Coming to an end How did the Hokies mens basketball season fare? Our columnist speaks out on the team’s level of success. Sports pg. 8 >
K-Ci goes solo
The artist steps out into the world of music with his own tracks, leaving his brother behind. Sports pg. 3 >
COLLEGIATETIMES WEDNESDAY
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Moe’s to move in to old Crossroads space KEVIN ANDERSON CT Associate News Editor
For those who crave southwestern Tex-Mex style restaurants and are disappointed by their absence in Blacksburg, the wait is over. A Moe’s Southwestern Grill will open this August in the empty space on the corner of Main Street and College Avenue. The open space, which has been vacant for nearly a year, once housed the popular record store Crossroads CD’s. “We are excited to put a new restaurant on the corner,” said Doug Walsh, the general manager of Lester Properties, which owns the building. Ever since Crossroads left due to legal problems with the building’s owner last March, Lester Properties has had a difficult time trying to find a business to fill it. However, this new franchise is expected to have positive effects on the town. “I think it is beneficial and gives more foot traffic,” said Joe Castle, the manager of Peewee’s Pit Barbecue restaurant, the neigh-
boring venue to Moe’s that has been open since November. Moe’s is a chain of restaurants across the country that serves burritos and tacos in a Tex-Mex fashion. “We expect students and younger residents to eat here,” Walsh said. “The restaurant caters to a college-age demographic.” The lease and construction costs of the restaurant have yet to be determined due to a lack of agreements with the building officials. Walsh stated that fire separation issues, which come from the residential living spaces above the restaurant, haven’t been signed yet. “We will hopefully begin construction shortly in April,” Walsh said. Moe’s Southwestern Grill is set to open in August near the beginning of the fall semester. The installation of the restaurant will fulfill the completion of the entire building. “I don’t think the restaurant is going to be a problem for our business because it is a completely different type of food,” Castle said.
RYAN ARNAUDIN/SPPS
Tex-Mex style Moe’s Southwestern Grill will open in August on the corner of College Ave.
Smart Way expands service Study abroad bill introduced in House of Reps
News Notes Tech softball team pushes up in the ESPN rankings
BRITTNEY R. DAVIS CT News Reporter
The Virginia Tech softball team is making its first appearance in 11 months in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Poll. The No. 24 Hokies (24-9, 2-1 ACC) took their first conference series of the season over the weekend against Georgia Tech. The latest poll features only three ACC teams: No. 20 Georgia Tech; No. 24 Virginia Tech; and No. 25 N.C. State. North Carolina and Florida State also received votes. The Hokies are led by star junior pitcher Angela Tincher, who has amassed an 18-3 record, averaging just over 13 strikeouts per appearance. The Hokies return to action this weekend on the road against Florida State. Their next home game is set for March 31 against No. 25 NC State.
2008 graduating class to celebrate with weekend dance The Class of 2008 Ring Dance Banquet will kick off this Friday, March 23, 2007. This time-honored traditional event begins at 7 p.m. Ticket prices are $15 per person and can be bought at the Squires Virginia Tech Ticket office. Big Ray and the Kool Kats will perform at The Ring Dance this Saturday, March 24, at the Squires Commonwealth Ballroom. Notable traditional events of the night include fireworks, ring exchange and a pig release.
Virginia Tech to hire for dean of students position The university has scheduled open sessions for candidates of the dean of students position. Each candidate will speak on the topic “The Role of the Dean of Students Office in the Education of the Whole Student.” The schedule is as follows: Joe Sherlin will present on Friday, March 23 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Room 341/345 of Squires Student Center. Maria Grandone Llorente will present on Wednesday, March 28 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Assembly Hall at The Inn at Virginia Tech. Byron McCrae, will present on Thursday, March 29 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Brush Mountain A in Squires Student Center.
Radford University may take Brad Greenberg from Hokies
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An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 104th Year, No. 90 Blacksburg, Va. March 21, 2007
KARL FALCONER/SPPS
The Smart Way will temporarily travel through Shawsville for three months as a trial period.
BRITTNEY R. DAVIS CT News Reporter The Valley Metro’s Smart Way commuter bus will add a bus stop in Shawsville starting April 2 for a trial period, in order to expand service to residents of the area. The bus currently makes 10 stops starting from the Campbell Court Transportation Center in downtown Roanoke to South Main Street, with Tech’s Squires Student Center being serviced along the way. The route will now include the Meadowbrook Library in Shawsville, slightly altering the route map. “The people of the Shawsville area contacted their Board of Supervisors and then the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors asked Valley Metro, the operators of the Smart Way Bus, to please conduct a trial period,” said Valley Metro representative Donna Chamberlain. “Whether or not the stop becomes permanent is up to the folks in the Shawsville/Elliston/Ironto area. If they ride the bus, the service will stay; if they don’t ride, then I imagine the decision will be made to switch back to the regular schedule.” Currently, the regular schedule accommodates a total of nearly 3,000 passengers per month, and about 118 passengers a day. “It would be impossible for me to guess how many Shawsville residents will actually use the service, especially in advance of its first run,” Chamberlain said. “I can only say that since the Smart Way Bus service began, we have had many requests, by phone, e-mail
changes from a detour to a route change, we cannot make that decision until construction is finished and our Safety Department and Operations Department can analyze the area for potential hazards to riders.” The University Mall detour caused no changes in time schedules or fare for riders. One Shawsville resident is welcoming the new bus stop. “My grandmother is a resident of Shawsville and she doesn’t live too far from the library,” said junior finance major Natalie Bernier. “She works at the Hotel Roanoke Higher Education Center and the new bus stop will make it really convenient for her to get to work since she won’t have to drive anymore. I appreciate the Valley Metro’s efforts in trying to serve our area.” The trial period will end on June 30.
and letter, to include a stop in the area. I hope these folks will find this new stop will work in their travel schedule.” While the addition of the new stop will alter the route map, the total travel time and bus fare will not change. Tech’s own Blacksburg Transit is familiar with the protocol associated with altering the route map, as it was done at the beginning of the academic year. “The detour that the University Mall bus makes currently is the exit from University Mall inbound to campus after the Math Emporium stop,” said Blacksburg Transit representative Ken Tucker. “This particular detour has been in effect for the entire academic year because of construction on the Gateway Center and the beginning of construction on the proposed retail spaces at University Mall. Whether it
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Virginia Tech men’s basketball associate head coach Brad Greenberg may be employed elsewhere next season. Brad, older brother of head coach Seth Greenberg, has been named as a candidate for the soon-to-be vacant head coaching position at Radford University. “There’s not much I can (say) right now,” said athletic director Greig Denny. “We have a process that’s underway and I recognize that (Greenberg’s) name has been mentioned in the press, but I can’t offer any other information at this point in time in relation to that search.” Brad has served in his current position since the 2004 and has been at Virginia Tech since 2003. Prior to coming to Virginia Tech, Greenberg coached at American University (1977-78), St. Joseph’s University (1978-84) and more recently at the University of South Florida with Seth (2001-03). Brad’s experience also extends to the professional ranks. He has worked in many capacities in the NBA including assistant coach, scout, director of player personnel, vice president for player personnel and general manager.
March 21, 2007
Route Variation Shawsville Meadowbrook Library - April 2-June 2007 M-SA departure to Blacksburg 8:35AM and 6:05PM M-SA departure to Roanoke 9:55AM and 7:25PM
Legislation establishing a national study abroad fellowship was proposed last Monday by members of the Foreign Affairs Committee. California Democratic Rep. Tom Lantos and Florida Republican Rep. Ileana RosLehtinen introduced House Bill 1469, the Sen. Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act of 2007. Simon was a strong proponent of international education and worked for the creation of the Bipartisan Commission on the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Fellowship Program. In light of his death, the new act was created based on his earlier recommendations for the commission, including the goal of increasing the number of students who study abroad, create a more globally informed American citizenry, encourage diversity in student participation in study abroad, diversify locations of study abroad. This act holds particular importance in developing countries to create an innovative partnership with higher education and opens more doors for study abroad to internationalize U.S. higher education by making study abroad a cornerstone of undergraduate education. “The bill’s recognition of a need for students to travel to nontraditional study abroad destinations will help ensure that future generations will be more knowledgeable about other peoples and cultures,” said university relation’s communication manager Susan Felker. “The goal of the legislation is to increase the number of students who study abroad by one million per year by 2016,” said assistant director of education abroad Dr. Steven Duke. “The scholarship is a very important way of turning that goal into a reality.” In the 2005-2006 academic
year, approximately 900 students studied abroad in over 20 participating countries for academic credit. Most of these students studied in Western Europe, more than 100 hosted in Switzerland, some in Africa, Asia and Latin America and 16 in South Africa. “The most important benefits of study abroad are the academic and personal aspects,” Duke said. “Academically, it gives students the opportunity to better understand their majors as they are practiced and taught in other countries. Personally, students are given the chance to learn more about the world and more about how they have a role in the world.” The program has already generated a great deal of support from educational organizations such as the Abroad View Foundation, the American Council on Education, the American Association of Community Colleges, the Association of International Educators, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the Association of American Universities, Transitions Abroad, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, World Learning and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges. In addition, the act has gained support from Tech’s own president Charles L. Steger and from Tech staff, such as University Honors director Jack Dudley, who believes that every student should study abroad. “Study abroad is one of those things a student can do to profoundly improve the quality of their education,” Dudley said. For more information on Tech’s study abroad opportunities, the Education Abroad office will be holding an expo tomorrow in 1100 Torgersen on academic programs in France, Italy, the Middle East and Africa.
COURTESY OF THE ROANOKE VALLEY REGIONAL COMMISSION
Montgomery County temporarily bans open-air brush burnings ALEXANDRA HEMENWAY CT News Reporter Montgomery County enacted a ban on open-air burning last Friday after Montgomery County Emergency Services declared that the community was at considerable risk for a fire. “The weather conditions were so dry and we had so much wind the top layers of any brush are sensitive to fire,” said Neal Turner, Montgomery County’s emergency services coordinator. “If a fire were to start it would take days to get it under control.” Montgomery County is especially susceptible to outdoor fires because of the county’s unique weather characteristics. “Considering the number of fires we
already had, we felt we had to do this to protect the county,” Turner said. The combination of low snowfall this winter, little rainfall this spring and powerful winds can result in an extremely dry environment that is ideal for a fire. “We did have a little rain this week but we also had a lot of wind so the net gain was minimal,” Turner said. “In our area winds are significant and we have little or no snowfall so the ground moisture is low.” Usually Montgomery County residents are allowed to burn after 4 p.m. Feb. 15 to April 30, however, with the ban in place there is no burning allowed at all. This ban includes all types of open burning including campfires or the burning of brush or debris to
prepare to plant fields. This open-air ban is not a new idea to the county, in fact, it is relatively common for them to pass one around this time of year. “We did the same thing last year right around this time,” Turner said. Although there have been a few fires reported, most were small and relatively easy to control. Those that were burning things outside were apparently unaware that the ban was in effect. “Since the ban has been in effect, we’ve had three or four calls in regard to open-air burning,” said Wayne Gourst, a Montgomery County fire code official. “Mainly the problem was people were simply unaware that the ban was in effect.” Usually Montgomery County citizens
are respectful of the fact that openair burning is outlawed, however, for those that decide to burn things in spite of the ban the consequences will include a Class Three misdemeanor and most likely a fine. “We turn people over to law enforcement,” Gourst said. “The Fire Department doesn’t offer fines or arrests.” Although the ban is only temporary, Montgomery County Emergency Services has not yet decided when the ban will be lifted. “We do this and we catch a lot of grief because everyone wants to burn, but it’s too much of a risk to let it get out of hand,” Turner said. “We do it to protect our citizens and their property; we will always air on the side of caution.”