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uiargonaut.com
Friday, august 17, 2018
ADMINISTRATION
Spear terminated by SBOE Kyle Pfannenstiel Argonaut
Photo by Gavin Green | Argonaut
Rob Spear speaking at an ASUI meeting.
After months of being on paid administrative leave, University of Idaho athletic director Rob Spear has been terminated. The State Board of Education announced the unanimous decision Thursday. Board member Emma Atchley announced the state board took over handling Spear’s tenure after UI President Chuck Staben
disclosed a conflict of interest and requested recusal. The termination is in “convenience” with Spear’s contract. He will continue being paid until Feb. 17, 2020. His annual salary this year is $194,833, up slightly from last year’s $193,024. Spear has been on administrative leave since April after reports showing he mishandled complaints of sexual misconduct in 2012 and 2013 came to light
earlier this year. In a handful of incidents during that time period, it was unclear whether the dean of students office was contacted to conduct an independent investigation, as first reported by the Idaho Statesman. Associate Athletics Director Pete Isakson has led the department ever since Spear was put on administrative leave in April. UI Director of Communications Jodi Walker said
Isakson will continue as interim for the foreseeable future. An article by the Moscow-Pullman Daily News published two weeks ago reported an athlete’s career was quashed after Spear denied a request to transfer to another college.
SEE SPEAR PAGE 5
Upcoming events:
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1.) University Lunch Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Idaho Commons Plaza 2.) Serving Your New Community Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tower Lawn 3.) Palousafest and Screen on the Green Saturday, 5:30 to 10 p.m. Tower Lawn 4.) President’s Welcome BBQ Sunday, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Administration Lawn 5.) Rodney Atkins Concert Monday, 7:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. SprinTurf
Graphic by Grayson Hughbanks | Argonaut
A map to keep you on path for one of your earliest excursions as a Vandal.
Festivities for the future The annual Palousafest event will bring more than 200 organizations to help students find their place on campus and in the community Hailey Stewart Argonaut
Although the more than 20-year-old tradition of Palousafest brings in a new class of students each year, Assistant Director of Student Involvement Katie Dahlinger said the heart of the event always stays the same: it’s a street fair full of involvement opportunities. This is what Student Involvement Coordinator Kaela Watson kept in mind while planning this Saturday’s event. “It’s a really great opportunity to learn and get involved — just like always,” Watson said. Palousafest is a collaboration of University of Idaho organizations and community partners, Watson said. The estimated 3,000 to 5,000 attendees will find local businesses, nonprofits and UI clubs lining the stretch of Sixth Street between McConnell Hall and the Living and Learning Communities (LLCs). Watson said about 200 organizations are planned to set up shop at Palousafest. Most will hand out information and “freebies.” “The thing that I think is really exciting about this event is that this campus has so many opportunities for students,” Watson said. “ Just looking at all the different clubs
and academic opportunities we have, it’s amazing what you can do here.” In addition to the abundance of informational pamphlets and free pens students and community members can load their bags with, Watson said this year’s Palousafest will have pizza provided by Sodexo, games, rides and entertainment directly after the street fair. Attendees can find free pizza, as long as it lasts, near the front of the street fair, Watson said. An obstacle course will be stationed by the McConnell Hall building and a four-person carnival ride near the LLCs. Watson said attendees must sign a short waiver before using the obstacle course and carnival ride. After the street fair, which runs from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Watson said the final Screen on the Green film showing of the year will take place on the Tower Lawn. “Avengers: Infinity War” will begin at 8:45 p.m. In years past, Palousafest has concluded the evening with a concert from local bands and artists. This year, Watson said they felt it would be best to end with something a bit more lowkey. SEE PALOUSAFEST PAGE 5
The next generation of Vandals begin New Student Orientation Danny Bugingo Argonaut
As summer comes to a close, students are flooding into Moscow and the next stage of their lives. New Student Orientation and the Week of Welcome offers a time for some of those new faces, namely first-year and transfer students, to adjust to their new campus and community over a four-day span of events. It began Thursday with convocation, where President Chuck Staben gave an official welcome to the university. Later that evening, students participated in New Vandal Mashup, a series of games and activities that introduce students to one another. “During part of New Vandal Mashup, the students find high-five partners,” said Madison Bergeman, a fourth-year student leading orientation for her third time. “Then months down the road they’ll run into them and be like, ‘Hey, that’s my high five partner.’ So, it’s cool that the freshmen get to make friends like that.” On Friday, students will sort by the college they’re enrolled in before exploring a variety of workshops intended to prepare them for day-to-day life on campus.
Next, on Saturday, students will partner with local businesses and organizations in the Serving Your New Community (SYNC) program. They will ride buses to several locations on the Palouse to restore buildings, clean up trails and paint houses, among other things. “In the past, I’ve pulled weeds from the Moscow Community Garden and cleaned the Palouse bike trail,” Bergeman said. “So, it’s fun little things around the community.” The fun little activities add up. Last year, students provided more than 1,800 hours of service at over 40 sites in the area, according to the Department of Student Involvement. Later that day, students will have the chance to attend the Palousafest street fair which will feature student organizations lining Sixth Street to pitch themselves to incoming students. The Department of Student Involvement expects somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000 students and community members to attend and enjoy the games, prizes, food and live music. SEE ORIENTATION PAGE 5
IN THIS ISSUE An obscure sport finds a home at UI.
Spear’s termination prompts discussion
on a culture change. Read our view. SPORTS, 12 News, 1
Sports, 12
Arts, 6
Opinion, 15
OPINION, 15 University of Idaho
Country music artist Rodney Atkins headlines Monday concert.
ARTS, 6
Volume 121, Issue no. 1
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