Your student newspaper
THE APPALACHIAN TheAppalachianOnline.com
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Vol. 87, No. 24
Student Programs plans celebration for new wing
Board of Trustees approves tuition, fees hike
by EMMA SPECKMAN Senior A&E Reporter
by LOGAN HUFF
Intern News Reporter
S
by JOSHUA FARMER News Editor
Appalachian State University’s Board of Trustees approved in-state and outof-state tuition increases Dec. 14. The proposal calls for a 6.5 percent in-state tuition increase and a 2.5 percent out-of-state tuition increase. The proposal accounted for $198,219 for three advisors for the athletic department, money SGA President Jake Cox wanted to be used to keep the campus’s library open 24 hours a day during the five-day work week. Cox was the only member of the board to vote against the tuition and fees proposal. “My goal was to make a point that a conversation needed to be had, and I believe that point was heard and it was actually reciprocated by some of the other Board of Trustees members,” Cox said. Cox said he is writing a letter to Board of Trustees Chair Michael Steinback making a recommendation for a designated period during the retreat to discuss the 24-hour library. “Even though it failed, I don’t want to call this a loss,” Cox said. Cox believes that the 24hour library is still a possibility for next year, he said. The proposal had passed over the chancellor’s desk for recommendation to the board. “One thing that I did experience was a lot of board members were confused on why the three athletic advisors was supported, but in the end they did support it because they felt that this was something that was passed by a committee that had done research on it and was backed by the chancellor,” Cox said. “They put their trust in Chancellor Peacock.” Vice Chancellor of Business Affairs Greg Lovins said that while they administration tries to keep costs as low as they can, the increase was “necessary to maintain Appalachian’s high level of quality.” Lovins said that no one likes to see tuition and fees increase. “We do not like the notion of increasing tuition, but we have to be concerned about maintaining the quality of the educational experience we provide to our students,” said Vice Provost for Resource Management Timothy Burwell in an article published Oct. 22. The proposal will go to be approved by the Board of Governors and then to the General Assembly for final approval of the requested funds.
tudent Programs will celebrate the grand opening of the new wing of the Plemmons Student Union Tuesday afternoon. The event will begin at 2 p.m. with an open house in many of the new offices in the building. The construction has added a 58,000 square foot addition to the existing student union. “It’s incredible. It’s so much more spacious and people are excited to be in here,” said Taylor Bryan, a senior sustainable development major who works in the ACT office of the new wing. There are six department offices in the new addition – ACT and ACT Community Outreach Center, Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, Multicultural Student Development, Student Research, Dean of Students – including student conduct, parent and family programs and
off-campus community relations – and the Office of International Education and Development. Along with the movement of many clubs and organizations into the addition, it adds 12 new meeting rooms students can rent. The ballroom is the new signature space on campus for dinners, receptions and large meetings. Since the Broyhill Center has experienced cutbacks as a venue, this new wing will fill a university need, Director of Student Programs Dave Robertson said. The space holds 400 people theater-style and 208 in a banquet or classroom setup. The wing is “a synergistic connection of student signature undergraduate experiences: service, leadership, international programs,” said Vice Chancellor of Student Development Cindy Wallace. Representatives from each office will be at the opening, and Student
Students walk out of the east staircase to the new addition of Plemmons Student Union that opened before the first day of classes. Major features include 12 new meeting rooms, seven new offices to house various campus organizations, lounge space on every level and a fourth floor ballroom featuring an entire wall of windows with a long range view for an “Appalachian feel” with custom black and gold carpet to add to its modern look.
Paul Heckert | The Appalachian
see Union, pg 3
Maya Angelou visits Appalachian
Students’ documentary gains Obama’s attention
by R. SCOTT MORRIS A&E Editor
Maya Angelou has lived in St. Louis, New York City and Cairo, Egypt. She toured Europe and can speak fluently in Spanish, French, Italian, Arabic and the West African language of Fanti. She worked with both Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. Angelou has written over 30 books, served on two presidential committees, received three Grammy Awards and more than 30 honorary titles from several institutions and the poem that she read at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration – the first inaugural poem to be read since Robert Frost’s at John F. Kennedy’s inauguration– was broadcast live around the world. And now she is coming to speak at Appalachian State University. “Bringing Maya Angelou back to Appalachian after 23 years represents our most ambitious attempt yet to extend and
see Maya, pg 5
by STEPHANIE SANSOUCY
Senior News Reporter
Courtesy Photo | Augusto Pena
Maya Angelou is an American author and poet who has published six autobiographies, five books of essays and several books of poetry. Angelou will be speaking Tuesday, Jan. 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Holmes Center. Admission is free and open to the public.
Two students’ final project earned them an “A” from their professor, but it gave them another opportunity: a chance to speak with President Barrack Obama. Senior Spanish and global studies major Marisa Craig and sophomore religious studies major Rob Lee took their “Human Rights, Theory of Practice” final project to Washington, D.C. last semester to speak with people such as the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, Dean of
the National Cathedral and the first ordained and openly gay Bishop of the Episcopal Church. The two students made a documentary titled “Widening the Circle,” which explores LGBTQ rights in the church. Lee said he sent a “shot in the dark” email to the White House with a request to talk to a member of the faith council or Obama, but was told that the president would be in Chicago to give his acceptance or concession speech following the election and would not be in
see Obama, pg 2
ASU signs new defensive coach Former Wofford defensive coordinator makes Boone his new home by JAMES ASHLEY Sports Reporter
After 22 years of experience at Wofford University, Appalachian State’s new defensive coordinator Nate Woody said that joining the team was best for him and his family during a conference call Jan. 15. “I’ve been on these journeys before to talk to people about a job, and they were not the right fit,” Woody said. “This one was absolutely the right fit. It was right for my family and right for me to be able to step in and grow as a coach.” Woody began his collegiate coaching career in 1988 under Wofford head coach Mike Ayers. He was promoted to
see Coach, pg 9
Courtesy Photo | Wofford Athletics
Recently promoted head coach Scott Satterfield named Nate Woody defensive coordinator on Monday. Woody, coming from Wofford University, has been defensive coordinator since April 2000. Last season the Terriers were named second in the Southern Conference for overall defense.
ON THE WEB Follow our blogs at TheAppalachianOnline.com/blogs. Undergrad Tech Undergrad Tech is here to help by providing tips, tutorials, and the latest news to help simplify your online world.
Currently hiring: news reporters sports reporters graphic designers videographers
Contact us at editor@theappalachianonline.com
Follow us on our social media accounts! @theappalachian www.facebook.com/theappalachian
theappalachian.tumblr.com