NewsTeam Boulder

Student Security Guards Combatting Campus Crime

Anonymous — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 22:18:10 +0000

Student Security Guards Combatting Campus Crime Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 11/12/2018 - 15:18 Sophi Schwartzbauer

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=physCjco9BU]

A string of incidents last month have left students at the University of ��ֱ�� on edge. In each incident, female students have been targeted by male suspects. The Boulder Police department has yet to make arrests in the cases.

While those who committed the crimes are still out there, the university is working hard to protect the campus. What a lot of students don’t know is that ��ֱ�� is employing students to keep an eye out on their peers.

It’s becoming routine for universities to employ student security guards to serve as force multipliers for the police officers on campus. At ��ֱ�� Boulder, student security guards can’t intervene in dangerous situations, as they aren’t police officers. However, their job is to survey the grounds and report any suspicious behavior to the ��ֱ�� Police Department.

Jesse Hines has been a UMC Security Guard for two years, and he loves his job. While he’s an engineering student with no interest in pursuing a career in the police force, he enjoys working side by side with the campus police department.

“The ��ֱ��PD is always just one call radio call away. So, we are more eyes and ears,” said Hines.

And extra eyes and ears are especially beneficial now that the sun is setting sooner during these winter months. The darker it is, the more unsafe humans tend to feel walking around outdoors. The fear of the dark is an ancient one, as humans evolved we picked up the trait in order to survive real-life predators lurking in the night.

“I think as people we’re just scared of what we can’t see”, concluded Alondra Palomino, Integrative Physiology major at ��ֱ��.

During the month of November, the sun is setting before 5 o'clock in Boulder. For students who get the jitters walking to and from their night classes in the dark, there are alternatives. For starters, you can call the non-emergency number for the ��ֱ��PD. The non-emergency number is 303-492-6666.

“If we have somebody who’s available we’ll send somebody to walk with you,” stated ��ֱ��PD Spokesperson, Scott Pribble.

For anything off campus, students are encouraged to take advantage of ��ֱ�� Night Ride, or the RTD bus system, both of which are free for students. But if you must walk in the dark, students are being advised to stay vigilant.

For Palomino, “I just take my headphones out so I’m aware of my surroundings. And I tend to walk a little bit faster.”

However, if you have any serious safety concerns, you can call or text 911. The police department advises calling if you can and texting if you must.

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Boulder’s Jewish Community Refuses to be Silenced following the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting

Anonymous — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 18:23:47 +0000

Boulder’s Jewish Community Refuses to be Silenced following the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 11/05/2018 - 11:23 Sophi Schwartzbauer

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYATyt-iZA4]

11 people were killed and six were injured, including four police officers, in a Pittsburgh Synagogue shooting on October 28th. The assailant entered the Tree of Life Congregation shortly after the morning service began and proceeded to shoot his assault rifle into the crowd.

The attack was motivated by the shooters anti-semitic beliefs. What was supposed to be time of love and worship resulted in what is believed to be the most devastating attack on the Jewish faith in US history.

For the 2,850 Jewish students at ��ֱ�� Boulder, the shooting in Pittsburg was an attack on them as well. Rabbi Yisorel Wilhelm, Director of the Chabad Jewish Center on campus, said that in his 13 years at ��ֱ��, he had never seen the Jewish community so emotional.

Rabbi Yisorel Wilhelm said for the Jewish students on campus, “It feels like they got shot.”

A candlelight vigil was held in front of the University Memorial Center on Tuesday, October 30th, to mourn the lives lost. The courtyard was full of students, faculty and staff that came together to support one another.

While emotions were high, there was a call not to surrender to hatred. Noah Herreid, Program Director of ��ֱ�� Boulder Hillel, said that the Jewish community does not need to be scared of what’s going on in our society. Instead, Noah said, “They should be proud to be Jewish. They should be proud of their heritage, and they shouldn’t be afraid to display that.”

On Monday, members of ��ֱ�� Boulder Hillel put up a temporary memorial to commemorate the 11 lives that were lost. Pictures of the victims are The Jewish community refuses to be silenced by this act of hatred and instead has come together in love and unity to build eachother up.

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Flood leaves ATLAS basement studios out of commission

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 16:04:37 +0000

Flood leaves ATLAS basement studios out of commission Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 10/30/2018 - 10:04 Lina Takahashi

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYjG6wtsA6k]

The night of September 29th, as a ��ֱ�� Boulder graduate student came to grab equipment, he noticed water leaking from the basement one level down onto the television studio on basement level two. One of many pipes in the irrigation system that runs throughout the ��ֱ�� Boulder campus broke.

As a result, water began to accumulate on the east side of the Atlas building, finding its way through a hole in the foundation.

The “black water,” or dirty water flooded both basement levels including severe damage to the television studio and the Black Box experimental dance studio located on the basement two level.

“It was literally raining in the space with all the equipment still on,” Bret Mann, the technical manager and broadcast engineer for the Atlas building recalled.

The following Monday, several classes in Atlas building basement were relocated temporarily.

Both the studios on the bottom level, however, were deemed to be out of commission until at least the end of the semester.

Both studios needed to be dried, sanitized and checked to see what equipment survived. The damage was extensive.

“I’ve been working on campus for 27 years now in broadcast television in different studios around campus and nothing like this has ever happened and it’s changed everything,” Mann said.

Mann described that his job was once checking to make sure the equipment was running, but now, his job is checking to see what damage has been done.

Gary McCrumb, the performance production manager for the Black Box studio said this flood brought back memories of his home he lost in the 2013 flood in ��ֱ��.

“There is no space like the Black Box on campus, it’s a unique facility,” McCrumb said. “It’s a flexible use space, it had a sprung dance floor and that’s the big issue with rebuilding. We had to tear out most of the floor and probably rebuild the entire floor.”

There is no word on when the Black Box studio will be ready again. McCrumb is hoping to restore the studio the way it was and possibly adding new equipment and making it better.

Mann on the other hand, says that if it’s possible, he wants to update the equipment in the studio and this may be the perfect opportunity to do so.

“It’s a good studio but there’s also newer equipment out there and things that we could do a lot with,” Mann said. “I’m excited to have the possibility maybe of adding some of that newer equipment and making some changes to the studio and I really hope it goes that way for a lot of reasons.”

In the meantime, classes and groups that utilized both the television studio have found ways to broadcast their show throughout other locations on campus.

As for the groups who utilized the Black Box studio, however, McCrumb said that he’s struggling to find a place like the unique previous studio for the performers.

There is no exact date for when both studios will be ready for use. The final decision lies with the insurance adjusters.

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Democratic rally energizes students before midterms

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 15:47:47 +0000

Democratic rally energizes students before midterms Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 10/30/2018 - 09:47 Natalie Wadas

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHXulSGZDQQ]

The ��ֱ�� Democratic party held a get out the vote rally at Farrand Field on Thursday.

Among its star-studded roll of speakers were Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, U.S. representative Jared Polis, and Joe Neguse, who is running for the U.S. House of Representatives.

The aim of this rally was simple: to encourage the younger demographic to get out and vote, and to outline the importance of the voting power of this millenial and generation z audience.

“Let me just tell you, that this election, on November 6th, is the most important midterm election in the modern history of this country.” Bernie Sanders said, in his speech.

And he may be right. Studies conflict on the willingness of young voters to participate in the elections, given historic nonchalance.

According to the PEW Research Center, young voters make up a majority of the electorate, with 135 million people under the age of 53 eligible to vote, contrasted with only 93 million over 53.

The same study states that 59% of adults who are eligible to vote are millenials and generation z.

Unfortunately, this demographic cast a mere 36 million votes in the 2014 midterms. This begs the question: what will happen now?

Newsteam’s natalie wadas went out to the rally and surveyed ��ֱ�� students to get a sense of how enthusiastic these voters are feeling about the midterms.

The answer, overwhelmingly, was one of a sense of duty to participate in the electoral system.

“Of course I’m planning to vote!” ��ֱ�� junior Rowen said. “I feel like it’s very important to vote even for midterms although they aren't as big as a presidential election might be because they do have if not more impact.”

Studies and polls can only guess at how truly this sentiment will ring through to all voters this midterm.

However, the energy at this rally felt different; the willingness of the crowd to be active participants in this country’s democracy seemed heightened.

Those interested in voting may still register, or vote in-person the day of the elections on November 6th, 2018.

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Student Entrepreneurship on the Rise

Anonymous — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 17:06:45 +0000

Student Entrepreneurship on the Rise Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 10/22/2018 - 11:06 Sophie Schwartzbauer

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lj0iQlz_TQ]

Entrepreneurship is an increasing area of study in college campuses across America. According to App Partner, entrepreneurship courses have increased by nearly 2,000% since 1985. Here at the University of ��ֱ�� Boulder, the growth is evident.

When Brad Werner first began teaching entrepreneurship at ��ֱ��, he was hidden in a corner of the ��ֱ�� Law School with twenty-something students. Now, he says, he teaches two courses with waitlists down the block.

It’s unclear whether ��ֱ��’s Entrepreneurship program’s growth was a result of student demand, or if student demand increased as a result of the program’s growth. Either way, it’s clear that the two are working together to inspire the creation of fantastic products and companies by students.

Engineering student, Laurel Foderberg, is taking her company idea to the next level through her entrepreneurship class. She’s created a product to help students with limited fine motor skills to open their lockers, as the rotational movement can be difficult. While her love of design made creating the product easy, her entrepreneurship class is teaching her how to get her product in the hands of the people who need it.

She says that pursuing entrepreneurship in college is smart because there’s little overhead cost when you factor in all of the resources available to students. Just this year, the university opened up a new space for student entrepreneurs called the StartUp Hub. The space boasts 3D printers, a virtual reality station, free coffee and much more. PhD student, Farah Akhtar, says that the bright and colorful space inspires a new energy for productivity.

For students who really want to take their involvement in entrepreneurship a step further, the New Venture Challenge is the place to start. The program allows students to get matched up with mentors and teammates, grow your idea, and eventually compete for funding. Director of NVC, Ali LeBeau Greenstein, says that this year’s prize is a staggering 200,000 dollars.

Any Buff with an idea can flourish in the entrepreneurship environment at ��ֱ��. The hardest part is finding the courage to take a leap of faith.

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The Plague in Boulder?

Anonymous — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 16:53:20 +0000

The Plague in Boulder? Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 10/19/2018 - 10:53 Natalie Wadas

[video:https://youtu.be/XDXBf7zzih4]

The Bubonic Plague is alive and well in Boulder, ��ֱ��. An archaic disease, one that few would even believe existed anymore, manifests itself in the fleas and ticks that feed on prairie dogs.

Newsteam’s Natalie Wadas investigated this phenomenon, and found out the risks and complications that it poses to humans.

According to Dr. Fern Slack, the owner of Uniquely Cats Veterinary, Bubonic Plague is a significant health problem here in Boulder and along the front range, due to the proximity of these infected prairie dog colonies to our hiking trails.

“A whole colony of infected prairie dogs will all die off in a very short time, just a few days, and that is the magic moment, the perfect storm where their fleas can come out of the burrow, hungry and will bite whatever is warm-blooded that walks by next,” said Dr. Slack.

This is especially concerning to pet owners because, while a prairie dog flea may bite a human, they are much more likely to bite a wayward dog or free-roaming cat, who may end up bringing the disease home. This is what Dr. Slack says usually spreads it to humans.

To put this into perspective, Jennifer House, the Public Health Veterinarian for ��ֱ��, explained that in the past five years, there have been 12 human cases of Bubonic Plague, two of which were fatal. The data does not show how many of these cases were due to pet transmission, but it is a risk that both specialists note.

Additionally, Carol McInnes of the Boulder Health Department warns that even those without pets are at risk if they enjoy partaking in outdoor activities, a prerequisite for living in Boulder it would seem.

McInnes asserts that, “The amount of plague in the environment can increase if there’s a big increase in the rodent population and then theres a increased risk to humans who might travel through those areas where rodents are.”

While this disease is scary, it seems that the number one prevention mechanism, beyond treating your pets with flea and tick medication, is simply being aware that the threat is out there.

The Plague is treatable. Watch for symptoms of the virus in you and your pets such as enlarged lymph nodes, fever, and lethargic behavior in your pets. And if you suspect you or your pet have been bitten, veterinarians recommend you get tested immediately.

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Bee Boulder

Anonymous — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 23:08:43 +0000

Bee Boulder Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 10/12/2018 - 17:08 Sophi Schwartzbauer

[video:https://youtu.be/OSrUkdUqQ38]

We’re used to hearing the narrative that our bees are dying. While that might be true in other places around the world, it’s not the case in Boulder. Dr. Adrian Carper, Postdoctoral Associate at ��ֱ�� Boulder, says that there are over 500 species of bees in Boulder alone. That number can be largely attributed to the city’s vast open and green spaces that are full of diverse food and shelter for our pollinators. However, it’s the rise in citizen activism that makes ��ֱ�� the leading state in the protection of pollinators. Events like the ��ֱ�� Honey Festival are great ways to open the conversation to conservation.

“Through that kind of citizen to citizen interaction you can really reach thousands and thousands of people and really spread the message of the importance of bees and why they should care.” Carper said.

Lana Auten, owner of “Ain’t Miss Beehaiving”, attended the ��ֱ�� Honey Festival to spread her love for pollinators. Auten sells products from honey scones to bee tutus, with a portion of all profits going towards a charity called “Bee Cause”, which puts hives in schools.

“Let’s teach our kids how important these bees are and maybe the stigma against them will lessen and we’ll work more at planting pollinator gardens and eliminating pesticides that kill our bees and so on.” Auten said.

People like Auten are a part of a growing culture of bee protectors in ��ֱ��. With education comes activism, and people know that losing our bees would mean dark days for our agriculture. However, the future is looking bright.

“I think that we’ve come out of a dark place. And while there are still reasons to be concerned and keep that forward momentum, I think the momentum is absolutely moving forward and in a positive.” Auten said.

If one thing is clear, it’s that bees are thriving in Boulder.

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Juul trend surging on campus

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 15:19:31 +0000

Juul trend surging on campus Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 10/01/2018 - 09:19 Natalie Wadas

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOR423YBILc]

A new fad is sweeping across college and high school campuses. ‘Juuling:’ a term coined by this demographic for using Juuls, a new brand of e-cigarette.

NewsTeam’s Natalie Wadas found that for many students, using these e-cigarettes have become a normal part of their routine. For freshman Montana Keys, this is a major part of her life.

“I’ll wake up and I’ll hit [the Juul], and like I’ll bring it to class, and I’ll hit it when I’m walking around, and then I come back home and I hit it when I’m doing homework, and when I go to sleep again I lay in bed and I just hit it.”

These little vapes have shown up on the ��ֱ�� Boulder Police’s radar as well. Scott Pribble, Public Information Officer for the department says that the policies toward these on campus are no different than smoking cigarettes.

“It’s not illegal to smoke on campus, but it is against campus policy.”

Juul has recently come under fire by the FDA for allegedly marketing to minors. Whether or not that’s true, one thing is apparent: Juuls have grabbed ahold of a generation and won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.

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Proposed University Hill hotel raises concerns

Anonymous — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 16:05:53 +0000

Proposed University Hill hotel raises concerns Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 09/30/2018 - 10:05 Lina Takahashi

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xeUI5_qHWk]

It’s been over two years since the plan to build the hotel on University Hill Plaza was released. City Council’s vote to decide whether or not to move forward with a joint development agreement for the University Hill hotel has been moved to early November. However, it’s been a long process to say the least.

The hotel itself would be a 189-room hotel and retail space that would cost over $30 million. The city wants to add $20 million to the proposal for an underground parking garage with over 200 spots.

Sarah Wiebenson, the Hill Community Development Coordinator for the City of Boulder explained to Newsteam Boulder that this hotel will provide balance. Especially during the summer months when students are gone and business is down for many of these small businesses in the area, Wiebenson said that this project could bring in more families and people who aren’t just students.

Some small business owners in that area would disagree. For stores such as Bova’s which is being forced out, this hotel could mark the end of business.

Nader Wahdan, the owner of Bova’s told Newsteam that their over 35 year old business is over once this hotel is built. He said that relocation isn’t an option for him.

Manager of the Metamorphosis Tattoo Sideshow, Jeremy Elliott, expressed frustration.

“Their [Bova’s] business is done now because you have the gas station right next door, you have Smelly Deli, then you have 7Eleven and you have Walgreens...where on The Hill can Bova’s move?” Elliott said.

The City of Boulder and the developers have both proposed relocation assistance services.

“We have ten vacancies in the historic core of the district and we’d really like to see as many businesses that can stay on The Hill and continue to serve student customers and other folks,” Wiebenson said.

However, Bova’s has little hope in attracting college students by moving farther from pedestrian activity.

Elliott said that he wasn’t too worried about his shop. He knows that it’s easier for a tattoo shop to relocate than a retail store that makes their business off of their college student customers.

“The shop owner, myself, the artist here, pretty much we care more about the small businesses and what’s happening to them than we care about anything else,” Elliott said.

The City of Boulder said that they are trying to hear input from community members and students about how they can make the hotel a net positive for the community.

Wiebenson shared that even after the hotel is built, the city will be taking input on the design to try and keep the “bohemian feel” of The Hill.

City Council is currently split on their decision to move forward with this project. The vote was postponed until November 8 to be sure that all Council members are present.

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The hunt for a parking spot

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 18:54:19 +0000

The hunt for a parking spot Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 03/08/2018 - 11:54

Audrey Rodríguez

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G64x01pYITg]

Ashley Schmid is constantly searching for a parking spot. Like thousands of ��ֱ�� Boulder students, Schmid is often worried about finding a parking spot on campus.

“The parking started to become a problem when I would get to campus and drive up and down the garage because I could not find a spot,” said Schmid.

Schmid is a senior who studies English and education at ��ֱ��. She lives off campus and has an average daily commute of 15 minutes each way, to and from her apartment. Schmid originally got a parking spot for efficiency, but her parking experience has been far from efficient.

“I had a parking pass every single year I have been a student here, and every year they just keep getting more and more expensive,” said Schmid, noting that if she had one more semester at ��ֱ��, she would not buy the pass because of the costly burden.

With the rising demand comes rising costs. Schmid paid over $400 for a parking pass for the 2017-18 academic year.

Tom McGann, the Director of Parking Services at ��ֱ�� Boulder said that ��ֱ�� has always sold out of parking passes. “We have never been able to quantify the demand,” McGann said.

Why not just create more parking structures? The answer is not simple. In order to build a parking structure, McGann said that a building must be built in unison, which makes the whole process even more complex.

Fortunately for students who rely on parking, McGann has many plans in place to create new parking structures in locations such as Grandview, Mackey Auditorium and the ��ֱ�� Rec Center. In the meantime, students like Ashley Schmid may need to add more time to their commutes or be late to their classes.

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