The Arbiter Vol. 32 Issue 9

October 15, 2019

Vol. 32 Issue 9

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V O I CE

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B O I SE

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STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS GRAPPLE WITH THE EFFECTS OF UNHEALTHY WORK CULTURE NEWS

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Food pantry at Boise State works with the Idaho Foodbank to provide a future of fresh produce

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OPINION

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Boise State should enforce harsher consequences on athletes for using performance-enhancing drugs arbiteronline.com

CULTURE

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Joy Harjo, United States Poet Laureate, visited campus to share her career and cultural experiences @arbiteronline

SPORTS & REC

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CT Thomas is taking on a leadership role with the Broncos while breaking career records on the field

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@boisestatearbiter

Editor-In-Chief Logan Potter editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu Online Editor Emma Freitas onlineeditor@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Editor Celina Van Hyning news@stumedia.boisestate.edu News Reporter Taylor Rico-Pekerol news@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Editor Will Meyer culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Culture Reporter Michelle Johnson culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports Editor Delaney Brassil sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Sports Reporter Autum Robertson sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu Copy Editor Megan Mary Social Media Coordinator Trisha Kangas Digital Content Manager Taylor Humby digitalcontent@stumedia.boisestate.edu Digital Content Producer Mackenzie Hudson Graphic Design Manager Maddie Ceglecki design@stumedia.boisestate.edu Graphic Designer Kacie Fromhart 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.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK Boise State rugby took on Washington State, leaving the game with a 4-0 record after an intense 75-8 win.

Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter

ON THE COVER:

A toxic environment can manifest in any workplace. Learning to navigate the space is key to overcoming its obstacles, like damaging employee motivation and mental health.

Cover design by Wyatt Wur tenberger

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

Fun place to work, flex schedules, discounted meals & free t-shirts

$9.00 or more per hour Cooks & Carhops

(Carhops can earn tips) Starting pay based on experience To Apply 2145 S. Broadway: Text APPLY5023 to 876-642 851 N. Orchard St: Text APPLY4687 to 876-642

EVENTS CAREER AND GRADUATE FAIR

SUB JORDAN BALLROOM

SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS VOLLEYBALL

OCTOBER 16, 10 AM Over 100 employers will be present at the fair with job and internship opportunities. Bring a resume and dress professionally to take part in this networking event.

DIGITAL PUMPKIN CARVING LIBRARY MAKERLAB OCTOBER 16, 3 PM

The College of Innovation and Design will be hosting a 3D printing workshop where students have the opportunity to make their own 3D-printed mini pumpkin.

IDAHO HORROR FILM FESTIVAL

EGYPTIAN THEATRE OCTOBER 17-19

Idaho’s first and longest-running horror film festival includes a lineup of over 60 short films, special guests and panels. Purchase tickets at eventbrite.com.

The Broncos (12-5, 4-2) traveled to UNLV on Saturday, Oct. 12 where they lost 2-1. The Broncos won the first two sets, but the Rebels fought back to win the last three by just two points each. Boise State will host Mountain West leader No. 15 Colorado State on Thursday, Oct. 17.

SWIMMING & DIVING

On Friday, Oct. 11, the Broncos had their first meet of the season, in which they took down the Wyoming Cowboys 168-108, claiming 11 of the 16 events. On Saturday, Oct. 12, Boise State hosted University of Idaho and won with a score of 221-78, claiming victory in all five freestyle races against the Vandals.

FOOTBALL

BOISE MAYORAL CANDIDATE DEBATE

SUB JORDAN BALLROOM OCTOBER 21, 6 PM The Associated Students of Boise State University will be hosting a Boise mayoral debate. This event is free and open to the public.

The No.14 Broncos are now 6-0 after defeating University of Hawai’i 59-37 for Homecoming. Chase Cord threw for 175 yards and three touchdowns after Hank Bachmeier left the game with an injury. Boise State heads to Provo, Utah next Saturday, Oct. 19 to take on BYU (2-4).

NEWS

OCTOBER 15, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

DIVERSITY RATES IN STEM ARE ON THE RISE

Progressive changes have been made at Boise State and within the STEM industry Karsyn Preble | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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n recent years, the percentage of women and people of color (POC) majoring in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) at Boise State University has been steadily increasing.

Since 2014, the percentage of undergraduate women in STEM has risen by 6% and the percentage of undergraduate underrepresented minorities has risen by 4%, according to the Institute for STEM and Diversity Initiatives.

“I think there’s just more options,” said senior mechanical engineering major Sam Schauer. “There’s more clubs that are supporting minority groups, there’s more scholarships and resources available in general.”

Schauer, the president of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), spends her time as president working to bring women together.

Schauer explained how empowering minorities will lead to new ideas and advancements in the STEM industry.

“But if you have different genders, different ethnicities, different experience levels, different interests, you’re getting ideas that lead to innovation,” Schauer said.

The Institute for STEM and Diversity Initiatives is a student resource dedicated to providing opportunities for students from underserved or underrepresented backgrounds.

“I think that people had been quiet for so long that people mistook this to mean that all was well, but it really just meant that people didn’t feel like they had a voice or the power to use that voice,” wrote Dr. Donna Llewelly, executive director of the Institute for STEM and Diversity Initiatives, in an email. “I think that is starting slowly to change and now we need to wake up as a campus and really address some serious issues.”

Llewellyn believes there have been vast amounts of support from the campus staff and faculty to work towards a future of inclusivity.

Looking back on her own experiences as a

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The Institute for STEM and Diversity Initatives’ goal is to create an environment of inclusivity. woman in STEM, Llewellyn shed some light on the hardships that women and POC face every day in a predominantly white and male field. Across the board, women accounted for just below 30% of those employed in scientific research and development fields in 2016. According to a study by Catalyst, women of color averaged just below 4% of these degree-holders.

“I learned to grow a very thick skin at a very early stage in my education and career path,” Llewellyn wrote. “My fervent hope is that one day, women who walk the same path that I walked will not need to grow calluses just to survive.”

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According to Llewellyn, minorities that want to create positive changes for future generations of students and professionals ignite the biggest changes in the STEM fields.

Chantal Mendiola Orizaba, a first-generation junior biology major, discussed the value of creating support within the community of minorities in STEM. “Generations of POC who have come before me have succeeded in even harsher conditions and are now putting in the work to bring more POC into these fields,” Mendiola Orizaba said. “They understand the struggle of being the only person in the room, being first-generation, being working

Taylor Humby | The Arbiter

class and much more because they lived it.”

Mendiola Orizaba explained that the issue is much greater than the university has addressed.

“The university needs to make tangible actions with measurable results that will actually help working-class POC start and finish with a degree,” Mendiola Orizaba said.

“Boise State, the city of Boise and the STEM industry have a long way to go on this path of diversification, but the benefits of shifting the voice and power to communities that have long been oppressed is clear.”

NEWS

BOISE VOTERS OFFER OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS ON PROPOSITION 1

The proposed change could determine how Boise handles future library projects Bridger Cowan | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Boise locals will have the option to vote on Proposition 1 on Nov. 5, and opposing viewpoints make the outcome unpredictable.

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lection Day is quickly approaching, and Idaho residents have the opportunity to vote for important ballot measures, school boards and mayoral candidates.

Among these is Proposition 1, a ballot measure that proposes the requirement of Boise voter approval for future library projects. Voting in favor of Proposition 1 would require that all future Boise library development projects exceeding $25 million in cost must first be voted on and passed by citizens.

Opposing the measure would maintain the existing law, keeping the decision-making power with local elected officials.

Chris Moeness is a local real estate agent who is currently running for Boise’s city council. He shared his opinions on the matter and expressed his support for Proposition 1.

“People need to know about this and really

understand what’s going on here,” Moeness said. “At its core, these propositions speak to a larger issue which is [that] a vast majority of Boise residents want to be involved with how our money is being spent.”

Having a say in how taxpayer money is spent is one of the main arguments used to express support. Others who support the proposition also claim that a good government responds to the will of the people and that citizen voices should be heard.

“I support this initiative because, at the very least, it gives the people of Boise a chance to be heard,” Moeness said.

On the contrary, individuals who oppose Proposition 1 claim it is unnecessary and would potentially cause needless effort and expense.

Bev Harad, the chairman of the Boise Library Foundation, stated she does not

support this library initiative.

“I feel that this should be an issue that is taken to city council for their approval or disapproval. I don’t feel that you should have to bring it to a vote to the public,” Harad said. “I think it takes unnecessary time and money to do something like that when we have a system already in place.”

Harad feels that elected local officials are voted into their respective offices to handle these situations.

“I say personally, and the people that I’ve been working with, feel that we support a representative form of government,” Harad said. “That’s why we vote for city council people, that’s why we vote for mayor, etcetera. And if we get to a point that we have to bring every single building project to a vote of the people, not only will it delay projects, but also a cost to them for the process that it

Taylor Humby | The Arbiter has to go through.”

The city has already proposed a library project currently in the works with an estimated budget of $85 million. With this in mind, the turnout of Proposition 1 becomes especially important for Boise.

Ethan Townsend, a sophomore political science major, said he will be voting in favor of Proposition 1.

“While, personally, I’m always in favor of increasing public services like libraries, and hate to see more barriers for them getting built, I think it’s more important that citizens choose where their tax money goes,” Townsend said.

Townsend explained that he does not oppose the pending new library project.

However, he values the idea of that choice being given to the citizens to make the decision rather than the local government.

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NEWS

BOISE STATE FOOD PANTRY PARTNERS WITH LOCAL FOOD BANK

With requests for fresh produce, the food pantry looks for ways to implement fresh options Taylor Rico-Pekerol | News Reporter | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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ith 500 visitors from the beginning of 2019 through Oct. 2, the food pantry located in the Dean of Students office and a second smaller location in the Albertsons Library are working to help students.

Emily Hester, a junior business administration and sociology double major, has worked in the Dean of Students office since early 2019. Hester maintains the day-to-day tasks of the pantry, while restocking and organizing items.

“Once I found out they had a food pantry on campus, I was like, ‘This is really cool, this is something I’m used to, familiar with,’ and I was super passionate about it,” Hester said. “And so I asked if I could take a larger role in the operations side of the food pantry and how we could make it to better serve our students.”

According to Anna Moreshead, the assistant dean of students, 36% of students reported food insecurity out of 6,000 students that the survey was administered to. From Aug. 26 to Oct. 2, there were 221 visits, which is an increase from the 60 visits the previous year in the same time frame.

“So the fact that only 221 visits happened tells me there’s students that one, either don’t identify themselves as food insecure so they’re not seeing that [food pantry] as a resource that they would access,” Moreshead said. “Or two, the stigma and they don’t want to.”

The hope of the food insecurity committee is to lessen the stigma by having more people involved and aware of the resources available to them. Hannah Garcia is a sophomore kinesiology major who is a part of the food insecurity committee, as well as Associated Students of Boise State University (ASBSU) assembly.

The food pantry does not currently have a set volunteer schedule, but Garcia and the food insecurity committee are working to make it more available to people who want to volunteer.

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“We’d love to set up some kind of infrations to get involved and spread awareness. structure where people can come volunteer,” By having more people involved, the stigma Garcia said. “There’s been a lot more talk of being food insecure could be reduced, about it now and I think especially any according to Hester. organization where you need service hours, The partnership with the Idaho Foodwe’d love the help. And it’s on campus, bank would give the Boise State food you’re helping your fellow Broncos.” pantry a consistent donor if there ever was a The pantry has recently begun receiving time when donations are scarce. donations of hygiene and personal care “If everything’s just going to keep products. increasing [in price], how can we provide “Food and hygiene products are necessithose basic needs for students that aren’t ties,” Garcia said. “And if they can’t afford able to get them?” Hester said. “So I think one necessity, what makes you think they can that’s why it’s incredibly important for us afford the other? If they can’t afford canned to have a food pantry and be able to actugoods, how can they afford shampoo or ally stock it and make it a consistent piece conditioner?” of student’s lives.”

Students do not have to give their name or student ID number to access the pantry and are allowed to leave requests of items that would be helpful to have. One of the main items asked for is fresh produce.

Discussions with the Idaho Foodbank have begun to possibly bring a mobile food truck to campus with free fresh produce to those who need it, according to ASBSU President Kaleb Smith. Currently, the pantry is unable to provide fresh produce because there is no refrigerator and they do not possess the proper licensing.

By having all the fresh produce donated through the Idaho Foodbank and their mobile truck, there would be fewer obstacles for the committee.

“We don’t have to be licensed and all the produce goes back with them so we don’t have to keep any of it and figure out how we would get rid of it,” Hester said.

“So it just seemed like a really healthy partnership. And then we would also be able to get different clubs and community groups on campus involved.”

A host from the university would be needed every time the mobile food pantry came to campus and would Fresh produce may soon be available in the food pantry. Kacie Fromhart | The Arbiter allow organiza-

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ADVOCATES FOR BOISE HOMELESS SPEAK ON MARTIN V. THE CITY OF BOISE

NEWS

Boise homeless population awaits a barring Supreme Court case as advocates offer an insider perspective

Cora Aldridge | Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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ension between the Boise homeless population, local government and law enforcement authorities is rising pending the City of Boise’s formal appeal to the Supreme Court regarding the Martin v. City of Boise case.

Filed by six current or former residents of Boise’s homeless community the case began with the plaintiffs’ alleged citations by Boise police for violating one or both of two city ordinances, the “Camping Ordinance” and the “Disorderly Conduct Ordinance.”

On Sept. 4, 2018, the Ninth Circuit ruled in favor of the plaintiff appellants, citing the Boise City Ordinances as violations of the Eighth Amendment.

The City of Boise has appealed its case to the Supreme Court in hopes of overturning the Ninth Circuit’s ruling and keeping strict laws in place for the city’s homeless.

Currently, unless city shelters are at full capacity, individuals sleeping on the streets can still be issued tickets by law enforcement.

Jordan Pereira, director of Interfaith Sanctuary, provided her perspective on criminalizing homelessness from a position of immediate involvement. “[State legislators] aren’t down here in the trenches working with people experiencing homelessness to see why they’re shelter resistant,’’ Pereira said.

Pereira offered insight into the effects of ticketing public sleeping through a hypothetical scenario.

“You give someone a ticket for, say, sleeping in an alleyway. Then they’re going to miss their court date, then they’re going to have a warrant out for their arrest, then they’re going to get hauled off to jail and spend however many days there when they potentially just missed their housing appointment, their mental health appointment, their substance abuse appointment,” Pereira said. “You’re only adding barriers to their housing.”

Pereira explained her view on the reason for local government involvement in homeless individuals’ sleeping options.

“[Legislators] don’t want Boise to turn into a Portland or Seattle,’’ Pereira said.“Boise is really good at regulating the homeless population. You can take that as a good thing or a bad thing, depends on the person.”

Alexys Stimpson, a junior social work major, offered her own experience and insight working as a staff member at Interfaith Sanctuary.

“I first started service learning here my freshman year of college,” Stimpson said.“I’ve been officially working here for over six months now.”

Stimpson believes that all Boise locals have the right to sleep, and no law should be able to determine where people can and cannot do so.

“I don’t think anybody should have that right taken away from them,” Stimpson said.

Pereira says that the diversity of thought in the shelter makes the experience that much better for the people using the shelter as a resource.

“The students at Boise State are exceptional and bring in so many different perspectives and views,” Pereira said.

Peg Richards, president of the Ada County Homeless Coalition and executive director of Good Samaritan Homes, spoke on the root of the issue within the Martin v. City of Boise case.

“The system is broken,” Richards said. “If the shelter system worked, housing would already be solved.”

Martin v. the City of Boise has provided a voice to individuals experiencing, combating and aiding homelessness. As a possible Supreme Court case looms, Boise organizations take it upon themselves to provide solutions and raise awareness.

“If Boise is going to be the most livable city it should be the most livable to anyone, regardless of income,” Stimpson said.

Boise organizations take it upon themselves to raise awareness of the growing homeless population.

Taylor Humby | The Arbiter

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OPINION OCTOBER 15, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

AN ARGUMENT FOR A STRICTER STUDENT-ATHLETE STEROID POLICY Harsher consequences would likely encourage student integrity within Boise State athletics Emily Stevens | Staff Writer | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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he competitive atmosphere in college sports often serves as a breeding ground for self-doubt and desperation. Athletes find themselves in competition with others and may feel the need to engage in drug use that could give them a physical advantage.

Whether purely to compete or to recover from injury, the desire to take performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) or steroids is understandable. Take Julian Edelman, receiver for the New England Patriots, for example. The desire to nurse his ACL injury and return to the field was enough to entice Edelman into PED use.

Not only do these drugs create an unfair competitive atmosphere, they put the abusers at risk of severe, damaging side effects.

Athletes who use PEDs and steroids often find themselves subject to paranoia, irritability, delusions and an array of other mental health issues. After long periods of use, the abuser’s personality can fade away and make their social behaviors unrecognizable.

On PEDs or steroids, athletes’ bodies can undergo several undesired changes, such as the growth or reduction of breasts, voice deepening and balding. More extreme consequences include kidney, liver, reproductive and cardiovascular failure.

Due to their drastic impacts, the possession, sale and use of these drugs is illegal for all United States citizens without prescription under The Anabolic Steroids Control Act of 1990. Despite this, such substances continue to entice collegiate athletes. Therefore, it is evident that the existing punishments for these behaviors are not as extreme as necessary.

According to the NCAA website, an athlete’s first positive drug test results in the loss of a full year of eligibility, or 25% of their remaining time in the NCAA. The second

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Boise State’s consequences for PEDs do not meet the caliber of the NCAA’s in the status quo. positive test removes all future eligibility.

At Boise State, athletes are also tested by school-mandated examinations that follow a separate protocol from the federal regulation. The Boise State Student Handbook details the punishments for first and second offenses of hormones and steroids.

First offense: The correct authorities will be notified. The student has to speak with the Deputy Athletic Director and notify their legal guardians and/or spouse of their results.

The student is required to attend counseling, release their drug records to the team physician and is subject to random drug testing.

The athlete is suspended from at least 50% of the year’s competition schedule.

Second offense: The student is “immediately and permanently” released from all sports teams at Boise State and they will lose much or all of their athletic grant-in-aid.

Although the policies of Boise State and the NCAA are similar and Boise State reserves the right to dismiss any athlete from their program, the department’s lesser punishment for the first offense raises the question of whether

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Boise State is being too lenient.

Does Boise State University value player performance over player integrity?

While this question cannot be answered definitively, the relative leniency of Boise State’s student-athlete drug policy displays the demonstrates the push to get athletes back in the game in a shorter amount of time. This communicates that Boise State sports may be forgiving of steroid use in an effort to maintain a strong roster.

For some athletes, the minimal punishment for steroids could be outweighed by the so-called “benefits,” encouraging steroid use and putting more athletes at risk.

In order to protect collegiate athletes and establish an honest athletic environment, Boise State needs to increase penalties for the use of steroids and similar drugs.

If more student-athletes are afraid of the repercussions, less would partake in PED and steroid abuse. An increase in first-offense suspension times would have a large impact on steroid presence.

For first-time offenders, a positive drug

Kacie Fromhart | The Arbiter

test should result in a minimum suspension of an entire year of eligibility, the same as the NCAA’s regulation. Longer suspensions would be necessary if the student overdosed or the student’s urine contained levels that could result in an overdose.

In addition to suspension and other consequences in the Student-Athlete Handbook, the NCAA and professional sports teams should be notified of the student’s steroid use after their first positive drug test. That way, the athlete’s drug history would follow them from team to team and ultimately hinder their chances of a future in athletics.

This severe first-time offense would likely result in a lower number of repeat and first-time offenders.

Boise State University should hold the same standards as the NCAA, if not higher. Stricter standards would cultivate athletes that rely solely on their talent and hard work, not on drugs that enhance their abilities at the expense of their health and well-being.

OPINION

DISTRACTED DRIVING IS A PROBLEM AND WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT

Nothing is more important than keeping your hands on the wheel and off your phone Maddie Ceglecki | Graphic Design Manager | design@stumedia.boisestate.edu

Further, a study from King’s College in Pennsylvania reported that 80% of college students text while driving, even though they recognize it as being dangerous.

Can you truly not wait until you are at home to be connected? No Snapchat or text is going to be so remarkable or memorable that you need to know about it within the 15 minutes it takes to get back to your house or workplace.

There is nothing more important than staying focused on the road. We need to learn to be okay with not being connected; we are not missing out by taking the time to travel safely. You can even enjoy your drive. Put on some music, slow down and just be OK with 15 minutes of being disconnected.

Campaigns like AT&T’s “It Can Wait” highlight the problem with texting and driving, particularly with family members and loved ones. Consider this permission to advise them to stay safe and disconnected, as well. While it is crucial that you stay focused on the road, keeping those you care for in check could create a ripple effect. Dare them to convince you of a single message in this world worth losing a life for; it, truly, can wait.

Until then, please hold yourself accountable. Distracted driving, especially in such high volume pedestrian areas like Boise State’s campus, is never tolerable. If you have to throw your phone in the back seat, do it.

To put it simply, the data shows that if you text and drive, you are much more likely to have a wreck. And, as the old colDistracted driving creates dangerous situations for pedestrians and drivers on campus. lege trope goes, you likely can’t afford the

Taylor Humby | The Arbiter insurance spikes or the cost of an accident on your current salary. in an ambulance on a stretcher. Regardless corner. Take your time; drivers need to realhere have been no deadly of the cause, the incidents bring forth an ize that it is only four floors, and making it vehicular incidents on campus important problem to discuss: distracted down does not require a drag race. in recent history, but there are driving on campus.

If you need a reason to slow down, colstill important lessons to be Every time I am in one of the parking lege students and adults ages 20 to 29 are learned. In just the past few weeks, two garages on campus, I am concerned for the one of the demographics at highest risk for people on campus have been hit by cars EMAIL US AT: my own safety while trying to get out of the fatal crashes involving distracted driving, while crossing the street, both near the OPINION@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE.EDU way of swerving cars while their squealing according to the Colorado Department of Lincoln Parking Garage. One of the inciTransportation. dents ended in a student being taken away tires brake and over-correct around every

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g n i t a g i v Na k r o w c i x o t e r u t l cu

Taking a deeper look into the effects of unhealthy workspaces

MICHELLE JOHNSON | CULTURE REPORTER CULTURE@STUMEDIA.BOISESTATE.EDU

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ullying, gossiping and closed doors were just a few of the things Brittany Picker encountered for over a year at her previous job. With a work culture that encouraged high school drama over teamwork, Picker knew that this job was not right for her anymore. With the idea of leaving for a long time, she ultimately used school as her excuse to get out.

“A toxic work culture like this is a place where you don’t feel comfortable, where you’re feeling drained not just physically but mentally, as well,” Picker said.

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“The reason I gave them for leaving was that my summer school classes didn’t work with their schedule, which was a reason but wasn’t the defining reason.”

As college students, the constant curiosity of a future career is always looming on the mind. With high expectations of loving a job, what happens when it starts to feel draining both physically and mentally? Toxic work culture presents itself in many ways and can happen in all types of professions.

Every case of a toxic work environment is different, ranging from a variety of illegal actions down to just bad behavior. Either way, toxic work cultures are rarely discussed and, oftentimes, swept under the rug.

What constitutes a toxic work culture?

Jennifer Hooft is an independent human resource management consultant who has extensive knowledge of the ins-and-outs of toxic work culture. Overseeing her clients, Hooft offers advice and training about bullying and harassment in the workplace.

“I define a toxic work culture as one in

which destructive or negative behavior has a harmful impact on the people and ultimately on the culture, and leadership does nothing to intervene,” Hooft said. “Workplace culture is created and changed by every person in the organization. Problems arise when leaders fail to hold people to a high standard of behavior and fail to put policies in place that guide people according to core values and expectations.”

“Workplace culture is created and changed by every person in the organization.”

Jennifer Hooft, independent human resource management consultant

F E AT U R E With that in mind, toxic work culture is not confined to a small array of actions. It can vary in both how an individual feels and how a company is run, as well as the type of leadership that is being communicated.

Picker, a senior biology major, was working at a veterinary clinic where the toxic work culture did not appear until a couple of months after she started. Once she had become more established and comfortable at her job, Picker noticed that, not only was the work culture toxic to her, but it affected the business’s clients, as well.

“It was a place I felt valued money over anything else and it was their number one priority, being constantly overbooked and never turning clients away,” Picker said.

“The work alone drained everyone, but then it seemed to also have a high school drama environment where there were favorites involved, cliques and a place where everyone was talking about each other behind their backs.”

Hooft elaborated on how common cases of toxic work culture includes that idea of a “high school drama” narrative.

“What we see a lot of the time are cases of basic incivility, sometimes on a grander scale, bullying in the workplace,” Hooft said. “We see examples frequently where a person is targeted, isolated or excluded from meetings, email distributions, etcetera and where gossip is allowed in the workplace, which I think is huge in creating that toxic work culture.”

The effects of a toxic work culture Shawn Miller and Jordy LePiane are both employees working at Boise State University within Human Resources. With Miller overseeing the functions of the

people and LePaine specializing in employee relations, they both have seen the effects that people working in a toxic work culture experience.

“I would say that people walk around with a general burden,” LePiane said. “A feeling of fear and distrust of their colleagues and leaders, where people don’t talk to each other in the hallways, people aren’t collaborating and decisions are made in silos.”

For Picker, one of the biggest effects of being in a toxic work culture was seen within herself.

“The toxic work culture I was in made me into a terrible person,” Picker said. “I didn’t like the things that I did in order to fit in with everyone. I felt like I had to be that negative person in order to be liked by other people.”

Not only are individuals affected by toxic work culture, but the organizations are as well. These cultures can create feelings of burden, distrust within one another and organizations can lose major amounts of money. Perhaps most importantly for productivity, they can lose talented employees.

“In toxic work cultures, there is no shared faith,” Miller said. “If you think about the best teams you’ve been on, there’s a shared faith, whether that may be winning a game for the team or a putting a newspaper together to win an award as a company.”

When it comes to the company, enabling that toxic environment does not just affect their employees, it affects the profit and reputation, as well. Hooft discussed how businesses will often do performance evaluations but, in

the end, they are not focusing on the picture as a whole.

“Organizations often

judge performance based on meeting business metrics. An effective organization measures both the what and the how, but they weigh the performance rating more on the how than on the what,” Hooft said. “In other words, do you inspire trust?

Do you build effective relationships? Are you respectful of other people at all times? Or do you meet your business metrics, leaving dead bodies in the wake? We know what gets measured is what matters, so we have to measure and value the behaviors that contribute to a healthy culture.”

Leaving workplace toxicity behind It is not uncommon for a large amount of people to experience some form of toxic work culture at some point in their professional lives. People can struggle when it comes to getting out of toxic situations at work, whether that is the fear of coming forward or the uncertainty of not finding another job.

“People who are targeted by workplace bullies feel trapped in a bad situation, and they often believe if they bring a claim forward, their situation is just going to get worse,” Hooft said. “Zero tolerance for retaliation is key. In the meantime, the victim will do well to exercise self-care, take care of sleep, nutrition and exercise, gather a support network, and access counseling through an employee assistance program to better deal with the situation.”

Along with getting out of a toxic work culture, employees can take measures to ensure that a company is right for them and aligns with their values before taking on a position.

“If I was advising someone I would say to sleuth their website, talk to people who work there, go to Glassdoor,” Miller said.

“But if you have the opportunity to talk to someone who works there, asking them what their mission is and what their values are, how do you see it playing itself out

and if you can see yourself there in two years.”

LePiane recalls a time where he was trapped in a toxic work environment before obtaining his current position. He spent over 10 years of his life in sales.

“I used to be in sales, and the cutthroat nature of that business encouraged poor behavior between colleagues and managers,” LePiane said. “I loved the competitive part of it but, as far as culture goes, it’s very cutthroat and all about the numbers and it didn’t align with my values.”

The workplace does not have to be a place where people stick to themselves, according to Hooft; it can be a place that fosters kindness and helpful attitudes.

“In the workplace, we have an opportunity every day to help each other have a better day, have a better experience and move toward success,” Hooft said. “Certainly, if we see someone being bullied or harassed, we have an obligation to stand up for them, be their courage, and do what’s right. If we expect these positive behaviors, we foster a healthy workplace. We do not allow destructive behaviors to become prevalent. And we avoid a toxic culture.”

Human beings can be complex, but when it comes down to it, there is a certain craving for the need to be around others.

LePiane explained that being connected is vital, not just in the workplace, but in life more broadly.

“I think humans are happiest when they feel connected to each other,” LePiane said. “Whether that’s in the workplace or anywhere there is more than one person interacting with somebody else. Humans are naturally happiest and most productive and most successful when they feel connected to the people around them.”

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C U LT U R E OCTOBER 15, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

POET LAUREATE SPEAKS TO STUDENTS ABOUT CRAFT AND CULTURE

Joy Harjo discussed the importance of poetry as a way to connect with yourself and others Will Meyer | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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n the third floor of the Stueckle Sky Center, in a large room overlooking the blue turf, a motley group of poets and aficionados of the craft gathered around to listen to and converse with Joy Harjo, the United States Poet Laureate.

In Boise to speak at President Marlene Tromp’s investiture ceremony, Harjo took a moment to share the work that she is doing since assuming the position as the first Native American woman to do so.

“My presence in this position makes a doorway that says, ‘Yes, there are Native people, and some of us are poets. We have a lot of poets, and that poetry is alive in America, and we’ve had poetry here for millions of years,’” Harjo said.

Harjo said she believes poetry is an act of bringing people together and, in that way, her work is activism.

“When you speak a word into the world, it goes out, and it will do something,” Harjo said. “It will either raise people up, or it can hurt them and divide them from each other and keep them from listening to each other.”

Harjo started writing poetry when she was an undergraduate student at the University of New Mexico as a member of the KIVA club, a Native student organization that encourages involvement with Native and human rights. Harjo explained that, as an artist in America, she is a composite of many different worlds.

“I see myself as part of an American legacy of poetry and also a Muscogee Creek legacy of poetry,” Harjo said.

Harjo has recently worked with her editors and Norton publishing to build an anthology of Native American poetry that will be released next fall.

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“It’s important for people to realize that poetry belongs to them, it’s part of them.

It’s not something that’s far away in a book or a university,” Harjo said. “It might be there too, but it’s also something that you can carry in your heart, and pull up any time you’re going through any of life’s transformations and heartaches and joys that every human being goes through.”

“It’s important for people to realize that poetry belongs to them, it’s part of them. It’s not something that’s far away in a book or a university.”

Joy Harjo, United States Poet Laureate

Speaking on the importance of people like Harjo gaining large platforms such as that of the Poet Laureate, professor of English and ethnic literature Dr. Dora Ramirez said that people such as Harjo are in a unique position to bring the stories of traditionally marginalized and erased cultures to the public.

“Knowing that she was the poet laureate, I was like ‘Wow, that’s a huge thing,’ especially knowing her poetry, and how she writes about place and community and sovereignty, and all the things that come with history, negative and positive,” Ramirez said.

Jacob Robarts, a senior studying poetry, emphasized that contemporary literary writing is deeply concentrated on voices

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Harjo spoke to students about her recently released book, “An American Sunrise.”

Photo courtesy of Priscilla Grover

that have traditionally not been included in literary communities.

A person from a community that has not always been legitimized holding an important office means that more people can see themselves in those positions of power and know they can access similar creative freedom if they choose, Robarts explained.

“I think that having a Native American

Poet Laureate is exactly what writing is trying to do. It’s trying to tap into this universal consciousness,” Robarts said. “By hearing work from someone that is not like you, and from someone who’s from a marginalized community, it shows you what’s going on outside of yourself, and at the same time lets you reflect inward.”

C U LT U R E

PAINTINGS DOCUMENT THE LONG HISTORY OF BOISE STATE

Decades of art displayed around campus encourage student interaction Ben Harris | Staff Writer | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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ith the typical college schedule, it is easy for a Boise State student to disregard attention to little details. The intricacy and painstaking effort that goes into the art decorating campus walls often goes unnoticed. What is truly a glimpse into the culture and life of an artist might receive a passing glance as someone rushes by on their way to class.

Emily Wetherwax, senior art history major and president of the Art History Club, is hoping to help students take a different approach to viewing art on campus. According to Wetherwax, seeing an original piece of artwork in-person creates an “aura” that one can only experience when being with art in a physical space.

“It’s a moment in history, that’s what the aura is all about,” Wetherwax said. “It’s taking the moment in history and putting it on a canvas, and it’s what you feel and

what you get when you’re experiencing this image before you.”

Like experiencing a live performance, seeing the brush strokes on the canvas up close can provide a much more personal experience than viewing art without being in the presence of it. Despite the way in which art is viewed, Kinslee Sikes, junior art history major, believes that experiencing visual art can help the viewer gain a better perspective on the world that the artist was living in.

“It’s the difference between a beautiful image and an image that speaks to you in a multitude of ways,” Sikes wrote in an email. “Knowing who did an artwork or what was going on in the world at the time can bring to light new meanings of what was valued in the past.”

Experiencing visual art can help a viewer learn more about the context of the artist, but that experience can become more

pronounced with other people. Whether it is a photograph, a painting or an art installation, viewers can have a better understanding of a piece if they have other perspectives to draw from. Remy Krey-Rebentisch, senior media arts major and vice president of the Visual Culture Club, believes that experiencing art through different lenses can create a better shared experience for everyone involved.

“We get everyone’s perspectives of things that they might have seen that others didn’t,” Krey-Rebentisch said. “I think everyone gets a shared perspective when it’s a shared experience.”

Krey-Rebentisch believes learning about a culture is best done through the art that they produce. This could be the food and dance of Boise’s Basque community, or one of the many international communities present in the Treasure Valley.

Despite what community it is, Krey-Re-

bentisch finds importance in getting to know the surrounding communities.

“I think it’s important to learn about these things just to become not only a more well-rounded person, but to be able to start having conversations with the people who are a part of the community as well,” Krey-Rebentisch said.

Because art can help students learn so much more about the communities surrounding them, experiencing art is not just for art students. Zoe Mendez, junior visual arts major, believes the student body should support visual art regardless of what they are involved in on campus.

“It’s the same reason we go to football games, and we go to basketball games, we go to support our school,” Mendez said.

“We should be going to these galleries because it’s in support of our fellow peers.”

Several halls in the Student Union building showcase decades of campus art for students and faculty.

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Will Meyer | The Arbiter

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C U LT U R E

CAMPUS RECREATION BROADENS INCLUSIVITY INITIATIVES

Student employees work to welcome a more diverse group of students Blake Hunter | Opinion Editor | opinion@stumedia.boisestate.edu

The Rec Center strives to include a broader range of the campus population.

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hen the Idaho State Legislature voiced criticisms of Boise State’s inclusivity initiatives this summer, the added pressure was mostly applied to specific programs and the school administration. However, others are joining the conversation to strive for a more inclusive Boise State experience.

Student employees and staff at Boise State Campus Recreation are playing an integral role to ensure that people who have historically not been involved in Campus Recreation feel welcome.

Sonora Birnie, a senior studying media arts and the Campus Recreation communications manager, explained that the fitness and outdoor industries often cater to white, wealthy people with idealized

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body types. Birnie wants to make sure that people outside of this demographic are not being ignored.

“In the content we share, if all we’re seeing is super fit athletic white dudes who fit that stereotype, we might scare away the people who don’t fit that stereotype,” Birnie said. “The people who look like that are already coming. We’re trying to make people of all colors, sizes, ages and abilities feel welcome.”

Campus Recreation encompasses intramural sports, fitness classes, recreation facilities and the Outdoor Program.

Business administration sophomore Grace Beltramo coordinates co-sponsorships and events as an outreach program assistant for the Outdoor Program.

“It’s important to give people a space

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Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter where they feel like they can belong,” Beltramo said. “It’s important that people come here and don’t feel the need to explain themselves.”

Beltramo’s most visible efforts to make the Outdoor Program more inclusive has been in the ongoing series of climbing nights that will include International Student Services, TRIO Rising Scholars and “Womxn’s Climbing Nights,” the first of which was on March 8, International Women’s Day. Beltramo said the use of the word “womxn” was intentional, as it is meant to explicitly include women of all identities, ethnicities and nationalities. Particularly in a very physical space, Beltramo felt that it was an important opportunity to invite new climbers, hoping they might come

again any of the five evenings per week the climbing gym is open.

“The big comment is ‘Why do womxn get their own night?’” Beltramo said. “We say ‘womxn and allies’ to include everyone, because womxn might not feel they are welcome at 95% of the climbing events we have. The important thing is that womxn can be involved in this sport even though it can be very intimidating.”

Intimidation is a large deterrent for many people who might otherwise use Campus Recreation facilities. Fitness coordinator Kyle Dean said his team strives to remove intimidation, physical and financial barriers for members daily, which is why as of summer 2019, group fitness classes are free for all members.

“I have a staff of fitness attendants with the sole purpose of reducing intimidation in our weight room and providing positive support to all patrons who need help on their fitness journey, whether it be a simple spot on their exercise, or advice on how to get started and how to do certain exercises,” Dean wrote in an email.

Both Beltramo and Birnie strive to recognize their own privilege and identities as white women when it comes to inclusive messaging and programming.

“I don’t want the content to feel forced,” Birnie said. “I don’t want to tokenize individuals.”

One way to combat this has been reaching out to groups on campus, like those involved with climbing night co-sponsorships. For Birnie, this cooperation leads to meeting new people on campus and opportunities for education.

“Recreation is supposed to be about having fun and doing that through a healthy lifestyle,” Birnie said. “It does us a disservice to be driving away people because of ignorance. Educating ourselves has been very important, and Campus Recreation should be a safe space, where [students] can go without a fear of criticism or expectation.”

C U LT U R E

‘EL CAMINO’ LIGHTS JESSE PINKMAN’S WAY HOME

The somber epilogue provides a healthy mix of fanfare and quality filmmaking to wrap up the ‘Breaking Bad’ legacy Logan Potter | Editor-in-Chief | editor@stumedia.boisestate.edu

This review contains spoilers and is intended to be read after viewing. line of enthusiastic “Breaking Bad” fans wrapped around the Egyptian Theater on Oct. 8, creating a bustling energy just before Boise’s advance screening of “El Camino,” the Netflix original film created as a continuation of Jesse Pinkman’s story. Those who attended had to win or scavenge for their tickets via local radio stations — or star Aaron Paul, himself — and the excitement was prevalent.

Those fans (or, at least, most of them) received exactly what they were searching for in this epilogue.

“El Camino” may be one of Netflix’s most niche ventures, as it tailors most clearly to seasoned fans of the original series. The film is full of fanfare, most notably through flashback sequences that include key characters from “Breaking Bad,” but it has a charm that could potentially bring in new fans to start with season one.

For those who went into the film as fans, the appearance of Walter White was definitely a treat, albeit one expected to pop up. As creator Vince Gilligan already stated on the record, White is dead. “El Camino” is not White’s story, but he is a player in wrapping up Pinkman’s story, with a rather peaceful flashback in a diner.

Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of the film is that, even with White out of the picture, Pinkman still manages not to be the hero, even in his own story.

The tone is gritty and sometimes violent, and Pinkman’s character development feels more self-interested than particularly heroic. The self-interest, however, feels like a necessary trait when escaping captors and seeking asylum after committing a crime.

The audience knows early on that Pinkman killed a man — his captor — to save his own life. Viewers do not see the carnage, but they are privy to the “almost” moments that build up to Pinkman’s escape. The mystery, of sorts, regarding how he removed

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Aaron Paul returns to the screen to make Jesse Pinkman a free man after “Breaking Bad.” himself from the hostage situation is one of Pinkman’s most interesting pieces of character development, because it highlights just how much he suffered, as well as how far he would go to make himself a mostly free man.

Pinkman has nothing left to go home to, a sentiment most blatantly recognized when he lures his parents away from their home to steal guns from their safe. He has nothing to lose, and Gilligan drives that independence home. The film isn’t ac-

tion-heavy, but it is written like an escape plot, packed with hurdles before Pinkman can finish the race to a new identity.

The time-lapsed New Mexican sunsets and sunrises give way to, what feels like a backseat to Pinkman’s beautifully written, desperate journey to start over. Albeit a harsh look at the reality of Pinkman’s life, “El Camino” allows a single ray of hope to shine through, leaving the audience to believe that, just maybe, Pinkman will find his way home.

Photo by Ben Rothstein/Netflix

“El Camino” is not strictly “Breaking Bad” fanfare. Rather, it is a standalone, somber and bittersweet end to Pinkman’s story; the story tied up loose ends, but didn’t open the door to cliffhangers or, really, much speculation at all. The desire to ask, “Where are they now?” has mostly subsided. And, much like Pinkman and his venture to Alaska, the impact of “Breaking Bad” has the opportunity to start anew with a fresh audience.

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SPORTS & REC OCTOBER 15, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM

CT THOMAS STEPS INTO A LEADERSHIP ROLE AMID YOUNG RECEIVERS

Thomas posted a career high of 119 receiving yards in the Broncos’ victory over Air Force Autum Robertson | Sports Reporter | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

After knowing nothing about Idaho, Thomas has turned Boise into his home.

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everal states and more than 1,600 miles separate junior CT Thomas from his hometown of Dallas, Texas. Before the wide receiver committed to play at Boise State, he knew nothing about Boise; over time, however, the city has become Thomas’s home.

“I only knew Boise State for the football,” Thomas said. “I came for my visit one day in February and just fell in love with the place. [Boise] has a great atmosphere, they have great coaches and a great community. I knew it was a great fit for me.”

Thomas’s football journey began long before his career at Boise State. He started playing organizational football at the age of five, but said he has been playing “since he

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can remember.” Before Thomas dedicated his time solely to football, he ran track and field and played basketball.

“I really liked track at first, until I got older. When you’re young, you have so much energy and you just want to run, but when I got older I realized that it’s a lot of running and I got tired,” Thomas said. “I realized how much I love football and how it was something I always wanted to do.”

Throughout Thomas’s life, he looked up to his uncle who inspired him in everything he did. Thomas comes from a long line of receivers, so his uncle was there to coach him through football.

“My uncle [has] been in my corner since I can remember. If it wasn’t for him, I

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Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter wouldn’t be here today. He’s pushed me tremendously,” Thomas said. “He’s everything.

All the skills I have, I got from him… my uncle pushed me to my best ability. I give my uncle all the credit.”

After Thomas graduated in 2017 from Lancaster High School, he came to Boise and played as a true freshman, quickly making a name for himself. In his first season, he played in all 14 games and made 15 catches for 121 yards. In Thomas’s sophomore season, he became a top target on the Broncos’ offense and hauled in his first college touchdown at the start of the season at Troy.

Now five games into his junior year, Thomas is still making plays. He and John

Hightower are the only receivers on the roster that has broken over 100 yards twice.

His first 100-yard game of the season — and of his college career — came at Florida State with 103 yards. His second came at home against Air Force, where he had a career-high 199 yards.

Thomas’s junior year has not only brought career highs, but also new leadership roles.

“CT has really matured and is one of those guys in the receiver room that is a leader. He’s got good energy and he brings that spark to both practice and games,” said offensive coordinator Zak Hill. “He’s got really good hands and our quarterbacks trust him, so getting the ball to him is easy.

CT has done a great job preparing… as a coordinator, you feel lucky because you’ve got a lot of weapons in that room, you got a lot of guys that can get the ball, and CT is definitely one of them.”

In a receiver room that is made up of predominantly freshmen, Thomas has utilized his junior status as a way to lead the other receivers on the team.

“Watching him work every day, working toward the standards he’s set for himself, is amazing. He pays attention to detail and he wants to learn every day. He shows up with a working mentality,” said senior wide receiver Akilian Butler. “He’s grown as a leader. He’s stepping up and taking that older guy role. Not only is he holding himself to a higher standard, he’s holding the other receivers to a higher standard, and he’s being more vocal.”

Thomas says his family, teammates and his love for football motivate him to do great things on and off the field, and Thomas’s family just got a little bigger. He welcomed his daughter, Taytum Thomas, into the world in late September.

ESPORTS’ NEXT-GEN COMMENTATORS

Boise State’s varsity program is boosted by live commentary Max Schwartz | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

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n announcer guiding a viewer through a game, commentating on each play, is something usually associated with ESPN. The growing Boise State esports program, however, is no different.

Nathan Van Hulzen, a freshman commentator for Boise State Esports, a program that has been on campus since 2017, commentated for three years prior to coming to Boise State. His story resembles that of many other professional commentators.

“I wanted to work in esports in any way that I could,” Van Hulzen said.

“I really enjoyed the game ‘League of Legends’ and I knew a lot about it, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to get to a point where I could play it at a professional level or even at a stage somewhere in a competitive scene.”

Although he lacks the skill that only a small percentage of professional esports players possess, Van Hulzen recognized what talent he did have.

“I’m very good at talking to people, communicating and not being nervous when it comes to talking in front of people,” Van Hulzen said. “So, I used that as an advantage of mine and thought of commentating as a way to possibly get into esports as a job or profession later on.”

This insight is not in a vacuum, either.

It was an objective from the top of the Boise State esports organization to build a communications-level education with the experience.

“The experience you gain [in esports commentating] can transfer across so many platforms,” said Ryan McNamee, director of esports operations. “It builds up your self-esteem and confidence. It helps if you are new to public speaking and want to gain that experience.”

The pairing of esports with live commentary was an idea conceived while creating the Boise State esports program;

where there is an esports team, there will be student commentators.

“We’ve been using student commentators since day one of our esports program,” McNamee said. “Lots of students showed interest in commenting on the matches, and we have enjoyed watching [the commentators] grow into this role.”

For a player, having a commentator while playing is essential for a good performance, according to freshman “Rainbow Six Siege” player Daniel Heffernan.

The sensation is similar to a professional athlete for the NFL having their morale boosted by hearing their name yelled by the announcer.

“When there is a crucial moment in a game, the sportscaster can put the energy into words; their voice projects a little louder and gets the whole crowd just riled up and excited for that single moment,” Heffernan said. “It reminds me a lot of the track and field announcers when I ran in high school.”

With each word they speak, a commentators job is massive to create a positive and immersive experience to those who tune in. While not even playing they are paving way to put esports on the map as a professional sport more and more.

“Having in-game commentating changes the way you look [at] and watch esports.

With the proper duo of casters, they can describe the games in such detail that even if you’ve never watched or played the game, you’ll understand what is going on,” McNamee said. “Often, when I tune into an esports match, I don’t even watch the games, I just listen to our casters because of how they project the image into my mind of what is going on.”

SPORTS & REC

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

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he Broncos remain undefeated (6-0) after an electric 59-37 win over Hawaii, putting them atop the Mountain West (MW) and proving that they are the hottest team in the MW. Going into this game ranked No.14, the Broncos had a lot to prove. When solely looking at statistics, Hawaii is good; when looking at the teams they’ve played, however, their season is not as impressive. Hawaii was blown out by Washington 52-20, and Boise State would be the highest-ranked opponent they had faced all year. If the Broncos had not put up at least 40 points on offense, they would not have looked like one of the nation’s top 15 teams.

But they did win, and the Broncos did it in a way that made a statement. They deserve to be ranked where they are, and it is going to be hard to stop them.

Without further ado, here are my takeaways from Boise’s win over Hawaii.

Robert Mahone is no Jay Ajayi or Alexander Mattison, but that may not matter It is obvious that Boise State’s run game is not a strength of this team. There have been moments when it has shone, but it is just too inconsistent to be named a strength.

Halfway through the season, it is extremely unlikely that Mahone will end the season with 1,000 yards. Six games into the season, he only has 375 yards. This may not be as bad for the Broncos’ offense as it seems. Freshman George Holani has proved he is a dynamic player. Against Hawaii, he finished with three touchdowns, two of which were catches. He is the Broncos’ first back with a pass reception touchdown since 2017. Holani is not far behind starter Mahone, with 366 total yards.

The Broncos’ answer may not be to start Holani, but Mahone and Holani work well together. The almost even rotation they have going seems to be the best solution for the Broncos’ backs.

The Broncos have a lot of playmaking receivers that can carry the offense When the season started, there was tons of buzz surrounding Khalil Shakir, then everyone jumped on the CT Thomas hype. Recently, it has been all about John Hightower.

The truth is, all three receivers are playmakers that have had big games and will continue to lead this offense. Hank Bachmeier is talented and he deserves the starting quarterback role, but sometimes he stays in the pocket too long — hence why he takes so many hits. Having receivers that can catch just about any ball is helpful. Without having three playmakers like Shakir, Thomas and Hightower, Bachmeier would struggle more than he does.

Hightower’s speed does set him apart from the other two. He found a way to be behind Hawaii’s defense consistently, and they did not have an answer. No matter who was taking snaps, Hightower was making catches, proving that he is playing a crucial role in this offense.

Chase Cord will have no problem keeping this team undefeated Cord relieved Bachmeier after his injury in the second quarter and the transition was almost flawless, going 12-18 for 175 yards and three touchdowns. Cord was well-equipped to take over this offense, and he will be able to lead them past BYU, if necessary.

Cord had a commanding presence and led the offense with confidence. Cord brings plenty of experience from backing up for quarterback Brett Rypien.

No, there is not a quarterback controversy, but Bachmeier is injured. Cord will have big shoes to fill for a team that 6-0 and bowl eligible. From the looks of his performance against Hawaii and his past experience, the Broncos will leave Utah 7-0.

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SPORTS & REC

NEW FACES LOOK TO HELP LEAD THE SWIMMING AND DIVING TEAM

Christine Mabile starts her second year as head coach Zach Krufka | Staff Writer | sports@stumedia.boisestate.edu

The Broncos hosted and won their first two meets of the 2019 season against Wyoming and Idaho.

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n 2017 and 2018, the Broncos claimed first place in the Mountain West. Now, coming off of a thirdplace finish at the 2019 Mountain West Championships and a fourth-place result at the 2019 CSCAA National Invitation Championships, the Boise State swimming and diving team look to continue their good mojo into this year.

Despite losing seven seniors to graduation, the relatively young team of 11 underclassmen and 15 upperclassmen led by head coach Christine Mabile are eager to make an even bigger splash this year.

Mabile, a Boise State alumna, is in her second year of coaching the swimming and diving team, but she is very familiar with the Bronco way.

“I was a student here and I was here since the beginning of the program, and it has been here for 13 years. I was a volunteer coach for four years,” Mabile said.

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“The goal for me was to grow my career so I could eventually come back and be the head coach here.”

Thanks to her own time as a Bronco swimmer, Mabile has a keen sense of judgment when it comes to coaching the team.

She has some great insights to help her talented team make their run at a Mountain West top finish again this year.

Leading the team this season is senior captain Robin Pinger, who specializes in the individual medley and breaststroke.

Ringer, like most captains, aims to lead her new teammates to the top.

Last year, Pinger led the team with six All-Mountain West honors in the 100yard breaststroke, 200-yard individual medley and three relay teams: the 400 free, the 200- and 400-yard medleys. Along with the six honors, Pinger set four new personal records at championship meets.

These records include the 50-yard freestyle

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(23.28R), 50-yard breaststroke (28.33), 100-yard breaststroke (1:00.97) and 100yard individual medley (56.25).

“Our team definitely feels different, but every team feels different with the new freshmen that come in. Since we had a big class graduate last year, we definitely have a new team and a new vibe, but in a great way,” Pinger said. “Our freshmen are super great and super motivated so they fit right in.”

As with any sport, team chemistry is a huge portion of how successful a team can be, and the swimming and diving team looks like they have that.

Emma Brady (free/fly) from Bend, Ore., who is one of six freshmen, is excited to compete for the first time as a Bronco.

“I am looking forward to the competition the most,” Brady said. “I am super excited for our first meet and conference and the ability to compete.”

The swimmers’ anticipation is matched

Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter

by Mabile. She is excited to dive into her second year as the Broncos’ head coach, helping to teach the freshmen to strengthen their current skills. Mabile is also looking forward to helping them grow as people throughout their time at Boise State.

“Our freshmen came in really ready to contribute, and I don’t know if they know where their role is, but they want to find it,” Mabile said. “They clearly came in with a lot of passion for being a part of Boise State and being a Bronco, and they were ready for the commitment and so that is really bringing out the best of the team too.”

On Friday, Oct. 11 in their first meet of the season, the Broncos took down the Wyoming Cowboys 168-108. Boise State won 11 of the 16 events. The following day, Boise State hosted University of Idaho and claimed another win with a score of 221-78.

Graduate degree programs in:

Learn more about our graduate degree programs.

Meet Allyson Hill, associate dean of admissions, at the Fall Career and Graduate School Fair.

Wednesday, October 16, 2019, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Jordan Ballroom, Student Union Building (SUB)

Communication (PhD) Communication Data Science (MS) Communication Management (MCG) Digital Social Media (MS) Global Communication (MA/MSc) Journalism (MS) Public Diplomacy (MPD) Specialized Journalism (MA) Specialized Journalism (The Arts) (MA) Strategic Public Relations (MA)

Š JOHN WEBSTER

wildwood Express Chairlift Opening This Winter

$139

Tamarack College Pass Purchase by November 11 & Save

Tamarackidaho.com | 208-325-1030 *College student is defined as a student who will be enrolled for the 2019-20 school year at a college, university or post-secondary technical college. Must show college ID & current transcript upon pickup.

TA M A R A C K R E S O R T // B I G T H I N G S A R E H A P P E N I N G