The Arbiter 12.15.2014

december 15, 2014 Vol. 27 Issue 33

In d ep e nd e nt

The Arbiter

St u d e nt

V o I ce

o f

B o I Se

@arbiteronline

Stat e

S I n c e

@arbiteronline

1 9 3 3

arbiteronline.com

I can’t wait

photo by jovi ramirez

to pet puppies.

v

NEWS

New certification system proposed for Idaho teachers, p.7

CULTURE

The think behind the ink: students talk body art, p.10

SPORTS

Taekwando club revives competition after seven years hiatus, p.17

hoots & giggles “Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” –Thomas A. Edison

Comic Strip

crossword puzzle FOR RELEASE DECEMBER 15, 2014

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

sudoku

Pg 2

ACROSS 1 Royals and Giants, e.g.

6 Tehran native 11 More, in Mexico 14 Top-drawer celeb group 15 “Say no __”: peace slogan 16 Do something 17 Beer named for an American patriot 19 Attempt 20 Summer in Paris 21 Pass along 22 Kismet 24 Girl who found a wolf in her grandmother’s clothing 27 Movie lioness 28 Temper tantrum during a flight 31 Toy soldier 34 Clock radio letters 35 PC memory unit, briefly 36 Responsibility 37 Barely beats 39 Hawaiian coffee region 40 Bus depot: Abbr.

41 Narrow cut 42 Worked in a shaft 43 Big shots 45 Birth announcement subject, about half the time 47 Monaco ruler married to Grace Kelly 52 Fabled Himalayan creature 53 Makes the first bet 54 Abbr. for a person with only one given name 55 In favor of 56 Pacific Northwest range, three of whose peaks end 17-, 24 - and 47Across 59 Big flap 60 Continental coins 61 Skirt named for a letter 62 Darken at the beach

12/15/14

By Gary Schlapfer and C.C. Burnikel

63 Iowa or Ohio, e.g.

64 Calls for DOWN 1 Shocking weapon 2 Bring great joy 3 Zeroed in 4 The Spartans of the Big Ten: Abbr.

5 Like operating rooms 6 Roma’s country 7 Flying movie monster 8 Sports contest, to the visitors 9 ’60s-’70s war zone, for short 10 1040, for one 11 Will Hunting portrayer 12 Farm measure 13 Pig’s pad 18 Watch readouts, briefly 23 “__ b?”: “Choose one” 25 Vintage autos 26 Swiveled joints 29 Trait transmitter 30 “Golly!”

31 “Gee!” 32 Gung-ho about 33 “Evita” role

Saturday’s Puzzle Solved

©2014 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

34 FBI employee 37 SpaceX founder __ Musk 38 Period of strobe lights and the hustle 39 Brickmaker’s oven 41 Certain Muslims 42 Med. diagnostic test 44 Old PC monitor 45 Rock ’n’ roll musical

12/15/14

46 Writers McEwan and Fleming 48 Spaceship Earth site 49 Low-budget film, often 50 Improve, as text 51 Goes up 52 “Star Wars” sage 55 Chew the __: gab 57 Crude home 58 Bass in a glass

12/15/2014

IN THIS

Emily Pehrson

editor@ arbiteronline.com

MANAGING EDITOR Katie Meikle

managingeditor@ arbiteronline.com

NEWS EDITOR

Alx Stickel news@ arbiteronline.com

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Eryn-Shay Johnson & Sean Bunce news@ arbiteronline.com

SPORTS EDITOR

Nate Lowery sports@ arbiteronline.com

19 devin ferrell/the arbiter

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ISSUE

Hadziomerovic: Hot off the bench

8

6

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

CULTURE EDITOR Justin Kirkham arts@ arbiteronline.com

ASSISTANT CULTURE EDITOR Patty Bowen arts@ arbiteronline.com

earnest graduates, uncertain future

PHOTO EDITOR

arbiter archives

tyler paget/the arbiter

Brandon Walton sports@ arbiteronline.com

flex dollars lack payoff bella’s grove/courtesy

Tyler Paget photo@ arbiteronline.com

18

COPY EDITORS

Brenna Brumfield Briana Cornwall

12

design manager Jovi Ramirez

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Christian Spencer Ted Atwell Jared Lewis

merry winter solstice and a happy new year

BUSINESS MANAGER tyler paget/the arbiter

MacArthur Minor business@ arbiteronline.com

NL News Director Farzan Faramarzi

Contact Us

arbiteronline.com 1910 University Dr Boise, ID 83725 Phone: 208.426.6300 Fax: 888.388.7554

Broncos get munched

Distributed Mondays & Thursdays during the academic school year. The Arbiter is the

official independent student newspaper of Boise State University and a designated public forum, 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 apiece at The Arbiter offices.

NEWS

Puppies,massages,finals relief oh my!

Asst. News Editor

Sustenance for Late Night Cramming

Albertsons Library Room 201C Sunday-Thursday While students cram for finals week, the library staff and ASBSU will provide snacks and coffee at 10 p.m.

There will also be activities throughout the week such as a comic book break, Zumba at 12 a.m. Monday for students who wish to shake off their stress, and yoga on Tuesday at 12 a.m.

Free Massages

Student Union Atrium, Mo n d ay-T h u r s d ay 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Professional massage therapists have been provided to help relieve the stress from a semester of carrying all those books.

Massages are first come, first serve, so students should sign up early on the day that works best.

Puppy Love

Student Union Atrium

Mo n d ay-T h u r s d ay 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Who doesn’t love puppies? Come get some much needed puppy love from members of local therapy and service dog programs.

Twenty dogs will be around all week for students to pet and talk to. They will also be making visits to a different residence halls Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m.

Knitting Away Stress

Albertsons Library, near Starbucks Monday and Wednesday 2 p.m.-3 p.m.

Learn how to knit while helping build a collaborative piece at the library’s circulation desk in the library. Supplies will be provided and anyone is welcome. There will also be needles and yarn available to those who wish to continue relieving stress at home for the duration of the week.

Cupcake Happy Hour

SILC Offce in the Student Union Building Tuesday, 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

For students who haven’t heard, the Student Involvement and Leadership Center offers free cupcakes every Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m.. All that’s needed is a student ID number and an appreciative smile. They are first come, first serve, so don’t dawdle.

student involvement & leadership center

Sean Bunce

Argentine Tango lessons

Student Union, Lookout Room, Thursday, 7 p.m.-11:30 p.m.

Come alone or bring a friend, Argentine Tango is dance that anyone can learn. No experience is required. For students who want to shake off the rust a beginner’s lesson will begin around 7 p.m.

Relax with yoga and puppy kisses.

Finals completion Celebration Booth

Student Union Atrium Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. -2 p.m.

After students finish with finals, stop by the celebration booth in the Student Union Atrium to get a surprise for a semester well done.

Study tip: Don’t forget to take care of yourself Maria Shimel

Online Testing Center

Congratulations on surviving the semester! As we get closer to Finals Week, all your preparations this semester should be paying off. For those last minute studies, here are a few ideas that could help tip the scales in your favor.

Pg 4

First off, be sure to take care of yourself and get enough sleep, water and nutritious food. A wellrested and energized mind will give you an easier time remembering information and thinking on your feet.

For your last minute studies, try reviewing study guides and class notes with a focus on sub-

jects that your professor has emphasized in class.

Be sure to attend review sessions and study groups offered in and outside of class; this offers a great opportunity to ask questions about subjects that are unclear to you and might give hints as to what will be on the exam.

I also recommend taking

advantage of campus finals resources such as extended library hours, test taking workshops, free massages, puppy therapy and many other services. Remember, everyone on campus wants to see you succeed and there are resources available to help make that happen.

Good luck!

12/15/2014

WHICH ONE WOULD YOU HIRE?

Résumé

Résumé

Education: Masters in Engineering

Education: Masters in Engineering

Employment: Civil Engineer

Employment: Civil Engineer Experience: Managed mission logistics and safely deployed millions of dollars of armored vehicles across more than 27,000 miles in the Army Reserve.

For further information, please contact your local Army Representative at 208-922-8933. ©2012. Paid for by the United States Army. All rights reserved.

12/15/2014, Page 5

Learn the skills you need to advance your career while you serve your country.

It’s all possible in the Army Reserve. You’ll earn a salary and money for your education while you gain the kind of strength that helps you stand out.

There’s strong. Then there’s Army Strong. Learn more at goarmy.com/reserve

NEWS Benton Smith Staff Writer

As the semester comes to an end, many graduating students imagine what Winter Commencement would be like: traditional dreams of black flowing robes, square hats and proud parents fawning over their new graduate.

Unfortunately, for many of this year’s graduates a different concern is on their mind as they take the next step after their academic career. What happens now?

According to Boise State’s At-Graduation Survey, the average number of students from 2008-2012 that graduated and became employed

in their completed area of study was only 17 percent.

The soon-to-be graduates who have held out for a job in their specific field are finding the job market pretty barren.

“There aren’t a ton of openings,” said Jaime Madsen, psychology major. “It’s really all just part-time retail kind of things. I’ve worked retail for the last five years and I do not want to do it anymore, especially not with my college degree.”

This lack of opportunities in their chosen fields could be influenced by the time of year they are graduating in.

“I know that when I looked in the spring there

were a lot more openings,” Madsen said.

Karl Eckert, a communication major who currently freelances in film projects buts hopes to get a more steady job within the field, has found it hard to find work in the winter.

“By graduating in December the job market for freelance is lower than warm months,” Eckert said. “The issue is that people don’t want to be filming while it is cold outside, so a lot of the shoots hold off until the spring.”

While there may be fewer positions available, there are steps that students can take while in school to help their chances.

“From what I have already seen, experience is much more important than a degree,” Eckert said.

As Eckert explained, students have opportunities for internships and networking with classmates who have similar interests while at Boise State.

An issue some future graduates are facing is that they are not getting opportunities that could help to make them more employable when their time comes to walk across that stage.

According to the survey, only 36 percent of graduates had been able to work within an internship and from that same year period only 33

tyler paget/the arbiter

Graduation sends students toward an uncertain future

Students graduate in may 2014. percent of the graduates participated in program-specific field education.

“All of the networking and connections in the industry have been made through Boi-

se State, and that is by far the most important takeaway for me,” Eckert said. “The only reason I’ve gotten work is because of the people I’ve met in classes.”

YOUR CAMPUS

LISTEN TO THE PULSE

READ THE ARBITER track the shuttle

DO IT ALL WITH

MEDIA

BRONCO MOBILE DOWNLOAD FOR FREE TODAY ON ITUNES & GOOGLE PLAY

Pg 6

12/15/2014

NEWS

New certification affects future teachers Bri Cornwall Copy Editor

A proposal set forth by the Task Force for Improving Education is making waves in Idaho’s teaching community.

The proposal introduces a two-tier system to the certification of public school teachers. Teachers fresh out of college and teachers new to the state enter the first tier: a nonrenewable residency level. After three years at this level, teachers move on to the professional tier.

If teachers are not found eligible for the professional tier, they will no longer be able to teach in the state of Idaho. At the professional tier, teachers can maintain certification by completing credit requirements. The certification is renewable every five years.

Currently, all public school

teachers maintain their certification by completing courses that ensure they are continually growing as educators.

These credit requirements will continue to suffice as a measurement of growth for teachers who make it to the professional tier.

If the proposal is passed by the legislature in 2015, local evaluators will become responsible for judging whether teachers can move into the professional tier or if their certification will be taken away.

The State Board of Education’s communications director, Marilyn Whitney, doesn’t believe the legislation will have any significant effect on teachers new to public education in the state of Idaho.

“The expectation is that there will be very, very few who are not able to meet the criteria to get a professional certificate,” Whitney said in

a phone interview. “I don’t think that there would be any impact.”

For Whitney, this new process will simply ensure that the rotten apples of public education aren’t granted renewable, professional certification. She believes teachers who are doing their jobs should easily move past the nonrenewable r esidency tier.

However, Penni Cyr, the president of the Idaho Education Association, argued in an Idaho Ed News article that placing teacher certification screening in local administrators’ hands is an ethical breach.

“For other professionals such as physicians, lawyers and various skilled tradesmen, there is a clear delineation between licensing and employment, with third parties handling the licensing aspect, while employment

is the purview of individual businesses,” Cyr wrote.

“Combining or confusing these very distinct areas of responsibility is not the appropriate direction for any profession.”

For Cyr, the problem is not the evaluation component.

She instead takes issue with the power local employers will have over teachers’ ability to continue their careers in the state of Idaho.

A division between local employers and licensure ensures employers’ biases don’t have an impact on an employee’s ability to legally practice their profession in the state.

If the proposal is passed the division will be dissolved.

Third-year language arts teacher at South Boise’s Lake Hazel Middle School, Jordan Sims, is wary of her legal ability to teach being placed in the hands of an evaluation, even if the intent is to identify only particularly lousy educators.

“If they’re going to tie our licensure to evaluation, (administrators) need to (see us in the classroom) every single day,” Sims said. “There’s so much that we do … and yet it could hang in the balance over something little or even a personal thing with an evaluator.”

The Change

On Nov. 13, 2014 the Idaho State Board of Education announced the modification of teacher certification. The new two-tiered system has some teachers concerned about the ethical boundaries around the proposal.

Choose Biomat USA.

Donate plasma. Change a life.

Open earlier during the week Better return donor fees Friendly employees Free Wi-Fi Offering monthly bonuses and sweepstakes

As a new donor you could earn up to $275 in your 1st month and earn up to $260 in your 2nd month.

arbiter archives

Present your Student ID to receive an extra $10.

SBOE meets to discuss higher education.

12/15/2014

Donate today at: Biomat USA 4017 Overland Rd. Boise, ID 83705 (208) 338-8417

Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri: 7am-7pm Sat: 8am-4pm Sun: closed

Visit grifolsplasma.com to learn more about donating plasma.

Pg 7

NEWS

Leslie Boston-Hyde Staff Writer

While meal plans offer many options for students, they come at a cost and have limitations.

Residential plans range from $1,610 to $1,820 and offer a variety of meals per week and flex dollars for the semester.

According to Jennifer Cornwall, bronco card and information desk manager, there are approximately 946 students with commuter plans and approximately 1,548 students with residential meal plans this semester.

Commuter plans expire a year from the date of purchase and residential plans

expire at the end of each semester. Guest meals and flex dollars also expire.

According to Bob Beers, Aramark marketing coordinator for Boise State, any unused flex dollars on residential plans go to Aramark at the end of the semester.

“Usually there’s not a ton (of flex dollars) left,” Beers said. “It’s not just a Boise State thing or an Aramark thing. It’s just a general policy that everyone adopts.”

Even though Lindsey Bays, sophomore political science major, has an unlimited meal plan, she still feels that flex dollars should carry over to next semester.

“We already paid for it. If you break down how much each meal costs, it’s still like

$15. I don’t know, it’s just a lot of money,” Bays said.

Although Brigham-Young University-Idaho has the same policy as Boise State, other four year universities such as the University of Idaho, Idaho State University and Northwest Nazarene University, allow students to roll over fall flex dollars if a spring semester meal plan is purchased. “(Boise State should have this policy) especially for the people who don’t have that money spent,” Bays said. “(Some friends) have enough left over that it would be nice for the people going into next semester.”

Although the flex dollars won’t roll over for Boise State students, some are ac-

arbiter archives

Flex dollars not so flexible in student meal plans

Students show their meal cards at the BRC. cepting of the policy.

“I’m fine with it because I use them a lot,” said Aline Elquist, sophomore materials science major.

Other students find spending them a struggle.

For Avi Steiner, sophomore mechanical engineering major, his gluten allergy limits

his dining options.

He used less than half of his flex dollars for the fall semester.

“I’m kind of bummed about (flex dollars not carrying over), but I mean it really doesn’t matter because it will get reset (next semester),” Steiner said.

Despite these setbacks, Beers still feels that the meal plans are worth every penny.

“Parents just feel better knowing that their kids are more or less taken care of and students, you don’t have to worry about (cooking),” Beers said.

Shelly Bohorquez Staff Writer

The College of Business and Economics is hosting the first ever Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge. The contest has a grand prize of $40,000 and is open for any prospective student entrepreneur to enter.

The project consists of a series of workshops and events that lead up to a statewide business plan competition in March 2015.

“We’re trying to drive the entrepreneurial spirit throughout not only Boise State, but throughout the state of Idaho,” said Ebo Makinde, co-chairman of the Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge. “Our goal is to

Pg 8

raise awareness, to push innovation and ultimately to drive the economic vitality through the students.”

The program is designed in order to benefit more than just the grand prize winner.

With several smaller rounds before the final competition and with workshops along the way to help students develop their business plans, this competition serves as a teaching method in which participants will receive valuable advice and feedback from business professionals.

Koby Conrad, marketing director for the Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge is also entering the competition.

“I think it’s great for Boise State because, obviously, it makes us look good but I

think it’s even better for Idaho in general,” Conrad said.

“It’s not just the winner who launches a business; there’s over a hundred thousand (dollars) in prizes so there are probably going to be four or five solid businesses that get launched every year because of this.”

According to Makinde, students involved in both hosting and competing in the Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge do not have a conflict of interest because the students don’t have a say in the actual judging process.

Students enter their business model but are not given the exact details of the judging process.

The student directors of the Idaho Entrepreneur

Challenge cannot influence the judges’ opinions, although they do invite the judges.

It’s not too late for students late to get involved.

Students who want to enter the competition or be a part of the director positions in the program, there is still opportunity to enter.

“We’re always looking for more associate directors who would be really committed to the cause,” Conrad said.

“It’s a thousand dollar scholarship and we’re looking for associate directors that are really interested in business and want to do it because it’s something that they love— not just because it’s a scholarship.”

This project will serve to

idaho entrepreneur challenge

Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge offers financial, learning opportunities

Students Direct the challenge. promote business opportunities within the state of Idaho. With major funding from Zions Bank, this program can be expected to run for the next three years.

The winner of the individual Boise State competition, which ends Jan. 31, will advance to the big business plan competition, which will

take place March 5-7 in the Stueckle Sky Center. This event will gather all Idaho university entries and will be the culmination of the Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge.

For more information, visit the Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge page on the Boise State College of Business and Economics website.

12/15/2014

Arbiter Online

12/15/2014, Page 9

feature

The decision to get a tattoo for senior environmental and occupational health major Jessica Porter was very connected to her family.

“Basically, (my sister and I) wanted to get a sister tattoo,” Porter said. “We both got something that was symbolic of Japanese culture because we’re both from Hawaii. We wanted to tie in the Hawaii theme with something else from back home.”

For Porter, that symbolic Japanese theme led to a cherry blossom tree growing up her right side with her sister’s Hawaiian name inside it.

“Her name means the flower of heaven and my name means gateway to heaven,” Porter said. “She didn’t want to get a gateway on her side so she chose a koi fish.”

Porter’s sister got her tattoo a year before Porter did. Porter decided to get her tattoo on her sister’s birthday last August.

Porter also has a tattoo on her shoul-

der of a hand.

“It’s the sign language symbol for ‘I love you’ and the palm is a heart,” Porter said.

The tattoo matches with similar tattoos that Porter’s mom and sister got.

According to Porter, her sister also has a tattoo that has their family motto, along with her own sign language tattoo. “(Our motto) is to stick to it, so that was a cool little thing she added to her (tattoo),” Porter said. “I think that if (tattoo is) something you want to put on your body and you’re open to it and you’re not afraid of the pain, then I say go for it.”

Porter hopes to get more tattoos in the future and encourages other students to do so.

“If it’s meaningful to you, then it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks of it,” Porter said. “For me it was just I really liked it, and I really like how tattoos look and I wanted one, so I got one.”

photos courtesy of Jade Lowber

photos courtesy of Jessica Porter

Behind the ink

Justin Kirkham

i t s

Culture Editor

Patty Bowen

Asst. Culture Editor

From waving grass and setting suns to photographic-like portraits and catch phrases, student tattoos come in endlessly different forms. But, such a permanent, bodily imprint often comes with a distinct set of reasons and back stories which are as varied as the tattoos themselves.

Local tattoo shops like Chalice Tattoo Studio on Latah and Devotion Tattoo on Broadway are easily accessible to students, making the thought behind the ink that much more important.

Sporting 11 tattoos, junior health sciences major Jade Lowber uses her body as a canvas to convey her upbringing and identity. Each tattoo has its own underlying meaning, many of which were purchased in tandem with friends and family.

t s t s t s y

c a e L

i a d

t o

design by ted atwell/the arbiter

Pg 10

12/15

“I think all tattoos tell a story. Whether it’s a tribute piece or just a drunken mistake, there is a story about it,” Lowber said. “For me, my tattoos tell my story.”

Lowber’s collection of ink includes two tattoos reflecting her strongest friendships. One is a “Supernatural” pentacle that reflects her love for the television show as well as her deep-set connection to a friend with whom she watches the show. The other is of cuddling yin and yang cats.

“The cats describe my unhealthily close bond with my best friend Sammi and how, even though we live in different states now, she’s still my best friend,” Lowber said.

In addition to birds and subtle whiteink phrases of empowerment, Lowber also has a portrait of her late grandfather decorating her thigh.

“I’ve always had love for my grandpa on the inside,” Lowber said. “Now it’s on the outside too.“

5/2014

feature

photos courtesy of Michelle Telleria

Students acquire tattoos for family, friends, ideals and the fun of it all

Senior English major Michelle Telleria has two tattoos, both of which coincide with the overarching nautical theme that she chose for herself.

Instead of selecting a variety of tattoos and themes, Telleria wanted to maintain a singular concept within her body artwork.

“I know plenty of people that have several different tattoos that have no attachment or association with the other. They are each stand out pieces,” Telleria said. “But for me, having a theme feels like it is somehow organized, and the theme carries itself out on a canvas which is my body.”

Telleria’s current nautical tattoos are comprised of a self-designed anchor accompanied by the words “forever hope” in French, as well as the quotation “I am not afraid of storms

for I am learning to sail my ship.” She explained that the ocean and all of its associations have always been interesting, enticing and full of potential symbolism. The messages embedded in this theme tend to speak to her more intensely than others.

“We remember that we are just learning how to sail the ship called life,” Telleria said. “Therefore, we shouldn’t be afraid of the difficult times, for that is what makes us stronger and ultimately molds our character.”

When discussing her tattoos with acquaintances, Telleria has often found that others don’t consider her a “girl who would have tattoos.”

“I really don’t think there is a ‘type’ of person you need to be in order to have tattoos, which is why I find their comments amusing,” Telleria said.

Pg 11

Culture

Yule covens and karmic embrace

Boise residents shed new light, take new spins on traditional winter celebrations Justin Kirkham Culture Editor

“Happy holidays” tends to evoke images of Santa Claus, decorated evergreen trees, menorahs and colored candles swimming in the minds of students. But for some Boise residents, the winter holidays include a little more chanting, rum and self-reflection, and far fewer ornaments.

Some residents do away with traditional holidays altogether.

Yule celebrations

Heidie Webb, a Treasure Valley Witches pagan apprentice, looks forward to her coven’s Yule celebrations each year. This particular celebration is usually held on the winter solstice, which marks the longest night of the year. Each proceeding night becomes shorter and shorter in terms of darkness.

“It’s when we start getting into the light,” Webb said.

Woventear, the leader of the coven, explained that Yule can be celebrated in several different ways, depending on the pagan group putting the celebration together. Her coven celebrates with a Crystal Ball. At the ball, everything is decorated in white and several desserts are served.

In addition, the coven chooses a king and queen to represent the group and promote the Treasure Valley Witches over the next year.

This year, Webb has been chosen as the Yule Queen.

“We’re chosen to educate

Pg 12

others about the group,” Webb said.

Woventear prefers to celebrate Yule in place of Christmas or other common winter holidays. Instead of putting up a Christmas tree, she chooses a live tree, decorates and cultivates it, and plants it in the spring. This is a Yule tree, which is what traditional Christmas trees are based on.

“We have made these a celebration of gratitude, giving and growing,” Woventear said. “Spiritual growth and community is a big part of being a member.”

Christmas’ flexible identity

On the other side of the spectrum, sophomore accounting major Aram Kim, an international exchange student, is used to celebrating Christmas with her family in South Korea. She usually adheres to the staple American traditions that she witnesses in Idaho.

Kim decorates a tree and gives gifts each year, but generally steers clear of the Christian undertones and traditions associated with the holiday.

“Some Christians go to church, but most of (Koreans) just enjoy the holiday with family and friends,” Kim said.

“I feel like (Christmas) in America is more Christian.”

Even though Christmas traditions may vary, Kim still sees Christmas as a universal celebration to be had in various different ways.

Karma-based

resolutions

When it comes to less religion-centered holidays, some Boise residents take a new spin on mainstream traditions. This is especially apparent in terms of New Year’s Day and the resolutions that come with its celebrations.

On New Year’s Day, the Boise Institute for Buddhist Studies will hold a special service centered on purifying negative karma and setting new goals. Attendees will participate in a series of prayers, mantra recitations and several forms of visualizations. Within these visualizations, participants acknowledge and think about things that they regret and want to change.

“That first set of prayers is based on a somber mood,” BIBS executive director Dan Black said. “It’s not festive in particular.”

After dwelling on and considering those regrets, participants are then asked to move from a feeling of remorse to a renewed focus for improvement. They then set new goals and resolutions for the coming year.

Black found that this process, though very similar to the traditions circling New Year’s resolutions, has the tendency to inspire more follow-through.

“If you’re casual about it, it won’t stick,” Black said.

“If you’re focused on the reasoning behind it and reflecting on the cause and the effect that is karma, you will remember your own motivation.”

christian spencer/the arbiter

12/15/2014

BREAK UP

with your CARRIER,

WE’LL PAY

YOUR FAMILY’S

TERMINATION FEES.

un -leash

TM

12/15/2014, Page 13

Is your family stuck in different wireless contracts with different end dates?

T-Mobile® will cover your family’s early termination fees (with Prepaid Visa® cards) when you switch to T-Mobile—just trade in your devices and get up to $350 per line. Goodbye annual service contracts, hello contract freedom for families, all on the fastest nationwide 4G LTE network.

Switch to T-Mobile today #unleash Based on download speeds.

•

•

T-Mobile.com Operated by Express Locations

Limited time offer; subject to change. Eligible device trade-in, new device purchase, qual’g credit, port-in from eligible carriers (incl. AT&T, Verizon & Sprint) and qual’g postpaid service req’d. Payments consist of: (1) credit of device trade-in value, and (2) prepaid Visa card in the amount of Early Termination Fee. Card not redeemable for cash and expires in 12 months unless

Culture

Media promotes gender-specific style parameters Eryn Shay Johnson Asst. News Editor

Every morning you have to decide what to wear. For women, several outside factors influence the inevitable choice between plaid or rainbow print and black leggings or torn jeans.

Mainstream media and culture tends to place strict parameters for clothing and make-up. These pressures can skew personal identities for many students.

For Kara Stefani, senior psychology major and healthy relationship peer educator for the Women’s Center, the external pressures to dress a certain way were internalized.

“The things I was doing to get myself ready for the day in the morning were very much focused on who am I going to be seeing and where

will I presenting myself and my gender,” Stefani said. “I wasn’t comfortable leaving the house without make up on.”

Stefani put a lot of emphasis on what other people thought of her appearance, but since her revelation she has chosen to take a different route when it comes to what she wears.

“I quit wearing make up all together for a while,” Stefani said. “For the next few weeks I was a whole different person.”

Many women feel the same sociological pressures that Stefani faced, including pressures from family and media.

“Usually I dress for comfort,” said Annie Blake, senior communication major. “But with magazines there’s pressure to dress to impress. Kind of showing ‘if you don’t wear this you aren’t on the same

level of the people who wear it.’ I definitely think society tells us what we should and shouldn’t wear.”

Blake tries to maintain her style but she does recognize that she’s been shaped on what to wear since a young age. The television show “What Not to Wear” helped dictate what clothing choices should be made.

“They say that if you’re not put together or that you don’t look like you’re put together then your life isn’t together,” Blake said.

Women are not alone when it comes to societal influence; everyone is influenced by society to dress a certain way.

“Our ideal is deconstructing those social pressures,” said Adriane Bang, associate director of the Women’s Center. “We’re all individuals and we need to respect whatever that looks like.”

Many students feel obligated to “Dress to Impress.”

christian spencer/the arbiter

Zoey Nguyen Staff Writer

It is students’ favorite time of the semester again: Finals week. Instead of spending all of your time with notecards and textbooks, here are a few website recommendations to reward yourself between bouts of studying.

Take a break after each exam with memes, awkward conversations and apple-inflated old women.

www.theuseless web.com

The whole webpage speaks for itself. As one clicks on the

Pg 14

pink button in the middle, the user is redirected to a random and useless webpages. The webpage’s content may range from entertaining animations of bouncing cats to farting bats.

Some students will be shocked by some of the web selections but will instantly switch to being mesmerized once they realize that they have things to study and chapters to cover.

www.9gag.com

A compilation of trending memes and funny pictures is definitely a way to stall one’s productivity. While students

always tell themselves that they will close the window and prepare for another final, their finger will just keep scrolling on reflex. Normal brains are far more interested in Bad Luck Brian stories than studying for Calculus II and UF 200.

And even when there are no more new memes to see, users can always click on other categories, such as “fresh,” “hot” or “trending” to enjoy more time-squandering entertainment.

www.cleverbot.com

Spend some precious time talking to software

programmed to have a conversation. It’s like gossiping with a quirkier version of Siri — Cleverbot’s responses tend to be more random and, sometimes, hilarious. It is a bit challenging to keep a meaningful conversation up with Cleverbot as he (or she) tends to run out of content from time to time.

Most of the time, the chat will remind you of a talk between two oblivious androids, but it is surely worth the time. Cleverbot tends to respond to simple greetings with “Go away, peasant” and other heartfelt messages.

theuselessweb.com

A guide to finals: websites that help you procrastinate

Take a few moments after a grueling science exam to voice your frustrations to

someone that will always listen. The break will be worth it.

12/15/2014

Opinion

Letter to the Editor: Folded Flags Harry Penate Harry Penate is an Army ROTC cadet at Boise State and a member of the Idaho National Guard Honor Guard, responsible for conducting military funerals and honoring fallen soldiers. He is currently in his junior year pursuing a degree in English.

Last weekend my roommate and I went out to conduct a military funeral in Southwest Idaho. The weather was a bit overcast and the sky was gray; it seemed to match the mood of what was to come. Once we arrived,

my roommate Colton and I walked into the church where the funeral processions were happening.

The first thing I noticed when I walked in was an American flag draped halfway across a casket that was open.

On my previous 44 missions with the Idaho Army National Guard Honor Guard I had never actually seen a deceased person at a funeral, so this was startling. The contrast of the flags colors compared to the gray body was very notable.

After seeing the casket, Colton and I walked to the grave site where a blue gazebo

was placed on a seemingly endless green field. None of the headstones were above ground, they were inlayed into the earth with different names, different stories on them.

I didn’t have time to look at them all, but most were veterans and their spouses, some dating back to World War I and beyond.

Posted in the ground were about eight American flags on posts, all swaying in the wind.

The hearse pulled up and Colton signaled them to halt.

The family of the deceased carried the casket over to the grave site as Colton and I

moved into position on either side of the casket. We stepped forward and saluted as “Taps” sounded.

The transcendent sound of the bugle pierced through the wind and evoked tears from the friends and family members of the deceased. Colton and I did the normal two flag folds, then stepped two steps to the left of the casket and did a 13 fold flag fold.

As I finished the fold, I handed it over to Colton and saluted it for the last time.

I turned from the flag and marched away, knowing that that flag would be a lasting memory of the deceased’s

honorable and faithful service. As I walked around the casket I could see Colton presenting the flag to the deceased’s wife. She was mildly sobbing until Colton spoke, then she burst into uncontrollable tears. It was a very touching moment for both me and him, but even more so for the family. As we marched back to the chapel we could continue to hear the sobbing, and I couldn’t imagine the pain the family felt after losing a loved one.

The experience for the both of us was very sobering. No matter how many funerals he and I do, we both get a little

choked up when we see family members crying over the loss of their loved ones. It is very easy to forget that people are still grieving and passing away in this time of year, especially since Thanksgiving just passed and the winter holidays are on their way.

What I took away from his funeral was how grateful I should be for the life I have now instead of spending the holiday season fantasizing about what I want. From two Boise State students to others, recognize and appreciate what you have this holiday season, and remember that you won’t have it forever.

Harry Penate’s views or opinions expressed in this article do not represent those of the Army or the Boise State Army ROTC department.

Everything in the paper and MORE visit arbiteronline.com 12/15/2014

Pg 15

FREE FOR CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO ADVERTISE YOUR EVENT

BOISE DANCE MARATHON

allocating funds for St.Lukes Children’s days Hospital

visit boisestatedancemarathon.org

H-V-Z

Shalom to all Israelites, jews, messianics, & christians on campus!

CLUB MEETS every friday for

Erev Shabbat dinner SEEKING MEMBERS & OFFICERS

6:00-9:00 P.M.

located on belmont street in the biblical studies center 1025

HUMANS VERSUS ZOMBIES

like nerf? zombies? we meet on MOnday’s at 4:30 pm in the alexandar room in the sub check us out on facebook & orgsync

PRACTICE MON - THUR

6:30 - 8P.M. our FACEBOOK PAGE

check out

Contact: haleygardner@u.boisestate.edu

reserve your space through orgsync.com SPONSORED BY

A.S.B.S.U.

12/15/2014, Page 16

BOISE STATE WOMENS RUGBY

RUSH AKPsi

Sports & rec

Taekwondo team back in action Zoey Nguyen Staff Writer

The Boise State Taekwondo club has been around since the late 80s, but it seemed to have been forgotten. It hadn’t hosted any tournaments since 2009. However, on Dec. 6 the Taekwondo club held a six- hour Taekwondo open tournament in the Student Union Building Simplot Ballroom.

Overall, there were 95 competitors at the tournament. The teams from Idaho included the Taekwondo Training Center, Sun Valley Taekwondo, McCall Taekwondo, Jerome Taekwondo, Martial Way, Stanley Taekwondo, Dragon Fire Martial Arts of Tang Soo Do and, of course, Boise State Taekwondo club.

The tournament ran in a round-robin format, where everyone went up against each participant in their division.

“It provides more opportunity for learning and competition than single or double elimination tournament formats,” Boise State Taekwondo master and club advisor Jason Jeffries said.

Divisions are organized by age, height, weight and rank.

The tournament started at white belts then moved to yellow, green, blue, red, red/ black and black. Competitors were judged on poomsae, which is a display of balance, rhythm and technique, and sparring. The practical combative application with one’s opponent.

Kyorugi consists of two in-

12/15/2014

dividuals facing off, one blue and one red.

To score a point one needs to strike with a part of the foot below the ankle or the front of the fist that delivers a “trembling shock” or “abrupt displacement.”

Non-turning kicks to the body earn one point, turning kicks to the body earn two points, non-turning kicks to the head earn three points and turning kicks to the head earn four points.

Boise State had three of its club members place in the event.

Junny Foo, a black belt, and also the clubs treasurer, hadn’t competed in any Taekwondo tournaments before.

She came in second in poomsae and third in sparring.

Kody Bensinger, a Boise State alumni and a green belt, received gold in sparring and silver in poomsae.

Luis Urias received gold in both sparring and poomsae.

Urias who also served as judge for the event was impressed with what he saw.

“I was very pleased with the turnout for my first time hosting a tournament,” Urias said. “As a judge, I’d say I saw pretty good competitors, especially with how young some of the kids were. I wasn’t as impressed with the older, more experienced competitors; they lacked flexibility and timing that they should have had with their experience level.”

According to Urias, the instructors, all of whom have gone through training through USA Taekwondo, seemed to have enjoyed their

experience and made the best out of it.

“Every instructor I spoke to was very pleased with the quality of the tournament,” Urias said. “It was fast, fun and fair.”

After the success of this tournament the Taekwondo club doesn’t plan on going so long in between tournaments again.

“I think starting from now we will try to host this tournament annually and make it even better next year,” Foo said.

junny foo/courtesy

Boise State’s Taekwondo club holds first tournament since 2009

Participants of the taekwondo tourney

Pg 17

Sports & Rec

Brandon Walton

Asst. Sports & Rec Editor

In war there are always casualties. Unfortunately for the Boise State wrestling team they suffered high casualties to Oregon State in what is known as the Border War. The Broncos got run out of their own gym on Saturday, losing 31-3 to the 20th ranked Beavers.

“We’re right there with Oregon State, but they had the mental edge tonight,” head coach Greg Randall said. “The score looks like we got dominated, but un-

til we learn to win the close ones, these guys are going to be so-so wrestlers. They need to figure out, `this is how I win,’ not `this is how I lose.’”

With the loss the Broncos failed to take back possession of the Border Axe which goes to the winner of this conference match-up.

Boise State was taken out of the match in the early goings. They fell down 16-0 to the Beavers and could never recover.

“The season is pretty young and we have plenty of time to figure it out,” freshman Geordan

New ValleyRide Bus Service to Boise State!

Six daily round trips.

This route travels between the Harris Ranch area and downtown Boise. It makes three round trips in the morning and three round trips in the afternoon.

Martinez said.

It didn’t help the Broncos that two of their best wrestlers, redshirt junior Chris Castillo and freshman Michael Cook, were out for the night’s contest.

The lone bright spot on the team was Martinez who picked up a 4-2 minor decision at 141 for the Broncos.

“It came down to who wanted it more,” Martinez said. “I wasn’t going to go down without a fight and I ended up coming out on top.”

Following a fifth place at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, Martinez moved

up the rankings and is now 17th in the country.

“I had no idea of what to expect,” Martinez said. “I just take it one week at a time and always work hard for the team.”

It has been a little rough in the early goings for Boise State.

The Broncos don’t have a lot of experience with many new faces in the lineup and are without a returning NCAA Nationals wrestler for the first in several years.

“It’s just one of those things where you just have to learn,” redshirt senior Cody Dixon said.

Tyler paget/THE ARBITER

Broncos get decimated to start conference play

Broncos lose the war.

Boise State will be looking to get back on track when they head to the Reno Tournament of Champions on Dec. 21. They return home for the annual Beauty and

HARRIS RANCH • Half-hour Peak Service • No Mid-day Service • No Weekend Service 1 2 3 4

Zone 2 – Idaho & 8th Parkcenter & Mallard Parkcenter & Bown Way Mill Station Buses run from 6:30–8:25 a.m. and then again from 5–6:55 p.m.

Boise State students, faculty and staff always ride ValleyRide buses at NO COST!

For more information, visit: valleryride.org • Or call 208-345-7433

Pg 18

the Beast competition against Arizona State on Jan. 23.

“We just have to believe in ourselves,” Dixon said. “It’s not just one thing we have to get better at but everything.”

Mill Station to Downtown Stops • Warm Springs & Mill Spur • Warm Springs & Wise • Parkcenter & Bown • Parkcenter & Pennsylvania • Parkcenter & Mallard • Broadway & University • Idaho & 1st • Zone 2 – Idaho & 8th Downtown to Mill Station Stops • Zone 2 – Idaho & 8th • Main & 1st • Broadway & University • Parkcenter & Mallard • Parkcenter & Apple • Parkcenter & Bown • Warm Springs & Wise • Warm Springs & Eckert Stops in bold are time points.

12/15/2014

Sports & rec

Brandon Walton

Asst. Sports & Rec Editor

Boise State senior guard Igor Hadziomerovic isn’t a guy that is going to blow up the stats sheet night after night. But his play is crucial to the success of the Boise State men’s basketball team this season.

Hadziomerovic is what is referred to in basketball as the sixth man. He has become the go-to guy off the bench and has played a vital role in the Broncos’ last two home wins.

“He is a big spark off the bench,” senior guard Derrick Marks said. “There is no better player to bring in.”

Against Adams State, Hadziomerovic led the team in points for the first time with 12 and against Northwest Nazarene University he had a team-high seven

assists.

“I just wanted to be the guy to go to on the defensive end and get stops on the best players,” Hadziomerovic said.

Defense has been Hadziomerovic’s game this season.

“He understands his role and playing his role at the highest level,” head coach Leon Rice said. “When you get guys like that buying in it bodes well for your team.”

During his time at Boise State Hadziomerovic has always done what the team has asked him to do.

“Over the years his role has evolved,” Rice said. “He was asked to score less and he accepted that role because he wanted to be part of a championship team.”

While Hadziomerovic has been having a great season, he knows he couldn’t have

done it without his fellow teammates.

“These guys have helped me a lot in practice just pushing me in practice,” Hadziomerovic said. “I just want to thank them for that.”

The Australian native is in his fourth year playing for Boise State and couldn’t be happier with his decision to become a Bronco.

“The coaches have been great and they have always given me an opportunity to play,” Hadziomerovic said.

“I just have always tried to capitalize on it.”

Hadziomerovic credits the coaching staff for always motivating him to do better and for helping him turn him into the player he is today.

“The coaches are always harping to give 100 percent effort, especially on me so I can always make an impact,”

devin ferrell/the arbiter

Hadziomerovic becomes go-to guy off the bench

Igor is the sixth man for the Broncos.

Hadziomerovic said.

Hadziomerovic is expecting a great season for the Broncos and would like nothing more than for him

and his fellow seniors to go out with a bang.

“We all want to win a Mountain West Championship,” Hadziomerovic said.

“I have been here for four years working hard and wanting to get that achieved so we can make an NCAA run.”

Leslie Boston-Hyde Staff Writer

The Boise State track and field team is off to a running start after hosting 11 teams at their first meet of the season at the Jacksons Open on Dec. 13.

Individuals had great success at the meet, with three Broncos finishing first in events.

Freshman Alexandru Terpezan debuted for the Broncos in the men’s 400-meter dash, finishing second in the race with a 49.46. Junior Chelsey Washington

12/15/2014

placed fourth in the women’s 400-meter dash with a 59.75.

Senior Kelly Megan scored her fourth career first-place finish at the meet, taking first in the women’s 500-meter dash with a time of 1:16.47.

The men’s team also had success in the 500-meter dash, with freshman Fernando Martinez debuting with a first-place finish at 1:06.14. Freshman Kyle Kelley finished close behind in second with 1:06.88. Senior Bret Scheve placed fourth at 1:07.20 and junior Rex Stanley at fifth with a time of 1:07.42.

The men’s 4x400-meter relay seized second place, with a combined time of 3:21.60.

The women’s 4x400-meter relay team finished fifth at 4:30.10.

The field events also saw great triumphs for the Broncos.

Sophomore Jordan Ward cleared 1.72 meters on her third attempt in the high jump, earning first place.

Sophomore Courtney Hutchison placed third in the shot put with 14.11 meters, while juniors Britlie Silvester and Lacie Rasley took fifth and sixth with 13.21

meters and 12.64 meters, respectively.

The weight throw was a successful event for the Broncos, with Silvester taking second (17.50 meters), Karyna Armstrong third (16.41 meters), Rasley in eighth (15.29 meters) and Hutchison tenth (14.39 meters).

Freshman Juston Lindsley debuted his Bronco career in the shot put and weight throw. Lindsley placed second in the men’s weight throw with 16.07 meters and took third in the shot put with a distance of 14.30 meters.

devin ferrell/the arbiter

Jacksons Open brings victory for track & field

Broncos open up season.

Pg 19

hoots & giggles

multiplayer dot game

fun facts 1. The Finnish and Swedish government pays their students monthly pocket money to attend high school and university.

2. People appear more attractive to a drunk person, because a drunk person is less likely to notice the asymmetry of a face.

3. Arco was the first city lit by Atomic Energy, July, 1955.

Pg 20

holiday recipes Directions for CAKE BALLS

Prepare the cake mix according to package directions using any of the recommended pan sizes. When cake is done, crumble while warm into a large bowl, and stir in the frosting until well blended.

Melt chocolate coating in a glass bowl in the microwave, or in a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth.

Use a melon baller or small scoop to form balls of the chocolate cake mixture. Dip the balls in chocolate using a toothpick or fork to hold them. Place on waxed paper to set.

12/15/2014