The Appalachian
News
| TheAppalachianOnline.com
January 31, 2013 |
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SGA to address skateboarding ban, Eco Box, more in coming semester by JOSHUA FARMER News Editor
Appalachian State University’s Student Government Association is working this semester to complete several key projects, including overturning Boone’s ordinance banning skateboarding. Director of Governmental Operation Adam Ezell is leading the fight to change the skateboarding ordinance. In conjunction with the Governmental Relations Officer, Susan McCracken, SGA will exhibit a presenta-
tion to Boone Town Council of the research that was done. Ezell said he hopes to have the ban removed for a trial period. Then the ban can be reinstated if the Town Council feels there is a need. “The goal is to have the skateboarding ban ended,” Ezell said. The soonest opportunity to present will be at the next Town Council meeting in late February. “We’re thinking of going then, but we want to go talk to a lot of the people in Town Council before we actually
present our PowerPoint presentation,” Ezell said. Ezell said the research focused on peer institutions and other universities in the state of North Carolina to examine their policies on skateboarding. “Right now we’ve been able to find eight schools that allow skateboarding and three say no,” Ezell said. SGA is also working on implementing the Eco Box Clamshell food takeout system, which would “provide students with a way to carry out food without producing waste,” according to the
SGA Senate bill, which was passed last February. SGA Vice President Eric Barnes said the system is in a trial run and that he expects to see it implemented by this April or May. Barnes also said that SGA is working on investigating the feasibility of increasing the perimeter around the buildings on campus outside of which students are allowed to smoke. As well, Barnes said they are looking into the cost of using iClickers in senate meetings. He said the hope would
Appalachian provides free tax help for students, faculty, and staff
by STEPHANIE SANSOUCY Senior News Reporter
Appalachian State University will be providing tax aid with free assistance from student volunteers this tax season. ASU has partnered with the IRS and with Wal-Mart, United Way and Goodwill to bring MyFreeTaxes, a tax filing service sponsored by Wal-Mart, to campus said accounting professor Mary Ann Hofmann. “Help sessions will be available in Raley Hall room 2014 Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 5-8:30 p.m. during tax season,” Hofmann said. The first help session was held Wednesday night. Hofmann said anyone could go to the help sessions for help getting started or with questions regarding their taxes. Junior accounting major Leah Moss said she chose to be a student volunteer for MyFreeTaxes because “it seemed like a great opportunity for me to get my hands dirty. I can›t think of a better way to get hands on experience with tax law than to actually assist people with filing their taxes.” Moss said in order to help she
Bowen W. Jones | The Appalachian
Accounting Professor Mary Anne Hofmann and other volunteers are providing free tax help for qualified students. Help can be found in room 2014 of Raley Hall on Wednesday and Thursday nights from 5-8:30 until the end of the tax season.
had to pass online certifications with the IRS over winter break. “The best parts about being involved with MyFreeTaxes is the opportunity for me to get to work hands on with tax law and to be able to give back to the Appalachian State Community”
Moss said. Senior accounting major Hogan Sellers said he volunteered to help with MyFreeTaxes because it was something to add to his resume. “I think it’s a good thing that people can come and get help with their taxes,” Sellers said.
be to reduce the already relatively small amount of paper used by SGA and to keep track of attendance and voting record, which could be made available to the student body online. SGA President Jake Cox is reassessing the feasibility of the 24/5 library, which would make it policy to have the library open 24 hours a day during the five-day work week. Cox said he is forming a committee to look further into how it may or may not help students at ASU and be able to come to a conclu-
sion that would allow him to make a recommendation to the university. Cox said the committee will be comprised of mostly student Cox said he is still currently in favor of the 24/5 library but is going into the research “very open-mindedly.” “We told everybody we came here to do a job and we’re going to finish as strongly as we possibly can. We’re still open to any idea any student wants to bring up. We don’t want to leave anything off the table,” Cox said.
Icy conditions prove hazardous by NINA MASTANDREA
Bryan said “watching where you are stepping” can help you stay safe. As the temperatures drop and Although many precautions ice accumulates, students and are taken, not all of campus can teachers are finding it increas- be covered. ingly difficult not to slip and “All I can do is tell my students fall during their commute across to be careful and take their time campus. walking from class to wherever “Unfortunately, not all storms they are going,” said Susan Poorare made alike, and we do our man, a lecturer in the Departbest to keep ment of Comthe campus as munication. safe as we can,” “I even found “All I can do is tell my said Jim Bryan, myself slipping landscape su- students to be careful and a little, but esper intendent take their time walking pecially where with Landthere is shade from class to wherever scape Services. before 9 a.m. they are going,” “We always I find it the have two peoworst – you just Susan Poorman, a lecturer in the ple on call. The have to be careDepartment of Communication campus police ful.” call us and let Students us know areas who travel that need attention and then around campus later in the day we go from there to take care of can find themselves in a similar those areas.” situation. However, Bryan said he also “It wasn’t even raining in the welcomes reports of bad spots on morning, it was later in the day campus from students. when I slipped and fell,” said “We greatly appreciate any and junior music education major all feedback students can give us Omar Colón. “When the water when it comes to the safety on melts and then refreezes later on campus,” Bryan said. “It’s our in the day it can be just as danjob.” gerous.” Intern News Reporter
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