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Friday, February 18, 2011
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COLLEGIATETIMES 108th year, issue 20
News, page 2
People & Clubs, page 5
Opinions, page 3
Sports, page 6
Classifieds, page 4
Sudoku, page 4
More students identifying as multiracial SARAH WATSON news reporter More students pursuing a secondary education identify themselves as multiracial or multiethnic. Students across the nation and in the Virginia Tech community are checking the box “two or more races” when filling out college applications. However, this increase is not based on more opportunity for multiracial students, a new categorization system for race or any other preconceived ideas alone. Multiracial and multiethnic movements are not a new phenomenon, according to Wornie Reed, director of the center for race and social policy research. “This has been going on for some time,” Reed said, adding that multiracial movements have been occurring for the past three decades. Reed said the moments were part of a new social context “that race is not a biological construct, but a social construct — but it doesn’t make it any less real.” According to Ray Williams, director of Tech’s multicultural programs and services, the increase of students identifying themselves as multiracial or multiethnic has been influenced by the post-Civil War era that encapsulates our society. “People are more comfortable coming out and saying that they are either one thing or another, or a mix,” Williams said. Williams said there is currently less stigmatization in certain categories of reporting. “The phenomenon is driven by the change in our social climate,” Williams said, adding that the United States has a more sophisticated way of tracking the different levels of identity. In 2000, the Census Bureau began collecting multiracial data, according to Reed. According to 2009 Census data, 1.6 percent of Montgomery County residents identified themselves as “two or more races,” on par with Virginia at 1.8 percent and the U.S. at 1.7 percent. A few years ago, Tech followed
suit with this form of data collection, according to Williams, who used to work in the office of undergraduate admissions. Students may choose from “American Indian or Alaska Native,” “Asian,” “Black or African American,” “Hispanics of any race,” “White,” “Two or more races,” “Nonresident alien,” or choose not to report at all. Two years ago, the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System required Tech offer more race options on applications, according to Mildred Johnson, director of undergraduate admissions.
selves as at least partially white. Blacks are often the most stigmatized historically. Most often, African Americans or black students identify themselves white as part of their ethnicity, as opposed to the reverse. “Until very recently, as recent at the 1960s, no matter how much white you,had you were considered to be black,” Reed said. Reed said he believes the current generation is not more accepting of previous generations. However, Williams said the U.S. has become more accepting of complex relationships across ethnic or racial groups.
Students who are “two or more races” make up of Tech’s student body
1.5 % 71.6 % of students identify as white
7% of students identify as Asian, the next largest group.
324
In fall 2010, Tech students identified themselves as multiracial.
One in seven marriages are interracial. “We want students to identify themselves however they feel they are,” she said. Since the changes, Tech has seen an increase in the number of students marking “two or more races” on applications. It is difficult to determine trends in just a few years, but the numbers appear to be leveling out, Johnson said. At the university level, those reporting “two or more races” make up only 1.5 percent of Tech’s total student body. White students make up the majority with 71.6 percent, with the second highest being Asian students at 7 percent. In 2008 and 2009, no students indentified themselves as being multiracial on their Tech applications, according to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. However, in fall 2010, 324 students identified themselves as multiracial. According to Reed, the act of multiracial and multiethnic labeling is a one-way street, with most underrepresented groups identifying them-
“It takes us away from the blackwhite conversation,” Williams said. He also said interracial marriages also hold less of a stigma in today’s society than in previous years. According to the Pew Research Center, one in seven marriages are now interracial or interethnic. “This generation is very open and not afraid to speak their minds,” Johnson said. As part of multicultural programs and services, Williams and his staff work with student organizations that represent underrepresented groups to establish organizations that are long-lasting and meaningful in the Tech community. Williams also works to educate the campus by offering concerts, speakers, forums and other events to engage various ethnic groups. The goal of the department is to create an environment that affirms and celebrates diversity on campus and in the community.
PAUL KURLAK / SPPS
Ray Williams is the director of Tech’s multicultural programs and services. He said that the increase of students identifying themselves as multiracial can be attributed partially to a change in social climate.
Hokies swing for fences, eye College World Series JOSH PARCELL sports reporter When Hokies coach Pete Hughes said two years ago he wanted to spend his early Junes in Omaha, people laughed at him. Omaha, of course, is home to the College World Series, NCAA baseball’s national championship. When Hughes’ 2008 team broke the school record for consecutive losses, Omaha might as well have been as far away as Thailand. But a year after reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time in his tenure as the Hokies head coach, Hughes said they are inching closer to his ultimate goal. “I think it’s insulting not to have any other goal than that,” he said. The Hokies open the season today in Myrtle Beach, S.C. with a three-day round-robin affair at Coastal Carolina University. They face Indiana at noon today, followed by Tennessee Tech at 11 a.m. Saturday and Coastal Carolina at
3:30 p.m. Sunday. For the second consecutive season, the Hokies are picked to finish fifth out of six teams in the ACC’s Coastal Division and 11th overall. Last year, they won 40 games and finished sixth overall in the conference, earning an atlarge bid to the NCAA Tournament. Here’s what to look for from the 2011 version of “Hokieball.” Offense Hughes will have to find a way to replace his two best hitters from a season ago. Austin Wates (.382 BA, 8 HR, 54 RBI in 2010) and Steve Domecus (.365 BA, 13 HR, 60 RBI) were drafted in the third and ninth rounds by the Astros and Dodgers, respectively. “We will miss their leadership and productivity, but the core of our experience this year is on the positional side,” Hughes said. “Austin and Steve weren’t always elite players, they formed into that. We’re looking for some guys to do that this year.” Replacing Domecus’ power will be up to junior infielder Ronnie Shaban.
In 2010, Shaban hit eight home runs and led the team with 67 RBI. He will be a staple in the fourth spot of the batting order. Tim Smalling is another returning player who will be relied on heavily this season. The former Arkansas transfer got off to a hot start in 2010 before cooling off considerably at the end of the season. He batted just .250 in the postseason, including three strikeouts in 24 at-bats. Smalling was drafted in the 14th round of last year’s draft by the Washington Nationals, yet elected to return to school in what Hughes described as a “pleasant surprise.” With only three players with significant starting experience back this season, the Hokies will rely on a young core of players to mature quickly. “I’m going to go with the hottest bats at any time,” Hughes said. Pitching/Defense Hughes knows who his opening-day starter will be on the mound. There’s not much else he’s sure about concerning his pitching staff right now, though.
Philosophy professor dies from injuries related to crash LIANA BAYNE associate news editor Virginia Tech undergraduate students in the philosophy department were informed today of the death of a faculty member. An e-mail sent to students said Lauren Fleming, a visiting assistant professor, died as “a result of injuries sustained in a December car accident.” Fleming taught a philosophy of religion class, as well as a graduate-level metaethics class last semester, which was her first semester at Tech. First-year masters’ student Joey Miller and second-year masters’ student Beth Hupfer were in Fleming’s Metaethics class. Both remembered Fleming as a young woman who was full of life and committed to her subject. “She always had people laughing
and her personality made it easy to like her,” Miller said. Hupfer described Fleming as hilarious. “She was really good about making people feel comfortable (and) making everything interesting,” Hupfer said. Hupfer said one of her favorite memories of Fleming was her tendency to bring up her cat in class. “Everything related back to her cat,” Hupfer said. Hupfer said Fleming took the morals she taught to heart by practicing vegetarianism and making “ethical life choices.” “She took philosophy as like it was her whole person,” Hupfer said. Miller said Fleming’s office door was always open. “She was very approachable and very welcoming and friendly,” he said. “I was comfortable talking to her.”
Although Miller and Hupfer were informed about Fleming’s death about two weeks ago in an e-mail sent to graduate students and faculty from the philosophy department, undergraduate students were not made aware of her death until the email sent late Thursday afternoon. Hupfer said the December car accident that put Fleming in the hospital happened when Fleming’s car hit black ice while she was driving to Michigan over winter break. “I don’t think we knew how serious (the accident) was,” Hupfer said. She sent Fleming a care package. The department informed students over winter break that Fleming would not return to teach classes semester, Hupfer said. Miller said a memorial service is planned for March 21 at noon in the War Memorial Chapel. Further details about that service are not yet available.
“It’s a five-guy race (for three weekend starting spots),” Hughes said. “There’s a lot of guys fighting for those spots who are pretty talented and have experience in our program.” Left-handed sophomore Joe Mantiply will take the mound for today’s game. He’s coming off a year in which he started seven games and finished with a 4-1 record. The competition for the other four spots has been heated between redshirt junior Marc Zecchino, senior Manny Martir, sophomore Patrick Scoggin and freshman Eddie Campbell. Campbell, a left-hander from Walpole, Mass., will see significant action early and often this year. “He’s the whole package as far as demeanor, mental approach, maturity beyond his years and his stuff is really good,” Hughes said. Ideally, Hughes would like to decide on a weekend rotation after the first three weeks of the regular season, but he’ll wait “as long as it takes” to make see BASEBALL / page six
STANDINGS 2010
Conf. Atlantic W-L Pct. Clemson 18-12 .600 Florida State 18-12 .600 NC State 15-15 .500 Boston College 14-16 .467 Wake Forest 8-22 .267 Maryland 5-25 .167
Overall W-L Pct. 45-25 .643 48-20 .706 38-24 .613 30-28 .517 18-37 .327 17-39 .304
Conf. W-L Pct. 23-7 .767 21-9 .700 20-10 .667 16-14 .533 14-16 .467 8-22 .267
Overall W-L Pct. 51-14 .785 47-15 .758 43-20 .683 40-22 .645 38-22 .633 29-27 .518
Coastal Virginia Georgia Tech Miami Virginia Tech North Carolina Duke
Vendors showcase potential new phones GORDON BLOCK associate news editor Several vendors were on hand Thursday for an exhibition to help Virginia Tech select a new phone system. The two-day exhibition was put on by Tech’s Network and Infrastructure Services. A new phone system would be the first for the university since 1988. Jeff Kidd, spokesman for Communication Network Services, said the old technology made finding replacement parts and technical support challenging. Kidd said he hoped the new system would be adaptable to new technology. He offered no timetable for making a decision, and could not provide an estimate on how much the phone system upgrade would cost. Safety concerns were a major mreason for keeping landline phones in place following the difficulties with cell phone towers during the shootings on April 16, 2007. “Without both (landlines and cell phones), it would have been a lot more difficult situation,” Kidd said. “It (landline phones) doesn’t go away for every-
MALLORY NOE-PAYNE / SPPS
The potential new landline phones will be on display for faculty and staff today in the Owens Banquet Hall from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. one.” Tech officials created survey materials to gain feedback about the proposed phone systems, and plan to send a survey to the university community early next week. Vendors at the exhibition included bids from IBM, Aastra, ABS
Technology Architects, Disys Solutions, Morse Communications and Verizon Business. One vendor will be selected at a later date to provide the new phone system to the university. The exhibition will continue today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Owens Banquet Hall.
2 news
news editors: philipp kotlaba, liana bayne, gordon block newseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865
february 18, 2011
COLLEGIATETIMES
what you’re saying //comments from online readers...
virginia
On Tech’s Alma Mater Song:
Hunting bill draws wide-ranging opposition
It’s Rae, Ri! >> I agree, and I think everyone should actually learn the lyrics to the fight song as well. At the very least, stop shouting “Tech, Tech, VPI” at the end... The lyrics are suppose to be: “So give a Hokie, Hokie, Hokie, Hi! Rae, Ri, old VPI.”
Actually >> You are quoting the “Old Hokie” cheer by O.M. Stull, not the fight song. Old Hokie is rarely chanted during any of the sporting events (I believe I have heard it only once at a girl’s soccer game within the last six years). The song played by the band during the football and basketball games is “Tech Triumph,” and according to the VT website, the chorus is: Just watch our men so big and active Support the Orange and Maroon. Let’s go Techs. We know our ends and backs are stronger, With winning hopes, we fear defeat no longer. To see our team plow through the line, boys. Determined now to win or die: So give a Hokie, Hokie, Hokie, Hi, Rae, Ri, old V.P.I.
One legislator described the issue as “radioactive.” The alliances it inspired certainly suggested the end times. After all, it’s not every day that the state’s hunters join forces with animal-rights activists to defeat legislation. But that’s exactly what happened Wednesday at the General Assembly with a proposal that would have allowed farmers to kill deer, elk and bear that damage their crops. The Farm Bureau-backed bill, SB868, was quietly winding its way through the General Assembly until sportsmen and others realized that it would dramatically change the state’s hunting policy. Wilmer Stoneman, an associate director of the Farm
“They could decimate a population pretty quickly,” he said. Laura Donahue, the Virginia state director of the Humane Society of the United States, argued that the proposal was a “kill first and ask questions later” policy and would encourage poaching.Donahue acknowledged that hunters and the humane society aren’t always on the same side. Burch preferred to focus on the more traditional alliance between sportsmen and farmers. “Hunters need agriculture, and we are friends,” he said. -deirdre fernandes mcclatchy newspapers
Bureau of Virginia, pointed to the farmers who drove from the far corners of the state to support the legislation.He said, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has been taking too long to investigate crop losses and issue kill permits. The legislation would have allowed a farmer to simply call the department and get a kill permit number.Kirby Burch, with the Virginia Hunting Dog Alliance, doesn’t doubt that the department is understaffed and that there are delays. But sportsmen were worried that the bill would have allowed farmers to thin the deer and bear populations before hunting season.
nation Bookstore chain on border of bankruptcy
I totally agree, well said. I’m an alumn, but I would suggest interested undergrads start a “bring the alma mater back” group and develop a strategy for increasing alma mater exposure. Then once you’ve developed the strategy, speak with the athletic director and various VPs about ways it can be amplified within the community. Ultimately, your goal should be to have a football game situation where a greater and greater percentage of the student body has been exposed, and can recite/sing, the alma mater at a preplanned time.
Anonymous >> I didn’t even know what an “alma mater” was in the first place until seeing this article. There really are far more important things in life.
crime blotter
c-
& Schuster. Borders President Mike Edwards said in a statement that reduced customer spending, negotiations with vendors and a lack of liquidity has made it clear that the company currently “does not have the capital resources it needs to be a viable competitor and which are essential for it to move forward with its business strategy to reposition itself successfully for the long term.” The company noted that it has secured $505 million in debtorin-possession financing from GE Capital and others to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. As the company looks to emerge from bankruptcy, it must make a quick and intelligent
strategy shift, said Al Greco, a book publishing expert and professor of marketing at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Business. “Unless they can come up with a first-rate marketing strategy to sell physical and e-books and get more traffic to its website, this company could be in worse trouble six months from now,” he said. Credit Suisse analyst Gary Balter said in a note to investors Wednesday that the Borders store closings may put more than $550 million in sales up for grabs and suggested that rival Barnes & Noble is well-positioned to nab much of it. -stephen ceasar mcclatchy newspapers
1 3 2 1 6 5 4 0 6 5 6 4 6 5 5 1 4
V I O L A T I O N - A F F I D A V I T
date reported
time
offense
location
status
arrestees
1/23/2011
5:30a.m.-6:00a.m.
Follow-up forcible fondling
W. Eggelston
Inactive
N/A
2/08/2011
3:30p.m.
Follow-up to theft of a money clip
McComas Hall
Inactive
N/A
13216540656465514
Anon >>
Giant bookseller Borders Group Inc., battered by poor sales, continuing financial losses and heavy debt, filed for bankruptcy protection Wednesday and said it will close about 200 stores of its 642 stores and lay off about 6,000 of its 19,000 workers. All the stores that will be closed are underperforming superstores, Borders said. In a filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York, the company listed $1.29 billion in debt and $1.27 billion in assets. The company owes millions to book publishers, the largest amounts being $41.1 million to Penguin Group, $36.9 million to Hachette Book Group and $33.8 million to Simon
opınıons 3
editors: scott masselli, gabi seltzer opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
february 18, 2011
The Collegiate Times is an independent student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903
Your Views [letter to the editor]
Local food can help save fuel his is in response to Brad Copenhaver’s column, T “Local food movement neglects sound economics” (CT, Feb. 10). I disagree with the author’s opinion that local food “is not concurrent with ideas of economic efficiency and comparative advantage.” While we both agree that investment in local business allows for “keeping money circulating within a local region,” our opinions concerning fuel savings and Virginia seasonality differ. In Blacksburg, a main source of local food is the year-round Blacksburg Farmers Market, located a block away from campus on Draper Road. The market requires that each vendor travel from within a 50-mile radius surrounding Blacksburg. In a conventional system, one pound of produce was found to have traveled at least 1,685 miles. By
contributing fewer food miles, local food is able to decrease its ecological footprint, while often providing more fresh products, simply because of proximity. Growing oranges in Virginia will not give a farmer a competitive price at the market, but neither will coffee, spices or chocolate grown in Virginia. These items are not meant to be grown in Virginia and therefore cannot be sourced locally. For “locavores,” this does not mean chocolate or coffee are cut out of their diets, but instead, other alternatives are available. Fair trade and direct market products provide a way for consumers to support ecologically harvested products. Consumers do not meet their growers like they can at the market, but this is the next best alternative.
Rial Tombes Junior Environmental policy and planning major
Teachers unions not productive sually I’m all for labor unions. I have no problem with a U group of workers banding together to protect themselves against unfair wages, treatment and conditions. Some unions may have a tarnished history, and they may not work in all cases, but as a general rule, it is hard to argue against the free choice of employees to be represented as a single unit. There are times though, when I roll my eyes at the actions of labor unions. When I wag my finger in shame at them. When I can’t comprehend their narrow mindedness. When I rethink my support of them because they misuse their unity to hide their laziness and inabilities. This seems to be the case with teachers unions in this country at the moment. It’s almost a cliche now, a very sad one, that our elementary and secondary education system is in shambles. And while the degree to which teachers are to blame is arguable, there is no doubt that they are vital to the future success of educating the young people of this country. And with such a crucial role in the education system, it is a heart wrenching pity that the teachers unions aren’t more dedicated to reform and progress. Now, I’m not advocating for disbanding the teachers unions, nor do I want to put them into the pillory for public humiliation. There are thousands of great teachers and public schools that are passionately enhancing the lives of children. But in my opinion, those singular entities we call teachers unions are more concerned with self-preservation and resistance than with self-examination and reform. The National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers have received a lot of criticism lately concerning lifelong tenure positions, the convoluted firing process, protection of bad teachers and an overall resistance to change. In their responses, there is rarely any acknowledgement of error or honest assessment of problems in the union system. It is either a stammering defense of outdated practices or adamant attacks on those who want to change the system, such as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. It would seem that if our edu-
cation system needs to drastically improve, we need drastic changes from the teachers unions. Most of the proposals and programs they suggest are minor attempts to improve the quality of teaching; proposals that sound nice, but do little to fix the inherent problems in their philosophy and application. In my opinion, tenured positions should only be available to senior teachers or professors who have established themselves in a certain field through professional research and publications. If elementary teachers meet these requirements, I have no problem with giving them tenure. The fact is many don’t. Many teachers of young children receive tenure merely through attendance. That would be like earning a Ph.D. simply by showing up to class. I wish. Yet you won’t hear teachers unions touch this holy grail of their contracts. You barely hear them enforce strict merit-based evaluations. These unions need to realize that they have a substantial amount of bad teachers. It only hurts the good ones by protecting the ones who are underperforming. There are many outstanding teachers and school administrators. If a union is built around them and their passion and proven practices, students would have a better chance of learning. While I believe the demonizing of the unions in “Waiting for ‘Superman,’” went too far, that frustration stems from the perception that unions are protecting bad teachers. Teachers are the most direct line between knowledge and children in the classroom. If a union representing teachers is unwilling to make substantial changes, the education system as a whole won’t make substantial improvements. Many things need to change on many levels in order for America’s children to get a better education across the board. Reforming the contract with the teachers unions may be the most important, and is unfortunately proving to be the most difficult.
MATTHEW ENGLISH -regular columnist -senior -architecture major
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MCT CAMPUS
Corporate campaigns give new spin on ‘going green’ veryone likes to think they are environmentally friendly. I’m E certainly not out to destroy the environment, but I often get accused of it by doing something as small as buying a bottle of water. This is one of the ways I think the “green” movement has gone too far with its rhetoric, so hopefully this column will help those who experience the same thing. There are very simple, small steps you can take every day to live a more “green” life. Turn off the lights when you leave the room. Take a shorter shower. Don’t use plastic bags at the store when you only have a few items. And, of course, recycle. These are things we have all been told many times — but do they really make a difference? Our university is currently involved in a recycling competition with other universities called RecycleMania. This is the sixth year Virginia Tech has participated, so toss your water bottles and soda cans into the bins and try to make a conscious effort to reduce your trash. Our RecycleMania goal is to reduce our trash and increase our recycling. But what happens to the plastic bottles and cans after they have been collected? As you can imagine, it is a big business that is often accused of neglect-
ing the environment on all fronts, but in this case, it is a big business that is addressing part of the problem. Coca-Cola opened a bottle-to-bottle recycling plant in 2009. According to GreenBiz.com, this recycling plant “will have the capacity, when fully operational, to produce 100 million pounds of recycled PET plastic chips — enough to produce 2 billion 20ounce bottles of Coke or Dasani or whatever.” PET plastic isn’t just recycled back in to water and soda bottles. Recycled plastic becomes flooring, playground equipment and auto parts. It also becomes fibers for clothing, such as t-shirts, fleece jackets and carpet. National Association for PET Container Resources statistics show that it takes just 19 soda bottles to make enough fiber for an x-large T-shirt or one square foot of carpet, and only 14 plastic bottles to make enough fiberfill for your next ski jacket. All of this surely reduces our trash. Environmentalists say we should get rid of plastic bottles, but should we? When you use a Styrofoam cup or a cardboard cup, it gets thrown away and becomes trash, or more garbage for the landfill. Never fear, The PlantBottle is here! There is a new bottle for Dasani
water from Coca-Cola that is made with up to 30 percent plant-based material and appropriately named PlantBottle, and they are working to create a bottle that is made from 100 percent plant-based materials. According to their website, the PlantBottle is the only bottle made of plant materials, which are also 100 percent recyclable. We should see this new bottle on our campus in the coming months, and if you buy the PlantBottle, make sure you put it in a recycling bin. This way you won’t be contributing to a landfill, and who knows, the next T-shirt you purchase may be your recycled water bottle. These are small, easy steps that can make a big difference. For those of you doing absolutely everything to preserve the environment, that’s great. For those of you that are like me and are not doing everything we could for the environment, hopefully Coca-Cola will help us avoid being demonized by the often overzealous “green” movement.
MATTHEW HURT -regular columnist -sophomore -political science
Spring semester ideal time to get involved in clubs, activities e’ve been back in school for a few weeks now, and most of us W have had sufficient time to fall into a comfortable routine of classes, socializing, studying and downtime. Lucky students may be discovering the amount of downtime they have this semester is considerable, or at least more than they expected to have. So, what is the best way to put that time to good use? If you’re looking for an outlet that’s both fun and a potential resume booster, extracurricular activities are obviously a great option. Few people realize that now is actually the ideal time for a person to get involved, for several reasons. Though it may seem awkward to consider walking into a room full of strangers who’ve already had an entire semester to get to know one another, there’s a compelling argument to be made that you should, in fact, do just that. Most people only tend to give much thought to what clubs and organizations they’d like to be a part of at the beginning of the year. School sponsored events such as Gobblerfest facilitate getting involved early on, and it’s comforting to know there will likely be other new members who are equally as uncertain as you at your first meeting. While it’s great to try a new activity at any time in the year, you may find that you have a better overall experience if you become involved later in the year. For one thing, it can be a really good thing to be the only new person to show up to a meeting. This may seem more intimidating than blending in with a crowd of prospective members, but it actually improves your chances of forming relationships with active club members. At the beginning of the year, when swarms of prospective new members turn out to the first meeting, you’re much more likely to get lost in the shuffle.
Club leadership and active members also expect many of the new members to drop out after a week or two, once they realize they have too much homework or they make friends elsewhere, so they aren’t as likely to try to court you and make the effort to get you to stay. If you show up now, they will be so excited to see a new face at one of their meetings that they will go to great lengths to get you to keep coming back. They’ll want your input on what direction the club should take this semester. They’ll want your opinion on what kind of activities you’d like to take part in. They may even want to take you out to lunch. You’ll have much better opportunities to get to know people and form lasting friendships. If you’re nervous about going alone, bring a friend with you — the active club members will love you even more if they think you’ll be able to get more people interested in their organization. Around this time of year, membership and participation in many organizations is lagging; it can be difficult to persuade people to come out to meetings and events when it’s 25 degrees outside. Sometimes members who were active in the fall semester find that their new class schedules conflict with meeting times, or that their academic workload is more demanding this semester. For whatever reason, many clubs start the spring semester with fewer members than they had when they left in December for winter break, and this means that minor leadership positions may become available. Whether it’s a good idea to take on an officer position in a club shortly after joining will vary greatly from one organization to the next. Sometimes, especially when there is a very small group of officers who do all of the decision making for the entire organization, it’s simply not feasible. But many clubs have positions
with less responsibility that allow you to get your foot in the door and get a strong feel for what their missions are all about. A leadership position is not only a relatively fun way to build your resume, but a great way to get to know other officers and active members, since you’ll end up having to be in communication with them to make decisions and plan events for the club. Existing officers will often be happy to give you a shot at a leadership position, because by giving you some level of responsibility, they’re helping to ensure that you stay involved. This is an especially good option if you have a specific vision for what you want out of the club, or if you feel you have a special talent you’d like to contribute. For all of these reasons, right now is a great time to make the choice to get involved in something that interests you. You’re in the best position right now to judge how much free time you’re going to have this semester, so you don’t run the risk of overextending yourself — something that often happens when you join an organization at the beginning of the year. Most clubs are always excited to have new members, and a fresh face may be especially welcome right now. This time of year is when opportunities are greatest, both for making friendships and beginning to rise through the ranks of leadership positions in a given organization. After all, there’s no time like the present to get the most out of your experience here at Virginia Tech by checking out one of the hundreds of exciting extracurriculars the university has to offer.
LIZZ WENSKA -regular columnist -sophomore -political science
Collegiate Times Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Peter Velz Managing Editors: Zach Crizer, Katie Biondo, Josh Son Public Editor: Justin Graves Senior News Editor: Philipp Kotlaba Associate News Editors: Liana Bayne, Gordon Block News Reporters: Claire Sanderson, Jay Speidell, Michelle Sutherland, Sarah Watson News Staff Writers: Erin Chapman, Meighan Dober Features Editors: Lindsey Brookbank, Kim Walter Features Reporters: Chelsea Gunter, Majoni Harnal, Mia Perry Opinions Editors: Scott Masselli, Gabi Seltzer Sports Editors: Michael Bealey, Garrett Ripa Sports Reporters: Nick Cafferky, Matt Jones, Courtney Lofgren, Josh Parcell Sports Staff Writers: Alyssa Bedrosian, Alex Koma, Ashleigh Lanza, Zach Mariner Special Sections Editor: Bethany Buchanan Public Information Director: Dishu Maheshwari Training Director: Kelsey Heiter Copy Editors: Taylor Chakurda, Thandiwe Ogbonna, Spenser Snarr, Brittany Kelly Layout Designers: Danielle Buynak, Victoria Zigadlo, Wei Hann, Maya Shah Online Director: Jamie Chung Collegiate Times Business Staff Business Manager: David Harries Distribution Assistant: Ryan Francis Student Publications Photo Staff Director of Photography: Sara Mitchell Business Manager: Luke Mason Lab Manager: Mark Umansky College Media Solutions Ad Director: Nik Bando Asst Ad Director: Brandon Collins Account Executives: Emily Africa, Matt Freedman, David George, Inside Sales Manager: Wade Stephenson Assistant Inside Sales Manager: Katie Berkel, Diane Revalski Assistant Account Executives: Maddie Abram, Kaelynn Kurtz, Erin Shuba Creative Director: Chloé Skibba Asst Production Manager: Casey Stoneman Creative Services Staff: Tim Austin, Jenn DiMarco, Colleen Hill, Jenn Le, Erin Weisiger Voice your opinion. Readers are encouraged to send letters to the Collegiate Times. 365 Squires Student Center Blacksburg, VA, 24061 Fax: (540) 231-9151 opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com All letters to the editor must include a name and daytime phone number. Students must include year and major. Faculty and staff must include position and department. All other submissions must include city of residence, and if applicable, relationship to Virginia Tech (i.e., alumni, parent, etc.). All letters should be in MS Word (.doc) format, if possible. Letters, commentaries and editorial cartoons do not reflect the views of the Collegiate Times. Editorials are written by the Collegiate Times editorial board, which is composed of the opinions editors, editor-in-chief and the managing editors. Letters to the editor are submissions from Collegiate Times readers. We reserve the right to edit for any reason. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Have a news tip? Call or text 200-TIPS or e-mail newstips@collegiatetimes.com Student Media Phone Numbers Collegiate Times Newsroom 231-9865 Editor-in-Chief 231-9867 College Media Solutions Advertising 961-9860 The Collegiate Times, a division of the Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech, was established in 1903 by and for the students of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The Collegiate Times is published every Tuesday through Friday of the academic year except during exams and vacations. The Collegiate Times receives no funding from the university. The Collegiate Times can be found online at www.collegiatetimes.com. Except where noted, all photographs were taken by the Student Publications Photo Staff. To order a reprint of a photograph printed in the Collegiate Times, e-mail spps@vt.edu. The Collegiate Times is located in 365 Squires Student Center, Blacksburg, VA, 24061. (540) 231-9865. Fax (540) 2319151. Subscription rates: $65 semester; $110 academic year. The first copy is free, any copy of the paper after that is 50 cents per issue. © Collegiate Times, 2010. All rights reserved. Material published in the Collegiate Times is the property thereof, and may not be reprinted without the express written consent of the Collegiate Times.
february 18, 2011
page 4
Alumni lured back to Blacksburg with lecture series ERIN CHAPMAN news staff writer A new program designed to get alumni and their families back to campus will begin today with a Fine Wine & Creative Cuisine event. The 2011 Drillfield Series kicks off this weekend, featuring wine and fine cuisine prepared by hospitality and tourism management students. Friday will begin with a wine and cheese reception. Saturday will feature wine and food workshops with presentations by Chateau Morrisette and the Vintage Cellar. Hospitality and tourism management professor Ken McCleary will also host a seminar on wineries as they relate to tourism. Events Saturday will conclude with a reception at the German Club Manor with food stations featuring pasta, seafood, carvings and dessert. Each station will have a specific wine pairing. There will be a swing and ballroom dance demonstration and live music provided by Ten
“
We want to get the alumni and their families back to campus for events other than football games. This series is a great way to do it in the offseason BONNIE GILBERT DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS, PAMPLIN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
Dollar Sins. Bonnie Gilbert, director of alumni relations for the Pamplin College of Business, hopes the Drillfield Series will showcase the college and bring alumni back to campus. “We want to get the alumni and their families back to campus for events other than football games. This series is a great way to do it in the offseason,” she said. The Drillfield Series will continue throughout the spring, with a session
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OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH Sociology graduate student seeking participants for thesis research on bi/ multiracial identity. Recruiting Virginia Tech students to participate in interviews Only criteria: 1) must be 18+ 2) have parents of different races In addition to fulfilling my own research needs, the interview will offer an avenue for individuals to discuss their own racial identities and life experiences in a confidential environment. Contact Melissa at mfburges@vt.edu to express interest in participating or to ask any questions
Getting cold time to Plan your Spring Break 2010 Get Away! Learn how to travel to beautiful locations like Jamaica, Acapulco and the Bahamas on a party cruise. Find out what other Virginia Tech Hokies are headed to your destination. -Adrian Email: Awhite@Studentcity.com for more information
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on photography in March, a look at sustainability in agriculture and natural resources in June, and a family Broadway experience in July. Each session will feature a different college at the university, allowing alumni and the community to see the talents of students firsthand. Although the February event is currently sold out, online registration is now open for the other events. Rooms have also been blocked off at the Inn at Virginia Tech for those participating in the session, for a special price of $99 per night. August will feature the 21st Anniversary of the Steppin’ Out festival. Alumni and their family are welcomed back to campus to look at research being done by the university and enjoy live music and arts and crafts. Gilbert said these events will help the university in numerous ways, and show what students at Tech are capable of. “Alumni want to come back to Blacksburg, and we want them to come back,” Gilbert said.
Drillfield Series Schedule of Events February 18 – 20, 2011
Food for Thought: Entertaining with Fine Wine & Creative Cuisine
March 25 – 27, 2011
Focus on Photography: Learn from the Masters
June 16 – 19, 2011
Sustainability in Agriculture and Natural Resources: Gardening, Crops, Urban Forestry, Livestock, and Food Safety
July 1 – 3, 2011
Off Off Broadway: A Behind the Scenes Look at Theatre Arts
August 4 – 7, 2011
Steppin’ Out at Summer Around the Drillfield
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2/17/11
people & clubs
editors: lindsey brookbank, kim walter featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
february 18, 2011
he she
She said: Celebrities don’t hold hero status, families do
S A I D
hen I began writing this piece, I was a little taken aback. Everyone is supposed W to have one hero they idolize, right? But what if
He Said: Fame unnecessary to touch lives orget Hector and Achilles; the term “hero” has lost just about all meaning amid the F warped values of the information age. All it takes is 20 minutes of watching CNN to see how low contemporary standards are set in the “hero of the week” era. Have you done some random act of good that allowed news anchors a brief respite from talking about Egypt? Congratulations hero, get ready for your appearance on “The Today Show.” Athletes in particular are regarded as icons worth emulating. Aaron Rodgers, for example, is lauded as a bona fide American hero for his skill at throwing a football to another man. Likewise, political firebrands such as Anthony Weiner and Jim DeMint are idolized for their ability to attract publicity for loudly rebuffing the opposition’s agenda. Those individuals are talented and work hard for their success, but does that really make them heroic figures? My Aunt Mary Lou fit none of the modern criteria for heroism. She didn’t earn millions of dollars for running around in shorts. Her face was never plastered on the Huffington Post for making a shocking political attack. All she did was strive every day of her life to show the next generation of Americans the importance of education. We value this intergenerational transfer of knowledge so much that teachers earn 1 percent of the salary that men who swing wooden sticks at balls make. The profession’s lack of glamour never bothered her; teaching students while feeding her own insatiable curiosity was a sufficient reward.
5
There is no higher calling than education for someone with Mary Lou’s compassion, not to mention patience. She took immense pride in guiding even the slowest learners to their goals. Her greatest legacy was a remarkable ability to discern people’s talents and inspire them to make the most of these abilities. My writing caught her eye at an early age; she lavished my efforts with praise and encouraged me to pursue excellence. Mary Lou is without a doubt the reason you read my words today. I’m one of hundreds of people whose lives are richer because of her selflessness and unfailing enthusiasm for life. William Reilly is one of the famed heroes of the Greatest Generation who fought for the promise of a better world. My grandfather was always hesitant to discuss his army experience. There was no glory in war for him; it was a tragic mistake that he hoped the world would never have to see again. One of the few stories he told was about his squad being stuck in a foxhole under a German tiger tank — certain death if the squad’s presence was noticed. Instead, William helped the men stay calm, rigged an explosive charge and destroyed a tank headed straight for exposed Allied soldiers. The matter-of-fact delivery of the story reflected the humble world view of a man who preferred to be known as a philosophy professor and father. He set high standards for his children’s education that have — for better and often for worse — been passed down to me. My family will soon have lost both of these tremendous individuals. My aunt Mary Lou
succumbed last Wednesday to her second valiant battle with cancer, and it is only a matter of time before a tumor will do to my grandfather what the German army never could. Ironically, neither of them would have liked this column. My aunt, a fiercely proud maestro of self-deprecation, would have been upset that it wasn’t funny. My grandfather has never been sent these columns. My father suspected — quite correctly — that his strong religious values would clash with the often risque content. However, if this somehow did make its way through snail mail to him, I imagine he would be uncomfortable with the praise for his military service. He was proud to have fought for freedom, but it was never a defining aspect of his life. Education, faith, the hapless New York Mets — these were things that he was far more interested in sharing with me. Like my aunt, he believed in the virtue of a well-balanced life full of family and intellectual curiosity. William Reilly and Mary Lou Marcucci are my heroes because they positively touched the lives of all who were fortunate enough to know them. The world is surely a better place for having had them stay a while.
ANDREW REILLY -features staff writer -junior -communicaton major
I don’t just have one? Is that allowed? As I watched the Grammys the other night, I saw the celebrities our society worships walk down the red carpet. We didn’t even see Lady Gaga. Does coming down the red carpet in an egg make you a hero? I am slightly frightened at the characters who have become our heroes. All I know is that Bieber Fever has taken over the world, and I am embarrassed for any of you who have seen his new movie. But knowing that my friends idolize the Kardashian girls is my worst fear of all. These women have become famous from sex scandals and their dad, who was O.J. Simpson’s lawyer. Do these things make them admirable? What happened to the heroes such as grandfathers who fought in the war, teachers that left a mark on us, or parents who taught us lessons we’ll never forget? When I was little, my first hero was a mermaid, Ariel, who could defeat the evil Ursula and marry her prince charming. It may not have been the most creative or inspiring hero, but you can’t expect much else from a little girl. I used many holidays to celebrate my heroes. My birthday cake, presents and Halloween costumes were a tribute to the ever-changing Disney characters I adored. In elementary school, my hero became my best friend. Her name was Keri, and she had four brothers. Keri built forts, climbed trees and even jumped out of them. I was shocked to meet a girl who had no fear and always spoke her mind. As the only girl in her family, she quickly learned not to let people walk all over her. She taught me to fight back as the youngest child, and I’ll always have her to thank for that. Eventually we went our separate ways in middle school. By then, I idolized my sister, who is four years older. She was popular, which meant a loud, younger sister for a best friend was not what she wanted or needed. I would have given everything to be her best friend, and she knew it. Learning from Keri, I annoyed my sister for attention. We fought for years on end, but hey — I always got her attention. When I entered high school my family moved to Delaware, and my sister moved to Texas for college. It was traumatic for me to not only be in a new place, but to also try a new experience without my sister. I was constantly reminded that high school was the time in a young person’s life where things had to get serious, and I was not mentally prepared for that. Ever since I can remember, my sister has always wanted to be a doctor. She earned a full scholarship and eventually was accepted into a great medical school. For me, I had no idea
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what I would become. I never had a life plan, but she inspired me to make my own. After settling in to my new private high school and making friends, my dad got a phone call that had the ability to change my life forever. He was being transferred to Virginia for his job. My parents were excited for my dad’s promotion, yet devastated at the idea of making me move again. They decided to rent an apartment for my dad in Virginia, so I could finish my education in Delaware. My high school was a small private Quaker school that changed the person I am today. I was inspired to get involved and make something of myself from my sister. I became the captain of the soccer team, the president of the recycling club and a writer for the newspaper. I challenged myself to break out of my comfort zone, and I achieved more than I believed possible. When I wrote my college essay, I discussed my relationship with my sister and how she was a driving force for my success. However, I have come to realize that I could never have achieved anything without my parents. They put their marriage in jeopardy while my dad lived in an apartment and traveled home on weekends for three years. My sister may have given me the passion to make something of myself, but my parents are my true heroes. They would give everything up for me and drop anything if it meant helping me. The words “thank you” will never be enough to truly appreciate what my parents did. Without their struggle and decision to keep me in my private high school, I cannot guarantee that I would be sitting here writing this column today. It sounds cliche to say my parents are my true heroes, but it’s the truth. My mom always quoted one of Bill Cosby’s famous sayings, “You know, I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.” I used to laugh at this silly remark, but now I know it means so much more. We may glorify the celebrities we watch on TV and read about in magazines, but can they support you, help you or be a shoulder to cry on? We seem to have lost the definition of a true hero. It’s OK to admire a beautiful actress, talented athlete or musician, but when you’re looking for a hero you should be looking for substance and character.
CHELSEA GUNTER -features reporter -sophomore -communication major
sports 6Baseball: Tech to kick off
editors: michael bealey, garrett ripa sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
february 18, 2011
season in South Carolina from page one
that decision. “Whoever is going to win for us is going to pitch, whether they are a freshman or a redshirt senior. I’m done rebuilding,” Hughes said. In the field, there are a number of interchangeable parts that will allow Tech to be flexible with its lineup. “Every guy in our infield can play any infield position,” Hughes said. In addition to first base, Shaban can move to third (where he started 28 games in 2010), and he will pitch in spot duty at times as well. Andrew Rash will be a versatile player in the outfield, and is a player that Hughes feels is on the verge of becoming a star. “With the way he was playing at the
end of last year,” Hughes said, “he has the potential to be a dominant player in our league.” The most intriguing newcomer is junior left fielder Gabe Ortiz, a transfer who started his career at Vanderbilt. After appearing in 13 games with the Commodores, Ortiz will start from day one with the Hokies. The biggest positional battle is behind the plate. Chad Morgan, who redshirted last season as a freshman, will battle veteran part-time player Chris Kay for the right to replace Domecus. Expectations around the ACC are once again tepid for the Hokies, but with the right combination of commitment and confidence, Hughes said there is nothing holding his team back from another surprising run through the ACC.
Roark leads emerging pitching staff ASHLEIGH LANZA sports staff writer This time last year, the Virginia Tech softball team was off to a disappointing 1-3 start. But this year’s version is starting strong, with a 4-0 start after winning the 49er Round Robin at UNC-Charlotte this past weekend. With many injuries last season, the Hokies were limited on the pitching mound. But now that the team is healthy, and with the help of a newcomer Kat Banks, the mound now has four different pitchers available for game day. Last season, Kenzie Roark seemingly struggled on the mound, going 10-20 with an ERA of 3.06, but contributed 143 strikeouts in 176 innings pitched. “She wasn’t struggling, we just didn’t score runs behind her and we
didn’t take care of things,” said head coach Scot Thomas. “She started off great. She’s going to continue to do her job and we got to continue to do a great job behind her.” Roark went 3-0 this past weekend in the 49er Round Robin. The senior started the first game of the tournament, in which she pitched all five innings. She allowed five runs on five hits while striking out four and only walking three to win against UNCCharlotte. Roark also pitched the majority of the second game against Iona, as well as the championship game against Iona, where she accumulated nine strikeouts and was named MVP of the tournament. “It feels good to win MVP,” Roark said. “I wouldn’t be able to do that with the help of anyone else.” Sophomore Jasmin Harrell went 11-10 last season as the Hokies’ No. 2 pitcher. She started 17 games and
set a school record with 19 relief appearances. She finished last season with a 3.22 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 141.1 innings. “Last year I thought I did pretty well,” Harrell said. “I feel like I could’ve done a little better in certain games but I think it was as solid as I could be as a freshman. I learned a lot.” However, Harrell had a shaky start in the Tech’s second game of the season. After 1.2 innings, she was replaced by Roark after walking four and giving up two runs. “I didn’t like my start to the season,” said Harrell. “I’m just going to be more focused on location. Last week I just got back (from injury) so I was mainly about getting my pitches in than strict location.” “She threw pretty well but she just came out of injury she hasn’t been throwing a lot of fulls,” Thomas
said. “By the time spring break rolls around she will be 100 percent.” After spending the majority of last season in the outfield, senior Ashton Ward will have more chances to pitch now that the team is healthy. Last season, Ward went 3-0 on the mound with 3.61 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 42.2 innings. She was a transfer from the University of Tennessee, where she had a great freshman season, going 27-5 with a 1.88 ERA. “I thought this was a better place for me,” Ward said. “Things at Tennessee were just not working out.” Ward picked up a win in the circle against University of North CarolinaWilmington during the weekend’s tournament, striking out three and walking two while allowing three runs in 6 innings. “The win felt good,” she said. “There are definitely things I wish I could’ve done better but Jasmin came in the end and finished it for us” Banks rounds out the pitching rotation for Tech. The freshman relieved Ward after four innings of the UNCWilmington game and gave up two runs and a walk. Her appearance was unsuccessful as Thomas had to put Ward back into the game to stop UNC-Wilmington’s rally. “I have never honestly been nervous before,” Banks said. “I could’ve done better, I just need to calm down more and trust my pitches.” Collectively, the Hokies pitching staff should be much stronger this season than last. “We’re deeper, we have a couple of seniors that we will be counting on,” said Thomas. “Not only do we have the experience, but we have quality in the depth that we haven’t had in years.” The Hokies (4-0) will take on Ohio University, Charleston Southern University and Mercer this weekend at the Buccaneer Invitational, hosted by CSU.
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