October 2, 2018
Vol. 31 Issue 8
I N D EP EN D ENT
S T UDENT
V O ICE
O F
BO IS E
S TAT E
S I N C E
1 9 3 3
The vote for Medicaid expansion in November could help those who don’t have health insurance
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NEWS
06
How sustainable is the Center for Fine Arts?
CULTURE
14
What it means to be a Resident Assistant
SPORTS & REC
16
Meet the club baseball players
WELCOME TO THE ARBITER PHOTO OF THE WEEK Editor-In-Chief Jordan Erb editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu Online Editor Ximena Bustillo onlineeditor@stumedia.boisestate.edu Opinion Editor Chase Marsh opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Editor MaryAnn Fernandez news@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Reporter Alyza Lovenguth 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 Chloe Baul Sophia Uhlenhoff Digital Content Manager Taylor Humby digitalcontent@stumedia.boisestate.edu Digital Content Producer Bailey Nellesen Graphic Design Manager Maddie Ceglecki 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.
The Geosciences Club performed water quality testing on the Boise River on Saturday, Sept. 29 near Friendship Bridge. Photo by 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
EVENTS idaho black history museum
tues october 2
TALK-O TUESDAY
6 pm
Hosted by the MLK Living Legacy Committee, Talk-O Tuesday will involve conversations surrounding race, perspectives and challenges. Jill Gill will be the guest speaker of the night. Photo courtesy of the museum’s Facebook page.
jordan ballroom
fri october 5 PARENT AND FAMILY TRIVIA NIGHT
7 pm
Celebrate Parent and Family Weekend for a night of Boise State trivia. Students and their families can decorate cookies while testing their knowledge of the university. The event is free. Photo courtesy of the event’s Facebook page.
julia davis park
sat october 6 SEE SPOT WALK
9 am
See Spot Walk, a fundraiser for the Idaho Humane Society, will take place this weekend. So far, donations have already surpassed the $100,000 goal.
ALBERTSONS STADIUM
sat october 6 BOISE STATE VS. SAN DIEGO
1:30 pm
Boise State will take on the San Diego State Aztecs on Saturday, Oct. 6, for the Parent and Family Weekend game. The student section will be wearing blue, and student tickets are on sale now.
NEWS
“SACKS FOR HUNGER” CONTINUES TO GAIN DONATIONS
Idaho Foodbank is partnering with Albertsons and Boise State football to give back to the community
Taylor Rico-Pekerol | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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he Idaho Foodbank has partnered once again with Albertsons and Boise State football to give back to the community this fall season. For every sack the Boise State football team makes, Albertsons will donate $500 to the Foodbank, which in turn equals 2,500 meals. A sack is when a quarterback, or a player acting as an offensive passer, is tackled before the line of scrimmage. The Idaho Foodbank has taken the play and figured out a way to give back to the community through the Sacks for Hunger initiative. Albertsons will donate up to $20,000 towards Sacks for Hunger this season, which is double what their maximum donation was last year. For the 179,000 people served each month at the Idaho Foodbank, the sacks each game make a difference.
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In the past three games of the 2018 season, the Boise State team has made nine sacks total, which equals $4,500 toward the program. This number will continue to grow as the season continues, and the players continue to do their jobs. The Boise State players are not personally integrated into the Sacks for Hunger program per the NCAA rules, but the Idaho Foodbank continues to benefit from their plays. The Idaho Foodbank and Albertsons have been partners since the beginning of the Idaho Foodbank in 1984. Albertsons is an “all in” donor, meaning they work year-round with the Idaho Foodbank with whatever is needed, whether it be helping with volunteering, funds or food. “We are really thankful to our yearround partnership with Albertsons, and
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this is just another way where the whole community can watch and be involved in hunger relief,” said Morgan Wilson, the chief development officer for the Idaho Foodbank. The program has been around since 2010 and has grown in different ways each year. The community has become more involved as the years have gone on, and marketing for it has expanded. The community is now more aware than ever. The Alpha Gamma Delta sorority on campus is involved with the Idaho Foodbank and is always looking for ways to volunteer, according to Lydia Webb, a senior biology major and the Alpha Gamma Delta Vice president of philanthropy. “I think it (Sacks for Hunger) is cool because it incorporates the football culture of our college, and it is a good cause for
fighting hunger, a cause that needs to be helped everywhere,” Webb said. The community’s need for food aid has gone down in small increments over the year, but still one in eight Idahoans need food assistance according to Wilson. “We want it to be neighbor helping neighbor and bring to light the need within our community. We are hoping everyone will rally together to support this cause,” said Kathy Holland, communications and public relations manager for Albertsons. The Idaho Foodbank likes to make it known that the public does not have to sit and wait for the Boise State to get a sack for a donation. For every $1 donated to the Idaho Foodbank, five meals can be prepared and served.
NEWS
THE BICYCLE COMMUTER CLUB INCENTIVIZES RIDING INSTEAD OF DRIVING By making a 10,000-mile challenge, reached by some faculty, the club members are working toward their goal
Alyza Lovenguth | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
THE BICYCLE COMMUTER CLUB:
MILES
The Cycle Learning Center’s manager, Gabe Finkelstein, started the Bicycle Commuter Club. Some members of the club recently met their 10,000-mile goal. Photo by Bailey Nellesen. Graphic by Isabel Sarhad.
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ohn Ziker, professor and department chair of the anthropology department, and Peter Mullner, a distinguished professor from the departments of material science and English, have reached their 10,000-mile marks for the Bicycle Commuter Club, announced on Sept. 12. Gabe Finkelstein, manager of the Cycle Learning Center and creator of the Bicycle Commuter Club, said the Bicycle Commuter Club is a commuting group orchestrated by the Cycle Learning Center where mileage is counted only when biking to and from work, school or running errands. The club is for people in the Boise community, including Boise State employ-
ees and students. Currently, the group has 60 members in total. “It’s a way to incentivize riding your bike to campus and feeling you have community support around that,” Finkelstein said. “It’s not just you doing it for your own reasons. Some people need an extra nudge. This way we have a pool of people we can communicate with and talk to about cool events going on and things that have to do with the bicycle world of Boise.” The 10,000-mile goal is intended to be a career-long goal for people in the club, Finkelstein said. For Ziker, it took 14 years to reach his goal. Before the club was established in October of 2016, Ziker had been collecting miles through Google
Earth and had a total of 8,500 miles once he had joined the club shortly after its creation. Now, he sends his miles to Finkelstein through monthly updates. “I like to be a good example for other staff, faculty and students,” Ziker said. “I think it’s important to reduce our carbon footprint whenever we can. There’s also personal benefits of riding your bike to work. I always feel better when I ride my bike to work rather than driving or getting dropped off.” Once members reach their 10,000-mile goal, they receive a custom t-shirt with a 10k-mileage badge, according to Finkelstein. An article update is also created to announce the members’ reaching their
goal. However, Finkelstein said some people in their time at Boise State have already passed 70,000 miles by just commuting by bicycle, all of which are posted inside Cycle Learning Center. According to Finkelstein, t-shirts are not the only incentive the Bicycle Commuter Club is using to encourage people to ride their bikes instead of driving. The Cycle Learning Center also worked with Parking and Transportation to provide members with three scratch-off parking permits for day use every year in case weather is unsuitable for cycling, without extra costs. At every 1,000 miles, the Cycle Learning Center gives members of the Bicycle Commuter Club a free bicycle tune up, Finkelstein said. Throughout the year, the Cycle Learning Center also offers club exclusive pricing on tune up sales, bike parts and bike accessories. Free workshops are also available for members on bike mechanics to learn how to work on their bikes, and their is a Health and Wellness workshop on how to have a good diet that supports an active lifestyle. More over, Finkelstein is working to have cyclists’, who bike to work 20 or more days out of the month, health insurance premium waived by their employer at Boise State–something Finkelstein has seen in businesses around the world. According to Finkelstein, there is evidence that workers who are active before work or during their day are often more productive, energetic, healthy and get more work done. “There’s a big culture of being active here in Boise and on campus, especially with bicycles,” Finkelstein said. “As a gold-level bicycle-friendly university and the Cycle Learning Center being a platinum-level bicycle-friendly business, we do as much as we can to have influence over Boise State and City of Boise to be thinking of ways to support and encourage people to have alternative modes of transportation than getting in their car and driving.”
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NEWS
QUESTIONS SURROUND SUSTAINABILITY OF NEW CENTER FOR FINE ARTS
The new $45 million building is predicted to be one of the most energy-intensive structures on campus Rainie Harker | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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n a concentrated effort to increase sustainability across campus, Boise State installed solar panels on the roof of the Micron Business and Economics Building in 2015 and completed the solar-charging station outside the Albertsons Library the following year. Currently, 10 buildings on campus, including the Student Union Building and the Interactive Learning Center, use geothermal energy, a sustainable form of heating. However, despite the university’s integration of sustainable technologies across campus and its eager promotion of the new $45 million Center for Fine Arts (CFA), there are debates surrounding whether or not the new building will live up to the expectations. Senior project manager for the CFA, Doug Suddreth, said that everything has been done to integrate an energy-efficient design, ensuring the university will have the ability to maintain the building for at least the next 50 years. This includes specialized glass paneling that reduces the amount of heat energy absorbed into the building and the wear-resistant concrete flooring in most of the building’s workshop areas. The CFA will be the 11th building on campus to integrate geothermal heating. The building will also use LED lighting and low-flow amenities. That said, the building does not come without its sustainability issues. “It’s going to be one of the most energy-intensive buildings on campus,” said Roy Miller, associate director of Facilities Operations and Maintenance. Miller designed the energy codes for the systems in place throughout the CFA, including the systems for ventilation. “It’s the nature of the building,” Miller said. “It has to do with hazardous materials, heat and odors. It requires an exhaust ventilation, and for every cubic foot (of air) exhausted, you have to make up that difference.” The CFA will be the setting for the use of corrosive and flammable materials by art students, such as oils and spray paints that require constant ventilation and air
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conditioning. The air must be drawn from the outdoors and heated or cooled. Once the air has been contaminated by hazardous fumes, it must be ventilated out of the indoor environment. “Rather than to recirculate air like what you would do in an office-type building, a lot of it is exhausted,” Suddreth said. “There are over 50 different exhaust systems in place.” Sustainability, according to junior environmental studies major Isabelle Setna, is the act of “replenishing (the resources) you are depleting.” Popular forms of sustainability include recycling and introducing renewable energy. Students like Setna feel that the introduction of renewables will make for a healthier campus and student experience. Setna advocates for sustainability differently, claiming it affects everyone “no matter how rich or poor you are” and believes it is not just an environmental concern. According to Setna, “the university has a responsibility to provide resources to students” that are cost effective and well maintained. Kat Davis, Boise State sustainability coordinator, works for the university connecting environmental concerns with the culture of the university. “To be a truly sustainable entity, the university should strive to incorporate mindfulness regarding environmental, social and economic responsibilities,” Davis said. “It should be looking at our system in a sense of what is going to the landfill, what can be recycled and what are the costs and the social and economic benefits of that.” Sustainability is not just recycling and reducing emissions. It is about everything from the bottles we drink from to the materials we use to construct our buildings. The perfect sustainable building is going to have a higher upfront cost. We only had so much money to build this building. Sustainability initiatives tend to be some of the first cut,” Davis said. Lower costs of operations are beneficial to both staff and students; with rising costs of university functions, tuition is bound to rise as well. Davis sees the buildings without high
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The new building is expected to be less sustainable than others on campus. Photo by Taylor Humby.
sustainability measures as “missed opportunities” for greater successes. That said, she believes that she and the university are both still learning how to create sustainability in a cost-effective and manageable way. She urges the university to “integrate sustainability systems into every program.” Miller, too, advocates for sustainable practices and said the process is in its infancy. “Sustainability means a lot in reducing future cost or future dependency on energy,” Miller said. “Boise State’s sustainability initiative is just getting started.”
However, Davis disagrees. Paid positions at Boise State monitoring the sustainability of the university have existed for at least the past 10 years. They focused more on energy-standard compliance than sustainability. “We’re not just getting started,” Davis said. “If we had a more coordinated vision of energy building guidelines... harsh on reducing greenhouse gases and energy usage, we could have probably created something both beautiful and energy conscious.”
NEWS
FLU SEASON BEGINS EARLY THIS YEAR
University Health Services has already seen positive cases of the flu, about a month earlier than normal Grace Paduano | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
POP-UP CLINICS CAN BE FOUND: WEDNESDAY OCT. 3, 8-11 A.M. - THE HALL OF FAME TUESDAY OCT. 9, 10 A.M. TO 12 P.M. - THE COBE BUILDING WEDNESDAY OCT. 17, 8-11 A.M. - ALBERTSONS LIBRARY
University Health Services will be holding several pop-up clinics around campus throughout October to offer students the flu shot. Graphic by Isabel Sarhad.
The on-campus clinic is seeing early cases of the flu this year, and is offering flu shots accordingly. Photo by Taylor Humby.
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t may only be the first week of autumn, but University Health Services has had the influenza vaccine since Sept. 13 and has already recorded positive cases of the illness. According to Julia Beard, director of clinical operations at University Health Services, this year’s flu season seems to be starting early, and nobody really knows why. Beard said University Health Services
started getting the flu vaccine earlier than usual. In past years the office has started offering the vaccine around Oct. 1, however, due to cases seen in the clinic, they have decided to start offering the flu shot earlier. There is no real way to track how many Boise State students are getting the shot, as they could be getting vaccinated at any number of different locations. Beard explained that University Health Services
purchases 1,400 flu vaccines each year, and they do go through all of them. This ensures that vaccines are available not only to students, but to faculty, staff and their dependents as well. The flu vaccine is formulated based upon the strains of the virus that were prevalent the year before, and there’s no way to know what virus will be the most prevalent in the current year until the flu season is underway. “Although it may not prevent you from getting (the flu) entirely, the thinking is that you’re going to have a less severe case of it,” Beard said. Makayla Cobb, a senior nursing student, finds the flu shot to be an important step students can take to help prevent catching the flu. “Especially as college students, we are susceptible to getting the flu with our increased stress levels, lack of sleep and busy schedules,” Cobb said. In response to the popular belief that it is better to wait until later in the season to get vaccinated, Beard said there is only one version of the vaccine formulated each year, and she strongly encourages everyone on campus to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Tara Brooks, director of business operations for University Health Services, agreed
upon the importance of the flu shot. “Receiving an annual flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others around you from getting the flu,” Brooks wrote in an email.
“Especially as college students, we are susceptible to getting the flu with our increased stress levels, lack of sleep and busy schedules.” Makayla Cobb, senior nursing student The University Health Services clinic is located on the second floor of the Norco Building and does take walk-ins for flu vaccines. Their hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They will also be holding several pop-up clinics around campus in October.
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OPINION
THINK IT WAS SMOKY THIS SUMMER? IT’LL ONLY GET WORSE
With a changing climate, inclimate weather will become more prominent. Luckily, students can take action Cara Applestein | Guest Writer | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Guest writer Cara Applestein encourages students to take action against climate change. Graphic by Isabel Sarhad.
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f you, like me, enjoy outside recreation during the summer— whether running, hiking, biking or kayaking—you probably also check the air-quality forecast or judge how hazy the foothills look before going out. In August, you probably complained that your lungs burned or throat hurt after being outside all day, that you couldn’t see the Owyhees or that the valley was carpeted in a thick layer of smoke. This is becoming our norm, spurred by ever larger and longer fire seasons with smoke drifting in from all around the west and settling in our valley. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, in the last decades, the average number of large wildfires per year has risen from 140 to 250, driven largely by warmer temperatures that cause earlier snowmelt and earlier plant senescence (i.e., drying out). We’re seeing a trend that is showing no signs of stopping. Air quality may be the least of our concerns
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as wildfire begins threatening more and more infrastructure and sensitive ecosystems. “Idaho is falling behind other states in preparing for increasing threats from extreme heat, drought and wildfire between now and 2050. Idaho has scored a D+ in climate change preparedness. The state’s low grade reflects the fact that it has taken almost no action to plan for its future climate risks or implement adaptation measures to improve the state’s resilience.” (“States at Risk: America’s Preparedness Report Card,” 2015). Our state is failing to protect its vulnerable citizens from drought, wildfire, water shortages and increasing temperature. We are already witness to the effects of climate change, but it’s our own generation and those afterwards that are going to bear the burden. Unfortunately, preparedness at the federal level is no better, with the United States’ exit from the Paris Climate Agreement. However,
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our government works for us and we can bring about a change in policy if we let our voices be heard. Preparing for a future job is a high priority for most of us. Becoming a citizen climate advocate probably isn’t at the top of our to-do lists. But what if we could do both? We could work toward sustainable solutions while we get ready for a career. Students have historically been at the forefront of many social justice movements, and this one is no different. As guest author Chantal Mendiola wrote, “our activism must extend beyond individual actions to include the actions or our industries and institutions if we want to see lasting solutions on our planet.” (“Put down your straws, but don’t forget to ask your leaders to do it too,” Arbiter Opinion 9/1/18). What can we as students do? More than we realize! We’re a large group of accomplished organizers and connected influencers who are adept at communicating
and proficient at information-gathering. Let’s tell our campus and wider community that we care about climate issues, seek solutions and want accountability. There are positive things happening in Idaho, despite our D+ grade. The university joined the Presidents’ Climate Commitment in 2007 to reduce Boise State’s carbon footprint. A Climate Summit at BSU in November 2017 brought together local business and community leaders to share ways of responding to our rapidly-shifting climate. Over 150 people attended a regional Citizens’ Climate Lobby conference in Boise last March. And the campus celebrated a week of events during Earth Day 2018: People, Planet and Solutions. Millennials and Generation Z (as well as following generations) will be disproportionately affected by the coming detrimental environmental changes and, as taxpayers, will pay the costs of continuing extreme weather events. This is the world we are inheriting. Fortunately, students can act now to make our voices heard. It’s time to tell our leaders that a “D+” just doesn’t make the grade as a response to our changing climate. How can we further these efforts? Actions we can take: -Register and vote in every election for candidates who support climate action -Join the BSU Climate Club, learn about solutions and work toward policy changes -Join a community organization (Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Idaho Conservation League, Idaho Sierra Club, Idaho Chapter of the Wildlife Society, etc.) -Organize a film showing or informational table on campus -Attend a local, regional or national conference about climate (Such as the Northwest Climate Conference occurring in Boise, October 9-11)
OPINION
ON-CAMPUS MENTAL HEALTH CARE ACCESSIBILITY NEEDS IMPROVEMENT Boise State’s University Health Services website can do more to cater to students in need
Chase Marsh | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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oise State’s University Health Services is an asset that all students should utilize–especially in regards to mental health. University Health Services provides counseling and crisis counseling for anyone searching for help. But there are still roadblocks preventing students from getting the help they need. Namely, their website provides no information on fees required for services. In 2014, the American Psychology Association reported that one third of college students struggled with depression or anxiety, and that it affected their ability to take on everyday tasks. It’s not hard to believe that the number has increased since then. Time reports that in 2017, nearly 40 percent of college students said they had difficulty functioning due to depression, and 61 percent felt extreme anxiety–quite a jump from 2014. Students need help with these issues, and Boise State officials should take it upon themselves to accommodate those suffering. When seeking help for these issues, some may be more comfortable doing so privately online. Boise State’s Health Services website is helpful for students inquiring about the specific counseling services, but one main concern for students is pricing. And that’s one area that can prevent students from taking action to improve their condition or situation. The lack of online information on pricing is an issue that needs resolved. There should be a clearly stated fee for students that is easily accessible without having to go into the Norco building or call. It may seem like a trivial task, walking into an office or calling to ask a simple one line question. But it may not always be so simple. The stigmas and connotations intertwined with depression and anxiety are one barrier for suffering students. The
Atlantic’s Isabella Kwai discussed the increased demand of university counseling services across the nation, offering the perspective that this statistic is not a sign of overly sensitive students. But that is one view that can turn off the idea of getting help. Talking about one’s own mental health issues is difficult, and something just as difficult is having to ask questions even slightly related to them. Asking what the fee is for a counseling session offers little opacity to one’s situation–even knowing that a health clinic is built on anonymity and a non-judgmental environment. The pricing itself is also an issue. Why aren’t these services free to fulltime students? They should be included in tuition and fees paid by every student; there should be no increased stress of reducing stress and dealing with mental health issues. That seems very counterintuitive for universities that claim to strive for the best learning environment possible–something all institutions of higher education say they do. Offering free health services is something that won’t likely be taken on in the near future. But for now, why isn’t it possible to display specific information on fees online? It would cut out any question of whether or not a student can cover the cost for their visit. They would know before stepping foot in the building. Mental health has been easing its way into the spotlight. More people are becoming aware of possible issues, diagnoses and solutions. So why not make it easier to access the help needed, even if that only starts by putting a number on a website? Boise State has the ability to aid students in their journey to better mental health. There are small steps that will have a big impact.
Are you interested in a career in health care?
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23 | 3-5PM HEALTH SCIENCE RIVERSIDE, 950 LUSK ST
DISCOVER THE RESPIRATORY CARE PROGRAM! • • • •
Lung volume measurements FOOD and PRIZES! Talk to advisors and professors Tour the lab and see state-of-the-art equipment
hs.boisestate.edu/respcare
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F E AT U R E
STUDENTS AFFECTED BY HEALTH CARE GAP COULD SEE A CHANGE Come November, for those who can’t afford insurance, a vote to expand Medicaid could be their solution
Jordan Erb | Editor-in-Chief | editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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hen Jennifer Clifford, a senior social work major, discovered a blood clot in her leg over the summer, she found herself faced with two options: see a doctor to have the clot treated, or stay home and pray that it dissipated. Clifford, gripped by the fear of high out-of-pocket medical costs, chose the latter. For Clifford and up to 62,000 other Idahoans who fall into the health care gap, this is a common sentiment. Those who fall into the gap make too much money to qualify for Medicaid, a federal program that provides health coverage to eligible low-income citizens, and too little money to qualify for assistance through other government programs. This occurs despite some working two jobs, like Clifford, who works with the Boise Rescue Mission and as a Certified Nursing Assistant. What ensues is an inability to afford health care, or paying lofty tabs once medical conditions become too much to bear. In November, Medicaid expansion, otherwise known as Proposition 2, will be one of the items on the ballot for Idaho residents to vote on. Voting to pass Medicaid expansion would extend coverage to those in the health care gap, including Clifford and other Boise State students, as well as some veterans who are uninsured. A coverage extension, though not agreed upon by all Idahoans, could help students facing the gap in a number of ways.
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Students Opting not to seek medical attention out of a concern for covering the bill is an occurrence seen periodically at University Health Services, according to Tara Brooks, assistant director of patient and business services. Students, unable or unwilling to afford health care, often push themselves to their physical or mental limits to avoid incurring medical costs. According to Brooks, this theme bears heavy consequences. “What we see are definitely people who put off seeking care, and then that impacts their academic success, their school life and perhaps their work life,” Brooks said. “I think that whether it’s a physical or mental health condition, if you let it go on for too long, odds are it’s just going to get worse and maybe more costly—not only in money, but in time and your progress here at school.” While Clifford works towards graduating this spring, falling behind in school is a concern for her. But more worrisome than that is the thought of missing a few days of work. Taking time off her jobs means less income, and less income means fewer resources to pay for a trip to the doctor if necessary. This summer, time and prayers were on Clifford’s side. But this is the game she plays, the “crap shoot,” as she called it. When she feels sick, or in the case of this summer with her blood clot, she takes the gamble between getting better and getting far worse.
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“I’ll tell you, before I go do anything, I’m hesitant,” Clifford said. “If I go break a leg, I can’t afford to get it fixed. That’s going to be a huge bill that I can’t deal with right now. I’ve got student loans. I’m hesitant to do certain activities. I think about it all the time when there are colds going around the (Boise Rescue Mission). If I get sick, I can’t miss a few
“If I go break a leg, I can’t afford to get it fixed. That’s going to be a huge bill that I can’t deal with right now. I’ve got student loans. I’m hesitant to do certain activities... If I get sick, I can’t miss a few days. Between all these different responsibilities, I just can’t. It is an issue.” Jennifer Clifford, senior social work major days. Between all these different responsibilities, I just can’t. It is an issue.” After paying her rent, student loans and other necessities, Clif-
ford can’t afford the voluntary Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), which is comparable in price and coverage to other insurance plans on the market. SHIP costs students $306.43 per month, and only about 330 students were enrolled in the plan in 2017. To Clifford, the inaccessibility of the current health care system stifles advancement and penalizes those who are trying to get ahead. The full-time student and single mother of three works 30-35 hours a week in in-home care. She spends 16 hours of her week at the Boise Rescue Mission, working with the teen program to break the cycle of poverty. Her time away from work and school is spent at her internship, where she helps with the memory-care unit of a veterans’ home. To top off her extra-curricular luggage, she is applying to master’s programs. The current Medicaid system, according to Clifford, doesn’t incentivize working hard to get an education and support oneself. “I almost feel like it’s kind of a punishment to try to better myself, because if I was working full time and just staying how I was, I could afford health insurance,” Clifford said. “But I want to go to school and do bigger things because I am capable, and because I have a lot to offer, but during this time, it’s like I’m playing craps. It’s a crap shoot.” Veterans According to Liz Woodruff, assistant director of programs at Idaho Voices for Children and coordinator of Close the Gap Idaho network, there are currently 3,800 Idaho veterans in the health care gap, and 1,200 spouses of veterans facing the same problem. Boise State is home to a number of student
F E AT U R E veterans, some of which may be eligible for coverage if Medicaid expansion is passed in November. “By closing the health care gap, it would make sure that people who have served our country bravely have health coverage when they come back and are living here in Idaho,” Woodruff said. “It would help their families and the people that they’re married to who are currently in this gap.” Veterans in Idaho are entitled to services at the Boise VA Medical Center, but the level of coverage they receive is dependent upon a number of factors. Beth Sabrowsky, outreach coordinator at Boise State Veteran Services, hasn’t encountered too many student veterans on campus who fall into the gap. She credits this to the notion that if student veterans are already engaged with Veteran Services, they are likely in touch with the community and the resources that are available to them. Veterans who are less engaged, however, may not have the same experience. “It’s just getting people in the doors, but nobody wants to ask,” Sabrowsky said. “I think there’s a few reasons behind it. I think one of them is that when people separate from the military, it’s kind of a bumpy transition, and a lot of it can be overwhelming, especially those that joined when they were 18 and were never adult civilians. All of a sudden they’re dealing with bills and insurance and all these different kinds of things, and they don’t really know where to start. Another part is that it can kind of be a pride thing.” Not knowing where to go or how to ask for help, for many, might be standing in the way of getting health coverage. For some, the VA may be the solution. For others, however, the answer may
come with the passing of the Medicaid expansion initiative. Proposition 2 A student group closely involved with getting the vote on the ballot in November is the Young Democrats, which worked last school year to get the signatures needed to have it considered. For Joe Goode, president of the Young Democrats, the issue comes down to compassion. “It’s not a right or left thing, it’s just a human thing,” Goode said. “At the end of the day, it’s just about doing the right thing to help people get the health insurance they need and deserve, and it’s about doing the financially responsible thing, which is saving the state money so we can use that money to invest in critical things, like education.” According to Goode, the state is already paying for the health coverage of those who fall into the health care gap. When people wait to take preventative action on their health conditions, and don’t improve in the way that Clifford
did with her blood clot, the trips to the doctor come out of the taxpayers’ pockets. Caroline Merritt, communications director for the Idahoans for Health Care campaign, agreed. The Idahoans for Health Care campaign was the main campaign that stood up in favor of the Medicaid expansion initiative. “For us, it’s a no-brainer. Not only (will) we provide health care to Idahoans who need it, but we’re going to save money in the long run,” Merritt said. “Right now, those Idahoans are forced to access care through the emergency room when their health reaches a critical point. That’s the most expensive point to access care. By providing primary preventative care, that will save taxpayers money by not having to fund care through the state catastrophic fund.” Though the campaign does have bipartisan support–with a Republican co-chair and a Democratic co-chair–it’s not supported by all people on each side. Pryce Robinson, the chair of the College Republicans, looks at the potential for Medicaid expansion with a skeptical eye. “As a Republican, obviously we’re for small government and states’ rights,” Robinson said. “That’s one of the big tenants of the Republican party, and Medicaid expansion puts a huge amount of what is usually an
issue that is handled by the states. The federal government would have a much larger grip on saying what the state can and can’t do with their health care programs.” Funding for the program, like Robinson said, would come mostly from the federal government. Ninety percent of the costs associated with the expansion would be paid for by the federal government, and the remaining 10 percent would be left for Idaho to fund. While Robinson sees this as giving more authority to the national government, proponents of the expansion see this funding model as a positive plan for the state. Despite disagreeing with Medicaid expansion, Robinson encouraged students to research and decide for themselves what they believe, and then take action in November. He urged students to become informed voters, then show up on Nov. 6 to make their voices heard.
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BEHIND THE UNIFORM: TRANSITIONING FROM MILITARY LIFE TO STUDENT LIFE
Student veterans build a life after the military Michelle Privette | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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he current retention rate for fulltime military veterans currently enrolled at Boise State is 62 percent, according to Boise State Veteran Services. This is a far-cry from the 78-80 percent retention rate, according to Boise State Office of Institutional Research, for students without ties to the military. After separating, many veterans struggle with their transition to civilian life, which can include “anxiety, depression and health issues from injuries sustained in military,” according to Beth Sabrowsky, Veteran Services outreach coordinator at Boise State. Adapting to the college environment can take time. For Nathaniel Hardy, junior multidisciplinary studies major and former Navy Fleet Marine Force Corpsman, “trying to build an identity after the military” is one of the most difficult parts of transitioning. While these readjustment issues are prevalent in student veterans on campus, Hardy explained that “every single veteran has a different experience on their transition out, (because) all veterans walk and talk in a different way.” In addition to the obstacles veterans face once they reach their end of active-duty service, adding in college brings a whole new set of challenges for veterans transitioning to civilian students. “The military is an entirely different world. It is your life. You’re told what time to wake up, what to wear and you have an expectation to be met,” Hardy said. From Hardy’s experience, beginning college can be a shock to the system. “All the structure is gone, and it’s all on you. Building a community of people who can relate and know what I’m going through is extremely important for veterans transitioning out,” Hardy said. Student veterans, however, aren’t alone. There are several resources on campus for students transitioning into a college lifestyle, one of which is called Peer Advisors for Veteran Education (PAVE), a group
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Transitioning from military life to student life can be difficult, and is evidenced by the disparity between graduation rates of student veterans and traditional students. Illustration by Wyatt Wurtenberger.
available to help ease this transition. “(PAVE members) serve as the voice of the veteran population at Boise State,” said Shateria Thompson, team leader at PAVE and graduate non-profit administration student. “The PAVE program provides tools to empower veterans pursuing their educational and professional goals.” While Thompson is a key part of PAVE’s mission, there’s more to it than educational and professional benefits. According to Sabrowsky, there’s personal value in it as well. “The PAVE program (provides a place to) meet with other veterans who totally understand what they’ve gone through or what they’re going through at that time,” Sabrowsky said. “(It’s) a community they can fall back on.” Being on campus can make student
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veterans feel alienated. Often, student veterans are several years older than their fellow classmates, and this can make it difficult for them to build connections. When Hardy first began school here at Boise State, he was the oldest student in one of his classes. “It was tough to communicate with other students,” Hardy said. “I had just turned 26 and all these kids just graduated from high school. This one girl didn’t even know what AOL is, and that just blew my mind. We’re giant teddy bears. Behind the steel metal frame or the thousand-yard stare, there is a person.” For those who don’t know how to reach out, Hardy suggested asking about their time in the military. “Veterans are always down to talk about
their service,” Hardy said. “It’s a part of their life that is done, but they will carry with them forever. We’re friendly people who totally deserve a shot.” More than anything, Hardy urged students to reach out to fellow veteran students on campus. “Go to the VA; volunteer with us,” Hardy said. “Bringing veteran students and the Boise State community together brings veterans the opportunity to flourish within the community, be more successful on campus and experience all that Boise State has to offer.”
C U LT U R E
A SEARCH FOR THE MOST RELAXING PLACES ON CAMPUS
Students reflect on where they find Boise State’s most calming locations David Collie | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
One of the bastions of relaxation on campus. Photo by Taylor Humby.
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ore due dates and fewer hours of sleep are starting to take their toll as midterms, and the stresses that follow, begin to sneak up. Some students might even be so busy that they can’t take time to relax. Fortunately, there are some relaxing places on campus where these students can at least have a pleasant view while studying away. But before diving into these havens of serenity, why is it important to relax in the first place? Holly Levin, the assistant director of Bronco Fit, explained why. “It’s so important to take time for yourself,” Leven said. “We always stress balance, so you want to have time for all the things that are important to you, and yourself needs to be one of them. It doesn’t need to be the whole pie, but there needs to be some time set aside that you’re making sure you’re at your best self.” As for relaxing places, the list begins with a location hidden in plain sight. A simple but often overlooked gem is the lawn next to the Quad. On a warm day,
the open field can provide a healthy dose of sunshine or a nice bit of shade under the trees. Its proximity to the Quad even allows students to move according to the level of background noise they desire. “It’s definitely a game changer, especially now that they have invested in having actual lawn chairs,” said Brooke Rude, a health sciences graduate student. Her other favorite locations included the greenbelt, the tables around the SUB and when it’s cold, the library, where she can look out at the river. Unfortunately, Rude does raise an important point about the weather. As the cold comes in, many of the outdoor oases will become less than comfortable. That’s why Courtney Uplinger, a senior marketing major, will be in luck with her indoor retreats. “I’m a little biased because I’m a business student, but I love the business building,” Uplinger said. “The lobbies are great, (and) we have awesome study rooms in there with white board walls and all that stuff.”
Although not every department is lucky enough to have such a grand building, all students have the opportunity to relax and pull off some studying there. For students who prefer something a little less open, Uplinger also pointed out the Starbucks in the SUB. This area keeps some of the background noise found in the busy parts of the business building, while also providing some more private seats. And don’t forget the smell of coffee. Last, but not least, is an area that’s hard
“We spend so much time here, so it’s nice to have your own little space that you can call your own.” Heather Kelly, senior elementary education major
to compete with. Many students find peace along the greenbelt, but there’s one spot that might be even better. Along the greenbelt and behind the library, students can find paths that will lead down to banks near river. This is the favorite of Heather Kelly, a senior elementary education major. “I’m down here probably once or twice a week,” Kelly said. “It’s my spot to come and hammock. I love it. We spend so much time here, so it’s nice to have your own little space that you can call your own, or everyone can call their own.” As the fall season quickly approaches, this is a spot students will want to take advantage of while they can. Despite the relaxing possibilities of all these locations, however, different people will find relaxation in different ways. What might be relaxing for one person could be stressful for another. Therefore, it’s important for each individual to find something—or somewhere—that puts their mind at ease.
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WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A RESIDENT ASSISTANT AT BOISE STATE Current RAs share their perspective on their campus leadership roles Megan Schuessler | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Reed Osbrink, an RA at Chaffee Hall. Photo by Taylor Humby.
Shawna Lucht works as an RA at Chaffee Hall. Photo by Taylor Humby.
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eeping up with schoolwork can be a difficult job for many students across Boise State’s campus. On top of school assignments, there are many students with full-time and part-time jobs. Some students choose to become Resident Assistants (RAs), through which they live in residence halls to help students living on campus. A few RAs from University Suites and Chaffee Hall shared their perspective of being an RA this year. The reasons students choose to take on this position vary depending on the person. Regardless of the individual reasons, each of the RAs had something driving them to get them through the long application, interviewing and training process. Shawna Lucht, sophomore social work major, is an RA at Chaffee Hall, which is considered the more traditional freshman housing option. This is her first year as an
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RA, and her life has been busy. Along with working as an RA and being a student, Lucht works at Freshii in the education building and fits homework into her routine whenever she can. Lucht decided to work as an RA mainly because of her major and the financial assistance that comes with living on campus, since housing and meal plans are paid for. “It’s a lot that ties into what I’m doing for social work, like helping people and getting resources,” Lucht said. Reed Osbrink, a junior mechanical engineering major, is also an RA in Chaffee Hall. He started his Boise State experience as a resident at Chaffee Hall during his freshman year and is returning to work as an RA for his second consecutive year. Unlike Lucht, Osbrink works in D-Wing, which he said has a completely different atmosphere than Lucht’s wing. “It’s way more quiet. When nine o’clock
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comes around, there’s not a peep,” Osbrink said. Osbrink said he prioritizes his job as a student and is able to work his homework into activities he plans with the residents at Chaffee, such as study sessions and nights in which everyone gets together to do homework. As the school year has progressed, one of the most rewarding things Lucht has experienced was when she felt like students could come to her and felt like they trusted her. Subsequently, Osbrink said he appreciates the impact he can see from the work he does as an RA. “I’ve been at other jobs where you clock in, you clock out, and you have worked for eight hours and you don’t get to see anything,” Osbrink said. “But now, as an RA, you get to spend time with your residents, connect them with other people and watch them grow as the year goes on. That’s a really cool opportunity you get to experience as an RA.” Another perspective comes from Alaina Holland, a sophomore pre-business major. She is an RA for University Suites and began her on-campus housing experience during her freshman year in Driscoll Hall. Holland said she decided to become an RA because she loved meeting new people
through her time in Hall Council for Driscoll. “(A typical work day is) just talking with our residents, seeing how they are and making connections, because we are here to be a resource to the residents,” Holland said. Resident director of Chaffee Hall, Sam Harwood, shared what things are typically expected of RAs. According to Harwood, RAs are required to handle many administrative tasks and to be on call for emergencies, on top of overseeing and assisting their residents. While RAs biggest tasks are resident based, they also serve a certain amount of hours at their hall’s front desk and attend meetings throughout the year. She also believes being an RA is one of the most rewarding positions a person can have. While the job comes with many duties, each housing complex varies across campus. With these vast differences in play, there is no typical day as an RA at Boise State. “Those who really commit to the position find that it is worth so much more than the housing,” Harwood said. “Honestly, if you’re just doing it for the housing, it’s not worth it.”
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LOOKING FOR YEARS OF EXPERIENCE FOR AN ENTRY-LEVEL POSITION
Boise State faculty and students discuss the importance of pre-professional internships Logan Potter | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Trevor Thompson is one student that had an intense professional experience due to internship coordination. Photo by Taylor Humby.
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very year, a new graduating class leaves Boise State and enters what professionals call the “real world,” which is a reality that too many college students feel entirely unprepared for. Years of experience are required to snatch an entry-level position, and prior internship experience is required to pick up an internship along the way. With these obstacles constantly in the way of graduates’ futures, those students still studying for undergraduate degrees could be willing to scramble for any glimmer of professional experience before graduation. Each college on campus offers internship opportunities around the Treasure Valley, with the Department of Communication garnering some of the largest numbers of semesterly interns. Within the department, Rick Moore coordinates internships for dozens of students each semester, with 20 taking on pre-professional experiences this fall. Like every job application students will click through in their futures, internships
on and off campus have prerequisites. One of these requirements lies in grade point average (GPA), a milestone that students on campus could overlook before considering an internship application. “The first thing is for students to realize that an internship is a privilege, not a right,” Moore said. “Students who try to slide through the system by getting a minimum GPA graduate, earning a C- in all required classes are not going to be allowed to do internships.” Moore recognizes that students ought to put their energy into applying for internships that not only match their interests but their studies as well. “In addition, students should think about the kind of internship they want to do,” Moore said. “They should then take classes that would prepare them to work in that area, (because) the internship provider is providing opportunity, experience and mentoring. So, students should not expect to do an internship at a TV station if they have not taken a single class in video
production.” Mary Frances Casper, PR internship coordinator for the Department of Communication, echoed this sentiment in her own sector of interning students. She believes an internship is crucial to the career goals of every student in the major, but they shouldn’t take the responsibility hastily. “They need to start preparing fairly early. I ask them to start off by doing a self-reflection and to really think about what they want their life to live like,” Casper said. “If you have a goal to have a life where you have a very steady 9-5 job, then the very last thing you should do is go into athletic promotion where you’re gone every evening of every weekend.” According to Casper, exploring careers in the field of interest comes first, then working backwards to find opportunities that match up with those interests is the final step to finding the prime internship. “While they’re going to that process, we’re asking them to take well over a year to research,” Casper said. “You’re learning
a lot about yourself as you go, so I give you time to reflect.” Not every student chooses to take the leap, but Trevor Thompson, a junior communication major, made the decision to research his opportunities last spring. Landing an initially unpaid position at Rivr Media, a television production company at their development location in California, Thompson found himself in tedious–albeit expected–tasks for his first time period before his talents shone through for his supervisors. “It started off pretty stereotypical, where I was just doing the stuff they didn’t want to do. If they were looking for talent for a show, they would give me a super specific demographic to find,” Thompson said. “Eventually they started having me do editing together of reels, and it turned into a paid internship. I got on the payroll as director of photography, so I definitely grew from when I started.” The experience was more than the professional environment for Thompson, who found himself more intrigued by the individuals working around him in the West Hollywood office. “Being able to shadow a lot of young people who were doing the same things as me in the same area of entertainment was the most valuable part,” Thompson said. “It was still a great introduction to see them talk to these major networks, and I learned a lot from that. I learned to adapt to that work environment rather than a group project for school.” While each student will have a different take away from their internship experience, they all have the same unique opportunity for exposure through research and development of career interests. “Just reach out and get your name heard, and honestly, be annoying,” Thompson said. “There’s a lot of people going for the same thing, and it’s going to be hard to set yourself apart if you aren’t persistent.”
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SPORTS & REC
BOISE STATE CLUB BASEBALL IS A TEAM FULL OF DREAMS
Players escape the busy student life for the love of the game Brandon Williams | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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lub baseball is one of many clubs and organizations that Boise State has to offer. The team’s season just began with a three-game series against Idaho State on Sept. 15 and 16, which the Broncos lost 0-3. Club president and head coach Max Phillips leads the young team as they look to rally beyond the adversity and improve throughout the season. The team is built around dreams and passion, with some aspiring towards the next level, and some just rekindling their old love for the game. Noah Souza Noah Souza, a catcher and outfielder, is a sophomore from Issaquah, Washington, where he attended Skyline High School and played baseball for four years. Souza also played on traveling club teams that took up much of his summer and fall. Souza has a lot of ambition both on and off the field. He is a biology major with a minor in business and is very interested in the field of ecology and animal behavior One day, Souza hopes to work for a non-profit organization that helps benefit animal wildlife for “good old mother nature.” His passion stems from his high school courses and teachers. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, (and) something I really enjoy,” Souza said. With classes, labs or homework every day and practices three times a week, time management is important for these players. Balancing these aspects of his life is something Souza takes pride in, and he strives to excel on the field and in the classroom. Boise State was one of the last schools Souza applied to after realizing that he wanted to go to school outside of Washington. “I instantly fell in love with the city and everything that comes along with it,” Souza said. Souza has bigger ambitions than club ball, as do many of the players on the team. He is hoping to walk on to Boise
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State’s new Division 1 baseball program. The D1 team will be holding an open try-out, and it is expected that around 10 players from the club team, including Souza, will be participating in that try-out. The date for that try-out is not yet confirmed; all they can do is keep practicing and staying alert. Kaden Simmons Sophomore Kaden Simmons is a first baseman, left fielder and pitcher. He grew up in Longview, Washington, graduated high school in 2016 and then spent a year at Lower Columbia College (LCC). He stopped playing baseball his sophomore year of high school, a decision that haunted him for a while. This is his first year back out of retirement from baseball, and he said he “couldn’t be happier.” Simmons studies accounting with a business and marketing minor. He hopes to organize money better and get a greater understanding of how businesses and marketing work together. “If I had to choose a place to work, It would be Amazon or Costco, or any major company like that,” Simmons said. Simmons currently works for Green Form Roofing and Solar with their marketing and sales department. During his freshman year at LCC, Simmons came to Boise State for the first time to visit friends, who helped open his eyes to what Boise has to offer. “I loved the big city, little city feel and the downtown; there’s always something going on, something being built,” Simmons said. “I love what the university does for the city, economically and as a community. There are so many opportunities out here, the city is growing fast and being a college student at this time, there’s no better timing,” Simmons said. It had been over four years since Simmons had stepped on the baseball field. Simmons had no intention to join the team at first. He took the year to think
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Kaden Simmons, a sophomore club baseball player. Photo by Brandon Williams.
about it and adjust to the new life in Boise and reconsidered the following year.
“I missed baseball too much and always found myself wishing I was on the diamond.” Kaden Simmons, sophomore club baseball player
“I missed baseball too much and always found myself wishing I was on the diamond,” Simmons said. “I came to Boise and wanted to be a part of something bigger and a way to represent Boise State
in a bigger aspect, and just that bonding that comes with being on a team.” Establishing a workout routine has helped Simmons to adjust back into the game. Due to work and school, Simmons doesn’t have much time to practice off the field. It sets him back, but that’s why he works hard and takes team practices very seriously in order to keep getting better. “It was rough at first, just being able to recognize terminology (and) reading plays properly,” Simmons said. Between work, school, having a social life and baseball, Simmons would much rather be on the diamond most of the time. School and work will always come first, but they have become motivation because once he is finished with his responsibilities, Simmons gets to end the day right where he wants to be: on the diamond.
GET TO KNOW THE BLUE THUNDER MARCHING BAND
SPORTS & REC
The dedication of the members and director is unmatched Autum Robertson | Sports Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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n Sept. 5, 1987, the Keith Stein Blue Thunder marching band took the field for the first time to perform at a home opener for the Boise State Broncos. The group is named after Keith and Catherine Stein of Boise State, who donated $250,000 in 1986 to establish the marching band. While the band may have grown in size and the uniforms might have changed since then, the spirit and pride of Blue Thunder still resonates through each and every member. Minutes before every kickoff, the Blue Thunder marching band can be heard pumping themselves up before marching onto the field to perform for the football team and their fans. The 200-member crew contains a vast variety of musicians and majors. Get to know the loud and proud staff and members, including band director Joe Tornello and members Katelyn Schuettke and Nicolette Guerin. Joe Tornello Joseph Tornello has an education background in music. He has a bachelor and master of Arts from Virginia Tech and Jacksonville State University in Alabama. He later got his doctorate in wind-band conducting from the University of Kentucky. Tornello found himself in Boise and now takes on the busy role of the band director. “Anything musically related is what I’m responsible for making sure happens for the band,” Tornello said. “I write a large majority of the drill that the band performs on the field, which is fairly time consuming. Basically steering things that need to happen for the program.” Occasionally, graduate students in the band are given the opportunity to write the drills. Tornello will often hold an open meeting in January or February that allows members to throw out fun concept ideas for the show. Since Tornello came to Boise in 2011, the band has grown from around 130
members to its current 200. Tornello sees how much the students work with band and school, and he couldn’t be happier with the performances and the band’s cumulative 3.0 GPA. “I see what they’re doing everyday,” Tornello said. “In some cases, students don’t realize what they can do collectively. Seeing the hard work and the successful performances is pretty rewarding.” Not only does he direct and oversee Blue Thunder and all the pep bands, Tornello is the chapter sponsor for the band’s fraternity Kappa Kappa Si, and he teaches a campus band class in both fall and spring. Tornello has two children of his own, who he said love seeing the band during the Bronco Walk on game day. He is also skilled at playing multiple instruments. “Depending on what you consider playing, I’m fairly proficient on all the brass. Percussion is my main instrument and the woodwinds I’m okay, if I would sit down and practice it,” Tornello said. Tornello’s personal philosophy is to please everyone in the stadium at least once each year. Katelyn Schuettke Katelyn Schuettke is a junior piccolo player, majoring in physics with an astrophysics emphasis, and she dreams of working for NASA. In Schuettke’s sixth year of school, she picked up a flute for the first time and never put it down again. That was until she decided to march at Boise State, where they march piccolo instead of the flute. She didn’t have any marching band experience before college, but she soon learned how fun and family oriented band could be. Being a physics major puts a lot of stress on Schuettke, so band is her getaway. “The best part for me is all the friends,” Schuettke said. “With my major I get stressed, but with band it’s a different kind of stress. It’s hard physical work; it helps
with de-stressing. It’s a different kind of stress, but it’s relaxing.” As a member, she is required to begin preparation five hours before the actual game. The day consists of getting dressed in their uniform and preparing over and over again for all of the game performances. Like the football team, right before the band storms the field, each section does something to get themselves pumped.
“In the tunnel before we run on before pregame, every instrument section has their own way to pump themselves up.” -
ton in band camp and rehearsals, but when we travel it’s all band all the time. We get to concentrate on us and go have fun with band kids.” There are plenty of stereotypes associated with band students. Guerin said the one she hears the most is that all band members are music majors. “I think a lot of people think we’re in the Morrison Center all the time, and all we do is band, but I’m definitely not that,” Guerin said. “I do band, I’m a section leader and I love it, but my career is not band.” She joked that she’s much better at her major than playing her instrument. The Blue Thunder’s next home performance is during halftime Saturday, Oct. 6 when Boise State football plays San Diego State University.
Katelyn Schuettke, junior piccolo player
“In the tunnel before we run on before pregame, every instrument section has their own way to pump themselves up,” Schuettke said. “We do this piccolo song that goes like, ‘show us how you piccolo.’ We get really pumped up for that. It gets really intense and everyone’s so excited.” Schuettke said she would never trade being on the field for game day. Nicolette Guerin Nicolette Guerin is a senior trumpet section leader. She is majoring in engineering with an applied math minor and has a goal of working at Aerospace. She first started playing trumpet in the fifth grade. Guerin is also a member of the pep band, volleyball band and Kappa Kappa Si. Guerin loves all the friendships she has made being in the band. Spending time with the band is one of her favorite parts. “I really love traveling with the band. It’s so much fun,” Guerin said. “We bond a
Photo by Ximena Bustillo.
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SPORTS & REC
BOISE STATE ROUTES WYOMING COWBOYS 34-14
Broncos look good after the bye week
Autum Robertson | Sports Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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fter losing 21-44 to the Oklahoma State Cowboys, the Broncos came back to take down their Mountain West opponent, the Wyoming Cowboys, in a 34-14 victory on Sept. 29. Last week’s bye came at the right time, and the Broncos came back firing on all cylinders. Boise State’s senior quarterback Brett Rypien had his way with the Cowboys’ defense. Rypien finished the game completing 28 of his 42 passes for 342 yards. Rypien completed two touchdowns. The first touchdown was a 21-yard pass to redshirt senior wide receiver A.J. Richardson in the second quarter, the other was a 41-yard completion to junior wide receiver John Hightower. Rypien now has an impressive 10 touchdowns and zero interceptions on the season. “Brett prepares a certain way,” said Boise
State’s head coach Bryan Harsin.“He’s very focused, he’s very intentional about what he does and I think it shows up on the field. He’s as consistent week to week as I’ve been around, and in the game it carries over. What (Rypien) does in practice is what he does in games. He’s playing at a high level, and he’s playing fast.” Richardson had quite the night on offense. He had six catches for 113 yards and a 21-yard touchdown grab. Six of Richardson’s catches went for over 15 yards. The Broncos’ other two touchdowns came from rushing plays. The first was a hard-fought touchdown on the first drive of the game, when junior running back Alexander Mattison ran the ball in from 13 yards out. “It was an unbelievable effort. I’ve seen (Mattison) do it before, but not in that type of situation, where he had to break
a tackle at the line of scrimmage, evade a guy and he didn’t have that much momentum going, but he was still able to hurdle and get into the endzone,” Rypien said. The second rushing touchdown came on a two-yard run in the second quarter from freshman wide receiver Khalil Shakir. Boise State’s defense looked to be back in shape after the bye. The Broncos held the Cowboys to 11 first downs and only 295 total yards. Junior linebacker Tyson Maeva was all over the Cowboys’ field, leading the team with 10 tackles and two tackles for a loss and a sack. The Broncos finished the game with four more sacks from four different defenders; junior safety Deandre Pierce, redshirt senior stud Jabril Frazier, redshirt sophomore stud Curtis Weaver and junior defensive end Chase Hatada. The defense finished with 46 total tackles.
The Broncos saw a 34-14 victory over Wyoming this weekend. Photo courtesy of Boise State Football’s Facebook page.
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OCTOBER 2, 2018
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ARBITERONLINE.COM
“We tackled well tonight, we tackled aggressively and we got guys down on the ground... That’s an important factor with what we are trying to accomplish.” Bryan Harsin, head football coach
“We tackled well tonight, we tackled aggressively and we got guys down on the ground. It showed up, and it needs to continue. That’s an important factor with what were trying to accomplish,” Harsin said. Redshirt sophomore cornerback Jalen Walker has filled in for senior cornerback Tyler Horton in the last two games. He showed that he was up for the task in Wyoming, finishing the game with four tackles and recovering a botched punt snap. When the Broncos traveled to Oklahoma, the special teams had their worst game of the season, but they were able to bounce back in Wyoming. Redshirt senior kicker Haden Hoggarth made two of his three field goal attempts. The missed field goal came from only 32 yards out. It was an improvement from Oklahoma, but the Broncos still have a long way to go. The biggest special teams play came when Hightower blocked one of Wyoming’s punts, junior safety Kekoa Nawahine was able to recover. The Broncos are back on the Blue for homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 6, when their Mountain West rival San Diego State University comes to town. The game will kick off earlier than most at 1:30 p.m. Mountain Time.
FUN & GAMES
OCTOBER 2, 2018
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ARBITERONLINE.COM
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