The deadline for those applying to run for homecoming king was postponed by five days so that enough candidates could be obtained to hold an election. 

In order for the election to be valid, at least three candidates must run.

According to Gena Alfonso, an assistant at Student Services and Enrollment Management, the original deadline for homecoming royalty applications was Sept. 18. By the original deadline, five people had applied for homecoming queen, but only two for king.

The deadline was extended to Sept. 23, and an additional three applications were received for homecoming king.

“We have very strong applicants, so the interviews, academics, and campus and community involvement will play a key role in who is selected to be on the six-person court,” Alfonso said.

The interviews for homecoming royalty were held Sept. 26 in the recreational center, and the official court has now been selected.

On the ballot for homecoming king are Talha Qureshi, Mario Ruiz and Freddy Correamanrique.

On the ballot for homecoming Queen are Abbi Johnson, Olivia Elley and Jessica Curry.

“I feel honored and privileged to be on this year’s royalty court. I’m looking forward to it and I can’t wait,” said Mario Ruiz, a Spanish major.

The voting to select the final homecoming king and queen will take place Friday, Oct. 4.

The winners will be crowned on Oct. 5 during halftime at the homecoming football game.

Anyone with questions can call Gena Alfonso at 719-549-2624.

A new program called the summit will change the student organization funding and regulate the money distributed to student organizations on campus. File photo

A new program called the summit will change the student organization funding and regulate the money distributed to student organizations on campus.

The first student organization summit was held the second week of classes this fall semester, and more than 40 student organizations were represented by more than 75 students.

The summit is held in a four-hour session at the start of each semester, and is followed by one-hour training sessions once a month for the duration of the semester.

During the summit, students are expected to participate in various workshops covering the importance of programming, fundraising, SOF and OrgSync.

Students are also expected to network during training sessions to assist in the merging of activities on campus and partnering in events to draw more of their peers.

The next mandatory student organization training will be held on Oct. 9 from 6-7 p.m. At least one representative from each active organization is required to attend the training.

The SOF grant program will remain the same. The only change is that SOF is now in communication with the summit program.

Organizations will now be classified by one of three levels: gold, silver, and bronze.

A gold level organization receives 100 percent of the SOF grant, up to 50 free black and white prints or 25 color prints for each campus event and first preference on concession fundraising dates.

A silver level organization receives 75 percent of the SOF grant, up to 25 black and white prints of 10 color prints for each campus event and second preference on concession fundraising dates.

A bronze level organization receives 50 percent of the SOF grant and third preference on concession fundraising dates.

All active student organizations will begin at gold level. An organizations compliance with the summit directly affects the percentage of the SOF grant that the organization will receive.

The summit and SOF committee are hoping to offer leadership development and increased engagement for student leaders, better utilization of student organizations financial and personnel resources, improved communication among student organizations and provided opportunities for students to network with a diverse group of peers on a regular basis.

One student who is involved in an on-campus organization thinks allocating the funds is a well-thought-out idea.

“This is a good way to give out the money, because it shows which organizations are actually willing to work to earn the money, so that the events they produce are actually effective because they’ve gone through this training,” said Daniel Wood, a senior mathematics major.

In addition, student organizations account for many student involvement opportunities on the Colorado State University- Pueblo campus.

“All students should join at least one student organization during their time on campus,” said Patty Witkowsky, director of student engagement and leadership at CSU-Pueblo.

“Student organization involvement provides students with the opportunity to develop leadership skills, get to know other students with similar interests, meet faculty and staff who can assist with their future needs and have fun,” Witkowsky said.

The Diversity Resource Center plans to host a series of events in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month beginning with performances by Hispanic dance groups, highly respected Hispanic speakers, movies, luncheons and a salsa making contest. Photo courtesy of http://www.hcpl.net

Colorado State University- Pueblo will be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month beginning on Sept. 13 and ending on Nov. 4. 

The Diversity Resource Center plans to host a series of events in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month beginning with performances by Hispanic dance groups, highly respected Hispanic speakers, movies, luncheons and a salsa making contest.

The month will begin on Friday Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. in the Occhicato University Center ballroom with a performance by the Omawari and Folklorico dance groups, and a dinner followed by a presentation by Daniel Valdez.

Tickets for this event will be on sale for $10 in advance, $15 at the door and $5 for high school and college students.

On Sept. 19 the university will host the Latino Lifetime Achievement Award Luncheon beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the OUC ballroom.

This event will recognize Hispanics/Chicanos that have made contributions in improving the quality of life in the Pueblo community. The Lifetime Achievement Wall is located in the Great Hall of the OUC.

Reservations for this event should be made by calling the Latino Chamber at (719) 542-5513.

The complete list of events for Hispanic Heritage month is as follows:

SEPTEMBER 13    Baile de la Raza    OUC Ballroom
6-7 p.m.         CSU-Pueblo and Omawari Folklorico Groups 7-8:30 p.m.        Dinner & Daniel Valdez Presentation 8:30-Midnight     Baile

SEPTEMBER 19
Latino Chamber Lifetime Achievement Award Luncheon, 11:30 a.m., OUC Ballroom

SEPTEMBER 20
Afternoon with Juana Bordas, 2-4:30 p.m., Hasan School of Business Auditorium

SEPTEMBER 24
Southern Colorado Reading Series, Poet/Novelist Tim Hernandez, 7 p.m., LARC 109

SEPTEMBER 25
DSS: Daniel Hernandez, 7 p.m., OUC Ballroom, $8 community tickets

OCTOBER 4
Spanglish Day, 10 a.m., Technology 234 Dr. Alegria Ribadeneira will present some of the history, research and usage of Spanglish, an ever evolving language that results from our lives between Spanish and English

OCTOBER 10
Exploring Our Heritage, 7 p.m., Culebra Hall Lobby Join Juan Morales and Dr. Ribadeneira for a writing workshop that will explore Hispanic Heritage. Appetizers will be served.

OCTOBER 14
Salsa Making Competition, 2:30-4 p.m., LARC 151 Voting will include three categories: Most traditional salsa, best fruit salsa, and hottest salsa. To enter, take your entry to First-Year Programs between 2:30-3 p.m. Stop by to taste and cast your vote from 3-4 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the best salsa in each category.

OCTOBER 23
John Valadez Lecture, 7 p.m., LARC 109 John has been producing and directing award-winning, nationally broadcast documentaries for the past 18 years. His most recent works (with filmmaker Dan McCabe) include Latino Americans, A Nation at War and Prejudice and Pride about the Chicano civil rights movement.

OCTOBER  24
Prejudice & Pride Film Viewing, 7 p.m., LS 105 John Valadez will discuss how the film was made and the critical role Chicanos have played in shaping American civil rights history.

OCTOBER 28  
Maria Montoya Luncheon,   Noon,     OUC Hearthwell Lounge Maria Montoya is an associate professor of history at New York University. She is the author of Translating Property: The Maxwell Land Grant and the Conflict over Land in the American West, 1840-1940 and now is writing a book on the Colorado Fuel and Iron, Co. Space is limited, call 549-2687 to RSVP before October 24.

Maria Montoya Presentation, 7 p.m., El Pueblo Museum, downtown Pueblo

NOVEMBER 4  
Dia de los Muertos, 2 p.m. & 7 p.m., OUC Ballroom Come celebrate Dia de los Muertos and enjoy building altars and sugar skulls while learning about this tradition in Latin America. Email fawnamber.montoya@colostate-pueblo.edu for more information.

For more information, call 549-2687

Motivational speaker Regina Lewis is set to come speak to the staff and students at Colorado State University-Pueblo on Aug. 29 at 5:30 p.m. in the Occhiato University Center Ballroom.

Lewis is the first major speaker coming to the CSU-Pueblo campus to kick off the fall 2013 semester.

Members of the Retention Steering Task Force have been working on ways to help with the retention issue at Colorado State University- Pueblo. File photo.

Members of the Retention Steering Task Force have been working on ways to help with the retention issue at Colorado State University- Pueblo.

One of the ways that they have decided to begin tackling this issue is by offering students a chance to get connected on campus before school resumes in the fall.

Patty Witkowsky, director of Student Leadership and Engagement sent out an email to faculty and staff giving details on the New Student Orientation Campus Resource and On-Campus Job Fair.

According to the email, “As part of the New Student Orientation program this summer, there will be a Campus Resource and On-Campus Job Fair that will give students the opportunity to learn more about the resources and opportunities available to them when they begin classes in the fall as well as advertise on-campus job openings.”

“I think that this is a really great idea,” said Kenneth Smith, senior criminology major.

In the past CSU-Pueblo has always had the new student orientation, where students were able to get familiar with the campus before they began classes, this year the orientation will also allow for different departments on campus to advertise for jobs that they have available.

“I think this is a good change, hopefully the opportunity to find jobs and have connections helps will retention. It’s definitely easier for me staying here with a job, and I think that’s definitely a big thing for other students too,” said Alexsiss Days, sophomore sociology major

The event is also a good opportunity for the students to network with faculty and staff.

“The Campus Resource & On-Campus Job Fair will be a great opportunity for you to market your departmental offerings and support resources to new students to encourage promotion of their academic and co-curricular success.

Providing an opportunity for new students to explore on-campus jobs is an initiative by the Retention Steering Task Force as we know that student engagement and financial support are key to retaining our students, so if you have openings in your area, please plan to set up a table,” said Witkowsky in the email.

The dates and locations for the Orientations and Job Fairs are as follows:

Thursday, June 27: 2-4:50pm (set up by 1:30pm) (Hearthwell Lounge)

Monday, July 15: 2-4:50pm (set up by 1:30pm) (OUC Underground)

Thursday, July 25: 2-4:50pm (set up by 1:30pm) (Hearthwell Lounge)

Thursday, August 22: 2-4:50pm (set up by 1:30pm) (Location TBA)

If you would like to set up a table and help make the incoming students transitions a little easier, please contact Patty Witkowsky at 719-549-2677.

Students and staff gathered together in the Associated Students’ Government chambers on April 23 for the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected members of ASG. Photo courtesy of Jeanne Stewart.

Students and staff gathered together in the Associated Students’ Government chambers on April 23 for the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected members of ASG.

The Associated Students’ Government elections will remain open until April 11 at 4 p.m. Photo courtesy of http://www.colostate-pueblo.edu/

Associated Students’ Government elections polls are now open and students were able to begin voting on April 9 at 8 a.m. The polls will remain open until April 11 at 4 p.m.

The ASG is the students’ governing body and promotes student life and the general welfare of the student body. It also addresses student concerns and/or complaints regarding any campus issue.

ASG works to make students aware of administrative decisions on campus by having senators as representatives on most of the boards and committees on campus.

The election was put on by a group of students hoping to recruit their peers and get them interested in running for a position in ASG.

There are 14 senator positions and the president/vice-president positions that students are able to run for. The election commission is responsible for recruiting as many students as possible to run to fill these positions.

The students who run for and win these positions will be the official ASG members of the 2013-14 academic school year.

It is extremely important for students to vote in this election because students who are elected will be the voice of the students at Colorado State University- Pueblo; these students will make it possible for the students’ voices to be heard while dealing with internal as well as external issues.

For background information on all of the candidates, and see why they chose to run to be a part of ASG, follow the ink for their bios. http://www.colostate-pueblo.edu/ASGElections/Pages/Candidates.aspx

How to Vote:

1. Log into your PAWS account.

2. Click on the Voting link (allow a few seconds for the voting ballot window to open).

3. Click on the box of the candidate(s) you want to be your representative(s) in each of the categories.

4. Click “submit” to cast your ballot.

5. Make sure to log out of your PAWS account.

“It’s so important to vote so that you can be knowledgeable of things going on around campus through your student government,” said Mario Ruiz, sophomore Spanish major.

“You should know who’s representing you and your peers on campus, I mean we all have to go here why not get someone who is going to try to make campus a better place into these positions,” said Kelvin Watson, sophomore computer information systems major.

The Election Commission will be around campus for the next two days, hoping to educate more students on the election as well as getting them to vote before time runs out.

For more information, please contact the Office of Student Services at 549-2586, or email elections@colostate-pueblo.edu.

The talent, held on April 5, showcased 11 acts that ranged from playing musical instruments to hip- hop dancing.Photo courtesy of http://www.colostate-pueblo.edu/

Students of Colorado State University-Pueblo and members from the Pueblo community gathered in Hoag Hall on April 5, as students of CSU-Pueblo showcased their many talents in front of their peers and professors in the CSU-Pueblo’s Got Talent show.

The talent showcased 11 acts that ranged from playing musical instruments to hip- hop dancing.

There were three chances for students to win cash prizes, winning first, second or third place in the talent show.

The panel of judges consisted of Jeanne Stewart, Dennis Moore and Dr. Seong- Jong Joo, who are each faculty and staff members of CSU-Pueblo. The judges sat through each performance and gave feedback to each person after they were finished performing.

The actual host of the talent show was the winner of the previous talent show, Olivia Elley.

Elley introduced and briefly interviewed each act before they put on their performance.

“It was really nice to see students come out and support and encourage each other, there was such a great turn out,” Stewart said.

“I was really impressed by the quality of talent from our students,” Stewart said.

When the show was over and the ranking was finished the judges took a few moments to go over the details of each act and rank the individuals according to who they felt deserved to win.

First place prize was given to Wendell Lee who performed a compilation of spoken word poetry, piano playing and singing, showcasing a few of his many talents. During Lee’s performance, one could glance around the auditorium and see pictures being taken, videos being recorded and many of his peers in tears.

“I dedicated that poem and full presentation to my friend and to my beautiful streets of South Central Los Angeles. I just wanted everyone to see where I came from and how I’m still positive despite my hardship. The glory goes to God and I will never deny his power,” Lee said.

“I still have to grow a lot though, and it feels good to finish on top. I’m truly blessed,” Lee said.

Second place was given to Adrian Hernandez who played the guitar and sang one of his original pieces.

Third place was given to Brentley Shane who performed a cover of country artist Chris Young’s “Getting You Home.”

“I think the judges chose the people I would’ve chosen,” said Alexsiss Days, sophomore sociology major.

“All of the participants did a really good job showcasing their talents,” Days said.

“Watch Yo’ Mouth” was an event put on to help others realize the significance of what they say, and that many words can be taken offensively. Today photo by Jasmin French.

Students and staff gathered in the Occhiato University Center Ballroom at Colorado State University- Pueblo on Tuesday, March 12 for an event called “Watch Yo’ Mouth,” put on by the staff of the Diversity Resource Center.

The event, “Watch Yo’ Mouth,” was put in place to educate students and staff on words and phrases that they use and may not find offensive but people of other ethnicities, races, religions and sexual preferences may find offensive.

Several activities were planned for this event that intended to give a brief history behind offensive terms and phrases, as well as help students cope with being offended by these terms and phrases.

The event, “Watch Yo’ Mouth,” was taken to the DRC by senior mass communications student, Daveon Ackinsanya, who is also a member of the Residence Life staff.

Ackinsanya experienced an encounter where a few other students called him a monkey, in a joking manner. The students were completely shocked to find out that Ackinsanya was offended by the remark.

At the time, the students that made the remark did not realize that the word had a negative connotation in the African American community.

This particular encounter prompted Ackinsanya to help educate as many students on campus of the history of derogatory words and phrases.

“Daveon approached us after watching some comedian, then he thought about his story of when a few people who lived on his floor were joking around calling him a monkey, and he wanted us to do a program about the importance of how we use our language and the history of derogatory words,” Director of Programming Staff in the DRC Elizabeth Woods said.

The same video clip of the comedian was played during the first half of the event. In this video, the comedian stated that these words are only offensive if we take offense to them.

The point of the night was for students to not let the negative things that others say define who they are.

“I thought it was a great event. I appreciate programs and events such as that, which allow people to have a needed discussion,” Sherrea Elliot, senior mass communications major said.

Students in the audience shouted out things that they find offensive which helped to educate others on the offensive things they say unknowingly.

“I’m definitely more conscious of the words I say,” Elliott said.

Students were proud to see such unity among each other on campus.

“It’s cool to see one of our classmates’ reaching out to the peers to discuss controversial topics like something as simple as the words we use, “Tyrone Holt, a senior cellular and molecular biology and sociology double major said.

The Students’ Choice Award recognizes faculty and professional/classified staff for all that they do for the students of the CSU-Pueblo community. Photo courtesy of http://www.ccd.edu.

Every year, the students of Colorado State University-Pueblo express their gratitude to faculty and staff by nominating them for the Students’ Choice Award.

The Students’ Choice Award recognizes faculty and professional/classified staff for all that they do for the students of the CSU-Pueblo community.

There are two separate awards available, Outstanding Faculty Member and Outstanding Professional or Classified Staff. The candidates for these awards must be thoughtful, dedicated and supportive member to the students of CSU-Pueblo.

The candidate should meet the majority of the following criterion: has a relationship with students that encourages and promotes scholastic professional excellence, demonstrates caring and thoughtfulness when interacting with students, displays student advocacy, encourages student goals or aspirations, provides a direct impact on student success and has a sense of fairness and compassion for the university community as a whole.

Any student that attends CSU-Pueblo may nominate a faculty or staff member who has been employed at the university for at least one year.

Students are encouraged to nominate their past or current professors who demonstrate an outstanding amount of support and kindness for the students in their classrooms.

Students are sharing why they feel these awards are important for the university.

“I feel [these awards] are really important, because it’s not just students at the university, but faculty and staff as well. When students get the chance to recognize and nominate staff for different awards, it creates unity around the university,” Rafeal Elliott, senior biology major and vice president of Associated Students’ Government, said.

“These awards are important to recognize faculty and staff that are doing an outstanding job on campus, because it encourages other faculty and staff to become more involved on campus and it also sheds a light on those teachers striving to make change for the university,” Vanessa Emerson, business management major and senator of Hasan School of Business, said.

According to mass email sent out to campus, ASG senators solicit student nominations. The selection will begin with collaboration between the president, vice president and the speaker of the senate to narrow down nominations. The three will then submit their recommendation to the Senate.

Nominations are due by Tuesday, March 12. The winners will be recognized at the Faculty-Staff Recognition luncheon in April.

ASG asks that nominations state the qualifications for the award, including specific examples/rationale as they relate to the criteria for the award. Be aware that general positive comments, while complimentary, do not aid in establishing how and why the nominee deserves an award.

Students if you choose to nominate a faculty or staff member keep in mind that that you provide examples as to why or how the staff member you chose to nominate should receive the award.

Be very clear in relating your examples to the characteristics that your candidate must possess as well as the criteria that is to be followed. A simple compliment or positive comment will not assist your candidate in actually winning an award.

For more information and to nominate candidates, visit the ASG nominations page at http://www.colostate-pueblo.edu/ASG/Pages/StudentsChoiceAward.aspx