The Appalachian Online

Aug. 26, 2004

John Bethune | The Appalachian
University Highlands is located on Hwy 105 in Boone. Debates over tax exemption may draw to a close soon.

University Highlands may receive tax refund from county

by Justin Boulmay
Senior Staff Writer

University Highlands is accustomed to accepting checks from students, but soon the apartment complex may receive one from Watauga County, pending a decision from the North Carolina Supreme Court.
Watauga County appealed to the court three weeks ago, creating the next chapter in an ongoing lawsuit between the county and University Highlands as to whether the apartment complex should have to pay property taxes. No decision has been made as to whether the court will take the case.

“Our interpretation is we are automatically tax exempt. [The county] said, ‘No, you’re not. You’re not Appalachian State University,” Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Development Robert K. Feid said.
Feid is the vice-president of Appalachian Student Housing Corporation (ASHC), which owns University Highlands.

New traffic policies around Boone

John Bethune | The Appalachian
Students will see changes while driving through surrounding neighborhoods. Changes aim to make streets safer in Boone.

by Jason Secrest
Staff Writer

Lower speed limits, one way streets, an increase in speed humps and stiffer speeding penalties are among changes made in attempt to alleviate traffic concerns Appalachian State University students will face this year when driving through some of Boone’s residential areas.

The changes stem from an ongoing concern with traffic in Boone’s neighborhoods. Many residents have complained of increased traffic as well as speeding and reckless driving.

Police stay busy during first week

by Lori Fox
Staff Writer

With approximately 2,550 freshmen experiencing their first weekend on the Appalachian State University campus, the Appalachian State University Police Department kept busy last Thursday through Saturday overlooking campus move-in and the first weekend nightlife.

In addition to the eight University Police officers on duty last weekend, four Alcohol Legal Enforcement (A.L.E.) officers as well as eight to 10 Boone Police Officers offered outside assistance for the premier weekend parties.

Chick-fil-A to sponsor Mountaineer Maniacs

by Anna Oakes
Staff Writer

On the Chinese calendar, 2004 is the year of the monkey. For the Mountaineer Maniacs, it is the year of the cow.

Last week the new Chick-fil-A restaurant, opening on Blowing Rock Road next Thursday, agreed to sponsor the Mountaineer Maniacs this year. Owners Bing and Terese Oliver collaborated with both the Student Government Association (SGA) and the Department of Athletics to form this partnership.

Joe Strickland | The Appalachian
Director for Multicultural Student Development Tracey L. Wright (l) and Assistant Director for Multicultural Education Dejon J. Banks (r).

New multicultural assistant director brings compassion to ASU

by Stephanie Marshall
Staff Writer

Dejon J. Banks combines passion and heart, hoping to spread understanding throughout Appalachian State University campus.

The newly appointed Assistant Director for Multicultural Education, Banks comes from Wake Forest University, where she was a coordinator of multicultural admissions. She hopes to continue to educate people in diversity and multiculturalism at Appalachian State.

Library to expand stock car collection

by Jennifer Schneider
Staff Writer

Belk Library races to promote and expand their stock car collection with the help of a $7,346 grant they recently received.

“I am really excited about the stock car collection,” University Librarian Dr. Mary Reichel said. “Racing is such a major economic factor in North Carolina so it is a natural evolution for the library to have the collection.”