I n d ep en d en t
Issue no.
S t u de nt
V o i c e
o f
B o is e
S tat e
Sin c e
1933
58
April
19
2012
Volume 24
w w w.arbiteronline.com
Boise, Idaho
First issue free
Top Stories
Departures
Softball seniors leave with a heartfelt goodbye to fans, friends.
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Singin’ away Alx Stickel/THE ARBITER
Students who are always plugged in should watch what they post on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
Working part time sucks for most, but this guy loves his gig.
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Firearms
Should guns on campus be determined by the state?
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Weather Today
Avoid social media suicide
Amy Merrill
Assistant News Editor
The debate is ongoing as to whether social media tools such as Facebook or Twitter make life more convenient or more of a mess. For students, it’s becoming increasingly crucial to be hyper aware of the content being posted and what it reflects. In 2011, a student at Molloy College posted a photo of herself with the accompanying caption, “andd imm put this drink uppp like its my last,”—lyrics from the Chris Brown song, “The Last.” Shortly after, the girl’s softball scholarship was revoked. The student is currently suing the university for discrimination. This is just one example of students forgetting who can view their social media sites and the consequences that can go with these posts. Even if a page is set to private, that doesn’t mean a friend can’t copy and paste a
post that could cause serious repercussions. Student athletes should be aware that recruiters, coaches and athletic officials are all individuals who may frequently check social media sites. Makenzie Phillips, an adjunct faculty member for the Communication Department, also warns students about lying to professors about being sick and then posting pictures of a Vegas vacation on Facebook. The same can be said for work. A common mistake is to call into work and not consider the co-workers, or even supervisors, who have been friended in the past. These kinds of posts could result in job termination. For students looking for a job, it is a good idea to clean up social media sites. Phillips recommends disabling Facebook during the application and interview process for a period of six to nine months. This can keep a student’s Facebook profile from com-
ing up in a Google search. For students who opt to simply clean up personal profiles, the kinds of things that should be “tossed” according to Phillips are anything you wouldn’t want your grandmother to see. “Facebook isn’t the devil, but it’s important to be aware of how your current actions will affect the future you,” Phillips said. To avoid affecting future athletic or professional offers, items that should be discarded include: pictures that are revealing (even those Halloween photos) and party pics including images where red Solo cups are being used. It’s fairly common knowledge that the chances of there being water in that cup are slim to none. Swearing should also be kept out of social media posts as some companies might feel it represents them in an unflattering light. It should go without saying that racist remarks, even jokes between friends, crude or lewd comments and any
drug references are better left unsaid. Most importantly, use the privacy settings. Employers can ask for personal Facebook login information, but Phillips said individuals are not legally required to provide that information. Privacy settings can do more than just, well, keep profiles private. They can protect students from viewers with more sinister motives. Social media users tend to think the people looking at their profile are friendly— like the cute guy or girl from last night—but as Phillips said, “You never know who’s looking for you.” Don’t post personal information like phone numbers or addresses, as these things can be sent in personal messages to protect that private information. Phillips also cautioned against posting when going on vacation. Houses have been robbed after vacationers posted about leaving for a trip,
only to return home to realize someone with bad intentions knew the house was empty. It’s an individual choice when determining who to let into Facebook “friend” circles, but being selective can be a good thing. “It’s not a competition to see who has the most friends,” Phillips said. Some additional precautions students can take include registering Facebook accounts using nicknames or middle names. That ensures only those given that information can elicit a friend request. Not adding co-workers can keep students with jobs out of hot water with employers, too. To avoid causing hurt feelings, a LinkedIn account is a great way to keep professional and personal networks separate. Finally, just consider who will see the information being shared before clicking the “post” button. A good filter can ensure a successful future.
Skydown throws students out of planes for less Christina Marfice
Showers
66º high
20%
chance of precipitation
Tomorrow
Sunny
76º high
0%
chance of precipitation
Saturday
Sunny
82º high
0%
chance of precipitation
What’s Inside News Briefs
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Journalist
Nathan Westfall only wanted one thing for his 18th birthday. Like so many others, skydiving was something he wanted to do in his lifetime. So, on a cold but sunny morning Westfall’s family and best friend anxiously watched the sky as a small plane circled overhead, gaining altitude before the jump. “I think it’s insane,” his grandmother said as she shielded her eyes from the sun, keeping them locked on the rising aircraft above her. “Why jump out of a perfectly good airplane?” Why, indeed. Logically, skydiving doesn’t make a lot of sense. It’s something of a miracle the human race has even managed to propel a huge, metal craft into the air; why jump out of one once it’s there? Regardless, skydiving tops many bucket lists, and April 21 and 22, Skydown Sports in Caldwell will offer college students a chance to take a huge leap (a little over two miles, to be exact) at a discounted price. Denise Janes has been one of Skydown’s operators since the company was launched in 1996. She says there isn’t a lot of money in operating a skydiving business, especially during the
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The Arbiter
recession, but her love for the sport won’t allow her to stop. She and her husband Paul facilitate between four and five thousand jumps each year, and wanted to reach out to a younger crowd and introduce them to the sport. That’s when they began having College Day. “At that age, this seems to be something they want to share with others,” Janes said. The lower price, she says, encourages college students to come with large groups of friends to jump together. Colleges in Wyoming, Washington and Oregon promote the event to their students, who travel to the Treasure Valley for the weekend. Skydown recently completed construction of new facilities and Janes said this year’s College Day will be
bigg e r t h a n ever. With the combination of crowds of college students, loud music and raw adrenaline, y o u can bet
it’ll b e t h e best party around. Janes said College Day has been drawing an increasing number of thrill-seeking students each year. “The Bucket List came out, and that’s what got people thinking,” she said. “It’s really developed into a safe sport. We’re seeing more and more people take their first jump.” Janes and her husband,
who flies t h e p l a n e , share a passion for skydiving. “It’s a way of celebrating,” she said. “It’s a way of life. We do this for the love of skydiving and for widening horizons. To be able to help someone tackle something new, it’s a great feeling.” Boise State students who want to take part in College Day can call ahead to schedule a jump. A valid student ID must be presented when checking in to receive the discounted price.
More information can be found at skydownskydiving.com or by calling 455-2359. CODY FINNEY/THE ARBITER
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