Students voice concerns at chancellor's forum

Tiffany Fant - Contributing Writer

"Part of the responsibility lies upon you" is what graduate assistant Kimberly Jones had to say to students at the Chancellor's Open Forum Wednesday.

Director of the Office of Multicultural Student Development Tracey Wright said, "These forums were created as a means to help key administrators to understand the concerns of black students, but this year we expanded it to include all multicultural students."

Some of the key administrators in attendance were Vice Chancellor for Student Development Dr. Gregory Blimling, Director of the Equity Office Melissa Barth, Dean of Students Barbara Daye, and Student Body President Ryan Bolick.

Students in attendance had a chance to give testimonials as well as point out areas that could use improvement. Kelly Forney, president of National Pan-Hellenic Council, offered "diversity in the curriculum" as an area of improvement. Forney discussed how only one unit in education courses is dedicated to diversity or multiculturalism.

Other concerns that were brought to light by students were allocation of funds to organizations, efforts of retention and recruitment, and the absence of certain major and minors.

Not only were concerns expressed, but suggestions were offered. Senior art major Randy Leach suggested using athletes as a means to help with recruiting and retaining students of color.

Though this forum did not cure all of the concerns, a few things were realized. "We haven't done a good job communicating what we are already doing," Blimling said.

Harry Williams, assistant director of admissions, mentioned the new position created in the College of Education-Minority in Residence-and spoke about how private visits are made to every school specifically for students of color.

Many ideas were presented in the forum, but Blimling said, "It is easy to brainstorm, but it is harder to implement." Though this might be the case, some steps are already being made.

The day after the forum, Wright received a phone call from Director of Admissions Joe Watts about times he could meet with the multicultural organizations on campus. Barth is working on getting diversity committees at the other colleges in the UNC System.

Officials agree that this forum is definitely not the cure-all, but it is a step in the right direction.

Music key component of Holocaust Commemoration

Ai Lin Loh Multicultural Beat

"Music for Survival and Healing" was presented by Dr. Susan Keefe, a professor of anthropology, and Dr. Cathy McKinney, a professor of music therapy, as part of the Holocaust commemoration at Appalachian State University. The event took place Sunday afternoon at Rosen Concert Hall and will run for six days.

Dr. Elizabeth Jordan, a professor in the school of music, was inspired to hold this commemoration last year because of the summer reading program of 1998, when the freshmen read Elie Wiesel's memoir, "Night."

Keefe talked about the power and presence of music in all cultures and how it allows individuals to express emotional attachment to a culture.

Also, music is used as a political and religious tool. The national anthem and hymns are examples. It was also used as a form of political torture. The German government used loud rock Ôn' roll music to extricate rebels.

In concentration camps, workers were forced to play German marching tunes while friends and family were marched to the gas chambers. The orchestras called it the "Death Tango."

"Music is essential for survival," said Keefe. "Music contributes to a group's identity."

McKinney has worked in music therapy over 25 years. She talked of several cases where music has helped people. Music therapists use Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) to help people reach their deepest and highest heights.

With GIM, the therapist will choose the music and guide the patient, who will describe their experience as they listen.

Many children of Holocaust survivors use this method to help them deal with their experiences.

McKinney told the experiences of Cecelia and Anna, who both went through GIM with a therapist.

Cecelia's mother was a survivor of the Holocaust and had seen her mother and sister go into a cattle car where they were all gassed and burned. She was able to see her father once, who made her promise to live.

In Cecelia's GIM session, she saw a burning black smokestack where there were burning bodies.

Anna is from Munich, Germany, and her father was a German soldier. He was appalled by the war and when he tried to talk of his experiences, his wife would not let him talk because of her own horror.

In Anna's GIM session, she saw a heavy blanket that was gray and heavy and she couldn't get it off of her because of the dead bodies on it. When she could look under it, she sees dead people, but they are not dead. She is drawn to a little girl and she wants to ask forgiveness of her.

The little girl told her, "It takes time."

Cecilia and Anne met in Dakow, where there was a concentration camp, and both felt a connection with each other. There was a Jewish memorial with an identical smokestack to the one in her session. Only light could come in from above, which was profound to Anna.

They both went into a joint GIM session and shared similar experiences. Keefe and McKinney answered questions from the audience after their talks.

Young semester tarnished by sexual assaults

Sarah Sparks - Police Beat

Appalachian State is generally regarded as a safe university. The campus is relatively small and well lit, providing safe conditions for all students. Crime statistics from the past few years compiled from http://feminist.com/rainn.htm support this with only a handful of crimes.

Unfortunately, the 2000-01 school year has already been tainted with some minor violations, but more unexpectedly with a pair of very serious crimes.

Appalachian has already seen two sexual assaults this school year. Students and school officials are disturbed, considering the fact that crime reports show that these are only the second and third such acts of violence reported in three years.

Many college campuses across the country report incidences of rape on a regular basis. The United States Department of Justice reports that, somewhere in America, a woman is raped every two minutes. Besides stricter laws and more severe punishments, the main course of action against rape is prevention. Programs such as the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) self-defense class that the university police department is currently offering provide the best way for students to prepare themselves for any such situation.

Students must be aware of the threat of violent acts on college campuses and must know how to respond if the need ever arises. The first step in prevention is being informed. Very few people are aware of the staggering statistic that 78 percent of rape victims know their attackers. This statistic suggests that students must be prepared to resist an attack even if it means offending a familiar person.

Another important statistic for college students to note is that at least 45 percent of rapists are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Students, especially female, should be able to recognize whether a situation has the potential for violence. Authorities point out that this violent potential is often heightened when drugs and alcohol are involved, so a student should be prepared to leave a threatening situation before it gets out of control.

The most frightening statistic surrounding rape involves the percentage of sexual assaults that go unreported. According to Sergeant Stacy Sears, it is estimated that close to 90 percent of sexual assaults are not reported to the police or other authorities. Sergeant Sears points out the unnerving fact that crime statistics would increase drastically if all crimes were actually reported.

College students, especially those at small- to medium-size schools such as Appalachian State, like to feel that they are safe from harm on their campuses, but new crime statistics indicate that students could have a false sense of security. The most important thing is that students become aware of the possible threats that they face and know how to act accordingly.

Rush culminates with Bid Day

Caitlyn Payne Greek Beat

Appalachian's sororities spent two and a half hours Friday welcoming their new pledge sisters on Sanford Mall during Bid Day, the culmination of sorority rush.

The rushees were guided through the rush process by Rho Chis, members of sororities who acted as Rush Counselors to the rushees. Rho Chis were disassociated from their sorority during Rush.

Each Rho Chi revealed which sorority she belonged to on Bid Day. All the Rho Chis stood in front of the rushees. One by one, each Rho Chi revealed which sorority she belongs to, at which point her sorority sisters, new and old, welcomed her "back" into the sorority.

Although it was exciting to see which Rho Chi belonged to which sorority, several girls felt the other aspects of Rush were more important. "[Joining a sorority] is a great way to get involved on campus," said Andrea Bailey, a new pledge of a sorority. "It's fun meeting all the new people and getting to see what sisterhoods are like."

So, what was the most important aspect of Bid Day? "Friendships," according to Paige Floyd, another sorority member. "You meet your friends for life."

Friendships and new acquaintances were also important in choosing a sorority to accept a bid from. "I picked the group of girls I felt most comfortable with," Bailey said.

Bid Day provided the beginning of new friendships and experiences for soon to be Greek women at Appalachian.

ASG pres. steps down

Malcolm Smith SGA Beat

Former East Carolina University Student Government Association (SGA) president Cliff Webster resigned as North Carolina Association of Student Governments (ASG) President on Sept. 7 in Raleigh, N.C.

Webster called a meeting that drew student body presidents from across the state and the University of North Carolina Board of Governors to annouce his resignation.

Webster, who was arrested this past June on charges of larceny after he and another student were found in possession of stolen property belonging to East Carolina University (ECU), said his resignation stemmed from his peers' perceptions concerning his position as well as that of the Board of Governors (BOG).

"It seems to me that many student leaders worried so much about what the BOG thinks that it is in the studentsÕ best interest for me to step down," Webster said.

"I don't serve the Board of Governors, I serve our students, and when representing students is second best to the administration and the Board of Governors' members, then I do not need to be a part of it."

Ending his five years of service to the student government, Webster told fellow student body presidents that his dedication to various student issues was not a job or hobby, but a passion.

During his first and final speech as ASG president, Webster recalled fond memories he shared at several universities participating in various events including issues concerning flood-stricken students. He thanked many for giving him the chance to serve as ASG president.

Webster was sincerly thanked by his fellow board members for his service and showed regret that Webster's term ended in such unfortunate circumstances. Webster concluded by saying, "It is a learning experience that I will never forget and one that would sure go down in the history of Cliffie."

Following the speech, an election was held for a new ASG president. The five candidates were: James Bryant, of UNC Greensboro; David Chesley, of Western Carolina University; Liz Gardner, of UNC-Chapel Hill; Andrew Payne, of North Carolina State University; and Richard Wheelahan, of Appalachian State.

During the caucus, candidates voiced their goals if elected ASG president. One goal each candidate paid particular attention to was the passing of the bond referendum on Nov. 7. Many of the candidates spoke on behalf of Webster and the excellent job he has done promoting the referendum during his presidential term.

Payne and Gardner were elected to serve the office as the new ASG president and vice president, respectively. "I really want to see a new direction in ASG," said Payne.

In the past two years the ASG has seen the resignation of two of its presidents. In 1999, former ASG president Nick Mirisis, of UNC Charlotte, resigned after being charged with academic dishonesty.