Welcome 10 20
Back A recap of
summer headlines
page 24
page 43
page 16
page 37
page 46
cover by peter velz
page 34
find inside: basketball staff shake-up • april 16 news • tuition increases • zhu trial update • hokie hi • floydfest • board of visitors • lumenhaus • nasa design contest • football recruiting • hybrid bt buses • professor passes away • carilion school of medicine opens • lacrosse coach leaves • huckleberry trail improvements • cherished sycamore cut down • center for the arts breaks ground • christiansburg aquatic center opens • blacksburg high school update • lots of construction • baseball heads to ncaa • more
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WELCOME BACK TABLE OF CONTENTS 22 23 24 26 27 29 30 31 33 34 35 36 37 38 40 42 43
Football recruiting Football recruiting (con’t) New hybrid buses Baseball falls short Baseball falls short (con’t) Professor passes away Carilion school opens Lacrosse staff shakeup Huckleberry additions Sycamore cut down Sycamore cut down (con’t) Hokie Hi calendar Center for the Arts Center for the Arts (con’t) Fun at orientation (photo) Dog parade (photo) Aquatic center opens
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Blacksburg High School BHS (con’t) Construction Construction (con’t)
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Front page Table of contents Basketball staff April 16 update Basketball staff (con’t) Tuition increases April 16 update (con’t) Tuiton increases (con’t) Zhu update Firefighter (photo) Hokie Hi FloydFest FloydFest (con’t) BOV appointment BOV appointment (con’t) Solar House NASA design contest
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Tech men’s basketball staff receives makeover ALEX JACKSON sports editor Virginia Tech men’s basketball coach Seth Greenberg enters the 2010 college hoops season with a situation unlike those of most head coaches around the nation. While Greenberg’s entire starting lineup returning with the Hokies
projects a top-25 team early in the offseason, he enters the coming season with an almost all-new staff around him. After losing assistant coaches Bill Courtney and Ryan Odom in April, Greenberg and the Hokies spent the subsequent two months completely restructuring their staff. In May, Tech began the process by
naming two new assistant coaches and promoting Adrian Autry, former director of men’s basketball operations to an assistant role. Tech also added John Richardson to the bench. Autry and Richardson fill the roles left by Courtney, who was hired after the season as the new head coach at Cornell University, and Odom, who unexpectedly left Tech to join
the University of North Carolina Wilmington staff in April. In June, Greenberg and Co. finished the process by hiring former Boston University head coach Dennis Wolff to fill the final vacancy in the program left by Autry. Wolff, who many believe is almost overqualified for the position, comes to Blacksburg with a warm welcome. “I am excited to have Dennis Wolff join our basketball staff,” Greenberg said in a statement released by the Tech department of athletics. “He has a wealth of experience and knowledge and will no doubt be an asset to our basketball program.” The former BU head coach was 247-197 in 15 years in Massachusetts, earning America East Coach of the Year honors three times in his tenure there. Though he arrives from a conference with competition much different from that of the Atlantic Coast Conference, he’s familiar with its kind. Prior to joining the Terriers, Wolff served as an assistant coach for four years with the University of Virginia and before that, spent four years as an assistant coach at Wake Forest from 1985-89. “I hope to contribute however I can to the nationally respected program that coach Greenberg has built (here),” Wolff said. After Tech closed out its season in a disappointing fashion in March, its biggest concern was whether or not star guard Malcolm Delaney, who declared for the NBA Draft in April, would leave the team or not. But after the departure of Courtney to Cornell and Odom’s unexpected departure for a job of equal or lesser
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I look forward to the challenges and rigor of the ACC. I really appreciate coach Greenberg and his staff for embracing me and my family and I am ready to get to work. JOHN RICHARDSON NEW MEN’S BASKETBALL ASSISTANT COACH
value in Charlotte, the Hokies’ focus shifted elsewhere. On May 5, the team announced the promotion of Autry, who joined the program in September 2008. While Autry’s coaching history is brief, his history playing the game is not. The former All-Big East selection was a four-year starter at point guard under coach Jim Boeheim and a team captain as a senior at Syracuse University. Out of the Bronx, N.Y., he was a McDonald’s All-American in 1990 and at St. Nicholas of Tolentine High School, won the New York City and State Championship in 1988. He joins Tech after spending two years as an assistant coach at Paul VI High School in Fairfax, a position he held after an 11-year professional basketball career overseas. “(Adrian) genuinely cares about their development and success, both on and off the court,” Greenberg said. “He will be an outstanding role model for our players and a great representative of our basketball program.” Three days after Tech announced Autry’s promotion, the Hokies see BASKETBALL / page eight
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Report says Tech did not provide ‘timely warning’ ZACH CRIZER news reporter Virginia Tech’s actions during the April 16, 2007, campus shootings have been deemed violations of federal regulations by the Department of Education, solidifying a stricter interpretation of “timely warning” requirements. “First, the warnings that were issued by the university were not prepared or disseminated in a manner to give clear and timely notice of the threat to the health and safety of campus community members,” the report said. “Secondly, Virginia Tech did not follow its own policy for the issuance of timely warnings as published in its annual campus security reports.” Student Seung-Hui Cho killed 32 Tech students and faculty in the shootings. His first two victims were killed in West Ambler-Johnston Hall before he left campus and returned to kill 30 more and injure 17 in Norris Hall before committing suicide. In January, after a 27-month investigation, the Department of Education issued its initial findings on Tech’s compliance with federal timely warning regulations. Tech responded on April 20, and posted the report and response on its Web site on May 18. The review process allows the Department of Education to consider the university’s response and
then issue a final report. The initial investigation was notably lengthy, and many expect the final report to be completed in six to eight months. If the violations remain in the final report, Tech could face a fine of up to $55,000. The university could appeal the fine, but the findings will be final. Security on Campus Inc. initially filed the request that led to the investigation. The group 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. Clery was raped and murdered in her dorm room at Lehigh University in 1986. The report asserts Tech officials knew enough about the situation to warn the community prior to the first mass e-mail sent at 9:26 a.m. on the day of the shootings. Tech’s response counters with examples and arguments that a “timely warning” on a college campus has no quantitative definition and has not typically been expected within two hours of an incident. “The record clearly supports that a ‘timely warning’ is provided at best several hours post incident and normally within 24 to 48 hours,” the response said. Michael Mulhare, director of Tech’s office of emergency management,
Department of Education Preliminary Findings: Timeliness violation — “As documented in the Review Panel Report and confirmed by our own examination, Virginia Tech officials had information available to them that required a timely warning to the university community much earlier than 9:26 a.m. For this reason, the Department has concluded that the timely warning requirement was not met.” Policy violation — “During the events of April 16, 2007, Virginia Tech did not comply with its own policy on the issuance of timely warning as published in its campus security reports. The university policy that was in place on April 16, 2007 was vague and did not provide students and employees with actual notice of the types of events that would warrant a timely warning or explain how those warnings would be transmitted.” THANDIWE OGBONNA/COLLEGIATE TIMES
prepared the university’s 73-page response. After the report was made public Tuesday afternoon, he said the notion of a “timely warning” was not clearly defined, and his response attempted to show that. “I think that’s what the report does a very good job of — it demonstrates that the guidance documents provided by the Department of Education refer to timely warning and when you look at what its examples and
illustrations of what a timely warning is, it is certainly measured in 48 hours,” Mulhare said. “So, clearly, ‘timely warning,’ prior to the events that happened on our campus, was something that happened in days, not minutes.” Daniel Carter, Security on Campus director of public policy, pointed to a 2005 clause added to regulations that mandates warnings be issued as soon as “pertinent information is available.” Carter said that while the emergency notification requirements of the Clery Act were added largely in response to the shootings on Tech’s campus, the university had already looked into faster ways of issuing timely warnings. He said the university had already discussed implementing text message alerts in 2006, prior to emergency notification being part of federal regulations.
According to Carter, the dialogue about text message alerts began after the 2006 incident in Blacksburg when convict William Morva escaped a nearby correctional facility. Tech’s campus was locked down because of fears that Morva may have been headed toward the school. Tech’s response compares the timeline of April 16, 2007, to the timelines of other universities’ incidents to show examples of other “timely warnings.” “On September 21, 2007, five months after the Virginia Tech shooting, two Delaware State students were shot on the campus mall,” the response said. “The headline of the cbsnews.com story dated September 22, 2007 was, ‘Delaware State Reacted Quickly to Shooting.’ The story provides a timeline. The shooting was reported at 12:54 a.m., by 2:11 a.m. see RESPONSE / page 10
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Basketball: Hokies look forward to new season from page four
received great news when Delaney withdrew his name from the NBA Draft, settling any doubts the team had with its roster. Three weeks later, the Hokies shored up the last coaching vacancy on the bench, hiring Richardson.
“John Richardson is a coach’s coach,” Greenberg said in his statement. “He has coached and had success at every level.” “He is not only a great teacher, but he will be an outstanding mentor to our players,” Greenberg said. At Old Dominion, Richardson served three seasons as the program’s
director of basketball operations and in the last two years, served as an assistant coach. Before his time at the collegiate level, he was busy making his name known with the younger crowd, earning Virginia High School Coaches Association AAA State Coach of the Year honors after winning back-to-
back AAA state titles in 2004 and 2005. In 2004, he was also honored as the Associated Press AAA Coach of the Year. “It is an honor to be a part of the Virginia Tech basketball family,” Richardson said. “I look forward to the challenges and rigor of the ACC. I really appreciate coach Greenberg and his staff for embracing me and my family and I am ready to get to work.” Autry’s promotion, along with the program’s hiring of Wolff and Richardson, fill out a staff that has rarely stayed the same from year-to-year under Greenberg. Last season, the Hokies were forced to replace former assistant coach Stacey Palmore with Courtney, formerly of UVa. However, Tech’s players will have
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I hope to contribute however I can to the nationally respected program that Coach Greenberg has built. DENNIS WOLFF NEW DIRECTOR OF MEN’S BASKETBALL OPERATIONS
one familiar face on the bench with them at the start of the season in November as assistant James Johnson returns for his fourth season with the team. Hokie fans hope that change, as it may be for their perpetually bubble-bursted team this year with the expansion of the NCAA Tournament, will be a good thing this season in regards to the X’s and O’s, as well.
Tuition rises while positions get cut news editor At the same time tuition for Virginia Tech students will rise 11.1 percent in the 2010-11 school year, around 200 faculty and staff positions will be cut. The Board of Visitors officially approved raising tuition of in-state undergraduates by $854 at its meeting on Monday, June 7. The tuition rates for the next school year are generally set at the BOV’s spring meeting, which occurred in March. However, the board was waiting on a then-undetermined amount of federal stimulus money. Fees were set in late April by the BOV’s executive committee and were presented to the full BOV during Monday’s meeting. Overall tuition and fees will rise to $9,589. In-state students will, however, have those costs dropped by $130 after the fact, thanks to federal stimulus money. The percentage of money provided to the university’s general fund by the state will decrease from 31.5 percent in the 2009-10 school year to 28.9 percent in the 2010-11 school year. Tuition and fees constituted $306,635,000 of the educational and general portion of the bud-
get last year. This year, they will bring $337,694,000 to the university. This $31,059,000 increase in total tuition and student fees reflects a decrease in state support. Documentation provided by the BOV states that the policy of the state is to provide 67 percent of the cost of education of each Virginia resident. However, the document stated, “in 2010-11, the State will provide approximately 40 percent of this cost.” To service the $1.1 billion budget that includes significant construction and expansion projects both in Blacksburg and beyond to areas such as Roanoke, Hampton and Wake Forest, in-state students living on campus can expect to see their overall costs rise from $14,599 in 2009-10 to $15,879 in 2010-11. Out-of-state students living on campus will foot a similar increase, as their costs will rise from $27,702 to $29,507. Coming with the increased tuition is a rise in student fees, including an increased price for parking. Student parking fees will now be set to $189 for the 2010-11 year, up from this year’s price of $136. Faculty parking fees will rise from $179 in 2009-10 to $220 in 2010-
BOV tuition increases for 2010-11 Undergraduate tuition Graduate tuition (in-state) Graduate tuition (out-of-state) On-campus housing (in-state) On-campus housing (out-of-state) Student parking fees Student activity fee Student athletic fee
2010-11
Change from 2009-10
$9,589 $10,993 $19,957 $15,879 $29,507 $189 $373 $257
$854* $765 $2,029 $1,320 $1,805 $53 $48 $25
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LIANA BAYNE
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* Will be dropped by $130 for in-state students thanks to federal stimulus funds SARA SPANGLER/COLLEGIATE TIMES
11. The student activity fee will see a $48 increase to $373 and the athletic fee will rise to $257, up from $232. However, raising tuition is only one portion of the university’s answer to the current budget crisis and reduction of state funding. Tech President Charles Steger gave a short report during the June see TUITION / page 11
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10 Response: April 16 alerts should have gone out sooner from page six
University officials were meeting to discuss the school’s response and notices were posted on the school web site around 2:40 a.m.” Tech’s response continues to say that the chairperson of the Virginia Tech Review Panel commended Delaware State on a timely response. It then emphasizes with bold font that the timelines of the two events, measured in minutes, are nearly identical. Dolores Stafford, a nationally recognized expert on Clery Act enforcement whom Tech brought in as a consultant, wrote in a letter attached to the university’s response that she did not believe Tech violated the federal regulations. She conducted a survey and concluded only 25 percent of universities were issuing timely warnings within one hour in 2006. Carter responded that a widespread lack of compliance does not relieve Tech of liability. “Their defense is right that most other institutions were not issuing warnings in that time frame,” Carter said. “The report from Dolores Stafford says that about a quarter of institutions in 2006 were working within that one-hour time frame. But just because a majority of institutions were not up to speed with the 2005 guidelines, doesn’t mean that wasn’t
the law.” Mulhare said the regulations were not clear about enforcement in situations such as Tech’s, and hopes the response’s arguments will alter the agency’s view of Tech’s actions. “They demonstrate that there is an appearance that the Department of Education is trying to apply a standard that didn’t exist at the time of the incident,” Mulhare said. Carter said he was not aware of any other universities that were being reviewed because of violations during that time. He acknowledged a point Stafford made that, “if the events of that day had ended with the two murders in West AmblerJohnston, it is likely that Virginia Tech would not be responding to this inquiry from the Department of Education.” “The fact that there were consequences from the time frame — that is, quite frankly, why the department took this case,” Carter said. The example being set through Tech’s case could further advance what Mulhare called the “proliferation” of alert systems similar to Tech’s emergency notification plan. Tech has implemented text message alerts, classroom LED signs and a desktop alert widget since the shootings. Another point in the university’s response argues Tech officials could not have known the threat level that
Department of Education Review Timeline August 2007
January 21, 2010
April 20
May 18
Security on Campus, Inc. files complaint with the Department of Education, leading to a Clery Act program review of Virginia Tech's actions during the April 16, 2007, campus shootings. Department of Education sends 11-page preliminary report to President Charles Steger, with findings of two Clery Act violations by the university. The university is asked to respond to the findings. University sends 73-page response to Department of Education disputing “many of the initial findings of the DOE concerning timely warnings and application of policy.” Citing multiple Freedom of Information Act requests, Tech posts the preliminary report and response on the university Web site.
existed on April 16. The university letter to the Department of Education said that, “there are many instances in which the Department did not benefit from having all pertinent facts or university operational procedures.” Mulhare’s response goes on to say that Tech “disputes many of the initial findings of the DOE concerning timely warnings and application of policy.”
THANDIWE OGBONNA/COLLEGIATE TIMES
“It is the university’s positions that Virginia Tech complied with the Clery Act during the events that occurred on April 16, 2007,” Mulhare wrote. “DOE’s determination that Virginia Tech’s warning was not timely and inadequate is based on DOE’s knowledge now that a threat existed on April 16, 2007,” the response said. “However, in context, this finding does not fit the known facts early in the morning on April 16, or the law that existed at the time.” The response claims Tech’s reaction to the initial shootings in WAJ, which occurred around 7:15 a.m. and eventually left both victims dead, was appropriate given the known information. The first warning to the campus community was sent at 9:26 a.m. “The potential danger to the campus community was considered,” the
response said. “The evidence at the crime scene presented as an act of targeted violence. The crime scene was evaluated by experienced, trained and nationally accredited law enforcement professionals from three jurisdictions (VTPD, Blacksburg Police Department and the Virginia State Police).” Carter said the policy group, which was a collection of university officials making decisions on warnings, may have believed the suspect had left campus, but they could not have been sure. “Could anybody have foreseen that 30 more murders would have been perpetrated? No,” Carter said. “But that’s not the point. Was it reasonably foreseeable that an unknown attempted murder suspect at large might have another target? That was a reasonable assumption.”
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7 BOV meeting summarizing additional cost-saving efforts that utilized an “alternative severance option” with faculty and staff. “We met our target reduction of well over 200 people taking the ASO,” Steger said. The alternative severance option essentially allows the university to lay off staff and non-tenured instructors and faculty. It also offers tenured faculty the option of voluntarily giving up their tenure so that their employment can be terminated in the same manner as staff. Alternative severance can be helpful to staff or faculty who were considering retiring in the near future, as it can help increase their pension payments under the Virginia state retirement system. Tech began examining the option of cutting faculty and staff positions as a cost-saving method in October when Steger sent a university-wide memo stating that senior resource managers would begin investigating alternate severance options for the upcoming months. At that time, many in the university felt that cutting faculty and staff positions was the next logical step, as more than $60 million in state funding had been cut since 2007 and many departments had already taken extreme cost-cutting measures outside of examining faculty and staff positions. However, cutting 200 faculty and staff positions is sure to have some type of impact on the students paying 11 percent more
to attend Tech in the coming school year. Gary Long, the faculty senate representative to the BOV, expressed his constituents’ disappointment in the university’s use of the alternative severance option. Long said in his report to the BOV that he was aware of at least 70 teaching faculty positions that had been cut. Steger conceded during his brief statement to the BOV that cutting that many faculty and staff positions would strain university operations. “It puts more pressure on the rest of the organization and affects your service level,” he said. However, university spokesman Mark Owczarski said after the meeting that the tuition increase would help to reduce adverse effects on that service level. “We have to increase tuition to maintain our level of quality,” he said. Owczarski said he expected the increased tuition levels to lead to “significantly increasing” financial aid to students. BOV documentation indicated “undergraduate student financial aid will increase by $1.2 million in fiscal year 2011.” Owczarski stressed the importance of private donations to the university, as did members of the BOV during Monday’s meeting. “If state support drops, we need some kind of financial support,” Owczarski said.
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Tuition: Increases seen across state
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Judge denies Zhu appeal
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COURTESY OF THE ROANOKE TIMES
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Zhu pled guilty in December and was sentenced to life in April.
FORMER GRAD STUDENT REQUEST TO REDUCE LIFE SENTENCE DENIED BY JUDGE CITING BRUTALITY LIANA BAYNE news editor Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Bobby Turk refused Tuesday, June 15 to reduce the life sentence on former Virginia Tech graduate student Haiyang Zhu, who received the life sentence at a hearing in April for the Jan. 21, 2009 killing of Tech graduate student Xin Yang.
Zhu attacked Yang with a knife and decapitated her in the Au Bon Pain in the Graduate Life Center January 2009. Zhu’s attorney Stephanie Cox filed a motion asking Turk to reduce the life sentence to a 40-year term, after he pleaded guilty to the murder in December. Turk cited the brutality and the premeditation of the crime as his main reasons for denying the request.
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Burning down the house
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DANIEL LIN/SPPS
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The Blacksburg Fire Department performed a controlled burn exercise in condemned buildings behind the Virginia Tech power plant Tuesday, July 20.
AMA ANSAH news staff writer Virginia Tech students will once again be welcomed back to school by Hokie Hi — two weeks of food, street fairs and events designed to help boost morale for the upcoming school year. Hokie Hi kicked off Aug. 18 with Hokie Helpers, a group of upperclassmen, faculty and staff who help freshmen move in to their dorms. Notable events include the picnic on Aug. 22 and Gobblerfest on Aug. 27. Hokie Hi is also a chance for student organizations and clubs to recruit new members. Student organizations often schedule cookouts and picnics that are open to anyone. “It’s a chance to meet others, have fun and make connections with your academic department,” said Jessica Johns, new student programs coordinator. One of the oldest events is the picnic in Lane Stadium. According to Johns, it is primarily for new students. Students enter the stadium through the tunnel used by football players, then go sit in the stands. They enjoy free lunches provided by Personal Touch Catering and Dining Services.
While students picnic in the bleachers, they are treated to entertainment from cheerleaders and the marching band, and speeches from football coaches. Last year, 4,510 students attended the event, despite inclement weather. “It started to rain right before the picnic was about to start,” Johns said. She imagines this year’s picnic will be even bigger. Another well-attended event is Gobblerfest. Last year, 18,000 people came to the street fair and 3,000 attended the concert. The street fair is not only attended by Tech community but by Blacksburg residents as well. There is a plethora of performers, foods and student organizations with unique stands. “Gobblerfest was originally conceived to be a combination event that brought student organizations, Virginia Tech Engage and business showcases together,” said Krisztina Roder, associate director for event management. The program is in its third year and is open to student and nonprofit organizations, local businesses, Tech academic departments and Downtown Blacksburg, Inc. This year, the main community
[
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Check out page 36 for a calendar of Hokie Hi events.
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stage will be set up in the Squires Student Center parking lot, and there will also be various performance stages throughout the festival. The salsa, swing and ballroom dancing groups at Tech will be giving demonstrations and lessons. The class of 2012 will host a pep rally and kick off concert, featuring the group Super Mash Brothers. After the concert, there will be a midnight dance party and midnight breakfast. Other colleges have welcoming weeks, but Johns said part of the reason Tech’s is different is the vast amount of interests covered. “For us, with Hokie Hi, we have that balance — the social events with academic sessions and athletic events. Then you’ve got student organizations that host. The idea is to try to cater to different student interests,” Johns said. For more information on events and schedules, check the event guides available in residence halls and at www.uusa.vt.edu.
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Event kicks off year with activities, food for new, returning students
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photo essay by daniel lin
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FLOYDFEST 9
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FloydFest, the annual summer music festival near Floyd, Va., saw some big names this summer as well its biggest crowds yet. The festival ran from Thursday, July 22 to Sunday, July 25. Performers at the festival included Old Crow Medicine Show, The Levon Helm Band and Galactic. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals closed the festival Sunday afternoon. Relatively young, the festival is only in its ninth year. The theme for this summer’s festival was “Breaking Ground.” Though some festival-goers purchased one-day tickets, others chose to camp at the festival site for all four days. Dates for FloydFest 10 have not been announced. claire sanderson, managing editor
Levon Helm, best known for drums and vocals in The Band, performed with his band as the headlining act for Saturday, July 24.
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As the sun begins to set Saturday evening, Old Crow Medicine Show performed its song “Wagon Wheel.”
The Old Crow Medicine Show performance had the largest audience attendance at FloydFest history.
Chloe Smith of Rising Appalachia looks on during the group’s Thursday set on the Streamline Hill Holler Stage.
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18 Former rector joins BOV, among other new appointees LIANA BAYNE news editor Gov. Bob McDonnell’s office announced four new appointees to the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors last week. Notably, John Rocovich, a Roanoke lawyer who sat on the board from 1997-2005 and served as rector in the early 2000s, will be returning to the
board. Between Rocovich and his three new counterparts, William Holtzman, Suzanne Obenshain and Michael Quillen, the new appointments represent $116,350 donated to McDonnell’s various campaigns since 1996. While serving on the BOV, Rocovich’s financial influence benefited the university. Two notable projects completed during his 1997-2005 term were the construction of ICTAS and the Edward
Via School of Osteopathic Medicine. He was also involved in the process of Tech’s admission to the Atlantic Coast Conference. In addition to Rocovich’s service to Tech, he also was at the center of a controversy in 2003, while he was rector. Then Attorney General Jerry Kilgore’s office sent a letter to the board, led by then-rector Rocovich, in 2002. The letter suggested that Tech discontinue the
use of affirmative action when selecting employees and students and opt for “race-neutral” policies. Gov. Bob McDonnell’s office announced four new appointees to the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors last week. Notably, John Rocovich, a Roanoke lawyer who sat on the board from 1997-2005 and served as rector in the early 2000’s, will be returning to the board. Between Rocovich and his three new counterparts, William Holtzman, Suzanne Obenshain and Michael Quillen, the new appointments represent $116,350 donated to McDonnell’s various campaigns since 1996. While serving on the BOV, Rocovich’s financial influence benefited the university. Two notable projects completed during his 1997-2005 term were the construction of ICTAS and the Edward Via School of Osteopathic Medicine. He was also involved in the process of Tech’s admission to the Atlantic Coast Conference. In addition to Rocovich’s service to Tech, he also was at the center of a controversy in 2003, while he was rector. Then Attorney General Jerry Kilgore’s office sent a letter to the board, led by then-rector Rocovich, in 2002. The letter suggested that Tech discontinue the use of affirmative action when selecting employees and students and opt for “race-neutral” policies. Instead of denying Kilgore’s request, the board attempted to comply with it. The board did not address the Kilgore letter until March 2003. Then, without first placing it on the agenda of the March 10, 2003, meeting, Rocovich brought a resolution before the board that moved to create the office of equal opportunity and diversity and implement more race-neutral policies. However, while presenting this resolution, a clause granting protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation was omitted. This policy ended affirmative action,
which had been in place at Tech for a number of years. Documentation presented to the BOV shows evidence of race-conscious recruitment of potential students from undergraduate admissions at that time, inviting African-American, Hispanic and American-Indian students to a number of special programs not open to Caucasian applicants. At the end of the nearly four-hour meeting, the changes were overturned by a vote of eight to five. Sexual orientation was added back into the anti-discriminatory language and “narrowly-tailored” race-conscious policies were enacted that essentially reinstated limited, legal affirmative action, in which race could be considered as a factor — just not as one of the main factors — for admissions or hiring. Rocovich was not eligible for reappointment at the end of that term. Additionally, a resolution was passed stating that all items up for discussion would have to be placed on the agenda at least three days in advance of the next BOV meeting. Now, Rocovich will return to the board. This is the first time in the recent history of the BOV that a former member has returned after a period of time off. Earlier on Rocovich and Kilgore were both appointed to serve on a highereducation committee, which advised McDonnell on new appointments to Boards of Visitors across the state. Rocovich had to step down from that committee after his appointment because he could not serve on both simultaneously. Both have been significant financial supporters of the governor and of the Republican party. According to the Virginia Public Access project, Rocovich contributed a total of $63,000 to McDonnell’s campaigns for attorney general and goversee BOV / page 19
FILE/SPPS
Rocovich, right, talks with Steger, left, during a 2003 BOV meeting. from page 18
nor between 1996 and 2009, including $53,000 for travel expenses during both campaigns. There were a potential of four new spots open on Tech’s BOV. Two members had served two consecutive fouryear terms, and it was certain they would have to leave the Board. Two other members had served one fouryear term and were eligible of reappointment. Neither was reappointed. Along with Rocovich, who, according to the Virginia Public Access project, has donated upwards of $263,000 to various Republican candidates and Political Action Committees since 1996, his fellow new board members represent a potential shift in ideology on Tech’s
board that is made definite in their significant monetary backing of various Republican state efforts. Holtzman, president of Holtzman Oil Corporation, has donated $290,344 to Republican candidates and PACs since 1996. Obenshain, though moderate in her campaign donations, is the wife of Mark Obenshain, a Republican state senator representing the 26th District. He has personally donated more than $26,000 to Republican candidates and PACs since 1996 while his campaign office donated upwards of $119,000. Quillen, chairman of Alpha Natural Resources, has donated $12,040 to Republican candidates and PACs since 1996, according to the Virginia Public Access project.
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BOV: McDonnell appoints four new board members
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Solar house shines in international competition LIANA BAYNE news editor Lumenhaus, a house designed by Virginia Tech architects and engineers to run exclusively from solar power, has placed first in the Solar Decathlon Europe competition in Madrid, Spain. Lumenhaus faced 16 other competing solar-run houses from seven other countries and was judged both in the overall category and in 10 different subcategories. In October, the house, which has been worked on for more than three years by engineering and architecture students along with main faculty advisor Robert Dunay, competed in the U.S. Solar Decathlon, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. It then travelled from Washington, D.C., to New York, where it resided in Times Square in January. Lumenhaus later spent four months back at Tech before being shipped by boat to Spain. Lumenhaus is entirely solar-powered. Its energy levels can be controlled and monitored through an iPhone application. All devices inside the house, such as the refrigerator and washing machine, run from solar power.
COURTESY OF ALDEN HALEY
The Lumenhaus was featured on “Good Morning America” in January and hosted visitors in Times Square in New York City. The house also monitors and controls the amount of energy it dumps back into the power grid. The outer solar panel system on the exterior of the house, known as “Eclipsis,” con-
trols the house’s energy intake as well as the temperature inside. This is the first time in three years that a German team has not won the Solar Decathlon competition.
COURTESY OF VIRGINIA TECH NEWS
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The student team celebrates after winning first place.
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Students win design contest news staff writer A group of 10 senior engineering students produced an award-winning design in a recent NASA aeronautics competition for college students. Professor William Mason of aerospace and ocean engineering advised the team. “It was a year-long process,” Mason said. “It started about halfway through first semester and ended halfway through their final semester.” The team was one of many from Mason’s senior aircraft design class. The entire class filled out forms indicating what project they wanted to be a part of. Halfway through the first semester the teams were chosen and began working. “It was the best team I’ve worked with in college,” said Ryan Paetzell, who graduated in the spring and is currently an employee of NASA. The competitors were required to design a theoretical multipurpose amphibious aircraft that could rescue up to 50 survivors, hover to help rescue missions, land on ground or water, travel 920 miles, cruise at speeds up to 345 mph, and fight fires by siphoning water into an internal tank and dumping it while traveling. “We thought we were going to win. We told our professor at the beginning that we were going to win it,” said Ryan Berg, who also graduated in the spring
and is now an employee at Lockheed Martin. During the eight-month process, each individual student or pair of students was in charge of investigating a certain section of the aircraft. The group met Tuesdays and Thursdays for two to three hours to discuss the design plan and update one another on the group’s progress. “It was difficult because the competition was about a tilt-rotor aircraft and our school didn’t have any courses on tilt-rotor aircrafts, so we did a lot of research on our own,” team member Joseph Diner said. They did, however, consult with an industrial team from aerospace giant Boeing. The required tilt-rotor design was similar to the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, a military aircraft with the same design, and the students were able to discuss it with the industrial team. “Boeing looked at our report and gave us some tips about our design,” Paetzell said. After the design phase was over, the writing process began. The students sometimes spent up to seven hours meeting and writing their paper. “I had no life for part of my senior year, but the class was more involved, and we had fun,” Berg said.
COURT ESY OF WILLIA M MAS ON
......radio for everyone The final result was a blueprint of an aircraft that resembled a catamaran with two parallel carriers, connected by a wing equipped with two propellers at the wing tips. The design beat teams and individuals from more than 100 colleges including colleges from India, the U.K., China, Canada, Poland and Nigeria. A team of 10 graduate students from Georgia Tech and the University at Liverpool won second place and a team of 28 undergraduate students from the University of Virginia won third place. With first place, the team was given $5,000 to be split evenly among the team. Two other students, Paetzell and Jason Smith, accepted paid internships at NASA, where they now work in the same field as their project. “I think it was a good group of students,” Mason said. “They were all very smart and I know they are going to be successful.”
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MICHAELA REARDON
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After slow beginning, Beamer reels in recruits ALEX JACKSON sports editor Halfway through the month of June, the Virginia Tech football team was well behind its normal pace on the recruiting trail, and Hokies fans were getting antsy. Recruiting is an important business for every college football program, but it’s a life-or-death business for programs attempting to maintain a top-25 status. So for the fifth-ranked Hokies, when mid-June rolled around and the program had received just two verbal commitments for the class of 2011 — when last year it had received eight by that time — the pressure was on. In February, Tech kicked off its recruiting rush with a bang, receiving its first commitment from four-star prospect Ronny Vandyke out of South County Secondary School in Lorton. Vandyke, an athletic safety standing at 6 feet 3 inches, is expected to have all the tools to play the Hokies’ “whip” position, which is a strong safety-outside linebacker hybrid role in defensive coordinator Bud Foster’s scheme. At the Hokies’ junior day on February 27, Vandyke chose Tech over scholarship offers from Maryland, Boston College, Syracuse, West Virginia, East
Carolina and Rutgers. It was a solid start for coach Frank Beamer and company, who will be in need of safety help with senior rover Davon Morgan leaving after this season. After a quiet March, Tech picked up another four-star recruit, receiving its second commitment from defensive tackle prospect Kris Harley, out of Indianapolis, Ind. Harley chose Tech over nearly 15 other schools he had received offers from, including top programs such as Cincinnati, Oklahoma, Iowa, Michigan and USC. Widely regarded for his exceptional athletic ability, Harley flashed his junior year, finishing his third season with 91 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and five sacks at Warren Central High School in Indy. Scott Kennedy of Scout.com says the 6-foot-2-inch, 260-pound tackle is a “nose guard type,” who will be limited by his size, “but his effort level and awareness get him in on a lot of plays moving away from him.” Kennedy calls Harley “a disrupter across the line of scrimmage, because of his quickness and high motor.” Like Vandyke’s, Harley’s commitment addressed a dire need on the see RECRUITS / page 23
Recruits: Incoming class of 2011 proving athletic, versatile Marshall runs a 4.9 40-yard dash and according to Kennedy at Scout.com, “gets a great push off the line of scrimmage and can bull rush or speed rush an offensive lineman.” His skills allow for him to play inside or outside on the line, at defensive end. Rounding out its recruiting class thus far, Tech added one more player to its list a day later, receiving its fifth commitment in just over a week. On June 23, two-star defensive end Matt Roth committed to the Hokies, becoming the third highly-recruited defensive lineman to commit to Tech. His commitment solidifies the Hokies’ youth-movement along the defensive line and adds a proven pass-rusher to the mix. Roth, from St. Augustine, Fla., is 6 feet 4 inches, 225 pounds and totaled 88 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and 14
sacks in his junior year at Nease High School. He chose the Hokies over scholarship offers from Air Force, Cincinnati, Illinois, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Texas A&M and Utah. If there was any doubt halfway
through June, Hokies fans need to worry no longer. In just eight days, Tech’s recruitment status went from red alert to cool and collected. Better yet, the Hokies addressed serious needs in the process, solidifying the future of its defensive line
withathletes,andaddingversatileplayers elsewhere. Now, with seven players committed to donning the maroon and orange from the class of 2011, Beamer and Hokies fans can enter the season breathing a little easier.
DT Kris Harley 4-star Warren Central HS Indianapolis, Ind.
DT Corey Marshall 4-star Dinwiddie County HS Dinwiddie, Va.
CB Adeboye Aromire 3-star Woodson HS Washington, D.C.
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Hokies’ roster as well. Other than redshirt senior John Graves, the Hokies have few battle-tested tackles. Redshirt junior Kwamaine Battle and redshirt sophomore Antoine Hopkins have both rotated in-and-out of the defensive front, but have never started a game, and the rest of Tech’s anchors on the line are as ripe as can be. Then, came the aforementioned lull. With just over a month remaining before the current Tech squad hit the practice fields, Hokies fans began to fret, wondering who would commit as the summer wore on. As it turns out, though, there was no need to worry. On June 15, three-star tight end Christian Reeves was the first high school prospect to commit to Tech in over two months. Reeves, of McDonough, Ga., ranks 39th among the nation’s tight ends, according to Scout.com, and also plays at the outside linebacker position, standing at 6 feet 3 inches, 194 pounds. As if the Hokies had told a group of players to give it some time and wait until “around mid-June” to decide where they would go — after Reeves, the commitments kept rolling in. Three days after Reeves’ announcement, the Hokies got another talent, receiving another verbal agreement — this time from highly praised three-star cornerback Adeboye Aromire, out of Woodson High School in Washington, D.C. Aromire is an accomplished track performer and chose Tech over offers from Illinois, West Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina. He was also a teammate of 2010 Tech signee and quarterback recruit Ricardo Young, and at 6-feet, 192-pounds, runs a 4.47 40-yard dash. Three days later, again, the Hokies made the news, receiving another commitment from a local product. On June 21, two-star quarterback Chris Hall, from Dinwiddie County High School, announced he would be coming to Blacksburg. Hall won’t be playing quarterback as a Hokie, though. Instead, at 6 feet 4 inches, 220 pounds, he’ll attempt to make the transition to tight end, a la former Hokie Greg Boone. Considering his transition, Hall will certainly be labeled a project by many Hokies fans. After his commitment, some may of questioned whether or not it’s worth using a roster-space on a project like such. However, 24 hours later, most Hokies fans were probably happy to have him, as highly touted four-star defensive tackle Corey Marshall, Hall’s teammate at Dinwiddie, announced his commitment to the Hokies. As the nation’s 17th ranked tackle, Marshall’s strengths are very much like those of Harley, who committed from the class in April. Both Marshall and Harley are undersized, with Marshall standing in at 6 feet 1 inch, 250pounds, but both have the explosiveness to make up for it.
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Blacksburg Transit to use new hybrid buses SARAH WATSON news reporter Blacksburg Transit recently invested more than $2.8 million into nine new diesel-electric hybrid buses in an attempt to improve public transportation in Blacksburg. Seven of these new vehicles are standard size buses with comparable capac-
ity to those currently part of the BT fleet. The other two buses are articulated vehicles, which are approximately 60 feet in length. Articulated buses are made of two separate and connected parts, allowing the bus to bend in the middle. The BT has not received the articulated buses yet, so the exact capacity is currently unknown but is typically more than 100
passengers. Fiona Rhodes, marketing specialist for the Blacksburg Transit, said the articulated buses would be important for the BT because they remove another car from the road and eliminate overcrowding on buses. “I think it is a positive change for everyone involved — riders and residents alike,” she said.
Rhodes said the buses were purchased to not only replace older buses, but to expand on the current fleet. “I believe all of the buses, particularly the 60-feet-long ones, are going to be a great addition to the BT fleet,” said Deborah Freed, alternative transportation manager for Virginia Tech. The initial costs of the hybrid electric buses are higher, but long-term maintenance costs are lower. Therefore, Rhodes said, the costs are expected to balance out. Each of the 60-foot long articulated buses cost $871,000. Each of the 40foot-long buses cost $545,000. In comparison, older, non-hybrid buses cost $358,000 per vehicle. The BT and Tech funded the buses by working together to replace old buses with environmentally friendly alternatives. State and federal funds paid for a portion of the buses and Tech matched this amount. This money came from student transit fees, faculty and staff transportation and portion of every parking permit purchased, Freed said. However, Freed said transit fees would not increase because of purchases made by the BT. “If the transit fee goes up, it would not be because of the new buses,” she said. Freed said the new buses will provide
an effective and stress-free way to get to and from campus. Tech is hoping to increase the carrying capacity, look at areas with overcrowding with these additional buses. All nine of the buses, including the articulated vehicles, are hybrid electric buses. The BT chose to purchase hybrid electric vehicles as part of the town of Blacksburg’s “green” initiative, Rhodes said. She said the buses, running on electric power, would maintain a better fuel economy and have a positive impact on the environment. Rhodes said this initiative “encourages us to look at alternative fuels that are better for the environment.” Tech also supports this initiative and the BT’s move to cleaner vehicles, according to Freed. She said Tech faced a steep raise in diesel fuel prices several years ago, requiring Tech to lessen its dependency on this fuel. “In times where people are becoming more dependent on public transportation, it is really exciting that the Blacksburg Transit and Virginia Tech are offering enhancements to transit service,” Freed said. The BT plans to have most of the buses on the road in the fall semester. This will depend on the delivery and preparation of the articulated buses.
LUKE MASON/SPPS
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Each of the 40-foot diesel-electric bus cost the BT $545,000.
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Baseball team strikes out at NCAA tournament W
ith the Hokies up 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning and threatening to score, the Virginia Tech baseball team appeared to be on its way to a needed victory in June’s Columbia, S.C. regional final against the University of South Carolina. While “Sir Big Spur,” USC’s live gamecock, sat on a perch behind the first
base line stands and began to crow, fans took notice. Carolina Stadium started buzzing with chatter after each of “Sir Big Spur’s” three crows, and the Gamecock faithful were convinced it was a sign that the tide would turn in their favor — and they were right. USC pitcher Jose Mata entered the game to relieve starter Jay Brown to get
the Gamecocks out of the jam, and the Hokies only mustered two hits for the rest of the game. The Gamecocks then scored a run in the fifth on a sacrifice fly to pull within one, and they broke open the game with a six run sixouts. Tech could not stop the bleeding in subsequent innings, and the Cocks went on to a 2-10 victory over the
Hokies to advance to the super regional round. Entering the game, the Hokies were already in an incredibly difficult position to win the regional. After a loss in the first game against The Citadel with junior ace Justin Wright on the mound, the Hokies had to battle through the loser’s bracket to even make it to the finals. In its first elimination game against the Bucknell Bison, a nearly two hour long rain delay forced Tech to take out No. 2 starter Mathew Price after just one inning of work and 17 total pitches. When play resumed, the Hokies were up 5-0 and tacked on another four runs before they were retired. Entering the bottom half of the second inning, Tech head coach
Pete Hughes went to some lesserused bullpen arms and saved his best pitchers for Sunday, winning 16-7. Still, the Hokies faced an uphill battle, needing to win twice in one day and again on the next day to advance, and the baseball Gods were not with them. On the first of two games on day one, Tech started junior right-hander Jesse Hahn, and he dominated the Bulldogs through three innings while the Hokies’ hitters produced a 3-0 lead. When Hahn took the mound in the fourth, though, he attempted to continue pitching but was pulled from the game before the inning started because of a forearm strain. Hahn had been battling the strain since the middle of April, and this was the best he had pitched see BASEBALL / page 27
NICK JEREMIAH/SPPS
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Junior Austin Wates connects with a pitch last year against UNC.
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since coming back for the Hokies. This forced the Hokies to go with freshman Joe Mantiply, who Hughes had intended to save for USC, to win the game. He got hit early, but Mantiply and senior reliever Ben Rowen pitched well enough to win the game, 4-3. Using Mantiply against The Citadel wasn’t the only blow the Hokies took, as redshirt junior shortstop Tim Smalling popped his left shoulder out of place in the eighth inning while diving for a ball. Remarkably, Smalling got the shoulder popped back in while in the dugout and finished the game, but he could not play against the Gamecocks. Ultimately, Price came back to pitch against South Carolina on short rest, and while he pitched well, it was not enough. However, the entire body of work for the Hokies over the weekend — grinding through rain delays, facing adversity in pitching plans, and playing with heart under difficult circumstances was indicative of what kind of team Hughes has put together since coming to Blacksburg. The Hokies went through three years of getting beaten up by superior programs with superior talent while play-
ing with a young squad, but this team worked hard, grew and produced arguably the best season in Tech baseball history, fighting to the end together like a Bud Foster-coached defense would on fall Saturdays. Obviously, the Hokies will be disappointed they didn’t reach Omaha, but this group of ballplayers can take solace in the fact that they have brought a program back from the dead and completely abolished the losing culture surrounding the team and its fans, which was Hughes’ primary goal when he first came to Tech. With the seniors moving on, the Hokies that lost could be much different from the 2011 Hokies. However, the impact they made in propelling Tech baseball to another level will be felt for years to come, as long as Hughes is there to keep Tech moving forward and competing.
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Baseball: Tech falls short of advancing
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JOE CRANDLEY -sports reporter -senior -communication major
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DEBRA HOUCHINS features editor In life, many things are taken for granted; for college students, professors tend to be regarded as those people who assign us long papers, quiz us on pointless readings, and take attendance on the one day we decide to sleep in. When students take some time to get the know them, though, professors become mentors— and sometimes even friends. On Thursday, July 15, J.D. Stahl, proSTAHL fessor and scholar of children’s and American literature, died at the age of 58 after a long battle with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. All professors were once students themselves, and Stahl was no exception. He received a bachelor’s degree from Goshen College, a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh, and a doctorate from the University of Connecticut. Stahl grew up in a multicultural envi-
ronment, living in both the U.S. and Europe. The influence of his experiences was seen later in his career, when he researched the way authors (one of which was Mark Twain, whom Stahl had written about in his 1994 book “Mark Twain, Culture and Gender: Envisioning America through Europe”) represent German culture in American children’s literature and translated books. He also translated German articles and even reviewed German articles dealing with his fields of research. After joining the Tech staff in 1982, Stahl left his mark by vamping up the children’s literature program from a single survey course. As a teacher and as a writer, he left his incredible impact on universities worldwide with the text book “Crosscurrents of Children’s Literature: An Anthology of Texts and Criticism,” which he co-edited in 2006. Stahl was also once the president of the International Children’s Literature Association and is a founding faculty member of a master’s degree program in children’s literature at Hollins University. Stahl is survived by his wife, Sarah Windes, and his two sons, Daniel and Hans.
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Professor succumbs to cancer but leaves legacy
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30 Partnership between clinic, Tech creates medical school CLAIRE SANDERSON managing editor Virginia Tech has teamed up with the Carilion Clinic to create a new medical school and research institute in Roanoke. Its first class of 42 students began classes Aug. 2. The idea for the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute developed between Tech presi-
dent Charles Steger and Carilion CEO Ed Murphy. They first announced the idea three years ago on Jan. 3, 2007. The two parts of the center, the medical school and the research institute, are collectively known as Virginia Tech Carilion, or VTC. “Virginia Tech and Dr. Steger were interested in being involved with medical research more than was possible without a medical school,” said Cynda
Johnson, dean of the medical school. “It met the needs on both sides.” In what is known as a “public-private partnership,” VTC will combine the scientific expertise and research at Tech with Carilion’s trained medical staff to teach future physicians. According to Johnson, it is the school’s curriculum that makes it stand out among other medical schools in the nation.
“Having the curriculum based on the four different value domains is unique to the country,” Johnson said. These four value domains are basic sciences, clinic sciences, research and interprofessionalism. She explained that because medical knowledge is constantly being advanced, the curriculum focuses less on content and more on teaching the students to become leaders and researchers who can adapt to an ever-changing field of medicine. “What I think is important for the future is that the physician’s primary practice and research principles are inseparable,” Johnson said. “If you practice using research and critical thinking you are able to assess your patients critically and be the best doctor of all.” VTC will also employ a teaching method called “patient-centered learning.” “It means that we think about the patient in everything that we do. Everything is based on the needs of the patient, as opposed to what might make the doctor happy,” Johnson said. According to VTC’s website, only 15 percent of medical schools in the country use a patient-centered learning program. In the Research Institute, which will eventually be housed in an adjacent building to the school, Tech professors and Carilion physicians will conduct research with the help of students. “In addition to carrying out research, we will also train students in research,” said Michael Friedlander, executive director for the Research Institute. “Those researchers include graduate students from Tech and other schools, medical students from the school, and research fellows and physicians from Carilion.” Research is one of the main ways that VTC will work with Tech on a daily basis. “We’ll be collaborating quite extensively with other researchers at Tech, and we
will be interconnected by virtue of the relationships with Tech departments,” Friedlander said. “We will also teach some classes at the medical school, primary at the graduate level, which will be videotaped so that students at Tech and other remote locations can see them.” Johnson said that the professors at the medical school will include Tech faculty, Carilion physicians, as well as new independent hires. “Seeing the integration happen between the strong, outstanding students at Virginia Tech and the outstanding staff at Carilion is one of the things I’m most looking forward to. We’re the bridge between those two areas,” Friedlander said. The Research Institute building will be opened officially on Sept. 1, and some of the labs will begin to be set up that very day. “By Dec. 1, another section of the building will be complete, one that will house facilities for human brain imaging,” Friedlander said. Buildings for both parts of the VTC were paid for through a capital projects bond package signed into legislation in 2008 by then-Gov. Tim Kaine. However, VTC will be a private medical school. According to Johnson, tuition and philanthropy will be the main funding sources. A $40,000 tuition per year applies to all students, both in state and out of state. Johnson said that the school would also have economic benefits for the entire region, recalling her experience in her previous position as dean of the medical school at Eastern Carolina University. “When I was at ECU, the medical school was about 30 years. It was an incredible example of how having a medical school present totally changed the region. When that was placed in Greenville, it really became the economic hub of the region,” Johnson said. “I think we’ve already seen some the economic growth.”
Lacrosse coach resigns, assistant to fill role in 2011 sports editor After a disappointing 6-11 season, Virginia Tech women’s lacrosse head coach Katrina Silva resigned in July to pursue a business opportunity outside of coaching. Tech announced that assistant coach Megan Burker will take over the reigns, serving as the team’s interim head coach for the 2010-11 academic year. BURKER “We thank Katrina for her dedication to Virginia Tech and wish her well in the future,” said Jim Weaver, director of athletics, in a statement made July 23. In her four seasons as the head coach of the Hokies, Silva posted an overall record of 22-37. In that time, Tech never posted a winning record and never advanced past its first game at the Atlantic Coast Conference Championships. During hertenure, Silva’s teams posted just one win against ACC opponents. Since joining the conference in 2005, the Hokies have underachieved and failed to improve much at all. However, the team’s new leader believes she can reverse its fortune in her new role. “I’m really excited about this opportunity,” Burker said. “I’ve worked at Virginia Tech for four years now as an assistant coach, I’ve been involved in a lot of the changes we’ve made so far and you know, I’m just excited to have a new leadership position and coach this team to the
next level.” A native of Baltimore, Burker came to Tech after a standout athletic career at Stanford University. As a four-time Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Tournament All-Star and a four-time MPSF selection, she finished her career ranked in the top-10 in every career chart. Her resume includes being named to the U.S. National Teams program at the completion of her junior season, handling captain duties for the US Developmental Squad and receiving Stanford’s team MVP honors in 2005 and 2006. She said her experience at every level of the game will help her lead the Hokies. “I’ve really had great leaders throughout my lacrosse career,” Burker said. “Even starting at high school ... in college, I had some great mentors and coaches. Then, playing at the U.S. level, obviously, gave me the competition where I really played against the best in the country. I understood what it took to get to be the best.” Despite being just four years removed from college, Burker believes she’s ready for the opportunity. “I think being able to have a lot of leadership experience has prepped me to be able to take over at a young age. I’m excited for it and we’re ready to go. We’re already planning for this fall and this spring, and we’re excited for the team to come back and become a part of that and see what happens this year.” Burker doesn’t think the team’s record as of late is indicative of what her team is.
“I’ve seen a lot of good things happen here and I see a lot of opportunity over the next few years,” she said. “I think our team culture is just at such an exciting place right now. ... Obviously there are a few more changes happening than we planned on, but just trying to take that excitement and think of the possibility that this year brings. We have an athletic team, we have a few veterans
in place now, and I think we’re really excited about the course that this year brings and the possibility we have for this season.” With many of its starters entering their junior season, Tech does look much more dangerous than it has in years. Its top 10 scorers look to return in 2011 and after a tough few seasons, the team is poised for its best season in years.
With many of its leaders entering their final season, a winning season is on everyone’s minds, including Burker’s. “I want to bring a winning season to Virginia Tech,” the team’s new coach said. “I think the first step is making this team win, experiencing that and giving them the confidence they need to keep progressing toward bigger goals. I think that’s where it’s all going to start.”
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SARAH WATSON news reporter The town of Christiansburg is moving forward on plans to expand the Huckleberry Trail, thanks to a $1 million donation made by local resident Renva Weeks Knowles, who passed away in November 2007. While Christiansburg is currently making plans to use it to expand the Huckleberry Trail. Town council members collaborated to develop a project that would match the intentions of her will, said Becky Hawke, spokeswoman for the town Knowles’ donation will create a pedestrian bridge across Peppers Ferry Road. “(The cost) is extensive to build a bridge, but the $1 million gift will cover that,” Hawke said. Christiansburg recently applied for a grant with a revenue sharing program through the Virginia Department of Transportation that is used to help improve roadways. The town could receive up to $1 million additional funds through this program that would go toward the project and allow expansion of the Huckleberry Trail to the Christiansburg Recreation
Center. Depending on funding, construction could begin as early as late 2010, according to Hawke. In addition to this construction, Friends of the Huckleberry has also been advancing toward expanding the trail in all directions. FOTH is currently working on a $70,000 expansion that will move past New River Valley Mall and end at Peppers Ferry Road, adding 0.4 miles to the trail. The town of Christiansburg is contributing labor and forces while the FOTH has supplied $70,000 in materials. FOTH President Bill Ellenbogen is currently working on two additional projects. The first is a collaboration between FOTH, the town of Blacksburg and Virginia Tech, which will expand the trail from the west of Route 460 to Hethwood. Tech has contributed $465,000 in grants and FOTH has raised $30,000 in funding, according to Ellenbogen. The second project will connect Prices Fork Road to Glade Road as part of the Jefferson National Forest portion of the trail, also to be funded by FOTH. Ellenbogen said engineers are still currently working toward a final cost estimate.
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Huckleberry Trail receives face-lift
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Syca-no-more CLAIRE SANDERSON managing editor The ancient sycamore that stood for over one hundred years as a landmark on the corner of College Avenue and Main Street was felled on Tuesday, July 27. With College Avenue closed to traffic, work began around 8 a.m., and continued until 6 p.m., according to Quintin McClellan, owner of Total Tree Health Care, the company contracted to do the job. Throughout the day, people watched the destruction from across the street and from Henderson Lawn — even in the light rain that blew in that afternoon. “We used a crane because there’s really no place to drop the tree. Typically we’ll use rigging to take the tree down from the top down if there’s structures nearby,” McClellan said. “To handle the job, we needed heavy equipment and our goal was to get it done in one day.” He said that the final piece of the trunk to be taken out weighed almost 8,100 pounds. “This to me is a funeral,” said onlooker Jack Goslee. “Since the 1970s when I went to school here, it’s been a landmark. The tree is a fantabulous meeting place.” In an open letter to the Virginia Tech community, Mark Helms, director of facilities operations, said his office was taking suggestions for ways to both redesign the area around Henderson Lawn and to use the wood once the tree has been removed. “I’ve had people suggest everything from paperweights to pens. Any way to get it into the hands of alumni all over the world,” McClellan said. “Because everyone who went here remembers that tree. The money could be used to help the university or for scholarships, maybe.” Tech will hold on to the wood until
a decision is made as to how to use it. However, McClellan said many individuals have already requested pieces of the memorable tree. Goslee, a woodcarver and whittler in his spare time, said he would like to obtain a piece of the wood to perhaps make a totem pole to memorialize the tree. Though its exact age is uncertain, a medium-sized sapling that is visible in pictures dating back as far as 1872 — the year Tech first opened — is believed to be the tree. A sentinel at the border of Blacksburg and Tech’s campus, the sycamore witnessed so many of the town’s changes, yet its environment perhaps hastened its inevitable death. “I hate cutting trees down, but it’s a part of life. When the city encroaches, the tree loses,” Goslee said. Helms said in June that the grounds team at Tech has been looking at the tree’s declining health for more than two years and has made many efforts to sustain it. Jay Stipes, a professor of plant pathology at Tech who calls himself “The Tree Doctor,” gave his diagnosis for the tree’s decline in health as he watched the removal Tuesday morning. “We’re not sure exactly what brought it down, but it’s probably a complex of factors — one would be its age,” Stipes said. “It’s had a fungal disease and it’s had some root disruption. They put in conduits, and when they do that they have to sever roots. Also, if you’ll look around you’ll see that it’s surrounded by sidewalks and roads, which don’t give the roots a chance for uptake of minerals.” According to Eric Wiseman, a forestry professor and chair of the Arboretum Committee at Tech, the fungal disease Stipes referred to is called “sycamore anthracnose.” Wiseman said the disease hurts the tree by causing it to lose its see REMOVAL / page 35
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Removal: Disease left tree a safety hazard
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The tree had a fungal disease, which left it weakened and unsafe. from page 34
leaves, rendering it unable to produce enough energy to sustain itself. It is not known yet whether the tree was planted or whether it was growing naturally, but Stipes said there is a good chance that the tree is native. According to Helms, the tree could have come down in a bad storm, and it was necessary to remove it before down-
town festivities such as the Steppin’ Out street festival begin, when hundreds of people crowd the streets near the tree. “If it were to come down it would cause some major damage, likely hitting the buildings on the opposite side of College Avenue,” Helms said. “The worst possible scenario would be to have the streets full with people and vendors.”
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HOKIE HO IE HI WEDNESDAY, AUG. 18 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.: First day of on-campus move in
THURSDAY, AUG. 19 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.: On-campus move in 8 p.m.: Hypnotist Tom DeLuca, Burruss Auditorium
FRIDAY, AUG. 20 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.: On-campus move in 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.: Women's Soccer vs. Elon, Thompson Field 9 p.m.: Movie on the Drillfield: Ironman 2
SATURDAY, AUG. 21 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.: On-campus move in 10 a.m.: New Cadet Parade, Drillfield 7 p.m.: Division of Student Affairs Barn Bash, McComas Hall gym
SUNDAY, AUG. 22 8 a.m. -3 p.m.: On-campus move in 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences welcome and information social, Litton-Reaves Hall 3 p.m.: College of Natural Resources welcome, 317 Cheatham Hall 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.: Hokie Hi Welcome Picnic, Lane Stadium — free for on-campus residents only
MONDAY, AUG. 23 (FIRST DAY OF CLASSES) Beginning of free week of exercise classes at McComas Hall and War Memorial Hall 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.: Women’s Soccer vs. American University, Thompson Field
TUESDAY, AUG. 24, 6 P.M. Foxridge Apartments Intramural Sports Orientation, McComas Hall
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 25 7 p.m. Intramural Sports Flag Football Officials Training, McComas Hall
THURSDAY, AUG. 26 1 pm. - 7 p.m.: Helmet Safety Event, McComas Hall
FRIDAY, AUG. 27 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Career Services Tailgate Party, Smith Career Center 3 p.m. - 1:30 a.m.: Gobblerfest, Squires Student Center 6 p.m.: Kick-off Concert and Welcome Back Spirit Rally, Commonwealth Ballroom in Squires Student Center 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.: Welcome Back BBQ Ifar, in front of Owens Hall
SATURDAY, AUG. 28 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.: RHF Campus Bonanza, Drillfield 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.: Men's Soccer vs. ODU, Thompson Field
SUNDAY, AUG. 29 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.: Free cookout at G.E.R.M.A.N. club manor, 711 Southgate Drive
MONDAY, AUG. 30 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.: Beginner Fencing lessons, 141 War Memorial Gym
TUESDAY, AUG. 21 4:30 p.m.: Champs Running Club kickoff, Champs Restaurant
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WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 1 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.: College of Agriculture and Life Sciences fall semester kickoff picnic, Agriculture Quad
FRIDAY, SEPT. 3 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.: Music and Soul Explosion, Dietrick Plaza
ADMISSION FREE TO ALL EVENTS! SOURCE: VIRGINIA TECH DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS KELLY HARRIGAN/COLLEGIATE TIMES
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Members of the steering committee for the new Center for the Arts scoop ceremonial shovelfuls of dirt to begin construction.
CEREMONY CELEBRATES TIES BETWEEN TECH, BLACKSBURG IN A PUSH FOR LOCAL ART SCENE LIANA BAYNE news editor Virginia Tech marked an important milestone for the $89 million Center for the Arts Monday, June 21, during an official ground-breaking ceremony. The center, set to open in 2013 in the area that now houses Shultz Hall, will feature a 1,300-seat performance hall,
several visual art galleries and be the home of the new Center for Creative Technologies in the Arts, which will focus on research for applying the arts and technology to preschool through high school programs in the New River Valley. Ruth Waalkes, center director; Charles Steger, university president; Ron Rordam, Blacksburg mayor; and see ARTS / page 38
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Arts: Center part of push to revitalize downtown “
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Congressman Rick Boucher (D — 9th district) spoke to a crowd of about 100 Monday afternoon about the opportunities that the center will hopefully offer not just to the Tech community but also to the New River Valley. Waalkes said during her remarks she hopes for the center to be “not just a building, but an endeavor that will change forever” the university. Steger and Rordam both commented on their hopes that the center will help both Tech and Blacksburg become nationally known for more than engineering and science. The Center for the Arts ties in with Blacksburg’s strategic plan for expansion downtown. A portion of that plan is already underway with construction on North Main Street at the intersections of College Avenue, Alumni Mall and Prices Fork Road. “A decade ago, when we began to map out the master plan for downtown ... the idea of an arts district emerged,” Rordam said. Rordam added that he hoped the center would help to improve the quality of live for residents and contribute to economic development in
I firmly believe (the arts) are integral into the education of a complete person. CHARLES STEGER UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT
the town by attracting new businesses, visitors and faculty. “As a town, we will continue to work toward an arts district,” he said. Steger echoed Rordam’s hopes that the center would strengthen the university’s ties with Blacksburg and the surrounding area, including Roanoke. The center plans to partner with the Taubman Gallery in Roanoke on the sharing of exhibits. Steger also said he hoped the center would reinforce his “commitment to students to provide the very best education.” “I firmly believe (the arts) are integral into the education of a complete person,” he said. Waalkes said after the ceremony she expects construction to begin in July, and that the first stages of construction would be close to Shultz Hall, which will be renovated during the construction process.
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......radio for
everyone Orientation entertainment
DANIEL LIN/SPPS
collegiatetimes.com august 19, 2010
Tom Brown, dean of students, performs the “Whirley Bird” dance with orientation leaders on July 5 for the first day of freshman orientation.
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A dog’s day out
DANIEL LIN/SPPS
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A dog owner walks down Main Street during the Summer Solstice Festival on Saturday, June 19.
New aquatic center benefits Tech, Christiansburg managing editor After years of planning and construction, the Christiansburg Aquatic Center on North Franklin Street is finally a reality. “It’s going to be fantastic for our athletes, it’s going to be fantastic for the future of Virginia Tech swimming and diving, and it’s going to be fantastic for the community,” said Ron Piemonte, Tech head diving coach. The $18 million aquatic center — the product of a collaboration between Tech and the town of Christiansburg — is expected to be beneficial to the region as well as to the university.
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It’s going to be fantastic for our athletes, it’s going to be fantastic for the future of Virginia Tech swimming and diving, and it’s going to be fantastic for the community. RON PIEMONTE TECH HEAD DIVING COACH
“It’s a very unique setup between Virginia Tech and the town of Christiansburg,” said Ned Skinner, Tech head swim coach. “Virginia Tech wouldn’t have been able to have a pool like this and neither would the town of Christiansburg. It’s going to serve a lot
of groups.” At its grand opening July 18, Christiansburg Mayor Richard Ballengee officially cut the ribbon amid performances by Tech swimmers and divers, and the screams and splashes of children trying out the two-story, tripleloop water slide. According to Skinner, the aquatic center, which boasts a 50-meter competition pool, platforms for 1- and 3-meter springboards, and a diving tower with 5-, 7.5- and 10-meter platforms, will be a landmark on the East Coast. He said that in the ACC, only Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech can now claim such a state-of-the-art facility. “It’s something we’ve been very excited about for the last six years,” Skinner said. “It’s been a process, but they have really done it first class.” Christiansburg had originally planned a much smaller pool, but collaboration with Tech allowed it to become a true competition facility, Skinner said. Tech has a contract with the town of Christiansburg for the facility. According to Terry Caldwell, the center’s director of aquatics, Tech will pay $250,000 per year for 20 years to use the pool, though its lease to use the facility lasts 25 years. “We have a 25-year extended lease, which includes the locker room and our office,” explained Skinner. “We pay them per year and have access to the pool for the next 25 years.” Skinner said that the swim team plans
to practice there about 60 percent of the time. The team currently uses the facilities at War Memorial and McComas halls. One significant difference the team will see is an increase in practice space. The new aquatic center can accommodate 22 lanes even with diving practice going on in the diving well, Piemonte said. “It’s going to make such a difference in the way we train our student athletes. It’s going to open the door for more individualized coaching,” Skinner said. “The other thing that will be a huge advantage for us is the recruiting part of it.” Piemonte said the diving team would also see the benefits of the new facility, calling it “incomparable” to War Memorial Hall. He said he plans to have the diving team practicing there at least five days per week. “Everything is state-of-the-art,” Piemonte said. “Having the equipment is great, and I finally have a platform.” Like Skinner, Piemonte said having the new facility would improve swimming and diving at Tech. “It’s going to be a huge, huge benefit to the program. It’s hard to get a diver to come and dive in a facility that’s one of the worst in the conference,” he said. And while the pool will benefit Tech in many ways, it will also be a benefit to Christiansburg and the surrounding area. “I know that it will definitely
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Virginia Tech has a contract with the town of Christiansburg to use the aquatic center’s pool and office space for 25 years. be a revenue boost for the town of Christiansburg,” Caldwell said. “When you host these kinds of meets you have all these swimmers and their families coming to Christiansburg, staying in our hotels and eating at our restaurants.” The aquatic center recently hosted the age group and senior championship swim meets, and plans to host more in coming years. According to Skinner, the aquatic cen-
ter will host the 2012 ACC swim meet. “I’m going to get into the rotation of hosting the NCAA zone diving competitions,” said Piemonte. “It’s a separate meet that’s just diving, and it’s how divers qualify to go to the NCAAs.” “The town of Christiansburg and Terry Caldwell have been magnificent and great to work with. It’s going to be a really great relationship,” Skinner said.
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Officials struggle with future of Blacksburg schools LIANA BAYNE news editor Since the Blacksburg High School gymnasium’s Feb. 13 collapse, the topic was seldom far from conversation. The decision has been made to send Blacksburg Middle School students to Old Christiansburg Middle School and Blacksburg High School students to BMS this upcoming school year. Now, the Montgomery County School Board is trying to decide what to do about the ruins of the old BHS building and how to pay for whatever decision is made. All summer, the decision-making process has appeared difficult and stressful.
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TAKING PUBLIC COMMENT The Blacksburg High School community expressed its frustration with the school board as it examined numerous solutions for where and how students would attend school in the fall. School Board Superintendent Brenda Blackburn spoke to four groups of parents, teachers, community members and students in late June. During one meeting, Blackburn said that the option of opening BHS in the fall after conducting repairs was off the table. “As much as we all had hoped, that is not the case,” she said.
During those meetings, Blackburn offered four potential options for students. Blackburn also offered cost estimates for all plans, the accuracy of which were questioned by some audience members. Audience members were allowed to give three-minute statements on the issue if they wished, and many took the opportunity to criticize Blackburn and the Montgomery County School Board. Ishwar Puri, engineering science and mechanics department head at Tech, said that the school board was not focusing on the learning objectives of students. He said he felt it had taken “inclusive leadership” away from the community and that it was not considering the impact that shuffling students would have on their futures, especially their chances in college admissions. “This is a very grave moment in our community,” Puri said. Comments also focused on the potential of re-opening the old BMS, the way the current split schedule at BMS was affecting families’ lives, whether middle school or high school students would have a harder time adjusting to a new school and possibly being sent to Christiansburg, and the way in which the school board had dealt with the BHS situation since the initial Feb. 13 gym collapse.
REACHING A FIRST DECISION After nearly five hours of nerve-fraying debate and a total of 10 separate failed motions in front of a packed audience, the Montgomery County School Board grudgingly hashed out a plan for where Blacksburg High School students will attend school in the fall on Tuesday, July 6. Ultimately, the board decided to send Blacksburg Middle School students in grades six through eight to the Old Christiansburg Middle School and to keep BHS students at school in the current BMS building. School will begin on Aug. 30 and end on June 10. This option will involve 12 mobile classroom units at OCMS. The total cost has been estimated between $1.52 million and $1.96 million. “There is no good solution,” Superintendent Brenda Blackburn said, about two hours into the heated discussion. “We don’t have all the answers.” Much of the discussion dealt with the topics of student safety and the cost and logistics involved with installing different amounts of portable classrooms at various school sites around the county. Some concerns brought up about the chosen plan involved the up to 75-minute bus ride some students could experience every morning and afternoon, the lack of adequate parking and the forced relocation of staff and extra programs currently at OCMS that include
DANIEL LIN/SPPS
Walt Shannon listens to a fellow school board member speak during the July 6 meeting. a robotics program and an out of school suspension program. The board finally began to try to vote on a plan around 10:30 p.m., but could not reach a decision for more than an hour. The tension between the board members began to rise as some demanded an answer before the end of the meeting and others tried to postpone the decision again. “We need to solve this problem tonight,” Ivers said. “The fact that some folks are anxious to make a decision doesn’t mean we
have to do it,” Hopkins countered. A sixth motion, to support the plan that was eventually enacted, went to a vote around 11 p.m. and failed 3-4. After another 20 minutes of discussion, Hopkins changed his vote. “The board seems unwilling to do further exploration,” he said. “This is a great disservice to BMS and is based only on numbers. If that board is unwilling to keep looking, that is the least offensive to me.” The plan was put to another vote and see BHS / page 45
$5 Burgers All day all night.
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passed 4-2, with one abstention, around 11:20 p.m. Later, after four failed motions, the board decided in a 5-2 vote that the school year will begin on Monday, Aug. 30. DEALING WITH THE FUTURE Quickly crafting a long-term plan for BHS has been the latest dilemma the School Board has faced. Because Auburn High School and Auburn Middle School in Riner were the next two schools on the county’s list for renovations, the board must also deal with the potential consequences of not renovating those buildings, which both date to the 1920’s. Finally, the board must consider the potential financial impact its actions will have on Montgomery County. The current real estate tax level, according to a presentation given by member Walt Shannon to the board on Tuesday, is 74 cents for every $100. The same presentation estimated an increase of 1 cent for every $700,000 added to a project. Currently, the county has about $9 million left over from its two most recent construction projects, the con-
struction of Shawsville Elementary and Prices Fork Elementary. That amount was $10 million, but $1 million has been appropriated to help offset the costs of movinga Blacksburg Middle School students to Old Christiansburg Middle School in the fall. Shannon said in his presentation that the county’s debt can only be 12 percent higher than its expenditures. Because of this, he said, the county can only borrow about $2 million during the 2011 fiscal year. “The county has reached its borrowing limit,” he said. “The only way for the county to increase revenues is through taxes.” The board is considering four plans for dealing with the county’s high schools, including repairing BHS, building a new BHS, and a combination of construction that could be done on AHS and AMS. Board member Wat Hopkins, also a communication professor at Virginia Tech, urged members to not just consider construction costs but also other costs of operating the county’s schools. “I have a problem asking for bricks and mortar when we’ve forgotten programs and people,” he said. “I can’t ask for 10 cents for construction without asking for raises.”
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Construction downtown to be a common sight CLAIRE SANDERSON managing editor The Main Street Improvement project began construction in June, part of a plan to make downtown accessible to pedestrians, according to John Bush, Blacksburg Town Council member. “It’s going to be a much more
pedestrian-friendly environment. There will be wider sidewalks, more benches and more bricks,” Bush said. “The downtown feel will be extended to Prices Fork Road, which could lead to better shops.” With a total cost estimated at $11.5 million, construction downtown is expected to take at least two years. The estimated date for completion is
the spring 2012. The project affects the stretch of North Main Street from College Avenue to Kabrich Street. Once a four-lane road with two lanes in both directions, this section will now have one lane in each direction with a shared center lane for turning. The intersection of Main Street and Prices Fork will also be replaced with a
roundabout. The sidewalks on both sides will bricked to match the rest of downtown, with shade trees, benches and decorative lighting to be put in as well. The sidewalks in front of The Cellar Restaurant and continuing up Main Street will be widened up to 10 feet to accommodate outdoor dining and pedestrians. “Visually it will look better, and traffic flow will be better. It will be a suitable entrance for Virginia Tech’s Performing Arts Center,” said Leslie Hager-Smith of the Blacksburg Town Council. According to a 2008 brochure about the project by the Virginia Department of Transportation, seven tenants and one business were removed to accommodate the changes. That business was The Psychic Shop, which has already closed. Yet even among businesses that have not been displaced, few are happy about the upcoming changes, and many are worried about how the two-year period of construction will affect their businesses. “It’s going to be a detriment to the businesses of Blacksburg,” said Stan Davis of Eats Natural Foods. “If it’s more difficult to get to the business, people just aren’t going to come.” Eats Natural Foods is located at the intersection of Main Street and Prices Fork, which will soon be replaced by a roundabout. The traffic circle is another aspect of the project that some disagree with. “I think they might work in other places, but I don’t think it will work here,” said William Smith, manager of Blacksburg Auto Parts on North Main. “I think it will put a lot of traffic on the back streets for people trying
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I think the positives outweigh the negatives. But it’s roughly a two-year project, so we’ll see some discomfort during the school year. JOHN BUSH TOWN COUNCIL MEMBER
to avoid this mess.” However, as construction continues, students are expected to encounter the same frustrations that the residents of Blacksburg experience. “I think the positives outweigh the negatives,” Bush said. “But it’s roughly a two-year project, so we’ll see some discomfort during the school year.” However, he said that the construction plan probably wouldn’t affect Tech in ways that were vastly different from how it has already affected the town and its residents. “Tech faculty, students and staff have to traverse our streets just like everyone else does, but I think when they really begin work on the new Center for the Arts, that will affect Tech parking in the lot next to Shultz,” Bush said. He noted, however, when Tech has large events such as movein weekend or football game days, traffic congestion could be especially bad. “I think that in general, the town coordinates very well with the university,” Bush said. “And in coordinating for various event days where we’ll see an influx of people, I wouldn’t be surprised to see an increase in police presence to help direct traffic, or to see some of that work curtailed for a short period.”
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Construction on the garage continued throughout the summer.
PARKING GARAGE TO OPEN THIS MONTH, BUT NOT WITHOUT AN INCREASE IN PARKING PASS COSTS ELEXXUS BROWN news staff writer The three-year-long project of designing and creating the Perry Street parking garage has finally come to a close with Parking Services hoping for an Aug. 20 opening. The planning for this $26 million project began in 2007 and was scheduled to take 16 to 18 months to build. “We were somewhat conservative with the time frame because we didn’t know what we were going to run in to,” said Bo Frazier, assistant director of Parking Services. “We planned for more time, rather than having said that we’d be open the first part of August 2010.” Although the garage will open 880 more parking spaces, some students are worried that transportation overall will not improve. “Parking will be bad, more parking will mean more people driving,” junior Stefanie Pagano said. According to Frazier, Parking Services has run a traffic study to test the traffic that will come with the new garage. “Traffic shouldn’t be a problem,” Frazier said. “Not with the way we’ve
arranged the entrances and exits. And a lot of folks moved away from driving last year because of the construction.” The SGA and Parking Services are encouraging people to continue taking alternate transportation to school by offering incentives to those who decide to participate in the Bus, Bike and Walk program. “We’re developing a system where students with smart phones can text a service to have information, such as where the bus is and how many people are on the bus, sent to their phone within seven seconds,” said Bo Hart, SGA president. The price of faculty parking passes is increasing $53 bringing their total to $220 per compared to the student price of $189 per year. “The faculty price is higher because they have more privileges,” Hart said. The increased rate will help pay back the production cost of the parking garage. “(The increased rates) will have a positive impact for the school,” Pagano said. “They will make a lot of money off of it.” “We don’t provide parking for the apartment complex across the road,” Frazier said.
New lights system to ease traffic 47 CLAIRE SANDERSON managing editor While congestion continues on North Main, another portion of the project aims to eventually improve traffic flow throughout the Main Street corridor. It will replace and coordinate all traffic signals from Progress Street to Ellett Road, meaning fewer stops for motorists and a quicker drive through town. “We use a radio technology called a coordinated traffic system,” said Brad Stipes, project manager for Whitman, Requardt, and Associates, the design firm for the project. “The signals will operate in a much more effective manner, with several different timing schemes for different times of LUKE MASON/SPPS day.” The timing schedules were devel- Construction at the intersection of Washington Street and South oped through many traffic studies Main Street where a new traffic light system is being installed. that were conducted last fall, according to Brandon Steele, Blacksburg’s will be replaced and synchronized, rest green.” Stipes said the Main Street beginning at Progress Street and urban transportation manager. “The whole point is a technologi- ending at Ellett Road. This does not improvements and the signal cal upgrade to align and synchronize include the intersection at Prices replacements will go on simulthem so traffic flow in that whole Fork, which will be replaced by a taneously in order to reduce the amount of time overall that conpart of town will be better,” said John roundabout. “A good example of a coordi- struction will be underway on Main Bush, a member of the Blacksburg nated traffic system in place that Street. Town Council. “We’re hoping to start the sig“They will be linked, and all be people in the area might be familable to coordinate with one another,” iar with is North Franklin Street in nal replacements at the beginChristiansburg,” Stipes said. “You ning of the year,” said Steele. “I’d Bush said. According to Stipes, there are 13 can drive all the way through, or you hope to have them done by August signalized intersections in total that might stop once and then see the 2011.”
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