Chris Banyas

Editor-in-Chief

I have struggled of late with the idea of fulfilling the further requirements of my editorial section, not due to any lack of ideas or content about which to write, but rather due to an overload.

There are so many facets of Idaho State University that might serve as a weekly pausing point for the meditative nature of the Eye of Sauron that is contained within every newspaper, the op-ed section, that it is at times difficult to hew it down to one or two for a concise rant or thought expedition.

Here’s what I know:  this is my sixth and final year on this campus, and, to me at least, things have escalated along a path that I would consider suboptimal.

Some of the best teachers across all of the departments at ISU continue to flee the university like rats from a sinking ship in search of the promise of, what, higher pay? 

That is a very easy answer to a very complex situation, and certainly not the answer in every case. Perhaps other answers to this situation might be that the instructors grew tired of a teaching environment that did not lend itself to maximizing the learning potential of the students, an administration that concerned itself with seeming to do everything it possibly can to maintain a veil of mystery rather than any semblance of transparency or any other number of things that those in power would tell you were “merely conspiracy theories.”

Another thing that has not changed in the six years of my attendance to this institution is my experience with ASISU.

What I’d like to tell you is that I’ve never been approached by a senator from my college and genuinely feel that the senate couldn’t do more to remain oblivious of the student body which they serve.

What I’d like to tell you is that during my time at ISU, the vast majority of senators seem to only be interested in collecting a paycheck, solidifying a resume line item, and getting out the door, all while maintaining the minimal amount of stress.

I’d like to tell you my experience with the paper and the senate this year has been much the same:  the only time the senate’s gaze snapped back in our direction was when we ran something that they felt cast them in a negative light, never mind that there were no factual inaccuracies, or anything of the sort. Sure we should have done a better job of showing all sides of the issue, but therein lies another problem: we just can’t win.

The only time people seem to get more upset than when we do something incorrect, or not up to the level it needs to be (and they are often correct) is when we do everything correct.

I’d like to tell you that I don’t see why the senate can’t follow the path that this paper is attempting to blaze, to return to the roots of what a student publication should be, in much the same arena of the roots of what a student senate should be, something that takes action for the students.

I’d like to tell you to read the senate minutes, and that a majority of the time all that the meetings consist of is approving club funding.

I’d like to tell you about what I’ve heard of currently campaigning potential senators, and their platforms containing the simple message that whatever clubs the students want, they will fund.

I’d like to tell you about what seems to be an active campaign against The Bengal on behalf of ASISU, to frustrate any efforts we may undertake to work on stories dealing with them.

What I will tell you is this:  my time at the paper has taught me many things, not only about the ISU system, but about life in general. Of course not everyone on the senate is apathetic, of course some of them care to serve their constituents as effectively as possible, of course there are issues which face them that I will never be aware of which are difficult to deal with, of course some instructors left ISU simply for a pay raise, of course. The senate, like this paper, is limited in its power by the students they are supposed to serve:  if students don’t interact with the Senate, there is only so much that can be done.

In this I empathize with ASISU. It is easy for an outsider to look beyond what they perceive to be the veil and make judgments without knowing the picture entire.

What I will say is that I am frustrated, and understand the complexity of the issue, both within ASISU and without, but that does not mean that the issues need continue unaddressed.

A digit may refer to: any of the numerals from 0 to 9, especially when forming part of a number, or, a finger (including the thumb) or toe.

It is so much easier for the powers that be, whomever they be, to isolate and irradiate a single digit than for them to deal with more than one.

Time after time, over the last eight to 10 years or so, single digits have been smashed; their owners sent screaming back into the darkness, squeezing their bleeding and now damaged digit to their chest.

I have seen students and teachers alike attempt to bring issues to the forefront of the college’s attention, I have seen them try to make minor changes by examining decisions and actions made by the administration, only to have the hammer brought down on them one after the other after the other after the other leaving a bloody trail of imprints, and pieces of themselves within the pavement.

Ultimately all of these things will continue unchecked if the model of the student and faculty body continue on as disparate, disassociated things.

It is reassuring to know that all is not lost:  there has already been a resurgence in what I would call unification, of caring, or interest in the system and what is happening and why, both in terms of the student and the teacher.

Speaking of digits:  did you know that the president of our university, Arthur C Vailas is currently being paid $371,321.60 for the 2016 year? Did you know that ISU’s provost, Laura Woodworth-Ney is currently being paid $203,569.60 for the 2016 year? Did you know that James A Fletcher, vice president of finance and administration is currently being paid $214,926.40 for the 2016 year?

This means that our esteemed president is being paid $1,017 per day.

Here’s a thought experiment:  what would you do with $1,000 a day? I’ve often dreamed about things like winning the lottery, finding an older widow who would sponsor my artistic and academic endeavors, or simply stumbling upon a considerable stash of money with which I would proceed to do the most ridiculous things possible.

Every day of my life would align with “The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved” by Hunter S. Thompson in that I would make pushing the limit my new goal.

When was the last time you saw the president on campus? Admittedly, I spend as little time as possible on campus and so might not be the best candidate for this experiment, but I can tell you that I can’t remember the last time Vailas made himself available to the students.

And I’m not talking about disgorging information about what sterling things ISU has going, but rather genuinely making himself available to the students, the dirty, filthy masses who continue to feed the system with their and their parents’ blood, sweat and tears.

And again the problem presents itself:  anyone who pitches you anything in black and white is probably out to take advantage of you in some way. Everyone has an agenda.

But that does not mean that the information should not be put out there, that questions should not be raised.

Should we consider how much Vailas makes in comparison to other like-sized universities? Of course we should. But that doesn’t mean that a salary in excess of $300,000 is appropriate.

The minute that these two things happen, all digits have been smashed and the course of events is entirely out of the hands of the populace.

I for one am tired of having to yank my fingers back out of the range of the dictatorial hammer, which is present within any institution like ISU.

Months ago we made the claim that we would cease the shameless self-promotion of the university and actually try to dig into the issues that not only affect students, but that they should be aware of.

In this regard, nothing has changed.