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App State vs Campbell
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Appalachian senior studio art major Renee Cloud’s artwork is on display in Plemmons Student Union.
Check out all of the specifics on App State’s first FBS home game against Campbell on our game day infographic.
Find out how you can live a better, healthier lifestyle with The Appalachian’s latest blog.
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TheAppalachianOnline.com
The Appalachian 09.04.14
Appalachian State University’s student news source since 1934
THE ROCK GOES GREEN Vol. 89, No. 4
Kidd Brewer is working to become waste free by Nicole Caporaso News Reporter
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ppalachian State University will implement a zero-waste plan at Kidd Brewer Stadium beginning this football season that will help the university stick to its commitment to sustainability. There will be 15 Zero Waste Zones throughout the concourse areas of the stadium to collect compost and recyclable materials. Concession items will be either recyclable or compostable, condiments will be in bulk and the stadium clean up will involve separating waste to be recycled or composted, according to www.zerowaste.appstate.edu. The Athletics Department, Physical Plant and Office of Sustainability joined together in the effort.
“At each of the zero waste zones, we will have a volunteer who will help each fan that is trying to deposit their trash into either the compost or the recycling bin,” said Doug Justice, the associate athletics director. “At the end of the game, all recycling will be put into the truck and taken to a recycling center. The compost will be taken out to a grinder to be ground up.” Appalachian intends to be a waste-free campus by 2022 and this initiative is part of the process. “App State has committed to becoming a zero-waste campus by 2022 and that means all of us will have to be creative in how we approach our daily duties,” said Michelle Novacek, the Physical Plant projects director. “We can’t keep operating in a business-as-usual fashion because that won’t reduce our amount of waste.” Novacek said this is a perfect opportunity to teach students about being more environmentally friendly. “Instead of hiding and ignoring our trash, let’s make it obvious,” Novacek said. “Let’s start a conversation with our students and fans about the amount of
trash we produce and together let’s look at ways to eliminate it or turn it into something useful, like compost.” Donna Presnell, the communications manager for the Office of Sustainability said each of the three departments played a large role. “Athletics and the Office of Sustainability worked with vendors to ensure that no items will be served in the stadium on game day unless they are compostable or recyclable,” Presnell said. “Athletics and the Physical Plant have worked together to create the proper signage and purchase the proper bins for recycling and composting,” Presnell said. “The Office of Sustainability and the Physical Plant have worked together to create benchmarks for waste and landfill so we can track how much waste is going where and see improvements in App’s diversion rate.” Justice said Appalachian was inspired by The Ohio State University to undergo this project. “We started conversations a few years ago to examine if we might be able to have a Zero Waste Stadium operation,” he said.
Rachel Krauza
Kidd Brewer Stadium is enforcing a new zero waste initiative throughout the facility.
The Everts era: Get to know Sheri N. Everts as she gets to know Appalachian State by Laney Ruckstuhl News Editor
Sheri N. Everts took her position as Appalachian State University’s chancellor July 1, and The Appalachian sat down with her in her new office to discuss issues, excitement and plans for the future. When Everts’ appointment was announced in March, she said maintaining Appalachian’s tradition was important to her, and now says her vision for the future is much in alignment with the university’s strategic plan. Everts said she feels that she is still too new to address what major changes need to be made in the university, but that she is listening and learning for now. “I keep a journal of each and every conversation that I have,” Everts said. “People have been very kind about offering their advice and their opinions. I’m pooling all of those together.” Resources and financial concerns were named as Everts’ largest perceived problems that the university currently faces. Appalachian’s budget has been reduced by the North Carolina state government by more than $34 million since the 2008-09 academic year. “I don’t think it’s unique to Appalachian,” Everts said. “Resources are a challenge facing all of higher education.” She also addressed faculty loss, which former Chancellor Kenneth Peacock identified as an issue in April, after Faculty Senate Chair Andy Koch reported that the College of Arts and Sciences had lost 21 faculty members in the past year alone. “I think the fact that there haven’t been raises for some time is a contributing issue,”
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Rainforest Alliance coffee commits to sustainability by Nicole Caporaso News Reporter
File Photo
Chancellor Sheri N. Everts during her introduction as the new chancellor last spring in Roess Dining Hall.
Appalachian State University’s Food Services is now providing the university with coffee that is Rainforest Alliance Certified. Heather Brandon, a Food Services specialist, said the price of coffee on campus will not go up and the university will continue to sell local Conrad’s Coffee. The Rainforest Alliance is a non-profit organization that works to conserve biodiversity, while also improving the lives of those who depend on the sale of this coffee for their income. According to www.rainforest-alliance.org, the organization works “with forward-thinking farmers, foresters and tourism entrepreneurs to conserve natural resources and ensure the long-term economic health of forest communities.” The new coffee will be served in Rivers Street Cafe at Roess Dining Hall, Park Place in Trivette Hall and Cascades Cafe in Plemmons Student Union. “We have been researching Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee for several years as part of our commitment to sustainability and local products, but it wasn’t until recently that it became available through our distributors,” Brandon said. For Rainforest Alliance certification to be given, the farm or business must meet very high standards that protect ecosystems, improve productivity and maintain the well-being of the local communities, according to www.rainforest-alliance.org. “As Appalachian is a leader in sustainability, it was important for us to make the change,” Brandon said. “Additionally, today’s diners appreciate and expect quality coffee.”
Two new members join Appalachian’s administration by Laney Ruckstuhl News Editor
Randy Edwards, Interim Chief of Staff Former dean of the college of business Randy Edwards was named Interim Chief of Staff in July. Edwards is Chancellor Sheri N. Everts’ senior advisor and assists her in university initiatives and decision-making. “The way I see it, it’s problem solving for the chancellor,” Edwards said. “Her calendar is incredibly packed. I see my role as problem solving and spending more time researching issues, but she decides.” Edwards said he feels he is beneficial in this role due to his extensive experience and time at Appalachian State University. “I’m in my 32nd year as an employee at Appalachian,” he said. “I know a lot
about the structure, the campus and the faculty. Chancellor Everts is new. I feel that makes me an asset.” Edwards is originally from Crossnore, located in Avery County, where he remained while attending Appalachian as a first-generation college student. “Forty years ago this semester, I came to App,” Edwards said. “I commuted [from Crossnore] while in school, so I didn’t get the dorm experience.” Edwards earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in accounting from Appalachian, then went on to get his Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee. “I worked as an auditor for two and a half years, earned my CPA certification and came back to teach,” he said. “I worked at the university as a lecturer, then later went to Tennessee to get my Ph.D.” Edwards said he never considered teaching before being directly ap-
proached by the chair of accounting while earning his degree. “I never would have had the confidence to do that, but the department head had confidence in me,” he said. “That really changed my life.” He first joined the university’s business faculty in 1981, served as the accounting department’s chair for 13 years and most recently, as the dean of the Walker College of Business, for nine years. Plans for the future: Edwards said he is serving at the pleasure of the chancellor, and therefore is relying on her to develop campus initiatives, but will be providing support along the way. “I would like to maintain a student focus,” he said. “It’s the people at Appalachian that make it a special place. Very much a part of that is the individuals who work here, whatever role, very much care about the students.”
Mark Bachmeier, Human Resources Director Mark Bachmeier began serving as the university’s Human Resources Director August 11. Bachmeier’s role includes transactional work, administering benefits, hiring new faculty, compliance with rules and most everything that involves Appalachian State University faculty and staff. Bachmeier said he feels his main duty is, “to be responsible for the quality of experience that people have as employees at Appalachian, making the experience as satisfying and as good as it can be.” Bachmeier was born and raised in North Dakota. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Minot State University in sociology, then a master’s degree in the field
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