March 1, 2012

The Appalachian

TheAppalachianOnline.com

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Vol. 86 No. 38

Athletes Accused Controversy grows as administration reverses suspension for two football players found responsible by a university conduct board

by REBECCA GITLEN News Reporter

T

wo student athletes found responsible for several sexual misconduct violations saw their suspensions overturned based on a discrepancy between Appalachian State University’s Student Code of Conduct and the UNC Policy Manual, according to a Jan. 10 letter written by Vice Chancellor for Student Development Cindy Wallace.

A conduct board unanimously found the two athletes responsible for charges brought by freshman sustainable development major Alex Miller, Alex Miller said in a phone interview with The Appalachian.

The board sanctioned the athletes with eight consecutive semesters of suspension from the university, Alex Miller said. An eight-semes-

ter suspension is the minimum required for sexual assault, according to the Student Code of Conduct.

Each was sentenced to a summary suspension, which bans students from campus and is issued when misconduct is seen as serious enough to jeopardize other students’ safety, the university community, property or Appalachian’s educational mission, according to information provided by Hank Foreman, associate vice chancellor for university communications and cultural affairs.

The suspensions were overturned when it was determined that there was a discrepancy between Appalachian’s Code of Student Conduct and the UNC Policy Manual.

“It was also clear to me that some important distinctions between the ASU Code of Student Conduct, the UNC Policy Maunal and new federal guidelines from

the Department of Education are not clear,” Wallace wrote in the Jan. 10 letter, which was mailed to Alex Miller’s father, Charles Miller.

A new hearing regarding the charges brought by Alex Miller will take place in late March, Alex Miller said.

Another student, junior history secondary education major Meagan Creed, filed sexual assault charges against five students.

Of those five, two were the same students accused by Alex Miller, Creed said.

Those two students were found responsible for the charges brought

by Alex Miller, but were not found responsible for the charges brought

by Creed, Creed said.

Alex Miller, Charles Miller and Creed all expressed dissatisfaction with the administration’s decisions.

“The hearing was invalid because of a piece of paperwork,” Alex

Students lose out on Summit

Associate Editor, Editorial Content

Paul Heckert | The Appalachian

Spots in new hall were not guaranteed, DeBord said Senior News Reporter

Thirty-nine honors students have been placed on a waiting list for housing in Summit Hall, the new residence hall designed primarily to house the Honors College, housing officials said.

“We just did not anticipate the kind of demand that we got,” Honors College Administrative Assistant Catina DeBord said.

“We have never, ever done a wait list before.”

In the past, housing has reserved around 150 spaces

in East Hall for returning honors students. The college had never filled even 120 of these 150 spaces, Director of University Housing Tom Kane said.

Initially, University Housing and the Honors College staff agreed to reserve 180 beds, or five floors, for honors students in Summit Hall, Kane said.

Due to the high demand for honors housing in Summit, which was evident by mid-February, housing offered another floor, which increased the total number of beds to

about 206, Kane said.

DeBord was forced to handle honors student reapplication for Summit on a first-come-first-serve basis, she said.

Honors students were not informed of these limitations in emails sent to them from the Honors College, said honors student Audry Thomas, a freshman history major.

“I think everyone was pretty much under the impression we’d get it if we applied,” Thomas said.

Freshman honors stusee Summit, page 2

as of press time, Creed said.

Creed filed a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. The office accepted her request to investigate her complaint Feb. 6, according to correspondence provided by Creed.

Sports Information Director Mike Flynn referred The Appalachian’s reporter to Dean of Students J.J. Brown.

Brown said he could not confirm or deny any specific student conduct allegation or outcome.

Director of Student Conduct Judy Haas said she could comment on procedure but not specific student conduct proceedings.

Wallace referred The Appalachian’s reporter to Foreman.

Foreman provided information on the student conduct process, including specific student involvement, suspensions and safety.

Students campaign in support of alleged sexual assault victims

by MEGHAN FRICK

Currently under construction, Summit Hall will be finished for fall 2012. Honors students who thought they would have housing in Summit have been denied placement.

by KELLI STRAKA

Miller said. “The school has done a lot more to protect these boys than the victims.”

Charles Miller expressed concerns about his daughter’s safety in an email sent to Wallace Dec. 6.

“You have known rapists that you feel obligated to educate [on] a campus of unknowing women,” Charles Miller wrote.

Wallace stood by her decision in the Jan. 10 letter to Charles Miller.

“I do not believe that my decision to terminate the temporary suspension of the two accused students has compromised her safety,” Wallace wrote.

University officials must abide by the UNC Policy Manual, according to chapter 100.2 of the manual.

Creed appealed the board’s findings on the grounds that they lacked training in handling sexual assault cases, she said. The appeals have not been accepted or denied

A Facebook group speaking against the administration’s handling of a recent student conduct situation has gained nearly 500 members as of press time.

Senior criminal justice majors Kaylynn Prough and Annie Hegar started “No Equal! No More! Campaign for Sexual Assault Victims at ASU” after rumors circulated that five men - four of them members of Appalachian State University’s football team - had been accused of sexually assaulting two female students.

Two student athletes, who were found responsible on various sexual assault charges by a university conduct board, saw their suspensions overturned due to a due process discrepancy, according to a Jan. 10 letter written by Vice Chancellor for Student Development Cindy Wallace.

For Prough, the decision to overturn the suspensions - and the university’s overall handling of the situation - was disappointing.

“I guess I’ve always just blissfully believed that this university had a knack for handling things, that Appalachian State was above the average university because I love it,” she said. “So when I learned of these cases, I was enraged that my university, in which I place so much faith, would treat these girls with such disdain.”

As the rumors swelled, Prough was reminded of a similar situation in her own past - and that became her motivation, she said.

“Cases like this remind me of every reason I’d concocted to rationalize keeping my own victimization to myself,” Prough said. “These accounts simply reinforced every fear I’d had

following my own situation.”

Student response to the campaign became more positive as time passed, Prough said.

Initially, the messages Hegar and Prough received varied - ranging from “If you know what’s best for you you’ll take this down” to “I don’t know you, but I’m proud of you,” Prough said.

“Further into the campaign, however, most responses seem to be very positive and extremely helpful,” Prough said. “Most every message we receive now comes from another fired-up student ready to do whatever it is they can to help us.”

Response from student athletes has been more of a “wild card,” Prough said.

“Many student athletes have come to me via Facebook or App State email to recount the many victimizations they’d witnessed,” Prough said. “Countless athletes have messaged saying they wish they could support this campaign in full, but are restrained by their contracts with the university. On the other end of the spectrum, many athletes respond with highly negative and destructive comments.”

Prough and Hegar are currently working with two organizations - change.org and SAFER Campus - to develop a list of demands for amendments to Appalachian’s sexual assault policy.

“We are aiming to completely revamp the system to protect victimized students in years to come,” Prough said.

Prough said she is confident in her support of the alleged victims.

“While I understand tackling this sort of issue merits hard evidence - more specifically some sort of paper trail - all the evidence you really need to believe in this situation is written all over the victims’ faces as they walk about campus,” she said.

Library will offer three weeks of 24/5 services for spring finals

by ANNE BUIE

Senior News Reporter

Belk Library & Information Commons will offer three weeks of 24/5 service for the spring 2012 exam week starting April 22.

Student Government Association Director of Academic Affairs Alex McPherson received a campus innovation grant on behalf of SGA at the Association of Student Governments meeting last weekend.

“Without this library, the university wouldn’t be successful,” McPherson said.

“They provide so many great resources and services. They deserve that credit.

As hard as they work for us, I feel like I should be working that hard for them.”

University Librarian Mary Reichel said students should be pleased and proud of their SGA. “SGA went out of their way to help the library, to help students really,” Reichel said. “We’re just the conduit.”

ASG awards campus innovation grants to students if the grant will be matched. The library will match the grant with $813

from its general allocation fund, Reichel said.

“We’re happy to match,” Coordinator of Learning and Research Services Ken Johnson said. “It shows commitment on SGA’s part and on the library’s part.”

Regular library employees won’t work past 2 a.m during 24/5 service. Security guards will keep the library open.

In addition to an extra week of 24/5 library service, reading day hours will be extended on May 5. The library will be open from 10 a.m. to midnight.

Degree-granting programs to move from University College

by HANK SHELL News Editor

by CATHERINE HAITHCOCK Senior News Reporter

Appalachian State University is currently in the process of restructuring its University College due to budget cuts and structural inconsistencies, university administrators said Wednesday.

Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Lori Gonzalez announced two weeks ago that degree-granting programs in the college would be divided among other colleges in the university as part of the restructuring, Vice

Provost for Undergraduate Education Michael Mayfield said.

Degree-granting programs in University College include Women’s Studies, Appalachian Studies and Sustainable Development.

These programs and other degree-granting programs in University College currently report directly to the Office of Academic Affairs, unlike those in other colleges that report to a dean.

Gonzalez decided to address the inconsistency by moving the programs to other colleges, rather than establishing a new dean position.

“It’s a combination of it being

an awkward reporting structure and a finance issue that has led to the provost making that decision to move the programs outside,” Mayfield said.

Student support programs in the University College will not move, Mayfield said.

Currently the changes are in an early discussion stage and no definite time frame for the restructuring has been set, Mayfield said. The university has not decided where each program will go, though many are involved in the discussion - including Gonzalez, Mayfield, Chancellor Kenneth Peacock, the deans of each college

considered, the directors of each program and their faculty.

It has been confirmed that the Sustainable Development Program, the largest program in University College, will make the transition to a department, Mayfield said.

The program’s large size and abundance of private funding contributed to the decision to make the transition.

The primary differences between a program and a department are that programs are often interdisciplinary and both have different administrative structures, Mayfield said.

“The provost’s decision was that sustainable development would become a department of its own, which will have no impact on students other than that they will now be housed under departmental,” Director of Sustainable Development Sandra Lubarsky said.

Lubarsky said she thought the new department would be located in the College of Fine and Applied Arts or the College of Arts and Sciences, but nothing has been confirmed.

A decision on the Sustainable Development move could be announced earlier than those of other colleges, Mayfield said.

2

News

• March 1, 2012

SGA senate changes bylaws after clarification from judicial board

by ANNE BUIE Senior News Reporter

The Student Government Association’s judicial board changed the SGA election bylaws to clarify the limited campaigning period for the 2012 presidential election Tuesday.

The limited campaigning period is the first part of the campaigning process, when candidates can verbally promote themselves. It allows for candidates to gather feedback from the students.

The changes included letting candidates and their staff “present their platform goals.” Previously, the bylaw only allowed candidates to “promote a ticket.”

“There were just too many gray areas and everybody couldn’t come to a consensus,” SGA Vice President Mattie Hardin said. “So I just felt it best to utilize the group that we have set in place.”

The majority of the senate approved the changes. They were then given to the judicial board for interpretation.

“When you hear the word promote, it doesn’t scream discussion,” Elections Board Chair Frank Byrne said. “It screams solicitation. I think that several

Summit

of my board members and certainly Mattie [Hardin] felt that it was in opposition to the stated purpose of limited campaigning period, which is gathering student opinion and feedback.”

In previous years, this period has been called a non-campaigning period. Candidates weren’t allowed to discuss their platforms.

“This year, we don’t really know what it’s going to be like,” Byrne said. “It’s new language. As of right now, it’s even newer language.”

Even after the changes, SGA President Lauren Estes said she is concerned that the bylaws aren’t clear enough.

“I would have preferred for it to be a little more scripted,” Estes said. “I don’t think any ticket is going to have any malicious intent when and if they violate the bylaws. I think it’s really going to come down to the fact that they misunderstand or misinterpret the bylaws even after the judicial board has met and given its ruling.”

The limited campaigning period started Tuesday and ends on March 18.

The regular campaigning period begins March 19.

it better.”

Both Thomas and Martin found out they were put on the waiting list for Summit Hall last Wednesday.

“If you look at the numbers, there is no way I can guarantee every honors student housing,” DeBord said. “I can say only for me personally, I have never used the word guarantee.”

DeBord said some of the confusion might have risen from the fact that

Summit Hall also houses non-honors students.

DeBord informed honors students on the waitlist for Summit via email that they still had the chance for on-campus housing through the general oncampus lottery, she said.

The Honors College will discuss its method of handling the high demand for housing over the next year, though no decisions have been made, DeBord said.

| TheAppalachianOnline.com

Students raise funds to help end malaria

by MARK KENNA

Intern News Reporter

The Appalachian African Community (AAC) and other multicultural organizations will plan a fundraiser to spread awareness about malaria in Africa.

Students can donate to “Fight Against Malaria in Africa” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 5 through 9 in Plemmons Student Union’s International Hallway.

“I knew about malaria a little bit,” President of AAC Gody Zayobi said. “But from my research online I found out that malaria was really bad in Africa. Like every minute, a child dies of malaria in Africa.”

Donations will benefit “Malaria no More,” an organization that supplies bed nets, medicines and other supplies that help in preventing the spread of the disease.

“We are working with the Multicultural Student De-

Olivia Wilkes | The Appalachian

AAC President Gody Zayobi and Public Relations Chair Craig Nicolson plan for “Fight Against Malaria in Africa.”

velopment Center and we are going to see what other organizations want to work with us,” AAC Public Relations Chair Craig Nicolson said.

At a meeting Tuesday night the AAC collaborated with six other clubs and groups to participate in the fundraiser.

The Men’s Minority Leader-

ship Circle (MMLC), Kappa Alpha Psi, Order of Black and Gold, Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma and the Ladies Elite all joined in.

“The MMLC understands that malaria is a big issue in Africa,” MMLC President Ndjo Shosola said. “We want to help with this issue.”

Tell MTV to Come with a

Woodie

Continued from page 1 dent Haley Martin said she was put on the waitlist for Summit.

Martin, a middle grades education major, said she wished the emails had clarified that only a set number of students would be accepted to live on Summit’s honors floors.

“As a whole, we were all under the impression that most honors kids would get in,” Martin said. “Basically it came down to they could have handled

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Lifestyles The Appalachian

Follow us on Twitter! @TheAppalachian

| TheAppalachianOnline.com

March 1, 2012 •

Lent takes on various meanings at App

by MEGAN WRAPPE Lifestyles Reporter

M

any Appalachian State University students are participating in an ageold religious tradition this month, choosing objects, habits and practices to give up for Lent.

The predominantly Christian tradition takes place over a period of 40 days leading up to Easter - so students celebrating are just getting started.

One student senior sociology major

Samantha Gale - is celebrating alongside her husband, Alex.

“This year, we’ve given up soda for Lent,” Gale said. “We both drink more of it than is healthy, so this is a good chance for us to get out of that habit. We’re also doing meatless Fridays.”

Many who practice Lent forgo meat on Fridays, but junior French major Mallory Pearce chose to give it up for the full 40 days.

“I decided to give up meat mainly to help

myself eat better,” Pearce said. “It hasn’t been very hard, but I’ve been eating lots and lots of vegetables.”

Other students, building on the view of Lent as a time of reflection, choose to add something to their lives.

“I think of Lent as a time of preparation,” senior sociology major Megan Eklund said. “Instead of giving something up, I do a random act of kindness every day. My favorite one to do is to pay for the person behind you in a

fast food drive-through.”

Lent is often associated with the Catholic Church, but it’s practiced by other Christian denominations as well.

“In the Presbyterian Church, we celebrate Ash Wednesday and the evidence of Lent is usually the color purple and devotional books with scriptures specifically for Lent,” said the Rev. Tommy Brown, campus minister for Westminster Canterbury Fellowship.

As years have passed, new Lenten traditions

have emerged. The 40 days allow observers to make amends for wrongs, vow to improve their lives or simply make time for thought and reflection.

“I think more than just giving something up or using Lent as an excuse to kick-start a diet, Lent is about remembering why you’ve chosen to make the sacrifice,” Gale said. “For me, Lent is an opportunity to outwardly express my inner faith.

It seems like a small sacrifice compared with the sacrifice made for us.”

Lyric hosts interactive poetry slam in Crossroads

by WILL GREENE

Intern Lifestyles Reporter

Campus poetry club Lyric hosted its first interactive poetry slam at 8 p.m. last Wednesday, Feb. 22 in Plemmons Student Union’s Crossroads Coffee House.

“We wanted to bring poetry to the student body,” said Lyric President Sam Crabtree, a junior electronic media broadcasting major.

Through the poetry slam, members of Lyric hope to provide a place for on-campus writers to showcase their skills. Readings at the Feb. 22 slam were mostly limited to members of Lyric, but the hope is that participation will expand in the future.

“We are a growing organization and we want as many members as possible,” said member Megan Gates, a sophomore English major.

Gates read three of her own poems at the poetry slam.

“I enjoy prose and more of a stream of consciousness feel to my poetry,” she said. “It helps me

get my true feelings out. Lyric has helped me share my poems and emotions with other people with the same passion as me.”

Crossroads employee Jonathan Tate said he was impressed with the professionalism of the Lyric members who read at the event.

“I am a fan,” Tate said. “I have always found poetry interesting, but I’m not very eloquent with words, so it’s neat to see talented writers showcase their skills. It’s good for business, too.”

For many members of Lyric, poetry is more than a hobby - it’s a way to escape.

“Poetry is my vice,” Gates said.

“I feel that I can express myself through poetry in ways that I couldn’t through other outlets.”

Crabtree described poetry as his “favorite thing to do.”

Crabtree said he likes that the poetry he reads is his own creation.

“And it’s cool to see the finished product,” he said. “Now that we’re having these poetry readings on Wednesday, it’s fun to see other people’s reaction to them.”

All future poetry slams are open

Amy Birner | The Appalachian

Senior psychology major Tonya M. Lucas performs her poem “Brick Wall” at Crossroads last Wednesday night.

to the public with no admission fee.

Lyric meets at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday night and

meeting location rotates. For more information, search “Lyric: Appalachian State’s Spoken Word Poetry Club” on Facebook.

Student promotes Invisible Children’s ‘Kony 2012’

by MICHAEL BRAGG Lifestyles Editor

The student who brought a chapter of Invisible Children to Appalachian State University has left his home in the mountains to promote the organization’s latest campaign.

Daniel Szymczyk is traveling throughout the western United States to promote “Kony 2012,” the latest documentary from Invisible Children, an organization that works to end the abduction of children for use as soldiers in Uganda.

The film, which will screen at Appalachian in May, focuses on Joseph Kony, leader of the Lord’s Resistence Army (LRA).

“This documentary will really bring Kony’s name out,” Szymczyk said. “One of the biggest things about this tour is that we’re kind of making Joseph Kony famous, but famous for

his war crimes and famous for what he has done, like how Osama bin Laden was famous or how Adolf Hitler was famous.”

Szymczyk started the Invisible Children club at Appalachian a year and a half ago. Under his leadership, the club was able to raise over $9,000 in a campaign to build radio towers in Uganda. Radio towers allow Ugandans to track and report LRA attacks, said Libba Moore, copublicist of Invisible Children at Appalachian.

The Appalachian chapter’s current president, Lisa Hurst, said she’s proud of the work Szymczyk has done on and off campus.

“This will be history and it’s important for us to look back and see and ask ourselves whether we’ve done something for this or just watched it go by,” Hurst said.

Szymczyk was inspired to become a roadie for Invisible Children after students in the same role visited Appalachian’s campus for the club’s campus-wide film screenings.

Peace Corps at App. State

Alpha Phi’s Hoops for Hearts basketball tournament returns

The sisters of Alpha Phi chose an athletic event to raise funds because it blends well with the cause, Vice Appalachian State University’s President of Marketing Sharyn Byers chapter of Alpha Phi Sorority will host said.

“It encourages people to get out and its largest event of the year, the third get active, thus supporting annual Hoops for Hearts exercise, being healthy basketball tournament, at and fit,” Byers said.

11 a.m. Saturday in the “It encourages For Wilkinson, heart Varsity Gym. disease is an issue that people to get out Hoops for Hearts hits close to home. is a three-on-three and get active, “My grandfather had tournament comprised of thus supporting heart disease and I want student teams, with each exercise, being to help those who have team contributing $40. been diagnosed and those Proceeds benefit the healthy and fit.” who have yet to be,” Alpha Phi Foundation, Sharyn Byers Wilkinson said. which invests in testing Byers said she is and education to promote Vice-Presiedent of Marketing passionate about the heart health for women. cause as well.

The previous two events “Heart disease is brought in $5,000 and around $4,000 is expected this year, something that has heavily affected my Director of Philanthropy Megan family,” she said. “I think it’s great to give back to an organization like the Wilkinson said.

Hoops for Hearts will feature Alpha Phi Foundation that has given 20-minute games, scored in brackets so much to families like mine.”

The price of admission for spectators for women and men. The winning team will receive four tickets to a Charlotte at Saturday’s event is $1 and includes a raffle ticket.

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Although the campaign has just started, Szymczyk said he hopes 2012 is the year Kony is brought to justice.

“He commits so many war crimes but at Invisible Children, we believe that 2012 will be the final year where this will happen and Joseph Kony will be arrested.”

President Obama sent 100 advisory troops to Uganda in October, an area that has been afflicted by the LRA, Szymczyk said.

“I was ecstatic because that’s exactly what we need to really stop Joesph Kony,” he said.

“I am always wary about sending troops to different areas and it’s always skeptical when it comes to that, but once you look into it, it’s only 100 advisory troop they have already set aside funds for causes like these to send troops like these out, so it’s not taking tax dollars away.”

“Kony 2012” will premier at Appalachian Thursday, May 3 in Plemmons Student Union.

Review:

‘Hugo’ book, film tell whimsical stories of the past

by EMMALEE ZUPO Senior Lifestyles Reporter

Editor’s Note: The following reflects the opinion of the author.

Brian Selznick’s novel “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” may be one of the few books that actually lends itself to a cinematic adaptation.

The book is the inspiration for “Hugo,” a film version that will screen this weekend at I.G. Greer.

The film does vary slightly from the book, which delves into early film, the beauty of clockwork and the first form of mechanical robots, known as automatons.

Set in the 1930s, the novel tells the story of Hugo Cabret, a young boy living and working in a train station - and, of course, involved in a historical adventure.

“The Invention of Hugo Cabret” illustrates the magic of an era and introduces readers to the French film artist Georges Méliès, who is the main source of inspiration for the book.

The movie isn’t identical to the book, but it does provide some delightful advantages. Directed by Martin Scorsese, it brings to life the cinema-inspired atmosphere of the novel.

The film is strengthened by the inclusion of clips from Méliès’s films, which are really wonderful to watch. Méliès was also a magician and his films are very much a reflection of his fantasy-driven imagination.

Senior social sciences education major Bekah Whilden praised the Oscar-winning director’s adaptation of the book.

“Martin Scorsese does a really good job of interpreting the story,” Whilden said. “He still left a little bit to the imagination and though the book did more of that, he still let the story tell itself. He let the movie play out like it did in the book.”

At around 500 pages, the book is a surprisingly fast read and probably involves no more than two solid hours of reading time, thanks to Selznick’s illustrations.

The book’s artistic elements draw on inspiration from early French cinema and the tangible experience of watching movies.

The pages, surrounding blocks of type, are black to emulate the feeling of sitting in a dark theater.

The book unfolds before the reader just as a movie would. The first image - and consequently the last - is a picture of the moon. The images progressively pan away and introduce the reader to their setting (Paris) and finally land on a boy (Hugo Cabret). From there, the story continues to unwind.

And the story is wonderful.

Selznick has illustrated and been awarded for several children’s books. “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” was awarded the Caldecott Medal and is peppered with full-page illustrations. In total, 284 pages of the book are singularly dedicated to Selznick’s gorgeous pencil drawings.

“Hugo” and the book on which it’s based are two different mediums which offer two different advantages - but both are easy to love.

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• March 1, 2012

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Send copy to David W. Freeman, Director of Student Publications, Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, second floor, Plemmons Student Union, or e-mail: freemandw@appstate.edu.

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The Center for Student Involvement and Leadership is available for advising appointments. Schedule a time today to talk with a professional in the office to determine your best plan of action. Get out, meet people and make a difference. Call 262-6252, or visit the CSIL website at www.csil.appstate. edu, drop by Room #219 for more information.

Spring Counseling Center groups

Understanding Self and Others Group: Issues commonly addressed vary from depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, self-esteem, issues of family conflict or abuse, etc.

Students who want to resolve specific concerns as well as those seeking personal growth are welcome. This can be a good time to get peers’ perspectives on various issues, and to recognize that you are not alone. Four groups are available: Mondays 1:30-3 and 3:30-5; Tuesdays 3-4:30; Wednesday 3-4:30; Thursdays (with dog) 3-4:30; Fridays 10-11:30.

Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual Therapy Group: This group will present an opportunity for gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals to explore life challenges. It will provide a safe environment in which to address a variety of issues (e.g., coming out, spirituality, family relationships, depression, selfesteem, abuse, etc.). Goals of the group include: reducing isolation, finding support and making changes. Tuesdays 5-6:30 and Fridays 1-2:30.

Painful Pasts, Promising Futures Group: This group is designed for those who have experienced traumatic events in their lives or who come from backgrounds in which they did not feel safe. Members will learn how their past experiences and their biology are affecting their lives now. More importantly, they will learn what to do about it! Members will learn important insights about their patterns in relationships and skills to better manage their emotions and relationships.

Thursdays 3:30-5 and Fridays 3-4:30. (For information contact Amber Lyda: 262-3180 or lydaam@appstate.edu).

Transgender Therapy Group: This group is similar to the “Understanding Self and Others” group in that a variety of issues will be explored in a safe and supportive environment. Some of the issues will be unique to gender-variant students. Goals of the group include: reducing isolation, finding support and making changes. Wednesdays 4:30-6.

(For information contact Sheri Clark: 262-3180 clarksl@ appstate.edu).

WISE Women, Image, & Self Esteem: This group is designed for any woman interested in changing how she values herself. If you’d like to feel better about yourself and less controlled by appearance, food and what others think, this group may be for you. Thursdays 2-3:30 p.m. (For information contact Denise Lovin: 262-3180 or lovindm@ appstate.edu).

An Introduction to Mindfulness Group: Mindfulness involves stepping out of “auto-pilot” reactions and learning to pay more attention to our present experiences. Activities in this group will help participants cultivate a mindful approach to their lives, which can decrease stress, create emotional balance, and allow a person to take actions more in line with their values. Thursdays 2-3:30 (For information contact Chris Hogan: 262-3180 or hogancj@appstate.edu).

To get started with a Counseling Center group, come to the Counseling Center during Walk-In Clinic, call 262-3180 or visit the website for more information at www.counseling. appstate.edu. If you are interested in group but these times do not work for you, please get in touch with Chris Carden at 262-3180 or cardendc@appstate.edu.

Career resources available at ASU

Come explore the resources on campus here to assist you with your career planning and job searching needs. Is choosing a major causing you stress? The Peer Career Center can help! Choosing a major is one of the many decisions you will have to make during your college career. Do not take it lightly. The average person spends 86,000 hours working in his/her lifetime. How many hours are you going to spend choosing your career? We offer assistance in finding a major and career that matches your interests, abilities, values and experiences. Call 262-2029 to schedule an appointment or drop by our office located on the 2nd floor of the Student Union, beside McAllister’s Deli. Visit us at www.peercareer. appstate.edu. The Career Development Center offers many resources to assist you in your job and internship search skills. Career Counselors will help you build a professional resume, cover letter, and help develop your interviewing skills. Students can utilize Career Gear, (careergear.appstate.edu), our new and improved career management system, to schedule career counseling appointments, post resumes, search for jobs and internships, sign up for on campus interviews, research employers, identify employer mentors and stay up to date with career center events and fairs. Learn about all of the great resources in the CDC at careers.appstate.edu.

Free, confidential legal advice

A licensed attorney is available to answer your questions, provide advice, and make referrals. This service is offered free of charge to any Appalachian State University student.

Contact the Student Legal Clinic if you have a traffic ticket, a minor criminal charge, a question about your lease or the conditions in your off-campus apartment -- or any other issue or problem that you need legal help with. The Student Legal Clinis is located in Room 221of the Plemmons Student Union. Call (828) 262-2704 for an appointment.

It’s fast and easy! Appointments can usually be scheduled within a few days.

Financial Aid questions?

Parents and students with financial aid questions are encouraged to visit our website at financialaid.appstate.edu and their AppalNet account. The Office of Student Financial Aid is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., except for University observed holidays.

Spring Diversity Speakers Series

The Office of Multicultural Student Development has announced the Spring schedule for the 2011-2012 Diversity Speaker Series. We hope that you will take advantage of these unique opportunities to see, hear and learn from

The Appalachian

| TheAppalachianOnline.com

ews

A Service of the Division of Student Development

some of the leading experts on diversity and social justice.

All Diversity Speaker Series events are free and open to the public. The series includes: Heather’s Mommies Get Married: Homophobia, Censorship and Family Values, today in the Blue Ridge Ballroom, Plemmons Student Union, 7 p.m., author Leslea Newman. Hands on the Freedom Plow: Personal Accounts by Women in the SNCC, Tuesday, April 24, Blue Ridge Ballroom, Plemmons Student Union, 7 p.m., editors Faith Holsaert and Marsha Noonan.

Sustainability film series to begin

The sustainability film series at Appalachian State University enters the third year with films that focus on environmental and economic issues and social justice. A feature-length film will be shown in Greer Auditorium each month during spring semester. All films begin at 7 p.m. and are shown free of charge. A 30-minute panel discussion will follow. Visit www. sustain.appstate.edu/2012filmseries for more information.

Sponsors of this year’s series are the Office of Sustainable Development, Appalachian Popular Programming Society (APPS), Belk Library and Information Commons, and Appalachian’s Renewable Energy Initiative and Energy Center.

The film series schedule is as follows: March 20, “The Last Mountain”; April 17, “Wasteland”. The series is hosted by Appalachian’s Office of Sustainability and Department of Geology. For additional information about the film series, contact Brian Zimmer in the Department of Geology at zimmerbw@appstate.edu.

Sponsored by the Counseling Center, Women’s Center, and the Eating Disorders Awareness Week Planning Committee

‘Leave Yosef A Legacy’

Leave Yosef A Legacy is an annual day of service event planned and sponsored by the Service and Leadership Residential Learning Community. The event will be hosted on Saturday, March 31, with check-in beginning at 8:30 a.m. in Legends and the day will conclude at 2:30 p.m. in the same location. A free lunch will be served during the event and the service site locations include Habitat for Humanity, Humane Society, Farm Cafe, Horse Helpers, and Daniel Boone Gardens. To register for the event, visit http://csil. appstate.edu/lyald. If you have any questions regarding the day of service, please contact Jordan Seagraves seagravesaj@email.appstate.edu.

‘Autism Speaks U’ set for April 14

The Appalachian State University chapter of Autism Speaks U its first 5k Run/3k Walk event on April 14. The efent will be held on the Greenway Trail. Early Registration tickets are available through April 6 for $20. The day of the event tickets will be available for $25. To be guaranteed a T-shirt you must register before April 1. Registration on the day of the event will begin at 8 a.m. with the 5k beginning at 9 a.m., 3k Walk following shortly after. Email Ashley Crowder if you have any questions at crowderam@appstate.edu, or go to http://autismspeaksu.appstate.edu/ for more information.

Counseling Center holds workshops Global film series underway March 6 The Counseling Center presents The Wellness Workshops, beginning today, 12:30-1:30 p.m., in the Linvillle Falls Room of the Plemmons Student Union. The workshop is entitled “Feelin’ Good in the Neighborhood. On Monday, March 5, 12-1:30 p.m. in the Table Rock Room of Plemmons Student Union the workshop “Ask a Question, Save a Life: Suicide Prevention Training. On Thursday, March 22, 5:30-6:30 p.m. or 6:30-7 p.m. in the Counseling Center (limit of 20 participants in each group). On April 17, 12-1 p.m. in the Table Rock Room of Plemmons Student Union, “De-Strress with Mindfulness: Intro and Practice.” Extra credit slips will be made available. For more information, contact the Counseling Center at 262-3180 or counseling.appstate.edu.

Classes set for care of daylilies

The Department of Biology will present two free classes on the selection and care of daylilies for the home landscape.

The program, “Daylilies Rich in Diversity,” will be held Saturday, March 24, from 9:30-11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the department’s greenhouse at 333 Dale St. off State Farm Road. The class will be taught by Jerry Meyer, a seasoned cold climate gardener and designer, who manages the biology department’s greenhouse and conservatory. Meyer is a graduate of the environmental science program at Cornell University and the horticulture and botany programs at the University of Vermont. To reserve a space in class, email Meyer at meyerja@appstate.edu. Space is limited; first come, first served. Call 262-4025 for more information.

There are more than 60,000 named daylily varieties. Class discussion will include information on how to purchase online, plant and propagate the perennial. Classes are free, although attendees may pay an optional registration fee to help support greenhouse education efforts.

Eating disorders shown in art

The Counseling Center and the Eating Disorders Awareness Week Planning Committee present and Artwork Contest For National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Create an 8.5x11” flyer to promote eating disorder awareness, positive body image, self-acceptance, etc. The winning ad will be used to help promote October’s “Celebrate You” Month. Send your submissions to hainestl@appstate.edu

by March 2.

Spring Visiting Writers to start

Novelist and memoirist Debra Monroe is the Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series’ guest author Thursday, March 8. Monroe is the author of “On the Outskirts of Normal,” “The Source of Trouble” and “Newfangled.” Monroe will present a craft talk titled “Plot Matters: In Fiction and Memoir” from 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. in Table Rock Room in Plemmons Student Union. Admission is free.

Poet and memoirist Toi Derricotte will read from works on Thursday, March 22. Derricotte will present the craft talk “Poetry or Prose: Rethinking the Poetic Line” from 2-3:15 p.m. in Table Rock Room in Plemmons Student Union.

Her books of poetry include “The Undertaker’s Daughter,” “Tender” and “The Black Notebooks.”

Novelist Lee Smith reads from her writings on Thursday, April 5, at 7:30 p.m. Smith is the author of “Mrs. Darcy and the Blue-Eyed Stranger,” “On Agate Hill,” “The Last Girls” and “Fancy Strut.” She will present the craft talk “A Life in Books” from 2-3:15 p.m. in Table Rock Room in Plemmons Student Union.

Poets Rod Smith and Sarah Kennedy will close out the series on Thursday, April 19. Smith will discuss his works “Outlaw Style,” “Ensemble” and “Trespasser.” Kennedy will discuss her works “Home Remedies,” “A Witch’s Dictionary” and “Consider the Lilies.” A craft talk, “Historical Narrative Poems: Where Is This Voice Coming From,” will be presented at 3:30-4:45 p.m. at Table Rock Room in Plemmons Student Union.

For further information on Visiting Writers Series, call 828262-2337 or see www.visitingwriters.appstate.edu.

Eating Disorders, Jeans Give Away

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week and the Great Jeans Give Away will be observed through Friday, March 2.

Too many of our students, men and women, struggle with negative body image and unhealthy eating habits that are dangerous, deadly, and contribute to great unhappiness.

These programs are designed to help those in need and promote greater self-acceptance and confidence! Stop by the Union contact table for lots of information. The Great Jeans Give Away – Change your Jeans, Not your Genes and let go of jeans that are too small and trigger negative body talk and feelings. Leave your jeans at our table in the Union M-F 10-4. Not only will you bring more confidence into your life but you will receive coupons for Anna Banana and Gladiola Girls and a chance to win new jeans. It’s a win win for your body, your soul, and your wardrobe. All collected jeans will be donated to Oasis.

Events for the week are: Friday, March 2, Barefaced and Beautiful – Spend the day with your true beauty – no make up, no fancy clothes, comfortable shoes… Just YOU! A New Spin on Exercise – Connect to your body and mind in this energizing spin class, 12:15-1:15 in Mt Mitchell/LFC.

Appalachian State University Global Film Series presents: Tambien la Lluvia (Even the Rain), directed by Iciar Bollain and starring Gael Garcia Bernal and Luis Tosar. The showing is free. The film will be shown March 6 at 7 p.m. in I.G. Greer. The film is set in contemporary Bolivia (Cochabamba) dealing with matters of globalization, indigenous rights, and environmental/sustainable development issues.

Benito Del Pliego, Associate Professor, Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, will introduce the film.

After the film, a panel of ASU study abroad students who traveled to Cochabamba will share what they learned about the Bolivian people and issues highlighted in the film. For additional information, contact Beth Cramer, Belk Library and Information Commons (crameree@appstate.edu) or Gus Pena, Office of Multicultural Development (penaae@ appstate.edu) OR see the Appalachian State University Global Film Series site at: http://guides.library.appstate. edu/globalfilmseries

Flash Fiction Contest seeks entries

A Flash Fiction Contest, sponsored by Belk Library & Information Commons, seeks short works of fiction, 500 words or less, from any currrent Appalachian State University student. Requirements other than the 500-word limit include: the Wired Scholar Coffee Shop must be included in the story in some manner; must be double-spaced and typed in 12-point font; entry must be sumitted by email attachment (.doc or .pdf file) with the subject line “Flash Fiction Contest” to boydjd@appstate.edu; put your name and email address on an attached cover sheet. The deadline for all stories is Friday, March 16, at 5 p.m.

Mental Health Ambassadors sought

The Appalachian State University Counseling Center is looking for new Mental Health Ambassadors for next semester. Want to help make a difference on campus by promoting positive mental health? Join the Mental Health Ambassadors, a group of undergraduate and graduate peer educators! MHA volunteers work with the ASU Counseling Center to help promote emotional development in the ASU community. For more information on the counseling center, Mental Health Ambassadors and application, visit counseling.appstate.edu and mha.appstate.edu. Applications are due by March 9 at the Counseling Center. Call 262-3180.

Aquatics names winners

On Feb. 23, the Appalachian State University Aquatics Department of University Recreation participated in a timed Fun Swim on National Sports and Fitness Day! Over 20 participants competed in three categories of Male, Female, and Over 30 for the Mile and the Half-Mile. Winners were: Jake Schild, time 9:27:29 1/2 Half-Mile; Thomas Elliot, time 11:55:27 Half-Mile; Erin Lee, time 10:24:23 Half-Mile; Richard Miller, time 23:26 Mile; Sara Kilmer, time 23:33:63 Mile; Thomas Elliot, time 26:55:01 Mile.

Creative minds sought

The ASU Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship is sponsoring two great student competitions, with over $5,000 in prize money available between the two competitions! The Pitch Your Idea in 90 Seconds Contest is seeking creative thinkers to submit innovative ideas for the annual Pitch Your Idea 90 Seconds contest, open to all ASU students (undergraduate & graduate). Ideas can include non-profit ventures, socially minded endeavors, and classic business ideas. The top 20 student ideas selected will be “pitched” in an elevator speech to a panel of entrepreneurial judges the morning of Friday, March 23. $3,000 in prize money (raised from the original $2,000 total) will be awarded. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place and best presentation. The Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award is seeking applications for the 2012 Student Entrepreneur of the Year award (for current undergraduate students). Students who have exhibited exceptional entrepreneurial qualities, who have started or greatly enhanced businesses, on-campus programming, new clubs and/or organizations, or community service projects, are encouraged to apply. This award will be presented to the winning student at the Celebrate Entrepreneurship at ASU event March 23. A $2,500 award will be given to the winner. Celebrate Entrepreneurship at ASU will feature guest speaker, Andrew Loos, CXO (Chief Experience Officer) and Founder of Attack! Marketing, based in Los Angeles, CA. Attack! Marketing has created and managed marketing campaigns, promotions, and staffing for companies such as Red Bull, Mini Cooper, Red Box, DirecTV, and Radio Shack, and artists such as Gwyn Stefani and the band Green Day. This event will take place March 23, from 2–3:30 p.m. in I.G. Greer. It is free and open to the public, and sponsored by the ASU Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship. Pitch Your Idea contest entries and applications for the Student Entrepreneur of the Year award are due no later than Friday, March 2. Pitch Your Idea contest entries are to be submitted online, www.entrepreneurship.appstate.edu, and Student Entrepreneur of the Year applications are to be emailed or delivered to rowlandja@appstate.edu or Raley 1016. For more information, visit www.entrepreneurship. appstate.edu or contact Julia Rowland Boone, 262-8325 / rowlandja@appstate.edu.

Opinion

“Year of the playlist: Checkout the Febrary playlists top songs” at TheAppalachianOnline.com

The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

The Appalachian your student

newspaper since 1934

JUSTIN HERBERGER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

HANNAH POMPHREY

MEGHAN FRICK

ASSOCIATE EDITOR, ONLINE OPERATIONS

ASSOCIATE EDITOR, EDITORIAL CONTENT

JASON SHARPE

HANK SHELL

ASSOCIATE EDITOR, PRODUCTION OPERATIONS

OLIVIA WILKES

NEWS EDITOR

MICHAEL BRAGG

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

LIFESTYLES EDITOR

ZACH DRECHSLER

JAKE AMBERG

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

SPORTS EDITOR

Contact EDITOR-IN-CHIEF (828) 262-6149 BUSINESS OFFICE (828) 262-2157 FAX LINE (828) 262-6256 Associated Collegiate Press

Our Mission The Appalachian, a student-run publication at Appalachian State University, strives to provide fair and accurate news for the campus community; to inform, entertain and create a forum for ideas; to provide an outlet for reader's opinions; to be a champion for student, faculty, staff, and community interests; and to remain independent, exercise and insure its First Amendment rights.

5

Editorial

Where do we draw the line?

Because of a provision in the Appalachian State University Code of Student Conduct, we were not able to offer all the facts on our front-page story, “Athletes Accused.”

The Code of Student Conduct states that all disciplinary records of the university are confidential and cannot be released without the student’s consent. Another provision states that the alleged victim of a sex offense is not required to maintain the confidentiality of student conduct records.

However, the code also prohibits the “unauthorized disclosure of confidential records, tapes, information, or documents provided ancillary to any part of the student conduct process.”

The maximum sanction for violating this policy is expulsion.

To put it simply, if we had published information that relied on documentation from any student conduct

proceedings involving the charges brought by freshman sustainable development major Alex Miller and junior history secondary education major Meagan Creed, the editorial board could have faced disciplinary action.

Student conduct proceedings fall within a gray area of the law. This protects them from public scrutiny but also prevents accountability.

The law, in this case, is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Since 1974, this act has protected the confidentiality of a variety of student records, including grades. It has also been interpreted by college administrators to include student conduct proceedings.

But why should alleged violent, criminal conduct be protected in the same manner as students’ private information?

In fact, FERPA does allow colleges to release the

names of students found responsible for committing violent acts, according to a 2010 study by the Center for Public Integrity.

An institution - particularly a public institution funded by North Carolina taxpayers - has no place restricting the availability of information. Documentation of violent crimes, when handled by any institution other than a university, is publicly available.

These aren’t student records - they’re criminal records.

Appalachian released its three-year campus crime statistics in 2010, as required by the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security and Crimes Statistics Act. According to those statistics, a total of six forcible and non-forcible sex offenses were reported that year.

Another study, published by the Department of Justice, found that 25 percent of college women experi-

ence rape or attempted rape before graduating in a fouryear period.

Based on an enrollment of around 16,000 undergraduate students and a female student population of 53 percent, we could assume that more than 2,000 female Appalachian students are sexually assaulted in four years at the university.

The university exists in a hyper-competitive market.

It must present itself positively to qualified students, potential donors and to the legislature, which supports it financially through grants and allocations.

The incentive is incredibly high for the university to protect its image, as well as the privacy of some of its students. But the imperative to protect the safety of all of its students supersedes the importance of both public perception and students’ personal reputations.

We’re sorry we couldn’t tell you more.

Editorial Cartoon

Letters to the Editor The Appalachian welcomes Letters to the Editor. Letters should be 250 words or less and include the author’s name, ASU Box, phone number, classification and campus affiliation, if any. The Appalachian reserves the right to decline publication of any letter and to edit letters for the purpose of clarity and space. Although we are unable to acknowledge those letters we cannot publish, we appreciate the interest and value the views of those who take the time to send us their comments.

Letters should be submitted electronically via our Web site or e-mail. Letters may also be mailed to “Letter to the Editor,” The Appalachian, ASU Box 9025, Boone, N.C. 28608. Letters may also be brought to the newsroom, located on the second floor of Plemmons Student Union.

March 1, 2012 •

Hey man! Where are you going with all those glowsticks?

Just got back from some kind of wild Techno Contra Dance!

Letter from the Editors

Our explanation

You’ll notice something in our pages today that’s been a topic of discussion on campus for some time.

Our front page story marks the first time we have addressed, outside of letters to the editor, the two athletes recently accused of various sexual assault charges.

Some have asked, both in person and in comments on our website, why we haven’t referenced this issue thus far. Rumors about the alleged incident, aided by social media, have been swirling for months. Multiple protests have been organized.

With that in mind, our coverage might seem late in arrival.

That reluctance to comment was intentional, and we want to explain the decision we made.

We’ve known about these allegations since the fall semester. But there’s a difference in hearing whispers about something and knowing enough to publish information thousands of people will read.

All the information we disseminate comes from sources. Each article you read in The Appalachian is the result of in-person interviews with the best sources of information we can find on the issue at hand.

Articles can, of course, be sourced in different ways.

And at times, we’ve been comfortable publishing controversial information soon after we heard about it - because we felt we already had the best information available.

One example that comes to mind is a story headlined “‘Roofies’ suspected after student is hospitalized,” which we published Oct. 11. For that story, both of us spoke with the hospitalized students in question and with management at Char Restaurant & Bar, where the alleged incident occurred. In that case, we felt entirely comfortable that we’d presented truthful and unbiased reporting.

Yet something we always have to remember is that the content we produce lasts for a very, very long time.

We knew that what we put on paper and in pixels about this issue would follow the university, professionals who work at the university, the alleged victims and the alleged perpetrators for years to come.

With that in mind, we arranged a meeting with the other two Associate Editors of The Appalachian. Early on, the four of us made a decision that we wouldn’t publish anything about these allegations until we were absolutely sure we had the full story, or at least enough credible information to report above the gossip.

We stuck with that decision, and we’re glad we did.

The story you see today represents hours of interviews with multiple stakeholders, including the university administration and the alleged victims. We believe it offers an accurate and comprehensive view of the situation and we’re entirely comfortable presenting it to our readers.

As young journalists, we absolutely want to be a part of the 24-hour news cycle. It’s our goal to offer fair and accurate information as soon as possible.

However, we never want to sacrifice being right and unbiased for the sake of being first.

We hope you’ll agree that the decisions we’ve made were necessary to serve both our readership and our principles. If you don’t, we’d love to hear from you.

Email letters@theappalachianonline.com and let us know what you think.

Justin Herberger, Editor-in-Chief Meghan Frick, Associate Editor for Editorial Content

Aaron Fairbanks | Editorial Cartoonist

Staff Opinion

Low engagement with Association of Student Governments is based on its irrelevance Meghan Frick I had to explain what the Association of Student Governments is last week.

My friend Anne is one of our senior news reporters and a frequent opinion columnist. We were discussing (loudly) the UNC-Chapel Hill Student Congress’s decision to ask its students in a referendum whether they wanted to maintain membership in ASG. That’s when another friend, who is significantly more normal than Anne and me, asked what ASG is. I explained what the organization actually does: it brings together student leaders from the 17 UNC institu-

tions for monthly meetings.

But I couldn’t explain why that matters, or why the organization is relevant.

That’s because it isn’t.

I’d venture a guess that the large majority of students have never heard of ASG. Those who have heard of it are mostly student media junkies like me, people who devour the Daily Tar Heel on a daily basis and spend actual hours of free time discussing student government.

I can hear the counter-argument to this already: students don’t know about their united student government because they’re apathetic.

But I don’t think that’s true at all. I think students don’t know about ASG because nothing ASG does materially affects their lives.

I admire some of ASG’s initiatives, but the fact is that they’re not enough. The organization is supported by an annual fee of $1 paid by every student at every UNC

system institution. That’s a lot of money being spent on Twitter campaigns and lobbying trips. As it stands, the funds would be better spent if they were redirected.

But that’s not the solution, either. ASG has real potential to be an organization with dynamic effects on student life and the university experience. In order to do that, those in charge need to make bold and creative changes.

As we reported Tuesday, ASG met this weekend to discuss improvements to the organization. That’s an admirable step. But the points of discussion at the weekend meetings, as they were reported to us, didn’t reflect real change. We heard about potential alteration of electoral eligibility and potential restructuring of committees.

I’ll freely admit that I don’t know anything about running an organization with the size and influence

of ASG. I believe those involved have every intention of effecting change.

But this is not the way to do it. The issues discussed this weekend are organizational housekeeping at best.

They don’t reflect genuine reform - especially since no final decisions were made.

It seems to me that ASG’s leaders are caught up in the minutiae of running an organization. They need to stop that trend as soon as possible and focus their efforts on becoming intensely relevant to the students they serve and represent.

If ASG had any real impact on the budget, on tuition prices, on the quality of education - students would be interested in its activities.

At the very least, they’d know it exists.

Frick, a senior public relations major from Columbia, S.C., is the associate editor for editorial content.

6

• March 1, 2012

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Sports The Appalachian

Live-blogged coverage of basketball tournaments TheAppalachianOnline.com March 1, 2012 • 7

| TheAppalachianOnline.com

Wrestling focuses on Southern Conference title

by CHASE ERICKSON Intern Sports Reporter

T

he Appalachian State University wrestling team is focused on winning its seventh Southern Conference tournament title in school history as it travels to Chattanooga, Tenn.

Saturday.

First round matches begin at 10 a.m. and the finals begin at 6:30 p.m.

Appalachian will seek its first team title since the 2003 championships, when it scored 97.5 points and crowned five wrestlers.

The Mountaineers will defend titles at 165 and 184 pounds. SoCon Wrestler of the Year Kyle Blevins (165) and all-SoCon team

member Austin Trotman (184) will look to get hot one more time.

“I’m just going to go out there and wrestle every match as hard as I can, because who knows - it might be my last,” Erin Morton | The Appalachian Blevins said.

Seniors Kyle Blevins and John Blakely practice If the two are Monday afternoon in Varsity Gym to prepare for able to secure Saturday’s conference championship. their titles, they will finish their earlier loss to The Citadel’s Turtogcareers with a combined total of tokh Luvsandorj with a 4-3 defeat five SoCon championships. on an escape in overtime, in the Last year, Blevins avenged an 165-pound finals.

Trotman, ranked No. 12 in the latest InterMat rankings, is the two-time defending 184 pound SoCon champion and will look to continue his domination.

“It feels pretty good knowing that I have won it twice, but I know that I haven’t won anything yet,” Trotman said. “I want to win nationals and this is just more of a stepping stone.”

Senior Mike Kessler will search for his first 141-pound SoCon title.

Kessler finished the season with a 30-11 record, including a 6-0 record against SoCon opponents.

He made it to the finals last year, only to lose to Chattanooga’s Cody Cleveland 9-5.

Senior Savva Kostis also hopes to step on the championship podi-

um this weekend. The 149-pounder has a 24-13 record, including 4-1 in the SoCon. In his first SoCon tournament, all-freshman team member Paul Weiss, at 197 pounds, is currently 16-13 - including 5-1 against SoCon competition.

Juniors Tony Gravely and Brett Boston, senior Carter Downs and freshman Joe Cummings all hope to make runs in their weight classes.

“I’m just looking for our guys to compete the way they have all year,” head coach JohnMark Bentley said.

“This team has overcome a lot of adversity and a lot of times this year, when a lot of people counted them out, they rose to the occasion and surprised a lot of people.”

Track approaches national championships Men’s golf gears up for spring

by ANNIE RUCKER

Intern Sports Reporter

Olivia Wilkes | The Appalachian

Junior sprinters Justin Thomas and Landon Powell condition at practice in Holmes Convocation Center. The team’s last meet before the NCAA Indoor Conference Championships is this Saturday at Virginia Tech.

Mountaineers look toward NCAA Indoor Conference Championships

by LEIGH ROBERTS

Senior Sports Reporter

With the Virginia Tech Last Chance Meet right around the corner and the number of continuing athletes dwindling, the Mountaineers are looking toward the NCAA Indoor Conference Championships.

After last weekend’s Southern Conference Indoor Championships, most of ASU’s track and field athletes are either electing or having to move onto their outdoor track season. A handful of Appalachian athletes, however, are being chosen to compete for at least one more week, trying to qualify for the national competition March 9 and 10 in Mankato, Minn.

Qualifiers include senior high jumper Darius Purcell, junior thrower Jared Stalling and sophomore pole-vaulter Cassie Crawford, to name a few.

Purcell knew he would be extending his season after his performance at the Southern Conference Championships. He jumped 7’3”, breaking his own school re-

cord and conference record and was a mere inch and a quarter from the NCAA automatic qualifying mark.

“Right now, I’m number 18 or 19,” Purcell said. “There are going to be a lot of people basically trying to get higher up on the list, trying to get the automatic height.

So I’m trying to hit that automatic height or get [under 17] to get into nationals.”

Since this is Purcell’s last indoor competition, he admits he’s mainly focused on having fun and hoping his preparation will help him break the NCAA qualifying mark of 7’4’’.

Stalling, on the other hand, moved to third place in the ASU record books this past weekend and brought home a conference title.

“I pretty much knew I was going to this meet,” Stalling said. “I’ve been flirting with the whole national top 20 all season. Our end goal for this season definitely is the NCAA Championships. So we knew that after conference, I’d have another week.”

Stalling will compete in both the shot put and the weight throw this weekend.

He said he’s marginally more confident in the weight throw, but if everything goes according to his plan, will break the school record for shot put.

Crawford will also compete in the Last Chance Meet, but didn’t find out until Monday.

“Honestly, I’m not positive,” Crawford said when asked why she qualified for this meet. “I broke my ankle at the beginning of this season, in the very first meet we had in December, so it’s given me another chance.

I’m finally catching back up to where I was last year and steadily improving.”

Crawford’s goal for the meet is to vault 13 feet, after coming off a third-place seat in the conference championships.

“This is it, you know, this is kind of the last chance and opportunity I have,” Stalling said. “Right now to qualify for the championships, I’ll probably have to throw 68 feet and change in the weight throw.

From what we’ve been working in practice, it’s definitely there, but it’s just kind of like a go all out, give it your last hoorah kind of situation.”

The men’s golf team is anticipating another successful season after finishing in the top 10 in four of five tournaments in the fall.

After finishing the fall season with a tournament win against the University of Alabama-Birmingham, then ranked no. 19 in the country, the team is confident for its spring season.

“This is my fifth year and this is by far the best we’ve ever been,” co-captain Dustin Hudson said.

The team kicked off its season at the Irish Creek Intercollegiate in Kannapolis. ASU didn’t enter a team, but five individual players competed in the tournament.

The team followed up with the University Cup Wednesday in Morganton.

ASU placed three in the top 10, with Lance Wheeler leading the way in third.

The University Cup provides a format not typical for golf tournaments. Rather than playing against numerous teams, App will compete solely against rival Western Carolina.

“Western Carolina won the University Cup last year and it is our goal to win it back,” head coach Bill Dicus said.

Sophomore Casey Komline is a particularly strong member on the team. Tying the school low round record during the fall with a 6-under-par, the team is hoping Komline will build on that success.

“The University Cup should be fun and allow us to get the rust off,” Komline said.

“Everyone is pretty confident right now. We had a really good fall and hopefully we’ll keep the momentum going.”

Looking toward the full season, the team hopes to bring home a title it’s struggled to attain in recent years.

“I’d like for us to win the Conference Championship,” senior Daniel Walsh said.

“Everyone on the team wants to play their best and we are all willing to work hard for it.”

Madelyn Rindal | The Appalachian

Sophomore recreation management major Casey Komline talks about upcoming golf tournaments. In the fall Komline shot a 65, which ties him for the school record in low round.

The Appalachian

Sports

| TheAppalachianOnline.com

March 1, 2012 •

8

Women’s basketball falls in Chattanooga

by TYLER WOOD Sports Reporter

T

he Appalachian State women’s basketball team fell just short of their SoCon title hopes with their 80-71 loss to Chattanooga.

As a result of the defeat, the Mountaineers lost their chance at an outright SoCon regular season championship and the No. 1 overall seed in the conference tournament next Sunday. Appalachian will share the regular season title with Davidson.

“We weren’t able to do what we needed to do,” head coach Darcie Vincent said. “Maybe in a couple weeks, we can look back and appreciate being co-champs and having that accomplishment, but right now we are very disappointed.”

The first half showed how evenly matched the two rivals were, in a game that featured five lead-changes.

Freshman Katie Mallow hit a 3-pointer to tie the score at 25-25 with 8:53 remaining in the opening half. The Mocs would finish the last nine minutes of the first half on an 18-8 run, giving them a 43-33 lead heading into the locker room.

“For some reason, we were bogged down in the first half,” Mallow said.

“It seemed like every shot they put up went in.”

Appalachian fought valiantly in the second half in an attempt to trim down the double-digit Moc lead.

With 11:54 remaining in the final

(4S) College of Charleston (5N) Appalachian State

(1N) UNCG

(3N) Western Carolina (6S) The Citadel (2S) Wofford

Championship Game March 5, 9:00 p.m.

ESPN 2

(4N) Samford

(5S) Furman (1S) Davidson (3S) Georgia Southern (6N) Chattanooga (2N) Elon

half, a fast-break layup by freshman Maryah Sydnor pulled the Apps within a possession and brought the score to 56-55.

The resilient Mocs did not falter in the face of adversity, meeting every Mountaineer run with one of their own.

Chatt was able to push its lead to 73-64 with just over three minutes remaining, but the Mocs would have to fend off one more push by the Mountaineers.

Back-to-back three-point buckets

by Mallow and senior Canesha Edwards brought the score to 73-70, with 1:33 left on the clock.

But the Mountaineers were unable to get any closer. The Mocs went 7-8 from the freethrow line in the game’s final 82 seconds.

Even with the loss to Chattanooga, Appalachian can still call itself a Southern Conference regular season champion. But for a perfectionist like Vincent, that wasn’t the goal.

“We had an opportunity to achieve one of our goals tonight against a team that had nothing to play for, other than wanting to beat us,” Vincent said. “You’re not going to get me to say something positive when we had everything for the taking.”

The team will shake off disappointment and head into the SoCon tournament this weekend - and their eyes are on the prize.

“We were conference champs last year, but we didn’t win the SoCon

Paul Heckert | The Appalachian

Junior forward Kelsey Sharkey attempts a layup against a Furman defender last week. The Mountaineers lost to Chattanooga Sunday 80-71.

tournament,” Freeman said. “Our whole season comes down to us winning the SoCon tournament and getting a bid to the NCAA tournament.

That’s our main focus.”

The Apps earned the No. 2 seed for the Southern Conference Basketball Championships and will receive a first round bye. Appalachian’s next game will take place Saturday in Asheville, with the game time and opponent to be determined.

Men’s basketball enters SoCon tournament

(8) College of Charleston (9) Wofford

by JAKE AMBERG Sports Editor

(1) Davidson

(4) Samford

(5) Elon Championship Game March 5, 5:00 p.m.

ESPN 3, SoCon Sports Network

(7) Western Carolina (10) Georgia Southern (2) Appalachian State (6) Furman

(11) UNCG (3) Chattanooga Infographic by Kevin Boodtama | The Appalachian

Nineteen is the number that’s been rolling around in the heads of the men’s basketball team during this week of practice.

In a Feb. 4 home loss to the College of Charleston, the Mountaineers (12-17, 7-11) missed a staggering 19 layups, stifling their chance to put away a ballgame that was up for grabs in the first 34 minutes.

Now, Appalachian will take on the Cougars again in the opening round of the Southern Conference tournament Friday in Asheville. And this time, the team believes the score will be different.

“I firmly believe that if we get past that first game which we will - we will win it all,” senior Omar Carter said.

A four-game win streak is the sole thing standing between Appalachian State and the third NCAA tournament appearance in school history. In practice, the Mountaineers have stressed focus and execution.

“In this setting, where you can be one-and-done, every error, every mental breakdown, every mental lapse could lead to your season being over,” head coach Jason Capel said. “We have to be dialed in. I thought we did that yesterday. We have a couple more days to prepare, but as far as confidence, we’re just as good or better than every team

we’ve played this year. And I think our team knows that.”

Appalachian will focus primarily on the Cougars’ allconference frontcourt of sophomore Trent Weideman and senior Antwaine Wiggins. The Mountaineers held the two forwards in check last game, holding the two to just 7-23 shooting, but allowed sophomore Andrew Laurence to score 24 points on 7-11 shooting.

“I feel like we’re a very effective inside team,” senior Isaac Butts said. “Last game I feel like we had them, but we’re a lot more focused now and we’re ready.”

Junior forward Nathan Healy has been the primary scoring option over the last two games, as the Mountaineers have limped into the postseason - losing their last two games. Healy’s play will be needed to add depth to the starting frontcourt of Butts and Andre Williamson.

“I’m just trying to play as hard as I can and rebound as hard as I can,” Healy said. “I’m just trying to do everything I can to win.”

Carter and the two freshman guards, Tab Hamilton and Mike Neal, are also expected to be in the starting lineup.

In a final push to pull together a disappointing season, Carter expects the Mountaineers to pull together and win the conference tournament.

“I feel like we’re the best team even though we haven’t played our best basketball,” Carter said.

If the Mountaineers beat the Cougars, they will take on SoCon North foe UNC-Greensboro Saturday afternoon.

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