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| April 5, 2005 | ||||||
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Other sites of interest: Student Government Association Center for Student Involvement & Leadership Appalachian & the Community Together Multicultural Student Development |
Watkins-Pereira set goals for next year P. Jud Watkins and Christopher R. Pereira were elected as next year’s Student Government Association president and vice president March 24, garnering over 60 percent of the vote. This year’s election saw 2,788 Appalachian State University students vote, down more than a thousand from last year. Nearly 4,000 students voted in 2004, with Miriam N. Makhyoun and Nick V. Albu claiming victory in a run-off election. Watkins and Pereira earned 61 percent of the vote with 1,715 votes. John B. Artman and Jason S. Radford earned 841 votes (30 percent) and Chelsea M. Hunt and Benjamin “Rico” Diaz claimed 232 votes (8 percent). Both Watkins and Pereira were involved in previous SGA elections. They claim a “clean campaign” did the job this year. “We felt vindicated because we went out, we had a strategy, we wanted to keep it clean, we wanted to make it about the students – and the students responded overwhelmingly,” Pereira said. Watkins said he is excited about the future of student government. “We have a pretty extensive platform because we researched a lot, so I’m looking forward to having the opportunity now to carry it out,” Watkins said. A referendum asking students if they wanted to keep or replace the textbook rental system was also on the ballot. About 96 percent (3,105 students) voted to keep the rental system with 3 percent (99 students) favoring its replacement. Approximately 10.2 percent of voters responded to the referendum but did not vote for a presidential ticket. “Ten percent of the voters didn’t support a candidate at all and that speaks about campaigning,” current SGA President Makhyoun said. “This [election] was about name recognition, not ideal recognition.” Elections Board Chair H. Dustin Bayard said the election ran smoothly overall. “The elections board this year was knowledgeable,” he said. “They served the students of this university very well and with great enthusiasm.” “I am disappointed that I did not do as much as I could to get more students excited about the election,” he said. The Elections Board chair also pointed to this year’s candidates. “I wish the candidates would have been more gung-ho about getting their names out there,” Bayard said. “The Elections Board can only do so much, and it is the candidates who should be making people excited about voting.” Vice Presidential candidate Diaz said he would not change anything about their campaign. “I think we got our point across: it doesn’t matter who you are, you can still get support,” he said. Artman and Radford, who ran with the slogan, “We’re rolling up our sleeves,” expressed disappointment at their loss. “We feel disappointed and a little surprised at the loss,” Radford said. “We felt like we ran a strong campaign.” Watkins and Pereira said they have already started preparing for their term. Next year’s SGA cabinet will include two new positions: a director of sustainability and a director of university relations, they said. Applications for cabinet positions, which were available beginning yesterday, are due April 15. “We don’t want to limit [the cabinet] to people who have been in student government,” Pereira said. “We’re not set on any names … we’re keeping it open.” The two say they plan to reach out to clubs, organizations and athletics more next year. They said delegating will be the key to developing leadership and initiative in the Senate. “Next year, expect a different student government,” Watkins said.
Bookstore becomes 'Home of the Whopper' Appalachian State University students can have it their way next year in the University Bookstore. Burger King is one of the new features that will be added to the bookstore during its renovations. Construction for Burger King and other features could begin in October, Director of Food Services Ron Dubberly said. Appalachian has already signed the license agreement and will discuss construction plans for the Burger King this week. “We’ve got the plans drawn and we have a meeting Wednesday to finalize the plans with the equipment manufacturer,” Dubberly said. Proposed plans for the renovated space include Burger King, a banking service and a convenience store, Bookstore Project Manager W. Kelley Ingram said. Those plans have not been finalized. Appalachian also is in the process of putting a Starbucks Coffee in the Belk Library & Information Commons, but the deal has not been finalized. The library is slated for completion in May. Proposals have been made to bring another coffee venue to the bookstore, possibly another Starbucks, but those have not been finalized either, Ingram said. Appalachian and Starbucks are currently going over contracts. “The actual contract is being [passed back and forth between] our attorney and their attorney now,” Dubberly said. If everything goes according to plan, the university will begin construction of a Starbucks off of the library’s main lobby this summer, Library Project Manager Patrick A. Beville said. “We’re only talking about a 30-day process,” Beville said. “We’re looking to have it open … the first day of school for next fall.” Dubberly said his choice for Starbucks was due to the name and to its training program for new employees. “Starbucks has an excellent training program, so when you go to Starbucks, you’re buying a deal where they have the products, they have the expertise,” Dubberly said. “They actually come in and train our staff on how to do it, what to do.” Representatives have biweekly visits to make sure everything is in order, and if not, to conduct further training. The university started looking at Burger King in 1997 after a survey was taken among students asking which of two fast food establishments they would want on-campus. Dubberly said Burger King was the first choice, but would not comment on which food venue was next on the list. He added that to start the process over would push the work behind one or two years. Burger King’s layout will be similar to that of the Chick-Fil-A in Welborn Hall, but special orders will be available as well. Jessica L. Johnson, a senior English education major, said she thought the move was a bad idea. “Starbucks is overpriced, and it’s another food corporation we don’t really need here,” she said. “There were some concerns expressed by students and we certainly understand that concern,” Beville said. “There hasn’t necessarily been a market study done to see if we are maxed out in terms of coffee capacity in the area.” Falling prices are not the only changes customers are seeing at the Boone Wal-Mart. Shelves have been moved and rearranged, the walls have a fresh coat of paint and the food section has undergone a major expansion. The store has also added self-checkout cash registers. Human resources manager Tina Watson said the store is adding frozen food and refrigerated items as well as an increase in canned food. Watson said they are looking to bring a larger variety to give the store a “one-stop, one-shop” feel. She said the remodeling allows customers to come to Wal-Mart for their grocery needs as well as other items. During this time, Watson said the changes, which have been conducted during store hours, have not hurt business. She also said sales have increased and she has not heard of any complaints. “I’ve heard that customers like the change,” Watson said. Invoice associate Jimmy Townsend sees the change as giving the store a facelift. “We’re making a more pleasant environment with the changes,” Townsend said. Townsend also said the store needed to be remodeled because the town denied the request to make the store a Wal-Mart SuperCenter at its current location. Among other things, there would not be enough parking to cover the expansion. However, Townsend said the store still hopes for a super center near Boone. The closest Wal-Mart SuperCenter is in West Jefferson, about 15 miles away. Townsend said he acknowledges the mess during the remodeling but, like Watson, said he has only received positive feedback. “We appreciate the community support and patience,” Townsend said. Sophomore Casey N. Everhart is a regular Wal-Mart patron. She said she is there multiple times a week buying supplies for her art and sewing classes. “I don’t think it’s worth the trouble to put in a freezer section,” Everhart said. “I’ll still have to go to Food Lion for my groceries.” Wal-Mart will have a second grand opening April 20. Com instructor receives teaching award This winter, several students walked to class on a cold, snowy morning to find their professor handing them hot chocolate and homemade muffins. Could it be a dream? Not if that professor is Debra G. Poulos. Poulos, an instructor in the department of communication, won the first annual Rennie W. Brantz Award for Outstanding Teaching in Freshman Seminar. The award is given to a professor who exhibits exceptional characteristics that help further the program. “I think she is the ideal recipient and will be the model for recognizing teachers in the future,” Brantz said. “I’ve seen Dr. Brantz in action,” Poulos said. “He is an extraordinary teacher and mentor. It is very flattering to be given an award that reflects Dr. Brantz’s abilities in the classroom.” This year, 32 different instructors received 67 nominations from students. Freshman Seminar Director Dr. Dan Friedman said Poulos received the most nominations with seven. “It is great to know you are reaching students in a positive way,” Poulos said. “I really feed off the energy of the students.” Nominations included a variety of compliments from students. “Ms. Poulos was more than just a professor to me, she was, and is, also a friend,” freshman music industry studies major Benjamin R. Allen said. “I am very glad I had a chance to nominate a person who shows what a Freshman Seminar class should be about: making friends, feeling comfortable around other people and being encouraged to get out in life and dream.” Other nomination letters described Poulos’ dedication to her students both in and outside of class. Some students said they see Poulos not only as a professor, but an extended part of their family. “They all spoke to her commitment, her energy, her passion and dedication,” Friedman said. “All the things that we were looking for in a candidate.” A committee of two faculty members and two students chose the winner. Both of the students were peer leaders and previous students of Brantz. The number of nominations was not the only factor in choosing a winner. The committee also considered the professors’ dedication to Freshman Seminar. Poulos serves on the Freshman Seminar advisory council as well as the textbook selection committee. Poulos said she believes Freshman Seminar is an important part of Appalachian State University. “I think it really has a positive impact on students not only during their first semester, but throughout their entire college experience,” she said. Several pieces of furniture were stolen from the main lobby in Cone Residence Hall after Spring Break. The theft was an act of larceny that occurs often during this point in the semester, University Police said. “You’ll find that those types of crimes (theft and larceny) occur more frequently near the end of the year,” Lt. Phil Minton said. Crimes like these happen at a higher rate in part because “students get edgy, especially when exams are coming up,” Minton said. A police report was filed on March 16 concerning the theft of a couch and chair from the main lobby in Cone Hall. Since then, the chair has been returned. However, flyers containing information on the missing couch still litter Cone Hall. The couch was valued to be worth at least $500. “Offenders can be referred to Judicial Affairs, or even be charged for larceny if caught,” Minton said. “Students are not supposed to move furniture from the lobby for their private use.” With a month left in the semester and the school year, many students become more brave and take on acts or dares, even illegal ones, that have more serious consequences than they may realize, Minton said. University Police encourage students who are not involved in these acts to take extra precautions to ensure they are not the victims of theft themselves. “People are not securing their dorm rooms,” said Minton. “Make sure you keep your dorms locked, especially during the last week of school.” Many students leave their residence hall doors wide open while moving out furniture and other belongings. During this time period, University Police say most accounts of theft and larceny occur. “It only takes [on average] eight seconds to walk in to a room, pick something up and leave,” Minton said. Minton also suggests making sure you lock your doors even while using the bathroom down your hall because most students will hardly ever take the time or effort to complete a forceful break-in. “We very rarely ever have a forced entry, it’s mainly crimes of opportunity,” Minton said. Appalachian State University’s Adopt-a-Grandparent Club was established in the spring of 2004 when a group of communication students began evaluating what groups were being under-served in Watauga County. They noticed the elderly population was not given adequate attention and decided to form a club to better serve them. Today, the Adopt-a-Grandparent Club works with Appalachian Brian Estates, Mountain Care, the Project on Aging and other homes and agencies in Watauga County. “It’s important for younger people to realize how they can interact with people 40 years older and what we can learn,” Dr. Norman E. Clark said. Clark is the club’s advisor and a professor in the department of communication. “People don’t realize that the bigger cross-cultural gaps are coming from time differences rather than space differences,” he said. Clark’s role as advisor is to be an information resource and to organize guest speakers from area homes for the club’s meetings. He studies communication and aging, and teaches an Aging and Health Issues class. “This club is important because you see the smiles coming from the older adults and the students,” Juris said. Clark said another aspect of the club involves matching students up with a grandparent they can visit on an individual basis as well as during group projects. “We’re looking to do a lot more,” treasurer and sophomore accounting major Eric C. Bolyard said. “Our programs are well established. We are focused on membership growth right now.” Bolyard said the club tries to hold one social event per month at each facility. “The next meeting is a very important meeting for members and potential members to attend because we will be having elections for the 2005-2006 school year,” junior communications disorder major and President Tiffany L. Hall said. The Adopt-a-Grandparent Club usually meets every other Wednesday. Their next meeting will be April 13 at 5:30 p.m. in the Multicultural Center of Plemmons Student Union. |
© 2005 ASU Student Publications
