January 30, 1997

Alleged victim files misconduct charges
University Judicial Board to handle case
ASU News Bureau

The first-year student who alleged sexual assault in an Appalachian State University residence hall on Jan. 19 has informed university authorities that she will file misconduct charges under the Code of Student Conduct, but will not file a criminal complaint at this time.

The Code of Student Conduct prohibits students from engaging in, among other things, lewd, indecent or obscene conduct and forcible or non-forcible sex offenses.

North Carolina law sets no time limitations on filing felony charges. University administrative action does not preclude the possibility of criminal charges. The investigation by university police is continuing.

Under the code, defendants have the option of (1) pleading innocent and having charges heard before a nine-member university Judicial Board comprised of faculty members, students, Office of Student Development personnel and the dean of the defendant's college or (2) pleading guilty and accepting administratively imposed sanctions.

The judicial board is empowered to recommend the imposition of sanctions to the administration. Sanctions can range from probation to suspension or expulsion.

The university is prohibited by the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act from identifying students filing charges and those charged in university administrative actions and from releasing information about actions taken in Code of Student Conduct proceedings.

Vice Chancellor of Student Development Gregory Blimling said Wednesday his office has concluded its preliminary administrative investigation. Blimling has informed the accused men of the woman's decision, their rights under the code and the procedure to be followed. The procedure is expected to be completed in approximately two weeks.

"We are trying diligently to determine the facts about the shocking, inappropriate behavior alleged in this incident," Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski said. "We will not such conduct on our campus. I have asked [Blimling] and the university police to give the resolution of this matter top priority, and I am pleased with the progress they have made so far."

Appalachian continues to push its aggressive effort to promote campus awareness of issues related to violent behavior and to enhance the environment for student life. Borkowski will participate in a student-organized campus community meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the Grandfather Mountain Ballroom of the Student Union.

Top ranking police officers from the University of Richmond, Furman University and Trinity College in Texas will visit Appalachian on Feb. 2 to assess campus security and advise administrators on possible ways to improve it. The University Security Committee, recently appointed by Borkowski, will meet with the consultants on Feb. 5.

Teach-ins will be held in all 18 of Appalachian's residence halls on the evening of Feb. 4 in a mandatory campus-wide discussion of interpersonal relationships, values, self-esteem, and respect for others. The chancellor has suspended visiting hours in residence halls from 7 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4 to 7 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, to focus campus attention on the sessions. Residence halls will be locked for the 24-hour period, rather than the normal period of 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., and access to each hall will be limited to residents.

Appointments are being made this week to the new Task Force on Student Life charged with reviewing all areas of student life, including residence hall operation, sexual assault issues, and campus policies and student practices regarding alcohol and drugs. The task force will be co-chaired by Marva L. McKinnon, a member of the university's board of trustees, and Bradley Reid, director of housing.

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Appalachian community talks about safety
Darin Glass
Staff Writer

The first-year student who alleged sexual assault in an Appalachian State University residence hall on Jan. 19 has informed university authorities that she will file misconduct charges under the Code of Student Conduct, but will not file a criminal complaint at this time.

The Code of Student Conduct prohibits students from engaging in, among other things, lewd, indecent or obscene conduct and forcible or non-forcible sex offenses.

North Carolina law sets no time limitations on filing felony charges. University administrative action does not preclude the possibility of criminal charges. The investigation by university police is continuing.

Under the code, defendants have the option of (1) pleading innocent and having charges heard before a nine-member university Judicial Board comprised of faculty members, students, Office of Student Development personnel and the dean of the defendant's college or (2) pleading guilty and accepting administratively imposed sanctions.

The judicial board is empowered to recommend the imposition of sanctions to the administration. Sanctions can range from probation to suspension or expulsion.

The university is prohibited by the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act from identifying students filing charges and those charged in university administrative actions and from releasing information about actions taken in Code of Student Conduct proceedings.

Vice Chancellor of Student Development Gregory Blimling said Wednesday his office has concluded its preliminary administrative investigation. Blimling has informed the accused men of the woman's decision, their rights under the code and the procedure to be followed. The procedure is expected to be completed in approximately two weeks.

"We are trying diligently to determine the facts about the shocking, inappropriate behavior alleged in this incident," Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski said. "We will not such conduct on our campus. I have asked [Blimling] and the university police to give the resolution of this matter top priority, and I am pleased with the progress they have made so far."

Appalachian continues to push its aggressive effort to promote campus awareness of issues related to violent behavior and to enhance the environment for student life. Borkowski will participate in a student-organized campus community meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the Grandfather Mountain Ballroom of the Student Union.

Top ranking police officers from the University of Richmond, Furman University and Trinity College in Texas will visit Appalachian on Feb. 2 to assess campus security and advise administrators on possible ways to improve it. The University Security Committee, recently appointed by Borkowski, will meet with the consultants on Feb. 5.

Teach-ins will be held in all 18 of Appalachian's residence halls on the evening of Feb. 4 in a mandatory campus-wide discussion of interpersonal relationships, values, self-esteem, and respect for others. The chancellor has suspended visiting hours in residence halls from 7 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4 to 7 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, to focus campus attention on the sessions. Residence halls will be locked for the 24-hour period, rather than the normal period of 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., and access to each hall will be limited to residents.

Appointments are being made this week to the new Task Force on Student Life charged with reviewing all areas of student life, including residence hall operation, sexual assault issues, and campus policies and student practices regarding alcohol and drugs. The task force will be co-chaired by Marva L. McKinnon, a member of the university's board of trustees, and Bradley Reid, director of housing.

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SGA back to work
Bill proposes all clubs receive central office space
Beth Bliss
Staff Writer

The Student Government Association passed two senate bills and approved appointments to the elections committee and executive and legislative cabinets at their eleventh business meeting on Tuesday.

Introduced by senators Stephen L. Gore and Brad Manning, Senate Bill 030-005 suggests that SGA "support the addition of Veteran's Day to the Auxiliary Services calendar."

According to its creators, the bill was presented out of concern that while Veteran's Day is recognized nationally, it is not observed by Appalachian's Auxiliary Services calendar.

A second bill, introduced by senators Lisa Bender and Mandy Palmer, was amended at the meeting.

After the amendment, the bill stated that SGA would "support the creation of a central office space for all recognized clubs, equipped with adequate materials necessary to fulfill basic operations."

The creators of the bill said their hope in writing the bill was to obtain SGA support in favor of campus clubs and organizations desiring a central office space on campus to be used by all clubs to store equipment and provide working space.

Both resolutions of support were passed by the senate.

In addition, the senate voted on appointments to the elections committee and the executive and legislative cabinets.

Senior Amy Parsons, junior Robin Ann Aylor, and freshman Krista Whitt were approved as members of the elections committee.

Approved cabinet appointments included senior Tina Ball, secretary; sophomore Lindsay Phipps, assistant secretary; junior Jenny Swofford, rules chairperson; and senior Tom Flippin, assistant rules chairperson.

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Legislative branch of SGA working for students
Beth Bliss
Staff Writer

Members of the legislative and executive branches of the Student Government Association are more deeply involved with the workings of SGA than the average organization member.

The main difference that exists between the two branches is that while the executive branch works under the eye of SGA president Kaye Cranford, the legislative branch is overseen by vice-president Todd Poole. Members of each branch give committee reports and discuss problems with their respective leaders.

Positions found within the legislative branch of the cabinet include the student affairs chairperson, external affairs chairperson, academic affairs chairperson, rules chairperson and assistant rules chairperson.

In her position as student affairs chairperson, sophomore Jenny Ruggieri researches and investigates "all student concerns on campus, from food to health services to environmental concerns," she said.

According to Ruggieri, a public relations major from Greensboro, the student affairs committee has worked extensively with the external affairs committee this year in order to fulfill many of the 1996-1997 platform goals as well as to meet student needs.

The external affairs committee is headed by chairperson Cliff Fitte, a junior hospitality management major from Virginia Beach, Va.

According to Fitte, as external affairs chairperson he "targets students as consumers," working for efficiency in services and goods students use. Areas of committee concern range from the audible alarm systems that have been installed across campus to campus food services, Fitte said.

Michael Hagerty, a junior accounting major from Jacksonville, N.C. serves as academic affairs chairperson. In this position, Hagerty investigates and relays any changes in academic policy set forth by the university and also communicates any changes suggested or desired by members of the student body to university administrators.

In addition, Hagerty serves on the university's Academic Policies and Procedures Committee, which he described as "the last voice in changes in academic policy."

All legislation presented within SGA is reviewed by a committee headed by rules chairperson Jenny Swofford, a junior finance and computer information systems major from Randleman. Swofford assumed the position this semester.

According to Swofford, her committee ensures that all SGA legislation is correct in both grammar and format. In addition, Swofford is responsible for making sure that all legislation is legally feasible.

Swofford also serves as chairperson of the election committee and will oversee the election of the SGA president and vice-president this spring. Swofford receives assistance from senior Tom Flippin, who serves as assistant rules chairperson. In this role, Flippin, a senior political science major from Pilot Mountain, assists with rules meetings, keeping notes and ensuring that things are in order.

Similar to their fellows in the executive branch of the cabinet, members of the legislative branch cited both positive and negative aspects to their positions.

In addition to the time commitment involved in being a cabinet member, members said that student reaction to SGA procedures and actions can be a negative aspect of the position.

"(Students) don't see the job we're doing," said Swofford. "They sometimes don't see that we're working for them."

Fitte echoed Swofford, saying that some students stereotype SGA members as pawns of university administration that aren't active. "That's just not true," he said.

Legislative cabinet members, however, noted more positive benefits than negative ones. Many cabinet members said they enjoyed the sense of being "in the know" about university happenings. "If anything happens within the university, it's almost as if we know about it first," said Hagerty.

Members also noted the benefits of being a part of positive change within Appalachian. "I've really seen change come alive," said Ruggieri. "Knowing I was involved makes me feel good."

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"Ask the Chancellor" soon to appear here

Ever have a question about some aspect of life here at Appalachian that you wanted to ask but didn't know who to go to? Well soon, Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski will be answering exactly that type of question right here in The Appalachian.

Here's how it will work, send your questions to us via E-mail (theapp), telephone (262-6149), or mail (ASU Box 9025). I'll personally forward the ones of the most interest to students to the Chancellor and he'll respond. As questions may be better answered by different people, the Chancellor will sometimes forward the questions to outside sources.

Possible topics could include women's issues, safety and security, academic concerns, construction, residence life, administrative procedure and matters of student life. "Ask the Chancellor" will appear as often as there are ample questions to be answered.

So, what are you waiting for? Ask away!

-Vanessa Urruela, Editor-in-Chief

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In the News...

Women in History Symposium

In honor of Women's History Month, the Department of History and the Women's Studies program invites students to submit papers for a symposium on "The Changing Roles of Women in History."
The papers, which should be 10 to 12 pages in length, excluding notes, are due by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12. The papers may focus on the history of women in any time period or geographical region.
The symposium will be held March 21 in Whitener Hall. Each student will have a maximum of 20 minutes to present his or her paper. The audience will provide discussion at the symposium.
For more information or to register a topic, contact Dr. Lynne Getz at 262-6010 or Dr. Mary Carroll Johansen at 262-6005.

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Equity Office Info Booth

The Equity Office will sponsor an information booth during the week of Feb. 17-21 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on the lower level of Plemmons Student Union.

The Equity Office aims to promote general awareness of equity issues and to inform the Appalachian community of the specific services they and other student, staff and faculty organizations offer.

For more information, contact Brandi Walker at 262-2144.

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Local Organists to Perform

Local organists Faye Ayers, Barbara Henderson and Mark Tomasik will perform Sunday during the Organ and Sacred Music Recital Series.

Ayers will perform John Rutter's "Tocatta in Seven," and Franck's "Choral No. 3 in A Minor." Henderson will perform Bach's "Kommst du nun, Jesu, vom Himmel herunter," Persichetti's "Sonatine for Organ, Pedals Alone, Op. 11" and Mendelssohn's "Sonata in C Minor, Op. 65, No. 2." Tomasik will perform Jean Langlais' "Song of Peace" and Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV565."

The concert begins at 4 p.m. in Rosen Concert Hall as is free to the public.

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Teacher Education Scholarships

The Reich College of Education is offering teacher education scholarships for the 1997-98 academic year.

A limited number of scholarships ranging from $250 to $500 will be awarded to select juniors and seniors who are pursuing a bachelor of science degree with teacher certification. Recipients are selected based on scholastic merit, commitment to teaching, potential to be an effective teacher and demonstrated leadership.

Applications are available in Edwin Duncan Hall Room 221. Applicants should submit a completed application, an updated transcript and three completed reference forms to the Dean's Office, Reich College of Education by Feb. 15.

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Alternate Energy Users Sought

The Appalachian State University Solar Energy Society is asking for residents' assistance in creating a directory of alternative energy technologies in Watauga County.

Anyone with a passive/active solar house, solar-water heating system, sun space, photovoltaics, windmills, water wheels, microhydro or other alternative energy system is asked to contact student Scott Suddreth at 264-6026.

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E-mail The Appalachian Online at theapp@conrad.appstate.edu