Tuesday, March 22, 2011 Print Edition by Collegiate Times

An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

www.collegiatetimes.com

COLLEGIATETIMES 108th year, issue 32

News, page 2

Arts & Entertainment, page 6

Opinions, page 3

Sports, page 5

Classifieds, page 4

Sudoku, page 4

Writer recalls youth Jewish heritage celebrated under Hitler’s reign TORIE DEIBLE news staff writer

PHILIPP KOTLABA senior news editor Author Ursula Mahlendorf will be on campus tonight to talk about her new memoir, “The Shame of Survival.” A professor emerita of German and women’s studies at the University of California-Santa Barbara, Mahlendorf will share her story on her indoctrination as a child during the Third Reich, and her realization of the horrors of Nazism. Mahlendorf will speak from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in 143 Hillcrest Hall. Collegiate Times: Could you explain the title of your book, “The Shame of Survival”? Ursula Mahlendorf: Let me give you a little bit of background history of how I came to writing it. I have been retired for ten years, and during my last year I taught a freshman class. As I was teaching this course, I realized that the students had no idea what I was talking about, and the readings I gave them, particularly about the Hitler Youth — I couldn’t get them to read the literature that I gave them. In frustration, I decided to write this book, write about my experiences in the Hitler Youth. More and more as I recalled precise incidents of my involvement in the Hitler Youth — of my enjoyment of it, my enthusiasm for it — [it] began to generate in me a sense of shame, when I realized who I could have become. The survival actually comes from the end of the war. I almost participated in a group suicide, just before the Russians came, mostly of fear of what the Russians would do to us. The survival refers to that. It also refers to [the fact] that I have a number of friends who survived concentration camps, and so, in a sense, this joy of having “survived”, and yet that is a term that is usually used for survivors of the concentration camp. So there is a contradiction in the title, and I wanted to express that contradiction. CT: One of the perspectives that makes your book so interesting is the perspective of a young girl, particularly of a member of the Bund Deutscher Mädel. Could you describe the role the organization played in shaping your world-view, and at what point you feel you were able to decisively break free from the indoctrination? UM: I give it a fair amount of attention in the early section [of the book], to the marching that we did. I was always fascinated how your body reacts first, and then your mind. This shaping began really with attention to marching — not just for boys, but for girls just as much. You have to be one of the group, completely, and your entire body has to react: the taking of orders automatically, without questioning:

Tuition decision delayed

turn right, turn left, and you do it. And then the indoctrination: through songs, through literature. Then on top of that, we had one particular youth leader who gave us, over the course of two years, a very clear instruction in what racial theory was. Racial theory was not what you would think — blacks, Jews, Slavic peoples were automatically racially inferior. But even within the German population, you had racial types, of which the Nordic was the most desirable. How did I get over it? The crucial realization that things were radically wrong came actually in ’45, when we had to flee from the Russians, and there was no attempt to do anything for the civil population; it was just total chaos. In fact, we were told that we should stay, that it was betrayal of the Fatherland if we saved our lives. Hitler Youth males, who were also trying to run away, were hanged. The cruelty of it — that for the first time really hit me. It had hit others before that, but I had been closed-minded. That was a revelation. CT: You received a Fulbright Fellowship at Brown University. Later you returned to the United States permanently and became a naturalized U.S. citizen. What led you down that path? UM: [I had] a great deal of disillusion. For a young person, you found out what nationalism and Naziism had done, and in a sense it was almost a conversion to a democratic way of dealing with life and with political life. Germany, at least in the ’50s, was still very authoritarian; I couldn’t stand the political system and the denial. CT: German society has a word, Vergangenheitsbewältigung, roughly meaning “coping with the past.” How would you assess modern Germany’s approach, particularly since 1968, in coping with its Nazi past? UM: They’ve done very well, at least the intellectuals and actually the state itself. It started with paying reparations to Israel and, often belatedly, recognizing German-Jewish citizens’ claims — and with at least the official attitude of a recognition of Nazism as a political evil, if you wish. CT: In the immediate postwar years, millions of Germans, including yourself, were evicted from their Eastern European homes. In your book, you argue that this was the just price to be paid for the crimes of the world war. Could you explain that viewpoint, and do you think that the notion of collective guilt or guilt by association is appropriate in this case? UM: You could, of course, argue — and there are a number of Germans who argue that particularly for the younger generation — those who did not participate at all, it’s just their guilt

Jewish students at Virginia Tech are looking to promote their culture through Jewish Awareness Month. Running from March 14 to April 15, the theme of the month is “The Questions That Guide Us.” “A big part of Judaism is studying Torahs, studying text, reading and studying and then asking questions. It’s not about this is what we read and then studying, it’s about asking questions,” said Sue Kurtz, advisor and director of Hillel at Virginia Tech Hillel at Virginia Tech, the foundation for Jewish campus life, as well as the Department of Student Activities and Multicultural Programs and Services, are sponsoring the majority of events.

by association; they happened to be there. But my point about it really is that there were plenty of opportunities in the 1930s and ’40s to see what was happening. And very, very few people actually did anything. Now, in part that can be explained by fear, but at the same time, there were numerous occasions that when people stood together and resisted. But an entire population just accepting and the triumphs of Nazis, as long as it was during the various invasions that were military successes — they were jubilant. Everybody! Even those who said they were doubtful about it always. There’s a price to that. I don’t like the notion of “collective guilt,” because that automatically — you see, that sort of — what I might mean by my “That’s the way it is” is that you really have to accept it personally and take personal responsibility. Collective guilt really in a sense says, “I don’t accept it.” There’s a subtle psychological difference to me, anyways. CT: So the way you view it is that applying the term “collective guilt” is really disingenuous to start off with? UM: Yes. It’s all about personal responsibility. And the moment you participate in anything, even if you just stand there, you’ve got to take responsibility for it. That’s the issue. CT: What message do you hope the reader comes away with after reading your book? UM: For one thing, what I wanted to do — and at first I wasn’t very much aware of that — is show how Nazism took over a small, little town that basically was off the political spectrum, that was just a little town, backwards, in some back woods, and nevertheless that whole town was changed. The other thing is to differentiate the picture that usually young people here [in the United States] get about what Hitler Youth was like, which is a

“I think we should all cross over boundaries and learn about each others cultures. There’s so much happening on this campus and there are so many people and I feel like there is not as much awareness that there needs to be,” Kurtz said. Kurtz said she wished more students were aware of other events Hillel plans at Tech, including a Monday lunch for students and a traditional dinner Friday nights. There are about 2,000 Jewish students on campus,, 700 of them active with Hillel at Tech. Student Anna Isserow said she was anxious for the events of Jewish Awareness Month. “A lot of questions people have are what our events answer,” Isserow said. “That way, people who are not Jewish get a lot out of the month and get to learn about our culture.”

LUKE MASON/ SPPS

Ursula Mahlendorf, author of ‘The Shame of Survival,’ was a member of the Hitler Youth as a young girl. sort of grotesque simplification — but to also show, and to show how insidious this whole system was. And that insidious any political system — any authoritarian system that doesn’t allow dissent — can be. So it goes wider than the particular Nazi [regime], at least in my mind. CT: So in other words, it’s something that you believe could be replicated in other forms elsewhere? UM: Yes, very definitely. And that it can happen without one’s knowing that it is happening. If you have a few teachers, a few skilled demagogues

who get, for instance, a racial theory or something like that, [it can happen] in any population, enough resentment that somehow makes you feel special no matter what. Then any kind of demagogue can be quite successful. So [the book] is in a sense a warning. CT: Have you received any reader feedback or reactions that have surprised you? UM: Loads of surprises! [Laughs] One of the surprises was how positively the book has been received by my Jewish friends and by Jewish organizations, and how positive the response

on readings and reading tours and so forth, particularly [from] Jewish people have been. The other surprise was that I’ve gotten letters from Germans who live abroad who usually left or their parents left directly after the war, and they haven’t dealt with the whole Nazi thing at all as a family. I had not expected that I would get as many people come up to me and say, “This reflects my family’s experience, but nobody said about it, and I’ve never talked to my mother or grandmother about it. Now I can.”

Model students: Tech fashionistas show off work

GORDON BLOCK associate news editor According to a news release from Virginia Tech, the university’s Board of Visitors will not make a decision on tuition for the 201112 school year at this weekend’s meeting. The board will make a determination “later this spring.” The delay stems from the timing for the release of the state budget. “The university’s budget and tuition and fee rates are highly dependent on the state budget, which was coming to light as the university was preparing financial materials for board members,” the release said. “Additional time will be needed for the university to finalize its own budget and its potential impact on next year’s tuition and fees.” A similar delay was in place last year, when Virginia’s General Assembly was late in submitting a state budget to Tech’s administration. Last April, Tech raised student tuition rates for the upcoming 2010-11 about 10 percent across the board. In its two day meetings, the board will also review reports on diversity at Tech, new degree programs, and a scholarship expenditure plan. The board will also vote on a resolution endorsing passenger rail service to the New River Valley and the 2012-18 Capital Outlay Plan.

STUDENT-MADE FASHION ON DISPLAY FOR SHOW ON FRIDAY NIGHT IN SQUIRES STUDENT CENTER CHELSEA GUNTER features reporter Models strutted their stuff on a brightly lit U-shaped runway Friday night, wearing works of art — handmade outfits designed and created by Virginia Tech students. The Fashion Merchandising and Design Society’s annual fashion show took over the stage in Squires Student Center’s Commonwealth Ballroom Friday. The theme this year was Celestial Couture, which revolved around the governing cosmos and zodiac signs. Eleven designers compiled a varied collection of garments, ranging from everyday wear to nightlife ensembles. An intricate Yupo paper backdrop enhanced the clothing on the runway. Besides their collections, designers faced another task involving the Celestial Couture theme.

“Each designer had to make a challenge garment that goes along with the lines of their own zodiac sign and how that transitions into their personal style,” said Christie Bradshaw, the fashion show coordinator and an apparel, housing and resource management major. Three judges analyzed the garments, including Mary Woodall, the owner of SewAttitude Sewing Instruction & Design Studio in Blacksburg. As a basic sewing instructor, Woodall’s critiques focused on each design’s construction. She provided advice to all designers. “Learn to sew, sew a lot, try everything you can and never take no for an answer,” she said. The winners received a certificate and the chance to feature their garments at 310 Rosemont in Blacksburg. The store will host a live model party to celebrate and showcase the winners’ work. Senior Mary-Elise Jennings won best

DANIEL LIN / SPPS

overall designer, and sophomore apparel, housing and resource management major Kelsey Dominick was the challenge winner. Cassie Lintelman, a freshman apparel, housing and resource management major, also participated in the show. She was recently offered the first student FMDS scholarship. Her brightly-colored work was a reconstruction of her mother’s wedding dress and inspired by her Aquarius zodiac symbol. “I based it off of my personality, and I’m supposed to be part outgoing and part shy,” Lintelman said. “So I had a simple dress with a lot of eccentric details to combine the two personalities.” The only freshman designer in the show, Lintelman was excited to showcase her work. She hopes to learn from each fashion show and progress over the next few years while working with FMDS. FMDS has spent the last few weeks

rehearsing the show. “This is our biggest event that we do, and the people that get involved put all of their hard work into it and it’s finally paid off,” said Anav Kernus, the vice president of publicity. “It’s been a great success, and I am so proud to leave FMDS with this amazing event.” The show gives students the opportunity to learn more about this small 115-member society. “A lot of students probably don’t even know that there is a fashion major here,” said Sara Kohart, the Banquet and Fashion Show Coordinator. “They can see how talented their peers really are.” FMDS will be featuring its fashion show on VTTV, providing students who missed the live fashion show with a chance to see it again. VTTV is owned by Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech, the Collegiate Times’ parent company. The society opens its arms to anyone who has a passion for fashion. “You can be an architect, engineer, guy

or girl and it doesn’t matter,” said Jordan Lobik, senior and president of FMDS. Whether students have an interest in designing, planning or even working for the backstage crew, FMDS has several ways to get involved. The fashion show is a change of pace. “It’s a large scale event for such a small society and there is nothing like it on campus at the moment,” Lobik said. Besides planning fashion shows and banquets, the society provides many networking opportunities based on the available trips members can go on. In fact, in the next few weeks, members will be headed to Atlanta for the America’s Mart to help with Market Week, which is where all the buyers go. Besides the last trip, FMDS will tie off the year with elections in about a month. FMDS will begin to plan for next year’s fashion show immediately after officer transitions. Those interested in learning more about FMDS can check out its website at fmds.org.vt.edu.

2 news

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

march 22, 2011

what you’re saying //comments from online readers... On “Ballers” at McComas Hall: Anonymous>> Come to War. The majority (MAJORITY) of the people that come here are actually in it for a good workout, not to impress their friends or show off their leggings butt to all the guys. You cant walk 5 feet in McComas without encountering some kind of this crap.

virginia McDonnell approves eligibility software Gov. Bob McDonnell today ordered all executive branch state agencies to use E-Verify to check employment eligibility based upon immigration status for all new hires by June 1. His order speeds up a process already under way through 2010 legislation requiring state agencies to

enroll in the federally administered E-Verify program by Dec. 1, 2012 and then use it for new hires thereafter. McDonnell has pushed the time frame up 18 months. E-Verify is an Internet-based system operated by the Department

of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration, that allows an employer to check the eligibility of an employee to work in the United States. —olympia meola, 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

13216540656465514

crime blotter

COLLEGIATETIMES

#1 Again! Voted Best Apartment Community By Readers of the Collegiate Times!

Yes, you can live in a 3 bedroom Foxridge apartment home for only $314 a month* (per person). You also get 2 huge pools and a giant FREE fitness center. Park right outside your door with plenty of open parking for friends. No worries with 24 hour emergency maintenance. Ports throughout for Comcast high speed internet-discount pricing for Foxridge residents. The biggest value in Collegiate Living is Foxridge. Welcome Center open 7 days a week.

opınıons 3

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

march 22, 2011

Western media lacks insight, compassion in covering recent crises oday, unpopular Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is pointing T the barrels of his military’s weaponry at his people as they assume their sense of agency for the first time ever. All of a sudden, the world’s attention falls upon Libya as violence has risen. The country in northern Africa, which is the world’s 17th-leading producer of crude oil, has Western consumers cowering in fear of rising gas prices. Major violations of human rights have been executed by the Gaddafi regime for the last 41 years, and we finally have a citizenry rejecting totalitarian rule. Libyan protestors have rejected the incumbent power structure and are losing countless lives in the process, yet the big news in America and the rest of the Western world is that the unrest will cause a spike in gas prices. Gaddafi is a madman running a country, commissioning genocide of his own people vis-à-vis fighter jets bombing the citizenry. Fighter jets are defecting to Malta while the dictator swears up and down that he will not leave the nation, throwing his militarized weight around and squashing insurgents. This mindset violates deontological ethics, though we must assume that the revolutionaries in Libya overthrow Gaddafi in order to subscribe to utilitarian ethics. The outcome that Gaddafi prefers — his remaining in power — would instill a set of consequences that violate utilitarian ethics. Through deontological ethics there is nothing that stands as ethical in Gaddafi’s remaining in power. There is no sense of ethics in Gaddafi’s ideas at all. The media’s perpetuation of instability in this region — especially on a marginally powerful crude oil producing country like Libya — as such caused the price of crude oil to rise artificially. But seriously, our concerns rest in the interests of our dependency on oil? Why are ethics and morals excluded from the discourse until the pocketbooks of the Tea Partiers are affected overseas? If there ever were a time to switch from petroleum fuel sources to something else, now is the time. Clean, affordable energy is preferred; though at this time, anything will do. General Electric has patted itself on the back during its billion-dollar advertising binge to hock their electric fuel stations

events of April 16, 2007. While a number of activities are being planned for that Saturday, the one thing that won’t be taking place is an honest and sincere dialogue about April 16 and its impact. In the days after April 16, the message from university officials was that Virginia Tech was not going to be defined by this event. Four years later, the shadow of April 16 still looms over Tech in all of the wrong ways. From accusations of hiding information and lack of transparency, to how the school has interacted with the families of the victims and direct survivors, or even how it has handled the donations that were raised in the names of the victims. April 16 has become an unfortunate burden for the university. While we remember the lives that were lost that day, those who were physically injured and the families affected, we can’t forget about those of us who carry the symbolic wounds of that experience. For some of us, these symbolic wounds are hidden, but for others, these wounds continue to affect our experiences. For those of us that were on campus that fateful morning, the memories of that day are as vivid today as they were four years ago. For others, the memories and experiences are hidden away due to the pain. During the past three years, the university has hosted memorial services, candlelight vigils, a remembrance run and community service efforts as well as a various other activities. These events have helped to strengthen the community and have provided an opportunity to remember and grieve. However, one of the things that we have failed to do is to honestly talk about the events of April 16 and their impact. Everything that slightly resembles an opportunity to engage the community about April 16 and its impact is quickly silenced. I can point to several instances where opportunities or individuals were

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

to the public, so let’s give that a try. Ethanol? Flex-fuel? Fuel cells? Steam? Anything will do. So, considering that the American populace — or at least the “news”watching demography — only cares about their wallets, it’s about damn time that Obama protects our right to stab a straw into the juice-box of Libyan oil. This way, we will finally have enough time to fill our tanks up before those aftershocks demolish more Japanese homes. For the past couple of weeks, the coverage of Japan has been economiccentric. Though Japan recently was a major player in the global economy, keeping tabs on the decline of the Nikkei is not really any sort of news I want to hear. We need to know how humanitarian agencies are channeling the use of the text-message donations to the clean-up process. Instead of the increased demand for oil due to ballsout clean-up, tell me about the families who have received closure from the waves that washed away thousands of the drowned Japanese victims. Japan is a wreck. Instead of casually casting your small, arbitrary nugget of philanthropy, hold the non-government organization of your choice accountable. Make sure the money is going toward the rebuilding of hospitals, schools and other parts of the infrastructure. Make your part of the philanthropy be the whistleblower who diverts money from mismanagement to the victims of the devastation. In fact, it may be equally important to consider routing philanthropic donations to the Libyan population. Hopefully, the poorly explained tardy display of aggression against the abstract opposition will be finished soon, regardless of the American government’s misleading position on its motives. The Afghan populace needs your help in reconstructing their infrastructure; so does Iraq, and so will Libya. Let’s make sure the money we send actually does something.

BEN WOODY -regular columnist -senior -English major

Community should start dialogue on events of April 16 less than a month, our community will come upon the In fourth anniversary of the tragic

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

scuttled. Some argue that such conversations would be inappropriate due to the pending litigation against university officials, while others say that it is too early to have such a dialogue. How much time has to pass before we can engage each other? The only conversations and examinations of April 16 have essentially happened behind closed doors. Immediately following the events, then-Gov. Tim Kaine commissioned a task force to look into the events. While it held a forum at the Inn, it wasn’t designed as a forum to listen to the community, but was rather an information gathering and question session with university officials. While the task force had a website to solicit information and comments, this wasn’t true engagement. The families of the victims have had opportunities to engage the governor and university officials. Even in these arranged sessions, the engagement hasn’t been as fruitful, as reported by those that have shared information from those meetings. I argue that in order for Tech to move forward, it needs to be willing to allow the community an opportunity to have a dialogue about April 16. We can’t be afraid to talk and reflect about this event, and can’t be afraid to deal with the various opinions and feelings that exist. These conversations will be difficult and will be painful, but they need to happen. I realize there will be those in the community who are only concerned in spewing hatred or casting blame. We can’t be afraid of those voices, but rather we need to be strong enough to hear those and to overcome those with other voices of reason. We cannot be held hostage by this fear. In the report from the Department of Education on its investigation about Tech’s handling of the events, one can clearly see a defensive tone in the response from the institution. I believe it is this defensiveness that continues to affect the interaction and relationship between the university and the families of the victims.

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

VIRGINIA GREENE/Collegiate TImes

Students must also deal with federal funding cuts hroughout the ever-long budget debate, we have comT monly heard the government asking its citizens to make sacrifices — to take cuts and reduce benefits in hopes of reclaiming financial balance. Yet, the difficulty of legislating these sacrifices is determining who and how much. These two factors are the causes of many heated debates and protests. So, let’s talk Pell Grants. This discussion revolves around two questions: Should college students be asked to make financial sacrifices just like most other voting citizens right now? And if so, how much? The proposed cuts, which look poised to pass in the House of Representatives, would total around $5.7 billion. With about 27 percent of college students nationwide receiving Pell Grants, that would decrease the maximum yearly grant from $5500 to $4705, a difference of $845. Additionally, about 1.7 million students who receive lower yearly grants would be ineligible for the program altogether. As someone who receives Pell Grant money, these cuts feel like someone taking money directly out of my wallet. As most of us know, the budgets of college students are quite slim. Virginia Tech tuition, especially out-of-state, will have most of us locked down with student loans for a decade or so. Add on rent, textbooks, food and a couple too many beers downtown, and that $7.70 per

While the institution has implemented a number of changes as a result of the events of April 16 ranging from the emergency alert system, upgrades to classroom doors and aspects of campus infrastructure, what have those changes led to? Have these things made a difference? Have all of the recommendations been implemented? What else needs to happen? While many institutions around the country have heeded the lessons of that day, and have implemented their respective response systems, what else can we do? I believe Tech can become a leader in engaging and dialoguing with the community after such a tragic event. We as an institution need to create opportunities for members of the community to come together to talk and reflect about April 16. These have to be opportunities where actual engagement and dialogue take place, not just attending another lecture or

hour Subway job between classes doesn’t give much leeway. The Pell Grant money isn’t just a check. It’s a semester’s rent, a month of extra shifts, more time studying and a little less stress every time I check the bank account. It’s literally three years I won’t be paying back student loans. For some it means even more — it’s the difference between going to college or not. As much as I depend on this federal money, I don’t believe the college student’s financial situation garners an exemption to the sacrifices asked to the typical American family, worker or individual at this time. As much as we don’t want to admit, or act like it, being 18 years old carries with it responsibilities and therefore the expectations of adulthood, which involves sacrifices. Preventing secondary education funding from being cut just pushes the financial burden onto some other group or demographic. One of those responsibilities of adulthood is earning and working for the things you want. In this case it’s a collegiate education. So, should Pell Grant funding be cut? Even though it means I probably won’t qualify for a grant next year, yes. Now, by how much? The program shouldn’t be eliminated altogether because it allows people to go to college who wouldn’t otherwise be able to without the Pell Grant money.

a presentation. As a community, we have all of the resources to make this type of forum happen. I see these forums as opportunities for the survivors (both literal and symbolic) of April 16 to come together and talk with each other, as well as those that joined the community after the events and how it affected them. These opportunities for dialogue need to be sustainable and need to take place each year as a way to honor and learn from those events. These conversations should and can happen at any time during the year, not just on or near April 16. If the institution is unwilling to undertake such a effort, why couldn’t a student group take the lead, or a faculty member teach a class on April 16 and its impact? There are many opportunities for something to happen and should be allowed to happen without fear of being censored. By failing to engage the community in a dialogue, Tech will contin-

This cause was the founding principle of the program and should be its fundamental purpose. The current budgetary problem with the Pell Grant program, and with most other federal spending programs, is it is bloated. Federal funding for the program has increased 400 percent over the last 10 years. This of course would be great, if the country could afford it. At one point we might have been able to, but the truth is, we cannot anymore. It’s difficult for a bloated program to be cut because it is accustomed to the excess spending. Students who wouldn’t normally qualify for Pell Grants, like myself, received them because federal money was pumped into the system. Now that our federal budget is in a financial mess, we have to cut those programs that grew beyond their founded principles. The Pell Grant program needs to get back to its roots and give money only to those students who wouldn’t be able to attend college without it. If we are serious about cutting spending, and we should be, then students should be asked to make the same sacrifices every other sector of our country is being asked to make right now.

MATTHEW ENGLISH -regular columnist -senior -architecture major

ue to be negatively defined by the events of April 16 and its subsequent response. The events of April 16 will never go away or be obscured. It is not too late to begin to move forward and discuss April 16 in a different light. It would be unfortunate for the future remembrances to continue to be clouded by accusations of blame and frustrations about the lack of transparency by the university and the negative interactions with the families of the victims. It is time that April 16 is seen in its appropriate light and not as a burden on our community.

RAY PLAZA -regular columnist -graduate student -curriculum and instruction

College Media Solutions Ad Director: Nik Bando Asst Ad Director: Brandon Collins Account Executives: Emily Africa, Matt Freedman, David George, Melanie Knoth, Hunter Loving Inside Sales Manager: Wade Stephenson Assistant Inside Sales Manager: Diane Revalski Assistant Account Executives: Maddie Abram, Katie Berkel, Kaelynn Kurtz, Erin Shuba Creative Director: Chloé Skibba Asst Production Manager: Casey Stoneman Creative Services Staff: Tim Austin, Jennifer 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 direct 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, visit reprints.collegemedia.com. Subscription rates: $65 semester; $110 fall/spring. The first copy is free, any copy of the paper after that is 50 cents per issue. © Collegiate Times, 2011. 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.

march 22, 2011

page 4

Egyptians rally support for changes to its constitution

Student in YouTube fiasco leaves school LOS ANGELES — UCLA announced Friday that it would not discipline or further investigate the student who released a controversial online video in which she complained about Asian students’ behavior and mimicked an Asian language. But later in the day, the student, Alexandra Wallace, announced that she was withdrawing from the University of California, Los Angeles because of death threats and because she had been “ostracized from an entire community.” In a statement released to the Daily Bruin, UCLA’s student newspaper, she apologized for offending Asians and called the video a mistake. Wallace’s three-minute video had triggered a national discussion about racial stereotyping and what authority, if any, colleges have over students’ speech and opinions. Before the young woman’s withdrawal statement, free-speech experts had praised UCLA’s decision not to discipline her and said other universities increasingly face such incidents in

the Internet age. Administrators’ decision to drop the probe came with a scolding for Wallace. “While we were appalled and offended by the sentiments expressed in the video, we have uncovered no facts to lead us to believe the student code of conduct was violated,” UCLA spokesman Phil Hampton said. UCLA’s conduct code prohibits students from making threats and bans racial or sexual harassment so severe or pervasive that it impairs another’s participation in campus life. The video by Wallace, a third-year political science major, did not do that, Hampton said. He declined to comment on her withdrawal. In her video, posted a few days after the Japanese earthquake, she complained about “hordes” of Asians enrolling at UCLA and said they had interrupted her library studies with cell phone calls about the tragedy in Japan. Wallace could not be reached for an interview Friday. In her statement to the Bruin, she expressed deep regret. “Especially in the wake of the ongoing disaster in Japan, I would do anything to take back my insensitive words. I could write apology letters all day and night, but I know they wouldn’t

erase the video from your memory, nor would they act to reverse my inappropriate action.” Hampton said UCLA police were investigating the threats against Wallace and that she had been given a secure way to take her final exams this week. Adam Kissel of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, a free speech group, said UCLA had the right to open an investigation but should have dropped it more quickly. “What UCLA probably should have done is take three minutes to watch the video and take another other three minutes to conclude the speech was protected,” he said. Students always have said nasty things about each other but the Internet now allows everyone to see that, Kissel noted. So “out of misplaced desire to protect students from perhaps crass conversation,” schools are overreacting and violating free speech, he said. UCLA law professor and First Amendment expert Eugene Volokh said the campus was wise to back off. “This woman expressed her opinion, an offensive opinion to be sure,” but did not advocate violence or harass anyone, he said. Earlier, several students said they

were disappointed the campus did not plan to take action against Wallace. Layhannara Tep, a Cambodian American who is director of the Asian Pacific Coalition student group, said Wallace should have been asked to take an ethnic studies or history class that would expose her to other cultures. Tep and others criticized UCLA for not requiring all students to take at least one such class. Two other Los Angeles area universities have grappled recently with similar issues. At California State, Long Beach, a student newspaper article ridiculed a recent American-Indian cultural festival. Campus president F. King Alexander said Thursday that the writer’s opinion, while allowed under free speech, does not have university support. At the University of Southern California, a crude Internet message advising young men how to take advantage of women has circulated among fraternities and beyond, triggering outrage. The message originated outside USC, but the university’s chapter of Kappa Sigma, the fraternity to which it was sent, has been suspended during an investigation, officials said Friday.

Volunteers Wanted

Campus Events

Sub-Lease

Events

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

DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM

SUMMER SUBLEASE 1 bedroom for sublease in a 4 bedroom apartment in The Village Phase 2 available May to AugustContact Alysha 7578224803 for more details 757.822.4803

SKYDIVE! One-day first jumps from 13,500’ from 22-jumper twin engine airplane. Gift Certificates! www.skydiveorange.com 540.943.6587

LARRY GORDON & RICK ROJAS mcclatchy newspapers

Burruss Hall; 11AM LectureDemonstration; 7PM Interactive Performance; Admission: $8 College students w/ ID; $18 General; $12 Children 12 and under; Tickets 540/231-5615 or www.tickets.vt.edu Presented by The Center of Dance, Carol Crawford Smith, Founder and Artistic Director; Co-sponsors Downtown Blacksburg, Inc., Local NAACP, Main Lee Gallery, Shelter Alternatives Info: 540.558.8767

Help Wanted *****BARTENDING***** MAKE UP TO $300/ DAY. No Experience Necessary. Training Available. 1-800-965-6520 EXT210 THE TOWN OF Blacksburg is currently accepting applications for the following position: Summer Camp Counselor. For more information, please visit our website: www.blacksburg.gov. An EEO Employer M/F/D/V

WORDFIND • Theme: Windsor Hills Apartments Locate the list of words in the word bank in the letter grid.

(540) 552-1515 • www.windsorhillapts.net

W K

W I

W P

W M

W G

W C

W X

Affordable Awesome S Basketball Bus Stops H Clubhouse H Convenient A Dog Park Facebook F Fantastic F Fitness Center O Friendly Grilling R Pets D Picnic Tables A Quiet Sundeck B Swimming Pool L Views E Windsor Hills Yappy Hours E

W C

W E

W K

By Michael Sharp and Angela Olson Halsted

ACROS S 1 They may be indoor or outdoor 5 Starr with rhythm 10 Angel dust, for short 13 Yearn (for) 14 Like a supportiv e crow d 15 Come as you __ 16 China fla w 17 Far from dense 18 Source of rays 19 “W est Side Story” duet 21 Prepare to seal, as an envelope 23 Classic Welles role 24 Whopper

25 Sunscreen letters 27 7-Down’ s “Casta diva,” e.g. 29 UN workers’ gp. 30 Fab riva l 31 Agt. under Ness 32 Hose 36 Playwright Hart 38 Place for a bracelet 40 Sui t 41 Like some conditional statements 43 Warty amphibian 45 Singer Sumac 46 Hard-rock link 47 Eye hungrily

WORD BANK

For Rent

48 Hunk 49 Polite links response 53 Lol l 55 Outfit 56 Drive crazy 59 Back talk 60 Like former admirals 62 Surefooted goat 63 Pre-holiday day 64 Handle with skill 65 Hindu royal 66 Shriner ’s cap 67 Lowly workers 68 Part of Q.E.D.

mcclatchy newspapers CAIRO — A majority of Egyptian voters — 77 percent — supported constitutional changes leading to general elections within six months, according to results released Sunday after the first voting since the fall of President Hosni Mubarak. Mohammed Ahmed Attiyah, head of the judicial committee in charge of the referendum, said 18.5 million Egyptians voted on Saturday in favor of the changes, which strip away many of the broad executive powers and political restrictions of the Mubarak era. Turnout was 41 percent, more than double the turnout in the last election under the former regime. Whether for or against the proposed amendments, Egyptians were overjoyed at what they considered their first real vote, discounting the decades of rigged polls under Mubarak. Monitors reported no widespread fraud, but noted smaller irregularities and raised concern about the use of religion to persuade voters. A power struggle is brewing between

NAGS HEAD 4 month College Student Summer Rentals May to August, $450/mo/person, seabreezerealty.com 252.255.6328 PHEASANT RUN TOWNHOME For rent or sale! 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bath, great condition and location! Contact Tony at 304-281-0006 or angela.g.leo@gmail.com

Islamists and secular Egyptians. Both sides invoked religion in their campaigns ahead of the referendum, but the Islamists in particular hammered home the message that a “yes” vote was a vote for Islam. The Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist group and by far the bestorganized bloc in the country, benefits from the quick fixes to the constitution. The coming elections would pit the veteran Brotherhood activists against loosely organized political groups that came together during the 18-day revolution. There’s also concern that the “yes” vote boosts the Brotherhood’s nemesis, Mubarak’s National Democratic Party, which seeks to regroup. The amendments will relax the rules of political candidacy and limit executive powers.. The most notable changes include: four-year presidential term limits, full judicial oversight of elections, curbing emergency laws, more room for independent candidates, and the repeal of “terrorism” laws that were used under Mubarak to bypass civilian courts and justify open-ended detentions with no judicial involvement.

North Main Living 5 BED/3 BATH HOUSE $1550/MONTH Awesome location, huge yard, fireplace, master suite, deck w/hot tub. Will go fast! Must see! jasonbrauns@gmail.com 4 appt.

5 & 6 BEDROOM HOUSES

Buckshot LaneLeases staring June1 $300-$350 per bedroom FREE Parking NO PET Deposit Internet/ Satelite Hook UP W/ D and DW’s in all units 540-552-1160

CONDO 2011-2012

OLTY Properties is now offering a very nice, privately owned and managed 4 BR/2BA condo for the 2011-2012 academic lease year (NO WAITING LIST). Rent is $1,200/ month ($300/ BR) (water, sewer and trash is included). This unit has laminate wood floors and washer/ dryer. Conveniently located and on VT bus route. Call David at 540.392.5989 for more info. 540.392.5989

FOR RENT

Pheasant Run Townhome. 4bedrooms/2.5bath. In great condition! Call Frank at 540-375-0002

Today’s Radio Schedule ed Mix scs Di Art Day

w Ne ic s Mu

Jaz

3/22/11

HANNAH ALLAM

DOW N 1 Warsaw __ 2 Bounc e 3 *“Heads up!” 4 Dark brown pigment 5 Mesmerized 6 George’ s musical partne r 7 Bellini opera 8 *Pioneering Frank King comic strip featuring Walt and Skeezi x 9 1990s “Inside Edition” host 10 Shells, e.g. 11 Unusual companion? 12 10-Down type 17 *A ward-winning author of “The Absolutely True Diary of a PartTime Indian” 20 Tiny bite r 22 Lifte d 24 Sleeveless summer wear, or what each answer to a starred clue might be said to have

7-9 AM - Jessi Schmale

*** WUVT “5 Minute” News at 7 PM *** lty

cia

9AM-12PM - Michael Mosley

7-9 PM - The Soul Jones

Spe

12-2PM - Parrish

9 PM-12 AM - The Money Shot

2-3:30PM - Stu Ruiz

12-2 AM - Jeff Craley

rt ht A Nig ty cial Spe

3:30-5 PM - EJ & Katie

2-4 AM - Reo & Jamaal

5-7 PM - Esteban Bueno Presenta Jazz Caliente 25 Climbing lane occupant 26 Uni v. employee 28 John in Scotland 33 *Trendy place for a breather? 34 Hard-to-find clownfish 35 Picketer ’s bane 37 Vertical passage 39 Captain Kirk ’s record 42 Stays away from 44 Pricey 49 Staf f symbol 50 Drab color 51 1990s-2000s Braves catcher Javy 52 Ed of “Up” 54 Rumble in the Jungle setting 56 Netflix shipments 57 Actress Rowlands 58 __ pol l 61 “Go Simpsonic With the Simpsons” composer Clausen Friday’s Puzzle Solved

3/18/11

4-7 AM - John Hisky

ed Mix cs Dis

sports 5

editors: michael bealey, garrett ripa sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES

march 22, 2011

Hokies swept for second straight weekend against UNC NICK CAFFERKY sports reporter The Virginia Tech baseball team’s struggles against the tough competition of the ACC continued this weekend as Tech was swept at home by No. 18 North Carolina in a three-game series. The three losses drop the Hokies to 12-10, but perhaps more alarmingly, 0-6 in the ACC. “It’s early and we have a good team,” said Pete Hughes, head coach. “We lost two really tight games at Miami with a couple of plays that could have went our way, and then we lose two one-run ball games here, so it’s not like we are looking at an obstacle to big for us to climb.” Of the three losses, two of them were not only one-run contests, but both times, the Hokies stranded men in scoring position in the ninth inning to end the game. “It’s really frustrating, but that’s just baseball — some day’s you’re going to have it and some days you’re not,” said Chad Pinder, outfielder. “I feel like if we have that approach we have in the ninth inning — when we’ve been down by these runs and we are battling back — if we can do that, then we’ll play better.” While the weekend started off with a beautiful day for baseball, Friday wasn’t the series opener the Hokies were looking for.

After surrendering a quick run in the first, pitcher Joe Mantiply seemed to be in a groove, retiring nine straight batters through three innings. However, after UNC third baseman Colin Moran beat Mantiply to the bag on an almost-double play that would have ended the fourth inning, Mantiply surrendered a three-run home run to the next batter, increasing the deficit to 4-0. “I was a little frustrated that I didn’t end the inning there and lost focus a little,” Mantiply said. “(Wierzbicki) is a good hitter and he took advantage of my mistake.” From that point, Mantiply unraveled. After giving up three more in the fifth, Mantiply was pulled after facing just one batter in the sixth. He finished his day with eight runs to his name — the highest total in his college career. “I think (UNC’s) lefties did a great job hitting left-handed pitching this week,” Hughes said. “Joe is usually very good at the inside part of the plate, and he left a couple of balls up. They were good enough of an offensive team to capitalize on it.” Tech finally got on the board with a two-run shot by Matt Blow, his second of the season, but the game was far from reach at that point. Tech dropped the opener 10-4 with Mantiply taking his third loss of the season.

In the middle game of the series, the Hokies played the Heels in a much closer game, but again, an early deficit was Tech’s undoing. With two outs in the fourth inning, UNC DH Tom Zengel doubled with the bases loaded to put the Hokies in a 3-0 hole. Adding another in the fifth, UNC had built yet another 4-0 lead. In the sixth inning, the Hokies started mounting a comeback, starting with Gabe Ortiz’s solo blast to begin the frame. A two-out double by Tim Smalling and a single by Ronnie Shaban gave the Hokies another run and Tech was within just two. Headed into the ninth, the Hokies were down 5-2 and following a leadoff single by Shaban, two quick outs by Michael Seaborn and Blow made the game look all but over. Things started to look better as Pinder, not looking to be the last out of the game, kept the Hokies alive with a triple, bringing in Shaban. After a double by Chad Morgan, the Hokies were suddenly within one run of the Heels and had a runner in scoring position. However, the excitement was shortlived. Ortiz struck out to end the Tech rally and left the Hokies on the short end of the 5-4 affair. Desperate to avoid a loss on Sunday and being swept, the Hokies offense finally got started early. After giving up

two runs in the second, Tech responded in the bottom of the frame with three runs. The 3-2 lead was the Hokies’ first of the entire series. Tech didn’t keep the lead for long. The Tar Heels scored once in the third and twice in the fourth to take a 5-3 lead and put the Hokies in a position where lategame heroics would be the only way to avoid a winless weekend. “It’s frustrating that we are playing behind in the ninth,“ Hughes said. “A lot of bad has to happen leading up to the ninth inning for us to chase runs. We need to be more fundamentally sound and get better at situational hitting, so those runs are already on the board in the ninth.” Down 6-4, the Hokies put serious pressure on the Heels in eighth, as they forced a pitching change with runners on first and second and only one out. However, the rally was quickly put to rest with no damage done, as Morales grounded into a double play. UNC added one run in the top of the ninth to increase its lead to 7-4 and that would turn out to be a fatal blow for the Hokies. Yet, in the final frame of the series, the Hokies had one last rally in them. After Smalling scored on a single by Seaborn, Tech loaded the bases with just one out. However, to the dismay of Hughes, Morgan struck out looking. Jake Atwell

AUSTEN MEREDITH / SPPS

Joe Mantiply winds up to pitch. He gave up eight runs against UNC. walked to push a run across and cut the lead to just one, but Tony Balisteri flied out to center field to end the game. Next up for the Hokies is a single game on Tuesday at Liberty, followed by a three-game series at Boston College starting March 25. If the Hokies want to

be competitive in the ACC, this series could be crucial. “It’s definitely not time to panic, that’s for sure,” Hughes said. “We have 24 more ACC games left and we need to take this one series at a time and get on the board against Boston College.”

Tech ﬁnishes season with loss to Wichita State in NIT ALYSSA BEDROSIAN sports staff writer The Virginia Tech men’s basketball team was shocked Sunday afternoon, as the No. 1 seed Hokies fell to No. 4 Wichita State in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament. Tech weathered a myriad of injuries, but ultimately came up short in 7976 in overtime. Malcolm Delaney, Jeff Allen, and Terrell Bell, who came into Sunday’s matchup with a chance to become the winningest seniors in the program’s history, ended their college careers with heartbreak. “I’m just really proud of our guys. The game was kind of a microcosm

of their season,” said Seth Greenberg, head coach. The Shockers applied pressure early with a full-court press, however it was the Tech’s zone defense that proved to be more successful. Wichita State’s leading scorer, J.T. Durley, was quiet in the first half, with just three points and one rebound. Additionally, the Hokies forced nine turnovers and tallied six steals in the first half, all while remaining in a 2-3 zone. The Hokies and Shockers traded baskets for much of the first half, with Delaney lighting it up from beyond the arc to keep Tech in the game. The first half ended with Tech on top, 32-30. The Hokies came out of the locker room sloppy, committing two early turnovers and handing the lead back

over to the Shockers. However, a technical foul by Ragland gave Tech the spark it needed, as Delaney drained both free throws and sunk a floater in the paint to bring the Hokies back within two. With the lack of depth the Hokies have faced all year and forward Victor Davila’s shoulder injury, it was imperative that Tech stay out of foul trouble against the Shockers. Nonetheless, with just over six minutes left to play, Allen fouled out, leaving the game with 10 points and seven rebounds. Shortly after, Davila picked up his fourth foul (he also could barely lift his right arm), forcing Greenberg to turn to fan-favorite Paul Debnam. “Victor Davila’s courage today was remarkable, that’s the only way

DANIEL LIN / SPPS

Erick Green drives into the lane during Sunday’s overtime loss to Wichita State. Green scored 17 points.

Big East proves to be all hype while other teams make their mark in NCAA Tourney Go ahead and gloat, Charles Barkley. You were right, the Big East is overrated. All weekend long, as nine Big East teams were eliminated from the Big Dance, the round mound of rebound kept calling the conference “The Big Least” and pointing out much to the chagrin of Louisville coach Rick Pitino, who was two seats to his right that the conference is vastly overrated. Vastly might be a bit strong, but overrated is not. There’s no denying the Big East took a big tumble, at least perception-wise. After a record 11 bids, only ninthseeded Connecticut and 11th-seeded Marquette are left, and they beat Big East teams to advance to the Sweet 16. The time has come for ESPN and all the other power brokers of the game to realize that college basketball extends beyond the major conferences. If Butler’s run last season didn’t convince them, consider this: Four of the 16 remaining teams are 10 seeds or lower. The Big East is a victim of its megaself. Sixteen teams rake each other over an 18-game conference schedule, and by the time they get to the NCAA tournament, they’re more fatigued than TV viewers who watched every game this past weekend. Plus, the Big East benefits from being in major media markets that bang the promotional drums for the teams. If Villanova isn’t in the Big East, it doesn’t make this year’s field. If Georgetown

isn’t, it may not have, either. But such ups and downs tend to change from year to year. So enjoy yourself, Charles. Next year could be a lot different. Other NCAA tournament observations: Think Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun wants a revote for Big East Player of the Year? His Kemba Walker looked a lot more like the best player than Ben Hansbrough of Notre Dame, the winner. Don’t compare the end of the Pittsburgh-Butler game to the end of the Rutgers-St. John’s game in the Big East tournament. The officials erred in the Big East game; the players were at fault with the two game-ending fouls in the Pitt-Butler game. Dumb and dumber, as Barkley said. When does Rick Barnes come under fire at Texas? One Final Four and no national titles with a cupboard of talent. Pitino’s postgame comments after Louisville’s upset loss to Morehead State were more out of frustration than any retirement plans. He’s not going anywhere. Syracuse’s exit shouldn’t have been a surprise. This team lacked the offensive go-to guy of past Jim Boeheim teams. Carmelo Anthony is a distant memory. North Carolina is a fun team to watch, but the young Tar Heels, at times, exhibit a low basketball IQ. Marquette coach Buzz Williams should start drinking decaf.

The guy is higher strung than a student-teacher. Should be interesting to see how Ohio State reacts to pressure situations after two one-sided victories in which the Buckeyes hardly broke a sweat. Oh to be a scalper outside Prudential Center this weekend. With North Carolina, Ohio State and Kentucky, they’ll be plenty of high rollers looking for tickets. If Syracuse had beaten Marquette, there would have been more. John Adams, the NCAA head of officiating, looked like a hostage during those in-studio interviews about the referees. Notre Dame’s collapse against Florida State rivals any of the folds by Charlie Weis’ football teams. How many of you have Butler, Florida State, Richmond and VCU still alive in your bracket? If so, take a bow. Good thing CBS hasn’t commissioned Chris Christie to scale down its operation. If it did, the five-man pregame, halftime and postgame panel would be reduced as it should be. In this age of announcers who scream and yell, give me levelheaded and knowledgeable analysts like former Duke teammates Jim Spanarkel and Mike Gminski any time. Plus Marv Albert on play-by-play is a bonus.

JOHN ROWE -mcclatchy newspapers

to describe it,” Greenberg said. “He couldn’t lift his arm above his shoulder for the last three days and yet he wanted to play.”

“

We show that we can play with anybody with any line-up. Paul came in and gave one of the best efforts I’ve seen. MALCOM DELANEY SENIOR GUARD

“We show that we can play with anybody with any line-up. Paul came in and gave one of the best efforts I’ve seen,” Delaney said. “We just played our hearts out.” With a minute left in regulation, Tech’s Manny Atkins and Wichita State’s Durley swapped three-pointers, and Bell missed his three-point

attempt with 22 seconds left to give the Shockers the last possession. The Shockers came up short, sending the game into overtime. With just eleven seconds remaining and down by two, Green stole the ball, feeding it to Bell for the lay-up to tie the game. However, the Hokies defense fell apart at the end, as Ragland took it to the hoop to give the Shockers a twopoint lead with two seconds left. “I should have stayed in front of the ball,” Green said. “Hands down I should have stayed in front of the ball and we wouldn’t have had a problem.” The Hokies looked to Delaney for the last shot, yet the officials determined he stepped out of bounds before his halfcourt shot attempt, thanks to the tough defensive play of junior guard Toure’ Murry. The play was almost identical to Butler’s Shelvin Mack foul against Pittsburgh’s Gilbert Brown with 1.4

seconds remaining in the two teams NCAA Tournament third round matchup. “He stuck his leg out and I went out of bounds, it could have been contact, it couldn’t have been,” Delaney said. “I thought I had a clear lane until he stuck his leg out.” Murry led the Shockers with 15 points and seven rebounds. The Hokies had three players in double digits, with Delaney notching 30 points to end his career at Cassell. Despite the adversity the Hokies have faced this season, Greenberg continues to stand behind this team. “We lost four (guys) and all they did was win nine games in the ACC, get to the semifinals (in the ACC Tournament) and win 22 games,” Greenberg said. “It was a grind, but it was grind that was worth the ride.”

6 arts & entertainment march 22, 2011

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

Animated feature ‘Paul’ piles on the laughs Despite the banality of the movie’s name, “Paul” is a fresh and funny film. “Paul” stars British comedians Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, known for their other movies such as “Shaun of the Dead” (2004) and “Hot Fuzz” (2007). Also starring is the voice of Seth Rogen as the title character and alien Paul. Pegg and Frost play two comic book nerds from England who come to America for Comic Con, a convention that most nerds (including me) dream of going to one day. Unfortunately, their plans of a normal vacation are ruined when they come across on-the-run alien, Paul. Fleeing from government officials intent on keeping Paul on Earth, Pegg and Frost’s comic book fantasies become reality. Seth Rogen is hilarious as the voice of Paul and perhaps the funniest character in the movie. He essentially plays the same character he does in his other movies, a humorous slacker.

But since he tends to deliver laughs in this role, I don’t condemn him for not wanting to change a good thing. The movie starts out a bit slow, but as soon as Paul appears on the screen it picks up quite a bit. Of course, Paul’s dialogue that keeps the audience laughing was written by costars Pegg and Frost. Their sense of dry humor really shines through. The two comedians definitely rely more on wit than physical jokes. But although “Paul” had its share of witty jokes, it didn’t feel as smart as previous projects that Pegg and Frost have worked on together, like “Shaun of the Dead.” What made “Paul” so fun though, were its many references to other science fiction and alien movies. “Indiana Jones,” “E.T.,” “Star Wars” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” were just a few of the many movies that were referenced throughout the film. It was definitely made with sci-fi fans in mind. Steven Spielberg, director of

a number of alien films such as “E.T.,” even has a small cameo, albeit it is only his voice. Sigourney Weaver, star of the “Alien” franchise also makes a cameo appearance. It’s obvious that “Paul” is a homage to the alien genre. That being said, “Paul” isn’t exclusively for those with knowledge of science fiction. Anyone could watch the movie and still think it’s funny and enjoyable. Science fiction fans just may have a few more laughs than the rest of the audience. “Paul” may not be the funniest movie of the year, but compared to other movies that have come out in recent months, it’s definitely the funniest one that I have seen in 2011. Whether it’s the great comedic cast or the nod to previous alien movies, “Paul” is an entertaining hourand-a-half that encourages the audience to let go and embrace its inner geek.

you might also like... “Shaun of the Dead” directed by Edgar Wright and starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, this is the best of what Pegg and Nick have to offer. It’s a hilarious take on the zombie genre, poking fun at every zombie movie cliché and ridiculous horror convention.

“Mars Attacks” directed by Tim Burton, this ﬁlm starring an ensemble cast with the likes of Jack Nicholson, Annette Bening, Michael J. Fox and others is a weird and humorous parody of the B-movie science ﬁction movies of the ‘50s.

COURTNEY BAKER -features staff writer -movie reviewer -political science major

Daniel Pearl Festival showcases mix of music Kurt Vile shakes things up in new album NICK SMIRNIOTOPOULOS features staff writer Creating a new and innovative style of music by combining alternative beats with creative rap lyrics, Chidera “Chiddy” Amerage and Noah “Xaphoon Jones” Beresin, better known as the band Chiddy Bang, will be bumping the beats and blowing up the speakers for Virginia Tech students. The fifth annual Daniel Pearl Music Festival at Virginia Tech will host opening bands ILLiance and White Panda and feature Chiddy Bang tonight in Burruss Hall at 7 p.m. The music festival is an international event that was started by the family of Daniel Pearl, journalist for the Wall Street Journal who was killed by Pakistani extremists in 2002 for his Jewish faith. The event is being put on through the cooperation of the Department of Religion and Culture, Hillel at Virginia Tech and Virginia Tech Union. Hillel at Virginia Tech, according to adviser and director Sue Kurtz, “is an educational organization for the entire campus teaching about Jewish culture and customs.” These three organizations have worked together for five years to put

on this annual event in which musicians with a multicultural background perform for Tech students in the hopes of providing them with an experience that promotes religious and cultural understanding. When asked about the purpose of the event, Kurtz said, “Having a good experience with diverse people and musicians is the first step for promoting peace and tolerance.” “It is a passion of mine to promote cross-cultural understanding through any innovative communication. I love the arts and I think they have a way of bringing people together,” Kurtz said. ILLiance and White Panda both have members with Jewish backgrounds. The headliners Chiddy Bang represent a diverse background, with “Chiddy,” African American, and “Xaphoon,” Jewish American, combining to form a fusion of hip-hop and alternative music. Chiddy Bang began its musical campaign in 2008, when the duo met at Drexel University in Philadelphia. There, the two merged their musical talents, rapping and sampling. The band recently received MTVu acclaim for its hit single “The Opposite of Adults,” receiving a Woodie award, which is based on college interest.

White Panda is a new-age mashup band inspired by the work of Girl Talk. Members Tom “Procrast” Evans and Dan “DJ Griffi” Griffith grew up together in California, and were reunited in college through their talent and appreciation for this new style of music. Evans, when asked about the lifestyle of an artist, said, “I can’t complain. The best part about it is the freedom we have. We get the freedom to do what we want, when we want.” When asked about going on tour, he said, “The best part is the combination of different people and places we get to interact with.” The ILLiance, with members Sincere and Montana, hails from Long Island and has been around for about 10 years. The band plays its own brand of “hippop,” combining hip-hop and pop, but is not limited solely to that style. Regarding their musical style, Montana said, “We try to get our feet wet in every genre and put our own spin on it. We are very versatile.” When asked about the excitement of performing live, his fellow band member Sincere said, “When people listen to your music, they don’t really see you. It (performing live) gives the fans a chance to connect with you.”

urt Vile’s latest album, “Smoke Ring For My Halo,” accomplishK es a feat that countless artists have attempted, but in reaching such enjoyable results, few have succeeded. The accomplishment? Taking decades of classic, roots American rock and spinning it all together into a piece of work that sounds both current and nostalgic. It’s what makes “Smoke Ring For My Halo” a little difficult to write about — it sounds eerily familiar but distinctly new. It’s an album that’s even harder to place in a genre. There are bits of tape hiss and programmed drum beats, signifying lo-fi bedroom pop. There are sometimes kaleidoscopic layers of acoustic guitar strumming that seem to lean towards the type of folky psychedelia the Grateful Dead made. Then there are the electric guitar riffs, evocative of early roots hard rock — the kind that nowadays most people would call folk rock or country rock. In reality, what makes “Smoke Ring For My Halo” so great is not just Vile’s ability to have all of these influences present, because they definitely are, but his ability to put them to such subtle, tasteful and artful use that they get swirled up into his own unique sound. “Smoke Ring For My Halo” is a slightly different animal than Vile’s previous album, “Childish Prodigy.” Whereas “Childish Prodigy” strutted and swaggered with its fuzzy guitar, “Smoke Ring For My Halo” takes a more subdued approach. The album opens with an absolutely devastating track titled “Baby’s Arms.” Fingerpicked guitar and quiet rattles are delicately layered under Vile’s vocals. Many of the songs follow a similar framework, forgoing the noisy guitar pedals in favor of a more gentle sound. As opposed to the jam-packed sonics of Vile’s past recordings, the music on

“Smoke Ring For My Halo” is more sparse. Every sound is allowed the room to explore its own atmosphere, to unfurl and seep into every corner of the track on its own accord. Because of this more relaxed method of recording, the songs are more spacious and enveloping than the “in-your-face” walls of sound on “Childish Prodigy.” “Society Is My Friend” is a perfect example of the song being allowed to feel its own way forward, organically progressing onward and then naturally seceding into “Runner Ups.” However, Vile has not lost his penchant for the lo-fi pop, folk rock sound found on his earlier records. “Jesus Fever” is one of the best examples of this, featuring catchy hooks and an overall easy-going folk rock vibe. “Puppet to the Man” follows it up with its gritty, crunching classic rock guitars and more aggressive tone, singing “By now you probably think I’m a puppet to the man; Well I’ll tell you right now, you best believe that I am.” Many of the songs on “Smoke Ring For My Halo” are deeply personal and introspective, as if we are being invited into Vile’s inner thoughts, unashamedly putting his own doubts and questions about himself on display. Often the lyrics seem to contradict themselves. In “On Tour” he sings about getting sick of everyone around him all of the time, being able to see through them — even himself. But then in the next verse he’s screaming just for fun, being free. He wants to write his entire life down, “burn it there to the ground,” but later he’s “got it made — most of the time.” The sentiments contradict each other, but that’s just what Vile intends; this is his life, and these are his thoughts. With “Childish Prodigy,” Vile seemed to be reaching for great heights and large audiences with its squelching gui-

Kurt Vile