Thursday, April 14

Apr.

14 2016

The Appalachian

INSIDE

SPELLINGS’ VISIT AND HB2 Pages 6-7

PROMO Page 5

MEN’S TENNIS Page 9

THE GENDER WAGE GAP Pages 10

Join.

A conversation on the

First Amendment on and off campus Friday April 15, 2016 6 to 8 p.m.

Blue Ridge Ballroom, Plemmons Student Union What are my First Amendment rights on campus? Why can outside groups come and offend me on campus? Can the police hack in to my phone? What happens when the media wants to use my Facebook photos? Can my photo be published without me knowing?

Bring your questions for Barbara Krause, Deputy General Council for Appalachian State & Paul Gates, Communications Law professor.

E T

C E T E R A

THE TEAM Malik Rahili @malikrahili EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EDITORIAL MULTIMEDIA BUSINESS

Charlotte Wray @_charlottewray MANAGING EDITOR Aleah Warner @aleahwarner CHIEF COPY EDITOR

Ignacio Martinez-Alvarez @theappalachian BUSINESS MANAGER

Carl Blankenship @carl_r_blank NEWS EDITOR Katie Murawski @murawskikm A&E EDITOR

Stephanie Sansoucy @stephsans DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Allison Bennett Dyche @allisonbdyche ADVISER

Lee Sanderlin @theappsports SPORTS EDITOR Kevin Griffin @theappalachian OPINION EDITOR

CRIME LOG CAMPUS APR. 12

6:21 p.m. | Vandalism Anne Belk Hall Leads exhausted

APR. 10 1:38 a.m. | Drug Violation Coltrane Hall Three students were arrested for underage posession of alcohol and paraphernalia.

APR. 6 6:03 p.m. | Drug Violation Greenwood Trail A student was arrested for possession of paraphernalia.

APR. 6 9:03 p.m. | Drug Violation Hill Street A student was arrested for possession of marijuana.

APR. 9

APR. 2

2:22 a.m. | DWI Rivers Street A man was arrested for driving while intoxicated.

1:29 a.m. | Underage Consumption of Alcohol Justice Hall A student was arrested for underage consumption of alcohol.

APR. 8 1:58 a.m. | DWI Hill Street A man was arrested for driving while intoxicated

APR. 8 1:30 a.m. | Drug Violation Durham Park A student was arrested for possession of marijuana.

APR. 2 11:41 p.m. | Underage Consumption of Alcohol Mountaineer Hall A student was arrested for underage consumption of alcohol.

Dallas Linger @dallingerphoto PHOTO EDITOR Carson Fletcher @theappalachian VIDEO EDITOR Dylan Dow @zen_dow WEB MANAGER

N E W S

Dr. Michael Eric Dyson signs books after his talk commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. on Tuesday, April 12 in the Schaefer Center. Dyson is a professor of sociology at Georgetown Universty and a best-sellling author.

MICHAEL ERIC DYSON SPEAKS AT ASU

BY TOMMY CULKIN SENIOR NEWS REPORTER

M

ichael Eric Dyson, a renowned author and orator, spoke at Appalachian State University on Tuesday.

The event was initially scheduled for Jan. 21, but had to be postponed due to inclement weather.

With the recent passage of House Bill 2, however, Dyson said the timing for his speech couldn’t have been more fitting.

“I was initially supposed to speak at your 32nd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration,” Dyson said.

“But perhaps in the larger scheme of things, it couldn’t be better timing to reflect upon the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and his meaning and significance to us as Americans as it is at this very moment.”

Dyson spoke about equality and justice in America, and the oppression that minorities have systemically faced throughout history.

According to Dyson, justice is the ideal in which everyone is given the same opportunities and liberties.

“Justice, for our definition, is what love sounds like when it speaks in public,” Dyson said. “None of the artificial divisions we have generated in our society should be sufficient to cancel or counteract the recognition of the dignity and humanity of ‘the other.’”

Unfortunately, Dyson said, America often faces a disconnect between its lofty ideals and its actual practices.

“America claims to be committed to practices of justice and democracy, and yet America continually undercuts them, refusing to live up to the best ideals that have defined this country from the start,” Dyson said. “America continually asks how it can work to maintain and enforce justice, and yet America so often actively works against it.”

Dyson said that this is seen in the way Martin Luther King Jr. was perceived when he was alive, as opposed to how he’s perceived now in retrospect.

As Dyson explained, King is today one of the most be-

4

loved figures of American lore. But Dyson said it wasn’t always that way.

“If everybody loved Martin Luther King Jr., why is he dead?” Dyson asked.

Dyson said that African Americans have been systematically dehumanized throughout history, dating back to slavery.

“African people in America were largely slaves brought here to reinforce the end of agrarian capitalism, and were used as technology themselves,” Dyson said.

“Black people were the technology of white imagination.”

Dyson said that the answer to racism is not to adopt a mentality of “colorblindness,” but rather to acknowledge and embrace who we are.

“Colorblindness sounds like a good idea, but it’s not what King fought for,” Dyson said. “I don’t want people to get beyond my blackness; I want them to get beyond what they think about my blackness. Women don’t have to stop being women; men have to stop being misogynist.”

Dyson closed by saying that to enact change, we must continually work towards change.

“We must continuously and relentlessly hold politicians accountable, hold professors accountable [and] hold each other accountable,” Dyson said.

Dyson has written books on a variety of topics, including Hurricane Katrina, Malcolm X and rap music.

He has served as a political analyst for MSNBC and was the former host of NPR’s The Michael Eric Dyson Show.

He currently is a professor of sociology at Georgetown University.

Chancellor Sheri Everts said that Dyson possesses the ability to connect with all audiences.

“Dr. Dyson bridges gaps between generations,” Everts said. “He connects the civil rights identity to hip hop culture, while forging links between older and younger Americans.”

Halle Keighton

A R T S

&

E N T E R T A I N M E N T

PROMO: PROMOTING MOTIVATION

A STUDENT-MADE APP PROVIDING MOTIVATIONAL SPEECHES

BY ALEAH WARNER CHIEF COPY EDITOR

E

li Farmer wakes up at 5:30 a.m. every morning and steps into the role of CEO. Before he eats breakfast, before he goes to his classes and before he goes to the gym, Farmer begins each day on Youtube, looking for potential motivational speakers to provide uplifting speeches for his mobile app, ProMo. ProMo, short for Promoting Motivation, aims to do just that: motivate its users.

The app works like music streaming apps Pandora and Spotify, but rather than providing music, it provides its listeners with original motivational speeches on a variety of topics.

The idea came to Farmer, a senior exercise science major, a little over a year ago when he was eating in one of Appalachian State’s dining halls. He noticed that many of his peers looked stressed and thought to himself, “I wish there was something I could do to get these people going and put some oomph in their day.”

That thought quickly developed into the early planning of the app. Farmer called his best friend Nathan Brown to ask for his advice. Brown, who decided to leave college after his freshman year, immediately supported the idea for the app because it was something he could have benefited from having when he was trying to figure out the next step in his life, Farmer said.

“We want to help those kids who are about to graduate or have graduated and don’t know what they’re going to do next,” Farmer said. “They can listen to this and find something from it and be motivated to go chase that passion they’ve been putting on the back burner.”

Farmer and Brown, each holding the title of co-creator of ProMo, set the plans for ProMo in motion in March 2015. First, they needed to develop a team. Farmer’s job as a resident advisor on campus helped him find Alex Page.

Page, one of Farmer’s residents during the 2014-15 school year, told Farmer she would be willing to help with any graphic design needs for ProMo. She has since created their logos, icons and screen layouts as well as posters for events.

As a junior graphic design major, Page was looking for an opportunity to take what she was learning in the classroom and apply it to a real project. She struggled with the idea that graphic design is sometimes seen as just advertising.

“I’ve always been looking for things that kind of stray from that idea and this was the perfect thing,” Page said. “It’s an app design, and yet it’s something that is so powerful and positive and good for the world, not just promoting an item or something like that.”

Farmer then faced the challenge of finding someone to do the technical work of creating an iPhone app. It wasn’t until Farmer visited his hometown of Virginia Beach, Virginia that he found the right people for the job.

Justin Robertson and Gabe Hollins, childhood friends of Farmer’s living in Virginia, created the ProMo app and had it ready to launch in December 2015.

Farmer met the team’s final member, Mallory Colbert, two years prior when the two were resident advisors together in Justice Hall. Colbert, a senior public relations major, is the community outreach coordinator. She updates their social media accounts and has helped Farmer land interviews with AppTV and WASU-FM. Now, just one year after the idea originated, Farmer’s app is up and running and has a total of twenty motivational speakers providing speeches. Farmer and Brown search for new speakers every day on YouTube and reach out to them through email to invite them to join the app. Farmer said that they find new speakers every few weeks.

“It’s been a slow growth process, but I always have to check myself every couple of weeks and remember that, ‘Eli, this [app] has been out for less than a year,’” Farmer said.

The app is currently free to all iPhone users, and the team generates a profit through advertisement revenue. Farmer said that the goal of ProMo is to make enough money that they can make this a full-time job, but he wants to assure it stays free to its listeners.

“We don’t really care about maximizing profit,” Farmer said. “We care about maximizing how much we can help people.”

The team’s most recent project has been working with Colbert’s public relations campaign class to host Inspire Appalachian, an event that is aimed to give students the opportunity to share their stories and encourage their peers.

“Instead of us just reaching out to you through social media, it’s your chance to interact with the app in person,” Colbert said. “It’s a unique experience because people can meet Eli, and he is just a driving force. He is so charismatic and easy to talk to, so it’s kind of neat to see the man behind the app.”

The six students confirmed to speak at Inspire Appalachian, all seniors at App State, are theatre arts major Carson Rich, exercise science major Denzel Dejournette, international business major Daniel Tassitino, social work major Emily Oakley, public relations major Olivia Shields and sustainable development major Jabari Rogers.

The speakers will also be competing for the title of crowd favorite. The winner will get a prize, and each of the speakers have been offered the opportunity to put their speeches on the ProMo app.

Courtesy of ProMo

Left to right: co-creator Nathan Brown, graphic designer Alex Page, community outreach coordinator Mallory Colbert, and co-creator and owner Eli Farmer.

Farmer said that the most valuable thing students can gain from attending Inspire Appalachian is the mindset that everyone has the power to motivate others.

“I want them to go home, think about a story that they’ve experienced, something they’re passionate about,” Farmer said. “I want them to record a speech of their own so that they can spread their positivity to someone else. I want positivity to be infectious.”

Inspire Appalachian will take place from 7-9 p.m. on April 14, on the second floor of the Whitewater Cafe in Plemmons Student Union.

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N E W S

University of North Carolina System President Margaret Spellings and Chancellor Everts talk with 2016-2017 SGA President Jalyn Howard.

CAMPUS LEADERS, STUDENTS REACT TO MARGARET SPELLINGS’ VISIT

BY KEVIN GRIFFIN OPINION EDITOR

U

NC President Margaret Spellings' recent visit has left some student and faculty leaders encouraged, but many still have deep skepticism about the president's background and recent stances.

Spellings spent part of Monday and Tuesday meeting with various groups around campus to discuss the culture, strengths and challenges of Appalachian State.

Faculty senate chair Paul Gates was part of a faculty group that met with Spellings. Gates found that Spellings was engaged throughout the discussion.

"She was tuned in for the whole hour," Gates said. "I mean there were twelve of us so it was pretty much constant conversation. She was focused on the whole thing the whole time."

Faculty and staff pay was a major issue in the discussion.

"There hasn't been raises for quite awhile," Gates said. "We're losing people, and that has been underway for awhile because the no raises has been underway for awhile. The departures have been happening and you can't keep doing that."

Spellings cited increases in faculty and staff pay as her primary goal at a press conference on Tuesday.

Gates said he was also encouraged by Spellings' statements on the role of the Board of Governors at campuses.

"When Ross was first fired that came up as something that we were worried about, that this was on the horizon" Gates said. "That the board of governors would get rid of Ross, and now we're going to insert ourselves into the campus affairs. That looked like a serious problem. Well, that's not going to happen now, I don't think."

SGA president Carson Rich was also encouraged by Spellings' directness in discussing issues like university funding.

"Every other time I've brought up the issue of full-time equivalent funding, I've always been given a beat-around-the-bush answer. I did not get that from Margaret Spellings," Rich said.

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Still, there remains a great deal of concern about the impact Spellings would have on the system raised by her background in for-profit education and previous comments on LGBT rights.

Peter Nance, a junior apparel and merchandising major, participated in a demonstration against Spellings which was held the first day of her visit.

"Margaret Spellings has repeatedly made it clear that she does not have the best interests of the students at heart," Nance said. "If you look at her track record between No Child Left Behind and her positions on various boards, positions she has assumed, she assumed a position on a loan agency. She has profited repeatedly on the failure of students."

Spellings previously served on the advisory board of the loan agency Ceannate Corporation.

Nance, who identifies as queer, is also critical of Spellings' statements on House Bill 2.

"That statement was a joke and a slap-in-the face. It was an appeasement statement," Nance said.

Spellings has received criticism from a variety of corners surrounding her background in for-profit education to the policies she supported as the Secretary of Education under George W. Bush. The Appalachian State faculty senate passed a resolution raising questions about Spellings' background and the process by which was chosen.

Still, Gates believes it is the time to give Spellings a chance.

"We made our statement there at the end of November with our resolution. I knew at that point that that was going to be it," Gates said. "That was how we expressed ourselves, and that was it."

Gates said some students approached him and other faculty members to join in a protest on Spellings' first day, but he declined.

"I think it's only fair, I think and it makes sense, to see what happens. If something goes haywire, we will comment on that, we will say something," Gates said.

Courtesy of University Communications

N E W S

Students protest HB2 on Thursday, April 7 by marching in Plemmons Student Union and briefly closing off King Street. The rally was coordinated by graduate student Huy Tu.

THE STATE OF HB2

BY SAMMY HANF NEWS REPORTER

N

orth Carolina's general assembly passed the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, known better by the name of House Bill 2, in a special session on March 23 in reaction to a Charlotte ordinance that expanded the rights of transgender individuals.

It has been dubbed the “Bathroom Bill” for language that mandates same sex multiple occupancy restrooms based on biological sex for all public facilities, biological sex being the sex defined on one’s birth certificate. The Charlotte ordinance allowed for use of facilities that correspond to gender identity.

On Tuesday, NC Gov. Pat McCrory issued an executive order that clarified and aimed to pare back parts of the bill.

McCrory’s statement said that his executive order “maintains common sense gender-specific restroom and locker room facilities in government buildings and schools,” “Affirms the private sector’s right to establish its own restroom and locker room policies,” “Affirms the private sector and local governments’ right to establish non-discrimination employment policies for its own employees,” “Expands the state’s employment policy for state employees to cover sexual orientation and gender identity,” and “Seeks legislation to reinstate the right to sue in state court for discrimination.”

Dallas Linger

Lambda Legal, Equality North Carolina and the ACLU have joined several other organizations in a federal legal challenge to HB2. The ACLU of North Carolina’s acting executive director, Sarah Preston, publicly condemned McCrory’s executive order.

“Gov. McCrory’s actions today are a poor effort to save face after his sweeping attacks on the LGBT community,” Preston said. “They fall far short of correcting the damage done when he signed the harmful House Bill 2 into law which stigmatizes and mandates discrimination against gay and transgender people.”

McCrory said that he will attempt to create legislation restoring the ability to file discrimination claims in state court during the legislature’s next short session. As it is, HB2 prevents discrimination claims from being filed in state courts.

Paul Gates, an Appalachian State communication law professor, said removing the ability to file discrimination claims in state court would present a serious burden to the one making the claim, forcing the case to play out in Statesville rather than their county’s courthouse.

The bill still precludes local governments from raising the minimum wage past the state’s set wage of $7.25. Gates said this measure hurts North Carolina’s

laborers.

The bill has seen vociferous opposition as well as support, drawing 700 supporters to the capitol lawn as well as sparking protests across the state.

App State Student Power organized a march across campus and occupied the administration building from April 8 until Wednesday, when their demand for Appalachian’s administration to publicly condemn HB2 was met.

Everts released an email on Tuesday reiterating the university’s commitment to diversity while also staying on the right side of the law.

“Appalachian finds itself in the middle of this territory where we are required to comply with the laws of our state and work diligently to support our community during a time of fear and anxiety,” Everts said in her email.

Appalachian State’s SGA introduced a bill on Tuesday publicly condemning HB2, a show of support for the Association of Student Governments resolution doing the same.

Ayako Nakano, SGA’s chief of staff, said that the ASG opposes the bill due to its violation of Title IX. Violation of Title IX could threaten $4.58 billion worth of federal funds the state receives for education.

“As an institution, no matter what you think politically about trans individuals,

this irrational fear of trans people jeopardizing $4.58 billion is not a good idea,” Nakano said.

McCrory’s statement said federal funds were not threatened by the bill, citing a federal court that previously considered the issue.

Colby Carr, SGA junior senator, said that taking a stand on such a divisive issue distracts from pressing problems on campus.

“I really do think that student council needs to be focusing on issues that they were elected to take care of in the first place,” Carr said. “There is a lot of frustration that has been voiced because of their inability to focus on issues inside the campus.”

A federal appellate court case that has to do with transgender access to bathrooms could also affect whether or not HB2 will stand.

Gavin Grimm, a transgender man seeking access to the men’s room in his Gloucester County Virginia High School, will have his case heard by the U.S Court of Appeals fourth circuit. The fourth district also covers North Carolina and the decision could set a strong precedent for transgender bathroom access.

Gates said that the fourth district, while traditionally conservative, did move to strike down North Carolina’s gay marriage ban as discriminatory.

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GRADUATE EDUCATION WEEK April 14 - 21 Graduate students join us for the following Thursday, April 14, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m Graduate Student and Faculty Awards Reception Parkway Ballroom, Plemmons Student Union Heavy hor d’oeuvres will be served. Dress is Business Casual RSVP to gradschool@appstate.edu Monday, April 18 to Wednesday, April 20, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Resume Clinics - Contact Tables in the PSU Stop by the table outside of Cascades for a resume/cv or cover letter review by a member of the Career Development Center team.

Tuesday, April 19, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Job Search Strategies workshop Attic Window, PSU Did you know that only 18% of jobs are posted online? Come to this session to learn effective job search strategies and networking techniques to help you land your next job!

Wednesday, April 20, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Ace Your Next Interview! (workshop) - Three Top Mountain, PSU 'RQ¶W ZDLW XQWLO DIWHU \RXU ¿UVW LQWHUYLHZ WR SUHSDUH FRUUHFWO\ Come to this session to learn tips and techniques to prepare for your next interview.

Thursday, April 21, 7:30 p.m.

Graduate Education Week Cookout and Celebration Howard's Knob Patio, PSU Tickets required (RSVP at http://goo.gl/1r8zGW by April 13) for meal and door prizes.

Grilled hamburgers and hotdogs will be served (with vegetarian options available).

In the event of rain please go to Calloway Peak, PSU.

Undergraduate students join us!

Friday, April 15, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Graduate School 101: So you think you want to go to graduate school?

Rough Ridge, Room 415, PSU We will answer your questions about applying to graduate school, taking the GRE and much more. Breakfast items will be served.

Hosted by the Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies and the Career Development Center

S P O R T S

Top left: Senior Oliver Casey. Top right: Senior Steve Lake. Bottom left: Senior Zach Bost. Bottom right: Senior Jan-Willem Kleynhans.

THE LAST MATCH POINT AT ASU

SENIORS PREPARE TO SAY GOODBYE TO APPSTATE TENNIS

BY MONICA CRAWFORD SPORTS REPORTER

S

eniors Zach Bost, Oliver Casey, Jan-Willem Kleynhans and Steve Lake have spent their careers on App State men’s tennis team rebuilding the team from the top down, according to head coach Bob Lake.

Bost, Casey, Kleynhans and Steve Lake stepped onto the court in 2012 as freshmen the season after men’s tennis at App State had one of its best seasons in recent history. The current seniors had to fill the spots of the top four players who had just graduated the season before, which, according to Kleynhans, was a big challenge for the team.

“They left some big shoes to fill, and my freshman year we were struggling a bit to find our feet,” Kleynhans said.

“But my sophomore year we kind of built on that and had a better season, and since then it’s only been going up.”

Despite the challenges that came with losing the top four spots on the team, Bost, Casey, Kleynhans and Steve Lake stepped up to fill in those spots over the four years that they have been here

and finished each season with a progressively better team record. With only one match left in the season before the Sun Belt Conference Championships, the team currently has a record of 12-6.

This is the best record that the team has had since 2012, when the Mountaineers finished 15-7.

All four seniors have played in the top spots for the team over their career at App, and they have also done well in school with a team GPA of 3.08 last semester, coach Lake said.

“They’re great guys,” coach Lake said. “They do well in school. They play hard, and I’ve never had any issues with any of them, so it’s been a good senior class.”

Bost came to App from Jefferson, Georgia, and started his freshman year playing in the No. 3 spot. He was selected to first team all-conference in doubles both his freshman and sophomore years and has a 38-42 career record in singles and a 35-37 career record in doubles. Bost said that his favorite thing about playing for App State has been

Courtesy of DC Mayo; App State Athletics

the relationship that he has built with his teammates and the four other seniors over the past four years.

Casey came to play tennis for the Mountaineers all the way from Melbourne, Australia and said that his experience playing for a college tennis team in the United States has been unforgettable. Casey has earned multiple conference awards in his time as a Mountaineer. He earned SoCon all-freshman honors for singles and second team all-SoCon for doubles in 2014, second team all-Sun Belt for doubles and second team all-Sun Belt for doubles in 2015. He has a 36-24 career record in singles and a 32-21 career record in doubles. Casey has played in anywhere from the No. 1 to the No. 3 spot for the team.

“College tennis back home is made out to be a really incredible experience, and it has been,” Casey said. “It’s really fulfilled what everyone has said.”

Kleynhans also came from across the water to play for the Mountaineers and calls Stellensbosch, South Africa

home. Kleynhans started off playing in the No. 4, 5 and 6 spots his freshman year and has moved up seeds throughout his career. He has a 30-34 career record in singles and a 29-31 career record in doubles.

“My time here has been really good,” Kleynhans said. “Every trip and everywhere we go is an adventure, so there’s not particularly a bunch of stories. It’s just been one big amazing story.”

Steve Lake is from Boone and is the son of Bob Lake. Steve Lake is Bob Lake’s second son to play tennis under him at Appalachian State. Steve Lake has played mostly doubles for the Mountaineers and has a 2-2 career record in singles and a 19-24 career record in doubles.

The seniors have one last match left in their final season before heading to the Sun Belt Conference Championships. The team is set to play Georgia Southern on April 16 in Statesboro, Georgia, and will play in the Sun Belt Conference Championships on April 20 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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O P I N I O N

EQUAL PAY GAP HURTS NORTH CAROLINA FAMILIES T uesday was Equal Pay Day, a day that represents how far into the year a woman has to work to earn the same as her male counterpart.

Such a "holiday" must still exist because, despite the passage of Equal Pay Act of 1963, the pay gap between men and women still survives into today.

A study released to The Appalachian by the National Partnership for Women & Families found that on average, North Carolinian women are paid 85 cents for every dollar a man makes.

The median annual pay for women in North Carolina amounts to $35,481, while the median annual pay for men in North Carolina is $41,857.

This means that on average, the annual wage gap between women and men amounts to $6,376, which amounts to roughly a $9 billion income loss.

This is sickening. It’s been over 50 years since the Equal Pay Act was signed and there is still a pay gap, let alone one of this size?

What’s even worse is that only white women are privileged enough to make

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QUENTIN RUSSEL

is a freshman journalism major from Charlotte, who is an opinion writer.

even the 85 cents. Minority women in North Carolina make even less than that.

On average in North Carolina, African American women make 68 cents to the dollar. Hispanic women make 48 cents to the dollar and Asian women make 78 cents to the dollar.

This is wrong on every level. Women work just as hard, if not harder, to make a living for themselves and they are rewarded less than men.

This disparity is especially harmful to families headed by single mothers, a group which includes 517,000 families in North Carolina.

The pay gap not only harms women, but harms their children a well.

These children are being harmed by the “punishment” that their mothers have incurred solely because they were born women.

How can anyone support this? How

can anyone sit by and watch as women, whether they are single mothers or not, are essentially robbed and forced to live on less than what their skills and effort should garner?

This is theft, plain and simple.

All across North Carolina, women have their time and efforts stolen by companies.

Yet, despite all this evidence, there are those who try to rationalize or excuse this reality. A common argument used is that women bring this upon themselves by the choices they make.

Ashe Schow of the Washington Examiner summed up one of the common arguments when she wrote that lower pay is a product of women's choices. Women often go into lower paying fields, because of reduced risk, and therefore earn less, Schow contends.

There is a big problem with this argument. Yes, while in many cases women opt for lower-paying fields, there is evidence of inequality even in high paying fields.

A 2014 Bloomberg News analysis revealed that women with MBAs earned less than men in 17 of the 22 industries

hiring people with that degree. One of the greatest disparities was in the area of finance, where women earned about $22,000 less than men.

The fact that some still don’t view the wage gap as a significant issue is disheartening. The fact that a prominent female writer holds this view is even more so.

The pay gap punishes women for being women, which at best is stupid and at worst blatant discrimination.

People who perpetuate the myth of women being the cause of their own problems in this area are either ignorant, or just plain stupid. The evidence is available for all to see.

While things have certainly improved, North Carolina, and many other states, needs to eliminate the pay gap. Doing so would not only help the women themselves, but also the multitude of single-mother households throughout North Carolina which are especially vulnerable to this injustice.

I hope the problem will be rectified, and women will receive the pay and compensation they deserve. That’s the hope at least.

Emily Howard

SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS

App News is a service of the Division of Student Development. Email dycheab@appstate.edu.

Submissions should not exceed 100 words and must include the event title, date/time, location and cost, and a contact email, phone and/or URL. Announcements will be edited as needed and will run as space allows. Preference is given for events that are free or have a nominal cost.

A P P

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WHAT TO DO TRANSFER FACULTY MENTORS New transfer faculty mentor training will be 3-4:30 p.m. April 18, New River Room, PSU. Register at workshops.appstate.edu. To learn more about becoming a mentor, email mortonka@appstate.edu.

The training will cover the characteristics and needs of transfer students, the transfer student population at Appalachian, and how to support transfer students and to be a successful transfer mentor.

A transfer faculty mentor is a faculty member interested in developing supportive, academic relationships with prospective and new Appalachian transfer students. Faculty mentors, ideally in the student’s area of study, will provide help in understanding the curriculum and the student’s remaining required coursework as well as provide guidance, support, and referral to resources that will benefit new students in a new environment.

SCIENCE AND RELIGION IN INDIA TALK Appalachian’s Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies Program presentes a talk by Banu Subramaniam, professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. “Science and Religious Nationalism in India” will be presented at 5:30 p.m. April 14, Three Top Mountain Room, PSU. The talk is free and open to the public and is co-sponsored by the Anthropology Department; the Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies; the College of Arts and Sciences; the Cultural, Gender, and Global Studies Department; the English Department, the Humanities

Council; and the Philosophy and Religion Department.

THE WELLNESS WORKSHOPS The Counseling Center presents “The Wellness Workshops: Feelin’ Good in the Neighborhood!”

Space is limited. Reservations should be made at campbellha@appstate.edu. Extra credit slips will be made available. Visit counseling. appstate.edu or call 828-262-3180.

• Let’s Get Out! Explore the Connection Between Positive Mental Health and Being Outdoors, 5-7 p.m., April 14, workshop will take place outside, email to register

SCIENCE TALK As a part of the Mathematics and Science Center Seminar series, Dr. Rachel Wilson’s talk, “Science Education and Environmental Literacy,” will take place at 6:30 p.m. April 14, Room 124C in the Reich College of Education.

Refreshments available at 6 p.m.

GRADUATE SCHOOL 101 The Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies will offer “Graduate School 101: So you think you want to go to graduate school?” starting at 10 a.m. April 15, Rough Ridge Room, PSU. Juniors and seniors who are planning to apply for gradauate school will have their questions about applying, taking the GRE and more answered by graduate school staff. Breakfast items will be served. Email padgettlc@appstate. edu for more information.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS TOWN HALL Presented by the Department of Wellness and Prevention Services, the Health and Wellness Town Hall will be held 2:30-4:30 p.m. April 19, Linville Falls Room, PSU. The event is being conducted in collaboration with the Office of the Dean of Students, Counseling and Psychological Services, the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Compliance, as well as Student Health Services.

Information regarding services rendered to students, types of cases managed in each of the collaborating units, and health-related behaviors of students attending Appalachian will be discussed.

FILM SCREENING ACT (Appalachian & the Community Together) is sponsoring a special screening of “Tyke Elephant Outlaw,” followed by a discussion panel with this year’s ASE participants to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. The screening will take place at 6:30 p.m. April 21, Greenbriar Theater, PSU. Faculty is welcome to offer extra credit for students attending this event.

CUTTING TIES WITH THE TAG The Cutting Ties with the Tag event is a no numbers, no sizes, and no stress shopping event. Hosted by APP-SI (Advocates Promoting Positive Self-Image), the event will be held 3-7 p.m. April 21, Blue Ridge Ballroom, PSU. The group wants to allow attendees to experience shopping in a completely different way.

By removing the sizes and numbers, the experi-

ence of choosing clothes instead becomes about style, personality, and what feels good.

VISITING WRITERS SERIES The Hughlene Bostian Frank Spring Visiting Writers Series Events will take place with craft talks and readings in Plemmons Student Union.

Book sales and signings will follow each event.

• April 28 (with the Diversity Speakers Series): Poet, Memoirist, and Social Justice Activist Luis Rodriguez, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Craft Talk in Table Rock, PSU; 7:30-9 p.m. Reading in Blue Ridge Ballroom, PSU

INDOOR PLANT CLINIC A free plant clinic will be held 7 a.m.-noon April 29-20, ASU Biology Department Greenhouse, 211 Dale St. The ‘plant doctor’ and capable, gentle nursing staff will help diagnose any problems with indoor plants, and provide counsel on grooming and propagation techniques.

For a small fee, the staff can repot plants if it seems prudent, fertilize, etc., as necessary. Attendees may bring their own pots if they’d like.

No appointment is necessary. For more information, call 828-262-4025 or email meyerja@ appstate.edu.

FREE LEGAL ADVICE The Student Legal Clinic, in suite 324 in Plemmons Student Union, offers confidential advice, information, and referrals provided by a licensed attorney. The attorney can meet with any currently enrolled Appalachian State student and can advise students on any issue that is not directly adverse to the university.

Call 828-262-8284 for an appointment.

THURSDAY, APRIL 14

FRIDAY, APRIL 15

SATURDAY, APRIL 16

SUNDAY, APRIL 17

Hayes Faculty String Quartet

“Sisters” Screening

“Sisters” Screening

Nicole Barone Student Voice Recital

6 p.m.

Recital Hall Free

7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

I.G. Greer Auditorium $2

7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

I.G. Greer Auditorium $2

2 p.m.

Recital Hall Free

“Sisters” Screening

“Flashdance” Screening

Doug Poteat Student Horn Recital

7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

I.G. Greer Auditorium $2

7 p.m.

Greenbriar, PSU $1

Noon Recital Hall Free

Rory Parrish & Zach Richey Student Guitar Recital

Woodwind Chamber Ensembles II

Appalachian State Pride Event

Remy Martin Student Voice Recital

8 p.m.

Rosen Concert Hall Free

2-6 p.m.

Sanford Mall Free

4 p.m.

Recital Hall Free

3rd Annual Suicide Remembrance Night 6:30 p.m.

Solarium, PSU Free

Blood Drive 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Room 231, PSU Free

Chandler Fadero Student Violin Recital 6 p.m.

Recital Hall Free

MONDAY, APRIL 18

TUESDAY, APRIL 19

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20

THURSDAY, APRIL 21

How Can Muslims, Christians and Jews Get Along? Talk

Ice Cream Sundae Day

“Back to the Future” Screening

“Zoolander 2” Screening

Begins at Noon Sanford Commons, Roess Dining Hall Free While Supplies Last

7 p.m.

Greenbriar, PSU $1

7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

I.G. Greer Auditorium $2

National Science Foundation Overview and Panel Discussion

HIV Testing with ALFA

Community Band Concert

Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors

8 p.m.

Rosen Concert Hall Free

10:30 a.m.

Room 387, JET Building Free

“The Hunting Ground” Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion

Health and Wellness Town Hall Meeting

7 p.m.

Room 124C, Reich College of Education Free

2:30 p.m.

Linville Falls, Room 226, PSU Free

5 p.m.

Room 124, Reich College of Education Free

10 a.m.-3 p.m.

MacRae Peak, PSU Free

2 p.m.

Great Hall, LLC Free

David Djaniants Student Piano Recital 6 p.m.

Recital Hall Free

9 a.m.-5 p.m.

4th Floor, PSU Free

Clothing and Supplies Drive for OASIS

Mipso Concert with Kate Rhudy

2-4 p.m.

PSU Free

9:30 p.m.

Legends $6-$8

START MOVING AHEAD. START TAKING THE LEAD. START OPENING MORE DOORS. START BUILDING YOUR FUTURE. START ACCOMPLISHING MORE. START FACING NEW CHALLENGES. START SEEING HOW FAR YOU CAN GO. START STRONG.

To learn more about ASU ROTC, call 828-262-2994 or visit us online at goarmy.com/rotc/es42

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