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The Arbiter raises some heads
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The Arbiter’s Orientation Issue made the local top story with KIVI-TV Channel 6 on July 14 over some content they said may have “crossed the line.”
The front cover of the issue contained a map that pointed out a few common buildings which new students would frequently use during their first few semesters at Boise State.
In describing the Business Building, The Arbiter made reference to the “bucking bronco with the huge erection.”
According to KIVI-TV’s report this statement drew considerable attention.
“I was appalled at two of the building descriptions…first, there was no need to mention the bronco statue’s member. Second, STDs are not “fine diseases.” I am sure that whoever created this-was trying to incorporate some humor, but there are other, more congruous ways to joke. This was an inappropriate way to introduce people to our campus and its services,” wrote one online post.
Alfred Kober created the bronco, named “Spirit of the Broncos,” in 1970 for Boise Junior College’s new Business Building under the request of former College President John B. Barnes.
“I was a little shocked when I turned on the news and found that I had made a piece of pornography,” Kober said.
Kober, a former art professor at BSU for 31 years, said the description didn’t upset him, but he wanted to clear up any misconceptions concerning his art.
“That is not an erection. That is the anatomy of a horse, and whomever wrote that article must have been very naA_ve,” Kober said.
KIVI-TV’s reporter who covered the story, Edmundo Aguilar, said they couldn’t find anyone on campus that was really upset because of the description.
“People found it funny
The other two buildings that grabbed KIVI-TV’s attention were the Health, Wellness, and Counseling Center and the Education Building.
“Get your STDs checked out here as well as many other fine ailments,” said the article of the HWC.
In describing the Education Building the article said, “If you’re a single man or woman you want to hang out here. All the hot soon-to-be teachers and nurses congregate in this building. Or if you just want a six-inch turkey on wheat from Subway. Either way, this building offers both.”
“It was meant to be funny,” Arbiter Editor-in-Chief Drew Mayes said.
“We’re just trying to stay relevant to our audience and we may push the envelope every once in a while to do that. I’m sure it won’t be the last time we raise a few eyebrows in the community.”
Chad Mendenhall
News Editor
