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CAMPUS LIFE
Thursday, February 1, 2018
Greek life
What a rush
Taking a peek at some differences in rush seasons Andrew Ward Argonaut
Gavin Green | Argonaut
Students Ayo Kayode-Popoola and Dami Olape serve authentic Nigerian food Saturday evening at the Cruise the World event in the International Ballroom.
Global cruising Cruise the World event brings global cultures together in Moscow Beth Hoots Argonaut
In the fastest commercial plane, a non-stop trip around the world would take nearly two full days to complete. For those with a little less time and money on their hands, the Cruise the World event provided a convenient alternative, bringing together 32 international and cultural student organizations last week in the
International Ballroom of the University of Idaho’s Bruce Pitman Center. The event was set up with booths loosely organized by global region. Central and South American nations lined the east wall of the ballroom opposite rows of Asian and Middle Eastern booths. Geographical and social boundaries were shattered across the room — the Nigerian table sat alongside the team representing Panama. The Isle of Man set up shop next to a Chinese booth and the Muslim Student Association of UI table faced the Indian
booth. The event featured a wide variety of nationalities and cultures, but still managed to celebrate each individually. For the first time, Cruise the World was offered to the public as a free event. In the past, organizers have charged admission fees. Morgan Gardner, outreach coordinator for the UI International Programs Office, said she hoped the change would enable visitors to spend their money on food and crafts at cultural booths. “I think the intention of it being free is that more people will come inside and purchase food,” Gardner said.
Gardner also said she hoped not charging admission would attract more visitors to explore the diversity offered at Cruise the World. “Everybody seems to love this event, so it’s pretty easy to get people involved,” Gardner said. This year, Gardner used social media to promote the event and reach vendors and performers on the Palouse. “We have 15 performers this year, which is crazy because the event is one hour shorter,” Gardner said. SEE GLOBAL, PAGE 4
ADMINISTRATION
Hooked on a fee-ling Kali Nelson Argonaut
The Associated Student Fees Committee met Jan. 24 to hear from university departments seeking an increase in funding. The committee decided on students’ activity fee, which currently stands at $577.98, said Trina Mahoney, budget director and non-voting member of the fees committee. The requested increases were put in terms of amount per full-time equivalent student, meaning the increases would only affect full-time students, Mahoney said. The amounts requested at the meeting were not set in stone, as the committee will debate the increases and recommend which departments should recieve increases to University of Idaho President Chuck
Staben. Staben will then take the requests to an April meeting of the Idaho State Board of Education, Mahoney said. Rob Spear, director of athletics, asked for an increase of $3.41 per full-time student. Spear said the increase would go toward ensuring adherence to the UI strategic plan, helping provide a competitive, integrity-based athletics program and sustain recent success. Rusty Baker, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Movement Sciences, requested a $2.43 increase to help cover the cost of employee salaries so the Integrated Sports Medicine and Rehabilitative Therapy (ISMaRT) clinic can meet the increased demand from the student body. ISMaRT services include standard care in athletic
Student Fees Committee discusses increased department funding
training and physical therapy. Baker said the clinic could increase appointment opportunities and staff availability to students with the additional funds. Student-Athlete Support Services asked for a $6.15 increase to help cover the cost of an academic coordinator and 37 cents for change in employee compensation. Greg Tatham, assistant vice provost of student affairs, requested an $11 increase for the Campus Recreation Center. The fee is broken up into sections, with $2 going to an increase for temporary help staff, $2 to sports clubs, $2 for the outdoor program and $5 for maintenance and improvements to the center. SEE HOOKED, PAGE 4
With spring quickly approaching, it is important to note the differences that accompany the change in season. Ian Sanabia, president of the Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity, said there are a few notable differences in rush seasons worth keeping in mind. “It’s a lot more stressful in the fall because there are about 250 people who are rushing,” Sanabia said. “You’re trying to get the biggest pledge class that you can with most quality guys that you can. In the spring there’s usually about 20 people — so it’s a lot less stressful and a lot less formal.” Sanabia said his experience with fall rush was more extensive and intense, but worth it. “At first, I did not know much about rush. I was convinced to do it by one of my friends,” Sanabia said. “We visited every single house on the first day. It was pretty exhausting to go through every house — but I chose Alpha Kappa Lambda (AKL) because I felt really comfortable here. There were a lot of guys I could relate to.” Sanabia said he recommends rushing in the fall because of the broader exposure to campus Greek life and potential friends. “I personally think going through fall rush is more fun,” Sanabia said. “If you go through spring rush, you’re not able to see all the houses like you would during fall recruitment. You’re not made to visit all the different houses — instead you’re just meeting guys with flags on a table.” Sanabia emphasized the lack of connections freshmen get to make when they choose to rush in the spring. “One of the disadvantages I think is that you don’t get to meet as many people in the spring rush,” Sanabia said. “A lot of the people you meet during fall rush, even if they go into different houses, still become really good friends and allows you to have connections in other houses.” Lake Campbell, an undeclared freshman who snapped to AKL this semester, said he didn’t want to wait for spring rush because he already knew the type of house he wanted to join. “I didn’t really enjoy the dorm experience,” Campbell said. “Brotherhoods are also important to me. I had a lot of friends in Sigma Chi, so I would spend a lot of time over there. I saw what they did, and I knew I wanted to be a part of something like that.” Shannon Brink, a senior at Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, offered her point of view from the sorority perspective. She said rushing can be intense no matter the time of year, but eventually the experience becomes comfortable. “It’s super overwhelming,” Brink said. “You’re walking into a house with a hundred singing women, and you’re stressed — probably a little self-conscious. But they’re very welcoming, and they make you feel right at home.” Brink said that one of the main differences between rush seasons is the way houses recruit. “With spring recruitment, you are promoting on social media, you are trying to talk to girls in class or anywhere else on campus,” Brink said. “But with fall recruitment you don’t really know anybody that’s coming. So, there are massive social media efforts looking for anyone who is interested.” Brink advocated for people to be their genuine selves when they rush. “In recruitment everyone is trying to put on their best show,” Brink said. “Obviously you’ll be talking to them about real things, but you’re not seeing anybody at their worst yet either.” SEE RUSH, PAGE 4
IN THIS ISSUE
Idaho Women’s basketball returns home for PSU and Sacramento State.
sports, 6
News, 1
Sports, 5
Arts, 8
Opinion, 11
Reflecting on the state of our union. Read Our view.
UI Theatre Arts Department presents new play.
Opinion, 12 University of Idaho
ARts, 8 Volume 120 , Issue no. 18
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