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COLLEGIATETIMES go to www.collegiatetimes.com under the multimedia section to listen to our podcasts about upcoming sports events 106th year, issue 96
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Tech opts out of university climate coalition RYAN PETCHEN news staff writer In efforts to create a sustainable, environmentally-friendly model for campus, Virginia Tech has decided to decline taking part in existing movements in an attempt to carve out its own plan. The American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment has attracted the signatures of a broad coalition of 653 college presidents. President Charles Steger, however, was not convinced enough to sign. “It’s always been his policy to sign something that he is convinced the university can achieve,” said Denny Cochrane, sustainability program manager at Tech. “Rather than signing
the document that many other universities had signed on to ... we made a (different) plan, made sure we could do it, then committed.” With that goal in mind, Steger decided in April 2008 that Tech would develop its own sustainability plan. “From that we could then determine what we could agree to do,” Cochrane said. In the final step before the plan could be incorporated into university policy, the Board of Visitors gave formal approval to the “Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment and Sustainability Plan” at its June 1 session. The plan incorporates three primary objectives: to differentiate itself from the presidents’ commitment by being
more Tech-specific, to create an action plan that achieves the new plan’s goals and to add an additional initiative to enhance Tech’s sustainability programs and culture. More than 200 pages in length, it sets an explicit time frame of 40 to 50 years, calling for a reduction in campus greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent of the 1990 level by the year 2050. By 2020, the plan aims for reductions to 80 percent of levels from 2000. “Energy is the biggest item that will have an effect on reducing green house gases,” Cochrane said. To increase energy savings, sustainability personnel have been conducting detailed energy audits at several key buildings to determine and improve
the campus’ most energy-wasteful sites and make them more efficient. Tech is not alone in refusing to sign the presidents’ commitment. The College of William & Mary has also avoided signing in favor of developing its own plan. “(W&M wanted) freedom to build up a sustainability program without having to cater their system to an outside organization,” said Philip Zapfel, a sustainability fellow at W&M. In making its own plan campusspecific, W&M has gone beyond the presidents’ commitment by adding a student “green fee” that is included in each student’s semester tuition bill. These $15-per-semester fees fund student research grants for sustainability-related projects, facility upgrades,
that schools have complete autonomy to create such a plan.” The presidents’ commitment mandates the development and implementation of a university-specific plan to reduce emissions and achieve carbon neutrality. For example, it requires a comprehensive emissions inventory to be completed within a year of signing the commitment. Although universities may formulate their own plans as Tech did, participating in a collective effort makes it easier to attract publicity and share information across universities, Dyer said. “It’s much easier to highlight that there are 653 schools signing,” Dyer said. “It’s a way to catch people’s attention.”
and the creation of a green endowment to fund further actions in the future. In a school-wide referendum and survey, both gave the fee a strong mandate at 86 percent in favor. The Presidents’ Climate Commitment is intended to be a general, open-ended document without explicit instructions as to the implementation of procedures for the reduction of greenhouse gases, said Georges Dyer, a senior fellow at Second Nature, an organization that assists universities in sustainability initiatives and advocates for the commitment. “The commitment is designed to be both effective and flexible,” Dyer said. “What it does is create a framework, then any school develops their own unique plan. It’s designed in such a way
Herzlich money drive surpasses expectations
Sidewalk transit
GORDON BLOCK news reporter
MICHAEL SHROYER/SPPS
Biochemistry major Travis Schrecengost returns from a dining hall on his wave board.
New policies govern student transport CLAIRE SANDERSON news staff writer The Virginia Tech Police Department and Transportation and Campus Services are enforcing new policies regulating bicycles, skateboards and motorized scooters. Previously allowed only on roadways, cyclists are now also allowed on sidewalks, parking lots and grass. Skateboards are now allowed on sidewalks where they were previously banned. They are not allowed on roads, and all four wheels must remain on the ground at all times. Mopeds and motorized scooters must operate on roadways only, and they must use designated parking as opposed to bike racks. The old policy was incomplete because it did not address many of the issues regarding cycling, except to state that cyclists were not allowed on sidewalks. It was difficult to enforce and often disregarded. With a growing number of cyclists on campus, the change was enacted in order to promote alternative transportation and make biking on campus easier and safer for both cyclists and pedestrians. “We wanted to encourage cycling on campus, but a lot the buildings on campus are ‘landlocked’ and only accessible through sidewalks, so people rode on the sidewalks anyway,” said Deborah Freed, alternative transportation manager. “We’re trying to create more of a feeling of responsibility on each individual cyclist.” Geoffrey Allen, Tech Police officer, agrees that
Correction -The article titled “New program to focus on employee health,” (CT, Oct. 6) should have stated that the fair will actually be taking place in the Squires Commonwealth Ballroom and the walk will take place on the Drillfield. The Collegiate Times regrets this error.
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on the web
The new bicycle policy can be read at police.vt.edu/VTPDnew/bicycles.
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responsibility is the key to a safe cycling environment, and he said many students revert to youthful methods of riding their bikes. “I think a lot of people get a bike before they get their license, but eventually they’ll start driving,” Allen said. “People go back to the bike to get around campus, and there’s that tendency to ride like they were 15 again. The campus welcomes the bicycle, but it is important that riders understand how to operate safely on both the road and the sidewalk.” Allen has created a new Web page outlining the policy so that people can be aware of the changes. The page, which can be found on the Tech Police Web site, lists the rules for bikes as well as information about how to register your bike on campus. The new policy will likely increase the already growing number of cyclists on campus, but bike racks are already full in most parts of campus. “Every year it’s basically the scrape and scratch method when it comes to bike racks,” Freed said. I love that there are more cyclists, but I wish we had more money to put out more racks. We just don’t have the funding.” Though Parking Services plans to do its first bike count this fall, there is currently no information available for the number of cyclists on campus.
[news in brief] Tech’s Bioinformatics Institute receives grant The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a division of the National Institutes of Health, has granted the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute at Virginia Tech a five-year contract worth more than $27 million to assist with the group’s work on infectious diseases. VBI’s CyberInfrastructure Group hopes to use the money to merge essential information on pathogens, offer prime resources and tools for scientists, and help researchers explore genomic, proteomic and other data emerging from research on infectious diseases. The overall NIAID program will be composed of four new Bioinformatics Resource Centers, as well as a new gateway portal for the entire project. This portal will be called the Pathogen Portal. Each BRC will concentrate on one of the following pathogen types: bacterial species, viral families, protozoan species and invertebrate vectors of human pathogens. The new contract involves the establishment of two Web-based resources for biomedical research. One part supports the Pathogen Portal, and the other supports the creation of the PathoSystems Resource Interation Center, which serves as a Web-based resource for a crucial branch of pathogens. by priya saxena
Virginia Tech has exceeded expectations in an attempt to fund cancer research in honor of Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich. The athletics department is selling wristbands in bookstores and sold them in the parking lot before the home HERZLICH game against Miami. Herzlich, named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year for the 2008-2009 season, revealed in May that he had been diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, an exceedingly rare form of bone cancer with less than 500 cases being diagnosed every year. However, in recent days, very positive news has surfaced involving Herzlich’s condition. In an interview for ESPN’s “College GameDay,” Herzlich said he learned from his dad that doctors found him nearly cancerfree. “I was like, OK, so what did he say?” Herzlich said, on the Oct. 3 program. “And he goes, ‘Well, he looked at your MRIs, and he said he’s about 99 percent sure that the cancer is completely gone.’” Herzlich, who has taken a medical redshirt for this season, is expecting to return to Boston College’s team for the 2010 season. Sales of the wristbands have exceeded Tech’s original fundraising goal of $5,094, with the “94” honoring Herzlich’s jersey number. Athletics department officials are seeing sales move steadily toward a new goal of $9,400. “We’re very close,” said John Ballein, associate athletic director. “We’ll have it by the end of the week.” Money raised through the fundraiser will be given to the Boston College chapter of Uplifting Athletes, a national nonprofit organization that supports research for treatment of rare diseases. In addition to contributions from Tech, the chapter has also received donations from Florida State, Clemson, North Carolina State and the Orange Bowl. Clemson, in a ceremony before a game against Boston College, presented Herzlich with a team jersey signed by the whole roster with Herzlich’s roster number 94. Ryan Lindsey, a junior wide receiver on the Boston College squad and president of the Boston College chapter of Uplifting Athletes, said more than $50,000 has been contributed. “I couldn’t believe how much support we’ve received from other schools,” Lindsey said. Lindsey had no problems putting on-field rivalries aside for his teammate. “It kind of goes out the window
MICHAEL SHROYER/SPPS
Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich (left) participates in a 2008 Tech-BC football game. He is currently fighting cancer.
MICHAEL SHROYER/SPPS
Quarterback Tyrod Taylor scrambles for positive yards while being pursued by Herzlich. really,” Lindsey said. “They’re rivals on the football (field), but there are much more important things.” A presentation will be made to Herzlich at the end of the first quarter of the Oct. 10 football game between Tech and Boston College. The maroon, orange and white wristbands, inscribed with “Beamerball” and “Team United,” are on sale for $1 at the University Bookstore, Volume Two Bookstore and the Hokie Stadium Store in Lane Stadium.
check it out
[ ] The maroon, orange and white wristbands are on sale for $1 at the University Bookstore, Volume Two Bookstore and the Hokie Stadium Store in Lane Stadium. All the proceeds will go to the Boston College chapter of Uplifting Athletes.
2 news
new river valley news editor: zach crizer university editor: philipp kotlaba newseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865
october 7, 2009
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nation & world headlines
COLLEGIATETIMES
Obama’s policy ‘czars’ not illegal, nothing new Democrats push Obama for Iran sanctions
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Republicans press Obama to send more troops WASHINGTON — Republican congressional leaders urged President Barack Obama on Tuesday to send more U.S. troops in Afghanistan, saying he should act quickly lest any delay endanger troops who already are there and are facing a deteriorating situation. “Time is not on our side,” said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., as he left the White House after a bipartisan meeting with Obama. “We need to act with deliberate haste.” “He wants ample time to make a good decision. Frankly, I support that,” added Rep. John Boehner, ROhio, his party’s leader in the House of Representatives. Obama, who later this week will hold his third and fourth of five scheduled meetings to rethink strategy in the eight-year-old Afghanistan war, didn’t tell the top lawmakers from both parties what or when he’ll decide. However, Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., his party’s No. 2 leader in the House, emerged saying that it will be soon. “Weeks, not months,” he said.
“We know that al-Qaida and its extremist allies threaten us from different corners of the globe, from Pakistan, but also from East Africa and Southeast Asia, from Europe and the Gulf,” Obama said during a speech at the National Counterterrorism Center in McLean, Va. His failure to mention Afghanistan at a time when he’s focused intensely on deciding what to do there could be interpreted as signaling a tilt toward a scaled-down presence there that would focus more on counterterrorism strikes on al-Qaida targets, particularly in Pakistan. Vice President Joe Biden reportedly is urging such a strategy revision. The U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, is requesting around 40,000 more U.S. troops to pursue that strategy, but Obama is not committing himself on that until he finishes his policy review. by steven thomma, mcclatchy newspapers
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama isn’t skirting the U.S. Constitution or abusing his authority by appointing so-called “czars,” or policy coordinators, to oversee certain issues or problems, a Senate panel was told Tuesday. Conservative talk show hosts and some mostly Republican lawmakers have accused Obama of embarking on an unprecedented czar-appointment spree in a bid to circumvent Congress’ authority over top executive appointments, to dodge congressional oversight. Cabinet officers must be confirmed by the Senate and must report back to Congress frequently as lawmakers exercise constitutional oversight of the executive branch. But White House staff appointees — including ``czars’’ — aren’t subject to Senate confirmation and often decline to testify before
Congress, citing “executive privilege” to confine their advice to their boss, the president. However, a panel of experts testifying before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee on the Constitution said the number of such czars has been rising since the Nixon administration and that most czars aren’t the all-powerful figures that critics portray them to be. Sessions said Obama has named more than 30 czars since taking office, but that number is in dispute. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, in a letter last week to Obama signed by five other Republicans, put the number at 18. Congress could summon the czars to testify or restrict appropriations to any office run by a czar that displeased lawmakers.
WASHINGTON — Congressional Democrats pushed the Obama administration on Tuesday to get behind tough economic sanctions against Iran, and they voiced deep skepticism that direct negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear ambitions will prove fruitful. The Obama administration held its first direct talks with Iran in Geneva last week, winning an apparent breakthrough when Iran agreed in principle to send most of its current stock of enriched uranium to Russia for refinement for exclusively peaceful uses. Ahead of an Oct. 25 date for international inspectors to visit a previously covert uranium enrichment facility near the city of Qom, however, Iranian officials appeared to be backpedaling from last week’s commitments, according to published
by william douglas, mcclatchy newspapers
reports. Democrats questioned the wisdom of talking with Iran without hard deadlines for certain concessions, and were irked by the lack of administration support for laws that could allow the president to impose tough sanctions. A McClatchy-Ipsos poll released Tuesday found that 56 percent of Americans favored U.S. economic sanctions or diplomatic action against Iran, while 31 percent didn’t. A poll by the Pew Research Center found that 61 percent of Americans said that Iran must be prevented from obtaining nuclear weapons, even if that meant using military force. by kevin g. hall and warren p. strobel, mcclatchy newspapers
Environmentalists try to force Texas to regulate carbon dioxide and other gases as pollutants DALLAS — Texas environmentalists sued Tuesday to force the state to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases as pollutants, which the Obama administration is preparing to do on a national scale. The lawsuit, filed by Public Citizen in Travis County District Court, cites legal arguments similar to those that
prevailed in a lawsuit by 12 states, not including Texas, against the Bush administration. In that case, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2007 that the federal Clean Air Act required the EPA to consider controlling CO2 as a pollutant. The Texas lawsuit is believed to be the broadest effort so far to require
a state to control CO2 through the permits it grants for power plants, refineries, factories and other industrial facilities. Texas ranks first among states in human-made greenhouse gas emissions and would rank seventh worldwide if it were a separate country, according to U.S. and United Nations figures.
State legislation to regulate greenhouse gas emissions in Texas has failed repeatedly, and Gov. Rick Perry disputes the danger of global warming and the wisdom of regulating CO2 in Texas or nationally. by randy lee loftis, the dallas morning news
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‘Origin of Species’ inspires recent theatre production DAN WAIDELICH features reporter
The life and theories of famed naturalist Charles Darwin come to life onstage at Virginia Tech this week. The Theatre Workshop in Science, Technology & Society and the Department of Theatre and Cinema developed “Living Darwin,” an original theatrical production that uses Darwin’s own writing as a foundation for exploration and education. “We are investigating him,” said Ann Kilkelly, the show’s director and primary writer. “So much of what people think Darwin said and is responsible for isn’t actually true.” The play examines the works of Darwin and the worldwide changes brought about by his scientific theory of natural selection, Kilkelly said. The cast and crew of “Living Darwin” have been rehearsing since before the start of classes, learning about Darwin and working to communicate his words in an effective performance. “We hit the ground running,” said Molly Dickerson, a junior theatre arts major, “but we needed that. Having so much time is beneficial.” Cast and crew have been creating a brand new show that offers an alternative to boring lectures or slideshows, Dickerson said. The illnesses that have plagued the Tech campus lately have NIELS GORAN BLUME/SPPS provided another challenge to the The Theatre Workshop in Science, Technology & Society and the Department of Theatre and Cinema developed “Living Darwin,” an original work based on Charles Darwin’s play. “It’s been rough,” said Alyssa “Origin of Species.” The performance commerates the 150th anniversary of the publication of the book and what would have been his 200th birthday. Markfort, stage manager and junior theatre arts major. “Dealing with sickness has made things really difficult, but we get through it.” Actors in the show make do with minimalist sets and costumes, instead allowing movement and words to make the main points. Joining the actors on stage are projection screens that will be filled with images of the natural world. “Living Darwin” is the first The play is designed to stimuof several events celebrating late questions and discussion. the 150th anniversary of the Working on the show has also been publication of Darwin’s “On an enlightening experience for the the Origin of Species.” cast. Throughout November, Tech “Darwin was much more complex will host events examining than I ever gave him credit for,” and celebrating the seminal said Alisha Saunders, cast memscientific work. ber and senior theatre arts major. “He went so far against his society, The “Celebration of Darwin and people have twisted his – A Conference on Darwin’s theories.” Origin” takes place Nov. 5, The social and cultural implicaand a forum on the “Inner Life NEILS GORAN BLUME/SPPS tions of Darwin’s work will be closely Animals” will be Nov. 6. examined in the show. Using Darwin’s Students started rehearsing for the play before classes began. theories to justify aspects like eugenThe “Singing Darwin to see the play Discussions are planned prior to ics, or the selected breeding of people Project,” a production of the to get rid of “undesirable” qualities, is and after the show, giving audiences a School of Visual Arts, will be When: Oct. 7, 8 and 9 at one of the many issues approached in chance to contribute their views and on display in the Armory Art opinions on Darwin, his work and the play, Kilkelly said. Gallery throughout November. 7:30 p.m. Despite the more controversial the profound influences of both in Where: Squires Studio Theatre aspects of the performance, “Living the modern world. The final event “Singing “We ask people what they thought,” Darwin” has a sense of humor. Darwin” culminates in a 24Note: Come early to enjoy Sections of the show deal with pri- Kilkelly said. “What were the things hour live performance that tea, cookies and conversation mate studies and cavemen mentality, that struck them that we explored? features the entire text of “On outside of the theater at 7 which allows the cast to get a little Did it help them see things differthe Origin of Species” on Nov. ently? Did they think about their wild. 23 that will be streamed live on p.m. before the show. NEILS GORAN BLUME/SPPS “It’s hilarious,” Kilkelly said. “Parts of relationship to the natural world and the Internet. science?” it are really, really hilarious.” The purpose of the show is to generate discussion of Darwin’s work.
This week in Darwin events
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october 7, 2009
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Carbon Leaf’s lead singer discusses return to folk-rock roots DAN WAIDELICH features reporter Carbon Leaf returns home to Virginia this Friday with a concert at Attitudes Bar and Cafe. The Richmond-based rock group is currently touring the United States in support of its latest album, “Nothing Rhymes With Woman.” The album, available on Vanguard Records, offers playful lyrics, sing-along hooks and a return to the band’s folkrock roots. Barry Privett, lead singer and chief lyricist, spoke to the Collegiate Times over the phone about playing in Blacksburg, falling in love with his job again and the band’s love for Virginia. COLLEGIATE TIMES: How long has the band been on tour for the new album? BARRY PRIVETT: We did a nine-week tour starting on the release date, May 19. That took us to July 3, and then we basically just set up the next tour after that. That’s the one we’re on now, and it’s about a six-week tour. We’ve got a few weeks to go. CT: Are you excited to have a show coming up in Blacksburg?
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PRIVETT: It’s great, man. We haven’t been back for an official show in a while. I’m glad there is a club we can play because that is always the tough thing. There is always a good club and then it closes down. You’re kind of left holding the bag unless you’re playing at Tech. CT: “Nothing Rhymes With Woman” has been out for a few months now. How are fans responding to the new songs? PRIVETT: It’s been overwhelmingly positive. We picked an eclectic mix and that is what our fans kind of like out of us. We took our time with it and we feel like we got it right, at least on our part. CT: The album seems very conversational. There are a lot of light-hearted moments and some stripped-down sound. What was the inspiration for that attitude? PRIVETT: We were getting so burned on keeping up with the imaginary pace of getting albums out on a certain schedule and touring. We said, “Let’s get off the road and take a breath and fall in love with the process of writing and recording.” A lot of it was the result of saying, “Let’s not take this so seriously.”
Carbon Leaf
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When: Friday at 9 p.m. Where: Attitudes Bar & Cafe Cost: $15 in advance, $17 at the door Note: 18 years old and up
COURTESY OF VANGAURD RECORDS
Carbon Leaf released its album “Nothing Rhymes With Woman” in May. CT: The songs on “Nothing Rhymes With Woman” seem to jump from genre to genre. Some have a country or blues influence, some are very poporiented, and there are plenty of tracks with the classic Carbon Leaf sound. Did you set out to write such a wide variety of songs? PRIVETT: We did. We had a lot of demos that we had written and we were like, “What direction do we take this album in? What speaks to us
She had just beaten breast cancer. You had two random events in a few days of each other that crossed my path that dealt with the same subject, but on very different extremes of the spectrum. As a writer you want to listen to those events. The music for “Pink” had been written for a while and I was struggling to find an angle lyrically. That happened and it all made sense.
on a song level?” It’s got to be a great song, regardless of genre. Does it have a potential to tell an interesting story? But also, we’re still trying to keep a spirit of adventure and try some things we hadn’t done. “Cinnamindy” and “Another Man’s Woman” have this blues-y vibe to them and we hadn’t really done that before. They turned out to be great songs and stuck with our M.O. of trying new things but making sure it is a song that holds up over time.
CT: Has the audience response been positive? PRIVETT: It has. We played it in Austin, Texas last night and a woman came up and said, “Thank you so much for that song. I’m a breast cancer survivor.” You always get someone in the audience that knows someone or has gone through it. It’s a relatable subject, but for us it is just an interesting way to connect with people.
CT: “Pink” is about a girl’s fight with breast cancer. How did the band find inspiration to write a song like that? PRIVETT: Two things happened within the course of three or four days that prompted us to write that. We got a letter from a committee on behalf of a fan who was looking for donatable items for a charity for breast cancer awareness. This girl had developed it and she was really young, way younger than the average. She was only 23, I think. We read her story and were touched by that. A couple days later, in a completely different and random situation, I met a girl on this jogging trail who was training for the Race for the Cure in D.C.
CT: “Indecision” is the lead track on the album and it is about missing Virginia when you’re away. What does it mean for the band to come back and play shows here? PRIVETT: It’s awesome. It’s kind of like a touchstone. We don’t play the song as much out-of-state as we do when we’re in-state. It’s funny when we do play it out-of-state sometimes you’ll get people making a big “V” with their hands. We played it in Denver last week and two people in the front were making a “VT” with their hands. It took me a second to focus on it, but I was like, “These guys are from our neck of the woods.” It’s fun for us to come back and
play the song when we are closer to home. CT: What is your favorite song to sing in concert? PRIVETT: Oh man, I don’t really have one. “Life Less Ordinary” is great because people recognize it. “The Boxer” is great. Depending on where we are, “The War Was in Color.” It’s more about the experience of connecting with the audience. Anything you can feed off the crowd is the experience for me. CT: Speaking of feeding, what is your favorite thing to eat on tour? PRIVETT: Probably either a Subway sandwich or some good Mexican. Generally, if you’re in the Southwest you can get some good carne asada. Usually, the dive places are better. CT: If you could do a show with another group or artist, who would it be? PRIVETT: Man, that’s tough. It would be cool to go out with Tom Petty or Bruce Springsteen. Dave Matthews would be cool. Man, I have to think on that some more. CT: The 2006 video for “Learn to Fly” starred a then-unknown Katy Perry. What’s it like to have someone like that be a footnote to Carbon Leaf history? PRIVETT: She brought a great energy to the set. She’s definitely as lively off of it as she is on camera. Just always on. At the time, we shared the same management company, so that’s how we got linked up with her. She was in the middle of recording her CD at that point. We were trying to get some Hollywood ingenue into the video so it was kind of funny that she turned out to be it. CT: What Carbon Leaf album should perspective fans start with? PRIVETT: Either “Indian Summer” or “Nothing Rhymes With Woman.”
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october 2009houchins editor: 7, debra opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865
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COLLEGIATETIMES
october 7, 2009
Your Views
The Collegiate Times is an independent student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903
[graduate student column]
Advice for grads T
he agreement was this: “When you complete your first year of college, I will begin working on my Ph.D.” As a single-adoptive father making this agreement with my son who was a graduating senior freshly admitted to college, little did I know that part of this agreement would take a drastic turn. My son had experienced a fairly turbulent freshman year of college when I began my doctorate at Virginia Tech in fall 2007. He was still in our homestate attempting to forge his way into adulthood with school; at the same time, he was demonstrating some persistent characteristics that were consistent with Bipolar I. These symptoms did not manifest themselves until he started college. Though I knew the diagnosis because of my professional background in counseling, and further, because I was studying counseling as a graduate student, it was a difficult task convincing him that something was wrong. My first year of graduate studies was atypical and centered on staying afloat academically adjusting to a new environment and finding ways to help my son. The most difficult part about this situation was maintaining my statuses as a parent 200 miles away and as a graduate student at the same time. His symptoms persisted through his college summer school experience the year I moved to Blacksburg and eventually through a professional technical school, and eventually, a move back to our hometown. The more pronounced his symptoms became, the more they interfered with his daily functioning, and to a great extent mine as well. However, I was able to convince him to move to Blacksburg where I might have a chance to offer guidance and pursue medical help for him. This was no easy task and I continue to negotiate both parts of my life as a graduate student and a parent. I am currently in what I hope to be my final year of doctoral studies. My son is here, though not residing with me. I was able to convince him to see a psychiatrist and receive a formal diagnosis and treatment regimen. Though there appears to be light at the end of this tun-
nel, there is a long road ahead. The most difficult part about this journey was maintaining balance in my life with the roles of graduate student and parent hanging over my head. Sometimes, your graduate field of study has some ironic implications for your life. For me it was taking the advice I often give my clients: “Treat the illness and love the person.” This can be a very difficult task because there are times when you have to access the love you have for a person in order to treat the illness. There are times when the illness threatens to interfere with goals as a graduate student and you have to fight for the balance. In the end, you must have separate goals in mind with regards to yourself and the loved one who often impedes your progress. As you can see, being a graduate student does not relieve you of being who you were before you began your graduate school journey. To those graduates who are faced with personal and real life challenges, I offer the following advice: First, tay focused on your graduate studies. Learn to separate your graduate studies from what is happening personally in your life. In a caring way, learn to share your genuine feelings with the special person who is impeding your goals as a graduate student, while giving him the support he needs as well. Find someone with whom you can share your negative feelings regarding your situation. Support for yourself is very important so that you have an outlet. Participate in an activity that gives you pleasure on a daily or weekly basis. I coach and run. Finally, remember there is only so much you can do in helping others. Once you have reached your limit, access resources. And most of all, relinquish yourself of any blame and move forward with your life.
QUENTIN ALEXANDER -doctorate student in counselor education
Preparation is the key to success and fulfillment of goals W
hen we confront challenges in life and do not succeed in overcoming them, what must we accredit this failure to? While some might chalk it up to a lack of innate ability or an inherent injustice in the system, others would accept personal responsibility for their actions and continue to persevere. But if we could devise a formula for success, what might we say that it is? Former Washington Redskins coach George Allen famously said, “Winning is the science of being totally prepared.” This sentiment, while seemingly obvious, is the foundation for all successful endeavors that have shaped our modern world. Each and every successful professional arrived at his or her current position through years of preparation. In concrete terms, preparation might encompass anything from rehearsing a presentation for days before presenting it to the boss or preparing for undergraduate and graduate school. This universal concept is the basis for athletes, singers, actors, teachers and essentially anyone who wishes to accomplish something worthwhile. For example, when we watch Tyrod Taylor maneuver so effortlessly through the defense of the opposing team, we see his athleticism and the fruits of his training and preparation. What we fail to see are the hours of running, weightlifting, plyometric training and any number of exercises he repeatedly did in order to perform a 10 second play at such a high skill level. This holds true for any endeavor. Hours and hours of preparation may be required for simply the chance to display one’s ability. I would argue that preparation, not natural talent alone, separates the extraordinary from the everyday. It becomes increasingly convenient to judge the valedictorian and envy his achievement because it is easier to believe he was just given an abundance of intelligence greater than what you received. But when we examine the
nature of his accomplishment, how can we reason to believe that intelligence alone can get you to the top? When you are at the football game, fraternity social or some other event, he is at the Math Emporium studying and investing time in his future. For some people, the sacrifice is not worth the reward. Yet for others who see through the tunnel to the other side, they choose the path less traveled and therefore receive the accolades accrued to the exceptional. The difference between success and failure is a simple one: Those who are successful make the decision to seek a goal without considering the possibility of failure, and prepare to be successful, whatever it takes. If you asked to see a winner, I would reply, “Show me a loser who has not stopped trying.” The secret to life and prosperity is not greed or vast intelligence or, for the most part, even knowing the right people. The secret lies in an unwavering dedication to remain intolerant of mediocrity, strive for perfection, and settle for excellence. We at Virginia Tech have fortunately been endowed with all of the tools necessary to achieving greatness in any number of endeavors. Our professors, advisers and administration are often untapped resources, yet always present nonetheless, to help us in our path to whatever goal we choose to pursue. The opportunity exists for each and every one of us. Carpe diem. Seize the moment, the day, the lifetime, of happiness, fulfillment and prosperity that awaits those who choose to sacrifice the immediate in exchange for the infinite.
BROOKE LEONARD -regular columnist -sophomore -economics
MCT CAMPUS
Seeing through media bias and misreporting N
ews media have always been biased and occasionally misreport things, and with monumental issues up for consideration today like health care, global warming, gun control and the like, it is more important than ever that we are able to critique their work. For a recent example, MSNBC reported that a white man carried an AR-15 rifle to a protest about health care and government spending, and the news analysts went on to say the protesters were part of a racist hate group that wanted to kill our president. It turned out that MSNBC had edited the video by cutting and pasting it to conceal his race, and the man was actually black, and his carrying of the firearm was both legal and peaceful. When we see and hear lies like this, it can skew our opinion of issues and make us discredit those who are on one side of an issue if the lie is not caught. Worse, when information comes from a news source that generally agrees with our view on things, it is even easier to overlook a lie as we tend to take it as truth without question — this is called confirmation bias. These things, however, can be overcome with some simple analytical techniques. While it would be very useful to know about structures like Toulmin’s Model of Argumentation, types of logical fallacies and the rules of Oxford-style debate, I’m going to focus on one technique from my studies that is simple and easy to implement called triangulation. Generally, in social science research, triangulation means that a research result is confirmed by approaching the same question from other angles to “triangulate” in on the truth as much as possible. That is, if one interviewer concluded that a person liked a new product, a second
or third researcher would review the interview to see if they had a different interpretation. The outcome is often that these multiple views produce a set of points that all three agree on and another set of points that they do not agree on. When it comes to news media, I’ve found this technique to be helpful in evaluating any given news story. Take the example of the protester above. Having viewed the same video on another news station or online, the unedited version would have clearly shown the man to be black. This investigation would allow you to find a few simple truths: people gathered at an event, some people were carrying firearms openly, one man carried an AR-15 and that man was black. You would also be able to declare other statements as questionable or false: the armed people posed a threat, people were protesting the president himself and they object to the president’s race. While generally quite effective, approaching media this way won’t always be easy, as different news sources sometimes skew the same facts. For example, there was much discussion about the number of people who attended a protest in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 12. Most major news outlets reported an attendance of fewer than 100,000 attendees, but those supporting the rally claimed there were over two million attendees. To use triangulation to help here, you would need to review many different sources. After doing so, you wouldn’t find a consensus since they are all estimates, but you would find a lot of sources that approximated just under one million in attendance. This would at least help to discredit the outliers on the high and low ends in order to help get a better estimate of the real numbers.
In the two examples presented, the topics were relatively simple to approach. However, many issues, such as health care reform and climate change action, have complex solutions embedded in congressional bills that necessitate much deeper investigation. This requires both the issue and the proposed solutions to be broken down and evaluated as parts before triangulation can be used on any one of those parts. What’s also helpful and exciting in issues like this is to engage in debate, especially with friends who have different views. Working from a friendly relationship, it’s great to learn more about how others view the issue and how to disagree civilly with someone who respects you, all the while getting to the bottom of the issues at hand. Overall, the point of this article was to encourage people to consider the effect of bias in news, to never trust any single source for anything, and to present one simple way to start addressing these problems. The outcome of applying critical thinking techniques is not only to improve the skill for use in all of life, but also to help see through media bias in the things we hear and read every day. This bias often serves as propaganda, pitting one side against another when, in fact, there are common grounds and truths from which both sides can work. Getting past the fight and to the facts is what will truly move us forward once again.
KEN STANTON -regular columnist -doctorate student -assistant in engineering education
How not to lie with statistics: The good, the bad and the average T
he formula is painfully familiar — “According to a recent survey by X from the University of Y,” followed by a statement about married couples’ tendency to get bored with their sex lives (ABC News), or thin women’s tendency to think themselves fat (Psychology Today) or older people’s tendency to become increasingly religious (Harris Poll, 2006) — or any number of statistically proven and so presumably unquestionable claims about human nature. This assumption that statistical tendency equals human nature abounds in recent news: Science Daily reports that “men overcompensate when their masculinity is threatened” (all men?); Medical News Today maintains that people’s beliefs about food “can seldom be shaken by rational arguments” (all people?); Associated Content pontificates that the more time someone surfs the Web, the more socially awkward he or she will be. But what do any of these claims mean? To answer this question, we must distinguish between a statistic and a fact of human nature. Most psychological studies simply report such findings as statistical averages, without implying that they are universal. But then something happens: The media pundits who report the findings lose the distinction between statistical average and universal truth. What starts as a conclusion about the way most people happen to be, turns into a prognosis about the way you
have to be. The plain fact is, you don’t have to toe the line of the statistic. People can help their behavior. Plenty of women realize from common sense and observation that they don’t need a Mary-Kate Olsen waist to be attractive. Plenty of web surfing enthusiasts maintain bustling social lives without hiding behind their screens as a defense against confrontation. And as anyone knows who has ever browsed the stacks of a Barnes and Noble, the shelves overflow with advice and innumerable techniques for spicing up one’s sex life — so that any committed couple can enjoy decades of adventurous love-making. This is not to deny that the statistical tendencies described by these studies do exist. It is true that, for instance, there is real potential for Internet junkies to use the Web as a crutch, avoiding live interaction in favor of the less stressful, more safely smokescreened medium of virtual communication. But while the Internet offers this potentially enticing escape to those who choose to exploit it, the decision is up to every individual user. Cyber communication methods like AIM and Facebook can just as easily be used to supplement and enhance live social interaction as to replace it. Even the shyest among us, who sincerely dread the perils of a live conversation, can choose to confront their fears, and to reap the rewards that eventually follow. There is no cyber-menace stealing their will and compelling them to hide behind
their text messages, avoiding the risk of genuine intimacy. Unsurprisingly, however, a statistical majority choose the less risky (albeit less gratifying) route. This is the truth that’s captured by the article’s statistic. What statistical surveys actually tell us, supposing they are accurate and scientifically valid, is what will happen if we let ourselves be driven by external influences — if we don’t judge the influences for ourselves and choose the best (if not easiest) ways in which to conduct our lives. The theoretical articles and newspaper op-eds that cite them should be conveying the opposite of their current message. Rather than imply that the statistics are inescapable, and then blame the external influences that allegedly determine human behavior, they should treat statistical trends as a reminder of the importance of independent thought: If and when you don’t consciously direct your life, external influences take over. People should be told that other people, on average, tend to absorb cultural standards unthinkingly — and then be taught that they are free to do otherwise. You are not fated by statistics. You always have the choice of becoming one of the “outliers,” those independent thinkers who don’t just blindly fall where they will on the standard normal curve — but rather take control of the variables governing their destiny.
GENA GORLIN The Undercurrent
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sports 7
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Tech senior Inge making his name known behind the wheel NICK CAFFERKY sports staff writer When senior Matt Inge was growing up in Fort Myers, Fla., he wasn’t like most kids. While his friends were busy signing up for sports like soccer, baseball and basketball with far out dreams of becoming professional ballplayers, Inge had different ambitions. He wanted to become a professional racecar driver. Growing up, Inge spent much of his time watching his dad race in an amateur series. From that point on, he wanted to be a racecar driver and nothing else. “He always expressed an interest in racing and watched every race he COURTESY OF RON INGE could on TV,” Ron Inge, Matt’s father said. “When he was much smaller, he Tech senior mining engineering major Matt Inge races in the F2000 Championship Series earlier this year. Inge, a Fort Myers, Fla., native had a ‘Big Wheel’ that he used to race drove this year in the series for St. Clair Motorsports. He finished second overall on the year, just 53 points short of taking the F2000 crown. around a track that he designed in When Inge turned 16, he imme- F2000 season championship. In just said Matt Satchell, Inge’s engineer. “I our driveway and out into the street.” see him try,” Ron Inge said. “Racing While most parents would worry has become much safer over the years, diately went to driver’s school 12 races, Inge collected two wins in think we may have pressed a little too so I wasn’t too worried. Accidents can to get his “novice” license so he addition to finishing in the top five in hard at the last race by adding some seeing their son jump into a new parts to the car. They didn’t quite happen anytime and in any sport, so could start competing immediately. six races in a row. racecar and compete Going into the final two races of the work with our current setups and we racing was no different. I thought After he passed the test on his first at top speeds of that, by starting at a younger age, attempt, he entered his first race season, Inge was in an intense points were trying to play catch-up the rest more than 100 battle with Chris Miller for the top of the weekend.” he may have opportunities to — and won. miles per hour, Despite two strong finishes, Inge Years later, he continues to succeed spot in the series. move onward in racing since it’s Inge’s parents sup“The run for the championship was not able to catch up to Miller primarily a sport for younger folks on the racetrack. ported his dream. This season, Inge competed in the was a great experience for all of us,” and took second place in the final to make their name early.” “I was very happy to
standings. “We probably should have stayed with what we knew at that point,” Satchell said. “But with the way Chris Miller ran that weekend, it would have been tough to overtake him anyway.” One of the problems that hindered Inge’s shot at the championship was inconsistency in two starts because of damage to his car, which occurred because of ill-advised moves by other drivers. “A series is all about consistency, so you can’t win a few races and expect to win the series,” Inge said. “That just doesn’t happen. You have to be consistently near the front and be aware that every move you make can potentially lose the series for you.” Despite the second place finish, Inge is moving up the ladder. Though he’s not sure exactly where he will be competing, Inge knows that he won’t be back in the F2000 series. “The 2000 series was good, but I feel I can make it on the next level,” Inge said. “It just takes the right amount of sponsors to go out on a limb. If I can, I would like to get in the Star Mazda or Indy Lights — just that next step up.”
Cross country youth movement begins with sophomore Dow “ GARRETT RIPA sports staff writer
ON/SPPS LUKE MAS
Early in women’s cross-country runner Sammy Dow’s college career, she is beginning to show considerable talent. Last year Dow placed 59th out of 110 runners at the Atlantic Coast Conference championships with a 6K time of 22:34. At the Virginia Tech Alumni Invitational, Dow placed 15th out of 93 runners, coming up with another solid race early in the season. But success isn’t anything new to the sophomore distance runner. She only began to run competitively in eighth grade, but Dow managed to obtain All-State and All-American honors in her four years running at Midlothian High School in Midlothian, Va. She collected All-State honors while running in the 1000m, mile and two-mile races at Virginia’s state championships. Her high school 4xMile relay team placed first at the Nike Indoor Nationals landing her
You have to do your best work even when nobody’s watching. You’ll go and get it done. Sammy I feel really has that.” BEN THOMAS CROSS COUNTRY COACH
All-American honors as well. At Tech, she plans to continue her trend of success, and her coach believes she can. “The ACC is easily the best conference for women’s distance running,” cross country coach Ben Thomas said. “For a freshman to come in and get in the top half is a very good start.” Coach Thomas described Dow as “positive, hard-working, and committed” and has expectations of her continued success and improvement. A top runner in the ACC has both skill and experience.
“You want to do your workouts right, you don’t want to go out too fast and end up dying at the end,” Dow said. “You want to pace yourself.” Dow sets lofty yet attainable goals for herself. This season, she is aiming for a top-20 finish at the ACC championships coming up on Oct. 31 in Cary, N.C. In the future, she is looking to qualify for NCAA nationals. At the Virginia Tech Cross-Country Relay, Dow and fellow sophomore teammate Lauren Pinkston finished in third place out of 27 runners. Pinkston finished 69th at the ACC championships last year and is also one of Tech’s top runners. It will be crucial to the team’s success for the younger runners like Dow and Pinkston to run well. “These guys are sophomores we’re counting on,” coach Thomas said. After suffering an injury at the beginning of indoor season last year, Dow was sidelined for the entire spring track season. This fall, she knocked off about 30 seconds from
her 6K time to make up for lost time. “It’s too late once you get here to whip yourself into shape,” Thomas said. “It’s easy to go home and work your summer when everything is going well. When you had to sit out all spring it’s a little harder. It tells me (Dow’s) got the mindset that it takes, whether you’re really talented or not you have to have that mindset to be competitive in the ACC. “You have to do your best work even when nobody’s watching. You’ll go and get it done. Sammy I feel really has that.” Dow has come far but will need to further cut her 6K time to be a top-20 ACC finisher. While not a perfect comparison, the runner who placed 20th in the ACC’s last year recorded a time of 21:27. That would leave Sammy with at least 30 seconds left to cut between now and the end of October. “With continued hard work nothing is out of her reach,” Thomas said. “(Sammy) is not afraid to lay it on the line.”
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october 7, 2009