Friday, April 16, 2010 Print Edition

KATIE BIONDO/COLLEGIATE TIMES

Friday, April 16, 2010

BY ZACH CRIZER | nrv news editor

a document states a judgment on Virginia Tech’s actions on April 16, 2007. Somewhere in Burruss, the first determination of right or wrong has been made.

The Department of Education’s Clery Act review states whether or not the university provided the required “timely warnings” to the campus community on the day of the shootings. But that analysis is not yet public.

In the next six months, it will likely become one of the first answers to the myriad questions raised since Seung-Hui Cho killed 32 Tech students and faculty members and injured many more in two separate campus buildings before killing himself.

The federal report will eventually be joined by a civil ruling that could order state and university officials to pay up to $20 million in damages to two families who lost children in the shootings and felt questions loomed too large over the day’s events to sign a settlement with the state.

Three years after the shootings shocked and confounded the university community, some questions may finally be joined by answers.

The Department of Education report was sent to Tech officials earlier in 2010 as part of the standard procedure for a Clery Act program review. The university is given a chance to respond to the findings of the investigation.

Tech was granted an extension on the deadline for the response, which was originally set for March 23.

The university response is now due April 23.

Daniel Carter, the public policy director for the nonprofit group Security on Campus, said the department typically takes about two months to allow investigators to review the response and produce the final report, at which point the findings would become public.

Security on Campus was founded by the parents of Jeanne Clery, the namesake of the Clery Act, which was enacted in 1990 and requires universities to report crime statistics and give communities timely warnings of campus crimes. Jeanne Clery was raped and murdered in her dorm room at Lehigh University in 1986.

Security on Campus filed a request that led to the Department of Education investigation.

The report determines whether Tech complied with the Clery Act on the morning of the shootings. The Clery Act requires a timely warning of any campus incident that endangers students.Carter said the fact that a response is required shows the investigation has significant implications for the university.

“Any institution that goes through the response process, there are substantive findings,” Carter said. “It’s a program review process — that’s what it’s known as — and any institution that goes through the response process is being presented with findings and being asked to respond to those definitive findings.”

If violations are found, Tech faces a $27,500 fine for each violation. The Clery Act also gives the Department of Education the ability to remove a school from the federal financial aid program for non-compliance, but Carter said he sees no way that would happen.

“That has never happened, and it is not the department approach in enforcing Clery Act cases,” Carter said. “The primary objective here is not to punish but to get corrective action.”

Only six universities have ever been fined for Clery Act violations.

The largest fine, $350,000, was imposed on Eastern Michigan University for failing to disclose that a student death was actually a homicide. Carter said schools can appeal the amount of the fine, but the decisions on violations are final.

Dennis Gregory, an Old Dominion University professor who has conducted research on the Clery Act and higher education law, said the corrective actions suggested by the report would be much more important than the actual sanctions — specifically to the entire higher education community.

“What that will do is provide more specificity to the rest of higher education about what kinds of notifica-

107th year, issue 49

April 16 coverage, pages 2-3

tion requirements are required — what one has to do in terms of timely notice,” Gregory said.

Tech spokesman Larry Hincker said the report addresses a topic that is still waiting for a precedent to be set.

“It’s a pretty long and complicated process,” Hincker said. “The whole issue is one that has still yet to be resolved nationally.”

Carter said that Tech’s situation was indeed unprecedented, but the Clery Act was designed to help prevent similar occurrences.

“While it is correct there has never been anything like this before, when an institution agrees to participate in federal student aid programs, they agree affirmatively to undertake certain responsibilities,” Carter said. “One of those responsibilities is when there is an ongoing threat as a result of a specified list of crimes, they will warn their campus community and they will have an efficient, effective process for doing so — and also a process that is publicly disclosed.”

Suzanne Grimes, whose son Kevin Sterne was injured in Norris Hall, said she feels confident Tech did not comply with the Clery Act, but she wants a better understanding of what happened inside the university that day.

“I want detailed answers of why they didn’t do it,” Grimes said. “I feel at this point in time, three years after the worst shooting in modern history, they need to explain their lack of action that day to these families that have lost (loved ones) and to survivors.”

The investigation into Tech’s response on April 16, 2007, offers a chance for clarification of a university’s responsibilities in the case of a major emergency.

Hincker and Gregory each pointed out that the higher education community’s knee-jerk reaction to April 16 was to implement more campus notification systems.

“The world of emergency notification completely changed,” Hincker said. “An entire industry of emergency notification sprang from our tragedy.”

Since April 16, Tech has added a text-messaging alert system, LED message boards in classrooms and an alert program for computer desktops.

Gregory said the largely technology-based industry of emergency notification systems could still see a bump if the investigation is critical of Tech’s response.

“A lot of universities were afraid if they didn’t jump on the bandwagon and put in these types of notification systems, they might face legal jeopardy and have another incident that they would be held responsible for if they didn’t move in this direction,” Gregory said.

However, he said the initial reaction of adding notification systems may soon fade into more comprehensive plans for preventing campus tragedies like April 16.

“The commonwealth of Virginia has required by law now that every college and university have a threat

Features, page 4

Opinions, page 7

assessment team in place,” Gregory said. “So, doing those kinds of things and being able to deal with someone like Cho before an incident occurs I think will better prepare us if something like that ever does happen again.”

Hincker called Tech’s notification system “one of the most robust” in the country, but he also said the university has focused on improving other areas, including mental health care and inter-departmental communication. Tech, in accordance with Virginia law, has a threat assessment team.

“We say that the world did change on April 16 for a lot of people,” Hincker said. “The understanding of mental health and university responsibilities in that area, the whole notion of internal threat assessment — whether it be from outside the university or within the university — has changed.”

Gregory said his research indicates beefing up notification systems is likely not the most effective use of money for universities. He suggested adding new programs to make police more visible on campus and to make it easier for students to report suspicious activities or crimes.

Furthermore, he found it unlikely the Department of Education report would criticize Tech’s method of notification.

Instead, he said a report that is highly critical of Tech would likely compel the higher education community to push funding toward police forces.

“If they really come down and slam Tech for what they believe are egregious violations of the Clery Act, then that will say to the higher education community ‘You need to be much more prepared and much more careful about how you deal with these issues,’” Gregory said. “Now, the fallout from that means that universities are going to have to devote a large amount of money and a large amount of resources to improving campus police departments, increasing the numbers of police officers and support staff and providing vehicles and other types of equipment to help.”

He pointed out that under former Gov. Tim Kaine, the state held a conference for campus police forces in each of the last two years.

Gov. Bob McDonnell has not announced if that will continue.

Of course, the report could also find that Tech’s actions were compliant with the Clery Act, and it may calm the rush to upgrade notification systems.

“If they say Tech did what it was supposed to do, then clearly that gives institutions more flexibility and more breathing room in how they deal with crisis situations like this,” Gregory said. “If they find that Tech is responsible for technical violations of the law that are relatively minor, then that shows you need to mind your P’s and Q’s, but as long as you’re complying, you’re probably going to be OK.” see ANSWERS / page two

Sports, page 9

Classifieds, page 8

Sudoku, page 8

2 special coverage april 16, 2010

COLLEGIATETIMES

April 16 Schedule of Events All day April 16, 2010 1 Midnight: Ceremonial Candle Lighting — April 16 Memorial A ceremonial candle will be lit at the April 16 Memorial by a representative from the April 16 Student Planning Committee and the regimental commander of the corps of cadets.

2 8 a.m.: 3.2 mile Run in Remembrance — Campus A 3.2-mile Run in Remembrance will start at Alumni Mall near the North Main Street entrance of campus and finish on the Drillfield near the April 16 Memorial. Participants may run or walk. Commemorative T-shirts will be provided to the first 4,000 people who register online. There is no cost to walk or run in the event. Register online at www.recsports.vt.edu.

9:30 a.m.: Group photo on Drillfield following run.

Roa

ork es F Pric

3 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Community Picnic — Drillfield

d

An event designed to embrace the relationships between colleagues, friends and family both on and off campus.

4 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Hokie Stone: An Event of Student Shared Knowledge — Squires Colonial Hall Presentations from various academic units will be given to showcase student research, involvement, cultural experiences and general scholarship. The event will begin with an introduction remembering those who lost their lives and honoring those who were injured on April 16, 2007.

The focus will be on the outstanding work occurring around the Blacksburg campus and the world by Virginia Tech students.

6

12:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Reflection and Music — War Memorial Chapel Musicians will perform to create a space for reflection and remembrance.

Candles will be available to light in memory of lost loved ones.

7 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Second floor Norris Hall Open House Lab tours will be given between 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. The Center for Peace Studies & Violence Prevention, the Dr. Liviu Librescu Student Engagement Center and the Norris Hall Art Gallery will be open from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

8

4 p.m.: A Story of Community Resilience: A Panel Discussion — The Lyric

9

At sunset: University Commemoration & Candlelight Vigil — April 16 Memorial A university-wide commemoration and candlelight vigil will be held on the Drillfield at the April 16 Memorial. The program will recognize the 32 students and faculty who lost their lives that day. The event will be coordinated by Virginia Tech students representing a variety of student organizations. Following the candlelight vigil, candles will be collected to repurpose for the 2011 candlelight vigil.

10

11:59 p.m.: Extinguishing of Ceremonial Candle — April 16 Memorial

st We us mp Ca

Squires Student Center

Dr ive

Holtzman Alumni Center

iM mn Alu

Norris Hall

all

ue

The Lyric

n ve eA

eg

ll Co

April 16 Memorial

t ee Str ey Ot

Burruss Hall

War Memorial Chapel Newman Library Graduate Life Center

Drillfield

Expressions of Remembrance from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Connections: Community Arts Project — GLC Multipurpose Room With engagement as the main goal, “Connections: A Community Arts Project” seeks to provide relational understanding of differences, diversities, similarities and possibilities that can be strengthened.

“Connections” brings together student and local artists, architects, researchers, filmmakers, engineers and faculty from different departments across Virginia Tech and Blacksburg to create an art exhibition of an ancient Indian fable. After the art exhibit, the participants will have opportunities to interact with artists to create collaborative art, be part of story circles and engage in other meaningful activities.

Memorial Exhibit and Slide Show — Holtzman Alumni Center treet ington S

Wash

The Virginia Tech Alumni Association will display in the Alumni Museum selected memorial items presented to Virginia Tech in the days and weeks following April 16, 2007. A memorial slideshow, depicting images taken around the world that represented the outpouring of support after the tragedy, will be shown in Assembly Hall.

Healing through Arts — Squires Old Dominion Ballroom Dragonfly artist Rebecca Ronesi will feature three stations for participants to express their thoughts and feelings by creating art in various media.

The art pieces created for the Day of Remembrance will also be featured.

Woven Together: April 16 Memorial Textiles — Squires Perspective Gallery The fabric of the world community of “Hokies” that honored the victims of April 16, 2007, with display for the week of April 16. Perspective Gallery’s April 16 display serves to honor the victims and celebrate the ties that bind the Hokie community.

Video of the April 17, 2007, Convocation — GLC Auditorium A videotape of the convocation will be shown in its entirety throughout the afternoon.

A Community of Learners, a Legacy of Achievement — Newman Library Second Floor (Learning Commons) This display highlights the academic achievements and interests of the 32 victims of the April 16, 2007, tragedy, and their shared legacy which will be cherished and celebrated for years to come. Through their academic and professional pursuits, each contributed in a unique way to the indomitable culture of our Hokie Nation. Included in the display are photographs, publications, program descriptions, representations of academic awards and citations, and a variety of other items that showcase various achievements and interests. The display can be viewed on the second floor of Newman Library, from April 16 to April 24.

JOSH SON/COLLEGIATE TIMES

Answers: Civil litigation could span the decade from page one

The university’s actions on April 16 are also being judged in another arena — civil court.

President Charles Steger, former Vice President James Hyatt and former Cook Counseling Center director Robert Miller await trial in suits filed by the families of two students killed in Norris Hall, Julia Pryde and Erin Peterson.

The identical lawsuits seek $10 million each in damages. However, the suits also could set a precedent of legal liability for institutions of higher education.

Carter said the actual findings of the Department of Education report have no bearing on legal liability.

“The Clery Act does not establish any civil liability,” Carter said. “So, you could not go into court and say the Department of Education said this institution violated the Clery Act, therefore we are entitled to damages. That’s actually prohibited under the law.”

However, information included in the report about the events of the day could be utilized in the suits.

“For example, if their investigation yielded a description of the internal discussion process, there is a chance that could be relevant to the civil proceedings,” Carter said.

The plaintiffs’ suits make reference to Tech’s emergency response plan as it stood on April 16, 2007. It said the police chief was to send any emergency notifications to the community. Multiple records show that, in fact, it was the university’s Policy Group, consisting of top-level officials, which sent the alert.

The suits allege that Tech did not follow protocol, and that the confusion caused the alert to be sent too late for students headed to Norris Hall that morning to make use of the warning.

Carter said he understood why the police chief did not send the alert, but hoped Tech officials had thought of other measures to deal with emergencies.

“They were correct in that the chief was occupied trying to apprehend the suspect, but there were not adequate measures in place for there also to be a warning issued quickly,” Carter said. “I think that’s one of the most important lessons, and to this day I remain concerned it’s one of the

lessons that was not learned — I mean just about everybody has — but there has not seemed to be that acknowledgement by the officials involved on April 16 at Virginia Tech.”

Hincker said Tech’s current emergency notification plan makes it easier for the alert to be sent quickly by people with knowledge of the situation.

He said the initial responders now have a template for emergency alerts to streamline the process.

“We’ve got lots of people now that can send an emergency notification,” Hincker said. “It’s 30 plus. I don’t know exactly what the number is because the police keep adding people.”

Grimes said Tech should attempt to remain on the leading edge of campus safety.

“As far as them being a role model, they really need to step up to the plate,” Grimes said. “I think other universities need to also follow suit. If they have an emergency response plan, follow it, revisit it, keep looking at it.”

Hincker could not speak directly on the topic of the lawsuits, because the litigation is ongoing. No trial date has been set.

Gregory said he doubted Tech could be held legally liable when considering the situation the officials were dealing with.

He pointed out that officials believed the initial shootings in West AmblerJohnston Hall could have been the result of a domestic dispute.

“There was a belief, at least initially, that the killings were from an internal source that was particular to (West AmblerJohnston Hall),” Gregory said. “Whether you need to close down the campus for that is the question. In retrospect, it’s easy to say, ‘Yeah, you should have closed it down,’ but what does that mean for the people who were already in Norris Hall at the time?”

However, these questions seem unlikely to be answered any time soon.

After a November 1999 bonfire accident that killed 12 people at Texas A&M University, a lawsuit was filed by victims’ families.

It was settled in October 2008, nearly a decade after the tragedy.

Community arts project aims for unity during time of remembrance LIANA BAYNE news reporter In the multipurpose room of the Graduate Life Center, an ancient Indian fable about a two-headed bird has taken flight in the imaginations of multiple artists.

Graduate student Deepu George was inspired to begin planning for “Connections: A Community Arts Project” after writing a paper about art experiments and community engagement during research for his family therapy studies.

Graduate student Davis Bailey also helped with the initial conception of the project, which he said began in August.

“This is a great way to think out of the box,” Bailey said.

George described the exhibit as a “cinema-like experience” because of the incorporation of still frames, varied lighting and a soundtrack.

Inside the multipurpose room, tall plywood structures designed to act as massive frames display various representations of scenes from the fable, along with the text of the story itself.

There are nine panels of artwork that 12 artists worked on. Each panel depicts a portion of the story and there are many different representations of the two-headed bird. Artists ranging from a long-time Blacksburg resident to a 17-year-old Blacksburg High School senior contributed to the exhibit.

Bailey said the variety of artists enhanced the effectiveness of the exhibit.

“The artists have been amazing,” he said. “There’s been community participation from artists from all different walks of life.”

Virginia Tech student Jimmy Henderson, a double major in marketing and studio art, was one of the artists who worked on the project. He created the last image in the series, depicting the death of the two-headed bird in oil paint on canvas.

Henderson said it took him about 40 hours total to complete the painting.

Other artists utilized mediums such as copper, feathers and different types of paint to complete their scenes.

“It’s great because there’s so many types of art,” Henderson said.

Another component of the exhibit is the musical soundtrack that is played on a constant loop as participants move through the panels. Graduate student Kevin Buffardi worked since January to design the soundtrack, using many instruments and music-layering software.

“I wrote four different pieces that go together but try to evoke different emotions,” Buffardi said. “It moves from magic to excitement to greed and envy to somber tragedy and reflection.”

The soundtrack has no distinctive beginning or

KATHRYN SHAW/SPPS

Patrick Jones, a local middle school student, finger paints in the exhibit’s “reaction space.”

[

check it out

The “Connections” project will be available to the public in the multipurpose room in the GLC through April 16, 9:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. It will move to the Theater 101 building on April 24 and April 25 and will also be accessible from 9:30 a.m. until 9 p.m.

]

end, but rather phases through the different emotions so it can be played on a constant loop.

“I was inspired by the art,” Buffardi said. “I hope other people get what I got, which is an opportunity to reflect, both on yourself and on your role in the community.”

After the participants move through the nine panels of the story, they are then invited to add their own art in reaction to the story.

The project aims to invite not just members of the Tech community, but those in the larger New River Valley area.

Along with students from BMS, younger children from the Blacksburg New School also visited the exhibit its opening day, Wednesday.

Henderson, upon viewing the art left by the students, noted that the project was working how it was intended.

“The point is once they go through, at the end, you can contribute to the final panel,” Henderson said. “It’s about connection the community.”

The story, “The Tale of the Two-Headed Bird,” comes from a book entitled “Pancha Tantra,” or the Five Principles, written in the third century B.C. by Vishnu Sharma, a political pun-

dit, as an instruction manual to children of nobility.

“He was asked to teach the king’s children and explain tough issues,” George said.

George said the ancient author used animals and natural elements to illustrate higher moral and ethical concepts. He drew inspiration from the message of the story as its central theme fit into his research on community engagement.

The story tells of a bird with two heads and one body. The two heads co-exist in one mind — until one head discovers a magic potion and refuses to share with the other head. The other head then becomes jealous and eats a poisonous fruit to kill the bird when the other head refuses to share the magic potion.

Bailey said he hoped people who participated in the exhibit would consider the message of the fable, when the bird ends up killing itself out of jealousy.

“The fate of the bird could be this community,” he said. “We forget there could be somebody else affected by what we do.”

George said that although the project was not originally planned to fall on the week of April 16, he feels it will be an asset to other remembrance events because its theme emphasizes community.

“Post April 16, people came together,” he said.

“Reliance on each other is one of the ways of getting through tough times.”

Henderson said that as a Tech student, he hoped the project would help connect members of the wider community with those from the Tech community.

“I hope it will be an uplifting part of the remembrance,” he said. “It’s an outlet for people.”

april 16, 2010

page 3

Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund remains hot-button issue CALEB FLEMING news staff writer The Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund has been both lauded and lambasted since its implementation following the April 16, 2007 shootings.

And though some would argue that it is a glimmer of light in a sea of darkness, others, including the families of injured and murdered students, still feel deceived and frustrated.

Almost immediately following the April 16, 2007 shootings that left 32 Virginia Tech students dead and another 17 injured, university treasurer Ray Smoot said the university was contacted by a tremendous number of people wishing to help through monetary contribution.

So much so, that in the fiscal year 2006-07, which ran from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007, Tech funding saw a $148.9 million increase in net assets, a value that was an increase of $109.5 million from the year before, and an overall percentage increase of 377.91 percent, according to a document obtained by the Collegiate Times.

In the three years prior, Tech’s differentials in annual net assets increase were negative 32.99 percent in 200506, negative 3.92 percent in 2004-05, and positive 6.99 percent in 20032004.

The Virginia Tech Foundation, which receives, manages and disburs-

Amounts collected through public donations 32 Named Memorial Funds

Hokie Spirit Scholarship Fund

$ 644,368

$ 969,522

Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund $ 8,500,849

Total Public Donations

$ 10,114,739

MICHAEL MCDERMOTT/COLLEGIATE TIMES

es private gifts to Tech programs, saw similar increases, though not quite as staggering.

In fiscal year 2006-07, VTF saw a $132 million increase in net assets, up $51.1 million from the year before and a total percentage change of 63.16 percent. In the three years prior, VTF had net asset increases of $80.9 mil-

lion, $57.6 million and $56.9 million, respectively.

The 2006-07 fiscal year shows an exaggerated increase in funding entering into the university and brought up questions as to whether or not funds raised by Virginia Tech during the period from April 16, 2007 to the end of the fiscal year, June

30, 2007, should be deposited in the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund account or the university’s general purpose funds.

Mike Pohle, whose son Michael was killed in Norris Hall, expressed frustration over how the influx in funding was handled.

“Through some decision making process they determined what was intended for the families and what was for the school, but that was never communicated to us,” Pohle said.

Pohle said that in August 2007 the victims’ families were presented with a document stating how the funds that had been collected would be distributed to the families, who in turn planned to create scholarships, among other things.

“They gave a rough idea, saying there was about $7 million in the fund,” Pohle said. “In reality, Virginia Tech had taken in close to $100 million dollars at that time. We were rushed to fill in a piece of paper and submit it back to them; the deadline was September 15, 2007. After the disbursement, we found out that the school took in more than $100 million.”

And while Pohle suggests that the university kept more than $100 million worth of funds intended to be paid out to families to fund scholarships and memorial efforts for itself, Smoot disagrees.

The final total funded for the Hokie

Spirit Memorial Fund was $8.5 million, said Smoot, who claims the contributions were put in whichever fund the donor indicated they wished to support.

“It is possible to not specify, but I can tell you that about 1 percent of all the funds to come in are unspecified,” Smoot said. “Anything that came in that the donor indicated was for April 16 went to that fund.”

University spokesman Larry Hincker said anything not designated within the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund was given “back to the people most severely affected by the events of April 16,” including the families who lost loved ones and surviving victims.

“Then the rest of the money was given to us for specific purposes,” Hincker said. “In almost all instances, it was for scholarships. So the monies were used for the purposes the donor intended them to be used, or if they were unrestricted, then the university made the decision to turn around and give it to the victims or the families of victims.”

And while Pohle remains skeptical and sees the situation as one in which the university “took advantage of the kindness and good heartedness of people, and profited very handsomely,” all parties agree that the scholarship funds established through these endowments are, in some way, shape or form, beneficial.

“What I did see was there are some families who were destroyed, and this

helped them,” Pohle said. “There are still families in serious shape though.

I have heard that the leftover funds were converted into scholarships, which is good.”

William O’Neil, father of slain graduate student Daniel O’Neil, said the memorial fund in Daniel’s name has helped four students pay for college. O’Neil has two scholarship funds in place; one at Lincoln High School in Lincoln, R.I., and the other at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa., where Daniel O’Neil received his undergraduate civil engineering degree.

“It’s one of the few good things to come of (the tragedy),” O’Neil said.

“Not just our two scholarships, but in the group there are quite a few memorial scholarships and memorial funds set up. Everyone has reached out and tried to get something positive after this.”

Three years later, O’Neil has yet to return to Tech and has no intention of doing so. Pohle is part of a group titled Tech Victims Outreach, composed of a board of eight family representatives and four state appointees.

Pohle’s vision for the group is for it to focus on advocating safety on campus as well as providing support to victims of campus crime.

Pohle added that his family has never lost love for the school as a whole and desires to reconnect with the university in this way.

New additions to memorial honor Details scrutinized community, survivors of shootings after two mishaps with name reading GORDON BLOCK news reporter

BRIAN CLAY/SPPS

Families of survivors and other visitors sit on the Drillfield during Thursday’s dedication of two benches memorializing April 16 survivors.

ZACH CRIZER nrv news editor University officials and families affected by the April 16, 2007 shootings gathered Thursday afternoon to add a new aspect to the April 16 memorial.

The 17 survivors of the tragedy were honored Thursday with the dedication of two benches on the side of the memorial, located in front of Burruss Hall near the edge of the Drillfield.

President Charles Steger, Provost Mark McNamee and several surviving victims of the Seung-Hui Cho shootings that killed 32 students and faculty members, spoke at the dedication.

The benches are in honor of those who survived the shootings.

“They’ve struggled greatly with the wounds inflicted on their bodies and their psyches,” Steger said during the ceremony. “And many of those scars still persist.”

The benches also serve to remember members of the community

“

They’ve struggled greatly with the wounds inflicted on their bodies and their psyches. And many of those scars still persist.”

CHARLES STEGER UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT

affected by the tragedy.

Heidi Miller, a survivor who was shot in Norris Hall, said during her speech that all family members and community members that supported those affected by April 16 were “survivors.”

“You are all stronger than you believe,” Miller said.

Steger hailed the strength of the Tech community and said it has helped the healing process.

He said the benches were another symbol of healing.

“Our path to recovery began even before that tragic day,” Steger said, “and it continues today.

BRIAN CLAY/SPPS

One of the memorial benches is unveiled during Thursday’s event.

Virginia Tech administrators are confident that tonight’s candlelight vigil will avoid the mistakes that have detracted from April 16 remembrance events in the past two years.

Debbie Day, director of the Office of Recovery and Support and one of the planners for 2010 commemoration events, said that she and other planners went over the list of victims to be read at the commemoration several times.

“We’ve counted and double counted,” Day said. “We’ve made absolutely sure we’ve got everybody.”

An afternoon ceremony on April 16, 2009, was marred when the name of victim Mary Karen Read was omitted from the reading of victims’ names.

According to Day, the error occurred after the list of names to be read was copied and pasted from one document to another.

“We simply left out a name,” Day said. Day recalled the emotion she had after the omission.

“You have no idea,” Day said. “That was the worst feeling in the world.”

Scott Johnson, associate director of Tech’s Office of Recovery and Support, was among the first to catch the error, interrupting a student-led band’s performance set to end the ceremony to announce Read’s name along with a short profile. Johnson said he was also encouraged by members of the Read family to go up to the lectern.

“We’re human beings, and we make mistakes,” Johnson said. Johnson said that in coordinating events with several hundred people, it was easy for mistakes to “slip through.”

Johnson said interrupting the band was better than the alternative.

“It was much less uncomfortable than if we had not corrected it,” Johnson said. “It’s when we make no attempt to fix them that we’re in an indefensible position.”

The omission was not the first time a major error had occurred at an April 16 memorial event.

Survivor Heidi Miller was read as one of the deceased victims during the first anniversary candlelight vigil.

Miller, who was injured during SeungHui Cho’s shootings at Norris Hall, was carrying a candle at the ceremony for victim Leslie Sherman.

Miller, now a senior studying international relations, said the mix-up was

“awkward.”

“I mostly was thinking about Leslie ... this was a moment to remember her, and it got botched,” Miller said. “That’s what affected me most personally.”

Adeel Khan, who spoke at the 2008 candlelight vigil before the reading of the names, declined to talk about the specifics of the 2008 candlelight ceremony.

Khan, Student Government Association president during the 200708 school year and president of Tech’s class of 2009, will commemorate the date in Northern Virginia, the first time he will not commemorate April 16 in Blacksburg.

“It’ll be tough to not be there,” Khan said. “I hope everybody would take the day to reflect on the events of the day and about how great this community can be.”

University spokesman Mark Owczarski called the commemoration errors “unfortunate.”

“But when you look at the highly emotional element of all of this, people are people,” Owczarski said. “I would hope that no individual would be singled out for something like that in a very emotional moment.”

The job of reading the victims’ names for the 2010 candlelight vigil falls to Johnson and Patty Raun, head of the department of theatre arts and cinema.

Raun said that in addition to having the victims names spelled phonetically, she was using meditation and breathing techniques to ensure her emotions didn’t “get in the way” of reading profiles of victims.

“I think this is one of the most difficult things I do in the year,” Raun said.

Raun, who read the names of victims for the 2009 afternoon ceremony, said she was sorry that the omission took place.

“Everybody felt terrible,” Raun said, reflecting on the Tech community’s reaction. “Everybody was very gracious in their understanding that we’re human. No one would ever have done this on purpose.”

Raun held high hopes for tonight’s candlelight vigil.

“I hope it’s a beautiful evening and that we can celebrate our shared and fragile humanity on that night.

Tonight’s candlelight vigil is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., on the Drillfield.

Hokie Stone looks to celebrate Tech’s academic efforts LIANA BAYNE news reporter While many are looking into the past today to remember the 32 lives lost on April 16, 2007, many students are finding an opportunity to focus on their current and future successes.

“Hokie Stone: An Event of Shared Knowledge” is a series of presentations designed to highlight the achievements and different stories from current and former Virginia Tech students who are making an impact on their fields of interest and research.

Junior Lauren Fialkow, an SGA member and the undergraduate representative of the planning group, said the event was designed to fit in with

this year’s theme of having an academically focused calendar of events on April 16.

Fialkow said the Hokie Stone event was designed after TED talks, a program created in 1984 that brings together some of the world’s most brilliant minds to discuss technology, entertainment and design.

“It’s a meeting of the minds where people come together,” Fialkow said.

She said that although “it’s kind of a weird concept at first,” she is excited for the event, during which 17 members of the Tech community will give speeches of 10 to 15 minutes in duration about a wide range of topics, loosely focused around three themes of invention, change, and sustainability.

The speakers will present from 11 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The talks will cover a variety of subjects, ranging from entrepreneurial ventures, poetry and recycling to white water rafting, volunteering and the prevention of AIDS. Nathan Latka, a member of SGA, will be the first speaker to present. He said the opportunity he sees in Hokie Stone is the excitement that students can spread to other students and community members.

“It’s a great idea in that it lets students talk to other students about what they’re doing,” he said. “I think it’ll have a good effect.”

Fialkow had been thinking about hosting a TED-style event before she became a member of a planning com-

mittee for events to take place on April 16.

SGA Vice President Shane McCarty, who will serve as one of the masters of ceremony for the event, said he felt it would tie well into other events planned for the third anniversary of April 16.

Fialkow became the undergraduate representative to an academic working group, which was designed to help decide how to keep the focus of this April 16 on the informal theme of academics.

Laura Freeman, Graduate Student Association president, and Fialkow decided to present the idea of an event similar to a TED talk to the rest of the working group, which included Daniel

Wubah, vice president and dean for undergraduate education and Karen DePauw, vice president and dean for graduate education.

Wubah said he agreed with Hokie Stone because of its academic nature.

“We want students themselves to get the time to reflect on the meaning of that day and also really make it a part of the educational experience,” he said.

“That is basically where we are shining the light.”

McCarty was responsible for choosing the name of the event.

“I chose the name Hokie Stone because it’s really descriptive of what Virginia Tech is about,” he said. “All of us are similar but also different.” He cited the variations in color and tex-

ture that can be found between every piece of “Hokie stone,” a limestone native to southwestern Virginia that is incorporated into every building on campus.

Fialkow also said she felt the webcast was important to help Tech students to reach out to others outside of the community.

“We want this to be a strong representation of our Tech culture and passions,” she said. “It’s like a little glimpse of what it means to be part of this community. (The webcast) will allow people to tune in and be a part of this new tradition.”

“There’s more to Tech than this tragedy,” Fialkow said. “We’re defined by what we’re doing to excel.”

4 features

editor: topher forhecz featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

april 16, 2010

he she

COLLEGIATETIMES

SAID

He said: Former girlfriends often remain in memories from past W

hen standing before my open refrigerator, I often think of women.

And it’s not because the shelves display row upon row of whipped cream and syrups for, ahem, special dishes. Besides, I’d be severely malnourished on that diet — despite it being delicious.

Rather, what I see typically doesn’t translate as sweet at all. I sideswipe items to discover neglected Tupperware that contains brilliant feasts such as Tuna Helper, and macaroni and cheese whose price tag didn’t exceed $1. The once-tasty meals recall the handful of relationships I’ve had since senior year of high school.

(Ex-girlfriends: “He’s holding me up to threecheese pasta?”)

This isn’t to say they’ve all been so terrible that the memories radiate like the vomit-inducing stench of ancient StarKist. The analogy isn’t quite so direct.

But like the food that sits idle in the kitchen, my former girlfriends tend to occupy a distant portion of my mind. I devoured the nutrition for a joyful while, but the exchange had a capacity.

(I wasn’t always full either; a couple of the ladies pushed the plate away.) The leftovers are boxed up with the best of intentions for their eventual reheating, but sometimes obstacles prevent it.

Maybe a stack of exams, a job or extracurricular activities force you to eat on the run for a few days. Simultaneously your roommate’s fresh groceries shift your food to the unseen depths of the icebox. The cuisine is essentially forgotten.

The same factors can extinguish your time for sincere, consistent communication with someone who was once intimately plugged in to your life. Your to-do list dominates the clock, and you can’t feasibly tend the transition from romance to friendship. A few steps back post-split can be healthy regardless, but daily white noise can turn those tiptoes into leaps.

When she pops back into your brain — prompted by whatever conscious or unconscious stimuli — you might rendezvous with her. The reunion can be overwhelming like that whiff of rice and beans after its week of hiding in the crisper drawer. Again, the meeting isn’t sour by nature, but it’s a sensory overload no less.

The dialogue is a generalized “How’s life?” crash course that usually serves to simply rewind the cycle of falling out of touch. It’s less an insightful chat than a way to curb the guilt of being (supposedly) uncivil.

You’re so sorry to hear her dog was crushed by a pickup truck. That band does sound cool; you’ll have to listen, and tell her what you think (but probably not). Et cetera.

Maybe my perspective is skewed by unique contexts. Most all of my relationships sparked and subsequently fizzled at key transitional times in my or the gal’s life. Longevity was unrealistic from the start. One went to college while I was still in high school. Here at Tech, a few graduated and moved not long after we became an item. The most recent lived and worked in the northeast — not a chance as I prepare to move west.

So while my efforts to stay connected might not be fervent, the other participants have had their own life stuff to juggle. The closest one to me geographically is now married, and the hubby apparently frowns upon my making an appearance. I imagine him getting upset as she uses me as leverage in an argument: “Well Ryan never did that!”

Or maybe she told him I was a complete ass and he’s doing the right thing.

Possibly the largest factor in this, however, is that the relationships weren’t born of an existing friendship. I suspect pairs whose pre-couple history actually has roots have the best shot at staying linked up if things go awry. Mine were more naive, gung-ho endeavors that lacked a degree — or entire dimension — of substance. Usually there was more spooning than secret sharing.

But the notion of fleeting relationships transcends those of Cupid’s design. Most collegiate friendships feel that way to me. Classes and jobs, for example, bring us together, but shifting semesters and commitments fray the connection. Numerous people told me I’d find a lot of my lifelong buddies while at Tech, but I’ve come to disagree.

I can count a critical few on one hand, and that’s fine by me. Yet I’ve met some stellar folks, and who knows when I’ll discover and uncap their leftovers. Some of it’s bound to still be edible.

RYAN ARNOLD -features reporter -senior -communication major

JAIME MARTYN/COLLEGIATE TIMES

She said: Encountering past boyfriends inevitable N

ot only is there an emotional explosion to deal with, but there is also the subsequent shrapnel that needs to be cleaned up after a relationship has ended.

You might have to reclaim all your stuff from your former flame’s apartment, or divvy up your group of friends, or — even worse — change your whole routine just to avoid the post-breakup warzone.

But eventually, you’ll run into your ex. The reasons may vary, but there is a good chance you will come face to face with your troubled past before you’ve mended your emotional wounds.

If you’ve ever been in any situation with an ex, you know it can be agonizing.

But there are some common ways to deal with an ex, either if the breakup is fresh or softened with age.

The first way is the avoidance pattern.

You’ve invested some time in the other person. Undoubtedly, you know of his love to study in Squires Student Center or that his major requires most of his classes to be held in Williams Hall. You know exactly where you could bump into him during the day whenever you just wanted to sneak a peek.

And now that your relationship is over, you avoid those places as if they’re quarantined.

Your palms sweat just thinking about running into your former cuddle buddy. If you see them, maybe you’ll show a little weakness.

Maybe you’ll fly into a total rage. Maybe you just aren’t comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Whatever your reason, sometimes it’s just

easier not to see your ex. And whoever said, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” maybe didn’t realize it also helps you move on — fast.

But as luck has it, you’ll eventually run into the other person. Likely, it’s when you’ve decided to risk it and make a snack run to Kroger while unshowered, hung over and in your ugliest, unmatching pajamas. Or conversely, your ex catches you while you’re drunk and in a vindictive mood.

I’m pretty sure we’ve all been that scorned lover flirting with a beautiful stranger while their ex is in the same room.

And I’m pretty sure we’ve all seemed completely crazy to our exes at some point in the avoidance pattern.

Other times, the relationship ends, but we can somehow cover up any hard feelings and still keep away from the emotional splash-zone.

Maybe you’ll never be as close as you once were, but you can still be cordial toward your ex.

You can show them a genuine smile and make small talk without any embarrassing undertones to show how either of you feel. Actually, you might not even feel anything at all.

The cordial route is always the safest way to proceed with your ex. Being nice always lessens the likelihood that your ex will think you’re a psycho and relaxes what might otherwise be a strained conversation. Also, keeping yourself at a safe distance minimizes the risk of too much drama cramping your newly single lifestyle.

But sometimes, you remain very close friends with your ex. You may not be bumping uglies anymore, but you’re certainly rubbing elbows.

Months or years after a mutual parting, tensions between you and your ex may be low or non-existent, allowing you to retain the friendship you formed while romantically involved.

However, having your ex as “the bosom bud” sometimes means you might tread into dangerous territory.

If a couple hasn’t been separated for long, emotions might still run high. And seeing your “bosom bud” on a regular basis means that he also has superfluous access to your life, which makes letting go just that much harder.

You might encounter jealousy when you introduce your new beau to your group of friends — including your old lover — or you could find old emotions springing up around every corner, even if you’re just watching a movie together.

And although things can get a little hairy when it comes to having your ex as a close friend, sometimes they work out in your benefit.

My pending husband? Totally my “bosom buddy” ex.

So maybe not all dealings with an ex have to be negative. But if you find yourself hiding behind trees and unable to even smile at your ex, don’t worry — we’ve all been there.

LAKEN RENICK -features staff writer -senior -English major

page 5

april 16, 2010

Inn at Virginia Tech sous chef trains endurance athletes RYAN ARNOLD features reporter Mike Arrington recommends chocolate milk after intense exercise, but on Tuesday he drank an Arizona peach iced tea following his 50-mile, threehour bicycle ride.

Executive sous chef for the Inn at Virginia Tech, Arrington chomped on a sandwich at the Blacksburg Public Library for nutrients the sweet beverage lacked.

The quick meal preceded an information meeting about Team In Training, the world’s largest charity endurance sports training program. When his kitchen apron comes off, Arrington is the coach for local TNT participants.

Started in 1988, TNT is part of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The two decades of individual fundraising for marathons, half marathons, triathlons and 100-mile bicycle rides has yielded more than $1 billion for cancer research.

Arrington assumed the coaching role in 2005, several years after joining TNT in honor of a friend who died of Leukemia.

The regimen for the fall season begins next month, and the six runners — a roster Arrington hopes to see grow — will ultimately compete in either a marathon or half marathon.

The three event locations are distant. Athletes can stay close in Virginia Beach and Washington, D.C., or make the trek to San Francisco.

Having completed 16 marathons — he wore a 2007 Boston Marathon hat — Arrington aims to compete in a more challenging half Ironman, which is a 70.3-mile triathlon. He’ll travel to Augusta, Ga., in late September after raising his $3,000.

Arrington sat with the Collegiate Times to discuss his running origins and the motivation that TNT provides.

COLLEGIATE TIMES: You’re a very fit sous chef. Has that always been an appropriate description?

MIKE ARRINGTON: (laughing) No. Food and beverage in general is not really suited for people getting fit. A lot of people smoke, a lot of people drink.

Some recreational stuff that goes on. I partook of some of it in my time. And when my friend got sick, who was a Virginia Tech student at the time when I came back to work for Virginia Tech, it kind of opened my eyes to things and I started ( TNT). When I first got involved it kind of — I played soccer in high school and you kind of get away from that. There’s not enough time in the day to do that kind of stuff.

But I was able to start running and that’s kind of all by yourself and you make your own time. It just felt good to be an athlete again. I figured I did 10 years of the post-work type “having a good time,” and I thought it was time for something new in my life. And I started running, quit all the other stuff, dropped about 80 pounds and have been a disciple of it and try to sell the program whenever I can.

CT: Did you ever find yourself frustrated or angry with your food-centered career?

ARRINGTON: Yes. There were times probably in the late 90s where I actually thought about leaving it. It was 60-hour workweeks. You don’t get paid overtime for that. ... It’s a low profit margin business. You know, I love to cook.

Just the hours spent in a room with no windows — you know, most professional kitchens don’t have windows.

It started to wear on me after a while.

Yeah, if I probably continued along that road, I don’t know what would have happened. But I’ve known people who were my age who are in an early grave.

It was probably something that really

saved my life in the long run.

CT: When exactly did you adopt running?

ARRINGTON: My first run was in May of 2002. It was the day I found out that the girl that I was doing all this stuff for, she had passed away. I had been volunteering for Leukemia & Lymphoma society. I’d been to a lot of these meetings as support, tried to get a lot of word around — I would spread flyers all over town and stuff to try to promote the program. And I’d been to a lot of these, seen it, and I said, “All right, I’m going to do it.” So I went out for my first run. I was bound and determined to do four miles. I made it about a half mile down to the bridge down here and was leaning over it going, “This sucks. This is hard.” (laughing) But I went out (to the) two-mile mark, and I went back. It was a lot of walking, but I kept going.

CT: How long did it take for you to find yourself really enthusiastic about running?

ARRINGTON: I don’t ever say enthusiasm so much as a love-hate relationship. It just became such a big part of my life. I had trained for that event with a purpose, and flying home the next day — you’re training for nine months.

And you’re flying home and you go, “What do you do now?” Nine months this has been kind of my whole target and it’s over. There’s kind of a big letdown. You know, and then I have other goals I want to do. I want to run one in every state. You lose fitness twice as fast as you gain it, so you work so hard to get to a certain point, you don’t really want to let go of that, at least all the way. So I mean there are days that I love it, days that it’s a chore. But it’s definitely a part of me. I don’t think I could let it go.

CT: Do you see any parallels between your cooking processes and your exercise regimen?

ARRINGTON: In the way I organize it, I would guess. I don’t write down a schedule for me per se, but I know — when I get to work I have so much going on, I have like a built-in time clock about how everything goes along. I have to have this done by this time, this done by this time, so when I get to a certain point, everything’s ready to go out for a banquet or a dinner or whatever. The same way in running, I know that I have to complete this much, and I just kind of have it organized out of when I’m going to do it. I have an inner clock that works well with both, that gets me to the goal that I’m trying to get to.

CT: When you first started your new fitness regimen, was it for personal fitness or was it immediately for this public cause?

ARRINGTON: It was immediately for this cause. All the benefits I gained physically were a sideline, pleasantly so, but not anything I was looking for.

You don’t notice that until you look at pictures like, “God, I was fat.” (laughter) You know, you look at yourself every day in the mirror and the changes are so gradual. That’s what I try to tell these people, because I’ll get three weeks into the program and, “Man, I haven’t lost any weight yet.” I say, “Take a picture of yourself when you start, and then look at yourself in the mirror next to it and see the difference.”

CT: What are your biggest challenges as a TNT coach?

ARRINGTON: One is participation. It’d be much better for the participants that we have if we had a larger group. On the flipside, with a smaller group I can give more personal attention. I’ll go out there and run and I’ll try to get with

everyone on a training session. You know, I’ll run back and forth — I’m usually fast enough to cover that. But for their benefit, it would be a lot better if we had 10, 12, 15 people. It would be much easier for them to find somebody with their own pace, that they wouldn’t necessarily need to count on me and would have somebody there all the time. I mean, you become best friends.

I’ve had three running partners and they’re probably my best friends now at this moment because you just spend so much time out there talking about everything, your day and your stress.

You find out pretty much everything about each other. That kind of bond gets you through this kind of thing. I’ve seen people try to train on their own for marathons, and it’s just so hard to get up and get out and get motivated and spend three hours out there by yourself without some kind of support.

The bonds created with the team ... can really help you get through that.

CT: Will your chef skills play a part in your fundraising efforts?

ARRINGTON: I have done that.

Probably not so much this time. I just did a charity dinner for the March of Dimes through the Inn at Virginia Tech. They auctioned me off in the Hotel Roanoke for $600. Actually, at the end of that, they were asking me if I would strip. (laughing) They were getting a little drunk. I was like, “I don’t think so. Thanks a lot, but — thanks for the compliment, but I’ll pass on that one.”

Probably not this time. I would have to set up a big enough venue that it would make it worth my while. With that one, the Inn supplied the food for it. So I would at least have to make something three times what the cost of the food would be. I mean, I could probably tailor it around that, but it’s just easier going to people I know that I’ve gone to before. And this is different (the half Ironman). If I go to them with a marathon, they go, “So?” When you first do it, that’s part of what gets money. People are impressed by what you’re doing and how far you’re going, because people really can’t wrap their mind around 26 miles. But I go to them now and I’ve done 16. It’s not impressive anymore. The half Ironman is something different. The 1.2-mile swim alone should get me some good money. (laughter) CT: I can’t stand running on treadmills. Might you feel the same way?

ARRINGTON: Yes, I hate running on treadmills, but they have their place, and they have their purpose. When I first started, I’d go out in winter and BRIAN CLAY/SPPS I have the cold gear. I have, like, wetMike Arrington started running in May of 2002 while working with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. suit-type stuff ... it’s that heavy-duty rubber that you can be out in minus 20 degrees. I’d have a 6 a.m. shift at work, and I’d get up at 3:30 in the morning to do 15 miles before I go to work.

Because for me, it’s better to get it out of the way. As I’ve gone along through this process, I find it much better to just go to the treadmill and be warm.

I find, and this is my personal view, that the actual tedium of being on a treadmill helps me mentally prepare for a marathon. It can’t be any worse mentally. (laughter) And I’ve done 25 miles on a treadmill.

CT: What, then, is your ideal training environment?

ARRINGTON: My ideal training environment would be San Diego, or something similar. I love spring.

Fall is pretty good, but I like spring after a long winter. I like real spring. I don’t like going from 30 degrees and 40 mph winds, which Blacksburg is known for, to summer 85 (degrees) at eight o’clock in the morning. I like it right now, about 60 degrees. Perfect for me.

6 news

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

april 16, 2010

[

blacksburg headlines

COLLEGIATETIMES

Tunnel vision

]

[

nation & world headlines

]

Car crash on US 460 sends three drivers to hospital

Volcanic ash cloud disrupts air travel, to, from Europe

A three-car pileup stopped traffic on Eastbound U.S. Interstate 460 this morning after a driver fell asleep at the wheel.

Truc Thanh Le NguyenBean, a 24-year-old resident of Roanoke, was driving at about 8:30 a.m. on the westbound side of I-460 when she fell asleep at the wheel and crossed the grass median, striking an oncoming Jeep driven by Todd Murray, a 51-year-old Blacksburg resident.

The force of Le NguyenBean’s Honda caused Murray’s Jeep to careen into another car, a Plymouth driven by 37-yearold Blacksburg resident Bernard Mullins. The crash caused traffic on I-460 to halt while rescue crews assessed the situation.

None of the drivers appeared to suffer life-threatening injuries.

All three were transported to the Montgomery Regional Hospital.

Le Nguyen-Bean was charged with failure to maintain control of her vehicle.

NEW YORK — Mother Nature showed who was boss as a spreading ash cloud from a volcanic eruption in Iceland sent air travel to and from Europe into a spin Thursday, disrupting U.S. passenger and cargo flights on a scale not seen since Sept.

11.

The closing of major airports in London, Paris, Amsterdam and elsewhere had a domino effect here, forcing cancellation of at least 165 flights between the New York metropolitan area and key travel hubs in Northern Europe Thursday, with a similar number expected Friday, said David Castelveter, a spokesman for Air Transport Association of America.

The cancellations represent about half the number of daily flights between Europe and the United States daily, he said.

The impact was far greater in Europe, where up to 6,000 flights were canceled and airspace in 10 countries — the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland and Germany — was closed or partially closed, according to the International Air Transport Association.

Aviation experts and scientists were uncertain how long flight disruptions would continue, mainly because of uncertainty over wind direction.

“It may be a few days or maybe a few months,” associate professor Ilya Bindeman, an expert on Icelandic volcanoes at the University of Oregon, said of the ash clouds being spewed.

“If it remains as violent as it is now, it could be a few months.”

by ct news staff

TOMMY DAVIDSON/COLLEGIATE TIMES

Randolph Hall is home to a wind tunnel used for numerous types of engineering research. It can generate winds of up to 180 mph.

S

ticking out of the side of Randolph Hall, the large metallic structure of the Virginia Tech Stability Wind Tunnel has become a hotspot for research on campus in the nearly 50 years that is has been in Blacksburg.

Built in the late ‘30s by NASA and later moved and reassembled at Virginia Tech from 1957 to 1961, the Stability Wind Tunnel has been involved in research from testing

[

on the web

]

Check out our tour of the Virginia Tech Stability Wind Tunnel at collegiatetimes.com.

the wind resistance of the surface of submarines for the Navy to allowing student groups and classes to use the facility for various projects.

In fact, the tunnel is so busy that its calendar is booked until August.

Overseen by Director Dr. William Devenport, the tunnel is shaped in a large rectangle.

On one side of it sits a large fan that fills up the entirety of its enclosure and can go up to speeds of 180 mph. This fan blows a constant, undisturbed wall of air that eventually flows around the corner and into a test section where Devenport and his team can take

Immediate.

Unfiltered.

Linkalicious.

CORRECTIONS JUSTIN GRAVES -Contact our public editor at publiceditor@ collegiatetimes.com if you see anything that needs to be corrected.

21st century news doesn't wait for a print run.

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED Generous remuneration per student. students arriving to study at the VT Language and Culture Institute.

Homes should be near public transit For info call 540-552-1149 or email: maryann@blacksburghomestay.com

readings of any research.

The tunnel also has other purposes than testing wind as it is used to study sound-waves and is the largest university-owned anechoic facility in the United States.

It has been featured on such programs ABC Nightly News, Good Morning America and the Weather Channel. by topher forhecz, ct features editor

by anthony m. destefano, mcclatchy newspapers

opınıons 7

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

april 16, 2010

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

Your Views [letter to the editor]

Coverage for memorial pitiful

H

ow is it a senior military college uses its main source of school news to inform us of half-naked protestors, riots at other colleges and alcohol ads but not of a fallen alumni being forever remembered on Virginia Tech’s most memorable memorial?

I was not only angry but also enlightened by the lack of mention of the pylon dedication ceremony held on Friday, April 10 for Tech graduate Seth Mitchell who died in Iraq in November 2009. I enjoyed the small picture featured on the back of the paper with the incorrect caption referring to the corps of cadets rifle team, which does not exist.

I am fully aware that there was an article published in the November issue of the Collegiate Times about Capt.

Mitchell’s death with reference to the dedication ceremony, which makes its absence in the paper even more upsetting.

Even more upsetting was that this paper could run about five different articles about a parking garage but no more than a 2-by-4-inch picture could be allotted for the remembrance of a fallen hero.

Of course the front page was riddled with important information like a drunken party at

JMU, again information about the parking garage and how our beloved CT can no longer peddle alcohol ads. The only real news on the front page was about the Westboro Baptist Church, and even it was ruined with the party boy protestor whose infamous bottom took up more space than a war veteran’s dedication ceremony.

Yeah, that sounds about right.

Not making the frontpage is something I can understand.

It is a somber topic, but as I thumbed through the entire page dedicated to a sport not even in season and an editorial about, what else, the parking garage, I began to wonder if the columnists at the CT think all Tech students care about is where to put their car next year and that Tyrod Taylor threw a 35-yard touchdown pass during a scrimmage against his own team.

I understand that as a college newspaper the CT has to appeal to students, and what better way than parking permits and public nudity. However as a newspaper it also has an obligation to report the news.

It might just be the opinion of one Tech student, but I feel remembering the sacrifice of a Tech alumnus should warrant more than a caption on the back page.

Catherine Lijewski Freshman communication major

Remembrance Day should not include politics T

hree years have gone by since the horrible shootings on April 16, 2007. Unlike some of you, I was not attending Virginia Tech at the time the shooting happened. As a result I feel unable to properly identify with the emotional response a lot of you have. I can only view the day from an outside perspective. The murder of these 32 individuals is something I can barely wrap my mind around.

Last year I had the opportunity to write a column on this very same day. I was unsure how to approach the topic; however, I ended up choosing to focus on the political and media reactions surrounding the shooting. A year later I can say that writing this column really isn’t any easier. The political nonsense has subsided, but certainly there are still unresolved issues.

I try not to take life very seriously.

I take pride in my ability to find humor in most any situation, and I do my very best to make sure my columns are entertaining to read.

However, with an event such as April 16, 2007 there is no way to take a lighthearted stance when the events have truly devastated so many lives, including a lot of those who will read this very column today.

I would be a complete liar if I said I could relate to how many of you feel.

It’s very difficult to properly empathize with the emotions that a lot of you will have on this tragic anniversary of the shooting. I can only say that I am sorry it happened.

Today there will be a lot of Hokie spirit and mourning. I just don’t feel right participating in any of it.

Having only been involved in the shooting through my television, the media did an excellent job of portraying the April 16 tragedy as little more than a dramatic work of fiction unfolding in front of my eyes.

In a world where so many terrible things happen on a daily basis, it’s hard for my mind to conceive that actual people were injured and murdered in some of the buildings I walk through on campus. The reality of this fact escapes me even as I type this column.

Sadly, it seems there is a natural reaction for all of us to forget that real people lost their lives. Perhaps this is a defensive coping mechanism. In a world where so many terrible things happen, it would be impossible to function if we were to constantly recall every tragic event that touches our lives, directly or through the media. Nevertheless it’s important that we all remember what happened in hopes that such events never occur again in the future.

Many of the Hokies who survived the shooting are alive and able to speak for themselves. A few have chosen to take up activist causes on various sides of related issues. Some have chosen to stay out of the political arena entirely. In any case, I wish them the very best. I cannot possibly imagine what they have gone

through.

If there is one thing a lot of people are guilty of, it’s forgetting that just because the dead aren’t here to speak for themselves doesn’t mean anyone is allowed to speak on their behalf.

Activists and politicians would have us believe that changes in the level of gun control (one way or the other) would have saved lives. One activist organization has even gone so far as to literally represent the dead with a disturbing lie-in protest.

Other groups have tastefully chosen to leave the anniversary of April 16 as a day of remembrance — not a day for politically charged activism.

There is little doubt in my mind that issues such as gun control will be brought to the forefront of conversation about this time every year.

I am disgusted so deeply by the way politicians on both sides used the tragedy as a means to push their political agendas. One can only conclude that, in the eyes of many legislators, the shooting was a blessing in disguise, allowing them the emotional leverage needed to pass laws quickly.

Like many of you, I have a strong opinion about issues such as concealed carry on campus and laws that regulate the purchase of firearms. However, today is absolutely not the day to be having these kinds of discussions. Today is a day of remembrance. No amount of political activism or changes in laws can bring back those who died, and rather or not changes in laws can save future lives is strictly speculation.

Perhaps my distance from the shooting grants me the ability not to be emotionally charged on a day like this. I know that many of you lost friends and loved ones — again, I cannot imagine how hard all of this is for you.

It’s important to remember that laws and regulations are not to blame for the death of any of the 32 people.

The blame can only be placed on the individual who committed these heinous murders.

My hope today is to remind the Tech community to respect those who died by using today as a day of remembrance. Speaking on behalf of the dead for political gain is absolutely wrong. Those who died should be remembered by those who knew them as individual people.

Under no circumstance is it appropriate to speculate on what the group of victims would have wanted in terms of political and social change.

Nothing is more disrespectful than speaking on behalf of those who are gone.

CHAD VAN ALSTIN -regular columnist -senior -communication major

KATIE BIONDO/COLLEGIATE TIMES

Importance of events shouldn’t be disregarded T

oday, we mark the third anniversary of the events of April 16, 2007. For me, the memories of this day are just as vivid as if they happened yesterday. I can still feel the cold wind from that fateful Monday and the eerie silence of that morning before things unfolded.

April 16 invokes powerful memories for me and the remembrances that take place provide an opportunity to reflect and remember. Over these three years, the nature of the remembrances has evolved, from the impromptu events that took place in the aftermath of the shootings, to the convocation, vigil and the initial set of Hokie Stones. As we come together for this third anniversary, I reflect on the importance that these remembrances play and the challenges that we as a community will face in these discussions.

What takes place during a remembrance is still a delicate issue and raises many questions. How do you balance the honoring of the fallen students and faculty with the needs of the family members? How do you honor and support the survivors? How do you provide opportunities for the community to engage in reflection? It has to be an effort that provides for all of these different components, and is a delicate balancing act but one that is crucial. Perhaps we can take a page from other communities in the United States and from around the world that have been impacted by tragedy.

Each anniversary carries a different weight and meaning. For me, the first anniversary was very emotional as it opened up so many things that had been bottled up. In the hours and days after April 16, we each played different roles and were constantly running. There really wasn’t time to sit down and reflect until later that summer. By the first anniversary, I could not run away from those feelings and the flood of emotions was powerful.

By the second anniversary, I remained on edge but was calmer.

The anniversary was not as somber but more about a celebration of life and it was just as powerful.

It was great to have been apart of

the 3.2 Run in Remembrance, the Remembrance Through Dance and the other activities. As before, my mind was clearly not on work related matters but on April 16 and in being a part of the community.

As we mark this third anniversary, I am nervous but also reflective. This morning, I will be volunteering and participating as part of the race and will be engaged in the various events culminating with the vigil on the Drillfield.

Just as things are underway for today’s activities, some thought has already been given to what happens with future remembrances of April 16. In 2009, the university decided to make a gradual shift to allow for the holding of classes on this day as a way to honor the fallen students and faculty. As a result, this means that for the fifth anniversary, on Monday, April 16, 2012, classes would be in session. The fourth anniversary falls on a weekend in 2011 and is not impacted.

The decision to have and not have classes on the anniversary of April 16 remains a controversial one. There are clearly strong arguments on both sides for keeping April 16 as a special day within the university calendar with no classes, as well as those arguments for returning it back as a regular school day.

I would argue that certain remembrances carry important milestones and meanings, and the fifth anniversary would be one of milestones that would require a more careful and deliberate exploration. The fifth anniversary would also be the first of the anniversaries to fall on that particular day of the week of when the events happened.

I believe that the university should reconsider its stance of resuming classes on the fifth anniversary in 2012 and wait until the sixth anniversary in 2013, and continue to hold classes until those major milestones such as the 10th in 2017, 15th in 2022, and so on. I don’t doubt the sincerity and hard work that the group made in 2009 when it made its recommendation. I believe that it would be a disservice if we didn’t ponder the implications and meaning of the fifth

anniversary.

The issue of remembrances is certainly a delicate one as how do you balance the needs of the families and those of the university?

Over the past few years, some have argued that on April 16, everything needs to remain solemn on the campus, while others would argue that this is a time to come together in different events. In the end, we can’t be afraid to come together to reflect and to celebrate life. Each of us will mark the occasion in a different way.

Unfortunately, a lot of the issues surrounding the remembrances for April 16 are mired in the disagreements related to how decisions were made, issues of liability and responsibility. While these issues are important, they should not take away or usurp the true meaning of these remembrances.

This is a time to remember the lives that were lost on April 16 and to remember those that were impacted by the events. Each of us was touched in some way as we knew or had a connection to the victims and survivors.

Only time will decide the impact and meaning of remembrances.

History shows that the longer that time passes, the more meaningful the remembrance. Take for example, the recent remembrance of the 70th anniversary of the Katyn Massacre during World War II. While 70 years later, this occasion is just as important today for the Polish people.

As you participate in today’s remembrance activities, I encourage you to think about how these events will change in the future but also how these events impact you.

How will Virginia Tech mark the 25th anniversary of the events on April 16, 2032?

RAY PLAZA -regular columnist -faculty -academic services

Tragedy continues to unite Tech community, revives Hokie spirit On

April 17, 2007 I walked into my high school wearing every piece of Virginia Tech clothing I owned — and my younger brother did the same. After watching the tragedy that took place the previous day, representing my pride, respect and sorrow for Tech in my clothing choice was the least I felt I could do. Then, I was a junior in high school in Haslett, Michigan — a small suburb outside of the capital, Lansing.

In my second period class, one of the other students said to me, “Ewwww, Virginia Tech? Why would you support such a dangerous place?” I almost got out of my seat and punched the kid in the nose in the middle of class — that’s how infuriated I was. I did, however, begin immediately yelling at him, defending Blacksburg, Tech and everyone associated with the events on April 16.

At that time I had no intention of attending or even applying to Tech, and I had not been to Blacksburg in years.

My connection merely stemmed from the fact that my dad is an alumnus.

I was born in Blacksburg and raised there until I was five years old while my father was finishing his doctorate from Tech. However, I still felt a connection and a deep sadness. Because I was even a distant member of the Hokie nation,

I felt a deep connection to Tech in the days and months following April 16.

Everyone understands what happened that day was more than awful, but if you look for a positive outcome out of what the Hokie nation experienced it is easy to spot — the further fostered sense of community and togetherness that everyone who is a Hokie now feels, whether or not they were in Blacksburg. We were brought together like no other community before, and we immediately strengthened our bonds, with our members coming closer than ever before. Instead of looking for someone to blame, we asked, “How can we deal with this as a community?” and “how can we help each other, no matter who they are or what they need?”

This speaks to the immense sense of loyalty of Tech that is much a part of being a member of the Hokie nation.

The tragedy of April 16 strengthened our loyalty to our school. But this is not always what others see. When those who are not familiar with Tech ask me where I go to school and I tell them, some people reply “Oh, isn’t that the place where the tragedy happened?” as they lower their voice as to not offend something or me. I tell them yes, but I also try and remind them that while we will never forget what happened,

April 16 is not what defines Tech — being a Hokie is being a part of one of the best communities there is. It’s being loyal to your school, respectful to all, inventing the future, Ut Prosim, being the best person you can and much more.

As Hokies, we need to make sure people know this. We need to tell people and accept ourselves that while April 16 is a part of our past, and a part of what defines us as Hokies, it is not what defines us. The events that are scheduled to take place today speak to that attitude. The 3.2 Run in Remembrance, the vigil, speakers, classes being cancelled and other events speak to the fact that we remember but do not dwell on what happened.

But, more importantly, we need to be loyal to our school and loyal to fellow Hokies. Being part of the Hokie nation is a special privilege and we need to cherish it, and remember that we will always be a part of it.

GABI SELTZER -regular columnist -sophomore -philosophy and history major

Collegiate Times Editorial Staff Editor in Chief: Sara Mitchell Managing Editors: Peter Velz, Bethany Buchanan Production Manager: Thandiwe Ogbonna Public Editor: Justin Graves News Editors: Zach Crizer, Philipp Kotlaba News Reporters: Liana Bayne, Gordon Block News Staff Writers: Hope Miles, Katie Robidoux, Allison Sanders, Claire Sanderson, Priya Saxena Features Editor: Topher Forhecz Features Reporters: Ryan Arnold, Liz Norment Opinions Editor: Debra Houchins Sports Editors: Joe Crandley, Alex Jackson Sports Reporters: Thomas Emerick, Ed Lupien, Ray Nimmo, Garrett Ripa, Melanie Wadden Sports Staff Writers: Garrett Busic, Hattie Francis Copy Editors: Taylor Chakurda, Erin Corbey, Kelsey Heiter, Dishu Maheshwari Layout Designers: Kelly Harrigan, Josh Son, Sara Spangler Illustrators: Mina Noorbakhsh, Jamie Martyn Multimedia Editor: James Carty Online Director: Jamie Chung Collegiate Times Business Staff Business Manager: David Harries College Media Solutions Asst Ad Director: Kendall Kapetanakis Account Executives: Nik Bando, Brandon Collins, David Goerge, Wade Stephenson, Kelly Burleson Inside Sales Manager: Judi Glass Assistant Inside Sales Manager: Diane Revalski Assistant Account Executives: Maddie Abram, Katie Berkel, Kaelynn Kurtz Rachel Lombardo, Erin Shuba Creative Director: Sarah Ford Asst Production Manager: Chloe Skibba Creative Services Staff: Kara Noble, Jennifer Le, Laiken Jacobs Student Publications Photo Staff Director of Photography: Luke Mason Lab Manager: Mark Umansky Voice your opinion. Readers are encouraged to send letters to the Collegiate Times.

365 Squires Student Center Blacksburg, VA, 24061 Fax: (540) 231-9151 opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com All letters to the editor must include a name and daytime phone number.

Students must include year and major.

Faculty and staff must include position and department. All other submissions must include city of residence, and if applicable, relationship to Virginia Tech (i.e., alumni, parent, etc.). All letters should be in MS Word (.doc) format, if possible.

By submitting a letter, you hereby agree to not engage in online discussion through comments on the Collegiate Times Web site.

Letters, commentaries and editorial cartoons do not reflect the views of the Collegiate Times.

Editorials are written by the Collegiate Times editorial board, which is comprised of the opinions editor, editor-in-chief and the managing editors.

Letters to the editor are submissions from Collegiate Times readers. We reserve the right to edit for any reason.

Anonymous letters will not be printed.

Have a news tip?

Call or text 200-TIPS or e-mail newstips@collegiatetimes.com Student Media Phone Numbers Collegiate Times Newsroom 231-9865 Editor-in-Chief 231-9867 College Media Solutions Advertising 961-9860 The Collegiate Times, a division of the Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech, was established in 1903 by and for the students of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The Collegiate Times is published every Tuesday through Friday of the academic year except during exams and vacations.

The Collegiate Times receives no funding from the university.

The Collegiate Times can be found online at www.collegiatetimes.com.

Except where noted, all photographs were taken by the Student Publications Photo Staff. To order a reprint of a photograph printed in the Collegiate Times, e-mail spps@vt.edu.

The Collegiate Times is located in 365 Squires Student Center, Blacksburg, VA, 24061. (540) 231-9865. Fax (540) 2319151.

Subscription rates: $65 semester; $110 academic year. The first copy is free, any copy of the paper after that is 50 cents per issue. © Collegiate Times, 2010. All rights reserved. Material published in the Collegiate Times is the property thereof, and may not be reprinted without the express written consent of the Collegiate Times.

april 16, 2010

page 8

Policies: The Collegiate Times reserves the right to reject or edit any advertisement it deems objectionable, at any time.

No refunds are available.

Place An Ad Today

CLASSIFIEDS WWW.COLLEGIATETIMES.COM 540.961.9860

Visit our business office at 618 N. Main St. 9am–5pm 9am 5pm Monday–Friday Monday Friday,, or place an ad online at collegiatetimes.com.

The advertiser assumes full responsibility for his or her advertisements and agrees to hold the Collegiate Times harmless for the content of all advertisements authorized for publication and any claims that made may be against the Collegiate Times.

Deadline: Three business days prior to publication by 3PM.

Rates:

Any questions concerning ads, please call the Better Business Bureau at 1.800.533.5501.

Rates as low as 32¢ per word, contingent on the number of days to run. Prepaid. 15 word minimum.

Cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at 1.800.669.9777.

FREE CLASSIFIEDS FOR VT STUDENTS! students must come to 618 N Main ST to place the ad Sub-Lease Travel Rides Campus

Childcare Tickets for Sale Tickets Wanted Volunteers

Textbooks for Sale Textbooks Wanted Lost & Found Help Wanted

Legal

Travel

LEGAL TROUBLES

GETTING COLD TIME to Plan your Spring Break 2010 Get Away! Learn how to travel to beautiful locations like Jamaica, Acapulco and the Bahamas on a party cruise. Find out what other Virginia Tech Hokies are headed to your destination.

-Adrian Email: Awhite@Studentcity.com for more information

Free Consultation with attorney.

Assault, Traffic, Alcohol and Drug Charges, VT Student Conduct Review. Joel S. Jackson, PC. 9615297, joeljacksonpc.com.

EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL CHARGE

Have you had an alcohol charge dismissed because of compliance with VASAP? Your record may still show a criminal charge. Contact Attorney Joel Jackson for free consultation.

Joel S. Jackson PC. 540-961-5297. joeljacksonpc.com

Notices *****BARTENDING***** MAKE UP TO $300/ DAY. No Experience Necessary.

Training Available.

1-800-965-6520 EXT210

For Sale 6+ ACRES FOR Sale in Catawba Area Beautiful wooded lot with road frontage. 20 minutes from Blacksburg and 30 minutes from Roanoke/Salem. $73,000, real estate agent owned. For more information: 540562-1142 www.gravelhillroad.webs.com FOR SALE 2003-38 Jayco Designer FifthWheel Travel Trailer, 3-Slides On private rented lot, minutes from VA Tech or Radford in country setting. Deluxe model- kitchen/ Living Area/ Bedroom, double-door refrigerator, microwave, range/ oven, washer/ dryer combo., deck, storage shed, etc. Excellent Condition.

Priced at $29,500/ (540) 968-1318 or (540) 969-9012

For Sale Events Health & Fitness Automotive

USED XBOX 360 FOR SALE. In great condition. Includes Xbox 360 core console, memory card, and wireless controller.

Asking price is $175. Can include NCAA Football 10, NBA 2K10, and/ or Head Coach 09 at additional negotiated price.

Call (540)808-6921 or email cobrtn@vt.edu if interested.

Sub-Lease STUDENT ROOM FOR SUMMER Student Room For Summer- 1 bedroom available in 4 bedroom with 2 baths apartment in Hunter’s Ridge on Patrick Henry. Right behind Food Lion on time check for bus route. Lots of parking, and the kitchen and common room fully furnished. Only $265-without utilities, lease starting end of exams in May till July 9, 2010. Call 757848-3895.

VT STUDENTS-ROOM FOR RENT 1 bdrm available in a 3 bdrm condo off S. Main St., Blacksburg. On bus route.

Good parking.2 full baths. Common area complete w/ furnishings, kitchen fully equipped, only bedroom furniture needed. $400/ mo including cable, ethernet, electric and water. 703-915-2315

Early July move-in for

FREE! (Lease starts in August)

Notices Wanted Musical Roommates

Greek Notes For Rent Personals Furniture for Sale

Help Wanted

Roommates

NOVA SUMMER EMPLOYMENT! Excellent Opportunity for School Teachers and College Students!!! OVER $1700.00 in a 2 Weeks!! Locations available throughout Northern Virginia. Must be 18 years old and willing to work long hours everyday from June 17- July 7. for more info and online application go to www.tristatefireworks.com.

MASTER BEDROOM WITH OWN BATH $400/month. June 1 2010- May 31 2011.

Female roommate wanted. Furniture available. Has washer/dryer, fireplace, garbage disposal. Split electric and cable bill with roommates. For pics, other questions, and to take a look email Joss at vtredskins1421@yahoo.com

OCEAN CITY, MD and Virginia Beach Live and Work at the Beach this SUMMER!!! *Earn up to $10,000 *GreatShape, Great Tan *HousingAssistanceAvailable www.ocbeachphotos.com

Events PARALEGAL SUMMER INTENSIVE at Duke. Begins 5/24. Free info session 5/6. learnmore.duke.edu/ paralegal.

919.684.3379

Sturbridge Square

Application fee waived.

First month of water for

FREE. (July or August) And if any of your referrals get approved, you get $175 off your 2nd months rent.

Call Sturbridge Square today!

Downtown Living South Main Living North Main Living Prices Fork Living

Brin g and in thi you s ad ’ll g et:

540-951-9252 1001 University City Blvd., Blacksburg, VA 24060 www.SturbridgeSquare.com

How ‘bout them apples?

VT Students get FREE advertisements in the Classifieds...come by 618 N Main ST to place your classifieds!

ROOMATE NEEDED 3rd Floor 2BR Condo. Close to VT on BT. 1 Roommate needed. $470/ mo includes utilities, cable, internet. Inquire at 804-337-2291 or djohn89@vt.edu

For Rent NAGS HEAD 4 month Student Summer Rentals May to August, $450/ mo/ person, seabreezerealty.com 252.255.6328 252.255.6328 THE SHIRES, 10 min. from VT, beautiful 2&3 BR Townhouses, Furnished, Util INC, QUIET LOCATION, each BR w/private bath. Available for rent by week or month.

540-553-1700.

Patrick Henry Living Christiansburg Living

Personals ADOPTION

Pediatrician and hubby in northern Virginia wish to adopt newborn.

Approved by licensed child-placing agency. Med/legal expenses. Loving home! Contact us toll free 1-866581-5494 www. EdandMargaretB. freehomepage.com

Prices Fork Living TECH VILLAGE CENTER

Only 3 apts left. 4BR $1360. 3BR $1080. 2BR $770. 210 Prices Fork Rd. across street from campus.

Ethernet incl. Email ksoddo@aol.com 540.552.0582

sports 9

editor: alex jackson sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com / 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES

april 16, 2010

Tech baseball prepares for weekend battle at rival Virginia JOE CRANDLEY sports reporter The Virginia Tech baseball team continues its run through the Atlantic Coast Conference gantlet this weekend against No. 2 Virginia in Charlottesville.

In the two previous weeks, the No. 20 Hokies took series from ACC powers Florida State and Miami, and now have a chance to take down the most highly ranked team in the conference.

UVa (27-8, 10-5 ACC) spent most of the season in the No. 1 national spot before dropping a series to North Carolina State in Raleigh. Last week, the Cavaliers took two-of-three against No. 5 Georgia Tech at home to make their way toward the top spot again.

Tech (24-11, 8-7 ACC) enters the weekend having won four of its five ACC series so far, only losing at Clemson, a team UVa won a series against at home.

Overall, the Cavaliers have been difficult to beat at home this season as they hold a 21-3 record with losses against Wright State, Clemson and Georgia Tech.

Last season, the Hokies won the series against UVa in Blacksburg, and Tech matches up pretty well with the Cavaliers this year as well. Both teams can hit, and they compare pretty closely in the major statistical categories, so the series will come down to pitching.

Friday night will feature a battle of the lefties, with sophomore Danny Hultzen (5-1, 2.04 ERA) taking the hill for UVa against Tech junior Justin Wright (4-3, 4.02 ERA), who picked up a win against the Cavaliers last year.

Hultzen has been dominant for the Cavaliers; he ranks second in the ACC in ERA, first in opponent batting average (.169) and first in strikeouts with

66. Wright may not have the numbers, but he can succeed against any premiere starter in the ACC and has for two seasons.

Wright got off to a slow start early in the season due to the cold weather, but he has pitched well in his last four starts on the mound, with wins against Florida State and Wake Forest, a loss against Clemson when the Hokies were shut out, and a no decision against Miami in which he threw six innings and only gave up three earned runs.

The Hokies hitters have faced a steady diet of left-handed pitching in the last month, so the Hokies should be ready for Hultzen.

On Saturday, Tech sophomore Mathew Price (4-2, 5.75 ERA) will go up against UVa junior Robert Morey (4-2, 4.40 ERA). Both pitchers got knocked around last weekend, Price against Miami, Morey against Georgia Tech, but each are capable of taking over a game. Morey finished seventh in the ACC in ERA last season and second in opponent batting average (.210), and Price has shown the ability to be dominant as well.

Finally, on Sunday, Tech junior Jesse Hahn (5-2, 2.28 ERA) should start against UVa junior Cody Winiarski (40, 4.70 ERA). Hahn, much like Hultzen, has been one of the best pitchers in the ACC this season, and this may be Tech’s chance to pull out a win against the Cavaliers.

While the starters should provide some entertaining baseball, the series will come down to who has the better bullpen, and UVa holds the edge right now.

UVa’s junior closer Kevin Arico currently holds a 2.37 ERA with 11 saves, and junior reliever Tyler Wilson has a 3.69 ERA in 18 appearances and 31.2

PAUL KURLAK/SPPS

Tech third baseman Tony Balisteri attempts to snag a ground ball in the infield against Miami during last weekend’s series at English Field. innings pitched.

Tech’s closer, Ben Rowen, sports a 0.67 ERA over 27 innings pitched and has been especially impressive in the crucial series’ against Florida State and Miami.

Freshmen Joe Mantiply and Jake Joyce are progressing as middle relievers, and junior Manny Martir is coming along as well.

In addition to Mantiply, Joyce, and Martir, junior Sean McDermott, who was a mainstay out of the bullpen last year, has made two appearances in the last week after dealing with rotator cuff issues all season. His presence will definitely bolster a thin Tech bullpen, though UVa will still hold the advantage.

Tech’s Ziegler and Olhovsky use unique backgrounds to their advantage in field SHANNON CRAWFORD sports staff writer Alexander Ziegler and Yavgeniy Olhovsky may come from entirely different worlds, but when it comes to the Virginia Tech track team, they have one very important thing in common: the will to win.

For both of the athletes, competition is nothing new.

Ziegler, a freshman, began participating in the hammer throw in ZIEGLER 1999 in his native country, Germany.

“We start earlier,” he said, referring to the leg up he has obtained over many of his competitors.

It’s not just the extra time spent training that has OLHOVSKY earned Ziegler an indoor weight throw Atlantic Coast Conference title, though.

Greg Jack, Tech’s associate head men’s track and field coach and Ziegler’s throwing coach, said several factors are at work in his advantage. “(He has) a really good understanding of his event,” Jack said. “(He has) the best work ethic of any athlete I’ve coached. He works on his weaknesses and he works on his strengths.”

Ziegler also shows his work ethic in the classroom. Wednesday, he was honored by the ACC, earning a spot on the conference’s Men’s Track and Field All-Academic team.

Jack said these factors make coaching Ziegler “pretty easy.”

Olhovsky, a senior, also brings a very

different background to the program.

Like many pole-vaulters, Olhovsky first began to train at the age of 15, but before he competed in his first event as a Hokie, he served three years of mandatory service in the Israeli army.

The three-year hiatus and lapse in practice time could have hindered his progress.

“I couldn’t train full time,” Olhovsky explained.

Quick to find a silver lining, however, the senior looked on the bright side.

“I was refreshed to come here,” he said.

Tech pole vault coach Bob Phillips also saw the benefits.

“He’s more mature, and as a result I think he’s a little more disciplined,” Phillips said. “He’s just a hard worker.”

In addition to putting in extra hours of practice, both Ziegler and Olhovsky have a true love of their event.

For Ziegler, the practices are actually one of his favorite things to do as a member of the track team.

“I love to work out,” he said. “I like to be around people, and that’s basically what it’s about.”

According to Olhovsky, nothing compares to “the feeling in the air.”

With the ability to vault over 18 feet in the air, he gets his fix of heights.

When the athletes came to Tech, they found a strong legacy in their respective events. Olhovsky chose to become a Hokie not only because of the coaching staff and the accomplishments of the track and field program, but also because of its “pole vault tradition.”

“The last 80 years, there has always been someone on the team who can jump 18 feet or higher.” Olhovsky said.

“I want to jump higher than I ever have, so the school record will be up there.”

It was actually a former Tech ath-

lete and fellow thrower, Sven Hahn, who influenced Ziegler’s decision to become a Hokie.

“We can’t really imagine back home what the American college thing is about,” Ziegler said.

While it may be Ziegler’s first year at Tech, he is no stranger to the interNIELS GOERAN BLUME/SPPS national scene. In 2009, he earned a bronze metal in the European Under Tech redshirt senior outfielder Sean Ryan connects with a pitch on March 30 at English Field. Ryan enters 23 Championships, which he describes this weekend’s series against Virginia hitting .318, with one home run and 16 RBI’s on the season so far. as a “career highlight.”

During the indoor season, Ziegler competed in the weight throw, an event in which he has no previous experience. That didn’t stop him from winning first place in the ACC. Olhovsky, who competed in last year’s World Championships, also experienced success in the ACC, winning second place. He recounted it as a moment of pride, saying “throughout the meet I progressed, and wound up being second after pretty much everyone counted me out.”

As the focus of Tech’s track and field shifts to outdoor competition, the heat is on.

“We’ve got a really, really good team,” Ziegler said. “We proved that indoors already ... I think we are even stronger outdoors.”

As Olhovsky and Ziegler continue to participate in two very different events, they look ahead to the same destination. Both athletes hope to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics.

No matter where they compete or whom they contend against, their goal remains the same — victory.

The ACC Outdoor Championships began yesterday and will last through Saturday in Clemson, SC. Both Ziegler and Olhovsky will participate in the events, which kick off a busy schedule for the Hokies, leading up to the NCAA Championships in May.

10 news

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

april 16, 2010

COLLEGIATETIMES

Harrington shirt Haitian Ambassador speaks at Tech found near UVa on service, current state of his country arena, police say KELSEY HEITER copy editor

As

Virginia State Police continue to investigate the death of former Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington, more evidence continues to surface.

Information about the clothing Harrington wore the night of her disappearance on Oct. 17, 2009 was confirmed today for the first time.

It had been reported that she was wearing a black t-shirt with the band name “Pantera” written on it in HARRINGTON tan lettering.

A Charlottesville resident found that shirt on Nov. 11 near the intersection of 15th Street and Grady Avenue, about 11 miles from the farm where Harrington’s body was found on Jan. 26, and about one mile from the John Paul Jones Arena — the last place she was seen before her disappearance.

State police have pursued almost 1,000 leads in Harrington’s case so far and are still encouraging people to call their tip line at 434-9774000. A $150,000 reward is available for information leading to Harrington’s murderer. by ct news staff

Raymond Joseph, the Haitian ambassador to the United States, visited Virginia Tech yesterday to speak at Burruss Hall during Haiti Day, a day-long event to honor the resilience of Haiti and those at Tech who helped the country following January’s devastating earthquake.

Before his speech Thursday night, Joseph spoke to the Collegiate Times about his home country and reaching out to those in need.

COLLEGIATE TIMES: In your opinion, how is the country of Haiti doing right now?

RAYMOND JOSEPH: Haiti is just coming out of a bad situation.

We still have a few people to house before the real rainy season starts in about two weeks. I would say about 95 percentofthepeopleoftheonemillion who were out in streets have been housed. The cleaning up has started and the reconstruction has begun.

It has really begun with road building and road building away from the capital, which is a good thing because Haiti was too centralized, so I would say that we are not yet out of the woods, but we made some progress. The schools are open one week ago Monday.

But you have to know, it is not all Haiti that was struck, it was onefifth of the landmass that was struck.

However, in economic terms, the damages were 80 percent, and that is translated into revenues with the final figures came in at only 20 percent in the month of January, in February it was 35 percent.

The figures for March are not in, but you see, we are doing a little progress.

CT: What role do you see American universities such as Virginia Tech playing in the rebuilding process?

JOSEPH: I think that the United States universities and other universities around the world that have looked at Haiti have a big role to play, especially VT with it’s strong engineering department and strong “how to do things” will be quite helpful to us. Haiti’s universities have been very intellectual, philosophical, and I would say that they can talk about antiquities and Greek mythology and good Latin and all that, but sometimes they cannot nail a plank.

And I think universities like VT with its strong position in things like that and how to do things, engineering, agriculture, where we

JAMIE CHUNG/SPPS

Raymond Joseph, the Haitian ambassador to the United States, speaks to the Virginia Tech community in Burruss Hall Thursday night. Thursday was designated Haiti Day in honor of Joseph’s trip to Tech. can need some help, will be a big help to Haiti.

CT: How are people’s attitudes in Haiti right now?

JOSEPH: I think that the attitudes of the people were exemplary. The first monthly anniversary on February 12, I was in Port-au-Prince and I saw the people on the streets with their instruments and there was no looting going on. CNN was the only one of the networks that showed a little problem downtown and they tried to make a big thing of it but there was nothing to make out of it.

“

More than 230,000 killed, more than 300,000 injured — they still have a smile on their face.

RAYMOND JOSEPH HAITIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES

Everything considered showed that Haiti people have been doing quite well, considering what they went through. More than 230,000 killed, more than 300,000 injured — they still have a smile on their face.

I think that the Haitian people have come through like shining stars.

CT: I understood that you were

coming to talk about what is going on in Haiti but also in recognition of the April 16, 2007 events that happened on our campus — what does it mean to you to speak in honor of the event and what happened here?

JOSEPH: I came here mainly to thank you, as I have done around the country where I have been speaking, for you to have given of yourself the way you have and to support the Haitian people in the hour of need.

At the same time, I want you to know that doing this at this juncture, coming in solidarity, is perhaps, without your knowing, helping Haiti for what Haiti did early on years ago. ... Now, in such distress, the quake has brought you all together for Haiti, I say thank you.