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Watauga
College looking to future
Jen Wysmuller - Staff
Writer
The ground breaking complex will offer numerous possibilities
for students to explore their studies in greater depths.
Watauga College
is packing its bags and moving into a new home. For more than
twenty-five years Watauga College has made its home as a residential
college, currently in East Hall, providing freshman and sophomore
students with general education courses under the department of
Interdisciplinary Studies.
Combining
a living and learning situation both students and teachers take
advantage of smaller classes that allow for a unique college experience
integrating academia with studentsÕ personal growth. Students
take classes with other students residing in East Hall which makes
friendship accessible inside and out of class.
With the ChancellorÕs
old home torn down and the Appalachian campusÕ ever-expanding
Watauga College and the Interdisciplinary Program will find itself
looking over the ASU campus from Bodenheimer drive.
Moving from
East into the new complex will be around January 2003 and the
excitement of the new building is growing. Dr. Richard Carp, professor
and Department Chair of Watauga College, represents the interests
of the department in the process of designing and building the
new complex. With East facing renovation in the future, Carp is
eager to unpack and move into the new complex.
ÒI think one
of the advantages of the new complex is the excitement of discovery.
Watauga College is now roughly, 30 years old, and is steeped in
tradition. The traditions are wonderful and we are going to take
them with us, but I think both students and faculty will both
feel the freedom to innovate that maybe is not always felt here,Ó
he said.
Designing
the new complex was a major collaboration between students and
faculty. Carp went further to say that ÒthereÕs been real cooperation
between resident life and academic affairs, and that process of
bringing different points of view together is the mission of the
department interdisciplinary studies.Ó
The new residence
hall will contain 300 beds for the incoming120 freshmen that are
admitted to Watauga College each year with a total of 200 in the
program. The complex will also be home to the Sustainable Development,
Womens Studies, and Appalachian Studies programs that will all
be in the academic wing of the building. Over 120 students with
Interdisciplinary majors will be based out of the new complex
as well.
With the
new building non-central to ASU main campus the expansion and
continuous growth of Appalachian is more present. Carp feels however
that the location will not detach the students from the central
campus.
ÒI do not
think it will be more separate from the campus. I believe the
campus is growing in that direction. This is the first phase of
the next development for the campus. Our majors take more than
half of their major program in various parts of other departments.
One of the goals of the freshman program of Watauga College is
to teach students about the resources of the university and to
take advantage of them. We go to plays, concerts, and are engaged
in community service projects. We do not just huddle in our own
little space. I do not think it will have that much of an impact,Ó
said Carp.
The ground
breaking complex will offer numerous possibilities for students
to explore their studies in greater depths. There will be gallery
space, studio space for making art, and seminar rooms all located
in the academic wing.
Land has been
put aside that will be available for student gardening as well
as for the new sustainable agriculture program. Attempts are also
being made to integrate a more ecologically friendly design into
the building.
Carp said
that by endorsing the complex in becoming more green will allow
for Òthe opportunity to put our values into practice (which) is
tremendously exciting.Ó
Watauga College
is proud of its relationship between students and faculty. Its
informal approach attracts students to its extraordinary vision
of learning.
Over a two-year
period of 29 hours, students accomplish their objectives though
interdisciplinary education.
Carp describes
the program as connecting Òlanguage skills, literary studies,
historical studies and other social sciences and humanities into
an integrated system, as you would expect from a department of
interdisciplinary studiesÓ he said.
As for the
smaller sized classes, Carp explains that Òas a member of faculty
you can only get to know so many students well in a year, weÕre
pretty much on a first name basis by NovemberÓ he said.
Students that
are interested in learning more about Watauga College or the Department
of InterdisciplinaryÕs programs should log on to their website
or stop by Watauga College in East Residence Hall.
The
move from East to the new complex is
scheduled forJan.
Ô03.
What should
a multimillionaire do?
Stephannie White -Staff
Writer
Dorfman
Graham Blake
was not the type of man who ruthlessly lay off workers in his
strive for success. For the first time ever, Graham was indecisive.
It would imperial his other investments if he didnÕt let this
one factory go. When the sleepless nights continued and his insomnia
worsened, he sought professional help. And so begins ÒBlakeÕs
TherapyÓ, the latest novel by international author, acclaimed
lecturer, and Chilean Expatriate Dr. Ariel Dorfman.
On June 20,
Ariel Dorfman made a rare personal appearance at The Book Warehouse
in Boone. Reading from his novel, he titillated the crowd with
passages from both the English and Spanish version of ÒBlakeÕs
Therapy.Ó The therapy that Graham undergoes is controversial in
the least, giving readers what Dr. Dorfman calls, Òtaking a good
man, basically a decent man, and giving him ultimate power and
exploring his dark side...what does he do with this power.Ó The
premise of the therapy is simple. Blake would be admitted into
a very special hospital, one that would allow him to see and hear
the intimate lives of those around him. Some of whom, he had recently
laid off from his Pennsylvania factory. An odd sort of
therapy that
would either drive him mad, or cure him. Blake would be sealed
off from the rest of the people in an apartment building, yet
through modern gadgets and stealth, Blake would be able to see
and hear everything that went on in the building. Yet, as the
therapy goes further, Blake would have ultimate power over these
lives. With a word, Blake could and does alter the lives of those
he watches. Envious of the touches between a beautiful Latino
woman and her boyfriend, he has the boyfriend thrown in jail on
trumped up charges. There is one limit to his power, his therapist
tells him.
ÒTo kill?Ó
asks Blake. Not even that experience would be denied if he chose
to ask. His therapist patiently explains the only limit to his
power, he could not under any circumstance, contact anyone he
was observing directly. To make contact with any of the people
in the building, would forfeit his therapy, his deposit, and expulsion
from the building. Of course he does eventually contact the woman
who haunts his thought, fabricating an identity for her becoming
involved with herÉ and wondering if there were others, behind
the walls, watching him.
Newsweek has
declared Dr. Dorfman to be, Òone of the greatest Latin American
novelists.Ó John Berger said, ÒIt was bound to happen one day:
a writer, a victim, a revolutionary, capable of seeing god in
the vertigo of experienceÉIt was bound to happen-but not necessarily
accompanied by DorfmanÕs accessibility and greatness.Ó
Dr. DorfmanÕs
work has shown great refinement since his first work, co-written
with Armand Mattlehart in 1971, ÒHow to Read Donald Duck.Ó When
asked if his ideology had changed much since, he smiled and commented
on those early days. ÒThe Donald Duck work was written in 10 days
during the revolution. É I havenÕt worked with Mattlehart, we
have both gone on, É I prefer to look at the more positive aspects
of our reality, rather than dwell on the problems alone.Ó Dr.
Dorfman fled Chile in 1973 when General Pinochet took control
of the country. He was smuggled into the Argentine embassy, fleeing
to Paris then Amsterdam, before coming to the States. He has lived
in exile in the US since. During the interim he has produced a
myriad of plays and novels that present one facet or another of
the darker side of human nature.
ÒThe EmpireÕs
Old ClothesÓ was published in 1983 is similar in nature to the
Duck book. Dealing with issues of politics, torture and justice,
ÒDeath and the MaidenÓ is a play that won numerous awards; the
Laurence Oliver Award, in London in 1991. In the US it was staged
in New York, starring Glen Close, Richard Dreyfuss, and Gene Hackman.
It is still in production worldwide. Roman Polanski directed a
screen version starring Ben Kingsley and Sigourney Weaver. His
memoir, ÒHeading South, Looking North: A Bilingual JourneyÓ (1998)
presents the experiences of his earlier days as a cultural advisor
to Allende (democratically elected President of Chile) surviving
the coup, facing death, then fleeing for his life.
Writing in
both English and Spanish, he says of his unique talent, ÒI know
this sounds strange, because theyÕre [the languages] like characters.
TheyÕre like divinities inside you. TheyÕre like husband and wife
inside you, or like lovers inside you. ItÕs very strange. I keep
using these sexual metaphors for them because I think the metaphors
express the turbulence of the relationship.Ó
ÒBlakeÕs TherapyÓ
is another must read that should be added to the list of his works.
Dr. Dorfman is a Walter Hines Page research Professor of Literature
and Latin American Studies, and teaches at Duke University. He
has taught at the Universidad de Chile, the Sorbonne (Paris IV),
and the University of Amsterdam.
Save money,
be safe, wear a bike helmet
Stephannie White - Staff
Writer
Thomas Clendenin,
ASU student and manager of Magic Cycles, displays the new line
of Giro helmets in stock.
Summertime
in Boone can be the best time to enjoy the great outdoors. Many
students use bicycles during this time. It is a great way to exercise
and enjoy fresh air and sunshine. Unfortunately, a few Appalachian
students are daring fate by not wearing helmets.
Within the
city limits of Boone, the fine for not wearing a helmet is $50.
Beside the threat of costly fines, the danger of head injuries
is no laughing matter. According to ASU Police Chief Gunther Doerr,
Òhelmet laws are meant to be safety precautionsÉ have there been
many injuries here on campus? Not that I know ofÉbut it only takes
one fall to cause paralysis. Helmets will reduce head injuries
and all bike officers are required to wear helmets.Ó
When questioned
as to the existence of an ordinance on campus requiring helmets,
Doerr responded with a regretful no, helmets are not specifically
required on campus. Last year SGA debated the issue, but it was
never formalized or ratified. This does not necessarily mean ASU
students are free to ride helmet-less. Should a Boone police officer
follow a student onto campus, the student may still receive a
citation.
Some students
may be concerned with issues of comfort and style so much so that
they refuse to wear a helmet, not caring that they are risking
their lives every time they ride sans helmet. Some students just
donÕt want to be bothered with a helmet. Some like Stephen Bauer,
a summer student, didnÕt know that there was a fine for not wearing
a helmet or a need to wear one on short jaunts.
The Bicycle
Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI) claims that even experienced riders
may expect to crash after 4,500 on the average. Approximately
75 percent of the annual 800 cyclistsÕ deaths are the results
of head injuries. Medical research by the BHSI shows that 85 percent
of all cyclistsÕ head injuries could have been prevented had they
worn a helmet. A bicycle helmet reduces the peak energy of an
impact. Even if a helmet is not exactly high fashion, it does
save lives and livelihoods.
Some students
may have comfort complaints. When choosing a helmet, it is important
to try it on. A snug fit with no pressure points is the desired
fit for safety and comfort. Lighter materials used today prevent
the heavy weight of older helmets. Ventilation is provided by
airflow through vents along the side. Optional sweatbands provide
clear vision by absorbing excess moisture. Ponytail ports are
available for those with long hair, and vent-less is an option
for those who are balding and want even coloring.
Students should
look for a sticker labeled CPSC inside the helmet before purchasing.
All helmets produced after March 10, 1999 must meet the US Consumer
Product Safety Commission standard. Be aware of gimmicks. Visors
may snag or shatter on impact and are not tested by the CPSC.
Mirrors are a necessity at times, but stay away from the types
mounted on eyewear. They should only be used with breakaway mounts.
The straps should not be too thin or loose. The helmet must fit
snugly enough to stay on during the impact.
Summertime
is a time for outdoor activities and laughter. It will be easier
to enjoy cycling with a helmet on and no citations in pocket.
For more information on cycle safety and other cycle issues, visit
the BHSI site at www.helmets.org
or for information on clubs, organizations, and advocacy issues,
visit www.waba.org. Ride Safe
and Free!
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