The Arbiter 3.5.19 Vol. 31 Issue 24

March 5, 2019

Vol. 31 Issue 24

IN D EP EN D E NT

ST U D E NT

V O I CE

O F

B O I SE

STAT E

S I N C E

1 9 3 3

[PAGE 10] NEWS

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New Career Closet to lend business professional clothing to students

VISIT US ONLINE:

OPINION

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Here’s why you should stop using the phrase “that’s gay” to describe something negative arbiteronline.com

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CULTURE Boiseans discuss Paganisim and witchcraft to better educate the public @arbiteronline

SPORTS & REC

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Student-athlete profile: Wiktoria Nosek of the women’s tennis team

@arbiteronline

@boisestatearbiter

Editor-In-Chief Jordan Erb editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Online Editor Ximena Bustillo onlineeditor@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Editor Jordan Erb and Ximena Bustillo news@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Reporter Taylor Rico-Pekerol and Jack Briggs news@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Editor Logan Potter culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Reporter David Collie culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports Editor Delaney Brassil sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports Reporter Autum Robertson sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Copy Editors Christopher Duggan Digital Content Manager Taylor Humby digitalcontent@stumedia.boisestate.edu Digital Content Producer Bailey Nellesen Graphic Design Manager Maddie Ceglecki design@stumedia.boisestate.edu Graphic Designer Isabel Sarhad Illustrator Wyatt Wurtenberger

Distributed Tuesdays during the academic school year 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.

Jae Yong Kim’s work, “Donut Ever Forget Me” at Boise Art Museum.

ON THE COVER:

Questions have been raised by leaders of the Greek communit y regarding how to create more transparency surrounding the group’s number of conduct violations. Cover and feature design by Isabel Sarhad.

HOW TO REACH US: CONTACT US: editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu 208.426.6302 PHYSICAL LOCATION: Located on first floor of Lincoln Avenue Garage Suites MAILING ADDRESS: Student Media MS 1340 1910 W Universit y Dr. Boise, ID 83725 -1340

Courtesy of the artist and Lyons Wier Gallery, New York

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HIRING! JOIN A TEAM OF PA S S I O N AT E STUDENTS WHO PRODUCE THE ARBITER AND UNIVERSITY PULSE.

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EVENTS

SCOREBOARD MEET THE

MEN’S TENNIS

alumni and friends center

MARCH 2

PRESIDENTIAL FINALISTS all week, 4 pm

The finalists for the position of Boise State’s president were announced this week, and there will be listening sessions held each day this week.

MEET AND GREET: CONNECT TO YOUR CAREER

hatch ballroom

tuesday, march 5, 3 pm The Department of Community and Environmental Health will be hosting the meet and greet. 25+ community organizations will be in attendance.

YOUNG THE GIANT

the knitting factory thursday, march 7, 8 pm

Young The Giant will be in Boise this week with special guest Sure Sure.

Photo courtesy of the event’s Facebook page.

WICKED

the morrison center saturday, march 9, 8 pm The Broadway show Wicked will be coming to Boise. Photo courtesy of the event’s Facebook page.

BSU 4 - WEBER STATE 0

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL MARCH 2

53 38 BSU vs UNLV

MEN’S BASKETBALL MARCH 2

81 85 BSU vs UNLV

SOFTBALL

MARCH 1-3 SAN DIEGO CLASSIC

4 - 0 OVERALL

NEWS

MARCH 5, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

JILL HELLA STUDENT TEACHER SCHOLARSHIP GIVES BACK TO STUDENTS

The new scholarship will help give student teachers a monetary break Sonora Birnie | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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he Jill Hella Student Teacher Scholarship was created by the college’s Dean’s Excellence Fund by matching a donation made by Jill Hella to create a $25,000 endowment. Recipients will receive about $1,000. Hella graduated from Boise State’s graduate school in 2004 with a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, and, though she is no longer in the classroom, she felt compelled to give back to the program.

“I know how hard student teachers have to work, and it’s nice to give back now that I am in the position to,” Hella said.

Asheigh Looney is a senior in the last semester of her professional year, meaning she is currently doing her student teaching. Looney is an elementary education major with an

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endorsement in math.

“You’re spending all this time in the classroom on the weekdays, and then at the end of the day it’s so exhausting to think you have to go to work that night,” Looney said. “At least for me, working in the evening means a closing shift, which could end anywhere from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m., then I’m having to wake up early the next day ready to give 100 percent for my students and my mentor teacher, not to mention everyone else that counts on you.”

Dean of the College of Education Richard Ogusthorpe, said scholarships of any amount are important to student teachers because the workload is so tough.

“For their final year they enter what we call their ‘professional year,’ and that professional

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year, depending on the program, requires an internship. They spend a lot of those hours in schools –– up to 500 hours in schools during the semester depending on the program,” Ogusthorpe said. “During their student teaching semester, which is the final semester of their professional year, they spend the entire semester as a full-time teacher in a school. It’s a very intense semester during student teaching.”

The College of Education is not just limited to that one college within Boise State, but spans across many disciplines, according to Ogusthorpe. Soon-to-be teachers, especially ones emphasizing in secondary education, are found across campus, so a donation and scholarship benefits many.

Daniel Hopkins, a senior history, social

science and secondary education major, experiences similar struggles while doing his semester of student teaching in a 9th grade history classroom.

“The past three months have been an absolute blur. It’s been super fun and a great opportunity, but it is intense and especially depending on your mentor teacher,” Hopkins said. “For my mentor teacher, he was really comfortable giving me control of the class so it’s a little trial by fire, but mostly it’s fun, exciting and stressful.”

Hopkins said that any monetary support would go a long way to alleviate that stress.

NEWS

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Career Closet is making way to give students the clothes to succeed Emma Freitas | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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he harsh reality for many students is that tuition does not cover the other expenses that appear when enrolling in college.

The transition that most have to make into the professional workforce is difficult if they don’t already have the expected wardrobe to fit in. Professional attire like suits, ties, dresses and other business casual clothing is an unspoken prerequisite for interviews, some internships and scholarship banquets.

Many students are struggling to meet these expectations in an increasingly competitive job market. To combat this, the MLK Living Legacy Committee and the College of Business and Economics (COBE) Career Center are working on constructing a closet on campus full of professional clothing that students can borrow for free.

Cierra Abellera, the chair of the MLK Living Legacy Committee, crafted this project in spring 2018 after recognizing struggles in the community first-hand.

“I started this initiative because I am a part of TRIO Rising Scholars and the McNair Scholars Program which serves first-generation, limited-income and underrepresented students. As a McNair scholar, I regularly present research at national conferences that feature face-to-face networking with graduate school recruiters,” Abellera said. “In preparation last year, I realized my cohort — consisting of first-generation, limited-income and underrepresented students — owned little professional attire. We were not alone. With 12,000 plus first-generation students on campus and Idaho’s state income in one of the lowest quartiles, Boise State’s students lack resources that help navigate the hidden curriculum of higher education.”

Gabriel Guerrero, a first-year mechanical engineering student at Boise State, is one of the many students who has experienced the demands for professional attire without the resources to provide such clothes for themselves.

“I wouldn’t have the money to buy the suit myself or a nice pair of pants. My parents always wanted me to have a nice suit

(for activities) but I wasn’t going to bother them for it. I knew that if I wanted one, I would have to work for it,” Guerrero said.

The Career Closet isn’t going to be a permanent solution, however, Abellera wants to take a big step in the right direction.

“...for the purpose of feasibility, the Career Closet lends professional attire so that there are enough clothes for all students throughout the academic year.”

Cierra Abellera, chair of the MLK Living Legacy Committee “The original intention for the Career Closet was to be giving clothes to students who need it instead of being a lending program. However, for the purpose of feasibility, the Career Closet lends professional attire so that there are enough clothes for all students throughout the academic year.

I also understand that the Career Closet is a temporary fix to some of the barriers that our students on campus face, but I think the resource naturally brings greater awareness to some of these issues,” Abellera said.

The closet being placed in the COBE was not coincidental. Abellera notes that there is more to building a career than the clothes you wear.

“Beyond providing clothing, the project encourages students’ career development via its location. I intentionally placed it in a career service office to acclimate students to professional environments and increase their likelihood of using resources such as mock interviews and resume building,” Abellera said.

Abby Moreland, a senior English major, detailed her experiences in trying alterna-

The Career Closet will be located in the College of Business and Economics.

Wyatt Wurtenberger | The Arbiter tives like thrift shopping to save money, but did not always find it was the best solution.

“I’ve struggled to find affordable professional clothing for my interviews and office jobs. I buy my clothes via thrift stores and consignment, but second-hand professional clothing is hard to come by,” Moreland said.

“For my job, I had a week of meetings with a lot of executives and wore my most professional clothing, but I found myself re-wearing the same outfits and looking overall much less professional than my peers, which made me feel out of place.”

A number of potential issues could be pinpointed as to why students are struggling to afford basic necessities outside of what financial aid can cover, however, the Career Closet is an opportunity for students to look and feel their best as they are making the next big step in their career.

“Dressing professionally is an important part of networking and building my career.

If I’m not well-dressed, I’m not taken as seriously, which affects my confidence and consequently my performance,” Moreland said.

As a whole, students at Boise State want to succeed the best they can, but if they don’t have the resources to do so, they are immediately taking a step on the wrong foot.

“I know I’m not the first, and I know I’m not the last person who’s had to accept a hand-me-down or something that just didn’t make them feel as confident in themselves.

Honestly, I think something like that (the Career Closet), where they can go and rent a suit for free, and go do what they need to do, is great,” Guerrero said.

The Career Closet is hosting a volunteer event on March 8 from 11-5 p.m., and students are encouraged to donate gently used professional clothing.

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NEWS

DEFUNDING PLANNED PARENTHOOD MAY AFFECT BOISE WOMEN

Nearly four million women are without reproductive care after Trump Administration defunded Planned Parenthood Celina Van Hyning | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

The defunding of Planned Parenthood by the Trump Administration could affect Boise women.

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hen Autumn Mizer was 21, she went to Planned Parenthood (PP) after being told there was a high chance she had late-term cervical cancer.

PP identified that she did not have cancer, but she did have an infection spreading through her body that would have killed her if left untreated. Not only did PP take care of the infection, they also took care of 90 percent of the expenses for treatment and medication.

What seemed like a standard medical procedure was accompanied by insults, screaming and violence from the people who stood outside of the building.

“Being in a bigger city now, they had to escort me in the building, while protestors screamed I was a murdering bitch,” Mizer wrote in a Facebook post. “I had to be buzzed through four separate doors (because PP) can’t go a day without getting

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a shooting or bomb threat.”

Controversial as it may be, the Trump Administration signed an executive order on Feb. 22 as a first step in defunding PP. This caused a lot of emotional outbreaks from both sides of the political spectrum, and especially from the nearly four million women that rely on PP for reproductive care.

Allie Hatcher, a senior criminal justice major, said that her friends are some of the women who rely on PP for healthcare, and believes that women should have access to reproductive health services despite income and financial standing.

“PP benefits those who may be of lower income status and can’t see other physicians,” Hatcher said. “Health care is something that should be available to everyone, man or woman, despite their financial standing.”

Hatcher said that she worries that PP being defunded may have some serious

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Taylor Humby | The Arbiter

implications for the women who have no other option — not just for abortion, but all aspects of family planning.

“Defunding PP means women may not be able to get the same help that they would before. If they can’t afford other doctors, then they won’t know the real status of their health or have access to contraceptives,” Hatcher said. “I think it’s brought on a lot of fear in women, specifically as if we are losing the right to choose what we do with our bodies and how we can go about keeping ourselves safe.”

That fear of the unknown has not gone unnoticed by Hannah Campbell, vice president of Generation Action at Boise State.

Campbell said that when similar legislation was passed last summer, all group members were extremely frustrated and distraught.

“Our admin is not listening to the voices of the people,” Campbell said.

Campbell said that the defunding of PP

could have some serious effects on low-income women, and in particular, college students.

“It’s important to have access to these services because as college women we should have the opportunity to make decisions,” Campbell said. “Family planning goes hand-in-hand with education. College women depend on preventative services to be able to focus on school and work.”

The need for this kind of education is recognized by Mistie Tolman, Idaho State Director of PP. Tolman said that it is very important that PP remain funded for numerous reasons.

“PP is a safe space for people of all demographics to get quality health care,” Tolman said. “This is blocking care out of PP. It makes it impossible for providers to give ethical care and blocks referral for safe, legal abortion.”

Tolman said that her mission in working for PP is not about politics, but about making sure that anyone can receive the care they need in their most difficult times.

“I think our main standpoint is that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare no matter where they live, demographics, income,” Tolman said. “This ‘gag rule’ keeps patients from having all options available to them, but regardless (PP) will always be there for our patients.”

For the people who may be worried about this situation, Campbell said that while this fight will be a hard one, PP will not stop fighting until lawmakers hear the concerns of those four million women.

“While this is significant and really frustrating, I feel like PP is committed to serving low income people and want to find a way to work around it,” Campbell said. “(Lawmakers) have been working hard to be prepared for this day. The government will make it harder, but PP will not stop fighting.”

NEWS

THE WAYS FORWARD FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION State legislature considers options for implementing Proposition 2 Scott Herrick | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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ast fall, Idaho voters overwhelmingly showed their support for a proposition that the state legislature has failed to implement for the last six years. The campaign for Proposition 2 — expanding Medicaid eligibility — was largely a grassroot effort, and passed with a nearly 61 percent approval.

The state legislature now needs to decide the specifics of the proposal, and several options are being worked through the legislative process. Three options are on the table for the proposition to address the “Medicaid coverage gap.”

Those in the Medicaid gap are those who make more money than the current Medicaid eligibility allows, but still less than the federal poverty line. This means that they are not eligible for medical coverage under Medicaid, and do not qualify for advance tax credits provided by the Affordable Care Act, leaving them to purchase an unsubsidized health insurance plan on an expensive marketplace or have no insurance.

The Joint Finance Appropriations Committee has voted to fund Medicaid expansion, removing one large hurdle from its implementation. However, the policy has yet to be decided, and there are three options facing the state legislature: no expansion, expansion with limits, or a full expansion.

No expansion Although efforts to block Medicaid expansion have failed so far, it is not outside the realm of possibility that no expansion occurs. Both private entities and public officials have voiced concern about that program.

“When I was interviewed during the primary election, what I told the press was that if I felt that voters had made an informed decision, meaning that they had complete and accurate information, that I would feel compelled as a representative to

honor that,” said Representative Julianne Young, who introduced legislation to block expansion. “However, if they were not given accurate information, I feel that we have a responsibility to take that into consideration as we move forward. I don’t believe that voters were provided with all of the facts that ought to have been considered regarding Medicaid expansion and its effects.”

Legislation introduced by Representative Young failed in committee, meaning it will not become law, but its introduction and limited support in committee demonstrates that there is still some sentiment among lawmakers to block expansion.

Limited expansion There are several ways that expansion could be limited in scope or duration. In February a bill was introduced by Representative John Green to add a “sunset” provision to the Medicaid expansion program that also failed in committee. The bill would have repealed Medicaid expansion after three years unless the legislature acted to reinstate it.

“Basically what the voters have done is set a big hole in front of us and told the legislature to jump in,” said Representative John Green, who introduced the sunset provision bill. “Without a parachute, it would be irresponsible of us. We don’t know how big the hole is, we don’t know what’s at the bottom.”

While Green’s hard repeal in the sunset provision failed, the idea of a sunset provision does have support, and a similar idea is included in another proposal, one that includes other requirements for both legislators and Medicaid recipients introduced

by Senator Mary Souza.

Souza’s legislation would require the state legislature to review the impact of Medicaid expansion in three years, would repeal Medicaid expansion immediately upon a change in federal funding level, and would require those who receive

medical coverage from the expansion to participate in a work training program.

“I believe these are not restrictions on Medicaid expansions, I believe they are protections and enhancement,” Souza said. “The workforce development training program is not a restriction.”

Full expansion The option for expansion that has gained the most support is a full, unlimited expansion. The resonating sentiment across members of all relevant committees is that the people of Idaho voted overwhelmingly to implement a full expansion to those people enumerated in the text of Proposition 2.

“There are no benefits to work requirements,” said Hailie Johnson-Waskow, communications director for the Joint

Idaho Democratic Caucus. “Voluntary work is beneficial, but not when it’s a requirement.”

Full expansion would allow anyone under 65 who make less than 133 percent of the federal poverty line (According the federal Department of Health and Human Services, the current poverty line is $12,490 for an individual and $25,750 for a family of four) to be able to apply for Medicaid and receive access to hospital, physician, and testing services at a deeply discounted rate.

WE’RE BACK Young The Giant 03/07 Atmosphere 03/17

Noname 03/08

Citizen Cope 03/18

ACID KING 03/22

In Flames 03/13

AMERICAN FOOTBALL 03/23

BROTHERS OSBORNE 03/27

Watsky 03/14

VINCE STAPLES 03/20

AARON WATSON 03/28

MARCH 5, 2019

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EKALI 03/21

CHASE RICE 03/24 SPACE JESUS 03/29

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OPINION MARCH 5, 2019 ARBITERONLINE.COM

HERE’S WHY YOU SHOULD STOP SAYING “THAT’S GAY” If you’re still using the phrase to imply something negative, you should reconsider it

Celina Van Hyning | Staff Writer | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Using the phrase “that’s gay” to describe something negatively can be damaging.

Maddie Ceglecki | The Arbiter

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ou would never say “That’s so black” or “That’s so Jewish.” You would never say this because it’s incredibly insulting to people who identify with those characteristics. So why would you say “That’s gay”?

We all remember when Hilary Duff confronted those two girls in a shopping mall after she overheard one of them referring to an article of clothing as gay. She was not disrespectful or defensive, but simply said “(You really shouldn’t) say that something’s gay when you mean it’s bad.”

When I was growing up, I used to hear this phrase thrown around all the time — I’ve even used it myself. To be fair, we never used the phrase to describe homosexual people. It was more so used to describe an idea or a situation that was unliked. I’m sure there have been people who have used it in an offensive manner, but most people do not believe that it’s a big deal.

But here is the problem: when we refer to something bad as “gay,” we are implying that gay is bad.

Gay is not a bad word. Originally, it described someone or something that is happy and lighthearted. As time has passed and the acceptance of homosexuality has increased, the acceptable use of the word has changed among youth.

Young children are not expected to fully understand the implications of using the word “gay” in an inappropriate setting, but as young adults, we need to STOP throwing the word around so loosely.

A recent study conducted by the University of Michigan revealed the phrase could have deep consequences for LGBTQIA students. The experiment set out to discover what impacts hearing “That’s gay” (or some variation) would have on 114 students over time.

The results were truly heartbreaking: the data found that the students who heard the

phrase began to exhibit feelings of isolation.

In addition, many of them experienced headaches, loss of appetite and eating problems. In the study, 14 of the students did not hear the phrase a single time while the experiment was being conducted and suffered no noticeable side effects.

One article posted by Psychology Benefits Society suggests that using the phrase “That’s gay” results in six different microaggressions (the everyday encounters of subtle discrimination that people of various marginalized groups experience throughout their lives) that are harmful to LGBTQIA individuals, such as denial of bodily privacy and assumption of sexual abnormality.

While some of these experiences seem harmless, these microaggressions have been shown to bring feelings of distress, anxiety and depression to the individuals that encounter them.

One study conducted by Dr. Kevin Nadal, a psychology professor and one of the leading researchers in understanding the impacts of microaggressions on the mental/physical health of people of color, LGBTQIA people and other marginalized groups found that LGBTQIA participants were known to have higher suicide and substance abuse rates.

So to the people who see the use of this phrase as a harmless play on words, it is important that you consider the lesson we were always taught as children: words hurt. What may seem like an inconsequential phrase to you could be an attack on a large part of someone’s identity.

Are you still saying “That’s gay”? Stop.

Celina Van Hyning is a junior media arts major and political communication minor. This is her second semester working as a staff writer at The Arbiter.

OPINION

MASSIVE CORPORATIONS ARE BAD FOR AGRICULTURE

Farmers need the right to access software on their equipment Zach Hill | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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ttending a university in the heart of Boise, Idaho, it’s probably not often that you think about the plight of the agriculture industry. However, with the renegotiation of the landmark trade deal NAFTA, which has been largely beneficial for the agriculture industry, the advent of Trump’s tax plans, and the reopening of E15 gasoline year-round, there are a significant amount of issues the agriculture industry is currently facing.

It is important for us to think about the plight of local farmers because they directly impact our well-being, the food we eat, and stimulate our local economies. Given this, it’s important that we take farmers into consideration when we think about the wider impact of policies we do or don’t support.

For instance, start with the expenses associated with equipment.

Farmers on average will make around $75,000 in management positions, or $60,000 in lower-level positions.

Compare that with the price of John Deere model tractors, which can range anywhere Wyatt Wurtenberger | The Arbiter from around $20,000

to upwards of $400,000. These figures are important for noting the financial stress that can be put on the agriculture industry.

Take into account years in which crop supplies are diminished, and farmers have an increased amount of stress.

These aren’t the only problems however.

Perhaps one of the biggest problems facing the agriculture industry involves the abuse of software copyright law. The Digital Millennium Copyright Law, or DMCA, was passed in 1998 by President Bill Clinton. The original intent of the law was to protect the movie industry from pirates, but it ended up overreaching its powers.

Advancements in technology have led to the DMCA’s use in other areas of software, including to protect large corporations.

Essentially, large corporations can use the DMCA as precedent to ensure that small farmers can’t access their equipment.

This means that farmers often have to have company-certified technicians come out to repair their things when they break down.

The problem with this? That process can take days, is extremely expensive, and usually unhelpful. The loss of a couple days work can result in the loss of crops.

This corporate takeover of the agriculture industry goes quite a ways back. Small farms used to make up around 6.8 million acres of land in 1970, whereas by 2002, they accounted for 2.1 million acres of land. Additionally, average farm size has gone up considerably whereas raw number of farms has gone down exponentially. This demonstrates the corporate takeover of the agriculture industry, and is a mark of how easy it is for corporations to demand increased fees for repairs.

This restriction on farmers makes it impossible for them to make repairs on pieces of equipment that are legally theirs.

The problem has gotten so bad that some farmers are trying to pirate the software on their equipment to ensure that they can make repairs on their own time. This scenario wouldn’t have to be reality if it wasn’t

for these strict laws and unreliable corporate technicians, who can often take two to three days to finish repairs. This is far too much time to be spent waiting, especially in an industry as volatile as agriculture.

So why don’t we talk about problems like this? It’s probably because they don’t affect us at home. We often hear the adage about millennials killing every industry they can, and while many of these claims about the death of certain industries aren’t true, this particular one might be. Millennials often don’t know what farming is about, nor care about what specifically goes on in that industry. This probably isn’t the sole reason for the struggle against corporate software policies, but it’s certainly a part of it.

We tend not to advocate on behalf of things that don’t personally impact us. In other words, society has adopted an “it sucks to be you” attitude which can be harmful for a few reasons. In this case, taking a vested interest in the plight of other people can be the reason their situation changes. For agriculture, advocacy on behalf of farmers and their equipment is critical to our nutritional well-being.

HAVE A COMMENT OR REBUTTAL? EMAIL US AT: OPINION@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE.EDU

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F E AT U R E

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ach year, the Student Involvement and Leadership Center (SILC) releases statistics surrounding Boise State’s fraternities and sororities. Among the statistics are chapters’ GPAs, service hours and code of conduct violations for both individuals and the chapter as a whole.

Conduct violations are any actions that violate Boise State’s Student Code of Conduct, a document that each student agrees to when they join the university.

The code covers a wide array of actions, from academic integrity, to alcohol and drug violations, to discrimination and sexual assault.

While the numbers are the SILC’s way of being transparent and holding members of Greek life accountable, questions have been raised by Greek leaders regarding the conduct violations themselves and other students’ right to know. In order to address this, Connor Johnson, president of the Interfraternity Council (IFC), has been working to bolster accountability and transparency not only within the Greek system, but within Boise State’s administration as well.

The numbers As Greek life grows at Boise State, so do the community’s number of conduct violations. From the 2015-2016 school year to the 2017-2018 school year, members increased from 1,140 to 1,628, and conduct violations increased from 153 to 231. During this same period, the number of group violations increased from one to three. There is no data for group violations from 2015-2016.

The chapters with the highest individual

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conduct violations during last school year are fraternities Sigma Chi and Pi Kappa Phi, which had 31 and 29 violations respectively. Delta Sigma Phi, Pi Kappa Phi and Tau Kappa Epsilon each had one organization violation; the rest of the chapters had none.

Because the numbers on the SILC’s website are aggregate, students don’t know the breakdown of the information, a fact that has slightly unsettled presidents of different chapters.

“It’s kind of shady,” said Tate Volbrecht, president of Phi Gamma Delta. “It’s weird, especially if my job is to manage chapter operations and evidently there are conduct violations and I don’t know what they are, what am I supposed to do about it?”

Beyond not knowing what the violations are, some chapter presidents and members aren’t aware that the numbers even exist. Siana Carsrud, president of Alpha Chi Omega, feels like she’s been in the dark regarding her chapter’s numbers. The sorority’s numbers have decreased from 22 to 16 to 15 from the 2015-2016 school year to the 2017-2018 school year.

“It makes me feel kind of ill-informed,” Carsrud said. “I feel like if I should know what they are, they would communicate with us or show that it’s important, but that hasn’t been communicated with me.”

Presidents have also expressed interest in knowing what other chapters’ violations are, so that they can look out for themselves and their members.

“I think that it really concerns me, because for my sorority I would want to know as president how high the violation rates of the Code of Conduct are for fraternities, to kind of give us a better per-

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spective of who we’re hanging around and what they’re doing, what kind of violations they’re making,” Carsrud said.

According to Brayden Pinkerton, president of Kappa Sigma, out of the 24 conduct violations committed by his members, he knew of only two or three.

The two or three that he did know of were more serious, including a sexual assault investigation that left his chapter suspended for weeks last semester.

Although the Kappa Sigma member who was investigated for sexual assault was expelled from the chapter, according to Pinkerton, he still wishes there was more transparency across the board.

“That’s the whole thing with transparency, is being able to know. Coming into this and not really looking at the chart as much, I was thinking we probably have one, two

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or three in there, and then we have 24, and that makes you go, ‘oh crap. What are these for?’” Pinkerton said. “I would like to see that transparency with the school.

Maybe not even public, but keeping it to us, and just saying ‘hey, this is what you guys have done. You need to improve on this or there will be consequences handed out.’”

Olivia Lettenberger, president of Panhellenic Council, takes issue with the fact that punitive measures like those of Kappa Sigma are left out of the sta-

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F E AT U R E tistics, which leaves questions surrounding the action that was taken for each offense.

“That’s also something that these numbers don’t represent: how many of these members, if they did commit a very serious offense, were terminated? That’s something that Connor and I envision within this new program, is being able to see, ‘this happened, 1 so what was the aftermath?

Did the school have punitive sentencing or punishment for them?” Lettenberger said. “And what are the 1 fraternities and sororities internally doing?

Are they educating?

Are they

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holding their members accountable?”

Accountability and transparency Though his plans aren’t set in stone, Johnson hopes to institute new bylaws that would allow any individuals or organizations to bring complaints about fraternities to a judicial branch within the IFC. Johnson has been in communication with the Office of the Dean of Students regarding this new model, and will be meeting with them later this month to discuss the final judicial bylaws and how IFC and the administration can better work together.

According to Chris Wuthrich, dean of students, the IFC will need to develop its own rules with which to hold chapters and individuals responsible, develop mechanisms for fair and legal adjudication and have some sort of hearing board that would determine whether the 1 group or individual was in violation of code.

The conversation around making conduct violations more transparent is still developing, according to Johnson. One of the suggestions, he said, is to put conduct violations on their future web-

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site, including what the violation was and what sanctions were imposed. As of right now, if a chapter is suspended by the university, that information is not told to other Greek members. Chapters have been known to attend Greek functions and gatherings while on suspension, breaking their agreement with the university.

“Right now, if a chapter gets in trouble for anything, every other student organization has the right to know what it was, because we want to hold each other accountable,” Johnson said. “Holding each other accountable doesn’t happen when you keep it behind closed doors and you say ‘we are not going to talk about this.

We’re not going to tell anyone about this,’ and kind of brush it under the rug a little.

At that point, why punish them?”

According to Wuthrich, chapter-level violations are internally communicated to staff in the SILC, who are free to share that information with chapters if requested. As for matters of individual conduct, he said fraternity and sorority presidents are left in the dark for two reasons: first, because it doesn’t concern them, and second, because it violates other students’ right to privacy.

In order for individual members’ conduct violations to be released to chapter leaders, each member would have to waive their rights to privacy, an action that would likely prove easier said than done.

“Anybody can ask. Each fraternity president can ask what’s going on, and we can disclose certain things to them,” Wutherich said. “If there’s a question from student leaders and IFC/Panhellenic presidents and so forth, that’s a good opportunity for a conversation.”

Volbrecht said that he has asked about his chapter’s numbers, but that he hasn’t heard anything back.

“I would at least like to know, because it makes my job a lot easier — like maintaining accountability and dis-

cipline stuff. If people aren’t living up to the Student Code of Conduct, and they’re being punished for it and I don’t know about it, then there’s nothing I can do,” Volbrecht said. “For all I know, maybe someone’s being punished by the university, and they’re not telling me, but they still have full membership privileges, which would be a no-no. The chances that that’s happened are slim to none, but the thought that that could happen is weird.”

If the numbers were classified by what happened, rather than by who did it, it may bring some peace of mind and avoid the issue of privacy invasion. Knowing the breakdown between big and small violations could help paint a more accurate representation of Greek life.

“I think a pro would be, rather than just listing the conduct (violations), saying what those conduct (violations) were,” said Melanie Snelson, president of Delta Delta Delta. “Either it will display it positively or negatively, and depending on what it is, it will be a more accurate representation, rather than ‘this is just a big chunk of things that went wrong.’ I think if people can see more into what the things were, then it would make a lot more of an impression on them and how they can make their own opinion, rather than just that big sum.”

Johnson will be continuing conversations throughout the spring semester, and hopes to have something more concrete in place for the fall; a system in which everyone can have their voice heard. “...We have a vested interest in ensuring we have a morally outstanding Greek community, and that we have a Greek community that functions well,” Johnson said. “Greek life is expanding rapidly, and there’s no end in sight to that. We want to ensure that while we are growing, we are having sustainable growth that is bound by ethical development.”

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EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON WITCHCRAFT AS A RELIGION

Local pagans and Boise State professors explore the craft through a religious lens Logan Potter | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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ducation on religion and faith, especially in institutions where church and schools are separated, can be scarce, leaving understanding of beliefs that are deemed controversial at the mercy of the thinker.

A lack of knowledge about one’s faith, especially one as mysterious as those that fall under paganism, can mean detriment to the one practicing the faith. That is why those practicing paganism, some of whom call themselves witches, seek to create a deeper understanding of their craft to those in the Treasure Valley.

“Unfortunately, most pagan (and) metaphysical practices, while gaining popularity, are still unknown territory,” said Ryan Straub, owner of art gallery and metaphysical shop Altar Egos. “Because of this, they receive negative connotations. These negative perspectives range from being evil to sacrilegious. Personally, (I believe) being educated on these practices would offer new insight to these paths.”

According to Straub, these negative connotations have a long, dark history that stems back to the Salem Witch Trials, where hundreds of women were convicted of

witchcraft. Embracing this backstory, those practicing some path of paganism still urge non-witches to educate themselves on the practices of the craft.

While this education can be supplemented by the university in some way, Straub advises that those wanting to discover the history and learn the craft engage in personal research, including speaking to seasoned practitioners, to ensure the richest possible education.

“Fortunately, there has been a surge in popularity of all the pagan spiritual paths, because of this the amount of knowledge about pagan spirituality has become more readily available,” Straub said. “As for witchcraft specifically, it has both a spiritual and historical significance. Studying the biblical associations, as well as the witchcraft trials can provide a unique perspective to the origins of the craft.”

This historical take on the widespread religion of paganism and its many sub-beliefs is not unlike the perspective of anthropologists who study social science to create theories about religion.

Mitchell Brinton, an instructor of the Magic, Witchcraft and Religion course at Boise

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State, described how witchcraft and magic can be explained through an evolutionary or anthropological lens.

“Magic (or witchcraft) has a communicative effect,” Brinton said. “Let’s say your husband has committed adultery. Instead of getting in their face about it, calling on your relatives to act violently against him or being violent yourself, you might consult someone with supernatural powers that can put a curse on him. You are communicating to your adulterous husband that you are willing to take violent action against him, without actually hurting or killing him. At the end of the day, taking an evolutionary approach to religious behavior allows us to interpret observable behaviors and explain why they worked for individuals thousands of years ago, and perhaps today.”

This claim by Brinton, however, is based on the anthropological definition of witchcraft, which differs greatly from that used by individuals like Straub, who practice magic as a religion. John Ziker, professor and department chair of anthropology, described the way magic fits into the broader definition of religion over time.

“In anthropology, the traditional definition of witchcraft is someone who is claimed to do supernatural evil,” Ziker said. “In the anthropological definition, no one ever claims to be a witch, they’re accused of being a witch. We wouldn’t use the witchcraft definition for people who identify that way, we’d just call it white magic. That’s the general definition of religion, the acceptance of another person’s supernatural claim, whatever those are.”

This communicative effect that comes from witchcraft as a religion, however, isn’t always negative. One subset of paganism, Wicca, seeks to defeat the stereotype of vi-

olent magic by witches. While information is readily available at stores like Altar Egos and Crone’s Cupboard, owned by Jeanine Lesniak, the misinformation has yet to be debunked. Lesniak discovered that the stigma has become increasingly present with the current state of the government.

“There are a lot of people out there displeased with the government and wanting to do something negative about it, and that is completely inappropriate for Wicca,” Lesniak said. “It’s not that we can’t get political and have opinions and be active with them, but the appropriate Wiccan thing to do when we are not pleased is to call on the powers that be to bring wisdom and light to the situation, bring healing to the situation. The Wiccan way is not to curse or harm in any way.”

While those practicing pagan paths, like Lesniak and Straub, seek to guide the conversation towards the unearthing of culture and the disintegration of stigmas from the practice, Brinton took a humanistic approach towards religious importance overall.

“Religion and religious behaviors are here for a reason,” Brinton said. “Though the majority of human behavior is secular, many of us owe our existence to people who engaged in religious behaviors. Whether our ancestors joined (and cooperated with) individuals they’ve never met before, who all communicated their acceptance of Joseph Smith’s supernatural claims, like me, or, individually, were part of a group that used magic, instead of direct violence, to solve conflicts, the use and acceptance of supernatural claims is (and) was important to humanity’s survival.”

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HOW VEGANISM IS SPREADING IN BOISE

Every year, dining out in Boise becomes easier for those with dietary restrictions Chloe Glass | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Boise’s growth has led to an increase in dietary diversity across restaurants in the area, including the accommodation of vegan diets.

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he last place one might expect to meet a faux fur-loving, kale eating, tree-hugging vegan is Idaho — known best for its potatoes, mountains and country-type culture.

However, Boise is becoming greener every day. In January of 2018, in what vegans call “Veganuary,” people all over are urged to give up their love of anything and everything animal-based:— meat, dairy and eggs, for example — for 30 days.

Ten years ago, anyone setting up a goal for themselves like that would’ve been quite abnormal. In 2019, it’s considered a popular fad, but according to local business owners and community members, it’s not a trend, but a growing revolution.

March will be a special month for Boise restaurant owner, Jason Parra, as it will be the one-year anniversary of the opening of The Lemon Tree, located in downtown Boise. Heading to The Lemon Tree for a bite is to be welcomed into an open, inviting and bright atmosphere. The music is always upbeat, the people seem to always be smiling and the menu is plentiful with flavor and

options. This was exactly what Parra had in mind for his business.

“I wanted to be able to provide something for everybody,” Parra said.

Parra said his hope was for families and friends to enjoy food and drink together and without complication. The Lemon Tree serves vegan, vegetarian and non-vegan artisan sandwiches, with a choice of gluten-free bread always available.

Parra isn’t alone in his desire to serve Boise’s vegan population, especially so close to Boise State. Two years ago, a unique, small wholesale food truck and catering company was starting from the ground up.

Similarly to Parra, Hilary Lee, the owner and founder of Boise’s Gluten Free Galaxy, wanted different dietary options to be readily available in Boise. The Lemon Tree even happens to be one of the businesses she outsources to. Lee is extremely passionate about what she does — regarding the business she built herself, and the mission that drives Gluten Free Galaxy.

“We try to make sure to accommodate people who are left out of the market,” Lee said.

Lee also hopes more people start to open their minds — and their stomachs — to the possibility that other options available, though they might be a little different, can taste just as good.

“People have this mindset and freak out,” Lee said. “But it’s just food.”

Perhaps the most well-known location in the area that boasts vegan options is Guru Donuts, just off of Main Street inside the Idanha Hotel. Guru has been alive for, perhaps, the longest of any plant-based stores in Boise, as the owners, Angel Moran and her husband, Kevin, moved to Boise nearly 11 years ago. One of the first things the couple did was make a trip down to Portland, Oregon, where they happened to visit Voodoo Donuts. Moran thought there were many diverse food options in Boise, but Boise didn’t have any place like the fun, artful and atmospheric donut shop in Portland.

Originally, the Morans simply sold their donuts out of their home, where they happened to have an artisanal baker as a neighbor. He helped them create the recipe for what is now one of Guru’s most popular

Taylor Humby | The Arbiter

options: the vegan donut. At the time, veganism wasn’t all that popular.

“People didn’t even know how to pronounce the word ‘vegan’,” Angel Moran said. “But now, customers come in from outside of Boise just to get vegan donuts.”

Moran expressed that, without those passionate customers, she doesn’t know if they would have succeeded as a business.

However, it was a lot more than business that caused Moran to sell vegan donuts in her shop; she wanted everyone to be a part of the joy that is the donut world. Boise State student Naia Robinson has felt the impacts of shops like Moran’s, as she has grown up in Boise, and is intolerant to gluten and dairy.

“There’s been a lot of growth in Boise, and with that has come a lot more (dietary) accommodation,” Robinson said. “It’s wonderful to be able to order a sandwich or some ice cream that’s free from allergens. It used to be about getting lucky...but now it’s normal to just walk into a restaurant and get to choose from a variety of options.”

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PINCHING PENNIES ACROSS CAMPUS

Breaking down the conundrum of student finances Ben Harris | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

The stereotype of the “broke” college student has taken over the lives of many at Boise State.

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t one point in his college career, Akiah Tullis, a sophomore computer science major and president of the Financial Literacy Association, was washing his clothes in the dorm sink and hanging them up to dry in his room. Tullis was doing this to avoid the “ridiculously expensive washing services” that Boise State provided. While not every student goes so far to avoid unnecessary spending, plenty of students on college campuses are trying to save a few dollars wherever they can.

“Penny pinching,” a term widely used to talk about the act of trying to save money and stay frugal, can mean buying the cheapest cup of coffee on the menu, renting textbooks instead of buying them or finding alternative ways to clean dirty laundry. There are always methods to save a penny here and there. While this practice can be a worthy endeavor for some, Tullis

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believes that penny pinching isn’t the best solution for most.

“I resonate with the (saying) ‘penny wise, pound foolish,’” Tullis said. “It is simply much more effective to make good choices on the large scale than it is to get a cheaper coffee in the morning or, like me, hand-wash your clothes.”

While it’s possible for someone to save money by penny pinching, making smart decisions when it comes to things like housing and transportation will help create stronger financial security. From Tullis’s perspective, one of the best ways to become financially secure is to have a frugal mindset.

“You can live very comfortably on very small amounts of income, even below the poverty line, as long as you are willing to change your mindset,” Tullis said. “We are constantly inundated by adverts and a consumerist culture that tells us that if

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Taylor Humby | The Arbiter

we don’t buy shoes, games, fancy cars or clothes, we won’t be happy. This simply isn’t true.”

While plenty of students struggle with food, transportation and housing expenses, there can often be more added to the equation. With rising costs across the board, just an education alone can be a financial burden. Moneeb Nain, senior diagnostic radiology major, believes that the ever-increasing cost of modern day education is a huge factor in the financial struggle.

“Boise State’s student body is an incredible powerhouse that wants (the university) to succeed, and the students are those that the financial offices and tuition calculators need to realize are much more than wallets that can be sucked dry,” Nain said.

“Tuition has skyrocketed all across the country. Combine that with semester fees (and) exorbitant textbook prices that are unregulated and predatory, and financial

struggles will occur for many students.”

Through the many financial frustrations that a student can face, finding resources on campus can be a problem for students in a pinch for cash. While there is plenty of financial advice on the internet, in-person interaction can also be a big help.

This is where Boise State’s new Financial Wellness Program comes in. “(The new program) is designed to help individuals acquire skills needed to manage finances effectively, minimize debt, alleviate stress and foster a healthy relationship with money,” said Dana Oster, financial wellness coordinator.

From Oster’s perspective, one of the most challenging aspects of financial wellness is finding help and asking for it.

Just because it’s called “personal finance” doesn’t mean that a student has to be alone in figuring it all out.

“The biggest obstacle is being afraid to ask questions, thinking that we may be judged or not knowing where to go to find answers,” Oster said. “To be financially fit, we must all participate in the conversation and utilize our resources.”

While there can be moments of financial struggle during the college experience, it’s still important to realize and be grateful for the opportunities that can be had in college. In Tullis’s opinion, there are plenty of chances to succeed right outside his front door.

“As an American, I have a wealth of opportunity,” Tullis said. “Of course, I would like to have more money available to me, but I don’t hinge my happiness on it. Even the bottom rung here on campus is miles better than a lot of people out in the world.”

Just like physical fitness, being financially fit involves a bit of practice. In order to help students strengthen their monetary muscles, the Financial Wellness Program provides monthly “Lunch and Learn” events, where students can ask questions in a roundtable setting.

HOW STORIES GIVE LIFE TO THE PAST

Idaho Day looks at the stories of Idaho towns as a way to learn David Collie | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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he name Idaho, what does it invoke? Wide open spaces, lonely, winding rivers and mountain skies fading in the sunset.

Romance lies in our name; freedom lies in our name.”

This description was given by former Idaho Representative Linden Bateman when asked what makes Idaho special.

What makes Idaho unique and, more specifically, what makes each of its towns special, is the theme of this year’s Idaho Day which, according to the Idaho State Historical Society, is the annual celebration on March 4 that commemorates the creation of the Idaho territory by President Lincoln in 1863.

Mark Breske, the marketing and communications officer for the Idaho State Historical Society, shared his thoughts on this year’s theme.

“That’s the greatest thing about the theme this year, though, is how many different stories you can tell and how each one is different,” Breske said. “Everybody’s got a story. Everybody has a reason why they like Idaho.”

According to Bateman, the goal of this year’s theme is to get people interested in learning about the stories of their towns, as well as other towns in Idaho. And stories about the state are something Bateman has no shortage of.

Bateman talked about the conflict of the Nez Perce War, which began after the government violated a treaty by forcing the Nez Perce out of their land and, in turn, the Nez Perce fought and were pursued by U.S. Army soldiers. In addition to Chief Joseph, the Nez Perce were also led by a man named Ollokot, who helped the Nez Perce win several battles. Eventually, though, Ollokot was killed in the final battle of the war.

Bateman then took the story to 2016, when he was still serving as a state representative, and would often speak with the

woman in the office next to his: Paulette Jordan. One day, the subject of her ancestry came up and she told Bateman that she was a descendant of Ollokot.

“Did it enter Ollokot’s mind as he was dying on that battlefield that his third great-granddaughter would serve on the Idaho legislature and receive a party nomination to run for governor of the state?”

Bateman asked. “That one event, seeing my dad bringing me to that grave, and ever since, I’ve just had a passion for Idaho history. That really brings it to life.”

Unfortunately, though, many stories from the past are not as inspiring, but telling those stories as well can be just as important. Boise State assistant history professor, Bob Reinhardt, explained why it is important to learn and tell these stories, even if they are difficult.

“There are also some pretty serious stories in Idaho’s history, and trying to figure out how to put all of those stories together, how to talk simultaneously about Lewis and Clark and Minidoka, like how do you do both of those things?” Reinhardt said.

“There are lots of people in the state who are trying to figure out how to tell a more complicated story that also draws attention to the people who have been fighting against that racism.”

Reinhardt explained that these stories give complexity and can be a way to fight against a popular idea about what Idaho is. History is filled with stories, both good and bad, and telling them is a way to bring that past back to life and create a better future for the Gem State.

C U LT U R E

JUST A THOUGHT White men solving racism made an appearance at the Oscars Logan Potter | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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ollywood awards season is finally coming to an end, and Sunday, Feb. 24 marked the most prestigious night of all: the 2019 Oscars. The evening had no shortage of winners, with films like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “If Beale Street Could Talk” taking home the biggest acting awards of the night, while others like “Black Panther” and “First Man” took home technical and creative trophies. There were upset victories, like the charming win for Olivia Colman in “The Favourite,” but no category win shook the earth more than that of Best Picture.

According to academy voting patterns, solving racism is, arguably, easier than any of us could have ever imagined. Despite the centuries of hardships endured by people of color in the face of racist adversity, the creators of “Green Book” managed to tie the loose ends for the people of the United States by creating a film based entirely on the idea of racial reconciliation.

To put the icing on the untouchable cake, the team accepted the Best Picture honor

by almost entirely filling the stage with white men (with Octavia Spencer and Mahershala Ali in the background).

“Green Book” is the story of Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), who is somehow the supporting character in the film, and his journey through the Deep South chauffeured by a white driver (Viggo Mortensen). It was, quite frankly, a race movie that no one asked for, especially in the dawn of racial and immigration controversy instigated by the current presidential administration. Regardless of which side of the aisle you choose to lie in, it’s clear that the path of redemption and enlightenment of the white man in a black character’s story is not an accurate or effective retelling, but a ploy to create political correctness within a narrative that was already valid.

When there are riots on the street with protesters chanting “Build the wall!,” our cinematic art should not reflect some idea that the fight for racial equality and immigration rights is over. There is no step-bystep manual to writing a socially conscious screenplay, but the current state of our society, in reflection, creates those guidelines for us. Creating cinematic masterpieces is no easy task, but loving thy neighbor and recognizing their societal obstacles, even if they do not share your own, should be a no-brainer.

It’s time we stop awarding the “white savior” in film and begin, like “If Beale Street Could Talk,” praising stories that reflect the authentic experiences of race.

Check, recognize and reflect on your privilege, and don’t even think about opening the envelope until you’re done — just a thought.

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SPORTS & REC MARCH 5, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

WIKTORIA NOSEK: THE POLISH STAR OF THE WOMEN’S TENNIS TEAM How Nosek made it to Boise State and made an impact on her teammates and fans

Armin Mesinovic | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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eing ranked the 19th best player in Poland when she joined the Boise State women’s tennis team in 2016, junior material science and engineering major Wiktoria Nosek was driven to prove herself on campus.

Nosek came to campus with goal of being successful at the collegiate level, and she did just that by being an All-Mountain West doubles honoree in her freshman and sophomore seasons.

Wiktoria grew up in Kielce, Poland with her three siblings and parents. She had a passion for tennis from a young age because of her grandmother’s influence, and was constantly surrounded by tennis at home.

“I was in preschool and I did pretty good on a fitness test so I was invited by this club to play tennis,” Nosek said. “I always heard something about tennis from my grandma so that’s how it started and I just fell in love.”

Since high school sports are not very popular in Europe, Nosek represented herself by playing for a club and building her resume there. She achieved first world ranking from the International Tennis Federation in 2015 along with being a national runner-up in doubles at the 2015 Polish Indoor Championship. She also reached the doubles semifinals at the Polish National Championships in 2015 and 2016. Nosek received several college offers from the United States but decided that Boise State was the best fit for her. “(Boise State) was really safe and I was really scared to come to the states because I always heard about (crime in the United States). I loved the pictures of Boise because I didn’t come to visit,” Nosek said.

“The way I talked to the coach made a huge impact because I saw how much he

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Wiktoria Nosek won her singles match against UC Boulder 6-1, 6-2 on Feb. 24.

Bailey Nellesen | The Arbiter cares about girls and all the staff members here.”

Nosek won her first collegiate singles match against Seattle University’s Caroline Maltby 6-3, 6-4. She finished her freshman and sophomore years with a singles record of 17-20 and a doubles record of 19-22.

Now into her junior season, she has gone 3-7 in singles matches and 5-5 in double matches so far.

“I (have loved) doubles since I got here; that’s where I actually feel free and I can do whatever, like crossing (the court),” Nosek

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said. “I improved a lot, but I was not that confident and good in my head in singles but right now I also feel confident. But, doubles is definitely (my first preference).”

This season, Nosek has had two different doubles partners: sophomore Vanessa Timm and freshman Emily Strande. Nosek and Timm played together for the majority of the first half of the season and won the Barb Chandler Classic Orange flight doubles championships. Nosek and Strande have played in four matches together thus far, and have gone 2-1 with an unfinished

fourth match. They look to continue building their chemistry and keep moving forward.

Nosek is obviously far from home and her family. She is very close with her siblings and was worried that when she came to Boise State she would feel alone, but that changed when she met her teammates.

They bonded well and she treats them like her own family by supporting and caring for them. Nosek’s teammates describe her as engaging with others and kind to everyone. As the season moves towards conference play, she looks determined to continue improving.

“Wiktoria has also shown so much passion with everything she does, and honestly I was intimidated when I first met her,” Strande said. “But as I got to know her better I saw that all of that came from her passion and she cares about all the people around her; playing doubles with her has been one of the best experiences.”

Nosek credits her head coach Beck Roghaar as her reason for coming to Boise State, and he is continuing to help improve her game and guide her through her collegiate career. Roghaar believes to have found a complete player who is humble and coachable.

“When I first went over to Poland to watch her play, I heard good things about her as a competitor and as a person. But I think when we got over there, what really made us know she was the right person for our program was how versatile she was and the tools that she had; she kind of has a little bit of everything,” Roghaar said. “It’s awesome to see how much Wiktoria has grown on and off the court while she’s here and she’s an incredible athlete.”

SPORTS & REC

BRONCOS IN THE NFL

Former Broncos are amongst the NFL’s top free agents

FEB.26 MAR. 2

Autum Robertson | Sports Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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he Boise State football organization has long been making NFL stars. With the draft only a couple months away, it’s likely there will be more former Broncos in the NFL. But before the draft comes free agency, which begins March 13. There are several former Broncos ranked in several top free agent lists, including DeMarcus Lawrence, Matt Paradis, Jay Ajayi, Orlando Scandrick and Doug Martin.

An NFL analyst has defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence ranked as the top free agent in the list of the NFL’s top 101. Lawrence has been with the Dallas Cowboys since being drafted in 2014.

He is now due for a pay raise and a new deal with a new team or the Cowboys if they’re willing to pay. If the Cowboys don’t get a multi-year contract done by March 5, it is likely they will franchise

tag him for the second year in a row. The two-time Pro Bowler (2017, 2018), who had another phenomenal season in 2019 with 10.6 sacks all season, has established himself as one of the league’s best.

Denver Broncos center Matt Paradis has been on the team since 2014.

He has been one of the Broncos’ most consistent offensive linemen, not missing a single snap until injur-

ing himself last November. He is ranked as one of the top centers in the league and comes in at No. 35 in the NFL’s top 101 free agents. Like Lawrence, Paradis should be a top priority for the Broncos to work out a new contract for.

Running back Jay Ajayi was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 2015. He stayed in Miami until October of the 2017 season when the Dolphins organization traded Ajayi to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Ajayi had his breakout season in 2016 when he ended the season with 1,272 yards. Ajayi tore his ACL in 2018, so his health status is also something to consider as he goes into free agency. He is ranked as the No. 61 free agent.

Cornerback Orlando Scandrick has been in the league since 2008 with the Dallas Cowboys. Scandrick stayed with the Cowboys until 2017 when he was released. He ended up signing a oneyear contract with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018.

The last Bronco that could find himself as a free agent on March 13 is running back Doug Martin. Martin was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012. He stayed with the Buccaneers until being released in 2017, and then he was signed by the Oakland Raiders in 2018. Martin’s top rushing season came in 2012 when he finished with 1,454 yards — his career high. The only time Martin has come close to matching his career best was in 2015 when he finished with 1,402 yards. Martin was the Raiders’ leading rusher in 2018 with 723 yards, but with age, consistency and money as factors, there is a good chance that Martin will be a free agent.

Lawrence, Paradis, Ajayi, Scandrick and Martin all have the same question lingering around: will they become free agents, and if so, where will they end up?

Autum Robertson | Sports Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

MOUNTAIN WEST

Utah State (24-6) Well, it didn’t seem like it would ever happen, but the Aggies now own the top spot in the Mountain West after beating the Wolf Pack 81-76. Nevada played sloppy, finishing with 28 fouls and three of their starters ,Jordan Caroline, Tre’Shawn Thurman and Cody Martin, fouled out. The Aggies also beat the Aztecs 70-54.

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Nevada (26-3) The Wolf Pack has now lost two of their last four games. Nevada took on the Rebels at home where they easily won 89-73. Three of Nevada’s players had at least 20 points. They would later lose to the Aggies 7681; the loss could partially be blamed on fouls, but give credit to the Aggies’ offense.

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Fresno State (20-8) The Bulldogs routed the Cowboys 7160. Fresno State forward Nate Grimes had a double-double with 14 rebounds and 15 points, and guard Braxton Huggins put up 30 points.

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San Diego State (19-10) The Aztecs lost to the Aggies 54-70, but rebounded and beat the Spartans 84-56. The Aztecs had five players finish in double digits and forward Nathan Mensah has a double-double with 11 rebounds and 13 points.

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UNLV (16-13) The Rebels were defeated by the Wolf Pack 73-89, and barely slid past the Broncos in a 85-81 victory. The game went into overtime where the Rebels were able to outscore the Broncos 12-8.

Air Force (13-15) The Falcons won their only game this week when they took down the Cowboys 80-72. Almost half of the Falcons’ points came from forward Ryan Swan-Ford, who finished with 37.

Colorado State (12-17) The Rams traveled to Boise to start their week with a 76-62 victory. With this win, the Rams evened the series. The Rams later lost to the Lobos 65-77. They played good defense, allowing 17 offensive rebounds.

New Mexico (12-16) The Lobos probably had one of the most embarrassing losses this season when the Spartans outscored them 89-82. They were able to bounce back and defeat the Rams 77-65; the Lobos out-rebounded the Rams by 22.

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Boise State (11-18) Not to be too harsh, but at this point the only basketball worth watching at Boise State is the women’s. The Broncos lost to the Rams 62-76, but guard Justinian Jessup had a single-game career-high 25 points. Once again, the Broncos were able to force their opponent into overtime and once again they lost 81-85 to the Rebels. The worst part about this loss was watching Jessup score a jumper at the end of regulation, only for the Broncos to not be able to make a defensive stop... Per usual.

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Wyoming (6-23) Now on a six-game losing streak, the Cowboys almost look as bad as the Spartans. They lost to the Bulldogs 60-71 and the Falcons 72-80. Air Force’s Swan-Ford had his way against the Cowboys, finishing with 37 points.

San Jose State (4-24) This week of basketball was full of surprises, and to top it all off, the Spartans actually won a conference game. They beat the Lobos 89-82 behind Noah Baumann’s 26 points and forward Michael Steadman’s double-double. But, the Spartans were able to bounce back to their usual selves in their 56-84 loss to the Aztecs.

MARCH 5, 2019

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ARBITERONLINE.COM

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SPORTS & REC

DERRICK ALSTON HAS GROWN IN LEAPS AND BOUNDS SINCE LAST YEAR

The redshirt sophomore brings a much-needed versatile skill set to the men’s basketball team Autum Robertson | Sports Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

T

he stage for the 2018 NBA draft was set as NBA prospects sat and waited to hear their fate. Among those athletes was former Bronco Chandler Hutchison, who became the first Bronco to be drafted in the first round in the NBA draft. Bronco fans were elated for Hutchison and for Boise State who could use the recognition in basketball.

But one question lingered in the back of every Boise State basketball fan’s mind: who would replace the clutch, lengthy 6’7” wing the next year?

Hutchison’s potential replacement sat patiently on the bench waiting for his turn to show Boise State what he had to offer. He is redshirt sophomore guard Derrick Alston, who is in the midst of his breakout season. In 2017 Alston had 0.6 points per game, making him dead last in scoring for the Broncos, and had made one three-pointer. What Alston is doing now is virtually unheard of — he is currently the third highest scorer on the 2018-19 team averaging 12.3 points per game and has made the second-most three-pointers with 44.

“He’s in uncharted territories in the sense that his jump from last year to where he is this year, statistically, is one of the largest in the country.”

Mike Burns, assistant men’s basketball coach

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MARCH 5, 2019

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“He’s in uncharted territories in the sense that his jump from last year to where he is this year, statistically, is one of the largest in the country,” said assistant coach Mike Burns. “It’s been phenomenal to watch as a coaching staff because he’s had to do it through hard work and diligence (to) develop his game, and for that, he’s being rewarded right now.”

Alston was raised in Houston, Texas, a long way from Boise. His journey to become a Bronco, or even just a Division I athlete, was anything but simple. During his high school career, Alston wasn’t getting a lot of looks from colleges. He received some interest, but colleges wanted him to go to prep school first so that he could develop more.

Alston’s hopes of going straight from high school to a Division I team seemed to be falling, until a junior college coach recommended Alston to the graduate assistant at Boise State. According to Alston, “the rest is history.”

Alston grew up with a father who was drafted by the 76ers in 1994 and played two years in the NBA followed by 16 seasons overseas. His father was never

ARBITERONLINE.COM

his coach, but he did play an active role in helping Alston to become the player he is today.

Alston said that his father still watches all of his games and will help him with things that he may not be catching.

The NCAA has athletes redshirt for many different reasons, such as to get in shape or prepare them to balance academics and school.

Alston credited his current success to his freshman year redshirting experience, but also added that it was one of the biggest adversities he has faced as an athlete.

“Redshirting was probably one of the toughest years of my life. It was just like three months of lifting and stuff like that. But it was tough,” Alston said. “You’re not playing, you’re kind of left out; but it’s for the bigger picture down the road.

It definitely prepared me for what I’m going through right now… I had to learn what it means to be a Divi-

sion I athlete.”

Becoming one of the top athletes on the team has pushed Alston to be a team leader.

“He’s more of a motivational leader, and that (is) something this team needed,” said junior guard Alex Hobbs.

On top of being a leader, he has been able to bring a multitude of skills. “(Alston is) a multi-faceted player.

He can play multiple positions; he can do different things. He can score on the post, he can score on the perimeter, he can rebound, he’s got great length and that gives him versatility defensively,” Burns said.

Alston is defying the odds, putting up numbers and having success that not many people saw coming. His journey is an unusual one, from hardly getting looks coming out of high school, to almost attending prep school, to becoming a starter at a Division I team in the Mountain West. Alston seems to be unstoppable, and someone who can really help this Bronco basketball team grow into something special.

“I don’t want to call what he’s doing crazy, but that’s kind of what it is,” Hobbs said.

Derrick Alston, redshirt sophomore guard Bailey Nellesen & Taylor Humby | The Arbiter

OUR BEST GUESS The Arbiter aligns your stars.

PISCES, you might be finding yourself

in somewhat of a financial pinch this week. Take advantage of your free time between classes and put together a comprehensive budget that takes all of your expenses into account, and use that to guide you in the next month of pay. You may be surprised to find out how much money you’re spending on things you don’t actually need!

PISCES

FEB 18 - MARCH 20

ARIES

MARCH 20 - APR 20

There’s a new hobby just around the corner for you, Aries, and you’re going to immerse yourself in it this week. Whether you decide to study a new language or learn an instrument, make sure you’re taking enough time away from your new fascination to finish your current responsibilities.

TAURUS

APR 20 - MAY 21 Your week isn’t going to be great, Taurus, but go through the days knowing that your feelings are valid. Maybe a friend or family member is in distress, and while you should be there for them, know that everything will begin to look up. It only gets worse before it inevitably gets better!

GEMINI

MAY 21 - JUN 21

You’re feeling particularly social this week, Gemini, which means you may find yourself in some new social circles. Joining new activities can make for a more positive semester, so show up to as many club meetings as your heart desires! Just be careful not to overload your extracurricular plate.

CANCER

JUN 21 - JULY 23

You’re picking up a little extra money from raises or tax returns this week, Cancer, which means it’s time to treat yourself. Put some cash in savings for later, and then feel free to take advantage of your wealth by finally getting that new laptop (or anything else) you’ve been waiting for!

LEO

JUL 23 - AUG 23

Love is in the air for you this week, Leo, so keep your eye out for the one who is (metaphorically) going to sweep you off your feet. Don’t distract yourself too much from the things that matter, but do allow yourself to go with the flow and have a positive week.

VIRGO

AUG 23 - SEPT 23 The stars (and planets) are aligned for you this week, Virgo, so it’s your time to shine. Academically, you’ll find your hard work worth it, and you’re on your way to a great accomplishment in your hobbies and relationship. Keep it up!

LIBRA

SEPT 23 - OCT 22

Prepare yourself for the worst this week, Libra, because things are not looking up for the next few days. This doesn’t mean complete catastrophe, but don’t let a few small mistakes take you down, and pick yourself back up with newfound confidence in yourself to succeed.

SCORPIO

OCT 23 - NOV 21 It may be time to reevaluate your social circle, because the toxicity of some of your current associates is killing your planetary vibe this week. Have an important conversation with someone close to you about the way you feel, and you may find that happiness is waiting for you elsewhere.

SAGITTARIUS NOV 22 - DEC 22

It’s time for you to stop believing that your problems aren’t as bad as others, Sagittarius, because that sentiment is going to harm you this week.

Recognize that how you feel is important, and your crises should not be weighed against any others.

Take a deep breath and validate yourself!

CAPRICORN

DEC 22 - JAN 20 It’s time for you to start thinking more about yourself, Capricorn. You are a selfless person, but it’s time to turn the tables and appreciate yourself, practice self-care and talk to someone about your mental health. You can still love others, but it’s imperative that you love yourself, as well.

AQUARIUS

JAN 20 - FEB 18

It looks like you’re overdue for a vacation, and that’s no easy task as a college student. This weekend, take a road trip somewhere you’ve never been before, or, to one of your favorite places.

A weekend trip is harmless, and you’ll save way more money than planning something extravagant!

Vagisil_F1_SCHOOL_print_10x10_color web site Rite Aid.indd 1

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