HOKIES GET MAULED SEE PAGE 6
DANIEL LIN / SPPS
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Making the call Reduced consequences possible for students who get drunk friends help BY ABBY HARRIS | news staff writer
W
hen Tyler Campbell tried to save his friend’s life during his freshman year, he had no idea the incident would lead to a years-long effort to change Virginia Tech’s student conduct alcohol policy. Little did he know, two other students were campaigning for the same policy change — Liz Rogers and Gabi Gonzalez Gray. Campbell and the Rogers, Gray duo were inspired by different experiences and unaware they were working toward the same goal — the creation of a Good Samaritan policy for alcohol.
The policy was officially adopted at the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors meeting in August. The “Statement on Self-Reporting and Bystander Intervention” adjusted Tech’s alcohol policy to allow possible mitigated consequences instead of pre-prescribed punishment. According to the policy, all cases involving alcohol will be looked at individually, and students’ actions on behalf of themselves or another person will be considered. Before the polCAMPBELL icy change, students who had been drinking and called for help — for themselves or for someone else because of an alcohol-related emergency — were not protected from conduct sanctions. Campbell, who is now a junior aerospace engineering major and the class of 2013 president president, received three alcohol-related student conduct violations the night he tried to help his friend in 2009. Campbell and his friend had gone to a party where she had too much to drink. He said after she began blacking out in a residence hall bathroom, he knew he had to do something. Campbell said he alerted a resident advisor, and an ambulance took his friend to Montgomery Regional Hospital. Campbell rode with her, stayed by her side at the hospital and escorted her back to campus at 5 a.m. Several days later, Campbell said he got a letter in the mail informing him he was facing three separate charges regarding alcohol. He said when an officer asked him if he had been drinking the night of the incident, he had told them the truth. Campbell said he attempted to appeal the charges but failed. “They have the Maroon Mindset, the Orange Obligation, Party Positive — all these marketing strategies,” Campbell said. “But when it comes down to it, if you want students to believe in that, you need a policy in place to protect them.” After the incident, Campbell began working toward the creation of a policy that would protect students who seek help for themselves or a friend after consuming a life-threatening amount of alcohol. “If I had lied and told that officer I didn’t drink, then chances are I wouldn’t have gotten in trouble — chances are I probably wouldn’t have done what I’ve done,” Campbell said. “The reason I did it was because I got
in trouble. It’s interesting to think of what would have happened if I didn’t get in trouble.” During the spring semester of his freshman year, Campbell wrote a paper for his English class about medical amnesty, or Good Samaritan, policies. He interviewed Frances Keene, the director of student conduct, for the paper. Keene did not respond to the Collegiate Times for comment on the policy. Campbell said Keene told him she was interested in pursuing the policy change. Campbell sent Keene his completed paper, and together, they hosted two dinners in October 2010. Campbell invited other students to the dinners to meet with Keene and discuss the policy. Afterward, Campbell said, everything was left up to the officials. “It seemed like it was a point in the process that I could no longer be involved in,” Campbell said. “I’m happy to say I was at the beginning of it, if not the one who opened the door to make this happen.” Keene presented a Good Samaritan policy to the Board of Visitors in the form of the “Statement on Self-Reporting and Bystander Intervention” on Aug. 28, according to the meeting’s minutes. By April 2011, another group on campus, with a similar goal, formed apart from Keene and Campbell. Rogers and Gray were moved to action after they heard a story from Erica Upshaw, a woman who visited Tech in April 2011 to talk about her brother who died from a an alcohol and drug overdose. Upshaw created the program Keep Friendship Alive in 2006 and has since traveled throughout the country speaking to students about partying smart and keeping friends safe. “She mentioned that Virginia Tech doesn’t have a Good Samaritan policy, and she was really passionate,” Gray, a junior biological sciences major, said. Rogers and Gray formed a group called Hokies for a Good Samaritan Policy, of which they are the president and vice president, respectively. After the two presentations, Rogers and Gray separately contacted Upshaw to ask how they could encourage a Good Samaritan policy at Tech. “I wanted to make it so you wouldn’t have to be afraid of calling for help — you could just do it and save a life,” Rogers, a junior human development major, said. see POLICY / page four
DANIEL LIN/ SPPS
Liz Rogers and Gabi Gonzalez Gray formed the group Hokies for a Good Samaritan Policy to push for a revised policy at Tech.
Students rally for cleaner energy KELSEY JO STARR news staff writer Students from across Virginia rallied Sunday to remove the Virginia Tech coal plant. “We’re asking the school to move off coal by 2020,” said Kara Dodson, a senior environmental resource management major and the Beyond Coal program director. “They’re making steps but aren’t moving fast enough.” Dodson was one of more than 50 students who rallied outside Squires Student Center wearing hard hats and shirts which spelled out “we stand for clean energy.” The rally was the final event of Virginia Power Shift, a weekend-long summit to promote clean energy in Virginia. Virginia Power Shift, which was hosted at Tech this year, featured workshops and training sessions to educate students about the advantages of green energy and how to successfully raise awareness, according to information from Virginia Power Shift leaders. Students from Tech and the University
of Richmond spoke about their personal experiences with the Tech coal plant, as well as what they want to see in the future. Madeline Rigatti, a sophomore human development major, talked about her time living in Thomas Hall, the residence hall closest to the coal plant. “When I first toured Virginia Tech as a junior in high school, the location and beauty of the mountains surrounding campus won me over instantly,” she said. “However, when I arrived at the beginning of my freshman year, I quickly realized I would have very different scenery surrounding me.” Rigatti recalled having frequent headaches, as well as hearing loud noises that prevented sleeping and studying. She also said dust from the coal plant blew into rooms in Thomas Hall. “Breathing in coal dust and being in such close proximity to a power plant can have serious health consequences, especially for someone like myself who suffers from asthma,” Rigatti said. During the speeches, students walked through a symbolic coal plant and wore doctor’s breathing masks.
“We have been working hard to get our campus off coal and onto cleaner energy,” said Jenni Swegan, a student from the UR who came to Blacksburg for Virginia Power Shift. “I think it’s really important that all the schools in Virginia and the country come together and make that movement happen peacefully.” There is also a coal plant on the UR campus, and students there have formed groups to get it removed. Dodson said biomass, a renewable energy source, is the best probable clean energy solution for Tech. While steps are being made in that direction, she said she thinks it should be working faster. Tech has yet to publish the results of a test it did over the summer of possible ways to transition into biomass, Dodson said. One of the goals of Virginia Power Shift was to form the Virginia Alliance for Cleaner Energy, according to the event’s website. VACE aims to unite the entire state to make a stronger effort to bring clean energy solutions across the commonwealth.
2 news october 4, 2011
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outside Johnston Rasche hall Main Eggleston hall
inactive arrested arrested
William Howard, 19 Moureen Barua, 19
10/01/11 10/01/11
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College Avenue Library Plaza
arrested arrested
Charles Henderson, 19 Benjamin Sweger, 18
10/01/11 10/01/11 10/01/11 10/01/11
1:16am 1:42am 1:52am 3:10pm
Newman hall Squires parking lot Slusher wing B-Lot parking
student conduct arrested arrested student conduct
Erik Reeves, 25 Andrew Phillipps, 28
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Brendan Madsen, 20
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Alexander Johnson, 19
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Connor Volk, 19
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Lane stadium Lane stadium Spring road Lane stadium Lane stadium
arrested arrested arrested arrested arrested
William Eades, 20 Timothy Wells, 26 Kevin Brooke, 30 Matthew Shaver, 20 Maurice Hargrave, 34
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Miguel Arreola, 23 Colin Hauck, 27 Brandon Burciaga, 20 Tyler Reedes, 27 Collins Lester, 20
10/01/11 10/01/11
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arrested arrested
Rachel Kirk, 20 Candice Beasley, 20
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arrested arrested
David Martin, 31 Jacon Penninger, 18
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student conduct arrested arrested arrested arrested arrested arrested
Csaey Bileter, 21 John Lellock, 25 William Small, 22 Michael Wheatley, 36 Christopher Templin, 22
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Ronald Stevens, 40
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John Jamieson, 41 Ronald Puckett, 46 Brian Kagey, 32 Mark Bleiweis, 23
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Joseph Blouchberger, 19
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Robert Shaut, 25
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arrested arrested student conduct student conduct student conduct arrested
Ruth Crouch, 44 Andrew VanVeen, 26
10/01/11 10/01/11 10/02/11 10/02/11 10/02/11 10/02/11 10/01/11 10/01/11 10/01/11 10/01/11 10/01/11 10/01/11 10/01/11 10/01/11 10/01/11 10/01/11 10/01/11 10/01/11 10/01/11 10/01/11 10/01/11 10/01/11
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larceny of a bicycle Underage possession of alcohol possession of Schedule I or II narcotics without a prescription Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public / Underage possession of alcohol Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Underage possession of alcohol Underage possession of alcohol / Attempt to flee Appear intoxicated in public / Underage possession of alcohol Underage possession of alcohol Appear intoxicated in public / Underage possession of alcohol Appear intoxicated in public / Underage possession of alcohol Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public / Disorderly conduct / attempt to flee Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public / Underage possession of alcohol Appear intoxicated in public Assault police / Appear intoxicated in public / false ID Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public / Underage possession of alcohol Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Motor vehicle theft / Carry concealed weapon / possession of schedule I or II narcotics Driving under the influence / breath test refusal Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public / attempt to flee Appear intoxicated in public / Underage possession of alcohol Appear intoxicated in public / Escape from custody / attempt to flee Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Underage possession of alcohol Disorderly conduct Disorderly conduct Appear intoxicated in public / Underage possession of alcohol Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Possession of marijuana Underage possession of alcohol Underage possession of alcohol Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Appear intoxicated in public Disorderly conduct Disorderly conduct Disorderly conduct Disorderly conduct Disorderly conduct Disorderly conduct
Lane stadium Lane stadium Outside theater 101 Davidson lot B-Lot parking Lee hall Lane stadium Lane stadium Lane stadium Lane stadium Lane stadium Lane stadium Lane stadium Lane stadium Lane stadium Lane stadium Lane stadium Lane stadium Lane stadium Lane stadium Lane stadium Lane stadium
arrested student conduct arrested arrested arrested arrested student conduct ejected from game ejected from game ejected from game ejected from game ejected from game ejected from game ejected from game ejected from game ejected from game ejected from game ejected from game ejected from game ejected from game ejected from game ejected from game
Alexandro Garcia II, 20
John Wiley, 20
Derek Sheehan, 18
Dylan Grimm, 21 Michaeel Lane, 21 Charles Loverude, 26 Lucas Sachs, 18
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All the more reason to go to Google+. Facebook has been going downhill since 2009. I’m nearly done with it. When they made the change that posts everything you do to your profile and you have no control over it but to delete it manually, that’s when I said I’m done. I just wish so many people weren’t on there.
opınıons 3
editors: scott masselli, sean simons opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
october 4, 20111
The Collegiate Times is an independent student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903
Our Views [staff editorial]
Football falls short on national stage or the first time since F 2007, Virginia Tech football was 1-0. A few weeks later, it was 4-0. Then came the cold, the rain, ACC conference play and the Clemson Tigers — a lot of the Clemson Tigers. Saturday sucked. After four weeks of an unstained record, our expectations crashed for the 25th iteration of Frank Beamer’s tenure. We watched as the eccentric David Wilson fumbled for the third time in three games, Logan Thomas struggled to find any rhythm, and “Pride and Joy” (the name given to special teams) humbly walked off the field to a chorus of boos after a series of sub-par punts. The next morning was the hangover, complete with highlights on ESPN and a 10-place drop in the polls, as Hokie fans slowly accepted the game was not a dream. News of another Georgia Tech victory only turned more stomachs — even a division championship won’t be a given this year. On Saturday night, the collective feeling was of angst and shame. Yet again, Tech laid a dud on the national stage, supported in vain by a terrific defense and a sensational offensive player. In 2009, Tech led eventual-national champ Alabama at the end of the third quarter, only to have an exhausted defense finally give way to Heismanwinner Mark Ingram and the Tide. In 2010, we lost to Boise State and in the “game that shall live in infamy.” We were also steam-rolled by Stanford in the Orange Bowl. And once again, we left something to be desired Saturday night. There were grumblings that perhaps this is the leg-
acy of Tech football in the 2000s — a good-but-notgreat team that gets its 10 wins but too often comes up short in big games. Although many fans would quickly point out that we ought to be happier for our constant success (the folks up in Charlottesville are well aware of how rare a 10-win season is), there is a lot of legitimacy to this. National championships are nearly impossible to come by — prior to 2010, the dominant Alabama team of recent years hadn’t captured the Coaches’ Trophy since the early 90s. But it is reasonable to demand that Tech show up in big games. In the 90s, Beamer built a perennial winner out of a no-name program, culminating in Michael Vick leading Tech to the national championship game against Florida State. But in the past decade and into the new one, the program has stalled. After getting to the big stage, Tech has done nothing on it. Despite our dominance of the ACC, we will be known nationally as a big fish in a small pond. Until winning big-time games against big-time opponents becomes the rule and not the exception, Tech is destined to remain in stagnation. We can get a good start on that this Saturday against Miami, in an afternoon game that will be broadcasted nationally on ABC. The ’Canes are not what they once were, but no matter who is dressing for “Da U,” rather for this paper’s money, there are few things more fun than kicking the crap out of Miami.
-editorial board, scott masselli, sean simons
Your Views [letter to the editor]
Booing players not acceptable have been attending Igames Virginia Tech football since I was about 7 years old — both of my parents are Hokie alumni, I graduated with my brother in 2010 and my sister is currently attending. Needless to say, our family is full of Hokie fanatics. This past summer I was sporting a Tech hat on the beach in Corolla, N.C. when I noticed two Nebraska Cornhusker fans approaching. I jokingly pointed at the logo on my cap to give them a friendly reminder of what had to be one of the most heartbreaking losses ever for Nebraska fans. We struck up a conversation, and they told me they had visited Blacksburg for the game in 2009. They also let me know that interacting with the Hokie fans was one of the most enjoyable experiences they can remember from any college football game they had ever gone to. I have always felt that Hokies have a great reputation as being “good fans.” A small part of that feeling left me this past Saturday during the football game against Clemson. Anyone who was in Blacksburg this weekend will confirm that it was cold, wet and windy throughout the entire game. Those conditions obviously weren’t helping out our punter, Scott Demler. Notice I said “our” punter. After a couple less-thanperfect punts from Demler, some of the Hokie fans in attendance felt it was their duty to “boo” him as he
trotted off the field. In my opinion, this is pretty cowardly and downright disgusting for several reasons. Demler, in his first season as the starting punter, was playing in a very big ACC game versus a great Clemson team in brutal weather conditions — lots of variables providing for an extremely high-pressure situation. I think some fans forget the football players bust their asses all week long in preparation for the game, while many of their fellow classmates are browsing Facebook newsfeeds and planning out their night of bar-hopping downtown. They make a lot of personal sacrifices to hopefully help the Hokies win the game as the fans cheer them on. When one of them makes an error on the field, they know it. Thousands of fans booing them after they make a bad play is in no way going to help boost their confidence. I have never booed any Tech athlete in my entire life, and I never will. The entire stadium was not booing this kid, but for the thousands that did, you should be ashamed of yourselves. It is terrible to think that one Hokie would boo another. It is called Hokie Nation for a reason, and that is why Demler is our punter. I am just as passionate about winning as any other Hokie, but verbally assaulting the players just gets me heated. Please think twice before booing one of your own next time.
-carter mckissick, class of 2010
MCT CAMPUS
Clinton’s appeal growing someone had told me immeIf diately after Hillary Clinton’s defeat in the 2008 Democratic primary that she would be polled as the most popular national politician in 2011, I would have thought him or her was insane. While she may have retained support in New York for her reelection as a senator, any future prospects for the executive branch seemed dead. I had assumed her skirmish with Barack Obama and his well-oiled campaign had been far too brutal for her to receive any form of appointment from our president. However, reports surfaced of meetings between then-Sen. Clinton and Presidentelect Obama regarding her nomination for secretary of state. Media response varied. There were jubilant comparisons between President Obama and Abraham Lincoln, who also appointed campaign rivals to cabinet positions, while sharp criticisms of hypocrisy were aimed at both the president and future secretary of state. Doris Kearns Goodwin’s recent book “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln” had a sales surge as the author herself compared Obama’s cabinet selections with those of President Lincoln (although I don’t recall any of Lincoln’s nominees having to withdraw their nominations because tax issues or pending investigations). All the while, prominent journalists and writers such as Christopher Hitchens (my hero) criticized Clinton’s nomination, claiming it conflicted with the Obama’s promise of change and that he accused his campaign rival of lacking foreign policy experience when they were still opponents. However, after Clinton stopped campaigning and accepted the secretary of state position, the critical (and sometimes cruel) attention that was previously focused on her shifted to the new president. While the news focused on the president, Clinton was able to get to work. Within her first two years on the job, she made a new record for being
the most traveled secretary of state (165 days of travel, beating out Condoleezza Rice by two days). She has also been faced with two prominent challenges: the WikiLeaks incident and the uprising of pro-democracy protests in the Middle East. The dimming memory of the WikiLeaks exposure of state documents — along with the fact that Clinton still has her job — is proof of her success. While she certainly still has many obstacles to overcome as a result of Julian Assange’s website (has he been convicted of rape yet?), the issue has died down regarding media play, subsequently making foreign affairs easier. Clinton’s actions regarding the uprisings in the Middle East, especially regarding Libya, has been another defining moment of her tenure as secretary of state. One must admit it seems ironic for the former senator to be asking Congress not to cut funds regarding the military in the Middle East, but progress is progress. Whether the secretary’s actions were fundamental to or merely complicit in Libya’s slow but steady ousting of Muammar Gadhafi, it’s another win on her scoreboard. While Republicans are now trying to take the anti-war route, Clinton saw a chance to replace a dictatorship with a democracy and was part of the team that made it happen. The U.S. conjunction with the U.N. must have been frustrating, but it didn’t hurt. Whether it’s as a result of her relative success during her tenure as secretary of state or the refining of her image (I think both), Clinton is no longer preyed upon by pundits. In 2008, Clinton faced a horrible paradox: If she took tough stances and was too aggressive, she was considered too masculine; if she emphasized more feminine political stances such as social welfare and education, she appeared too timid for the job and was accused of behaving (uncharacteristically) like a soccer
mom. And now, today, a polarizing politician, who has been called shrillish, manly, fake and (most offensive of all) Bill Clinton’s wife, is now polled as the most popular national politician in the U.S. But that’s not all — polls also show a sense of buyer’s remorse among Democrats in choosing Obama over Clinton. How did this happen? There seems to be a buffer between the secretary of state and the president (along with his cabinet). This theory is supported by the fact that Rice consistently polled much higher than her boss and the rest of the cabinet. Clinton now has a much different role than before. As a career politician, Clinton was aggressive. She attacked Republicans who opposed her healthcare plan, the Bush administration and campaign opponents. Now, she doesn’t attack anyone — it’s not her job. Instead, she has crafted a diplomatic personality which emphasizes consensus with her peers, supports the president and his initiatives, and — when necessary — takes tough stances against international figures and ideals that all (sane) Americans oppose. Will calls for Clinton to challenge President Obama in a 2012 primary be heeded? Of course not. The secretary of state’s depolarization is a result of leaving electoral politics — if she jumped back in, her approval ratings would sink once again. Clinton knows this and has said there is a “below zero” chance she would challenge President Obama. But that doesn’t count her out of a 2016 bid for the presidency. Republicans should beware because if she continues to perform as she is now, she will be a formidable opponent who will have high approval polls and an even more impressive resume.
JOHN LANGLEY -regular columnist -senior -political science major
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october 4, 2011
page 4
Policy: Groups work to develop Good Samaritan policy from page one
Bystander Intervention” does just that. Spencer approved Keene’s “Statement on Self-Reporting and Bystander Intervention” prior to her presentation to the BOV in August. “I think giving flexibility to hearing officers and panels is what we needed to do,” he said. However, he is skeptical that the change will have a big effect. “A lot of the folks who have wanted to have an amnesty policy have maintained that it makes a difference in whether people will call for help, and the research that we’ve heard about around the country doesn’t really support that,” Spencer said. “I think saying what (we think) people will do is very different from what (they) will actually do in these circumstances.”
However, a study conducted at Cornell University found that the number of students making emergency calls significantly increased after the school implemented a Good Samaritan policy in 2002. Researchers for the study administered a survey two years before the medical amnesty policy was implemented, and again in the first two years after the policy was in place. Respondents were asked to cite their reasons for not calling for help in alcohol-related medical emergencies. The number of people who said, “I didn’t want to get the person in trouble,” or “I didn’t want to get myself in trouble,” decreased after the policy was in place. Cornell’s policy also requires psycho-educational interventions
Mr. Turpin lived primarily in Arlington, Virginia and became an active, successful, and respected entrepreneur in the Northern Virginia real estate market until his death. He was active in the local VFW and American Legion posts and acquired many business and social friends during his time in Arlington. He was a Master Mason of 54 years duration in the Mountain City Lodge No. 67 in Lexington, Virginia. He was an avid poker player and enjoyed that with his friends at the VFW and at his vacation home in Ocean City, Maryland.
Memorial Cemetery in Lexington, VA at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 8, 2011. Memorial gifts may be made to John Lyon VFW Post 3150, 2116 North 19th Street, Arlington, VA 22201; American Legion Post 139, 3445 Washington Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-4507, and Virginia Tech Foundation, Alumni Association, 902 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24061.
Mr. Turpin is survived by his older brother, William Vincent Turpin of Lexington, Virginia and his wife, Lucy Thomas Turpin; his younger sister, Anne Turpin Fesperman of Paoli, Pennsylvania and her husband, W. Rowe Fesperman; five nieces and nephews: Linda T. Frece of Moneta, Virginia; Warren V. Turpin of Lexington, Virginia; Hunter F. Hannig of Malvern, Pennsylvania; Brooke F. Olander of Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey (a goddaughter), and Page E. Gilmore of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania; nine grand-nieces and grand-nephews, including Christianne Van Dyke of Bristow, Virginia, and two greatgrand-nieces.
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“You shouldn’t be punished for calling for help, and that’s why I really wanted to start the group.” Rogers and Gray created a group on Facebook called “Students for a Good Samaritan Policy,” where they advertised interest meetings for HGSP. After the meetings were under way, Rogers and Gray met with Ed Spencer, the vice president for student affairs, to discuss the adoption of a Good Samaritan policy. Rogers said when the two met with Spencer, the Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Student Conduct had already been working toward something similar — a change in the alcohol policy to give consequences on a caseby-case basis. The newly added “Statement on Self-Reporting and
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Notices RALPH MEADE TURPIN, 80, died peacefully on September 28, 2011, at Hospice of Northern Virginia, Arlington, Virginia. He had survived numerous serious illnesses for several years and fought valiantly during his last illness. Mr. Turpin was born May 26, 1931 in Lexington, Virginia to Ammen Vincent Turpin and Ora Virginia Alphin Turpin, both deceased, and grew up in Lexington, graduating from Effinger High School. He graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1953 with an ROTC commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. He served a number of years in Europe-notably Germany-and retired from the Army as a Captain. Continuing his government service, he joined the Department of Agriculture in Washington and served many years there, with most of his service in the Environmental Protection Agency, from which he retired in his midfifties.
A funeral service will be held at Arlington Funeral Home, 3901 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA on Friday, October 7, 2011 at 1 o’clock p.m. with visitation taking place from 12 p.m. to 1 o’clock p.m. Interment will be at the family plot in Stonewall Jackson
THE TOWN OF Blacksburg is currently accepting applications for the following part-time wage position: Recreation Assistant. For more information, please visit our website: www.blacksburg.gov. An EEO Employer M/F/D/V
SANICO CHRISTIANSBURG is seeking a sales representative to call on existing and new accounts in the NRV. Established 1974 Sanico is a major supplier of janitorial related products to Va Tech, Radford, and other institutions and businesses in Westen Va and NE TN. Owned and operated by Pete Price Class of ’74. Salary plus commission, paid health benefits and expenses E-mail resume to jhprice@vt.edu 540.382.9442
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alcohol-only policies are MIT, the University of Virginia, the University of Maryland, as well as Duke, Clemson, Appalachian State and Wake Forest universities. Campbell said he is curious to see how the new policy plays out. He said he hopes students are made aware of the policy so they will know their actions will be considered in alcohol-related emergency situations where help is needed. Throughout the 2010-11 school year, there were 78 alcohol violations that resulted in suspension. “It’s a step in the right direction,” Campbell said. “It’s kind of comforting to know that students do have influence on policy making. But with the current structure the way it is, students really have to stay on top of it and really voice their opinions.”
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“I think it’s a good first step,” Rogers said. “I know that it’s hard because our Board of Visitors is very conservative, and I know that it’s not going to be passed for awhile, but at least we got one part done, and hopefully we will be able to change the next part.” “Whether or not anything further will be necessary in the future, that’s something we’ll always keep an eye on,” Spencer said. “I think we made the appropriate changes for now.” According to Students for a Sensible Drug Policy, at least 91 schools have Good Samaritan policies, including William & Mary, as well as Yale, Northeastern, New York and Brown universities. And more than half of those policies cover situations involving all substances. Among the list of schools with
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for students after involvement in alcohol-related medical emergencies. The 2006 study showed that the percentage of students who received these interventions increased from 22 to 52 percent after the medical amnesty policy was enacted. “With this policy in place, lives can be saved,” Rogers said in an interview with Upshaw, which was posted on the Keep Friendship Alive website on May 16. “I think Virginia Tech needs this policy to help promote a friendship attitude on the campus. Also, it will encourage people to look out for one another.” Although the “Statement on Self-Reporting and Bystander Intervention” was a victory for HGSP, the group plans to push for a similar change in Tech’s drug policy.
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arts & entertainment 5 october 4, 2011
editors: chelsea gunter, patrick murphy featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
A look into entertainment New film ‘Moneyball’ a home run t’s hard to decry an entire genre of Iwould films. While a romantic comedy never be my first choice for a movie, I have to admit there are quite a few decent ones out there. Sports films are the same — they tend to be cheesy and overblown, but there are exceptions. And “Moneyball” is an exception. Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill star as Oakland Athletics’ general manager Billy Beane and a Yale economics major Peter Brand, respectively. At the beginning of the 2002 baseball season, Beane makes a drastic decision to draft players based on statistics rather than on intuition, as managers have been doing since the dawn of the sport. Employing the help of Brand, Beane attempts to make the A’s budget of $41 million competitive with super teams, such as the Yankees who boast a $125 million budget. Many baseball fans today may have watched this story, which is a little under a decade old, unfold without even realizing it. “Moneyball” offers viewers a behind the scenes look at a man who changed the game of baseball. The performances all hit home runs. Hill is perfect as the awkward but intelligent Yale graduate who uses numbers, with no profound knowledge of baseball, to make his draft picks. Hill is used as the comic relief in the film, but he also shows a more serious side, suggesting he is ready to start taking on more serious roles. Pitt’s portrayal of Beane is the highlight of the movie. Looking at the track record of previous Oscar best actor winners, they all seem to have played over the top characters and larger-than-life spectacles from different historical eras (see “The King’s Speech,” “Milk,” “Capote” and “Ray”). Beane is a different sort of character. He is a very ordinary man who has a crazy idea and is brave enough to try it. Pitt’s Beane is just that: Ordinary. This is in no way a bad thing. Acknowledging that the movies listed above do undoubtedly have wonderful performances, it is nice to see that Pitt’s Beane is just as well acted. It’s hard to make an ordinary character stand out without being flamboyant. Pitt does it. “Moneyball” is different from other sports movies in that it really isn’t about the actual game of baseball. Yes, there is a montage of the team
Albums to look forward to this year “Trust Now” — Prince Rama Paw Tracks Records Psychedelic travelers and sisters, Taraka and Nimai Larson, craft immense and foreboding tribal beats layered with waves of synth tones that sound appropriate for dancing around a fire while worshipping the moon. They sing in a weird blend of English and some other language from an unknown dimension. This may not be the music you play in the car on a road trip with your friends, but it’s most definitely the album you want for your next pagan Solstice festival. Or if you’re just looking for a little personal transcendence, give Prince Rama and “Trust Now” a listen.
MUSIC REVIEW
MOVIE REVIEW
Release Date: Oct. 4 “Enough Thunder” EP — James Blake Atlas Records
winning continuously — seriously, why do sports movies always do that? — but it’s not what the film is about. Beane sums it up perfectly when he says he could care less about how many games the A’s win or if he gets a championship ring. What he really wants is to change how the game of baseball is played — how it’s thought of. “Moneyball” does not cater to baseball fans only. It is a more of a business movie than anything, which is an interesting take. At almost two and a half hours, “Moneyball” does run bit long. But if you’re willing to sit still in the theater for that long — it’s less time than an actual baseball game — “Moneyball’s” unique story will entertain you.
Rating: 3 ½ stars Verdict: See it matinee COURTNEY BAKER - movie reviewer - senior - political science major
movie info Rating: PG-13 Runtime: 2 hr. 6 min. Where: Regal New River Valley Stadium 14 in Christiansburg When: Showtimes can be found at Community.RegMovies.com by typing in a surrounding zip code Ticket cost: Adult Matinee: $8 Adult Evening: $10 Offers student discount on particular days and times
James Blake’s truly wonderful debut LP earned him the respect of much of the online music world, with critics praising the album’s high level of craftsmanship and production values. Since the release of his album, Blake has released a few random singles, as well as a highly anticipated track in collaboration with Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, “Fall Creek Boys Choir.” It turns out that the track, as well as a Joni Mitchell cover and four other original tracks, will appear on a brand new EP, “Enough Thunder,” to be released Oct. 11.
Release Date: Oct. 11 “Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming” — M83 Mute Records Anthony Gonzalez, otherwise known as M83, builds songs like skyscrapers — they grow higher with every added synth line, each one reaching new heights of grandeur, always boldly soaring toward the clouds as the album progresses. If there’s ever a time in which it’s OK to use the word “epic,” this is it. The songs on “Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming” are filled with ’80s allusions, from the saxophone solo in “Midnight City,” to the Genesis-like opening drumbeats of “OK Pal.” With a track list of 22 songs and a duration of just more than one hour, listening to “Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming” is a bit of a daunting task to undertake, but the album is well worth the effort.
“SMiLE” (The Original Sessions) — The Beach Boys Capitol / EMI One of the most legendary albums in pop music history, “SMiLE,” will finally be released in its original form on Nov. 8. The album was recorded at the peak of The Beach Boys’ creative arc, but was shelved because of disagreements over the music between the band members and Brian Wilson’s growing emotional instability. “SMiLE” contains some of the group’s most well-known tracks, such as “Heroes and Villains,” “Surf’s Up” and “Good Vibrations.” Wilson released a re-recorded version of “SMiLE” in 2004 with a new backing band, but the version that will be released this November will consist of the very original session recordings with the original Beach Boys.
Release Date: Oct. 18
Release Date: Nov. 8
“Crazy Clown Time” — David Lynch
Sunday Best Recordings / PIAS America Best known for his surreal and bizarre films, David Lynch will release an album of electronic music on Nov. 8. Given that the title of the album will be “Crazy Clown Time,” it’s hard to imagine that this record will be any less hypnagogic and off the wall than his movies. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Karen O will feature on a song called “Pinky’s Dream.” Other than that one feature, the album was entirely written, recorded and performed by Lynch himself — with some assistance from engineer Dean Hurley, who also played some guitar and drums.
Release Date: Nov. 8 KEVIN MCALEESE - music reviewer - junior - political science major
/// rapid fire reviews /// Check out these reviews of new fall TV pilot episodes. Will these new series last on the air? “Terra Nova” – Monday, Sept. 26, at 8:00 p.m. The Earth is dying in the year 2149. A family joins an effort to go back in time 85 million years to help rebuild a new civilization. “Terra Nova” can be summed up in just two words: “inspired mediocrity.” These are words I’ve stolen from my 12th-grade English teacher when he discussed anything by Steven Spielberg. As Spielberg produces this new Fox show, the phrase seems rather fitting. The show begins during the year 2149 with an Earth that is steadily dying. Everyone has to wear a mask when walking outside because the pollution is so terrible, and the sun hasn’t been seen in years. Further, overpopulation issues have forced the world to adopt a two- children-only policy for families. With the fate of the world looking pretty grim, the government has begun shooting groups of people back in time to rebuild a sustainable society. Apparently scientists have been able to warp the brave voyagers into a separate time stream, meaning their actions in the past are on a separate timeline that won’t affect what’s going on in present day — that’s convenient. “Terra Nova” in particular follows one family as they’re catapulted 85 million years into the past. Immediately, they’re thrown into the effort to rebuild civilization, but as expected, rekindling humanity proves rather difficult. There are lethal dinosaurs, rebel factions that have split
off from the group, and strange indigenous-looking drawings on some rocks. Essentially, combine “Jurassic Park,” “Lost” and “Avatar” into one show and you have “Terra Nova.” I was half expecting the characters to stumble across some “unobtainium” or have a runin with the smoke monster. Some similarities are uncanny. The splinter groups are very clearly “the others” in “Lost” lingo. Now that may sound like an impressive combination, but the show just falls flat. The concept is quite compelling, and is more or less original, despite some similarities to other works. However, the show truly fails with its characters. They’re uninteresting and, more importantly, unlikeable. They’re rude, obnoxious and self-righteous — there’s hardly anyone to root for. Because the premise and production value is so great, the show still has hope, but it really needs to revamp its characters if it has any shot at being as iconic as Jack and Kate, and the other infamous castaways.
3 stars out of 5 “Suburgatory” — Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 8:30 p.m. A high school student may narrate “Suburgatory,” but the show’s stunning protagonist successfully takes a cliched topic and makes it entertaining for all ages. At the beginning of the show, a father uproots his daughter from New York City and moves her to the suburbs. Laughter and snide remarks ensue. OK, so a single father’s daughter is a tom-
boy and has a hard time fitting in at school. Blah, blah, blah. We’ve seen this all before, right? Wrong. This is no “Full House” knockoff. After a standout guest role on the American version of “Shameless,” actress Jane Levy is quite deserving of being the show’s lead. She doesn’t just steal the show — she is the show. Her father, played by “Law & Order” vet Jeremy Sisto, shares an equally cynical view of life in the suburbs. While he’s trying to make the best of it, he simply cannot hide his disdain for the cookie cutter housewives and the monotony of daily suburban life. I’ll definitely be sticking around to see how the sassy teenager adapts to her new surroundings, but only time will tell if “Suburgatory” will float up to TV heaven or descend into cancellation hell.
4 stars out of 5 “How to be a Gentleman” — Thursday, Sept. 29, at 8:30 p.m. “A” for effort — wait — “A” for absolutely nothing. Clearly no effort was put into this train wreck of a show. Oh how far you’ve fallen already, Kevin Dillon. The now former “Entourage” star has already made his way back onto the screen, but his presence on “Gentleman” is certain to be short-lived. This half-hour “comedy” brings together an unlikely duo — a gruff personal trainer and a sophisticated writer each with their own definition of what it means to be a “gentleman.”
Needless to say, Dillon plays the gruff one. David Hornsby plays the uptight journalist that’s being forced to change his writing style. After the magazine he works for changes ownership, he’s suddenly forced to cater to a very different audience — meatheads like Dillon. To better understand his new target, he befriends Dillon’s character and each begins try-
ing to teach the other how to be what is considered a gentleman. Well, regardless of whose definition you use, “How to be a Gentleman” just isn’t funny. It’s not that it falls flat or makes cliche jokes — it’s just bad. The characters are unlikeable, the acting is shoddy at best and the fake audience laugh track is just offensive, because clearly
this show could never induce laughter. Be sure to steer clear of this “gem,” unless you want some absurd advice on how to be a man.
1 star out of 5 PATRICK MURPHY - features editor - senior - communication major
6 sports
editors: matt jones, zach mariner sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
october 4, 2011
The death of Beamerball: Special teams plague Hokies b oy, was that tough to Oh watch. With the Hokies headed into Saturday’s big game with a perfect 4-0 record, there was no way anyone could have expected Tech to be embarrassed like it was on national television. There are a lot of things to dwell upon following Saturday’s 23-3 loss, but there are two that stand out more than others: Logan Thomas’ arm and death of “Beamerball.” I’m going steer clear of the first subject because it seems a little too soon to write off Thomas as the team’s answer at quarterback. That being said, I’d be lying if I said those thoughts weren’t creeping into my head. However, it is the situation in coach Frank Beamer’s own territory, special teams, which is by far the most surprising failure that was on full display Saturday. It’s ironic when you think about it — Tech has made a name for itself with “Beamerball” and a focus on special teams, but it has been that exact aspect of the game that is the Hokies’ Achilles heel this season. At the epicenter of the Beamer’s headache is punter Scott Demler. His performance Saturday was so poor that he was booed almost every time he stepped on the field. On the one occasion where he didn’t, he received sarcastic applause when he appeared to get a hold of a punt, only for it to take a bad bounce and end up going into the books as a 29 yarder. Through five games, Demler is averaging just 33.1 yards per punt and has booted just one over 50 yards. Since 1998, only Robert Peaslee averaged less than 36 yards per punt (35.3), and only he, Vinnie Burns and Jimmy Kibble have averaged less than 40 yards per punt since 1998. Demler’s productivity has been so poor that Beamer has had him practicing rugby-style punting — the end result of which was Demler dropping the snap and kicking it just 11 yards. The 11-yard punt was more likely the result of poor weather than anything else, but the fact that Beamer has Demler even trying to rugby kick it is a sign that he is running out of ideas for his punter. DANIEL LIN / SPPS Fans have been calling for Danny David Wilson (4) is tackled by Clemson defense and fumbles the ball during the fi rst quarter, settting the tone of Virginia Tech’s offensive performance for the rest of the game. Coale, a senior wide receiver, to be the punter, but when he got an opportunity in the Marshall game, the punt went just 25 yards. While making a change to Coale seems to be enticing, he hasn’t been consistent enough. And Beamer has said he doesn’t want to go back and forth between the two. With all things considered, the only choice Beamer has right now is to stick with the guy he is currently using. Demler has said repeatedly that he believes he can be a great punter, and while he admits he isn’t where he’d like to be, he thinks he has gotten closer to that goal. Coaches have also said Demler has performed significantly better in practice, making it seem like his struggles are the result of a mental block he’ll eventually be able to fight through. Beamer can only hope that is the case because Demler isn’t the only GREG WILSON / SPPS problem on special teams — place kicker Cody Journell has been Cornerback Jayron Hosely (20) is taken down during a kickoff return. shaky in his first full season as well, connecting on just five of his eight attempts thus far. While three misses might not COLLEGIATE LIVING COMPETITION seem like a bad start, realize this: The Hokies missed just four field goal attempts in the last two years combined. After starting the season with an ugly miss against Boise State, Chris Hazley made a school-record 21 straight field goals. The year before that, Matt Waldron connected on 20 of 23 attempts. Missing field goals, especially short ones, is the easiest way to lose momentum in a game because the act of getting into field goal range requires the offense to drive down the field to some extent. Missing a field goal essentially wastes that productivity and frustrates the players who got them there. Considering how poorly the offense has played, wasting anything remotely positive is the last thing the Hokies need. It seems Hokies fans have just been spoiled by having great performers at these positions in the past and have unrealistic expectations. But that has always been the case in Blacksburg, and those players knew it when they came to Tech. Special teams is also one of the most thankless areas in sports. If you’re a kicker or punter, you are largely forgotten when you are great Think you have what it takes to win? and only noticed when you mess up. Unfortunately for Demler and Journell, that is exactly what has been happening this season.
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