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

As you relentlessly stare across the classroom, you quiz yourself about the student in the corner. You wonder, “Is that a boy?” Maybe. You keep looking, like you’re confused about a math problem or something. Students of the transgendered community might be staring back at you asking, “Does it even matter?”

Discovering your personal identity is a complicated process for everyone. It seems that most students on campus are finding themselves. They’re joining clubs, rushing for Greek life, getting involved and making their mark. Whether an individual chooses to stand out through their appearance, their friends, or their grades, many CU students are finding their niche on campus. But, if a student is struggling with who they are and the gender they identify with, then what can be done?

Hidden amongst the LGBTQ community is gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria means to be unhappy with your biological sex or usual gender role, with the desire for the body and role of the opposite sex. Students with this condition are changing their appearance, mindset and gender roles in order to accommodate their desire to feel true to their gender.

Many adolescents facing this realization are saying no to going under modern medicine’s knife. The term “transgendered individual” does not refer to a person who is transitioning to another gender. An individual who is transgendered refers to someone who adopts the appearance and mindset of someone of the opposite sex. An individual who is transsexual usually goes through the physical process of having surgery to change their biological sex.

Because a student is transgendered does not immediately classify the individual as a member of the gay community. A biological man can simply identify as a woman in dress while still pursuing female mates. Gender expression is not the same as sexual orientation. As transgendered author Leslie Feinberg said, “we’re gender bent in a society that is gender rigid.”

We judge. It’s as simple and honest as that.

Sage Sollie, an 18-year-old freshman business major, has experienced the hardship of discovering his identity in a system of rigid gender roles firsthand. Sollie offered his insight on living as a transgendered teen on campus.

“I am a biological woman, but I identify as a gay man,” Sollie said. “Identifying as transgendered was really horrible at first because I didn’t know how to deal with it and feel about it, but then I met more and more transgendered people…On campus, it’s been fine. People are really accepting here.”

Whether gender-queer, female to male, or male to female, every experience is different for students wishing to change their identity. There are a variety of organizations on campus to support these students. Check out the LGBTQ Resource Center to get involved and attend programs that interest you. Gather at CU is a support group that has fun activities in an open atmosphere. Regardless of sexual affiliation or gender identity, joining the Gay-Straight Alliance is a great way to learn more about diverse communities locally and around the world.

I believe there shouldn’t be a category for man, woman, or gender-queer. We should step away from categorizing bathrooms, judging individuals on their dress, or separating ourselves on the grounds of social status. We are all students at the same university, whether gay, straight, male, female, or even none of the above. If we, as a campus, can decide on one thing, it should be that finding yourself is difficult for every person (especially those with gender dysphoria.)

Allow your fellow students to express themselves, and you may have the same opportunity. Be who you are, and let’s leave the judging for the legislative system and D.C.

So let’s stop staring and focus on ourselves. And maybe, just maybe, it really doesn’t matter all that much.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Chelsea Miller at Chelsea.lenore.miller@colorado.edu.

Not very many bars are located beneath historical landmarks, but Catacombs is.

It sits beneath the Hotel Boulderado, which started in true American capitalistic fashion by selling shares of the hotel, advertised at $100 each, in order to raise the money for its construction. There is something about being tied into the history of Boulder-back to a time when the city looked more like the Wild West than the city it is today-that gives Catacombs its special appeal.

Bartender Geneva Sanchez, an 18-year-old freshman management major, said she was looking for something far above the excitement of the alleged significance of the bar; above the 1967 change in laws governing alcohol that opened Catacombs’ doors and made it the first liquor-serving bar in Boulder. She was looking for something supernatural.

When asked if she would visit a bar because it was located in a historical landmark, Sanchez said, “I guess I would, but it would have to have a lot of history to do it. Probably if it was haunted or something.”

It is true that there are some ghost stories that take place in the hotel, but whether these ghosts are located in the bar below, or whether anyone has confirmed the place to be officially haunted, is still up in the air.

Some people are not so discerning about the historical sights worthy of their visit.

Henry Driftmier, a 21-year-old philosophy major, said he thinks if the place has been left the same way it has always been, then the appeal of the historical site is especially strong.

“If it has stayed the same, it would be nice to see the general atmosphere of the place,” Driftmier said. “And I guess there is an element of wanting to be a part of history, just wanting to experience some of it.”

Catacombs is far from being unchanged since the construction of the Boulderado in 1909. The area that the bar occupies today used to be a storage room.

Driftmier said he still sees something attractive about Catacombs despite this knowledge.

“I think it is still good,” he said. “I mean, being a storage room isn’t any worse than being anything else.”

Happy hour at Catacombs goes from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday. They sell well drinks and domestic beers for $2, call drinks and microbrews for $3 and house wine and imports for $4. Food is available ranging from $3 to $5, including items such as onion rings and chicken wings, and salads and sliders.

Most of the crowd is made up of non-student citizens of Boulder and people visiting the hotel above. During the early hours of the morning on weekends, Catacombs is a cornucopia grab bag of the people in Boulder. It is a place where students and residents mix with wedding parties and travelers.

Bergin Parks, a 25-year-old recent graduate of the journalism school, said the bar grew on him throughout his years in Boulder.

“More as an alumni,” Parks said. “I started hanging out there my senior year.”

He said, to him, it is not the fact that the bar is tied into the history of his city.

“It’s got more a, like, old-school pub feel to it than most modern bars, and I prefer that to the sort of big dance club kind-of-bars,” he said.

The dance floor is relatively small and off to the side. There are also game rooms containing fooseball, pool and a pair of air hockey tables lit by black lights.

Catacombs still has a distinct appeal to its happy hour. Although this is not the case every night, on Saturday the happy hour goes late. It’s not a bad spot to do what many college student refer to as “pre-gaming.” In addition, happy hour at Catacombs during the week is relatively quiet.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Seth Gitner at Seth.gitner@colorado.edu.

University of Colorado at Boulder Interim Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement Robert Boswell. (8-31-10) (CU Independent/Lee Pruitt)

Broadening the scope of his responsibilities for CU-Boulder, Interim Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement Robert Boswell has been exploring his new post.

As of July 15, Vice Chancellor Boswell became responsible for CU’s diversity programs, which seek to recruit and retain a diverse body of students and faculty. Additionally, Boswell said his office works to resolve any diversity-related issues that may arise.

Boswell said he is enjoying his new assignment.

“I’m enjoying the job, it’s fun,” he said. “I’ve met lots of interesting parents and students. So that’s been good.”

Boswell became an assistant professor in MCD biology in 1986 and a professor in 1991. In addition, he was a teaching and graduate research assistant while completing his doctorate at CU from 1975 to 1981, according to a CU news release.

He said he is no stranger to this line of work. He has been a faculty member and co-director of The Colorado Diversity Initiative, which seeks to increase the diversity of students working in labs.

Boswell said one of his goals is to expand the Office of Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement’s outreach programs, which cull prospective students from around the state of Colorado.

Interim Provost Russell Moore said he thinks Boswell has what is necessary to fulfill his new role.

“Dr. Boswell’s leadership efforts in the Colorado Diversity Initiative in science, math and engineering and his commitment to underrepresented students on a national level will serve our students and faculty well at CU-Boulder,” Moore said. “I am thrilled to have an academician and researcher of Dr. Boswell’s caliber step in and fill this vital role as we continue the critically important work of ensuring diversity and inclusion on our campus.”

University of Colorado Student Government President Will Taylor, who has worked with Boswell since his appointment, said he has provided meaningful contributions.

“I have been fortunate enough to sit in on a number of meetings with Dr. Boswell following his appointment,” Taylor said. “I have been nothing but impressed with his contributions to the meetings and am confident that he will continue to serve the university in a beneficial manner.”

Taylor said he thinks Boswell’s background will serve him well in his new position.

“I am certain that his background as a renowned researcher and faculty member will complement his natural talents in making this university a better place,” Taylor said.

Contact CU Independent Photographer and Staff Writer Bruce Pruitt at Bruce.pruitt@colorado.edu.

Eight members have been named to the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Exploratory Committee, according to a CU press release, and a new interdisciplinary academic program is being developed as a result.

The decision to form the committee was announced last week during the time the SJMC publicized their assessment of the future of their program, saying the journalism school would be considering the formation of a new interdisciplinary academic program.

“The exploratory committee will immediately begin work to identify what is both required and desired to best position CU-Boulder to be response to the rapidly changing media and communication landscape,” Interim Provost Russell Moore said in the news release.

The members of the ICT Exploratory Committee include: Merrill Lessley, committee chair and professor of theatre and dance; Anne Costain, professor of political science and women’s studies; Katherine Eggert, associate professor of English; Michele Jackson, associate professor of communication; Steve Lawrence, associate professor and academic director of the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship; Michael Lightner, chair of the department of electrical, computer and energy engineering; Uriel Nauenberg, former chair of the Boulder Faculty Assembly and professor of physics; Michael Zimmerman, professor of philosophy and former director of the Center for Humanities and Arts.

In a press conference Aug. 25, Moore had said no journalism representatives would be on the committee.

“The members of the ICT Exploratory Committee are accomplished scholars in their respective fields, and each of them is a highly respected member of the CU-Boulder faculty,” Moore said in the news release. “Importantly, all have demonstrated leadership credentials, and when considered collectively, they have good rapport with all of the campus constituencies who have interests in the outcome of this process.”

The committee will be providing an analysis and recommendation of assets that currently exist on campus and how best they can be used to for future students and the changing media landscape, according to the press release.

They will be working with other ICT constituents on campus, as stated in the release, such as faculty and students at the SJMC, ATLAS, computer science, digital arts and humanities, as well as other local and national ICT representatives.

They are expected to submit preliminary findings to the provost by end of the year and a final recommendation will be presented to the provost on Feb. 1, 2011, who will then make a recommendation to Chancellor Philip DiStefano.

Contact CU Independent Budget News Editor Sheila V Kumar at Sheila.kumar@colorado.edu

Playing hacky sack outside of the Williams Villiage resident halls, freshmen open-option majors Nate Trujillo, Todd Kopf, Jack Woolf and Pat Twomey take some time off to relax Monday, Aug. 30. (CU Independent/Lauren Walter)

Making trips to the bookstore for overpriced textbooks, the excitement of seeing old friends and the confusion of finding rooms in obscure buildings are just some ways students are welcomed back to college.

For freshmen, this confusion amplifies the first day of class. There’s the fear of not making any friends and not finding all the rooms in all the right buildings. Freshmen spill to the CU Independent about some of their biggest fears for the upcoming year.

Independence

For many students, college represents the first time away from the constraints of parents. While some embrace this wholeheartedly, others say they feel a little apprehensive.

Lexie Cameron, a freshman integrated physiology major, said being on her own is definitely the scariest part of college. But for all the terror, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

“I felt homesick for the first week but it’s getting better,” Cameron said.

The gift of independence comes with great responsibility, students say. It’s much easier to sleep through an 8 a.m. class or skip to go skiing, and this leads to another popular worry.

Failing out

College classes are inevitably more difficult than high school; professors are confusing and many times, a freshman is one face in a sea of others. These daunting realities lead many students to fear that “big red F” on a paper or a class at the end of a semester.

Olivia Perry, a freshman open-option major, said she’s “most scared of being dropped from [her] classes.”

Freshman year is a time to experiment with different kinds of classes. Don’t be afraid to take a class in something different, or stick with the path that most interests you. Taking interesting classes will make the likelihood of skipping or failing out much slimmer.

Seriously, fear not

Freshman year is an overwhelming time, but getting involved makes the transition from high school to college much easier. In college, one can do anything that interests them, whereas in high school, activities are often solely padding for college applications.

Becca Harter, a sophomore history major, said clubs played a pivotal role in her freshman experience.

“I’m glad I was told to go out and experience different clubs,” Harter said. “That way, you meet different people and get to experience the fullness of college.”

CU offers clubs for every passion: from Greek life and anime anonymous to religious organizations.

The Student Involvement Fair will be taking place on Wednesday, Sept. 8 near the UMC Fountain. Attend and find something to get passionate about!

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Caitlin McCluskey at Caitlin.mccluskey@colorado.edu.

Boulder Municipal Court is changing the remedial protocol for people 18 to 20 who are charged with a minor in possession of alcohol offense.

Currently the Boulder County Court handles MIP offenses and sends offenders to an alcohol remedial class depending on the number of MIP charges they have. The new changes put the Boulder Municipal Court in charge of MIP offenders. The Municipal Court will screen each MIP offender for an individual treatment sentence. The changes should go into effect January, according to the Boulder PD.

Boulder Municipal Court Judge Linda Cooke spearheaded the changes to MIP protocol. Cooke said she thinks it’s going to be beneficial to students to be matched with the level of treatment they need.

“It’s not necessarily that the treatment options are going to change dramatically,” Cooke said. “We are going to be using a screen. It’s a short questionnaire people answer and based on that we’ll determine what (is) the appropriate treatment.”

Currently, people who get three or more MIPs are given individual evaluations for treatment. This new policy would expand that to first- and second-time MIP charges.

“What we’re trying to do is move individualization of treatment back to the second and first offenses as well, and not just the third one,” she said. “If you are a person who gets your first MIP, so you happen to be drinking under the age of 21 but otherwise you’re pretty responsible with your use of alcohol…you will get treatment based on that responsible behavior.”

The number of MIPs in Boulder is high compared to other cities, said assistant administrator David Ritchie at the Boulder police records office. He said 387 MIPs were reported during the spring 2010 semester alone.

“I think it’s very common that people are getting underage drinking tickets based on the numbers I’ve seen,” Cooke said.

Cooke said an estimated 70 percent of MIP offenders in Boulder are CU students.

Students say they’ve seen lots of kids get MIPs already.

“I know a girl that got an MIP on the first night [of the semester],” said Henry Resing, an 18-year-old freshman religious studies major. “I’ve heard a lot of people talk about getting MIPs…in the dorms.”

Wardenburg Health Center offers the current alcohol remedial class for CU students charged with MIPs. Ryan Wendling, an administrative assistant at Wardenburg, said roughly 1,200 students took the MIP remedial class at Wardenburg last year.

While Cooke said she thinks the new policy will be beneficial, some students are skeptical.

“I think it’s more effective to get scared straight in a class with [repeat offenders],” said Zach Linzer, an 18-year-old freshman film studies major. “That kind of makes sense.”

Resing said he agreed, adding the policy doesn’t do anything to help prevent kids from getting MIPs in the first place.

“I don’t think it’ll make people more careful,” Resing said.

Cooke said she got the idea to change the protocol for MIP remedial programs from reading surveys done by CU students and Boulder residents 18 to 20 conducted a few years ago.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Julie Ryan at Ryanja@colorado.edu.

Enjoying free food on the lawn of Regent Administrative Center, physics graduate student Nate Morison and religious studies and psychology junior Keith Ohler listen to speakers at the LBGTQ Resource Center's Welcome Back barbeque Wednesday, Sept. 1. (CU Independent/Lauren Walter)

The staff of the GLBT Resource Center is looking forward to starting fall semester with new recruits for the GLBT program. Wednesday night, The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center hosted their annual Welcome Back BBQ on Regent Lawn for all CU students.

The crowd was filled with more than just the faces of the GLBT community. Among the attendees was Bob Boswell, recently appointed interim vice chancellor for diversity, equity and community engagement.

While it was his first GLBT barbecue, Boswell said he enjoyed it and encourages all CU students to attend next year’s event.

“I think it’s great what the GLBT Resource Center is doing,” Boswell said. “I think it’s important that everybody comes out to see what this event is about.”

The barbecue was more than just a welcome back for students; it was a chance for the GLBT Resource Center and various other campus organizations to inform the CU public about their groups and upcoming events.

Renee Roberts, a 19-year-old sophomore and ethnic studies and women’s studies major, spoke about the Queer People of Color organization. The group is centered on queer students of color, but everyone is welcome, Roberts said.

“We’re a support group that’s student-run,” Roberts said. “We’re trying to expand our organization to be more educationally programmed, as well.”

The GLBT Resource Center staff was more than pleased with the crowd turnout they said. Kevin Correa, assistant director of the GLBT Resource Center, said the barbecue is a way to attract people to the GLBT community.

“This is our big kickoff,” Correa said. “We get a lot of people connected here. Plus, it’s our way of welcoming new people to campus.”

One of the major upcoming events the GLBT Resource Center made a point to promote was the Safe Zone training.

Steph Wilenchek, director of the GLBT Resource Center, was very enthusiastic about the Safe Zone project. Safe Zone is a program to get students, faculty and staff involved with the GLBT to make CU a more comfortable and welcoming place for the GLBT community, Wilenchek said.

“Safe Zone has been around for about four years,” Wilenchek said. “It’s a four-hour training session that is about building safer spaces for GLBT folks on campus.”

The GLBT barbecue proved to be an informative event that allowed all students to interact with each other staff said.

“This is open to everyone,” Wilenchek said.

For further information about the GLBT Resource Center, click here.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Lauren Archuletta at Lauren.archuletta@colorado.edu

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

So… you have a Facebook, along with about 500 million other people (and a few fetuses too). If you’re the average college Facebook user, you also probably have somewhere between 400-700 online friends. I’d like to point out that virtually nothing you post on Facebook is private, for instance, those pictures of your Clear Blue positive pregnancy stick.

Attention, fellow Buffs: we are in a Facebook epidemic. Somehow, since its creation, Facebook has managed to blur reality, privacy and normalcy into some strange concoction. The online social networking site is sending out messages about what is “OK” to post.

I’m not sure who is more affected by the messages of this epidemic: my former classmates that now have posted photo documentation of their nine-month pregnancies, or me, for wanting to be an innocent Facebook stalker.

There’s a fine line that is often crossed with Facebook and pregnancy, and it all revolves around Facebook etiquette, or lack thereof.

As college students, we’ve reached an age where pregnancy isn’t that uncommon or a huge deal (and that may seem strange in itself). But there’s a classy way to inform your online friends of your pregnancy, which does not include a picture of you standing next to the toilet, holding your little plastic stick.

If you’re proud of your pregnancy and choose to flaunt it to your respective social network, then by all means, go for it. There’s nothing wrong with being happy about carrying a child. All I’m saying is to do your Facebook posting with a bit of class. I would much rather see a tasteful picture of your baby bump than a six-minute video clip your significant other filmed during the birth.

After scanning through my Facebook friends, I was able to pick out the “Fertile Myrtles” from the “Proud Mothers.”

Those in the first class have pictures of their ultrasounds clogging up my Facebook feed. There’s no shame in being excited about your baby, but some things, such as those personal images, might be better kept for private viewing for those in your personal life.

The “Proud Mothers” document other aspects of their pregnancy, such as buying baby blankets and the color of the baby’s room.

Outside factors, such as shows like “Sixteen and Pregnant” or “Teen Mom” may have influenced the imbalance of Facebook etiquette. But just because America watched the entire pregnancy process of Maci Bookout doesn’t mean that your Facebook friends want to know the specific details of yours.

Rejoice in your pregnancy and inform your social network, if you so choose. Just keep it classy. Remember, we’d rather see the photos of your son’s first week home rather than those of your placenta.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Lauren Archuletta at Lauren.archuletta@colorado.edu.

David Getches, dean of the Law School at CU-Boulder, is resigning effective June of next year, according to a CU news release.

According to the news release Getches will continue on as a faculty member at the Law School. A search committee to find a replacement will be put together by Interim Provost Russell Moore by the end of September.

“I have reached this decision with confidence that the Law School is on a solid footing,” Getches said in the news release. “With the support of alumni, faculty, staff, students and donors, we have many achievements that distinguish Colorado Law among the nation’s best law schools.”

Contact CU Independent Breaking News Editor Ellie Bean at Beanee@colorado.edu.

During the last play of the game freshman middle blocker Nichole Lindow (15) spikes the ball at the Furman Paladines while senior outside hitters Rosie Steinhaus (11) defends during the Friday, Aug. 27 game at the Coors Events Center. While the Buffs won against the Paladines, they lost their away game to Colorado State Tuesday, Aug. 31. (CU Independent/Emily Haag)

Strong showings by sophomore outside hitter Kerra Schroeder and junior middle blocker Anicia Santos weren’t enough to give CU’s women’s volleyball team a win.

The Buffaloes lost to No. 15 CSU 25-19, 25-11, 25-16 at Moby Arena Tuesday night. CU falls to 1-2 on the season, while CSU improves to 3-0.

Schroeder led the Buffs with eight kills, three aces and four digs. Santos hit a team-best .455 average with six kills and one error on 11 swings.

“This is a learning lesson,” Head Coach Liz Kritza said in a news release. “You hate to lose to learn these lessons, but there are some positives to come out of this. Anicia Santos hit .455. And this early in the season, for a team that is relatively new in our configuration, it’s helpful to play a high level team and this will help us prepare for our conference season.”

CSU took an early lead to kick off the first set of the match. The Buffs got close at 13-12, but a 5-2 by the Rams run gave the Fort Collins foes an 18-14 lead. The Buffs’ eight service errors led to the Rams taking the first set 25-19.

CU had its first lead of the match with a 3-2 start to the second set. However, a 7-3 CSU run helped them take a 9-6 lead. The Buffs battled back to bring the score to 21-20. Despite fighting off two set points, the Buffs fell in the second set as well, 25-22.

Two solid runs by CSU made the third and final set theirs for the taking. The Buffs tied it up at six all, but a 6-0 run by the Rams gave CSU a 12-6 lead. The Buffaloes got close once again at 19-15, but the Rams finished out the match going on a 6-1 run to give them the win with a score of 25-16 in the last set.

“There is no rest for the weary,” Kritza said. “I think this young team is going to understand that if you play consistently at a high level, good things will happen for you. They believe they can and are willing to put in the reps to get there. This is just the beginning for this young group.”

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Marlee Horn at Marlee.horn@colorado.edu.