A Publication by the Students of the FRCC-Larimer Campus

V OLUME 8, I SSUE 2 N OV . — D EC . 2008

F INANCIAL F OLLY H ITS H OME

BY J OSHUA B RICKNER , R ANGEVIEW R EPORTER

There is no comfort to be found in phrases like ―global

economic meltdown‖ or ―worst economic crisis since the
Great Depression.‖ Unfortunately, though, this is the
situation we find ourselves in these days. Even for those
who are not invested in the stock market, there is nowhere
to run. This crisis is sure to reach anyone with a penny to
their name, and that includes students.
According to the FRCC Fall 2008 Class Schedule, it costs
over $1,000 per semester for a student who qualifies for
in-state tuition to attend classes full time. Add to that books,
supplies, room and board, and it is easy to see why many
students seek financial aid options.
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) gets ready to address a crowd of 50,000
Frederick Fuentes is the assistant financial aid director for all
three Front Range campuses. He says that, ―Beginning in
people packed in shoulder-to-shoulder at the Oval at Colorado State
early 2008, some lenders made the decision to stop their University on Sunday, Oct. 26, while still campaigning for the U.S.
participation in the Stafford Loan Program. While the presidency.
decisions were made for a number of reasons, the most Photo by Vashti Torrez
common reasons given are the decline in the subsidy given
by the government for [Federal Family Educational Loan
Program (FFELP)] participation, and the growing financial W OLFING D OWN D EALS
crisis.‖
BY D ANIELLE Z IMMERER , R ANGEVIEW R EPORTER
Stafford loans are facilitated by the government through
lenders that participate in the FFELP. The borrower can
FRCC's mascot has been resurrected and is now featured on the
choose from any participating lender, which keeps the
new Wolf Card. A student‘s first Wolf Card is $5 dollars (and
student loan market competitive.
$10 dollars for a replacement card). Dec.15 is the last day for a
Fuentes says that, ―Loans
free trade-in for returning students with last year‘s student ID.
certified after July 1, 2006 are
Staff, faculty and students are highly encouraged to obtain the
fixed for the life of the loan at
Wolf Card this semester, as it is the official ID of FRCC.
6.8 percent at repayment.‖ Teaming up with Wells Fargo, this year‘s Wolf Card is
This is in stark contrast to the making waves throughout the campus.
types of loans that started this
All it takes is one credit at FRCC to be officially enrolled to reap
crisis. In the early years of this
the benefits of the Wolf Card. Blue, white, and handy, this year‘s
decade, economic growth
ID card has more to offer the average student.
around the globe nearly doubled
the amount of money investors Students who have linked their Wolf Card to a new or existing
had to work with. Collectively, Wells Fargo checking or savings account can use the card at the
it was over $70 trillion, up from just $36 trillion a few years FRCC Bookstore to swipe costs, so that their transaction will be
before. This sudden and enormous growth caused there to be processed just like a regular PIN-based debit card purchase.
fewer attractive places for money to be invested. There was
Maria Smith helps students and faculty as a work-study
simply too much money looking for its place in the invest-
receptionist at the Longs Peak Student Center‘s Information
ment markets.
Desk. She was enthused about the functionality of the ID card.

(Continued on page 4) (Continued on page 4)

 2

M EET OUR E DITORIAL T EAM

Faculty Advisor &

Managing Editor………...… Kate Tarasenko

Editorial Team…….…...…..Joshua Brickner

standing, left to right:
Joshua Brickner, Jeremie Schatz,
Vashti Torrez
seated, left to right:
Emily Severance,
Danielle Zimmerer
not pictured:
Chance Johnson and Brad Menefee
Photo by Michelle Motherway
………………………………Chance Johnson
………………………………...Brad Menefee
………………………………..Jeremie Schatz
……………………………...Emily Severance
…………………………………Vashti Torrez
……………………………Danielle Zimmerer
Photo Team…….. .……….…Miranda Baker
………………………….Michelle Motherway
……………………………….Whitney Weber
Layout…….. ..….……...……Kate Tarasenko
Publications Board….... .…….Karl Dukstein
………………………….David Murphy, SGA
………………………………..….Blair Oliver
………………………………...Rachel Rambo
………………………………...…..Erin Smith
……………………………….Kate Tarasenko

MISSION STATEMENT: FREELANCE SUBMISSIONS

The Rangeview provides a voice for FRCC’s Larimer campus. We strive to give our readers
POLICY:
accurate and balanced coverage on a variety of news and events in an effort to keep our We welcome feedback, letters to the
campus well-informed about its college community. We approach our responsibilities with editor, original articles and op-ed
the goal of maintaining the highest journalistic standards to the best of our abilities. pieces (as well as story ideas and
tips) from all members of the FRCC
Larimer Campus community.
M EET OUR P HOTO T EAM Please do not exceed 600 words.
The Rangeview also accepts photos
and artwork in j-peg format.
All submissions must be emailed
directly from your FRCC account as
a Word.doc or j-peg attachment,
and must be accompanied by full
name and local phone number, to:
Rangeview@FrontRange.edu
All submissions are subject to final
approval by the Editorial Team and/or
Publications Board, and may be edited
for length, clarity, and potentially libel-
ous content.

Please direct your

calendar event inquiries to
left to right: Whitney Weber, Miranda Baker and Michelle Motherway Erin.Smith@FrontRange.edu.
Photo by Adam Stutzman
ALL CONTENT © 2008 RANGEVIEW

ALSO
IN THIS ISSUE:
Serving the Students
Kris Binard.……….…..….5
Emily Gaw…….…………6
Scholars’ Square
Greg Sahlen.….….……….7
Harmony Library..……….8
Alastair Johnson………….9
Kathy Wingate......……...11
Jenna Oliver…………….12
Club Hub
Interior Design………….13
Campus Wellness
Diversity………...………14
Parking………………….15
Snow Sports...…………..16
Medium Cool
The Friends Shop……….17
Social Networking...........18
Be Our Guest ...……20
SPRING 2009
Register for JOU-106,
the Fundamentals of
Reporting, and write for
The Rangeview!
CRN 63586;
3 transfer
credit hours
Also offered as an
Honors Institute class.
3
Q UICK H ITS & I TTY B ITS
IMPORTANT DATES:
Tuesday, Nov. 18:
Last day to withdraw from
a 15-week class
Wednesday, Nov. 19:
Spring 2009 registration
opens
Thursday, Nov. 20:
A Professional Development
Workshop-Social will be
held at Pappy‘s Restaurant
(at Shields and Horsetooth )
from 4 to 6 p.m. for all
faculty. Contact Barb
Patterson for details.
Until Friday, Nov. 21:
The ABC Club is sponsor-
ing ―Coats for Folks.‖
Drop off your gently used
coats at the LPSC Informa-
tion Desk. Coats will be
laundered and dry-cleaned by Foothills Cleaners and Nu-Way Cleaners before distribution.
Wednesday, Dec. 3: Student Life will hold its annual Holiday Craft Fair from 10 a.m. till
2 p.m. in the Longs Peak Student Center. For information and questions about booth/table
rental, email Josh.DeSanti@FrontRange.edu.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Have you activated your FRCC student email account?
Find out what you‘ve been missing, including campus-wide
emails and news! Go to: http://www.frontrange.edu/
and follow (or print out) the step-by-step directions today!
Correction:
In our previous issue in our profile about Writing Center
volunteer Ann Healy, the university she attended was mis-
identified. Mrs. Healy taught at the University of Wisconsin
at Madison, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin
at Milwaukee. (Go, Panthers!)
Reporter Vashti Torrez sincerely regrets the error.
The Rangeview
is funded by Student Life
using student fees, and by the
Department of Arts & Letters.
Reporting for The Rangeview
is provided by the journalism
students of JOU-106,
the Fundamentals of Reporting.
Photography is provided by
the students of FRCC-LC.
 4

(FINANCIAL FOLLY continued from page 1) (WOLF CARD continued from page 1)
To solve this problem, Wall Street investment firms invented the She was excited to encourage students to ―carry the Wolf Card
―mortgage-backed security‖ (MBS). An MBS is a collection of around to [access and] re-set your password at the computer lab,
thousands of mortgages that offer steady income at 5 or 6 percent access the Fitness Center, and/or [use it] as a possible form of
interest over 30 years. ID to rent out [billiard] equipment at the Longs Peak Student
Center.‖
As time went on, investors began to demand more MBSs than
were available. This caused lenders to begin taking risks on For skiers and snowboarders who have yet to splurge on this
borrowers, since the pool of less risky borrowers had begun to season‘s resort pass, maybe the wait can be rewarded. If you
dry up. Lenders began to lend money to people without open a Wells Fargo checking account by Nov. 23 and link it to
confirming how much income they had, if they were steadily your Wolf Card, you‘ll get two adult Rocky Mountain Super
employed, or how much debt they had incurred elsewhere. Passes for the price of one. Similar to last season‘s Buddy Pass,
this year‘s Super Pass will cost you and pal $204.50. The Rocky
Fast-forward a few years and the United States is experiencing
Mountain Super Pass ―offers skiers and riders unlimited access
the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Millions of
to Winter Park Resort and Copper Mountain, along with a
families have defaulted on their mortgages and have lost their
Steamboat component featuring six unrestricted days to use
homes, and the investment banks who bought all those MBSs are
anytime throughout the season,‖ according to the Winter Park
feeling the pain. So how does this affect a student trying to get
Web site.
financial aid?
Joe Anderson, a personal banker at Wells Fargo‘s downtown
According to a report from the Inter Press Service, this economic
branch, has been with the bank for two years and has noticed a
downturn has ―led banks to suspend or discontinue offering
two-for-one buzz around the office this fall. The pass is
private student loans upon which many students and parents
available to full-time students, faculty and staff statewide.
rely.‖ The lending markets are experiencing liquidity problems,
Existing customers simply can pack on additional (typically
which simply means they do not have enough cash on hand to
free-of-charge) features.
provide credit. Since this credit crunch began, 36 lenders have
stopped providing private student loans. And existing Wells Fargo customers need to add three to five
features to an account, such as overdraft protection, a debit card,
As Fuentes alluded, 137 lenders have ceased to offer federally
online banking, identity-theft protection, and a savings account.
funded loans, according to a report in Time Magazine. In their
Anderson says that the majority of added features are free of
Sept. 30 story, Time also said that, ―Loans made to parents
charge. The Wells Fargo banker will give you a ―buy-one, get
through the Parent PLUS program have plummeted — down 29
one free coupon, then you can use it at Christy Sports,
percent in dollar volume year-over-year.‖ PLUS loans are federal
Passwagon.com or Coppermountain.activitiesdesk.com,‖
student loans provided to the parents of students.
according to Anderson.
Potentially exasperating the problems caused by the credit crunch
Hidden fees will bite
are fundamental problems in how financial aid is determined,
the unconscious
which can cause more difficulties for students. According to
consumer in the
Fuentes, ―Data entered in on the Free Application for Federal
wallet. Be sure to pay
Student Aid (FASFA) is used to create an Expected Family
attention to details
Contribution (EFC).‖ The EFC is a number that financial aid
when opening an
professionals use to gauge how much assistance a student should
account in order to
receive. Unfortunately, when calculating the EFC, debt held by
save on a Super Pass.
the applicant or their parents is not taken into account. With so
This season Copper
many families having adjustable-rate mortgages, a great portion
Mountain opened on
of their monthly income may be going to pay off their potentially
Nov. 7 and Winter
expensive balloon mortgage payments, and this is not taken into
Park on Nov. 19.
consideration when the EFC is assessed. As a result, the EFC
Snow has been
does not accurately represent the capacity the student and their
falling in the
family has to pay for college tuition.
mountains since the
The most you can do during times like these is prepare yourself. last week in
Carolee Goldsmith is the financial aid director for all three FRCC September. The
campuses. She says that students can prepare for the effects of Wells Fargo and
this crisis by ―maintain[ing] satisfactory academic progress… FRCC duo has really
research[ing] and apply[ing] for scholarships,‖ and taking boosted business,
advantage of ―work-study opportunities through federal or state according to
programs.‖ She also says, ―Borrow wisely; there are federal Anderson. He
limits on the total amount you are eligible to borrow throughout mentioned that the
your education.‖ Wells Fargo lobby
has been filled with Maria Smith assists students with their
No one knows how long this crisis will continue to affect the
buzzing students and purchase of FRCC’s new Wolf Card.
economy. However, if students get their paperwork filed
promptly, they will have a better chance of getting the loans they (Continued on next
page) Photo by Michelle Motherway
need. Preparation is a necessary element of survival. ®

(WOLF CARD continued from previous page)
faculty signing up for the Super Pass this season.
Smith estimates about 2,000 Wolf Cards have been
purchased this semester, ―But it‘s hard to say for sure with
the exchange system,‖ because students with the old ID card
are able to exchange, free of charge, for this year‘s Wolf
Card.
Freshman Nicole Bracht bought her first Wolf Card last
month, saying, ―I heard I needed it in order to check out
books at the library, and because my professors encourage
it!‖
While the card is required for access to Computer Commons,
other forms of ID,
including a City of Fort
Collins library card, can be
used at Harmony Library.
Buying a Wolf Card can
be a sound investment
because if it is your first
time in college, a student
identification card is
essential. Swing by the Longs Peak Student Center and drop
$5 on an ID that can grant you a free soft drink at Chipotle, a
discount movie ticket, and even some student lunch specials
around town. ®
Art Magana (left) and Tony Trujillo are the custodial and
grounds crew for the Larimer Campus. Both men have lived
in Fort Collins for about 20 years. Photo by Miranda Baker
5
S ERVING THE S TUDENTS
B INARD B RINGS I T
BY E MILY S EVERANCE , R ANGEVIEW R EPORTER
Juggling school, a career, family life and a social calendar is
considered normal for dean of Student Services Kris Binard.
Besides holding a major administrative position at Front Range,
Binard is a full-time mom, wife and part-time professor at Colorado
State University. When leisure time presents itself, Binard loves
to spend time outdoors with her two sons and husband.
Binard, 41, has been at Front Range for 10 years. Growing up in
the restaurant business, Binard spent her childhood years living in
almost every major U.S. city. Her father owned and managed five-
star restaurants in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Dallas,
Atlanta and New Orleans.
―I really enjoyed the opportunity to see my own country and be
a part of something,‖ Binard commented.
Binard grew up with an entangling family tree, and while it was
difficult to move around a lot, she is thankful to have gotten the
opportunity to see America. When her mother remarried a French
man, Binard was given more opportunity to travel and learn about
a new culture. This love of travel has carried through Binard‘s life.
She has visited every state in the U.S. more than once and hopes to
spark this passion of travel in her two sons.
―How can you not travel?‖ Binard exclaimed.
After graduating from high school, Binard came to Colorado to
attend Colorado State University. Though she was involved on
campus, Binard was unsure of what she wanted to study her first
few years of college. Luckily, after talking to a few professors,
Binard found her dream major. She received her master‘s degree in
student services for higher education, a degree she didn‘t even think
existed. She then went on to get a doctorate from CU-Denver.
After three years as the dean of Students for Front Range in
Boulder, Binard came back to the Larimer campus and was the
Student Life coordinator for six years. Each year, her favorite
activity was Homecoming and creating and building the float.
―It was all fun, even when we had to finish the float at 6 a.m.!‖
Binard chuckled. Now, she sits as a parade float judge.
What exactly does the Student Services department provide for this
college? On the Front Range Web page, Student Services is
described as ―a variety of departments that promote an environment
for student success. We promote the intellectual, cultural, personal
and social development of all students while enhancing their
physical and psychological well-being.‖ This large umbrella known
as Student Services includes Admissions and Records, Advising
and Career Counseling, Enhancing Education, Financial Aid,
Recruitment, Student Life, the Testing Center, and the Office of
Special Services. The Office of Special Services also provide
assistance for veterans and the disabled. (Continued on next page)
 6

S ERVING THE S TUDENTS

(BINARD continued from

previous page)

Assistive technology, the Learn-

ing Opportunity Center and
Public Safety departments are
part of Student Services as well.

At the beginning of each

academic year, Binard meets
with department chairs, the vice
president of the college, admini-
stration and Student Government
to create a Strategic Initiative
Plan. The plan is a collection of
goals for the future. Goals for
this year and future years include
obtaining and maintaining
national program accreditations,
developing a facilities master
plan, and remaining a resource to
the community of Front Range Dean of Student Services Kris Binard in her office in Mount Antero
and Fort Collins. Student Photo by Whitney Weber
Services recently met the goal of
creating the Honors Institute Program.
She is thrilled to have found a career that she is passionate
For Binard, each week is fraught with telephone calls, board about.
meetings, visits with students and accomplishing projects.
―I have the best job ever!‖ she exclaimed. ®

W ORK S TUDY W ORKS !
BY V ASHTI T ORREZ , R ANGEVIEW R EPORTER
―It was horrible,‖ Front Range Community College student
Emily Gaw exclaimed. ―It was just…the hours. I had to work
until after midnight. It was hard work.‖ Gaw, 22, described her
job as a shift supervisor at Good Times, a position that she
attained after just two weeks of working at the fast-food chain
located at the corner of Mulberry and College.
Gaw is now a work-study receptionist for Advising and Career
Counseling in Mount Antero. As she sits behind the Informa-
tion Desk, with her tousled hair knotted up into a loose bun,
she enthusiastically described her job, saying, ―This job is the
best job I‘ve ever had. I get to work around my school
schedule, and I‘ve never had a [supervisor] that would do that
willingly.‖
Students must submit a Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA) in order to be awarded work study before they
can apply for a work-study position on campus.
―I work with them all the time. They do a great job represent-
ing us,‖ said director of Advising and Retention Stacey
Hogan .―They‘re a liaison between professional staff and the
students; they bridge the gap.‖
―There‘s no question about me going to class or not,‖ Gaw
said .―Class comes first – school comes first. If I call and say,
you know, ‗I really have to study for this test‘, [my boss] will
say, ‗Okay, we‘ll make up your hours.‘‖
Before working at Good Times, Gaw worked on an
Alzheimer‘s unit as a personal care provider, ―That was the
worst,‖ she noted, before laughing. ―I got punched in the face
by an 80-year-old man.‖
Part of Gaw‘s current duties include assisting students with
any inquires they have and redirecting them to the people who
can help them. ―What most students don‘t know is that if
you‘re having a hard time registering, we‘ll actually sit down
at the computer with you and help you register for classes
[and] show you how to do it, so that way, next time, you can,‖
said Gaw.
Despite the flexible schedule that Gaw‘s work-study job
provides, she did take a cut in pay between jobs. Gaw
explained that her work-study position started at $7.05 and

(Continued on next page)

 7

(GAW continued from previous page) their school work, and the employer to broaden their horizons
with added input of the students that they serve. ®
will usually go up incrementally until it reaches the work-study
award limit of $8.25. Her prior job as a personal care assistant
paid $7.75. Student
Emily Gaw
Gaw is currently in the pre-nursing program and is planning to
transfer to Laramie County Community College located in is a work-
Cheyenne, Wyo. She is taking Human Anatomy and Physiology study
II, Human Nutrition, and Ceramics this semester, and is set to receptionist
transfer successfully in January, but she is planning to take other for Advising
classes at FRCC through summer 2009. She said that she made and Career
the choice to stay because of her impending wedding that is Counseling
planned for Jan. 18. in Mount
In her spare time, she makes some of her own clothes and quilts, Antero.
and volunteers as part of the Larimer Campus Enrollment Work-study
Management Committee. The committee is in charge of funds help
―keeping [students] here and recruiting new [ones] from the qualifying
community,‖ Gaw said. students
―The people I work with are my best friends. One of the work- offset their
studies in Cashiers is a bridesmaid in my wedding,‖ said Gaw. college costs
―My boss is my favorite person in the world. Everybody around and provide
here is very supportive. They want to see you succeed and wages for
they‘ll do whatever they can to help you.‖ campus jobs
―[Work-study students] give us a new perspective,‖ said Hogan. with flexible
From the view of the staff and the employee, both parties benefit work hours.
from the Work-Study Program. It allows the student to focus on Photo by
Michelle
Motherway

S CHOLARS ’ S QUARE

Of course, for some students, history is interesting no matter

H ISTORY IS N O M YSTERY
BY B RAD M ENEFEE , R ANGEVIEW R EPORTER
When one thinks of a history instructor, the image of Ben
Stein‘s character in the movie ―Ferris Bueller‘s Day Off‖ likely
comes to mind, with a dull, half-dead, old man standing at the
front of the class reciting dates and events that happened in the
distant past, and have no relation to modern life. Most the
students are either asleep or looking at the clock every few
moments. Time seems to have stood still. Even at FRCC,
sometimes you‘ll look at the clock and realize not even a
minute has passed. This is the opposite of what happens in
Gregory Sahlen‘s Western Civilization II (HIS-102) class.
Although it has the potential to be a boring class, Western Civ
II is possibly the most interesting class at FRCC. Even if
someone isn‘t very interested in history, Sahlen‘s teaching style
makes it so. As he stands in front of the class impersonating a
meeting between Grigori Rasputin and Tsar Nicholas II, some
students chuckle and others just stare, but they are all paying
attention. He engages students in discussions on the subject
matter. He described his teaching style as ―extemporaneous‖
with ―not much focus on events, but the reasons behind them.‖
what. One can see how people have transformed the world
over time and there is always a correlation between events
from one time to another. But for some, it is just a bunch of
dead people and ancient events that don‘t interest them. That
is why it requires a teacher who is passionate and engaged in
what he is teaching. A lot of students may think that this
knowledge won‘t help them. After all, no one is going to be
asked in a job interview, ―Can you tell me when Napoleon
Bonaparte gained control of France?‖ This is why Sahlen
says he wants ―to hone students‘ analytical thinking and
critical thinking. These skills will always help people.‖
Sahlen‘s testing style is a little different than some teachers.
All his exams are essays. This certainly shows his efforts to
get students thinking analytically and to not just regurgitate
facts. He says, ―[My] whole emphasis for students is the
‗Why?‘‖ adding, ―I want to turn them into thinkers.‖
He started his teaching career eight years ago and has been an
instructor at FRCC for seven of those years. After graduating
with a bachelor‘s degree from CSU in consumer sciences, he
was somewhat aimless and decided that he wasn‘t happy in
the corporate world, and went back to college. He‘s always
been fascinated by history and the connection between the
past and present, so he decided to get a master‘s from CU in
history and became a teacher. (Continued on next page)
 8

S CHOLARS ’ S QUARE

(HISTORY/SAHLEN continued from previous page)

When asked why she likes the class, Carina Evans, one of his students,
simply responded, ―He makes it interesting.‖
This seems to be the general consensus in his class, as students don‘t
seem to be looking at the clock, doodling, or text-messaging, as one
might see in a lot of other classes.
It seems to be the norm at FRCC for instructors to deduct points based
on attendance. This is made possible by the small class sizes, and
Sahlen‘s is no exception.
Often, what makes a class interesting is one‘s personal passion or
interest in the subject, and sometimes it is the teacher‘s efforts that
make the class engaging. Other times, it can be the attitude and
participation by the students in the class. Sahlen‘s World Civilization II
class combines all of the above. ®

Instructor Gregory Sahlen has been impersonating famous figures from

history to engage his Western Civ II students at FRCC for the past seven
years. Photo by Whitney Weber

economically.

I N P ERFECT H ARMONY
BY J EREMIE S CHATZ , R ANGEVIEW R EPORTER
Most FRCC students will find themselves at the Harmony
Library at some point. It‘s a good bet for finding a quiet place
to study, using a computer, finding sources for research, or just
finding a good book to settle down with.
The modern, roomy library we now enjoy replaced a small
classroom-size library 11 years ago. When it was time to build
a new library, a logical proposition was made to create a joint-
use facility that would economically, and in many other ways,
benefit the college and the city. Joint-use libraries have been
popular in Europe and Australia and have been catching on
here in the U.S. These types of partnerships are formed around
an intergovernmental agreement which ―can be a great
document, but if you don‘t have people on the ground making
it work, it won‘t be successful,‖ says Harmony Library Branch
Manager Ken Draves. Draves is one of those people who is
making it work.
―A joint-use library takes more meetings, more care, and more
feeding to make it work right,‖ says Draves, who earned his
master‘s degree in library science at Indiana University in
1992. In a past Coloradoan article, Draves said that, ―A study
of public libraries in Florida concluded that for every dollar
spent on public library funding, $6.54 is returned in the form of
economic benefit to the community.‖ The extra work in
maintaining a joint-use facility makes it more than worthwhile
Draves is to the library district‘s side of the partnership what
Annie Fox is to FRCC‘s. After double-majoring in media
education and political science at the University of North
Dakota, she completed her master‘s in library science at
Denver University. She then cut her teeth in the library
business as the director of the public library in Vail for 13
years before becoming the Campus Librarian of the Harmony
Library.
Fox works as an advocate between the students, faculty and
staff of FRCC, and Draves and the library district. She works
with new instructors, giving a PowerPoint presentation, ―so
they can show students what‘s available in their field.‖
Research skills classes are taught to English 090 students by
Fox, and to English 121 students by Corky Walters.
―[English] 121 is a general education class. Almost everybody
has to take that class and that‘s…how you can get to the
majority of the students,‖ says Fox. There were 1,745 students
in 111 classes in 2007, so the research skills classes are a
considerable responsibility for Fox and Walters.
In her first semester at FRCC, Siobhan Bacombe, 25, took
part in one of the research skills classes through her English
121 course. She says she uses the library about twice a week,
and thinks that the library does a great job. ―Definitely. I was
really impressed by the orientation,‖ says Bacombe.
Fox communicates with different departments and prompts
the library to keep the collections up to date. For instance, she
says, ―I‘ll work with the Nursing Department to make sure
that there are books, journals, and a database available.‖
(Continued on next page)
 9

S CHOLARS ’ S QUARE

(HARMONY LIBRARY continued from previous page)

Oftentimes, instructors may require their students to review
some material that is limited in quantity and will take advan-
tage of the Reserve Room. ―It‘s good for instructors to know
that students don‘t have to buy everything; they can just put
some of the materials on hold and students can utilize it that
way,‖ Fox says.
―Here at Harmony, we probably have about 160,000 items,‖
says Draves. Although the library can have over 85,000 of
these items in circulation at any given time, available
resources extend well beyond what you find on the shelves
at the Harmony Library.
The Prospector Program, implemented in 1999, creates a
regional union catalog which links 23 libraries in Northern
Colorado and Wyoming into one central catalog. Books can
be delivered to a participating library and picked up at a
nearby branch. ―There are something like 20 million books
available through Prospector. I like students to know that if
they look something up in our catalog and they see we don‘t
own it, they shouldn‘t stop there,‖ says Draves.
Of Fort Collins‘ two public libraries, Bacombe says she
normally checks books out of the Main Library in Old Town,
but mostly takes advantage of the Harmony Library for its
five study rooms, the online databases for research, and the
free wireless Internet connection. According to usage statis-
tics, the wireless Internet is a popular service that saw over
7,000 connections in 2007, and it‘s growing.
Campus Librarian Annie Fox is responsible for showing FRCC
students and Fort Collins community members all the resources While the library has something to offer to everyone in the
available in Harmony Library. Before coming to FRCC, she was community, the students of FRCC are paying some of the
the director of Vail’s public library for 13 years. bills and the library‘s doors are wide open for them. ―We just
want students to be aware that we are here, and we want to
provide the services, staff, and materials that the students
Photo by Whitney Weber
need,‖ says Draves. ®

A C URVE IN THE R OAD : A LASTAIR J OHNSON

BY V ASHTI T ORREZ , R ANGEVIEW R EPORTER

―I remember hearing [my parents‘] voices. They were telling me, ‗Just try to breath,‘‖ explained Front Range Community
College student Alastair Johnson, as he recollected the memories of his 2004 accident. Johnson, 33, is from Exeter, located in
Devon in southwest England. In September of that year, he was riding his motorcycle from Dusseldorf, Germany to pick up a
friend from the train station in Eindhoven, Holland when he rounded a sharp turn, hit a curb, flew off his motorcycle and shat-
tered his helmet, breaking his jaw and sustaining extensive spinal injuries.
The next thing he remembers were the doctors waking him up from his induced coma to tell him that he needed to be taken into
surgery to repair his spinal injuries, as well as to reconstruct his jaw. At the time, he was on a ventilator to assist his breathing.
―I didn‘t realize what I had done to myself. It wasn‘t until two weeks after [I regained consciousness] that it sunk in,‖ he said.
Johnson then placed his hand directly under his chest to indicate that the accident paralyzed him from that point down.
Johnson was in his tenth year of service with the British Army when he sustained his injures. His plan, at the time, was to stay
enlisted for several more years before retiring, and later go to work for Porsche or BMW.
―[My plan] was completely changed in a matter of seconds,‖ he said.
(Continued on next page)
 10

S CHOLARS ’ S QUARE

(JOHNSON continued from previous page)

In January 2006, Johnson was invited by Back-Up Trust, a

national charity that supports individuals with spinal cord
injuries, to learn how to ski in Winter Park, Colo. Within six
weeks, Johnson was married and had returned to Colorado
from England.
―[After we initially met] I tracked him down, I found him
magnetic,‖ said Johnson‘s wife, Jessica, 29. She explained that
it was after constant communication and a week and a half of
being in each others‘ physical presence that the two made the
decision.
―Oh, my god,‖ she said, ―This is the man that I‘m going to
marry.. It just
seem[ed]…
natural,‖ she “[My plan] was
said, recalling completely changed
the moment she
knew they were in a matter of seconds.”
going to be
together.
Almost three years later, Jessica described her husband as
having a ―steady, positive attitude that doesn‘t seem to waver.‖
She went on to share what she found attractive in Alastair,
saying, ―He‘s resilient, enthusiastic, and confident...as well as
his dry, British humor.‖
Johnson is currently taking two courses at Front Range, as well
as working as a writing consultant at the Writing Center on
campus. This is Johnson‘s fourth and final semester at Front
Range. He intends to major in geology at Colorado State
University, and to later become a high school teacher.
―I didn‘t have to fill out an application,‖ said Johnson of his
campus job at the Writing Center. This is the first semester that
he has worked at there. Student Alastair Johnson served in the British Army for 10 years
Recruiting students was originally an idea to give students a before sustaining a spinal cord injury as the result of a motorcycle
service-learning opportunity. ―We needed more help, and accident four years ago. In addition to taking classes at FRCC, he
students are cheaper [to hire],‖ said Kerri Mitchell, Writing also works in the Writing Center in Blanca Peak.
Center director and English faculty. Mitchell went on to
explain that the position wasn‘t advertised at all, but a Photo by Michelle Motherway
colleague suggested Johnson as a good fit for the position.
Johnson explained that it was his English teacher, Kathy Mendt, Outside of school, Johnson enjoys watching soccer, working
who introduced him to Mitchell. out, fishing, shooting, and cycling. He cycles much like he
―This colleague only sends me the best. She described him as a manages to drive a car, by using hand controls. He owns a
good writer, and admired him as a person,‖ said Mitchell. three-wheeled bike that is cranked by hand instead of the
traditional leg-powered pedals. His car is similarly hand-
―He‘s very attentive, and he‘s interested in what others have to controlled by a device that attaches to the gas and brake.
say [which] makes him a good reader of student essays,‖ stated
Mitchell. She went on to explain that because the Writing Center ―Life has thrown me a lot of curves,‖ said Johnson, ―I‘ve
is staffed mainly by faculty, they had to make the student a good learned to be more laid back and less aggressive towards
fit, and they needed somebody with a certain maturity level. people. I realized that life should be fun.‖ ®
 11

S CHOLARS ’ S QUARE

considered their positions and beliefs.‖ A student named Kofi

W RITING WITH W INGATE from Africa once turned in an essay to Wingate that talked
about his country, its beauty, and the political difficulties it is
BY J OSHUA B RICKNER , R ANGEVIEW R EPORTER going through.

Throughout every semester at FRCC, many gallons of ink and Another memorable essay that Wingate remembers was one
reams of paper are used to print essays and other writing written by a Tibetan student who wrote about the difficulties
assignments for the classes in the English department. Writing people in that country experience. Wingate says, ―What
is a common skill that every college student must master, but makes other people‘s writing so interesting to me is that I can
writing in a way that engages readers and, in this case, learn from them something I didn‘t know before or can see
instructors, can often be difficult. So what is it that makes a something I knew in a new light.‖
particular essay interesting or memorable?
According to a Web site hosted by the University of
Kathy Wingate has taught English and Basic Composition at Arkansas, there are several things that you can do in your own
FRCC for seven years, and has also taught in the Center for writing to make it more interesting. Most importantly, make
Adult Learning for four years. She says, ―When students are sure that you have a good topic. If you aren‘t interested in
writing what they want to write about, it is almost always your topic, why would your audience be? Secondly, be sure to
interesting.‖ Wingate says she changes the essays she assigns focus on a few main points. Scattered writing can often be
each semester. She keeps ―most assignments somewhat open- difficult to follow. Lastly, it is good to spice up your writing
ended so that, for example, if the assignment is to practice with humor, sarcasm or irony, but only when appropriate.
descriptive writing, the student can describe a favorite place.‖ Allen believes that ―nonfiction humor is underrated, powerful,
and compelling.‖ You can read more of these tips online at
It is from this open-ended ideology that students can really be http://ualr.edu/epmoore/criteria.html.
free to write about what inspires or excites them. Wingate
believes that letting students write about what they want, within Writing interesting essays can often be difficult. Luckily,
the framework of the assignment, really allows them to exercise FRCC offers free resources to students who need assistance.
their creativity. She says that she has had students write essays The Writing Center, located in Blanca Peak 102G, is a place
about building a house, detailing the steps from basement to any FRCC student can go to obtain help with writing organi-
roof, raising children as a single parent with a full-time job zation, development and mechanics.
while attending classes, horse dressage, and skateboarding.
Using the resources available, following some basic rules, and
However, Sean Allen, who is one of Wingate‘s students, says he finding topics that one is passionate are all great ways to cre-
―prefer[s] specific writing assignments, because it is much easier ate interesting essays. The bottom line is that interesting writ-
to write them when I have the assignment as a prompt.‖ Allen, ing comes from interested writers. ®
who is also a stand-up comedian, says he
―finds it easier to write fiction.‖ Sue Grebel manages The Friends Shop inside Harmony Library. See story on page 17.
Photo by Miranda Baker
There are many different kinds of essays
that must be taught in college writing
courses. Whether it is process analysis, a
description, or a reasoning essay, students
have to accomplish something specific in
their writing, but Wingate leaves the
actual subject matter up to them. For
example, in a process analysis essay,
students must explain the steps it takes to
complete a certain process (e.g., building
a house or dressing a horse). This type of
writing has great potential of being dry,
but if the writer is passionate about their
subject, it doesn‘t have to be.

Wingate says that, ―Some of the most

memorable compositions have been from
international students, maybe because I am
fascinated by other cultures and beliefs,
but also because they have thoughtfully
 12
S CHOLARS ’ S QUARE
T HE A RT OF P ERSUASION
BY B RAD M ENEFEE , R ANGEVIEW R EPORTER
Think taking classes at Front Range is difficult? Try juggling
teaching for three different colleges. That‘s precisely what the
English Composition II (ENG-122) instructor Jenna Oliver does.
Besides from teaching ENG-122, she also teaches Basic
Composition (ENG-090) here at Front Range,
journalism at Colorado State University, and
digital media at the Art Institute of Colorado.
This is probably why, when asked about her
office, she jokingly responds, ―My car is my
office.‖ At 39 years old with a youthful face, she
isn‘t the stereotypical image of a college
instructor.
One of the things that allows her to have such a
diverse and hectic teaching schedule is her
educational background. She has a bachelor‘s
degree in English, a bachelor‘s in political science
with a minor in theater, a teaching certificate in
English, and a master‘s degree in communica-
tions and media studies.
The creative arts is certainly a general theme
when considering her career and her education,
and her lineage was a
factor in this. Her Why would someone leave the
grandfather was a sound
engineer and did sound
exciting world of show business
effects for the original for a career in teaching? For
―Star Wars.‖ He was
also a member of the Oliver, it’s an attempt to have
Academy of Motion
Picture Arts and
the best of both worlds.
Sciences, which is the
―Academy‖ behind the Academy Awards. Her mother was also a
movie producer. So it was natural for Oliver to become involved
in show business. She lived briefly in Los Angeles and pursued
acting, but after failing to get a movie role she auditioned for, she
called it quits. However, she is still involved with producing and
is currently pitching an idea for a series to HBO.
Why would someone leave the exciting world of show business
for a career in teaching? For Oliver, it‘s an attempt to have the
best of both worlds. Acting wasn‘t stable enough for her, she said.
―Teaching allows me to be creative and still offers stability.‖ Her
students also help keep her professional life interesting. She says,
―Teaching allows me to facilitate students‘ creativity.‖
Now that she has three children, the stability that teaching offers is
even more significant to her. ―Producing sometimes forces you to
travel a lot,‖ she says, and she wanted to be in one place for the
purpose of raising her kids.
The road to teaching at Front Range began by teaching high
school English and broadcasting. This led to working at Red
Rocks Community College teaching film. She loved the
experience and decided to pursue more college-level
teaching opportunities. FRCC‘s Westminster campus was
the closest to her at the time, so she decided to work there to
supplement her income.
While her history with Front Range started 12 years ago at
the Westminster campus, she had a 10
-year hiatus from Front Range until
returning this fall to the Larimer
campus. She chose the Fort Collins
campus simply for the commute, as
she recently moved to Berthoud. As
for her experience here so far, Oliver
says, ―Students are far more interac-
tive and interested in learning [here].‖
She went on to say, ―The campus
environment is great here.‖ Her only
real complaint, when asked about the
campus, was that because there is a lot
of adjunct faculty here, there isn‘t the
traditional community of teachers
working together and seeing each
other all the time.
Oliver has jumped around a lot, not
just in her personal life, but also in her career as a
teacher. She offers an explanation for this: ―What
I teach is very unique.‖ She is referring to the
digital media, film, and producing classes. There
aren‘t a lot of schools in Colorado that cater a
great deal of their academics to the media arts.
She explains that because often a community
college will offer one or two classes in her
particular subject areas, she is forced to jump
around a lot and teach a variety of classes, English Comp
being one of them.
Anybody who takes English Composition II usually does so
for one reason and one reason only: it is a requirement of
their chosen major. However, for a lot of people, this could
be the most important class they take because of the skills
learned and enhanced. Oliver can personally attest to this
implication; argument and rhetoric are skills that are needed
in film and television production, as in any professional
career. The variety of the work she has done could give hope
to a lot of students with literary and English arts skills and
interests, but who are under the notion that there are no
careers in ―English.‖ Persuasive writing is essential for any
career that involves salesmanship. As Oliver puts it, ―If it‘s
not persuasive, it will get trashed.‖ ®
 13

C LUB H UB

T ALENT BY D ESIGN further their skills and gain the fieldwork experience needed
to get a jump-start in their careers. The club was established
BY D ANIELLE Z IMMERER , R ANGEVIEW R EPORTER last semester. Recently, it started collaborating with CSU to
produce a Homecoming parade float made entirely of reusable
Welding, Automotive Technology, Architecture and Interior materials. The club is dedicated to be as green as possible.
Design all nestle under the same umbrella: the Integrated Tech- Floor plans of the Longs Peak Student Center are in the hands
nology Department. Claudia Romero, 41 years old, just began her of creative club members who plan to carry out the design
second year as Integrated Technology Department chair and model and concept of the new renovated Bookstore into the
program director of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Interior Student Center space. Investing in smaller tables and maxi-
Design, working with traditional and nontraditional students who mizing seating, to enhance functionality for students and staff,
pursue an interest in any number of integrated technology fields. have been proposed.
Romero earned an Associate of Arts degree at Aims Community Romero receives calls from community members who would
College, a Bachelor of Science in interior design, and a Master of like opinions or help with personal home design, which are
Education at CSU. She began delegated to the club,
working in Greeley in the which presents opportuni-
interior design and architecture ties for club members to
field, gaining experience in work with a homeowner or
kitchen and bath and structural resident to conjure up ideas
design before she relocated to for a space. A work-in-
Fort Collins once she got progress for the Interior
married. Creativity, client Design Club is the
relations, shopping and spend- Berthoud Library Project.
ing money to remodel a space Berthoud has a small
are paramount memories of library, giving the interior
her career. ―It's an exciting designers limited square
career,‖ Romero stated, which footage to revamp. They
is no longer designated to only plan to give the entrance
decorating the interior of a a coffee-shop feel, with
space. various seating areas
―Our program is not just about spread throughout the
decorating and color selection; Integrated Technology Department Chair Claudia Romero teaches space more effectively.
it is about space planning, with CAD and Interior Design. She also advises the Interior Design Club. With little funds and a
all human factors relaxed time frame, the
involved. We start from the Photo by Miranda Baker designers must utilize
outside and work in to the materials and gain as much
inside of all of our designs. Our students learn what it takes to experience as possible. Endless ideas, labor and expertise are
keep a building standing, in addition to the materials used to what these club members have to offer the community.
construct the building. We provide hands-on learning Romero prefers residential interior work, rather than
experiences. We have state-of-the-art computer technology and commercial projects. A dream project would be in a Colorado
have faculty who love to teach! In addition, our faculty are mountain town, like Vail or Aspen, designing a luxury lodge
student-centered. Our students come first!‖ said Romero. with a down-home feel for an A-list individual.
She said Italy would be the country she would love to visit for its The Interior Design Club is always accepting new members.
timeless architecture and design standards. Romero's mother was Here at Front Range, students hit the books hard and Club
born in Graz, Austria. She took trips overseas throughout her President Leslie Kulbeck suggests a study color to heighten
childhood, but due to her age. she couldn‘t fully appreciate them. concentration and focus would be yellow, which is ―a
Romero said she would love to go to Europe with her kids, but communicative color that can sharpen the memory and
probably will hold off until they can fully grasp the opportunity stimulate debate, while blue can slow the respiratory rate and
of a trip abroad. promote relaxation... So maybe a combination of the two
It has been 15 years since Romeo has worked in the field.. She would be optimal for a study room!‖ she said.
has taught CAD courses in previous semesters as well as The Interior Design Club is involved in a Sustainability
Introduction in Interior Design. Committee and a Habitat for Humanity home that is being
Romero is also the faculty advisor of the Interior Design Club. built from energy-saving material.
Three officers, and about six to eight active members, joined to (Continued on next page)
 14

C LUB H UB

(INTERIOR DESIGN/ROMERO continued from previous page)

The Interior Design Club meetings are held the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 2 p.m. in the Long Peaks Student
Center Conference Room, and they welcome any major and skill level. Kulbeck, likes to keep up with new developments in
―reducing waste, reusing materials, and making choices in designs that benefit both the people and the environment.‖ Innovation in
sustainable interior elements is also something Kulbeck keeps tabs on, such as ―water-saving kitchen and bathroom fixtures,
environmentally friendly flooring and furniture, and ways to save energy through emerging technology and the use of renewable
resources.‖
Innovation, inspiration and ideas the Interior design club has something to offer students of an array of majors. ®

C AMPUS W ELLNESS

E XPRESS Y OURSELF ! Staff Sgt. Ray Jester has recently retired from the Air Force
after 15 years. Jester, who is 42 years old, is attending his first
BY C HANCE J OHNSON , R ANGEVIEW R EPORTER
semester at Front Range. Aside from his observation that
everyone is here for the common goal of higher education, his
similarities with most students is limited. Since he is older
Coming into a new environment surrounded by people different than most students
than you can be awkward. The way people look might be a on campus, he
shock, and listening to some student‘s outlandish political views claims that his life
may makes you want to bleed from the eyes. Expressing yourself experience sets him
by dressing differently than most is an invitation for rude stares. apart. This is
Likewise, one may wonder why a person would leave the house because of the time
looking like they are dressed for Halloween. The way people live he has served with
their lives, the way they look, the way they act… It would be so the Air Force, as
much easier if everyone could just think like you. This could be well as raising
one of the worst things about being a student at Front Range, or children. Jester has
any college. found that the age
On the other hand, you may know what you believe in and why. gap has been
By constantly surrounding yourself with those like you, you may difficult in relating
be limiting yourself from broadening your perspectives, and rein- to other students.
forcing only what you already believe. One of the best things to ―A lot of them don‘t
experience at Front Range is the diversity on campus. appreciate what it
―I really don‘t care what people think!‖ proclaimed Hana costs to be here,‖ he
Kissling, a 20-year-old art student at Front Range. ―For exam- said. It‘s what he
ple, I wore bright purple corduroy pants the other day.‖ Kissling called the ―silver
thinks her quirkiness sets her apart. She appreciates the many spoon effect,‖ when
individuals who are opinionated and open-minded. ―This makes the cost of being
for good discussion,‖ said Kissling. In her third semester at Front here comes out of
Range, it is her opinion that most people get along quite well on Non-traditional student Ray Jester is a the parents‘ bank
campus. She attributes this to the instructors and students who U.S. Air Force veteran who says he account and not the
give Front Range an inviting atmosphere. ―One of the best things appreciates his education more with the student‘s. Jester
about FRCC is when I‘m there, I‘m not afraid to be myself. I can perspective that work, service and believes that s
be quirky; I don‘t hide my thoughts or beliefs. High school was fatherhood have provided. tudents should work
way different. I felt I had to hide what I really value and believe, for a few years after
or else I‘d be put down or disliked. I felt I couldn‘t express my high school before
Photo by Miranda Baker entering college to
true thoughts without social and/or emotional consequences, but
at FRCC, I am free.‖ better appreciate it.
(Continued on next page)
 15
C AMPUS W ELLNESS
(DIVERSITY continued from previous page)
―It is very humbling paying for your education yourself,‖ he said.
Another aspect of this diversity that Jester feels clashes with
others is that he claims to live in a state where many people are
not highly supportive of the military. An exception to this would
be the instructors.
―An old dog can learn new tricks,‖ said Jester, as he explained
that it can be just as humbling for a 42-year-old to come back to
college, thinking he knows it all, than it is for a hot-headed
18-year-old. He has had positive interactions with other vets and
finds entertainment in listening to people‘s outspoken opinions.
Jester feels almost everyone on campus has the same motivation
to learn. ―It‘s a two-year school; most people aren‘t here to
party.‖
Someone who has an opportunity to bear witness to Front
Range‘s diversity on a regular basis is Government instructor,
Jeff Borg. ―You never know what kind of class you are going
into,‖ explained Borg, discussing the political spontaneity that
his classes are subject to. As for how his classes react to this
diversity, Borg stated that, ―Most students are open and curious
as to why people think the way they do.‖ Although he says that
there are ―overall good discussions without people‘s feelings
getting hurt,‖ there is sometimes tension that exists, and he often
has to step in and defuse a situation.
Although Borg is pleased with the diversity on campus, he looks
forward to seeing even more. He feels that this semester,
people‘s differences have definitely shown. The obvious answer
why is: ―This semester, emotions are very high because of the
presidential election.‖ ®
Parking
on campus
can be a
bit of a
fish tale...
S HARKING FOR P ARKING
BY J EREMIE S CHATZ , R ANGEVIEW R EPORTER
You head out of class and breeze out into the parking lot, and
look out over the sea of cars, not quite sure where in the full
parking lot you left yours. You start wandering around the
1,700 spaces and curse your lack of ambition at scoring a
closer spot. With furrowed brow and perplexed look, you
stand on your tip-toes trying to spot your car and realize that
someone is, in turn, scouting you out, waiting to get your spot.
This is what Public Safety Supervisor Gordon Goldsmith
refers to as ―sharking.‖
―We don‘t have the sharking that we used to have, but when we
have it, it is usually during the first two weeks of the semester.
That‘s our busiest time,‖ says Goldsmith.
While most people at FRCC are thinking that the best spot is
that one right up front, that‘s not always the case. ―I like to
walk to class and get a little extra exercise. That‘s why I come
a little bit earlier,‖ says second-year student Steve Sylva. On
the rare occasion that Sylva, 35, drives his Corvette to school,
he‘s looking to park as far away as possible. ―The more
expensive the car, the more conscious you are of where
you‘re at,‖ he says.
For the rapidly increasing number of motorcyclists and scooter
riders, the parking is right up front and abundant. ―It‘s a good
problem to have too many motorcycles,‖ says Goldsmith. The
motorcycle parking areas have been expanded, and when the
weather is nice, you will find motorcycles and scooters packed
into the spaces like sardines.
To get the closest spot on campus and always be able to find
a space, you need to put your foot on the pedal – the bike
pedal, that is. With eight bike racks around campus and three
about to undergo expansion, you won‘t need to go ―sharking‖
to find a sweet spot. ―I think right at the beginning of the
year, it was the fullest, but I was always able to find a spot,‖
says bicycling advocate Matt Webb.
Inclement weather doesn‘t dissuade Webb, 31, from pedaling
his trusty touring bike through the 17- to 20-minute commute.
―I‘ve got fenders and a waterproof coat,‖ says Webb, whose
bushy beard probably adds a little
insulation on those cold winter days.
Webb‘s advice for those coming from
the north, who are thinking about
giving up the gas pedal for the bike
pedal, is to take advantage of the
Mason Trail. It‘s good advice,
considering Fort Collins‘ esteemed
reputation as a bicyclist‘s haven. In
fact, Fort Collins was recently awarded
(Continued on next page)
 16

C AMPUS W ELLNESS

(PARKING continued from previous page)

the Bicycling Gold from the League of American Bicyclists as one
of the most bicycle-friendly communities in the nation.
Bicycling is healthy for you and the environment, easy in terms of
the lack of topography in Fort Collins and, above all else, you can
park within feet of any building on campus. Judging by the bike
racks at the beginning of the semester, the secret is out. ―We‘ve
never had them full like we had them in the first three months [of
this semester],‖ says Goldsmith.
Ready to be a part of the bicycling community? Webb can help. ―I
run a bike shop… I have a garage where I fix up and sell bikes,‖ he
says. ―I‘ve seen a lot more people biking this year…We sold a heck
of a lot of bikes this summer, probably about 70 or 80,‖ says the
aspiring civil engineer. If you‘re interested, Webb says that, ―We
usually put all of our bikes out at the corner of Laurel and
Matthews.‖
There is one more option for those who don‘t want to deal with
maintaining a vehicle, driving, or sharking around looking for a spot.
Ride the bus. Fort Collins‘ Transfort bus departs FRCC at 6:18 a.m.
and runs until 7:26 p.m. According to the director of Student Life,
Erin Smith, currently enrolled students, staff, and faculty are eligible
for a $55 bus pass. This pass is good for unlimited bus rides for a full
calendar year from the date of issue. More information is available
at the Longs Peak Student Center‘s Information Desk.
So, the choice is up to you: Shark it or park it! ®
Public Safety Supervisor Gordon Goldsmith says that FRCC students,
staff and faculty vie for the campus’ 1,700 parking spaces daily, but
bike riders have increased significantly, which will lead to the
expansion of bike racks. Photo by Michelle Motherway

Mountain Super Pass Plus grants unlimited access to

P ILGRIMAGE FOR P OWDER
BY D ANIELLE Z IMMERER , R ANGEVIEW R EPORTER
After a hot summer and enjoyable fall, it's finally time to shred the
fresh powder at Colorado's finest resorts this season. Stoked skiers
and riders have begun to wax, tune, and gear up for this year's
season. The best thing to do during the bitter winter season is
partake in snow sports.
Arapahoe Basin was the first resort to open in late October. Jonah
Koepple, front desk employee at A-Basin, said ―snowmaking‖ is
the reason for the quick open. A-Basin is still making snow to keep
the base sturdy. Keystone Mountain Resort opened Nov. 7. And
Steamboat opens on Nov. 26.
The Colorado mountain range offers a lot to snow-sport enthusiasts.
Investing in a pass is the logical purchase for those who plan to
work the slopes more than five or six times. A single day pass
during the regular season is $91 at Steamboat. According to
Keystone‘s Web site, ―Prices vary for multi-day, single-day and
half-day lift tickets,‖ depending on the time of year. The Rocky
Copper Mountain, Winter Park and Steamboat for $439.
FRCC sophomore Andrew Chapman bought this Super Pass
Plus and hopes to get up to the slopes ―40 to 50 days.‖
Chapman says, ―All my friends and I been riding with this
pass for seasons. We always have lots of friends to ride
with, which makes the days more fun.‖ Chapman says he
―mostly rides Mary Jane and Winter Park, which has a good
vibe towards boarders.‖
Seventy trails spread out among three mountains at Winter
Park, and average the most ―annual snowfall of any major
resort in Colorado, [with] over 30 feet of the white stuff
every year,‖ according to their Web site.
―My favorite mountain has to be Steamboat. They have
great powder days,‖ says Chapman, who has been riding
fresh powder for six or seven years. ―The last two, I been
hitting up the park, but I spread it all around the mountain,‖
―No pain, no Jane‖ is the well-known motto of the peak.
This season‘s Rocky Mountain Super Pass goes for $409,
(Continued on next page)
 17
(POWDER continued from previous page)
which can be split with a friend through a Wells Fargo student
discount deal. The pass grants unlimited access to Copper
Mountain and Winter Park.
Cruising out of Fort Collins to the mountains takes about two
hours and 30 minutes, depending on traffic, for a one-way distance
of about 130 miles. Chapman mentioned making about 50 trips up
this year, but said, ―Gas just hurts.‖
Ski Carpool is a nonprofit organization working for a clean
solution to I-70 traffic congestion problems. One can save money
and car miles, reduce traffic, and meet new people. The Web site
is simple to use: check-mark your sport, the resorts you use, days
available, area code, and in seconds you will be synched up with
matches. Skicarpool.org make friends, not traffic.
Waking up early can be brutal, but Keystone gives riders the
chance to cruise up to the slopes later and hit runs under the stars.
They currently manage the largest night-skiing operation in
Colorado. Depending on the time of year, riders can board the
gondola, ski glowing runs, and bust some sick air at the terrain
park until 8 p.m.
―I hear good things about Keystone, [and] the five mountain
passes in general,‖ Chapman says.
The Summit Pass is $419, with no restrictions and unlimited
access to Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin. Or for
$40 more, you can add 10 days at Vail and Beaver Creek with the
Colorado Pass for $459. Koepple describes A-Basin as
M EDIUM C OOL
A F RIEND TO A LL :
T HE F RIENDS S HOP
BY B RAD M ENEFEE , R ANGEVIEW R EPORTER
Upon entering the Harmony Library, the racks of books overflow-
ing from The Friends Shop are unavoidable. The rectangular
storefront in the entrance hall of the library was always set aside
for the store. Over the years, though, the number of books housed
and sold at The Friends Shop has grown, and the hole-in-the-wall
bookstore (it‘s smaller than an average bedroom) could no longer
contain them all. As the bookstore expanded, books were put on
racks in the entrance hall. The shop also absorbed the room
directly across the hall, which previously contained lockers. It is
the dominant sight when entering Harmony Library, yet Sue
Grebel, The Friends Shop manager, still encounters library patrons
who don‘t know about the store. She said, ―The thing that amazes
me is that people don‘t know the shop is there.‖
The Friends Shop is operated by volunteers with the nonprofit
group Fort Collins Friends of the Library. The books are all either
donated by people or are discarded by the libraries in Fort Collins.
The fact that the books are donated leads to one of the most
obvious differences between The Friends Shop and an average
bookstore: the price of the merchandise. An average bookstore
normally sells used books for about half the cover-price.
―a challenging mountain, which is busy on the weekends and
mellow on the weekdays, with a 50:50 skier-to-snowboarder
ratio.‖
Friday Night Lights is Keystone‘s night attraction. This season,
they are hosting three bands free to the public. Appearing will
be Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah on Nov. 21, Devotchka on
Nov. 28, and Girl Talk on Dec. 5. The bands will be staged in
the Village and their beats will belt to the slopes for the late
riders.
Recruit some friends, brush up on your technique and hit the
slopes. Find the ideal resort to get your Plexiglass sliding.
―Fake it ‗til you make it!‖ says Chapman. ®
At The Friends Shop, most books are under $2, and some are
even given away for free.
Joe Pampena, 20, a student at FRCC, was passing through
the library and thought he‘d check it out. As a first-time
customer, he was able to get the classic novel ―The Hobbit‖
for only 50 cents. ―Can‘t beat that price,‖ he said, adding,
―[It‘s] in good condition for being over 30 years old.‖
That is a common reaction among customers, according to
Kathleen O‘Callaghin, who started volunteering there after
retiring, and has been doing so for eight years now. She
said, ―[Customers] are surprised by how inexpensive the
books are.‖ She added that they get many repeat customers
and she knows many by name. She loves to read, so, for her,
the best aspect of The Friends Shop is that the books are
inexpensive so they can ―get more books into more people‘s
hands.‖
Ms. Grebel echoed this sentiment, saying, ―I love used book-
stores, but we charge less.‖
One might wonder that, with their books being so cheap,
how can they make any money? Since The Friends Shop has
all their merchandise donated, and all the staff is made of
volunteers, their business expenses are practically non-
existent. However, the money isn‘t going to any entrepre-
neur. All the proceeds help fund the libraries in Fort Collins.
(Continued on next page)
 18
M EDIUM C OOL
Kathleen O‘Callaghin has been volunteering at The Friends Shop for the past
eight years. The bargain bookstore is located in the entryway of the Harmony
Library. Photo by Miranda Baker
(THE FRIENDS SHOP continued from previous page)
In 2007, the Friends of the Library gave over $77,000 to the Fort
Collins Regional Library District.
The Friends of the Library is one of the sponsors of the Summer
Reading Program for the Fort Collins Regional Library District.
Ms. Grebel estimates that, in a typical year, they donate about
$40,000 of the money earned to the Summer Reading Program.
She explained that another attraction for people is that they feel
O NLINE P ROFILES O N T ARGET ?
BY J OSHUA B RICKNER , R ANGEVIEW R EPORTER
Social networks like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are growing by
the hour. This phenomenon is dramatically changing the landscape
of how people communicate by enabling a level of connection to
family, friends and colleagues that was never before possible. How-
ever, this new level of freedom in communication has brought with it
a fair share of issues that can be cause for concern. One issue that is
becoming more prevalent is privacy. Vast amounts of personal infor-
mation are available on social network profiles, and controlling
access to that information can often be difficult. For example,
employers are starting to look at the profiles of prospective
employees as part of the hiring process. As young people leave
school and head into their careers, they are starting to regret what
they have left on their profiles, open for the world to see.
In recent months, social networking has grown large enough to
dethrone pornography as the most popular online activity. A story
published by Reuters in October says, ―The hottest Internet searches
now are for social networking sites.‖ It goes on to state that this trend
good about spending the money and donating books
because it‘s going to a good cause.
Almost any genre one can think of can be found at
The Friends Shop, from sci-fi and fantasy to
romance and non-fiction. Ms. Grebel commented
that people don‘t seem to buy used romance novels
as much as sci-fi. Although they have literally
thousands of books in stock, that isn‘t the only type
of merchandise at The Friends Shop. There are
CDs, DVDs and VHS movies. Basically, anything
that could be found in a public library is there for
purchase, just in a smaller quantity.
―Pretty decent selection,‖ Pampena said of his
experience shopping there.
The Friends of the Library also holds three events
each year outside of The Friends Shop to move
more books. They hold events in March and July in
the Community Room at the library. There is also
an annual three-day event during the first weekend
in October at the Foothills Fashion Mall just off
College Avenue.
The Friends Shop is open Monday through Saturday
from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.
They are always accepting literature and other media
donations. Anyone interested in volunteering is welcome to
inquire within; they‘re always looking for volunteers. The
Friends Shop can also be reached at 204-8405. Check it out;
you might just find a diamond in the rough like ―The Hobbit‖
for pocket change, and walk away with some classic literature.
®
is especially common in the 18- to 24-year-old population.
Facebook especially has seen this rise in use among college-
aged people, who are their main demographic.
Employers who are hiring young people out of college are
leveraging the online profiles of their prospective employees
in their hiring process.
Jeff Bristol is a local employer who owns Rocket Jones
Interactive, located in Old Town Fort Collins. Bristol‘s
company provides professional web development services,
has nine employees, and is growing quickly. When asked if
employers should check the profiles of prospective
employees, he said, ―I don't think it's a bad idea at all..‖ He
continued, ―Job interviews can be so canned, everyone
putting on the face they want to show. Social networking
sites show more about the person's personality, and even
character, than you can get in an interview.‖ Bristol said he
―would look for hints of character, things like loyalty,
responsibility, outlook on life.‖
Issues like this can raise privacy concerns for those who use
social networking. Once information is put on the Internet, it
is very difficult or even impossible to remove it. Facebook‘s
(Continued on next page)

(SOCIAL NETWORKING continued from previous page)
own ―Terms and Conditions‖ states that by posting anything to
their Web site, users grant them ―an irrevocable, perpetual,
non-exclusive, transferable, fully paid,
worldwide license (with the right to
sublicense) to use, copy, publicly
perform, publicly display, reformat,
translate, excerpt (in whole or in part)
and distribute such User Content for any
purpose, commercial, advertising, or
otherwise...‖ In short, Facebook owns
any information, photos and videos that
are posted to their site.
When asked if employers should check
online profiles, Front Range student
Meghan Hummer said, ―I don't find any-
thing wrong with it. If what they see isn't
what they want, they have the right to
make that decision.‖ She said she puts
―name, hometown, religious and political
[affiliations], favorite quotes, movies,
music [and] interests‖ in her profile.
Hummer said she has ―never been
worried about privacy.‖
Social networking sites do provide tools
to users that let them set specific guide-
lines that dictate who has access to
particular information. Users can block
anyone who is not approved by them to
see their profiles. Users who have
implemented these privacy tools on their profiles are generally
19
M EDIUM C OOL
safe from prying eyes, whether those eyes belong to employ-
ers or other parties.
However, these tools do not wholly protect the user‘s privacy
by default; so users have to take action to protect themselves.
Many students do not realize this and
suffer the consequences.
The question is what those consequences
are.
Bristol said, ―I don't think it should make
or break the [hiring] decision, but I
definitely think it can help shape the
body of information used in making
hiring decisions.‖ He continued, ―The
greater overall understanding you could
have as you evaluate whether or not the
person is a good fit for your company
could be very helpful.‖
If a user‘s profile contains content that
could cast a negative light on them in a
professional sense, the user should either
implement the privacy tools available,
or clean up their profile.
Since the Internet, never before have so
many people had access to such a wide
variety of information, especially about
each other. This has led to leveling the
Reporter Joshua Brickner has nothing to playing field. Almost everyone has
access to the same basin of information.
hide, so far...
This will continue to affect society and
culture in ways not yet known. Privacy is just one of those
effects. ®
Government instructor Jeff Borg has
noticed an increase in lively discussion
in his class during this election season.
Read our story about campus diversity
on page 14. Photo by Miranda Baker
 20

B E O UR G UEST

At right: Sen.
Obama enters
CSU’s Oval.

Photo by
Vashti Torrez

FRCC student, Rangeview

reporter and Obama campaign Nathan Rega began his photo-
volunteer Danielle Zimmerer graphy career by following his
(above) gets ready to lead the photographer-mother to New
crowd of 50,000 in the Pledge Hampshire’s primaries. He and
of Allegiance prior to Sen. wife Kira own Harper Point
Barack Obama’s campaign Photography (named for
speech at CSU’s Oval on Harper’s Ferry) in Fort Collins.
Sunday, Oct. 26.
Photo (at left) © Nathan Rega,
Photo courtesy of Danielle
Harper Point Photography
Zimmerer
2008

At right: FRCC
student and
Rangeview
Reporter
Vashti Torrez
poses with
husband
Jin Batjargal,
holding their
5-month-old
son Ezra, at the
Obama rally at
CSU.
Sen. Obama greets well-wishers as he takes the stage.
Photo by Vashti Torrez Photo courtesy of Vashti Torrez

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