Corporation seizes control of former Courtyard complex

Ownership change ushers in stricter policies, higher rent

Kristina Egger Chancellor/Student Development Beat

Vice Chancellor for Student Development and President of the Appalachian Student Housing Corporation Dr. Gregory Blimling recently announced the purchase of University Courtyard from the Ambling Corporation.

Due to the change in ownership, University Courtyard has been renamed University Highlands. The change became necessary when the Ambling Corporation severed all ties to the $27 million dollar complex, taking the company's name with them. The ASHC, a non-profit organization affiliated with Appalachian State University, purchased University Courtyard last September; however, it was not official until Ambling handed over the emblematic keys to Blimling earlier this month.

University Highlands houses 768 residents; all are currently enrolled at Appalachian. A few exceptions have been made this year for students taking classes at Caldwell Community College.

Among the changes that have taken place, Ron Branch is now the official manager of University Highlands. Branch is an Appalachian alumni and former head of the military science department. Branch has high hopes for Highlands, and said he is well aware of many of the problems faced by residents.

"I was told that if there wasn't anything going on last year, students headed straight to Courtyard. I think that we have implemented a number of policies that will reduce the number of parties," Branch said. "For instance, we will not allow kegs onto the premises, which is standard procedure for almost all of the rental agencies in Boone."

Another significant change for students and parents is a jump in rent prices on the apartments. Four bedrooms increased from $395 to $400 a month and two bedrooms from $485 to $510.

Branch said two bedroom apartments are more expensive because they are in higher demand. He stressed the increase in rent has nothing to do with the change in management but was necessary to keep up with inflation and maintenance costs. In addition to all of the managerial changes that have taken place, ASHC officials have made improvements to the property itself, adding a parking lot with 75 additional spaces for residents, a quarter mile walk run track and a pool, which opened in the spring of this year.

"Appalachian has built its reputation by showing a genuine care and concern for its students," said Branch. "This is an attitude that we bring with us to the Highlands."

Owner: Rafter's not relocating

Janelle Silverman Entertainment Beat

Editor's Note: An article in the Aug. 7 Back-to-School edition incorrectly stated that Rafter's Grill & Bar would be closing.

Contrary to widespread rumors that Rafter's Grill & Bar would be closing and moving to Asheville this fall, the business will remain in downtown Boone, according to owner Gene Monson.

Monson reacted strongly to the Aug. 7 article, saying, "I do not know where this information came from. Boone is a small town where rumors often get started and spread around the student population."

Monson, who has a weekend house in Asheville, said he has no intentions of moving Rafter's from Boone.

Rafter's will operate under the same management and as it has in past years, according to Monson.

Monson said he was upset the campus newspaper, the leading source of Boone nightlife information for students, misinformed his main customer base.

He said gossip implying Rafter's would be leaving Boone is completely untrue.

Monson said the information seemed to be "pulled out of the air" by students and the Boone community.

Appalachian State University students who read about the supposed closing when returning to Boone for fall classes were upset by the statement that Rafters would be leaving.

Sophomore Mike Brin was relieved to hear the Boone nightspot was not relocating. "With Rafters gone there would be just one less place in Boone to choose from while deciding where to go on the weekends.

With rumors now refuted, students can continue to use Rafter's Grill & Bar as their weekend break from classes and stress.

Rafters will be hosting many events this fall, including Boone Fest this weekend, which is a concert featuring several different bands.

On Friday, Aug. 24, Papa Gumbo will be playing, and the band Acoustic Syndicate will play on Wednesday, Aug. 29. Rafter's will also stage additional events in upcoming months.

Tempers flare as Howard St. apartment plans progress

Sean Oakley Town of Boone Beat

The proposed construction of a Howard Street apartment complex is fueling tension in the downtown area.

The gravel parking lot behind Boonedocks, on the corner of River, Water and Howard Streets, is the focal point of the debate.

Ben Miller, who owns three other apartment complexes, is planning to build a traditional, three-story apartment building on the lot. Roger Wright, co-owner of Wilcox Emporium and president of the Downtown Boone Development Association, is adamantly opposed to the proposition.

Wright has spent time and effort in renovating historic buildings in the downtown area. Wright and his partner, Kenneth Wilcox, spent $150,000 to turn the Boonedocks building around so the entrance was on Howard Street. He also spent money renovating the building where Octopus Gardens is currently located, which was once the Tweetsie Railroad Maintenance building.

"I'm a real believer in extending downtown Boone," said Wright. According to Wright, an apartment complex located behind Boonedocks will not be beneficial to downtown.

According to the town's Planning and Inspections Department, the application to build the complex was submitted on Oct. 23 of last year and was approved. The property is only zoned for a 12-unit complex; however, Miller applied and was given a special permit, allowing him to build 21 units. Though Miller is the property owner on the application, GAI Consultants were listed as the applicants.

George Cole, of GAI Consultants, stated, "The owner is still pursuing the construction of the complex, but there are still questions that need to be answered."

The debate boils down to a section of the Town of Boone Ordinance that states any building constructed in downtown must be "of a conforming use." The argument begins with interpretation of the clause.

According to Wright, the building will not have a conforming use in an area that is primarily inhabited by historic retail buildings. Further, he feels that it will be a safety hazard because of the blind spot it will cause at the busy intersection and also because of the shadow that it will impose on the sidewalks on Water and Howard Streets. The shadow will create serious problems in the winter with icy sidewalks and streets and will encompass much of the surrounding area as well as the front of Boonedocks.

Another problem is much of the parking lot is located in a flood plane, which means the entire apartment complex would be squeezed into the corner of the lot that faces Howard and Water Streets.

The Town of Boone Ordinance only requires a five-foot buffer between a building and the street, placing the apartment complex almost against the road.

Also in this debate is the proposed Daniel Boone Memorial, which was to be constructed in the woods across Rivers Street from the parking lot.

The late Rachel Rivers Coffey donated the land as well as $100,000 in order for a memorial and trails to be built.

"I'm very proud of this campus and very proud of this community," stated Wright, an alumni of Appalachian State. "I'm scared that it will set a precedent for the future," he said.

Though there is no date set to begin construction, Wright remains pessimistic about the issue. Wright quoted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by saying, "'The two most dangerous things are sincere ignorance and conscious stupidity' and we have a lot of that going on."

Ben Miller defended his plans, explaining the proposed building will meet the town's requirements.

"The town of Boone would not allow the building to be built in a flood plain," he said.

Miller said he followed guidelines for acceptable property line distances, which will prevent safety issues from arising at the intersection.

"The town of Boone is very strict on their requirements, " he said.

Miller also speculated about Roger Wright's objections to the project.

"First of all, Mr. Wright is the part owner of the business across the street.

He would like to continue to have the patrons of the business park in that parking lot without restriction."

Miller added, "If it was their project, it would be fine."

According to Miller, the property's location should be utilized to benefit students.

"My philosophy is that it's close to the Appalachian campus, and that it would be ideal for student housing. I happen to think that Boone and the Boone community owe a lot to the university."

Faculty Senate committee intends to examine drug, alcohol policy

Anthony Debetta Faculty Senate Beat

Dr. Patrick Rardin, chair of the Faculty Senate Welfare of Students Committee, said the panel plans to review a university policy concerning drugs, alcohol and tobacco use by students.

Rardin said the Faculty Senate and the committee would address the policy as a health issue rather than a criminal matter. The committee will be investigating how much of the budget allocated for treating students with drug issues is actually used for rehabilitation and treatment rather than removing productive students from campus.

"We want to save as many students as we can," said Rardin. "We want to make sure that these are productive members of society."

Other items on the senate agenda this year include evaluating promotion and tenure guidelines for faculty members.

Rardin wants to ensure that all students and organizations on campus have a forum from which they can voice their concerns, and encourages individuals to attend the first meeting on Aug. 20 at 3:15 p.m. in 224 IG Greer Hall. Students who have issues they want addressed can contact Rardin at 262-2423, and the issues will be added to the senate agenda.

Rardin also expressed interest in working closely with the Student Government Association. "I look forward to working with the SGA, in order to meet the needs of the students," he said.

A decision to abolish the book rental system made by the Faculty Senate last year is currently being reviewed by the chancellor and the Board of Trustees.

"You don't get the latest and the best (books)," said Dr. Paul Gates, vice chair of the Faculty Senate. "Books get outdated, and they are not a bargain if they are not the best."

The Faculty Senate wrangled with the still ongoing North Carolina budget crisis last year and fought hard to make sure that impending cuts would not mean job cuts for any members of Appalachian's faculty. Chancellor Francis T. Borkowski was happy to note that Appalachian State University was the only school in the UNC system that did not propose staff cuts in response to the dismal state of the North Carolina budget.

During the 2000-2001 senate session, the chancellor and the Board of Trustees approved a $150 tuition increase this academic year to make up for lack of funding, with a second $150 installment slated for next year. Gates applauded the decision noting that less faculty means that it takes longer for students to graduate. "The administration has done a good job protecting faculty positions," said Gates.

Gates is also optimistic that the Faculty Senate and Student Government Association will work more closely this year to make sure that important issues facing the university are not swept under the rug.

According to Gates, the Faculty Senate has been contacted by SGA president Xan Harrington several times and is reportedly trying to make headway for the upcoming school year.

Sarah Newell SGA Beat

Xan Harrington and Amanda Privette, Student Government Association's (SGA) president and vice president, face the challenge of overcoming many people's criticism that their platform goals were too simplistic and proving they can effectively execute their objectives.

However, Harrington does not perceive their platform goals to be overly simplistic. "Our goal was not to come up with goals that were too lofty or unattainable. We wanted to leave room for expansion and to be more accessible to the students. Additionally, we wanted to be able to accomplish everything on the list," he said.

SGA also wants to implement some of the proposed policies already in committee, such as Project Nightlife. They have included money in their budget this year to continue with the plans to carry out Project Nightlife.

SGA also wants to get the students more involved with campus activities. "I especially want the freshmen to be involved in the community, so that they can experience the full college experience," said Harrington.

Some of Harrington and Privette's goals for the year also include being more accessible to the students, especially to the freshmen, making SGA more visible and leading by example.

One of the duo's biggest ideas was that of a diversity roundtable. "The fact that we're starting early and developing relationships with the multicultural center will allow us to have a big impact. Zoe Williams, the director of campus diversity, will have a hand in it. Students that we're trying to recruit to Appalachian will see that their group's being represented," Harrington said. "The most important thing about the roundtable is that it's student-initiated and student-run."

However, the SGA president views their biggest challenge of the year as something that is not one of their platform goals. "I think that our biggest challenges will actually be high voter turnout for the next election and making students more aware of SGA activities," said Harrington.

Thus far, Harrington and Privette have yet to begin working toward the implementation of their platform goals, an initiative that will begin once committees are assigned.

The seven committees, comprised of SGA senators, are: academic affairs, external affairs, student affairs, rules committee, research committee, state affairs and public affairs.

Club Expo introduces freshmen to campus organizations

Kristin Cecere Clubs / Organizations Beat

Kara Westmoreland was surprised at what she found when she attended Club Expo on Monday to learn more about the organizations Appalachian State University has to offer. "I feel there is a lot for everyone to do. No one should feel left out," said the freshman from Greensboro. Club Expo, held Monday in Plemmons Student Union, gave students an opportunity to learn more about the 250 clubs and organizations on campus. Of the 250, 110 were represented at the Club Expo.

According to Dino DiBernardi, director of the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, the turnout of clubs and organizations remained steady from last year.

"The contact table style of Club Expo gives the students the most information in the shortest amount of time," said DiBernardi. Students can sign up to get more information by e-mail and attend information sessions.

Freshman Susan Wendell from Clayton enjoys anything outdoors. She found more information on Appalachian's wide variety of club sports. "There is a lot of diversity. There is also a lot more to do in college, especially to meet more people," Wendell said.

Freshman Michael Copponex said, "Club Expo is not overwhelming. Things are made easy for a smooth transition." According to freshmen that attended the Expo.

Appalachian makes it easier for freshmen to get involved quickly. This way they meet more people.

Alyssa Haladay showed interest in the American Marketing Association. As a freshman, she feels Club Expo is a great way to learn about clubs and organizations on campus. "One thing is you have to go out and do it yourself," said Haladay. Many students feel having the expo brings all of the information to one place.

Nathan Wittcamp, a senior and president of the American Marketing Association, a club for business majors, thinks Club Expo is really good for involvement. "We are looking for younger members to join so they can stay in a few years," he said.

President of the Appalachian Fencing Club, Mike Courchesne, also feels the Expo is worthwhile. "The Expo is the club's main source of membership," he said. At the event, over 50 potential members signed up.

Bliss Alexander, a junior and member of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, said, "A lot of our leaders became members last year at Club Expo." All of the clubs and organizations are looking for members, as well as leaders.

"The Club Expo is a taste of what Appalachian is about in terms of clubs and organizations," said DiBernardi.

Multicultural students add diversity to campus

Early move-in and special activities help multicultural students become familiar with ASU

Kim Zdanowicz Multicultural Beat

The beginning of the new fall semester brought many new faces to Appalachian State University. The incoming multicultural students are adding even more diversity to the campus. A long list of events intended to help these students feel at home in their new surroundings have been held since the first freshmen began moving in Friday afternoon.

When the freshmen first arrived, they were assisted by upperclassmen from various organizations. Roberto Roman-Laporte, a Hispanic freshman from Fayetteville was one of the students who received such help. He said everyone was very friendly and helped him as soon as he pulled up to the dorm. Roman-Laporte plans on taking advantage of the opportunities on campus for the multicultural students.

When asked how he felt about being a minority student, he said, "Stay open-minded because otherwise you can twist anything into a racial comment and that just makes life a lot harder."

The new director of the Multicultural Center, Anwar Cruter, hopes to work more closely with individuals like Roman-Laporte. A multicultural introduction session was held Monday, Aug.13 and began with a name game to break the ice and let everyone get to know each other. Six freshmen attended the session.

These students took advantage of the opportunity to meet other multicultural students and to ask questions about life at Appalachian. The questions ranged from where to get hair done to what kind of study habits to keep.

These upperclassmen will make themselves available all year to the new students. Every one of the upperclassmen was a member of a multicultural club on campus, and they invited freshmen to join these clubs. Cruter said, "I think it went well, and everyone blended very well. The returning students were very forthcoming with information."

Clubs on campus help further the efforts put forth by Cruter. Multicultural clubs on campus include the Black Student Association, the Hispanic Student Association, the Asian Student Association, the Order of Black and Gold, Ladies Elite, the Men's Service Club and the National Pan-Hellenic Council. The president of the Black Student Association, James French, said their goal for this year is to unify all the Black Student Associations from schools in western North Carolina.

A problem these clubs face is the fact members who have been strong leaders in the club graduate, and new members are hard to recruit due to a lack of minorities on campus.

The multicultural clubs all have their difficulties, but they still fulfill their duties.