Tuesday, September 29, 2009 Print Edition

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Tuesday, September 29, 2009

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COLLEGIATETIMES Greek Guide 106th year, issue 92

Learn more about the sororities and fraternities on campus. see pages six and seven

News, page 2

Kaine will not reconvene April 16 panel ZACH CRIZER nrv news editor Gov. Tim Kaine met with families of April 16, 2007 shooting victims Saturday in Richmond, again refusing to reconvene the Virginia Tech Review Panel.

More than 60 family members signed a petition to reconvene the panel following the discovery of shooter Seung-Hui Cho’s mental records in the home of former Cook Counseling Center Director Robert Miller.

Kaine again refused families’ requests to reconvene the panel Saturday, but offered an update on the progress of the report’s revision. Suzanne Grimes, whose son Kevin Sterne was injured in Norris Hall, said the two pending lawsuits against Tech and the state make it difficult for Kaine to offer too much information.

“I understand the governor is in a tough position,” Grimes said.

“He could produce a hundred copies of the report and I don’t think it would satisfy everyone.”

Grimes said she is more interested in why information was not available to the panel during the original 2007 investigation.

“Personally, I am concerned about the panel report, but why was it wrong to begin with?”

Grimes said. “They weren’t either given accurate information or weren’t supplied the information.”

She had hoped the report could serve as a preventative measure for the future.

“That’s the real tragedy,” Grimes said. “People have died, people have been permanently injured from April 16, but if other universities or corporations cannot learn from this tragedy then that is the real sad part. I said from day one I hope some good comes out of it, and unless the truth is fully disclosed, all the good is not going to come out of it.”

TriData, an independent information systems company, is currently compiling corrections for the report. The revised copy is due Oct. 31.

Other concerns were also addressed. Grimes said she would appreciate more information from the university on local events remembering or commemorating April 16.

“Some families don’t want anything to do with that kind of stuff, and then there are others that would like, if they are in the area,

news staff writer Virginia Tech Housing and Dining Services has filled the position of sustainability coordinator with a familiar face.

Rachael Budowle, a Tech alumna, began working for the university in July 2009 as an adjunct faculty member to develop a sustainable dining program on campus.

Budowle previously worked for the office of waste production and recycling for the town of Blacksburg.

Budowle applied for the job after the former coordinator, Andy Sarjahani, left Tech at the end of the last academic year.

“It’s really promising that we have a new guiding principle that supports sustainability, so we are going to strive to achieve sustainability in dining services,” Budowle said.

Opinions, page 5

Classifieds, page 4

Sudoku, page 4

Sports, page 8

Brewing questions

Hearing dates set for Cho lawsuits Initial hearing dates have been set in two identical lawsuits filed against Virginia Tech, the Commonwealth of Virginia and April 16, 2007 shooter Seung-Hui Cho’s estate.

According to the Montgomery County Circuit Court Web site, two “miscellaneous hearings” are scheduled for Dec. 14 and Dec. 15.

The families of two deceased shooting victims, Erin Peterson and Julia Pryde, filed the suits on April 16, 2009.

They were the only families that did not sign a settlement with the university and the state.

The suits name the university, the state, Cook Counseling Center, Cho’s estate and several individual university officials as defendants. Each suit seeks $10 million in damages.

Robert Miller, former director of Cook Counseling Center, located Cho’s mental health records in his home in July. Miller is also named as a defendant in the suits. by zach crizer to go to it,” Grimes said. “I think it’s more about the ethical treatment of family members.”

Grimes said Kaine shows a caring attitude toward the families.

“Gov. Kaine has always been receptive to anything family members have to say,” Grimes said. “It’s always a stressful time when you’re in a gathering like that. He does seem empathetic in one ear, and he is the governor of Virginia.”

The one future meeting with Kaine was also discussed. Some families lobbied for another formal gathering, while the governor proposed a meeting that would ease the transition for the families to Virginia’s next governor.

“I believe he wants to have a gathering that is more social, and we would be able to meet the new governor,” Grimes said.

Alumna named coordinator of sustainability ALLISON SANDERS

Features, page 3

Drop by the info booth across from ABP in Squires to get free stuff from the CT staff.

[ ] -recently named sustainability coordinator

BUDOWLE

She has been working to increase composting opportunities, divert excess food to local food banks, and reduce waste with reusable products in dining halls.

Students will be encouraged to refrain from taking their meals to-go from dining halls in order to decrease the use of non-recyclable materials.

Budowle received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in biology from Tech, as well as her master’s in animals and public policy from Tufts University.

HUSSEIN AHMED/SPPS

Although construction work is progressing, concrete plans for operation of the new library cafe have not yet materialized.

Library cafe plans inch along but remain fragmented GORDON BLOCK news reporter ajor construction at Newman Library wraps up in November, but plans for a new cafe space in the building’s first floor are far from finalized.

A major hurdle for completion of the $400,000 donor-funded project is determining who will operate the space. Preliminary plans for the space include a cafe serving beverages and light refreshments.

“We won’t be serving full meals,” said Donald Kenney, associate dean of administrative services and circulation for Virginia Tech’s University Libraries. “It will be similar to what’s served in Squires (Student Center).”

In looking for an operator for the space, the library was required to follow a university-set chain of command.

“We’re obligated to work with university-contracted services first,” Kenney said.

After first being declined through Dining Services, the library’s administration has started negotiations with Virginia Tech Services, Inc. The corporation, whose operations include

both the University Bookstore and Volume Two Bookstore, along with the Dietrick General Store, is excited about the project.

“We really like the project, and we think we can do great things with it,” said Charlie Whitescarver, associate director of Volume Two Bookstore. “We’re glad the library asked us to work with them on this.”

However, Whitescarver added that plans for the space were not fully set. He said VTS would submit a proposal to library officials “within a matter of weeks.”

“It’s a work in progress,” Whitescarver said. “A lot of things have to fall into place.”

Should VTS decline to operate the location, responsibility for the operation of the cafe would fall back to the library.

“I don’t see it being an issue,” said Dennis Herron, purchasing manager for University Libraries.

“We’re kind of familiar with an outside source working with us.

Library officials are preparing a proposal should negotiations falter with VTS. “What we’d have to do is get our proposal out there and find an outside group to do this,” Herron said. “We want to have it

HUSSEIN AHMED/SPPS

Library staff want to keep the cafe open during peak hours. ready to submit as soon as possible.”

A major concern for running the location is the cafe’s hours.

Kenney said it was a priority to keep the space open during busy days, particularly Sunday through Thursday.

“We will work with the vendor on that,” Kenney said.

However, before a decision will be made, the proposal will need to go through the university to ensure compliance with University Policy 3005, which covers business and commercial activities of Tech entities.

“There is a chance they could review the project and recommend changes,” Herron said.

The final decision on the proposal will be made by Dwight Shelton, vice president for finance and chief financial officer. Herron was hopeful the project would proceed smoothly.

“What we have to do is show how it benefits the university,” Herron said.

Library officials are hoping to unveil the completed space in time for the beginning of the spring 2010 semester.

Thursday trial to test alert system PRIYA SAXENA Wailing sirens, text messages, emails, desktop widgets, phone calls and LED message boards will bombard students in an Oct. 1 test of the VT Alerts system.

The Virginia Tech Police Department, Physical Plant, Office of Emergency Management and Information Technology decided to conduct the test between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., said Mark Owczarski, director of news and information.

The first test of the semester will seek to confirm that all alert systems, including the new PC and Mac desktop alert widget, are functioning properly.

“Every year, 25 percent of our students are new,” Owczarski said. “There are freshmen here who have never gotten any kind of message and need to know what it looks like.”

It also serves to train students how to find valuable information in times of emergency.

“The idea is for you to be aware and stay tuned for the in-depth info that you’re looking for, which will be on the university homepage,” Owczarski said.

Students will be notified according to

[ ] on the web

news staff writer

The VT Desktop Alerts application will be utilized for the first time by the university as part of Thursday’s test run of the alerts system. the method they selected.

Tech’s sirens are located on Dietrick Dining Center, Robeson Hall, Virginia Tech Power Plant, Plantation Road near the recreation fields off Southgate Drive and Tech Center Drive near the Brooks Forest Products Center. They can be heard throughout campus and in areas that are a part of the town of Blacksburg adjacent to campus.

The newest notification approach is the VT Desktop Alerts. This method sends a notification to registered computers or laptops, regardless of location as long as the user is connected to the Internet.

When an urgent message arrives in

the system, the desktop alert will go off by displaying a window as well as audio to go along with it, informing the user of details of the notice.

It is not required that users be on campus to download the application or obtain any alerts through this system.

“By downloading the application, you can run a test to see what it looks like, and you can see what it would be like during a real event,” Owczarski said.

Both the text message alert systems and e-mails require a confirmation from the user since this will be the only way the university is aware that a student has received the alert during

Should a student not receive an alert that he or she subscribed to through the VT Phone Alerts or VT Desktop Alerts during the test on Monday, he should visit the VT Alerts Web site at alerts.vt.edu and click the “Manage Your Account” link to check his contact information. If the information is accurate, and the student still did not receive an alert, he is urged to call 4Help at (540) 231-HELP (4357).

the test.

According to Owczarski, the VT Alerts have been successful so far. The goal is to get a hold of as many students, faculty and staff as quickly as possible in the event of an emergency.

“Our goal isn’t to surprise,” Owczarski said. “Our goal is to educate.”

Have a news tip? Call or text your tips and story ideas to 200-TIPS, or e-mail newstips@collegiatetimes.com.

2 news

new river valley news editor: zach crizer university editor: philipp kotlaba newseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES

[nation & world headlines]

Third largest utility quits Senate climate-change Chamber over opposition bill to be unveiled this to climate bill week WASHINGTON — Exelon, the nation’s biggest operator of nuclear power plants, said Monday that it’s quitting the U.S. Chamber of Commerce because of the business group’s lobbying against climate and energy legislation.

Last week two other large energy companies, Pacific Gas and Electric and PNM Resources, also quit the Chamber over objections to its stance on climate change.

The Chamber lobbied vigorously against the climate bill that narrowly passed the House in June. The measure would set an annually declining cap on emissions and set up a system of tradable emissions allowances, and also included incentives for renewable energy and efficiency. Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., plan to unveil their draft of a Senate version Wednesday.

Exelon chairman and chief executive John Rowe called for support for the legislation and announced the company’s decision to leave the Chamber during a speech at a conference of the American Council for an EnergyEfficient Economy.

The nuclear industry could benefit from legislation that raises fossil fuel costs, and the industry’s interests are expected to be a key topic in the Senate debate. Roughly 50 percent of U.S. electric power is generated from burning coal, more than any other source.

“The carbon-based free lunch is over. But while we can’t fix our climate problems for free, the price signal sent through a cap-andtrade system will drive low-carbon investments in the most inexpensive and efficient way possible,” Rowe said.

The company said in a statement that its commitment to climate legislation was the reason it wasn’t renewing its membership in the Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber, the nation’s largest business lobby, contends that the climate legislation would curtail energy from coal and other fossil fuels, creating energy scarcity that would increase prices. It has also argued that the legislation wouldn’t result in a cut in greenhouse gases globally because the reduction would be outweighed by the growth of emissions from developing countries.

“The bottom line is that there’s rarely unanimous agreement among our membership on any given issue,” said Chamber spokesman Eric Wohlschlegel, noting that the Chamber of Commerce represents more than three million companies.

Wohlschlegel also described the House climate bill as “fundamentally flawed” and said the Chamber was “focused on trying to find sensible solutions to the challenges of climate change.” by renee schoof, mcclatchy newspapers

WASHINGTON — Two top Senate Democrats are set to introduce a climatechange bill this week that would put new limits on carbon emissions, as world leaders prepare for a climate summit in Denmark after agreement last week by the G20 nations on phasing out subsidies for fossil fuels.

Sens. Barbara Boxer, the California Democrat who chairs the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and John Kerry, D-Mass., will reportedly unveil their bill on Wednesday after months of closeddoor meetings. The bill will be modeled largely on legislation passed by the House of Representatives in June that aims to cut carbon emissions by 17 percent by 2020 and more than 80 percent by 2050 compared to 2005 levels, reported ClimateWire and other publications.

But it’s unclear how far the bill will get this year, or how fast. The bill from Kerry and Boxer would come as senators are intensely busy with health-care legislation, President Barack Obama’s top domestic priority.

Obama is aiming to sign a health-care overhaul this year that would cut costs and cover the uninsured.

At the same time, the Boxer-Kerry bill also comes just over two months before a Dec. 7 meeting in Copenhagen, where world leaders are hoping to finalize a new agreement to reduce greenhouse gases. At last week’s G20 meeting in Pittsburgh, leaders pledged to “intensify (their) efforts, in cooperation with other parties, to reach agreement in Copenhagen.” But observers say there is little time for Congress to finish a bill before the Copenhagen conference.

“I don’t think expectations are that a bill will be signed, sealed and delivered by that point,” says Environmental Defense Fund spokesman Tony Kreindler. “There’s not a lot of legislating room between now and December.”

Indeed, a climate-change bill faces a steep uphill climb in the Senate after passing the House on a narrow 219 to 212 vote in June.

Republicans have consistently portrayed Democrats’ efforts to reduce global warming as a tax on families and businesses, and say it will lead to loss of jobs and U.S. competitiveness. Moreover, Democrats from industryheavy states like Michigan and Ohio want breaks for manufacturing industries that would be affected by the legislation’s caps on emissions.

Obama argues that the House bill will create jobs through new energy investments, but critics say the “cap and trade” system at the heart of the bill amounts to a tax. Under the “cap and trade” system, companies would buy and sell permits to meet emissions limits. by robert schroeder, marketwatch

Honduran regime’s crackdown on dissent condemned TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — The de facto government of Honduras that took power three months ago found itself increasingly isolated Monday after suspending basic civil rights and closing down television and radio stations allied with ousted President Manuel Zelaya.

Governments ranging from the United States to Chile to France condemned the moves, as did the Organization of American States, Human Rights Watch and the leading candidate for president in Honduras.

Interim President Roberto Micheletti’s moves caught most observers by surprise because the government seemed to have the upper hand since Zelaya sneaked back into Honduras a week ago and sought refuge at the Brazilian Embassy.

Government troops have trapped Zelaya inside the embassy, and he’s failed to muster a groundswell of public support. The Micheletti government, however, felt threatened by Zelaya’s call for his supporters to launch “a final offensive” Monday.

For now, at least, the Micheletti government seems dug in. It issued a decree late Sunday that suspends civil liberties for as long as 45 days “to guarantee peace and public order in the country and because of the calls for insurrection that Mr. Zelaya has publicly made.”

The decree prohibits unauthorized gatherings and permits the police to arrest “any person who poses a danger to his own life or those of others” without the judicial warrant that’s usually required.

It also allows the government to close TV and radio stations temporarily that “attack peace and public order.”

Two stations that the government closed Monday morning — Radio Globo and Channel 36 — have served as outlets for Zelaya and his leading supporters to organize rallies and get out their message.

“Some radio stations and TV stations have been inciting violence,” Micheletti said at a news conference Monday at which he also called for “dialogue” between the two sides and said that civil liberties would be restored soon.

“Roberto Micheletti has effectively outlawed public criticism,” Jose Miguel Vivanco, the Americas director at Human Rights Watch, added in a statement. “This kind of decree has been the norm for authoritarian rulers — from Chile’s Pinochet to Cuba’s Castros — who tolerate freedom of speech only when it favors the government.”

Honduras’ Congress elevated Micheletti to the presidency after soldiers whisked Zelaya out of the country June 28. They did so after a court order called for his removal from office for violating the constitution when he tried to hold a public referendum June 28 to change the constitution.

The Obama administration and virtually all foreign leaders have said that not reinstating Zelaya to power would encourage coups in the region. by tyler bridges, mcclatchy newspapers

Experts remain wary of swine flu BOB LAMENDOLA sun sentinel FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Swine flu is not a danger for what it is, the experts say. It’s a danger for what it could be.

That’s why officials are pushing swine flu vaccine, which should start arriving as early as Oct. 6.

The new H1N1 virus arrived in the United States six months ago Sept.

21, and still creates enough doubts that experts nationwide don’t know whether it will stay mild or become serious.

“So far the virus isn’t that dangerous. It’s more the potential than the reality that we’re worried about,” said Dr. Giorgio Tarchini, an infectious disease specialist at Cleveland Clinic in Weston, Fla. As the new bug circulates, health officials fear it may mix with others to create a new version that spreads faster or causes more deaths. For instance, the bird flu that appeared in Asia in 2006 kills most who get it but does not spread easily in humans. A bad scenario would be if that bird flu combined with the new, easily spread H1N1, said Virginia flu expert Richard Wenzel, past president of the International Society for Infectious Diseases.

Such fears may get worse as the number of swine flu infections are expected to grow through fall. The virus is expected to be the prevalent strain this flu season. Only time will tell if such fears are justified.

Experts have seen key differences between swine flu and seasonal flu: Number of cases: Health officials estimate more than a million Americans caught swine flu so far and millions more will likely get it this winter — more than come down with seasonal flu.

Deaths: From all those infected, about 600 have died. That’s a death rate half that of seasonal flu, which kills tens of thousands per year.

Hospitalizations: Rates in swine flu are 1 to 2 per 10,000 people, varying by age. That’s about half the rate of seasonal flu in infants and seniors, but about the same or slightly higher for others.

Who gets it: People ages 4 to 25 have the highest rates of infection from swine flu; those over 65 have the lowest. That’s opposite of seasonal flu,

which mainly kills infants and seniors.

Older folks may have partial immunity to the new flu from past exposures to a swine flu, but doctors worry there are other unknown reasons.

Who dies: The young get it, but the new virus mainly kills middle-aged sick people. Sixty-six of 87 deaths in Florida (26 of 36 in South Florida) were in ages 25 to 64. Almost 80 percent of the victims had an underlying illness like heart disease, lung disease and immune weakness, the state Department of Health said.

“They die from the complications that flu causes,” said Dr. Larry Bush, an infectious disease expert in Atlantis.

“Maybe they get some other infection at the same time and they can’t fight it all off.”

Unexplained cases: Dr. John Livengood, director of disease prevention at the Broward County Health Department, said he has looked at the eight deaths in the county and can’t find much in common between them.

Six were middle-aged men, one was a baby boy, one was 22. A couple had no explanation, he said, just healthy people who didn’t recover.

Erika Dopazo has seen both sides of the new flu. At 25, the marketing assistant in South Beach had never had the flu until late July, when she developed a fever of 101 degrees with bad chest congestion, cough, chills, aches and nausea. The swine flu made her as sick as she has ever been, but she got some medication and was back to normal within a week.

Weeks later, one of her friends died at age 27 after a monthlong illness complicated by swine flu.

“It wasn’t really that bad for me. But it can be,” Dopazo said.

Flu expert Wenzel agreed: “This (flu) looks particularly unkind in that sense. (Some) people fighting for their lives in intensive care units are young people who have no underlying medical problem.”

Some recent developments worry experts. A dozen cases of new flu were found to be resistant to Tamiflu, an antiviral drug that can lessen the severity.

Also, the World Health Organization this week said two dozen cases of swine flu were resistant to the vaccine. On the plus side, everyone who had the flu will be immune to getting it again.

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editors: topher forhecz, teresa tobat featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES

Follow the grapevine through Gallery combines technology and art Blacksburg’s wine scene DAN WAIDELICH features reporter

JOHNATHAN PIPPIN/SPPS Although it started with a meager 50 bottles in its collection, the Vintage Cellar now boasts over 800 varieties of wine.

DEVELOP YOUR OWN REFINED PALETTE BY FINDING WINE TASTINGS AROUND THE AREA

D

on’t get me wrong; I’m a big fan of slap-the-bag, but there’s a time and a place for it. For me, what comes to mind is freshman year, Slusher Wing 211 — both my place of residence and my choice locale for inebriation. For those who wish to graduate from Franzia and begin to explore the intoxicating world of wines, Blacksburg and the New River Valley offer a variety of choices for everyone, from an amateur white zinfandel sipper to a full-bodied red connoisseur.

For an easy start for complete beginners, visit the Vintage Cellar located at 1338 S. Main St. Every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., this unique wine nook offers a wine tasting comprised of seven full bottles free of charge.

Owner Keith Roberts beams with pride over what his store has become.

Formerly the owner of Old Man and the Sea, a fresh seafood market, he showed me what his wine selection used to consist of.

“See this rack? This was what I had. I built it myself,” Roberts said, remembering when his collection doubled to offer about 50 bottles.

When he saw wine sales growing and seafood sales waning, he took a chance and renamed his business the “Vintage Cellar.”

Growing popularity of his weekly tasting, now in its 25th year, he ditched the last shrimp and hasn’t looked back since.

Along with wine, the Vintage Cellar also boasts over 800 varieties of beer. Its primary focus is on education, which the staff encourages by answering questions and researching wines extensively for each customer.

Manager Randall Horst offered me a small tasting of four wines on the house.

Horst informed me on each wine, from a $4 Portuguese Sauvignon Blanc to a complex blend of Spanish reds that came home with me for

under $10. On Saturdays, employees form The Cellar ensure that each taster leaves with any questions answered.

A trip down North Main brings me to Zeppoli’s and a long talk with owner Doris Fleming: half-Italian and full wine enthusiast. Zeppoli’s showcases not only rich, authentic Italian food and a full wine store, but also one of the cheapest, most impressive date ideas in Blacksburg.

Every other Wednesday for $15, you can enjoy an hour and a half of wine tasting and heavy hors d’euvres.

The food served is always paired with each chosen wine, from the notable Italian cuisine and Chianti that Zeppoli’s is known for to tapas paired with Spanish Rioja’s that seem to be on all wine lovers’ tongues lately. Fleming, who spent time studying at an Italian culinary school, appreciates the importance of enjoying a long meal with wine. It is a practice that is merely protocol in Europe and has become ingrained in her as well. For this reason, Zeppoli’s hasn’t ever instituted any markups on its wines, whether taking a bottle home or dining in the restaurant. Customers can enjoy any bottle of wine from its selection with their meal for standard retail price, plus a $2 corking fee.

“To save money, I’m always tempted to have a few glasses with friends before going to dinner,” Fleming said. “Here we want everyone to enjoy wine with their dinner.”

To reserve a tasting spot, Fleming recommends calling the Sunday before. Both the 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. time slots fill up quickly.

If local tastings aren’t exotic enough to quench your nowgrowing wine affinity, less than an hour drive brings an afternoon’s

worth of award-winning wine tasting and touring. Chateau Morrisette Winery is located along the Blueridge Parkway in Floyd County, and the beauty of the grounds alone is worth the drive.

Originally named Wool Wine Winery, which the owners agreed became too much of a tongue-twister after a few glasses, the chateau has been around for 27 years. A tour of the winery lets guests experience part of the history as well as every aspect of the wine-making process, from squishing the grapes to labeling and shipping the bottles.

Following the tour, guests are led to a wine cellar bar to experience 19 of Chateau Morrisette’s wines. For $5 you can sample them all and keep the glass.

While the chateau is a popular spot, most tours and tastings average only six guests giving a more personal feel to a somewhat overwhelming assortment of wines. Following their extensive demonstration, guests are welcome to browse the unique wine and gift shop or wander around the property. Be sure to pet one of the wine dogs that have their run of the place.

Although far from both Tuscany and Napa Valley, Blacksburg and the New River Valley offer a wide variety of outlets to appreciate and take in wine culture. A five-liter box of wine may still make you the life of the party, but take the time to learn enough to at least sound like you know what you’re talking about. It helps even if to only navigate the wine aisle in Kroger.

LIZ NORMENT -features staff writer -senior international business, fashion major -has a collection of over 600 wine corks

Digital arms dangle from the wall of a gallery. As visitors walk through the room talking and making noise, the arms stretch out toward them.

This strange interaction between sound and art is just one exhibit of the new Experiential Gallery for Creative Technologies located in Kent Square.

The arms of “Always Uncoupled” are the work of Dane Webster, assistant professor in the School of Visual Arts.

Webster’s appendages respond to sound captured by a microphone hidden in the gallery. When visitors move around, the sounds make the arms dance.

The Experiential Gallery is meant to encourage exploration of the use of technology in the arts, said Truman Capone, director of the gallery.

“As people visit the gallery,” Capone said, “whether they are artists or children or just in town for a football game, they can get ideas about where technology can take them.”

A joint venture between the School of Education, School of Visual Arts and Collaborative for Creative Technologies in the Arts and Design, the gallery focuses on providing the community with a powerful and engaging digital art experience.

The exhibits currently on display are the products of education enhancement collaboration grants given to faculty members who attempted to bridge the gap between art and technology.

“Merging Arts and Engineering Education via Rapid Prototyping” is an exhibit by Christopher Williams, assistant professor of mechanical engineering.

Williams uses a computer to create a digital design, which he then sends to a rapid prototyping machine. The machine then physically recreates his design in a variety of materials such as silicone or clay.

The arts application of engineering technology not only appealed to Williams, but it also represents one of the missions of the gallery.

“This is the momentum that is needed,” Capone said. “We are seeing a bigger buy-in of these kinds of things from around the community.”

The Experiential Gallery is not only a platform for the development of digital arts, but also a space designed for education.

Liesl Baum, the gallery’s educational specialist, hopes the venue will one day host educational programming

HANNA TEACHEY/SPPS

This 3-D puzzle of Darth Vader is on display at the Experiential show.

Gallery Info

[ ] Location: Kent Square 205 S. Main St., Suite 216 Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday noon-2 p.m. & 6-8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

For large groups: The gallery is open to special programming for groups by appointment. To make reservations during non-operating hours for large groups, contact Emily Appleby (appleby@vt.edu) or Liesel Baum (licombs@vt.edu).

for students from kindergarten to high school.

“Really this is all about questioning the process,” Baum said. “If they are good with technology, maybe this will help them see that there is a place for them in the arts.”

Children who visit the gallery will be encouraged to play and ask questions.

The computers that run each exhibit will not always be hidden so students can see how each piece works.

“The idea is that the kids can kind of see the man behind the curtain,” Baum said.

Exploring the behind-the-scenes workings of the gallery offers another

layer to an already immersive digital experience.

Each of the eight exhibits in the gallery is an independent program, and each required a unique placement.

Bobby Beaton, a doctorate student in computer science, is largely responsible for the keeping the gallery’s technology in order.

Beaton’s passion for the digital aspects of the gallery kept him working through many late nights in the space.

“Everything in here is custom wired and has a custom rigging,” Beaton said.

“It was all do-it-yourself, hand-built.”

The Experiential Gallery offers a unique experience that celebrates the joining of the artistic and technological communities in Blacksburg.

The current exhibits in the gallery will be in place until December. Capone anticipates the future of the gallery will include mobile media pieces and exhibits that explore art created from science and math.

“The Experiential Gallery is a great addition to what I like to call the ‘Arts Quarter’ in Blacksburg,” Capone said. “Athletics have their area and so do the sciences. Now the arts have downtown.”

september 29, 2009

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opinions 5

editor: debra houchins opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES

september 29, 2009

The Collegiate Times is an independent student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903

Your Views [letters to the editor]

Nuclear grant has more to it

A

re there really no conflicts of interests here?

According to the article “Tech receives nuclear grant” (CT, Sept. 15), Virginia Tech is slated to “implement” the money Virginia Uranium, Inc. will pay to the National Academy of Sciences for its services in performing a research study, which is to determine if uranium mining and milling can be done safely in Virginia.

Tech’s newspaper, Collegiate Times, recently featured a picture of a mushroom-shaped atomic bomb blast cloud with the title “Virginia Tech’s History of Nuclear Energy” with the chronological dates of the program’s inception (1953), its disbanding (1990s) and its revival (2007).

Strangely included are the dates of the Three Mile Island disaster in Pennsylvania (1979) and the Chernobyl disaster in Russia (1986). It also lists the $850,000 nuclear grant money (2009) received from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The article by Liana Bayne relates the NRC nuclear grant money, $850,000, which will go toward hiring new professors to “revitalize” Tech’s nuclear engineering program.

Now, I shudder to think what the school’s newspaper was thinking to post such a photograph, but it should cause more than an uneasy pause for the members of the NAS governing board, which is currently deliberating whether its prestigious institution should contract with Tech to do a study when the school, as the

above article states, is clearly enjoying “a taste of the nuclear renaissance.”

Let’s recap: VUI wants to excavate an $8 billion to $10 billion uranium ore body at Coles Hill in Chatham, Va., and is the only entity that has offered to pay for the proposed NAS study. Tech wants to revitalize its nuclear engineering program and is well on track in doing so by receiving nuclear grant money ($850,000) from the NRC. (This is on top of a $300,000 grant it received last year for this program.) Tech will utilize VUI’s north and south mines at Coles Hill, and its milling facility, as field laboratories for its students, which will be part of the curriculum of the nuclear engineering program. (In the past, Tech graduate students have already been on the site doing various studies on the un-mined uranium ore body at Coles Hill.) Tech will be the conduit to “implement” the estimated $1.2 million to $1.4 million VUI plans to pay NAS for doing the research study — a study it needs in order to overturn Virginia’s moratorium on the mining and milling of uranium.

I have to ask, are there really no conflicts of interest here?

And what does a mushroomshaped atomic bomb blast cloud have to do with Tech’s revival of its nuclear engineering program? Will NAS disregard the obvious connection between the revival of Tech’s nuclear engineering program and its role to “implement” the money VUI will pay the NAS to do a research study?

Does NAS have blinders on?

Anne Cocknell Danville, Va.

Student Org [active minds]

Improvements not enough, our ideas must change also P

lace yourself in the early 18th century with no cars, electricity or Internet.

Imagine a little boy growing up, playing with his brothers and sisters and assorted neighborhood children. As he gets older, his parents start noticing strange behavior that they didn’t notice in their other children. He is very anxious and often worries about things that seem unimportant to everyone else. He begins picking fights with his older siblings and is convinced they are out to get him. By the time he is in his late teens, his behavior is almost out of control. He complains about hearing voices and feels worthless and powerless. After several run-ins with the local police, he gets thrown into jail, which only increases his aggressive behavior. Finding him difficult for prison guards to handle, a judge assigns him to a state “moral correction facility” where he will have a chance to learn the expectations and values of society.

Once in this institution, he is set aside and deemed unfit to actively engage in normal society along with others who act similarly to him.

Unfortunately, this man was not alone in the isolation of such an elementary system.

Mental institutions have had a dark and eerie past in American history. Beginning in the eighteenth century, the idea of confining the mentally ill in “hospitals” seemed like an acceptable way to isolate people with severe mental disorders. These “moral” institutions were designed to contain patients that could not be held in a normal jail. Mental patients would be chained or otherwise contained in rooms that were overcrowded and unsanitary. There were several theories as to why people were deemed mentally insane at this point in time, but most theories believed that physical punishment was the best option in disciplining patients.

As time trickles by, new ideas that focus on an individual’s mental health emerge. Mental

institutions concentrate on the patients’ well-being and create clean and comfortable environments for them to live in. New medication is enabling people to leave institutions earlier and live independently.

New research and counseling methods teach patients better coping strategies so they can regain control over their lives.

However, even though there have been a lot of improvements from the 18th century, there are still negative stereotypes surrounding mental health.

The history of mental illness and institutions offer a good explanation of how mental health gets stigmatized. Stigma refers to negative attitudes and beliefs that result in fear, avoidance and judgment of people with mental illnesses.

Because of the stigma, those with mental disorders might be subject to a lack of confidence, isolation and a feeling of being powerless. Someone who experiences these emotions may even avoid seeking treatment.

Kathie Snow summed up the idea of battling the stigma perfectly in her article titled “A New Way of Thinking.”

She writes: “We do not need to change people with disabilities! We need to change ourselves and how we think about disability. When we think differently, we’ll talk differently. When we think and talk differently, we’ll act differently. When we act differently we’ll be creating change in ourselves and our communities. In the process, the lives of people with disabilities will be changed, as well.”

To read her entire article or learn more about stigma and mental health go to www.disabilityisnatural.com.

Active Minds is also focusing on removing stigma during Mental Health Week starting Oct. 5.

CANDACE LOHR & DANIELLE KANE -Lohr is the president of Active Minds at Virginia Tech

MCT CAMPUS

Asians largest minority on campus, often neglected W

ithin the next few days, the university will release the latest figures of the makeup of the student body. The numbers will show that around 73 percent of students are White/Caucasian, while the remaining 27 percent will be broken down as either African-Americans, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Asian/Pacific Islander, International and Other. While the numbers are broken down per the federal standards for race/ethnicity, these are not the only underrepresented populations on the campus.

When it comes to the services that Virginia Tech provides to the different populations, the one group that remains largely forgotten is the Asian/ Pacific Islander group. It is the largest minority group on campus, and the feeling is that it is not underrepresented. Some argue that the group is overrepresented and does not need help. Where is it overrepresented?

National studies show that Asian/ Pacific Islander students face similar issues as their other underrepresented counterparts, but often because of the stereotypes and biases, these tend to be ignored. At the recent Multicultural Luncheon, the speaker Sondra Thiederman talked about understanding our own biases and those biases that are seen in society.

We have often heard these biases or stereotypes, and we have seen how society has treated this population, from the laws passed in the 1800s against Asian workers to the internment of Asian-Americans during

World War II. I believe that it is time for individuals at Tech to let go of their biases and begin to recognize the needs of this particular community. It is disappointing that the only spotlight that this group has received is during times of crisis such as during April 16, 2007 or this past January. Once the spotlight fades, things go back to the old pattern of ignoring this group.

Nonetheless, the Tech Asian/Pacific Islander students have done a good job in representing themselves. There is the Asian American Student Union (AASU), which serves as an umbrella group to a wealth of different Asian student organizations. Its member groups include the Filipino American Student Association (FASA), which has held a widely successful and popular cultural show for almost 20 years.

When you look at the faculty side, there is no equivalent faculty group.

Other groups have caucuses like the Black Caucus, LGBT Caucus, Hispanic Caucus, but there is no Asian Caucus. Some argue that because of the diversity within the Asian community, you could not bring this entire faculty together. If the students can do it, then why not the faculty?

Offices such as the Cranwell International Center, which works with international students, and that of Multicultural Programs and Services (MPS), which advises AASU, provide some support to the Asian community. Still, the efforts pale in

comparison to other institutions where you find a different approach with services available for all of the underrepresented groups, regardless of numbers.

It is ironic that as the university explores ways it can increase the recruitment and retention of underrepresented students it continues to exclude and ignore Asian/Pacific Islander students.

It is vital that Tech begins to recognize the needs of this group and see it as part of the underrepresented groups on this campus. Will considering it hurt the other groups?

If we provide the services and opportunities for underrepresented students to be successful, then the same should be afforded to this population.

Does being the largest minority on campus automatically deny them consideration? What happens when another group takes over the role of being the largest minority group on the campus? Will the institution no longer consider its particular needs?

Let’s do something now to be proactive with this and other communities rather than waiting until the next crisis situation.

RAYMOND PLAZA -regular columnist -faculty -academic support services

Counterinsurgence will need to continue in Afghanistan R

ecent United States policy on Afghanistan has been fairly unified. President Barack Obama’s administration has faced no obstacles in implementing its promise to deploy a significant increase in U.S. troops to Afghanistan in the hopes of overwhelming the Taliban and other insurgent forces. It is thus clear there is still quite a will among the American citizens to support this war (much more so than in Iraq).

Yet, the mere number of troops is arguably not the most important strategy in the overall mission of stabilizing the Afghan government.

There are many who say that “reconciliation” is the key. In the July/August 2009 issue of Foreign Affairs, Fotini Christia and Michael Semple forward this idea in their article, “Flipping the Taliban: How to Win in Afghanistan.”

According to the authors, reconciliation is a process by which the Taliban can be dealt with by the Afghan government, the U.S. and NATO-led forces and the Pakistani government, which “enables insurgent commanders and their supporters to realign with the Afghan government” (p.

35).

This may sound whimsical at first, but a closer look at the nature of Afghani insurgencies suggests otherwise. Afghani fighters — even among the Taliban — are a very heterogeneous mix, with a history of switching sides in conflicts and disputes. This is at least partially true because they are not all driven by the same ideologies and interests. According to Christia and Semple, “few factors have motivated Afghan commanders over the years more than the desire to end up on the winning side. They have often switched camps mid-conflict. ...

Their rationale was obvious: in a war

that drags on, changing camps means living and holding on to power, as well as saving one’s family and one’s village” (p. 35-36).

So how then does one reconcile a significant amount of the current Afghani insurgents to a cause supported by these U.S.-led outside forces? It all starts with payment. Given the heterogeneous mix of interests among the insurgents, greater financial incentives to fight for the Afghan government — or at least not fight against it — could convince throngs of would-be enemies to become allies of the country’s vulnerable government.

According to Michael O’Hanlon, in his April 2009 article for the Brookings Institute “Toward Reconciliation in Afghanistan,” the size and population of Afghanistan suggest that there should be at least 600,000 security forces in the country during this conflict. The April count of security forces in Afghanistan was roughly 200,000 people, with 60,000 Western troops and 140,000 Afghan troops and police forces (p. 3). The U.S. is in the process of implementing another 30,000 troops and has agreed to help the Afghans double the size of their army (O’Hanlon, p. 4). Therefore, the total number of security forces in the country should reach 300,000 in the next year.

It is thus quite auspicious how Christia and Temple display a realistic capability for the U.S.-led forces to pay 250,000 current Afghani insurgents to side with the government. “In Iraq, the U.S. government put 100,000 Sunni gunmen on payroll, many — if not most — of them former insurgents, for about $300 a month each. That amounts to $30 million

a month, a reasonable amount given the costs of the war. In Afghanistan, the same amount could be used to give as many as 250,000 insurgents about $120 a month, which is equal to the average monthly salary of a low-ranking member of the Afghan National Army,” (p. 42).

Therefore, it is not out of the realm of possibility for there to be 550,000 security forces or more in Afghanistan at some point in the near future. But even more important than the overall number is the fact that a large chunk of these potential forces could be former insurgents, which obviously would weaken the insurgency as it stands today, and would provide the Afghan government with the most experienced and knowledgeable (of the country’s conditions) forces they could find.

In the end, we will have to keep enhancing our counterinsurgency strategies in Afghanistan. With the incongruent mix of Taliban fighters, tribal leaders representing a mix of interests, but often merely seeking the best chance of survival, those associated with the country’s robust drug trade, and many others, improving the Afghan government’s ability to reconcile these often negotiable entities seems to be the wisest course of action for the U.S., our allies and the Afghan government.

And it would best serve the needs of the Afghani people.

MICHAEL SAGE -regular columnist -grad student -international affairs

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6 greek guide

COLLEGIATETIMES

Greek etiquette seeks to uphold traditions HOPE MILES news staff writer

Fraternity and sorority etiquette has been passed down through generations and emphasizes respect and ritual.

Greek etiquette “centers around the word respect,” said Michael Doughty, Sigma Chi consul.

When conducting themselves in public, fraternity and sorority members are expected to hold themselves to the standards of the Greek system.

Cynthia Weston, National Panhellenic Conference area adviser for Virginia Tech, said they are expected to behave responsibly and show dignity and kindness.

“Imagine you’re always wearing letters,” said Matthew Karny, president of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. “Everything you do reflects on the fraternity and its members.”

Doughty said much of the etiquette Greeks live by is overlooked. Although the Greek community participates in a variety of community service and philanthropy, it is overshadowed by the perception that Greeks spend most of their time attending parties, drinking in letters, or that the initiation process is fraught with hazing.

Karny said it is an honor for Greek members to wear the letters of their organization, and they are not allowed to wear letters until after their pledge, or associate member, process is completed.

“The associate member process is completed, and they have gone through the ritual of initiation,” Karny said.

“This opportunity varies by chapter for sorority members. Greek members work hard to meet the specific Greek standards and take great pride in wearing letters.”

All Greek members are encouraged not to wear letters in environments associated with alcohol.

“There are many negative connotations associated with drinking that we don’t want our fraternity to be associated with,” Karny said.

Doughty said alcohol use is not a trait Greeks seek to portray.

“It reflects badly on the organization as a whole,” Doughty said.

Fraternities and sororities look to

“Robert’s Rules of Order”when it comes to how parliamentary procedures are supposed to be carried out. They also conduct informal and formal meetings several times a month, depending on the organization’s by-laws.

Most Greek organizations have secret ritual etiquettes unique to their chapter.

“Humans commemorate life-changing events with ceremonies,” Weston said.

She said the rituals encourage associate members to learn the history and values of the organization as well as bond with the members.

Doughty said rituals are the “glue that bonds each brother at a national and chapter level.”

Rituals for incoming members have remained the same through history.

Members of the organizations would not reveal specifics of the rituals.

Many Greek organizations have secret handshakes that only members of their specific organization are aware of. Rules prohibit sharing the ritualistic handshake with those outside the organization.

“I was at a career fair, and on my resume it indicated I was in Sigma Chi. An employer came up to me and gave me our secret handshake. It helped me establish immediate rapport with the employer,” said senior Ross Miles, a brother of Sigma Chi. During the rush and recruitment process, fraternity and sorority brothers and sisters try to make potential new members feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible.

“Everyone is stressed, but new recruits should genuinely feel welcome around the members,” Weston said.

“During recruitment, I spilled a drink and was so embarrassed. Members of that chapter were so genuine and made me feel so comfortable. It was not (a) big deal. I felt like they had been my friends forever.”

The various chapters organize and promote various rush events to get to know potential new members.

“We try to pick events the brothers enjoy to attract people with the same values and interests,” Karny said. “This ensures each associate member will feel comfortable and fit in with the brothers.”

Greek life at Virginia Tech

Greek groups outside IFC, PHC thrive LIANA BAYNE news staff writer Many students have a single view of A-frame signs laden with Greek letters and T-shirts encouraging them to “Go Greek,” but there are options outside the Interfraternity and Panehellenic Councils.

The United Council of Fraternities and Sororities is an umbrella organization for six fraternities and sororities based around ethnicity and religious beliefs. Additionally, there are numerous “uncounciled” fraternities and sororities based around academic and professional support and development.

Senior international studies major Andrew Ton, current president of the UCFS, said that the smaller, newer council is a good source of support for smaller Greek organizations.

“It’s a way to build that community base,” Ton said.

Since the UCFS organizations, both counciled and uncounciled, are

based around specific interests and lifestyles, many of the groups have smaller numbers of members who know one another well.

Senior civil engineering major Erin Burdick is the current president of Alpha Omega Epsilon, an uncounciled sorority for female engineers.

“You don’t have a lot of girls in your engineering classes,” Burdick said.

But with about 60 sorority members taking the same types of classes, “I have built in homework buddies,” she said.

Alpha Omega Epsilon is both a professional and a social sorority. Because it is composed solely of female engineers, “we’re all in the same boat,” Burdick said.

Upperclassmen willingly tutor underclassmen, saving notes and knowledge to pass on to future classes. At the same time, the group participates in philanthropies and social activities with various IFC and PHC organizations, as well as other independent student groups.

Other uncounciled groups focus more closely on the academic side of life.

Senior accounting and information systems major Adam Sharrow heads Beta Alpha Psi, the professional co-ed honors organization for accounting and finance majors.

To be accepted, students must be a junior or senior with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The group focuses on supporting members’ future professional careers.

At every meeting, at least one speaker from an accounting or finance firm comes to talk with Beta Alpha Psi members.

“You get exposed to recruiters and professionals in a one-on-one setting every other week,” Sharrow said. “You don’t get that in other situations. It really gives you a leg up on the competition.”

Beta Alpha Psi also offers tutoring to underclassmen enrolled in

accounting courses. Additionally, it participates in a volunteer-run income tax assistance service. Many members of Beta Alpha Psi are also involved with other Greek organizations.

Other groups, notably those involved with the UCFS such as Sigma Psi Zeta, focus on supporting their members’ lifestyles and backgrounds rather than their academic concentrations.

Junior marketing major Judith Hwang, Sigma Psi Zeta president, categorized her organization as a “multicultural Asian interest sorority.”

“It’s sometimes harder for Asians to adjust to PHC sororities,” Hwang said. “There’s not a lot of multicultural girls in PHC.” Sigma Psi Zeta works to promote multiculturalism on campus. It also associates closely with other student organizations, such as the AsianAmerican Student Union.

Ton originally got involved with the UCFS while seeking friends from his own cultural background that he may not have found in larger organizations.

“It’s more than just a general pool of students,” Ton said.

Hwang said that even though her organization is small, it is open to new members.

“You don’t have to be Asian,” she said. “We have a lot of different cultures and ethnicities. But we all grew up in the same kind of multicultural environment.”

Hwang also said that since Sigma Psi Zeta only has eight active members currently on campus, the interpersonal bonds are deep.

“We do a lot more work,” Hwang said. “Every single event is mandatory for all of us.”

Although being a member of a smaller organization does bring more personal responsibility to each person, Ton said that the groups are usually closely-knit.

“It’s easier to know every single person when you have 10 other

brothers as opposed to 50,” Ton said.

Even among larger uncounciled groups, the support system based on mutual interest remains.

“We have 60-some girls going through the same kinds of issues,” Burdick said. “We’re all understanding.”

Organizations such as Beta Alpha Psi focus mainly on professional and academic values. It also helps their members network and develop a sense of community.

“We’re all accounting or finance majors,” Sharrow said. “It helps to build you up professionally.”

The organizations under UCFS operate their rushes under slightly different rules than those of the IFC and PHC. If a student wishes to rush a particular Greek organization, they merely need to contact the organization directly instead of having to pick his top three choices.

Joining a UCFS organization also allows socialization between smaller fraternities and sororities and students who operate under the IFC and PHC. Ton said that representatives from UCFS groups regularly attend IFC and PHC meetings and that members from all three councils participate in events together.

“All councils will be participating in Greeks Giving Back,” Ton said.

The Oct. 3 event will feature fraternity and sorority members performing community service projects in the Blacksburg and Christiansburg areas.

Ton said that participating in events such as Greeks Giving Back helps highlight the organizations that compose the UCFS. “It’s a lot harder for us to get face time,” Ton said.

Most uncounciled organizations are advertised through word of mouth or academic departments.

While many of these organizations operate independently, they also participate in community service events such as Relay for Life and The Big Event.

......radio for everyone

september 29, 2009

page 7

Fraternities, sororities show differing recruitment methods CLAIRE SANDERSON news staff writer Potential new members of the Greek community go through recruitment to find friends, fun and a group to become a part of.

Whether rushing a fraternity or a sorority, a student’s experience during recruitment is often his first glimpse into Greek life at Virginia Tech.

However, it is not often aware of the planning that goes into the elaborate recruitment process or the organizations that oversee Greek life.

Fraternity life among Tech’s 36 chapters is managed through the Interfraternity Council, the national organization of Greek letter fraternities. It creates rules and policies for all fraternities and organizes different chapters spread across the country.

For fraternities at Tech there are two recruitment periods: one in the fall and one in the spring. While individual chapters hold most of the recruitment events, the Interfraternity Council also sponsors certain events that promote general recruitment.

One is Greek 101 in which both fraternities and sororities can set up tables and let people know more about their chapters.

“We provide the opportunity for people who may not know what the Greek system is like to learn a little

more about it,” said Matt Penny, president of the Interfraternity Council.

“You can find what you think will fit you best, then go to those fraternities’ events if you choose.”

There is also a nationwide governing body for sororities, which is called the Panhellenic Council, and it oversees the 13 Panhellenic sororities at Tech.

Like the Interfraternity Council, the Panhellenic Council provides regulations for all sororities and unites different chapters.

Unlike fraternities, however, sororities at Tech have only one formal recruitment period, which occurs in January. Until then, all Greek women are encouraged to portray a strictly “Go Greek” attitude.

“They’re expected to encourage new members to go through recruitment, but not necessarily to go through their chapter,” said Camille Waldron, president of the Panhellenic Council.

“We want all potential new members to go through unbiased and with an open mind.”

For fraternities, recruitment takes place over a period of about two weeks.

“The first week and a half is open recruitment, and the events are open to any male — even a senior can do it,” Penny said. “Then there is a period called ‘closed recruitment.’ During this stage, the only way you can attend an

event is to be invited back. These are usually more formal. You must be invited, and you are able to choose which ones you would like to attend.”

The sorority formal recruitment period begins Jan. 14 with Go Greek Night. This is when women meet Rho Gammas, recruitment guides who serve as counsel during the process consisting of several different rounds.

“Open house round is when every woman visits every chapter,” Waldron said. “The next round is philanthropy round, where women can visit up to 10 chapters. There is a break until Friday the 22nd, and that is the beginning of sisterhood round, and in sisterhood round they can go to up to six different parties. It’s a little more serious, a little bit more formal. You learn a little bit about what it means to be a sister there.”

The final round is preference round, in which women can choose only three sororities to visit. After this, bids are given out and a daylong celebration is held.

Fraternities and sororities do not have to get their events approved by their national organizations, but there are some guidelines they are expected to follow.

“There is the no-alcohol policy for recruitment, of course. And there is also the general expectation that no fraternity will use women as a

recruitment tool,” Penny said.

Another rule that is very strictly enforced throughout the Greek community is no hazing. There is a zero tolerance hazing policy at Tech. If it does occur, it is handled through the Organizational Student Conduct Board, formerly the Greek Judicial Board.

At Tech there are very few reports filed for hazing. There were three hazing cases in the 2005-2006 school year, and last year there were four.

Francis Keene, director of student conduct, said national trends show that many students do not report hazing.

“It is underreported across the country,” Keene said. “You may think what’s happening is OK, that it’s part of what you need to do to be a part of that club or that group, so making the decision to speak out against that is very difficult.”

Organizations charged with hazing face losing their recognition at Tech, according to the Organizational Student Conduct Office.

Sororities have several additional policies that govern recruitment.

“There is a Panhellenic delegation, which just outlines general things, like how much money you can spend on open house round or what decorations are and are not allowed,” Waldron said.

JONATHAN PIPPIN/SPPS

New recruits fill out recruitment surveys for Delta Sigma Phi.

IFC, PHC presidents confront negative Greek life stereotypes BILLY MITCHELL news staff writer

LUKE MASON/SPPS

Sigma Nu Dunk-a-cop on the Drillfield benefited Tech police.

As leaders for the Virginia Tech Greek community, Interfratenity Council President Matt Penny and Panhellenic Council President Camille Waldron aspire to dispel negative stereotypes associated with Greek life.

Penny said many television shows and popular movies portray fraternity members as living a heavy-drinking, disruptive lifestyle.

“For us it’s a huge, huge task getting that negative image away,” Penny said. “It’s probably the number one thing we target, especially with fraternities.”

Waldron said a major part of Greek life is making the surrounding community a better place than it was before.

Both Penny and Waldron feel the solution can be found in the proactive education of new members and by reaching out to them as soon as possible.

“Our biggest tool is education,” Waldron said. “We don’t want women to come into this community thinking sororities are all about drinking and hazing. We want women who can come into the community looking to get involved with philanthropy or want to attain a leadership position on campus.”

Penny said that the best way to educate new members is to teach them about Greek life at Tech and the university and IFC policies on things such as hazing and alcohol.

“We’ve taken the approach of doing educational events for freshmen before recruitment happens,” Penny said.

“They’re used as a recruitment tool, but they’re also used as an educational tool to show them what Greek life is really about versus what people think from stereotypes and movies.”

Penny and Waldron also like to focus their roles on other things, such as giving the Greek community new and exciting events that can have a positive influence on the Tech campus and surrounding community.

“Last semester we had a Greek Week, which I thought had a really good response from it,” Waldron said. “Many other schools sort of use Greek Week as a second homecoming, social-type thing, but we really focused on the philanthropic aspect of it, and many members really appreciated that.”

Penny also pointed to a program

intended to welcome visiting football fans.

“We are currently engaged in a campaign with Panhellenic and the athletic department’s Hokie Respect where we hand out peanuts and other gifts to visiting fans on game day,” Penny said.

“It’s pairing with other groups like that that I feel you can reach out with your message a little bit more.”

Penny and Waldron were both elected to their positions in the fall of 2008 with their terms slated to end with the start of the spring semester.

Both the Interfraternity and Panhellenic councils consist of 13 members each, including Penny and Waldron.

As full-time students on top of their positions, Penny and Waldron have to balance the responsibilities with academics and employment.

“It can get a little hard for me,” Waldron said. “I also work at the veteri-

nary school in the surgery department, so it can get a little hard balancing work, school and Panhellenic business. I have a really hard time saying no because I want the Greek community to be able to do everything.”

Penny said he tries to fit as much involvement into his schedule as possible.

“I don’t have a hard time really balancing all the work,” Penny said. “It’s the meetings that make it hard. I don’t think I’ve once said ‘no’ to someone asking to meet. My philosophy is every time I say ‘no,’ that is an opportunity lost.”

Penny and Waldron are assisted and advised by Adam Cantley and Lauren Harris, assistant directors of fraternity and sorority life.

“Our goal is to help them reach their goals on campus and in the community,” Cantley said. “However, we strongly believe that this is a student

organization, so we let them lead in their own way.”

With fall fraternity recruitment just ending and both fraternity and sorority recruitment upcoming in the spring, Penny and Waldron hope their strides toward improving Greek life will show in a strong class of new Greek men and women.

“At least go out and try and rush as many fraternities as you want and find the one that is right for you,” Penny said.

“Do the research and contact someone.

I encourage anybody who has questions to contact me directly. I have no problem meeting with anyone.”

Waldron said there is no mold that female students need to fit to join a sorority.

“I want to encourage as many women to come out and try recruitment,” Waldron said. “Many girls think they are not the typical sorority girl; there is no such thing as a typical sorority girl.”

sports 8

editors: joe crandley, alex jackson sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES

september 29, 2009

Despite rain, Hokies defeat favored Hurricanes

BOX SCORES Catch up on Hokie weekend action

Women's Soccer Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009

RAY NIMMO sports reporter With a dominating 31-7 win, No. 11 Virginia Tech swept No. 9 Miami’s swagger back under the Atlantic Coast Conference rug.

The win gives Tech a 3-1 record overall and a 1-0 record in the ACC. Miami drops to 2-1 in the ACC. With the exception of four teams who haven’t played a conference game, all ACC teams have one conference loss, except the Hokies.

On a cool, rainy afternoon in Lane Stadium, rushing dictated both offenses, for better or worse.

The Hokies ran all over the Hurricanes with 272 yards on the ground. Redshirt freshman running back Ryan Williams carried the ball 34 times for 152 yards, exploiting the speedy ’Canes defense with his agility and cutbacks.

“I think it was just the weather conditions today that just really made me want to get north and south,” Williams said. “Trying to plant in that type of weather — it was nasty. My game plan coming into this game, because I knew what the weather was going to be like, was to get north and south. That’s the first thing I thought when I touched the ball.”

Tech’s run defense, which ranked 107th in the country prior to the game, put up a brick wall against the Hurricanes.

Against various blitz packages, Miami could only muster a mere 59 yards on the ground despite 34 rushes.

Miami’s pass offense didn’t fair much better as quarterback Jacory Harris faced a fierce pass rush — something he hadn’t encountered all season long.

Harris was sacked only once in the first two games of the season, but Tech got to him three times that afternoon.

Redshirt senior rover Dorian Porch got things started on defense as he rushed Harris from the backside and forced a fumble, which Porch recovered. Porch flew all over the field on defense while amassing nine tackles.

“It felt amazing,” Porch said of his forced fumble. “I can’t even describe it. It happened almost in slow motion to me. I felt like I was never going to

1ST 2ND F

VIRGINIA TECH

(8-2) (2-0 ACC)

1

2

3

NC STATE

(6-3-1) (1-1 ACC)

0

0

0

Volleyball Friday, Sept. 25, 2009 1ST SET

VT

(10-3) (0-2 ACC)

23

FSU

(10-2) (2-0 ACC)

25

2ND 3RD 4TH SET SET SET

F

25

17

25

1

23

25

27

3

Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH 5TH SET SET SET SET SET F

VT

(11-3) (1-2 ACC)

Miami (8-5) (1-2 ACC)

27

25

22

29

15

3

29

21

25

27

11

2

Sunday's Injury Report QB

D TAYLOR

-Suffered a chipped tooth late in the fourth and was immediatly treated after the game MARK UMANSKY/SPPS

Tech redshirt sophomore cornerback Jacob Sykes blocks a Miami punt attempt in the second quarter of Saturday’s game in Lane Stadium. get there. To be able to get there and make that play, it felt great. I think it was a key play and set the tone for our defense.”

Tech’s offense also played with a newfound explosiveness. The Hokies scored after that turnover to strike first.

Offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring ran a plethora of misdirection plays and draws to keep Miami off balance.

“We faked a jet sweep to Dyrell a lot,” Stinespring said, “and with his ability to run, it gets their eyes in one place, and we’re able to run some counter tackle traps to the backdoor.

We showed bubble screens to the field and got their eyes looking elsewhere, then we ran power scheme back the other way. Misdirection comes in a lot of different ways. Some of it’s misdirection, some of it’s smoke and mirrors.”

Junior quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who has been criticized this year for

not running as much, used his legs quite a bit Saturday, rushing for 75 yards on 10 attempts.

Taylor, however, managed to throw an over-the-shoulder catch to sophomore split end Jarrett Boykin, who scored his third career touchdown on the 48-yard play.

“I like our quarterback a lot,” head coach Frank Beamer said. “He’s a winner all the way. He responds to challenges. I think he’s got the respect of our football team. I thought he had a fantastic game.”

Taylor chipped his front tooth during a quarterback sneak in the fourth quarter. He saw a dentist Sunday.

Special teams were an adventure throughout for both teams because of the inclement weather.

Hokies punt returner Jayron Hosley muffed a catch, a Miami punt hit off Tech player Eddie Whitley forcing a scrum for the ball that Tech eventually recovered, and Tech punter

Men’s soccer upsets No. 16 NC State, improves to 2-0 in conference play ED LUPIEN sports reporter Rebounding from its third loss of the season, which it suffered on Wednesday, the men’s soccer team defeated No. 16 North Carolina State 2-0 on Sunday afternoon at Thompson Field.

The win was the program’s first against a ranked opponent since upsetting No. 2 Connecticut 1-0 in the 2007 NCAA Tournament.

“I think for the first time this season we got the positive end,” said Michael Brizendine, head coach of the men’s soccer team.

“When we had these many opportunities against other opponents like South Florida and American who we’ve faced this season, we couldn’t capitalize.”

Both teams remained scoreless until the 80th minute of play when Tech sophomore forward Emmanuel Akogyeram scored off a corner kick from junior midfielder Clarke Bentley.

“It’s nice today that we scored off a corner (kick), considering we had 14 of them,” Brizendine said. “We put some nice things together and did a good job defensively.”

Three of the defenders who saw playing time in Sunday’s contest, freshmen David Fiorello and Gregory Cochrane and senior Antony Moulds, are new additions to the program this MICHAEL MCDERMOTT/SPPS season.

“We were continually able to press Tech senior defender/midfielder James Gilson goes shoulder to them and not sit back in our own shoulder with NC State’s Romulo Manzano during Sunday’s game. half, and if you go into that mode, The Hokies outshot the Wolfpack anything can happen,” Brizendine We are going to have our 13-11 on the day. Shupp led Tech said. with four shots while Akogyeram, A minute after the Hokies took work cut out for us and came off the bench, contributed the lead, junior defender James going to have to train hard. who with two. Of Tech’s 13 shots, 10 of Shupp fouled Wolfpack midWe’ll enjoy the win today, them came in the second half of fielder Alan Sanchez in the box, play. setting up a penalty kick for the and then we’ll begin to Now 3-3-2 overall and 2-0-0 in Wolfpack. prepare. the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Making a last-second dive, Hokies turn their attention to the senior goalkeeper Brendan MICHAEL BRIZENDINE No. 6 Wake Forest Demon Deacons Dunn was able to deflect the low HEAD COACH who visit Blacksburg on Friday night shot from Sanchez and preserve the Despite being up two goals, at 7 p.m. lead.

“They’re a very good team,” In his second shutout this Brizendine could not rest until the Brizendine said. “We are going season, Dunn saved four shots, two final whistle sounded.

“North Carolina State is full to have our work cut out for of which were from Sanchez. All of Dunn’s saves came in the second of juniors and seniors and has us and are going to have to some very good all-conference train hard. We’ll enjoy the win half.

In the 85th minute, Shupp sealed players and potential players today, and then we’ll begin to the upset for the Hokies, giving his of the year,” Brizendine said. prepare. They beat us 8-2 last team a two-goal lead by netting a “Until the final whistle blew, year, so we’re going to need cross from redshirt junior midfielder I wasn’t going to rest because to build off of that. I think Charlie Campbell for his second goal I knew they could score today was a good starting point.” quickly.” of the season.

“

Brent Bowden failed to handle a high snap.

On the other side, Beamerball came into effect as redshirt sophomore cornerback Jacob Sykes blocked his first collegiate punt, and redshirt senior rover Matt Reidy scooped it up for a one-yard touchdown return.

That touchdown came right before halftime, and the Hokies trotted into the locker room with a 21-0 lead.

Reidy became the 77th different player under Beamer to score on special teams, and it was the 10th blocked punt returned for a touchdown.

Miami only gained 54 yards of offense in the first half. The last time the ’Canes gained less than 100 yards in a half was against Florida State in 2008.

The halftime score may have stunned both Miami and college football fans alike, but Beamer talked to his team during the week about pride.

“We talked about what this program

has been about,” Beamer said. “We’ve been able to win 10 games (per season) the last three years. There’s only two other teams that have done that.

We got a lot of pride in this program.

It’s just a fact. You didn’t hear much about Virginia Tech. You heard a lot about Miami, and rightfully so. I’m proud of our guys and what we’re all about.”

After an early second half Miami touchdown, the Hokies didn’t allow another point.

Tech’s offense went back to Williams, who plowed into the endzone in the fourth quarter, putting the game out of reach, 31-7 — the same score in 2003, which was the last time Miami came into Lane Stadium ranked higher than Tech.

“We didn’t get any respect from anybody the whole week,” Williams said. “None. We earned it today.”

The Hokies travel to Durham, N.C., next Saturday to take on Duke University at noon.

ROV

RGAN

-Suffered a shoulder injury in first half - Did not return to the game

OT

BLAK DeCHRISTOPHER

-Suffered a left ankle sprain in first half -Missed a few snaps but returned to the game

OG

SERGIO RENDER

-Had breath knocked out of him in first half -Missed a few snaps but returned to the game

LB

HNSON

-Suffered a left ankle injury in first half -Missed a few snaps but returned to the game