News

ASU community responds with shock

John T. Bennett - Editor-in-chief

The Appalachian State University community watched with shocked disbelief Tuesday as a devastating terrorist attack turned the World Trade Center towers to rubble and severely damaged the Pentagon in an unprecedented assault on American soil.

"We've always had an unrealistic view that we're safe. The rest of the world doesn't have that and I guess we won't ever again," said Director of Student Programs Dave Robertson as he and a throng of students, faculty and staff watched the terror unfold on video screens in Plemmons Student Union.

Robertson said his initial reaction to the hijacking of four commercial airliners that culminated with the deaths of thousands of Americans in New York and Washington, D.C., was one filled with sadness and disbelief.

"My reaction is just sadness that human beings can do this to each other," he said. "[The attacks] are just the slaying of innocent people É it's sad that humanity would do that to each other."

A shaken Alex Johnston of Raleigh also watched the aftermath of the tragic morning on union television monitors after first hearing of the attacks while completing a biology exam in the Rankin Science building.

Johnston said his initial reaction was filled with fear for his grandmother who lives on Long Island, N.Y., approximately 30 minutes away from the site where the World Trade Center towers once stood.

"I never thought anyone would have the [audacity] to do this,"Johnston said.

In a written statement issued Tuesday afternoon, Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski said, "I'm sure many [Appalachian students, graduates, faculty and staff] have friends and family members in the cities affected by these continuing events, and we offer our support to you in this time of uncertainty and confusion."

Touting Tuesday as "a time for somber reflection," Borkowski added, "I hope each of you will offer support to any member of the Appalachian family who may have been affected by this unfolding tragedy."

While Johnston and other Appalachian students were shell shocked with fear for family members after hearing of the deadly terrorist attacks, Food Services employee Brian Reece's response to the vivid pictures on the Plemmons monitors was a mix of nervousness and uneasiness.

"I just never dreamed of this happening [in the United States]," Reece said.

Reece's disbelief of a coordinated terrorist attack on United States soil was one shared by many who gathered in front of large video screens inside Crossroads and the Grandfather Mountain Ballroom.

"I can't believe something like this is happening in our country," said sophomore Christie Chandler. "I've taken for granted my security."

The Chicago native said while she is a frequent airline passenger, the shocking events of Tuesday are likely to quash any air travel on her part in the near future.

While Chandler's immediate reaction to the attacks that triggered the first-ever shut down of air travel in the United States by the Federal Aviation Administration was one of concern and doubt of air travel, one Appalachian student reacted to the diabolical attacks with disgust and bewilderment.

"I think it is a shame that someone does not have anything better to do with their life than to tear down a society," said Statesville-native Brad Johnson. "I'm more confused now than anything."

Ð With staff reporters Robyn Dailey, Kristin Davis, Anthony DeBetta and Kristina Eggers contributing.

Professor details likely U.S. probe

Kristin Davis - Academic Affairs Beat

With the unparalleled terrorist attack on the United States just four hours old, an Appalachian State University criminal justice professor speculated a massive, multi-agency coordination would be necessary to find the culprits.

"[The attack] will take top priority for every government agency in the United States," said Dr. Kenneth Mullen, who worked with the United States Secret Service as a former member of the military.

Mullen described collaboration of the CIA, FBI, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and New York Police Department (NYPD). "There will be no turf war on this one."

"The budget, manpowerÑnone of it matters anymore. Usual concerns will no longer be a concern," Mullen said. Nearly 11 hours after the first plane crash, U.S. Congress members declared their unity and contention to stand behind President George W. Bush. Because of the sheer sophistication of the attack, Mullen speculated an elimination process that could narrow those possibly responsible to as few as two groups.

"Physical evidence and intelligence information can help clear groups as well as pinpoint the perpetrators," Mullen said.

United States suspicions quickly descended on Osama bin Laden, a Saudi terrorist wanted in other attacks. An Arab newspaper in London recently stated he had been planning an unprecedented attack on United States soil.

"There will be so much evidence to go through," said Mullen, pointing to literally feet of ash and rubble. "Probably every major crime lab in the country will get involved."

As for how long Mullen believes finding the guilty party will take: "As long as necessary."

"I hope [the United States] doesn't retaliate without all doubt aside," continued Mullen. "Would the president be willing to go out and target a group just to do something? I hope not."

"Once we find out who is responsible, we'll probably wipe them off the face of the map," said Dr. Chad Raymond, department of criminal justice and political science professor. Raymond described an intelligence operation involving infiltration of terrorist organizations and the monitoring of television and radio stations. "They will piece together a pattern to see who's responsible."

"In terms of policy, I think we're going to be putting a lot more into counter intelligence efforts. We have to reorient our thinking a little bit," Raymond said.

Governments are not the only organizations capable of raising a military, but the end result is the same, said Raymond, in reference to the destruction. "There are a lot of people in the world who hate Americans and hate the American government. Terrorism becomes a very attractive tool of diplomacy."

Faculty members expect swift retaliation

Catherine Quill - Associate Editor

Two Appalachian State University political science faculty members expect the United States to retaliate promptly and powerfully after Tuesday's atrocious terrorist attacks.

"I wouldn't be surprised if a swift counter-attack was in the plans already," said Dr. Ruth Strickland, chair of the department of political science and criminal justice.

"I'm sure there's going to be retaliation."

Strickland described the event as unimaginable devastation.

"It's overwhelming to witness and hear about these events," she said. "The age of innocence is over."

Strickland said the attacks might increase the United States need for greater security, especially in airports.

"The government might take more steps in the direction of tightening up on our freedoms. Rights may be infringed upon in these kinds of times," she said. According to Strickland, the disastrous assaults will have a deep psychological impact on Americans.

"People might not be able to cope," she said. "Something like this is a trigger for other events. In everyday life, it brings out more fear."

Strickland said the U.S. government will now analyze the profiles of certain groups to determine the responsible party.

"The build-up to such an event has been occurring for quite some time," she said.

Dr. Chad Raymond, department of political science and criminal justice professor, agreed with Strickland.

"Apparently, there were indications that people who are affiliated with Osama bin Laden were discussing an unprecedented terrorist attack against the United States three weeks ago," he said.

"My question is, if we have been successful against thwarting terrorist attacks against the United States before, why couldn't we have prevented this one?" he said.

Raymond said a terrorist attack against the United States was inevitable, but no one expected one of this magnitude.

According to Raymond, the United States will probably respond quickly with massive military attacks.

Raymond said the idea of waging war was not necessarily likely, because a group, rather than an established government, was probably responsible for the attack.

"The end result is the same. We're just doing it from different avenues," he said.

Raymond said many groups resent American policies and he pointed out hostile relations with Arabs that stem from the United States' support of Israel.

However, Raymond said he believed the nation could learn something from the tragedies.

"This is a good example of why we should understand what's going on in the rest of the world; now we're directly affected, but causes existed in other parts of the world," he said.

Dr. Kenneth Mullen, department of political science and criminal justice professor, said the attacks will have catastrophic consequences.

"From a terrorist's point of view, this has to be seen as a huge success. More people could be killed than were killed in Vietnam, which was 60,000 soldiers."

Mullen added, "Just the people on the airplanes could surpass the number in Oklahoma. If there were 50,000 people in the building and 10 percent are dead, that is 5,000 deaths. Sept. 11, 2001, is an incredibly tragic day."

Measures taken to help students cope

Cathering Quill - Associate Editor

John T. Bennett - Editor-in-Chief

As a cloud of shock and grief settled over the Appalachian State University campus and the nation Tuesday, a series of steps were implemented by institution officials to help students, faculty and staff cope with the unfolding tragedy.

¥ A near-capacity crowd of students and faculty packed I.G. Greer Auditorium, discussing a myriad of complex questions a nation has yet to find answers for.

Perhaps the most stirring contribution came from Dr. Lee Williams, director of educational programs in the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, whose 25-year-old nephew worked as a network administrator on the 95th floor of one of the World Trade Center towers destroyed in Tuesday's terrorist assault on America.

"Fortunately, Rob didn't go to work this morning," an emotional Williams said. "It's hard to get past the feeling of absolute grief of what could have happened to my nephew."

A shaken Williams said after a desperate sequence of phone calls after hearing of the attack on New York, her sister finally reached her son on his cell phone at a New Jersey doughnut shop, unaware of what had taken place just miles away.

¥ About 12 Appalachian State students and at least one faculty member were staying at the Appalachian Loft in New York at the time of Tuesday's attack, said Jane Nicholson, director of University News.

According to Nicholson, none were injured but all were instructed to stay on the property of the Loft.

No one affiliated with Appalachian was at the Appalachian House in Washington, D.C., during the attack, said Nicholson.

¥ Susie Greene, assistant director of the Appalachian State University Counseling and Psychological Services, said the counseling center extended hours Tuesday until 9 p.m. to help students cope with the tragedy.

"I think right now, everyone is quite stunned," said Greene.

A crisis debriefing was held Tuesday afternoon for the staff to discuss strategies for the campus community.

"I hope this is a time that we all pull together," said Greene.

The center also planned to hold sessions in Grandfather Mountain Ballroom Wednesday afternoon where students would be able to break into small groups.

"We've found processing is better in smaller groups," said Greene.

Greene said the center is prepared to respond to the needs of the campus on a day-to-day basis.

"I think we're all kind of numb right now," she said.

¥ Dave Robertson, director of Student Programs, said Plemmons Student Union employees made efforts to accommodate students' needs in the union Tuesday morning and afternoon.

"We knew immediately when we heard about it that students would want a place to come together and learn more about it," said Robertston.

Employees connected wires to the union's television monitors that do not usually have sound.

"Instantly, crowds were gathering, so we brought out chairs," he said.

After restricting game play in the Hawksbill Gameroom, union workers opened it, along with Grandfather Mountain Ballroom, for television viewing Tuesday.

Officials from the union met Tuesday to discuss ways to meet other departments' needs.

Robertson said some organizations called off meetings for the night, and Crossroads' evening performer was cancelled.

"I think everybody's stunned by this. By tomorrow, we'll be back to our routine functioning," said Robertson. He said the televisions in the union lobby will be kept on for the next few days, and contact tables will be moved to the hallway near Crossroads. "In a national crisis like this, obviously we want to make every television available," he said.

Robertson said the union will take any measures that seem appropriate to helping students as the next few days unfold.

¥ A.P.P.S. announced Wednesday all proceeds from the Sept. 13 ÔCravin Melon Acoustic' concert at Legends will be donated to the American Red Cross.

ASU family witnesses terror

Sarah Bursley - Chief Copy Editor

The recent Appalachian State University grad and self-described small-town girl from Durham was innocently making her way from her big-city job as an interior designer with Hartman Design Group in suburban Washington, D.C., into the heart of the nation's capital.

Daisy Bowman, 23 and Ô00 alumna, had just selected flowers from a local grocery store for a photo shoot at a house near the Pentagon.

The day had already been long at best, and it was only morning.

She turned on her car radio to hear the latest update from reports heard moments earlier inside the store about the terrorist attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Center.

As Daisy listened to the devastation, she called her mother on her cell phone and hung up in frustration when no one at her parents' house in Pennsylvania answered.

As her mind wandered to the double-tragedy in New York, she thought about friend Debbie Kempel and hoped she was all right.

Daisy thought about how much their lives had changed in the past year in their journeys from Boone.

Diplomas in hand, the two Durham Jordan High School and Appalachian alums were facing their respective urban jungles with tenacity and fierce optimism.

The unruliness of the sirens jolted Daisy from the order of her thoughts.

Curious, she glanced out her car window as she raced along the Francis Scott Key Bridge into the city and noticed nothing unusual except for construction on the gargantuan Pentagon.

"A split-second later, I looked in my rear-view mirror and all I could see was black smoke billowing into the sky," said Daisy in a telephone interview Tuesday night from her D.C. apartment.

The fortress of modern military might was under siege.

It was a moment that would be etched in her mind forever.

Cars came to an almost standstill on the artery to and from the city, she said.

She saw spectators pulling over to gawk at the sight from the bridge as some drivers, anxious and confused, started positioning their cars into the opposing lane to escape from the Key Bridge any way they could.

"My leg was shaking Ñ I mean, shaking Ð but I just kept going.

"I wanted off that bridge," said Daisy.

It was surreal to hear live, international, breaking news on the radio as she watched the visual images that matched the audio roar with a vengeance through her rear-view mirror, she said.

"Needless to say, it's been absolutely insane here today," said Daisy.

The small-town Mountaineer had just earned eyewitness status to Part III of the worst terrorist attack on American soil.

What Daisy did not know was that her father was about to bear witness to Part IV.

Col. S. K. Bowman retired from active duty with the United States Marine Corps less than six months ago, her sister Lacy said.

Lacy, 19, is an Appalachian State sophomore majoring in clothing and textiles merchandising.

The sisters' father is a Persian Gulf War Veteran who flew MedEvac rescue-missions while stationed in the Middle East.

"He was a bird-colonel with the Marines, so he'd go in and evacuate wounded troops," Daisy said.

After a few more years commuting from Camp Lejeune to Durham, where the family was anchored by mother Nancy's teaching job, Bowman accepted a position with Pittsburgh, Penn.-based Corporate Jet as a civilian MedEvac pilot contracted to fly Stat 5 helicopters to regional medical centers.

The family moved to a small town just west of Somerset, Penn., about 80 miles from Pittsburgh, in June.

While on duty Tuesday morning, Bowman heard the call on the scanner before any television reports, said both sisters.

Their father was dispatched at 11:30 a.m.

On a routine rescue, Bowman pilots the Stat 5 helicopter while two nurses on board care for two to three emergency patients in back.

"It's really the smallest high-tech jet on the market, but it looks like a helicopter," said Daisy.

The emergency crews were deployed to the crash site in Somerset, where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed en route from Newark, N.J., to San Francisco.

"The scary thing is that the plane went down by the exit I take to get to my parents' house.

"I didn't think something so dramatic could happen there. It's like Boone Ð it's in the middle of nowhere," said Daisy.

"My mom said that people think it was supposed to hit Camp David," Lacy said Tuesday afternoon in Boone.

Daisy said that the plane may have been headed for The Capitol as well.

A Flight 93 passenger expressed the same idea to his wife from a cell phone on the doomed flight, including that the plane may have been headed not only for Capitol Hill but also the White House, according to a Miami Herald article released early Wednesday morning.

The article reported that the father of three told his wife, "We're all going to die, but three of us are going to do something about it. I love you, honey."

As most analysts suggest, a few passengers were able to abort the hijackers' ability to hit the fourth-intended target of the day by rushing the cockpit, forcing the plane instead crash in remote Somerset.

When Bowman arrived at the gruesome scene to take survivors to the hospital in Pittsburgh, he found none, said Lacy.

The retired Marine colonel was then ordered to wait at least seven hours for special clearance from government officials to return his emergency vehicle to hangars about an hour away.

Meanwhile, wife and mother Nancy was acting as mediator, comforter and information-filter as she received calls from her stranded husband, daughters and extended family in New York.

"Apparently no cell-phone lines were open in D.C. for awhile and we couldn't get in touch with my sister.

"Then Daisy couldn't get in touch with my parents, but she left a message on my machine at school that just said, ÔI'm here. I'm O.K.,'" said Lacy.

Not only was Daisy in Washington and Bowman in Somerset, but also the sisters' cousins were in New York.

"All of my extended family lives in New York," said Lacy.

"My mom said one of my cousins got out of Manhattan on the last subway running out of the city before they closed," said Daisy.

"The tragedies [in N.Y. and D.C.], even though they were horrendous, weren't as disturbing to me until my mom told me that my dad had gone to the scene to rescue people and all the passengers were dead," said Lacy.

Eerily, her older sister echoed her thoughts, states away.

"There's a cop on every corner here and we can hear [anti-warfare] F-16's and helicopters patrolling overhead, but the magnitude of today didn't really hit me until my mom told me what my dad had seen," said Daisy, who hours earlier had seen possibly the most impenetrable building in the world in flames.

Even though their father is a Gulf War Veteran and has flown MedEvac vehicles for years, Tuesday's crash hit him Ð and his family Ð hard, said Lacy.

"His job is to rescue people with tremendous injuries and fly them to safety. That's his job. Quite often victims are dead.

"But this wasn't due to the passengers' own misfortune. It wasn't their choice.

"This is totally different. I can't imagine what he saw," said Lacy.

In spite of their family's role in the day's events, the Bowman girls were impressively calm Tuesday night.

"I still feel safe here," said Daisy.

"I can see the Pentagon from where I live and D.C. is on lockdown tonight. You can get out of the city, but you can't get back in.

"Even though I have a better chance of being in danger here than in Boone, you can't live your life in fear.

"ÔQue sera, sera,' you know? Life goes on in spite of tragedy. Have a little faith in our country Ð you've got to have trust somewhere," said Daisy.

"Every one of my family members was directly affected," said Lacy.

"But with such major cities targeted, everyone has some connection to someone who's directly affected by this somewhere Ð even in Boone."

Appalachian weekend sports on schedule after NCAA decision

Chris Boyce - Sports Beat

An NCAA teleconference concerning this weekend's collegiate athletic events late Wednesday afternoon determined that games would be played based on the decisions of individual conferences in all three NCAA divisions despite the recent tragedies in New York and Washington, D.C. Shortly after the NCAA decision, the Southern Conference issued a press release announcing that all conference athletic events slated for this weekend will take place on Saturday and Sunday. Conference athletic events taking place on Friday have been postponed and will be rescheduled Sunday. Decisions regarding all non-conference events scheduled for the weekend will be made by the various institutions. Appalachian State's non-conference events include women's soccer Friday night at Middle Tennessee State, men's soccer at Eastern Illinois at noon Saturday afternoon and football Saturday at 7 p.m. in Troy, Ala., against the Troy State University Trojans. At press time, all three sporting events are expected to be played, said Siler. The Mountaineer volleyball contest against SoCon rival Georgia Southern University will be played at the George M. Holmes Convocation Center Saturday at 7 p.m. Women's soccer Tuesday night at Kidd Brewer Stadium was postponed as well as Appalachian State men's soccer Tuesday evening against Winthrop University and volleyball the same night in Raleigh against North Carolina State University due to the terrorist acts that transpired Tuesday morning. The decision to postpone sporting events scheduled to be played on the Appalachian campus was made by athletic director Roachel Laney. "I did speak with my assistant on the matter but ultimately it was my decision. I guess I've been around long enough to make decisions like that," said Laney. Siler maintained that the decision was focused more on respect for the tragedy than event safety. "I don't think in Boone and at Appalachian State it's a safety issue," said Siler. "I think it's more of a respect issue." "It's days like today where things get put into perspective a little bit." A previous statement was received just after 2 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon from the NCAA granting authority to individual schools and conferences to determine appropriate courses of action in regards to playing games. In addition, the NCAA urged individual universities to focus on the safety of student-athletes, athletics personnel and fans when making decisions about games. Individual Appalachian State athletic teams and coaches were given discretion on whether or not to hold practice Tuesday afternoon, and no penalties were placed on athletes deciding not to practice due to emotional duress, said Siler. The Appalachian State field hockey team decided against practicing Tuesday, according to Siler. Laney maintained that it is the people involved in these tragedies that are of concern, not the athletic events. "I think it shows the insignificance of an athletic contest because of the severity of what has happened, and one needs to step back and think about people here," said Laney.

McAlister's set to open first-ever campus location at ASU

Robyn Dailey - Business Affairs Beat

McAlister's Deli is expected to open Oct. 1 in Plemmons Student Union, said director of Food Services Ron Dubberly.

The deli will be located in the space formerly occupied by The Gold Room and Blue Ridge Cafe and will serve sandwiches, spuds, soups, salads and desserts.

It will also offer several vegetarian dishes.

Food Services has been preparing for the opening by sending staff members to other McAlister's restaurants in Charlotte for five weeks of training, said Dubberly.

Appalachian State University licensed the restaurant after Dubberly visited his daughter in Chapel Hill and ate at McAlister's.

"It was packed with college students," he said. "The food was excellent and the decor was very upscale."

He talked to the restaurant's owners and McAlister's sold a license to the university to operate on campus.

"We're the first one that will be on campus," said Dubberly.

McAlister's is headquartered in Ridgeland, Miss.

The deli also offers food products that do not require traditional gas-fired fryers or stoves, which is very beneficial to the environment.

Food Services asked McAlister's to come in after sales from The Gold Room and Blue Ridge Cafe dropped.

The reduction in revenue caused the university to lose in excess of $50,000 a year, said Dubberly.

"We were looking for several years for something to replace the Gold Room," he said.

The menu was re-done last year to offer more Southwestern entrees and The Gold Room was renamed Blue Ridge Cafe to boost sales.

When revenues stayed almost identical, they decided to look more intensely and found McAlister's, said Dubberly.

McAlister's will be operated by university employees and will have a full-time staff of five to six and a part-time staff of 40 to 50, said Dubberly.

"It's our first non-traditional store of any type. We are very excited," said Patrick K. Walls, McAlister's general counsel and vice president of franchise sales.

"It's going to be a living, breathing McAlister's," he said.

Students will go to the counter where there are menu boards and order and pay before being seated.

The food will then be delivered to the table by McAlister's staff.

"The food is actually prepared after you order it," said Dubberly.

"It's going to be a lot slower, but I think it's worth it because the quality is outstanding."

All of the food will be bought from McAlister's.

"It will be the same pricing," said Dubberly.

The room is currently being renovated to look identical to other McAlister's.

It will have the same paint, floor, tables and chairs, said Dubberly.

Freshman Heather Eller from Wilkes County said, "I would pay more if there was more variety."

"I think it'll be nice to have somewhere on campus that students can go that will be a little nicer. Students with meal cards who aren't spending their own money will probably go there regardless of the price just because it's nicer," said junior political science major Josh Teague.

"I think it'll definitely take business away from the other two sandwich places." "I think it's too much sandwiches," said Claudia Cole, a freshman from Greensboro.

Laurie Williamson, an assistant professor from the Human Development and Psychological Counseling Center said, "I think it's cozier up there, [but] it seems to be a bit overkill."

Fund-raising effort exceeds expectations

Kristina Egger - Chancellor / Student Development Beat

Appalachian State University's "Campaign for the Second Century" has currently raised more than $76 million, said Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski. The fund-raising efforts, which began in the summer of 1997, have generated more than doubled the$35 million initially sought by university officials.

"We are extremely pleased with the overwhelming financial support that has been expressed by the friends and family of Appalachian," said Borkowski. The donations made to the university have come in the form of unrestricted money, transferred stock and property tax, Borkowski said.

The money raised will benefit every facet of the institution from scholarships to the recent addition of a state-of-the-art recording studio, Borkowski said.

Donations can be placed into restricted accounts, which allocate funds for specific purposes. However, Borkowski urged people to make donations to an unrestricted account for sophisticated expenses not found in the budget.

More than 34,000 individual donors have made contributions to the university during this campaign. Sixteen individuals have contributed $1 million dollars or more.

In addition, Appalachian State faculty, staff and retirees have contributed over $3 million, proving the solid commitment to education within the Appalachian family.

This is the second time the fund-raising goal has been increased in the past five years. According to Borkowski, it became obvious more than a year ago that the effort would surpass the $50-million mark, so a new goal was established.

"I was sitting in a board meeting and John A. Allison, chairman and the chief executive officer of BB&T, looked at us and said, ÔI think we can reach $70 million.' I remember looking around the room and thinking, "wow."

The $70-million goal was secured in May with a contribution of $10 million made by Miriam Cannon Hayes of Concord. Her gift is the largest in Appalachian State history.

The "Campaign for the Second Century" was scheduled to end this summer but was extended until Dec. 31.

Although the fund raiser will come to a close, Borkowski said, "The legacy of this campaign will be felt by the university for years."

Committee: vital in ASU-town relationship

Sean Oakley - Town of Boone Beat

Gail Hearn, chairperson for the University Relations Committee, said the primary goal of the committee is communication, which is why "students need to give their perspective," she said.

The University Relations Committee, one of the primary Chamber of Commerce committees, is comprised of representatives from the university and community including students, business leaders and members of the Appalachian State University administration.

According to Hearn, the committee "fosters communication and cooperation between the university and community."

Marsha Moore and Ezell Williams are two Appalachian State Student Government cabinet members who also serve on the committee.

"What affects one is going to affect the other," said Hearn, regarding the relationship between the university and residents of Boone. "It is important for lines of communication to stay open."

Hearn described most of the residents in town as very receptive and open once they are informed.

The problem, she said, occurs when misinformation or rumors start, which foster resentment between students and local business owners.

One point of discussion, according to Hearn, revolves around the downtown -parking situation. Students obviously need somewhere to park, but so do business owners, workers and customers.

The University Relations Committee then becomes a forum for brainstorming ideas, and expressing concerns, and a "good information checkpoint," said Hearn.

Points of discussion have included student housing, student orientation weekends and the diversity.

Hearn said the committee is working on a diversity-awareness Survey that will ask both students and residents their input on recognizing diversity in town.

Hearn encouraged interested students and community members to attend the University Relations Committee meetings, which are open to the public. The meetings are held on the last Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. in the McKinney Alumni Center.

SGA elections end today

Sarah Newell - SGA Beat

With Student Government Association (SGA) elections ending today, voter turnout is expected to be higher than in years past.

SGA voting switched completely from paper to voting electronically in 1999. Initially, when voting was switched to voting online, SGA saw a slight increase in voting for the senate election and a decrease in voting for the presidential elections, according to Dino Dibernardi, director of the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, and SGA advisor.

"Voter turnout has traditionally been the highest among off-campus students during the senate elections," said Dibernardi.

Patrick Cash, SGA Rules Committee chair, said this year there are more senate applications flooding the SGA office than ever before, with a total of 185 people running for 77 senate seats. It has become extremely important to raise voting awareness to elect the best people to office.

"We're expecting a high voter turnout this year because [the Public Affairs Committee] has done a lot to increase voting awareness. We've put up information on the new kiosk boards and have devoted a lot more effort because voter turnout's been down," said Cash.

Patrick Sullivan, Public Affairs Committee chair, said, "We've been posting flyers and have placed announcements in this week's [news]paper."

Confiscated items undergo long police process

Jeff Faucette - Police Beat

The work of the Appalachian State University Police Department does not end with the distribution of a citation.

When an offense is committed on campus, the university police issue a citation and contact Student Judicial Affairs. If a student has committed an offense that involves drugs or alcohol, the items are confiscated for evidence.

After the university police get involved, Judicial Affairs steps in to prosecute the students who committed the offense.

According to the Appalachian State University Code of Student Conduct, if a student is caught committing an offense involving drugs or alcohol, the vice chancellor for Student Development will notify the parents of the offender. This notification is only the first step for punishment of the offenders. Depending on the severity of the offense and whether there is a history of repeat issued citations, Judicial Affairs will decide upon punishment for each particular student in all matters excluding drug possession.

For example, if a student is caught with possession of marijuana and it is his or her first offense, he or she will be placed on specific probation, undergo drug education counseling, consent to regular drug testing, perform community service and pay a service fee.

The penalty for the second offense for possession of marijuana will be more severe and can include suspension from school for a semester.

According to the code, any offense that involves the illegal manufacture, sale or delivery of marijuana will result in suspension for one semester for a first offense and expulsion from school for a second offense.

The punishment for possession of drugs such as heroin, LSD, opium and cocaine will result in an automatic suspension of one semester, according to the code.

However, any student that is caught manufacturing, selling or delivering the aforementioned drugs will be automatically expelled and not allowed back into the University of North Carolina system until they have had the disciplinary action of expulsion removed from their records.

So, once the deviants have been punished, what happens to their confiscated contraband?

The police are in charge of collecting all seized items such as alcohol, weapons and drug paraphernalia.

The items are taken to police headquarters and tagged with an identification number and locked into the evidence room.

All confiscated items remain in the evidence room throughout the course of the semester until the items are disposed of by the police.

Sgt. Phil Minton said the police confiscates on average between 40-80 pieces of drug paraphernalia as well as 14.66 gallons of alcohol, 1.94 ounces of marijuana and six weapons every semester.

At the end of the semester, all of the items except for evidence being used in court cases are removed from the evidence room, inventoried and destroyed by the police.

The paraphernalia is smashed, burned or destroyed.

All of the alcohol is poured down the drain and any confiscated drugs are either burned outside of the police station in a barrel or flushed down the toilet.

All confiscated weapons are taken to the Fiscal Plant and dismantled with a band saw so the items cannot be used again.

After the confiscated items are destroyed, Minton fills out an inventory sheet, which is then signed off on by Minton, Chief Gunther Doerr and Major Larry Foster.

The inventory sheet is taken before a magistrate where he or she checks the list and put it in the destroyed-evidence files.