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Block party canceled

Jay Konstantaras Staff Writer

On-campus construction projects became the party pooper Monday, forcing the cancellation of Appalachian State University's annual first-week block party.

The event, which has drawn between 5,000 and 7,000 students since it began in 1994, was canceled by the Chancellor's cabinet because a suitable site could not be chosen to hold such a large volume of people, said David Robertson, director of Student Programs.

"We were prepared to have (the block party). We just had no place to hold it," Robertson said.

Sanford Mall and the Whitener Hall parking lot were initially considered as sites for the block party, but both locations proved to be problematic, Robertson said.

Sanford Mall was considered because of its central location to campus, but the potential damage to the mall's extensive landscaping disqualified it.

"The university has spent a lot of money of the last few years to get the mall in shape and make it a nice place for students to hang out," Robertson said. "Having that many people there might have done a lot of damage to it."

"With all of the construction going on, it's also one of the few green areas we've got on campus," Robertson said. Whitener lot was also considered, but its proximity to the town of Boone made having the party there an impossibility.

"The block party typically goes on until 3 a.m.," Robertson said. "We were worried that some of the loud music might disturb the town's residents."

In place of the block party, Student Programs offered several smaller activities which included a cookout on Sanford Mall, basketball and volleyball at the Quinn Center, bowling and billiard specials at Plemmons Student Union and an outdoor presentation of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" at Duck Pond Field."

"We had a problem for which there was no easy solution," said Barbara Daye, associate vice chancellor for Student Development. "We hope the students understand that."

Students did express some dissatisfaction. "I'm really disappointed," said Emma Johansen, a freshman from Charlotte who had heard about the block party from friends. "They told me how great it was last year. I was really looking forward to it."

"The whole point of the block party is to see everybody," said Andrew Adair, a junior from Burlington. "The smaller stuff is nice, but you don't really see anybody."

Some students didn't mind that the party was canceled. "I usually don't go to the block party anyway," said Nancy Gradia, a junior from Jacksonville, Fla. "It's not really my atmosphere."

"I'm disappointed, but not crushed," said Donna Laramee, a sophomore from Lincolnton. "I've found several of my friends already anyway."

Whether or not the block party will be held in the future has yet to be decided. Robertson said he would like to see it return when the necessary space becomes available.

"It's become a great way for students to socialize and get re-acquainted," he said. "It's been a good move in the past."

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