April 17, 1997

A commencement wish list
Down Home with
Bob Hutton
Columnist

Lately, I've been reminiscing about the hullaballoo we had here last year concerning commencent speakers. I'm sure those of you who know what I'm talking about are now releasing a collective groan. For those of you who are new to ASU this year, let me fill you in.

Last spring, the administration scheduled Senator Jesse Helms as the commencement speaker for the business college. That announcement initiated a cacaphony of complaints the likes of which has never been seen at ASU.

Oh friends, it was awful. Angry letters were written. Nasty signs were posted. Boycotts were threatened. There was talk of a human chain being formed at graduation to prevent Senator Helms' entrance. Threats were made on the senator's safety. Eventually, Senator Helms declined to appear just for the sake of avoiding the hassle. In the end, all that was accomplished was a true show of how a lot of students felt about free speech: you can say whatever you like as long as we agree with it.

Actually free speech wasn't that much of an issue since Senator Helms probably wouldn't have said anything particularly bombastic. It probably would have been the standard "the graduates of today are our future" bit. You would have heard that same speech from any speaker whether it was Norman Mailer or Don Knotts.

I guess a lot of students had heard on the news that Jesse Helms said something they didn't like and decided that he was the devil. I guess it was ultimately a good thing since it provided other North Carolina students with a chance to find out who Jesse Helms is.

Personally, I couldn't care less about what Jesse would have to say. I wanted him to come just for the show. Jesse Helms is a controversial personality that most people have actually heard of. Wouldn't it be nice if in thirty years when you tell your kids who your commencement speaker was they would recognize the name? Besides, I just like to see sparks fly.

Imagine the scene: a booing crowd carrying picket signs surrounding an angry old senator who'd probably say something just to make them mad. Extra campus police would have to be called in, probably equipped with tear gas, rubber bullets, and other crowd control gear. Wouldn't it be nice to have a riot at your graduation? I certainly think so.

But, alas, it wasn't meant to be so I didn't bother to go see whoever-it-was speak. They opted to get a couple of milquetoast speakers who couldn't incite a riot if they tried. It seems people value order a little too much around here.

Pathetic. That's all I can say about the whole deal. Just plain pathetic.

After awhile I started dreading my own impending graduation (which is next month) because I knew that the administration would be afraid to get anyone as interesting as Jesse Helms to speak.

It's really sad that the day that's certified by mothers everywhere as "the most important day in your life" usually turns out to be about as exciting as a Henry James novel. So I started compiling a wish list of people I'd to have as a speaker. It was fun and my friends helped me out.

My dad, for instance, suggested that we get retired senator Sam Nunn of Georgia for a speaker. If you recall, Senator Nunn was one of President Clinton's main opponents on the gays-in-the-military hoopla in 1993. That seems like something worth protesting around here but that one issue is a little obscure and I'd hate for our local all-things-homosexual partisans to have to do too much research. All in all, Sam Nunn doesn't exactly set the world on fire.

My friend Matt Barton, a sophomore from Radford Va., suggested Fozzie Bear as a prospective speaker. That would suit me fine except that Fozzie has been linked to some factions of the militant grizzly separatist movement in the Northwest . That's a political can of worms even I wouldn't want to open.

Another friend of mine, Bryan Thompson, a senior from the wilds of South Carolina, suggested that we get bluesman John Lee Hooker to speak. I'm all for that except John Lee Hooker is simply too cool to appear at ASU. Actually John Lee Hooker is too cool to appear anywhere.

Eventually I came up with three speakers that I thought would be perfect. Bear in mind that we have more than one commencement so we could use all three of these guys if we wanted to Here goes:

(Hunter S. Thompson (journalist)- Here's a guy that knows about being controversial. Thompson would be ideal since he's engaged in just about every variety of misbehavior known to our society (at least the more fun varieties anyway) and he'd probably show up at the commencement drunk as a skunk. Come to think of it, I wouldn't mind anybody as a speaker if they were drunk as a skunk.

The best part about Hunter S. Thompson is, he's totally insane.

G. Gordon Liddy (former Nixon era FBI man and current talk-radio personality) - This is a guy that knows how to make people mad. If protestors got too close to him, he'd lay ‘em out with a 10mm. This is a man who's been in prison and likes to burn his arm with a lighter to show his endurance of pain. In his speech Liddy could make mention his advice on shooting at ATF agents (aim for the head not for the chest) or he could talk about his role in the Watergate scandal. What's Watergate you ask? Read a book.

Again, the best part about Mr. Liddy is, he's totally insane.

"Macho Man" Randy Savage (professional wrestler) - If you want to see a speaker who wouldn't be averse to attacking the chancellor with a steel chair, then here's your man.

While everyone else would be wearing somber black caps and gowns he'd be decked out in a bright yellow cape and a pair of sunglasses. I'd get Randy just so I could here him say, "The graduates of today are our future, oh yeah." Do not tell me you would not want to see that.

And need I mention, the Macho Man is totally insane.

There you go. Let me just finish by making a personal appeal to Grand Moff Borkowski and Darth Blimling to try there best to get at least one vivacious and interesting speaker for this year's graduation.

I don't mean an inspiring speaker, I mean an absolute nut. It won't be pretty but it will be memorable. And you know that's what matters.

Like Lou Reed says, gentlemen, "Take a walk on the Wild Side."

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Our Opinion

Student leaders "common"?
Editor's Note
VAnessa Urruela

R.D. Rikard, a junior, was quoted in a front page story on Tuesday saying that since only student leaders were chosen to serve on a Chancellor's Task Force, the "common students" didn't have a voice. He also said that though he's not a student leader, he knows better what's going on in the residence halls. I have a few things I'd like to clear up because clearly, Rikard and other students don't have an accurate picture of who Appalachian State University's student leaders are.

First, to respond to Rikard's statement about knowing what goes on in the residence halls better than student leaders, eight out of the 12 members of the Vice Chancellor's Leadership Cabinet live on-campus. Some of us have even been Resident Assistants. How coul d we possibly be in the dark about what happens in the places we live? Those of us who have been RAs could certainly tell horror stories about some things that have gone on and comment on the sense of community that does exist in most halls.

What's this Leadership Cabinet?

Vice Chancellor Gregory Blimling invites students who have been given leadership positions to join his Vice Chancellor's Leadership Cabinet. This body of students meets with him regularly to discuss current events that affect the lives of students at Appalachian. I have been proud to be a part of the Cabinet and feel that student leaders are exactly the type of students the administration should go to first for help, advice and input.

In the past, Leadership Cabinet members have met to discuss extremely important issues such as safety, the sense of community among students and business issues such as student fees.

This year, Blimling called an emergency meeting of the Cabinet along with Dr. Barbara Daye and Chancellor Francis Borkowski, to discuss sexual assault and safety on-campus. The product of this meeting (during which the administrators listened attentively to our input) was An Appalachian Community Meeting. This meeting brought out at least a few hundred people and was even covered by various television stations in the state. During the meeting, the audience wrote down questions which were collected by Cabinet members who were not on the panel of speakers. The questions that were not answered during the meeting were forwarded to the university administration. The Appalachian's "Ask the Chancellor" column was begun as a way of garnering answers to the extra questions.

I don't know how the administration could go about choosing a better group of students to represent their peers. Student leaders are regular students like everyone else. There are a few differences in our chosen levels of responsibility, but that's it.

Who are student leaders anyway?

When people talk about student leaders, chances are that they are referring to students who hold 12 specific offices: Club Council President, Pan-Hellenic Council President, National Pan-Hellenic President, Interfraternity Council President, WASU Station Manager, The Appalachian's Editor-in-Chief, APPS President, BSA Advisory Board Chair, ASU Ambassadors President, Student Government Association President and Vice President and the Campus Resident Student Association (CRSA) President.

What kind of students become leaders?

In my interaction with fellow student leaders, I have come to see some common traits we share.

Student leaders have most of the same concerns of other students. We deal with classes, endless papers, having no money, pulling all-nighters and trying to make time for fun just like every other student.

We don't get any special tuition breaks or insanely high pay for what we do. Some of us have other jobs and most of us have other involvements with on-campus organizations. Many of us devote at least 30 hours a week to our leadership positions- time which takes away from our academic and social lives.

The major difference I see between what Rikard called, "common students," and student leaders is that leaders seek responsibility. Student leaders have simply chosen to devote themselves to leading an organization whereas "common students" have chosen to participate at a regular membership level. Student leaders go the extra step and take on the demands of leading an organization. Many times, these students seek such positions at the urging of their peers who encourage them to lead.

What's it like to be a student leader?

To answer this question, I enlisted the help of other student leaders.

"It's a very demanding position to have on-campus," said Kim Uttenhove, CRSA president. "When people see you off-campus you have to remember that they still you in your leadership role and not just as another person."

Jonathan Mauney, station manager for WASU (90.5 The APP) expressed another point of view. "I'm a student too. It doesn't mean I'm out of touch just because I have a leadership position. I live in a residence hall just like anyone else, I take classes, and other than that I have a job that just happens to be a student leadership position," he said.

Todd Poole, SGA vice-president, had yet another take on the question. "Student leaders are ‘common students' who are involved. Through our involvements, we are able to interact with students from different areas providing us with insight on the campus and student attitudes," he said. Speaking of the Task Force members Rikard referred to, Poole said, "We all have the same goals on the Task Force whether you consider yourself a leader or a common student. We want to make ASU and the ASU community a safer place."

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Letters to the Editor

I bathe, don't drink and smoke

To the Editor,

I am biting my tongue and writing in response to Daniel Bothun's "Auto Racing is a Waste of Oil." This opinion column was one of the most unfounded that I have ever read for two reasons: 1 )The information was inaccurate, and 2) It was very stereotypical.

First, NASCAR is used for a purpose by American auto manufacturers. It aids the design engineers in

the development of more aerodynamic designs which will, in turn, lead to more fuel efficient cars. That is fact. Next, is the stereotype that you so cleverly, in your own mind, describe. How many greasy haired losers do you know that can fork out $70-$100+ for a single ticket to a NASCAR event. There are a class of people that somewhat fit your warped description who attend the races but they make up only a small part. Personally, I bathe, don't drink, and don't smoke. Wow! How can I be a NASCAR fan and be like that. The truth is, auto racing has become so corporate that it is hard for a lower class person to go to an event. That is why you see rows of $250,000 mobile homes there. A final note to add to your world of thinking. Since NASCAR is America's #1 spectator sport, does that mean that the majority of sports fans are greasy haired, drunken, chain smoking losers?

Jason Sutherland
ASU Box 07383

Bothun smokes crack

To the Editor,

This time Daniel Bothun has gone too far. All year I have tried to ignore his malicious comments about everything he hates. I can't ignore him any longer.

His latest editorial ("Auto racing is a waste of oil" April 10) started out as an environmentalist attack on racing and its effects on the environment, but he couldn't stop at that.

For some reason Mr. Bothun likes to insult everyone he can. He calls NASCAR fans, "greasy-haired, drunken, chain-smoking losers." While I admit I do not watch NASCAR, I know people that do, and they do not fit this horrible stereotype. Apparently Mr. Bothun is too busy looking for people to insult to realize not all NASCAR fans fit this stereotype.

Mr. Bothun needs to wise up or ship out.

Ashley Wooten
ASU Box 20954

Our name speaks for itself

To the Editor,

I am writing concerning little Daniel Bothun's April 10th column on NASCAR racing. I have never in my short life read such a great article. I love the way that lil' Dan shamelessly attacks NASCAR because the cars use gas, oil, and other forms of petroleum. He suggests that all forms of auto racing be stopped because it uses oil, instead of suggesting that maybe NASCAR would take a realistic, more modern step towards helping the environment by actually making race teams recycle motor oil.

Lil' Dan (God) Bothun also notes that NASCAR generates no useful products in society, as opposed to other sports like NBA basketball, in which players like Dennis Rodman serve as great role models to today's kids. Lil' Dan also noted that all NASCAR fans are beneath him, since they're all nasty, greasy guys who do nothing but sit around and drink, and absolutely none of them are nice, middle class people who live in nice suburbs and are the only ones who can afford $75 tickets to races in Charlotte.

I just wanted to say thanks, Lil' Dan, for using your highly informed, highly justified opinions about NASCAR and NASCAR fans to write yet another great article, in The Appalachian, a newspaper who's name speaks for itself when it lets really cool people like you write for it.

Dave Piatt
ASU Box 13877

I want to serve you

To The Editor,

With three tickets running in this year's race for SGA President and Vice President, it was going to be hard for there to be an end-result that pleased everyone. Students had a difficult decision this year, choosing from tickets with different, distinct platform goals. However, all the candidates had good ideas and were very qualified. No matter what happened, the students would have been in good hands.

I am very honored to have been elected the new SGA President. Jake and I worked very hard and are very proud of the kind of campaign we ran. We did our best to stick to the issues, and let what we stood for speak for itself. We applaud each and every student that participated in this year's election and we are going to do our best not to let any of you down.

In response to Chris Law's "opinion" - I commend him for writing and expressing his thoughts and concerns. From what I know of Chris, I know he is a man that gives credit where credit is due. Therefore, I look forward to hearing his "opinion " next April.

With this year's election behind us, it is my hope that we all will pull together in a combined effort for the betterment of our ASU community. I am a firm believer in the statement, "United we stand, divided we fall. " I eagerly look forward to serving you all!!

Fernando G. Little
ASU Box 14250

Dance ensemble kicks butt

To the Editor,

In the three years that I have been a student at ASU, I have attended every Theater & Dance production (with one exception) since the Valborg Theatre opened it's doors in 1994 with the inaugural "A Midsummer Night's Dream", as well as dozens of plays in I.G. Greer Arena theater.

As with all theater departments, some productions fly, others crash.

But what never fails to soar is The Appalachian Dance Ensemble's spring presentation of dances choreographed by both students and faculty. It is consistently the highlight of the season. Dance professor Marianne Adams and her colleagues always deliver a performance that is fraught with insight, inspiration and artistry.

Friday night, I came home a very happy spectator, for this year's production was magnificent! This is particularly rewarding considering that ASU does not offer an undergraduate degree specifically in Dance. They have always been the "David" defending itself against the "Goliath" of the Theater department, fighting for its share of money, attention, and respectability. In the third area, David always triumphs.

With a minimum of departmental resources, the choreographers and designers have always delivered work that challenges and entertains our hearts and minds.

I enthusiastically applaud all those involved in The Appalachian Dance Ensemble, this year and in years past. They have created a level of artistry that is so far unmatched by other, greater financed and touted theatrical productions in the Valborg. I appreciate the tremendous joy and wonder I experience each time I attend their spring show. Another knockout for David.

Frank Dalrymple
ASU Box lO557

I just wanna dance

To the Editor,

Dance clubs at Myrtle Beach are high profit businesses. They provide nightlife activities and a chance to meet new people I spent most of my nights over Spring Break at the popular ‘'Mother Fletcher's" dance club in S. Myrtle Beach. This club offered a variety of dance, rap, disco, alternative, and techno music with different contests each night to draw crowds.

Spring Break is over and now most of us are back in to the everyday bump and grind of classes. We get done with our classes and return home to either study or relax. Around 8 or 9 o'clock we begin to look for things to do. Unfortunately, aside from small hosted parties, night life here in Boone is somewhat disappointing.

It seems to me that a dance club near ASU would give students and county residents a popular hang out, a place to dance, and an opportunity to meet new people.

I would like for young entrepreneurs in the area to consider the possibilities in owning such a facility. 10,000+ students here look for something to do each night during the school year -- a low cover charge and beverage sales would bring in huge crowds and even larger profits.

As a sophomore music student and competent dancer, I would visit a local dance club at least once a week if there was one here. I can also vouch for over 10,000 students that would do the same if a facility were provided.

Think about it . What is there to do in this town anyway? ASU students and Watauga County residents are begging for a place to dance! It's time for somebody to take the initiative and build a dance club somewhere close to this campus!

Jason Childers
Box 15014

Visitation is important

To the Editor,

I am writing in regards to the 24-hour visitation rights, possessed by certain residence halls, that Appalachian State is thinking of removing. Removing these visitation rights would in no way benefit the students. Many student, such as myself, chose to live in their residence halls because of the 24-hour visitation right.

Many times a student has a family member or another friend come to visit and they must stay with them in their room. This is convenient for all parties involved. It cuts down on hotel costs and allows the visitor and student an opportunity to see more of each other, while being located right on campus.

What does Appalachian think it is going to improve by limiting the visitation rights? Do they think that you cannot be assaulted if someone is not able to get up onto your floor? I do believe that Appalachian should keep the same number of limited visitation residence halls that they currently have.

There have been no problems, other than an alleged assault in January, in 24 hour visitation halls-that students are aware of. If there have been problems, then Appalachian needs make the students aware of them.

Removing these visitation rights is an invasion of our privacy and will accomplish nothing but distress and aggravation to students. I encourage the administration to discuss this policy further and make a decision based on student input and support.

After all, we will have to live with this visitation policy-not them.

Jenifer Bubenik
ASU Box 6456

Leaders are people too

To the Editor,

In regards to the article on the Task Force, there was mention of the difference between a "common student" and a "student leader." My question to you is, what constitutes a difference between the two? Is a student leader not a common student, and if not, do they have some distinguished advantage to being members of the committees chosen by the Chancellor? From an administrative point of view, if one was concerned about issues, who would he/she choose: someone who has shown a concern for such issues by taking similar roles in other student organizations that address those issues, or a "common student" who may not be familiar with such an issue? Those who continue to show dedication and commitment usually are the ones chosen to be a part of the team. For example, if you are in the stands of a football game and a player is injured, would you choose a fan who has seen all the games, or a sideline player who has practiced with the team and knows all the team goals? If you believe that "common students" should be involved, then why not get involved? Prove yourself to have a legitimate reason for being chosen, prove yourself to others of your commitment, and prove to others that you would be a valuable asset to the team and you might get chosen to play the game.

Cliff Fitte
ASU Box 11675

Mason Reuter
ASU Box 15519

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