I n d ep en d en t
Issue no.
S t u de nt
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B o is e
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September 2012
Volume 25
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Boise, Idaho
27
First issue free
Help a Bronco out
[Exploring the bystander effect on campus]
Mallory Barker Staff Writer
In an attempt to assess the bystander effect in the Boise State community, a (non-scientific, unofficial) field study consisting of four Boise State students dropping their belongings in crowded areas was conducted to observe those who stopped to help the subjects collect their items, and those who did not. The test was designed by The Arbiter and discussed with Kyle Conlon, senior lecturer of Social Psychology and Mary Pritchard, Ph.D., social psychology professor.
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Other instances of the bystander effect that might be familiar
October 2009 An article published by CNN stated as many as 20 people watched as a 15-yearold California girl was allegedly gang raped and beaten outside a high school homecoming dance for more than three hours.
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April 2010 The New York Post wrote of a homeless man who was stabbed after saving a woman from an attacker. He laid dying in a pool of blood for more than an hour as nearly 25 people strolled past him.
CODY FINNEY/THE ARBITER
During the experiment, some Broncos helped. Others walked by and in this case flipped the bird, too.
Psychology Today defines the bystander effect as “the presence of others hinder(ing) an individual from intervening in an emergency situation.” Mary Pritchard, Ph.D.,
elaborated this definition. “The more people who are around you in an event, the less likely you are to receive help,” she said.
The history
The field study
The bystander effect is a phenomenon that was first observed in the case of Kitty Genovese’s murder in 1964. For nearly half an hour Genovese was murdered in a visible stairwell outside of her apartment in New York. A total of 38 of Genovese’s neighbors heard her screams or witnessed the murder itself, none of whom called the police or intervened. One witness did call the police after the murder, but called a friend from out of town to ask for advice first. In 1968, social psychologists John Darley from New York University and Bibb Latane from Columbia University created a test in response to the tragedy of Genovese. They published their results in The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology in an article titled “Bystander Intervention in Emergencies: Diffusion of Responsibility.”
The first drop was staged on the Quad in front of about seven people, none of whom stopped to help. Gregerson dropped her books in front of the Interactive Learning Center in front of a group of at least 12 people, not one person stopped to help. Flake dropped his books in front of one man, who looked at his books, sidestepped them, gave a slight smirk and continued on his way. The second drop was in front of two middle-aged men who work on campus both stopped to help. Valladolid dropped her books three separate times, in the three different locations. Her last drop was done in front of one man, while on the stairs of the Interactive Learning Center. He immediately stopped to help her. Out of a total of 11 drops, the subjects were helped six times. Under these circumstances, it would appear that Boise State is helpful a little more than half of the time.
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What people are saying Kevin Skidmore, communication professor, encouraged students to overcome this phenomenon by developing the attitude of “do to others what you would have them do to you.” “You’re much more likely to get help on Boise Sate’s campus than if you went to NYU, there is more of that helping mentality that those smaller towns just tend to have,” Pritchard said. “He dropped stuff and it is common courtesy to help,” said Nicole Thomas one of the people who stopped to help during the field study. “Back in Thailand, my country, it is traditional to help when you see people struggling,” said Juan Koon, a chemistry major who stopped to help Valladolid.
October 2011 The New Yorker wrote about China’s bystander effect after a 2-year old girl was run over, twice and more than a dozen people walked by as she lay in the street. November 2011 The Washington Post wrote an opinion article on the bystander effect after Jayna Murray was murdered inside a Lululemon Athletica store in Maryland and two Apple Store employees next door, who heard cries for help and did nothing.
The participants Kelsey Gregerson, 19-year-old undecided freshman Amanda Gilmore, 19-year-old sophomore history major Alexa Valladolid, 19-year-old sophomore engineering major Hamilton Flake, 20-year-old sophomore engineering major
5 4 3 2
The bystander needs to
implement that response.
The bystander needs to decide on the appropriate helping response.
The bystander needs to take responsibility for helping, but might avoid taking respon-
sibility by assuming that somebody else will (diffusion of responsibility).
The bystander needs to identify the event as some form of emergency.
The bystander needs to notice an event is taking place.
The Steps to helping
What is the bystander effect
Page Design Bryan Talbot/THE ARBITER
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September 27, 2012
Grow Smart awarded to Boise State Due to increased campus housing options and alternative means of transportation, provided by walkways, bicycle paths and roadways that accomodate all users such as motorized vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians offered by Boise State, the university has won the Smart Growth and Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n Award. The award ceremony will be held at the Grove Hotel on Thursday, Nov. 8 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available to those who
wish to attend at $34 a ticket, or after Oct. 12 at $45 a ticket. The Grow Smart Awards program was created by Idaho Smart Growth in 2005 and aims to recognize and promote in Idaho the companies and individuals that promote smart growth principles by putting them into action. The winners of the Grow Smart Awards Program are selected by a jury made up of community leaders and industry professionals.
Blockbuster Thurs presents Spiderman Student Involvement and Leadership presents Thursday blockbuster series on Sept. 27. This week is a showing of The Amazing Spiderman (2012) starring Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. At 7 p.m. in
E ditor - in -C hief
the Special Event Center in the Student Union Building there will be a screening of The Amazing Spiderman. The event is free to students with I.D. and $1 for non-students. Free popcorn and soda will be provided.
Ada County Commissioner debate to be on campus A debate between candidates in the Ada County Commissioner race will take place at Boise State Thursday, Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. in the Students Union Jordan A Ballroom. The debate is presented by the Department of Public Policy and Administration and the League of Women
Construction on campus will cause delays and traffic restrictions on University Drive and Earle Street. Traffic lane restrictions on University Drive will change daily as a project by United Water requires all lanes of traffic to be crossed by the placing of a new
and Brady Street will be closed to use. Detour signs for pedestrians will be in place to direct pedestrians and bicyclists to the north side of University Drive. The closures affecting the sidewalks and lane restrictions are planned to last through November.
Smart
Act Be
ter . . . . Trending on Twitter . . . . Tr These stories have been trending on Twitter: Read the headlines here to look smart, browse discussion points at arbiteronline.com to act smart, or be smart by following links to full stories. Political Perceptions: In New Swing State Math, Obama ahead 6.2 Quake Shakes Mexico’s Baja California Coast WATCH: Hero Pig Saves Baby Goat From Drowning
Clubs & Orgs
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Tasha Adams
Crossword FOR RELEASE SEPTEMBER 27, 2012
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis
ACROSS 1 Map site 6 Senate figure 10 Brash 14 Winner of the 2005 Best Picture Oscar 15 Verdi title princess 16 Rapier cousin 17 America’s most popular diningout occasion 19 Flavorful plant 20 Spot 21 Shows the way 22 Heaven-sent food 23 Academy freshman 24 Give way 25 Chess announcement 28 Place setting item 30 One way to sing 32 Smack on the head 33 Last chance in court 40 Semitic deity 41 Frigid 42 Where some plates are made 48 Vodka in a blue bottle 49 Rug often groomed 50 Honor, in a way 52 “... but I could be wrong” 53 Wear slowly 54 __-mo video 57 Old stage line? 58 Political propagandist 60 Department store founder Rowland Hussey __ 61 Asian staple 62 Standard 63 Arise 64 Gross 65 Swing era dance DOWN 1 Fictional corporation that sells earthquake pills and portable holes
By Alex Boisvert
2 Hector’s home 3 Behind schedule 4 Flooring wood 5 Yellow-and-red gas station symbol 6 Sushi condiment 7 Diamond gambit, or a hint to this puzzle’s circles 8 Lupino and others 9 Salary 10 Sake 11 Not against trying 12 Loewe’s partner 13 Get off at the pier 18 Clarinetist’s need 22 Retail price component 23 Writers 24 __ shui 25 Scot’s nickname, maybe 26 Tide rival 27 As well 29 “__ any drop to drink”: Coleridge 31 Kind of gravy 34 Tag information 35 Moo goo __ pan 36 Lion’s share
BY LINDA C. BLACK Tribune Media Services Today’s Birthday (09/27/12) A new phase of exploration, discovery and adventure begins this year. Travel, education and mind expansion are among the priorities. Home life and finances motivate you for a launch within five years. You’re building something of lasting value.
Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is a 5 -- Something that you try doesn’t work, but it moves your ideas forward in a way. Let them know what you need. Your optimism is contagious.
Today is a 6 -- Be very careful now. Where others see a problem, you see an exciting opportunity. Look farther into the future. Magnetism fills the space.
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Amy Merrill news@ arbiteronline.com
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
F eatures E ditor
Today is a 6 -- Moderate your desire to press ahead at full speed, especially around sharp turns. Keep your dreams alive with an injection of passion. Prepare to sell your ideas.
Christina Marfice features@ arbiteronline.com
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John Garretson sports@ arbiteronline.com
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
O nline S ports E ditor
Today is a 6 -- Your imagination can take you on an amazing adventure, and help you save money, too. Hold your temper, and avoid getting hurt. Don’t leave a mess.
Nikki Hanson sports@ arbiteronline.com
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Zach Chastaine letters@ arbiteronline.com
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
A rts and E ntertainment E ditor
The Funnies
9/27/12 Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved Monday’s Puzzle Solved
(c)2012 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
37 Caribou cousin 38 Disagreeing word 39 Give it a go 42 Leaves in a huff, with “out” 43 Attacked eagerly, as a wrapped gift 44 Kennedy who married Sargent Shriver 45 Euclid, vis-à-vis geometry
9/27/12
46 __ Tunes 47 Road safety gp. 51 Han River capital 53 Large in scope 54 Floor 55 Truck filler? 56 Airport south of Paris 58 __ Lanka 59 TV franchise since 2000
The Future
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
managingeditor@ arbiteronline.com
Nicole Reither onlineeditor@ arbiteronline.com
16’ water main line. This will be ongoing over the next few weeks. Additional construction will affect commuters using Earle Street as construction on the traffic light moves forward. The sidewalks on the south side of University between Capitol Boulevard
Look
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and attendees will be invited to submit questions on 3x5 cards. After a review of the questions to eliminate duplicates, they will be given to Weatherby. Debate participants are District 1, Larry Rincover and Jim Tibbs and District 2, Thomas Howell and Dave Case.
Construction continues to affect campus commuters
Haley Robinson
Tabitha Bower arts@ arbiteronline.com
Voters in Idaho. The event is free and open to students. Parking is available at no charge in the Lincoln Avenue Parking Garage by the use of code 201270018 at the payment kiosk. The debate will be moderated by Boise State professor Jim Weatherby
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Today is a 5 -- No need to give unsolicited advice ... offer more hugs instead. Listen intently; allow yourself to be persuaded, and fall in love again. The impossible
gets achieved.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is a 6 -- Stand for yourself and for the team. Employ very gentle persuasion and gain new partners. Consider all options, and then feel your way to the right answer. Then it’s time to boogie down.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is a 5 -- Reaffirm a commitment. Keep your objective in mind and increase productivity. Watch for obstacles or delays if you have to travel right now. Proceed with caution.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is a 7 -- Take care of family first. Then figure out what you want to accomplish, and start your work. Watch expenses as costs overruns occur easily. Don’t spoil a whiney loved one.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is a 7 -- You feel best at home for a few days. Ask the right questions and listen to diminish controversy. Stirring the pot isn’t good for romance. Be adaptable and agile.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is a 6 -- Fantasies are abundant. Choose carefully now. Do what you promised, and avoid exaggerations. Create more work that requires the use of your imagination and record it.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is a 5 -- An insight increases your chances for money, but it will require work. Meet new and interesting people. Romance is part of the mix all day.
Sudoku
Level: 1
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September 27, 2012
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Boise State team awarded
Researchers recieve NSF grant for supercomputing, visualization infrastructure Courtesy Update
Boise State researchers are generating astonishing amounts of data, but often face obstacles when it comes to effectively accessing and analyzing that data. That’s about to change, now that a collaborative group of Boise State University faculty from engineering, biological sciences, geosciences and computer science have received a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to build a new high-performance computing and visualization instrument. When the project is completed, researchers across multiple disciplines will have access to vastly improved capabilities for tackling large computational problems. The $555,384 grant was awarded under NSF’s Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program. The funding will be used to build a 32-node GPU/CPU cluster with a data storage array and a 5×8 tiled display that will be located in a visualization theater setting. GPU computing uses graphics processing units (GPUs) together with conventional central processing units (CPUs) for faster processing of computational science and engineering problems. The GPU/CPU cluster will support parallel computing and rendering, data storage and high-resolution imaging. “Without supercomputing resources, computational analysis and massive data stores can become more of a burden than a help,” said Inanc Senocak, associate professor of mechanical and biomedical engineering and
mct campus
A visualization from the supercomputers renders an interesting scientific graphic. the principal investigator on the project. “This new computing cluster will extend our range of exploration in science and engineering projects and substantially accelerate the time it takes to get results.” Senocak and co-investigators Peter Müllner (materials science and engineering), Hans-Peter Marshall (geosciences), Julie Oxford (biology) and Tim Andersen (computer science), have proposed using the computing cluster to support research projects as diverse as wind energy forecasting, modeling for threat reduction in chemical and biological defense, materials char-
acterization and modeling, snow hydrology and remote sensing and mechanisms of skeleton development in living systems. “The benefits of this grant will be felt far beyond Boise State University,” said Amy Moll, dean of the College of Engineering. “The plan is for the parallel computing and visualization cluster to be housed at a facility open to university researchers, as well as local technology companies and partners. This advanced cyber-infrastructure resource has the potential for a huge impact on our regional economy.” Senocak said the researchers involved in the grant also plan to make this
cyber-infrastructure accessible to high-school science, technology, engineering and math scholars through outreach activities such as hands-on exercises for
modeling and simulation, visualization of earth and space scientific data and high-resolution imagery. “If we look beyond the obvious benefits to the
researchers, we can only imagine the profound impact this kind of experience might have on the next generation of scientists and engineers,” he added.
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Environmental finance center shares grant Courtesy Update
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Students use body paint to demonstrate their school spirit on game day.
Tailgating at Bronco Stadium:
Cheering on the boys in blue, both drunken and sober Lauren Jacob Staff Writer
Before each home football game, the Bronco Stadium parking lot is packed with tents, tailgates and fans, creating a sea of blue and orange. Ranging from the age of newborn to 95, thousands of people show up to get pumped for a hopeful Bronco victory. While prepping for your Bronco pre-game extravaganza, there are some things to keep in mind to make for a tasteful tailgating experience. “I love how tailgating is like a huge reunion,” Candace Carmichael, junior business major said. “Everyone brings a ton of food and comes together like a family.” From the Blue Thunder Marching Band performing their tailgate parade to the amusing and sometimes alarming outfits seen on some fearless fans, there’s a lot to keep one entertained before the Broncos take the field. There are often two main approaches to tailgating. Some enjoy merely sitting in their lawn chairs amongst friends, drinking a couple of beers and discussing predictions for the outcome of the game. Others find it necessary to get completely sloshed be-
fore kickoff and run around like they’re on top of the world, because after all, it’s football, right? Why shouldn’t we go crazy? “Drunk people most definitely add to the atmosphere of football,” James Miller, junior athletic training major said. “It brings a whole other level of energy to the game.” Of course there will always be the tailgate moochers. These are the people who wander around to different tents, “making friends” to bum off free alcohol before they stumble into the stadium, flask attached to their thigh. “I think it’s completely appropriate that people drink,” Carmichael said. “However, it needs to stay out of the stadium in my opinion. Sitting next to belligerent drunk ruins the game.” Whether you enjoy getting hammered for football or not, let’s face it, football is one of the few excuses that we have as Americans to wear the craziest outfits, yell the most hateful things, and get way too emotional. “The best part about tailgating is seeing how excited people get to come and watch the game,” Miller said. So during this sacred time of year, here are a few tips to add to your tailgating, making it just a little more tasteful.
1.
Bring delicious dip.
It’s easy to make, transport, and all you need to accompany it is a bag of chips. Try Pinterest recipes. Guys, ask one of your girl friends if you’re unfamiliar with that “Pintrest” thing.
2.
Bring a cooler of assorted drinks.
Sodas are always a must, and don’t forget the beer. It’s one of the few exceptions for allowing alcoholic beverages on campus. Why not take advantage of it?
3.
Bring a football with you. What could be more appropriate?
4.
During those cold games, pack a few blankets.
If things go awry on the field, at least you’ll be cozy.
5.
Wear everything blue and orange that you can find. Who doesn’t need a Broncocolored jumpsuit?
6.
Be a part of Bronco Nation in every way possible.
Yell for your team, clap during the fight song, and make friends across the parking lot as you share your love for Bronco football.
Online Check out game day photos and find you and your friends at the first two home games at arbiteronline.com or connect with The Arbiter on Facebook.
The Environmental Finance Center (EFC) at Boise State will share in a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA awarded the grant to the network of universitybased Environmental Finance Centers to provide training and technical assistance to small public drinking water systems, specifically to improve the financial and managerial capacity of those systems, a designated national priority area for EPA. Boise State’s EFC expects to assist communities in Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Idaho with its $186,750 share of the grant. “This grant will help extend our reach into communities that are undertaking financial sustainability planning, and capitalizes on our core competencies of building safe, efficient and
cost-effective water delivery and treatment systems,” said David Eberle, the center’s director. The Region 6 EFC at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology will lead the grant team. The full details of the program are available at the EPA’s website. The Environmental Finance Center Network is a unique asset for the nation. It is the only university-based organization creating innovative solutions to managing the costs of environmental protection and improvement. The EFCN consists of 1o Environmental Finance Centers serving states and territories within EPA’s 1o regions. By sharing and integrating information, tools and techniques, the EFCs work together and with the public and private sectors to promote a sustainable environment, bolstering efforts to address difficult howto-pay issues.
Faculty fellow adds a global twist to teaching
Courtesy Update
If you’ve got a great idea for adding an international twist to your coursework but just don’t know how to make it happen, John Francis can help. The associate professor of art is Boise State’s first-ever International Learning Opportunities Faculty Fellow. Francis has been taking art students on two-week visits to Japan for several years, has organized crosscultural art exhibitions, and has made connections and forged a formal international cooperative agreement with Japan’s Nagoya Zokei University. “Students need to understand that while yes, there are cultural differences between people, we are all human beings and are inter-connected in this world,” Francis said. “We share certain fundamental feelings and experiences in life. It is important that students be exposed to and know that.” “We live in the world so we need to be out in the world and give students a chance to experience that,” added Corrine Henke, associate director of International Learning Opportunities. “We’re more
interconnected than ever and it’s important to bring that to students in an affordable way.” Francis’s job is to help faculty set up short-term study abroad programs spanning days or weeks, or bring in visiting faculty from other countries, based on their individual strengths. “It can seem like an overwhelming task if you don’t have the connections,” he said. “I can talk about how to make those connections.” He also can help write letters of introduction, address how to develop a budget and offer tips on keeping the costs down so more students can participate. Ideas may include using volunteer guides, connecting with another university or utilizing homestay options. Faculty considering creating an international component to their pedagogy should begin by reading the International Learning Opportunities guidelines online. For support or to learn more, contact Henke at chenke@boisestate.edu or 426-4045 or Francis atjfrancis@boisestate.edu or 426-3995.
Photo courtesy campus update
John Francis encourages international learning.
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Arts & Entertainment
September 27, 2012
5
You Remember That,
Johnson
“You remember that, Johnson” is Katie Johnson’s survival guide to Boise State detailing her experiences last year as a first-year freshman from out of state.
The Freshman 40
Zak Porter/THE ARBITER
Story Story Night takes a bite out of real life with CONSUMED: Stories of Hunger and Appetites at the Rose Room on W. Idaho Street.
Consumed: stories of hunger and appetites Tim Atwell Staff Writer
The Rose Room, a secluded upstairs ballroom just off Idaho Street in the heart of downtown Boise, grew quiet as the first storyteller, Cheryl Maddalena, took the stage. Paper streamers and chandeliers hung low over the packed audience of about one hundred listeners, reflecting green, red and yellow lights from the street outside. Maddalena stepped up to the microphone, took a deep breath and launched into her story. September’s Story Story
Night’s theme was “CONSUMED: Stories of Hunger and Appetites” and showcased the talents of three featured storytellers, two art-fusion pieces and stories from four volunteer audience members. Maddalena opened the night with a story about her experiences with poetry slams and childbirth, then passed the torch to New Zealand native Brent Southcombe, who told about everything from being a world class chef to providing job training for refugees. After Southcombe was Anna Demetriades, an Idaho native who spoke about her stepfather’s great effort to care
for his family and his struggle with cancer. “I really liked hearing the way Anna grew up, it’s so different than most people’s stories,” said Emma Arnold, a storyteller who performed one of the art-fusion pieces. This month was the first time Story Story Night added art-fusion to the lineup. First, storyteller Emma Arnold teamed up with musician Jack Loyd Gish, who played the acoustic guitar and sang, telling a story about finding what is most important in one’s life. “That music piece by Emma and Jack was so moving, it kind of shows you how songs and
stories work together,” said Jessica Holmes, host of the show. Next, Libby Schmoeger, a dancer from the Trey McIntyre Project, performed a dance choreographed by Chanel Da Silva to the tune of a story written by Holmes. “The fusion thing that Story Story is doing with the songwriters and the dancers, I think it’s a really cool way to express a story, and I’m always reminded that there’s so many ways to tell a story, in addition to just going up there and saying it,” Arnold said. “I love Story Story night for that reason.” At the end of the show, four names were drawn from a hat
of volunteer audience members to compete in a story slam, with the three featured storytellers acting as judges. One of the names drawn was Boise State student Matthew Weinberg, a senior studying mathematics education, who told a humorous tale about the final day of his vegetarianism while he was hiking in the Himalayas. “I was so nervous,” Weinberg said. “It’s intimidating standing up there on stage and not being able to see people’s faces.” Next month’s Story Story Night will be on Oct. 29, and the theme will be “PICKLE: Stories of Being Stuck in a Jam.”
Task Boise brings participatory art to campus Alx Stickel Staff Writer
Have you seen that decorated box in the Liberal Arts Building? Have you put a card in it? Art 351 students are helping create and promote Boise’s first Task Party. Inspired by New York artist Oliver Herring, Task Boise is an open, participatory event that is bringing traditional art and participatory art together. The first Task Boise event will take place on Thursday, Oct. 4 as part of Downtown Boise’s First Thursday. Danielle Forsberg, junior art education major, described the event to be like “a big party of charades.” Participants are encour-
aged to select a card from the task box at the Task Party and then perform the task they chose. Once their task is complete, participants are encouraged to create a task for someone else by writing it on a card and submitting it to the box. Ritta Nielsen, Vice President of the Idaho Art Education Association, further explained the sense of this Task Party. “The nature of this particular kind of event is that it is owned by the participants and it takes on its own life and it is a demonstration of collective creativity,” Nielson said. Art 351 student Karl LeClair, junior art education/printmaking major, said he has helped with
the coordination of this event and is excited about community involvement in social art. “Whatever happens is itself a product of the actual environment, the time, the place the people,” LeClair said. “So I think it’s exciting that it’s something that’s really open, free to the public and to get everybody involved and raise awareness for art and how much fun you can have.” Students and staff are invited to write a “task” and submit it in the box to start generating momentum for this new community event. Task Boise will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 4 at 500 S. 8th Street in Boise. For more information, go to taskboise.ipulidaho.org.
CODY FINNEY/THE ARBITER
Leave a card in the Task Boise box.
You’ve probably heard of the freshman 15. Some spend time hoping the scale doesn’t read more. Maybe you’ve tried eating right or working out. But even more damaging to your reputation than buying a larger size jeans is the freshmen 40. It usually happens at the start of the year when everyone is still close with their floor. Before you realize half the floor is annoying. That’s when the freshmen 40 happens. It goes like this: Someone you’ve met outside the dorms tells you to come over You ask if you can bring friends and your host agrees. Except you don’t bring a few friends. You bring your whole floor. Welcome to the freshmen 40. Nobody wants your whole floor at their house. The same rule applies to parties or kickbacks. Unless you are explicitly told to bring as many people as you can, it’s just not cool to show up with more than say, three other people. In a year or two you’ll look back and be embarrassed you showed up in a pack. You’ll see freshmen rolling around in packs and wonder why you ever did that. The answer is pretty simple—you’re still trying to determine who your friends are. The rest of us see you walking down Broadway in a gang of people so big some of you are pushed into the bike lane and we can instantly label you freshmen. Weed out your friends, pick a solid few people and stick with them. There’s no need for your whole floor to go everywhere with you. I promise, soon enough, you won’t like half of them.
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Arts & Entertainment
September 27, 2012
SUPS continues
Broncos from abroad: Part Three Social and educational differences Jack Muirhead
Jupiter Holiday, Acorn Project Matt Shelar Staff Writer
CODY FINNEY/THE ARBITER
Jack Muirhead gets his study on in the SUB. base-level office jobs. Minimum wage is higher than in America, so there is a greater incentive for students to fit university around their jobs. The consequence of students spending less time at university is that there is less of a community feel. While it does exist, it is normally centred around the fraternity or sorority equivalents. Known as colleges or residential halls and not strictly the same, these equivalents function similar to frats and sororities as they have formal events, parties, traditions and provide accommodation exclusive to members. Applying students often must be non-local and go through an application process with certain colleges preferring to accept people inclined to specific pursuits, be it arts, sports or academics. Halls and colleges have strong rivalries with each other. These rivalries are expressed through sporting, arts and academic competitions similar to intramural games. While loyal to their college or hall, Australian’s
could be seen to be less expressive when it comes to pride of the institution they study at, perhaps due to not having an NCAA equivalent there is less pride associated with being from a competitive university. For international students it is a strange sight to see so many wearing school crests. “Our business and law majors often wear very fancy clothes,” Alejandra Ornelas, a Mexican exchange student said. “The only people that wear university colors are the representative players, and even then, only during practice.” The promotion of universities pales in comparison to America, where college campuses are a wash of colors and mascot-covered clothing. The differences in lifestyle is intriguing and creates a range of good experiences as well as challenges for international students. Whichever it may be, university is certainly more than simply academic education and studying abroad is fantastic way to witness and take part in a foreign way of life.
MFA reading series continues
nally from Seoul, Korea. She moved to the United States when she was nine and now holds degrees from the University of Iowa (MFA) The John Hopkins University (MA), and Oberlin College (BA). Kim has published four
Staff Writer
Student lifestyles around the world are totally different, from grading and studying habits to buying groceries and earning money. Australian students, for example, may find their American professors act more as advisers and friends than lecturers and course setters. Course structure and degree pathways can be hard to decipher as an international student, with prerequisites being a foreign concept. “In Japan we have many optional classes,” said Ryota Kobayashi, a Japanese exchange student. “After the first year we can choose whichever courses we want within our faculty.” Where specialization is required, there are institutions that cater to certain industries such as agriculture, engineering or arts such as dance, music or performance. The cost of attending a university outside one’s hometown is high, so exploring options far away from home is less common. Foreign students might
find it strange so many local American students live on campus in dorms or residence halls when they could attend university while living at home. For American students, college life is a social hub and the majority of their friends are from college. It seems many could quite happily never leave campus throughout the semester. This is a major contrast to the way in which Australian’s treat university. Seen as an academic resource, socialising happens but students are more inclined to have friendship groups comprised of high school friends or co-workers. The majority of Australian students have casual or part-time jobs and try to fit university around their existing lifestyles. “During term I will often skip class to work or just hang out with friends,” said Tom Brazier, an Australian exchange student. “During the holidays I’m always stressed, my professors already know everyone skips class so we have assessment over the break.” There are few jobs on campus so students work in retail, hospitality or
Poet Myung Mi Kim speaks on campus Shontelle Reyna Staff Writer
It’s happening again: Boise State’s Masters of Fine Arts in creative writing reading series
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will bring another world-renowned poet to campus. Myung Mi Kim is origi-
LOST
Tearing it up on the Student Union Patio Friday Sept. 28 will be the bands Acorn Project and Jupiter Holiday. The show will be put on by the Student Union Fine Arts Program as part of the Student Union Performance Series (SUPS).
Jupiter Holiday
First to take the stage will be Boise’s own Jupiter Holiday. The four-piece ensemble has been around since 2005 and is made up of Michael Bassett on guitar/lead vocals, Jason Grazian on drums, Kreed Kleinkopf on bass and Shaun Palmer on guitar. While the band’s self-proclaimed influences are from “everyone and everything,” the essence of their sound is psychedelic/progressiveesque and they are admirers of The Animal Collective, The Beatles, Frank Zappa, The Grateful Dead, Nirvana and the Steve Miller Band.
Acorn Project
Starting at 12:45 p.m. Acorn Project, a seasoned sextet from Bellingham, Wash., will take their turn on stage. The group has been on the musical circuit since 2002 and released its first album entitled, “We’ll Be Fine,” in mid-2006. Though several members have filtered in and out of the group over the years, their current line-up includes drummer Kevin “Kreestoe” Chryst, lead guitarist Tristan Currin, keyboardist/vocalist Oskar Kollen, saxophonist/vocalist Sam Lax, guitarist/vocalist Andy Pritiken and bassist Scott “T-Bone” Vailancourt. Acorn Project has a dynamic sound that reaches into the influential depths of bands such as Pink Floyd, Radiohead and Morphine. So, if you’re a fan of everything from progressive and psychedelic rock to electro and funk, or are just looking to take in some live music during your lunch hour, the show starts at 11:30 a.m.
CODY FINNEY/THE ARBITER
WHALE! performed at the last SUPS concert.
books, “The Bounty”, “Commons”, “Under Flag” and “Dura”, and other writings. Through her poetry, Kim’s struggles and life experiences of living through the Korean War and coming to America at such a young age are explored. Myung Mi Kim will read in
the Farnsworth room of the Student Union Building on Friday, Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m. The event is free for students, faculty and community members. For more information on Kim’s and other upcoming readings visit the MFA website.
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Opinion
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7
September 27, 2012
Illness
Attendance policies abet
Do professors cause illness to spread with overly restrictive policy?
Christina Marfice Features Editor
cases of employee absence and a lower rate of illness among employees. When employees were allowed to stay home and recover when actually ill, they recovered faster, fewer employees contracted illnesses and the overall absence rates in the workplaces studied became lower as a result. Who’s to say Boise State wouldn’t experience similar results without so many attendance policies in place? Some professors’ policies are already less strict, holding students accountable for being present without making it impossible to take a day off. Casey Keck, a professor in the English department, bases only 10 percent of her students’ grades on at-
tendance. The attendance points also encompass preparedness and participation in class. Missing five or more of Keck’s classes results in a loss of all attendance points. “I find, typically, students who miss five or more classes also have a hard time with the exams and assignments because they’ve missed so much class,” said Keck. “Their grade suffers in other ways as a result of missing class, so I don’t feel the need to double up.” Other professors,
however, still feel the necessity of policies with no room for error, including Dr. Ralph Clare, whose attendance policy as outlined in the syllabus for one of his classes reads: “You’ll receive two free absences (excused or unexcused, it’s all the same— that’s why they’re free), the next will cost you an entire grade, and the fourth gives me the right to fail you." Clare recently missed class due to illness. He declined The Arbiter’s request for comment.
Ch ri s ba rf us s/ TH E ARBI TE R
It’s getting chilly at night. Boots and scarves are starting to reappear on campus. Pumpkin spice is back at every campus coffee location. Summer is over and all the signs are already here that fall is in full swing—for further proof, just listen to the coughing and sniffling all around you in class. College is a hot zone for upper respiratory illnesses like common colds and flus. Students are in close quarters with one another at nearly all times and it stands to reason a person exposed to so many highly contagious illnesses day-to-day stands a heavy risk of contracting a few his or her self. But why must we be exposed to so many? Why don’t ill students just stay home and save us all the trouble of being exposed to yet another
common cold-weather illness? At least in part, attendance policies must be to blame. It would be a challenge to find a student who has never had a professor with a strict attendance policy—for example, x-amount of absences leads to a full letter-grade reduction, or y-amount of absences results in a failing grade for the class. These iron-fisted policies appear to be something of the norm at Boise State, making it incredibly difficult for ill students to take the day off. And sure, the policies can often be bypassed with doctors’ notes excusing illnessrelated absences, but let’s be serious. While a cold is a great reason to stay home so no one else has to be exposed, it’s not a great reason to pay for a visit to the doctor’s office. Cold-stricken students should be at home in bed, not shelling out for
a note from a physician and especially not in classrooms, breathing their pathogens onto every innocent student unlucky enough to have registered for the same class. Obviously, attending class meetings is an important part of one’s grade for a course. Many professors contend that without strict attendance policies, students simply won’t bother to come to class. Here’s the thing though: we’re all adults. We don’t need our hands held and nobody should be telling us to go to class. Higher education is a choice, and one that becomes more expensive each year. If some students are willing to shell out for tuition and then blow off class that should be their prerogative. It should be unnecessary to tell such students they will fail after a certain number of absences because missing class lectures and discussions should result in failed tests and assignments. When it comes down to it, if the class can be passed without regular attendance, the professor is at fault, not any of the students. A study published in 2010 in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine actually found that more flexible sick-leave policies resulted in fewer
Is stress getting students down?
Opinion Editor
It’s easy to forget yourself when you’re going through life at a million miles per hour. One class to the next with very little time in-between, maybe you’re working more than one job just to pay for those Cup Noodles and in some cases maybe you have a child. So, could you really be blamed for just being in too much of a hurry to help out your fellow student when they need a hand, or slowing your car down for some cyclists? Hell yes you can! In fact, sometimes you accidentally wind up representing your whole school. These days your campus gets a certificate for being bike friendly by the American League of Bicyclists, The Princeton Review rates schools on how gay friendly they are (or not) and environmentally friendly campuses not only receive recognition from various outlets but there are literally majors at the school associated with it. But it doesn’t get a badge for how friendly its students are. If it did most
{STUDENT
campuses would probably fall short of earning that badge or perhaps rank high on GQ’s list of America’s 25 Douchiest Colleges. Arbiter staff writer, Mallory Barker set out to find out about the general friendliness of campus. During the experiment; four volunteers went to different parts of campus such as the quad and the Interactive Learning Center and would drop their books near crowds of people. The aim of the experiment was to see how many students would stop to help their fellow students collect the dropped materials. It was surprising to see how people reacted to the experiment with a somewhat disappointing outcome. It was discovered that about half the time someone drops all his or her books someone comes to help. Maybe the lesson here is to reflect on why exactly we’re so stressed and busy all the time that we can’t be bothered to afford a little decency to our peers. Being foul to someone because you’re in a bad mood isn’t going to fix anything. No you don’t have any obligation to help anyone,
or even be decent, but it might not kill you to try. This is college, stress is going to happen and it does. In fact, according to Tamar Lewin of The New York Times, it is actually getting worse. The percentage of freshmen who said their emotional health was above average fell to 52 percent, the lowest it has been since 1985 when it was at 64 percent. The annual study conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute in 2010 indicates freshmen stress levels to be at record highs. Not exactly a positive find. This just means nobody is alone in this struggle, so maybe students get a little selfish thinking they are somehow struggling more than their peers. Alas, there is help. If you’re stressed then find an outlet, we have a perfectly good recreation center on campus where you can take out your frustrations on the track in a healthy way. Maybe more importantly stop taking everything so personally, your professors didn’t make their syllabi this year with the intention of stress-
VOICES}
“Have absence policies ever made it hard to get well again?”
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ing you out, and sometimes it seems students forget that. Boise State has a really nice Health Services Department, and if you’re feeling so stressed out you just want to cry and can’t seem to manage it all and you don’t know if you’re going to be able to get back into your car without running over some cyclist then I implore you to go visit our counselors. According to Jodi Brawley, assistant director of wellness and marketing, there are eight full-time counselors and social workers—in addition to support staff—who work hard to help students let off the hot hair. They can help with all sorts of issues be they financially related or have something to do with your relationship or class troubles. It is available all year long regardless of a students’ insurance status. Brawley said, “We do the National College Health Assessment, we do that every two years here on campus, and it’s kind of a snapshot of the health of our students. The other universities in Idaho also do it at the same time so we can
compare how we are doing, are we seeing similar trends to University of Idaho?... We completed that study in fall 2011 about a year ago, but one of the questions asks what is the number one health impact, that impacts your academic success? So, asking the student what health-related issue causes them poor academic success, failing classes, not turning in papers, not going to class, things like that. And stress has always been number one for us. And every year that we have done the survey that’s a similar trend in other Idaho universities.” In addition to the year round counseling support to help students manage their stress, University Health Services also offers classes for students during the semester. One such class is Be a Super Freshman, a free walk-in group session just for freshmen to learn how to cope with the anxieties of college life. Another class is available for other class levels and taught by Brawley, which focuses on stress management for students. The reality is that life sucks sometimes and no-
body is making it any better by having a crappy attitude and taking it out on their peers. If you’re the kind of person who puts forth the effort to help out your peers and find positive ways to take out your stress then give yourself a pat on the back. On the other hand if you never stop to help people or are just generally unpleasant then ask yourself how much it would really cost you to shape up because GQ’s Douchiest Colleges list isn’t one we want to make.
Stressless 2012
When: Mondays, Sept. 24 through Nov. 12, 2-3pm Where: Norco Building Health Center room 117 Register online at healthservices.boisestate.edu/calendar
Be a Super Freshman
When: Tuesdays, Sept. 18 through Nov. 6, 11am12:30pm 8-week session Walk-in, contact Mike Scovill 426-3635 for more information.
Tajanee Simmons
Cody Neveu
Senior – Social Science
Sophmore – Zoology
It was a 100 level class and the more absences we got the more he would drop our grade. So it was a window of 1/3 so if we missed one then I think we were okay but if we missed like 2 or more then our grade dropped by a whole letter grade.
Just in the labs, since they’re only offered a few times a week, if you miss them then you’re out of luck for the whole lab. I don’t really have classes where if you’re not here you automatically fail because they’re massive lecture halls.
al opinion of The Arbiter or any organization the author may be affiliated with unless it is labeled as such. The Arbiter cannot guarantee
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8
Sports
September 27, 2012
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John Garretson Sports Editor
Robby Milo/THE ARBITER
Doug Martin runs the ball against New Mexico last season against the Lobos when the Broncos won 45-0 at Bronco Stadium.
Prep for Lobos: UNM preview Michael Steen Staff Writer
For the second in three games, Boise State failed to score an offensive touchdown. Unlike the Michigan State game, this game resulted in a 7-6 victory over BYU last Thursday night. While Joe Southwick had a relatively unimpressive performance by going 15 for 25 for 145 passing yards, running back D.J. Harper had a quiet 112 yards on 31 carries. The Broncos found little offensive production as a whole though, and the defense once again showed up to carry the team by
producing the Broncos only touchdown and holding BYU to 200 yards of total offense and forcing 5 turnovers in the process. The Broncos (2-1) now head to Albuquerque this Saturday for a matchup with the University of New Mexico (UNM) Lobos (22) in the first of a two-game road trip and the opening of their Mountain West Conference schedule. The Broncos’ offense seems to be headed back to the drawing board after failing to score an offensive touchdown against BYU on Thursday night. “We need to get back to our core run game and pass game,” said senior tight end Chandler
Koch. “We’ve been trying to get a little too cute with stuff rather than just lining up and playing football.” “We’ve got to tighten things up,” Coach Chris Petersen said. “Make better throws, not get penalties, make a tougher catch when we should and maybe things start to change.” New Mexico is coming off a 24-17 win over rivals New Mexico State in a win that snapped a 24game road losing streak for the Lobos. UNM provides an offensive scheme the Broncos have not seen this year in the triple option. New Mexico ranks 21st in the country in rushing yards with 234.8
YPG and presents a game plan somewhat comparable to Air Force, who the Broncos defeated 37-26 last season. “They hold the ball from you, you don’t get a lot of possessions,” Petersen said. “You have to make your possessions count, you have to be efficient.” The Broncos defense currently ranks 10th in the nation in points allowed per game with just 11.7 PPG allowed. New Mexico’s triple option will serve to be a challenge for the defensive front on Saturday however. “They do a lot of misdirection and it can get a little annoying at times,” said Sophomore linebacker
Blake Renaud, “but we’ll be able to get used to it.” As the Broncos look to be past their toughest test until Nevada the final week of the season, questions and doubts still remain about the offensive efficiency. “It’s not any one thing,” Petersen said. “Just execution. The biggest problem is they are trying too hard, they want to win too bad. We have to be able to handle a little adversity, keep battling, and eventually things will come around.” The Broncos will look to move to 3-1 and pick up their first conference win in Las Cruces at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The game can be viewed on KTVB locally.
A plethora of rec
at the Boise Foothills
Nikki Hanson
Online Sports Editor
The city of Boise is a proponent of public lands, specifically its Foothills. The Jim Hall Foothills Learning Center, Ridge to Rivers and Open Space Conservation are three programs that help to enhance Boise’s mission to be the most livable city in the country. The Foothills expand thousands of acres, all of which is public land, and include more than 100 miles of trails. The Foothills serve as a home to wildlife, plants, geology and historic features in the Boise area. The Jim Hall Foothills Learning Center is a facility that fosters growth for all students and visitors through education and information. It is a center that places a high value on learning about the Boise foothills and the surrounding high-desert environment through direct experience in the outdoors. The center also provided service-learning opportunities for all ages, focusing specifically on family and community events throughout the year. The Ridge to Rivers is a program that works to maintain the trails in Boise, as well as any trailrelated projects. Boise has
over 140 miles of trail, from Highway 21 in the east to Highway 55 in the west and Hill Road/Warm Springs Ave. in the south to the Ridge in the north, and a diversity of land that is a home to many different plats and animals. The Ridge to Rivers program accepts donations to help to protect and care for our wildlife community. The Foothills Conservation Advisory Committee reports just over $10.6 million from the Foothills levy funds of 10,300 acres of undeveloped foothills property have been protected as Open Space Conservation through acquisition, donation, conservation easement or land exchange. However, recently the Foothills have faced problems on the trails. David Gordon, Ridge to Rivers Trail Coordinator, recently posted on the Facebook page regarding the dog waste left behind on the trails. “It is imperative that you pick up your dog’s waste with a mutt mitt, and deposit it in a trailhead trash can… Please help us keep our trails and foothills clean and sanitary by picking up after your pet, and helping to spread this message— thank you.” It is important that all visitors to the Foothills respect the land. “The protection of the
Foothills over the past few decades for wildlife habitat, rare plants, recreation, and scenic vistas has been a community effort that has provided a tremendous asset to the citizens of Boise, unlike any other city of its size in the United States,” Foothills and Open Space Manger Julia Grant said. “The Foothills offer a respite to life’s daily stresses: school, work, traffic, etc.,” Grant said. “Spending time in the Foothills provides insight into better understanding the world around us; the natural world. There is something for everyone in the foothills, no matter your age or ability.”
Events:
The Star Party returns to Boise on Oct. 13. This event takes place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Jim Hall
Patrick Sweeney/THE ARBITER
Mountain bikers power uphill in the foothills. Foothills learning Center, 3133 Sunset Peak Road. It gives participants the opportunity to gain more knowledge about the stars. Second Saturday is for free all ages event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Jim Hall Foothills Learning Center. Sunset Series is a free all ages event held on select Wednesday evenings at the Jim Hall Foothills Learning Center. Annual Tending the
Foothills Event will be a volunteer event involving clean-up projects and/or trail maintenance. Story Trail is open from sunrise to sunset yearround at Jim Hall Foothills Learning Center. Participants will read and hike the 1/3-mile trail featuring a different nature storybook each month. Whether you hop on a mountain bike or lace those running shoes, it is a definite must to get out.
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I have a rhetorical question to ask: from the past few years, has anything positive come from a CBA disagreement in the sporting world? The NFL took a dip in production last year, especially on the defensive side, where a record number of quarterbacks threw for over 4,000 yards. An NBA season had almost disappeared in front of our eyes, with the 2012-13 year finally beginning at Christmas. NHL was non-existant in 2004-2005. You get the picture. Now we are dealt with a different kind of lockout, one involving an unheralded group of individuals. Individuals who are crucial to the integrity of one of America’s favorite sports. The NFL and its 32 owners locked out the NFL referees this season for not coming to terms on a collective bargaining agreement. For those who do not understand the sports legal mumbo-jumbo, it comes down to this: the refs want a pay increase for refereeing one of the most scrutinized sports to date. Their NBA, NHL and MLB counterparts average around $128,000 to $142,000 a season for their efforts. For the NFL, the average comes out to around $70,000, according to therichest.org. Sure, take in to account experience and field of expertise, but the numbers don’t lie. With the importance of the NFL higher-ups being focused on starting the season on-time, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell hired replacement refs to take care of the duties of the one who were asking for a bit of a pay raise. To say they are inexperienced is an extreme understatement for the conditions of taking the stage on a national level. America played witness to some horrific play-calling in the preseason, but the alarm wasn’t pulled in hopes of a resolution taking place. However, the nightmare is in full-effect: the replacements are still there with no signs of a treaty with the referees taking place. Week three provided excellent data on the atrocity taking place: Jim Harbaugh gaining a challenge (and winning) without a timeout being available in the Vikings/49ers game, the Patriots being handed bogus penalties left and right (cue the Belichick grab). And most notably, the Monday Night Football debacle that will go down in history as one of the worst officiated games its fans and players were subjected to. The ball is in your court Goodell, and with the 70,000 voicemails stating their general concern for the game, I think it’s time to swallow the pride and bring back what fans yearn for on a weekly basis in the fall: quality and respectable football. arbiteronline.com