October 29, 2009 by The Arbiter at Boise State University

I SSU E

The Independent Student Voice of Boise State Since 1933

Volume 22

First Issue

F R E E OCTOBER 29, 2009

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CAMPUS MOTION

HALLOWEEN 2

COLUMNS

BLUE 3

TO YOU

NEWS

t to ng e g r i t fo or spr ’ n Do are f . p pre tration is reg

Here to there

Nominate one book, get ALL YOUR TEXTBOOKS FREE

See how students get around at Boise State University

2006

2007

2008

2010

2009

Above are the books chosen for First Year Read since 2006. The NSFP is asking for nominations for next year. J. FREEMAN DEJONGH Journalist

The office of New Student and Family Program (NSFP) presents this challenge; students can submit any book of their choice in the First Year Read program, and if their book is selected, students receive their Fall 2010 textbooks free. This October is the third annual book nomination month First Year Read. The program was founded in 2006 by various students and faculty members. During their summer orientation, new students will receive the year’s selected text, according to Zachary Snoderly, NSFP orientation coordinator, “One of the main objectives of the first year read program is to give first year students a common experience that will start to build a sense of community as soon as they arrive on campus.”

Opera

‘Faust’ on the horizon for Boise

In order to be eligible students must be enrolled this semester to nominate books. The nomination must include the books information and a written statement addressing why the specific book should be read by new students. “I think that when students come to college they sometimes focus so much on studying textbooks that they lose their enjoyment of simply reading an intuitively appealing story,” he said. “The way we think after reading a textbook is much different than after reading a novel.” According to Snoderly, The college experience is a time to broaden perspectives and think about the world differently than students did growing up. Reading a novel that makes students think about and analyze the context of the story has the same effect.” Books nominated must be no more than 300 pages andmay be selected from any genre.

“Since this year’s nomination process is brand new we actually don’t have a theme, it’s simply open to any book students would like to nominate, regardless of the context,” Snoderly said, “However, in future years we will consider providing a theme.” All nominations are due on Monday morning, Nov. 2. A selection committee of students and faculty will then pick the top ten books. These will be read by a number of people in the steering committee. By January, the steering committee will provide a list of recommendations to the President who then decides on the final book. “The First Year Read Committee has grown since it first started, and there are more faculty members, staff, and students involved then in past years,” Snoderly said. “Last year’s turnout for the Greg Mortenson visit was a huge success, and with the new nomination process we hope to see students getting a lot more involved with the program.”

To submit books, fill out a nomination on the Web site: http://boisestate.edu/nsfp/nominatenow.html. Nomination period ends the morning of Monday, Nov 2. CULTURE

Boise State Public Relations

entertainment buffs

Students get outfitted for education SONIA TREVIZO Editor

Eleven Boise State students have been hard at work over the last three weeks gearing up for a promotional campaign with Urban Outfitters downtown. Promotional public relations communication is an upper division public relations class that uses a hands on approach to learning strategic planning and tactical implementation. Students use research, strategy, tactic, and evaluation to learn how to perform a successful promotion. “This class was created specifically to provide real-world, hands-on promotional experience to graduating communication students,” instructor Sam Harmer said. This year the students have been working with Urban Outfitters in Bodo, promoting “College Night” which is taking place Friday, Oct. 30. College Night will be an all day event from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with live bands playing throughout the evening, giveaways, and a ten percent discount with a valid student ID. The students have also been working with several local merchants acquiring items for giveaways. The class isn’t given any funds so the students have the extra obstacle of working without a budget. The sponsors for College Night are Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), Bonefish Grill, Microsoft Student Partners, Crucial.com, and Urban Outfitters. Giveaways will include BSU gear, Free appetizers from Bonefish, Xbox games, memory flash drives, CD’s and $50 gift cards from Urban Outfitters. “The students don’t have marketing funds to work with, which is challenging their creativity, However, they do have a number of Urban Outfitters resources available to them, including an on-demand in-house artist, flyers and other promotional signage,” Harmer said. The class starts by going over the process involved in having a successful promotional

campaign. The students then choose an organization to work with. “We began by brainstorming about what kind of organization we would like to work with, keeping in mind the fact that we would work with them all semester,” class president Matt Caropino said. “We did a little research and narrowed down the field. We considered many different things when deciding who to work with. In the end we took a class vote and decided to work with Urban Outfitters.”

is only offered during the fall semester. Last year the class worked with Bogus Basin, promoting season passes with a snowman hunt that took place on campus. The promotion was very successful and this year’s students are hopeful for the same outcome. Caropino recommends this class to anyone interested in public relations. “I think the most interesting and unique thing about this class is the fact that it is truly hands on. The tactics we are using are some of the very same tactics we will use when we are employed, which gives the students lucky enough to be in the class a real leg up. It’s a lot more fun to put a campaign together than it is to read about how to put one together. Plus it provides real life experience, something you can feel good about having on your resume.” Students interesting in becoming involved with promotional public relations communication need to complete introductory PR courses, principles of public relations communication 278 and public relations campaigns communication 279.

I take a non-traditional approach to this class in order to create the feel of working for a PR agency rather than a traditional classroom.

BCS Boise State planted firmly in the standings

- Sam Harmer

According to student Bridgett Montgomery, students are expected to have a successful promotion to put on their resume by the end of the course. The class also works closely with the pre-professional organization, Public Relations Student Society of America. Montgomery also explained that students are expected to “bring their A+ game in all the assignments they have. Half-hearted efforts are unacceptable in this class.” “Participants in this upper-division course are treated as professionals, not mere students,” Harmer said. “I take a non-traditional approach to this class in order to create the feel of working for a PR agency rather than a traditional classroom, and the feedback has been very positive.” The course has SONIA TREVIZO/THE ARBITER been in existence at BSU for two years and Urban Outfitters downtown is the place for deals on Oct. 30th.

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October 29, 2009

Commuters of the Quad, strollers of the Greenbelt and pedestrians in general, welcome to Campus Motion. This investigative series is an online-exclusive feature profiling various students and topics on the BSU campus, operating under the guidelines of one condition - all interviews must occur in motion. The Arbiter’s side-hack duo are field reporters who seek out pedestrians to capture his or her confessions on film. Do not be alarmed we are experienced pilots and cameramen, who perform in authentic sidecar fashion.

Case one: On-campus transportation. Featured this week: Samantha Deroy , freshman, criminal justice Transportation: Rollerblades Quote: “Why rollerblade? Because they’re easier (rollerblades), they’re all I can afford and I don’t really like the whole bike thing”

Go to arbiteronline.com to watch Campus Motion’s exhilarating video, shot from a bicycle’s sidecar.

If you have a unique mode of transportation you want to be featured on Campus Motion, send your requests to video@arbiteronline.com

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October 29, 2009 OPINION

OPINION

Halloween:

It’s about more than Power Rangers, Snickers Bars JOSH GAMBLE Columnnist

As a proud Norse-Celtic-American, I’ve spent a great, and possibly unhealthy, amount of time exploring my ancestral paganism. What I’ve found is that every major holiday, and even holidays like groundhog’s day in February, has its roots in pagan tradition. Conservative parents beware, because the American celebration of Halloween is no exception. As Mr. Moundshroud in Ray Bradbury’s “The Halloween Tree” asked, “Ever wonder why we like dressing up as monsters, beasts and ornery critters?” What about jack-o-lanterns, bobbing for apples and trick-or-treating? Each of these traditions has its root in the old religion of Ireland and Scotland. The end of October marked the end of the year for the Celts; the sun god is dead and the darkness of winter will grow ever thicker until his rebirth at Yule. This event was celebrated along with the harvest as Samhain (literally summer’s end). This dark night was considered to be the time when the veil between worlds was thinnest, bringing gods, ghosts and spirits alike closer to the earth. Bonfires were lit in celebration and folk offered sacrifice and prayers for luck and health in the coming year. From those fires, every family fire was rekindled for the winter to provide light and warmth. According to the online magazine Suite101.com, that night food, ale and tobacco were placed outside for the dead to partake of and candles were lit to guide their way. Men dressed in animal heads and skins to appear as demons, beasts and spirits to the dead or anyone else passing through realms. To quote “The Halloween Tree” again, it was “a good old fashion trick-or-treat.” Even something as innocuous as bobbing for apples comes from the old lore of the British Isles. According to legend, in the heart of Avalon there grows a magical apple tree. Bobbing for apples symbolizes the crossing of the waters by great heroes to obtain these apples. Winners frequently used their prizes for divination or “apple magick,” as suggested by the Chalice Centre for Celtic Spirituality. However, apples also make for a juicy snack to eat while drying by the fire. Perhaps the most potent symbol of Halloween is the great jack-o-lantern. Originally carved in beets and turnips, the jack-o-lantern was used in Ireland to symbolize the souls of those that had died in the previous year and guided them through to the next life. These guides come from the story of the drunken farmer Jack, who one day became so inebriated that his soul fell out of his body. When the devil came to claim it, he asked the devil for one more drink. The devil obliged and, long story short, Jack tricked the devil into leaving him alone forever. Eventually Jack died and, being a mean-spirited sort of man, was denied access to heaven. However, because of his deal with the devil, he couldn’t go to hell either. So the devil gave him a hot coal to light his wanderings of the earth, which he carries in a carved out turnip. Today the majority of America unknowingly keeps these traditions. However, some of those aware of their roots around Boise keep the old ways of Samhain. Oct. 31, Crone’s Cupboard at 712 N. Orchard will be hosting a “Samhain Ritual Drama.” Whether or not you attend, if you keep Halloween, keep it in style. Set the year’s end bonfires and remember those long gone.

OPINION

kids only?

JOHN ROMLEIN II Columnist

Every year on October 31, kids invade the neighborhoods in the United States for trick-or-treating, going door-to-door donning their cutest costumes – anything from pumpkin outfits to professional career suits. Some do it solely for the candy, while others do it for humanitarian purposes, by trick-or-treating for the United Nations Childrens Fund, or UNICEF. Various age groups perform this annual ritual, from preschool all the way up to high school. Yet to nationally syndicated radio talk show host and ESPN commentator Jim Rome, Halloween is exclusively for kids, and teenagers and adults should steer clear. This has become an annual ritual on his radio show every Halloween. “Memo to adults,” Rome declared on his show last year. “A lot of you need to hear this and it doesn’t matter if I do this every single year, a lot of you are not hearing it or getting the message - Halloween is for kids, young kids. It’s not your holiday.” On his show the previous year, he was more insistent. “If it was an adult holiday, they would let you go up and down the street and get candy,” he said. “It stopped being for you when you were eight, and that goes for you teenagers with your pillow cases, throwing on a wig, calling it a costume, and trying to get a bunch of free candy.” Rome’s opinion is that the Halloween costume cut-off age is 10, with the exception of those who are “short or very young for their age.” His exemption also includes women who feel the need to “skank it up” after work by breaking out the devil costume or the “naughty” nurse. For anyone else who dares to don the costumes on Halloween, Rome has a very delicate message for them: “You’re a loser,” he said. “It’s harsh, it’s rough, [and] somebody has to say it.” With Halloween coming up this Saturday, we decided to get reaction to his statement among students who clearly fall under his “no-costume” age group. “Halloween has a lot of historical background,” said chemistry major Kenna Nuttall. “A lot of ancient people have dressed up for the occasion so why should it be changed?” Secondary education major Phillip Byrd added an interesting argument, pointing out the fact that the show focuses on sports commentary. “Does [Rome] think that those people who dress up for sports events are losers too?” However, exchange student Jana Lepple seemed to agree with the show’s point of view. “Trick-or-treating and costumes are cute for kids,” she said. “But once you get above age 15 or 16, why bother? It seems odd.” Despite the objections from Halloween fans locally and from listeners who regularly comment on Rome’s show, which averages 2.5 million listeners weekly according to Arbitron and Talkers Magazine rankings, he stands firm on his belief. “I am paid to say the things that other people think, but can’t say or don’t want to say,” he said. “Truth hurts, but not as much as the rest of us having to look at your costume.”

The Balance of the Juggler

FAWN CAVENEY Columnist

When the 4 a.m. alarm went off this morning I was not clear about what was disturbing my deep slumber. I love nights like that. When you sleep from beginning to end without a moment’s awareness

that you are sleeping. This does not mean of course that I was ready to get up, yet much awaited me to be completed before the rest of the house stirred; this article being first on that list. Already it is Monday and another school week stares me in the face. Where did the weekend go? Soon I will wake two other sleepy heads, get their breakfasts, pack their lunches and make sure they have everything they need for school as we head out the door. Then I will quickly walk back home to round up my stuff, make sure the house is left in a civilized manner and get on my bike to peddle off for the days adventure. As a mom, student, employee, part-

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ner, friend, daughter and sister there are many hats I wear. Like everyone I know there is a juggling game that is played everydaWhat do I really have to get done today, for class, home, kids, myself, etc…? I have discovered as many of you have that there is no magic formula to this equation. It is all a balancing act upon the high wire of life. Each and everyday it is a choice. A game of prioritizing the balls I will juggle. Sometimes I get it all mixed up and I drop every single one of them, grateful they are not eggs that I toss. Picking them back up I learn lessons and make different choices. Quite often I find people like to compare and moan and groan about the number of balls they juggle. I sometimes find myself in that space too. However, I have learned that this does not change the number of balls I juggle nor does it give me more balance upon the wire. In choosing to go back to school full time as a single mom I most certainly did not choose the easiest tight rope. There were other less challenging ropes to

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choose from; ropes with fewer balls and ones that were not so high up. Some days I feel like I make great headway and near the other side. Other days I experience that somehow the rope got stretched or the other side got pushed. As I visit with other students, friends, family and cohorts I smile at the individual and community ropes we walk. We each choose our balls to juggle, some added without our planning or knowing, while others seem to float away despite ourselves. That is life. That is what makes it colorful, challenging and fulfilling. Without the balls it would all become quite known and perhaps even a bit boring. In choosing my balls and the tight rope I walk, I am an engaged active participant in my life. It does me no good to blame or moan. I can always pass one to someone who wishes to help or take one if I can to help another. I can also let go of one, while I maintain my favorites in harmony. Each ball is a unique gift to experience, even if it is Math class.

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October 29, 2009 CULTURE

Opera Idaho to perform ‘Faust’ MARGARET REIMER Journalist

COURTESY OPERA IDAHO

BSU Professor Bill Carman created the above illustration for promotion with Faust.

Opera Idaho will perform the grand opera “Faust” Oct. 30 and Nov. 1 at the South Junior High Auditorium. “Faust” is an opera about an aging man who realizes he has reached the end of his life and still does not know the meaning of existence. He sells his soul to the devil in order to have another chance. The devil then gives him back his youth and helps him seduce the lovely maiden, Marguerite. “Faust” is one of the most popular operas of all time, and is currently the 18th most performed in America. Doug Copsey, founder of Idaho Shakespeare Festival and Boise native, is directing. He said he enjoys the size of this production. It promises to be

large and extravagant. There is a cast of more than fifty singers and costs of $100,000. Included are members of Idaho Dance Theater in order to incorporate a feel of “magic and movement,” according to Copsey. The dancers follow Mephistopheles (the devil) playing his minions. They dive in and create mischief with a wave of their hands. Jacqueline Quirk, soprano, originally of Middletown, N.J. plays Marguerite. Quirk attended Carnegie Mellon as a voice major and New York University as a theater major. She currently lives in Hawaii and travels throughout the United States performing. Quirk said college students should see it because they'll relate. "In college, you are going through a lot of drama, ” she

said. “Opera is all about life, life’s passions and drama.” According to Quirk, music is a universal language, so even if students aren’t familiar with French or Italian, they will know what’s going on because of the music. Quirk knew at a young age that she wanted to be an opera singer. She started out doing Broadway Shakespeare, but in the end knew opera was her passion. “My first voice teacher in high school thought I had operatic potential. I decided in high school I wanted to major in voice," she said. "I thought opera allowed my voice to be its fullest and my acting to be its fullest.” Student Rush tickets will be sold an hour before the show for $15 with student id at the South Junior High Lobby.

CULTURE

David Sedaris to read at Morrison Center MARGARET REIMER Journalist

Writer, humorist, radio contributor and playwright David Sedaris will read at the Morrison Center Saturday Oct. 31. Sedaris is known for his collections of sidesplittingly funny essay collections such as “Me Talk Pretty One Day,” “Naked” and “Dress Your Family in Corduroy.” He has also been a radio contributor on NPR’s “This American Life” where he shared many of his essays including the essay that made him famous. “The Santaland Diaries” was about a job he had as one of Santa’s elves in New York City’s Macy’s. His name was Crumpet. "I am a 33-year-old man applying for a job as an elf,” Sedaris wrote. “I wear green velvet knickers, a forest green velvet smock, and a perky little hat decorated with spangles. This is my

work uniform.” Sedaris is a humor writer who can consistently elicit the kind of laughter that brings a person to tears. His essays are autobiographical and include subjects such as moving to Japan in order to quit smoking, visiting a nudist colony, and 10 days spent in a morgue. In his book “When you are Engulfed by Flames” Sedaris bought a skeleton as a gift for his boyfriend, Hugh. "It's funny how certain objects convey a message," Sedaris writes, itemizing what his household appliances represent to him. "The skeleton has a much more limited vocabulary and says only one thing: 'You are going to die.'" His books also focus on growing up in Raleigh, NC with his dysfunctional Greek-American family. The Sedaris family also produced actress, Amy Sedaris from Comedy Central’s “Strangers with Candy.” She and her brother have written and produced plays together. David Sedaris embodies honesty as a memoirist, sharp wit as a humorist, and a keen eye for social commentary. I have high expectations. I expect his show to blend equal measures of satire and truth,” said Bernice M. Olivas, a senior English major. Though he resides in France and England Sedaris regularly comes back to the United States for book tours visiting 30 cities a tour. Luckily, Boise is on his list and this will be his fifth time visiting.

IMAGE COURTESY THE CABIN

Bernice M. Olivas

David Sedaris embodies honesty as a memoirist, sharp wit as a humorist, and a keen eye for social commentary

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October 29, 2009 SPORTS

There’s room for two in BCS TRENT LOOTENS Producer

The recent Bowl Championship Series standings have put the Broncos in a familiar position behind a team from the Mountain West Conference. This seems to be an ever-forming trend for Boise State 7-0 (2-0 Western Athletic Conference) and a situation that has Bronco nation wondering if it will be left out of the BCS for a third time. Everyone remembers last season. BSU finished the regular season undefeated at 12-0 with a quality win on the road against the Oregon Ducks. The Utah Utes were ranked slightly ahead of the Broncos, guaranteeing them a spot into the BCS. Forcing BSU to hold out hope for the second at-large bid to come their way. When the BCS selection show came on Bronco fans held their breath in anticipation that they would be the second team. But that wish never came true. A 10-2 Ohio State was selected over the Broncos and BSU was left out of the money bowls. The BCS selection committee sent out a message loud and clear - they aren’t going to select two non-automatic qualifiers unless they absolutely have to. “Last year they could have picked us over Ohio State. We were right ahead of Ohio State and they could have taken us if they really wanted to,” Boise State assistant atheltic director Max Corbet said. “Obviously we couldn’t compete because of the Big 10, travel, the money. But we were in position to do it.” At the beginning of the 2009 season the Broncos were sitting pretty. They had just defeated Oregon for the second straight year and were positioned perfectly in the polls to be this season’s BCS buster. Losses by Brigham Young and Utah eliminated them from the equation, but TCU continued to win. TCU 7-0 (3-0 MWC) won earlier in the season over Clemson and Air Force, but their win last week over Brigham Young 38-7 favored them over BSU in the BCS computers - which accounts for a third of the BCS formula. TCU catapulted to No. 6 and BSU’s worst nightmares became reality falling from No. 4 to No. 7. The Broncos rank No. 5 ahead of the Horned Frogs in both the USA Today Coaches Poll and the Harris Poll - the human polls account for the other two thirds of the formula. The odds of the BCS selection commit-

ILLUSTRATION BY AUDREY SWIFT/THE ARBITER

tee accepting two non-automatic qualifiers remains unlikely - as we witnessed last year - but the chances of it happening now might be higher because BSU and TCU rank so high. “You’re looking at the Boise State-Ohio State scenario with TCU mixed in all over. They’re going to protect their people. Unless we we’re No. 4 and TCU was No. 5 or something,” Corbet said. “How can you not do that when they’re both ranked that high? Now you really look like you’re slapping them. But it definitely could happen.” WAC commissioner Karl Benson has been through all of this before and knows the BCS system favors schools from automatic qualifying conferences (ACC, Big East, Big-10, Pac-10, SEC, and Big-12). This year, though, he thinks the computers will fluctuate until the end

of the season. “The computer polls are pretty volatile. It wouldn’t surprise me to see that change as the teams continue to win. I’m not alarmed or necessarily surprised that there was movement in the computer polls,” Benson said. For BSU to be selected automatically into a BCS bowl they must finish as the highest non-automatic qualifier over TCU or hope one of the teams from the AQ conferences finishes the season lower than No. 16. There’s no clear way to tell right now who will finish higher between TCU and BSU, and the odds of one of the AQ conferences not being able to produce a team higher than No. 16 is unlikely. “The BCS is not a system that assigns every team. It just determines AQ’s and determines whom of the non-AQ’s can be

made for selection by the bowls,” BCS administrator Bill Hancock said. “The possibility of a bowl selecting a second team from a Non-AQ conference is intriguing to me. Personally, it’s not fair for me to speculate on what a bowl might do.” All BSU can do now is continue to win and hope TCU loses somewhere along the road. TCU’s schedule is favorable as they still have No. 16 Utah to play at home. BSU has no ranked teams remaining on their schedule making TCU’s strength of schedule stronger - a major plus in the computers. At this point, BSU’s best shot to overtake TCU relies heavily on what No. 10 Oregon 6-1 (4-0 Pac-10) does for the remainder of the season. Oregon plays at home this week against No. 5 USC. If the Ducks lose that game, BSU can more than likely kiss the BCS goodbye.

Last year they could have picked us over Ohio State. We were right ahead of Ohio State and they could have taken us if they really wanted to. - Boise State assistant athletic director Max Corbet

SPORTS

Broncos busting means economic stimulus KIRK BELL Editor

There is a question often raised by students at BSU. What do the Boise State Broncos, specifically the football program, bring to the university? For an answer, look no further than new buildings, the crowded classrooms and increased revenue from being in the national spotlight. Most of which comes in the form of academic support. BSU’s desire to move into the realm of superior research institutions could see a large boost from the upcoming college football bowl season. “Our previous BCS experience had a profound effect on the university beyond the financial payoff,” BSU director of communications and marketing Frank Zang said. “The success of the football program has been a vital part of the momentum that Boise State has gained in its transformation into a metropolitan research university. Admissions, fundraising, alumni relations and merchandise sales all spiked because of the awareness generated by being on the national stage in football. Both the athletic and academic areas got a terrific boost and the carryover still exists today.” This was most recently seen in the form of a $2.5 million gift from the David and Debra Larsen Family Foundation. The Larsens have been a part of the Boise community since 1956. Their association with the greater Boise

community since, is translated in the form of monetary support but, in reality, is so much more. A successful athletic program warrants the expansion of athletic facilities in hope of seeing even more recognition to the university as a whole. Head football coach Chris Petersen and his wife, Barbara, donated $150,000 in May this year toward a new College of Business and Economics building to be erected on the corner of University drive. and Capital blvd. where the University Inn currently stands. According to Zang, a front page article of the USA Today, “inspired a Califor-

translate into similar results. The Broncos have already attracted clear national attention. As a result of the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, BSU saw a 9.1 percent spike in enrollment, sending the number of students over the 19,000 mark for the first time in history. The bookstore, according to Zang, shipped merchandise to all 50 states. This resulted in a $1.75 million for scholarships via sales. Where other universities have experienced the same return in athletic success each year, it is still a new experience for BSU. Another BCS showing could bring much need money in from a struggling eco-

$4.2 million directly from the Fiesta Bowl victory. New arrangements would lower that to $3 million. “The university seems to be absorbing it right now but you don’t know what’s coming down the pipe,” BSU associate athletic director Max Corbet said. For now, certain improvements are frozen while waiting for new money to come forth. A freeze on hiring has also been implemented in athletics, yet another measure to slow spending where it can be curtailed. Some of the money could result from the birth Leerfield Sports Marketing. The naming

Admissions, fundraising, alumni relations and merchandise sales all spiked because of the awareness generated by being on the national stage in football. - BSU director of communications and marketing Frank Zang nia alumnus to pledge $250,000 for the new business building.” “Athletics is a window to the university and the Fiesta Bowl journey provided unprecedented media coverage of the university, valued at between $100-$150 million by the Boise Valley Economic Partnership,” Zang said. “It was a story that touched people’s souls, and to this day, we still hear stories about the impact of the Fiesta Bowl. Part of that was due to the incredible nature of the game’s outcome, but also because it was Boise State’s first BCS experience which cannot be repeated.” The potential of another BCS berth could

nomic climate. The BSU athletic department announced $750,000 cutback early this year to brace itself for possible economic shortcomings. Western Athletic Commissioner, Karl Benson, recognized the impact of BSU’s last BCS visit. He is well aware of where it could take the university in regard to the economy. “The more money we have flowing into the conference, the more resources the schools can have,” Benson said. This season could see another $10 million in revenue flowing into the conference when it could use it the most. Boise State received

rights to Bronco Stadium could create similar revenue as was seen with the Taco Bell Arena. “Unless somebody steps in with naming rights to the stadium or donates a big chunk like the Taco Bell money was or like the Larsen money was, it’s going to be a slow row. Especially in this economic times,” Corbet said. The implications for BSU going to another BCS game means a boost to a university that makes money go far and struggles more than many others when money is lacking. Like Zang said, the results of the 2007 Fiesta Bowl can never be repeated. But it can be regenerated through a 2010 BCS bid.

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October 29, 2009 OPINION

to you: Carpe Diem Bronco fans BRENDAN SHERRY Journalist

Last year Bronco fans hoped an undefeated season and an impressive win over Oregon would be enough to earn Boise State another trip to a BCS bowl. After all, the last time that Boise State went to a BCS game, they were undefeated and had a big win over Oregon State. The two seasons were comparable, an unblemished record and a key victory over a PAC-10 team. Things were looking good for Boise State until a team from the Mountain West Conference also ran the table and took BSU's title as “BCS Buster.” This year was supposed to be different. Boise State was the highest ranked team from a non-BCS conference before the season. The experts were saying that if BSU took care of business, they would be a lock for a BCS bowl by the end of the season. Once again, the Broncos had the opportunity to go undefeated and have a trademark victory over a good PAC-10 team.

Unfortunately, for the Bronco faithful there is another team from the Mountain West that appears to be raining on their BCS parade. This time it is TCU. The Horned Frogs have put together an impressive resume en route to a 7-0 record. With victories over two BCS conference teams and a win last week over a ranked BYU team, TCU has jumped Boise State in the latest BCS Polls. It just didn’t seem fair Sunday when the Broncos dropped to seventh and were left looking up at the sixth-ranked Horned Frogs. They did everything the experts told them to do; they had a convincing win against Oregon and they were taking care of the rest their schedule. But the drop in the rankings indicated the Broncos did something wrong. Surely if they fell in the rankings they must have had a close call or some other reason to drop. Instead the Broncos came out and had one of their best performances of the year in Hawai'i. The release of the latest polls made it feel as if a BSU return to the BCS would be impossible. Everyone on sports talk radio and television has seems

to count Boise State out, and name TCU as the heir to the BCS Buster crown. But fans must not worry. There is still plenty of football to be played. It can be tough to remember that it is the middle of the season and the Broncos still have six more games on their schedule. However, it is important to realize that it wasn’t so long ago when schools like California, Ohio State, BYU and Mississippi were all ranked ahead of Boise State. Now all of those schools have two losses and are out of the big picture. College football has more parity than ever and there will likely be enough upsets in the upcoming weeks to stir the top 10. Broncos fans must sit back enjoy the fact that there is a top 10 program in town. The BCS continues to get more confusing every waking minute and things don’t seem to be changing anytime soon. Watching the way the polls change every week can be stressful but the week to week drama is what makes college football great. Boise State fans should start drinking the Kool-Aid of Coach Petersen and take the season one week at a time.

JOSH RASMUSSEN/THE ARBITER

CULTURE

Japanese A language of innovation, endeavor TONY RODGERS Journalist

Everyone should be exposed to a new language or learn a foreign language while in college. There are literally hundreds to choose from still spoken today, and some people find it easy to choose which to learn. For many it’s a matter of heritage, while others may simply have a friend who speak the language. Boise State offers 12, with classes being taught both semesters in a wide variety of languages and cultures. But say you are interested in learning a language, but can’t pick which one. Well, if you are a visual learner, or simply like fish and rice or nightlife, then Japanese is the language for you. Japanese is the 11th most often spoken language in the world today. Though the origin of the Japanese language is disputed, it is easily agreed that Japanese is one of the oldest languages still spoken, with a development between 500 B.C. and 300 A.D. Around 600 A.D., the Chinese language influenced the Japanese people to integrate Chinese characters into conversation, bringing us to the present day, where the language focuses on three different alphabets. One alphabet is dedicated to Japanese words, another to foreign words, and lastly one that is comprised of Chinese characters.

It’s the prospect of learning three different alphabets that really turn people away from the idea of learning Japanese. Although it does provide a challenge, it is immensely rewarding. “I’m learning the language so that one day I can fight over there,” Phil Shiplett, professional UFC fighter said. “I love the aspect of immersing myself in a new language, and although Japanese is harder than I expected, it is much more rewarding than I could have asked for.” Japanese 101 freshman, Scott Stinger, eventually wants to live and work in Japan doing his profession. “I want to open up my own psychology practice in Japan. Learning the language will help me communicate with my clients , as well as develop relationships down the road," Stinger said. Tetsuya Ehara has been teaching Japanese at Boise State since 2002, and curiously enough, at first didn’t want to teach Japanese in America. “I originally wanted to be a cultural anthropologist, and I came to America for graduate school,” Ehara said. “When I couldn’t find a job in my field, I had to look elsewhere, and ended up teaching my language to others.” After teaching Japanese for seven years, Ehara has been able to notice some trends. “There has been a steady increase in enrollment every year, which makes the department chair happy,” Ehara said. Currently classes in the language itself are offered with 101-102 being beginner to intermediate courses, and 201-202 being intermediate to expert courses. The International programs office enables students to apply for a direct exchange to Hosei University or Asia university, both in Tokyo. There are also study abroad programs in many other locales around the country of Japan. “I plan on applying for a direct exchange next year,” Stinger said. “Total immersion will help me decide if this is truly what I want to do.” Japan has one of the largest economies in the world, as well as good resources for college students studying anything from economics to education. “Learning Japanese makes you so much more marketable

GLENN LANDBERG/THE ARBITER

Izumi Endo teaches a Japanese language lab Monday afternoon than if you just know one language,” Ehara said. “Really any major can be supplemented with Japanese. Learning Japanese also opens your mind to others around you.” For Japanese 101 student Andrew LaJoie, learning Japanese opens the door many others have shut. “It’s a language that very few people know in relation to others,” Lajoie said. “It opens up so many possibilities that other languages can give you.” Ehara recommends learning a new language period, even if it’s not Japanese. “Learning a new language in general is the best way to open yourself up to the world community.”

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October 29, 2009 OPINION

A worthwhile workout; Cardio for cans HALEY ROBINSON

to support the program. Students who register log the amount of cardio activity he or she does and for every 60 minutes one can of food is donated to the Idaho Food Bank. The program collects the food from Sunday Nov. 1 until Monday Nov. 30. Last year, the program yielded nearly 650 pounds of food for donation and this year, the Rec strives to eclipse that amount. Assistant Director of Fitness Programs, Kate Shaine hopes that Cardio for Cans

Journalist

Next month, a student can give his or her heart to a new cause. The Boise State Rec Center is promoting Cardio for Cans this November for the second year. This exciting incentive program encourages students to get a good cardio workout while simultaneously giving back to the community. Sponsors have donated food and gift cards

will turn in to an annual event because of the fantastic turnout last year. About 75 students signed up to participate and, according to Shaine, there were many students who wanted to get involved with the event even after the registration date was over. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The goal of the incentive programs is to get people excited about their workouts,â&#x20AC;? Shaine said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;They encourage folks to get out of their workout rut and try something new.â&#x20AC;?

As this event is going on, there will also be a food drive with donation bins inside the rec, so even the students who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to participate in the workout can still help give back to the community. Registration is free to Rec members. It began Wednesday, Oct. 21 and concludes Friday Nov. 6. Students who are interested in participating can register online at rec. boisestate.edu to help others while they help themselves.

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