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The Argonaut | April 18, 2024

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April 18, 2024

UIARGONAUT.COM

FOR, OF AND BY THE STUDENTS SINCE 1898

Smith and Johnston win ASUI elections New Prez and VP promise to amplify student voices Georgia Swanson ARGONAUT Martha Smith and Emma Johnston were elected as the next ASUI president and vice president respectively Wednesday night. Three senators were also elected for next semester including Julissa McDowell, Anya Zuercher and Kaylee McCulloch. Smith expressed admiration for the candidates she ran against, Peyton Loffer and Justin Alder. “I want to express, I have so much respect for everyone who ran and having a contested election made this worthwhile, and I have an immense amount of respect for everybody who ran,” Smith said after the result was announced. “I have thought a lot about what the University of Idaho has meant to me these last five weeks, and I can’t put into words, more so, that it’s just life changing. And being ASUI president, I think I can advocate for people who didn’t have the cards dealt right for them for college,” Smith said. “Thank you to the student body for showing out and voting. I think we had a really great student turn out and it means a lot that people care in the first place to vote, and it means a lot that people heard our message and it resonated with them,” Smith said. The turn out for this semester’s election increased from last year. There were 1,619 total votes, which is about of the UI student population 14.7%, with 26% of the votes coming from residence halls, 40% coming from Greek life affiliated students, 31% from off-campus students and 3% other. Additionally, 25% of the votes were from freshmen, 28% sophomores, 25% juniors and 22% seniors. ASUI still has three senator positions to fill. Elections for these positions will take place at the beginning of next semester.

John Keegan | Argonaut

Martha Smith holding a banner congratulating her on winning the ASUI elections

Students protest Christ Church event

Pastors seek to clarify controversies Rebekah Weaver ARGONAUT

Student protestors lined the hall of the Administration Building, holding stacks of signs with messages of “Christ Church isn’t welcome here” and “F--- Christ Church.” Police officers stood at either side of the line up, carefully monitoring the scene. Douglas Wilson, pastor of Christ Church, Toby Sumpter, pastor at King’s Cross and Benjamin Merkle, president of New Saint Andrews College, held the stage at the Administration Auditorium on April 11, hosting the event themed “Honest Questions, Honest Answers.”

Idaho passes controversial bill

The event was set up where audience members would text their questions to the emcee to facilitate the process. Several students and other protesters who attended the event expressed their dissent at this structure, claiming that the emcee was filtering the questions that were coming in. One protester cited a previous event where there had been a floor microphone. Other protestors continued to agree that their questions were being “cherry-picked.” The first question of the event revolved around “Southern Slavery As It Was,” a booklet written by Wilson and one of his associates and asked how Wilson could describe slaveholder and slave relationships as being “based on mutual affection and confidence, existing with mutual intimacy and harmony” when the relationships existed in a context that involved oppression and coercion.

Censorship, rights and an unknown future for Idaho public libraries Andrea Roberts ARGONAUT

On April 10, House Bill 710, the Children’s School and Library Protection Act, was approved and signed by Governor Brad Little. The bill will prevent public K-12 schools and libraries from “promot[ing], giv[ing] or ma[king] available” obscene materials as defined in the bill. The definitions include images and texts of nudity, sexual conduct, sexual excitement and sado-masochistic abuse that are deemed harmful to minors. The law requires libraries to place the materials deemed obscene in an adults-only section within 30 days of when the materials are identified.

SEE CHRIST CHURCH, PAGE 3

SEE LIBRARY, PAGE 2

Falling on the moon Jon will graduate at the same time as his children next month Joanna Hayes ARGONAUT On May 11, Commencement Day, the McKenzie family will gain their college degrees, walk the stage together and say goodbye to their time at the University of Idaho. Jon decided at 44-years-old to finish his bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. He didn’t realize that returning to college would result in him graduating at the exact same time as his two children, Carson, 22, and MacKara, 21. But the stars seemed to align for this family. On May 11, Jon, Carson and MacKara will all be awarded their bachelor’s degrees from UI. “You are never too old to finish what you start. Whatever you do, don’t quit trying,” Jon said. “I don’t regret putting my education to the backburner. That was my decision, and I hope that it was a better situation for the kids. The proof is in the pudding. They are both graduating together. They are both realizing their dreams and aspirations.” John Keegan | Argonaut

A protestor holds a sign at the town hall held by Christ Church on UI campus News, 1

Life, 6

Sports, 10

Opinion, 12

University of Idaho

SEE GRADUATION, PAGE 4 Volume 125, Issue no. 8

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