Resident assistants respond to new policies, which will affect all resident halls on campus. Photo courtesy of csupueblo.edu.

Current and former resident assistants at Colorado State University-Pueblo addressed new policies that were instated this school year for the residence halls.

According to the 2014-2015 Residence Life and Housing Handbook for Policies and Procedures, an RA is one of the most important resources university residents have.

RAs are CSU-Pueblo students who are hired by the university and are assigned to live on a floor community within the residence halls.

A section titled “Resident Assistants” in the handbook describes important qualities of RAs.

“RAs are knowledgeable about campus resources and the service offered to students. Resident assistants will work with the students on their floor to build a cohesive community through regular programs, activities, events, and floor meetings,” is says.

“The RA will provide you with a variety of things to do that will help you grow personally and academically.”

Jim Wiley, a junior at CSU-Pueblo, is an RA in Culebra Hall. This year is Wiley’s first year working for Residence Life and Housing.

“It’s hard to say whether or not, when a policy is implemented on campus, if it’s going to have a positive or negative effect,” Wiley said.

“There’s pretty much only the reactions that you get from a large number of people that you can use to judge whether or not it is a good or bad thing but sometimes even those reactions are not a good basis for that judgment,” he said.

There has also been speculation that the new policy under the visitors and cohabitation section had already been introduced in previous years, but is only being put into action this year.

Zak Slavik, a former CSU-Pueblo student who graduated in May 2014 with a degree in business management and an emphasis in marketing, said that this is not true.

Slavik worked for Residence Life and Housing for three years. Two years were spent as a regular RA and one year was as a senior RA. Slavik was also a desk assistant, which was required with the RA position.

A senior RA is not included in this school year’s handbook but is listed in the 2013-2014 resident handbook as “a student with previous experience being an RA.”

“The senior RA has similar responsibilities as the RA, but takes a leadership role throughout the residence hall to provide additional support and assistance to residents and other RAs.”

Slavik’s experience as an RA last year was much different than this year’s new policies would allow for.

“Yes, you did have to sign guests in, yes this did technically mean a guest from another building but if and only if they were spending the night, but it was barely enforced, if at all,” Slavik said.

“As an RA, if there was a problem with an unwanted visitor or a roommate conflict, we were trained on the proper procedure to deal with those situations,” he said.

The 2013-2014 handbook’s guest policy states, “Visitation is when a guest visits a resident in their room. All guests must register at the front desk and be accompanied by a host/hostess who lives in that residence hall.”

“You may only register a guest in the hall in which you live. Register your guest at the front desk by presenting a valid CSU-Pueblo identification card and your guest’s picture ID.”

This does not state whether a student who does not reside in the same hall as the resident is considered a guest or not, as opposed to The Resident Life and Housing Handbook for 2014-2015.

Under the cohabitation section of the 2013-2014 handbook, the policy states, “All overnight guests must be checked in at the front desk regardless of the length of their stay. Guests are allowed to stay for a maximum of three nights in a seven day period.”

“An excessive number of visits, even if they last no more than three nights in a seven day period, may also be considered a violation of this policy. All overnight visitations must be consistent with any established roommate plan,” it says.

This policy remains the same this school year. However, it was added in The Resident Life and Housing Handbook for 2014-2015 that only “guests of the same sex are allowed to stay overnight in resident’s room.”

“I understand the reasoning behind the guest policy and totally agree with having to sign in any guests that may not be from the university, but to have to sign in every time you enter another building is a little far-fetched in my opinion because this hinders our feeling of community and being able to mingle in the dorms,” Slavik said.

“The main part of the school’s motto, or core culture, is diversity and not being able to mingle as easy strays away from that,” Slavik added.

According to Slavik, students should be able to spend the night with each other or have easy access to one another, regardless of their genders.

“Isn’t that the point of college experimentation? Breaking out of your shell? Finding your calling? Being a part of a community? I think we’re losing what students are looking for by implementing the new policy,” Slavik said.

“This will take away from the sense of community students are looking for in the residence halls and the retention rate will drop drastically in the next year, especially if tuition keeps going up,” he said.

Despite Slavik’s disagreement with the new policy on the “Visitors and Cohabitation” section, he does agree with the other new policies, which consist of free laundry and the Microfridge, which is a combination of a refrigerator, freezer, and microwave. They are placed in each room in the residence halls.

Preston DeHerrera, a sophomore business major said the Microfridges were placed during the summer and they are energy efficient.

“These Microfridges, as well as free use of washers and dryers have been provided by Residence Life and Housing this year,” DeHerrera said.

Regardless of the opposing viewpoints, Wiley says the Resident Hall Association, which is in charge of advocating the wants and needs of students living in the residence halls, is currently in the process of reviewing the policies.

“I do think that process of student input and review is essential for it to be accepted by the student body,” Wiley said.

The RHA is trying to come up with new policies that reflect the opinions of the students, as well as including greater standards of safety.

“I’m really glad that the administration has been willing to facilitate the process through our RHA of reviewing the policy and trying to come up with something that can be owned by the student body. Once that does take place, there will be more cohesion between the staff, the residents, the administration and as well as the students,” Wiley said.

This article is part one of a three-part series.

Girl Code’s Esther Ku performs at Hoag Hall

“Girl Code LIVE” came to CSU-Pueblo Friday with comedians and “Girl Code” cast members, Tanisha Long and Esther Ku, hosting.

Long and Ku put on a comical show for about 230 students on campus at Hoag Hall . After performing their stand-up routines, Long and Ku came together and did an improvisational set with student volunteers from the audience. This was followed by a meet and greet after the show.

Jonothan Stephenson, a junior at the CSU-Pueblo, says he watches “Girl Code” on MTV frequently, especially when there are marathons.

“The honesty behind it all is just too funny,” Stephenson said.

Andrea Tuck, also a junior, could not have agreed more.

“My favorite thing would be how real the girls are,” Tuck said. “They give you real-life situations and how to deal with those situations.”

Long has been working in the entertainment business professionally for four years, but she has been performing onstage for eight years. Ku has been a member of the Screen Actors Guild since 2006 and has been performing professionally for eight years.

When asked what it’s like performing for students, Long and Ku both said it was fun.

“It’s the best thing ever, it is just like the warmest, most welcoming group of people,” Long said. “I’ve never had shows like this before; they’re just so fun, and you feel like you can do or say anything. Everybody is on your side, laughing.”

Kelli Gawel, a junior in the nursing program, thought the hosts did a great job and were awesome at getting the audience involved.

Long said “That is what I noticed about colleges too; people aren’t scared to like talk back to you but not in a heckling way. They’ll kind of make fun of you, cause you know they feel like they know us since they see us on TV so much, it’s great.”

“My favorite part of the night was seeing the girls interact with the students after the show,” Gawel said. “It really gives you an idea of what their personalities are off camera.”

“I just love how much fun it is, I still can’t kind of believe that it’s a job,” says Long.

When asked if they had any “Girl Code” tips for girls in college, both members gave great advice.

“As much fun as boys are, worry about your grades,” says Long. “But definitely date, and date a lot, and date different types of guys. Have fun, this is the time cause once you get out, things will get so real, so fast.”

“Once you graduate college, know that you should make as much money as a guy does,” Ku said. “Know what you’re worth and believe in yourself.”

The new season of “Girl Code” starts Oct. 3 on MTV.

Colorado State University-Pueblo’s Office of Student Engagement and Leadership will be presenting “Girl Code LIVE” on Friday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. in Hoag Hall. “Girl Code” cast members, Tanisha Long and Esther Ku, will be hosting the event.

“Girl Code,” a MTV series, is a spin-off of MTV’s “Guy Code,” and it features female actresses, musicians and stand-up comics, along with the occasional male personality, discussing the sisterhood between women. This female driven series approaches topics like the pros and cons of being a woman and also serves as a sort of comedic how-to manual.

Kacjae Barnett, a senior at the university who has been working with Student Engagement and Leadership since the spring of 2013, is in charge of organizing the event.

“Students should expect a good laugh and be open minded about real-life situations and leave with a smile,” Barnett said.

The show will follow along the same lines as last month’s “Guy Court” show, which is also a spin-off of MTV’s “Guy Code.” That event, which was held on Aug. 26, was hosted by comedian Donnell Rawlings who stars in “Guy Code” and “Guy Court.”

The show will start with the two “Girl Code” cast members doing stand-up comedy for 15 to 20 minutes each, beginning with Ku. Following the stand-up routines, Long and Ku will come together and do improv for the remainder of their performance. After the performance, they will hold a question and answer session with the audience, followed by a meet and greet once the event is completed.

Attendance is free to all students at the university and the show is also open to the public.  More information is available in the Student Engagement and Leadership office or by calling (719) 549-2687. .

The CSU-Pueblo 9-11 Memorial

Surrounded by a crowd of about 30 people the flag of the United States flew high, illuminated by candlelight at the 2nd Annual CSU-Pueblo 9/11 Observation held on campus at the 9/11 Memorial Thursday evening.

The event was organized by the Diversity Resource Center student staff leads, Muhammad Talha Quershi and Fredlina Atencio, along with the Center for International Programs, the Veteran’s Club and the CSU-Pueblo Islamic Cultural Society.

The event began with the burning of the candles, a welcome address by Quershi, and the singing of the national anthem by CSU-Pueblo student, Josh Floyd.

Floyd’s rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” echoed through the rippling of the flag, gusts of wind and misting rain, and those present stood united as one, honoring those who lost their lives during one of the worst attacks in U.S. history.

Following Floyd’s singing of the national anthem, prayers were performed by Juleen Edwards of the Pueblo Community of Friends, who also performed prayers at last year’s observation.

Roosevelt Wilson was the next to speak.

Wilson, a 25-year-old United States Air Force veteran had numerous assignments both in the states and overseas. He spent time in Washington D.C., at the Pentagon, in England, Germany, Bulgaria, Turkey, Romania and several other duty stations. He currently serves as the Director for the Office of Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action and Title IX Coordinator at CSU-Pueblo.

Wilson’s speech consisted of lessons he believes people could learn this horrific day in order to honor the people who lost and sacrificed their lives on 9/11.

These lessons include patriotism, which allows Americans to be truly devoted to their nation, reaching out to help one another at a time of need and not just when disaster strikes, and the struggle to keep suspicion and fear from creating more violence, using it instead to generate positive change. And most important, to be a positive influence in the world around us.

“What 9/11 has taught us is that we cannot escape the rest of the world, because what happens in other parts of the world affects other Americans as well,” said Wilson. “Consider what you can do to make things better.”

It is important to move forward, but never forget the lessons learned from 9/11.

CSU 911 Candle Light Vigil 2014 from CSU-Pueblo TODAY on Vimeo.

Photos and slide show by Rick Hernandez.

CSU-Pueblo has a new Housing Handbook.

New policies have been instated this school year for the residence halls at Colorado State University-Pueblo.  All four residence halls, consisting of Belmont Hall, Crestone Hall, Culebra Hall, and Greenhorn Hall are affected.

Junior business major Jonothan Stephenson, a former desk assistant, says that one of the major changes in Resident Life and Housing is concerning guests.

“If you have someone over in your room that you did not sign in, it would be considered as breaking housing policy,” said Stephenson.

The Resident Life and Housing Handbook under Visitors and Cohabitation states:

Visitation is when a guest (any person who does not reside in the same hall as the resident) visits a resident in their room. All guests must register at the front desk and be accompanied by a host/hostess who lives in that Residence Hall. A student may only register a guest in the hall in which they live. A resident registers their guest at the front desk by presenting their CSU-Pueblo identification card and their guest’s picture ID.

“The dorms seem to be more tense with policies as such,” said Stephenson. “When the cameras were installed, everyone would walk by the desk and say how they felt invaded and a lack of privacy.”

Mitchell Tenorio-West, a junior sociology-criminology major said the new policies in the dorms are awful considering it’s such a hassle bringing in guests simply to hang out or study.

“I understand that they are trying to keep security up and all, but it’s making it difficult to get around,” said Tenorio-West.

Tenorio-West has lived in the dorms since his freshman year. This fall semester will be the beginning of his third year in the residence halls.

“It isn’t allowing people in the dorms to branch out or have fun with the other dorms if your friends are there or just want to hang out,” says Tenorio-West. “It’s now complicated where you have to sign the person in just to have fun for a little.”

Barrington Burnett, a freshman living in Culebra Hall said he enjoys living in the dorms.

“I have met a lot of people, which is nice,” said Burnett. “I feel that not being able to go to other dorms is a little weird, but I like that I can do laundry for free because older students have told me that used to not be the case.”

For more information regarding the new policies at residence halls, call 719-549-2602 or email Housing@csupueblo.edu.

The Colorado State University-Pueblo’s Office of Student Engagement and Leadership held “Guy Court” on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2014, at 7 p.m. in Hoag Hall. Guest comedian and actor, Donnell Rawlings, who is best known as a cast member on Comedy Central’s T.V. series “Chappelle’s Show” and MTV’s “Guy Code,” hosted the event.

Rawlings put on a comedic show for a large turnout of CSU-Pueblo students, starting off with 30 minutes of stand-up comedy followed by two court cases.

“Guy Court,” an American comedy court show, airs on MTV2, and is a spin off to “Guy Code” where various entertainers tell stories of a special code of conduct that only exists within the male community.

“Guy Court” handles a variety of cases where the “guy code” has been violated, and Rawlings serves as the judge.

“I like “Guy Code” for its spontaneous comebacks and sarcasm, and I can kind of relate depending on the topic,” said Jonathon Thompson, a senior majoring in Psychology.

Opening to “Ain’t Worried About Nothin’” by American rapper French Montana, Rawlings was able to compel the audience with his use of relatable topics and interaction with students. The topics Rawlings used at the event varied from racial profiling, trends, technology, fitness and topics pertaining to the everyday life of college students.

CSU-Pueblo students Antonio Reyes, Anthony Herrera, Tyrell Strickland, and Jehu Saintjour participated as plaintiffs and defendants during the case portion of the show.

The first case consisted of Strickland filing a lawsuit against Saintjour for stealing his pair of Jordan shoes. The second case saw Reyes claiming Herrera was “too fratty” for their fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha.

“It was pretty fun participating. He was very entertaining. He was funny, and gave us stuff to work with,” said Strickland.

“I liked his jokes because a lot of it was like he was speaking the truth but making it in a funnier aspect so it wasn’t so offending,” said Danielle Dupont, a sophomore at CSU-Pueblo.

“I liked how he involved the audience; it just made it more fun,” said senior Marissa Grenard.

“My favorite thing about being in the entertainment business is making people feel good when sometimes, they don’t feel good about certain things,” said Rawlings. “Especially when they need a good laugh.

When Rawlings lived in Washington D.C., he would attend open mic shows every Wednesday as a heckler.

“People started coming out to watch me heckle out the performer,” said Rawlings. “Eventually the owner hired me to perform to shut me up, and that was how I got into comedy.”

“It’s so important in this business to stay grounded and humble,” he added. “But the first time I ever went on stage, I knew that’s what I was going to be doing.”

For future show dates or more information, you can keep up with Rawlings at http://www.donnellrawlings.com or follow him via Facebook and Twitter.