Volume 28 Issue 1
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Textbook rental not a future alternative
By John Stanier
staff Writer
UNCA students who want the option to
rent their textbooks should plan on con
tinuing to buy them. With regard to devel
oping a textbook rental policy, Mike Small,
UNCA’.s business officer and manager of
the UNCA Bookstore, said, “There are
good, clear and understandable reasons
why we’re not.”
Two area schools, Western Carolina Uni
versity (WCU) and Appalachian State
University (ASU), currently have textbook
rental policies. Although UNCA does not
have a textbook rental policy, Small said
most schools do not. “If you took all the
schools in the country, and as a percentage
of those how many had textbook rental
programs, it would be very, very small,”
said Small. “It must not be in the best
interest of the student/school/education to
be renting.
“I don’t think at UNCA with the liberal
arts and wanting to get the best book...that
(textbook rental) is the best interest for the
student,” said Small.
According to Small, there is no real pros
pect for such a policy. “To my knowledge,
nobody has seriously considered it. I know
there’s been talk about it and discussion
but I don t know that anybody has seri
ously looked into it or thought about it.”
A textbook rental policy at UNCA would
lead to several necessary changes.
First, an additional amount would need
to be added to the required fees paid by
students. “It’s in the tuition ... it’s not
something you can just walk into the store
and selectively pick some rentals and buy
some. You’re paying that rental fee if it’s a
rental school, said Small. All students at
UNCA would be required to pay this addi
tional fee.
Second, books for the program would
have to be adopted, or officially recog
nized, by the rental program. Faculty mem
bers choosing books for classes would need
to commit to use the books for a certain
amount of time. Texts would need to be
used for at least two or three years for the
program to be able to support itself said
Small.
The WCU book rental policy has advan
tages and disadvantages for students. All
UNCA students
survive hit-and-
run accident
students pay $65 per semester for rental.
This entides them to the adopted book
for each course for which they are regis
tered. The fee covers one book per course;
however, not all courses, especially spe
cial topics courses, have adopted books.
In addition to the rental fee, students
must pay for all supplemental materials
required by faculty.
WCU students are also responsible for
any damaged or lost books. Replace
ment fees and late fees for books not
returned on time are levied on the stu-
See TEXTBOOK on page 11
By Amelia IVIorrison
News Editor
Three UNCA students, victims of
an Aug. 30 hit-and-run accident,
are now dealing with the aftershock.
Freshmen Justin Donaldson, Jay
Aaron Van Ootenghem, and Tho
mas Clinton Bergin were traveling
east on Interstate 40 returning from
Donaldson’s home in Franklin,
N.C. A tractor-trailer struck the
rear left quarter area of Donaldson’s
Saturn compact car, sending the
car spinning out of control, said the
official NC Collision Report.
“He hit me from behind; there
wasn’t much I could do,” said
Donaldson, the driver of the ve
hicle. “We were just past the West
Asheville exit on 40 east, in the
right hand lane following another
car. I felt a bump, a push, and I
started to lose control of the car,
and I fought the wheel, but I
couldn’t straighten it up. After that
it was pretty blurry.”
After striking Donaldson’s vehicle,
the truck driver, Charles Edwin
Edwards, failed to stop at the scene
of the accident and continued trav
eling on 1-40, said the report.
All three students were taken to
the hospital and treated. Van
Ootenghem, the back seat passen
ger who Donaldson said was wear
ing his seatbelt, is currently in the
hospital in critical but stable condi
tion, said Merrell Gregory, the
manager for public and commu
nity relation's at Mission St.
Joseph’s.
Van Ootenghem’s parents “re
ported today that he has partially
regained consciousness, and that
lie is responding to their voices. He
has given indication that he under
stands what they are saying, and he
has opened his eyes,” said Gregory.
Van Ootenghem’s father said.
“We want to get Jay back to UNCA'
as soon as we can.”
As UNCA awaits Van
Ootenghem’s return, Eric
lovacchini, vice chancellor for stu
dent affairs, said, “It’s a tragedy,
and our thoughts and prayers go
out to the student and family as
they deal with this. We hope to see
our student back real soon.”
Although Van Ootenghem re
mains in the hospital, Donaldson
and Bergin are back to their classes.
“It shook everybody up pretty
bad,” said Donaldson. “It’s been a
lot of shock.”
Donaldson also sustained injuries
in the accident. “I was thrown out
when the car flipped, before it hit
the guard rail,” said Donaldson. “I
opened my eyes and I was lying on
my back on the shoulder of the
four-lane. I got up and walked
around. I had blood in my eye and
running down my face. The officer
told me to lay down.”
Donaldson, who sustained a head
inj ury and other minor injuries was
released from the hospital at 3:15
a.m. on Aug. 31. Bergin was re
leased the night of Aug. 30.
Edwards, is being charged with a
hit-and-run felony, said the report.
Edwards “said he did not know he
had caused the wreck,” said Steve
Finney, the trooper who investi
gated the accident, in the Asheville
Citizen- Times.
“Considering he hit me with the
front of his n ucl, 1 don't see how
he didn’t,” said Donaldson. “It was
completely dark and my lights were
on.
“The noise was incredible. Even if
he didn’t see, he should have heard,”
said Donaldson.
Donaldson said that he was not
wearing his seatbelt, but that the
accident will make him drive more
cautiously in the future. “I don’t
think there’s anything I could have
done differently, but I think I will
be more careful in the future.”
Building blocks on campus
By Kjrsten Keane
staff Writer
Several construction projects
are currently underway on cam
pus that aim to improve residen
tial and educational environ
ments for students, said Ron
Reagan, director offacilities plan-
ningand construction at UNCA.
“We ace working as hard as we
can to finish,” said Reagan.
Four of the major projects on
campus include changes to
Founders Residence Hall,
Carmichael Hall and Karpen
Hall, as well as the construction
of a new dormitory. West Ridge
Hall.
“I feel the construction on cam
pus, while extremely aggiavaf-
ing at times, is all part of the
improvement of the residence
halls and campus,” said Larty
Minton, resident director for
Founders Hall. “A litde annoy
ance now equals progress and
convenience in the future.”
The addition of air condition
ing to Founders Hall and
Carmichael Hall began over the
summer.
“The schedule wouldn’t allow
us to complete all of (Carmichael)
in the summer,” said Reagan.
“We went in and did all the
demolition work that needed to
be done while that building was
empty. Thereweren’tanyclasses
there in the summer.”
“I am very excited about
Carmichael Hall becoming air-
conditioned,” said Shelly Moss,
a sophomore histor)'major. “The
unpleasant conditions make it
difficul t to concentrate at times.”
Air conditioning in Carmichael
Hall will be finished in Novem
ber, and air conditioning in
Founders Hall is scheduled to be
tested the weekofSeptember 15,
said Reagan. “We are not trying
to delay any project, especially in
Founders Hall.
“We’d like to finish in time to
test the air conditioning out and
-
f-
‘•jf
•PHOTO BY CARRIE ENDERS
Construction equipment sits idle amidst the rubble at the new West Ridge Residence
Hall site, scheduled to open summer of 1999.
it be warm enough that we could
get .some air conditioning to the
students,” said Reagan.
In addition to having air condi
tioned buildings, students will also
have a new dormitory on campus
to accommodate the growing
number of resident students.
West Ridge will provide housing
for 150 more students, with ac
commodations similar to those of
South Ridge Residence Hall, said
Reagan.
“Right now we’re planning on
having West Ridge completed dur
ing the spring of next year and it
will be ready for summer students,”
said Reagan.
“I’m thrilled about the addition
of a new dorm,” .'aid Sarah Clere,
sophomore literature major.
Reagan said that by the time
West Ridge is readyforstudents,
a new parking garage capable of
holding 225 cars will also be
completed. The garage will be
accessible from the updated Di
vision Street entrance.
See PROJECTS page 11
UNCA mourns loss of alumnus, daughter
PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL GOUGE
Miranda Wyatt Banks, a
UNCA graduate, died in a
fatal car accident Aug. 23.
By Samatha Hartmann
staff Writer
A UNCA graduate and her 3-year-old
daughter were killed in a car accident Aug.
23 on Interstate 26 near the Biltmore
Square Mall.
Miranda Wyatt Banks, a 29-year-old
Hendersonville native, and her daughter,
Madison Kaye Banks, were on their way to
church when a car traveling in the opposite
direction crossed the median and collided
into Banks’ vehicle. According to Troop
ers at the scene of the accident, the driver
who caused the collision allegedly fell asleep
at the wheel.
Banks is remembered fondly by friends.
students, and faculty at UNCA.
She was so full of happiness,” said Michael
Gouge, a UNCA adjunct mass communi
cation professor who attended UN CA with
Banks from 1987- 1990. “I don’t think I
have ever met a soul that was so luminous
and joyful. I remember looking out of the
wiijdow in science class one day, and I saw
her walking down the sidewalk. She was
just smiling and happy to be in the world.
There was a certain radiance about her.”
“We are saddened by the loss of Miranda
Wyatt Banks, who graduated from our
program in 1991,” said Alan Hantz, a
professor of mass communication.
Miranda was an excellent student and a
delightful individual. She always carried a
smile in our halls. Our deepest sympathies
go out to Miranda’s family and loved ones.”
Gouge said he is delighted to be at
UNCA as an adjunct professor this fall,
but being on campus again has brought
back many memories of Banks.
I have been numb for several days,”
said Gouge. “Every building and side
walk seems to have a memory of her. I
just try to remember the good times.”
According to Gouge, Banks continued
to pursue her interest in photography
after graduation.
“She was a photographer for The Ban
ner, and also worked part-time for the
Asheville Citizen-Times once she gradu
ated,” said Gouge. “Before she got mar
ried, she talked about going back to
graduate school to get her masters degree
in photography.”
Melissa Beretta, a 26-year-old Asheville
resident and former UNCA student, said
she remembers Banks as a beautiful person
both inside and out.
“Miranda would make a point to follow-
up on things casually mentioned in conver
sation,” said Beretta. “Most people aren’t
even concerned enough to remember. She
was very considerate.”
Gouge said Banks was the kind of person
you met once and immediately'liked.
“Miranda would do thoughtful things for
no reason at all, said Gouge. “If she saw
something in a store she thought you might
like, she would buy it for you as a gift.”
Beretta said the funeral service was very
emotional. She said the church was so full
that many people had to stand outside.
See GRADUATE page 12