I n d ep en d en t
Issue no.
S t u de nt
V o i c e
o f
B o is e
S tat e
Sin c e
1933
41
February 2013
Volume 25
w w w.arbiteronline.com
Boise, Idaho
7
First issue free
Asia Fest
Top Stories
Marchin’ in
Dragon dance in SUB celebrates Asia
How men’s basketball can be ready for tourney time.
page
7
Danielle Davidson Staff Writer
The Jordan Ballroom was filled with students, friends and family as a man appeared from behind pink and blue curtains. He beckoned to something behind the screen. A red and yellow dragon obeyed his command, materializing. The transportation to Asia had begun. The first annual Boise State Asia Fest took place on Feb. 3 and had contribuions from different Asian clubs and associations. “The performances are really great. It’s stuff that I wouldn’t normally see outside of things like this,” said senior English major Jax Perez. “So far I think my favorite part is looking forward to the second half and figuring out the contrast that they’ll put between the traditional with the contemporary.” A number of countries were represented including China, Japan, Nepal, Korea, Pakistan, Vietnam and South Arabia. This was reflected in the array of food from different countries put out for the guests. “It was delicious, I want some more,” said junior psychology major Kim Barrera. “It’s just so different, it’s from a different part of the world. I love it.” Students also said they
Book review
The Arbiter reviews “Precious” by Boise State alumnus.
page
4
User friendly
my.boisestate will make Bronco’s online life easier.
page
6
Today
Ryan Thorne Staff Writer
Rain
30%
chance of precipitation
Tomorrow
Snow
37º high
30%
chance of precipitation
Saturday
Sunny
35º high
0%
chance of precipitation
What’s Inside News Briefs
page
News
page
Opinion
page
Sports
page
The Arbiter
Bryan Talbot/THE ARBITER
Mental health resources a low priority
Weather
39º high
enjoyed the performances throughout the evening. There was singing, dancing and even a bit of acting. “I really loved the dragon dance,” Katie Rainey, junior physics major, said. “It was adorable, it was really fun. They’re cool. I wish I had a cool culture to represent like that.” Even the hosts for the evening jumped in and sang songs for the audience in Japanese and Vietnamese. The Kendo Japanese Fencing demonstration also caught the viewer’s eyes and had them clapping and cheering along with the performers. “I like the Kendo demonstrations,” senior Mario Venegas said. “Because I think you get to see a lot of the matches, well I enjoyed the matches a lot. It’s a good work for the eyes and a matter of watching the performance through their technique and looking at their eyes and timing, because you can see it in the eyes. You can clearly tell who’s a senior and who isn’t.” Asia Fest celebrated cultures less prevalent in Idaho and gave its audience insight into the food, the traditions and the modern ways of Asia. Perhaps there will be another sighting of the red and yellow dragon next year.
2 3 6 7
In 2010 Idaho had the sixth highest suicide rate in the nation, 49 percent higher than the national average according to the Idaho Suicide Prevention Action Network (SPAN Idaho), additionally ISPAN Idaho reports suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults in Idaho. The Health and Wellness Center provides access to counseling and supplements support and triage to those who are immediately considering suicide, but the councelling center is lacking in adequate resources, according to Health and Recreation Services Director Libby Greaney. Attempts to improve mental health services have been met with some resistance by Boise State officials, Greaney said. The counseling center employs a pyschiatrist to work with students in need, but some say it’s not enough. “We also need support from the administration to get what we need,” Greaney said. “First of all, we’ve got a psychiatrist position that we created a year ago that we have been wanting to fill. We did all of the research and it is on hold and we are not quite sure why.” Greaney plans to add staff with experience treating drug addiction, but needs financial
and administrative support. Peter Wollheim, retired Boise State communication professor and creator of SPAN Idaho feels Boise State is lacking in mental health resources. “I would say mental health is not one of (Boise State’s) priorities,” Wollheim said. Wolheim went on to say the Counseling Center is understaffed and cannot meet the needs of those seeking help. “The university has chosen to, and I’m going to say that, has really chosen to under resource the mental health services on campus,” Wolheim said. Director of Counseling Services, Karla West, agrees the counseling center may be understaffed under certain accreditation standards, but does not agree completely that Boise State considers student mental health a low priority. “With the resources that we have, I believe we have staff that are qualified to respond to the needs of our students on campus,” West said. “I think we are in a much better position than in the past to help students.” “We also know that we want someone with substance abuse specialty training,” Greaney said. Though the Counseling Center offers support to students, Greaney and West would like to see Boise
JAKE ESSMAN/THE ARBITER
The Health and Wellness center in the Norco Building is a resource for students. State officials support hiring more staff at the Counseling Center. “I think that Boise State does need to make it a priority to have resources, the appropriate resources, on campus to address our student wide populations mental health needs,” West said. The Boise State Health Services website allows access to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline, and can direct students to necessary medical and psychiatric facilities off campus should the Health Center be closed or unable to meet the needs of the individual seeking help. Resources like the Idaho Suicide Prevention Action Network also allow those who have experienced suicide and the loss associated to become active in community efforts and programs to limit suicide deaths. Students enrolled in SHIP are covered in full for Counseling Center visits.
Suicide
Hotlines Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
National Hopeline Network: 1-800-784-2433
The Trevor Project:
1-866-488-7386
Youth America Hotline:
1-877-968-8454 Bryan Talbot/THE ARBITER
arbiteronline.com