COLLEGIATETIMES
wednesday september 26, 2007 blacksburg, va.
www.collegiatetimes.com
news VICK CHARGED IN VIRGINIA Former Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick was indicted Tuesday on state charges related to dog fighting. Vick was indicted on one count of beating or killing or causing dogs to fight other dogs and another count of engaging in or promoting dog fighting. Vick has already pled guilty to a federal charge of dog fighting conspiracy. A Surry County grand jury declined to indict Vick and two other co-defendants on eight counts of animal cruelty. Gerald G. Poindexter, Surry County District Attorney, requested that each defendant be releases on a $50,000 personal recognizance bond.
Tech has $8 million in expenses after April 16 ROSANNA BROWN
ct news reporter When all is said and done, Virginia Tech will have incurred $8 million in expenses as a result of the events that occurred on April 16. The expenses have totaled up in various ways in the aftermath of the tragedy. Cleaning Norris Hall was a fairly large expense that contributed to the $8 million total. Larry Hincker, university relations, said the that the cleaning consisted of replacing ceilings and floors, installing new doors on the second floor, and removing asbestos from the third floor. Officers were also moved off-campus during the cleaning, which added more to the total. Refurbishment costs for Norris totaled $417,000, plus an additional $75,000 spent on asbestos removal, Hincker said. Another expense was the cancellation of conferences scheduled to take place at the Inn at Virginia Tech during the week of April 16 to accommodate those who provided aid during their stays in Blacksburg. Hincker explained that such revenue lost translated into losing double because the revenue for the people who were supposed to stay at the Inn was lost, and no revenue was gained from those who stayed during the tragedy. Forgiven revenue for
hospitality totaled $200,000. The university had to pay to borrow telecommunications equipment. Maintenance overtime was factored into expenses as well. “For example, the convocation on Tuesday required hundreds of people working around the clock to prepare for that,” Hincker said. Hardware replacements, as mentioned within previous reports are an on-going assessment for the university. Replacing all the locks for general assignment classrooms cost approximately $90,000, Hincker said. In addition, the university will continue to move forward with altering every set of door handles in a way so they cannot be chained together. This security measure will cost Tech over $1 million. Steven K. Edwards, access control manager of building and repair maintenance for the physical plant department at Tech, was unable to comment regarding details of the new door handles. Additional security measures will be taken into consideration in response to the reports released by Gov. Timothy Kaine. The university also opened new positions in Cook Counseling Center in May, which are looking to be filled in the near future. Hincker said that Tech has applied for two grants: the Department of Justice Grant and the Department of Education Grant to help pay for the counseling positions.
Expenses for April 16th Refurbishment costs for Norris: $417,000 Asbestos removal: $75,000 Costs from canelled conferences at The Inn at Virginia Tech and lost revenue evenue for those who stayed for free: $200,000. Replacing all the locks for general assignment classrooms: $90,000 New door handles that cannot be chained: $1 million Office rental expenses, telecommunications equipment, maintenance overtime ertime expenses, new positions at Cook Counseling Center, new positions for police offi officers BEN MACDONALD/COLLEGIATE TIMES
Six new positions were also opened for police officers. Some of the positions are for staff and some are for patrol men. The $8 million total also includes forgiven tuition for the 32 victims. Free tuition for those who were injured is an expense that will be covered by the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund. Money donated to the HSMF after October and before December, 31, 2007 will be donated to those directly affected in a supplemental payment made after October. Any money donated after the end of the year will go toward scholarships. Jay Poole, director for the office of recovery and
support said HSMF began on April 16 with a large contribution that was over-nighted by a private donor. “The university had to find some way to hold the money, that’s why the fund was created,” Poole said. The HSMF has not taken part in any solicitation according to Poole. As for the $8 million that the university is obligated to budget, there is little reassurance as to where the money will come from. “Where it comes from remains to be seen…those are all things the number crunchers are working on now,” Hincker said.
features WEEK OF SEASON PREMIERES Wednesday Sept 26 9:00, Criminal Minds (CBS) 9:00, Private Practice (ABC) 9:00, Bionic Woman (NBC) 10:00 CSI: NY (CBS) 10:00, Dirty Sexy Money (ABC) 10:00, Life (NBC) Thursday Sept 27 8:00, My Name is Earl (NBC) 9:00, CSI (CBS) 9:00, Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) 9:00, The Office (NBC) 10:00, Big Shots (ABC) 10:00, ER (NBC) 10:00, Without a Trace (CBS)
Coming home to the Holiday Inn
Friday Sept 28 8:00, Ghost Whisperer (CBS) 9:00, Las Vegas (NBC) 9:00, Moonlight (CBS) 10:00, Numb3rs (CBS)
sports RENDER TO SERVE SUSPENSION Sergio Render has been suspended for the first quarter of Saturday’s game against Render North Carolina. The sophomore right guard will not start because of internal disciplinary action taken by head coach Frank Beamer. Sophomore Brandon Holland will start in his place.
weather ISOLATED T-STORMS high 83, low 59
coming up WEDNESDAY’S CT An English professor has written a poem about April 16. Read the whole story tomorrow.
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An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 104th year • issue 142
SALLY BULL/SPPS
Transitioning from a traditional hotel to residential condo units, the Blacksburg Holiday Inn University plans to have 48 units available in early October. Rental units will also be available.
FOUR-PHASE RENOVATION CURRENTLY UNDERWAY AT THE HOLIDAY INN UNIVERSITY ON PRICES FORK TO CONVERT HOTEL INTO CONDOS AVAILABLE FOR PERSONAL PURCHASE MICHELLE RIVERA
ct news reporter Many people often wish that their homes came furnished and equipped with a built-in maid service, and now they can get both features when they buy a condo-hotel. The Blacksburg Holiday Inn University is the first in Virginia to sell condo-hotels and is currently being renovated to transform hotel rooms into them in a complex called the Collegiate Inn of Blacksburg. The complex will consist of four phases. Kirk Johnson, a managing partner of the Collegiate Inn of Blacksburg, said Phase 1 includes 48 units that will be available for reservation and hard contract (deposits and settlements) to gain ownership toward the beginning of next month. Phase 1 is the portion of the Holiday Inn that is currently being converted into condo-hotels. The majority of the renovations will begin this December, immediately following the football
season. Johnson anticipates that they will be completed prior to the next football season. This Friday there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony to highlight the renovations taking place as well as future plans for Collegiate Inn. “The future plans will include 250-350 more units, which will probably be of a different nature — a combination of extended stay condo-hotel units and also residential condos for people to live in.” Johnson said. The hotel rooms being transformed into condo-hotels are going through intense upgrades with completely renovated bathrooms, new light fixtures, wallpaper, and crown and chair rail molding. Also included are 42-inch flat screen TVs, new linens, towels, and higher-end quality beds. A complete new furniture package is also included, which is custom-made by a company out of Norfolk that makes high-end hotel furniture for lodging like Disney World and Trump Towers.
ct news reporter Taser guns, used primarily by police departments, are meant to reduce the number of police officers’ deaths. However, many people are concerned about the ethical implications surrounding the weapon. A recent incident at the University of Florida raised awareness about the topic when officers Tased a man speaking at a John Kerry forum. University of Florida senior Andrew Meyer was charged with disturbing the peace and resisting arrest with violence after making a
“Part of the attraction for buyers is that they’ll have a place that they won’t have to take care of ... It’s going to feel and perform like a notmal hotel.” - KIRK JOHNSON MANAGING PARTNER, COLLEGIATE INN “The property will still function as a hotel,” said Johnson. “It’s going to feel and perform like a normal hotel.” If that isn’t enough, owners don’t have to pay for utilities or any of the other hotel amenities, like pool access. All these features are included in the price of the condo-hotels, which, in Phase 1, are
being sold for $134,000 to $147,400. Another service offered to condo-hotel buyers is the renting program, which the hotel will run for owners. Johnson said buyers may visit Blacksburg whenever they wish and for however long they want, and for the time they are away, the hotel will manage their rooms. Essentially, Johnson said that there will still be full operation of the hotel, but the rooms will be owned. Outside guests, or those who come to rent hotel rooms for short periods of time would never know that they are staying in individual condos as opposed to luxurious hotel rooms. “We’re trying to make the whole process as hassle-free for the owners as possible so that they have one set fee that they pay and then have their own place for whenever they need it,” Johnson said. The condo-hotels are being targeted toward alumni who come back to Blacksburg, like season ticket holders who come back for games five to seven times a year. For those interested in purchasing a condo-hotel, model rooms are available at the Holiday Inn, and Johnson said these rooms are for sale.
Diaz to direct dermatology
Tasers bring up ethical implications ASHLEY OLIVER
“Part of the attraction for buyers is that they’ll have a place that they won’t have to take care of,” Johnson said. The feature expected to gain the most attraction of the condo-hotel is the maid and linen services. Those living in these rooms will also have the option of ordering room service.
ASHLEY OLIVER
ct news reporter
scene during the forum. Police approached him after he asked long-winded questions that resulted in the loss of power to his microphone. In the offense report, Officer Nicole Mallo wrote, “after many attempts to get the man to comply, he chose to continue actively resisting the officers. I obeyed the command from Sgt. King to utilize the Taser for the continuation of non-compliance by the man.” Following the incident, many that attended the forum wanted to know why the UF police officers needed the Taser to subdue Meyer, even though he was already on the
see TASER, page two
The Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine is once again offering a dermatology service to its clients. After two years of its absence, Assistant Professor Dr. Sandra Diaz has come to Virginia Tech to head up the program. “I was working in a private place before,” Diaz said. “But I really enjoy Virginia Tech and working with the students.” The VMRCVM is a regional professional school located at Tech and the University of Maryland at College Park, two of the nation’s prominent land-grant universities. The three campus locations for the college are the Avrum Gudelsky Veterinary Center at College Park, the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical
Center in Leesburg, and Virginia Tech’s main campus. Being the only dermatologist at Tech in the department of small animal clinical sciences, Diaz stays busy with teaching classes and meeting with clients. “I only have appointments open two weeks during the month, but I’m always here for consultations,” Diaz said. In her clinic, Diaz specializes in hair disorders, canine and feline allergies, and canine and feline otitis. Skin disorders among animals are very common, especially those caused by allergies. Symptoms of skin disorders include itching, constant licking of body parts, and the repeated occurrence of skin infections. Diaz’s knowledge provides expansion for the VMRCVM at Tech. She studied Veterinary
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see DIAZ, page two