Inside this Issue
The Holy Month of Ramadan | Page 3
Opinion: Rating On-Campus Dining | Page 5
Bengals Fall Against Weber State | Page 6
The Bengal
isubengal.com 15 April 2021
Volume 46 Issue 28
The Independent Voice at Idaho State University Since 1910
ISU to Fully Open by Fall 2021 Logan Ramsey News Editor After more than a year of campus operating at limited capacity, Idaho State University plans to be fully open with in-person instruction and oncampus activities for the Fall 2021 semester. The COVID-19 Health Committee continues to meet regularly and monitor the pandemic, and while they’re confident students will be able to return to campus, they also commit to being flexible and vigilant. ISU leadership is excited to welcome students back to campus and they hope that the first day of school will feel like the normal start of a semester. “Event planning is already underway to make sure the campus is vibrant and engaging. After a year apart for many students, faculty, and staff, this fall will feel like a reunion,” said ISU President Kevin Satterlee. The main metrics the committee and ISU leadership looked at when deciding to return to on-campus instruction was the effectiveness of the vaccine and the availability to students. Satterlee has received his vaccine and he encourages others to do the same.
Please Recycle
“... getting our vaccines is how we will put the pandemic behind us and safely return to in-person instruction and the on-campus activities that we all value so much. There is a lot of hope and excitement about our future here at Idaho State University. And every Bengal getting their shot is how we get there,” Satterlee said. While Satterlee said that the health and safety of students is always the top priority, they also know that students want a complete campus experience. “We all value our traditions and events as part of our Bengal culture, we all enjoy seeing each other in person, and we look forward to safely resuming activities this fall,” Satterlee said. While this year has been trying, Satterlee said that it has left him with, “great gratitude and hope.” The greatest challenge the university faced was finding a way to adapt operations to respond to the pandemic. Continued on Page 2
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The Bengal at Idaho State University
15 April 2021 • Page 2
NEWS
Logan Ramsey | News Editor Contact: bgnews@isu.edu
2021 Undergraduate Research Symposium
Photo Courtesy of Idaho State University, From 2018 Research Symposium Andrea Diaz Reporter Research is a tool that not only helps students get a good grade, but it also helps our society discover and learn things we otherwise might not have known. The undergraduate symposium is an event that allows Idaho State University undergraduate students to showcase their findings through the form of posters that they can present to others at ISU. Students have mainly presented their work on posters, however, any major that has other ways of presenting their research, other than posters is encouraged to present and involve themselves in the
symposium. All undergraduate students are able to participate. This year is a little different as it will be an online event instead of an in-person one, due to COVID-19. “When we can do it in person there is a real festive air about it. Online is not quite as exciting,” said Assistant Vice President for Research, Deb Easterly, a doctorate in educational leadership. There has been a variety of topics that have been presented this year on ISU’s symposium website. One topic, in particular, came from the Mechanical Engineering department about “Automating Predictive Maintenance” by undergraduate students: Andrew
Christiansen, Avery Conlin, Safal Lama, Marco Schoen, Mary Hofle, Anish Sebastian, Omid Heidari, Kellie Wilson, Isaac Griffith, and Paul Bodily. According to the abstract of the presentation, their purpose for this research is to, “To keep these systems operating efficiently and with low energy consumption, maintenance needs must be diagnosed and met early on. We intend to develop a predictive maintenance platform to aid in such efforts.” Another topic was “An Empirical Test of LDS Clients’ Preferences for Religious SelfDisclosure by Therapists” by Joshua Swift, Julie Spencer, and Trinety Campbell. According to the presentation’s abstract the main focus of this research topic was because “There is little research, and therefore a growing need, regarding the experiences and preferences of religious persons in psychotherapy. This study examined psychotherapy clients’ (N = 45) opinions regarding therapists’ selfdisclosures (TSD) about their religious beliefs.” Any department is encouraged to join
and the variety of topics brings about many interesting concepts that different students are interested in and encourages them to collaborate with others. When asked about why this event is important Easterly said, “Students can share their work with their peers and with faculty on campus. It gives them an opportunity to practice before they go to symposia off-campus, in their disciplines. They have the opportunity to talk with others who might be interested in their research. They may find opportunities to collaborate with other students and faculty on campus.” The symposium is already over, thus students can no longer view the posters and presentations, however posters from last year and other resources such as the 2020 undergraduate research booklet, how to contact the students and the 2020 awards announcements are available at this link: www.isu.edu/research/ undergraduate-symposium
ISU to Fully Open, Continued from Page 1
Photo Courtesy of Idaho State Univeristy
“It required us to think differently, but it also provided opportunities for collaboration and creative problem solving. Being able to quickly pivot ensured that we were able to continue reaching our students and supporting their education,” Satterlee said. Satterlee has been “continuously impressed” by the ability of the university to adapt to difficult circumstances. “I am proud of our community for continuing to provide a quality education under less than ideal circumstances, and I am incredibly proud of the resilience of our students,” Satterlee said. Satterlee acknowledges that whenever a community tackles something difficult, it leaves a lasting impact. “We had to learn as we went, but we were able to quickly learn some valuable lessons about how to be flexible and adaptable. We learned how to operate remotely, and how to make sure our students’ needs were being met during difficult times,” Satterlee said. Over the course of the coming months, ISU leadership will discuss what they think worked well and what didn’t, and then improve campus operations in the present.
Page 3 • 15 April 2021
The Bengal at Idaho State University
Logan Ramsey | News Editor Contact: bgnews@isu.edu
The Holy Month of Ramadan: A Brief Experience
Photo Courtesy of Adobe Stock Jack Sherlock Reporter Islam is a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion that clocks in as the world’s second largest religious establishment. This often misunderstood religion started celebrating Ramadan, or “The Muslim Holy Month,” earlier this week on Monday, April 12th. Other than knowing that the adherents of this religion are referred to as Muslims, what else do you know about this cherished, long-practiced religion? With Ramadan or “The Muslim Holy Month” starting earlier this week on Monday April 12th (in the U.S.), it seemed like the perfect time to dive in to the practices and traditions of this often misunderstood religious establishment, starting with the experiences of Ramadan. On April 8, the Diversity Resource Center here at Idaho State University hosted a discussion with Yousef Deikna, a Ph.D. student in the College of Arts and Letters and a devout Muslim from the country of Libya who is currently observing the holy month of Ramadan. Deikna was introduced by Khalil Azizi, the International Scholar Advisor and Multicultural Program Specialist with the Office of Equity and Inclusion. Azizi quickly opened the floor to Deikna for a presentation on his experience as a practicing Muslim, as well as the experiences he’s observed during the month of Ramadan. First, to provide background on the discussion, the belief system in Islam is centered around the idea that the Al-Quran was revealed to the prophet Muhammad on what is called the night of decree, and the various chapters of the Al-Quran took a total of twenty-three years to finish. Within this text there are the five pillars of Islam declared, one is Shahada (Profession of Faith) and this is translated as the belief that there is no god but the one referred to as Allah, and that Muhammad is accepted as the Messenger of God. Next is Salat (Prayer), which is the practice of committing your daily time and reflection to times of prayer in the direction of Mecca, five times per day. Then comes Zakat (Alms), which is the donation of income from each Muslim to their respective community for those in need. Following is Sawm (Fasting), which strictly highlights the foundation for Ramadan itself in its practice of abstaining from food and drink and other privileges, temptations, etc. during daylight hours. Finally there is Hajj (Pilgrimage), which outlines the expectation for a healthy and financially permitted Muslim to visit the holy city of Mecca and pray to the Ka’aba,
or cube, built by prophets for worship. Following the brief review of Islamic pillars of belief and practice, Deikna explained the duration and period of the holy month. Ramadan is held during month number nine of the Islamic calendar, referred to also as the Hijrī calendar, which follows a lunar pattern where each month is ushered in with the rise of a new moon. This means that Ramadan won’t always start and end on the same days each year, contrary to the commonly used and well known Gregorian calendar, which is what most in the U.S. are familiar with. Ramadan has started as of this past Monday, and will be observed until it’s end on the evening of Wednesday, May 12th in the U.S., with dates and times varying by region. While the Islamic calendar differs in their outline compared to the marks of the year by other religions and peoples, Deikna seeked to focus on bridging a connection with the similarities that exist within Islam and other Abrahamic religions. Deikna referred to the shared idea of fasting as the “Universality of Fasting” when comparing Islam to it’s fellow Abrahmic religions, like Christianity and Judaism, and reviewed three main components that are shared among the three religions when fasting; issues of self, issues of health, and issues of community. Issues of self refers to things like the diversification of self, or the idea that the individual is stretched beyond their limitations with varying elements of life and worries. Additionally things like ego, greed, and “me, me” culture is, according to Deikna, something that requires heavy reflection during Ramadan. Deikna also discussed Nihilism, or the idea that life has no meaning and nothing in the world has a real existence, which is damaging to the moral and ethically driven actions we should pursue in the world. Deikna says “We were purposefully created to live a moral life and pursue a purpose. Ramadan helps us to come down and think more about our actions, self preservation as we pursue said actions, and personal development. Next, Deikna reviewed the Issues of health, which were referred to by him as indulging behaviors like overeating, excessive drinking, and other sporadic periods of indulgence like in media, sex, and meaningless action without purpose. Additionally, anxieties and fear are listed as dominating troubles that should be reflected upon during Ramdan. Worrying too much, taking control of too many things, or at least attempting control in too many things is damaging when we place these expectations of always having a solution for problems on top of our own
psyche. Fasting allows us to find that belief and trust back into an entity, ridding our minds of the things we cannot control, and in Islam specifially placing trust and back in Allah to in return be rewarded with incalculable guidance. Finally, Deikna covers the last aspect of fasting as issues of community. In a world full of divisiveness, “right and wrong” sides, political upheaval, racial conflict, economic struggles, and differing levels of establishment, fasting can allow us to bring back intellectual homogeneity, or a connection with like minded, focused, and driven people pursuing the same goal of being purposeful in life. Deikna summarized this section by connecting the shared idea in Abrahamic religions that highlights the dangers of popular culture or societal norms like picking sides, bullying oppositionists, and divisive behaviors as not necessary to the good practices of humanity, but are problems that “should be no more in the world” says Deikna. Following the comparativist approaches that Deikna was attempting to bring forth through Islam and other religions, the most common practices of the religion were discussed before opening up for discussion and questions. During the month of Ramadan, there are plenty of things that one has to avoid for the purpose of devoting more of themselves to the pillars of Islam. There is no eating, drinking, or sex from dawn to dusk, and one may return to these normal activities only after the sun has set and just before dawn the following day. One must also try to avoid vulgarity, backbiting, and lying or “issues of tongue” says Deikna. One may also not use feet or hands to perform physical acts that are deemed inappropriate for those parts of the body. Thinking too much about the anxieties of life or Donyah is also not permitted, and other harmful thoughts like crime and immoral behavior are taken are expected sacrifices as well. One is also expected to read the Al-Quran during the holy month
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to re familiarize themselves with the stories that resulted in the establishment of the Islamic pillars. Additionally, one must pray every night before bed, and this is called the prayer of Tarawih. Prayer remains a constant factor throughout the fasting practices, and one is expected to eat right after the sunset prayer, or Maghrib prayer, and also eat right after the prayer to welcome the dawn, also called the Fajr prayer; these prayers mentioned are all part of the mandatory salah (Islamic prayers) throughout the day that were mentioned before. Once Ramadan comes to a close, there is a communal celebration followed by a required financial donation or “Zakat”, as mentioned before. The discussion ended with an anonymous question sent to the Diversity Resource Center through means of an online platform, and it stated, “Deikna, with the active racial division, tension and hate crimes in the U.S., do you think that now is an important time more than ever for non-muslim Americans to try and further understand the religion?” Deikna responded with a quick yes, and further discussed his experience as a Muslim in Idaho by saying “Muslims in Idaho, Pocatello specfically, have welcomed the mayors of our towns, the Chiefs of Police, community leaders, and religious leaders and represetnatives into our Mosques to bridge an understanding of our shared experience with them. I am in a unique situation here in a smaller community, and I have found the community to be so welcoming, it has been so great!” Where cultural diversity remains an important part of progress as students, as citizens, and as a country, we should all do our part to be aware of the complexities, differences, and oftentimes the similarities in things that are often portrayed to be too “different” for us to understand. And if you have a friend that is celebrating the Holy Month of Ramadan, it is okay to wish them a “Happy Ramadan!” during this time.
The Bengal at Idaho State University
15 April 2021• Page 4
LIFE
Kaitlyn Hart | Life Editor Contact: bglife@isu.edu
Health and Wellness on Campus
Kyran Cates Reporter Getting a college education can be expensive, but with the support of your university, maintaining your health shouldn’t be. Idaho State University offers a wide variety of health and wellness resources to ensure students have access to counselors, doctors, exercise equipment and more. Located just across the street from ISU’s quad is the Health Center, which offers free office visits for all students. The Health Center provides a wide variety of services including x-rays, contraception, vaccinations and pharmaceuticals. Free of charge, students can meet with a professional, ask questions and discuss testing and treatment options. You can make an appointment at the Health Center either through ISU’s virtual health portal at healthcenterportal.isu.edu/Mvc/Portal/ Login, or by calling 208-282-2330.
Costs of services and treatments can be discussed during free office visits. Some services have cash price discounts, which must be paid on the day of service. Otherwise, the Health Center accepts most insurances, debit or credit payments and cash. The Bengal Pharmacy is an extension of ISU’s Health Center, located just outside the Rendezvous Complex, where students and staff can purchase over-the-counter medications, receive prescription refills and ask questions about their medications. Another resource provided to students and staff is Healthwest ISU, where all ISU-affiliates can receive healthcare for themselves and their families. Healthwest ISU provides prenatal care, newborn care, pediatric care, women’s health, behavioral health and more. Healthwest ISU’s website states that they accept all private insurances, and of-
Photo Courtesy of Idaho State University
fer a sliding fee scale for patients with limited income. They also accept cash, check and payments using credit or debit cards. The Healthwest ISU clinic is located at 465 Memorial Drive in Pocatello, and their phone number is 208-234-4700. ISU also offers Dentistry Services on campus, such as deep cleanings, sealants, tooth whitening and restorative fillings. Services are provided either by licensed dental hygienists and dentists or under their direct supervision. Students receive educational experience in Dentistry Services by observing, evaluating and caring for patients during clinic hours. Before treatment, costs and payment options are explained to ensure you can afford your care. Dentistry Service hours vary between semesters. During the fall semester, the clinic is open Tuesday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. During the spring, they are open on Monday from 7:45 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., and from Tuesday through Friday their hours are 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Especially for college students, mental health is a vital piece of overall well being, which is why ISU offers extensive Counseling and Testing Services. Students can call 208-282-2130 with questions, or to make an appointment with any of ISU’s trusted professionals. The website for Counseling and Testing Services explains that their services are completely free, as they are committed to the successful development of students, and other members of the ISU community. They offer emergency services in addition to individual counseling, group counseling, biofeedback skills training and testing accommodations for all students in need. To learn more about ISU’s Counseling and Testing Services, feel free to call 208282-2130 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the regular school year, or from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the summer. Counseling and Testing Services regularly work in conjunction with Disability Services, which works to create, “an accessible environment for students, employees, and community members with disabilities,” according to their website. Disability Services include academic
coaching, alternative testing, deaf and hard of hearing services, assistive technology and more. Disability Services can be found in Room 125 of the Rendezvous Complex or can be contacted by phone at 208-282-3599 or by email at disabilityservices@isu.edu. Finally, to encourage students to maintain healthy levels of physical activity, ISU offers several services based out of Reed Gym, which is located between the Rendezvous Complex and Garrison and Turner Hall. Full and part-time students automatically possess a membership to Reed Gym, which includes the use of the swimming pool, gym spaces, dance rooms, tennis courts, exercise facilities, the indoor climbing wall, indoor jogging track and more. For dual-enrolled students and students who don’t pay student activity fees, a membership to Reed Gym costs only 48 dollars each semester. Community members, alumni, senior citizens, staff and student spouses can also purchase memberships with costs ranging from 18 to 48 dollars each month. Day passes can also be purchased for eight dollars per day or 63.60 dollars for ten days, and a full list of gym hours can be found at www.isu.edu/camprec/gymhours/, or you can call 208-282-4854 with any questions. For the foreseeable future, a COVID-19 screening is required to obtain access to all of Reed Gyms’ facilities. Failure to comply with ISU’s screening program may result in the termination of your membership. Lastly, found in Reed Gym is ISU’s Wellness Center. Aimed at improving student’s health regardless of circumstances, the Wellness Center provides at-home and in-person fitness routines and classes, nutrition and wellness coaching, personal training, fitness assessments and information about staying safe from COVID-19. For more information, visit www.isu.edu/ wellness/. ISU is dedicated to the health and wellbeing of students, feel free to explore the many services and facilities at your disposal as you adjust to life at Idaho State University.
Photo Courtesy of Idaho State University
Page 5 •15 April 2021
The Bengal at Idaho State University
LIFE
Kaitlyn Hart | Life Editor Contact: bglife@isu.edu
Opinion: Rating On-Campus Dining Options Chloe Reid Reporter Whether you’re a current Idaho State University student, faculty member or alumni, chances are that you’ve experienced one of the many on-campus dining experiences. Whether it be food from the Turner Dining Commons, Rendezvous or the Pond Student Union Building, there are plenty of options to satisfy anyone’s cravings. Here are my opinions on where is the best place to eat on the Pocatello campus. 1. Einstein Bros Bagels A popular student favorite, Einstein Bros., located in the Pond Student Union Building (PSUB), offers bagels in whichever way your heart may desire. From pizza bagels, bagel sandwiches, desert bagels and a variety of plain bagels on the menu, there’s something for everyone. With over a dozen types of bagels and schmears, as well as a diverse selection of drinks such as energy drinks, sodas, coffees, teas and smoothies, you can try something new every time you visit. Operating from 7:30 a.m to 2 p.m Mondays through Fridays, Einstein’s offers both breakfast and lunch options at a decent price. Overall Rating: 9/10 2. Turner Dining Commons While not being a specialty location, Turner dining commons is the very heart of the ISU dining experience. Turner is the only spot on campus where a meal plan can be used, compared to other locations where food is only purchasable through debit, credit or “flex money”, an additional currency for extra on-campus purchases outside of your meal plan. Offering an “all you can eat” style buffet, Turner is roughly $10 a meal and offers rotating options daily from Asian, Mexican, Indian, Italian
and American-influenced cuisine options, as well as soups, salads, a grill and rotating dessert options. While Turner’s price point is a bit steeper compared to other dining options, since meal plans are required for underclassmen living on campus, Turner is a necessity in dining for those new to campus, putting it at a higher spot on the list. Overall Rating: 7/10 3. Sono Located in Rendezvous, Sono offers Mexican-inspired cuisine such as tacos, burritos and bowls. With few competing options in the area, Sono offers unique and convenient dining that is at a pretty good price compared to other restaurants in the area. Overall Rating: 8.5/10 4. Revolution Noodle Another popular student favorite, Revolution Noodle, also located in Rendezvous, offers authentic Asian cuisine, with customizable bowl options with an array of noodles, sauces, broths and veggies. Overall Rating: 8.5/10
Operated locally, Amazing Glaze has an original location off-campus and offers unique, potato flour-based donuts, a perfect Idahoan twist. From long-time beloved flavors such as maple bars, classic glazed and chocolate, to unique flavors such as banana split, birthday cake and fruity pebble, there’s a flavor to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. However, there is not much diversity past donuts, making it not a great choice for a typical meal option. Overall Rating: 8/10 7. Burger 208 Burger 208 is located in Rendezvous and offers traditional American favorites such as burgers, fries and shakes. While also located on campus, there are several other options around providing the same type of food, giving Burger 208 a lower score on account of uniqueness. However, it is a great option for students without a reliable form of transportation, meaning a great option for those who are just coming into campus and want American food fast
and easy. Overall Rating: 7/10 8. The C-Store While not an option specifically for dining, the C-Store is a convenience store located in Rendezvous that serves all your quick essential needs. Like any convenience store, the C-store offers options such as TV dinners, snacks, instant ramen & mac and cheese, candies, ice cream, sodas, first aid supplies and a small section of miscellaneous groceries. Purchases can be made with flex money, and while not offering anything specialized, the C-store has been a prime location for students who need a quick snack or pick-me-up. With the C-store’s convenient location on campus, it’s a great spot for students who don’t have a method of transportation or need somewhere to spend unused flex money, earning itself a spot on this list. Overall Rating: 7/10
5. ACE Sushi Also located in Rendezvous, ACE Sushi is one of the few sushi restaurants in the area that operates conveniently on campus. For sushi lovers at ISU, there are not many options located near to campus, making ACE Sushi one of its kind locally. With options such as bubble tea, dumplings, macarons, salad and a variety of rolls, ACE sushi is a great option to get all the traditional staples of a local sushi joint. Overall Rating: 8/10 6. Amazing Glaze Located in the SUB, Amazing Glaze is a donut shop that stays true to its name.
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The Bengal at Idaho State University
15 April 2021 • Page 6
SPORTS
Trevor Delaney | Sports Editor Contact: bgsports@isu.edu
Bengals Fall in Season Finisher Against Weber State
Photo Courtesy of Idaho State Athletics Featured: Tu’u Afu Trevor Delaney Sports Editor The Bengals fell to the Weber State Wildcats in Ogden, Utah this weekend on Saturday, April 10, after a game that came close to falling in ISU’s favor. The final score for Saturday’s football game was 15 points for the Bengals, with the Wildcats finishing with an even 20 points to win the game. In a game week interview with ISU Coach Rob Phenicie, he was asked how he thought the Weber State and ISU football teams have changed since they last played.
“They do a great job on defense and they do what they do,” said Phenicie. “You know, and they’re very confident in what they do and they’re very good at what they do on defense. So you know there’s some subtle changes to some things that they’ve done, but for the most part they are who they are and by this time of the year we are who we are. I think going into that Weber game we didn’t know our identity, and we now kind of have an identity of who we are and who we can rely on in games and stuff like that.” “This has been a team that I feel that
we’ve gotten better and the spring season has been very very productive for us,” Phenicie added. “We don’t take winning for granted around here, winning games is hard. The guys are fired up and I think they’re excited to carry that into this week hopefully.” The Bengals went into the second quarter of Saturday’s game with the lead by 3 points to Weber State. Weber State gained momentum, with ISU nearly catching up Weber State and trailing by only one point. With 5:25 left on the clock in the fourth quarter, the Bengals gained the lead, 15-
14. With only two minutes left, Weber State managed to blow past ISU and end the game with a five point lead over the Bengals. Finishing out the spring season with a 2-4 season record, the Bengals have their sights set on the fall 2021 season, with a sense of normality returning with restrictions on capacity being lifted in the Holt Arena in Pocatello. “I really like our home schedule next year,” said Phenicie. “We have the Vandals here, we have the Wildcats here, those two big games. I hope we fill Holt [Arena].”
Photo Courtesy of Idaho State Athletics Featured: Jake McGinnis
Page 7 • 15April 2021
The Bengal at Idaho State University
SPORTS
Trevor Delaney | Sports Editor Contact: bgsports@isu.edu
ISU Soccer Team Finishes Season With Back-to-Back Losses Trevor Delaney Sports Editor
Photo Courtesy of Idaho State Athletics Featured: McKayla Wetsel
The Idaho State University women’s soccer team finished out their season with two losses against Southern Utah this past weekend. The first game of the back to back series in Cedar City, Utah was played on Friday, April 9, with ISU taking a 0-2 loss to the Thunderbirds. “Very disappointed with the performance today,” said Head Coach Debs Brereton post-game on Friday. “Two defensive errors cost us two goals and we failed to put away the changes we worked hard to create for ourselves. We will make a few adjustments to prepare for our final game on Sunday where we are confident they will earn their first (and well overdue) win.” Coming back to the Thunderbird Soccer Field for the game on Sunday, April 11, the Bengals fought harder and managed to score a single goal, while still ultimately falling to SUU in overtime with a final score of 1-2. “Soccer is a cruel game, we were the
better team today,” said Brereton following the loss on Saturday. “We outplayed and outworked SUU. What kept us from the deserving win was their goalkeeper making two world-class saves and the post we smashed that would have sealed it.” “I’m so proud of the continued effort and resilience this young team has shown,” said Brereton. “Our seniors left it all out there today and they should be very proud of the path they have paved for our future team. This short season never really let us get into a rhythm but the experience the freshmen gained from enduring a year like this will prepare them for a brilliant fall season.” “The results did not fall in our favor this spring but we put together some fantastic performances,” said Coach Brereton. “I’m so proud of this team and feel so privileged to get to work with an incredible group of strong women. I’ve got all the confidence that our returning players and the incoming class will continue to move this program onwards and upwards. We will be back stronger.”
Preserving Access to the Local Trails, A Bengal’s View Trevor Delaney Sports Editor With the ongoing temporary closure of the Lead Draw Trail south of Pocatello remaining in place until July 31 due to reported safety related conflicts between hikers and recreational target shooters according to a press release from the Caribou-Targhee National Forest Westside Ranger District, students attending Idaho State University’s Pocatello campus are keen to get outside and explore the local trails and public lands. Pulling into the parking lot of the closed Lead Draw Trail trailhead, it would be hard to miss the array of brightly colored laminated signs posted at the entrance announcing the trail closure and various other restrictions. In bold font one of the signs declares that no shooting is allowed within 150 yards of the parking area, which is a violation of a federal regulation and punishable by a fine of up to $5000 for individuals who violate the posted order. While users of public lands are still allowed to shoot in the Lead Draw area outside the parking area, the trail is still closed to all users. It doesn’t take a visitor to the trailhead long to see that the problems at Lead Draw go far beyond safety issues, with the area littered with used hypodermic needles and beer cans strewn amongst the recently shot brass and shotgun shells. After filling the trash bags I had with me with trash, I began to see the ongoing negligence of this area run deeper than the surface showed. The back of the Forest Service’s wooden announcement board is riddled with larger holes that are the result of years of shooting shotguns and high caliber rifles at the sign in an open display of disdain by certain members of the public. The newly posted neon signs covering the gaping hole gave me the same impression that the trail closure itself did, that it is easier to simply cover up a problem in the shortterm with seemingly easy solutions. I asked one ISU student, Landon Winegar, what his thoughts were on the temporary trail closure in the CaribouTarghee National Forest. “Since coming to Pocatello for college I have been constantly delighted by the immense access to beautiful public land that Pocatello affords,” said Winegar. “It is one of the biggest reasons I hope to stay in the Pocatello area for a long time. I come from a town much smaller than Pocatello
surrounded by nature, but most of the land was either private with no access or the access to land was very limited with few trails. The immense network of trails Pocatello has surrounding it is a treasure.” “I was saddened to hear about the closure of the Lead Draw Trail,” said Winegar. “However, I realize the necessity of the temporary closure in order to ensure the safety of the community. The word is that it is a temporary closure while they come up with a solution. My only fear is that this temporary closure will last indefinitely. I have heard of public trails and land being closed “temporarily” to certain uses and then after many years, still never being reopened. I hope that some sort of solution will be reached in a reasonable amount of time. I personally have never had a close call with a shooter but recognize the dangers that come with having a trailhead at a popular shooting area.” In a search for public input from the Forest Service, I asked Winegar what he saw as solutions to the Lead Draw Trail closure.
“I have heard of many possible solutions,” said Winegar. “I am not sure what the right one should be. Maybe just more education and stronger enforcement of rules to both trail users and shooters would be sufficient?” “Perhaps reopening the lead draw to large motor vehicles so trail users can access the trail further up away from shooters? I am not really sure what the best solution is, I just hope those managing the land will choose a solution that respects all users and reach out to the community to help inform their decision.” “Again, I love the trails and access to public and even some private land available in this area.” said Winegar. “I use them on a weekly if not daily basis, hiking and trail running in the spring and cross country skiing in the winter. They are also a wonderful resource to people who use motorized and mechanized modes of transportation. There are trails for all abilities, from tranquil flat paved ones along the river to steep rocky exciting ones up and down the mountains around us. As Pocatello grows, I foresee many more
land use issues like this arising. I hope the government agencies and different user groups and private entities will be able to work together now and in the future to solve the problems we currently face such as Lead Draw and the new problems that will surely arise in the future so that we can preserve this amazing resource we are privileged to be neighbors to.” “Although Lead Draw Trail is currently closed, there are miles and miles of many other amazing trails in the area to be explored,” Winegar added. “I think everyone should get out and find one they love so that there will be overwhelming support for their preservation in the future.” The Westside Ranger District posted a list of alternative trails to use, with non-motorized trails including: Cherry Springs Trail as an easy trail for beginners; Kinney Creek Trail, Sterling Justice Trail, Dry Creek Trail, and Gibson Jack Trail for medium to intermediate hikers and horse riders; and Slate Mountain Trail which is rated as hard, more suited for advanced hikers.
Brandon Oram | Photo Editor
The Bengal at Idaho State University
15 April 2021 • Page 8
OPINION
Jacob Gutridge | Editor-in-Chief Contact: bgchief@isu.edu
The Gender Question Lesley Brey Reporter
Photo Courtesy of Lesley Brey
Letters to the Editor
Lately, I’ve been thinking about gender a lot. I mean, it’s hard not to. If the 2020’s were the decade for anything, so far it seems to be about questioning many of things we may have taken for granted, especially in regards to privilege. You could say I was ahead of the times, but the first time I thought about my gender was in 2014, freshman year of high school. At the time, I felt deeply uncomfortable being seen as a woman, so I chopped off all of my hair and started wearing clothes exclusively from the men’s section. It definitely worked: a lot of people assumed that I was a teenage boy whose voice hadn’t dropped yet, but that wasn’t really my goal. I didn’t want to be a man, it was just that I didn’t want to be treated as a woman. Put simply, I didn’t want to be treated as inferior. By the time I graduated, I had become more comfortable being seen as a woman, in fact I had dedicated a decent amount of time to learning how to apply makeup. I worked hard to manicure my presentation, not too girly so as to be taken seriously, but not too boyish to avoid being accused of being queer. All the while, I felt like even more of an alien in my own skin. The face staring back at me in the mirror was either a problem in need of correcting, or a stranger looming menacingly. We exist in a world of people, and like it or not those people will have a reaction to you. In fighting to get the reaction I wanted all I was really doing was commodifing myself, hoping in vain that if my presentation was more easily consumable that I would be seen as a person. Therein was the problem. Personhood is not found so easily among the other. No matter what I wear or how I present myself I will always be fighting a losing battle, unless I simply chose not to fight. In 2019 I stopped shaving. Of course, at first everyone and their cousin had something to say, but then the pandemic hit and suddenly people had bigger concerns. In that quarantine solitude, I found peace in my presentation. I became comfortable dressing and grooming how I saw fit, irrespective of people’s attitudes towards me. More over, it put in perspective the fundamental arbitrariness of so many gendered standards. Neither the length of my hair, nor the use of makeup, nor the jewelry I like has any real barring on my identity as a woman. Gender it seems was rather like those games preschoolers create where the rules have no basis in reality or even practicality. My gender is not a good marker of anything about me. It doesn’t tell you anything about my interests, about my goals, about my
values or about how I will behave. Yet, that does little to change how much my gender apparently matters to other people. Being perceived as a woman in society is more like being a member of a caste rather than just a mere label. As COVID-19 specific guidelines are rolled back, I am increasingly more aware, once again, of the presence of others. I’m far from the only person who explored their gender while staying home, and as more and more becomes open to the public, society will have to adapt to the large influx of newly gender-non-conforming individuals. There are no easy answers for what that should look like. In America, we are segregated by gender moreso than anything else. That isn’t to say that other social classifications are less impactful. Certainly a person’s race will shape every interaction they have, in both big and small ways. However, it is still considered acceptable for the government to enforce concepts of gender. Virtually all public bathrooms are segregated by gender, just like most dressing rooms and locker rooms. Why does this sort of segregation matter? Because during the pandemic one of my closest friends realized that he was trans. He has just barely begun the process of socially transitioning and there have been a lot of discoveries along the way. Recently we were talking about becoming weekly gym buddies once I get my second vaccination. I made the off hand comment that I like working out in the morning, but that I always shower off before heading to class because people who don’t always smell so terrible. My friend looked at me sadly when he replied that he would probably be one of those people, because there isn’t a shower he can use on campus. For all the time I had spent thinking about gender, it still hadn’t occurred to me how absolutely it dictates our lives. My friend can’t even do something as simple as work out without having to consider how his gender impacts the situation. Without a gender neutral locker room, he is effectively being excluded from the experience of going to the gym. When we fail to provide gender-non-conforming people with resources, what we are saying is that we don’t want them to exist. Lack of available restrooms prevents them from doing even simple things like grocery shopping, or going on car rides. Gender-non-conforming individuals are not rare, nor should they be. Treating them as second class citizens is a mark of how far we have yet to evolve as a society. Until people like my friend can just exist without having to jump through hoops just to get through their day, we cannot claim to live in a free and equal nation. That’s why I’ve been thinking about gender lately.
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