Creating and Conceptualizing a Balinese American Gamelan Community

The chapter examines the foundation of academic gamelans and their relationships to nearby community gamelans. Using as an example the gamelans in Colorado and across the Rocky Mountains that are taught by I Made Lasmawan, the chapter discusses how gamelans are founded and supported and the types of artistic and administrative partnerships that are conducive to long-term maintenance of such programs. In this case, substantive financial support for Lasmawan from one key institution, Colorado College, was crucial to his ability to support his family and teach other ensembles part-time at neighboring institutions. In addition, the artistic and logistical support of his family and of members of the high-level Denver-based community group Gamelan Tunas Mekar was crucial for enhancing the quality of academic ensembles’ performances. The chapter concludes that models for academic-community interdependence vary within different geographic and institutional contexts, but building connections between academic and community programs strengthens the likelihood that ensembles will be sustainable.

Characterizing Symptoms of Cannabis Use Disorder in a Sample of College Students

Since the legalization of marijuana in several U.S. states in 2012, there has been concern about increases in the development of cannabis use disorder (CUD). The current study examined rates of CUD in Colorado college students who reported regular marijuana use and assessed a range of factors associated with CUD symptoms, including coping motives, concentrate/dab use, mental health concerns (depression, anxiety), age of regular marijuana use, and alcohol use. College students were recruited from a mid-sized university and completed a baseline assessment that included a marijuana urine screen. Participants reported a median of five CUD symptoms and 90% met criteria for CUD. After adjusting for covariates, the age of regular marijuana use was negatively associated with the number of CUD symptoms, while the average daily alcohol drinks was positively associated with the number of symptoms. Prevention and intervention efforts at the university level should be increased to reduce negative outcomes associated with problem marijuana use.

Quantifying Assessment Of Undergraduate Critical Thinking

Enhancing students' critical thinking capabilities stands as the top goal of undergraduate education, according to faculty from many universities. We assessed the change in critical thinking skills with a sample of 176 students enrolled at either the University of Colorado Boulder (UCB) or Colorado College (CC) by employing the Critical-thinking Assessment Test (CAT) developed with collaboration and support from the National Science Foundation. Students' critical thinking progress was compared by assaying skills during the first and last weeks of the term in classes that expressly emphasized: (1) critical thinking, or (2) civic engagement, or (3) where, according to the class instructors, neither was a point of major emphasis. CAT scores improved significantly for students at both institutions, in different categories of class types, and over the dramatically different lengths of terms (3.5 weeks at CC vs 15 weeks at UCB). Our research contributes to an understanding of changes in critical thinking as part of the undergraduate experience. We demonstrate that the CAT instrument can be an effective tool for assessing critical thinking skills across very different institutions of higher education.

A Mission on the Frontier: Edward P. Tenney, Colorado College, the New West Education Commission, and the School Movement for Mormons and “Mexicans”

Inspired by Manifest Destiny and lured by prospects of economic gain, Eastern entrepreneurs migrated to the Western frontier in the mid nineteenth century. As they pursued wealth through railroads, mining, land speculation, and other endeavors, many succeeded and had their names recorded in the pages of the history of the region; others passed from historical memory. Alongside economic titans were other pioneers. Just as zealous New England reformers sought to bring Yankee enlightenment to the benighted South after the Civil War, other New Englanders looked to the West. For several of these pioneers, establishing Christian churches and colleges to serve the new populations was their mission. One of these individuals was Congregationalist minister Edward P. Tenney, whose conceived life's goal was to found a Christian college that would serve as the centerpiece of education on the frontier. Tenney was not unique, but he was exceptional in the scope and passion of his vision.

Barcoding the species of Pleurothallis subsection Macrophyllae-Fasciculatae

The long-term goal of this project is to have a genetic “barcode” for the described species in Pleurothallis subsection Macrophyllae-Fasciculatae (syn. Acronia Luer) to facilitate identification, recognition of new species, biodiversity assessment, and conservation of this genus in Mesoamerica and the Andes. To this end, a living collection is being assembled at Colorado College with plants from commercial operations in South America (Ecuagenera; Colomborquídeas; Orquídeas del Valle) and the U.S. (Andy’s Orchids; Hanging Gardens; J & L Orchids); and private collections in the U.S. (O’Shaughnessy). As these plants flower and identities are confirmed, photos are taken; in the future, herbarium sheets will be prepared and flowers preserved in spirits. For some species, or from some locations such as Central America (private collection of Archila), only leaf samples have been obtained. Between living plants and leaf samples ~100 different species have been assembled, which is approximately 46% of the described species. A genetic barcode for this subsection of Pleurothallis will likely consist of three sequences. While only nrITS has been sequenced for these plants so far, the chloroplast sequences rpoB2, rpoC1, and the 3’ and 5’ ends of ycf1 are currently being investigated to determine which provide greatest variability, perhaps to combine with matK or trnH-psbA as per the CBOL Plant Working Group.