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The Student News Site of Colorado Mesa University

The Criterion

The Student News Site of Colorado Mesa University

The Criterion

The Student News Site of Colorado Mesa University

The Criterion

A sign from the on-campus dining hall, The Caf, outlines nine foods present at the salad bar, and indicates that none of these options are gluten-free. The Caf’s lack of an allergy-free food station has sidelined students with life-threatening food allergies, such as Celiac disease, who must still pay for a meal-plan while living on campus.
CAMPUS DINING CROSSES CONTAMINATION LINE
Gabby Gallegos, Staff Writer • October 5, 2025

Students with food allergies who dine at The Caf are fighting a seemingly neverending battle with getting the food accommodations they need. As...

Jared Polis discusses issues facing the Western Slope during an interview with Colorado Public Radio (CPR) reporter Ryan Warner, including immigration concerns, wildfire impacts and traffic concerns on Interstate 70 (I-70) on Sept 9. in the Asteria Theatre.
OUTGOING GOVERNOR TELLS ALL AT ASTERIA THEATRE
Didi Hooper, Staff Writer • September 20, 2025

From wildfires to transportation concerns, outgoing Colorado governor Jared Polis discussed his policies and initiatives with Colorado Public...

The Crime Scene Lab simulation room is arranged with blood on the mattress of a bed, a bedside table with a lamp and two shark heads that were placed there by Dr. Dante Penington "for fun." The Crime Scene House moved from an off-campus location to three smaller, divided rooms in the Maverick Innovation Center.
//Courtesy of the Criminal Justice Department
CRIME SCENE HOUSE MURDERED
Megan Pierce, Staff Writer • September 20, 2025

Over the summer, the criminal justice department’s Crime Scene House officially shut its doors after years in operation. Its bloody history...

Alumni Nick Gumpert recently released “Starting,” the first of four books aiming to help young adults manage their mental health.
Short Stories for Mental Health
Charlene Clark, Art & Life Editor • October 6, 2025

CMU alumni Nick Gumpert recently released his first book on Oct. 1, titled “Starting.” It’s a piece that discusses mental health management...

Sophomore biology major Jack Loch reads his story “The Fly” at the Writers’ Guild open mic event. A total of 10 students shared their best pieces.
Put Down the Pen, Pick Up the Mic
Marigold Nugent, News Editor • October 6, 2025

Last Friday in Arcadia, the Writers’ Guild closed out two weeks of zine creation with an Open Mic Night. A total of 10 speakers spent the night...

A sign outside of the Garfield Hall displays the times that the Resident Assistant (RA) duty phone is operational. Students living in Garfield Hall recently knocked on resident doors, pretending to be both RAs and local law enforcement.
“PANTY RAIDERS”
Thomas Chandler, Staff Writer • October 5, 2025

Two weeks ago, Garfield Hall’s Residence Assistants (RAs) were put on high alert, as a group of students were causing distress for residents...

Freshman pre-business administration major Luke Travis holds up the rock he found at Highline Lake State Park, which turned out to be an ancient piece of limestone.
FOSSIL ROCKS GEOLOGIST CONFIDENCE
Luke Travis, Staff Writer • October 5, 2025

When freshman pre-business administration major Luke Travis picked up a curious rock while exploring the natural areas around Highline Lake State...

DOES YOUR VOICE MATTER?
Brianna Harlow, Distribution Manager • September 20, 2025

At the end of every semester, each CMU professor is required to administer a course evaluation, but student respondents are not told what happens...

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