COLLEGIATETIMES
wednesday april 15, 2009 blacksburg, va.
www.collegiatetimes.com
PARTLY CLOUDY high 64, low 41
corrections In the column, “The Hindu faith — what it holds for you and me,” (CT, April 10), our guest columnist was incorrectly named as a professor. Balasundar B. is an electrical and computer engineering graduate student.
index News.....................2 Features................4 0pinions................3
Classifieds..............5 Sports....................6 Sudoku..................5
An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 106th year • issue 46
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The April 16 memorial will be closed in preparation for the ceremony. Parking is available at the Perry Street Parking Lot.
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Both the Tech men’s and women’s tennis team will start the 2009 ACC Tournament this Thursday in Cary, N.C. For the men’s side, ranked No. 22 nationally and sitting in sixth place in the conference standings, they will face No. 11 seed Maryland at 3 p.m. The Hokies women’s team is ranked No. 62 overall and is a No. 8 seed heading into the opening round. They will match up with ninthseeded Wake Forest at 9 a.m.
10 a.m.: University offices will open NOON: University Remembrance service on Drillfield
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TECH TENNIS OPENS ACC TOURNEYS ON THURSDAY
April 16 Info
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Tech senior outfielder Jenna Rhodes went 10-for-12 in a three-game series against Boston College last weekend, en route to being named ACC Player of the Week. Rhodes compiles a .917 slugging percentage, scoring eight runs, recording two RBIs and three stolen bases as the Hokies swept the Eagles at home. A native of Broadway, Rhodes was a member of the All-ACC Second Team last season.
More than 3,000 Blacksburg residents will hit the pavement tomorrow in the first Run for Remembrance around campus. The Student Government Association and the Department of Recreational Sports will hold a 3.2-mile run as part of the April 16 activities. Beginning at 8 a.m., the event is open to all students, faculty and staff who would like to run, walk or jog in order to remember loved ones and fellow students who lost their lives two years ago that day. The slogan for the race, 3.2 for 32, ties into the number of lives lost on April 16. “We’ve only had a chance to plan for the last five or six weeks,” Rec Sports marketing manager Cathy Kropff said. “It originally was going to be a 5K, but we decided to change it to the 3.2 for 32 of the lost Hokies. The Run in Remembrance name has always been there, however.” The event, which is free to all who participate, will begin at Alumni Mall near North Main Street and finish on the Drillfield near the April 16 memorial, directly across from Burruss Hall. It will be preceded by a balloon release, and a banner will be available for participants to sign prior to beginning the race. Thirty-two biodegradable white balloons will be released in remembrance of the 32 lives lost, and each runner will also have a maroon or orange balloon to release following a moment of silence. A student planning committee that consists of many different authority figures within the student body is hosting
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Virginia Tech student Courtney Thompson made her Wheel of Fortune debut on Monday, April 13 on CBS and came out with $23,000. Thompson, who competed against a college student from California State at Long Beach and a student from Boise State, completed the normal rounds with the most money of the three contestants. She lost in the bonus round where she was unable to guess the food “gooey taffy.” She will receive her money prize around August. “I’m definitely going to be saving a lot of it but I might splurge on a trip or something,” Thompson said.
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TECH STUDENT APPEARS ON WHEEL OF FORTUNE
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Today, noon: Online registration ends Tomorrow, 8 a.m.: The event will begin rain or shine; walkup registration will be available
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LINDSEY BACHAND/COLLEGIATE TIMES
Starting tomorrow at 8 a.m., Tech’s “Run for Remembrance” will commence on Alumni Mall and finish by the April 16 memorial. Registration is free. the event. The chair is SGA President Emily Mashack. “We sat down as a student planning committee of several presidents from all over the university,” Mashack said. “We wanted a sustainable event in a positive environment.” Kropff said the event was definitely the brainchild of several members within the SGA. The run was planned relatively quickly with almost no marketing besides word of mouth and Internet promotion. Kropff says that not a single poster has been put up on campus. “With the 3.2 mile Run in Remembrance, we thought it was a nice tie-in to make to the number of lives lost on that tragic day,” Mashack said. Initial registration numbers for the event surpassed the
initial estimations. There are currently 3,140 registered participants. “At first we envisioned about 500 people, and within a few days, after barely getting information out and not really publicizing all that much, we had over 700 people registered,” Mashack said. “We are definitely proud to say that we now have over 3,000 registered.” Several students and families directly affected by the tragedy will also be taking part in the event. Most of these individuals have asked to have their information kept confidential. The event has been extremely popular among students who are trying to find something to do on campus that day to contribute to the remembrance theme. Valentine Erisman, freshman biochemistry major, is
running the 3.2 miles in honor of her brother, who was on campus the day the shootings happened. “My brother was here when it happened, so that makes me feel like I should give back to all of those who were affected in any way on that day by running in this race for remembrance,” Erisman said. Katja Engle, a freshman environmental sciences major isn’t related as closely to the events of 2007, but like any other student, still feels like she should play a part in remembering the lives lost. “Personally, coming from an area where a lot of people were affected by 4/16, I felt like it was a good way to show your support,” Engle said. “It’s representative of the 32 people, and that makes it a really cool event and a good way to show
your support healthily through running.” Volunteers have been the driving force behind the event. “Last week we had about 26 volunteers, and we were kind of worried due to the number of hands that we would have liked to had,” Kropff said. “University Relations and several student organizations sent out e-mails for us, and within an hour and a half we had multiplied to 160 volunteers.” Sponsors have also been a large part of the event’s planned success. A South Carolina-based group called emedia is donating 3,500 custom race bibs they designed. Additionally, Foxridge, Target, Wal-Mart and the University Bookstore, along with Tech programs like the Division of Student Affairs, Student Programs and Dining
Services, are sponsors. Most involved believe that the overwhelming support for the event is only a further testament to the sense of community that the Blacksburg community has always had. “We have people coming from all over, some from Radford, several Hokie alumni, and there is even a man named Alan Campbell who will be running a 5K in Afghanistan with us simultaneously,” Kropff said. “Dr. McNamee, senior vice president here at Tech, has even been training to participate in the event.” “It’s going to be an amazing event,” Mashack said. “By far, it’s record setting as far as what’s being done in Blacksburg; (it) says a lot about the community still wanting to come together to remember and connect on this day.”
Tech community gets ‘FIT’ as a team KELSEY HEITER
ct news reporter Virginia Tech students and community are currently participating in an eight-week FIT Extension program to help improve diet, exercise habits and overall quality of life. The program, started in late March, is designed to help students meet the national guidelines of 150 minutes per week of moderately intense physical activity. This includes swimming, biking, yoga and other types of cardiovascular exercise. Joan Wages, associate extension specialist for health and nutrition, said the FIT program is based on group support. “The program is team based,” Wages said. “It is designed to help people receive social support. Other people on their team can encourage a person to meet their exercise and health goals.” Wages added that she hopes participants will continue living a healthy lifestyle after the program is completed. Dawn Barnes, FIT extension agent for Montgomery County, said the program helps students learn about the types of food they are eating. “In addition to the physical activity, we want students to become aware of their food intake and improve upon that,” Barnes said. “The program tracks their intake of food as well as their physical activity.” Barnes added that the program is created for the adult population across all of Virginia. “There was an interest on campus; anyone on campus is eligible to participate,” Barnes
said. “As a nation, we know that we are not as healthy as we need to be. We need a boost, and a team atmosphere helps with this.” Tami Watson, accounting clerk at Tech and captain of the “Triple S” fitness team, said her team has been doing very well with the program thus far. “The program is a good way to be motivated to meet your goals,” Watson said. “You do not want to let your team down. My team works really hard to encourage each other to work out; it is a wonderful motivation.” Wages said the program was created through the statewide Virginia Co-op Extension program. “Throughout the state there is a need for increased physical fitness,” Wages said. “Fifty percent of young adults do not meet the current national guidelines for physical fitness.” Wages added that the program invites friendly competition between the different fitness groups. “The program is based in groups, but what happens is that people participate within the group and compare their exercise numbers to other teams in the county,” Wages added. “In Roanoke, there are about 60 teams. We have a central Web site where all of the teams report their progress to show how many miles each team has achieved for the week.” To earn one mile, Wages said a person must complete 15 minutes of moderate physical activity. “We do miles because it is fun to see if people can meet our goal of walking across Virginia, which is 480 miles across,” Wages said. “So if six
DANIEL LIN/SPPS
Freshman Juli Jones tosses a medicine ball to Thera Lombardi during balance exercises in McComas Hall. people can achieve 150 minutes of physical activity per week, it will add up to 480 miles very quickly.” Watson said her team encourages one other on a daily basis to meet the number of minutes they need per week. “We call and e-mail each other every day,” Watson said. “When we are discouraged, we help each other out. I did not know several people before I started working with them on my team, and they help me considerably when I am having a tough day. We are working together; it really is a
team effort.” Wages said the program is part of a research project between Tech and Carilion Medical Center. “This is the first year we are doing this program,” Wages said. “It is a partnership between Tech and Carilion. We are comparing this program to one that was done at Cooper Clinic called ‘Active Living Everyday.’ We trained 14 people for that program, and we trained 16 for the FIT program. The extension is being done in several counties, so we keep in touch with the agents we have trained to
see how their programs are going.” The individual team members log their miles and report back to the team leader, Barnes said. “There is a chart for the team leader to use to track each person’s fitness,” Barnes said. “Every person also has an individual chart for their personal use.” Watson said the program is helping her feel better about herself. “As a group we are all working together, but we also each have personal goals that we are working on as well,” Watson
said. “The program has really motivated me to watch what I am eating. It also carries over at home. I have kids, and I am helping them eat better, too.” Barnes added to the importance of the team in the program. “The team is there for support,” Barnes said. “Sometimes the competition that goes on throughout the team is also an encouragement. For some, it is very competitive, and for some it just more of a support system.” To sign up or join a team, contact Dawn Barnes at (540) 745-9307.
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editor: caleb fleming email: nrvnews@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: tth 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
april 15, 2009
editor: sara mitchell email: universitynews@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: mw 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Oak Lane considers growth Kiss a monkey, pet a python ROSE FILIPPELL
ct news staff writer A conceptual plan to expand Oak Lane is circulating through various departments of the university. Initially constructed in 1993, the Greek living community Oak Lane was built in three phases and is home to 18 fraternities and sororities. The newest addition, Phase Four, would be built adjacent to Oak Lane, according to Rick Johnson, the director of Residence Life. The plan aims to accommodate at least 20 of the 47 Greek organizations that either currently have a private house or have no house at all. Phase Four also calls for the construction of dining and recreation facilities, of which Oak Lane currently has none. The new community is to be modeled after the Greek Village recently built at the University of South Carolina. The success of its village is attributed to the joint efforts of the university and the Greek organizations in creating on-campus housing for fraternities and sororities. The Greek organizations and the university would provide the money needed to support the replicated
endeavor at Tech. Funding for the houses would be provided by the fraternity or sorority, respectively, and could cost upward of $2 million per house. Katie Schafer, president of the Tri Delta sorority at Tech, raised concerns about the large costs of development. “Some fraternities have enough money to cover this, but most sororities do not,” Schafer said. The Greek organizations would look mainly toward their national affiliate and alumni for raising the necessary funds. According to the outlined plans of Phase Four, while the Greek organizations would be paying for the construction of their homes and their upkeep, the university would provide the land and infrastructure of roads, power and sewers. This sharing of the anticipated costs would alleviate the burden of expenses for both parties. Despite the articulated plans of Phase Four, it has yet to be a definitive project and is still very much in the rudimentary stages of development — and has been so for quite some time. Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life Adam Cantley said,
“The plan has not even been reviewed by the Board of Visitors,” the governing authority at Tech that would have the ultimate say in any construction plans. Planning Design and Construction Services affirmed that they are not overseeing any projects pertaining to Oak Lane and have not heard of any to date. There has also been speculation that the Greek community would be relocated to the land now occupied by the golf course. “A plan like this popped up five or six years ago where we would have to reroute one hole,” Jay Hardwick, the director of operations for the Tech golf course, said. “Nothing ever came of it.” Hardwick could not confirm whether the course would be affected by the most recent designs of Phase Four. Larry Hincker, university spokesman, emphasized the lengthy timeframe and the sophistication of the process that goes into pushing through a construction project. Hincker noted the benefits of a project not using state money for funding, affirming the plan would be “able to move along privately funded projects more quickly than state funded projects.”
Tech pursues chemo’s effect VANESSA WILLIAMS
ct news staff writer Virginia Tech and Wake Forest University are a part of an ongoing study relating to the effects of various cancer therapies on the taste and odor perceptions of cancer patients. The purpose of the study is to enhance doctors’ understanding of the various kinds of odor and taste malfunctions, will ultiDIETRICH which mately improve the lives of cancer patients. The collaboration consisted of Tech professors Andrea Dietrich, Yong Lee and Susan Duncan. The professors analyzed literature reviews and discovered that many patients experience taste and odor dysfunctions. The team
focused on the metallic flavor aspect of the research. There are five types of taste: sweet, sour, bitter, salty and umami (meaty). Most patients report intolerance to spicy foods and describe most foods as tasteless or bitter. “Patients really lose interest in food because it doesn’t taste the same as they remember,” said Duncan, professor of food science and technology. “We are studying ways to at least alleviate the metallic flavor.” The sense of smell and taste occupy two distinct areas of the brain; however, these areas are relatively close to one another, so the stimulation of taste affects odor. “Cancer patients with brain tumors have had problems with metallic flavor because the metals react with cells that line the mouth, and we’re developing ways to help that,” said Dietrich, professor of civil and environmental engineering. “A lot of the metallic flavor is related
to odor.” The metallic taste that patients experience ultimately affects their health because they do not have the desire to eat. Often times, patients suffer from malnutrition and, in extreme cases, morbidity. “The extreme problem with patients is that they’re already sick, they’re not eating, and suffering from malnutrition, which is a bad combination. We’re looking for things that patients can eat and swallow that will absorb the metals and prevent chemical reactions,” Dietrich said. The research team will begin a study with chemotherapy patients to observe whether there are chemical markers for oxidation that occur in the mouth, which prevents the metallic flavoring. The professors plan on observing the difference between normal individuals and patients. “We have a couple good leads we’re pursuing,” Duncan said.
TERESA TOBAT
ct features reporter When Virginia Tech Union vice president Jenny Borman attended an event planning conference with fellow VTU members, she got a sweet surprise: A kiss from a monkey named Mindy.
Exotic Animal Touch Fest WHERE: Squires Plaza (outside between Squires and the GLC) WHEN: Today, rain or shine TIME: 11:00am to 2:00pm COST: Free “Of course when it leaned it to give me a kiss I was like, ‘woah, what are you doing?’ said Borman of her encounter with the furry creature. But the smooch didn’t scare her in the slightest. Borman helped lead a VTU committee that planned to bring the monkey and various other exotic animals to Tech as part of a petting zoo today in Squires Plaza from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. “When we were deciding between this and the other event, I was like, ‘yeah, we gotta go with the monkey,’” Borman said. VTU members decided the interactive animal event would be perfect for the Tech community. “We always love to have things that appeal to the campus as a whole,” Borman said. “While some people may not like animals, I’m sure the majority of them are excited to be able to touch a monkey or see a monkey in person at least” Planning for Exotic Animal Touch Fest began this semester and dealing with the logistics was a new experience for VTU. The event couldn’t be held inside and or on the Drillfield either because of rules and regulations about animals. When it came to naming the event Exotic Animal Touch
Fest, Abby Schoenfled, director of alternative sounds for VTU, said it could have been hit or miss. “From my marketing experience, that could either be really awesome or really not awesome,” said Schoenfeld, junior business management major. She said one person had mistaken the event for a human touching event, but said she is hopeful people will drop by the event and understand the true intentions. Touch Fest participants are more than welcome to get as close to or as far from the animals as they please. “You can do anything from look far away to kiss some animals,” Shoenfeld said. VTU selected unique animals that would satisfy the wants of the community. “We wanted a variety of animals that would provide people with a little something for everyone,” Schoenfeld said. Animal trainer and care taker
Mark Szafran, who will be at Touch Fest, said all the animals have their own names and personalities. Casper the friendly snake, an albino Burmese python, Monty the python, Chi-Chi the Chinchilla, Mirage the fennec fox, Horace the pygmy hedgehog, Pi the scarlet macaw, Purse the four-foot American alligator, cats Jessie James and Geoffrey, Sherman the leopard tortoise, and Mindy the monkey will all be present on campus today. Szafran said the alligator is cool because he looks like a dinosaur. He described the cat Jessie James as both an outlaw and one of the tamest cats in the country. He said one of the snakes is a little thief and will get caught in shirts and purses. Mindy the monkey is the youngest animal and will turn three next month. Szafran said people who interact with the animals always seem to enjoy watching one thing. “People really love it when they go to the bathroom,” Szafran said. “It’s quite funny.” He handles the animals every day and said they are all very safe. The snake and one of the cats aren’t allowed to be around the other animals at all times because they will eat them. At the event, Szafran will answer any questions people may have about the animals. “When you go, you get to interact and touch the animals,” Szafran said. “Pretty soon it’s going to be illegal.”
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editor: laurel colella email: opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: mw 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
april 15, 2009
EDITORIAL
Implement programs that encourage alternatives to drinking A new report created by the Alcohol Abuse Prevention Taskforce is calling for students to reexamine their drinking habits based on statistics that Tech students on average consume more alcohol than state and national averages. The report, known as the Virginia Tech Plan, recommends the administration implement policy and programming changes to foster a campus environment that is welcoming to students who don’t like to drink. The study also found the amount of alcohol some students are consuming to be troubling. Tech students reported consuming 13.2 drinks per week, more than double the state average and 25 percent more than the national average. Tech also shatters state and national averages when it comes to the amount of alcohol consumed on individual occasions of drinking. The study gathered its results from a survey distributed to 2,000 students in 2005. The report cites that students view their drinking “as normal and acceptable, despite the abundance of medical and social research to the contrary,” and while we may be similar to other state universities in terms of alcohol consumption, that doesn’t mean we should just be satisfied with that status. Outcomes of the study contain a few helpful recommendations that might give incoming freshmen a better impression of the drinking habits of college students in Blacksburg. For many prospective students and parents visiting Blacksburg in the fall, behavior at football games is a powerful indicator of the kind of environment we offer. While Hokie spirit is certainly prevalent— no one packs a stadium quite like us; students have an obligation to represent Tech with a positive image. While tailgating is a fun part of the football season, it’s important to make sure that partaking in such activities does not cause one to get so inebriated that they make fools out of themselves and represent our school poorly. Especially when parents and alumni are in town, it’s important that we represent Tech as the kind of school that parents want to send their kids to. We’re not about drinking all the time, and it’s important that we show it. Additionally, putting weekend programs in place for
students who may not like drinking provides a source of alternative entertainment. These programs might also be a potential draw for prospective students considering attending Tech for academic purposes but who just aren’t sure that the social scene is the right fit for them. Setting up programs in Squires Student Center on Friday and Saturday nights, where nonalcoholic fun is had would likely draw a large turnout. The student center would attract a large crowd for one for the same reasons downtown Blacksburg does: the chance to meet and interact with new people. You might be skeptical as to how a program like this could work, but with 20 percent of students reporting that they don’t drink, and 54 percent drinking once a week or less, this kind of programming might be just what we need to redefine our party school image for incoming freshman and shape a culture of student interaction consisting of more than drinking. This sort of thing has worked out really well at a number of our peer institutions. The University of Michigan’s UMix program hosts a number of events each semester on Friday nights, drawing in 400 to 600 students for each event. Penn State University first began offering a similar alternative twelve years ago. Known as “Late Night Penn State,” students can partake in alcoholfree entertainment Friday and Saturday evenings. According to the Michigan Daily, these events draw more than 7,000 students per year, and activities include movies, crafts and board games. These activities also are not just aimed at people who never drink, but also those looking for a more low-key evening. This type of setting would help students feel comfortable interacting with others, without alcohol. Broadening the sources from which college students get their entertainment is not only safer — it fosters more of an inclusive environment and doesn’t make students feel like they have to drink in order to have weekend plans.
It’s important to build good credit history in college CJ WEAVER regular columnist Interest rates are something often looked forward to in the market. Will the Fed raise, lower or pause rates? Currently, the federal funds rate is at an astonishing low between 0 percent and 0.25 percent. What does this mean, exactly? Banks are required to keep a specific amount of cash in reserve at their branches. The federal funds rate is the rate banks effectively charge one another to borrow money to keep these reserves at the minimum level required. Low interest rates make it easier for banks to borrow money and, in turn, lend to us as consumers. What do low interest rates mean for us in the real world? The lower the interest rates the easier it is to get loans from the bank at a cheaper rate. Mortgage rates and credit card rates are tied to these interest rates in terms of borrowing. Of course, the rate you get is also tied to how risky you may be in terms of credit history. So, how can we build up a high credit score to get the best rates possible while still in college? A lot of us have received numerous applications in the mail to apply for all kinds of credit cards. In reality, we need only one major credit card. Having our own credit card gives us a sense of responsibility and maturity. This sense of responsibility and maturity will only become reality when we build up the discipline to pay off our debt every month. One card is easy to keep up with and reduces the idea that we can spend however much we want. As long as we pay off our debt every month, our credit score will rise. Since we are college students, let us suppose that we are tight on cash one month and cannot pay off the whole
bill. This is when low interest rates come in. When banks are lending money out at a lower interest rate to credit card companies, these low rates are passed on to us. If it is a necessity to pay off only the minimum, now is the time to do it while rates are low. Keep in mind that the best credit scores are reserved for those who can pay off their debt every month.
Of course, the rate you get is also tied to how risky you may be in terms of credit history. So, how can we build up a high credit score to get the best rates possible while still in college? If you had a $5,000 balance with an APR of 9 percent and only paid $125 off each month, it would take you 4 years to rid yourself of that balance while paying an additional $1,000 in interest. The real approach to obtain a higher credit score is to carry secondary cards. I am not talking about another Visa or MasterCard, but obtaining a specific department store card or gas card. Credit bureaus like people who are able to effectively manage their credit. Having a few cards and paying them off every month builds up a credit history. Find a store in Christiansburg that you have back home, such as J.C. Penny or Sears. Get a card and buy at least one thing every month. Just make sure you will be able to pay it off at the end of each month. Usually you can get an extra discount just for using that store’s card. The final card you should get is a gas card. Let’s be real for a minute. We all need gas all the time. Marathon, for example, has several
credit card options that allow customers to receive a discount on gas and even on store purchases. Credit cards are not just something to use when you do not have any cash. Credit cards can be used to receive discounts and build up a credit history and credit score. Low interest rates make this a favorable time to take advantage of these opportunities. You do not have to use these cards to buy something every month. Put a gym membership or cell phone bill on the card. You have to pay these each month anyway. Why not just go ahead and help yourself out for the future by using credit. When we graduate, our credit history will be looked at by landlords, banks, and even some employers. As we graduate and move out into the real world, we will be looking for apartments, houses, and maybe even a new car. Low interest rates are not the only factor working toward low mortgage payments and cheaper cars. The housing crisis, coupled with low rates, has put mortgages below 5 percent. For those looking to get married after graduation, now is the perfect time to become a first-time house buyer. Even some stimulus initiatives give first timers a tax credit. Are you ready to upgrade to a new car with air conditioning and windows that actually work? Cars are cheaper now more than ever. Most come with a very attractive APR financing resulting in smaller monthly bills and affordable cars. Building up your credit history while still in college allows you to graduate with a high credit score. The higher your score is, the lower the rates and monthly bills will be. With interest rates at an all time low, I cannot think of a better time to take advantage and start your future on the right foot — financially, at least.
Don’t sacrifice more commuter parking spots for faculty and staff I would first like to start off by saying that I have never had an issue with Parking Services, any tickets that I have received I have paid in due time and have only appealed a ticket once. That being said, I am more than disgusted with the way they have handled the Litton Reaves parking lot situation. Not only has Parking Services taken more than half of the commuter spots away, which were already at a premium prior to this, they assigned no less than two full rows of the remaining commuter spaces to faculty and staff. Instead of waiting one more month until after graduation, when the parking situation will be relieved, Parking Services has decided to start pre-construction on the parking structure during the
Chrissie Twardowski Senior, Horticulture
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NATE BEELER/THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
second busiest time of the semester for commuters. Also, I find it disturbing that with a permanent F/S parking lot just a short distance away they still choose to use commuter spaces for F/S. This F/S parking in the extension lot is rarely more than half full and would be an acceptable place for the F/S displaced by the construction. I have always been troubled by the fact that F/S is allowed to park in any commuter spot they choose to without penalty, but this is the last straw. I am asking that Parking Services please reevaluate its design for this move, as I know it is a transition and people will have to adjust, but again there is no need to assign additional F/S parking while there is ample parking a short distance away.
Collegiate Times Editorial Staff Editor in Chief David Grant Managing Editors David Harries, Sara Spangler Public Editor Cate Summers News Editors Caleb Fleming, Sara Mitchell News Reporters Gordon Block, Zach Crizer, Justin Graves, Kelsey Heiter, Riley 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 Features Staff Writers Ryan Arnold, Mary Anne Carter, Drew Jackson, Tom Minogue, Alex Pettingell 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 Go-Eun Choi, Velechia Hardnett, Kelly Harrigan, Rachel McGiboney, Mina Noorbakhsh, Josh Son Illustrator Mina Noorbakhsh Multimedia Editor Phillip Murillas Multimedia Producer Candice Chu Multimedia Reporters Kevin Anderson, Peter Velz Online Director Sam Eberspacher
Student Publication Photo Staff Director of Photography Sally Bull Business Manager Paul Platz
The editorial board is composed of David Grant, David Harries, Laurel Colella, Jenna Marson and Alexandra Kaufmann.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
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Work for the Collegiate Times, gain valuable journalistic skill During the summer months, your favorite daily newspaper transforms to a weekly edition. We want you to come work for us CATE this summer. Think about SUMMERS it: Blacksburg in public summer is quite a editor fun town. You can get into almost any restaurant without having to wait. Parking is ample compared to the dire straits of the commuter lot during the school year. The town of Blacksburg has several festivals and events throughout the summer to draw students out of their apartments and into local businesses. So why not cover these events for the CT and kill two birds with one stone: Enjoy what Blacksburg has to offer and get a little resume booster while you’re at it. So if you’ll be in Blacksburg this summer taking classes and would like to make some extra beer money, stop by our office and investigate our summer opportunities. It’s the same office, the same sections, just a new cast of characters running the show. Even if you’re not taking classes during both summer sessions, we encourage you to write as often as you please. The summer issues of the paper tend to be a little more relaxed simply because there are fewer people around so less tends to go on during the summer. If you’ve ever had any inkling to write for a newspaper, the summer CT is a
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4 features
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.
april 15, 2009
Death Cab still true to roots COLLEGIATE TIMES PRESENTS: A quick look at dramatic movie trailers by peter velz
The Soloist – April 24 IN BRIEF: Robert Downey Jr. portrays Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez who befriends a gifted and homeless cellist, Nathaniel Ayer, played by Jamie Foxx. Ayer developed schizophrenia during his time at the Juilliard School, further intriguing Lopez. Looks promising: Director Joe Wright is more than capable to tackle this true life story after taking a break from the period drama (“Pride and Prejudice,” “Atonement”). Plus, a talented cast with six Oscar nominations and one win (for Foxx) between them is sure to deliver on the acting side. Not so much: It’s rarely a good sign when the release date of a film is pushed back. Originally scheduled to be an Oscar-contender back in November, the movie has since seen two delays, which might signal postproduction difficulties or a lack of studio confidence.
Away We Go – June 5 IN BRIEF: Director Sam Mendes, coming off of last year’s Oscar-contender-that-wasn’t “Revolutionary Road,” looks to craft a small and light tale about future parents without much of a future. Husband and wife team, Dave Eggers and Vendela Vida, write the screenplay. Looks promising: The ensemble cast is as varied as it is talented. John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph play the couple at the heart of the film and are joined by Alison Janey, Jim Gaffigan, Catherine O’Hara, Jeff Daniels and Maggie Gylenhal. Not so much: Looks like a bohemian-infused “Juno.” Get ready for a backlash against its too-hip soundtrack and precious/overindulgent storytelling. But considering the talent involved, the film may be able to rise above these possible pitfalls.
Moon – Sept. 3 IN BRIEF: Sam Rockwell plays an astronaut confined to a moon mining operation for the past three years. With two weeks left on the moon he discovers a fellow human just off his base that carries a striking resemblance to him. Is he going crazy, or is there a more sinister agenda going on? Looks promising: The 2001: A Space Odyssey comparison is a given, but early buzz from Sundance was very positive. The twisty plot will encourage a strong word-of-mouth if the finale’s secrets aren’t revealed before then. Not so much: The brainy 2002 remake of “Solaris” attempted a similar deep-space isolation/paranoia bit, and right now you’re thinking “Solawhat?” It’s a tough angle to master and may leave audiences confused, or worse, bored.
ICON KEY cuddly creatures
warm & fuzzy
definitely devastating
inexplicable explosions
hilarity to ensue
potentially pants-wetting
Taking unreleased recordings from the sessions that produced Death Cab for Cutie’s last LP, the moderately enjoyable “Narrow TOM Stairs,” the Seattle MINOGUE group has put together an enjoystaff able five song EP. writer What’s going to attract a lot of attention from longtime fans here is the difference between the feel of these songs and those on the band’s last LP. Whereas their last record showed Death Cab at their most deliberate, taking their sweet time to build momentum on the five minute opener “Bixby Canyon Bridge,” and the eight-minute long “I Will Possess Your Heart,” this EP settles the musical pacing out a little more evenly. Even the self-loathing in the lyrics of “A Diamond and a Tether” is carried by a mid-tempo guitar strum more suit-
able for a sunny afternoon than a rainy day. You wouldn’t expect to hear “Pity, take pity on me / ‘Cause I’m not half the man I should be / Always turning to run from the people I should not be afraid of” in the numerous venues the band is playing across the country this summer. At least it should give the bleeding hearted, emo-loving kid a moment’s respite from the summer sunshine, but I digress. Without the pretense of sadness and despair, what we have here is a very well constructed collection of pop tunes. The first song in the collection, “Little Bribes,” is a big change of pace for the Death Cab crew. I don’t think I’ve heard them hasten the tempo of one of their songs to such a pace since “We Looked Like Giants,” and it’s a pretty refreshing move for a trite tale about a gambler down on his luck. The same idea is pervasive throughout the rest of the EP, with “My Mirror Speaks” and “I Was Once a Loyal Lover, picking up the time signature for the benefit of the overall collection. Of course you can’t expect a quick-
ened pace throughout the entirety of a Death Cab record, and that’s where the rerecorded version of “Talking Bird” comes in. Foregoing the full band arrangement for a lone ukulele, the ballad is sure to become a staple for the half-hearted hipster couples of the world. It doesn’t quite have the conviction or pop muscle of “I Will Follow You into the Dark”, but then again, that just might be the reason why they love it. Since their jump to a major record label, tracing the development of Death Cab for Cutie hasn’t been the exercise in degradation that happened to their many notable indie peers (see: The Strokes, The Pixies, Nirvana). This EP is probably most important in demonstrating that frontman Ben Gibbard hasn’t lost the ability to construct pop songs like those that catapulted him over teenager’s speakers across the country. No ladies (and emotionally in-tune gentlemen), Death Cab has still got the magic.
Death Cab For Cutie are back with a new five track EP called “The Open Door,” which surveys the undiscovered provinces of JONATHAN their last release, YI “Narrow Stairs.” features Although their reporter most recent release was Grammy-nominated, it has been critically panned either as a masterpiece or a dud, depending on who’s evaluating. EP opener “Little Bribes” may not resemble the shady nature of the rest of the record, but it echoes a preppy and aggressive acoustic riff that holds a groove of its own. Guitarist and singer Ben Gibbard and lead guitarist Chris Walla have fun with the blues scale on this one. “Little Bribes” certainly wouldn’t have fit into “Narrow Stairs.” Similar to the glittering groove of “Company Calls” on “We Have the Facts and We’re Voting Yes,” the lyrics are clever, expressing a continuum of skin-deep sarcasm that resembles the gratuities of gambling. Throughout, Gibbard’s voice is as expressive and accessible as we can expect. Later on the road, “My Mirror
Speaks” offers a comfortable blend that reflects some of the cooling guitar riffs in “Cath…” and the full pulse of the crowd pleasing “Title and Registration.” This track could have been a standout on “Narrow Stairs,” contributing a taste of velocity with supporting cast of hand clapping. “My Mirror” may be perhaps one of the best songs on the record that combines a evocative falsetto with tremendously reflective lyricism. “I always fall in love with an open door with a horizon on an endless sea. As I look around the ones who were standing right in front of me and then my mirror speaks with a reverence like a soldier I can’t command, it sees a child in the body of a full-grown man,” Gibbard sings. A tight rhythm propels the EP’s strongest straight-forward indie-pop song into an extroverted climax that gives way to “I Once Was a Loyal Lover.” “Loyal Lover” has a grinding, vaporous distortion that might not have worked on “Narrow Stairs,” but it provides an ample closure to the thread. The final track on the EP “Talking Bird” is a reworking of one of the highlights off Narrow Stairs. The track is stripped bare, but the soothing ukulele reinforces that simplicity is often best. Overnight recording sessions and
relentless dedication by Walla have been paying off historically with short bursts of melodic goodness that melt away like Bremerton snow. The full length mother ship aside, “The Open Door” should be evaluated under an EP mindset. However, Death Cab seems to always be an exception. With such strong previous EP releases like “The Forbidden Love” or “John Byrd,” it’s difficult to conjure up some sort of standard. The ambiguity of indie rock shed off critics, but considering their recent exponential development, can we really still consider Death Cab an indie band? The answer is yes. One great thing about Death Cab For Cutie is that even though their sound keeps expanding and their fan base keeps growing, their mannerisms have stayed the same. Though he strives to sound progressively high and mighty, the lyrical content provided by Gibbard has always been true to his roots. He has taken us to all ends of the spectrum, from bleak and humdrum ruminations to sparkling optimism. “The Open Door” reflects the former, strongly focused on the darker aesthetics that didn’t quite mold into “Narrow Stairs’” positive muse.
Grade: B+
Grade: A-
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april 15, 2009
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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.
aprl 15, 2009
Johnson, Brouwer quite the pair Inside linebacker spots key replacement for Tech defense LINDSAY FAULKNER
ct sports staff writer
JOE CRANDLEY
ct sports reporter After several years of veteran play, the Tech linebacker corps must undergo a bit of a youth movement for the upcoming season. Redshirt seniors-to-be Cody Grimm and Cam Martin return for the 2009 campaign to man the whip linebacker position, but less experienced individuals will be tasked with filling the void left in the middle by graduating seniors Brett Warren and Purnell Sturdivant. Redshirt sophomore Barquell Rivers possesses the inside track for the mike linebacker position vacated by Warren. Rivers started for the Hokies in the Orange Bowl victory after Warren tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. The Wadesboro, N.C., native came up big with a key goal line stop in the fourth quarter against Cincinnati. Despite the start and his current status as the starting mike linebacker on the spring practice roster, Rivers realizes he needs to work hard or he may lose his spot to backup and redshirt freshman Bruce Taylor. “I still have to prove myself a lot because one start (in the Orange Bowl) doesn’t mean anything,” Rivers said. “I have to go out and study more film, come out and work hard at practice in the spring and summer.
(I need to) do the extra things that will help me get better.” Defensive coordinator Bud Foster understands that Rivers is taking over for a guy that recorded 71 tackles, 14 tackles-for-loss and 7.5 sacks. “He played well in the Orange Bowl, but he’s got to replace a pretty good football player,” Foster said. “We went back and did all of our self-scouting and looked at ourselves and saw that Brett Warren was a tackling machine. We didn’t do him justice. The guy was all over the place… “But Barquell is a good football player. I’d like to see him do things a little bit faster, but that just comes with more reps.” Alongside Rivers, a fierce competition for the starting backer position will continue through the spring. Future sophomores Jake Johnson and Quillie Odom are battling for that starting spot, but Johnson currently sits atop the depth chart. “Spring practice is intense. They just
MATT BOONE/SPPS
kind of threw us out there in the fire, so we’ve got to do everything,” Odom said. “We’ve got to take a lot in at one time. It’s intense and that’s how it’s going to be during the game, so I’m ready for it.” Hailing from Manassas, Va., Odom saw limited action in his initial season as a Hokie, participating in seven games. “I’ve been just trying to get into the film room as much as possible. That’s the key — to watch film, get in there and get all the plays down because coverage is a big thing in this defense,” Odom said. With all of the youth set to play at linebacker in the fall, the potential starters have taken the time to learn from recent Hokie greats. “We’ve watched some of the old practices from last season (and) Xavier Adibi, Vince Hall. We’ve watched some of those guys and their technique, and it helps us with our technique,” Odom said. Since the linebacker position has produced so much talent in recent years, Foster believes the new players have plenty to live up to. “We have a certain level of expectation,” he said. “We’ve developed a tradition of linebackersb and I expect them to play that way. They have to uphold that deal, and I think they want to. You can tell by their attitude and their attention in meetings and their work ethic on the field.” The new players certainly realize this recent tradition. That, along with the many returning starters, means the pressure will be on the likes of Odom, Rivers and Johnson to play their position well and help maintain Tech’s status as one of the nation’s top defenses. “There’s obviously pressure, just a little bit,” Odom said. “As far as living up to them, I just want to be able to get in there and do my part for the team. That’s most important — just be able to do my part to not let the team down. So, I’m trying to learn my part and learn everything I can in the film room.” Foster said that the inside linebacker situation won’t be fully settled once spring practice concludes. However, he is happy with progress being made by his potential starters. “It’s a good start for us,” Foster said. “I’m pleased so far. Is it where we want to be? No. But I like their work ethic and attitude.”
Dutch-immigrant Jessica Brouwer prepares to wrap up her final year as a Hokie. Her doubles team counterpart on the court, sophomore Holly Johnson, is preparing to wish her senior teammate goodbye, all the while wondering who will be taking Brouwer’s place next to her on the court in the fall. The duo, now ranked 55th in the nation, began their doubles journey by default this past fall during an exercise in practice one day. “We did a drill in the beginning of the year where we were having everyone play against each other,” head coach Terry Ann ZawackiWoods said. “We counted the amount of serves and returns they made, and it ended up that they both had the most, so it was that first day that we kind of decided to put them together.” Brouwer, who has been paired with several other players throughout her tenure at Tech, said that their grouping has outlasted all of the others. With big wins at Princeton and in the Hokie Invitational, the two realized that they were going to work well together. “We beat Princeton in a tournament at Princeton where we were down, thought we were going to lose, and then came back to win — it was pretty exciting,” Johnson said regarding their first big success. “What is great about them is that they have a mix of power and placement,” Zawacki-Woods said. “They really compliment each other well. Brouwer is definitely the power player and Johnson is more the touch, finesse and angle player.” Of course, things did not fall into place all at once. They did take a little while to get used to each other. “There’s always some work that we need to do, like our communication, figuring out what to do between points, whether we should move around a lot or just stay there and scare them,” Brouwer said. They talk between every point, whether it is to encourage one another, or even calm each other down. “Both of us can get pretty mad,” Johnson said. Brouwer agreed, adding, “We kind of understand. You know you get mad, but then you need to get over
HUSSEIN AHMED/SPPS
Jessica Brouwer (left) and Holly Johnson look on as Tech plays Wake Forest. The duo, ranked No. 55 nationally, have a record of 24-14. it.” It’s at this point where they rely on each other for support throughout their matches. In terms of leadership, Johnson said of her teammate, “I’d say [Brouwer] has more leadership than I do, because she is a senior. There are times where I will want to go off and she keeps me in check.” Brouwer added that her seniority has given her experience but that she can also get upset. “I guess I have learned how to deal with things better,” Brouwer said. “I think she has done a good job improving her [temper] as well.” Both girls have traveled far from home to be in Blacksburg. While Johnson traveled up the east coast from her home in Tallahassee, Fla., Brouwer crossed the Atlantic to be here at Tech. “I had actually never been here,” said Brouwer, who was referred to Tech’s program through a coach’s friend. “I was kind of blindfolded before I got here, but it was a great choice.” This past Sunday, the team honored its three seniors — Brouwer, Inga Beerman and Abbey Walker — at the Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center before a 5-2 win over conference-foe Wake Forest. The team also took down another
Atlantic Coast Conference opponent Friday in a 7-0 shutout of North Carolina State. Before the matches, Brouwer and Johnson’s doubles record in the ACC was 4-5. In order to improve on that mark, both had said it was imperative to be more aggressive in the final two conference contests. Against N.C. State, the pair fell in an 8-7 upset. On Sunday, however, they were able to turn their frustration into aggression, clobbering the Demon Deacons 8-3 in the No.1 doubles match. Although the regular season ended with their win Sunday, the teammates are looking to the Atlantic Coast Conference championships in Cary, N.C., beginning Thursday to prove themselves on the court as they get a chance to face familiar foes. Brouwer and Johnson are choosing to see the tournament as anyone’s game. “Everyone’s beatable,” Brouwer said. “Everybody has weak spots, you know. We know that they’re good, but we’ve just got to compete.” “It’s all about that game point,” Johnson said. “We’ve got to be able to win it because they are not going to give you another chance.”