COLLEGIATETIMES
thursday march 20, 2008 blacksburg, va.
www.collegiatetimes.com
news BUSH SPEAKS ON FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF IRAQ WAR WASHINGTON — On Wednesday President Bush gave a rousing defense of the Iraq war on its fifth anniversary, claiming that “the successes we are seeing in Iraq are undeniable,” but Democrats — and war protesters — made it clear that they’ll continue to insist that the conflict is a disaster. Bush, speaking to a polite Pentagon audience, refused to concede any setbacks in the war, where nearly 4,000 Americans have been killed and the country has been plunged into sectarian violence. About 158,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Iraq. — McClatchy Newspapers
BEST BUY TO BOOST BLU-RAY SALES MINNEAPOLIS — Now that Blu-ray has won the highdefinition format war, Best Buy is hoping that there will be no hard feelings. The retailer said Wednesday that it will hand out more than $10 million in gift cards to customers who put their money on HD-DVD technology. Eligible customers will get $50 gift cards for every HD-DVD player or attachment purchased at a U.S. Best Buy before Feb. 23, the day HD-DVD-maker Toshiba ceded the contest to Blu-ray. — The Minneapolis Star Tribune
Steger briefs campus on April 16 progress CALEB FLEMING
ct news reporter Virginia Tech President Charles Steger and several university administrators addressed the campus community last night, holding a briefing in Squires regarding the status of recommendations made in reports after the April 16 campus shooting. Speaking to a large crowd in Haymarket Theatre, Steger first addressed the immediate response made by the administration on April 16, expressing that he had immediately requested Governor Kaine to commission an independent review on the morning of the shootings. Steger then elaborated on the history of the university’s internal review process. Three review agencies were established following the shootings, including the security infrastructure group, the information and communications infrastructure group, and the interface group evaluating student counseling services, academic affairs, judicial affairs, and the legal system at the university. After receiving over 400 different recommenda-
tions and devoting hundreds of hours to sorting through information, Steger noted that university relations will be posting all of the collected information on the Tech Web site within the next week. Steger said that one of Steger the most prevalent reasons behind the university’s goal of implementing all of the obtained recommendations is localized support. The only issue keeping the university from implementing every recommendation is funding. “At the end of the day, the only way campus security is enhanced is through a collaborative effort from the community as a whole,” Steger said. “Community is the most important asset we have; we are here for you.” Upon completion of a broad overview of security recommendations, Steger delved into specifics, noting several university projects that have either been completed or have been planned to promote campus safety.
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Ranging from the VT Alert system to a potential electronic banner textual display system in all classrooms, Steger outlined numerous changes meant to increase the safety and awareness of the community. Specifically addressed were privacy laws and information sharing, areas in which the university has asked the attorney general’s office for specific guidance on what information can be shared, and what cannot. Steger said the university will begin training officials to follow state protocols when dealing with privacy issues. The university has worked with an inner threat assessment team to secure student mail policies, and has enhanced the counseling office to ensure that distressed students can have immediate access to counselors and necessary information. Steger stated that the university is also revising its existing university emergency response plan and has followed through on the suggestion that the chief of police report information no lower than one level below the president. Tech has also added 11 police officers to improve security.
Tech tops Morgan State in NIT HOKIES WILL HOST THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM IN THE SECOND ROUND OF THE NIT ON MONDAY CHARLES R. BARRINEAU
ct associate sports editor The Virginia Tech men’s basketball team advanced to the second round of the National Invitation Tournament with a 94-62 defeat of the Morgan State Bears yesterday evening. The victory was the 300th of head coach Seth Greenberg’s career and the 20th of his team’s season. “I’ve been at this long time and I’ve had great coaches with me and great players,” said Greenberg, who is now 3-2 in post-conference tournament events as the Hokies’ coach. “I feel very fortunate that I have a team to coach and that I get to do what I love to do.” With the score tied at seven and the two teams trading baskets, Virginia Tech’s Lewis Witcher went to the bench at the 16:55 mark after picking up his second personal foul. “It was really irritating,” said Witcher who would finish with four points and play only nine minutes. “It’s been happening lately—those small little fouls and stuff like that sending me to the bench.”
SOFTBALL GAMES CALLED FOR RAIN
“I’ve been at this long time and I’ve had great coaches with me and great players. I feel very fortunate that I have a team to coach and that I get to do what I love to do.” - SETH GREENBERG HEAD COACH
Yesterday’s softball doubleheader between Virginia Tech and Marist was canceled in the third inning of the first game after rain forced the umpires to call off the contest. The game was 3-3 when field conditions prevented further play. Tech (20-9) travels to N.C. State for a weekend series with a doubleheader scheduled to start at 1 p.m. on Friday and the final game on Saturday at noon.
weather PARTLY CLOUDY high 51, low 31
corrections
coming up TOMORROW’S CT Elections are upcoming for the Student Government Association. We’ll take an in-depth look at the students running for office. Check out a database of professor’s grade distributions just in time for course request.
index News.....................2 Features................3 0pinions................5
Sports....................6 Classifieds..............7 Sudoku..................7
An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 105th year • issue 35
see STEGER, page two
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sports
“From the Bronx to the ‘Burg,” (CT, March 18) had a mistake. Notre Dame Academy is located in Middleburg, Va. The Collegiate Times regrets this error.
Upon the completion of his initial presentation, Steger opened the floor for questions regarding any matter involving campus security. Though much of the town hall-style meeting was focused on security changes that had already been implemented and potential flaws in such, there was a brief moment in which the debate over gun control became a centerpiece. Spurred by Ken Stanton, Tech’s representative in the Students for Concealed Campus Carry, Steger was faced with questions regarding why he did not feel that guns should be allowed in college environments. Steger’s response, greeted with much applause from the audience, was simply that the university’s policy remains the same as always. “I do not feel that having individuals with handguns in classrooms promotes safety,” Steger said. Sherwood Wilson, the vice president for administrative affairs, handled an undergraduate student’s question regarding the personal locater system. “One of the problems is the integrity of the
MIKE SHROYER/SPPS
The Hokies were dialing long distance in the early going. A Malcolm Delaney threepointer at the 13:36 mark was Tech’s third in five attempts. “We took what was open,” said A.D. Vassallo who finished with a game-high 27 points. “I had wide open shots and sometimes they came at me and I found Malcolm … We just kept on looking for the open guy. We did a good job today of finding the open guy.” The Bears kept the game close, a one-possession affair in fact, for more than 12 minutes of the first half, but the Hokies owned the final eight. A Delaney three-pointer served as the catalyst for a 16-4 Virginia Tech run to close the first half. At the break, the Hokies shot a lights-out 6 of 11 from behind the three-point line, which was better than the 9-18 that they shot within it. “If you get the right guys shooting it, we’re going to have guys who can make it,” Greenberg said. But the story of the first half was the offensive play of Vassallo. The junior dropped 19 points on Morgan State over the course of the first 20 minutes, of which he played only 16. The two teams began the second half much
A.D. Vassallo shoots during the second half of Wednesday night’s game. Vassallo scored 27 points on 11-14 shooting from the field.
see TECH, page six
Beamer dismisses Branden Ore from football team T. REES SHAPIRO
ct sports reporter Branden Ore, Virginia Tech’s junior running back, has run his course as a Hokie. On Wednesday morning, Ore was dismissed from the football team by head coach Frank Beamer. “During recent meetings with Branden Ore, we have decided that it would be best for Branden to pursue other opportunities,” Beamer said. Ore could not be reached for comment. Despite a standout performance as a sophomore, Ore entered the 2007 season at the bottom of the depth chart because of missed practice time. Coaches also said that he had returned to campus in August out of shape. Ore was hampered by injuries for much of the 2007 season,
finishing with 992 yards and nine touchdowns. After showing up late to a practice, Ore was suspended for the first quarter Orange Bowl. Back in January while Tech prepared to take on Ore Kansas in the Orange Bowl, backup tailback Kenny Lewis Jr. was apprehensive about replacing Ore as the starter while Ore served his time on the bench. “Every opportunity I’ve gotten I’ve made the best of it,” Lewis said in January during an interview in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. “Being behind Branden all year, he’s the type of back that you’re going to have to do way better than what the
coaches expect. Even if I do perform above what they expect, just the talent that he is, he’s going to have to be on the field.” Last year Ore was backed up by Lewis and Jahre Cheeseman. Now that Ore is out, Lewis, Cheeseman, redshirt freshmen Darren Evans and Josh Oglesby and incoming freshman Ryan Williams will be battling for the starting spot in the upcoming season. Last season, Lewis ran 57 times for 205 yards and four touchdowns. Cheeseman contributed to one touchdown from 21 plays and 133 yards, including the longest rushing play of the season: a 70 yard play against Georgia Tech. Williams, who will join the team in August from Stonewall Jackson High School in Manassas, ran for 1,574 yards and 22 touchdowns his junior season, and 640 yards and seven touchdowns his senior
season despite missing three games. Williams was one of the most highly touted recruits in the nation, listed as the No. 2 player in the state and No. 47 in the country by rivals.com. Ore, whose explosive running style at times invigorated a lackluster offense, was considering the possibility of leaving Tech early to enter the NFL draft this year, eschewing his senior season. Associate director of athletic communications Bryan Johnston said Ore had been in communication with an agent, but later said he would be returning for a final year of eligibility. Despite a turbulent career, Ore had positioned himself to become the Hokies all-time rusher had he stayed on the team. Ore would have needed just 987 yards in 2008 to set the Tech record.
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