the website filmofilia.com.

The affectionate villain Gru and his adorable minions are back in the hilarious and exciting family friendly sequel to “Despicable Me.”

Steve Carell stars as Gru, a villain turned adoptive father who is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to save the world from a dangerous criminal in the movie “Despicable Me 2.” AVL agent Lucy, played by Kristen Wiig, joins Gru.

Over the Fourth of July weekend “Despicable Me 2” proved to be quite popular, especially with families. From July 5-7, this sequel earned nearly $83 million according to Richard Corliss in his Time Entertainment article “Despicable Me 2 Makes Minions-Meat of The Lone Ranger.”

“Despicable Me 2” chronicled the adventures of Gru, a criminal mastermind turned family man who is taking care of his three adopted girls Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Elsie Kate Fisher).

After retiring from villainy to take care of his girls, Gru is sought out by agents of the AVL, a secret organization trying to stop a villain who stole a lab that was experimenting with chemicals.

Along with AVL agent Lucy, Gru attempts to discover the identity of the villain who was creating dangerous weapons using the stolen chemicals. However, while completing his mission, Gru discovered more about himself and his adoptive daughters.

It could be argued that this movie was successful because it contained aspects that could appeal to every member of the family. For fathers, the movie had cool gadgets that were used by both villain and hero.

For example, a car that could transform into a submarine or an airplane might have grabbed some attention.

On a more personal level, fathers could connect with the anxiety that Gru faced when his daughter Margo showed an interest in boys. In this sequel, Gru showed more of his caring father side, by trying to either protect his daughters or by dressing up at a birthday party.

For mothers, “Despicable Me 2” had more of a romantic element than the original. Gru, the grumpy and reclusive ex-villain found love in this sequel, even after trying to run as far away from it as he could. Even his daughters could see that he needed a girlfriend and tried to set him up on an internet dating site.

The lighthearted pushes towards dating also illuminated a deeper desire for the three girls under Gru’s care. The girls, especially Agnes, were yearning for a mother, which is understandable. It was these kinds of touching moments that made the movie more than just a comedy.

Of course, comedy played a major role in the sequel, just as it did in the original. The yellow and round minions were comedic gold with children and had a big role to play in “Despicable Me 2.” There was more of a spotlight on these incomprehensible but adorable helpers as parts of their personalities were highlighted.

This movie should earn four and a half stars based on its attractiveness to all members of the family or individuals who want to have a laugh. “Despicable Me 2” was a great comedy wrapped in touching moments and dipped in exciting gadgets and scenes.

To enjoy such a historical and important part of Pueblo’s community here are 10 rules to make sure your experience at the Mesa Drive In is the best it can be. Photo courtesy of Mesa Drive In Pueblo Facebook page

To enjoy such a historical and important part of Pueblo’s community here are 10 rules to make sure your experience at the Mesa Drive In is the best it can be.

Before we get to the 10 pieces of advice, here is a little history on the Mesa Drive In. It was built and opened by Larry Starsmore of Westland Theatre Corporation in 1951, according to current owner Chuck James in an email.

In 1994 the Drive In was in danger of being demolished by the Westland Theatres, however, it was saved by Chuck James and his wife, Marianne. In 2000, two more screens, new bathrooms, new paving, and new fencing were added. In 2005 the concession area was fixed up. For 2014 digital projections will be installed.

Chuck James feels that the Drive In has become more than just a way to watch movies. He considers it a unique experience for social and family interactions.

“Owning the Mesa Drive In and being a part of the Pueblo community has been more than just a business experience,” Chuck James said. “It’s been very interesting and rewarding to get to know the people who support the Drive in.”

For loyal Mesa Drive In movie goers or for those who are going there for the first time, here is some advice on what to do.

1.     Have a Comfortable and Spacious Vehicle– Comfort will make any movie experience enjoyable. Since the majority of your time will be spent inside your vehicle, try to have a vehicle with spacious room to stretch your feet and reclining seats to relax in.

2.     Have a Backup Plan– Four hours is a very long time to have your radio on continuously. You might want to bring jumper cables. To prevent your battery from dying, try occasionally turning on your engine for brief amounts of time. To prevent your lights from staying on for the entire night, put on your emergency brakes on. If you see your neighbors struggling to turn on their car, help them out. You may just make their night.

3.     Have a Reliable Radio– Watching a movie with no sound can really sour the mood, so check your radio before coming to the movie. Although some car radios may have good sound on regular stations, this does not mean that they will pick up good sound on the designated stations for the movies. If you have doubts about the reliability of the radio in your vehicle, see if you can bring a portable radio.

4.     Keep the dough handy– Make sure you have the money handy when you pull into the drive in. Since the lines can get long, make sure you have your payment counted out and accessible. The tickets for each person are currently $8.50. The prices for the food at the concession stand are listed on the official Mesa Drive In website.

5.     Bring a Jacket or Blanket– It may sound odd to say bring a jacket or a blanket on a summer night. However, you might be surprised by the weather. Summer nights can have chilly breezes, so it wouldn’t hurt to have an emergency blanket or jacket. If you don’t use it to keep warm, you could always create an impromptu pillow to rest your head or back on.

6.     Have Handy Chairs– If you decide to sit under the stars and enjoy the great outdoors while watching your movies, folding chairs will be a good recommendation to have. They’re easy to store, easy to set up, and easy to move. With people leaving after the first movie, you always want to move to a better location, and these chairs make it a little easier. Plus they’re relatively comfortable to sit in.

7.     Bring Bug spray– With the thrills of summer also comes the downfalls. Bugs thrive in the summer, so, if you’re going to spend time outside at the Mesa Drive In, make sure you wear bug spray to keep away those pesky mosquitoes. With the chances of contracting diseases such as West Nile Virus from mosquitoes high, it would be smart to limit your exposure to bugs.

8.     Get Here Early– The early bird gets the good spot. This raised your chances of a nice view of the screen in the front rows. Just to be safe, you may want to come a few hours before dusk. It may be a long wait but it’s worth it. For people who come in late while the movie is playing, please be considerate to others. Try to stay in the back of the parking area so that the lights and sounds of your vehicle do not distract anyone else.

9.     Pick Up Some Yummy Snacks– No fun movie experience would be complete without yummy snacks. The Mesa Drive In has a concession stand with food such as hamburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs and onion rings. You can also bring your own food. Make sure that you pick up a heavily caffeinated drink because four hours, especially so late at night, can be a long time to stay up. You wouldn’t want to miss out on the fun, so make sure you keep your energy up.

Have Fun– The most important thing is to have fun. The Mesa Drive In is a historical part of Pueblo and a place where many memories are born. It is a place where families can sit under the wide open sky while watching good movies. So make sure you invite your family and friends and have a good time.

Bands in the Backyard Music Festival, a Tommy G Production, will be kicking off on June 21 at the Giodone’s Arena and will last for two days.

Charley Jenkins will perform at 5:30 p.m. Photo courtesy of the Bands in the Backyard official website

Overton Road will perform at 4 p.m. Photo courtesy the Bands in the Backyard official website.

The festival begins with the Kick-Off Party on June 21 starting at 6:30 p.m. and ending at 11:30 p.m. The kickoff celebration will feature the local artist “Better Tomorrow.”

Basic admission tickets for the kickoff party costs $10, while $20 will pay for a test ride of attractions such as the waterslide, mechanical bull and zip line. Another party that is happening during the music festival is the Tailgate Party, according to the Bands in the Backyard official website.

For the price of $250, a tailgate party ticket provides your own truck, a 12 pack of beer, a six pack of pop and six bottles of water, according to the website.

A limited number of campsites are available all weekend. Parking spots for additional vehicles cost an extra $25. A $10 cam

ping access fee must be paid for each person in the campsite.

There are three sizes of general admission campsites available. The 20’ by 30’ campsites cost $62, while the 20’ by 40’ campsites costs $72. The 20’ by 60’ campsite costs $87. All campsites cost an additional $8, according to the website.

Parmalee will perform at at 7 p.m. Photo courtesy of the Bands in the Backyard official website.

General Admission tickets are $35 while the VIP tickets cost $150, which provides admission into events, best available seats, all day water slide passes, mechanical bull passes, zip-line passes, tickets for five drinks and a complimentary dinner buffet, according to the Bands in the Backyard website.

Tickets can be bought on the Bands in the Backyard website or at Big R locations in Pueblo. The Harley-Davidson Outposts

tore is giving $33 discounted tickets to veterans. Veterans with these tickets must present their military IDs at the gates, according to the website.

Only 60 Stay Cool Pool Pass tickets are available. These tickets give gate admission into the VIP section, exclusive pool admittance, a 12 pack of beer, unlimited attraction pass, VIP parking, and a dinner buffet. These tickets cost $300.

Florida Georgia Line performs at 8:30 p.m. Photo courtesy of the Bands in the Backyard official website.

The lineup for the bands will be as follow. Overton Road will perform at 4 p.m., Charley Jenkins at 5:30 p.m., Parmalee at 7 p.m., Florida Georgia Line at 8:30 p.m. and Gary Allan at 10 p.m. on June 22.

Overton Road is a contemporary country band with a strong rock influence. The band consists of a practicing dentist, a contractor, an insurance man, an auto mechanic, a marketing guru and a hospital IT network technician, according to the website.

Charley Jenkins was a top 12 finalist on NBC’s television show “Nashville Star.” He has opened for many top country artists including LeAnn Rimes, Lady Antebellum and Taylor Swift, according to the Bands in the Backyard website.

Parmalee is a Southern Country Rock band from North Carolina. With extensive touring and self-marketing the band is considered as one of the top independent acts on the eastern seaboard, according to the website.

Other attractions featured at the Bands in the Backyard include a foam dance pit, volleyball court and horseshoe contest, according to Risa Dionisio, office manager for Tommy G Productions.

Gary Allan performs at 10 p.m. on June 22. Photo courtesy of the Bands in the Backyard official website.

Except for some concerns about safety in regards to traffic along Highway 50 East and trespassing on private property, the community appears to have positive feedback about the event, especially businesses in the area, according to Dionisio. A community meeting was held on June 12 in regards to this event.

The New Student Orientation program, ThunderWolf Welcome, will be held four times this summer here at Colorado State University-Pueblo. File photo

The New Student Orientation program, ThunderWolf Welcome, will be held four times this summer here at Colorado State University-Pueblo.

Over the course of the summer there will be four sessions, each lasting two days, for the new first year students or new transfer students living on campus. The first session is June 27-28, second session is July 15-16.

The third session is July 25-26. And the final session is August 22-23 for out of state students, according to an email by Cora Zaletel, executive director of External Affairs.

For new students or transfer students over the age of 24 living off campus, their Orientation will last from August 15-16. Every student must register online at www.colostate-pueblo.edu.orientation, at least a week before their session begins.

Patty Witkowsky, interim director of Student Engagement and Leadership, explained the reasoning behind having separate sessions for new and transfer students living on or living off campus.

“Transfer students and non-traditionally aged first year students have different needs than students beginning college for the first time right out of high school,” said Witkowsky. “The August orientations for them are geared toward information and resources, which is based on their needs as stated in various assessments over the years.”

The sessions targeting traditional first year students that live on campus deals more specifically with aiding students in developing a bond and sense of community with the people on campus, while also informing them about resources available them, according to Witkowsky.

The New Student Orientation will help all students learn about academic expectations in a meeting with the deans and faculty from their respective colleges, according to Witkowsky. Students are also informed about organization, leadership and research opportunities that are offered in their college.

Students will also be advised about co-curricular expectations like financial issues as well as concerns mentioned in the code of conduct. Technological resources, such as SkyDrive, PAWS and Blackboard will be discussed as well.

In recent years, the orientation program consisted of one session, in August, lasting around three days long. Witkowsky explained the new schedule change in an email.

“By having four options, we are able to provide students with a more personal experience and ensure that they are connected to the CSU-Pueblo community (students, faculty, and staff) in a smaller venue,” Witkowsky said.  The first session, June 27-28, is expected to have around 200-250 students attend, with 150 students already registered, according to Witkowsky. Witkowsky noticed an improvement in students’ participation in the last three years.

Although the orientation is mandatory, Witkowsky is hoping that the new summer schedule will take away distractions, such as moving into the dormitory rooms. Witkowsky believes that the involvement of student’s family will result in students being more likely to participate in the entire program.

With the revamped orientation schedule, some students or faculty familiar with previous Orientations will wonder if past events will be held this year.

According to Witkowsky, casino night will still be held for students, allowing them to “learn about campus involvement and leadership opportunities in a fun casino atmosphere.” Other well-known events such as the campus barbecue, New Student Convocation, and hypnotist will be held during the opening day, on Aug. 23, 2013, when all students will return.

“Iron Man 3” starring Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow had no problem delivering action packed scenes, innovative villains and surprising plot twists. Photo courtesy of http://collider.com

“Iron Man 3” starring Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow had no problem delivering action packed scenes, innovative villains and surprising plot twists.

Some fans of the “Iron Man” movies may have been worried that, like many other sequels or trilogies, the newest movie would not compare to its predecessors. Thankfully, “Iron Man 3” held its own with fresh new ideas and explorations of the consequences of Tony Stark’s party lifestyle.

This film differed from the other two because Stark had to face many different villains at the same time, some of which he was not even aware of. The villain that publically gave Stark the most trouble was the terrorist known as the Mandarin.

The Mandarin was the elusive leader of the Ten Rings, a terrorist organization. After a series of attacks forced the famous Iron Man to make a public announcement challenging the Mandarin, Stark’s manor was attacked, putting himself and his girlfriend Pepper Potts in danger.

Narrowly escaping with his life, Stark found himself stranded in a situation where his technology was useless. Forced to work with little resources while faking his own death, Stark was able to find a way to save the woman he loves and to defeat anyone who wishes him harm.

One unique feature of this film is that it expands its plotline outside of the parameters of the “Iron Man” films and elaborates on the consequences of Stark’s actions in the 2012 film “The Avengers.”

In “The Avengers,” Stark sacrificed himself to protect New York City from a very dangerous enemy. Although he lived through this ordeal, in “Iron Man 3,” Stark suffered from insomnia and anxiety after his encounters in New York City.

Not only does this film concentrate on the consequences of his more recent past, but it also delved into the aftereffects of Stark’s frivolous life. Throughout all of the “Iron Man” movies, it has been no secret that Stark enjoyed the more wild things in life: money, women and partying.

Although Stark matured in the past two movies, his actions still sometimes reflected the party boy he once was, and in more than one occasion, his past had dire consequences for the present.

During “Iron Man 3,” Stark’s decisions to spend his night with a woman rather than paying attention to important research created a villain the likes of which Stark hasn’t faced before.

With an advanced foe, Stark’s technology received an update, allowing his suit to fly to his location and build itself around him. Due to his insomnia, Stark created a larger number of advanced suits, which in turn, led to some really good action scenes that did not disappoint.

There were some scenes in the movie that may have made a small portion of female fans very happy. In the scene in which Stark’s home was attacked, Potts jumped into one of Stark’s suit and protected him. And, further in the movie, Potts proved she was capable of standing up for herself and Stark.

With such a good trilogy, some fans may be startled by the ending of “Iron Man 3.” Stark made decisions that could very well end his reign as the man in the iron suit. It is unclear whether this means that Robert Downey Jr. will cease playing this part or there will be no more Iron Man movies.

There is also the possibility that the torch will be passed down to a younger generation. Whatever the consequences may be, this brings up the question of what will happen in the next “Avengers” movie. Will they simply make an excuse as to why Stark is missing from the team?

Colorado State University- Pueblo’s $45 million operating budget for 2014 was approved by the CSU System Board of Governors and the university is placing a heavy emphasis on recruitment. File photo.

Colorado State University- Pueblo’s $45 million operating budget for 2014 was approved by the CSU System Board of Governors and the university is placing a heavy emphasis on recruitment.

According to President Lesley Di Mare in an email, the agreement the university made promising to “reduce the operating budgets in the next year, demonstrates a tremendous commitment to our students.”

President Di Mare also announced in the email that there needs to be a concentration on strengthening recruitment, since the majority of the university’s revenue comes from enrollment of students.

Chief of Staff, Jennifer Mullen, explained that enrollment provides revenue in two different ways. The university is given an allocation of money from the state through the Colorado Opportunity Fund, based on the number of students enrolled. If enrollment is high then more money is allocated, while the lower the enrollment, the less money is given.

The university also relies on students paying their tuition. Mullen stressed how important it is that students completely understand the accountability they have after enrolling in college. According to Mullen, students need to be aware that they have an obligation to pay their bill on time.

“It’s our responsibility as an institution to the taxpayers of Colorado (to) have a good policy in place to help our students pay their tuition and to pay it on time,” Mullen said.

With student enrollment being an important part of revenue, the university is working very hard to create ways to recruit new students and to retain the continuing students.  Mullen cannot stress enough that the sooner students register for their classes, the more beneficial it is for students and the university.

“We must continue to be focused on student recruitment and retention in order to ensure our revenue projections are met,” President Di Mare said in the email.

President Di Mare felt that the “no tuition increase” advertising campaign appeared to be “gaining momentum” as a recruitment technique. The enrollment rate for the fall semester and the retention rate at this current time acts as possible evidence that the “no tuition increase” is effective.

The university is employing other recruitment tactics besides the “no tuition increase.” The university has multiple initiatives such as the call centers, registration incentives and departmental efforts, according to the president in her email.

According to Mullen, call centers are programs in which faculty or students call potential students who have applied and been accepted to CSU-Pueblo, but who have not contacted the school. The call centers can also be based on certain majors or disciplines.

For example the chair or students of the mass communications department can call a student who claimed to be interested in joining this department. This way an experienced student of a department can speak with potential students.

President Di Mare also mentioned in the email how the university is working on a “new concurrent enrollment agreement with the university’s secondary schools and also creating a new scholarship plan that provides a more strategic method for disseminating the institutional aid scholarships.”

The university has made an agreement with its secondary schools such as Pueblo city and District 70 schools to have high school juniors or seniors attend classes on the CSU-Pueblo campus.

The students’ tuition will be paid by their high school. According to Mullen, this is a good way to benefit both the students and the university.  Mullen hopes that these students will enjoy the campus so much that they will want to return.

The university is also maintaining the May and June operating expenditures at their year to date monthly average, which is necessary for the 2013 financial year to be closed with a balanced budget, according to President Di Mare in the email.

“We cannot grow complacent, because our budget must remain flexible, always being adjusted as we monitor revenue and expenditures,” President Di Mare said in the email.