Colorado State University-Pueblo looks to improve the quality of university life and academics for students, via the National Survey of Student Engagement. Photo from http://sbc.edu

Sarah Matott

Colorado State University-Pueblo looks to improve the quality of university life and academics for students, via the National Survey of Student Engagement.

NSSE is a survey instrument used to measure the level of student participation at universities and colleges. More than 1,500 colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada use it, according to the NSSE website.

The survey, which is conducted every four years, specifically targets first-year students and students with a senior standing, so the survey is intended to show change from the time a student arrives as a freshman to when a student is graduating as a senior.

The survey collects information about student participation in programs and activities that institutions provide for their learning and personal development, according to Erin Frew, assistant provost for assessment and student learning.

Results from the survey provide an estimate of how undergraduates spend their time and what they gain from attending college.

Student engagement represents two critical features of collegiate quality. First is the amount of time and effort students put into their academics. The second is how the university utilizes resources and organizes the curriculum to improve student learning.

Institutional assessment such as surveys and management of the electronic campus assessment reporting system is conducted through the provost’s office. The provost’s office uses the information from the survey to plan and improve the quality of student life at CSU-Pueblo, especially in academics.

The data is also used to identify aspects of the student’s experience inside and outside the classroom that can be improved through changes in policies and practices.

By conducting the survey every four years, the administration can look at the results and see differences between the two-targeted groups over time.

The challenge facing the university is to maximize the response rate from the survey, according to Frew. The response rate for the 2010 NSSE was 32 percent. The goal for 2014 is to have a 50 percent response rate.

The survey is sent to students through the university email, and from there students are directed to a link to the NSSE website where they complete the survey.

Finding and giving students an incentive to complete the survey is a challenge the administration faces.

“If it would help improve the education of future students then I would take the survey, even if it didn’t help me,” said Ashleigh Rhoades, a senior history major.

However, not all students may feel the same way, so in an attempt to reach a 50 percent response rate, the university plans to use a number of strategies.

Students will be targeted not only through their campus emails, but also in their classrooms and across campus. The university will most likely give students incentive to do and complete the survey by giving out prizes.

The ultimate goal of the survey to improve the overall student experience and to “use the information to plan and improve courses and student services, and make a better experience for all students at CSU-Pueblo,” Frew said.

Plans for the new classroom building, an update on student workers’ biweekly pay and the Associated Students’ Government safety walk were highlighted at the CSU-Pueblo ASG meeting, held on Oct. 17. File photo

Christine Wiabel

Plans for the new classroom building, an update on student workers’ biweekly pay and the Associated Students’ Government safety walk were highlighted at the CSU-Pueblo ASG meeting, held on Oct. 17.

Director of planning and construction, John Barnosky, spoke about the plans for the new classroom building, scheduled for completion in fall 2015.  The new building will be located in what is currently a grassy area behind the chemistry building and will be three floors tall with approximately 45,000 square feet.

Barnosky stressed that a major priority regarding the new facility is to relieve the overcrowded classrooms in other areas of campus.  The new building will house mid to large occupancy rooms with stadium seating and have new audio-visual and wireless equipment.

An architectural firm was hired and will be in the Library and Academic Resource Center on Oct. 21 to hear students’ suggestions about classroom space, seating and other specifics that will be decided later in the process.  There is already a plan in place for the number and size of the rooms.

It was proposed that the ASG choose a student representative to attend the design committee meetings and keep the group informed of progress and major decisions.

President Vanessa Emerson said there is a conference in Denver next week hosted by the CSU Fort Collins ASG. Colleges will be represented from various parts of the United States. They will discuss many topics including higher education costs and bills about higher education that are currently before Congress.  It is open to all ASG members.

Vice President Michael Weiner gave an update on the biweekly pay for student workers.  He said students will be encouraged to sign up for direct deposit, which will make the biweekly process easier to implement as fewer checks will need to be cut.

Another change in the payment process will be the mailing of checks to employees because some people have not been picking up their checks.  The goal is to have biweekly pay up and running by next fall.

Weiner brought up the lack of a housing committee and volunteered to work on forming one to deal with the specific issues surrounding residence halls.

Interviews for the new dean of student life are progressing.  There are six Skype interviews Friday, and the final candidates will make a campus visit within a couple of weeks.

The Facility Fee Committee will be launching a survey for students to give input on the use of their facility fees.  Some suggestions that have been made included a clock tower, lights for the fountain, recreation fields, concrete furniture by the dorms and security cameras in the parking lots.  A date for the survey has not yet been set.

Jordan Boehme, director of public relations for the ASG, suggested starting a Facebook page for students to direct campus complaints that she can filter and address at meetings.

Boehme and the external affairs committee met with Chartwells Dining Services to go over student meal plans and issues with unused meals.  At this time, students are not allowed to share meals on their plans, and there is a question about where the money goes for unused meals.

Increasing student seats for football games was another issue that was discussed.  In order to publicize sporting events and make student athletes more recognizable on campus, suggestions were made to arrange a pep band to play at basketball games and a meet-and-greet between students and campus athletes.

A haunted house will be held on Oct. 25-26 from 7 p.m. to midnight in the Arts and Music building.  There will be face painting, a costume contest and other activities.

Senator Anthony Herrera attended the Dean’s Advisory Counsel for the Hasan School of Business and said there will be training for mentors who will work with new students to help them with their academics and adjustment to college.

Senators Herrera and Antonio Reyes also attended the Student Recreation Center Committee meeting where the acquisition of new equipment such as benches, squat racks and ellipticals was proposed. Another popular idea was a lounge area where protein shakes and other healthy items would be available for purchase after working out.

Jenae French and Zoe Svedarsky were sworn in as new ASG senators.  Both are freshmen this year and look forward to becoming more involved with ASG and the rest of the campus.

Jibrail Dibble, whose term expired, was reconfirmed as a justice.

The next meeting of the CSU-Pueblo ASG will be Oct. 24 at 4 p.m. in Room 201 of the OUC.   Attendance is open to all students and staff.

On October 21 between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. Colorado State University-Pueblo experienced a power outage lasting about two hours.

It is unclear at this time what caused the power outage through Black Hills Energy, but the problem was fixed and power was restored.

A text message was sent out by CSU-Pueblo’s alert messaging system at 9:45 a.m. informing students that the power outage had been reported. At 9:55 a.m. CSU-Pueblo sent another message cancelling all 10 a.m. classes.

When the power had been restored CSU-Pueblo sent one more message at 10:33 a.m. informing students that all classes and activities would continue as planned.

There have been no further issues with the electricity on campus and more information on this story will be coming soon.

Students serving the ‘Halal’ Indian food at the DRC’s Eid dinner. Photos from the Diversity Resource Center

As part of the growing effort to celebrate and observe multicultural events at Colorado State University-Pueblo, the Diversity Resource Center organized an Eid party at their lounge on Oct. 16.

Eid-ul-Adha is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims around the globe. It honors the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his young first-born son Ismail (Ishmael) as an act of submission to Allah’s command, and the son’s acceptance to be sacrificed.

Eid-ul-Adha falls on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar, and is observed for three days.

This year Eid-ul-Adha took place Oct.15-17, and the DRC organized an Eid party on the second day starting at 6 p.m.

To make sure the observance of this Eid was done in accordance with Islamic customs, the food ordered was cooked with “Halal” chicken only, which is slaughtered in a specific way in accordance with the Islamic customs. Also, flower decorations were arranged according to the typical Eid party requirements.

No pork or alcohol was served, because in the religion of Islam, both of these items are prohibited. The Muslim students also wore their traditional outfits.

“I was totally shocked to see how well DRC staff arranged this event for us and made us feel so comfortable like home on this big day, when we are so far away from our family and friends back home,” said Ryad Mahmood, a CSU-Pueblo student from Saudi Arabia.

Students and faculty from other religious backgrounds also attended the event, which was not intended to serve only Muslim students. The non-Muslim attendees were invited in an effort to promote mutual understanding between cultures on campus.

“It’s amazing when people can share their beliefs and culture with respect and love, and CSU-Pueblo fills these spaces as we could see at the DRC’s Eid party. Our Muslim population shared their Eid-ul-Adha with all of us, and I would like to wish them ‘Eid Mubarak,’” said Renata Gomez, a CSU-Pueblo student from Columbia.

The event was catered by Mr. Tandoori, an Indian grill in downtown Pueblo, and more than 20 guests were served.

The items served in the dinner included chicken biryani chicken curry and naan, along with kheer, which is Indian rice pudding, for the dessert.

“I must say that out of all the on campus events I have attended till date at CSU-Pueblo, this one served the best food possible. I have never tasted such good Indian food in U.S. before, and it truly made this Eid so much special for everybody who attended the party,” said Chaitanya Reddy, a CSU-Pueblo student from India.

Running back Chris Ashe running in for a touchdown vs. the Orediggers. Photo courtesy of Tyler Shomaker

By Jason Cowan from Gothunderwolves.comSaturday may always be remembered as one of the most historically significant nights in the history of football in Pueblo.

And it was more than fitting that the game was concluded by a fireworks show.

The third-ranked ThunderWovles defeated the Colorado School of Mines Orediggers 48–28 in the University’s “pink out” game, matching a conference record in the process.

With the win, not only did John Wristen win his 50th game as head coach, but the Pack also won their 27th straight RMAC game, tying a streak by Chadron State from 2006-09.

“(The streak) means nothing to us,” Wristen said. “Our goal is to continue to play hard for 60 minutes.”

After giving up more than 700 yards of total offense last week against Chadron State, the Pack defense sacked the Oredigger quarterbacks nine times, limiting an offense that averages 43.5 points per game to 28 – most of which came against CSU-Pueblo’s second-team defense in the fourth quarter.

“The defensive guys had a great game plan,” Wristen said. “Any time you could control the line of scrimmage like our defensive line has been able to do, you’ve got a chance to win some football games.”

Of the nine sacks on the night, 3.5 came from defensive end Morgan Fox, which is third most in school history. Fox even achieved the feat with an injury, playing with a broken hand since Sept. 28 against Adams State.

“All eight or nine of us who were rotating getting a good pass and being relentless on them and just holding them down to the point where it was easy for me to do it because they did their jobs,” Fox said.

Running back Marché Dennard vs. the Orediggers. Photo courtesy of Tyler Shomaker.

In addition to the defensive pressure, the ThunderWolves, who came into the game against the Orediggers as the No. 14 team in Division II with 17 turnovers gained, forced 3 turnovers, intercepting quarterback Joe Schneider two times, while recovering a fumble early in the first quarter.

“We want to win the turnover battle,” Wristen said. “That’s the Pack way, and we will continue to coach that way.”

The ThunderWolves, who were without leading rusher Cameron McDondle, got production on the ground from running back Chris Ashe, who finished the game with 87 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

“We’re always looking for the next guy up, and me as a starter, I just got to make sure that I keep the pressure on my guys and make sure I give it my all and reward my line when they give me good blocks,” Ashe said.

Quarterback Chris Bonner followed up his RMAC Player of the Week performance, going 17-for-27 with 255 yards and two touchdowns.

“I’m glad Chris Bonner is on our team,” Wristen said. “He throws the deep ball about as well as anyone around, which is pretty accurate. We’ll just continue to improve on that.”

The Pack will look to become the sole owner of the consecutive RMAC victory streak when they take on the Black Hills State Yellow Jackets in Spearfish, S.D. on Oct. 26 at 1 p.m.

“We just got to improve on the fundamentals, blocking and tackling,” Wristen said. “We got to make sure we don’t turn the ball over.”

Students recently received an email from the Information Technology Services about a new virus called CryptoLocker. File photo.

Students recently received an email from the Information Technology Services about a new virus called CryptoLocker.

This virus starts as an email to an individual. The email contains a link that will install a new virus that is in the “ransomware” category. Google defines ransomware as “a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid.”

ITS took the threat seriously and took steps to see if CSU-Pueblo’s system was infected.

“Once the virus is executed it proceeds to encrypt the files on the infected user’s computer and all network shares that the user has access to. The user is then asked to pay a $300 – $500 ransom in order to get the files decrypted,” said Matt Watson, information security officer.

The only way to recover the encrypted files is from a backup system, Watson said.

SophosLabs is a company that develops security for the growing number of Internet viruses.

“SophosLabs has received a large number of scrambled documents via the Sophos sample submission system,” Paul Ducklin, researcher at Sophos Labs, in a blog on nakedsecurity.sophos.com. “These have come from people who are keenly hoping that there’s a flaw in the CryptoLocker encryption, and that we can help them get their files back. But as far as we can see, there’s no backdoor or shortcut: what the public key has scrambled, only the private key can unscramble.”

Colorado State University-Pueblo’s ITS department took preventative precautions to make sure that no trace of CryptoLocker was in the system.

“We have disconnected the campus file servers to perform virus scans on the file directories to verify that the virus has not infected campus servers,” said the email from the ITS department.

Watson said as of Oct. 15, no systems at CSU-Pueblo were infected by CryptoLocker.

“It appears that there is a misunderstanding that CSU-Pueblo got infected with this bug.  In short, we didn’t,” said Watson, “We did however, assess the threat of CryptoLocker, and determined that the readiness of our backup system was not where we wanted it to be, so we took action.”

ITS changed their backup system to a compellent storage area network in order to increase the reliability of the network said Watson. Compellent storage area network snapshots the data stores and retains the data in a snapshot that can be easily mounted to recover the data added Watson.

More information about CryptoLocker can be found at

http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2013/10/12/destructive-malware-cryptolocker-on-the-loose/

Nick Jurney

The CSU-Pueblo ThunderWolves’ football team is one of seven finalists in the running for Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s “Best Under the Radar NCAA Football Atmosphere.”

Video from youtube.com. Courtesy of http://www.youtube.com/user/GoThunderWolves?feature=watch

The competition began on Oct. 8, and runs through Monday, Oct. 21. Fans are able to vote once per day on GEICO’s “Best of College Football” Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/BestofCollegeFootball.

According to the page, the winner will be selected purely from fan voting. As of Oct. 15, the ThunderWolves held the fifth spot in voting, trailing the Division I Ohio Bobcats, Division I Northern Illinois Huskies, Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks and Division I Delaware Blue Hens.

CSU-Pueblo is ahead of Division I programs Sam Houston State and Northern Arizona.

Each of the seven finalists compiled a video showcasing their game day atmosphere, with each video and a map of the school’s location being posted on the GEICO “Best of College Football” Facebook page.

The CSU-Pueblo video was produced by the university’s athletic department and features video footage of the press conference announcing the return of football to CSU-Pueblo, the construction of the ThunderBowl, and interviews with President Lesley Di Mare, head coach John Wristen and other staff members and alumni.

Since its return in 2008 after a 24-year hiatus, the CSU-Pueblo football program has gone on to win two Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference titles, held a No. 1 ranking in the nation during the 2011 and 2012 seasons and competed in the NCAA football playoffs several years running.

The T-Wolves look to win their 27th straight Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game, which would tie a conference record set by Chadron State from 2006-09, as well as win their 33rd consecutive regular season game. File photo.

The No. 3 Colorado State University-Pueblo ThunderWolves (6-0, 4-0 RMAC) will go into the Oct. 19 contest vs. the Colorado Mines Orediggers (4-2, 3-1 RMAC) with some milestones in sight.

The T-Wolves look to win their 27th straight Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game, which would tie a conference record set by Chadron State from 2006-09, as well as win their 33rd consecutive regular season game.

But, they will have to do it without leading rusher Cameron McDondle, a sophomore who was removed from the Oct. 12 game vs. Chadron State.

“He has a little issue with his knee,” said head coach John Wristen.

According to Wristen, it is unknown if the injury will keep the running back from returning this season.

McDondle has rushed for 593 yards and five touchdowns, while catching three passes for 24 yards and one touchdown through six games.

“Right now, we think it’s a possible 3-week injury. He could be done the rest of the year, it just depends how many more games we win,” Wristen said. “Hopefully we can continue winning a few games and extend our season.”

Set to start on Saturday is sophomore running back Chris Ashe, who rushed 28 times for 158 yards and one touchdown after McDondle exited the game on Oct. 12.

“It’s a bad thing when one of your key players goes down, but it’s always the next guy up,” Ashe said. “You just got to step up and make plays. Trust yourself.”

The game on Oct. 19 will match the Orediggers offense, which ranks No. 7 in Division II in total offense and averages 552.7 yards per game, against a T-Wolves’ defense that gave up more than 700 total yards vs. Chadron State on Oct. 12.

However, limiting total offense has been an emphasis on defense this week, according to junior linebacker Ryan Cummings.

“Being a great defense, which is the direction we want to head to, you can never allow that many yards in a game,” said Cummings, who had two interceptions against Chadron State. “This week, we will definitely work on that. You never want to have a game with that many total yards of offense ever again.”

Because of nationwide trends in decrease in college enrollment, the administration at CSU-Pueblo was expecting a drop in enrollment of 2.85 percent, though the actual decrease turned out to be 3 percent, according to Orscheln. File photo.

Headcount is down at Colorado State University-Pueblo for the second year in a row, but university administrators have identified reasons for the decline, and plan to reverse the issue with intensified recruitment strategies.

“It (increased enrollment) won’t happen overnight, but we’re getting there,” said Paul Orscheln, vice president of Student Services and Enrollment Management.

CSU-Pueblo’s current headcount, which includes part-time and full-time students, is 4,669, which are 131 fewer students than in 2012.

The university had previously been on a five-year streak of rising enrollment, peaking in 2011 at 5,230 students, according to the 2012 CSU-Pueblo Fact Book.

People in administration say that they were ready for the decline in enrollment this year.

Because of nationwide trends in decrease in college enrollment, the administration at CSU-Pueblo was expecting a drop in enrollment of 2.85 percent, though the actual decrease turned out to be 3 percent, according to Orscheln.

“We don’t think there’s a trend going on here, since it’s only been the last two years and we have a good understanding of why it’s occurring,” Orscheln said.

One reason for the lower enrollment rates at CSU-Pueblo, he said, could be lower graduation rates among area high schools.

“The population of Southern Colorado is declining, and there are fewer students graduating from high schools in the state,” said President Lesley Di Mare in her State of the University address.

Di Mare said poor retention of freshmen at CSU-Pueblo is yet another reason for the declining headcount, but says the university is trying to address this issue.

“The university’s retention rate is now at approximately 63 percent. Our goal is to increase that number by 2 percentage points each year over the next five years to meet our long term targets,” Di Mare said.

New drop-for-non-payment policies may also be behind the two-year trend of dropping headcount, according to Orscheln.

The university received an audit in late 2011, which showed that the university administration was allowing students who were not paying their bills to continue to attend the university, which could have artificially inflated the headcount.

After the audit, administration began working to make students pay their tuition or be dropped from classes.

“In spring 2012, we began to work with students to create a process in which they would be required to pay their tuition,” Orscheln said. “In fall 2012, we fully implemented the policy and many students who hadn’t been paying tuition either didn’t enroll or were dropped from their classes.”

Some strategies CSU-Pueblo has implemented to increase enrollment include new scholarships that will help students who meet eligibility requirements, students who might not otherwise be able to afford to attend CSU-Pueblo.

Other strategies include increased marketing and recruitment efforts in Central America and a new emphasis on the concurrent enrollment program, which allows juniors and seniors to attend college classes at CSU-Pueblo while still in high school.

Headcount for international students is up 10 percent from last year, and the number of high school students enrolled concurrently is also up.

The increase in international students helps keep the university financially stable even when overall headcount has gone down, because they pay more tuition than a Colorado student does, according to Orscheln.

The university has also hired two more recruiters and expanded its overall marketing efforts.

“It’s a very complicated strategy to recruit students, but we’re on the right track and hope to see positive results for fall 2014,” Orscheln said.

Qureshi, a native of Karachi, Pakistan, is a senior mass communications major who is no stranger to the campus spotlight. File photo

Christine Wiabel

History was made on Oct. 5, 2013, when student Talha Qureshi became the first international homecoming royalty winner in the 80 year legacy of Colorado State University-Pueblo. 

Qureshi, a native of Karachi, Pakistan, is a senior mass communications major who is no stranger to the campus spotlight.  His concentration in integrated marketing gave him the advantage of a seasoned politician during the election, where he courted votes using brightly colored posters, candy and a network of friends who promoted his campaign.

Since transferring to CSU-Pueblo in the fall of 2012, Qureshi has been involved in nearly every aspect of campus life, striving to get the most out of his time as a ThunderWolf.  He is a member of the speech and debate team, serves as a student ambassador, works in various offices across campus and remains active in several student organizations.

Qureshi’s election as homecoming king is an important milestone in his own life, and is a step forward for international students at CSU-Pueblo.  It has helped draw attention to the growing number of students from other countries that, despite cultural differences, are an integral part of the ThunderWolf family.

Annie Williams, director of International Programs at CSU-Pueblo expressed the excitement of the whole community when she said “We are proud of our Talha.  He has been a huge inspiration and role model for his international peers to emulate.  He is a hard-working student who plans and implements cultural activities across campus, and he is a ‘global minded’ organizer with wonderful leadership attributes.”

Devan Mills, a friend and campaign helper, recalled the impact Qureshi made on her the first time they met.

“I had Talha in one of my classes, and really, who doesn’t notice the guy? He was always in a hurry.  He talked really fast and I couldn’t understand a word he was saying, but he was really excited about life.”

But after getting to know Talha over the next year, Mills came to understand why he was always in a hurry.

“Yes, he is always in a hurry. That is because he is so involved in our school and the outside world. CSU-Pueblo is very lucky to have him representing our school. Winning this wasn’t just about getting the crown. I know he has big plans to help others and I hope he will let me help him with that as well. He is a remarkable person,” Mills said.

After graduating from Canon City High School in 2007, Qureshi returned to Pakistan, where he took higher education classes and worked as an activist, promoting issues such as global hunger, literacy and the environment.

Qureshi hopes that winning the homecoming crown this year will give him the opportunity to continue his service.

“My journey as homecoming royalty does not end here,” he explained. “I plan to use this crown as a medium to raise funds towards eliminating hunger and health problems in Africa, and to support the rehabilitation of the children in Syria and other countries facing war.”

Qureshi has high expectations for his future.  His resume contains many accomplishments, including a command of four languages and service as a liaison officer in the Model United Nations in New York.

Once he graduates from CSU-Pueblo, he hopes to attend one of the Ivy League schools for his graduate studies and move on to a career where he can tackle major social problems that are threatening people worldwide.

Even with his many accomplishments, Qureshi understands that he couldn’t have done it all alone.

“Last year when I joined CSU-Pueblo, this university was my only hope to complete my college education due to law and order problems in my country. I have to thank all my international and American friends and all the faculty and staff members at CSU-Pueblo who were there for me, not only during this campaign, but at times when I needed them. I cannot believe that it’s only been a year since I have arrived back in the United States and joined CSU-Pueblo.  Now I have won the homecoming royalty crown. It’s like a dream come true,” Qureshi said.