Vol. 32 Issue 8
I N D EPEN DE NT
S T UDE NT
V O I CE
O F
B O I SE
STAT E
S I N C E
1 9 3 3
AN INFLUX OF REPORTS AT THE START OF EACH SEMESTER SPARKS QUESTIONS ABOUT TRANSPARENCY REGARDING CAMPUS SEXUAL ASSAULT
NEWS
04
Boise State Children’s Center implements STEM into curriculum with screen-free coding device
VISIT US ONLINE:
OPINION
08
“Hustlers,” a film about stripping, should be used to break down stigmas around women in sex work arbiteronline.com
CULTURE
12
The Center for the Visual Arts officially opens with ribbon cutting ceremony led by President Tromp @arbiteronline
SPORTS & REC
17
After only three years on campus, Boise State Esports is one of the winningest programs in the nation
@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.
President Marlene Tromp was invested into Boise State on Oct. 3, but not before meeting with students on the quad. Taylor Humby | The Arbiter
ON THE COVER:
At the start of each semester, there is an influx of reports regarding campus sexual assault. As a result, students are sent “timely warning” emails as a measure for student safety; but how transparent is Boise State about the incidents? Cover design by Kacie Fromhart
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 WHAT’S IN THE +?
SUB FARNSWORTH ROOM OCTOBER 9, 5 PM
STEPHANIE WILDE: INTROSPECTIVE
BOISE ART MUSEUM OCTOBER 11, 10 AM
Join the Gender Equity Center in this panel discussion and Q&A to hear stories of individuals identifying within the less-recognized “plus” of LGBTQIA+ and which identities constitute the + within the community.
Stephanie Wilde is an Idaho-based artist known for her contemporary works focused on issues such as climate change and the AIDS epidemic. This event will highlight some of Wilde’s works from the past four decades.
WOMEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING
STUDENT DUO-PIANO RECITAL
WEST BOISE YMCA OCTOBER 12, 10 AM
Cheer on the Bronco women’s swimming and diving team Saturday for their second meet of the season. The Broncos have won every meet against the Vandals since 2009.
MORRISON CENTER OCTOBER 13, 4 PM Admission is free for this event presenting the performances of students studying within the Department of Music.
NEWS
OCTOBER 8, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM
BOISE STATE CHILDREN’S CENTER INTRODUCES CODING IN THE CLASSROOM
Fostering lifelong learning, the Children’s Center works to incorporate STEM education Taylor Rico-Pekerol | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
A
t Boise State’s Children’s Center, a preschooler from China was quieter than her fellow classmates. To make her feel more included and improve her social skills, the children created a Chinese dragon costume for the Chinese New Year, according to Jahziel Maldonado, the lead teacher for the Children’s Center. The costume was not for a student, but for KIBO, a screen-free robotic device that teaches children about coding. Blueprints were made by the children and they used other tools in the classroom, such as tape and fabric, to make the costume for KIBO. “Our hope was that KIBO could become a tool that she can use to find commonality and a way for her to express herself,” said Heather Lee, the director of the Children’s Center. “And not only did it become that, she started talking about her culture, she started talking about her language, her parents, her customs. And then we found her to become a peer mentor for some of the younger children in the classroom.” In 2015, the Idaho legislature passed a house bill that would create a Science, Technology, Math and Engineering (STEM) Action Center. The Idaho STEM Action Center works to promote opportunities for educators, students, communities and industries using STEM and computer science to build a strong workforce. KIBO was first incorporated in the classroom between January and May of this year. Erica Compton is the program manager for Idaho STEM Action Center and works to integrate STEM for all ages in the state of Idaho. “We created early STEM professional development workshops, and in one of those is where the KIBO robotics were included as part of the kit that educators received to take back and use in their
4
OCTOBER 8, 2019
|
learning organization,” Compton said. KinderLab Robotics created KIBO and was co-founded by Marina Umaschi Bers and her team studying new technologies at Tufts University. Curriculum and trainings are administered by KinderLabs to teachers regarding KIBO, especially to those that may be unfamiliar with coding and engineering, according to Jason Innes, the manager of training and curriculum development. “We make it easier for classroom teachers to integrate this kind of activity when they may not see themselves teaching a programming class,” Innes said. KIBO uses a scanner to read wooden blocks with a barcode embedded in them to make the robot move a specific way. The blocks can be placed in any order the children choose, as long as a start block is placed at the beginning and a stop block is placed at the end. Young children are digital natives, meaning they were born into a world with mass amounts of technology, whereas adults are technology immigrants and are still learning about it. “We believe that children, when they are naturally inquisitive, they are found to ask 200 to 400 questions a day at the preschool level,” Lee said. “And so it is a very natural time to introduce something like that. That is just another tool to express themselves and to learn about the world, as with a pencil, or a marker or a pair of scissors would be.” Most people think of a child with an iPad or iPhone in front of them when they interact with technology, but KIBO allows for more than that. One of the beliefs of KinderLab and Idaho STEM Action Center is cradle to career, so that children will continue to learn their entire life,
ARBITERONLINE.COM
Jahziel Maldonado (left) and Heather Lee (right) lead the initiative to work with KIBO. Taylor Humby | The Arbiter according to Lee. “[They use] hands–on experience to show they are working in teams, they are collaborating with each other. So [they] build a relationship with the [other] children to also create this community of learning in the classroom and a welcoming environment for all of them,” Maldonado said. There are 162 children in the program, but around 14 students interact with KIBO at a time. Research done by Kinder-
Lab found that the part of the brain which handles literacy functions also engages during coding with KIBO. “Early exposure allows them to have the competence to go forward to figure out whether they truly want to go into those fields or not. STEM [is] not for everyone and yet, those opportunities should be open for everyone,” Lee said.
NEWS
LACK OF CELL RECEPTION AFFECTS BOISE STATE STUDENTS
Slow internet speeds and lack of cell phone reception cause missed connections Bridger Cowan | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Boise State community about poor cellular coverage in certain campus areas,” Jessen said. “We are currently working with Verizon on a plan to improve their network coverage on campus later this semester, and hope to announce more details soon. We know we need to work with other vendors to find effective solutions as well.”
The proximity of cell towers to Boise State could be causing a lack of reception. Wyatt Wurtenburger | The Arbiter
S
tudents at Boise State have been experiencing a common problem as they walk across campus to class or make their way through university roadways. Reports of slow and non-functional cellular data have been brought up by many students in the past several weeks. Despite having two, three or even fullbar coverage on their phones, many people are beginning to notice that their cellular data is incredibly slow, if it works at all. This poses a number of potential issues for students who may depend on their cell data for mobile hotspots, arranging transportation or contacting family and friends. Victoria Claussen, a freshman nursing
major, explained her frequent difficulties regarding phone service on campus. “I have extremely slow service without WiFi and in some spots, it just simply doesn’t work,” Claussen said. “During lunch and in the morning hours are when it’s the slowest; after 6 p.m., it’s normally fine.” Claussen mentioned that her phone service is otherwise fine off-campus, unless she goes to a concert. With rapid growth happening on and around campus, it is no surprise students are feeling the sting as well. Shad Jessen, director of communications for the Office of Information Technology (OIT) at Boise State, confirmed these reports received from students. “We have received reports from the
“We know we need to work with other vendors to find effective solutions as well.” Shad Jessen, director of communications for the Office of Information Technology Students can certainly feel a sense of hope knowing these difficulties are likely temporary. However, students like Maddy Dees, a transfer student at Boise State, continues to feel occasional frustration. “I can’t call anybody, I can’t text anybody, I can’t load Instagram or Facebook,” Dees said. “It’s all over campus. When I don’t have Wi-Fi, it just won’t work. I have to wait until I get home.” Fortunately, OIT consistently works hard
ensuring reliable Wi-Fi networks for students with both the “eduroam” and “Bronco-Guest” wireless networks, according to Jessen. Additionally, for on-campus residents, the “RES” network is also closely monitored. “We have worked closely with Housing and Residence Life to make significant improvements to wireless networking in residential areas this year, and our staff recently began replacing or adding 400 wireless access points on campus to help accommodate the growth we’re seeing,” Jessen said. Having free access to Wi-Fi remedies this situation slightly, however, Wi-Fi signals cannot be picked up outside of most of the buildings. This makes commuting from class to class a frustrating situation for many students. OIT is contacting and actively working with major telecommunications companies to address the issue with the hopes of resolution by the end of the semester. Until then, it is advised to stay connected to university Wi-Fi when possible to ensure you remain connected with your online needs. “We encourage students and others in the campus community to let us know if they are experiencing Wi-Fi or other networking issues,” Jessen said. “We also offer real-time chat and self-service support through our boisestate.edu/oit/ website. If anyone has difficulty connecting to our campus networks, we need to know, and we certainly want to help.”
OCTOBER 8, 2019
|
ARBITERONLINE.COM
5
NEWS
STUDENTS STRUGGLE WITH ‘DIRTY’ DRINKING WATER Brown coloring and chemical smells lead students to question Boise water quality
Ashley Clark | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
E
than Mathes, a sophomore in the Games, Interactive Media and Mobile (GIMM) program, was spending a regular Friday night with his three roommates in their Green Leaf River Edge apartment when one of them noticed something strange about the water coming from their faucet. “We just noticed at one point that the water was turning brown,” Mathes said. “So then we turned on all [our] water, and it was brown everywhere.” Mathes is one of many residents living around the Boise State campus that experienced a 4-5 hour period of brown, odorous water in the late hours of Sept. 13. When Mathes and his roommate asked the front desk about the issue, the management staff told them it was a “city problem.” “I drink that water all the time,” Mathes said. “And [now] I don’t know if it’s dangerous or not. It makes me nervous to [think] that there might be stuff in there that could hurt me.” Josh Wolfgram, owner and operator of Idaho Water Solutions, attributes the brown water to sediment particles that get carried through the water transit systems directly from the wells. 70% of Boise drinking water is sourced from 79 different wells in the area, according to the 2018 Consumer Compliance Report distributed by Suez, a water utility company that services
6
OCTOBER 8, 2019
|
the majority of the Boise area. However, Wolfgram explained that when residents are experiencing an extended period of brown water, it could mean that the water utility company is attempting to clear build-up out of the pipes. “When they’re flushing out the hydrants and they’re disturbing the water lines, that’s when a lot of people start to see the [brown] colors,” Wolfgram said. Sarah Kelsay, a drinking water compliance officer with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), explained that a high concentration of natural underground iron deposits in the Treasure Valley may be another contributing factor to the tinted water. According to Kelsay, the DEQ and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) do not regulate iron found in water, as it does
ARBITERONLINE.COM
not pose any imminent health risks when consumed. “I fully understand that it can be a bit unnerving to drink water that has a brownish red tinge to it,” Kelsay wrote in an email. “However, for DEQ and EPA standards, iron does not cause an issue for a [water] system to be out of compliance.” Unfortunately, Mathes’ water problems have extended beyond just the one night of discoloration. Mathes claims he also notices a chemical smell occasionally emanating from his tap water. “Because Suez utilizes surface water, they are required to use chlorine to maintain a level of required disinfection throughout the entire distribution system,” Kelsay said. Suez reports that 30% of its utilized water is sourced from surface water. Wolfgram said
many of his clients are looking to eliminate the taste and odor associated with this chlorine use, but the severity depends on their location. “Sometimes you might get a little higher [chlorine] dosing being closer to the [water treatment] plant,” Wolfgram said. “At the end of the line, there still has to be some residual chlorine in the water.” Regardless of locational variants, Kelsay claims that Suez has consistently remained well under the EPA’s allowed limit of chlorine content. “EPA regulations set the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of chlorine in the water to be 4.0 mg/L,” Kelsay wrote. “To put this number in perspective, the usual amount of chlorine in a pool is around 2.0 mg/L.” Kelsay explained that once the chlorine residuals exceed 1.5 mg/L, there is a much higher chance of smelling or tasting the chlorine. “Residuals for Suez tend to stay between the 0.7 mg/L to 1.3 mg/L range,” Kelsay wrote. “This is not to say that certain individuals may be more sensitive to the chlorine smell and taste, but for DEQ regulations, Suez is not out of compliance in this area.” Student housing like River Edge has experienced discolored drinking water, concerning students. Wyatt Wurtenberger | The Arbiter
IDAHO NURSING SHORTAGE AIDED BY BOISE STATE PROGRAM
NEWS
The statewide shortage has encouraged nursing schools to accept more students each term Diego Barragan | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
T
he demand for licensed nurses has grown over the years and, because of this, Boise State has increased class sizes to promote a higher rate of nursing graduates each year. Nursing care is an everyday profession. Therefore, understaffed facilities are required to fill open positions. Leo Sigrist is the branch manager for Medical Staffing Network (MSN), a staffing agency that provides licensed nursing personnel for local facilities in the region on an “as-needed” basis. According to Sigrist, the local MSN branch employs between 80 and 90 nursing assistants and licensed nurses combined. “The majority of the employees here are staffed in long-term care facilities in comparison to any other discipline in nursing,” Sigrist said. Sigrist stated MSN occasionally staffs hospitals as long as the nurses meet the experience criteria set by the Joint Commission, which, at times, is challenging to find. Although staffing agencies are a great resource to fill last-minute nursing needs, Sigrist stated that it is more costly to the facilities who prefer to employ in-house before outsourcing. “We receive calls on a daily basis to fill open shifts related to call-offs, but we also have facilities schedule nursing personnel up to a month in advance,” Sigrist said. Randall Hudspeath is the executive director for the Idaho Center for Nursing, which is affiliated with all nursing organizations in the state. With the current supply of 17,957 registered nurses and 6,102 of them being near retirement, there will be a deficit statewide. “The essence of this was two things: one, consistently having the same number of nursing graduates for the past 20 years — about 850 students,” Hudspeath said. “The second thing is one-third of our nurses are over the age of 55, and 12% of them are over 65 and are likely retiring, which will result in a deficit.” Hudspeth explained that another factor
is the influx of out-of-state people into Idaho. Census projects have shown a population increase in Idaho and is expected to increase by 1.5% annually through the next seven years. To meet the increasing demand for nursing care, Idaho aims to graduate 1,100 students per year by the year 2024. “This huge demand means that we have to produce more students, so the schools have responded by increasing their enrollment each term,” Hudspeth said. Hudspeth stated there is also a push for registered nurses to be Bachelors-Prepared (BSN), as it is preferred by most acute care facilities. 71% of nurses in Idaho have a baccalaureate or higher degree, which exceeds the national average. “Idaho has been a leader in the nation over the last two years with a 71% BSN-prepared workforce,” Hudspeth said. Faye Carlson is the undergraduate pre-licensure program director. Carlson stated there is an average of 123 applicants a year and, historically, only half of them are accepted. “Previously, we accepted 60 students per term, and our fall cohort consisted of 80 students and will accept another 80 for the Spring 2020 term,” Carlson said. Changes in the model will now allow students to be able to learn from subject matter experts who are currently working, according to Carlson. “We regularly host events, such as Meet the Employers, which offers health care systems the opportunity to come on campus and meet the students,” Carlson said. Nursing students then have the opportunity to learn about residency programs available, which may include training for emergency departments or intensive care units, which are where many of the shortages are.
STUDENTS & FACULTY SAVE 50%*!
OCTOBER 14 USE CODE BSUSF AT THE BOX OFFICE, BY PHONE AT 208-426-1110, OR AT MORRISONCENTER.COM TO RECEIVE YOUR DISCOUNT! *OFFER EXCLUDES TOP PRICE SEATING, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.
OPINION OCTOBER 8, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM
‘HUSTLERS’ BRINGS ATTENTION TO DISCRIMINATION AGAINST STRIPPERS It’s 2019. Can we stop hating women for having a job in sex work?
Celina Van Hyning | News Editor | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu
Stripping as a career still carries a stigma, but films like “Hustlers” are seeking to defy traditional viewpoints. Photo by Barbara Nitke/STX
E
very woman old enough to work has probably said or heard the phrase, “Ugh, I could NEVER be a stripper!”
Why not? Sure, nobody can discredit the muscle, energy, personality and ability to hold back snarky remarks that it takes to be a successful exotic dancer. But that is not why women feel they could never dance in a club; in 2019, being a stripper is still seen as degrading. There are plenty of opinions surrounding women who pursue exotic dancing as a career and, most recently, the movie “Hustlers” has brought some of the job’s
8
OCTOBER 8, 2019
|
realities to light. As I sat in the downtown theater, I found myself thinking, “So what? Some dancers took advantage of some seemingly greedy, nasty men by emptying their accounts?” The opinionated baby boomers who sat directly behind me, however, had a different opinion. “Maybe if they had real jobs, they wouldn’t have been in this situation,” one of them whispered. Roselyn Keo, the woman portrayed in the film, can vouch for just how real the career is. Keo told Jessica Pressler from New York Magazine everything that happened before she was arrested in 2014. From 2007-2014, Keo and a group of her
ARBITERONLINE.COM
coworkers were arrested after accusations were made against them, including maxing out credit cards, drugging customers and draining their bank accounts. “The men were ‘mostly assholes,’” Pressler wrote of Keo’s experience. “Even when they didn’t start out that way, they’d get drunk and say things like, ‘Did your father abuse you? Is that why you do this?’ which was unnerving even when it wasn’t true. The majority were married, though that didn’t stop them from asking for things like blow jobs or sex.” Keo took advantage of the men who came into Scores, the club she was performing in at the time. She began taking
classes at Berkeley College in New Jersey and, with the help of an entry-level psychology course, Keo discovered what being an exotic dancer was really about. “The reason why Wall Street guys party so hard is because they’re not happy with their jobs,” Keo explained to Pressler. “You make money, but you’re not happy, so you go out and splurge on strip clubs and drinking and drugs, then the money depletes and you have to make it again. The dancers are the same way. You make money, but then you’re depressed, so you end up shopping or going on vacation, and the money depletes, so you go back.” Despite Keo’s struggles and actions, she said she faces criticism very frequently about what happened with those men. Keo told Vulture that she recently attended a Jennifer Lopez concert and, while waiting in line, multiple women approached her and confronted her about what she did, calling her a criminal. Here is the main point, and one of Keo’s most commonly used sayings: she did what she had to do. Were her actions right? No, not in the slightest. But as a newly single mother to a newborn baby, it makes sense why she decided to “hustle;” Keo had to ensure that she and her daughter were taken care of. The movie portrays Keo living well beyond her means, and at the time, she was; however, some exotic dancers make as little as $50 a night, less than a waiter. In a society that benefits only the very rich and not the working class, nobody is in a position to criticize a woman for simply having a job. So the next time you or someone you know makes a comment about how “awful” being a stripper would be, just think: yes, it may be, but not for the reasons you imagine.
OPINION
IMPEACHMENT IS A LOSE-LOSE SCENARIO FOR DEMOCRATS If impeachment fails, Republicans have the high ground in the election Emma Freitas | Online Editor | onlineeditor@stumedia.boisestate.edu
D
emocrats have been teasing the idea that they are going to commit to impeachment proceedings since Trump took office in 2017. I am truly shocked, however, that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi chose to seriously consider it now. There is a lot to question when deciding whether or not Pelosi’s impeachment inquiry comes at the appropriate time for a number of reasons. On top of that, there has been a whirlwind of information coming out of the news about the Trump administration in the last month that is confusing the public — controversy like the phone call with Ukraine, the whistleblower, Joe and Hunter Biden and many more. Ultimately, the impeachment inquiry comes down to Democrats believing that Trump attempting to use a foreign power to tarnish the reputation of Joe Biden is an impeachable offense. I agree that Trump absolutely abused his power and under no circumstances should get away with this, but now is the worst time to start impeachment proceedings. Pelosi reportedly has enough Democratic support in the House to start a formal vote on whether or not to begin proceedings, which would force all House members to go on the record about impeachment. It is not clear if this will happen any time soon. I think this would finally shed some light on whether there are any Republicans who are no longer willing to defend Trump or would eventually publicly comment on supporting Mike Pence as president instead. Even so, the inquiry still has to go through the Senate that requires a two-thirds majority. This leaves us with a lot of questions about what happens next. With the 2020 presidential election coming up, an impeachment failure could give Republicans the edge they need to elect Trump again. Even if Democrats are successful and somehow manage to get Trump out of office, that leaves us with Pence, whose policies are not much better, if you already
After controversy surrounding President Trump’s communication with Ukraine, Nancy Pelosi placed impeachment on the table. Photo: Kirk D. McKoy/Los Angeles Times disagree with the platform of Trump. At this point, impeachment is just a way for Democrats to have a victory lap before the election. I absolutely think we should be worried about all of the talk with Ukraine, the manipulation in withholding foreign aid to get information about the Bidens, the mysterious whistleblower and Trump’s inappropriate tweets about the whole situation. This abuse of executive power that is coming to light is probably not the first time something of this magnitude has happened, and I have no doubt that
Trump would be willing to go through other world leaders to get what he wants. Because of the accusations that there was Russian interference in the election, I have no doubt that we would be dealing with that during his second term if he opted to run again. Trump’s inability to keep his cool anytime there is a criticism against him or an accusation that he has done wrong tells me that he does not take his role very seriously. I think the public should be worried, but there are no winners in this situation. We certainly could avoid impeachment altogether and allow voters to decide if Trump’s
scandals deserve a second chance, or attempt to get him out even sooner. Either way, we are left with a lot of confusion about what is going on behind the scenes at the White House, and what the public can do about it.
HAVE A COMMENT OR REBUTTAL? EMAIL US AT: OPINION@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE.EDU
OCTOBER 8, 2019
|
ARBITERONLINE.COM
9
Y L E M I T E H T D N S O L Y I E A B M E G N I N UT O WAR B A RENCY
PA S N A R LT T U A G S N S I L A A U SEEK X E S S U AUTUM ROBERTSON P M CA SPORTS & REC REPORTER SPORTS@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE.EDU
B
ack in early September, just two weeks into the new school year, the Department of Public Safety sent two campus-wide emails regarding reports of sexual assault on campus. The “timely warning” emails that all Boise State students and staff become well-acquainted with are required by federal law and Boise State policy to provide information when potential threats are present. The September emails warned about possible assaults on campus and provided “safety tips” for students. But the emails come and go, leaving many to wonder about what is really happening on campus. Is sexual assault on the rise, and what is the university doing to combat it? Since the fall semester started, students have already reported two cases of sexual battery, two cases of sexual assault and one case of rape, according to the campus crime log. Considering that nearly 80% of sexual assaults go unreported nationwide, accord-
10
OCTOBER 8, 2019
|
ing to the U.S. Department of Justice, three reported cases of sexual assault could represent a much larger problem at Boise State.
Making sense of the problem
The email alerts are common at the start of a new semester, as a large portion of assaults take place in September and December. According to John Kaplan, the executive director of public safety, holidays and changes, such as the start of a new semester, can lead to an increase in crime. “Sometimes, for whatever reason, we see a cluster of reports. It might be the first semester and we see a number of reports at a particular time,” Kaplan said. “Statistics indicate that particularly for first-year students in the first six weeks are the most dangerous. So, this cluster of reports in the fall is consistent with the research.” Although the first six weeks are the most vulnerable, movements such as #MeToo and increased student awareness of the
ARBITERONLINE.COM
services offered on campus could lead to an increase in reports in general, according to Alicia Estey, Boise State’s chief of staff and chief of compliance. “An increase in reports does not necessarily correlate with an increase in incidents,” Estey said. “It could be that people are more aware of our services, they may have heard that people were treated respectfully during this process, they might tell other students that. [This makes] our students more inclined to file a report and participate in the process.” The Idaho legislature defines sexual battery as deliberate physical contact with an intimate part of a person without consent. Sexual assault, more commonly defined as sexual abuse in Idaho, is unwanted sexual contact. Rape is defined as penetration without consent. Campus crime logs from 2016 to 2019 show fluctuation in the number of reported cases. 2016 saw 15 rapes and one attempted rape, one case of sexual exploitation of a child and one case of sexual
penetration with a foreign object. In 2017, nine rape cases and four sexual assault cases were reported. 2018 included two rape cases and two sexual assault cases. In 2019, four rape cases, two cases of sexual battery and two cases of sexual assault have occurred so far.
Clery Act and Title IX
Timely warning emails are distributed because of a federal law called the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics, better known as the Clery Act. The Clery Act was enacted in 1990, and all college campuses that receive federal funding are required to abide by it. The law states that campuses receiving funding must be transparent about certain crimes; this includes sexual assaults. The emails Boise State sends are part of the Clery Act. The university understands that an email describing sexual assault cases can be triggering, but the emails have been modified in recent years. “Over time, it has shifted from a more
F E AT U R E victim-blaming language like, lock your car and walk with a friend... to more thinking about perpetrator behaviors like, don’t do these things,” said Adriane Bang, director of the Gender Equity Center. The Clery Act, however, does not work alone. Title IX is a law meant to prevent gender-based discrimination, but the law also addresses any sort of sexual violence. Boise State has a Title IX coordinator position. This job requires the hire to ensure the campus community understands their obligations under Policy 1065 — Boise State’s sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking policy. When there is a report of a violation, their role is to investigate and take corrective action. Estey is filling in for a position which has been vacant since November 2016. According to Estey, there have been four or five failed searches to find a permanent hire, and this is not uncommon. 10 years ago, most Title IX offices looked completely different. The offices were best known for their role in promoting gender equality in athletics programs. The Obama administration changed this in 2011 and pushed colleges to create a system for sexual misconduct with Title IX coordinators in charge. Since this shift, many colleges have struggled to keep this position filled. “It’s a difficult position to hire for. It’s agonizing work, to be honest with you. It’s kind of unrelenting. Our salaries in Idaho don’t keep pace with other states,” Estey said. “There is nobody in Idaho who has the skill set already [who is not currently employed]. We have to recruit out of state and have struggled. We are getting ready to bring in an interim Title IX coordinator from an organization whose whole purpose is to provide interim Title IX coordinators who are very experienced.”
Combating sexual assault
Timely warning emails are not always followed by updated information. According
to Estey, this is largely due to the university wanting students to read these emails; if too many are sent out, they may be disregarded. While Estey and the Department of Public Safety are cautious about the number of emails they choose to send out, some at Boise State are taking other actions to help combat sexual assault and raise awareness.
Smith hears discourse about the emails and has ideas about how they could resonate better with the campus, such as helping campus better understand the process of reporting sexual assault. “There are people who go through the process and it’s real tough… if you file a claim… no one is educated on [the
Sexual assault reports fluctuate each year, according to Boise State’s campus crime log. Kacie Fromhart | The Arbiter Former Associated Students of Boise State University (ASBSU) president Sienna George started the initiative “Not Silent Because.” The hashtag campaign ran at a home football game, and featured students discussing their refusal to be silent about their sexual assault stories. Current ASBSU president Kaleb Smith wants to start a campaign that continues throughout the year and reaches more of the student body. As a student himself,
process],” Smith said. “When you’re in the middle of an investigation, you are not allowed to say anything to anybody. So, everyone’s like, ‘I want more transparency in this…the only transparency we can give you is to educate how the process works.’” Campaigns and initiatives are only a small part of what the Boise State community is doing to combat sexual assault. The Gender Equity Center offers resources for victims, which can include counseling,
referrals and medical assistance. “We’ve just started a community-coordinated response team. This is something a lot of other universities have well-established,” Bang said. “You might recognize something similar in our care team, but this team is less focused on case review and more focused on prevention and education… looking more holistically at something rather than reactively.” Outside of the Gender Equity Center, Boise State has counseling services, Title IX and Campus Security working diligently to make students and victims feel safe. Campus Security has made updates on campus, such as installing cameras and lights behind buildings to make walking home at night safer. The process of combating sexual assault proves to be difficult, especially when most sexual assaults don’t happen by strangers, but by a person the victim knows. Boise State focuses on prevention; this comes in the form of training for incoming students, training for employees and different marketing tools that provide the campus with information. “We push out as much information as we possibly can to raise awareness, to help people understand what our policy says talk about consent,” Estey said. “We do a lot of outreach, but we can always do more. What tends to happen is that our time gets sucked up with the investigations. Of course, those are the priority if there’s an ongoing investigation. So sometimes our outreach efforts suffer because we’re bogged down with investigations.” Estey said anyone is free to talk to the Title IX office about an assault without having to go through the entire process or worry about them reporting the assault, unless the case signifies a threat to the campus; the university may then be required to report the crime. Sexual assault is still largely unreported and the stories beyond the emails often remain unknown. But as the conversation continues, students may become more aware of the process and prevention strategies.
OCTOBER 8, 2019
|
ARBITERONLINE.COM
11
C U LT U R E OCTOBER 8, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM
THE CENTER FOR THE VISUAL ARTS HOSTS ITS GRAND OPENING Students, faculty and staff gathered to celebrate the official opening of the new facility
Taylor Humby | Digital Content Manager | digitalcontent@stumedia.boisestate.edu
President Tromp and former President Kustra help usher in a new era for the visual arts at Boise State. Taylor Humby | The Arbiter
O
n Thursday, Oct. 3, Boise State officially opened the doors of the Center for Visual Arts to the Boise community, with attendees bearing witness to the official ribbon cutting by President Marlene Tromp and former President Bob Kustra. Tromp spoke of the commitment to the arts she has seen Boise State University make in opening this new space, as well as the exciting future the building may unlock. “As a person who studies literature, the notion that art is at the beating heart of a university feels so real and profound to me,” Tromp said. “I think we are going to attract some of the most talented people from all over the world to come here and use this facility. It prepares the state and our students much better for the future, because
12
OCTOBER 8, 2019
|
creativity is so much a part of innovation.” Tromp stated that, with this new space, she hopes students will be better positioned to stretch their wings and fly, utilizing the facility to accomplish extraordinary things and further lift the university as a whole to new heights. “A university that prides itself on innovation, should have a strong and powerful program in the arts,” Tromp said. “This building reflects the maturity, growth, development and progress of this university, and our aspirations to create a nationally and internationally recognized center for the arts has been realized in this amazing space.” The excitement around future possibilities extended to the Associated Students of Boise State University President Kaleb Smith, who spoke of the new sense of
ARBITERONLINE.COM
home offered to students within the College of Arts and Sciences. “When students came to Boise State and studied any degree under the College of Arts and Sciences, it was kind of all across campus,” Smith said. “However, now students can come here and have state of the art facilities and technologies, and great studio spaces with proper ventilation systems, to be creative and innovative and do awesome things.” Gallery director Kirsten Furlong spoke of her personal investment as a long-time member of the university, thrilled to finally be using the space first proposed six years ago. “From it becoming clear we were going to get a new building, to actually get to the point of having this building, is like a whole other level of excitement,” Furlong
said. “This is not just any new facility. We could have had any building on campus, but the fact that it is here, so highly visible on Capitol Boulevard, and that the university is dedicating this very important space to the arts, means a lot.” Furlong, not only enthusiastic about the new gallery spaces, spoke of the limitations overturned and what that means for new areas of study. “We are doing processes that we couldn’t do in our old spaces. For example, there is a brand new giant press and ceramics studios with all-new kilns,” Furlong said. “In the print shop, they’re bringing back stone lithography which, due to a lack of proper safety setups, they haven’t done in 30 years.” Boise architect Casey Huse, who took on the role of project architect, expressed his deepest gratitude for the opportunity to realize the vision for this facility. “Faculty report that the quality of student work has already risen in response to the new environment,” Huse said. “It is heard in the words of Mary Anne Carter, chair of the National Endowment of the Arts, who called the facility ‘world class’ after her recent visit.” Huse tasked students to give this new facility life through exploring opportunities and achieving dreams previously considered impossible. “Just as it is said that art imitates life, our buildings clearly imitate the living body,” Huse said. “As each of us here today are but a shell without that undefinable spark of life, our soul, so this facility has just now come alive. The faculty and students within its walls are its enduring spirit, without which it is an exotic yet meaningless husk.”
C U LT U R E
NEW TABLETOP AND BOARD GAME CAFE COMES TO BOISE
Student tabletop gamers find room to grow at Room and Boards Cafe Michelle Johnson | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
W
hen Scott Pepper moved to Boise from Austin, Texas, he noticed that it had a strong board gaming community, but it was missing something vital. At the time, there were no board game cafes in the area, which are very popular across the country. As a result, Pepper knew he wanted to open Boise’s first board game and tabletop cafe last September. Room and Boards Cafe opened its doors three weeks ago and is already seeing success. Pepper felt that opening a business like this would serve multiple purposes to the gaming community or people looking to get into gaming. “I didn’t feel like there was a place where people could go that were not necessarily non-gamers or people that are interested in gaming but aren’t really sure where to start, so I wanted to have a mutual grounds for that,” Pepper said. “This isn’t a store. We are not here to sell anything, we’re here to play games with food and drink and just have a good time.” Room and Boards Cafe serves food, coffee, beer and wine to those of age, and also offers a discount to all students. The cafe has a wide collection of games and hosts weekly events to cater to all types of gamers. “On Tuesdays, we are starting weekly pub quizzes, Geeks Who Drink. There are about 10 rounds, and they’re really tough questions” Pepper said. “On Wednesdays, we’re doing miniature painting nights, we’re going to also make this event a weekly thing.” Pepper has already been in contact with Dungeons and Broncos on campus. The group is excited about this new feature to the community, and believes it will be a great space for both club members and gaming fans. John Kiser, a senior GIMM major, is the financial officer for the Dungeons and Broncos club. Kiser feels that Room and Boards Cafe will be a great space for people to feel comfortable and open to
expressing themselves. “It’s really important, because these games tend to attract people who feel they want a safe space. Especially in our club, there is a large representation of LGBT+ community members,” Kiser said. “Having a safe environment to be able to go, express yourselves and getting into role play is really important, so having a place like this in the community is really nice.” Makena Pooley, a junior double majoring in communication and theatre arts, is a member of Dungeon and Broncos and is enthusiastic about the space’s size; the cafe is large enough for the events they want to host or game nights they want to have. “Not everyone has a big enough apartment to have a full-on board game event,” Pooley said. “So having a place where you can go outside or maybe get a drink or two if you’re of age or a coffee or something and play these games at the same time is awesome.” Tyler Qualls, a junior quantitative economics major, is the president of Dungeons and Broncos. For the club, Qualls explained that this new cafe will be a great resource when it comes to gaming, considering that gaming can be an expensive hobby. “It can be very expensive to get into board gaming,” Qualls said. “It’s really nice having a place where you can go and use stuff they already have so you can know if you want to join in and a good way to try new things.” With Room and Boards Cafe only in its early stages, Pepper has many ideas and a few goals he hopes to execute within the next year. “I want to make it a place where people come to feel like it’s a good place that’s inclusive and inviting to all ages,” Pepper said. “With people being so focused on their computers and phones, I like the idea of having a place where people can come together and connect with each other.” Boise locals gather to play games on tabletops at Room and Boards Cafe. Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter OCTOBER 8, 2019
|
ARBITERONLINE.COM
13
C U LT U R E
THE GREENBELT TRACES A RELAXING PATH THROUGH BOISE STATE The Boise River Greenbelt plays a key role in student experiences Ben Harris | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
A
longside Boise State’s campus lies a pathway connecting the campus to the rest of the Boise community. The Boise River Greenbelt is a unique transportation system that can take students from Lucky Peak to Eagle, whether that is by walking, biking or e-scootering. While the greenbelt is a great way to travel around the Boise area, it can provide more for students than just transportation. Annie Klinkenberg, a sophomore applied math major, has found that the greenbelt provides a great space for socializing with friends. “Sometimes, my friends and I would go and hang out by the river and walk around the greenbelt and spend time,” Klinkenberg said. “It was just really nice.” Along with being a space to spend some much-needed social time, the greenbelt can also be a space for increasing mental well-being. Whether it is the scenery, the cool breeze coming from the river or the quiet surroundings, Klinkenberg finds peace in using the greenbelt as her way to get to and from class. “It’s just sort of my time to breathe and take it in,” Klinkenberg said. “I’m not in a rush to get anywhere; I can just leisurely bike along.”
“It’s just sort of my time to breathe and take it in. I’m not in a rush to get anywhere; I can just leisurely bike along.” Annie Klinkenberg, sophomore applied math major While it is a space to take a break from the busy student life, the greenbelt can also be a way for students to get some exercise. With the typical, overloaded schedule, it can sometimes be tough to make room for physical activity. According to Riley Bruce,
14
OCTOBER 8, 2019
|
a sophomore business major, using the greenbelt every day helps her stay active. “I don’t really have a lot of time to go to the gym or anything,” Bruce said. “So that 30 minutes walking to my classes and back on the greenbelt really makes a difference.” While the Boise River Greenbelt is a staple to the Boise State community, it is also an essential part of the Boise community as a whole. Across the city, both students and non-students alike are using the greenbelt as a way to move around in a fun and healthy way. Bonnie Shelton, communications manager for Boise Parks and Recreation, explained that as the city grows, so does the level of maintenance needed on the greenbelt. “With increased use comes increased maintenance,” Shelton said. “We’re really trying to maintain the pathway and make sure all of those different users are well serviced by it.” Boise Parks and Recreation is doing their best to keep up with the growing use of the greenbelt throughout the community, whether it be smoothing pathways or replacing parts on bike repair stations. According to Shelton, the Boise River Greenbelt is actually maintained like a park would be. “We really view the Boise River Greenbelt as one of our most beloved parks,” Shelton said. “It’s maintained like a park and is considered a park in our system.” As more people use the greenbelt as an alternative mode of transportation, the pathway along the Boise River will be serving the community for years to come. As the greenbelt reaches its 50th anniversary this year, Shelton says that the Parks and Recreation Department plans to keep the Boise River Greenbelt going strong. “We want to make it the most usable and highly accessible pathway,” Shelton said. “That’s what we love about the greenbelt. It’s free. It’s accessible. Anyone can use it. We want to make sure that continues to be the case.”
ARBITERONLINE.COM
Students not only use the path for commuting, but also for recreation. Ben Harris | The Arbiter
C U LT U R E
INLAND SURFING MAKES A SPLASH ON THE BOISE RIVER
Whitewater park has helped create a vibrant surf and kayak culture in Boise Erin Barnett | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
S
ince the development of Boise Whitewater Park, the surf culture has boomed. Kayakers and surfers alike flock to the park to experience something that used to be available only on the coast. Jordan Frank, coordinator of the Outdoor Program at Boise State University, has done both activities, but sticks to kayaking as his more frequent choice. “What I have seen of the culture here, the surf community has blown up,” Frank said. “I mean, it has a lot of popularity. I don’t know, as far as change, I think it has always been a positive experience. Like, it does not matter if you can only last seconds on the board or if you are out there ripping it for five minutes. Everyone is supporting each other.” There are no places currently licensed to give lessons on navigating the water, but the community that started out small in 2012 has become a welcoming group of people eager to help those who show up to the river with their gear and a willingness to jump into the sport, according to Frank. With the waves already available, you can get gear from the Corridor or the Boise State Outdoor Center. The Corridor is one of the only surf shops in Garden City that promotes surfing on the river, offering custom local boards or brand-made boards for the river. Brooks Rhinesmith, a manager at the Corridor, has been surfing the river for about five years since moving from Kansas. “I knew the guy who owned a surf shop, his name is Victor. So I asked him for a job just because I knew this is what he was doing, and then I came out here,” Rhinesmith said. “And you know, he was nice enough to let me just use his stuff and go and try it. At first, I didn’t know anybody. So that’s what I would do pretty much every day was just go surf and try and figure it out.” Since the opening of the water park, the community has grown from just a few surf-
ers to many, all working to surf the wave as long as the season will allow when the water drops in April. According to Frank, the spring wave is the biggest wave season, and goes all the way into October. Now coming into the winter season, it is less busy, but there are the few surfers who put on their thick wet suits and take to the water. The Boise Whitewater Park is not limited to just surfing. It is also home to avid kayakers who enjoy the thrill of fast-moving water. William Nuckoles, junior at Boise State working at the Outdoor Center as a trip leader, is an avid kayaker. “Especially when it is a surf day, we park at the feature and float down,” Nuckoles said. “So we end up only walking one way. It is totally worth it. The new waves are definitely a little mellower than the kayak hole on the top feature, so it is a better place to take a beginner and work on some moves that can be a little harder with the heavier current in the top feature.” The local surf culture has become a draw to some and helped create a community among adventure enthusiasts. Chris Martindale, an avid surfer, chose to move to Boise for school because of the installation of the whitewater park in 2012. “Truth be told, that’s actually the reason why I came out to Boise State initially, I was originally from California. Once I heard that there’s a river wave where I could surf out here, that was kind of a game changer,” Martindale said. With the parks and the greenbelt being developed, the outlook has changed on the community and shown the importance of recreation for the people of Boise. “Pouring a lot of money into these waves and seeing the benefit it has on the community and that outreach is pretty important. I am grateful that the city, university and everyone is putting that effort into the importance of being outside and recreating,” Frank said. Surf locals have developed a community around the whitewater park. Taylor Humby | The Arbiter OCTOBER 8, 2019
|
ARBITERONLINE.COM
15
SPORTS & REC OCTOBER 8, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM
JANELL WALLEY BRINGS HIGH EXPECTATIONS TO FUTURE VOLLEYBALL SEASONS Walley’s strong drive and solid focus leads the 11-4 Broncos
Mackenzie Hudson | Digital Content Producer | digitalcontent@stumedia.boisestate.edu
G
rowing up, Janell Walley gave a number of sports, including track and field, a try. Walley excelled, setting school records twice on the high jump. When the aspiring athlete turned 13, however, her heart was set on volleyball. Now a Boise State volleyball standout, Walley has found a sense of home away from home in a gym packed full of fans and students. Amid the cheering from the stands and her teammates, senior twosport athlete Janell Walley manages to stay focused and grounded on the court. The lefty outside hitter from the small town of Yucaipa, Calif. has found success in academics and athletics during her time at Boise State. Walley, an indoor and beach volleyball player, has left a lasting, positive impression on her teams. “She’s quick to laugh, sarcastic and funny,” said head coach Shawn Garus. “[She] has that type of demeanor that I think is really good for a Walley currently leads the Broncos in kills (196) and points (239) this season. Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter
16
OCTOBER 8, 2019
|
ARBITERONLINE.COM
senior to have around a lot of young freshmen, because they’re going to look up to her.” While Walley made the decision to play volleyball on her own, her family already had strong ties to the sport. “My mom... she played collegiately (at) University of San Diego. She’s actually in the hall of fame there,” Walley said. “She didn’t want to push me; she wanted me to decide to play it on my own.” A couple key factors played into Walley’s decision to uproot herself from Southern California to come to Boise State. “I wanted to go out of California and experience something new,” Walley said. “I wanted to experience some seasons and coaches have been recruiting me since I was young, and I wanted to come up here and see what it’s about. I really liked the town and the support that the community gave and it reminded me a lot of my home.” Walley has received a number of career honors in her time as a Bronco. In 2018 alone, she was named All-Mountain West (MW), Academic All-MW and MW Scholar-Athlete. At the end of her junior season, she had a total of 192 kills, 33 assists, 247 digs, 58 blocks and 232.5 points. Just last week, Walley was named the MW Peak Offensive Player of the Week. “She arrived as a great volleyball player, so we’re really fortunate with that,” Garus said. “She’s continued to get stronger during her time here. [Being] stronger probably adds to her confidence when she’s on the court.” Walley’s teammates look up to her focused attitude and drive for success. Come game time, the volleyball star buckles down and channels her energy into her team and the game. “She rarely has an off day,” said senior setter Cassedi Simon. “I’ve personally never
seen a player like that, [who] can always come in and just continue to get better and continue to show her leadership. Her skills are very precise and always at the top level.” Walley knows how to clear her head and prepare for the sets ahead of her. “On the court, she’s very focused. You know that she is ready to go, ready to play,” Simon said. “She just gets in the zone of hers that she’s gonna do great things and she just kind of projects when she is with the team.” As one of the last players on the team to ever reach the national tournament, Walley has brought a lot of leadership and communication to the volleyball teams. In her freshman year, the Broncos went 16-2, claiming the MW champion title. “She’s the most well-rounded player we have in the program,” Garus said. “That means she serves, passes, blocks, hits, digs, does everything well. She’s just a complete player.” Volleyball aside, Walley has found her niche in health science studies. Since the start of her collegiate career, her heart has been set on nursing. Walley is planning on attending Idaho State’s accelerated nursing program in Meridian next year. “She’s an exceptional student,” Garus said. “She stays on top of her school work, because her school work matters to her. She’s always had a plan. She hasn’t changed her major once. And I respect that she has just been on task since she arrived as a freshman.” With graduation for Walley just around the corner, she has set the bar for future players and seasons. “She’s an amazing player,” Simon said. “I think other people just need to hold each other accountable and make sure someone steps into her shoes.”
BOISE STATE ESPORTS BRINGS BIG WINS IN GAMING
SPORTS & REC
Varsity program thrives in its third year on campus Thomas Metzger | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu
The Boise State esports team holds their matches in a downtown arena in the Venture College. Thomas Metzger | The Arbiter
B
oise State is largely known for its football team and the trademarked blue turf, but the university is home to another hidden gem for students. The Boise State varsity esports team is one of the winningest esports programs in the country, with a combined 191 wins in both regular season and tournament play. At the program’s inception in 2017, Boise State was the third FBS school to commit to a varsity esports program on campus. There are five games that Boise State competes in: “League of Legends,” “Overwatch,” “Hearthstone,” “StarCraft 2” and “Rocket League.” The program is under the direction of head coach Chris Haskell. While Haskell has past coaching experience in football and swimming, his style for coaching esports is quite different. “Before coming to the university, I was a high school band director,” Haskell said. “This is far more like coaching band than football. You’re preparing these kids for a performance, and it’s more about helping them understand what their role is and
where they fit.” In 2018, Boise State was voted a top 10 school for esports and gaming out of more than 200 schools, and was named a top three varsity program by Jacob Wolf of ESPN. Since then, the Broncos have won two Mountain West Rocket League titles and one “Overwatch” title. Former Boise State President Bob Kustra held high praise for the program. “It’s really been an incredible opportunity for Boise State and our students,” Kustra said in a 2018 interview. “This is a great recruiting tool... Whether it’s bringing students in from across America or bringing students in from Korea, Japan, Taiwan and China, this program is going to have an opportunity to diversify our enrollment in ways that we never could have done otherwise.” Kustra went on to compare Boise State’s esports program to one of the nation’s top athletic programs. “We intend to be the Alabama football of this program,” Kustra said. The program puts in the work to deserve
the high praise. According to Haskell, the team spends about 20 hours a week preparing for various matches. “We study film, practice and develop a playbook,” Haskell said. “The difference is the football team will play 13 games a year, and we’ll play over 100 this semester.” The Broncos hold their matches in a downtown arena in the Venture College, and the program has a training facility on the second floor of the Education Building, which is open to all students. Haskell emphasized that anyone can join the program, regardless of skill. “If they want to play, come play in the battleground. It’s open eight or nine hours every day,” Haskell said. The team culture inside the program is also very tight knit. While some may associate video gamers with controversial online chat rooms, Kevin Kerrigan, a freshman member of the Rocket League team, explained that the esports culture at Boise State is far more professional. “Out here in person, everyone is so nice,” Kerrigan said. “We’re so excited to
play all the time, and I’ve made some really good friends here. It’s such a community.” Assistant coach Ryan McNamee echoed Kerrigan’s sentiment. “I think the biggest thing that most people don’t realize about esports is the social aspect of it,” McNamee said. “What I don’t think people realize is these kids are communicating with each other, and you really have to trust the person next to you. I always sit back in a live event and watch how the students interact.” While the esports program can be a fun place for students to hang out with friends and play games, players also have the chance to take their talents to the pro level. McNamee also highlighted how young kids are taking their hobby for video games and becoming professional, sometimes winning tournaments that give out millions of dollars. According to Haskell, the program is looking to expand its selection of games, and the team is exploring the idea of adding “Smash Bros.” and “Halo” into the program. While the program does not do a lot of recruiting, both McNamee and Haskell have found that students who come to play are passionate about both the games and getting an education. “We want students to graduate, we want them to come for the educational side,” McNamee said. Getting involved with the esports team gives interested students an opportunity to represent their school on a national level, pushing them to improve. “The program here at Boise State, I haven’t seen anything like it before,” Kerrigan said. “We have this whole stadium, casters and everything. That’s so next level, and it just makes me want to get better.” Boise State’s esports program is thriving competitively in its third year of existence. Information for upcoming matches can be found on their website or social media, and every match in the downtown arena is free and open to the public.
OCTOBER 8, 2019
|
ARBITERONLINE.COM
17
SPORTS & REC
BRONCOS WIN 38-13 OVER UNLV
Bachmeier and Weaver stay hot in Las Vegas Dawson Danner | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu
C
oming off a bye week in their first road conference game of the 2019 season, the No. 16 Broncos handily defeated the UNLV Rebels 38-13 on Saturday, Oct. 5 in Las Vegas. For the first time all season, Boise State was able to capitalize early by putting up the first score of the game. After UNLV went three and out on their opening drive, the Broncos marched 70 yards down the field. The efficient drive was capped off by a two-yard touchdown pass from true freshman quarterback Hank Bachmeier to tight end Garrett Collingham. After their opening drive touchdown, the Broncos had trouble moving the ball for the remainder of the first quarter, later translating to more struggles during their first drive of the second quarter. To kick off the second quarter, Boise State gave the Rebels new life when running back Andrew Van Buren was stopped on fourth and inches by the UNLV defense. On their next drive, Bachmeier was able to connect with wide receiver John Hightower down the left sideline for a 76-yard touchdown, in which Hightower displayed his tremendous breakaway speed. “I just play my part,” Hightower said to the Idaho Press. “If they call my play, I do my business and I do what I can.” To conclude the first half, Boise State extended their lead to 17-0 after Joel Velasquez booted a 52-yard field goal, the longest by a Boise State kicker since 1997. In the second half, the Boise State offense turned on the jets and never looked back. With a 17-point lead, the Broncos decided to dive in to their old bag of tricks when wide receiver Akilian Butler raced 23 yards on an inside reverse to push the lead to 24-0. Bachmeier proved once again why he is Harsin’s “QB1.” Bachmeier finished the night throwing for 299 yards and two touchdowns, his third straight game in which he has thrown for two or more touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, STUD
18
OCOTBER 8, 2019
|
Photos (top and bottom) courtesy of John Kelly/Boise State Athletics Curtis Weaver shined once again, making three sacks and wreaking havoc in the UNLV backfield all night long. With the addition of these three sacks, Weaver has now set the Mountain West all-time career record with 29.5 sacks. “We just kept attacking,” Weaver said to the Idaho Press. “[UNLV] showed us some looks but at the end of the day we’re just going to keep attacking, play by play, and things will open up.” Despite being penalized 10 times for 130 yards, the Boise State defense continued its impressive play, finishing with five sacks, 11 tackles for loss and one interception. After giving up 13 points in the second half, Boise State has now given up just 22 points in the second half so far this season, a major confidence booster that Boise State was looking for from the defense this season. In a game that featured five different Boise State players scoring touchdowns, the Broncos improved to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in Mountain West Conference play. Boise State (5-0, 2-0) returns to The Blue for Homecoming against Hawai’i (4-1, 1-0) on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 8:15 p.m. The Broncos will look to extend their winning streak, as well as their quest for a New Year’s Six Bowl. “We’ll get back to work on Sunday,” said head coach Bryan Harsin to the Idaho Press. “Hawai’i is going to be the best football team we play and I hope we’re the best football team we can be.”
ARBITERONLINE.COM
HOT TAKES Autum Robertson | Sports Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu
T
he No.14 Broncos move to 5-0 on the season after a 3813 victory over UNLV. The Broncos went into their bye week with room for improvement, including the aim to start faster. All three phases of the game showed improvement (specifically special teams) from their last game against Air Force, but for a team that has New Year’s Six aspirations, there is still much work to be done. Here are my hot takes on Boise State’s defeat of UNLV.
Boise State started fast, but will it continue? The Broncos have been a second-half team all season. And, granted, UNLV is not the best, but the Broncos still started hot. They went into the half up 17-0. They could have gone into the half up by 14, but Bryan Harsin made the decision to keep playing rather than taking a knee or handing the ball off. With 32 seconds left, the Broncos completed three passes and opted for a 52-yard field goal from sophomore Joel Velazquez. The call by Harsin showed determination. But the Broncos were playing UNLV, so whether this will continue for the remainder of the season is questionable. The offense has major highs and lows Boise State has a knack for producing 1,000-yard rushers; in fact, they have done it for 10 seasons. This year may be the exception. They are only averaging 4.15 yards per carry. I have had high hopes for junior Robert Mahone and true freshman George Holani, but their performance at UNLV was just not impressive. Mahone, the starter, finished with nine carries for 13 yards. The wide receivers produced more rushing yards than that. The Broncos finished with 182 rushing yards and 74 of those yards came from wide receivers. That leads me to my high: the receivers. Sophomore wide receiver
Khalil Shakir hauled in seven receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown. Senior receiver John Hightower had four receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown. Hightower was also second in rushing yards with 51. Shakir and Hightower stepped up when this offense desperately needed it The defense continues to be this team’s strength The Broncos’ defense has been, and will continue to be, the strongest phase of this team. The defense’s second-half performances have aided the Broncos to their four previous wins. They did that again on Saturday, but the Broncos’ first-half defense was outstanding. UNLV punted six times on seven possessions. The Broncos did not allow UNLV to get anything going. Junior Curtis Weaver now owns the Mountain West career sack record with 29.5 sacks. Three of those sacks came against UNLV. Weaver leads the country in sacks with nine. The Broncos are back on The Blue Saturday, Oct.12 to take on Mountain West opponent Hawai’i (4-1). This game is a big test for a team that has New Year’s Six dreams.
OUR BEST GUESS The Arbiter aligns your stars.
LIBRA:
You are in a mood this week, Libra. You feel determined, strong, and ready to get stuff done. Ride this wave and do not let yourself become distracted, which happens often for air signs. Try to reign in your indecisiveness right now by setting a goal for yourself for the end of this week.
SCORPIO
OCT 23- NOV 21 Venus just moved into your house, which means love is in the air. If you’ve been waiting to make romantic decisions, now is the time to do it. Let yourself feel emotional, in a romantic sense, which should be pretty easy for you.
SAGITTARIUS NOV 22 - DEC 22
SE PT
EM
BE
R2
3-
OCTO
BER 22
TRISHA KANGAS
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR TRISHAKANGAS@BOISESTATE.EDU
You are simply going back to your optimistic and lucky self. You may still feel some tension with someone you see as a parental figure, but know that it will not be this way forever. To the contrary, the asteroid Ceres, which influences these relationships, will be gone from you quite soon.
CAPRICORN
DEC 22 - JAN 20
You have a difficult combination of planets in your house. You have both Saturn and Pluto, which means you are aware of a significant transition in your life. Tap into your logical and practical side and start planning for how you will take steps to overcome this long-term challenge.
GEMINI
AQUARIUS
MAY 21 - JUN 21
JAN 20 - FEB 17 Partway through this week, the moon will be present. Make sure you check in with yourself and your needs. Lean heavily on your broad-minded nature. Things are pulling you in so many directions that it is important to stay centered and balanced.
PISCES
CANCER
FEB 18 - MARCH 20
You will have a moment with the moon, which is good timing because you are feeling sensitive. Work on being objective. While things can feel personal, remember that everyone is struggling, and they do not mean to put pressure on you.
JUN 21 - JULY 23 Things remain easy-breezy in most aspects of your life, Cancer. This does not mean you are completely without challenges, but if you set your sights on something right now, you are going to get it done and the results will likely be very positive.
LEO
ARIES
MARCH 20 - APR 20
You are the last sign the moon is passing this week, which feels like a relief from the stress you have had lately. For you, “me-time” usually means getting things done, which is great, but it is a good idea to try and let go for a minute.
JUL 23 - AUG 23
You are a natural born leader, so it is effortless for you to slip into a managerial type role. Instead, try and think about things in a purely altruistic light. Go outside of the self for now and try to help someone else with a task they are struggling with.
VIRGO
TAURUS
APR 20 - MAY 21
You are feeling unlucky. You might even have a mentor or parental figure who feels imposing to you right now. You feel like you do not have enough personal space. Remember that you don’t always have to run decisions by others in your life.
AUG 23 - SEPT 23
You are feeling a lack of drive and as if you have lost sight of your personal goals. You are not sure what you want right now, but that is OK. Your determined nature will bring it back into view. For now, work on being patient with yourself and
You are feeling a bit out of whack and off balance for you. Something you should focus on now is grounding yourself, which usually comes naturally. Really dig your heels into some tangible tasks that you can focus on instead of letting your mind wander and become anxious.
Get Your Degree In Life. Life comes at you pretty fast in college. ICCU proudly supports Boise State University by offering a wide range of services to help you make managing your money easier. Plus, we’ll give you $100 when you open a new membership with checking.* + Online and Mobile Banking + Apple Pay®, Samsung Pay®, and Android Pay® + Totally Free Checking + Low-Rate VISA Cards + Auto Loans, and more
JOIN NOW. Visit your local branch or apply online at iccu.com/join with promo code MY100 *To receive $100 you must be a new member and obtain a checking account with a debit card, eBranch, or Direct Deposit. The account must be open with a $100 minimum balance. $100 bonus will be deposited at the time of obtaining at least one of the three services in conjunction with account opening. Account must remain open for a minimum of 6 months from the reward date or $100 will be deducted from the account at closing. Limit one reward per person, per household. Membership required, based on eligibility. Offer expires 9/30/2019.
WE BELIEVE in the home team.
A CAMPUS VOICE RUN BY STUDENTS, FOR STUDENTS. LISTEN TO YOUR PEERS EVERYDAY AT UNIVERSITYPULSE.COM
FOLLOW US HERE:
LISTEN TO US HERE:
@bsupulse
University Pulse Radio
@universitypulse
universitypulse
@universitypulse
University Pulse