Distributed every few weeks during the academic school year and online daily, 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. Additional copies can be picked up for free at The Arbiter offices.
ON THE COVER:
What’s next for Boise State University after the upcoming departure of President Marlene Tromp? How does a selection committee choose a new university president? Find out what students and university faculty are looking for in the next leader of Boise State.
What was allegedly first communicated to Boise State Chick-fil-A workers as a summer renovation, quickly changed to a planned temporary closure date of April 15, 2025.
Chick-fil-A worker and Boise State senior Malia Gabel explained several weeks prior to the closure, she heard from fellow employees that management was having one-on-one’s with workers and being told they were eventually going to be laid off.
“I was basically told that they are going to be laying everyone off on April 18 for this remodel and that they’re trying to figure out what accommodations to give everyone else,” Gabel said.
The Arbiter asked Robbie Dickson, vice president of operations for Boise State Dining, via email if any accommodations for current employees will be made.
“We are working internally within our existing operations to place our associates in other dining locations across campus so that they do not lose out on any work hours. In addition, we have also reached out to some local Chick-fil-A stores to place some employees in off-campus locations during this period,” Dickson said.
Gabel explained that, allegedly, the renovation date had been postponed from spring break.
“They said that they were doing us a favor by extending it two more weeks because they were [originally] going to do it right after spring break. From their perspective, I think they’re coming at it as ‘you guys should be grateful that we’re getting you in these next couple weeks’. There’s just not been any transparency,” Gabel said.
Originally, Gabel was supposed to work until May 10, the day of commencement,
but now feels she is in a time crunch to find a new job.
Gabel claimed team members who had one-on-one’s were not supposed to share this with other coworkers — which is the only way Gabel found out about the layoffs in the first place.
“My problem is that they have been asking our team members to hide it from each other until they talk to us. I feel very betrayed because had my team not told me, I would be completely in the dark, and for lack of a better word, screwed,” Gabel said. “So [I] would have appreciated them telling all of us and saying, ‘Details are more to come’ and ‘We’ll follow up with this, but as of right now, this is what’s going on’. As far as I know, they’ve kind of covered themselves by saying they were scared of causing a mass panic and [were] afraid that we would all mass quit on them.”
Gabel said she has enjoyed working with her supervisors and coworkers but the lack of transparency has had some employees questioning whether to return in the fall.
“I think it’s hard because we’ve all tried to give them the benefit of the doubt because we’ve been working there for so long,” she shared. “I’ve been working there a little over three years, and it’s never gotten this bad. Especially the community of people we have is just amazing, so I don’t want to leave. Our supervisors are even worried that not enough people are going to come back so they’re going to have to hire brand new people that all need new training.”
Dickson explained the renovation is “required” by Chick-fil-A in order to align with brand standards.
“Since we will have to close the entire facility for the renovations, some of our
employees will be affected. The renovation is required by Chick-fil-A in order to meet their brand standards and avoid permanent closure on campus,” Dickson said.
Gabel is currently trying to find a job at a Chick-fil-A location since she is already equipped with the training, but stated she would not return to the on-campus location, even if she wasn’t graduating in May. Her supervisors, she shared, would be the only reason she’d consider returning.
Another employee, who wished to remain anonymous to protect his job security, explained Compass Group, the company that owns Chick-fil-A, has been implementing restrictions that impact the job experience
Employees were no longer allowed to take home food because it was allegedly assumed workers were making excess food solely for themselves.
This employee had been brought in for one of the meetings Gabel was describing only a day before the interview took place.
“They told us our last day is going to be April 18, so they gave us three weeks, but then they started telling other people that today’s their last day, but they want them to come back in the fall,” he said.
“You’re firing these people, but you’re not firing them. You’re just letting them know without notice,” he said. “And with other people that don’t work as much, but are newer, they’re like, ‘Oh, we don’t have the hours for you, so we’re not giving you hours, but we still want you to come back in the fall’.”
While student employees are frustrated with the lack of transparency, Dickson expressed that Boise State Dining is working to provide workers with additional options and work opportunities.
Idaho residents rally to support the “Everyone is Welcome Here” movement
Kaeden Lincoln and Valentin Termite | News Reporter and Staff Writer | news@stumedia.boisestate.edu | Photos by Kaeden Lincoln
Hundreds of people rallied before the Idaho Capitol to send the world a short, fourword message: “Everyone is welcome here”.
Teachers, students, parents and residents all gathered to show support for the message “everyone is welcome here” and Lewis and Clark Middle School teacher Sarah Inama, whose disagreement with West Ada School Districts’s (WASD) enforcement of their policies in her classroom sparked the community-wide movement.
Chris Stewart, a WASD constituent whose daughter attends a West Ada school, played a key role in organizing the event.
“The past month has been a perfect example of who we are,” Stewart said in his opening speech to the rally. “When Sarah Inama … chose to keep her sign on a classroom wall, she was living the first of our shared values. She stood up for what she knew was right, even in the face of adversity.
“But what’s more powerful is what she did next. Even after her story gained public attention, she didn’t step back, she leaned in … when Sarah stood up, this community stood with her. Because in the Treasure Valley, we do not let people stand alone,” Stewart said.
In an interview with The Arbiter, Stewart said he wasn’t surprised by the large turnout.
“It’s touching, but not surprising because Boise always shows up. I mean, this is what we do here. The sun comes up in the morning and Boise shows up when things aren’t right,” said Stewart.
Over the next hour, a number of speakers took to the podium expressing their frustrations, hopes for the future and experiences in diverse classrooms. The large crowd, extending from the capitol steps to the Frank Steunenberg Statue, met each speaker with applause.
Some rally goers carried signs with messages proclaiming “everyone is welcome here”. Others carried signs with more personal messages.
Stephanie Vaugn, a mother whose son uses a wheelchair, carried two signs. One addressed WASD Chief Academic Officer Marcus Myers and Superintendent Derek Bub directly. The other demanded a recall of the district’s board of trustees, listing trustees’ email addresses.
“They’re talking about neutrality, but I’m sorry, ethnicities aren’t political. So what’s the deal? No, that’s not okay. And when you don’t stand up and say you’re here for everybody, kids like [my son] in a wheelchair, that you’re not [here for them],” said Vaughn.
Amid national controversies around education, teachers and educators voiced concerns that administrative decisions like those aimed at Inama could impact their jobs.
“There are many hurtful, prejudiced and discriminatory views in our community that have a profound effect on the children,” Inama proclaimed in her speech to the rally. “I have been told many times by students, past and present, that signs of encouragement, motivation and belonging are helpful and provide value in my classroom and elsewhere.”
“I work in special ed as a speech therapist, so if the funding is taken away from my students, there is no support,” said Nicole Hill, a West Ada educator.
“My entire job is based on the funding that schools get for related services, for special education, and if that’s going to be stripped away because the principal won’t agree that there’s going to be diversity in the school, I just don’t understand how that is even done.”
“Students that are already struggling are going to be the ones that suffer the most because of asinine rules and regulations being forced on them, and it’s not fair,” she said.
As the event came to a close, rallyists posed for a group photo displaying symbolic hearts drawn on their palms.
“Everyone is welcome here,” said Diane Sorious, a former high school teacher.
“It’s important in the educational system to endorse inclusivity. That doesn’t give
anybody special treatment, it just treats people who have disabilities with respect, give them the skills they need to succeed. Don’t bully people because of the color of their skin or any reason.”
Read more about educator perspectives on page 13.
Charlie Kirk’s ‘Prove Me Wrong’ event draws crowd on Boise State campus
Conservative political activist and author Charlie Kirk invites students to debate him
As country music blasted from speakers, hats with the phrase “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) and the number 47 (Donald Trump’s number in the presidential lineup when first elected) were thrown into the crowd. Audience members enthusiastically leapt for the merchandise, some individuals even sitting on each other’s shoulders to catch them.
The Charlie Kirk “American Comeback” tour drew an energetic crowd to Boise State’s intramural field on Tuesday.
Signs in support of Kirk’s visit featured statements like: “Leftist lies, 2+2 = 5”.
The “Prove Me Wrong” event was sponsored by Kirk’s non-profit organization Turning Point USA, which has a chapter at Boise State. In its mission statement, the organization describes
its goal to “empower informed civic and cultural engagement grounded in American exceptionalism, and a positive spirit of action.”
The event’s structure allows attendees to ask political activist and author Charlie Kirk a question, debate with him and potentially “prove him wrong”.
The first debater, Kate Neville, felt that Kirk was disrespectful to some of the speakers and described the event as a “spectacle”.
“I feel like the way that this event was set up kind of set up opposing view speakers to struggle to express their point,” Neville said. “I felt Kirk struggled to be respectful of a lot of the speakers and it didn’t seem to be about having a conversation but rather an argument. It was very much a spectacle that was to Kirk‘s own benefit entirely.”
The debate began with a conversation regarding sex versus gender. Kirk stated that there are two sexes and that gender does not exist. Neville asked him if he attended university, to which Kirk replied no and that he didn’t need a degree in anthropology to know that.
Kirk, who has been critical of higher education, attended Harper Community College but did not complete a degree.
Neville passionately defended the existence of transgender individuals, to which Kirk stated that he will not “lie to trans people and qualify their delusions”.
The debater, Neville, stated she found this response offensive.
“I think it’s important that we value political discourse and discussion in a way that does not harm minorities or those who are of a marginalized group. Saying that LGBT people have a ‘mental delusion’ is very disrespect -
ful and doesn’t allow for a meaningful conversation to occur,” she shared.
Kirk stated that members of the LGBTQ+ community have higher rates of depression because of their gender identity or sexual orientation. Neville responded that white cis-gender males have the highest rate of depression.
Kirk responded that women actually have a higher suicide attempt rate but aren’t as likely to die from suicide.
As the student spoke, members of the crowd groaned and expressed the sentiment that if you come to a red state with leftist ideology, you’ll be “torn apart”.
The next topic of discussion was abortion. Kirk and the next student who took the mic energetically debated back and forth, throwing out various statistics. As the conversation wound down, Kirk said that ultimately it’s a matter of self-control and if an individual can’t control their sexual urges, they should be prepared to deal with the consequences.
Spectator and student Mason Ditsworth was surprised at the sheer number of students who attended the event.
“It’s a really big turnout,” Ditsworth said, scanning the crowd. “I didn’t realize that there were not only this many kids on campus but this many people that really care about politics.”
Ditsworth addressed the handful of students who, when given the mic, simply quoted a social media trend or made a sexually explicit remark.
“A lot of them [the debates] have been really stupid, a lot of kids going up there and saying stupid things, and then there’s also been people who are too stubborn to hear out what he has to say, but he’s also stubborn so I get both sides,” Ditsworth said.
Read the full article online at arbiteronline.com
‘Tesla takedown’ protest sparks showdown at Meridian Tesla dealership
A call against Elon Musk’s political power turned into a high-stakes clash of values
Aidan Mattingly | Staff Writer
| news@stumedia.boisestate.edu | Photo courtesy of Idaho News 6
What began as a coordinated protest dubbed the “Tesla Takedown” in Meridian, Idaho quickly drew a larger, impassioned counter-protest — turning a quiet car lot into a cultural battleground between opposing visions of America’s future.
Drawn by a wave of national activism surrounding billionaire Elon Musk’s growing political influence and role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), more than 200 people gathered outside the Meridian Tesla dealership on Saturday, March 29.
Organized by activist groups including the TroubleMakers and The Disruption Project, the demonstration was part of a nationwide effort to protest Musk’s expanding political involvement, which critics say threatens democratic values and transparency.
According to the Associated Press, similar actions took place across the country and even into parts of Europe.
In Idaho, a state known for its large conservative population, the counter-protest response was swift and strong. Local conservative group Idaho Liberty Dogs mobilized quickly, with an estimated 200 supporters showing up, far outnumbering the original 30 or so protesters.
The original protest, led by Boise resident Jacob Whittaker, aimed to draw attention to Musk’s political positioning and recent firings tied to DOGE.
“I’m here to support my brothers and sisters who lost their jobs to this madness,” Whittaker said while marching down West Franklin Road. “My entire goal in setting this up was just to make my voice heard. That’s it. I’m out here doing that.”
Whittaker, visibly emotional, said his goal was simply to be heard.
“It’s not so easy to walk into the fire, but everyone here is being brave as hell, and I’m proud of them,” he said.
Supporters of Musk, however, saw the protest as a misguided attack on a political figure they view as a reformer. Many praised his efforts to streamline government spending and root out what they called “woke” inefficiencies within federal departments.
“I think what Elon’s doing is great,” said Heidi Manini, a Meridian resident who stood proudly among the counter-protesters waving flags and holding signs. “He’s getting rid of fraud and money that’s being wasted, and I don’t see why anybody would have a problem with that unless they’re up to no good.”
Her words echoed among Musk supporters that the protest was less about policy and more about partisan resentment.
Amy Wetzel, another counter-protester, said she found it offensive out-of-state groups would come to Idaho to protest a business and figure she supports.
“It makes me feel good to support a good cause,” she said. “We’re here to support people, support the business. That’s how it makes me feel: fair.”
It wasn’t just individuals who responded to the initial protest. Mark Fitzpatrick, owner of Old State Saloon in Eagle, helped mobilize dozens of people to attend the counter-demonstration. His motivation? A belief that Idaho stands at the frontlines of a larger ideological struggle.
“We love what’s happening with DOGE,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s going in and cleaning out the corruption in the government, making our government more efficient. So when you see that coming in here, we want to show up.”
Fitzpatrick, like many in attendance, expressed concern that liberal activism from outside the state was trying to impose its values on Idaho.
“That doesn’t work in Idaho,” he said. “You’re gonna get a bunch of patriots who will show up and outnumber you.”
The original protest organizers had emphasized nonviolence and discouraged confrontation. Local organization Idaho 50501 publicly asked residents not to attend the protest at all, hoping to prevent any potential escalation.
Their call, however, did not stop hundreds from participating in what became one of the more high-profile public demonstrations in the Treasure Valley in recent memory.
At the core of the conflict is a widening cultural rift. Protesters criticized Musk’s entanglement in political affairs, alleging he was “destroying democracy” with unchecked power.
Counter-protesters saw him as a symbol of free speech and business
success, targeted unfairly by progressive voices.
The clash highlights deeper questions about political polarization, public protest and the role of private citizens in federal matters. For some, like Whittaker, the issue is personal. For others, like Fitzpatrick and Manini, it’s philosophical, a broader defense of American values they feel are under threat.
By 2 p.m., the crowd began to thin with no major incidents reported. Yet the energy left behind signaled this was more than just a one-day demonstration; it was a sign of the political and cultural tremors shaping the region.
As national debates continue over Musk’s influence and the future of federal oversight, the streets of Meridian, Idaho, now stand as a microcosm of the country’s growing divide, one where voices on both sides remain determined to be heard.
OPINION
April 17, 2025 |
Go touch grass: Logging off and going outside can help you reset
“End the brain rot. End the doomscrolling. End the screen addiction. Touch grass.”
These simple messages come from a brand new app called “Touch Grass”. The app blocks distracting apps on users’ phones until they take a photo of themselves going outside and literally touching grass. The app is designed to help users overcome phone addiction and encourage them to spend more time outdoors.
If you’ve ever gotten in an argument with a stranger online, it’s very possible that they told you to go “touch grass”.
“It’s almost always an insult for somebody who doesn’t go outside much,” senior Devin Cable said. “Someone’s staying inside, staring at the screen for too long. They’re saying they need to go outside and touch grass.”
Some people, like the developers of the “Touch Grass” app, think this can actually be good advice.
“I feel like if you’re just wasting your day, scrolling TikTok or doing whatever, then ‘touch grass’ could be good advice,” senior Beau Graham said. “But if you’re inside working or studying, it’s not always good advice.”
It’s definitely not nice to tell someone to “touch grass,” regardless of how much you think they might need to. If you really care about someone, you might instead encourage them to go outside and reconnect with nature to improve their mental and physical wellbeing.
“‘Touch grass’ means to go ground yourself,” senior Cherish Rock said. “It’s basically a way of saying, ‘Go take some time to yourself’, but it’s not the best way to say it.”
Spending time outdoors and connecting with nature can be very grounding, and it has powerful effects on the human psyche.
“I use it for my own mental health, as a way to sit with the world, since it’s so chaotic,” Rock said. “It helps me center myself and figure out how I want to move forward and make my own decisions. I go to the beach every year, and I’ve had moments where the outdoors: — the beach, rivers — have helped me move forward, especially when I’m very lost.”
College can be a very stressful time in an individual’s life. Busy schedules and heavy workloads make it difficult to prioritize spending time outdoors, but spending time in outdoor public spaces can bring students together and strengthen the entire community.
“Outdoor spaces are a really important subset of public spaces,” said Krista Paulsen, program lead of Urban Studies and Environmental Studies. “Places like the Quad, the pathways around campus, the plaza by the ‘B’ — those kinds of public spaces that welcome people and where people can make connections with one another are really important in terms of people having a sense of social connectedness.”
“To the degree that connections to outdoor spaces allow us to connect to one another, that can also be a plus in terms of people’s mental health,” Paulsen said. “So if we have the opportunity to see people that we care about and do things that we find fun and enjoyable — those things bolster our mental health.”
“There’s the ‘biophilia hypothesis’, which basically says that human beings get a sense of wellbeing when they’re connecting with nature,” Paulsen said. “It can reduce our stress hormones and lower our
blood pressure and things like that. There are folks who strongly believe that contact with nature and natural spaces really does a lot for people’s emotional wellbeing and mental health.”
Boise State’s campus offers several great outdoor spaces for students, including tennis and beach volleyball courts and open, grassy fields perfect for outdoor recreation. The Boise Greenbelt and other nearby walking, running or biking trails can be great places to reconnect with nature.
Students can even incorporate time spent outdoors with their education. Students can study, read or do homework at outdoor tables and benches, take outdoor
lunch breaks or walk along the greenbelt as they sip their morning coffee.
Engaging in these healthy, outdoor activities can significantly boost students’ overall wellbeing. Spending time outdoors, and encouraging friends to join, can lead to a happier, healthier and more connected campus community.
It may not be the nicest thing to say, but maybe everyone could benefit from touching grass a little more often. You probably don’t need an app to do it, but it might be worth a try.
Anything that inspires you to spend more time outdoors, feeling the sun on your face and reconnecting with nature, is probably a good thing.
Have you ever tried a $19 strawberry? Of course you haven’t
Absurd luxury trends highlight the rampant wealth inequality facing our society
For most people, $20 might pay for a week’s worth of gas or a few cheap groceries. They might use that $20 to go to the movies, eat dinner at a restaurant or buy a t-shirt. For most people, the thought of spending $20 on a single strawberry wouldn’t even cross their mind.
However, that’s exactly what some people did when Erewhon, a Los Angeles-based grocery chain began selling strawberries for $18.99 each earlier this year.
The luxury berries come from Elly Amai, a Japanese fruit company, and are packaged in plastic dome containers.
Influencers and content creators rushed to film themselves trying the viral strawberry, raving about the sweet taste, fragrant scent and beautiful packaging. Meanwhile, most users watching from home can only dream of purchasing “luxury fruit” without batting an eye. As the influencers on-screen gush about “the most incredible strawberry they’ve ever had”, everyone else can’t help but think — it kind of just looks like a regular strawberry.
In other news, Katy Perry went to space as part of the first “all-female space crew” on April 14. Most of the women on the 11-minute spaceflight weren’t astronauts — just wealthy celebrities powerful enough to secure a seat on a rocketship funded by Jeff Bezos.
So, while the average American works endlessly to keep up with the skyrocketing cost of living, celebrities are going on day trips to outer space and absurd luxury groceries are becoming a social media trend.
At this point, wealth inequality has become downright comical.
“I think wealth inequality is one of the most devastating issues that we’re facing now,” Michael Kreiter, a professor of sociology said. “We have [some people]
hoarding all the wealth, and it seems like a rich country, but we have millions of people living in poverty. One in five children are food insecure, so we live in this major society of contradictions of massive wealth and massive poverty.”
Younger generations are hit especially hard by the hostile economy they find themselves in.
“[Generation Z] has been screwed over hugely,” he said. “There’s no denying it. The price of college is extravagant and it doesn’t need to be … It is nowhere near comparable to what your parents’ or grandparents’ experience was like getting an education.”
“Now, working minimum wage, you have to work full-time for more weeks than there are in a year to afford the average tuition payment at a university,” Kreiter continued. “The younger generation has much harder financial problems that are not being recognized by the people who control society.”
Many come to college hoping to get a job that will provide financial stability, only to graduate with immense debt and limited prospects. Even as tuition increases, college degrees are becoming less valuable, leading many to question whether or not college is worth it anymore.
It’s safe to say that the average college student is not going to be purchasing luxury fruit like a $19 strawberry on a regular basis.
“I’m mostly paying for college by myself with a little help from my grandparents,” Anna Dumas, a freshman studying Neuroscience said. “I don’t really have financial aid or anything like that … If I got an extra $20, it would probably go into my savings.”
“If I had an extra $20 just handed to me I would probably have it split up,” Natalina Fairchild, a sophomore studying Business Administration, said. “Honestly, I’d probably split half of it and have ten [dollars] go towards school stuff or
something that’s a requirement or a need, and ten [dollars] would probably just be for fun.”
The $19 Erewhon strawberries are just one example of ridiculous prices becoming normalized, but they don’t paint the full picture. The entire country is facing rising costs on basic necessities.
As Americans look for ways to curb inflation and make basic necessities more affordable, tensions rise over the “right” solution. Most people agree that something needs to change, but figuring out exactly what needs to change is easier said than done.
While working-class Americans argue over policies and trivial matters, the ultra-wealthy keep flaunting their riches, churning out waste and expanding their empires.
“I fully believe that these things can change,” Kreiter said. “We didn’t make this terrible world — we were given it, but we also have the power to change it. There’s enough willpower that if students start to see themselves as a group that has power in society, instead of indebted individuals just trying to make it on their own, there can be rapid changes to the way the system works.”
Everyone would be better off setting aside political tensions and uniting in one simple truth: something has to change. Arguing with your neighbor won’t fix anything. The only way to be heard, regardless of what you believe, is by advocating for change at both the local and national levels.
'WHAT DO WE WANT TO BE KNOWN FOR?':
The search for a new Boise State President is now underway
Olivia Brandon, Rylee Amick and Spencer Rentfro | News Editor, Staff Writer and News Reporter news@stumedia.boisestate.edu | Grahics by Kelsey Mason
Since Boise State President Marlene Tromp announced her acceptance as the President at The University of Vermont, one question has been on everyone’s mind: Who will be Boise State’s next president?
While no official list of candidates has been released, a committee comprised of members of the Idaho State Board of Education and other prominent Boise businesses and a subcommittee of Boise State alumni and faculty has been assembled. The selection committee Chair of the selection committee and Idaho State Board of Education member, David Turnbull, acknowledged the lack of information being released and expressed the committee is being diligent in the search process.
“I recognize that the lack of information causes speculation, and oftentimes speculation goes off the rails,” Turnbull said. “I would like to assure the student body that we understand how important this decision is to them and we will go about it in a way that is thorough and responsive.”
Turnbull highlighted the variety of perspectives each member of the committee and subcommittee brings and how the broad range of
individuals was intentional in establishing a well-rounded approach to the selection.
“We understand the gravity and the importance of this hire,” Turnbull shared. “It's one of the most important hires we will make in quite some time. So we're definitely focused on taking the time that is required to do it [and] doing it in a thoughtful and systematic way and gathering the best candidates that we can.”
Turnbull broke down what the application process and subsequent interview period will look like for the position.
There will be a 35-day open application process, Turnbull explained, and at the end of those 35 days, the committee will review the candidates and see if it is time to begin the interview process.
The committee will then compile roughly three to five candidates that will be submitted to the Idaho State Board of Education, who will conduct further interviews.
Turnbull stated the candidate should be someone with strong leadership and communication skills who is able to form relationships with a broad range of people and organizations.
With President Tromp planning to begin her new role on July 1, 2025, the committee has an important task, and not a lot of time to complete it.
“We don't want that position to be vacant any longer than it has to be, but we don't have a set timeline,” Turnbull said, adding the timeline has not been an issue. “We've had a variety of opinions on how long the process should take. We'll continue to whittle that down. It's going to be a flexible schedule. It's all going to be dependent upon the application process and the quality of the candidates we get and how quickly we can vet them and whittle it down to some finalists.”
Dean of Extended Studies Mark Wheeler, a subcommittee member, explained his role of receiving input from campus regarding qualities and characteristics for a new president.
“I think it’s very important [to get input],” Wheeler said. “I know that people in my group, administration and staff, care deeply about this university and want to have a voice in the type of leader that we have next and I’m sure faculty are [as] equally passionate as our students. This is the chance for each of those groups to speak up so the state board knows what each is looking for in a new president.”
Wheeler explained he’s appointed a couple other representatives from both the university’s classified staff and professional staff to join the subcommittee to help compile feedback. The group is directed to set up listening sessions for administration and staff.
“One of the board staff members told me ‘Hey, we don’t want to handcuff people. We want to hear what people have to say’,” Wheeler said. “I don’t think they wanted to define exactly what they want — the type of input that they want, but I think certainly included in the input needs to be, what kind of desired qualities do we want to have in our next president?”
The feedback will be made into a report due back to the Idaho State Board of Education on May 5, 2025.
“I’m sure they will read it and take it into consideration regarding the type of person that leads at the helm,” Wheeler said. “It’s in the state board’s best interest to make sure that they hire somebody that is embraced by the university as well as by other constituency groups.”
The faculty subcommittee Laurie Cavey, a professor and president of the faculty senate at Boise State University holds the chair
Dr. Eugene Chaffee
Dr. John Barnes
Dr. John Keiser
position in the faculty subcommittee for the ongoing presidential search. Her committee represents one of the five subcommittees working to assist the search.
As the chair, Cavey leads the groups’ effort in soliciting broad input from Boise State faculty members. Cavey, along with search committee members Lisa Bostaph and Bobbi-Jo Meuleman, is tasked with organizing faculty input into a summarized report. Cavey will then have the opportunity to attend a committee meeting where she would summarize findings and input gathered from faculty members.
Although there isn’t a standard time frame for presidential searches or hirings, Cavey voiced an ideal process lasts for about a year with an interim in place, allowing ample time for vetting candidates. While the Idaho State Board of Education is hoping to make a hire as soon as possible, search members indicated to Cavey that the timeline remains flexible.
If after 30 days the candidate pool is insufficient, the search will be extended into the fall. While this is a longer timeframe, it also provides an opportunity for more university members to be involved.
“What I would really love to see for Boise State is that we bring in a president who is able to draw this community together and coalesce around a particular mission,” Cavey said. “I don't know exactly what that mission might be, but I think most faculty, myself included, would say we are just feeling a lot of tension, like being pulled in a lot of different directions.”
Cavey explained how the wide range of university goals and pressure on faculty members makes it difficult to narrow down a unified vision for Boise State.
Among other things, Cavey highlighted the push for R-1 — a classification for colleges with high research spending — staying up on the latest technologies and considering how courses might be instructed online as prominent university goals.
“What is it that we actually want to excel at? What do we want to be known for? If somebody could come in and help us coalesce around a particular vision for Boise State in the not too distant future, that would be refreshing,” Cavey said.
She explained that since institutions have unique missions, qualifications for a president are also distinct. Though the Idaho State Board of Education has the final say on who is hired, committees and board members have the opportunity to uphold and determine particular qualifications for an incoming president.
Cavey highlighted Boise State’s model of shared governance, which allows faculty input on decisions affecting the university. A hire who is more versed in industry practices rather than those practiced within academia might clash with Boise State’s shared governance system.
Ultimately, she expressed hopes for a president who is more communicative with faculty members and will continue to protect the tenets surrounding higher education.
“I would hope they [the future president] would be able to find ways to regularly engage with faculty in an authentic way, and be willing to fight for the principles around higher education,” she said.
Student opinions
Bridget Gibson, a sophomore majoring in Political Science, said her vision for the next university president is someone who is inclusive.
“I hope the next university president is somebody who still cares about inclusion and including all students and the well-being of all students at Boise State,” Gibson said. “There's a lot of fears that with Tromp leaving — because she cared so much kind of about that inclusion aspect — that maybe Boise State will regress. I do think that a new president needs to focus on that inclusion so all students can feel equally represented.”
Gibson said she’d like to see the Gender Equity Center, which was rebranded as the Student Success Center, reinstated under the next president. Ultimately, Gibson believed that Tromp did the best she could as president with the cards she was dealt.
“Tromp did a very good job overall. Ultimately, she was doing the best she could in the situation she was given because Boise State, being a public university, is very vulnerable to the Idaho legislature,” Gibson said.
“A lot of what she’s done or not done came down to what she felt was in the best interest of getting funding for the school and having good relationships with Idaho legislature, which is very important,” Gibson continued. “But I do think that maybe somebody who
could be more willing to stand up to the Idaho legislature could be good, or somebody more on the advocacy side.”
Student athlete representative for the student subcommittee Sydney Leitch said a university president should advocate for student athletes and prioritize academics.
“I would say, as an athlete, we're definitely looking for someone who prioritizes athletics along with the entire student body. We make up a great part of the student body,” Leitch said.
Leitch expressed that she hopes the next president will “advocate for everybody” and be willing to hear every student’s concerns.
Freshman Biology major Natal Davis, says she hopes the next university president will be involved with the community — noting that President Tromp had great leadership and community skills with Boise State.
“The biggest thing is connecting with students and making sure their values are heard,” Davis said.
She credited Tromp’s ability to engage on campus with students, particularly at sporting events.
Subcommittee meetings begin April 14 and will continue through April 23. These meetings are open to the public and can be accessed virtually as well on the Boise State presidential search website.
With summer fast approaching, committee, subcommittee members and students alike are considering what initiatives and qualities they’d like to see brought forward from Tromp’s legacy and what aspects of the university need improvement.
Dr. Charles Ruch
Dr. Bob Kustra
Dr. Marlene Tromp 2019-2025
CULTURE
Shakespeare’s problems are still our problems
The liberation of classic texts to the modern purveyor
Emily Gordon | Culture Editor | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu
| Graphic by Naomi
Brown
Centuries after his plays first graced the stage, William Shakespeare remains a prominent force in contemporary culture. His language, themes and archetypes continue to shape everything from popular entertainment to everyday speech, revealing the enduring relevance of his work in modern life.
Though Shakespeare’s influence extends beyond clever phrases or modern adaptations — it is rooted in the portrayal of humanity that has stood the test of time. Shakespeare’s work is a great liberation to the modern purveyor to be able to relate to a pain that existed long before they felt it.
Matthew Hansen, professor of English Literature at Boise State University, explained the long lasting brilliance of Shakespearean dialogue, informally referred to as “william-isms”.
“English is always in flux,” said Hansen. “We have always been a language that reinvents itself.”
William-isms create a space not only for modern readers to experience the world, but also as a way to design and reflect the world around us. Had Shakespeare not written “Titus Andronicus”, could we ever feel gloomy?
Hansen also explained how Shakespeare may seem daunting and highbrow to modern readers, however in his day, Shakespeare was for a broad audience, not the intellectuals.
“Often Shakespeare comedy is much more general,” explained Hansen. “So when he makes fun, he is making fun of habitual characteristics of a general
group of people … he was total pop culture.”
Chris Canfield, artistic director of the Boise Bards, explained the virtue of Shakespeare’s work, noting while all that survives of him is truly just words, it is the activation of his work that reveals the true poignancy of centuries old literature.
“Shakespeare, for all intents and purposes, is a bunch of words. He’s a bunch of words and books. That’s all he is anymore. That’s all he really has been for the past 400 and something years,” said Canfield. “But within those it’s what we do with them, what those words can do, what we can do with them.”
Hamlet wrestled with grief and indecision, Macbeth showed how ambition can spiral into self-destruction and Romeo and Juliet is basically every doomed situationship ever. These aren’t just old plays — they’re reflections of what it means to be human, no matter the century.
“Thankfully [within] Shakespeare’s world, the foibles, the issues, the deep human problems that are written into the language are still human problems,” Canfield said.
Shakespeare gives modern readers an opportunity to reflect on the modern world through the safety of a fictional lens — allowing readers to grapple with themes of injustice, power and human struggle without flinching because it’s happening on a stage, not in the headlines.
Tris Berg, local professional actor and theater artist explained
how Shakespeare’s relevance extends beyond plotlines and sword fights, it is about the people that are written.
“It’s also a nice reflection that misogyny, discrimination [and] things like that … were also problems back then, and there are still problems now,” said Berg. “This is a very powerful tool to shine a light on the flaws within our societies and also just what it means to be human. Human experience isn’t unique to the human right now.”
The human experience has been lived for centuries, there is great solace to be found within the pages of Shakespeare. As Shakespeare once wrote, “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so,” all that you have experienced is nothing new. Centuries have survived the fears of the modern person.
“And when we realize that [Shakespeare] and interact with it as a live, living story with real people in it, you are then connected not only to that original work from 400 years ago,” explained Canfield. “You’re also connected to every single person that has ever connected to that show in its 400 year history.”
Shakespeare is not meant to be stagnant and battered with examination — it pulses with life. His characters think and feel with a rawness that is as true as it is to the modern reader.
“In my experience when it comes to the arts, there’s really a chance … to get to everyone’s soul,” said Berg. “Storytellers can change the world, and we’re here to make it happen within our rooms and our opportunities telling stories.”
Shakespeare is still alive for those willing to find it. Whether you are obsessively enamored with a new lover like Romeo or unable to rid yourself of guilt like Lady Macbeth, there are pieces of you within the work of Shakespeare.
Future educators respond to removal of ‘Everyone is Welcome Here’ signs
Emily Carmela Nelson | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu | Photos by Emily Carmela Nelson
The U.S. Department of Education states within its mission statement that it aims “to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access for students of all ages.”
Similarly, Lewis and Clark Middle School, a public school less than 20 minutes away from Boise State University, echoes a similar vision — to foster a community where “facilities are safe, welcoming and maximize opportunities to learn and grow.”
This is why students, community members and educators were outraged when Marcus Myers, West Ada School District’s chief academic officer, instructed Sarah Inama, a sixth-grade world civilization teacher, to remove inclusionary welcome signs from her classroom in early March.
One of these signs, which drew national attention, featured colorful text reading: “Everyone is Welcome Here” alongside illustrated hands of various skin tones. Another sign read: “In this room, everyone is welcome, important, accepted, respected, encouraged and valued.”
As reported by the Idaho Statesman, the school district said the signs were removed over concerns they might “inadvertently create division or controversy”.
“It’s just upsetting, there’s a lot going on right now in this political climate with teachers and the Department of Education. No matter what political side you’re on, I think everybody can agree — and should agree — that education is a right and that every student should feel welcome inside the classroom.”
- Jillian Deines
Secondary English
Education major
Deines said her interest in teaching came as something of an “epiphany”.
“I never thought I would be a teacher,” she said. “I grew up working at summer camps. The summer before I came to Boise State I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, maybe I do want to be a teacher’. I like hanging around teenagers — they’re so fun and weird when you let them do their thing. I switched my major and ended up falling in love with education.”
Deines is currently coaching volleyball at East Junior High and completing observation hours at Capital High School. After graduation, she dreams of teaching middle school English in Idaho for a few years before eventually moving back to rural Washington, where her family resides.
In the wake of the “Everyone is Welcome” controversy, educators and families have begun to question the Idaho Department of Education, asking how a controversy of this degree could occur within Idaho’s largest school district.
Deines expressed concern about difficulties she may face transferring her teaching certification across state lines — an issue many future educators in Idaho may be considering.
“It’s tough because I’m only going to be certified [to teach] in Idaho when I graduate,” Deines said. “Each state has
its own test and curriculum, so if I want to move back to Washington, I would have to take a different test [or] maybe even redo a few classes. It’s a much harder process. I know the Idaho curriculum, the Idaho standards and I took the Idaho test. I don’t exactly have that choice.”
The Idaho Department of Education requires aspiring educators to pass sections of the Praxis exam based on their certification area. At Boise State, students typically take the Praxis prior to student teaching or internships.
In Washington, out-of-state teachers must provide verification of their degree and preparation program, as well as pass basic skills tests and meet content-area assessment requirements.
“It’s harder to teach in other states than people might think,” Deines said. “I love Boise, but I hope things change. I want to stay here and be a teacher who is there for all her kids, but some serious change would need to happen.”
Ruby McNeal, an Art Education major, said she and her peers have been discussing the sign’s removal within lectures and observation classrooms.
“My professor in my elementary art methods class showed us a news video about [the “Everyone is Welcome” controversy] and we had an in depth conversation. I’m doing observation hours at lots of different schools right now and I’ve been talking to teachers about this when students aren’t around,” McNeal said. “It’s not a topic that should have children involved — it’s a topic for adults to discuss. I think most people who I’ve talked to agree that the sign was within regulations.”
While McNeal supports the community response towards Sarah Inama, she voiced concern that the reaction could potentially bleed into curriculum and classroom discussions.
Read the full story online at arbiteronline.com.
CULTURE
The cast and crew behind ‘The Little Prince’ at the Danny Peterson Theatre
Emily Carmela Nelson | Culture Reporter | culture@stumedia.boisestate.edu | Photos by Emily Carmela Nelson
The Boise State Theatre Arts Program is closing out their “Moonstruck” season with “The Little Prince”, a play based on the 1943 children’s novella written by French aviator Antoine de Saint Exupéry.
The story follows a jaded Aviator (Jacob Cabral) who crash-lands in the Sahara Desert and meets the Little Prince (Alexis Williams), a peculiar young boy from a small planet far, far away.
Over the span of two weeks, the Aviator learns the intricacies of the Little Prince’s world. From the conceited planetary men (Trevor Ferguson), to the thorned Rose he loves dearly (Ripley Hanson) and a Fox (Neekey Habibi) who teaches him the ritual of taming another.
When their journey together is cut short, the Aviator and the Little Prince must return to their respective homes carrying the newfound knowledge that stars can become true friends and that childlike wonder holds utmost importance.
“I’ve read the story [of “The Little Prince”] numerous times,” Neekey
Habibi said. “When I first read it, I was too young to understand the meaning of it. Now coming back to it and realizing those deeper meanings about connection, growing up and keeping childlike wonder, it just hits so much harder, especially when I see my fellow actors performing. [The story] has such a special place in my heart. When the Little Prince says something, it’s true. There is no sugar coating it.”
With only eight hearts behind the entire production, the team has an evident bond.
Alexis Williams described the intimacy of the group as a “night and day experience” compared to previous larger Boise State Theatre Arts Program productions like “Macbeth” and “The Sound of Music”.
“The support system that we have with each other is something you probably don’t get in a lot of other places,” Ellie Wirth, assistant stage manager for “The Little Prince” said. “I know if I’m having a hard day that every single person here
has my back and will make sure I’m taking care of myself.”
For graduating seniors Alexis Williams, Ripley Hanson and Jacob Cabral, “The Little Prince” is likely their final theater performance at Boise State.
“I’m moving out of Boise, so this is my last production here at Boise State. It’s heartbreaking, but I’m also ready to get out in the world and see what there is to offer,” Ripley Hanson said. “I’ve done three productions here now, and it’s been an incredible experience. It is heartbreaking and I’m so sad. I know I will cry on closing night. It’s been such a wonderful experience that I’m just trying to live every day in the moment.”
Jacob Cabral said his journey was “a little different” from the rest of the group. He fell in love with theater in high school.
“I’m actually a film major and want to do film acting. But in doing a lot of projects, because it’s mainly small student stuff, I’ve realized how much joy I get out of theater,” Cabral said. “There’s something about it that’s completely different.
There’s no replica for theater, stage acting and just creating an entire production. This will be my last production for Boise State, but I hope it’s not my last play in my acting career. I’ve learned [that acting] is hard to live without.”
When asked what they were most excited for audiences to see, the cast and crew immediately gushed over the show’s detailed costume design.
“[Darrin Pufall Purdy, professor of Theatre Arts with a specialization in Costume Design and Technology] has really done an amazing job with these costumes,” Stage Manager Megan Ayers said. “Truly, these costumes are so beautiful. [The rose] especially — I cannot imagine how many hours he spent in that costume shop working on those. They’re so incredibly intricate and beautiful.”
Each costume in “The Little Prince” was given deep thought, and was described by the cast as “fantastical and magical”.
Read the full story online at arbiteronline.com.
‘The
Amateur’: An action-packed revenge thriller
Director James Hawes’ new film is as good as it is predictable
Warning: This article contains spoilers for the movie “The Amateur”.
44 years after the novel’s release, “The Amateur” has now been adapted to a film.
Directed by James Hawes, the film centers around CIA agent Charles Heller (Rami Malek), who lives a happy life with his wife Sarah (Rachel Brosnahan) in rural Virginia. But when Sarah departs to London for a conference, Charles’ world takes a turn for the worse when he discovers his wife has died in a terrorist attack. In a short span of time, Charles uses his decoding skills to devise a plan to travel around the world to kill those respon-
sible for his wife’s death. After the CIA agency refuses to take action, a distraught Charles gathers incriminating documents to blackmail CIA Deputy Director Moore (Holt McCallany), using them as an advantage to gain the agency’s help in planning the operation.
“The Amateur” effectively draws the audience into Charles’ emotional journey, allowing viewers to experience his anger and sense of betrayal alongside him.
Malek delivers a strong performance as Charles, an intelligent decoder with no experience using a weapon who ultimately finds the courage to go after some of the most dangerous criminals in the world.
20th Century Studios
Another strength to this film is the star-studded talent with Jon Bernthal, Laurence Fishburne and Rachel Brosnahan. Bernthal, who plays a CIA agent, deserved to have more screen-time as he played a valuable character to the film that helped off-set the film’s growing tension.
One of the more compelling aspects of the film is the evolving relationship between Charles and his mysterious intelligence source, known as “Inquiline” in the beginning. As they meet later in the film, Inquiline is revealed to be a woman named Inquiline Davies (Caitriona Balfe), who’s also a widow who took over the role after her husband was murdered.
As Charles and Davies work together to uncover the truth and track down the suspects responsible for Sarah’s death, their shared grief creates a unique bond that adds emotional depth to the film.
The movie’s plot, while interesting, is fairly predictable. The trailer reveals the death of Charles’ wife, making the moment lack the strong emotion it could’ve had if that information was withheld.
The film also struggles with maintaining a consistent tone. At times the film feels grounded and emotionally driven, with the audience drawing into Charles’ quiet yet risk-taking character.
Some of the scenes tend to strive for realism, while other scenes resemble a spy James Bond type thriller. This difference in tone throughout the film may leave the audience disconnected from the storyline.
However, the film excels in building suspense and Malek does a great job of showcasing character depth and vulnerability as he’s affected by the death of his wife.
The cinematography helps bring the movie to life, with scenes from an international backdrop as Charles travels around the world. The movie’s soundtrack blends a variety of instruments — such as piano, orchestrated elements and electronic tunes —- to add depth to the suspense, especially in chaotic scenes throughout Charlie’s mission.
Although “The Amateur” doesn’t offer the non-stop action genre some fans might have anticipated, the film is a more meticulous, slow-approach on a spy action thriller. The film revolves around themes of despair, loss, regret and revenge as Charles has to battle between two losses — his wife and the loss of trust within the CIA agency.
“The Amateur” is out in theaters, rated PG-13.
SPORTS & REC
Ashton Jeanty’s legacy at Boise State is insistent upon recognition
Conversations emerge about how the university should honor the running back’s undeniable legacy
Statues stand as symbols of excellence, honoring figures whose contributions transcend their time on the field. At Boise State, conversations are beginning to emerge about whether star running back Ashton Jeanty has already earned that level of recognition.
Jeanty’s impact on the Broncos has been undeniable. A Maxwell Award winner — awarded to the best running back in the country — Heisman Award runner-up and the second all-time rushing leader in NCAA history, his resume speaks for itself. But does that warrant a statue? And if so, when?
The discussion around immortalizing Jeanty in bronze is about more than just one player; it’s about Boise State’s approach to legacy, recognition and the criteria that defines greatness.
The discussion isn’t just about stats or accolades; it’s about what Jeanty represents.
“I think awards shouldn’t be based on players winning national championships but based on the legacy that they leave,” said Ryan Tesch, president of The Corral, Boise State’s student-led fan section.
“It’s cool and all for players to win awards and trophies, but at the end of the day, it’s about how they’re going to be remembered.”
That memory, for Boise State fans, is already cemented in moments of brilliance. Jeanty’s dominant performances helped propel the Broncos to their first-ever College Football Playoff (CFP) appearance, an achievement that rewrote school history.
His decision to stay at Boise State, despite more lucrative opportunities elsewhere, only further solidified his standing as a fan favorite.
Statues are more than just bronze figures standing outside stadiums, they are symbols of legacy, permanence and the stories that define a program.
At Boise State, the idea of installing a statue isn’t taken lightly. Legends like Kellen Moore and Chris Petersen remain without one, and yet, the conversation surrounding Ashton Jeanty has already begun. The sophomore running back’s impact has been so profound,some believe his place among Boise State’s greats is already secured.
Dominic Iglesias, vice president of The Corral, believes Jeanty embodies everything Boise State stands for.
“When we talk about Boise State legends, we usually go back to guys like Kellen Moore, Ian Johnson, guys who
had those iconic moments,” Iglesias said. “But Ashton’s in that conversation now, and he’s still here. That’s what makes this such an interesting discussion.”
Boise State has long prided itself on an underdog mentality. Players who embrace that mindset, who don’t just chase individual success but elevate the program as a whole, tend to leave lasting impressions.
Iglesias sees Jeanty as someone who fits that mold perfectly.
“The thing with a statue is that it represents more than just individual success. It’s about impact. When you look at the kind of season Ashton had, yeah, that’s historic. But what he did for Boise State as a program? As a community? That’s what makes this conversation worth having,” he said.
The university has been slow to immortalize its football greats. Even the most successful figures in program history, Moore, Petersen and Johnson, have yet to be honored with statues. But Tesch believes the time might be right to start a new tradition.
“It would be a nice way to honor the football program,” he said. “Keep boosting it up, keep driving future enrollment.”
Jeanty’s story isn’t just about football. It’s about commitment to a program, a school and a fan base that has embraced him. His decision to stay at Boise State at a time when college football has become dominated by NIL deals and transfer portal chaos speaks to a level of loyalty that is increasingly rare.
Cody Gougler, Boise State’s senior associate athletic director for external affairs, acknowledges legacy recognition is an evolving discussion within the athlet -
ic department. He emphasized while no decision has been made on a statue, the university is actively reimagining how it honors its greatest athletes.
“We do have the appropriate structure in place to consider these things,” Gougler said. “There are other student-athletes and coaches who have left a legacy as well. But when you look at what Ashton accomplished, helping us get to the CFP’s for the first time in school history, you can argue he’s in that conversation.”
With the evident fan enthusiasm for honoring Jeanty, Gouglar explained the athletic department is in the process of defining its approach to legacy recognition.
“We have internal dialogue within our athletic department,” he said. “There’s a committee being reimagined to set benchmarks on what legacy recognition looks like, whether that be a jersey retirement or a statue.”
So, where does that leave the possibility of a statue for Jeanty?
Boise State’s history suggests such recognition is typically reserved for those who have long since moved on from the program. Yet, Jeanty’s career already feels legendary; his story is one that will be told for years to come.
As Jeanty enters the National Football League draft as a projected first-round pick, it’s not clear yet how he will do in his professional career, but what is clear is Jeanty has already etched his name in Boise State history.
It may take some time and clarity to determine how Boise State will honor Jeanty, but it should be a major consideration for the future.
Grad tassels and the transfer portal: The future of BSU Men’s Basketball
The University of Florida won the 2025 NCAA Tournament, marking the end of the 202425 NCAA basketball season. Coming off a loss in the Mountain West Championship, the Boise State Broncos missed out on their chance to compete in the NCAA Tournament and were instead invited to the brand new Crown Tournament.
Despite strong efforts from the Broncos, they fell short and lost to the University of Nebraska in the tournament’s semi-final.
With the conclusion of the season, the NCAA transfer portal is already heating up and teams across the country are in competition to score some of the
top prospects. In Boise State’s case, the Broncos have a lot to work on.
The Broncos are losing three of their starters to graduation in May and have had multiple of their younger players enter the transfer portal.
Starting forward O’mar Stanley and starting point guard Alvaro Cardenas are among those graduating, marking the end of their collegiate basketball careers.
Cardenas finished his single season at Boise State by breaking the team’s season assist record while scoring 11.5 points per game.
Despite coming off of a rough senior season, Stanley was a key player during the Broncos 2023-24 season and averaged 12.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.
The other graduating Bronco is one of the program’s greatest: four year starting forward, Tyson Degenhart.
He not only scored 2037 total points — the most in Boise State basketball history — but scored 676 points during the 2024-2025 season, the most in season history for the Broncos. The future is bright for wherever Degenhart chooses to go.
“These last 4 years have been nothing short of incredible,” Degenhart said on his Instagram. “I am filled with so much
gratitude to have been a part of an incredible university. I am so thankful for all of my teammates, coaches, support staff, family, friends and Bronco Nation for making this experience so special. I will always be a Bronco and I will bleed blue forever!”
Redshirt freshman Chris Lockett Jr., redshirt sophomore Dylan Anderson, redshirt freshman Moses Hipps and sophomore Emmanuel Ugbo all announced their entrance into the transfer portal, leaving the Broncos even more short-handed going into the next season.
The good news for Broncos fans is that help is on the way.
Former four star point guard, Dylan Andrews, announced he is transferring from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to Boise State.
After averaging 12.9 points per game in his sophomore season with the Bruins, Andrews had a rough junior season and averaged only 6.9 points off the bench. Andrews is more than capable of having a comeback season, and a change of scenery may be just what he needed.
A familiar face announced his transfer to the Broncos as well.
Drew Fielder, a former four star center out of Rocky Mountain High School — located in Meridian, Idaho — announced his de-commitment to the University of Southern California and his return to Boise.
In his most recent season at Georgetown University, Fielder averaged 7.1 points per game and 5.4 rebounds as a starter. There’s potential for him to become Degenhard’s replacement.
“Momma I’m coming home,” Fielder said on his Instagram. “Boise let’s do it!”
With the additions of Fielder and Andrews and the return of Andrew Meadow, Pearson Carmichael and other Boise State reliables — the Broncos are likely to be a Mountain West Champion contender for the upcoming season.
CAPITOL
BOISE RIVER ALBERTSONS
GEESE BOGUS BASIN
TABLE ROCK RECORD EXCHANGE FOOTHILLS GREENBELT EIGHTH STREET HYDE PARK
OUR BEST GUESS
THE ARBITER ALIGNS YOUR STARS
CAPRICORN
DEC 22 - JAN 19
ARIES
MAR 21 - APR 19
THERE IS SOURDOUGH IN YOUR FUTURE … HOPEFULLY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
THE ATTITUDE ISN’T AS CHARMING AS YOU THINK.
AQUARIUS
JAN 20 - FEB 18
DO NOT MESS UP YOUR SELF TAN … SERIOUSLY.
PISCES
FEB 19 - MAR 20
YOUR CARDIGAN COLLECTION IS SUSPICIOUSLY WONDERFUL.
ARIES
MARCH 21 - APR 19
THERE IS SOURDOUGH IN YOUR FUTURE… HOPEFULLY.
TAURUS
APR 20 - MAY 20
JUST GO ON A DATE. YOU KNOW YOU’RE A CATCH.
GEMINI
MAY 21 - JUN 20
YOUR MOMENT IS COMING, SIT DOWN.
CANCER
JUN 21 - JUL 22
BEEN EMOTIONAL? AT LEAST YOU’RE A PRETTY CRIER!
LEO JUL 23 - AUG 22
YOUR HAIR HAS NEVER BEEN BETTER, KEEP IT UP.
VIRGO
AUG 23 - SEPT 22
IT IS NEVER REALLY A BIG DEAL IS IT?
LIBRA
SEPT 23 - OCT 22
BLACK ON BLACK? AGAIN? CHANGE IT UP.
SCORPIO
OCT 23 - NOV 21
PLOTTING REVENGE? GET BACK TO WORK.
SAGITTARIUS NOV 22 - DEC 21
JUST GET YOUR HOMEWORK DONE.
ILLUSTRATIONS BY
SYDNEY SMITH
your campus . your classmates . your voice . Tune in today!
