March 3, 2020
Vol. 32 Issue 24
I N D EPEN DE NT
S T UDE NT
V O I CE
O F
B O I SE
STAT E
S I N C E
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FAITHFUL INFLUENCES DEBATING THE IMPACT OF CHRISTIAN STUDENT GROUPS AT BOISE STATE NEWS
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With a primary election instead of a caucus for Democrats, voters have to be aware of new changes for eligibility
VISIT US ONLINE:
OPINION
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Three bills were presented regarding restriction to the rights of transgender people; two can still pass arbiteronline.com
CULTURE
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‘The Drag: A Homosexual Comedy’ intends to bring Mae West’s vision to Boise State in a bold way @arbiteronline
SPORTS & REC
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Intramural sports employ student referees to take on the responsibility of making the final call on games
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PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Editor-In-Chief Logan Potter editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu Online Editor Emma Freitas onlineeditor@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Editor Celina Van Hyning news@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Reporter Taylor Rico-Pekerol news@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Editor Will Meyer culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Reporter Michelle Johnson culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports Editor Delaney Brassil sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports Reporter Autum Robertson sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Opinion Editor Blake Hunter opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu Copy Editor Megan Mary Social Media Coordinator Trisha Kangas Digital Content Manager Mackenzie Hudson digitalcontent@stumedia.boisestate.edu Digital Content Producer Chandler Thornton Graphic Design Manager Maddie Ceglecki design@stumedia.boisestate.edu Graphic Designer Kacie Fromhart Illustrator Wyatt Wurtenberger Distributed Tuesdays during the academic school year The Arbiter is the official independent student newspaper of Boise State University, where student editors make all content decisions and bear responsibility for those decisions. The Arbiter’s budget consists of fees paid by the student body and advertising sales. The first copy is free. Additional copies can be purchased for $1 a piece at The Arbiter offices.
Boise State faculty dished out some chili at the annual cook-off and fundraiser for the Association of Classified Employees. Chandler Thornton | The Arbiter
ON THE COVER:
Christian student groups have a large following on Boise State campus. These organizations bring together student s in a variet y of ways. Although involvement in these clubs is impor tant to some, other student s do not agree with the groups’ values. Cover design by Maddie Ceglecki.
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EVENTS COSTUME DESIGNER ERIN ORR SUB LOOKOUT ROOM
UPCOMING SPORTS SOFTBALL
MARCH 3, 7 PM
Film and television designer Erin Orr and film professor Ryan Cannon will discuss her work as a costume designer for previous film “Leave No Trace” and upcoming Netflix original series “Trinkets.” This event is free and open to the public and will be followed by an audience Q&A.
IDAHO DANCE THEATER PRESENTS ‘VIGOR’
SUB SPECIAL EVENTS CENTER
MARCH 5, 7:30 PM “Vigor” combines the work and efforts of seven different choreographers to create a performance “of active strength and energy of body and mind.” Tickets are available online and special discounts are available for students.
FIRST FRIDAY ASTRONOMY
SCIENCE AND EDUCATION BLDG
AWAY
WILDCAT INVITATIONAL
MARCH 6-8
BA SEBALL HOME
VS SEATTLE UNIVERSITY
MARCH 6-8
VS NIAGARA UNIVERSITY
MARCH 9-11
GYMNA STICS
MARCH 6, 7:30 PM
Boise State’s Department of Physics is kicking off the first Friday of March with two astronomy lectures with visiting guest lecturers Devon Burr and Ben Margalit. An evening of stargazing will follow after the lectures.
MEET AND GREET WITH MAYOR MCLEAN
ALUMNI AND FRIENDS CENTER MARCH 9, 5:30 PM The Associated Students of Boise State University (ASBSU) will be hosting an informal meet-and-greet with Boise Mayor Lauren McLean and councilmembers to discuss issues that affect Boiseans and Boise State students’ quality of life and learning.
HOME
VS SOUTHERN UTAH
MARCH 5, 6 PM
MEN’S BA SKETBALL AWAY
VS UNLV, MW QUARTERFINALS MARCH 5, 3 PM
NEWS
MARCH 3, 2020 | ARBITERONLINE.COM
A STRUCTURE CHANGE COULD MEAN MORE STUDENT VOICES IN ASSEMBLY The Associated Students of Boise State University could be making a change to their constitution Taylor Rico-Pekerol | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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constitutional convention was presented to the Associated Students of Boise State University (ASBSU) assembly on Feb. 27 with regards to forming a committee to discuss making changes to the ASBSU code. Currently being discussed is a change to the structure of ASBSU and the plan is being outlined by Reegan Jacobson, ASBSU’s ethics officer. The current structure of ASBSU is made up of two branches: the executive team, consisting of a president, vice president and different officers, and the student assembly, the branch under the executive team comprised of 22 students selected by ASBSU’s vice president, according to Jacobson. “Essentially, the real big change that we’re focusing on is there have been concerns from assembly members about the selection process for assembly,” Jacobson said. “Where it’s like executive members just appoint people for the positions and it doesn’t make any sense because they’re supposed to be the check on [the executive team]. And if [there is no check] we can just appoint whoever we want. We have all the power.” Currently, assembly students represent different aspects of the university, whether it is housing, athletics or the honors college, according to Jacobson. Students apply for assembly positions at the beginning of each semester and the vice president makes the final selection. With the new ideas Jacobson is working on, he hopes to add more checks and balances to the layout. Additional checks and balances would allow the assembly to have the power to stop a bill or resolution the executive team decides to pass, as well as allowing the executive team to have a certain amount of power to overrule the other branches’ decisions.
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SU and their plans for helping Boise State students, according to Charlie Varland, the director of Student Involvement and Leadership and adviser to the executive team. “From my perspective as an adviser, I have seen ASBSU evolve to meet the changing needs of students at Boise State University, because today’s students at Boise State in 2020 are very different from the students that were here in 2008,” Varland said. The constitutional convention passed in assembly, and the convention will be comprised of the ASBSU president selecting two students not affiliated with ASBSU and three representatives from the executive team. The funding board will then appoint two students and the vice president will choose three assembly members, according to ASBSU president Kaleb Smith. “I don’t want our student government to get bogged down by thinking they’re a government,” Smith said. “Because we really are a student advocacy group and I don’t want to change something into this bureaucracy that everything can get mixed The new structure change would allow for more checks and balances within ASBSU. up in when, in reality, we’re supposed to be Maddie Ceglecki | The Arbiter supporting and advocating for students.” Now that the convention is being In order to add the ability to check anAnother reason for the change is to assembled, Jacobson will work with the other branch, Jacobson presented the conincrease the number of students who can team to finalize a plan within the next few cept of giving assembly its own branches, be involved. Student assembly would be weeks that will then be put on the ballot paralleling a set-up the University of Idaho student population-based; for every 1,000 during election voting on March 17. If the has currently. The branches would include students, there would be one representative. constitution change passes, the executive the student senate, which would be two “[ASBSU] could very easily have self-inpositions will most likely stay the same but student representatives from each college terest and just want to do whatever we want, differ in their title with slight changes to and a general assembly comprised of stuand the check on us is very low because we their role, according to Jacobson. dents from different areas on campus. have a hand in selecting the people that are “I think that the biggest thing [we want] “The main focus is going to be taking supposed to be checking us,” Jacobson said. is accountability and legitimacy because away legislative power from exec and mak- “I think a lot of it is going to be an accountmy hope coming out of this is that we’re ing it just the assembly and the senate that ability aspect and this also allows us to exgoing to emphasize more that our resoluwould create resolutions, create bills and pand because more people can be involved.” tions are essentially our student’s voice,” then it’s on exec to execute what [assembly The Student Involvement and LeaderJacobson said. and senate] want,” Jacobson said. ship Center (SILC) works to support ASB-
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A STUDENT GUIDE TO VOTING IN THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY
NEWS
A Boise State student and a state employee share tips to help first-time voters be prepared for the primary election Celina Van Hyning | News Editor | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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uper Tuesday for the 2020 presidential primary election is March 3. On March 10, Idahoans will have the opportunity to cast their vote for the Democratic, Republican or third-party nominee of their choice. 2020 is the first year that Idaho will hold a primary election for the Democratic party rather than a caucus, meaning some changes will occur in the voting policies and procedures. Chad Houck, chief of staff for the Idaho Secretary of State, said Idaho voters need to be prepared for these changes in order to be eligible to vote.
“The challenge is that the courts have no historical data to be able to predict how many Democrat voters are going to arrive at the polls.” Chad Houck, chief of staff for the Idaho Secretary of State Houck explained that one of the most important aspects of this election is for voters to understand this is the first time in a long time that the Democratic party has chosen to participate in a primary as opposed to a caucus. “The challenge is that the courts have no historical data to be able to predict how many Democrat voters are going to arrive at the polls,” Houck said. “And as a result, they’re going to have to basically make a very educated guess. And that is going to have to be adjusted as the day goes on.” Because this is the first time for the change in recent history, Houck said there are several things voters need to be aware of before heading to the polls, specifically first-time voters.
Anyone who is registered to vote and in line at their polling place before 8 p.m. will get to vote on March 10, according to Houck. Photo by Gus Chan, The Plain Dealer “If they are already registered and they have not voted before, and they did not provide proof of residency or proof of address at the time that they registered, then they still do need to show where they actually live, so something that has a valid address,” Houck said. “The safe bet is for everybody to pack more than they need.” In addition to proof of residency for first-time voters, all voters will need to provide some form of identification. This is especially important for people planning to register to vote at the polls. For election day registration, voters can register by showing an Idaho driver’s license or Idaho identification card issued through the Department of Transportation with a current address. According to Houck, this is just one option for registering on election day. “Scenario two is showing any document which contains a valid address in the precinct together with a picture identification
card. Let’s say for some reason, their address on their driver’s license isn’t accurate, which many peoples’ aren’t, right? Right. That’s where the utility bill comes in,” Houck said. “For number three, show a current valid student photo ID card from a post-secondary education institution in Idaho, accompanied with a current student fee statement that contains the student’s valid address.” For Idahoans that have already registered, poll workers will accept an Idaho driver’s license, a passport or identification card, a travel ID card, a current student ID card or a concealed carry weapons permit issued under Idaho code by a sheriff’s department. Houck explained that voters who register on election day can vote in the Democratic primary election without being registered, but will not necessarily be affiliated with the Democratic party. However, if a registered Republican wants to request a Democratic ballot, they could potentially be granted the
right to vote, but will be considered a registered Democrat until the next election cycle. Out-of-state residents will also be given the option to vote in the primary election. Pryce Robinson, a senior political science major, is an out-of-state student who does not allow his location to prevent him from voting. “I vote by mail. And so I have a ballot sent to my house with postage paid that has a list of candidates on it,” Robinson said. “I fill it out, I put the ballot back in the mail or I can deliver it to a polling place on Election Day with postage paid, turn it back in. And there you go. I just voted.” To find your polling place, you can visit Idaho Votes, click on the “Voting” tab and select “Where do I go to vote?” Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on March 10, and anyone in line before the polls close will be able to vote.
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NEWS
IDAHO REPRESENTATIVE INTRODUCES CHILD MARRIAGE BILL
Rep. Barbara Ehardt introduced a new bill that would set Idaho’s minimum legal marriage age to 16 Selicia Erickson | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
concerned that there will be no secondary check-in by the court since this bill doesn’t require it,” Hightower said.
“... we are concerned that there will be no secondary check-in by the court since this bill doesn’t require it.” Annie Hightower, staff attorney for the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence
Idaho does not currently have a minimum legal age to get married; it is permitted with parental consent and a judge’s signature. Maddie Ceglecki | The Arbiter
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ep. Barbara Ehardt introduced a new bill proposing the minimum age of legal marriage in Idaho be reduced to 16. This bill would allow 16-year-olds to legally get married as long as their parents consented and the person they are marrying is within three years of them. Ehardt said she took some time researching before having this bill drafted. She wanted to see what the minimum age in other states was before picking the age for Idaho. A handful of states including Alabama, Alaska and Arizona have a minimum age of 16 with parental consent. With this information, Ehardt came to the conclusion that 16 was an appropriate age. One of the biggest concerns with the
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bill is the idea that it gives older men the chance to marry young girls which, according to Ehardt, is the reason for the age limitations. A three-year age difference has been set to prevent this from happening. “It was getting a little frustrating, but the other side was promoting a false narrative, and that false narrative was that those of us who did not support the bill last year wanted to marry young girls off to old men and that literally was the narrative,” Ehardt said. “That became frustrating when we were hearing over and over shameful social media posts when we were wanting to preserve parental rights.” Currently, there is no minimum marriage age in Idaho. The law states that 16 and 17-year-olds only need parental consent to get married and anyone younger
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needs both parental consent and a judge to sign off. Should this bill pass, the minimum age would officially be 16. A similar bill was proposed last year by Rep. Melissa Wintrow. Wintrow’s bill would set the minimum age to get married to 16 as well, but anyone under the age of 18 would still need parental consent as well as a judge sign-off. This bill was voted down by Republican representatives, including Ehardt, saying that the government should not have as much involvement with marriages. Annie Hightower, staff attorney for the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, helped Wintrow in writing the bill that was proposed last year. “We appreciate what the representatives [of this bill] are doing, but we are
This bill addresses whether or not parents should have more rights over their children, as well as if the government and courts should be getting involved with these marriages. Melanie Fillmore, who is part of the adjunct faculty at Boise State as well as the data analyst at the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, feels that this bill is not in the best interests of the children getting married. “Fundamentally, that’s the question,” Fillmore said. “Who takes the responsibility and who has rights over the state? Is it parents’, or is it the state’s right to advocate on behalf of a child who technically, below 18, is still not able to legally advocate for themselves?” As a mother, Fillmore added a different perspective to the bill. She spoke about how she saw these kids as being vulnerable and easily persuaded. “The truth is it impacts all of us whether we think it does or not,” Fillmore said. “They’re still legislating our lives and our choices and that, to me, is fascinating.”
NEWS
CITY OF BOISE PREPARES FOR 2020 CENSUS FOLLOWING REMARKABLE GROWTH Boise locals, including Boise State students, may be participating in the census for the first time
Ashley Clark | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Households will start receiving questionnaires as early as March 12, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Maddie Ceglecki | The Arbiter
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very 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau collects quantitative and qualitative data from households across the nation. This year, the census will be conducted mainly from March 12 to April 1. April 1 is Census Day and will be observed as a national holiday. On this day, every household will have received an invitation to participate in the census. Following April 1, census takers will start visiting college campuses, senior centers and other group living facilities. This year, the Census Bureau has introduced the option for results to be collected via an online survey for the first time since the establishment of the census in 1902.
However, citizens are also able to fill out the census via phone, mail or in person. Additional efforts will be made by local counting committees to reach people, such as homeless individuals, who are unable to utilize internet, phone or mail services. “[The government] will be sending out U.S. Census Bureau workers to where most homeless people reside, [like] homeless shelters or a lot of places downtown,” said Hailey Townsend, the communications assistant for the Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho. “They’re working with the city of Boise and city of Boise Police Department to make sure that the entire population is reached.” The census collects vital information that
is used to determine federal funding for the state and certain areas within the state. The majority of this funding goes towards school programs, transportation departments, hospitals, healthcare services, police and fire departments and government assistance services. “A lot of our federal government programs are tied to population count ranges,” said Jeffrey Lyons, an assistant professor at the Boise State School of Public Service. “Things like Medicaid, highway funding and funding some of our social support programs like the SNAP food program. All of those [account for] about a trillion dollars in federal funding that are in some way allocated to census count.”
According to Townsend, each person counted in the census accounts for approximately $1,475 of annual funding. In addition to funding allocation, census data also provides definitive population numbers that determine the number of seats each state will have in the House of Representatives. In order to obtain accurate counts, citizens are required to partake in the census in the location they reside as of April 1. This information is important for out-of-state college students, as all Boise State students living in the area are required to partake in the Idaho census and should not be counted within their parents’ household for their home state. “Specifically for Boise State students, they need to be aware that their parents shouldn’t count them,” Townsend said. “Even if they’re going back to California for spring break, they count in Idaho because that is where they live a majority of the year.” Even if a student does not consider themselves to be a permanent Boise resident and will likely relocate after graduation, each individual is essential to the count of Boise State as a whole. According to Townsend, it is still important to maintain current data in order to analyze how the population numbers fluctuate over the years, even as individual students come and go. According to Charles Hunt, assistant professor of political science, it is important for students to participate in the census in order to achieve accurate representation in government policy. “Older generations tend to be getting more accurate representation because they’re answering the census more, and so that provides them with more reliable representation,” Hunt said. “So it’s part of the question of equity and how the government treats different groups. Particularly for the communities that tend to get underrepresented, it’s more important than ever for them to participate in the census and participate in elections or politics in general.”
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OPINION MARCH 3, 2020 | ARBITERONLINE.COM
SOCIAL MEDIA OFFERS IMPORTANT TOOLS THAT UNIVERSITIES OFTEN IGNORE When institutions fail to provide community to marginalized people, social media can help Blake Hunter | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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ocial media gets a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. We fear that we are addicted to our phones, either because we feel it in ourselves or see it in others, and social media motivates much of our screen time. A growing behavioral addiction observed by psychologists known as technology addiction, however, includes video games, video sharing platforms, television and movies, along with social media and smartphones. Technologies have shifted our society into a pixelated reality that warps time and space, and that effect deserves more consideration than the spiteful narrative that social media only drives us apart. Community platforms on social media have allowed for the sharing of information among marginalized communities on a scale never seen before. This is not just about Lizzo’s glorious Instagram stories, though watching them should be a daily part of everyone’s self-motivation practice. As a queer 12-year-old in 2008, it was watching “coming out” videos on YouTube — I wonder what Connor Franta is up to these days. Today, it is public academic and lecturer Rachel Cargle uploading syllabuses for Black History Month to her 300,000 Instagram followers. As one of the few (mostly) queer-friendly places in Idaho, Boise provides a crucial space for self-exploration and community building among the LGBTQIA+ community. There are limitations to that, however. People whose experiences exist at the intersections of multiple oppressed identities have extremely limited space at Boise State, particularly at the institutional level. The impacts of that lack of representation lie with all of us — most predominantly with those who do not see people like themselves on Boise State’s hiring commit-
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The Black Lives Matter movement began on social media and spread an influential critique on American racism. Photo courtesy of The All-Nite Images/cc-by-sa-2.0 tee lists, but with all of us nonetheless. Where Boise State has largely passed the responsibility of teaching more privileged students in the classroom off to those who are institutionally oppressed, social media can step in to offer a respite, community and alternative education. Many people who work towards social change use social media as a way to engage in conversations that reach a wide audience. Besides the benefit of reaching more people, social media also offers physical safety and distance from the people who might use violence or intimidation in person. One example of this is the Black Lives Matter movement that was started by
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Alicia Garza, Opal Tometi and Patrisse Cullors as a group of social media platforms designed to bring attention to anti-black police brutality in 21st century America. These three black women created one of the most prolific political moments in recent history by mobilizing online and educating people who otherwise would not be invested in such a conversation. Unfortunately, this works both ways: people who might never harass someone on the street or make a violent joke in a classroom also have the protection of not being held accountable for what they say online. Queer and transgender writer Sara C. wrote an article in Medium titled “Social
Media and Social Justice: A Field Guide for Online Social Change” explaining the importance of boundaries online. So while we all might miss out on some face-to-face interactions because we were distracted by a new season of our favorite show or playing with new Snapchat filters occasionally, oversimplifying social media as an arrogant enabler limits our personal potential. The gloom-and-doom perspective on social media is not only dismissive of the connectivity it brings but exposes social privilege. There is an ongoing dialogue about some of our most pressing issues in society, right in our pockets. We just have to find it and be willing to learn.
OPINION
MAJOR ATTACKS ON TRANSGENDER RIGHTS ARE DEFINING IDAHO
Community resistance has worked against one bill already - it needs to work on two more Blake Hunter | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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ith less than a month before the legislative session ends, the Republican-dominated House and Senate in Idaho have clearly defined transgender rights as their primary target in the new decade. While LGBTQIA+ acceptance is at a national all-time high, Idaho’s socially conservative legislature continues to place itself among the most hateful and bigoted governing bodies in the nation. This legislative session, there have been three anti-transgender bills proposed in committees: House Bill (HB) 465, which was killed in a committee with a no-vote last Tuesday; and House Bills 500 and 509, which have both passed the House and are up for a hearing in the Senate soon. HB 465 would have made it a felony for health care professionals to provide gender-affirming healthcare treatment to transgender people under the age of 18. The bill was presented by Rep. Christy Zito to the House Judiciary Committee, who called gender dysphoria — which involves a conflict between one’s physically assigned sex or socially assigned gender and the gender with which they actually identify — a “mental disorder,” and called gender-affirming healthcare a form of “genital mutilation.” Hundreds of Idahoans attended the committee hearing for HB 465 on Feb. 25, where dozens testified against the bill. The day after the hearing, the committee chairman announced that the bill would not receive a vote due to the overwhelming testimony against it. Such a victory is important but is only one of three major attacks against transgender individuals. HB 500, now in the Senate, will ban transgender athletes from high school and college sports and allow the internal or external genital examination of anyone whose gender is disputed. The bill was proposed by Rep. Barbara Ehardt. Like legislators from multiple other states, Ehardt worked with Alliance Defending Freedom, an anti-LGBTQIA+ group designated as a hate group by the Southern
high school and college students protested HBs 500 and 509 at the Capitol, led by high school senior Jenefar Paul and Nisha Jae Newton of the ACLU of Idaho. The students — most below the age of 20 and many of them transgender, queer and people of color — chanted outside the House and Senate chambers. Their message: “trans people are people.” Yet based on each of these legislator’s words, it is hard to tell that these bills are targeting transgender people. They rarely use the word “transgender,” and none of their bills use that word. That is not because they do not know the word. They know that for these bills to pass, they must be neutralized in a way that seems to defend the liberty of Idahoans. In reality, nothing is further from the truth. But Idahoans are still organizing against these bills, and the fact that one has already been sidelined is encouraging. Chicago-based professional transgender athlete and activist Chris Mosier is visiting Boise on March 3 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Add the Words, Idaho, Planned Parenthood, the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, Beloved Bodies and the ACLU of Idaho are going from the Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial to the Idaho State Capitol to protest the ongoing legislation. If students have not called their legislators or signed any of the available petitions, this will be the time to show support Hundreds of students, including some from Boise State, visited the Capitol on Feb. for the transgender community. One bill 28 to protest legislative attacks on transgender people. was stopped by community action. There Blake Hunter | The Arbiter are still two others, but if the Boise State community shows up in support for their Poverty Law Center to create this bill. of a federal court order. transgender siblings, it is not too late to Emotional testimony was shared during The Idaho Attorney General’s office has stop them. the hearings for HB 500 as well, with said that HB 509 could cost as much as $1 Ehardt defending the bill as prioritizing fair- million dollars in tax funds for litigation for ness for women in sports. the state of Idaho to defend it. Similarly, Last but not least, HB 509 will disallow the office said that HB 500 is most likely people to change their gender marker on an infringement of the 14th Amendment, their birth certificates. The bill, proposed by which will likely also face litigation. EMAIL US AT: Rep. Julianne Young, is the most poorly disWhether such warnings will deter legisOPINION@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE.EDU guised of the anti-transgender bills but was lators remains to be seen. passed by the House on Feb. 27 in defiance On Feb. 28, hundreds of middle school,
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FAITHFUL INFLUENCES
CAMPUS CHRISTIAN GROUPS SHAPE THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE FOR MORE THAN JUST RELIGIOUS STUDENTS
WILL MEYER | CULTURE EDITOR CULTURE@STUMEDIABOISESTATE.EDU
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hristian pop blazes through the spring air. It’s 12:05 p.m. and hundreds of Boise State students are in the quad between classes, funneling through the large space with clubs and organizations on either side of the path, ecstatic about their causes. Student Christian groups are consistent participants in the quad’s happenings. They are generally the source of the music, and though many students walk right by, eyes straight forward, the members are usually engaged in conversation with passers-by.
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The quad scene embodies how campus interacts with these student groups. Though many may evade the conversation, there is a sizable community that stops to listen or chat, interested in the message of acceptance and community the clubs seek to provide. For many practicing Christian students at Boise State, being involved in a group that is aligned with their faith is an important part of their college experience. Many students find an affirmation of faith in these groups, but others come to question their teachings and practices.
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Contextualizing church and state Boise State has gone by several names and through many system changes to become the school it is today. St. Margaret’s Hall, which was renamed to Boise Junior College, was run by the Episcopal church until 1934 when the junior college ended its affiliation with the church and secularized. Though the direct link between Boise State and religion has been cut, there are currently 15 different religious clubs and organizations on campus. Christian groups dominate these clubs with only two non-Christian groups registered. With this many groups, and some as large as Cru — formerly Campus Crusade for Christ — which brings between 130 and 200 people together every meeting, the popularity of these organizations does not stand to be ignored. College is a time to grow and establish worldviews, and consequently, these organizations play a crucial role in helping students do that. Despite the large amount of student involvement in these groups, the university cannot have direct, formal affiliation with the organizations due to a separation of church and state outlined in the U.S. Constitution. However, groups are still allowed to congregate in public university spaces, according to Dr. Jill Gill, a professor of history who specializes in American religious history. “We ended up with something that separates church from state, but has always encouraged and made space for religion and politics, which is different,” Gill said. “The institutions are separated, but religion has been allowed to bounce off of
everything in a very public space way, just not in a formal way — even the formal way has gotten muddy.” How far the United States should separate church from state is something that has always been debated, according to Gill, and there are still people who argue more for the British model, which is more church involvement, or the French model, which is very strict separation. Though many universities throughout the world were initially founded with heavy religious influence, Gill said that the secularization of these spaces cannot erase cross-cutting of identities that happens when large groups of people come together. “To be able to have a neighborhood in which you live where your cross-cutting identities can be explored with people who are like you as you move out from that, that’s nice,” Gill said. “It’s important to be grounded in those ways; it adds to happiness. So these religious clubs provide that intersection.” Finding support and community Religious groups typically intend to set student well-being as a primary concern. Andrew O’Brien, a junior marketing major and vice president of Cru Boise State, said that this has been of significant value during his time in the organization. “Cru focuses so much on that development of the student, and I think we would argue that our religion, our faith, our spirituality influences so much of our day-to-day life than maybe just how we act on a Sunday morning,” O’Brien said. “So being able to be connected with and learn from and poured into by someone years ahead of me has been so beneficial for me.” O’Brien said that Cru functions similarly to other student clubs where there is focus around a common interest; and he said that a shared faith is the most important thing for him in building
relationships in the club. InterVarsity, another Christian faith-based organization on campus, focuses similarly on making sure its members have a place to connect and bond with one another, according to Matt Michalowski, a campus minister for the organization. “For the last couple years, we’ve been really leaning into mental health,” Michalowski said. “I think it’s a very prominent, present and current thing that’s happening on campus that’s complex.” Michalowski said that activities offered on campus such as yoga or meditation are linked to spiritual well-being, but that their effect is less in-depth than being a part of a group that concentrates heavily on spiritual well-being. “I think a para-church ministry, like InterVarsity, comes in with a more in-depth look at, ‘What is another avenue of spirituality?’ So if we’re thinking about this as a tree, this could be another root to the spirituality component,” Michalowski said. “We hold a Christian worldview, so it is kind of a specific belief and faith. But our goal is to press into a spiritual level that we believe exists for students. Just like mental health and wellness is an internal, unforeseen thing, we believe there’s a spiritual reality that is internal and unseen, unexpanded.” Choosing a separate path Unlike those who participate in groups like Cru or InterVarsity, there are many students on campus who do not affiliate with dominant organized religions and may feel ostracized by faith as a requisite for participation and acceptance from the group. Though interest in the subject is a requirement for all student clubs, religious clubs are founded upon more than interest, but rather a student’s core identity. “I think allowing different sects of religion to exist at the university allows more accessibility and makes it so there are less barriers for those students,” said Carter Jones, a junior political science major. “However, I do think it can cause barriers for other students, particularly queer students.” Jones said that he is hesitant to
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associate with students who involve “The more friends I made that were “We’ve never kept the strict lines of themselves with certain religious groups atheist or agnostic, the more I was like France, but we’ve never had the churchon campus, particularly when they have ‘What am I doing here? Is this really what state of Britain,” Gill said. “We do it in a elements in their doctrines that do not I believe?’” Fadden said. “I was able to take messy way. I think that’s what you’ll see celebrate his identity. a step back and see it without the rose-col- whenever you take a microcosm look [like “I think being cognizant that these ored glasses on. I felt like I was the only on campus] you’re gonna see that mess, groups aren’t discriminating against partic- one looking around like ‘Does anyone else and the freedom in that mess, and the big ular identities is the number one step that see this?’” questions in it.” needs to happen,” Jones said. “There’s a Christian student groups and clubs are very stark distinction between acceptance an important element of many Boise State and celebration, and I think many relistudents’ lives. Providing support and faithgious organizations walk that line.” based community is at the core of what For Jones, the discomfort in associating many of these groups intend. Though there with these groups and their members is the are measurable positives to their existence, understanding that, at some fundamensome students feel ostracized as well as tal level, they believe that something he disconnected from the groups’ members, knows to be at the core of his identity is causing the organizations to feel distant sinful to them. because of their conditional openness. This is only one example of a larger discord that is felt by students that grow to understand the world differently while participating in the rest of their life at the university. “All of my roommates flooded to [Capital Christian]. Even the ones that weren’t super religious were coming, because it was cooler and had more of a trendy vibe,” said Bailey Fadden, senior math major. “The people that were going were people I could relate with more than the people that were at Young Life, so it was a great start.” Fadden said that she had been involved with Young Life in high school, but had grown out of their methods, and wanted something more catered to her present lifestyle. On the surface, Capital Christian, whose subsidiary Capital Young Adults includes college students, seemed like the group that could fill that gap. However, Fadden soon realized that her evolving identity was at a disChristian student groups intend to provide a sense of community, but some question their overall junct with the beliefs and message. practices of the group. Wyatt Wurtenberger | The Arbiter MARCH 3, 2020
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‘SHAPE OF AIR’ EXHIBITION OPENS AT THE BOISE ART MUSEUM Ann Gardner’s sculptures evokes nature and invite viewers to think Hutch Troyer | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
lations evoke ideas of bubbles floating in water or large soap bubbles blown into the air. Viewers are invited to come up with their own associations.” Fales added that, in addition to stirring the viewer’s imagination, the exhibition takes advantage of the unique qualities of glass in order to create an experience unlike those found at most art museums. “Through her artwork, Gardner is experimenting with the medium of glass and its possibilities,” Fales wrote. “She has developed her own system for suspending the glass orbs from the ceiling and has created colors and surface textures through trial and error until she has perfected the work. She wants viewers to be able to interact with the work by having some of the orbs hanging at eye level and below, causing an immersive experience and a unique connection.” Gardner currently lives and works Gardner’s work experiments with tinted glass shapes that immerse the museum-go- in Seattle. After beginning her career er in a dreamy environment . working with ceramics, she turned her Photo courtesy of Boise Art Museum attention to working with glass under the instruction of noted glass sculptor the gallery; some hang only a few feet s spring approaches and the Dale Chihuly. She has since expanded cold of winter subsides, sunny off the ground, while others dangle just her craft with additional media such as above the viewer’s head. outdoor environments will mosaics and works made of glass tiles Additionally, some vessels are several bring opportunities for stuand has combined these mediums into dents to enjoy in the near future. Helping feet long, while others are small enough various publicly displayed sculptures and to be held in the viewer’s hands. Some are with this eagerness is “The Shape of Air,” museum exhibitions. near-perfectly spherical, while others take a new exhibition at the Boise Art MuKirsten Furlong, gallery director for the shape of an elongated oval. According seum reminiscent of the breezy, watery Boise State’s Department of Art, said to Boise Art Museum executive director locales found in the northwest. Gardner and Chihuly are two of the most and CEO, Melanie Fales, the variety in Created by Oregon-born artist Ann notable artists working with glass in the appearance and presentation of Gardner’s Gardner, the exhibition features a series United States today. She explained that vessels are intended to catch the attention of of hollow, enclosed glass vessels, each these artists exemplify the prominence museum-goers and invite them to consider made by the technique of glassblowing and importance of the Pacific Northwest’s the exhibition’s purpose. and suspended from the gallery ceiling glassblowing community. “This exhibition provides an opportuniby a string. The vessels, though trans“Ann Gardner’s work is about the craft of ty for people to interact with blown-glass parent, are each subtly tinted a different glass, pushing a material to its limits and givartwork created by a contemporary female shade of brown, blue or silver, and are ing form to the glassblowing process itself,” suspended at various heights throughout artist,” Fales wrote in an email. “Her instal-
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Furlong wrote in an email. “The biomorphic shapes could reference a number of natural forms, [like] bubbles, cells, jellyfish… ”
“Ann Gardner’s work is about the craft of glass, pushing a material to its limits and giving form to the glassblowing process itself.” Kirsten Furlong, gallery director for the Department of Art Gardner’s emphasis on the process of making the artwork rather than giving it any concrete meaning may lead to some visitors to the Boise Art Museum, looking at “The Shape of Air” and finding themselves perplexed about its intended message. But according to art history lecturer Muffet Jones, it is not the artist’s meaning — or lack thereof — that is important, but the meaning the viewer brings to the work. “I think we have this weird idea, mainly because it’s a historical perspective, that art should have some deeper, moralistic meaning, and it doesn’t,” Jones said. “Modern art very often doesn’t have that and doesn’t need it. Appreciate it for what it is. Take away from it what you want. You’re bringing your own point of view, you’re bringing your own experience and your own ideas to it. That’s good enough, honestly.”
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CULTUREU TEAM PREPARES TO COMPETE IN HULT PRIZE REGIONALS
The competition promotes the proposal of business plans that keep environmental impact in mind Haylie Juelch | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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ix student teams competed for a potential wildcard to the Hult Prize regional competition on Dec. 6. The winning team was made up of students Kendra Peterson, Nick Chapa, Haydn Bryan and Joe Willert. The team is traveling to Boston, Massachusetts on Mar. 13-14 to compete in the Hult Prize regionals, a competition hosted by Hult International Business School. The Hult Prize is a nonprofit organization that was created in 2010 by Ahmad Ashkar, a former master’s of business arts student at Hult and is now the CEO of the Hult Prize Foundation. Every year, the theme of the competition attempts to solve a world problem. The 2020 Hult Prize challenges the student teams to create and present a business plan that has a positive impact on the environment with every sale completed, dollar earned and decision made, as well as a goal for it to reach at least one million users. The winning team receives $1 million to put their plan into action. The pitch that won Boise State’s team their ticket to Boston, CultureU, is an app designed to provide cultural information to study abroad students in order to help integrate them and allow them to give a good first impression in their new homes. The app includes features such as specific country information and a place to interact with previous study abroad students. “An idea always sounds great in your head, until you actually present it, so it’s good to know other people think it’s great as well,” Peterson, a first-semester graduate student studying organizational performance and workplace learning, said. Peterson came up with the idea while studying abroad in Italy. She asked Nick Chapa, who works in app development, for help and they began to work on creating the app together. After finishing, they entered the app in the mobile app competition held by Boise State Venture College in November 2019.
“I hope every year at least one of the students from Boise State takes on this responsibility to have this competition because of the impact that is has...” Tashi Sherpa, second-year business administration master’s student Sherpa wanted to compete in the competition last year, but there was not enough student interest. In order to remain involved this year, he applied to be the campus director of the competition. “The only trade-off is that, as a campus director, I couldn’t compete,” Sherpa said. “I wanted to be the campus director because I wanted for the next generation of students to have this opportunity.” Sherpa and his committee carefully selected four individuals to judge the competition. The judges included Mark A group of Boise State students are preparing to compete in Boston with an app Bannister, dean of the College of Business they designed called CultureU. and Economics, Ruth Jebe, assistant pro Photo by Ammon Stutz fessor of business law at Boise State, Laura Tashi Sherpa, a second-year master’s down the road,” Peterson said. “We keep Mathews, associate state director of finance at Idaho SBDC and David McCauley, student studying business administration saying ‘We’re not here to win, we’re just senior business consultant at Idaho SBDC. and the director of the Boise State Hult here to learn and have fun.” “I think one thing to emphasize, and Prize executive committee, approached Former Boise State students have gone this sometimes gets lost, is that this was Peterson and Chapa about entering the to the Hult regionals before, and even entirely a student-organized and stuapp in the Hult Prize competition. Petercompeted internationally in places such as dent-run event,” Jebe said. “They were son and her team are excited about the London and Ahu Dhabi. For the past two very entrepreneurial themselves. They possibility of turning the prototype into a years, however, no students at Boise State should very much be commended just for tool for students and travelers. signed up. putting this together.” “Going to Boston is going to be a “I hope this continues,” Sherpa said. The Boise State team designed Cultuhuge networking opportunity. More so “I hope every year at least one of the reU for students to integrate into other than just competing, it’s an opportunistudents from Boise State takes on this cultures easier when they study abroad. ty to get to know people, to hear their responsibility to have this competition Now that the app has worked through suggestions for what will work well and because of the impact that it has, not only the ranks in two competitions, the team benefit us the most, and maybe find on Boise State, but on the world. I think hopes it will continue to wow through connections that are going to help us it’s amazing.” the Hult Prize competition. MARCH 3, 2020
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DEALING WITH GRIEF: HOW TO NAVIGATE ON-CAMPUS RESOURCES
Professionals explain the grief process while discussing the accessibility of support for students Michelle Johnson | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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rief can come to people in a variety of ways, and each person must grapple with it on a personal level. There are many resources on campus that can help guide people through the grieving process, despite the individualized coping mechanisms used to handle it. Jeni Emerizy is an adjunct professor teaching for the genetic counseling program. Working as a social worker for 18 years in the healthcare field before opening up her own practice in 2018, she has a wide range of knowledge about what grief is and how to move through it. “Grief is the natural response to any kind of loss in our lives,” Emerizy said. “Most often, people think of the death of someone in their life that’s important to them or a pet, but grief can come in all kinds of forms from the loss of a job to the loss of a beloved childhood home.” Boise State has resources and services that are designed to help students. Ayako Campion works for counseling services and detailed the different resources people can take advantage of, which can be accessed in the Norco building on the second floor. “On campus, you can access counseling. You can call the front desk and schedule a counseling intake appointment,” Campion wrote in an email. “We also have a triage/ crisis walk-in counseling service where anyone can walk in to see a counselor for a short session during our business hours. We also have an Oasis room where you can be in a room by yourself for 30 minutes. There is a massage chair, sound machine and happy light in the room.” When experiencing grief, there are no symptoms or designated stages that one must feel. Grief varies from person to person and each situation is unique. Emerizy discussed how the theory of stages have turned more into “tasks” that people take on. “There’s more kind of tasks, accepting the reality of the loss is one of the big first tasks and that acceptance doesn’t mean
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approval, doesn’t mean that you like it,” Emerizy said. “It’s just starting to incorporate into your life, the reality that this person really is gone or this loss has actually happened. Ultimately, moving into how to find meaning in your life, and incorporating that loss into your life in a way that you still feel like you’re able to honor what was important about that relationship or about that situation.” Coping with grief can take place within any timeframe, because there is no timeline that needs to be followed when dealing with loss. While there is no one way to navigate loss, there are many things that can occur and take place within someone’s life. “Everyone’s situation is different, and everyone processes grief differently. Some people face grief right after the loss, some after 6 months, there is no solid timeline,” Campion wrote in an email. According to Campion, people can experience a variety of different things such as feeling in the dark, being filled with grief constantly or feeling like they are on an emotional roller coaster, as well as feeling physically sick and not being able to eat or sleep. While these are some common experiences, there are other things that can occur that are unique to one’s own experience with grief. While students are busy and have a lot on their plates, grief can hit unexpectedly and affect them in many different ways. As a student, it is important to take care of mental health; Emerizy shared some advice to students who may experience grief in their schooling or at any point in their lifetimes. “I would say, communicate with at least professors or people in the department that
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Boise State students going through the grieving process have a variety of resource options, from community support groups to counseling services. Wyatt Wurtenberger | The Arbiter you trust, just so somebody knows what’s going on and can advocate for you as need be,” Emerizy said. Each student’s situation contains different circumstances, and if school obligations are out of reach during their grieving process, there are resources on campus to help them navigate their next steps. Jenna Allen is the outreach and prevention case manager in the Office of the Dean of Students and provides students with their options in
situations such as a grieving process. “Students who need to step away from school have the option of withdrawing from some or all of their classes. If they decide to withdraw completely for a semester, they are still able to return the following semester,” Allen wrote in an email. “We will always do our best to help students with whatever they need as long as it’s within our purview.”
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‘THE DRAG: A HOMOSEXUAL COMEDY’ COMES TO BOISE STATE Director Darrin J. Puffal Purdy introduces the Mae West comedy to campus with a twist
Amanda Niess | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
and sought her assistance for “The Drag” because of her active role in the LGBTQ+ community. Little did Pufall Purdy know, Jayne has been a fan of West’s work since she was 12 years old. “After seeing [West] on the screen, a shimmering blonde sex goddess, I felt an immediate connection to her,” Jayne said. “That started a lifelong love of Mae West and I started reading and watching anything about her I could get my hands on.” Aside from Jayne’s excitement about playing the role of The Duchess DuPont, she is thrilled to present this play to a completely new audience. This play highlights entertainment in the 1920s while addressing topics such as homosexuality, relationships and conversion therapy. “I am most excited that a whole new generation of people are going to experience a Mae West work,” Jayne said. “After all, even with all of the serious stuff, there is still time to celebrate.” Junior theatre arts major Pua Joeb will play Clair Kingsbury, the lead’s wife. “Gender roles were very specified back then, but Clair is so much smarter than anyone gives her credit for,” Joeb said. Joeb also hopes to educate the audience on issues that were prevalent both during Minerva Jane will play The Duchess DuPont, the lead character who navigates the 1920s drag world. the 1920s and even today. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Collins “There are still so many people who are dealing with their sexuality and their role et ready for fashion, flare who is living a normal, married life while Anne McDonald of Frankly Burlesque — to in their life and what they think they have and a whole lot of drag. Mae simultaneously challenging gender roles. help make this show come alive. to do and who they have to be,” Joeb said. West’s “The Drag: A Homo“It’s such a unique opportunity […] for “The devised theater aspect of the play There are no age restrictions for attendsexual Comedy” is coming to me, our students, our department, College of has been a really interesting opportunity for ing this show, although Pufall Purdy advisthe Danny Peterson Theatre this March, Arts and Sciences, School of the Arts and the students because they are essentially creating and director Darrin J. Pufall Purdy is excit- university at large to understand that some of drag acts from nothing; they’re creating them es that attendees be 12 years or older. Boise State students, faculty and staff receive a ed to showcase this production. the political things that we’re talking about with Anne in the room,” Pufall Purdy said. “When I discovered Mae West, I was today have been talked about for the last Playing the part of The Duchess DuPont, free ticket to the show. For tickets, go to the Morrison Center box office in advance, shocked and a little intrigued...and when I hundred years,” Pufall Purdy said. Jayne’s character is known as the renowned show a student or faculty ID and receive a picked [the script] up, I dropped the book Boise State was given direct permission ‘dame’ of the play’s drag community. ticket. Tickets will be sold at the door for literally,” Pufall Purdy said. “It became from the estate of West, as well as the Motion “I really view her as a presence that $5 for those unable to come early. clear that ‘The Drag’ was a really importPicture and Television Fund to perform this explores the other side of the gender and “The Drag: A Homosexual Comedy” ant piece for us to look at.” play. In addition to this special permission, sexuality spectrum,” Jayne said in an email. Pufall Purdy wanted to give a platform Pufall Purdy was able to bring in two guest “She’s someone who isn’t afraid to live on the will be running for three weeks: March to the female voice, and “The Drag” does artists — Boise’s Minerva Jayne for the lead fringes of society. In fact, she’s thriving there.” 5-7, 12-14 and 19-21 at 7:30 p.m. as well as March 8, 15 and 22 at 2:00 p.m. just that. The play centers around Rolly, role of The Duchess and Boise State graduate Pufall Purdy saw potential in Jayne
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BROTHERHOOD DEFINES SENIORS ON MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM
The seniors’ careers at ExtraMile Arena have come to an end Autum Robertson | Sports Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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our seasons have passed since guards Justinian Jessup, Marcus Dickinson and Alex Hobbs played their first game in Taco Bell Arena (now ExtraMile Arena) and on Feb. 23, they played their last. The seniors ended their time at ExtraMile on a high note with a win over the New Mexico Lobos. But for Jessup, Dickinson and Hobbs — three of the Broncos’ five seniors, along with forward RJ Williams and center Robin Jorch — the brotherhood they have formed on the team is bigger than any win. “We were talking about our group [of seniors] last week, and the biggest thing is we stuck together,” Hobbs said. “None of us transferred, none of us left when it got hard. Just despite what each of us was going through individually, we all had each other. I think that’s what kept us here. We’re a brotherhood.” The seniors made two National Invitation Tournament (NIT) appearances in 2017 and 2018, had two 20-plus win seasons and pulled off big upsets. One such upset was against the University of Oregon in 2017, snapping what was, at the time, the nation’s longest home game winning streak. But for Dickinson, none of those accomplishments were his favorite part about playing at Boise State. “The brotherhood,” Dickinson said. “The relationships that I’ve created with guys like Alex, Justinian, [Derrick Alston], just guys that I came in with my freshman year. The relationship I feel with them is the most surreal, cool thing about my experience here at Boise State.
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After college, I know we’re gonna be able to talk to each other about life — when we have kids, families and come to each other’s weddings. It’s more than basketball with them.” The seniors’ time at Boise State has not always been abundant with wins. In fact, their 2018-19 season was the worst in Boise State history at 13 wins. The season was
full of close losses and ended with a 69-77 loss to the No.1 seed Nevada in the Mountain West Tournament. 2018-19 was a tough season with few highlights, but something impressive happened next for this team. One season later, they completely turned the team around, winning 19 regular-season games and earning a first-round bye in the Mountain West Tournament. Life is moving fast for the trio. They were on the road for
their final regular-season game, and will be back on the road on March 4 for the conference tournament. With the season quickly closing, Hobbs has used this fast pace to look at the next games he plays through a new lens. “There are so many memories, and now the hard part is just trying to stay focused,” Hobbs said. “We have no more home games, but at the same time, it allows you to have a new perspective in this game, to be more thankful for every moment. It is a surreal feeling that has not all the way set in, but it gives you a new perspective and it makes me even more thankful for the few moments we have left.” Senior night on Feb. 23 was full of emotions, as each senior was honored and escorted out of the tunnel by close friends and family members to play their final home game. As their names were called one-by-one, the camera would pan to their face and the emotions were evident. “I tried to not let those feelings get in the way of the game and stuff, but it was hard,” Jessup said. “Just walking onto the court and hearing your name called was definitely surreal.” The senior class boasts many individual records, but above all for them was the brotherhood. Jessup, Dickinson, Hobbs, Williams and Jorch represent the Broncos’ 2019-20 senior class. “It’s a loss for words,” Dickinson said about how he feels as his final season comes to an end.
The Broncos are headed to Las Vegas for the Mountain West Championship tournament on March 5. Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter
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SPORTS & REC
STUDENT REFEREES ARE MAKING THE CALL FOR BOISE STATE INTRAMURALS Officials at the Rec have made an effort to improve their basketball officiating Dawson Danner | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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ntramural sports are a popular activity for college students who wish to play with their friends while competing against other teams. At most colleges, including Boise State, student referees officiate those games, occasionally creating frustration for the students competing in various leagues. What some student participants fail to recognize is the effort those referees put in, as well as the challenges they face on a daily basis. For freshman Sam Tullus, being a student referee is much more than a job; it is an opportunity to grow and develop friendships, all while being part of a welcoming community. “I was welcomed in last semester with open arms,” Tullus said. “Everyone has been so nice and it is definitely one of the best jobs I have ever had.” At Boise State, intramural referees are responsible for officiating a variety of sports including flag football, volleyball, soccer and basketball. Particularly in the game of basketball, intramural sports can get somewhat competitive, occasionally resulting in some of the athletes being critical of the student referees. According to senior student referee Sam Soliz, the potential criticism coming from student players does not phase her because, in her eyes, everyone makes mistakes. “I think criticism just comes with our job,” Soliz said. “It happens and we get it, because not every game is going to be perfect.” According to intramural sports coordinator Kelly Ibele, Boise State students who participate in intramural sports are not always as critical of the students officiating as some may assume. “I think the students are actually super respectful here,” Ibele said. “I’ve been to other schools and I feel like I have heard that is not always the case.” Since being hired on June 1, 2019, Ibele has been responsible for planning and scheduling the different intramural sports leagues. Most importantly, she trains the
The Rec Center does not require any previous experience when hiring student referees. student referees and prepares them for what to expect. When hiring student applicants for the job, Ibele does not require any past experience and strictly offers the job as a student development opportunity for anyone who is interested. “There are a lot of transferable skills that come with student reffing,” Ibele said. “They are able to develop their communication skills, leadership and conflict management for when things like that do happen.” The intramural program is currently in the midst of the 5-on-5 basketball season. Intramural basketball has become one of
the key areas of focus where student referees have made efforts to improve. In fact, out of all the intramural sports, the training for basketball officiating has increased the most over the years. “As a staff, we were grilled on basketball, so we did a week’s worth of basketball training this semester,” Soliz said. “We have seen that, in the past, our reffing may not have been the best, so we continue to do more training in order to improve.” Even with all the training they put in, student referees are still put in difficult positions to make decisive calls against different players in the game of basketball.
Chandler Thornton | The Arbiter
In the end, despite the challenges student referees may face, their ultimate goal is to provide college students with a fun atmosphere in a competitive, fair and safe environment. Mistakes will be made, but Soliz summed it up positively: it is only natural that everyone makes mistakes. “We are always learning,” Ibele said. “Nobody’s perfect, and there is never a perfectly reffed game so I think always having an opportunity to grow with that is pretty cool.”
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REC CENTER PERSONAL TRAINER BEN NUTT HAS A PASSION FOR FITNESS
Nutt’s hard work and dedication to personal training have not gone unnoticed Marisa Cruz | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Sophomore Ben Nutt strives to create unique workouts for each of his clients. Chandler Thornton | The Arbiter
Sophomore Ben Nutt creates personalized programs for each of his clients at the Rec Center. Chandler Thornton | The Arbiter
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hen Ben Nutt was a freshman in the fall of 2019, he was hired at the Rec as a fitness attendee. He quickly realized how much he loved to help people on an individual level, which prompted him to spend the summer studying to apply for a personal trainer position. “I love working out and have seen the results I’ve made and how good that’s made me feel,” Nutt said. “If I can help somebody
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else reach their goals and get the result they want to as well, like seeing that expression on their face when you see somebody reach their goals that they’ve been trying to reach and you helped them do that, that’s the best feeling in the world.” Just one semester into his new job, Nutt has found a passion for helping people reach their fitness goals. Now a sophomore, Nutt has learned to manage both his declared business major and fitness passion
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into his daily schedule. “It’s not really the science behind working out and behind the muscle that interests me, it’s really like helping the people reach their goals,” Nutt said. Nutt chose to become a personal trainer at Boise State ultimately because of how his teammates made him feel. He explained that the Boise State fitness team is one of the many reasons he loves being a trainer in the Rec Center, calling them his “fitness family.”
One of his supervisors, Dakota Isaak, expressed that Nutt’s hard work has not gone unnoticed. “Ben has been an incredible addition to our team this past year. He is very driven, especially when it comes to fitness because of his passion for it,” Isaak said. “His passion for what he does is extremely evident and shines through every day. It is clear that he cares about his clients, coworkers and group fitness participants. He is always one to volunteer and take the initiative.” Nutt’s teammates agree that he continues to be an example to them by working hard and staying consistent. “His constant striving to be a better trainer is really inspiring and has motivated me to do the same,” said Rebecca Bell, a fellow personal trainer. Nutt shared some of his advice about fitness and how to stay positive. His number one tip he would give to students is to trust the process. “Everybody’s different, even if you’re doing something right you’re not going to see results overnight,” Nutt said. “The longer it takes, the longer you are going to live that healthy lifestyle and the more happiness and joy you are going to get from your hard work and patience.” Nutt is very adamant about creating a different workout for each individual that he trains. He stresses the importance of understanding that every person’s fitness level is different and every person has different needs. His dedication and desire to help people is one of the leading reasons why the fitness team is happy to have him. According to the team, Nutt has made a great name for himself within the community. “Ben is and has always been very reliable and is always willing to contribute to our team,” Isaak said. “He plays such a pivotal role within the fitness program and I feel really lucky that we have him as a part of our staff.”
ARIES
MARCH 20 - APR 20
A wave of pleasant feelings and a whole lot of love has passed over you, Aries, and now you are left feeling a bit exposed. You feel as if some uncomfortable areas of your life, that you have been working on slowly but surely, have come back to the foreground now that you do not have other projects to draw your attention.
TAURUS
APR 20 - MAY 21
Venus has touched down for you, Taurus, and Uranus is still lingering. The combination of these two planets is interesting for you because you will find yourself looking for an exciting kind of love, to the point that you may find yourself making impusilve, eccentric or possibly even irresponsible decisions in order to get closer to someone.
GEMINI
CH
20
MAY 21 - JUN 21
8 FEB 1
PISCES:
-M
AR
Mercury in retrograde has dipped down for you, Pisces, which means you will likely have an issue of miscommunication this week. Be very careful about what you say and how you say it. Think everything through and make comments with pure intention. Now is not the time for frivolous speech. Think that every word you say will have an impact on someone else.
You are going through something this week, Gemini. You are at an impasse and cannot proceed in a healthy fashion without making a very difficult decision. Do not put off this decision or you will feel more pained by it in the end. Just know that you have a good support system surrounding you.
CANCER
JUN 21 - JULY 23 Focus on you-time this week. Listen to your emotions and check in with yourself. Think about what things you honestly care about the most in your life and try to funnel your attention into them.
LEO
JUL 23 - AUG 23
Slow down and listen to what others have to say. You have been reaching out for advice, but do you feel like you are hearing them? If someone gives you personal feedback, think about what they are saying and do your best to implement their words.
VIRGO
AUG 23 - SPET 23
The moon has made its way to you this week, Virgo; it is time for self-care. You are an intellectual sign, so your treat to yourself might look a bit different than it would for other signs. Find a good book or a show that really tests your brain.
LIBRA
SEPT 23 - OCT 22
Think about having a fancy night in this week, Libra. You have been feeling a bit withdrawn as if you are not very interested in going to big events or enjoying the outdoors as much as you usually do. Instead, think about ways you can treat yourself right now while being around those people you love so much.
SCORPIO
OCT 23- NOV 21 This is your time, Scorpio. Right now, although it may be difficult at first, you are going to find empowerment in being alone. It might not be easy to start, but if you set yourself on this path wholeheartedly, you will come to extremely powerful results.
SAGITTARIUS NOV 22 - DEC 22
You are feeling a bit underwhelmed right now, Sag. There is a sense of adventure missing for you currently. Unfortunately, it is not going to reach out and grab you all by itself. You will have to make your own fun by choosing your own adventure this week.
CAPRICORN
DEC 22 - JAN 20
Through all that you have been able to achieve this week, Cap, you should also be thinking about what your accomplishments have taught you about life. You are a person who always prefers to be moving, but now is a time for personal growth and introspection. Do not simply jump from goal to goal. Think about how you can change to be better suited for your next big thing.
AQUARIUS
JAN 20 - FEB 17
You may experience some slight issues of miscommunication this week Aquarius, but mostly your focus should be on karma or bigger picture lessons. Think about what kind of impact you have on the world around you. What kind of energy do you want to put out to those closest to you? Remember what you do and say will come back to you, so be mindful right now.
TRISHA KANGAS SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
TRISHAKANGAS@BOISESTATE.EDU
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