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COLLEGIATETIMES
thursday january 22, 2009 blacksburg, va.
www.collegiatetimes.com
International grad student fatally stabbed CALEB FLEMING
news editor A female Asian international student was fatally stabbed in the Au Bon Pain cafe of the Graduate Life Center at Donaldson Brown yesterday evening. Police placed Haiyang Zhu, a 25-year-old male Chinese international student into custody at the scene without struggle. Zhu has been charged with first-degree murder and is currently being held without bond Virginia Tech Police Chief Wendell Flinchum said police received a 911 call reporting a female being assaulted in the cafe at 7:06 p.m. When officers arrived at the scene at 7:10 p.m., Flinchum said it was “clear the victim was deceased.” Police found the murder weapon, a knife, at the scene, and Flinchum said Zhu was easily identifiable, though authorities declined to identify the victim, citing the pending notification of next of kin. The female was a graduate student resident of the building, and it appears that she did have a relationship with the suspect, though the details were not clear, Flinchum said. The victim’s country of citizenship was not released. Two ambulances arrived at the GLC on standby but did not enter the facility. There were no injuries treated at the scene, and the victim’s body was removed by the Virginia Medical Examiner’s office, said Tighe Marrone, president of the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad. Flinchum said witnesses of the stabbing were being interviewed by Virginia Tech Police and authorities were attempting to contact the suspect and victim’s families. In response to the stabbing, VT Alerts e-mails were sent to the university community at approximately 7:42 p.m., and College Avenue in front of the GLC was cordoned off. Squires Student Center was temporarily locked down, with no students permitted to exit the building. “I found out about it at 7:30 p.m., and we had a message out to the university at 7:44 p.m.,” said university spokesman Larry Hincker. “It takes a while for 40,000 messages to percolate through the system. We notified the campus community that there was a murder, and that a suspect was in custody.” Prior to the e-mail alert, officers were seen frantically running into Squires. Flinchum said a second 911 call had been placed. “We did receive a call shortly after officers arrived here of shots fired at Squires, which turned out to be a false call,” Flinchum said. The GLC will re-open today. News Reporter Gordon Block contributed to this report.
DANIEL LIN AND LUKE MASON/SPPS
Emergency Medical Team members, top, exit the Graduate Life Center shortly after arriving on the scene yesterday evening. Outside, police set up a perimeter that closed down much of Otey St. starting around 7 p.m. Haiyang Zhu, a 25-year-old graduate student from China, was charged with first-degree murder after being taken into custody on the scene.
The end of an era: Pritchard goes coed CALEB FLEMING
ct news editor “The largest all-male residence hall on the East Coast will house female students in the fall semester,” said Ken Belcher, Virginia Tech’s associate director for occupancy management. Pritchard Hall has held its present place in the Prairie Community since 1969, but the hall that hosts one-ninth of Tech’s on-campus population will now be modeled after Ambler Johnston to accommodate the increasing number of female students. “(Ambler Johnston) is a larger building and a popular building,” Belcher said. “Pritchard hasn’t been as popular for returning students as it is an allmale building.” Belcher said the university has pondered the switch for many years, though it was finalized for the first time in December. “We didn’t have enough women on campus to work out the numbers across the board, so with the increasing number of returning women wanting to stay on campus and more females in the freshman class, it gave us the critical mass,” Belcher said. And while males alone have occupied the residence hall for approximately 40 years, Belcher said that the renovation process is nearly complete. “The bathrooms are in stacks across the building, and we’ve completed three of those already,” Belcher said. “We are going to plan on completing the last one this summer. We designated the rooms in the
building for the fall and will have a coed staff.” Vice President for Student Affairs Ed Spencer had previously spoken against transitioning the hall to a coed housing option. Spencer said demand has resulted in a change of opinion. “The request for coed halls has gone up substantially,” Spencer said. “We’re at the point where we need to go into a large male hall such as Pritchard and convert.”
“We didn’t have enough women on campus to work out the numbers across the board, so with the increasing number of returning women wanting to stay on campus and more females in the freshman class, it gave us the critical mass.” - KEN BELCHER ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR OCCUPANCY MANAGEMENT Belcher stressed that the residence hall is in excellent condition, despite the myths that surround it. “The building is in great shape; the staff has done an amazing job,” Belcher said. “Not really anything physically has to be done.” But contrary to the coed style of the hall’s neighbor, Lee Hall, Pritchard will be almost entirely coed by wing, not floor.
The exception to this being the first and seventh floors, which will be all-male and all female, respectively. “National studies show the best coed housing is by wing, instead of doing a floor of men, a floor of women, and so on,” Belcher said. And Spencer added that the conversion would likely do more than just accommodate the rising number of female students on campus. “It will change Pritchard into a more positive place,” Spencer said. “It has a reputation that it didn’t deserve, and it created an image that will be overcome. What the research shows is that when you convert an all-male hall to a coed hall, it results in a more family-like atmosphere.” The hall will also be divided further for students, by concentration and major. Though the specifics of this plan aren’t concrete, Belcher said that the assignments staff would refine the details after the spring semester in the summer months. Erin Foote, assignments manager, did not offer comment to the Collegiate Times. Foote directed all calls to her supervisor, Belcher. Spencer noted that the switch from single-gender to coed residence halls is not just a reflection of a changing gender balance among students wishing to attend Tech. “The percentage of women has gone up slightly, but it’s more a reflection of the millennial generation of students who are more interested in a mixed-gender environment than they are in a single-gender environment,” Spencer said.
U of Chicago to offer coed, ‘open housing’ policy JUSTIN GRAVES
ct news reporter The University of Chicago recently took the first steps to implement a program known as “open housing,” a concept that allows students of both genders to occupy the same room upon request. This is a relatively new approach to housing on college campuses, and while Virginia Tech has coed dorm buildings, coed dorm rooms are somewhat of a rarity at such intuitions. The program, which was led by a student initiative according to university officials, also goes by the name of gender-neutral housing. The school will not assign anyone to an oppositesex roommate unless they request such a living arrangement. The policy will begin as a pilot program this month, with full implementation expected in the fall of 2009. “In 2007, the Inter-House Council (the student governing body for the House System at the school) completed a resolution requesting the implementation of a policy that would permit students to select a roommate of any gender,” said University of Chicago spokeswoman Julia Morse. “There are some students for whom traditional, same-sex room assignments are not ideal or appropriate, and we believe it is important that housing policies evolve to meet the needs of students to create an inclusive, welcoming environment.” In order to develop the open housing option, a committee of students and staff met to study the possible implementa-
tion of such a program. It was determined that the option be made available to second-, third- and fourth-year students. It will also be available to first-year students, but on an individual basis. The vice president and dean of students approved it in November. At Oregon State University, coed housing is an option as well. OSU follows the same policy that coed housing is only available in upper-classmen dorms. The University of Chicago stresses that the program is not intended for couples, though no questions will be asked. Also, students are never required to live with a member of the opposing gender. “We respect and honor the privacy of our students. Current open housing procedures do not require students to disclose the reason for their roommate requests,” Morse said. “The university also offers single-sex housing, and that option remains available. Open housing will not be implemented in locations where single-sex occupancy is an option.” The new policy has brought considerable controversy from individuals who are more traditional, including parents. Under the program, students are encouraged to maintain an open dialogue with their families. Students over the legal age of 18 are able to make decisions about their own housing contracts. However, students under 18 should discuss housing plans with their families, as they must provide parental consent, per
University of Chicago policy. It is expected that between 2 percent and 4 percent of student rooms at the university will be designated as “genderneutral” locations. Chicago is not the first university to implement open housing, however. Brown University, Dartmouth College, New York University and Princeton are included on the list of schools that have seen success with such living arrangements. “We started with genderbased floors/wings and then moved to ‘coed by neighbor’ assignments where two men could live in a room next to two women on the same floor or wing,” Hansen said. “We created a pilot of the gender inclusive option starting in the 2006-07 academic year. The discussion to move in this direction started with a proposal from a taskforce from the student body government.” OSU has been working with students and the administration on new housing options since early 2004. Mainly they requested the option be available based on the impact of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students and creating “safe spaces” that would be welcoming to all. The decision also incorporated the desire for some students to live with students of a different gender for a variety of reasons, including the desire to room with siblings, romantic partners or those who are simply close friends. Some universities report that they saw an increase in attendance after switching some of their halls to coed spaces, but this has not
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been the case at Oregon State. At Tech, Kenneth Belcher is the associate director for occupancy management. He tries to keep up with the activities of other colleges and universities and notes that this is not necessarily as new of an idea as many may think. “Of course, this policy is not something brand new; it has been implemented at a small handful of other schools years before,” Belcher said. “However, this is one of the first institutions not considered to be ‘highly liberal’ that I am aware of in making such a change.” In residence halls such as Peddrew-Yates, West AmblerJohnston and Lee, coed housing is an option. However, gender-neutral housing is not expected to make its way to Blacksburg anytime soon. Currently, Tech follows the expectations of the Commonwealth and the school’s own Board of Visitors. At this time, the housing office does not have any plans to provide coed housing within individual rooms as has been implemented at Chicago. “We do have coed housing on campus, by floor, wing, or such,” Belcher said. “However, we are acutely aware of the address of our institution. With the environment in Virginia and our being a state school, such a concept is really ‘off the table’ for many years to come. Beyond casual review, such a policy change is not being studied … I don’t see a change in this policy in the foreseeable future without significant changes in the socio-political structure of the Commonwealth.”
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editor: caleb fleming email: nrvnews@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: tth 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
january 22, 2009
editor: sara mitchell email: universitynews@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: mw 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Tech topples No. 1 Wake Forest, 78-71 JUSTIN LONG
ct sports reporter It was bedlam in Winston-Salem, N.C., and the cheers were not coming from the home crowd. Virginia Tech (12-6, 3-1 ACC) upset No. 1 Wake Forest (16-1, 3-1) on their own floor at Lawrence Joel Coliseum – 78-71 on Wednesday evening. The Hokies were not intimidated by the yellow and black mirage of tie-dye shirts in the student section. A solid effort from Malcolm Delaney, Jeff Allen and A.D. Vassallo prevailed as Tech won their second straight Atlantic Coast Conference bout, this one over a Wake team that beat both Clemson and North Carolina earlier this season. With a little less than eight minutes remaining, the Hokies lead, which had grown as large as 16, was cut in half to just eight – 62-54. Allen then drained a three pointer to push the advantage to 13 – forcing Wake Forest to call a timeout. “I don’t even remember them missing, and when they did, they got the rebounds,” said Wake Forest’s James Johnson. Tech shot 25 of 50 for the game. The Deacons came out of the timeout strong with five straight points and after Delaney was fouled and hit one of two free throws, Jeff Teague grabbed a long offensive rebound and knocked down a three of his own to cut the lead to six. It went down to four, then to two with 1: 49 to go. But Wake Forest — the last unbeaten team in Division I — could not draw even. They missed shots and were forced to foul on multiple occasions down the stretch. The Hokies extended their advantage on the charity stripe. Delaney’s foul shot gave Tech its 78th point, enough to give the program its third win ever against a No. 1 team – two of which have come under head coach Seth Greenberg The Hokies kept pace with the Demon Deacons at the start of the game, while a J.T. Thompson outside jumper and two free throws from the
Baltimore native Delaney gave Tech a quick advantage. Foul trouble plagued Wake from the start. Two Deacon starters, Chas McFarland and Johnson, each picked up two quick personal fouls in the first six minutes of the game. The Hokies went on a crucial 15-0 run starting at the eight minute mark after a timeout called by Greenberg. Tech eventually took a 10-point lead into the locker room, up 34-24 at halftime. Greenberg said he emphasized instilling flow in his offense through transition and ball screens to combat Wake Forest’s massive frontcourt size. Delaney, Vassallo and Thompson combined for 20 of the 34 first half points. Tech was only out-rebounded 17-15 at intermission, a strong effort against a team ranked second in the nation in offensive rebounding. In addition, the Hokies shot 10-of14 from the free throw line, while the Deacons never attempted a foul shot. “I thought our defense in the first half was great,” Greenberg said. “It was as good as we can play defensively against that level of a team.” However, the Deacon offense would rise after halftime. Wake Forest would top their first half point total within the first 10 minutes of the second session, eventually cutting Tech’s lead down to 68-62 with just over four minutes left. Over the final 1:53, the top-ranked team only had one field goal. With one of the biggest wins in school history, Tech improved to 2-7 versus No. 1 teams. The Hokies have a more impressive record against the group from Winston-Salem, with triumphs in five of their last six meetings. “That team right there is scary good and we were very fortunate to win,” Greenberg said. “Now, our challenge is not to drink the Kool-aid… I’m proud of our guys, and we’re getting better, but I’m also realistic enough to know… it’s brutal each and every night.” Delaney finished as the leading scorer with 21 points, despite going 6-of-14 from the field. Vassallo and Allen each added 16 of their own.
MICHAEL SHROYER/SPPS
Point guard Hank Thorns, top, celebrates the Hokies upset victory on the floor of the Lawrence Joel Coliseum. Center Cheick Diakite, above right, slams home two-points in the first half. Tech players and coaching staff, above left, celebrate their upset of the No.1 Demon Deacons.
Women’s basketball, long in the lead, dropped by Cavaliers; fall to 0-5 in ACC CHAD MOSSESO
ct sports staff writer The Virginia Tech women’s basketball team was hoping the third time would be the charm last night against the No. 16 Virginia Cavaliers. After playing two ranked opponents in a row, No. 4 Duke and No. 12 Maryland, Tech faced its third nationally ranked opponent in just six nights. Despite battling back to take a late second half lead, the Hokies were unable to hold off UVa down the stretch, as the Cavaliers won 75-69. The loss keeps Tech winless in the ACC at 0-5 with an 8-10 record overall. Junior guard Lindsay Biggs led the Hokies by tallying 17 points, with 14 coming in the second half. Biggs shot 5-of-11 from three-point range while also adding a pair blocks. Sophomore guard Nikki Davis was also solid for the maroon and orange, contributing 15 points of her own. Also in double figures for Tech was sophomore center Brittany Gordon. She put up 11 points, while
junior guard Utahya Drye posted 10. Despite being proud of the way her team played, head coach Beth Dunkenberger has had her share of close losses. “We’ve had enough moral victories. It’s time for a real victory,” Dunkenberger said. Senior forward Lyndra Littles led the Cavs with 28 points and seven rebounds, including four clutch free throws in the final minute of play. Also leading the Virginia was junior guard Monica Wright, who added 23 points and seven boards and seemed to have an answer every time Tech got something going. The duo combined for all but two of Virginia’s final 19 points. The Cavaliers did not trail at all in the first half, firing out to an early 14-7 advantage. Tech’s offense looked sloppy at the beginning, committing multiple turnovers in the early going. But the Hokies found their groove in the middle of the half and battled back to tie the score at 18 with a Biggs trey.
UVa, however, had a late surge of its own. It was able to extend its lead to 38-29 with a Littles three pointer to end the first half. Littles and Wright both had 13 points in the initial 20 minutes of regulation, with the former shooting 3-for-4 from beyond the arc. Virginia shot 53.1 percent from the field as a team in the first half. The Hokies committed 14 total turnovers and shot just 40 percent in the opening stanza. Gordon and Davis each led Tech with seven points. Tech slowly hacked away at Virginia’s lead in the second half, eventually tying the score at 54 with little under 10 minutes to go, yet again with a Biggs three. The Hokies had their first lead of the game a minute later when freshman guard Shanel Harrison hit a jumper. Tech’s largest lead of the game came after a Biggs three, making the score 63-56. But Littles returned the favor with five consecutive points and then later hit a shot to give Virginia a 6564 advantage with 3:30 to go. Still, the Hokies wouldn’t go away. A Biggs trifecta helped her team
regain the lead yet again. Wright answered with a nifty alley-oop layup – her second of the game. But again Tech climbed back on top, this time with a Davis lay-up. However, that was the last lead the Hokies would enjoy, as Littles and Wright had consecutive baskets to push UVa on top, 71-69. Littles finished off their in-state rival with four big free throws and Tech’s comeback came up a little short. Biggs was impressed the way the duo of Littles and Wright took over the game, but it didn’t necessarily surprise her. “That’s what good players do,” Biggs said. “We fought hard, but in the end it didn’t work out.” Drye, who shot at a 50 percent clip from the field, while adding five points and dishing out five assists, was disappointed with the performance, but still thinks the team can take something from it. “It’s most definitely going to help us, but we just can’t let up,” Drye said. The Hokies will host the Longwood Lancers this Sunday afternoon at the Cassell Coliseum. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
JOSHUA MILLER/SPPS
Center Brittany Gordon floats a layup over a Wahoo defender during the second half. The Hokies could not sustain their first-half lead.
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editor: laurel colella, david mcilroy email: opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: mw 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
january 22, 2009
EDITORIAL
Smoking ban in bars and restaurants is beneficial to public Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine’s third attempt to enact a smoking ban in bars and restaurants was stalled on Tuesday after a senate committee voted 6-6 on the bill. This deadlocked vote means the bill is tabled for now but can resurface later in the session. While opponents to the bill say that this ban would inevitably hurt our already weak economy, Kaine and supporters of the bill believe it will improve public health. Kaine has been pushing to ban smoking in restaurants and bars with similar bills in 2007 and 2008. The bill was killed in the house last year, even though it had passed in the Senate. “Public consensus and awareness has only gotten stronger since 2006,” Kaine said to the Associated Press. Smoking in bars and restaurants has been illegal in the District of Columbia since 2007, while Maryland enacted its own ban in 2008. Virginia should follow this lead. There is nothing worse than coming home from a night out with your clothes smelling like the bar you just vacated. Banning smoking in restaurants and bars is ultimately a general standard of living issue. People should be able to go out and enjoy a smoke-free evening without having to deal with something that detracts from the experience.
Additionally, for many people, smoking is a health issue. It’s no secret that smoking is an unhealthy habit, and those who choose not to smoke should not have to be exposed to it while out to eat. There is also strong evidence that exposure to secondhand smoke, even for 30 minutes, can cause damage to the cardiovascular system. Restaurant management would also prefer a ban on smoking, but they fear that doing so would cause them to lose business to competition. A statewide ban would eliminate the issue, as restaurants with smoking bans would not lose customers to those that allow smoking in their establishments. Business-wise, a smoking ban levels the playing field for competing restaurants, which is positive. Seeing as D.C. and Maryland have already banned smoking in restaurants, it’s about time that Virginia makes this bill into law as well. By stalling the a bill, lawmakers are not acting in the best interest of their constituents. They are also continuing to ensure that an evening out at the bar with friends will leave our clothing reeking of smoke long after the night is over. The editorial board is composed of David Grant, David Harries and Laurel Colella.
Give others the gift of life through organ donation LIZA ROESCH regular columnist Nothing seemed out of the ordinary as my friend Erin and I drove home for winter break. Fresh off the first semester of our sophomore year, we discussed exams, our plans for Christmas, and other things I look back on today as totally insignificant. We were getting close to Lexington on I-81 when Erin got a call from a number she didn’t recognize. It was a police officer, and he told her that her younger brother Greg had been in a bad skateboarding accident and was being airlifted to a hospital in Roanoke. Her brother Greg, an 18-year-old freshman engineering major at Tech, was immediately knocked unconscious when he fell off his skateboard near Slusher Tower that evening. Despite the medical care he received, the damage to his brain was too severe, and he died the following Saturday. Although Greg lost his life, he had something left to give. Since his injury was restricted to his head, Greg was eligible to donate his organs. His heart, lungs, kidneys and liver have already saved four lives, lives that may not have continued very long without his gift of life. His eyes now provide sight for someone and his nerves, bone, tissue, and cells were also donated. Medical research and hopefully many more lives in the future will benefit from those as well. Although Erin lost her only brother, I know she finds comfort knowing that four people are alive today because of Greg. She wouldn’t say it’s a fair trade. But she would say that even though she lost an irreplaceable piece of her family, Greg saved other people from
having to go through that same loss. And because of that knowledge, her pain is lessened. Despite the immeasurable gifts a person can provide as an organ donor, it’s estimated that fewer than half of Americans are signed up to be one. This low number may stem from the notion that organ donors don’t get the same medical care as others, or from the belief that it costs money to donate. Some people simply believe they’re not healthy enough to give. None of this is true. If you decide to be an organ donor, you receive the same medical treatment as someone who is not. Very few health conditions wholly prevent a person from sharing organs. And it’s completely free for the donor. Additionally, people ranging in age from newborns to senior citizens have successfully given. So you’re never too old.
The truth is none of us anticipate the worst happening to us. However, some people don’t want to donate because it conflicts with their religious views. I’m not in a place to say it doesn’t, but organ donation is consistent with many religions. Protestantism, Catholicism, Islam and many branches of Judaism don’t have a problem with it. Outside from all those issues, I honestly don’t believe the main issue is convincing people that organ donation is a worthwhile cause is the issue. But — unfortunately — there’s a divide between those who believe it’s the right thing to do and those who take the steps to committing to donation. I’m not writing this in an attempt to
convince everyone that this is the only right choice. Because if you don’t want to do it, that’s your personal decision. But if you’ve thought about it before and aren’t sure how to make it happen, I hope you look into what you could possibly do for others if something ever happened to you. You may to register online, by mail, or in person to become an organ donor in Virginia. Even if your current license says you aren’t, it can be changed. Simply go to dmv.virginia.gov. There’s an online transaction fee of $10 to change your donor preference, but it can also be done in person at the DMV for free. Other states may have different laws, but the process is similar. You can also carry an organ/tissue donor card to ensure your organs are donated, signed by you and two witnesses. They can be found at OrganDonor.gov. It’s also a good idea to have a conversation with your family about your wishes so they won’t be faced with a decision if you are unable to make one for yourself. According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, there are almost 100,000 people currently awaiting transplants. And 18 people die everyday waiting for organs in America. While this is happening, tens of thousands of usable organs are buried or cremated each year. The truth is none of us anticipate the worst happening to us. Neither did Greg. But because of a choice he made that he probably thought would never matter, four people are alive. And we shouldn’t take that decision lightly. Not only because it brings hope and joy to the harsh reality of death, but because we never know when one of those four lives could be one we want saved.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letter from Men’s Basketball Coach I would like to personally thank the students who attended our game over the winter break. Your support and enthusiasm for our program and players is sincerely appreciated. The winter break is a tough time for college basketball players as they are the only ones on campus. They look forward to game day and the energy that it creates. Your support helped them get through the dog days of December and early January! As the semester begins, we have six remaining home games. Each is as important as the next; no one is more important than the other. We need you there every night, early and ready to go. Your energy is a key element to our past success. You make the Cassell one of the great venues in college basketball. College basketball is driven by passionate fans and the energy they create. I thank you in advance for your support in the next six weeks. GO HOKIES! Seth Greenberg Head Basketball Coach
Inaugural disappointment When my children ask me where I was when Barack Obama, the first African-American president, was inaugurated I will have to say with disappointment, “I missed it; I was in class.” This, an event that drew millions of people to the capi-
tal area, was given little recognition by the school we attend. Instead of seeing this moment as it happened I had to tape it and watch it later that night. I noticed while watching the recording that even students in other countries were given the opportunity, in class, to watch the ceremony live. I would have hoped Virginia Tech would have realized its responsibility as an educator of future leaders of this country and done a better job of encouraging us to be a part of this national event. Virginia Tech students showed how important this election was to them throughout last year. Students stood out on the Drillfield encouraging everyone to register to vote. Montgomery County, approximately a third of which is composed of Virginia Tech students, alone saw an increase in voter registration of over 4,000 people. Jan. 20, 2008 was an incredibly important day in this nation’s history, not only because it was the inauguration of our 44th president but also because it shows that this is a nation of equals, something I believe this school supports. The school just held its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. Unfortunately, it took until only four years ago for the school to begin this observance. All of this reinforces the fact that it was important for the school to fully recognize this inaugural moment. Hopefully Virginia Tech will begin to be more proactive on these topics in the future instead of reactive. Brian Mayer Graduate student, industrial and systems engineering
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The Collegiate Times is an independent student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 Collegiate Times Editorial Staff Editor in Chief David Grant Managing Editors David Harries, Sara Spangler Public Editor Cate Summers Special Sections Editor Meg Miller News Editors Caleb Fleming, Sara Mitchell News Reporters Gordon Block, Zach Crizer, Gabe McVey, Riley Prendergast, T. Rees Shapiro, Rebecca Thomas News Staff Writers Shannon Aud, Justin Graves, Michelle Rivera, Ryan Trapp Features Editor Bethany Buchanan Features Reporters Topher Forhecz, Teresa Tobat, Jonathan Yi Opinions Editors Laurel Colella, David McIlroy Opinions Staff Sally Bull, Jackie Peters Sports Editors Thomas Emerick, Brian Wright Sports Reporters Joe Crandley, Justin Long, Ed Lupien, Melanie Wadden Sports Staff Writers Garrett Busic, Matt Collette, Lindsay Faulkner, Hattie Francis, Alex Jackson, Mike Littier Copy Editors Erin Corbey, Thandiwe Ogbonna, Kristen Walker Layout Designers Go-Eun Choi, Leila Green, Kelly Harrigan, Christine Fay, Josh Son Illustrator Mina Noorbakhsh Multimedia Editor Phillip Murillas Multimedia Producer Matthew Langan, Becky Wilson Multimedia Reporters Candice Chu, Bryce Stucki, Peter Velz Online Director Christopher Ritter Web Developer Jeff Klassen Collegiate Times Business Staff Business Manager Ryan McConnell College Media Solutions Staff Advertising Director Patrick Fitzgerald Asst Advertising Directors Tyler Ervin Jenna Given, Katelynn Reilly Ads Production Manager Anika Stickles Asst Production Manager Alyssa Peltier Ads Production/Creation Breanna Benz, Alllison Bhatta, Jennifer DiMarco, Lisa Hoang, Rebecca Smeenk, Lindsay Smith, Lara Treadwell National Account Executive Account Executives Libbey Arner, Brian Covington, Oran Duncan, Alex Iskounen, Kendall Kapetanakis, Marcello Sandoval, Amanda Sparks, Jennifer Vaughn, Amanda Whitt Assistant Account Executives Kaelynn Kurtz, Carissa Nichols, Diane Revalski, Tyler Terhune Marketing Manager Office Manager Student Publication Photo Staff Director of Photography Sally Bull Business Manager Paul Platz
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In international arena, America consistently refutes consensus BURKE THOMAS guest columnist American unilateralism is not merely a Bush policy but part of a common pattern of rejecting major agreements that are supported by virtually the entire world. For example, the United States and Somalia are the only countries in the world not to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The CRC states all children should be raised in “the spirit of understanding, peace, toleration, equity of sexes, and friendship [for] all peoples.” Unfortunately, the CRC stipulates two conditions that the United States is unable to follow. First of all, we execute children; secondly, we imprison children for life without the possibility of parole. The U.S. has larger company in its resistance to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. CEDAW requires nations “to take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women.” We join Iran, Nauru, Palau, Qatar, Somalia, Sudan and Tonga as the only countries not to ratify this agreement. In its infamous rejection of the Kyoto Protocol, the United States joins 14 other countries, such as Chad and Andorra. Right after the 2001 inauguration, only 25 percent of Americans supported Bush’s decision to withdraw from the Protocol. A more gruesome unilateralism is illustrated by America’s resistance to joining the International Criminal Court, which tries war criminals. President Bush argues he has not signed so that “our efforts to meet our global security commitments and protect Americans are not impaired by the potential for investigations, inquiry, or prosecution by the International Criminal Court.”
This is a tacit admission that our officials would be tried for war crimes. Article 2 of the United Nations Charter states that “all Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.” Our government is concerned with the American culpability for breaking international law when, for example, we kill hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians. Our military unilateralism is also demonstrated in the dismantling or rejection of steps taken to prevent nuclear Armageddon. The U.S., Israel, China, Pakistan, India and North Korea are the only nuclear states not to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Furthermore, the AntiBallistic Missile Treaty was designed to prevent another arms race. But when we withdrew from it in 2002, we continued down the path of destabilizing the nuclear world. In 2008, the U.S. deployed ABM radars in Poland — ostensibly to prevent Iran from launching a nuclear weapon that it does not have. Russia responded by moving short-range missiles near Poland’s border.
This is a tacit admission that our officials would be tried for war crimes. But our government is not content with an earthly arms race. The U.S. joined Israel and the Federated States of Micronesia in abstaining from voting for a U.N. resolution on the Prevention of Outer Space Arms Race. In some doublespeak in the Unclassified National Space Policy, which I will quote directly, we are “committed to the exploration and use of outer space by all nations for peaceful purposes, and for the benefit of all
humanity.” Consistent with this principle, “peaceful purposes” allow U.S. defense and intelligence-related activities in pursuit of national interests.” Last year we joined our friend Zimbabwe in voting against creating a new U.N. Arms Trade Treaty, perhaps because our arms industry makes of a lot of money; we control almost 40 percent of the world’s arms trade. The U.S. continues to reject calls for eliminating not only apocalyptic weapons, but also the old-fashioned kind, including land mines (Ottawa Treaty) and cluster bombs (Convention on Cluster Munitions). I could have quoted more treaties. Look up the Basel Convention and the Convention on Biological Diversity for examples. Forgoing international treaties serves as a macrocosm of the countless lesser instances of disregard for world opinion. Howard Zinn notes that in 1992, “statistics showed that the armed forces of the world were responsible for two-thirds of the gases that depleted the ozone layer. But when it was suggested that the Earth Summit consider the effects of the military on environmental degradation, the United States delegation objected and the suggestion was defeated.” The brazenness extends to the exercise of the American Security Council veto at the United Nations. Since the 1970s the U.S. has unilaterally vetoed more than 30 resolutions relating to the Israel-Palestine conflict that call for peace or for both parties to respect international law. This month’s Security Council vote that called for an Israel-Gaza ceasefire passed 14-0-1, with one unsurprising abstainer. We have seen that America takes an extremely militaristic viewpoint in rejecting these international treaties. Our actions belie our stated loves of freedom and democracy.
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‘Slumdog’ impresses viewers Darius Rucker to come Pop quiz, hotshot. What country produces the most movies every year? If you thought the United States, you’re wrong. The correct answer PETER is India, and this fact reinforces the VELZ lack of penetration multimedia Bollywood movies reporter have in this country. All is not lost, however, as the new film “Slumdog Millionaire” is symbolic of the growing international collaboration and acceptance taking place in the film industry and validated by its four Golden Globe wins, including Best Motion Picture - Drama. It also happens to be one of the most fulfilling and enjoyable film-going experiences of this past year. British director Danny Boyle, best known for the drug-centric drama “Trainspotting” and reimagining zombie-horror in “28 Days Later,” led an Indian cast and crew in this Bollywoodinspired adaptation of a book titled “Q & A.” Not only did Boyle pick up a Golden Globe for Best Director, but screenwriter Simon Beaufoy did as well for his adaptation. Kudos really must go to the director who managed to create MOVIE REVIEW a poignant and c omp e l l i n g story and proves once again that he is able to leapfrog from film genre to genre, always bringing something interesting to the audience. As the title suggests, the film is about a child named Jamal from the slums of Mumbai who ends up on the Indian version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” only to be suspected of cheating once he makes it to the final 20 million rupee question. How an uneducated slumdog is able to make it all the way to the last question while doctors and lawyers fall much sooner is the initial mystery of the film. How, for example, does he know that Benjamin Franklin is on the U.S. $100 bill yet he doesn’t know Gandhi is on the 1,000 rupees note? When has he ever laid his hands upon a $100 bill? The answer is quite involved as each of his responses is a reflection of a defining moment in Jamal’s past. His life has been marked by heartache and struggle, including the death of his mother at a young age, and going on the show is his chance to change his life — but not necessarily because of the vast sums of money involved.
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to Burruss next week TERESA TOBAT
ct features reporter
“City of God” directed by Fernando Meirelles. Gritty and enthralling, the film follows a photographer whose life has been marked by gang rule in Rio de Janeiro, beautifully shot in a post”Matrix” style.
“Tsotsi”
“Monsoon Wedding” directed by Mira Nair. A tapestry of stories surrounding a Punjabi family including a father who has arranged his reluctant Indian daughter to be wed.
The frame of the story and its reliance on coincidence can be seen as a bit too convenient and unlikely, but the story acts as a modern-day fairytale so, for the most part, it works. In flashbacks, Jamal is accompanied by his older, frequently violent brother Salim, who holds his path in life at gunpoint. They join up with a fellow orphan named Latika who largely remains at the heart of the film. Various circumstances force the selfdescribed “Three Musketeers” apart, but the quest to reunite drives the film. At times, “Slumdog” adopts the speed and frenetic energy of a music video, yet smartly knows when to downplay the theatrics and highlight the burgeoning romance of the two leads. Pitch-perfect in its tone, the film shows the harsh realities of poverty and the grittiness of life faced by millions of people worldwide. While not as brutal as a film like the brilliant and electrifying 2002 drama “City of God,” themes of murder and kidnapping are still bountiful and reflect the chaos and instability of Jamal’s adolescence. Still, the film never gets bogged down in politics and, with its protagonist, highlights the resilience needed to survive such
directed by Gavin Hood. A gang leader in Johannesburg cares for a baby he unintentionally kidnapped after a car robbery. Oscarwinner for Best Foreign Language Film.
conditions. The film’s timely and frank depiction of violence is largely the reason why the film was given an R-rating, but, as is often the case, they largely ignore the positive messages that can be taken away. “Slumdog Millionaire” remains a story of maturation set to a fantastic soundtrack, so earnest in its intentions that even the crabbiest film snob can get behind it.
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE DIRECTED BY: Danny Boyle STARRING: Dev Patel, Anil Kapoor, Freida Pinto, Irrfan Khan RATED: R PLOT: A teen from the slums of Mumbai gets the oppurtunity to change his life after getting on the Indian version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.” GRADE: A SHOWTIMES: Friday, Saturday 7:00, 9:15 p.m. Sunday - 3:00, 7:00, 9:15 p.m. at The Lyric
Darius Rucker, the lead singer of Hootie & the Blowfish, has recently traded his image as a rock musician for that of a country crooner. And it seems that the country music world has embraced him. Rucker’s second solo album “Learn to Live” went to number one on the country charts, as did the first single off the album, “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It.” Rucker was the first black singer to have a single in the Top 20 country music charts since 1988, and the first to have an album reach No. 1 since 1985. Rucker spoke with the Collegiate Times over the phone Tuesday afternoon from Boca Raton, Fla., where he is currently touring with Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley. Rucker will perform in Burruss Auditorium on Jan. 28.
CT: What’s it feel like to be on tour with Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley? DR: Awesome. They’re fun guys.
CT: How does it feel to be on your first country music tour? DR: It feels good. I’m just out there. It’s nice to be the first person performing and have everyone waiting for you. I did small clubs for so long.
CT: Did you think you’d find success in country music so quickly? DR: No, not this much. I expected top 20s, top 15 single. But my first single went No. 1; I didn’t expect that. It’s hard for the new guy.
CT: Does country music embrace newcomers? DR: People loved the song (“Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It”). I’m a pretty nice guy, they liked that, too. They (country musicians) started to open up and were like “come on in.” CT: How did it feel to be the first African-American singer to have a No.1 single on the country charts since Charley Pride in 1988? DR: It was funny; it wasn’t one of the first things that I thought about until people started talking about it. Until 2009, this great year in our country, you
MCT CAMPUS
Darius Rucker of Hootie & the Blowfish released his first solo country album, “Learn to Live” in September 2008. wouldn’t have thought it was possible. But now, anything is possible.
CT: Do you think country music has tried to reach larger audiences in recent years? DR: I don’t think country music tried so much as it happened. Country music is still so much about the song. Every song is a song that touches you. CT: How is the experience of being a rock musician different from being a country musician? DR: They’re totally different. The relationship you have with radio is different … the relationship between the fans and artists is so different. Fan Fair in Nashville will have hundreds of thousands of country music fans. You don’t see that in rock music. You sit at a table for four hours and people come and get your autograph. Everyone does it. Keith does it. Garth does it. CT: Where do you see yourself going as a musician in the next few years? DR: I’m going to make a lot of country singles and country records, and then I’m going to retire. I’m going to let my wife pursue her dreams and stay home and take care of the kids. CT: Has that always been a dream of yours, like being a country
musician has? DR: I’ve always wanted to retire early. Retire at 55? That’d be cool.
CT: You’re playing at Purdue University in late February. What does playing at a college venue provide you with as an artist? DR: College’s venues are usually 1,500 to 2,000 people, and it’s always cool to play for college kids … If I blow these people away, then I could be the talk of the campus the next day. College kids will tell their friends, and they become the people who go to your concerts. I just love to entertain. CT: Did you watch the swearing in (of President Obama)? DR: I did. CT: How did you feel about it? DR: I thought it was beautiful, beautiful for the country. Everyone seems to have so much hope … I just thought it was beautiful. The economy is bad and people are ready for something good. I’m so proud of our country. It’s beautiful. I’m very, very proud of our country.
CT: Do you ever miss Hootie and the Blowfish and all that? DR: We’ve still got gigs going on; I don’t have time to miss it.
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january 22, 2009
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editor: thomas emerick, brian wright email: sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: w 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.; t 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
january 22, 2009
Super Bowl novices go up Tebow a model citizen, but against the usual suspects media love needs to stop How’s this for parity: Over the past year and a half, we’ve witnessed the Colorado Rockies reach the 2007 World Series, the Tampa Bay Rays do the same in 2008 BRIAN and a normallyWRIGHT fledgling franchise sports that, prior to this editor NFL season, had just a single playoff victory since 1947. That team is the Chicago-turned-St. Louis-turned-Phoenix-now-Arizona Cardinals. In one January stretch, the current iteration is righting all of the wrongs that have existed for more than six decades. A charter NFL member, the Cards won two league championships in their first 28 seasons. Their most recent title came as a member of the Second City with a 28-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. On Sunday afternoon, a 32-25 win over the Eagles propelled Arizona to its first Super Bowl appearance. This was due much in part to the quarterbackto-wide receiver combo of 37-year-old Kurt Warner and 25-year-old Larry Fitzgerald. The third overall selection out of Pittsburgh, Fitzgerald is shy and reserved off the field. Yet, he’s jumped onto the national spotlight with a spectacular postseason. Fitzgerald has already set a record for playoff receiving yardage, previously held by Hall of Famer Jerry Rice. He saved his best for the NFC title game – a nine-catch, 152-yard, threetouchdown effort. His first score came on the Cardinals’ opening drive, enduring a hit by Philly safety Brian Dawkins before landing in the end zone. The next came in far more spectacular fashion. A flea-flicker from J.J. Arrington back to Warner ended in the hands of Fitzgerald to top off a 62-yard trickery of a touchdown. With 3:02 left in the first half and Arizona perched on the Eagles’ goal line, Warner had several options for this short-yardage situation. Quarterback sneak? Hand off to Edgerrin James? But after seeing the 6’3” All-Pro to his right with one-on-one coverage, the answer was easy. Lob it up and No. 11 will grab it. Result: a 21-6 lead that was extended by three points by halftime. And as the Eagles soared to the lead with 19 unanswered points, it was the experienced Warner — a former Super Bowl champion — who responded. Methodically, the Cardinals exposed a Philly defense that was stout against the Giants and Vikings.
“That might be the first thing he’s ever done wrong in his life.” Those excruciating words actually came out of Thom Brennaman’s JOE mouth, FOX’s CRANDLEY play-by-play sports announcer for reporter the 2009 Bowl Championship Series National Championship game, when University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow picked up a personal foul for taunting late in the fourth quarter — when the outcome was all but decided.
the field than some thug “making it rain” and getting arrested every other month. At some point, though, there has to be some moderation in regard to how much is said about Tebow. During the national championship game, the broadcasters took more time to pat Tebow on the back than they did to call the actual game. For those who were not Florida fans or Tebow’s mom, the game was barely watchable without utilizing the mute button. Unfortunately, the Tebow hype has reached such epic proportions that even University of North Carolina power forward Tyler Hansbrough is jealous. The Tebow hype resembles Hansbrough hype
CLEM MURRAY/MCT
Larry Fitzgerald breaks a tackle by Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel. Although Tim Hightower scored, it was Fitzgerald’s 19-yard over-themiddle reception and a key six-yard grab that set up the winner. Arizona is erasing traces of its former self with spectacular plays, intra-squad emotion (watch Anquan Boldin and offensive coordinator Todd Haley jab on the sideline) along with a strong sense of self-assurance. The latter is something its been missing for quite some time. Behind this Cardinal migration is second-year head coach Ken Whisenhunt, a man who will be facing the team for which he was an assistant coach with one that is making its seventh appearance in pro football’s biggest game. The Pittsburgh Steelers, a 76-year old franchise, got their first playoff win in 1972 and haven’t looked back. The five-time champs — most recently three years ago — are one of the most consistent and best-run franchises in sports. Pittsburgh has made only two coaching changes since 1969. Its most recent one, placing 36-year-old Mike Tomlin in for the retired Bill Cowher, appears to be working out just fine. (Whisenhunt was passed over for this job.) Plus, you never see owner Dan Rooney holding a press conference explaining why a player is shooting his mouth off or is about to be suspended. Sometimes, silence is golden. But what’s won games for the Steelers this year has been a hard-hitting defense. The No. 1 unit in the league helped seal the AFC Championship
over the Baltimore Ravens thanks to late turnovers and bone-crunching hits . This body bag game was more suited for the Roman Coliseum. It was a contest that probably made Jack Lambert and Dick Butkus proud. Both sides took a pounding. From wide receiver Hines Ward to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and — the most frightening of all — Baltimore running back Willis McGahee. Fortunately for Pittsburgh, two weeks should be enough time to heal. Rest and experience could play major factors for the black and gold. Granted, Warner has played in two Super Bowls. But the rest of his teammates are flying into uncharted territory. The Steelers are stocked with members of the Super Bowl XL roster. Roethlisberger was the youngest quarterback to win the big game, but he didn’t have a spectacular one. He’s matured since then – with exception to the motorcycle accident in 2006 – and has become a more accurate passer. He knows how to use his head when the games begin. He’ll be second fiddle in terms of storyline quarterbacks when the media embarks on Tampa. In order to win a second title, he should let the defense take center stage. Big Ben doesn’t need to put up staggering numbers come Feb. 1. He’ll just need to be smart. Something he’s done during his time with the Steelers … on the field at least.
GARY W. GREEN/MCT
At the celebration for Florida’s national championship on Jan. 11, quarterback Tim Tebow announces he’ll return for his senior season. The national media’s obsession with Tebow officially jumped the shark after Brennaman’s comments, further heightening unearned resentment toward the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner by fans who have simply had enough of hearing about him. But it’s not Tebow’s fault. Sure, he obviously enjoys the spotlight, but with the way many college and professional athletes conduct themselves in the public eye, it’s no wonder writers and broadcasters would rather talk about a star player making an impact both on and off
on steroids. So, after three years of ramming it down our throats, the sports world will be able to breathe a breath of fresh air and enjoy a new story, right? Wrong. Tebow decided recently that he wanted to come back for his fourth season and finish out his college eligibility. Good for him. Not enough “student athletes” of his caliber take the whole free education part seriously enough, but Saturdays next season may become
intolerable. Believe it or not, the only real significant loss to Florida’s squad next year will be dynamic wide receiver Percy Harvin, who entered the National Football League draft and will certainly be one of its early selections. Excepting Harvin, the Gators return every single starter on defense and a majority of their playmakers on offense, Tebow included. Should they stay healthy, the Gators can basically bank on another national championship next season and a second Heisman Trophy for Tebow. Who will be around to challenge the mighty Gators? Sporting a weak schedule, the challengers are few. With the coaching shake-up at Tennessee and the mass exodus of talent at Georgia, the only obvious pick would be the LSU Tigers after the thrashing they put on Georgia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Once the Gators reach the Southeastern Conference Championship game, the contenders from the league’s West Division will be dealing with more significant losses than the blue and orange, thus providing a futile effort against a ridiculously loaded team. So, who will the Gators face in the National Championship Game? From the looks of it, the winner of the Red River Shootout between Texas and Oklahoma will decide that one. Since defense remains optional in the Big 12, expect a blowout in the championship game to cap an otherwise predictable finish. What does this all mean? Well, it means that Tebow will be even more visible in the media than last season, and the same storylines from this past season will be recycled over and over again. Best player ever? Best person ever? Better than God? Hopefully, none of this is true, but what’s written here isn’t exactly going out on a limb. When the current national titleholder whips the No. 2 team in the country, then returns almost all of its players for the next season, expect more of the same. So, college football fans, mark your calendars for the 2010 regular season if you’re ready for that breath of fresh air and make sure you have that mute button ready when the Tebow hype machine starts up all over again.
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