Wednesday, February 9, 2011 Print Edition by Collegiate Times

Verdict on Backstreets see page ﬁve Wednesday, February 9, 2011

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Student Plan to revise 4-H sparks investigation develops touchable bar screen CLAIRE SANDERSON news reporter

JAY SPEIDELL news reporter A Virginia Tech student entrepreneur is designing a new touch screen bar technology. Aaron Bitler, a senior communication major and director of Interactive Systems at Crunchy Logistics, has shown that hard work and dedication can really pay off. The touch screen bar will interact with patrons by drawing designs around their glasses and allowing them to place orders, play games and eventually access the Internet. “This bar is going to have eight projectors in it, so you can imagine the size of it,” Bitler said. “We’re going have one really awesome computer running all the projectors and all of the software.” Touch screens that Bitler helped to design are already in use in a Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa, and a finished prototype will be on display at a trade show in March.

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I think it’s a little bit of an advantage, because I’m taking something I’m not very good at, which is communicating, and I’m majoring in that, and it’s helping me develop my skills better. AARON BITLER SENIOR COMMUNICATION MAJOR

Virginia Tech recently revoked its controversial plan to restructure the Virginia Cooperative Extension program, and may now face a careful review by legislators into allegations that it has been mishandling state funds for that program. Well-known for its 4-H program, the Cooperative Extension is an $81 million per year organization that is funded by the state but led by administration at Tech. It funds agricultural research at Tech and has 106 local offices in every county in Virginia, which serve their local areas by taking the knowledge gained at Tech and putting it to use in fields and communities. Extension agents answer questions and create helpful programs about everything from agriculture and conservation to food safety and youth development. The plan to restructure had already faced statewide criticism that it might dilute the services the Extension provides in communities in Virginia. But last week, after presenting the plan at a House of Delegates subcommittee meeting and amid allegations of misuse of funds, Tech President Charles Steger decided to take the plan back to the drawing board. The Cooperative Extension currently has an office in every county and in several cities, each with local agents. The restructuring would have created 22 “regions”

DANIELLE BUYNAK / COLLEGIATE TIMES

of three to five counties each, with one central office at a business center. “When they presented the plan, there were so many questions that a special committee was formed in the House to look into Extension. They met with Steger, and at that point he chose to take the plan off the table,” said Mary Ellen Osborn, a former 4-H agent. “It was that the

restructuring wasn’t done out in the open, and the appearance that money had been appropriated for Extension agents and wasn’t going out to those agents but was staying in Blacksburg.” Osborn is a former Extension agent and the wife and secretary to delegate Morgan Harvey, the chair of the subcommittee that will look into the Cooperative Extension program. At the subcommittee meeting, Steger said he was “highly distressed” by the allegations that Tech was mishandling funds. “It is greatly disturbing to hear statements about Virginia Tech’s use of funds that imply that there is some sort of misconduct taking place,” Steger said during the meeting. “If anyone has evidence of such activity, I would like them to let me know and it will be investigated promptly.” Some have complained Tech spends too much of the Extension money on campus rather than in Virginia’s communities.

“This is the first prototype I designed for Hard Rock,” Bitler said, pointing to wooden box with a touch screen set in MAYA SHAH / COLLEGIATE TIMES it and wires sticking out, “and I had a comment that it looked like a science fair project.” Bitler said it wasn’t what he wanted, but it was a starting point. And from there, he went to work improving it. “After I got that comment I went back to the drawing board, and designed something much thinner, much classier, and with a built-in computer,” Bitler said. “It’s kinda nice to go from something I made in my shop to something that’s on the wall in the Hard Rock Cafe.” “I went from the drawings on paper, staying up until 4 in the morning, sitting on my porch thinking of how cool it would be to make these touch screens,” Bitler said. “And finally I got the courage to take apart my own TV, because I couldn’t afford a projector, I couldn’t afford hardly anything, so I did it really cheap. Once I built that very first prototype and it worked, I knew this technology, the fundamentals, will work.” Bitler said most people assume he is a business, computer science or engineering major, and are often surprised to find out he studies communications. “I think it’s a little bit of an advantage, because I’m taking something I’m not very good at, which is communicating, and I’m majoring in that, and it’s helping me develop my skills better,” Bitler said. “Computer stuff I’m already good at, I already like, so to be able to blend the two together I think is going to work out pretty good.” “I basically started my own little business, it wasn’t really working out, then Crunchy Logistics hired me for the Hard Rock job,” Bitler said. “Crunchy Logistics is a small company, but they do a lot and I guess found me valuable and offered me a job when I graduate.” Bitler manages the business aspect of the project as well. He is active in Tech’s Entrepreneur Club and offers advice to budding entrepreneurs. “The one thing I always tell people when they start their own business is it’s never going to work out the way you think it is,” Bitler said. “Whatever you think is going to happen, someCOURTESY AARON BITLER thing different is most likely going to Above right, a touch screen prototype hangs on the wall at the Hard Rock Cafe in Tampa, Fla. Above left, happen, I can guarantee it.”

the invention’s computer is displayed. Below, senior Aaron Bitler poses next to the touch-screen model.

“We have seen information that shows that College of Agriculture and Life Sciences department heads are being paid 50 percent of their salary by Extension funds, and researchers are given 30 to 45 percent of their salary from Extension funds,” Osborn said. “A significant question is: Are the dollars spent purchasing the time of researchers and department heads going out into the fields?” Alan Grant, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and interim director of the Cooperative Extension, said there are rigorous standards to ensure those who are paid with Extension funds are indeed doing Extension work. “We do have faculty and staff that do get paid a portion of their salary from Extension funds. The reason for that is because they are doing Extension-related activities,” Grant said. “This is what makes Extension so effective,” he said. “You do the research and you put it out into the

fields where it can be used.” At the meeting, Tech countered the allegations with numbers. In the past decade, spending for off-campus field activities has increased from 59.9 percent to 63 percent, according to a fact sheet about Cooperative Extension resources. It also stated that the number of full-time Extension employees working in off-campus sites increased from 70.2 percent to 74.3 percent. These questions about Extension spending came up after Tech released its plan to restructure the program. “When the General Assembly cut the budget last year, they directed us to come up with a restructuring plan to allocate the resources across the system,” said Tech spokesman Larry Hincker. “The idea was to shift the resources in order to put more agents in the field.” see 4-H / page four

‘Scieenering’ to mix research, course work SARAH WATSON news reporter Students interested in both science and engineering may not have to choose between the two with the initiation of the “scieneering program” at Tech. Scieneering is a undergraduate program designed for rising sophomores and juniors with a desire to study in both fields. The program is being structured to provide interdisciplinary course work along with research, according to Keri Swaby, program coordinator. “The idea was conceived to provide an interdisciplinary curriculum,” Swaby said, adding that the traditional curriculum does not allow for overlap of studies. Swaby said science and engineering industries are facing more problems that can be answered with an interdisciplinary education. Robotics and neuroscience, according to Swaby, are two fields that are heading toward an interdisciplinary approach. “This program is offering the opportunities to remove some of the barriers that are traditionally (in the field),” Swaby said. The curriculum is currently being developed and is planned to include three new minors of biomedical engineering, biomedical science, and science engineering and law. According to Swaby, these minors are ready to be assessed and can be approved as early as

next month. Swaby and a committee of professors the College of Science and the College of Engineering are working to create the program. They also then sort through applications for the summer and fall semesters of this year. “I am putting the wheels in motion, but the committee is driving the train,” Swaby said. Summer students will be expected to complete 20 hours of research each week for 12 weeks, while fall students are asked to complete 15 hours of research each week for 15 weeks. Students are also required to attend three seminars or workshops ranging from proposal writing to working in teams, followed by a written report. Finally, all scieneers are required to present their research at the Virginia Tech undergraduate research fair. The program was initiated by Daniel Wubah, vice president and dean for undergraduate education, after receiving a portion of the $1.4 million Howard Hughes Medical Institute grant issued to Tech last July. Scieneering is also able to offer a $2,500 stipend to all students and up to $1,500 for research supplies. Mentors of the scieneering program can also receive up to $1,500 for research supplies. All mentors must be faculty members, post-doctoral fellows or graduate students to assist scieneers with their research.

2 news

news editors: philipp kotlaba, liana bayne, gordon block newseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

february 9, 2011

COLLEGIATETIMES

what you’re saying //comments from online readers... On the investigation of Montgomery County election officials: Electrons Junkie >> Electronic voting equipment is not the issue here. Virginia law requires that voting equipment used in Virginia is certified, thoroughly tested before each election and secured according to plans approved by the State Board of Elections. The problem here is not the technology, it is the people. There clearly has been human failure at every step in the process: The local electoral board failed to ensure that the registrar was properly carrying out responsibilities assigned to them by law and delegated by them to the registrar. The registrar failed to properly carry out his own responsibilities as well as those delegated to him by his board and the State Board failed to act in at least two prior inciednts when citizens brought these failings to its attention. How many times has Montgomery County been before the State board in the past two years?

Anonymous >> After all the stupid things Ken Cuccinelli has done, I wonder whether there is really anything here or whether this is just another Republican witch hunt?

On having cars in college: Anonymous >> Don’t have any friends, like me. Then you don’t have to give em rides.

Anon >>

CORRECTIONS

It’s really preference. If you have a crappy car, or a gas guzzler your right it’s an inconvenience but if you have a nice well maintained car that can go a long time on gas. It’s incredibly convenient if you do a lot of errands. The bus system is nice but it’s been to packed and too slow for me lately and buses don’t go everywhere.

In “Blind driver hits the track” (CT – Feb. 8), the test drive demonstration took place on Jan. 29. The Collegiate Times regrets this error.

JUSTIN GRAVES -public editor -sociology/leadership & social change -junior

blacksburg Hospital bomb threat under investigation The Blacksburg Police are investigating a bomb threat that was telephoned to the LewisGale Montgomery Regional Hospital on South Main Street in Blacksburg near Route 460 around 7:20 a.m. Tuesday morning.

According to a Tuesday morning e-mail from Lt. Joe Davis of the Blacksburg Police, staff at the hospital “implemented the appropriate security measures per their protocol for this type of incident. Although the hospital is cur-

rently operating under enhanced security measures, patient care is not being interrupted or compromised.” -liana bayne, associate news editor

nation Egyptian ofﬁcials seek to gain control CAIRO — In one of the largest demonstrations in recent weeks at Cairo’s vast Tahrir Square, boisterous crowds continued to press for the end of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s regime, while officials offered more compromises to try to appease anti-government protesters. Vice President Omar Suleiman said Tuesday a pair of special committees will begin working immediately to bring political reforms. A third committee, which will launch soon, will investigate the bloody clashes last Wednesday between anti-government protesters and Mubarak supporters, he said. Suleiman said Mubarak promised that protesters would not be punished. “The president emphasized that the youth of Egypt deserve the appreciation of their country,” Suleiman said in a statement aired on state television. “And he issued his instructions that prevent their pursuit or restrictions on them or denial of their freedom of opinion and expression.”

TURN OFFS:

The large showing by protesters was seen by many as a rebuke to government attempts at concessions that fell well below their demands. Estimates put the attendance at the Cairo protest close to or larger than last week’s demonstrations, which attracted an estimated 200,000 people. Google executive and Facebook activist Wael Ghonim briefly addressed the cheering crowd, a day after he was released from police custody. Some protesters marched several blocks to the parliament building, a spot they had been prevented from reaching before by the army. It was a symbolic move in recognition of November’s parliamentary elections, which were marred by mass arrests, pressure on independent candidates, media harassment and a boycott by some opposition groups. Protesters have criticized the government for corruption, lack of economic opportunity and repression. The crowd built steadily all day and at sunset more people waited in a line several blocks long to pass a

security checkpoint at an entrance to the square. Inside, crowds jammed the square, a cheerful, festive gathering that seemed more street fair than determined political insurrection. Many protesters gaily waved Egyptian flags, and others wore hats, headbands or face paint in the flag’s colors. “I want to change the future for my children,” said Mohamed Mohi Al-Din, an unemployed agricultural engineer, who cradled his 14month-old daughter, Gana, on his shoulder. “I want her to remember this time, when we became f ree.” Nearby, a woman wearing a full facial veil clutched the hand of her 3-year-old son, Ahmed, who stood nervously at her side. “I want him to be an eyewitness to the uprising, and get used to being free,” she said, declining to give her name. -amro hassan, bob drogin & raja abdulrahim, mcclatchy newspapers

g. learned a thin and i haven’t

STUDYING ALL NIGHT LONG LINES AT WEST END SLY?? GUY NEXT TO YOU IN CLASS WHO HASN’T SHOWERED SERIOU ROOMATE YOU CAN’T STAND yep. NOT GETTING A FOOTBALL TICKET IS THIS A JOKE?!!

GET AWAY FROMTHAT.

GET TURNED ON.

CHANNEL 33 ON CAMPUS WWW.VTTV.VT.EDU

opınıons 3

editors: scott masselli, gabi seltzer opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES

february 9, 2011

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

Professors should leave bias out of classroom taking a class this semester with a professor I’m described as a “liberal maniac” on RateMyProfessors.com, and I can definitely see where the author is coming from. On the first class day he basically (and I may be exaggerating) praised President Barack Obama as being the savior of our economy and our messenger back to world domination. Few seemed to notice the comment from the monotone delivery, but I certainly did. His viewpoints may not necessarily match my own, to say the least, but I don’t really have an issue with it. Whatever box he checked on Election Day has no effect on me, but what I do have an issue with is that his opinions have filtrated into the classroom. Whether or not you’re a regular listener of Rush Limbaugh or scoff at the thought of the Tea Party, it’s probably easy for you to guess which activity your professors would rather be doing. I’m not going to discriminate either. If this professor had been praising the Bush administration or denouncing the health care bill, then I would’ve felt the same exact way. Bias should be kept out of the classroom regardless of the intentions. This situation would be unlikely, however, considering that according to a report in the Washington Post — 82 percent of Virginia Tech’s faculty and staff donated money to the Democratic Party in the 2008 election. If that doesn’t demonstrate a lack of political diversity, I don’t know what does. In this class, which shall remain nameless, we have already read several books this semester. Whether it

was about the recession or the shift towards China being a great world power, the arguments have been completely one-sided. I’m not going to deny that I have learned quite a bit from the reading, I’ve even enjoyed them quite a bit, but it isn’t right to only show one side. As cliche as it may sound, college is all about finding yourself and formulating your own opinions and thoughts. This is hard to do when professors don’t accept differences and welcome them into their lecture halls. I would like to hear the background from both sides before I pick one, not have it forced down my throat. I know it is nothing new or shocking that my professor would have a clear liberal affiliation; it can be considered the norm among academia, but I’m not sure how I feel about it. Are colleges teaching students to all think the same? I’m not saying that I wish there were more Republican teachers or that we should read more conservative novels, I’m not the ultra-rightist that I may be making myself out to be. I’m more concerned with learning the facts. I don’t want history to be skewed in any direction and I especially don’t want to hear my professor doing it. I know I may be prematurely judging my professor, but I hope I can see through the bias and learn for myself; I may even find myself agreeing with him.

JENNY SAMUELS -regular columnist -freshman -university studies major

Research extends to other disciplines hen people hear the words “Virginia Tech,” they most W automatically think of the popular slogan, “Invent the Future.” To invent is to create or design something that has never existed before. As a university that is ranked 55th among research universities in the United States spending about $268 million on research expenditures every year, it can be said that it is part of our job description as students to think of the unknown and make it known. First step? Research. Few know that Virginia Tech has more than 100 research centers waiting to be utilized more. Currently, we are close to the top 10, in terms of the amount of patents issued every year. We can make it in the top five if every student is aware that there is research out there specifically tailored for his or her interests. As a freshman English major aspiring to one day become a high school English teacher, I never thought research was for me. During the college application process, I applied to a variety of schools: small liberal art schools, such as Kenyon College, and bigger schools, such as Boston University and Virginia Tech. I ultimately decided that Tech was the right school for me. Although it is a significant change from the small private schools I have known my entire life, it is a good change. Somewhere among the big campus and myriad people, Tech’s environment makes it possible to experience the “tight-knit community feel” that is rare to find in the fast-paced world we live in today. During Orientation over the summer, I soon realized that most people I met were either majoring in engineering or some type of science. Even my twin sister is a biology major. I could not help but wonder if I was at the right place. I felt inferior holding a pen and notebook while everyone around me seemed to have a calculator. When we split up into our specific majors, I noticed there were more people like me then I anticipated. While in the English major meeting, a class was advertised to us. The seller pitched the class, mentioning that we would work on our resumes and accomplish other important tasks for anyone trying to make it in the real world. I was immediately sold, as it seemed extremely relevant. Little did I know the main focus of the class was on research; the course was called Introduction to Research. I know that Tech is a research university. However, when I think of research, I think of those science and engineer majors I met. I think of research as DNA and clones, which will inevitably lead to multiple Hokie Bird’s in the world. What I did not know was that research was something for me too. The class helped me realize that. Not only does research help you learn, but it also helps others learn.

It demonstrates your interest in a certain topic and your desire to go above and beyond, to dive into a pool people only laze around in, start swimming, and only stop when you discover all the borders and what they lead to. You can then get the honor of sharing it with the world, one of the greatest feelings in the world. My Introduction to Research class pushed my limits and made me really think about the beauty of research in its most simple form. Tech has allowed me to take my first bite into the real world, while still having comfort foods on my plate, as I am not ready to face the truth. I am constantly learning both in and outside of class and this is important, as there are some concepts that cannot be taught between confined walls and heart-warming maroon and orange chairs. We all have to go out there and explore. I want to be a teacher, however, knowing all the material does not mean I will become a good teacher. I need to experience what it feels like teaching, talking in front of a room filled with kids and becoming a role model. Undergraduate research can be a student on his or her own, with faculty supervision or it can be done where a student is simply a member of the faculty’s team research project. Regardless, there is always a student to teacher interaction and team effort. Students in the arts and humanities usually work on their own with supervision, while students in science, mathematics, and technology usually work as team members on a faculty’s project. All in all, people who take on undergraduate research are interested in an idea. They are people who want to learn and explore more within a certain topic. Ultimately, undergraduate research is a learning experience where the process is as important as the result. Think about your life. Think about where you want to be in 10 years. Do you have an idea or question that you wish there was an answer to? You can find the answer. For example, I am extremely interested in teacher’s salaries. I want to look at various funding models for teachers in the United States and see what works best, in hopes of bringing the ideal model to Virginia. I am in the process of narrowing down this topic and solidifying a research problem ready for me to start, at my own pace, on my own time. If you are busy like me and do not think you can afford doing research, just think about something of interest, something that has always been in the back of your mind. Write it down. Look at it whenever you get a chance and add to it. Google search it. See what has already been done. The best part is, you can always pick it up when time allows you to.

NATASHA CHADA -guest columnist

MCT CAMPUS

New bill challenges voting rights for Virginia citizens early February, there is a bill scheduled to be heard in the In Virginia Senate — it has already passed the House of Delegates — that many students here at Virginia Tech probably know nothing about. Many would say it’s time that it be brought to their attention, however, because this bill could potentially impede one of their most important rights: the right to vote. This bill intends to eliminate affidavit voting in Virginia, which could greatly affect not just the ability of our student population to vote, but also the votes of voters statewide. What is affidavit voting, exactly? To the best of my understanding, affidavit voting is a provision in place for people who show up at the polls in order to vote but who do not have, for whatever reason, adequate identification. These people are, under the current law, allowed to sign a statement swearing that they are in fact who they say they are, in order to cast their vote. Now that we’ve cleared that up, why is our state legislature considering getting rid of this practice? Some, like Del. Mark Cole (who introduced the bill), think affidavit voting makes voter fraud easier and more prevalent. While it is debatable exactly how much voter fraud takes place in Virginia elections, I think most reasonable people would concede that yes, voter fraud probably happens sometimes, and no, it is probably not a problem that is running rampant. I’ve personally heard very little about major problems with voter fraud in this state, but maybe I’m just not listening to the right sources. Why, if this bill could potentially help reduce whatever voter fraud is actually occurring, would anyone think it’s a bad idea? Well, if this bill were to become law, it would require all voters to present state-issued photo identification at the time of voting, which some say would be effectively creating a poll tax. State-issued photo identification, such as drivers’ licenses and passports, cost money.

To many of us, this may seem absurd — who doesn’t have a drivers’ license? How much can they possibly cost? But that, I would argue, is beside the point, because whoever does not have a drivers’ license, for whatever reason (monetary or other), should not be denied the right to vote.

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Because the information I could ﬁnd in writing, outside of discussions I’ve had with people on this subject, was so vague and left so many questions unanswered, I welcome anyone who knows more about this than I do to please write in and offer their insight or corrections.

But if this bill passes, there is some likelihood their vote won’t count. In this case, the voter lacking in stateissued identification will be allowed to cast a provisional ballot, which could potentially only be counted under certain circumstances. What about the rest of us, most of whom are already in possession of state-issued photo identification? This is just one more hurdle to jump that can potentially complicate things on Election Day. I’ve followed politics and worked with political campaigns enough to know that the last thing we need is another factor that makes it more difficult to vote or discourages people from getting out to the polls. While it may be a bit hasty to make the claim that this bill would be akin to a poll tax (in that it may stop people from voting for financial reasons), I would definitely stand by the position that this bill would make voting unnecessarily more difficult, and that it could definitely discourage people from voting. Imagine if you go out to the polls, wait in line to cast your ballot, and then, when you are finally about to get

that rare opportunity to participate in our political system, you are told that your Hokie Passport isn’t sufficient identification anymore. (I’ve been told that under this law, it won’t be.) Now you can’t vote because you forgot to bring your drivers’ license. How likely are you to turn around, go home and get it, and then come back? There is also some question as to knowing if it will make a difference whether your address on your I.D. is in the district you’re voting in. Discussions I’ve had with people who have followed this bill suggest that under this law you would not be able to vote normally if the address on the identification provided is not, in fact, in the district you’re voting in. Because I couldn’t find anything online or in writing to verify whether this is true, I won’t make a definitive statement on this point. I do think voters should be aware that this is a possibility. This would disenfranchise hundreds of students at Tech who choose to vote in Blacksburg but who obviously have not bothered to have their drivers’ licenses changed to reflect their Blacksburg addresses. In general, the lack of information available online or in the news about this bill was startling to me. Because the information I could find in writing, outside of discussions I’ve had with people on this subject, was so vague and left so many questions unanswered, I welcome anyone who knows more about this than I do to please write in and offer their insight or corrections. It is not my intention to mislead people based on incomplete or speculative information, but merely to get people to take notice and start asking questions. Luckily, I have been told several groups on campus are working to educate themselves and our community about this bill and to stop it from being passed into law.

LIZZ WENSKA -regular columnist -sophomore -political science major

US education falls behind as rest of the world moves ahead these days of tiger-mother hysteria about raising children In with academic backbone, President Barack Obama has weighed in with yet another cause for paranoia. The president dropped India and China into his State of the Union speech, just long enough to say they are educating their children earlier and longer. Generally, school days are longer in Asian countries, and vacation breaks, though more frequent, are shorter — no more than five weeks in summer. Subjects are introduced earlier. South Korean parents, for example, insisted that President Lee Myungbak recruit more English teachers, so that kids could begin language lessons in the first grade. Research supports these measures as important to kids’ learning. Few educators would disagree that more time on task and shorter intervals away from the classroom are beneficial. Obama’s clear implication is that if we want to keep up, to hold on to a place of prosperity in an increasingly competitive world, we should be considering these things. Americans have one of the shortest school years on the planet. Our kids attend school for 180 days each year, while Germany and Japan average 230 days. In South Korea — where teachers are hailed as “nation builders” — school is in session for 225 days each year. By the time American students

reach eighth grade, they’ve spent roughly 400 fewer days in school. So there’s a lot of pressure on teachers to cover subjects in a shorter time, and in less depth. Not coincidentally, perhaps, middle school is where American students begin to fall behind their global peers. By high school, among 30 developed nations, U.S. students rank 15th in reading, 21st in science, 25th in math and 24th in problem-solving. People who study these trends, like Education Secretary Arne Duncan, believe that the United States has stood still while others have moved past us. In an October speech to the Council on Foreign Relations, Duncan said, “Here in the United States, we simply flat-lined. We stagnated. We lost our way, and others literally passed us by.” So while people of my generation might say to ourselves, “We didn’t know much math, and we turned out OK,” we’d be missing the point. The rest of the world is changing. We need to prepare our children for a knowledge economy. It’s not entirely bad for Americans that other countries are growing wealthier and better educated. Having a market for our products abroad is essential to our economic growth, and an educated world is a safer one. But we don’t want to be left behind. Some U.S. schools have been experimenting with more time in the classroom. Roughly 1,000 schools — including 800 charters and about 200

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So while people of my generation might say to ourselves, “We didn’t know much math, and we turned out OK,” we’d be missing the point.

traditional district schools — have expanded their schedules by more than one to two hours a day, according to the National Center on Time and Learning. KIPP Academy, one charter success story that started in the Bronx, requires parents to sign a contract saying they will not pull kids out for a family vacation. Expect to see more of this. As Congress moves to reauthorize and rework No Child Left Behind, the Obama administration is pushing for flexibility for school districts to break from established norms. In November, the New York State School Boards Association advocated a longer school day and year “where it will serve students well.” Midafternoon dismissal times and long summer breaks are impractical holdovers from an agrarian past — increasingly so, as more homes are led by single parents or two working parents. It’s time to dust off those problem-solving skills and put them back to work.

ANNE MICHAUD -mcclatchy newspapers

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february 9, 2011

page 4

4-H: Proposed plan criticized for distribution of funds, staff from page one

But many felt the plan would in fact diminish Extension’s presence in each community. “For our county, some were concerned that there would be limited services. Some were concerned that with restructuring would reduce accessibility. Overall, Extension does not want to limit their access to the public,” said Mike Parrish, unit coordinator for the Extension office in Dinwiddie County. “I think it would have changed how we provide programs and services to the people, and I think in some ways restructuring would have been a good thing, because there were a lot of vacancies,” said Michael Martin, Cooperative Extension district director for the Southwest district. “There was also

concern that a county that was wellstaffed would see its coverage spread too thin.” Grant said the plan was criticized for several reasons. “First, people want to have their local offices fully staffed, like we used to do when we had significantly more

state funding,” Grant said. “Second, various stakeholder groups want to be more involved in the process as we look at what the future of this organization might look like.” Parrish said the Cooperative Extension currently does well because of the way it is localized to

each county and can focus on the individual needs of a very specific area. “If you’re going to fully serve the state of Virginia, you need a flexible program. Anything rigid is not going to work, because the needs of every different county are so diverse,”

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Parrish said. “I think initially there were some thoughts that the plan would involve a more cookie-cutter approach.” Since local offices are already funded by their localities, a county could have opted to keep its local office open. However, offices might

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not have been as well-staffed, as the plan stated that Extension funds would pay a portion of the salary for only one extension agent at that local office. According to a letter written by Grant to all members of Extension, Tech officials will start afresh with a new restructuring plan, this time with more input from local and regional Extension employees and stakeholders. “It is clear that various stakeholders want to be much more involved in the planning process,” the letter read. For now, however, plans for restructure will wait until the end of the General Assembly session, when legislators have decided how much funding Extension will receive.

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By Ed Sessa

ACROSS 1 Six-pack muscles 4 Gets to fit 10 Farm country mail rtes. 14 Prefix with light or night 15 Cap’n Crunch, e.g. 16 Skin care brand 17 *Amount of money to pay 19 Rock group 20 Popular tattoo spot 21 Amount of money that should have been paid 23 “Divine Secrets of the __ Sisterhood”

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february 9, 2011

editors: lindsey brookbank, kim walter featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

food & drink

COLLEGIATETIMES

Backstreets’ food beats its service s someone who is used to eating West End pasta and paying A cheap prices for late-night delivery pizza, I was ready to branch out and experience delicious, homemade Italian foods. Instead of devouring another box of Pokey Stix, I decided it was time for a change. I made my way with a group of friends to Backstreets Restaurant on Main Street, ready to see whether this sit-down meal was worth the price. The first thing I noticed when I pulled into the parking lot was the outdoor patio with tables and chairs. Although no one was sitting outside because of the winter season, I smiled at the thought of lounging outside with friends and family and enjoying the spring weather. As I entered Backstreets, tables were filled with students and town residents. Although the inside of the restaurant looked like it had not been redecorated in decades, its wooden paneling emphasized the homey feel. While the atmosphere was definitely welcoming, there was nobody at the hostess stand to say hello. We awkwardly stood there waiting until the female hostess made her way over and said she would seat us momentarily. She led us to a booth in the back, as she genuinely smiled. Looking at my menu, I was surprisingly overwhelmed. I knew that my options would include all of the Italian favorites, but I never expected to be able to choose from seafood, steak, pitas and sandwiches as well. Should I go with the chicken parmigiana sandwich, the special recipe meat lasagna or a Chicago-style deep-dish pizza? I then made the mistake of looking at the appetizer list — “Fresh dough cut and twisted by hand. Baked to a crispy outside, brushed with butter and sprinkled with shredded Parmesan cheese.” How could I turn down those bread sticks? My mouth was already watering. Our waiter took his time getting our drinks and taking our order. He was a nice enough guy but seemed quite busy, even though the restaurant was somewhat empty. As a student with a hectic schedule, I’m constantly trying to squeeze in a meal whenever I can. I know that going to a sit-down restaurant means you’re expected to wait,

but my friends and I continued to wait for a while. When our appetizer came about 20 minutes later, I was anxious to get my hands on a bread stick. The smell was mesmerizing. The bread was baked to perfection and melted in our mouths. My hands were covered in Parmesan cheese, but I was not complaining. The plate was left clean with the exception of some cheese and bread crumbs. Our drinks remained empty, as we sat there looking at the plate. We all agreed the appetizer was delicious, but our mouths were dry and we needed to quench our thirst. After waiting more than 20 minutes, we were starting to wonder where our actual meals were. My friend had to interrupt the waiter to get another round of drinks. He casually refilled our cups and told us that our meals should be coming shortly. However, shortly meant another 15 minutes. I imagine that we looked like hyenas ready to pounce on our prey by the time our meals arrived. The aroma was once again soothing, and our cries of hunger were silenced. As our server placed the deep-dish pizza with homemade meatballs in front of us, I knew I was in for a treat. I did not think that the warm homemade bread sticks could be topped, but this pizza was incredible. There was the perfect amount of cheese, and the meatballs reminded me of my mother’s LUKE MASON / SPPS cooking — maybe even better. The The bread stick appetizer and Chicago-style deep dish pizza, topped with meatballs, proved to be favorites at Backstreets Restaurant. crust was rolled to the perfect thickness. They hit the Chicago-style right on the nail. As a northerner, I was extremely impressed. This family style restaurant had officially won me over. The service was laid back, maybe a little more than I prefer, but the pizza was definitely worth the wait. A meal at Backstreets can leave one with a $15 to $20 bill, tip included. I definitely see myself ordering this pizza again. However, I might plan on making a delivery order next time to keep my thirst quenched and to avoid paying for the below-average speed of service.

CHELSEA GUNTER -features reporter -sophomore -communication major

LUKE MASON / SPPS

The hand-twisted, Parmesan-crusted bread sticks are a must.

Cake in a Cup

Part of the dining room overlooks Main Street and downtown.

MIA PERRY features reporter

In the mood for dessert? How about cake? Don’t want to make a whole cake? Try “Cake in a Cup.” This simple, five-minute recipe is sure to cure any sweet tooth craving, and its single serving size will keep you from overdoing it. Ingredients: 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour 4 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons cocoa 1 egg 3 tablespoons milk 3 tablespoons oil 3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional) 2-3 drops vanilla extract 1 coffee mug (a slightly larger one works better) Directions: 1. Add dry ingredients to mug and mix well. Add egg and mix thoroughly. Pour milk, oil and vanilla into mixture and mix again, making sure to get the edges of the mug. Mix in chocolate chips if desired. 2. Microwave the mug on high for three minutes (it may take longer depending on the wattage). Don’t worry if the cake rises above the rim, it may drip over a bit but will deflate when microwave stops. 3. After it cools for a little, you can dig straight into the mug. If you prefer, you can flip it out onto a plate, using a knife if it sticks. Enjoy as is or add toppings of your choice. Melted chocolate sprinkled with pomegranates makes for a yummy twist.

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6 valentine’s day february 9, 2011

editors: lindsey brookbank, kim walter featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES

Wild courtships

Romance is tough, even in the animal kingdom. If males are lucky, a seductive dance or a swish of a tail will set their girl’s heart in motion. A male hippopotamus takes a different approach to wooing a female. He sprays urine and waste with his tail to attract that special someone. Once he strikes a female’s fancy, they’ll wade into the water for the real fun.

Two or three years

Emperor penguins are a sweet example of long-lasting couple. A male sings and gestures for his special girl, even brings her a gift of stones. After mating, the female entrusts him to watch over their egg as she goes on a long journey to hunt for food.

Time the male emperor penguin protects the egg and keeps it warm. He doesn’t eat or leave, risking his own death.

She’s a maneater While it’s true that praying mantis females do eat their mates, it doesn’t happen 100 percent of the time. However, one type does behead her man in order to mate properly.

Photo courtesy of morgueﬁle

5% to 31%

Males that are eaten by the female praying mantis

Normal mating interval for hippopotamus females

Spreading love

Amy Beth Bennett/Sun-Sentinel/MCT

A real family man

Two months

Evelyn Hockstein/mct

He’s my man

Alligators are not on the same page when it comes to finding a mate. Recent studies show females are more loyal to their man, choosing the same guy for years. Male gators will mate with many females.

70%

Female alligators that choose one mate

Reversed roles

Glen Stubbe/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT

Researched by Lindsay Dubois, Karsten Ivey, Renee Kwok, Belinda Long-Ivey, Kwency Norman, Sun Sentinel/MCT

Male seahorses carry their babies to term. True 6love is found after days of holding each other’s tail followed by a courtship dance. After they mate, the female deposits her eggs into the male’s pouch. The male fertilizes and carries the eggs for up to 4 weeks.

8 hours

Length of courtship dance

Make love, not war Laurie Goering/Chicago Tribune/MCT

Bonobos substitute aggression with sex, and lots of it — any time, and with all members. Contact is usually brief unless the entire group gets excited, such as when finding a fig tree.

13 seconds Average length of sexual contact

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