August 2005:

 During an orientation fair, a small number of students were accidentally distributed chocolate vaginas along with other orientation materials. The gaffe caused an uproar and gained national attention through a news story Boise’s Channel 2 produced on the subject, and then gained momentum when Rush Limbaugh picked up the story. Although some were outraged by the presence of the anatomically-correct candy, others were enlivened by the dismissal of them. 

“They vote, smoke and can potentially be drafted, but can’t talk about vaginas?” Amy Salisbury, then-president for Idaho’s Progressive Student Alliance, said in regard to students. 

During the same month, a flier and a brochure promoting sexually-indicitive films and lectures, respectively, were modified to be “less offensive.” The two advertisements were covered using stickers.

“It’s our responsibility to make sure we serve all constituents in a well-balanced approach,” Mark Wheeler, then-vice president of Student Affairs said. “We want to do so in a way that’s sensitive to the beliefs of all students.”

March 2007:

 The Boise State College Republicans were threatened with action by President Bob Kustra when they posted what some deemed an offensive flier across campus promoting a lecture. Then-Assistant Director of Student Activities, Michael Esposito, may have been terminated for letting the advertisement slip through.  “They’re trying to silence our political opinions with threats and intimidation,” Jonathan Sawmiller, then-president of the student group, said. “President Kustra’s remarks and actions are extremely offensive and disrespectful towards those who oppose illegal immigration.” 

One way or another, the fliers stuck around and hundreds of students, faculty and community members showed up to protest the event the fliers advertised.

December 2007: 

By request of Boise State human resources, a Christmas tree decorated with multi-colored condoms was forcibly moved from an office in the plumbing shop to the Health and Wellness Center. Officials said it violated university policy because it made employees feel uncomfortable.   

“We took action as soon as we became aware of it,” Jane Kinn Buser, director of Human Resources, said. The plumbers in the maintenance shop said the tree stood for a year and half before anything was heard about it.

“We weren’t putting it up as saying, ‘Have sex over Christmas,’” Joe Waters, an employee in the office, said. “It’s just something colorful we hung on the tree. I just put a lot of lights around it thinking ‘Hey, this is great!’” 

February 2008: 

The Arbiter published a story titled “How safe is YOUR dorm?” Soon after distribution, reports started coming into the office that the issue containing the story had been removed from various newsstands in particular dormitories. Corroboration could not be obtained, as resident advisors could not be reached for comment because of “contractual obligations.” The mystery was never solved, but the story obviously made an impact with someone.

August 2008:

Paid-for advertisements for The O!Zone, Boise’s only condom shop, were removed from approximately  15,000 coupon books by hand.  The book was to be distributed to customers of the Boise State Bookstore.

Dale W. Eisinger

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After multiple complaints from students, parents and faculty, condom coupons were removed from the coupon booklet handed out to students entering The Boise State Bookstore.

The coupon was for 20 percent off any purchase of $5 or more at The Ozone condom shop located on Broadway Avenue.

“I had at least five [complaints],” Director of The Bookstore Mike Reed said.

“And I know a couple of the other managers had more than that as well.”

Reed notified Brooks Publishing, publisher of the coupon booklets, of the complaints and suggested alternative distribution sites. He suggested another location in the Student Union Building where students could pick up the coupon booklets without being offended.

Brooks Publishing then made the decision to remove all condom coupons from the remaining booklets. The company sent two temporary workers to pull out all condom coupons.

According to Jeff Brooks, CEO of Brooks Publishing, the process took three days.

Approximately 15,000 coupons were removed.

“I think that’s ridiculous,” senior Rachel Alberson said. “That [The Ozone] should be a place where people have access to cheap products and be able to protect each other.”

While some students have no opinion on either the presence or absence of the ad, many feel it should have remained in the booklet. However, there are students who feel that the coupon doesn’t belong in the booklet.

Junior Abby Waters said the presence of the coupon would unnecessarily perpetuate the idea across campus that everyone is having sex.

“They have those resources out there already, and it doesn’t need to be out there for everyone,” Waters said.

Caryn Thompson, owner of The Ozone, who was not notified beforehand that her coupons would be removed, said she doubted at first that the incident was happening. By the second or third phone call from students and faculty notifying her of the missing coupons, Thompson said she was stunned.

Thompson has advertised through the coupon booklets for three years, using the exact same coupon. According to her, this is the first semester she has heard of any problem with it.

“The coupon is in no way soliciting anyone,” Thompson said. “In the past the coupons have done really well for me . most of the students that came in on Friday were students that are aware that I have the coupon in there and were waiting for the books to come out to come in and make their big purchases.”

Thompson said approximately 500 to 600 people come in with the coupons each semester.

The Ozone will offer the discount to any student who comes in with a student ID and notifies her that they are aware of the ad.

There are also plans to offer the coupon through Health, Wellness and Counseling Services and at sexual awareness events across campus.

According to Brooks, Thompson will receive a full refund for the coupons.

Check out other examples of censorship at Boise State

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RENEE DAVIES
News Journalist

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