COLLEGIATETIMES
wednesday march 26, 2008 blacksburg, va.
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sports BASEBALL DEFEATS JAMES MADISON The Virginia Tech baseball team snapped a 12-game losing streak by out-slugSosnoskie ging the James Madison Dukes, 18-11, Tuesday afternoon in Harrisonburg. The Hokies held a 12-11 lead after eight innings, but broke it open with a six run ninth to ensure the win. Catcher Anthony Sosnoskie finished the day going 4-for-6 with a double, a home run, and three runs driven in. Designated hitter Austin Wates had three hits, while third baseman Michael Seaborn had 5 RBIs. Redshirt sophomore relief pitcher Rob Waskiewicz was credited with the win, his first of the season. Tech remains on the road for its three-game ACC series against the Virginia Cavaliers. Game one will be on Friday at 6 p.m.
Kaine: No final settlement reached ASHLEY OLIVER
ct associate news editor Gov. Tim Kaine denied the existence of any finalized settlement offer for the families of the victims of April 16; however, attorneys and family members have seen drafted proposals that would potentially avoid any future lawsuits. Kaine said on WTOP radio on Tuesday morning that it’s not something he felt “comfortable” talking about at the present time, but he acknowledged that “productive discussions are ongoing.” The proposals seen by family members include $100,000 to each of the 32 families of those killed during the shootings, and awards of up to $100,000 to anyone who had been injured depending on the severity of the injury. “The governor’s office had asked us to keep the settlement offer and the negotiations confidential,”
said Roger O’Dell, father of Derek O’Dell who was injured on April 16 after being shot in the arm. He said he felt his son would be more qualified to speak on the matter because he was the one who had been wounded. “I feel that it’s a good way to sort of help things move along,” Derek O’Dell said. “Most of all, I look for resolutions between the families who lost somebody, and also Virginia Tech so that a positive relationship still remains between the two.” Currently, at least 20 families have warned of filing a lawsuit before the April 16, 2008 deadline if a satisfying settlement isn’t reached. “In recent months, representatives from the governor’s office and the attorney general’s office have been talking to family members of those who either lost loved ones or whose students were injured last year to see if there is a way that we can find a creative resolution and avoid the need for any lawsuits or litigation,” Kaine said.
All the families involved must sign the settlement by April 15, according to a copy of the proposal obtained by The Virginian-Pilot, and the state may withdraw its proposal if not enough families agree to it. Attorney Edward Jazlowiecki, who is representing the family of slain student Henry Lee, expressed his disappointment with the drafted proposal. “I have my feelings,” Jazlowiecki said. “... I don’t think they’re very deeply hidden; but until I go to press conference, I really have to refrain from any other comments.” He said he hopes his press conference will take place in the next few days, and will definitely take place before April 16. Also included in the settlement proposal, according to The Virginian-Pilot copy, are personal meetings that would take place between Kaine and the families over the next two years and a minimum of a five-year extension to the Hokie Spirit Memorial
Former student of Joe Librescu offers self-defense classes for victims
weather P.M. SHOWERS high 59, low 43
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coming up TOMORROW’S CT VT Alerts completed its third test yesterday. See how the tests went, and what students thought. Check out a video of the martial arts class taught by Perry Gibson on our Web site.
index News.....................2 Features................3 0pinions................5
Classifieds..............6 Sudoku..................6 Sports....................7
An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 105th year • issue 38
• $100,000 to representatives of the 32 victims; $800,000 total to injured persons • Gov. Kaine will meet with victims and family members three times in the next two years Fund, which had been scheduled to close last December. Also, a meeting between senior Tech officials and the families would occur within six months of the settlement to review campus changes since the shootings. If they agree to the proposal, the families would pledge not to sue the university for negligence. University spokesman Larry Hincker stated that the university had nothing to say on the matter at this time.
Professor honored by Geophysical Union PATRICIA DOVE NOMINATED BY HER COLLEAGUES FOR HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FIELD OF BIOGEOSCIENCE RESEARCH
DONATED TICKETS GONE; ATHLETIC DEPT. SAYS GET THERE EARLY Once again, Virginia Tech head men’s basketball coach Seth Greenberg and other athletics donors pitched in to purchase 3,000 student tickets for this evening’s game against the Ole Miss Rebels. However, all of the free tickets were picked up yesterday. For those unable to obtain a free ticket, student tickets can be purchased for $5 and general public tickets for $15 at the Lane Stadium ticket office. The athletic department is encouraging that students purchase their tickets in advance at www.hokietickets.com or by visiting the Lane Stadium Athletics Ticket office today between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Seating is general admission, so fans who wish to get one of the better seats are encouraged to arrive early. Doors will be open by 5:30 p.m.
THE PROPOSAL
KYLIE STURGEON
ct staff writer
PHOTOS BY SALLY BULL/SPPS
ABOVE: Perry Gibson, the owner of Gibson’s Martial Arts Academy, is certified in Krav Maga, an Israeli martial art. Gibson was trained by Joe Librescu, son of Liviu Librescu, who was killed on April 16. BELOW: Gibson disarms Mike Link, who has studied under Gibson.
CANDACE SIPOS
ct news reporter Perry Gibson knew he needed to do something after the father of Joe Librescu, his martial arts instructor, was killed in Norris Hall on April 16. Gibson, owner of Gibson’s Martial Arts Academy in the New River Valley Mall in Christiansburg, has decided to offer free selfdefense classes to any student, faculty or staff
member who was in a second floor classroom in Norris Hall on April 16. “I would hope what they would get out of it is confidence and being able to walk through a classroom door again and be secure with themselves,” Gibson said. “I’m sure a lot of them are still struggling with that. (I hope) they will feel free to get their education and not worry day to day that this will happen to them.” Joe Librescu, whose father Liviu Librescu was killed on April 16 when he barricaded the door to
Patricia Dove, professor of geosciences, has been named a 2008 Fellow in the American Geophysical Union. Professor Dove was honored with the award for her scientific research and distinguished reputation among all sectors of the American Geophysical Union. The American Geophysical Union, is a worldwide scientific community that works to advance the understanding of the Earth and space. The scientific society has more than 50,000 researchers, teachers and students from over 135 countries. Dove first became involved with AGU because of its positive scholarly reputation around the world. As the largest international organization of earth scientists in the world, AGU appealed to Dove because it provided an alternative approach to scientific education and research. “I enjoyed the fact that they don’t have traditional views of science; all of their views are very interdisciplinary,” Dove said. “It is such an exciting time to be involved in science, and AGU offered me so much more opportunity.” Dove was anonymously nominated because of her longstanding research in biogeosciences. Dove believed that the most distinguishing aspect of her nomination was the support she received from the AGU sectors. When asked about the nomination and award, Dove said, “I didn’t expect to be nominated at this point. All of the other Fellows are more senior in the organization than I am, and I was also surprised to be elected the first time around.”
see DOVE, page two
ON THE WEB VIDEO: Check out a video of the class on our Web site, www.collegiatetimes.com his classroom, taught Gibson what he called survival defense in War Memorial for over five years. Though Gibson said it was slightly difficult to
see DEFENSE, page two
Town Council discuses budget LAUREN MOORE
Graduate lounge opens in Newman Library FOURTH FLOOR SPACE OFFERS GRAUDATE STUDENTS A QUIET PLACE TO WORK KRISTEN GRAVELY
ct staff writer A graduate study lounge opened in Newman Library yesterday, creating a place for graduate students to study. The University Libraries sponsored the grand opening of the lounge, which is in 416 Newman Library. Access to the lounge is limited through the use of Hokie Passports, which must be swiped before the door will open. Dean of libraries Eileen Hitchingham, who spoke at the opening, said the idea of the graduate lounge arose because many other research libraries have places that are designated for graduate students to study. “I think of graduate students that have an emphasis on concentrating on more singular things they are responsible for, like master’s thesis or dissertation work,” Hitchingham said. The student lounge has been painted, furniture has been added and lockers are available for free checkout. President of the Graduate Student Assembly, Joseph McFadden, who also spoke at the opening, said that providing a space like the graduate study lounge shows the graduate students that the university recognizes them. “There are some graduate students that like to work outside or inside the library,” McFadden said. “There was a demand for this last year in the Graduate Student Assembly, and I
STAFF/SPPS
Newman Library opened a new study lounge for graduate students yesterday. think the university listened to that voice and provided that facility. The materials are right there, so it’s a great method of convenience as well.” Undergraduates have shown support for the lounge, even though access is limited to graduate students only.
“There are lots of places on and off campus that undergrads can use to study, the empo and Torg bridge being just a few of them,” said Lauren Castoro, junior communication major. “If it’s a necessary move to make and graduate students really do take advantage of it, then why not?”
ct staff writer The Blacksburg Town Council met yesterday to discuss the 2009 fiscal year budget with the main topic of discussion being a request by the Chief of Police to add five extra personnel: four police officers and one communications officer to the Blacksburg unit. To cover the cost of the five additional personnel, a one-cent meal tax increase was proposed. There has not been an increase in officers since 1994, and police said there is now a huge need for more personnel and upgraded equipment. Downtown altercations have required officers to leave their patrols to respond to incidents. Blacksburg Police has had to bring people off duty to effectively cover the downtown area and it has been utilizing its overtime budget. There are currently 38 sworn positions and four vacancies in patrol. The police are also asking for $90,000 from the budget toward the $240,000 needed by 2010 to upgrade equipment. The agenda also addressed the Water and Sewer Fund. The Public Works Department requested $2,960 for the Miss Utility Program Support, and mentioned the progress on the water main replacement projects, including sanitary sewer upgrades. For the Equipment Operations Fund, it asked for $12,500 for plugins for Hybrid vehicles. $72,048 will be needed to pay for adjusted fuel expenses. Several recycling initiations are planned for the fiscal year 2008-2009. The Public Works Department asked for a continued partnership with the YMCA on its Electronic Recycling Program, which will cost $20,000 and will aim to improve the handling of old light bulbs, computers, batteries, and other electronics. The next meeting will take place next Tuesday, April 1.
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