Paul Sherar - Chief Photographer

Sophomore Brent Garrett writes a message on the “I Agree” board outside Plemmons Student Union.

Agreeing with Eric hinges on beliefs

Malcolm Smith - Features Beat

According to the students of Campus Crusade for Christ, agreeing with Eric Schlenker is agreeing with a truthful and clear understanding of God, only a relationship with Jesus Christ can provide.

Schlenker arrived at Appalachian State University like many freshmen. He admitted to once being the “life of the party,” active in sports, and popular among his peers, but there was something missing in the Charlotte native’s life he said he could not explain.

“[Jesus Christ] changed my life from being self-directed and self-centered and brought out my best qualities,” he said.

In high school, Eric accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior. His freshman year of college proved to be the true test for Eric. Although Eric’s student and personal life was flourishing, his life still “felt incomplete, imbalanced and strangely empty inside.”

Eric said he drank socially; he dated girls and did whatever else gave him temporary satisfaction. But it was only through Christ that Eric felt truly blessed and more meaning was placed on his life.

“At the end of freshman year I became aware of how my activities affected others. I was successful, I had friends, but [I felt] there has to be more to life, and I turned to God.”

With his newfound faith in God, Eric said he began to believe the word of the Bible to be the truth, a flawless manual of living, completely inspired by God.

“It changed my heart. There is more direction in my life,” he said. “I am able to appreciate God’s grace and love more.”

The campus-wide campaign “Do You Agree With Eric?” intended to raise awareness of God, has met its share of detractors. Some see the campaign of brightly colored yellow t-shirts, signs and posters as propaganda and self-motivated.

In a recent letter to the editor published in the Nov. 6 issue of The Appalachian, junior M. Chad Wilson wrote: “If Christians were truly concerned with the shape and character of the human spirit as they preached, respecting diversity and individuality would be as important to them as it is to those who agree with Eric.”

Britt Pettigrew, a staff member with Campus Crusade for Christ since 1995, disagrees.

“Campus Crusaders for Christ are passing on a message of Christ,” he said. “We want to get people to think about Christ. We don’t want people to think about people.”

Eric, in a sense, is the sacrificial lamb to all the criticism.

“Don’t follow me. It could have been any Christian,” he said. “If you are going to say no to Christ, at least know the truth of how he loves you, how he cares for you and the significance of his dying on the cross.”

The campaign is aimed at clarifying misconceptions about Christianity, highlighted by a Campus Crusade for Christ-sponsored discussion on spiritual beliefs tonight at 8 p.m. in Varsity Gymnasium.

“It takes courage to say, ‘Look at what Christ has done for me,’” said Pettigrew of Eric’s willingness to testify about his relationship with Jesus Christ.
“We want people to become more educated [about Jesus Christ] and to know how God has changed life for the better,” said Pettigrew.

Through other Christian organizations like Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, New Life Ministries and the Wesley Foundation, students are learning more about what a relationship with Jesus Christ can do for the mind, body and soul.

“We encourage other Christians to strengthen their walk,” said Eric. “We were created to know God and experience his love.”

Amazingly, Eric remains humble amidst the criticism and praise he has received from his peers.
He has been critiqued before he has even said a word. He rationalizes his actions by paraphrasing Matthew 11:28: “I want people to come who are weary and burdened, those that feel [they are] alone.
[The discussion] offers a rest for the soul.”

Britt Pettigrew offered this analogy of the discussion:

“The sharing of Christ is like one beggar directing another beggar where to find food.”

Pair of sidewalk projects complete

Robyn Dailey - Business Affairs Beat

A section of Depot Street was recently reopened after reconstruction of the sidewalk, a project which served as an inconvenience for many off-campus students.

The block between Howard and Rivers streets was completely shut off, forcing students headed to Greenwood or South parking lots to take a detour.

“We actually tore all the sidewalk and curb and gutter out,” said Blake Brown, Boone’s director of Public Works.

The Town of Boone used general funds and financed the replenishing of the section of sidewalk, which was full of beaks and deterioration, said Brown.

“It was broken up and the salt damage had eaten its way into it,” said Boone’s Foreman of Masonry Rick Pennell, who was assigned to the project.

Brown said all of the businesses connected to the old sidewalk had put in requests for it to be fixed.

It is faster and easier for the crew if they shut the whole road down rather than leaving one lane open, said Brown.

“It’s easier for us to keep people out of the area and do the work,” he said.

Pennell said the job had between four and five people working on it at different times, and the decision to close the road saved them manpower as well.

“We actually could use two less men because of that and save at least three days of work,” he said.

Pennell said the entire project cost was $4,500.

“The whole process took about two and a half weeks,” said Brown.

He said the project posed more obstacles than usual because it is so close to buildings and lights, and the old road, which is under the current road, was concrete.

Brown said crews had to use the excavator, a piece of heavy-duty equipment, to dig through the 12-inch thick sidewalk, said Pennell.

“It’s not like going out here and building a new sidewalk; it took some time,” said Brown.

Pennell said the entire area of sidewalk was roughly 200 feet, and it was one of the worst ones in town.

“We try to get the worst ones first,” he said.

Brown said they did not contract the project out to private contractors.

“That section was done by the in-house crew,” he said.
Brown said in the winter and spring, downtown has as much pedestrian traffic as vehicle traffic.

“The town has been really proactive in the last 10-12 years to try and get new sidewalks,” he said.

He said town officials consider Appalachian State University students when deciding the timing of projects.

“We try to gear uptown stuff around ASU breaks and slow times,” said Brown.

“It makes our life a whole lot easier and makes their life a whole lot easier.”

He said the upper section of Depot Street needs sidewalks replenished as well, but they will wait until spring or summer to do that project.

Pennell said crews just finished a 140-foot section of sidewalk on Rivers Street beside the George M. Holmes Convocation Center.

He said there was an existing sidewalk that predated Convocation Center, but it did not connect correctly with the new entrance.

Pedestrians were wearing a path through the land where the sidewalk was built, he said.

“We wanted to get it done before basketball season,” said Pennell.

National Guard tuition assistance dollars ensured

Kristin Davis - Academic Affairs Beat

The Army National Guard tuition assistance will continue as usual for spring semester 2002, news that comes after a feared freeze due to heightened enlistment after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, said Capt. Dan Smith of Appalachian State University’s ROTC department.

Smith said he first learned of the possible freeze from a National Guard recruiter and later read about it in The Charlotte Observer.

The National Guard did in fact run out of money for the tuition assistance program, which would have frozen $1,000 allotments during the spring semester, said Smith.

Tuition assistance is instated within two weeks of recruitment, he explained. When enlistment escalated following the terrorist attacks, budgeted monies were depleted.

But the National Guard has come up with more money from within, said Smith.

“It’s a pretty big benefit. For in-state students, it pays all but about $200 of tuition each semester,” said Smith.

Teresa Johnson, veteran affairs coordinator in the Financial Aid Office, said she never received anything official about the freeze becoming reality. Johnson said she continued to send applications to the National Guard after she was told there was no money.

“I sent them so that applications would at least be on standby,” said Johnson. She said she usually processes between 50-70 applications per year, with 50 already filed for the 2001-02 academic year.

“National Guard members must apply each semester [for tuition assistance],” added Johnson. Members must obtain an application from their unit, which the student and their respective unit must complete. Johnson said she then mails applications to the education services officer in Raleigh.

Tuition assistance qualifications include satisfactory participation in the North Carolina National Guard, remaining at least two years in enlistment, and satisfactory completion of courses.

A state budget of just over $1 million for tuition assistance is paid on a first-come, first-serve basis, according to the N.C. National Guard Web site. Monies pay up to $2,000 per year towards tuition and required fees at any public or private educational institution.

Paul Sherar - Chief Photographer

(Left) Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski mulls his lunch order Tuesday at McAlister’s Deli while cashier Susan Crissman looks on. Borkwoski traded places with Appalachian sophomore Tara Moody as part of the Appalachian Ambassadors’ Chancellor-For-A-Day contest.
(Right) Sophomore Tara Moody goes through documents on the chancellor’s desk Tuesday morning. During her day as chancellor, Moody also met with university administrators, ate lunch and was treated to lunch at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center.

Chancellor experiences other side

Kristina Egger - Chancellor / Student Development Beat

Ask yourself—how would you feel about trading places with one of the most powerful men in Boone for an entire day? The next time you see sophomore Tana Moody, a marketing major from Greensboro, you can ask her.

After donating 10 cans of food to the Appalachian Ambassadors food drive last month, Moody was granted the opportunity to be this year’s chancellor for a day.

In return, Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski spent Tuesday living a day in the life of Moody.

Patrick K. Setzer, advisor for the Appalachian Ambassadors, said the program is very important for the university.

“The chancellor really looks forward to doing this every year because it provides him with an opportunity to interact with the students on campus,” said Setzer. “For Tana, it will probably be a very eye-opening experience.”

Moody said she donated cans to help the Hunger Coalition, not because she cared about being the chancellor.

“I was really very shocked,” said Moody. “I never thought that I would win.”

Borkowski and Moody switched places Tuesday following a short opening ceremony at Crossroads Cafe in Plemmons Student Union.
Moody handed Borkowski her backpack and received the chancellors’ briefcase in its place. During the course of the day, Moody met with the chancellor’s administrative staff, sifted through his mail and ate lunch at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center.

In return, Borkowski spent the day attending Moody’s classes, eating lunch at McAlister’s Deli and checking the sophomore’s mail.
The night prior to the big event, Moody said she was anxious but excited.

“At first I was kind of iffy about all of this because I am not really big on attention,” said Moody. “I think I am most excited about eating lunch at the Broyhill because I hear the food is supposed to be pretty good.”

Borkowski was also very excited the night before the trade off, but he said he spent his time studying for a test on the French Revolution. Moody had a test in Western Civilizations II and as part of the trade, Borkowski had to take the exam for her.

“I didn’t receive her notes until yesterday because she was out of town,” said Borkowski. “My wife quizzed me for 15 minutes.”
By 9:30 a.m., the day officially began. Moody was escorted to the D.D. Dougherty Administration Building, dressed in a collared shirt and slacks for a grand tour of the chancellor’s office.

Borkowski, wearing a T-shirt and jeans, walked next door to Whitener Hall to complete the exam.

In response to her tour, Moody had little to say except, “ His office is huge.”

After finishing the French Revolution exam, Borkowski felt the material was difficult but that Keith L. Hill, an associate professor, presented it in a fair manner.

“I’ve asked that the professor please send me my grade,” said Borkowski. “I’m curious as to how I did.”

Moody will have to re-take the test later this week.
Next on the agenda for Moody were a series of meetings that lasted from 10-11:30 a.m.

She met with Dr. Siegfried E. Herman, vice chancellor for University Advancement, and Dr. Clyde D. Robbins, director of Design and Construction.

“I had a really good time talking with them about their jobs,” said Moody. “It seems that we have a lot of good things going on around here.”

In the meantime, Borkowski was sitting through yet another class. He was in Walker Hall attending Math 1020 taught by Sharareh Nikbakht.

“She sure knew her stuff; it’s too bad that I didn’t,” said Borkowski. “She asked if I had any questions and all I could say was nah.”
Both the chancellor and Moody ate lunch at noon. The chancellor dined at McAlister’s, eagerly laughing with students, while Moody enjoyed the cuisine at the Broyhill Inn.

Following lunch, Moody answered phone calls and met with Dr. Gregory S. Blimling, vice chancellor of Student Development, and Dr. Harvey R. Durham, vice chancellor of academic affairs.

Borkowski checked Moody’s mail and attended Geology I, taught by professor Dr. Ellen A. Cowan.

By 3:30 p.m., it was time for both the chancellor and Moody to return to life as usual.

Moody said her favorite part was meeting with the university administrators. “I learned so much about the university that I never knew before; you don’t really understand how many people it takes to run a college campus,” she said.

Borkowski said he also enjoyed his experience.
“I enjoy going to classes and meeting new students, even when it gets frightening as it was today in Tana’s math class,” said Borkowski. “I think this is an excellent program.”

Warren: ecofeminist movement not anti-male

Chris Bohle - Multicultural Beat

Ecofeminist philosopher Karen Warren promoted awareness of the connection between women and the environment Monday in Plemmons Student Union.

The French philosopher Francoise d’Eaubonne first coined the term ecofeminism in 1974.

The movement did not gain any significant momentum in the United States, however, until 1980, two years after Warren obtained her doctorate in the field.

Warren described an ecofeminist as anyone who claims there are important connections between the exploitation of women, minorities, the lower class and the exploitation of the “non-human” environment.

“One can’t really understand human demeaning of other humans until they understand human demeaning of the non-human environment,” stated Warren.

Warren explained there are many different types of ecofeminists, all with a wide range of viewpoints on certain subjects.

“Whether they are a liberal ecofeminist or an existentialist ecofeminist, it is almost certain that they will disagree on many issues ranging from the concept of women to vegetarianism,” said Warren.

Warren, who now teaches at Macalister College in St. Paul, Minn., became interested in the subject while studying at the University of Minnesota, where she earned a Batchelor of Arts degree in philosophy. She later wrote her doctoral dissertation on the moral and legal status of non-human natural objects, such as trees and rivers.

In her speech in the Table Rock Room, she intended to inform the audience of the characteristics as well as misinterpretations of ecofeminism.

“Many people do not know much about the subject and therefore have many false notions, like that we are anti-male,” said Warren. “We are not anti-male, we are just anti-patriarchy.”

Warren also discussed the concept of feminism and the issues that affect ecofeminists, as well as feminists in general.

“A feminist issue is anything that concerns itself with the subordination of women,” said Warren. “Many things can be looked at as feminist. It’s just the context in which they are used.”

Everything from trees, water, droughts and overpopulation can be seen in feminist contexts, said Warren.

“For example, water pollution can be seen as a feminist issue,” said Warren. “In many third world countries, women have to fetch water from streams that are heavily polluted. By the time men get to the water, it has already been boiled and the contamination is gone.”

Warren explains this issue more in depth, as well as a multitude of other issues in her most recent novel “Ecofeminist Philosophy: A Western Perspective on What it is and Why it Matters.”

Warren hopes her books will be successful in analyzing and solving issues of race, class and gender, as well as promoting ecofeminism.

“We ecofeminists have a bit of a hard time because feminists often discount us and environmentalists often discount us,” said Warren. “It’s just because we are a little bit of everything.”