Students participate in CSU-Pueblo’s third annual Holi Festival. | Photo by Emma Paulson

The third annual Holi festival took place on the lawn west of the administration building March 11.

Holi, also known as the festival of colors, is a celebration that has its roots in South Asia, particularly India and Nepal. It is a festival that welcomes the arrival of spring. Though it is originally a Hindu holiday, Holi has recently been adopted all over the world by many non-Hindus. It has come to symbolize the mending of relationships and new beginnings.

The event was hosted by the CSU-Pueblo International Student Association, while Rev 89 provided music for the event.

CISA members handed out almost 400 large packets of brightly colored powder to participants. The packets were purchased from a Hindu temple and each contained the label, “Nicely stroke a stranger’s face. Hug each other gently and smile at one another”.

Partcipants, many of whom were dressed in all white, ripped open the packets, and proceeded to throw the contents at one another, filling the air with a myriad of color and staining the clothing of anyone within a certain radius. Those who got powder is their eyes were provide with water and several napkins.

Jose Lopez, who is a member of CSU-Pueblo International Student Association, said it was his third year hosting the Holi celebration. He said there were 300 participants the first year and 150 the second. He explained it as opportunity for students to become involved in school events.

The Holi festival is just one of many events hosted by CISA. The club is responsible for programs such as Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, and Eid al Adha, an Islamic holiday that honors the sacrifice of Abraham. CISA is also responsible for the International Extravaganza, an annual event that offers information about cultures around the globe.

CISA has also collaborated with the Diversity Resource Center for Women’s History Month and the Center for International Programs.

However, one does not have to be an international student to join CISA. According to its website, CISA is “an organization comprised of students of the United States and other nations of the world, who collectively attend Colorado State University-Pueblo, and strive to perpetuate better more pronounced communication among people of the world.”

“We want to bring different cultures,” Lopez said.

From left to right: Kyle Laws, Joseph Hutchinson and Jared Smith stand in front of a piece of art at the Kadoya Gallery. | Photo courtesy of Jonothan Stephenson

Three Colorado poets provided a reading of their published works and gave insight into the evolving field of poetry March 3. The event was part of the Southern Colorado Reading Series and the Pueblo Progressive Poetry Project.

The reading took place in the posh, intimate setting of the downtown Kadoya Gallery, and featured Joseph Hutchinson, Colorado Poet Laureate for 2014-2018, as well as Jared Smith and Kyle Laws. The samples reflected a wide range of subjects from history to science to politics, while sometimes including a combination of the three.

Smith, who lives in the northern part of the state, read a sequence of intricate science-based poems that drew on powerful references to nature. His poem, “Equinox,” detailed a railway at the foot of a Colorado mountain.

Although Smith has two degrees in literature from New York University, he shared that he made his living as a research executive in science. He explained that literature and science are parallel tracks.

“If you’re really interested in creating things, you think much the same way, whether you’re working in the arts or in the sciences,” Smith said.

Hutchinson mostly read a series of cultural and political poems from his book, “The Satirical Lounge,” a few of which caused members of the audience to chuckle or nod in agreement, such as a “Dream of Difference.”

However, Hutchinson expressed an opinion about poetry that was similar to that of Smith’s. Despite receiving degrees in both English and secondary education, he said that he has seen a lot of cross-fertilization between the sciences and poetry.

“The best scientists have a poetic view of what they do. They’re not looking at how many ants they can count, they’re trying to see larger patterns and systems,” Hutchinson said.

Hutchinson described poetry as a system of knowledge, and encouraged people to view it as such, even though poetry is often only used in schools to teach students how to utilize literary devices.

Laws, a Pueblo resident who has published seven collections of poetry, read poems that focused particularly on historical occurrences such as the creation of the atomic bomb during World War II and Japanese internment camps in southeastern Colorado.

Unlike Smith and Hutchinson, she was not sure that science and poetry are necessarily parallel to each other. However, she said she believes that science has the ability to form literature.

The Southern Colorado Reading Series has occurred for nine years and is a free opportunity available to students and members of the community. The next reading will be on April 27th. For more information regarding upcoming events, one can contact Juan Morales, associate professor of English/foreign languages at juanmorales@csupueblo.edu or (719) 549-2082.

At Nachos with the President, administrators addressed a range of student concerns. | Image courtesy of csupueblo.edu

Students of CSU-Pueblo were given an opportunity to speak with President Lesley Di Mare and other administrative employees during a meeting Feb. 24.

Advertised as an event called Nachos with the President, the meeting was a free informal luncheon for students wishing to express their concerns and discover any changes occurring within the university.

The Provost and Vice President of Student Affairs, Rick Kreminski, and the Director of Finance and Administration, Karl Spiecker, were also present.

Students filtered in and out throughout the hour-and-a-half meeting, eating the nachos and dessert provided at the event. Though the total number of students at the meeting never reached more than 11, topics of conversation were not sparse, ranging from financial aid to the growth of the ROTC program.

One prominent concern was about the future of the PROPEL Center, a science and math tutoring program for students. The grant for the center is due to expire on Sept. 30, and three student employees expressed their interest in wanting the program to stay afloat.

Kreminski, an avid supporter of PROPEL, offered a response to the troubled employees, explaining that the funding for the center is the result of a specific grant, Title III, which would have to be renewed.

“If we get another grant, then no worries,” he said.

However, Kreminski said that as a long as program fees are approved, there will always be math and science tutors provided for students.

The three administrators also addressed the issue of the decrease in enrollment for 2015-2016.

She explained the strides that are currently being implemented to combat the problem, such as the use of a “multi-faceted marketing campaign,” which aims to reach high school students as early as their sophomore year. Di Mare said the university sends perspective students a series of advertisements such as brochures and pamphlets.

Di Mare also said that students can now apply for the university through their mobile phones, a process that was not offered before. She and Spiecker said it is estimated that up to 80 percent of students apply on their cell phones.

Kreminski also hinted at the possibility of creating an event in which students of different majors call high school students and tell them of all CSU-Pueblo has to offer.

However, despite some of the complications that the university has been having, Di Mare, Spiecker and Kreminski seemed hopeful about the future.

Speaker spoke about the Wi-Fi project in the residence halls, which is projected to be finished at the end of the semester.

Additionally, the director was particularly thrilled for the expansion of the Occhiato University Center, which is an over $30 million project.

“You’re not going to recognize the inside of the OUC when it’s all done,” he said.

CSU-Pueblo students donate blood at the campus blood drive. | Photo by Jason Prescott

Twice a semester at Colorado State University-Pueblo, a glossy, bright red van with the phrase, “Give Blood. Save Lives.” painted on its side arrives at the Occhiato University Center. The vehicle is owned by Bonfils, a blood donation organization that hosts several drives throughout Colorado.

Shortly after arriving, the center’s employees hastily unload the contents of the van, which range from chairs to intricate medical equipment, inside the OUC ballroom. The next four hours will be a frenzy of students and faculty filing in and out of the makeshift donor center, eager to give a piece of themselves for the well-being of a stranger.

In the midst of all of this chaos is Megan McCarter, the community donor representative for Bonfils.

McCarter said the Pueblo region is the vastest for all of Bonfils, despite the city’s lack of a stand-alone center. She explained that the region stretches for several miles west, south and east of Pueblo. Bonfils reaches these areas through mobile blood drives, which take place in the organization’s van or a room.

After it is collected, the blood is shipped to Denver, where it undergoes a series of lab tests to determine whether it is suitable to be used on a patient. This includes ensuring that the blood is not infected with any viruses that could be spread to another person. McCarter said this is quite a process.

The blood is then sold to hospitals, which use it for patients who are ill or who have suffered a traumatic accident and need a transfusion.

“The blood that is donated is blood that is used to save people’s lives,” McCarter said.

It is possible for people to be compensated for their donations. In that case, however, their blood is used for research purposes and is not given to patients who desperately need it.

McCarter explained that giving blood is a frugal way to make a difference, as monetary donations are not required. It also does not take a lot of time, hardly ever lasting more than an hour.

For those still on the fence about donating, McCarter was adamant that the process is extremely safe. She said Bonfils uses needles that can only be used once.

Additionally, all of the phlebotomists use gloves when handling the equipment.

Though the concept of needles is frightening for some, McCarter said that the experience is different for everyone. She said eating a large meal and hydrating before donation can make the process easier.

Bonfils comes to CSU-Pueblo for blood donation drives twice per semester. | Photo by Jason Prescott

Ryan Chepovsky, a member of the Circle K club at the university, said it was his first time donating blood. He said that one of the club members reminded him about the blood drive. Chepovsky said the worst part about donating was the being stuck with the needle.

“I’ve never been a fan of needles,” he said.

But he agreed that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. After they are done with the process, donors can choose from an assortment of chips, trail mixes and cookies at the snack table.

Chepovsky seemed eager to participate in the next blood drive. However, like all other donors, he will only be eligible to donate again after 56 days.

Those interested in donating blood can go to www.bonfils.org, or like the organization on Facebook under BonfilsBloodCenter.

Photo from http://upload.wikimedia.org

A recent Title IX decision made by Colorado State University-Pueblo has come under fire by students and community members largely due to a lengthy post circulating social media.

The statement, made by a person close to the situation, detailed the story of a student, a prominent football player and wrestler, who was stripped of his scholarship due to sexual assault allegations. In addition to his dismissal from athletics, the post said, the student was also expelled from the university.

The statement’s author claimed the student was wrongfully accused of non-consensual sex and that he was treated unfairly due to Title IX policies.

“If you are accused of sexual misconduct, harassment, or rape in college you have NO RIGHTS!” the author wrote.

The comment has been circulating social Facebook since Feb. 5, and has accumulated nearly 400 likes and shares from both students and members of the community. It was posted to the CSU-Pueblo Today’s website on Feb. 7 in the comment section of an article about Title IX.

Kaitlyn Blakey, the new Title IX director for the university, said she is not allowed to speak about the details regarding the case. However, she mentioned that CSU-Pueblo is required to investigate any accusations of sexual misconduct, and that both the complainant and the accused are given the opportunity to tell their side of the story.

But Title IX cases handled by the university are not ruled upon in the same way as sexual assault cases handled in a court of law.

According to Blakey, pursuant to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, the university is required to apply the preponderance of the evidence standard of review which determines whether an incident was more likely to have occurred than not to have occurred.

“The thing that people get tripped up on is the standard of review, which in a criminal case you must prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt,” she said.

Yet, according to Blakey, the university uses preponderance of the evidence, which determines whether an incident was more likely to have occurred than to not have occurred. Blakey said this is most likely the reason that there is such an uproar about the incident.

Once a decision is made, it is exceedingly difficult to get it overturned without viable proof that the case was mishandled.

The social media posts stated that the accused student did appeal, and that the appeal was not granted.

President Lesley Di Mare issued a brief, general statement regarding Title IX policies to the student body on Feb. 11. The email gave a summary about the amendment and indicated that “the university cannot and will not respond to comments or questions regarding a specific student’s Title IX matter.”

“As your President, it is my responsibility to abide by the statutory provisions of Title IX,” Di Mare said.

John Wristen, head football coach, declined to comment for this story.

Editor’s note: The following sections have been updated from their original versions for more clarity.

Original: The statement, made by a person close to the situation, detailed the story of a student, a prominent football player and wrestler, who was stripped of his scholarship due to sexual assault allegations. In addition to his dismissal from athletics, the student was also expelled from the university.

Clarification: Cite source for dismissal from athletics and expulsion comment as Blakey nor any other University representative made such a  statement.

Original: “The thing that people get tripped up on is the standard of review,” Blakey said. “Anyone that watches Law and Order or has heard about rape cases in the media knows that in order to prove rape you have to prove it without a reasonable doubt, and that’s the standard of review.”

Clarification: According to Blakey, pursuant to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, the university is required to apply the preponderance of the evidence standard of review which determines whether an incident was more likely to have occurred than not to have occurred.

“The thing that people get tripped up on is the standard of review, which in a criminal case you must prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt,” she said.

The CSU-Pueblo Foundation scholarship application is now open.

The CSU-Pueblo Foundation scholarship application is now open, marking another year in which students of the university can earn access to the $1.8 million in awards.

This year, the university is prepared to expand financial support for its students after receiving a substantial endowed gift of $3 million from the Lois W. Mathis and J. Roland Mathis Trust in December.

According to a CSU-Pueblo news release, the estate of Lois Mathis allotted the funds to be used for “educational opportunities for the young men and women of the Pueblo community and the advancement and improvement of the graduate and faculty members of the university.”

Nick Potter, the private scholarships administrator for the Foundation office, said the university will be able to sustain itself off of the interest from this donation for years to come, and that a portion of the money will be used to grant additional scholarships to students.

Students wishing to apply for an award can access the general application through the “scholarships” link in their Personal Access to Web Services account.

Although the process of filling out the application can be slightly daunting, Potter said he encourages everyone to apply.

“It’s the most money that you’re ever going to make per hour,” he said.

Once a student fills out the application, their submission is sent to an array of scholarship boards, which evaluate each student’s potential. There are scholarships available for students of almost every major and background, whether the student has financial need or not.

Potter had a few recommendations for those who want their application to exceed expectations. He stressed the importance of community and school involvement, and said that it is vital for students to have a well-organized essay. He compared the essay to a job interview, as it is the scholarship board’s first impression.

“Sell yourself,” he said.

Potter also explained that students should look for scholarship resources outside of the university, particularly on websites such as Fastweb.com. More submissions increase a student’s chances of earning more scholarships.

“It’s basically just like casting a net,” he said.  “The more nets that you put out there, the more fish you’re going to reel back.”

Although CSU-Pueblo has been criticized for its lack of public funding, Potter said he does not share that opinion.

“For a school of our size, being able to give out almost $2 million in scholarships is a pretty big deal,” he said.

And some students are certainly reaping the benefits.

Connor Marth, a sophomore exercise science major, has received two Foundation scholarships since the start of his freshman year. One award was a Pepsi scholarship and the other an athletic scholarship through Art and Lorraine Gonzales.

He said that he continuously checks his student email for reminders of when the application is open and felt that the school does an adequate job of advertising for the Foundation’s scholarships.

The deadline for the Foundation scholarship application is March 1.

Photo courtesy of csupueblo.edu.

The future of Belmont Residence Hall is unclear due to a decrease in the enrollment of on-campus students and various other factors. The hall was closed to residents at the beginning of the fall 2015 semester.

The building, situated in the northernmost part of campus near the Occhiato University Center, is CSU-Pueblo’s oldest residence hall. It is comprised of two wings, each with four floors. The hall has been advertised in previous years as a cost effective housing option, and is often favored by students looking to save money.

But not enough students registered to live in the hall for the 2015-2016 school year.

Monica Gallegos, a first-year residence life coordinator, said that only about 40 students signed up to live in Belmont last semester, which was not nearly enough to fill even one wing of the building. Instead, those students moved to rooms in Greenhorn, Crestone and Culebra Halls.

The uncertainty about the hall has caused multiple rumors to spread, including that the building might be torn down.

Gallegos explained that Belmont is not up to par with the newer dorms in that it is lacking technologically, especially since the other residence halls on-campus contain features such as flat screen televisions and computers. The brick walls also prevent Wi-Fi from entering students’ rooms.

However, Gallegos does not believe that Belmont hall should be shut down permanently.

She said the hall offers a “great opportunity for community.” It is described as a traditional style residence hall with two-person rooms and a community bathroom on each floor. It also includes a full-sized gym, making it well suited for numerous social activities.

There are also students who wish for the hall to remain open, despite the many problems.

Tiffani Werth, a junior at CSU-Pueblo, lived in Belmont for one year. She described her experience as a positive one.

“I really liked it,” she said.

She agreed that the hall includes an open environment that is not present in the newer residence halls. The doors in the building stay open without needing a door stop, forcing residents to be more social. It is for this reason that Werth felt that the hall should remain open, but only if the university is willing to take strides to renovate it.

Werth also said the building contains a historic element, since several alumni have memories of living in the facility.

Gallegos explained that Belmont will only open if there are enough students to fill the space. This will require the university to create a more attractive on-campus learning environment for prospective students.

Additionally, Gallegos noted that the university will soon enforce a new policy that requires students to live in the residence halls for two years instead of one. This process will prevent sophomores from moving off-campus, and produce a demand for more housing.

In the meantime, Belmont’s windows will remain darkened.