New library slated for completion May 2008

Catherine Quill Business Affairs Beat

Plans for Appalachian State University's new library are progressing as staff members tour facilities and discuss features to include in the building.

Gene Branon, library building internal project coordinator, said, "We've been getting ideas from students, faculty and staff about their research needs. Branon also said they would like to incorporate the latest technology into study rooms.

Built in 1968 and renovated in 1980, the Belk Library is about 100,000 square feet. The new library will be approximately 231,000 square feet.

According to Branon, "It will start being built in 2003, and the finish date is 2008."

"We've got $47 million; of that, approximately $3.5 million goes to a parking deck," he said.

The money for the project was made available through the North Carolina Bond Referendum that was passed by voters in November.

"We are also looking for a $5 million donation for a naming opportunity," said Branon.

The Library Building Volunteers has played an integral part in making advances toward the construction of a new building. The group has been touring libraries on the campuses of universities that are similar in size to Appalachian State.

"We just got back from Tennessee," said Branon, who added that the group toured Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU).

"That would be, to me, the ideal building."

Branon said the library at MTSU had adequate space, interactive technology, accessibility, and an overall architectural design that Branon described as "phenomenal."

Universities in Washington, D.C., were also visited. Branon said colleges were also chosen based on whether they had been built within the last five years and whether they had any type of interesting technology.

"We wanted to see what worked and didn't work, so we don't make the same mistakes they made," said Branon.

Last April, a group toured Sonoma State University in Northern California and was impressed by the Ruben Salazar Library. Branon said they will return to California on June 10 to see the finished building, which Branon said is a "wonderful facility."

Currently, officials are in the final stages of choosing an architect, a process which should be finished by April, with the proposed site being the location of Whitener Hall.

Meetings with focus groups will start within the next few weeks, which will give officials a better understanding of what amenities to include.

Discussions have included implementing a 24-hour study room, university archives, an interactive business center and a type of auditorium suitable for conferences.

Items such as furniture, lighting, carpeting, bathrooms and a dock for loading and unloading items also need to be explored.

"We're continuing to build on our technology," said Branon. "We're also continuing to expand our electric databases."

Although technology will be integrated into the new facility, Branon said, "We're definitely going to have a rare book collection."

According to Branon, the mission of the Library Building Volunteers is to have a vision for the new library and to continue to make the campus of Appalachian State University attractive.

"We're building for ASU's future," he said.

According to librarian Darlene Scott, the Library Building Volunteers is different from Friends of the Library and the Library Advisory Board.

Friends of the Library is active in some fundraising and sponsors different events and visiting authors.

The Library Advisory Board is comprised of non-university employees.

"Their efforts have also provided some financial support," said Scott. "They have done fundraising that has helped with special projects."

Scott said members of the Library Advisory Board have made a special commitment to the library with their time and energy.

ASU police help aid, inform campus about sexual assault

Sarah Sparks Police Beat

The Appalachian State University Police Department recently published an information booklet on sexual assault that will be available to students via a variety of university agencies.

The Student Resource Guide for Sexual Assault at Appalachian State University is an information source for anyone with questions about assault policies, counseling services, and a number of other assault-related topics.

The booklet was commissioned for publication by a committee made up of representatives from the University Police Department, Residence Life, the Counseling Center, Women's Studies, Student Judicial Affairs, and the Dean of Students. These agencies agreed on the necessity of a common plan of action in the event of a sexual assault on campus. "When I first got to ASU there was a lot of miscommunication between departments concerning the handling of sexual assaults, so we decided to put the policies in writing," said Appalachian Police Chief Gunther Doerr.

The booklet opens with the university's sexual assault policy which states, "Rape and most acts of sexual assault ... are criminal offenses subject to prosecution under North Carolina law ... and may be referred to the university judicial affairs officer for possible sanctions."

The booklet is intended to aid especially staff and faculty members that may be approached by a student with allegations of sexual assault. Staff members are told the first step is to encourage the student to seek medical attention if there is any possibility of physical injuries.

According to the guide, the student should then make a confidential report to the counseling center or make a report to the university police. The numbers where these, as well as several other, agencies can be reached are listed in the book. The booklet outlines the procedure involved if the student chooses to file a report with the police. This process includes an investigation by either campus police or an off-campus law enforcement agency, review of the case by the District Attorney(DA), and then after the completion of the DA's review, a hearing by Student Judicial Affairs. The guide says that the victim has the option after each step in the process to discontinue the investigation and prosecution.

Appalachian State University ensures sexual assault victims certain rights following their attack. These rights are listed in the Student Resource Guide for Sexual Assault as the Victim's Bill of Rights. These rights, among others, include the right to have any allegations of sexual assault treated seriously, to be treated with dignity, to be free from any pressure from university personnel to report crimes if they do not wish to do so, and to expect university personnel to take reasonable and necessary actions to prevent further unwanted contact by alleged assailants.

According to the booklet, because the victim is given rights, they must also be given responsibilities. The responsibilities of the victim state that the victim must not make any effort to contact the accused attacker so as to avoid any obstruction of justice and that they should contact the university's Counseling and Psychological Services Center to get assistance as they deal with the aftermath of the assault.

"Basically, our goal is to minimize the trauma of the victim," said Doerr.

The procedures for on-campus disciplinary action are outlined on page 11 of the booklet as well as information regarding counseling services for victims, including community resources such as OASIS or the New River Mental Health Center.

The guide briefly discusses the legality of a sexual assault on campus. The booklet outlines the Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act, Public Law 105-244, which "mandates certain reporting requirements for universities." The main point of this law is the university police must make all information available to students concerning crimes that occur on and around campus.

The last section of the Student Resource Guide lays out protocols for dealing with sexual assault. The Public Affairs Protocol says that the Office of Public Affairs will take responsibility for informing campus police and local media of any allegations of sexual assault on campus.

The Housing and Residence Life Protocol states, "in the event that both the alleged victim and the alleged perpetrator are from the same residence hall, the Office of Residence Life will offer a temporary room assignment (if available) in another residence hall to each person involved."

There is an extensive description of the Counseling and Psychological Services Protocol, which may vary depending on whether services are required before, during, or after the student's contact with police. This protocol includes, but is not exclusive to, encouraging the victim to seek medical attention, explaining possible financial costs, and making sure a female counselor is made available if needed or requested.

The final protocol listed is that of the Appalachian State University Police Department, which includes immediately trying to determine if any danger still exists for the victim, providing transportation for the victim if necessary, and assisting the victim in reporting the assault to the correct law enforcement agency.

Any student, faculty or staff member that has questions about the Student Resource Guide for Sexual Assault at Appalachian State University or that would like to obtain a copy can contact Doerr at 262-2150. Copies of the booklet should also be available through all of the participating campus agencies. In the event of a rape, students should contact the University Police at 262-8000 or the Counseling Center at 262-3180.

'Appalachian Perspective' keeps alumni in touch

Robyn Dailey Chancellor/Development Beat

News from Appalachian State University has become readily available to people statewide since the early 1990s through a monthly cable television program.

"Appalachian Perspective" is a television show that is produced by Appalachian students and hosted by Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski.

"The monthly program airs on 10 cable outlets in North Carolina's seven largest metropolitan areas and communities with the highest percentages of Appalachian alumni," said Linda Coutant, the show's producer.

These include three Boone outlets and outlets in places such as Charlotte, Raleigh, Winston-Salem and Asheville.

"It airs at various times through the year," said Borkowski.

"Appalachian Perspective" is a 30-minute long talk show that hosts a wide assortment of guests and topics.

Guests include faculty with expertise in particular subjects, notable authors and Nobel Peace Prize winners, to name a few, said Coutant.

Nearly 300,000 North Carolinians have free access to the show by way of their cable provider's public access or educational channels.

According to Coutant, this is a good way for people, particularly alumni, to stay in touch with the university's education and public service programs.

"It's sort of a public service program, really, highlighting what's happening on campus," she said.

John Thomas, Appalachian's previous chancellor, started the program.

He was the first host, and the show has aired monthly, while school is in session, ever since.

"It's grown significantly from then," said Coutant.

She said that it has gained cable outlets and gotten improvements in the production and set design since it began.

The university spends about $1,650 per academic year on the show, said Coutant.

The money goes primarily towards tapes and postage for distribution.

The communication department provides the production for free.

The production staff consists of a seven-person student crew and three university employees.

Students hold the positions of director, floor manager, audio director, video toaster and cameramen.

The show is directed by Jon Watkins, a senior and electronic media and broadcasting major.

Kevin Balling, a lecturer from the communication department, is the faculty advisor.

Each student that volunteers gets one credit hour from the project.

"(It) wouldn't be possible unless we had the communication department with their studio in place and with those talented students who can do the production work," said Coutant.

Last year, Appalachian Perspective won a Special Merit Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education's audio-visual communication division.

The contest was for the Southeast and Appalachian's show was selected from 15 submissions.

It was on display in Atlanta from Feb. 18-21.

In Watauga County, the show airs on cable channel 39 at 6 p.m.

Episodes from the past three seasons are available for checkout in Belk Library.

Contact Linda Coutant at 262-2342 with any questions or topic ideas.

Coutant said, "It helps Appalachian because it's such a good way of showing what activities and faculty experts we have here on campus."

Diversity Series: 'Have Wheels, Will Travel'

Elizabeth Frye Multicultural Beat

A recent Diversity Series presentation entitled "Have Wheels, Will Travel" examined what life on the Appalachian State University campus is like for those with disabilities.

This event, which took place on Tuesday, Feb. 20 in the Multicultural Center of Plemmons Student Union, consisted of a panel of disabled students and an opportunity for audience participation.

The program began with each panelist introducing him or herself and talking about how their life has been affected by their respective disability. Amy Hathcock, a master's student, said that she has been disabled for 14 years, ever since she broke her back in a car accident. "I consider myself a veteran of this (wheel)chair," Hathcock said, but also added that she continually finds simpler ways to get around in her wheelchair.

Junior Annie Wiegand told the audience that she was born deaf. "Sometimes when people come up and try to talk t o me, I'm like, 'Oh, I'm deaf,' and they say, 'I'm sorry,' but you don't have to be sorry," Wiegand said.

Another panelist, junior Jeremiah Smith, said that he is "almost deaf" because of a brain tumor on each of his acoustic nodes. He has about 60 percent of his hearing ability. The tumors also affected his balance so "a lot of people think I'm drunk," Smith said.

Jimmy Patterson, a junior who wants to study music therapy, used to suffer from daily seizures. He had brain surgery to stop the seizures, and because of the part of the brain in which the surgery was done he now has difficulty with his memory.

The next panelist, who wishes to remain nameless, said that she has struggled for some time with a reading and writing disability. "I proved a lot of people wrong because they never thought I'd graduate from high school," she said.

Katie Swaney, a freshman and the final panelist, told the audience that she has a malignant brain tumor for which she is still going through chemotherapy. Her immune system is very weak because of a bone marrow replacement through which she went, and the cancer treatment often leaves her with little energy.

These students spoke of the services offered to disabled people at Appalachian State University.

Some resources available which these panelists have taken advantage of are: tutoring labs, help from graduate assistants, extended test-taking periods, handicap parking permits, and note-takers. "Having a note-taker makes things a lot easier than they used to be," Smith said. "I didn't really take that many notes when I could hear."

The panelists said that while some professors have not been very understanding of their disability, most have been helpful. Swaney said she generally writes a letter to each of her professors at the beginning of every semester to explain to them why she sometimes has to miss class in order to receive treatment or because she has become sick due to her high susceptibility. Other panelists said they often stay after class or go to their professors at other times to get additional help.

Most of the panelists are taking part in the Learning Assistance Program (LAP). Suzanne Wehyner is the coordinator of Student Support Services in LAP, and spoke of the LAP's plan to offer even more to the students who use the program. "We have such a diverse group with their needs. There's not much of a budget but we're excited to add to a good program."

Changes can be made to improve accommodations to disabled students at Appalachian State University. For example, no support group for disabled individuals exists on campus. Also, handicapped people have difficulty moving around in some buildings at Appalachian.

Hathcock has trouble visiting her younger brother at his room in East Hall because the dorm has no elevators. As Wehyner said, "Accessibility is going to be a continuing issue with this campus."

Taking a look back at year: SGA

L. Nicole Tallent SGA Beat

Student Government Association (SGA) has made some accomplishments in different areas for Appalachian students throughout the academic year.

SGA has fought to reform the current system of Express Account refunds. Its members are currently working to give students the right to keep money that is not spent.

In terms of school safety, the Appalachian State bike patrol has been expanded and now has more officers and bike patrols at night.

In a generation when computers have almost replaced paper and pencil, SGA has recognized the importance of implementing computer usage on campus. Campus Pipeline now hosts some of Student Government's activities, including student interest polls, online suggestion boxes, and SGA updates.

SGA has begun to reform legislation to include an online appeals system to appeal parking tickets.

Also, Student Government has achieved discounted Internet access through Appalachian's preferred Internet Service Provider (ISP), Wave Communications.

In addition to these accomplishments, SGA has also improved the student discount card, which now provides more businesses, better discounts and is promised to be delivered on time. This is the end result of years past where the discount card has rarely been delivered, and if so, not on time.

SGA has worked with administration to eliminate the $5 appeal fee for parking tickets. SGA has also fought to provide free, professional legal counsel to students.

SGA also wants to establish a political speaker's series with educational forums. SGA worked hand in hand with the administration to organize an event that brought North Carolina Junior Senator John Edwards to speak last night in a Town Hall meeting at Plemmons Student Union.

While the Bolick/Powell administration has made some strides on campus, the challenge is now to follow through on such ideas as Project Nightlife, establishment of a Diversity Recruitment Task Force, offering graduate courses such as the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), the Graduate Management Test (GMAT) and the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) on campus, elimination of the plus/minus grading system, the expansion of Mt. Mitchell's hours, and more vending machines and better intramural facilities at State Farm.