Campus asbestos 'not a risk' 
John T. Bennett Adminsitration Beat 

The campus of Appalachian State University is adorned with buildings that link the school’s present with its illustrious past. The age of these buildings creates the need for extensive renovations as well as other problems, including the presence of asbestos. 

Asbestos was widely used in numerous materials in buildings built or remolded since the 1970s, and is present in some of Appalachian’s older buildings including Founders Hall and Welborn Cafeteria. 

ASU Director of Design and Construction Dr. Clyde Robbins said asbestos exists around pipes inside the interior walls of buildings that have not been renovated in the last 25 years. 

Robbins also said that while the chemical substance is in several campus buildings, unless it becomes friable and airborne, there is no immediate health risk. 

“There are no instances of significant friable, loose asbestos in any space where people are exposed to it,” said Robbins, “unless you get in there and saw it up or turn it into a particular matter, you don’t have very much of it in the air.” 

The university is currently conducting a survey of campus buildings that will allow them to detect asbestos. After reviewing the results, they will be able to determine whether the asbestos in buildings is still intact or has become friable. 

When asbestos remains intact, it poses no potential health risk and can be left untouched if the location is unlikely to be disturbed by renovation or remodeling. 

Since 1900, approximately 30 million tons of asbestos has been used in homes and schools, as well as commercial and public buildings in the United States. 

Asbestos is the name commonly used to refer to a group of strong, durable, fire resistant silicate minerals. These characteristics made asbestos a vital part of many building products until the 1970s. 

When asbestos crumbles and releases particles into the air, often referred in this state as friable, it has the potential to become a health risk. 

Exposure to asbestos fibers can lead to life-threatening diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. 

The most common asbestos-containing products used in construction projects were pipe covering, insulating cement, ceiling tiles, floor tiles, boiler insulation materials, heating and air conditioning systems and duct insulation. 

Robbins said that there are asbestos-containing ceiling tiles in several buildings, but again stressed the lack of a health risk due to the fact that the fibers were not friable. 

As part of Appalachian State’s 10-year master plan, several older asbestos-containing buildings will be renovated or demolished in the near future. 

While such projects would have the potential to disturb the currently intact asbestos, creating a serious health problem for anyone who inhaled the airborne fibers, Robbins said the university is required to have an asbestos-management plan for such situations. 

“Before we replace a roof, remodel or demolish a building, we are required to remove all the asbestos … so you don’t get any particular matter in the air,” said Robbins. 

University officials most recently used the asbestos management plan in the renovation of Chapel-Wilson Hall and Belk Library. In both cases, the asbestos was removed before the actual renovation projects could be started. 

Federal law also requires the monitoring of the air quality when projects are being done on buildings that contain asbestos. 
 

Witt named 66th Editor-in-Chief 
John T. Bennett Adminsitration Beat 

Gerald Witt has been appointed by Vice Chancellor for Student Development Dr. Gregory S. Blimling as the Editor-in-Chief of The Appalachian for the 2000-01 academic year. 

A rising junior from Mooresville, Witt was one of three candidates for the position and was new to the staff of The Appalachian this year, working as a copy editor. 

Witt called this one of his biggest personal accomplishments, but was quick to point out that he has some big goals in mind for next year. 
“I want to raise the journalistic quality of the newspaper, that’s one of my first priorities,” said Witt. 

The new editor-in-chief said he would stress the basics of writing such as spelling and grammar in an attempt to have a more fundamentally sound staff of writers. 

Witt also said that readers can expect some new features from The Appalachian next year, including an expanded entertainment section, more thorough reporting and more in-depth stories. 

“I’d like to include more information on happenings around town, and possibly report on some state and national issues that would be of interest to our readers,” said Witt. 

Witt will be taking over for the current editor-in-chief, Leslie Hitchcock, who oversaw the first year of the new beat format, an experiment that the Witt administration will look to expand further. 

“His personality, drive and enthusiasm for The Appalachian will serve him well as the editor-in-chief,” said Hitchcock. “I believe that he will be able to take the new and returning staff members and make them into a newspaper staff like the campus has never seen before.” 

Witt will spend the majority of this week interviewing applicants for next year’s staff, an important task considering there will be several key departures after this year. 

“Nick (Greenway) is leaving, and he was a great photography editor, so those will some big shoes to fill,” said Witt. 

Among the other key positions Witt must fill are the managing editor position, the various beat editor slots and possibly a second managing editor who would oversee the different beat writers. 

Though Witt said his appointment as the new editor-in-chief has not fully hit him yet, he has his eyes firmly fixed on the prestigious Pacemaker Award. 

“I want to make this a big-time award winning newspaper again,” said Witt. 

The last year The Appalachian was awarded the Pacemaker was 1994-95 under Editor-in-Chief Angela Brady. 
 

Earth Week kicks off with Earth Celbration Friday 
Zaneta Wood Student Organization Beat 

Community, student and academic organizations will team together and present Earth Celebration on Sanford Mall to help celebrate Earth Week. 

Beginning tomorrow, events for entertainment and education will be scattered throughout the day, with a range of bands and speakers who will perform and present information on behalf of the environment. 

Free lunch and dinner will be donated from local businesses thanks to the Earth Week Organizational Committee. In order to eat, all participants must bring their own eating utensils because this is an environment-friendly event. 

Live entertainment will come from Lazybirds, Southern Lights, Grassdance, Todd Wright & Friends, Donovan Cain and Alex Hooker & the Fever City Boys. 

Harvard Ayers from the Appalachian Voice will speak about chip mills and mountaintop removal. 

Dennis Scanlin from the Department of Technology will speak about appropriate technology. 

Neal Lineback from the Department of Geology will speak. 

Concerned citizens in the community are going to speak out on environmental issues. 

Dr. Jeff Boyer from the Department of Anthropology and Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski will present four sustainable development awards to recognize students and citizens for their work for environmental sustainability. 

Thirty student, academic and community organizations involved will have informational booths for all those who attend. 

Sponsoring organizations are SAVE, ASU Solar Energy Society, Sustainable Development Program, Appalachian Popular Programming Society, Appalachian and the Community Together, Highland Biology Club and Circle K. 

For more information, contact Brett Molchior at 262-6713. 
 

Art Expo 2000 Awards Students for Outstanding Work 
Ian Hutchinson Contributing Writer 

Quite possibly the only thing more difficult than judging art is writing about it. It’s sort of like writing about love, because no matter how much you say about love or art, it’s just never enough. 

Speaking from personal experience, as a late night DJ for WASU in Wey Hall, I’ve seen art students put in countless all-nighters at Wey Hall working on their art. They are quite possibly some of the most dedicated students at this university. 
Each piece of art has its own message and everyone has their own interpretation of art. It isn’t really fair to write about it; a nice photo spread would say a lot more. 

This month, the appointed jurors for Art Expo 2000 were faced with the daunting task of judging the artwork of many ASU students. 

On Friday, April 14, several students were recognized for their tremendous efforts at the Catherine Smith Gallery in Farthing Auditorium.  

Awards for Outstanding Senior and Outstanding Junior were presented to Sean Robbins and Creceda J. LeMarie respectively; both students were given $600 toward fall tuition. 

Outstanding Sophomore Sarah Daugherty and Outstanding Freshman Tara Cider, were presented with $1,000 in supplies from Purveyors of Art Materials. 

The AIGA Award was presented to Jennifer Peterson, the Art Education Award was given to Jayna Ledbetter and the Art Education Social Awareness went to Kara Jones and Julie Thacker. 

The work of Sean Robbins was judged as Best in Show and Robbins was awarded with a $200 contract to show and sell his art from Blowing Rock Frameworks and Gallery LTD. 

Second place went to Dave Kaminsky and he received $150 in gems from Inspirations Jewelry/JBH Import. 

Third place went to Sarah Green and she received and award for $100 in supplies from Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff. 
 

Making Waves with an Original 
Jennifer Lancaster Contributing Writer 

Oldstar is making waves with a refreshing sound and eclectic mix of tracks on their first and self-titled CD. 

The band resides in Macon, Ga., and recently released their first CD through Midnight Records, headed by ASU alumnus Ryan Hardesty. 

Frontman Shane Bridges, formerly of Acoustic Workshop and Dear America, teamed up with Brian Layson (background vocals and guitar) to create the band in 1999. Bassist Dave Letendre and Jimmy Hayes, who were members of New Found Daze, joined when they met Bridges and Layson in the studio. 

Described as a mix between the Wallflowers and Counting Crows with a voice like Springsteen, their sound is anything but pedestrian.  Each of their first six tracks should please as well as surprise fans of Bridges as well as those new to oldstar. 

The record features a banjo, cello, violin and organ, mixed with the old standbys of drums and guitars to create a sound that is both unique and familiar. Those who love upbeat driving tunes and others who prefer slower melodious ballads will certainly find their niche with these tracks. 

Oldstar runs a gamut of styles, slipping as comfortably into country as rock and alternative. From the first track “Better Than This” with its upbeat pop sound, to the alternative country edge of “Something In Between,” new listeners and old fans of Dear America should be pleased with the project. 

The guitar-heavy second track “Pushed You Away” is currently in rotation on 90.5 FM. 

After jamming to the first songs, “Refugee” provides a different kind of sound. It is a soulful track displaying the diversity in songs that should become a hallmark of the band. A soulful reflection about lost love, “Refugee” calls for introspection and contemplation. 

Each of the tracks boasts a different sound and attitude, giving an unexpected and engaging quality to the CD new and old fans will delight in. 

Following the release of “oldstar” and heavy touring beginning this month, the band will return to the studio to complete an album this fall. 

Members of the ASU community can get an early look at oldstar as the band opens for Jupiter Coyote Wednesday at Legends. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. To purchase a CD or for information about oldstar, visit their website at www.oldstar.net. 

Final Production of the semester The Miser 
Amy Wadsworth Contributing Writer 

The Department of Theatre and Dance presented The Miser by Moliere April 12-17 in  Valborg Theatre. 

Directed by Joel Williams, the story is about Harpagon who is trying to keep his two children, Elise and Cleante locked in his iron will. However, Elise is in love with Valere, who is a servant in the household. 

Cleante and Harpagon have fallen in love with the same woman, Marianne. Harpagon’s servants and con artists are trying to get Harpagon away from his wealth. 

Ross Bryant is Harpagon and Caroline Sharp and Josh Looney play Elise and Cleante. 

The set was a courtyard which has a very romantic era to it. Frank C. Mohler II, the professor of theater and departmental lighting and scenic designer, worked as a designer on this production. 

The costumes were designed by Martha A. Marking, assistant professor and departmental costume and makeup designer. 

Dr. Susan S. Cole, chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance expressed her excitement as this was the final production of the semester. 
 
 
 
 

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