September 20, 2012

Your student newspaper

THE APPALACHIAN Thursday, September 20, 2012

TheAppalachianOnline.com

Vol. 87, No. 07

Students attend Occupy anniversary in New York

Hugh Harper | Courtesy Photo

Jose Garrido | Courtesy Photo

Appalachian students join fellow Occupy protestors in a meditation circle at a New York City intersection this past weekend (top left). Occupy protesters re convene on Education Day in New York City for the one year anniversary of the Occupy Wall Street movement (top right). Occupy protesters march across the street from Zucotti Park, ground zero of the Occupy movement, in New York City for the one year anniversary of the Occupy Wall Street movement (bottom left). Occupy protesters participate in an anti-fracking march against the Spectra Pipeline in New York City for the one year anniversary of the Occupy Wall Street movement (bottom right).

Jose Garrido | Courtesy Photo

Jose Garrido | Courtesy Photo

Six Appalachian students meditate in intersections for Occupy anniversary in New York City last weekend by ANNE BUIE

Managing Editor

T

he Occupy movement took place a year ago, but for six university students the decision to drive up to New York City last week to particpate in the anniversary was “spur of the moment.” “I’ve supported the Occupy movement since it began and I’ve been following it for a long time ever since the beginning,” Cameron

Keener, sophomore political science major, said. “It’s something I felt like I needed to be a part of in person to solidify some of the support that I’ve had for Occupy for a long time.” Keener said attending the anniversary had “matured” him. “Regardless of what the media says, this movement has the potential to bring change,” Keener said. The students teamed up with about 10 people to

meditate in the street. “We felt that meditating in the midst of all this chaos showed unity and peace,” Keener said. The group was there to occupy the police from the main protests going on around New York City. “We’d shut down the intersection and try to draw cops away from the crowd where the masses were and divert them,” Hugh Harper, sophomore sustainable development major, said.

All six students said they had not had the opportunity to physically partake in Occupy Boone when it existed last year. “I think that’s why we wanted to go up there,” Caitlyn Blakelock, sophomore child development major, said. “We wanted to jumpstart our involvement. It means nothing if we just talk and don’t show our involvement.” Hugh said going to the Occupy anniversary was

As clash continues in Middle East, it’s personal for one ASU senior by MEGHAN FRICK

Social Media Manager

Conflict is continuing in the Middle East, but for one student at the university, the conflict is hitting a little closer to home. Senior journalism major Lena Aloumari’s father is stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Sana’a, Yemen. There -- and in Egypt and Libya, initially -- the American embassies have been targeted by Muslim protesters. The anger centers around an American-made film, “The Innocence of Muslims,” circulating online. “What started in Egypt and Libya has spread to Yemen, where my dad is,” Aloumari said. “The past year has been kind of crazy because he actually just was sent back to Yemen in June. During the revolutions of the Arab Spring, they evacuated him to Kuwait as a safety precaution.” Curtis Ryan, an Appalachian professor who specializes in Middle East politics, said the film provoking reactions “is incredibly offensive, and was intended to cause hate or fury.” “For many, it’s just the latest episode of overt disrespect for the world’s second-largest religion,” Curtis said. “Also, one of the main issues behind the Arab Spring was a pro-democracy movement against dictatorships that historically were backed by the U.S., with the exception of Syria and Libya. More democracy, even in an unstable transitional stage, means more protests. It goes with territory.” And the demonstrations have tapped into pre-existing local griev-

empowering. “It showed us, just some students from North Carolina, that we can make the national news reel and make a profound change,” Hugh said. But Hugh said at times the resistance could be “frightening.” At one point, Hugh said the policemen surrounded him and the other students on all sides. “One policeman is fine,” Hugh said. “But NYPD as a

Math, science departments oppose gen ed changes by CHELSEY FISHER Senior News Reporter

Lena Aloumari | Courtesy Photo

Senior journalism major Lena Aloumari's father is stationed at the U.S. embassy in Sana'a Yemen. His embassy-issued car was damaged when protests broke out in response to a controversial video, "Innocence of Muslims."

ances, Ryan said. “In Yemen, the U.S. drone strike campaign has wreaked havoc with the al-Qaeda branch in the country, but it has also killed many, many innocent Yemeni citizens,” he said. “That’s true in Afghanistan and Pakistan too. So anger at the U.S. is also rooted in the death toll of this campaign.” But there are nuances to the situation -- including the fact that most of the world’s Muslims have never protested, demonstrated or rioted, Ryan said. “They represent the real Islam and, like most people in the world,

they have more to worry about on a daily basis than YouTube clips of a hate film,” he said. Aloumari made a similar point. “I think the main thing I would like people to know is that there are people from diverse backgrounds that are out protecting and serving our country in different ways,” she said. “My dad is an Arab American and he is Muslim. But that doesn’t affect his quality of work or his commitment to the United States. He’s there risking his life as much as any other diplomat and I am so proud of him. I just hope and pray he comes home safely.”

whole is a ruthless machine.” But despite the arrests to fellow Occupiers, Keener said the overall experience “matured them.” “Overall, we all had similar political ideas, grievances and ideologies,” Keener said. “We all came back clearheaded and calmer.” The students said they want to continue bringing back Occupy ideas to Boone. For further information, visit the Twitter page twitter.com/s17mountaineers.

The math department and several science departments have written formal statements opposing proposed changes to general education at the university. The potential changes were proposed June 19. Under the new system, students would no longer take “perspectives” based on their majors. And Science Inquiry would become Science Literacy, causing a one-credit-hour loss. This is the change to which the departments are responding. “A reduction…would mean that Appalachian would fall even further behind in STEM literacy with weaker core requirements than community college systems,” the math department’s statement reads. Cutting one credit hour cuts 25 percent of requirements, said Rick Klima, assistant chair of the math department. And removing the word “inquiry” from the science inquiry perspective and adding “literacy” implies that science is something one can simply read about, the statement from the science departments argues.

“I personally believe that lowering requirements forever because of a resource shortage that may be temporary is a mistake,” said Tonya Coffey, associate professor of physics and astronomy. “If the budget turns around, we’ll have the resources again, but if we make a cut in the requirement, it is cut forever – or at least until Gen Ed is revised again.” But Director of General Education Paulette Marty believes the changes will make for a “smoother” educational experience. “Students will be able to take classes they are generally interested in,” Marty said. The changes were discussed and agreed upon by the faculty, Provost Lori Gonzalez said. The administration helps guide the process, but ultimately the faculty determines the changes, she said. The proposed changes could be approved as early as December, Marty said. Faculty Senate will discuss the proposal at its October meeting. The changes must b e approved by the General Education Council, the University College Council and the Academic Policy and Procedure Committee.

ON THE WEB Follow blogger Alex McCall as he studies abroad in England www.theappalachianonline.com/ blogs

In Photos: Check out photo coverage from Tuesday’s volleyball game

Look at our photo coverage from Jomeokee Music Festival

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News

| September 20, 2012

The Appalachian

Town approves rezoning request by KELLI STRAKA News Editor

The town approved rezoning of one property out of four requested by the university at Tuesday’s Town Council meeting. The approved property, the Singing News building, on University Drive, will be used for university offices, Vice Chancellor of External Affairs Susan McCracken said. Appalachian has a building permit and will now begin renovating the building. “We are pleased to use Singing News for office space,” McCracken said. The council approved the motions to rezone the Singing News building property to a U1 zone since it is compliant with the town’s comprehensive plan that encourages reutilization of vacant buildings in appropriate locations, Mayor Pro-Tem Jamie Leigh said at the meeting. The council passed a motion that the other proposed properties, off of University Drive, were not in compliance with the town’s comprehen-

sive plan. The university leases the approved property but owns the other three, McCracken said. “I want to be a good partner with ASU and try to do something for them on the Singing News building and I think that’s important,” Leigh said at the meeting. Leigh said she doesn’t have a problem with rezoning the parcel because of its size, which is less than an acre. Councilmembers were concerned about the potential height of buildings on the other three properties. “That’s not because I don’t want to work with ASU,” Leigh said. “But I think we need to be really careful. We’re the protectors of the town.” Since there isn’t a rush on the other parcels, Leigh said she wants further discussion when the town has a better description of zones and their regulations and restrictions, she said. “We have some work to do on our internal ordinances and we’re doing that work now,” Councilman

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AppalCART adds 40-foot buses

Andy Ball said at the meeting. Council hopes to have that work done by the first of the year, Ball said. “I felt our request was reasonable,” McCracken said. The request takes the town’s 2030 plan into account, works with revitalizing vacant property and protects height with the corridor and over shed overlays, McCracken said. McCracken said two of the four properties are recognized as university property in the town’s comprehensive plan. In June Appalachian began a lease-purchase agreement with Maurice Templeton, owner of the property, with the intention to make it university office space, McCracken said. The university approached the town when they realized its current zone, B3, would not permit office space for the university, she said. The Boone Area Planning Commission is reviewing what the zoning areas will be and what their permitted uses will be, McCracken said.

spectacufantabulous

| TheAppalachianOnline.com

by KELLI STRAKA News Editor

Two 40-foot buses will be added to AppalCART’s fleet around the middle of October, making them the largest buses to date, Director of AppalCART Chris Turner said. Current AppalCART buses are 35-feet. “This will be the step up for us in being able to offer more seats on the bus and also more standing room,” Turner said. Turner said he hopes the buses help alleviate overcrowded situations. One of the buses will replace an older bus and the other will be an extra bus, he said. Because AppalCART is public transportation, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has an arrangement to cover 90 percent of the remaining cost with federal and state money, Turner said. The buses cost about $375,000, 10 percent of the purchase price. As part of the arrangement,

Turner said he applies for a grant every year to buy buses. The two 40-foot buses were purchased from the July 2011 grant. The addition of the new buses is part of AppalCART’s fiveyear plan, which started March of 2011 and ends 2016, to have enough spare buses, Turner said. AppalCART driver Tommy Medley said getting more buses would be nice. “It seems like we can’t get enough new buses,” Medley said. Medley, has driven the Pop 105 Route, said he has had to leave students behind because the bus was full. Ryan Hartley, who takes classes at Appalachian, rides the AppalCART almost everyday it’s open. Hartley said a bus has left him behind during the spring 2012 semester, but that it hasn’t happened this semester. Harley said he’s “down” with AppalCART’s new buses. “The school is growing and people are using it more,” Hartley said.

Boone revises towing ordinance by KELLI STRAKA News Editor

After a towing incident on Sept. 8, Boone Town Council is looking into revising the town’s towing ordinance. At Tuesday’s town council meeting, Town Attorney Sam Furgiuele shared changes and reorganization to the towing ordinance with the town council. In the newly added section, 73.08, when a car is towed non-consensually, the towing company has to have someone on duty for the next six hours, the next business day, and they have to be able to respond to a telephone call, Furgiuele said to the council. If the person in calling wants to pay a fine and get the car back, the towing company is required to arrange the payment of the fees within half an hour of the call ending, he said. If the fine is paid, there is a requirement to release the car within one hour of payment. If the company is located more than three miles from where the vehicle was towed, the company has to send someone to meet with the driver. Furgiuele added another section requiring a towing company from out of town to carry a Town of Boone business license. “This is not aimed at any one person,” Furgiuele said. “I thought that we had missed something in the ordinance so I was just trying to fill in the gap.”

Captain Jim Wilson with the Boone Police Department said the incident that happened Saturday Sept. 8 involved a vehicle towed outside city limits, Wilson said at the meeting. The sergeant and a lieutenant were called to the scene to do what was “reasonable” to get the car back, Wilson said. “Then upon later review of the ordinances, they believe they were right in asking the owner of the towing company to release the vehicle,” Wilson said. “They ordered him to release the vehicle.” Mountaineer Towing and Recovery Tyler McKeethen said the owner of the vehicle towed Sept. 8 used “vulgarities” and “obscenities,” on the phone around 10 p.m. McKeethen replied his company was not open and the owner of the car could pick up the car at the start of the next business day. Boone police ordered McKeethen to release the car, he said. McKeethan said to the town council that he felt the changes to the ordinance are a direct retaliation against his business. Robert Fisher with Fisher’s Towing said his main concern is safety concerns of his employees. “It’s not safe to be out there at two or three o’clock in the morning to release their car,” Fisher said. A motion was passed to further discuss the changes and delay possible action Thursday.

Quick take: Plastic vs. Metal utensils in Central Dining Hall by MEGHAN FRICK

Social Media Manager

by LINDSAY BOOKOUT Intern News Reporter

Whether you eat your plate of breakfast for diner with silverware or plastic might not seem like a big deal. But there are differing opinions on whether the utensils at Central – currently medium-grade plastic – are the most sustainable option. The plastic forks are recyclable, University Sustainability Director Ged Moody said. That’s because they’re put through a pulper onsite, along with paper plates and other waste, Director of Food Services Art Kessler said. It’s all ground and exited through a tube, and the pulper extracts moisture. What’s left at the end is put into a container and thrown away. The rest is recycled. “We end up with one

Maggie Cozens | The Appalachian

Sophomore psychology major Christine Lee picks up a fork in Central Dining Hall.

container of trash that will be thrown away and, if we didn’t do that, it would be 10 containers,” Kessler said. But Jennifer Maxwell, one of Appalachian’s resource conservation specialist, said it would ultimately be better to use silverware. “In my opinion, it would be better to not use dis-

posables,” Maxwell said. The plastic utensils are compacted into smaller and smaller pieces, but it never completely goes away. And there’s still energy used in making and recycling the plasticware. The waste is broken down, but it still goes to a landfill. So, what’s your take? Let us know on Twitter with the hashtag #quicktake.

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A&E

The Appalachian

| TheAppalachianOnline.com

Art of Living hosts spirituality retreat

by EMMA SPECKMAN Intern A&E Reporter

S

piritual inspiration took over Heavenly Mountain for the Art of Living Retreat, hosted by the International Center for Meditation and Well Being last Saturday through Tuesday. Throughout the weekend, guests from all over the world took courses in meditation, yoga and stress-relief. The founder of Art of Living, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, spoke to the crowds and answered the questions they brought with them to Boone. People traveled from all over the world, particularly from Shankar’s home country of India, to hear the spiritual guru speak. “You have so many chances in life to sail over bitterness,” Shankar said. Olivia Wilkes | The Appalachian A few students attended the event. Senior tech- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar speaks to attendees of the Art of Living Retreat Monday evening at the International nical photography and Center for Meditation and Well Being. The retreat was held at Heavenly Mountain. interdisciplinary studies major Zachary Stirewalt questions. The questions it to the situation at hand. as a job, it’s like a never- locations in Boone, a His words of advice ending vocation.” small building on King and junior technical pho- ranged from the perAccording to its web- Street where free yoga tography major Elke Tal- sonal - one woman asked were received with cheers if she should divorce her and applause every time, site, Art of Living is a and meditation classes are bott both attended. “I went because I had husband - to the po- no matter what his re- non-profit, educational, offered every day, and the humanitarian organiza- larger International Cenvarious sources telling me litical, when a man asked sponse was. when the Since its opening last tion that is located in ter. The center on King about it over guru thought year, this was the second several countries across Street attracts several Apthe course of the conflicts time Shankari has come the world. Loosely based palachian students who a week,” Stire“You have so in Afghani- to the center in Boone to on Hindu practices and are interested in yoga and walt said. “The many chances stan and Iraq speak, said Kasia Fraser, guides, the organization is meditation. Fraser said food was deliwould be over. an instructor at the Inter- driven by the philosophy the center at Heavenly cious, the muin life to sail To most national Center. Fraser is of its founder Sri Sri Ravi Mountain is the largest sic superb and over bitterness.” questions, in- one of the many people Shankar, who emphasizes Art of Living Center in the words of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, stead of giving across the world that the importance of living the United States. wisdom resofounder of Art of Living a specific an- claim Sri Sri as their guru, stress and violence-free. The next event for nated with my swer, Shankar or spiritual guide. “He teaches people Boone’s Art of Living is soul.” told the crowd “I have been inspired how to be happy,” Fraser an open house on Oct. 13 As part of at the International Centhe retreat, Shankar re- a story, often from ancient by him,” Fraser said. “I said. Art of Living has two ter. sponded to a series of Indian myths, and related don’t really think of this

Ukulele-playing student makes her next musical move by KALEY CAMPBELL Intern A&E Reporter

Paige Smith has earned the title of the girl who plays a ukulele in the free expression tunnel and has the fans, Facebook page and soon recorded tracks to back it up. Smith is a sophomore technical photography major who taught herself how to play the ukulele one year ago. Since then, she has grown as a musician by learning covers to her favorite bands. “It really makes people happy,” Smith said. “Sometimes I feel afraid when people are on their phones, but I’ve had a lot of people stop and say I sound good and smile. That is the biggest gratification.” Sophomore undeclared major Molly Gidley and fan of Smith made her a facebook page, titled “That chick who plays ukulele in the ASU tunnel,” which was cre-

Paul Heckert | The Appalachian

"The Ukelele Girl," Sophmore Paige Smith, plays to students on the way to West Campus.

ated the page Sept. 1, 2011. “I like her voice and she can adapt her style to many different styles of music” Gidley said. “From covers of Radiohead’s ‘Creep’ to ‘Hallelujah’ to her own songs, she

gives music her original style and her great voice.” Smith started writing and recording her own songs recently. The songs have been posted on bandcamp.com, a website for art-

ists to upload their music, but she said she has not made the link public because the recording quality wasn’t ideal. Until Smith is able to re-record, the tunnel is the primary place to hear her music. Having an acoustic sound, Smith is drawn to inspiration from indie and folk bands like Bright Eyes, City in Colour, Bon Iver and Ingrid Michelson. Although she has become known on campus for playing the ukulele, she also knows how to play lesser known instruments - the glockenspiel and melodica. The Facebook page keeps everyone updated on when she is going to play next and what her next moves are in her music career. Once her original songs are re-recorded, the links will appear on “That chick who plays ukulele in the ASU tunnel.”

Boone’s newest, only tea-house opens on Howard Street by MICHAEL BRAGG A&E Editor

Editor’s Note: The following is the fourth part of a five-part series talking about local, new businesses in Boone. Boone’s one and only tea house will open its doors to the public during October’s First Friday Art Crawl after delaying the grand opening. “We only want to serve the best,” Yosefa said. “That’s what’s really delayed our opening. We don’t want something that’s just thrown together. We want this place to truly be a sanctuary for people in the community with great attention to detail.”

Yosefa and Corrine Loucks, the other coowner, wanted to add a business to Boone with international flair and decided a tea house with with teas from all over the world was the thing to do. “We were both novice tea drinkers and since then we’ve been to a couple of international expos and workshops,” Loucks said. “We’ve gotten certification in different levels of identifying teas and tasting teas and so we are learning to love tea.” Yosefa AntiquiTEA will feature in-floor cushion seating with low tables as well as normal-sized chairs for customers - and college students. “It’s a Moroccan themed tea-house, al-

though we’ll have teas from all over the world and all different countries and also serve afternoon English tea,” Loucks said. “Nothing excluded. We’re going to have every type of tea.” And for patrons who do not enjoy tea, coffee is available. “Each person who orders coffee will get an individual french press,” Yosefa said. “It’s the best.” Yosefa AntiquiTEA opens on Friday, Oct. 5. Yosefa AntiquiTEA, a Middle Eastern-inspired tea room located off Howard Street, will open its door's to the public Friday, Oct. 5 during the First Friday Art Crawl.

Michael Bragg | The Appalachian

James Taylor will host Obama Campaign in Blowing Rock by KALEY CAMPBELL Intern A&E Reporter

by MICHAEL BRAGG A&E Editor

James Taylor is finally coming to Carolina, but this time it’s not in his mind. Taylor will perform at the Westglow Spa in Blowing Rock on Friday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. The five-time Grammy-Award winner is putting on a fundraising dinner and concert in support of President Obama’s reelection this November with entry donations for students starting at $500.

“James Taylor is extremely expensive and having him donate his time and talent for the benefit of the President’s re-election is tremendous,” Director of Westglow Marketing Linda Barbash said. Sophomore communication disorders major Maddy Burns has been a fan of Taylor since she was a kid, but said the $500 price is too much to ask of students. “I will not be able to go because I’m too poor,” Burns said. “And though I’m a fan of James Taylor, I cannot say that I’m on the Obama bandwagon that has swept Boone and would prefer to not support

his campaign.” Adult tickets are priced at $1,000 and student tickets were lowered to $500. Westglow realizes the price is high, and are encouraging people to sponsor students. “This is a fundraiser and there is limited space and because the ticket prices are set by the campaign” Barbash said. “We realize it is expensive for most and would like to at least try to make this experience possible for some students.” Both of the owners of Westglow and two of their friends, Kay and

Charlie Trainor, are all sponsoring two students each. “We are hoping many others will follow their lead and make the event accessible to students and have them be involved in the democratic process,” Barbash said. This is not the first high-profile event Westglow has hosted. Four years ago when Hillary Clinton was running for president, the Westglow spa hosted events for both Hillary and President Bill Clinton. For ticket and general information, call (828) 295-5146 or visit westglowresortandspa.com.

September 20, 2012 |

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Review: ‘The Avengers’ assembles at I.G. Greer by BRANDON ALLISON Intern A&E Reporter

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

After many years of watching Samuel L. Jackson pop up at the end of our favorite super-hero movies - “Iron-Man,” Captain America” and the rest of the gang - “The Avengers” finally came together this past May. It was a blockbuster, accruing enough money to earn the ranking of third highest-grossing movie of all time, according to Forbes.com. And now it is coming to the university as a part of the APPS Super Cinema Film Series. Now, some people may have gone to see this film just because Scarlet Johansson was playing Black Widow - we’re looking at you, fellas. And ladies, surely Chris Hemsworth as the Norse God Thor factored into you letting your boyfriends drag you along. The rest of the movie goers saw the potential for cinematic gold by placing so many promising actors into one film. For starters, you have the one and only Samuel L. Jackson, action hero to movie fans everywhere. He plays Nick Fury, the man with the plan who assembles “The Avengers Initiative.” As director of the organization known as SHIELD, Fury and his partner agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) went from movie to movie collecting Iron Man/Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Dr. Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Thor. Other notables featured are the previously mentioned Black Widow - aka Natasha Romanoff - and Hawkeye/ Clint Barton ( Jeremy Renner). Both are SHIELD agents and make appearances in “Iron Man 2” and “Thor,” respectively. The super villain of the plot is Loki (Tom Hiddleston), Thor’s brother. Loki’s cunning provides several challenges for The Avengers to overcome and tests their ability to work together. Where “The Avengers” really stands out among other great films is its ability to demand a full array of emotions out of the audience. Director Joss Whedon clearly knew what he was doing when he decided to take the story in such a direction that he could make the audience laugh, cry, sigh at defeat and yell across the theater in triumph. Not to mention all of the awesome effects, intensive CGI , fast-paced action scenes and hard-hitting super-hero fights. The aspect of the film that really ties everything together cohesively is the superb script. From the cunning and somewhat snobby speech of Loki to Stark’s classic, suave one-liners, every character comes alive in their natural demeanor thanks to excellent writing. The final gift Whedon offers Marvel fans is the ending of the film, which ultimately points to “The Avengers 2.” Those fans are sure to not be disappointed with a sequel to such a phenomenal motion picture. So this coming weekend, if you and a few friends want to go see an awesome movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat, you can’t go wrong with “The Avengers.” It plays at I.G. Greer Auditorium this Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $1 and the film is rated PG-13.

Rating:

3.5 out of 4 stars

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OPINION

The Appalachian | | TheAppalachianOnline.com TheAppalachianOnline.com The Appalachian

| September 20, 2012

THE APPALACHIAN Your student newspaper since 1934 HANNAH POMPHREY

POINT / COUNTER-POINT

Campaign tactics disappoint students The following is part of a Point / Counter-point opinion series, which highlights important issues and platform points for both candidates in the upcoming elections.

Editor-in-Chief

ANNE BUIE

Managing Editor

JASON SHARPE

Visual Managing Editor

KELLI STRAKA News Editor

MICHAEL BRAGG

Point: Aside from presidency, Romney wishes he had Obama’s campaign

A&E Editor

JAMES ASHLEY Sports Editor

ABBI PITTMAN Opinion Editor

MAGGIE COZENS Photo Editor

LIZZIE McCREARY Graphics Editor

LIBBY DALLIS Video Editor

Contact Information 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.

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.

MICHAEL BRAGG Every election year is the same. The candidates send hateful attacks at each other in commercials, on stage and their campaigns fuel the negative attacks. And while both of them are pouring gasoline on the fire of hostility at an equal rate, they still have a duty to promote the candidate. And President Barack Obama’s Campaign is the clear-cut winner as best run campaign, an irrevocable truth that anyone can agree with whether you support the president or not. The president’s campaign message is clear, the website and graphics are visually appealing and - very importantly - original. Gov. Mitt Romney’s campaign was exposed for plagiarizing Obama’s campaign site in the description of donating through the website, email or via SMS messaging, according to nymag.com. While it seems like a minor of-

fense, why can’t the Romney Campaign come up with their own wording for instructions for donating and blatantly ignoring one of the rules students are drilled with since middle school? And shouldn’t the campaign clearly say what it stands for and how the candidate plans to fix the country’s problems? Obama’s website outlines his plans, what his record is and what his policies mean for the middle class, students and every other demographic that can be reached out to for votes. Romney’s campaign message and plans are just as vague on MittRomney.com as they are coming out of his mouth. While Obama’s campaign message isn’t perfect in its delivery, at least I can ask myself what does he plan to do and have - somewhat of - an answer. Campaigns will never be clean, they will never fight fair and we will never get excited to see them on television. But one thing’s for sure, and that is an original and clear campaign can and does exist. However, Mittens doesn’t really know about that. Bragg, a junior journalism and public relations major from Lillington, is the A&E Editor.

Counter-Point: Obama’s campaign tactics are failing to impress this skeptic

ANNE BUIE I haven’t decided who I want to vote for come November. Both candidates have their strong points, but then again, both candidates have a lot of weak points. However, if I was to base my vote merely off of the advertisements both candidates are putting out, President Obama would not receive my vote. See, President Obama has an ad entitled “Forward” and it shows all the things he has done as President: creating new jobs, the Affordable Care Act, Credit Card Act of 2009 and Energy Information Administration, just to name a few. The ad features heartwarming images of soldiers hugging loved ones, children seeing doctors and the iconic image when Obama and his administration found out Osama bin Laden. The music was uplifting, and

a little patriotic. These advertisements merely blow smoke in my face when all I want is a clear-cut answer. The advertisements are merely a diversion that don’t allow me to focus on the actual ad. And unlike Bragg, I think Obama’s website is horrendous. The second you open up barackobama.com, the dominant images are encouraging you to donate money to the campaign. Well, at least Obama is honest with his intentions of solely wanting more money from American citizens. But here’s my problem with Obama’s approach to his campaign – he’s focusing on stuff he’s already done, and to be frank, a lot of it is stuff I didn’t approve of. If Obama wants my vote this election, he needs to focus on what he plans to do for the next four years and not what he’s actually accomplished. I’m not wowed by smoke and mirrors. I want the real deal, or at least as genuine as politicians can give me.

Buie, a sophomore political science major from Charlotte, is the managing editor.

EDITORIAL CARTOON

Minor improvements to iPhone 5 do not impress

STAFF OPINION

Win or lose, I’m still a fan

KATIE REULE Home game Saturdays – sacred days in Boone dedicated to tailgating, grilling and some good ole’ Mountaineer football. Now, remembering last Saturday makes fair amount of us Appalachian State supporters cringe. It was a hard one to sit through. Like everyone else, I was disappointed by our Mountaineers’ performance against the Citadel. But as I watched people file out of the game disgruntled and upset, I thought about something: no matter how many times we lose, or how badly we might play, I’m still proud to be a Mountaineer. Never mind that the Citadel beat us 52-28. I will be there at the next game just as loud, cheering my team on. And anyway, Football is about so much more than the final score. To me, the games mean being with friends and family and cheering ‘til I have no voice. It’s about bonding - uniting us students as one body rooting for the same goal. It’s about standing behind the team we love and showing our loyalty to the Mountaineers, no matter the outcome. As an obnoxiously loud fan, I will always tell you that at the end of the day I was glad to be there at the Rock clad in black and gold. Because football is one of those things all of us can agree on. We just want to see our Mountaineers kick ass. Reule, a junior public relations and journalism major from Charlotte, is an opinion writer.

Allison Langewisch | Editorial Cartoonist

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Elections require respect In reaction to how heated this political season has been so far, I think it is time to take a step back. We are not able to control what our candidates do on a national level, but we have complete control over what we do on Appalachian State’s campus. An article that ran in The Appalachian last week, “College Democrats play dirty,” pointed out that various sandwich boards put out on campus are spreading misleading assertions. One of the signs sponsored by College Democrats claimed that local Republican candidate for County Commissioner, Tommy Adams, is against students voting on campus. On the contrary, Tommy Adams has directly supported our clubs efforts of registering people in the Student Union, which disproves this assertion completely. The mission of the College Republicans thus far has been

one of positive promotion of our candidates. Our club has refrained from tampering with other clubs displays. We hope for the same respect from other organizations on campus. As Chair of the Appalachian State College Republicans, I would like to encourage civil debate and respectful freedom of speech on campus. If a party wants to question a candidate’s record, it should be based on substance rather than personal attacks. One quote from British politician Margaret Thatcher sums this up completely: ‘I always cheer up immensely if an attack is particularly wounding because I think, well, if they attack one personally, it means that they have not a single political argument left.’ Kelsey Crum Chairwoman, College Republicans

Your right to vote is at stake, be your own advocate “Are you registered to vote?” There has been a lot of talk lately about Democratic voter registration drives on campus. We know you’ve been asked time and time again but maybe no one has taken the time to explain why you should. The 2008 presidential election was decided in NC by fewer votes than there are students at App. But this time, it’s not just a president being elected - our right to vote is at stake. The Board of Elections, the institution that determines when and if you are able to vote on campus, is appointed by the Governor. A Republican would appoint local republicans, like the Watauga GOP blog admin who said “Students intrude into the local politics. They not only have no real commitment to the future of our community, but they are clueless to the damage they do.” This sentiment is reaffirmed by

the blogger who said “[When] McCrory wins the students won’t matter any ways. We will take the Board of Elections and if we have a lick of sense we will get rid of that site.” But it goes beyond idle chatter. Take this quote by Republican candidate Tommy Adams in The Appalachian: “Personally, I don’t think that students should be allowed to vote in town and county elections unless they are from the town.” Or Commissioner David Blust (R), who said “You may not like this answer, but I don’t like students voting in elections.” We’ve been targeted, from bloggers to elected officials. So don’t leave your right to vote up to someone else; be your own advocate. So again we ask: Are you registered to vote? Lia Poteet Chairwoman, College Democrats

The Appalachian

Opinion

| TheAppalachianOnline.com

September 20, 2012 |

STAFF OPINION

STAFF OPINION

Keep calm, but don’t let the media carry on

ANNE BUIE If you’ve ever had the chance to speak with me for more than 10 minutes, I can guarantee you, our conversation had either something to do with my two favorite things: journalism or the British royal family. Recently, The Closer, a French magazine, published topless photos of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge while she was vaca-

tioning in Provence, France. Now, topless photos, especially in France, are one thing – but Catherine was in a private swimming pool when the photos were taken. But Laurence Pieau, The Closer’s editor, does not seem to have any qualms about the photos being published. Instead, she said there has been an “over-reaction” to the photos. “These photos are not in the least shocking,” Pieau said in a Sept. 14 The Telegraph article. “They show a young woman sunbathing topless, like the millions of women you see on beaches. It’s still on the Internet. That shocked no one.” The topless part wasn’t the

problem – the shocking part is the magazine’s decision to publish the photos. What was there to gain from us seeing these photos beside embarrassing Catherine? Was it really that slow of a news day the media had to publish these photos of a woman swimming in a private pool topless? The role of the media is to act as a “watchdog” for society. But who is watching us and holding us accountable? Maybe I’m too invested in the media to fully give myself an answer to the question, but has media, as a whole, fallen into the same money-driven atmosphere every other business is a part of? If that’s the case, then society

needs to reconsider journalism. Call me old-fashioned and naive, but I’m so sick of the business world making such an appearance in newsrooms these days. Look, I can’t explain my love for journalism, and I certainly can’t explain my fascination with the royal family. But I can acknowledge certain media outlets’ decision to publish the photos is out of control, and further solidifies my belief, the media needs better watchdogs. Will it be you? Buie, a sophomore political science major from Charlotte, is the managing editor.

STAFF OPINION

Respect all opinions in the Free Expression Tunnel

CASEY SUGLIA On Monday morning, I walked through some rather outspoken graffiti in the tunnel letting out to Rankin courtyard. It appeared that Republican supporters had painted the entire tunnel

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with several Republican candidates’ logos and slogans over the weekend. There was so much red propaganda that I honestly wouldn’t have been surprised if an actual elephant waiting for me at the end of the tunnel. But the next time I walked through it, things had changed. Somebody had added some comments to the pro-Republican walls, such as “supported by daddy’s little girl,” “this is for art, not politics” and

“paid for by daddy.” Okay, both parties had every right to paint the graffiti tunnels. But is political shaming going too far? I think it’s time we take a step back and practice respect for one another’s opinions while still exercising our own freedoms. The hate and mud slinging needs to end. I’m all for both parties publicly drawing attention to policies and decisions being made by the other candidate.

However, the bashing of both Democrats and Republicans needs to end. The writing in the tunnel – both the purely political and brazenly rude – doesn’t make me want to not vote for Romney or distinguish myself as a Democrat. It makes me upset. It makes me wish the election was over with already so we can all go back to living mutually (and relatively argumentfree) amongst each other.

Yes, you should express your opinion. Shout it off mountaintops if you have to. But if expressing your opinion means hating on others, I ask that think about what you’re saying and how your beliefs will be represented before you say them. Don’t be afraid to speak out, but please, do it with some taste. Suglia, a sophomore journalism major from Pinehurst, is a blogger.

EDITORIAL CARTOON

Students should be considerate of every viewpoint

Allison Langewisch | Editorial Cartoonist

STAFF OPINION

Students should be considerate of every viewpoint

MEGHAN FRICK Dear Chancellor Peacock, I’m writing this letter to say one thing: thank you. That may sound like an odd beginning to an opinion article. But I read another op-ed today, in another college newspaper, about a remote and aloof college president in another state. The writer said it point-blank: he didn’t care about his students. He’d seen his university’s president once the entire time he’d been a student. Most students had never seen him in passing, much less had a conversation with him. All I could think was, “That’s one thing we have never had to worry about at Appalachian.”

So, like I said, I wanted to express my thanks. Thank you for all the times you’ve loped through the student union, waving at students as they pass, stopping for small talk in the elevator. Thank you for all the urban legends I heard as a prospective student: “No, Chancellor Peacock just walks around with both of the national championship trophies. He does! I’m serious!” (Is it true, by the way?) Thank you for inviting students into your home, and for attending football games and letting us try on the championship rings. Dig through the Facebook profile of almost any student here, and you’ll see it: the grinning shot of two or three freshmen who ran into you on game day. Thank you for one of the most popular photos we’ve ever run in The Appalachian: you doing crowd-surf push-ups in the student section. Thank you for donning that bright-yellow “Gay? Fine by Me” T-shirt and posing for a photo.

Thank you for stepping behind a video camera last spring and telling thousands of students that it gets better, and can get better at Appalachian. Those simple actions meant so much to so many of us. Thank you for calling my cellphone last year in the middle of class, when I needed to speak with you for an interview and hadn’t gotten past your secretary. My professor let me leave early, the only time I’d ever seen her make that exception. And all my classmates were disappointed: they’d wanted me to put the phone on speaker and let them say hi, too. I know I’m rambling, but I’m doing so because if I was respected so much at my institution, I’d want to know. And I hope you do know. I hope you know you’re appreciated. I don’t think any of us doubt that you care immensely about the students at this university – the students whose well-being you are, in a way, tasked with. That interview a year ago was about the 10-year anniversary of

Sept. 11. So I asked you what you were doing that day, what it was like to watch the world slow and grind to a halt from the safe perch of this small mountain town. Back then, you were the dean of the College of Business. You told me that you and some colleagues were in a meeting at the Broyhill, but as soon as you heard what happened and saw the towers falling onscreen, you walked down the hill to Raley. You wanted, you told me, to be with your students. That’s what this letter is about, really. Thank you for not being that other guy at that other school, who stays locked away in his office and rarely shows his face. Thank you for caring about Appalachian and for caring about us. Thank you for walking down the hill. Respectfully, Meghan Frick Frick, a senior public relations major from Columbia, S.C., is the social media manager.

NASCAR more of a sport than you’d think?

ANDREW COX

NASCAR season wraps up in November, but who really cares? Who wants to watch a car turn left over and over? That can’t be a sport. But it is. And before you dismiss it, take a deeper look. We classify sports by what they involve. Rules and objectives are a given, but then there’s competition, athleticism, strategy, skill and practice. People use these traits against NASCAR’s status as a sport, when in fact they actually all apply. Objective? Get around the lap. Competition? Do it before the other cars do. Yes, that might look to you like just a bunch of fast cars going in a circle. But if I use that same argument for, say, baseball, then it’s just a bunch of people smacking a ball with a stick and running around a diamond. What about strategy, though? How can speeding cars have tactics? Well, driver Denny Hamlin didn’t lose the 2010 championship because he didn’t go in a circle fast enough. He lost because his pit strategy was bad. In the second-to-last race of the season, imprecise fuel mileage calculations placed Hamlin a few laps short of making it to the finish. The team could have chosen to stretch his fuel mileage and risk running out of fuel, or play it safe and surrender points (yes, points) in the process. In any “points race,” first place receives 43 championship points, second place receives 42, and so on until last place (43rd), which gets one point. A bonus point is given for leading a lap, three for winning the race and one more for leading the most laps. Drivers have to be strategic with the points they need to earn. Should they make a pit stop or try to lead the lap for the extra point? Should they conserve fuel and pick and choose how many laps they want to lead? But there’s more to a sport than strategy. There’s also athleticism. And yes, NASCAR requires athleticism. NASCAR drivers are fierce athletes who have to be very aware of the complexity of their sport. They must have killer reflexes to avoid collision, and they need to have enough endurance to last – without food or bathroom breaks – for 500 miles at an average speed of 180 m.p.h. in a hot car. In fact, five-time champion driver Jimmie Johnson was named the top male athlete of 2009 by the Associated Press, topping Gold Medalist Usain Bolt, among others. Still think just anyone can drive a racecar? It takes a lot more skill and practice than you’d think. Your four-hour road trip going 70 m.p.h. with a fast food stop is little league baseball by comparison. Cox, a junior studio art major from Pfafftown, is the senior editorial cartoonist.

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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.

A Service of the Division of Student Development

Marching Mountaineers have new director The rumble of drums and bellow of tubas echo from Kidd Brewer Stadium, filling the air with a peculiar, yet familiar vigor. It’s time for football and the Marching Mountaineers marching band at Appalachian State University. This year the band welcomes a new director, Kevin Richardson, a longtime fan of Appalachian’s football program. He is also the new associate director of bands in Appalachian’s Hayes School of Music. Embracing the traditions of the Marching Mountaineers, Richardson has said that his job is not to change the band. “They are already a great band. My job is to make them better, if that’s even possible,” he stated. Richardson came to Appalachian from Texas, where he earned his doctoral degree of musical arts in conducting at University of Houston. He received his master’s degree from Northwestern State University in Louisiana and taught high school band for 10 years in Texas and college band for six years at Northwestern State. Richardson received his undergraduate degree in music education from the University of Texas. After living in the High Country for only a month, Richardson speaks highly of the students and faculty at Appalachian. “I am impressed by the students’ passion for music performance and their eagerness to learn,” said Richardson. “The faculty has been incredible to work with. It is obvious that they are deeply committed to the university. You don’t find that at every university.”

Feeling right at home in the Hayes School of Music, Richardson said that “John Ross, the director of bands, is like a long lost brother. We have an incredible working relationship.” This year, the Marching Mountaineers will play hits by Led Zeppelin such as “Black Dog,” “Rock and Roll,” “Immigrant Song” and “Kashmir,” as well as Latin jazz pieces by Allen Vizzutti. Unlike previous years where the band played from the stands with students and fans, this year they are playing from one of the end zones. “We are going to do everything in our power, and within the laws of football to create havoc for the other team when they are in our end zone,” said Richardson. “Nobody, nobody except for us scores in that end zone.” Due to budget cuts, Richardson was not sure if the Marching Mountaineers would be able to travel to Appalachian’s season opener against East Carolina University. “We are very fortunate because one donor made it possible for us to go,” he said. Lee Barnes, a 1990 Appalachian graduate who lives in Durham, donated the funds that allowed the Marching Mountaineers the opportunity to play at that game. “There is something special about Boone and North Carolina,” said Richardson. “On my drives in from Blowing Rock, there has not been a day that goes by that I am not grinning from ear to ear. I feel like I’m living a dream, so don’t wake me up.”

Fall Visiting Writers Series set

To get started with a Counseling Center group, come to the Counseling Center during Walk-In Clinic, call 262-3180 or visit our website for more information 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.

The Fall 2012 Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series continues with novelist, poet, and biographer Robert Morgan on Thursday, Sept. 27, when he will speak in the Table Rock Room of Plemmons Student Union at 7:30 p.m. Morgan will also conduct a Craft Talk on Writing the Story of History in the Table Rock Room from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Morgan is the author of 30 books of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, most recently the poetry collection “Terroir” and two works of nonfiction, “Boone: A Biography,” and “Lions of the West: Heroes and Villains of the Westward Expansion.” His eight works of fiction include “Gap Creek,” a New York Times bestseller and Oprah Book Club selection. A sequel, “The Road to Gap Creek,” will be published in 2013. The recipient of an American academy of Arts and Letters Award for Literature, he was inducted into the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame in 2010. Since 1971, he has taught creative writing and literature in the graduate program at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., where he is Kappa Alpha Professor of English. Fiction writer and editor Gurney Norman will be the next visiting writer on Thursday, Oct. 4, when he will talk at 7:30 p.m. in the student union’s Table Rock Room. There will be a pre-reading reception in the Multicultural Center from 6 until 7:15 p.m. An Author Talk, “Was Steve Jobs a Hillbilly?” will be held from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. in the Table Rock Room. Norman served as Poet Laureate of Kentucky in 2009-10. His first novel, “Divine Right’s Trip” appeared serially in the Last Whole Earth Catalog and was published by Dial Press and Bantam Books in 1972. History collections include “Kinfolks: The Wilgus Stories” and “Book One form Crazy Quilt: A Novel in Progress.” Norman is serving as the 2012 Rachel Rivers-Coffey Distinguished Professor of Creative Writing at Appalachian State University. Poet and essayist C.S. Giscombe will speak on Thursday, Oct. 25, in the Table Rock Room of Plemmons Student Union at 7:30 p.m. He will also conduct a Craft Talk, “Field Trips,” in Room 421, 4th floor, Belk Library, at 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Giscombe was born in Dayton, Ohio. Giscombe is the 2010 recipient of the Stephen Henderson Award in Poetry, given by the African American Literature and Culture Society. “Prairie Style” was awarded a 2008 American Book Award by the Before Columbus Foundation. “Giscome Road” won the 1998 Carl Sandburg Prize, given by the Chicago Public Library. Giscombe teaches poetry at the University of California, Berkeley. For more information on the fall season, call 262-2871, or go to www.visitingwriters.appstate.edu.

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. Mondays 1:30-3 p.m., Tuesdays 1:30-3 p.m. and 3-4:30 p.m. USOGet Moving (moving your body to increase wellness- see below for details), Wednesdays 2:30-4 p.m., Thursdays 1:30-3 p.m. (Transitions to ASU Group, doesn’t start until October) and USO-DOG 3:30-5 p.m. (group Therapy with co-leaders and a therapy dog) Lesbian/Gay /Bisexual Therapy Group—This group will present an opportunity for lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals to explore life challenges. Fridays 1-2:30 p.m. 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. Wednesdays 3-4:30 p.m. 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. Wednesdays 5-6:30 p.m. (For information contact Sheri Clark: 262-3180 or clarksl@appstate.edu) Food/Mood Group—This group is designed for students who use food and/or exercise to cope in ways that would be considered “unhealthy”. To Be Determined. An Introduction to Mindfulness Group—Mindfulness involves stepping out of “auto-pilot” reactions and learning to pay more attention to our present experiences. Mondays 3:30-5 p.m. USO-Get Movin’ Active Bodies Healthy Minds—Did you know that exercise is one of the best mental health interventions we know of? Tuesdays 3-4:30 p.m.

Let’s beat the record again!

Appalachian State University will hold its 1,000-pint blood drive on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012, sponsored by the ACT Office. This homecoming sponsored service event collected a record-breaking 1,255 pints of blood last year for the American Red Cross, making this the largest university blood drive in the country. Help beat the record again from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Holmes Center. There is a need for all talented students, faculty, staff and community members to entertain donors and volunteers through song, dance, music, balloon sculpture, whatever your talent may be. Longterm volunteers (5 hours or longer) are also being recruited. If interested in being a long-term volunteer, please email blooddrive@appstate.edu for more information. To sign up, go to specialevents.appstate.edu/blooddrive.

ASU biology offers free classes

Free classes on the selection of shade and sun-loving perennial and evergreen groundcovers for the Boone landscape will be offered Saturday by the Department of Biology. The class will meet from 9:30-11 a.m. and at 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the greenhouse located at 333 Dale St. off State Farm Road. Classes are free, although attendees may pay an optional registration fee to help support greenhouse operations and education efforts. To reserve a space, email meyerja@appstate.edu. Call 262-4025 for more information. Class discussion will include information on how to purchase online, plant, and care for these useful florae and greeneries, many of which offer multi-seasonal interest. The class is taught as part of the “High Country Gardening” program led by Jerry Meyer, manager of the greenhouse and conservatory.

REI to meet Sept. 21 in Plemmons

The ASU Renewable Engergy Initiative will meet Friday, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the New River Room, Plemmons Student Union. REI’s mission is to reduce the environmental impact of ASU by replacing the university’s existing sources of energy with cleaner forms of renewable energy technology on campus, and serve as a resource for students and faculty by identifying and investing in the most appropriate energy projects. REI committee meetings are open to the public. If you have an idea for a renewable energy project on campus or if you would like to find out more about current projects, feel free to attend any of REI’s meetings. Monthly meetings are: Oct. 4, 7:30-9 a.m., New River Room; Oct. 19, noon-1:30 p.m., New River Room; Nov. 1, 7:30-9 a.m., Watauga River Room; Nov. 16, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., New River Room; and Nov. 29, 7:30-9 a.m., Watauga River Room.

University honors fallen students

On Saturday, 11:30 a.m., in the lobby of the B. B. Dougherty Administration Building, Appalachian State University will host its annual Student Memorial Program. This program began in 1990 and honors the memory of Appalachian students who died while they were enrolled at Appalachian. Students to be honored and remembered are listed below. Name plaques for all these students are on the Memorial Board in the lobby of B. B. Dougherty Administration Building. Members of the university community are invited to attend this program. If you have any questions, contact J.J. Brown, Dean of Students, at 262-2060. Students we will be remembering are: Justin W. Abell, Regina H. Beaver, Michael Brian Bentley, Ben Bequette, Daniel Wilson Berry, Ashley Michelle Brackett, Aaron Cowan Burns, Leigh Anne Cable, Patrick M. Cannon, William G. “Peanut”Carter, Patrick Gene Cash, Byron “B” Wight Cherry, Jr., Lisa Gail Church, William Christopher Clark, Michael James Curry, Nicki Davis, Jay Franklin Derby, Christa M. DiSisto, Jessica Ruth Earley, Christina Elizabeth Early, Stephen Blake Edge, Leigh Lane Edwards, Brian Tye Ellinwood, Schuyler Leigh Emerson, Jason Paul Ernst, Mike C. Falls, Jeremy Dale Fisher, Seth Ellis Folsom, Claire Poinsett Fulcher, Alisha Dawn Garner, Jack Geitner, Jabe Vernon Hardee II, Mindy Preece Harmon, Stephen William Harrington, Tammy K. Harrold, Christopher D. Hasbrouck, Scott C. Hemstock, Landon Hill, Elizabeth Lane Hoffman, Vicki Davis Holland, E. Wayne Horton, Brett Taylor Hosley, Bonnie Alice House, Carol Jean Hughes, Whitney Elizabeth Hunter, Brent Lynn Jackson, Ebonie Marshae Jackson, Tami Lynn Janssen, Christopher Peter Juliano, David Jonathan Kellen Joshua, John Klein, Paige Elizabeth Kriegel, Scot David-Eli Laliberte, Michael Andrew Lane, Rufus Devon

2012 Multicultural programming Fall Programs Thursday, Oct. 18, Blue Ridge Ballroom, 7 p.m., “The Wrong Side of Murder Creek: A White Southerner in the Freedom Movement.” Prominent activist Bob Zellner was at the scene 51 years ago for most of the key milestones of the civil rights movement, putting his life on the line and taking notes. Dr. Zellner will share some of the untold stories of the civil rights movement from the perspective of a white southerner. Raised in southern Alabama, with a father and grandfather active in the Ku Klux Klan, Bob Zellner became an unlikely civil rights activist. Yet today, he is well known as one of the most influential white southerners of the civil rights movement of the 1960s, in part for organizing “The Freedom Rides” of 1961. Tuesday, Nov. 27, Legends Nightclub, 6 p.m., Kwanzaa Celebration. Kwanzaa is the first African American holiday established in the United States. Friday, Nov 30, Blue Ridge Ballroom, 5 p.m., Find Yosef a Holiday Festival. This fair-style event offers an “a la carte menu” of the images, sounds, foods, and activities that represent winter holidays from around the world. Attendees will learn in fun and interactive ways about many international holidays, cultures and customs. Spring 2013 Programs Tuesday, January 22, 2013, Holmes Center, 7 p.m., The 29th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration: An Evening with Maya Angelou. Dr. Maya Angelou is hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary black literature and as a remarkable Renaissance woman. A mesmerizing vision of grace, swaying and stirring when she moves; Dr. Angelou captivates her audiences lyrically with vigor, fire and perception. Dr. Angelou, born Marguerite Johnson on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis was raised in segregated rural Arkansas. She is a poet, historian, author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director. She lectures throughout the U.S. and abroad and is a lifetime Reynolds professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in North Carolina since 1981. Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013, Blue Ridge Ballroom, 7 p.m. “Hidden Voices: The Lives of Queer Muslims.” Participants will learn about sexual and gender minorities within the Muslim world and examine the complex intersection of Islam, sexuality and gender. Faisal Alam is a queer-identified Muslim activist of Pakistani descent. At age 19, while trying to reconcile his sexuality with his faith, Faisal organized the firstever gathering of LGBT Muslims, which led to the founding of Al-Fatiha, an organization dedicated to supporting and empowering lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex & questioning (LGBTIQ) Muslims, and their allies. Today, Al-Fatiha has sister organizations around the world including Canada, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine & Indonesia. Leach, Ronald Clay Ledford, Phillip Dwayne Lee, Jesse James Maitland-Hill, Lisa Ann Matos, Meredith Wagner McCallister, Joseph Wood McClure, Catherine Courtney McVey, Julie Katherine Nagel, Tonya Sue Nicely, David Alan Oder, Blake A. Parsons, Kenneth Damien Pearman, Rocky A. Pearson, Jay Benjamin Perry, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Amanda Jeanne Pilson, Chrystalyn Piscopo, Kenny Potts, Caitlyn M. Price, Stephanie A. Randall, Samuel G. Rathnow, Nathan Eric Raymer, Randa Patton Riddle, Arthur James Robertson, Matthew Eric Roseman, Miranda Cherie Russell, Ashley Lauren Sanders, Raisa Daisy Sheikh, April Shae Smith, Christopher Todd Stewart, Christopher M. Strope, Charlie Sybrant, Philip Edward Thompson, Allen Ryan Todd, Misti Dawn Triplet, Lisa Tucker, Stephen Vacendak, Jackson Paul Vogel, Thomas Andy Walker, Thomas Sandy Walker, Nina Marie Leavitt Watkins, Jenni Elizabeth Welch, Eric “Lee” Welker, Jr., Stephen Richard Weller, Derek W. Westrick, Anna Maria Lyn Williams, Danny Alan Williams, Lucius “Luke” Randolph Woody, Paul E. Wuerzner, Jason R. Zala.

ASU to memorialize one of its own

On Saturday, 3 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial site outside the B. B. Dougherty Administration Building (rain location – lobby of B. B. Dougherty Administration Building), Appalachian State University will hold a Veterans Memorial Dedication Service for Terry Lee Varnadore, U. S. Army, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2011. Varnadore graduated from Appalachian State University in 2003. This will be a day we remember and honor those men and women who have and currently serve our country in the armed forces. On Sept. 22, the University will dedicate a memorial plaque to honor Varnadore. Members of the university community are invited to attend this program. If you have any questions, contact J. J. Brown, Dean of Students, at 262-2060.

Art for Social Change, Metalsmithing

Students in Art for Social Change and Metalsmithing in the Department of Art are working to raise awareness about mining, reuse and recycling issues involved in the jewelry people wear. Delve into your jewelry box for pieces ready to be remade into new work. Donate and receive a coupon in thanks for your contribution that can be used to purchase the reworked items. View the Radical Jewelry Makeover on Oct. 23 in Plemmons Student Union’s the Solarium. For more information and donation forms, visit www.art. appstate.edu/eventw_detail.php?id=2..

Weight Watchers at Work

Appalachian’s Weight Watchers At-Work Group is constantly seeking new members! For a free meeting, attend this or any Friday at noon in Raley Hall Room 2017. Weight Watchers At-Work provides you with support and resources to help you lose weight right in the convenience of your workplace. With the Appalachian At-Work group you’ll be able to build a network of co-workers to help you in your efforts. Retired employees, spouses or significant others are also invited to join. New members welcome to join anytime. To signup electronically prior to a meeting, consult: http://www.appstate.edu/%7Echildershy/ww/ASU_10_step_signup.pdf. If you have questions regarding Weight Watchers At-Work, email Vicki: vicki.m.yates@gmail.com.

SPORTS

The Appalachian

| TheAppalachianOnline.com

September 20, 2012 |

7

VOLLEYBALL

Despite win, head coach said team looked ‘sloppy’ by JAMES ASHLEY Sports Editor

ASU beat NC A&T in three-straight sets during Tuesday’s first home volleyball game. NC A&T led during the first set with a 3-2 score, but that was the only time the team pulled ahead. “We played our last 13 matches on the road,” Head Coach Matt Ginipro said. “So, it was nice to play on our home floor before hitting the road again this weekend.” Freshman server Paige Brown led the team with 25 assists, five digs and two service aces. Sophomore outside hitter Lindsey Sauls had 12 kills and transfer Dalton Tolliver had 11 kills, four digs and two blocks. But despite the win, Ginipro said the team did not look as impressive. “I thought we were just

Olivia Wilkes | The Appalachian

An excited Mountaineer volleyballl team celebrates a win versus North Carolina A&T Tuesday night in Holmes Convocation Center. ASU dominated the Aggies with a 3-0 win.

sloppy, just overall sloppy,” Ginipro said. “We had the opportunity probably to just really work on being

clean, executing on every contact and I didn’t think we did.” Ginipro said the team

needs to work on being cleaner with their serving and ball control. “I didn’t think that we

executed all of our contacts really well,” he said. “I thought we had some spurts of it. It needs to be

all the time. I don’t think we played with a lot of energy tonight being home tonight for the first time in 13 matches.” Brown said it was “refreshing” playing in the home gym. “It made me feel at home and it helped me play a better game because its the atmosphere of how we practice,” Brown said. “It helped translate our really good practices before the game, to the game.” Although the team was playing against a winless Aggie team, Tolliver said that they did not take it for granted. “We knew that they were 0-16,” Tolliver said. “A team like that is out to beat everybody they play and they are out to be vicious and get you, so we knew we had to be very serious in our preparations.” The team will travel to take on Chattanooga Friday at 6 p.m.

FIELD HOCKEY

Sports made simple: An inside look at field hockey at ASU by KAITLYN THRUSTON Intern Sports Reporter

Editor’s Note: The following is the first part of a five part series to help readers understand how different sports are played. Field hockey is one of the world’s most popular games and one of the world’s oldest competitive team sports. But many students aren’t farmiliar with how it is played. Many students have heard of field hockey but aren’t familiar with how the game is played or what you need to know in order to understand a match. The Game: In collegiate field hockey the game is split into two 35-minute halves, for a total 70 minutes of play. There are 11 players on each team, which include a goalkeeper. There are usually five substitutes per team. The ball must be dribbled or passed down the field with the flat side of the stick. A goal is scored when an attacker strikes the ball into the goal from the striking circle. Standard field size is 100 yards long and

60 yards wide divided by a center line and a 25-yard line on each side of the field. A striking circle is marked in the middle of the field, which is about 16 yards out from each goal post. A spot 0.15 in diameter, called the penalty spot or stroke mark, is placed 7 yards from the center of each goal. Rules of the Game: There are many ways for players to be awarded fouls in field hockey. This can include playing the ball with the round part of the stick, deflecting the ball with any part of the body or hook an opponent’s stick. A penalty corner is awarded if a defender breaks a rule within the circle that would have resulted in a free hit to the attacking team if the breach had occurred outside the circle or if there was an intentional hit over the goal line by the defender from any part of the field. In a penalty corner, the ball is placed on the goal line at least 10 yards from the nearest goal post. One attacking player hits the ball to a teammate just outside the striking circle line. A goal cannot be scored

Conor McClure | The Appalachian

Appalachian's field hockey team practices their drills in Kidd Brewer Stadium. The team will be playing at home against Delaware this Saturday.

until the ball has traveled outside the circle. Conclusion: It is not easy to fully explain a sport in one short article, but there are a few key terms

and ideas that should make understanding field hockey a bit easier. While the sport may not be exactly what you thought, I encourage you [the reader] to go out and explore all the sports Appalachian has to offer.

CROSS COUNTRY

Former Appalachian athlete returns for 18th season by ETHAN JOYCE

Intern Sports Reporter

When Head Coach Mike Curcio first accepted his position as crosscountry head coach, he said he was only going to stay for “five years or forever.” The 2012 cross-country season will be Curios’s 18th season. “With all the great places to train and support of the athletic department and university, not too many places compare favorably,” Curcio said. Curcio also serves as the distance coach for the track and field team. “I was much better at track,” Curcio said. “I earned All-SoCon honors indoors and outdoors in the middle distances.” Curcio graduated from Appalachian in 1987, and accepted a job as assistant coach at Flordia State Uni-

versity. “I learned a lot about recruiting blue-chip student-athletes and home meet management,” Curcio said. “FSU hosted a lot of large meets.” Curcio left FSU and became an assistant at the University of South Florida in the spring of 1993, according to goasu.com. Curcio said it was a necessary move to make. “I left FSU because I had earned a master’s degree,” Curcio said. “USF offered me a decent salary and an opportunity to help start a men’s and women’s track and field team.” But by the time the 1995-96 season rolled around, Curcio had two more job offers to consider. He could either become the head coach of Appalachian or go back to New York to be Columbia University’s head coach.

Ultimately, Curcio decided to come back to Boone. “I figured I could always go back to New York at any time in my life, but how often does someone get the chance to move to Boone?” Curcio said. Senior cross-country runner Will Raby said Curcio “genuinely cares” about the team’s success. “He gets really nervous before we race, celebrates alongside us when we have great performances and bummed out when we have bad races,” Raby said. Senior cross-country runner Sarah Williamson said he puts the “needs of his athletes” first. “One of the reasons I like him as a coach is because he has been where we are,” Williamson said. “He was an athlete at Appalachian and he is very involved in our training.”

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8

The Appalachian

| September 20, 2012

Matchup: vs. Appalachian State vs. UT Chattanooga September 22, 2012 | 6:00 p.m. Finley Stadium Chattanooga, T.N. by JORDAN DAVIS

Intern Sports Reporter

The Matchup The Mountaineers will look to rebound on the road against Chattanooga after Saturday’s upset to The Citadel, 5228. Unlike the Bulldogs’ triple-run option, the Mocs have a more traditional form of offense. App has owned this series, winning 24 of the last 27 games and seven straight according to ESPN - however, last year’s game versus the Mocs was close, and ended with ASU winning, 14-12. Both teams come into this match up with a record of 1-2. Chattanooga dropped their first two games but shut out their last opponent Glenville State, 35-0, giving up only a mere 78 yards of total offense. ASU has had varied results, from the win against Montana to Saturday’s loss. How ASU can win the game Unlike last week, quarterback Jamal Jackson needs to get the offense moving early and get himself into a rhythm by spreading the ball around to his receivers. App has playmakers all across the offense who can make something happen with simple passes and screens. If Appalachian can balance the run and the passing game they should be able to put some points on the board. Defensively, the limit of big plays is a concern. App gave up six plays of over 30 yards last week. Stopping the running back is something that has not been done in the last two games. The Mocs could use that to their advantage. If the linebackers and linemen clamp down and get some push on the Mocs offensive line, then ASU will be in a better position to win the game. How Chattanooga can win Despite the results of the games, App has proven mobile quarterbacks are a threat after giving up long runs. The Mocs have two dual threat quarterbacks who can receive threats: Mocs’ Jacob Huessman and Mocs’ Terrell Robinson. Huessman tends to get more playing time, and leads the team with 213 rushing. If the offensive line can do well with passing, the Mocs could win the game. The Mocs have a solid defense that returns eight starters and is anchored by two preseason All-Americans linebacker Wes Dothard and defensive end Josh Williams. They need to orchestrate by forcing turnovers on defense and spreading the ball to more playmakers, the Mocs could dominate the game. The Bottom line This is a must win game for App if the team wants a realistic shot at winning the conference.But Chattanooga hasn’t made it easy in the past - scores are normally close. Both teams have the opportunity to score often, but it will be interesting to see which team pulls ahead.

High school bromance continues at App by HANNAH POMPHREY

T

Editor-in-Chief

he first time defensive tackle Davante Harris and linebacker Deuce Robinson played together on Blythewood High School’s varsity team, Robinson almost dislocated Harris’ shoulder. As the two raced to the quarterback, they ended up on the ground after Robinson stepped into the pocket. “We both got there... He hit me and I hit him, I’ll always remember that,” Harris said. “He almost dislocated my shoulder.” But it wasn’t until the athletes came to Appalachian, they began “building the trust.” “For us, a lot of the teams wanted us together,” Robinson said. “They wanted us as a package deal.” But after touring Appalachian together, the duo realized Appalachian was the school for them. “We was on the visit and I looked at him and was like ‘I’m coming,’ he was like ‘me too,” Harris said. However, Robinson said he didn’t think they influenced each other to attend Appalachian. “We were looking for a lot of the same things,” Robinson said. “The biggest thing for me? Winning. Of all the schools we looked at App was highest on the board for that. My whole thing was great program, have tradition, and I can come here and get a ring.” The pair roomed together their freshmen year, although Harris said Robinson’s habit of sleeping with the television on annoyed him.

Paul Heckert | The Appalachian

Linebacker Deuce Robinson and defensive tackle Davante Harris pause for a quick shot after a hard practice (above). Freshman DL Davante Harris races down the field during Appalachian’s game against Montana (below).

Maggie Cozens | The Appalachian

“I had to get used to that,” Harris said. “I really did, cause he just couldn’t sleep in the straight dark.” But initially, the pair also had

to deal with tension on the field. “At first, last year, when we got here, it was almost like a competition thing... who’s gonna play?” Robinson said. “Then

Appalachian State vs. UT Chattanooga The Citadel vs. N.C. State East Carolina vs. North Carolina #18 Michigan vs. #11 Notre Dame #10 Clemson vs. #4 Florida State

after Coach Blaylock decided who was gonna get redshirted... It was almost like, not a mentor thing, but us helping each other.”

Grier overcame academic struggles to attend Appalachian by CHASE ERICKSON Intern Sports Reporter

The tale is all too common -- a top high school athlete shines on the field but struggles in the classroom. For some, the end of high school is the end of their athletic livelihood and for others it comes after a short and unsuccessful period in junior college. But linebacker Brandon Grier did not want either of those options. During Brandon Grier’s senior football season at West Charlotte High School, Appalachian State Head Coach Jerry Moore approached Brandon Grier and told him that he was required to complete a minimum of 16 core courses in order to compete as an NCAA Division I student-athlete. At the time, Grier had only taken 12 core courses before his final semester, but rather than accept his fate, Grier reached out to his family for help. “I let my parents know about everything that was going on,” Grier said. “My parents and my brothers are my biggest support system.” Faced with the possibility of his son not competing at the next level, Brandon Grier’s father Bobby Grier took action and asked the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system for help and found an excellent group of tutors for Brandon. “I visited his school often to see how Brandon was doing,” Bobby Grier said. “He struggled a lot but he worked hard to get it done.” Brandon Grier needed to take four core classes in order to receive a traditional di-

File Photo | The Appalachian

Senior line backer Brandon Grier makes a tackle during last year’s game against Georgia Southern. Grier is set to graduate with a degree in communication studies in December.

ploma, so he decided to take the required English, foreign language and science classes in his final semester. “My parents did everything in their power to help me,” Brandon Grier said. “They got me tutors. They did the work with me. They were right there, every step of the way. I can count on my parents for anything.” Brandon Grier said he pulled many late nights during his final semester but by the end of the school year he had completed enough core classes to graduate. “I was extremely motivated to get here,” Brandon Grier said. “I just felt like I needed

to be here at Appalachian State.” Brandon Grier is set to graduate in December. “We are hoping that he gets a shot at the NFL.” Bobby Grier said. But regardless of what happens with the NFL, Bobby Grier said seeing Brandon Grier receive a college diploma will be one of the most rewarding moments of his life. “We are all extremely proud of Brandon [Grier],” Bobby Grier said. “He has worked so hard in the classroom and I really couldn’t ask anything more of him. He really showed me something.”

FCS Media Poll

PIGSKIN PICK’EM Weekend Matchups

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1. North Dakota State 2. Montana State T-3. Sam Houston State T-3. Youngstown State 5. Old Dominion 6. Wofford* 7. James Madison 8. Northern Iowa 9. Eastern Washington 10. Georgia Southern* 11. Montana 12. Delaware 13. Lehigh 14. The Citadel* 15. Illinois State 16. Towson 17. McNeese State 18. Appalachian State* 19. New Hampshire 20. Stony Brook 21. Central Arkansas 22. Maine 23. Eastern Kentucky 24. Harvard 25. Indiana State *SoCon Member Source: soconsports.com