The Arbiter 2.17.22 Vol. 34 Issue 9

February 17, 2022

Vol. 34, Issue 9

I NDEP EN D 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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THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF THE CHANGING CLIMATE NEWS

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After four arrests, unhoused protestors wrote a letter to Boise city officials requesting negotiations.

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OPINION

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When social media becomes an addiction, deleting the apps could greatly improve your mental health. arbiteronline.com

CULTURE

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Accessibility for people of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community is critical in entertainment venues. @arbiteronline

SPORTS & REC

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Coach Avalos brings on several new football coaches in anticipation of 2022 season after two step down.

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Editor-In-Chief Blake Hunter editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu Online Editor Ashley L. Clark onlineeditor@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Editor Andrea Teres - Martinez news@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Reporter Fenix Dietz news@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Reporter Hanalei Potempa culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Reporter Julianne Gee culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports & Rec Editor Lexi Almeido sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports & Rec Reporter Adam Bridges sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Opinion Editor Paige Wirta opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu Copy Editor Kelby Andrew copy@stumedia.boisestate.edu Social Media Coordinator Becky Wilson Digital Content Manager Claire Keener digitalcontent@stumedia.boisestate.edu Digital Content Producer Corissa Campbell Graphic Design Manager Sasha White design@stumedia.boisestate.edu Graphic Designer Cassie McGarty Illustrator Alieha Dryden 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.

Senior forward Abu Kigab (24) eyes the basket against Colorado State on Feb. 13 in the ExtraMile Arena.

Corissa Campbell | The Arbiter

ON THE COVER:

Climate change is putting Idaho at risk for many environmental issues that could affect citizens’ health as well as big industries, like agriculture.

Wildfires, water scarcit y and poor air qualit y are cause for concern.

Cover illustration: Alieha Dr yden Cover Photo: Claire Keener

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

MISSION:

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

NEWS

February 17, 2022 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

CHARTWELLS TO REPLACE ARAMARK

HB 549 AIMS TO CHANGE VOTING

BSU switches vendors after 16 years with Aramark

Bill will remove same-day registration, student IDs

Arbiter Staf f | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Andrea Teres- Mar tinez | News Editor | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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oise State Dining Services annouced that Aramark will be replaced by Chartwells Higher Ed as the campus food vendor as of July 1. Chartwells will have a five-year contract with the university.

According to Boise State, conversations about transitioning employment between current Aramark staff and Chartwells are already underway.

“ASBSU Executive Council is pleased to see the recently released letter of intent that describes its pending commitment to Chartwells.”

- Kenneth Huston, ASBSU president

Kenneth Huston, president of the Associated Students of Boise State University (ASBSU), told The Arbiter that an

evaluation of Chartwells is underway and that the State Board of Education will be reviewing the proposed contract in April.

“ASBSU Executive Council is pleased to see the recently released letter of intent that describes its pending commitment to Chartwells being brought to campus as the new dining vendor,” Huston wrote.

Aramark has been contracted with Boise State since 2006, but its most recent contract with the university expired this year. Three companies submitted service proposals, including Aramark.

In September of last year, Aramark was formally condemned by ASBSU for “breach of contract, failing to serve students… and failing to promote a positive work environment… for employees,” according to the resolution from ASBSU. Aramark responded by meeting some of the demands with extra funds to student accounts, partnering with Crave Delivery and giving five additional meals to students on a mandatory plan.

The Arbiter will continue to cover this contract change.

After a formal condemnation by ASBSU and several workplace harassment allegations, Aramark will leave campus July 1.

Claire Keener | The Arbiter

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epublican legislators introduced a new bill that would ban student IDs as valid voter identification and eliminate Idaho’s same-day voter registration.

The Idaho Legislature’s House State Affairs Committee introduced the bill on Monday, which sponsors are calling the Secure Election Act. The bill, House Bill 549, is a voter identification bill that would remove the option to sign a voter affidavit verifying a voter’s identity at the polls on Election Day. It would also make student IDs an invalid form of ID to vote, though the bill would allow voters to use a concealed weapons permit as a form of identification, according to Idaho Capital Sun. Idaho’s same-day voter registration option, which has been legal for nearly 30 years, would also be abolished, requiring voters to electronically register a minimum of 30 days prior to the election or register in person at the county clerk’s office the Friday before.

If passed, HB 549 will go into effect ahead of this year’s primary elections.

“Election integrity is at the forefront of every American’s mind, and the Secure Election Act tackles the hard problems embedded in Idaho’s election law,” bill sponsor Rep. Dorothy Moon, R-Stanley, said during the bill’s introductory hearing. “None of us want to see illegal votes nullify legal votes. That’s a very important concept to make sure that we have good election law in this state.”

Co-sponsoring the bill with Moon is Sen. Regina Bayer, R-Meridian. During the meeting, Moon informed legislators that special assistant to former President Trump, Theo Wold, also worked on the bill, which could signal that other states

will soon see similar legislation, and others already have.

According to Moon, a problem with student IDs is that they don’t confirm whether a user is a U.S. citizen.

Others, such as Rep. John Gannon, D-Boise, questioned whether the bill might prevent some college students from voting in their university’s district since alternate forms of identification might list an address belonging to a different state or district.

When asked to give examples of voter fraud in Idaho that could have been prevented by HB 549, Moon was unable to provide a response.

“I cannot give you any example personally, but the fact of the matter is that there have been elections where like in Washington state there were 62,000 votes that were just affidavits and someone was charged for a felony,” Moon said. “Just the idea that it does happen, whether it’s happened in Idaho, we don’t want it to, but to me it seems pretty lax that we could just ask for Bob to sign a piece of paper saying who he is.”

The voter affidavit option allows citizens to vote without identification present, so long as they sign a sworn statement, under penalty of perjury, verifying their identity.

In a video released by Moon after the meeting, she called same-day voter registration “a policy crafted by liberal interest groups that has led to increased fraud and ballot manipulation.”

However, Idaho’s same-day voter registration was passed in 1994, when Idaho’s House and Senate were majority Republican. Republicans have continued to win every statewide election since 2002.

UNHOUSED BOISEANS CONTINUE PROTESTS, POLICE CONTINUE RAIDS

NEWS

Protestors have demanded for state leaders to act on the Treasure Valley’s housing crisis Br ydon Black | Staf f Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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daho State Police (ISP) have arrested another person as of Feb. 11, after arresting four people over warrants and probation violations on Feb. 4.

This marks at least the third time since the start of protests over the lack of affordable housing in Boise that Idaho State Police have arrested a demonstrator and confiscated items such as heaters, blankets and other personal belongings.

The first person was arrested on Jan. 24 for allegedly obstructing an officer from opening a tent during one of their encounters, the Idaho Statesman reported.

According to the ISP press release, “The purpose of the visit was to check for any prohibited items and to check on the welfare of those on-site.” The press release also stated that police seized drug paraphernalia and alcohol.

This time around police seized propane tanks, pillows, sleeping bags and issued eight warnings, citing state code that prohibits camping on state property. Idaho Legal Aid has argued that police are in violation of protesters’ First Amendment right to protest and their Eighth Amend-

ment right to sleep on public property when no shelter is available.

Following the 2018 court case Martin v. Boise, the City of Boise reached a settlement that “people experiencing homelessness will not be cited or arrested for sleeping outdoors when no shelter is available, and the city will continue to take steps to put every person experiencing homelessness in Boise on a path to permanent housing.”

“When they say there are not enough low-barrier shelter beds, they’re telling the truth,” Interfaith Sanctuary Executive Director Jodi Peterson-Stigers told the Statesman.

The Idaho Legal Aid news release mentioned how Interfaith Sanctuary shelter reached its maximum capacity for the first time on Jan. 14. The Idaho Statesman reported that since then, Interfaith has set up a heated tent in the parking lot for overflow guests.

On Jan. 23, 11 people on Interfaith’s waiting list were sent to the Boise Rescue Mission shelter. Five people who did not qualify for the Rescue Mission slept in the Interfaith tent.

Unhoused Boiseans and their supporters have asked for housing security and shed light on police conduct.

Claire Keener | The Arbiter

“The protesters are homeless individuals who do not have access to available shelter and have been sleeping in vehicles,” the Idaho Legal Aid release stated.

For weeks now, demonstrators have set up tents outside the former Ada County Courthouse in Boise trying to push state and municipal leaders to take action on the current housing crisis.

A housing analysis from August 2021 presented during a Boise City council meeting estimated that 27,000 housing units would be needed in the next decade in order to manage the current housing crisis.

According to KTVB, an average one-bedroom rental in Boise costs around $1,500 per month. However, the average Boise renter can only afford to pay around $800 a month.

On Saturday, Feb. 6, Boise Mayor Lauren McClean released a plan to partner with developers in building 1,250 apartments for Boiseans making 60% or less of the area median income. Depending on income and the size of the household, the housing prices range from $792 to $1,205 per month.

Members of the Boise community gathered for a potluck to show support for Boiseans experiencing homelessness as part of their continued demonstration against the lack of affordable housing.

The potluck took place directly east of the Capitol around noon on Jan. 29.

One of the demonstrators is ScherryJo Crandall, who was evicted last November and has been living in her car ever since.

Early on the morning of Jan. 29, a drunk driver crashed into Crandall’s car, shattering her back windows and leaving her exposed to the freezing temperatures outside.

Crandall can’t stay at any local shelters because she has three cats, and shelters require pets to be service animals.

“We are human too,” Crandall said.

“We deserve housing. We are not pieces of trash.”

The groups in attendance included the

Idaho Labor Party Organizing Committee, Boise Mutual Aid Collective, the Boise Homeless Coalition, Interfaith Sanctuary, various clergymen, the Red Republicans, high school students and various unaffiliated members of the community, totaling around 200 people.

The Boise Homeless Coalition is an advocacy group founded in 1993 with the goal to end homelessness through public education, policy advocacy and coordinated services.

“There’s no room in [shelter]. Families can’t be together in another. People can’t have their pets. A single father and his daughter couldn’t be together,” said Barbra Kemp, a volunteer with the Boise Homeless Coalition. “These folks are out here trying to get solutions in a peaceful, legal manner. And so we support them.

We want more options and immediate solutions, too.”

Part of what led to the mobilization and organization of the potluck was growing concerns from community members stemming from Facebook posts by the conservative group Idaho Liberty Dogs.

The moderator of the Idaho Liberty Dog’s account urged a peaceful counter-protest, while some commenters had other ideas, threatening violence below the post.

In a response, Mayor McLean urged for peaceful organization.

“I value people’s rights to have their voices heard, but only if it is done in a peaceful way ... There is no place for violence here,” McLean wrote in a statement.

Around 70 counter-protestors met at Cecil Andrus Park to verbally confront demonstrators and housing advocates.

Multiple members of the crowd had signs opposing “tent cities.”

“I was disappointed today in our turnout of patriots,” said a counter-protester who wished to remain anonymous.

Despite the arrests, demonstrators are continuing their protests.

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NEWS

BSU SEEKS BIG CITY DISMISSAL

BSU PITCHES BUDGET TO LEGISLATURE

Andrea Teres- Mar tinez | News Editor | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Andrea Teres- Mar tinez | News Editor | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

A judge is expected to rule on Big City’s lawsuit soon Higher education uncertain after tense 2021 session

Over a year after Big City left campus, the controversy around the cafe’s exit continues in court.

Drew Marshall | The Arbiter

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ttorneys representing Boise State and Big City Coffee met in the Fourth District Court Jan. 28 to debate the possible dismissal of the lawsuit against the university.

In October 2021, Big City Coffee filed a $10 million lawsuit, claiming the university forcibly removed the shop from its campus based on an “aggressive social justice agenda.”

Coffee shop owner Sarah Jo Fendley argued her business was mistreated due to her support of law enforcement and her relationship with a former police officer during the wake of George Floyd’s murder.

Less than a month later, Boise State filed a motion requesting that Judge Cynthia Yee-Wallace dismiss the suit over lack of factual evidence.

According to BoiseDev, Fendley had asked Boise State to defend the business from students who criticized the coffee shop for its support of law enforcement amidst protests against police brutality.

Boise State’s attorney, Trudy Hanson Fouser, responded saying the university could not infringe on the students’ freedom of speech.

“Because there are no facts of university employees doing anything to infringe on her right to free speech, the plaintiff is using this complaint to build anger

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and possibly hate against the university,” Fouser told the judge. “This document might generate anger against a public university, but it falls short over and over as a legal document.”

Mike Roe, Fendley’s attorney, argued that Boise State pressured Fendley to sign paperwork saying the end of their relationship was mutual despite her beliefs that her business was being removed from campus against her will, according to an article by BoiseDev. “The defendants’ mistreatment of my clients can only be understood if one appreciates Boise State University’s aggressive social justice agenda and the individual institutional biases exhibited by these defendants,” Roe said.

Roe pushed for the case to move ahead, wanting a full jury trial.

The decision on whether the case will move ahead is expected after Feb. 11.

“[Big City owner Sarah Jo Fendley] is using this complaint to build anger and possibly hate against the university.”

- Trudy Hanson Fouser, BSU attorney

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oise State University president Dr. Marlene Tromp made her annual budget presentation before the Idaho Legislature’s Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC) on Tuesday, Jan. 25.

This year, questions following Tromp’s presentation once again focused on the university’s actions to reduce spending on social justice programs.

In 2021, Boise State faced a $1.5 million budget cut over what some conservative legislators deemed “wasteful spending” on diversity, equity and inclusion programs. University administration also used money saved during the pandemic to cover the cut without having to deal with a dramatic impact on student programs.

Rep. Ron Nate (R-Rexburg) referred to the addition of Boise State’s Anti-Racism Center since the last legislative session, claiming that this spending had not been reduced as requested by the JFAC. “The services we provide to students are the services they’ve requested,” Tromp said. “I would say we have evolved our programming … But that doesn’t mean we have reduced the offerings that are available to our students.”

Tromp was also asked about Boise State’s rise in out-of-state enrollment numbers, and how those numbers will impact the cost of tuition.

For the first time in Boise State’s history, the fall 2021 enrollment numbers showed most of the first-year students were from out of state.

According to Tromp, the university responded by making more scholarships available for in-state students and adding to the application requirements for those coming from out of state.

“Because out-of-state students pay more for their education, it actually helps support our Idaho students,” Tromp said in the meeting.

At the hearing, Tromp also pitched

new line items for Boise State that would create 10 new positions and further build a program for rural education.

The program is the university’s Community Impact Program (CIP), which helps students in rural communities complete their education while living in their hometown.

Despite the 50% nationwide decline in rural college enrollment since the start of the pandemic, Boise State enrollment among participating rural communities has seen increases ranging from 26% to 50% following the launch of CIP. Another one of Tromp’s budget goals is to permanently fund 10 full-time positions to employ more Idahoans.

Four of those positions will employ new career-readiness counselors.

“Our aim at Boise State University is simple, to help our students develop their own minds, their own talents, to make their own choices and to find their own paths,” Tromp said in her presentation.

About $1.5 million of Boise State’s new budget will also go towards the university’s health science programs, with the intent of making them more competitive in the industry according to President Tromp.

The JFAC plans to hear all budget recommendations by Feb. 17, after which votes will be cast and the budgets will move to the House of Representatives.

“Our aim at Boise State University is simple, to help our students develop their own minds, their own talents, to make their own choices and to find their own paths” - Marlene Tromp, BSU president

NEWS

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE IDAHO 97 PROJECT

The non-partisan political organization formed to curb far-right influence in Idaho Fenix Dietz | News Repor ter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Mike Satz, executive director of the Idaho 97 Project, speaks on the steps of the Capitol. Photo courtesy of Nathaniel Hoffman

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hroughout the 2021 Idaho legislative session, a noticeable farright presence within the state legislature made itself known to the citizens of Idaho.

Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin’s Education Task Force and her actions as acting governor, along with the passage of the anti-critical race theory bill HB 377, are just a few examples from a very eventful year for Idaho in the world of politics.

Amid these controversies and this rising far-right presence, the Idaho 97 Project was formed.

The Idaho 97 Project is a non-partisan political organization that formed in early 2021 to “support the democratic process in Idaho, counter disinformation and extremism through proactive, fact-based action and media messaging, and protect free expression and good governance for the public and public officials alike,” according to the group’s website.

The name was inspired by a group known as the “Three Percenters,” an anti-government militia group that

attended several Central District Health (CDH) meetings during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the national Three Percenters dissolved in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, the still-active Idaho branch has endorsed Lt. Gov. McGeachin in the 2022 Idaho gubernatorial election.

To signify opposition to this group and others like it, the Idaho 97 Project then formed to combat the misinformation surrounding COVID-19 and related issues within the pandemic.

Mike Satz, founding executive director of the Idaho 97 Project, explained that Idaho can be a great place politically.

However, the threat of extremism that has troubled him and many other citizens could jeopardize that. His hope is that his organization can be a check of this extremism in Idaho. “[T]hings have really been changing, and the change is we’ve seen a lot of extremism really creeping into Idaho politics,” Satz said. “[T]he reason we’re here, the reason we really exist, is to bring

balance back to this and to say ‘no’.”

Satz went on to explain that those within the political extreme are really just a vocal and confrontational minority that doesn’t focus on or convey the real interests of Idahoans.

Dr. Jaclyn Kettler, an associate professor of political science at Boise State, has spoken on the grassroots success of the organization within Idaho politics. “[The Idaho 97 Project has] been able to mobilize a sizable number of people to contact officials on several occasions,” Kettler wrote in an email. “This suggests they may be successfully building a fairly large grassroots network for political advocacy.”

Most recently, the Idaho 97 Project has been taking swings at the Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF), a far-right lobbying group and the Idaho 97 Project’s main legislative rival, on Twitter. With the 2022 legislative session underway, they have also begun working with the Take Back Idaho PAC, a group of former Republican state officials who also seek to battle extremism within the Repub-

lican party, focusing on the Republican primary races this spring.

Dani Alegria, a freshman pre-business major who was raised in Idaho, has observed the effects of political extremism in Idaho, especially regarding COVID-19.

“With mask culture and vaccine culture, for example, I’m pretty sure Idaho has one of the lowest vaccine rates in the country,” Alegria said.

According to an article by US News comparing the vaccination rates among the fifty states, Idaho currently ranks fourth in lowest partial vaccination rates, at 59.3%.

For Boise State students, the decisions made by the state legislature can directly affect their lives. This is currently being seen in legislative discussions over the university’s budget.

Dr. Kettler emphasized the importance of paying attention to state politics along with national politics.

“Subnational policies directly affect our daily lives, making it important to pay attention to state and local politics,” Kettler wrote. “For students interested in being involved in politics, grassroots organizations are one way to engage in politics and try to advocate for their preferred policies or political change.”

“[T]hings have really been changing, and the change is we’ve seen a lot of extremism really creeping into Idaho politics. [T]he reason we’re here, the reason we really exist, is to bring balance back to this and to say ‘no’.”

- Mike Satz, executive director, Idaho 97 Project

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OPINION February 17, 2022 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

THE COLLEGE TRANSFER PORTAL IS CHANGING ATHLETICS FOR THE WORSE Athletes should be paid for their work, but the system needs to be ironed out Mason Becker | Staf f Writer | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Running back Andrew Van Buren (21) is one of many athletes who has entered the transfer portal to leave Boise State.

Claire Keener | The Arbiter

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n the past, the main focus of college sports during the months of January and February has been college basketball. As teams fight for wins and higher rankings, they draw the attention of the coutry to the court. However, in 2022, the focus of college sports seems to still be focused on the football field, or more specifically, what happens off the field.

The college football transfer portal is the busiest it has ever been this offseason, with more than 3,000 players entering the portal since November. Players from every school, state and division have decided that they are unhappy with where they originally decided to go to school, and are willing to throw their hat in the ring somewhere else.

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Boise State is no stranger to the transfer portal. Just this last season, backup quarterback Jack Sears, who originally transferred to Boise State from the University of Southern California (USC), has entered the transfer portal, once again looking for what he wants somewhere else. Running back Andrew Van Buren, who recorded over 1,000 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns during his time at Boise State, has also decided to take his talents elsewhere.

But Boise State is not just losing players.

In this past offseason, Boise State roped in quarterback Sam Vidlak, a redshirt freshman from Oregon State. Boise State also brought in offensive lineman Cade Beresford and linebacker Jack Beresford from Washington State. This is a sort of

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homecoming for the Beresford family, as their father was an offensive lineman at Boise State in the 1990s.

Now, there is nothing wrong with wanting to show your talents and be on the field, but what I have a problem with is the lack of loyalty to your program and lack of having enough heart to fight for your position.

A few years ago, college football used to be all about fighting for the guy next to you and bringing glory to your college or university, but with the new Name, Image and Likeliness (NIL) policy, the college gridiron has moved away from those morals.

I am all for college athletes getting paid.

The amount of time and effort that goes into playing a collegiate sport has been undervalued for years. But, there does need to be some rules and regulations to this new deal, just so things remain fair.

There are obviously schools that have more money than others. Schools like USC, Miami University and the University of Texas have more money than most schools could ever imagine. However, this isn’t just because of their prestigious football programs. It is also due to people around these schools who have lots of money.

The new NIL program allows athletes to become sponsored by companies, organizations and even chain fast food restaurants. If you think about USC, they are surrounded by money, and those who have the money want to see their local powerhouse college succeed to its fullest potential.

So, why wouldn’t a great football player go somewhere where they would be paid handsomely and still compete at the highest level? Well, there really is no reason, and that is the problem.

Even if there was no NIL deal for college athletes, the transfer portal is still affecting another major aspect of the sport: recruiting.

In this past offseason, coaches and programs have made it clear that they are actively looking for new players in the transfer portal, and not just highschools.

This means that even fewer young players looking for a shot to get on the field will see that opportunity because a program would rather take someone with experience at the collegiate level than an incoming freshman who still has a lot to learn.

So, there is a lot of bad about the transfer portal and the current world of college football, but the transfer portal has definitely been an important factor in many teams successes in recent years.

Joe Burrow, the quarterback for the Bengals, finished his college career with a Heisman trophy and national championship at Louisiana State University (LSU).

However, Burrow actually started his career at the Ohio State University, where he rode the bench for three years before finally deciding to transfer to LSU. Without the transfer portal, Burrow may have never gotten his shot to have one of the best seasons of all time in college football or become the number one pick in the 2020 NFL draft.

Burrow is not the only one who has found success and thrived after transferring from their original school, and from the looks of it, he most certainly will not be the last.

To me, the rise of the transfer portal is a sign that the times are changing not just for football, but for all collegiate sports.

Players going into the portal and coaches recruiting from the portal will become the new normal, and people are going to have to accept that.

Is there still some work that needs to be done to the rules of the portal and the new NIL deal? Of course, but those things will come in time, just as they have before.

OPINION

CUTTING BACK ON SOCIAL MEDIA CAN IMPROVE MENTAL WELL-BEING

As social media becomes increasingly ingrained into our lives, it becomes harder to put down Paige Wir ta | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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n 2022, it can often feel impossible to escape social media, especially for younger people who grew up with the various apps and websites at their disposal. A lot of people probably have no desire to escape at all — and for a while, I didn’t either.

I told myself my social media usage was fine, that it didn’t have any effects on me.

As much as I told myself this, I think I knew that it wasn’t true. I found myself scrolling through TikTok almost every time I picked up my phone, even if I was picking it up for another reason entirely.

It was a habit. A distraction. An epic tool of procrastination, entertainment and, let’s be honest, an addiction.

An addiction that, for a long time, I had no desire to kick. I would end most of my days curled up in bed with my phone, endlessly scrolling on TikTok, sometimes without even processing the videos I was seeing. It didn’t make me feel good; I wasn’t gaining a single thing from this new-age addiction.

TikTok was not the only drug that had me hooked. I would scroll on Twitter and Snapchat just as often, not even looking for human connection or anything similarly valuable. It was just for stimulation — for something to do so I didn’t have to do everything else I needed to do. Yikes.

I began to notice these patterns.

Sitting at my desk with a blank Google Doc, scrolling. Sat with a movie paused halfway through, scrolling. Lying in bed past midnight, scrolling.

After a few days of observing this behavior from myself, I finally felt a desire to stop. To quit. So I offloaded the apps (iPhones let you uninstall an app without losing your login information or your data).

The following day, I stared at the offloaded apps on my phone. They were still there, just a download away from being re-

The addictive nature and pervasive cultural force of social media has exacerbated mental health issues during the pandemic, especially for college students.

Claire Keener | The Arbiter opened and scrapping the idea completely.

No one would fault me for it. No one but myself. Finally, I deleted them completely. I even deleted my saved passwords to make it just a bit harder for me to redownload and log back in.

I did not feel good at first. Every time I hit a lull in stimulation or productivity, I would stare at my phone for a few minutes, with nowhere to go. I wanted little more than to open up TikTok so I could scroll, just for a few minutes. Just to see something funny, to laugh for a second.

But now, I’ve noticed something. I’ve begun to sleep better than I have in a long time. I’ve notoriously had issues with sleeping; insomnia and sleep paralysis often plague me. If I fell asleep before 1 a.m., I was awake before 6 a.m. Not to mention multiple times throughout the night, I’d wake and toss and turn for 20

minutes before falling back asleep.

Of course, part of the equation was definitely the fact that I wasn’t scrolling through TikTok for hours before I fell asleep, but this also meant that I wasn’t using my phone nearly as much before bedtime.

I’m falling asleep faster and staying asleep longer; if I fall asleep around midnight, I usually don’t wake until 5 a.m., and I’m able to go back to sleep until 9 or 10 a.m.

There have been some studies to back up these positive effects on my sleeping habits. One study found a connection between social media usage, especially during the evening, and poor sleep quality, anxiety, depression and low self-esteem.

I’ll have to continue my observations a little longer before I can decide if I’ve seen any permanent positive changes in anxiety and other aspects of my mental

health but, honestly, the changes I’ve seen in my sleep habits are enough to keep me off of social media for the time being.

I think it’s hard to say definitively that social media is bad — or, on the other hand, that it’s good.

Social media is a means of connection and communication, something very invaluable in a world as big as our own.

There’s an inherent loss I feel without having Twitter or TikTok instantly at my fingertips. I’m missing out on the latest memes and trends; I’m not seeing what’s happening outside of my local bubble.

But for now, the positive consequences outweigh the negatives.

If you’re struggling with sleep or anxiety and find yourself losing time on social media, consider deleting these apps. See how you feel after a few days. It may benefit you in ways you hadn’t considered.

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AIR QUALITY, HEAT WAVES AND DROUGHT: WHAT IDAHO WILL FACE WITH A WARMING CLIMATE HANALEI POTEMPA | CULTURE REPORTER | CULTURE@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE.EDU

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n Idaho, the negative impacts of the changing climate are becoming more apparent, just as they are worldwide.

Climate change is not just one problem. The issue represents how the earth’s climate system is acting differently than how it has been operating for a very long time. It is a complete systemic change resulting from problems happening all over the world, and it affects each place in a different way.

“What climate change has done is it has thrown a really big wrench into our ability to predict what’s going to happen in the future given how things have looked in the past,” said Dr. Chris Torres, an environmental studies professor at Boise State.

“In Idaho, we are experiencing increased size and severity of catastrophic wildfires.”

- Dr. Jen Pierce, professor in department of geosciences

In Idaho, changing climate conditions have caused rising concerns for consistent water sources for residential and agricultural uses. Summer temperatures are getting hotter, and wildfire seasons are lasting longer — causing more damage to the environment and leading to more days of poor air quality, in which it is dangerous to go outside.

Water Scarcity “In the context of Idaho, water is very scarce for us, and more often than not we are really dependent on snowpack that forms in the mountains during the winter,” Torres said.

Water is scarce here in the Mountain West, and areas like the Treasure Valley rely on snowpack melt, water management systems and reservoirs for properly distributed and fully sourced water.

In Idaho, the Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for installing and overseeing the current water manage-

ment system. The system is set into place to provide flood management, reserve snowpack melt in reservoirs and dispense water sources for proper use and irrigation.

In the past, the Army Corps of Engineers used centuries worth of data surrounding precipitation rates, temperatures and snowmelt in order to predict how much water will be released in late winter to create space in reservoirs.

“Climate patterns that we once thought to be fairly predictable and fairly trustworthy to plan a lot of other things are just becoming very uncertain and very variable,” Torres said.

If snowpack starts melting earlier, this raises concerns for potential flooding if reservoirs are not open. This may require a new system to be set in place for more reservoir space depending on the levels of water needed to properly sustain the agriculture industry.

“Snow is melting earlier from Idaho’s landscapes, and that really depletes what I would call our biggest storage of water on our landscape which is in all of that snowpack,” said Dr. Jen Pierce, director of the Idaho Climate Literacy Education Engagement and Research network.

“That earlier snowmelt also hurts the ecosystems and species that are dependent on that water later in the season.”

Agriculture is a crucial aspect of Idaho’s culture and economy. Lack of water for irrigation caused by early melting snowpack and poor water management can threaten the current agricultural systems and cause crop shortages.

“As a global food and agriculture company, we know the impact that events like wildfires, hot, dry summers and a diminished water supply can have on our business, our state and our way of life,” said Garrett Lofto, president and CEO of J.R. Simplot Company, in a news assessment by the McClure Center.

Wildfires & Heat Waves This summer, Idaho experienced record-high temperatures, with weeks on end above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in places. Such extreme conditions can create a public health hazard for those

who do not have proper air conditioning services. In addition, heat waves can cause issues for crops and livestock in the agricultural industry.

“These warm, dry summers are making it very challenging for our farmers and ranchers to manage livestock and to grow crops on our landscapes where we just don’t have enough water, especially later in the summer, to support the agricultural industry,” Pierce said.

Abnormal weather conditions are becoming more frequent, and extreme heat waves and droughts are to be expected at increasing rates.

In the Pacific Northwest, there has been an increase in hospitalizations and admissions to emergency facilities due to heat exhaustion and lung exacerbations from wildfire smoke pollutants in the air.

Warmer and drier summers create the ideal environment for more wildfires.

“In Idaho, we are experiencing increased size and severity of catastrophic wildfires,” Pierce said.

It is vital to prepare for the impacts of these fires due to their unpredictability.

Although attempting to medicate the causes of these fires, Idaho must also build its resilience.

“We need to prepare our communities and our health systems to understand the risks associated with fire and how to manage those risks if there is a fire in your community,” said Jen Schneider, Boise State professor and interim associate dean of the School of Public Service.

“We are seeing a greater number of days where it is unsafe to be outside according to EPA standards.”

- Dr. Jen Schneider, professor and interim dean, School of Public Service

Idaho’s forests help keep air and water clean, provide habitat for wildlife, reduce pollution and provide materials and jobs for rural Idaho economies.

Although the dangerous negative impacts of wildfires incite a motivation for change, these natural benefits that Idaho’s forests provide could be a positive motivator for change.

Poor Air Quality Recently, fire seasons have become both increasingly longer and more detrimental. There is the direct impact of wildfires on the environment, but also an impact on the health and wellness of the population due to wildfire smoke.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established national ambient air quality standards to assess the level of concern and health risks to protect public health.

“We are seeing a greater number of days where it is unsafe to be outside according to EPA standards,” Schneider said.

Wildfire smoke has the ability to travel hundreds of miles, and smoke particles have the potential to interact with other atmospheric chemicals and become even more toxic.

Minor symptoms caused by smoke exposure include itchy and sensitive eyes, sore throats and headaches. Monitoring the impact of smoke exposure on human health can be complex, as it is difficult to conclude just how many people are sickened or killed since it affects those with pre-existing conditions more harshly.

Pierce also emphasized the importance of our health services being stocked with inhalers for those with asthma and other lung conditions. It is vital that these industries understand the threats that are coming and prepare in advance.

Public health systems are already under strain due to the pandemic, and the Pacific Northwest specifically has been experiencing more deaths caused by record breaking heat waves and dangerous levels of air pollution.

The younger and older populations are more susceptible to sickness from smoke exposure. Those with respiratory conditions are especially at risk and the long term effects of these toxins are not completely understood.

“There have been steps taken, but we need to do a lot more,” Pierce said.

C U LT U R E February 17, 2022 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

BLUE GALLERIES: STUDENT JURIED EXHIBITION AWARD WINNERS ON DISPLAY

Student artists reflect on their award-winning works of art currently displayed in the Center for Visual Arts Julianne Gee & Hanalei Potempa | Culture Reporters | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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he winning submissions for the 2022 Annual Student Juried Exhibition are on display at the Blue Galleries, located on the first floor of the Center for Visual Arts, until March 30. The chosen juror, artist Crystal Z. Campbell, awarded five student artists with distinction.

Gia Strang, a visual arts major with a focus in sculpture, received second place recognition in the Blue Galleries Exhibition for her bronze sculpture “The Sound Of Touch.”

Strang was inspired by Japanese ceramic sculptor Toru Kurokawa, who is known for the use of negative space in his sculptures.

Strang was also inspired by the look and feel of slot canyons.

“They have these smooth, grooved interiors that make you want to touch them and walk through them and be able to venture through it,” Strang said.

“I think that this piece kind of has that similar feel to it … because there are lots of nooks and crannies and interesting forms, so it never looks the same from any particular direction.”

Strang began her piece by creating the original form in clay. She then 3D-scanned the mold and printed it in wax to melt the original form and fill it with bronze.

When the printing occured, Strang shared that her figure came out with a texture that looks and feels like actual fingerprints. She was completely surprised by this texture after it was finally poured and broken apart.

The name of the piece, “The Sound of Touch,” illustrates an interesting juxtaposition. When asked about the name, Strang said: “The piece was about texture, but yet, it has an unexpected element of being able to hear it.”

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Strang said that she was both excited and humbled by the opportunity to be included in the Blue Galleries exhibit because of the level of talent demonstrated by her fellow artists and student peers.

“As an artist, we always want validation in our work because sometimes our work really only resonates with us, and we hope that it resonates with someone else, so when it does, it’s an excitement and a huge validation,” Strang said.

Jose “Gio” Herrera, an art history and visual arts double major, received first place recognition for the digital prints of a video still titled “RUN.” Herrera also submitted a video titled “_Embrace.”

“The thing I’m most interested in is exploring signifiers and their signified,” Herrera said.

Herrera mentioned being inspired by French literary critic and semiotician Roland Barthes.

However, Herrera also said he didn’t want the pieces to be “didactic,” meaning he didn’t want to show an ulterior motive or moral edict in the pieces.

“What I try to practice in both my video and my photography work is stripping a lot [away] and being very conscious and aware of any potential things that I present to the viewer,” Herrera said.

Herrera spoke of titling the winning artwork “RUN.” through a conversation with a friend. The friend expressed concern for the title, to which Herrera replied by saying he wanted something that could be interpreted politically.

“With the video, there was a particular idea that I got, and I wanted to explore that. That being said, I don’t have an artist statement referencing that idea, simply because I don’t want to have the view be limited by my interpretation of

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Award winners “The Sound of Touch” by Gia Strang and “RUN.” by Jose “Gio” Herrera can be viewed in the Blue Galleries.

Julianne Gee | The Arbiter work with me, and with all of us … In it,” Herrera said. moments of critical social change, you’ve This exploratory process is common reminded me of how much art can be a for Herrera when making art. record, a tool, a respite, a strategy, and a “With all my artwork, I simply do form of resistance,” Campbell said in a them because I want to get things out of message to the students. my head … I gotta materialize them,” The Blue Galleries is open from TuesHerrera said. day-Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. It is free and According to gallery director Kristen open to the public. Per university policy, Furlong, artwork is chosen based on criteria from the juror without other condi- masks are required.

For more information, visit the Blue tions like grades or experience level.

Galleries webpage on the BSU website.

“Thank you so much for sharing your

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COVID ENHANCES BURNOUT AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS Healthcare students weigh workforce options in the face of the pandemic Kendall Hospenthal | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Staffing shortages and strained hospital resources have led to higher rates of burnout among healthcare professionals.

Photo courtesy of Francine Orr, LA Times

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ong hours and heavy patient loads brought on by the ever-changing face of COVID-19 has fueled a condition known as medical burnout.

Physician burnout is caused by emotional fatigue, depersonalization and diminished professional achievement due to understaffing and difficult working conditions.

“Hospitals have had a great deal of turnover in their staff during the course of the pandemic,” said Dr. Amy Spurlock, associate divisional dean and chief nursing administrator at Boise State . “Nationwide, the estimates are anywhere from 30% to 70% of healthcare workers are experiencing a severe burnout.”

On Jan. 20, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced $103 million in awards to relieve the nation’s urgent staffing needs.

These awards stand by proven strategies to help health care workers build resilien-

cy and efficient responses to the highstress environment.

The Health and Public Safety Workforce Resiliency Training Program, a course rewarded by the HHS, is a curriculum designed to reduce burnout within the health profession, including health care students.

“We are lucky to have outstanding clinical agencies that have worked very hard to ensure that our students have meaningful clinical experiences at a time when they are working under severe stress just from having to deal with increased patient acuity and increased hospitalizations with COVID,” Spurlock said.

ICU and COVID-19 unit workers face a higher risk of burnout compared to other hospital workers.

As health care students function in unpredictable clinical settings, the burnout rate of these students stands between 31% and 49.6%.

A junior, who is double majored in nursing and public health at Boise State University, requested to be anonymous in fear of their position in the nursing program and future employment.

“I feel like when you go into nursing school you have this idea of what it’s going to be. I get to help and nurse people back to health, but it’s morbid,” the anonymous source said. “It’s just very sad.”

The American Association of Critical Care Nurses surveyed 6,000 of their members. They found that 66% of the surveryed nurses have contemplated quitting because of the pandemic.

Nothing could have ever prepared them for the mayhem COVID has brought.

“This little girl sent her dad, who was intubated, a letter. He could still hear even though he was comatose, so we had to go in and read the letter from the daughter to her dad,” the anonymous source said. “It was heartbreaking. She

knew he was going to die.”

Although many physicians are leaving their practices because of the pandemic, others are stepping up to nurse people back to health.

“At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was a little cautious about the healthcare path that I chose, but now it has made me realize just how much I want to get into the field as soon as possible,” wrote Brooke Zander, first-year respiratory care major at Boise State.

“I have always wanted to work in the healthcare field because I love to help people and I want to make sure people are healthy and cared for.”

Although interventions address medical fatigue, physician burnout is an inevitable outcome as the pandemic persists.

“I think that this pandemic has really shown the strength and resilience of every health care worker, from nurses and doctors to therapists and CNAs. Each one of them has such an important job to do, and each one of them does it well,” Zander wrote. “Knowing that I will have such a strong support team when I enter the workforce is such a wonderful feeling.”

In the meantime, the search for the most effective solution to medical burnout continues.

“At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was a little cautious about the healthcare path that I chose, but now it has made me realize just how much I want to get into the field as soon as possible.”

- Brooke Zander, first-year respiratory care major

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HAMILTON ASL INTERPRETATION SPARKS AWARENESS OF DEAF CULTURE

A Deaf student and professor give perspective on Deaf culture and the importance of entertainment accessibility Julianne Gee | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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merican Sign Language (ASL) recently garnered some attention from community members and students alike with Hamilton’s run at the Morrison Center. Many students enjoyed watching the ASL interpreters just as much as the performance itself.

These interpreters created a road for members of the Deaf community to voice the overlying issues as well as benefits of Deaf culture and accessibility.

“I have a B.A. degree in theater, so I love anything related to theater,” said Davina Snow, ASL coordinator and professor at Boise State. “If there is no interpreter provided, I miss out on the equivalent theatrical experience enjoyed by the other patrons. Without such accessibility, a Deaf patron will become lost.”

Snow mentioned the Morrison Center is generally very good at providing access, but it can be difficult elsewhere.

Snow said many places will ask for her to provide an interpreter, rather than providing their own.

“We don’t have a personal interpreter.

That’s not the reality. They bring the production to the stage, and they are committed to ensure a top experience for their patrons and by providing interpretation access they portray the same level of commitment for all,” Snow said.

According to Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, businesses and nonprofits must provide equal access to people with disabilities, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Snow expressed how on some occasions she was required to remind facilities about the law. She was even required to call the Idaho State Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in order to have someone advocate for her.

Jahaira Faber, ASL Club president and

Deaf student, brought a different form of entertainment to the table: movies.

“I am a big movie person. Captions are a must when it comes to movies, but … a lot of the time [movie theaters] don’t have full access,” Faber said.

Faber described that there are glasses or cupholder devices that show captions, but many times the glasses haven’t been charged, and the devices are incredibly inconvenient.

“Honestly, the technology sucks,” Faber said. “I don’t want to complain too much because it is improving. It just has a long way to go.”

This access isn’t restricted to only entertainment, but also to daily life. In doctor’s appointments, restaurants and classrooms, not having an interpreter or some kind of accessible option is a hindrance.

“There are many small things that hearing people don’t realize create huge barriers. We don’t get to experience

Many viewers of Hamilton on Broadway recollect the American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters who performed the piece in real time along with the cast.

Photo courtesy of Disney Media

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things the same way hearing people do, and that’s not [always] fair,” Faber said.

Although there is difficulty with accessibility, those moments when it is provided and unobstructed can be wonderful for people who are often left out of entertainment.

“I remember the first ASL-only event that I went to. It was a Shakespeare retelling where the entire show [consisted] of only Deaf actors or signers … It was incredible,” Faber said.

“It’s ‘music to our eyes.’ It’s just beautiful. It touches your soul. It moves you and inspires you,” Snow said when describing a fully signed performance.

Deaf people are unique from others with disabilities because they have their own language which is distinct from English. This creates a culture that is very unique.

Faber talked about the connectedness of the Deaf community, and also what is described as the “deaf gain.” Deaf people are great drivers because they are not as easily distracted by noises and music. It is also possible to carry conversations through windows or across large distances with ease.

“If we don’t want to listen to something, we can take our devices off.

We can take a sigh of relief knowing we don’t have to listen to everything.

Hearing people don’t have that luxury,” Faber said.

The Deaf community not only has these “gains,” but they bring a unique perspective to the world as hearing people know it.

“Deaf people are really well connected,” Faber said, “That’s the thing I love the most about the Deaf community is that interconnectedness. If I can bring that part of Deaf culture and apply it to the hearing world, I feel like it would be such a better place.”

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TREEFORT MUSIC FESTIVAL PREVIEW

Treefort releases complete lineup and schedule, with more information to come Hanalei Potempa | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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his year marks the 10th anniversary of the annual Treefort Music Festival. The festival will take place March 23-27 in downtown Boise, Idaho, and passes are on sale now.

Treefort Music Festival is a multi-venue community festival with plenty of venues available to attendees of all ages.

This year, Treefort is featuring artists from 17 different countries and 35 different states.

Treefort was started by a group of locals in 2012 with the goal of creating an event for musical discovery based on community values. Treefort gives local emerging bands the opportunity to perform as well as introduces emerging touring artists.

Treefort is a sustainable festival. The festival became the first-ever B-corp

certified music festival due to its positive environmental impacts and community values.

Treefort has completely eliminated the use of plastic at its Main Stage. Additionally, power to the Main Stage and several other outdoor stages are completely powered using solar energy.

The festival has also taken the initiative to replace all single-use plastic cups and food containers with reusable ones.

This year’s Treefort lineup has just been released! Experience a wide variety of music genres, from soulful R&B to punk rock and dance pop.

Discover potentially new favorite artists by checking out featured indie rock artist Snail Mail, the pop-punk group The Regrettes and many more artists from a wide variety of genres.

This year’s headliners include post-

punk artist Kim Gordon (of Sonic Youth fame), rock band Osees, indie artist Goth Babe and contemporary R&B group Durand Jones and The Indications — all of which have over a million listeners on streaming platforms, like Spotify.

Plus, discover several local artists from the Boise community, including East Forest and Magic Sword.

In order to attend the festival, attendees must show proof of a negative COVID test or vaccination card.

Treefort is providing on-site rapid testing for those who need it and vaccinations will be available as well.

Treefort is also home to several other “Forts,” like Foodfort, Filmfort, Comedyfort and more. For scheduling and event details, view the Treefort website at www.treefortmusicfest.com.

After a postponed festival in 2021, Treefort is back to regularly scheduled programming in 2022.

Photo courtesy of Preston Valles

SPORTS & REC February 17, 2022 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

ANDY AVALOS ADDS NEW COACHES TO 2022 FOOTBALL SEASON STAFF

After two coaches stepped down, Avalos has brought on several new coaches in anticipation of next season Lexi Almeido | Sports & Rec Editor | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

The staffing changes include: Kelly Poppinga as new EDGE coach, Demario Warren as cornerback coach and Jason Cverko as director of recruiting operations.

Claire Keener | The Arbiter continue to impact our student-athletes.” build, and am looking forward to him wo coaches from the Boise Venable completed his second season State football staff chose to assisting us in taking this program to the as running backs coach in 2021, and had next level.” step down after the team served as the Broncos’ player developwithdrew from the Barstool Cornerbacks coach Jeron Johnson ment director from 2018-19 and 2021.

Sports Arizona Bowl. Since then, head also stepped down from his position to Taking his place is former Boise State coach Andy Avalos chose to bring on pursue other opportunities. football assistant coach Keith Bhonaseveral members to his coaching staff for “This was a tough decision,” Johnson pha. He will return as the associate head the 2022 football season. wrote in a statement. “I will always have coach and running backs coach.

Winston Venable, running backs love for Boise State football and Bronco Bhonapha previously coached running Nation but, at this time in my life, my coach and player development director, backs at Boise State before leaving for was the first to step down from his posiprofessional goals weren’t matching up the University of Washington with fortion to pursue other opportunities. with my personal goals. I’m stepping “Winston is one of the greatest players mer head coach Chris Petersen. He spent away to be a dad.” the last eight seasons working with the to suit up for Boise State, and has done Special teams coordinator Stacy ColHuskies’ running backs. a tremendous job of mentoring not only lins also decided to leave Bronco football “Coach Bhonapha has both the expeour running backs, but every young man to step into a new role at Penn State rience and knowledge that comes with that has chosen to play for the Broncos University as the special teams coordinabuilding and growing programs, and his over the last several years,” Avalos said. tor/outside linebacker/nickelback coach. work developing running backs speaks “Although he is leaving his current role, Despite these coaches leaving, Avalos for itself,” Avalos said. “I am excited to he will always be part of this brotherbrought on several new Broncos to fill bring him back to a place that he helped hood and I know he will find a way to these positions within the program.

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Avalos brought on Kelly Poppinga to coach the Broncos’ EDGE position.

Prior to Boise State, Poppinga coached at the University of Virginia for six years, including four as the co-defensive coordinator there.

Poppinga also coached linebackers for five seasons at Brigham Young University as a full-time assistant as well as a special teams coordinator for two years.

Avalos also brought on Demario Warren as the cornerbacks coach. Prior to his hire, Warren coached at Southern Utah University for 14 seasons, including the last six as the head coach.

“Demario has gained outstanding experience as an assistant, a coordinator and a head coach, has built outstanding relationships as a recruiter in our region and has a proven track record of building young men of character,” Avalos said in a statement. “I am excited to add him to our staff and welcome him to Bronco Nation.”

The Boise State football team has also added Jason Cvercko as the director of recruiting operations. For the last two seasons, he has served as the chief of staff for Washington State’s football program in Pullman, Washington.

“I am extremely grateful to Coach Avalos and his staff for giving me this opportunity,” Cvercko said. “Having previously worked in the Mountain West, I had always held Boise State in high regard. The Broncos have been the standard for a long time, and I am looking forward to helping continue that tradition well into the future.”

The schedule for the 2022 football season has yet to be finalized, but the Broncos have started conditioning for the upcoming spring season.

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CHEER TEAM LANDS BIG AT NATIONALS TRACK & FIELD EXCELS INDOORS

The Broncos finished in the top 6 in two competitions Athletes look to the end of a successful season Adam Bridges | Spor ts & Rec Repor ter | spor ts@stumedia.boisestate.edu

The cheer team’s placements at UCA College Nationals were two of the highest finishes in program history.

Photo courtesy of of Tyler McFarland he Boise State cheer team also had their highest finish in program performed exceptionally well history for this competition. at the 2022 UCA College Boise State also placed fourth out of Cheerleading National 11 teams competing in the D1A Small Championships from Jan. 13-16.

Coed category. This was the first time “Overall, I think the weekend went that the cheer team has qualified for amazing for the team,” said senior cheer finals in this category. captain Sierra Semler. “We never let misThe Broncos’ fourth place serves as takes or the pressure get to us and went the highest finish in program history at out on the floor for the four routines UCA College Nationals. and really showed everyone who Boise “The team felt great,” said Spirit State is.”

Squad head coach Kelsey Messer. “They The team competed in the 1A went there and did exactly what they GameDay division and the 1A Small set out to do. In August, they set a team Coed Division and received a top-6 goal to hit all of their routines and finish in both competitions. qualify for finals and they did just that.

Boise State was the only Mountain I am incredibly proud of each of those West team to qualify for the finals in athletes and what they were able to both competitions. accomplish at nationals.”

“My initial reaction when we found out we made finals in traditional was “[The team] went there and feeling prideful and happy,” Semler said. did exactly what they set “It was the first time in history that we qualified for finals in this division and out to do. In August, they finding out we were top three made my set a team goal to hit all of heart so full. It was almost like a ‘we did it’ moment.” their routines and qualify for The Broncos placed sixth out of 18 finals and they did just that.” teams across the country competing in the D1A Game Day category. The team Kelsey Messer, head coach

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Nate Lunak | Staf f Writer | spor ts@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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oise State track and field had a hot start to the 2021-2022 season, and their early success helped set the tone for future competitions during the indoor season.

“The way we came out this season, it lit a fire under us,’’ said freshman sprinter and horizontal jumper Maggie Larson. “It just reminded us how much we love competing and how much we love being there.”

Some players found new motivation for this season after losing the previous season to COVID-19.

Larson said the team is ready to go out to set new personal records and get to a competitive level.

This season, Boise State has received five Mountain West Conference (MWC) Athlete of the Week and four Freshman of the Week awards. Larson has won one of each.

“It was really exciting winning Freshman of the Week because there’s a lot of great freshmen in the Mountain West,” Larson said. “I was a little more excited about Field Athlete of the Week because, out of all the events, they chose me to represent for that week.”

Boise currently holds 21 top-10 times in the MWC, including three number one times. Boise has had 11 athletes set new top-five school records.

According to sprint/jump coach Andy Green, these types of stats helps create new goals for the team.

“Taking home these kinds of awards and accolades sets this new expectation,” Green said. “This is where we are as a program and this is what we are capable of.”

Senior distance runner Jonathan Shields holds three of Boise State’s topfive distance times.

“The Mountain West is a prestigious conference,” Shields said. “It feels good to know your hard work is paying off.”

Boise State will look to continue this year’s success at the MWC Indoor Track and Field Championships. They are set to take place from Feb. 24-26 hosted by the University of New Mexico.

Shields says he is hoping to keep a level head and is excited for what the championships has to offer.

After the MWC championship, the NCAA championships will be on March 11, before the outdoor season begins.

Senior distance runner Jonathan Fields competes at the Washington Invitational.

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TRIATHLON CLUB PREPARING FOR 2022 SEASON, LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS

The team is looking forward to three meets in the coming months, including the Idaho State Bengal Triathlon Desmond Ordoñez | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Triathlon Club welcomes athletes of all skill levels and holds weekly practices at the Boise State Rec.

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s the Boise State triathlon team and its new members begin to reassemble after a three-month layoff, this closeknit program is looking forward to new challenges this spring.

A triathlon is a multi-sport marathon that features events in swimming, biking and running. There is one mile each for a swim and a run, while the longest portion of the race is the seven-mile bike ride.

The order of the events varies from race to race and, in certain cases, these events can be spread across three different days, one day for each event.

Most practices are being held on Tuesday evenings and early Friday mornings at the Boise State Rec Center. Practices earlier in the week emphasize swimming, while long-distance and up-tempo running is the focus later in the week.

Triathlon Club team president and

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senior biomedical chemistry major Serena Sheldon said the team has a lot to offer.

“We welcome athletes of all skill levels to our club,” Sheldon said. “We are looking forward to having more people join our family atmosphere and become better athletes and people along the way. That is the main goal.”

Sheldon has been on the team for the three years, racking up miles wearing the Boise State uniform. Now in her third year, she is team president.

At the moment, Sheldon is the sole member of the team, though she is in the process of gathering more athletes to join.

“The beginning of a season is always hard, especially if past players have either graduated or are far too busy to keep up with the demands of the team,” Sheldon said, “but when we finally do gather athletes, most catch on quickly and the rapport within the team is high.”

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Both past and present triathlon team presidents emphasize that being involved in the club can open many doors for future athletic endeavors.

Former team president and athlete Carl Breidenbach praised the Triathlon Club program for the overall environment of the team and how it pushed him to continue competing down the road.

“Being on this team showed me a lot about myself,’’ Breidenbach said. “I did not think I was able to push myself as hard as I did being on the team. I went to the limit in every meet, and that feeling of accomplishment made me want to continue doing triathlons to this day.”

The team is looking forward to three meets in the coming months. In March, the yearly Idaho State Bengal Triathlon will welcome a handful of teams from neighboring states. The Broncos have participated in this meet for the last five years.

Photo courtesy of Serena Sheldon Following two other meets in Utah in early April, the biggest race of the season will be the 28th Annual Onion Man Triathlon at Bennington Lake in Walla Walla, Washington. Boise State will be one of 20 teams to compete, and this will be just the second time they do so.

Sign-ups were officially opened in early January. Team practices are set to begin in the coming weeks, with the first meet scheduled for early March.

“Being on this team showed me a lot about myself. I did not think I was able to push myself as hard as I did...”

- Carl Breidenbach, former

club president

CAPRICORN DEC 22- JAN 19

AS RESPONSIBILITIES WEIGH YOU DOWN, REMEMBER YOUR OWN VALUE AND TAKE SPECIAL CARE TO SUPPORT YOURSELF.

AQUARIUS JAN 20- FEB 18

THE SUN IS TRAVELING THROUGH YOUR SIGN, BOOSTING YOUR SOCIAL CAPACITY, CONFIDENCE AND ENERGY LEVELS.

PISCES

FEB 19 - MAR 20

TAKE SOME TIME AWAY FROM YOUR LOVED ONES AS YOU DEAL WITH PROFESSIONAL OR ACADEMIC STRESSORS.

ARIES

MAR 21 - APR 19

OUR BEST GUESS

CANCER

JUN 21 - JUL 22

INSPECT YOUR DEAR RELATIONSHIPS CLOSELY MAKE SURE YOU’RE CAREFULLY BALANCING AS THE STARS TEST THE LOYALTY OF THOSE THE ARBITER ALIGNS YOUR STARS YOUR WORK AND LIFE. DON’T LET YOUR AROUND YOU. RELATIONSHIPS CRUMBLE DUE TO RESPONSIBILITIES.

TAURUS

LEO

APR 20 - MAY 20

JUL 23 - AUG 22

STRUGGLING TO FIND YOUR PURPOSE? LOOK NO FURTHER THAN YOUR HEART; THE ANSWER IS WITHIN YOU.

GEMINI

MAY 21 - JUN 20

DISORGANIZATION CLUTTERS YOUR LIFE AND MIND. TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND RIGHT THE MESS FOGGING YOUR BRAIN.

COMPETITION MAY BE BREWING, BUT DON’T LET THE PRIZE NEGATIVELY INFLUENCE YOUR INTERACTIONS WITH OTHERS.

ILLUSTRATION BY ALIEHA DRYDEN

AQUARIUS JAN 20 - FEB 18

PAIGE WIRTA OPINION EDITOR

OPINION@STUMEIDA.BOISESTATE.EDU

VIRGO

AUG 23 - MAY 20

VIRGO, YOUR HOME MAY HAVE FALLEN INTO DISARRAY. DON’T FRET; LET MOTIVATION TO ORGANIZE COME NATURALLY.

LIBRA

SEPT 23 - OCT 22

LET YOURSELF TURN INTO A HOMEBODY AS YOU FOCUS ON SELF CARE, BUT KEEP YOUR DOOR OPEN FOR FRIENDS.

SCORPIO

OCT 23 - NOV 21

THE SPOTLIGHT IS ON YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE. USE YOUR NEWFOUND ENERGY TO MAKE GREAT STRIDES IN YOUR FIELD.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 22 - DEC 21

FINANCIAL STRESSORS MAY BE BURDENING YOU; TAKE SOME TIME TO BUDGET YOUR UPCOMING MONTHS.