The Arbiter Vol. 32 Issue 12

November 5, 2019

Vol. 32 Issue 12

IN D E PE ND E NT

ST U D E NT

V O I CE

O F

B O I SE

STAT E

S I N C E

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ACTIVISM AT FACE VALUE STUDENTS AND FACULTY PUSH FOR GREATER VISIBILITY IN BOISE AND BEYOND NEWS

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Concerns about the cost of parking grow for working students who park downtown

VISIT US ONLINE:

OPINION

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Since Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s apology regarding her Native American ancestry, her support has grown arbiteronline.com

CULTURE

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Theatre at Boise State is working to create more inclusive plays for underrepresented communities @arbiteronline

SPORTS & REC

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Hockey captain Eric Pinsky seeks to pursue a lifelong career in sports beyond the club team

@arbiteronline

@boisestatearbiter

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Editor-In-Chief Logan Potter editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu Online Editor Emma Freitas onlineeditor@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Editor Celina Van Hyning news@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Reporter Taylor Rico-Pekerol news@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Editor Will Meyer culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Reporter Michelle Johnson culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports Editor Delaney Brassil sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports Reporter Autum Robertson sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Copy Editor Megan Mary Social Media Coordinator Trisha Kangas Digital Content Manager Taylor Humby digitalcontent@stumedia.boisestate.edu Digital Content Producer Mackenzie Hudson Graphic Design Manager Maddie Ceglecki design@stumedia.boisestate.edu Graphic Designer Kacie Fromhart Illustrator Wyatt Wurtenberger Distributed Tuesdays during the academic school year The Arbiter is the official independent student newspaper of Boise State University, where student editors make all content decisions and bear responsibility for those decisions. The Arbiter’s budget consists of fees paid by the student body and advertising sales. The first copy is free.

Additional copies can be purchased for $1 a piece at The Arbiter offices.

Women’s basketball shows off in preparation for their opening match.

Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter

ON THE COVER:

Boise State students, staf f and members of the communit y are joining together to create change locally. By resisting oppressive voices, they are able to tell their stories in the form of activism.

Cover design by Kacie Fromhar t 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

MISSION:

As a student-run organization, we produce accurate and hyper-local information through non-par tisan and socially responsible media.

MAILING ADDRESS: Student Media MS 1340 1910 W Universit y Dr. Boise, ID 83725 -1340

Fun place to work, flex schedules, discounted meals & free t-shirts

$9.00 or more per hour Cooks & Carhops

(Carhops can earn tips) Starting pay based on experience To Apply 2145 S. Broadway: Text APPLY5023 to 876-642 851 N. Orchard St: Text APPLY4687 to 876-642

EVENTS

BRONCO FAMILY TABLE SOUTHFORK MARKET NOVEMBER 6, 5:30 PM

Organized by BroncoFit, this event invites students to enjoy a “family dinner” with others across campus. It is free for students with their ID and each table seats 20 people.

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE STUDENT UNION

PANCAKES AND PJS MOVIE NIGHT

SIMPLOT BALLROOM NOVEMBER 7, 7 PM

Come dressed in pajamas and enjoy a late night breakfast along with a screening of “The Parent Trap” in the SUB.

SERVICE SATURDAY: RAKE UP BOISE STUDENT UNION DINING AREA

NOVEMBER 7, 9:30 AM

NOVEMBER 9, 9 AM

The Red Cross Students club has scheduled the university’s next blood drive at the SUB. Donations are encouraged and appreciated.

This opportunity is available for students looking to help the community by raking leaves for senior and disabled residents in Boise.

NEWS

NOVEMBER 5, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

STUDENTS EMPLOYED DOWNTOWN STRUGGLE TO COVER PARKING COSTS

The City of Boise encourages alternative modes of transportation to avoid citations Diego Barragan | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

son to their earnings.

Allison Montgomery, a sophomore criminal justice and psychology double major, shared her experience working at the downtown Regal Edwards movie theater.

“The theater validates our parking ticket from the garages and covers up to three hours of parking,” Montgomery said. “So after about two and a half hours, we have to re-park our car to get a new ticket so we don’t surpass the three-hour mark. Otherwise, the theater won’t cover it.”

Montgomery explained that the theater offers up to three hours of parking to avoid discouraging customers from going to the theater solely because of parking costs.

“We also have to coordinate ahead of time what time we plan to move our car during the shift because we wouldn’t be able leave during a rush-hour in the theater,” Montgomery said.

Montgomery says she has recently considered alternate modes of transportation due to limited parking. “I live on campus so I could probably walk to work, but I work the late shift and sometimes get out at 1 a.m. if it’s busy, and I wouldn’t feel safe walking home alone,” Montgomery said.

The least expensive option for a monthly parking pass in a garage downtown is $100 Free parking downtown is extremely limited, causing students to spend money in per month. This would equate to nearly 14 lots and garages. hours of work for a person making the cur Taylor Humby | The Arbiter rent minimum wage in the State of Idaho.

Casey Pfost, a sophomore elementary ccording to Forbes, Boise is the varying depending on the garage location. education major, voiced similar concerns 15th fastest-growing city in the Downtown Boise is one of the most about working downtown. nation and has seen a populaconcentrated areas in terms of population.

“I worked at Snake River Tea for about tion increase of 3.6% within Nearly 4,000 people reside in downtwo weeks before quitting because I the last year. The continued growth of the town and more than 40,000 people are couldn’t pay for parking,” Pfost said. “I city has increased the demand for both employed in the area according to Lynn called the city to see what parking options road capacity and parking availability.

Hightower, executive director of the were available and I was told about the Due to this high demand, seven different Downtown Boise Association. monthly ePermit and parking in Zone 3 parking garages have been developed, addMany people, including students at was the cheapest option at $15 a month.” ing over 3,395 spots available. Commuters Boise State, have obtained employment Like Montgomery, Pfost had concerns have the ability to purchase parking on an downtown and have found it challenging about walking to their car after a late shift. hourly, daily or monthly rate with prices to justify the costs of parking in compari-

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“[Zone 3] was a far walk from my job,” Pfost said. “I would have done it, but since I work late, I didn’t want to have a far walk to my car at night in the dark.”

The parking garages collectively known as ParkBOI are owned by the Capital City Development Corps (CCDC). CCDC works with the City of Boise to continuously assess parking concerns downtown in order to develop cost-effective solutions for our ever growing population.

For the past two years, Tyler Johnson has been the Code Compliance and Community Resources manager for the City of Boise, but has been involved with parking in the city for nearly seven years.

“We are focused more on trying to provide transportation for people,” Johnson said. “Our goal is to provide more mobility and parking alternatives in order to get people to where they need to go because just providing more parking just increases traffic and demand.”

According to Johnson, because of the various means of transportation available, people are encouraged to avoid driving if possible to lower the demand.

“We have free shuttle services available in which people can park on Elder Street and get to downtown,” Johnson said. “It also makes stops at other locations like Boise State and St. Luke’s.”

Johnson stated that nearly 76,000 parking citations have been issued just this year, which is an average of about 200 citations per day. At a minimum of $20 per citation, this has cost the public a minimum $1.5 million in parking fines alone.

As of today, the number of alternative options available to the community including Park & Ride, ACHD Commuteride, Valley Regional Transit, bicycle parking, Boise Greenbike, e-scooters and Carpooling Connections.

NEWS

STUDENTS UTILIZE ALTERNATIVE INCOME SOURCES

Side hustles allow students more flexibility and financial freedom during the school year

Ashley Clark | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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hile many students face large sums of student loan debt after graduation, it is becoming more common for students to struggle with personal dayto-day finances while attending university.

According to a study from Inceptia, a company that assists in financial aid management, one-third of student respondents said that financial stressors have had a negative impact on their academic performance or progress.

As the cost of living continues to rise, financial security is becoming an ever-growing issue for young people. However, because of the demands and time constraints associated with class schedules, it is not always easy for higher education students to get another job.

Boise State students are getting creative with finding alternative income sources to help them stay afloat.

Sara MacFadden, a sophomore kinesiology major, has found her income solution through Arbonne International, a natural nutrition and beauty networking company. As an independent consultant through Arbonne, MacFadden is able to work on her own time, recommending skincare and nutritional products to her clients.

“I don’t have to worry about a work schedule and can focus on my academics more,” MacFadden wrote in an email. “I have been able to make more [money] monthly working my Arbonne business than I did working a part time job.”

While a wage increase initiative may appear on the state ballot in Idaho’s 2020 elections, the current minimum wage is only $7.25, making it difficult for students and hard-working citizens alike to establish financial stability through “regular” employment.

In addition, the

National Financial Capability Study reports that 39% of Idahoans break even on their income to spending ratio, while 19% actually spend more than they earn.

Brianna Herald, a junior history major, said that she enjoys her side work as a pet sitter because it provides greater financial opportunities for her in comparison to any hourly position.

“The tips are hugely helpful,” Herald said. “I could only work a few overnight [shifts] and still make an extra $50.”

Madi Perkins, a junior public health major, runs her own freelance photography business.

She believes the social and networking benefits of her trade could be considered more valuable than the financial advantages.

“Having the additional income is very beneficial, but I definitely enjoy the connections I have been able to make more than anything,” Perkins said. “The income helps me grow my business and to be able to offer new things to my clients.”

According to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Yale University report, 70% of jobs are found through networking. In addition to networking perks, most alternative income sources also provide the opportunity for personal development and improvement of professional skills.

“Having the additional income is very beneficial, but I definitely enjoy the connections I have been able to make more than anything.”

Madi Perkins, junior public health major “I have become more confident and [more sure] of myself, and less impacted by people and their words,” MacFadden said.“I am less afraid to try new things and put myself into uncomfortable situations.”

However, alternative income sources are not without fault. Perkins says she struggles with the reliability of her photography business.

“One of the biggest cons is that life happens a lot,” Perkins said. “People get sick, the weather goes from perfect to crap quickly, and so much more. Because of this, photo shoots get canceled fairly often.”

Regardless of circumstances, Perkins also believes that this style of income is best suited to those with patience, knowledge and a real passion for their industry.

“Being a photographer is a lot of work.

And, running your own business on top of it could be extremely stressful. I don’t think this would work for everyone,” Perkins said.

However, for students who are able to manage an alternative source of income, the added benefits can be invaluable.

“This extra income has helped me have more leisure time, focus on school, and allows me to be able to pursue my passions,” MacFadden said.

Remote employment allows students to dedicate more time to their studies.

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NEWS

CROSSWALK UPGRADES COMING SOON TO UNIVERSITY DRIVE

Ada County Highway Department is working with Boise State to improve traffic safety on campus Taylor Rico-Pekerol | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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ccidents between pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles have been a present issue on campus and they continue to appear every year. Flashing lights were placed on either side of the crosswalk by Theatre Lane and University Drive to alert drivers when pedestrians are crossing the road to aid in maintaining the prevention of these accidents. “[Crosswalk] incidents are not driving the improvements we want to accomplish to plan, design and operate a University that’s supportive of multi-modal transportation,” wrote Samuel Patterson, director of transportation, parking and safety systems. “As Boise State University grows, we want to strategically focus on all modes of transportation including pedestrians, cyclists, scooters, etc.”

Students have expressed concerns about the lack of similar alerts at other crosswalks and vehicles driving too fast in pedestrian heavy areas. Many feel that pedestrians and drivers need to look out when crossing the road, but cyclists need to be aware as well.

Gabe Finkelstein is the manager of the Cycle Learning Center and has seen firsthand how fast cars drive and the amount of possible accidents that occur directly outside of the bike shop.

“It’s pretty clear that if you get into an accident, you’re not going to be the one that’s always going to be able to walk away.”

Gabe Finkelstein, Cycle Learning Center manager “You don’t have a lot of protection when you’re riding a bike. And when it’s a car

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Students are encouraged to utilize crosswalks and proceed with caution when crossing. that hits you, the cyclist is always going to lose,” Finkelstein said. “So it kind of amazes me how little caution cyclists, pedestrians, e-scooters [and] longboarders have on campus. It’s pretty clear that if you get into an accident, you’re not going to be the one that’s always going to be able to walk away.”

Boise State is well-known as a bike friendly campus and won the Gold Award in November 2016 for bike safety on campus.

Not only is the campus bike friendly but it also caters to the 25,540 students that walk to classes, parking garages and dorms.

Freshman mechanical engineering major Ryan Olson is an avid biker on campus. He dislikes the long walk from the Sawtooth Honors College dorms to the Interactive Learning Center, where a majority of his classes are held.

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Olson described how the line-up of cars waiting to pass through the crosswalk area connecting Sawtooth and Theatre Lane can be a lot to navigate in times of high traffic.

“If there’s a 10 foot gap, cars will try to squeeze in between the people. It’s like everyone is in a hurry to get somewhere and they’re not respecting the pedestrians,” Olson said. “A stoplight system would be way better. That way the cars can pass and then the pedestrians can pass, instead of pedestrians always get the right of way which makes it cumbersome on the cars waiting.”

The Department of Transportation, Parking and Safety Systems is working with the Ada County Highway District (ACHD) to reduce overall risk and to install a Barnes Dance, or a multi-directional crosswalk at Lincoln and University Drive.

Taylor Humby | The Arbiter

Along with working on a Barnes Dance, the ACHD provided Boise State with speed notification signs, alerting drivers of how fast they are going.

“We recognize that people who use any form of transportation will make mistakes, but those mistakes should not result in significant injury,” Patterson wrote. “It’s important that vehicles slow down and avoid distractions, realizing they’re on a University campus with a strong pedestrian-focus.

Our design principals should echo that philosophy and we should rethink the way our streets and sidewalks are designed.”

Boise State Department of Public Safety hopes to complete the multi-directional crosswalk by mid December.

NEWS

AMAZON ANNOUNCES JOBS AT FUTURE FULFILLMENT CENTER

The Amazon fulfillment center, “Project Bronco,” is set to open in 2020 in Nampa Jasnelly Mendoza | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

tuition is so expensive and it’s what holds most people back from going to school in the first place,” Olsen said. “There are not many opportunities like these that come around and it is one that students need to be aware of.”

Olsen also recognizes that this is a good opportunity for anyone who is making less than Amazon’s promised $15 an hour.

A new Amazon Locker in the Student Union Building brings the service closer to campus.

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fter much speculation about e-commerce giant Amazon’s move to the Treasure Valley, “Project Bronco” is in full swing, bringing a brand-new fulfillment center to Nampa in 2020. Amazon has over 75 fulfillment centers in the United States, employing about 125,000 full time employees, and Boise State students could be next on the payroll.

“The first initial communication from the developer was in May of 2018, and that was part of their site selection process and due diligence and looking at a site here,” said Beth Ineck, economic development director for the city of Nampa.

“They didn’t make their final decision until a few months later.”

According to a press release by Amazon, the Nampa fulfillment center will create over 1,000 full-time jobs. Full-time employees will receive a minimum of $15 per hour, as well as many other comprehensive benefits like medical, dental and vision — all perks that students may find appealing while living on their own.

“Amazon is committed to creating a positive economic impact in Nampa and enhancing the customer experience throughout the region,” wrote Vice President of Global Customer Fulfillment Alicia Boler Davis in a press release.

Although customers are high priority, there are community-focused benefits intended to come from the center, as well.

Mayor Debbie Kling of Nampa explained how the fulfillment center will also be beneficial to all the small businesses in the Treasure Valley and Idaho as a whole.

“Amazon is a wonderful opportunity for small businesses in Idaho to actually market their products. It’s an under recognized opportunity for small businesses that manufacturers a product that Amazon is the fulfillment center for,” Kling said. “We can actually highlight Idaho products that are coming out of this fulfillment center, which is a wonderful opportunity.”

In addition to creating jobs for students, Amazon will also help their employees have access to higher education with their program, Career Choice.

Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter

The program will be available once employees have been with the company for one continuous year, eventually paying up to 95% of students’ tuition. Over 25,000 Amazon employees have earned degrees in high-demand fields, such as IT programming and radiology.

“It’s a great program that they have to help increase the training opportunities for their employees to advance within their chosen career field,” Ineck said.

“They recognize that probably most of their employees aren’t going to be lifelong fulfillment center employees, so they’re really looking to try and help to boost the overall workforce. They offer a lot of great continuing education programs.”

Former Boise State student Valerie Olsen explained how the Career Choice program is an opportunity that can change the course of a student’s college career. Olsen hopes to return to school and pursue a degree in nursing, a degree that qualifies for tuition coverage by the program.

“This is such an exciting opportunity for anybody who wants to go back to school,

“This is a good opportunity for anyone who is making minimum wage; it’s difficult to go to school while working a minimum wage job.”

Valerie Olsen, former Boise State student “This is a good opportunity for anyone who is making minimum wage; it’s difficult to go to school while working a minimum wage job,” Olsen said. “This is a good way to improve your financial situation while trying to work towards your future career goals as well.”

Echoing the sentiments of the Boise State community, Gov. Brad Little is enthusiastic about the job opportunities that the fulfillment center is likely to bring to Idaho citizens.

“The investment demonstrates that Idaho’s workforce and economy continues to attract the ideas and businesses that thrive in a knowledge-based economy,” Little said in a statement. “We are proud that Amazon chose Idaho to expand and do business.”

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OPINION NOVEMBER 5, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

WARREN IS TIED IN THE POLLS, BUT AHEAD IN THE ACCOUNTABILITY After apologizing for ancestry test, Warren seems to be riding a wave as voters move on Blake Hunter | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Sen. Warren is taking new heat from opponents as a frontrunner, but not for claims of ancestry. Grant Tetmeyer | NSPA & ACP

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nly four months from now, a critical mass of states will hold their Democratic Party primary elections — an election that students have heard about, likely, for months. At a crucial time, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is drawing even with former vice president Joe Biden in the polls.

This comes after she faced harsh criticism only one year ago for taking a genealogy test to prove her long-standing claims of Native American ancestry to, among others, a president who repeatedly baited her with the slur “Pocahontas.”

Like so many events over the last three years, President Trump’s language garnered disgust for anyone outside of his loyal base.

Yet Native Americans and their allies criticized her to taking the test and trying to use

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trace amounts of Native American ancestry to prove membership in a tribe.

At the Frank LaMere Native American Presidential Forum in Sioux City, Iowa this August, Sen. Warren made a formal apology for claiming Native American ancestry.

“I know that I have made mistakes,” Warren said. “I am sorry for harm I have caused. I have listened and I have learned — a lot. And I am grateful for the many conversations that we’ve had together.”

In debating Warren’s past and future with regards to indigenous peoples, it is crucial that the conversation does not become a self-righteous whitewashing, whether at the hands of well-intentioned allies or not.

Some Native Americans like Cherokee genealogist Twila Barnes, who has been critical of Warren since her ancestry claims came to the public’s attention in Warren’s first Senate

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race in 2012, think the presidential-hopeful’s actions have caused irreparable damage.

Barnes said in an opinion article written for Indian Country Today that Warren’s behavior and the press “have obscured a wide-ranging pattern of dishonesty and contempt for Indigenous communities that disqualifies [Warren’s] candidacy for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.”

In an age that demands apologies from major political and cultural figures for various behaviors but in fact receives few earnest apologies, Sen. Warren’s apology feels foreign and bold. Yet a piece is missing, and it is one that people who are victimized in any abuse of power say is critical for closure. Sen. Warren recognizes her harm, but does not name it specifically, which is to say that she does not name her power as a person of privilege.

Cherokee journalist Rebecca Nagle voiced this concern in a thread of tweets, comparing Warren’s apology with what she would like to have seen.

“I am glad that [Sen. Warren] said she was sorry today for the harm that she caused, but without her using her platform and power to repair that harm the apology falls flat,” Nagle wrote. “Here’s what she needs to say: ‘I was told a story as a child that my family had a Cherokee ancestor.

I now know that story is not true...It was not only my fault, but my privilege to never question what my parents told me.’”

Many at the forum, however, believed discussions regarding Warren’s past were distracting from the far more important work of discussing policy and the ways that presidential candidates can build relationships with Native American communities.

A week prior to the August forum, Warren released a plan designed specifically to address issues within Tribal Nations. In it, Sen. Warren discussed ongoing collaboration between freshman Congresswoman Deb Halaand (D-N.M.) — who has endorsed Warren — and plans for health care, criminal jurisdiction, roads and more.

With last winter’s events seeming to fade into her past, Sen. Warren is one of the few Democratic presidential candidates who has seen such long upward trends in 2020 pre-election polls. A Warren presidency could have a massive impact on many states, including Idaho, in supplying federal dollars to improve economic and infrastructural stability.

While some critics are keeping a wary eye on Warren, her message for “big, structural change” seems to be finding traction, even among those who thought her actions were unforgivable just months ago. In today’s climate, that is an impressive feat indeed.

OPINION

TELEVISION STILL TOKENIZES QUEER PEOPLE, EVEN IN 2019 How the “gay best friend” trope has not disappeared, but evolved Blake Hunter | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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hen “Sex and the City” premiered on HBO in 1998, it burst onto the scene with a series of television firsts for that era. The show was sex-positive, passed the Bechdel test with flying colors and depicted several LGBTQIA+ characters.

NBC’s “Will & Grace” appeared just months later, and the two shows held several key parallels: both plots centered around four white characters living in New York, mostly in their thirties. In “Will & Grace,” however, two of the four characters were gay men who were each best friends with one of the other two characters, who were straight women.

As journalist Megan Reynolds wrote for Vulture, this show laid the foundations for the media’s portrayal of the fabled friendship between gay men and straight women, which coalesced further into a cultural phenomenon identifiable to this day: a witty white boy who must kiss his partner behind closed doors, and a young feminist white girl who needs emotional support and fashion advice from her “gay best friend.”

“Sex and the City” star Jessica Parker admitted in 2018 at the Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything Festival that the show did not stand the test of time for queer representation. Parker said the show failed to include women of color and that setting “Sex and the City” in 2018 New York City would require significant changes—though it’s not the city that would have to change.

While a handful of shows in 2019 immerse themselves in the richness of LGBTQIA+ communities, many seek approval by including “gay best friends” often as the token queer characters similar to those in “Sex and the City.” Those characters became recognizable in Fox’s “Glee,” HBO’s “Girls,” Netflix’s “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” and many other shows.

We can recognize them in daily life, too.

What else can explain how Taylor Swift

Actors Megan Mullally (left) and Sean Hayes stars of “Will & Grace.”

Leonard Ortiz | Orange County Register / Tribune News Service transitioned into pop so smoothly?

Tokenization within media has been applied to every minoritized community.

It’s not limited to media, however.

Companies and universities inherently understand that diverse representation is profitable, and often promote images that are disproportionately diverse in age, disability, religion and race. The problem with tokenization is that it delivers an ingenuine message of welcoming without requiring the work of an equitable investment of time and resources. From our television shows to our admissions pamphlets, the simple differences between diversity and inclusion are laid bare.

It is the difference between representation and actual investment that keeps queer characters on the sidelines in television. They are on the team, but only cheering from the bench. They do not receive the narrative and emotional attention that their cisgender heterosexual counterparts do.

Growing up in rural Idaho, I had a very narrow perspective of what LGBTQIA+ people looked like. From the prevalent media at the time, it seemed that queer people were thin men, strictly homosexual, mostly affluent, always stylish and, of course, white. And frankly, that character has value. It was in watching that character

on screen that I first saw a queer person be happy and comfortable with themselves.

But their roles were just as important, and I saw them hide their most intimate selves off-screen, while the audience paid attention to the friends that the queer people were there to support.

To be fair, even though shows that included gay characters in the 1990s contributed to a friendship trope and pigeon-holed queer people into supportive, emotionally draining roles, they were still ground-breaking. Anti-racist and anti-queerphobic producers can only take their television as far as our society tell them to go. So it is no surprise that the people pushing the envelope in television today are the same people who have led queer liberation movements in the past: queer people of color.

Titus in Netflix’s “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” broke out of a potentially stifling role by getting his own emotional development and narrative arc. Netflix’s “Dear White People” is investing significant time into exploring intersectional queer communities. On the other hand, other Netflix shows like “Tall Girl,” “Sex Education” and Hulu’s “Shrill,” starring white characters, all tokenize queer black characters to provide emotional support and representation.

While those characters are important to see on the screen, perhaps we need to be following their narratives. Because they are the people driving change.

HAVE A COMMENT OR REBUTTAL? EMAIL US AT: OPINION@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE.EDU

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V I S IB ILIT Y THR OUGH ACT I V I S M BRINGING NEW VOICES TO THE CONVERSATION Will Meyer | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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ecle Gebremichael traveled from northern Ethiopia to take refuge in the United States seven years ago. Gebremichael came to Boise after living in a refugee camp for eight years in Ethiopia. After touring Boise State early on, he knew he would one day graduate from the university, despite having little formal education during his adolescence spent in the camp.

Today, Gebremichael has nearly

achieved that dream and will graduate from Boise State this May with a degree in political science. Though he has his sights set on a new goal; Gebremichael is running for Boise city council.

“This is the first time that a former refugee African American is running for city council in Boise’s history,” Gebremichael said. “Something happens when there is no representation. Something happens when everybody on the board is pretty much from one community, or everybody is a white American.”

Gebremichael is a member of a grow-

Latinx students visit the Boise capitol to express representation concerns.

Taylor Humby | The Arbiter

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ing group of Boise State students and faculty who are beginning to bring new concerns to the front of the community’s political conversations. Their fight to be heard is met with continual backlash and resistance. For some, activism is a word of empowerment that connotes an act of continually fighting for change despite oppressive systems. However, by using their unique talents and specializations, each person contributes to their cause distinctly.

Each activist struggles against institutions that were not designed to include them, such as the university or the legislature. Activists see problems in society and pair up with other similarly-minded people in striving to fix them.

Legitimizing refugee experience Gebremichael relies on a team of people who also believe in minority representation in order to run a successful campaign. Running for city council is in many ways a case study in how people take action for change by getting their voices heard. However, Gebremichael’s experience is dually a case study of the extreme resistance homogenous institutions offer in response to minoritized people who are trying to be heard and take part in the larger community.

“The picture that we always talk about Boise, the welcoming community, Boise [being] one of the most diverse and inclusive communities – that needs to be in action, that needs to be [a] reality,” Geb-

remichael said. “I would bring the whole new American and the whole religious, working-class community that’s never been involved in the local elections.”

The image of Boise as a welcoming and inclusive community is spread across Boise State as well. Although, Gebremichael said the university has significant work to do regarding minoritized communities, particularly Boise’s large refugee community on campus.

“Boise State is not really such a diverse or inclusive school. [In] a lot of the classes I took, I was the only [person of color] in the class. A lot of that is that a lot of students have never had an opportunity to work with a [person of color] or a refugee.” Gebremichael said. “It’s really about educating and engaging new Americans so [students] know our story and we know their story.”

Unlearning colonial mindsets Dr. Reshmi Mukherjee, professor of English and gender studies, similarly emphasizes that refugees are rarely given the platform, no matter where they are from, to tell their story as anything other than a victim. Mukherjee has faced extreme resistance and ignorance both at the bureaucratic and classroom level.

“As I talk to some of the Bhutanese refugees who come here, one thing I realize is that they were a little discomforted by the kind of hospitality that they were getting.

Many of them told me ‘They want us to be

F E AT U R E ginalized communities can come to recognize non-white experiences as legitimate.

Students met with Rep. Sue Chew to discuss including Latinx people in politics.

Taylor Humby | The Arbiter an ethical refugee, this model refugee who has to be always grateful,’” Mukherjee said.

Mukherjee said that through interacting with many non-refugee members of the Boise community, she found that their conceptualization of refugees was often taken out of dehumanizing pity, not empathy.

“I designed a course called ‘Refugee/ Non-Refugee Communication,’ and many students that initially took this class would only talk about the refugee and that they felt sorry for them,” Mukherjee said. “It really had nothing to do with the refugees, it really had to do with deconstructing the word refugee and what we mean by it.

We’re not really building up any productive communication. The image of the refugee is either a victim or a threat.”

Mukherjee believes teaching is a type of activism in and of itself. She concentrates on teaching students how to process knowledge in all of her classes, which she said is different than simply educating someone on a topic.

“I have been accused of running an agenda, I have been accused of a lot of stuff, but the ideological position that I take, and I feel very strongly about, is teaching in advocacy. Activism shouldn’t

be charity,” Mukherjee said. “In our class, we talk a lot about empathy without pity.”

“I have been accused of running an agenda, I have been accused of a lot of stuff, but the ideological position that I take, and I feel very strongly about, is teaching in advocacy.

Activism shouldn’t be charity.”

Dr. Reshmi Mukherjee, professor of English and gender studies Activists at Boise State, such as Mukherjee, concentrate on why the systems stay in place, and how people not involved with these mar-

Emphasizing self-care Similarly Maricela Deveney, a junior studying health sciences, is concentrated on activism in the Latinx community. Her involvement with Movimento Estudantil Progressive Action (MEPA) specifically concentrates on advancing Latinx students. Deveney said that MEPA is very focused on self-care for student organizers and ensuring that, even though they push members to be active, they also know how to stay healthy and confident.

“I think a strong aspect of connecting with people is through storytelling, but each time you open up, a piece leaves with that story. So if you’re constantly doing that, unless you’re compensating yourself or being compensated by others, it’s definitely just draining,” Deveney said.

MEPA recently teamed up with PODER (Protecting Our Dreams and Empowering Resilience), an organization not associated with Boise State. They strive to educate students on Manejando Sin Miedo, a movement to push legislation for undocumented people in Idaho to be able to obtain a driver’s license.

“We’ve done researching political candidates where ten members showed up, and they were researching the political candidates and who they’d vote for,” Deveney said. “And they really understood in this election who they’ll vote for versus just showing up and putting down whatever based on name, or random things.”

most of the members. So, how do I constantly try to convince them that this is the right thing? With sexual assault legislation, the general culture, even juries, have a lot of bias against victims of assault that we have to get at. I understand it, but at the same time I get tired of it,” said Wintrow.

Wintrow noted that working in a predominantly white, male environment is an extreme challenge for women and all people who do not rule under that hegemonic power structure.

“The hardest thing is how do you not lose your voice in all of that, how do you not lose your absolute essence in trying to massage politics to get what your constituents need and want,” Wintrow concluded.

Pushback is a characteristic experience in an activist’s life, and Wintrow’s gridlocked experience at the statehouse is an example. However, a growing group of Boise State faculty and students are standing up for ideas and problems that they see in their communities. By combining their academic knowledge with activism, these people are reinforcing their causes with unique elements intended to empower and inspire.

As Boise State continues to grow, and as the Treasure Valley continues to fill, Boise is being forced to confront issues that the more homogenous, small-town mentality of days past could eschew. Through the work of activists such as Gebremichael, Mukherjee, Deveney and Wintrow, marginalized members of the community are beginning to have a voice and take part in their rightful place in the Boise community.

Resilience in the face of adversity Just as Deveney recognizes that self-care is necessary to be an effective activist, Rep. Melissa Wintrow, gender studies facilitator at Boise State, has learned that by seeing one’s own worth, a person can become a valuable member of the community. For Wintrow, it is necessary to constantly recognize her values in an environment that is almost holistically against the progress she seeks and the people she tries to uplift.

“In the grander scheme of things, the issues that I value are not equally valued by NOVEMBER 5, 2019

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C U LT U R E NOVEMBER 5, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

‘WOMXN ARE SACRED’ EXHIBITION COMES TO BOISE STATE’S CAMPUS Students and faculty discuss the significance and meaning of the visually striking red dress display Michelle Johnson | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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n array of red dresses are displayed in the Fine Arts Gallery, hanging to bring awareness to the deaths and disappearances of indigenous women. Inspired by Jaime Black’s ReDress project, Intertribal Native Council (INC) knew last year they wanted to create an impactful event during Native American Heritage Month, the month of November, and bring awareness to these silenced issues with the Womxn Are Sacred exhibition.

Acknowledging that there is an astounding amount of silence regarding these acts can be one of the first steps to getting involved. According to the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women, there were 506 missing and murdered indigenous women cases across 71 urban cities. 280 of those were cases of murdered indigenous women and 128 were cases of missing indigenous women.

Ro Parker is the coordinator for the Multicultural Student Center and helped bring this exhibition to campus in partnership with INC. “Indigenous issues have been really invisibilized in our society,” Parker said.

“So this is one of the things people can do to help make themselves more aware of issues that are impacting one of the most marginalized communities in our country.”

With the Fine Arts Gallery space reserved, members from INC, including President Tanyka Begaye, have been working hard throughout the last year to accumulate red dresses. Feeling inspired from Black’s project, senior elementary education major Begaye and the INC members drew parallels and gathered different red dress designs to represent each missing and/or murdered indigenous women.

“We brought it up first through the Tunnel of Oppression last year, and from

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With such a large audience, the Boise State SUB was an easy choice for where to host the exhibition. Melissa Maxey is the curatorial assistant at Boise State, and she discussed how important an exhibition like this is not only for students or faculty but for the general public, as well.

“We are happy to provide a space where we have thousands of people that come through the SUB and our galleries are seen by not just people here in the valley, but from all over the world,” Maxey said. “So, it gives an opportunity for exhibitions to be seen in a different way.”

Begaye claims the exhibition is important in more ways than one. Along with being culturally impactful, the display also hits home for a lot of members of the INC community.

“It’s very personally related to us, a lot of our communities more specifically,” Begaye said. “We’ve each had somebody go missing and/or murdered, or both and that’s how it ties so closely to our own people. We’re all from different tribes, but it’s still the same in each one.”

As something so silenced, not just in the Boise community, but across the nation, Parker discusses the significance of this exhibit and why that silence exists.

“We as a country are willing to call other things that happen on different countries Red dresses hang on display in the SUB to bring awareness to missing and murholocausts and genocides but we don’t look dered indigenous women. at our own participation in that,” Parker

Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter said. “I think part of that invisibilization is there, we were kind of just snowballing ing visual that was both stunning and spark- because mainstream society doesn’t really want to talk about it. I think it has this ideas,” Begaye said. “At one of our meeting that crucial discussion into awareness. tinge of discomfort and guilt and shame ings, we knew we wanted to do something “We wanted to layer all 75 dresses on that in the background that people don’t for the month of November. We wanted top of each other to really represent that identify that these are those things that to do something that brought up similar they are an entire identity that creates that feelings that Black’s project portrayed, but togetherness,” Begaye. “But it’s just so visu- keep it silenced.”

The Womxn Are Sacred exhibition will also be different.” al that you have to recognize it, you can’t be on campus until Nov. 24.

INC knew they wanted to create a strikjust walk by it, you have to look at it.”

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C U LT U R E

STUDENTS AND STAFF WORK TOWARDS DIVERSITY IN THE THEATRE

Theatre, film and creative writing department celebrate innovative and inspiring women playwrights Karsyn Preble | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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he Theatre, Film and Creative Writing department is preparing for a season of innovative and inspiring women. With three diverse plays all written by various women playwrights, the department joins the campus in advocating for diversity and inclusion.

Richard Klautsch, chairman of the theatre, film and creative writing department, explained that the department relied on the voices of the directors and students to come up with this year’s theme.

“We had a couple of students a few years ago who [researched] the many plays produced by the department over the years.

They found that women playwrights were vastly under-represented, so we began to include more plays by women,” Klautsch said. “We have been more conscious in recent years of trying to include plays by or about underrepresented groups.”

“We have been more conscious in recent years of trying to include plays by or about underrepresented groups.”

Richard Klautsch, theatre, film and creative writing department chair Mia Raymes, a junior theatre arts major, said in order for plays to accurately represent the world, it is necessary to hear from all perspectives, including those of women.

“Even though we have made a lot of progress as a society when it comes to equal opportunity and inclusion for women, there is still room for more progress to be made,” Raymes said. “Over the years that I have been in the theatre department at Boise State, a lot of the plays we have

performed are predominantly written by the Boise State theatre department is mak- further represent underrepresented groups. white male playwrights.” ing conscious efforts to include a diverse By focusing on bringing those underrepWomen in theatre continue to be range of voices in their theatre. resented voices to the stage, the theatre deunderrepresented. According to a study “We are well overdue to produce a season partment aims to inspire introspection and published by the League of Professional of all female playwrights,” Puffal-Purdy change within the Boise State community.

Theatre Women in 2018, the percentage of said. “This is something that the rest of the “I hope it will teach us to be better artwomen playwrights represented in theatres country has been doing for a long time, and ists,” Puffal-Purdy said. “I hope it will force range from 29% to 37%. it is high time that we have taken up the us to challenge ourselves every year to really In all aspects of theatre, the study addimantle of producing female work.” give voice to underrepresented groups, give tionally stated that women are struggling Puffal-Purdy touched on the importance opportunities to our students and give excitto achieve the same representation and gain of not only bringing in the voices of female ing performances to our audiences.” access to the same opportunities as men. By playwrights, but producing plays that including female playwrights in theatres, women are given the opportunity to share their perspectives.

“I think it is important to have women’s voices heard in theatre because we have a story to tell,” Raymes said. “We know what it is like to be female and the trials and tribulations that come along with that in a seemingly patriarchal dominated society.”

For much of history, women playwrights were nearly nonexistent and had virtually no voice in theatre.

Darrin J. Puffal-Purdy, Boies State director of theatre, explained that women playwrights began to emerge in the later half of the 20th century, paving the way for diversity in the theatre.

However, women playwrights are not as uncommon as they once were, which raises the question as to why their voices and presence continues to be overlooked.

In light of this issue, Theatre faculty and students prioritize female playwrights this season.

Wyatt Wurtenberger | The Arbiter NOVEMBER 5, 2019

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C U LT U R E

GREEK LIFE RETHINKS THE WAY ITS VALUES APPLY TO ALL PLEDGES

The LGBTQIA+ community still faces hurdles in fraternities and sororities, but acceptance is growing Blake Hunter | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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he same year the Declaration of Independence was signed, Phi Beta Kappa became the first American fraternity, creating a university subculture that would come to dominate the stereotypical college experience. Nearly 250 years after their inception, Boise State fraternities and sororities find themselves immersed in a broad cultural conversation regarding the place of LGBTQIA+ people within Greek life organizations.

Taylor Christenson and Terrell Couch, Boise State’s fraternity and sorority life coordinators, said that while fraternities and sororities must follow their organization’s national policies, Boise State’s organizations are in a prime position to change the dialogue limiting who fits in a fraternity or sorority.

“The beautiful thing here is that because the fraternities and sororities are so young -- many of them under ten years old -- they get to build and set how national values are implemented here,” Christenson said. “So I see a little more of the fluidity in what it means to be a member at Boise State.”

Yet long histories of abuse and anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiment in some fraternities and sororities mean that LGBTQIA+ people, who already experience disproportionately high rates of violence and discrimination during college, are even more vulnerable to hostility.

As just one piece of Boise State, Couch said that acceptance within fraternities and sororities is representative of sentiments in the campus culture and Boise’s culture as a whole. According to Christenson, even though some individuals and organizations do see the value of accepting queer and trans pledges, that is not widespread throughout all organizations.

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who were simultaneously in the LGBTQIA+ community and wanted to be in Greek life forced him to think about what he wanted from a brotherhood.

“Everyone wants to recruit the best people that we can; we want to make our chapters better and make our organizations and the community better, and to do that we need to cater to everyone,” Bartlett said.

Couch, who traveled the country working with Greek spaces are beginning to open up to nontraditional recruits. fraternities before joining

Kacie Fromhart | The Arbiter the Student and Involvement Leadership Center, Juan Leon is a senior health science major that experience changed his perspective. agreed that organizations nationwide are in the multicultural fraternity Sigma Lamb“The more LGBTQIA+ members we reconsidering how LGBTQIA+ people da Beta. Leon stated that fraternities and have in our community, the more welfind commonality in their values. sororities deter many students before they coming we’re going to be because it took “Organizations are leaning on their values even consider joining or meet a member. me knowing one trans person to get over to say their values aren’t exclusive to one indi“I think one of the biggest reasons why a lot of the transphobia that I was raised vidual or one type of individual,” Couch said. people in the LGBTQIA+ community around,” Bartlett said.

For anyone who is not cisgender, howdon’t go towards Greek life is just the idea ever, there are very limited options when it that ‘these people might not be accepting comes to joining a fraternity or sorority. of what I identify as,’” Leon said.

“Even in non-discrimination policies, With that thought still persisting, they say ‘we will not discriminate against LGBTQIA+ allies like Christenson are tryall of these things, but we have the right to ing to be careful with how they advocate recruit on the basis of sex,’” Christenson for change. said.

“So inherently, it’s exclusive in the “I would hate for this conversation to be sense of it’s very two-gendered.” another mandatory conversation,” ChrisCouch and Bartlett both said that some tenson said. “I just think that the more fraternities and sororities are having that differences we can get into a room, the conversation, but that they will likely only larger impact that has on individual people progress as far as the broader campus and but also a whole group.” city community they are in.

Particularly in recent years, however, Taylor Christenson, greek life coordinator “We as a country have to have that some LGBTQIA+ people have thrived in conversation,” Couch said.

“We need to be Boise State fraternity and sorority chapters. more intentional about understanding that Rex Bartlett, a senior political science and In 2018, Bartlett attended the Phi Gamcertain terms and certain words that we’ve communication double major, remembers ma Delta’s national convention that passed used are social constructs.” joining Phi Gamma Delta and finding out legislation in the fraternity’s bylaws to

“I just think that the more differences we can get into a room, the larger impact that has on individual people but also a whole group.”

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that one of his pledge brothers was transgender. Being from a conservative background,

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prohibit denying pledges based on a transgender identity. He said that seeing people

C U LT U R E

POOR STUDY SPACES INHIBIT LEARNING FOR STUDENTS

Worn down classrooms and study spaces across campus can hold back student success Karsyn Preble | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Many buildings on campus are old and outdated.

Photo by Mackenzie Hudson, Illustration by Wyatt Wurtenberger | The Arbiter

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hen the first floor of the Albertsons Library is quiet, miniscule sounds unnoticeable in a normal setting are amplified and fill the room.

At a table towards the back of the room, Stephanie Arth, a German exchange student majoring in elementary education, is having an almost-whispered conversation between friends. She says that the indistinct sounds of the library gives her a better sense of focus.

“In here it’s just a learning space,” Arth said. “Everyone is studying, everyone is doing homework and it’s quiet.”

Finding a space that works best for an

individual’s style of studying is important to the learning process. That could be a quiet room in the library or a bustling coffee-shop filled to the brim with other learners. Sometimes, though, students are forced to interact with a space in a way that inhibits their learning ability.

While Arth works best in quiet corners of the library, other students better develop their work when surrounded by their peers. George Evans, a graduate student studying literature, believes a sense of community is essential to his writing process.

As a consultant in Boise State’s Writing Center, Evans believes that studying can also involve conversation.

“There are times where you need to sit on one of the quiet floors of the library, close the door, write it up on the whiteboard, and get it out,” Evans said. “There are other times as well, where having that conversation is just so essential to the writing process, the making process and cognition, all those things.”

Dr. Jenn Mallette, an associate professor in the English department, says that new and non-traditional spaces can create confusion for students. When it comes to the learning process, a bad space can take more work to focus on.

“When it’s a non-traditional kind of space, students don’t always know how to interact

in those spaces,” Mallette said. “So it creates another layer of having to think about ‘what do I do when I come in this room?’”

While a student’s ability to stay engaged can be inhibited by ineffective learning spaces, so can a professor’s capability to teach. If a professor cannot effectively use an unfamiliar space, disengagement can occur.

“Although there are opportunities that those spaces are used effectively by the instructor, the downside is like we’re not always trained to think about physical spaces and how to use them effectively to benefit student learning,” Mallette said.

According to Mallette, actively engaging in learning is a two-way street. While it is the responsibility of the student to complete assignments and participate in class, the professor has the responsibility of creating engaging content. One of the ways for students and professors to make better use of their space is to integrate modern technologies. Technology allows students to gain a better grasp of material and can help students with accessibility needs to better interact with the space around them.

“Accessibility for me is a huge part of what technology allows us to do,” Mallette said. “It gives students the opportunities to use different kinds of tools to improve their learning.”

A constructive learning space can look different depending on the individual, but it requires a student to take steps and set boundaries that gives them the best outcome.

Whether it involves studying in the library or working with peers, the ability to study effectively is essential to the college experience.

“Setting yourself up for success is really important,” Mallette said. “Things that require that deep connection, you can’t have a TV on even if it’s a show you’ve watched 100 times, because it’s just going to be interference.”

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SPORTS & REC NOVEMBER 5, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

CAPTAIN ERIC PINSKY BRINGS EXPERTISE TO CLUB HOCKEY TEAM Pinsky strives to pursue a media career in professional hockey Dawson Danner | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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rowing up, Boise State senior Eric Pinsky participated in other sports leagues such as baseball and lacrosse, but in the end, hockey was the game he decided to pursue. Currently in his third and final season playing for the club hockey team, Pinsky has developed into a key member and leader for the team on and off the ice.

Before the hockey forward decided to come to Boise from his hometown of San Jose, Calif., Pinsky’s hockey journey began when he was just a toddler.

Coming from a hockey-loving family, Pinsky was constantly surrounded by a shared passion for the sport. As a kid, he often attended San Jose Sharks games.

“I ran around with a hockey stick since I could walk,” Pinsky said. “I first started skating when I was two years old and started playing when I was four years old, and I have just loved the game of hockey ever since.”

When Pinsky first came to Boise State, he had no intentions of playing hockey.

After playing in youth and junior leagues, Pinsky suffered many injuries that kept him away from the game for consecutive seasons, causing him to be hesitant to continue playing.

After hearing a lot of good news regarding the Boise State club hockey team from people around campus, Pinsky finally decided to try out in the fall semester of his sophomore year. Each year since, he has gained new friendships that have played a significant role in why he has continued to play for the last three years. One of those friendships is with fellow forward Mike Carranza.

Carranza, the club hockey team treasurer, is also currently playing in his third season and has high praise for Pinsky’s growth as an overall player and his role in the organization.

“I have played with [Pinsky] for a little

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Senior forward Eric Pinsky leads the Broncos (7-7-1) with 22 goals so far.

Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter over two years now and he’s definitely my favorite person to play with,” Carranza said. “He is definitely a key part of our success and in growing this organization over the past few years.”

After Pinsky spent most of his freshman year focusing on school, he immediately made a positive impact in his first official season with the club the following year. He has continuously made a name for himself

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throughout his Boise State career, becoming one of the most talented players on the ice, as well as being a key mentor for the younger players on the team. So far this season, Pinsky leads the team in total points scored, tallying 18 goals and 10 assists.

Due to his overall growth as a player and role-model, Pinsky was just recently promoted to team president and alternate captain by his head coach, Lloyd Ayers.

“Since I’ve known him, [Pinsky] has always been a fantastic hockey player,” Ayers said. “Each year, he brings his experience and expertise to the incoming players and organizes the returnees before the season begins.”

Being 14 games into his final season on the club hockey team, Pinsky also holds a key position for the Idaho Steelheads minor league hockey team. He is putting his hockey knowledge to the test in his third season as the Steelheads video coach.

Being a hockey team’s video coach is a position that not many people are aware of, but according to Pinsky, he holds many responsibilities that are sometimes taken for granted but are extremely helpful for the Steelheads coaching staff.

“My main job is to help the coaches prep,” Pinsky said. “During the game, I’ll break down film, for intermissions I’ll help them with opponent tendencies and make adjustments and during the week I’ll help pre-scout on whoever we’re playing.”

Pinsky plans to graduate this upcoming spring with a degree in media arts and an emphasis in media production. After he graduates, he aspires to work for a professional hockey team’s media department as a video coach or broadcaster.

For now, Pinsky is looking forward to spending his final season playing the sport he has loved his entire life with some of his best friends. Even after he graduates, he will look back on all the memories he has made playing for the Boise State club hockey team with a smile.

“Playing for this club made me fall in love with hockey again and that’s been good for me,” Pinsky said. “Being around these guys six months out of the year, you can’t really take it for granted because we are such a tight-knit group. The guys are awesome; we’re a family.”

SPORTS & REC

BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICY COULD ALLOW ALCOHOL AT SPORTING EVENTS

University presidents may soon have the final decision on serving alcohol at student athletic events Tom Drorbaugh | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

The Idaho State Board of Education voted to ban in-stadium alcohol sales to fans in 2016.

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or fans looking for a more effective pick-me-up than diet soda, Boise State concessions may soon add extra items to the beverage menu. Alcohol sales could potentially make their way to Albertsons Stadium.

The Idaho State Board of Education distributed a press release on Oct. 17 stating their intention to vote on a policy change regarding alcohol permits at public college events. The change would permit university presidents in Idaho to decide whether to allow alcohol sales at football games, as long as they follow security and safety guidelines.

“This board needs to focus on strategic direction for education policy,” wrote board member Andrew Scoggin in a press release. “We have very capable and competent chief executive officers at these institutions, and there are very clear

requirements for safety and security that they will have to meet in order to authorize these permits.”

In 2016, the board voted to ban the sale of alcohol to fans after allowing alcoholic beverage sales during the 2015 season. This led to the opening and then the sudden closing of the treasured beer garden, “The Huddle.”

For many fans, the current alcohol policy does not seem consistent. Alcohol can be consumed in the Stueckle Sky Center or in the tailgating lots, but not inside the stadium. For the average fan who does not tailgate or have exclusive access into Stueckle, consuming alcohol at football games is not an option.

The board’s past decisions to limit alcohol consumption at games were motivated by the reduction of minor consumption of alcohol. Boise State’s student population is

Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter

largely under 21 years of age. In the past, if the board allowed alcohol sales, they worried it would send the wrong message.

The debate regarding alcohol sales at football games has some of-age students split.

“It would bring in revenue for the university,” said senior health studies major Brady Yarbrough. “But there’s also negative effects, like when people get confrontational [after drinking].”

Boise State has a notorious fair-weather fan base. Fans need a reason to come out to the game in the bone-chilling November and December games and, for some, alcohol could be a good warming agent.

“I think being able to have a drink would make the game more enjoyable,” Yarbrough said. “While not everyone might like this idea, I would enjoy the option to be able to drink if I wanted to.”

The board directed staff to continue to refine the policy change before it is considered for final approval, according to the press release on Oct.17.

“Please note that the final approval hasn’t occurred,” said the board’s chief communications officer Mike Keckler via email. “The board will take this up again in December.”

If the policy change passes in December, the decision to allow alcohol sales at Bronco games will ultimately be decided by recently invested Boise State President Marlene Tromp.

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SPORTS & REC

MEN’S LACROSSE ANTICIPATES A WINNING SPRING SEASON

The Broncos are hoping to win a championship after a successful start in the fall Colton Swalley | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

The men’s club lacrosse team went 8-6 last year and reached the PNCLL playoffs for the first time since 2016.

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he Boise State men’s club lacrosse team had a successful season last year, and are looking forward to even more improvement this spring season.

Their toughest competitors previously were University of Oregon and Brigham Young University. These two teams have traditionally kept Boise State on their toes going into each season.

In the spring season of 2019, the Broncos ended with an overall record of eight wins and six losses, with the last loss being to a tough University of Oregon.

This was a difficult loss for the Broncos considering their record of 8-5 allowed them to qualify to play in the Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League (PNCLL) playoffs, and the Broncos had not reached the playoffs since 2016.

This fall, the team is changing up how they approach training for the spring.

Instead of focusing on weight training as they have in the past, they primarily aim to

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spend more time on the field rather than in the weight room.

“If we keep our stick skills fresh, we will be solid,” said club vice president and midfielder Justin Lavin.

This preseason, the team is already feeling better about going into the spring season, and their team chemistry has been a huge component to that. Thanks to a common meeting place the players refer to as “the lacrosse house,” freshman players have been able to create bonds with veteran players off the field. This has led to an increase of shared playing time between all players as they feel more comfortable on the team.

“The team chemistry has been a huge part of why I enjoy the program, and I think it will make for a great upcoming season as the players get to know each other more and play better with more confidence,” said sophomore close defenseman Garrett Gosnell.

Overall, the team has come leaps and bounds from last season. They have been

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practicing regularly during the fall to keep their skills sharp for their upcoming games.

“The team chemistry here at Boise State has allowed me to realize my potential on and off the field, while becoming a more skilled, developed player,” said sophomore midfielder Gavin Grainger. “I think the team could have done a lot better last year against some big competitors like University of Washington, Oregon, University of Idaho and Dominican, but overall I have confidence that we will beat them this year.”

The Boise State men’s lacrosse team is definitely off to a good start this fall, as they recently won a fall tournament in Missoula, Mont. at Dornblaser Field.

The tournament took place over the weekend of Sept. 28-29. All games took place Saturday, and the teams which made it to the final round played on Sunday.

The Broncos faced University of Idaho, Washington State, University of Montana and Montana State. Boise State split into two teams during this tournament,

Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter “orange” and “blue,” because of a limit to 10 v 10 game play. When they made it to the finals, however, they played as one team again.

The teams were set up into brackets of seeds 1-6, leaving the final and most important game between the Broncos and the University of Montana. It was an intense weekend, as all teams fought hard, but the Broncos brought back the trophy after the tough win.

“My favorite moment so far was coming back to the lacrosse house and hoisting the trophy up for everyone to see,” said sophomore attackman Andrew Walker. “After this tournament, our team has the confidence needed for this upcoming season.”

Thanks to their fall tournament win, the Boise State men’s lacrosse team is off to a good start. Increasing the team chemistry, and focusing more on their stick skills has only been a benefit so far.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 22 - DEC 22

Venus is smack-dab in the middle for you this week, Sag. Focus on feeling love and giving love. With everything else you have going on in your life, sometimes it is difficult to hone in on just one thing, but right now your attention needs to stay on relationships or else they might feel a bit too distant from you.

CAPRICORN

DEC 22 - JAN 20

Jupiter has made itself known to you, Cap, which is a wonderful turn of events in your favor. You have been stuck in a rut of feeling unsure about yourself, leading to a path of self-discovery. Now, you are ready to rocket yourself into your next phase in life with nothing holding you back. Jupiter

AQUARIUS

JAN 20 - FEB 17 You are going to receive some admiration this week, Aquarius. It may be personal or professional, but it is enough to jumpstart you to feeling good about yourself.

You tend to be hard on yourself, but some recognition comes right at the right time when you need a boost in self confidence.

PISCES

FEB 18 - MARCH 20

OC

TO B

E R 2 3 - N OV E M B E

R

21

You made a goal for yourself a while back and now it is time to check in with yourself and hold yourself accountable, Pisces. There is a small piece of life that you wanted to leave behind you and this week it is time to be aware of whether or not you have let unwanted behaviors go. Do not feel discouraged, just recognize and correct things which do not belong in your life.

ARIES

MARCH 20 - APR 20

Uranus has touched over for you, Aries, and is in retrograde. That is to say, you are not going to want to accept any change at the moment. Do not let yourself get boxed in, even though it feels like the right thing to do currently. Try and see beyond fear. Fight against the urge to settle and invoke that fiery nature.

TAURUS

APR 20 - MAY 21

On the completely opposite note as last week, focus on yourself and yourself only this week, Taurus. You did your part with others, but now you need to pamper yourself.

With all the hard work you put into your job, friends and your community, remember that you need to work on yourself just as much. That also means treating yourself right. Time to recharge.

GEMINI

MAY 21 - JUN 21

It seems as if the cards are stacked against you this week, Gemini, but you are one tough cookie and you plan to show that spirit to the world. Do not dwell on negative things which happen to you right now, it is nothing personal and no reflection on you. It can be easy to allow small things to ball up into one big thing, but try to handle everything in stride.

CANCER

JUN 21 - JULY 23 This week, Cancer, you are feeling not as grounded as usual. Your life seems like it is slipping out of your hands in a small way. Either an opportunity is about to close its doors to you or you feel obligated to go down one path instead of another. Do not let these kinds of things be ruled by fate or other what others want for you.

LEO

JUL 23 - AUG 23

You are still dealing with the consequences from last week, Leo, but you are further on the right track. Continue to have an open mind about a new direction or mindset which has been presented to you. Everything will become clear with time, patience, and that classic Leo hard work.

VIRGO

AUG 23 - SEPT 23 You want to know if people are for real this week, Virgo.

You need honesty and an up front nature at the moment because things seem a little bit cloudy. Do not be afraid to ask for exactly what you need and do not shy away from hard-hitting questions and answers. Now is not the time to beat around the bush.

LIBRA

SEPT 23 - OCT 22

Mars has been with you for some time, Libra, which has been giving you some very much appreciated extra drive. However, it’s about to leave you, so take a look around at patterns which have worked in getting things done lately. Hang on to that feeling of productivity as long as you can.

TRISHA KANGAS SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

TRISHAKANGAS@BOISESTATE.EDU

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