Thursday, September 17, 2009
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106th year, issue 86
News, page 2
Features, page 5
Look out tomorrow for the CT’s interview with one of ‘The Simpsons’ original writers Mike Reiss. Opinions, page 3
Classifieds, page 4
Sudoku, page 4
Sports, page 6
Task force coalition to Rugby on the rise investigate homicides GORDON BLOCK news reporter A task force of authorities has been assembled to investigate the double homicide of Virginia Tech students David Metzler and Heidi Childs. The two were found dead Aug. 27 at Caldwell Fields, a campsite in the Jefferson National Forest, which is approximately 13 miles from campus along Craig Creek Road. Police have said the two were shot. However, the type
of weapon used has not been made public. A combination of local, state and national authorities make up the task force, including the Tech, Blacksburg and Christiansburg police departments, as well as the Virginia State Police. National authorities, including the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshall’s Office and the U.S. Forest Service will also be involved. The Montgomery County sheriff’s office will lead the investigation.
Lt. Norman Croy said the remote nature of the camp area has presented challenges for investigators. “At the time of night when we think this took place, it’s not too heavily traveled,” Croy said. “No one in the area saw anything take place or heard anything take place.” Currently no suspects have been identified. Croy was hopeful that news coming from the investigation would be positive. “Hopefully it will be in the form of ‘We have a suspect in custody,’” Croy said.
METZLER
CHILDS
Flagship engineering site to replace Randolph Hall GORDON BLOCK news reporter
BRIAN CLAY/SPPS
Tech inside center Andrew Harris attempts to run past Delaware’s defense last season.
Ready to leave competition in dust NICK CAFFERKY sports staff writer From 1998 to 2003, Virginia Tech rugby was a mainstay in the USA Rugby National Collegiate Division I Championship, but the team has struggled in recent years. Ranked No. 19 nationally in the preseason after a 2008 season that ended in the regional playoffs, the Hokies are determined to make an impact on the national level. Following the season opener against the Blacksburg Men’s Rugby Football Club with a 26-10 win last Friday, the team jumps into its conference schedule against No. 9 Penn State Saturday, which has had the Hokies’ number in recent years. “There isn’t really any way to prepare for them, just be ready. After last season, we know how to play against the bigger programs, so we just have to execute,” head coach John Conrad said. “The worst thing we can do is worry about them and lose focus on our game.” Coming into the season, the Hokies will have to make up for lost players, but they are bringing valuable
CHRIS STACK/SPPS
The men’s rugby team looks to receive national attention in 2009. experience back in several key positions. “We lost a lot of experience in the pack, but our back line should be good because we have been playing together for a while. We have a lot of creative guys this year, so it will be interesting to see,” junior center Andrew Harasz said. The team must play a bit shorthanded and with a makeshift roster coming into the game against Penn see RUGBY / page six
Virginia Tech officials are ready to begin the development of the new Signature Engineering Building. Groundbreaking of the 153,000square-foot project, to be built in the commuter lot near the intersection of Prices Fork Road and Stanger Street, is set for spring 2011. “It’s going to be quite exciting,” said Ed Nelson, associate dean and chief of staff in the College of Engineering. “It will anchor that corner of campus.” The inside of the building is expected to hold classrooms, laboratories and lecture halls. The building will also feature conference room spaces. Some of the building’s systems will be available for use in student work. “This building is being designed as a laboratory in itself,” said John Sparks, chairman of the College of Engineering’s advisory board legislative committee and director of engineering and technology programs at defense company Aerojet. The building is set to replace many of the functions of Randolph Hall, which was dedicated in October 1953. “You can see how long that building has served the College of Engineering,” Sparks said. “The hope is (the Signature Engineering Building) will be of service to the university for as long a period of time.” Tech has hired the firm Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects for the project. The Portland-based firm has been responsible for similar projects at Duke University, the University of Arizona and Williams College,
COURTESY OF COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING The Signature Engineering Building is set to open spring 2011 under the plans by Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects.
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We feel we have an exciting project. We hope people will learn about it and be a part of it. ED NELSON ASSOCIATE DEAN AND CHIEF OF STAFF, COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
among others. The building is projected to cost $98.9 million. Tech is planning to receive $49.5 million from the state through the sale of bonds. Tech has received over $2 million in planning money from the state’s General Assembly in the past two sessions. “We now have a very good feeling that we have the correct price tag for this building,” Sparks said. Another $49.4 million is expected through contributions of private
donors. Despite the current economy, Nelson was optimistic that donors would be available. “The recession’s hit everybody,” Nelson said. “With that said, we feel we have an exciting project. We hope people will learn about it and be a part of it.” The percent of the building’s cost set to come from private donors makes their involvement a high priority for the university. “The support of our alumni is critical to making this come together,” Nelson said. Sparks said the project was vital to recruiting the best faculty and students. “When these prospective students get a tour of the college, they want to see what the instructional and lab facilities look like,” Sparks said. “Having modern facilities will help us get top students.”
Business gurus, alumni to address Pamplin audience -graduated in 1979 -accounting major -Chairman and CEO of The Nielsen Company
CALHOUN -graduated in 1982 -finance major -President and CEO of The Dial Corporation
CASPER -graduated in 2000 -finance and management major -Vice president of Wells Fargo
D’ANGELO
QIAN ZHANG news staff writer Three Virginia Tech students-turnedcorporate giants are returning to campus to share their experiences with current students in the Pamplin College of Business. The executives, Nielsen Company Chairman and CEO David L. Calhoun, Wells Fargo Securities Vice President Nick D’Angelo and Dial Corporation President and CEO Brad Casper, will present separate speeches, beginning with Calhoun’s presentation tonight. “These speeches can be very beneficial and inspiring for students by showing them that those speakers can be their future images,” said Gary S. Kinder, director of undergraduate career services for Pamplin. “They can talk about their experience on the job and what they learned from the school as a studying point,” Kinder said. “Some speakers referred students to some intern opportunities or even recruited students after interviews.” The Pamplin College of Business usually has five speakers each academic year. “Since they all have different backgrounds, they can talk about different issues in the busi-
ness and certainly relate toward the international market,” said Richard Sorensen, dean of business. “What we ask them to do is to share their personal experiences, how are they successful in the business, what kinds of things they did in Virginia Tech that helps them to be successful and set examples to our students,” Sorensen said. Calhoun graduated from Pamplin with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1979. Before he joined Nielsen, he worked at General Electric Co. for 27 years. He has been appointed as president and CEO of six GE business units. “I look forward to being back on campus and experiencing that special fall environment in Blacksburg,” Calhoun said in an e-mail correspondence. He will present a speech entitled “Success in Business,” today from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., at Old Dominion Hall in Squires Student Center. “Dave may be the second most successful man after Mr. Pamplin,” Sorensen said. Calhoun co-chairs the Virginia Tech Campaign Steering Committee, which has helped raise more than $790 million for university scholarships and fellowships and sits on the Pamplin Advisory
check it out Visit Pamplin’s 27th annual Business Horizons career fair today 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Squires Commonwealth Ballroom. Council. “(With) a lot of people I have met at the council that have been successful, I asked them to serve as volunteers in the college and after I interacted with them, made me have a chance to know whether they are good speakers,” Sorensen said. This will be the third time Calhoun has spoken on campus, and the first since 2005. He was also on the cover of Pamplin Magazine in the fall of 2005 as the university’s commencement speaker that year. “I will probably touch on some life lessons I learned at Tech that have served me well personally and professionally.” Calhoun said via e-mail. Later, businessman Nick D’Angelo will give a speech entitled “Ut Prosim” on Thursday, Oct.1, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., in the Alumni Assembly Hall at the Holtzman Alumni Center.
D’Angelo was recognized as the “Outstanding Recent Alum” last year, and he also serves both on the Alumni Advisory Board of Pamplin’s finance department and as a member of the Charlotte, N.C., chapter of the Campaign for Virginia Tech. Dial president and CEO Brad Casper will speak in “Leaving the Comfort Zone: Managing in the Global Economy,” on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Holtzman Alumni Center’s Alumni Assembly Hall. Casper graduated from Tech with a bachelor’s degree in finance in 1982. He has been the president and CEO of Dial since April 2005. Calhoun and the Nielsen Company will also attend Pamplin’s 27th annual Business Horizons career fair today, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Commonwealth Ballroom in Squires. “We're always interested in meeting people who are passionate, intellectually curious and have an appreciation for the diversity of the global market,” Calhoun said via e-mail. “Focus your career path ... on being part of a company whose culture and leadership supports and conveys a strong commitment to employee growth and learning.”
2 news
new river valley news editor: zach crizer university editor: philipp kotlaba newseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
LooP In the
Wondering what's going on around the 'burg? Check out the events of the upcoming week. What: Kiwanis Wilderness Trail Festival Where: Christiansburg, Main Street/ Downtown When: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Cost: Free
Thursday, September 17 What: The Tunnel Where: GLC Multipurpose Room When: 3 p.m. Cost: Free
Sunday, September 20
What: Spider and Octopus Where: Gillie's When: 8 p.m. Cost: Free
What: Japanese Film Fesitval Where: The Lyric When: 3 p.m. Cost: $1
What: Shane Hines with Melodime Where: Champs When: 9:30 p.m. Cost: Cover
Monday, September 21 What: Simpson's Writer Mike Reiss Speaks Where: Squires Haymarket Theatre When: 7:30 p.m. Cost: Free
Friday, September 18 What: Ben Phelps Project Where: Attitudes When: 10 p.m. Cost: $5 in advance, $10 door What: WUVT presents The Situationist Where: Moe's When: 8 p.m. Cost: Free What: Dorothy Allison Gay in Appalachia Celebration Where: Squires Studio Theatre When: 7 p.m. Cost: Free
Saturday, September 19 What: Up For Nothing and Step Aside Where: Champs When: 8 p.m. Cost: $5 What: Boogieburg and Biodiesel Where: Attitudes When: 9 p.m. Cost: Free
[
nation & world headlines
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WASHINGTON
Baucus unveils health plan, draws fire from all sides WASHINGTON — Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus’ $856 billion plan to overhaul the nation’s health care system — a package that lacks the public option that President Barack Obama favors — was greeted Wednesday largely with skepticism and sometimes disdain, even among fellow Democrats. His package, which would create health care co-ops, raise taxes on insurers and require companies to offer coverage to nearly everyone, is the latest, perhaps lastditch, effort to find bipartisan agreement on Obama’s top domestic priority. For months, the Montana senator and five other committee members, three from each party, struggled to craft bipartisan legislation. They finally gave up, and Baucus went his own way. He still worked Wednesday to woo Republican support, but only Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, seemed hopeful. The biggest change from the other bills is the co-op idea, which veers away from Obama’s plea to a joint session of Congress last week that lawmakers seriously consider a public option.
Supporters of co-ops maintain that negotiating rates with hospitals, doctors and other providers collectively would reduce health care costs. Many other Democrats and their supporters weren’t pleased, however, and some were downright angry. AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said the Baucus plan “absolutely fails to meet the most basic health care needs of working families and it fails to meet the expectations we have set for our nation.” The Senate Finance Committee, which has 13 Democrats and 10 Republicans, is expected to finish writing its bill by the end of the month. It then would be combined with the Senate health committee measure and be considered by the full Senate. At roughly the same time, the House is expected to vote on a consolidated bill melded from the three committee drafts. Then comes the hardest part: finding common ground between the House and Senate bills and producing one piece of legislation. by david lightman, mcclatchy newspapers. staff writer margaret talev contributed to this report.
What: SCUBA club meeting Where: War Memorial Gym, Room 5 When: 5 p.m. Cost: Free
Tuesday, September 22 What: Calle Sol: Medellin 2007-2008 Where: Squires Second Floor Atrium When: All day Cost: Free What: Graduate School 101 Where: Surge 104C When: 5 p.m. Cost: Free
Wednesday, September 23 What: Braided rug-making class Where: Historic Smithfield When:1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Cost: Free
CALIFORNIA
With science journalism in retreat, universities try new strategy for informing the public SAN JOSE, Calif. — Concerned that journalism’s economic problems are reducing Americans’ understanding of science, medicine and other research, 35 of the nation’s top universities — including Stanford and UC-Berkeley — have announced they will feed their own accounts of their discoveries directly to top news sites on the Internet. Under the plan, the universities have formed what is essentially their own nonprofit wire service, called Futurity, to provide articles to popular Web sites such as Yahoo News and Google News, along with MySpace and Twitter. “We’ve been really concerned. Our preference would be to have the level of coverage of science and research that we enjoyed for decades,” said Lisa Lapin, assistant vice president for university communications at Stanford.
“But the major news organizations haven’t had the resources to provide that independent, objective look at what we are doing. It’s been declining.” In recent years, newspapers have seen eBay, Craigslist and other online sites lure away huge amounts of advertising dollars, and they have responded with significant cuts. Whereas 20 years ago nearly 150 U.S. newspapers had a science section, today fewer than 20 do, and those are often dominated by health and lifestyle coverage. Participating universities include Princeton, Yale, Duke, the University of Chicago and UC-Irvine. Every week, each sends several news releases and articles written by university staff members to an editor at the University of Rochester. The editor then highlights stories on a Web site, futurity.org, to showcase the research. by paul rogers, san jose mercury news.
If you would like an event featured in our calendar e-mail features@collegiatetimes.com. IRAQ
U.S. military closes huge prison in southern Iraq BAGHDAD — The U.S. military on Wednesday announced the closing of the sprawling Camp Bucca prison in southern Iraq, transferring $50 million in infrastructure and custody of all but 180 of the site’s detainees to the Iraqi government. Early this year, the U.S. military began emptying the prison, releasing 5,600 detainees and transferring another 1,400 with arrest warrants or detention orders to Iraqi authorities, according to the U.S. military’s Task Force 134, which oversees American-run prisons in Iraq.
Once the remaining 180 prisoners, considered dangerous “high-risk detainees,” are moved to U.S.-run detention centers in and around Baghdad, Bucca officially will be closed. The transfer was expected late Wednesday or early Thursday. As of September, the U.S. military still held a total of 8,485 prisoners in Iraq, down from 15,500 in January, according to the military. by hannah allam, mcclatchy newspapers.
opinions 3
editor: debra houchins opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
september 17, 2009
Iran a difficult front for Obama It’s official. Iran has delivered its response to Washington’s open-minded, well-intentioned efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the nuclear crisis. Tehran’s five-page letter amounts to a joke, a mockery of the West, a nose-thumbing at Barack Obama, the United States and the international community. This means that in the months to come, Obama will likely face the most difficult and dangerous decision of his presidency. Obama’s famous outstretched hand, his legendary oratorical skills, his faith in humanity proved insufficient to persuade the now-embattled and even more radicalized rulers of the Islamic Republic to get serious about nuclear negotiations. Unless something suddenly changes in the next few days — and there is no reason to expect that to happen — the only conclusion we can reach is that diplomacy failed. Obama set late September, the next meeting of the G-20, as a deadline for Iran to show tangible progress toward a negotiated solution. The post-election repression in Iran, the bizarrely unserious letter and the impending arrival of the deadline mean a new phase is about to start. Tehran’s letter, delivered at the United Nations, does not even address the issue sparking the crisis: Iran’s nuclear enrichment, its repeated defiance of international demands regarding its nuclear program and its failure to provide enough information to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Instead, the letter, rambles on about the Islamic Republic’s willingness to discuss “a new era characterized by a cultural approach.” It brings up spirituality, wellness, the prosperity of nations and even space technology. And, without a hint of irony, with scores still imprisoned in Iran for protesting the regime’s stolen election, the letter proposes to enter a dialogue about “the right of people to have free elections.” Iran wants to discuss South America and Africa. It wants to talk about illegal drugs, immigration and the environment. It will talk about anything — except its nuclear program. We didn’t need the letter to know that. Even as breathless headlines around the world proclaimed that Iran was offering to negotiate with the West, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had already declared — again — that Iran’s nuclear program remains nonnegotiable. Iran, of course, says the program aims only to produce nuclear energy. And yet, the IAEA, which has treated Tehran with kid gloves, refraining from publicizing the most damning evidence, has openly reported that Iran refuses to provide proof that the
enriched uranium is not diverted for military uses. Iran is masterful at playing the game of the Middle Eastern bazaar, talking and talking, entertaining, drinking tea, changing the subject. In the meantime, U.S. officials say evidence that Iran’s efforts aim not at nuclear power but weapons is “overwhelming.” The view is shared by intelligence officials not just in Israel and the United States, but in many European capitals. For years the issue looked like a problem for the future. Not anymore. Glyn Davies, the U.S. envoy to the IAEA, says Iran “is either very near or in possession” of enough low-enriched uranium to produce a nuclear weapon. Imagine Iran — the country whose new defense minister is wanted by the Interpol for bombings in Argentina — in possession of nuclear weapons. Imagine Iran’s allied Islamic militants, such as Hezbollah and Hamas, in possession of nuclear materials. Now the Obama administration will likely engage in a round of tightening sanctions, “crippling sanctions” is what Washington has warned would follow. The problem is that the new sanctions look weak even before they start. Iran’s friend, Venezuela, says it will provide gasoline, and Russia’s foreign minister already announced that despite making nice with the United States, it still doesn’t support sanctions. So, if diplomacy did not work, and if sanctions end up failing, it seems highly likely we will have to move to the next and possibly final step. That is where the most difficult decision of the Obama presidency comes. Obama could face a choice between two terrible options. Choice One: Accept a world in which the Islamic Republic of Iran has nuclear weapons, in which the best-case scenario involves a nuclear arms race in the entire Middle East, with Sunni-ruled countries fearing the bomb in the hands of Shiite Iran, whose ideology calls for spreading Islamic revolution. Imagine the unstable Middle East awash in nuclear materials. That’s the best-case scenario. Others are simply catastrophic. Obama’s Choice Two: Take military action and risk starting yet another war in the Middle East. Yes, Mr. Obama, this is the job you said you wanted.
FRIDA GHITIS -mcclatchy newspapers
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MCT CAMPUS
Issues in Virginia demand pragmatic, smart candidate A
young man arrived at college for the first time, ready to start the next four years of his life and excited simply to have the opportunity to get an education. And he did this with nothing but $80 in his pocket to preserve over an indefinite amount of time. If it sounds like something out of the Great Depression, or something inflicted upon some poor soul whose fate will not allow him to rise above the conditions of his upbringing, think again: This was the experience of state Sen. Creigh Deeds, the 2009 Democratic nominee for the Governorship of Virginia. In an era when scores of citizens all across this country have grown more and more critical of politicians and the Wall Street business structure, which feeds our political system, there is a candidate in our own backyard who can buck that trend. Raised in Bath County, Va., with few possessions to spare, Creigh Deeds understands what it’s like for all the struggling families throughout the commonwealth. And he has the experience and record in office to show why he should be Virginia’s next governor. One of the factors that hit Virginia’s economy hardest was the subprime mortgage crisis. Sen. Deeds has worked tirelessly on this issue while legislating in Richmond, and he wrote a comprehensive lending reform package that prevents lenders from punishing homeowners with the kind of early payment penalties that force people into bankruptcy and cuts out hidden costs and fees that are not announced until after homeowners are locked into a loan. Sen. Deeds also understands that mere cuts in income tax or state programs aren’t going to provide the revenue that we need to significantly increase job opportunities in
the state. Sure, with budgetary constraints being faced across the board right now, some cuts are going to be made to state programs no matter who is elected governor. Sen. Deeds has always employed the kind of pragmatic problem solving that we absolutely must have in this time of economic turmoil. Continuing on that line of thinking, Deeds has proposed tax incentives for job-creating businesses and help for the unemployed to receive emergency health insurance. If we are to create lasting economic benefits for the commonwealth, it all starts with small businesses and sustainability. Once again, Sen. Deeds is the forward-thinking candidate in this regard. He proposes to create a rural business fund to help small businesses build momentum when their lower demand creates much less room for error. He proposes to finish the last mile of broadband by 2013 and thus power even the most rural areas of the state with the ability to thrive in the information age. He also plans to cut unnecessary impediments to the permitting process for small businesses and develop Virginia’s high-speed rail system, which would connect the major economic centers of the state while providing massive job increases and more economically sustainable transportation. Deeds’ opponent is the Republican nominee, Bob McDonnell. McDonnell is not a bad politician, but neither is he in touch with what Virginia needs right now. McDonnell opposed the $125 million of federal stimulus that Virginia was due to receive. He did this based on a very strict fiscal ideology rather than by taking a pragmatic look at the conditions of the moment. He realized that denying this money equated to
major job loss and economic punishment for Virginian families, while the money just gets filtered to other states. Sen. Deeds has made an 18year career in the state legislature out of making the tough, practical decisions that keep bills moving forward, budgets under control and citizens at work. That, more than anything else, is what Virginia needs at this moment. McDonnell also wrote a thesis while in law school titled “The Republican Party’s Vision for the Family: The Compelling Issue of the Decade,” which didn’t exactly suggest that his ideas would fit mid-20th century Virginia, let alone the state of things as we head into the second decade of this century. In this work, McDonnell claimed that the increasing role of women in the workforce has been detrimental to the American family, and he called for tax benefits to favor heterosexual couples and advocated discrimination of homosexuals. There are two career records for us to consider now as we head toward Election Day in November. McDonnell’s is highlighted by rigid ideology, while Deeds’ record displays pragmatic decision-making and reason as the ultimate justification in deciding on an issue. The young man who showed up at college with almost nothing in his possession truly embodies the common citizenry of this state, and his record shows that he deserves the privilege of governing it.
MICHAEL SAGE -regular columnist -graduate student -international affairs -volunteers for Deeds campaign
Creativity in cussing: Don’t take yourself so ‘ducking’ seriously My neighborhood gang and I had the fortune to host some friends for the weekend, and we decided the only way to send them off was to get some greasy food at IHOP. I tried to emphasize a point in the conversation at our table and began to cuss — leading to some heartbreakingly judging looks from an extremely cute elderly couple sitting nearby. I was embarrassed. I understand words incite different feelings among different people, and at some level I’m able to absolve my guilt when it comes to cursing — especially around the elderly — by attributing it to inter-generational disconnects, but at some level cussing just doesn’t always feel right. Swearing is often used to ensure whatever is said is memorable. An ordinary conversation might not leave a lasting impression, but including heated words can provide triggers for further reflection of what was said and the intentions behind the conversation. In this case, I won’t beat myself up about the occasional swear word, but I will be more careful about my general audience. Cursing out of anger, however, is another issue. When people violently cuss, they more than likely will lose respect among their peers and/or dilute whatever argument they’re advocating for. Having to swear out of anger can sometimes make one
look outright foolish. That is why I support creating your own profanities. My friends know this because I often use the phrase, “What the duck.” It sounds silly, but with enough practice, it becomes fun to use in conversation — especially if there’s actually a duck around. More importantly, it’s foolish in the self-aware sense, rather than whatever strange insecure confidence people summon when they decide to violently cuss. Once you start using non-offensive words in your swearing phrases, you will learn that intonation is what counts. Intonation is actually why cussing is so widely accepted among our age group — we’ve learned to use curse words in ways that won’t hurt our friends’ feelings with the use of certain inflections in our voices. This makes violently yelling, “Shut your ducking mouth,” even more fun because your audience will be both alarmed by your inflection and intrigued by your strange choice of swear words. I advocate for this approach moreover because it turns the idea of cussing on its head. When you cuss at someone, it is somewhat like attempting to shed responsibility or casting blame. In my mind, it’s very much the verbal equivalent of finger pointing, and when you decide to point a finger, three more point back at you.
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CHRIS COX -regular columnist -senior -communication major
? E-mail opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com
Want to fill this space?
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By swearing with your own imagined phrase, you’re very much accounting for the idea that your anger is your own product. And hopefully you’ll be able to laugh about it. And laughing about it should be helpful. When someone loses composure, he has a choice to make when accounting for his outburst: “Should I double-down on my argument and continue my train of thought?” or, “Why am I taking myself so seriously?” “Taking myself too seriously” is something I have, and will continue, to struggle with. I find that it’s healthier for you and everyone around you to just decide to laugh. There are very serious challenges of our day that we will hopefully become increasingly more aware of in our academic environment, but all the fervor for any specific issue will be lost if one can’t decide to reflect and laugh. So take your favorite swear word, trade it for something silly and decide to not take yourself so ducking seriously.
to find out how.
Collegiate Times Editorial Staff Editor in Chief: Sara Mitchell Managing Editors: Peter Velz, Bethany Buchanan Production Manager: Thandiwe Ogbonna Public Editor: Justin Graves News Editors: Zach Crizer, Philipp Kotlaba News Reporters: Gordon Block, Kelsey Heiter, Kaitlyn Gleason, Riley Prendergast Features Editors: Teresa Tobat, Topher Forhecz Features Reporters: Ryan Arnold, Mary Anne Carter, Dan Waidelich Opinions Editor: Debra Houchins Sports Editors: Joe Crandley, Alex Jackson Sports Reporters: Ed Lupien, Ray Nimmo, Ryan Trapp, Melanie Wadden, Thomas Emerick Sports Staff Writers: Garrett Busic, Matt Collette, Lindsay Faulkner, Hattie Francis Copy Editors: Erin Corbey, Mika Rivera Layout Designers: Kelly Harrigan, Rachel McGiboney, Josh Son, Lindsey Bachand, Sara Spangler Illustrator: Mina Noorbakhsh Multimedia Editor: Kevin Anderson Multimedia Reporters: James Carty, Phillip Murillas, Mandi Wasmer Online Director: Zach Swasey Collegiate Times Business Staff Business Manager: David Harries College Media Solutions Advertising Director: Tyler Ervin Asst Ad Director: Kendall Kapetanakis Account Executives: Nik Bando, Brandon Collins, Lee Eliav, Wade Stephenson, Allison Walton Inside Sales Manager: Judi Glass Office Manager: Kaelynn Kurtz Assistant Account Executives: Maddie Abram, Katie Berkel, Diane Revalski, Devon Steiner Ad Production Manager: Allison Bhatta Asst Production Manager: Lara Treadwell Creative Services Staff: Jenn DiMarco, Kara Noble, Adam Sexton, Kyle Waldrop Student Publications Photo Staff Business Manager: Luke Mason Voice your opinion. Readers are encouraged to send letters and comments to the Collegiate Times. 365 Squires Student Center Blacksburg, Va. 24061 Fax: (540) 171-9151 opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com Students must include name, year, major and phone number. Faculty and staff must include name, position and department. All other submissions must include name, residence, and if applicable, relationship to Virginia Tech (i.e. alumni, parent, etc.). Letters should not exceed 300 words, and should be in MS Word (.doc) format if possible. Letters, commentaries and editorial cartoons do not reflect the views of the Collegiate Times. Editorials are written by the Collegiate Times editorial board, composed of the opinions editor, editor in chief and the managing editors. 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 or text 200-TIPS or e-mail newstips@collegiatetimes.com Student Media Phone Numbers Collegiate Times Newsroom 171-9865 Editor-in-Chief 171-9867 College Media Solutions 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) 171-9865. Fax (540) 171-9151. 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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BUSINESS MANAGER Love marketing? Have an entrepreneurial spirit? VTTV Channel 33, the student television station, has an immediate opening. The business manager will help lead the station, market and promote the station to campus, market video production services, help local businesses and university organizations get their commercial messages out on the station, and oversee the station’s budget. The business manager will receive commissions on contracts sold as well as develop great real life business experience. For more information or to get an online application, visit collegemedia.com/apply. Application deadline is noon, Monday September 21.
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY If you are an accomplished photojournalist, you might be the right person for this student leadership position in student media. The Director of Student Publications Photo Staff is part photography teacher, part photo editor. Make the visual coverage of VT in the Collegiate Times and the Bugle Yearbook terrific while gaining valuable resume experience. You must be a full-time student. For more information or to download an application, visit collegemedia.com/ apply. The deadline to apply is noon on Monday September 21, 2009.
Campus Events 2010 VT YEARBOOK PORTRAITS Do it for Mom. Mom wants you to be in the yearbook, so don’t let her down. Senior graduation portraits and underclass portraits start September 22nd. Please visit bugleonline.com/portraits to make a senior appointment. Underclass members may walk-in anytime noon - 8 pm at Squires Cardinal Room. Don’t wait to get your portraits done - there’s no sitting fee. The Bugle Yearbook - Live the Tradition. Together
CUSTODIAL Supervisor Imed Open for Sup DL Req Hrs M-F 5am - 1:30pm Span + 2yrs exp email JPicado@galiservice.com or call Jeison 540-831-0421
COLLEGE MEDIA SOLUTIONS The advertising agency for student media at Virginia Tech has immediate openings for the following positions: Assisant Account Executive, Creative Services Production Manager, Creative Services Assistant Production Manager and Creative Services Staff. Interested? Log on to www.collegemedia.com/join to apply!
For Sale LAWN MOWER FOR SALE Briggs and Stratton mower for sale. Good condition, comes with detachable clippings bag. See this classified online to look at a picture. Will deliver for free to Blacksburg or Christiansburg. $60 or best offer. E-mail mower18@live.com.
Together. The 2010 Bugle yearbook records Virginia Tech’s proud traditions and our collective community in an archivalquality book with coverage of student life, the Corps of Cadets, greek life, athletics, student organizations and more. Order your yearbook today at www.bugleonline.com.
Health & Fitness COLLEGE DANCE CLASSES Classes in Ballet, Tap, and Jazz. No Enrollment Fee! On BT bus route. Call today for more info. 540.961.5949
Notices *****BARTENDING***** MAKE UP TO $300/ DAY. No Experience Necessary. Training Available. 1-800-965-6520 EXT210 LEGAL TROUBLES Free Consultation with attorney. Assault, Traffic, Alcohol and Drug Charges, VT Student Conduct Review. Joel S. Jackson, PC. 961-5297, joeljacksonpc.com.
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Patrick Henry Living Christiansburg Living
features 5
editors: topher forhecz, teresa tobat featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
Tech grad hits the right notes, finds career in opera MARY ANNE CARTER features reporter “Hello?” answered Branch Fields. His voice was thick and deep, saturating the white noise of the spotty cell phone reception. It removed all doubt of a misdialed number and confirmed that for Fields, professional opera was a practical career choice. Overwhelmed by a major he did not enjoy and little idea of what he was going to do when he graduated, Branch Fields found himself in a common dilemma as he neared at FIELDS graduation Virginia Tech. Yet unlike most seniors, he combated this predicament not with a visit to career services, but his local voice teacher. Seventeen years later, Fields’ distinctive bass voice has earned him roles on prestigious stages such as Broadway, New York City Opera and Operaestival di Roma. He will return to Tech today to perform a guest artist recital in the Recital Salon at Virginia Tech at 8 p.m. Fields shared details about his upcoming performance and his start in the opera world with the Collegiate Times during an interview last week. COLLEGIATE TIMES: You completed your undergraduate degree at Tech. How did you decide on Tech? BRANCH FIELDS: My sister was at Tech, and I wanted to go into chemistry, and I just loved the campus. She had invited me there to visit, and I just really loved the atmosphere there, and the campus and the chemistry department was good so I decided on it for that reason. CT: So you came in as a chemistry major, but did you graduate with a degree in music? FIELDS: No, no. (Laughs) I did a couple, or three, semesters of chemistry. Then I sold books over the summer door to door and made a lot of money. I made $10,000 selling books for the Southwestern Company. So I came back to school and hadn’t been doing well in chemistry, and I said, “I’m going to switch to marketing because that’s my ticket, you know, something I’m good at.” So I switched to marketing, but straight after that decided I didn’t like it at all. I was good at it, but I didn’t like it. I almost finished a busi-
COURTESY OF BRANCH FIELDS
Opera singer Branch Fields graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and went on to sing professional opera on Broadway and in Italy. ness major in marketing, but my voice teacher sat me down about a month into the semester and said, “You know, I’ve told you this before, and I’ll bet you’ll never believe me, but I’ve got a pitch for you now. You need to think about going to grad school in music and having an opera career. I think you’ve got it,” and you know, I didn’t believe him. So I went home one weekend and called up a voice teacher in my neighborhood ... and asked her if she would listen to me, and she said yes. I came over there, and I sang ... for her, and she sat me down and said, “Branch, I can’t tell you how bad I felt when you hung up the phone with me and I told you to come over. I thought ... how am I going to let this boy down easy?” Then she heard me sing, and she says, “I never thought I’d say this, but I agree with them. I think you should pursue music.” CT: What was your next step in pursuing music? FIELDS: Getting into Indiana for my master’s degree was huge. I was
able to study with a really famous bass named Giorgio Tozzi ... the voice that sings in the movie “South Pacific” for Rossano Brazzi. He sings “Some Enchanted Evening” and all of those. So, a real famous guy and a wonderful teacher. So that was my next step: getting a master’s degree at Indiana. Indiana was the No. 1 school in music back then, tied with Juilliard. CT: How did you get your start in the opera world? FIELDS: I got my start when I was taking lessons at Virginia Tech, and my voice teacher was the artistic director for Opera Roanoke. He asked me to be in the chorus of the opera. I think it was Don Giovanni. And that was my first experience. CT: You’ve preformed in a number of productions for New York City Opera and other operas throughout the nation — what has been your favorite production? FIELDS: I guess my debut at City Opera was huge. I thought I was going
to be nervous, and I was nervous, but I was nervous in a good way, and it was just an exhilarating feeling, just being out there. It was my New York debut so going into it I thought, “How am I going to deal with the nerves?” But once I was out there, it was nothing but positive and just a great night. When I came to the bow at the end of the show, I felt like falling on my knees and kissing the stage. Someone said I should have, but I didn’t. (Laughs) CT: Have you always been drawn to opera, or is it just because you have the voice for it that you find yourself doing it? FIELDS: I think it’s really just because people thought I had the voice for it. I’m not an opera snob. I’ll sing any kind of music that sounds good to sing. CT: Who are your favorite singers and musicians? FIELDS: Oh gee, um, I love Giorgio Tozzi, he’s my favorite opera singer. He and Cesare Siepi, but I like Frank
Sinatra, Michael Buble, and you know, I love Bono and Sting, all those guys. CT: How do you deal with the pressure of having to put yourself out there and sell yourself and your art? FIELDS: Well, it’s really in the hands of God. I deal with it from the religious standpoint that I’m just blessed. I have a voice to sing, and I don’t look at it as a burden, you know. And just think, it’s OK. I give it my best, and I don’t put pressure on myself to do any better than that, you know? I think that’s key to it. CT: What advice do you have for students pursuing a career in the arts? FIELDS: Um, keep your day job. (Laughs) Uh, no. It’s just the economy these days. It’s hard to think of something crazy like opera, but you know if you get advice, do it. Just make sure it’s the right decision, that people you trust are telling you you can do it, and then when you decide, give it everything you’ve got. I hinted to my first professor in marketing that I loved
music, and I was taking voice lessons, and I would really love to be a musician someday, and he said, “You know, if you go in that direction, you’ve got to give up everything else and just do that. Don’t dabble in other things and just dabble in music and expect to make it. You’ve got to give it 100 percent.” CT: Will you describe what the production at Tech is going to entail — give us a peek? FIELDS: Oh it’s going to be a big show. I’ve got a Shakespeare monologue that goes into a song setting of that monologue, a scene from an opera that was just written in 2007 between Pocahontas and John Rolfe. It’s pretty hot. (Laughs) And then, you know, traditional heart songs that are all my favorite, the most beautiful songs I know, that’s what I’m singing that night. And “Some Enchanted Evening” — I was on Broadway in the South Pacific, so I’ve got to do my bread and butter, which is “Some Enchanted Evening.”
sports 6
editors: joe crandley, alex jackson sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
september 17, 2009
Rugby: Working for former reputation Club lacrosse successful, costly GARRETT RIPA sports staff writer
The men’s lacrosse team finished 15-3 and made an appearance in the national championships last season — quite a feat for a club team. However, when it came time to purchase plane tickets to travel to the national championships, the team had no money. Left with no other option, coach Joel Nachlas purchased the team’s plane tickets for the trip to Dallas, Texas, himself and had to wait all summer to be reimbursed. It seems strange that a team requiring its traveling players to pay $2,200 in dues can run out of money, especially when the Club Sports Association at Tech covers most of the team’s league fees. But considering the expense of equipment, roughly $300, and travel and lodging costs for trips to locations ranging all the way from California to throughout the Southeast, it’s to be expected. So to cover the budget issue, the team raised dues for its 2009-2010 campaign to just over $3,000. “It’s a reasonably expensive proposition to put a competitive team on the field,” Nachlas said. “It’s not just lacrosse; Virginia Tech club sports are really good.” Team captain Jason Cadwell said the cost has certainly driven good athletes away from playing. “We lost people last year too. ... Cost has gone up for the past three years,” Cadwell said. The team’s dues are nearly double those of any other club team for one major reason: They travel on a coach bus with professional driver, whereas most clubs opt to rent vans or use their own vehicles to drive themselves. “It’s not safe in my estimation to play a contest and have a guy who’s just played a ballgame to get in a van and drive back,” Nachlas said. “It is a little more expensive, but in the long run, it’s worthwhile.” According to Nachlas, the increase in dues is mainly necessary because of the elevated expense of travel. In addition, the club sports budget has remained stagnant over the past five years. According to Alan Glick, assistant director of club sports, there
Men's Lacrosse Itinerary Winston-Salem, NC Tucson, AZ Phoenix, AZ Pittsburgh, PA Clemson, SC Columbia, SC Savannah, GA Atlanta, GA Dallas, TX LINDSEY BACHAND/COLLEGIATE TIMES
is currently $120,000 divided among 29 Tech club sports. Club teams receive anywhere from $2,000 to $9,500 each year. This funding originates from the student activity fee that every Tech student has to pay. The additional funding that each club sport requires is met with its members’ dues. Glick believes club sports provide “an opportunity to compete at a higher level and an incredible learning opportunity.” He is hopeful that alternative funding sources, such as alumni donations, can increase the club sports budget in the future. With the economy’s current state, however, it is unlikely that the club sports budget will see a noticeable increase anytime soon or that travel expenses will revert to previous levels. Coach Nachlas is hoping the added cost does not keep too many people from playing. “It’s an experience these kids use to enrich their college life, and they represent the university and do it well,” he said. As fall practice begins, Nachlas is optimistic about the new, young talent coming out to play. Despite financial hurdles, the team hopes another National Tournament qualification awaits this spring.
BRIAN CLAY/SPPS
All-American flanker Ryan Dill, who will sit out two games because of a red card last week, breaks away against Delaware last season.
RANKED NO. 19 IN THE PRESEASON, TECH RUGBY STRIVES FOR NATIONAL RECOGNITION IN 2009 from page one
State because of penalties, injury and family obligations. An All-American at flanker for Tech in 2008, Ryan Dill must sit out two games after getting a red card against Blacksburg RFC for performing a dump tackle. Tech planned to play Dill at scrumhalf for the first game of the season to replace Mike Giancola, who will be attending a wedding during the Penn State game, but now usual starting
fullback Brett Keyes will take over. Tony Pianta, normally a starting winger, will fill in for Keyes at fullback. In addition to the shuffling of multiple starters to different positions, starting winger Pierre DeLorme separated his shoulder against Blacksburg RFC and will miss six weeks. Tim Warner will take his place. Even with all the adversity prior to the conference opener, starting
flyhalf and captain Grant Furnary remains calm. “It’s going to be tough to overcome these injuries, and a lot of key players have to play in different positions, but I have all the confidence in the world that people can play well in the position that they’re put in,” Furnary said. Penn State isn’t the only daunting game on the Tech schedule. The team also has big games against No. 21 Rutgers, No. 17 Navy and No. 4 Kutztown. All three games will be played at home, something the team is hoping
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will give it the edge. “Those teams play a more condensed form of rugby, whereas we play a lot more of an open style, and since we have a pretty large field, it gives us the advantage,” Furnary said. Out of the eight teams in the MidAtlantic Conference, four will make the playoffs in the spring, but the team has aspirations beyond that. “It has been a long time since our team has been in the national spotlight, and I would like to see us back there this year as well as in upcoming years,” Conrad said.
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