WHAT’S INSIDE
NEWS 1–2
SPORTS 4–5
OPINION 3
CULTURE 7–8 I SSU E
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The Independent Student Voice of Boise State Since 1933
Volume 22
First Issue
F R E E FEBRUARY 01, 2010
Boise State slams Fresno State
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Tease #3
Who is this guy?!
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Do you have bad driving habits?
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ARBITERONLINE.COM
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ASBSU dismisses 'minimum work hours' bill KIM KING Journalist
After much debate, student senators dismissed a bill requiring minimum work hours at an ASBSU meeting in the Student Union Building Forum Jan. 22. Sen. Chase Johnson introduced the proposed revision after a recent internal audit uncovered a lack of compliance to Boise State University's and the State Board of Education's policies. The changes were to take effect immediately and required ASBSU officials to work 12 hours per week to receive their service award, an annual amount of approximately $1,600. “Accountability is a good thing,” said Johnson. “What kind of image are we giving the student body if we don’t pass something like this?” Johnson stated that voting to pass the bill should be more than a public relations move and defined service as more than office hours. “Work done on the campus that is becoming of the officials title may also be considered as work,” he said. “This bill leaves the discretion up to branch leaders as to what may be included.” Sen. Julie Kirk led the opposition by stating a specific number of hours should not be required and was unnecessary given their record of service and accomplishments. After further debate and a short recess, the bill was dismissed and sent to the Ways and Means Committee for further evaluation.
KIM KING/THE ARBITER
Sen. Chase Johnson takes notes at an ASBSU meeting Thursday in the SUB. ASBSU dismissed a bill that would have required senators to work a minimum of 12 hours per week to receive their service award, an annual amount of approximately $1,600. “People need time to think about this,” Kirk said. “I am divided. I understand both sides. But is there a point to sitting in an office after work is done just to satisfy a 12 hour requirement?” Kirk is a political science
major from Troy, Idaho serving as a senator at-large without a specific constituency. “I am a full-time student involved in a sorority and I work part time,” she said. “Twelve hours is a lot on top of that. If we fulfill our du-
ties it shouldn’t matter how much time it takes. And we all do that.” Chairman Abel Morel, newly appointed member of the financial board, suggested the bill was a move in the right direction.
MUN seeks funds for NY convention; launches fundraising campaign Journalist
SARAH MURPHY Journalist
MITCH ESPLIN/THE ARBITER
Conor McGee, left, and Melanie Palmer conduct a meeting of the Model United Nations club. The goal of the meeting was to discuss fundraising ideas for an upcoming trip to New York. does not. So, typical MUN (organizations) don't have to worry about fund raising." The current arrangement for the club’s funding is a fifty-fifty deal with ASBSU: funds contributed by private sources to the club coffers are matched to the dollar by the student government. While viewed by some as a fair arrangement, they believe an undertaking of this magnitude calls for much more than MUN currently has to spend on such a lofty objective. In the face of these challenges, the club looks to se-
cure some of these needed funds through a time-tested method, good old-fashioned fund raising. The first of MUN’s fund raising events has been arranged to take place Feb. 24 at the The Reef -- located on 6th and Main street -- featuring a buffet style dinner and a live performance by local rock band A Rotterdam November. The $5 cost of entry will jointly benefit both MUN and The Human Equality and Rights Organization (HERO). “It's going to be a great
event -- not just if you like music, but there's going to be a lot of BSU students there,” Murphy said. “It's a good chance to mingle a bit (with other BSU students).” Murphy has worked to coordinate this event and is currently collaborating with other club members to arrange more fundraisers over the next two months. Beyond this event, several options are being examined for further fund raising. Considered so far are concessions during basketball games and additional dinner fundraisers.
The senate plans to further discuss more necessary changes to the financial code in future legislation. Students are encouraged to attend ASBSU meetings every Tuesday and Thursday at 4 p.m. in the SUB Forum.
Evolution of Blue Thunder Marching Band Eric M. Smedley to become new director
SAM BURDICK This spring break, Boise State's own Model United Nations club plans to attend the National Model United Nations (MUN) Convention in New York City, a yearly convention that draws together “delegates” from across the nation's universities to participate in a large scale simulation of the United Nations General Assembly. The three-to-four day conference is the largest gathering of MUN members in the nation, and aims to teach skills such as diplomacy and compromise in an environment comparable to the real UN. However, this kind of immersion has a very real cost: $300 per member for hotel costs, even before factoring in the costs of airfare and food per person. To get every member to New York, the total cost easily reaches into the neighborhood of $10,000 -- no small number on a college budget, and certainly an uphill battle given the limited funding arrangement the club has with ASBSU. “Our Model UN is set up a lot differently than other Model UNs” said Gabe Murphy, a member of the MUN club. “Universities typically have a budget for MUN on their campus; Boise State
“I am happy to see the senate involved in legislation like this,” he said. “I don’t really know what all of my duties will entail, but I am looking forward to working with them to benefit all students here at Boise State.”
The Keith Stein Blue Thunder Marching Band will welcome a new director, Eric M. Smedley, to their team come July. Mark Hansen, Ph.D., the music department chair, believes Smedley will bring, “Excellent leadership, excellent musicianship, improved precision, and provide a new outlook... we’re not talking revolution, we’re talking evolution.”
Smedley’s journey to Boise State began when he earned his bachelor’s degree at Indiana University and went on to direct at Cocoa Beach High School in Cocoa Beach, Fla. before moving on to Santa Monica, Calif. to teach. He started his master’s program back at Indiana University and after graduation became director at Western Kentucky University. He pursued his doctorate in Musical Arts at the University of Washington. As mellophonist, Kris Walker said, “Blue Thunder has always been about the excitement and having a good time.” The upbeat environment
See Band I page 2
PHOTO COURTESY BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY
Eric M. Smedley will take over as director of the Keith Stein Blue Thunder Marching Band in July.
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