The Arbiter Vol. 32 Issue 23

February 25, 2020

Vol. 32 Issue 23

IN D EP EN D E NT

ST U D E NT

V O I CE

O F

B O I SE

STAT E

S I N C E

1 9 3 3

PUSHING CAMPUS LIMITS

HOW BOISE STATE’S RAPID GROWTH COULD MOVE RESOURCES OFF CAMPUS NEWS

04

Taking after other universities, the Office of the Provost adds a vice provost of Equity and Inclusion position

VISIT US ONLINE:

OPINION

09

Candidate loyalty can be detrimental, and voting based on charisma rather than policies is harming the election process arbiteronline.com

CULTURE

12

A Boise State professor has taken on the challenge of bringing an international museum to the city @arbiteronline

SPORTS & REC

18

Courtney McGregor’s role as team captain has shifted to mentorship after suffering from an injury

@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 Opinion Editor Blake Hunter opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu Copy Editor Megan Mary Social Media Coordinator Trisha Kangas Digital Content Manager Mackenzie Hudson digitalcontent@stumedia.boisestate.edu Digital Content Producer Chandler Thornton 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.

Broncos on Ice, which took place on Feb. 22, allowed students the opportunity to bond over a free night at Idaho Ice World.

Chandler Thornton | The Arbiter

ON THE COVER:

A purchase request was recently approved for a $22 million building across from Alber t sons Stadium on Broadway Avenue. With 1% free space available on campus, Boise State could see more of f- campus development as the universit y continues to grow.

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

New plasma donors receive up to $400 in a month!

Biomat USA 4017 W. Overland Rd. Boise (208) 338-8417

EVENTS CHILI COMPETITION SUB HATCH BALLROOM FEBRUARY 27, 11 AM

Faculty and Staff Engagement invites all to the annual chili cook-off and fundraiser to support the Goodwill Fund.

This fund assists qualifying employees with weekly meal assistance. The organization suggests a $5 donation for lunch and one raffle ticket for a prize.

SCHOOL OF ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES RESEARCH CONFERENCE

THE RIVERSIDE HOTEL FEBRUARY 27, 2 PM This conference provides those interested in health research the opportunity to learn about Boise State’s health and human performance-related scholarship. Those interested in attending are encouraged to submit abstracts of any past or present work.

4TH ANNUAL ADAM SMITH LECTURE

simplot ballroom FEBRUARY 27, 6 PM

Maria Pia Paganelli, International Adam Smith Society president and economics professor at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, has a passion for presenting Adam Smith’s contributions to economics, politics and society.

FEBRUARY WRITE-A-THON

BOISE STATE WRITING CENTER

UPCOMING SPORTS WOMEN’S TENNIS HOME

VS SOUTHERN UTAH

FEBRUARY 29, 2 PM

VS UTAH

MARCH 1, 11 AM

MEN’S TENNIS HOME

VS IDAHO

FEBRUARY 29, 10 AM

SOFTBALL AWAY

AT JUDI GARMAN CLASSIC IN FULLERTON, CALIFORNIA

FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 1

BA SEBALL

FEBRUARY 28, 6 PM Boise State’s Creative Writing Club is hosting an evening of writing on the theme of “Love and Hate.” All are welcome and pizza will be provided to those in attendance.

HOME

VS NORTHERN COLORADO AT MEMORIAL STADIUM

FEBRUARY 28 - MARCH 1

NEWS

FEBRUARY 25, 2020 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

OFFICE OF THE PROVOST CALLS UPON NEW INCLUSION POSITION

The search continues for Boise State’s new position of vice provost of equity and inclusion Sajra Celovic | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

A

s Boise State further commits to and inclusion, and Payne has her own aspiraKallee Weisel, a junior communication community relations, policy developa campus-wide initiative for a tions for the new hire. major, shows her involvement in diversity ment, compliance, campus climate issues diverse, inclusive and welcom“I’m hoping I can have what a colleague and inclusion programs by engaging with and communications. ing university environment, of mine calls a ‘thinking partner’ on how the Black Student Alliance, the sustainability “I think our biggest challenge from the Office of the Provost hopes the newly to facilitate conversations on biases and committee and the Gender Equity Center. a faculty perspective is, supporting and introduced position, the vice provost of eqprivilege,” Payne said.

“I think representation is important, developing departmental cultures where uity and inclusion, can take on the various Throughout President Tromp’s time at and if you’re trying to be more inclusive minoritized identities are welcomed and responsibilities included in advancing the Boise State and even before, the Office of then you have to put those people, like valued, because otherwise why would institution’s goals to help foster a healthy the Provost, specifically regarding academic people of color, into those positions,” someone stay if they don’t feel welcomed and supportive campus culture. affairs, has demonstrated their need for Weisel said. and valued,” Payne said. “And we’re not “Some universities and colleges have an an individual with expertise in equity and The Office of the Provost has an often aware of the ways that we’re not entire office of diversity and equity or eqinclusion. The university had never seemed expectation that this new hire will invest creating a welcoming environment.” uity and inclusion, and we don’t, but we’re to find a viable option. in several main areas of focus, including With diversity programs being unmoving to hire this vice provost into that “So we have pockets of kind of really campus-wide diversity initiatives, strategic der fire earlier in 2019 when 28 Idaho position,” said Dr. Tony Roark, the current cool stuff that’s going on, but we planning, training, lawmakers stated Boise State’s programs interim provost and vice president for don’t have a big picture. It’s education and reand celebrations for minority students academic affairs. “We have lots of students not integrated,” Payne said. search, were “antithetical to the Idaho way.” The with different needs and we want to make “So I can see this person Office of the Provost hopes this position sure that we are able to support them in figuring out, ‘OK, what improves the inclusive excellence initiawhatever way we can.” are all these initiatives? tives Boise State maintains.

The Office of the Provost is made up Who’s committed to “What I really hope is we can bring of a variety of different positions that doing this work for someone in who has done this kind of work work collectively with the university, the long term, elsewhere,” Roark said. the community outside of Boise State and how do Roark’s hope for the new hire is that and within their own office to uphold we mobilize they will take on the position with pasthe mission statement of “creating them?’” sion about the work they do, while structures and processes in a culture also understanding the particular where faculty, staff and students can problems different student popthrive so that, together, we will accomulations may be facing. Roark plish the university’s mission.” anticipates this position will “All of us in the office are combe taken on by an individual mitted to, particularly, moving who has a commitment to more and more towards equity learning and making a and inclusion, in terms of both difference. faculty and student and culture The new hire is change,” said Dr. Michelle expected to take Payne, assistant provost for actheir place as vice ademic leadership and faculty provost of equity affairs. and inclusion at In addition to her role in the the Office of the Office of the Provost, Payne also Provost during the sits on the committee for hiring The new hire is expected to take their place as vice provost of equity and inclusion at the Office of the Provost during start of the 2020 fall the start of the 2020 fall semester.

the new vice provost of equity semester.

Wyatt Wurtenberger | The Arbiter

4

FEBRUARY 25, 2020

|

ARBITERONLINE.COM

NEWS

K-12 IDAHO CONTENT STANDARDS TO REMAIN AND GARNER IMPROVEMENTS Idaho Senate votes to maintain current content standards and initiates task force for improvements

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

A

fter over a month of backand-forth deliberation by lawmakers and hours of public testimony, the Idaho Content Standards are to remain in place for the upcoming educational year.

The Idaho Content Standards were adopted in 2010 in accordance with the national Common Core initiative. The content standards apply to English language arts, math and sciences for K-12 students.

In January, the House Education committee voted to repeal the Idaho Content Standards. However, the Senate Education committee countered the movement and unanimously voted to retain the current content standards.

“The importance of the standards for us as teachers is that it guides us day to day,” said Eric Thies, a high school science teacher and president of the West Ada Education Association. “It doesn’t tell us how to teach or what kind of relationships to have with kids, but it tells us what to teach fundamentally, and that allows for alignment.”

Thies explained that “vertical and horizontal alignment” is essential to fostering the growth of students within the school districts. Horizontal alignment refers to the standardization of content across classrooms within the same grade, while vertical alignment refers to the school-wide standardization of content that would allow all students to progress to the next grade with the same knowledge as their peers that may be coming from a different school or different class.

Thies said he had difficulty with his freshman classes before the Idaho Content Standards were in place, because his students were funneling in from three different middle schools. This resulted in all students having varied knowledge and skills, as they were all coming from different teachers that had been teaching different content.

“I don’t know what they know and what they don’t know. And there’s not

a single thing that I can count on all of them knowing,” Thies said, referencing the students he had in his classroom prior to the implementation of the Idaho Content Standards. “So as a result, I have to go back into things [that] they need, fundamental things [like] lab skills and knowledge and definitions.”

In addition to maintaining the current content standards, the Senate also approved a resolution, proposed by Senate Education committee chairman Dean Mortimer, that would initiate an interim committee focused specifically on evaluating the standards and will potentially suggest replacements and/or improvements.

“I think there is still some work to be done as far as teacher clarity on what the standards are actually asking of us to teach students,” said Courtney Kelly, a Boise State graduate with her bachelor’s in K-8 education who now works as a third-grade teacher at Desert Sage Elementary.

Thies believes there is some room for improvement, but that most of the issues are a matter of per-

ception. Referencing the example that Rep. Dorothy Moon used on the House floor, Thies explained that the House was concerned about certain hot-button words like “deforestation” that have a negative connotation because of the word’s association with climate change.

“I think there’s something we can do with the standards to correct it, but that’s literally three words in a set of rules that’s almost 100 pages long.”

Representative Dorothy Moon

would discourage children’s’ relationship with the Idaho logging industry or cause them shame at school if they had a parent involved with logging.

“I think that there’s something we can do with the standards to correct it, but that’s literally three words in a set of rules that’s almost 100 pages long,” Thies said.

According to Jennifer Snow, dean of Boise State’s College of Education, providing adequate resources will be crucial in creating and implementing any improvements to the current standards.

“Teachers need support, we need resources, we need extra personnel, all those kinds of things just to support students in meeting the [current] standards,” Snow said. “[With] the new standards, I suspect the State Department of Education will maintain the need for more resources in public education.”

Rep. Moon had discussed with the committee that the usage of this “negative” wording

Idaho teachers have experienced difficulty in assessing their students’ level of knowledge on certain topics.

Wyatt Wurtenberger | The Arbiter FEBRUARY 25, 2020

|

ARBITERONLINE.COM

5

NEWS

OFFICIAL STUDENT ABSENCE POLICY BEING REVIEWED TO ADD CLARIFICATION Policy 3120 could add more clarity and inclusivity for students' official absences

Taylor Rico-Pekerol | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

T

he Official Student Absence Policy 3120 is under review and currently being modified to add more inclusive verbiage and clarification to students and faculty.

Dehra McFaddan, secretary of academic affairs for the Associated Students of Boise State University (ASBSU) is aiding her faculty adviser with changes to the policy and adding a student perspective.

The attendance policy was last updated in July 2019. The policy currently gives a list of events and official absences that are affecting certain groups of students, such as athletics, marching band, religious affiliations and active service members, according to McFaddan.

“[I want] to make sure that different identities of different practicing faiths, however that might look for you, are being covered in this as well.”

Dehra McFaddan, ASBSU secretary of academic affairs “[I want] to make sure that different identities of different practicing faiths, however that might look for you, are being covered in this as well,” McFaddan said.

“And then I don’t know anything about being in the service, it’s not an identity I hold. So, I want to make sure that when it’s talking about short-term and long-term absences, they are allotting certain times, and is that feasible?”

One of the main areas needing clarification is whether the vice president for academic affairs or the vice president for student affairs needs to determine what

6

FEBRUARY 25, 2020

|

The new absence policy would likely benefit the wide variety of identities on campus and allow those from different groups to be excused when needed.

Chandler Thornton | The Arbiter official absences are, according to Michelle Payne, assistant provost for academic leadership and faculty affairs.

Payne is working with the associate deans to modify the policy to include a portion stating the need for faculty to outline in their syllabus when a course or program cannot be made up or accommodated, even for official absences.

“The goal is to be sure students are aware ahead of time that official absences would significantly compromise a student’s ability to meet the learning objectives of the course or program and alternatives are not feasible,” Payne wrote in an email.

McFaddan believes the changes the associate dean and Payne are working on for the policy encompass more aspects that affect students and create more inclusivity. McFaddan focused on adding areas regarding spirituality to the list of religious events that are excused, as well as working with Veteran Services to ensure the absence policy works with them.

“I’ve been going through to see if there are any other religion or spirituality-based

ARBITERONLINE.COM

events that aren’t on the [Boise State Religious Observances] list that wouldn’t be covered,” McFaddan said. “So if a student does have that identity and have that faith, then it would be excused.”

Within the policy department, Policy 1000, titled Policy Development Authority, has an outline for what should be included in all Boise State policies and how one should be proposed, according to Angie Zirschky, policy director for Boise State.

When a policy is being drafted, Zirschky asks that the committees or people working on the policy add her to the document so she can be informed as to the direction of the policy.

The policy will receive a broad review of whether it is socialized to the appropriate associations on campus, which could include the faculty senate, ASBSU, Association of Classified Employees or the Professional Staff Association, according to Zirschky.

“It’s really dependent upon the types of policy and how that should be socialized around campus and allowing individuals to provide input into that process so that

we are transparent in exercising shared governance,” Zirschky said.

Once a drafted policy is reviewed by the administrative vice presidents and there are no clarifications needed, the policy will go to the president of the university’s desk for final approval.

Stepping into her role as the assistant provost of academic leadership and faculty affairs, Payne began working with the university’s policy development. Policies are living documents, meaning they need to be revised every five years or whenever changes are needed to mirror state, federal, State Board or accreditation policies and laws, according to Payne.

After a policy has been in effect, Payne and others will realize it is not having the desired effect, the language is too vague or restrictive, it is detrimental overall or it is posing challenges to being implemented.

“Policies reflect and shape communities, and they imply the values that a community believes in and that guide the work they do with one another and for others,” Payne wrote.

IDAHO PROMISE PROGRAM WORKS TO IMPROVE IDAHO WORKFORCE

NEWS

This program is working to bridge the gap between high school and post-secondary education, blue-collar workforce Madi Jones | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

I

daho Sen. Grant Burgoyne announced the Idaho Promise Program last spring, in hopes of bridging the gap between high school and post-secondary education. The program provides one-on-one contact for students to help overcome obstacles and guide students into career-ready programs.

“We have kind of a break in our pipeline from high school to these post-secondary programs,” Burgoyne said.

“Students either encounter barriers or their attachment to the idea of actually enrolling in a program isn’t sufficiently strong that they do so.”

Burgoyne said in the state of Idaho, 40% of students do not apply for the Federal Financial Aid, which later offers the Pell grant to students. Pell grants can provide students with financial compensation to help with college tuition. Mentors in the Idaho Promise program help students apply for financial aid and scholarships to ensure everyone can have access to post-secondary education.

The program will connect with public schools, veteran organizations and other organizations that promote returning to school or receiving more job training. Mentors in the program will be responsible for reaching out to students and their families.

Idaho is a family-oriented state, according to Burgoyne. To help guide students on the right path, this program intends to establish deep connections with students’ families.

Burgoyne wants this program to be accommodating to all types of students and available state-wide.

“The Idaho Promise program validates the choices that young people are making. We need to be much more nimble and much more adaptable to the needs of younger workers,” Burgoyne said. “We

need to validate those choices and we need to honor those choices in a way that doesn’t make young people feel like we are trying to shoehorn them into preconceived notions that come from older people about what their future ought to look like.”

Kelly Talbert, director of Boise State Admissions, is excited for the Idaho Promise Program and the oppor-

Sen. Burgoyne wants this program to be accommodating to all types of students and available state-wide.

Wyatt Wurtenberger | The Arbiter

tunities it will bring to incoming students.

“Unless we expand the pipeline of students who are making it to post-secondary education, we’re not going to meet those workforce needs,” Talbert said.

A common issue among students is financial literacy. Talbert said some students do not know what resources to utilize when applying for financial aid. She explained that any post-secondary education is a big investment, which is why students need to understand their financial aid opportunities.

“I think any additional, qualified, knowledgeable people that are in a young person’s life that can help them do soul-searching, the reflection and ask them the right questions and guide them toward what’s best fit for them is only going to be a good thing,” Talbert said.

Yazmin Zalazar, assistant director of Boise State Financial Aid and Scholarships, encourages implementing more programs like Idaho Promise in the state of Idaho. Zalazar considers the financial aid department to be understaffed and not equipped to help all students in need.

“We don’t have the budget to hire additional staff, so we are making sure we are utilizing the system,” Zalazar said.

Department of Financial Aid and Scholarships wants to welcome all mentors through Idaho Promise and believes it will benefit a lot of students in the future “We want to help those students. Most of the students we are meeting with are first-generation students, they just don’t know how to navigate and get overwhelmed,” Zalazar said.

FEBRUARY 25, 2020

|

ARBITERONLINE.COM

7

OPINION FEBRUARY 25, 2020 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

THE PRIMARY ELECTION MAY BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE REAL THING Before the main election in November, voters have an opportunity to have an even greater impact in the primaries

Celina Van Hyning | News Editor | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Democratic presidential candidates have been vying for voter support in the primary election for over a year.

T

he primary election is the first step in deciding which presidential candidate is most deserving of their party’s nomination. The person elected during the primary election is chosen to compete against the other party’s nominee — this year, President Donald Trump — in the journey for the presidential position.

Many voters do not realize the importance of the primary election. This step in the election process gives voters the most power, giving them the opportunity to decide for themselves who the best candidate is for their party.

After the phenomenon that was the 2016 presidential election, many people showed up to vote in the 2018 primary elections. According to research done by the Pew Research Center, 19.6% of registered voters cast ballots in the 2018 primaries, a 56% increase from the 2014 primary elections.

8

FEBRUARY 25, 2020

|

For those who believe that their vote does not matter, skipping the primary is seen as inconsequential as skipping a step in a skincare routine. However, those who want to have a chance of electing their candidate as the presidential nominee need to find out when, where and how to vote in the primary election.

The importance of this step in the election process cannot go unnoticed and can be broken down into three categories.

First, primary election campaigns are the most effective way for voters to become familiar with candidates on both sides.

After the national conventions of both political parties, voters only learn about the positions of two candidates: the Democratic and Republican nominees, occasionally accompanied by a third-party candidate, like libertarian Gary Johnson in 2016.

Media coverage largely focuses on candidate press conferences, events and advertisements throughout the election.

ARBITERONLINE.COM

This free market essentially gives voters the opportunity to acquaint themselves with all the candidates and make an informed decision on who they will vote for.

Once the primaries are over, coverage shifts to the two candidates, so the primary election cycle is the best chance for voters to become familiar with all the candidates.

Second, the primaries have a key role in shaping the final candidate’s stance on certain issues. For example, imagine that during the last two weeks of this primary election cycle, Bernie Sanders drops out of the race.

Bernie Sanders is currently leading the polls with 28% of the vote, more than 10% above the other candidates. If he were to drop out, it is likely that the other candidates would fight to receive the votes from Sanders’ supporters.

In doing so, other candidates would likely gain support from Sanders’ supporters, making it more likely that they will

Photo courtesy of Star Tribune win the Democratic nomination.

Finally, and most importantly, the primaries act as another avenue that allows Americans to participate in the electoral project and pick their leaders. Registration for voting in the primaries ends in mid-February, and the actual vote takes place on March 10 for Idahoans. If people go through the registration process for the primaries, it is more likely that they will vote in the general election since the hard work is already done.

People will be more likely to vote in the primary if their candidate is leading in the polls, and even more likely if their chosen candidate wins the nomination.

The people currently holding office are responsible for making decisions that impact our lives, but in turn, your decision could be the most important impact on our elected officials’ lives. If you think your vote does not matter, think again.

OPINION

VOTERS HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES GREATER THAN CANDIDATE LOYALTY How much do we like a candidate for their policies, and how much do we like them for their charisma?

Blake Hunter | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Bernie Sanders supporters are excited for a possible political revolution, but polling shows that if he does not win the Democratic presidential nomination, some of them may not vote at all.

Photo courtesy of Nick Wagner/American-Statesman

A

merica’s democracy feels like a feeble experiment riddled with flaws, loopholes and gaps. Every report on Russian meddling feels like a defeat. The 2016 presidential election truly became a reality television show. Politics are about building characters that people resonate with, and our technology is facilitating that storytelling at breakneck speed. Yet, when these flawed characters have such huge impacts on our lives and communities, their impacts can feel far out of voters’ hands and make democracy feel like a hopeless cause.

Sometimes the toxicity of politics belongs to the voters rather than the politicians. Recent polling by Emerson College asked voters the simple question: “Will you vote for the Democratic nominee even if it is not your candidate/candidate supporters?” The results give a warning.

Given the options of “yes,” “no” and

“depends on nominee,” the voters who were most likely to support another candidate were Elizabeth Warren’s supporters at 90%. The remaining 10% of her supporters said it would depend on the nominee.

On the other end of the spectrum, 42% of Andrew Yang’s supporters said they would not support another candidate at all.

Andrew Yang dropped out of the race for the Democratic nomination in January, disappointing his supporters, many of whom were young adults excited by his key policies like the $1,000 a month “freedom dividend.” Apparently, 42% of them will not show up to the polls in November.

While voters have a right to vote for whomever they choose or not vote at all, this is about more than rights. This is about responsibility to the community and, specifically, community members who cannot vote, whether that is because

they are or were incarcerated, do not have full legal documentation or any other reason that America makes it difficult or impossible for its marginalized people to participate in democracy.

With the United States’ global influence, it is also a responsibility to others around the world, our planet and those who will live after us.

This is not to say that voters should simply support the candidate who is polling the highest at any given time. Democrats want to hold President Donald Trump to one term, but the idea that voters should settle for whichever candidate can win is very dangerous because it presents us with more of the same politics, but of a different color.

The rationale of “any blue will do” could land us with, among other troublesome candidates, former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is content to pur-

chase his line on the ballot, except for when he can use prison labor for his campaign calls after he incubated mass incarceration.

As Bernie Sanders has taken the lead after the Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada caucuses, many Idahoans and young people are — again — “Feeling the Bern,” as in 2015.

A group of Sanders supporters gathered in Boise to board a “Bernie bus” headed for Reno, Nevada at 3 a.m. on Friday morning to knock on doors as Nevada’s Democratic primary caucuses began.

If Sanders does not win the nomination, however, polling shows that only 53% of his supporters will surely vote for another candidate and 16% will not vote at all. In any situation, not voting should be the last resort for a person who is engaging in an act of political defiance against other candidate’s policies. We need to ask ourselves, first: how much of our loyalty to our favorite candidate depends on their charisma, and how much depends on their policies?

There is no better example of this than the current president. From his inflammatory tweets to rallies that incite violence, his character is what buys him the loyalty from Republican voters who feel that for the first time since 2008 they have a president who reflects their concerns.

As Super Tuesday approaches and Americans finalize their decisions for the Democratic presidential nomination, they must find a balance between choosing a candidate for their ability to beat Trump and their policies. That can be difficult, but not voting simply because your first pick is no longer in the running or does not win the nomination simply is a harmful practice that has wide repercussions beyond yourself.

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

FEBRUARY 25, 2020

|

ARBITERONLINE.COM

9

PUSHING CAMPUS LIMITS

AS BOISE STATE CONTINUES TO GROW, EXPANSION OUTSIDE OF EXISTING CAMPUS

BOUNDARIES BECOMES MORE LIKELY

CELINA VAN HYNING | NEWS EDITOR | NEWS@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE.EDU

I

n 1997, the Boise State enrollment total was 15,537. 23 years later, that number has nearly doubled as Boise State’s enrollment hit 26,272 in 2020.

Minor expansion initiatives, such as a pedestrian-friendly environment, fit the Boise State 1997 master plan when it was first created. The 2019 master plan, however, intends to support the continued expansion of Boise State,

detailing a minor amendment to the 2015 plan to make room for anticipated facilities, such as the new engineering building on University Drive.

In order to accommodate future campus growth, the 2019 master plan provides a glimpse into plans for at least 20 new buildings, adding 2 million square feet to the campus map.

On Feb. 13, a $22 million purchase request was approved for Boise State to purchase a new building on Broadway Ave., directly across from Albertsons Stadium. Amid state-mandated budget cuts, the university’s purchase sparked concern among students, but the purchase of the new building is not related to the university’s impending

budget cuts, according to Greg Hahn, the associate vice president of the Office of Communication and Marketing at Boise State.

No set plans have been made regarding what the building will be used for, but it will likely be used for office space for faculty that do not need to be in the heart of campus. By doing this, space will open on campus for classrooms, offices and resource rooms.

If the campus population continues to grow, Boise State’s space on campus to accommodate new students and faculty may struggle to grow with it. As a result, off-campus classrooms, office spaces and resource buildings could become more common, spreading academic and social opportunities for students across the city.

Looking to the future While the new building is a great new space to hold art classes and house professor offices, Hahn worries that any more new buildings will have to be strategically placed with the limited space remaining on campus.

“We’re at about 1% of free space. I mean, if it’s just a tiny amount, even from flex space, we’re getting pretty tight,” Hahn said. “For exam-

ple, if we did want to renovate the Liberal Arts building, there is no place to move all the people in liberal arts for that time that we needed to be there. So that’s kind of the thinking behind taking the chance to go ahead and get this other building over across the street, the big new building.”

Hahn said the university has no current plans to utilize the new building for classrooms, but potentially for office spaces in order to free more campus space for classes.

“We have a lot of support staff, folks who don’t necessarily have to be in the middle of campus. We already rent spaces in that building for the general counsel, like for the lawyers who review all the contracts and everything,” Hahn said. “We rent space over there for some finance and purchasing folks.

So those guys work with faculty and staff, but they don’t necessarily need to be right in the middle of everything.”

As Boise State’s growth continues and available space on campus becomes more limited, Hahn does not believe departments moving off-campus would become the norm, with the exception of allowing students to be closer to companies suited to their major.

“There’s no plans to do that. I guess I wouldn’t be shocked if in 20 years, there was some different kind of approach to it,”

US

Hahn said. “But at the moment, that’s not really the idea. There’s not another cluster [of majors] the way that the software industry is clustered downtown.”

Searching for space For the majority of students with majors primarily centered on campus, traveling between classes could become easier with campus improvements for foot traffic.

One idea that has been explored by city planning is eliminating the main roads on campus and making Boise State more pedestrian friendly. By getting rid of University Drive and Lincoln Avenue, the two main roads on campus, space would be created for new buildings.

Christy Jordan, Boise State director of capital planning and space management, spoke about the university’s plans to align with more traditional university designs to make space for new buildings. The university recently added a multi-dimensional crosswalk at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and University Drive, but Jordan believes the main roads should be eliminated completely to make more room for expansion.

“A pedestrian-oriented environment is a defining characteristic of the ‘traditional campus,’ with the university mall being the central organizing element,” Jordan said during a planning commission hearing.

“The eventual conversion of a portion of University Drive to a pedestrian mall will allow for the construction of new academic, research and administrative services buildings in close proximity to existing academic facilities. The mall will provide an active and dynamic east-west pathway for pedestrians and bicycles and will also support transit.”

Ultimately, the future of the roads are not at the discretion of the university.

Any final decisions regarding zoning and construction will be left to the City of Boise. The locations for student academics, though, are in the university’s hands.

Despite Hahn’s belief that expansion in the near future is not likely to regularly include off-campus classrooms, some departments have already split up, using buildings off campus, while the computer science department has moved off campus completely. The department has moved downtown in order to allow students to be closer to Boise’s technology industry.

Noah Rudin, a first-year master’s student, received his undergraduate degree in computer science. Around the time he started taking computer science classes, the university began utilizing the shuttle to take students to and from the Clearwater building downtown.

According to Rudin, Clearwater Analytics is one of the top computer science agencies in Boise, so it made sense to move classes to the center of the industry.

“One of my first semesters was Boise State’s last semester holding their computer science classes on campus,” Rudin said.

“And I think just personally, as a student, it felt like we’re kind of just doing it to be feeders to Clearwater Analytics just because we have the same building and everything. And I think it made sense to have the computer science classes be down there as opposed to some other form of engineering, just because it’s so close to all those software startups.”

Despite the convenient surrounding resources, Rudin said there were numerous common problems among students making the commute. One of the most common was the inconvenience of having back-to-back classes.

“If you had that 15-minute gap between

being downtown and having to get back to the ILC or something, forget it, because you’d be walking in the class probably 10 minutes late every time,” Rudin said. “And then just in general, most people would agree that you have to go to the shuttle spot about 30 to 35 minutes before class starts just because of how the shuttles can kind of be anywhere when you get there.”

Lilly Crolius, a senior media arts major, also took classes at the downtown Clearwater building. Unlike Rudin, Crolius took only one class at the off-campus location. She said the shuttle service from downtown to campus affected her attendance in the following classes.

“I understand that it can be hard to fit all the classes on campus with such limited space, but sometimes it feels like off-campus courses are just to make a partnership with a third party,” Crolius said. “I personally disagree with [off-campus classes] because it almost defeats the purpose of having a campus at all.”

Crolius said that the willingness of Boise State to move classrooms off campus shows the expansion problem the university is having. Because only certain majors are moved off campus, Crolius feels there is an unfair disadvantage when it comes to location.

“If I got to choose where my tuition goes, it would be hands-down for more buildings on campus designated to certain departments so that class locations don’t become so sporadic,” Crolius said. “I definitely missed out on a lot of the relationship building with my classmates.”

Right now, the computer science depart-

ment is the only one that has moved completely off-campus. If the university and student population continue to expand, the potential of other departments leaving the main campus could grow, as well.

Transportation to and from campus and lack of classmate bonding are just two areas that will affect student life. There are no plans to continue expanding off campus at the moment, but with only 1% free space available and the purchase of a new off-campus building, the continuation of pushing campus limits could become reality in the future.

FEBRUARY 25, 2020

|

ARBITERONLINE.COM

11

C U LT U R E FEBRUARY 25, 2020 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

BOISE STATE PROFESSOR WORKS ON NEW INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM

The Idaho Museum of International Diaspora celebrates cultural diversity and seeks visibility Stephanie Gull | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

I

n a country ravaged by war, a single mother escaped Laos with her two young children and embarked on a grueling two-year journey to the United States in the 1970s in search of a better life.

Dr. Palina Louangketh, a Boise State University honors professor, was one of those children. It was her own family’s story that inspired the idea behind the Idaho Museum of International Diaspora (IMID) that she is creating. According to Louangketh, its purpose is to share the stories of those who have been displaced from their homelands.

With the building phase set to begin in 2023, the goal is for the IMID to be located in downtown Boise. According to Louangketh, the museum will contain multiple sub-components such as a traditional museum, theater, international food district, international garden and international library.

“It’s a big project, and that’s why it’s so special,” Louangketh said. “I’m not representing [myself ] and the Laos community, I’m representing the world.”

According to Louangketh, the IMID is meant to be a safe space to appreciate past stories of the human journey. With the mantra, to “experience the world in Idaho,” the community’s anticipation has grown exponentially and has already made its reach internationally.

“My mother, when we were crossing over to the United States, was so afraid that they wouldn’t have chili peppers here,” Louangketh said. “This was in the 70s before we had the internet, and in a war-torn country, it’s not like somebody goes out and promotes America or whatever host country. So she actually hid chili pepper seeds in her shoes in hopes of planting it

12

FEBRUARY 25, 2020

|

in the United States or wherever we would end up, because she was afraid. She wanted to preserve her culture and chili peppers was what she was able to bring. So it’s stories like that we would share in cross-culinary voices of diaspora.”

Satavone Vanasouk, senior media arts major and intern for the museum, discussed how Louangketh and Vanasouk’s fathers were refugees from Laos that arrived in Boise around the same time.

“It honestly blows me away recognizing how much [Louangketh] and my family had to sacrifice and go through in order to be here,” Vanasouk said. “Her story and my dad’s stories are the reason why the museum is so important to me.”

According to Vanasouk, there is so much refugee and immigrant history that has been forgotten, and it needs a space to be preserved.

“I think that the museum’s mission to really preserve their stories and celebrate their journeys is a way for me to appreciate my dad because my dad has passed away,” Vanasouk said. “But it’s a way for me to appreciate his stories and his life, despite how hard it was.”

Austin Kidd, junior film and television arts major, has worked on service-learning projects within the museum and discussed how, at the age of 22, he never thought he would be involved in something not only this big, but also this different.

“It has helped me realize how much we all need each other and how lucky we are that we have these differences,” Kidd said. “It’s a celebration of cultures, people and experiences, to embrace that we’re all different, but we don’t have to treat each other as different.”

Louangketh hopes the museum will bring an understanding of the resilience and perseverance that people

ARBITERONLINE.COM

The museum will exhibit stories from many cultures present in the Treasure Valley.

Photo courtesy of Palina Louangketh everywhere experience, and that it will inspire the next generation to be more open to diversity. Diaspora is not just refugees – it encompasses a wide range of humans that are displaced or forced to leave their homes.

“Diaspora is so broad, and through the IMID, we want to emerge these parallel stories to really show the human journey,” Louangketh said. “It’s giving people that human desire to want to belong and want to contribute to some-

thing greater than themselves.”

Louangketh says she is providing community members and friends, who have had really traumatic pasts and journeys, with a platform to share their stories on many levels, as her museum will encapsulate stories from the past, studies of the current and hopes for the future.

C U LT U R E

WOMEN IN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION HOLDS ITS FIRST EVENT

The new association encourages women with business majors to network and come together on common interests Aryanna Alvarado | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

The group hopes to make a space for women in the business college to feel empowered.

T

he fully student-led Women in Business Association (WBA) provides a place for students in business to network with other business students and build relationships within the community. The organization also wants to be a place where women can feel empowered as they venture into the business world.

Co-founding the club are Julia Larsen, a junior marketing major, and Kennedy Sandau, a junior international business major. Filling the role of president is Danielle Doerflein, a junior finance major.

“It provides a community for women and business students and an opportunity to network and meet other students,” Doerflein said. “We’re thinking about doing some workshops and different things that would be helpful to business students, whether it’s

writing resumes or figuring out how to do your own taxes. Something that would be useful and a good way to get together.”

“It provides a community for women and business students and an opportunity to network and meet other students.”

Danielle Doerflein, junior finance major While there have been other business clubs on campus with the target goal of empowering women, what differentiates

Chandler Thornton | The Arbiter

WBA from other business clubs is their goal of having events that feel more informal and the chance for personal networking opportunities.

Tracie Lee, lecturer in the College of Business and Economics (COBE) and the course coordinator, is the faculty adviser for the club. Lee took the position as a faculty adviser because she believes in supporting women and diversity in the workplace. In addition, Lee is passionate about students who get involved and make things happen.

“Networking is not a bad word,” Lee said. “One of the best things you can do for yourself as a student is get involved. I think that’s one of the best things to come out of this. It’s students who are making the decisions, it’s students who are running the show and students who are reaching out to the community and finding people

they admire to bring on campus.”

After the approval of WBA, the founders of the club reached out to three women entrepreneurs in the Boise area and asked for them to speak at their first event. These entrepreneurs were Monica Agana, Brooke Ochojski and Dulce Toscano.

The event took place at COBE and the three women spoke on their experience starting their own businesses and how they became their own boss. Each of the businesswomen also gave advice on how to start and how to keep growing in the business world.

“For me, the everyday challenge is having that strong mindset,” Toscano said.

“You’ve got to find that medium ground and say, ‘Okay, this didn’t work out. What did I learn from it, and how can I make sure it’s better the next time around?’”

In addition, these entrepreneurs are in a male-dominated field, as well as two being women of color. Therefore, during the panel, the question of inequality was brought up by Doerflein.

“I’m both a woman and a woman of color,” Toscano said. “I know that there is this feeling of having to work twice as hard or three times as hard to be respected, to be seen and to be looked at as someone as an expert in their field.”

Each answer was given to the question similar saying they had experienced inequality and discrimination because of either their color, body or gender but they did not let that stop them. They then followed up to give advice on how they overcome inequality.

“When you stand up for yourself one time, the next time becomes a little bit easier and easier each time that you do it,” Ochojski said.

For more details and to stay on track of their next events, the group can be contacted through their Instagram account, @wbaboisestate.

FEBRUARY 25, 2020

|

ARBITERONLINE.COM

13

C U LT U R E

SCIENCE AND ART COLLIDE AT NEW BLUE GALLERIES EXHIBIT

The ‘Picturing Science in Illustration and Art’ exhibit features art that represents different aspects of nature and science Aryanna Alvarado | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

F

rom plants to sea animals and different species of birds, various pieces of nature-focused art can be found in the new ‘Picturing Science in Illustration and Art’ exhibit in the Blue Galleries at the Center for the Visual Arts.

The exhibit showcases a wide collection of paintings, illustrations and other forms of art that are inspired by and explain different aspects of science. Kirsten Furlong, the gallery art director, and Jay Rasgorshek, a featured artist and co-curator of the exhibit, conceived the idea for the show nearly a year ago.

“I’m always interested in providing different ways of communicating scientific illustration,” Rasgorshek said about joining Furlong as a curator and artist for the exhibit. “Not only in classical ways like you’d see through journals, but also through the works of galleries.”

To prepare, Furlong researched local and national artists to feature in the show, but Rasgorshek, being a scientific illustrator, had a few connections within the community of similar artists.

There are a total of five featured scientific artists within the exhibit: Justin Gibbens, Jane Kim, Jay Rasgorshek, Bryce Robinson and Shae Warnick.

“When you are working to reach that level of beauty and perfection, you’ll find that the more information that you know about something, the better you’re able to portray it” Jane Kim, artist in the exhibition

14

FEBRUARY 25, 2020

|

Different artists in the exhibit portray scientific topics in a variety of mediums.

Gibbens’ showcased work is a part of his “Sea Change” collection. This includes marine mammals, or cetaceans, such as whales, dolphins and porpoises all illustrated in unique ways, such as a tiny whale being eaten by a large squid in “The Squid and the Whale.”

Kim’s featured piece is of migrating monarch butterflies, which has been translated into a mural at an airport in Springdale, Arkansas.

“When you are working to reach that level of beauty and perfection, you’ll find that the more information that you know about some-

ARBITERONLINE.COM

Aryanna Alvarado | The Arbiter thing, the better you’re able to portray it,” Kim said about illustrating in science. “The more you know about it, the more room you have as an artist to put your flair on it.”

Both Robinson and Warnick’s featured pieces involve birds, which both artists are passionate about outside of illustration.

Robinson, who earned a master’s of science in raptor biology at Boise State in 2016, showcases his illustrations of raptors.

“Birds, that’s one of my passions in life,” Warnick said. “Everything that I do is

about birds, and so this piece is based on that. Mostly birds that are kind of common American birds.”

Warnick’s featured piece is called “The Aviary of the Reverend William J. Long.”

The title comes from a 19th-century author who wrote stories about animals in an empathetic light where animals were human-seeming and had emotions.

Unlike the other illustrations featured in the exhibit, Warnick’s pieces are doll-like figures. The piece is based on the way in which human beings view the natural world and whether or not the modification of the natural world is good or bad.

“They’re in their human postures and they’re dolls,” Warnick said. “It represents the way we sequester nature and bring it into our lives, the way we use it and also the way our views can turn it into a world of playthings.”

Warnick has been interested in nature from a young age, and she aims to incorporate those interests into her work. Her art focuses on natural history, the way people have viewed nature in the past and the way that has changed the view of nature today.

“If I’m not painting, then I’m usually outside,” Warnick said. “I’m bird-watching, finding out the name of some kind of plant, or just exploring.”

Rasgorshek showcased work consists of digital prints and illustrations. Rasgorshek grew up in Boy Scouts and backpacked through the Owyhees and the Sawtooths.

He eventually took his passion for nature and the outdoors and applied that to his illustrative work through different mediums.

“I want to bring art towards people so they can become aware of their surroundings,” Rasgorshek said. “With more and more people moving to the cities, there’s becoming a wider disconnect between nature and humanity. As this happens, I think it’s incredibly important to bring awareness and attention to that.”

The exhibit is open in the Blue Galleries at the Center for the Visual Arts until May 1.

PAULETTE JORDAN JOINS SENATE RACE

After a state election loss, Jordan runs against Sen. Jim Risch Paige Wirta | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

P

aulette Jordan ran against Brad Little in the gubernatorial race in 2018. While she lost the governor position, she received overwhelming support, especially from Ada County, where she won the vote.

Jordan announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate on Feb. 7 of this year. With already 20,000 followers on her new Facebook page, Jordan stands to gain an even bigger following.

“Over the past several years, I’ve had the opportunity to listen to thousands of Idahoans throughout this great state,” Jordan wrote on her website. “Above all, I’ve learned that our state needs new leadership. We need leaders who value people over politics.”

Jordan will be running against Sen. James Risch, who has been serving since 2009.

“Risch is relatively popular in Idaho, and 46% of citizens approve of him according to Morning Consult,” said Dr. Steve Utych, a political science professor.

“Among the voters, I think that Jordan would be less popular than Risch, given the political demographics of the state.

It’s hard to imagine Idaho changing so fast that Democrats are even close to Republicans in the makeup of the state.”

Jordan also received funding and support from outside the state, namely from Native American tribes.

“As a Native American woman, Jordan will attract a lot of attention from outside of the state, as she did in her run for governor in 2018,” Utych said. “Over half of Jordan’s 2018 donations came from outside of Idaho. If she is able to continue to attract money from folks outside of Idaho, it will draw more attention to this race than it may otherwise merit, based on competitiveness.”

The last Democratic senator in Idaho was Frank Church. He served from 1957 to 1981, making it 39 years since Idaho has had a democratic senator. “[Jordan winning] would certainly

cause some tension,” Utych said. “Jordan is likely to be an adversary, rather than an ally, of the other senator from Idaho, Mike Crapo, along with Gov. Brad Little and the House delegation from Idaho.

Risch’s votes in Congress support Donald Trump 90% of the time.”

Despite possibly low chances against Sen. Risch, CNN and USA TODAY both predict that young voters could sway elections both federally and locally, with record turnouts reported in the 2018 midterms.

“I was excited to see her announcement to run for senate,” said Madalynn Butler, a sophomore majoring in pre-radiological sciences. “Even though she didn’t win in 2018, she did relatively well. She got 38% of the vote, I think, which even I was surprised by. She could have done a lot worse, and it goes to show the younger generations in Idaho have the ability to shift the vote.”

Brenna Krone, a freshman political science major, was too young to vote in the 2018 gubernatorial race, but still supported Jordan and her stances on various topics.

“Young people finally have a voice,” Krone said. “I’m so excited to be able to vote for the upcoming elections. Jordan running for senate gives the opportunity for democrats in Idaho to have a voice.

Even though her chances of winning are unlikely, Jordan’s run will still cause some change.”

Jordan’s announcement to run for U.S. Senate excited many Boise State students as well as Idahoans and others across the states. Though her race against Sen. Risch may be difficult, she could be the first Native American woman Idaho senator, which attracts a lot of attention both state and nationwide.

C U LT U R E

JUST A THOUGHT ‘Birds of Prey’ demonstrates why women should direct women Logan Potter | Editor-in-Chief | editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu

H

arley Quinn has had a tough cinematic run. “Suicide Squad,” directed by David Ayer, tainted the reputation of many DC villains, including (but not limited to) Jared Leto’s Joker and Margot Robbie’s Quinn. Leto, in particular, received immense backlash for his role to the point of no return — his character was scrapped entirely from subsequent DC films.

In fairness to the actors, Ayer has a relatively inconsistent directing portfolio. His lowest-rated films include Netflix’s “Bright” and “Suicide Squad,” with 28% and 27% Rotten Tomatoes scores, respectively. His highest-rated directorial venture is the 2012 film “Out of Watch” with 85%.

Cathy Yan, director of “Birds of Prey,” has a much smaller portfolio. Before the high-energy Quinn romp, Yan had directed only one film: “Dead Pigs,” a dark social comedy that Justin Lowe from the Hollywood Reporter called “delightfully quirky.” Her title of newcomer, though, did not stop her from creating a brilliant, female-led action film.

“Birds of Prey” has moments rarely seen on a male director’s screen. From tampons to hair ties, the details that shape the

female anti-hero narrative feel familiar.

It is easy for these moments to fly under the radar, much like the film did in the box office. On an $84.5 million budget, “Birds of Prey” has brought in just over $72 million after two weeks in theaters. The problem, though, is that this multi-million-dollar start is considered to be a major flop despite the film being generally well-received by critics.

The film takes a refreshing approach to emphasize the power of women in the world of comics, which has been greatly undermined by the media’s focus on box office numbers rather than critical success. Forbes’ Scott Mendelson called it “a shame” that DC’s marketing team took on a girls’ night out approach to Valentine’s Day weekend rather than a romantic one. This emphasizes that the violence paired with “several relatively attractive women” could be a draw on its own.

That sentiment is part of a greater issue; Yan clearly made moves to avoid sexualizing her characters, but members of the media believe it takes away from the film’s marketing techniques and, in turn, its success. If nothing else, it proves why women ought to be directing women on screen to turn the tables on the sexualization of women in action films.

There is a cascading set of circumstances that have contributed to the reception of “Birds of Prey,” but here’s to hoping that wordof-mouth marketing and a strong director can swoop the film out of the nest of defeat.

Both in marketing and going to the theater, it is time to take the work of female directors and, more specifically, directors of color more seriously, especially in genres that are defined by men. Studios, the ball is in your court — just a thought.

FEBRUARY 25, 2020

|

ARBITERONLINE.COM

15

SPORTS & REC

FEBRUARY 25, 2020 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES: CAMERON SOMMER FINDS HOME AT BOISE STATE The fifth-year senior pitcher looks forward to competing one last time after varied collegiate baseball career Dawson Danner | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Boise State pitcher Cameron Sommer has been on campus practicing with the Broncos since the new team’s re-creation in 2018.

Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter

S

ince 2015, fifth-year senior pitcher Cameron Sommer has bounced around to several colleges trying to find the perfect fit. After a much longer journey than he expected, Sommer has officially settled down in his new home of Boise, Idaho, and is about to begin his first and final season playing for the Boise State baseball program.

Growing up, Sommer played basketball, football and baseball. With help and encouragement from both his father and older brother, he decided baseball was the

16

FEBRUARY 25, 2020

|

sport he wanted to pursue.

“I fell in love with the game of baseball first when I was six years old,” Sommer said. “My dad played it growing up and I wanted to follow in his footsteps and be just like him.”

Before the pitcher landed at Boise State from his hometown of Puyallup, Wash., he made a few pit stops along the way. Coming out of high school, Sommer attended Clark College, a junior college in Vancouver, Wash. After spending two seasons there, he transferred to the University of Texas Rio

ARBITERONLINE.COM

Grande Valley (UTRGV), the first Division I program to offer him a scholarship.

Sommer had his ups and downs at UTRGV. Before he got to suit up for his first game, Sommer dealt with hip injuries and eventually underwent a hip surgery that would take him seven to eight months to recover from. According to Sommer, the coaches at UTRGV rushed him back into playing before he was 100% healthy, which ultimately resulted in Sommer gaining the desire to transfer.

Even though UTRGV was not the right fit, one of the coaches put Sommer in contact with the then-newly hired Boise State head baseball coach, Gary Van Tol. After exchanging many different phone calls, Van Tol recruited Sommer in 2018 as one of the original 12 baseball players, otherwise known as the “Dirty Dozen,” who laid the foundation for Boise State’s first baseball team since 1980.

A few things about Sommer as an athlete stood out to Van Tol, but there was one thing in particular that really caught his eye.

“He’s a side-arm pitcher, so those guys are unique and I think you need to have at least one of those guys on every pitching staff,” Van Tol said. “I really liked what I saw and we were able to create an opportunity for him that he did not want to pass up.”

Because he was still recovering from his hip injury and had just one year left of NCAA eligibility, Boise State ended up being a perfect fit for Sommer. After being recruited, Sommer was able to spend the entire 2018 year training to become healthier, faster and stronger, all while preparing for his final collegiate season in 2020.

“It was good to have that year off to get better because I definitely needed it,” Sommer said. “This place has been awesome so far and, honestly, we are all just ready to

get the season going.”

Since 2018, Sommer has developed close relationships with his teammates and, most importantly, Van Tol. His evolving relationships with the coaching staff is something he truly appreciates, and for him, is ultimately what separates Boise State baseball from the programs he has played for in the past.

“The coaching staff feels like family here,” Sommer said. “Since I got here, they have always been there for me and I cannot thank them enough for the opportunity.”

As one of four seniors on the now 32man roster, Sommer is a key leader that many of the underclassmen look up to, including freshman pitcher Jay Baggs.

“From his seniority and experience, he’s embraced us younger guys and given us an environment to compete day in and day out,” Baggs said. “[Sommer] does everything the right way so it makes it easy to follow his lead and he makes a great role model for us.”

In addition to his leadership qualities in the dugout, Van Tol and his coaching staff have already determined the type of role that Sommer will have on the pitching staff during the upcoming season. “[Sommer is] a guy that will come out of our bullpen in a pressure situation or when the game is close,” Van Tol said. “As one of our four seniors, we know that he is a guy that will be up for those types of challenges.”

On Feb. 21, the Broncos open their season against the University of Texas, and Sommer is looking forward to playing one last collegiate season as a part of Bronco history.

The team’s home opener is set for Friday, Feb. 28 against Northern Colorado at 6:35 p.m MT at Memorial Stadium.

CLUB BOXING COMES TO CAMPUS

Boise State adds boxing to its growing list of club sports Brad Verbout | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

B

oxing has been added to Boise State’s roster as the school’s 24th club sports team. The coed team will be led by two Boise State graduate students from the history department: head coach Mark Martello and assistant coach Ian Morris.

The goal of the team is to offer Boise State students the chance to train and compete in the sport of boxing at the collegiate level. The Boise State Boxing Club is now recognized by the National Collegiate Boxing Association (NCBA)/ USA Boxing.

“We are just starting out. We’re building an airplane while we’re flying,” Martello said. “It will be exciting to see this thing grow from the ground up.

Personally, I am very excited to anticipate Boise State boxers going up against Air Force or West Point boxers.”

Martello’s boxing experience stems from his participation in the sport during his time in the army. He is a former Command Sgt. Maj. Martello served in Operation Desert Shield/ Storm, Operation Joint Guard, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Safety and preparation were emphasized at the boxing club’s inaugural meeting on Jan. 27 on the second floor of the Recreation Center.

“Boxing is not a fight; it is a sport,” Morris said. “It is a contact sport, but it is a sport. Those who come from backgrounds like wrestling will find that they take to it very naturally. You’re not there to kill the other person, you are there to win on points.”

It is unlikely that Boise State boxers will compete with other universities this year. Martello and Morris believe it is their duty to protect their athletes from the dangers of unprepared boxing and will allow their athletes to compete when the time is right.

The club boxing team will encourage dif-

ferent levels of competitiveness based on each athlete’s level of commitment to the sport.

Some athletes will find that they want to be on the team for the fitness regime, light sparring or perhaps to learn self-defense techniques. Others may find their competitive strive and want to compete in tournaments all over the United States.

Kevin Wells, a sophomore and criminal justice major, considers the boxing team to be an interesting prospect as well as a large time commitment.

“I think it is a great opportunity to try something that I have never really been able to do,” Wells said. “Boxing seems like it would be a very beneficial sport both physically and mentally. I would love to try it out and see where it takes me.”

There are some prerequisites a student must meet before joining the team. A student must be attending Boise State full-time, be in good academic standing with at least a 2.0 GPA and obtain a USA Boxing card. Optional equipment includes boxing wraps and personal boxing gloves.

“Boxing is a martial art,” Martello said.

“You get a certain confidence with that.

When you know how to box you know how to throw a punch and take one. It’s a great form of self-defense along with being part of a club.”

All students who are interested in training or learning the basics of boxing are welcomed and encouraged to participate, including students with no prior boxing experience. Practices will be held in the Bronco Gymnasium room 215, Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:30 p.m.

SPORTS & REC

HOT TAKES MEN’S BASKETBALL

Autum Robertson | Sports Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

R

J Williams brought the house down in his final game at ExtraMile Arena on Feb. 23.

Williams tied his career-high of 27 points and surpassed his career-high in rebounds with 17, leading the Broncos to a 74-61 victory over the New Mexico Lobos.

This win was big in terms of seeding for the Mountain West Championship tournament. The Broncos are sitting in fourth place in the Mountain West and are only a half-game behind the Nevada Wolf Pack and Utah State.

Here are my hot takes.

Without Williams’ performance, the Broncos would have lost Three Broncos finished the game in double-digits: Williams had 27, Justinian Jessup had 15 and Derrick Alston had 17 points. But Jessup and Alston did not show up until the second half and combined for only 13 points in the first.

Meanwhile, Williams was only two rebounds away from securing a double-double in the first half. Williams had an impressive 14 points and eight rebounds in the first half alone. He led the team from start to finish. And without his 14 points, the Broncos would have gone into the half trailing.

Williams’ big plays sparked the Broncos and eventually led them to a win. The Broncos need Williams to show up at UNLV if they want to win the game.

The Broncos have a tough road ahead The Broncos are on the road on Feb. 26 to take on UNLV and will be back on the road less than a week after that for the Mountain West Championship tournament that starts on March 4. The Broncos may be able to secure a first-round bye

with a win at UNLV, meaning they would start on March 5.

Not only will the Broncos face a short turnaround on their road to the championship, but they also do not currently have a consistent scorer outside of Jessup and Alston.

A couple of Broncos have risen to the occasion like Williams did tonight and Alex Hobbs did when the Broncos lost to the Aggies. But the Broncos need more consistency if they want a shot at a championship game, where they will likely be facing the Aztecs, who swept them this season.

The road to a championship is never easy and the Broncos will need to put in some serious work if they want a shot at advancing in the tournament.

UNLV is better than their record suggests Next up for the Broncos are the UNLV Rebels, who stand at 15-14 on the season.

Sure, Boise State has already beat the Rebels this season and the Broncos are coming off a big win over the Lobos, but the Rebels are the team with the advantage going into this game.

The Rebels just dethroned the San Diego State Aztecs, the lone undefeated team, in San Diego. The Rebels are riding a three-game win streak and are hungry for more. Momentum and confidence play a big role in basketball, and UNLV is going into the game with both.

But if the Broncos do not overlook UNLV, this should be a good game.

FEBRUARY 25, 2020

|

ARBITERONLINE.COM

17

SPORTS & REC

GYMNASTICS CAPTAIN COURTNEY MCGREGOR SET ON LEADING DESPITE INJURY

The senior shifts from athletic leadership to direct mentorship after suffering a season-ending ruptured Achilles Emily Stevens | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

B

ronco gymnastics currently boasts two Olympians as team captains – seniors Courtney McGregor and Isabella Amado.

While Amado continues to serve as a front-runner for Boise State, earning titles in beam and floor, McGregor now watches from the sideline with a knee walker.

During the first meet of the season at UCLA, McGregor suffered a ruptured Achilles in her vault performance. She will be unable to participate in the remainder of her senior season or qualify for a second visit to the Olympics.

During a press conference in January, head coach Tina Bird discussed the shock and disappointment she and the team felt in reaction to McGregor’s injury.

“We were really excited for her, especially with the Olympics in the same year, just to buckle down and have a great college season and then to build on that for her international career,” Bird said. “So it was devastating when she got hurt.”

McGregor has since come to terms with her inability to compete and has found silver linings in her situation.

“I still feel like I’m contributing, just in a different way,” McGregor said.

Until recently, McGregor’s role at Boise State was as a dominant allaround competitor.

Since arriving on campus as a freshman, McGregor has dominated in multiple events. From 2017 to 2019, McGregor racked up five wins in the all-around category, most notably with a score of 39.500 against Utah State in 2018.

Due to her season-ending injury, McGregor has transitioned from a lead-by-example method to a solely support-based style.

Despite her inability to compete, McGregor is in the gym every day alongside her teammates, engaging with them on a deeper level than before.

Prior to becoming a Bronco, McGregor represented New Zealand in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio. In qual-

18

FEBRUARY 13, 2018

|

McGregor has shifted from topping the scoreboards to using her experience to motivate her teammates from the sidelines.

Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter ifications, she placed 41st in all-around (53.165) and 13th in vault (14.533).

McGregor’s history of competing on a global level has given her a unique perspective to share with her teammates who have spent less time in the limelight. She understands the pressure to perform well when all eyes are watching.

“As someone who has a lot of experience competing, I definitely try to help out the younger ones who have had to step up and fill those roles,” McGregor said.

Bird also thanks McGregor’s extensive resume for the maturity the captain displays both in the gym and on the road.

“She just has a calming presence,” Bird

ARBITERONLINE.COM

said. “She’s very businesslike and confident, and I think that rubs off on everybody.”

McGregor is spending much more time directly advising her teammates on technique; her positive attitude through injury recovery exemplifies resilience for her fellow gymnasts.

According to Bird, McGregor has devoted herself to the betterment of the team and hopes to see each athlete achieve their potential.

“She’s letting the kids know that we’re all in this together, even though she can’t be out there with us,” Bird said.

When the BYU Cougars came to the ExtraMile Arena on Jan. 31, McGre-

gor’s selfless attitude was very much on display. As each gymnast finished their event, McGregor met them on the sideline with cheers and hugs.

Among those congratulated by McGregor was junior Tatum Bruden, who had earned the event title in floor (9.850).

Bruden discussed the adversity her team faced in losing McGregor and claimed that the dynamic has shifted.

“It’s brought us a lot closer – not just as teammates, but as sisters,” Bruden said.

After tying for first place with Utah State in their home quad-meet on Feb. 21, the Broncos (4-5-1) move on to face Southern Utah on Feb. 28 in Cedar City, Utah.

OUR BEST GUESS The Arbiter aligns your stars.

PISCES:

It is Pisces season and Neptune is helping you to feel in tune with the world around you. This week, something will help you to reach a higher level of understanding of the world, of yourself or possibly how to break down a facade or illusion which has been holding you back.

Keep your eyes peeled and be wary of miscommunications during this process.

ARIES

MARCH 20 - APR 20

FEBR

Venus is about to leave you, Aries. So, take advantage of love in all forms this week. That could mean self-love, helping those around you to feel love or simply love for the path that you are on, even if it is a difficult one. Focus on feelings of affection in everything you do. Try your best to leave a bit of adoration wherever you go. It will feel good to flood your mind with positivity.

TAURUS

R UA Y

APR 20 - MAY 21

18

-M

ARCH 20

TRISHA KANGAS

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR TRISHAKANGAS@BOISESTATE.EDU

You are working on some very exciting thoughts this week, Taurus. Buckle down and figure out a plan for all of these lofty ideas you have bobbing around up there. At least one very eccentric idea will reach out and grab you. That is a sign for you to try something new and know that you can complete tasks you previously thought unattainable.

GEMINI

MAY 21 - JUN 21

You are thinking about subjects much bigger than yourself this week, Gemini. Go outside yourself and plan for the future, even if that is as far as something like a five-year plan. The moon is telling you to care for yourself in this way. Satiate your mind by not limiting yourself in what’s possible for you to achieve.

P R E S E N T E D BY S C H O O L O F T H E A RT S The Department of Theatre, Film and Creative Writing

THE DRAG

A HOMOSEXUAL COMEDY

by mae west

March 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 2020 7:30 pm March 8, 15, 22, 2020 2:00 pm danny peterson theatre, morrison center building The Drag, A Homosexual Comedy is supported in part by funding from the Boise State University School of the Arts and presented by special arrangement with the Mae Company, Robert A. Finkelstein, and the Motion Picture and Television Fund. boisestate.edu/tfcw 208.426.3957 theatrefilmcw@boisestate.edu Member of the National Association of the Schools of Theatre.

CANCER

JUN 21 - JULY 23

You feel as if you are running on empty this week, Cancer. You have to slow down and smell the roses. Prepare yourself for the moon, which is coming to you next week. With the chaos you have experienced recently in your life, it is absolutely essential that you take time for a mental shift.

LEO

JUL 23 - AUG 23

Be careful of severely withdrawing into yourself this week, Leo. You have some strong feelings about what’s been going on in your life and if you are not able to keep it in check, you could turn bitter. Counteract this slight negativity by nurturing for yourself. Focus on positive affirmations to yourself and emphasize all of the progress you have made in the last several months.

VIRGO

AUG 23 - SEPT 23

You are going to have a breathe through in communication this week, Virgo. You have been struggling on connecting the dots in regards to an issue with someone close to you. Something is going to click for you when you put yourself in their shoes. Once this happens, there will be a satisfying mending of communication boundaries and a gratifying resolution.

LIBRA

SEPT 23 - OCT 22

While you are normally a people person, Libra, you just need some self-care and peace right now. Create a safe space which helps you to feel calm and grounded. Stay away from big events this week, if possible, because you might leave feeling completely drained and you could have a hard time bouncing back. Now is the time to recharge your battery.

SCORPIO

OCT 23 - NOV 21

You are going to get an offer that throws you off balance this week, Scorpio. It is something completely out of the ordinary that you would not expect could possibly fit with your lifestyle. Do not be too quick to judge this opportunity and say no.

Think about balance and your mental health.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 22 - DEC 21

Someone close to you has been struggling, Sag. You have an innate ability to lift others up. So, if you have space in your week, try and help this person by letting them lean on you just a little bit. It will make you feel good to work on your empathic side.

You may even learn something new about yourself in the process.

CAPRICORN

DEC 21 - JAN 20

You have a lot of moving cogs in a very well-coordinated machine, Cap. Use these connections to your advantage this week. You are on the path to something bigger, a higher level of accomplishment. Strategically harmonizing several niche areas of your life may yield unexpected, yet fruitful results. Remember, though, to enjoy this journey not only the prize.

AQUARIUS

JAN 20 - FEB 17

Saturn is coming your way, Aquarius, which means you are likely en route to a major lesson and/or discovery. Discipline yourself to not take things too personally right now. Any feedback that you receive can be used to enhance your skills in the long term. Do not worry too much about figuring out exactly what the lesson is right now.

BOUNDLESS COLLEGE PASS G E T SET FRE E

169

$

UNTIL MARCH 2 Tamarack Resort’s new Boundless Pass is reimagining what the traditional season pass can be. It’s changing the way people will discover the mountains year-round.

EACH BOUNDLESS PASS INCLUDES: WINTER

Skiing & Riding • Exclusive Ticket Offers To Snowfort & Brewski 2021 SUMMER

Kayak & Paddleboards • Downhill Bike Park Yoga Classes • Guided Hikes • Bike Rental Plus, new passholders ski the remainder of this season for free.

*College student must be enrolled in post-secondary education at time of purchase or at time of pickup. Transcript or digital proof of enrollment required to activate pass.

© JOHN WEBSTER

Tamarackidaho.com | 208-325-1030