Parking Fees
Tech to vote on 2011-12 tuition Thursday Comprehensive Fees
2010-2011
2011-2012
$373 $326 $257 $104 $236 $195
$411 $346 $260 $104 $258 $231
$1,491
$1,610
COMMUTER / GRADUATE
$189
$198
RESIDENT STUDENTS
$189
$225
Student Activity fee Health Service fee Athletic fee Bus fee Recreational Sports fee Student Services fee
FACULTY / STAFF
$220
$225
Total
11 - 2012 2010 - 2011 20
Tuition increases for the 2011-12 school year will be voted on at a meeting of the Executive Committee of Virginia Tech’s Board of Visitors Thursday morning. While tuition is usually set at the board’s scheduled meeting in March, the decision was delayed because of the state budget’s late release. Among the proposed increases is a 9.9 percent increase of full-time resident undergraduate tuition, from $8,098 to $8,899. Full-time nonresident undergraduate tuition will see a proposed 5.3 percent increase, from $21,726 to $22,870. Tech spokesman Mark Owczarski said the Roanoke meeting place was selected for travel convenience. The committee will meet at 9 a.m. at The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center. -gordon block, associate news editor KATIE BIONDO / COLLEGIATE TIMES
Thursday, April 21, 2011
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COLLEGIATETIMES 108th year, issue 50
News, page 2
Weekend, page 5
The Bar hopes to buck trend
Opinions, page 3
Sports, page 4
Classifieds, page 4
Sudoku, page 4
A perpetual battle NICK SMIRNIOTOPOULOS features reporter Cancer destroys lives — it can physically and emotionally break a person down to nothing. But Jay Brady views his recent Leukemia diagnosis as both “a blessing and a curse.” Brady graduated from Virginia Tech last May with a communications degree. Unlike most college seniors, graduation was not the touchstone of Brady’s year.
This is part one of a twopart series on Tech students battling cancer. See part two tomorrow.
MAZIAR FAHANDEZH AND DANIEL LIN / SPPS
Tom Long straddles the restaurant’s new $9,500 mechanical bull at The Bar. The Draper Road restaurant will replace Abella Cafe.
THE BAR WILL HOST BULL RIDING CONTESTS ON SUNDAYS WHERE CUSTOMERS CAN WIN $500 CLAIRE SANDERSON news reporter Abella Cafe is undergoing another makeover, this time to become The Bar Blacksburg — home of a mechanical bull. The Bar is Tom Long’s vision. Long, a Virginia Tech graduate student, entered a partnership with Abella Cafe’s owner, Sam Okoronkwo. The two men will work together, and Long will be in charge of daily management. The Bar has been operating for about a week. Its grand opening will be Saturday, and John Gaskins of Boogieburg Soundsystem will DJ a show for the night. One of The Bar’s main attractions is its $9,500 mechanical bull. Nearby businesses hope the bull’s popularity will bring more people to their shops too. “I do think that being located across from the only mechanical bull in 150 miles is pretty sweet from a business perspective — or any other perspective,” said Gaskins, who is also a manager at She-Sha. The Bar’s website features a detailed nightly event calendar. Sunday nights are set aside for bull riding. On Sundays, customers can enter in separate men and women bull riding contests for a chance to win $500 or whatever is the pot, whichever is less. “It’s a business, it ain’t UNICEF,” The Bar’s website says, quoting Joe Dirt. Long said The Bar’s late night food bar, which operates from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., will set it apart from other business. “It’s instant food, instant service,” Long said. “For example, you can get and extra-large pizza for $10, and all taxes are included in that.” The late night food bar is meant to increase food sales enough for The Bar to obtain a liquor license. To obtain a liquor license in Virginia, an establishment must make 45 percent of its revenue from food sales. The restaurant, previously called Oge-Chi’s and owned by
Okoronkwo, lost its liquor license in 2009 because only 12 percent of its sales were from food. For now, The Bar will serve beer and wine only. “Getting the license is important,” Long said. “But it’s making this a fun, relaxed, enjoyable place to be — that’s our number one priority right now.” Long said The Bar will be the only bar in town run by college students, for college students. He also wants to reach out to graduate students. “I’m a member of the (Graduate Student Assembly), and we’ve found that there’s not a whole lot for grad students here,” Long said. “So Wednesday night will be international night and grad night.” As a full-time graduate student in educational research and evaluation, Long said the venture is partly a way to combine business and social time. “I go to school full-time and have a teaching assistantship, and I also take care of my elderly aunt and uncle, so there’s not much time for a social life,” Long explained. “But I’ve always had a good time working at a bar.” But Long said The Bar won’t keep him from his studies. “Where everyone else is all about the money, I’m still working on my Ph.D. full time,” Long said. “So for me this just seems like the best job ever.” Despite fights and safety concerns that clouded the reputations of OgeChi’s and Abella Cafe, Long hopes to leave negative perceptions behind. “I think that by changing the perception of what this place is will change the kind of crowd we have,” Long said. “I was a bouncer for seven years, so I have a keen eye for picking out trouble before it starts.” Long said the bouncers he has hired are well-capable to do their jobs. “One of our security guards is a starting center on the Virginia Tech football team. His name is Andrew Miller,” Long said. “So there’s going to be no problems.”
Brady was diagnosed with Leukemia in March 2010 after his CVC blood results indicated a high white blood cell count. The news came as a shock to Brady. He was sick for a few weeks leading up to the blood test, but doctors said he had mono. Instead of being shocked or depressed, Brady was concerned with others. “I had to calm everyone else down,” Brady said. “I had to be like, ‘It’s okay. I’m fine right now.’ Most of it was just helping other people out. I felt like a comedian almost.” Brady tried to be strong for his friends, such as Amanda Lane, who also graduated last May. “He (Brady) is one of the most interesting and talented people I know,” Lane said, “He is always the life of the party.” That was all Brady tried to do — be the life of the party and optimistic amid a rough situation. --This year marks the 10th anniversary for Relay For Life at Tech. Since its beginning in Blacksburg, Relay has grown substantially. Last year, Tech received recognition for being the top collegiate Relay worldwide. Relay consists of a yearlong fundraising period in which participants assemble teams and work together to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The fundraising period is capped off with a nightlong event on the Drillfield where participants walk or jog around a track throughout the night as teams. The event also features food, games and entertainment.
COURTESY OF JAY BRADY
Jay Brady, a Virginia Tech student pursuing a second degree, is battling Leukemia a second time. The event will be Friday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. It is meant to celebrate the fundraising efforts and acknowledge the ongoing fight against cancer, which the nightlong relay symbolizes. Tech raised about half a million dollars for cancer research last year, which is more than any other collegiate Relay in the world. With last year’s success in mind, the Relay Executive Committee approached this year with ambitious goals. According to Adam Ford, Relay logistics coordinator, the committee’s goal is to raise three-quarters of a million dollars, which is a tremendous increase from last year. Currently, Tech is far from the goal with only a few days until the event, but Ford said they are ahead of where they were last year. Tech has raised almost half a million dollars already — it usually raises $100,000 during the night of the event alone. The fundraising period extends
until August 1. --After Brady’s diagnosis, he was admitted to a specialized medical facility at Duke University to receive intense chemotherapy treatment. Brady faced a six-month treatment period — an average of three months on chemotherapy and three months of recovery. Because chemotherapy is intensive, short recovery periods are planned in between treatments. Brady said the relationships he shared with family and friends were important to him during treatment. “They’re there for you,” Brady said. “They are the only people that would do anything for you.” After treatment, Brady showed great signs of recovery and was cleared from the facility. Despite graduating in May, he returned to school as an undergraduate student pursuing a second degree in biology. However, this February, Brady underwent a routine CVC blood test
and faced the same daunting news as the previous year — his white blood cell count was too high, yet again. He had relapsed and was sent back to the treatment center at Duke. Brady is currently undergoing additional treatment and awaiting a bone marrow transplant scheduled for May. Through all his hardships, Brady has shown an immense optimism. He appreciates many things in life that he had previously overlooked, such as the value of his close relationships and enjoying the time he has. “This is the first time in my life that I’ve been completely helpless,” Brady said. “It was a bonding experience.” Brady has taken his obstacles and transformed them into life lessons, which he wishes his peers would understand. “So many college students are materialistic — scared of what the future see RELAY / page five
Tech may add five new undergrad degrees MEIGHAN DOBER news staff writer If approved, Virginia Tech will be one of the only universities in the nation to offer an undergraduate systems biology degree and the only university in the state to offer a meteorology degree. Tech hopes to bring five new undergraduate degrees — meteorology, real estate, biomedical engineering, nanoscience and computational biology — in coming years. Before the degrees can be offered to students, they must go through an approval process. “The way things are looking right now, hopefully all will get approved,” said Daniel Wubah, the vice president and dean for undergraduate education. All the potential degrees are at different stages in the approval process, but they are anticipated to be introduced within the next few years. The biological sciences department will house two new degrees — systems biology and neuroscience. The systems biology degree evolved from the initial proposal for computational biology. The neuroscience
degree stems from the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute, where researchers would collaborate with Tech faculty to create the degree. Both of these degrees will utilize current faculty, so the university will not have to hire new staff. However, if instructors come from other departments to teach classes in the new degree, they will have to be replaced in their respective departments. “These new majors are very interdisciplinary. They have to seriously incorporate ideas from different departments’ curricula. They are being completely redesigned to be interdisciplinary,” said John Tyson, a biological science professor. A strong student demand for meteorology led the geography department to make it a formal degree. Additionally, a National Weather Service office in Blacksburg is eager to work with the program. Across the country, NWS offices work closely with universities to create strong meteorology programs. “We hope to have the program grow over time,” said Laurence W.
Carstensen Jr., the geography department head. “(It) will be different from others. We are infusing meteorology with geospatial technology,” Carstensen said. “Our students will be different from other meteorology students in a very good employable way.” Tech already hired Andrew Ellis, who has come from a much larger meteorology department at Arizona State University. He will begin working at Tech in the fall. Currently, he is the only new hire. The geography department anticipates a minor for 2012. The biomedical engineering degree is currently only a graduate program at Tech. There is an existing collaboration with Wake Forest University for the current graduate program, and the new undergraduate program would keep the partnership. This program is in its early stages and may not be available for several years. “The biomedical engineering degree is still at a very early proposal stage,” said Scott Case, the dean of engineering. “We need to get the staffing issue resolved. We
need more faculty and lab space to have a meaningful experience for students.” According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is one of the fastest growing areas for future employment. If approved, the real estate degree will be housed in the apparel, housing and resource management department and the nanoscience degree in the physics department. To create a new degree, a department must set up an appointment with Wubah. If he supports it, then the proposal moves to the department’s respective College Curriculum Committee to be approved. If approved by the CCC, the proposal undergoes a 15-day review. During this review, suggestions or changes may be made to the proposal. Next, the Committee of Undergraduate Curricula must approve the proposal. The Board of Visitors and University Council must also approve the proposal. Next, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia must be notified of the new degree. Depending on the program, Tech must either inform SCHEV of the new degree or receive accreditation to offer it.
2 news
news editors: philipp kotlaba, liana bayne, gordon block newseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865
april 21, 2011
COLLEGIATETIMES
what you’re saying //comments from online readers...
virginia
On Cars being a faster commute method than busses...
Griffith pushes for nylon carpets in federal buildings
Young Person with an Automobile>> In a visit to Universal Fibers on Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, made a promise: He’s going to try to get nylon carpet added to the list of recycled products that can be used in federal government buildings. “That creates a significant customer base that right now you don’t have,” he told employees during a question and answer session at the plant, when he was asked what he was going to do for them. Griffith, whose appearance Tuesday morning was promoted with signs around the facility in the Bristol-Washington County
who would have thought a car would be faster than a fixie. Cars won’t get you street cred at Bollos though.
anon>> Bollos: the hangout for hipsters that regret going to VT instead of VCU.
Karen>> The question shouldn’t have been “how long does it take to get to campus” but rather “how long does it take to get to my destination on campus” which would include parking the car/bike and walking to the building’s door. Bikes would’ve won hands-down...
Anonymous>> Wait, a car is faster than a bike? I chose to bike because the parking situation is not fun, it’t great exercise, and it’s actually easier to get around campus during the day.
On Tech’s Sbarro not going out of business...
Industrial Park, said he came to learn about a place that has some of the fabled “green jobs” being promoted as a possible source of economic development. As has been typical in recent public appearances, Griffith talked about energy and the need for the development of gas and oil production off the coast of the United States to help fuel the nation’s industry and its economy. Joe Parry, the company’s national sales manager for government and end-use markets, said Universal has added 200 employees in the last 18 months because of growing
demand for its recycled carpet. “It’s how we’ve survived,” said Parry of the company’s use of the recycling technology that’s used to produce its EarthSmart brand. He said China is among the company’s growing customers. Griffith praised Universal Fibers for a business model he called a win-win for the environment and its bottom line -- and said the company may actually start mining landfills to recycle discarded carpet. -debra cmcown mcclatchy newspapers
nation E-book library checkouts come to Kindle users
flanders>>
LOS ANGELES — Kindle ereader and app users will be able to check out electronic books from more than 11,000 public libraries later this year, according to Amazon.com Inc., the company that sells Kindle products. The move will allow Kindle users to borrow any of their library’s e-books, not just those purchased from Amazon, said David Burleigh, a spokesman at OverDrive, a Cleveland company that specializes in distributing digital music and books for schools and libraries.
“This generation has grown up going to malls, students have certain expectations and they want to see the same brands on campus. Dining services recognizes this and tries to bring popular chains to campus.” Great. I can’t wait until the Hot Topic opens in Shanks. Also, glad to hear the university is prepared to meet my expectations, and that we’ve shaken the idea that I am supposed to meet the University’s expectations.
Anonymous>> Yes. Once they open up a dining establishment that is found in malls, setting up a clothing store in an academic building is clearly the next step.
Donny>>
“We are working to make sure that every e-book that is in a library’s collection will be available to Kindle users,” Burleigh said. Amazon didn’t specify in its announcement Wednesday when the new “Kindle Library Lending” service would start, but the company said that Kindle features, such as keeping track of the last page read and highlighting text, will work on the library ebook selections. The service will allow users to have an e-book checked out for
about 7 to 14 days, depending on the library’s policy, Burleigh said. Three of Kindle’s major competitors — Barnes & Noble’s Nook, the Kobo and the Sony Reader — are already compatible with libraries. Every generation of the Kindle reader, which Amazon says is its best-selling item, will work with the new service, as will all Kindle apps. -nathan olivarez-giles mcclatchy newspapers
crime blotter
c-
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
04/19/2011 04/19/2011 04/20/2011
10:45 a.m. 3:30 p.m. - 11:53 p.m. 2:34 a.m.
Larceny of an i-Pod Harassment Possession of Fake ID / Appear Intoxicated in Public
Holden Hall Southgate Center Cochrane Hall
active active cleared by arrest
N/A N/A
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When are we going to get an In-N-Out Burger?
opınıons 3
editors: scott masselli, gabi seltzer opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
april 21, 2011
The Collegiate Times is an independent student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903
Your Views [letter to the editor]
Block grants prevent poverty a recent column, the author discussed the In importance of community development block grants. The grants, which were created over 35 years ago, were designed to support the impoverished. These grants are still effective at supporting anti-poverty programs. As the funding program has grown, the grant funding has supported small businesses, housing developments and local government operations. Recently, the grants have been under attack at a national level, while constantly defended by local government leaders. Current federal budget plans, on both sides of the aisle, call for grant decreases. Republican
leadership plans a decrease of 62.5 percent or approximately $2.5 billion. Democrat leadership plans for a 7.5 percent decrease. “I see the benefit of those block grants,” said Rep. Morgan Griffith, a Republican. “But at the same time we’ll have to do a balancing act to figure out what we can live without and what we can’t.” Any decrease in grant funding would be extremely detrimental to local governments across the country. I urge you to contact your representative on all levels in an effort to encourage them to vote against harsh and unnecessary budget cuts to the grants.
Michael A. Edwards senior, political science and urban affairs and planning
Prescription for parks protection he theme of this year’s National Park Week, April 16-24, T “Healthy Parks, Healthy People,” frames the annual opportunity for lawmakers to invoke the name of President Theodore Roosevelt and issue proclamations championing what filmmaker Ken Burns has branded as “America’s Best Idea.” The message seems particularly apt this year, as President Obama prepares to render a decision that will determine the future well-being of a crown jewel of America’s parks, the Grand Canyon. At issue is whether to extend the current moratorium on new mining claims around the park or allow what the administration admits will be expanded uranium mining at the doorstep of this national icon. The mining industry has coveted the Grand Canyon for a long time. Fortunately for the public, some of our most visionary presidents protected the landmark. Fearing development from mining and other industrial interests, in 1908 Roosevelt used his authority under the Antiquities Act to protect what he called “one of the great sights which every American ... should see.” Roughly a decade later, Woodrow Wilson rebuffed efforts by mining companies, signing a law that established the Grand Canyon as a national park. John F. Kennedy, at the urging of his legendary Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall — after whom the Department of the Interior headquarters is named — struck a deal with a mining company to halt construction of a massive hotel on its claimed land near the canyon’s South Rim. But the industry has not been deterred. A recent analysis of federal data by the Pew Environment Group found that since 2004, more than 8,000 claims for uranium and other hardrock minerals have been staked in public land around the park — representing a 2,000 percent increase. Yet the Grand Canyon is not the only natural landmark at risk from new mining claims. National parks like Yosemite, Arches, Joshua Tree and Mount Rushmore National Memorial are threatened by a deluge of new mining claims staked within miles of their boundaries. This rush to dig around national parks, monuments and other special places stems from the 1872 Mining Law, a frontier-era statute, which allows anyone “free and open access” to nearly 350 million acres of public land. The law includes the ability to take
what is now more than $1 billion annually in precious metals from federal holdings without paying a royalty to U.S. taxpayers, according to the Congressional Budget Office. While members of Congress in both parties have called for modernization of this antiquated measure, reform has never crossed the finish line. So in 2009, with uranium claims proliferating at the Grand Canyon’s door — and downstream metropolitan water districts of Las Vegas and Los Angeles raising concerns — the Obama administration’s Interior Department did the right thing: It issued a two-year claimstaking moratorium on about one million acres of public lands surrounding the park. Today, however, the prognosis for what the administration will do next remains uncertain. In February, the White House appeared to back away from its original position on the moratorium by failing to endorse a long-term continuation of the order. Instead of supporting the initial proposal, the administration presented it as one of four options. The other three alternatives would allow new claimstaking to resume on all or some portion of the federal holdings around the Grand Canyon that are currently off-limits. Under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, the president has until July to deliver his final recommendation on whether to extend that ban for the next 20 years or to open part or all of the area to new uranium and other metal mining. And American businesses wouldn’t necessarily even benefit. Several foreign-owned companies, including one whose majority shareholder is a Russian stateowned entity, have planted their flags at the edge of the canyon and now hold multiple claims. As we celebrate our national parks, President Obama has a unique opportunity to add his name to the list of champions who understood that the heart of a vigorous and healthy America was a robust system of parks, forests and other public lands. For the longevity and well-being of the Grand Canyon, permanently ending the rush to mine nearby uranium is just what the doctor ordered.
JANE DANOWITZ -mcclatchy newspapers
CHUCK WEIL / COLLEGIATE TIMES
April 16 memorial events important for students April 16 nears, people’s Facebook profile pictures As become Virginia Tech logos donned with a black ribbon and statuses become about the 32 wonderful lives that were lost. As a freshman, I really don’t have much of a connection with the tragedy. I didn’t know any of the victims, although a few of my friends had family members studying at Tech at the time. However, the clear recollection I hold of that day astonishes me. I come from a small town in southwest Virginia, so Tech is a large part of my local area. It was absurd to think something so sinister could occur in the peaceful rural region. As I watched the television stories about the developments in Blacksburg, I was amazed that something that terrible could happen at a place like Tech. I remember my friends’ worries about their loved ones, and I remember how Tech’s sense of community, strength, resilience and unity stunned the world. I was completely perplexed about the whole situation. Three short years later, I decided to attend Tech — it was everything I could ever want. The campus is beautiful and serene, and the sense of community Tech and Blacksburg offered allured me the second I took my first campus tour a year ago. Now I’m about to finish my freshman year at Tech. And this past weekend was the first April 16 I’ve spent in Blacksburg. After attending the April 16 events, I’ve come to believe that participating in the Day of Remembrance is crucial to the virtues and traditions Tech holds dear. A few of my friends and I decided to attend the April 16 midnight memorial candle lighting ceremony. As the clock approached midnight, I gazed up at the slightly illuminated facade of
Burruss Hall, reflecting on the 32 lives lost four years ago. The dead silence on the Drillfield exemplified the placidity Tech is renowned for. The feeling was overwhelming — chills ran down my spine, and they weren’t from the slightly frigid winds. On April 16, I attended the candlelight vigil. The amount of Tech community members that attended was amazing. The vigil also gave me insight on the 32 victims — some of them had similar interests, and some of them were involved in the same organizations I am. It made me realize those 32 students were just like me. The small acts of respect and honor held for the victims completely transformed my perspective of Tech. Tech is a university steeped in a history of service and tradition. I believe that Hokies have an obligation to respect and honor the 32 that lost their lives. Participation in April 16 events made me realize that the 32 victims were not just Tech students, but members of the Hokie family. I no longer believe that just a thoughtful quote about April 16 and a profile picture on Facebook honoring the victims are sufficient ways to remember the 32 fellow Hokies. Students have a calling to attend the April 16 Day of Remembrance events. Although most haven’t had the opportunity to know the 32 victims, they were still Hokies all the same — they were a part of Tech. Students only get four brief years to spend at the Tech, give or take. Students need to spend their four April 16 days passes properly respecting the 32 members of Hokie Nation. Students need to continue to demonstrate unity and strength, two qualities that have surprised the world years after April 16, 2007.
Participating in April 16 events exemplifies Tech’s tradition of service. Students provide service through supporting the university and the victims’ families. Students need to show the world that the university has prevailed and moved on, but also that its still respects those that perished. Although some believe that the care for April 16 has diminished with every passing year, I saw many students and community members unite at the midnight candle lighting and the candlelight vigil, demonstrating that the community has remained unified and strong. Tech still cares about the 32 Hokies that remain with the university in spirit. As students, we manifest our unity through the spirit demonstrated every time we enter Lane Stadium and Cassell Coliseum, but let’s show the world that we can continue expressing that astounding and unparalleled strength amid adversity that every Hokie demonstrated in the aftermath of April 16. The experiences I had at the April 16 events were unbelievable, and I believe that every Tech student needs to experience them. As Nikki Giovanni stated during the convocation after the massacre, “The Hokie Nation embraces our own and reaches out with open hearts and hands to those who offer their hearts and minds.” We as Hokies need to remember that the 32 people who passed away on April 16 were fellow Hokies, and we need to continue to respect them — we need to continue to show the world what Tech is all about.
JOSH HIGGINS -regular columnist -freshman -communications major
Class attendance is a courtesy that should be commonplace is common courtesy to hold the door for a person or ask someone It how they’re doing. Parents teach their children these things, so they can do them throughout life. Recently, a new common courtesy has made the list — going to classes. Class attendance might not be a big problem these days, as the semester is ending and finals are around the corner. Students are trying to absorb all the knowledge they can by attending the last lectures before final exam week begins. This wasn’t the case a few weeks ago. All classes, either in major or elective, begin with full attendance in the beginning of each semester. The rationale behind such fortunate happenings could be because it is mandatory to attend the first class, otherwise students are dropped. Some students might be interested in the material, so they attend classes to learn more about it. Some might go of curiosity about what the course has in store. Whatever the reason, the amount of students attending classes declines as the semester progresses. The full attendance in the beginning
of the semester dwindles to about half by mid-semester — to study for an exam, because of sickness, out of laziness or because of a professor’s monotone voice. Students find man reasons to skip classes. Professors are well aware of the trend and know what to expect. Some of my professors are caught by surprise, out of excitement rather than disappointment, when just a few students come to class. Some actually thank students for attending the lecture and give extra credit for attending. There is another reality in this scenario — some students go to classes for the sake of attending, because throughout the lecture they are either on their computer or have their fingers pressed on their cell phone. They are present in the class, but their hearts and minds are elsewhere. Some students are in deep sleeps when professors lecture in class. If they are going to fall asleep in class, they might as well skip the class and sleep comfortably in their bed. It is more respectful and less distracting. Whichever option they choose, it is equally disrespectful to the professors
and their parents. It is pathetic to see what’s happening, but the trend has continued for years. Pop quizzes no longer scare or motivate students to come to class. Knowing that their parents are paying thousands of dollars for them to attend college doesn’t drag their feet to go to classes. Student morale has dropped so low that college has been a sheer time pass. Party attendance is much higher than class attendance. Missing a party becomes a big deal, while missing classes does not. If students hold attitudes about college and attending classes, I can’t imagine what their futures will be like. If the students who are future builders aren’t serious about their education, I don’t know what else we could do except pray.
NAMRATA SHRESTHA -regular columnist -junior -economics major
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editors: michael bealey, garrett ripa sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
april 21, 2011
Women’s lacrosse heads into ACC Tournament after successful season ALYSSA BEDROSIAN sports staff writer
The Virginia Tech women’s lacrosse team has arguably had its best season in program history. The Hokies finished the regular season 10-6 overall and 1-4 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. For the first time since the 1999-2000 season, the team ended its regular season with a winning record. With interim head coach Megan Burker stepping in for former head coach Katrina Silva, the lacrosse program’s future was uncertain at the start of the season. Nonetheless, the Hokies have battled against adversity, proving they are a top competitor in the ACC. “I couldn’t be more proud of this group,” Burker said. “We really want-
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ed to emphasize that every game was important. Every game is so crucial to be able to come up with that winning season.” Tech faced tough competition throughout the season, including powerhouses Maryland and Duke. All but one of the team’s losses were to ranked opponents. According to Burker, the ACC has continued to be a highly competitive conference. “Being in the ACC is a challenge and an opportunity,” Burker said. “You are constantly going to be facing teams in the top-20.” The key to the team’s success this season has been senior leadership. According to Burker, senior attackmen Allie Emala and Caitlyn Wier have been outstanding this season. Emala, a four-year starter, has tallied
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Tech defender Julie Wolfinger, 14, pursues a Terrapins midfielder. 40 goals and 16 assists this season. Wier, also a four-year starter, notched an impressive 24 assists along with 17 goals. According to both Emala and Wier, this season has exceeded their expecta-
tions. “We are super proud,” Wier said. “We are so happy with what we’ve done this year.” Emala said the team had a different outlook this year.
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a lot to prove as they head into the ACC Tournament on Thursday in Cary, N.C. Tech will enter the tournament as the 5th seed and will match up against No. 4 Boston College on Thursday at 5 p.m. “It’s a great opportunity for us to hit one of our next goals, which is an ACC Tournament win,” Burker said. Tech defeated Boston College earlier in the season, recording its first ACC win since 2009, which was also against the Eagles. Wier believes the Hokies will remain confident going into Thursday’s contest. “If we play our game, then we will be successful,” Wier said. TheACC.com will broadcast Tech’s first-round matchup against Boston College.
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“Everything was presented in a different way,” Emala said. “And it was a much more successful way that we could relate to.” It is clear that the new coaching staff, headed by Burker, has transformed the program’s atmosphere. Burker and her staff began the season with high energy and several new changes. One change that has aided the team’s success is the implementation of scouting reports. According to Wier, those reports have helped the team prepare for games and learn from its mistakes. Tech has also relied on several underclassmen. Sophomore goalkeeper Alex Gale has been phenomenal, and sophomore defenseman Kristin Semones has stepped up as a leader on the defensive end. Even with the excitement surrounding the program, the Hokies still have
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Thursday’s Puzzle Solved
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april 21, 2011
editors: lindsey brookbank, kim walter featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865
weekend
COLLEGIATETIMES
Vet students throw Easter egg hunt Students dressed in
drag will strut their stuff
CHELSEA GUNTER
Check out the event calendar on the CT’s website at www.collegiatetimes.com
features reporter On Saturday, Omega Tau Sigma will host a community Easter egg hunt in front of the Virginia Tech Veterinary School on Duckpond Drive. The event is free, but guests should bring their own baskets to collect eggs. Besides a hunt, there will be games, face painting, an Easter bunny and a live bunny for children to pet. The event is expected to last an hour and begins at 10 a.m. “It’s before the spring game, so families can bring their kids,” said Derek O’Dell, a second year Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine student and Omega Tau Sigma president. Omega Tau Sigma is the National Veterinary Service Fraternity. Besides service, O’Dell said he believes that the fraternity is a way to interact with fellow students and the community. The hunt’s goal is to entertain kids and give back. “I think it’s a way for us to be able to thank the community for all their involvement with the vet school,” O’Dell said. Lindsey Grove, a second year VMRCVM student and the secretary and service chair for Omega Tau Sigma, said she hopes to “make sure that everyone has smiling faces.” Omega Tau Sigma is able to host the Easter egg hunt for free because of their fundraising. Each year at the VMRCVM spring open house, student organizations set up booths to showcase themselves. At the open house, the fraternity sells T-shirts, license plate frames, COURTESY OF LINDSEY GROVE koozies and scarves to raise money Vet students entertain children at last year’s Easter egg hunt. The hunt will be Saturday at 10 a.m. for their events.
Relay: Student fights cancer from page one
holds,” Brady said. “Cancer has taught me to live in the present.” --This year, the Relay Executive Committee is putting on a new event, the Relay Olympics. The Relay Olympics will consist of games and events where teams will compete against each other for points. The points will be added up to determine the winning teams, which will receive donations as a reward. The games will include Minuteto-Win-It, ultimate Frisbee, flag football and ladder ball. Caleb Hawley will kick off the entertainment. Bethany and the Guitar will perform later in the night. One thing that will remain unchanged is emphasis on the continuous battle with cancer. Survivors attend the event and are recognized after the opening ceremony, as they take their first laps around the track. According to Ford, there will be 100 survivors in attendance this year. --Brady’s personal experience with cancer has given many students at
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MIA PERRY features reporter Sexes will swap looks at a drag show this week. Virginia Tech’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Alliance will sponsor and host its second annual Drag Show on Thursday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the GLC Auditorium. Tami Grossman, club president and senior sociology major, said the event will be a typical drag show, with students dressed up as drag kings and queens to put on their own unique routines. “There are some group acts, some solo acts — a little bit of everything,” Grossman said. Grossman also said she expects lots of energy at the show. Anyone is welcome to perform in the show. Students from Tech, as well as Radford University and Mary
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Candles are lit at Luminaria Ceremony to honor cancer patients. Tech the motivation to participate in Relay. “I have gotten a lot of good feedback from Relay,” Brady said. “I have had friends relay in my honor and make T-shirts for me. It feels great.” Lane is not surprised at Brady’s influence on his fellow students because of his strong character and optimism.
“It is amazing to me that he can be so positive. It is very inspiring,” Lane said. “That is why people do stuff like relay in his honor. He inspires everyone around him.” Brady strongly appreciates Relay and commends the community’s effort to raise money for cancer research.
Washington University are attending. Grossman said she and her peers think the show will be a big success if it is anything like last year’s. “We had a great turnout, a great show,” she said. “We all still talk about it.” Last year’s show brought out about 200 spectators, and the club predicts the same amount, or more, will attend this year. “It’s just about having fun. It’s a great way for the community to get together,” Grossman said. “A lot of our events are more serious and are about homophobia or bullying or AIDS. So this is celebrating how you can be whoever you want to be, and where you can be someone you’re not.” The drag show is free. The LGBTA will also be holding “Freedom to Marry Day” on April 28 to fight for marriage equality.
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april 21, 2011