| Flooding ruins vehicles University not liable for damages Panel discusses campus crime |
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Flooding
ruins vehicles
University not
liable for damages
Jennifer Sharpe
Staff Writer
Chris Kinner
News Editor
Approximately 32 cars were subjected to flooding in an ASU parking lot early Friday morning, according to Division Director of Public Safety Roy A. Tugman.
Tugman said that nine of the car owners have reported damages, and he expects that there will be more people coming forward in the next few days. Total damages have not been estimated at this time.
The lot is located across from the new John E. Thomas building and serves as a temporary solution for the lack of available parking currently plaguing ASU. Pending the construction of ASU’s new convocation center, students and faculty are being allowed to park in the makeshift parking lot which was converted from tennis courts earlier this year.
"It appears that there is not enough flood area to carry off the water," but there is a sign in the lot warning that the area is susceptible to flooding," said Tugman.
Wendy M. Lawrence, a senior and social work major who was parked in the lot Friday, said that she is unaware of any sign warning motorists of potential flooding.
"I am really upset that no one called to let me know something was wrong," said Lawrence. Lawrence did not return to her car until the Saturday morning following the flooding. She said the university police made no attempt to contact her Friday, and they denied any responsibility when she managed to reach them.
According to the Basic Campus Parking and Traffic Regulations pamphlet, Article II, Section 5 releases the university from liability for damages to vehicles in ASU parking lots. It reads: "The University cannot assume responsibility for any motor vehicle or its contents, parked on the campus or its environs. The permit holder assumes all risk of accident and expressly agrees that the University shall not be liable under any circumstances for injury to person, or loss or damage."
When asked why many students were not notified about their cars being damaged, Tugman said that a dispatcher did try to contact students whose cars were parked in the lot, but many could not be reached.
Senior Beth Kuopus said that she was contacted at 4 a.m. Friday morning. She said that when she was contacted, the person whom she spoke with said he was directly behind her vehicle. When she arrived approximately 10 minutes later to attempt to move her vehicle, the water had reached the level of the car’s door handles.
"I find it hard to believe (the water) could have risen that quickly," Kuopus said. "I think it would have been nice to have been notified sooner," she said.
Tugman said in the future "We will attempt to (contact students) but cannot guarantee it," since some students may not be at home when phoned.
Tugman said that ASU will continue to allow students and faculty to park in the lot until construction begins on the new convocation center late next semester. He also added that "There is no intention to close the lot due to inclement weather conditions".
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Panel discusses campus crime
Borkowski
advocates personal responsibility
Del Holston
Staff Writer
Rape and violence were the topics of debate covered at the safety forum held at Legends Monday night for the Freshmen Seminar classes.
A panel consisting of Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski, Vice Chancellor for Student Development Dr. Gregory S. Blimling, Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Harvey Durham, Freshman Seminar Program Director Dr. Rennie W. Brantz and Emily K. Booth, a senior and a peer leader for freshman seminar, met with students to discuss the recent crimes that have occurred around campus this semester.
The administration wanted to make it clear that the university could not investigate crimes that occur off campus because they are not in the university’s jurisdiction.
"The university is prohibited by law to investigate off campus incidents. When a crime occurs off campus, it’s the sheriff’s department that covers the investigation," said Blimling.
If a crime occurs on campus, the law says that it must be reported. Blimling said the university is prohibited by law to tell details about a person involved in a crime so they can keep their privacy.
"I think that the students feel that the university is afraid of public reaction, and that is not the case. Our prime concern is the victim," said Blimling.
Borkowski stressed that the university wants to make students more aware of the crime on campus.
"Rape is a repugnant act and takes dignity away from the victim. One rape is too many, and the university is concerned when a crime like this occurs," said Borkowski.
Borkowski also wanted students to realize the university is not hiding information from the students.
"We don’t cover up these types of things. When a crime is committed on campus, we notify The Appalachian and the Watauga Democrat." Borkowski also said that "It is important that all of you understand that rumor gets ahead of fact. Did a rape occur? Yes. Was it gang rape? I think not. Was she beaten up and left for dead? No."
Borkowski said that we are responsible for our own actions and we must not put ourselves in a position where a crime could occur.
"Personal responsibility is very important if we are going to have a civil and social community. If you are not in control of your life through indulgence in alcohol and drugs, then you are setting yourself up."
This statement aroused some anger in the audience as students retorted by asking what responsibility the university felt they had to the students. Borkowski said the university "...can put notices up about violent crimes, increase security and raise education about crime, but we cannot be with you 24 hours a day."
Dr. Melissa Barth, Director of the newly formed Equity Office, told the audience that the students cannot attack campus police for any reason relating to these crimes. "If you’re really concerned about helping people who have been hurt, volunteer for a hotline or do something to help, but don’t say that the police are not caring about victims because it’s not true."
One question posed to the panel was how a student could ensure their safety. Captain Larry Foster of ASU security said to "...remember that there are blue light phones." He also told students to use common sense and to walk with a friend in a well lighted area.
Other issues discussed were the development of special programs to deal with issues such as rape and violence, an on-campus office to deal with these types of issues and the creation of a special task force to help eliminate crime on campus.
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A letter from Chancellor Borkowski
November 13, 1996
Dear Students:
In recent weeks a considerable amount of misinformation about sexual assaults has circulated throughout the campus and, for this reason, I am writing you this open letter to tell you the information we have concerning the two reported incidents of sexual assault.
Two female students have reported being sexually assaulted off campus. In one instance there is a report of an acquaintance rape by a non-student; in the second instance there is a report of a woman being raped by three unidentified males. The Sheriff’s Department is investigating one of these incidents and the Boone Police Department the other. No Appalachian students have been indicted or charged with either of these crimes, and the University has cooperated fully with the Sheriff’s Department and the Boone Police Department in their investigations. However, the University is prohibited by law from interfering with an ongoing investigation and does not have jurisdiction to investigate criminal matters occurring off campus.
University officials have received no official reports of any sexual assaults on campus in this current academic year. Furthermore, if a student confides in one of our clinical psychologists or physicians that she or he has been sexually assaulted, this information must remain confidential. Unless the student makes an official report, no University official outside that confidential relationship will receive this information.
Our principal concern in addressing these assaults has been the welfare of the student victims. The University has provided each woman with assistance and with other support. We will continue to do everything possible to help them overcome the personal and academic effects of such tragic experiences.
Legally, the University must report annually all major crimes, including sexual assaults that occur on University property. You received this information in your campus mailbox earlier this semester; this report shows that the number of sexual assaults occurring at Appalachian from 1993 through July 31, 1996 to be as follows: 1993 (0), 1994 (1), 1995 (3), 1996 (1). There have been no sexual assaults on campus reported to the University or to law enforcement officials during the current fall 1996 semester.
In addition to psychologists, physicians, and police officers with special training and knowledge about sexual assaults, the University has developed a network of people who have been trained to respond to students on matters of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and related sexual offenses. The names, phone numbers, and locations of these 17 people are identified on pages 75-76 of the Student Handbook. A clear statement of the University’s policies regarding these matters also appears in the Student Handbook. This policy allows victims of sexual assault to either identify themselves or to remain anonymous.
In a population the size of Appalachian’s it is sadly inevitable that crimes occasionally will occur despite our best efforts to prevent them. When such events take place, it is never the policy of the university to conceal the facts from those who need to know them. When an act of violence occurs on the campus that endangers others, the University notifies the community by giving this information to the campus newspaper and by placing this information on the University’s All-In- One electronic mail. Our News Bureau notifies the local media. Notifying the University community of an act of violence has been the practice at Appalachian long before such notices were required by law. Furthermore, I am much less concerned about the public reaction to incidents on campus than I am about the safety of our students. People are well aware that sexual assaults and other acts of violence occur throughout our country, including on college campuses. Although I wish we could be a sanctuary from such behavior, we are not. While our rural location has sheltered us from some of the more violent acts that have become commonplace at many urban institutions and on larger college campuses, as recent off-campus events have shown, students at Appalachian are not immune from violent acts.
Any student who is the victim of a sexual assault or other crime should immediately report the incident to the appropriate authorities. Such an injury to a single member of the University community ultimately affects all of us and is treated seriously. The two reported off-campus rapes were repugnant acts, and the responsible parties need to be held accountable in the courts. The University is doing its utmost to assist the victims of these terrible acts and we will continue to do all that is in our power to make our campus safe. In an effort to ensure that our campus is safe, I have asked for a review of our existing programs, security measures, and policies and procedures. If additional measures are needed, we will implement them. Regardless of the steps the University takes, each of us is responsible for ensuring our own safety. The University can provide information, resources, and assistance, but regrettably, no one can guarantee that acts of violence will not occur here as they do elsewhere.
Sincerely,
Francis T. Borkowski
Chancellor
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Pieces of AIDS quilt to arrive
Darin Glass
Reporter
When quilts come to mind, you usually think of cute grandmothers knitting away gorgeous works with their needles. Quilting of another kind went on in Washington, D.C. Oct. 10 - 13, and in December, a piece of this quilt will come to Boone.
The national AIDS quilt was showcased in the capital at that time, and a group from ASU was on hand to help. Donna Breitenstein, Professor and Coordinator of Health Education, took nine students from ASU to volunteer as helpers in the weekend.
Health Education’s purpose is to educate the public on health matters such as AIDS. The students were in Washington performing a service project.
"It was a time of healing for the family and friends to remember their loved ones," said Breitenstein.
The students’ duties were working the information table, directing people toward specific panels in the quilt, quilt monitors and sight guides.
The enormous quilt stretched from the Washington Monument to the capital building. It showcased 40,000 panels and 70,000 names of individuals who have died from the HIV virus.
The quilt was originally started by a group of family members who wanted to remember their loved ones. Even President Clinton showed up with Hillary to express concern and admiration for all those who have suffered because of this terrible disease.
Dr. Breitenstein said, "The goals of the quilt where to show awareness for AIDS, that it is preventable and to have compassion for people suffering from the AIDS virus."
The role of the students at the showing of the quilt was very important, not only to the people there, but to help in the fight and awareness of the AIDS virus, according to Breitenstein.
Pieces of the quilt will be coming to Boone around the beginning of December and will be on display to the public.
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Appalachian State University’s Advancement and Athletics offices are sponsoring a fall harvest food drive in conjunction with the Nov. 23 football game against Virginia Military Institute.
Mountaineer fans are encouraged to drop off canned goods or other non perishable items at collection points at both entrances to Kidd Brewer Stadium. School age children bringing two items, and who are accompanied by a paying adult, will be admitted free to the game.
Donations will help fill food pantries at the Watauga County Hunger Coalition. Items such as dried milk, canned soups, any form of hot cereal and canned meats such as tuna, chicken, corned beef or roast beef are preferred.
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The Red Cross will be holding a blood drive on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Grandfather Mountain Ballroom in Plemmons Student Union.
Sponsored by Appalachian State University’s Public Relations Student Society of America, the goal for the blood drive will be 155 donors.
For more information contact Sonny Sweet at 264-8226.
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The Appalachian Humanities Social Forum presents "Animal Rights/Human Wrongs: Some Art Education" with speaker Gayle Weitz on Nov. 21 at 5:15 p.m. at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center.
A reception and cash bar will be held at 4:30 p.m. Admission is free. Call 262-2428 for more information.
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Flutist Akal Dev Sharonne and pianist Vance Reese will perform tonight at 8 p.m. in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall.
Sharonne is a graduate of the New England Conservatory. She was the winner of the Arlington Philharmonic Young Artists Competition and the New England Conservatory’s "Night at the Pops" competition, which won her a solo appearance with the Boston Pops.
The concert will feature works by Beethoven, Ganne and Franck. It is open to the public and is free of charge. Call 262-3020 for more information.
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The Appalachian State University Men’s Glee Club will perform Friday at 8 p.m. in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall.
Directed by Dr. Phillip Paul, the 45-voice male chorus will perform sacred music, spirituals, sea chanteys and folk songs.
Selections include "A Winter Triptych" by James Adler, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Randall Thompson, "Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel?" arranged by Nina Gilbert, "Go Down Moses" arranged by Norman Luboff, "Git on Board" arranged by Wendell Whalum, "Sea Fever" by Amy Cheney Beach, and "Shenandoah" and "Swansea Town," both arranged by Robert Shaw and Alice Parker.
For more information call 262-3020.
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