The Arbiter 9.26.17 Vol. 30 Issue 7

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

VOL. 30 ISSUE 7 I N D E P E N D E N T

OPWL program at Boise State Page 6

S T U D E N T

V O I C E

O F

B O I S E

Ethics in STEM Page 10

S T A T E

S I N C E

1 9 3 3

Men’s tennis continues

Page 16

EVENTS

Events this week Women and Leadership Sept. 27 | Student Union | 7 a.m.

Scholars and professionals gather to talk about women in roles in leadership in academia and the workpalce.

History, Heritage, or Propoganda?

Sept. 28 | Albertsons Library | 12 p.m.

A discussion on the events of Charlottesville and whether Confederate statues have a place in our public spaces.

Movie Night in the Garden Sept. 28 | Idaho Botanical Gardens | 6 p.m.

Watch “Back to the Future” in Boise’s Botanical Gardens late at night.

Journey’s End Sept. 28 | Danny Peterson Theater | 7:30 p.m.

Boise State Theatre Arts Department’s production of the year, following a group of British soldiers in WWI.

Boise State Soccer vs New Mexico Sept. 29 | Soccer Complex | 4 p.m.

Boise State takes on New Mexico before going on to face off against San Diego State.

2

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

INSIDE

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

Photo of the week

Editor-In-Chief Brandon Rasmussen editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu Online Editor Taylor Munson onlineeditor@stumedia.boisestate.edu Opinion Editor Jacob Palmer opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Editor Jordan Erb news@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Reporter Ximena Bustillo news@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Editor Savannah Willits culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports Editor Daniel Gardner sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports Reporter Peter Huguenin sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu First-year theatre arts major Elizabeth Jobe paints the leg wraps of the cast’s costumes in preparation for upcoming performance of “Journey’s End.” Photo by Brandon Rasmussen.

Digital Content Manager Axel Quartarone digitalcontent@stumedia.boisestate.edu Copy Editors Evan Fishburn Harbor Neher

Visit us on social media The Arbiter @arbiteronline

Design Manager Selina Ceballos

Arbiter Online www.arbiteronline.com

Evan Stevans plays Captain Stanhope in the upcoming production “Journey’s End,” where his character lapses into many moments of intensity and charisma. Photo by Brandon Rasmussen.

Graphic Designers Nabil Rahman Olivia Toecher Contact us The Arbiter is located at 1910 University Dr., Mail Stop 1340 Phone: (208) 426-6300 Website: www.arbiteronline.com Distributed Tuesdays during the academic school year. The Arbiter is the official independent student newspaper of Boise State, 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.

3

NEWS

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

Forum poses questions about free speech

Young Democrats and College Republicans debate issues pertinent to campus life Alyza Lovenguth | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu The Young Democrats and College Republicans of Boise State hosted a forum in the Student Union Building’s Hatch Ballroom on Sept. 25, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The forum largely focused on political science professor and College Republicans advisor Scott Yenor’s article “Transgender Activists Are Seeking to Undermine Parental Rights.”

The presidents of the Young Democrats and College Republicans came together to debate Yenor’s article, free speech, the LGBTQ community, DACA and Charlottesville.

Sources within and outside of their organizations created questions. Neither president was allowed to see these ques-

4

tions until the forum began.

The College Republicans’ questions were generated by its Vice President chair Ben Swartout and Secretary Amelia Albanese. The Young Democrats’ questions were formulated by multiple sources: the creators of the original petition for firing Yenor, caucus chair of the LGBTQ Idaho Democrat Party and Young Democrats members.

Before the forum, all questions formulated by the two organizations were sent to and moderated by communication professor Rulon Wood.

“I think it’s important to say that I didn’t want to offend anyone, so I realized that I am coming from a place of privilege,” said President of the Young Democrats Joe Goode. “I’m white; I’m hetero; I’m a male.”

Both presidents of the Young Democrats and College Republicans expressed anticipation for the debate specifically directed towards Yenor’s article and his pending consequences.

“This forum is something that I’m passionate about. I don’t believe any teacher should be persecuted for her or his opinions,” said President Chair of the College Republicans Ben Chafetz.

For the portion of the debate centered on this topic, Goode deferred to Dalton Tiegs, a member of the Inclusive Excellence Council. Goode did, however, agree that Yenor’s article represents freedom of speech, but expressed that freedom of speech comes with consequences.

“Yes, it is his freedom of speech to say this. But freedom of speech does come with repercussion, and people must realize that. And people must realize—especially in this community we’ve seen so much

hate crimes towards our LGBT community–-there is actually an issue with this and how this teacher’s article may have spiked up this anti-sentiment towards this community,” Goode said.

However, Chafetz defends Yenor’s article as a form of free-speech unconnected to Boise State and takes the stance that the attempt to berate Yenor is the opposite of positive change.

“If you use the school for your vessel for sending a message and manipulating students, I think that’s wrong-–especially when it’s a publicly run campus. But if you are condemning (Yenor’s article), then you are even more fascist than you are purporting to hate,” Chafetz said. “Yenor was quoting research. So honestly, it wasn’t that much of an opinion article as it’s made out to be. He was just saying this study showed this in regards to family.

It’s hard to say if I disagree with any of it.”

However, Goode questions if Boise State’s image has been put on the line because of Yenor’s action.

“It goes beyond freedom of speech and it goes to the point of what Boise State stands for and what this teacher is saying instead,” Goode said.

Goode went on to explain his view that Yenor’s stance sent a hateful, incorrect message--a discriminating message that, Goode believes, only provoked hostility toward the LGBTQ community on and off campus.

“The school is going to say

it stands for equality, openness and diversity; that’s obviously not what Dr. Yenor wrote, and instead the article is alienating, it’s grotesque and it makes a lot of generalizations and assertions that are not even close to correct towards an already marginalized community that has seen more hate crimes perpetrated towards it than any other group in society—twice as many as African Americans,” Goode said.

Concerning the forum and other possible College Republicans and Young Democrats’ events, Albanese stressed the importance of a good relationship between the two groups.

“We want to show that Republicans and Democrats can come together and work together, and that it’s not so divided as people think,” Albanese said.

NEWS

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

‘Still a Muslim ban’ — opponents vow to keep up fight against new travel curbs Jaweed Kaleem | Piece courtesy of Tribune Washington Bureau

Tala Deloria, 22, protests President Trump’s travel ban at the Tom Bradley International Terminal of LAX in Los Angeles on Thursday, June 29, 2017. Photo courtesy of Christian K. Lee.

Advocates for immigrants Monday condemned the latest incarnation of President Donald Trump’s travel ban, calling it an abuse of presidential authority and potentially unconstitutional, as they vowed to continue fighting the president’s travel restrictions.

The new measure, which takes effect Oct. 18 and will apply indefinitely, bans entry by most citizens of Syria, Libya, Iran, Yemen, Somalia, Chad and North Korea.

It also imposes restrictions on a small number of citizens of Iraq and Venezuela.

Sudan, whose nationals were previously blocked from coming to the U.S. under a prior temporary ban that expired Sunday, has been dropped off the list. Chad, Venezuela and North Korea are new entries.

The National Iranian American Council, decrying the open-ended nature of the directive, said the administration “has now taken steps to make its Muslim ban ... permanent.” The new measure, it said in a statement, was “nothing but an extension of the same discriminatory policy first

rolled out in January.”

The White House order, which cites national security concerns and a global review of vetting procedures for entry to the U.S., calls for an indefinite ban on almost all travel to the U.S. by nationals of the seven countries, which include most that were targeted in Trump’s initial ban issued after he took office.

The original order, which also included a 120-day halt to all refugee admissions, was blocked in federal courts and revised, and then was blocked again. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments over that travel ban on Oct. 10. It’s unclear how the newly revised ban affects that case.

On Sunday, the Department of Justice on asked justices to order both sides to submit briefs on the new ban.

But while federal district court and appellate judges across the country derided the first two travel bans as violating the Constitution and immigration law, legal experts said Trump’s new measure would be harder to defeat.

Federal courts would be “more likely to hold that this version of the travel ban is legal,” said Stephen Yale-Loehr, an immigration attorney and law professor at Cornell University. Yale-Loehr said the new ban addressed some of the successful legal challenges that brought down prior versions.

“The proclamation goes into depth about how the administration conducted its survey of other countries’ identity management and information-sharing protocols. The proclamation bars only certain people from certain countries, not everyone from a given country. The proclamation includes North Korea and Venezuela, two non-Muslim-majority countries. And the new travel ban does not bar refugees from entering the United States,” he said.

Opponents who have long argued that the ban is a fulfillment of the president’s campaign promise to stop all Muslim immigration into the U.S. said they would continue to challenge the travel restrictions

as anti-Muslim.

“This is still a Muslim ban _ they simply added three additional countries,” said Becca Heller, director of the International Refugee Assistance Project, in a statement.

The group is among those scheduled to argue against the ban in the Supreme Court. “Of those countries, Chad is majority Muslim, travel from North Korea is already basically frozen and the restrictions on Venezuela only affect government officials on certain visas. You can’t get any more transparent than that,” Heller said.

The National Immigration Law Center, another litigant in the Supreme Court case, tweeted on Sunday that “the original intent behind this always was an attempt to ban Muslims.”

“Inflicting even more harm will do nothing to change the discriminatory intent behind this,” the organization wrote in another tweet. “It will simply cause more harm. #NoMuslimBanEver.”

5

NEWS

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning helps improve U.S. military

Students in the Coast Guard utilize master’s program at Boise State

Jordan Erb | News Editor | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

The Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning master’s program provides useful job skills to students enlisted in the military. Photo courtesy of Tribune News Service.

Boise State’s graduate program in Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning (OPWL) was implemented in 1989. Debuting a year before the internet was fully operational, the OPWL master’s degree was the first of its kind. It was created after a request from the National Guard, which proposed a new program for instructional technology.

“We were Boise State’s first online program,” said Jo Ann Fenner, manager of marketing and outreach service for OPWL. “We’ve been kind of a model for how you do online learning because there wasn’t a web yet,” Fenner said.

Now, almost thirty years later, the program is still being used by military students, who use the skills they’ve acquired

6

to better the U.S. military. According to Fenner, the OPWL program helps Coast Guard students research problem areas and come up with solutions that will ultimately improve the Coast Guard.

“The work they do (in the military) is so aligned because it’s so performance-based– and what we offer is performance-based,” Fenner said.

According to Lieutenant Commander Lisa Rodman, a graduate in OPWL, the skills gained in the master’s program have an impact on military positions.

“I am now in my second position where I use OPWL on a daily basis,” Rodman said. “In my last job as a Training Analyst, I reviewed contracted curriculums and training development plans for major

acquisitions for the U.S. Coast Guard—including new ships, IT systems, aircraft, etc.

In my current position, performance consulting, analysis and intervention selection are all frequently employed.”

Lieutenant Ben Lyons, another student in the program, noted the benefits the master’s program can offer those in the military.

“Working in the Analysis, Acquisitions and Evaluations branch, I conduct Front End, Job Task, Occupational and Strategic Needs Analyses,” Lyons said. “We work with all of the Coast Guard’s missions with the goal of developing performance recommendations that will improve the work of and performance supports available to Coast Guard members.”

Skills obtained through OPWL can be applied outside of the workforce as well, according to Lyons.

“The OPWL program most importantly provided me with a unique perspective of evaluating and identifying the true performance issues in every aspect of my career—I was using some mental models even when training my dog,” Lyons said.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

The Andrus Center hosts fifth annual Women and Leadership Conference

NEWS

Students, companies and guests gather in the SUB for the professional development conference Ximena Bustillo | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

The fifth annual Women and Leadership Conference, put on by the Andrus Center, will take place in the Student Union Building on Sept. 27 and 28. The event welcomes attendees from the Pacific Northwest and will host multiple guest speakers from across the country and Treasure Valley.

“Over 800 people are expected to attend this year,” said program coordinator for the event, Katherine Robb. “This is the largest number considering last year we sold out at 700 tickets.”

The professional development conference is a chance for women and men to discuss professional leadership roles and development. This year’s conference theme is “Lessons in Leadership.”

“Each speaker will tell their story and what their lessons in becoming a leader were,” Robb said. “We try to bring all of our keynote speakers from across the country-though there is one from within Idaho.”

The keynote speakers coming to campus include, but are not limited to, Captain Gail Harris, who was the first African American Naval Captain, Meredith Walker, author Anne Doyle and Co-Founder and Executive Director of Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls organization.

Sophomore biology major Tanner Anderson was interested to learn about this event.

“I think bringing these big names and others from out of state will not only spark interest in the discussion among its avid supporters, but may even pique the interest of those who may not necessarily agree with the premises the event appears to be based upon,” said Anderson. “Especially with an event like this. That may sound strange, but I feel that talks of social equity are taboo here in the 208 and people can’t always relate to the discussion or they straight up don’t want to participate.”

Robb explained that during this professional development conference the goal is

to bring to the forefront the issues women face getting into leadership positions, but also bring in the professional development aspect with the skill-builder sessions.

There will be 20 skill-builder sessions led by different speakers. Each session will last an hour and fifteen minutes and focus on different aspects of professional development, such as public speaking, caregiving, interviewing and practicing personal care.

“It is all-encompassing to help live a well-rounded life while showing that you don’t have to neglect one area of life to do another,” Robb said.

Robb explained a majority of those attending the conference are from Idaho, but others from the Pacific Northwest also come.

“Businesses, such as HP, send their employees to the conference and are supportive of this opportunity,” Robb said.

This year, the tickets were priced at $215. In the future, however, there will be a push for scholarships for more students to attend.

“I think that having Boise State host the event despite the event not being directly for the benefit of students is really great,” Anderson said. “It allows Boise State to become part of a larger community outside of Boise and lets people come and see what Idaho has to offer.”

Robb explaineds that the opportunity to be involved every year in this event goes beyond just attending.

“We do have student volunteers and I make sure to get them into a breakout session and to listen to some of the speakers,” Robb said. “This event will take place every year and we are starting to really get a push for volunteers, which we still need this year.”

Robb emphasized there is importance for this event on campus.

“It is brnging to the forefront the quality and equity of women leaders and being able to have it backed by Boise State is really important because leadership starts

Katherine Robb is the event cooridnator for this year’s event. Photo courtesy of Boise State.

at as young of an age as we can.”

Anderson agreeds that the campus’s role in hosting this event goes beyond normal university academic roles.

“This shows that Boise State is aware of and supports (to some degree) the different issues and movements that are at the forefront of social progress in America,” said Anderson. “While I definitely don’t have the money to purchase a ticket to the event, it is cool just to know that Boise State played such a big part in events like this.”

7

OPINION

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

Want to change minds through media? Don’t let your viewers know you’re doing it Looking at the brain will help you understand how to talk to it

Jacob Palmer | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Media creators who make an effort to understand how the mind works will create a better product. Photo by Axel Quartarone and Taylor Humby.

Media analysis is a common subject experienced in college classrooms. Often times it’s handled the same way. We are all shown media, such as popular video games or classic Disney movies, and we all discuss what messages are sent through them.

Many will advocate for better representation of women, people of color, the LGBT community and other identities in media. Others will argue the media is too crude, vulgar and devoid of “good old fashioned family entertainment.” There is no shortage of criticism about who is portrayed in the media. But when people try to change the direction of media and push political or social activism in their products, the results can be mixed to say the least.

8

How low can ratings go?

In many cases, creators will try to make media heavily infused with a political or social message. Some try to enforce standards such as the Bechdel Test to promote diversity. Others give whole studios grades and percentages based on how diverse their casting is. Yet year after year, no matter how hard many try to push their worldviews into entertainment, preachy media doesn’t work.

ESPN keeps facing ratings trouble after many have accused the station of pushing political viewpoints. Youtube Spotlight, an official channel of Youtube, is constantly dogged by massive amounts of downvotes when it releases political videos advocating

on issues such as refugees, women’s rights and LGBT rights. Even ratings powerhouses such as the NFL have suffered from sliding ratings as a result of national anthem protests, according to a survey by JD Power.

This isn’t to say a show or program with political or social values can’t be successful. Steven Universe is an example of a show that has clear social values (in this case, progressive values) that achieves high viewership and critical acclaim. But if a show or form of media is deemed to be too ideologically preachy, it is often subject to ridicule and parody. So what is the difference between these examples? The answer lies in how the brain works.

The limbic system Our brains work on two levels. One level is logical thought, which is controlled by areas such as the frontal lobe. With this area of the brain, we think, create arguments and engage in reason. It’s the part of the brain many people try to appeal to when they want to convince you of their argument; but another aspect of the brain exists, a level of simpler, more impulsive thought.

The limbic system is the part of our brain where emotions and sensory feedback take center stage. In the case of being a consumer of many products (including media) it’s the part that makes a lot of decisions for us. Robert Heath, a lecturer at the University of Bath, explains how

OPINION

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

Some say the latest Emmys’ low ratings were partially due to the program’s political nature this year. Photo courtesy of the Tribune News Service.

the limbic system forces our decisions in advertising media.

“When we perceive an ad for a brand, we make an instant judgement of its emotional value… If the emotional value is positive we are subconsciously ‘conditioned’ to invest the brand with this positivity,” Heath wrote. “When we come to making a decision involving the brand, we find ourselves ‘seduced’ in favor of it, and provided there is no strong reason not to, we buy it.”

So if the main factor deciding media consumption is something as basic as which media makes you feel positive, why is it so many consumers, pundits and award shows praise media for more cerebral reasons? According to Heath, our rational side often makes up reasons afterward to justify our consumption.

“Of course if someone then asks us why we bought it, we invent all sorts of rational reasons for ourselves to do with

price, features, performance of the item in question,” Heath wrote.

The ability to appeal to the limbic system is a main factor in determining whether a piece of media will be successful.

Media isn’t destined to be successful on the basis of its ideological goals, but rather it’s ability to keep an audience’s attention.

Tell a good story Jane Praeger is a faculty member at Columbia University who teaches strategic storytelling. In an interview with the organization New York Women in Communications, she argues the ability to tell a good story is one of the most powerful talents a media creator can have.

“Researchers have found that most decision-making… is driven by our emotions. Stories offer a powerful way to engage those emotions, and thereby inspire decision-making,” Praeger said.

So how would this strategy of “story

first” work if media creators want to advocate for a political or social cause in their media? According to this strategy, they should focus on telling a good story before putting their viewpoints into it. For example, instead of creating an LGBT character, create an interesting character who happens to be LGBT. It harkens back to the old filmmaking adage, “Show, don’t tell.”

With so many focusing on aspects such as “diversity” and “inclusiveness” as the most important aspects of new media, they miss what truly influences the consumer.

“Stories create ‘stickiness.’ With all the competing information and media channels, communicators are challenged to find ways to connect and be more memorable with their audiences. Stories do just that,” Praeger said.

Shows such as “Avatar: The Last Airbender” had a very diverse cast of multiracial men and women, and endeared them to it’s audience by giving them complex

personalities and storylines. Through this method, the show was able to normalize other identities much successfully than if they had just pointed to a multiracial cast and said, “This is normal.”

One of the most successful media moguls was Walt Disney, a man whose media is often critiqued by those who object to some of the messages his older films pushed. While some might criticize these messages, they shouldn’t ignore the method Disney used to make his products so popular.

“I would rather entertain and hope people learned something than educate people and hope they were entertained,” Disney said.

9

FEATURE

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

Adding ethics to engineering: diversity and inclusivity in Boise State program

Professor leads movement to create social justice in engineering

Jordan Erb | News Editor | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

A Boise State engineering student studies for class in the engineering building. Photo by Axel Quartarone.

Professor Don Winiecki extended his hand, offering his business card. The card, like any, listed his title and contact information tucked beneath the Boise State University logo. Overlaying his professional details, however, was something uncommon to most other business cards–Braille.

The little, raised surfaces are emblematic of Winiecki’s title listed on the card, professor of ethics and morality in professional practice. This position allows him to work with matters of diversity and inclusion in engineering–Winiecki is striving towards social justice in terms of race, gender and, as symbolized by his use of Braille, disabilities.

“I want to not just have inclusion and diversity having to do with sex, national

10

origin, race and age, but also make our curriculum more accessible to people with sensory deficits,” Winiecki said.

To aid in this, Winiecki, along with a team of professors from across disciplines, was awarded a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to revolutionize engineering departments.

Though the grant will respond to other industry needs as well, ethics is one of the major aspects being addressed.

“By the time I retire, I want to have a department or program housed in engineering that employs a couple of experts in science, technology, society and in technology ethics to make sure our students are not only very good at the technical skills, but are also socially aware and responsible

“

We have an economic disparity that has grown up with the way that American has grown up.

”

- Don Winiecki, professor of ethics and morality and in a sense, kind of activists in engineering,” Winiecki said.

History of exclusivity in engineering No one, according to Winiecki,

intended to keep certain groups out of engineering, but the pairing of historical and societal norms led to a lack of diversity in the field today. Socioeconomic disparities between races, for example, have kept certain groups from pursuing engineering as a profession.

“We have an economic disparity that has grown up with the way that America has grown up,” Winiecki said. “We see it as the way it is, and I like to argue that it’s not, in the first place, ‘the way it is,’ but it’s the way we’ve allowed it to become by not thinking about the issue.”

Beyond socioeconomic disparities, social norms have contributed to the shortage of diversity in the field. According to Winiecki, family expectations and gender roles

FEATURE

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

can discourage women from becoming engineers or other STEM professionals.

“There are things that happen in families that assign specific roles and what a woman or a man should be doing,” Winiecki said. “Kids are taught to be satisfied or go in certain directions by the values they’re raised with. Social forces are amazingly powerful–they can push people against their own personal values.”

Those social forces, in Winiecki’s opinion, factor into the exclusivity of engineering and allow for a male-dominated field apprehensive to the inclusion of other sexes or groups.

“We ended up informally reinforcing these kinds of biases–the field grew up that way. Nobody wanted it to be aggressively against women, (but) we allowed it to be that way,” Winiecki said.

What ethics in engineering look like Winiecki is aiming to embrace differences, rather than shy away from them.

People of different backgrounds, according to Winiecki, offer different skillsets and points of view, which can lead to better outcomes.

“If we had more women, blacks, hispanics, blind people and deaf people (in engineering), then we would see computing systems and technologies developed that accommodate and include those people and their unique offerings,” Winiecki said.

The end goal for Winiecki’s dedication to ethics would be an opening up of the field to people of different backgrounds.

Doing this would not only diversify the field, but also create better products that better serve their users.

James Ferguson, associate professor of mechanical and biomedical engineering at Boise State, noted that by adding more unique perspectives to a problem, better solutions are reached.

“Perhaps the best solutions come from more diverse teams,” Ferguson said. “That’s what we’re after. Diversity and inclusion is

the right thing to do because it produces the best product and the best outcome.”

Not only are ethics represented by creating social justice within the field, but also by eliminating things such as algorithmic biases in computing systems. Algorithmic bias is discrimination programmed into

“

Perhaps the best solutions come from more diverse teams. That’s what we’re after.

”

- James Ferguson, associate professor of mechanical and biomedical engineering systems, whether intentionally or unintentionally, by societal factors.

“Effectively, what can happen is a system can replicate (societal) biases,” said Michael Ekstrand, assistant professor of computer science. “Very rarely is it that someone set up the program with bias, and it’s not necessarily that it’s innate in the technology, but it is a natural and extremely common result of combining the technology with the human behavior that it’s designed to interact with.”

This bias can be found anywhere from bail-setting software to book and movie recommendations, which can discriminate against certain populations. Both Ekstrand and Winiecki have dedicated time to researching the issue. Winiecki hopes to determine how machines are biased towards people, then reach into society and fix the problems that caused those biases.

The path to ethical engineering At present, the ethics taught in engineering are snuck into classes, due to curricula being packed with other content. Very few

Don Winiecki (above), a professor at Boise State, is spearheading a movement to involve more ethics in engineering. Photo by Axel Quartarone.

classes on ethics are being taught, though the first five-week course on foundational values just wrapped up, and a mechanical engineering senior design class will see a shadow curriculum next semester.

With the grant from the NSF, Winiecki will begin infusing inclusion, diversity and social justice into the engineering curriculum. To do this, more experts on the topic must be hired as professors of ethics.

Winiecki is Boise State’s resident ethical expert, but cannot do all course instruction on his own.

Ten years from now, Winiecki hopes

to see morality and ethics become innate parts of engineering at Boise State, as does Ekstrand.

“My dream would be that we’re discussing the ethical impacts of technology in all of our data science classes,” Ekstrand said.

“I would love for us to have discussions of ethics, basically so that you can’t get away from it. You’re always thinking about what can go wrong and how could this be misused, and how we make it misuse resistant.”

11

NOTES

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

Column: In your corner

ASBSU’s upcoming partnerships and events

Sienna George | ASBSU President | editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu Last week “In Your Corner” reported on the number of students who voted in the 2017 Spring election for student officers, alluding to the lack of student voice present at our institution. This week, in partnership with Living Learning communities across campus, The President’s Office and The School of Public Service, ASBSU will lead efforts to enhance student voice on Tuesday, Sept. 26 for National Voter Registration Day. “(It’s) an empowering opportunity for students to realize their potential to engage with the political process,” said Hayden Rogers, the Student Government Relations Officer for ASBSU. Last year, Boise State’s Center for Idaho History and Politics led “a semester-long series of events (meant to) examine political courage and civil discourse to enhance the common good” (Patriotic Choices) including a “Brown Bag” speaker series, and debate-viewing events.

This year, ASBSU will partner with educators and administrators from The President’s Office, The School of Public Service and The Honors College to reimagine how it encourages students to be more politically aware, and civically engaged in campus, local, and national elections. This programming, created by University President, Bob Kustra, hopes to fulfill Boise State’s commitment to its students to provide access points to knowledge and experiences that cultivate their development as engaged citizens.

On Tuesday, Sept. 26 from 11 p.m. to 2 p.m. outside of the SUB, the Associated Students of Boise State will host “Voting is Easy as Pie,” a National Voter Registration Day event to enhance student

12

accessibility to political engagement.

Students will not only receive a slice of pie when they register to vote, but also have the opportunity to practice voting in the Ada County Clerk’s mobile voting trailer and acquire information about how to vote via an absentee ballot. The hope is that students recognize the importance of their voice on-campus and at a state and national level. These efforts are all part of the University’s initiative to redesign civic engagement efforts on-campus.

“National Voter Registration Day is an indispensable event when it comes to recognizing and encouraging civic engagement,” said Justin Vaughn, the director for The Center for Idaho History and Politics.

“Although voting is not the only way Americans can participate, it is the most common one, and anything that helps students not only become eligible to vote but better understand how to do it and why it is important is exceptionally valuable.”

CULTURE

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

Students prep for “Journey’s End”

Newest Theatre Arts Department production focuses on humanity during times of war Brandon Rasmussen | Editor-in-Chief | editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu

First-year Francisco looks on as he rehearses for the upcoming production of “Journey’s End.” Photo by Brandon Rasmussen.

In the dim light of the Danny Peterson theater, an empty whiskey bottle sits on a table amid scattered newspapers and mugs. A young soldier sits—elbows on the table and his head in his hands—all while a small men’s chorus can be heard in the background, singing, “We’re here because we’re here, because we’re here, because we’re here…”

This being one of the many captivating images of the show, the students and faculty of the Boise State Theatre Arts Department are gearing up for their first production of the year: “Journey’s End.” The play, written by R. C. Sherriff, follows a group of British officers in the trenches World War I, who struggle their way through themes of war, sacrifice and brotherhood “I’m struck by the vulnerability of these men,” said Gordon Reinhart, professor in the Theatre Arts Department and director

of the play. “In the end, it’s not about king and country or beating the Germans. It’s about taking care of each other.”

This theme is reflected over and over again, as many of the central conflicts in the script center around how the characters can best deal with each other, rather than their enemy in the opposite trench. Tensions run high numerous times throughout the production, and understandably so, given their surroundings.

“They said this was the wars to end all wars, and I can’t believe that’s not true,” Reinhart said. “These guys (see) gas, trenches, mud, rats, body parts. Our modern military is so trained, but these guys—one of them is a school teacher.

They weren’t professional in the way our military is today.”

In order to accurately portray these characters and circumstances, the all-male

student cast of “Journey’s End” did a large amount of preparation, such as studying history, learning proper firearm etiquette, working with voice coaches for accents and consulting those who have served in combat.

“Especially in something as supercharged as the military, you want to get it right. Because you can be measured,” Reinhart said. In our research, for example, we found scale models (of the trenches) that were so intricate and precise. It’s our history In (past productions like) Urinetown, what reality are you going to be measured against? You’ll be measured in other ways.”

This spirit of preparation was reflected off-stage as well, where faculty and students are hard at work getting the set and costumes ready for the upcoming performances. According to Darrin Pufall, professor in the Theatre Arts Department and

costume designer for “Journey’s End,” the characters’ uniforms back up the themes of the play as well.

“These men are shaving in the middle of the trench,” Pufall said. “There’s a certain propriety to the British way of life, and there are some who have lived through this death and have a more barbaric way about them, but generally speaking, they’re kind of clean. There’s a dichotomy where they’re trying to keep in this hole a little bit of civility.”

To maintain this duality of British civility and the harshness of war, students in the Department have spent the last few weeks making finely-crafted uniforms and equipment look like they’ve been through the throes of combat. That way, for Pufall, they can really become a part of the characters for which they are meant.

“This is just a jacket, but when I can make it specific to a character—showing this character has lived through an important event or series of events—this makes me very happy. I get to take something beautiful and destroy it,” Pufall said.

While the play dips into all manners of drama, comedy and intensity, Reinhart hopes the human focus amid all the horror of war will envoke feelings of compassion and consideration.

“Hopefully it gives the audience a chance to stop for a moment and deal with these men, and I hope they will be touched by these men’s efforts to, as the British say, “make a good show,” Reinhart said.

The first showing will debut on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Danny Peterson Theater.

13

CULTURE

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

Music department launches into new semester

Boise State Symphony Orchestra commence concert season with homey classics Michelle Belden | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Boise State’s Symphony Orchestra plays for their first concert of the year. Photo by Michelle Belden.

Sweeping melodies echoed through the Morrison Center as the Boise State Symphony Orchestra performed their first concert of the season Sunday, Sept.

24th. The concert began at 7:30 p.m., and included nine pieces, all revolving around the theme of “‘Suite’ and Lasting Impressions of Home.” The classic pieces featured were easily recognizable, and were composed by well known composers, such as Dvořák, Grieg and Ives.

According to Orchestra Director Craig Purdy, the pieces included in the setlist were picked because “they represent

14

the character and stylistic traits of each composer and their country of origin.”

Each piece represented a different country, including Russia, Spain, Norway and others. The concert ended on a patriotic note, with the orchestra performing Variations on “America,” composed by Charles Ives.

After the concert, the 64 band members were excited as they met with and were complimented by their friends and family, and overall seemed proud of their performance.

“Every performance is going to have it’s flaws,” said Kyle True, second year

graduate and principal cellist, “But overall, it was a really good concert, and I think we played at a pretty high level tonight.”

Levi Kuskie, Freshman Music Composition Major has been playing violin for the Orchestra since the beginning of the term.

“It’s wonderful to be able to make music with a larger group of people that appreciate music,” Kuskie said. “As a group, we did great. Mr. Purdy himself even mentioned how pleased he was with us during our pre-concert rehearsal.”

Although the members were pleased with their performance, they also were able

to identify areas for improvement.

“As a musician, you’re always going to be you’re own worst critic,” explained freshman violinist Rachael Fry, “but by the audience response I think it went very well- and the reason we play music is for the world.”

For students who didn’t get the chance to see their first concert, Boise State Symphony Orchestra will be performing their “Halloween Spook-tacular: ‘Brush Up Your Shakespeare’ concert on Sunday, Oct. 29 in the Velma Morrison Center.

Boise State's student run radio station tune in 24/7 at universitypulse.com @universitypulse @bsupulse Like Us on Facebook

SPORTS & REC

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

Men’s tennis looking to achieve

Coach Patton hopes for continued excellence

I CHOSE SOCIAL WORK

Jeff Hokenson | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Boise State men’s tennis continues into their season. Photo courtesy of Boise State Men’s Tennis’ Facebook Page.

Boise State men’s tennis hit the road for their first tournament of the season at the Battle in the Bay Intercollegiate in San Francisco, California Sept. 22 to Sept. 24.

Representing the Broncos in San Francisco was freshman Matteo Tinelli and junior Jack Heslin, joined by coach Greg Patton, returning for his 22nd year as head coach, where they faced off against some of the top teams across the nation, including USC, Georgia, TCU and Stanford.

Last season the team’s roster faced issues with multiple injuries and one academic setback.

“It was a rough season, but we survived,” Patton said. “It was a great growing experience for everyone.”

Sophomore Ryland McDermott, who has been playing tennis competitively since he was nine years old, is excited about the current roster.

“We’ve only been here for five weeks, but it feels like we’ve been here for four years,” said McDermott. “Everyone gets along and meshes well together.”

McDermott was one of four players who were named 2017 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Scholar-Athletes at the

16

end of last season. These players earned a varsity letter, held at least a 3.50 GPA, and attended Boise State for at least two semesters. McDermott who is studying pre-med, spends as much time studying as he does on the court.

“

Great people make great teams. Great teams develop great players.

”

- Greg Patton, coach of men’s tennis team “It’s all about time management,” McDermott said.

Last season, the team also received the ITA’s National Community Service Award for the first time in program history. Patton’s approach shows being a coach goes beyond the court.

“Great people make great teams. Great teams develop great players,” Patton said.

Contact us to learn how you can start changing lives. Offering in-person bachelor’s and master’s programs near you.

hs.boisestate.edu/socialwork Bachelor’s program application deadline October 6 Master’s program application deadline December 1

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

Boise State football fans have split opinions on Bryan Harsin

SPORTS & REC

Conversations about current Broncos coach take place mostly online Peter Huguenin | Sports and Rec Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Coach Bryan Harsin has a record of 33-11, and won a Fiesta Bowl his first year as head coach. Photo by Axel Quartarone.

After losing to Washington State on Sept. 9, some Boise State fans were left disappointed with the Bronco’s performance.

This was seen mostly through social media, where some tweets from Broncos fans singled out Coach Harsin in particular.

Mike Perigen tweeted after the game “3110... really #BoiseState @CoachHarsin let’s maybe next time run the ball!” In his time at Boise State, Harsin has a record of 3311, and won a Fiesta Bowl his first year as Head Coach. And while many Boise State fans still support Harsin, there is a very vocal group that would prefer to see Boise State find another head coach.

Among this group of fans is senior communications major Ty Zacharisen, who was originally thrilled when Harsin was hired on.

“As a fan, I loved the hiring of Harsin,”

“

Boise State isn’t your average school where eight wins a season is good enough. We set a precedent that we are better than that.

”

- Robert Glassen, senior communication major

Zacharisen said. “He was young, familiar with the program and had helped lead Boise State to success in the past. My problem with Harsin lies in the face that the offense

in the last three years has been at times boring, stagnant and predictable.”

Zacharisen went on to say with players like Brett Rypien, Jermey McNicholls and Cedrick Wilson, it’s hard to fault the talent of the team as all of these players have shown massive potential.

In eight years at Boise State Chris Petersen amassed a 92-12 overall record and put Boise State in the national spotlight, winning two Fiesta Bowls—one in 2007 and another in 2010. Since then, the expectations of Boise State from fans has changed dramatically.

“Boise State isn’t your average school where eight wins a season is good enough.

We set a precedent that we are better than that,” said senior communication major Robert Glasson. “With how the current system is set up, there is no reason why we

shouldn’t be competing for a spot in the New Year’s six bowls every year.”

However, not all fans are against Harsin.

Many fans still believe that he has done a good job as coach, and is still the best option moving forward.

“I think you would be hard pressed to find a better group of five coaches or program since coach Harsin took over at Boise State,” said Boise State alum Raja Prabhala. “He is the best coach Boise State could ask for.”

Nick Carannante, who is another Harsin fan, believes he’s done a good job. “He showed what he was capable of in his first year by winning a Fiesta bowl,” Carannante said. “If you look at his losses, they largely come from close games that hinge on one or two plays going wrong.”

After being up 31-10 in the Washington State game only to end up losing, some fans questioned his ability to close out games. Fans came out loud again on both sides in the Harsin argument.

“I do think there are too many fourth quarters that we underperform in, and when late mistakes are a theme, that blame is on the coach,” said senior political science major Trevor Kamena. “(But Boise State had) double digit wins two out of the last three years.”

Sports Illustrated had an article titled “The 30 Hottest Names on This Year’s Coaching Carousel.” Bryan Harsin was number nine on the list, receiving high praise from the website that said he would be a “solid candidate” for any Pac-12 jobs that may open up at the end of the year.

Last year Harsin interviewed for the head coaching position at Oregon University and his name was mentioned multiple times for the University of Minnesota job before it was filled.

While the critics will always be loud, the demand for his coaching from other powerhouse programs seems to indicate that Harsin will be here for as long as he chooses to be.

17

SPORTS & REC

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

Boise State vs. Virginia overview

Boise State looking to recover after loss on Friday

Josh Arace | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Boise State lost to Virginia 42-23 on Friday, Sept. 23. Photo by Axel Quartarone.

Boise State fell to Virginia 42-23 Friday, Sept. 23 at Albertson’s Stadium in front of 33,947 fans. This is the Broncos’ second loss this season, putting them at 2-2.

The Broncos’ were still in the game at half-time, down just 21-14, but Virginia dominated the second half. The loss could have been much worse, but the Broncos were able to soften the blow with a safety and a touchdown late, after the game was already far out of reach.

Quarterback Brett Rypien started the game after missing the Broncos’ previous matchup vs New Mexico due to a concussion. Rypien looked sharp to open the game, completing 3-of-4 passes for 59 yards before running back Ryan Wolpin capped off the Broncos’ first drive with a 5-yard touchdown run just 2:58 into the game. However, the rest of his night wasn’t as smooth, finishing 24-of-42 for 285 yards, along with one interception.

18

While their own run game was nowhere to be found with just 24 attempts for 30 yards, Boise State’s run defense once again proved to be a problem, allowing 167 yards and 3 touchdowns on 40 Virginia carries. The biggest error came on a 56yard touchdown run by Virginia running back Olamide Zaccheaus in the third quarter.

The Broncos’ pass defense also seemed to have struggled, as they allowed 273 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air. Virginia wide receiver Andre Levrone was the biggest thorn in the Broncos’ side, catching 5 passes for 143 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown.

“The bottom line is that you have people in place and those are the plays that you’re in position to stop.” said Boise State head coach Bryan Harsin regarding the multiple long Virginia touchdowns.

In a night full of poor play from both

Boise State’s offense and defense, the special-team’s unit may have had the worst night of all three units. Broncos’ special teams committed five separate penalties on kick and punt returns, which often

“

Virginia is a good football team and we knew that.

They showed up and played well and played hard.

”

- Bryan Harsin, head coach

caused the offense to start deep in their own territory, which is not a good formula

for offensive success. The unit also had a major blunder on what was originally supposed to be a fake punt, as Alec Dhaenens fumbled the snap, virtually ending the play before it started.

A bright spot Friday night for the Broncos was wide receiver Cedrick Wilson.

Wilson was consistently open, catching 13 passes for 209 yards and a 40-yard touchdown. Wilson has been the Broncos’ best receiver this season, and he now has 29 catches for 485 yards and 3 touchdowns through the Broncos’ first four games this season.

“Virginia is a good football team and we knew that.” Harsin said. “We didn’t underestimate those guys. They showed up and played well and played hard.”

Boise State now heads into their bye week following the loss, and will begin to prepare for their matchup against BYU on Oct. 6.

BUCKING AROUND

SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Are you interested in living, working and teaching in Japan? The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program provides college graduates a unique opportunity to teach English to students in the Japanese public school system. Graduates help develop foreign language education by serving as Assistant Language Teachers or Coordinators for International Relations.

This successful and respected program helps promote international exchange at the local level by fostering ties between Japanese youth and JET Program participants from around the world.

The Consular Office of Japan in Portland, Oregon will be at Boise State University for an informational orientation on the JET Program on the following day:

Date: Time: Bldg: Room:

October 3rd, 2017 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Bronco Student Union Brink Room

APPLICANTS MUST Have U.S. Citizenship Or hold citizenship of one of the other 46 participating countries.

Hold a Bachelor’s Degree by July 1, 2018 No Japanese language ability required for the Assistant Language Teacher position. `

Online Application Due by November 9th, 2017 Mail-in Application Due by November 18th, 2017 Applications will become available in late September at: http://jetprogramusa.org For more information, contact Career Services, the Consular Office of Japan at (503) 221-1811 ext 314, or visit us online at the URL above.

Do you think you have conjunctivitis (pink eye)?

You and/or your child may be able to participate if you (or they): • have had pink eye symptoms (e.g. redness, watering/ discharge, or

irritation) in at least one eye for no more than the past 3 days

• are interested in taking part in a research study for up to 13 days • are willing to travel to the study center for appointments.

Qualified participants may receive the non-antibiotic investigational drug and study-related procedures and visits at no cost. Health insurance is not required to participate.

To find out more, and to see if you qualify, call:

1-877-223-1840

[www.PinkEyeResearchStudy.com] CTM_Alt Patient Color Print Ad [V01 USA]

19

WEEKLY NEWS in a minute

Watch it online at www.arbiteronline.com or on