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Students should be aware of hard-hitting community issues |
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Thursday, 13 September 2007 |
 Of the nearly 100 people who came to the candidate forum Monday, roughly 75 were students. Trey Mahoney
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Whether you know it or not, the issues facing the Town of Boone directly affect current and future Appalachian State University students.
It may sound simple enough but, surprisingly, students seem to care less.
From
hard-hitting issues such as the future location of the Reich College of
Education building to lesser-publicized issues such as Boone’s water
shortage, students have an obligation to educate themselves about the
community around them.
The Appalachian was disappointed during Monday’s town council forum in
Plemmons Student Union to see the lackluster number of students in
attendance – fewer than 75.
While some would say this is a strong figure, especially compared to
past years, The Appalachian believes more than 0.5 percent of
Appalachian students should care about the upcoming election.
Furthermore, this is the only candidate forum held on Appalachian’s
campus. It is inexcusable as to why only a small number of students and
faculty decided this as a relevant topic in their lives.
The Appalachian feels obligated to spell out this relevance.
Firstly, although the vast majority of students are from outside
Watauga County, you will be living here for at least four years. You
should take stock in the issues facing you and future students during
that time.
Your vote represents students for years to come – use that right.
Secondly, the issues this year have never been so poignant to Appalachian students.
Both Boone and Appalachian State are growing and each candidate has his or her own way to handle that growth.
As one candidate asked during the forum, how do you want your children to remember Boone?
Students need to consider this question when deciding whether or not
this election is important to them – hopefully they’ll see that it is.
Voter registration ends Friday. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to
make your voice and the voices of future Appalachian students heard in
Watauga County.
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