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Thursday, March 22, 2018
RECREATION
Down in the canyon Courtesy | UI Recreation Center
“Getting to participate in these sorts of trips, it’s along my path. It’s part of what I want to do.” - Sarah Page (pictured) same people for weeks straight in the desert, camping in the sand, it’s something you don’t really get to experience in some of the other trips.” Wilson and Page, both UI seniors, said Brandon Hill their trip through Canyonlands National Argonaut Park over spring break offered unique experiences that both will Between the harsh weather conremember for a lifetime. ditions and changing landscapes, Sandra Townsend, outdoor Sarah Page and Vince Wilson had program coordinator for the UI their hands full leading a University Recreation Center and head of the of Idaho recreation hike through rental center, said she offered Wilson the canyons of Escalante, Utah. “It’s probably one of the better Sandra Townsend and Page the opportunity to lead the backpacking trip through the desotrips I’ve done, for sure,” said late desert, citing their strong leadWilson, a UI student and co-leader of the expedition. “I feel like being out there ership skills and eagerness to take on a larger for a longer period of time, being with the role with the outdoor program.
A trek through the Utah wilderness offered once-in-a-lifetime experience for UI students
“Both of them show really professional qualities when it comes to leading trips in the past. Both of them have had really good feedback on past trips,” Townsend said. “I wanted to give the opportunity for Sarah and Vince to grow into the leadership role. I was more there for entertainment, educational and safety value.” With a group of four UI undergraduate students, one graduate student and one Moscow community member, Wilson, Page and Townsend took off from the Palouse. An all-day drive beginning at 5 a.m. Saturday led them to the border of Utah and Arizona, where they camped for the night before beginning an on-foot trek toward their first trail destination. Both Wilson and Page said they have
spent time in the Southwest, but neither had experienced a trip of this magnitude. “It was maybe three years ago I drove through Moab and did some hiking around there, but this was my first extended backpacking in a desert environment,” Wilson said. “I had been backpacking in the desert, but this was a new fun experience to be out in the desert.” Townsend said many of the wonders of Canyonlands are not often easily accessible by the public. She said an old cabin, formally occupied by a local Latter-Day Saints congregation, cropped up out of nowhere. SEE CANYON, PAGE A6
GREEK LIFE
SAE fraternity shut down Hailey Stewart Argonaut
Leslie Kiebert | Argonaut
Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity sits abandoned since closing.
The University of Idaho Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Fraternity was shut down March 13 by its national organization. Following an investigation, the national organization found the chapter failed to abide by its national guidelines, including certain safety and health violations, according to a UI news release. UI was notified of the investigation December 2017. The chapter was put on a cease and desist order by the national orga-
Sigma Alpha Epsilon members return to UI and find new homes after being disbanded over spring break
nization during the course of the investigation, Dean of Students Blaine Eckles said. The university now knows the allegations included hazing and is currently performing another investigation as part of the student code of conduct. Eckles said the Office of Civil Rights and Investigations is conducting the investigation. “When a student joins a fraternity or sorority, they are part of a larger national organization. In order to maintain membership, they have to maintain the stan-
dards required,” Eckles said. “Nationals concluded the house was not adhering to national standards and so they made their decision.” Matthew Hilbert, the former president of UI’s SAE charter, said the last week has been a difficult one. “Even with the charter pulled and the house shut down, we are brothers and that’s something that they can’t take away from us,” Hilbert said. SEE SAE, PAGE A6
IN THIS ISSUE
A look back at the highs and lows of the 2017-2018 basketball season.
sports, B1
News, A1
Sports, B1
Arts, A7
Opinion, B7
UIdaho Bound is important for all students. Read Our View.
Opinion, B7 University of Idaho
Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre continues to grow.
ARts, A7
Volume 120, Issue no. 24
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