College Bowl 2003 MLK, Jr./Human Rights Celebration The Student Organization Complex has a New Face

Games Center Offers Birthday and Party Packages Faculty Profile: Chuck Skoro Staff Profile: Ramon Silva

College Bowl is a trivia game consisting of general knowledge questions designed to test students' quick recall skills. The questions cover a variety of topics, such as History, Science, Pop Culture, English/Literature, Arts, Astronomy, Math, and Chemistry. The game began in 1953 as a radio show and then progressed in 1957 as a weekly television show ending in 1970. Then, in 1977, the College Bowl campus program and official intercollegiate competition was created. This bowl provides a medium where students may demonstrate their skills under competitive pressure. It has not only entertained millions, but it has also raised millions of dollars in scholarships.

The local College Bowl program is held each fall at Boise State in the Student Union. This year's bowl held in October determined the students who will proceed to the regional finals at University of Washington in Seattle in February. Although the participants competed on teams, only the four highest scoring players from any team advanced to the All-Star Team. Faculty and staff are allowed to participate to provide competition for the student players, but are not eligible to compete on the regional team.

Autumn Haynes, Student Activities Program Coordinator, arranges the bowl each year. She said it would be an honor to qualify for the National College Bowl. She recognizes this goal would require extra effort throughout the year. Haynes said within the next year, she is hoping a College Bowl Club may form. This would allow all students interested in trivia and competing in the College Bowl to participate and prepare for the College Bowl all year.

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In 1990, Martin Luther King, Jr./Human Rights Celebration was instituted at Boise State University. This weeklong celebration the third week in January, was created in response to an occurrence in January, 1989. A group of students gathered outside the Business Building and asked the question, "Why are BSU and the State of Idaho not recognizing the federal Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday?" The rally was organized by the Black Student Alliance organization, and led by the President, Eric Love. The President of Boise State at the time, John Keiser, responded to the protest by establishing a week-long celebration to promote civil rights education, awareness, and action. He worked with ASBSU President Jeff Russell and formed a committee with students, faculty, and staff representatives of Boise State, as well as members of the Boise Community. Although the event originally focused on racial issues, it has now expanded to include all issues regarding human and civil rights.

The organization of this year's celebration has a new dimension, a student chair, Michael Crump, who will lead the committee in organizing and executing the events. Crump is a senior at Boise State and plans to graduate in May with a bachelor's degree in Social Science. This is his third year on the MLK committee. In the past, Crump has served as a Student Programs Board Coordinator and a program assistant in the Student Involvement Center (formerly Student Activities).

Crump explained that the event is a chance to push people to think about who we are as a nation, as well as the State of Idaho, and cause us to act on these issues. Crump commented, "It's a day on; not a day off. The idea is to get up and do something that will have a positive effect in the community."

Crump encouraged students to get involved and participate in the events. He said the MLK, Jr./ Human Rights Celebration is an event that should be integrated into the academic experience of each student at Boise State. He challenges students to find an event they are not familiar with and attend. It will have a great impact on them.

The theme for the 2003 MLK, Jr./Human Rights Celebration is "Free At Last?" a famous phrase from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s renowned speech, "I Have a Dream." This year's events include the Annual Celebration Dinner sponsored by the Black Student Alliance on January 15, educational sessions/workshops, cultural performances and the traditional march to the capitol on Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, January 20. For a complete list of events call the Student Involvement Center at 426-1223 or visit entertainment.boisestate.edu/events/mlk_2003.html.

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The Student Union is always looking for ways to expand and further assist student organizations in their efforts. With a few modifications, all 160 student organizations now have access to a computer lab within the student organization complex.

The computer lab has five Machintosh computers installed with Microsoft Office software. These computers print to a Xerox photocopier. ASBSU provides the first 250 copies free of charge and copies exceeding this limit are charged to the organization's account. The lab also has basic office supplies and serves as a resource center for organizations. These changes will be reviewed in the spring by the Student Union Board of Governors to identify other ways to make the space more useful, or if there are resources needed that are not already provided.

Volunteer Services Board will also be relocated to a more permanent location within the complex. Previously VSB had been allocated flexible space within the complex.

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The Games Center has always been a place for parties, and now a party has never been easier to plan! The Games Center has designed party packages to meet everyone's needs, from birthdays to department parties.

A party package may include bowling, billiards, balloons, party favors, and catering. Each package varies to meet every party need and prices are competitive. Discount prices are available to students, faculty and staff.

For example, a Boise State department may have up to 15 guests, with 1 hour of bowling on 2 lanes, 1 hour of billiards, catering for 15 (sodas, chips & salsa and brownies), as well as prizes for the top two bowlers for only $45.00 (Actual cost for 15 people is $121.30.) Boise State student organizations may have the same package for only $40.00. (Actual cost for 15 students is $83.75.) And the birthday package also comes with a personalized cake!

If you are interested in making reservations or for further information, contact the Games Center at 426-1456 or visit the web site at union.boisestate.edu/services/gamescenter.html

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In 1982 Dr. Chuck Skoro became a professor of economics at Boise State and later served as the Chair of the Department of Economics until 2000 when he retired as an Emeritus Professor of Economics. In 1995, he was asked to act as the advisor of the St. Paul's Catholic Student Group and filled this role until last spring. In 2001, the student organization received the Religious Organization of the Year, as well as the Campus Organization of the Year. Currently, Dr. Skoro teaches an economics course at Boise State and serves as the Campus Minister at Saint Paul's Catholic Student Center.

Ryan Greenewald, President of the Saint Paul's Catholic Student Group said of Dr. Skoro, "First and foremost, he is the Campus Minister." In this role, he is a mentor and advisor to the students. Greenewald expressed that Dr. Skoro really cares about students. "He will do anything for anybody that is within his power." He is constantly busy and yet he is very generous with his time; he even makes time to bake bread and make soup for students. He is always positive and loves everyone. Greenewald summed it up by saying, "He does it all. He's an amazing individual."

St. Paul's Catholic Student Group is very busy holding prayer meetings and community service activities such as serving at the Community House kitchen weekly, a toy drive for the children on the Duck Valley Indian Reservation, and local service projects such as "Rake Up Boise." One of the highlights of the year is a service trip to Tijuana where the students repair and maintain an orphanage which houses children rejected by the government.

Skoro said the best part of being involved with students is giving them affirmation and self-confidence. He looks into their faces and sees how wonderful each individual is and he desires to help each person recognize their greatness. He felt that this time in any person's life is filled with questions and doubts; a difficult time to maintain religious faith, no matter what denomination a person belongs to. He expressed that he enjoys helping students through this challenging time in their lives. Although he is no longer an advisor to the organization, he continues to serve as a mentor and an advisor to students and still desires to support students in all their endeavors.

Although he is extremely busy in his current position as the Multi-Ethnic Enrollment Counselor in the New Student Information Center, Ramon Silva is involved in many other efforts such as serving as the Chair of the Image de Idaho Scholarship and participating in the Cultural and Ethnic Diversity Board. He also assists in planning the Hispanic Issues Training Conference each year. But one of his roles that he enjoys most is serving as the advisor of the Organización de Estudiantes Latino-Americanos (OELA). Silva became the OELA advisor in the fall of 1999.

Silva takes pride in the OELA student organization. They are an active organization involved in many cultural events, such as Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in the fall, and Cinco de Mayo (Fifth of May) in the spring. 35-50 students participate in the organization each year. Besides implementing events on campus, OELA also participates in community events and service, such as Fiesta Idaho, Migrant Appreciation Day, and assisting as translators at the Canyon County Clinic Day (in conjunction with the College of Health Sciences).

One of the programs that OELA is involved in is "Mirando Adelante" (Looking Forward). Silva is especially satisfied with this recruitment program which invites high school students to campus and provides an opportunity for potential students to become familiar with Boise State.

Fanny Vidales, President of OELA expressed that Silva is a role model to all male students of color. She also said, "He's got the passion and the heart. He enjoys it. It is not just his job." Although his position only requires working with new students, Silva still makes time for all students. Vidales said that he empowers students to be a voice on campus.

Vidales remembered that he really encouraged her to take leadership roles within OELA. She explained that Silva makes her job as President of OELA easier. "He thinks we help him, but without his help, we couldn't get things done." She said that although Silva has not received this honor (yet)... to her, he is definitely the Advisor of the Year.

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