Jan. 22, The Appalachian

The Appalachian Thursday, January 22, 2015

MLK CHALLENGE

page 8 & 9

Paul Heckert

AppalCART’s Green Route and a Safe Ride van wait for passengers Wednesday evening in the library circle. Safe Ride’s hours have extended to 3 a.m. and AppalCART has extended Gold Route hours to 11:50 p.m. and added a tripper bus to the Purple route.

AppalCART, Safe Ride modify schedules

by Thomas Culkin News Reporter

D

ue to public demand, AppalCART and Safe Ride have made alterations to their routes and hours, respectively, for the spring semester.

AppalCART made changes to its Gold and Purple routes.

Additionally, Safe Ride, Appalachian State University’s evening shuttle system, has extended its hours to 3 a.m.

All of these changes were effective at the beginning of the spring semester.

The Gold route’s hours have been extended until approximately 11:50 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday.

The reason for the change is to alleviate pressure from Safe Ride. By having the bus run later, fewer students are expected to use Safe Ride for

unnecessary reasons.

Carson Rich, president of the Student Government Association said some students are abusing Safe Ride’s intention, which is to assist students who legitimately feel like they can’t traverse campus safely.

“SGA and the university isn’t here to judge what situations are safe and aren’t, but we wanted to find a way to allow the students who really needed Safe Ride to use it,” Rich said. “[It’s for]

SEE APPALCART PAGE 3

NC flu deaths continue to increase

by Chamian Cruz Intern News Reporter

Health Services at Appalachian State University continues to encourage students to get the flu shot as influenzaassociated deaths in North Carolina increase.

Appalachian has a total of 18,026 enrolled students as of fall 2014. Yet, Health Services only gives about 1,000 to 1,200 flu vaccinations per year, said Joyce Young, nursing supervisor at Health Services.

“I feel like [college students]

feel as if they just don’t need it, because they’ve never had the flu or the flu shot,” Young said. “If we had the demand, if we had students coming in here we would give 3,000 or 5,000 vaccines.”

From Oct. 4, 2014 to Jan. 10, 2015 there were 90 influenza-associated deaths in North Carolina, according to the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.

Influenza-associated deaths may occur due to the influenza itself, late treatment, a weak immune system or from complications

that may develop after getting the flu, Young said.

“Let’s say I have asthma and my body is more susceptible to having some lung issues or let’s say I’m really young or really old and my body has problems fighting off that pneumonia – one of the biggest problems with the complication of the flu,” Young said.

Each year the Center for Disease Control conducts studies to determine the shot’s effectiveness. Recent studies show the vaccine can reduce the risk of flu illnesses

Paul Heckert

N.C. has seen 90 flu-related deaths from Oct. 4 to Jan. 10.

by about 50-60 percent in the overall population.

The effectiveness of the flu shot varies from year to year

depending on the type of flu virus circulating the air and

SEE FLU PAGE 5

Corner Tailors suits students’ needs

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by Clare McPherson

Intern News Reporter

A student-run company that started as a class project has expanded into a strong startup business since it was established in October 2014.

Corner Tailors, which makes custom-tailored suits, was started by senior management major Merrick Marquie, who was inspired when he noticed a need for high quality, wellfitting suits in the Boone community.

“I was upset that if you want to buy a custom-tailored suit in the United States in a decent wool, it’s going to cost you around $800,” Marquie said.

Marquie said cheaper suits from outlet stores are likely to be hot, ill-fitting or uncomfortable.

Corner Tailors’ website, cornertailors.com, is currently under construction.

“I want people to be really comfortable in their professional attire because you have to wear it – especially in the College of Business,” Marquie said. “We want people to look professional for interviews.”

Corner Tailors has gained some attention since its startup, including an endorsement

by Jason Nik, author of “The Warrior’s Odyssey,” life coach and blogger, who recommend-

ed Corner Tailors in his blog, jniklc.blogspot.com. Nik said dressing professionally is an important strategy to success.

“A good suit is extremely important for men and women,” Nik said in his blog. “Corner Tailors gives everyone the opportunity to get a good suit in the comfort of their own home.”

Nik said normally most people aren’t excited to go to tailors, but Corner Tailors makes the process less of a hassle.

Tyler Peterson, junior advertising major was one of Corner Tailors’ first clients. Peterson, who had never purchased a suit before, said the process was very simple.

“First they took my measurements, and then I went to their website and picked out the suit style and fabric that I wanted,” Peterson said. “Then I put in all of the measurements, and three weeks later I got my suit.”

Marquie stressed that good customer service is vital to the company.

“If anything goes wrong, they just have to give us a call,” Marquie said. “We have a pretty good return policy. We include tailoring and we have around 80 suit offerings. We’re focusing on trying to make a really great product for the customer. If that means we

lose a little bit of money here and there, it’s not the end of the world.”

Marquie said he and his team spent 40-60 hours a week working on the business in the first few weeks. He described the process as something he would not advise others to do.

Erich Schlenker, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, oversaw the startup process. Schlenker described the Corner Tailors team as “a creative and determined group with a real sense of urgency.”

“They brought their idea from concept to reality in a few short weeks,” Schlenker said. “It was impressive to behold.”

In addition to Marquie, the Corner Tailors staff includes two vice-presidents, senior management majors Mitch Purgason and Ryan Sommerville, a computer specialist, junior computer science major Kira Washaw and a graphic designer, senior graphic design major Miles Elliott.

Marquie credited Appalachian’s Center for Entrepreneurship for giving the Corner Tailors staff the tools needed to create a successful business.

“We love the Center for Entrepreneurship,” Marquie said. “It really provides us a great opportunity to use resources that we may not have

had [and has] helped us develop faster than we probably would have elsewhere.”

Corner Tailors is currently working on increasing sales on campus, specifically in Greek life.

“We’re meeting with a lot of the fraternities on campus because a lot of [them] have talked to us about helping their pledges dress a little bit nicer and to improve the image of Greek life,” Marquie said.

He said many fraternity brothers express interest in dressing well, but may not necessarily know how to find a good quality suit.

Marquie, who plans on staying with the company after graduation, hopes to expand the company in the next year or two.

“Corner Tailors will not be in Boone alone for very long,” Marquie said. “We’re looking at expanding to UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State, ECU, Wake Forest, etc.”

Like Marquie, Peterson expects Corner Tailors to start expanding soon.

“This is a one-of-a-kind business that will definitely be growing and expanding in the future into something huge,” said Peterson. “All they have to do is work out the small kinks and the sky will be the limit for them.”

ASU education students teach, learn in foreign settings

by Thomas Culkin News Reporter

For the past 12 years, students of Appalachian State University’s Reich College of Education have had the opportunity to take part in a unique experience – the ability to do a portion of their student teaching in another country.

William Peacock, the director of early field experiences, said the most rewarding aspect of the program is the global awareness that student teachers gain.

“This experience just enriches [the students] on an incredible level,” William said.

“In fact, I think that the most

important benefit is the personal growth that students gain from putting themselves in a challenging position for five weeks.”

Jean Peacock, the coordinator of the Office of Field Experience, said many students might be seeing poverty for the first time, which can be a rewarding experience.

“Maybe our students have been sheltered,” Jean Peacock said. “Then they see these little children that are orphans, or so poor. So they come back realizing that they may have students in their classroom who don’t have food. Those early teachers are going to be more empathetic, and they’re going

to be more knowledgeable, all on a global level.”

Emily Johnson, a former Appalachian student who participated in the program last year teaching in Costa Rica, shared her personal growth via her blog. “[Before I left] I worried a great deal about the things that might change while I was gone,” Johnson wrote. “What I didn’t count on was how much I would change.”

Appalachian currently has partnerships with schools in Ireland, England, Scotland, Germany, Costa Rica, South Africa and India.

To be chosen to participate in the program, students need

to have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, as well as submit an essay and letters of recommendation from faculty members and personal references.

This year, 58 students applied to student-teach internationally, and 45 were accepted, which is the largest number to date, Jean said.

William said he thinks the program is what sets Appalachian’s college of education apart from that of other North Carolina universities.

“App is just a little different here,” William said. “This is a formal recognized part of our teacher preparation, and we have not found that to be the case at other institutions.”

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828.262.1571

APPALCART

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

students who really just need some transportation, and don’t necessarily feel unsafe.”

The Purple route has also added a third bus that will run from 8-11 a.m. Monday through Thursday, due to frequent overflow during that time.

This third bus, which is known as a tripper bus, will only be summoned if there are too many people to fit on the other buses and to avoid them waiting too long.

Chris Turner, the operations manager for AppalCART, said passengers who weren’t able to ride on one of the original buses will only have to wait about five minutes, rather than 30 minutes.

To continue to improve Safe Ride’s availability, its hours have been modified to begin at 7 p.m. and end at 3 a.m., with the last call being taken at 2:45 a.m.

“That way, we’re able to capitalize on as many students as we can, since the library is now open all night,”

Rich said.

Barry Sauls, director of Parking and Traffic at Appalachian, said he believes the Safe Ride drivers won’t having a problem adjusting to the extended hours, but also said there are no plans to extend Safe Ride hours even further.

“We felt like just adding 30 minutes could work for our student drivers, since we work with them in regards to their schedules and things like that,” Sauls said. “Some people have floated the idea of running it even past 3 a.m., but we felt like that was too much.”

Turner said this semester will serve as an experimental phase for these changes. The success of the alterations to Purple route will be measured in how often the tripper bus is utilized.

“Whether we do it next year or not will depend on what the ridership is like compared to the costs,” Turner said.

And in the future, AppalCART might only run the Gold route late on nights where trends indicate it’s more heavily populated.

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Organization returns to campus after 15 years

by Madison Barlow Intern News Reporter

After being involved with Future Teachers of America in high school, freshman history secondary education major Adam Moore was excited to be a part of Appalachian’s newly re-installed chapter of the statewide organization Student North Carolina Association of Educators, or SNCAE. “Jan [Stanley, the director of the Appalachian Teaching Fellows,] approached me about being involved with the organization after she learned about my involvement with a similar program in high school,” Moore said. “I’m really excited to be president elect of the organization. It’s our first year on campus since about 2000, so I’m excited to help build the program.”

FLU

Before Stanley contacted Moore, she spoke with the Dean of the Reich College of Education, Robin Groce.

“Dr. Groce came to me because she knew I am involved with the Teaching Fellows program,” Stanley said.

“I am now co-advising the chapter with Dr. Jim Brooks.

He contacted Dr. Groce about bringing the chapter to Appalachian, but works off campus, so I’m the on-campus advisor.”

Since getting re-started, the organization has hosted informational seminars once a month for its members. They had their first meeting of the semester on Tuesday.

“The last chapter of the program just sort of fizzled out several years ago,” Moore said. “So we’re trying to plan really exciting things.”

Stanley believes being aware of the politics sur-

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 the health of an individual, according to the CDC. There are three types of the flu virus: A, B and C. Human influenza A and B cause seasonal epidemics every year and influenza type C infections only cause mild respiratory illnesses, according to the CDC. Influenza A viruses are unique in that they are divided into subtypes

rounding education is extremely important for future teachers.

“There have been a lot of education programs being cut, and a lot of funding has been cut by the state government,” Stanley said. “It’s important that students have a full understanding of what they could possibly face in the workforce.”

Moore said the chapter focuses its seminars around these issues.

“The SNCAE program focuses a lot on the politics behind being an educator in North Carolina, so as a chapter we try to invite speakers that will come and share their political experiences with us,” he said, “Since it is a college program through the professional program North Carolina Association of Educators, the three official, main pillars of focus are professional

based on two proteins on the surface of the virus, such as H1N1, and can also be further broken down into different strains, according to the CDC. Influenza B viruses are not divided into subtypes, but can be broken down into lineages and strains,.

It is not uncommon for the influenza A and B virus subtypes to change or evolve due to genetic mutations.

So far of the 2014-15 flu season, the most common influenza virus is A,

development, service and political advocacy.”

According to www.ncpublicschools.org, the amount of textbook funding per student has gone from $68 per student in 2008-09 to about $15 per student in 2014-15 and dollars for instructional supplies have been reduced from $59 per student in 200809 to about $28 per student in 2014-15.

Moore said he likes the opportunities the organization provides for education students.

“As a student, I like that this program allows students to be actively involved, rather than passively,” he said. “It is really set up to allow students to share their voice, and be as hands-on as possible.”

Junior history education major Troy Colvard is also a member of SNCAE, and said he was impressed by the cor-

subtype H3N2, which is most associated with more severe illnesses and mortality rates compared to to the H1N1 subtype of the the B virus, according to the CDC. In addition, there has been a drift in H3N2, which is causing the flu shot to be less effective compared to other years, according to the CDC. “As someone who has had the flu, you only get the flu once and after that you will get the flu shot because

respondence and relationship of the chapter with its headquarters.

“At the last seminar I attended some representatives from headquarters came to campus, and talked to us about teacher rights,” Colvard said. “I thought it was cool because it showed how invested in their chapters they are. It was really meaningful.”

The next SNCAE meeting is Feb. 17 in the College of Education, and will feature a seminar on bullying.

“We are really excited to see how the organization can grow,” Moore said. “The next few semesters we are really going to work on expanding our network, and getting as many students involved as possible. Appalachian has awesome, dedicated future educators and I’m excited to work with them all.”

you are miserable,” said Kevin Long, Health Services’ lead travel nurse. “I would much rather get the flu shot.”

Health Services is still providing students with flu shots for $11, especially as the peak of flu season will continue through February.

Young and Long recommend students should stay home to avoid infecting others, wash hands regularly, avoid facial contact, eat healthy, sleep for at least eight hours and exercise.

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app news

7 Submit Announcements App News is a service of the Division of Student Development.

Email dycheab@appstate.edu.

Submissions should not exceed 100 words and must include the event title, date/time, location and cost, and a contact email, phone and/or URL. Announcements will be edited as needed and will run as space allows. Preference given for events that are free or have a nominal cost.

Student Leadership Awards Nominations are open for Student Leadership Awards through Feb. 23. Nominations are requested for students who provide significant leadership and service and go beyond what would normally be expected of them in their particular leader or service role. Nominations are due by 5 p.m. Feb. 23 in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Development. Two forms (nomation and student data form) are required for a complete nomination, and are available at http://studentdev.appstate.edu/ leadership-and-service-awards.

Each year, Appalachian State University recognizes Student Leaders for their service and leadership to Appalachian State University at a Student Leadership Award Ceremony sponsored by the Office of Student Development. The ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. April 24, Parkway Ballroom, PSU. Financial Aid Info Fair Financial aid counselors will be

available 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 2728, PSU, to answer questions.

Students need to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. Stop by for information on filling out your FAFSA for the 2015-2016 school year.

The priority filing date is March 1.

Career Development Center Workshops • LinkedIn Presentations, 11:30 a.m.-1;30 p.m. Jan. 22-23, Feb. 5-6, Three Top Mountain, PSU • Internship Fair, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Jan. 28, Grandfather Mountain Ballroom, PSU • MSD Diversity Career Prep Expo, 5:30-7 p.m. Jan. 29, Whitewater Cafe, PSU • Resume Clinics, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Whitewater Cafe, PSU • Dress for Success, 7 p.m. Feb. 4, Parkway Ballroom, PSU • CareerFest, noon-4 p.m. Feb. 19, Holmes Convocation Center Expressive Arts (EXA) Studio The studio seeks to engage Appalachian faculty, staff and graduate students in exploring how art-making can sustain individuals and communities. Will be held 3-5:30 p.m. in room 301 in the College of Education. Email platok@appstate.edu.

• Jan. 23: EXA studio/ Visual Journal Methods Hands-On Workshop • Jan. 30: EXA Open Studio • Feb. 13: EXA Soul Collage • Feb. 20: EXA Open Studio • Feb. 27: EXA Studio TBA

Domestic ASE Looking for an experience of a lifetime over spring break? Join one of 18 Domestic Alternative Service Experience programs addressing current social justice issues. Lottery packets are available in the ACT Outreach Center.

Sign-up lottery 8 p.m. Feb. 2, Blue Ridge Ballroom, PSU. Bring the completed lottery packet and a $100 check or money order deposit made out to ACT. Visit http:// act.appstate.edu/ase-spring-domestic.

Summer academic residential program Summer Ventures in Science & Mathematics, a four-week summer academic residential program at ASU for North Carolina high school students, is seeking RAs for summer 2015 (June 20-July 25). Prefer STEM and education majors and those who have completed at least two years of university, but anyone with RA experience or has worked with camps will be considered. Compensation includes a minimum salary of $1200 plus room, board, parking, and admission to program events, etc. Email tylerle@appstate.edu or visit www.summerventures.appstate.edu. Applications due by Feb. 23.

Mind Matters This group, for those with acquired brain injuries, meets 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays, Charles E. and Geneva S. Scott Scottish Rite Communication Disorders Clinic at University Hall. The group aims

to create an environment that facilitates the development of strategies that aid cognitive and linguistic skills, while supporting the journey of recovery. Email keeganlc@appstate.edu, call 828-2628313, or visit https://mindmattersboone.wordpress.com/.

Free tax assistance ASU’s Walker College of Business will provide free tax assistance for individuals or families with a combined household income of $60,000 or less. Anyone can prepare and e-file their own federal and state income taxes for free using www.myfreetaxes.com.

The Free Tax Help Lab, will be held 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Feb. 3-April 15, room 2014, Peacock Hall. Email hofmannma@ appstate.edu.

Red Flag Campaign The Red Flag Campaign is accepting applications for the 20152016 academic year. Open to students who want to educate Appalachian’s community on being active bystanders and are dedicated to ending violence. Visit redflag.appstate.edu to learn more.

Applications are due March 6.

Email hartmanep@appstate.edu.

Ski specials ASU’s Outdoor Programs partnered with Appalachian Ski Mountain to offer ASU deals for the Midnight Blast sessions, 5 p.m.midnight Feb. 6 and 27. Lift tickets are $15; rentals, group lessons are discounted. Show your ASU student ID to to receive discounts.

January

sunday

monday 18

tuesday 19

wednesday 20

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friday

thursday 22 Chrome Scene and Sensation of Falling, 9:30 p.m., Legends, $4/advance/students, $6/door

saturday 23

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“Gone Girl” screen- “Gone Girl” screening, 7 p.m. and 9:45 ing, 7 p.m. and p.m., I.G. Greer, $2 9:45 p.m., I.G. Greer, $2 “Philadelphia” screening, 7 p.m., Momentum Dance Greenbriar, PSU, $1 Showcase, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23-24, 31st Annual Dr. Varsity Gym Dance Martin Luther King, Studio, $5-$7 Jr. Commemoration: An Evening with Julian Bond, 7 p.m., Schaefer Center Heritage Dance with the Roan Mountain Hilltoppers, 7:3011 p.m., Legends, $3-$5

25

26

27

28 Internship Fair, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., PSU

29 Make Your Own Bumper Sticker or Laptop Case, 11 a.m., Solarium foyer, PSU, free

30 A Recital of Works for Violin and Piano with Nancy Bargerstock and Rodney Reynerson, 8 p.m., Rosen Concert Hall, free

Turchin Center Lecture Series: Andrew Fullwood, 7 p.m., Turchin, free “The Theory of Everything” screen“Apollo 13” screen- ing, 7 p.m. and 9:30 “Apollo 13” screening, 7 p.m., Green- p.m., I.G. Greer, $2 ing, 7 p.m., Greenbriar, PSU, $1 briar, PSU, $1

“The Theory of Everything” screening, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., I.G. Greer, $2

31 “The Theory of Everything” screening, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., I.G. Greer, $2

8

ML

CHALL

16th annual even make difference

by Thomas Culkin News Reporter

Hundreds of Appalachian State University students repaired structural weaknesses, painted walls, cleaned debris and more at 20 locations throughout Boone on Jan. 19 as part of the 16th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Challenge.

The MLK Challenge is a charity event hosted by Appalachian and the Community Together that sends students to help with numerous service projects in the area. The event is designed to challenge the students socially just as much as it does physically.

“For a lot of [students], it’s the first time being exposed to the community,” said Kelsey Trevethan, the Committee Chair. “They have the chance to go out and see what Watauga County is really like, and see the needs of the community, rather than just be stuck

Read the full story online at

LK

LENGE

nt lets students e in community Photos by Sarah Weiffenbach Photographer

in that university bubble.”

Daniel Burwell, the event’s registration coordinator said the day’s spirit of selfless charity and giving back to the community fits perfectly with the legacy of the man after whom the event is named.

Burwell said that the MLK Challenge made such an impact on him when he volunteered while he was in high school, it actually factored into his decision to attend Appalachian.

“If you just look at the person that this day is honoring – Martin Luther King Jr. – and everything he’s done for the country as well as the world, he’s been an inspiration to a lot of people all across the nation,” Burwell said. “Today we are honoring him and doing this service in honor of him, and I think it fits.”

t TheAppalachianOnline.com

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a&e

Courtesy of AppHack

APP HACK AppHack event to span full 24 hours at Appalachian

by Lovey Cooper Senior A&E Reporter

F

riday, from 7 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, about 80 students are expected to gather in Belk Hall’s new computer science offices to write code, eat pizza and play games, in hopes of winning AppHack4, a Major League Hacking-sponsored event.

“The atmosphere is very open and relaxed. You will see groups of people huddled around whiteboards brainstorming, people bent over computers hacking away and some people just hanging out or playing games,” said David Kale, computer science graduate student. “Regardless, everyone has always been really open to share what they are working on or interested in seeing what you are working on.”

The event will be the first at Appalachian State University to last the full 24 hours required by MLH events, although it is the fifth hosted by the computer science department – the “4” in the title includes the events with zeroindexing, as a nod to the scientists.

The events have been slowly changing for the better as more interest is generated and more things happen at each event, Kale said.

“I have always found these events as effective spaces to work on projects and school

work, but also fun social events,” he said.

At the last event, he worked with two other students on a program to download and visually summarize YouTube videos. The development finds the most important 10 or so frames from the video to give viewers an idea of what it is about.

“There are so many new technologies to learn in our field that it is impossible not to be exposed to something new at an event like this,” Kale said.

Sina Tashakkori, computer science graduate student, created AppHack and serves as the organizer of events this year. He started the event a year and a half ago because he wanted to expand his own unofficial “hack-sessions” that were referred to as “SedEx.” “We would just get together, me and some friends, and I decided I wanted it to be bigger,” Tashakkori said.

He hopes this year’s event brings more people into the department, as it is now completely funded by sponsors and includes participants from other universities, as well as local software companies.

“These companies see the value in AppHack, in terms of recruiting,” Tashakkori said.

“They can come over here and have the opportunity to meet really talented people, instead of wasting their time doing interviews. They know who can build because they can see

them building.”

A lot of the products that are made here are immediately used in the community – BeepDrive, Slippy Snake and other open source pieces of software have emerged from previous years. Some departments at the university will use the event as a way to put a bid out on an application they might have use for in the future, with a guaranteed result by the end of the semester if a student picks it up as a class project.

Participants are free to make anything without restriction as long as they have not completed any work on it before the 24-hour event begins.

One year, a student created a functional iPhone app for the school of music to help in teaching and practicing notes and scales.

Winners of the event are chosen in an informal hourlong session, based on the usability and emotional appeal of a final product – no matter the kind of work that went into it.

“It’s the cool factor, which is not really quantifiable, but it usually ends up that the harder stuff that the people put more time and creativity into are the ones that win,” Tashakkori said.

Senior computer science major Chris Waldon has coordinated Dungeons and Dragons games for the last two AppHacks, and intends to do the same for this one.

“These serve as opportunities for students to inspire each other,” Waldon said. “Though I haven’t been programming at most of them, I come away from the experience amazed at what my friends have been able to build and excited to work on my own back-burner projects. These events cement a sense of community within the department as a whole, a phenomenon that I haven’t encountered outside of CS thus far.”

Winners get 3D printed trophies as well as medals provided by MLH, and there are raffle prizes available even for those who cannot contribute to the final product of a team.

Tashakkori is looking for people to take over the event when he graduates in May, and hopes that more departments will come join in. Right now the schools of graphic design, industrial design and business show up, but he wants to expand this collaboration to include the entire university.

“Everyone needs software made, and everyone can learn from working with software developers because they are probably going to at some point in their career,” Tashakkori said. “It’s the future, so we would like to start that now.”

Participants do not need any knowledge of coding, design or mobile applications to take part. For more information, visit www.cs.appstate.edu/apphack.

11

Returning champions play Battle of the Bands encore

by Kelsey Hamm Intern A&E Reporter

Chrome Scene and Sensation of Falling will coheadline a concert at Legends on Thursday at 9:30 p.m.

The bands tied for first place in the 2013 Battle of the Bands Competition.

“It’s crazy how Battle of the Bands catapulted us into playing with all the bands that were there,” said Dean Cates, senior economics major and guitarist for Sensation of Falling. “You might think that competition would make us bitter, but music is not about competition, it’s about creating something musically. The music community has become a fraternity.”

Sensation of Falling submitted demos for the Battle of the Bands two years in a row before finally having their demo selected for the 2013 competition.

Sawyer Johnston, lead vocalist in Sensation of Falling and UNC-Chapel Hill graduate said until recently they had been a four-piece band, but have since switched to a threepiece.

“The thing we are most proud of is that we worked really hard to learn to play as a trio,” Johnston said. “I never knew how to play bass, but we realized that bass had to be a central aspect of our music.”

Sensation of Falling currently records its music from home, and hopes to release new demos in the coming year. Cates said Sensation of Falling’s mu-

sical improvements in the last year have stemmed from having each band member in close proximity to one another.

“As of this last year we are finally all living in one place,” Cates said. “Our music went from us bringing ideas together once every three weeks to us having a daily collaboration where we try to play every day and check on everyone creatively.”

In addition to Cates and Johnston, senior psychology major Andrew Graves plays the drums for Sensation of Falling.

“I always think about people who made it, and they started from the bottom just like we did,” Johnston said. “There’s nothing that deems a band destined to make it, and I always say we need to take our break when it happens. If we’re prepared and it happens, we’re going to be ready to go.”

Chrome Scene, together since October 2013, has four band members – Christian, guitarist, keyboardist and vocalist Brad Steed, sophomore health care management major, vocalist and drummer Corey Hamilton, senior computer information systems major and bass player Christian Dolan, senior building sciences major.

Chrome Scene released its EP “Razzmatazz” free of charge on ReverbNation, Bandcamp and Soundcloud on Nov. 7, 2014.

“We’ve been working on it since last spring with Wet Bandit Audio in Boone. It was originally

going to be six songs, but we decided to focus on those three,” said Glenn Christian, the band’s guitarist. “It took us a lot longer than we thought it would.”

Christian said last year’s show was the first time their band had played in front of a live audience.

“We didn’t have anything completely written yet. We had to finish writing songs and we set up a makeshift studio in our bedroom,” he said. “We definitely were confident in our songs, we just had to get everyone to hear it.”

Like Sensation of Falling, Chrome Scene also has aspirations of making it to a professional level with its music.

“I would like to find a way to use my entrepreneurship major and incorporate it into my music,” Christian said. “ Both bands will play for an hour and fifteen minutes at Thursday’s show.

Admission is $4 for students who purchase in advance and $6 at the door.

The event is all ages and BYOB. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at the Information Center in Plemmons Student Union across from Cascades with cash, credit card or App Express account.

Sensation of Falling plays a show at Galileo’s in March 2014. Sensation of Falling will co-headline a concert at Legends on Thursday at 9:30 p.m. Tickets will be $4 for students in advance or $6 at the door.

Courtesy of Audrey Jones

Weekend roundup

by Lovey Cooper

Senior A&E Reporter

What’s happening in Boone:

“Local Band Night”: Chrome Scene and Sensation of Falling (Local student bands, cowinners of Battle of the Bands) Thursday, Jan. 22, 9:30 p.m.

Legends $4 advance / $7 at the door All ages Cosmic Charlie (Grateful Dead cover band) Thursday, Jan. 22, 10 p.m.

Boone Saloon $8 21+ Heritage Dance with the Roan Mountain Hilltoppers (Appalachian heritage dance, lessons for beginners) Friday, Jan. 23, 9 p.m.

Legends Free All ages

“Hatestomp World Tour”: Hatestomp, Etiolated, Born Hollow, Deadern Hell, Junior In His Prime (Traveling North Carolina metal and hardcore) Friday, Jan. 23, 9 p.m.

Grotto House $8 All ages Flow Jam (Open jam session) Friday Jan. 23, 9 p.m.

3rd Place Free All ages The Nude Party, Eve Stirwin and OBN (Local psych, rapcore and newly established local act) Friday, Jan. 23, 10 p.m.

Black Cat $5 18+ Nagual & Carl Mitchell Trio, Derek Poteat and Mole Problem (Traveling free-jazz ambiance, low-end noise acts)

Saturday, Jan. 24, 9 p.m.

641rpm Record Store $3 to $5 sliding scale All ages Boone Community Network Local Talent Showcase (Local music and talent show followed by a dj dance party) Saturday, Jan. 24, 9 p.m.

The Local $5 21 + What you should do: Russell Bomer, Fat Cats employee and drummer of local band Way Das, says: “Friday plans are a toughie this week. On the one hand we’ve got some cool hardcore and metal coming to the Grotto, and, on the other hand, a great show at Black Cat. I’ll probably be going to the Grotto show for a little bit of thrashing about in the

pit, and to see if Junior In His Prime is as heavy as I’ve heard. I’ve just been really hoping for a few punches to the face lately, and Grotto pits usually don’t disappoint, so there’s something. I’m also looking to blow out my eardrums, and I have a feeling that the volume will be severe at the Grotto, so yeah, the Grotto. I’m going to the Grotto. But I am absolutely positive that Eve Stirwin, The Nude Party and OBN will kill it, so don’t sleep on them. And let’s all go to 641rpm on Saturday for the weird stuff.”

Merrick Marquie, president of the Appalachian Popular Programming Society, says: “I’m stoked about this week because of the variety. You have lo-fi to hardcore to Appalachian heritage to ambient. If you haven’t been to a heritage event, you’ve got to try it and embrace the culture of this region. “

Devon Tuttle, local booking agent and cultural curator, says: “Prepare yourselves for a sonic experience truly unlike anything you’ve ever experienced in Boone, or elsewhere, for that matter. 641rpm presents a night of free jazz/ avant-garde saxophone and electronics-infused drone and ambient wizardry reminiscent of the Don Cherry/ Brian Eno jam that should’ve been, [Nagual & Carl Mitchell Trio] alongside masterful sub-sonic bass guitar manipulations from Derek Poteat [the founding member of Asheville band Ahleuchatistas] and modular synthesis meets otherworldly tape incantations and conventioncrushing rhythms from local duo Mike Geary [of local band Repeat Offender] and Travis Reyes [of 641rpm.]

Deeply ‘heady’ music for adventurous ears.”

opinion

12

Duke incident highlights misplaced anti-Islamic sentiment, cultural problems Kevin Griffin Opinion Writer

Duke University’s decision to cancel a planned call-to-prayer following backlash illustrates the deeply misguided views that many people in the United States hold about Muslims.

While I do not believe this is a First Amendment issue or particularly a freedom of religion issue, it is certainly a cultural issue.

A number of the individuals who protested Duke’s original decision to allow the prayer, particularly Boone’s own Franklin Graham, cited the violence of Islamic fundamentalists as a reason for not allowing the prayer in a Facebook post.

As an atheist and a secularist, I believe that religions in general are wrong. I find the degree to which believers of various faiths refuse to acknowledge the violence in their own texts and histories to be frustrating.

Yet, to treat all members of religions as though they are a danger to society is wrong and counterproductive. The notion that all Muslims are unable to be a part of a free, democratic society is absurd.

After all, it is generally assumed that there is no conflict between Christianity, with its own notable history of violence and democratic society. In fact, when fundamentalist Christians campaign against marriage equality or the teaching of evolution, they are in their own way working against the values of free, democratic society.

Still we understand that not all Christians hold these views, that not all Christians wish to

have their views imposed on everyone. There is no reason we should not assume that the same is true for the majority of Muslims.

It is possible to live in peace with all religious believers, provided those believers do not impose their own values over others. If Christians can meet that requirement, so can Muslims.

Perhaps more importantly, taking such an attitude toward all Muslims undermines our attempts to fight the truly dangerous fundamentalists.

In our own Western-centric bubble, the effects of fundamentalist Islam are often seen through its own prism, through 9/11 or Charlie Hebdo.

What this view leaves out is that the worst victims of this fundamentalism are Muslims themselves.

Just in the last year, the Islamic State perpetrated numerous acts of brutality toward thousands of Muslims,

according to an October report from the United Nations.

By treating all Muslims as threats, we only further alienate an ally in this fight.

Muslim Student Association President Omar Heikal believes that ignorance, and reinforcement of these messages through media, is what causes this type of negative sentiment.

He is right, and the only way to put aside the strong emotions that legitimately arise following these attacks and really take in the reality of the situation. Lashing out at all Muslims is both morally and strategically wrong.

Duke’s decision, while perhaps justified in the light of certain threats, is still a sad commentary that we remain unable to respond properly to these incidents.

Griffin, a junior journalism major from Madison, is an opinion writer.

Bridget Mundy | The Appalachian

Financial burden wrongly placed on students Hannah Malcolm Opinion Writer

Appalachian State University’s tuition is set to increase another five percent, as it has for quite a few years now. No doubt it would be increasing more quickly if there were not a cap.

With the defunding of the university system, tuition and fee increases are virtually unavoidable if the universities are to continue. Politicians seem to view the university system as a business, looking to cut “unprofitable” pro-

grams, to see how well it can function given a minimum of funding. The program prioritization that occurred at Appalachian last year, though not initiated by outside forces, is an excellent example of how this mindset subverts the purpose of a university.

There must be a way to decrease the burden on students.

The Board of Governor’s website states that most of the tuition – 41.55 percent – is going to faculty and staff retention, which I fully agree with. Once again, I believe that the university system deserves more funding than it is currently receiving. I just disagree that an increase in tuition is the way to fix the problem.

How do we deal with this?

We cannot avoid that the hikes are needed to make up for the decrease in funding. But why doesn’t the legislature restore funding back to previous levels? Why is the financial burden being placing on the students?

This, coupled with the fact that the meeting discussing these changes was set during an exam week, shows a disregard for the voices and needs of the students. The Board of Governors needs to realize that the reason for the university system is to educate, to promote thinking and research. North Carolina has a public university system so that these goals can be easily accessible, even to those of low-income. Increasing tuition is abandoning that, is

making going college seem harder to attain.

While need-based aid will increases with this increase in tuition, there are people who do not qualify for a lot if any need-based aid but still cannot afford to pay for college.

These people will be unable to attend or will have to begin their adult lives in debt because the legislature is refusing to realize how important the university system is.

The legislature is wrong to continue to defund the university system and to place the burden on the students.

This is not how a public university system should be run.

Malcolm, a junior history major from Walkertown, is an opinion writer.

13

classifieds

CRIME LOG BOONE

Jan. 19 5:09 p.m. | Unattended Death Appalachian Panhellenic Hall An unattended death is waiting for a further disposition.

Jan. 19 4:25 p.m. | Possession of Marijuana Lovill Hall An arrest was made for the possession of marijuana.

Jan. 17 11:44 p.m. | DWI - Alcohol and/or Drugs Rivers Street An arrest was made for DWI involving alcohol and/ or drugs.

Jan. 17 11:26 p.m. | Underage Consumption of Alcohol Doughton Hall An arrest was made for underage consumption of alcohol.

Jan. 16 8:30 p.m. | Burglary - Non Forced Entry Eggers Hall Further investigation is underway for the non forced burglary.

Jan. 17 10:41 p.m. | Underage Consumption of Alcohol Living Learning Center An arrest was made for underage consumption of alcohol.

Jan. 15 11:15 p.m. | DWI - Alcohol and/or Drugs Rivers Street An arrest was made for DWI involving alcohol and/ or drugs.

Jan. 16 11:44 p.m. | Drug Violations - Equipment/Paraphernalia Rivers Street An arrest was made for drug violations with equipment and/or paraphernalia.

Jan. 15 10:12 p.m. | DWI - Alcohol and/or Drugs Rivers Street An arrest was made for DWI involving alcohol and/ or drugs.

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WHO ARE WE? 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.

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sports

14

App State looks for three straight

by Cory Spiers Sports Editor

Turning things around Before winning back-toback games over Georgia State and Troy, App State (6-10, 3-4) had lost three straight games and was sinking quickly to the bottom of the conference.

After the two big wins, the team is looking for a third-straight against South Alabama (6-12, 4-4), which would tie for the team’s longest winning streak of the season.

Home games may have been what the team needed to get back on track, and while the team did let one slip away against Arkansas State at home, the win over Georgia State was a big one. The Mountaineers experienced major shooting woes against the Red Wolves, but those were nowhere to be seen in the team’s back-to-back wins in which the team scored 74 and 69 points, respectively.

Confidence boost After a night where the team couldn’t buy a basket at home, the Mountaineers treated a crowd of more than 2,000 at home to a thrilling victory over preseason Sun Belt favorite, Georgia State.

The Mountaineers surged late and fifth-year senior Tommy Spagnolo showed true leadership to will the team to a crucial victory. The confidence carried onto the road, where App State upended Troy, despite surrendering an early double-digit lead.

15

game day Turning frustration into wins

by Cory Spiers Sports Editor

Close, but no results The Mountaineers (88, 3-4) started off their stretch of three games within a four-day span with a come-from-behind 70-69 win over Arkansas State at home.

App State rallied from a double-digit deficit in the second half and shut down the Red Wolves.

However, after that, the team lost to Georgia State at home and Troy on the road by a combined nine points.

A home game is just what App State needs, and they get one against a weak foe in South Alabama (3-14, 0-8).

Another slow stretch The back-to-back losses for App State are its first consecutive losses since the team lost three straight games from Nov. 30 to Dec. 14.

After that tough stretch, the team edged North Carolina A&T 7270 in overtime, which was the beginning of a stretch of three wins in the team’s next four games, which helped keep them on track.

The team is capable of turning things around, but it starts at home before three straight road games.