The Arbiter 9.9.21 Vol. 34 Issue 2

September 9, 2021

Vol. 34, Issue 2

I N D E P E N D E N T

S T U D E N T V O I C E

O F

B O I S E

S TAT E

S I N C E

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BACK ON THE BLUE SETTING THE STANDARD FOR THE SEASON

NEWS

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Vaccine boosters will be available Sept. 20, pending FDA and CDC approval for public distribution.

VISIT US ONLINE:

OPINION

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As campus COVID rates reach alltime high, masks are more important than ever to stop the spread. arbiteronline.com

CULTURE

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The Stein Luminary offers a unique interactive art experience to students and community members. @arbiteronline

SPORTS & REC

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Women’s soccer goes undefeated (5-0), earning the longest shutout streak in program history.

@arbiteronline

@arbiteronline

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Editor-In-Chief Blake Hunter editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu Online Editor Ashley L. Clark onlineeditor@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Editor Andrea Teres - Martinez news@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Reporter Fenix Dietz news@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Editor Amanda Niess culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Reporter Julianne Gee culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports & Rec Editor Lexi Almeido sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports & Rec Reporter Adam Bridges sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Opinion Editor Paige Wirta opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu Copy Editor Kelby Andrew copy@stumedia.boisestate.edu Social Media Coordinator Becky Wilson Digital Content Manager Claire Keener digitalcontent@stumedia.boisestate.edu Digital Content Producer Corissa Campbell Graphic Design Manager Sasha White design@stumedia.boisestate.edu Graphic Designer Cassie McGarty Illustrator Alieha Dryden Distributed every few weeks during the academic school year and online daily, The Arbiter is the official independent student newspaper of Boise State University, 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 a piece at The Arbiter offices.

The Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic returned to Ann Morrison Park after being cancelled in 2020.

ON THE COVER:

The Boise State football team prepares for their first home game, after losing to the University of Central Florida (UCF) on Sept. 2. As the Broncos enter a new era under Head Coach Andy Avalos and Athletic Director Jeramiah Dickey, the team remains confident in the talent they have this season.

HOW TO REACH US: CONTACT US: editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu 208.426.6302 PHYSICAL LOCATION: Located on first floor of Lincoln Avenue Garage Suites

MISSION:

As a student-run organization, we produce accurate and hyper-local information through non-par tisan and socially responsible media.

MAILING ADDRESS: Student Media MS 1340 1910 W Universit y Dr. Boise, ID 83725 -1340

Claire Keener | The Arbiter

ADULTING IS HARD ICCU MAKES IT EASIER WITH $150 Life comes at you pretty fast in college. ICCU proudly supports Boise State University by offering a wide range of services to help you make managing your money easier. Plus, we’ll give you $150 when you open a new membership with checking.* + Online and Mobile Banking + Apple Pay®, Samsung Pay®, and Android Pay® + Totally Free Checking + Low-Rate VISA Cards + Auto Loans, and more

Apply online at iccu.com/BackToSchool with promo code BACKTOSCHOOL150 *To receive $150 you must be a new member and open a checking account with a $100 minimum balance and have eBranch, eStatements, and a Debit Card. $150 to be deposited at time of signing up for eBranch, eStatements, and Debit Card in conjunction with membership and checking account. Membership required, based on eligibility. Membership at ICCU requires a Share Savings Account with minimum opening deposit of $25 and a one-time $5 membership fee. Account must remain open for minimum of six months from reward date or $150 will be debited from account at closing. Must be 18 years of age or older. Limit one reward per person, per household. Offer expires 10/31/21.

WE BELIEVE in the home team.

NEWS

September 9, 2021 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

POSSIBLE CAMPUS CLOSURES LOOM WITH RISING DELTA CASES

New weekly COVID-19 infections have reached an all-pandemic high in the campus community Ashley L. Clark & Blake Hunter | Editorial Staf f | editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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ising COVID-19 infections in the Boise State community and in the local area have complicated the return to pre-pandemic campus operations.

In the second week of the fall semester, Boise State set an all-time high of 127 new COVID-19 infections in one week, topping last year’s high set in November.

By comparison, during the second week of the 2020 fall semester, there were a total of 32 cases on campus. This week’s count is nearly four times that number.

The Public Health Office updated the campus COVID dashboard with case numbers for the week of Aug. 27 to Sept.

2 on the morning of Friday, Sept. 3.

Top university administrators, including President Marlene Tromp, sent a campus-wide email two days prior to the dashboard update.

“If campus infection rates continue to increase, we likely will face temporary, rolling closures,” the email said, “which may mean shifting face-to-face classes online or to hybrid mode, suspending or cutting back some campus-based services, delaying or canceling large gatherings, performances and athletic events and temporarily returning to remote work.”

In the email, President Tromp referenced concerns expressed by Gov. Brad Little, including Idaho’s ICU bed shortage, the governor’s request for assistance from the National Guard, the increasing number of local and campuswide COVID cases and the limited amount of health care resources available.

“This is cause for serious concern, as bed shortages not only impact COVID patients, but other people with serious health conditions, including heart attacks, accidents and other non-COVID

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Just three weeks into the fall 2021 semester, community spread of COVID-19 is so rampant and local hospitals are in such crisis from a surplus of unvaccinated COVID-19 patients that the university may temporarily close.

Claire Keener | The Arbiter related illnesses,” the email stated.

As of Sept. 7, two health districts in northern Idaho began implementing crisis standards of care, rationing health care resources based on which patients are deemed most likely to survive.

“Crisis standards of care is a last resort,” said Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) Director Dave Jeppesen. “It means we have exhausted our resources to the point that our healthcare systems are unable to provide the treatment and care we expect.”

At Boise State, the latest COVID dashboard breakdown is as follows: nine faculty and staff cases, 42 residential student cases and 76 off-campus student cases.

There are a total of 39 occupied isola-

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tion beds for quarantining students, out of 88 available. The dashboard includes test results, which show that the campus community had an 8.4% positivity rate.

The on-campus student resident case count is the second highest of the pandemic behind the week of Oct. 1, 2020.

The off-campus student resident case count is also the second highest on record, behind the week of Nov. 19, 2020.

The combined faculty and staff count is a slight increase over the last two weeks, but is far from its peak last fall.

Tromp’s public health update email also encouraged students to get vaccinated, as it is the safest way to protect against the COVID-19 virus.

The Boise State Vaccine Clinic,

located in Room 106A in the Campus School Building, is open for walk-in and scheduled vaccinations Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In addition to vaccination, the Office of the President also encouraged students to continue to wear facial coverings indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces.

Boise State’s COVID Testing Center, also located in the Campus School Building, Rooms 107 and 109, is open Monday through Friday, and on weekends for students experiencing symptoms.

“We are counting on you to do your part to keep our campus safe, healthy and open and to ensure that those who are seriously ill can get the care they need when they need it,” the office said.

NEWS

UF 200 BEGINS NEW SEMESTER AFTER SPRING POLITICAL CONTROVERSY

The required ethics course was suspended in March, then moved remote during a public investigation Andrea Teres- Mar tinez | News Editor | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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niversity Foundations (UF) 200 courses have been reinstated for the fall semester. Boise State University ended the suspension of the mandatory ethics course after an investigation led by an independent law firm revealed claims of student mistreatment to be false.

Two months after rumors surfaced about a video of a student being publicly degraded for their beliefs in a UF 200 class, a third-party law firm by the name of Hawley Troxell led an independent investigation into the alleged claims.

Dr. Matt Recla, interim associate director of University Foundations, emphasized the university’s intention to take the complaint seriously and hire an outside firm to assess the situation.

“It was deemed, in this case, that it was important not to make it seem like we did an in-house investigation and said ‘oh everything’s fine,’” Recla said. “So for us, the fact that it was a neutral party [and a] well-respected law firm in town — that was satisfactory.”

The investigation extended past the end of the spring 2021 semester, forcing the course to adopt a purely online format once the suspension was removed less than a week later.

“It wasn’t a decided thing that the course would not return in person. It was extended as long as it needed to be for the investigation to be completed,” Recla said.

“Because the alleged complaint [would have been] serious if it were to have been true, it was best to minimize the sort of in-person interaction to give the investigation the most neutral ground.”

While the investigation put the initial discrimination allegations to rest, not everyone was satisfied with the university’s decision to bring UF 200 courses back.

The UF 200 controversy came amid the longest legislative session in the state’s history, largely because of attacks against

University Foundations (UF) courses came under fire and were briefly suspended in spring 2020.

Corissa Campbell | The Arbiter public education from far-right lawmakers that resulted in a $1.5 million budget cut to Boise State.

Despite this criticism, the response from students and faculty amidst the return of UF 200 courses has been notably positive, according to Recla.

“My impression is that, overwhelmingly, both the university supports the course, and students that take the course support the course,” Recla said.

When the suspension was first announced, many students reached out to the university voicing their disappointment and confusion.

According to Recla, many of the emails

from students contained protective statements about faculty and asked for the classes to be reinstated.

Angel Venegas, a junior majoring in political science, recalled the difficulty of completing the course while not having guidance from professors or administration during the suspension. “[The suspension] affected me in a big way, because it was halfway through a project we were doing in order to help refugees,” Venegas said. “Still, I think the university handled it well concerning the situation that we’re in.”

Even with UF 200 courses being brought back, the university remains

committed to defending the values of the course from more recent challenges, such as the passing of House Bill 377.

For Boise State, that means keeping information about the courses and the investigation open to the public.

“I feel like people know about [the accusations]. They know what happened, but they’re not fully informed about [the investigation findings],” Venegas said.

For more details about the investigation conducted by the Hawley Troxell law firm into UF 200 courses, the official “Hawley Troxell Boise State University Investigation Report” can be found online via theFIRE.org.

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NEWS

BSU VACCINE CLINIC TO GIVE COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOTS STARTING SEPT. 20

Vaccine experts recommend receiving third dose eight months after second Kelby Andrew | Copy Editor & Staf f Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Vaccine boosters are contingent upon FDA and CDC approval, but have already been administered to many immunocompromised individuals.

Photo courtesy of Frank Merino

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eginning the week of Sept.

20, the Biden Administration plans to roll out booster shots for all vaccinated Americans, as announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Aug. 18.

The Boise State Vaccination Clinic plans to follow suit.

Jason Carter, who manages the vaccine clinic, said that the clinic already provides COVID-19 booster shots to those who are immunocompromised.

However, boosters will be available to the entire Boise State community, and the surrounding community, following approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and clinics nationwide are prepared to accept and administer those doses as soon as they are approved.

“That still hasn’t happened, which I’m certain it’s going to happen, but they’re

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going to take time and collect data and make sure it’s the right thing to do,” Carter said.

Once boosters become available, individuals must wait eight months after their last COVID-19 vaccination to receive an additional dose.

“That third dose recommendation came from the White House, which came from the Department of Health and Human Services, the HHS,” Carter said.

“The FDA actually has to approve that [recommendation], and then the CDC signs off on it.”

Although this next wave of vaccine distribution has yet to be approved by the FDA and CDC, Carter anticipates the Boise State Vaccination Clinic will receive more shipments of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines soon after the Sept. 20 goal set by the White House.

However, the clinic will not receive additional shipments of the Janssen vaccine, made by Johnson & Johnson, during the

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September rollout.

Boosters for the Janssen vaccine, which have shown promising results during medical trials, will be sent to the clinic once approved by the FDA. In an Aug. 25 statement released by Johnson & Johnson, it was reported that “a booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine further increases antibody responses among study participants who had previously received [the Janssen] vaccine.”

Despite the initial obstacles facing the distribution of a Janssen booster, Carter said that the Boise State Vaccination Clinic will eventually provide them once they gain FDA approval.

With this anticipation of vaccine shipments, Carter entertained the idea of hosting another mass vaccination clinic event, similar to the vaccination event hosted at ExtraMile Arena on April 3.

“We did like 771 [vaccinations] that day in four hours, so that means we could easily do 1500 in about eight hours,” Carter said. “It’s very likely that if we can get a large amount of doses for boosters, we can probably do another event like that — more mass vaccine clinics.”

“Health advisors say that a booster is going to boost your antibodies by five times the amount. This is what you need to prevent [getting sick].”

- Jason Carter, vaccine clinic and isolation space manager

For now, Janssen recipients are encouraged to wait for further information and avoid getting Pfizer or Moderna boosters, as the vaccine clinic can only administer

booster shots matching an individual’s initial vaccination.

With the delta variant continuing to spread throughout the state of Idaho, Carter — who also oversees the isolation space in Jade Hall — strongly encourages vaccinated students to receive boosters once they become eligible.

According to Carter, five breakthrough cases were reported in August, though that number could potentially be higher than the Public Health Office knows.

“Health advisors say that a booster shot is going to boost your antibodies by five times the amount,” Carter said. “This is what you need to prevent [getting sick].”

With rising coronavirus cases on campus, Carter also advises unvaccinated students to get their vaccines.

The university initially decreased its number of isolation beds from 115 to 66, but due to the rapid infection rates associated with the delta variant, there was concern that the isolation space could quickly reach maximum capacity.

“I think the most we had in isolation at any given point last year was 45. I have 14 today [Aug. 30] in isolation, and I had 16 over the weekend,” Carter said.

On Aug. 31, Jade Hall increased its number of isolation beds to 88 in preparation for an influx of COVID-positive students due to move-in. The newest update to Boise State’s COVID-19 Tracking Dashboard reported a total of 39 students occupying the isolation space as of Sept.

2, which marks a 25-person increase within three days.

“The viral loads for the delta variant — it’s like 1000 times higher than what they were with the original strain,” Carter said. “So, as long as people [aren’t getting] their vaccines and there’s vaccine hesitancy, [COVID-19 is] going to keep mutating and maybe mutate into something where the vaccine really doesn’t help out as much. That’s why it’s important to get your vaccine.”

NEWS

CAMPUS FOOD PANTRY AND COMMUNITY GARDEN CONTINUE COLLABORATION

Student-led initiatives address community issues like food insecurity and sustainable development Fenix Dietz | News Repor ter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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ith sustainability and food insecurity continuing to be some of the top issues on many college students’ minds, two locations and organizations based on campus provide the means for the Boise State community to get involved and help their fellow students.

In response to growing need, the Campus Food Pantry and the Sustainability Club’s Community Garden have gained new additions over the summer and have plans for the year ahead.

The Campus Food Pantry was able to receive a new fridge, now allowing for cold products such as milk, butter, half-and-half and other products to be donated for distribution.

According to Emily Hester, the Campus Food Pantry’s operations and sustainability coordinator, the pantry’s team has also expanded this year. “[We have] added two new food pantry specialists to our team and hired a basic needs case manager, Michelle Cain, to help support our students and advocate for their futures,” Hester said.

Hester believes that these additions will allow the Campus Food Pantry to better support the needs and wants of the

The Campus Food Pantry in the Campus School Building was recently updated to include a refrigerator for perishable items.

Corissa Campbell | The Arbiter

“School is already hard enough as it is and not having food to eat should never be an issue. There is a stigma around food insecurity and help [but] that shouldn’t stop you from taking care of yourself.”

- Tess Dennis, sophomore arts education major

student body.

Looking ahead, Hester outlined three goals that the pantry team has for the coming year, including solidifying the ordering of hygiene and food products, providing more ways to involve students in the battle against food insecurity and ensuring that the basic needs of students are being met.

Tess Dennis, a sophomore arts education major, appreciates the work the food pantry has done so far.

“School is already hard enough as it is and not having food to eat should never be an issue,” Dennis said. “There is a stigma around food insecurity and help [but] that shouldn’t stop you from taking care of yourself.”

The Campus Food Pantry is also working to continue its partnership with another growing part of campus, the

Community Garden, which is run by the Sustainability Club.

Kalli Proffitt, a fifth year biology major, is the community garden manager and president of the Sustainability Club. Proffitt described the relationship between the Campus Food Pantry and the Sustainability Club as a “nutrient recycling process.”

“We would grow vegetables, herbs and fruits in the garden. Donating fresh and local food to the students, and community. We would then take any organic food waste, such as the potatoes and bread,” Proffitt explained. “Our worms could not handle the quantity of compost donated from students, that’s why a partnership with the food pantry would be a maintainable level.”

Independently, the Sustainability Club is seeking to expand their student mem-

bership while also making new additions to the Community Garden.

“The big goal is creating a foundation for people to use the area and connect to sustainable practices,” Proffitt said.

In the short term, the Sustainability Club is currently working on the fall restoration process for the garden and encouraging new students to get involved by the spring.

“I realized that because of COVID, because we are still living in COVID, people really need social interactions,” Proffitt explained.

The Campus Food Pantry is located in Room 103 of the Campus School Building, and is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Sustainability Club’s Community Garden is located at 1415 Juanita St. just across the street from “The B” on campus.

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OPINION September 9, 2021 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

THE BOISE STATE COMMUNITY NEEDS TO MASK UP

As state and campus-wide infections peak, community members must protect themselves and others Paige Wir ta | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

If students want to continue attending in-person classes and events, we need to commit to wearing masks indoors, in public spaces and outside while in crowds.

Otherwise, we might face more than a few campus closures.

Claire Keener | The Arbiter

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few weeks ago, I was preparing for school under what I thought were the best circumstances possible for our current situation. After Boise State made the decision to reinstate a campus-wide mask mandate indoors and outside in crowded spaces, some of my trepidation eased into excitement for the coming year.

I had hoped that the Boise State community would all be working together to keep our campus open and as safe as possible, but the first two weeks of classes – and cases – proved otherwise.

After two weeks of returning to campus, Boise State’s COVID-19 dashboard reported a 127 increase in on-campus cases. 42 of those cases came from residential students - being a residential student, this was disconcerting.

An email sent out by Dr. Tromp on Sept. 1 warned of possible campus closures and the shifting of events and classes online, but I have a feeling this warning is

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much more of a prediction.

Even though we have been struggling to adapt to and deal with the COVID-19 pandemic for around 18 months now, I can’t help but notice that there are some people still not taking it seriously.

Sitting in front of the Micron Business and Economics Building (MBEB), I watched a campus tour of about 35 potential students and parents walk around without masks on at all.

The tour guide wasn’t wearing a mask, either. As they approached the MBEB, the tour leader said “we should probably put our masks on before going inside,” but there were several people that didn’t.

This proved to me that not only are people disregarding the facial covering requirements outside in crowded spaces, but people are ignoring the rules for mask-wearing inside, too.

According to Boise State’s COVID-19 Response webpage, the university “requires everyone – regardless of vaccina-

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tion status – to wear a facial covering when indoors on campus as well as in crowded outdoor spaces.”

Besides a few individuals, the majority of this 35-person group, definitely crowded together outside, no one was wearing a mask. The tour guide didn’t mention anything about putting on masks until they were entering a building, but even then they didn’t make sure that everyone in the group listened.

Walking around on campus, I often see multiple people entering and exiting buildings without masks on; I’ve seen this most often in the dorms I live in, something that leaves me unsettled when I think about the rapidly increasing cases among on-campus students.

Perhaps the most upsetting incident I’ve witnessed was when I joined a class Zoom meeting. This class rotates between in-person and virtual styles, but the professor told us that they’d be in our classroom even on days we are meeting online, allowing students who prefer in-person learning to show up even on scheduled Zoom days.

Through the professor’s Zoom audio, I overheard one student ask if they had to wear masks since less students were present. I expected a simple answer because the answer is yes – Boise State has made it incredibly clear that masks are required in public indoor spaces.

But to my horror, the professor responded with “no, as long as no one walks by.” The professor very briefly turned on their camera, and I was once again taken aback to see that they weren’t wearing a mask themself.

I can’t help but wonder what, if anything, Boise State is doing to enforce mask-wearing. The protocols set in place by the university itself won’t do any-

thing if faculty and staff stand by and watch others ignore said protocols.

Not only is there a lack of care on campus, but the threat off campus is just as overwhelming.

Everyday I receive another KTVB notification about our COVID-19 situation. Cases throughout the state are rising rapidly, not just on campus, and Idaho hospitals are more than overwhelmed. On Sept. 1, Gov. Brad Little called in the National Guard to begin assisting hospitals. Little described his recent visit to St. Luke’s ICU beds as “heartbreaking.” Hospitals in northern Idaho have begun rationing care, and other health districts may soon be faced with the same decision.

The reality is that we began loosening COVID-19 restrictions much too soon, and now we are paying for it with skyrocketing cases of the more infectious delta variant. If cases continue rising at their current rates, campus events won’t be the only shutdowns. I can’t help but worry that we’re heading back to where we started on March 13 when our lives changed drastically.

That isn’t to say we are without hope entirely. Vaccine rates in Idaho are rising, which hopefully means less people will contract COVID-19 or have a serious case. According to healthcare officials, getting vaccinated (and continuing to wear a mask) are the best ways to keep yourself and others safe.

If the Boise State community really wants to continue attending in-person classes and events, we need to commit to wearing masks indoors in public spaces and outside in crowds. Those who can get vaccinated should. Otherwise, we might be facing more than a few campus closures.

OPINION

LIVING ON CAMPUS CAN BE A GREAT EXPERIENCE WITH UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES

Residential students enjoy convenience and community living on Boise State campus Paige Wir ta | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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he choice of whether or not to live on campus is something that many college students have to consider at the beginning of each school year.

Beginning my junior year this fall, this choice was once again on my mind.

I chose to live on campus my first two years, and after discussing my options with my parents, I decided that spending another year in University Suites was the best choice for me.

Despite this decision being relatively easy for me, I know it can be more complicated for other people, especially first-year students.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also added another layer of complication on top of many other things students need to consider when choosing whether or not to live on campus.

It can be hard to make a decision like this without knowing what it’s actually like to live on campus. Whether you’re considering living in a more traditional dorm like Chaffee Hall or an apartment-style space like University Suites/ Square, there are a number of great aspects to living on campus.

“Though apartments nearby offer similar amenities, I think it’s hard to find a place that truly beats out my experience living on campus.”

- Paige Wirta, Opinion Editor

Possibly the most enjoyable thing about on campus housing is the convenience. Being only a short walk from classrooms in the Quad or a comfortable stroll to the Student Union Building (SUB) is really unbeatable, especially when considering how hard it can be to park on or near campus.

Students living on campus are only a short walk away from classes and other amenities.

Parking lots and garages are usually available for residential students depending on which dorm you live in. In University Suites/Square, we have two small lots near the buildings along with the fourth floor of Brady Garage.

When the lots are busy, the walk to and from the fourth floor of the parking garage can seem burdensome, but it’s truly not much of a hassle.

There is also a wonderful and irreplaceable social aspect that comes with living on campus.

There is an automatic sense of community between residential students at Boise State. Resident Assistants (RAs) and other housing staff often organize events for

communities to engage together.

My first-year RA hosted weekly tea parties for our floor, which was a great way to build community and initiate relationships with students and neighbors I otherwise wouldn’t have met.

The roommate system is another plus to living on campus. When room selection nears, a website for roommate matching opens up. Students can then fill out a questionnaire surrounding living habits and preferences.

Once finished, the system matches you with other students deemed compatible based on the questionnaire. This makes it easy for students to meet potential roommates, or similar to my case, it makes it easy to find and match with a

Claire Keener | The Arbiter

pre-planned roommate group.

Despite the number of positives for on-campus housing I have already mentioned, there are always downsides to wherever you live. So far this year, I’ve had a few issues pop up in my dorm.

Our AC and washer/dryer unit both broke for a few days after moving in.

However, maintenance staff has been understanding and helpful in solving these issues. Out of my two prior years living on campus, this has been the first issue where we have needed to put in maintenance requests.

Though apartments near campus may offer similar amenities, I think it’s hard to find a place that truly beats out my experience living on campus.

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BRONCOS BRING BACK GAME DAY Lexi Almeido | Sports & Rec Editor | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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ith their first game against the University of Central Florida (UCF) of Sept. 2 ending in a surprising loss, the Boise State football team is shifting momentum and putting their focus towards the rest of the 2021 season.

Andy Avalos was announced as the new head coach for the Broncos on Jan. 9 after former Head Coach Bryan Harsin finalized a deal with the University of Auburn and decided to leave Boise State.

As a former linebacker and defensive coordinator for the Broncos, Avalos decided to return to his roots in the City of Trees. Before being hired as the head coach, he was a defensive coordinator for the University of Oregon Ducks.

During the game against UCF on Thursday, Sept. 2, in which the Knights defeated the Broncos 36-31, Avalos made his head coaching debut in the Bounce House in Orlando, Fla. Despite their loss, Avalos says he is still excited for the talent they have this season.

“How we adjust and make sure guys understand how to play those situations, we’ll do a much better job [as coaches] because we got some talented guys, we got a good team and we can grow from this,” Avalos said.

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Starting from the beginning of the 2021 year, the Broncos have set the standard for how they want their season to go. Despite their first loss, the program continues to show excitement and drive as they build toward what comes next.

Rebuilding for the new season Months prior to Bryan Harsin accepting the position at Auburn University, former Athletic Director Curt Apsey decided to step down from his position and transition into a university-level fundraising position.

On Jan. 2, just six days before the new head football coach hire, Jeramiah Dickey was announced as Apsey’s replacement for Boise State Athletics.

Since being hired, Dickey has developed his goals and plans to improve upon the foundation of Boise State Athletics.

This included hiring new coaching staff, announcing alcohol sales within Albertsons Stadium, launching a new Bronco Sports app for students and fans and attempting to improve athletic facilities across campus.

“I am excited and humbled by the opportunity to lead Bronco Athletics,” said Dickey in a press release on Jan. 3.

“There is no question the Boise State

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national brand resonates at the highest levels in college athletics. The successes surrounding all of Bronco Athletics are well known.”

Leading up to the first game of the season, Dickey posted a photo on Twitter of him on a private jet and a Boise State football helmet on July 23.

“If you don’t ‘ask,’ you don’t ‘get.’

Whatever we don’t have, we will go out and find! Control what we can control Bronco Nation!” Dickey said in the tweet.

Since Dickey and Avalos’ hirings, the Broncos have introduced new members to the coaching staff as well. Avalos added Offensive Coordinator Tim Plough, as well as Defensive Coordinator Spencer Danielson, to his coaching staff. From that point, all other coaching prospects fell into place.

Boise State football hosted their annual spring game on April 10, where fans got a glimpse of the team and possible outcomes of the fall season.

During the game, the defense stole the

“There is no question the Boise State national brand resonates at the highest levels in college athletics.”

- Jeramiah Dickey, athletic director

show with a win over the offense 45-23.

Although the offense struggled with penalties, the defense showed promise for the upcoming season.

Spreading out the offense Before the season began, there was talk around quarterbacks Hank Bachmeier and Jack Sears, and which student-athlete would receive the starting position.

On Aug. 20, Avalos announced that junior quarterback Bachmeier would be receiving the starting position for the first game against UCF, a position he was given at the start of the 2020 season as well.

During the game in Orlando, Florida, Bachmeier passed for a total of 263 yards compared to UCF’s Dillon Gabriel, who passed for 318 yards. The Broncos lacked the ability to execute and run the ball effectively, which called for a loss of yards according to Plough.

Bachmeier completed his first nine passes to nine different receivers. Plough said that once the offense is flowing, that’s what the offense is expected to look like for the rest of the season.

“That’s really what it’s supposed to be, it’s supposed to be spreading the ball around,” Plough said. “Getting the ball to different guys in different spots and

Photos by Mackenzie Hudson | Graphics by Cassie McGarty and Sasha White | The Arbiter

everyone getting involved in the offense.”

Key players during this game and potentially the rest of the season include wide receivers Khalil Shakir, Stefan Cobbs and Octavius Evans. Running backs Andrew Van Buren and Cyrus Habibi-Likio also had promising starts to their seasons in the loss against the Knights.

Taking control on defense Just a few minutes into the Boise State vs. UCF game, redshirt junior cornerback Tyric LeBeauf picked off an interception to score a 100-yard touchdown for the Broncos’ first score of the season.

Coach Avalos said that this play was huge for the defense and gave the team a momentum boost that was needed during several points throughout the game.

Key plays during the game included two sacks for edge Isaiah Bagnah, 13 total tackles for safety JL Skinner and 11 total tackles for linebacker Riley Whimpey.

“As a defense we always talk about pressuring and confusing the quarterback,” Whimpey said in a press conference prior to their first game. “So if we can get the dashboard in this face, make him get off balance while he’s throwing, I think it’s going to be a huge part.”

What’s Next?

The Broncos will be taking on the Miners from the University of Texas El Paso on Friday, Sept. 10 at Albertsons Stadium. Coach Avalos will get his shot at coaching on The Blue and a chance for the Broncos to bring home a win.

According to a press release Boise State is expected to have a full crowd for the home opener. This will be the first time the Broncos will experience a full Albertsons Stadium since the 2019 Mountain West Championship Game against Hawaii on Dec. 7, almost two years ago.

This season, Boise State Athletics is implementing a new experience for Bronco fans. ‘Blue Chaos’ is the term used to describe the electrifying noise from the crowd inside Albertsons Stadium on game day. This noise will serve as a distraction to the opposing team in order to force false starts on offense.

“From 2018-2019, Bronco Nation contributed to an environment that produced 44 false starts by opposing teams from 2018-19,” the press release stated. “That mark was the highest total of any stadium in the country, as were Bronco opponents’ 3.14 false starts per game.”

OKLAHOMA STATE SEPT 25 @ UTAH STATE OCT 2 VS. NEVADA OCT 9 @ BYU OCT 16 VS. AIR FORCE OCT 30 @ COLORADO STATE NOV 6 @ FRESNO STATE NOV 12 VS. WYOMING NOV 26 @ SAN DIEGO STATE SEPT 18 VS.

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September 9, 2021 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

STUDENTS EXPERIENCE FILM OR TV PRODUCTION IN GROWING PROGRAM

As the Narrative Television Initiative’s 3rd season goes into post-production phase, the program prepares for more growth

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Julianne Gee | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

ith the success of the Theatre, Film and Creative Writing department’s Narrative Television Initiative (NTVI), Boise State seems to be on its way to be the next film hub.

In 2016, the film department created the Narrative Television Initiative, a program for film and creative writing students to collaborate with professionals and faculty on a full professional-grade film or TV production.

With two finished productions and a third in post-production, NTVI has a history of success. The initiative is one of the fastest-growing programs on campus and is expected to continue to expand into the coming years.

Dr. Richard Klautsch, department chair of the Film, Theatre and Creative Writing department, has been involved both as a faculty member and an actor in the productions.

“It’s faculty involvement. It’s student involvement. Staff [is] involved. [We] see a lot of crossover now between all three of our programs,” Klautsch said. “This is the largest and most high-profile collaboration that we have between the three programs and we hope to continue it.”

So far, the Narrative Television Initiative has completed two projects: “And Beyond”

“This is the largest and most high-profile collaboration that we have between the three programs and we hope to continue it.”

- Dr. Richard Klautsch, Dept. Chair, Film, Theatre and Creative Writing

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Writer Di Bei wrote the current season of the NTVI, called “The Chinese Tourist.” and “Lucky Us,” both of which premiered at the Egyptian Theatre in downtown Boise. Although both projects are currently unavailable for public streaming, the department would like to make them available in the future.

The current project, “The Chinese Tourist”, is in post-production.

Di Bei, the creator and major writer of this season gave a description of the film’s synopsis in an Instagram post. “‘The Chinese Tourist’ is a comedy-drama feature film of Jade, a rebellious Chinese girl whose American education is sponsored by her rich and toxic Chinese boyfriend,” Bei wrote. “Living at a birth tourism house in Idaho, Jade decides to leave the world she comes from, only to find herself cornered into a green card marriage to a white college student with an Asian fetish.”

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“The Chinese Tourist” is set to premiere in March 2022, according to Rulon Wood, a film faculty who currently instructs the post-production class.

Right now, both Dr. Richard Klautsch and Rulon Wood would like to see the program grow beyond its current rate.

Klaustch said he’d like to see a new production start every fall, and Wood similarly expressed that he would like to see a production done every year.

And with the kind of growth the film department is having, that dream is looking like a very real possibility.

According to an article released by Boise State, the film program is one of the fastest-growing programs on campus.

Klaustch said the department’s expectations were blown out of the water by the growth.

He expected approximately 50 students in

Photo courtesy of Andrea Carrizales the program once it formed. The program now has over 100 students, and the number continues to climb.

Wood also mentioned how he would like to see collaboration go beyond the Film, Theatre and Creative Writing department.

Wood would like to see more professionals and community partners.

“I want it to be even more collaborative. I want to see even more industry professionals,” Wood said, “My personal dream ... is to maybe sell these projects.”

Students can get involved with the Narrative Television Initiative by taking one of the four three production classes: FILM 401, FILM 402, FILM 403 and FILM 404. There is an application process for the classes, but everyone is welcome, regardless of major.

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INTRODUCING PHI MU AND BETA THETA PI TO BOISE STATE GREEK LIFE

The newest additions to the sorority and fraternity communities are recruiting this fall, albeit on a different schedule Amanda Niess | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Sorority Phi Mu is holding recruitment from Sept. 13 to Sept. 24, and Beta Theta Pi’s will run from Sept. 13 to Oct. 10.

Photo courtesy of Beta Theta Pi

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oise State University’s Greek life will be seeing two new additions this fall. Phi Mu is joining the chapter community as a new sorority this year, and Beta Theta Pi will be joining as a new fraternity, just in time for rush season.

Boise State’s fall 2021 Panhellenic Recruitment was over Labor Day weekend, from Sept. 3 through Sept. 6, but both Phi Mu and Beta Theta Pi are making exceptions for those who are looking for new opportunities to get involved.

Instead of starting their recruitment process with the rest of the chapters, Phi Mu’s recruitment process will follow a week after, beginning Sept. 13 and ending on Sept. 24.

Likewise, Beta Theta Pi’s recruitment process

will begin on Sept. 13 and go until Oct. 10.

Assistant Director of Extension and Enrichment for Phi Mu, Coley Nelson, is in charge of finding new universities for the Phi Mu chapter to become involved with.

“We want students to feel connected to each other within the chapter, but also to have that translate into an experience that complements their Boise State experience,” Nelson said. “We understand students are students first [...] so we don’t expect members to make it their only experience at Boise State, but something that complements what’s already happening.”

According to Nelson, this will be the organization’s first collegiate chapter in the state of Idaho.

Phi Mu prides itself on its values.

“Love, honor and truth are our guiding

values as an organization and they show up a lot in our programming,” Nelson said.

Similar to the chapter additions, Nick Poling is also new to campus, working as the Fraternity and Sorority Life Coordinator in the Student Involvement and Leadership Center (SILC). Poling has taken on the role of supporting both Phi Mu and Beta Theta Pi through this introductory journey. He has also worked to get them acclimated to the preexisting chapters on campus.

Adding new chapters to campus will not only create new leadership positions for students but will also break up the Greek life population that currently exists on campus.

Poling emphasized this vision to expand in a positive way and hopes that both Phi Mu and Beta Theta Pi will satisfy this need.

“The need for expanding chapters becomes

apparent anytime a community keeps growing because chapter sizes can get unmanageable,” Poling said.

Beta Theta Pi was expected to join Boise State last year, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this addition was pushed back to fall 2021.

Colony Development Coordinator, Patrick Osner, has been working with the new fraternity to prepare for bid day in the fall.

“Our mission is developing men of principle for a principled life,” Osner said. “We always pride ourselves on tying everything back to following our principles and leaving that in our day-to-day.”

Osner is in charge of recruiting the founding father class for Beta Theta Pi and will be teaching these individuals the basics of the fraternity.

“This is another opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who share the same values,” Osner said. “Starting a new fraternity is a lot different than joining one that is up and running. They are building that bridge, not only for themselves, but they are setting up the path for future students and future [members].”

Nick Poling sees the bigger picture of what each fraternity and sorority contributes to the Boise State community. Aside from separating the herd of newcomers, these two chapters will serve as an outlet for leaders, new friendships and new opportunities.

“The chapters all have these unique, great attributes here,” Poling said. “They’re all different, and that is part of what makes a community, a community.”

Phi Mu has partnered with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals for their philanthropy. Beta Theta Pi’s philanthropy has yet to be determined, but will be chosen by its founding class.

To learn more about the recruitment dates and the individual chapters, visit Boise State’s Student Involvement Page.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

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NEW TO CAMPUS: AN INTERACTIVE, 87-FOOT TOUCHSCREEN FOR ART

Boise State introduces the Keith and Catherine Stein Luminary at the Center for Visual Arts building Amanda Niess & Julianne Gee | Culture Staff | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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oise State University welcomed the Keith and Catherine Stein Luminary to campus in the Center for Visual Arts Building just in time for the fall 2021 semester.

The Stein Luminary is an immersive, fully digital art gallery with high resolution images of art from around the world that can be moved and zoomed in on. This level of interactivity is accomplished with the 87-foot digital touch-activated glass walls.

“It gives people an opportunity to view things they wouldn’t be able to otherwise,” said Cassidy Gilman, a visual arts major and former intern for the Stein Luminary.

“You could find a painting that’s in a famous museum that you wouldn’t normally be able to see and then blow it up and see it in all its details.”

Lisa Hunt is one of the masterminds behind the creation of the Stein Luminary.

Hunt serves as the interim director of the Keith and Catherine Stein Luminary and

visiting assistant professor in Boise State’s School of the Arts.

“The initial vision was to bring art from around the world, to students and young people in Idaho,” Hunt said.

Hunt and her colleagues hope to open the minds of students and young people in the community with this exhibit. The pandemic caused many businesses, including museums, to shut down which led a variety of digital alternatives to surface.

“Museums started to release images of their artworks out of their collections with copyright clearance and with high resolution,” Hunt said. “The timing was perfect to create software that would allow us to take advantage of that data.”

According to the Stein Luminary’s vision, the exhibit aims to “illuminate perspectives, transform perceptions and spark imagination.” With that, Hunt aims to connect the students to Boise State’s campus and the art that the community

The Stein Luminary allows users to view and interact with art from around the world.

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has to offer.

The Stein Luminary is more than just an intercampus connection, however. It has art from all corners of the world that visitors can interact with, up close and personally.

“I think for the state and for our community, and for our university community especially, we want to broaden your horizons, but the way we put it is to illuminate perspectives,” Hunt said. “We want you to learn about places outside of our state and also to think in new ways about places inside our beautiful state.”

These connections go even farther than the places and cultural perspectives being presented. Aside from the interactive art exhibited in the Stein Luminary, the space can also be used to exhibit other artistic features.

Connor Hopkins, a current work-study intern and illustration major, mentioned an event that blended art and music. The Boise Philharmonic collaborated with art students and students in the Gaming,

Interactive and Mobile Media program to create a “See the Music” event. The event can be watched on the Boise Philharmonic digital stage.

“The entire space is extremely versatile beyond presenting objects. People come in and play music in it, and artists would create things on the screen that would react to the music,” Hopkins said. “The digital nature of the space creates the potential for all kinds of collaborative projects.”

Currently, the Stein Luminary is only open to campus groups, university classes and faculty consultations by appointment.

Open-house hours will be posted when conditions permit. A grand opening is planned for January 2022.

For more information visit their website at www.boisestate.edu/luminary or email luminary@boisestate.edu.

Claire Keener | The Arbiter

UNDERSTANDING PRONOUNS 101

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GREEN THINGS: WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY

Using pronouns properly should be expected

Understanding sustainability and why it is important

Paige Wirta | Opinion Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Ashley L. Clark | Online Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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he beginning of a new semester introduces a lot of new information to students and faculty alike. A recurring discussion that often comes up has to do with pronouns; though new to some, it has become more common to introduce oneself with one’s pronouns.

Some people mistakenly assume that pronouns only apply to transgender people, but this isn’t the case. Cisgender people use pronouns everyday; any time you refer to someone saying “he” or “she,” you are using pronouns for them.

The first thing one needs to understand is that pronouns do not always equal gender. Someone appearing more masculine or feminine doesn’t determine their gender or their pronouns, and assuming someone’s pronouns can be harmful.

Misgendering someone can be damaging to their mental health. Using someone’s pronouns correctly is pertinent, so putting in the effort to learn is incredibly important. To combat misgendering, use gender-neutral pronouns like they/them for someone you don’t know until you’re corrected or told what their pronouns are.

Some may not understand how to use they/them pronouns and others believe that they aren’t grammatically correct.

“They” and “them” are often viewed as plural. However, the pronouns they, them, theirs and themself can be used to describe

Claire Keener | The Arbiter

an individual person.

The Merriam-Webster definition of ‘they’ includes “used to refer to a single person whose gender identity is nonbinary.”

While not everyone who uses they/them pronouns is nonbinary, and not all nonbinary people use they/them pronouns, it’s important to understand that these pronouns can be used for a singular person.

Using they/them pronouns for someone is just as easy as any other pronouns.

For example, “They went shopping. I like

“While misgendering can lead to harmful situations, properly using pronouns can create safe, positive spaces instead.”

- Paige Wirta, Opinion Editor

them. Their shoes are cool.”

Some people may use multiple pronouns, such as she/they or he/they.

Further, some individuals may use any or all pronouns. Typically, those who use multiple pronouns prefer their pronouns to be used interchangeably, but everyone has their own preferences.

If someone uses he and they pronouns, they may want them used like this: “He went to the store, they will be back shortly.”

Though it may be a new concept to some, it’s important to learn how to properly use people’s pronouns, even if one doesn’t understand it entirely. While misgendering can lead to harmful situations, properly using pronouns can create safe, positive spaces instead.

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Photo by Claire Keener; Graphic by Ashley L. Clark | The Arbiter

CLA defines sustainability as “the balance between the environment, equity and economy.”

Understanding the concept of sustainability and how it applies to us as individuals, community members and generational inhabitants of our ecosystem is essential to the longevity of life as we know it.

For those who are not familiar with this definition, it is important to note that “sustainability” is not just in reference to environmental science and action.

In order to achieve true sustainability, social equity and economic principles must also be applied.

While environmentalists like myself might prefer to prioritize the health of our ecosystems above all else, sustainability recognizes that this is not always possible within our current cultural society, governmental legislation and global economy.

Sustainability aims to equally balance all three of these aspects in order to maximize good and minimize harm within local and international systems.

This means considering fiscal feasibility, environmental impact and social significance of any proposed change to an already established system.

Most governmental, economic and production-based systems put into place since

the Industrial Revolution have generally been in the interest of fast-paced progress versus long-term utility.

Large industries, like fossil fuels, food production, infrastructure and more, were originally developed to increase convenience and accessibility.

However, many tactics originally used to achieve this have proven to have detrimental impacts on the environment. In short, many of these systems are not sustainable.

Many resources that we depend on for our daily lives are not renewable. Fossil fuels, for example, are estimated to have 47 years until depletion.

The climate crisis is quickly approaching and extreme weather events, like flooding and fires, continue to threaten our infrastructure and agriculture.

While addressing these large-scale issues feels like a huge undertaking, there are small things that we can all do to help save the planet one step at a time.

Continuing to educate yourself about sustainability and sustainable practices should be your main takeaway.

This column will be focusing on all sustainability-related organizations and opportunities on Boise State campus, as well as analyze some local environmental topics.

Stay tuned to learn more and get involved with sustainable efforts on campus!

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SPORTS & REC September 9, 2021 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

BOISE STATE WOMEN’S SOCCER GOES UNDEFEATED IN FIRST FIVE MATCHES

The Broncos have left all five opponents scoreless, and players credit some of their success to team chemistry Adam Bridges | Sports & Rec Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

of this new era of our program. This is a new personality and a new identity for us.

We have so much depth it’s mind-blowing, but we’re really young in that and still learning the essence of competition.”

According to players on the team, this season has been different from years past, but they are ready to take on the challenges that might bring.

“We just came off of our COVID season, so everyone was kind of weirded out by the fact that it was a 10-game season,” sophomore health studies major and goalkeeper Genevieve Crenshaw said. “It felt like a fake year last year, but we have switched our mentality to focusing on this new season and are treating it like a real season. Now that we’re all adapted and we’ve had 10 games to get used to each other, we have no excuses but to play the best we can.”

Even though this year has removed a lot of barriers from last year, there are still challenges that the team faces every day.

According to sophomore chemistry major and defender Jocelyn Stephens, one of the biggest factors that this team has to overcome and develop is their abundance of younger players.

The women’s soccer team holds the longest shutout streak in program history.

“Our team has a lot of freshmen and Photo courtesy of Hue Herrick sophomores who don’t have that much experience in games,” Stephens said. has also defeated the University of s the fall sports season gains “We were a little worried about groupUtah, Dixie State, the University of Pamomentum, the Boise State ing them with the older players, who cific, the University of California Davis do have a lot of game experience, to try women’s soccer team is ready and Portland State University. to compete and take down to pass on knowledge that they might Not only is the team undefeated, they not have. As the season goes on, we’re any challenges they may face as a team. have also prevented all of their NCAA The women’s soccer team started finding leadership opportunities for the opponents from scoring. off their season on Aug. 18 with a 1-2 younger players.”

According to head coach Jim Thomas, victory over the College of Idaho, an According to multiple Boise State the team has done well so far, but they NAIA competitor, in an exhibition women’s soccer players, the team has game and has continued to roll through are far from finished this season. been succeeding and growing both on “This is going to be our journey this every opponent since. and off the field. As the players creThis season, the women’s soccer team year,” Thomas said. “We’re a lot further out ate strong friendships with each other

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outside of soccer, the team’s on-field performance continues to improve.

According to Crenshaw, one of the biggest team bonding events is the team scavenger hunt. Coach Thomas split the team into multiple groups and sent them all on a scavenger hunt.

This scavenger hunt included well-written riddles which had the next scavenger hunt location encrypted inside it. After singing a Christmas carol to a stranger, thanking nurses and other healthcare workers at a St. Luke’s Medical Center and swimming across Quinn’s Pond, the groups finished off their journey at Coach Thomas’ house, where he had food set up for all of the players and let them swim together in his neighborhood pool.

“The dynamic of our team is so enjoyable that it makes it so much fun,” Crenshaw said. “I think it’s just being a part of the team and building relationships with everyone [that] is my favorite part of the season so far.”

The team chemistry is paying off, as the team has already achieved accolades.

This year’s season start is now the Boise State’s longest shutout streak ever, going 5-0 for the first time in program history. Additionally, only four other teams across the nation this season have yet to allow a single goal from NCAA opponents.

The team continues to grow together and compete on a high level daily, making them one of the more successful teams in their division.

Their next game is against the Utah Valley Wolverines in Orem, Utah on Friday, Sept. 10.

UCF FOOTBALL GAME REVIEW

SPORTS & REC

BRONCOS MOURN COWBOY KOHL

Broncos start season with loss in highly anticipated matchup

Boise State Tee Dog is remembered for his legacy

Lexi Almeido | Sports & Rec Editor | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Lexi Almeido | Sports & Rec Editor | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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he highly anticipated matchup between Boise State and the University of Central Florida resulted in a 31-36 loss for the Broncos on Thursday, Sept.

8. After waiting eight months to play, the Florida weather delayed kickoff by three hours.

This game was head coach Andy Avalos’s debut after being named Boise State’s new head coach in January.

Boise State started strong with a pick six by redshirt junior cornerback Tyric LeBeauf in the game’s opening minutes.

According to Boise State Athletics, LeBeauf ’s interception is tied for the longest interception in school history.

“It’s heartbreaking that we didn’t finish the game. But the biggest thing for us is we’re excited about who we can become and where we can grow from here.”

- Head Coach Andy Avalos

“It felt good, you know,” Lebeauf said when asked about his touchdown. “I do what the coaches are asking me to do and not trying to go out there and do anything I haven’t been doing in spring ball, fall camp and stuff like that. When the opportunity presents itself you gotta take advantage of it.”

With four minutes left in the first quarter, senior running back Andrew Van Buren rushed 22 yards to score a touchdown for Boise State. Minutes into the second quarter, senior wide receiver Khalil Shakir scored another touchdown for the Broncos off a 19-yard pass from junior quarterback Hank Bachmeier.

Less than a minute later, UCF scored a 23-yard touchdown, but the Broncos

drove the ball down the field where sophomore kicker Jonah Dalmas kicked a 31-yard field goal.

Before closing out the half, the Knights scored another touchdown to close the gap (21-24) between them and the Broncos. As UCF came alive, Boise State’s momentum shifted.

In the third quarter, UCF gained a total of 181 yards and scored two touchdowns while Boise State gained -11 yards.

On defense, redshirt sophomore edge Isaiah Bagnah had two sacks that energized the Boise State sideline.

But that excitement was quickly shot down at the start of the fourth quarter.

UCF scored off a safety on a bad snap over the punter’s head.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, Boise State’s fifth-year nickelback Kekaula Kaniho was disqualified for targeting. He will have to sit out the first half of the Sept. 10 game against the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP).

The Broncos took the lead 31-30 with Shakir’s touchdown off a seven-yard pass from Bachmeier late in the fourth quarter. Four minutes later, UCF scored a touchdown to take the final lead 36-31.

With minutes left, the Broncos attempted to drive the ball down the field, but a pass from Bachmeier was intercepted by the Knights.

“It’s heartbreaking that we didn’t finish the game,” Avalos said. “But the biggest thing for us is we’re excited about who we can become and where we can grow from here. To see the guys battle through what we did tonight and to fight back there at the end, we can build off of that.”

Boise State will be heading home to prepare for the matchup against UTEP on Friday, Sept. 10.

Cowboy Kohl was the Tee Dog for Boise State football since 2016.

Photo courtesy of John Kelly

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very special Bronco, Cowboy Kohl, passed away in the arms of the Closson family in Pocatello, Idaho, on National Dog Day, Thursday, Aug. 26.

Kohl became the official football program’s Tee Dog for the Broncos in 2016, and was also the Bat Dog for the Boise Hawks. He was a fan favorite during Boise State football games as the crowd cheered “he’s a good boy” after fetching the kickoff tee and running off the field.

According to a Facebook post by TK Hot Retrievers, Cowboy Kohl, also known as “Revitt Up Kohl Expect Great Things,” was enjoying time at the Closson ranch when he began feeling sick. He was taken to a veterinarian, who found a cancerous tumor on his spinal column.

After 11 years of life, Kohl goes down in history as perhaps the single most famous Tee and Bat Dog in sports. He has made over 500 appearances on local, national and international television as well as features on Animal Planet, the Today Show and Barstool Sports. “[Even] with all of that fame, that is not what made Kohl special. His personality with people, especially kids, is what made him a truly exceptional dog,” Kohl’s owners, family and trainers wrote in a Facebook post.

Kohl’s trainers wrote that during Boi-

se State upcoming home game against the University of Texas at El Paso, he was going to pass the torch off to his son and the new Tee Dog, Blitz.

Blitz will be filling his father’s paws as the new Bat Dog for the Boise Hawks and Tee Dog for Boise State. His other son, Ripken, currently lives with his owner, Mike O’Donnel, in Raleigh, NC. Ripken was recently announced as the new Bat Dog for the Durham Bulls Minor League Baseball team and will become the Tee Dog for North Carolina State’s football team.

Cowboy Kohl is remembered by his owner Britta Closson and his family, trainers and all the fans who loved him over the years.

“[Even] with all of that fame, that is not what made Kohl special. His personality with people, especially kids, is what made him a truly exceptional dog.”

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

- Cowboy Kohl’s owners,

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SPORTS & REC

THE BLUE THUNDER MARCHING BAND PREPARES FOR RETURN TO THE BLUE Through hot, smoky conditions, Blue Thunder has been practicing for the first home football game Lexi Almeido | Sports & Rec Editor | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

The Blue Thunder Marching Band is prepared to entertain a full arena.

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he stadium lights shine bright on the blue turf of the football field. Albertsons Stadium has an electric feel as Bronco Nation anticipates the start of the game.

Dressed in their orange and blue, the crowd hurries to their seats as the game clock ticks down. With 17 minutes before kickoff, a wall of sound begins to fill the stadium.

As the Blue Thunder Marching Band takes the field, the crowd goes wild for the pregame performance. Fans stand and clap as they sing the Boise State Fight Song.

However, this symphony doesn’t choreograph itself. Countless hours of planning, preparation and practice go into the performance seen on game day.

Dr. Joseph Tornello is the man behind the curtain. Tornello is the director of the athletic bands, as well as the director of the all-campus concert band. This season will be his 11th year as director and, to this day, the anticipation of the first home football game makes him emotional.

“It’s not something that you can put your finger on,” Tornello said. “Putting

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Claire Keener | The Arbiter all the components together and the energy and enthusiasm. When it happens, it’s just awe-inspiring— the culmination of all of it [all] as one composite thing.”

Band season typically starts in January. Tornello refers to this time as “show storming” sessions where ideas are shared between directors and members of the band. Songs, themes and memorable anniversaries or events are brainstormed for the upcoming football season.

Tornello and assistant director of athletic bands, Dr. Bill Waterman, then finalize tunes and submit for copyright authorizations in order to access arrangements and get approval for the band to perform them.

After sending band members the music to learn, combining the different components of the color guard and adding in “the drill” (formations made on the field), it’s time to tie it all together and add finishing touches.

Between Tornello’s background of growing up in band and earning his doctorate degree from the University of Kentucky, he says everything he’s learned and taught throughout his life ARBITERONLINE.COM

has given him additional skills and knowledge that he tries to apply to programs at Boise State.

“There’s a lot of things that help us try to elevate what we’re doing and do it to the best of our ability,” Tornell said.

Each halftime performance has a theme or meaning tied into the production. For their first halftime performance, which was meant to be performed during the 2020 football season, the Blue Thunder Marching Band will be paying tribute to the 75th Commemoration of WWII. Halftime performances also allow opportunities for students within leadership positions to create choreography or added movement to the show. These students work alongside Waterman and Color Guard Director Amy Burden to help fill those gaps.

In August 2021, the entire band got together for band camp before the start of the school year.

For nine days straight from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Blue Thunder practiced and prepared for their debut at the first home football game on Sept. 10.

This year, due to wildfires in and around Idaho, the Air Quality Index (AQI) rose as high as 170 during camp.

But this obstacle didn’t stop Blue Thunder from preparing for game day.

Leaders of the band scrambled to find indoor places for their members to practice away from the hazardous smoke, such as the Morrison Center or the Student Union Building.

During football season, rehearsals occur three times a week for about two hours. On these days, the performances get finalized and perfected.

Once game day approaches, band members can expect a 12-14 hour performance day.

However, football isn’t their only event of the year. Many students also audition for the “Pep Band” which

performs in rotating groups at volleyball games as well as men’s and women’s basketball games.

On top of that, Blue Thunder also performs at different events throughout the year.

According to fourth-year band council president Logan Dominguez, the look on people’s faces and engaging with fans makes all of the time, practice and effort worth it when game day rolls around. “[That] initial feeling when you come out of the tunnel and everything opens up,” Dominguez said. “You just see however many fans are there early. It’s amazing.

That’s probably what gets me going.”

Along with being band council president, Dominguez is the visual section leader for the trombones and is working towards a degree in music education with a minor in history.

For second-year drum major Amy Johnson, her anticipation of game day looks a little different.

After being a college freshman during the pandemic, Johnson will be putting on a drum major uniform and walking onto The Blue for her debut performance on Sept. 10.

“I think I’m just looking forward to the magnitude of it all,” Johnson said.

“Just being in the middle of The Blue and surrounded by the amount of people— It’s a little overwhelming to think about [how] that’s where we’re gonna be. But now that the whole stadium’s gonna be filled up, that’s gonna be really cool.”

Whether they’re performing “Hey Song” at a volleyball game or a full halftime show during football season, Tornello says Blue Thunder’s mission is to provide an outlet for students to be musicians, support both the university and Boise State athletics and provide entertainment, music and energy to Bronco Nation and fans.

CAPRICORN DEC 22- JAN 19

YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE IS FULL OF NEW OPPORTUNITIES. YOU HAVE THE POWER TO ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS THIS MONTH.

AQUARIUS JAN 20- FEB 18

AQUARIUS, THE FULL MOON LATER THIS MONTH WILL BRING A MONETARY SURPRISE YOUR WAY, SO KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN.

PISCES

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PRIORITIZING RELATIONSHIPS IN YOUR LIFE WILL LEAD YOU INTO THE SPOTLIGHT THIS MONTH; KEEP YOUR HEAD UP AND LET YOURSELF SHINE.

ARIES

MAR 21 - APR 19

OUR BEST GUESS

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JUL 23 - AUG 22

RESPONSIBILITIES HAVE BEEN DOMINATING YOUR LIFE, BUT EXPECT A REPRIEVE SOON. MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF A PRIORITY LATER THIS MONTH.

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YOU MAY FIND AN ISSUE ARISE WITHIN AN IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP OF YOURS, SO USE YOUR COMPASSIONATE ENERGY TO FIND A SOLUTION.

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APR 20 - MAY 20

MAY 21 - JUN 20

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PLAN A NICE DINNER WITH YOUR LOVED ONES AND BASK IN THE WARMTH THEY PROVIDE, AND WATCH FOR NEW INCOME OPPORTUNITIES.

ILLUSTRATION BY ALIEHA DRYDEN

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PAIGE WIRTA OPINION EDITOR

VIRGO

AUG 23 - MAY 20

THIS MONTH, MARS IS POWERING YOU TO CONQUER YOUR DREAMS, SO NOW IS THE TIME TO JUMPSTART YOUR PLANS.

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SEPT 23 - OCT 22

IF YOU’VE BEEN DELAYING IMPORTANT DECISIONS, TAKE SOME TIME TO MEDITATE – THINGS MAY FALL INTO PLACE ON THEIR OWN.

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OCT 23 - NOV 21

YOU’VE BEEN THE CENTER OF ATTENTION AND YOU MAY BE FEELING BURNT-OUT; RELY ON YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO CATCH YOU WHEN YOU FALL.

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MARS IS SOARING THROUGH YOUR HOUSE OF ACHIEVEMENTS AND LIGHTING UP YOUR WORK LIFE; WATCH YOUR CONNECTIONS SWELL.

OPINION@STUMEIDA.BOISESTATE.EDU

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