Stop scrawling away standard favors, give coupons with consequences.
Got a Valentine’s Day gift for your sweetie, yet?
ountless gift guides cite homemade coupon books as the quintessential, inexpensive and heartfelt gift. More often than not though, they come off as the quintessential and lazy emergency gift. Especially akin to this is “Naughty Notes” in Cosmo magazine, which revolve around coupons for inconsequential sexual favors. Chances are, if you are desperate enough to leave around a coupon reading “Meet me in the shower, I’m feeling dirty,” you will need more than a quick rinse to clean up your relationship. After all, if Cosmo really has all the answers, then why is it constantly seeking out 364 ways to please your “new man” anyway? Forgo suggestive sonnets this year for statements that actually bear weight. Pump your lover for more than pleasure with coupons like “one thorough discussion about the future of our relationship” or “one list of everything that irritates you about me.”
C get DIY ideas like this one >> on page eight
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Show them you want to get serious with “one trip to meet the parents” or that they aren’t quite working out with “one day of tolerating your persistent antics.” Whichever route you choose, rest assured these coupons are rooted in the key to any successful relationship: tender, loving passive aggression. HOW TO: Scrounge up your classiest paper or card stock and fold in half, twice. Cut along the lines to create coupon-like strips of paper. Decorate as desired and neatly inscribe each with one “gift.” Create a front cover and fasten the stack together using ribbon, brads, staples, or a needle and thread. IF YOU’RE SINGLE: Don’t feel left out. There are still plenty of coupons you can craft to improve your situation, whether it’s “one night of not calling the cops because of your deafening parties and late night Rock Band sessions” for your neighbors or “one phone call where I admit that I got a ‘D’ in chemistry” for your parents.
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COLLEGIATETIMES 107th year, issue 15
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Cadets kick off annual conference LIANA BAYNE news reporter Marking the beginning of its annual leadership conference today, the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets is preparing to host fellow cadets from around the country for a series of interactive lectures and a keynote speech from a former Navy SEAL and Rhodes Scholar. The conference kicks off today as cadets and faculty from Tech and other national military schools gather to discuss leadership in today’s military. About 30 guests from senior and junior military colleges will attend. Colonel Dave Miller, Tech’s deputy commandant for leader development, said the conference is designed to give “a diverse opinion and the opportunity for cadets to voice their own opinions” on leadership issues. Miller also said the conference gives cadets a good chance to get “real world experience,” as some of them helped to organize the conference. “Our cadet staff really puts this conference on,” Miller said. Cadet major Jason Oberoi, a senior political science major, is in charge of a staff of six cadets that has been working to organize the conference. Oberoi said his team has had to learn how to deal with many logistical issues, including providing meals and places to stay for visiting cadets, as well as writing the schedule for the conference, organizing discussion groups and reserving meeting rooms. “This is run completely by cadets,” Oberoi said. “My guys have gotten the experience of, ‘Hey, this is how you actually plan something, this is how you write a training plan,’ and that’s awesome.” Students and faculty will meet in groups to network with one another and share thoughts on topics that include peer leadership within the military and the way technology will continue to shape leader-
ship in the future. “These are not trivial issues they’re discussing,” Miller said. After holding discussions on Thursday and Friday, cadets will present their findings on Saturday morning. Oberoi said the groups have been specially designed to bring a wide range of perspectives to all participants. “We have a way of training and we have traditions here, and other places do things differently,” Oberoi said. “It can only help you to grow to hear from others.” The conference also features a keynote speech tonight at 7 p.m. in Burruss Auditorium from Lieutenant Eric Greitens. Greitens is a Navy SEAL and founder and CEO of The Mission Continues, a nonprofit organization designed to assist wounded veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars in transitioning to U.S.-based leadership positions. Greitens is a Rhodes Scholar and a Truman Scholar. His speech is free and attendance is open to the public, including those not associated with the corps. On Friday evening, conference participants will host a formal retreat ceremony on the upper quad at 5 p.m. that features the firing of Skipper and a performance by the Highty-Tighties. This event is also open to the public. On Saturday evening, a formal military ball and senior banquet will be held. Miller said the conference, which has been held annually at Tech since the mid 1960s, is a good way for cadets from different branches of the military to network with one another. “It’s always good for you to broaden your horizons and to meet folks who are going into the same career path,” he said. Oberoi said the main benefit of the conference is “to have the ability to bounce ideas off of other guys.” “You are going to have to work with someone from another branch at some point in your military career,” he said.
Framing a new slogan
A
new survey is asking students to create slogans to be featured on the Orange and Maroon Effect Tshirts for the 2010-11 football season. Students can submit ideas for the backs of the shirts at HokieEffect. com. Entrants can win up to $300 and
free T-shirts. Last year’s Maroon Effect slogan was, “We challenge you to walk down our Lane.” The Orange Effect slogan was, “You can’t take the VT out of Victory.” by zach crizer, nrv news editor
LUKE MASON/SPPS
Google aims to take on Facebook with new ‘Buzz,’ social feature JESSICA GUYNN mcclatchy newspapers SAN FRANCISCO — Google, which has faltered in its attempts to break into the booming social networking business, is making another bid to counter the growing influence of Silicon Valley rival Facebook and San Francisco upstart Twitter with new products that make it easier to share with friends on its Internet e-mail service Gmail. The Internet giant held a news conference at its Mountain View, Calif., headquarters Tuesday to show off “Buzz,” which incorporates social media tools such as photo and video sharing and status updates in Gmail. Google Buzz, which launches Tuesday, will also be accessible on mobile phones. And Google will eventually also debut a version of Buzz for businesses. Google co-founder Sergey Brin, vice president of product management Bradley Horowitz, vice president of engineering Vic Gundotra, and product manager Todd Jackson were on hand to show it off. The tagline for Google Buzz is “a Google approach to sharing.”
SCREEN CAPTURE BY LUKE MASON /SPPS
Buzz is perhaps Google’s boldest effort yet to get social. It is taking on Facebook and Twitter as well as other hot start-ups such as Foursquare (and borrowing from Gmail creator and exGoogler Paul Buchheit’s FriendFeed, which was absorbed by Facebook).
The new service has five features, Jackson said. You will automatically follow the people you e-mail and chat with on a regular basis. You will be able to share content from around the Web, including YouTube videos, Flickr photos, site links and other materials. You will be able
to share your thoughts in a public way and in a private way. You will get social updates in your inbox. And Google will help you find only the stuff that matters by recommending popular content. The mobile version of Buzz can figure out where you are and show you nearby buzz posts. “Google has long said their goal is to organize the world’s information. With the introduction of Buzz, you can see the company recognizes how social has become a ‘Google scale’ problem that needs improved discovery and real relevancy,” said technology blogger Louis Gray. “People are sharing their content in a wide variety of social sites online, and Buzz is the first product from Google that looks to harness this data in one place and provide a platform for discussion.” Last month, Google introduced a new feature that displays search results related to their friends and other members of their social networks. Google has been trying for years to gain a foothold in social networking as its smaller, more nimble competitors steal some of its thunder. Orkut, its social networking service, gained a mass following in Brazil and nowhere else.
Attempts to buy its way into the arena also failed, when Google acquired — then ultimately scrapped — the services offered by Twitter competitor Jaiku and Foursquare forebearer Dodgeball. Analysts remain skeptical that this effort will catapult Google into the social stratosphere. Meanwhile, Facebook has exploded in popularity. It has become such a central part of many people’s lives that it’s replacing e-mail. That’s exactly what Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is looking to do: turn his site into the starting point and focal point of the Internet experience. Facebook’s strategy of connecting the world’s people, versus Google’s strategy of organizing the world’s information, seems to be resonating. So now Google says it’s going to organize the world’s social information. The Silicon Valley showdown is heating up. Google is still the Web’s No. 1 most-visited site, with 173 million U.S. visitors in December, according to ComScore Media Metrix. But Facebook is gaining. Facebook was the fourthmost visited site in December, with 111.8 million visitors.
2 sports
editors: joe crandley, alex jackson sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
february 11, 2010
Tech softball team ready for season opener Friday
MICHAEL MCDERMOTT/SPPS
Tech second baseman Kristin Froehlich tries to turn a double play last season against Boston College.
TECH PICKED TO FINISH FOURTH IN ACC, OPENS UP FRIDAY AGAINST DREXEL IN JACKSONVILLE, FLA. NICK CAFFERKY sports staff writer It certainly doesn’t look like spring outside, but the Virginia Tech softball team is ready to start its season Friday in a tournament at Jacksonville University. Despite the large amount of snowfall that Blacksburg has recently received, the Hokies haven’t let it stop their preparation for the upcoming season, as the team has been practicing hard in its indoor facility. Tech is coming off of a 28-28 season where it posted an 8-10 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference. After upsetting Maryland in the first
round of the ACC Tournament, the Hokies’ season came to an end against Georgia Tech, the eventual conference champion. In 2009, the Hokies were led by a group of five seniors, including AllAmerican Jenna Rhodes and AllRegion players Jessica Everhart and Charisse Mariconda. Since that core group is no longer with the team, many spots will need to be filled by players that may not have much in-game experience. Junior Richelle McGarva and senior Misty Hall will be two starters this year, despite limited playing experience last season. Both were expected
to be factors last season, but were not able to play due to injuries. “We lost some people, yes, and Jenna Rhodes and Charisse Mariconda stick out the most,” said head coach Scot Thomas. “But like I also said, Richelle and Misty, had they been in the lineup, they would have been in the top five of our offensive categories, too.” While McGarva and Hall are going to fill some of the voids left by graduation, the Hokies will need big contributions from the freshman class, specifically from Bkaye Smith and Courtney Liddle. Liddle is expected to handle the responsibilities behind the plate, while Smith will replace former Hokie Erin Ota at second base. Smith will perhaps have the biggest impact of the freshmen, as she will also be replacing Rhodes at the top of the batting order. “Those are pretty big shoes to fill and I just need to stay focused and do my best,” Smith said. “I’ve been told my part, and if I can’t do it, someone will take my spot.” After Smith, the lineup will most likely follow with McGarva, Hall, sophomore Kristin Graham, and junior Ashton Ward. These players will be critical if the Hokies want to score runs. Seniors scored 70 percent of Tech’s runs last season. While Tech has been able to continue practice despite the snow, fielding is one dimension that the Hokies could struggle with early on. Even though he doesn’t expect it to be a long-term issue, Thomas thinks the fact that the team hasn’t been able to field balls off of the dirt could hurt the Hokies from the beginning. One aspect of the team that won’t be expected to start slow, however, is the pitching staff. Junior Kenzie Roark will return after being the anchor of the staff last year, going 22-18 with an earned run average of 2.73. After pitching the bulk of the schedule last season, Roark comes into this year with confidence one can only gain from experience. “The way that I approach pitching now is completely different from how I approached it last year,” Roark said. “I wasn’t quite as confident as I am now and I think I’ve grown a lot as far as maturity and being confident in the way I throw and knowing I can throw a pitch whenever I need to.” Roark will be a big part of the Hokies’ pitching staff again this season, but Thomas plans on distributing the innings in the circle more evenly this year. Not only will freshman Jasmin Harrell come in and pitch innings immediately, but Tech also brought in Ward, a transfer from the University of Tennessee. Ward went 30-7 in her two years at TennesseeandwasnamedtotheNFCA All-South Region Team as a freshman. Graham has also impressed the coaches and will pitch some innings as well. “It’s going to be a good mix, and I kind of feel we got to match up who we’re playing with against which pitcher we put in, and I think they are looking over their shoulders and are excited they have someone to back them up, to be honest,” Thomas said. The Hokies were picked to finish fourth in a poll by the ACC coaches behind Georgia Tech, Florida State and North Carolina, but because of all of the new players, Thomas isn’t sure where to set expectations yet. “I think we’ll know pretty quickly,” Thomas said. “I think it could be a bit of a roller coaster ride early, but I think by the time we get to spring break and that part of the season, we are going to really have a good idea of what this team is going to be all about.” The upcoming tournament in Jacksonville will include two games against Drexel, and three others against UNC Greensboro, Bethune-Cookman, and the host, Jacksonville. The Hokies’ first home game will take place on Feb. 24 at 3 p.m. against Radford.
february 11, 2010
page 3
Defense is the key for Hokies’ success on the diamond RAY NIMMO ct sports reporter Hitting and pitching are bound to come up first when thinking about baseball, but it’s the little details that determine if a team can win a championship. One of those details is defense, and the Virginia Tech baseball team has been working hard during the offseason to improve it. “You got to be really good in those (defensive) categories to win at this level and this league,” said head coach Pete Hughes. “You’ve got to minimize giving your opponent opportunities and extra outs.” Compared to opponents in the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Hokies’ defense, specifically the infield, has struggled mightily the last few years. Tech finished 10th out of 12 in fielding percentage (.960) in 2009, dead last (.952) in 2008 and ninth (.966) in 2007. The Hokies wielded powerful bats and exceptional pitching talent last season and finished 32-21 overall — their best winning percentage since 1999. However, defense struggles led to defeats that might have kept them out of the NCAA tournament. Tech committed almost three errors per game in its first 12 losses of the season, including a seven-error debacle versus North Carolina State. Hughes and the players were reluctant to make excuses, but injuries ran rampant through the infield last season. “We got the injury bug in our infield last year,” Hughes said, “and we had to ask a freshman (Ronnie Shaban) who’s not your prototypical infielder to play shortstop for you in the best league in the country. There are some growing pains there. And then you take your third baseman because of injury and you have to play him at second base in Michael Seaborn.” Something changed late in the season, however. The Hokies committed just 18 errors in the last 20 games for an average of 0.9 errors per game. At the start of those last 20 games, junior Austin Wates was moved to first base. “He’s the best athlete I ever coached,” Hughes said. “He can play anywhere. You used to put the bad-bodied slow kid (at first base), but we put an athlete there. Next thing you know, no balls get through the right side, no popups fall down the right field line and every ball that’s thrown in the dirt is picked.” Experience was undoubtedly a factor in the improvement last season as well, and each infielder agrees that maturity is now the main reason for hope in a better defense this season. “We were kind of young the last couple years,” said sophomore third baseman Ronnie Shaban. “People were moving around with injuries and stuff. This year we have an older infield — veterans. Hopefully everyone stays healthy and we should have a pretty good infield this year.” The Hokies have five seasoned infielders: Shaban, redshirt junior shortstop Tim Smalling, redshirt junior second baseman Michael Seaborn, Wates, and junior utility player Tony Balisteri. College baseball features a steep learning curve for defenders, as Shaban learned last season. The speed of the game can overwhelm some freshmen. “It’s just inexperience,” Shaban said. “Playing at this level, they’re going to hit the ball harder, and the game moves faster than high school and other leagues.” Wates said Tech’s infield should not have to deal with the gap between high school and college this season. “The pace that this game is played is so much higher than it is in high school,” Wates said. “The game always speeds up as you progress in levels. I think that’s just something people were struggling with. We’ve got a lot of older guys this year. There’s not a whole lot of youth in the lineup. I
don’t think that will really be a problem this year.” Besides the inevitable maturation and progression the players endure, they have done some specific drills to improve their defense. “There’s a lot of drills you can do individually,” Seaborn said, “like throwing balls off the walls, grabbing a partner and playing catch with him or throwing groundballs. We do what we call ‘everydays,’ which are short drills when we can’t get outside because of the snow or cold weather.” Snow may be great for canceling classes and sledding, but it has hampered the team’s development. Players and coaches have been using the brand new indoor hitting facility beside English Field to combat the weather. “It’s been challenging,” Hughes said. “You want to see balls come out of the dirt so infielders can read hops, the right spacing and throw across the diamond. We lose that when we can’t get outdoors.” With the Feb. 19 opening game rapidly approaching, Hughes is trying to HUSSEIN AHMED/SPPS move the team south to practice on actual fields. In the mean time, the Redshirt sophomore pitcher Marc Zecchino delivers a pitch to the plate last season during the Hokies’ game against James Madison University on Apr. 8 at English Field. facility offers a chance for players to come in at any time to get hundreds of reps in. Speaking of repetitions, the coaches have drilled in players’ heads the team’s golden rule for defense: make the routine play. “The one thing coach (Mike) Gambino emphasizes the most is just making the routine play,” Seaborn said. “Obviously, getting the double play or the rare triple play is great, but make routine plays, get outs and help out the pitchers.”
“
I think if we can field in the top half of this league, that’s critical for our success and where we want to go this year.” PETE HUGHES HEAD COACH
Getting those outs requires some communication between the infielders, especially on certain plays. “We do pop-up priorities probably once or twice a week,” Wates said. “That’s the biggest part of communicating because there’s all these rules for who has power over who when the ball is in the air. Middle infield has priority over corner infielders, center fielder has priority over corner outfielders and the infielders, catcher has priority over the pitcher. Communicating is definitely huge.” Awareness is also key, as each play occurs under a unique game circumstance. “It’s really big always knowing where the runners are,” Seaborn said. “Before the game, we talk about the different hitters in the lineups and whether they pull or hit opposite field. (We also talk about) the speed of the runners. There’s a lot of preparation before the games as well as focus during the games.” Considering the difficulties with the defense in past seasons, the players and coaches agree that an improved defense is the last component the team needs to make a run at the ACC title. “I think if we can field in the top half of this league, that’s critical for our success and where we want to go this year,” Hughes said. “I love our defense in the outfield, too. Everyone wants to lock in on defense in the infield, but you better be able to control the run game in the ACC from your catcher and pitching staff. If you don’t, it’s over.” Balisteri reiterated that making routine plays would improve the team as a whole. “Defense wins you ball games,” Balisteri said. “If we go out there, make the plays we should make and back up our pitching, we’ll give the pitchers more confidence. That’s what we need.”
4 news
new river valley news editor: zach crizer university editor: philipp kotlaba newseditor@collegiatetimes.com/540.231.9865
february 11, 2010
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blacksburg headlines
COLLEGIATETIMES
]
Laundry reservation system goes online On-campus residents have a new way to do their laundry as Housing and Residence Life launched the new Laundry Web system yesterday. Students can now log on and reserve a laundry machine, view available washers and dryers in all residence halls and receive e-mail or text message notifications when their laundry is done. Kenneth Belcher, Virginia Tech’s associate director for occupancy management, said several other universities have similar systems in place, so Tech decided to try the system out. “It’s just giving residents a little more time to be proactive,” Belcher said. Students can only access Laundry Web from the residence hall network. Those in other locations around the university cannot view Laundry Web. Additionally, only residents who live on campus can access the system. Students log in using their Tech PID and password for verification. “That’s so your mom can’t schedule your laundry for you,” Belcher said. Belcher hopes Laundry Web, a co-venture between Residence Life, Virginia Tech Services and the Hokie Passport office, will make the boring task more convenient for students. “Doing laundry is an inconvenience,” Belcher said, “and we want to make it more pleasurable.” by liana bayne, news reporter
CORRECTIONS JUSTIN GRAVES -Contact our public editor at publiceditor@ collegiatetimes.com if you see anything that needs to be corrected.
[
Wondering what's going on around the 'burg? Check out the events of the upcoming week.
[Thursday, February 11]
[Saturday, February 13]
[Tuesday, February 16]
What: Groova Scape Where: Gillie’s When: 9:30 p.m. Cost: Free
What: The Shack Band (acoustic set) Where: Gilie’s When: 7 p.m.
What: Presentation: “I’d Rather Shoot a Camera Than a Gun: Women Photographers of World War II” Where: Torgersen 2150 When: 7:30 p.m. Cost: Free
[Friday, February 12]
[Sunday, February 14]
[Wednesday, February 17]
What: Imani Winds Where: The Lyric When: 8 p.m. Cost: General $15; Seniors $10; Students $5
What: Student Ensemble Concert: SWE and Symphony Band Where: Squires Haymarket Theater When: 3 p.m. Cost: General $5; Seniors, Students $3
What: BSA Presents: Dana Gilmore Where: Squires Haymarket Theater When: 7 p.m. Cost: Free
What: Melodime with The Don’t Call Us Sweethearts & Logan Kraft Band Where: Attitudes When: 9 p.m. Cost: Tickets are either $6 in advance at www.inticketing.com, or at the door. 18 and up with a valid ID.
If you would like an event featured in our calendar, e-mail featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com with event details, including cost.
New leaders rise from rubble in Haiti’s camps JIM WYSS & FRANCES ROBLES mcclatchy newspapers PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — When the earthquake struck, Marie Yvelene Boisdefer was at the soccer stadium, teaching a group of young women a dance routine they were going to debut during Haiti’s preLenten carnival festivities. Her first reaction was to drop to her knees and pray. Her second was to take charge, as the roofless stadium filled with shellshocked neighbors who dragged the wounded and dying into its relative safety. Nobody from the government ever came to offer assistance or take responsibility. Boisdefer became one of the earthquake’s accidental mayors. The Jan. 12 quake leveled this
once-bustling port city, killing at least 230,000 people and leaving some 1.1 million homeless. It also left the government in shambles, destroying every major ministry, flattening Port-au-Prince’s City Hall, and leaving President Rene Preval struggling to stay relevant. In the power vacuum, Haitians have had to fend, and lead, for themselves. Many of those who lost their homes are trying to remake their lives in one of more than 500 encampments that have sprouted up around the city. Some are home to a few dozen people; others to tens of thousands. Almost a month after the earthquake, 950 families have pitched tents on the artificial grass of Sylvio Cator stadium, and more are coming every day. Boisdefer finds doctors for the wounded, evicts troublemakers,
prints ID badges and scrambles to find food. “Right now, everybody in the country has to do a little something to help,” said Boisdefer, who lives in a red, one-person Coleman tent. Her husband, well-known disc jockey Ben Constant, sleeps in his car. “People are doing everything on their own.” Those who live in the stadium are some of the lucky ones. Many of the encampments have weak leadership or are still adrift. “This place is chaos; we have no idea who is really in charge,” said Acceh Guerrier, 39, as he huddled beneath an outstretched bed sheet with his family. Although multiple people have registered his name and promised to issue him an identification card, they have never made good on their word.
After facing similar problems at the sprawling tent city at the Champs de Mars in front of the demolished presidential palace, residents planned to elect leaders this week in order to coordinate the distribution of aid. The issue of who’s in charge has become increasingly important as these informal communities compete for food, water and medical services that are flooding in from the international community. Giovanni Cassani is in charge of settlement issues with the International Organization on Migration, which distributes tents and other nonfood aid to the encampments. He said many of the camps have pre-earthquake leadership structures. That is, existing city commissioners and delegates assumed those roles in the camps.
nation & world headlines
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Lawsuit claims TSA detained student for Arabic flashcards LOS ANGELES — A college student who says he was detained at a Philadelphia airport because he was carrying English-Arabic flashcards filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against employees of the Transportation Security Administration, the FBI and the Philadelphia Police Department, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. Nicholas George, a senior majoring in physics and Middle Eastern studies at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., was returning to California from Philadelphia in August when he was randomly selected for extra screening at Philadelphia International Airport, the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia states. When George emptied his pockets, he took out the flashcards. Authorities detained him in the screening area for 30 minutes before he was questioned by a TSA supervisor, the lawsuit states. At one point, the supervisor asked George if he knew who committed the 9/11 terrorist attacks, according to the lawsuit. George answered, “Osama bin Laden.” “Do you know what language he spoke?” the supervisor asked, according to the document. “Arabic,” George answered. The supervisor then held up the flashcards and said, “Do you see why these cards are suspicious?” George said he was handcuffed and held for almost five hours, during which time he was questioned by two FBI agents, who asked if George was “Islamic” or a member of a “communist group,” according to the complaint. One of the agents concluded that George, 22, was “not a real threat,” the lawsuit states. “No one should be treated like a criminal for simply learning one of the most widely spoken languages in the world,” George said in statement released by the ACLU.” by raja abdulrahim, mcclatchy newspapers
opınıons 5
editor: debra houchins opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com/540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
february 11, 2010
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Your Views [letter to the editor]
Letter from Seth Greenberg
I
’d like to thank all of you that found a way to get to the Cassell this past weekend. The turnout was phenomenal, inspiring and no doubt had a huge effect on the outcome of the game. I continue to be appreciative and amazed at the energy that your support has created throughout the course of the season. With seven games remaining on the Atlantic Coast Conference schedule, each and every home game becomes that much more pivotal. This weekend, the University of Virginia comes to town and I know I can count on you to create the type of environment that both inspires us and intimidates the
visiting team. This is a key time of the year. Each game that you win makes the next game that much more important. Your continued support is important to our future as we work toward reaching our preseason goals. Please arrive at the Cassell early and set the tone for an exciting 40 minutes of basketball against Virginia. Also, don’t forget that we will have another Chalk Talk on Friday at noon in D2. I look forward to seeing you there and better informing you of our game plan for the Cavaliers. It’s a great day to be a Hokie!
Seth Greenberg Men’s Basketball Coach
Super Bowl ads at their finest, worst T
here has been a lot of discussion over the presence of — or lack of — recognizable corporations and organizations from the Super Bowl’s subplot. The most notable, of course, is Pepsi. After years and years of memorable ads that featured celebrities like Britney Spears and Ozzy Osbourne, Pepsi scrapped its enormous Super Bowl advertising budget and channeled funds originally earmarked for ads into its large community outreach program, the Refresh Project. The communication managers at PepsiCo have just won the Super Bowl of public relations. Coming out of an economic climate that shuns ostentation and unnecessary spending, the choice to fund this public service is groundbreaking. Pepsi won before the Super Bowl began. The other advertisement with big implications was the Pam and Tim Tebow advertisement. The advertisement was paid for by Focus on the Family, which was supposed to allow Pam to discuss her moral dilemma of possibly terminating her pregnancy after contracting an illness while on a trip to the Philippines. She obviously elected to comply with her Christian morality and keep the baby, though her physicians informed her that it might put her life in jeopardy. Nine months later, Tim Tebow was born. The ad missed much of the original content and relied upon prior knowledge of Tebow’s life. The anti-abortion advertisement was itself controversial, but the decision not to air gay dating service ManCrunch’s advertisement added concern for equal representation. CBS has since seen quite the uproar from gay rights advocates. Though it seems unfair to allow the Tebows to air their commercial in the public forum on one side of a contentious issue, while refusing ManCrunch’s message, CBS reserves the right to air whatever it sees fit, obviously excluding material deemed indecent by the Federal Communications Commission. CBS clearly foresaw the outrage that has risen from the Tebow ad, but the uproar from American media consumers that would have ensued had the ManCrunch ad aired might have been colossal. Unfortunately, America is still homophobic. The freedom of sexual expression has not become nationwide yet, but thankfully the likelihood of an American showing acceptance has increased over the last decade.
It’s just not completely ready for such an ad. The final company worth discussing is Frito-Lay. The abundance of Doritos advertisements during the Super Bowl was nearly overbearing. The snack food company’s advertisements were some of the most entertaining of the Super Bowl, but this fact might be due to the fact that they were always running an ad. Frito-Lay produces wonderful products — I think we can all agree with that. I love Doritos. But that’s the problem: nearly everyone in America has tried the company’s products. There is no reason for it to pump eight digits of money into ad space when everyone in the country has tried Frito-Lay’s products. That’s a major issue with me. I don’t understand why it and Coca-Cola both pumped in so much money, when almost everyone in the country has eaten a bag of Doritos while drinking a Coke. Also, I don’t understand why the federal government flushed away so many American tax dollars to air the two 30-second advertisements. Yahoo! News reported that the federal government spent $2.5 million on the ads. That’s a lot of money to be spent in a minute. But the most progressive spending of Super Bowl time and money was the commercial space of Miller High Life. If you remember its Super Bowl ad from a year ago, you remember that the entirety of the advertisement was a one-second clip of their High Life deliveryman shouting, “High Life!” This year, the guys at High Life decided to donate their ad space to four small businesses across the country. It was such a good commercial. The advertisements for this Super Bowl were excellent. David Letterman appeared with NBC’s victor of late night gladiators Jay Leno, men everywhere were urged to wear pants, and Stevie Wonder played “punch buggy” with Tracy Morgan. I still don’t know how Stevie saw it. I enjoyed watching the commercials, but not as much as the game itself. Congratulations to the city of New Orleans for this wonderful symbol of the city’s resurrection.
BEN WOODY -senior -English major
E-mail opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com.
College environment poses risk for under age drinkers T
he expensive textbooks have been purchased, new roommates have moved in, and classes are underway: American students have recently commenced a new semester at their colleges and universities. When the exciting and overwhelming influx of new friends and classes has initially dwindled down, students — especially those living in a college environment — seek opportunities to escape from the stresses of college life. In a college town, this usually equates to attending parties and various social gatherings. Of course, the majority of college students’ mentalities would be incomplete if the presence of alcohol was not involved in the social scene. Alcohol is a ubiquitous staple in the college environment, and young adults between the ages of 18-24 years old are most at risk for abusing the judgment-impairing drug. In a time when consumption of alcohol is accepted — and almost expected — among college students, we need to remember that young adults are incredibly vulnerable to the dangers associated with over-consumption of alcohol — a term referred to as binge drinking. According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, a “binge” is a pattern of drinking alcohol that brings blood alcohol concentration to at least 0.08 percent or above. This pattern corresponds to consuming at least five drinks for a male adult and at least four drinks for a female adult in approximately a two-hour time span. The consequences of excessive drinking affect virtually all college campuses, college communities, and college students: about four in five
of all college students drink, including students aged 18 to 20, nearly 60 percent of whom drink illegally. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 90 percent of the alcohol consumed by underage youths is in the form of binge drinking. As mass marketing campaigns have perpetuated the glamorization of alcohol consumption, imagine the increase in these statistics as we begin this new decade! We are not naïve to the potential outcomes of binge drinking. By simply tuning in to the news, we learn of unfortunate stories of young adults prematurely losing their lives in tragic, alcohol-related accidents. An increase in students who reported being charged of driving while intoxicated has resulted in an increase of alcohol-related deaths. The CDC further describes the kinds of intentional and unintentional injuries that result from binge drinking, including sexual assault, date rape, firearm injuries, domestic violence, car crashes, burns and drowning. Other health problems resulting from binge drinking include alcohol poisoning, sexually transmitted diseases, unintended pregnancy, high blood pressure, stroke, liver disease, neurological damage and sexual dysfunction. The college environment promotes this unhealthy behavior, particularly due to the availability and accessibility of alcohol on campuses. Furthermore, students who observe their peers engaging in binge drinking may be more willing to conform to the negative behavior if they perceive their peers to be enjoying themselves. Unfortunately, loss of inhibitions is a positively perceived effect of alcohol
consumption, especially for the shy and introverted. However, alcohol no longer seems to be as enticing when you find yourself being the caretaker of a sick friend who is vomiting in the bathroom of a bar or club as a result of binge drinking. If you are lucky, your friend will sleep it off and fail to remember his or her actions from the previous night. For the not so lucky, your friend may require medical attention if alcohol poisoning were to occur. Alcohol abuse is likely — and frequent — since society views drinking as a normal and accepted part of life, especially campus life. The consumption of alcohol is unquestionably a social activity, influenced by popular culture and media solely depicting — and oftentimes, fabricating — the positive effects of alcohol without taking into consideration the infinitely greater negatives. As the new semester progresses into busy weeks teeming with assignments, projects, exams and friends, let’s keep in mind the dangers that binge drinking poses to the health of the millions of students in our nation’s colleges and universities. The college environment isn’t going anywhere, and it would surely be devastating to hear another news story of an alcohol-related accident that claimed yet another youth’s life.
TAZEEN DHANANI -class of 2008, psychology and art history -MPH candidate
Earth Sustainability innovates, exemplary department excels A
n enthusiastic pitch made by a faculty member during my freshmen orientation is how I first learned about the Earth Sustainability program at Virginia Tech. They promised the crowd of new Hokies an alternative core curriculum that fulfilled area credits through a “learning community” that would explore various disciplines through the lens of resource sustainability. The chance to be a part of something novel was alluring. The details surrounding my acceptance into the program are in many ways emblematic of what my undergraduate experience at Tech has become. I remember being anxious in the crowd during orientation — like I was being sized up by my peers. I was also intensely aware that orientation was the prime opportunity to take chances, to make friends, and in some small way to create a sense of closeness amidst the chaos of a large public university. I was lucky. Had I been a freshman in fall 2005 or 2007, I might not have learned about ES. The program is wholly dependent on research grants and the creativity of our administrators to gather funds for the alternative core curriculum, which is why it is only offered every two years. This makes ES impermanent, and its survival thus far is due to the extremely hard work and impassioned conviction of its creators. My parents enthusiastically supported my decision to join ES. I have a vivid memory of learning about the program among the crowd of freshmen, but I also knew my parents had seen a similar pitch for ES in their own orientation. I recently called my dad to test his memory (it
needs frequent testing) to determine if he had any initial reactions when he heard of ES. I wasn’t ready for what he told me. When my mom was diagnosed with a brain tumor 19 years ago, my father became her fierce advocate. All the doctors they sought out recommended surgery, but my parents did not feel comfortable with their advice. My dad finally found the medical team he was looking for at George Washington University. GWU is a “teaching hospital.” Doctors are not only treating patients, but are actively engaged in research — constantly finding answers to questions and adapting their techniques — a process that requires an intellectual bravery set apart from other practices. Pedagogy is the art, science or profession of teaching. ES is part of an extensive pedagogical research project that tracks the intellectual development of undergraduate students as compared to large, lecture style classes. The program requires that teachers exhibit flexibility in their methods and that they respond to critique — it also requires students to take ownership of the classroom. This alternative style creates a dynamic that encourages real learning, the ability to teach oneself, and effectively collaborate. As a “teaching hospital” would provide cutting-edge research and more comprehensive health care, my dad recognized ES as its educational equivalent. True to the pitch, my instructors are not only curious in what we learn, but how we learn, that we want to learn, and how we use what we learn. I know what I’ve learned from ES not
because I have kept all the readings and exams, but because I can articulate the themes and concepts and teach others. It’s a metric that cannot be understood in leaden Scantron, and my commitment to the program is the smartest decision I’ve made at Tech. Last Tuesday, ES, along with the Department of Chemistry, was awarded the 2009 Exemplary Department Award for its outstanding faculty and its integration of research in the classroom. Daniel Wubah, vice president and dean for undergraduate education, introduced the award and expressed his hope that there were more undergraduate opportunities in the ‘mode’ of ES at Tech. Uninspired accounting may undermine undergraduate education’s exemplary department — but I am confident that our administration’s commitment to providing Hokies the best education possible will trump any expected budget constraints. In many ways ES is emblematic of what undergraduate academics can become. It is a testament to our university’s motto, “Invent the Future.” It is my hope that prospective Hokies are allowed to take a chance on an alternative core curriculum — and not just because they’re lucky enough to hear it on an even year during orientation.
CHRISTOPHER COX -senior -communication, humanities, science and environment
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ACROSS 1 Holy pilgrimage 5 Kids’ getaway 9 “Gimme a break!” 14 Nobelist Wiesel 15 “This looks like trouble” 16 Leonard Marx, familiarly 17 *“Get going!” 19 Peyotes, e.g. 20 She played Donna in the film “Mamma Mia!” 21 Sinus specialist, briefly 23 Baseball Hall of Famer Speaker 24 *1986 Pulitzerwinning Western novel 28 Feel the heat 31 Food critic Sheraton 32 “Bingo!” 33 X-Games bike, briefly 35 Run at a red light? 38 1968 Troggs Top 10 hit, and a hint to the hidden puzzle theme in the answers to starred clues 44 Jeans joint 45 Yield to gravity 46 Sportage maker 47 Fresh response 50 Serious-andfunny show 53 *Gunpowder, e.g. 57 They’re not returned 58 Bosox great 59 Comforting comment 63 Parts partner 65 *Duffer’s thrill 68 Native Alaskan 69 Treater’s words 70 Persian Gulf land 71 __ and all 72 Prime minister before Rabin 73 Ancient British Isles settler DOWN 1 Bridge position 2 Burn balm
By Nancy Salomon
3 Fashionable Christian 4 Stevenson physician 5 __-de-sac 6 Yellowfin tuna 7 Changes places 8 Rising star 9 N.C. State’s conference 10 “Who, me?” 11 Tiny 12 When Brutus sees Caesar’s ghost 13 Hullabaloo 18 Big-time 22 “I didn’t need to know that,” informally 25 Birds’ bills 26 Humorist Bombeck 27 Islamic leader 28 __ soda 29 Grinch victims 30 Place for Christmas lights 34 Tee choices 36 Gospel writer 37 Camelot lady 39 Removes gently 40 Eye-opening theater
2/11/10 Wednesday’s Puzzle Solved
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41 Fellows 42 Rural prefix 43 Beatles’ “A __ in the Life” 48 Security threat 49 Course for weavers? 51 Fired up 52 Like some weights 53 Bochco series 54 City NW of Orlando
2/11/10
55 Brand on a patio, maybe 56 Hole site 60 Foal’s parent 61 Rink, often 62 Canterbury’s county 64 Some NFL linemen 66 Feature of a two-ltr. monogram 67 Neighbor of Aus.
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editor: topher forhecz featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865
february 11, 2010
COLLEGIATETIMES
Cast moves to performance stage, receives costumes I
t’s hard to believe I’ve been writing this column for a month, but I’m glad I’ve been able to be your guide to “The Skin of Our Teeth,” the Virginia Tech Department of Theatre and Cinema’s upcoming main stage production. At this stage in the rehearsal process, the show is on its feet and getting better every night. We’re pretty much done learning the lines and we know when and where we need to be. So what’s left, really? A lot. “Skin” has three acts and in order to get them as close to perfect as possible, we’re dedicating a night to each. When I explained blocking last week, I said it involved the constant running and repetition of scenes. Now we’ll be running these acts over and over.
going
e r d l i W
Each 30-minute block of the play will change and grow in this staging process and eventually come together to form “The Skin of Our Teeth.” In exciting news, the cast is finally getting the chance to hit the stage of Squires Studio Theatre this week. We have been using the rehearsal room in the new Theatre 101 building for the past month, but now it’s time to stretch out in the actual performance space. Things change in the performance space. To this point, our stage in the rehearsal room has been a bunch of lines taped on the floor. Now the cast is going to have to deal with lights and set pieces. Which is really lucky because our director, Greg Justice, had a comforting little piece of information for us. “There’s detritus all over the stage,” he said. “It’s wood and corrugated metal and if you step in any of those areas you will go to the hospital. So watch where you’re stepping.” “You’ll at least need a tetanus shot,” added Adam Ressa, our set designer and a senior theatre arts major. Oh, theater. The cast and crew of “Skin” will be spending the coming weekend locked in Squires Studio Theatre for tech rehearsal, one of the last major hurdles a show has to jump before it is performance ready. Tech is when the cast and crew finally put all their work together. The tech crews have been hammering out their parts of the show just as hard as the cast, but they have no idea where we’ll be on
JACK HOWELL/SPPS
Cast members Alex Kruszewski and Ray Gordon rehearse “The Skin of Our Teeth,” at Theatre 101. The play is set to open next week in Squires Student Center’s Studio Theatre. stage or how light will hit us. No one quite knows how the sound will be or if anyone will get tetanus. For the entirety of the tech weekend we will work these issues out. It’s going to be awesome. Hopefully. Another exciting development came in the form of costume fittings. Costumes add a huge dimension to a show and they communicate so much about character. Every actor is different, but I know that when I’m in costume it becomes much easier to get into the scene. I’m excited to say that my costumes are amazing and if they are any indication, the cast is going to look fantastic. From eight-foot dinosaurs to presidential suits, the play has it all in terms of
costuming. I’m super excited to wear my tacky Hawaiian shirt and shortshorts in Act 2. I’m sure you will all look forward to seeing that. Mmmm. I’m going to leave you with that delicious thought this week and invite you to check back next Thursday for a final pre-show update. We’ll be opening up that night so expect a proper description of “Skin” and why you should come.
DAN WAIDELICH -features staff writer -communication major
february 11, 2010
page 8
Valentine’s Day
for the broke &brokenhearted
reshly single, I have two options for my celebration of Valentines Day. The first involves a trip to Hot Topic to fight for the last “I <3 ME” T-shirt, distributing “Singles Awareness Day” cards and taking a stroll through a swanky restaurant to disruptively gag while surrounded by couples exchanging affectionate glances. The second is to admit T-shirts are rarely flattering, “Singles Awareness Day” is trite and unoriginal, and being bitter will only elevate my risk of becoming a spinster. Don’t get me wrong. I am a bitter person. I still think my parents are heartless for making me wait until I was 16 to have a cell phone. I still think my great-grandfather is a selfish jerk for choosing my 13th birthday to die. And I definitely still haven’t forgiven my first ex-boyfriend for dating my male best friend two weeks after he dumped me. But when it comes to Valentine’s Day, I have no animosity. After all, it’s a Hallmark holiday created solely to generate money. Not tears. Not plummeting selfimages. Or even love, for that matter. Hallmark, dear couples, is not interested in saving your relationship.
Think outside of the box o, really. There’s no reason to suffer through that box of Franzia just because it’s the time of year where we glorify flying babies and everything pink. Rather than spend your money on a traditional bottle of booze, head to the Vintage Cellar and choose from hundreds of beers to build your own unique sixpack. For the underage or underpaid, you can make even the most basic beverage exude class with a personalized label. HOW TO: Soak a few bottles of your significant other’s drink of choice in warm water and peel off the label. Wipe dry with a cloth and use a thin layer of glue to attach your own label. Consider using old magazines, photographs or your Photoshop skills to embellish your “love potion.” IF YOU’RE SINGLE: You probably have enough empty beer cans, wine bottles and various flasks around to construct something far more magnificent than your own label. Take them to the recycling center for change, pay off your college loans and invest in a beer brewing kit from Eats in order to keep your mind off the old boo and on the new brew.
N
That glittery, dangly, sparkle-thing isn’t going to make up for the fact that you don’t get along the other 364 days a year. Neither will the singing cards or holographic bowties. This year, I propose we all do without the frills and stress of the occasion and either celebrate it for what it’s worth (kind of gross, but free candy and the occasional dollar bill from the grandparents) or actually use it to bring meaning, not routine to your relationship. Here’s a gift guide that puts a spin on traditional Valentine’s Day fare to benefit both the broke and brokenhearted.
MARY ANNE CARTER -features staff writer
Cards: Make it, not break it (the bank, that is)
Classic, not cliche, love ballads o Valentine’s Day is complete without the sentimental mixtape, but how many versions of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” does one person need? Take a note from lovers whose generation did without prenuptial agreements, friends with benefits and sexting with these classic love songs.
N
All that glitters is not gold, but everything shiny is seriously getting old E very “k-i-s-s” may begin with “k,” but no “b-r-e-a-k-u-p” is complete without it either. No amount of .025 karat diamonds hidden within the paws of an overstuffed teddy bear will say “I love you” like a gift that you actually put thought into. Shock your beau this year with a necklace bearing a little piece of you and give him or her a vial with your hair. Sure, it’s a bit vile, but anyone will appreciate that there’s no greater sacrifice than a human sacrifice.
HOW TO: Clip a small piece of hair from the underside of your hair. Fill vial (available on Etsy or in thrift stores) or small jar with your lock and super-glue the lid, button or cork to the top. For a kitschy look, tie hemp around the top and tie to a chain as a necklace. For a more classic look, use wire. IF YOU’RE SINGLE: Make vials of your own hair to wear until someone else is worthy, or crack open the hair in your ex-lover’s vial to perform voodoo rituals.
edged between the pie filling and peanut butter, Kroger boasts an array of cards with more impressive light shows than a planetarium and as much musical variety as any jukebox. Unfortunately, it will take more than a few flashy features to distract from the stale messages and stock photos of rose draped teddy bears; especially when these cards can set you back $6 each. Save your money, dignity and the planet this year by creating your own Valentines from old magazines. HOW TO: Filled with photos of women straddling vacuums, chainsmoking couples clad in matching pajamas and real headlines proclaiming, “Eating Out Gives Life a Lift! And A Great Way to Your Gal’s Heart!” there is no better source for collage materials than Life magazine. Pick one up at the local thrift store (if you’re lucky) or snag one on eBay, as it is no longer printed. One magazine will provide endless amusement and possibilities for cards for everyone on your list. Just choose your image, cut it out carefully (the paper is fragile), and use an acid-free glue stick to mount it to the paper of your choice. IF YOU’RE SINGLE: There are still plenty of suggestive photos and racy captions for your use. In just a single issue, I was able to snag “Desperate Men Fighting Back,” “I’m Tired of Being a Male Sex-Symbol” and “A Close Up of Wet Baby Beavers.” Enjoy.
W
HOW TO: Prove your commitment by taking the time to go beyond CD-Rs and playlists and create an actual cassette tape. Available at drugstores, they are inexpensive and can be customized with spray paint, stickers and magazine clippings for a truly distinctive spin on your average mix. (Just make sure you cover the holes on the front and the tape with a layer of masking tape before you use any paint.) To create a mixtape straight from your computer, make two playlists that are each the same length as one side of the tape. Then plug your tape player into the output of your computer using
a standard RCA cable, and play the mix as you record for each side. Make an insert out of cardstock with track titles and a personal message, and let the tracks do the trick. IF YOU’RE SINGLE: You have more time than ever to explore good music. Ditch “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and tune into a mix with the same qualities of any good breakup: a little despair and plenty of spite. NOTE: For those looking to end things but fearing confrontation, sit your dearest down for a listen to the “Break Up Mix” and save your own words for pickup lines.