 |
|
| Forum
discusses impending war |
Jessica Sellers
Clubs | Organizations Beat
|
Jacque Lenz | The AppalachianDr. Dragan Stefanovic spoke last
Thursday in the IRA-sponsored forum discussing the impending war
on Iraq in Plemmons Student Union.
|
Most people do not
know that 50 percent of the population of Iraq is under the age
of 12.
This is only one of many things discussed at a
forum sponsored by the Appalachian State University International
Relations Association. The topic of the forum was the impending
war with Iraq.
The third forum conducted since the 9-11 attacks,
last Thursday’s forum lasted for nearly four hours in the Blue
Ridge Ballroom of W.H. Plemmons Student Union.
Students, faculty, staff members and members of
the ROTC filled the room almost to capacity. |
The panel
consisted of four Appalachian professors: Dr. Curt Ryan, Dr. Dragan
Stefanovic, Dr. Renee Scherlen and Dr. Kim Hall.
Stephen A. Barker, a senior English major and
member of the International Relations Association, was in charge
of the event.
He said the purpose of the forum was to raise
awareness of international events and to create a discourse through
which the university and the community could share their opinions
and exchange information.
Though the subject of international relations
was the main topic of discussion for the night, other issues such
as abortion and the lack of liberal media in our society were raised.
Many felt the forum accomplished what it needed
to, but others felt differently.
“I think when you talk about world affairs
and foreign policies it’s important to search for complexity
rather than accepting simplistic misrepresentation of facts,”
senior geography major Morgan T. Neely said.
After the forum, Barker said the forum had run
smoothly.
“I thought it went really well. I got the
results I wanted. There was a good discussion between both the panelists
and the audience. A lot of people felt they wanted to do something
else [to help] because of it,” Barker said.
For those who have an opinion about the war they
would like to share, or those who would like to obtain more information
about international relations, the International Relations Association
offers a place to do just that. |
|
 |
| SPA to support student
parents |
Jessica Sellers
Clubs | Organizations Beat
|
For most
students, juggling classes and extracurricular activities is quite
enough. Imagine juggling all that and, at the same time, being a
parent.
Many students here at Appalachian State University choose to balance
their college and graduate school classes with the sometimes overwhelming
task of parenting.
The idea of a Student Parent Association (SPA) was conceived last
semester and is taking off this spring with a great deal of interest
among many student parents at Appalachian.
SPA provides a support network for student parents on campus so
they have a community of people to whom they can relate. It also
provides social activities for the children and parents, and gives
parents sources they can refer to when they have questions or concerns.
Sara E. Castellano, a senior child development major, is the founder
of the Student Parent Association. She has a 4-year-old daughter
named Lily. In addition to raising her child, she is involved with
many organizations on campus.
“It’s called time-management and the ability to live without
sleep. I’m with her when she’s awake and when she’s
not awake, I’m studying. I rely on my support system of friends
which I hope to provide for others with the SPA,” Castellano
said.
There are currently two daycare centers affiliated with the university,
but no support system is available. Castellano said SPA hopes to
become this support system for all student parents here at Appalachian.
Currently there are several Student Parent Associations at other
colleges and universities, but no national organization.
Once the SPA is grounded at Appalachian, Castellano hopes to start
a National Student Parent Association here that will be in contact
with the other groups around the nation.
Lori A. Carpenter, a junior accounting major and co-founder of the
group, said the group hopes to get teen mothers who are still in
high school as well as mothers who want to come back to finish their
education involved with SPA, not just college student parents.
“I think that the SPA is a wonderful organization that all
of us need to be aware of and support. I myself am not a student
parent, but I admire those single parents among us who are continuing
their education to better their future and their children’s,”
sophomore interior design major Alice F. Sebley said. “The
ASU community should take notice of the SPA and applaud their vision
and efforts.” |
|
 |
 |
