AUGUST 22, 2017
VOL. 30 ISSUE 2 I N D E P E N D E N T
Fetal tissue testing now illegal
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S T U D E N T
V O I C E
O F
B O I S E
S T A T E
Get your boba on
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S I N C E
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Football in the sun, finally
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EVENTS
Events this week Transfer Student BBQ Aug. 23 | Lincoln Townhomes | 5 p.m.
This special barbecue targeted especially for transfer students will include food, basketball and sand volleyball.
Fall 2017 Teacher Education Open House Aug. 24 | Education Building | 5 p.m.
Prospective education majors can meet with faculty and other students in the field to create contacts and learn a few tings about what it means to be a teacher.
Bronco Welcome Zinefest Aug. 25 | Albertsons Library, RM 201 C | 5 p.m.
Prospective education majors can meet with faculty and other students in the field to create contacts and learn a few things about what it means to be a teacher.
Outdoor Movie: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Aug. 25 | Grass Intramural Field | 8:30 p.m.
Everyone is invited to watch this summer movie on the grass of the intramural field. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets!
First Week Float Aug. 27 | Boise State Recreation | 1 p.m.
Students can join the Student Involvement and Leadership Center in rafting the Boise River to celebrate finishing the first week of the semester.
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AUGUST 22, 2017
INSIDE
AUGUST 22, 2017
Photo of the week
Editor-In-Chief BRANDON RASMUSSEN editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu Online Editor TAYLOR MUNSON onlineeditor@stumedia.boisestate.edu Opinion Editor JACOB PALMER opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Editor JORDAN ERB news@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Reporter XIMENA BUSTILLO news@stumedia@boisestate.edu Culture Editor SAVANNAH WILLITS culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports Editor DANIEL GARDNER sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports Reporter PETER HUGUENIN sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Sophomore illustration major Luan Teed draws a bucking bronco on the sidewalk to welcome incoming students. Photo by Brandon Rasmussen
Digital Content Manager AXEL QUARTARONE digitalcontent@stumedia.boisestate.edu Copy Editors EVAN FISHBURN HARBOR NEHER
Visit us on social media
Design Manager SELINA CEBALLOS
The Arbiter
Arbiter Online
@arbiteronline
www.arbiteronline.com
On the cover: Boise State’s famous bronco statue in fornt of Riverfront Hall grips a quill in its mouth as Boise State wrestles with questions of academic freedom. Photo by Taylor Humby, Cover designed by Nabil Rahman
Graphic Designer NABIL RAHMAN Contact us THE ARBITER is located at 1910 University Dr., Mail Stop 1340 Phone: (208) 426-6300 Website: www.arbiteronline.com Distributed Tuesdays during the academic school year. The Arbiter is the official independent student newspaper of Boise State University and a designated public forum, where student editors make all content decisions and bear responsibility for those decisions. The Arbiter’s budget consists of fees paid by the student body and advertising sales. The first copy is free. Additional copies can be purchased for $1 a piece at The Arbiter offices.
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NEWS
AUGUST 22, 2017
Boise State unable to use remains of aborted fetuses for research
New Idaho legislation criminalizes the buying, selling and use of aborted fetuses
Jordan Erb | News Editor | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu As of July 1, 2017, Boise State students and faculty are no longer able to use the body, bodily remains or embryonic stem cells of aborted fetuses for research purposes. The inability to experiment on these materials is part of a larger piece of legislation titled the Idaho Unborn Infants Dignity Act (IUIDA), which was passed on April 6, 2017 after being amended from its original version introduced the previous year. Now, by law, no one in the state of Idaho is able to sell, transfer, distribute, donate, accept, use or attempt to use the body or bodily remains of an aborted infant–except under certain extenuating circumstances.
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How medical tissue comes to be used in research is important ... somewhere this need (for material) is divorced from propriety or humanity.
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- Roger Brown, Director of Government Affairs According to Research Promotions and Communications Specialist Cienna Madrid, Boise State students and faculty currently use fetal bodies quite sparingly. Instead, what is more commonly used is a fetal cell line, known as HEK 293. This is an embryonic kidney cell line, which was generated by a physician over 40 years ago. On campus, HEK 293 is used for cancer research and is the reason the bill had to be amended from its original version, which prohibited the use of any aborted fetal ma-
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terial by any university, for any purpose. If the bill had continued in its totality, research efforts at universities throughout Idaho would have been stifled. “When the attorneys, research officers and government affairs people all got together, we determined the language was either gray enough, or perhaps there were unintended consequences that (the bill would’ve shut down that research,” said Roger Brown, director of Government Affairs at Boise State. In turn, the university pushed an effort to adjust the original IUIDA, working closely with those who introduced and sponsored the legislation. Their goal was to prove the use of aborted fetal material at Boise State was legitimate and had educational value worth defending. “We had an interest in making the case that we were doing good work–we weren’t playing in these dark spaces that were left to anybody’s imagination,” Brown said. A large part of the original bill dealt with the ethical obtaining, selling and use of unborn bodies and bodily remains, and much of the University’s effort to save the research focused on proving that the usage on campus was morally sound. “How medical tissue comes to be used in research is important. Somewhere, this need (for material) is divorced from propriety or humanity,” Brown said. According to Idaho Senator Clifford Bayer, who sponsored the bill in 2016, there have been cases of indecent motivations behind the distribution and use of fetal tissue, the culmination of which helped push the IUIDA to fruition. “In regards to ethics, you have respectful, properly authorized ways for fetal tissue to be available for legitimate application,” Bayer said. “I draw a line at the possibility of having a skewed motive in the whole abortion arena, which causes ethical concerns.” After collaboration between lawmakers, higher education teams and anti-abortion
advocates throughout the 2017 legislative session, their attempts proved successful, and the bill was amended to allow for the select use of aborted fetal material. In turn, research using HEK 293 is able to continue at colleges throughout Idaho. “The issue is not fetal tissue and research. It is the nature in which the fetal tissue is originated and researched,” Bayer said. “Fetal tissue is perfectly legal, if done ethically.” At present, the statute upholds that the only acceptable materials to be used are those that were obtained before July 1, 2016, those that are used for pathological study, or those used for diagnostic or remedial procedures that promote the life or health of the unborn infant or the unborn
infant’s mother. Falling under this umbrella of stipulations, HEK 293 remains in use and open for the possibility of further research, as it was received on campus before the July 1 cut-off date. The modest–yet important–change to the bill’s language has allowed for the continuation of some fetal cell line research efforts around the state of Idaho, while tightening up regulations on the use of unborn infants overall. “We didn’t want to have an unwitting limitation that would be interpreted as, ‘I can’t help this person or their unborn child because of this act; I can’t intervene,’–that’s not the case,” Bayer said.
AUGUST 22, 2017
Boise State researches energy efficient living in Driscoll Hall
NEWS
Professor, students and the housing work together on sustainability research Ximena Bustillo | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
With the new Honors and Sawtooth Hall in place and opening its doors to students, Driscoll Hall–the former Honors College dorm– is becoming a home for a new kind of living. John Gardner, director of the Energy Efficiency Research Institute and professor of mechanical and biomedical engineering–alongside the Department of Housing, the administration and students– is researching the uses of renewable energy sources in relation to existing energy grids and student residents. This research has allowed Boise State Housing to begin exploring and developing plans for “sustainability-oriented” housing within Driscoll by Fall 2018. “Energy grids that we have are designed for coal, not wind or solar energy powers, which concludes that the grid has to be different for wind and solar,” Gardner said. “This research is about renegotiating our relationship with the energy grid.” In order to begin this project, testing has already begun within the building, according to Gardner. Sophomore Residential Assistant, Gitesh Musale, is currently working in Driscoll. “There are about three to four people testing the bulbs and the temperatures of the water,” Musale said. “They are seeing where the energy is going and coming from.”
The research goal is to simulate a microgrid that is completely disconnected from the other energy grids in the area, according to Gardner. The first official step they are looking to take includes installing solar panels on the rooftop of the dorm.
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Ultimately it’s about education. We want to do the research, but we want the students to be a part of it.
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- Professor John Gardner Sustainability-oriented living does not happen overnight, though, according to Director of Housing Dean Kennedy. “We are working with several campus partners to explore the possibility of eventually having this residential building be ‘off the grid,’” Kennedy said. This, as he explained, will be a process for monitoring student residents who come through the building and are dedicated to the project for the next 10 or more years. “We are rebranding Driscoll. This also
strives to help make the living arrangements a part of the education process–this could eventually become a Living Learning Community,” Gardner said. In order to measure and maintain sustainability, residents will focus on a model that emphasizes lifestyle choices. “The residents will be exposed to the engineering needed for changes to the building, business models related to maintaining a more sustainable building and concepts of community health when living somewhere that values sustainability,” Kennedy said. One educational goal is to make students think differently about how they use their energy and teach the implications of energy usage, according to Gardner. This caters to the complete hands-on approach that all departments involved are encouraging. “Students living in that community would be responsible for monitoring the building and adjusting personal habits as they relate to energy consumption, water use and waste production,” Kennedy said. This will accompany infrastructure changes to alter the very nature of how the building receives power, water, and heat, and produces waste. “This community is not just about students living together for a year and
learning about sustainability principles, but students who will leave their time at Driscoll Hall and seek to make the world in which they live a better place for everyone and our environment,” Kennedy said. “We are exploring this concept because we feel it is the correct thing to do for our students and planet.” The benefits for this new model of housing go beyond just attracting freshmen to housing options. “This would be a small step in helping Boise State reduce its carbon footprint, thereby helping reduce our impact on natural resources,” Kennedy said. Aside from furthering academic research, the hope is that this can be a valuable and well rounded learning experience for all involved. “These residents will be able to apply potentially newfound knowledge to their apartments and homes when living off campus, businesses and industry in their careers, and generating new knowledge in graduate programs to further decrease negative human impact on the environment,” Kennedy said.
Driscoll Hall will see renovations to become more energy efficient. Photos by Taylor Humby
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NEWS
AUGUST 22, 2017
Boisians rally in support of DACA students
Several Boise organizations and Students held a rally at the capitol Ximena Bustillo | News Reporter | news@boisestate.edu
Students and Community member stand up for the DACA program, Photos by Axel Quartarone and Taylor Humby
At noon on Aug. 15, approximately 100 people gathered on the front steps of the Idaho State Capitol Building in support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Today marks the fifth anniversary of DACA, which prompted local Boise organizations, including the Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union, to stage a rally. Many individuals, including students and activists, advocated in favor of securing the DACA program. The event was one of many being held across the country in support of the
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DACA program, according to Estefania Mondragon, social change associate at the Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence. “We have a ‘DACA-mented’ community, including Boise State, and we need to enforce that inclusion,” Mondragon said. “This has been an issue since before the 45th president and it would be a disservice to the society to ignore.” Approximately, 3,000 individuals are included in the DACA program; a program at least 10 U.S. government officials—including idaho Governor Otter—are looking to erase, according to the Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence.
“It’s a matter of human compassion,” said senior business major, Sam Katana, a Planned Parenthood volunteer who was present at the rally. “If there are children who were brought here to the United States—through no fault of their own— and have made a life here and you send them back to where their family is from, they’ll have no one there.”
NEWS
AUGUST 22, 2017
Where did you park?
Concerns and solutions to Boise State parking Ximena Bustillo | News Reporter | news@boisestate.edu
The start of the academic year brings many expenses and decisions. Included is the decision many students face to buy a parking permit to one of the allocated parking zones. With an increase in enrollment numbers and expansion of student housing, there has been concern regarding the West Reserve parking zone, parking availability and parking security and safety for the upcoming year. West Reserve parking The West Reserve parking zone has lost 128 spaces due to the construction of the new Center for Fine Arts building, according to the Director of Transportation, Parking and Safety Systems Samuel Patterson. “We are currently working on three new lots in the south end of campus that will house 123, 80 and 35 parking spaces,” Patterson said. These are estimated to be completed by late fall and will include a shuttle service to the west end. Parking Availability Junior biology major Claudia Vulcan is one of many students on campus who needs to have access to campus parking. “I paid $375 for a Brady ticket, however this did not guarantee a spot,” Vulcan said. “I was not financially ready to buy a parking pass when they came out in July, but when I was financially ready, they were out of passes. I had to pay 12 dollars every day Monday-Thursday until about December.” Peak student arrival hours, according to both Vulcan and Patterson, are between 9:30am and 2:00pm. Finding parking on campus between these times can prove to be quite difficult. “Last year we had an excess of parking spots. It is important for students to plan ahead, they have to arrive with time to spare,” Patterson said. “Students can bike, use the shuttle system and try to plan ahead. If you have a permit and can’t find a spot, call the transit center and they will find a spot for you.”
However, students do not always find these to be viable options. “One time I came an hour early and couldn’t find a place to park, so I didn’t go to class because I didn’t want to risk getting a ticket,” Vulcan said. “You pay so much for a pass which might not even allow for parking. It is very inconvenient and parking at BSU in general is very inconvenient for residents and commuters who do not live in Boise.”
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Students can bike, use the shuttle system and try to plan ahead. If you have a permit and can’t find a spot, call the Transit Center and they will find a spot for you
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- Samuel Patterson, Director of Transportation Safety and Security The safety on campus is a top priority for both students and staff, according to Patterson. “Because I am younger and a female– unless I parked in a garage–it is super dangerous. Parking outside of a garage was therefore never an option,” Vulcan said. She raised further concerns about lack of lighting, cameras and surveillance throughout the parking zones. “There is a committee that is working on a camera plan across campus, as well as a campus wide lighting committee and patrols will continue,” Patterson said.
Construction Crews work on the new southside parking, Photos by Axel Quartarone
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OPINION
AUGUST 22, 2017
Yenor’s firing won’t solve the larger problems many face
Arguing for opposition to be silenced does not solve serious problems
Jacob Palmer | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Students occupy Occidental College to protest lack of diversity. Photo courtesy of The Los Angeles Times
At a time when political polarization is at an all time high, honest yet civil discussions between disagreeing parties are more crucial than ever. Unfortunately, this has not been the case regarding a recent controversy over an opinion article written by Scott Yenor, a Boise State political science professor. The controversy started earlier this month when the Boise State School of Public Service shared a link on their Facebook page to an article written by Yenor, entitled, “Transgender Activists Are Seeking to Undermine Parental Rights.” In the article Yenor argues transgender activists may soon try to use the government to force parents into giving their children gender changing treatment. To back up his claim he points to laws in Norway, Ontario and Minnesota, which allow the state to advance what Yenor contends is a transgender agenda onto children. He also argues that, at the ballot box, parental rights are more likely to be infringed because less people are becoming parents. As a result of this article many students have argued Yenor should be fired for his article. A petition online has gathered 1,900 signatures to get Yenor fired for his
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opinion. Problematic Arguments This article does not endorse Yenor’s opinion, in fact, there are key aspects of the article, such as Yenor’s assuming the worst personal motives to transgender advocates, that I strongly disagree with. It’s also important to note when this article refers to “debate” it is not remotely trying to suggest that the identity or worth of transgender individuals is the topic to be debated. Transgender individuals deserve the utmost respect and care in the unique personal and social issues they encounter on an everyday basis. What is up for debate is what public policies will best support transgender individuals. Local, state and national legislatures are already considering this issue. When considering a debate in terms of something that could be voted on by a legislature or the public, the best arguments need to be presented to convince the most people. In this regard, some of the response to Yenor’s article might not be the best way to convince people on the fence of this issue. A formal condemnation of Yenor came from Micah Hetherington, president of
the Trans Student Alliance. Hetherington wrote an open letter to news outlets and various parts of Boise State. It should also be stated that this analysis of one of Hetherington’s arguments is not a criticism of Hetherington himself or his position on transgender issues. “Yenor wrote a blatantly transphobic, homophobic, and misogynistic article without any research or effort to acknowledge the feelings and experiences of the trans community,” Hetherington wrote. This is simply not a strong argument. Hurling a bunch of labels at Yenor does nothing to address his points or sources. Especially when Yenor is using these arguments to address public policy, a counter article or evidence of any kind needs to be
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Firing Yenor will not stop potential legislation from being debated.Even if Yenor is fired, it doesn’t change his ability to vote or try to get others to vote with him on potential laws that can have a much bigger impact than an opinion article.
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presented to prove why Yenor is wrong. Instead, students have demanded that Yenor be fired immediately. One such student was Ryan Orlando, a Boise State student who wrote an opinion article for the Odyssey Online entitled, “It’s Time For Boise State To Part Ways With Scott Yenor,” in which he argues not only for Yenor’s firing, but debate on some issues not be allowed at all. “The simple fact of the matter is some political questions are not negotiable, and we need to stop pretending that they are,”
Orlando wrote. “There are some issues where a ‘politically neutral’ stance is in fact siding with the oppressor. Homophobia and transphobia are two of those issues.” But this rhetoric isn’t going to stop debates on policies from taking place. It doesn’t build dialogue with potential allies. Again, what’s being debated in this article is not the identity or worth of transgender individuals, but how best to argue for policies that can improve their lives. And when those lives are being put up to a vote, building dialogue with other people is one of the most important things to do. Censorship doesn’t solve issues The ultimate problem with calls for censorship such as these is they ultimately lead to a complete shutdown of conversation between different sides, which leads to polarization. It doesn’t eliminate a controversal viewpoint, it only masks it. When division exists in an issue as heated as how to accommodate transgender individuals, there needs to be dialogue between differing sides. This is something many on the right and left believe in, even those as prominent at Barack Obama. “You should have an argument, but you shouldn’t silence them by saying ‘you can’t come (to the university) because I’m too sensitive to hear what you have to say,’” Obama said at an education town hall. Certainly articles such as Yenor’s which are written with inflammatory language aren’t helpful, but demanding all people who might disagree with how to best address the issues facing transgender individuals be silenced isn’t helpful either. Firing Yenor will not stop potential legislation from being debated. Even if Yenor is fired, it doesn’t change his ability to vote or try to get others to vote with him on potential laws that can have a much bigger impact than an opinion article.
OPINION
AUGUST 22, 2017
Yes, Yenor should absolutely be fired
Scott Yenor should at least be forced to make an apology to the queer community at Boise State
Jamie Maas | Guest Author | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu
satisfaction are equal,” the article speaks to a deeply troubling and homophobic mentality that quite literally finds some types of sexual and gender expression as inferior, unequal and “threatening [to] society.” This type of discourse is dangerous because it sets the foundational premises through which violence against queerness can be both justified, and necessary to maintain the sanctity of “civilization itself.” The idea that queer folk and women are not equal and yet at the same time threatening aren’t really facts, but premises of a larger argument that must be true for the final conclusion to be true. People didn’t just justify the 17 murders of trans folk this year “just because.” The logic follows as such: Photo courtesy of Boise State University
The past couple of days have been somewhat turbulent among the students and faculty of Boise State, with a professor publishing a controversial article followed by a call out article by a Boise State student and a petition in favor of his resignation due to the impacts of said article. This article is a rebuttal of sorts to those who don’t believe Yenor, a politcal science profeessor as Boise State. should be held accountable for his decision to publish and push anti-queer agendas. Here, I will attempt to convince you of two things: firstly, Yenor is just wrong, and second that this isn’t a violation of free speech. Yenor is in the wrong While many people disagree about the method of calling Yenor out, most users went to great efforts to distance themselves from the article itself which should be really telling about how bad the article actually is and how it understandably made a lot of queer folk on campus upset. From implying parents who support a child’s gender transformation are abusive, blaming feminism for undermining families to stating outright that “not all means of sexual
The family is the basis for all societal contracts and sets the foundation for civilized society. The family is upheld through traditional gender roles and heterosexual sex. Queerness cannot conform to traditional gender roles and heterosexual sex. If queerness cannot conform to traditional gender roles and heterosexual sex, it cannot sustain the family. If queerness cannot sustain families, it cannot sustain civilization. Something that cannot sustain civilization is a threat. If queerness cannot sustain civilization, it must be a threat. Threats should be eliminated. If queerness is a threat, it must be eliminated. Therefore: Queerness should be eliminated. The bolded lines of the algorithm above are the basic truth statements that Yenor’s article defends as true, and the un-bolded premises represent the logical train of thought that has to be true in order to prove the conclusion true. With just one additional truth statement in the proof
above I was still able to reach a reasonable conclusion that justifies violence against queerness. That kind of step is what convinces many people to bash, beat, and bruise every queer body they see. And don’t take my word on that, take the FBI’s word when they tell you that “LGBT people are more likely to be targets of hate crimes than any other group.” The violence I am talking about aren’t just isolated incidents, but real events that occur all at our very campus.
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The fact that weather queerness is threatening, or non-existent is up for debate just upholds those ideas as potentially true, and gives credence to violent de-legitimization of queer identities.
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The “First Amendment” Defense One of the most common arguments offered in Yenor’s defense is that he has the right to say whatever he thinks, no matter how reprehensible. However, I would argue that this not only displays a proudly uneducated understanding of how the first amendment works, but also a poor example of how ideological purity is able to cloud our sense of judgement and human compassion. I call this free speech fundamentalism. A lot of the arguments presented in these kinds of debates often adhere to the ideological dogma of free speech that prevents people from using good ‘ole fashioned common sense. The reason the constitution protected the freedom of speech was to make sure that the government
wasn’t able to prevent private citizens from holding it accountable. So, while Yenor can’t be thrown in jail for being terrible, the constitution does not protect individuals from facing the social punishments that arise from their speech whether it be termination or public disgracement. Free speech fundamentalism is also not as educational as a lot of people think it is. Many of the people spouting this argument firmly believe the petition prevents the ability for people to discuss and debate important issues that affect our society. And while I would defend that positive discourse is good, I think this is limited because the nebulous right to speech shouldn’t infringe on queer folk and women’s access to safety on campus. Ignoring the fact that oppressive discussions like this make it difficult for queer voices to engage in discussions at all, it has an adverse effect on the underlying assumptions and political ideologies that shape the way issues like queerness are discussed. The fact that whether queerness is threatening, or non-existent is up for debate just upholds those ideas as potentially true, and gives credence to violent de-legitimization of queer identities. Violence against queerness is so normalized in society that straight and cis people are able to openly have “civilized conversations” about whether or not it should exist at all.
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FEATURE
AUGUST 22, 2017
Boise State faculty faces question of free speech
Administrators address controversy surrounding Professor Scott Yenor’s controversial article Brandon Rasmussen | Editor-in-Chief | editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu
The beginning of the school year was a mere two weeks away when students and faculty of Boise State were launched into controversy after a link to an opinion article written by political science professor Scott Yenor and published by the conservative blog The Daily Signal was posted on the School of Public Service’s Facebook page on Tuesday, Aug. 8. In the article, titled “Transgender Activists Are Seeking to Undermine Parental Rights,” Yenor writes about what he considers to be the result of the government giving policy support to young transgender individuals—the erosion of parental rights as defined by law. “A respect for parental rights and childhood innocence are bulwarks against the advance of transgender ideology,” Yenor wrote. Since its posting, Yenor’s piece has been condemned by several students and faculty, and has become the center of debate across various communities on campus, with the post on the School of Public Service’s page reaching almost 200 comments. As complaints from members of the Boise State community continued to rise, calls for disciplinary action began to turn up, resulting in an online petition on change. org demanding Yenor’s termination, which currently boasts around 2,000 signatures. This combination of factors poses a question to Boise State—one many universities in America are currently facing, as academic speech is distinct from other cases speech in terms of constitutional law. Boise State’s own administration has been cautious to approach this question: is it justifiable for a university to censor or otherwise silence academic speech?. The position of the Boise State appears to be against such disciplinary measures to preserve open dialogue, while some students object to Boise State’s inaction on the grounds of protecting transgender students and other groups on campus. When asked for a statement, the Greg
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Hah, the associate vice president of Communications and Marketing at Boise State declined to comment specifically on the discussion around Yenor’s article, instead referring to President Bob Kustra’s recent State of the University Address on Aug. 16., where he touched on the subject of promoting free dialogue on campus.
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His position as faculty allows him the latitude to explore new ideas. But those ideas do not have to be accepted—they can be challenged.
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- Francisco Salinas, Student Diversity and Inclusion As for the author of the piece in question, Yenor said he was “disappointed” in the reaction to the sharing of his piece, particularly the petition for his termination. After his article was posted by the Boise State Update page, Yenor spent the first week after its posting mostly unaware of the controversy surrounding it. Though the Update page is usually run by professors submitting their own pieces for promotion, Yenor claimed he never sent in the piece to have it featured. According to Yenor, the piece was written in support of a 20-page paper titled “Sex, Gender and the Origins of the Culture War,” which he wrote earlier this year for the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation, which is also the owner of The Daily Signal. “The longer piece is as moderate and evenhanded as the Daily Signal piece,” Yenor said. “I didn’t think either of them were particularly vituperative.”
While Yenor’s piece continues to be the subject of criticism, the Boise State School of Public Service also found itself under scrutiny after posting the article to their Facebook page. “We certainly didn’t share it as a way of promoting it, or endorsing the viewpoint,” said Corey Cook, dean of the School of Public Service. “The question was once it’s out in the public arena, do we actively try to silence that speech—and that’s a difficult set of choices, because we’re dealing with competing values.” Cook went on to say while he has his own thoughts about the piece as a colleague, he expressed his hesitancy to react to the piece as a dean, as that would represent a reaction on behalf of the School of Public Service as a whole. In addition, Cook defended the position of open dialogue on a campus, citing a 2016 study conducted by scholars at Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley, which claimed a ten-minute session of dialogue resulted in lasting changes in attitude toward transgender individuals. Cook also hopes open dialogue will prevent the outbreak of violence. “I will continue to respond to every email, and every phone call to say I do not stand behind this paper,” Cook said. “But I also won’t censor him for speaking, because it will have a chilling effect on faculty, and possibly bring harm to our students to do so.” Francisco Salinas, director of Student Diversity and Inclusion at Boise State, had a similar reaction when referring to the idea of Yenor’s firing for his published work. However, Salinas was also clear in his opposition to Yenor’s piece, and wrote a letter meant to counter it, which was then shared by the School of Public Service. “It’s dangerous to go down the road of disciplinary action for one’s ideas or ideological orientation,” Salinas said. “His position as faculty allows him the latitude to explore new ideas. But those ideas do
not have to be accepted—they can be challenged. And I chose to challenge them, because those ideas lead to bad ends.” Another response letter was written by Micah Hetherington, president of the Transgender Alliance at Boise State. For him, the answer to this struggle isn’t as simple as merely considering First Amendment rights. Rather, the focus of Hetherington’s criticism is on the safety of transgender individuals on campus. “His opinion is his own, and he’s allowed to have his opinion. But when Boise State posts it, that’s more of a problem,” Hetherington said. He also criticized the academic standards of the piece, saying it was “unscholarly,” as Hetherington claims Yenor made little or no attempt to address an opposing view on the issue. In addition, Hetherington went on to describe the fear transgender students experience when Boise State seemingly validates an article with Yenor’s position, particularly after the murder of Simon Bush, a Boise State transgender student last October. Hetherington also added transgender students may feel unsafe in Yenor’s class because of the views expressed in his article. When The Arbiter asked Yenor about this particular criticism, he responded: “I have no comment on that.” According to Cook, while the University is seeking ways to prevent these instances where some students feel unsafe, the spirit of open dialogue empowers all students to shape the intellectual landscape in which ideas are shared. “It would be very comfortable to respond to the piece and distance ourselves from what we know is going to happen next. But we know what the next step is,” Cook said. “If it’s a bad idea, you challenge it with a better idea. Our activity is around the clashing of ideas.”
AUGUST 22, 2017
FEATURE
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BUCKING AROUND
AUGUST 22, 2017
Puzzle 1 (Very hard, difficulty rating 0.88)
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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Sun Aug 20 18:22:41 2017 GMT. Enjoy!
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WE BELIEVE in the home team.
AUGUST 22, 2017
Insider’s view on becoming a NASA intern and fellowship recipient
CULTURE
Two Boise State students excelling at NASA
Savannah Willits | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu cial thanks to his NASA mentors, Robert Michell and Marilia Samara. “Seeing how hard Michell and Samara work and how much they cared about each individual. It’s really inspirational. I want to be a lot more like them,” said Belzeski. Overall, the main lesson Belzeski learned is the importance of collaborating in order to be successful. “I’m not able to succeed alone, it really takes a group effort to accomplish anything,” said Belzeski.
Philip Belzeski (left), Kathryn Drake (right). Photos courtesy of Boise State’s website
This summer two Boise State students, Philip Belzeski and Kathryn Drake, were recognized and awarded by NASA. In the aftermath of the experience of earning an internship and fellowship, the Arbiter followed up with Belzeski and Drake about their experiences. Philip Belzeski: NASA Intern Philip Belzeski, a senior physics major with an emphasis in biophysics and NASA Idaho Space Grant Consortium scholar, just returned to Boise from his summer internship at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. At the NASA internship, Belzeski analyzed imagery data of Aurora Borealis and conducted research on heliophysics. The internship was built upon study, independence and trust according to Belzeski. “My day to day tasks involved a lot of Googling and asking questions and looking for solutions on my own which becomes a very deep rabbit hole,” Belzeski said. “I was really independent and knew what needed to get done. My mentors were clear about the tasks needed to be done and they just let me go, which is a great experience.” The intern application included sections on academics, experience, volunteer work, awards and several short essays.
“Do not copy and paste that essay between all the opportunities because that is often what differentiates you. Be clear you are open for learning, even if you don’t know something, be honest about not knowing. They just want to see you are really eager to learn,” advised Belzeski.
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Be clear you are open for learning, even if you don’t know something, be hoenst about not knowing. They just want to see you are eally eager to learn.
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- Philip Belzeski Because Belzeski had applied and been rejected in the past, he didn’t expect to earn the internship. Therefore when he received the official email from NASA offering an internship it was an “...indescribable moment of dreams coming true.” Belzeski continued to thank all his mentors at Boise State including Barbara Morgan and Steve Swanson, who are retired astronauts, as well as Daniel Fologea, a biophysics professor. Belzeski gave a spe-
Kathryn Drake; NASA Fellowship A self-described thinker, supporter and aspiring adventurer, Kathryn Drake is a recent recipient of the NASA Space Grant Consortium Fellowship to create algorithms on cosmic microwave background radiation. She is currently a third year graduate student in mathematics with an emphasis in scientific computing and engineering. The fellowship application included five pages about the topic of study, academic record, career goals and two recommendation. During the midst of exams and last semester in her first master’s program, Drake only had a month to research, write and edit her proposal before submitting the application. The fellowship is broken down into different stages, the first being an extensive, or what Drake liked to call an “exhaustive review” of 150 to 200 pieces of literature for dissertation. The next step is to create an algorithm to analyze NASA data, in order to create final product, software. Scientifically and philosophically, Drake is fascinated by her research about the fundamentals of the early universe. “How everything is connected is beautiful to me,” said Drake. “Even with all these connections, there is so much variability. It’s a nice to be able to answer where [life] comes from. It goes back to the fundamental human pursuit of knowledge: where did we come from, and why are we here?”
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It’s a nice to be able to answer where [life] comes from. It goes back to the fundamental human pursuit of knowledge: where did we come from, and why are we here?
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- Kathryn Drake Despite the intensive research and short time span, Drake remains optimistic about the challenges the fellowship presents. “I wanted to challenge myself,” Drake said. This desire to achieve also stemmed from Drake’s journey to overcome an extensive period of selfdoubt during her undergrad, in which her advisor wasn’t sure she could be successful in graduate school. “Once I got into the master’s program at Boise State I was thrilled. I was surprised. I was terrified that I was going to fail out, but then I kept doing everything I wanted to do that I never knew I could,” said Drake. To celebrate her fellowship and success as a mathematics graduate student Drake got an infinity sign, that is used limits in calculus, tattoed on her ankle. “It was reminder to me that fears unfaced become your limits, and why I am aspiring adventurer,” said Drake. “I don’t want my fears to control my life, especially in the last year I’ve been trying to push my limits, even if I am afraid to fail.”
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CULTURE
AUGUST 22, 2017
Kustra gives 15th State of the University address
President Bob Kustra delivers surprisingly bold speech before school year begins Savannah Willits | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Boise State University President Bob Kustra presented his 15th annual state of the university address at the Morrison Centeron Wednesday, August 16th. The speech was peppered with shout outs and public appreciation for an extensive list of faculty, students, and departments at Boise State. When not sharing personal success stories of Boise State students and alumni, Kustra illustrated several key accomplishments by Boise State, commented on the politics of the first amendment and human rights, as well as the need to focus on skills rather than majors. Kustra highlighted several statstics for the new year about enrollment and donations. He first mentioned that Boise State has a 78 to 80% first year student retention rate and that 1 out of 3 students enrolled in higher education in Idaho attend Boise State. Both the 2017-2018
freshman class and graduates numbers are on track to be the largest in Boise State history. Similarly, there are a record number of students living on campus. With this increase in students, Boise State is welcoming three new buildings: Honors College and Sawtooth Hall, Center for Fine Arts and Micron Center for Material Research- witch a building for School of Public Affairs in works. Additionally, Boise State generated %50 million for research grants and contracts, and 17,819 donors raised $52 million for the scholarship campaign. One aspect many people noticed was the address had a political twist. Kustra condemned President Trump’s and Representative Raul Labrador remarks about the events in Charlottesville and University of Virginia. With an the emphasis on tolerance, Kustra introduced the creation
of the Marilyn Shuler Human Rights Initiative and Inclusive Excellence Council to create open dialogue about the inclusion and freedom of expression on college campuses.
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It’s time to come together as a community. It’s the time to celebrate diversity, but to be inclusive in doing so.
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- President Bob Kustra “One thing is for sure, this is not the time to retreat to our private and protected spaced, and instead I will argue it’s the time to come together as a community. It’s
the time to celebrate diversity, but to be inclusive in doing so,” Kustra said. Past the politically charged commentary, Kustra stressed the importance of preserving the future of the liberal arts, building a stronger enrollment base, and preparing students with skills for the workforce. The potential of a transdisciplinary education and providing students with experience and a diploma remains one of Kustra’s main goals. The address was overall a straightforward and relevant reaction to the current state of the United States in relation to Boise State University. “Here at Boise State we also have to be committed to fostering continued dialogue and education to combat ignorance and hatred,” said Kustra.
listen in at universitypulse.com @universitypulse @bsupulse Like Us on Facebook 14
CULTURE
AUGUST 22, 2017
Boise Boba pops into downtown location
Students have new options for boba tea in Boise Savannah Willits | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Boise Boba new 9th street location is open from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Photo by: Axel Quartarone and Taylor Humby
For those gone during the summer, a new location of Boise Boba opened on Ninth Street this July. Bubble tea or boba originates from Taiwan in the 1980s and has since made its debut in the Treasure Valley
with shops solely dedicated to boba. The Ninth Street drink shop is the second installation of Boise Boba, which is privately owned and operated by Steve Salas exclusively in the Treasure Valley.
Salas’ first boba shop was opened in Eagle this spring and continues to grow in popularity. Known for its tapioca pearls and fat straws, boba is an iced tea that may be shaken or blended with either milk or fruity flavoring. “I really like the drink and I always have good company when I come here,” said freshman English or pre-law major Sebina while sipping on a Green Machina (matcha green tea, vanilla, and cream) milky boba. Unlike the traditional boba shops, Boise Boba offers a combination of drink flavors instead of a traditional single flavor list. From the Purple Velvet (Salas’ personal favorite) to Moo Moo, the drinks are all one-of-a-kind combination named by Salas.
“It’s really sweet, but it taste really good. The boba is smaller, but it isn’t too chewy,” said Taylor Mamasse, a junior human biology major, after trying a Tango Time (mango and peach) fruity boba at Boise Boba for the first time. The shop has embraced millennial-inspired sizing as the drinks come in selfie (small), bestie (medium), or gucci (large), as well as a range of original add ins like yogurt and jellies instead of traditional tapioca pearls. Boise Boba is open from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday through Saturday, and 11a.m to 6 p.m. on Sunday. It is located next to Mixed Greens on Ninth Street and has replaced the former Leaf Tea House, which closed earlier this year.
WE'VE RAISED THE BAR ON ACADEMICS FOR INCOMING STUDENT-ATHLETES
ncaa.org/academics
NCAA is a trademark of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
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SPORTS & REC
AUGUST 22, 2017
Boise State plays afternoon football
First afternoon game on The Blue in four years to be played in season opener Peter Huguenin | Sports and Rec Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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We have no control unless we want to go to ESPN and say we’re out, and they’ll gladley accommodate us ... we just won’t be on TV. This will be the first home game during the afternoon since 2013. Photo by: Axel Quartarone and Taylor Humby
Boise State will kickoff its football season with the first afternoon home game in four years, the last home game being against UT-Martin in 2013. This season’s opener is against Troy who finished 10-3 last season and was ranked in the top 25 late in the season. They are one of the best teams in the Sun Belt conference, therefore the match up against Boise State should be an entertaining game. Boise State, since signing a television deal with ESPN, has a majority of their home games with late kickoff times. Starting in 2014 the earliest time has been 6p.m.—with some games not starting until 8p.m. While the ESPN deal has given Boise State more coverage, it has agitated many fans who feel the kickoff times are too late. According to Boise State President
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Bob Kustra, Boise State must weigh the benefits of being on ESPN against the cost of perturbing fans. “(Fans are) looking at the glass like it’s half empty, I’m going to look at it like it’s half full.” said Kustra. “Isn’t it interesting that (we) finally have some games scheduled for 6 instead of 8pm, so we feel like we made a little bit of progress this year. We have no control unless we want to go to ESPN and say we’re out (of the contract), and they’ll gladly accommodate us ... (but) we just won’t be on TV.” Boise State fans have cited the late kickoff times in recent years as one of the primary reasons for low fan attendance and decreasing season ticket sales. The afternoon game against Troy will provide fans the opportunity to prove that earlier
kickoff times will result in higher fan attendance, and higher percentage of fans staying for the entirety of the game. If this game were to sell out, with fans staying the whole game, Boise State could see more day games in the future. Students who have been here longer than four years are the only ones who have had the chance to go to an afternoon football game. Robert Glasson, who was a freshman in 2006 agrees. “Afternoon games are great because it allows for the opportunity for more fans to stay for the whole game.” said senior communications major Glasson who was a freshman at Boise State in 2006. “They are also great for the students because they allow for the opportunity to go do activities after the game. I’m
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- President Bob Kustra excited to see an afternoon game back on the schedule.” While some fans seem to be excited for earlier kickoffs not everyone thinks it will make a big difference. “At the end of the day, football is football,” said business major senior Austin Bleecker. “I grew up going to day games at the Rose Bowl for UCLA games, for me (as) a spectator it’s not too much different.” Boise State will find out how fans respond to the afternoon game, when they take on Troy on Sept. 2. The game will be shown on ESPNU starting at 1:45p.m. mountain time. Regardless of the time or opponent there is excitement in the air of the start of an Boise State football season.
AUGUST 22, 2017
Rec Center experiences ongoing maintenance following fee increase
SPORTS & REC
Bosie State’s Rec Center sees multiple repairs and rennovations after receiving additional funding Brandon Rasmussen | Editor-in-Chief | editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu
The Rec Center’s lobby was remodeled over the summer, with the hope of making it a more welcome space. Photo by Axel Quartarone and Taylor Humby
As classes begin at Boise State, the Rec Center will return to its normal schoolyear level of business, where several students can be found inside at any given moment during open hours. Given its near constant use, the facility sees a fair amount of maintenance every year, with this semester being no exception. According to James Hermes, assistant director of facilities and operations, one of the larger projects being taken on this year includes the roof over the pool complex, which was found to have a leak during the Spring 2017 semester. Although the Rec Center’s administration have been aware of the issue for some time, issues with the roof ’s warrantee have kept the project from being completed until this semester. “Whenever you have to do any roofing projects, that has to go directly through the State of Idaho’s Division of Public Works. Unfortunately, it’s not something I can just contract out,” Hermes said. “It is something that is taking a little longer than we hoped, but we’re currently working with Architecture and Engineering
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Currently, the funding is not sustainable. We are underfunded by approximately $250,000 per year.
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- Luke Jones, Director of Campus Recreation services on campus to get that done.” Hermes went on to say there is no current timeline on the completion of the project, but they aim to have it completed within the semester. In the meantime, students are still able to use the pool uninhibited. In addition to the roof, Hermes said there are plans to replace the light fixtures throughout the building, in hopes of improving the lighting situation. Returning students may also noticed he lobby has also been remodeled. “One thing our director has been working on has been making that lobby a bit
The roof over the aquatic complex is slated to be repaired by the end of the semester. Photo by Axel Quartarone and Taylor Humby
more of a welcoming space, where students can walk in and have update information about programs and things going on in campus recreation,” Hermes said. According to Luke Jones, the director of Campus Recreation, these repairs and renovations come along with an effort over the last few years to increase the amount of student fees that are directed toward the Rec Center and its maintenance. This lead to the raising of the Rec Center student fee by $4 dollars, which began this semester. “Currently, the funding is not sustain-
able. We are underfunded by approximately $250,000 per year,” Jones said. “With the $4 increase, we are able to keep current hours of operations, replace some weight equipment, continue to offer low-cost trips in our Outdoor Program, keep our fitness classes free and make some repairs to our aquatics showers in the men’s and women’s locker room.”
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SPORTS & REC
AUGUST 22, 2017
In the wake of Charlottesville, USC’s equine mascot Traveler is under scrutiny
Nathan Fenno | Sports enterprise and general assignment reporter | Piece courtesy of the Los Angeles Times When Richard Saukko galloped his chalk-white Arabian horse named Traveler around the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum almost 56 years ago, it was supposed to be a one-time stunt. Instead, the brief performance before USC kicked off its season against Georgia Tech turned into one of college football’s iconic traditions. A succession of white horses named Traveler have followed _ Traveler IX debuts this fall _ trotting out of the tunnel as “Conquest” plays and the costumed Trojan warrior atop the horse waves a sword. But during a rally earlier this week to show solidarity in the aftermath of the violence in Charlottesville, Va., a USC campus group linked the name to Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, whose favorite horse was Traveller. At the rally, according to the student newspaper the Daily Trojan, Saphia Jackson, co-director of the USC Black Student Assembly, asked students not to be quiet, and reminded that “white supremacy hits close to home” and referenced the name of the Trojans mascot. The Black Student Assembly did not respond to requests for comment, but questions about the name’s provenance have increased on social media in the midst of the national discussion on race. Saukko died in 1992, but his widow wasn’t surprised when a reporter called Friday. “The problem is this: maybe three weeks ago it was fine,” Pat Saukko DeBernardi said. “So now the flavor of the day is ... we all have to be in hysteria ... . It’s more of a political issue. The horse isn’t political and neither am I.” She noted that the name of Lee’s wellknown horse included an extra “l” and, besides, Traveler was already named when her late husband purchased him for $5,000 in 1958, half the asking price. The horse was a fixture in movies like “Snowfire” and “The Ballad of a Gunfighter.” “He was a movie horse and he turned mean,” Richard Saukko once told the Los
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Angeles Times. “That’s how I got him so cheap. A few months later, he’d become so gentle again, people wouldn’t believe it was the same horse.” USC officials spotted Saukko, a salesman from Sunland, riding Traveler during the Rose Parade in 1961. Three days before football season started that fall, they asked him to perform. He used Charlton Heston’s leftover costumes from “Ben Hur” to assemble a Trojan warrior outfit _ though the armor bruised his arms. A USC spokesman pointed to a history of Traveler on USC’s website when asked about the name’s origin.
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Maybe three weeks ago it was fine ... The horse isn’t political and neither am I.
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- Pat Saukko DeBenardi “USC’s mascot horse is a symbol of ancient Troy. Its rider, with costume and sword, is a symbol of a Trojan warrior,” the final paragraph said. “The name Traveler, spelled with one ‘l,’ is a common name among horses ... . USC’s Traveler is and has always been a proud symbol of Troy. There is no truth to any other claims or rumors about its name.” But the name isn’t that common. According to Equibase, a leading source of horse racing statistics, there have been only three registered thoroughbreds named Traveler in the U.S. since 1945. Only two quarter horses have been registered with the name. Another site, which tracks pet names, doesn’t rank Traveler in the top 100 most popular names for horses. The earliest mention of a connection between Lee and USC’s Traveler appears to have come in Saukko’s four-paragraph obituary in The Times. “Saukko’s first horse was half Arabian,
USC’s mascot, Traveller, makes an apperance on the field. Photo coutesy of USC’s Facebook page.
half Tennessee walker and was named Traveler I, after the horse of Civil War general Robert E. Lee,” the story said. The detail wasn’t attributed to a source and the obituary didn’t carry a byline. An Associated Press story in 2005 described the similarity to the name of Lee’s horse as “merely coincidental,” but, again, didn’t attribute the information. The name remains an institution at USC. It’s trademarked. For $1,700 plus transportation expenses, the horse will appear at your event. A statue of Traveler was unveiled in 2010, modeled after the “pure white Andalusian horse that is our majestic mascot.” Traveler VII’s hoofprints were memorialized in concrete in 2012 to be displayed on campus.
But unease lingers in some quarters over Traveler’s name and what it might represent today. Pat Saukko DeBernardi declined to wade too far into the issue. “Over at USC they’re nonpolitical about their horse,” Pat Saukko DeBernardi said. “What if their name would be Lee? Would they want to change it? It doesn’t make any difference ... . He’s a wonderful horse and a great mascot.”
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AUGUST 22, 2017
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