The Arbiter Vol. 36 Issue 1 8.24.23

IDAHO ENDORSED THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT IN 1972

IDAHO RANKS AS ONE OF THE WORST STATES TO LIVE IN FOR WOMEN

Editor-In-Chief

Hanalei Potempa editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Online Editor

Adam Bridges onlineeditor@stumedia.boisestate.edu

News Editor Kiryn Willett news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

News Reporter Kaylie Hilliker news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

News Reporter

Joel Hroma news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Culture Editor Emily Gordon culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Culture Reporter Olivia Brandon culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Sports & Rec Editor

Marlei Soderquist sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Sports & Rec Reporter

Alec Simeone sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Opinion Editor

Ella Van Leuven opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Copy Editor

Kelly Ann Asker copy@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Social Media Coordinator

Naomi Priddy

Digital Content Manager

Taya Thornton digitalcontent@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Digital Content Producer

Niamh Brennan

Graphic Design Manager

Sasha White design@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Graphic Designer

Kelsey Mason

Illustrator

Sydney Smith

Distributed every few weeks during the academic school year and online daily, The Arbiter is the official independent student newspaper of Boise State University, where student editors make all content decisions and bear responsibility for those decisions. The Arbiter’s budget consists of fees paid by the student body and advertising sales. The first copy is free. Additional copies can be purchased for $1 a piece at The Arbiter offices.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

ON THE COVER:

Looking at gender equality from a global perspective, Idaho ranks 42nd. The data evaluated "women's economic and social well being," and "women's healthcare and safety," as the two key aspects for comparing women's opportunities across all 50 states.

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-partisan and socially responsible media.

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

Photo of Bronco Kick Off on the B

Photo by Taya Thornton

It is the policy of Boise State University to comply with all federal, state and local authorities requiring nondiscrimination, including but not limited to Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Executive Orders 12898 (Environmental Justice), 13166 (Limited English Proficiency) and 13672 (sexual orientation and gender identity) Boise State is an equal opportunity employer

The University does not exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject any individual to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, income, protected veteran status, limited English proficiency, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state or local law

If you believe you have been subject to discrimination or if you believe you have been subject to discrimination on the basis of sex or disability, please contact our office:

Danielle Charters

Director of TIXIE/Title IX Coordinator University Plaza, Suite 250 960 S Broadway, Boise, ID 83706-3667 (208) 426-1258

ReportDiscrimination@boisestate edu

ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES: ADA OPERATORS ACROSS CAMPUS DOWN FOR MONTHS

A look into Boise State’s recent accessibility issues on campus

Kiryn Willett | News Editor| news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

In May 2023, multiple Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) operators across the Boise State campus were down, some down for months on end. The ADA operators are used to automatically open the entrances to buildings for those who are unable to open it themselves. This prompted the Arbiter to individually check ADA operators across campus and look into the process for maintaining them.

According to Barbara Beagles, executive director of Boise State’s Facilities Operations and Maintenance, all ADA operators get priority. ADA operators are checked once a year as part of preventative maintenance.

“[They break] very rarely, in fact, so infrequently. I don’t even know that I have even ever seen a bill come through that I had to approve to replace one,” Beagles said. “We would know immediately. I can’t fathom that we would go a day without knowing that an ADA operator was not working in one of our buildings.”

Despite this, the Brady Parking Garage operator was down for at least two months and operators in the Multipurpose Classroom Building and the Liberal Arts building were down for an unknown amount of time. The ADA operators for the main entrance of the Administration building were down for multiple weeks while the entrance was undergoing construction.

In an email to the Arbiter, Beagles stated she was unaware of the operators being down at the time.

According to Ro Parker, the director of the Student Equity Center, not being able to use ADA operators prevents students from being able to be independent.

“[It] prevents them from accessing a building in a way that feels independent

and that feels humane,” Parker said. “Their connection to their independence is super important.”

Parker has arthritis and occasionally uses ADA operators as well. According to her, lack of easy access to buildings can impact whether students feel included on campus.

“If I’m constantly running up against buttons that aren’t working, I’m going to think, well, the institution doesn’t really care about people that have differences in ability,” Parker said. “So I think that it goes beyond just not being able to open the door.”

The ADA operators have since been fixed. According to Joseph Smiga, a foreman at Joe Smiga Lockshop, the university prioritizes ADA operators after an issue has been reported, and the operators can be fixed within a few days.

According to Beagles, most operators go down after too much “wear and tear”, but can also be from students abusing the operator buttons.

“Sometimes people kick buttons in or they’re goofing off and they do things that they don’t necessarily think are going to cause us problems, but they do end up causing us problems,” Beagles said. “So that can be one reason why we might have buttons that don’t work. Aside from that, these things are pretty failsafe and we do a preventative maintenance program.”

In addition to ADA operators being down, students have also mentioned signs near elevators that are ableist, that read “Step it up, take the stairs”.

“Obviously it’s geared towards people to get more exercise, but if you physically aren’t able to that can have a toll with the message it sends. I think about people who have more invisible disabilities and

may not be able to use the stairs,” Parker said. “I think it kind of is meant to shame people into using the stairs. But I think that the way it’s phrased tends to not be as inclusive and it tends to ostracize or marginalize other people unintentionally.”

These signs are still up next to several elevators across campus.

According to Parker, the university is also working on incorporating the concept of universal design in its architecture. Universal design is the concept that design features created to make areas more accessible also benefit those it wasn’t designed for.

“So for example, you know, with the little dips in the sidewalk, [those] are supposed to be for the people in wheelchairs. But of course, other people would [use it] like some moms with strollers,” Parker said. “They weren’t necessarily built for

those types of populations, but the idea of universal design is that it’s built to include everyone.”

According to Smiga, Boise State is working on improving accessibility by adding more disability friendly handles in the Education building and in the Honors College. Boise State also allocates around $100,000 for classroom and student housing accommodations, according to Wendy Turner, the former director of the Educational Access Center.

“I think the more access you have to things, the more options you have to enrich your life to get the things that you need, in order to to achieve your goal, especially at Boise State, accessibility is huge. It’s huge for students,” Parker said. “I think we need to start thinking differently about it. It’s not wrong or bad. It’s different.”

Photo of the Administration building

Photo by Niamh Brennan

BOISE STATE TO FINISH BUILDING NEW STUDENT HOUSING IN 2025

Despite the new student housing, affordable options for students still remain scarce

Kiryn Willett | News Editor | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

As rent prices continue to rise in Boise, many students struggle to find housing. In an attempt to help address this issue, Boise State will be building new student housing to be completed in fall 2025, costing the university $50 million.

According to Lynda Tieck, interim director of Housing and Residence Life, the new student housing is first year housing which takes a community-based approach, meant to help encourage new students to find and build relationships on campus.

“We have had a waitlist for a number of years. The number of students who want to come to school here keeps growing,” Tieck said. “And with the housing crunch in the city of Boise, that means it’s really hard for our students to find where to live.”

Students perform better their first year when they have housing on campus, and Boise State is trying to provide that opportunity to more students.

“We tried to take the best qualities of Chaffee and Towers and one of the things that we overwhelmingly have heard from students is they want a building that has

more community,” Tieck said.

The new housing will be located behind the Centennial Amphitheater next to Albertsons Library. The new building will have a three wing design with a courtyard patio. The building will be structured with pod style rooms with gender neutral bathrooms.

According to Joseph Smiga, a locksmith and maintenance worker at the university, in addition to the community based approach, the new housing will also have ADA accessible housing for students who use wheelchairs.

“We asked to have separate rooms for students that need that capability,” Smiga said.

Despite the new accommodations, some students, such as Kate Neville, a sophomore majoring in social work at Boise State, feel that the university isn’t doing enough.

Neville, who was unable to live at home after graduating highschool, applied for campus housing on three separate occasions, before finally securing on campus housing after her third attempt.

Neville faced difficulty from the first steps of applying for housing. She had

just graduated high school and was living with her father, who lived off social security.

“The first time I tried to do it, there was the barrier of the application fee, which was $100. And then there was the processing fee, which was $50,” Neville said.

Neville, who was unable to work while going to school, ended up borrowing money from friends to pay for the application fee.

“The fact that there’s a barrier like that, and you may be put on a waitlist or you might not get housing at all, and they keep that money, that’s very, very frustrating,” Neville said.

Eventually, Neville got into a Living Learning Community(LLC) with one of the housing spaces, but after Medicaid cuts forced Neville to get private health insurance, on top of expensive school housing, Neville was forced to withdraw her housing application.

According to Neville, housing aid for low income students is insufficient, with many aid options only being available during the spring semester, or on a one time basis.

“As someone who is coming from a really low income background, I’d email Boise State. I went to advisors, I went to financial aid people, I went to housing directors, I was like, I need help like I need to get out of the situation,” Neville said. “I want to pursue my education, but I can’t afford any of this. I am very frustrated because [they say] we’re trying to help and then we don’t offer any resources for that.”

Due to the costs Neville withdrew from housing. After meeting with a caseworker and regaining Medicaid coverage, Neville applied for housing one last time.

“I went to Boise State Housing, I was like, listen, I know I just withdrew like a month ago but, my situation has changed,” Neville said. “And the room they had for me was the most expensive room and the most expensive building.”

Eventually Neville was able to obtain housing, but cost of living still remains a concern for her and other students like her.

“[There is] a wall for not being accessible for people. There were so many problems that poor people have and then when they try to do one thing, it’s always like there’s something else in the way,” Neville said.

Neville believes the university also needs to provide more housing options for upperclassmen.

“We are trying to provide more housing for our [upperclassmen students] as well, just knowing they want to be close to campus,” Tieck said.

According to Tieck, Boise State plans to build more upperclassmen housing near Capitol Boulevard. The new housing is set to open this coming fall, and will house 217 students suite style.

“The need is obvious for housing. It’s just the question of, is it going to be the same sh*t over and over where no one can attain it who really needs it?” Neville said.

Photo of the Honors College and Sawtooth Hall

Photo by Niamh Brennan

Uncommon, a new student apartment, faces construction delays

The move in date for students postponed until September

Kiryn Willett | News Editor | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Uncommon, a new apartment building for student housing, has been delayed until the end of September, leaving students who expected to have housing near campus to find other accommodations.

Originally the apartment building scheduled move in day for August 18.

In an email Uncommon sent to the Arbiter, they stated that the new move in date is expected to be at the end of September.

“We are terribly disappointed by the current circumstances of our delayed move-in. Our partners ran into unforeseen and unavoidable delays during the construction process which have impacted the delivery schedule of the building,” the

email said. “Our team is working with both the development group and the general contractor to provide regular updates as we receive them to residents via email.”

According to Lucas Jones, a student at Boise State who is one of the future residents of Uncommon, students have been offered $150 dollars a day until the apartment complex is complete, or to be put in a hotel and have their rent abated, as well as receive $60 dollars a day.

“Everyone that I’ve talked to so far is doing the $150 a day but I mean, I think it’s pretty fair for what it is,” Jones said.

He first received an email about the move-in being postponed on July 26. However, according to another student, Amy Madrid, Uncommon was aware the

apartment would not be finished in time in April, 2023. In the meantime, he has found other accommodations farther away from campus.

“It sucks not being as close to campus as I’d like to be,” Jones said. “I found a place like, it’s not the end of the world, but I do definitely wish it was done on time.”

On April 8, Madrid and her roommate drove to Boise to meet with the Uncommon leasing office. The address she was given took her straight to the construction site.

“Only the bones were up. There was like no drywall, no windows,” Madrid said. “We were just a little thrown off because we thought they said that we would have gotten a full tour of the interior and what

it would look like, but at the time, we didn’t know it was still being constructed.”

According to Madrid, until she arrived at the leasing office, Uncommon had made it seem like the apartment was fully constructed prior to her arrival at the construction site.

“We thought it was completely built and that we were going to get the tour but we didn’t find out it was unconstructed until we got there, and then it was verified later on in our meeting [that it was delayed],” Madrid said.

At the time, Madrid and her roommate weren’t given an exact deadline by Uncommon employees, only that they “hoped to have it done in time for school.”

On top of the expected delays, Madrid had safety concerns about the apartments. According to Madrid, the employees pulled her and her roommate aside to describe what life in the apartment would look like after they were cleared to movein.

“They pushed us to a farther off area away from where another meeting was happening and the whole time they were just whispering because there was very legitimate concerns about there being male workers that could have 24/7 access to the hallways, the building itself and maybe even copies to keys,” Madrid said. “That was a big safety concern.”

According to Madrid, the building only had half the cameras installed, and lacked other safety measures such as fences.

“There was so much of it [wasn’t built] that they weren’t able to put in proper safety measures that all these other apartment buildings standardly have,” Madrid said.

As a result, Madrid decided to find apartments elsewhere and did not lease with Uncommon.

“We knew that it wasn’t a good contract and that either way you’re going to be stuck in a bad situation if you signed with Uncommon, so we just went ahead and looked elsewhere,” Madrid said.

A photo concept of Uncommon.

Courtesy of Uncommon Boise

Idaho is experiencing an epidemic of human trafficking online and offline

As technology advances, human trafficking is taking on new forms and flying under the radar

Kaylie Hilliker | News Reporter |

Human trafficking has recently become a prevalent topic in the media with the $115 million box office blockbuster “Sound of Freedom” out in theaters.

Human trafficking not only includes sexual slavery, but also forced labor and debt bondage. According to the Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition the term is defined as “the use of force, fraud or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts or labor or services against his or her will.”

Typically the vision in people’s minds regarding human trafficking involves onsite kidnapping and physical situations in which a victim is immediately taken advantage of. But there is a dark underbelly to human trafficking tied directly to the dangers of the digital age. Sex trafficking is not strictly an in-person crime, it’s rampant in the virtual world.

Victor Dominguez, executive director of Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Coalition shared that the internet plays a prevalent role in human trafficking and predatory activity.

“We’ve always said it was related…the fact of the matter is, the vast majority of sex trafficking of children is proportionate to the amount of children contacted on

the internet,” Dominquez said.

Dominquez shared that The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children collected 2,304 cybertips correlating to human trafficking cases in Idaho during the year of 2022, compared to only 530 tips in 2017.

In January, over 60 ads were posted on a classified advertising website showcasing ‘Boise girls’. This March, over 80 advertisements for young girls in Boise were posted, as reported by The Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition.

Jennifer Zielinski, executive director of the Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition shared some insight on how to properly respond to these concerns.

“We don’t need to create an epidemic of fear, we need to strategize on real preventive approaches,” she said.

The Idaho Anti-Trafficking Coalition provides a multitude of services to individuals across the state who have experienced sex trafficking, in order to restore healing and help survivors.

Deborah Kraft, a representative from the Canyon County Anti-Trafficking Task Force, stressed the critical importance of educating the public about the realities of online sexual targeting of children, youth

and college students.

“As we are finding as we are doing research, a significant amount of victimization happens online, because our youths and our parents are not educated…and our children are like sitting ducks,” Kraft said.

Kraft explained a specific example of how cyber sex crimes are committed through the nefarious use of artificial intelligence.

“What we’ve learned with AI is that a sexual predator can pull a youth’s picture from social media, undress them, and exploit them.”

Deepfake technology has been on the rise since 2017, used heavily for pornographic material on the internet, the manipulation of bodies, faces, and even audio voices for the creation of fake content. The algorithms have taken off like lightning, and these deepfakes are taking victims right off Instagram, Tik Tok Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube.

Increasingly, traffickers and predators are flying under the radar when it comes to contacting their targets. It can come in any form, from stalking on social media, grooming children through video game console interactions, impersonating a “friend” character, or faking their identities through social media outlets like Snapchat.

Sextortion is not currently listed as a crime under law, yet is a form of fraud and coercion that is essentially threatening to sexually blackmail a person if they do not comply with a predator. By definition alone, this is a type of human trafficking.

As reported by the Arbiter last semester, one of the biggest crimes students need to worry about is not bike theft or underage drinking, but sextortion.

In 2022, the Homeland Security Investigations had over 3,000 tips sent to them reporting sextortion. Also in 2022, the FBI released a nationwide alert warning about a global financial extortion crisis, recording thousands of cases, including an increase

in male minor sextortion.

Fighting this epidemic requires a wakeup call for the entire region of Idaho. To understand this sobering reality, taking action through education, having honest conversations and strategizing real-time preventive approaches as a community is the starting point on how to combat human trafficking in the state.

- Deborah Kraft, a representative from the Canyon County Anti-Trafficking Task Force

“Unless we really address this with safe approaches, dignity and respect, we are silencing the victims,” Zielinski said.“It’s not our story to tell.”

Alongside creating a culture of de-stigmatization and compassion for victims, continuing the search for understanding is important too.

“Our focus as a coalition is prevention through education and awareness,” Dominquez said.

The Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Coalition gives presentations varied for all ages to effectively communicate the human trafficking crisis of today, and provides their audience with tools and preventative measures.

This human rights crisis is not a problem outside of Idaho, it is a prevalent reality inside the city and the state. It is an epidemic.

A Graphic created by the Idaho Anti Trafficking Coalition Credit the Idaho Anti Trafficking Coalition

“As we are finding as we are doing research, a significant amount of victimization happens online, because our youths and our parents are not educated…and our children are like sitting ducks.”

Idaho is creating an unsafe environment for those seeking gender affirming care

Abortion and gender affirming care; recently passed bills are bringing youths’ rights under fire

Ella Van Leuven | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

In recent years, LBGTQ+ and reproductive health rights have been under attack. While people were previously able to feel confident in their ability to receive gender affirming care and reproductive healthcare, this is no longer the case in many states across the nation.

Laws surrounding youth, in particular, have been under higher scrutiny and many changes have been made. Young people are no longer able to rely on their government to keep them safe and healthy — a direct result of the laws and bills recently passed.

Although changes in law have been made across the nation, youth in Idaho are especially at risk. Their access to abortions and gender affirming care has been largely revoked. Rather than protecting children, this places them in unsafe and unhealthy conditions.

Gender affirming care has been a major topic of discussion in Idaho, specifically regarding people under 18.

Defined by the Human Rights Campaign as “life-saving healthcare for transgender people of all ages…. including mental health care, medical care, and social services.” Gender affirming care is necessary for transgender people’s quality of life, safety and happiness.

Commonly misconceived as only including hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and gender affirming surgeries, gender affirming care encompasses a broad spectrum of therapy and other practices that allow transgender people to feel comfortable in their own bodies.

Particularly for those under 18, gender affirming care includes things like counseling, puberty blockers (which delay, not prevent puberty), and speech therapy.

Gender-altering surgery is not the only option for trans youth working to relieve their gender dysphoria.

Passed in April of 2023 and taking effect in January of 2024, Idaho House Bill 71 attacks trans youths’ rights to receive the gender affirming care they want and need. Also called the “Vulnerable Child Protective Act,” the bill criminalizes providing gender affirming care for minors such as puberty blockers, hormone therapy and gender affirming surgeries.

According to the Idaho Legislature, House Bill 71 protects youth from “irreversible physical alterations,” sterility or sexual dysfunction, or the “mutilation” of healthy body organs. In fact, the bill places trans youth at far greater risk than they already were.

Gender affirming care for youth significantly improves mental health and overall wellbeing. This kind of healthcare doesn’t just relieve gender dysphoria, which causes issues in many facets of a person’s life. According to Columbia Psychiatry, youth who cannot receive the gender affirming care they need experience far higher rates of anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation.

Taking away trans minors’ right to feel comfortable in their own bodies doesn’t protect them, it creates unsafe and unstable conditions that further the problems trans youth already commonly experience.

In addition to gender affirming care, abortion rights are also under attack. Since Idaho’s total abortion ban in August of 2022, people who need an abortion have been forced to seek healthcare in other states.

Idaho’s teen abortion travel ban took effect in May of 2023, creating even more

of an unsafe environment for people who need reproductive healthcare. The ban criminalizes “abortion trafficking,” meaning that anyone who helps someone under 18 travel to receive an abortion can be punished with a minimum of two years in prison.

Creating this abortion travel ban doesn’t save lives, it places those who need an abortion at far higher health risks. According to medical experts at Harvard Health, banning abortions for minors often doesn’t stop them from having an abortion, it stops them from having a safe abortion.

When people don’t have access to an abortion, they often take matters into their own hands to induce miscarriage. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that “unsafe abortions result in the death of approximately 47,000 women per year

worldwide and leave millions more with significant physical health consequences.” Not only does revoking access to abortions pose health risks to women in Idaho, it also detrimentally affects their mental health. Dr. Frank C. Worrell, the president of the American Psychological Association, argues that “people who are denied abortions are more likely to experience higher levels of anxiety, lower life satisfaction and lower self-esteem compared with those who are able to obtain abortions.”

When minors cannot access the healthcare they need, whether that be an abortion or gender affirming care, they are not being protected. Instead, they are being put in situations that risk their physical health, mental health and the quality of life they deserve.

Photo of the Idaho State Capitol

Photo by Niamh Brennan

Come on

Barbie,

Let’s go party:

The Barbie movie is a raw analysis of the female experience

Ella Van Leuven | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Spoiler warning: This article may reveal important plot points for “Barbie”.

With the biggest opening weekend of 2023, and the biggest ever opening weekend for a female-directed film, Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” is making waves in both the film industry and society.

“Barbie” isn’t just a movie about the dolls that were a part of so many girls’ childhoods. “Barbie” analyzes expectations for women, the patriarchy and the female experience as a whole. Throughout the film, Gerwig does a beautiful job of discussing the expectations that are placed on women by both society and themselves.

The film quickly addresses that Barbie was never meant to be a role model for how women are supposed to look, she is a representation of everything a woman can be. The opening sequence discusses the fact that Barbie was the first non-baby doll for young girls. Barbie has the power to encourage girls to be anything they want to be —- the president, an astronaut, a chef, or anything in between.

The movie follows “Stereotypical Barbie”, played by Margot Robbie, as she goes on a journey of self-discovery and redefines her views of the world around her. After Stereotypical Barbie starts noticing horrifying changes to her normally perfect appearance, including flat feet and cellulite, she and Ken (Ryan Gosling) make their way to the real world to both save herself and discover her true purpose.

On their journey through the real world, Barbie and Ken meet Gloria (America Ferrera) and Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt), a mother and her daughter who join them on their mission to save Barbie, and eventually all of Barbieland.

One of the most memorable moments of the film is Gloria’s monologue, in which she addresses how truly impossible it feels to be a woman. She tells Barbie,

“I’m just so tired of watching myself and every single other woman tie herself into knots so that people will like us.” Not only does society set impossible expectations for women, we also set impossible expectations for ourselves.

Gloria’s speech is the first time many women have had these feelings put into words. Her monologue allows many women to feel truly seen in the struggles they face every day.

While some argue that Gerwig’s film is “anti-men”, the film is truly a criticism of the detrimental effects of patriarchy and how it affects women everywhere. The film enacts a genius reversal of the roles that men and women are typically given in both film and the real world.

In the beginning of the film, the Kens’ very existence depends upon the Barbies giving them attention. Just as women have been portrayed in film for so long, the Kens are shallow and generally don’t have a lot going on in their heads.

When Ryan Gosling’s Ken visits the real world, he has his first experience with patriarchy, encountering a world where men run everything and women are often treated as “less than” and objectified.

Ken takes this information back to the other Kens, and while Barbie is still in the real world, he transforms Barbieland into Kendom, a patriarchal society based largely off of horses and beer. Ken transforms “Barbie’s Dreamhouse” into his “Mojo Dojo Casa House”, and he and the other Kens quickly move to take over the government and warp all the values of Barbieland.

There is a pointed difference in how Barbieland treats the Kens and how Kendom treats the Barbies. While the Barbies just let the Kens follow them around withholding invitations to girls’ night, the Kens put the Barbies into a patriarchal trance, making them wear maid costumes and forcing them to wait on the Kens hand and foot.

Once Barbieland is restored to its former state, the Barbies don’t flip the roles and force the Kens to serve them. Rather, Barbie apologizes for taking Ken for granted, pushing him to discover his own purpose apart from being in love with her.

Through its comic portrayal, with Ken eventually telling Barbie, “To be honest, when I found out the patriarchy wasn’t about horses, I lost interest anyway,” the film makes important points about how deeply harmful patriarchy is to women everywhere. Although Kendom feels exaggerated and includes a lot of comedic elements, it’s a very real criticism of how women are treated in the real world.

The Barbies are saved by powerful female friendships, and the film effectively snaps its audience out of the “patriarchy trance”, just like Gloria snaps the Barbies out of the trance the Kens placed upon them.

“Barbie” isn’t just a visually stunning movie about dolls. The film delivers a raw analysis of the female experience, helping women everywhere to feel seen in their daily struggle to simply exist. Through the film, Gerwig tells us that we are all Barbie, pushing women to see themselves as the powerful and independent beings we truly are.

Illustration of Barbie

Illustration by Sasha White

Sofie Erickson | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Graphics and illustrations by Kelsey Mason

In 1896, Idaho was one of the first states to grant women the right to vote. Idaho endorsed the Equal Rights Amendment in 1972, as one of the first states to do so, but somewhere along the way it lost its status as a national front-runner in gender equality.

Looking at gender equality from a global perspective, the United States ranks below the Top 25 according to the Global Gender Gap Report 2022, and recent data by Wallethub reveals even more unfortunate findings: Idaho is one of the worst states in the country to live in as a woman, ranking 42nd in the country.

The report uses “Women’s economic and social well-being” and “Women’s health care and safety” as key aspects for comparing women’s opportunities across all 50 states, as well as in the District of Columbia.

Abortion access

Abortion policies and access count as double weight in the calculation and play a big role in the poor ranking, as well as prevalence of rape victimization among women.

The data stems from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Violence Policy Center, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and several metrics to determine the overall score and rank of a state.

Abortion, in particular, can be a decisive factor when evaluating the status of women’s rights.

Idaho has one of the strictest abortion laws in the country which, according to the Center of Reproductive Rights, “prohibits abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with exceptions

for the life of the pregnant person and for survivors of rape and incest who have reported the incident to law enforcement.”

In addition to a near-total abortion ban, Gov. Brad Little passed HB 242 into law on April 6, criminalizing “abortion trafficking.”

Abortion trafficking refers to an adult helping a minor get an abortion either by obtaining an abortion pill or providing any kind of help to get an out-of-state abortion without parental consent.

No laws like this have existed before in the United States, and a person who commits this new type of crime

can face 2-to-5 years in prison.

Women in the workplace

When searching for an explanation for the current situation, Dr. Lisa McClain, professor of history and gender studies at Boise State University, emphasizes the complexity of the issues.

“Many factors could be impacting Idaho’s ranking. For example, public policy, cultural beliefs about women working outside the home, individual education levels and personal decisions to leave or delay work to raise children can all influence women’s work opportunities and income,” McClain said.

Other reasons for Idaho’s low ranking come from inequalities in the labor market. Idaho ranks second lowest in the nation in the category “Median earnings for female workers (adjusted for cost of living).”

This year, Women’s Equal Pay Day fell on March 14. This day symbolizes just how far into the year women need to work to get paid what men were paid the year prior. Nationally, this equates to a pay gap of 84% for full-time workers. In Idaho, however, women earn just 75% of what men earn.

Idaho also has one of the lowest percentages of women-owned businesses, ranking 47th nationally.

It is important to keep in mind the different possible reasoning and questions the statistics might not take into consideration.

McClain elaborates by explaining that another factor we have to take into account is that Idaho is a predominantly rural state.

“Boise is the only large metropolitan area by national standards. Rural areas in general are facing challenges

I daho ranks as one of the worst states to l I ve I n for women

e conom I c status , soc I al well be I ng , healthcare and safety for women I n I daho

with providing health care,” she said. “And it might be the case that rural women are helping to run family-owned businesses in significant ways but not always being paid wages or counted as business owners.”

At the same time, part of the explanation can be found at the level of individual women themselves.

“For me, it’s about choice. What do Idaho women want in terms of education, business opportunities, child care and reproductive rights, all of the issues asked about in the research,” McClain said. “It’s also about the choices women make for their own lives and their own bodies when they’re at the ballot box.”

The future of women in Idaho

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Business Survey, women-owned businesses in Idaho increased by 36.58% from 2002 to 2020. This suggests that the future will entail more female entrepreneurs in the state.

Idaho Women’s Business Center (IWBC) is a non-profit organization that provides a range of resources to women entrepreneurs in the state. They offer a variety of programs, education, mentorships, networking events as well as strategic sessions with their many partners.

Thea Jordan, program director of IWBC, explains how a conservative state like Idaho presents many barriers for women when compared to their male counterparts. However, the people and the resource partners in Idaho are committed to helping women overcome these barriers.

“At the IWBC, we understand what it is like to be a women business owner, so with that, we’re looking for ways to help our clients innovate and be as efficient as possible so they can get it all done and still, attend our child’s soccer game, and not have that burnout and be successful,” Jordan said.

Women who need help getting started with their business or just expanding their business can seek support.

“We really do something different for every single person that comes through our doors. But one thing that’s the same is that we always connect with them and find out their values and what drives them, and then we help them frame what success looks like from there,” Jordan said.

At the IWBC they consider the special challenges women face, and especially minorities and immigrants’ struggles. They provide programs in both English and Spanish to best accommodate all women.

“I think we need to talk about women of color in Idaho and women from other historically underrepresented groups, whether it be LGBTQ women, or women of lower socioeconomic status, women with disabilities, things along those lines because that really impacts a woman’s opportunities and ability to make choices,” McClain said.

It can be easy to get lost in the negative news, but there is an endless amount of talent, skills, and opportunities for women in Idaho, and the empowering stories about activism and everything allies and institutions work on should be remembered and highlighted as well.

In Idaho, and even locally in Boise, women can benefit from great, free resources when looking to start their own businesses.

A ranking on a research report cannot include the complexity of an issue like gender equality. Different factors and possible explanations should be taken into account.

“Idaho’s changing. We have a lot of people coming in from a lot of different places and with that comes constraint and challenge,” Jordan said. “But it also brings opportunity, right when you start embracing new cultures.”

Moving forward, both McClain and Jordan stress the importance of each individual’s responsibility in the matter. Change can begin with one single person. They encourage people to add their voices to the discussion and to get involved, as change won’t happen automatically.

It is important to consider our own role as citizens to make Boise and Idaho overall a better place to be for the mothers, daughters, sisters and future female generations to come.

CULTURE

August 24, 2023 |

“Looking from Many Perspectives” embraces the simplicity of childhood

Boise State junior presents a child-centered art exhibit

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

Art can be seen and valued by all walks of life. It takes no keen eye or experience to truly appreciate a beautiful piece of art.

Boise State’s newest art exhibit, “Looking from Many Perspectives”, is located on the second floor of the student union building and plays into the wide perspectives that art attracts and the simplicity of childhood.

Eden Sanborn, a junior illustration major and curatorial assistant for the Student Union fine arts program, began noticing large groups of children spending time in the SUB. She was then asked by Boise State’s Children Center to create an exhibit to cater to the younger audience that passed through campus, thus creating “Looking from many perspectives”.

The exhibit showcases art from many different creators using a variety of mixed media.

All art pieces are hung lower than usual, creating an easier experience for young children to admire the bright colors and odd shapes.

“I’m really excited we’re making art more accessible for children on campus,” Sanborn said. “There were lots of pieces that we went through and I just picked the ones I thought were most interesting for children to look at.”

Including children in the discussion of art is an exciting opportunity. Opening a little mind to the endless possibilities that art provides is a sure way to create the next generation of artists, or simply art enjoyers.

The exhibition is also in cooperation with the Children’s Center at Boise State, catering specifically to the dozens

of children passing through the halls of the SUB each day, reminding them they have a space held for them at Boise State.

This specific exhibit is not only for children, adults looking at the bright colors hung low to the ground may feel a sense of nostalgia. Art exhibits can often be packed full of subjective innuen -

dos or require a distinct dissection to understand the message being conveyed. Sanborns exhibit does not require that, it is an ode to a simpler life.

With the incoming fall semester, preparing for classes and work schedules may feel overwhelming. Sanborns exhibit evoked a raw feeling of nostalgia. Stepping back into a life that is no

longer recognizable and reminiscing on the days when bright colors and lower frames were enough.

A new exhibit created by artists Erin Cunningham and April Vandegrift, is now open through Oct. 1. “Forage and Fallow,” located on the second floor of the SUB, is ready for viewers to enjoy.

Photo of Boise State’s newest art exhibit, “Looking from Many Perspectives”

Photo Coutesy of Eden Sanborn

Capital City Farmer’s Market cultivates an inviting communityfor Boise vendors

Olivia Brandon | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Nestled within The Grove in downtown Boise, every Saturday April 15 through December 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Capital City Public Market provides the citizens of Boise with oneof-a-kind jewelry pieces, delicious drinks and snacks, and a warm sense of community that only an event like this can.

Putting on an event like this isn’t for the faint of heart. The Market’s director, Janel Miles, highlighted just how much effort goes into an event like this. “Our number one qualification is that it has to be Idaho-produced. So every vendor here creates and crafts their own products and nothing is resold,” Miles said.

Although Capital City Farmer’s Mar-

ket officially started in 1994, the practice of selling wares amongst Boise citizens predates that. Miles shared that in the 70’s and 80’s vendors would gather on Franklin St and Curtis St to sell to one another out of the trunks of their cars.

Two long-time vendors who have been with the Market from the very beginning, Cindy and Mark McClaskey, really put that history into context.

“In the early days we cut flowers, and that’s all we sold,” Mark McClaskey said. “Then we started evolving into other things…making jam and selling succulents, but we’ve been here since the beginning.”

Cindy McClaskey discussed what a sense of community within a market

environment means to her.

“We have repeat customers,” Cindy McClaskey said. “They shop and eat at different areas in the downtown area and come and visit us and get whatever they need here, it brings people together.”

Despite its storefront downtown, an eclectic clothing and knick-knack shop, Fluff Hardware, was featured at the market as well, further emphasizing the importance of networking at a community-based event like the market.

A store employee proudly shared why sharing the store’s products with the community is meaningful.

“We like sharing the handmade jewelry with the community, there is a lot of Idaho-inspired stuff and it’s special

that we make it here. Here in the Farmer’s Market, it’s all local businesses and we support each other like I’m wearing a necklace from a booth over there.”

Not only is the market bringing the Boise community together, it’s also connecting the individuals selling at the booths. The Fluff Hardware employee went on to express a sentiment that reflects just that.

“The salsa guy helped me put up my tent today and now I want to try salsa. It’s cool for the people who work here to mingle too.”

There was a sense of that nostalgic small-town charm that is scarcely found in evergrowing Boise. Feeling less like a competition between vendors and more like a unique smorgasbord of different wares from across the treasure valley.

Audra McKissen, co-owner of Vitalize Juice, a business that prides itself on creating delicious juices that contain one hundred percent fruit and vegetables, discussed the benefit of being able to converse with the customer consuming their products.

“We’re inspired to sell at the market so we can watch people taste our juices and explain to them how amazing they are and how different they are from store-bought juices,” McKissen said. “The farmers are actually the ones getting the dirty hands farming the stuff and selling it to their customers. You see it from the seed all the way to the customer, and that’s really important for the community.” Having vendors who care about the customer makes a world of difference in both the product the individual is buying and the experience they have purchasing it.

Experience the Capital City Public Market which is held every Saturday April 15 through December 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to support these talented members of local businesses.

A photo of the Capital City Farmer’s Market

Photo by Taya Thornton

The sense of community from a Boise-based market is a notable benefit for vendors and customers alike

CULTURE

Boise’s Art Source Gallery is home

to

ever-changing stunning art

pieces

Boise citizens can support local art scene by purchasing art pieces or spreading the word about the gallery

On Grove Street sits one of Boise’s hidden gems, Art Source Gallery, which features beautiful and unique art pieces created by Boise artists available for purchase. Although art museums are a valuable way to showcase and promote learning about art and its history, there’s something about being able to pick up some of the pieces to get a closer look that makes it all the more personable.

Bruce Tarbet, the gallery’s marketing director, shared that at its core the gallery’s mission is “to present high quality art by local artists while encouraging networking, sponsoring educational opportunities, and fostering public appreciation.”

Steph Teeter, Art Source Gallery member and employee, shared how she got started with the gallery.

“It [the gallery] was recommended to me by one of the framers in town as a place to get in to get started,” Teeter said.

“This is a co-op, there are forty-plus artists so it’s a good place to get started but I like it so much I just stayed.”

The art scene in Boise is vibrant and electric, as illustrated by galleries like this. However, it is up to the community to keep it that way.

“Purchase art,” Teeter said. “Come to the shows, meet the artists [and] get acquainted with the community… a lot of these artists do other things. It’s a growing town and a growing community. And, take some classes! Get involved, do something yourself and see what it takes.”

Many individuals may feel inclined to create and try their hand at art after becoming further immersed in the culture of the Art Source Gallery, but may feel intimidated or unsure of where to begin.

“There’s nothing to lose,” Teeter said. “There is so much out there. Tools and materials are 80% of making art.”

Teeter also reflected on how she draws inspiration from her past equestrian ca-

reer, specifically the beautiful landscapes she’s encountered in her travels.

Anne Watson Sorenson, one of the gallery’s current featured artists, currently has a piece on display titled “Funky Town Nine.”

The piece is a gorgeous watercolor portrayal of the city of Boise, featuring recognizable landmarks such as the Boise Depot.

Sorenson shared that she was not initially interested in pursuing art due to the feeling that her artistically inclined siblings had already filled that role. However, after she was exposed to the world of watercolor everything changed.

“After watching the instructor and then putting paint and water to paper, I was completely mesmerized,” Sorenson said. “I saw everything as a watercolor painting.”

Sorenson enjoys the community-oriented approach of the gallery and being able to speak with the patrons.

“I first came to Art Source Gallery as a young emerging artist about 18 years ago,” Sorenson said. “This cooperative gallery gave me an opportunity to see the reactions of other artists and the public to my artwork. I continue because of how well run the gallery is, the quality of the artists and artwork here, the wonderful customers and the collaboration.”

Due to its kind staff and talented artists, the Art Source Gallery is an excellent place for art connoisseurs or artists themselves. Sorenson even shared a piece of advice for those interested in pursuing art,“Try something new! Enjoy the process of finding you, let that be your goal!” Sorenson said.

Whether you support local artists by buying a new art piece for your home or simply need inspiration for some artwork of your own, the Art Source Gallery always has something new to discover.

Visit the gallery downtown at 1516 W Grove St.

Halima Hamud, who was recognized for her service and leadership by the prestigious Truman Scholars Program. Photo courtesy of Halima Hamud

Olivia

Back in Boise: What to do during your first week at Boise State

How students are able to enjoy themselves during their first week in Boise as the school year starts up

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

Classes starting and new students making their way to campus brings a lot of emotions. The first week is full of moving in, meeting new people and trying to figure out where classes are. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stay comfortably in the dorm.

However, Boise State creates an exciting environment for students to get involved, with endless clubs and activities waiting patiently for students.

Additionally, Boise State campus is merely minutes away from downtown Boise, offering a vibrant hub for students, with restaurants, quirky local shops and events all open to the public.

It’s important for students to step out of their comfort zones, take advantage of what’s offered and meet new people.

Jared Cox, associate director for

Campus Recreation shared what the Boise State recreation center offers for students.

“We want students to just try out a program and check us out,” he said.Cox said

The Campus Recreation Center is open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. every weekday. Full time students have a free membership included in tuition, meaning the 38 different fitness classes and multiple excursions offered are completely accessible to all students.

“We pride ourselves on the community part of recreation,” Cox said. “For students to just find some time to get away is our hope.”

Erin Mahn, director of Student Involvement and Leadership, also urges students to get out and get involved on campus

“Getting involved outside of class

gives you the opportunity to have fun, meet people, find your passions, make a difference in the community, and develop personal leadership skills,”Mahn said. “All of our campus events are open to all students and are often free to attend. If you’re looking for something specific, our staff is always willing to sit down and chat with students who are curious but might not know where to start their involvement journey.”

Boise State has an extremely student-forward approach regarding getting students involved on campus and feeling content. However, if a fitness class or student club is not your thing, downtown Boise is less than a mile away from campus.

Students can attend the local Capital City farmers market, hosted every Saturday through December right on Main

street. Or join a book club featured at Rediscovered books downtown located on 8th Street.

If farmers markets and book clubs aren’t quite exactly the involvement some students are looking for, Boise has a unique food scene, with homestyle restaurants like Tupelo Honey or cheap greasy Pizza at Pie Hole, both located on 8th Street, and only a 20 minute walk from campus.

Regardless of whether or not you are an incoming freshman or a seasoned Bronco, get involved. Join an intramural sport, start a club, or take a late night walk to Pie Hole. Boise is a rapidly growing city with tons of opportunities for students, take advantage of all that’s around.

Photo of a student moving into the dorms at Boise State

Photo by Taya Thornton

SPORTS & REC

August 24, 2023 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

How the changes in College Athletics impacts the Mountain West Conference

The scope of college athletics and football have been forever changed by the recent realignment

Marlei Soderquist | Sports & Rec Editor | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

It’s time to take everything you think you know about college football and throw it out the window.

In recent weeks, the scope of College Football has changed dramatically. From the reconfiguration of both the Pac-12, the BIG-12 and the BIG-10, the layout of college football has been changed forever.

Change is never easy. There are adjustments that need to be made, unfamiliarity can take a toll and sometimes there’s a loss in identity.

That’s exactly what the College Football realignment can imply.

The initial realignment moves are largely attributed to the Pac-12’s inability to agree to a media deal. The current deal between the Pac-12, ESPN and FOX is up in 2024, making it more feasible for teams to leave the conference since current member institutions will not be subject to an exit fee when they leave.

There have been eight schools to leave the Pac-12 conference. The list of schools that left the conference include USC, UCLA, Utah, Arizona, Arizona State, Washington, Oregon and Colorado.

With announcements on Aug. 4, Pac12 teams University of Oregon and the University of Washington will move to the Big Ten Conference starting in 2024. University of Arizona, Arizona State University and the University of Utah are also jumping ship as they announced that they are leaving the Pac-12 conference to join the Big 12 Conference starting in 2024.

With the future departures of these eight teams, the Pac-12 will have just four teams remaining. The last ones standing are Cal-Berkeley, Stanford,

Washington State and Oregon State.

As the Pac-12 has quickly dwindled down to the “Pac-4”, many Boise State and Mountain West Conference fans are skeptical on what the possible future can hold.

Everything that is “standard” for college athletics has been completely overthrown. As the conferences battle to be the best, there is no denying that it is a dog-fight to stay alive.

Since the Pac-12 seems to be all but finished, the Mountain West is the leading contender to be a possible merger with the Pac-12.

The Most likely probability for the remaining four teams in the Pac-12, is for Stanford and Cal-Berkeley to join the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) while Oregon State and Washington State join the Mountain West or possibly construct a new conference with the Mountain West.

“It’s not off the table, but we have a lot of questions,” Mountain West Conference commissioner Gloria Nevarez said during the NCAA college football media days in Las Vegas. “It is like buying a house. You wouldn’t buy a house without a complete inspection. So there’s just a lot of questions, and they’re the type of questions that I think the Pac-12 or the remaining schools in the Pac-12 need to have time to figure out.”

One of the biggest issues for the possible Mountain West and Pac-12 merger is the annual revenue from the conference’s TV deal.

As it stands, the Pac-12 schools were pulling in over $30 million, while the Mountain West’s TV deal is vastly different. The deal which expires in 2026, generates around $4 million for every

school, while Boise State receives just under $6 million annually.

“Then also questions for us about assets and liabilities and fit and what’s really there. But certainly – absolutely everything’s still on the table,” Nevarez said.

Much of the realignment moves stem from money.

Former University of Florida head coach and current ESPN analyst, Dan Mullen, weighed in on the college realignment stating “It is a shame. And you get into what drives this, the whole realignment, is the money, right? It’s the TV rights, it’s the money,” said Mullen. “Don’t think it is just the athletic department or these people wanting it. It is the president of the university that’s sitting there and saying, ‘If I move over to this

league? I essentially just got a massive donor giving money to the school.’”

Granted, the realignment can heavily impact schools whether it be negatively or positively. However the odds of more donor money and revenue is high when switching to a more “desirable conference”.

The hopes for Boise State to join a Power Five conference has been a mere dream for years now.

After proving themselves to be one of the top Mountain West schools year in and year out, the hopes seem to diminish with each passing year.

Though the Pac-12 and Mountain West have yet to come to an agreement on what the future could look like, the scope of college athletics and football have been forever altered.

Photo of the Mountain West Conference logo Courtesy of Mountain West Conference

Bronco Football Preview: Sink or Swim in Week 1

What to expect for the 2023 season of Boise State Football

Alec Simeone | Sports & Rec Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

It is time for football.

The Boise State football team is back in action on Sept. 2. The Broncos have made moves over this offseason to prepare for the 2023 season. Here’s what to watch and what to know for the 2023 season.

Offense

Boise State’s offense brings two preseason first team All-Mountain West players to the table this year in senior running back George Holani and senior right tackle Cade Beresford.

Last season, Holani rushed for 1,157 yards and 10 touchdowns, and he’ll be complemented by sophomore running back Ashton Jeanty once again for a great power duo in the backfield.

The passing game is a different story however.

Top receiver Latrell Caples will be out for the 2023 season due to injury and had 51 receptions for 549 yards, which could be a cause for concern for the Boise State offense.

Of course there are a couple asterisks

here. Last season was subject to a myriad of offensive drama, but this season we should see the stable and confident Bronco offense that we’re used to.

Billy Bowens will be the leading returning receiver with 462 yards and four touchdowns last year, and will be accompanied by three new receivers that committed last week.

This year I’m excited to see what a full season of both Taylen Green and new offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan looks like.

“I felt like we had a good connection last season, and that was just on the rip,” said sixth-year wide receiver Billy Bowens in an interview with KTVB. “We didn’t have an offseason to work, so with this offseason under our belt … I’m feeling a lot more confident in him, he’s feeling a lot more confident in us and he’s spinning the ball for sure.”

Defense

The squad this year has a lot to live up to. The unit as a whole ranked 7th in the nation last season, with 30 sacks, 15

interceptions and seven forced fumbles.

This time around, the defense has lost some notable talent, but are keeping plenty of veterans to fill in.

First team All-Mountain West senior linebacker DJ Schramm returns and is also on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, outstanding defensive player of the year, watchlist.

Returning safety Rodney Robinson had 49 tackles and three picks last year and will be a player to watch, as he started every game last season and is a veteran amongst the defensive back unit.

“We’re excited for this challenge because we know how much talent we have in this room,” said Robinson in an interview with KTVB.

The defensive backs will be a group to watch especially in week 1 vs. University of Washington. Their pass game will likely be the best the Broncos face all season.

Going Into Week One

The team is jumping into the deep end this year. Last season spawned lots of questions, and Boise State will have an

opportunity to answer them as soon as week one vs. No. 10 Washington Huskies.

This years’ Huskies team features three All-PAC 12 players, two offense, and one defense.

Third team all-American Michael Penix Jr. will be one of the biggest tests for the Broncos secondary.

Last season, Penix Jr. threw for 4,641 yards and 31 touchdowns and finished 8th in Heisman votes.

Washington is a fast, pass attack team, and the Boise State Secondary will be tested as hard as they ever have been in week one.

The Huskies were ranked first overall in the nation in passing yards per game, and were second in total yards per game. They are a premier offense in the nation, so Boise State’s defense will have to have answers to keep the team in the game and avoid a track meet.

The Broncos are strong again defensively this year. This will be a battle of one of the best defenses in the nation vs one of the best offenses.

On the other side of the ball, Washington’s defense was on the weaker side last season, giving up 372.7 yards per game and a turnover margin of +1. The Huskies defense ranked 60th overall in 2022, while Boise State’s offense ranked 69th.

The team recently completed their two fall scrimmages and Head Coach Andy Avalos seemed excited for how the team looks.

“It’s good to see the quarterbacks creating, operating the offense, moving the offenses down the field,” Avalos said. “It felt like both lines of scrimmages did a pretty good job … the thing that you wanna see is physicality and consistency.”

The Broncos are the underdog going into this fight, the Huskies lead the all time series record 3-2 going into this matchup it is an opportunity for the Broncos to tie up the series.

Boise State Football gets ready to take the field once again for the 2023 season

Photo by Taya Thornton

Breakout Season: Is it finally Taylen Green’s Time to Shine?

Green is heading into his second season at Boise State’s starting quarterback

Marlei Soderquist | Sports & Rec. Editor | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

As Taylen Green, starting quarterback for Boise State, enters his second season with the Broncos, the quest for a breakout season is on.

There is no doubt that Green had a phenomenal season and defied the odds last year.

In the midst of a season full of coach firings, quarterback transfers and adversity, Green was able to put up outstanding numbers during his freshman year.

Green had 2,042 yards passing with a completion percentage of 61.25%. He also notched 24 touchdowns on the season, 14 of which came from passing and the other ten from rushing. He was just one of nine quarterbacks in the nation to register at least 10 passing and 10 rushing touchdowns in 2022, and the only freshman to do so.

To conclude the 2022 season, Green was awarded the Mountain West Freshman of the Year. Green was also recognized as an All-Mountain West Honorable Mention and received a myriad of recognitions throughout the season, with two Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week awards and four Mountain West Freshman of the Week awards.

To round out his season of awards, Green was selected as a part of the College Football News Freshman All-America Second Team and was awarded Offensive MVP for the Frisco Bowl.

All signs suggest that this year will be Green’s breakout year.

Coaching Staff

Bush Hamdan, offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, was hired in early December 2022 by head coach Andy Avalos, and will be looking to come into this season and make a change.

Hamdan is no stranger to the Blue turf. The former Bronco quarterback played at Boise State from 2004-2008, and will be returning to the Blue after garnering 14 years of coaching experi-

ence.

The former Bronco went on to coach a variety of different teams during his tenure, but is just coming off a stint with three years at Missouri.

Last year, the rocky start to the season seemed to loom over the remainder of the season.

With the transfer of former quarterback, Hank Bachmeier, and the firing of former offensive coordinator, Tim Plough early in the season, the drama that ensued at the beginning of the season gave way to an incredibly rocky start for the 2022 season.

However, the 2023 season seems to be much more promising. As Hamdan is stepping into his new role as offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, Green will have a more functional and dependable coaching staff this year.

“As long as he’s not turning it over, we let him do whatever he wants,” Hamdan said. “For him [Green], it’s critical for him to not do too much…let the game come to him. He naturally, with his abilities, can create explosive plays.”

Experience

As a freshman, Green exceeded all expectations, from being a hardly known backup quarterback, to freshman sensation, Green’s career is only on the rise.

Entering the 2023 season as a redshirt sophomore, the quarterback knows exactly what it takes to lead a team back to the Mountain West Championship game.

Though the turnout for last season wasn’t what anyone had hoped for, as they lost to Fresno State in the Mountain West Championship game, the opportunity for this upcoming season seems sky high. As Green looks forward to his second season with the Broncos, he sees a variety of tools at his disposal.

“I feel like I run the ball well,” Green said. “Distributing the ball to my receivers and just taking that next step in leadership role and taking command of

this offense…the communication with the o-line and with the running backs and the receivers…I tell them what I need out of them and they tell me what they need out of me.”

Offensive Weapons

The offensive side for the Broncos seems to be stronger than ever.

The Broncos offense will return nine starters, along with Green as an experienced quarterback.

Boise State has a solid running back group with George Holani and Ashton Jeanty, as well as a deep receiving core.

Though the Broncos will feel the sting of the loss of Latrell Caples due to a season ending knee injury, the Boise State offense still has Stefan Cobbs, Eric McAlister and Riley Smith.

Boise State also returns Garrett Curran, Mason Randolph, Cade Beresford and Ben Dooley. These four will serve as a critical part to this center, and as spring and summer training has unfolded, these Broncos seem ready for the challenge.

With the combination of receiver depth on the roster and the undoubtable chemistry between Holani and Jeanty, there is a solid group that defines this offense in what could be a very productive season for the Boise State offense.

Pre-Season Expectations

Coming into this season, the Boise State football program has high expectations.

The Broncos were voted to clinch the Mountain West Championship title with 28 first-place votes and 433 total points, while Air Force was selected to finish in second place and Fresno State was picked third.

As the Mountain West eliminated its two-division format prior to this season, the Mountain West Championship game will consist of the two teams with the highest winning percentage in the league and will meet on Dec. 2.

To go along with the high team expectations, Green has been added onto three watchlists already.

The three lists that the quarterback has been named to is the Davey O’brien Award watchlist, Maxwell Award watchlist and is a Walter Camp Award candidate.

There seems to be no limit to what Taylens Green’s success can be on the field, and as the season unravels, watching this star-studded player.

Photo of Boise State quarterback Taylen Green. Photo by Taya Thornton