The Appalachian August 21, 2020

The Appalachian

August 21, 2020

Faculty senate votes no confidence in chancellor Pages 2

Campus Dining brings food truck feast to Sanford Mall Page 7

Football players, staff test positive for COVID-19 Page 9

Watauga County expects up to 12,000 absentee ballots as post office warns of delays Moss Brennan | Political Editor 12,000 people are expected to vote by mail in Watauga County this election season. With less than three months until Nov. 6 and the spread of coronavirus rampant, election officials are turning to one of the longest serving institutions: the post office.

But with budget cuts and congressional concerns, getting all mailed-in ballots counted on time may be difficult.

In a July 30 letter, the United States Post office warned North Carolina officials that under the current election laws in North Carolina, “certain deadlines for requesting and casting mail-in ballots are incongruous with the Postal Service’s delivery standards.”

North Carolina State Board of Elections Patrick Gannon said they will encourage voters to mail completed ballots back to their county board of elections no later than Oct. 27 to ensure they arrive on time.

Gannon also said absentee ballots can be returned by commercial courier services like UPS, FedEx or DHL. Watauga County Director of Elections Matt Snyder said that the postal service is saying it could take up to two weeks around election time for a ballot to get to the board of elections office.

Snyder said the BOE would start mailing out ballots to those who requested to absentee on Sept. 4. An absentee ballot can be requested until Oct. 27 and the Watauga County request form can be found here.

Once the absentee ballot is completed, Snyder said the voter can then mail it to the BOE office.

“If you’re concerned about the US Postal Service, you can drop it off at our office,” Snyder said. “You can drop it off at one stop sites as well and stay tuned in the future for maybe another option we’re working on.”

The only place an absentee ballot can be dropped off on Election Day is at the Watauga County BOE office.

Absentee ballots received after 5 p.m. on Election Day will be counted only if they are postmarked on or before Election Day and received by mail no later than 5 p.m. Nov. 6, according to the NCSBOE. Continued on page 4

“You can request an absentee ballot by mail and then if you choose to vote in person, you still have that option.”

Andy McLean

News Faculty senate passes no confidence resolution in Chancellor Sheri Everts’ leadership

August 21, 2020

Gianna Holiday | Associate News Editor App State Faculty Senate passed a resolution of no confidence in Chancellor Sheri Everts Monday after more than two hours of debate.

Michael Behrent, chair of faculty senate, began Monday’s meeting by clarifying that a vote of no confidence doesn’t mean a resignation from the chancellor, but is instead a symbolic vote.

The resolution, authored by Michael Hambourger, an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry, states that previous chancellors’ vision and communication skills have made App State one of the premier universities in the state of North Carolina. Everts, however, is “frequently isolated from and unable to effectively communicate with faculty” and has failed to strengthen the university’s finances, make transparent decisions, and unify the university community.

Hambourger wrote that many faculty members have expressed disappointment in the chancellor in the last three years over her delayed response to declining faculty salaries, and plans to reopen the university this fall caused further frustration.

In Monday’s faculty senate meeting, Hambourger said it’s a challenging time to lead. However, he said the chancellor’s priorities have not aligned with keeping students and faculty safe.

“In numerous instances, Chancellor Everts has shown herself more interested in protecting the university’s image than of protecting the university’s people or academic mission,” Hambourger said.

Hambourger argued that while diversity was one of Everts’ 2015 objectives, her response to the HB2 bathroom bill, which was passed in North Carolina came a full week after student sit-ins. He also acknowledged the chancellor’s 11-day silence after the murder of George Floyd before messaging students. Hambourger said this was followed by more silence

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leading up to the “insensitive mishandling of a July 21 meeting with the Black At App State coalition.”

Martha McCaughey, a professor in the Department of Sociology, said Everts has made decisions that are “detrimental” to the university.

“She chose to gut academics,” McCaughey said on Everts’ decision to not boost academic budgets and raise faculty salaries after the UNC System board of governors allowed faculty raises. “The chancellor and her team of extremely well compensated executive administrators told us that they can’t move money. This was not even true. We had to call them on it, and show them that they could move money.”

Other faculty members expressed frustration about the timing of the resolution.

“I’m not really sure what the purpose of a no confidence vote is. I personally think there’s a zero chance the board of governors are going to remove a chancellor right now here in this particular situation,” said Ray Williams, a professor in the biology department. “I guess I just feel like this is a little bit ill-timed, if not a lot ill-timed... But I think what is going to maybe allow us, the faculty senate, is to reevaluate ourselves and how we can be maybe trying to move some things forward in a better way in the future for ourselves.”

Benjamin Sibley, program director of health and physical education, said he and his colleagues in the Department of Recreation Management and Physical Education have always felt supported by the university, and said he sees the university working toward its enrollment goals.

Before the meeting, Everts and Interim Provost Heather Norris sent an email to members of the faculty senate after receiving a media inquiry related to the vote. They said they first wanted to communicate directly with faculty.

The email stated that no senior

level university administrators would attend Monday’s meeting because two members of the faculty senate are named as plaintiffs in a lawsuit against App State, the UNC System and Gov. Roy Cooper.

The email also reminded members that the board of trustees approved a vote of confidence in Everts, Norris, and Athletic Director Doug Gillin this summer.

Everts and Norris wrote that they have enjoyed departmental meetings with faculty and will continue to utilize them for communication.

“We need and want your input and will continue to seek it,” they wrote.

Read the full story online at www.theappalachianonline.com

Chancellor Sheri Everts addressing faculty at a special faculty senate meeting called to discuss the stagnation of salaries in February 2018.

Anna Muckenfuss

Town Council adopts ‘Mountainer Committee’ resolution, exposes students to local government Gianna Holiday | Associate News Editor

The Town Council supported the creation of a student committee, named the Mountaineer Committee, by SGA when the resolution was unanimously adopted on Aug. 18.

In this resolution, the Town Council will welcome regular communications with this student committee. The student committee is invited to request appearances before the Town Council at the Council’s regular meetings.

At its July Town Hall meeting, representative of the ASU Student Government Association, Adam Zebzda, requested the Boone Town Council to consider approving a resolution supporting student involvement in town affairs and create a student committee.

“The progress shown towards accomplishing our Mountaineer Committee has been promising and I appreciate your support and work even with everything else going on in the world,” student body president Michael Davis said.

The Town Council encouraged staff to take action in including a student position on the existing town committees’ new student committee.

However, the committee will look different than what was originally proposed.

This new approach avoids the need for the town to commit staff and resources to a new committee, while still increasing communication between the Town of Boone and students, as well as providing a way for students to en-

gage with local government.

Zebzda and Davis also expressed their frustration at the Town Council meeting regarding frequent, recent parties following students returning to Boone.

The pair plan to release a joint statement early next week while collaborating and modifying their strategy regarding the committee as needed.

“To ensure accountability at Appalachian, we will continue to pressure the Division of Student Affairs and Office of Student Conduct to hold students responsible when they compromise the wellbeing of the student body and overall community,” Zebzda said.

The Boone Town Council says it values student representation in town affairs. The Council expressed that it wishes to encourage and promote student education and participation in local civic and governmental affairs.

“SGA will be working with Boone and University Police to invigorate a community-wide education campaign on COVID safety while holding ourselves, students, and residents accountable,” Zebzda said. “This not only conserves valuable resources but also allows the avoidance of sanctions through voluntary compliance.”

SGA may consist of the people who serve as the student representatives on the Town committees, to serve as a vehicle for communication of student perspectives and priorities to the Town Council.

News

August 21, 2020

AppalCART maintains routes, services amid COVID-19 Cole Elledge | Reporter Papers line alternating seats to promote social distancing. Open ventilation circulates air through the bus.

App State students, now in masks, are riding AppalCART buses again.

Quint David, AppalCART Board chair, said ridership for the fall semester will likely be lower than average because of many classes being moved online.

“Rather than focus on our previous 2 million rides a year goal for this year, reducing overcrowding on buses is a much larger priority,” David said.

According to AppalCART’s website, operating bus routes were limited to Green, Red, Orange, Pop 105, and Purple routes on March 16th, the first

day of App State’s spring break extension due to COVID-19.

David said the board first officially discussed measures at their April meeting. Board members discussed the pandemic prior to the meeting.

On Aug. 10, AppalCART limited passenger capacity to 20 people on 35- 40 feet buses. On 30 feet buses, the limit stands at 15 people. AppalCART’s cutaway, or C-81, can carry 10 people.

Craig Hughes, director of AppalCART, said 24 stops were removed.

All of the stops were a short distance from another stop and many had low ridership.

“We encourage riders to take a

bus long before their class on campus begins to minimize potential full capacity issues and spread peak ridership around,” David said.

Charlie Wallin, AppalCART board member and Watauga County commissioner, said traffic in Watauga, “seemed to flow very well” generally.

“After 12 o’clock at night, the roads seem deserted,” Wallin said.

Hughes said implemented practices include wiping and spraying “touch areas” on buses, vans and in buildings. AppalCART’s fleet is deep cleaned every weekend.

Separation barriers behind bus operators and openable, retrofitted windows are just some addi-

tions to buses to stop the spread of COVID-19. Other changes include opening top roof vents and marking off seats for social distancing.

Passengers have been required to wear face coverings since June 29.

Masks are not required for passengers under the age of 10, or with medical or behavioral issues.

“When our drivers have encountered passengers who do not have a mask, our drivers have offered them one. Most passengers have been compliant,” Hughes said.

Hughes said employees are trained in cleaning vehicles, interacting safely with passengers and using personal protective equipment.

Each employee has their temperature checked and is screened daily for symptoms.

According to AppalCART’s website, masks are provided for all employees. All operators receive gloves.

Hughes said wearing masks is required for operators.

David said board decisions were informed by recommendations from the Federal Transit Administration, Center for Disease Control, and the local chamber of commerce.

“The thing is we want to make sure there are buses for everyone,” Wallin said.

Students concerned for Boone social scene, potential COVID-19 risk Gianna Holiday | Associate News Editor Thousands of students returning to Boone amid a pandemic means the Boone social scene changed quickly to socially distant bar lines and smaller groups of friends watching sunsets on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Students raised concerns about returning to campus with a possibility that some would ignore social distancing guidelines and get together in gatherings and parties. Gatheriings increase the likelihood of spreading COVID-19 among students living in residence halls and off-campus apartments, as well as in classrooms on campus.

On Aug. 14, Delta Chi fraternity was placed under Interim Suspension and a National Cease and Desist after throwing a party. The chapter is being investigated for violating a Joint Council Safety statement with regard to off-campus social gatherings as well as state and local orders.

The Student Government Association’s four governing councils released a statement Aug. 3 regarding social events. No in-person gatherings are allowed that exceed the North Carolina cap set in place of 10 people indoors and 25 outdoors.

Interfraternity Council President

Sam Haggard said events were originally going to be banned as a whole.

Now, events can take place in person so long as organizations mind restrictions and follow the law.

Since App State’s initial movein day on Aug. 10, numerous large gatherings hosted and attended by students have occurred, including the 200-person house party hosted

by Delta Chi on King Street late last week.

An anonymous source reported another off-campus party near Hatchet Coffee.

“I live a little ways from campus, and there was a huge party at a house down the street from me on Thursday night,” the source said.

“Looked to be about 30 cars packed on the driveway and spilling out onto the road. Saw a few people leaving, definitely looked like students.”

There have been reports of a few parties since the beginning of the semester, including Pi Kappa Alpha,

known as PIKE, which is a fraternity unaffiliated with the school.

“We are doing our best to try to sanction them through their nationals with the help of upper administration, but since we do not have jurisdiction it is hard for the Interfraternity Council to act accordingly,” said Haggard.

If fraternities desire to hold events, it is strongly recommended to be done through Zoom, and if not possible, they must follow proper social distancing guidelines, and with maintain capacities of 10 people indoors and 25 outdoors.

“Thankfully, most presidents understand the situation that we are in and I hope that they will stress to their members their actions of deciding to throw an event can affect the entire community,” Haggard said.

UNC-Chapel Hill has already moved all of its classes online for the semester after 177 students were iso-

“...though our age group is a lot less likely to be affected

by COVID-19 than others, we have to understand that it is easily spread...”

lated after testing as of Monday, and another 349 students were in quarantine because of possible exposure, according to the New York Times.

“I wholeheartedly believe that dangerous off campus events are what will make Boone the next Chapel Hill, not necessarily what happens between Rivers Street and King Street,” said Davis. “As much as people want to believe that our small mountain community is immune from many other problems that other towns and cities face, COVID is not one of them.”

Under Phase 2, Gov. Roy Cooper has placed limitations of gatherings of more than 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors.

The order gives law enforcement the authority to enforce this order. Students could be subject to student conduct violations upon citation for gathering in large groups.

Many health officials, faculty and staff also recognized that some students and residents would not take adequate precautions in preventing the spread of COVID-19. This includes wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and hand washing.

“If this spreads quickly and a sig-

nificant number of people get infected, the university will likely move to online classes only,” said Adam Newmark, faculty advisor of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. “This could result in serious health consequences for some people and significant loss of funding for the university, which could result in cancellation of programs, furloughs, pay cuts, and layoffs.”

A recent model by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation projected that if 95% of people wear masks, more than 66,000 lives would be saved by the end of the year.

“I would just like to stress how seriously the Interfraternity Council, especially myself, is handling any breakings of the rules that are in place,” Haggard said. “Even though our age group is a lot less likely to be affected by COVID-19 than others, we have to understand that it is easily spread and will in turn be able to strongly hurt the entire town of Boone and more.”

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News

August 21, 2020

» continued from page 1 Snyder said the BOE has seen an increase in the number of absentee ballot requests. The state, Snyder said, told them to expect around 40% of Watauga County voters to vote by mail.

“For us — based on 2016 numbers when we had about 30,000 people vote — that means we should expect 10 to 12,000 people to vote by mail,” Snyder said.

Snyder said they expect to pick up between 50-100 absentee ballot requests in the mail on a daily basis.

The BOE has had 1,244 absentee ballots requests as of mail pickup on Aug. 14 — which is the same number of people who voted absentee by mail in 2016.

According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, all registered voters can request an absentee ballot with no reason needed.

The NCSBOE has created a list of frequently asked questions about voting by mail that can be found here.

“Now, does that mean that if you request an absentee ballot by mail, you have to use that and you can’t vote in person? No, it does not,” Snyder said. “You can request an absentee ballot by mail and then if you choose to vote in person, you still have that option.”

A person cannot submit their absentee ballot and vote in person.

Snyder said all eligible absentee ballots are counted.

“It is not the case that they see how close the race is or are there a number of ballots to alter the outcome,” Snyder said. “We process every eligible ballot before we finalize or canvas our election, regardless of how close races are anything else.”

Absentee ballots are kept in a fireproof safe in the Watauga County BOE office and are retained for up to 22 months after an election. The only time the ballots are out, Snyder said, is when the bipartisan board is reviewing the forms for compliance.

WHERE TO SEND YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT IN WATAUGA COUNTY

BY MAIL: Watauga County Board of Elections PO Box 528 Boone, NC 28607

DROP OFF IN PERSON: 842 W. King St Suite 6 Boone, NC 28607

ONE STOP EARLY VOTING SITES (Oct. 15-31): •Blowing Rock Town Hall •Deep Gap Fire Department •Watauga Community Center in Foscoe •High Country Rentals on corner of Church Road and Hwy 105 •Watauga County Administration Building •App State campus (TBD Aug. 31)

Graphic by Efrain Arias-Medina Jr.

College democrats and republicans plan for upcoming election Abi Pepin | Senior Political Correspondent Even though COVID-19 has affected many people, events and everyday routines throughout the country, Election Day is still fast approaching.

The App State College Democrats and Republicans are working hard to plan ahead for what Nov. 3 could look like.

Dalton George, president of App State College Democrats, said the group will experiment with different ways to keep members engaged while holding virtual meetings, instead of their usual in-person meetings every Thursday.

In comparison, River Collins, president of App State College Republicans, said his group will meet in person and enforce face coverings, social distancing and other school guidelines. The senior political science major said he hopes to find a large meeting room to welcome new members.

Collins said they will put a “heavy emphasis” on spreading their message around campus through advertisements, posters and flyers.

George said they are very active on social media and encourage other

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students to virtually get involved.

Both George and Rivers said they’re going to focus on voter registration this election year.

“I think it’s really important to make Watauga continue with the trend of being blue,” George said.

“Winning up and down the ballot.”

In the 2016 election, the Democratic nominees for president and governor won the majority votes in Watauga County. However, the Republican nominee for House of Representatives and Senate won the majority votes. North Carolina voted Republican in the 2016 presidential election.

Both club presidents said they are unsure how Election Day will play out.

“I don’t know how they’re going to handle the election on campus,” Collins said. “I’m going to try and get a bunch of members together so we can all go in and represent our club on Election Day.” George said he hopes members of the organization are able to direct people on campus to the election

site and hand out sample ballots — while practicing social distancing — on Election Day. “Traditionally, App State has had a really high youth turnout,” George said. “With classes possibly being moved online and the possibility of freshmen being sent home, we want to continue to encourage young

people to vote regardless.”

George said young voters can change the election and he hopes to encourage students who don’t normally vote to get involved.

According to NPR, 40% of the state’s seven million registered voters are under the age of 40. These young voters have potential to turn the state

BIDEN HARRIS

TRUMP PENCE

“blue” in the November election.

In Watauga County, the young voter turnout, ages 18 to 24, increased from 2014 to 2018 by 21.3%.

“When you get everybody voting, you get a lot of different people voting with different perspectives,” George said. “Then we will see different outcomes.”

According to Comparative Study of Electoral Systems, the United States has the biggest gap between the youngest and oldest voters, than any other country.

Collins said he thinks it’s always important for students to vote, not just in this specific election.

“Generally speaking, politicians overlook the younger population because we are so politically apathetic,” Collins said.

“It’s always important to have your voice heard in elections,” Collins said. “It will be particularly interesting to see if we continue in America’s trend of reelecting presidents or if it will be disrupted.”

News

August 21, 2020

COVID-19 Schedules and Restrictions Campus Hot Spots Jake Markland | Reporter

Dining Hall Food Trucks will be available to students on Sanford Monday through Friday. Students can order on GrubHub with their AppCard.

Higher Grounds Coffee 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Bettys Biscuits 7:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Village Inn Pizza 11 a.m - 2 p.m.

Cardinal Burger Wagon 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Roess Dining Hall Hours Monday - Friday: 10:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Saturday - Sunday: 11 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Trivette Dining Hall Hours Open Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday: 8 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

McCallisters,Trivette Open Sunday - Thursday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Closed Friday & Saturday McCallisters, Plemmons Student Union Open Monday - Thursday: 11a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Friday Hours: 11 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday: CLOSED

Belk Library Students must swipe into the building with their App Card Card Swipe In Group Study Rooms are not available to reserve Audio, video and virtual reality Rooms are closed Printing and Technology Checkout available during new hours Open Monday - Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.

Friday Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Saturday: Closed Sunday Hours: 2 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Writing Center Hours

Open Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Also open online Friday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. by appointment

Markets (Bookstore & Trivette): Bookstore, Plemmons Student Union

Open Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 12 a.m.

Saturday & Sunday Hours: 1 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Trivette

Open Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 12 a.m.

Saturday & Sunday Hours: 5 p.m. - 12 a.m.

Appalachian Panhellenic Hall

Cascades, Plemmons Student Union Open Monday - Thursday:7:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Friday Hours:7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday: CLOSED Crossroads Coffeehouse, Plemmons Student Union Open Monday - Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Friday Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Saturday Hours: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Sunday Hours: 2 p.m. - 9 p.m.

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Graphic by Efrain Arias-Medina Jr.

Open Monday - Friday: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday: CLOSED

Bookstore Open Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday Hours: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m

News

August 21, 2020

Rivers Street Ale House employees test positive for COVID-19, reopens four days after Emily Broyles | News Editor

Located next to the Student Recreation Center on Rivers Street, Rivers Street Ale House is temporarily closed after several of its employees tested positive for COVID-19.

Mickey Hutchings

Protect yourself with these preventative measures: • Frequent hand washing • Staying home when you’re sick • Keeping distance from others who are sick • Avoiding touching your face • Cleaning and disinfecting high touch surfaces in common areas like doorknobs, remotes, light switches, tables and handles

Five employees of Rivers Street Ale House have tested positive for COVID-19, according to a press release from AppHealthCare. Employees are in isolation and recovering at home.

AppHealthCare is encouraging people that visited the restaurant and bar between Aug. 4 and Aug. 13 to monitor COVID-19 symptoms and be tested. Symptoms can appear two to 14 days after initially being exposed to the virus.

“It is important for the community to know that we are making this public announcement for the reason of narrowing our efforts to identify those at risk,” said Jennifer Greene, AppHealthCare health director. “Rivers Street Ale House is not named due to any action or inaction on their part or identified ongoing public health risk with frequenting their establishment.

We appreciate their ongoing partnership in this response effort.”

Since the cases, Rivers Street Ale House has decided to close. Owners Jeff Lamont and Justin Davis said they had managed to “dodge the COVID bullet,” until recently.

Lamont and Davis said Rivers Street Ale House has taken extensive measures to prevent COVID-19: - free masks available to customers that may not have one - bouncers monitoring social distancing and 50% capacity - “constant cleaning and sterilization” - Count On Me NC training - digital menus and socially distanced tables available to patrons -expanded outdoor seating -mask/hygiene reminders throughout the establishment

-requirement for staff to wear masks and gloves at all times “We look forward to working with the Health Department to re-open in as safe a fashion as possible. We greatly appreciate your support during these crazy times. We have always and will continue to do all we can to keep our staff, customers and the High Country community safe,” Lamont and Davis said in a statement.

Rivers Street Ale House reopened Aug. 19 for take out only, four days after it’s initial announcement of the positive cases. The restaurant said it’s “gone through all of the proper guidance.”

“Your support and concern has been overwhelming. Our staff is doing great,” the restaurant said in an Instagram post. “We can assure you we have taken every precaution...we cannot wait to see you!”

COVID-19 signs & symptoms: • Fever or chills • Cough • Shortness of breath • Fatigue • Muscle or body aches • Headache • New loss of taste or smell • Sore throat • Congestion or runny nose • Nausea or vomiting • Diarrhea

If you are concerned about symptoms you might be experiencing, contact Student Health Service at (828) 262-3100 or AppHealthCare at (828) 264-4995, ext. 0.

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A&C

August 21, 2020

Food truck feast:

Campus Dining introduces new dining options Ansley Puckett | Arts & Culture Editor Students will have an unexpected obstacle in their way as they walk across Sanford Mall this semester: four large trucks.

However, the parking location is no accident. Campus Dining has partnered with four local food trucks to give students and staff alternative dining options. Betty’s Biscuits, Village Pizza Inn, Higher Grounds Coffee and the Cardinal Burger Wagon will now be parked on Sanford Mall on weekdays during peak meal hours.

Although these partnerships are new, the restaurants are not strangers to App State and its students.

Tina Houston, owner of Betty’s Biscuits, said the truck’s partnership comes from a long history of working with the university.

“Part of our mission and our guiding principles of my company are fun, respect, innovation and community, and (App State) really fits that community piece quite well,” Houston said.

Not only are these new options available throughout the week, but they also originated right here in Boone and serve the Boone community when not on campus.

According to Campus Dining, it was important to work with local restaurants in order to continue the supporting-local-business culture.

For senior Robert Montgomery, partnering with local businesses is a great way for App State and its students to give back to the community.

“I think supporting local businesses, especially in this area, is important because I think Appalachian needs to give back to the Boone community in a lot of ways, and a lot of times we don’t do that as much as we should,” Montgomery said.

In addition to its partnership with the food trucks, Campus Dining has also partnered with the app Grubhub, an app students may have become familiar with when stuck on campus without a car.

Grubhub allows customers to order ahead and pick up orders without waiting in line. Customers must use the Grubhub app to order from the food trucks but can adjust their pick up time to fit their schedule.

Houston said adjusting to using the app has had its challenges, but she believes that students are not only catching on to the new dining options, but also to a coronavirus campus.

“I think it will get better and better, which is great,” Houston said. “I think a lot of students are just figuring out how to go back to school, I mean all of this is super weird for you guys.”

Students can also view menus and order ahead on the Grubhub app at any Campus Dining location.

Haley Glover, a freshman, said using the menu feature on the app has helped her understand that she has more options than just the everyday dining hall food.

“I’ve used (Grubhub) every day. I think it is really beneficial and helpful to see the options that we have online, right in front of our faces all the time,” Glover said.

Students can also continue to enjoy the Boone weather while eating their food truck meals outside and avoiding the crowded spaces of a dining hall.

To Hailey White, a freshman, having the food trucks on campus makes her feel safer than having to walk into a dining hall.

“You don’t have to interact as much, and you just order off Grubhub and go,” White said. “I haven’t really eaten much at the dining hall except for once or twice, but we’ve just been getting food trucks for the most part.”

According to Campus Dining, these partnerships will “alleviate capacity constraints for the dining halls,” but for Montgomery, the food trucks offer more than just a safer eating alternative.

“I think it is a good idea because we have more of a variety of food,” Montgomery said.

Looking toward the future, Houston hopes to continue to give students variety without the circumstances of a global pandemic.

“We’re happy that they know what our business model is and trust it and dig it enough to have it on campus,” Houston said.

Students will have an unexpected obstacle in their way as they walk across Sanford Mall this semester: four large trucks.

However, the parking location is no accident. Campus Dining has partnered with four local food trucks to give students and staff alternative dining options. Betty’s Biscuits, Village Pizza Inn, Higher Grounds Coffee and the Cardinal Burger Wagon will now be parked on Sanford Mall on weekdays during peak meal hours.

Cardinal food truck on Sanford Mall. Students are required to use the Grub Hub app to purchase items from the food trucks.

Jesse Barber

Although these partnerships are new, the restaurants are not strangers to App State and its students.

Tina Houston, owner of Betty’s Biscuits, said the truck’s partnership comes from a long history of working with the university.

“Part of our mission and our guiding principles of my company are fun, respect, innovation and community, and (App State) really fits that community piece quite well,” Houston said.

Not only are these new options available throughout

Matthew Scott, owner of Higher Grounds Coffee, informs a student of how to order on the Grub Hub app that is required for purchasing items from the food trucks.

Jesse Barber

and serve the Boone community when not on campus.

According to Campus Dining, it was important to work with local restaurants in order to continue the supporting-local-business culture.

For senior Robert Montgomery, partnering with local businesses is a great way for App State and its students to give back to the community.

“I think supporting local businesses, especially in this area, is important because I think Appalachian needs to give back to the Boone community in a lot of ways, and a lot of times we don’t do that as much as we should,” Montgomery said.

In addition to its partnership with the food trucks, Campus Dining has also partnered with the app Grubhub, an app students may have become familiar with when stuck on campus without a car.

Grubhub allows customers to order ahead and pick up orders without waiting in line. Customers must use the Grubhub app to order from the food trucks but can adjust their pick up time to fit their schedule.

Houston said adjusting to using the app has had its challenges, but she believes that students are not only catching on to the new dining options, but also to a coronavirus campus.

“I think it will get better and better, which is great,” Houston said. “I think a lot of students are just figuring out how to go back to school, I mean all of this is super weird for you guys.”

Students can also view menus and order ahead on the Grubhub app at any Campus Dining location.

Haley Glover, a freshman, said using the menu feature on the app has helped her understand that she has more options than just the everyday dining hall food.

“I’ve used (Grubhub) every day. I think it is really beneficial and helpful to see the options that we have online, right in front of our faces all the time,” Glover said.

Students can also continue to enjoy the Boone weather while eating their food truck meals outside and avoiding the crowded spaces of a dining hall.

Read the full story online at www.theappalachianonline.com

the week, but they also originated right here in Boone

7

Sports

August 21, 2020

“We were so ready”

App State field hockey deals with postponement of their season Silas Albright | Sports Editor The Mid-American Conference announced the postponement of all fall sports on Aug. 8 due to the pandemic. While most teams at App State are part of the Sun Belt Conference, field hockey is a member of the MAC. The plan is for the postponed sports to take place in the spring, but with the ever-changing status of the pandemic, nothing is 100% certain.

“It was a tough day for sure,” senior midfielder/forward and team captain Meghan Smart said.

“Everyone that I was with called their parents right away. A lot of us cried.

We didn’t do anything for the rest of the day, just trying to process what was happening.”

In 2019, the App State field hockey team had their most successful season in over a decade, finishing with the most wins in a season since 2003 to be exact. The Mountaineers opened the season with a six-game winning streak before finishing the year at 11-9.

In the 2019 MAC tournament quarterfinals, Smart scored the game-winning golden goal in overtime to give App State a 5-4 win over Ohio. Although they fell 2-0 to Miami (Ohio) in the next round, it marked the third straight year the Mountaineers reached the semifinals of the tournament.

The 2020 roster features returning leadership and experience from that 2019 team: eight of the nine players that started in at least 15 of the Mountaineers’ 20 games last year are returning.

“We were so ready. We were training hard in the spring, we were ready to take it to the next level,” Smart said.

“Especially as seniors, we’ve grown so much and helped grow this program

8

to be the best that it’s ever been. This news at different times and in different year was the year that we were ready ways, which complicated the situation to become MAC Champions.” even more.

Senior midfielder/defender and Sixth-year head coach Meghan 2019 first team all-MAC selection An- Dawson texted in the team group chat nette Jarosz felt similarly. She pointed about an hour before the MAC postout how the year before she arrived on ed their official statement, saying she campus, the team only won one game was going to be sending out an emerthe entire season. gency Zoom link within the next five How far the team came to reach minutes. the success they had in Half of the team, “They’re 2019, paired with how including Smart, was many key players were resilient, they’re able to get on the Zoom set to return for their already back on call and hear the news senior seasons in 2020, at once from their gave the team excite- the field having coach, but the other ment to get on the field fun with each half of the team was and compete. out on an adventure to other” “We thought this Compression Falls withwas definitely going to be our year,” Ja- out reliable cell service. rosz said. “Everyone was really excitJarosz was part of the group out ed, everyone had bought into the pro- hiking when the news of the postponegram and everyone was committed. So ment broke. it’s frustrating that it got pushed back, Jarosz said the group at Comespecially with it being our senior year. pression Falls was in good spirits but This is our last chance.” tired out after making the climb from The players found out about the the falls back up to the parking area.

As a member of the Mid-American Conference, App State’s field hockey season has been postponed from the fall to the spring.

Courtesy of App State Athletics

App State defeated Ohio 5-4 in overtime in the MAC Tournament semifinals.

Courtesy of App State Athletics

One of her teammates received a text from a friend saying something along the lines of ‘Hey, I just heard, I’m so sorry about your season.’

“That was the only thing that got through, so we were all kinda panicking,” Jarosz said.

The group got in their cars and began the 40-minute drive through the backroads to get back to Boone and better reception. Eventually, one of the phones got service and they were able to read the messages from their coach.

“We were all kind of just in shock, just because we weren’t really expecting it on a Saturday morning,” Jarosz said.

Dawson said she found out the news through social media, rather than through official communication from the MAC. Someone in the group chat of MAC field hockey coaches sent a leaked source saying that MAC football had been canceled.

“As an olympic sport coach, you know that if football is canceled, you’re definitely getting canceled,” Dawson said.

After receiving the info from the leaked source, she got on the phone with Athletic Director Doug Gillin and a support administrator to try to

find out if the report was true.

“I wanted to try and be the one that tells our team, because this is heartbreaking news when they’ve been training all summer and all spring to try to be as prepared as possible for our season and to compete at the highest level,” Dawson said.

Dawson said she felt especially bad for the seniors when she heard the news of the postponement.

“When you hear that news, you just think of like, this is their senior year,” Dawson said. “With olympic sports, there is no playing like this at the next level unless you go onto the national team. This is kind of like what you do all those years for.”

The plan as of now is for the App State field hockey season to take place in the spring, and until then, the Mountaineers will continue working at what they love.

“They’re resilient, they’re already back on the field having fun with each other” Dawson said. “No coaches are out there telling them they have to.

They’re out there because they love it, and I think that’s really cool.”

Sports

August 21, 2020

11 active COVID-19 cases among opponents to 2020 football slate individuals involved with App State football Mountaineers add three new non-conf.

Silas Albright | Sports Editor

App State football announced two new matchups with former Southern Conference rival Marshall on Monday: one on Sept. 19 of this year in Huntington, WV, and another set for Sept. 8, 2029 in Boone.

“I fondly remember our games against Marshall during my playing days,” App State head coach Shawn Clark, who started on the Mountaineers offensive line from 1994-98, said in a press release. “It was an incredible rivalry then, and we are excited to renew the rivalry now.”

This year’s matchup with Marshall is App State’s third replacement for its four originally scheduled non-conference games. The other two replacement games are Sept. 12, against Charlotte, and Sept. 26, against Campbell, both of which will be in Boone.

The Mountaineers were originally scheduled to play Wisconsin, Wake Forest, Massachusetts and Morgan State in 2020 before the pandemic changed plans.

Marshall and App State played 21 times between 1977-96 while both schools were in the SoCon. App State won 14 of those 21 games during that time, but lost the most recent match-

up between the two schools. The Thundering Herd won 50-17 in 2002. App State leads the overall series 14-8.

The all-time series between the Mountaineers and Charlotte doesn’t have quite as much history, since Charlotte football’s first FBS season was in 2015. App State leads the series 2-0, winning 45-9 in 2018 on the road, and winning 5641 a season ago at Kidd Brewer.

“I would like to thank Mike Hill (Charlotte’s AD) and his team for working with us to get this scheduled in what is a very fluid situation for all of us,” App State Director of Athletics Doug Gillin said. “This matchup makes sense for both schools.”

Campbell is App State’s only FCS opponent scheduled in 2020 and the Mountaineers are 2-0 against the Camels all-time. The Mountaineers won 20-6 in 1931 and 66-0 in 2014.

The Sun Belt conference is allowing its members to add up to four new non-conference opponents, so there’s a chance the Mountaineers could still fill that fourth slot with another game.

But for now, App State’s season is set to kickoff Sept. 12 against Charlotte at Kidd Brewer Stadium.

s u s r e v

From inside the locker room, @coach_sclark and @ZachParkerATC have done a great job providing a safe environment for us to be successful and healthy!

Don’t believe everything you all are reading out there!

— Noah Hannon (@HannonNoah) August 19, 2020

Just another bump in the road. Don’t believe everything you hear! As a team we are safer in our facilities than any other student on campus. Let us play — Zac Thomas (@Zac_Thomas14) August 19, 2020

Silas Albright | Sports Editor A cluster of 11 individuals involved with the App State football program have active COVID-19 cases, the university and AppHealthCare announced. Seven of the individuals are students and the other four are staff members.

After consultation with AppHealthCare and Chancellor Sheri Everts, Director of Athletics Doug Gillin suspended practice until “further consultation warrants a change in status.”

“We can confirm there are 34 individuals, consisting of 30 athletes and 4 staff, associated with App State’s football team who have tested positive since June,” AppHealthCare Director of Communications Melissa Bracey wrote in an email.

There are 109 players currently listed on App State’s roster, so according to AppHealthCare, 27.5% of the roster has tested positive for the virus since June.

AppHealthCare has instructed the individuals to recover in isolation and public health staff have identified close contacts. Close contacts are defined as people who have been within six feet of an infected person for longer than 15 minutes.

Close contacts have been instructed to quaran-

tine and are being provided access to testing.

Fall training camp started Aug. 7 for the Mountaineers, so by definition, most members of the football team and staff would be classified as close contacts.

Four-year starting center Noah Hannon said in a tweet that head coach Shawn Clark and head athletic trainer Zach Parker “have done a great job providing a safe environment for us to be successful and healthy.” He also told fans not to believe everything they are reading.

Starting quarterback Zac Thomas also weighed in, tweeting “As a team we are safer in our facilities than any other student on campus.

Let us play.”

The university currently has 46 total active cases, including 40 students and six employees, according to the App State COVID-19 dashboard. With the announcement of this cluster, the amount of confirmed active cases has dropped by seven.

App State Athletics did not respond in time for publication when reached for comment on the Aug. 18 announcement.

This is a developing story.

9

Sports

August 21, 2020

Former App State pitcher Jack Hartman

signs with Pittsburgh Pirates

Former App State pitcher Jack Hartman signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, June 29. He was drafted 108th overall in the fourth round of this year’s MLB Draft.

Courtesy of App State Athletics/Courtesy of Pittsburg Pirates

Kaiden Smith | Reporter App State pitcher Jack Hartman made history when he was picked 108th in this year’s MLB draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He became the fourth-highest pick in App State history and the highest pick the Mountaineers have had since 1986. He was the second college senior picked in this year’s draft and the second-highest player picked from the Sun Belt Conference.

Not to mention, this year’s draft was shortened from 40 rounds to 5 rounds due to the outbreak of COVID-19, making him one of just 160 prospects taken this year. In a regular 40 round draft, over 1,200 prospects are selected.

Despite all of this, Hartman’s journey that led him to getting drafted may be more impressive than this history he’s made.

“It keeps me more consistent, I realize that things sometimes happen literally for a reason, it’s so cliche but you kind of have to accept it,” Hartman said. “Keep going and trust your process, again another cliche, but literally just trust what you do and if it didn’t work out that’s just unfortunate, but it keeps me sane.”

Hartman’s baseball journey started in the suburbs of Detroit

8

where he began playing T-ball at 3 years old. He eventually moved to Georgia and, as a high schooler, a variety of power five schools recruited him as an infielder, but unfortunately backed away after his lack of progression his junior year.

“Schools started to abandon me and it really sucked,” Hartman said. “They just didn’t like my actions in the infield, but people still saw potential so I ended up going to junior college.”

Tallahassee Community College was Hartman’s choice, and in 2017 he batted .267 with 34 RBI’s as an infielder. But despite these solid numbers, Hartman found himself transferring out of TCC after the season.

“Tallahassee was not a great experience for me,” Hartman said.

“I struggled to find out who I was as a player, a lot of back forth with the coach there and I could tell you a lot of stories. But I just didn’t have a great time there with the school, and the town, and the people, and it just wasn’t my fit.”

His next stop was Dothan, Alabama, where he attended Wallace Community College, but not for long. Hartman described his

experience there as “brutal” and similar to the one in Tallahassee, so he transferred after the fall semester before baseball season even began.

In a year and a half, Hartman made many changes to his game from a performance standpoint, but with no success. This plus the negative environments he was surrounded by almost led him to quitting baseball entirely.

“I almost gave it up, and I’m glad I didn’t, but it was almost me giving up on the dream, which would’ve been a really bad decision looking back,” Hartman said.

Just one month after almost walking away from the game he loved, Hartman gave his dream one more chance when he tried out for the College of Central Florida’s baseball team. They didn’t offer him initially, but in a lastditch effort to earn a scholarship, he did something that would change the trajectory of his career: he got on the mound and pitched.

“I had a couple ‘get me over’ innings in high school and I pitched two to four (innings) my whole four years in high school, just screw-around innings, really,” Hartman said.

Despite his lack of pitching experience, CCF’s coaches saw potential in him and offered him a scholarship; and in the middle of their spring season Hartman made his first appearance on the mound.

“I was able to do some pretty cool things that first time pitching ever. They threw me out there in the middle of the season— it’s junior college, anything can happen,” Hartman said. “I didn’t have the great statistical season, but it was my first time pitching ever, and there was potential, so people believed in me and they kept throw-

“...there’s nothing that’s really gonna stop me from keeping on going.”

Sports

August 21, 2020

er, his name appeared on the TV confirming that his dream was coming true.

Not too bad for a kid that had only been pitching for two and a half years.

“I told my parents this when I got drafted: it was pretty exciting, but the next day it didn’t feel very real, I was at the beach and was like ‘this doesn’t seem right,’” Hartman said.

A couple weeks later, it felt more real for Hartman when he visited his new home field, PNC Park in Pittsburgh, to sign with the Pirates.

“They rolled the red carpet out, it was awesome,” Hartman said. “I was able to go sign in the office at the field, got to do a tour after I signed and they were just really great people that really took care of me and my dad real well,” Hartman said.

From being abandoned by college coaches in high school, or attending four different colleges in four years, or switching to pitcher after 15 years of playing shortstop; Hartman’s journey to becoming an MLB player was far from easy, and many times even looked impossible.

“I realize now that nothing can really surprise me and nothing’s really going to get me too upset in the large picture, because I’ve already dealt with so much and other people have dealt with way more,” Hartman said. “So there’s nothing that’s really gonna stop me from keeping on going.”

Jack Hartman pitching for App State.

Photo by Jay Crain

ing me out there.”

In 22 innings, Hartman went 2-0 with 14 strikeouts, and other colleges started to see his potential as well. After a video of him pitching surfaced across the recruiting world, Hartman received around 20 offers in just one week. From those offers, Hartman chose to attend Appalachian State.

App State is where Hartman took a leap as a pitcher, evolving from having a lot of potential to being a real threat to hitters when he was on the mound. He worked with multiple coaches and trainers in the offseason to assess his pitching, refine his body movement, and increase his strength, mobility and stability as a pitcher. Hartman also worked with App State’s sport psychologist, Dr. Jacob Cooper, to refine the mental part of his game.

“I think baseball is extremely mental, on the mound at least,” Hartman said. “I started working with him in the fall as well and he kind of opened up that toolbox for me of how to be more mentally strong.”

In his first season at App, Hartman’s off-season work ethic paid off, establishing himself as a effective pitcher, posting an ERA of 4.98 with 26 strikeouts in 21.2 innings.

In 2020, he built off of this: in the first 17 games, Hartman pitched 12 innings with an ERA of 3.00. He also tied the team high with 22 strikeouts, three of which were in the last inning in an upset win at No. 24 Wake Forest. But unfortunately, due to the outbreak of COVID-19,

all spring sports including baseball were canceled, ending Hartman’s senior season early and unexpectedly.

Hartman quickly had to decide what to do with his future: he ranked in the top 300 on multiple MLB prospect lists. But, with the draft shortening from 40 rounds and over 1,000 picks to five rounds and just 160 picks, he weighed out all his options.

“There were a lot of different variables that nobody has dealt with before, so the best way to describe it was a blurry, confusing time,” Hartman said. “And especially with the state of the country, I didn’t really know what was going on.”

Hartman’s vision was blurred by many things; the frustration of having his final season cut short, the selfdoubt of potentially not getting drafted, the conflict of possibly signing as a free agent or coming back to App State for another season (since the NCAA granted spring athletes another year of eligibility).

These were tough times for Hartman, but adversity was nothing new to him, and on June 11 his blurry vision would get a lot clearer.

While on a beach vacation with his girlfriend, Hartman glued himself to the TV for day two of the MLB draft. And after a few hours, he got a call from his advisor saying the Pittsburgh Pirates wanted to select him with the 108th pick of the draft. After discussing the details of his contract Hartman said “let’s do it,” and moments lat-

“...it was my first time pitching ever, and there was potential, so people believed in me...”

11

Opinion

August 21, 2020

caleb’s

CONCEPTS How René Descartes will help overthinkers ace their exam Caleb Garbuio | Opinion Editor The first day of class could not have gotten off to a worse start. AsULearn crashed as students frantically attempted to access the website and . University of North Carolina Chapel-Hill suspended in-person classes causing uncertainty about App State continuing to host in-person classes. Unfortunately, exams will still happen, however, René Descartes is here to save the day Born in Renaissance France, René Descartes offered a then-revolutionary way of learning through introspection. In his 1637 book “Discourse of Method,” Descartes elaborates on the necessity of alone time to gather your thoughts, discover yourself and create new ideas in the process.

Contrary to previous philosophers, like Plato and Aristotle, Descartes argued in favor of individuals thinking through problems as opposed to logical proofs.

In the spirit of Descartes, I will use my experience to highlight the importance of intuition on tests. There are times when I have gotten an answer wrong on an exam because I overanalyzed my answer. I reason myself out of answers more in line with my instincts. Yet I am not the only student to over analyze a test. Psychological research suggests that our memories are unreliable and prone to bias. For example, when I am taking a multiple-choice test I always second-guess myself when I have circled many of the same letter in a row. I find myself thinking “this cannot be the case” and will go back and change one of the answers to find out later that it was right all along.

Herein is the intuition paradox. While my first response was correct, I changed my mind after seeing a pattern of similarity. My mind

16

began looking for mistakes when there were none.

I wound up changing my answer resulting in a poor decision. In his 2012 book, “Righteous Mind,” Moral Psychologist Jonathan Haidt refers to “reason as the servant of the passions.” This means that reasoning steers an emotional response, the way a charioteer steers a chariot. Therefore, mastering your emotions is key to mastering reasoning.

In his 2005 book “Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking,” Malcolm Gladwell highlights the importance that emotional intelligence is.

In one instance, Gladwell discusses the J. Paul Getty Museum’s 1983 purchase of an ancient Greek statue. The statue was flawless and cost the museum a hefty sum of money after it passed numerous archaeological tests. However, one art historian that saw the statue realized it was fake immediately. Years later it became clear that the dealer had falsified the documents proving the statue’s legitimacy.

It is important to note that the people that knew that the statue was fake immediately were art experts.They had studied art for a long period of time and had an immediate response that something wasn’t right. The same should be for studying, study hard and when exam time comes, trust your “gut.”

Unfortunately, Descartes’ reliance on pure intuition is wrong because it is possible to reason yourself out of right answers. However, the beauty of Descartes method is that he advocates for you to sit down and think as a method for learning. To think about your emotions and practice mastering them, so that when we are in an exam you will have the confidence to trust your instinct.

What does the

coronavirus mean for small businesses?

Ethan Murphy | Opinion Writer

Virus cases continue to grow across the country, but what does that mean for small businesses in a college town like Boone?

Managing the spread of COVID-19 poses a challenge in itself, but considering the returning student population of around 20,000, it is futile. This will not only hurt those directly impacted by the illness, but local businesses as well.

Normally, a spike in the population presents greater opportunity for small businesses as more people visit their shops. Now, the uptick in residents poses a threat to those who don’t follow safety regulations while out.

It doesn’t take an economist to figure out that an unwell population stimulates the economy significantly less than a healthy one. More, if numerous employees contract the virus, businesses would have to shut down or slow services greatly at the very least as seen with Ale House.

Even if customers maintain their health, these times have only increased the sense of isolation and

paranoia pervading modern society.

As people go out less in accordance with safety measures, social interaction falls to almost nothing. All at a time when family and friendships seem the most integral to one’s mental health.

In short, even without widespread cases across Watauga County, small businesses will suffer with tourism bringing in over $240 million in 2016. Presuming this an indicator of things to come for counties across America, as tourism slows so too will the national and global economy will decline as well.

I will not go so far as to say that this will trigger something like a depression, but the future has reached new heights of uncertainty. As people move forward, so must the businesses that employ them and sustain them. Without a healthy and outgoing population, local businesses have no market, but without local businesses, people lose their consumptive choice—something integral to a society depending on free markets and the exchange of goods.

Submit

letters to the editor to editor@theappalachianonline.com

Opinion

August 21, 2020

Letter to the Editor Welcome to App Victoria Moreno, Director of Wellness | Student Government Association Did anyone have any of 2020 on their 2020 bingo card? A pandemic? Killer hornets? Nightly fireworks to no end? No? Me neither. But this is where we are — a pandemic, presidential election year, societal unrest — all while moving to Appalachian and starting classes. We are living in a time that, literally, is unparalleled. How do we navigate this, you may ask? Together. We are all in this together (cue my High School Musical fans).

App State emphasizes the importance of community and creating a culture of care on our campus. For some, they get to experience this: these years are the best years of their lives. For others, we are still waiting. So far, we have witnessed students silenced, faculty and staff outraged, and an administration with perceived deaf ears and an apathetic personality. We enter our first week of classes with an increasing uncertainty of our duration on this campus, of how much “college” we can pack into our time here before we are called home and forced to re-enroll in Zoom University, starting or finishing our years on this campus this way. All of this on top of our regular worries of college: building relationships, passing classes, graduating, adulting. Now, more than ever, it is time to delineate that App State is a community with a culture of care. We must show

that we stand with those who are feeling anything less than what was promised, that we may not agree with having to wear a mask, limit social interactions, and practice social distancing, but for the safety of others and ourselves, we will abide by these principles (social contract vibes anyone?). Work with each other, and work with me.

In strength lies numbers, and that is what is needed: a community of people who care, working together.

As your Director of Wellness of our Student Government Association, I can only emphasize the importance of navigating this together and urge you to think of others when going about your day.

All of our actions impact everyone around us. We must strive to check in with ourselves, check in with others, and try to be as well as possible. This is where we are - the unknown. And only together can we pull through.

For more information on campus resources and learn more about how to navigate this time at App State, please visit www. appstate.edu/coronavirus

If submitting a letter to the editor, be sure to include your name, phone number, email address, and classification if any, in the message space above. An editor will contact you to confirm your identity. Letters must be 250 words or fewer. Please indicate whether the message is intended for publication. Letters are subject to abridgment.

Thank you for your feedback.

If you have not received a response within 48 hours of your submission, please contact editor@theappalachianonline.com

13

Opinion

August 21, 2020

Stop saying the phrase

“Freshman 15”

Jean Holman | Opinion Writer According to the Eating Disorders Coalition, 30 million people in the United States have had or currently have an eating disorder. An eating disorder is a mental illness where a person has unhealthy eating habits that affect their emotional and physical well-being. People with eating disorders may deny they have an issue. This is seen in many college students who struggle balancing their meals and fitness. There is evidence that freshmen gain weight during their first year.

This is often referred to as the “Freshman 15.” This phrase distorts how people view health and body image. First-year students may gain more weight than upperclassmen, but that does not mean students should view weight gain as inevitable. Keep in mind, your weight does not define who you are. Using terms like “Freshman 15” implies weight gain is part of your identity when it is not. The phrase normalizes eating disorders, essentially making them seem OK and “normal” to experience.

Based on a study about college

weight gain, freshmen usually gain two to four pounds during their first year. Why does this happen? Stress and the freedom to eat whatever you want can change eating habits. Many students do not know how to maintain a balanced diet and healthy exercise. Some people may not even try because they think “Well, all freshmen gain weight anyways, so it’s bound to happen to me.” “Freshman 15” needs to stop being used in college because it may pressure students to restrict themselves or develop a binge-eating disorder.

One report explained that “only about one third of people with an eating disorder ever receive treatment.” Another article described a female who was previously treated for anorexia nervosa in high school. When she filled out an athlete evaluation concerning her well-being, she implied she was healthy. However, once at college, she returned to restrictive eating habits and over-exercising. This not only affected her physical health but also her social life; she rare-

ly spent time with friends and performed poorly in classes.

“Every 62 minutes,” one person dies from this illness. Eating disorders are not something to make fun of or be ashamed of. People with eating disorders may be embarrassed to admit they have one due to the stigma associated with the illness. Making comments about how much food someone eats for dinner, how they dress, telling someone they should work out, etc. may cause them to develop an eating disorder. Similarly, saying phrases like “Freshman 15” may cause students to restrict their eating.

“Freshman 15” may seem like a silly expression, but it may be doing more harm than good by undermining body positivity. Yes, colleges should promote a healthy lifestyle consisting of eating well-balanced meals and exercising regularly. “Freshman 15” does the opposite, proposing that freshmen gain weight and that gaining weight is bad.

JACKIE PARK

EMILY BROYLES

BUSINESS

EDITOR IN CHIEF

NEWS EDITOR

GREG PERREAULT

ANSLEY PUCKET

EDITORIAL

SILAS ALBRIGHT

ADVISER

SPORTS EDITOR

MICKEY HUTCHINGS

CALEB GARBUIO

SOPHIA LYONS

MOSS BRENNAN

MANAGING EDITOR

JESSICA KIMES ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANAGER

OPINION EDITOR

CHIEF COPY EDITOR

MEG POWELL MARKETING DIRECTOR

POLITICAL EDITOR

ANNA MUCKENFUSS NEWS PRODUCER

14

SHELLY BANZ

BUSINESS MANAGER

A&C EDITOR

JESSE BARBER PHOTO EDITOR

MULTIMEDIA

XANAYRA MARIN-LOPEZ MULTIMEDIA EDITOR

EFRAIN ARIAS-MEDINA JR. GRAPHICS EDITOR

Et Cetera

August 21, 2020

@Biosteampunk MomMy momMy momMy! can I draw Icila?

First Week of Classes sure! just sit at the table

Is campus feeling a little quiet lately? Turn things up with the “First Week of Classes” playlist on Spotify!

We put together a list of 12 songs perfect for the first week of the semester. Wheather you’re hitting the books in a dorm room or masking up for a trek across campus, these tunes are sure to keep your foot tapping and your head bopping.

In uncertain times, music is a great way to stay connected with oneself and the outside world. That’s why we have put together a playlist to fit any musical taste or craving during an all too nerve-wracking first week.

The Middle Jimmy Eat World Bored to Death blink-182

le

ibB

Scr

le ibB r Sc le ibB r Sc

I did it! I did it!

Treat People with Kindness

Harry Style

Smile (with The Weekend)

Juice World, The Weekend

Rain on Me Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande Seven Rainbow Kitten Surpise My future Billie Eilish Woodlawn Aminé F2020 Avenue Beat Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra)

The Vaccines

Gold Vinyl Theatre Lockdown Anderson .Paak GoOd job!

BRING YOUR AUDIENCE ANYWHERE.

PHOTOGRAPH FOR THE APPALACHIAN NEWS GROUP BUILD YOUR RESUME. ADD TO YOUR PORTFOLIO. GET PUBLISHED.

ROOM 217, PSU THURSDAY 7 P.M. SEE YOU THERE.