4/20 came and went. In years prior to 2012, thousands of people, mostly non-students, would gather on Norlin Quad and exercise their right to protest freely. This year, no one gathered. Campus was quiet even for a Saturday.

Police Officers stand guard on an empty Norlin Quad at 4:22 p.m. on April 20, 2013 in Boulder, Colo. (Kai Casey/CU Independent)

The majority of campus activity was conducted by law enforcement. Road closures, check points and caution tape made sure students would be deterred from smoking anywhere on campus. Those not affiliated with CU would not be permitted on campus, and according to a news release from March 11, those caught trespassing could receive citations resulting in a maximum penalty of six months in jail and a $750 fine.

Was anyone even trying?

According to a release by Ryan Huff, CUPD spokesperson, “Two CU students did receive petty offense summons related to public consumption of marijuana around 4:30 p.m. near Baker Hall.”

However, such an act is hardly uncommon for any college campus, let alone CU, and most likely would have gone unnoticed if it weren’t for such a large police presence already there.

At a press conference held Saturday, Bronson Hilliard, CU Spokesman, claimed that the measures taken to end the 4/20 tradition on campus were not about the image of the university.

“What’s important here is the protection of CU’s missions of research, teaching and service,” Hilliard said. “This isn’t about marijuana or drug laws. It’s about not disrupting the important work of a world-class university.”

Though a claim to protect the work of the university was made, much of which has to do with research, the physics building was closed to all due to it being used by the large police force. Michael Klear, a 21-year-old senior physics major, couldn’t get into the building to do his work.

“The building was completely closed to everyone,” Klear said.  ”No one from the physics department could even use it. It seemed kind of unnecessary.”

Seth Medina, a 21-year-old junior media studies major, expressed that he didn’t want to be anywhere around campus during the closure.

“[It’s] too much of a hassle to deal with campus [on] Saturday,” Medina said. “I even chose to avoid The Hill when I went to get food,”

However, not all students were troubled by the measures taken by CU to stop the 4/20 gathering. Jarad Kopciak, a 22-year-old senior film major, avoided campus simply because it was a Saturday.

“I stayed away from campus because I always do on Saturday,” Kopciak said. “I didn’t really care what was going on, I never planned on being on campus. 4/20 or not, I’m smoking at home.”

Compared to 2012, in terms of summonses and arrests, 2013 was a success. In 2012, 11 summonses were issued for trespassing, one summons for possession of under two ounces, as well as three arrests. CUPD said that it was a quiet day, though it’s clear with such a large police presence this year they didn’t think it would be enough to deter a gathering for 2013.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Nick Stollings at Nicholas.stollings@colorado.edu. 

At a press conference around 12:15 p.m. near Norlin Quad, CU Spokesperson Bronson Hilliard and CUPD Spokesperson Ryan Huff explained campus closure and extra security surrounding this year’s 4/20.

Hilliard said this is about the protection of students’ futures, not the image of the university.

“There are currently people doing research right next us, 4/20 is a distraction,” Hilliard said.

(Robert R. Denton/CU Independent)

Hilliard also admitted to receiving around 30 emails complaining about the university’s action to quell the 4/20 tradition, but he claims the action taken results in a “minor inconvenience,” for students and faculty.

According to CUPD Spokesperson, Ryan Huff, no tickets have been issued so far today.

“People are being given the opportunity to leave without receiving tickets, but if they are found inside campus or not cooperating, they could be issued a citation for trespassing,” Huff explains.

Security is also issuing yellow index cards explaining the purpose of the campus closure. These cards include an email address specifically for students who wish to issue their comments regarding the day. The email address is 420feedback@colorado.edu.

“We had a good experience last year, and we’re hoping for the same result this year,” said Huff.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Nick Stollings at Nicholas.stollings@colorado.edu

The opinions represented in this article do not necessarily represent those of the staff of CU Independent nor any of its sponsors.

Dear Students and CU,

Why?

When I Google-searched the University of Colorado my senior year of high school, the first thing I saw was Norlin Quad on April 20.

My initial reaction? Alright, I can absolutely get on board with this. Totally college.

So much has changed since then: fish fertilizer, wasted concert funds and campus closures. Suddenly, the protest became a bit more serious, with students marching, holding signs demanding change and even being arrested for standing on the quad.

Police officers watch as the crowd begins to leave Norlin Quad April 20, 2011. (Robert R. Denton/CU Independent File)

Then, Amendment 64 passed. Now, if you’re 21 or over, you can have an ounce of marijuana on your person. Even the Boulder County District Attorney dropped all pending possession charges for anyone that was 21 or older when they were caught.

We won. Marijuana is legal.

Yet CU is still spending money to keep non-students away from campus. I’m still getting emails from the dean explaining the “rules and regulations” of 4/20 and I’m still hearing students talk about their plans on campus for the upcoming date.

Why?

It’s over, we protested and we won. There’s no possible way anyone can congregate on campus, smoke in semi-large group of people and call it a “peaceful protest.” Peaceful as it may be, it isn’t anywhere close to being a protest.

Sure, 4/20 is like the St. Patrick’s Day for stoners. There’s nothing wrong with that, but people don’t drink alcohol in a large group on the CU campus. Of course, comparing marijuana to alcohol is like comparing apples to oranges, but not in the eyes of people who don’t smoke. Whether or not they are wrong, it’s the way it is and always has been.

Honestly, as much as I hate to admit it, we have to take it one win at a time. Let people get used to the idea of marijuana being legalized. Clearly, this is a worrisome issue to many people. They don’t realize it isn’t some dangerous substance that’s going to ruin civilization as we know it. Let’s try to undo the ignorance created by propaganda campaigns like “Reefer Madness”; let’s take it slowly.

The first 4/20 following Amendment 64′s passing should not end up being the reason people regret their vote in the first place. If a “protest” occurs this Saturday on campus, that’s exactly what will happen. I’ll regret it too. This isn’t about CU’s image. This isn’t even about the image of Colorado. This is about the image of marijuana. If you choose to go on campus and smoke like you’re trying to prove something, you’re just giving people a reason to hate it all the more. There’s nothing left to prove. It’s over. The goal has been accomplished. There’s absolutely nothing left for such an act to accomplish.

My hope is that we realize this as a student body that prides itself in being politically active. Don’t damage the victory we’ve already achieved by making a fool of yourself on Saturday. Everyone against the legalization of marijuana is just begging for a reason to overturn the ruling. Don’t give them one.

So students, stay at home. It’s Saturday. Enjoy 4/20 for what it is. It’s not a protest. It’s not a message. It’s just a day for people who smoke to enjoy it. There doesn’t need to be some meaningful philosophy behind it. Just enjoy it for what it is. Enjoy the fact that we live in a state willing to provide people with the freedom to smoke if they want.

Please don’t ruin it.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Nick Stollings at Nicholas.stollings@colorado.edu.

As the gun control debate wages on in Colorado and the country, an upcoming Conference on World Affairs panel will stress the importance of addressing issues besides the gun itself that have fallen away from public attention.

Panelists of “Preventing violence: It’s not just the gun” include Andrew Goddard, Arthur Grim and Elaine Miller-Karas.

Andrew Goddard’s career includes 20 years of humanitarian relief in developing countries such as Kenya, Somalia, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Egypt before moving to Virginia in 2007. A strong interest in mental health issues, violence and gun control arose after his son, Colin, was injured in the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007. Colin Goddard, who has bullets under his skin to this day, is no longer on the conference schedule for the Friday panel.

Andrew Goddard is now the president of the Richmond Chapter of the Million Mom March against gun violence and president of the Virginia Center for Public Safety. He also served on the board of the Virginia Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and is currently board chair of the National Gun Victims Action Council.

Grim is the chairman of Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission and a member of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Committee to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. During the Jerry Sandusky controversy at Penn State, Grim was appointed to be a judicial representative to the statewide Task Force on Child Protection.

Miller-Karas is the executive director and co-founder of the non-profit corporation Trauma Resource Institute. Her work has taken her to Haiti, Kenya, Thailand, China and many places within the United States in the aftermath of both natural and man-made disasters.

“This [panel] is important, especially in light of recent events, because people need to understand it’s not just the tools being used that are the problem, but the people themselves,” senior physics major Michael Klear, 21, said.

“Preventing violence: It’s not just the Gun” takes place from 1-2:20 p.m. Friday in the UMC Center Ballroom. Cathy Comstock will moderate the panel.

For more information on the conference, check CU Independent previews and the can’t-miss schedule.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Nick Stollings at Nicholas.stollings@colorado.edu.

If you’re pretty down about not having big spring break plans, or you’re just trying to lay low and relax in Boulder, have no fear, your trail guide is here.

Before you dismiss this as just another list of the same old trails winding up the Flatirons, let me just say from personal experience that these trails aren’t the same. They don’t lead you up to the Royal Arch, nor do they take you to the short Flatiron summits. These trails are the real deal and may not be for the once-every-few-months hiker.

Enchanted Mesa Trail. (James Bradbury/CU Independent File)

Starting Out

Chautauqua Park is the most popular launch point for these and other hikes in the foothills area, but its not the only one, nor is it always the best. The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) can cut your hiking time significantly depending on your destination and is located along a main trail, Mesa (on the west edge of Table Mesa Drive).

Another option is the south end of 20th Street at Green Mountain Memorial Park, which is located just west of Broadway between Baseline Road and Table Mesa Drive. Though the map below doesn’t recognize the trail, the park is pinpointed and you’ll see the trail start winding to the top of the hill. There is no public parking, but parking on the street is permitted.

Bear Peak

See that tall, pointy shape looming over the southern-most flatiron? That’s Bear Peak and its name is well deserved. At 8,461 feet, it offers spectacular views of Boulder and Denver from the top and an even better view of the Rocky Mountain range. The trail has only recently been reopened and cleared for the season after being closed last summer due to wildfires.

The way to the top is strenuous, but manageable. There are two possible routes: Fern Canyon trail or Bear Canyon trail. If you want to make it to the top in a hurry, Fern Canyon is the route for you, but don’t be fooled, this doesn’t make it easier. Fern is a steep incline along the front side of the peak leading to the summit. Bear Canyon is a much more scenic route; it gradually increases in elevation, bringing the trail around to the peak’s back, but this is significantly longer.

Though the two routes begin differently, there is a summit at the end either way, so be prepared for a climb. If you decide to do Bear Peak over break, wear comfortable boots and bring gloves because the snow hasn’t had a chance to melt.

Green Mountain

Slightly smaller than Bear Peak, Green Mountain stands at 8,144 feet and is nestled neatly just behind the flatirons. The summit offers particularly nice areas to sit, relax and enjoy the views. One particularly nice feature is the cairn-topped viewfinder that identifies several peaks, and their elevations surrounding the area. The views of Boulder and Denver alone are worth some extra time at the top.

There are a number of routes to the top of Green Mountain, but my two favorites are Bear Canyon trail and Amphitheater trail. Bear Canyon trail is the same start to the summit of Bear Peak, but there is fork splitting the trail in two directions to each summit, Green Mountain is to the right. This route will take you up the left side and around the back of the summit.

Amphitheater trail begins just north of Chautauqua Park and leads along the right side. There is no wrong way to go because both routes offer spectacular views and scenery. If you’re a climbing enthusiast, Amphitheater offers a number of opportunities for both bouldering, and traditional rock climbing.

Mesa Trail

Mesa is the skeleton key for trails in the foothills; it connects them all. Whether you start at NCAR or at Chautauqua Park, Mesa is the trail that will take you to both Bear Canyon and Fern Canyon trails, as well as many others. However, if you start from Chautauqua and want to reach Mesa trail, you’ll need to connect from Bluebell-Baird trail in order to reach it. The one trail you don’t need Mesa to get to is Amphitheater trail; it starts at the north side of Chautauqua Park.

Any one of the trails listed above or on the map are great hikes on their own. The splendid scenery and stunning views of the surroundings are simply breathtaking, even if they didn’t have summit destination to their ends.

View Foothills Trail Guide in a larger map

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Nick Stollings at Nicholas.stollings@colorado.edu. 

Summer school isn’t what it used to be.

If it’s time to gather some more credit hours on the road to graduation or if you’re just looking to gain some more hands-on experience, a summer spent with CU can be beneficial and will feel like anything but school.

Dr. Richard Keen teaches ATOC 1050 in the Duane Physics building October 12th, 2010. Registration for summer classes began onMarch 6. (Eric McCune/CU Independent File)

If you’re like me, taking classes in the summer sounds like a medieval method of torture devised to ruin summer vacation, but CU has planned their summer accordingly. Class or no class, students need time to do the things other than academics in the summer. Don’t worry, CU has broken the summer term into five separate sections.

The first session, Maymester, runs from May 13-31 this year. Some of the university’s most popular courses are offered in the first summer session.

Maymester is an intensive, one-course, one-month session where an entire class curriculum is taught in just three weeks. Class time is increased to make up for the accelerated pace, but the classes are smaller and more interactive. Students are only allowed to register for one class during this section, and missing a class is ill-advised.

The next four sessions are divided by letter and vary in duration. You can register for any section separately, but not all courses are available during each section. When searching for a course, filter the search by plugging in the specific section you wish to enroll for.

• Section A: June 3 – July 5
• Section B: July 9 – Aug. 9
• Section C: June 3 – July 26
• Section D: June 3 – Aug. 9

Another feature unique to a CU summer is the Faculty-in-Residence Summer Term, or FIRST. In its first year, the program invites faculty from universities all around the world to teach summer courses. Non-CU faculty will teach only specific courses and will give students an opportunity to experience a class taught from a worldly perspective.

Specifically selected, featured courses are filtered through a rigorous selection process and offered during the summer term, including some that won’t be offered in fall or spring semesters. These can range from introductory levels to new courses featuring innovative teaching styles.

An in-state student should expect to pay $2,572, while an out-of-state student should expect to pay $6,922 for summer courses, according to the university’s estimated expenses. These estimates include tuition and general student fees.

Why spend money in addition to the regular school calendar to register for summer term?

“Summer class is just a better learning environment,” said Seth Medina, a 21-year-old senior media studies major considering registering for his second year of summer classes. “It’s more relaxed and the professors are more accommodating to your needs.”

Despite Medina’s positive outlook on summer term, some students feel that registration should only be used when credit hours are hard to come by in the regular school year. Jarad Kopciak, a 22-year-old senior film major, is expecting to graduate in May and has never registered for summer term.

“Summer classes have never appealed to me because I’ve never been in need for more credit hours,” Kopciak explains, though he admits summer term would be ideal for ease on the rest of the school year.

Summer registration for CU students began March 6 and is available on MyCUInfo.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Nick Stollings at Nicholas.stollings@colorado.edu.