February 5, 2019
Vol. 31 Issue 20 I ND E P E NDENT
NEWS
04
Boise State students advocate for a new e-cigarette policy that would ban vaping on campus
VISIT US ONLINE:
S TUDENT
OPINION
VOICE
09
Guest author Kate Johnston shares ways to help community members dealing with homelessness arbiteronline.com
OF
B OIS E
S TATE
CULTURE
S INC E
1933
12
Veterans Writing Group connects student-veterans and offers a space to share their stories @arbiteronline
SPORTS & REC
18
Boise State’s dance team prepares for their national competition from April 4 - 7
@arbiteronline
@boisestatearbiter
Editor-In-Chief Jordan Erb editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Online Editor Ximena Bustillo onlineeditor@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Editor Jordan Erb and Ximena Bustillo news@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Reporter Taylor Rico-Pekerol and Jack Briggs news@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Editor Logan Potter culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Reporter David Collie culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports Editor Delaney Brassil sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports Reporter Autum Robertson sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Copy Editors Christopher Duggan Digital Content Manager Taylor Humby digitalcontent@stumedia.boisestate.edu Digital Content Producer Bailey Nellesen Graphic Design Manager Maddie Ceglecki design@stumedia.boisestate.edu Graphic Designer Isabel Sarhad 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.
A participant of the baby half-time race during the women’s basketball game this weekend.
ON THE COVER:
Although the women’s basketball team has an impressive record of 7-1 this season, they still struggle to bring in as many fans as they would like. Photo by Bailey Nellesen, page design by Maddie Ceglecki.
HOW TO REACH US: CONTACT US: editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu 208.426.6302 PHYSICAL LOCATION: Located on first floor of Lincoln Avenue Garage Suites MAILING ADDRESS: Student Media MS 1340 1910 W Universit y Dr. Boise, ID 83725 -1340
Taylor Humby | The Arbiter
p m a C e k a Tripp L Welcome to
mnastics, y g , e o n a c is, swim, d more n a o t o h Teach tenn p er ski, kayak, wat
Tripp Lake Camp is looking for males and females who like to travel, meet new people, and teach activites to children. If you’re interested in spending your summer in MAINE, give us a call or stop by our website for more information. 1-800-997-4347 www.tripplakecamp.com TRIPP LAKE CAMP for Girls
EVENTS
SCOREBOARD
IDAHO CONFERENCE ON REFUGEES
student union building tuesday, feb. 5. 9 am
The 11th annual conference is here for two days of workshops, speakers and panels. Keynote speaker will be Mayor Wilmot Collins of Helena, MT.
WOMEN’S TENNIS FEB. 2 BSU 3 - AKRON 4
2019 MEMBERSHIP MEETING
MEN’S TENNIS
wednesday, feb. 6. 7 pm
BSU 7 - LEWIS-CLARK 0
aclu
FEB. 1
ACLU of Idaho is hosting its first meeting of 2019 to plan for the year. The event is free and open to the public. Graphic courtesy of the event’s Facebook page.
FEB. 3 BSU 4 - IDAHO STATE 3
SERVICE SATURDAY
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
student union building saturday, feb. 9. 9 am Buses will leave at 10 a.m., after a free breakfast, for the Idaho Youth Ranch and Salvation Army. Graphic courtesy of the event’s Facebook page.
YOGAFORT LAUNCH PARTY jump boise
saturday, feb. 9. 5 pm The event will feature femme forward dance and hatha yoga workshops. Photo courtesy of the event’s Facebook page.
FEB. 2
80 65
BSU vs NEVADA
MEN’S BASKETBALL FEB. 2
73 93
BSU vs NEVADA
NEWS
FEBRUARY 5, 2018 | ARBITERONLINE.COM
CONCERNS FOR STUDENT HEALTH MAY SPARK NEW E-CIGARETTE POLICY
Student-proposed policy looks for a university-wide ban of e-cigarettes Emma Freitas | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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student-proposed policy that will be presented to Boise State administration in upcoming months could be responsible for a university-wide ban of e-cigarette usage on campus. Associated Students of Boise State University (ASBSU) Assembly member Makaela Bournazian introduced Student Assembly Resolution FY2019-#03 in November 2018, a policy that wants to place, “a comprehensive tobacco and e-cigarette policy in order to promote and a healthy and safe environment for all.” The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) both warn that e-cigarette usage amongst young adults is rising and action must be taken now before the longer term effects become deadly. Assembly members argue the importance of health for students and preventing nicotine use on campus because of said risks. “I have a lot of friends who (vape) and I’ve seen how it has affected our students and their health. So just helping ensure a healthier campus because the e-cigs do become super addictive,” Bournazian said. Concerns for student health are among the reasons why in 2009 Boise State passed a policy that removed smoking areas from campus, placing a zero-tolerance ban on cigarettes along with fines for those who violate the rule. It emphasized the importance of health and safety for students and staff. However, it wasn’t until the last few years that e-cigarettes became popular. With e-cigarette shops catering towards the interests of teens and young adults, there has been a dramatic spike in how many students use nicotine products. The FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb released a statement in November 2018 that stated they are taking measures to crack down on nicotine usage amongst minors. “Unfortunately, I now have good reason to believe that it’s reached nothing short of
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an epidemic proportion of growth. I use the word epidemic with great care. E-cigs have become an almost ubiquitous ‒ and dangerous ‒ trend among teens. The disturbing and accelerating trajectory of use we’re seeing in youth, and the resulting path to addiction, must end,” Gottlieb wrote in the statement. Bournazian wants to eliminate the potential opportunity to use tobacco products altogether to ensure that the health and safety of all students is protected. Though there are people who claim to use e-cigarettes to quit smoking, they still pose a harm to the people around them. Jackson Blackwell, a student lobbyist for ASBSU who is working
with Bournazian, clarified that there will still be spaces for those who use smoking replacements. “I think this policy will ultimately be accepted at Boise State. We’re not banning e-cigarette use, just looking at how to regulate usage on campus to promote the health and welfare of all students. If people want to use e-cigarettes in their own vehicles or at their houses, that’s their prerogative. We’re asking students not to use them on campus,” Blackwell said. “The FDA has a number of tobacco-cessation approved mechanisms, and e-cigarettes are not one of them.” University Health Services offers free
A proposed vaping policy may ban e-cigarettes on campus. Wyatt Wurtenberger | The Arbiter
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programs to help those who use tobacco or nicotine products, and can also refer students to outside services if necessary. The Central District Health Department offers free cessation classes to curve addictions, free nicotine replacement therapy through Idaho QuitNow, and many more treatments options available at little to no cost. Emily Gravel-Fletcher, a health education specialist with University Health Services discussed the dangers of using tobacco and nicotine products. “The American Cancer Society actually recently just put out a new statement on e-cigarettes and part of the problem is that we don’t have enough data to know the longterm health effects are. But is it determined any substance—chemical, poison—that you put into your body, any substance amount that you put in over time, is bad for you,” Gravel-Fletcher said. The statement from the American Cancer Society in November 2018 detailed how there are many unknowns when it comes to e-cigarette usage and risks of disease and cancers, however scientists do know that they contain a number of chemicals that are dangerous to ingest. The short term risks are known, so what does Boise State need to see a reduction in e-cigarette usage? While the current fines for smoking on campus that are meant to be enforced by Campus Security and police services are $15, Gravel-Fletcher argued that seriously enforcing the policy will be the only way to see success. “I would say that the policy is well intended, however for it to work we need to look at the enforcement of the policy and have a plan mapped out before we implement it, because that is what went wrong with the tobacco one,” Gravel-Fletcher said.
NEWS
WOMEN OF THE WORKPLACE
On-campus organization brings attention to workplace inequality in Idaho Celina Van Hyning | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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aura LaForte is happily married with three children. She spends her days working as a social worker and spending time with her two children still living at home. Her husband Steve works for Cascadia Health Care in Boise, which has led LaForte to work part time as a consultant for him. LaForte said that she was pleasantly surprised to see that the company was taking steps to expel gender stereotypes in Boise businesses. She sees their slogan, “Be a force for good,” as showing the nature of the company. “Caretaking is commonly perceived as a job for women,” LaForte said. “Within the company, there are 15 executives, 13 of which are male. It’s refreshing to see that there are companies out there (that) are attempting to break workplace stereotypes, even if it’s not in the way we think they should be broken.” LaForte believes that Cascadia Health Care is very focused on maintaining the progressive nature of the workplace. However, this experience is not always common. Male-dominated career fields are no stranger to Boise, let alone the nation. In 2017, only 6.6 percent of women were employed in male-dominated career fields. One campus organization wants to see an end to the gender wage gap and gender inequality in the workplace. By encouraging women to be confident and proactive in the job market, Women of the Workplace (WOW) hopes to put an end to gender stereotypes in the working world. Shelle Poole, the founder of WOW, understands that women can sometimes feel alone in the workplace. As a member of the workforce, she is accustomed to these feelings. “I worked in a male-dominated field most of my career,” Poole wrote in an email. “As a young female in technology there were moments where I felt on the outside looking in, outnumbered, (as if ) I had to operate differently to be heard,
and quite lonely. I wanted to embrace and welcome women in their career fields, give them a place to talk and exchange ideas for success.” Poole began the organization with her own personal experience in mind, as well as one goal: don’t shrink, grow! “As women we often ‘shrink’ ourselves,” Poole wrote. “We ‘shrink’ our messaging by apologizing for things that we need not to. We ‘shrink’ our ideas or statements by making statements where our tone rises at the end making the statement more of a question than a statement.” Poole shared some of the ideas she teaches to young women who join the organization. “Own your words and use a tone of conviction when sharing ideas. We can ‘shrink’ back from applying for a job or leadership roles, because we think we need to check off 100 percent of the qualifications, but no; step up and seek those roles,” Poole said. Busayo Apampa, a WOW alumni and current Boise State graduate student, said that being a part of this organization taught her how to be a leader by pushing through stereotypes. “We talk about salary negotiation as well as having confidence in the workplace, especially as one of the few women in a given field,” Apampa said. “A lot of women are afraid to apply for jobs that they are very qualified for, so we try to build up confidence and teach them that they can do the same job a man can.” Apampa said that the organization does something unconventional to persuade women to excel in their career field. “Every year we introduce members of the organization to women who have made a name for themselves in the workforce,” Apampa said. “By doing this, we provide them opportunities to have mentorship from successful women as well as teaching them about life in the workplace.” To the students who are interested in
Shelle Poole, founder of Women of the Workplace at Boise State. Photo courtesy of Poole joining this organization, Apampa said that it is a decision they will not regret. “People should think of joining,” Apampa said. “I learned so much from the organization. It’s not only a chance to
meet women who made it to the top, but to learn about equality between men and women in the workplace.”
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NEWS
PRIORITIZING STUDENTS BEYOND BOISE STATE’S RETENTION RATES
Boise State’s plan for maintaining and improving graduation rates will continue to grow Taylor Rico-Pekerol | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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oise State’s acceptance rate is 84 percent and the retention rate for freshman returning to their sophomore year is 80 percent as of fall 2017. The graduation rate ranges based on department and year; for students graduating in four years the rate is 29 percent and for the standard six years is 46 percent according to Greg Hahn, the associate vice president for communications and marketing. These numbers represent many different variables in a student’s education and chance of graduating. In 2003, the first-year retention rate from freshman to sophomore year was 63 percent and is now 80 percent, showing growth in the university’s retention rate. About two years ago, Idaho’s State Board of Education changed its policy so that any resident of Idaho with a certain GPA and college entrance exam score would be accepted into any of Idaho’s eight public universities. This change allowed for Boise State to be on a level playing field with the other universities and allowed for more students to be accepted, according to Hahn. Susan Shadle is the director of the Center of Teaching and Learning and is a part of the Student Success and Retention Committee, which was started in spring semester of 2018 to combat low retention rates. The Student Success and Retention Committee is a partnership between a group of faculty in student affairs and faculty in academic affairs. “So this group was convened, by a combination of leadership in both student affairs and academic affairs to say, ‘all right, let’s dive into where are the institutional pain points,’” Shadle said. “Where are the places where we, probably as an institution, have not done everything we can to think about how we structure things? What’s the experience students have in their classes?” In the beginning, the committee was looking at first-year retention rates and as to why they were so low, and they found that remedial English and math classes were derailing students’ graduation track. Students were being placed in math and English courses that they did not need to be in, which was then adding a semester onto their
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plans, according to Hahn. Andrew Finstuen, the dean of the Honors College, has worked alongside people, such as Susan Shadle and Leslie Webb to better students’ academic experiences. “...If you look at 2007 or 2008 when we are at 30 percent, these curves are going in the right direction. And it’s pretty dramatic from 6 percent to 29 percent and 29 percent is still not great but it’s moving,” Finstuen said. One of the main goals for the committee and Boise State is to keep maintaining and raising retention rates so that by correlation it will also raise graduation rates. This fall the committee selected a faculty learning community to pinpoint why students who are Idaho residents, live off campus and are eligible for a Pell Grant are less likely to be retained. This faculty learning community is made up of nine staff members and was selected this past fall to work on the retention of commuter students this spring. They meet
“There is a correlation both at Boise State and nationally that says if you live on campus your first year then you are more likely to retain and graduate on time, and that is a little bit because you have connections and have a support group.” Greg Hahn, associate vice president for communications and marketing every two weeks. “There is a correlation both at Boise State and nationally that says if you live on cam-
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Although Boise State’s acceptance rate is 84 percent, its four-year graduation rate is far lower. Maddie Ceglecki | The Arbiter pus your first year then you are more likely to retain and graduate on time, and that is a little bit because you have connections and have a support group,” Hahn said. Both Shadle and Hahn expressed how having a support system of any kind, such as a bond with a professor, a good learning assistant, or a mentor reaching out to a student can greatly increase a student’s likelihood to stay. Lexi Bay is a junior biology major and expressed her concern over how the students
in STEM majors are educated. “I have almost left a couple times because of how bad most of the professors are in the STEM fields. And I personally know like three people (who) have transferred to Portland or a couple of people went to Washington because they have better science programs,” Bay said. “But it would be helpful to people running the college if they discussed with the teachers what they were doing wrong, like what they heard from students.”
NEWS
OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND INCLUSIVE ACCESS LOWER BOOK COSTS
Two resources offer students class material for free or discounted prices Taylor Rico-Pekerol | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
affairs for ASBSU, Emily Rembert ASBSU vice president and Kaleb Smith, ASBSU president, all attended a convention in Niagara Falls in the fall to discuss OER. During her campaign for the position of secretary of academic affairs, Melchert sat in the Quad and asked for students’ feedback on what could be better changed for their education and a lot of students said the prices of books were too high.
Lower textbook costs will soon be making it to the Bronco Book Shop.
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tudents at Boise State are expected to pay for a lot. They have to pay for housing most of the year, tuition, meals, course registration costs and course materials — to name a few. These course materials can be anywhere from $100 to $1,000 depending on a student’s major and class load. Open Education Resources (OER) are used to give faculty and students free access to textbooks and other reading material. Jonathan Lashley is the senior instructor technologist for Learning Technology Solutions and wants students to be able to have long-term access to course materials. “When you are writing these articles about college-related debt and tuition rising, until recently textbooks were not addressed as part of that. The textbooks are a necessary component, especially for those that are required for a student to successfully complete a course,” Lashley said. Although OER is being used around campus already, there is another resource coming that allows for students to save
money as well. Michal Jarolimek, the course materials manager for the Bronco Bookstore, spoke about Inclusive Access, another way for students to receive lowered prices for texts but not necessarily for free. Inclusive Access is a way for students to have the cheapest price from publishers, with the price included in their course registration fee. A student will have the ability to opt out of the fee and find a cheaper textbook somewhere else but they are unlikely to, according to Jarolimek. About six classes next fall will be testing out the success of Inclusive Access. The program will allow the registration fee to include anything that goes through Blackboard, whether it be ALEKS, Revel and Webassign or just an e-book, or it could allow access to all the materials. Inclusive Access may also help students with their financial planning. Being able to see up front what the pricing will be gives students a way to distribute their financial aid and scholarships. Bob Casper is the instructional design
“It just became really evident to me that this is definitely a desire for Boise State, to accommodate to their students.” Bailey Nellesen | The Arbiter specialist for the Instructional Design and Educational Assessment (IDEA) shop and explained how OER has already been instilled, for the most part, around campus and that Inclusive Access should not be mandated because that would detriment the benefits of the program. “I don’t know that Inclusive Access is more beneficial. I think it is kind of taking away choice actually because it limits us to usually one publisher,” Casper said. “OER is a disruptor to the publishing industry.” Last spring, the bookstore launched their comparison platform for book lists and is becoming a purely service-based department. This means that the bookstore only raises the prices enough for them to cover their own costs. “So you can go get your book list from us, and then buy your books from Amazon or wherever. So we’re trying to be transparent that way,” Jarolimek said. “And we don’t always have the best price I know, so please shop elsewhere.” Makayla Melchert, secretary of academic
Makayla Melchert, secretary of academic affairs for ASBSU “It just became really evident to me that this is definitely a desire for Boise State, to accommodate to their students. So that became a big part of my platform and what I’ve been working on this year,” Melchert said. OER is being used by multiple professors, including Bob Casper, whereas Inclusive Access has yet to be tested and implemented. “Sometimes it’s like some things at the university might have already kind of started to happen, or maybe haven’t quite started and all it really needs is that student push,” Smith said. “And we’re starting to kind of see that now. We’re getting a lot more people – and by people I mean faculty – interested.”
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OPINION FEBRUARY 5, 2018 | ARBITERONLINE.COM
THE TREATY OF AACHEN IS NECESSARY FOR EU SOLIDARITY The Treaty of Aachen strengthens Europe—at a time it desperately needs it Zach Hill | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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n 2016, the United Kingdom held one of the most important referendums the European Union has ever seen. Dubbed “Brexit,” the people of the United Kingdom voted whether or not they wanted to stay in the European Union, and by a split of 51.9 to 41.8 percent, citizens of the UK voted to leave. The demographics of people who voted in the referendum were clearly defined on the lines of age, political party, and most prominently, level of education. In 2017, Germany had all 598 seats in their parliament up for grabs, with the results proving to be disastrous for Angela Merkel’s winning coalition — her own Christian Democratic Union party and their bloc partners, Christian Social Union recorded their worst election results in years, with a net loss of 8.5 percent since 2013. Alternative fur Deutschland then held 12.6 percent of votes, and since then, have jumped to being the second most popular party in Parliament, with 18 percent support. These two movements, albeit at separate corners of the European Union, have similar causes, and will likely yield similar results. The rising tide of right-wing nationalism in Europe over the last five years has gained an alarming amount of traction. Fear mongering over the impact of refugees in the European Union has reached extreme heights, with anti-immigration policies and politicians being elected at increasingly high rates. This populist movement led to many predicting the death of the European Union, an extreme, but not totally implausible scenario. The European Union has endured its fair share of turmoil over the last few election cycles, and many fear that the EU will disintegrate completely as a result. However,
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there are still glimmers of hope for member nations. Germany and France in particular see themselves as major powers and leaders in the EU, with the ability to shape and change European Union policies. This is why the two countries signed the Treaty of Aachen. The treaty essentially establishes a promise between the two nations; that they’ll support and cultivate each other economically, culturally, militarily and diplomatically. The agreement is critically important moving forward for the European Union, and the treaty has far-reaching effects beyond just France and Germany. The treaty establishes the faith that two major European countries have in the EU. The process of increased integration between the two nations creates an investment partnership meant to strengthen one of the strongest country relationships in the world. Emmanuel Macron, France’s president and Angela Merkel, Germany’s chancellor, have both made statements suggesting they believe in a stronger, more powerful Europe. However, to do this, they have to counter significant right wing nationalist movements that have been disrupting the stability of the union. Emmanuel Macron is not overwhelmingly popular among French citizens– boasting an approval rating of only 26 percent. Merkel, on the other hand, has decided not to seek reelection in 2021. So why now for these movements? Macron
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The treaty is an important move for the future of the European Union. Wyatt Wurtenberger | The Arbiter and Merkel, regardless of their likely short window to make change, understand the gravity of the situation the European Union is in. Strong leadership is necessary to dispel fears regarding refugees and immigrants, regardless of how long that leadership can remain in office. Merkel is still Europe’s most powerful leader–what she says can change policy in drastic ways. The European Union is at a crossroads. Taking the advice of two leaders on their way (or nearly) on their way out is normally not an argument I’d make. In this case, the scenario is different. Populist movements have done real damage to the European Union’s politics — economic dam-
age in the form of the euro dropping in value, cultural and diplomatic in the form of reduced policy effectiveness. Leaders like Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel are necessary to combating bad policy that attempts to fear monger immigrants out and dangerous economic policies in.
HAVE A COMMENT OR REBUTTAL? EMAIL US AT: OPINION@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE.EDU
OPINION
SUPPORTING THE HOMELESS IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK
While homelessness has increased for the first time since 2010, there are ways for us to alleviate this problem Kate Johnston | Guest Writer | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu
About 554,000 people in the United States are currently homeless. Data from the National Alliance to End Homelessness | Maddie Ceglecki | The Arbiter
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t is everywhere, yet it is unseen. Homelessness is a year-round issue that needs to be addressed. Homelessness is a state in which someone lacks regular shelter. It also includes people who do not have a home and sleep on the streets, as well as those whose basic nighttime residence in a homeless shelter or other improvised form of housing. Often, homeless people lack the ability to acquire or maintain sufficient nighttime shelter. About 554,000 people in the United States are currently homeless, representing an increase of 1 percent since 2016, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. While the numbers have decreased since 2010, the problem persists through policy reforms. Additionally, crises
like the opioid epidemic compound and create new wrinkles in the present problem — making it harder to solve. The daily suffering of the homeless demands your attention and support, as it’s one of the most pertinent domestic humanitarian issues we currently face. If you are lucky, the world of a homeless person is completely foreign from your own. But how many of us could actually survive a life-altering event such as a crippling injury or loss of employment without the support of our family and friends? The truth is, many people who find themselves living on the streets today were hit by a personal tragedy but had no support system to turn to for help when they needed it. But you can help right
now. By volunteering your time, services, or money, you could be the difference in the life of a homeless person. Here’s how: Get educated. There are countless reasons why a person becomes homeless, whether it’s illness, job loss, divorce, substance abuse, lack of affordable housing, domestic abuse or a number of other circumstances. One of the easiest steps you can take towards helping out the homeless is trying to understand how they got there to begin with. Acknowledge. Often times, people avoid eye contact with the man or woman in old dirty clothes standing on the corner with a sign that says, “Anything helps.” It’s important to remember that they are people, too. Next time you see them, give
them a smile or a wave. Acknowledging their existence could mean more to them than you know. Donate. Non-perishable items are always needed at homeless shelters and food pantries. Other items such as clothes, shoes, blankets, coats and kitchen items might also be needed. Go through your closet and get rid of the clothes and shoes you haven’t touched in months or maybe even years. If you see someone who is homeless in the winter, you can offer coats, tarps, or food. That is, if you can’t convince them to go to a shelter. Volunteer. In Boise, there are a handful of homeless shelters. Interfaith Sanctuary, Corpus Christi House and the Boise Rescue Mission to name a few. Reach out to them and set up a time to go and volunteer. Help prepare and serve meals, then clean up and make conversation with the homeless who come by to eat. Advocate. If you do not have much to give, reach out to others in your community. Organize food drives or other fundraising events to pull items together. Use social media to get groups together, go out on the streets and give. These steps to help aren’t promised to put a stop to homelessness, but they are guaranteed to make a difference to someone. The more you educate yourself, the more people you can share the information with to spread awareness. Donate your time, money and resources to help the homeless, and make the difference in their lives. Kate Johnston is a junior at Boise State and is studying multidisciplinary studies. She will also be minoring in business and getting a certificate in leadership.
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F E AT U R E
DELANEY BRASSIL | SPORTS & REC EDITOR | SPORTS@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE.EDU
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ince 1994, the Boise State women’s basketball team has appeared in the first round of the NCAA tournament five times. This includes the most recent season (2017-18) when the 16-seeded Broncos lost 42-74 to the Louisville Cardinals. Eight months later, the No. 4/5 Cardinals came to Taco Bell Arena. With the Cardinals came another record: 4,125 fans filled the arena, making for the highest-attended home women’s basketball game since 2006-07, when 4,125 fans came to watch. “This is what every home game should
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be like. It’s a great environment, the place gets loud, our players loved it and I can only imagine what their players feel like. But it shouldn’t take a Louisville coming in to be your big game, because I’m telling you they’re good,” said Louisville head coach Jeff Walz after the game, which his team won 74-55. “Gordy does a heck of a job and they’ve got players that can flat out play. I promise you it wasn’t a 19-point game. It may have ended like that, but it was a battle from start to finish and they never quit playing.” Since then, the Broncos have reached a
record of 17-3 overall and are tied for first place in the Mountain West at 8-1. The team is also 10-1 at home, yet since the Louisville game, the highest home attendance number is 1,284 (Jan. 12 vs San Jose State), considerably lower than the men’s basketball team’s home attendance average of 5,145. “I think we’ve been able to have a good nucleus; a core group of people. And then we’ve added people to that. So that nucleus has a basic culture of how they want to perform and how they want to interact with each other,” said head coach Gordy Presnell. “It’s one that’s pretty unselfish and I guess that would be what I think permeates throughout our team.” Connor Martin, president of The Corral student section, admitted that while he has been to 100 percent of the men’s home games so far this season, he has only attended about 75 percent of the women’s home games. Despite their attempts at creating exciting themes and naming some women’s games as their “games of the week,” the designated Corral section of the arena constantly appears barren. “I don’t know why our students are lacking; I know to our Corral people, we say ‘hey, make all these women’s games. We’re going down to Vegas with these guys; come to the games to support them now,” Martin said. “We just need to find a way to get the message through to people that the women’s basketball team is for real and we need to support them.” In the case of the much-anticipated March Madness rematch, the attendance numbers reflected the hard work of marketing and promotions made for the event. Since visits from top five nationally ranked teams are rare in Taco Bell Arena, some obvious work went into getting the word out. “We had been pushing (that game) for months. We did deals with tickets. We did a lot of different things to get people here and it worked,” said junior guard Braydey Hodgins. “But that’s also a lot of time and energy that can’t happen on a two-game-a-week basis.” All women’s basketball games are free to students with a valid ID, without the added step of uploading a ticket onto that ID ahead of time (unlike men’s games). For the 2018-2019 school year, full-time students pay $118.20 in fees to athletics and the spirit squad, yet many don’t take advantage of their admission to many Bronco athletic events. “We don’t really get a lot of students but that’s just people’s perspective about women’s basketball. Like they don’t like it, but I feel like they don’t like it because they don’t know the sport well enough,” said junior guard Riley Lupfer. “They can’t appreciate it because, I
mean, we can’t dunk. We can’t do stuff like that. But we still play fast and we have athletic people.” Of course, there are differences between the men’s style of play and the women’s style of play. Whether or not one is more entertaining than the other is a matter of opinion. “A female basketball player might be able to go 6-11 from the field and score 15 points and have just an incredible game. A male might take those same 11 shots and go 2-11 and have this ferocious dunk and everyone thinks that they are awesome,” Presnell said. “So we can’t ever get around that. That’s just the way it is. We have to accept our sport for what it is and it’s a
that,” said Matt Thomas, the assistant athletic director for revenue and brand strategies. “I think that we can stretch our marketing dollars in a way that’s going to be effective, but we want to make sure that it has a return on that investment.” That return on investment wouldn’t be revenue, but attendance. Thomas’s department currently uses multiple platforms, including social media and paid advertising to reach the community, generate revenue and get fans to games. “I think the crowd helps a lot, it helps make a good vibe in here,” Lupfer said. “It’s a lot of energy and I feel like no matter what, we’re
“I THINK THE CROWD HELPS A LOT...I FEEL LIKE NO MATTER WHAT, WE’RE GONNA PLAY JUST AS HARD WHETHER THERE’S FIVE PEOPLE IN THE STANDS OR 5,000, BUT IT DEFINITELY IS WAY BETTER IF THERE’S MORE PEOPLE.” RILEY LUPFER, JUNIOR GUARD great sport.” Before facing No. 8 Nevada, head coach of men’s basketball Leon Rice and senior forward Zach Haney of the men’s team handed out doughnut holes on campus and encouraged students to attend the game. The game ended up hosting 8,022 viewers, their highest attendance so far this season. Martin noticed that The Corral enjoyed and appreciated this personal interaction with the men’s team, and hopes the women’s team can do something similar. Coordinating such meet-and-greet events takes more than just getting players to the Quad. Scheduling, funding and the overall cost-benefit must be considered. “I think that we can absolutely do items like
gonna play just as hard whether there’s five people in the stands or 5,000, but it definitely is way better if there’s more people.” The athletic marketing and promotions department works to offer prizes to students and reaches out to local groups, such as Girl Scouts of the Treasure Valley, the YMCA youth sports program and the local Boise school district, to encourage them to attend women’s basketball games. According to Presnell, women’s college basketball in general appeals to a different audience than just students. Across the nation, young girls and older fans are more likely to be seen in the crowd. While a majority of students may not be taking notice of the team, other members of
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the community, including the media, are. According to Thomas, in the last four years that he has been at Boise State attendance at women’s basketball games has incrementally increased, including a ten percent increase “year over year.” “They are probably the most successful program that we have right now,” Thomas said. “So everything that we can do to tout what they have accomplished and how good they are is exactly what we want to do as marketers for the athletics department.” Women’s basketball season tickets are currently included in the Bronco Sports Package, a $75 bundle that also includes volleyball, soccer, gymnastics, softball and track and field. Football and men’s basketball are the only individual Bronco sports that have season tickets. Thomas foresees a model in the near future that would give more sports their own individual season tickets. It will take funding, staffing and proper infrastructure, but eventually fans of specific sports could “have that opportunity to purchase a seat that is reserved and for them all the time.” “We always felt like we kind of have a rock solid 600 or so that come rain or shine. You know, good play, bad play; good coaching, bad coaching,” Presnell said. “Right now we’ve had a little influx into the end of the year. We would certainly love to have more, but obviously we’re very loyal to the 600 who come when times were tough.” Presnell and his players noted that high attendance patterns often hinge on who the opponent is. But Presnell would like to see fans come to games for the Broncos, not who they are competing against. “I would love for them to come and root for the Broncos and become engaged with our programs and identify with the kids on the floor or on the field,” Presnell said. Overall, the Broncos remain humble and are determined to reach their goals. With multiple players joining all-time records lists and their progress steadily climbing, there is plenty for fans to see; all they have to do is get to Taco Bell Arena. “I do think that we deserve the fans that we’ve been getting; I think there’s also more that would love to come,” Hodgins said. “I think just getting the word out there more, which is what we’ve been trying to do as well, it’s been working for us.”
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VETERAN WRITING GROUP OFFERS CRAFT AND COMMUNITY
The Veteran Writing Group at Boise State creates a space for veterans to share their stories David Collie | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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haring one’s writing, especially one’s story, is often a difficult task. The benefits of sharing that writing in a workshop can be immense, but progress can be heavily influenced by the sense of community present in the group. Veterans are a unique group with many of their own stories and experiences, and the Veterans Writing Group at Boise State gives a space for veterans on campus and in the community to share those stories. In the spring 2015 semester, English professor Lori Chastaine felt that many of the veterans she taught in her classes had
“I can speak from experience. There is a therapeutic value to being able to write down your story, write down what happened and share it.” Patrick Kaufmann, junior media arts major their own stories, but they didn’t always have the proper space to tell them. With this in mind, Chastaine worked to found the Veterans Writing Group. “They had life experience, and they had stories to tell,” Chastaine said. “It just felt like they needed a space and a place to write creatively and explore getting those stories out.” Chastaine collaborated with other English professors and the Veteran Services Center, and the group was soon established.
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“Some of the stories they had to tell were pretty intense and pretty harsh, and I think being able to share those stories with folks who could understand, who had the experience and capacity to sort of understand the context of those stories, was important,” Chastaine said. Boise State English alumnus Sean O’Connor explained that his time in the Navy gave him a certain camaraderie with other service members, and being retired from the military often makes him miss that community. O’Connor said that, even though he was never in combat, the camaraderie and shared experience in the group still allows for a kind of understanding between members. “A lot of the guys in the group are combat vets,” O’Connor said. “When they tell a story about combat or the aftermath of combat, they know everybody around the table gets it to some degree.” One shared experience that all veterans have, according to junior media arts major Patrick Kaufmann, is writing. “One thing I can say about military service (is) no matter what branch you served in or what capacity you served, at one point you wrote something down,” Kaufmann said. Kaufmann spoke about the tendency for veterans to be closed off and to keep their stories and emotions within. Writing, however, gives a chance for those stories to come out and for those burdens to be lightened. “I can speak from experience. There is a therapeutic value to being able to write down your story, write down what happened and share it,” Kaufmann said. “I
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think it’s a way for some veterans who have been through some harrowing experiences to kind of have a detached way of sharing that story. And it’s a form of support, because once you’ve shared something, it’s like you know you have that burden on you, you share that burden with someone else (and) now you’re not the only one carrying it.” Kaufmann said that military service isn’t talked about during workshops as often as people might think, and that the purpose of the group is split evenly between community and craft. O’Connor also found interest in the group beyond those feelings of camaraderie. “It’s just
really cool to be critiqued by a couple of very salty and learned professors who are very helpful in their critiques and their constructive criticism,” O’Connor said. The group will meet next in the Veteran Services Center on Feb. 13 at 4:30 p.m., and will meet every third Wednesday for the rest of the semester, continuing to offer a space where veterans can build community and work on the craft of writing. Just like every person, each veteran’s experience will differ from the others, but those shared threads might make it easier for stories to be shared.
The Veteran Writing Group offers an outlet for veterans at Boise State. Wyatt Wurtenberger | The Arbiter
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HOLLYWOOD AWARDS SEASON SHAKES THINGS UP
Predictions for the Oscars come in for the most unconventional nominations yet Logan Potter | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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hile the majority of Hollywood awards season has passed over the last several months, the awards show that is arguably the most prestigious still awaits us on Feb. 24. The Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, have been the center of entertainment industry controversy from their hostlessness to the surprises and snubs of the nominees announced in January. Albeit a bind as to whether individuals support the academy behind these public dilemmas, there’s little doubt about the excitement and competition that comes with predicting the outcome of each awards show, especially those walking away with Oscars. Filmmakers at Boise State may not be participating in the awards shows yet, but they are certainly interested in keeping up with the trends of the industry. Rulon Wood, film professor at the university, admitted that, while it doesn’t take much for a film to entertain him, it does take something special to make a movie that is award-worthy. “I guess it comes down to character, having really strong character development so I feel like I’m looking into a real person’s life,” Wood said. “I also feel like there has to be a level of artistry that goes beyond mere entertainment, and I think the artistry could be in the characterization or a plot that’s interesting in ways I haven’t seen before, so it becomes a very unique film. It could also come down to technique. If I see camera work or composition that looks almost like a painting, that could make it award-worthy.” Although film majors and filmmakers, like Wood, are typically the first that come to mind when the Oscars are involved, they aren’t the only ones who participate in the fun that comes with the cinematic season. Annie Klinkenberg, freshman applied math major, initially found interest in film as a senior in high school, and her interest in knowing how film works beyond a basic understanding hasn’t faltered as she has progressed in her education, although film studies aren’t part of it. “I’ve always really liked watching movies but, in my senior year of high school, I started working at a movie theater and taking a film studies class for fun,” Klinkenberg said. “When I started taking that class, they showed me all the tiny little elements of film that I had never known before. It was really interesting to start watching movies in this new light and notice
more detailed things, and because I worked at the theater, I started getting into awards season because I realized I could see all the films if I wanted to, and I could understand them more and see the value of film.” Klinkenberg’s favorite of 2018, “Love, Simon,” wasn’t on the academy’s radar. However, she recently screened “Vice,” a film about Dick Cheney, portrayed by Christian Bale, and Klinkenberg has decided the film is her top pick for the Best Picture nominees, albeit unlikely based on the pattern of winners from the current awards season. “I saw ‘Vice’ over Christmas, and I was so, so impressed,” Klinkenberg said. “It was a really smart, clever movie and the whole premise is showing you this guy’s story and introducing you to this character. Christian Bale was incredible–like so good, he should win best actor because he was so good. He really compelled me as a character and all the acting was well done, (and) they told a story in such an interesting way.” Klinkenberg isn’t alone in using film as a hobby beyond the major. Sean Bonnett, sophomore accounting and finance major, said he has enjoyed going to the theater to catch new releases since he was young. Now, as an adult, he takes his hobby a step further, predicting results to the Oscars and tuning in to see the results. “For me, (it’s about) being able to reflect on all the good movies that came out this year,” Bonnett said. “Maybe not for best picture, but especially for best animated movie, there are some movies from earlier in the year, like ‘Isle of Dogs,’ that we tend to forget about, so it’s really about being reminded of the movies taking place.” While Bonnett’s prediction for Best Picture is the critically-acclaimed “A Star is Born,” he also recognized how interesting it is that Hollywood is beginning to acknowledge blockbusters, like the popular superhero movie “Black Panther.” Klinkenberg echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the ever-changing culture of the entertainment industry and who it honors. This upset nomination could be the catalyst of change in the awards circuit, altering the ways by which moviegoers, including Boise State students and faculty, screen films year round.
Culture editor Logan Potter shares her prediction for Best Picture. Isabel Sarhad | The Arbiter FEBRUARY 5, 2019
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AIGA: FOR STUDENTS PURSUING THE GRAPHIC ARTS
The student group for The American Institute of Graphic Arts gives students opportunities to grow and network David Collie | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
President Jonathan Stokes at AIGA’s mixed-mentorship event on Thursday, Jan. 31.
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ith competitive job markets and limited opportunities, aspiring graphic artists at Boise State may be interested in the Boise chapter of The American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) and its student group at the university. AIGA at Boise State provides a number of opportunities for students interested in the graphic arts to hone their skills and make connections with professionals. In a field where one of the most important competitors an individual will face is themselves, it can be important to find ways to learn and grow outside of the classroom. Maddie Ceglecki, AIGA treasurer, graphic design manager for The Arbiter and junior graphic design major, Maddie Ceglecki explained why she is drawn to the field. “The reason I like graphic design is there’s a lot of technical aspects to it,”
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Ceglecki said. “(It) makes sense because there’s a methodology to it, there’s a way to follow it and there’s a formula you can fall back on if you get lost. It takes the elements and principles of design and gives you a map to do it.” This constant self-competition to find creative and efficient ways to communicate ideas can be a difficult process that requires a great deal of practice, but being in an environment with others who share the same interest can be a way to be surrounded by it. Additionally, it can provide an opportunity to learn from others who may have different skill sets or perspectives. In addition to this skill-building, AIGA offers chances for students to connect with professionals in their field. Jonathan Stokes, president of AIGA and junior graphic design major, discussed the benefit of this networking. “For me, one of the nice things that comes with the club is that national
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Taylor Humby | The Arbiter network that you have,” Stokes said. “Basically, if any of us were to move across the country, each state has their individual chapter of AIGA. So as soon as you get to that new place, if you look up the local chapter, it’s almost an automatic foot in the door with a bunch of professionals and freelancers that you wouldn’t have otherwise.” This kind of security can be a comforting safety net for those looking to relocate to new cities with limited connections. Another opportunity that can be beneficial for individuals no matter where they wish to work is the mixed-mentorship program, where individuals from the student group will be paired with an artist from the professional chapter for the rest of the year. Michelle Lowman, a sophomore graphic design major, explained that she would soon be assigned to a mentor for the first time. “I like the idea of the mixed-mentorship program that we’re doing, because
to be able to kind of get that network of people in the community who are graphic designers and get a point of view (from) people that are doing this professionally outside of the scholastic world is definitely the biggest perk,” Lowman said. Stokes echoed the importance of this experience with the professional world and mentioned a monthly event where the group will visit various design agencies in Boise to see what the local field is currently like. Although the club is targeted towards individuals in graphic design and illustration, it is open to all and meets weekly from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in room 105 of the old fine arts building. Some opportunities like the mixed-mentorship program are limited to those who have registered with AIGA, but there are still other ways for students who are interested in the graphic arts to benefit from being around others who share their passion.
RECREATING ON THIN ICE
Community examines the problem with winter Greenbelt usage Ben Harris | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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he Greenbelt along the Boise River provides plenty of opportunity for all forms of recreation. On a warm summer day, people can be seen running, biking or taking their dogs for a stroll. Whether it’s to stay in shape or take a break with nature, the greenbelt is an incredible opportunity for people to recreate in their own backyard. Emiliana McCormick, a junior business management major, is an avid runner of the Greenbelt in the summer and fall. The beauty of Boise is what always brings her back. “A lot of time while you’re running, you get to see the river and all the new architecture, that’s my favorite part,” McCormick said. “I enjoy seeing Boise, and there’s a lot of the times that you’ll see either classmates, people you know or accidentally make friends while running.” While some recreators like McCormick find the winter season too chilly to spend time outdoors, others thrive in it. Gabe Finkelstein, coordinator for the university’s Cycle Learning Center, rides his bike 10 miles a day for his commute year round. In the summer months, Finkelstein said that the most comfortable time period is in the morning. “That’s when the majority of the population is out enjoying the trail because it’s not sweltering hot,” Finkelstein said. “It’s actually a few degrees cooler riding or walking next to the river, (rather) than away from it.” In the winter however, Finkelstein said that the “refrigeration effect” of the river doesn’t necessarily help when the temperature is already roughly 20 degrees. In the frigid temperatures of wintertime, it’s important to be wearing the right protective gear. Lack of personal care is a hazard that Finkelstein thinks recreators should be more aware of. “I see a lot of people on cold days, especially students on campus, with no gloves, no hats and no helmets,” Finkelstein said. “Getting frostbite stinks. There’s some permanent nerve damage that can happen.” Regardless of season, there are always people riding their bikes along the Greenbelt. For
recreational purposes or commuting, Finkelstein wants students to be more aware of other Greenbelt users. “The biggest rule of thumb and etiquette is to maintain control of your bike,” Finkelstein said. “There are a lot of distractions: there are people walking dogs, (while) you might have headphones and you’re not able to hear everything.” While accidents can happen because of a lack of awareness, different environmental factors can create their fair share of injuries, as well. Winter precipitation requires frequenters of the Greenbelt to use specific equipment like water resistant clothing and snow tires, but Finkelstein believes that one of the biggest environmental hazards winter Greenbelt users experience is a slick patch of ice. “If you think you’re on an icy patch, just let your bike roll over it. Don’t do anything erratic or try to change your momentum,” Finkelstein said. “The best idea is to slow down a little bit and check your speed.” When it comes to the dangers of icy bridges and paths, Finkelstein is not alone in being concerned about recreators. Parks Superintendent Jennifer Tomlinson said that ice is the biggest issue the Boise Parks and Recreation Department faces when it comes to winter Greenbelt maintenance. “Parks and Recreation has invested significant resources in making sure that the Greenbelt is cleared when a snow event occurs and more than 1 inch of snow falls,” Tomlinson said. “However, ice presents a greater challenge, as our means to address it are limited, and it is a real safety issue for users of all kinds.” To counteract this safety issue, Tomlinson said that students using the Greenbelt should always be prepared for less than optimal conditions while the Parks and Recreation crew works hard to maintain Boise’s outdoor pathways. Whether someone is biking, running or just enjoying the scenery that Boise has to offer, Tomlinson said that it’s important to be kind, courteous and respectful to all Greenbelt users.
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JUST A THOUGHT Consumers deserve consolidated streaming services Logan Potter | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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his month, NBCUniversal announced the plan for their upcoming streaming service, set to compete against giants Hulu and Netflix. The announcement comes on the tail of Disney’s choice to move all of its content, including Marvel and Lucasarts, to a new subscription platform, forcing anyone who wants to watch both “Friends” and “The Last Jedi” to a fate of two monthly payments. In the age of Internet streaming, it should come as no surprise that consumers are watching less cable than ever; with the sudden switch in television and film consumption, companies like NBC are forced to better adapt to the times. While NBC’s streaming service will be free–albeit ad-supported–for customers who already pay for cable or satellite packages, those without a pay-TV service will find themselves out roughly $12 a month, according to a piece in CNBC. The price, while really only the cost of two Starbucks frappuccinos, is quite daunting when
taking into consideration Netflix’s recent price hike for new and existing customers. Fortunately, for those wanting to stream film and television shows from multiple platforms, Hulu announced a price decrease in contention with Netflix’s move, and it was well-played, to say the least. If there’s anything we’ve learned in the last year about streaming giants, it’s that if the price is right, we’ll spend our entire paychecks to keep up with the Kardashians. While competition is healthy in a free market, this might be getting a little outrageous for us who just want to watch “Infinity War” and “This Is Us” in the same week. It’s a major first-world problem, but the paywall that separates consumers from content that could easily be condensed is frustrating and only promotes the capitalistic overlord qualities of corporations. That puts consumers, as well as other companies, in a bind. While this isn’t directly connected to streaming, the sole fact that Disney is removing its content from more collaborative platforms like Netflix speaks volumes to its selfishness as a corporation and will subsequently affect Netflix’s success. Although it certainly isn’t the end of the world that streaming services are creating competition, stretching consumers is going to create a negative effect, much like splitting votes in an election. While Disney doesn’t need the new subscribers to succeed, tearing other streaming platforms down to monopolize content isn’t beneficial to the market, nor the consumers paying for the service. Work collaboratively to give viewers content, save money and keep the loyalty of customers in the long-term—just a thought.
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SPORTS & REC FEBRUARY 5, 2018 | ARBITERONLINE.COM
AHMED MUHUMED BRINGS POSITIVITY AND LEADERSHIP TO HIS TEAMS Muhumed has made big improvements on the track since his freshman season
Autum Robertson | Sports Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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rom coming to Boise State and being the lone true freshman on the men’s track and field team, to improving from 29th to fourth best and being Broncos’ top runner in the Mountain West Championship, sophomore global studies major and refugee studies minor Ahmed Muhumed has had a big impact on the track and field and cross country teams.
Muhumed moved to the states from Ethiopia during his seventh grade year, but considers himself a Somali because he lived closer to the border of Somalia. While in Ethiopia, the only running he did was with a soccer ball. But since coming to Boise State, he hasn’t played much soccer in order to avoid injuries. With a resume as impressive as Muhumed’s, it might seem strange that he hasn’t always had a passion for running. His eighth grade PE teacher had to push him to go out for track. “She kept asking me questions every time I would do the pacer. She was like, ‘you are going out for track.’ I was like, ‘nah not really.’ Up until two weeks before track season I was like ‘I’ll try out for track team,” Muhumed said. “I remember from there on she was like, ‘you should go out for cross country in high school.’ So I went out for cross county and that was probably the best decision I ever made. I’m just very grateful for her pushing me through it.” Muhumed began getting letters from colleges almost immediately. Only a year into running he had a letter come in the mail from UCLA. Despite plenty of offers and being a star runner in high school, Muhumed still wanted to come run for the Broncos. “The team diversity here is really nice. We have a lot of international athletes; that made me feel more welcome than the other teams out there,” Muhumed said. “Overall I just love this city. There are a lot of good things
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from Oregon and watch him compete, but he’s grateful that they had the chance to watch him in regionals last year. He said he hardly ever feels lonely without his family being here, because they’re “just a drive away” and Muhumed has all his friends on the cross country and track teams to keep
“The team diversity here is really nice. We have a lot of international athletes; that made me feel more welcome than the other teams out there.” Ahmed Muhumed, sophomore global studies major and refugee studies minor Ahmed Muhumed races in the Mountain West Championship.
Photo courtesy of Boise State Photo Services
in one place.” While Muhumed, who runs in several distance races including the mile, 3000m and the 8k, brings plenty of talent to the Broncos’ cross country and track and field teams, he is most recognized by his teammates and coaches for his positive attitude and leadership. “Everyone comes to practice and is happy to see him. No one’s like, ‘aw I have to talk to Ahmed today.’ No, it’s you get to talk to him today; he’s a day-maker for sure,” said redshirt freshman Leif Everson. Everson, Muhumed’s teammate, roommate and best friend, called him his “spiritual mentor” because of his positivity, and said he tries to “stay as close to his level of positivity” as possible and that’s how he tries to live. Muhumed has made major improvements
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in his running over the course of his career at Boise State, recently earning 2018 cross country All-Mountain West First-Team honors. But when it comes to the way he holds himself on and off the field, he has always been a good friend and teammate. “He’s a good teammate, he’s a good friend, he’s always positive and he always has a smile on his face,” said head coach Corey Ihmels. “He always brings a lot of positivity to the group. He’s not afraid of a challenge and is always willing to work with the group and do what’s needed; he’s the consummate teammate.” Muhumed is the second oldest sibling of nine, but he’s the oldest of them living in the United States. Because of this, he doesn’t expect his family to be able to travel down
him company. “It’s so fun to be around the boys; we have really diverse team compared to a lot schools,” Muhumed said.“We have all kinds of personalities, and it’s really fun to be around people who have the same goals in life and running. It makes things a lot easier and adaptable.” Like many other student-athletes, Muhumed would love to continue to run post-collegiate. He knows he has a while to go and many steps to take to make that possible. But beyond running Muhumed hopes to use his degree in refugee studies to make a difference. “I’d also like to get a job at an non-profit organization. It’s a big dream of mine,” Muhumed said. “I just want to help the people around the world.”
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FOUR REASONS THE PATRIOTS WON
Tom Brady made history with his sixth Super Bowl title Autum Robertson | Sports Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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f you like defensive football, then you must have really liked Super Bowl LIII. The outcome of this game was something that could not have been anticipated by anyone, when both teams had put up 25 or more points per game throughout the postseason. The New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. Quarterback Tom Brady became the first player to win six Super Bowls, and at 66 years old head coach Bill Belichick becomes the oldest head coach to win a Super Bowl.
Here are four key factors that led the Patriots to yet another Super Bowl win.
1. Wide receiver Julian Edelman couldn’t be stopped Not a single Rams defender could stop Edelman from tearing up their defense. Edelman became the first player in Super Bowl history to have at least seven receptions and 75 receiving yards in the first half. After that, the madness didn’t stop. Edelman finished the game with 10 receptions 141 yards and averaged 14.1 yards per reception. With a lack of offensive highlights in a game that had potential for plenty, Edelman was the highlight reel. In the end, he earned the title of Super Bowl LIII MVP. 2. Defense, Defense, Defense! The Patriots played lights-out defense the entire game holding the Rams (a team that had the third highest scoring offense) to three points. They managed to only score one field goal in four quarters. The Patriots stopped the pass and the run perfectly. Running back Todd Gurley finished with 10 carries and only 35 yards. Quarterback Jared Goff didn’t have a very impressive stat line either, going 19 for 38 for 229 yards and one interception. The Patriots’ defense didn’t let the Rams find any sort of rhythm. The game looked
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over early for the Rams. 3. Tom Brady’s crucial drive when the Patriots needed to score The game was tied at three for a while, until Brady and Belichick orchestrated the perfect drive, consisting of short passes to Edelman and three consecutive passes to tight end Rob Gronkowski to get to the redzone. Once the Patriots got into scoring range it looked all too easy; running back Sonny Michael ran it right up the middle for six. Michael became only the second rookie in 30 years to have a Super Bowl touchdown. 4. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore’s late game interception Goff and the Rams did put together a drive that had potential. They marched 50 yards down the field only to have the ball intercepted by Stephon Gilmore at the four-yard line. Goff looked overwhelmed and not in control the entire game and this did not help. If the game wasn’t decided prior to this play, it was after. With that, the 2018-19 NFL season is over and it concluded in a way we are all too familiar with; watching Tom Brady hoist the Lombardi Trophy. You may not like Brady, but he does deserve respect after another season like that. And if you have no interest admitting that to Patriots fans, I guess there’s always next season.
Autum Robertson | Sports Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu
MOUNTAIN WEST Nevada (21-1) Nevada went down from No. 7 to No. 8 in the AP top 25 poll despite winning both of their games this week. In Tuesday’s game the Wolf Pack defeated the UNLV Rebels 87-70 behind forward Caleb Martin’s 26 points. They earned their 21st win when they defeated the Broncos 93-73. Utah State (17-5) The Aggies went undefeated this week, crushing the San Jose Spartans 103-73 and taking down the Rebels 82-65. The Aggies’ guard Sam Merrill was their top scorer for both games, earning 29 points against the Spartans and 20 against the Rebels. Fresno State (16-5) The Bulldogs are riding a two-game win streak. They took down the Wyoming Cowboys 75-62 and the Lobos 82-70. However, the Bulldogs should be putting up bigger numbers against teams like the Cowboys who only have five wins. San Diego State (13-8) The Aztecs started their week off with a 66-51 win over the Air Force Falcons. Saturday, they beat the Spartans 67-56. Guard Devin Watson put up 27 points followed by forward Jalen McDaniels’ 22 points.
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UNLV (11-10) The Rebels are on a three-game loss streak, but they hold a better record in conference than the remaining teams. They were topped by the Wolf Pack 70-87 and the Aggies 65-82. Both games were pretty much decided at the half.
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Boise State (10-12) The Broncos took down the Rams 70-68, and guard Justinian Jessup led
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the Broncos with 20 points. The Broncos didn’t stand a chance against the No. 8 Wolfpack, losing 73-93. Nevada’s guard Martin ran all over the Broncos defense and put up 30 points. Air Force (9-13) The Falcons were barely able to push past the Spartans in a 73-71 victory. The game went into double overtime. The Falcons then lost to the Aztecs 51-66, and despite forward Lavelle Scottie putting forth a nice effort with 22 points, it wasn’t enough.
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Colorado State (9-13) The Rams lost to the Broncos 68-70 on Tuesday; the Rams had impressive second half but couldn’t finish. But the Rams did win their second game against the Falcons 85-53. The Rams played good defense, not allowing one Falcon player to put up more than 14 points. New Mexico (9-12) The Lobos lost to the Aggies 66-68, then later in the week they lost to the Bulldogs 82-70. They missed 24 of their 28 shots from the 3-point range against the Bulldogs; if they want to win, the Lobos need to fix this. Wyoming (5-16) The Cowboys lost their only games this week, to the Bulldogs 75-62. With only one win in conference play, the Cowboys’ season is as good as over. San Jose State (3-18) The Spartans boast a 12-game loss streak. They were blown out by the Aggies 103-73, and then lost to the Aztecs 65-67. The Spartans have three wins on the season and zero in conference; their season is over.
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SPORTS & REC
DREAM BIG: MANE LINE FUNDRAISES FOR NATIONALS
Boise State’s mane line has the potential to be nationally ranked among top U.S. college dance teams Tommy Drorbaugh | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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ou’ve seen them hyping up the crowd at football games, busting moves at basketball games and bringing school spirit at many Boise State sporting events. But, did you know Boise State’s spirit squad has their own competitions? Boise State’s spirit squad is made up of three dynamic teams: cheer, dance and Buster Bronco. In past years, cheer and dance teams have brought home a combined nine National USA Collegiate Championships, along with Buster bringing home one himself. All this winning has the squad hungry for more fierce competition. Mane Line’s dance competition is in Daytona, Florida on April 4-7. One would think with a winning record like the spirit squad has, Boise State would fund the teams to the fullest extent. However, this is not the case. The spirit squad’s travel expenses fall outside their budget and are self-funded by an annual online crowdfunding campaign called Pony Up. “The difference with this year is we’re going to Florida,” said spirit squad head coach Kassondra Landry. “So obviously the expenses are a lot higher than going to California and busing down.” So far, the Pony Up campaign has raised $30,275 of their $20,000 goal. The money raised will go towards airfare, accommodations, uniforms and food for all of the spirit squad teams. This year, the spirit squad has their sights set on the United Cheer Association, National Cheer Association, United Dance Association and National Dance Association tournaments. These tournaments differ from past tournaments because there are no participation awards, only winners and losers. The USA Collegiate Championships host only West Coast teams. Tournaments like the NDA Championship attract the best college teams from coast to coast, and features competition genres like jazz and a hip-hop beach competition. “When you win there, you are number one in the nation of all the dance teams,” said senior Clesi Crochet, a Mane Line team
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captain. “We made a goal as Mane Line to make finals because that means we’re top 12 in the nation.” Being a part of spirit squad is a unique team experience. They bring Bronco school spirit to football, basketball and volleyball games, just to name a few. And unlike other sports, spirit squad has no off-season. “Something about our team that may be different than others is we are together year round, so we’re with each other all the time, everyday,” said junior Kayla Daughters, another Mane Line team captain. “It’s a family atmosphere, three hour practice, five times a week and we also live together. It’s a camaraderie; if you join our team, you join a family.”
“...It’s a camaraderie; if you join our team, you join a family.” -
Photo courtesy of Boise State Photo Services
Kayla Daughters, junior and mane line team captain In the cheer and dance world, going to Florida to compete in tournaments like NDA and NCA is a big deal. Like the Pro Bowl in football, this is where the best competitors in the United States meet to show off their skills and compete for the top spot. “It’s a really exciting moment for me, going to Florida was always something I wanted for this program,” Landry, who was originally a member of the squad in 2010, said. “It was just never possible at the time, so when I took this job this was one of the goals I had for this team. For a lot of these students, going to this competition is a dream for them, so I’m really excited to help give them this opportunity.”
ARBITERONLINE.COM
Boise State’s spirit squad is made up of three dynamic teams: cheer, dance and Buster Bronco. Taylor Humby | The Arbiter
OUR BEST GUESS This week Logan Potter aligns your stars.
AQUARIUS, Valentine’s Day is just
around the corner, but you may not be spending as much time with your boo as you want. Recognize that responsibilities sometimes get in the way, but also that relationships take patience. Breathe for a second, push away your insecurities and let your frustration leave you to carry yourself through an already stressful week.
AQUARIUS
JAN 20 - FEB 18
PISCES
FEB 18 - MARCH 20
It’s going to be a challenging February for you, Pisces, but solid organization and communication will take you through the obstacles with ease. The world may not be in your favor this week, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the love season just as much as everyone else!
ARIES
MARCH 20 - APR 20
You’re more of a friendship person than a relationship guru, Aries, which means that this month is all about treating your friends to a Valentine’s Day worth remembering. Don’t make any rash decisions, though, because you may regret your spontaneity after V-Day is over.
TAURUS
APR 20 - MAY 21
It’s time to stop overexerting yourself, Taurus, and this season of love is the perfect time for you to shine. Instead of pouring your energy into a significant other, focus on recuperating at the mid-week point to ensure you make it through the rest of the semester effortlessly.
GEMINI
LIBRA
MAY 21 - JUN 21
Gift-giving is one of the hardest parts of any holiday, and Valentine’s Day is no exception. You may not find the perfect present at just any store; sometimes homemade gifts are more thoughtful than any material item from department stores. Take a chance on your own crafting abilities!
SEPT 23 - OCT 22
Setbacks are part of every creative process, Libra, so don’t let them discourage you from believing in yourself. Whether it’s a Valentine’s Day project or something bigger and long-term, reevaluate your circumstances and continue trial-and-error to achieve the product you desire and deserve.
SCORPIO
CANCER
OCT 23- NOV 21
JUN 21 - JULY 23
The last few months might have brought a tough breakup or loss of a loved one, Cancer, but that shouldn’t stop you from moving on in the new year. Take this opportunity that the V-Day season brings to prioritize your healing process, and by the semester’s end, you’ll be glowing once again.
Romance is in the air, which means it’s time to put yourself out there. If you think it’s time to jump in the dating pool, prioritize face-to-face interactions over app-based communication to form the most genuine connection with your potential partners.
SAGITTARIUS
LEO
JUL 23 - AUG 23
Love doesn’t mean giving up your alone time, Leo. While taking care of your relationships is important, taking care of yourself should always come first. That means you might need to relax alone in your room to have the best V-Day possible, and that’s OK!
NOV 22 - DEC 22
This season of love and acceptance feels like the best time to release any tension you’ve been holding back, Sagittarius. Regardless of the secret you’ve been keeping, now is truly the best time to let go of the past, accept it and move on to a greater (and secret-free) future.
VIRGO
CAPRICORN
AUG 23 - SEPT 23
It’s already February, Virgo, which means the new year is in full swing and it’s time to eat your weight in chocolate on Valentine’s Day. That also means it’s time to keep up on that resolution of yours, and take fitness into your week to keep yourself happy and healthy through your stressful schedule.
DEC 22 - JAN 20 February is your time for self-reflection, Capricorn, and this might come down to the things you once believed you valued. It could be your political, religious or societal beliefs, and whatever you decide to change, embrace it and disregard criticism for your way of thinking in this time of love.
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BASQUE MUSIC BY AMAIA LOJO AND IÑAKI SAGARNA FRIDAYS FROM 12:45 TO 1:45 PM
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