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Cracks in Sidewall Shut Down Pool Indefinitely
By GREG BASSETT
A number of cracks in the finishing
coat on the sidewalls of Helms Center’s
Campbell Pool have forced its in
definite closing.
School officials expect the olympic-
size pool to remain closed for at least 30
days while it undergoes inspection and
repairs.
Meanwhile, the college has refused to
accept the pool in its condition, and has
turned the matter over to the gym
nasium's architect, W.D. Boone, Jr. As
an agent of the college, the Boone ar
chitectural firm is held responsible and
must see to the correction of the pool
cracks.
Along with the cracks, severe
discoloration of pool’s white hnish has
college officials dissatisfied.
At press time it was still uncertain
how drastic the pool repairs would
have to be. The cracks, which have pop
ped up in at least four places, have been
examined by various pool companies
including the company which installed
the pool.
Chowan’s superintendent of buildings
and grounds, Jack Hassell, explained
the college’s complicated arrangement
with the builders protects the school
from having to pay the costs of fixing
the pool.
Hassell said that a percentage of
payments will be withheld from the
center’s general contractor, King-
Hunter, Inc. of Greensboro. King-
Hunter, in turn, will deal with the
specialized pool company which per
formed the actual pool construction,
Merrideth Pool of Charlotte.
According to Hassell, independent
pool experts which examined the faulty
pool were surprised there were pro
blems in a pool constructed by Mer
rideth. He said he has been told the
company is regarded as “very
reliable” and that there “shouldn’t be
any problems.”
The pool is made of cement and a
material called marblite. The marblite
is the finish coat that gives the pool its
white color and stone texture. Mistakes
were evidently made when the
marblite, which mixes in a plaster-like
substance, was applied to the pool’s
foot-thick cement base, Hassel said.
So far there are no cracks in the ce
ment base of the pool and none are ex
pected. The problem lies in the
marblite which is cracking and
threatening to chip off.
Hassell recounted that the cracks
were discovered while the pool was
drained for repairs on its filter system.
He said he noticed the cracks and light
taps against the walls proved that at
least four specific areas in the pool con
tained the loosening marblite.
Pool experts have guessed that im
proper preparation of the marblite’s
undercoat to be the cause of the cracks.
Another theory is the plaster-like
marblite was troweled too much before
application. Neither cause, however
has been confirmed.
Hassell asserted that no pressure had
been put on either King-Hunter or Mer
rideth to finish the pool in a hurry.
“We wanted the best job possible,” he
said. “When the contract was let, there
was no deadline on completion. No
pressure has been put on them (the con
tractors), even to this day.”
Hassell noted that no penalty clauses
Hassell checks pool wall
existed in the contract so there was no
need to rush on the job or cut comers.
He stressed that Merrideth Pool has a
very good reputation in pool construc
tion and suggested that the faults could
be in the construction materials.
More Swim Time Promised
Students will not be missing any pool time because of the closing
of Campbell Pool, now drained berause of cracks in its sides.
According to Jack Hassell, superintendent of buildings and
grounds, the pool when reopened will remain open past November
1 to make up for the time it has been closed for repairs. That could
mean the pool will stay open through the winter, depending on how
long repairs take.
Meanwhile, the old pool under Columns has been reopened to
handle swim classes and provide some swim time for the students.
The 208,000-gallon structure was first drained in September
because ol problems in its filtering system. The cracks were
discovered soon after and the pool will be closed at least another 30
days while repairs are made.
Even after the repairs are finished, the recently corrected filter
system must be tested, which could cause the pool to be closed even
longer.
“I know it’s been a big disappointment to the students,” said
Hassell. “It’s a shame to make the students use the old pool. ”
Hassell declared he wanted the pool in healthy structural shape
and full of “sparkling blue water” before it was reopened.
— Greg Bassett
Volume 12 Number3 Chowan College, Murfreesboro, NC October 15, 1980
Half of SGA Funds Spent
In First Month of Term
Smiling Coach Jim Garrison gets taken for a ride by jubilant players following Homecoming defeat of Ferrum.
(Photo by Todd Dudek)
Shigeko Crowned, Ferrum Downed
As 4,000 Attend Homecoming Rites
By GREG BASSETT
and NANCY KEEN
Despite the chilly, rainy weather
which forced the cancellation of some
Friday night outdoor festivities, most
agree that Homeconjing 1980 will rank
as one of the best Homecomings ever.
“I think Homecoming was a total
success, especially compared to last
year,” said Parker Hall’s dorm council
president Jeff Pishner. “It was by far
the best and most exciting weekend
this faU.”
Parker Hall won the first place and
$25 in the dormitory decoration com
petition. Pishner said that he and about
ten others worked day and night for two
days putting together the decorations
and banners that were featured
throughout the dorm and at the game.
Ms. Linda Owens, director of campus
programming, praised the work of the
Parker residents as a “supreme group
effort.”
“Anything Goes” competition in the
park between individual students began
Belk Leads
Race for Cup
By LYNETTE FARRELL
Competion for the President’s Cup is
keener this year than ever before,
according to Dean R. Clayton Lewis.
Jenkins Hall has won the award for
the past two years, but so far Belk Hall
has the highest number of points.
On Honors Day in May, the residence
hall with the highest number of points
will have its name inscribed on the
President’s Cup.
There is annual competion between
residence halls in six areas. These
areas are academic averages, at
tendance at college sponsored events,
intramural sports participation,
programs sponsored by residence halls,
proration, and citizenship.
A lot of work by staff members is
involved in planning activities and
deciding which residence halls, will win
the cup this year. Attendance at college
activities by hall residents and taking
advantage of what Chowan has to offer
is what adds up the points.
Friday afternoon with a “cracker
whistle”, for which the students had to
chew dry saltines and then try to
whistle. Next was the tobacco spitting
contest, to determine who could spit the
farthest. The pie-eating contest was
differait from last year in that it was
held as a race to see who could down his
pie the fastest rather than who could
consume the most.
Other contests completed before the
Friday rain were: a two-mile relay
around Squirrel Park, with teams
consisting of three men and one
woman, and a turtle race from the edge
of the park to the “White House” with
three participants: “Carter”,
“Reagan”, and, “Anderson”. “An
derson” took this one; “Carter” never
left the starting block.
Following “Anything Goes”, there
was a banquet at 6 p.m. in the
President’s dining room from Dr.
Whitaker in honor of the homecoming
court and for invited guests.
The rain prevented not only a few
Squirrel Park activities, but also a
funeral procession to bury the Pan
thers. Dr. Earl Parker did, however,
present a eulogy in Columns
auditorium—which was followed by an
unusually lively pep—rally, After the
pep-rally. West Hall was awarded a
school-color spirit,stick for exceptional
dieering efforts.
The game Saturday saw upwards of
4,000 people jam the grandstands as
Chowan rolled past Ferrum, much'to
the delight of the students and alumni,
by a score of 20-7.
When the gun has sounded and the
game was over. Coach Jim Garrison
was carried around the field on the
shoulders of his cheering players in a
never to be forgotten victory
celebration. Meanwhile, “Another One
Bites The Dust,” a popular rock song
that has come to symbolize this year’s
Braves, blared through the stadium
speakers.
A Ferrum football jersey was run up
the flag pole by the players. They
huddled around Garrison after the
game while he praised them for the
victory.
“Coach Garrison wanted this game
bad,” said one of the players after the
celebration. “The game was a personal
one for him. He wanted to win it real
bad. The score was 20-7, but he didn’t
{Jay any of the second string.”
TTie 1980 Homecoming Court was
termed “one of the prettiest ever” by a
college official on hand, and was just
that. For the first time ever, a foreign
student won the coveted Homecoming
Queen title.
Shigeko Wakiyama, West Hall’s
pretty little 20-year-old representative,
(See Queen, Page 7)
By GREG BASSETT
One month into the new school year,
the Student Government Association
has spent approximately half of its first
semester budget.
According to figures released at the
SGA’s regular Monday session on
September 10, the student organization
has $6,746.41 left of the $12,000 for the
entire year and divided it between
semesters.
SGA Treasurer Diane LeBreux noted
that last year’s SGA left a debt of
$624.63, thus making the 1980-81 SGA
begin the semester with $11,375.37.
A breakdown of SGA spending shows
that the group has spent $1,010.13 in
weekly movies, $1,075 on special events
such as Martha, the Frisbee Dog and
the magic show, and $325 on the band
“Kick.”
The SGA also spent $1,500 for
“Threshold,” the band that was ob
tained to perform for Homecoming.
However, other Homecoming expenses
including the cost of the film “Animal
House” have not been deducted from
the $6,700 balance figure.
President Sharee Atkinson estimated
at the meeting that nearly $3,000 would
be spent on Homecoming alone.
Rescue, Fire Plea
After citing the many ways they
provide service to Chowan students,
Chet Hill of the Murfreesboro Rescue
Service and Charles Watson of the
Murfreesboro Fire Department asked
the SGA to “consider” giving $250 to
each of their respective organizations.
The two outlined their services to the
college and the community, noting that
they stand by at all football games, help
coordinate and conduct campus fire
drills, teach first aid and provide free
ambulance service.
Watson said the fire department
would need $15,000 to operate in the
upcoming year. He added that the $500
gift to the two departments would have
special meaning, having come from the
Chowan students themselves.
“We could have gone to Ben Sutton,“
Watson said refering to the college’s
business manager, “But we’re coming
here to ask you.”
Watson, who serves as Chowan’s
assistant director of development as
well as being a volunteer fireman,
asked the student body to “keep us
rolling and keep us ready.”
SGA vice-president Darlene Keene
suggested that the student association
organize a drive to raise money for the
departments, but Parker Hall’s Dorm
Council president, Jeff Pishner,
recomended the measure be tabled and
discussed at a later date.
Miss Atkinson agreed the gift
question should be tabled, saying it is
something she would like to check into
first.
“The money really should come from
somewhere else,” said the president. “I
think there is another fund it could be
gotten from.”
FestivaI Funding Asked
Joe Mayes, a student representing
college band director Bob Brown, asked
the SGA to sponsor Chowan’s annual
band festival. In past years the SGA has
not funded the event, but this year it was
recommended the the SGA sponsor it.
Mayes said the total cost for the day
long event would be $1,200, but a
private source has provided $800,
leaving a $400 gap to be filled.
Mayes noted that the event has filled
the football stadium with both local
townspeople and college students in
past years. He also stressed that the
(See SGA, Page 6)
Spring Completion Seen
For New Student Center
Interesting People on Campus
By GREG BASSETT
A spring completion is expected in
the remodeling of the old gymnasium
into Chowan’s new student recreation
center.
The old hangar-like gym which was
built in 1954 and once served as the
campus’ gym and class room building,
will replace facilities of Askew Student
Center.
Plans call for the center to contain
several activities unavailable in the
Askew Center. It will feature two televi
sion lounges, a game room, a weight
room, conference rooms, a offices for
the SGA, and a complete student laun
dromat.
The college post office will be
relocated in the student center in an ex
panded format, while the bookstore will
be enlarged in its present location.
According to the college’s superinten
dent of buildings and grounds. Jack
Hassell, $50,000 will be spent to refur
bish the gymnasium in an effort to turn
it into a “first class” student center.
“We hope to set up the student center
so it can become a drawing card for all
the students,” said Hassell. “We want it
to be a place where the students can go
and enjoy themselves. ”
The planning of the recreation center
first began four years ago, said Hassell,
when the college first planned construc
ting the new Jesse Helms Center. He
said the plans heve changed little and
were conceived by a special school
committee with help from student opi
nion.
Current layout plans call for the north
part of the gym which once held locker
rooms to become a game room com
plete with pinball machines, ping-pong
tables and other game machines.
In the northeast portion of the
building, a full scale laundromat will be
constructed so that students may con-
viently do their wash without leaving
campus.
The basketball court will remain so
students can still engage in some play,
while there are also ideas of using the
court for a roller rink, Hassell said.
The center will, the committee hopes
become a popular meeting place on
campus and will serve as the location
for various activities, including the
SGA dances which are now held in
Thomas Cafeteria.
Sao Helps Refugee Family Over Familiar Hurdles
Introducing Scoop
This issue. Smoke Signals begins
“Scoop” a new column which provides
an insider’s view of campus hap
penings. “Scoop” can be found on the
Editorial page and will feature tidbits
of news and opinion.
By LYNETTE FARREL
Few of us know what it is like to go to
a different country where everything is
new to us. Sao Vang, a popular student,
is helping a refugee family from Laos
feel more at home here in the United
States.
The family, which consists of a
nnother and four children, are living in
Murfreesboro. Dr. R. Hargus Taylor,
College Chaplain, asked Sao, who is
also originally from Laos, to help the
family. Sao was glad to help.
Sao says that “The reason I wanted to
do this job is that I’ve been through the
same situation that they’re ex
periencing right now. When my family
and I got to the United States, we felt
out of place especially at the airport in
New York.”
A very important part of Sao’s job
was meeting the family at the airport.
Without his help, they would have been
very confused because they know no
English.
Nobody in Sao’s family knew English
either, except for himself. He didn’t
know much English, but he know
enough to get his family through.
“The only words I knew were ‘Where
is the toilet?’ and ‘Please bring me
something to eat,”’ says Sao. “This
may sound funny to you, but suppose
you are in an airplane and you have to
go to the bathroom or you are hungry
Soo creats a work of art
and you don’t know what to say.”
Sao visits the refugee family often to
see if they are doing okay. It is very
hard for the family to communicate
with Americans.
Sao recalls his feelings when he was
in the same situation. “I just wished
that somehow one of my own poeple
would show up out of nowhere and help
me out.” That’s why Sao was eager to
help out the refugee family.
“In my life I always want to help
people, it doesn’t matter who they are.
I’m always willing to help if I can,”
Sao is an accomplished artist. His
drawings have decorated many of the
blackboards on the campus. His “per
manent display” on the board in Mrs.
Marianne Jackson’s office has arawn
favorable comment from many ob
servers.
One demonstration of his artistic
talent is the cover he drew for the fall
examination schedule last year.
Another is the taunting banner displayed
at the Homecoming victory over
Ferrum.