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Holocaust survivor speaks at the Morrison Center.
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Boise State hosts a “Day on The Blue.”
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Bill Cosby brings laughs to the Morrison Center.
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April 7, 2014 • Issue no. 53 Volume 26
Boise, Idaho
First issue free
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ASBSU officials represent the voice of students Alx Stickel @AlxStickel
With student body election results announced March 20, students might want to know what they’ve gotten themselves into. Associated Students of Boise State University (ASBSU) represents—what they gather to be—the majority student voice to Boise State administration, the State Board of Education (SBOE) and the larger community, including the legislature. While the concealed weapon bill debate was in session,
president Bryan Vlok and vice president Cassie Sullivan spoke at hearings and rallies and to Governor Butch Otter’s assistants, saying students did not want guns on campus. The decision to present students as against allowing concealed carry weapons on campus came from an open forum with the Student Assembly and a poll ASBSU offered to students. “I’d say that our method of the assembly is as good as it gets to hearing all the groups’ voice on campus,” Sullivan said. “If we have time in the future and on other issues we
ASBSU
bring it to the assembly, we ask them to go and address their groups for their opinions then come back, but with this one (the concealed weapons bill), since we had to move forward with it immediately just because of the dates of the hearings, we just had to take it from their elected leaders and their opinions.” ASBSU’s consistent involvement in the gun bill debate shows that student voice can be heard in the larger community outside Boise State. With an 8 percent average voting percentage of the student body, student involvement
with ASBSU looks pretty low. If students don’t actively voice their concerns or thoughts to ASBSU, they are less likely to be heard. “In a way we’ve done what we can to get their feedback and if only 8 percent give us their feedback, that’s the feedback we’re going to go with,” Vlok said. ASBSU also sits in on SBOE meetings. Annually the SBOE votes on tuition increases, and ASBSU speaks on how students feel about tuition increases. If other topics concerning Boise State arise, ASBSU
can speak to those as well. Sullivan said representing the student population is not an opportunity every student gets, but it’s one “any student can do.” “It’s just knowing where to go and through networking with people to figure out how,” Sullivan said. “We’ve figured that out now, so it’s definitely going to be useful in the future for any issue. We can be more involved now up front, and have the connections already built because of the work we did with this.”
Sullivan said she feels ASBSU’s representation has changed over the years. Sullivan said ASBSU now has a strong network with the community that will be beneficial for the next elected student body leaders. “I think it’s positively showed the community that we’re active in what we do. We’re not just here planning student events,” Sullivan said. “We’re also doing everything we can so student voices are heard if there is something that influences them.”
Representation future initiatives: 1. Get a voting student member in the SBOE meetings (and have their vote count) 2. Continue the Idaho Student Association in creating unified Idaho university student voice with a specific polling procedure 3. Involve more students in voicing their feelings on issues and present a stronger, more comprehensive student voice to univer sity higher-ups, the SBOE and legislature members 4. Have more community outreach by connecting businesses and the larger community with Boise State page Design Jovi Ramirez/THE ARBITER
Be prepared for the bloodbath that is getting into every class ever Kelsey Jacobs Staff Writer
It’s that time of the year again: class pickin’ time. With so many options, many students worry about things like choosing the wrong class and picking the hardest or meanest teacher. Luckily, there are some ways to ensure success when registering for next semester. The first step to lessening the stress that goes along with class selection
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is to make an appointment with an advisor. While it may seem obvious, many students neglect this helpful tool. The advising office is full of well-trained people who can help students choose the courses that are right for them, and that will help them stay on track for graduation. One of these advisors, Rick Moore offered up some helpful tips. To view a list of classes that are required within a
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selected major, log onto Student Center. There is a drop down bar on the page labeled “other academic…”. Click that and choose “Academic Requirements.” Once the list is opened, it will show which requirements have been fulfilled, and which ones have not. Many students have been using Ratemyprofessor. For those who haven’t heard of it, it’s a website that allows students to rate their teachers based
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on overall quality, helpfulness, clarity, easiness, and, yes, hotness. This makes the decision of which professor to take a little bit easier. When it comes time to fulfill some elective credits, take a University foundations class. University foundation classes range from a variety of different topics that are supposed to help improve study skills as well as some life skills. These classes are generally very easy and a lot of them
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classes. The KIN ACT classes are exercise based classes. There are classes like yoga, tennis, snowboarding and much more. They are a perfect way to get out and have fun while still earning credits. Picking classes is important to the college experience, so don’t lame out and not do research, because it goes a long way. Good luck!
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It’s time to sign up for classses
are three credit classes. “I love the university classes. They are a nice buffer class to have so that I maintain my credit count but still manage all the work I have to do,” said Kristina Souto-Maior, a junior business major. “I’ve learned a lot about different ways to study and manage my time. The classes really are helpful.” Other buffer classes may include the KIN ACT
I’ve learned a lot about different ways to study and manage my time. The classes really are helpful pg 7
—Kristina Souto-Maior
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