Mountain Scholar

Mountain Scholar is an open access repository service that collects, preserves, and provides access to digitized library collections and other scholarly and creative works from Colorado State University and the University Press of Colorado. It also serves as a dark archive for the Open Textbook Library.

Communities in Mountain Scholar

Select a community to browse its collections.

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3

Colorado State University, Fort Collins 28097
Explore the Colorado State University community’s scholarly output as well as items from the University at large and the CSU Libraries.
Open Textbook Library Archive 25
A limited number of titles are available here. To see all OTL titles, please visit the Open Textbook Library at https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks. Only Open Textbook Library staff have access to all OTL Archive titles held in Mountain Scholar.
University Press of Colorado 1088
Access is limited to University Press of Colorado members. Non-members: to purchase books, please visit https://upcolorado.com/.

Recent Submissions

Access status: Open Access ,
The long-term fiscal implications of Colorado's higher education funding model: an analysis and policy proposal
(2026-05) Dietz, Braxton, author; Ellis, Mike, advisor; Fielder, James, committee member
This paper examines the events, policies, and political circumstances that resulted in Colorado’s current model for funding higher education and analyzes the ongoing effects of that model on the future of the state's economy and workforce. Through expert testimony, extensive research, and data collection and comparison, this paper also aims to serve as a roadmap for policymakers and higher education administrators. Accordingly, it provides a policy solution designed to mitigate those effects and promote the continued prosperity of Colorado workers, consumers, and postsecondary institutions. The findings of the first section of this paper detail three original causes of the state's current higher education funding model: the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR), demographic-specific population growth within Colorado, and sector-specific inflation within Colorado. The paper elaborates on each and showcases the compounding budgetary challenge facing state legislators, policymakers, and postsecondary administrators when all three coexist. The paper then goes on to detail the effects of the state’s budgetary issues on higher education, explaining that the lack of state funding creates a cyclical effect in which Colorado's public postsecondary institutions are unable to offer tuition rates or student experiences to compete with institutions in peer states. Thus, enrollment rates, endowments, state funding, and state-permitted tuition increase caps all fail to keep Colorado institutions competitive. This contributes to what is known as the Colorado Paradox—a growing dichotomy in which Colorado educates the workforces of other states, while Colorado's economy depends on a consistent influx of out-of-state educated workers. The paper then argues that this poses a significant threat to the economic prosperity of the state, as fewer prospective postsecondary students opt to attain their degrees in Colorado. To add to this, immigration to Colorado is expected to decline and Colorado's population is predicted to age significantly in the coming decade—further worsening the paradox. The paper concludes with a two-stage policy proposal. In the first stage, the paper recommends referring a de-Brucing measure to Colorado voters that would loosen some TABOR-imposed revenue constraints on higher education, allowing the state to better fund postsecondary institutions. In the second stage, the paper recommends that these extra funds be earmarked for programs that the state deems beneficial to industries integral to the future prosperity of Colorado's workforce and economy. This allows the solution to be framed as a measure to economically and professionally benefit Colorado workers, consumers, and voters through the avenue of higher education. It should be noted that this paper does not include a traditional methodology section, as it focuses on providing a narrative analysis to better serve as a roadmap for policymakers in addressing the issues faced by higher education in Colorado. All content that otherwise would be found in a methodology section can be found integrated throughout the paper.
Access status: Open Access ,
Rebuilding the social space: the revitalization of third spaces in post-pandemic communities
(2026-05) Serra, Abigail, author; King, Hillary, advisor; Zwick-Tapley, Sarah, committee member
This thesis aims to investigate the loss in contemporary society of community-centered "third spaces" and examine how architectural design can reintroduce and sustain them. Third spaces have been a hidden power playing a critical role in sustaining social cohesion and community identity, however, modern research indicates an exponential decline in these spaces due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The research culminated and in this paper will extensively contribute to the development of a 60,000+ square foot senior capstone project, grounding the design in evidence-based design strategies that will prioritize accessibility, inclusivity, and social engagement. The methodology used in this paper includes a comprehensive scholarly review of existing literature and theories as well as a voluntary survey examining the following: generational perspectives on social space, an analysis of post-pandemic behavioral shifts, and preferred remedies and designs in typical users of the space. Additionally, three observational case studies were conducted ranging from methods of direct observation to secondary sources to truly understand how a modern user interacts with labeled "third spaces". Research also considers an in-depth examination of how well each case study utilizes the design theories discussed. This study has found that there is a substantial dissatisfaction in community spaces. Factors contributing to this are influenced by generational divergences severely intensified by the pandemic, economic barriers decreasing the ability to have non-commercialized practices, and an increased reliance on digital platforms for social connection. These factors have significantly reshaped social behaviors, particularly among younger generations. In turn, this has shifted design preferences and comfortability more towards outdoor spaces that escape the tension of an interior environment. Design preferences have also shifted to include more flexible structure, free flowing circulation, and areas that create experiences rather than uphold tradition. This research will contribute to the field of interior architecture by identifying how the upcoming generation facilitates meaningful connection post-pandemic, reintroduce weak-ties, and support common interaction people are hesitant to approach. This thesis also will explore how to design strategies that favor the surrounding community and make society a much more pleasant and comfortable environment.
Access status: Open Access ,
Rambots: robust robotic systems for outreach
(2026-05) Serff, Everett, author; Fatehiboroujeni, Soheil, advisor; Bailey, Ryan, committee member
The use of robotics in outreach and education has been shown to play an important role in motivating student interest in STEM, particularly when interactive experiences and mentorship are involved. Building on this foundation, the Rambot project is a multi-year, multidisciplinary effort focused on developing an accessible quadrupedal robot platform known as Sparky, which the team brings to K-12 STEM outreach events. This year’s project focuses on improving the robot’s functionality and outreach impact through the addition of new capabilities and forward-looking design work. Specifically, the team developed a manipulator arm capable of picking up objects and began early-stage design of a next-generation Rambot Mark II. The arm was designed using decision matrices, static analysis, and inverse kinematics, with validation through simulation in MATLAB, Python, and MuJoCo, along with CAD modeling, additive manufacturing, and custom PCB development. In parallel, the Mark II effort involved defining design requirements, creating conceptual models, and evaluating alternative leg architectures. Simulation results demonstrate that the manipulator arm can reliably reach target positions and perform object interaction tasks, supporting its potential use in automation and interactive demonstrations. Additionally, outreach experiences suggest that the addition of interactive features such as the arm increases engagement and interest among participants. The Mark II design process further identified a ball screw-driven leg mechanism as a promising approach for improving performance and robustness. This work contributes to the continued development of accessible robotics platforms by expanding functionality and strengthening their effectiveness as educational tools, while also laying the groundwork for a more advanced and capable system in future iterations.
Access status: Open Access ,
Reframing rest: the importance of sleep and interactive education for children and adolescents
(2026-05) White, Elizabeth, author; Meyer, Carolyn, advisor; Ivie, Kenny, committee member
Sleep is a critical physiological process that lays the foundation for health and prosperity. Regulated by the circadian rhythm and sleep drive, it consists of four stages that cycle throughout the night, each serving distinct physiological functions. Various areas of the brain work in concert to coordinate sleep, including the hypothalamus, pineal gland, basal forebrain, brainstem, and amygdala. Because sleep affects every system in the body, its quality and duration profoundly influence both mental and physical health, contributing to various risks spanning from cardiovascular disease to depression. In today’s world of efficiency, technology, and early school start times, sleep is increasingly deprioritized—especially among adolescents, 77% of whom experience sleep deprivation. By leveraging the effectiveness of interactive and visual learning, sleep education for children can be used to combat sleep deprivation among adolescents. After researching the anatomy, mechanisms, and importance of sleep, as well as the science behind youth learning, I developed a project to educate children of Fort Collins and encourage early development of positive sleep habits.
Access status: Open Access ,
Physician, suffragist, and citizen: Dr. Margaret Long and early twentieth-century feminism
(2026-05-08) Davisson, Makena, author; Orsi, Jared, advisor; Thomas, Adam, committee member
Dr. Margaret Long (1873-1957) was a medical philanthropist, an activist in the suffragist movement, and a notable travel writer. Long demonstrated that women's progress required simultaneous action across all spheres of society, challenging gender norms and creating space for women. With financial and family support, Long dedicated her early life to pursuing an education, bypassing domestic expectations for women. She established her career as a physician in Denver, working alongside a non-profit sanatorium to advance women's progress in society through focused public health efforts that improved conditions for women. Her professional career and dedication to social progress frame her as a representation of feminist ideals that sought equality in education, the workforce, and society. Long believed in bold political action, using suffrage as a platform for equality, and she dedicated her time to national suffrage campaigns through leadership in radical and militant organizations. Her legacy of historical writings and maps highlights her dedication to recognizing and celebrating the accomplishments of women and other trailblazers in the American West. She defied gender norms by attending college, obtaining a medical degree, practicing medicine, advocating for women’s suffrage, having same-sex relationships, and traveling alone. Long’s contributions during her life represent a shift in societal expectations for women and a leading example for generations of women to come. Long’s biography helps us understand the early wave of feminism through the life of a woman who embodied feminist ideology. Drawing on oral histories and archival collections, this paper examines how Long’s public activities demonstrate the tenor of twentieth-century feminism.