February 20, 1997

Press conferences discuss assault case
Blimling explains university policies and procedures to media
Jay Konstantaras
Assistant News Editor

Dr. Gregory Blimling, vice chancellor for Student Development responded to questions surrounding the alleged on-campus sexual assault and judicial board ruling at a press conference Wednesday morning.

Blimling, representing Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski who is currently in Poland, discussed the judicial board decision and restated that the details of the investigation would remain confidential unless the victim decides to press charges.

"Every aspect of the hearing is confidential," Blimling told reporters.

On Jan. 19, six men were accused to sexual assault by a female student. While she did not press criminal charges, five of the six students were found guilty of "lewd, indecent or obscene conduct" under Appalachian's Code of Student Conduct.

Blimling said that a university judicial board comprised of three faculty members, three student leaders, three student development personnel and two academic administrators deliberated between 13 and 14 hours, hearing evidence from about two dozen witnesses. The board recommended that one student be suspended and four others be placed on probation for their actions.

Blimling defended the decision, stating that as an institution of higher learning, Appalachian does not decide who is legally guilty or innocent. "It is not our role as educators to make that judgment," he said. "The process we've established deals with the student's education. "

Blimling also addressed the recent decision to assign football players to different residence halls. He said that the NCAA restricts the number of athletes that can live in a residence hall to less than half.

"We attempted to split up the football players three years without success," Blimling said. "They ended up returning to Justice."

Blimling explained the decision to integrate athletes to other residence halls as an academic decision. "Their role as a student takes precedence over anything else they do. It's coincidental that this happened during the room selection period."

In response to the recent outcry by students regarding the consequences of the alleged assault, Blimling said "that kind of expression is encouraged at Appalachian. They have raised legitimate concerns that we need to consider."

Blimling also said that the university is not currently playing a role in the defamation suit filed by the six players.

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NOW members express frustration with penalties in alleged rape case
Beth Bliss
Staff Writer

A press conference held by the Appalachian State University Campus Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW) was held outside of Justice Residence Hall at 10 a.m. yesterday.

According to NOW president Kristin Barrali, NOW members organized the press conference to publicly ask questions concerning the ruling of a university judicial board in the case of an alleged assault that occurred in Justice Hall Jan. 19.

"We (want) the public (to) be aware of these questions," Barrali said. "Hopefully the public will be aware of the answers so everything is very open from the beginning."

Barrali said members of the administration were invited to attend the press conference, but that some members declined so they would not "step on the toes" of NOW members during their conference.

Several members of the media, including newspaper reporters and television news crews, were invited and were present at the conference.

Barrali said the conference was held at Justice Hall because the alleged incident occurred there. Barrali said NOW did not intend to target the hall or any of its residents.

The conference was organized because it is in the NOW mission statement that members of the group must serve as advocates for women, Barrali said.

When asked what she and other members of NOW wished to accomplish, Barrali said she wants the university to punish rapists. Although the university has taken action to educate students about safety and awareness, Barrali said this is not enough.

"Rapists need to be punished, and I don't think things will get better until that happens," she said.

NOW vice president Holly Mullins began the conference by presenting the list of questions from NOW members.

According to a press release from NOW, the questions raised by NOW "(concern) ASU policy and procedure followed after a student has reported a sexual assault."

Following the reading of these questions, a press release was read by Pam Williamson, a representative from the Boone Area Chapter of NOW.

The press release read by Williamson said the assault case is a classic example of the victim being blamed for being a victim, and that only Chancellor Frank Borkowski had the power to increase the punishments of the alleged perpetrators in this incident.

Several residents and staff members of Justice Hall were present at the press conference.

Although Justice Hall staff could not comment on the press conference, many residents expressed an opinion that Justice Hall has been made into a target.

"Nobody in (Justice Hall) condones what happened," said junior Chris Gravlee, who has lived in Justice since his freshman year. "It was wrong (and) it shouldn't have happened, but it's not like we're having a party for this later on tonight. It's ridiculous."

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SGA backs course exclusion policy
Beth Bliss
Staff Writer

A senate bill recommending the implementation of a course exclusion policy was passed by members of the Student Government Association Tuesday.

According to SGA senator Jimmy Prince, one of the bill's authors, under Appalachian's current repeat policy a student can repeat up to five courses while enrolled at Appalachian.

Courses may be repeated for various reasons, including a low or failing grade. Under this system, the grade earned after a student repeats a course will replace the grade originally posted and the student will retain the original number of hours earned.

However, Prince said the repeat policy can be harmful to students. Having to repeat courses, especially courses not needed for a student's major, could mean that the student will not be able to graduate in four years, he said.

Prince said under the suggested exclusion policy, a student will be allowed to exclude up to five courses during his or her time at Appalachian.

A grade would remain on a student's academic transcript, but would not be added to his or her cumulative GPA and would not be counted in the total number of hours earned by the student Prince said.

Prince said this option is especially feasible for students who take classes in one major and do poorly in those classes. If a student wanted to attempt a major in another college, he or she would not need to repeat courses he or she may not need. Rather, under the exclusion policy a student could exclude those courses.

"(This) is an option for people who don't need (a) class to begin with," Prince said. "They had the academic exposure by sitting through the class."

When asked if the exclusion policy could be used to artificially enhance a student's grade point average, Prince said this could be done.

For example, a student with extra credit hours could feasibly exclude up to five courses before graduation in order to boost his or her overall GPA, Prince said.

However, Prince said the exclusion policy probably could not be used to "beat the system" due to the fact that 122 semester hours are required for graduation.

Additionally, Prince said the exclusion policy would be offered only to students during their undergraduate years. Students could not exclude courses from their transcripts after when applying for graduate programs after graduation.

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Learning center offers students academic support
Danny Sink
Staff Writer

Where can a student turn when they have anxieties building up from the pressures of college? When those tests and exams start to creep into your nightmares? Who can help you?

Look no farther than the University Learning Center. The center is a "program of comprehensive academic support" says Cindy Wallace, the Assistant Director of the Learning Assistance Program.

One of the major things that the Learning Center is involved in is the Lunch and Learn program. The Lunch and Learn program consists of topics centering around the idea of being successful in the classroom.

"A lot of the things that we do are front-end loaded," said Wallace, "(since many of these programs) are geared toward in-coming freshmen." Some of the topics that have been covered include Goal Setting, Stress Management, and Test Taking Strategies.

These programs present straightforward and easy ways to understand how to attack problems that come up in the daily life of a student. There are also other facets to the Learning Center.

Each year 1600 people take part in tutoring sessions sponsored by the Learning Center. In these cases students from every class level are able to get help outside of class with things that are giving them trouble.

To contact the Learning Center for more information, call 262-2291 between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.

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Task force convenes first meeting
ASU News Bureau

Housing policies, alcohol and drug use, and safety and security are among the issues the Task Force on Student Life at Appalachian State University is examining.

The task force held its first meeting Feb. 14. It was convened by Chancellor Francis Borkowski following allegations of sexual assault against two students off campus and a reported assault on campus.

"I have been dismayed and disappointed with a number of activities that have come to my attention over the past year," Borkowski told members. "These actions are regrettable because we have so many wonderful students here."

"But we have a number (of students) who have not learned to draw the line between what is respectable, civil and decent behavior and what is unacceptable," Borkowski said.

The task force is co-chaired by Marva McKinnon, an attorney and member of the Board of Trustees, and Brad Reid, ASU director of housing and student life. Others on the 18-member task force are undergraduate and graduate student leaders, faculty members, parents and trustees.

Borkowski urged task force members to look at university policies and student practices regarding a variety of issues so the university can better prepare students to be civil and respectful members of society.

"That's part of our challenge," Borkowski said. "That's what a university is about."

The task force will also look at issues raised and recommendations made by ASU students who participated in the campus-wide teach-ins held Feb. 4. The teach-ins addressed students' rights, responsibilities and respect.

"We will make constructive changes in the environment here, work to enhance and increase student awareness so they understand the ramifications of their actions and lessen the chance of these actions occurring again," Borkowski said.

"I have great confidence in the task force and I look forward to hearing its report," he added. "Certain activities are a threat to the well-being of our campus community, an affront to each and every member of the student body," Borkowski said.

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In the News...

Eating Disorders Week

Americans' obsessions with body image and other issues relating to eating disorders will be discussed Feb. 24-27 during Eating Disorders Week.

Personnel from the counseling center will lead a discussion entitled "Body Image, or How Not to Crash Diet into a Bikini" Monday from noon to 1 p.m. in the New River Room of Plemmons Student Union.

On Tuesday, Dr. Pat Geiger from the university health services will present information on the medical complications and concerns associated with dieting and eating disorders. The presentation beings at noon in the Watauga River Room of Plemmons Student Union.

Also on Tuesday is "Slim Hopes — Advertising and the Obsession with Slimness," a video presentation by Jean Kilbourne which presents an analysis of how female bodies are depicted in advertising imagery. The video begins at 8 p.m. in the Watauga River Room of Plemmons Student Union.

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Valborg Presents"Hippolytus"

"Hippolytus," the fifth century B.C. play by Euripides dealing with modern emotions will be presented today through Sunday at Valborg Theater.

Presented by the theater and dance department, the play tells the story of the mythological Hippolytus, the son of Theseus, the King of Athens. Aphrodite, the goddess of love becomes jealous of Hippolytus's love for Artemis, goddess of the hunt, causing her to plant a seed of illicit love for Hippolytus in the heart of Phaedra, Theseus's wife.

The play begins nightly at 8 p.m. Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for all others and can be purchased at the Valborg Theater Box Office 2-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 262-3063 for more information.

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Binning Named to Board

Fay Binning, director of youth programs at Appalachian has been appointed to the American Camping Association Board of Directors.

The organization, which boasts more than 3,000 members nationwide, promotes excellence in camping experiences for all ages.

Binning has directed all sports camps and youth programs for Appalachian since 1981. He previously served on the regional board of ACA and was southeast section president for three years.

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ASU to Host Quilting Party

Appalachian will sponsor the Ninth Annual Appalachian Quilting Party June 11-14 in Boone.

Sponsored by the Office of Conferences and Institutes, the event draws quilters and quilting instructors from across the United States. The event includes two and one-half days of workshops which will be held in the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center.

Registration costs are $175 per person, which includes two evening meals and refreshments during breaks between sessions. Kits and materials are extra and are paid directly to the instructor. Deadline for enrollment is May 15.

For more information about accommodations, write to Appalachian Quilting Party, Office of Conferences and Institutes, University Hall, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, or call (704) 262-3045.

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