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August 29, 2013 • Issue no. 04 Volume 26

Boise, Idaho

STICKY

SUBJECT:

#Aof mericans

Ryan Thorne

@RyanThorne86

Last November, citizens went to the polls in both Colorado and Washington and approved the statewide legalization of marijuana. In Idaarrested for a marijuana ho however, possession of pot remains illegal and enforcement remains the same. law violation in 2011 “For the BSU community and folks coming in from other states, it might be a good idea to remind them that Idaho laws are different than in Colorado and Washington.” said Lynn Hightower, Communications Director and Public Information Officer for the Boise Police Department. “If you have up to an ounce, that’s a misdemeanor, any more than that and you get a felony,” Hightower said. Students receiving financial aid who are arrested for marijuana possession in the state of Idaho can lose their loans if convicted as stipucharged with marijuana lated by Federal Student Aid terms. law violations who were Though students arrested may lose eligibility for school funds, they can be reinstated by comarrested for possession pleting a drug rehabilitation course with two random drug tests. Hightower stated that Boise Police haven’t noticed a large spike in arrests for marijuana possession and distribution as a result of neighboring state’s legislation. “From a local enforcement point of view it really hasn’t changed what the Boise Police Department is doing or seeing,” Hightower said. While marijuana arrests may have increased on Idaho’s roads and highways, things have stayed the same in the Treasure Valley. “I have heard that it’s changed what the Idaho that allow the medical State Police is seeing, but that’s a different type use of marijuana of enforcement,” Hightower said. “Boise Police handle more urban, city areas.” Both Colorado and Washington have already istrict of legalized personal possession of up to an ounce olumbia for those over 21 however, commercial reefer outlets won’t be available in both states until early next year. “Maybe down the road it will impact the department but people who live here are aware of Idaho laws as they are,” Hightower said.

757,969

#of those

663,032

#of states 20

S tat e

+D C

#of students who have lost federal financial aid due to a drug conviction

200,000+

Source: www.drugpolicy.org

First issue free

Idaho strictly enforces pot laws despite recent legalization

Students at Boise State have mixed opinions of the drug’s legal status in the Gem State. “I think it actually should be legal here,” said sophomore psychology major Genee Parker. “We would make a lot more money taxing it and bringing more revenue in and our state would flourish.” Parker sees the illegalization of marijuana as pointless since countless people use the drug every day, regardless of whether it is lawful to do so. “If you think about how we did with prohibition of alcohol, people are going to smoke marijuana,” Parker said. “It’s not like doing coke or any of the hardcore drugs, people are gonna keep doing it. Other states are legalizing it and the negative effects haven’t been too bad.” Parker thinks Idaho should model potential legalization after it’s neighbors, making public use and consumption behind the wheel a crime. “Sure it could be considered a gateway drug and addictive, but not in all cases,” Parker said. “Some of the laws against it are a little harsh and should be more lenient, but you should still have measure in place.” Junior psychology major Caitlin Donlin thinks those who want to break the law in Idaho should be intelligent enough to get away with it. “My opinion is that if you are going to be irresponsible enough to do a drug knowing that it’s illegal, you are going to pay the price,” Donlin said. “I would keep the law the way it is.” Donlin thinks the current Idaho laws are in place to protect the health and lives of citizens. “You have to do those things responsibly otherwise there are going to be punishments and those punishments are in place to keep the masses safe,” Donlin said. “ A drunk driver could kill people on the road and smoking marijuana could do the same thing.”

I think it actually should be legal here, we would make a lot more money taxing it and bringing more revenue in and our state would flourish. -Genee Parker

Design Chris barfuss/THE ARBITER

10th day enrollment for fall semester at Boise State University:

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State continues to offer a high quality educational experience, expand academic offerings, and offer outstanding campus experiences, while maintaining affordability,” Anderson said. While he believes enrollment will continue to grow, Anderson also agreed with the statements made by Kustra during his address. “I agree with President Kustra’s statement. As Boise State continues to move forward, enrollments change over time,” Anderson said. Boise State is not the only institution of higher education in Idaho experiencing an increase in enrollment. College of Idaho underwent their second highest enrollment rate in 20112012 year with 1,041 students enrolled. University of Idaho official enrollment stood at 12,493 students for the 2012 year. As the high school graduation rate continues to rise, it is safe to say the enrollment rate will continue to rise as well.

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years have seen a gradual increase in enrollment (see the graph located to the right). This may be a reflection of the increased high school graduation rates. According to Anderson, total enrollment cannot yet be calculated, but there was an increase in new students. “Boise State did see an increase in the number of new freshman admitted students from Idaho and an increase in admitted transfer students from both in state and out of state,” Anderson said. “Over the past five years, our continuing student retention rate has risen steadily and we continue to experience increases in the percent of students graduating.” Anderson explained why he felt enrollment at Boise State would not dwindle in the next few years. “We will continue to see students and parents who appreciate a high quality education while maintaining affordability. Boise

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Each fall semester feels as though there are even more freshmen wandering through Boise State campus with a dazed and confused look on their face. This may be an indication of a growing enrollment rate. President Kustra hinted in his “President’s Address” on Aug. 21, enrollment might be dropping because of low high school graduation rates throughout the nation. However, recent statistics from Education Week came out with a survey saying national high school graduation rates were as high as 75 percent in 2010 (the most recent year available for statistics). Education Week’s Editorial Projects in Education Research Center performed the survey and analyzed the data. The Research Center is a non-profit division of Education Weekly that publishes Edweek. According to Education Week, 75 percent is the

highest high school graduation rate in 40 years. The last time two-thirds of students graduated from high school was in 1973. According to James Anderson, the vice president of Enrollment Services, Boise State has less to fear with regard to lower high school graduation rates than schools in other regions. “Lower high school graduation rates across the nation impact institutions in different ways. Boise State is located in a state and region trending higher in high school graduates,” Anderson said. “Schools in the north-east and mid-west will have different challenges associated with a lower number of students graduating from high school.” Idaho’s graduation rate in particular, is as high as 84 percent in 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Education. While it is too soon to determine what this year’s enrollment is, the last four

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@Mal_a_gal

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Mallory Barker

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Enrollment for Boise State continues to rise

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