January 30, 1997

Nightmare on King Street
My Turn
Daniel Brothun
Columnist

During my freshman year at ASU, I missed being able to drive a car. Public transportation caused my mind to be racked with frustration and aggravation.

The bus rides contributed to my inconvenience and my flatulence. When I got tired of waiting for the AppalFart, I was forced to walk across the wonderful world of Boone. During these walks, I felt like I was in a giant game of Frogger.

This year, however, I have a car. Having a car brings its own aches and pains, but nothing is more painful than trying to find a parking space. So, at the beginning of the year I decided to rent a private parking space. I will not name the business I rented the space from, but one of their lots is behind a vegan restaurant.

I called the owner to get info on a parking space, and to see if he had one to rent. The owner said that he had a few spaces left. I waited a day before renting, in order to move some funds, and I called back after getting my money right

The employee I talked to said that he didn't think any spaces were available. Both the employee and I knew he was lying in order to get my business, but I let it slide. I rented the space, despite the used car type sales techniques.

It has been a full semester since that fateful day tinged with shady business practices. Everything had been going smoothly until just last week. The roads were covered with ice and snow, along with my car and the parking lot. Despite these hardships, I drove to get a meal at Taco Hell. When I came back, I found that the parking lot where I usually park was now full.

Frustrated, I tried to locate a space in the parking lot behind the vegan restaurant. Sure enough, there were plenty of spaces available. I drove down the hill to park my vehicle, suddenly realizing that I probably won't get my car out of the lot in the near future. As you can imagine, I didn't want to leave my car parked there.

Almost immediately, I met a young lady in a similar situation. She had talked with the benevolent owner, but to no avail. His majesty stated that "no snow removal" was written in the contract. The overseer also had said that he had, most generously, paid a sum of $100 to have the lot scraped.

Upon hearing this information, I proceeded to litter the air with obscene words. This sort of inflammatory language would even make Dennis Rodman blush. While overcome with rage, I began the long and arduous process of getting my car out of the parking lot. I pushed the gas pedal all the way down, but only heard the sound of spinning tires against the ice.

Finally, after several similar attempts, I was freed from the oppressive parking lot. I was free to roam around for another fifteen minutes, looking for a parking space. I was free to consider committing a homicide, free to wonder why some people park in two spaces instead of one, and free to throw things and scream.

Contrary to appearances, the main purpose of this column is not for me to sit here and vent (although it is one reason). The main reason I wrote this column is to inform other readers of the mistake I made in renting this space. I sincerely hope that you, dear reader, will not make the same mistake I did. I hope that you have more sense than me.

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FRIENDS: How many of us have them
Viewpoint
Matt Bielejeski
Columnist

At the risk of sounding like some overly zealous televangelist, friendship is a wonderful thing. Especially here in college, friends seem to be the backbone of almost everything that we do. We may lose a few people when we leave for college, but we're bound to meet new people too. This process of meeting new people can be very interesting. Whether it means joining a fraternity or sorority, playing a sport or sharing a common activity, friendship is something that our lives revolve around.

So, on the topic of friendship, I decided to come up with a list of things that friends do for each other from time to time. It's not necessary for friends to always do these things, but they are things that I have seen in the past. If you have any more, please send them to me at The Appalachian.

A friend:

• takes the blame for you (sometimes)
• lies to your parents, even though he hates doing it
• takes care of you when you're really drunk, even though you're loud and obnoxious
• will drive from Raleigh to Boone and back the same day just to see you and have some fun
• comes and visits you when you are sick or in the hospital
• lets you borrow notes from the class that you skipped
• tells your mother her eggplant pie was delicious (gag!)
• talks to you for hours on end when you're both trying to go to sleep
• buys the kind of Snapple that they know you like
• lets you borrow money with no questions asked
• talks to you for hours on end on the telephone (and runs up your long-distance bill, but agrees to pay half)
• convinces you to get a tattoo or piercing because they have one
• purées fish in a blender for an after-dinner drink (it's really quite a tasty beverage)
• makes fun of you all the time, but you know they're just kidding
• allows you to use their apartment (or dorm room) when your significant other is in town
• takes great pictures of your vacation to Oregon, but cuts everyone's head off in the picture
• lets you sleep on their bed while they sleep on the floor in their own house
• drives you around to places when you don't have a car
• makes you something for your birthday (and they can remember the date)
• helps you out in a fight, even though you're both gonna get killed
• gets you free stuff from the place they work when the boss isn't looking
• helps you do things you'll probably get arrested for
• keeps you up until 5:30 a.m. so you won't fall asleep when the "dream girl" calls
• lets you borrow clothes

In summation of all this cutesiness, I just want to say that true friends are rare. Once you find one, don't ever let them go, even to a natural disaster or some freak concrete-mixing accident.

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Our Opinion...

A brand spanking new library?

Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski recently announced the university is committed to building a new library facility rather than to renovate or expand the existing Belk Library. We at The Appalachian applaud the university's decision.

As we all know, Belk Library is somewhat lacking in many areas, particularly space. The library is continually adding volumes, periodicals, newspapers and microfiche to its inventory of titles. The simple fact is that Belk Library cannot hold this ever-increasing amount of material. Library officials estimate space needs for the library at 231,000 square feet, an increase of 64% over the current 140,000 square feet.

Adding onto the existing structure of Belk Library is not feasible. There is no room to expand outward. Additional floors would have to be added on top of Belk. At any time of the year, the addition of these floors would be a serious inconvenience to all who use the library. The noise generated by construction crews stomping and pounding on the roof would most certainly disrupt the quiet study area on Belk's top floor. The addition of new floors would also be likely to close Belk temporarily. Could academic work continue to be pursued, fulfilling one of the missions of the university, were the library closed?

Belk Library is also not quite as user-friendly as it could be. The human resources at the library are adequate, but the design of the library is confusing to say the least. There should be some logical arrangement of various sections of the library. A new structure, designed with that particular purpose in mind, would be helpful. Color-coding the different sections of the library, even painting colored lines on the floor to serve as a directional aid would assist students using the facility. Also, traditional doors (you enter on the right, not the left) would reduce some of the confusion.

If a new library is constructed, the additional space would allow for the acquisition of more technological equipment, more computers to find resources, more area for group and solitary study sessions and more shelves for more books.

Many steps will have to be taken before a new library becomes a reality at ASU. First and foremost, the long and tedious process of acquiring funding for the project will take place. Then, of course, the long and tedious process of construction will occur. With the weather situation in Boone, we all know that completion dates are often extended (for instance, the Plemmons Student Union expansion).

However, this project seems well worth the wait.

The construction of a state-of-the-art library will improve availability of resources and knowledge as well as mitigate problems students have with the existing library.

Just imagine: a university with an academic facility (a new library) rather than an athletic facility (the Appalachian Convocation Center) as its crown jewel.

We urge students to support the university in its dedication to building a new library.

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Letters to the Editor:

Sorority's actions questionable

Letter to the Editor,

I want to bring to your attention something that I witnessed that is dangerous, and irresponsible. I am against any form of abuse, sexual harassment, sexual assault, date rape, and rape, and those found guilty of such violations should be punished accordingly. I am also a strong supporter of a women's center. Now with that said, let's move on to the issue at hand.

I witnessed something the other night that frightened me. A certain sorority was having a function, (on campus), in which they were performing skits for the new members and pledges. Every skit that I saw had strong sexual connotations, and showed how much fun alcohol is. What are they trying to say here? That alcohol and sex go good together?

What made it even better is that when they were done with their skits they sang a rallying song about how great it was to be a member of this sorority. Oh, I am sorry I misinterpreted the message. It is, that being a member of this sorority, drinking alcohol, and having sex are great.

First off the obvious, most of the girls this was targeted too were not of legal drinking age. Second of all can anyone tell me a more dangerous combination than alcohol and casual sex? What are the leaders trying to tell these new members, most of whom joined for a sense of belonging, and want desperately to be part of the group. I guess they are saying that if you want to be a part of our sorority you will engage in this kind of fun.

I can guarantee you there was at least one person in that crowd that was not comfortable with that message, but will engage in those activities just to fit in. That isn't peer pressure, that is mob rule.

The other thing that I witnessed, was after the men were let in. There was a new member walking around with a sign on here body that said, "If you are a, (member of a certain fraternity), I will give you a kiss, because my BIG loves me." Am I the only one who sees a problem here?

With today's problem of sex related crimes on campus, what are you people doing? Please do not get me wrong, I am not against the Greek system on campus, nor do I believe in anyway that a woman should have to change her lifestyle just because things are not as safe as they should be, and in no way do I mean to imply that anyone who is assaulted is just asking for it. But, I am not going to walk down a street in the middle of the night, in a bad part of town, with money hanging out of my pocket. Why are the leaders of this sorority putting their girls on that dark street?

I think the leaders of the social organizations on campus have a responsibility to teach their members safety, responsibility, and common sense. Unfortunately we live in a society that is struggling everyday to come to terms with the reality that sex crimes exist, and that they happen everyday, not just to females, but to males, not just to adults, but children also. Until men and women, adults and children have full equal rights with their sexuality, we have to take care in the messages we give, for our safety and the safety of others. Thank you for your time.

Michael Ackerman
ASU Box 10126

Apathetic Apps

Letter to the Editor,

If you have never seen the App basketball team in action, you are missing one of the great experiences of college life. Even if you have attended a game you are still missing the experience of a good college basketball game due to the lack of enthusiasm of our apathetic ASU "fans". Although we are impressed with the increasing attendance at the games, we still feel that there is lack of support for our players. No, we are not of ACC stature, but we are a division one basketball team and should give our team the home court advantage they deserve.

We are fortunate enough to know many of the basketball players since we live on the same hall with them. They also notice the lack of participation from the crowd. In recent conversations with some of the players we were told that home games feel like road games because of the lack of support from the fans. This lack of support was evident at the Monday night game against ETSU. The game was tied with 8.3 seconds remaining on the clock and Appalachian had possession of the ball. No one cheered, clapped, or yelled. Not until the crowd was assured of a victory did the fans show their support. This is known as a fair weather fan.

With three home games remaining, there is more than enough time to start supporting your basketball team. The games are free to students ~' and can be a great deal of fun if the students would come together and have a little bit of fun. This is our school and our team. Whether you yell, clap, or cheer, do something to show appreciation for our basketball players. If we appreciate them then they will appreciate us, the fans. It is a travesty that instead of hearing "Go App", we hear "This crowd sucks".

Loyal Buzz Backers,

Phillip Buckbee ASU Box 7957
Melissa Carey ASU Box 13649
Amanda Crider ASU Box 10475

Price misses a point on rape

To the Editor:

I am writing to address Ryan Price's, "Don't Let Rape Divide Our Community." I agree with Mr. Price's closing sentiments on community responsibility however, the rest of the article was appalling. The tone of the article was defensive and dangerous. First, rape will, unfortuneately (sic) continue to divide our community if people have attitudes like Ryan Price. He begins his article by defending the chancellor, he then proceeds to defend men and finally, he finishes by attacking women. Not the type of thing I would have written directly after a rape on campus. My advice to Mr. Price is for him to see rape as an attack on women. It should not fall into the hands of women to prevent rape. That responsibility should go to the men who are actually committing a crime. The statement "Rape is never a woman's fault," is true, however Price contradicts himself when he gives several examples of how women can prevent rape. Would it be too outrageous to ask men to take responsibility for themselves and their actions. Perhaps we should ask men to prevent rape by not committing it. We must view rape as an attack on women and a problem in our community and we must unite in order to fight it. Defensiveness (sic) is not effective.

Kristin Barrali
ASU Box 05236

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