COLLEGIATETIMES
tuesday march 3, 2009 blacksburg, va.
www.collegiatetimes.com
news D2 HOSTS PUBLIC FORUM TONIGHT There will be a public forum hosted by Vice President of Student Affairs Ed Spencer tonight at 5:30 in D2. Spencer will field questions regarding the university from students and discuss developments in his department. Regular D2 prices apply.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT WARNS OF SNOW RISK The Virginia Department of Health released warnings of the health effects of a snowstorm. While outside, wear insulated clothing and rubber boots, monitor carbon monoxide levels of gasoline-powered machines and use caution when shoveling snow and lifting heavy materials or fallen trees. Further information can be found at readyvirginia.gov.
sports FANNING WINS SCHOLAR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR Tech cross country runner Tasmin Fanning was named the NCAA Division I Women’s Cross Country Scholar Athlete of the Year on Monday. A human nutrition, foods and exercise major from Charlottesvile, Fanning placed third at the 2008 NCAA Cross Country Championships, the highest finish ever for a Tech runner. She also won the NCAA Southeast Regional last year.
NORTH CAROLINA ADVANCES TO NO. 2 The latest AP Top 25 NCAA men’s basketball poll saw North Carolina advance from No. 4 to No. 2 as they prepare to face Virginia Tech this Wednesday. After defeating both Virginia Tech and Maryland on the road, Duke remained at seven. Fellow Atlantic Coast conference schools No. 10 Wake Forest, No. 18 Clemson, and No. 24 Florida State round out the rankings.
Big box needs special use permit ZACH CRIZER
ct news reporter The Virginia Supreme Court ruled Friday in favor of the town of Blacksburg, requiring a big-box anchor store in the First and Main development, widely rumored to be a Wal-Mart, to apply for a special use permit. The decision is a reversal of the Circuit Court ruling, which ruled the developers, Fairmount Properties, had the vested right to a permissible use of property against any future attempt to make the use impermissible by amendment of the zoning ordinance. However, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled the developers left flexibility in their proposal. Therefore, they did not adequately “specify use” of the property. The ruling went against a precedent set in 2003 in Suffolk. Mayor Ron Rordam said in a statement, “The decision today by the Supreme Court is a re-affirmation of locality’s rights to enforce their zoning ordinances. It is significant not only
Big Box Timeline May 2006
March 13,2007
May 31, 2007
June 18, 2007
Land rezoned to allow general Fairmount site plans submitted to commercial use. Property would be Blacksburg showing 175,000 square used by Fairmount Properties to foot retail building. develop First & Main.
Town Council unanimously passes Blacksburg Councilman Donald ordinance. Langrehr proposes ordinance requiring any store over 80,000 square feet to apply for a special use permit.
July 31, 2007
January 24, 2008
January 29, 2008
Board of Zoning Appeals reverses Hundley's decision.
Circuit court judge Bobby Turk rules Blacksburg Town Council appeals to Supreme Court rules in favor of town, allowing enforcement of the the ordinance may not be applied. the Virginia Supreme Court. ordinance. Fairmount Properties have vested rights to continue their plans.
Blacksburg Zoning Administrator Steve Hundley rules Fairmount must file for a special use permit under the ordinance.
Friday
VELECHIA HARDNETT/COLLEGIATE TIMES
for the town of Blacksburg, but for all Virginia localities.” Vice Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith said she hopes to continue the discussion over the project in a more sensible fashion. “This won’t be the end of the public dialogue, but it has certainly helped to moderate its tone,” Hager-Smith said. Hager-Smith said both sides of the
issue have been unfairly portrayed throughout the process, hindering the process of planning a development. The big-box store was planned as 186,000 square feet of retail space. Since the developers at Fairmount Properties wish to use the property for more than 80,000 square feet of open retail floor space, they must now apply for a special use permit with the town
of Blacksburg. Once again in the hands the town, the project is still a positive to Rordam. “We look forward to working with the land owners to help them achieve their vision of a quality, mixed-use development,” Rordam said. Hager-Smith said she is still receptive to the developers’ ideas and even to big
box developments. “I feel certain First and Main has a bright future,” Hager-Smith said. “I could certainly consider a big box in town limits that was not on a side street, in a residential neighborhood, next to an elementary school. And, I’ll work with those who respect the town’s stated development goals.”
Tech warns of off-campus housing scams JUSTIN GRAVES
Avoiding a Scam
ct news reporter Recently, the Virginia Tech Off-Campus Housing Office and Student Legal Services have both received many complaints concerning scams that students and staff have encountered when leasing and subleasing different properties in the area. On Friday, Tech notified the campus of these scams and provided tips on how to avoid being a victim. The Blacksburg Police Department informed the school of the scam on Thursday and provided a police report. The realtor who was a victim also contacted the university, asking Tech to let students know that they may be getting scammed. “We’ve only received reports from this one realtor whose name was stolen and had a bogus Yahoo! account created under him,” said Mike Owczarski, Tech spokesman. “He is a real Blacksburg realtor, and the actual property was shown, but a fictitious account was featured on craigslist.” With more and more individuals trying to find off-campus housing online, the number of scams has grown to match the demand. With greater access to information and more ways for con artists to cheat people out of money, students have begun reporting being scammed out of thousands of dollars. Bruce T. Phillips, Student Legal Services attorney, outlined the process that he has seen in recent months. What is on the VTOCH Web site is “a variant
Warning signs of a scam: The landlord refuses to meet you in person or provide identification The landlord wants the money wired overseas The landlord won’t let you verify the location and condition of the property in person
Be sure to do the following before signing a lease: Read over the entire document before signing. Ask questions about clauses and terms you do not understand. Any changes or additions agreed upon with the landlord should be stated in the lease before signing. Make sure all parties involved sign the lease. Date and make copies for your records. SARA SPANGLER/COLLEGIATE TIMES
of the process, where the landlord is leasing but is out of the country and wants the money wired to them. The scam usually depends on someone wiring money, because that’s cash, and once they get it they’re gone,” Phillips said. VTOCH and SLS both advocate never wiring money overseas. The organizations advocate
Streaking snowballs
avoiding wiring money to anyone, even within the state of Virginia, if the recipient is not well known. “It’s like putting 3,000 dollars in cash and mailing it to somebody. This comes up in a variety of ways, through craigslist, subleasing, and we’ve even seen employment scams,” Phillips said. “If
ct news reporter
PARTLY CLOUDY high 43, low 28
corrections If you see something in today’s paper that needs to be corrected, please e-mail our public editor at publiceditor@collegiatetimes.com, or call 540.231.9865.
index Classifieds..............8 Sports....................6 Sudoku..................8
An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 106th year • issue 25 DANIEL LIN/SPPS
Alex Potter, wearing a motocross helmet for protection, delivers a snowball into a mass of cadets. Last night, students took to the Drillfield for the annual civilians vs. cadets snowball fight.
people think about it, that doesn’t really make sense. Anyone who can be wired money can also be sent a check.” Most complaints about scams to Tech have regarded scams that target students and landlords via e-mail and public Web sites. Mentioned in the listserv e-mail was the Fraud Information Center’s Web site, which can be found at http: //www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Internet_ Fraud.shtml. “They will put an ad on a Web site, and they want to get people to sublease, especially when they are not from Blacksburg,” Phillips said. VTOCH’s Web site offers a forum for those who are looking for a place to live, a roommate or even furnishings for a new apartment. The Web site is not monitored by Off-Campus Housing; however, it does stress to students to post safely when making any communications concerning housing online. Lyndsay Tolbert of VTOCH said that students need to be careful online. “We don’t monitor the activity of students on our site, but we do tell them to try and make sure they know who they’re dealing with,” Tolbert said. “It’s becoming a bigger and bigger issue as more people use the Internet to try and find housing. This is why I don’t refer students to craigslist, because it’s completely unmonitored and unfiltered.” Phillips said while SLS usually advises students who have been charged with alcohol violations, the next largest complaint he hears involves security deposits on leases. “In the past year, with about 10 complaints,
see SCAM, page two
D2 and Hokie Grill welcome the weekend KELSEY HEITER
tomorrow’s weather
News.....................2 Features................4 0pinions................5
March 27, 2007
D2 and Hokie Grill have opened their doors for limited weekend business at Virginia Tech, bringing in more revenue and providing less crowded dining halls for students on campus. Ranked among the top dining facilities at a university by the Princeton Review, dining halls at Tech are serving elevated numbers of students each day, creating long lines and wait times for meals. Ted J. Faulkner, associate director of dining services, said that opening D2 on the weekend this year was approved and funded in the 2008-09 budget. “Dining Services is still waiting on approval on the budget for next year, which will help determine the course of action that awaits for the 2009-10 operating year,” Faulkner said. Faulkner also said that since 2006, Dining Services has been dealing with requests from students and organizations on campus to provide more service on the weekends. “The additional meal plan holders, over the course of the last three years, provided an opportunity for dining to provide these new services,” Faulkner said. “We recognized the need and enacted a plan to open some more dining facilities on campus when the final approval on the budget came through.” Kelvin Bergsten, unit manager of Dietrick Dining Programs, said that opening D2 on Sundays has put less of a strain on the other dining facilities on campus. “Opening D2 on the weekends has made a positive difference in the other facilities with regard to overcrowding and service,” Bergsten said. “We have seen the time period of 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. to be the most popular.” Bergsten said that D2 offers many different dining options throughout the day, be that on a weekday or a Sunday. He believes that if the students eating at D2 could spread out their arrival times other than between the noon to 1:30 p.m. time slot, they would encounter even less crowded dining facilities. Although D2 is only open on Sunday for abbreviated hours, Bergsten said this may change in the future. “We are always looking and evaluating what our
customers want; we have to assess each circumstance and try to provide excellent customer service,” Bergsten said. “The current state of the commonwealth and the budget cuts requested may influence the direction of future services.” Hokie Grill manager Steve Opeka has also seen many changes with Hokie Grill now open on Saturday. “We actually began opening on the weekend before Christmas break started last semester,” Opeka said. “We are not open on Sundays because of our franchise, Chick-fil-A’s, policy.” Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy decided that when he opened his first Chick-fil-A in 1967, he would not operate business on Sunday because of religious purposes. Opeka said that Hokie Grill has been getting extra sales because of the two franchises, Pizza Hut and Chick-fil-A, and are doing very well financially. “The business that Hokie Grill gets on the weekend is business that other dining halls do not receive, which helps Hokie Grill out financially,” Opeka said. “Hokie Grill is trying to help take a little extra congestion away from the other dining halls, and in doing so, the crowds and the lines in the other dining halls are not as overwhelming on the weekends as they used to be.” Opeka said that the recent addition of Carvel Ice Cream has also caused business at Hokie Grill to increase. “We have just added the Carvel Ice Cream location, so now the space outside of the main area of Hokie Grill is split between Cinnabon and Carvel,” Opeka said. “The business that we receive from those two franchises has also been doing very well since we opened them.” As of right now, Opeka said that there are no new ideas in the works about changing the times that Hokie Grill is open. “The times will stay the same,” Opeka said. “We are open an hour later than the other food courts during the weekdays, so that is also helping out the business at Hokie Grill.” The new hours for D2 on Sunday are noon until 4 p.m. for brunch, and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for dinner. Hokie Grill is now open on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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2 news
march 3, 2009
Scam: Beware of wire fraud
editor: caleb fleming email: nrvnews@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: tth 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
editor: sara mitchell email: universitynews@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: mw 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Virginia Tech Surplus Auction
from page one
about half of those actually wound up being victims,” Phillips said. “The other half came in and knew it was a scam, and asked what they do with this fake check. Generally, several students have been out $2,500 to $3,000. When you endorse a check, you’re guaranteeing that it’s good. If it bounces, the banks normally make you pay that back. Over the last year, about five students have been out of that money.” Phillips notes that the fake checks are often counterfeits that con artists have made to duplicate those of schools or other companies. “Usually the fake check will supposedly be from a company, or we’ve seen cases where it bore the name of a private school. We’ve had a whole string of those these past couple months,” Phillips said. “Last month we had somebody with a check from the University from Louisville and another from AmeriTrade.” Students need to ask themselves whether it would ever be logical for a person to pay in this fashion. Counterfeit money orders from the United States Postal Service are also popular scams. “We got this out so quickly only because we learned about it on Thursday. What I was trying to do was get information from the off campus housing office to help communicate to students exactly what they should do, rather than just notifying them,” Owczarski said. While Virginia Tech News just sent out the notice last week, VTOCH realizes that there was a bit of good timing behind it, even though it’s been trying to make students aware for months. It also stresses students take the necessary precautions and think about counterfeits. “We’ve had a notice on the Web site for over a year now,” Tolbert said. “Students don’t take precautions a lot of times because they’re so anxious to just get their property
taken care of. It’s the issue where people need to take time to make sure this is legitimate. You want to call the company that the check is from if it seems off.” International transactions are also an issue of concern in these scams. “Internationally, for a check to clear, it’ll take at least four weeks even if the money appears in your account. Even a check that is domestic can take one to four weeks to clear. A lot of students don’t check into these details,” Tolbert said. “I’ve had a few students who were suspicious of a check, and so they take it to their bank. They ask the teller when it will clear, and they will say they’ll have the money in five or so days,” Phillips said. “That’s when banking regulations say they must make the money available. That doesn’t mean the check has actually cleared — that will take two or three weeks.” “When we get students who think they have been scammed, we just refer them to Student Legal Services because we aren’t authorized to give legal counsel, and we don’t want to give incorrect information to anyone. That’s our biggest suggestion, is to get legal counsel as soon as possible. The sooner you act the sooner you can lessen the damage,” Tolbert said. Owczarski recommends similar preventive advice. “This whole situation is more broadly related to Internet scams. We’ve informed students about phishing scams in the past — it’s just a variation on that,” Owczarski said. “The key piece of advice is to be extremely cautious when you haven’t seen someone, and you don’t know them, and they tell you only over the Internet to send them money or confidential information.” Virginia Tech Off-Campus Housing office is located at 121 Squires Student Center, while Student Legal Services is at 143 Squires Student Center.
MARK UMANSKY/SPPS
Virginia Tech’s surplus warehouse held its second auction of the year Saturday, raising $60,257 for the university. Laptops and jerseys sold the best — averaging $145 and $75 each — said manager Doug Sheppard. The crowd was “probably a little bigger than usual,” said Smith Reasor, an auctioneer from Richmond. With almost 600 items to sell, Reasor plowed through about 100 articles per hour. The next auction is on April 11, also at 1425 South Main St., across from Gables shopping center.
TAKE AKE A NAP... You Deserve it.
page 3
tuesday, march 3, 2009
Fewer students turn pages of yearbooks in digital age KIM HONEMCMAHAN
akron beacon journal AKRON, Ohio — Kristen Thompson grinned when chatting about how her parents sometimes reminisce about their school days, flipping through the pages of the yearbook. For those of us who bought the annuals, the headshot of the class clown can thrust us back to the time when he and some of his mischievous pals lifted the principal’s Volkswagen Beetle and carried it into the school’s gymnasium. Or maybe the photo of the pimple-faced kid makes you quiver, recalling the boogers he stuck beneath the desk in biology class. And how about that heartthrob with the sky-blue eyes and dimpled chin? The one who used to tell all of the girls that he worked for Ohio Bell, and it was his job to gather their numbers for the telephone book? Whether good or gross, the yearbook is filled with memories of the times that shaped many of our lives. But in some parts of the country, it has been done away with, or is at risk of demise. “It’s the only thing from high school that you’ll probably have 20 years from now,” said Thompson, a staff member of the Tallmadge High School yearbook who wasn’t pleased to learn that in some schools, including at least one in the Houston area, the annual is no more. Some say it’s the economy, others say it’s because of the popularity of social networks like Facebook. And then there are the teens who simply don’t
have a loyalty to their school _ usually no fault of their own. About 275 students at Akron, Ohio’s Garfield High School are expected to get this year’s annuals. The cost of the book is included in senior dues. Yearbook adviser Jeffrey Davis said he expects about 245 Garfield pupils to pay those dues, meaning just 30 underclassmen will have ordered the books. In addition to students not having an extra $55 to pay for the books, he believes the issue of transience has an impact on sales. As of the first of February, five months after school began, the teacher had already experienced a 20 percent turnover in his student roster. “A couple of my kids are in their third school this year,” he explained. “That makes it very tough for many inner-city students to develop an allegiance to their high school. Why would a student buy a Garfield yearbook if there’s a chance he will be at East by the end of the year?” Davis noted that most of the turnover is the result of parent or guardian relocations, but there are other factors such as open enrollment, which allows students to transfer to other schools in the district. There are, of course, some exceptions, but depending on the school, sales are generally down as little as 5 percent in some areas to as much as 50 percent in others. There was a significant drop in sales during the 1980s, when enrollment at some schools declined. A concentrated effort was put in place to market the books differently. Companies that produced them took over, helping
with promotions and sales. By the late ‘90s, their efforts were paying off. Today, as Davis mentioned, the lack of cash is one factor that’s keeping sales down at some schools. “I’m not getting a yearbook because they are just too darn expensive,” explained Sammy Parks, a 15-yearold who attends Revere High School. It’s a sentiment that was repeated by others, particularly underclassmen. But for many seniors in our area, particularly those in suburban districts where switching schools is less frequent, having a flashback to their teenage years neatly bound together in a handsome package remains important. “I want to be able to remember my classmates in the future,” explained Green senior Todd Starkey. “The yearbook crew always makes them great.” That’s what Eric Poston, student editor of the yearbook staff at Green, likes to hear. About half of the high school student body has bought yearbooks, a number that has stayed consistent the past few years. “I am grateful that students think so highly of the yearbook staff,” a proud Poston said. “The entire staff puts a lot of hard work in the book each day.” If hawking the memory tomes isn’t difficult enough during a struggling economy, the popularity of socialnetworking sites like Facebook can complicate the matter. The computer site allows anyone to post photos and create albums. It’s free and accessible with just a click of a button. But those types of sites might be gone, or at the very least remarkably different, when today’s high
KAREN SCHIELY/MCT
Yearbook staff members Sara Lemmon, 18, left, and Amibeth Allman, 18, work on the yearbook at Tallmadge High School, February 5, 2009 in Tallmadge, Ohio. Fewer students turn pages of yearbooks in the digital age. school seniors are grandparents. “When I’m 50 years old, I’m not going to have a Facebook,” explained Natalie Walker, Tallmadge High School senior and member of the yearbook staff. “And those sites aren’t capturing enough of what’s happening inside the schools,” added classmate Mercedes Slider. A list is posted on the wall inside Julie Headrick’s classroom at
Tallmadge High where her yearbook staff keeps track of the school’s students in an attempt to get everyone’s photo in the book at least once. It’s a good marketing strategy. To get kids to buy the yearbooks, said Jim Barbour of Herff Jones, which produces yearbooks in our area, printers must help schools develop more viable marketing approaches. Kids are relying less on e-mails and more on text messages to get
information, so a teen might receive a text from a pal on the yearbook staff reminding him that it’s time to order. It takes much more these days to hawk the book than a couple of kids sitting in the cafeteria at lunch. Those who are true to their school need to hear why the annuals are something they will want someday. “I wouldn’t say the yearbook is dying, but I think we need to tell people why it’s alive,” Barbour said.
‘No-frills’ college plan intrigues many Drug ineffective SUSAN SNYDER
the philadelphia inquirer PHILADELPHIA — A private university in New Hampshire is offering students a “no-frills” option: more than a 50 percent cut in tuition if they take courses at a satellite campus and forgo many amenities. In New Jersey, Richard Stockton College will allow students to take from 12 to 20 credits for a flat rate. And elsewhere, some colleges are running three-year degree programs, so students can get through school more quickly and save money, using a model common in Europe. The idea of less costly or “nofrills” universities — as proposed by Pennsylvania last month _ is under discussion and in some cases is playing out in other communities around the country, as the economy worsens and the price tag for higher education continues to rise. “It’s an idea whose time has come,” said Richard Vedder, director of the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, a Washington think tank. “Right now, we’re in a recession, and everyone is more cost-conscious than ever. College costs are rising faster than people’s incomes, and this can’t continue.” The cost of higher education, on average, has increased about 3 percent above inflation annually, Vedder said. It was the issue of cost that prompted the Pennsylvania State Board of Education last month in a report to suggest that the state consider establishing “no-frills” schools. While details have not been worked out, the proposal generally calls for the colleges to offer an accelerated yearround program for bachelor’s degrees that focus on education. They could operate much as a four-year version of a community college and would forgo sports teams, extracurriculars, super gymnasiums, plum dorms, and other amenities. “We’ve gotten lots of positive comments from students and families, and we’ve also gotten calls from other states
about it,” said Jim Buckheit, executive director of the State Board of Education. “It’s certainly an idea that has touched a nerve.” College affordability recently was rated among the five most important issues for state legislators, according to the Denver-based National Conference of State Legislatures. Some critics of rising costs have described a race of sorts in which schools are vying for top students by offering the biggest and best of everything. Even some state schools have joined in. Colleges in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education are replacing traditional dorms with apartment-style living spaces. Vance Fried, an entrepreneurship professor at Oklahoma State University, released a report last summer on how a university could offer students an “Ivy” education for $7,376 a year — far less than the $35,000-plus annual tuition at some high-end private schools, and about half what it costs at some staterelated institutions. Fancy gymnasiums, an endless list of electives, universally small classes, and expensive research are out under the approach detailed in Fried’s report. But others defend their price tags and say parents want their children to have a full-fledged education with socialization and growth. Rick DiFeliciantonio, vice president for enrollment at Ursinus College, where tuition, fees, and room and board top $45,000 annually, said the college had no plans to offer a no-frills version, and he warned of the potential pitfalls. “There’s not such a fine line between offering no-frills discounted programs and eating into the very heart of what a residential liberal-arts institution like Ursinus is fundamentally trying to accomplish,” he said. Spending time with classmates and faculty, sharing what has been learned, is as important as studying the great texts, he added. Even Vedder acknowledged that most people don’t want a no-frills university. In Pennsylvania, the State Board of Education heard from parents, students
and others at statewide hearings last fall that the cost of college was breaking their budgets. Pennsylvania is the sixth-most-expensive state in the country in which to get a public college education. The net cost is $532 more than the national average of $6,940, a state Education Department report said. Of 10 states in the study, students in Pennsylvania graduated with the second-highest debt on average _ $19,047. Only in New Jersey was the debt higher: $19,294. Buckheit said his office heard lots of questions about how a no-frills institution would look and operate. The board plans to submit the idea to Gov. Ed Rendell and the legislature. “It would be up to them to define what it would look like,” he said. One difference could be faculty salaries: A no-frills institution isn’t likely to have high-salary professors doing cutting-edge research. “Honestly, I think it’s a great idea and a bad idea all at the same time,” said board member Lee Williams, chair of elementary education and early childhood at Slippery Rock University, a state system school, where tuition, fees, and room and board are $15,000 this year. “There is a place for no-frills, but there’s also a place for those things that make university life so enriching. What some people call (frills) are essential to having the citizenry of Pennsylvania well-rounded.” Francis Michelini, a retired college president and chair of the board’s Higher Education Council, was conflicted, too. Colleges, he said, have to offer dorms different from the “gang” houses of the past, where dozens of students shared bathrooms and other living space. “You can’t recruit a student to live in a gang dorm anymore. Is that a frill?” he asked. “Is a physical workout area with 50-some machines a frill?” Rep. James Roebuck, House education committee chair, said he was not sure about the no-frills proposal: “I’m not sure I’m convinced it’s a good idea, but it’s something we should consider.” At Southern New Hampshire
University, 37 students at two satellite campuses are enrolled in the new discount program this year. They pay $10,000 in tuition and fees annually to attend modest branch campuses with few amenities, but still have small classes of 15 to 18 and programs taught by some of the same professors who work on the main campus. In contrast, tuition and fees on the main campus are $25,000 plus $10,000 for room and board. There, they have access to a first-rate gym with Olympicsize pool and rotating climbing wall, and soon will be able to dine at a $14 million food court. The college’s new discount rate offers balance, said president Paul LeBlanc. And that’s good, he said, because many parents want a first-rate dining hall, though he wouldn’t argue for a minute that it improves education. “The very same families that will complain to me about the high cost of tuition,” he said, “will also say to me, ‘Hey, why does your dining hall look like a high school cafeteria?’” The program is available only for the first two years; as juniors and seniors, students must go to the main campus for higher-level courses. Stockton College last week announced a flat-rate tuition policy that would allow students to take from 12 to 20 credits for the same price. “In today’s economic climate, it makes good financial sense for students to graduate in the shortest time frame possible,” president Herman J. Saatkamp said. Vedder, of the affordability center, said more students also might make lowercost decisions, such as commuting rather than living on campus. La Salle University is expecting more commuter students next year. It saw an 11 percent uptick in local applicants and a 5 percent decrease from outside. The University of Delaware noted a change this semester. “We’ve seen a slight increase in students asking to move off campus and producing paperwork that it’s because their parents lost their jobs,” said spokeswoman Andrea Doyle.
against flu strain TRINE TSOUDEROS
chicago tribune CHICAGO – As flu season hits high gear, doctors and public health professionals say treating cases is more complicated than ever because this year’s most common strain has developed resistance to the drug known as Tamiflu. The drug is one of only four antiviral medicines available to battle influenza, an illness that typically lands 200,000 Americans in the hospital, and kills 36,000 every year, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control. Scientists from the agency coauthored a paper on the resistance, which was published Monday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Because Tamiflu is no longer effective against the season’s main flu strain, known as H1N1, physicians are turning to the other three antivirals, all of which have downsides. Zanamivir, an inhaled drug known as Relenza, is not recommended for some of the very populations that would need it most: very young children and people with respiratory problems. Rimantadine, sold as Flumadine, and amantadine, sold as Symmetrel, have resistance troubles of their own. With so many problems associated with antivirals, public health officials are urging people to get a flu shot, which they say offers good protection this year against the H1N1 strain. “Flu season is still peaking,” said Michael Koller, a doctor of internal medicine at Loyola University Medical Center. “There is no sign we are on our way down. It is not too late.” For most people who get the flu, antiviral drugs like Tamiflu aren’t much help. Influenza is like a fastmoving wildfire that often burns itself
out before the victim can obtain a prescription drug. But antiviral medications can be lifesavers for people most likely to develop serious complications from the flu, say, a grandparent in a nursing home. Health professionals say Tamifluresistant flu is especially alarming for how fast it has spread. The virus managed to mutate into a resistant form and move around the globe within a year. “It makes me nervous,” Koller said. “We know that it keeps mutating and that is why it is still around. It manages to figure out ways to outsmart us and our medications.” Scientists began picking up hints about the strain’s resistance during the last flu season, when reports of Tamiflu-resistant influenza came in from nations including Canada, Russia and Hong Kong. In the U.S., scientists found about 12 percent of the H1N1 viruses were resistant. By summer, South Africa reported all of its H1N1 was resistant. Now 100 percent resistance has been reached in the U.S. and other parts of the world. “That is a phenomenal change in one year’s time,” Koller said. “It is very concerning.” Experts say the flu virus’ resistance to Tamiflu is unusual because it apparently did not result from exposure to the drug, the way heavy antibiotic use leads to antibiotic resistance. Norway, a country that had a lot of Tamifluresistant flu last season, hardly uses the drug. And Japan, a country that uses Tamiflu a lot, had hardly any resistant flu. Scientists think what happened is the flu strain mutated by sheer luck into a resistant form. “This is what is so amazing,” said Vincent Racaniello, a professor of microbiology at Columbia University Medical Center. “This arose spontaneously.”
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editor: bethany buchanan email: features@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: w 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., f 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
march 3, 2009
Tech Scuba Club ‘wets’ Strong performances amateur divers’ appetites resonate in biopic TOPHER FORHECZ
It is rare that a biopic tells an important story while also communicating beyond the walls of its subject matter. While PETER “Milk” is about VELZ Harvey Milk, multimedia the first openly gay man elected reporter to public office, the film restrains from aggrandizing his impact on politics while contextualizing his role in the gay movement. The movie is told through a series of flashbacks as the title character recalls the transformative moments in his personal and political life. It opens with Harvey Milk, embodied by Sean Penn, recording his final wishes to be played in the event of his assassination. His foresight proved true as he and San Francisco mayor George Moscone were gunned down in an act of hate and cowardice. He died for his cause, but his legacy impacted the political landscape of 1970s San Francisco in a way that reached across the nation. Milk did not always envision himself as a politician. It took many years and failed bids before he became the self-appointed “Mayor of Castro Street.” And while the film follows a familiar biopic story arc, the acting and filmmaking keep the narrative compelling. Sean Penn deserves all the adulation he can get, but the supporting cast is on equal footing. Harvey’s partner Scott Smith, played with great sophistication by James Franco, tries to stand by his side through campaigns and death threats. But he struggles to find balance as politics begins to disrupt their relationship. The chemistry between Penn and Franco is both authentic and gripping, underscoring the film’s documentary approach. A scene at the dinner table after a long day of political strategizing is so pitchperfect it feels almost too intimate to watch, as if the viewer is invading the privacy of these two lovers. The deft, Oscar-winning screenplay by Dustin Lance Black is elegantly handled by “Good Will Hunting” director Gus Van Sant. Under Van Sant’s direction, the mounting frustration of Milk’s political rival, Dan White, is one of
ct features reporter
You might also like. . . “Gonzo”
“To Die For”
The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson – directed by Alex Gibney. This documentary of the politically-inclined writer doesn’t shy away from his faults and mirrors the political campaigns showcased in “Milk.”
directed by Gus Van Sant. Nicole Kidman has never been funnier and Van Sant displays the same knack for compelling visuals in this dark satire about the lengths people go in the name of notoriety.
the most masterful touches in this already brilliant film. While Penn won an Oscar for his role, Josh Brolin displays equally powerful work as Milk’s opponent. Brolin has steadily built up his resume in recent years with his gratifying roles in films such as “W.” and “No Country for Old Men.” His winning streak continues in “Milk” largely because he is able to capture White’s complex and perplexing state of mind. His characterization never sets the man up to fail, but rather gives him dignity and confliction that slowly chip away at his fortitude. The distinct visual style deserves special mention in how the film blends archival footage and photos to add an extra layer of immersion and detail. Old newscasts anchored by Walter Cronkite fit within the framework of the storytelling and aren’t used to artificially place the film in a time period. As a result, an insular film about a small group of individuals receives the weight and resonance of the entire political backdrop of the 1970s. The film works as both a character study and a historical account of the hostile politics surrounding the gay movement and equal rights. Milk uses his role to stage large and far-reaching protests, thus mobilizing the gay community. We live in the aftermath of the Nov. 2 elections and “Milk” is largely seen through post-Obama, post-Proposition 8 lenses. With the repercussions of this past election
“Midnight Cowboy” directed by John Schlesinger. The 1969 film acknowledges subtle homosexual undertones to dramatize a complex period before a visible gay movement and preHarvey Milk.
cycle, the film plays in a bittersweet light. It recognizes the roots of today’s latest equal rights movement, but reiterates the opposition still present over 30 years after Harvey Milk’s death.
MILK DIRECTED BY: Gus Van Sant STARRING: Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch, James Franco RATED: R PLOT: Harvey Milk spends the last decade of his life attempting to change the political scene of 1970s San Francisco. GRADE: A SHOWTIMES: 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at the Lyric While “Slumdog Millionaire” has received universal acclaim — and the Oscar for Best Picture — “Milk” will stand the test of time. Twenty years from now, it will act as a reminder of the clashing political and religious ideologies. The film chronicles a tumultuous time during the 1970s that America still understands neither side has won. Even though the movie is about a political movement, it avoids the pitfall of preaching an agenda. The film acknowledges, without overstating, Harvey Milk’s impact on history: “I’m not the candidate,” Harvey says on the campaign trail. “I’m part of the movement. The movement is the candidate.”
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While it was his first time underwater with scuba equipment, hospitality and tourism management graduate student Horace Cross felt his dive was like a page out of an “Aquaman” comic book. “It was kind of fun,” Cross said, “just floating around maintaining your height just like you’re a super hero.” Gathered around a silver bleacher with six others at the War Memorial pool last Friday, Cross participated in the Discover Scuba activity offered by the Virginia Tech Scuba Club. On these nights, scuba club members will fully equip interested newcomers in scuba gear and let them swim throughout the shallow pool. This takes place only after a brief run through of certain hand signals and procedures, such as how to push air out of a mouthpiece after it’s fallen out take place. Last Friday, participants were given the challenge of collecting as many pennies as possible on the bottom of the pool for a prize. Cross, who plans to do more diving over spring break in Florida, came to Discover Scuba to see what the actual experience of going underwater was like. A friend of Cross’ suggested he attend to make sure he was comfortable in the water. The scuba club teaches Discover Scuba, which is generally offered three times a semester. The club can be spotted before the event going through its equipment room located next to the pool in War Memorial. Inside the filled room is a plethora of equipment with lines of masks, fins and large neon gas tanks — some of the materials that will be utilized for the evening. “It’s supposed to promote awareness,” said Kevin Wood, scuba club member and junior industrial systems engineering major, who was present to help out. “And get people thinking about, ‘Hey, maybe this is something I want to do,’ just a little taste of some of the fun that you can have.” Wood began scuba diving last fall and was certified at Virginia Tech. The element of discovery involved in scuba diving is something that has kept him interested since he began exploring the sport.
“The book itself is pretty basic. The class material is pretty basic, but you do have to take it seriously because it is your life in your hands.” - BRITTANY SANDERS SCUBA CLUB PRESIDENT “I’m Air Force ROTC,” Wood said. “So you would think flying, but no; (instead, I’m) diving under the water. It’s something new. Not to be cliche or anything, but once you start diving outside of the pool, in the river, it’s a whole new world.” Wood went through the same process as every certified diver, which starts
NICK JEREMIAH/SPPS
Scuba club members help new divers strap on their equipment last Friday at the War Memorial pool as part of their Discover Scuba activity. with five multi-hour classroom sessions that teach hopefuls the intricacies of diving underwater. The time is split up between these class sessions and practicing what has been taught in a pool. Brittany Sanders, the scuba club president, said the process may not be very demanding but is essential. “Basically the class is set up where 12-year-olds can pass the test. The book itself is pretty basic. The class material is pretty basic, but you do have to take it seriously because it is your life in your hands. If you do it correctly, and you’re safe about it, it’s worth every moment,” Sanders said. Certification culminates with a “check out dive,” which is where new divers take their first plunge in waters outside of a pool. Even after divers achieve their certification, diving just is not the same without people to dive with. This, Sanders said, is where the club comes into play. “Scuba diving is one of those activities,” Sanders said, “that very few people experience, and those people that have experienced it and really like it, we’re kind of there to show them that, ‘Hey, other people do this, we like doing this, we like to experience doing it with you.’ It’s a really good way to network, to
meet more divers and stuff because you can’t dive by yourself. You always need dive buddies so the scuba club’s a really good way to find dive buddies.” The club dives locally around the New River on the weekends. Aside from teaching and the friendly weekend dive, the club also hosts trips down to destinations such as the Florida Keys during the semester. There is also a day they dedicate to cleaning up designated sections of the New River. Another particular activity that the club participates in is volunteering for rescue diving. “Which is actually a lot of fun,” Sanders said. “You have to do search and recovery underwater so it seems really difficult, but occasionally we’ll volunteer to do like a missing person, and we just go chill out in the bottom of the river until they come find us.” The club is a collection of people who love the sport, and it is through activities such as Discover Scuba that members garner not only an interest, but also passion. People such as Cross who come to these activities find out whether the underwater world is something they want to keep exploring. “This,” he said, “is definitely something I want to do again.”
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opinions 5
editor: laurel colella email: opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: mw 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
march 3, 2009
Be aware of media when taking stances on issues
EDITORIAL
Bringingbigbusiness local—notabadthing Last Friday the Virginia Supreme Court ruled in favor of the town of Blacksburg, enforcing an ordinance that would require a big-box anchor store in the First and Main development to apply for a special use permit. Any store greater than 80,000 square feet must earn a special use permit prior to construction. The big-box store, at a planned 186,000 square feet, falls under this restriction. Controversy surrounding the construction of the property, widely rumored to be a WalMart, has been going on since May 2006. It’s time the town wises up and realizes that a big-box store can do much to invigorate its economy and keep the masses that are currently fleeing to Christiansburg — where general, everyday supplies are more readily available — in Blacksburg. For whatever reason, it’s cool to hate on Wal-Mart. Whether you believe the retail giant makes goods available to the masses at reasonable prices or whether you feel Sam Walton’s creation is a symbol of all that’s wrong with America, the chain is not going anywhere — and that’s a good thing. While some of the town’s smaller retailers have voiced objections over a big box’s installation on South Main Street, they have very little to worry about. These smaller boutique shops are not in danger. No one who frequents Homebody or Hokie Spokes is likely to ditch the
MICHELLE SKEEN regular columnist
Blacksburg icons for a chain; the two serve different, non-overlapping needs. Right now, if an architecture student needs supplies, she’s likely to dash down to Mish Mish; if she needs a shotgun or 50 pounds of birdseed, Wal-Mart in Christiansburg is the likely destination. WalMart is not going to cannibalize much, if any, of local merchants’ business. Currently, if residents sojourn to Christiansburg to visit WalMart or Target — or Home Depot, for that matter — they may stop in at Sonic or IHOP for a quick bite before coming home. With a larger store right here in Blacksburg, that same resident might stop in for lunch at Boudreaux’s or Awful Arthur’s. They may even venture down the street, poking around the Matrix Gallery or the farmers market, potentially pouring more money into Blacksburg’s coffers. The town could certainly use the extra money, especially in an economic downturn and with more than a couple of vacant retail spots downtown. This ancillary spending would be a huge boon to businesses. While some may oppose WalMart on a philosophical basis, there’s no reason not to take advantage of its corporate largess and embrace the additional revenue it will bring to Blacksburg.
As I sit down to write this column, I think about how much of an effect these words really have on the average person. When a student picks up the Collegiate Times, do they really read past the headlines, or do they head straight to the Sudoku? What I’m getting at is how much influence the media really has on the average person. Most people would try to claim they think for themselves and that a television station or newspaper covers something won’t change their already-formed opinions on the matter. They think independently. But what I would argue is that, to an extent, the media tell us what to think. Does the media cover certain topics because we are interested in them … or do we think the topic is interesting simply because the media covers it, and therefore the idea must be important? Look at the last presidential election. The media loved Barack Obama. His face was not only on the cover of Time magazine, but they even made an action figure of the man. It seemed as though he was everywhere you looked, and John McCain just didn’t have that kind of ubiquitous coverage. It even was noticeable in their wives: Michelle Obama’s outfits were analyzed in fashion magazines, but I don’t remember anyone noticing what Cindy McCain was wearing the night of the debates. Regardless of whether we realize it, the media has a huge impact on how we perceive things and make choices. What we must be careful of is
The editorial board is composed of David Grant, David Harries, Laurel Colella, Alexandra Kaufmann and Jenna Marson.
whether we believe in the real issues, or just the image. Did you vote for Obama because you agreed with his policies, or did you vote for him because the media showed him as cool, young and hip compared to that other old guy? It goes much farther than just politics, although that may be the most dangerous category. Take simple shopping decisions. Why do you use the type of shampoo you do? It could be because you compared all the different bottles in the store, but more than likely you saw a television commercial and decided that you wanted your hair to look like Sandra Bullock’s. Even those billboards you drive by every day on the way to campus or work have some kind of effect. It might be more subconscious, but repetition is key. Maybe you don’t remember where or what context you saw an advertisement, but next time that product appears on the grocery store shelf, you recognize it and are more likely to try it out. It’s also easy to be sucked into a one-dimensional view of the world through the media. People who strictly watch Fox news or only tune into CNN will never get both sides of the story. If people only listen to the media that they already agree with, then they are only reinforcing opinions and aren’t learning anything new at all. Media has an unavoidable impact on us, but one thing the audience can do is at least seek out multiple sources so they aren’t only getting one message and can make choices about what to think. If you are still skeptical of the power of the media’s influence, take a look
into history. President Wilson’s WWI propaganda had a huge impact on Americans. But it’s not necessarily a good thing. Mao Zedong’s use of media and propaganda during the Cultural Revolution in China kept his communist regime in power because he was able to convince people he was doing the right thing. Perhaps the scariest example is Adolf Hitler, who blinded the German people to his wrongdoings with nationalism. So don’t just take what is fed to you. Sometimes it’s easy for the subconscious to take over, but if you are aware of how pervasive media is in your life, it will be easier to ask questions and make logical decisions about politics, world issues or even what shampoo to buy without just accepting the media’s opinion as pure fact. Obviously a newspaper can’t print something that isn’t true. I’m not arguing that every reporter is out to get you. I’m just saying you don’t have to agree with everything that reporter writes. When you read an article, think about where the sources come from. Read an opposing argument. Then once you see the best of both sides, make a conscious decision about how you feel. Maybe that celebrity doesn’t deserve his bad reputation. Or the candidate you thought was a sleazeball has some good qualities, too. Make sure you get both sides of the story. That way when you come across someone who disagrees with you, you can back up your opinion with a well-researched argument. Then they will be the ones standing open-mouthed and struggling to find an answer.
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, Justin Graves, Kelsey HeiterRiley Prendergast, T. Rees Shapiro News Staff Writers Debra Houchins, Phillipp Kotlaba, Gabe McVey, Will Thomas, Ryan Trapp Features Editor Bethany Buchanan Features Reporters Topher Forhecz, Teresa Tobat, Jonathan Yi Opinions Editors Laurel Colella 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, Michelle Rivera Layout Designers Lindsey Bachand, Go-Eun Choi, Alex Fallon, Velechia Hardnett, Kelly Harrigan, Josh Son Illustrator Mina Noorbakhsh Multimedia Editor Phillip Murillas Multimedia Producer Candice Chu Multimedia Reporters Kevin Anderson, Bryce Stucki, Peter Velz Online Director Sam Eberspacher 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 Allison Bhatta Ads Production/Creation Breanna Benz, Jennifer DiMarco, Lisa Hoang, Rebecca Smeenk, Lindsay Smith, Lara Treadwell National Account Executive Account Executives Libbey Arner, Aaron Brock, Maggie Crosby, Brandon Collins, Oran Duncan, Judi Glass, Alex Iskounen, Kendall Kapetanakis, Marcello Sandoval, Amanda Sparks, Jennifer Vaughn Assistant Account Executives Carissa Nichols, Diane Revalski, Tyler Terhune Marketing Manager Sayali Shirgaonkar Office Manager Kaelynn Kurtz Student Publication Photo Staff Director of Photography Sally Bull Business Manager Paul Platz
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Animal rights activism has little to do with sustainability I would like to respond to the letter to the editor titled, “Other effects of sustainability,” (CT, Feb. 25). How dare PETA, in any fashion, attempt to use the banner of sustainability to push a personal agenda, a personal agenda that has nothing even to do with sustainability. I personally believe that confined animal feeding operations are wrong for multiple reasons, including the treatment of the animals. But to go so far as to attempt to cloak animal rights activism under “sustainability” is just unforgivable. On Nov. 29, 2006, a United Nations study found, “Cattle-rearing generates more global warming greenhouse gases, as measured in CO2 equivalent, than transportation.” The author of the letter said, “raising animals for food contributes more to global warming than all of the cars, trains, boats, and trains combined.” Both statements are true, but as I pointed out earlier, one states the facts (UN quote), and the other (letter) pushes a personal agenda. “CO2 equivalent,” is methane, which can easily be captured in CAFOs and used to generate energy. Altering the diets of the animals (sustainable) has been shown to seriously reduce biological methane generation. Waving the flag of sustainability in the reader’s face, the author then goes on to challenge the reader to
“cut out the meat.” His rationale for such a drastic action follows his challenge. I fully agree that we should cut down on our consumption of meat, for the same reasons the author feels we not eat meat at all. We do not need to feed cattle grains that could be used for human consumption, but since Americans want white fat in their meat rather than yellow fat, we will. I will point out, however, that ethanol production is the more threatening unsustainable practice. In an article on Reuters, Lester Brown, president of the Earth Policy Institute, said that “an SUV with a 25-gallon tank filling up with ethanol would use enough grain, about 560 pounds, to feed the average person for one year.” So, if you really want be sustainable and feed more people with grains, we should eat meat with yellow fat and stop ethanol production. I should point out, however, that most starvation and malnutrition in the world is related to a lack of protein (meat), not energy (grains). The author then goes on to write, “farmed animals produce about 130 times as much excrement as the entire U.S. population.” Is that for the entire world? Because, “The USDA estimates that more than 335 million tons of ‘dry matter’ waste (the portion of waste remaining after water is removed) is produced annually on farms in the United States, representing almost a third of the total municipal and industrial
Letter from Men’s Basketball Coach
waste produced every year,” according to sustainabletable.org. As for the statement, “much of which finds its way into our local waterways,” well, as someone who has taken watershed management classes, I have to simply agree. If you’re talking about industrialized agriculture, CAFOs account for somewhere between 40 percent and 50 percent of all freshwater pollution in the United States. I would point out that sustainable animal farming, however, doesn’t even register on the scales the EPA uses. Finally, we get to the point of his entire letter, the promotion of “green” meals. If you’re going to attempt to use sustainability to irresponsibly rationalize your belief system, at least stick to your guns and pick something that’s actually sustainable to eat instead of meat. The transportation, storage and manufacture of those veggie burgers served at Denny’s and Burger King are completely unsustainable, almost as bad as ethanol production from grains. Your vegetarian riblets and vegan pizzas move through the same food supply system as every other product offered at grocery stores. If you actually want to eat sustainably, go to the farmers market in town (Wednesdays and Saturdays), and make sure you walk (sustainable).
Thanks for sticking with us Saturday as we fought to comeback versus Duke. You inspired us and energized us when we were struggling. I am sorry we could not find a way to finish the deal. Wednesday is Senior Night for our players and managers and our senior fans. This is a culmination of four years of hard work, sacrifice and commitment. Please come early as we celebrate the careers of A.D. Vassallo and Cheick Diakite. Both have made tremendous contributions to help raise the profile of the Virginia Tech basketball program. There is a lot of basketball still yet to be played. The second-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels offer us another great opportunity. When you play in the best basketball conference in the country, you need to learn from the past and get ready to make history in the future — we need you now more than ever. This league is about great teams and great atmosphere. You are a huge part of that. We need a special atmosphere to create a special effort and result. Let’s come together as one and find a way to win. Let’s create a memorable storm-the-court atmosphere and experience. It’s a great day to be a Hokie!
Wes Aldridge Senior, Agricultural Sciences
Seth Greenberg Men’s Basketball Coach
Utilize Drillfield for Parking As the student body grows year after year, parking becomes harder to come by on campus. It’s not uncommon to drive around the commuter lots for hours trying to find an open space. But what if there was a large, unused piece of land in the middle of campus? Surely we could find a way to fix our parking crisis. The good news is that there is such a place on campus. Yes, I am talking about the Drillfield. Don’t get me wrong, everybody loves the Drillfield, and I myself have fond memories of picnics and soccer games played on it. But at this point there seems to be no alternative. Here is what Students for Available Parking proposes: pave the Drillfield and turn it into a parking lot. It will be like an oasis in the desert — a large, expansive parking haven right in the middle of campus. Better yet, a multilevel parking garage! Nobody will ever be late to class again. Students for Available Parking is currently in the process of putting together a comprehensive proposal to present to the administration of Virginia Tech. The parking problems will only get worse if we do not act now. We realize that there may be strong resistance to our ideas, but SAP will be working in the coming months with parking services. Theodore Canon Founder and President, Students for Available Parking
Letters, commentaries and editorial cartoons do not reflect the views of the Collegiate Times. Editorials are written by the Collegiate Times editorial board. Letters to the editor are submissions from Collegiate Times readers. We reserve the right to edit for any reason. Anonymous letters will not be printed. To order a reprint of a photograph printed in the Collegiate Times, e-mail spps@vt.edu. Have a news tip? Call 231-9865 or e-mail: newstips@collegiatetimes.com Collegiate Times Phone Numbers News/Features 231-9865 Sports/Opinions 231-9870 Editor-in-Chief 231-9867 College Media Solutions Phone Number Advertising 961-9860 The Collegiate Times, a division of the Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech, was established in 1903 by and for the students of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The Collegiate Times is published every Tuesday through Friday of the academic year except during exams and vacations. The Collegiate Times receives no funding from the university. The Collegiate Times can be found online at www.collegiatetimes.com. Except where noted, all photographs were taken by the Student Publications Photo Staff.The Collegiate Times is located in 365 Squires Student Center, Blacksburg, Va. 24061. (540) 231-9865. Fax (540) 231-9151. Subscription rates: $65 semester; $90 academic year; $105 full year. The first copy is free, any copy of the paper after that is 50 cents per issue. © Collegiate Times, 2009. All rights reserved. Material published in the Collegiate Times is the property thereof, and may not be reprinted without the express written consent of the Collegiate Times.
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6 sports
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.
march 3, 2009
sports in brief TRACK HOSTS ACC CHAMPIONSHIPS The Tech men’s track and field team finished an all-time best second overall to Florida State at the 2009 ACC Track and Field Indoor Championships, which were held in Rector Field House on Friday and Saturday. The men’s impressive performance was led by two individual championships: senior Billy Berlin in the mile run and sophomore Ryan Witt in the 800-meter. Berlin finished his win in 4:03:69, edging Florida State’s Dan Roberts by only one-hundredth of a second to claim his first-ever ACC individual honor. Witt had his own come-frombehind victory in the 800-meter. Witt passed Adam Smith of North Carolina in the final 200 meters to record a career-best time of 1:50.74. The women’s team, in its title defense from last year’s ACC Championship, could only come up with an overall finish of fourth place despite having three individual champions of its own. Kristi Castlin began the winning trifecta with a season-best time of 8.03 in the 60-meter hurdles. Not to be outdone, fellow junior Asia Washington decided to add an ACC 400-meter dash gold medal to the 500-meter and 600-meter Tech records she had broken earlier this year. Washington’s personal best time of 54.18 was good enough for the win and a provisional qualifying spot. Abby Schaffer took first place in the pole vault. She cleared 13-05.25 and beat a three-way tie for second, which included sophomore Kelly Phillips. Rounding out the season, the Hokies will host the Virginia Tech Last Chance meet this Saturday, their final meet of the year before the NCAA Championships. – Matt Collette
SWIMMING AND DIVING FINISHES FIFTH IN ACC Tech posted a fifth-place finish in the ACC Championships this weekend. Following up the impressive showing by the women’s team just a week
10th in Sunday’s final round. With a six-under-par 66 on Sunday, the 2007 U.S. Amateur qualifier brought his three-round total to a six-under-par 210, putting him in a tie for 10th. Sophomores Garland Green and Marshall Bailey finished tied for 54th and 68th, respectively. Meanwhile, freshman Blake Redmond finished tied for 69th and sophomore Aaron Eckstein finished 74th. According to the Golfweek/Sagarin rankings, four of the top five teams in the nation played in the tournament: No. 2 Georgia, No. 3 Oklahoma State, No. 4 Alabama and No. 5 Florida. However, only the Georgia Bulldogs and Oklahoma Cowboys finished in the top five. Georgia placed first with a threeround 826, followed by Clemson and then Oklahoma State. The tournament, hosted by Purdue, took stage at the par 72, 6,902- yard Rio Mar Country Club. Next up is the Pinehurst Intercollegiate from March 15-17 in Pinehurst, N.C. – Lindsay Faulkner
SOFTBALL SLATE SHORTENED TO ONE LOSS
SALLY BULL /SPPS
Freshman Leslie Aririguzo competes in a heat of the women’s 200m dash. Her time was 24.95 s. Tech women finished fourth on the weekend. earlier, the H2Okie men broke 11 school records. Charlie Higgins gave a spectacular performance, breaking three team records. The freshman posted a Tech record time of 1:43.85 in the 200meter backstroke. Tech had three different swimmers score a total of 14 points in the 1650meter freestyle event. Ben Miller led the team with a time of 15:16.28 while setting a new team high for the event. A duo of freshmen rounded out the scoring as Bryan Uncur and Blake Trabuchi-Downey finished 12th and 14th, respectively.
The team’s most successful event for the day was the 200-meter butterfly, as a trio of freshmen totaled 30 points. After finishing the race in 1:45.76, Trey Stewart garnered 15 H2Okie points. Trabuchi-Downey (eighth) and Matt Baumler (13th) combined for the other 15. With their respective 10th and 13th place finishes in the 200-meter breaststroke, the junior pair of Jonathan Huss and Scott Harkins totaled 11 points for the H2Okies. In the 100-meter freestyle, sophomore Stephen Hawkins recorded a time of 44.26, while senior Ian deToll touched in with a mark of 44.17.
In relay action, the team of deToll, Holmes, Ulatowski and Hawkins posted a fourth-place finish in the 400meter free relay. The squad touched in with a time of 2:55.4, which was also good enough for a team record — the fourth established by the relay team on the weekend. Next up for Tech, the divers, who competed last weekend alongside the H2Okie women, will be in action on March 13-15 at the NCAA Zone B Diving Championships in Knoxville, Tenn. Tech junior Mikey McDonald, sophomore Daniel Martin and freshman Trevor Michalak will compete
for the men. For the women, it’ll be sophomore Sarah Milto and freshmen Cara Murnan and Natalie West. – Ryan Trapp
WEAVER POSTS TOP TEN SCORE Virginia Tech golf finished the Puerto Rico Classic with a three-round score of 898 in Rio Mar, Puerto Rico, placing the team last in a 15-team field. Senior Drew Weaver improved from 56th place on Friday to finish
Tech was only able to play one of its scheduled games in the weather-shortened NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic in Columbus, Ga. “Heavy rains and tornadic activity” in the area limited Tech (5-10) to a Friday afternoon contest with No. 6 Michigan. The Hokies lost to the Wolverines 6-0. Senior Jenna Rhodes accounted for Tech’s only hit in the game, while sophomore pitcher Kenzie Roark gave up the six runs on 10 hits while striking out three. With no sign of the weather letting up, the team departed Columbus on Saturday, while others in the tournament decided to wait and try to get a game in on Sunday. The Hokies were slated to play five games, including a Friday matchup against No. 1 Alabama and Saturday tilts with No. 13 DePaul and No. 19 Southern Illinois. Tech is off until Friday when it will compete in the USF Under Armour Invitational in Clearwater, Fla. – Ed Lupien
see page seven
tuesday, march 3, 2009
page 7 and lost five of its six singles matches. The only Hokie to emerge victorious on the day was No. 86 ranked Yoann Re after he upset Virginia’s No. 6 ranked Dominic Inglot. The Hokies would get their act together on Sunday, however, as they would cruise past the No. 73 Maryland Terrapins in College Park. The victorious Hokies of the day include Yoann Re, Luka Somen, Brandon Corace and Patrick Daciek. The Hokies also took home a win in doubles, but the Terrapins proved to be too much for the Hokies to win the doubles point as Maryland captured two of the three matches on the day. The Hokies return home to host the No. 33 Louisville Cardinals on March 6 at 5 p.m. – Garrett Busic
WOMEN’S TENNIS UPSET AT BC, BEATS MARYLAND
BRIAN CLAY/SPPS
Shortstop Ty Hohman applies the tag to a stealing Bucknell runner before he slides to second base. Tech toppled the Bison three times last weekend. from page six
BASEBALL WINS THRICE The boys of summer dealt with winter-like conditions as the finale in their four-game weekend set was canceled. Tech baseball proved successful in its other games, sweeping three from the Bucknell Bison. The first two came on Friday, when the threat of bad weather on Saturday forced a scheduling change. After Bucknell took an early lead in the opener, Tech (8-1) tied the score in the fourth before forging ahead in the next inning. They held that lead thanks to Rhett Ballard, who pitched 7.1 innings and got his second win of the year. The Hokies opened up their advantage with three runs in the bottom of the seventh and five in the eighth — highlighted by Ty Hohman’s two-run homer — to win by a score of 10-4. In Friday’s nightcap, Tech pitching proved to be stellar again as sophomore Justin Wright struck-out a career-best nine batters. And they would need solid pitching in this game. The Hokies only man-
aged five hits against Bisons’ starter Trey Frahler, but their two runs — both in the fourth inning — would be enough. With Steve Domecus at first, Tech’s initial run came when Frahler threw away a pick-off attempt that way, allowing Anthony Sosnoskie to trot home from third. Third baseman Michael Seaborn later drove in Domecus on a fielder’s choice. Tech defeated the Bison in this pitching duel 2-1. Saturday’s game required a bigger comeback. The Hokies, down 7-3 after seven, recovered to win 10-7 and complete the sweep. Behind by four in the seventh, right fielder Mark Kaminski — who went 3-for-3 — led off with a single. A pair of bunt singles, two base hits and a sacrifice fly helped Tech tie the score. They took the lead on a Klint Reed two-run double to center. Two Bison errors allowed Reed to cross the plate and put Tech up by three. Freshman Clark Labitan closed out the game to earn the win, giving the Hokies their best start since 1992. Tech’s game scheduled for Sunday was to be played against Youngstown State. The Hokies will next take the field against Radford at home on Tuesday at 3 p.m. – Brian Wright
LACROSSE EARNS FIRST WIN AGAINST GEORGE MASON The Virginia Tech lacrosse team (1-4, 0-1 ACC) netted its first victory of the season on Saturday against the visiting George Mason Patriots (0-2) by a score of 10-8 at Thompson Field. In a rainstorm, the Hokies’ and the Patriots’ defenses stood strong from the beginning. Mason scored first after a seven-minute standstill, but Tech was soon to follow with a 4-0 run. Despite committing 27 turnovers to Mason's 21, the Hokies were able to settle their game and keep the ball on the attack for the majority. Tech even had seven players each scoring at least one goal. For a stretch at the beginning of the second half, it looked as if the Patriots may be able to claw back as they went on a 4-0 run of their own. Senior goalkeeper Kari Morrison, however, made some significant saves to stave off any further runs. By winning draw controls and keeping up their speed in transition, the Hokies were able to build off their comeback, going on a 3-0 run. Senior
The Hokies opened up ACC action this past weekend with matches against Boston College and Maryland, taking one of two. Tech traveled up north to Chestnut Hill, Mass., to take on the Eagles and was greeted with an upset loss of 4-3. The Hokies (7-3, 1-1) came into the match ranked No. 39 in the latest Intercollegiate Tennis Association poll, but fell behind quickly against Boston College after dropping two of the three doubles affairs.
The pairing of senior Jessica Brouwer and sophomore Holly Johnson grabbed the lone doubles victory, winning 8-7. Tech was unable to rally to a victory during the singles matches as the Hokies split six with the Eagles. Coming away with wins for Tech were senior Inga Beermann (6-3, 6-3) as well as freshmen Martha Blakely (6-3, 7-6) and Courtney Rauscher (4-6, 6-3, 6-4). Following the setback against Boston College, Tech hosted Maryland and came away with a 5-2 triumph. The Hokies started off strong, sweeping all three of their doubles matches. Continuing the dominance into the singles matches, Tech was able to take the first three contests. Beermann set the tone early by winning the opening singles encounter over Eleanor Peters, 7-5, 6-1. Johnson and Brouwer quickly followed the winning trend as both came away with narrow victories. Brouwer’s win sealed the overall victory for the Hokies when she took her match by a score of 7-6 (4), 6-2. The Terripans were able to get on the board with wins by Maggie MacKeever and Osana Krutigenko, but by that time, the match was already decided. Tech will return to action on March 5 when they travel to Rock Hill, S.C., to take on Winthrop University at 2 p.m. – Matt Costello
Rachel Culp and freshman Jessica Nonn combined to score those three goals in just over a minute, giving Tech a major boost. Although Mason scored a few more goals toward the end, the Hokies were able to net two in the final four minutes that would keep them on right side of the scoreboard. The Hokies face Vanderbilt at Thompson Field on Tuesday at 4 p.m. – Melanie Wadden
MEN’S TENNIS SPLITS AGAINST ROAD ACC FOES The No. 31 Tech men’s tennis team split a pair of conference road games this weekend. The Hokies (7-2, 2-1) dropped their first ACC match of the year and only their second match total on the season to the Cavaliers, 6-1, before toppling Maryland by a 5-2 count. UVa. would test the Hokies’ strength in both singles and doubles play on Friday. However, things wouldn’t favor Tech. It dropped all of its doubles matches
NICK JEREMIAH/SPPS
Inga Beermann (l) and Martha Blakely (r) celebrate during their doubles match in the Hokies’ 5-2 win over the Maryland Terrapins on Sunday.
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Hokies miss out on a Devil of a chance to lock up bid One would think that Virginia Tech had tallied up its quota of close losses. This season’s kings of cardiac contests had yet another BRIAN confrontation of the same sort with ACC WRIGHT power Duke inside sports Cassell Coliseum editor on Saturday. When Greg Paulus was left all alone for an uncontested layup with 33 seconds left to put the Blue Devils up 6863, the Hokies and their fans had fallen into that agonizing and all-too-familiar feeling of “close but no cigar.” Not to blow smoke, but Tech’s NCAA Tournament chances are still much better than they were a week ago. Prior to their encounter with Clemson at Littlejohn Coliseum, the Hokies’ Big Dance hopes were waning. But A.D. Vassallo and Malcolm Delaney revived them with an 80-77 victory. Staring them in the face next was a pair of formidable Tobacco Road foes. Their game against the No. 7 Blue Devils was opportunity No. 1 to state their case for inclusion in the field of 65. “We had it,” said senior Vassallo, who finished with a game-high 26 points. “We did what we had to do; we just
couldn’t finish.” Tech didn’t degrade its chances, but, boy, could it have helped them with a victory on Saturday afternoon. The easy scapegoats can be the referees for a couple of questionable calls. Both took place in the late going. Official Gary Maxwell whistled Delaney for a moving screen with 1: 50 to go. Then, in the final minute, they missed an apparent travel by Jon Scheyer, who looked as if he was performing a bad rendition of the watusi. Nevertheless, the simple fact of the matter is that this game was lost in the first half of play. More specifically, it was lost in the first 10 minutes of play. Duke jumped out to a 20-5 lead. It held its largest advantage — a 16-point spread — with just under six minutes to go in the opening half. In addition, Tech had more turnovers (12) than field goals (nine) by the time the teams headed to the locker room. Poor defense and a poor shooting effort left the Hokies playing catch up, and their ability to limit Gerald Henderson along with Vassallo’s shooting efforts helped Tech reel in the Blue Devils at the 5:50 mark in the second half. Henderson finished with 21 points, but Tech limited him to 0-for-7 shooting and two points following intermission. Meanwhile, down 54-43, the Hokies
went on a 15-4 run to tie the score at 58 apiece. Vassallo, in that spurt, was blazing. If this were the NBA Jam video game, the ball would have been on fire when it was in his hands. He accounted for all of the points in that run, including three trifectas. But then, Tech was held scoreless for six successive empty possessions and the next 4:47. When it was over, with over a minute to go in regulation, the Blue Devils were up by six. “We tied the game up, we fought back,” said Delaney, who had eight assists in, yet saw his string of scoring in double figures end at 32 straight games. “Unfortunately, everything didn’t go our way.” Even though the Hokie defense improved greatly in the second half, holding Duke to a 31 percent clip from the field, they lapsed in a crucial situation. Failing to guard Paulus, inbounder Kyle Singler — a former high school quarterback — completed a pass to his wide-open receiver. The cause of that breakdown? “Miscommunication,” Delaney said. “I don’t think anybody saw him.” One thing that isn’t clear is Tech’s status on the bubble. The “will they, won’t they” debate will swirl for the next two weeks. However, Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski, albeit with a subjective viewpoint, is quite convinced. “They’re playing really hard and well,”
SALLY BULL/SPPS
Tech’s A.D. Vassallo voices his opinion to the referee during his 26-point performance in a loss to Duke Saturday. he said. “They deserve to be in the tournament.” All the heartbreaking defeats have been well documented both locally and nationally. And while “good” losses are far better than getting blown out, as the Hokies did on Jan. 4 at Cameron Indoor Stadium, there won’t be a benefit if they continue to happen up until the end of this season — especially if fellow bubble teams start winning. The quality road wins — over Wake Forest, Miami and Clemson — are what’s keeping them in contention.
Greenberg feels that his team is set to get more of those big wins. “We’ve got opportunities to go out and do something special,” he said. “The positive part is that I don’t think we’re that far away.” There next challenge isn’t far away, either. It comes on Wednesday evening, when national title contender North Carolina strolls into town. After that, it’s a road trip to No. 23 Florida State next Sunday leading up to the ACC Tournament. As Coach K put it afterward, “more
hellacious games.” The bad news is that it’s a tough slate ahead for them to get an eighth conference win. The good news: Tech can truly earn its ticket into the dance by claiming victory in one of those final two and then one at the Georgia Dome. It seems only fitting that their NCAA Tournament hopes will be in question until the very end. The Hokies just hope that they see a favorable outcome in the final moments of Selection Sunday.
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