Number of new minority students drops in 2001

Chris Bohle - Multicultural Beat

Appalachian State University ranks last among all the University of North Carolina system schools in student diversity, with a student population of 94.4 percent Caucasian this year.

Lack of diversity is an issue on the Appalachian State University campus that causes concern among some members of the university community.

“It is definitely a problem that needs to be fixed,” said James French, co-president of the Black Student Association (BSA). “Those numbers need to come way up.”

An analysis of recent trends shows the problem does not appear to be improving.

Every campus minority group in the 2001 freshman class experienced a decrease when compared to the 2000 freshman class.

The number of incoming African American students dropped from 97 freshmen last year to 86 this year, Asians dropped from 29 to 16, Native Americans from 12 to 4 and Hispanics from 31 to 9. These numbers, added to upper-class minorities, equal a meager 6.6 percent of the total campus population.

“I’m sure [the Office of] Admissions has seen [the decrease],” said French. “Whether or not they are taking action, I’m not sure.”

The reputation that Appalachian now carries of being a predominantly white university is something that must be changed, said French and several other minority leaders on campus.

“In order to attract more blacks [to the university], we need to start hitting home,” said French. “Admissions should send out recruiters or even current minority students to schools, churches and YMCAs to try and persuade these students that Appalachian can
accommodate them.”

Another thing that could attract more minority students is the possibility of more specific scholarships directed towards certain groups, said Cecilia Torres of the Hispanic Student Association.

At North Carolina State University, for example, Native American students may qualify for the American Indian Student Legislative Grant Program and/or the Incentive Scholarship for Native Americans. At Appalachian, the presence of such specific financial aid is absent.

“To attract more Hispanic students, there should be a Hispanic-based scholarship,” said Torres.

“They have the Multicultural/Diversity scholarship, but this is not laid out for any particular group.”

Torres also suggested trying to hit more high schools with large Hispanic populations and going to bigger cities like Charlotte and Raleigh to recruit.

Jessica Sides of the Native American Council agreed. “Doing more recruiting, especially in larger cities, is definitely necessary to solve this problem,” she said.

“Until we get out there and make a concentrated effort to attract more minorities, this will continue to be a problem,” said French.

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SGA bill opposing ties with Liberty sent to committee
Senators point to Fallwell’s Sept. 14 comments; vote expected next week

Sarah Newell - SGA Beat

A formal vote by the Student Government Association Senate on a piece of legislation that supports any decision by the Appalachian State University administraion to support the termination or non-renewal of athletic contracts with Liberty University could come as early as Tuesday evening.

The body voted to send the bill to the SGA Rules Committee at its meeting earlier this week. That panel will screen the legislation and discuss how it will recommend the bill to the entire body.

The legislation, written by Ian Mance, an off-campus senator representing Appalachian Heights, and Paul Funderburk, a sophomore representing Winkler Residence Hall, is currently being refined.

“All Resident Student Associations (RSA) will be polled by their representing senators, as well as the clubs that are represented by the off-campus senators, to see if they are in favor or against the support of this legislation,” said Rachel Bowling, the SGA chair for the Academic Affairs committee.

Faculty Senate and SGA are looking into cutting all ties with Liberty, a private, Christian university in Lynchburg, Va., because of comments made Sept. 14 by Dr. Jerry Falwell, the school’s chancellor, on “The 700 Club” regarding the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

“I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, the People for the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America – I point the finger in their face and say, ‘You helped this happen,’” said well-known Falwell.

Falwell did, however, retract the statement a few days later.

Dr. Patrick Rardin, associate professor of philosophy and the chair of the Faculty Senate Student Welfare Committee, contacted Bowling about the situation with Liberty and the statement Falwell made.

“I met with Dr. Blimling [vice chancellor for Student Development] about it after talking to Dr. Rardin, he thought it’d be best for the senate to debate it,” said Bowling.

Currently, Appalachian State has contracts with Liberty in football, tennis and basketball, although they are not in the same conference.

Liberty does not know whether Appalachian State is considering renewing or terminating athletic contracts with the school, said Mance.
The legislation states that Falwell has also made other negative comments regarding sexual equality, homosexuality, AIDS and anti-Semitism, many of which are posted on the Liberty Web site.

Falwell made one such statement at a conference in 1999, in which he said, “If [the antichrist’s] going to be the counterfeit of Christ, he has to be Jewish.”

The legislation also states Appalachian State encourages diversity on its campus and has an objective “to enhance, promote and educate faculty, students and the staff of Appalachian State University about the ideals of ethnic, religious, gender-related and political diversity through innovative programming and the individual student’s proactiveness.”

That Liberty does not appear to embrace these values is a large part of why Appalachian State is considering not renewing its athletic contract with the school, according to the legislation.
If Appalachian does not renew its contract with Liberty, both James Madison University and Eastern Kentucky University have been listed as possible replacements, said Roachel Laney, director of Athletics.

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Plans for Plemmons theater underway
Project slated for fall 2002 completion, will show classic films

Robyn Dailey - Business Affairs Beat

Plans are in the works for an upscale movie theater in Plemmons Student Union, according to Dave Robertson, director of Student Programs.

The theater will take the space of the existing Outdoor Programs office, he said.

John McElwee, a film buff and critic of classic American films, donated funding for the theater.

McElwee is the creator of the “Private Screenings” film series shown on campus.

“He’s a real film expert,” said Robertson.

The new theater will showcase his classic film collection as well as showing films for various departments, including history, English, film, and women’s and interdisciplinary studies, he said.

“I thought it would be nice to have a place near where I live to have an opportunity to show these films,” said McElwee.

He said that he chose Appalachian State University because it is a large community and in a good location.

The original budget estimate for the theater was $400,000, said Robertson.

He estimated after the project was finished, the final price tag would be a slightly higher $500,000.

“He [McElwee] has indicated in meeting with architects that he wanted them to proceed with building a first-rate facility,” said Robertson.

Along with his weekly film presentation, McElwee also donates free, fresh popcorn to audiences of his film collection.

“The man has been incredible to Appalachian students in terms of his generosity,” said Robertson.

McElwee’s extensive film collection includes many original prints and lots of 16-millimeter films.

The flicks are mostly old American classics.

“He’s showing movies that are 30, 40, 50 years old, but they were great American cinema, and they’re still great American cinema today,” said Robertson. “He’s really excited about the enthusiasm that’s being generated for classic American films.”

The new theater is expected to fit 80 people in high-back reclining seats, he said.

There will be one entrance to the theater from inside the student union and one from outside near the post office.

A concession stand will be located near the entrance inside the union.

“It will have fresh-popped popcorn, soft drinks and some limited candy selections,” said Robertson.

He said McElwee wants the students to be able to experience seeing the films they way they were intended to be viewed.

“This will be a wonderful film lab for classes as well as A.P.P.S [Appalachian Popular
Programming Society] entertainment series,” said Robertson.

He said the more popular films would still be shown in I.G. Greer so that more people can be accommodated.

“Most of the newer, more recent releases will be in Greer,” said Robertson.

He said they are exploring the option of playing a midnight film on weekends in the new theater, which would be a fun comedy or cult film.

The theater will have Dolby digital sound and a quality projection system.

“We’ve never really had adequate funding to have good equipment in Greer,” said Robertson.
The theater’s target date to begin construction was January, but Robertson is doubtful that it will begin before spring.

“Nothing that we have planned for construction ever seems to start when it’s supposed to,” he said.

After the plans are completed, they still have to be reviewed by the Department of State Insurance and the Department of State Construction in Raleigh.

McElwee is working very closely with the architects and will also work closely with the contractor, he said.

He predicted the theater would be finished sometime next fall.

“It should be a really nice thing when it’s completed,” said McElwee.

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Wachovia CEO: Nation faces epic task

Kristin Davis - Academic Affairs Beat

Wachovia Corporation chief executive officer L.M. Baker Jr. called on future business leaders to prepare for change and uncertainty as a new world order unfolds during the Harlan E. Boyles Distinguished CEO Lecture Series Monday.

The series is sponsored by the Walker College of Business.

“It is difficult to imagine a more interesting time in history.
Change is the order of the day,” said Baker in his opening remarks.

Baker described the economic path from the 1990s through present day to a crowd of more than 400 in Rosen Concert Hall.
“With strong consumer spending into the new millennium, 1999 was completed in jubilation,” said Baker. But by the summer of 2001, the economy had taken on a “sickly pallor,” due to low investor morale and a decline in consumer expenditures.

Baker said a recession seemed inevitable by Sept. 1, and the terrorist attacks that followed 10 days later ensured it.

“Our way of life seemed invincible. We are no longer safe relying on the predictable,” said Baker. He called terrorism an issue that must be resolved and the protection of freedom America’s greatest treasure.

“The forces of darkness must be swept aside. The task of America is of epic proportion,” said Baker.

His thoughts are with the young people of the day who must rise to service in a “new and volatile world,” he said.

More than 1 billion teens populate the globe. Their entry into the world market, along with the re-armament of America, will propel growth, he said.

Change is to be expected, and those who prepare for it will fare better than those who do not, said Baker. “Our nation has resolved depression, recession and war. We must unite against poverty, ignorance and despair,” he said.

First-time attendee Darren Cates, a junior health care management major, said he enjoyed the program, although it was not what he expected. “I would have been interested to hear how [Baker] became a CEO, and the obstacles he encountered along the way.”

Harlan E. Boyles, guest of honor and founder of the series, called it a pleasure to be on the Appalachian State University campus.
“It is one of the most distinguished of the UNC system,” he said.

Baker is the only speaker to have been invited more than once, he said.

Richard H. Moore, N.C. state treasurer, echoed Baker’s thoughts in his introduction. “It matters who is in these jobs — they will be making decisions that affect the entire world,” he said to students regarding current events.

Moore presented guest of honor Wang Shenghong, president of Fudan University in Shanghai, China, with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

The order, the highest civilian honor a North Carolina governor can bestow, was awarded to Wang for his diplomatic relations with the state.

Fudan University partners with Appalachian through the Holland Fellows program, a student/faculty delegation that allows Appalachian students to work on business-focused case studies with Fudan students in China and the United States.

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Event marks start of NPHC sessions

Carrie Baker - Greeks Beat

Appalachian State University’s National Pan-Hellenic Greeks will be holding a “Meet the Greeks” event tonight at 9 p.m. on the first floor lobby of Newland Residence Hall.

“This will give students a chance to gain information about traditionally black Greeks at ASU,” said Andrea Stevenson, president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and coordinator for “Meet the Greeks.”

Represented at the meeting will be the Appalachian chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi and Zeta Phi Beta.

Stevenson said not only will chapters of NPHC Greeks on campus be represented at the event, but three other groups will be as well.

National Pan-Hellenic organizations Delta Sigma Theta, Phi Beta Sigma and Omega Psi Phi will be present at the meeting. “We hope to see interest in starting these chapters at ASU,” said Stevenson.
Julie Sompii, Greek advisor, said before a new NPHC organization can be added to the existing Appalachian NPHC chapters, there must be a level of student interest. “‘Meet the Greeks’ is a good chance for students to learn about these organizations and show possible interest,” said Somppi.

In planning this year’s “Meet the Greeks,” Stevenson said she chose a “less formal” approach than in years past, to provide more comfort to those students seeking information.

“Not only will this be an informal informational event, but it will also be a social event with food and music as well,” said Stevenson. “This is a time to get to know the Greeks and see what Greek life is all about.”

The event is open to all interested in learning more about NPHC Greeks. “Upperclassmen with a 2.3 or better grade point average [are invited], and of course, all freshmen are especially encouraged to come gather information,” said Stevenson.

Stevenson said her biggest hope is to provide information that will “break down stereotypes” about Greek life at Appalachian.

“[Greek life] is about the bond of sisterhood and brotherhood. We want people to come out and correct the misconceptions about Greeks and help get new organizations started on our campus,” said Stevenson.

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Campus parties active in Boone elections

David Forbes - Clubs / Organizations Beat

Loud music filled the air around Sanford Mall Monday while the College Democrats, Greens and Republicans passed out campaign literature and free food in a rally for the Boone Town Council and Mayoral elections, which were held Tuesday.

While endorsements for particular candidates were given, many of the speakers and party officers emphasized the need for students to vote.

“I think the record for student votes [in a town council election] is somewhere under 200. I’d think the student turnout will be over 300 this year,” said Ryan Eller, Student Government Association (SGA) member and president of College Democrats.

Eller said he plans to post the number of student votes in the SGA office after the election.

David Schaaf and Danielle Morisse, co-presidents of College Republicans, also spoke of the need for more student participation. “We’ve been working mainly to get students out.

Big issues that affect students – apartments, zoning and attracting businesses to Boone – are at stake in this election.

“Voter turnout in town council elections is usually no more than 700 voters and student turnout even lower, which is pretty dismal,” said Schaaf.

The College Democrats, Greens (as in Green Party) and Republicans have been holding voter- registration drives as their main ways of preparing for the elections.

Both the Democrats and Greens endorsed candidates Saul Chase, Loretta Clawson and Lynne Mason for town council.

The Greens also supported the late Bob Flora for town council (a resident with similar views will be appointed if he is elected).

“I think Bob’s views are significantly different from Graydon Eggers’. He was really representing students’ interests,” said Kristin Andrews, advisor to the campus Greens. “He was an environmentalist and concerned about renters’ rights.”

College Republicans supported incumbent Velma Burnley for mayor and Dempsey Wilcox, Jerry Kirksey and Graydon Eggers for town council. According to the Republicans’ flyer, “These are the candidates we believe will support the interests and goals of ASU students and work the hardest for the future of the university and the town of Boone.”

“If you can’t get politicians to know that you care through your votes, they won’t pay attention. I hope this election forces town council to pay attention to student votes,” said Eller.

Andrews was even more direct. “Student turnout will make or break this election,” she said.