uiargonaut.com
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
To honor MLK Diversity officials and civil rights activists come together to remmber the legacy
Lindsey Treffry Argonaut
Martin Luther King, Jr. was honored by students, administrators, city members and civil rights activists as part of the University of Idaho Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. “(King) was a leader we could all stand behind,” Robert Singleton said. Singleton jump-started the events Friday afternoon, with a speech about his struggles as part of the 1961 Freedom Riders. The civil rights activist group rode interstate buses across the country into the segregated South to test the decision made by the U.S. Supreme Court in the Boynton v. Virgina case. While Singleton spoke of the past, he also urged students to
have goals in whatever movement they desire. He noted that there is still discrimination to cluding laws that make it legal to
freedom Ride with her hesband. “Non-violence is at the core of what (the Singletons) did,” said Joann Muneta, chair of the Latah County Human Rights You’re going to person and laws Task Force. that deny gays “They had so inherit the kind housing opportumuch courage — of country you nities. to face (someone) deserve. “You’re going who is armed to inherit the kind and ready to beat Robert Singleton, of country you you.” Freedom Rider deserve,” SingleThe annual ton said. Rosa Parks award The following and Martin Luther day, Singleton’s wife, Helen, King Jr. essay contest awards spoke at the 19th Annual Martin were given out Saturday. Luther King, Jr. Community After the holiday on Monday Human Rights Breakfast at through the Idaho Human Moscow Junior High School. Helen Singleton was the only woman who took part in the SEE CELEBRATED, PAGE 4
Philip Vukelich | Argonaut
Robert Singleton, an organizer and participant of the 1961 Freedom Riders, speaks Friday in the Idaho Commons Whitewater and Clearwater rooms.
Jobs and education
Life changes in Ecuador Joanna Wilson Argonaut
ferent ideas — different viewpoints,” Reed said. “And just people who An ASUI Alternative Service would have a good attitude.” Break trip is life changing, said Taylor The team worked primarily in a Reed, an intern with the shelter and school for Center for Volunteerism street children in Quito, and Social Action, who Ecuador, called La student-led the winter Caleta. break trip to Ecuador. “(The children) come there from all You are helping trip,” Reed said. “I different backgrounds, them, but they would try and tell stusome have been abused, dents what ASB was all just need so much or kicked out of their about, but it’s so hard to more. They need a homes, or maybe don’t understand until you aceven have a family,” family. tually go on one.” Reed said. “Every kid’s Rebecca Johnson, Reed said 11 servicestory is different.” Senior focused students were The team painted the chosen through an apschool and children’s plication and interview living quarters, and process for the Dec. 28 to Jan. 10 trip. cleaned and repaired the center. “We wanted a group of people that would bring a lot to the table and difSEE ECUADOR, PAGE 4
Idaho governor commits to improving Idaho’s economy in 2012 Kaitlyn Krasselt Argonaut
Education and unemployment in Idaho will be Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter’s focus as 2012 takes off. Otter addressed the Idaho congress in the annual State of the State address Jan. 9. “I want to see an Idaho focused not on scarcity or what we lack, but on a more prosperous and hopeful future for all of us,” Otter said. “It’s with that Idaho in mind that I set my top two budget and policy priorities for 2012 and this legislative session. And the reality is, those two priorities are inseparable — jobs
and education.” Otter said Project 60 will Otter said everything the take on new life and be the Idaho legislature forefront of the plans to do this effort to focus year will impact on unemployhis top two priment and educaorities. tion. He said Jeff “And while Sayer, the new I want to see an what governdirector of the ment can do is Idaho focused not Department of limited, as it on scarcity or what Commerce, will should be, we bring privatewe lack, but on a can and will do sector entrepremore prosperous a better job of neurial experireaching out to and hopeful future ence, renewed our businesses energy, and comfor all of us. and employmitment to acC.L. “Butch” Otter, ers as partners tively engaging Idaho governor in this effort,” Otter said. SEE JOBS, PAGE 4
Undergraduates 128 114
120
114
121 112
119
126
120 108 91
Victoria Hart Argonaut
Native student enrollment at the University of Idaho has been inconsistent in the last 10 years, but recent recruitment efforts and the creation of staff positions may bolster Native numbers. Steven Martin, director of UI’s Native American Student
Center, is constantly on the lookout for donors and grants to support Native programming. The most recent boost in fundraising is in pursuit of $10,000 that will be matched by the American Indian Education Foundation. The English department is also collecting funds to support a Native American Fellowship in Creative Writing.
Martin said 100-percent retention isn’t a reality, and one or two students leave every year. But he advises and engages with the 12 to 15 students that come to the center regularly. Ricardo Buenrostro said his position as UI’s multicultural recruiter may expand to encomSEE NUMBERS, PAGE 4
Graduates
2008
31 21
2011
15
2009
15
2007
2006
22
26
2010
31
2005
2003
33
2004
28
22
2002
2001
25
Illustration by Jens Olson
IN THIS ISSUE
Idaho takes home three WAC Athlete of the Week honors. See who and why.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day represents more than racial equality.
SPORTS, PAGE 5 News, 1
Sports, 6
Opinion, 9
OPINION, PAGE 9 University of Idaho
Volume 113, Issue no. 32
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