ROAD TO THE NFL
Junior wide receiver Malachi Jones comes from a family with a rich NFL tradition. Jones uses the pressure of following in their footsteps to continue to improve as a college player and take a shot at playing professionally after his App State career ends.
The Appalachian 11.11.14
Appalachian State University’s student news source since 1934
Vol. 89, No. 21
EVICTED Paul Heckert
The house at 721 Howard St. is one of two on a property purchased by the university, which also includes two duplexes. The university is requiring the 13 students who live on the property to relocate by Dec. 31, but will refund their security deposits.
Appalachian State evicts 13 students from Howard Street housing
by Thomas Culkin News Reporter
A
ppalachian State University recently purchased a plot of land on Howard Street that contains two houses and two duplexes, where 13 students live. Promptly after buying the property, Appalachian sent eviction notices to the students Oct. 24 that notified them they would have to leave by Dec. 31. Upon inspecting the houses following the purchase, Appalachian found the health and safety standards of the houses were subpar according to their standards, said Michelle Nova-
cek, the process analyst for Appalachian’s Physical Plant. Despite the lack of immediate plans to build on the property, the safety concerns prompted Appalachian to evict the residents. “It’s not that we’re in a really big hurry to put anything else there,” Novacek said. “It’s the fact that the places are probably not up to student housing standards.” Novacek cited exposed plumbing, asbestos and decaying walls as some of the health concerns found within the houses. “If you were to go in [the houses], there are places where you can see daylight through the
Diabetes awareness draws attention to growing issue by Chamian Cruz Intern News Reporter
Diabetes Awareness Month is celebrated every November to create awareness for the disease, which impacts the lives of many people, including Appalachian State University students. The exact number of students with diabetes at Appalachian is unknown, said Janna Lyons, adjunct instructor and nutrition specialist for Appalachian’s wellness center. However, in 2013 it was reported through the National College Health Assessment that 1.1 percent of students who took the survey were diagnosed or treated by a professional for some type of diabetes, according to acha-ncha.org. The American Diabetes Association also estimates that nearly 30 million people in the United States have diabetes, while another 86 million are at risk for Type 2. Lyons said there are two types of diabetes – Type 1 and Type 2. These are most often diagnosed in Hispanic/Latino Americans, African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and Alaska natives. The development of Type 1 diabetes is usually sudden and
dramatic such as with Kayla Sloan, a freshman political science major, who was diagnosed last November at the age of 17. Symptoms for Type 2 diabetes can often be mild or absent, making this type hard to detect. “The month before I was diagnosed, I was thirsty all the time and I couldn’t sleep because I kept having to drink water and use the bathroom all the time, my fingers were tingly all the time, I passed out a couple of times and I had really weird symptoms,” said Sloan, “It was all because I had diabetes.” Although the primary risk factor for Type 1 diabetes is family history, Type 2 can also be passed on, but most often affects people who have high blood pressure, are overweight or obese, and who live a sedentary lifestyle, Lyons said. “Type 2 diabetes is [becoming] more prevalent because more and more Americans are overweight or obese and have poor diets that contribute to weight gain and high blood pressure,” Lyons said. “Also, Americans are more sedentary than in years past.” The disease is also expensive to treat. The American Diabetes
SEE DIABETES PAGE 3
walls,” Novacek said. Gunnar Schattler, a senior physics major and a resident of one of the duplexes, said he could understand Appalachian’s concern over the safety of the two houses, but he thought the duplexes were in normal conditions. “They said that they had to evict us because those houses didn’t meet [university standards], which is understandable,” Schattler said. “But the duplexes were fine.” The short notice given by Appalachian was also a cause for anger from students. “My first thought was, ‘This can’t be legal,’” said Olivia
Dannemiller, a senior sustainable development major and resident of the Howard Street duplexes. “But there is a clause in our lease that says if the ownership changes, they only have to give us a 30-day notice. It’s really stressful to have to find a place to live in the middle of the semester. Especially since I’m a senior, so I have a lot on my plate right now, and I can walk to work from my house, and walk to all my classes.” Schattler said although they were nice enough to give more than 60-day notice, it still causes problems.
SEE EVICTION PAGE 3
LIPS, OASIS help survivors
Morgan Cook A box in the Women's Center in Plemmons Student Union being used to collect feminine hygiene products for the Feminine Hygiene Drive.
by Nicole Caporaso Senior News Reporter
A box in the Women’s Center in Plemmons Student Union is collecting items for a feminine hygiene drive, now through the end of the fall semester. Melanie Weast, the graduate assistant for the Women’s Center, said the donation collection is through LIPS, a female expressions of sexuality club, which is utilizing the Women’s Center space, since LIPS does not have one of its own.
LIPS will give donations to OASIS, a non-profit organization that provides services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Watauga and Avery counties, said Marcie Ownbey, OASIS’ outreach coordinator. OASIS stands for “opposing abuse with service, information and shelter,” and provides services such as a confidential emergency shelter, crisis counseling, support groups, safety planning and educational programs. Items needed include feminine hygiene products and
medicines like ibuprofen and Midol. Ownbey said OASIS is always in need of those items, but also others, as many clients leave their situations abruptly or in an emergency. “We are always in need of tampons and maxi pads, that’s a big need we have, but also new bras and new underwear in all sizes, toiletry items like shampoo and conditioners and gas cards are really important to try to help clients get to appointments and to apply for jobs,” she said. “We know a lot of clients who come to us and they left their homes and their situations, and they are starting over with very little or nothing.” “We’ve got three boxes of tampons and two of pads so far,” she said. “And the Women’s Center has a bunch of boxes we’re donating also when it’s over.” Ownbey said partnership with Appalachian and the Women’s Center is not uncommon. “I believe that for this specific effort, they contacted us in saying they’re interested in helping out,” she said. “We partner with them in various things, we get interns from them, and we’re in touch with them often.”