April 15, 1997

Discussion educates students in latest AIDS breakthroughs
Katie Ward
Reporter

An AIDS Awareness discussion was held in the Multicultural Center of Plemmons Student Union last Wednesday in hopes of presenting some new, positive information on the virus.

The discussion was led by Dr. Patricia Geiger, a physician at Appalachian's Health Services. Dr. Geiger stressed the importance of reviewing the old information, as well as keeping up with the latest breakthroughs.

This once nameless disease, first known as a strange illness in gay men, appeared in 1981. However, it was not until 1985 that the causes and a diagnosis were fully understood.

The HIV virus is transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids, such as through the blood or semen. Although present in saliva, it is not in large enough amounts to be transmitted this way.

Although not often mentioned, there is a 25 percent chance that the virus can be transmitted maternally to the fetus, including passage through the breast milk.

"In our twelve years experience with this virus, it has not been shown to spread in any other way, " Geiger said.

Geiger stressed the importance of knowing that once contracted, the virus is contagious from the time it enters the body, regardless of how healthy you may appear. However, it may take as long as three months to appear on the HIV antibody test.

This sensitive antibody test is the only known method of determining whether the virus is present, and according to Geiger it has proven to be almost 100 percent effective.

"There have been cases of false positives but not false negatives," she said.

There have also been limited HIV cases that are medically referred to as non- progressors. These patients have no sign of progression from HIV to full blown AIDS.

Geiger commented on one of the latest breakthroughs, anonymous home testing. Most of the home tests examine a blood sample, but a limited number also test the saliva.

"From what I understand, it is a good test. I like the way it is done," she said.

The treatment for HIV has changed over the past several years, and the most commonly heard of drug for patients is AZT. The virus attacks the immune system by entering certain cells, replicating, and eventually destroying the cells. AZT has proven to slow the progression by slowing the replication process.

In the last year, however, there has been another medical advancement. These new drugs, known as protease inhibitors, have actually reversed the progression of the disease in some patients.

New technologies may also detect the virus directly in the blood, which results in a more rapid assessment.

"This virus is no longer seen as being uniformly fatal. There has not been much hope in the past, but there is hope now," Geiger said.

Although these new discoveries are a step toward hopefully finding a cure, they are not without their costs. The protease inhibitors cost on average about $1000 a month, which causes the insurance companies to continue dropping patients.

"Unless a cure is found, these patients will remain on these drugs for the rest of their lives," Geiger said.

Geiger concluded the discussion by reminding the audience that this virus does not discriminate based on sex, race, or sexual orientation. Of the cases reported in the United States, most are primarily heterosexual and drug related.

"The key is early diagnosis and early treatment," she said.

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Task force to meet, seeks input from students
Jeremy Ball
Assistant Features Editor

There will be an open meeting of the Task Force on Student Life today and tomorrow from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in the Student Union.

Brad Reid, the director of housing and the chair of the task force, said that the purpose of the open meetings is to "listen to students."

The task force hopes to get student feedback on proposed recommendations it has considered giving to the Chancellor and to hear what students believe would improve the environment on campus.

Chancellor Borkowski organized the task force at the beginning of this semester after a wave of violent acts against students.

Reid said that none of the committee's decisions are set in stone and that is why they are seeking student input. Because the committee is considered a public body, all of the task force's meetings are announced to students.

At the task force's first meeting on February 14 Borkowski charged the organization with examining such issues as drug use and abuse on campus, sexual assault and harassment, alcohol use and abuse, residence hall visitation and campus safety.

The task force, which Reid called "a diverse group" is composed of faculty, student leaders, parent and OASIS representatives and Board of Trustees members.

Task force members are responsible for making recommendations to the Chancellor on or before May 1.

At the last committee meeting, several students and faculty members voiced their opinions on campus issues. There was discussion about rumored proposals such as restriction of residence hall visitation and 24 hour card access to the residence halls.

Committee members assured students that no recommendations had been decided upon yet and that student input would be heavily considered before any proposals were made.

Some students, however, felt frustrated by the committee's actions so far.

R. D. Rikard, a junior from Black Mountain, said that in the end average students have little opportunity to give their input to the committee. He said that since only student leaders were chosen to be on the committee that the "common students" didn't have a voice.

"I'm not a student leader, but I can tell you more about what's going on in the residence halls."

Task force members hope, however, that meetings like those this week will help to get more student input from a broad range of students.

Reid said that students must come, however, and be ready to voice their opinions.

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Gaither delivers CEO series lecture
Speech interrupted by fire alarm, evacuation
Amy Foster
Staff Writer

Ann Gaither spoke as part of the Harlan E. Boyles Distinguished CEO Lecture Series Thursday afternoon in Valborg Theater.

Gaither has been named one of the Top Fifty Business Owners in the United States for her leadership of the largest tire distributor in the Southeast, J. F. Heafner Company Inc.

She began her corporate climb by working for her father, who was the owner of the tire company. By "listening and learning," she built a marketing department and now is the chairperson and chief executive officer of that company.

Chancellor Francis Borkowski opened the evening with an introduction which was interrupted by a fire alarm. Attendees were evacuated temporarily.

Gaither delivered a motivational speech composed around the theme "Thinking," but also discussed the importance of social skills in the business world.

"Nothing is more important than relating with other people, and nothing is more complicated," Gaither said.

She said that her struggles included trying to prove herself and become a woman leader in a man's world.

"Leaders have to have their own attitude," Gaither continued. "Everyone needs to be a risk taker and seize the day."

She closed her speech with five steps for success in the business realm. She urged students to continue learning throughout life. Gaither suggested learning a foreign language since business has become highly international. Gaither also said that it is vital to know the importance of marketing a company.

Gaither said that those in business should proceed with humor and balance and believe in themselves above all.

The next CEO lecturer will be William E. Simms, who will appear in October.

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In the News...

Grimsley to speak at ASU

Novelist and playwright Jim Grimsley, whose plays and novels deal with poverty in the South, will read from his works Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Attic Window Room of Plemmons Student Union.

Grimsley will also host a play writing workshop at 3 p.m. in the Alpine Room of Plemmons Student Union.

Born in Rocky Mount, Grimsley's books and plays reflect his experiences growing up poor in eastern North Carolina. "The attitude in literature toward that class of people up until now has been that poor people were just like everybody else, only with fewer things," Grimsley says. "Nobody dealt with just how animalistic your life can become when you don't have anything."

Grimsley's appearances are co-sponsored by the Visiting Writers Series and the Equity Office. Both events are free and open to the public. For more information, call 262-2871.

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Drill team takes national honors

The Appalachian Pershing Rifles, part of the Department of Military Science, took top honors in the 1997 Pershing Rifles National Drill Meet in Lexington, Ky. on April 4.

Competing against teams from the University of Nebraska, the University of Toledo, Florida State University and others, Appalachian's team placed third in color guard, first in infantry drill regulation, first in exhibition platoon, first in exhibition squad, first in individual exhibition, first in duet exhibition and fourth and fifth in infantry drill regulation knockout.

Members also participated in the organization's national convention which plans and directs activities of the National Society of Pershing Rifles into the 21st century.

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"An Evening of Comedy"

Appalachian presents "An Evening of Comedy" Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. in I.G. Greer Arena Theater.

The evening features three short comedic plays directed by members of the theater and dance's advanced directing class. Being presented are Anton Chekhov's "The Bear" directed by Brad Fairbanks, Jane Anderson's "Tough Choices for the New Century" directed by Peyton King, and Christopher Durang's "Sister Mary Ignatious Explains It All" directed by Richard H. Handy.

Tickets are $2 and are available at the Valborg Theater box office Monday through Friday from 2-5 p.m. For more information or reservations, call 262-3063.

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Singers present concert

The Chamber Singers and University Singers of Appalachian State University invite the public to take a break from tax forms with a free concert tonight at 8 p.m. in Rosen Concert Hall.

The concert pays tribute to two of the 19th century's greatest composers: Felix Mendelssohn and Johannes Brahms. The concert will feature Mendelssohn's "Heilig" for double mixed choir, and "Vinetta," "O Schone Nacht" and "Abendlied" by Brahms.

For more information, call 262-3020.

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