December 7, 2009

Gay rights in America unequal

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Boise State cruise past Aggies

Maladroids give us the low down

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I SSU E

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The Independent Student Voice of Boise State Since 1933

Volume 22

First Issue

F R E E December 07, 2009

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Fiesta Bowl Bound

BSU prepares for rematch against Horned Frogs; This time for BCS bragging rights

Fans celebrate during the Bronco’s regular season finale against New Mexico State. The Broncos earned a BCS birth against the Horned Frogs.

TRENT LOOTENS

ter the announcement Sunday night.

The Broncos completed their second straight undefeated regular season Saturday against New Mexico State. Despite the win, there was still just an outside chance to get a spot in the BCS until Texas beat Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship game.

Texas Christian gained the automatic bid for being the highest ranked non-automatic qualifying team, which left the Broncos in the pool of teams hoping for an at-large selection.

This has been a roller coaster year for BSU to say the least. The Broncos handled Oregon in their first game of the season in route to a 19-8

win and were supposed to be the overwhelming favorite to bust the BCS, but TCU put together a stronger body of work and passed BSU in the standings. Critics said TCU’s passing of BSU in the BCS Standings all but buried the Broncos’ chance of getting into the BCS. Everything needed to work out just right for BSU to get invited to the Fiesta Bowl bowl. First USC needed to lose, then Oklahoma State and finally Nebraska on a last second field goal in the Big 12 Championship game.

This is the first time in the history of the BCS two non-automatic qualifying schools received invitations to one of college football’s most prestigious bowl games.

Rose Bowl

Orange Bowl

Sugar Bowl

Oregon vs. Ohio State

Iowa vs. Georgia Tech

Florida vs. Cincinnati

Producer

After an anxious 24 hour wait, the prayers of the Boise State Broncos have finally been answered. Boise State received news Sunday that they will be playing Texas Christian University in the Fiesta Bowl bowl in Glendale, Ariz., Jan. 4, 2010. The game will be a rematch of last year's Poinsettia Bowl where TCU twon 17-16.

“We feel great. We got what we wanted. We got a great opponent who some feel should’ve played in the national championship game," Boise State head coach Chris Petersen said af-

KIM KING

Western Athletic Conference Commissioner Karl Benson praised the recently proposed ASBSU resolution during the Boise State football game against New Mexico Saturday.

The resolution addresses the Bowl Championship Series selection process and its history of overlooking smaller institutions in favor of those more established.

Benson called it both timely and appropriate.

“It sends a strong message,” he said. “This is about winning the game - not experience, strength of schedule, or quality of opponents. Anyone who remains undefeated two years in a row deserves a chance.”

The resolution was written

by Sen. Chase Johnson and passed unanimously by a student senate vote Tuesday.

“The purpose of this resolution is to articulate the student government’s opinion on the BCS bowl selection process,”

Johnson said. “It was drafted to come to the defense of our fellow students, our university, the athletic department, and the Boise State football program in the face of potential injustice.”

The Broncos have dominated the WAC, winning seven of the last eight titles, including the 2005 shared title with Nevada.

After an undefeated finish last season, they were left out of the large and well paying BCS bowl games and instead, played TCU in the smaller Poinsettia Bowl.

“A BCS bowl game makes a huge impact on the economy and results in a higher quality education,” Johnson said.

“Last year we gained less than a million when a bigger bowl could have generated much more for the university.”

According to ESPN, if the Broncos are selected by the BCS to play in a bowl game, it will mean a $4.5 million payout. A total of $228 million was paid to colleges and universities last year.

Benson agrees money is a

WHAT’S INSIDE

motivating factor.

“This is a market driven system,” he said. “But Boise State has already proven themselves on the field. If given a chance, they will prove they can deliver both ways.”Since the writing and subsequent passing of the resolution, Johnson has received criticism for the strong wording. Some fear it may have a negative impact on BCS officials.

“Phrases like a severe breach in professional decorum and a history of outrageous discrimination have produced unexpected consequences,” Johnson said. “I didn’t mean to alienate or give officials the wrong impression.”

He said his intentions were to motivate change and give them something to consider.

“The impression is given that undue preference is given to the affluent, wealthy, and established college football programs,” he said.

“Boise State is still new to this while other teams have been around for decades.”

NEWS 1–2

“We know TCU fairly well. We couldn’t have been matched up against a tougher opponent.

They do a tremendous job and are a very good team," Petersen said.

A big concern for the BCS selection committee was fan travel. BSU has built a strong following over the last few years stemming from its monumental 43-42 win over Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl. It’s likely the committee took notice of BSU’s fan support and decided to pit them against the Horned Frogs.

"Were excited for the opportunity," Boise State sophomore quarterback Kellen Moore said. "We’re excited playing on the biggest possible stage."

BCS Championship Texas vs. Alabama

Dean of College of Health Sciences to resign

WAC Commissioner lauds student senate resolution JOURNALIST

MITCH ESPLIN/THE ARBITER

MIKE JOHNSON JOURNALIST

The dean of the College of Health Sciences, James Girvan, will resign from his position after this semester.

The search for a new dean continues this week. Stepping down from his position to continue as a full-time faculty member until he retires in 2011, Girvan has had a lengthy career as a professor and dean.

Girvan came to BSU in 1999, after a 13-year career at Idaho State University, as associate dean of the College of Health Sciences.

He became the dean position three years later. With a doctorate in Health Education from the University of Oregon, Girvan has taught numerous classes for the College of Health Sciences including epidemiology, biostatistics, community program evaluation, issues in health policy and others.

As dean, Girvan served as a representative for the

OPINION 3

campus and the College of Health Sciences to internal and external communities throughout the Valley. He has served as a member of the St. Alphonsus Hospital Mission Committee, the Board of the Family Medicine Residency of Idaho, the Board of the United Way of Treasure Valley and has chaired the Area Health Education Consortium Board.

Girvan decided to resign as dean to continue teaching due to his life-long desire to spend his last years in academia doing what he loves, teaching.

“I wouldn’t be dean if I couldn’t teach,” Girvan said.

“I love teaching.”

Overall, Girvan’s experience at Boise State has been incredibly positive.

“BSU is a fantastic place,” Girvan said. “There’s a really terrific relationship between the community and the campus that a lot of colleges talk about but here it is actually practiced.”

Girvan will be missed

SPORTS 4–5

as dean of the College of Health Sciences. Professor Jeri Bigbee has worked with dean Girvan for the past three years.

“He is a visionary, caring leader who has taken the College of Health Sciences to new heights during his time as dean,” Bigbee said.

“He is extremely supportive of students, faculty, staff and the community.”

The Provost’s office is currently deciding between three candidates to fill Girvan’s vacant position.

The applicants include current associate dean of the College of Health Sciences, Pamela Springer Ph. D., and external applicants Michael G. Lacourse Ph. D. and Tim Dunnagan Ph. D., according to the Office of the Provost’s Web site.

“The sky’s the limit,” Girvan said, offering his advice to the applicants. “They’re coming to a very good place at a very good time…where there’s a lot of energy and a lot of enthusiasm.”

CULTURE 7–8 The Arbiter ! arbiteronline.com

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NEWS

December 07, 2009

HEADLINES WORLD

MCT CAMPUS

University of Texas at Dallas chess team’s trip to Cuba is about more than the game HAVANA -For Magaly Spector, life itself has often felt like a game of chess. Born here 57 years ago, the young Spector knew only the fiercest poverty. Her family, she says, was “very, very, very poor,” confined to a Cuban ghetto with a common bathroom and a bucket for a shower.

She was raised by a single mom, who had a seventhgrade education, and by her illiterate grandmother. Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution did nothing less than change her life. It provided her with an education, leading to a doc-

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torate in physics. “I could not have had the opportunities I have had,” she says, “without the revolution.”

So each time Spector returns to Havana, the feelings are bittersweet, as they are on a humid Friday in midOctober. Spector is leading a delegation of chess players from the University of Texas at Dallas to the azure seas of her native land.

The six students include international masters and even a grandmaster, but they have nothing on Spector, who at 15 was a Cuban chess champ.

On this trip, she’s the queen of the board, leading an army of rooks, bishops and knights to the land she left behind.

Since 2008, Spector has served as vice president for diversity and community engagement at UTD, whose reputation for chess is an international success story. Its players have journeyed far and wide, even to China.

including senior army officers and their children, as they gathered for prayers at a mosque for soldiers in Rawalpindi, the home of Pakistan’s military headquarters.

Five active-duty officers died in the small-arms, grenade and suicide bomb attack, Maj. Gen. Bilal Umar, the director general of the army’s armored corps; a brigadier; two lieutenant colonels; and a major _ the military said in a statement. Gen. Mohammad Yusuf, a former vice chief of the military, was among the 75 people who were wounded.

At least 11 of the 17 children who died were the sons of army officers, including the son of a major general and the sons of two brigadiers. The fathers of three senior officers, including the father of a major general, also were killed.

At least 36 killed in attack on Pakistani mosque

Widow of victim in mass slaying in Seattle 26 years ago fears parole of convicts

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan - Islamic extremists killed at least 36 people Friday,

NATIONAL

SEATTLE - Lin Yee Wong listened Friday as the inter-

preter read her handwritten letter that detailed in Chinese the memories of her husband who was slain more than 26 years ago in the worst mass killing in Seattle’s history.

Gim Lun Wong was among 13 people hogtied, robbed and fatally shot when three men entered the Wah Mee social club in the Chinatown International District on Feb. 19, 1983. A 14th victim survived.

In the years since, Lin Yee Wong said she has been able to conceal her grief until now, with prison time possibly nearing an end for one of the three men convicted in the killings.

“I want to cry, but I’m all out of tears,” the interpreter read from the widow’s letter.

“Sadness that has been hidden in me has all of a sudden come up.”

The state’s Indeterminate Sentence Review Board, or parole board, is weighing whether to let Wai-Chiu “Tony” Ng begin serving the final stage of his prison sentence. If permission is granted, Ng could be released from prison as early as 2014.

Faculty members receive awards at reception Arbiter Staff Department of art assistant professor Jill Fitterer and co-

ordinator of new faculty services in the Provost’s Office, Helen Lojek were honored at a reception Thursday Dec. 3.

Fitterer received the fifth annual Faculty Partner Award.

The award was created in 2005 to recognize faculty members who serve as strong positive role models, showing their commitment to shared values while providing support and service to students beyond classroom teaching or research responsibilities.

“Jill is a faculty member who believes in her students and believes in the importance of education outside of the classroom,” said Holly Gilchrist, fine arts manager in the Student Union, who nominated Fitterer for the award. “She constantly and consistently encourages her students to become involved.”

Lojek was recognized with a brand new award, the Vice President for Student Affairs Recognition Award for Exemplary Service for Students.

Lojek is an emeritus professor in the department of English and has served as associate dean for the College

of Arts and Sciences.

“Dr. Lojek has left a mark on the English Department, as well as Boise State University, which will last for a long while,” said Michael Laliberte, vice president for student affairs. “Her standards for teaching, for research and service to our students will remain a benchmark to which those who come after will be compared.

This year’s nominees included: Dr. Jeri Bigbee, nominated by Vincent Serio; Dr. John Francis, nominated

by Anne Evans; Dr. Linda Huglin, nominated by Wendy Turner; Dr. Michael Humphrey, nominated by Melissa Wintrow and Jeff Hale; Dr. Lisa McClain, nominated by Fancisco Salinas; Dr. Nick Miller, nominated by Brian MacDonald; Dr. Steven Patrick, nominated by Jennifer Iuvone; Ann Price, nominated by Blaine Eckles; and Dr. Dora Ramirez-Dhoore, nominated by Ro Parker.

FREE RIDE TO WORSHIP Looking for a place to call home?

MCT CAMPUS

Stakes are high as doubt is cast on forensic lab techniques FORT WORTH, Texas - See this gun. Hold it.

After examining the gun and an evidence bullet, a firearms examiner tells you that this was the weapon used in a shooting.

As proof, he shows you the observations and comparison he has made using a microscope that reveals patterns of striations on the bullet. If the patterns correspond from test-fire to test-fire and to the bullet, the examiner says the bullet is “a match” to the firearm.

Firearms analysis has helped convict Texas defendants for decades. Others’ crimes were purportedly exposed by dog sniffing, hairs at crime scenes, latent fingerprints and gunpowder flakes.

Now it’s up to the state com-

mission tasked with investigating crime labs to move forward on a charge that will draw intense scrutiny to such analyses.

The Texas Forensic Science Commission had planned last month to begin a series of discussions about a national report that opened a Pandora’s box of questions about crime lab techniques.

The National Academy of Sciences, advisers to Congress and the president - reported that conclusions about bullet matching are opinion, not fact.

Most other identification methods widely used by forensic scientists, the panel advised, also haven’t been validated.

WHAT THE? Oh honey, i need to speak with you ... Now!!

A man in Buckinghamshire, England, married his fourth wife without bothering to divorce his third. The third wife subsequently sent a letter with divorce papers to his home, which was opened

by Wife Number Four.

Thefts up for third straight week 114 PERCENT INCREASE FROM OCTOBER BENJAMIN MACK Journalist

Though down slightly from previous weeks, theft remained the sole crime reported on campus last week. November concluded with a total of 15 incidents of theft reported on campus, a whopping 114 percent increase from October, when only seven incidents were reported.

The past week also continued the trend of thefts occurring in decidedly bizarre fashion. On Sunday Nov. 29, a suspect broke into a student’s room in Taylor Hall, stole the student’s keys, and took their car for the weekend before returning it.

There were no reports of sexual assault on campus in the past week.

According to University Security, a person can avoid becoming a victim of theft by keeping valuable belongings with them at all times, and not leaving items such as laptops, cell phones and iPods unattended.

When locking a bike, it is recommended to use a sturdy metal lock rather than a rope or chain, as thieves can cut them with wire or bolt cutters. It is also recommended to always lock car doors, and students who live in dorms are advised to lock their doors when they’re not in the room.

Statistics show that the areas on campus that experience the highest rate of crime are the Greenbelt and the Rec Center locker rooms.

More resources are available by visiting University Security’s website, http://finad.boisestate.edu/security.

Campus Crime Log: Nov. 23-30 Courtesy of University Security Trinity will provide shuttle service to and from it’s band driven worship experience each Sunday.

December 13th, 20th, Begins again January 24th

Pick up time is 10 a.m. in front of the Studen Union Building Check us out at our website: www.tpcboise.org

Nov. 29 — Burglary and Joy Riding – A suspect entered a student’s room in Taylor Hall without permission and took their car keys. The suspect then took the victim’s vehicle for the weekend and returned it afterward. A report was taken, and a follow-up is under way.

Nov. 30 — Theft – A Boise State ID card was taken from a locker in the locker room at the Rec Center.

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OPINION

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December 07, 2009

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Too much time for giving thanks HALEY ROBINSON Journalist

Homophobia - the ignored American epidemic JOSH GAMBLE Columnist

I am about to say something that will shock and appall, especially those who read my column regularly. I have to confess, I do not have much of a problem with conservatives. Surprising, I know. However, I do have a rather enormous issue with bigots. I was reminded of this Dec. 2, when a woman was found stuffing copies of the Arbiter with white-supremacist flyers. These flyers spewed a hateful and poorly written statement regarding African-Americans following a list of categories of people who were at risk for HIV/AIDS. The categories included African-Americans, bisexuals and drug users.

These flyers certainly stirred up buzz around the Arbiter office. However, what was deemed to be most offensive was the racist message. No one other than me felt the need to point out the homophobia included in the message. This brings me, in perhaps the most round-about way possible, to my first point. Homophobia is an everpresent and often ignored epidemic in our society.

Whether it’s on television, in our legislation or in the English language itself, someone’s always taking shots at the gay community.

Well I’m sick of the oppressive attitudes directed toward homosexuals.

According to contemporary nomenclature, when something is stupid or unfair, it’s “gay.” When someone doesn’t fit the standard of manliness, they’re called a “fag.” In entertainment, gay men aren’t people, they’re caricatures; the only aspect of their personality the viewer sees is limp-wristed, care-free flamboyance. Lesbians are shown as either nymphomaniacs or asexual, leather-clad trolls. If this is what American voters believe about homosexuals, it’s no wonder our laws are biased

against them.

Here’s my second point: there shouldn’t even BE a “gay rights” debate. There is no good reason to bar homosexual couples from the same rights, privileges and responsibilities that heterosexual couple receive. Some people argue that to allow gay marriage would “change the definition of marriage.”

Yes, this is true. So what?

There is no way gay people can “threaten the sanctity of marriage,” especially not when marriage isn’t exactly sacred in our society anyway. If marriage was sacred, we wouldn’t have the divorce rate that we do in our country. We wouldn’t have senators and governors sleeping around either.

an abomination. If you have ever worn a shirt made with mixed fabric, sport a tattoo or have ever once masturbated, then you have committed an abomination.

Another rationalization for homophobic behavior is the story of Sodom. This story, like many others (such as the story of Jesus and the woman at the well), has been misinterpreted and has nothing to do with homosexuality. However, it has everything to do with pride, greed and unkindness. Oh, and gang-rape, I can’t forget about that. I’m pretty sure most gay people are against gang-rape.

The Bible never once condemns homosexuality.

In fact, there isn’t even a word for homosexuality in Hebrew or Greek. There are two reasons the Bible spoke against same-sex relations. The first is that it doesn’t produce babies.

The second reason is this: other religions were okay with it. The ancient Jews wanted to set themselves apart from other religions by outlawing some things permitted or used in their rituals. If you want to follow the Bible literally, go stone Mark Sanford for adultery and forbid all contraception, then stone anyone who gets pregnant.

I see a problem there.

Here’s my main issue with the way the legal system treats gay people: they seem to forget that gay people count as people. “Gay bashing” was only legally considered a hate crime as of last month.

In many states, the “gay panic” defense for murder still holds up in court. Last week New York State Senate killed a marriage equality bill by a wide margin. America has a long way to go before achieving equality.

The way I see it, giving gay people equal rights and protection under the law only threatens one thing. That’s the self-assumed superiority and deeply entrenched bigotry of the Christian right.

Tell me I’m wrong, I dare you.

The Bible never once condemns homosexuality. In fact, there isn’t even a word for homosexuality in Hebrew or Greek.

Moreover, marriage is administered by the state and therefore has no business being non-secular.

Churches can refuse to perform marriage ceremonies if they wish, but government officials shouldn’t have the right to refuse a marriage license to any couple. Contrary to what the homophobic right wants to believe, America is not a theocracy. The American government isn’t supposed to legislate morality, and even if it could, there is nothing immoral about homosexuality.

I’ll argue by the average evangelical’s rules -the Bible. Anti-gay activists often cite Leviticus’s list of abominations as reason to keep gay couples oppressed. However, this list includes many, many things.

If you enjoy bacon, seafood or produce grown using crop-rotation, then you have committed

Boise State committed to healthy, safe environment FRANCISCO SALINAS Guest Opinion

On Tuesday, Dec. 1 the world recognized World AIDS day as part of the annual worldwide campaign to raise awareness, combat discrimination and spotlight the remaining needs and important progress related to this devastating disease.

On the Boise State University campus it was marked by excellent and poignant programming provided by A.L.P.H.A. (Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS), the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, Health Wellness and Counseling Services and Boise State’s Division of Student Affairs.

It was also (unfortunately) marked by a blatant and profane act of racism, homophobia, hatred and discrimination.

The purpose of my response as the Director of Student Diversity and Inclusion, is to state very clearly

that acts of this sort do not represent the values that we are so proud of at Boise State University and to educate others about the insidious tactics used in this flyer that are frequently used by hate groups to spread racism, homophobia and hatred.

Finally, I want to assure our students, faculty, staff and fellow community members that we are acting swiftly to investigate and respond on multiple levels as we take this matter most seriously.

As stated in the Shared Values and the Student Code of Conduct, Boise State University is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all its students.

The malicious flyer that was distributed on campus and secretly inserted into The Arbiter creates an intimidating and hostile environment for those groups of students, faculty and staff targeted by the flyer.

How can any member of those groups go about their regular business on campus

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without feeling the eyes of everyone else on campus upon them? This tactic of creating an “us or them” mentality is one frequently used by hate groups to create distrust between groups of people.

At Boise State University our shared values of Respect, Fairness, and Caring state very clearly that we are a campus united against any divisiveness or discrimination.

The flyer distributed on our campus by an unknown source used several tactics to hide its real message under the guise of providing legitimate information for students.

First they tried to borrow the cloak of legitimacy from the Arbiter, a trusted source of information on campus, by secretly inserting the flyers into the Arbiter after they were on the stands. The Arbiter has already forcefully repudiated this action.

This flyer distributed on your campus is blatant hatred. Although it is disguised

as credible information, (the implication that the CDC is a source) it is definitively packaged in old fashioned racism and homophobia.

I encourage you to visit the CDC Web site www.cdc. gov for real information. The “fact” from the flyer is not included among the real CDC pages or information. Perhaps not surprisingly upon a cursory web search of the specific word combination used in this flyer (black males are….) the first and most prominent sources that pop up are hate sites.

The “facts” that were presented to you in this flyer are obfuscations meant to legitimize hate from the ugliest kinds of very familiar sources and to reinforce negative stereotypes and feelings between groups which AIDS itself does not discriminate against. This is the modern means of the philosophical and emotional descendants of the KKK and nothing more.

The flyer suggested that

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in order for you not to catch AIDS that you should refrain from having sex with: a) intravenous drug abusers b) bisexuals and c) blacks (citing the Centers for Disease Control as a source for the one “fact” contained in the flyer).

It also claims that all blacks (this time not just males) are STD “factories” and in a clear reference to a blatant kind of racism in America that is a direct descendant of the “n***** lover” sentiment the piece closes with “once u go black we don’t want u back.”

This act was a deliberate attack against our safe and inclusive environment.

The final chapter of the history of the Civil Rights movement in the United States is far from complete.

Francisco Salinas is the Director of Student Diversity and Inclusion at Boise State.

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With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror, students now have a nice, long winter break on the horizon. The problem, however, is that students are now trapped in the awkward limbo between a week long break and the prospect of another lengthy break.

For three weeks students are forced to shake the feeling of relief from school felt over the first break, and concentrate on some of the most important projects and exams of the semester. It seems that a week off so close to another long vacation throws students for a loop and makes it difficult for them to focus on the last few weeks of the semester.

The first major problem with this length of a break is the loss of concentration from which students suffer. Distracted with vacations, family time or food, many people ignore the future school obligations. Thoughts of exams and projects fall by the wayside.

Forcing the brain to return to school after 11 days off can be extremely difficult for many who are anxious to wrap up the semester.

Another issue is the common lack of productivity.

Many students with good intentions of getting ahead of the game over the break usually end up accomplishing less than expected. Homework is forgotten or postponed to do other interesting activities or even just to do nothing. Then, when students get back to school, they are overwhelmed with the loads of work that were rejected until the last second.

Also, a week is excessive for students who live too far away to travel back home. Many find it inconvenient to return so close to winter break. Then, if they can’t afford the commute twice in a row, they are left to find another family to spend the holiday with or are just left alone to mull around an empty campus.

It seems illogical to work solidly for 13 weeks, then have a week off, then have three weeks back, and then have an entire month break. It causes stress on the students and makes it extremely difficult for many to be diligent about their work for the awkward three weeks in between. Though many college students are self admitted procrastinators, giving them a week off to allow work to mount is not helpful when it gets down to the wire.

It would make more sense to spread out some of the days allotted for Thanksgiving throughout previous weeks and shorten the vacation to a four day weekend instead.

Perhaps Boise State should reconsider this strangely long hiatus so close to winter break.

To turn this holiday into more of a long weekend would be a compromise, giving students a few days off to regroup while not giving them enough time off to lose sight of the end of the semester.

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Letters to the Editor must not exceed 300 words and must include the writer’s full name, city, state and major (if applicable). All submissions are subject to, but will not necessarily be edited. Both guest opinions and Letters to the Editor may be sent via e-mail to managingeditor@arbiteronline.com. The Arbiter cannot verify the accuracy of statements made in guest submissions. Opinions expressed by guest and staff columnists reflect the diversity of opinion in the academic community and often will be controversial, but they do not represent the institutional opinion of The Arbiter or any organization the author may be affiliated with unless it is labeled as such.

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SPORTS

December 07, 2009

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TAYLOR RUTLEDGE/ ARBITER FILE PHOTO

KELLEN MOORE

Kellen Moore among nation’s elite TRENT LOOTENS Journalist

yards, holding NMSU to 117 yards before breaking to the locker rooms.

BSU would score on its first drive of the third quarter on a 12-play drive established by a combination of rushes and passes set up by Moore and junior running back Jeremy Avery. Martin would cap the drive with a 2-yard score to put the Broncos up 35-0.

Martin’s final score came on a 56-yard scamper to bring BSU to a 42-0 lead with 3:42 left in the third quarter.

The Aggies found the end zone with 4:32 left in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard rush by NMSU’s Trevor Walls.

The BSU defense held the NMSU offense to six drives of four or less plays and 191 total yards. Aggies running back Seth Smith led the offense with 114 yards on the ground, averaging 3.3 yards per carry. Smith rushed for over 1,006 total yards this season.

“He’s one of those guys who’s a really powerful runner,” BSU defensive end Ryan Winterswyk said of Smith.

“He’s not huge but he gets under your pads when you tackle him and he gets that extra two or three yards.

His O-line would just give him a crease. He would carry a tackler until another guy got there. I can see how he went over a 1,000 yards this

To say Boise State sophomore quarterback Kellen Moore isn’t worthy of a Heisman Trophy presentation invite is similar to saying Boise State isn’t worthy of a Bowl Championship Series invitation.

Moore completed his Heisman Trophy campaign Saturday against New Mexico State by throwing for 272 yards and one touchdown.

The game was subpar compared to Moore’s standards, but his body of work over the entire season sets him apart from any other the quarterback in the nation.

This season Moore abused opposing defenses with his accurate arm and his decision making abilities. The redshirt sophomore doesn’t make many mistakes.

Moore threw 39 touchdown passes in 2009 compared to only three interceptions.

His 13-to-1 touchdownto-interception ratio is best among quarterbacks in the nation with over 100 pass attempts.

Moore leads the nation in pass efficiency, one of Boise State head coach Chris Petersen’s favorite stats, and stands second in all the land in touchdown passes. Only Houston’s Kase Keenum has more with 43, but Keenum has nine interceptions.

“I think that with Kellen at quarterback, you’ve always got a chance,” Petersen said after the Broncos clinched their seventh Western Athletic Conference Championship in eight years. “No matter how many injuries we have, no matter what the situation

See UNDEFEATED I page 5

See MOORE I page 5

MITCH ESPLIN/THE ARBITER

Wide receiver Titus Young dives into the end zone on a 47-yard touchdown reception Saturday at Broncos Stadium. The Broncos completed their second straight undefeated season with their 42-7 victory over the NMSU Aggies.

Broncos claim back-to-back

undefeated regular seasons KIRK BELL

Sports Editor As time expired, Boise State Bronco fans chanted, “BCS, BCS,” for the second straight week at Bronco Stadium in Boise. For the second straight week the Broncos have done their lobbying for a Bowl Championship Series bid on the field, led this week by sophomore running back Doug Martin.

Martin had his second four-touchdown game in three weeks. The victory made BSU the lone 2009 Western Athletic Conference Champions.

The Broncos dusted the New Mexico State Aggies 42-7 to finish their regular season 13-0. Their third undefeated regular season in four years under the program pilot and head coach Chris Petersen.

“I think every year it is special in its own way. It really is. I think one of the things that makes it special is we’ve done it before; so any people expect it,” Petersen said of BSU standards.

“Expectations can ruin you. Good and bad, either way. It’s not about that. We’ve just got to live up to our standards and play how we play and not hear the outside noise. It’s easier said than done and I think the kids have done a great job with that.”

The Broncos started slow against the Aggies, failing to score on their first two drives. BSU finally found the end zone on a 47-yard touchdown

pass from sophomore quarterback Kellen Moore to junior wide receiver Titus Young with 3:56 left in the first quarter to go up 7-0. It would be Moore’s only touchdown pass on the day but enough to give him 39 touchdowns to end his record-breaking season. Moore holds the record for most single season touchdown passes for the Broncos. He is second in the nation in that category behind

on just four plays for 32 yards to make it 14-0.

The rest of the game belonged to Martin.

Martin’s first score came in the second quarter for the first of his two first-half touchdowns from four yards out of the end zone.

Junior safety Jeron Johnson forced a fumble as the Aggies approached what they hoped would be their first

Expectations can ruin you. Good and bad, either way. It’s not about that. We’ve just got to live up to our standards and play how we play and not hear the outside noise.

Head Coach Chris Petersen Houston’s Case Keenum. Moore completed 63 percent of his passes for 272 yards Saturday.

“It went pretty well after the first drive or two,” Moore said. “We got the running game going and got the passing game off it. Things started rolling like we expected it to.”

The Broncos would score three more times before the end of the first half, all on the ground. The first came on a 9-yard rush by junior running back Jeremy Avery. Set up by a short field, the Broncos went to the house

score. Freshman linebacker J.C. Percy recovered the loose ball to set the Broncos up on their own 5-yardline.

The second came on another 4-yard rush that capped a 12-play, 95-yard drive in 1:50 just before the end of the first half to make the score 28-0.

“It feels good. It’s always nice to score,” Martin said of his four touchdowns. “I just had the right call at the right time at the right place. It feels nice though.”

The Broncos had 326 first half

to you: A leader on crutches BRITTNEY JOHNSON Journalist

You can tell a lot about a man by the way he walks on crutches.

Personality traits come through extremely evident from how a person uses his crutches. A doctor administers them after an injury to help it heal and some use them as a crutch emotionally to lean on, as they feel sorry for them selves. But then there are those that use them like senior tight end/full back Richie Brockel.

Brockel can be seen on campus, around the football office, and on field on game days using crutches after a season ending injury part way through his senior year. He doesn’t use the crutches to boost him up so he can feel sorry for himself. Brockel walks with a purpose,

a swagger on crutches. It’s almost as if he is in a competition trying to prove that using crutches doesn’t make him one single ounce tougher than he already is. It’s just that, the way he is thundering through his world that speaks volumes of his character.

For those that watch Boise State football, Brockel is the poster boy of Bronco football. A blue-collar work ethic, a huge chip on his shoulder, and an all-about-the-team attitude is the reason Brockel serves as the offensive captain for the 13-0 Broncos. If anyone asks what’s the deal with this Boise State team, point to Brockel because he embodies just who they are.

Brockel almost didn’t come to Boise after the tragic death of his dad during his high school senior

year who beat esophageal cancer but lost his life to complications.

Brockel almost decided to stay home with his mom but chose to go to Boise and pursue to be the best student athlete he could be; all in honor of his father.

The respect for Brockel is evident on the team. he can silence the team room with just one grunt like he did last summer when they were all getting rowdy waiting for the coaches. He can also lead, the on field leadership is evident, but off the field he is exactly what the coaches want every player to be.

Brockel will have his master’s degree in business when he leaves Boise to pursue an NFL career.

Many players with season ending injuries would just be there through practices and games. But because

Brockel can’t contribute on the field, he does something about it on the sidelines. He can be seen rambling on his crutches up and down the sidelines to the offensive huddles, and pulling guys aside to coach them up. The coaching has been witnessed by the nation with the superb play of Brockel’s replacement Dan Paul.

Brockel emerged from the inflated helmet on senior day with the thunderous applause. Tears welled in the eyes of several watching. Walking, not hobbling, with his head held high on crutches was one of the best examples of all that is good in college football. Can you tell a lot about a man by the way he walks on crutches? Richie Brockel might have something to say about that.

The Arbiter ! arbiteronline.com

SPORTS

5

December 07, 2009

ARBITERONLINE.COM

Weekend Roundup: 12/3-6/09 Broncos swim and dive continue to break records COLUMBIA, Mo. – Another record fell as the Boise State swimming and diving team continued to see outstanding performances on the second day of the Missouri Invitational. Christine Raininger shattered the 400 IM to lead the Broncos into fourth place out of eight teams with one day remaining. The Broncos have 344 team points, only 34 behind Nebraska in third place.

Raininger broke the first record of her career in the finals of the 400 IM. The freshman finished third in the event with a time of 4:25.84. Her finals time was an improvement of over two and a half seconds from her preliminary swim earlier in the day.

Boucher was the top finisher for the Broncos in the 100 fly with a finals time of 57.01 and a sixth-place finish.

North took the spotlight next as she finished fifth in the 200 free with a time of 1:151.60.

Not to be outdone, Forrester kept the exceptional swim streak alive as she recorded a career-best time of 1:03.99 in the finals heat to also finish in fifth. Green ended the individual events with a season-best time of 57.27 and a seventh-place finish.

ARBITER FILE PHOTO

Boise State Track and Field Opens Season by Winning Nine Events in Jacksons Open NAMPA, Idaho – In the second day of the 2009 Jacksons Open, the Boise State track and field team closed out their season opener with many successes. The Bronco men snagged five individual event titles while the women captured four event wins on the dayt at the Idaho Center.

Carrying over from the first day of competition, the men’s heptathlon was completed on Saturday morning with the 60-meter hurdles, the pole vault and the 1,000-meter dash. Bronco Kurt Felix never surrendered his lead from day one, finishing second in the 1,000-meters, third in the hurdles and fourth in the pole vault. With his successful day, he totaled 5,346 points

UNDEFEATED season. He’s a real good running back.”

STATING THEIR CASE BSU believes they have done all they need to do in order to make a BCS appearance. Following the game, each of the Boise State players and Petersen were each asked whether or not they belonged.

There was a consensus that a Texas Longhorn victory would set the stage for the Broncos’ second BCS bust in four years. Texas did just that with a 46-yard field goal by kicker Hunter Lawrence as time expired, winning 13-12.

“If that’s supposed to help us, you know it,” Petersen said of rooting for the Longhorns. “I’m rooting for them as well just because what happened to those guys last year as well. I think it would be good for those guys to get in that game.”

The Longhorns were left out of the 2009 BCS Championship game. Instead, inconference rival Oklahoma squared off against Florida in the championship. Texas most likely will face Alabama in the 2010 BCS Championship game in Pasadena, Calif., Jan. 7.

Petersen continued to show faith in the system, refusing to lobby on behalf of the Broncos. He believes that his team has proven itself on the field and that it alone will make the push for the BCS. “I don’t think we need to lobby,” Petersen said. “I think that the record speaks for it-

MOORE is…I think that when Kellen’s at the helm, we’ve always got a chance.”

But Moore and his team both seem to have the same problem gaining national respect for their accomplishments in 2009.

Suffering from a weak strength of schedule, Moore had to scratch and claw his way into the Heisman discussion.

Petersen knows how much Moore means to the Broncos.

“He’s our Heisman Trophy guy. I’d give him one, but I’m not on the committee.

He’s a heck of a player and a great leader on our team,” Petersen said.

which is good for an NCAA provisional mark (5,325 is the standard).

Eric Capelle led a trio of Broncos in the 60-meter dash, clocking a time of 6.92 seconds to win the event. Per Strandquist placed second in a time of 7.07 seconds while Marlon Douglas took third in 7.08 seconds. Capelle joined Jeff Daw, Mikio Island and Paul Roberston in the men’s 4x400-meter relay to capture another first place finish, running in a time of 3-minutes, 22.31 seconds.

Also capturing two wins on the day was senior Zacharias Arnos, winning the long jump and triple jump.

He captured the long jump title with a jump of 24-feet, 1 ½-inches. His triple jump mark of 51-feet, 6 1/2-inches was good for the win, but 2-inches short of the NCAA provisional mark.

Continuing Bronco sweeps, the Boise State women went 1-2-3 in the 200-meter dash with Taryn Campos leading the pack with a 25.52 second mark. Destiny Gammage clocked a time of 25.61 seconds for a secondplace finish while Joi Glass placed third with a time of 25.74 seconds.

The Broncos return to the Jacksons Indoor Track when they host the Boise State Duals on Jan. 23, 2010.

Smith takes title at Las Vegas Invite

ARBITER FILE PHOTO

Men’s basketball falls to Illinois

BSU (4-3) men’s basketball fell in one of their most anticipated showdowns in recent history to Illinois (6-2) Saturday night 84-77.

They were able to narrow the Illini’s lead to two points with 20 seconds remaining but intentional fouls opened up the score as time drew to an end.

The Broncos’ offensive leaders included forward Ike Okoye with 20 points, LaShard Anderson with 14 points and Robert Arnold scoring 13 points. Anthony Thomas put up 10 points for BSU. Okoye led the team with nine rebounds on the night.

The Broncos face off against Idaho State University Wednesday in Pocatello before returning to Boise Saturday to face San Diego at the Taco Bell Arena.

PRIMM, Nev. – The Boise State wrestling team (3-0 overall, 1-0 Pac-10 Conference) enjoyed a successful weekend against some of the nation’s top collegiate wrestlers this past Friday and Saturday (Dec. 4-5), as the Broncos placed fourth as a team at the 28th annual Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational in Primm, Nev. Boise State, who entered the weekend ranked No. 7 in the NWCA/USA Today Division I Team Poll, placed five wrestlers in the top six for their respective weight class en route to the fourthplace finish. The Broncos tallied 97.5 points. Ohio State topped the 42 team field with 122.5 points.

Junior Kirk Smith led the way for Boise State, capturing the only individual title for the Broncos at 184 pounds.

In the semifinals Smith needed everything he had to hold off Wyoming’s Joe LeBlanc for a 3-2 decision to advance to the championship match. In the finals, Smith

completed his title run with a 6-4 decision against John Dergo (Illinois).

Adam Hall joined Smith in the championship round, after also winning his first four matches at 157 pounds to advance to the title round. In the semis Hall took down Bryce Saddoris (Navy) in a 4-0 decision to earn a match-up with JP O’Connor of Harvard for the title. Hall fought hard in the final round, but fell just short of bringing home an individual title with a loss to O’Connor by 2-1 decision.

Boise State also managed to bring home top-six finishes in three other weight classes on Saturday, with Broncos earning fourth, fifth and sixthplace finishes in the tournament. Jason Chamberlain took home fourth-place at 149 pounds with a 4-2 record.

Chamberlain lost the thirdplace match in a 2-0 decision against Kyle Terry (Oklahoma) to end his weekend.

Boise State returns home this week to host their second of three home duals this season. The Broncos host Montana State-Northern on Friday (Dec. 11) at 8 p.m. in

[Sports page 4]

self. We’ve got faith in the system, that it’s going to work how it should…I know the system will be right.”

Kellen Moore broke his BCS silence following the game. The Heisman Trophy hopeful has known nothing but regular season success with no in-season losses during his two years guiding the BSU offense.

“It’s been a process where we’ve been playing good football for two years now,” Moore said. “Go undefeated both years in the regular season is saying something.”

A little bit of hesitation still lingered in the air following their victory. Though there is reason to believe they will get their BCS bid, they were hesitant to state their BCS bid as certain.

“I feel we’ve played hard to this point,” Jeron Johnson said. “I feel we can compete with anybody. We deserve it, but do others feel the same way.”

A BCS bid would mean history for BSU and the modern football era. Petersen would become the first head coach of a non-AQ school to make a BCS appearance twice. It would also mean the first time that a BCS game has taken a non-AQ behind another non-AQ school, in this case the TCU Horned Frogs. It would also mark the first time there have been two non-AQ schools in BCS competition.

BSU lost to the Horned Frogs in the 2008 Poinsettia Bowl 16-17.

COMPLEMENTING EACH OTHER Avery and Martin have carried the rushing attack this season despite losing depth with injuries to junior D.J. Harper and freshman Matt Kaiserman. They have combined for 1,854 of the total 2,529 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns this season.

Martin has the bulk of the scores with 14 touchdowns this year, eight coming in the last three games.

Avery is known for his shifty ability and breakaway speed when there is a clear path. Martin is described as an “angry runner,” by Coach Petersen and has become the short-yard back for the Broncos.

Martin came into a strictly rushing role after doubling as nickel back for the first three games of the season. Following Harper’s injury the Broncos moved him back as a key offensive component to their balanced offense.

“For me it’s what I’ve been doing since my freshman year of high school,” Martin said about running the football. “I look at it as an art. That position…I just love to do it.”

Bowl during College Game Day Final.

“Mark May, you know he’s a good ESPN guy,” Winterswyk said with a grin. “I hope he starts rooting for us sometime.”

TOO GOOD TO PASS UP ESPN analyst Mark Mays is known around the Boise area as someone who approaches the BCS from an elitist mentality. One that pays little favor to the non-BCS conference contenders. He picked a rematch of last season’s Poinsettia Bowl TCU-BSU showdown in the 2010 Fiesta

[Sports page 4] A lot of Moore’s success comes from the benefits of having an offensive line that has only allowed Moore to get sacked five times this season. BSU leads the nation in sacks allowed.

“I give them all the credit in the world. They make me look good out there. They do a great job in the running game and the pass game,” Moore said of his offensive line.

Sophomore running back Doug Martin respects Moore and his mistake-free style which had made him so successful so early in his career.

“He doesn’t make that many mistakes. He’s always dialed and knows what he’s

doing. He just controls the offense and he’s a great leader for the team,” Martin said of Moore. “He just has that quiet demeanor. He works and he works hard.”

Moore has a good chance to get invited to Manhattan because of poor performances

by Florida’s Tim Tebow and Texas’ Colt McCoy in their respected conferences championship games.

There’s no doubt that Moore’s stats are as impressive as any player in the country, but it’s what Moore means to his team that makes him so valuable and so appealing to people throughout the country.

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6

CLASSIFIEDS

December 07, 2009

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The Future

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

BY LINDA C. BLACK Tribune Media Services

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Birthday (12/07/09) Use any money that comes your way this year to create a career vehicle that can carry you far into the future. Avoid all spending that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t promise to help your work.

Unless your car dies, you probably donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really need a new one. You do need a new lease on enthusiasm and optimism. Grow yours with positive thoughts.

To get the advantage, check the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is a 6 -- People are drawn to you like magic. Do you know what to do with that energy? Choose constructive change every time.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is a 7 -- How many irons do you have in the fire? Probably too many. Choose wisely and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get a lot done.

Gemini (May 21-June 21) Today is a 7 -- You may get more done today than all of last week.

You have brilliant ideas, practical means, and people with whom to share ideas.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) Today is a 6 -- Pressure is applied from all sides. You get to choose which person takes priority. Be practical but compassionate.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 6 -- Other people give you a long list of tasks. You have your own agenda, though. Check things off both lists.

Today is a 5 -- Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of talk today but seemingly no action.

This turns out to be a good thing.

Tomorrow you move ahead.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is a 6 -- Take time today to listen. You have plenty to say, but now you can increase your pool of information with your ears.

Scorpio (Oct. 23--Nov. 21) Today is an 8 -- Focus on whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important. Brainstorm in the morning. Then make some serious choices. By afternoon, everyone gets the details.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is a 6 -- This is going to be a busy day. Convince others to work with you. Show results to a superior by dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s end.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is a 6 -- You get a feel for how to bring an idea into the real world.

Words and a little bit of elbow grease accomplish the desired result.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is a 7 -- You may have to give up your independent attitude so that detailed work gets done.

Then, do the writing in seclusion if possible.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is a 6 -- Apply yourself to the task of understanding what others really mean. This requires patience and good questions. ___ (c) 2009, Tribune Media Services Inc.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

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CULTURE

7

December 07, 2009

ARBITERONLINE.COM

Q&A Five questions with Jake Little

MATT DALLEY Journalist

Maladroids members Christian Mckenna and Jake Little at the Dawson Taylor coffe shop downtown Thursday.

ZACH GANSCHOW/THE ARBITER

‘Mustache’ Aficionado BOISE-BASED MALADROIDS TO RELEASE FIRST ALBUM MATT DALLEY Journalist

“Mustache, Esto Perpetua!,” the first album from local band The Maladroids, is deceptive. The surprisingly full sound of the release can fool first-time listeners into thinking the band is a fullsized rock outfit.

On the contrary, The Maladroids consist solely of two members who share vocal duties, bassist Christian Mckenna and drummer Jake Little, a freshman at BSU. The loud drumming and heavily distorted electric bass compensate for the bands lack of members.

“The bass is such a perfect

instrument when it’s distorted. It has such a full sound,” says Little.

The Maladroids, Boise natives, describe their music as “Dance-punk.” The description is fitting. The duo finds a compromise between the heavier aspects of punkrock and groovy rhythms -- a theme that is consistent throughout “Mustache.”

The instrumentation of the band and musical aesthetic frequently yield comparisons to Death From Above 1979, a Canadian drum and bass combo.

The songs on “Mustache” were written over three years and tend to be short -- the average song length is just

two minutes, five seconds.

One of the longest songs on the album, “This Is Not Kamelot,” clocks in at 2 minutes 43 seconds and serves as the high point of the album.

Written about a Boise subdivision, the song is catchy in its melodic simplicity.

The sing-a-long chorus gives both musicians the opportunity to shout the song’s title while the fuzzy bass and drums remain locked-in to the moderate tempo.

“Mustache, Esto Perpetua!,” which references Mckenna’s '70s style facial hair in the title, will be available for download Dec. 15. More details will be available at myspace.com/themaladroids.

The duo finds a compromise between the heavier aspects of punk-rock and groovy rhythms-- a theme that is consistent throughout “Mustache.”

CD's will be available at the band’s performances.

The Maladroids’ next concert will be at the Venue Dec. 12. The Maladroids will join local favorites such as Bank, Workin’ on Fire and 11 other bands to support Esai Saldana. Saldana, guitarist for Boise-based hard rock group Obscure Beauty and

former BSU student, caught the swine flu in October. The flu developed into pneumonia which landed Saldana in the emergency room and subsequently intensive care.

The bands on the roster seek to ease some of Saldana’s financial burden by donating 100 percent of the night's proceeds to him.

The Arbiter: Where are you from?

Little: I’ve lived in Boise my whole life -- all 18 years. Same house, same bedroom.

The Arbiter: What’s your major?

Little: Undeclared. I know it’s going to be something music or sound related.

The Arbiter: Are you in any other bands?

Little: I’m probably in five or six or seven projects right now. Ranging from the heaviest metal you can get in the Boise scene to lighter stuff.

I like to be a session drummer and I like to keep my ears open to whatever people are doing.

The Arbiter: When did you start playing music?

Little: A long time ago. My parents bought me a guitar and it sat and collected dust.

We always had a keyboard in that house that I touched every once in a while. Four or three years ago I met Christian in high school and he basically was like, ‘Hey we want to play a talent show. Go buy and drum set and learn to play drums.’ That was the turning point when I went out and bought it and started learning.

The Arbiter: Are you involved with any type of art besides music?

Little: I was a graphic designer for about 3-ish years -- Just working on the computers in a print shop setting.

I’ve never been so much of a drawing artist per se, but I love the arts.

Freeknik blends social desire with African-American culture TONY ROGERS Journalist

Students trying to get away from studies were given a treat Thursday with Freeknik: A cultural event promoting the diversity and acceptance of culture. More than 100 people packed the Jordan ballroom for the event, which featured Candread and the Rising Resistance, a local reggae band, free food, and dance competitions Dec. 3rd.

Freeknik was first started in Atlanta in the early '80s and was organized to express African and African American culture and promote diversity among populous. At the height of its popularity, Freeknik attracted more than 250,000 people to the Atlanta metropolitan area, with different types of celebration ranging from dances and a basketball tournament to

drinking and street parties.

With a Freeknik revival underway at BSU, even Black Student Alliance (BSA) President David Andrews was surprised by the turnout.

"Last year we dwindled down to a few members, but this is extraordinary!"

Andrews said. "We really exploded."

The event, which entertained more than 100 people, was put on by the Black Student Alliance.

Andrews has been president of BSA for about three months and has been active within the group for much longer. Freeknik just seemed like the right event to bring to Boise, according to Andrews.

"I'm thrilled with Freeknik's success." Andrews said. "The success [of this event] really communicates our message of embracing cultural diverity."

With greeters positioned at

the entrances, a sense of welcome was given upon those who entered. Free food was provided and the entertainment was by a local reggae band known as Candread and the Rising Resistance.

Within minutes of the band's first song, the dance floor was crowded with partiers and minglers alike.

Kianna Reese remembers a time when things were simple and beginning a time when the Black Student Alliance (BSA) would take its small bundle of followers to local elementary schools and teach them the culture of Africa.

Things like the beating of drums, and the smell of freshly made cultural dishes wafting through the rooms made her feel like acceptance was in the air.

Reese, who joined the BSA almost two years ago, has never seen a turnout like

this for an event put on by the BSA. "Seeing this I would guess that our numbers have a least

quadrupled in the past year," Reese said. The group exists to promote diversity with members around the world,

Harrison Tei keeps the beat for the local reggae band Candread and the RiZing ReZistance Thursday.

Many students participated in the Freeknik to listen to live music, dance and support diversity and shared culture in the SUB Thursday.

and learn about others cultures in the process, she said.

“With this turnout, I think we're doing a good job."

NIK BJURSTROM/THE ARBITER

NIK BJURSTROM/THE ARBITER

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8

CULTURE

December 07, 2009

ARBITERONLINE.COM

TMA production of 'subUrbia' a hit

The Boise State Theatre Major Association is performing Eric Bogosian’s “subUrbia” as this semester’s student showcase. The play is designed, acted, directed and built entirely by students.

MARGRET REIMER Journalist

The play follows a day in the life of a group of aimless twenty-somethings as they hang out in front of a convenience store. Sooze (Nicole Orabona) is an aspiring performance artist who wants to escape to New York City.

Tim (Declan Kempe) is an Air Force dropout, racist and proud alcoholic. Sooze's best friend Bee-Bee (Veronica Von Tobel) is out of rehab but not entirely committed to sobriety. Buff (Evan Sesek), a zany stoner who is quite happy partying 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Jeff (Chad Ethan Shohet), is the glue holding

all of them together. They occupy themselves drinking beer, talking and sitting on the curb. On this particular day they are waiting for Pony (Joseph Davidson) who has made it big as a musician and is returning to perform a concert and visit with friends.

Pony arrives, accompanied by his publicist (JoAnna Stephens). Pony and Erica aren't Hollywood bigshots, but are likeable and modest, never condescending.

However, Jeff can’t help feeling inferior.

While Pony is now a rock star Jeff is still hanging out in front of the convenience store.

TMA did an excellent job of creating a '90s street scene.

The flannels, rollerblades and baggy T-shirts of the era were well-represented. It brought to mind films that defined that generation like "Clerks," "Reality Bites" and the film "Slacker."

The actors managed to convey the attitude of Generation X-ers: disillusionment, alienation from the American dream and cynicism. The play captures the confusion many people feel in their early 20's as they try to make sense of the world.

Kempe played the character of Tim with gusto. The tension Tim created with his general bitterness and hurling of racial epithets created

COURTEESY/ KAYLA KELLER

The character Pony, played by Joseph Davidson, performs for friends during a scene in “subUrbia.” a level of discomfort that was only dispelled by the comical entrance of Buff. Sesek, as Buff, does an excellent job adding physical comedy to the play. Buff jumps into scenes like a monkey high on pixie sticks. He lacks the internal conflict of the other characters.

Orabona, a 22-year-old theater major who plays Sooze said she enjoyed her character’s personality.

Audible Art: Video

December’s First Thursday showcased the audio installation titled “5-5 6-5 7-5 8-5 9-5” by BSU instruction Ted Apel and three computermusic students. Watch a video and hear the frequencies at arbiteronline.com.

0:18 / 2:38

“She’s tough, but you also get to see her vulnerable side,” remarked Orabona.

Orabona made a memorable entrance with a dramatic performance art piece.

In the piece Sooze hurls teddy bears across the stage while giving a feminist monologue in a pink tutu. Orabona delivered this monologue with finesse but later in the play her performance felt forced because of a lack of

nuance in her dialogue.

Kiefer has wanted to perform "subUrbia" for a while.

“It captured our generation in 1994 but the story could still happen today. It is still relevant,” said the 29-yearold theater major.

“I do write about people who are complex and are striving with something and can’t quite get past their own stuff, which would be a proxy for myself, because that’s

what the deal is with me,” Bogosian said, describing why he often writes about alienated quarter-aged slackers.

“SubUrbia” will be performed in The Danny Peterson Theater of The Morrison Center, December 2-5, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door and are $5 for seniors, military and students and $7 for general admission.

The performance is intended for Mature Audiences.

English department raises funds for final issue of ‘cold-drill’

HQ

ZACH GANSCHOW/THE ARBITER

Jacob Powers, an English graduate student pursuing his MFA, keeps post at Wednesday’s book sale. stock and T-shirts to provide JENNIFER SPENCER Journalist

"Do you guys have any ‘Twilight’?" a student joked during the English Department Holiday Publications Sale last Wednesday and Thursday.

Holiday music and decorations adorned the second floor hallway of the Liberal Arts Building where tables displayed Boise State publications Ahsahta Press, “colddrill,” “The Idaho Review” and the “Western Writers Series.”

Founded in 1970 by the late Tom Trusky, "cold-drill" is a graduate-run literary magazine published by the Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) Department. According to Jacob Powers, a third year MFA student in fiction, “cold-drill” publishes a combination of fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction from local and national authors. Normally $5-$10, at the sale, students could purchase editions for $2. The publication is currently on hiatus but Powers hopes to make enough money through the sale of over-

enough money for the final issue.

Focusing on literature of the American West, each issue of the “Western Writers Series” provides a 50-60 page introduction on authoritative individuals of Western literature. Since 1972, 160 titles have been published on topics ranging from novelist Zane Grey, desert literature and Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Lynn Lockhart, business manager for the “Western Writers Series” and English Department account manager, founded the event partly to promote awareness of the department’s activities.

“I just thought this would be a really good PR effort,” she said.

First documented by the Lewis and Clark expedition, Ahsahta is a Mandan word for “Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.” The sheep’s image adorns every edition of the Ahsahta Press, which publishes single author books of poetry.

Poet and director of

Ahsahta Press, Janet Holmes, has taught in the MFA program since 1999. The MFA program allows graduate students enrolled in publishing courses to participate in publishing each edition. Often authors become published

by Ahsahta 2-3 times.

“We try to support our authors through more than one book,” Holmes said.

Ahsahta, founded by Trusky in 1974, produces a wide range of poetic styles.

For instance, Rachel Loden’s “Dick of the Dead” contains a both humorous and serious take on Richard Nixon.

Grandmother of cover artist Jeff Clark provided the authentic “Dick” signature on the cover.

Edited by associate professor of English, Mitch Weiland, “The Idaho Review” is an annual literary journal founded in 1998. Compiled from submissions by the university and community, the issue covers generally feature imagery from the West.

Along with the sale of publications, the Boise State Linguistics Association hosted a bake sale offering muffins, brownie bites and other goodies such as soup, coco and granola bars. The English Majors’ Association table, selling tickets to its annual Winter Banquet, featured magnetic poetry. According to Lockhart, the event promoted a sense of community among the English Department. “We hope (students) have a better understanding of what the English Department is about,” Lockhart said.

In the SUB Gallery

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