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A lawsuit filed against Colorado State University-Pueblo President Lesley Di Mare by professor Timothy McGettigan remains in litigation.

The lawsuit, which was filed in January 2015, cited that McGettigan’s First Amendment rights were violated when his email account was deactivated after a mass email was sent out to organize a protest in response to the university’s proposed job cuts.

According to McGettigan’s lawyer, Dan Twetten of Loevy and Loevy civil rights law firm, a complaint was filed following the lawsuit.

“We filed our complaint and President Di Mare and the council found a motion to dismiss the complaint. The motion has been fully briefed. We found that the brief that President DiMare filed, her reply brief, is just pending at the court,” Twetten said.

Regarding to the impact of the lawsuit on the CSU-Pueblo campus, McGettigan said it has created an environment of hostility.

“I’ve encountered a great deal of hostility from administrators and office managers, not from students but random people who are employees of the university, I think, have it in their minds that I’m a trouble-maker and so feel hostile toward me,” McGettigan said.

McGettigan said that he has to be careful about who he converses with because they may be bothered by comments or positions that he has made that have provoked people to hostility.

“What I found is that there are some islands of peace and sanity, and I tend to gravitate to those. Then the parts of the university that have asserted that they are going to be hostile territory, I try to minimize my contact with those places,” he added.

McGettigan said that from this lawsuit, he hopes that in the future others at the university “should fear no idea” that would generate new ideas at the university. He added that the university has effectively shut down his ability to communicate with people and still causes problems with free speech being cut off at CSU-Pueblo.

“What the university wants to have happen is for trouble makers like me to go away, but that will not solve the university’s problem. I think silencing free speech, terrorizing students, terrorizing faculty, terrorizing staff into being silent is incredibly un-American. That is the problem that needs to be fixed, but we’re nowhere close to that,” he said.

Twetten stated that following the lawsuit, some of McGettigan’s email rights have been restored, but not in its entirety.

“We haven’t received a ruling on the motion yet, so the matter remains litigation, and the parties are waiting for a ruling on the motion,” Twetten said.

Because litigation is still pending, the university was unable to comment.

Michelangelo’s “bozzettis” on display at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center | Photo by Michelle Pham

A foundation noted for creating a way to replicate the fragile models of Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo Bounarroti’s “bozzettis” through laser scanning and rapid prototyping technology is bringing its work to Pueblo.

Harry Spell, of the Harry and Karly Spell Foundation, has agreed to host an art and technology event at Colorado State University-Pueblo and Pueblo Community College in late March 2016.

An exhibit featuring the Michelangelo models, “Touched by the Hands of God: Michelangelo’s Models” is currently on display at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center in downtown Pueblo until May 29, 2016.

The pieces that are on display in the King Gallery of the art center are the Nudo Virile (David), Torso Virile (Louvre Slave), Dio Fluviale (River God), Due Lottatori (Two Wrestlers), Nudo Femminile (Female Nude) and Crocifisso (Crucifix).

“These have only been shown one or two times in the United States and for us to have them here is amazing,” said Don Banner, a sponsor of the exhibition.

Banner, who does legal work for the CSU-Pueblo Foundation, said these models were used as concepts when Michelangelo was preparing to build his larger sculptures. Known as bozzettis, these models were thought to have been destroyed but after Michelangelo died, somebody had remodeled the house where his studio was located and walled it up.

The house is currently located in Florence, Italy and serves as the Casa Bounarroti, a museum dedicated to the artist. The original models are currently protected in glass cases at the museum.

“The bozzettis are very rare in that the originals are made of wax, clay and wood so they are very fragile. So for hundreds of years, they’ve never been able to travel,” said Jim Richerson, executive director of the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center.

According to Banner, in the 1800s, somebody who was remodeling the house discovered the false wall and found his studio with six of the bozzettis.

“They weren’t a 100 percent sure they were his,” Banner said. “I mean it was his house but for a couple hundred years, nobody had seen him so they weren’t sure but then they found a painting done by another artist contemporaneously with Michelangelo’s life of his studio and there were the bozzetti.”

“Touched by the Hands of God: Michelangelo’s Models” will be on display at the art center until May 29. | Photo by Michelle Pham

“So it proved these are them, these are Michelangelo’s! There are the things he’s made,” he said.

Spell used his five-step process to re-create these models by laser scanning the small sculptures without touching them. He was then allowed to take those digital scans, create the rapid prototyping and re-caste it into bronze castes of the original models.

“Now these can travel and people can see them. Since they’re digital scans, they’re as accurate as accurate can be,” Richerson said.

Richerson said he believes these castes have made art more accessible for people and that they give people a clue of how Michelangelo was thought, especially in the 21st century.

“There’s subtleties and nuances when he’s thinking conceptually what he’s doing that changed in the model, so it’s another step in just making the process more alive and exciting,” he said.

“You can actually feel what Michelangelo felt when he created them,” Banner added.

With Spell’s use of technology, Richerson said that it brings art and science back together, which was a key part in the Renaissance.

While the exhibit is on display, the center will be having “Touch Tuesdays” where touching the pieces is encouraged for a more complete visitor experience. This event was inspired by Richerson, when he showed the Bozzettis in Peoria, Illinois where he did a couple of programs for the visually impaired.

“It was very cool to hear people talk about, through a different sense, their experience with the art. So when Dr. Spell was here, I said, ‘wouldn’t it be cool if we could have touch them Tuesdays?’ And he said sure as long as people take their jewelry off,” Richerson said.

On one side of the exhibit, displayed are images of the technical process that Spell used to create the castes. Another wall shows a timeline of Michelangelo’s life so that visitors are able to take a glimpse of what went on in Michelangelo’s life when building the models.

A public reception will be held for the exhibit Nov. 6, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Admission to the art center is $8 for adults and $6 for children.

“I think art is an essential part to living. It is an essential part to engaging our senses. I think art informs our senses, that it makes a person a richer person no matter if they’re an engineer, a doctor or an artist. It just gives life more dimension,” Richerson said.

Isaiah Vialpando (middle) as a high school sophomore at a lunchtime jam session at a Mariachi Spectacular workshop | Photo courtesy of Basilia Gonzalez-Rodriguez.

Isaiah Vialpando, a student majoring in mass communications and minoring in music at Colorado State University-Pueblo, died Wednesday from gunshot wounds after being shot and then crashing his car in downtown Pueblo. He was 20.

Carmelita Vasquez, psychology major at CSU-Pueblo, said Vialpando was a “super kind-hearted guy, always trying to crack a joke.”

Vasquez first met Vialpando in eighth grade when they both were accepted to the advanced mariachi program at Cesar Chavez Academy.

The program, Mariachi Aguila, was founded in 2002 when the academy first opened. The program is currently the only self-sustaining, performing school/student based mariachi in Colorado.

“When we first got accepted into the advanced mariachi group, I was the only girl guitar player and he teased me ‘til the ends of the earth about it,” Vasquez said.

“Being my first time playing in an advanced group, it took me awhile to get down the strums so he was always the first one to turn towards me so I can see his hand movements. He always helped me when I needed it,” she said.

Vasquez did not reconnect with Vialpando until they both played in Jerry Vigil’s mariachi group, Tierra Colorada, an all ages community band in Pueblo whose “members with passion for playing music and Mexican culture work together to spread the joy of being mariachi.”

“One thing I loved most about him is that he was playing even when he wasn’t. He would practice the strums on his shirt all day long. He even got me doing that!” she said.

“I’m going to miss every little memory I have of him and with him.”

Basilia Gonzalez-Rodriguez, a sophomore at CSU-Pueblo double majoring in psychology and Spanish said that Vialpando was dedicated to mariachi music. “He was a quiet reserved person until you got him to talk about music,” she said.

Vialpando and Gonzalez-Rodriguez went to elementary, middle and a year of high school together, with Vialpando a school year ahead of her. Gonzales-Rodriguez was also a part of the Mariachi Aguila group with Vasquez and Vialpando for five to six years at CCA and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High.

Vialapando’s high school mariachi group | Photo courtesy of Basilia Gonzalez-Rodriguez.

“If he couldn’t get a strum down, he would practice and practice until it was perfected. Being a musician isn’t easy. There are times when one feels so overwhelmed and stressed, but Isaiah was truly one of the most dedicated and devoted musicians I’ve ever worked with,” Gonzalez-Rodriguez said.

Gonzalez-Rodriguez’s fondest memory of Vialpando was when their mariachi group went to their first Mariachi Spectacular in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

“We had practiced every day for weeks training to compete for this event which was very important to all of us,” she said.

The contest included numerous workshops where the different sections of the mariachi would meet other contestants from all over the nation to participate in workshops together. Gonzalez-Rodriguez said that the most exciting part of these events were the jam sessions they had every night.

“Isaiah loved to get out his vihuela and play with a dozen other musicians. You could see the joy he had knowing he was playing among some of the best in the nation, including himself,” she said.

Music was something that enveloped Vialpando’s life. “It was truly an enormous part of his life, for the beautiful way all parts of the mariachi came together to create something so amazing and melodic. Mariachi music is such a big part of Mexican culture and Isaiah was so proud to showcase that,” Gonzalez-Rodriguez said.

Family and friends of Vialpando hosted a candlelight vigil Sept. 4 in Ersilia Cruz Park across from Dolores Huerta Preparatory, where he attended high school.

The shooting that led to Vialpando’s death is still under investigation. His family is offering a $3,000 reward to anyone able to provide the police with enough information about the shooter to lead to an arrest.

“Isaiah was an incredible human being and did not deserve this awful injustice. He touched so many lives and he will not be forgotten; he will live on in mariachi and in our hearts,” Gonzalez-Rodriguez said.

A Residence Life and Housing employee and CSU-Pueblo football players help a freshman move in as his mother watches. Photo by Michelle Pham.

Students new to Colorado State University-Pueblo moved into the residence halls for the 2015-2016 school year Aug. 20. They were welcomed by the Residence Life and Housing staff and CSU-Pueblo student-athletes, who assisted with moving their belongings.

Desk assistant Lance Cox said this year’s move in was more organized than last year’s. Cox, a junior nursing student at the university, has been working as a DA for two years.

“The housing department has everything more planned out and our employee and staff are doing very well,” he said.

Cox advised incoming freshmen to “be smart, enjoy yourself and meet a lot of people.”

Andy Vigil, father of incoming freshman Augustino Vigil, said that he hopes that his son will learn to do things on his own and realize how much he has to be responsible as he helped his son move into Culebra Hall.

“It’s a new chapter in his life so I’m excited for him to experience college,” Andy Vigil said.

Andy Vigil said he liked the dorms because they were big and the staff was inviting and organized.

“It seems like it’s going to be a safe environment for him,” he said.

Augustino Vigil’s mother, Maria Vigil, said that CSU-Pueblo was one of their top college choices for their son.

“After my daughter came here, we met a lot of people and saw the progression and the friendships that she made, so we were very pleased with it,” Maria Vigil said. Her daughter, Brittany Vigil, graduated from CSU-Pueblo in May 2015 with a degree in athletic training.

Augustino Vigil said he was most excited about meeting new people and gaining more friends. He will be majoring in business administration.

“It’s a little difficult getting used to the whole environment and everything but it’s cool,” he said.

The Vigil family helps freshman Augustino Vigil move into his dorm. Photo by Michelle Pham.

New resident assistant Jordan Jones-Potts said that it was very easy for him to be personable and speak to students living in the residence halls, despite it being his first year as an RA.

“I just finished up training a couple weeks ago but I have experience as a student orientation leader,” Jones-Potts said.

Andres Sweetland and Jonothon Lavender, suitemates at Culebra Hall, said they both moved in on their own because their parents couldn’t make it due to their work schedules. But because of the Residence Life and Housing staff and student athletes, Sweetland and Lavender had extra help.

Sweetland said his move to CSU-Pueblo from Steamboat Springs was easy because one of his cousins was a former student at the university.

“The dorms are really nice here so I’m excited,” he said.

Sweetland will be majoring in business administration.

Lavender, a chemistry pre-med major from Arvada, Colorado, said he was excited to move in especially after meeting Sweetland.

“I’m just looking forward to hangout with all the people in my hallway and getting along with everyone,” Lavender said.

For more information regarding to Residence Life and Housing, call 719-549-2602 or email Housing@csupueblo.edu.

Students returning to CSU-Pueblo will move in on Aug 22 from 9 a.m. to noon.

The library is a good place to study for finals.
Photo by Dustin Cox

Spring term finals week is just around the corner for students at Colorado State University-Pueblo, and it can be very stressful. Wrapping up the semester with studying and final projects can be frustrating, but coping with the frustration and preparing for finals is the key elements to surviving the week. Here are a few tips:

1.      Start planning

Studying without a plan can be a problem. It can cause distractions and take up valuable time trying to figure out what to study. Ahead of the week, plan the right time to study and have all the materials ready.

 2.      Get started

Even for students who are usually organized with their school work, finals week can still be hectic. Instead of cramming the night before a test and working on assignments the night before the due date, take some time every day during the week to study and work on projects, so when due dates and tests come around, you will be prepared.

3.      Rest

When it comes to college, late nights are bound to occur. All-nighters can sometimes be inevitable. Students may feel inclined to stay up late to get enough studying in, but all the caffeine in the world cannot replace the feeling of getting a good night rest. A good night of sleep will help improve retention of information.

4.      Eat smart

Students tend to have unhealthy eating habits in college, but especially during the week of finals. With a limited amount of time, students tend to lean toward snacks and junk food. This overload of carbs can cause sleepiness and poor memory. Instead, choosing to eat nutritious foods will not only help with energy levels but will also help increase concentration.

5.      Take advantage of resources

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Many colleges have sources to help students handle stress during finals week, and students should take advantage of them. Also, don’t hesitate to ask classmates or professors for help. Take advantage of study groups as different perspectives are good to be exposed to when learning certain material.

6.      Be confident

Maintain a positive mindset, and believe in yourself. Instead of worrying, taking a test with confidence will prove beneficial. Believe you can, and you will.

CSU-Pueblo will be offering services to help students during finals week. The office of Student Engagement and Leadership will be hosting a “Relaxation Station” Wednesday, April 29, from noon to 3 p.m. The event will feature food, massages, coloring and more.

Students can also take advantage of the many tutoring services that are offered at CSU-Pueblo. Information about tutoring services can be found at http://www.csupueblo.edu/tutoring/Pages/default.aspx.

Library hours will also be extended before and during finals week. Special hours at the CSU-Pueblo library will be:

Graphic from www.ed.gov.

Colorado State University-Pueblo hosted a Sexual Assault Awareness Month Resource Fair, April 1 in the Occhiato University Center. The event provided information for students about the services available to sexual assault victims. Resources from the CSU-Pueblo campus and the Pueblo community were represented.

Kate Booth, a child and adolescent counselor at the YWCA Family Crisis Shelter in Pueblo, was on hand at the resource fair. Booth works specifically with children who have dealt with domestic violence and the trauma that comes with it.

“Sexual assault and sexual abuse are highly prevalent in committed marriages or committed relationships, contrary to what we might think,” Booth said.

According to Booth, the YWCA’s mission is “eliminating racism and empowering women.”

“So often times, women have been psychologically, emotionally, spiritually, physically and sexually battered, and they come to our shelter where we help them get back on their feet,” Booth said.

The YWCA respects confidentiality and encourages individuals to call the center in case of a crisis.

Mara Fritsinger, teen program coordinator at Pueblo Rape Crisis Services, said it is their mission to serve people who have been victimized by sexual assault in the community.

“We have a 24 hour hotline, so somebody is always available either to give crisis intervention over the phone or to meet a victim down at the hospital to go through the whole process with them,” Fritsinger said.

Fritsinger’s job mainly consists of providing sexual assault education to teens in the community.

“No victim should ever be blamed for their assault or made to feel ashamed of it. And that we are there for them 24/7,” Fritsinger added.

Students, faculty or staff members who are victims of sexual harassment or assault are encouraged to file a report regarding the incident to the Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action and Title IX Coordinator, Roosevelt T. Wilson. Steps can then be taken to ensure a safe environment for the victim, along with support and guidance regarding community and campus resources.

“I have three very related but different jobs,” Wilson said.

Wilson said his first job as the Equal Opportunity Director makes him accountable for campus and making sure that everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

“What that means is regardless of who you are, your race, your color, your national origin, your gender, anything that makes a person who they are, my job is to say and communicate to the campus that everyone will be treated with dignity and respect. That’s for all students, faculty and staff,” Wilson said.

Wilson’s second job as the Affirmative Action Director gives him the opportunity to engage in proactive activities before there is a complaint.

Lastly, Title IX deals with gender equity and also sexual violence.

“It has been expanded with new legislation a year ago that includes dating, domestic violence and stalking around gender equity issues. My job as a Title IX coordinator first and foremost is to connect potential victims or survivors with resources on campus or off campus,” Wilson said.

These resources can include counseling and accommodations for victims who are impacted by any sexual misconduct.

“The one thing that I want to emphasize about Title IX is that it is far larger than the athletics department. The reason I say that is because, if you look at the news around Title IX sexual misconduct in higher education campuses, it particularly focuses in on the athletic department area,” Wilson said.

According to Wilson, the athletics department is only a very small part of it. Title IX covers all programs and activities on higher education campuses. Wilson tries to reach out to all students on campus to make sure they are aware of what he does and the resources that are available.

“There is a list of things that I can do to facilitate in making someone as whole as possible,” Wilson said.

Confidential services are also provided, which include the Counseling Center, Student Health Center and Rape Crisis Center.

Wilson’s office is in room 304 in the Administration Building, or he can be contacted at 719-549-2210. He can also be reached via email at Roosevelt.Wilson@csupueblo.edu.

Resources for help:

Emergency                                                                     911

Campus Sexual Assault Response Coordinator     719-549-2223

University Counseling Center                                   719-549-2830

University Health Center                                           719-549-2830

Pueblo Rape Crisis Center                                         719-549-0549

Parkview Medical Center Emergency                      719-584-4400

CSU-Pueblo Sheriff’s Office                                       719-583-6250

National Sexual Assault Hotline                               800-656-4673

YWCA Family Crisis Shelter                                       719-545-8195

After hours contact                                                       719-290-7332

Photo by Daniel Potter

Colorado State University-Pueblo International Students Association and Center for International Programs hosted the Holi Festival of Colors March 13. The event, which was held between the Occhiato University Center and Massari Arena, consisted of music by Rev89, kite flying and colored powder.

Holi is an ancient Hindu religious festival, celebrated primarily in India, Nepal and other regions with significant population of Hindu or Indian origin. It has also become popular with non-Hindus in many parts of South Asia, even spreading to Europe and North America.

“This festival consists of people playing, chasing and coloring each other with dry powder and colored water,” said Colorado International Student Association President Jose Lopez.

CISA aimed to bring this important celebration to the CSU-Pueblo campus and inform students about this culture in an entertaining way, Lopez said.

“Our mission was to bring together everyone from the campus community for a colorful and fun event,” he said.

Harshita Ojha, a graduate student at CSU-Pueblo, said the Holi Festival is considered to be the second biggest festival, apart from Diwali. During that event, Indians light clay lamps outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects them from spiritual darkness.

“In India, it is like a two day celebration compared to the United States. It’s basically considered a holiday in India where we get two to three days off,” Ojha said.

Ojha is from Rajasthan, India and is an international program student at CSU-Pueblo. She is currently obtaining her second master’s degree in business administration. Her first is in finance.

Photo by Daniel Potter

“The colors are considered to be the basis of life. For example, red signifies prosperity and happiness and green signifies energy and freshness, and so on,” Ojha said.

Nishesh Singh, a senior biochemistry major at CSU-Pueblo said the festival also has a seasonal meaning.

“Back in India and Nepal, where it is mainly celebrated, it signifies the beginning of spring. There are also stories attached to the Holi Festival based on Hindu religions but there are so many,” he said.

Singh said that in his home country of Nepal, the celebration of Holi is far bigger compared to the celebration in the United States, but he is happy students were able to participate and enjoy the celebration on campus.

“It was fun being able to interact with other students,” he said.

The Center for International Programs at CSU-Pueblo offers students the opportunity for an international education within a campus community. CISA, ran by international program students, is a cultural organization that promotes diversity and global awareness through dialogue and organization of events.

They also celebrate diversity and aim to bridge the gap among people of different backgrounds at CSU-Pueblo through cultural awareness. Some of the events that they have hosted include the Lunar New Year, a karaoke party, Brazilian Carnival and Diwali.

For more information, contact the Center for International Programs at 719-549-2329 or via email at intprog@csupueblo.edu.

Photo Gallery:

Career Center Director Michelle Gjerde worked to bring 82 participating companies to the career fair Wednesday. Photo courtesy of csupueblo.edu.

Colorado State University-Pueblo held its annual spring career fair, which featured 82 participating employers, in the Occhiato University Center Ballroom March 4.

Students were dressed in professional business attire and were interactive with employers who were set in booths. Among the 82 present employers were Centura Health, Aurora Police Department, Black Hills Corporation, Denver Safety Department, Midas, Pueblo City Schools, YMCA of Pueblo and several others.

The event was put together by Michelle Gjerde, director of CSU-Pueblo’s Career Center.

The Career Center’s goal is to provide opportunities for each CSU-Pueblo student and graduate to develop a clear career objective, to obtain relevant work experience and to learn the skills necessary to conduct a successful self-directed job search.

Former CSU-Pueblo student Ethan Ward, who graduated in December 2014 in physical education, said that he came to the spring career fair looking for employment.

Ward said he thought it the career fair provided opportunities.

“The college is bringing in all these employers, giving everybody a chance. It’s nice seeing the college doing something for their graduates and their soon-to-be graduates,” Ward said.

Beau Reed, a CSU-Pueblo student who will be graduating soon in May 2015 shared the same sentiment.

“It’s a great idea for students to come to the Career Fair because you can get networking. Even if you don’t find something you like, you can meet people who might know people and you can get a foot in the door that way,” Reed said.

Reed, an English major at CSU-Pueblo, said that there aren’t many opportunities with his degree but his degree in criminal justice and certificate in fire science from Pueblo Community College should help.

“Like one of my professors said, a couple years ago, there was a student who applied for a police application with an English major and he ended up actually writing up their reports. So although their might appear to be nothing for students, it’s a good idea to come down and get your face recognized,” Reed said.

Reed said he hoped to gain more networking by attending the fair.

International student from Mexico Jose Lopez said that it was also a great learning experience and opportunity for students.

“It provides us with different companies to apply for and we can practice our communication skills. Our communication skills can be improved and we can network with important people in different business areas which is what we aim for in our careers,” Lopez said.

“It is important to connect with people, try to get a job and apply everything we have learned from school,” he said.

Lopez, who is a business marketing major, said that for most of the international students on campus, there are fewer chances for them to get a job with American companies. The competition is even harder when being compared to American students, he said.

“There is so much talent here which makes it hard but if we apply for internships, there will be more opportunities for us because companies can see the skills and abilities that we also have to be able to compete in the American market,” Lopez said.

Lopez said that an event like the career fair enhances these opportunities for not only American students at CSU-Pueblo but also for the students a part of the International Program.

The Career Center offers many services for students including individual career coaching appointments, personality and career assessments (strong interest inventory), resume and cover letter and employment letter development, career and major exploration tools, job and internship search strategies and postings, internship orientation, interviewing skill development and practice, and three career fairs each year.

The Career Center at CSU-Pueblo is located in the LARC, Suite 187 and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 719-549-2980 or email CareerCenter@csupueblo.edu.

Photo by Jessica Warren

International students play games at the Lunar New Year celebration. Photo by Jessica Warren

The Center for International Programs at Colorado State University-Pueblo hosted a Lunar New Year event Thursday night. The celebration included food, music, videos and games and was held in the Diversity Resource Center.

The event commemorated the Lunar New Year, which is celebrated in many Asian cultures. These celebrations include Chinese New Year, Korean New Year and Vietnamese New Year, and they refer to the first day of a secular, sacred or another year whose months are coordinated with the cycles of the moon.

Senior business management major Jibrail Dibble was one of the students who attended the event.

“A lot of the people here were very welcoming,” Dibble said. “It was fun getting to play the traditional games, and although the food was different it was actually really good.”

Individuals at the celebration were able to interact with other international students and learn more about the Asian culture. According to Talha Qureshi, his favorite part of the event was being able to see all  the Asian music videos.

“It was also nice seeing so many different cultures coming together and honoring the Lunar New Year,” Qureshi said.

Joseph Erhardt, an international student from Japan, said they do not celebrate the New Year to coordinate with the cycles of the moon, but instead celebrate the standard New Year on January 1. Erhardt, who is majoring in business management with an emphasis in marketing, said although they do not celebrate the Lunar New Year, Japan does have a yearly traditional celebration called Tanabata.

“It celebrates the meeting of a prince and princess who are only allowed to meet once a year,” Erhardt said.

Tanabata, which is also known as the “Star Festival,” is held on various dates, but is mainly celebrated on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the traditional Japanese lunisolar calendar, which a is a month behind the Gregorian calendar. Tanabata is one of Japan’s major celebrations according to Erhardt.

Michael Sun, a junior mathematics major from China, said that his favorite thing about the Lunar New Year is getting together with his family.

“I’m sad that I can’t be with them today, but they will be Skyping me,” Sun said.

According to Sun, some of the special traditions in China include a firecracker ceremony. Firecrackers are intended to scare away evil spirits.

“I do miss receiving hóngbāo,” Sun added.

Hóngbāo, which translates to “red envelopes,” are monetary gifts mainly presented at family gatherings during the New Year celebration. The red color of the envelope is meant to symbolize good luck and ward off evil spirits.

“This year, I hope for life to get better and that everything goes well,” Sun said.

The Center for International Programs at CSU-Pueblo offers students across the globe the opportunity for an international education within a campus community. There are 189 international students from 34 different countries at the university. More information on the Center for International Programs and its sponsored events can be found on the CSU-Pueblo website at csupueblo.edu/InternationalPrograms.

Midterms can be stressful but creating good study habits can help.
Photo by Dustin Cox

For many students at Colorado State University-Pueblo, midterm exams are quickly approaching. The weeks around midterms can be stressful, especially when there is so much material to cover and only a limited amount of time to study in the day, but planning ahead can prove to be beneficial.

Here are some tips to prepare for midterms:

1. 1.     Plan ahead

• Be certain to jot down the time and date for each exam on a calendar so that you have a visual timeline of when your tests are. This will help you prioritize your study time.
• Be sure to plan the amount of time that will be devoted to studying each day. This will help you set reasonable goals to follow accordingly, leading up to your exams.

1. 2.     Be organized

• Try to find out from your instructor what type of test you will be taking. Whether it is multiple choice or essay form, knowing ahead of time will help you decide your study style.
• Breakdown chapters and information that are needed to study for each test. Gathering all necessary study materials beforehand will help you dive into your studying process instead of wasting time digging around for materials.

1. 3.     Review religiously

• Studying material in smaller “chunks” will be more effective and less stressful than procrastinating and cramming a few days before the exam.
• Stay on pace. Make sure that class material is fresh in your mind every day leading up to the exam.
• Participating in review sessions with classmates will help clarify information that will be on the exam in case you missed something in class.
• For extra information on exams, don’t be afraid to visit your instructors; remember, they’re there to help you.

1. 4.     Do not procrastinate

• Don’t wait until the day before the test to study. Pulling an “all-nighter” before a test will diminish your ability to remember everything you studied.
• You’ll perform better with more sleep. Waking up more refreshed will help your brain function at its highest level.

1. 5.     Be confident

• Imagine taking the test and knowing the material. Instead of panicking, keep a positive mindset, and that will help you envision success.

            Along with these tips, CSU-Pueblo also offers tutoring services that are open to all students. Tutoring services include the Math Learning Center, the Gen Ed Tutoring Center, the Writing Center and the Propel Center.

More information regarding to tutoring services at CSU-Pueblo can be found at http://csupueblo.edu/tutoring.