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Our Perspective...
Faculty Senate out of touch with students
Where have all the textbooks gone?
If Faculty Senate has their way, textbooks will no longer be for all. They will be only for those that can afford them.
The Faculty Senate, in passing a motion to abolish the rental textbook system, has only shown how out of touch they are with reality.
The reality is that the rental textbook is a feather in Appalachian’s cap, a strong recruiting tool for a university on the rise.
The reality is that every student on this campus thanks the hard work of Appalachian each year to make the rental textbook system work when they hear about friends at other universities paying $500 for one semester’s worth of books.
The reality is that a removal of the rental textbook system would mean a loss of students.
The Appalachian Board of Trustees recently approved $435 in increases for tuition and student fees. If approved, how much can the professors expect each student to take on?
Yes faculty, you will teach with the book you want to, but what good does that do if you have an empty classroom?
What about teaching consistent concepts? If professors were allowed to change a textbook at a moment’s notice, what safeguard would be there to prevent overzealous professors thrusting their beliefs on an unsuspecting class? Departmental approval at least curbs some of that issue.
However, The Appalachian still believes the legislative arm of the faculty has good intentions at heart with this request. This is a master’s university, full of professors who want to teach, not do research on a state-funded budget.
Textbooks can and do become woefully outdated, especially in subjects like business, technology fields and history.
In fact, there is nary a subject on this campus that would not benefit from seamless integration of new textbooks.
Perhaps there is another way, without a large amount of expense put on the student (or their parents).
Various professors are already using supplemental texts across campus. The Faculty Senate can encourage other professors to pick up that trend if they so need.
Requiring students to purchase a pack of copies for $15 is more agreeable than asking the same student to purchase a similar textbook for $65.
The Internet is a wonderful resource not used nearly as much as it should by Appalachian professors. Require students to regularly check the course Web site for new articles and studies found by the professor.
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Billy Fowler | Editorial Cartoonist |
Gifts on budget can be done
It’s the end of the semester, and we’re all broke. Christmas is less than one month away.
Looking for affordable Christmas gift ideas? Here’s a few … hundred.
Search the Internet for a homemade candle or soap recipe.
Make a picture frame or decorate a pre-made frame with pom-poms, glitter, dried flowers or anything else you can find.
Hit the thrift shops and put together a “bargain ensemble” for a friend (make sure it’s outrageous).
Bake something: cookies, brownies, cupcakes …
Burn a mix CD! Give it a theme like “Sunset Mix” or “Driving down 105.” Of course, it’s not really a mix without at least one Madonna song.
Give someone a plant. Houseplants make great friends and add a lot to a room. Even better, pot it for them.
Hit up the local video and music stores for used movies and CDs.
Tie-dye a shirt, socks or underwear! Or, buy some cheap tightie-whities or cotton boxers and decorate them with puffy paint. Be silly.
Buy a cheap vase, mug, coaster set, flower pot or candle holder and decorate it with mirrors, paint, glitter, etc.
Buy a gift card from a movie theater, bowling alley or arcade.
Make a collage and frame it. Use photographs, magazine clippings or various other objects, especially if they evoke a good memory.
Make a special blend of tea and put it in a bag with a nice ribbon. Russian Tea tastes great and is easy to make.
This is a little more expensive, and you’ll need to be sure the friend can care for it, but adopt them a puppy or kitten from the local animal shelter or humane society.
Write a crazy (yet thoughtful) song about your friend and perform it for them.
Create your own fragrance from essential oils, which can be bought at local herbal supply stores. Give the fragrance a unique name and put it in a small glass jar.
Have friends who are smokers? Buy them a pack of lighters and decorate them with nail polish, permanent markers, stickers or puffy paint.
Want to give something more practical? How about a calling card, gas card or grocery card?
The cold weather arrived late this year, but it’s definitely here now. Buy (or make) your friend a scarf, beanie, gloves, socks or headband.
Buy an inexpensive box from a craft store. Line it with felt and paint or collage the outside, and voila! A jewelry or keepsake box!
Everyone needs a fun wig.
Buy a blank journal and have your friend’s name inscribed on it.
How about a cookbook?
Can you use a simple needle and thread? Sew patches and fabric to make a fun, personalized pillowcase!
Get artistic: buy a small canvas and paint a picture. Or draw one.
Buy your lady friends some sexy underwear.
I have more stationery than I know what to do with, but I never mind getting more.
Sculpt and glaze a pot, dish, cup, vase, shot glass, candleholder or ashtray from clay.
Purchase a really cool poster.
Score some cheap fabric and make new curtains or drapes.
Again, if you’re sure your friend can take care of it, buy them a fish (and a bowl, of course).
Good luck with holiday shopping. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
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Seniors: time to take responsibility, control
I would like to start by congratulating all the seniors who are graduating this weekend.
I will be sad to see you go. Well, most of you at least.
I have to say I am worried about how ready some of you are to get out of college.
Graduating from college is very different than graduating high school.
By the end of high school, everyone is ready to get out and experience the real world, meet new people and see what is out there beyond their bubble of a life.
Do you remember how excited you were to get away from the rules of parents and prove how adult you were by making rash decisions about alcohol and how much sleep you actually need?
I bet you don’t feel that way anymore.
The greatest fear of every graduate I know is being detached from their parents. I’m talking financially here.
This is the time when you really have to grow up.
Mommy and daddy will always love you, but honestly, they might be happy to let you take care of yourself now.
Are you ready?
It is now time to find a job beyond retail and food services.
Trust me, bills that you never knew existed will start popping up left and right.
Soon you will have a family and kids of your own to take care of.
Independence is not fun all the time.
It scares me that even during my freshman year, seniors would come to me and ask questions about what it is like to be completely independent from my parents.
It has never been a big deal to me because it has never been any different.
Since I was 17 years old I have taken care of my own expenses. The good thing about my situation is that I had known it was going to be that way since birth.
All my life I prepared myself and my bank account for things like tuition, car payments and electric bills.
I am pretty sure some of these seniors never expected to have to pay for everything. At least you never really thought about what it entailed.
It honestly saddens me because the saying is true. You don’t truly appreciate what you have until you have to work for it.
Not to say that I spend money correctly, but it amazes me how people throw their money around.
Almost everyday I hear someone complain about having to pay for something. Being in the college environment, that bill can range from filling up a gas tank to a court fine. The next day though, I see that same person walking around showing off their new $400 iPod.
So what happens to that first bill? It’s all right, no worries, Mom and Dad have your back.
Have respect for yourself. Don’t be that 30-year-old that still relies on their parents for food money. The days of a meal card are over my friend.
At the same time, don’t live off Ramen noodles and grilled-cheese sandwiches for the next five years. All you have to do is start taking responsibility for what you spend your money on.
My favorite stories are the ones that start “I want to do this but my parents would be mad.” Granted, I’m not telling you to go join a cult, but most of the stories are about getting a piercing or dropping a class.
You are old enough to make your own choices now. You don’t need permission from your parents.
Don’t lie. Most of you know that you work hard not to upset your parents because you are afraid of being cut off.
That time has come.
Call me bitter. Call me jealous. But I am glad I don’t have that crutch because I can honestly say that when the time comes for me, I will be prepared.
Those of you who are graduating are nearing your mid-20s. I think it is time to grow up and start taking responsibility for your own choices.
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Letters to the Editor
Response to WCU criticism
First of all, I attended the Western game, and I completely agree with Hugh Kellenberger. The fans at that game were completely out of control and showed their lack of class to everyone present. I understand that we are huge rivals fighting for the jug, but there was no need for what the Western fans did. Why were they already on the field crowding our football team BEFORE the game was over? Why were they not allowing the kicker to practice? Why were they being rude in their chants during and after the game, especially the university-sanctioned cheerleaders and band? These are just a few of the questions still left unanswered.
As for the WCU fans who wrote in to the editor, in case you can?t read, the word above the article in large print reads "OPINION." This article was Mr. Kellenberger's opinion; he didn't have to have research? or take on an unbiased? view. This was his opinion, along with many other ASU students.
Suzanne Harkins
senior, elementary education
dh46642
Prayer group controversy destroys ASU climate
I cannot believe all the blame that is being thrown around. I came to ASU, and I love it here, because of the atmosphere. I have had (almost) nothing but great experiences with warm, friendly people here on campus: students, faculty, and staff. Instead of throwing blame around, we need to remain the place we want to be, the place I thought we were: a warm and open campus where all people are not only accepted, but valued as well.
Suzanne Ingram
senior, middle grades education
si45790
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