I n d ep en d en t
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December 2012
Volume 25
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Boise, Idaho
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Taking on Finals Don’t let stress become overwhelming, take a break for a massage and to pet puppies. Wayne Hoseck Staff Writer
Boise State is set to play in their 3rd Maaco Bowl page
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Holiday spirit
Get out, give back and get into the spirit of the holidays.
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Christmas
This holiday season, embrace your inner Grinch! Bah, humbug.
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Weather
Well it is finally here. The end. The semester starts off with jolly students whistling and skipping to new classes, but ends with two gray weeks of mental battery at the behest of sinister professors sitting at desks, wringing their hands and laughing maniacally at their students’ suffering. No wonder these weeks are aptly named “dead” week and then, ultimately, “finals” week. Dead week sounds bad, but it can be the lesser of two evils, a time of quiet preparation for the hurricane-like torrent known as finals week. This is why the angels in the Student Involvement and Leadership center at Boise State offer numerous ways to help students relieve some of the pressure caused by finals. The kickoff is the Night Owl Breakfast, taking place from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Boise River Cafe (BRC). There will be games, prizes and massages, as well as delicious food prepared by members of the faculty. During dead week, the library has extended its hours to help students with their late-night study sessions. On Dec. 13, it is open until 2 a.m. and on Dec. 14 and 15 it is open until midnight. During finals week, the library will be open 24 hours a day, starting at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16. So for students who need a quiet place to study, or just simply get some rest and
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Students log hours in the Albertsons library preparing for up and coming finals. recuperation, come to the library, where being quiet is the law. Also, for students who happen to be in the library from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. during finals week, keep an eye out for the snacks and coffee cart which will be going around offering supplements to tired students. The writing center, room 200 in the Liberal Arts Building, is also remaining open for students who would like another set of eyes on their final research papers and essays. Students should make an appointement to meet with a writing center consultant. The hours are: Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 10
a.m. to 1 p.m. Students who need help putting the finishing touches on a final portfolio, stop by the Portfolio Push in the Liberal Arts Building. The sign up sheet is located in the writing center, room 200. There will be an on-duty Writing Center consultant, to answer questions. There will also be cookies, coffee and tea for students needing that extra boost. The push is happening Saturday, Dec. 15, from 1 to 4 p.m., in Liberal Arts Building in rooms 202 and 204 and again on Monday, Dec. 17, from 6 to 9 p.m. in Liberal Arts Building, room 206. The Drop-In Center is another good spot to study and during finals week
the center will provid a variety of helpful tools, from study plans to timemanagement plans to help students do well on their tests. The drop-in center is located in the Academic and Career Services Building, room 111B. It is open Dec. 17 to 24 , from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Quiet study areas are just a few of the services being offered by Student Involvement for on campus relief. For instance, on Monday and Wednesday during finals week, students can head to the Student Union dining room stage from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. to receive a free 10-minute massage. Perfect to set the mood before a stressful final. Or, from Monday Dec.
17, through Thursday the 20 at the Student Union dining room stage from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. students can stop in to relieve stress by playing with puppies provided by St. Luke’s Therapy Dog and Genesis Service Dog programs. Now, how can anyone’s finals be going bad when there are puppies to play with? After those grueling tests, students can try to stop and have a “thank the gods I am finally done with finals” photo taken at the Student Union dining room stage, Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Don’t fret. Breathe. Relax. Study and do well. Be merry students, cause we will go through this process again in around five months.
Today
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To drink or not to drink Sanja Lazic Staff Writer
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With finals just days away, many students will embark on a quest to stay awake and alert by turning to energy drinks. However, the recent increased media attention concerning the potential dangers these drinks pose may influence this decision. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigated possible risks posed by Red Bull, 5-Hour Energy and Monster, but hasn’t come to the conclusion they pose a danger. However, in a recent agency letter, the FDA has disclosed it is looking to turn to outside experts for analysis of what risks higher concentrations of caffeine pose, especially to certain groups such as young adults. Lauren Thomas, health educator for Health and Recreation Services said, “media buzz does create increased awareness.” She believes most students are aware of the issues regarding concentrated energy drinks. But this awareness doesn’t necessarily mean it’s influential to students’ decision making. Chris Dant, a junior majoring in entrepreneurial management said, “When it comes to energy stuff, I feel like my body needs it so much it outweighs caring about what’s actually in it.” Thomas’ foremost concern regarding energy drinks is that the FDA regulates energy drinks differently than food. Energy drinks are considered dietary supplements by the FDA and therefore do not need to meet the same regulatory standards as soft drinks which is where the concern lies. Since the amount of caffeine in energy drinks is not regulated as it is in soft drinks, consequently there is
See Drink I page 3
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