The Arbiter Vol. 36 Issue 7 11.16.23

November 16, 2023

Vol. 36, Issue 7

I NDEP END E N T

STUD E N T

VO I C E

O F

B O I SE

STATE

S I N C E

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Lack of education regarding women’s health has generated a culture of harmful myths NEWS

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ASBSU creates the first ever Sexual Assault Prevention committee to destigmatize sexual assault.

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OPINION

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Although some professors discourage the use of ChatGPT for classwork, AI can be a helpful tool.

arbiteronline.com

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CULTURE Women can benefit greatly from understanding and tracking the female hormone cycle. @arbiteronline

SPORTS & REC

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Boise State football should look into hiring former head coach Bryan Harsin after firing Andy Avalos.

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@arbiteronline

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Editor-In-Chief Hanalei Potempa editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu Online Editor Adam Bridges onlineeditor@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Editor Kiryn Willett news@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Reporter Kaylie Hilliker news@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Reporter Joel Hroma news@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Editor Emily Gordon culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Reporter Olivia Brandon culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports & Rec Editor Marlei Soderquist sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports & Rec Reporter Alec Simeone sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Opinion Editor Ella Van Leuven opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu Copy Editor Kelly Ann Asker copy@stumedia.boisestate.edu Social Media Coordinator Naomi Priddy Digital Content Manager Taya Thornton digitalcontent@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Broncos running with flags on The Blue.

ON THE COVER:

Understanding womens's health is impor tant due to a lack of education on the topic. This ar ticle addresses common misconceptions about the female body including if cranberr y juice can cure UTIs and if the use of emergency contraceptives can impact a woman's fer tilit y.

HOW TO REACH US:

Graphic Design Manager Sasha White design@stumedia.boisestate.edu

CONTACT US: editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu 208.426.6302 PHYSICAL LOCATION: Located on first floor of Lincoln Avenue Garage Suites

Graphic Designer Kelsey Mason

MISSION:

Digital Content Producer Niamh Brennan

Illustrator Sydney Smith Distributed every few weeks during the academic school year and online daily, The Arbiter is the official independent student newspaper of Boise State University, 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.

As a student-run organization, we produce accurate and hyper-local information through non-par tisan and socially responsible media.

MAILING ADDRESS: Student Media MS 1340 1910 W Universit y Dr. Boise, ID 83725 -1340

Photo by Taya Power-Thornton

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NEWS

NOVEMBER 16, 2023 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

An anonymous email creates political tension in ASBSU

President Sheen and Vice President Holman seek to solve issues regarding political stances Kaylie Hilliker | News Repor ter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Photo of Boise “B”.

Photo by Corissa Campbell

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wo weeks ago on Thursday, Oct. 26, The Arbiter was forwarded an email by an ASBSU representative out of concern for its contents.

The email was forwarded to the ASBSU representative from another anonymous email called “randomemailname968@ gmail.com” who shared it with other student government members, confused about the subject matter.

“Randomemailname968” explained how they had changed their own email address out of fear of being “in trouble” and claimed to have just been included on the anonymous email chain.

The original email, that was the cause of such distress, had the address “republicansofasbsu@gmail.com”, with the subject of the email as “weekly update”. The email began with the ominous typed line, “Hi All, Let me begin by saying how proud we should all be of how the past few meetings have gone. I’ve heard that multiple liberal members of the assembly and executive cabinet are considering resigning which

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means that our strategy is working.”

The email was introduced as an update and said that “new members who might be interested” in joining the Republican Party of ASBSU were included in the thread. The email refreshed members about the “new tactics” they are using to, “increase the influence of our conservative controlled senate to remove, or at least gridlock, members of the executive cabinet and assembly.”

The ASBSU email writer went on to say that the referred tactics might “seem harsh” but claimed were “necessary to repel socialists like our current president” and called upon the party to remember that the new constitution was the motive for gaining, “complete control of ASBSU”.

(The email in full is available for viewing through a link on the online version of this article at arbiteronline.com.)

After the ASBSU joint meeting was adjourned that same day, ASBSU Vice President Jason Holmon and Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs Kalista Barkely sat down in front of the assembly and senate members that chose to remain in the room for their statement. It was made clear in the meeting that the email from republicansofasbsu@gmail.com was leaked to various members in ASBSU. “I will not tolerate people attacking each other,” Jones stated. “I want everybody to respect each other regardless of disagreements, I don’t want to see personal attacks.”

He went on to explain the leaked email had been sent to the Office of the Information of Technology on Campus, and whoever had sent the email would be removed from ASBSU once their identity had been uncovered.

Jones called into account the purpose

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of ASBSU as a student-led organization to act on behalf of the good of the Boise State Community that functions as a nonpartisan body.

“We are all here for a reason,” Jones said.

“We are able to move past this.”

Immediately after receiving the anonymous email, The Arbiter contacted President Cheyon Sheen of ASBSU. In an interview, Sheen clarified the situation at hand.

“I think it was sent out to create divide,” Sheen said. “We don’t know if it’s legit. We don’t know if there actually are Republicans of ASBSU and they’re all organized and stuff. We don’t know if it’s just to throw somebody under the bus. We haven’t heard back from OIT yet.”

The Arbiter asked the President if she thought removing the member who sent the email from ASBSU was the correct action to take in light of the tension in the Senate and Assembly. ​​“I think it’s fair terms for appropriate removal,” Sheen said. “ASBSU uses space to create community. If you’re specifically targeting people and discriminating of how they will be used in their political parties, that’s outside what we want to be.”

The contents of the email allude to certain issues ASBSU currently is smoothing out, such as applying their new constitution to positions under student government. The new constitution was voted into effect last semester after two days of a constitutional convention, and there are still policy gray areas the Executive Senate and Assembly continue to sift through.

“There’s that conflict there because the transition from the old to the new obviously is not written down anywhere…

We’ve never worked with this new constitution. It’s very, very different. And so both

Jason and I, we were like, let’s lead in good faith,” Sheen said.

Such discrepancies in the constitution led to an ethics complaint filed by three members of ASBSU against the President for what they thought was a violation of the new constitution. Two of those members rescinded their names from the complaint and the last person President Sheen claimed to be having conversations with.

“It’s arguably been a little bit better but there is still a space where people are eager to point fingers and file complaints…

Rather than having real discussions with humans. And that is my hope with this complaint… We sit and talk first,” Sheen said.

This year alone ASBSU has achieved milestones and actively involves itself into the heartbeat of student life on campus to pursue solutions for the campus community.

“I do know students saying, ‘I’m struggling with my mental health, I’m struggling accessing counseling services… I’m struggling with the transition from being from a small town to coming into Boise.’

You know, and it’s not like we should just ignore things in the Constitution, but also let’s understand that we are trying to navigate these things that were not written anywhere,” Sheen said. “And that’s what leadership is — let’s move forward and focus on the things that actually need to be done.”

No information has been made available yet about the anonymous emailer from the Information Office of Technology.

NEWS

All future Boise State graduations will no longer be held on the blue turf

Mayor Lauren McLean secures her second term

Emily Gordon | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.bisestate.edu

Joel Hroma | News Repor ter| news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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oise State University’s upcoming spring graduation commencement ceremony will not be held on the blue turf at Albertsons Stadium as it has been in previous years.

All graduation ceremonies will cease to be held on the iconic blue turf as of the 2023-2024 school year, meaning any and all future graduation commencements will be held in the Extra Mile Arena.

“The decision to move to Extra Mile arena was not something that was taken lightly… There are currently no plans to have commencement on the blue in the future,” Mike Sharp, director of media

relations said.

The 2024 graduation ceremony, and likely all future ceremonies, will be split into three different cohorts. Students will be divided by their designated colleges — College of Business, College of Arts and Sciences, etc. — and given specific times to attend.

The spring 2024 commencement ceremony will be separated into a 9 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. time periods. More information to come.

If you are a current student and would like to share your thoughts on this change, please fill out this form.

Mayor McLean celebrates her second term as Boise Mayor.

Photo courtesy of Darin Oswald

M Photo of the blue turf at Albertsons Stadium.

Photo by Niamh Brennan

ayor Lauren McLean has secured her second term as Mayor of Boise. With 98% of votes counted, McLean leads with 55.5% of the vote to Mike Masterson’s 43.3%.

McLean needed to reach 50% of the vote to avoid going to a runoff election in December.

Other challengers Joe Evans and Aaron Reis received 0.9% and 0.3% respectively.

Going into a second term, Mayor McLean has promised to address issues such as homelessness, jobs, as well as developing new means of transportation throughout the city and beyond.

The main transportation policy Mc-

Lean plans to move forward with is her Pathways Plan, which aims to add safer walkways for people in the Boise and surrounding areas.

On the topic of affordable housing and homelessness, in her State of the City address, delivered on May 18, 2023, McLean discussed the City of Boise’s project at State and Arthur, which included 0.94 acres of land to build the Wilson Station Apartments which is anticipated to be finished by 2025.

“Boiseans agree, this is a safe and welcoming city for everyone. We’re going to keep it that way,” McLean said in an interview with KTVB on election night.

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NEWS

Idaho joins 32 other states in lawsuit against Meta

The privacy issues of social media are at the forefront of new lawsuit against social media company Joel Hroma | News Repor ter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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eta, the parent company of social media giants Facebook and Instagram, is being sued by over 33 states including the state of Idaho.

The lawsuit alleges that Meta employs highly addictive tactics to hook younger users as well as collect their data without permission.

Meta faced multiple lawsuits in the past ranging from class action lawsuits, multiple brushes with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and a tax evasion lawsuit from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

The State of Idaho is no stranger to taking action on social media. In 2022, Gov. Brad Little signed an executive order banning the popular social media app TikTok from state-issued devices.

This was also in response to alleged data collection, albeit from a foreign government.

The most recent lawsuit against Meta has a focus primarily on addictive tactics geared towards younger users and the information they gather from those users.

“COPPA (The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) prohibits social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram from enrolling users who are under age 13,” said Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador in a press statement emailed to The Arbiter.

COPPA is a rule that went into effect on July 1, 2013. Under COPPA, new requirements and protections are imposed on the internet that are directed towards individuals under the age of 13 years old.

“Today’s lawsuit alleges that Meta knew children used its platforms and the company knowingly collected data from them without parental consent,” said Labrador.

Attorney General Labrador’s office

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Graphic of a scale weighing Idaho against Meta entities. declined to comment further when The Arbiter reached out.

The almost 230-page lawsuit against Meta raises four key concerns: the business model of Meta platforms focus on maximizing young users’ time, that Meta deploys “harmful” and “manipulative” product features to entice extended use, the refusal to abandon these harmful tactics and filing misleading reports on user harms.

“Meta has harnessed powerful and unprecedented technologies to entice, engage, and ultimately ensnare youth and teens,” as stated in the lawsuit.

With social media as prevalent as it is, adults who use the platforms generally know what they are getting into, but younger individuals have less of an understanding of this.

“We know that our data is being

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mined. We know that they are using the information to make a profit and sell ads to us. We know that when things pop up that we are interested in. The same thing is happening to our kids,” said Boise State University Lecturer Christine Moore. “They need us on that platform so they can sell more data and make more money.”

According to a recent Gallup poll conducted in October 2023, 51% of those between the ages of 13-19 years old spend 4.8 hours per day on average scrolling social media with Instagram being in the top three apps used.

“Meta has Instagram and Facebook and their market share is number one in the world which means their social impact is larger than other social media platforms,” said Dr. Jinho Joo, an assistant professor at Boise State

Graphic by Sasha White

University.

Dr. Joo brought up what he sees as potential issues that arise with the current tactics social media companies use.

“Those kinds of things could cause negative mental health issues like depression or anxiety. Another problem is they are more likely to be exposed to fake news and fake information,” Joo said.

Joo shared that a possible way for these companies to avoid this is to make the algorithm “filter” that kind of content so it isn’t coming across younger users’ profiles as much.

This case is still in its early stages and it is still unclear as to when this might see an actual trial or what the possible outcomes might be.

ASBSU now has it’s first ever sexual violence prevention committee

NEWS

The committee aims to destigmatize sexual assault with a unique “student voice” Kaylie Hilliker | News Repor ter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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SBSU created their first ever sexual assault prevention committee dedicated to the awareness, determent and education of and about college sexual assault.

ASBSU’s School of Public Service Senator Bella Antonucci and sophomore Kinesiology major Sydney Thompson, see the committee as “student voice” presence on campus involving student care and support for survivors. Antonucci and Thompson act as co-chairs over 8 other members, a mix of ASBSU representatives and students.

“We started at the tail end of like September, beginning October…so we started meeting with the Dean of Students and the Gender Equity Center. We’re starting to gel with more resources to just begin learning more,” Anontucci said.

Thompson became connected to Antonucci through ASBSU President Cheyon Sheen after she gave a speech about the topic in a communications class she shares with Sheen.

“I did kind of similar work in high school,” Thompson said. “The club called Students Against Sexual Assault, which was kind of that student perspective on getting resources to students that was a little more approachable than a teacher, for example.”

Thompson explained how the club’s activities included drives, tabling and an educational video that was shared with her entire high school.

Now, her advocacy efforts are present in college alongside Antonucci and the rest of the committee. The two plan to start tabling events soon.

“We also want to make ourselves known since we’re so new. We want to get more people on our committee and have more people reach out to us so — not only starting to get resources out but also getting people that are interested in helping us too,” Thompson said.

The Sexual Violence Prevention Com-

mittee aims to host an event in April for Sexual Assault Awareness month, and start to be an accessible point of contact for students seeking help.

For events in the future, the committee wants to collaborate with on campus resources and organizations to normalize conversations and familiarize the student body with faces who work in offices on campus that deal with sexual assault crimes.

“We also want to make ourselves known since we’re so new. We want to get more people on our committee and have more people reach out to us so ­­— not only starting to get resources but also getting people that are interested in helping us too .”

- Sydney Thompson

“When we do these events, like kind of the bigger events in the future, [the plan] is to have as many resources as we can visibly there so we are creating the actual, physical space where people can actually meet them,” Antoinccui said. “So that if they do end up needing to report a crime, it’s not their first time seeing somebody in the office, but like, ‘I’ve seen them before’… and they actually know who they’re going to be talking to”.

Thompson spoke of the ultimate goal the committee has for the future, and her hope for it.

Photo of Bella Antonucci, ASBSU School of Public Service Senator.

Photo by Taya Power-Thornton “So shifting the culture where people can feel comfortable enough to report if something happens, or they could protect themselves and be helpful to people in

their life that are survivors…that culture shift — where people can feel more comfortable talking about it, I think is what I would like to provide,” Thompson said.

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OPINION NOVEMBER 16, 2023 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

ChatGPT isn’t going away, teachers have an opportunity to shape how we use it

The school system has a responsibility to allow students to grow with new technology Olivia Brandon | Culture Repor ter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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or many students, ChatGPT is a tool that helps with writer’s block, aids them in brainstorming or helps with properly formatting an email. However, many professors make it explicitly clear that any use of the new tool will be penalized.

Though blatant plagiarism of the AI responses will not result in learning, implementing ChatGPT solely as a helpful tool can promote critical thinking and maximize an individual’s educational experience.

While ChatGPT has brought with it convenience and time-saving techniques,

teachers are right for having more than a few qualms with the technology.

From research that has shown prejudices in the feedback given, including worries about inaccurate information and plagiarism, there’s no question that ChatGPT can be harmful if not used correctly. However, teachers have an opportunity to warn of these dangers in an effective way.

Rather than an ominous warning at the beginning of the course regarding the usage of this AI, teachers could take a moment to pause and discuss their concerns with students. Schools could go as far as

Photo of a person using ChatGPT.

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Photo by Niamh Brennan

having an optional elective that teaches students how to implement this technology in an ethical way, and also where it’s going to fall short when compared to the human mind.

As with anything, if you tell someone not to do something, they’re just going to want to do it more. Banning ChatGPT from classrooms isn’t going to discourage students from using it. A Time magazine article discussed how teacher Sarah Millard utilized ChatGPT to create an essay and then proceeded to have her students find the errors in the writing. “‘My students have never been so engaged in writing,’” Millard said. “‘They wanted to beat the computer.’”

Teachers across the globe have an extremely unique opportunity. Students look to their teachers for guidance in their academics and in life, and ignoring this technology is not going to make it go away.

Casey Kennington, associate professor of computer science at Boise State, discussed his perspective on the future of AI in education, as well as the concerns many teachers feel regarding the new technology.

“This is stuff that a lot of us have lost sleep over,” Kennington said. “During the pandemic, we had to suddenly go online and a bunch of people were like oh, I don’t know if I can teach online. …That was a pain because you’re getting into your routine. I’ve got this class, it’s great, I’ve been teaching it for years and now suddenly have to change it, and now we’re back doing that just a few years later, but with very different stakes and very different consequences.”

As far as whether or not to implement this technology, Kennington feels the first

step is simply not to ignore it.

“The short answer that I hear from everybody and I tend to agree with is you can’t ignore it. Some universities are ignoring it, and that’s unfortunate. I do think they’re going to fall behind,” Kennington said. “Some universities are going a little bit too far, in that they look at the world right now and they see oh AI, that’s it, that’s the future.”

It’s time to put the calculator analogy to rest once and for all, Kennington discussed the difference between two tools that have been viewed as a crutch in education.

According to Kennington, writing differs from math because it requires more abstract thinking. While the calculator assists in the process of solving problems, technology like ChatGPT is actually doing the thinking for you.

Kennington revealed what the future will look like for professors at BSU now that services like ChatGPT are becoming more and more mainstream.

“Boise State is soon-ish going to ask departments to come up with a plan to figure out ‘how is your department responding to it,’” Kennington said. “They could come back and say, ‘we’re not going to do anything’ but they need to give a rationale for it.”

ChatGPT and other AI systems are not going to be flawlessly implemented into education and everyday life overnight. In fact, the process will be slow and might feel overwhelming to many individuals.

What’s important is that professors and society don’t ignore it but rather gain an understanding of how it could be useful as well as where it inevitably pales in comparison to the human mind.

OPINION

Greek life organizations are major contributors to sexual assault on college campuses

Aspects of Greek life such as party culture, gender norms, a lack of accountability and hazing are contributors Ella Van Leuven | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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reek life has been the subject of extensive discussions and research regarding their potential contributions to sexual assault on college campuses. While many fraternities and sororities have not been involved in sexual assault — and many members of these organizations actively work to prevent such incidents — there are factors within Greek life that have been associated with a higher risk of sexual assault.

A 2007 study found that men involved in fraternities are three times more likely to commit rape than their peers who are not involved in Greek life. Another study from the National Library of Medicine reported that women in sororities are four times more likely to be sexually assaulted while in college (29% vs. 7%).

Several aspects of Greek life contribute to sexual assault, such as heavy alcohol consumption, the perpetuation of gender norms, a lack of accountability, peer pressure and hazing rituals. These factors combine to create a deeply unsafe environment for members of fraternities and sororities, as well as students on campus who are not involved in Greek life.

Greek life is often associated with a strong party culture that frequently involves excessive alcohol consumption.

Regardless of dry campus policies, such as Boise State University’s, alcohol is often still heavily involved in the parties thrown. When judgment is impaired by alcohol, potential victims are more vulnerable and predatory individuals may try to take advantage of that situation.

Some fraternities may also reinforce traditional gender norms and stereotypes, promoting hypermasculinity. This can create an environment in which aggressive and disrespectful attitudes toward women are normalized, making sexual misconduct more likely.

In a CNN article, author and founder of One in Four — a nonprofit rape

Photo of the Student Involvement Center inside the SUB. prevention organization — John Foubert stated that, “Fraternities provide the culture of male peer support for violence against women that permits bad attitudes to become treacherous behavior.”

There is also a concerning lack of accountability for actions that members of Greek life take. In some cases, Greek organizations may have weak or ineffective mechanisms for addressing sexual assault allegations within their ranks. This lack of accountability can discourage survivors from coming forward and may lead to a culture of impunity.

Attorneys from M.L. Law addressed this lack of accountability within fraternities, saying, “A university is supposed to foster a safe and comfortable environment for its students. Unfortunately, many universities have turned a blind eye when it comes to fraternity sexual abuse.

Photo by Niamh Brennan

There have been hundreds of cases against universities and fraternities for failing to protect their students…”

Another alarming facet of Greek life that perpetuates sexual assault is the hazing that often takes place. Despite hazing being illegal in all but six states, it is still a rampant problem in fraternities and sororities across the country.

A statement from Doan Law Firm discusses how sexual assault is all too common in Greek life hazing. “No type of hazing is more underreported than that involving sexual assault. The stark reality is that sexual assault occurs with alarming regularity as part of hazing ‘rituals’.”

While it is crucial to acknowledge that not all Greek organizations are implicated in sexual assault, there are systemic issues within some of these groups and the system as a whole that contribute to

an environment where such incidents can occur.

Efforts to combat sexual assault within Greek life must focus on both prevention and accountability in order to create a culture where sexual assault is not tolerated, survivors are supported and all students can fully enjoy the benefits of Greek life without fear or harm.

Regardless of the circumstances or context, no one ever is responsible for or invites sexual assault. The responsibility for any act of sexual assault lies solely with the perpetrator. If you have been a victim of sexual assault, Boise State offers resources including the Title IX Office, the Gender Equity Center, University Health Services and University Counseling Services.

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Lack of education regarding women’s health has generated a culture of harmful myths How taking control over health education can liberate women and their bodies Emily Gordon | Culture Editor | Culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Illustrations by sydney smith & Kelsey Mason

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very human lives entirely in their bodies, however, women experience an utter lack of education regarding their own body and its functions.

There is no solid confirmed reason for this downfall. The Society for Women’s Health explains that historically, women were excluded from medical research and medical trials as their menstrual cycles were deemed too complex and the possibility of harming potential future pregnancies and fertility was enough to deter researchers.

Alternatively, we can examine societal issues. Women’s bodies are taboo.

Historically, a woman’s body is meant to be the property of her husband and the functions of a female body is seen as grotesque and something to be hidden.

Generations of little to no research on the functions of the female body has created a modern culture of shame and misconstrued ideas of how a woman’s body works. Luckily, today there is more research and plenty of women working to lessen the shame and embarrassment women often experience when pursuing answers.

Myths Shame regarding the well-being of your own body can be a detriment to how people pursue help. It is no surprise that myths and fears become the way in which women take control.

Some myths are well meant and some

are simply the product of fear and lack of research surrounding the way of women’s health. The best way to stay in control of your body is to understand it.

Cranberry juice cures urinary tract infections (UTIs): Contrary to popular belief, cranberry juice cannot cure a UTI by itself. The national library of medicine says “that cranberry-based products intake can significantly reduce the incidence of UTIs in susceptible populations.” Meaning that the vitamins and antioxidants that are in cranberry products can help prevent the build up of bacteria that causes the excessive peeing and burning that accompanies a UTI, however it cannot cure it alone. UTIs occur for a number of reasons and can often be treated at home with over-the-counter medicines like “Azo”, which can be found in most grocery stores in Idaho. Peeing after sexual intercourse, using gentle cleansers and wearing loose cotton underwear can all help your vaginal health and prevent UTIs. I have no sexually transmitted infection symptoms so I’m in the clear: No. Let’s avoid the stigma around sex first, if you are having unprotected sex with multiple people and you are unsure if they are doing the same, routinely get yourself checked. Sexually transmitted diseases and infections can have no symptoms at first. Chlamydia and gonorrhea (both extremely treatable) have similar symptoms for sim-

ple conditions such as a yeast infection or UTI. There is no shame in keeping yourself healthy and going for routine STD screenings.

Plan B is an abortion pill: Not at all. Plan B is the brand name for a drug called “levonorgestrel”, a large dose of synthetic hormones that can stop the ovulation process (The egg dropping into the uterus). If unprotected sex occurs while a woman is ovulating, this option may not be suitable to prevent a pregnancy. Levonorgestrel is a safe over-the-counter drug that can be bought in pharmacies and grocery stores across Idaho. Alternatively, off-brand levonorgestrel can be purchased on Amazon for a fraction of the price.

Plan B can only be taken a certain amount of times before it impacts my fertility: Emergency contraceptives such as Plan B will not impact your fertility. The National Library of Medicine confirms that emergency contraceptives may alter period cycles and create an unpleasant feeling (nausea and vomiting), but research suggests it will not harm you long term. Levonorgestrel is actually one of the main ingredients in most birth control pills, and has been taken routinely by women for over 35 years. Phoebe Uricchio, family nurse practitioner at Boise State health services says, “Plan B affects everybody differently.

It can be a little bit rough

on your body as it’s kind of a hefty dose of hormones… but it’s perfectly safe.”

Plan B works the same for everyone: Unfortunately no, emergency contraceptives such as Plan B work best for women under 165 pounds.

Planned Parenthood suggests an-

other emergency contraceptive named “Ella” that works for women under 195 pounds. Emergency contraceptives should be used sparingly and other birth control methods (condoms, IUDs, the pill) are strongly recommended. Emergency contraceptives do not always work for everyone.

Uricchio at Boise State Health Services says, “We do all forms of birth control, we do IUDs, we do the arm implant… and we’re all insurance based here.” Meaning Boise State students can get access to birth control here on campus, just call (208) 426-1459 to make an appointment.

Periods are supposed to be painful: Breast tenderness, body aches and cramps are all normal symptoms of a period. But debilitating cramps that last longer than 1-2 days is not normal. It is beyond important for women to pursue help if extreme symptoms

persist. Extremely painful periods may be a sign of endometriosis, an extremely common and treatable condition.

I can’t get pregnant if I have sex when I am not ovulating: It is a great idea to keep track of one’s ovulation and hormonal cycle. Knowing when you are and aren’t ovulating is a helpful way of both being in tune with your hormones and knowing when you are most fertile. However, the Mayo Clinic reports that “Ejaculated sperm remain viable for several days within the female reproductive tract. Fertilization is possible as long as the sperm remains alive — up to five days.” Meaning it is possible to get pregnant even if you are not ovulating. It is always best to be safe and take necessary precautions with condoms or your preferred form of birth control.

I have to be 21 to go to a gynecologist: Not at all. Mayo Clinic suggests that pap smears are recommended when a woman turns 21. However when a woman becomes sexually active, it is best to begin seeing a gynecologist. Gynecologists specialize specifically in women’s reproductive health, Boise State Health Services offers full gynecological services. If you fear something is not right with your body, do not hesitate to get the help you need.

My period tracker is selling my information: Some period tracker apps do sell user information. These tricky details are often hidden within the neglected privacy policies. With abortion now illegal in 8 states, including Idaho, there are fears that information from these apps could be used in a legal prosecution. A New York Times article explains past prosecutions that did not rely on information from period tracking apps, instead they used text messages, search histories and website visitation records.

The information from a period tracking app is miniscule compared to all the other available information within your cell phone.

What is true about the laws regarding reproductive rights?

We live in an extremely fast-paced world. It seems everyday there is a new law and new fears surrounding the choices women can make. With the grasp social media has on the modern age and the sources in which people receive their information varies greatly, it’s easy to listen to the loudest and scariest voices.

In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Roe v. Wade recognized that the decision whether to continue or end a pregnancy belongs to the woman, not the government. In June 2022, the U.S. The Supreme Court overturned that decision.

Abortion at any stage is completely illegal in the state of Idaho. Some women fear that new laws and bills in the state of Idaho make it illegal to leave the state for an abortion. However, that is not true.

House Bill 242 restricts aiding a minor in getting an abortion. Being over 18 and seeking an abortion on your own is not a crime.

“It is 100% legal to access abortion care in Oregon and Washington,” says Mack Smith, Communication Director of the Planned Parenthood, located in Meridian, ID. “There are many barriers that could make it difficult for a pregnant person to travel to another state for an abortion including cost, transportation, health concerns, etc. For those who are interested in getting an abortion out of state, but may feel it is out of reach for any of those reasons, there are resources for you including the Northwest Abortion Access Fund.”

“Our society has created so much shame around abortion…it’s not always a choice for somebody,”Kimra Luna, full spectrum doula and founder of Idaho Abortion Rights said.

Idaho Abortion Rights is a great resource for more than just abortions.

They offer educational courses, access to birth control and a no shame environment dedicated to helping women.

Where can I get help?

There can be so much fear for women

regarding the health of their bodies in this day and age. Fortunately, there is also help and compassion hiding in the shadows of all the scary parts of today.

Boise State Health Services is a wonderful hub of information and help for all Boise State students. Students can get birth control, STD tests and gynecological appointments all on campus.

Students can also get over the counter birth control pills at the Health Services dispensary. It can be paid for in cash and kept private if need be.

Health Services also has all female medical providers. While that is not done on purpose, it can create a sense of safety and vulnerability for female students seeking help.

“Just come and ask questions anytime like no question is off limits,” Uricchio said. “I just don’t want anyone to ever be afraid to come ask… if you’re concerned about anything, or you want prevention services or anything, it’s always okay.”

Planned Parenthood health centers offer a wide range of services including birth control, STD/STI testing and treatment, pregnancy testing, cancer screenings and sex education.

All Planned Parenthood centers are committed to providing services at the lowest possible cost and to ensuring that financial concerns are not a barrier to necessary health care, and some may offer free services. Students with questions can reach out to the Planned Parenthood patient access center at 1-800-230-7526.

Idaho Abortion Rights also offers a multitude of services. They leave condoms, emergency contraceptives and pregnancy tests all around Boise.

Including the Flying M and Flying Pie pizzeria.

Womens health is not something to feel apprehensive about. At the end of the day it is your body and your responsibility to make sure you understand it and know where to get the help you need. Education surrounding the female body has failed women, but there is opportunity to correct that and take control of it.

C U LT U R E NOVEMBER 16, 2023 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

“Priscilla” is a refreshing account of the fascinating life of Priscilla Presley

“Priscilla”adresses warranted concerns many had regarding the relationship between Elvis and Priscilla Olivia Brandon | Culture Repor ter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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f you went into “Priscilla” expecting a romanticization of the infamous relationship between Elvis and Priscilla Presley, you were in for a rude awakening. This was Priscilla’s story through and through.

In fact, the film is so focused on the less-than-idyllic aspects of Priscilla’s life that Lisa Marie — Elvis and Priscilla’s daughter — was against its creation, fearing it may paint an entirely negative picture of her father. A complete 180 from her reaction to “Elvis” in 2022, which she loved and fully endorsed.

Throughout Sophia Coppola’s film, it’s highlighted again and again just how young Priscilla is — yes, people thought the ten-year age gap was weird back then too — which caused the “romantic” scenes to feel predatory.

This is a direct contrast from the movie “Elvis” in which director Baz Luhrman conveniently decided not to include that Priscilla was fourteen when the pair met, and maybe shows two scenes total where Priscilla is unhappy.

“Priscilla” is a story of girlhood, coming into your own and deciding what you ultimately want for your life.

Priscilla (Cailee Spaeny) experiences Elvis (Jacob Elordi) constantly putting pressure on her to be at Graceland, his mansion in Memphis, Tennessee, as he might “need her” at any given time. He isolated her from friends and family by moving her to Graceland and prohibiting her from starting a part-time job, even while he was away working on a film.

Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi perfectly captured Priscilla’s grace and poise and Elvis’ charisma. Elordi had big shoes to fill after Austin Butler’s 2022 Os-

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car-nominated performance in “Elvis”, but I dare say he succeeded in providing a more accurate and honest portrayal.

Elordi presents Elvis as a fully capable human being who should be held responsible for his actions, whereas Butler’s portrayal fits in with the narrative that Elvis was the victim of exploitation in his fame.

Spaeny portrays Priscilla as lovestruck but not naive. She is a girl who knows what she wants but needs to come into her own in order to ask for it.

Coppola’s choice to include seemingly mundane scenes of Priscilla sitting alone in Elvis’s mansion allows the viewer to see how addictive the fast-paced nature of her life with Elvis could become.

If you’re waiting for permission to live your life, you’ll chase those sporadic moments of excitement. Priscilla desired those breaks in loneliness so ardently that she went as far as taking amphetamines — given to her by Elvis — just to stay awake during the day.

Elvis may have been “protective” of Priscilla as far as controlling where she could go and what she pursued, but in other ways, he was incredibly careless.

One scene includes Elvis giving Priscilla a sleeping pill upon her arrival to Graceland, causing her to be unconscious for two full days. Coppola gives the audience almost no time to process this information, perhaps mirroring the chaotic nature of Priscilla’s life.

Priscilla endures tabloids and rumors about Elvis and his co-stars, some of which prove to be more fact than fiction, and yet attempts to understand what she perceives as Elvis’ lack of attraction to her due to his constant rejection of her sexually.

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Perhaps the most shocking aspect of the film was the domestic violence. Elvis repeatedly harms or attempts to harm Priscilla, only to pull her into his arms and whisper he’s sorry.

A master manipulation tactic, comforting Priscilla while simultaneously shaming her for not living up to his expectations of what he needed in a partner.

In one montage, Priscilla can be seen wearing beautiful evening gowns, going out to casinos and partying with Elvis, attempting to act older than she is. Contrast those with ones where she is crumpled up on the floor after one of Elvis’s outbursts and the audience is reminded that when you strip away all the glitz and glamor, Priscilla is a young girl in an impossible situation.

Elvis is shown attempting to control every aspect of Priscilla’s life from how she dresses, to her hair color to how she does her makeup. The transformation of Priscilla solidifies that Elvis is attempting to strip her of her identity and model her after himself.

Priscilla finally comes into her own when she and Elvis are essentially living lives completely separate from each other. She is seen taking karate, enjoying dinners with friends and spending time with their daughter Lisa Marie. The colors in this portion of the movie shift to a more neutral color palette — not bland, but no longer the candy-coated world of Elvis either.

Her outward appearance is a physical manifestation of her separation from “The King”. Gone is the heavy eye makeup and black hair, we see Priscilla figure out her own personal style.

Image of the Priscilla movie poster.

Image courtesy of A24 The final straw before Priscilla leaves Elvis for good is only alluded to in the film, but it’s easy for audience members to put two and two together. After one of his shows, Elvis requests that Priscilla come up and see him. Within the first twenty seconds of Priscilla walking into the room Elvis has pounced on her, ignoring Prisiclla’s protests.

Priscilla packs up her things, goes to Graceland one last time, and finally gets in her car. As she drives past the fans and photographers standing outside the gates, we get a sense as the viewer that Priscilla is finally going to live for herself now — she is so much more than Elvis’s wife.

C U LT U R E

Exhibit “Art for Change” opens the minds of viewers with captivating portraits

The exhibit sheds light on the horrors at-risk children face and raises funds for help Emily Gordon | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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ina Cole, a Boise based artist, has garnered the attention and empathy of many with her portraits of children being exploited in third world countries.

Cole felt called to start the exhibit, “Art for Change”, after watching the netflix documentary, “Tales by Light”, which explores the lives of at-risk children.

“That really sparked this interest. So that night, after I watched the show, I was like, what can I do?” Cole said.

“Why don’t I just shine the light on them?”

“That really sparked this interest. So that night after I watched the show, I was like what can I do?

Why don’t I just shine the light on them?.”

- Gina Cole, A Boise Based Artist

Cole then set to work creating pre dominantly oil based portraits of children listed within the Netflix series.

The portraits encapsulate the pain and tragedy inflicted on such young children, forcing viewers to stare directly into the eyes of these victims.

The paintings primarily focus on just the faces of the young children, with no background or extra decor — bringing sole attention to the faces of the children being exploited.

The funds created by Coles exhibit have been donated to the United Nations Children’s Fund, also known as UNICEF. Cole also works full time in a medical setting, meaning that painting is a true passion of hers, despite it not being a

full time career. She has dedicated much

Cole first picked up painting as an

for all who attempt it. Cole is proof that

Photo of Gina Cole’s featured artwork. of her life to helping and caring for others, through art and compassion.

Cole has also created an art therapy program for veterans, giving them an opportunity to feel the relaxation and creative relief that painting brings to all who try it.

Photo courtesy of Gina Cole adult, inspired by a friend who enjoyed painting. Cole found the solace and peace that art brings to be something she craved.

“If you like it, keep doing it,” said Cole. “ Don’t pull yourself down.”

Art can be such a therapeutic outlet

people do not need to be born artists to learn how to do it, and you certainly create change with it.

Gina Cole’s “Art for Change” exhibit is available to viewers at the Water’s Edge Gallery at the Riverside Hotel in Garden City through the end of November.

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

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C U LT U R E

Past BSU alumni celebrate the Morrison Center’s 40th anniversary

The Morrison Center has fostered a passion for the arts among Boise State students Olivia Brandon | Culture Repor ter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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he Morrison Center has held incredible performances and provided students across the Treasure Valley with incredible opportunities. As the organization celebrates its 40th anniversary, executive director Laura Kendall shares what makes the Morrison Center so special and highlights its values and goals for the future.

In reference to the $15 Hamilton student ticket opportunity in 2022, Kendall discussed the organization’s desire to replicate opportunities for discounted tickets for students.

“We are very interested in having students attend events. Whenever we can we do a student rush, which is what you’re talking about with the $15 tickets,” Ken-

dall said. “We try to do as many opportunities like that as possible, we offer tickets to classes for faculty, if they want to bring their class to an event.”

Kendall discussed how education is another important aspect of The Morrison Center’s mission.

“We also bring artists into classrooms,” Kendall said. “Sometimes we’ll have visiting artists and they’ll go into a music classroom or a theater classroom or even if their work deals with a certain subject they will go into a classroom… so that the students get a different perspective and learn a little different way of thinking about what they’re learning.”

Kendall discussed the dedication The Morrison Center staff feels in regard to

Illustraton of theater playbills surrounded by confetti. Illustration by Kelsey Mason

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creating educational opportunities for students.

“All of us that work here are very interested in nurturing the next group of arts leaders,” Kendall said. “We’re always looking for those opportunities and spending time with students is really important … we need young people, we need our next generation to continue the Morrison center, so we are keenly looking for those ways to build community among students and be able to help influence the culture as we can.”

Kendall felt that the Hamilton performance in 2022 provided a unique audience experience for both students and performers alike.

“We’ve never had that experience where we had an entire room full of only students to see Broadway, and I will say that it affected the cast,” Kendall said. “The cast loved that experience because of the energy that was coming their way. I think students affected the show, maybe more than the show affected the students.”

Kendall gave the rundown on what students should expect this season from The Morrison Center’s lineup. Ranging from “My Fair Lady”, to “Six” to “Hadestown”.

“Our Broadway series this year is phenomenal. The first show that was ever done (My Fair Lady) that opened the theater on April 6, 1984, was a total homegrown production. It was directed by the first executive director here, Fred Norman. It was a complete university student and community cast,” Kendall said.

“I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall to have a chance to see that because I can’t imagine the excitement of being able to perform on that stage for the very first time.”

Kendall discussed the importance of investing time and energy into an organization that provides so many vibrant theater performances for the community to enjoy.

“I care deeply about this organization.

I think it’s very important for not only Boise and the Treasure Valley but for the entire state,” Kendall said. “We’re hosting a fundraising event, June 1, which will be a lot of fun. And that will really help us kind of launch the plans that we have for the future.”

Kennedy Sandau, Boise State alumni and digital marketing manager for The Morrison Center discussed her love for the arts and what drew her to the position.

The thrill of the theater still hasn’t worn off for Sandau, each show that comes through brings its own kind of excitement.

“I still get so excited every time we have a show,” Sandau said. “Right now, My fair lady is in the building and for me to listen to this, the orchestra practicing and to see all the costumes and stuff ... I don’t think it’ll ever get old to see all those guys, it’s so fun.”

When asked about the most rewarding aspect of the job, Sandau discussed how fulfilling it’s been seeing the effect incredible theater has on people.

“Probably watching people experience theater, getting to see kids come through and knowing that they’re having the same experience that I had when I was a kid,” Sandau said. “But getting to have a hand in it is so much more rewarding, I would say. Making it special for them and knowing that they’re falling in love with the performing arts, it’s really cool.”

Thanks to increíble faculty members like Sandau and Kendall, The Morrison Center is a performing arts center filled with love, a dedication to the arts and especially to students. Due to a team that is passionate about finding ways to give students a chance to get involved or support the arts, The Morrison Center is a valuable asset to the Treasure Valley and Boise State.

C U LT U R E

The benefits of tracking and understanding the female hormone cycle Each phase of the female hormone cycle affects daily life in a number of ways Ella Van Leuven | Opinon Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Illustration of the female hormonal cycle.

Illustration by Sydney Smith

hroughout a woman’s monthly hormone cycle, there are predictable fluctuations in many aspects of the body and mind.

Throughout each phase of the menstrual cycle, women experience drastic changes in their body’s function, productivity and cognitive state.

There is a clear gap in education about women’s health and the menstrual cycle.

Kimra Luna, the founder of Idaho Abortion Rights, discussed why many women know very little about their own bodies.

“There’s a lack of sex education in schools, which means a lack of education about periods and cycles,” Luna said.

“Girls don’t learn about things like when they’re fertile, about menstruation or their cycle as a whole. There are many people who don’t want to talk about those things or think of it as a ‘dirty’ time of the month.”

Largely due to a lack of education and the stigma surrounding the topic, many women have no idea how to best react to each phase of their hormone cycle. Mallori Bjerke, executive director of the Boise

Period Project, discussed the importance of learning about the entirety of the female hormone cycle.

“The female hormone and menstrual cycle is more than just the actual bleeding,” said Bjerke. “Information about the entire cycle from start to finish needs to be taught and discussed.”

If women want to improve their mood, productivity and overall well-being throughout each month, a concept called “cycle syncing” can be incredibly beneficial.

Cycle syncing is based on scheduling your month around the different phases of your hormonal cycle. To utilize cycle syncing, women can base what they are eating, what exercise they do and what tasks they need to get done around the different phases of their hormone cycle.

Menstrual Phase The menstrual phase is the part of the hormone cycle that people are most familiar with. This is the bleeding phase where the uterine lining sheds and hormones are at their lowest. This phase of the hormone cycle is an ideal time for evaluation and

T

intuitive reasoning.

Forbes Health tells readers that since iron levels are low during this phase, women should try to consume iron-rich foods such as meat, legumes, nuts and seeds. Avoiding alcohol and caffeine can also aid in minimizing menstrual cramps.

According to Healthline, light exercise and movement are the most beneficial during this phase.

Follicular phase The next phase of the hormone cycle, the follicular phase, takes place as the follicle develops in the ovary. Hormones are still low, but estrogen and progesterone levels begin to rise. Since energy and mood are high during this phase, this is a good time to utilize creative energy.

Forbes Health says that this phase can best be supported by “prioritizing fiber, fermented foods and foods high in zinc, such as eggs and whole grains.” Because hormones are still low during the follicular phase, Healthline recommends activities such as light cardio during this stage.

Ovulatory phase The third phase of the female hormone cycle is the ovulatory phase, in which the egg is released from the ovaries. This can be an ideal time for communication and collaboration with peers.

Since energy is at its highest during this phase, Healthline recommends utilizing this time for high-intensity exercise, such as HIIT workouts and lifting weights.

During this phase of heightened energy, it is important to prioritize high-quality, nutrient-rich foods with healthy fats and carbohydrates.

Luteal phase The final phase of the hormone cycle is the luteal phase, wherein the body prepares for the next menstrual phase. This is the phase where many women don’t feel their best, and often experience anxiety, brain fog and a variety of PMS symptoms. This is a good time to focus on specific tasks and completing projects.

Energy is often low during this phase, so according to Forbes Health, this is an ideal time for activities like “yoga, pilates or even meditation”. This phase often leads to strong food cravings and increased appetite. Healthline recommends magnesium-rich foods and foods that boost serotonin, such as leafy greens and quinoa.

Phoebe Urichhio, a nurse practitioner at Boise State Health Services, discussed the benefits of learning about and tracking each phase of the hormone cycle so menstruators can better understand what they experience every month.

“If you get a bird’s eye view of the month, there is a road map to what we can expect from our hormone changes and what those might make us feel like. You can gain so much valuable information about your own shifts and phases, whatever that may look like for you, through tracking that data.”

Many apps allow users to track menstruation and other aspects of their hormone cycles, such Cycles, Flo, and Stardust.

Utilizing these apps offers users the ability to better understand their own bodies and what they experience every month. All these apps tell users that they will never sell their data, but for people who are still concerned, Planned Parenthood offers a guide to self-track their menstrual cycle.

During every phase of the hormone cycle, women have the power to increase their mood, health and productivity by being intentional with what they eat, what exercise they engage in and how they complete their to-do list.

By connecting with their bodies women can have a better understanding of what they are experiencing through each phase of their hormone cycles, as well as what they can be doing to best respond to each of the four phases.

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

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S PORTS & REC NOVEMBER 16, 2023 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

Starting Strong: Boise State Men’s Basketball starts off 2-0

Key aspects of Boise State basketball through first two non-conference matchups Marlei Soderquist | Spor ts & Rec Editor | spor ts@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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ith two wins to start the season, the Boise State men’s basketball team is looking like one of the most well-rounded, talented and focused teams the program has ever seen.

With a 89-55 win against Vanguard University and a 63-58 win over University of San Francisco (USF), the Broncos fiery start has Bronco Nation hopeful for what is to come.

After last season’s devastating loss in both the Mountain West tournament and NCAA Tournament, this team seems to have its eye on the prize.

With just two games under their belt, the Broncos have a multitude of things to be proud of, but also some things that will be critiqued and worked on throughout the early season.

DEPTH IN ROSTER The depth on this Bronco roster is incredible and also completely different from last season where there was all but nothing in regards to powerful players coming off the bench.

This team, with the likes of RJ Keene, Kobe Young, Mohamed Sylla and Andrew Meadow coming off the bench, could be a dangerous situation for any opponent.

Unlike last season when all five starters played all but two minutes in a game, this team can rely on a multitude of different players to carry the load on any given night.

“Part of it in November is just figuring out what you have,” head coach Leon Rice said. “I thought we did a really good job … this team is gonna be different guys on different nights. We got a lot of guys that didn’t didn’t do a ton tonight that you’re gonna see do a lot for

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us this year.”

CONFIDENCE AND COHESION With just a few games of real “play” time, this team seems as cohesive as a team who have been playing together for years.

The camaraderie on and off the court is undoubtable. With constant communication and a never ending stream of compliments, the team looks like a harmonious team that has each other’s backs.

“I think we showed a lot of resilience tonight,” Degenhart said. “There were some possessions that we wish to get back on defense, then we just responded with a better defensive position … we’re just continuing to grow as a team and continuing to get better on the defensive end.”

The team began to draw up plays in their matchup against USF rather than playing on a whim like they did against Vanguard.

NEWCOMERS O’Mar Stanley has quickly become a fan favorite, understandably so.

“He’s a shot blocker and energy bringer,” Degenhart said. “Everyone likes to compare him to Naje [Smith], but they’re two different players in the way that they play … it’s great to have a guy like that behind you on defense that you know if you get burned he can come over and block your shot … he just brings so much energy and passion to the team.”

Stanley had a few of his own dynamite type of plays of his own in the last two games including some aggressive dunks.

Though there are a lot of similarities between former Bronco Naje Smith and Stanley, the sky’s the limit for Stanley

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Photo of BSU basketball player #2, Tyson Degenhart. and there seems to be no stopping.

TYSON DEGENHART Though Tyson Degenhart did not play in the season opener against Vanguard due to a nose injury, the junior forward made a showstopping reemergence against University of San Francisco.

Degenhart, who was nominated for the preseason Mountain West first-team, made his presence known putting up 17 points in the game against USF. “We’re a different team with him, no doubt,” Leon Rice said. “He’s my security blanket.”

Rocking his Batman mask and all, Degenhart loved being back in The-X. “When I’ve shown people pictures of the masks they always say I look like Batman,” Degenhart joked. “I think that’s pretty cool.”

Despite the win against Vanguard, the

Photo by Niamh Brennan

absence of Degenhart was felt throughout the team.

“Playing with Tyson, I noticed not having him in the first game. It makes it so much easier when you have him out there,” Max Rice said. “He just makes it easier for all of us.”

GOING FORWARD As the Broncos sit with the 2-0 record against incredibly valiant non-conference teams, the Broncos have a slew of strong opponents coming up in their schedule.

“Where we’re sitting right now, 2-0 is a heck of a lot better than 1-1,” Leon Rice said. “Especially the dividends this win is going to pay throughout the year.

They will be a 20-plus win team, no doubt about it.”

The Broncos will face Clemson on Nov. 19 for a battle that will be a must watch.

SPORTS & REC

Boise State wins against New Mexico, but loses their quarterback and head coach

Madsen revives the Bronco offense but injury strikes him down.

Alec Simeone | Spor ts & Rec Repor ter | spor ts@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Photo of BSU football player #4, Maddux Madsen.

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espite this season seeming hopeless, the Broncos needed a spark to at least finish the season strong.

Maddux, “Maddogg”, Madsen was indeed that spark.

In his first official start as a Bronco, the redshirt freshman threw 6-11, 202 yards and two touchdowns in the first half.

“I think everybody was trying our best not to get penalties to be out there celebrating with him on the field,” former head coach Andy Avalos said. “He’s a guy that has been through a fair amount and as always what we talk about it’s 10 percent what happens to you, 90 percent how you respond.”

Maddogg spread the love around too.

Redshirt junior wide receiver Austin Bolt caught his first touchdown pass on the Broncos’ first drive after being out all season due to injury.

Madsen also connected with freshman Prince Strachan on a 74-yard bomb that went for a touchdown.

In short, Maddogg was slinging the ball against the University of New Mexico like David slung rocks against Goliath.

There’s a lot to be excited about the change at quarterback, but if only the same could be said about the defense.

In what had generally been a week to week improvement for the squad, the Bronco defense played down to the Lobos level for much of the first half.

While they did allow big plays and struggled to get off the field on third downs, they didn’t allow many points.

In fact, they shut the Lobos out in the second half and won the turnover battle convincingly.

Up 29-14, just when you thought the ship was steady,, Madsen went down with what looked like a very serious

Photo by Taya Power-Thornton injury on the last offensive play of the first half.

In heartbreaking fashion, Maddogg was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

Due to Madsen’s injury, redshirt sophomore Taylen Green came in at quarterback to start the second half as the team’s only option at the position.

Green led the offense for the remainder of the game, going 5-6, 63 yards passing and 27 yards rushing including a touchdown.

“Just picked up where he started… like he did for me,” said redshirt quarterback Taylen Green. “It’s a team sport you know. I know he has my back and I know I have his back.”

Green wasn’t perfect, but he didn’t have to be for his team to win.

The Broncos offense played keepaway, running the ball 23 times to close out the game.

Understandably, the Broncos didn’t have to do much else. Playing keepaway when you’re up double digits is usually the right move to secure the win. With a great second half performance by the defense, Boise State coasted to 5-5 and 4-2 in the Mountain West Conference.

With that in mind, it’s hard to say what happens from here. The Utah State game next week will be very telling in terms of how the coaches decide to gameplan, depending on if Madsen is available.

The Broncos future will also rely on interim head coach Spencer Danielson, as Avalos was fired the morning after the victory over New Mexico.

Because Air Force and Fresno State both lost their recent games, Boise State is still mathematically eligible for the Mountain West Championship game if they win against Utah State on Veteran’s Day. “Some crazy things have to happen, which some things are going on tonight,” redshirt senior Alexander Teubner said. “Right now we’re going to play for each other and we’re going to play for the love of the game.”

If Madsen is unavailable, then we’ll get to see Green lead the team through a full game for the first time since week four against San Diego State.

As it stands now, Avalos has had as rough a go of it as any Bronco head coach. Navigating two quarterback controversies, deciding to start Madsen just for him to go down right before halftime, dealing with NIL… the Colorado State game. It’s been rough.

With his absence, the team looks to a young coordinator turned head coach in Danielson.

With what could be a poetic end to an otherwise forgettable season, the Broncos move to 5-5 and 4-2 in the MWC, still in the hunt for a conference championship.

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SPORTS & REC

OPINION: Bryan Harsin should return as Boise State Football’s head coach

Why Harsin could be the perfect fit for the coachless Boise State football team Marlei Soderquist | Spor ts & Rec Editor | spor ts@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Photo of former head coach Andy Avalos.

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ith the release of former Bronco head coach Andy Avalos, Boise State is in search of its new leader.

As the Boise State football program looms in the bounds with an uncertain future and an even more uncertain coaching staff, the only man that can save them is none other than Bryan Harsin.

Yes … Bryan Harsin.

As in the former Bronco head coach, former Bronco offensive coordinator and former Bronco quarterback, Bryan Harsin.

Harsin had tremendous success at the helm for Boise State. Garnering a 69-19 overall record at Boise State and leading the team to a bowl game each season as head coach.

The saying “once a Bronco, always a Bronco” reigns true for Harsin.

Though Harsin has found himself

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Photo by Niamh Brennan coaching for a myriad of different programs in his career such as the University of Texas, Arkansas State, Eastern Oregon University and Auburn, he has always found his way back home to Boise, Idaho.

In Harsin’s early career, he was Bronco head coach Chris Petersen’s offensive coordinator for five of his eight seasons as head coach (2006-10). In that time he was named a finalist for the 2009 Broyles Award and went 61-5.

After multiple stints at different colleges, Harsin returned to replace his mentor and former head coach Chris Peterson ahead of the 2014 season where he began making a name for himself.

In his debut season, Harsin led his alma mater back to where the program rose to national prominence, the Fiesta Bowl.

Boise State went 12-2 in 2014, winning its first outright Mountain West Championship and capping the campaign with a 38-30 victory over Arizona in the 2014

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VIZIO Fiesta Bowl.

The 2014 Fiesta Bowl marked the third win for the Broncos in such a title in the previous nine seasons. Harsin, serving as offensive coordinator in the first two Fiesta Bowl victories, has been a part of each of the school’s three appearances in the game.

The success didn’t stop there for Harsin.

Under Harsin as head coach, the Broncos never finished below second place standings in the Mountain West Conference and always achieved a winning record. Not only that, but the Broncos won three of the seven Mountain West Championship titles during Harsin’s tenure.

As success mounted for Harsin, there was no doubt that a program in the likes of Auburn University would pick up a highly desirable head coach such as him.

Though Harsins’ coaching talents boasted huge success in the Mountain West, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) is a different story.

Harsin soon realized that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

With a rough 6-7 record his first year at Auburn and 3-5 his second season, Harsin was relieved of his head coaching duties at Auburn halfway through his second season as a Tiger.

Though the former Bronco had a 9-12 record in Auburn, it does not diminish his success in the Mountain West.

As the Broncos have severely lacked in offensive explosiveness this last season, there is no denying the desperate need for an offensive juggernaut like Harsin to come in and take care of business.

Harsin, having been one of the most successful Bronco head coaches, is in one of the best situations to return home.

Being responsible for a majority of the recruits on this current Boise State squad, such as Taylen Green, Harsin knows much of the Bronco squad thoroughly and is to thank for the team that is built

as of right now.

Not only has Harsin built a great foundation for this program and founded connections with the players, but his offensive mentality would bode well with the young core group that is already established on the team.

Players like Green, Maddux Madsen, Ashton Jeanty, Prince Strachan and Jambres Dubar deserve better. They deserve a head coach that is able to use their strengths and talents to build a solid team. They deserve a coach like Harsin.

As he has been out of the coaching realm for just over a year now, there is no doubt that with the ever changing scope of the NFL and college football, new opportunities could arise for the successful coach.

“As college football ends, as the NFL starts to end, as things start to change … then we’ll see what happens and what opportunities come up,” Harsin said in an interview. “My goal is to be better.

Whatever opportunity I go into, for myself to be better than I was and to take this experience and apply it to whatever I do next … appreciate even more just the opportunity to be a part of something great.”

There is immense hope for Bronco Nation to have Harsin return and lead one of the winningest programs in college football back onto a path of fruitfulness.

“I will never say never,” Harsin said when asked about returning to the Boise State coaching staff. “Boise State has always changed my life, and it started as a player, it will always be ‘we’” Though Boise State will have to pay Avalos the remaining $3 million from his contract, the Broncos can certainly make space for the return of a Boise State football legend.

Boise State should return this gem back to The Blue.

OUR BEST GUESS THE ARBITER ALIGNS YOUR STARS CAPRICORN

CANCER

YOUR LIFE IS GOING TO START FEELING LIKE A ROMCOM SOON.

YOU’RE YOUR OWN WORST CRITIC, LISTEN TO WHAT THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE YOU HAVE TO SAY THIS WEEK.

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TRUST THAT ALL THE HARD WORK YOU’VE PUT IN THIS MONTH IS GOING TO PAY OFF.

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DEC 22 - JAN 19

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MAR 21 - APR 19

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OLIVIA BRANDON

CULTURE REPORTER

CULTURE@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE.EDU ILLUSTRATIONS BY SYDNEY SMITH