ASU police fight to draw support for local Crimestoppers

Sarah Sparks Police Beat

The Appalachian State University Police Department is currently campaigning to draw support for the Watauga County Crimestoppers Hotline, said Sergeant Stacey Sears.

The department is hosting the annual Crimestoppers fund raiser, A Salute to Law Enforcement, at the Chetola Resort on Saturday from 8-11 p.m.

The dinner/dance is open to the public with all proceeds going to the Crimestoppers reward fund.

Guests will be served food and beverages provided by the Chetola Resort catering services, according Major Larry Foster of the Appalachian Police Department.

The resort has set up a heated white tent for the event, complete with a dance floor.

Entertainment for the evening will include a swing band, a silent auction, door prizes and a raffle. According to Sears, proceeds from the silent auction will also go to the reward fund.

Silvio Martintett Swing Orchestra, from Lenoir, wil play the event. "They are a reputable orchestra and I have heard that they are wonderful performers," said Foster.

Tickets can be purchased from any Appalachian State University police officer at a cost of $25. Tickets are also available for purchase at the door on the night of the event.

This is the first year that the department has hosted this type of event. "We usually have a Christmas party or a silent auction, but we have never held this large an affair. If we have a good turnout, though, this could definitely become a yearly event," said Foster.

"We really want to see a large turnout from the university, especially. All students, faculty and staff are invited to the event and we would like to see a good representation from the campus," said Foster.

Sears said anyone that is not interested in attending the dance but would like to make a donation may do so at the police station next to State Farm or by contacting the on-campus police officers.

Crimestoppers is a not-for-profit organization that gives people the opportunity to report any information pertaining to a local crime.

"We want to continue to remind people that they have the option of remaining anonymous through the Crimestoppers Hotline," said Sears.

Sears also pointed out that rewards of up to $1,000 are offered for information leading to the arrest of anyone who commits a crime, leading to the recovery of stolen property, leading to the seizure of drugs or leading to the arrest of a wanted person.

Officials land permit for parking deck

Failure of architects to secure permit results in delay

Catherine Quill Business Affairs Beat

Failure of architects to request a permit for the construction of the Rivers Street parking deck caused the delays in the commencement of the project, according to Clyde Robbins, director of design and construction.

"It took them about six weeks to get the permit. The project would've started in September had they gotten that done," said Robbins.

The necessary permit needed to be granted is from the North Carolina Department of Erosion and Natural Resources (NCDENR), the department that handles erosion control and storm-water management.

"We received the permit about 10 days ago," said Robbins on Wednesday.

Robbins said a negligence report has been filed with the Office of State Construction because of the delays.

The long awaited construction will finally begin this week after the equipment is brought to the site, according to Barry Sauls, director of university parking and traffic.

"They're going to begin moving equipment in on Friday, Nov. 3, and over the weekend," said Sauls, who added that part of the existing parking lot near the Kerr-Scott building will be blocked off.

After the equipment is moved, workers will then fence the construction site and cut down trees along the fence line.

Next, the site will be excavated, which requires the removal of earth and rock.

The contract allows 395 days for the project, but Sauls thinks the construction may take longer.

"I think 18 months is much more realistic," he said.

"Originally, they talked about the project starting last January, but that didn't happen," said Sauls. "All that's cleared up now."

The deck will have approximately 720 parking spaces and cost between $1.2 million - $1.3 million. "It certainly will not be all faculty and staff parking," said Sauls. "We want to fully utilize it."

Committees will later be formed to determine how many spaces to allot for visitors, students, faculty and staff.

Although the parking deck will be three stories, two floors along the front side of the building will accommodate about 15,000-square feet of office space for the campus police, and parking and traffic departments. The structure has been carefully planned to blend in with the construction style of other campus buildings.

"It won't really look like a parking deck," said Sauls. Sauls said the parking and traffic department is looking forward to their relocation.

"We don't have a lot of space. It's especially hectic at times when there's a lot of people coming in."

For this reason, the new office will have a lobby and customer service windows to better serve individuals. Sauls pointed out the inconvenience that is placed on people when long lines form outside of the current building.

The parking and traffic department was once housed with University Police in an old building where the steam plant is currently located. When the police department moved to its location on Dale Street, the parking and traffic department relocated to a satellite modular unit on Hill Street from 1995-1997.

The department then moved to its current location in a modular unit on Rivers Street. Although the project has been slow to start, both Robbins and Sauls agreed that the building will be beneficial to the entire campus.

"I think it's a much needed facility. We know it will cause a certain amount of inconvenience, but in the end, hopefully the inconvenience will be justified," said Robbins.

Appalachian Triathlon Club raises funds for OASIS, Inc.

OASIS, Inc. The ASU Triathlon Club raised $1000 for OASIS, Inc. (Opposing Abuse with Services, Information and Shelter) with their 2000 OASIS Triathlon, which was held Aug. 20.

Approximately 200 racers from all over the Southeast participated in the event, which included a 300 yard swim, 16.3 miles on the bike, and a 5k run.

The Triathlon Club presented a $1000 check to OASIS, Inc. on Oct. 27, which will be used to support victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

The Triathlon Club was able to raise money to donate to OASIS because of the financial support from area businesses.

Next year's race has been set for April 21, 2001. If you have any questions about the OASIS Triathlon or the ASU Triathlon Club, please contact Catherine Crumpler at 297-6133.

Diversity Series explores realities of interracial dating

Elizabeth Frye - Multicultural Beat

A Diversity Series discussion of Interracial Dating and Biracial Identity was held Oct. 31 in the Multicultural Center on the first floor of Plemmons Student Union.

The talk was led by a six-person panel and included audience participation.

Tracey L. Wright, director of Multicultural Student Development, Dr. Tommy Wright, director of Housing Operations and Reggie K. A. Hunt, a recruitment administrator for the Appalachian State University Office of Admissions, pastor of Boone Mennonite Brethren Church and recent alumnus of Appalachian, sat on the panel. Current Appalachian students Kelly M. Forney, Kirsty L. Clark and Adrian J. Negron also sat on the panel.

The program began with the panelists introducing themselves and giving brief descriptions about how an interracial relationship or biracial selfhood has affected their lives.

Tracey and Tommy Wright, an interracial married couple, discussed how some of their family and friends were opposed to their wedding. Hunt described his position on interracial dating from a religious perspective.

Forney, Clark and Negron, biracial young women, spoke of their experiences with growing up biracial and how those identities have shaped their lives at Appalachian. Forney, Clark and Negron all seemed to agree that no part of their identities should be denied.

Clark said that she has tried to "find a medium to be within both cultures" and "live the best of both worlds."

The ladies also talked about how they were unaware as children of how being biracial detached them from others in the eyes of some people.

Forney said, "I knew I was mixed and different but I didn't know what it was about and identify it."

According to some students, attending Appalachian has, for the most part, helped them celebrate their cultures. Negron said, "There is more of a multicultural experience at Appalachian than there was in my high school because everyone was so separated there."

After the panelists finished acquainting themselves with the audience, members of the audience were allowed to ask the speakers questions and relate their encounters with the program topic to the group. The panelists then responded to the participants.

For example, Hunt was asked how he responded to the idea of interracial relationships being considered a sin within the Christian faith. Hunt said, "Jesus was not color-blind, but color-coordinated."

Hunt believes that Jesus was aware of the differences in people but consolidated those differences with his death because he did not die for only one specific race of people.

Senior Ilka L. Jackson said, "I thought [the program] was really great. It lets you understand that you aren't the only one who experiences different things that go on in the world ... you realize, too, that there are other people who face the same problems you may face because you have a mixture of different races in your family."

ASU rugby club donation one of largest in history of organization

Team gives $2,250 of Ruckoberfest proceeds to Hunger Coalition

Kevin Burnette - Contributing Writer

Appalachian State University AHO Rugby Club left its black and gold jerseys and heavy rugby cleats at home to deliver the Rucktoberfest 2000 donation check to the Hunger Coalition.

Hunger Coalition Director Compton Fortuna accepted the $2,250 check from rugby club executive officers Jason Kovalcin, Clay Elkins and Stuart Smith. The ceremony was held at the Black Bull Pub, AHO Rugby's patron sponsor, on Thursday.

The Hunger Coalition was Rucktoberfest 2000's charity beneficiary and helped supply volunteers for concessions at the early October rugby tournament.

Fortuna said, "I was surprised with the whole situation. What really blew me away was how well organized and professional everything was."

She explained that the Hunger Coalition helps poverty-stricken families and the elderly across Watauga, Ashe and Avery counties. It is not just restricted to feeding people but also operates a free pharmacy that helps get medicine for those who cannot afford it.

Since the Coalition is a charity and depends on donations, Fortuna was very excited with the sizable check, especially now with a shortage in the food pantry. Fortuna confessed that she had estimated the income for the coalition was far below what AHO Rugby contributed.

"This is one of the larger donations we've gotten from private groups, for certain," Fortuna said. Elkins, club vice president, said, "It was great to work with the Hunger Coalition and for a good cause.

We're really happy to give them such a sizable donation, which is more than we expected." Senior rugger Kevin Stogner agreed and said, "Working with the Hunger Coalition was for more than one great cause.

It reaches out to so many people in so many different ways." Kovalcin, club president, said, "The $2,250 that we donated was more than what our club is budgeted from the school for one year.

Now weÕre hoping we can do even more for the Coalition at Rucktoberfest 2001." David Hutchison, director of ASU Club Sports, was also at the ceremony.

He was very proud of how AHO Rugby has become "a model for other club sports as far as recreational, social and leadership outlets for students."

Hutchinson said, "There have been good precedents with local non-profit organizations and clubs. This helps these clubs get more local interest and public support for different events and also gives needed support to charities."

AHO Rugby finished the season Saturday, Oct. 28, with a loss of 23-7 to Davidson Rugby at Davidson College. The rugby club finished third at the North Carolina State Rugby Union Tournament the weekend before.

They lost only to North Carolina State University Rugby, beating the rugby teams from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

McConnell to be chancellor for a day

Robyn Dailey - Chancellor/Advancement Beat

More than 870 cans of food and $223 were collected and a winner was chosen for the Chancellor-For-A-Day service project, hosted by the Appalachian State University Student Ambassadors.

Freshman Jamie Leigh McConnell was chosen, according to Student Ambassador and Chancellor-For-A-Day Chairperson Mirian Candido. Students were eligible for the drawing by donating canned-food items or cash through Friday.

All proceeds from the drawing went to the Hunger Coalition.

"We have a number of organizations that donated food [with] our top five being [Student Government Association], Sigma Kappa, Circle K, [the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership] and the WomenÕs Center," said Candido.

The Ambassadors felt that the most efficient way to raise campus involvement was to contact clubs and organizations. They sent out letters to all club presidents by mid-September. "Many organizations took this activity as one of their service projects," Candido said.

Collection week consisted of tables set up during lunchtime in Plemmons Student Union and Trivette Hall. Friday was the final countdown.

"I cannot describe to you how happy I was about this collection ... we were finally able to help Hunger Coalition make many people's holidays better, " said Candido. Nov. 14 is the switch day.

There will be two ceremonies held at Tradewinds Coffehouse allowing Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski and McConnell to trade places. Candido said refreshments will be provided at both ceremonies and the top five donating organizations will be recognized.

The ceremonies are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The Ambassadors will post the chancellor's schedule for Nov. 14 around campus.

They encourage students to stop and chat with him throughout the day. According to Candido, the chancellor will research at the library, eat lunch at the food court, go to the post office and attend McConnell's English 1000 and Freshman Seminar classes, along with other activities.

"Dr. Borkowski always seems to have a great time during this day and so does the student.

The chancellor sees this as a great opportunity to interact with students," Candido said. Patrick K. Setzer, one of the Ambassadors' advisors, said, "This marks the fourth year that the Appalachian Ambassadors have sponsored Chancellor-For-A-Day."

He said that originally the program was begun by a group known as the Senior Committee. It was resurrected by the Ambassadors to facilitate positive interactions between Appalachian students and the chancellor.

"In the past, the Ambassadors have had the service-project proceeds benefiting Watauga County agencies such as the Salvation Army, the Hospitality House and the Watauga Hunger Coalition." said Setzer.

This is the second year that proceeds have gone to the Hunger Coalition.

Over the past four years, Borkowski has played pool in the student union, attended numerous general-education classes, served hot dogs at Cascades, responded to e-mail in the computer labs and practiced with the Steely Pan Steel Band, Setzer said.

Each of the student chancellors has served in the Office of the Chancellor by opening and reading daily mail, meeting with vice chancellors, deans, department heads and by answering telephone calls regarding university business.

For more information on the Chancellor-For-A-Day agenda, contact the Student Ambassadors at 262-2542 or Setzer at 262-2120.

Look for additional future information about McConnell's and Borkowski's schedules for Tuesday, Nov. 14, posted around campus.

Setzer said, "We are grateful to the many clubs and organizations as well as individuals who contributed canned goods and cash for the service project to benefit the Hunger Coalition."