April 22, 1997

Possible visitation change spark student reaction
Laurie Lyda
Staff Writer

The visitation policies of Appalachian's residence halls are a very important issue to on-campus students.

This issue was recently brought to the attention of Campus Resident Student Association President Kim Uyttenhove when she learned those visitation policies may be severely affected for the 1997-98 school year.

The Student Life Task Force, which consists of five students and 19 faculty, staff and board of trustees members, may make recommendations to Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski next month to eliminate 24-hour visitation in residence halls during the 1997-98 school year.

"This could be a universal proposal and would affect the entire campus," said Uyttenhove.

A survey of current on-campus residents was taken last Tuesday to determine which visitation options they would prefer. Uyttenhove said she conducted the survey independently of the university on behalf of the students. The voting issue was developed by Uyttenhove and her advisor to let students feel like they have more of a voice. The options were picked from previous visitation votes. Most residence hall residents recognize the importance of the possible recommendation. "I think [eliminating 24-hour visitation] is a mistake and an invasion of our privacy," said sophomore Warren Sias who first learned about the possibility of eliminating 24-hour visitation a month ago.

"I don't think it's a valid solution [to any campus problems]. It's an inconvenience for family members and friends," said sophomore Jill Bumgarner. Task force recommendations will be made to Borkowski at Friday at 1 p.m. in John Thomas Hall.

[back]

Coakley NFL Bound
Drafted in third round by Cowboys
Renee Cagle
Managing Editor

Dexter Coakley's wait in the NFL draft came to an end Saturday night when he was drafted in the third round. Coakley will be playing for the Dallas Cowboys in the upcoming year as a linebacker.

Everyone at Appalachian knows Coakley for his football playing prowess, but who is he really?

When you ask Coakley's friends they all mention the same things. Dexter is described as quiet, kind and is greatly respected by his fellow Appalachian players. In the April 19 edition of The Charlotte Observer Coakley was described as "a great symbol of the school."

Coakley's gentle personality became even more evident when a group of elementary students visited Appalachian recently. According to The Charlotte Observer, Coakley told the students to listen and work hard in school. Afterwards he let a few of the students feel his biceps and even lifted some weights with them.

Coakley grew up in Charleston, SC. His father, William, works as a brick mason while his mother, Barbara is a dietician. Coakley has three sisters and a step-brother.

Coakley will be graduating from Appalachian this May with a degree in communications and a GPA of 3.0. When Coakley graduated from Wando High in South Carolina, he did not make a high enough score on his SAT to attend a four year college or university. Instead of attending a community college, he went to Fork Union Military Academy for a year. He immediately received a scholarship from Appalachian and the rest is football history.

Former Linebacker Coach Ruffin McNeill told The Appalachian in September that, "Dexter is not only the best linebacker I've coached, he's one of the best football players I've coached in my 17 year period."

Coakley told The Dallas Morning News he has always been told that he was too small to play linebacker. Coakley stands at 5'9 and weighs about 215 pounds.

"But I think that with the accolades I've won throughout this year, I've solidified my playing the outside (linebacker)," Coakley said. "And a lot of people who were shying away from my size have accepted me as a football player and realize this is a kid who can play football."

What will be Coakley's job with the Cowboys? According to The Dallas Morning News, Cowboy's coach Barry Switzer said he would play weak-side linebacker, a nickel linebacker when needed as well as playing on special teams.

If you see Coakley on campus be sure to tell him congratulations. He will definitely smile shyly and say thanks.

Coakley could not be reached for comment Monday.

[back]

Department of Theatre and Dance gains accreditation
ASU News Bureau

The Department of Theatre and Dance at Appalachian State University has received full accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Theatre. The announcement came during NAST's annual meeting in Louisville, Ky., in early April.

Faculty, staff and students in the department have been involved in official accreditation preparations since the summer of 1996, but they have been working toward this goal for a long time, said Susan Cole, department chair.

Cole noted that accreditation will help recruit quality students, give the department a national identity and serve as an endorsement of the program's quality.

"It gives us a stamp of approval that means we meet the high national standards established by NAST," Cole said.

The accreditation process included an extensive, in-depth self-study of all aspects of the department's academic and production programs, Cole said. NAST representatives talked with Appalachian administrators and others who work closely with the program, as well as theatre students and faculty. They reviewed library holdings, visited classes, looked at records and attended a production in Valborg Theatre.

Appalachian's program was one of six chosen for full membership in the organization. A total of 109 colleges, universities and academies across the country are currently accredited by NAST. Initial accreditation is issued for five years and is renewed for 10 years thereafter.

Five institutions in North Carolina are accredited by NAST, including new members ASU and North Carolina Central University. The other three are Mars Hill College, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University, and University of North Carolina-Greensboro.

[back]

Borkowski honored in Poland
ASU Chancellor receives Gold Star with Diamond Award for promoting Polish culture
Darin Glass
Staff Writer

It was a homecoming of sorts for Chancellor Borkowski as he received one of Poland's highest awards for his work in enhancing the culture of Poland.

The "Gold Star with Diamond" award was presented to him in a formal dinner in February. Over 1,200 people attended the event in Warsaw.

A foundation supported by major corporations and businesses working to raise awareness of Poland, Interprom, nominated the chancellor for the award.

The award was for his work and support in international promotion of art and education. Borkowski's contribution to the intellectual and artistic cooperation among Polish and American universities was a major factor in the determination of the award.

"I have always taken pride in the history and tradition of Poland, and the will and fortitude of the people," Borkowski said.

Borkowski is a second generation American who speaks fluent Polish. It was the only language that his immigrant grandparents spoke.

Borkowski is very excited about the progress that Poland is making. "The country is on a fast track. It is privatizing the industries that were once nationalized," said Borkowski about the promising country.

Borkowski said that Poland will be invited to join NATO within two years which will help the country establish itself.

The culture of the Polish people made a great impression on the chancellor as well. "I found it striking that the audience in the opera I attended was at least 60 percent under the age of 30."

The university is also in close contact with Poland as well. Five ASU communication professors will be teaching in Gdansk for a couple of weeks this

summer.

The chancellor hopes that the professors will bring back, "A deeper understanding and appreciation of the diligence and fortitude of a hardworking people."

[back]

In the News...

Pershing Rifles take top 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.

Appalachian's team competed against teams from the University of Nebraska, the University of Toledo, Florida State University and others.

It was the first competition for 13 of the 16 team members.

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

[back]

Endowment established

Elizabeth Brown Scoggins of Boone, granddaughter of the late Dauphin Disco Dougherty, has established the Brown-Scoggins Endowment valued at $10,000 to support activities of University Archives and Records.

She has also donated Dougherty family papers, photographs, newspaper clippings and artifacts to the archives' collection as items of historic value to the University. Proceeds from the endowment will be used for exhibits, equipment for the archives' reading room and displays celebrating the university's 100th anniversary.

[back]

Hartley receives teaching award

Dr. Peggy J. Hartley, professor of foreign languages and literature at Appalachian, has received the 1997 UNC Board of Governors Award for Teaching Excellence.

Harley is one of 16 professors from each of the UNC system schools receiving the award: a bronze medallion and a $7,500 cash prize.

Hartley, who teaches Spanish, has been a member of Appalachian's faculty since 1973. She was the 1995 Foreign Language Association of North Carolina's Teacher of the Year and was named teacher of the year at Appalachian in 1974.

[back]

Hauser appointed to council

Dr. Alan J. Hauser of Appalachian has been pointed as the Southern Conference representative to the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Management Council.

The 26-member council assumes authority in August but has worked since January in a transition from the NCAA's previous organizational structure. Beginning in August, the council will make decisions about NCAA regulations concerning such issues as academic requirements, scholarships, number of championships and student eligibility.

Hauser is chairman of Appalachian's Department of Philosophy and Religion. He has served in a faculty athletics role since 1979 when he joined Appalachian's athletic council. He was selected faculty athletics representative in 1986 and has continued in that role.

[back]

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