• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1982-03-25_Vol46_No24_01

Western Carolinian Voice of the Students Volume XLVI Issjue 24 March 25, 1982/ Cullowhee, North Carolina Phone ?27-7267 | WCU Plans Pilot Microcomputer Network by M. J. Schut* lhe widespread availability ol relatively inexpensive microcomputers has the potential to revolutionize the ways that people exchange information. Computer communication net works are among the most promising changes brought about by this new aspect ot the technological resolution. Western Carolina University is preparing to take a step into the future as it makes plans to pilot its own micro-computer network. An initial step toward this goal was taken on March 18 when a conference was held here at which experts discussed and demonstrated classroom use and conference capabilities ol such a network. John Manock, director ol Research Administration here at WCl . tells us that the proposed network would play foul information communication. First, it would serve as a repository for selected software programs in public domain—in other words, programs not under copy w right Second, it would provide teacher naming in micro-computer-related a rea s. Ihnd. it would act as a source 01 conduct of information lor all members ot the network. Finally, it would provide a conference system. Ihe network will operate on a regional basis serving schools and private computer owners in the seventeen Western counties of North Carolina Initially, service will be restricted to three educational disciplines: Chemistry. Biology and Mathematics. Interest and demand will almost certainly increase. however, so there is no way to predict all ot the possible future uses of the network, Members will have to invest about $400 to enable their microcomputers to join the network, according to Mr. Manock. 1 his tigure represents about S100 in software (tloppy discs) and approximately $300 invested in micro-modem hardware which enables a computer to use telephone lines. Alter this initial investment, the network would be cost-tree to users because WCl would provide them with a toll-tree (800) telephone number into the system 1 his investment seems small when the mans advantages ot access to such a network are taken into consideration. Picture yoursell as a user. ^ ou make the connection between your terminal and the network using a coded account number assigned to you by the network which is known only to you, the member. Your viewscreen confirms the connection and informs you that you have mail (private messages available only to you) and news (a public bulletin of questions and responses contributed by all members ot the network) You could read both your mail and the news and then respond to any questions you might be able to help with. \ ou might want to post a question or two ol your own with the news. I hen you could request a program in public domain, for example a simple check- balancing program, from the program repository. Vour time on the network would be virtually unlimited cost-wise, thanks to the toll-tree number, so you might then want to send some mail ot your own to other network members before disconnecting. Ihe brainpower available to help answer youi questions would increase as the number of members in the network incK would the amount ol data at your disposal Mr. Manock tells us that all the micro-computers on campus can become terminals to the network so this system can be beneficial to any student at WCl who takes the time to become familiar with these units. It appears that computers aie rapidly becoming as common as telephones, so someday soon the beneficiaries ol the network could include almost everyone on campus. When will all these benefits be available'.' According to Mr. Manock. the network will begin operation by September 1st ot this vear. Metropolis 1920's Classic The classic silent film Metropolis by German director Fritz Lang will be shown Wednesday, March 31, at 7:00 p.m. in the Natural Sciences Auditorium by the Department of Sociology/ Anthropology. The showing is free and open to the public. Metropolis could be called either science fiction or social criticism. Lang creates on the screen a city divided into two levels, physically and socially. Above ground are the rich, enjoying all the benefits of great wealth. Below ground are the workers, who labor in the factories there to produce the city's wealth, and live underground as well, never breathing fresh air or seeing the sky. This of course symbolizes the inequality between social classes and their different "life chances" in all industrial societies. The main protagonists in Lang's film are a priestess leading a secret religious cult among the workers, and an inventor in the service of the rich, who was the original model for the "Dr. Strangelove" character. Lang was the first master of special effects on film. The scenes of the inventor's laboratory, his robot, the underground city, and the above ground city with its skyscrapers and freeways are astonishing in a film made in the 1920s. Lang's films were so good that when Hitler came to power in Germany, he asked Lang to be the official filmmaker of the Third Reich. Lang knew that if he refused he would probably be sent to a concentration camp, so he immediately left Germany and went into exile for the rest of his career. Black Awareness Week Spring Lineup For LMP photo by Doug Cavanah Sarah Lowell, a 19-year old WCL sophomore, set a world junior class record Sunday, March 14, in Columbia, S.C. For more on Sarah, turn to page 7. African Studies Spring Meeting Scholars, representatives from prov ate voluntary organizations and other persons and agencies with a shared interest in Africa will convene at WCU Saturday. March 27. for the Southeastern Regional Seminar on African Studies spring meeting. The Joint PVC) University Rural Development Center, founded in 1979 and based at WCU. will host the meeting. It marks the first time representatives from private voluntary organizations have participated in a SERSAS meeting. The seminar will address "Food Availability in Africa" and will offer two major presentations-- "International Aid Assistance to Food Production in Africa: Bakel. Senegal Irrigated Perimeters and 'Action Resorgo'GAO. Mali"by Dr. John M. O'Sullivan of the Center for Rural Development of Tuskcgee Institute: and "Problems and Prospects tor Improving Food Availability in Africa Today "by Dr. Robert P. patterson of the Department of Crop Science at North Carolina State University. Respondents for Dr. Sullivan's presentation will be Dr. Joseph Kennedy, director of international development for Africare. and Dr. Jeffrey Neff. associate professor in WCU's Department of Earth Sciences. Kenneth F. Hackctt. Regional Director for Sub-Sahara, Africa, of Catholic Relief Services, and Dr. Charles Stevens, associate professor' of political science at WCU. will be the respondents for Dr. Patterson's presentation. The seminar will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Founders Auditorium of WCU's Mountain Heritage Center and continue until 3 p.m. It is open to all people interested in Africa. The Southeastern Regional Seminar on African Studies began in 1972 with the aim of bringing together scholars in the southeast who shared an interest in Africa. It was funded by the Joint Committee on African Studies of the Social Science Research Council and the American Council of I earned Societies. The seminar now relies on host institutions for support. According to Thomas C. Howard, associate professor of history at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, the meeting at WCT will be "something of a departure and an experimentation in dealing with the applied side of things." Howard is the seminar coordinator. Ihe Joint PVC) University Rural Development Center is an alliance of universities in the Southern Appalachian region and private and voluntary organi/ations to better serve the needs of rural people. Members of the center's governing board are Dr. Paul F. McCleary. executive director of Church World Service, and Dr. H. F. Robinson. WCl chancellor. chairmen; Dr. Fred Davison, president of the University of Georgia; Dr. Phillip Johnston, executive director of CARE: Dr. James MacC racken. executive director of the Christian Children's Fund; Icon O. Marion, executive director of the American Council of Voluntary Agencies for Foreign Service. Inc.; Dr. John Thomas, chancellor of Appalachian State University: Dr. Edward Fort. Chancellor of North Carolina A &. T State University: and Dr. W. E. lavery. president of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. I Merton Cregger. director of WCU's Center for Improving Mountain I iving. serves as executive secretary of the Joint PVC) University Rural Development Center. World's Fair Bus Trip On Sunday, May 9th. A.K. Hinds University Center will sponsor a bus to the World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee. Knoxville is only a two hour drive from Cullowhee and will offer a once in a life time international experience that you will not want to miss, lhc World's Fair will feature exhibits from 19 nations including Ihe Peoples Republic of China, Saudia Arabia. Japan, United Kingdom, Australia and France. There will be daily salutes, celebrity appearances, parades and the World's Festival - a series of sporting events and entertainment extravaganzas. The 1982 World's Fair will give you a chance to sample the shopping, cuisine and culture of faraway places. If you enjoy the great outdoors, then 1 ast Minute Productions has planned Spring lor you. 1 MP has planned a variety ot Canoe and Kayak Clinics as well as rockclimbing. If you arc a beginner or an experienced outdoor adventurer, you will find l.MP has a program designed tor you. As warm weather arrives. I MP will oiler a Beginning Canoe Clinic on April 17. and a Beginning Kayak Clinic on April 18. Both clinics will take place on the Tuckaseigee River and Cedar Cliff Lake. Beginning clinics are designed to give you the basics ol Whitewater paddling including the basic strokes, turns and salctv techniques. On April 24, a Novice Canoe clinic will be held on the Nantahal River. The Nantahala River is a fast and beautiful river and the all-day clinic will offer the novice canoer an opportunity to sharpen his paddling skills. A Novice Kayak Clinic will also be held on the Nantahala River on April 25. Participants should have a good background in ferrying, peel outs, eddy turns and be in good physical condition. If you are interested in learning Rockclimbing. L.MP will also offer a Beginning Clinic on April 3 at Devils Courthouse. Participants will spend the morning learning basic knots, belaying techniques, safety procedures and climbing etiquette. Participants should be in good physical condition and expect a strenuous day of climbing. Mountain Adventures will sponsor two terrific Spring trips. The first, on Easter Break, will feature a canoe trip on Sections 2& 3 of the Chattooga River. The Chattooga River otters a multitude ol Whitewater experiences for the Novice paddler. I his trip is designed lo give vou a chance to sharpen your skills on section 2 in preparation for the more difficult section 3. All participants should have some paddling experience and be good physical condition. I he cost of the trip includes all transportation, equipment, instruction and meals while on the river. Ihe dales lor this trip are ApriT 10 through 12. Also, loi those ol you who are interested in getting away from it all before the summer job begins. I MP is sponsoring a trip to the Boundary Water Canoe Area in Minnesota. This area oilers over a million acres ol wilderness with over 10.000 lakes. I his magnificent wilderness oilers over 1200 miles ol canoe trails through some of the most beautiful country in the world. Ihe Boundary Waters Canoe 1 up will leave Cullowhee Mav 17 and return May 28. Participants should expect excellent fishing, terrific scenery .old an abundani wildlife. In past trips, students have seen ducks, loons, eagles, great blue herons, deer, moose, black beai. beaver and owls lhc abundant fish lite makes lor great fishing On past trips, students have caught Northern Pike. Wallege. Small Mouth Bass and Lake I rout. The cost ol the tup includes all canoes, camping equipment, sleeping bags, transportation and meals while on the lakes. As warm weather-arrives and the adventuresome spirit develops, come by the University Center, first floor and sign up for a clinic or trip. You will not regret it. photo by Tim Thomas WCU To Host Health Fair by Charles Sosnik For the second year in a row. the campus of Western Carolina University will be one of the four Jackson County sites for the Health Fair. The on-campus branch of this year's health fair will be located at the Hinds University Center and will take place on Monday. April 19 from 12-7 p.m. Other Jackson County sites will include an April 16 Health Fair in Cherokee at the Qualla Civic Center, an April 21 Health Fair in Franklin at the Community Service Health Center, and an April 24 Health Fair in Cashiers at the Blue Ridge School. Free screening will be provided at this year's Health Fair. Screening services will include height, weight, blood pressure, hearing, oral cancer, eye and glaucoma tests, as well as a possible foot examination and breast cancer exam. Blood tests for fats. glyceride, and blood sugar will be provided at a nominal fee. locally, the Health Fair is sponsored by the Jackson County Health Department. C. J. Harris Hospital, the nursing school at Western Carolina University. St. Joseph's Hospital, and WT OS-TV Channel 13 in Asheville. Many donations have come from local residents as well. The executive chairman of the 1982 Health Fair is Randal Turpin. The executive committee of the 1982 Health Fair consists of Western Carolina University. C. J. Harris Hospital, and the Cherokee Public Health Service. As stated earlier, this is the second year for the Health Fair. I ast year's Health Fair was an overwhelming success. In fact, Jackson County's four sites had a higher attendance than the rest of North Carolina and South Carolina combined, and last year's WCU site was the highest in the county. This year's Health Fair will also feature learning centers for health care, such as holistic health and traditional health, as well as a learning center for nutrition. The Environmental Health Club, directed by Joe Beck, will have an automobile emissions test, and free literature and pamphlets will be readily available. When asked about the purpose of Health Fair '82, Katie I .ackie of the Jackson County Health Center feel it was "...to try to educate individuals to take responsibility for their own health care." Mrs. I ackie continued, "...if we could get people- to do that, we could really improve the quality of their lives "

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University's student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolinian in 1933.

• Creator
  • Western Carolina University
• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 1982-03-25
  • Date digitized: 2019-01-29
• Extent
  • Dimension: 15" x 11.5"
  • Pages: 10 pages
• Subject - Topic
  • College student newspapers and periodicals
  • Cullowhee (N.C.) -- Newspapers
  • Universities and colleges -- North Carolina -- Cullowhee -- Newspapers
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Cullowhee (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • WCU Students Newspapers Collection
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1982-03-25_Vol46_No24
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library