COPING WITH STATE BUDGET CUTS
Appalachian State University administrators were faced with a difficult task last fall when officials in Raleigh ordered all state-supported entities to extensively trim their budgets for the second year in a row. We feel Appalachian administrators handled the cuts in a reasonable manner. However we feel the faculty felt the brunt of this round of cuts and are still enduring the large class sizes and increased work loads. A tired and unhappy faculty translates into bad class environments and overall negatively affects the student body as a whole. GRADE: B

COPING WITH STATE BUDGET CUTS
Appalachian State University administrators were faced with a difficult task last fall when officials in Raleigh ordered all state-supported entities to extensively trim their budgets for the second year in a row. We feel Appalachian administrators handled the cuts in a reasonable manner. However we feel the faculty felt the brunt of this round of cuts and are still enduring the large class sizes and increased work loads. A tired and unhappy faculty translates into bad class environments and overall negatively affects the student body as a whole. GRADE: B

STUDENT-AIMED POLICY CHANGES
Three major recent policy changes include the expansion of campus free speech zones, the implementation of deferred rush and the soon-to-be decided athletic fee proposal for the advancement of varsity athletics. SGA Sens. Ian A. Mance and Paul A. Funderburk worked last summer to make the administration aware of the need for a larger free speech zone on campus. We feel the current zones are still limiting students’ rights to free speech on campus and should be expanded. We agree with the need for advanced warning of demonstrations and large gatherings for security reasons. The decision to implement deferred rush this year was the smartest policy implemented by the administration in years. Allowing new students to focus on schoolwork and becoming a strong individual before joining a social organization builds better students and Greek organizations. Finally, the upcoming athletic fee proposal is the worst decision considering the current economic situation. It will currently negatively affect the campus if implemented. We urge the administration to keep students at the forefront of all decisions GRADE: C+

SEEKING STUDENT INPUT ON POLICY CHANGES
The recent athletic fee proposal plans have made us sick. In a tough budget time where faculty members are taking on extreme workloads and class sizes are growing by the minute, the administration has proposed a plan that will take away from current student services while increasing student fees. The administration told SGA senators last semester student input will not be sought other than asking SGA senators for feedback. The senate members showed they were unified against the proposal but administrators turned a blind eye. We understand administrators are no doubt charged with making difficult decisions they believe will benefit the university as a whole. While they are best suited to make long-term plans for the institution, we call on Appalachian State officials to reevaluate how some decisions are made, ensuring the best interest of the university and its community is kept intact. Yes, that includes students, faculty and staff. GRADE: F

EFFORTS TO INCREASE DIVERSITY
As reported by The Appalachian last semester, Appalachian State currently ranks last among the 16 University of North Carolina system schools in terms of minority students. The university created an associate vice chancellor position, filled by Dr. Harry Williams, to help form a plan to increase minority enrollment. According to Appalachian State’s Diversity Plan, the university’s goal is to increase the admissions pool of minority students to 10 percent by 2008. Dr. Williams discussed the plan to increase student and faculty diversity while not sacrificing academic instruction in the name of diversity. While the administration is currently focusing on racial diversity, we encourage it to keep all forms diversity in mind even from the beginning. We see this as a positive change for the university and encourage officials to continue their efforts to increase campus diversity. GRADE: C+