News

Chancellor develops task force
Diverse committee to study student life
Kathy Beam
Staff Writer

In response to numerous alleged sexual assaults on campus this year, Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski has appointed a committee to study student life.

The Task Force on Student Life will consist of 18 people who are yet to be selected. Brad Reid, director of Housing Operations, has been appointed co-chair of the committee along with Marva McKinnon, a board of trustees member from Statesville. Reid said that he has recommended eight candidates for the task force to Chancellor Borkowski.

The task force will consist of faculty, staff, student leaders, graduate and undergraduate students and board of trustees members.

All aspects of student life are up for analysis by the task force. Some of the topics they will cover include the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol by students, residence hall visitation and other policies and forms of student interaction, like dating and sexual assault.

As a result of the new task force, residence halls will be having a teach-in or "community meeting" tonight at 9:30 in all 18 residence halls. The community meetings will be held on a floor-by-floor basis and attendance is mandatory for all on-campus residents.

"The program is designed to be discussion-based and needs to be interactive," Reid said.

Sunday night, all resident assistant and resident directors attended a two-hour training session, where they were given tips on how to help aid discussion among floor members and to prepare them for several topics which could come up.

"Each floor will have a wide range of values and beliefs," Reid said. "Each resident assistant will need to know how to handle heated discussions that could result."

"[It could] take several of these discussions, but I hope this will open the doors and create new awareness among students," Reid said.

According to Reid, task force meetings will be open to the public. Meeting times will be posted around campus and anyone interested is invited to attend.

Reid stressed that all students' opinions will be taken into consideration, not just the opinions of students on the task force.

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Wal-Mart opens, Boone residents flock to store
Jeff Sprouse
Staff Writer

"We don't want all the business in town. We just want about 95% of it," said Terry Farr, vice president of Wal-Mart. The day has finally come: after months of initial debate, construction and preparation, Boone has a Wal-Mart. With a full parking lot and several hundred spectators, the grand opening celebration officially kicked off Wednesday at 8:00 a.m.

The ceremony began with a prayer and a rendition of the National Anthem by Jimmy Townsend, a store employee. Joe Ratcliff, the store manager, then ran through a slew of introductions. Included in the list were Velma Burnley, Boone mayor, Terry Farr, vice president of Wal-Mart, Jimmy Hodges, county commissioner and Pam Archer, exercise guru, who was there with her latest exercise video.

After a brief speech by Terry Farr, it was time for the ribbon cutting. To demonstrate Wal-Mart's commitment to family, the ribbon was cut by Benny and Suby Ratliff, parents of the store manager. After much applause, the ASU cheerleaders led the crowd in the official Wal-Mart cheer. Then the ropes were hastily taken down and the mass of consumers was unleashed on the store.

The shoppers rushed to the advertised specials. A shopping cart traffic jam formed around the soft drink section where two-liter bottles of Coke products were on sale for 50 cents. Another busy spot was the toy department, where moms and dads snatched up Match-Box cars for 84 cents, and Star Wars fans pushed and shoved for the latest line of merchandise. Amid the chaos, Wal-Mart associates walked the store in an excited daze. Besides the extra-low prices, several semi-celebrities were on hand to greet the customers.

David Browning, a "Barney Fife" impersonator, worked the crowd and handed out autographs. When asked his opinion on the impact of Wal-Mart on the community, he stated, "When the one opened in my community, the other big retailers were a ghost town for a couple months."

Archer, fitness expert, was there . Tom Richards, star of the TV show "Fishing with Tom Richards," was present doling out fishing tips.

As if that were not enough, a plethora of popular characters such as Garfield, Chester the Cheetah, the Vision Care Bear, clowns and the Energizer Bunny roamed the store spreading cheer. The Energizer Bunny, while outside getting some air and catching a smoke, stated "I did about three-hundred and fifty of these things last year. I enjoy it."

Adding to the circus-like atmosphere were several displays of wild animals in the pet department. The Genesis Animal Sanctuary of Beech Mountain had their owls and hawks. Brenda Clark, of Wolf's Lair, brought Spirit, a two and a half year old purebred timber wolf. "Spirit is very gentle and loving. She's very people oriented."

When asked why there was so much fanfare, Joe Ratcliff, the store manager said, "We want Wal-Mart to be family oriented. Most importantly, we want your shopping experience to be fun. We want Wal-Mart to be your entertainment!"

If you go, be prepared for lots of people and lots of traffic. Wal-Mart will have extra staff on hand to handle the crowd. If you want to take a shortcut, try going through the K-Mart parking lot, for it's sure to be empty.

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Search and Seizure: One year later
Jeff Sprouse
Staff Writer

It has been close to a year since the University instated the current search and seizure policy. The policy gives university police the authority to search a room in the residence halls (with probable cause) without first obtaining a search warrant.

The policy was met with outrage by civil libertarians and students who claimed it violated their basic rights and because it was enacted after they had already signed year-long contracts to live in the dorms. It was praised by university officials and students concerned with an apparent rise in drug use by residents of campus housing. One year later, the results of this policy are now visible.

ASU Police Captain Larry Foster, whose department handles all searches called in by residents and security assistants, says that while the police have made more searches, they have made no official arrests. Instead, they turn matters over to the Student Judiciary Committee. The offender is written a university citation, then the case is handled by the student courts.

In Fall 1995, before the policy was enacted, there were 25 citations written for the possession of a controlled substance. In Spring 1996, the first semester under the new policy, that number jumped over 200 percent to 51. Last semester, it increased once again, to 61 counts of possession of a controlled substance.

Lee McCaskey, Director of Student Judicial Affairs, thinks that the policy has been successful. "It has had a dramatic impact on the use of marijuana on campus," said McCaskey.

"I think there is less marijuana being smoked on campus because the students are aware of this policy," McCaskey said.

If the offender is found guilty by the student courts, he or she faces four months of specific probation. This includes the performance of 25 hours of community service, the payment of a $25 service fee which helps to pay for drug and alcohol education and the completion of a university-sanctioned drug education workshop.

Has the new policy reduced drug use among campus housing residents? If the results of an informal poll taken in front of East hall are correct, the answer is no. Almost all of the respondents say they or people they know still use the same amount of drugs. They are just more careful.

Some have resorted to an elaborate system of stealth prior to smoking. First, a towel is placed underneath the door to stop the odor from escaping. Then a fan is turned on next to an open window. While smoking, a device known as a "blow me" or "jimmy" is employed. Homemade, these devices consist of a cardboard paper towel tube with dryer sheets stuffed inside. This effectively masks the pungent odor of the smoke. The more creative use empty shampoo bottles with holes in the bottom, for they are more easily concealed.

Others restrict their activities to off campus. While the chance of detection is less, the penalty for getting caught is much greater. The North Carolina justice system can impose heavy fines, longer community service and probation, and in some instances, a jail sentence.

It is clear that the policy has had a dramatic effect on the number of residence hall students getting caught using illicit substances. In that regard, the policy has been successful. But has it reduced overall drug use? Probably not. Instead, drug using students are employing ingenuity and stealth to overcome what they see as an oppressive policy.

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New Library becoming a reality
Danny Sink - Staff Writer
Jay Konstantaras - Asst. News Editor

Recently Appalachian State University Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski released a statement that the university was dedicated to building a new library instead of renovating the old one. One may ask, "why?" One of the main reasons may be the pressure being put on by State Legislature for an increased student body. More students equal a bigger library.

One of the biggest questions is whether this is going to impact tuition. At the moment it appears that it will not. According to Bede Mitchell, Associate University Librarian, the university is looking to the State Legislature for funds.

"I am confident the largest portion (will) be state funded," said Mitchell. Eleven of the sixteen UNC schools have received funds for new wings or buildings since ASU has had an addition back in 1979. "It's getting to be our turn again," said Mitchell.

There has been no decision as of yet to where the library will be located. The only thing that has been decided is that it will not be in the current location. This will allow for the current library to remain open during construction of the new one. Mitchell only said that the library should be built in a central location, which leaves the question of where is left to build, Sanford Mall?

There has also not been any decision as to what function the old library will hold. Speculation has it that the space may be used for an academic department or for the university archives, but nothing definite has been decided.

Why not just add on to the existing Library? "(An) add-on would be a small amount of space at high cost," said Mitchell. The new library has been proposed to be 231,000 square feet versus the current 140,000. This library will also be able to boast a more technology-friendly setting for computers and other electronic advances.

And so the build, build, build syndrome continues with the library adding it's name to a list beside the newly built John Thomas building, boiler plant and the still-in-planning parking deck.

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Community meeting covers safety issues
Darin Glass
Staff Writer

An Appalachian Community Meeting was held last night, for the purpose of informing the student community about the growing concern over the safety issues on campus.

The meeting was in the form of a question and answer session from a panel of student leaders on the Vice Chancellor's Leadership Cabinet. The panel consisted of Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski, SGA President Kaye Cranford, Vice President Todd Poole, Editor-in-Chief Vanessa Urruela, BSA President Vontrell Roundtree, CRSA President Kim Uyttenhove and Interfraternity Council President Mason Reuter.

Chancellor Borkowski started out by defining rape from a male to female perspective. "It is to exercise power. It is to exercise control. It is demeaning. It is a debasement of all that is right and good in human kind."

Borkowski went on to say how "intolerable" the act of rape is and that Appalachian State would not stand for this kind of disgusting behavior.

"Rape is a criminal act and a felony. The perpetrator of the crime is indeed libel to imprisonment," added Borkowski.

Questions were asked by students to the panel about any safety concerns that they had. Some of the questions were raised about previous events like the rape of the girl last week in a residence hall.

In response to a questions about a cover-up of last week's rape Borkowski said, "I cannot disclose too much information about the crime. I am constrained by law not to say certain things."

Students were also concerned with rumors floating around campus about the crimes. Kaye Cranford said in response, "If you are unsure of a rumor then call the administration or the vice chancellor's office. They will all be more than happy to help you and give you the right information."

An idea was also raised for implementing a mandatory Freshman Seminar course, which would have a program about safety in the curriculum. Borkowski said he would be happy to agree with this if it was proposed.

In closing the panel's overall reaction was to hope that the students could pull together as a community.

Todd Poole summed up the panel by saying, "Appalachian is a safe campus. It is not 100 percent safe. We need to come together as a community to deal with this situation."

Borkowski also said, "The students have enormous power over each other and can help each other."

Several programs are coming to campus dealing with safety concerns. Teach-ins will be held in the residence halls on Feb. 4 at 9:30. The halls will be locked and programs held on safety.

On Feb. 11 Debbie Gardner, of the Survive Institute, will hold a seminar in "personal protection against violent crime for men and women." This will be held in Farthing Auditorium from 7-10 p.m. Admission is free and all students are encouraged to go.

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In the News...

Popelars to Discuss Publishing

Craig Popelars, head of marketing and sales for the Chapel Hill-based Algonquin Books, will host "From Writer to Reader: An Insider's Look at the Book Publishing Industry" Wednesday at 5 p.m. in 1015 Raley Hall.

Popelars will discuss the book publishing process from manuscript to finished product. He will also discuss various career opportunities in the publishing field.

The presentation is sponsored by the Appalachian Visiting Writers Series and the College of Business. Admission is free. For more information, call Susan Weinberg at 265-0393 or Lynn Doyle at 262-2979.

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Rock Climbing Poet at ASU

Rock climbing poet and writer Terry Gifford will present "Weaving Around the Rocks: A Slide-Illustrated Reading of Rock Climbing Poetry." Feb. 11 at 8 p.m. in the MacRae Peak Room in Plemmons Student Union.

Gifford is the author of "Green Voices," a critical introduction to British nature poetry. He has also been published by "Climbing" magazine and is a writer for the British climbing magazine "High."

Admission to the reading is free. For more information, call Susan Weinberg at 265-0393 or Lynn Doyle at 262-2979.

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Guest Soloists Perform

Guest Soloists Adam Unsworth and Rex Richardson will perform with the School of Music piano faculty Wednesday at 8 p.m. in Rosen Concert Hall.

Unsworth has performed with the New World Symphony in Miami, Fla., and with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, including its 1994 European tour. He was appointed second horn of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 1995 and has lectured and performed solo recitals at universities across the United States.

Richardson has toured North America and Japan as a soloist, leader of his own jazz group and as a member of the group "Rhythm and Blues." He appeared at the 1994 Chicago Jazz festival and was a soloist at the 1996 Montreal Jazz Festival.

Admission to the recital is free. For more information call 262-3020.

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Toast(ed) Sisters to Perform

Toast(ed) Sisters, a trio of women who perform old-time music, will perform today at 7:30 p.m. at Tradewinds Coffeehouse in Plemmons Student Union.

Toast(ed) Sisters features Shiela Kay Adams on banjo, Alice Gerrard on guitar, fiddle and banjo and Sharon Sandomirsky on guitar.

Admission is free to Appalachian faculty, staff and students with an ASU I.D. and $3 for all others. For more information, call 262-3020.

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Creative Writing for Children

School-age children interested in exploring their writing talents are invited to participate in Appalachian State University's Creative Writing Program.

Classes will meet Saturdays from Feb. 1 through March 1 at the Watauga County Public Library. Classes will meet from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and are designed for 9- to 12-year old children.

To register for the class, contact the Watauga County Public Library at 264-8786.

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