GLENN LANDBERG/THE ARBITER Vice President Lynn Lubamersky discusses the possible outcomes of the policy change.

The proposed revision addressed the threat of exigency and the need for shared governance.

The American Association of University Professors defines exigency to be “an imminent financial crisis that threatens the survival of the institution as a whole and that cannot be alleviated by less drastic means than the termination of tenured faculty appointments.”

Shared governance implies changing the delegation of authority from the chief executive officer to a procedure allowing for faculty input and formal due process.

Business and Economics College representative, Gary McCain, opened the discussion by a motion to reject any change to the exigency policy.

“There is no sense to make a revision if we agree with this policy,” he said. “I believe when we write our own institutional policy it will give us more protection than the State Board of Education can provide.”

Drafting an institutional policy to further protect employment is next on the faculty senate agenda. It will clarify and define circumstances of financial crisis, budgetary units, faculty tenure salary ties and reinstatement procedures.

Social Sciences and Public Affairs representative, Bob McCarl, stated a revision was not required.

“We already have the power and the right to make changes if we feel they are necessary,” he said. “We need to send a message to the State Board that we stand with other universities and we retain the right to move independently – if we so choose.”

Education representative, Roger Stewart, presented the alternate viewpoint of going with the proposed changes.

“We have the opportunity to craft our destiny,” he said. “The cup is half full, not half empty. I have compared the documents and this is a very doable compromise.”

Health Science senator, Sara Alten, agreed with Stewart and suggested full participation of the senate.

“If we don’t participate, it may happen any way, and it will look like we didn’t care,” she said.

A roll call vote was taken resulting in the majority favoring the proposed change.

Vice President Lynn Lubamersky said if they proceeded in changing the policy, faculty members would be upset.

“I think this is too important of an issue and we are too divided as a senate,” she said. “If we can look at this policy, all faculty members should be able to, as well, so they can decide if this will be a good thing for them or not.”

Alten rejected the idea, stating involving faculty members would be unfair.

“This has been a three month process,” she said. “They don’t have the full background, the e-mails, and all the discussions.”

Ex Officio senator, Craig Hemmens, disagreed stating faculty members should participate.

“We all have Ph.D.’s,” he said. “We don’t need a trail of e-mails. We can ask the question – do you like it or do you not – it’s that simple.”

Accusations of biased presentations were answered by claims of anti-social behavior as several members left the room.

President Owen McDougal responded to questions regarding quorum, voting by proxy and proper procedure after an attempt to vote by the eight remaining senate members failed.

“We can’t justify this vote based on who is here,” he said.

The next faculty senate meeting is scheduled for Dec. 8, one day prior to the State Board of Education meeting. The possibility of faculty and staff input was effectively eliminated by the senate members walk-out.

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Hundreds of dreamers, problem-solvers and just interested Boiseans leaned forward to listen to the answers Thursday night. The answers were given as part of Ignite Boise 3; part presentation, part information and all inspiration for a city  thirsty for ideas.

Its recipe is simple: Give anyone that has something to say five minutes and 20 slides to speak their mind.

The event, which shies away from using traditional advertising and instead relies on social media to spread its message, used the Twitter hashtag #IB3 to help the audience live Tweet the evening and find others watching at the theater or at home.

Before the presentations begin and again at intermission, a stream of statuses, questions and requests slid down the main screen showcasing everything the community had to say about Ignite Boise.

“There’s going to be diverse individuals giving some very, very cool topics tonight,” said Ron Baker, co-founder of Ignite Boise and co-owner of Rizen Creative.

Justin Kuntz, Ryan Lascano and Steve Norell gave the second presentation of the night as part of ConsiderDesign.org. The group highlighted the differences between good and bad design, comparing the tales of two different cities’ mass transit systems. They showcased Valley Ride’s Web site and showed how jumbled it was with many buttons and text scattered around. Next, they highlighted the city of Portland’s mass transit Web site which was simpler, used bolder colors and included a spot for your beginning and destination.

“Design is making people’s lives easier without making them realize it,” the group said.

While Consider Design focused on principals and a local example of something that could be improved, Brian Harrison weaseled his way to something a little different.

Harrison explained how, “without even trying,” you can get your way out of committing to just about anything. Harrison incited the audience to be conscious of the words they use, the commitments they don’t make, and then “find the action and decisiveness that is missing in today’s society.”

Harrison prompted how John F. Kennedy said we should visit the moon by the end of the decade, but first set a concrete goal.

“So why the change?” Harrison said. “Well, frankly, it’s just easier. What used to take days, weeks, months to prepare can now be changed in hours, minutes, seconds.”

He said that because plans can be both created and changed so quickly, they are.

“That snowball effect just keeps going.”

The most Twittered presentation of the night and likely the most talked about was Kevin Richert’s presentation, “Every Springfield Needs a Shelbyville.”

The Idaho Statesman’s editorial page editor, sporting a black U of I baseball cap, argued that Boise is very divided. While the town supports two football teams, it also has trouble with arguments on how bicyclists and automobile drivers share the road. Richert offered a solution.

The Treasure Valley should no longer fight amongst itself, but instead, press its angst against our closest rival, Tallahassee. He said the city is similary sized, is also a state capital and also hosts a large state-funded school, Florida State.

“I’m here to tell you that all roads lead to Tallahassee, Florida!” Richert said. ”Everything I read about Tallahassee, I don’t like. While we’re toughing it out in January, inversion month, these guys have temperatures in the low 60’s. Therefore, they’re wimps!”

During Richert’s presentation his slide read “Takeaways – We are better than Tallahassee.”

We’ll see.

The next Ignite Boise will be held April 22. Visit their Web site, IgniteBoise.com for information.

Ignite Boise 3 Talks:

1. How to Win 1-ups in Super Mario and Influence People
2. Consider Design
3. Weasel Words: How to Keep from Committing to Anything (Without Even Trying)
4. “Mad (Wo)Men”: The Women of ‘Mad Men,’ the Modern Women Who Love Them, and How to Know Which Mad (Wo)Man You Are
5. A $1 Trillion Loaf of Bread; or Backup Your Brain
6. Every Springfield Needs a Shelbyville
7. A Quick Primer on Slow-Cooked Barbecue (then Intermission)
8. How Eating Guinea Pigs Can Save the World (Or At Least Part Of It)
9. ADD-tastic
10. Science Quickies
11. Don’t be lazy, SAVE THE PLANET!
12. Draining the Swamp
13. The Farmer Who Went Postal
14. Hate What You See On the News? Well… It’s Your Fault.
15. All Aboard the Soul Funky Train (a.k.a. Fundamentals of Supergroovalisticprosifunkstication)

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DAN MORRIS/SPECIAL TO THE ARBITER Joshua L. Luman

Joshua L. Luman, the 26-year-old former Boise State student charged with involuntary manslaughter, is expected to appear in Ada County Court Nov. 19 for a hearing that will determine the next step in the case.  Luman was charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection to the death of Noah Hopper, 26, Sept. 8.

Attempts to reach Luman, who is currently free after posting bond, were unsuccessful.

According to Boise Police detectives, Luman, Hopper, and an acquaintance were drinking near the bandshell at Julia Davis Park in the early morning of Sept. 7 after attending a concert.  Around 2 a.m., Luman allegedly punched Hopper in the face, who then, detectives said, fell and hit his head.  Hopper, who was a close friend of Luman’s at Mountain Home High School in Mountain Home, was later taken to St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center about 15 hours later after first being taken to a Boise home.   Hopper died the next morning.

Police said initially that Luman would be charged with second-degree murder, but prosecutors lessened their charges to involuntary manslaughter at his Sept. 9 arraignment hearing.

According to the Ada County Coroner’s Office, an autopsy on Hopper conducted Sept. 10 determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head.

Luman’s bond, originally set at $500,000, was reduced to $100,000 after a hearing Sept. 19 that featured a heated argument between Ada County Prosecutor Barbara Duggan and Public Defender Matthew Stoppello.

Luman is a former journalist for The Arbiter whose last story appeared in the Sept. 8 issue.

If convicted, Luman faces up to 10 years in prison.

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COURTESY/IDAHO ATHLETICS Idaho receiver Max Komar runs away from defenders during and early season contest against WAC opponent New Mexico State. Komar leads the Vandals in receiving with 54 grabs, 874 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He is second in the conference with 89 receiving yards per game.

Heading into this weekend’s showdown, the Broncos have won the past 10 football games against the Vandals. But in the midst of their first bowl-eligible season since 1998, the Vandals, led by upperclassmen wide receiver Max Komar and safety Shiloh Keo, are poised to come into Boise and upset the sixth-ranked team in the nation.

Idaho has experienced a resurgence under third year head coach Robb Akey. Its focus has improved under the first staff in recent memory that has stayed around for more than a year.

“There’s more of a sense of urgency. We’re making big plays, we’re stopping big plays from happening and it’s showing on the field,” Keo said.

But with a 7-3 record, their turnaround isn’t complete yet. The ultimate end of season goal is to earn and win bowl game.

“I feel like we still have more work to do,” Komar said. “A lot of people are saying that even though we have seven wins, we aren’t guaranteed. I know we’re going to get at least one more win. I’m not too worried about that. In order to make sure we go to a bowl, we need to get another one for sure.”

But seeking that eighth win hasn’t taken away their focus of winning this week. Players from both sides of the spectrum know the importance of this series. In this heated rivalry, Idaho looks to turn the tables on Boise and regain prominence from the past, which will be no easy task.

“We know that no one’s really giving us a chance in this game, which is common because Boise State is a great team and they’re sixth in the BCS right now,” Komar said. “We’re not expected to even earn respect from anyone in this game. We’re just all motivated as a team, as a family. We always want to come in and have a great game and hopefully walk out of there with a win.”

A major part of Idaho’s turnaround has been the improvement of its defense. In years past, U of I looked like it sent out eleven individuals to stop the other team from scoring, but this year is without a doubt more of a group effort.

“In the past, there’s been a couple guys who understand everything and then there’s a few guys that don’t understand everything. Now that everyone’s on the same page and everyone knows what’s going on, we work well together and we’re able to go over adjustments and react to those adjustments a lot faster than in the past,” Keo said. “We know Boise is going to put points on the board. As a defense, we want to slow them down. We want to make them drive to get those points. No big plays.”

Although the Vandals face an explosive Boise State team that averages over 41 points per game and still hasn’t played its best football, they remain optimistic about their chances and know that anything can happen come rivalry time.

“It would feel great to beat BSU. It would cap off the season we’re having now. Boise State’s a great team. They’re well coached. What we have to do is not make any mistakes. On offense, we can’t start slow like we have the last couple weeks. We can’t get behind. We have to create turnovers and play good on special teams. I feel like if we do all that, we have a good chance of winning the game,” Komar explained.

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BOB BEERS/IGNITE BOISE

What happens when you give 16 random people a stage, 20 slides that rotate every 15 seconds and 5 minutes to talk about whatever they want?

Ignition.

If you’d like to take part in an inferno of ideas, you’ll want to join the many who are hoping to get tickets to Ignite Boise 3, happening Thursday, Nov. 12, in the Egyptian Theater.

“Ignite Boise is put together by a handful of local entrepreneurs, geeks and generally creative people looking to contribute to Boise’s culture of ideas.” according to its website.

(Watch a replay of the first half of the event from 11/12/2009)

(Watch a replay of the second half of the event from 11/12/2009)

“Ignite was started in Seattle in 2006 by Brady Forrest and Bre Pettis. Since then, hundreds of 5 minute talks have been given across the world. There are thriving Ignite communities in Seattle, Portland, Paris, Baltimore, NYC, and now, Boise.”

Boise State student Andrew Choifrine attended Ignite Boise 2. “I love it, I think it keeps people concise and that means it’s always interesting and if it’s not, then you move on to the next presenter,” said Choufrine. “It’s interesting people, talking about interesting things, in short bursts.”

Ignite Boise won the praise of Mayor Dave Bieter who proclaimed July 16 to be, “Ignite Boise Day,” in part because “Ignite Boise reflects the truth that Boise is the birthplace of big ideas, the cradle of innovation, and simply the best place to lead a balanced life of meaningful work and inspirational play,” according to the Mayoral Proclamation.

Chris Blanchard is a graduate of Boise State University and is the co-founder of Ignite Boise. Blanchard currently is professional staff in the Dean’s office of the College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs at Boise State University.

“We thought it was a great opportunity to take the time to get some smart people to talk about things they are passionate about and try to spark some creativity to get people to think about old problems in new ways,” said Blanchard.

Ignite Boise offers a great utility to students according to the Associate Director of the Career Center at Boise State, Alex Gutierrez.

When asked how Ignite Boise could be useful for students, Gutierrez said, “[Ignite is good for] looking at ideas and what other people are thinking about, but also for the connections and getting involved with different people in the community,” Gutierrez said. “Especially if you want to get connected and know what’s happening.”

Ignite Boise 2 caught the attention of State Senator Dean Cameron of Rupert, Idaho who heard of the event on Twitter. Cameron described the Ignite experience as, “a room filled with energetic, exciting, entrepreneurial-minded people who are creative [...] It really causes the imagination to blossom in ways that you can be creative and have fun at the same time,” Cameron said.

Ignite attracts presenters, sponsors and an audience by promoting itself solely on social media websites like Twitter and Facebook, with a goal of creating word of mouth buzz. Ignite Boise 2 packed the Egyptian Theater with an estimated 750 people according to Blanchard.

There is no cost to attend Ignite Boise, but if you’re hoping to get tickets, get to the Egyptian early. General admission opens at 6:30 p.m. presentations start at 7.

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“As You Like It” is about feuding brothers, best friends and finding love. Rosalind and Celia are best friends and cousins. The two of them flee to the forest when Rosalind’s uncle attempts to banish her from the kingdom. Rosalind falls in love with Orlando. Celia falls in love with Silvio and the court jester who has followed them into the forest falls in love with a dimwitted sheepherder named Audrey. In the end even the uncle falls in love (with God).

COURTESY/BOISE STATE As you like it will be presented in pre-revolutioinary colonial times.

The play is considered one of Shakespeare’s most crowd-pleasing works.

“I’ve always been driven to do theater,” said Lina Chambers, a theater Arts major from Boise who plays Rosalind.

Chambers came from an artistic family and showed interest in theater at a young age.

Her mother signed her up for drama camp when she was 7-years-old and she has stuck with it since.

“My mom signed me up … ’cause she thought I was a goofball,” Chambers said.

Chambers became involved in her local community theater in high school when she found her own school’s theater program inadequate.

Chambers said she’s enjoying the challenges that have come with playing the character Rosalind.

“She is a famous central character,” said Chambers. “It’s been fun figuring out why she does the things she does. It has also been fun figuring out her relationships with Celia and Orlando.”

Veronica Von Tobel, a theater major from Las Vegas, Nev plays Celia.

“To really connect with a character, I feel you have to find what you love about the character and what they want,” said Von Tobel. “Celia is a very loyal, self-assured person and she wants to protect and help the people around her, which makes her so much fun to play.”

Gordon Reinhart, originally from Detroit, teaches Introduction to Theater and is the director of “As You Like It.” Reinhart said he started directing to become more involved in the creative process behind the plays.

“I thought I could do it better,” Reinhart said. “I was frustrated as an actor and I wanted more artistic control.”

He has put a new spin on this version of “As You Like It” by setting it in pre-Revolutionary, colonial America.

“Shakespeare would have been known to our founding fathers and the language was still very similar,” he said.

“I think there is a problem with how Shakespeare is taught in high school,” said Reinhart. “As a rule teachers can’t tell you why they teach it and students can’t tell you why they think it’s important to learn Shakespeare.  A lot of people have not experienced a live play by him. In order to give Shakespeare a fair shot you need to see it live.”

“What’s great about Shakespeare and ‘As You Like It’ in particular is that it is relatable to today’s world. Of course my father’s not a duke and I’m not banished to a forest, but friendship and love are universal,” said Von Tobel.

See it:

“As You Like It” will be playing Nov. 12-15 and Nov. 18-22 from 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Students with valid ID can buy tickets for $5 one hour before showtime.

For information check the theater department Web site, https://sites.google.com/a/boisestate.edu/theatreartsdepartment

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NIK BJUSTROM/THE ARBITER Broncos' senior Tasha Harris battles for the ball on the floor during their exhibition game against LCSC Sunday afternoon. Harris recorded three assists, three steals and 7-points for the Broncos

During their 2008-09 campaign the Broncos had to do without their two senior leaders; guard Tasha Harris and forward Jessica (Thompson) Van Hoogen.

Van Hoogen fell to injury before the season opener and Harris ended hers season early just four games into the season.

But there appeared a sense of relief with the two as the final buzzer sounded. They seemed glad to be back to work for BSU and head coach Gordy Presnell.

They are back and able to produce. But old ties are out the door. There are 11 players on this season’s roster besides Harris and Van Hoogen. Seven have yet to play a full season with the senior standouts.

Both are feeling healthy again and back to full form. By watching them both on Sunday, it was difficult to see a step lost. Each was able to create plays for the Broncos and get up and physical with their opponents. They still carry themselves with the same finesse and flare fans would expect from the dynamic duo.

“It was fun. I just had a lot of fun,” Van Hoogen said. “I’m just blessed to be able to play on the court again. I’m excited.”

Each joked about pushing themselves and feeling it later, forced to sooth it with a frigid ice bath. Neither Harris nor Van Hoogen are strangers to physical pain caused by old injuries.

“I don’t think during the game we changed our style. I think afterwards we think about it and we regret it,” Harris laughed. “I don’t think it affected us during the game. I think that we’re just focused on what we have to do out there.”

Candid as the two are, they continue to progress and learn from their new teammates. Coming back after difficult recoveries is never an easy endeavor for an athlete.

“I’ve done it before. It’s always hard coming back,” Harris said about returning to competition. “It’s so much easier when you have teammates who can take the pressure off of you and you can kind of work your way back in. It feels pretty good.”

That should not be a problem for the Broncos this season. While Harris and Van Hoogen sat observing last year, their fellow Broncos were busy getting time on the court and much need experience.

Learning their roles

Five players – Heather Pilcher, Melissa Rima, Janie Bos, Rebecca Kepilino and Stacie Gross – averaged 15.4 minutes per game combined for a much-needed boost in experience prior to this season. The development should help those who contributed to last season’s shared fifth place finish in the Western Athletic Conference.

“I definitely feel that this is a team and a program for roles,” Harris said “…We really haven’t gotten our roles from our coach yet but I think as we get those and put those together, we just have to know that each person is important no matter what their role is. As long as we stay in it together I think we should be pretty good and keep improving.”

The Broncos look to Friday as their season opener against Western Oregon. The coaches and media each picked the Broncos to finish third this season behind favorites Louisiana Tech and Fresno State. Pressing for improvement is a major focus for the Broncos early on in the season next to getting a feel for the team.

“We have a lot of big, hard competition that we’re going to face,” Van Hoogen said. “We’re all going to have to get better. We need to get better as a team. We need to get better individually. So I’m looking forward to seeing how we do with that kind of competition.”

BSU tips of against Western Oregon at Taco Bell Arena Friday, Nov. 13, at 7:00 p.m.

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The event was created to raise awareness about how others are treated and to fight oppression. The interactive experience enables people to get a hands-on knowledge about different cultures.

“It says a lot more than just reading in a textbook,” said Heather Carlson.

While waiting for the guided tour to begin, a walll was dedicated to facts to help gain data about what to expect before entering. Some of the signs read immigration is an American expereience, acceptance is an American Value.

The last stop on the tour went hand-in-hand with that fact while having the participants line up against the wall and being talked to as if they were nothing.

This is the fifth year of the Tunnel of Oppression and every year it changes. The topics displayed in the tunnel are ones chosen by student committees. The scripts are written out by the committee staff.

Some of it is in fact scripted, yet to give it a more realistic flavor, actors will improvise and see what has the most effect on a participant. By doing so this gives it more relatable feelings.

“There is no resolution, it can only be concluded,” said director of student diversity and inclusion, Francisco Salinas.

The Tunnel of Oppression hopes that by creating this experience, one will not only be able to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes but remember how they felt by doing so.

“It’s not meant as an experience with resolution, it’s meant as a reflective experience,” said Salinas.

Imagine what it’s like to be considered an outsider. The feeling of being called an outcast or being considered an object rather than a human being. No matter who you are or where you come from, everyone of us has been a victim of racism, sexism or ageism.

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The BSU Theatre Arts Department works hard to bring complex productions year after year. Even a smaller production takes months of dedicated hard work. “As You Like It” by William Shakespeare is a comedy about the quirky nature of love. The play opens on November 12th and runs through November 22nd.

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   selected for national finals

Both girls manage to balance dancing with a full course load.

“My schedule is all over the place,” said Fischer.

“You need great time management skills to do both,” said Mrazek.

Mrazek started dancing at the age 2 with creative movement classes then begged her parents to enroll her in ballet classes when she turned 6. Fischer’s parents enrolled her in dance because she had bone issues.

“My doctor suggested to my parents that I take gymnastic or dance to strengthen the muscles around my bones. I chose dance and they enrolled me in classes when I was 3. It has helped. I have a bit of a shoulder issue but I think it worked,” said Fischer.

Mrazek plans on sticking with dance until her body can’t handle it any more. Then she plans on working as a sign language interpreter. Fischer has a similar plan, but would like to own an interior design company some day. The two of them are happy to be working with IDT.

COURTESY/IDT Before any building is completed, dancers comb over the structure inspecting the quality of the engineers work.

“We’ve blended really well as a company this year,” said Fischer.

“This will be our first show but IDT is definitely my support group away from home,” said Mrazek.

Founding director Marla Hansen said the upcoming show will be unique.

“All of the works have a human emotional element that is palpable even though there is great diversity in the music and the meaning of each piece,” Hansen said. “The audience will get to experience a huge range of feelings and situations that they will be able to relate to.”

According to Hansen, Dance is abstract, not literal, but in Body Works, the performance is not just dance for dance’s sake.

“Joy, loneliness, anger, love, fear, and compassion are expressed through the human body,” she said.

IDT is a Boise dance company founded in 1991 by dancers Marla Hansen, Fred Hansen, and Carl Rowe.

BSU students can attend for $10 with their student ID and Faculty and Staff get 25 percent off general admission. Performances begin Thursday night, Nov. 5th, with a “pay what you can afford” cost and begins at 7 p.m.

Friday and Saturday performances start at 8 p.m. and Sunday’s performance beins at  2 p.m.

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