January 23, 1997

First year student alleges sexual assault
Administration, student leaders react with programming and meeting
Vanessa Urruela
Editor-in-Chief

More than 2400 copies of a university press release will begin appearing under the doors of on-campus residents today as Appalachian's administration attempts to deal with another alleged rape of a female first-year student that was reported to residence hall staff and University police early Sunday morning.

According to the release, the woman reported that "she was sexually assaulted while visiting a residence hall late Saturday evening or Sunday morning."

"I am committed to fundamentally changing the environment whereby responsibility, dignity, and civility in interpersonal relationships become the accepted norm," Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski said Wednesday afternoon.

The press release (the full text of which appears on the Backpage of The Appalachian) describes two measures Borkowski has asked university officials to take.

The first is a series of what the release calls, "teach-ins" which will take place in the residence halls and will be "mandatory" for on-campus residents. The "teach-ins", which are described as "seminars on building positive interpersonal relationships with peers," will be scheduled to occur in all 18 residence halls within the next ten days.

The second measure Borkowski has called for is a review of "student interaction, sexual assault issues, opportunities for entertainment-based activities, residence hall operations, and campus policies and student practices regarding alcohol and drugs," by the Task Force on Student Life. The Task Force was recently created and members include undergraduate and graduate students, members of the faculty, parents, and trustees.

In response to student suggestions about the way past incidents were handled by the university, the administration sought student input when deciding how to handle concerns about safety. An emergency meeting of the Vice Chancellor's Leadership Cabinet was called Tuesday afternoon to gather student leaders and university officials to generate ideas.

The students on the cabinet discussed possible ways to communicate to their peers the facts about the alleged sexual assault and how to increase safety on the Appalachian campus.

"Two products of our suggestions have already been implemented," said Nakia Hardy, president of the National Panhellenic Council and member of the cabinet. "The first is the distribution of the press release to on-campus students as well as publication of it in the newspaper, and the second is An Appalachian Community Meeting which will take place next week," said Hardy.

The meeting will be hosted by the Leadership Cabinet and was organized so that, "students and community members could hear the facts and respond in a productive way," said Hardy. Cabinet members will form a panel along with Borkowski and members of the university staff such as University Police Captain Larry Foster who will be available to anwer questions.

According to other cabinet members, An Appalachian Community Meeting will occur some time next week with a date and meeting place to be announced soon.

"I am always deeply concerned when something this terrible occurs here at Appalachian," said Kaye Cranford, president of the student government association and cabinet member.

"I am supportive of the previous and current efforts of the Appalachian administration to ensure Appalachian's environment is conducive to learning," she said.

At press time University police said that no charges had been filed in relation to the alleged sexual assault over the weekend. The press release issued yesterday stated that University police immediately launched an investigation of the alleged incident and that the woman has been "strongly encouraged" to file criminal charges.

Captain Foster said he could not comment on the investigation.

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SGA meeting covers new diversity program
Beth Bliss
Staff Writer

The Student Government Association resumed Tuesday evening with its tenth business meeting of the 1996-97 school year.

The SGA senate was addressed by representatives of the Diversity Advocates program, which is currently being established by the Multicultural Center of the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership and the Multicultural Committee out of the Office of Housing and Residence Life.

According to speaker Maria Zale, residence director of Coffey Residence Hall, the Diversity Advocates program is being pioneered with the hope that university students will have a group to talk to if they have questions concerning diversity on campus.

"(The Diversity Advocates) will be a group of students who will facilitate discussions concerning religion, sexual preference, race, and other areas of diversity," Zale said. "Many people come to Boone and think diversity involves seeing ‘granolas' on campus. Diversity includes much more."

Zale said the Diversity Advocates will work closely with people from the Counseling Center, campus ministry and other departments in order to train members. Diversity Advocates will be trained in order to answer questions, facilitate discussions and handle disputes within such discussions.

"Basically we'll be working with everyone we can get who is certified in (these) areas," she said.

According to Zale, the Diversity Advocates will go to campus residence halls, classes and meetings of groups like SGA to present programs on different topics concerning diversity. Members of the group will also attend mandatory bimonthly meetings in order to "educate (themselves) in order to educate others," she said.

Speaker Maggie Lance, resident assistant at Appalachian Heights, told the senate that the Diversity Advocates will also be available to students who wish to publicize various hate crimes or verbal abuse that occur on campus.

Lance said the group hopes to "attack issues before they happen again" and make sure such crimes are documented and recognized, even through something as simple as a information posted in each residence hall.

Lance said that the Diversity Advocates will do more than simply present programs to students. It is hoped that members will also encourage classmates and friends to increase their tolerance for others. "It's an overall attitude," she said.

Applications for the Diversity Advocates are due tomorrow and can be obtained from the Office of Residence Life in the John E. Thomas Student Support Building or from the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership in the Student Union.

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Gray's murderer dies
Renee Cagle
Managing Editor

In September of 1989 Jeni Gray, a writer for the ASU News Bureau and graduate of Appalachian, was killed and another student, Leigh Cooper Wallace, was kidnapped and raped by Daniel Brian Lee.

These crimes marked an apprehensive time in Appalachian's history. Women no longer walked alone and the Student Government Association established Mountaineer Escort to insure safety on campus. The survivors have now received closure with Lee's recent death on death row.

Lee died January 11 at 8:40 a.m. at Durham Regional Hospital. He died as a result of a cerebral hemorrhage.

Lee had a history of brain illness since 1988. During his trial for the murder of Gray, defense attorney Chester Whittle used Lee's 1988 surgery for a brain aneurysm to explain his actions.

Lee pled guilty and was sentenced to execution at Raleigh's Central Prison. He had appealed the death verdict and had several appeals pending.

Gray had been a writer for the ASU News Bureau for two years and had also reported for The Watauga Democrat. A scholarship was established in Gray's name shortly after her death. The scholarship is awarded to students in the areas of English and journalism.

Leigh Cooper Wallace, who escaped from Lee, is currently an assistant track coach for Watauga High School. Wallace has also been a featured speaker at Appalachian State's Walk for Awareness, which is in remembrance of Gray.

Wallace was instrumental in the search for Gray's body. Lee confessed to killing Gray to Wallace as well as disclosing the location of Gray.

In the January 15 issue of The Watauga Democrat Wallace said, "It's not like I've been afraid of him or had nightmares. I haven't, but it was shocking, in a way...It was a relief. There'll be no publicity about the execution, no more appeals."

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Students receive Police Corps Scholarships
ASU News Bureau

Two Appalachian students have been awarded competitive Police Corps scholarships valued at up to $30,000 each for four years of educational expenses. The students are Thomas Bradley Smith Jr. of Hope Mills and Fred Spruill of Edenton.

The awards were presented Jan. 17 by Richard Moore, secretary of the N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety.

"Police Corps is one of many efforts by Governor Jim Hunt and the State of North Carolina to support local law enforcement agencies," Moore said.

Smith, a freshmen, was sponsored for the award by the Fayetteville Police Department and Spruill, a sophomore, was sponsored by the Chowan County Sheriff's Department.

Smith plans to major in criminal justice and his ultimate goal is to join the N.C. Highway Patrol.

Spruill is a computer information systems major. His father is a sheriff in Chowan County and his brother is a deputy sheriff in Perquimmons County. Spruill said he recognizes the increased use of technology in law enforcement and wants to use his talents in that area.

"We are... especially proud of the two young men who have so very early in their lives expressed a desire to serve others," said Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski.

The scholarship covers educational expenses, including tuition, fees, books and supplies, transportation, and room and board.

Each student participating in the program agrees to work for the sponsoring law enforcement agency for four years upon graduation.

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In the News...

Construction Update

The new boiler plant will be ready for a 30-day test run beginning in mid-February.

According to Director of Design and Construction Clyde Robbins, the new facility will operate alongside the existing steam plant for a month until university officials are confident it is fully operational.

If the new plant operates successfully, the old plant will be demolished starting April 1. The chimes that will sound from atop the plant's tower will be completed sometime in April.

Bids on the Appalachian Convocation Center should be available in March or April with site preparation to begin soon after, Robbins said. Parking areas, however, are not expected to be demolished until after the semester ends.

Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski has announced the university is committed to building a new library rather than renovate or expand Belk Library.

Funding for a new library will be sought from the state legislature, he said. Library space needs have been estimated at 231,000 square feet.

University officials have discussed possible locations, but no decision has been made.

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How to Eat "The Best Weigh"

If you're looking to eat better, Health Promotions can show you "The Best Weigh."

Taught by Cathy Nieman, RD, the course will provide nutrition basics, an understanding of food labels, ideas for easy meals, eating out strategies and insight into self-defeating behaviors.

The course will run each Tuesday, Jan. 28 through April. 15, from noon to 1 p.m. in 154 Whitener Hall. Fee is $20 and all participants must pre-register. Call 262-6314 to register.

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Cholesterol Screening

Health Promotion will offer a cholesterol screening Wednesday from 8 to 9:15 a.m. Appointments are required.

Participants will receive a multi-chemistry blood test which includes cholesterol and blood sugar, as well as liver and kidney function tests. The screening also includes a blood pressure measurement and a heart disease risk assessment. Results will be provided to participants in a 45-minute class and will be sent to the individual's primary care physician.

The fee for the blood test is $20 and is fully reimbursable for those meeting the criteria for Wellness Benefit. More specific information regarding the criteria and Wellness benefit will be mailed to participants after they register.

Call 262-6314 to make an appointment.

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E-mail The Appalachian Online at theapp@conrad.appstate.edu