TheAppalachianOnline.com Vol. 86 No. 17

The AppalachianTuesday, November 1, 2011

by CATHERINE HAITHCOCKNews Reporter

Appalachian State University is working to integrate a new academic advising and degree audit tool into its current system. The new software, DegreeWorks, would be available to students enrolled from 2009 onward.

“DegreeWorks is hopefully going to replace the checksheets and help students graduate on time,” said Alex McPherson, director of academic affairs for the Student Government Association (SGA). “It’s a beautiful thing.”

The program was purchased for $56,000 after SGA passed a resolution in October

2009, requesting a 24/7, user-friendly audit system for students and advisors.

Sungard Higher Education, the same company that makes the current Banner student system, makes the program.

DegreeWorks is currently in phase two – “Training for Power Users and Professional Advisors” – out of five.

Phase two has implemented student focus groups, specific to each college and general education, to test the program and give feedback.

“Students love that you have unlimited access to the program and they have been very receptive to the ‘what if ’ function, which allows students to review what courses count and which ones they would

have to take if they were to change their major or minor,” said Susan Davies, associate vice chancellor for enrollment management.

Freshman athletic training major Jill Wagers was one of the students who tested the program.

“The look-ahead option is going to be very nice if you’re trying to plan your semesters to find out what classes are going to best fit into your future,” Wagers said. “It helps determine if the classes are going to satisfy the requirements that I actually need before I sign up.”

However accessible the program is, Davies stressed that it should not replace a student’s academic advisor.

“One of the things we hope is happening in your advising appointment is that you’re not just talking about what classes you should take next semester, but instead what your career options are going to be, why you might need to take certain classes and what your interests and passions are,” she said. “That is not a conversation that can happen between you and a computer.”

Although the anticipated launch date for full student use of the program has yet to be determined, Davies said she hopes it can be fully implemented sometime in 2012.

“We are continually making adjustments as we get feedback from the student focus groups regarding things that need to be tweaked,” she said.

DegreeWorks to alter registration process by 2012

by KELLI STRAKASenior News Reporter

A new policy is in the works to exempt transfer students from taking the First Year Seminar course by fall 2012.

The policy was passed by the General Education Council in September and must gain the approval of University College in November and Academic Policies and Procedures in December.

Transfer students with 30 or more credit hours will be exempt from taking the course, but can opt to take it if they choose. Transfer students with 60 or more credit hours will not be allowed to take the course, but can petition to take it, Director of General Education Paulette Marty said.

“Most transfer students have the academic skills that they need to succeed,” Marty said. “They don’t need First Year Seminar to help them prepare for academic work in college.”

Various groups around campus have expressed concern about transfer students taking First Year Seminar since the program was implemented.

“We’re going to, over the next few years, monitor them – monitor the transfer students

Transfer students to be exempted from First Year Seminar course by fall 2012

– really closely,” Marty said. “We’ll look at retention and GPA to make sure that doesn’t go down.”

If transfer students’ GPA and retention rates do decrease, the General Education Council will look for other ways to help transfer students develop academic skills, Marty said.

Senior elementary education major Kara Mulligan transferred to Appalachian from Campbell University.

Without a policy in place to exempt transfer students from First Year Seminar, Mulligan – who was already a semester behind – had to take First Year Seminar.

“Being required to take a First Year Seminar was frustrating,” Mulligan said. “It is aggravating to know that I had my time, but I am glad that students now transferring in don’t have to suffer through it like I did.”

Mulligan said most of the information she learned in the course was offered in her English class freshman year at Campbell.

“Any info about the resources available to students could have been given to me on a sheet of paper or in a one-hour presentation,” she said. “I didn’t need an entire class to do that.

by MIKE RUTLEDGEIntern News Reporter

The Occupy Boone movement continued its campaign to rally on behalf of the “99 percent” Friday.

Protesters gathered on Sanford Mall before marching to various locations in Boone.

They ended up at the newly converted Wells Fargo Bank on the corner of 105 and 321, where group leaders encouraged protestors and bystanders to close their bank accounts with large corporate banks and invest in local, small businesses.

Students, professors and local business owners alike were among the crowd gathered at the bank, screaming phrases such as “we are the 99 percent,” and “banks got bailed out, we got sold out.”

Students were protesting for various reasons.

“I occupy for students’ education and voting rights,” said Ian Kelly, senior political science major.

The group is not following suit with other factions around the country – sleeping in public areas indefinitely – but wishes “to rally the community so they know what the occupy movement is and interest is raised to form a general assembly to tackle local issues,” said Samantha O’Brien, a local business owner.

Various groups around the nation are tailoring their cities’ movements to specific local issues.

Occupy Boone wants to keep money within the community by supporting local businesses and using cash to avoid the influence of major credit card companies.

They aim to continue weekly demonstrations, meet with elected representatives and start up an initiative to buy local, preferably using cash.

Jason Burch, a local Occupy attendee, called on citizens to get involved.

“I challenge everyone to become more aware of where their actions and money goes, because I’m willing to guess that most of it is fueling the fire,” Burch said.

The movement will hold a strategy meeting Saturday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church on East King Street.

For more information on Occupy Boone, visit facebook.com/occupyboone.

Local ‘Occupy’ protestors push to gain foothold in Boone

If I really needed to know about the resources, I would just go to someone and ask.”

Mulligan also said the information supplied in the class was redundant for a transfer student - since the ins and outs of college were already familiar to her.

“A lot of the things we were supposed to learn in that class, like how to write a paper, how to debate and how to write a presentation are all things I already knew how to do because I have been in college for two years,” Mulligan said.

Junior electronic media broadcasting major Jordan Sapp was pushed behind a semester because she had to take a First Year Seminar.

“I wish I didn’t have to take it because it does nothing for me,” Sapp said. “It used credit hours and time that didn’t do anything for my degree. I could have taken a communication class for my major.”

Sapp did say the class wasn’t time-consuming or stressful for her.

“It was such an easy class and it didn’t take too much time,” she said. “It’s helped me, because social media and technology relate with my communication major.”

by MIKE RUTLEDGEIntern News Reporter

Appalachian State graduate students are one step closer to getting approval for the installation of a small-scale wind turbine at Watauga High School.

The students attended an Oct. 19 meeting of the Boone Town Council to request a site plan amendment to include the turbine. If the council does not approve the permit, it could stall the wind project for an indefinite period of time.

“Their request was for a modification to the conditional district zoning approval that the high school already has,” Planning and Inspections Director Bill Bailey said. “If they get that approval through council, they will be able to apply for their building permit.”

Through a sped-up hearing process, the final meeting for the project’s approval will take place Nov. 14, Bailey said.

“The council did approve an expedited process because apparently, they have some grant money that runs out at the end of the year,” Bailey said. “They’re trying to take advantage of it.”

Appalachian grad students work to bring wind turbine to Watauga High School

Currently, the high school’s land-use plan won’t allow amendments to the site plan more than once a year.

“We made everyone on the council aware of the project and that we would be requesting a permit for a site amendment at the next meeting,” said David French, Appalachian alumnus and associate director of the North Carolina Wind Application Center. “The next meeting will be on Nov. 15 and if we obtain a permit, we’ll break ground the next day.”

The U.S. Department of Energy would fund the turbine installation as part of the Wind for Schools project, which began in 2005.

The project aims to engage citizens in discussion about wind energy and develop a knowledge base about the technology within schools, according to windpoweringamerica.gov.

Wind for Schools is currently working to install wind turbines at Watauga, Alleghany and Avery High Schools, as well as North Wilkes Middle School and three schools on the coast. The turbine would be installed by Sundance Power Systems of Asheville, N.C.

Top left: A local woman gathers her signs in preparation for the Occupy Boone march Oct. 28. The march invited all members of the local community to march from Sanford Mall to the intersection of 321 and 105 in support of the cause. Bottom left: A young woman brandishes her sign. Right: Senior political science major Ian Kelly speaks on politics with a fellow protester.

Margaret Cozens | The Appalachian

2 • November 1, 2011 The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.comNews

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arts-events@appstate.edu

Parking is free on campus after 5 p.m. We recommend the Library Parking Deck on College Street (from King Street, turn down College Street at the First Baptist Church). To reach the Student Union, cross College Street and follow the walkway between the chiller plant and the University Bookstore, passing the Post Office and entering the Student Union on the second floor. For further parking information or a map, please see www.parking.appstate.edu or call the Parking and Traffic Office (828) 262-2878.

For further information on the Fall season, please call 262-2871 or see www.visitingwriters.appstate.edu.

To receive Appalachian’s “This Week in the Arts”

announcement by email, please contact arts-events@appstate.edu.

Admission to all events is free. To read on-line excerpts from the

Fall Visiting Writers’ works, please go to www.library.appstate.edu, click Reserves, then enter Visiting Writers

Series as Instructor or Course Name. If needed, use the password

asuwriters.

The Fall 2011 Visiting Writers Series is supported by the Appalachian

State University Foundation; Appalachian’s Offices of Academic

Affairs, Multicultural Student Development, and Cultural Affairs; the College of Arts and Sciences,

the Department of English, the Summer Reading Program, the

University Bookstore, Belk Library, and the Appalachian Journal.

Business sponsors are The Gideon Ridge Inn and The Red Onion

Restaurant. Community sponsors include John and Marjorie Idol,

Mildred Luckhardt, Paul and Judy Tobin, Alice Naylor, Thomas

McLaughlin, and The High Country Writers.

The Visiting Writers Series is named in honor of

Hughlene Bostian Frank, class of 1968, former trustee and

generous supporter of Appalachian State University. Thursday, November 3rd

7:30 p.m.Table Rock Room

Plemmons Student UnionAppalachian State University

Appalachian State University’s Hughlene Bostian Frank

Visiting Writers Seriespresents a reading by

Novelist and Memoirist

Robert Goolrick

Craft Talk: Writing Memoir

Please Note Location: 224 I. G. Greer Hall2:00-3:15 p.m.

Book sales and signing will follow these events.

Thanks to EveryoneWho Made Homecoming Rock

We Rock year-round @ wasurocks.com

by ANNE BUIESenior News Reporter

A UNC-Charlotte student is in the hospital after he fell from a third-story balcony at University

Highlands early Sunday Morning, according to Boone Police.

Michael Donovan, of Charlotte, was taken to Watauga Medical Center with several broken bones and was listed in serious condition, police said. He was later airlifted to Johnson City Medical Center and is expected to make a full recovery, Sergeant Matt Stevens said.

The incident occurred at a party at the apartment complex Sunday morning at 1:03 a.m., police said.

Boone police arrived on the scene after receiving multiple calls from neighbors and party-goers about Donovan’s fall.

Witnesses said there was no foul play and police suspect that Donovan fell from the balcony while competing in a “spitting contest,” Stevens said.

Stevens estimates that four underage drinking citations were given out Saturday night to various people at the same party.

University Highlands apartments declined to comment.

by ABBI PITTMANIntern News Reporter

Two Appalachian State University freshmen have taken the initiative to indepen-dently raise funds for the human rights organization Invisible Children.

Business major Erin Wilser and elementary education major Bailey Carroll said they were moved to action after attending an Invisible Children documentary screening. The screening was hosted on campus Oct. 5, by Appalachian’s Invisible Children club.

Invisible Children is an activism-based nonprofit that raises money and awareness to fight the use of child soldiers in war-torn Uganda.

The documentary shown on campus, which detailed the lives of Ugandan child sol-diers, inspired Wilser and Carroll to get involved.

“I just felt like I wasn’t doing anything,” Wilser said. “I needed to do something.” The pair researched the organization and decided to raise money for the cause, set-

ting a goal of $350 by December and starting a Facebook group urging their friends to donate.

So far, the two freshmen have raised about $100.“When we got the email for the first donation, it was like, ‘wow,’” said Wilser, who

also asked family and friends to donate to the organization for her birthday.The pair are also working to raise funds by playing off the popular practice of using a

beeper, or a designated driver who works for tips. Under their system, all tips collected by a specified Invisible Children beeper would benefit the organization.

Sophomore technical photography Daniel Szymczyk is the president of the on-cam-pus club devoted to the organization and was responsible for the October documentary screening, which brought in roughly 200 people.

“I’ve seen every Invisible Children movie affect people tremendously,” he said.Szymczyk started the Invisible Children club last year after being involved with the

organization in high school. About 40 people attend the club’s weekly meetings and there are about 25 dedicated, “never-miss-a-meeting” members, Szymczyk said.

“Working with everyone in the club is definitely a great reward,” he said. “The funds we raise go to the process of ending the longest-running war in Africa.”

The club meets Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. in Newland Hall.

Students raise funds for Invisible Children, look to start charity beeper

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LifestylesThe Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com November 1, 2011 • 3

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by RYAN NAGYSenior Lifestyles Reporter

Student business owner Devin Lattin found a new way to localize the Occupy Wall Street movement Sunday – hosting an Occupy Hot “Diggidy” Dog event at the fair-food joint, which he owns.

Lattin, also a senior marketing and business management major, said the event was an attempt to fight big business and corporate greed by helping out small establishments.

“Students should support local businesses because they actually have an effect on whether or not that business will stay in business or not,” Lattin said.

During the event, Lattin and his employees gave free fried Oreos to customers who mentioned the event while ordering.

Lattin said he took advantage of the grassroots Occupy movement as a way to raise product awareness and increase brand image for his restaurant.

Junior agroecology major Evan James said he attended the event to support Boone’s local businesses.

“The local culture is definitely more important to the community because it keeps the money in the town’s economy, rather than in the pockets of corporate chain owners,” he said. “Places like Wal-Mart and McDonald’s may be easy to go to, but it doesn’t help us in the long run. It benefits a few far away instead of our community.”

Senior sustainable development major Patrick Sessoms said he occupied Hot “Diggidy” Dog to help preserve Boone’s downtown culture.

“Boone is one of the last existing, true downtown economies in the state,” Sessoms said. “Small businesses help Boone maintain a sense of regionalism. The convergence of culture on King Street helps keep this place unique.”

Lattin said he enjoyed taking part in the Occupy Boone movement spreading through town.

“I think it is great to see all these people getting together for a single movement,” he said. “It’s good for the people to represent a common idea they all share. ”

by EMMALEE ZUPOIntern Lifestyles Reporter

In an event that has become a tradition, the Pagan Student Association (PSA) hosted its annual Halloween Ball Friday, Oct. 28 from 7 to 11 p.m. in Plemmons Student Union’s Whitewater Café.

“What better way to raise money?” said Jacob Bridges, event coordinator and junior computer information systems major. “Instead of just asking for donations, we throw a ball and we get to have fun.”

This year’s event featured free food, music, dancing and a seven-category costume contest with prizes.

PSA Historian and senior chemistry major Tiara O’Neal said the event serves as a major fundraiser for the association, but is planned for entertainment – not education.

“We’re not trying to educate people about Halloween or anything like that,” O’Neal said. “We just want people to get together, get dressed up and have fun.”

The event is a major fundraiser for events the association holds throughout the year and brought in about $350 in profit last year, PSA Vice President and junior psychology major Cody Jones said.

“We raise money through the $5 admission and proceeds from that go to other events we do and the different charity events we have,” Jones said. “In the spring, we’re going to be hosting Fairy Fest, which is going to be a bigger event with multiple clubs that we’ll be having as a festival on Sanford Mall. And this also goes to our Christmas charity event that we do every year.”

Students interested in joining the Pagan Student Association can visit multicultural.appstate.edu and check the calendar for meeting times.

by KATARINA GRUSSIntern Lifestyles Reporter

Several students dug into Halloween Thursday, at a pumpkin-carving contest hosted by the Appalachian State University chapter of AIGA, the professional association for design.

The contest was designed as a lighthearted way for students, especially those in the graphic design department, to get into the Halloween spirit.

“As a graphic design major, I have a lot of serious projects to do day-in and day-out,” said Sean O’Shea, senior graphic design major and AIGA president. “This contest was a way for us to have fun with design instead of it being strictly for schoolwork.”

The contest, the first AIGA has held in its 15 years at the university, was open to all students and featured a variety of categories. Students could enter pumpkins into five categories: Funniest, Scariest, Most Original, Most Artistic and Best Overall.

Participants used various methods to craft their pumpkins.

“I used woodcarving tools to carve mine,” said Rachel Cochran, senior graphic design major and AIGA director of communications. “I think it makes pumpkin-carving closer to printmaking or sculpture that way.”

Others chose to watch instead of doing any carving.

“I wanted to carve a pumpkin for the

by DANIELLE WATKINSIntern Lifestyles Reporter

Men throughout campus are clean-shaven today, as students throughout Appalachian State University take up

the challenge to put their razors to rest for the month of November.

“No Shave November is where the boys are separated from the men,” senior international business major Devin Neil said.

Neil, who has participated in No Shave for the past three years, said the month without shaving is both fun and convenient.

“You don’t have to shave for a month, which saves on time and the cost of razors,” he said.

Like many other participants, Neil usually has a beard – but said he’s unsure how long it will grow over the course of a month.

Following Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, November has become a time to show support from the male population suffering from various forms of cancer.

No Shave November originated in Australia and New Zealand as “Movember,” a combination of the words “moustache” and “November.” Men grew moustaches each November to raise prostate cancer awareness, according to tooshytostop.com.

The event has also expanded to represent

Online Coverage: “Flash Mob”TheAppalachianOnline.com

PSA hostsannual ball

Facial hair here to stay for No Shave November

AIGA hosts pumpkin-carving contest Students come together to occupy Hot ‘Diggidy’ Dog

testicular cancer, a disease that is increasingly common among men aged 20 to 39, according to the National Cancer Institute.

“I don’t think many people know the true meaning behind No Shave November,” sophomore chemistry major Colby Leary said. “It’s just an event that guys do in November for fun so they can compare facial hair at the end of the month.”

Leary, who will be participating in No Shave, said he first heard about the event in high school.

“Of course I didn’t participate then, because I didn’t have enough facial hair for you to tell the difference at the end of the month,” he said.

No Shave November is not just for the guys, though. Senior finance and banking major Erica Vass will participate in the event for the first time this year.

“I am participating in No Shave November because I am preparing my legs for the winter months,” Vass said.

A big fan of facial hair on men, Vass said she loves No Shave November and wants to be a part of it.

“Either guys will respect me for being able to compete on their level or they will be repulsed,” Vass said. “Either way, I’m okay with it.”

contest, but there’s a lot of work that goes into carving one,” art professor Barbara Yale-Read said. “You have to get all of the junk from in it and you would think carving it would be like butter, but it isn’t.”

Pumpkin carving is becoming a big deal in the art world, Yale-Read said.

“Anyone can go online and purchase special carving tools and knives,” she said. “If someone isn’t the most creative, he or she can buy patterns to carve into their pumpkin.”

There was a $1 entry fee to enter a pumpkin into the contest. The dollar students gave went to a cash prize for the overall winner, and other category winner and runners up received t-shirts designed by AIGA.

“Anything that allows you to express yourself in a visual way can be considered art,” O’Shea said. “With this contest, we all expressed ourselves through pumpkins.”

Olivia Wilkes | The Appalachian

Spectators and entrants peruse the pumpkins entered in the AIGA Pumpkin-carving contest last Thursday in Whitewater Cafe.

by MICHAEL BRAGGLifestyles Editor

The Athens, Ga. jam band Perpetual Groove will take the stage at Legends Thursday night.

“The entertainment they bring to the stage is as much about the lights and effects as the great music itself,” said Megan Ternes, Appalachian Popular Programming Society (APPS) Stage Shows chairperson.

Perpetual Groove keyboard player John Hruby said the band has maintained a consistent sound over the years.

“The band hasn’t really strayed too far from its roots, like people say they really enjoy the first album and that’s a lot of people’s favorite songs and we still play a lot of those,” Hruby said.

Sophomore hospitality and tourism management major Matthew Mize is from Athens and said he enjoys the music scene Perpetual Groove stems out of.

“There are always amazing bands playing every night of the week,” Mize said. “The Athens music scene is straight up awesome.”

Mize said he has seen Perpetual Groove three times.“Their live shows are ridiculous,” he said. “The amount

of energy they bring, the lights and their stage presence fuels a crowd that promises to have a good time.”

While the group does put on a light show while they perform, Hruby said it’s not the most important aspect of the performance.

“We like to have that element, but we try not to make it too overbearing,” he said.

Hruby said Perpetual Groove is ready to come back to Boone and Legends.

“I think the club is good, every time we go there we get treated well, we always have a pretty good crowd there and they always seem enthusiastic,” he said.

In addition to their collection of music from the past decade, Perpetual Groove will bring new material, infused with older material in the set list, Hruby said.

Doors open at 9 p.m. and tickets are $10 in advance for students and $12 at the door for everyone. This is a BYOB event with a proper ID.

Perpetual Groove takesthe stage at Legends

Courtesy Photo | David ReganThe Athens jam band will return to the Legends stage Thursday with their special effects-heavy show.

Band returns with mix of new, old music

Meghan Frick and Madelyn Rindal | The Appalachian

Students Max Plott, Devin Neil, Max Plott, Will Jones, Dylan Scaringelli, and Justin Leary are putting down their razors for No Shave November. Check back at the end of the month to see the scruffy results.

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4 • November 1, 2011 The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.comAdvertisement

Meeting Notes

The Appalachian | theappalachianonline.com

A Service of theDivision of Student DevelopmentSend copy to David W. Freeman, Director of Student Publications, Center for Student Involvement and Leadership,

second floor, Plemmons Student Union, or e-mail: freemandw@appstate.edu.

ppalachian ewsAOfficial University News & Announcements

4 • November 1, 2011

SDR helps you with involvementEach student at Appalachian State University has an official co-curricular transcript. Involvement, leadership positions, on-campus employment, awards, leadership programs etc. can be listed on the transcript. Visit www.sdr.appstate.edu to see what your options are for involvement. Start building your experiences today.Need help getting involved?The Center for Student Involvement and Leadership is avail-able for advising appointments. Schedule a time today to talk with a professional in the office to determine your best plan of action. Get out, meet people and make a difference. Call 262-6252, or visit the CSIL website at www.csil.appstate.edu, drop by Room #219 for more information.Leadership Forum for all studentsThe Appalachian Leadership Forum is a 1/2 day leadership conference open to all students and members of the com-munity. A wide variety of topics will be covered. The forum will be held Saturday Nov. 5. Visit the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership for more information. (www.csil.appstate.edu. 262-6252. Room #219 Plemmons Stu-dent Union). Registration will open in October. ASU student participants will receive credit on their Student Development Record.Visiting Writers sets scheduleThe Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series is named in honor of Hughlene Bostian Frank, class of 1968, trustee and generous supporter of Appalachian State University. Admission to all events is free. For further in-formation on the Fall season, call 262-2871 or see www.visitingwriters.appstate.edu. To receive Appalachian’s “This Week in the Arts” announcements by email, please contact arts-events@appstate.edu. Writers scheduled are: Novelist and memoirist Robert Goolrick, “A Reliable Wife,” “The End of the World As We Know It,” will speak at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3 in the Table Rock Room of Plemmons Student Union. Craft Talk: Writing Memoir will be held from 2 until 3:15 p.m. at a location TBA. Novelist Mary Doria Russell, “The Sparrow,” “A Thread of Grace,” and “Doc,” will speak at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17 in the Table Rock Room of Plemmons Student Union. A Craft Talk: Writing Historical Fiction will be held from 3:30 until 4:45 p.m. in the Table Rock Room.International Fair set for Nov. 16The 7th Annual International Fiair at Appalachian State Uni-versity is set for 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Nov. 16 in the Grandfa-ther Mountain Ballroom of Plemmons Student Union. If you want to travel and study abroad this year, come to the fair and you will be introduced to over 60 international faculty-led programs offered this year. Meet one-on-one with faculty leaders and learn about other study abroad and international venture opportunities. Enjoy free food and refreshments. Mark your calendars now. For more information contact the Office of International Education and Development (OIED) at 262-8034 and ask for Nathalie Turner, or email her at turnernm@appstate.edu.2011 Counseling Center groupsUnderstanding Self and Others Group: Issues commonly addressed vary from depression, anxiety, relationship con-cerns, self-esteem, issues of family conflict or abuse, etc. Students who want to resolve specific concerns as well as those seeking personal growth are welcome. This can be a good time to get peers’ perspectives on various issues, and to recognize that you are not alone. Four groups are available: Mondays 1:00-2:30; Tuesdays 2:00-3:30; Tues-days 2-3:30 (Freshmen/Transfer Students only) Tuesdays 3:30-5:00; Wednesdays 3:00-4:30.Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Therapy Group: This group will present an opportunity for gay, lesbian, and bisexual in-dividuals to explore life challenges. It will provide a safe environment in which to address a variety of issues (e.g., coming out, spirituality, family relationships, depression, self-esteem, abuse, etc.). Goals of the group include: reducing isolation, finding support and making changes. Two groups are available: Time/Day to be determined (Contact Carol O’Saben or Sheri Clark: 262-3180 or osabencl@appstate.edu or clarksl@appstate.edu).Painful Pasts, Promising Futures Group: This group is designed for those who have experienced traumatic events in their lives or who come from backgrounds in which they did not feel safe. Members will learn how their past experi-ences and their biology are affecting their lives now. More importantly, they will learn what to do about it! Members will learn important insights about their patterns in relationships and skills to better manage their emotions and relationships. Thursdays 3:30-5:00. (Contact Amber Lyda for more infor-mation: lydaam@appstate.edu).Transgender Therapy Group: This group is similar to the “Understanding Self and Others” group in that a variety of issues will be explored in a safe and supportive environ-ment. Some of the issues will be unique to gender-variant students. Goals of the group include: reducing isolation, finding support and making changes. Time/Day to be deter-mined (Contact Sheri Clark for more information: 262-3180 or clarksl@appstate.edu).WISE Women, Image, & Self Esteem: This group is designed for any woman interested in changing how she values herself. If you’d like to feel better about yourself and less controlled by appearance, food and what others think, this group may be for you. Thursdays 1-2:30 p.m. (Contact Denise Lovin: 262-3180 or lovindm@appstate.edu).An Introduction to Mindfulness Group: Mindfulness involves stepping out of “auto-pilot” reactions and learning to pay more attention to our present experiences. Activi-ties in this group will help participants cultivate a mindful approach to their lives, which can decrease stress, create emotional balance, and allow a person to take actions more in line with their values. Thursdays 3:30-5:00 (Contact Chris Hogan: 262-3180 or hogancj@appstate.edu). To get started with a Counseling Center group, come to the Counseling Center during Walk-In Clinic, call 262-3180 or visit the website for more information at www.counseling.appstate.edu. If you are interested in group but these times do not work for you, please get in touch with Chris Carden at 262-3180 or cardendc@appstate.edu.Career resources available at ASUCome explore the resources on campus here to assist you with your career planning and job searching needs. Is choos-ing a major causing you stress? The Peer Career Center can help! Choosing a major is one of the many decisions you will have to make during your college career. Do not take it

lightly. The average person spends 86,000 hours working in his/her lifetime. How many hours are you going to spend choosing your career? We offer assistance in finding a major and career that matches your interests, abilities, values and experiences. Call 262-2029 to schedule an appointment or drop by our office located on the 2nd floor of the Student Union, beside McAllister’s Deli. Visit us at www.peercareer.appstate.edu. The Career Development Center offers many resources to assist you in your job and internship search skills. Career Counselors will help you build a professional resume, cover letter, and help develop your interviewing skills. Students can utilize Career Gear, (careergear.ap-pstate.edu), our new and improved career management system, to schedule career counseling appointments, post resumes, search for jobs and internships, sign up for on campus interviews, research employers, identify employer mentors and stay up to date with career center events and fairs. Learn about all of the great resources in the CDC at careers.appstate.edu.Free, confidential legal adviceA licensed attorney is available to answer your questions, provide advice, and make referrals. This service is offered free of charge to any Appalachian State University student. Contact the Student Legal Clinic if you have a traffic ticket, a minor criminal charge, a question about your lease or the conditions in your off-campus apartment -- or any other issue or problem that you need legal help with. The Stu-dent Legal Clinis is located in Room 221of the Plemmons Student Union. Call (828) 262-2704 for an appointment. It’s fast and easy! Appointments can usually be scheduled within a few days.Financial Aid questions?Parents and students with financial aid questions are en-couraged to visit our website at financialaid.appstate.edu and their AppalNet account. The Office of Student Financial Aid is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., except for Uni-versity observed holidays.Writing scholarships offeredThe competition for Appalachian State University’s Mar-ian Coe Scholarship in Creative writing is underway. All students planning to enroll for spring 2012 may apply for the $400 scholarship in fiction, creative non-fiction and playwriting. Competition for Appalachian’s John Foster West Scholarship in poetry is underway. Students planning to enroll for spring 2012 may apply for the $500 scholar-ship. The deadline for submissions is 4 p.m. Nov. 7, with entries delivered to the English Department Office, second floor, Sanford Hall. Judge for the final competition is Jim Minick, author of Blueberry Years, A Memoir of Farm and Family, and winner of the SIBA Best Nonfiction Book of the Year Award. He has published numerous other works and teaches at Radford University. To apply, submit a file folder or envelope with 3 collated, stapled copies each of either a short story, or piece of creative non-fiction (memoir). If you choose to submit in the playwriting category, please limit your entry to a one-act play. Play scripts must be submitted in a standard format. You may submit in both the Poetry and Prose competitions, but please keep the applications separate. Please double-space prose; number pages and staple them. Please write your name, ASU Box, email and telephone number on the first page of each entry. The win-ner will be notified and results will be posted by Dec. 7. The scholarship honors the memory of fiction writer Marian Coe. Please contact Joseph Bathanti (262-2337/bathantjr@ap-pstate.edu) with any questions.Queer Film Series continues Appalachian State University’s 12th Annual Queer Film Series continues Tuesday with “A Single Man.” All films are shown at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays in Library 114, free and open to the public. Discussion to follow the film. For more information please visit www.qfs.appstate.edu. Other films are: “I Love You Phillip Morris, Nov. 1. The Queer Film Series thanks the College of Arts and Sciences, Library Collections Development, The Multicultural Center, the LGBT Center, SAGA, The English Department, The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, and private donors.Find Yosef A Holiday!It’s almost time to Find Yosef A Holiday! The Office of Multi-cultural Student Development invites you to once again join in celebrating the many cultural traditions that are observed around the world during the winter season. To sign up as a holiday sponsor, please complete and submit the registra-tion form by Friday. Go to http://multicultural.appstate.edu/events-programs/multicultural-events/find-yosef-holiday-fair to find the registration form. Classes, clubs, athletic teams, offices, and departments are all eligible and invited to submit forms. This can be an excellent way to enhance multicul-tural awareness or inspire those in your lives to spread their holiday cheer with others. The Find Yosef a Holiday Festival is Dec. 2 in the Blue Ridge Ballroom of Plemmons Student Union, 5-7 p.m.Who’s Who for 2011-2012Each year, Appalachian State University participates in the Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges Program. This program recognizes students for academic and leader-ship excellence. Students are selected for this honor based on the following criteria: scholarship abilities, participation and leadership in academic and extracurricular activities, citizenship and service to the community and Appalachian State University, and potential for future achievement. Cur-rently enrolled undergraduate students who have earned at least 75 semester hours prior to fall semester, 2011; have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50; and have not been previously elected to Who’s Who are eligible for nomination. The selection procedure offers students the opportunity to nominate themselves. The nomination packet includes: Instructions for Nomination and the Biographical Data Sheet. This packet may be downloaded from www.stu-dentdev.appstate.edu by choosing Leadership and Service Awards, and then selecting Who’s Who in American Univer-sities and Colleges. This packet may also be picked up from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Development, 109 B. B. Dougherty Administration Building. Please return nominations to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Development, Room 109, B. B. Dougherty Building. When you submit electronically, your nomination will automatically be returned to us. Nominations close at 5 p.m., Nov. 9.Run the Gobbler!“Run the Gobbler, Eat the Cobbler!” What: ACT’s first an-nual 5K, The Gobbler. Runners and walkers welcome! All money raised will benefit ACT’s scholarship for international service-learning in honor of Leigh Lane Edwards. After

the race, fresh cobbler will be available for all runners and spectators! The Gobbler will be the last event for Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. When: The race will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Nov. 19. Day-of registration will begin at 7 a.m. Please note that participants are not guaranteed a race t-shirt if registering after Oct. 31. Once the race is completed, wipe your sweat away and enjoy fresh cob-bler on Duck Pond Field! Where: The Gobbler will begin and end at Duck Pond Field on Stadium Drive. Register online today at http://thegobblerboone.wordpress.com/registration/. Questions can be directed to Emily Brown at brownei@appstate.edu.Get ready for 2012 fall housingDid you know that most students begin considering their options NOW for Fall 2012 housing? In order to get your preferences (location, cost, roommates, amenities, etc.) you should begin now, too. University Housing, the Office of Off-Campus Community Relations, and the Student Legal Clinic have partnered to help explain the process and timeline by offering a 60-minute program called “Find Your Match!” to walk students through the process of exploring housing op-tions and securing housing for Fall 2012. The program will include issues related to both on- and off-campus housing, including timelines and procedures for obtaining housing, cost, location, utilities, contracts, roommate choices, etc. To register for “Find Your Match,” go to www.offcampus.appstate.edu. All programs take place in the Watauga River Room in Plemmons Student Union, from Noon to 1 p.m. on the following dates: Nov. 1, 3, 9, 11, 15, 17, 29, Dec. 1, Jan. 18, 19, 23, 24, Feb. 1 and 3. For more information about on-campus housing, contact University Housing at 828-262-6111 or visit housing.appstate.edu. For more information about off-campus housing resources, contact the Office of Off-Campus Community Relations at 828-262-8284 or visit offcampus.appstate.edu.18 Days of Giving begins at ASUThe National Society of Scabbard and Blade and the Depart-ment of Military Science and Leadership is sponsoring the non-perishable food drive, 18 Days of Giving, Nov. 1-18 at Appalachian State University. All canned, boxed, or sealed non-perishable food items will be appreciated. All items donated benefit the Hospitality House of Boone. The small act of giving one item will go to help a family in need this holiday seson. Specialty items needed include: green beans, peanut butter, syrup, jelly or jam, salad dressing, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, sugar, flour, corn muffin mix, chicken stock, basic spices (pepper, garlic pepper, etc.), powdered creamer, children’s snacks. Please call 828-262-2996 for questions, comments or large donations. Clearly marked collection boxes will be located in many commonly used buildings across campus between November 1 - 18 . If you would like to sponsor a box for your department or area, please contact the above number to make arrangements for delivery.Retrospecitive honors ScarlataArt Opening for “John Scarlata: Living In the Light: A Ret-rospective & Other Works” will be held Thursday, Nov. 3, from 7-9 p.m. in the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, Galleries A & BThis special event is dedicated to the educator and pho-tographer, John Scarlata, in honor of his retrospective exhibition “Living in the Light”. John served as the chair of the photography program in the Department of Technology, at Appalachian State University from 1999 until 2010. Join special guest lecturers as they provide an in-depth conver-sation about the life and work of this artist who dedicated his life to his art form and the teaching of others. A reception for participants will immediately follow the lecture from 8-9pm in Galleries A & B. Complimentary food and beverages will be served.Special guests include Jay Phyfer (Professor of photography and digital imaging, Virginia Intermont College), Gil Leebrick (Professor Emeritus and former Director of the Wellington B. Gray Gallery, East Carolina University), Pac McLaurin (Pho-tography Department, Appalachian State University) Joe Champagne (Professor of Photography & Digital Imaging Virginia Intermont College), Jackie Leebrick, Ben Garfinkle (Oakland California) and Tom Braswell (Photographer and Interim Gallery Director from Wellington B. Gray Gallery, East Carolina University).Living In the Light: A Retrospective was designed in partner-ship with John Scarlata and first exhibited by The Wellington B. Gray Gallery located at East Carolina University in early 2010. Interim Director, Tom Braswell, states in the exhibition catalog, “One of the Southeast’s outstanding photographers and educators, John Scarlata has been an image-maker for more than thirty-five years. This exhibition of over one-hundred photographs traces his evolution as an artist from his graduate schoolwork at California Institute for the Arts in the mid-nineteen seventies to his most recent images. John Scarlata was a native of Long Island, New York, and studied photography at Brooks Institute of Photography and Cali-fornia Institute of the Arts, receiving his MFA from the latter in 1976. He subsequently moved to North Carolina where he developed his art as a photographer and an educator as an artist in residence in Wilson, NC and a faculty member UNC-Charlotte and Penland School of Crafts. From 1979 until 1999, Scarlata taught at Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, Virginia. From 1999 until 2010, he served as the chair of the photography program in the Department of Technol-ogy, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina. A past chair and conference coordinator of the Society for Photographic Education/Southeast Region, he has been active in the professional development of education in his medium. Scarlata’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including recent shows in New Zealand, Cuba, and China. He lived in Watauga County for 34 years with his wife, Rebecca Keeter and sons Wyatt and Silas.This exhibition, organized by family, friends and colleagues, will feature works by distinguished Southern photographer John Scarlata (1949 - 2010).College Democrats, GOP square offA debate between the College Democrats and College Republicans will be held tonight, 8-10, in the Price Lake Room of the Plemmons Student Union at Apalachian State University. The debate will be moderated by Sean Ridley, Appalachian State Debate Coach, and Alpha Phi Alpha. There will be a significant amount of time for audience questions. The debate is sponsored by AppSpeaks, Col-lege Democrats, College Republicans, Alpha Phi Alpha, ASU Debate Team, and the Department of Communication.

N

OpinionNovember 1, 2011 • 5The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com

The Appalachian welcomes Letters to the Editor. Letters should be 250 words or less and include the author’s name, ASU Box, phone number, classification and campus affiliation, if any. The Appalachian reserves the right to decline publication of any letter and to edit letters for the purpose of clarity and space. Although we are unable to acknowledge those letters we cannot publish, we appreciate the interest and value the views of those who take the time to send us their comments. Letters should be submitted electronically via our Web site or e-mail. Letters may also be mailed to “Letter to the Editor,” The Appalachian, ASU Box 9025, Boone, N.C. 28608. Letters may also be brought to the newsroom, located on the second floor of Plemmons Student Union.

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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There is no debate on whether or not Appalachian State should move from the FCS to the FBS. We are going to move.

In the next two to four years, Appalachian State will move out of the Southern Conference to a desperate mid-major conference that has seen its top schools plundered by the Big East.

The debate isn’t about if we should, but what we should do when we get there.

There is a great deal of fear among the Mountaineer faithful that jumping ship from the SoCon to the scary FBS will decimate the morale of the fanbase through years of growing pains and tough 35-3 mid-season losses to Memphis at home.

Appalachian, always a big fish in a small pond, is comfortable. We could roll out of bed each year and win six games in the SoCon and make the FCS playoffs.

But this myth that ASU wouldn’t be competitive in the FBS is poorly founded. There is, to use an Occupy term, no one percent in college football.

Sure, Alabama, Oklahoma, LSU and Texas will always be near the top of the preseason poll, but

Something pretty amazing happened in Kidd Brewer Stadium Saturday.

I don’t need to tell the whole story – don’t need to wax poetic about fans spilling out of stadium seating onto the field after knocking off an undefeated, number-one team. At home. In the cold.

Regardless, the point is that games like Saturday’s are crucial in periods of our history like the one we’re facing right now. It’s possible that The Appalachian is starting to sound like a broken record on this topic, but it’s true – fiscally, these are dark times.

And when the budget’s low, you lose out on plenty. Clubs, programs, activities, classes and services are being cut all over campus.

But we have one constant here at Appalachian State University, one thing that continues to boost morale no matter what we’re facing.

And we’re about to lose it. If we make the move

to the FBS, we’re taking a university program that has consistently thrived and offering it up as a sacrifice. Sure, all might go well. All might go swimmingly,

Everyone has seen the signs as they approach an Appalachian State University building: “Smoking is now prohibited in and within 50 feet of all ASU facilities.”

This restriction was enacted into North Carolina law July 1, 2007 and allows universities to regulate smoking at properties owned by the state of North Carolina.

It’s a right to partake in smoking at the age of 18 and most college students have the legal right to smoke tobacco on campus, but not within 50 feet of an Appalachian facility. This law enables people to breathe clean air instead of smoke as they enter a building.

But the bigger issue is not the health effects of second hand smoking – it’s the littering that comes from tobacco products.

As a former tobacco user, when I needed a fix of nicotine and was headed to a class at Appalachian, I was more than likely to finish smoking outside the building where my class was located.

But most facilities don’t contain a depositary section for cigarettes or trash in general. “Ashtrays and smoking receptacles are being removed from building entrances and will be relocated whenever possible,” according to news.appstate.edu.

Most smoking receptacles were also trash receptacles. Appalachian is an environmentally friendly campus and recycling receptacles are found inside every facility – yet they’re not found outside.

Trash and recycling receptacles should be located at various locations outside buildings to allow tobacco users to avoid littering, stay 50 feet away from facilities and have general access to trash receptacles.

We live in one of the nicest environments in the mountains. Appalachian is a growing campus and we all want to take care of where we live.

I propose that trash receptacles containing three separate compartments for plastic, aluminum and daily trash be placed near many Appalachian facilities. There should also be a smoking receptacle on top for tobacco users.

Together, we can continue to recycle, reduce littering and cigarette butts and allow tobacco users to continue to smoke, while allowing non-tobacco users to enter facilities smoke-free.

Dean NemechekSenior sociology major

Appalachian should make division jump

FBS move will harmprogram, lower morale

JakeAmberg

this decade has seen an abundance of rags-to-riches stories. Think Boise State, Oregon, TCU and Utah.

To be successful in college football, you need two things: a good coach who can recruit and an athletic department willing to openly fund and work with the program.

While Jerry Moore won’t be around forever, to think ASU won’t have an apt successor is ludicrous. We’re set on coaching.

Athletic Director Charlie Cobb would be more than willing to work with our team to help fund the program and ensure that the best athletes available come to our shiny, new FBS team.

Plus, look at our team. Our second-string linemen are a little on the small side, but if you think this team, with the athletes they have been able to produce, can’t win six or seven games against Marshall, Rice and Southern Mississippi, you’re wrong.

It won’t be easy for the first few years. But then again, maybe it will be. There’s no way of telling.

Appalachian is going to move and we can definitely handle it. While we won’t immediately start whooping UNC or Florida State on a yearly basis, in six years when ASU is playing in a December bowl game each year and pulling down more revenue in a month than we do each year currently, we will all forget this was even an issue.

Amberg, a senior journalism major from Greensboro, is the sports editor.

MeghanFrick

amazingly – but it’s a risk. It’s not assured.

For every division-move success story, there’s a horror story. We might be a Boise State or a South Florida, moving up in the rankings quickly and spreading our name around the national scene.

Or we might take after Florida International, which lost all but three games in its third year in the FBS, or Louisiana-Monroe, which hasn’t had a winning season since it made the jump…14 years ago.

We could see game attendance dropping, school spirit fading and success waning. We could be willingly giving away one of the biggest points of pride at Appalachian – something that stays steady and constant even when everything else is rocky and uncertain.

Is that really what we want?

My answer is no. Let’s move up to the FBS someday, absolutely. But let’s do it when we’re steady and secure – when the athletics program is just the cherry on top of a university where everything else is going well.

For now, if something’s good – we’d do better not to mess with it.

Frick, a senior public relations major from Columbia, S.C., is the associate editor for editorial content.

Removal of tobacco receptacles creates environmental issues

In a recent Gallup survey, five percent of Americans said they would not vote for a presidential candidate if he or she were black. Six percent would not vote for a woman, nine percent would not vote for a Jew and 10 percent would not vote for a Hispanic person.

But a whopping 22 percent of Americans said they would not vote for a Mormon presidential candidate.

An article on slate.com referred to anti-Mormonism as the “prejudice of our age.”

I honestly can’t see why

MichaelBragg

Mormons face bigotry as GOP primaries heat up– seeing as how it’s a sect of Christianity, one of the most accepted religions in America.

Unfortunately, the Latter Day Saints have had a bad reputation throughout their history – encompassing everything from founder Joseph Smith being labeled a conman, the still-mysterious “Mormon Mountain Massacre” in the west, the late admittance of blacks into the priesthood in the 1970s and the California members’ retaliation to Proposition 8.

Yet all forms of religion are misinterpreted by most people.

I suppose I can live with that sad truth, but it’s not just voters who are ignorant and uninformed. GOP presidential contenders Herman Cain and Rick Perry are completely in the dark about the religious beliefs of their opponents,

Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman.

Perry endorsed preacher Robert Jeffress, who called the religion a cult. Perry’s c a m p a i g n told CNN that Perry doesn’t believe Mormonism is a cult, but did not comment on Jeffress.

Cain, on the other hand, refused to acknowledge that Mormonism is a form of Christianity.

Maybe if Cain read a little, he’d see that the church’s formal title is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Here’s the gist of it. Mormons are Christians. They believe in God the eternal father. They believe in the Holy Ghost, the third and separate identity of the

Godhead. Honestly, I could care less

what Romney believes. But I speak so vehemently against Cain and Perry because I

have family that is part of the Mormon faith and guess what – they are not part of a cult.

The fact that politicians and American voters can’t see past the

ignorance, prejudice and false information is deeply upsetting.

No one should lose a quarter of the country’s support because of the peaceful way they choose to worship God.

Bragg, a sophomore journalism major from Lillington, is the lifestyles editor.

“No Shave November is where the boys are

separated from the men.”

Devin NeilNo Shave November

participant

“ No one should lose a quarter

of the country’s support because of the peaceful

way they choose to worship God. ”

Check Out: “Documenting Dominica”

on the Exposure Blog at TheAppalachianOnline.com

SportsThe Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com 6 • November 1, 2011

by JAKE AMBERGSports Editor

After reaching the second round of last year’s Southern Conference tournament, the Appalachian State

men’s basketball team appears poised to reach the NCAA tournament for the third time in school history.

After defending SoCon champion Wofford lost its top four scorers, the conference appears wide-open this season, with Appalachian State in a good position.

Voted second in the conference in both the coaches’ and media polls, ASU has the pre-season SoCon player of the year in senior guard Omar Carter. Carter averaged 16.3 points and 5.8 rebounds last year and is particularly confident about the upcoming season.

“I feel like this year, we have more team chemistry,” Carter said. “We spent the entire summer together so, me as a senior and as a leader, I feel like we can compete with anybody.”

Carter cites the return of center Isaac Butts as critical for this year’s team. Butts sat out the entire 2010-11 season with a knee injury, but led the Mountaineers in rebounding and double-doubles in his last healthy season.

“We are going to dominate inside,” Butts said. “Last year we didn’t have the best rebounding year, but we’re bringing it back. We’re going to take the conference over.”

Head coach Jason Capel, who led the Mountaineers to a 16-15 record in his first year, expects the team to improve this year as a result of their chemistry and an influx of young talent.

“These guys are joined, working hard together and in the process of becoming what it takes to be a team,” Capel said.

Appalachian has also added three transfer players who could make an impact this season. Gongaza’s G.J. Vilarino, Rutgers’ Brian Okam and the University of Connecticut’s Jamaal Trice will give the Mountaineers impressive depth.

Thrice, described by Capel as the best defender on the team, will be an instrumental wing player. He played in 10 games as a UConn freshman and was an impressive three-point shooter at Midland College during his year between schools.

Although Trice has only been part of the team for a few months, he’s already on the same page with his teammates.

“It feels like I’ve been here for years already,” he said.

Appalachian’s primary competition in the SoCon is pre-season favorite Chattanooga, who will return leading scorer Omar Wattad.

The Mountaineers will kick off their season with an exhibition game against Lenoir-Rhyne, Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Holmes Convocation Center.

Basketball Preview 2012

by TYLER WOODSports Reporter

Coming off one of the most successful seasons in its history, Appalachian women’s basketball will look to top last

year’s 25-7 finish. SoCon coaches have tabbed the team to finish second in the conference, after preseason favorite Chattanooga.

“This year’s team will be different in that we will have a number of people who could come up with the big play or game on any given night,” head coach Darcie Vincent said.

The Mountaineers will rely on some new faces this season, after replacing their two top scorers – Ashlen Dewart and former team leader Sam Ramirez.

“This is a new team and we don’t want to focus on last year’s team – this is a new season,” said junior forward Anna Freeman after an 83-61 exhibition victory over Mars Hill College.

Preseason talk about the Mountaineers has started with Anna Freeman, who was voted all-SoCon and is the conference’s reigning defensive player of the year. The junior is also the team’s returning leader in every statistical category.

And with an opportunity to become a bigger part of the offensive game plan, junior Courtney Freeman will look to expand her role as well – after finishing last season on a hot streak that led to her being named to the all-SoCon tournament team.

“This season I am really focusing on being more consistent in how I play,” Courtney Freeman said.

Junior forward Kelsey Sharkey and senior forward Catherine Williams will help replace the points and rebounds the Mountaineers lost when Dewart left the program.

In the backcourt, the Apps will have a nice combination of experience and newcomers.

Senior guard T.C. Weldon and senior forward Canesha Edwards are two of the big defensive reasons behind App’s full-court press success last season. Weldon is coming off a junior season in which she finished third on the team in steals and assists.

Junior college transfer guard Raven Gray will compete for backup guard minutes on a deep Mountaineer squad. Seniors Haley Hackett and Ashleigh Kelly, along with freshman Maryah Sydnor, will try to crack the rotation in the frontcourt.

The Mountaineers will start their season Friday at the University of Virginia. The Cavalier program has gone through turmoil recently, leading to optimism from Appalachian’s Coach Vincent.

“They have a new system and have already lost their best player, so I am looking forward to going to play them,” Vincent said.

The Mountaineers will play their first game at 7 p.m. in the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Va.

Mountaineer Men’s

When Do They Play?

Tue, Nov 15 7 p.m. East Tennessee State at Johnson City, Tenn.

Thu, Nov 03 7 p.m. Lenoir-Rhyne Fri, Nov 11 7 p.m. Lees-McRae

Stats fromLastSeason

Points Per Game 73.1Free-throw

Percentage

Field Goal Percentage

45.5%

70.5%

Overall Record 16-15

* Bold games will be played at Home in the Holmes Convocation Center

"Some say the SoCon is wide open, but I feel it's ours for the taking.... The teams will be pretty good, but

with our team chemistry... I'm 100 percent confident we're going to

take it this year."-Omar Carter

2#ranked

in SoCon

16.3 points per game last year

KeyPlayers Isaac Butts 32#

8.5 points in 2009-108.1 rebounds in 2009-10Missed last season with

a knee injury

8.3 points and 47% FG atMidland College last year

13Jamaal TriceTransfer from UConn

#21

5.8 rebounds per game last season

Preseason SoCon player of the year

#Omar Carter

Men’s basketball looks poised for SoCon title, Carter to lead season

New team, new season for Appalachian State women’s basketball

by CHRIS WILLIAMSSports Reporter

The Appalachian State men’s soccer team continues to stumble late in the season, falling to Davidson 0-3 Saturday night.

After spending most of the season as one of the hottest teams in the country, the Mountaineers have now lost two straight games and dropped to fourth place in their conference. Though they have consistently created scoring opportunities, the Mountaineers have struggled to put the ball in the net and have not scored a goal in the last four games.

Although Appalachian outshot Davidson 12 to four Saturday, the team was unable to capitalize on Wildcat mistakes.

Senior forward Sean Dreybus contributed two of the 12 shots and has been a key offensive contributor all season.

“Both losses were tough, but they only make us stronger,” Dreybus said. “But we’re a little low right now. Hopefully we can get a good result against ETSU and be ready for the SoCon tournament.”

Sophomore goaltender Danny Free allowed three goals Saturday, the most he has allowed in any game all season. Free addressed the possibility of playing Davidson again in the Southern Conference tournament.

“We know we can beat them,” he said. “They are not a great team and if we can play them again, it will be a different result.”

Head coach Matt Nelson is doing his best to remain positive after two tough games – and is encouraged by the fact that his team isn’t giving up.

“The guys have handled it well,” Coach Nelson said. “We haven’t had anyone real down and the confidence is still there, which is going to be key going into the tournament.”

Unfortunately, with an ASU loss and a UNCG win, the Spartans captured the regular season conference title and a number-one seed in the tournament.

The Mountaineers will travel to ETSU Tuesday for their last regular season game and will look to get back on track before the conference tournament.

by LEIGH ROBERTSSenior Sports Reporter

The Mountaineer volleyball team (18-8, 10-2) slammed North Division’s UNCG at home Friday, with senior setter Kasey Sauls reaching 3,0000 career assists.

In the first set, after 12 ties, the Spartans put the Mountaineers into a 1-0 hole and pushed themselves to a 25-23 set win.

“We started out kind of sluggish,” head coach Matt Ginipro said. “Thankfully, we turned it completely around in the second, third and fourth sets and controlled the ball much better.”

ASU didn’t mess around in the second, picking up a 25-15 set victory.

The third and fourth sets mirrored the second and the Apps were relentless, putting up scores of 25-14 and 25-15 to win the match 3-1.

Volleyball hangs onto top spot in SoCon North Men’s soccer loses second straight, falls to Wildcats

Adam Jennings | The Appalachian

“Our offense did a great job taking charge of the match,” Coach Ginipro said. “I thought Maggie Seeds had a great match. Well, I thought everybody had a great match, but what we wanted to do is attack out of the middle and attack out of the right side and we were able to do that.”

Junior Courtney Rhein had 16 digs and senior Anna Wagner managed eight kills.

“The first game was not so great, but after that we fixed a couple things, talked about it and then the next three sets were incredibly smooth sailing,” Rhein said. “It was a quick ending.”

As Sauls went above 3,000 assists – sixth-highest in ASU history – she also managed a match-high 32 assists for the night.

“It was a really exciting time for me,” Sauls said. “I didn’t even know that I was that close until Matt came up to me in between the second and third games

and congratulated me. It’s really exciting to be a part of that history.”

After Friday’s win, the Mountaineers picked up another – their ninth straight – at home Sunday afternoon against Elon.

The Apps started the match strong for an impressive and quick 25-12 victory.

In the second set, Elon took the lead early on – but App would take the match 25-21 to bring the weekend to 2-0.

With back-to-back service aces from Seeds, the Mountaineers closed the door on the Phoenix and clenched the third set 25-18, giving the Mountaineers a clean 3-0 sweep.

“We did really, really well,” Coach Ginipro said. “Everything just clicked. We hammered them in the first set and by the third set, we finished it up and really frustrated them.”

After weekend play, the Mountaineers still sit on top of the SoCon North, along with Samford.

Appalachian teammates cheer after an ace during the Mountaineers' 3-0 victory over Elon Sunday at Holmes Convocation Center.

ASU Women’s Volleyball goes 2-0, closes in on conference title

TheAppalachianOnline.com

Graphic by Allison Hill | The Appalachian