|
University steps up effort to curb game day drinking
Kristina Egger - Chancellor / Student Development Beat
In response to a number of alumni-penned letters received
by Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski, state Alcohol Law Enforcement (A.L.E.)
officers will now have the authority to search fans entering Kidd Brewer
Stadium starting with Saturday’s game against East Tennessee State
University.
According to Dr. Gregory Blimling, vice chancellor for Student Development,
university officials plan to do several things to strengthen the no-alcohol
policy this season.
In addition to increasing the number of police officers in Kidd Brewer
Stadium on game days, the university also intends to contact local ABC
stores to ask that they decrease the number of mini-bottles sold on
game days.
“If a student is found to be in possession of alcohol while inside
the football stadium they will immediately be escorted out of the gate,”
said Blimling. “Non-students breaking the no-alcohol policy will
also be asked to leave.”
After a student’s first offense, he or she will be placed on general
probation.
The student then must attend an alcohol education and counseling program
designed by the university.
A.L.E. officers also have the authority to write tickets as they see
fit.
“It is up to the discretion of the officer on duty to write tickets
for those in violation of the law,” said Blimling.
Alcohol consumption and possession has never been allowed at football
games because it violates North Carolina state law to drink or possess
alcohol in a state-owned college stadium.
Alcohol is listed under a section entitled ‘University Sanctions’
in the university’s “Guide to Policy and Procedure.”
“Possession and the use of alcohol on the campus of Appalachian
State University must comply with the state of North Carolina and with
campus regulations and procedures,” according to the manual.
If the university knowingly allows mini-bottles into the stadium, it
would be in violation of North Carolina law.
The chancellor’s plan to reduce alcohol at football games was met
with mixed reactions.
A 1970 graduate of Appalachian State University wrote the chancellor
a lengthy letter addressing Appalachian’s image as a party school.
“We exited the game by way of the restrooms and saw 87 mini-bottles
on the rack above the tissue in the stalls,” wrote the alumna.
“I do pray that you take the steps necessary to restore our reputation
and the health of future Mountaineers,” said the alumna.
Several students also have expressed concern about the drinking that
has flooded Kidd Brewer Stadium, said Borkowski.
Many students declined comment, citing fear of ridicule from their peers.
In an e-mail sent to Borkowski by Chuck Parker from Wilkesboro, a student
was not willing to advance his complaint because of “a fear of
retribution from members of the athletic department staff.”
Other students, such as junior Carrie Wellemeyer, believe the action
being taken by the university is simply another way for the university
to act as a babysitter.
The planned action puts too much restriction on students, said Wellemeyer.
“We are adults now.
If we can’t go to a game responsibly, what can we do?”
Senior Anna Martin said she is concerned with students drinking and
driving on the way to the game if security measures are increased and
the university does not designate an area for tailgating.
“Ultimately, people are going to drink and drive to the stadium
rather than risk being searched by
the police. Either way, they’ll be stumbling into the football
game,” said Martin.
Junior Rachael St.Cyr said he believes the presence of A.L.E. officers
will cut down attendance at the game, as well as revenue made by the
sale of Coca-Cola as a mixer.
“Of course what they lose in Coke sales they’ll be making
back in drinking tickets,” said St.Cyr.
Wake Forest University has already begun working with A.L.E. officials
to curb drinking at home football games in Winston-Salem.
A Sept. 8 article in The Winston-Salem Journal stated: “Underage
drinking is prevalent before and after football games, which is why
A.L.E. agents will be cracking down during Wake Forest’s first
home game.”
Borkowski said the beefed-up efforts will not end with Saturday’s
game.
“This is the first step in a long campaign that we hope will significantly
reduce the amount of alcohol students bring to the games.”
Vol.
76 No. 11September
25, 2001
ASU answers call for help from Red Cross
Two drives exceed expectations, produce more than 200 pints
of blood.
Kristin Davis -
Academic Affairs Beat
Appalachian State University faculty, staff and students
donated 226 pints of blood to the Watauga County chapter of the American
Red
Cross in a student-focused blood drive Wednesday and a faculty/staff-focused
blood drive Friday.
The two-day blood drive exceeded expectations, said volunteers. “I’ve
seen more people everywhere in the last week, but this is the biggest
so far,” said head nurse Nancy Green about Wednesday’s crowd.
“It is humbling to see how donors have come out. No one has complained
about the waits, and those who’ve had to leave have come back,”
she said.
The first drive came just eight days after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks
on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
More than 200 students turned out, contributing 160 pints of blood, said
Sonny Sweet, director of the Watauga County chapter of the American Red
Cross.
“Our expectations were 100 pints,” he said. “With the staff
and time we could have easily done 300.”
The faculty/staff-focused blood drive turned out 66 pints before the afternoon
appointments were cancelled due to lack of space, said Sweet. “We’ve
run into a wonderful problem. We’ve reached record inventory across
the United States [for now].”
However, white-blood cells and actual blood are only good for six weeks,
said Sweet, who hopes the trend continues.
“It’s important for donors to continue coming out,” he
said.
Plasma and red-blood cells can be frozen for 10 years, so the blood collected
after capacity won’t go to waste, said Sweet.
Blood can be donated every 56 days.
The student-focused blood drive held Wednesday was extended by four-and-a-half
hours after having a fully booked appointment
roster, said volunteer and ROTC cadet Beaver Hartin.
“There are 100 percent more people than in past years,” he said
on Wednesday.
“I wanted to do everything I could for the victims of these tragedies.
I’m prepared for whatever the country decides to do in response to
the attacks,” said Hartin about his ROTC involvement.
Another ROTC volunteer, junior Michael Stokes, said he was unable to give
blood Wednesday. “[But] I wanted to help out in another way,”
he said.
Stokes and other volunteers from ROTC manned orientation tables, organized
donors and passed out refreshments.
Local restaurants provided food for donors, and Appalachian Ski Mountain
gave away ski passes.
Freshman Eric Belanger, a second-time blood donor, saw the drive as an
opportunity to help the victims of the terrorist attacks.
“It’s a terrible tragedy,” said Belanger. “I’m
doing the best I know how. I’m a college student, and I can’t
give money.
“Blood is something I can give.”
Student Accounts moves into space vacated by bank
Robyn Daily - Business
Affairs Beat
A second Student Accounts office opened Monday in the University Bookstore
following First Union’s decision to close its on-campus branch after
25 years of operation.
Friday was the bank’s last day in the space, said Cindy Shelton,
director of Student Accounts.
She said Student Accounts will have one teller at the new window, but
eventually could have as many as two. Its hours will be 10 a.m. until
2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Students will be able to inquire about accounts and make payments on everything
from tuition, fees and parking tickets. All checks will stay at the main
office, located on the second floor of the John E. Thomas (JET) Administrative
Building.
“The students really shouldn’t see any differences between those
two offices,” said Shelton.
The Office of Business Affairs wanted to use the space for students, but
the process to get another bank on campus takes a long time, said Shelton.
“There’s no way that the Business Affairs office could get another
bank branch in there quickly,” said Shelton.
The new office is considered a temporary arrangement and could change
depending on the reception it receives from students, said Shelton.
First Union is closing for business purposes and because the on-campus
location was not profitable, said Shelton. However, the ATM in the bookstore
will stay.
“It was sort of a surprise and a shock that they decided to leave,”
she said.
Many students opened accounts at First Union because of the branch on
campus, said Shelton.
The campus branch will merge with the branch located on the corner of
U.S. Highway 105 and Blowing Rock Road, said Sandra Bryan, teller coordinator
of the former on-campus branch.
Bryan worked at the First Union in University Bookstore for 25 years.
The equipment expenses in the First Union were extremely high, said Bryan.
“Our lease ran out in June,” she said. The branch decided not
to renew.
“All of the faculty and staff that bank with us are really sad to
see us go,” said Bryan.
Bryan is taking a weeklong vacation and will resume work at the in-town
branch.
The bank area in the bookstore will change during the renovations and
construction in and around Plemmons Student Union and University Bookstore.
Another bank may open in the renovated bookstore, said Shelton.
Turnout minimal at town council candidate forum
Sean Oakley - Town of Boone
Beat
Amidst family, friends and a modest showing of students, candidates for
the upcoming Boone Town Council explained their thoughts and ideas at
a Student Government Association-sponsored forum Thursday night in Linville
Falls Room of Plemmons Student Union.
Seven candidates stated their stances on issues such as relations between
the university and the town, the town’s traffic problem, and the
liquor-by-the-drink policy.
About 20 students and 20 Boone residents, including a few faculty members,
attended the event.
The tone of the evening revolved around student involvement, as well as
students’ rights and roles within the Boone community.
“Recognizing that ASU students really are a part of Boone” is
an important issue for Saul Chase, a former member of the board who is
running again after hiatus. Chase is married to Nan Chase, an instructor
in the Department of Communication.
Some candidates focused on what it meant to be a resident of Boone.
“If you moved here yesterday, you have as much of a right as a seventh-generation
Boone resident,” said Loretta Clawson, running for re-election.
“You’re lucky you’re here, and we’re lucky you’re
here,” said the seventh-generation resident Clawson to students.
“There’s a fine line between constitutional rights and what’s
right for this town,” said Graydon Eggers. “I want to do what’s
right for the town of Boone.”
Candidates also focused on renters’ rights, housing and neighborhood
concerns.
“It is important for all of us to learn to become good neighbors,”
said Lynne Mason, a candidate currently on the Boone Area Planning Commission.
“[Boone needs] new solutions for housing in this area,” said
Mason.
“We need stability in our neighborhoods, [but] I am sympathetic to
students’ needs,” said Eggers.
“[I] know a little bit about renters’ rights and would push
for renters’ rights,” said Bob Flora, a candidate affiliated
with the Green Party.
Candidate Jerry Kirksey said he is concerned about air quality, traffic,
and a reasonable and affordable noise ordinance.
“An elected official is a public servant, and I would like to be
a public servant in Boone,” he said.
Dempsey Wilcox III, another candidate running for re-election, highlighted
supporting renovation of Howard Street and stopping heavy traffic in neighborhoods
as his main concerns.
On the issue of liquor-by-the-drink, five of the candidates adamantly
opposed the idea, while two more said they were sitting in the middle
but leaning toward opposing.
All of the candidates agreed that students are a vital piece of Boone
and that students should take an active role in local politics.
The Boone Town Council and Mayoral elections will be held Oct. 9 from
6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Students who are registered to vote in Boone are urged to participate
in local government elections, and should call the Watauga County Board
of Elections at 265-8061 to verify voting places.
|
 |
 |
