I n d ep en d en t
Issue no.
S t u d e nt
V o i c e
o f
B o is e
S tat e
Sin c e
1933
62
May
03
2012
Volume 24
w w w.arbiteronline.com
Boise, Idaho
First issue free
Top Stories
Wac Champs
photo courtesy connie strand hendricks
Broncos capture Mountain West tournament title.
page
BSU student and wife die in car accident
7
Cheyenne Perry Journalist
The students’ voices
CODY FINNEY/THE ARBITER
Samuel Dorsey Campbell, 29-year-old computer science major, won Boise State’s App-athon.
A computer future
Student finds satisfaction, brilliance in computer sciences Should capital punishment be banned in Idaho?
page
Mallory Barker Journalist
6
Boise music
Downtown musicians are a vital part of Boise’s community.
page
3
Weather
One of the more recent and most crucial departments at Boise State is the Department of Computer Sciences within the College of Engineering. The department’s website states “Almost every major challenge facing our world is turning to computing for a solution, from conquering disease to eliminating hunger, from improving education to protecting the environment.” App-athon winner Samuel Dorsey Campbell, a 29-year-old majoring in computer science, said he hasn’t always wanted to be a programmer but it seemed to be the most fitting area of expertise for him. He said his career plans have changed numerous times throughout his academic career.
Elena Soto Arbiter Staff
T-Storms
50%
chance of precipitation
Tomorrow
T-Storms
55º high
to problem solve in innovative and unique ways. “There are a million ways to go about a problem and you get to pick the most awesome way,” he said. Campbell said almost all computer science majors usually also have an external project they are working concurrently. Right now, he is working with a friend to develop an automated trading system. The Department of Computer Science is developing at a rapid rate and students choosing to studying within the department, such as Campbell, are working hard to excel in this field while building an even more respectable reputation for Boise State as a research university. The Computer Science main office is located on the second floor of the Engineering & Technology building room 240.
Medical marijuana supporters still fighting to legalize medicinal use
Today
64º high
He began studying in Scotland to become a patent attorney but decided that it wasn’t for him. “Putting a price tag on your decision isn’t the best plan, it isn’t usually the best fit,” Campbell said. Campbell said he was inspired to study computer science when he was visiting a friend and just started scanning through his textbooks. Since deciding to join the computer science department, Campbell hasn’t had any regrets. According to Campbell, he is pleased with the department. He is especially pleased with Professor Jyh-haw Yeh, saying Yeh “dripped with brilliance.” He also mentioned that excellence is found in both Professor Amit Jain and Tim Andersen. Campbell said computer science is exciting for him because it is a creative activity that allows him
60%
chance of precipitation
Saturday
A crowd of 50 people gathered at the Ann Frank Memorial downtown on April 20 in hopes of gathering more signatures for a medical marijuana petition and to march to the State Capitol spreading their message on medical marijuana as an alternative choice for medical treatment. Sara Cramer, new chapter leader of the Treasure Valley Idaho Moms for Marijuana, organized this event to deliver a message to the governor’s office and ask for an open forum to discuss the issue of medical marijuana. However, Lindsey Rinehart, 29, leader of Compassionate Idaho who suffers from multiple sclerosis, released a statement April 15 stating that the organization didn’t gather enough signatures to get the Idaho
Medical Choice Act on the 2012 ballot. “We will get these laws changed,” Rinehart said in her statement. “We need your help because we are not giving up and we are not going to go away.” The details of the Idaho Medical Choice Act would have protected patients needing marijuana for medical use. With the act, patients could have nine plants, five of which could be harvested. But patients would never have more than two ounces at a time every 14 days. Patients would also be able to grow their own marijuana, have a grower grow for them, or go to a dispensary. Boise Police Department (BPD) spokesperson Lynn Hightower stated the BPD is strongly against marijuana use in Idaho. In 2009, DrugFree Idaho Inc
sponsored PAYADA, which provided educational classes aimed at elementary students and their parents. The curriculum stated that in that states such as California, where medical marijuana is legal, are overrun with fraud and 70 percent of California medical marijuana cardholders are under the age of 40. But Rinehart disagrees with DrugFree Idaho’s stance that marijuana is more harmful than useful. “We live in Idaho, not California,” Rinehart said. “We’re a conservative state, so state measures have to be kept conservative.” Compassionate Idaho said it will continue to fight for Idahoans to use medical cannabis to treat cancer or other medical illnesses. “We are surrounded by states that have safe access for their patients and it’s time to do the right thing here in Idaho too,” Rinehart said.
Rainy
57º high
30%
chance of precipitation
What’s Inside News Briefs
page
Local
page
Opinion
page
Sports
page
The Arbiter
Boise State student Zachary Peterson, passed away in a tragic car accident on Sunday, April 22, 2012. While driving east on Highway 26 in Oregon, 26-year-old Zach and his wife, 33-year-old Courtney Jane (CJ) Glick-Peterson (who was driving the vehicle) entered the opposite lane and collided with a Dodge pickup with a trailer. Both Zach and CJ were killed, along with the man driving the pickup. Zach grew up in Grayslake, Ill. and moved to Boise where he began attending Boise State as an accounting and finance major. Zach worked for Dark Psyence Records and under the artist name Zacklander as a producer/DJ in Boise. He is survived by his mother, Sharon Peterson, sister and brother-in-law, Colleen and Chad Wogernese, and his nephews, Ethan and Nolan. A memorial service for Zach and CJ Peterson was held on Sunday, April 29, 2012 at Julia Davis Park. The service was open to friends of the couple, including Boise State students. Pictures of Zach and CJ, along with flowers, balloons and a screen with a picture slideshow of the couple rested near a stage where friends were encouraged to share their memories. After Rob Thomas’s “Little Wonders,” was sung in honor of Zach and CJ, the microphone was open for friends to share stories. Friends at the memorial service who shared their stories stressed that Zach and CJ will be greatly missed.
2 3 6 7
mct campus
There are 16 states with medical marijuana regualtions and 12 that are currently considering it.
photo courtesy zach peterson facebook page
Robert Stevahn spoke at the memorial service. Here is a shortened version of his eulogy: “Hello, I am Robert. Along with my wife Chris, I was Zack and CJ’s housemate for the past year. But more than that, we had become close friends with a little quasi-parental love thrown in for good measure. I’m here to talk about CJ & Zack’s years in Boise. ... While Zack did turn his life around over the next few years, it’s not like he was perfect from Day 1. My first memory of Zack involves him throwing my friend Benne into our swimming pool, fully clothed and with cell phone in hand. ... To a person, both CJ’s and Zack’s friends who I’ve spoken with say that their relationship was good for both of them. They treated one another with love and respect, just as they treated their friends. Zack went back to school, using most of his student loan money to throw parties and get Dark Psyence off the ground. He even went to class sometimes, but always aced the tests and completed the important assignments. Just last weekend he was telling me how he was the annoying class clown, always making accounting jokes in class while completing work in his head that the professor was still working out on the chalkboard. ... As I said earlier, I never met a more playful creature than CJ. With Zack, I never had a more affectionate friend. He always greeted me with a “Hey Buddy,” usually followed by a hug and an “I love you.” If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my dear friends, it’s that I can never say “I love you” enough. May we all live and learn.” arbiteronline.com