Vol. 30 Issue 29
April 17, 2018
IN D EPEN D E NT
NEWS
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Taking a closer look at student financial aid
ST U D E NT
V O I CE
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B O I SE
STAT E
CULTURE
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Wait, is it “Boysee” or “Boyzee”?
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SPORTS & REC
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Boise State wrestlers: where are they now?
EVENTS simplot ballrom
WED APRIL 18 EARTH DAY 2018
9:00 am
Join Boise State in an all-day celebration of Earth Day, with multiple activities and discussions around how to foster a more healthy planet and more sustainable future.
student union fine arts
THUR APRIL 19
MFA STUDENT SHOWCASE
11 am
This gallery showcases the work of MFA studens at Boise State and will be open until April 29. The reception will begin as soon as the exhibit officially opens and is free of charge to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
ming studios
FRI APRIL 20 READING WITH BHANU KAPIL
7:30 pm
Bhanu Kapil’s latest works include “Ban en Banlieue,” “Schizophrene” and “The Vertical Interrogation of Strangers.” The reading will be hosted by Boise State’s MFA program, and the event is open and free to the public.
appleton tennis courts
SAT APRIL 21
BOISE STATE VS UTAH STATE
12 pm
Boise State women’s tennis team takes on the Utah State Aggies.
WHAT YOU MISSED ONLINE PHOTO OF THE WEEK NEWS Kevin Satterlee, the current Chief Operating Officer of Boise State, was chosen on April 5, 2018 to serve as the new president of Idaho State University (ISU). He will begin on June 18, 2018.
NEWS Since August of last year, five candidates have kicked off their campaigns in preparation for the 2018 Idaho Governor General Elections, a race that could decide the future of Idaho. Read about the candidates online.
CULTURE
The C-SPAN bus visited the Boise State campus during its tour on April 10, 2018. Photo courtesy of Boise State University Photographic Services.
Looking for a midnight snack after studying or during late night shenanigans? The creator and owner of Pie Hole and The Mode Lounge is gracing Boise with another latenight dining option: Donut Daze.
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 Shannon Brennan culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Reporter Logan Potter culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports Editor Daniel Gardner sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports Reporter Peter Huguenin sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Digital Content Manager Axel Quartarone digitalcontent@stumedia.boisestate.edu Copy Editors Evan Fishburn Sophia Uhlenhoff Design Manager Selina Ceballos
ON THE COVER
Pg 10-11
In light of recent student suicides, Boise State communities are attempting to work together on initiatives to address mental health and student suicides despite lack of funding and resources.
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Graphic Designers Nabil Rahman Olivia Tocher Sierra Nobley Contact us 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, 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.
NEWS
BOISE STATE HAS AN INTERIOR DESIGNER?
The University earns more revenue by hiring design professionals to craft the signature Boise State look Blake Simony | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
This semester, the Boise River Cafe has a completely new look. The redesign project was the “baby” of Boise State interior designer, Kylene Collette. Her work to implement design standards applies to a variety of indoor decor on campus, from flooring to furniture and more. “I find that people are very surprised when they hear that we have an interior designer on campus,” Collette said. She was hired as a part-time employee into this newly created position in October 2015, but she was quickly asked to become a full-time employee for the University. Her job contributes to more than just the campus aesthetic, though. The interior design standards she crafts contribute to the cohesive Boise State identity that has been tailored through careful attention to the website template, signage on campus, architectural design and landscaping. Rachael Bickerton, director of trademark licensing and enforcement at Boise State, explained that design cohesion across the University contributes to the strengthening of the Boise State brand, which ultimately yields more money and generates national recognition. “Trademark licensing brings in between $600,000 and $1.4 million gross royalties each year. And for me, the stronger the university brand is, the more likely we are to sell trademarked products,” Bickerton said. After covering staff costs, these revenues go towards student scholarships and keep tuition rates low. While the initial strength of Boise State’s brand can be attributed to the football team’s first Fiesta Bowl win in 2007, the brand’s credibility is now being drawn from the academic achievements of the University as a whole. As with any successful brand like Nike or Apple, Bickerton explained that people associate design consistency with brand attributes. Since Nike is already known for quality sports apparel, people will automatically
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Kylene Collette, the Boise State interior designer, demonstrates samples from her palette for the University. Photo by Blake Simony.
trust a shirt just because it has a Nike logo on it. In Boise State’s case, the University is already known for sports success and academic achievements, so the design cohesion on campus fosters a sense of trust and community with the university. This is what leads to the purchase of trademarked products and the generation of profits. This process relies on the work of designers like Collette to ensure the brand attributes of the university are being maintained. Plus, her organization and adherence to the university palette saves money, time and effort. An example: whereas it used to be difficult to manage the dozens of varieties
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in each design element, there are now specified materials to use. The dozens of different paints that used to be stored and managed by maintenance workers are now cut down to eight colors. When considering the countless other interior design materials, the University ultimately saves storage space and money on supplies. Additionally, each design element is crafted by Collette to be mixed and matched with other elements. “Anything that we put down is very carefully thought about. We make sure that it goes with the whole palette, so that at any given time, it can go anywhere,” Collette said. “That way, we don’t waste
materials or money, ever. ” Ann Wozniak, the Boise State architect and director of architectural and engineering services, works to ensure that new buildings will also exhibit design cohesion on campus. The signature brick look and sleek silver finishes on the newer buildings are a couple of the many architectural standards that contribute to design cohesion. “The University has its legacy of a community college, but now it’s a destination campus,” Wozniak said. “It has really grown a lot over the years, so we’re growing with it.”
NEWS
DOLLARS AND DEGREES
Boise State Financial Aid Office discusses minimizing student debt
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student populations here at Boise State, including dependent students who are typically undergraduates, single and between 18 and 24. Students over 24 or who are married or have children are usually considered independent. Financial aid varies between different populations, and the government expects that parents assume primary responsibility for their children’s college education. “One of the biggest misconceptions is that financial aid will cover all school costs,” said Financial Aid and Scholarships Director Diana Fairchild. “Typically, new students qualify for a maximum of $5,500 in student loans. Some students also receive a Pell Grant. The maximum they can receive is $5,920 per year. The approximate cost for a resident student attending full-time and living on campus is $8,800, so there is a significant gap.” In addition to financial aid, students can also qualify for scholarships through academic or athletic achievement. Details on how to apply for or renew the Presidential or Dean’s scholarships and the Idaho True Blue Promise can be found on the Boise State Financial Aid website. Additionally, several Boise State departments and colleges offer scholarships to new and continuing students. “If students are hoping to help fund their education with scholarships, they need to make searching for those scholarships like looking for a job,” Fairchild said. Work-study is another way for students to earn additional money for college expenses. To apply for work studies, students should head to BroncoJobs and search for a position on campus that best suits their skill set and personal schedule. Money earned from work-study is not subject to federal income tax, and students are able to schedule work around their classes. Financial aid and scholarships may be sufficient to meet the average student’s tuition needs, however some choose to
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The Boise State Financial Aid Office estimates the costs of attending college for one semester to be $11,069 for Idaho residents. That sum includes tuition, books, on-campus room and board, transportation and just under $1,100 for miscellaneous expenses. Multiplying that amount by the eight semesters typically required to attain a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree equals a grand total of $88,552. Compounding that is the fact that 69 percent of Americans simply don’t save their money, according to a 2016 survey conducted by GoBanking. These figures can be daunting for many students and their families to consider while making decisions for continuing education. While grants and work studies may cover a healthy portion of costs, many students turn to loans which may be subsidized by the U.S. Department of Education, depending on the degree plan and financial need. The total student loan debt in the United States is estimated at around $1.4 trillion, according to a 2017 Business Insider report, with Idaho college graduates owing $17,900 on average. “Idaho is a great place to go to school, compared financially to other states like California,” said senior multidisciplinary studies major Camille Wagstaff. “It’s still a struggle, though.” Also troubling is the 2018 report from the Lumina Foundation that indicates a 40.6 percent degree attainment rate for Idaho residents, which was slightly below the national average of 46.9 percent. That’s the bad news. The good news is that help exists for current students worried about completing their degree and getting out from under student loan debt, as well as future Broncos eager to start school in the fall. While enrolled, some students are entitled to federal financial aid provided through Federal Pell Grants. An important factor to keep in mind is the different
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Patrick Kaufmann | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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Students should be aware of ways to mitigate financial burdens after graduation. Graphic by Sierra Nobley.
use federally-secured student loans or take out student loans from a bank. While this may be necessary at some point during their education, it may also result in mounting debt that can continue to affect graduates long after they receive their degree. “Dependent students have an aggregate federal student loan limit of $31,000,” Fairchild said. “While the average student loan debt for undergraduates is around $27,000, students need to keep an eye on their loan limits and not borrow the maximum amount if it’s not needed.” The Parent Plus—or Direct Plus—federal loan is an increasingly popular option for students to discuss with their families. Available to the parent(s) of undergraduate students or to graduate or professional degree seeking students, the Direct Plus loan can help with additional costs not covered by financial aid or student loans. According to Fairchild, use of Parent Plus loans increased by over 20 percent last fall from
the 2016/17 school year, totaling over $3 million, or half of all subsidized loans. Students and their families should use the Bottom Line Estimator to find out if they need to consider this–or any other loan–as an option. “Often, dependent students don’t recognize a need for reducing debt,” Fairchild said. “Their families are usually the first to feel the need for financial help.” Financial aid counselors are available to students who find themselves struggling to pay educational costs, according to Fairchild. If students have additional debt they are trying to manage, they are often referred to Debt Reduction Services, a non-profit credit counseling service off campus. Currently, a team of Boise State administrators are working to develop a series of workshops to help build good financial habits and debt reduction strategies.
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NEWS
STUDENTS TO HOLD SUMMIT AGAINST HATE AND VIOLENT MISOGYNY Students Against Misogynistic Establishments (SAME) will be hosting a summit on April 18 MaryAnn Fernandez | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
A group of Boise State students will be hosting a summit on April 18 that aims to increase awareness about violent misogyny in Idaho and Ada County. The summit is free to the public and will be located in the Bishop Barnwell room in the Student Union Building from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Students Against Misogynistic Establishments (SAME) includes five Boise State political science students and a political science faculty member. SAME was organized to focus on the violent misogyny that Idaho faces, specifically by increasing awareness about domestic abuse and the groups that overlook it. Misogyny is defined as hatred or prejudice against women, whereas violent misogyny is acts of violence specifically targeted towards women. As reported by Ada County Sheriff, in 2017 there were over 5,000 911 calls related to domestic and sexual abuse. Isaac Castellano, a lecturer in the Political Science Department, is the facilitator for the SAME group and assembled the service-learning project through the Political Science Department and the School of Public Service. According to Castellano, the SAME program is a part of a larger nationwide competition organized by the Anti-Defamation League. This program is the “Innovate Against Hate campaign,” and originated as a Homeland Security program launched by the Obama administration called “Countering Violent Extremism.” Initially, the Homeland Security money funded the program, but the Trump administration recently canceled the funding and program this year. “The five students involved in the project had the opportunity to choose what kind of hate movement that they wanted to tackle,” Castellano said. “So they opted for misogyny and establishments that facilitate, celebrate or promote misogyny—that have those sexist ideologies.” Abby Wood, a junior majoring in
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secondary education, political science and history, is also a member of SAME. According to Wood, they won’t be able to achieve their goal through a single campaign and summit. However, they hope to be able to give students and the community the tools to stop misogyny. “We also hope to raise awareness about the prevalence and impact of violent misogyny. We hope to help people understand that misogyny and violence against women is not a ‘women’s issue.’ It is an issue that impacts everyone’s lives, and we all need to work together to combat it,” Wood said. “Therefore, the slogan for our summit is ‘Bringing Us All To The SAME Page.’” Janice Witherspoon, a junior majoring in communication and political science, is also a student member in SAME. According to Witherspoon, the students were given the general idea of the Innovate Against Hate campaign and chose an extremist organization, specifically one named “Proud Boys,” that is prevalent in Idaho and created their counter-campaign. Witherspoon added that Proud Boys is part of a larger national organization. According to Witherspoon, Proud Boys focuses on ideologies of recognized masculinity with roots and missions based on ideas of misogyny that act like a gateway to further forms of extremism and violence. Proud Boys, according to their website, is a men’s organization founded in 2016 by Vice media co-founder Gavin McInnes. McInnes defined the Proud Boys as “a pro-western fraternal organization for men who refuse to apologize for creating the modern world, also known as western chauvinists.” Some of their values listed within their website include, “minimal government, maximum freedom, anti-political correctness, anti-racial guilt, pro-free speech, venerating the housewife and closed borders.”
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The group is part of a national initiative to counter extremism in all its forms. Photo courtesy of SAME.
“We ended up with the idea after we did our research because a big component of doing the research was finding what was most impactful. And we found that misogyny–and specifically violent misogyny–kind of acts like the gatekeeper or gateway into more violent forms of extremism towards other groups,” Witherspoon said. “And by the rate that misogyny is normalized and perpetuated, it is an especially timely campaign in the attempt to innovate against this specific type of hate.” Witherspoon explained the Anti-Violent Misogyny Summit that SAME will be hosting on April 18 is the culminating event of the campaign. “Essentially, we’re trying to welcome speakers across the Treasure Valley that have a variety of different backgrounds that all specialize in a way that specifically violent misogyny impacts our daily life,” Witherspoon said. “These speakers have an academic background and real life experience with these topics.” Furthermore, Witherspoon said that their target audience for the summit and campaign are individuals that are at risk and see messages that normalize misog-
yny. Their goal is to present a counter narrative in ways that people will have the ability to address it in their daily lives, including how to recognize it and essentially end violent misogyny. Andrew Castro, a junior political science major, is also a student member of SAME. Castro added that SAME is mostly concerned with increasing awareness of violent misogyny and equipping the Boise State community with the tools to stop it. “One of the most powerful yet underestimated ways of equipping our community is through awareness and knowledge that a problem exists, and ultimately that’s our main goal,” Castro said. “I would also add that a long term goal for us is solidifying this organization as one that is perpetual and can continue to serve our students and faculty with a message of inclusivity and perseverance towards these issues.” Castro said for him and the SAME group members it’s more than just a service-learning experience, it’s about changing the way others conceptualize violence against women.
NEWS
“EAT LIFE UP”: MARKET STREET IDAHO MAKES ITS WAY TO BOISE Albertsons on Broadway and West Beacon has closed its doors Alyza Lovenguth | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
As of April 7, the Albertsons on Broadway Avenue and West Beacon Street closed its doors but will be opening up new options. An orange banner with the phrase “Eat Life Up” acts as gift wrap for the up-andcoming Market Street Idaho location that is currently under construction. Owned by Albertsons Companies, Market Street Idaho transformed from an idea to a reality last June when construction broke ground, according to Kathy Holland, Albertsons Companies communications and community relations manager
“It will include both convenience and local items, and it is a great place for people to meet. We feel the community is looking for something new.” Kathy Holland, Albertsons Companies communications and community relations manager
in the Intermountain Division. With Engineered Structures Incorporated (ESI) handling the construction, Holland said Market Street Idaho will open its doors in June if construction continues to move forward. However, no official opening date for the Market Street Idaho location has been announced yet. Inspired by United Supermarkets’ Market Street in Texas, Market Street Idaho took “things (from these locations) and made it very specific to Idaho,” according to Holland, hence the name “Market
Street Idaho.” The new Market Street Idaho will be a different store concept, said Holland. The two-story “destination for foodies” will have dine-in and take-out options such as an expanded deli service, salad bar, grill station, a beer and wine bar and a Starbucks. Everyday grocery options will also be included in the Market Street Idaho store. “It will include both convenience and local items, and it is a great place for people to meet,” Holland said. “We feel the community is looking for something new.” According to Holland, when the new store began construction, Albertsons Companies reached out to the current workers and spoke with them about their future with the Albertsons Companies. After these interviews, decisions were made on whether they would move to the new Market Street Idaho location or another Albertsons location. A Boise Dev article said Albertsons Companies stated around 200 people will be employed for the new Market Street Idaho store. According to Holland, more jobs will result from the larger location, and Albertsons Human Relations has worked with Boise State specifically to organize job fairs for students. “Several new jobs will be available for talented, passionate, food-loving people who want to serve and inspire our customers with culinary delights,” Holland said. “The location is for all ages and people looking for a new, unique experience.” Before its closure, managers from the Broadway Avenue and West Beacon Street Albertsons location declined to comment.
The Albertsons on Broadway Avenue closed on April 7, but the location will be taking on new life. Photo courtesy of Kathy Holland.
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OPINION
MY JOURNEY AS A TRUMP SUPPORTER
How I became a Trump supporter over the past few years Amelia Albanese | Staff Writer | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu
I wasn’t always a Trump supporter, not even close. I was a senior in high school during the 2016 election cycle, which was an interesting time to say the least. I used to joke that I wanted the policies of Marco Rubio mixed with the energy of Bernie Sanders. Unfortunately, such a candidate did not exist. My friends in high school had a spectrum of political beliefs. Mostly though, my friends were Sanders supporters. We would debate issues at lunch, which could get pretty heated, and then come back together to discuss the latest episode of “Supernatural.”
“As a woman, I wanted to vote for a woman candidate. But more importantly, I wanted to vote for a candidate with policies I shared. Policy is more important than personality to me.” When the primary election swept across the nation, it became clear Donald Trump was going to win. However, I still wasn’t a huge fan of him nor his eventual opponent Hillary Clinton, and neither was Idaho. Idaho went for both Ted Cruz and Bernie Sanders during the primary. As the fight picked up steam between candidate Donald Trump and candidate Hillary Clinton, I wasn’t really a fan of either of the two. I honestly thought our nation’s politics were in a sad state—that was the best we could do? I didn’t like everything Trump had to say or how he said it, but most of his policies I agreed with. I began to support Trump even more so as teachers at my high school
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began to bash him in a way that didn’t allow for a rebuttal (this will be a theme that continued to push me closer to Trump even while at Boise State). I decided to major in journalism at Boise State, and I knew I was going to be walking into a field dominated by liberals. This didn’t bother me because journalism is supposed to be about facts and not opinions. However, I quickly saw how opinions ran rampant in the humanities and journalism fields. Professors and students went on about the elections and always criticized Trump, but it didn’t create an environment for debate. Honestly, I didn’t want to debate either because personally I didn’t think we should be debating politics in a communications class, other than analyzing how the two candidates communicated during debates. A few months into the semester, November rolled around and Donald Trump won the election making him president. On campus, there was a change in attitude. I noticed how those who had been so sure Hillary Clinton was going to win became saddened or angry, and then a whole different group of people were proudly touting their MAGA hats. I think it made those who had supported Clinton feel less sure of themselves and had the opposite effect for Trump supporters. As a supporter, it made me feel like I wasn’t alone. In my communications class, I was in a final project group which was focusing on the media. Perfect timing. My group was completely liberal except for me. The whole group just started angrily slamming President Trump on the assumption everyone agreed, but this time I finally declared, “I’m a Trump supporter; I voted for him.” The group looked at me with shock, but I was the one shocked when they actually apologized and stopped unabashedly criticizing him. It made me see that we could put our differences aside and focus on our work. To this day, I still wave and say “hi” to one of my group mates who is definitely
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Donald Trump greets supporters after his speech during a campaign rally at Bayfront Park Amphitheater Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016 in Miami. Photo courtesy of Tribune News Service.
a liberal. Their understanding really made a difference for me. In the spring of last year, I joined Boise State College Republicans. This past February, we were able to go to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Md. While there, President Trump spoke. President Trump’s speech at CPAC demonstrated to me why people voted for him. Being in the same room with him allowed me to see how personable he could be. I was able to hear his speech in totality versus the clips the media chooses. In person, he seemed like a goofy grandpa that you sometimes cringe at but has a good heart and just doesn’t understand present-day decorum. This persona made me see how people, especially those who attended rallies, could support him.
I would also like to point out that I have an array of friends from different political thought, and we all get along. We aren’t bad people for having a differing opinion; I believe we all want the same goals, we just have different ideas in how to reach them. We don’t always talk about politics, but when we do, we try to remain civil because we’re friends first. Overall, I would call myself a Trump supporter. I didn’t like him at first, but he grew on me. However, I make it clear I will only support him as his policies align with my goals. For instance, this new tariff war with China is not something I support. To continue to have my support and/or vote, President Trump and others will need to make sure their policies align with my beliefs.
OPINION
BOISE NEEDS TO PLAN AHEAD ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
The Treasure Valley’s sudden growth will only make new transit plans more expensive in the future Devin Ramey | Staff Writer | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Public transportation in Boise and the rest of the Treasure Valley is far from a reliable mode of transportation. There are few available options for people to take advantage of, and the few existing options are riddled full of issues, from buses not being on time to the hours of operation and lack of routes. Even as the Valley continues to grow, the number of people who ride the bus has dropped by 7 percent. These issues would be problematic in any situation, but the Valley’s explosive growth compounds this issue, which is projected to continue for decades. With more people and drivers on the road, traffic congestion will become a major issue for all of us. With better public transportation options in place, we can take preventative measures now before this issues a nightmare for all commuters. The City of Boise is working on new plans for public transportation, but we should not limit ourselves to one singular solution.
“There are few available (public transit) options for people to take advantage of, and the few existing options are riddled full of issues, from buses not being on time to the hours of operation and lack of routes.” Now is the best time to add improved busing routes and systems for Downtown and other high density areas, along with construction of a new streetcar system which would connect major areas of the Valley, a hope that Boise City Council President Elaine Clegg’s shares. It would
allow the public to bypass traffic on its own independent rail system. But before any of those new systems are put into place, the current busing system has serious flaws that need to be address in this overhaul. The City of Boise’s most recent proposals for new public transportation in Downtown have focused on either a streetcar system or investing more into the current Valley Regional Transit, the Valley’s operator of buses. Both have tangible benefits and serious concerns. A streetcar system like in Mayor Dave Beiter’s proposal, would be a new public transportation option, with the potential to bring in new businesses to the area. However, the costs would be prohibitive, and the plan doesn’t address transportation issues outside of Downtown Boise. There’s little room for a tram to take up, and it wouldn’t even serve enough of Downtown Boise. However, I do think a streetcar system would be great to connect Boise and Meridian together. Would this be a huge investment for the cities, the county and the state? Absolutely. But with the increasing population of the Treasure Valley, this provides an opportunity to expand access to a much needed improved public transportation system. A long-distance streetcar system would easily connect major hubs of the Valley together, and would lessen the reliance of commuters on those streets. It would be best to start off connecting Downtown Boise to Boise State University, like Beiter’s proposal, then slowly expanding towards west through Boise, focusing on building near population centers, such as The Village at Meridian, ideally. This would connect the area’s major hubs. While the cost would be high, offering locals and tourists a novel way to travel through the Valley, lessening car traffic on surface streets, would be worth the costs. While a new streetcar system would be of great benefit to the Treasure Valley, it will
The treasure valley needs a better transit system to deal with the rapid growth in the past few years. Photo courtesy of Valley Regional Transit’s Facebook page.
only do so much if buses are still underfunded and aren’t reliable. Out of the changes that needs to be made to the Valley’s public transportation, the biggest changes need to be made to the bus system. Anyone that has used ValleyRide’s buses understands how many issues that it has. The routes are limited, as are the hours of operations, and the system is just unreliable. Many of these issues can be traced to lack of funding. If we are to build brand new streetcar rail line, then we also need to make sure that the current public transportation options function well. The Valley Regional Transit, who operates ValleyRide, needs to expand their rider base by becoming better at maintaining a consistency for riders, who often have to wait for late buses. This is often because the lack of routes and the short window of operation. The state doesn’t give ValleyRide almost any funding, which has also in part led to these issues. The state of Idaho won’t allow the counties and cities to increase taxes to fund the bus system. Almost a third of the
funding for VRT comes from the federal government, with over half of it coming from county governments. The state only gives $400,000 a year to transportation, and it is spread across the state. The VRT’s budget in 2017 was nearly $13 million in comparison. If the state allows more funding to VRT, then they would be able to add more routes, add hours to its operations and solve some of the longterm issues that have plagued the service for years. With the Treasure Valley experiencing an economic and population boom, it is best to address these issues before the city’s growth makes this overhaul even more costly. It is better to plan with future growth in mind than it is trying to build streetcar systems and expanding bus systems with new developments in the way. Local governments and other agencies have seen the need to kickstart their projects while they can. This comprehensive plan would ultimately help all drivers on the road, with less people relying on driving to get to where they need to be.
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F E AT U R E
BOISE STATE COMMUNITIES WORK TOGETHER TO ADDRESS STUDENT SUICIDES
Student suicides raise questions about campus mental health resource access and availability Ximena Bustillo | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Within the first three weeks of the spring 2018 semester, two Boise State students committed suicide. These two incidents followed three suicides from the Fall 2017 semester, bringing the number of Boise State student suicides to five this school year. As a result, many students, faculty and staff are discussing the best response when a student death occurs, as well as more ways to focus on mental health on campus. Nicole Gouvea, a former Bronco Shop director whose entire staff was affected by one of the suicides, said sometimes it can feel like all departments and efforts are working as separate silos. “Things can feel a little bit separated,” Gouvea said. “The key question to ask is: when you are seeing this happen, how do you provide support?” Gouvea said these situations cause Boise State students and faculty to start talking about issues surrounding suicide and mental health beyond closed doors by providing resources and empowering others to help. President Kustra told The Arbiter that since the start of his term in 2005, he has noticed an increase in student anxiety. “With so many more students living closely together and all the pressures of academic life, there is no question that there has been an increase in depression, anxiety and suicide attempts,” Kustra said. “That remains as one of the great challenges in American higher education.” With a campus of 24,000 students, it’s impossible for Boise State to be immune to this conversation. Reaching 24,000 people According to Associate Dean of Students Lauren Oe, suicides by members of the Boise State community occur every year. “In my time here, this is the first time we’ve had them clustered so closely together,” Oe said. We have 24,000 people on our campus, and if you think about a small
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town, we are not immune to suicide.” At the beginning of the semester vice president for student affairs and enrollment management Leslie Webb, sent out a campus-wide email composed of general information that concluded with suicide hotline numbers and resources. The email opened by stating many may know someone who has been impacted by the death of a loved one and encouraged students out to reach out to each other and take advantage of campus resources. “It’s been a really hard few weeks,” Webb said when interviewed in January. “I felt drawn to acknowledge this. I knew there were a couple communities on our campus that were hurting, and I just felt compelled to send something out about care, compassion and community. And I don’t always do that in that way.” Matt Niece, director of counseling services, said he personally has held 11 sessions in 2018 to address affected communities and connect them to resources following the loss of a coworker or member of an organization.
“It’s been a really hard few weeks. I knew there were communities on our campus that were hurting.” Leslie Webb, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management Niece continued to say the way colleges and universities handle issues of mental health is by having counseling services and different departments involved. The Dean’s office is another department that is responsible for reaching out to
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Students of ASBSU wrote “Letters to Cougs” following the death of one of their students. Photo courtesy of Sienna George.
students after an incident, although they do not often send emails regarding mental health as often as other safety notices. Although a campus-wide conversation should be encouraged, it is very difficult for one department to communicate the same message and ensure that it is received equally by each student, according to both Niece and Webb. “The Boise State community has the right to know when this happens, but it is very difficult to address 24,000 students in the way that each would prefer. It is difficult to send a blanketed message,” Niece said. “But we are never not having this conversation. The folks in the counseling office will talk to anyone who will listen.” Campus conversation According to the Center for Collegiate Mental Health, the number of college students seeking help for mental health issues is rising. Niece confirmed this, saying that younger generations are more likely to understand they might need help. “The increase in people talking about mental health and needing our services causes us to need more services, so we are constantly advocating for more funding,”
Niece said. Kustra told The Arbiter he attended a budget meeting where each of the deans presented funding proposals for their colleges. “The dean of the College of Health Sciences spoke about this in particular,” Kustra said. “The dean discussed how they were going to be asking for funding that would decrease the wait time for students to meet with a counselor.” In addition to requests for increased funding, campus groups and programs are attempting to reach out. Associated Student of Boise State University (ASBSU) was originally unaware of the suicides that took place at the start of the semester, according to Oe. Garrett Pederson, one of the heads of the Mental Health Committee in ASBSU, said “Letters to Broncos” were sent to the Blue Thunder Marching Band—another affected community. This was similar to the “Letters to Cougs,” which were sent to Washington State University following their loss of a student. ASBSU President Sienna George confirmed this came at the request of senior psychology member Cheyenne Hastings,
F E AT U R E an Assembly member. Hastings said about 30 to 40 notes were written. However, Hastings and George have no confirmation that they were delivered. Blue Thunder Marching Band Director Joe Tornello said he has not received or passed on any letters to members of the band. Niece said there are currently multiple initiatives to address mental health and raise suicide awareness on campus. “The goal is to not wait for folks to come to us. I can’t understate how imperative and difficult it is to get out and meet students where they are at,” Niece said. “There has been an increase in students coming in to our services but it’s hard to reach out and provide care for all because funding and staffing is limited.” Additionally, a multitude of campus
“There has been an increase in students coming into our services but it’s hard to reach out and provide care because funding and staffing is limited.” Matt Niece, director of counseling services groups including Veterans Services, Greek organizations, ASBSU, the Gender Equity Center and the Honors College are working to bring together students through different initiatives aimed at discussing and addressing mental health. “Counseling Services has been in conversation with ASBSU and the Gender Equity Center. We need to figure out what A is doing so B can supplement,” Niece
counseling services
(208) 426-1459 gender equity center
(208) 426-4259
CARE team and consultations
(208) 426-1527 CARE report
https://boise-advocate.symplicity.com/ care_report/index.php/pid922981? Boise State resources are available for students upon request. Graphic by Sierra Nobley.
said. Counseling Services is also looking into the University of North Texas’s “Let’s Talk” model. According to Niece, this model would allow counselors to have forms of “office hours” for open appointments within the housing facilities. There is also the growing Campus Assessment Resource and Education (CARE) program. “We get a large amount of CARE reports every day, and every single one gets reviewed,” Niece said. Oe explained that on average, 400 CARE reports are submitted per year. The CARE reports are reviewed by the CARE team composed of Niece, the Dean of Students and members of Title IX, Housing and Public Safety. As more Boise State community members are becoming aware of the CARE reports, there has been an increase in people filing them, according to Niece.
Niece stated that about nine out of 10 students for whom reports are filed for are reached out to by the team. Reports can be anonymous and anonymity will be secured by the CARE team. Attempts were also made by the Honors College earlier this semester to host information sessions regarding potential group counseling opportunities. According to Niece, the turn out for these sessions was small. Looking forward Pedersen explained that there are a lot of the initiatives that look at how to be proactive instead of reactive. According to Pedersen, since college is very exciting, though challenging in positive and negative ways, it is important that students have and use campus resources. Webb agreed that furthering the discussion about suicide and mental health is vital.
“I think if we talk about it more, it helps folks not feel as alone. Not as isolated. And it draws attention to prevention, support and resources,” Webb said. Niece explained that although staff and students may feel like there is no acknowledgment, this is not true. “We are teaming up with other departments, groups and applying for grants to specifically help fund suicide and mental health awareness and security. Those who are on the outside may not see it, but we are chipping away at this issue regardless of public perception,” Niece said. Niece has continued outreach with the affected groups but encourages everyone to take advantage of resources on campus and to voice any concerns. “We are willing to partner with anyone who wants to pair up, and I am open to ideas as to how it is that we can appear united,” Niece said.
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C U LT U R E
CAFFEINE AND HOW WE USE IT
Is caffeine consumption conducive to college curriculum comprehension? David Collie | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Caffeine has been a pretty big help throughout my time in school, and I don’t think I’m alone in that. It’s not that I drink more Red Bull than water, but it’s safe to say my GPA would be quite a bit lower if I had no access to caffeine. This liquid energy undoubtedly has its place on college campuses. But what does that really mean? First of all, let’s look at health. Marlee Harris, who is a registered dietitian nutritionist working with Student Health Services on campus, discussed what caffeine means for our bodies. “We do know it’s a stimulant, so one of the biggest areas we see immediately with caffeine consumption is its effect on our heart,” Harris said. “It can raise blood pressure pretty quickly after absorption, which sometimes, if people haven’t had a lot of caffeine or they’re drinking a lot at one time, can lead to some pretty serious issues.” Another effect Harris talked about is not what happens when we consume caffeine, but when we stop. She explained that there can be withdrawal symptoms as people try to reduce their caffeine consumption. These symptoms include fatigue, lethargy and especially headaches. Does that mean the best way to use caffeine is to simply never stop? Well, that’s probably not the best idea, but Harris did discuss how much caffeine students should use if they decide to use it, and it’s more than one may think. Harris said consuming about four, eight-ounce cups of coffee a day—around 400 mg of caffeine—tends to have no real negative consequences. That means a couple of cups or one really big cup of coffee throughout the morning isn’t that bad. However, this guideline does come with some important caveats. First, it’s not all about how much caffeine you have in a day; it’s also about how much you have at one time. Because caffeine can affect the heart so quickly, it’s important to space out consumption,
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Whether it be Redbull or Starbucks, Boise State students depend on caffeine to get them through tough days. Photo by Shannon Brennan.
“We do know it’s a stimulant, so one of the biggest areas we see immediately with caffeine consumption is its effect on our heart” Marlee Harris, dietition nutritionist according to Harris. Second, Harris said not to mix it with alcohol. And the CDC does a good job of explaining why this is a bad idea: “When alcohol is mixed with caffeine,
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the caffeine can mask the depressant effects of alcohol, making drinkers feel more alert than they would otherwise. As a result, they may drink more alcohol and become more impaired than they realize, increasing the risk of alcohol-attributable harms.” So maybe don’t do that. Another point Harris touched on is that of food and water. Sometimes the fatigue we feel is actually a result of dehydration or hunger. In these cases, caffeine isn’t the best solution. Water is especially important because it affects our focus, and even a little dehydration can make us view tasks as more difficult. Not only is it possible for a glass of water to fix this, but caffeine might actually make the problem worse. Harris described caffeine’s nature as a diuretic—meaning it pulls water out of our system. So for
someone who is already dehydrated, an ice cold Monster might not achieve the desired effect. Food is important too, according to Harris. Even if someone is able to stay hydrated and get a full night’s rest, his or her body still needs energy from calories, and, unfortunately, the 168 calories from a 12-ounce Red Bull just isn’t going to cut it. There you have it—the dos and don’ts of caffeine. So until papers and tests start doing themselves, students are probably going to have some late nights and early mornings. When that happens, caffeine can be almost like a superpower. As tempting as it is, straight espresso shouldn’t be the first choice. Drink some water, have a snack and if your eyelids are still made of lead, have some caffeine.
C U LT U R E
A STUDENT AFFAIR
Boise State’s Undergraduate Research Conference presents knowledge and writing on campus Logan Potter | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Students from all across campus came together on Monday to share their research in different fields of study. Photo by Shannon Brennan.
The spring semester is coming to an end in mere weeks, but this last month brings more than just graduation for students across campus. On Monday, April 16, students of all class levels and majors came together to present their semester-to-yearlong research about subjects across the board. Each year, students are given the opportunity to choose a project and find a faculty advisor to back their dive into a deeper, more specific discussion on a broad topic. The work throughout the semester, however, does not come without eventual reward. With over 20 organizations to re-
search with from Boise State and beyond, undergraduates had the chance to discover almost exactly what they are looking for. While the Undergraduate Research Conference is required for anyone participating in a well-researched, faculty-led project, some students find the event is more rewarding than it is an obligation. “For me, showcasing student research is important because it allows us to show all of our hard work and passion,” said junior English literature major Noelle Johansen. “I worked with other students in one of my classes to create a poster about the main themes in American literature from
1914 to the present. This conference is going to allow me and my classmates to share all of the hard work we have done throughout the semester.” Literature isn’t the sole focus of the event, however. Students with projects anywhere from STEM to the arts are welcomed at the event. Kinesiology major Alecia Fox researched atlas activity monitoring alongside her professor Scott Conger this semester and presented her work in this year’s conference. “I am at the research conference doing some research to broaden my experience with the whole project and to apply to grad school and explore different opportunities though it,” Fox said. “It’s a really cool opportunity to get professional experience and get the research out in the world.” This year, those presenting projects weren’t the only ones at the microphone. Winners of the annual President’s Writing Awards were given the opportunity to read an excerpt from their winning pieces in categories such as Critical Analysis, Research Based, Poetry and First-Year Writing. While every piece of writing isn’t focused on research, the showcase gives winning writers the ability to reach a larger audience than they typically would for analysis papers and creative writing. Presenting at the conference is an experience that students are able to list on their resumes long past their initial reading, as stated in an email to competition winners. “Reading at the Undergraduate Research Conference gives the writers an opportunity to share their work with a small, engaged audience. Audience members always ask good questions, such as what inspired the topic or story, how the writer went about researching and developing the piece, and so on,” said Christi Nogle, coordinator of the President’s Writing Awards. “It’s rewarding for a writer to see and hear that kind of interest from people outside their class. For students in the
audience, I think attending readings like this can encourage them to share their own work—and enter their own papers, stories or poems in the President’s Writing Awards contest.”
“For me, showcasing student research is important because it allows us to show all of our hard work and passion” Noelle Johansen, junior English literature major
Monday’s conference won’t be the last time that student researchers have the ability to present their works to interested audiences. On July 25 and 26, the Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research commences in the Student Union Building at Boise State. The conference houses work from students across the state of Idaho and “includes keynote speakers, poster presentations by students from all academic disciplines, research talks” and more, according to the event’s webpage. This networking opportunity is not only marketed toward students from other universities, but also to the student researchers that participated in Monday’s showcase. Whether one is a student who has a passion for a given subject or one who simply wants to learn about what others have worked to find out, the Undergraduate Research Conference provides both with the solution that both are looking for.
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C U LT U R E
THE “BOY-SEE”-“BOY-ZEE” DEBATE
Exploring the correct pronunciation of Boise and why people care David Collie | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
HOW DO YOU SAY IT? “Boy-see”
“Boy-zee” 87% 13%
*statistics taken from a sample of 39 students While our poll showed more “Boy-see” pronunciations than “boy-zee,” it may be time to put the argument to rest. Graphic by Sierra Nobley.
The questions “where do you live?” or “where do you go to school?” seem pretty straightforward. Most people wouldn’t have to give these questions much thought, but for those living in Boise or attending Boise State, the answer of this question is taken a bit more seriously. Pronouncing the city as “Boy-zee” instead of “Boy-see” might earn some strange or hostile looks—sometimes even outright arguments about being “incorrect.” So how should it be pronounced, and, more importantly, why do people care? It would seem logical to start this search by learning the original pronunciation. According to the Idaho State Historical Society, French fur trappers in the area used the French word “boisé”—meaning
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wooded—to describe what is now the Boise River. That should mean learning the pronunciation of this word should settle who is correct in this heated debate. So who’s right? Well, no one. The French pronunciation would be more like “Bwa-zee.” So why are there no T-shirts that say “Bwa-zee” on them? Gail Shuck, associate professor of linguistics, explained there is technically never a “correct” pronunciation of a word. So technically, even if “Bwa-zee” was how French fur trappers said the word, that does not mean it is correct. “There are mutually agreed upon pronunciations, and then there are pronunciations that you know are incorrect,” said
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Shuck. “Bwa-zee” is a pronunciation that is simply no longer used to describe the city; it would be incorrect to use it today. “Boyzee” and “Boy-see,” on the other hand, are both commonly used, and people know what is being referred to with either. But this raises the question as to why people care. If either pronunciation can be used to convey the same meaning, why are there shirts, jackets, stickers, people, etc. so ready to profess why one pronunciation is “correct?” Shuck explained why. “Every single language in the world has internal variation, and because it has internal variation, that variation is socially structured. Certain people say one thing, and certain people say another thing.
It’s not that one thing is correct or not correct—it’s that we want to sound a little more like [one group].” With the pronunciation of a word comes a set of associations and beliefs about the group of people who pronounce it that way. In the case of Boise, the “Boysee” pronunciation tends to be viewed as the native way of pronouncing it, meaning that people who are proud of living in Boise might use that pronunciation as a way to identify or fit in with that group. Lecturer in linguistics Chris VanderStouwe did just that. A California native, VanderStouwe described why he chose to adopt a new pronunciation. “I think there’s a lot of animosity in long-term natives in Idaho towards people that are moving into the area,” said VanderStouwe. “One reason that I pronounce it as ‘Boy-see’ is that I worked hard to not be one of those Californians that everyone was going to get mad at.” While this change is fairly minor, VanderStouwe said there are some cases where people will make much larger alterations to their language habits. VanderStouwe pointed to a common example of this being people with Southern accents who suppress their speech in order to avoid the negative stereotypes associated with Southerners. On the other hand, someone who comes to the United States with a British accent may try to retain that accent because it is seen as more prestigious. “It’s partly a conscious choice, it’s partly a class issue, it’s partly an identity issue; it’s the way you perform an identity as a member of a group,” VanderStouwe said. And because language is linked so strongly with identity, VanderStouwe concluded it is important for people who are passionate about language features to determine whether they feel strongly about the words themselves or the mouths that speak them.
C U LT U R E
AN OPEN LETTER TO JOHN STAMOS Please “have mercy” on us
Shannon Brennan and Logan Potter | Culture section | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Looking fantastic, John. Congrats on the baby. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Dear Uncle Jesse, From what we’ve seen on the social sphere, you’re going to need all the mercy you can get. At 54, you’ve had your first child; say goodbye to being the kind of hot that only George Clooney can pull off, and say hello to dad bod. (We can’t wait.) While “Billy” is not a name we would have chosen, we get that your dad rocked and you wanted to honor him, but what’s wrong with the name William? It’s vintage! To be fair, it’s unlikely that he will be bullied for his name when he’s got you for a dad (if his friends even know who you are 10 years down the road). That Instagram picture of the two of you was so completely adorable that we were tearing up before we even got to that ridiculously cute caption: “From now on, the best part of me will always be my wife and my son. Welcome Billy Stamos (named after my father) #NotJustanUncleAnymore #Overjoyed.” Too cute, John. Too cute. And you are so ready for fatherhood with all your on-set experience. Years and years of “Full House” leading to even more of the same with “Fuller House”
had to help. We will choose to ignore the potentially bad omen of your short time on “Godfathered.” Not only was that show canceled after the first season flopped, but your father character on that show was a bit of a (insert bad word we won’t use) in the first place. Gen Z really isn’t getting the best of you; will the new generation even know what “Full House” is? While we have yet to see a picture of Billy’s face, we are hoping that he follows his mom’s genes rather than yours. No offence, but even your mom said that you were an ugly baby and, while you obviously grew out of it, that’s a lot coming from your mother. Seriously, we didn’t think moms were supposed to be able to see those things, so it must have been pretty bad. Logan met you on a plane once, and no, that isn’t a “Mean Girls” joke. At only five years old, tiny and adorable Logan sat across the aisle from you on her way back from vacation. Her father didn’t believe her when she told him (repeatedly) that you were Uncle Jesse from “Full House.” Joke’s on him—she was right—as she found out after asking for the time on your watch approximately ... too many times. Eventually, you told her that “it’s time to get a watch.” An endearing statement from an endearing man. It was from that moment on, John, that Logan was smitten. The new child thing only breaks her heart a tiny bit, but don’t worry about us. We will be okay. Someday. In summary: Dad, Daddy, Mr. Stamos ... whatever you prefer, we are happy to see you thriving in the years after your mainstream fame. From being our Uncle Jesse to being the one person that Brennan and Dale in “Step Brothers” would sleep with if they were “chicks,” you will forever have a soft spot in our once-young, now collegiate and anxiety-ridden hearts. With Love, Logan and Shannon
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SPORTS & REC
DAY IN THE LIFE: BRIAN HUMPHREY
Meet this Boise State golfer
Seth Newville | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Take a second to step into the shoes of a member of the Boise State men’s golf team. Brian Humphreys, who is currently in his sophomore season, became the first freshman to ever win the Mountain West Individual Championship last season. It was time we sat down to take a walk through the day in his life. 6:00 a.m. - 6:45 a.m. Time to start the day, as Humphreys wakes up around 6 a.m, starting with a team workout. 6:45 a.m. - 7:35 a.m. “Team workouts begin at 7 a.m. so we have to arrive at 6:45 a.m. to prepare,” said Humphreys. While a good workout early in the morning is a solid way to start the day, it’s just the beginning for Humphreys. 7:35 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Once finished with the early morning workout, Humphreys gets to go home to relax for a bit before the action of the day picks back up. “I use this time to shower, eat breakfast and hang out for a bit,” Humphreys said. Humphreys also said this is an opportunity for him to get some homework done, depending on the workload, or relax with his favorite television show, “The Office.” Before he heads off to class for the day, Humphreys enjoys a meal. “My breakfast typically consists of just eggs and a bagel,” Humphrey said. 10:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Classes begin for Humphreys at 10:30 a.m. and end around 1:15 p.m. Humphreys talked about the toughest part about his daily schedule is finding time for school work.
a student first, but it’s tough for golfers because we need daylight to golf,” Humphreys said. 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Humphreys hits the course for a qualifier or practice at 2 p.m., but he said playing different courses around Boise keeps things fresh. While Warm Springs Golf Course, just down the road from Boise State, is the most common course for the golf team, Humphreys said the team likes to play other courses in town as well. “We play a bunch of different courses out in Eagle and Meridian, such as Spurwing and Banbury, and sometimes Hillcrest,”- Humphreys said. “When the weather is good, practice typically lasts about 4 to 5 hours,” Humphreys said. 6:00 p.m.- bedtime Following practice, Humphreys heads home to eat some dinner and relax. This is where he gets the opportunity to finish up homework and wind down for the night. Once homework is done and Humphreys has had the chance to relax with some Netflix, he calls it a day. Season outlook Humphreys is looking to repeat his freshman season success with an even better sophomore campaign, already having taken home Mountain West Golfer of the Week honors on Feb 1. Humphreys has made a name for himself inside the Boise State record books after his ninth career top 10 finish (Tied for fifth all-time at Boise State) finishing in third place at the Waves Challenge.
“With most athletes, they say to be
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Boise State golfer Brian Humphreys takes us through his day. Photo by Boise State Athletics.
BOB KUSTRA DISCUSSES NEW BASEBALL PROGRAM
SPORTS & REC
The president said baseball helps bolster the Boise State brand Peter Huguenin | Sports Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu
President Bob Kustra is an advocate for the new baseball program at Boise StateW. Photo by Taylor Lippman.
“I’m really glad someone gave me credit for the baseball program,” Bob Kustra, President of Boise State University said. “I’m a baseball fan. It is the all-American sport, America’s favorite past time.” One of the main reasons Kustra said Boise State wanted to add a baseball team was to align with the sports that the Mountain West Conference offered. Baseball was the only sport sponsored by Mountain West that Boise State did not field a team in. “For Boise State, what concerned me the most is that we didn’t have a team in a sport the Mountain West offered, and it was the only sport we didn’t have,” Kustra said. “Every time I went to Mountain
West meetings up and down the west coast and near mountain region, it was always about baseball.” Kustra also believes baseball could bring more media coverage to Boise State and help build the brand of Boise State. “One of the things I noticed in places like Fresno State and San Diego State is when you went into these areas this time of year, there was substantial media coverage about those universities because of their baseball teams,” Kustra said. Baseball has recently become more popular at the college level according to Kustra, and the College World Series is one of the biggest college sporting events of the year for many people. “For me it was a matter of aligning
our sports with the Mountain West, and secondarily, making sure Boise State chose sports that had a branding effect on the University.” Kustra said. “I think because of the popularity of baseball and the connection people make between university baseball these days and the major leagues… there’s a way to get the Boise State brand out there.” Kustra also wanted to give local baseball players in the community an opportunity to play collegiate baseball close to home. Up until now, players wanting to play baseball in college would have to leave the Treasure Valley. “I’ll just be walking around town and some of our own staff that have caught me at my car at the beginning or end of the
day remind me of how many young baseball players there are in this valley and this state who had to leave the valley to go play somewhere else, and those days are over,” Kustra said. “If they want to stay and play at Boise State, and if they’re good enough, they can play here.” Gary Van Tol is going to be the head coach of the baseball team and has roots in the Boise community. “Then we hired Gary Van Tol,” Kustra said. “Gary was the perfect choice given the fact that he has major league contacts. He was working for the Chicago Cubs, managing the Emeralds in Eugene [Oregon]. But just as important, he was right here in the community; he was running baseball clinics, and he knows kids across this valley and what their talents are like.” Nathan Carroll, who is the president of the Corral, is eager for baseball coming to Boise State. “I think it’s brilliant with the Hawks here in town,” Carroll said. “Boise is already established as a bit of a baseball town, and I think it will draw locals to more Boise State events during the spring when we don’t really have a major spectator sport for the spring.” Carroll reiterated many of the points Kustra had brought up. “I think it was a good decision by Curt (Apsey, athletic director at Boise State) and Kustra to go with baseball for the long-term growth of Bronco Sports,” Carroll said. “It better aligns us with the sports offered by other Mountain West schools and helps us if Boise State does decide to realign conferences in the future.” Overall, Kustra said he is very excited for the addition of a baseball team. “I think it’s going to be a great addition,” Kustra said. “Not just to the athletic program, but to the branding exercise that we’re very concise of here at Boise State. How do we spread the brand? Baseball is going to do both those things for us.”
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SPORTS & REC
EX-BOISE STATE WRESTLERS TALK ABOUT THE PROGRAM
A year after Boise State ended its wrestling program the players reflect Addison Dehaven | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Since the cancelation of Boise State’s wrestling program to make way for the new baseball team, the wrestling community has been left to its own devices. Graphic by Sierra Nobley.
Closing in on the one-year anniversary of the cancellation of Boise State’s wrestling program, one of the most controversial decisions in Boise State athletics history, what have the members of the former wrestling team been up to? Fred Green, who was the lone Bronco to be ranked at any point last season, transferred to the University of Virginia to compete for the Cavaliers. “Virginia has been filled with both
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wrestling and academic challenges,” Green said. “As the wrestling season comes to an end, I feel my performance beginning to peak. This new adjustment couldn’t have been done without the endless support from the mentors in my life.” Green posted an 11-14 record competing for the Cavaliers, and according to wrestlestat.com, he was ranked 77th in the 157-pound weight class. Reflecting on the decision, Green is
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hopeful Boise State wrestling will eventually be reinstated. “Even a year later, there is still a wrestling community striving to reinstate the program,” Green said. “Although my focus is now on the other side of the country, I still long to see the day a Bronco has the opportunity to conquer his dreams on the mat.” Some, like Josh Anderson, have taken time off to fill religious obligations.
“Since the decision, I have taken a break from both academics and wrestling to serve a two-year mission for my church,” Anderson said in an email. “I’m about nine months into my mission and hope to continue wrestling and working towards a degree at one of a couple different schools when I return home.” Anderson is currently serving his mission on the Southside of Chicago and, similar to Green, is hopeful that Boise State will reinstate the program. “The decision [to cut the program] was selfish and came as a surprise to a determined team that was improving drastically, not only athletically but academically as well,” Anderson said. A few others, like Zach Coffman, have stayed at Boise State. “Right now, I’m wrestling a few days per week and finishing prerequisite coursework to apply for physical therapy school,” Coffman said. Coffman, whose scholarship was upheld by Boise State, graduated last year with a degree in kinesiology and is currently pursuing a second degree in biology. Reflecting on the decision, Coffman said it’s something that all who were associated with the team will carry with them for the rest of their lives. “As for the decision itself, I personally believe it was carried out in a very unprofessional manner,” Coffman said. “We were lied to and there is no way around that.” Though the athletes seem to have struggled with the decision that caught them off guard, they still show hope for the future. “Now that President Kustra is about to retire, I hope the incoming school president is someone who plans on bringing back the Boise State wrestling team,” Anderson said. “If the team were to return before Anderson was finished with his mission, he would “love to” wrestle for the Broncos again.”
BUCKING AROUND
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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Tue Feb 9 01:22:25 2016 GMT. Enjoy!
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APRIL 17, 2018
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