April 30, 2019
Vol. 31 Issue 31
IN D EP EN D E N T
NEWS
04
Boise State University hires its first female president
VISIT US ONLINE:
S T U D EN T
OPINION
VO I C E
09
Julian Assange’s arrest in Britain could set dangerous precedent for journalists arbiteronline.com
O F
BO I S E
S TAT E
CULTURE
SI N C E
13
The Arbiter staff shares their summer reading and podcast picks
@arbiteronline
1 9 3 3
SPORTS & REC
16
Quidditch seeks to make a magical return to Boise State
@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 Mackenzie Hudson Graphic Design Manager Maddie Ceglecki design@stumedia.boisestate.edu 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.
The Arbiter staff took home 22 awards at the Idaho Press Club Best of 2018 banquet.
ON THE COVER:
Outgoing staf f say their goodbyes, while incoming employees prepare for their year in Student Media. Cover design by Maddie Ceglecki and Taylor Humby.
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
Photo by Daniel Gardner
STUDENT MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS 2018 - 2019
NEWS
APRIL 30, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM
BOISE STATE HIRES FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT
Marlene Tromp is selected as the seventh president of the university Ximena Bustillo | Online Editor | onlineeditor@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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n April 23, the Idaho State Board of Education held a special meeting in the Stueckle Sky Center of Boise State University. The subject of this meeting was to finalize the contacting of the university’s seventh president. After a process including a previously failed search and over 60 new candidates, Marlene Tromp was hired as the university’s first female president. Tromp is the former campus provost and executive vice chancellor of University of California Santa Cruz. The president-elect visited Boise State in March and left a positive impression with both the faculty and student groups. For Tromp, the positive impression was mutual. “I really felt like I connected with the community while I was here, and I think that is what drove the excitement,” Tromp said. “I think people felt like the things that I had to bring is what Boise State needed, and I think they felt like I understood who they were, and it just felt almost magical to come in and interview.” The selection committee’s announcement was made in the Stueckle Sky Center, in front of a packed crowd. “This is an exciting day,” said member of the Idaho State Board of Education Linda Clark. “I have been reminded on a daily basis that this has been a long time coming.” Tromp was invited to come to campus to speak to the Boise State and City of Boise communities following the state board’s announcement. “I am so excited to advance education in the state of Idaho,” Tromp said. “I am so excited to see where we can take Boise State, our students and our faculty together.” Tromp explained that she is thankful
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Marlene Tromp was welcomed to campus after her presidential acceptance speech. Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter not only for the process of the Idaho State Board of Education, but also the support that she has received from the Boise community. “I want to be able to do for other young people, what people did for me,” Tromp said. “I want to lead the effort so that we can do even more. Already, Boise State is leading in innovative thinking and change. The city of Boise and Idaho has already
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shown the nation. With students like these, you can change the entire outreach of the future.” Tromp cites two characteristics that drew her to Boise State. The first is Boise State’s willingness to try new things and to be innovative and open to moving forward. The second is the extraordinary growth and the sense of community. “It says something about the kinds of
ways in which the institution continues to trailblaze, if they were willing to bring in a young woman president who had big ideas for the university to take its next step,” Tromp said. Associated Students of Boise State University President Kaleb Smith was the student representative on the presidential search committee. Smith said he is very excited for the opportunity to work with Tromp. “As a member of the Presidential Screening Committee, I am beyond enthusiastic about the result of this process. As students, we deal with all kinds of issues across campus including diversity and inclusion, financial aid, mental health, Title IX, etcetera,” Smith said. “I am confident Dr. Tromp will not only be receptive to our concerns, but I believe she understands that students are the heart of the university and will join us to take tangible actions to further the student experience for all students.” Being a first-generation college student herself, one of Tromp’s main areas of focus will be helping potential and current first-generation college students succeed at Boise State. Additionally, Tromp told The Arbiter that she looks forward to working with students, student organizations and understanding current campus processes. “I really care about students, it’s one of the reasons I love teaching. I will be excited to meet with student organizations and remain connected to the student population, which should be the heart and soul of the university,” Tromp said. Tromp’s presidency will begin on July 1 with a salary of $425,000. “I am proud to join you, so that we can create that pathway, problem-solve and find the innovative solutions together,” Tromp said.
NEWS
IDAHO PRESS CLUB AWARDS: BEST OF 2018
BLAKE SIMONY
1ST | SPORTS NEWS REPORT
1ST | LIGHT FEATURE
3RD | PAGE DESIGN 3RD | GRAPHICS
WYATT WURTENBERGER
ISABEL SARHAD
MADDIE CEGLECKI
TAYLOR HUMBY 1ST | PAGE DESIGN 2ND | GRAPHICS
1ST | COLUMN WRITING 2ND | SERIOUS FEATURE 2ND | EDITORIAL
AUTUM ROBERTSON
DELANEY BRASSIL
ZACH HILL 2ND | SPORTS NEWS REPORT 3RD | SPORTS NEWS REPORT
1ST | EDITORIAL
2ND | PHOTOGRAPHY
3RD | GENERAL NEWS STORY 3RD | SERIOUS FEATURE
LOGAN POTTER
1ST | WATCHDOG/INVESTIGATIVE 1ST | SERIOUS FEATURE 2ND | GENERAL NEWS STORY
XIMENA BUSTILLO
student newspaper, took home 22 awards from Idaho Press Club on Saturday, April 27. This is an increase of five awards from the year before, when The Arbiter won 17 honors. The awards include first place in General Excellence and General Excellence - Student Website, marking The Arbiter as the best student newspaper in the state.
JORDAN ERB
THE ARBITER, Boise State’s
1ST | GRAPHICS APRIL 30, 2019
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NEWS
HOW TO HAVE FUN THIS SUMMER WITHOUT DESTROYING THE EARTH
Students open up about the importance of environmental awareness throughout the break Emma Freitas | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Common summer activities can have an adverse impact on the environment.
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s the weather starts getting warmer and summer nears, it may be tempting to enjoy a water balloon fight or spend the day at the beach after the semester ends. However, activities like those and more are potentially disastrous to the environment. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a statement in 2015 about how balloons could be ingested by animals and sea creatures. Water balloons getting washed away are no exception. Other things like leaving trash at beaches and campsites, overfishing and polluting water all have an impact. Israel Ceja, a freshman civil engineering major at Boise State, saw this firsthand on a camping trip, and the pollution distracted from planned activities to enjoy nature. “When I was in the sixth grade, we went on a camping trip for school. On that campsite, there was a bunch of trash and, for half of the day, we cleaned the area
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by the river,” Ceja said. “Animals are sick and dying, which is what makes me more conscious about it. You can see the damage being done.” Being environmentally conscious doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have fun this summer, it just means you take the extra few minutes to have situational awareness and clean up your mess. Jackie Johnson, a senior supply chain and human resource management major at Boise State, noticed a lot of trash in her neighborhood and local parks after construction crews started building new houses nearby. “When I would walk my dog, I would just take an extra bag and pick up little things,” Johnson said. “But there were big pieces of trash just left everywhere, and that started to bother me. And then I just ended up going to different parks and stuff so I didn’t have to look at it, which is kind of removing myself from the problem.” While Johnson felt as if the trash she
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was seeing wasn’t her responsibility, someone still had to take action. Ceja had a similar experience seeing garbage around the school, despite widespread recycling efforts conducted by the university. “A lot of times on campus and in buildings, I see people who don’t pick up their trash and put it where it’s supposed to be. Or trash by the river that’s just thrown around,” Ceja said. Aside from campus, public areas have faced disrespect when patrons don’t follow the rules. Emily Elfering, a senior at Eagle High School and president of their Earth Club, had the opportunity to work with the Idaho Conservation Corps. Through her experience, she learned about how preserving the earth and the public spaces we roam in is essential to protecting all forms of life. “It’s very important to stay on trails when hiking in order to prevent erosion and the spread of invasive species,” Elfering said. “When you hike off the designated
Wyatt Wurtenberger | The Arbiter area moving soil and dirt, there is an increase of sedimentation that adds to water sources, causing harm to river ecosystems.” Being mindful of why rules may be in place is key to preserving the wildlife and landscapes available to use. Making a small collective effort to take care of the earth will prevent some of the hardship that Johnson felt while trying to enjoy walking her dog. “It was very disappointing to see. I felt like I was so little; I tried to do something on my own to make it better, but it still wasn’t enough,” Johnson said. Being mindful of how your activities impact the earth is essential to protecting it in the future. Along with recycling and being conscious of waste, transitioning to responsible summer activities is one way that humans can do a better job preserving the environment –– both on-and-off campus.
NEWS
WHAT HAS ASBSU DONE THIS YEAR?
From policies to re-writing code, the student body government made changes this year
Taylor Rico-Pekerol | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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ith the new Associated Students of Boise State (ASBSU) staff and officials being sworn in with the end of the semester, it may be time for the student body to reflect on this year’s team and their achievements. President Kaleb Smith is the ASBSU President and will be returning to his position next year. The president oversees all legislation, code and regulations adopted by ASBSU. “I’m satisfied with how we operated this year and I think that I, myself, and ASBSU as an organization can improve a lot. But I think this past year was a good turning point,” Smith said. “I’m happy with where I’m at because I have the relationships, I know the process and I feel like next year is going to be way more efficient.” Smith discussed how all of ASBSU worked together to accomplish different tasks, and he was able to meet people that can help in the future. Vice President Emily Rembert, the vice president, is not returning to her position next year. The vice president is the head and representative of the student assembly. “I feel like we’ve done a really good job this year of organizing, and all of our bills, resolutions, agendas, all of that’s been uploaded onto the website. So it’s been really transparent,” Rembert said. “One of the biggest accomplishments this year was the food pantry, and I couldn’t have done it without my team that helps me stock every week.” Rembert also worked with staff this year at the Student Union Building to make it easier to reserve rooms for ASBSU’s needs. Chief of Staff Angela Aninon is the chief of staff and will not be returning to her position next year. The chief of staff does a lot of internal
work, including the recording and dissemination of minutes from ASBSU meetings. “For my position, having that mindset that a lot of these things need to be communicated better with the administration that’s receiving them and making sure that resolution bills are being communicated to people that need them,” Aninon said. Vice President of Inclusive Excellence Esperansa Gomez is the vice president of inclusive excellence (VPIE), and will not be returning to her position next year. The vice president of inclusive excellence works with the executive council to advise decisions based on ideas and values of the Inclusive Excellence Student Council. “What we did this year was a lot of internal work. So, starting to normalize and facilitating conversations at assembly that wouldn’t have happened before,” Gomez said. Other projects Gomez has started, and hopes the next VPIE will continue, are acquiring a multi-faith space, doctor’s notes not being a requirement and continuing to educate people on the last girl framework, which focuses on underrepresented students across campus. Government Relations Officer The government relations officer, Jackson Blackwell, will not be returning. “I believe that this year, my team and I have accomplished so much and our biggest accomplishment was Day at the Capitol,” Blackwell said. “It was a huge success this year for students to meet with different legislatures.” Blackwell hopes that the next person that takes over his position will continue to focus on connecting Boise State campus with the local government. Secretary of Academic Affairs Secretary of Academic Affairs Mikayla Melchert will be passing on her role and returning to ASBSU as the vice president for the next school year. Melchert’s posi-
The ASBSU executive team held one of their final meetings of the year. Taylor Humby | The Arbiter tion is the only student to sit on the faculty senate, representing the student body. “This year, I have advocated immensely for open educational resources. We created presentations for the OpenEd18 conference and presented there to many staff, faculty and librarians from across the world,” Melchert wrote in an email. Ethics Officer Reegan Jacobson is the ethics officer and will be returning next year in the same position. The ethics officer works to rewrite code for different policies that affect the student body. “From the very beginning, that’s kind of what my goal was to do by the end of the year, was go through every (code) document and be able to update everything,” Jacobson said. “To get all the stuff that we don’t use
anymore out, and then get all the new stuff in. And so far, I finished all of it.” Secretary of Student Organizational Affairs The secretary of student organizational affairs, Michael Gentile, will not be returning next year. Gentile worked with Ethics Officer Jacobson to create a deadline in financial code so that students would be able to utilize the unused funds. “Thanks to those deadlines, normally the funding world runs out of money in January or February, but we’ve had money,” Gentile said. “We still have money right now because it’s been coming back to us, because clubs won’t use the funds and then other clubs can use it.”
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OPINION APRIL 30, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
SPEND SOME TIME SAVING THE BEES
Regarding Senate Bill 1029: The School Turnaround Act
The bees are dying, and only you can save them
Morgan Detherage, Quinn Prouty and Shelby Fisk | Guest Writers | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Zach Hill | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Taylor Humby | The Arbiter
I
n studies and analyses done by Education Week, Idaho continues to rank poorly when it comes to our K-12 education system. We have the lowest percentage of high school graduates who continue on to higher education in the nation. Our per-pupil spending is $4,000 below the national average, and we lack a proper accountability system for the under-performance of our schools. Efforts to correct our current status are being made at the state level. Senator Mortimer, the chairman of the Senate Education Committee, proposed Senate Bill 1029: The School Turnaround Act at the beginning of the 2019 legislative session. This program would supply the state with turnaround professionals who would help low performing schools throughout Idaho. They would work alongside a committee composed of teachers, administrators, parents and students to set performance goals for the school and gage improvements. Along with a turnaround professional, teachers and administrators would receive training and intervention to equip them with the tools to deal with the
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problems their schools face. Turnaround programs have been used across the nation, and some states have seen massive success with increases in graduation rates and a rise of standardized test scores. Recently, the School Turnaround Act was defeated in the Idaho State House after passing in the Senate, despite support from legislators in both chambers’ committees on education. Some key arguments against the bill include Representative Moon’s contention that turnaround projects have failed in the past, claiming such a program is not one of the items we should be spending education funding on. Vice Chairman of the House Education Committee Ryan Kerby also noted that the bill placed accountability and oversight in the hands of the wrong group by putting the Board of Education in charge rather than the State Department of Education. However, we feel that this defeat was a blow to Idaho’s K-12 education system. With some compromise and restructuring, we hope to see this bill again in next year’s session.
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S
ummer is finally almost here! For most of us at Boise State, that probably means going home to somewhere warm to swim, hang out on the beach and make the most of the three months we have before coming back to school. For others, it means the end of an era, and you’re likely to never come back here after graduating. Regardless of which of those groups you fall into, we all have a responsibility to the environment. As many of you have probably heard over the last couple of years, bees are dying at an alarming rate. Many may think that this isn’t a huge deal. Bees sting, they’re loud and they don’t do much good, right? Actually, that’s wrong. Bees are the number one pollinator in nature, and without them, a good majority of foods we love so dearly (almonds, pumpkin pie, etcetera) would disappear completely. This is a pretty scary thought. I think most of us can agree that we enjoy things like eating, which is all the more reason to find ways to support bees. This summer, in the midst of all the other fun plans you may or may not have, I urge you to take some time to save the bees. There are a few ways you can accomplish this task. The first is fairly simple: stop using pesticides that contain neonicotinoids. Neonicotinoids are a class of insecticide that targets the nervous system of insects, essentially paralyzing them. This issue has contributed significantly to what scientists are calling “colony collapse disorder.” Between 2015 and 2016 alone, the United States lost 44 percent of its colonies,
demonstrating the extent to which this problem has spread. The easiest way to accomplish this goal is to not use pesticides made by Bayer. Bayer is the company that most prominently features neonicotinoids in their products, and stopping them from making a profit of environmental degradation is a huge step in saving the bees. The second thing you can do is plant a garden! That step might also sound easy, but there are a few caveats to consider before going all in on some vegetables. In order for your garden to save the bees, it has to include flowers that are native to your region. The bees in your area have already adapted to pollinate these plants, and it’s a major source of food for them. Additionally, planting flowers not from your region will kill off the flowers that are good for bees. When these non-native species of flower are introduced into your gardens, they invade the ecosystem and damage the well-being of the native flowers. Take into consideration the things you’re planting before you plant them, and do research on what things are OK to plant in your area. It’s OK to enjoy this summer. Having fun and being environmentally conscious, however, shouldn’t be separate from one another. This summer, have some fun planting a garden or taking down pesticide corporations with your friends, and save the bees while doing it.
OPINION
JULIAN ASSANGE ARRESTED IN BRITAIN, UNITED STATES SEEKS EXTRADITION Arrest could set dangerous precedent for freedom of speech Tommy Drorbaugh | Staff Writer | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Julian Assange’s arrest may create a dangerous precedent for journalists.
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ikiLeaks founder and journalist Julian Assange was arrested inside the Ecuadorian Embassy located in London on April 11, 2019. British police are extraditing Assange on a U.S. warrant, citing his failure to surrender in 2012 as the reason for his arrest. In 2012, Assange was being extradited to Sweden on sexual assault charges before gaining asylum in the embassy. So, if Assange committed sexual assault in Sweden, why is he being extradited to the United States? Some fear it is because of WikiLeaks’ release of 391,000 classified war logs in 2010. The classified material released was dubbed The Iraq War Logs, exposing war crimes committed by the United States and allies during the Iraq War — war crimes that were purposefully kept from the American public. The logs
were obtained by WikiLeaks from Chelsea Manning, a trans woman and former United States Army soldier. The Iraq Body Count Project, a website chronicling civilian deaths in the Iraq War, claimed the logs exposed 15,000 previously unknown civilian deaths, while The Guardian reported U.S. authorities failing to investigate reported incidents of rape, torture and murder by Iraqi police. The behavior seemed to be systematic and unpunished. This contradicts the narrative of U.S. soldiers being sent to innocently train forces. The New York Times reported the United States’ use of mercenary contractors in the Iraq War and the subsequent cover up of contractor’s crimes. The logs exposed mercenary contractors, like Custer Battles, shooting at civilians and paying police forces off to keep quiet. Battles was found
Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire/Zuma Press/TNS guilty of fraud in 2006 of inflating invoices to the United States government, resulting in gross overpayment of tax payer dollars. The U.S. government has long since punished whistleblowers and journalists under the Espionage Act. The act prohibits interference of military operation in wartimes. What was passed to punish foreign spies within the United States is now used to punish journalists and whistleblowers like Assange, Edward Snowden and Manning for exposing lies the United States government told to the American public. By choosing to arrest Assange, Trump’s executive branch is sending a clear message to journalists: print what we release publically and fall in line. If not, we will come after you. The most shocking part of this story is the lack of media solidarity around the arrest. Many news outlets have praised As-
sange’s arrest because of his sexual assault allegations and odd stories of smearing feces on Ecuadorian Embassy walls. While those may be crimes, they are not the reason for his arrest. He is being extradited for the release of the Iraq War Logs. This sets groundbreaking precedent for freedom of speech in the United States. The United States government was exposed for knowingly suppressing war crimes regarding civilian deaths, torture and murder in the Iraq War. Media around the world who know the importance of free speech to the marketplace of ideas and the vital role it plays in democracy should be standing in solidarity with Assange. While the character and goals of Assange and WikiLeaks can be ambiguous, the vital role freedom of speech plays in our democracy is crystal clear. His character can be debated if found guilty of sexual assault allegations and his goals can be doubted when hacking Clinton’s private emails and not hacking Trump’s. What cannot be disputed, however, is the legitimacy and truthfulness of the information in the Iraq Logs. What cannot be ignored is the United States government purposefully reporting false quantities of civilian deaths, covering up torture and covering up mercenary contractor war crimes. What cannot be challenged is the responsibility journalists have of informing citizens of government actions domestically and abroad.
HAVE A COMMENT OR REBUTTAL? EMAIL US AT: OPINION@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE.EDU
APRIL 30, 2019
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GOODBYE FOR NOW
10
WHILE SOME STAFF MEMBERS ARE MOVING ON, OTHERS ARE WELCOMED ONTO THE 2019-2020 ARBITER TEAM
SEE YOU THIS FALL!
C U LT U R E APRIL 30, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM
UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIONS GOES BEYOND THE MAJOR
The program incentivizes students to broaden their career prospects in their first two years Michelle Johnson | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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very college student must take lower-division credits to earn their degree, and most fall into the realm of dreaded general classes such as mathematics, science and English. At Boise State, students must earn six of these credits through what is known as the University Foundations (UF) program. Each student will find themselves with a different UF experience, some students disliking these classes, and others gaining important knowledge from them. In fact, some students on campus have found these prerequisites to graduation to be a useful tool in the rest of their Boise State experience. The UF program consists of just two courses, expected to be completed between a student’s freshman and sophomore years. UF 100: Foundations of Intellectual Life consists of students choosing from a variety of course topics that range from navigating identity to discovering the cities of tomorrow, while UF 200: Foundations of Ethics and Diversity also has a diverse catalog, but courses are more focused on ethical learning. Since most students at Boise State must take both classes, there are lot of questions and opinions that students have about this program. Some students wonder what the purpose of these required classes is and why they aren’t an elective option. John Bieter, the UF program director, explained how this program got its start and why it’s important for students. “The State of Idaho Board of Education gives six lower-division credits to each institution to freely design how they want those credits to be, which is how Boise State developed the UF program,” Bieter said. “No matter what work you will go into, people want to know what kind of
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person you are. Do you have an ethical code and framework? They want to know that.” Hannah Symonds, a junior political science major, has taken both UF classes. Her UF 100 class of choice was Rifts and Shifts: Investigating Social Change, and she described her new outlook on the courses after being impacted herself. “I think everyone can benefit from the university foundations classes because they seek to widen students’ views on their communities and the world, in my opinion. Personally, I did not think they were a waste of time or money,” Symonds said. Kaylee Oneida, a junior urban studies and community development major, also shared her opinion about UF classes. She was in UF 100: Cities of Tomorrow, and went on to explain that she wouldn’t have even known her major existed without her UF 100 class. “Before this class, I wasn’t aware that people could work with cities, city planning, etcetera, as a career. I feel really lucky that I got the chance to take my UF class and have it give me guidance to my future,” Oneida said. This building of career paths is one of the main goals of the UF program, as it allows students to broaden their areas of knowledge outside of their majors while earning six of their credits to graduate. According to Bieter, UF 200 also aims to show students the basic concepts of ethics. “83% of students change their majors, so one of the main reasons for these classes is to have students take this course
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with no penalizations, while also broadening their range of knowledge in different fields,” Bieter said. Since Boise State requires two UF classes, it’s important to understand why both can be beneficial to the students’ education. These UF classes are a good starting point for new Boise State students by introducing them to possible major choices and real-life knowledge. They are a stepping stone into getting acclimated to college life and college classes. “Only a quarter of students end up working in their major, so theses classes are helpful in helping to broaden their education and
being well-versed in multiple things,” Bieter said. Despite varying opinions about the UF classes, they are staying in place for upcoming semesters. Boise State offers a wide variety of UF 100 courses, hoping to appeal to all students’ interests. When asked if the UF program will ever fade away or get an upgrade, Bieter expanded. “Boise State is still in the exploratory part of this program, but we have a student representative from ASBSU partnered with us to help make the UF program even more beneficial in the coming years,” Bieter said.
While some students are opposed to UF courses, many have found the experience valuable. Wyatt Wurtenberger | The Arbiter
C U LT U R E
SUMMER READING + PODCAST PICKS
“This book is embarrassing, light-hearted and a fun
PODCASTS
read for the summer,” Rico-Pekerol said.
David, culture reporter: “The Writer’s Voice”
a girl whose best friend moves away without a word but leaves a list of tasks for her to accomplish.
This podcast from the New Yorker features authors
The Arbiter staff shares their favorite pastime choices for the summer months
Isabel Everett, social media coordinator: “Love
David Collie | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Poem Collection: The Greatest Love Poems of All
Summer is almost here, and with it come nearly four long months to relax. For some, though, the reading and listening that comes with courses can be a hard habit to break, and that desire to crack open a fresh book or listen to some new material might last well into August. For those individuals, The Arbiter staff has some summer reading and podcast picks to help fill up those months.
who read their fiction published in the magazine.
Time”
Zach, opinion editor: “Intelligence Squared
What better way to spend a warm summer night
Debates”
than by reading some of the greatest poetry has to
Hill says this podcast is just “experts in given fields
offer? Although Everett would recommend picking
debating each other about pertinent world issues.”
up any book you can get your hands on over the summer, this was the one to make the cut.
Jordan Erb, editor-in-chief: “Reply All”
“There’s little better than a warm summer night,
Erb recommends this pick as “an absolutely ridicu-
a glass of wine, and some heart-plucking lines
lous podcast about everything even loosely related
from yesteryear to make summer a little sweeter,”
to the internet.”
Everett said. Isabel Everett, social media coordinator: “WelLogan Potter, culture editor: “Troublemaker”
come to Night Vale”
If a collection of love poems feels a little sappy,
Planning a road trip this summer? Everett describes
then this next pick might be more up your alley.
this podcast as the perfect choice.
“Troublemaker” is an autobiography written by
“It is bizarre, endearing, supernatural, and possibly
actor and comedian Leah Remini which details her
haunted. If you’re into absurd humor and have a
experience in the Church of Scientology.
penchant for shows like Twin Peaks or Twilight
“It’s a memoir,” Potter said. “So expect personal
Zone, you’re in luck with this show,” Everett said.
bias. But it’s a brilliantly deep look at the inner workings of the Church of Scientology in and out of
Logan Potter, culture editor: “Armchair Expert”
Hollywood.”
Potter recommends this show hosted by Dax Shepard, saying it’s both intelligent and hilarious.
Ximena Bustillo, online editor: “Peter Pan”
“Plus,” Potter added. “His wife Kristen Bell guest-
If you want to remember a time without finals, this
stars occasionally, and I’m confident that it doesn’t
classic by J.M. Barrie might be a nice escape.
get better than that.”
“Because why not spurr up a little childhood nostalgia but the novel version?” Bustillo said.
Ximena Bustillo, online editor: “Today, Explained”
The long break is the perfect opportunity to relax and read (or listen) in the sun. Wyatt Wurtenberger | The Arbiter
BOOKS
Zach Hill, opinion editor: “Watership Down” This first pick starts out with a bit of mystery. “It’s about rabbits, which is all you should need, honestly,” Hill said. Jordan Erb, editor-in-chief: “Detroit: an American Autopsy” This book follows Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist
Charlie LeDuff as he searches for an answer to what happened to his once-prosperous hometown of Detroit, Michigan. According to Erb, the book is “an in-depth look at what makes Detroit Detroit.” Taylor Rico-Pekerol, news reporter: “Since You’ve Been Gone” If Detroit’s economic and political issues are a little too heavy, this young-adult novel by Morgan Mat-
Wyatt Wurtenberger, illustrator: “Lust for Life”
Bustillo recommends this VOX podcast for its
If the visual wonder of Neverland isn’t enough, then
elegant explanation of current events without the
maybe this book, written by Irving Stone, will do
mass media overload.
the trick. Wurtenberger describes it as “a dramatized tale of
Taylor Rico-Pekerol, news reporter: “Crime
Vincent Van Gogh’s life that takes a more personal
Junkie”
perspective on our favorite painter.”
This is a podcast about true crime cases based mostly in Indiana, but it branches out from time to time.
David Collie, culture reporter: “Survivor”
“The hosts will keep you on your toes and wanting to
If you enjoyed the Arbiter’s April Fools edition this
keep feeling those full body chills,” Rico-Pekerol said.
year, then you might be interested in some satirical fiction. Chuck Palahniuk — the author of “Fight Club” — does a great job of this. It’s a story told by the last surviving member of a cult as the plane he hijacked begins to run out of fuel over the Australian Outback.
Whether you spend your summer on road trips or internships, these books and podcasts are sure to bring a nice break.
son might be a bit more cheerful. The story follows
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C U LT U R E
FILLING THE POSTGRADUATE VOID
A look into how Boise State seniors are feeling about such a sudden change Ben Harris | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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niversity seniors across the nation are coming up on their final weeks of their undergraduate career. Some are excited to receive their degree, while others are stressed about their futures. Many graduates feel a mix of both. At Boise State University, students like Kaitlynn Austin, senior media arts major, are ready to let their caps fly. After a few long years of undergraduate studies, Austin is excited for the refreshing opportunities that she believes lie ahead. “I’m excited for the new responsibility, and I’m excited to get out into the real world and face it,” Austin wrote in an email. “As much as I actually really enjoy school and doing things such as writing papers, I’m super excited not to have to write any more papers.” After finishing an undergraduate degree, there’s often a level of uncertainty for students, particularly for younger students who have made school a part of their routine for the majority of their lives. A world outside of academia can seem daunting and, while Austin is excited for the future, the amount of decisions to make post-graduation can be a little stressful. “I’ve been job hunting, and there (have) been a couple of jobs that have definitely fallen in line for what I’m wanting,” Austin wrote. “Eventually, I’m hoping I can go back to school and get my MA in social work, but I want to take some time and just work and get a feel for how life is outside of college.” While plenty of students start their career as soon as they graduate, other students feel the need to pursue more educational opportunities. Dynisha Smith, who graduated in 2003 and is now pursuing a Master’s in counselor education, stated that she needed to fill the space that school took up with something new. “I think a lot of students use the stress of class to motivate them and get things done, and that’s not something that’s sus-
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Regardless of where grads go, the social and academic void remains. tainable as you move into a career field,” Smith said. “Some people choose extracurriculars, travel or starting a family, but I think there’s a void that needs filled after you graduate.” Sydney Carrara, senior political science major and vice president of the Political Science Association, has decided to fill the postgraduate void with a transfer to University of Idaho for law school. Carrara stated that, if Boise State offered a law program, she wouldn’t be transferring anywhere else. “Boise State University does a really good job fostering their students, especially underclassmen,” Carrara said. “I feel like I
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was provided a lot of the resources necessary to succeed.” Hesitation is a common feeling for graduating seniors, especially when signing a check for graduate school tuition, but Carrara is prepared and ready to take the next step. “Throughout my whole undergrad, I’ve done things to prepare myself for law school,” Carrara said. “I’m most excited to apply what I’ve learned and move onto the next step, because I feel like I deserve it and I’m ready for it.” Every student feels some level of uncertainty when it comes to making choices during and after their college career. Before
Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter coming to Boise State, Carrara stated that she had a 20 year plan. Since being on campus, she’s realized that uncertainties are inevitable and that she might as well come to terms with them, a sentiment that can be echoed by nearly all graduates of the university. “Since being here and being surrounded by my peers who are in the same boat as me, it’s provided me the opportunity to know that that’s OK, and it’s normal to feel that way,” Carrara said. “The uncertainties in life are OK, and not everything has to be planned out.”
BOISE’S HISTORIC HOTSPOT
Old Idaho State Penitentiary proves to be educational Anne Albertson | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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oing to college at Boise State University, students are surrounded by history on and off campus. Although not every student will find themselves to be a history major, the sites Boise has to offer throughout the community have the potential to draw them in, regardless of interest area. The Old Idaho State Penitentiary, just three miles from campus, is one major historical site that students have the opportunity to visit, and it has been around for more than 147 years. Once at the penitentiary, there are many original buildings and cell blocks available for tours and exploration, including the administration building that invites visitors onto the site. The location itself dates back to the year 1870, when the oldest building was completed. Inmates didn’t arrive until 1872, and the prison itself was closed in 1973. “(The penitentiary) really typifies social justice in the West and social justice in Idaho,” said Amber Beierle, Boise State graduate and historic sites administrator for the penitentiary. “So, getting a better understanding of what laws were, why people were incarcerated. Are they similar? Are they different today? We always should look to the past for that essential knowledge.” This knowledge Beierle talks about is helpful to many from diverse areas of expertise and, although found in many books, being able to go to the site is an even more immersive experience. “If we go to the past, we go to the place where it actually happened,” Beierle said. “There, that experience will just help drive knowledge into the future. Everyone from a criminal justice major, to a history major, to sociology, psychology, all those things. This place can inform all of those majors.” While the focus of the Old Idaho State Penitentiary is to offer up historical information to the community, the site also holds events that promote learning and, possibly, even a paranormal occurrence.
For those students who are less interested in history, the penitentiary is notorious as one of the most haunted sites in Boise. “We really embrace the possibility, because there’s people that come here and don’t experience anything, and sometimes they’re disappointed,” Beierle said. “And (for) others, it seems very real and very tangible to them. We just want people to come and experience it for themselves.” Although many happenings around the site can be debunked, not everything is able to be explained away. Paranormal activity may be interesting to some, but the rumors about the Old Idaho State Penitentiary go beyond the haunting, and into the interest of historical minds community-wide. “I’ve met a lot of people who have had pretty intense experiences out here. I’m always willing to collect those stories that people have,” said interpretive specialist Anthony Perry. Whether students are looking for historical facts and knowledge that they can gain from the past or are even looking to have a paranormal experience, the Old Idaho State Penitentiary is full of whatever one is looking to discover. “My favorite part is finding new ways in which the guests can relate to the penitentiary, through stories and connections that we can find on a visitation level,” said Jacey Brain, interpretive specialist for the site. “My favorite part is seeing the different ways that people will connect and relate to the site and seeing what they choose to take home with them.”
C U LT U R E
JUST A THOUGHT Wrapping up my final thoughts
Logan Potter | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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his year has been a dramatic one in pop culture. Kanye tweeted his feelings, Ariana Grande spoke out about her trauma and “Avengers: Endgame” was released to end over a decade of beloved superhero films. While this is unfortunate for fans, it means that Scarlett Johansson will be free for the live-action adaptation of “Mulan,” which I know Disney was gunning for.
Jokes aside, it’s important to evaluate the current state of our nation, and the best way I know how is through celebrity and entertainment news. Donald Trump is still tweeting like he’s a 2019 reincarnation of Regina George, Roseanne Barr is still looking for ways to become relevant again — this time by identifying within the LGBT community — and Scott Disick is finally getting the home renovation show he deserves. The semester is coming to a bittersweet end, along with my column, but rest assured that Holly-
wood will live on. As for myself, I will live vicariously through it. Throughout the life of this column space, sexual assault, racism and elitism got to be “hot button” topics. Taboo no longer exists within journalism, and that is something to be celebrated, not threatened. Journalism is still a dangerous profession but it seems, for some reason, if I begin my writing with a name of a Kardashian sister, the dissenters stop reading. It is a privilege to have had this space to give my thoughts and share my ideas, and I hope to have made the entertainment industry an avenue for understanding social issues for at least one person. Although I may not be writing a trendy column in The Arbiter this summer, I won’t be gone. I will no longer be the culture editor, a position that I fell in love with, but will instead return to the Student Media office as this paper’s new editor-in-chief. It isn’t a responsibility I take lightly, and I look forward to serving you the “hot goss,” as Leslie Knope would say, but in a different way. As for this week, I do have a final thought, although I hope it’s better than Tomi Lahren’s. It’s time I step away from the culture section and into a larger role in order to allow for fresh voices, while still recognizing that this means of humanizing celebrities and pop culture creates an accessible path for everyone on campus to become an activist, regardless of their background — just a thought.
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SPORTS & REC APRIL 30, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM
WILL QUIDDITCH RETURN TO BOISE STATE?
Coach Kym Couch works to return the J.K. Rowling-created sport to campus
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Armin Mesinovic | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu
fter being introduced to the Boise State campus in 2012, Quidditch was a popular club sport because of its relation to J.K. Rowling’s popular book and movie series “Harry Potter.” But after the 2017 season, the team disbanded. Quidditch in Boise looked promising in 2018, with a community team established, but it did not last. Now, with former administrator and coach of Boise State Quidditch Kym Couch working to become an advisor for the team, it looks like Quidditch may get a third chance. Quidditch was created in the “Harry Potter” series, and involves two teams each with seven players on the field. In the magical world of “Harry Potter,” they ride on magic flying brooms between their legs. The different positions in Quidditch include a keeper, two beaters, three chasers and one seeker. There are five balls that include a quaffle, three bludgers and a golden snitch. There are three hoops, each at a different height. For the real-world adaptation, the quaffle is a volleyball, the bludgers are dodgeballs and the golden snitch is a runner who wears the “snitch” (a tennis ball wrapped in a sock) in the back of their shorts. The snitch runner is the only player who does not need a broom. The team was first established in 2012 as the Boise State Abraxans. An Abraxan is a horse-like creature from the “Harry Potter” series that is similar to a Bronco. In 2014, the team had 100 members and had to split into two teams to manage the large roster. They split half of the roster into the Abraxans and the other half into the Thestrals. The team lost many members over the years due to graduation and after a poor showing in nationals, the team disbanded in 2017.
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The real-life interpretation of Quidditch may be making a return at Boise State. Maddie Ceglecki | The Arbiter “We disbanded for many reasons, we had a few players we wanted to continue to play with but they graduated, the competition level in the community/club bracket was drastically better, and the school was difficult to work with (branding/fundraising),” said former Abraxan player Bryan Bixler. After being disbanded, the team became a community team and they were known as the Boise Nomads. Couch plans to start a full rebuild of the team and to bring in
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players by promoting Quidditch in the Quad. Many players believe that the team disbanded, while others believe that it just transitioned to a community team. “The team initially didn’t disband, per say, it transitioned into a community team so the players who were on the Abraxans became the Nomads in 2017, and we disbanded earlier this year,” Couch said. “My hope is just to direct the children to start things up, I just need to find players who
are more interested in leading.” Former Boise State Quidditch president Stewart Driflot played at Boise State for four years between 2012-2016 and explained that, during the time he played, it was the golden age for Quidditch, but he still has hopes for the future. He was directly involved with the team as a leader while Couch served the team as an administrator. Driflot detailed many struggles with the team when he played, but would like to see Quidditch back in Boise since he enjoyed his time with the team. “It will be difficult, I expect, but I feel like the way Quidditch has been outlined now that with a post-collegiate league it will be way easier for a team to exist and to thrive,” Driflot said. “We were against indomitable odds to ever win anything with Boise State on a national level because teams were good. People would graduate college and play three to four years afterwards and that’s who we played. In the elite eight in our last year we got squashed and we were the second best college team in the U.S. but that disparity is a lot less now and I think the team could pick it up.” Quidditch hasn’t completely left the campus of Boise State, and with the right leadership it could pick up again. But for that to happen, the team would need some help from the school administration to set those hoops up again on campus. “I think the ultimate question of Quidditch’s survival depends on understanding. People in the community need to understand what Quidditch is and it has to be accepted,” Driflot said. “When we were a good team at Boise State, people recognized Quidditch, people understood what we were doing and they accepted it.”
COLUMN: ON TO THE LEAGUE
SPORTS & REC
Seven former Broncos sign to various NFL teams after the draft Autum Robertson | Sports Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Durrant Miles Miles was signed as a free agent by the Atlanta Falcons. Miles had an impressive Pro Day and a good career in Boise. The Falcons drafted another defensive end and signed three more including Miles, and already have elite talent like Vic Beasley on their roster. It’s uncertain why they brought in Miles, but if he continues to impress like he did on Pro Day, maybe he can earn a spot on the team. Sean Modster Modster signed with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent. The Ravens drafted wide receiver Marquise Brown 25th overall, who is the fast, deep threat they have been looking for. They traded up to draft wide receiver Miles Boykin, who had a fantastic Pro Day and will work well with Brown. The Ravens’ top receivers going into the season are Chris Moore and Willie Snead. They desperately needed wideouts and they received two of the best in the draft. Now I’m not sure where Modster will end up on this roster or practice squad — if he even does at all.
Alexander Mattison was the only Bronco drafted to a team, but others signed as free agents. Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter
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fter the conclusion of the 2018 football season, multiple former Broncos declared for the NFL draft that took place on April 2527. Only running back Alexander Mattison was drafted, but the possibility of a career in the NFL still exists for those not drafted. Six more former Broncos were signed as free agents to teams after the draft: quarterback Brett Rypien, wide receiver A.J. Richardson, defensive end Durrant Miles, wide receiver Sean Modster, edge rusher Jabril Frazier and cornerback Tyler Horton. Where did these former Broncos end up, and what will they bring to their new teams?
starting running back Dalvin Cook. Mattison is a versatile back and, with some time learning from the pros, he could become a solid NFL back. One of the most important elements a running back can bring to the game is patience, and Mattison certainly has that. He waits for gaps to open up rather than pushing through the first one, and he is consistent with getting positive yards. Mattison showcased a lot of good blocking down the field in his three years as a Bronco, and he could continue this in his role as a Viking. With Latavius Murray and the Vikings parting ways, it seems likely that Mattison will step into this role.
Alexander Mattison Mattison is heading to Minnesota as the newest member of the Vikings. Mattison was selected 102nd overall in the third round. The Vikings have hopes that Mattison’s running style will complement that of their
Brett Rypien As they say, once a Bronco always a Bronco… kind of. Rypien was signed as a free agent by the Denver Broncos. Denver signed Missouri quarterback Drew Lock in the second round of the draft, who, on paper, shows
more promise than Rypien as a pro. Lock will be competing against Rypien, Kevin Hogan and Garrett Grayson for the backup spot behind starter Joe Flacco. Rypien showed plenty of flashes of NFL traits in his last couple of seasons as a Bronco, and many thought he was going to be a late round draft pick. It seems possible that Denver will cut one of these four quarterbacks. A.J. Richardson Richardson was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent. Richardson was impressive during his career as a Bronco, sharing the team lead of eight touchdowns his senior year. The Cardinals drafted three receivers, and the team will have eight receivers at most on their 53-man roster. With that being said, there’s a chance that Richardson is signed to the practice squad or cut from the team.
Jabril Frazier Frazier is now a New York Jet after being signed as a free agent. As a top-priority signing, it seems that the Jets have high hopes for Frazier. Frazier’s versatility, extreme athleticism and size could really help him earn a spot on this roster. But he is a bit injury prone, which ultimately could have been the reason he went undrafted. The Jets drafted edge rusher Jachai Polite in the third round. Polite was impactful in college, but his Pro Day numbers were low. It’s uncertain where Frazier fits into the equation, with the Jets already having a couple starters and drafting Polite. But if he impresses at camp, maybe he could earn a backup role. Tyler Horton Horton was signed by the Miami Dolphins as a free agent. His size and speed doesn’t match up well with some of the league’s elite receivers, but he could make a great addition on special teams. The Dolphins do need help at corner, so there’s a chance that Horton will get a shot to play.
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SPORTS & REC FROM SHOES TO SAND
Athletes describe what it takes to transition from indoor to beach volleyball Lexi Almeido | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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ith no beach in sight, it may come as a surprise that Boise State has a beach volleyball team. Tucked away behind Lincoln Townhomes across from the Lincoln turf field lies the sand courts where the team practices and plays. After finishing up their 2019 season 13-6 overall, some of the Boise State beach players have already started preparing for their indoor volleyball season, which will pick up in the fall. There is some overlapping of players from the indoor team to the beach team. Each season, the coaches hold a tryout for the indoor team to see which players will receive the opportunity to play and travel with the beach team. This decision is all up to the coaches and how well they believe the players can transition from one style to the other. Sophomore Kiley Lewis is one of the players who is able to play on both the indoor and beach volleyball teams. “Beach has different rules and the court is a lot smaller,” Lewis said. “Indoor is more power hitting, (whereas) for beach, it’s more shots and being more strategic.” In indoor volleyball, there are six players on the court at all times, and each one has a specific position that they play the entire time. In beach volleyball, there are two players on the court at all times and it requires a lot more communication, since there is more ground to be covered by each individual. Sophomore Jensen Allen is another Bronco who played both indoor and beach during her
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freshman year. In the fall of 2017, Allen finished out her indoor season with the Broncos (17-14) (10-8). This past season, Allen only played for the beach team and went 6-6 with her partner, freshman Ellie McDonald. “When I played indoor, I was an outside hitter and then I transitioned to a defensive player,” Allen said. “(In indoor), everything was focused on one skill, but with beach you have to be able to do everything.” There are eight Boise State players who play both indoor and beach, but the rest chose to stick with just one. Sophomore Kylee Johnson is one of the eight who only plays beach, unlike her partner Lewis. “I think we work really well together because she’s a really good ball-control player,” Lewis said about Johnson. “I feel very confident when they’re serving her that she can get the ball up. I would say that I’m more a blocker and she’s a really good defensive person, so it balances us out well.” As a student athlete,
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Johnson is also a part of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority on campus and holds an executive position. She not only had to overcome an injury this season, but
also practice time management by scheduling her classes around her practice and lift schedules. As a school in a non-beach state, Boise State has begun to make a name for itself in the beach volleyball world. Johnson hopes to contribute to her team throughout her next few seasons. “I think that this was a really great season for us as far as Boise State beach volleyball, one of our most winning seasons,” Johnson said. “So I just think we had that will at the end that we were going to do whatever it took to win. I think we need to carry that into next season.”
Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter
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