Thursday, March 1, 2012 Print Edition by Collegiate Times

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Thursday, March 1, 2012

An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 www.collegiatetimes.com

COLLEGIATETIMES 109th year, issue 27

News, page 2

Weekend, page 5

Opinions, page 3

Sports, page 7

Study Break, page 6

Oxfam combats Te(a)ch for America local problems BY NICK SMIRNIOTOPOULOS | features reporter

Students prepare for twoyear Teach for America stint

special needs sixth-grade student named Jovan, from an inner-city middle school in Atlanta, is one of many direct beneficiaries of the Teach for America program. Jovan was placed under the care of Nichole Prickett, a Virginia Tech alumnus and former Teach for America core manager, because of a learning disability that prevented him from participating in general education classes. Prickett said while Jovan was a lively participant in class, he never submitted written assignments, which she soon discovered was due to his poor literacy. “I had to do some digging to find out that (Jovan) could not write for anyone to understand,” Prickett said. “You would never know it talking to him, though.” Through intensive individual attention and strategic teaching techniques, Jovan was able to read full chapter books by the end of his first year in the program. When he entered high school, he had completely transitioned into general education classes.

CHRISTOPHER MORTWEET OF OXFAM PAUL KURLAK / SPPS

Tech chapter of international philanthropic organization attempts to reduce poverty, hunger in New River Valley ALLIE SIVAK

see TEACH / page two

LINDA NGUYEN OF TEACH FOR AMERICA DANIEL LIN / SPPS

Fantasy writer speaks at Tech ERIN CHAPMAN news reporter New York Times bestselling author Patrick Rothfuss visited Blacksburg yesterday for a reading from his fantasy series called “The Kingkiller Chronicle, a book signing and a question and answer session. The first novel “The Wise Man’s Fear” and the second “The Name of the Wind” will precede a third “The Doors of Stone,” which is still being written. Rothfuss spoke with the Collegiate Times about life as a writer, his books and the future. Collegiate Times: You have two books of the trilogy out and a third one almost completed. Did you realize you had a trilogy as you were writing it? Patrick Rothfuss: Oh no, I just started writing. I was years into the project before I realized that what I had was way too long for one book. CT: You’ve created an entire world for Kvothe (the main character in Rothfuss’ novels). What kinds of benefits are there in creating an entirely new world to tell a story in? Rothfuss: It’s a trade off really. If you write a novel and set it in the real world, you can assume your reader will have certain baseline knowledge. They will know about Seattle and Paris. They will know what the Internet is. They will almost certainly know who Robin Hood is. They’ll probably know who Don Quixote is. This can save you a lot of time, as you don’t have to explain everything to them. But the trade off is that you can’t be sure all of your readers know the same thing. If you assume people don’t know much about Paris, you’re going to give too much

its spread. He later started an Oxfam club at Tech to serve as a local poverty and hunger relief program. Mortweet took further At the sound of an enthused Virginia initiative by developing an honor’s colTech student screaming, “Let’s go loquium class to get people interested Hokies!” many get a taste of the univer- and involved. sity community. Since its arrival at Tech, the club has In 2009, Christopher Mortweet, a raised more than $12,000 for Oxfam recent December graduate who majored America, microloans, international in biochemistry and philosophy, had the crises and the building of a well in idea to harness school spirit and encour- Zoranger, Haiti. age the Hokie Nation to give back. He The club initially focused on internaproposed to put food on the table of tional fundraisers in an effort to reprethose less fortunate by one simple step sent what Oxfam stands for. — wearing maroon and orange. But the group later expanded its work Oxfam America is one of 15 national through fundraisers, selling baked organizations affiliated with Oxfam, goods, bottle openers and coffee mugs. which is an international relief and “We work to raise money for the bigdevelopment organization dedicated to ger organizations so they can do great creating powerful and lasting solutions things in the world,” said Rebecca to poverty, hunger and injustice. Coryell, a freshman German major Oxfam is comprised of individuals and who is an active member of the club. local groups in more than 90 coun- “We also raise awareness for different tries. The local groups affiliated with the issues around the world with injusorganization pull upon their small roots tice and poverty, and work locally by and communities to help raise money, doing things like canned food drives provide food and increase awareness of for local organizations to alleviate local global issues. hunger.” Despite housing more than 600 clubs Every fall, close to Thanksgiving, the and organizations, Tech did not have organization hosts large hunger banan Oxfam chapter until Mortweet heard quets, where local businesses contribabout the program during his freshman ute food toward a campus dinner in year. which only a small proportion of stu“I first heard about Oxfam in a philos- dents get a full meal at a table, while ophy class called morality and justice,” the majority of those attending must sit Mortweet said. “There’s a philosopher, on the floor and receive meager or no Peter Singer, who was talking about how portions. much money you should contribute or “This event is great and represents how you should live your life, and he the people who get a great life and eat mentions Oxfam repeatedly.” happily all the time, and at the same time it shows you the great percent of people who are not lucky enough and just live day by day,” Mortweet said. On April 13, the organization will host the annual fundraising event We work to raise money for the club supports called OxJAM. Last year, Oxfam worked with VTU the bigger organizations and the Environmental Coalition to host a Ben Folds concert for the so they can do great event. This year, OxJAM will be things in the world. We held at Gillie’s and will feature the electro-funk beats of DJ Manndibles. also raise awareness for Proceeds will benefit Oxfam’s East African Famine Relief Project. different issues around Oxfam meets every Thursday night the world with injustice in Williams Hall, room 120. The group continues to welcome new and poverty, and work members. locally by doing things like After attending a cookout held by the group, Catherine Goggins, a canned food drives for local freshman crop and soil environmental science major, recently decided to organizations to alleviate join Oxfam. local hunger.” “I was just really impressed by their mission and work. I really like that Rebecca Coryell they are passionate and that drives Oxfam member their actions,” she said. “They’re not afraid to take small steps to work toward a bigger solution.” Mortweet remains active in the organization. He now has a webMortweet found Oxfam’s work inter- site, mortweet.com, where he posts esting, so he inquired further about the about Oxfam’s work. He is also trying program. Fortunately, he found that it to raise donation money to donate in. was recruiting college students. He vis- So far, he has raised $2,221 of his $5,000 ited its headquarters in Boston, where goal. he was educated about the tragedy of “The more you dig into it, the more poverty and learned how to help prevent things you can’t forget,” Mortweet said.

features staff writer

DANIEL LIN / SPPS

Patrick Rothfuss, author of the popular “The Kingkiller Chronicle” fantasy trilogy, lectures at a question and answer session at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute. information and bore people. When you create a different world to tell your story in, you have to do a lot of work building everything. Then you have to do more work explaining it to your readers in an interesting way. But the upside is you

know how much your readers know: nothing. They only know what you tell them about the world, and that allows you to tell a pleasantly uniform story. see ROTHFUSS / page two

THE COLLEGIATE TIMES HAS CEASED PUBLICATION UNTIL MARCH 13, 2012

news

march 1, 2012 COLLEGIATETIMES

Teach: Students get ready for Rothfuss: Author national education program holds Q&A with Tech students from page one

“I (taught) because I believed in my kids,” Prickett said. “All they wanted to do is graduate college, and it is not fair that they don’t have the opportunity to do so.” After graduating from Tech in 2008, Prickett moved to Atlanta, where she served as a special education math teacher for three years. After completing her time as a teacher, Prickett decided to continue to work for Teach for America and currently serves as the recruitment manager for the western region of Virginia, which includes Tech. Prickett is responsible for recruiting college seniors to participate in Teach for America and overseeing various campus coordinators, like Linda Nguyen, who holds this position at Tech. Ngyuen, a senior marketing major, became Tech’s campus coordinator after participating in the Appalachian Service Project two years ago, which opened her eyes to the severity of the educational inequality problems in the United States. “I did work on a home and one of the children was 8 years old and could not read,” Nguyen said. “When I was 8, I was reading ‘Harry Potter.’ To not be able to do that at that age was unimaginable to me.” After this enlightening experience, Nguyen decided to apply for Teach for America’s campus coordinator position, allowing her to act on the injustices she had been exposed to. “Every child should have the chance to learn and be successful. As a first generation college student, I believe you can go far in life if you are afforded the right chances,” Nguyen said. After being exposed to Teach for America’s mission for two years, Nguyen has decided to stay involved and serve an additional two years as a teacher. “I fell in love with Teach for America because I think they get it,” Nguyen said. “It is not just about education, but it is about equality.” Despite majoring in marketing, Nguyen will be a secondary science teacher in South Carolina. When students commit to serve

through Teach for America, they have the opportunity to indicate preferred subject areas and locations in the final interview process. Nguyen, however, decided to go in blind, having no strong preferences one way or another, and was pleased with her results. “I am a closet nerd so I am excited to teach (secondary science). I don’t have most extensive (science) background, but I am hoping my enthusiasm for learning will help me teach,” Nguyen said. While Nguyen does not have a strong background in science, she has gained valuable teaching experience through running her own after-school program and tutoring. Nguyen is looking forward to making real connections with her students and moving beyond just education to make a positive impact on their lives. “I plan on building real, personal relationships by telling (my students) something about myself every day so they feel at ease with me,” Nguyen said. “By establishing this personal relationship, I believe it will be the gateway to get (students) excited about learning.” As Nguyen prepares to gain firsthand teaching experience through the program, Prickett will remain active in recruiting Tech students to join the cause. While Prickett had no intention of teaching or participating in Teach for America as an undergraduate student, her initial experiences developed a deep passion that has led her to her current position in the organization. “I believe in our mission. I believe the problem is solvable. The kids have never been told (what) they are capable of doing,” Prickett said. Prickett said students serving through Teach for America come from a variety of majors and are usually enticed by the service aspect, which she believes is especially true of Tech students. “A lot of seniors embody (Ut Prosim) and live by that motto for life,” Prickett said. “Once you are a Hokie, you are a Hokie for life, and I think that translates well going into Teach for America since it is service-oriented community.”

from page one

CT:

Do you think you’ll ever revisit Kvothe’s story or his world once the third book comes out? Rothfuss: Oh, there will be more stories. I build the world to be big enough for that. CT: Names are obviously very important to the story. How did you come up with them? Rothfuss: Coming up with names is sometimes the hardest part of writing a story. You obviously can’t call everyone in your novel “Steve” or “Beth,” but at the same time, you don’t want to clutter up your book. CT: How has life changed for you now that you have three books published? Are you getting recognized more often? Rothfuss: It’s been a weird couple of years. In the last four years, I’ve gone from a penniless student to an international bestselling author. Now I own a house and have a son. I have a personal assistant. Not all the changes are pleasant ones. My life has a lot more stress than it did four years ago. I have less free time. I do get recognized in public fairly often these days. In some ways it’s flattering, but in other ways, it’s just odd. Someone came up to my table when I was eating lunch a year ago and complained about how long it was taking me to write my next book. That’s not a fun interaction. CT: Who are your favorite authors? Rothfuss: Terry Pratchett has to be at the top of my list these days. I’m rereading all his books, and they’re just so good. Neil Gaiman is brilliant. Peter S. Beagle is brilliant. As far as newer authors, I’m a big fan of Brandon Sanderson and Peter Brett too. CT: You have a pretty extensive blog. How does it help you keep in contact with readers in between books being published? Rothfuss: I mostly do it because it’s a fun way of keeping in touch with my readers. I like writing the blog, and they like reading it. It helps me blow off steam and occasionally gives them a chuckle. It’s a win-win. CT: What advice do you have for college students who want to be writers? Rothfuss: Write. Don’t think about writing — just write. It doesn’t matter what sort of writing you do — journalism, skits, for radio, drama, poetry, plays. Any sort of writing you do will make you a better writer. Any sort of experience you gain will improve your craft.

editors: nick cafferky, michelle sutherland newseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

what you’re saying On the top five sushi outlets in Blacksburg:

Anonymous: If you are going to write a food review, learn the proper names for things. Pieces are not the same as rolls. Megan: All Blacksburg sushi locations receive their raw fish

from the same vendor. It is the exact same fish. Differences in prices have more to do with the “extras” and sushi size than anything else. If you find something you like for a price you like, enjoy it! Rest assured you are getting the same quality fish as everyone else in town.

Anonymous: putting the wasabi into the soy sauce was

something i was taught in a sushi restaurant.but interesting - i didn’t know you were supposed to dip the fish side into the soy sauce or have that side touch your tongue first

On Carol Lee’s Donuts:

Bruce Harper: An old Collegiate Times tradition from the ‘70s when Carol Lee Donuts was still on College Ave. was donuts on deadline night, which at that time was Sundays and Wednesdays (for the Tuesday and Friday papers). Someone would make a run from Squires and pick up a couple boxes to get the people busy writing last-minute stories, copy-editing, working in the photo lab, laying out pages (no computers then, it was all done by hand), or just hanging around through the evening (or late night). I caused a bit of a stir on the CT Alum Yahoo group when I mentioned I had just finished eating a Carol Lee donut, something those no longer in the area can no longer obtain. Daryl Robinson: I never eat any other kind of donuts, carol lee’s are the best!!!!! i’m kinda of glad they moved far from town, now i’m not so tempted to stop and get one. Townie Hokie: I have been going to Carol lee since I was a kid. My dad would take me and my brothers there as a special treat some saturdays. In middle school, we would all scrounge up spare change to go to the old shop location on college ave. I still go on occasion today, over two decades after my first visit. It’s a shame rent forced them out of DT but they are still doing their thing the way they always have done it. Best Donuts in the world.

My Week with Marilyn

Fri-Sat 7:00 & 9:15 Sun 3:00, 7:00 & 9:15 Mon 10:00am, 7:00 & 9:15 Tues 7:00 & 9:15 Wed 7:00 & 9:15 Thurs 7:00 & 9:15

The Lyric Theatre 135 College Avenue ~ Movieline: 951.0604 www.thelyric.com

opinions

editors: scott masselli, sean simons opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

march 1, 2012 COLLEGIATETIMES

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

MCT CAMPUS

US refrains from Iran war Stadium Woods worth If

y ou were out of the country last week, you might have missed how quickly the threat of war with Iran shifted from imminent to pushed aside. As Robert Dreyfuss wrote in The Nation last Tuesday that “if you’re worried about war with Iran, relax.” Dreyfuss gave good reasons for momentary relaxation. He cited the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff — President Barack Obama’s former top advisor on Iran — and reported on Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta in his argument that White House officials believe economic sanctions are helping bring about a peaceful compromise with Iran and that pre-emptive Israeli bombing is now unlikely. An even more popular story last week, and also cited by Dreyfuss, was from the New York Times, describing the technical infeasibility of an unassisted Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. Finally, Gen. Martin Dempsey, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, described Iran as a “rational actor.” This stands in contradiction to Newt Gingrich’s description of President Ahmadinejad of Iran as a “madman,” his implication being that the people in the Iranian government are willing to be annihilated in exchange for a one-off attack on Israel. In the weeks before last, however, there was little reason to relax. The paranoia logically proceeding from the belief that the Iranian government is not a rational actor seemed to be engulfing the Republican presidential candidates and the media. Rick Santorum spoke of bombing Iran, and Gingrich made his madman remarks. Similarly, Mitt Romney employed increasingly aggressive and paranoid rhetoric: “Look, one thing you can know and that is if we reelect Barack Obama, Iran will have a nuclear weapon. And if we elect Mitt Romney … they will not have a nuclear weapon,” he said during a debate in January. In addition, he emphasized the need for “crippling sanctions” and “working with insurgents ...

to encourage regime change.” He also stated that a nuclear Iran is the “gravest threat that America and the world has faced.” But there was more than talk going around. The Times, The Nation, ABC and CNN were reporting on the covert war in Iran — Mossad agents were accused of murdering Iranian scientists connected to the country’s nuclear program. The United States and Israel were implicated in deployment of a computer virus designed to damage Iranian computer equipment. Ron Paul described the economic sanctions that the U.S. passed against Iran as “an act of war.” Matthew Kroenig of Georgetown University even had a piece titled “Time to Attack Iran: Why a Strike is the Least Bad Option” in the January/ February issue of Foreign Affairs. The general mood in Washington, on the Times op-ed page and among my Iranian colleagues and foreign policy-minded friends had become quite bleak. But the path to recovery really began when The Economist ran a cover story on the violent and catastrophic fighting in Syria. The New Yorker had a feature article on Syria the following week, and the general focus seemed to shift. Though administration officials seem more open to peaceful methods than before and the Israeli government may abandon a preemptive strike due to logistical problems, there seems to be no reason to believe that war with Iran will cease to be a major issue in the coming months. We ought to use this lull to consider what war with Iran would really entail. Iran has a purchasing power adjusted per capita gross domestic product at about $11,000, so most people are much better off there than in places like Syria, Egypt and Jordan, where that number is about $5,000. Many Iranians are middle class. Though wealth is unevenly distributed, almost all of the lower class citizens have access to water and electricity, and many have

indoor plumbing. Fertility rates are near western levels, and Iranian families have been educating their children like never before. Despite allegations of voter fraud, it appears that President Ahmadinejad was overwhelmingly elected by the Iranian people. Despite descriptions of Iran’s government as a “mullahcracy,” there is actually a subtle interplay of power between the popular, self-made Ahmadinejad and ruling clerics. Iranians are sometimes depicted as “irrational,” but many lead lives similar to our own — caring for their parents and children, struggling with life in the same ways as a person in the U.S. War does not happen in isolation. If fighting came, these people would suffer. Just as Americans have had thousands of brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers lost to war over the past decade, so would Iranians. Loss is the same for all people. The choice for war in a democratic society is left to the citizens. But I am willing to wager that very few of those so easily calling for a bombing, a war or even sanctions are aware of what it is like to live on $9 or less a day, as more than one-third of Iranians do. Perhaps they have forgotten the atrocities that come outside of combat, such as the Maywand District Killings, in which U.S. soldiers murdered three Afghan civilians, or the murders of eight U.S. soldiers and a contractor by a renegade Afghan official in 2009. Or maybe they have never given serious consideration to what another round of needless death would mean. Dempsey has described Iran as rational. The people of Iran certainly are, as much as the people of the U.S. Is this really a country we want war with? Let us not rush into something needless. Death is not a trend that changes weekly.

BRYCE STUCKI -regular columnist -senior -economics major

saving from construction

Collegiate Times Business Staff Business Manager: Philipp Kotlaba

Student Publications Photo Staff Director of Photography: Paul Kurlak Lab Manager: Austen Meredith

irginia Tech’s last remaining forest grove is in danger. What threatens the precious forest, which is home to trees that date back to the 18th century, is another sports facility the university wants to build. According to the Roanoke Times, plans have been on the books since 1998 to build the new indoor athletic training facility for Tech football and other sports teams. The construction plans approved by the Board of Visitors would destroy almost a quarter of the forest. But thanks to cries from the community, there is a chance the forest will be saved. The 20-acre forest in question is known as Stadium Woods, which runs along the backside of Lane Stadium and behind the tennis courts and basketball facilities on Washington Street. It is estimated that almost five-dozen trees inside Stadium Woods are nearly 300 years old. In particluar, one white oak on the proposed building site has a 40-inch diameter trunk, suggesting it could be more than 340 years old. To put that into perspective, Virginia Tech was founded roughly 140 years ago, and the United States about 100 years before that. This means some of the trees inside Stadium Woods might have been around before the first white settler ever stepped foot in the New River Valley. Forestry professor Jeff Kirwan said migrating bird species from South and Central America use the forest as a resting and nesting ground. Another forestry professor, John Seiler, uses Stadium Woods as a living classroom to study tree measurement and identification. The Grove, located next to Hillcrest Hall and the president’s house, is another site where researchers and naturalists can observe such environments. And The Grove does, in fact, sport a few 500-year-old white oaks, similar to those in Stadium Woods. However, it lacks the forest ecosystem that is found inside Stadium Woods. Notably, without Stadium Woods, Seiler and other professors would have to transport students elsewhere, such as national forest land, to continue conducting their research. The issue is not simply one for naturalists and professors whose research

is threatened. The Tech student body and Blacksburg residents should be concerned with campus beautification. That is, at first glance, students and visitors are likely to think there are plenty of trees on campus and the protests over Stadium Woods are overblown. But while trees are scattered across the sprawling campus, there are no locales besides Stadium Woods and The Grove — Tech’s landscape is largely a conglomerate of roads, buildings, sports complexes and parking lots. Looking at the satellite image of Tech’s campus on Google Maps proves this point. In fact, when looking at the satellite image of campus, the only two places that have a significant concentration of trees are Stadium Woods and The Grove. A sprawl of sports complexes and parking lots already occupies nearly the entire footprint between Washington Street, Southgate Drive and Duckpond Drive. It would be a shame to lose the last redoubt of trees on this side of campus to yet another sports complex. So far almost 4,000 individuals have signed an online petition to save Stadium Woods from development. The petition, photographs and links to news articles are located at sites.google.com/site/stadiumwoodsvt. A blog with useful information about Stadium Woods has been erected at vtstadiumwoods.blogspot. com. Aside from visiting these websites, students should visit the forest in person — especially later in the spring or summer when the days are nice. There is still time to save this historical and ecological treasure. In response to public concerns, President Charles Steger created a committee to study whether the new sports facility should be built on the Stadium Woods site or another location. The committee’s report is due June 1. Those who want to preserve the forest need to make their voices heard in the weeks and months ahead.

CHRIS DUNN -regular columnist -graduate student -political science

Welfare reform helps US make large strides in war on poverty T

he primary election campaign has intensified a justified concern about inequality in America: People at the top are rising much faster than everyone else. Even low-income Americans consider relatively high levels of inequality acceptable if they have a decent opportunity to improve their condition. But because they may work fewer hours and at stagnant wages, their gains are very limited. Among the poor, surprisingly, never-married mothers have gained the most in recent decades. Their story shows the best way to reduce poverty and inequality: by encouraging individuals to work more and by supplementing their earnings with tax credits, child-care subsidies and other benefits for low-income working parents. Until the mid-1990s, never-married mothers seldom worked outside the home, had poverty rates of over 60 percent and were at least five times more likely than marriedcouple families to be poor. Then in 1996, congressional Republicans and President Bill Clinton collaborated on a welfare reform law requiring adults on welfare, includ-

ing never-married mothers, to work. When Clinton signed the law, many of his strongest political supporters reviled him for entering into “a pact with the devil.” They predicted that poor women and their children deprived of welfare would die in the streets. Any employment gains, they insisted, would vanish in the first economic downturn. The data refute these dire predictions. In fact, according to Census Bureau data, between 1996 and 2000, the percentage of never-married mothers in jobs increased by about a third (to 66 percent), while the poverty rate for these mothers and their children declined by about a third (to 40 percent). For the poorest of the poor, this large an improvement based on their own efforts was unprecedented. Since then, two recessions have reduced these gains somewhat; their employment rate is down to 58.7 percent (still better than for women generally) and their poverty rate is up to 49.3 percent. Yet even in the worst recession since the Depression, more are employed and they are less poor

Collegiate Times Editorial Staff Editor in Chief: Zach Crizer Managing Editor: Lindsey Brookbank Design Editors: Danielle Buynak, Victoria Zigadlo Public Editor: Justin Graves Web Editor: Sarah Watson News Editors: Nick Cafferky, Michelle Sutherland News Reporters: Josh Higgins, Cody Owens, Erin Chapman News Staff Writers: Priscila Alvarez, Abby Harris, Gina Paterson, Ashley Seagar Features Editors: Chelsea Gunter, Patrick Murphy Features Reporters: Nick Smirniotopoulos Features Staff Writers: Courtney Baker, Torie Deible, Dane Harrington, Kevin McAleese, Andrew Reily Opinions Editors: Scott Masselli, Sean Simons Sports Editors: Matt Jones, Zach Mariner Sports Reporters: Michael Bealey, Josh Parcell Sports Staff Writers: Eric Avassi, Zander Baylis, Alyssa Bedrosian, Cody Elliott, Taylor Hay, Alex Koma, Ashleigh Lanza, Brian Marcolini Photo Editor: Daniel Lin Enterprise Team Editor: Liana Bayne Public Information Director: Dishu Maheshwari Training Director: Kelsey Heiter Copy Chief: Spenser Snarr Copy Editors: Nora McGann, Luther Shell Layout Designers: Bethany Melson, Alicia Tillman, Tanja Vogel Online Director: Alex Rhea

than they were before the 1996 law. In fact, researchers Bruce Meyer of the University of Chicago and James Sullivan of Notre Dame have found that if all the work-based benefits given to low-income workers were included — such benefits are mostly ignored by the official poverty measure — the incomes of these mothers and children would be even higher and their poverty rate even lower. The reasons for this policy success are clear, suggesting some lessons for the future. The 1996 law created strong incentives, both positive and negative, for the most uneducated, untrained and unpromising welfare recipients to join the workforce. As shown by their high employment rates, poor mothers responded to these incentives even more resourcefully than most policymakers had expected despite their often chaotic domestic circumstances. The federal law meshed well with many experimental state and local welfare-to-work programs, helping states pay for job search and readiness, health insurance, child care and other vital work support services.

Most politicians did not cave in to the intentionally inflammatory “dying in the streets” rhetoric; instead, they figured that the program could hardly be worse than the status quo of welfare dependency and that many of the poorest of the poor would end up better off. Both Congress and the states resisted the temptation to cut and run once the recipients’ situations improved; the governments largely maintained their efforts over time, mindful of how fragile these gains could be. Knowing the failures of many earlier welfare-to-work programs designed to reduce welfare dependency, government tried something new and stuck with it. Even today, virtually every state still runs a strong welfare-to-work program, in part because the programs are relatively inexpensive. The gains from the 1996 welfare reform and other work-related subsidies are certainly no cause for smugness. Even after 15 years, the law’s incentives have not yet lifted all mothers and their children out of poverty — not by a long shot. After all, many who have benefited from

the program are stuck in low-wage jobs, and others still don’t work at all. Many are so disabled that no program or personal desire to work will enable them to hold decently paying jobs. Still, the never-married mothers — and single mothers more generally — have clearly improved their and their children’s living standards and prospects, and interview studies show that they express pride in these gains and in their status as workers. Over time, they may be able to progress further as they accumulate job skills, experience and work habits, and as the economy improves. Entrenched, multi-generational poverty is arguably America’s greatest domestic enemy today. Our first priority should be figuring out how to reduce it permanently by increasing work and human capital among the poor. Welfare reform shows what is possible. This is not only just; it is also the only enduring way to reduce poverty and inequality.

PETER SCHUCK & RON HASKINS -mcclatchy newspapers

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spring break

march 1, 2012 COLLEGIATETIMES

editors: chelsea gunter, patrick murphy featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

Plan a fun break this year Did you wait until the last minute to plan your spring break? Are you gearing up for time in the sun? Check out these tips to a great vacation.

Have fun, even if you’re stuck at home EMMA GODDARD features reporter For some college students, luxury spring break destinations like Florida and Mexico are out of reach. Instead, for many vacationers, spring break ends up consisting of seeing old friends, sleeping in and, in most cases, wasting the week away not knowing what to do. Although getting away from the burden of homework and tests is extremely stress relieving, students return home thinking they have even less to do than they did at school. While it may seem as if nothing interesting is going on around town, these few ideas could make the week more entertaining. Since school is hectic and doesn’t allow for much free time, spring break is the perfect time to catch up on movies. Starting tomorrow, an assortment of films will be premiering on the big screen. Movies like “Being Flynn,” “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax,” “John Carter” and “Silent House” are a few that may be worth spending money on. However, for students who are unemployed or simply not willing to spend the $10 to $13 on a ticket, there are other options. Movies can be found online — on Netflix or through Redbox. Drive-in movie theaters — although rare — are typically inexpensive and might also exist somewhere in your

area. There are hundreds of classics, comedies and horrors that have yet to be watched by many movie buffs out there. Curling up with a blanket and some popcorn alone or with company can sometimes be better than sitting in a crowded theater. For readers out there, taking this week of freedom to pick up a good book is also another good choice. “The Hunger Games,” a dystopian trilogy of books about teenage opponents from 12 different districts competing for survival, has recently become popularized. On March 23, a movie based on the books will be premiering. Other than “The Hunger Games,” many other books are at your fingertips in libraries or stores like Barnes and Noble. The New York Times website is a great place to check for book recommendations, and its bestseller list usually provides readers with commendable selections. However, these activities don’t permit for much time outdoors. Going hiking or wandering through a national park — if there’s one close by — is a unique option. Beautiful scenery and a bit of exercise never hurt anyone. The Appalachian Trail, for example, spans through several states. If locations like these aren’t in close proximity to home, then a road trip

and camping adventure with friends could be a good way to spend break. If walking for miles through the wilderness doesn’t sound appealing, then maybe whitewater rafting or kayaking are possible alternatives. Either way, there is a plethora of ways to spend time outside and merely enjoy the elements. Visit the United States National Park Service at nps.gov for more information on outdoor activities and sights. Visiting local museums or zoos can replace a day outside. Many museums often don’t require entrance fees, and admission for most zoos costs $10 to $20. Students close to or in Washington, D.C. will find that the National Zoo is free. Places like the Virginia Museum for Fine Arts, the Poe Museum, the Alexandria Black History Museum and more are scattered throughout Virginia. Try a quick online search for other museums, zoos and aquariums near you. Amusement parks like Six Flags, Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens will also begin to open up again for spring break. Tickets for these can be pricey, but spending the day getting a thrill out of a good roller coaster ride can be a rewarding way to spend time. When it’s all said and done, being stuck at home might not be so bad after all. And hopefully the one-week vacation will be enjoyable.

Take care of your skin while tanning JENN BATES features staff writer Before hitting tropical beaches during spring break, many get a tan in beds to ensure they have a sun-kissed glow while sporting a swimsuit. But sunless tanning should be done properly. Aimee Tate, manager of Tan 'N Tone on North Main Street, and Jessica Holley, general manager of The Tan Company on South Main Street, offered advice to tanners. The Collegiate Times spoke with Tate and Holley about how to properly obtain a tan indoors. Collegiate Times: Should you get a base coat before you go out in severe warm weather during break? Aimee Tate: Definitely. A base tan is all about moderation. You should be really careful with the amount of time you tan and not overdo it. A base tan is really important before going out in real sun. You’re not going to burn as easily, but you should still definitely wear sunscreen

outside. Jessica Holley: In my opinion, yes. Getting a sever sunburn outside is far worse than tanning in moderation and in bed to get a base coat to protect your skin. CT: What type of tanning bed is better, stand up or lie down? Tate: I wouldn’t say that one type of bed is better than the other. Your body does get used to a specific type of bed, so it’s best to rotate bed types. Holley: It’s a matter of opinion. I’ve found that guys like stand up beds — I’m not sure why. It’s good to incorporative both styles of beds into your routine to get an even tan. CT: How often should someone go tanning? Tate: Three to four times a week with at least 24 hours in between tanning sessions. I would say that every other day is best. Holley: I recommend once every 48 hours, but (no more than) every 24 hours. For a spring break time, you should give yourself a month of tanning prior to your trip.

CT: How can you prevent uneven tan lines? Tate: Rotate within in the bed. I use a stand up bed once a week to even out my color and for my sides and my arms. Holley: My advice would be to move around in the tanning bed, don’t lie in one spot the entire time. Move you legs around to get different angles. I personally try to do half of the time on my stomach and half on my back. CT: What is the difference between a tan from the tanning bed and a tan from the sun? Tate: I don’t think there is much of a difference. Personally, I’ve found that my freckles come out more in the sun, and (my skin is) more of a reddish color, but indoor the color is more bronze or golden. But I know some people who get the same color regardless. Holley: They’re both UV rays. Indoor, it’s a controlled environment. You know and control the UVA/UVB ratio and time. You can control the variables to prevent burning and to develop a base tan.

Embark on a last-minute trip nearby MADELEINE GORDON features staff writer At the start of the semester, spring break seemed like a distant dream. Now that it’s right around the corner, many students are left scrambling plan trips to avoid being stuck at home. Don’t let lack of planning get in the way of a great trip. Here are some ideas for last-minute getaways that won’t break the bank. For city slickers Washington, D.C. is always a go-to trip idea, especially since many Virginia Tech students live within driving distance. D.C. is full of things to do. From the national monuments to the museums, there is plenty of fun to be had. And the best part? Admission to many monuments and museums is free. Visit washington. org/visiting for more information on D.C. attractions. Take a trip to the National Gallery of Art to ice skate around the sculpture garden. If you’re more of a foodie, visit Georgetown Cupcake, the star of TLC’s “D.C. Cupcakes,”

to grab some famous baked goods. Another city that offers much to do is our state capital — Richmond. This spring break, the bands Mayday Parade and We the Kings will be paying a visit to Richmond’s concert hall, The National. As a part of their “End of the World” tour, the bands will be playing on March 6 at 6:30 p.m., and general admission is $18. If you’re more of a fashionista than a rock ‘n’ roller, Richmond is great for that too. It’s home of two outdoor malls, Short Pump Town Center and Stony Point Fashion Park. The stores range from places like American Eagle and Anthropologie to more upscale, unique boutiques. The best part about these malls is they are outdoors, so you won’t miss out on a beautiful day. Perhaps Virginia can’t quench your desire for adventure. So, buy a bus ticket to the city that never sleeps. The Sprinter Bus is an inexpensive way to get to New York City. It runs six days a week and leaves from three locations — Hampton, Va., D.C. and Norfolk, Va. — and arrives in the heart of NYC. The bus departs

at midnight and arrives in the city by 7 a.m. If you’re only looking to spend the day in the city, the bus leaves for Virginia later that evening, or you can catch it the following evening. The cost for a roundtrip ticket runs between $50 and $60. For more information on the Sprinter Bus, visit sprinterBus.com. For beachcombers Although you won’t be busting out the bikini or tanning oil, there are still ways to get your fill of the beach this spring break. Virginia Beach isn’t just home to a touristy and overcrowded beach in the summer. It’s also home to First Landing State Park, which offers 2,888 acres of hiking and biking trails and, of course, the Chesapeake Bay beach. Camping is available in the wooded areas or on the bayside of First Landing. The cost of a campsite ranges from $24 to $30. But if camping isn’t your thing, cabins are available starting at $71. For more information on First Landing, visit first-landing-statepark.org. You could also visit the Mason Neck Wildlife Refuge near Lorton, Va., which is about 18 miles south of D.C. Mason Neck offers a beautiful and easy hike through the woods and bay shoreline. The hike is about 2.3 miles long and has a picnic area on the open beach. The refuge is home to many birds including bald eagles. For more information on Mason Neck, visit fws.gov/masonneck. For adventurers If you’re looking for more of an adventure this spring break, check out the Creeper Bike Trail. The trail stretches 34 miles from Abingdon, Va. to Damascus, Va. and is only about an hour and a half away from Blacksburg. The trail is a former railroad bed that is rich in regional history. The creeper trail is a great place for a mountain bike adventure. Bike rentals are available at both ends of the trail. For more information on the trail, visit vacreepertrail.com. More adventure can be found on the Mount Vernon Trail. The trail is nearly 18 miles long, stretching from downtown D.C. to Mount Vernon. It follows the Potomac River shoreline and passes through many points-of-interest like Olde Town Alexandria and the Arlington National Cemetery. For more information on the trail, visit nps.gov/ gwmp/mtvernontrail.htm. For thrill seekers Enjoy the last few weeks of ski season this spring break. Take a trip to Wintergreen before the slopes close on March 11. A day ski trip to Wintergreen during the middle of the week is about $50 for a full session of eight hours and $40 dollars for a half session of four hours. Rental rates for skiing and snowboarding equipment are about $40 for a full session and $30 for a half session. Also, check your local skiing and snowboarding stores for available daytrips by bus to destinations like Wintergreen, Snowshoe or Massanutten.

weekend

editors: chelsea gunter, patrick murphy sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

march 1, 2012 COLLEGIATETIMES

wryly

e R ILLY DELIGHTFULLY OFFENSIVE.

Neil deGrasse Tyson and his quest to bring the sciences back to the forefront of America

here’s a striking moment in the movie “Margin Call,” a dramatization of Wall Street panic on the eve of the financial crisis, when an employee is questioned about his educational qualifications. How, the boss asks, did an MIT-trained rocket scientist end up as a mid-level risk analyst? “Well it’s all just numbers really; you’re just changing what you’re adding up,” the employee replies. “And if I may speak freely, the money is considerably more attractive here.” The candid answer illuminates an alarming truth: the United States no longer values science like it once did. It doesn’t take an astrophysicist to see Americans’ once-smoldering love affair with the subject has fallen on hard times. Student test scores continue to languish behind counterparts’ in Asia and Europe, and today’s brightest minds are increasingly more likely to take their talents to Wall Street than a laboratory. And why shouldn’t they? Scientists are relatively underpaid compared to their peers in different industries. Worse, their once-admired intellectual prowess is now often dismissively viewed as “elitism.” Toxic voices in our national discourse have convinced significant portions of the population that scientists are political pawns whose research can be ignored. The superpower built by scientific innovation seems distrustful of — or worse, indifferent to — the very traits that elevated it to the top of the free world.

It wasn’t always this way. Fifty years ago, John F. Kennedy stood on a stage at Rice University exhorting America to lead the most spectacular intellectual quest of all: exploring the great beyond. “We set sail on this new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained and new rights to be won, and they must be won and used for the progress of all people,” Kennedy said. Kennedy delivered this call to arms to a nation perched on the precipice of scientific history. Within seven years, an American man had stepped foot on the moon. In 1969, this nation looked outward for progress. Today, our attention is focused inward on the same economic, military and social issues of the 20th century. American passion for scientific exploration has faded as resources once devoted to studying the cosmos are shifted toward finding ways to expand market share. Like the Righteous Brothers said, we’ve lost that loving feeling. Not everyone believes it’s gone, though. Neil deGrasse Tyson is perhaps our best hope for inspiring a new generation of truth seekers. A child prodigy turned renowned astrophysicist, Tyson has emerged as the public face of American astronomy and one of the leading voices in the effort to revitalize our scientific culture. It’s hard to think of anyone better suited to such a difficult task. His impressive credentials — Harvard and Columbia educations, director of the world-famous Hayden Planetarium in New York City — are

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accompanied by deft communication skills and slick media savvy. Few professionals in any industry, let alone science, are as adept at reaching young audiences as Tyson. He’s a frequent guest on youth-oriented programs such as “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and “The Colbert Report,” and sometimes engages fans directly on websites like Reddit and Twitter. No matter what the venue, Tyson always wins over the crowd with his straightforward lucidity and trademark humor. Few can so eloquently describe the wonders of the universe, and even fewer can do it in such a pragmatic and effortlessly relatable manner. Tyson’s charm is important because the message he delivers is deathly serious — embrace scientific progress or doom ourselves to economic and possibly literal extinction. “America is fading,” he said in a speech to Buffalo University in 2010. “I see the most powerful particle accelerators in some other country; the fastest trains are built by Germany and are running in China right now. I see our infrastructure collapsing, no one dreaming about tomorrow and everyone thinks they can put a Band-Aid on one problem or another.” Tyson believes America’s technological decline is directly related to the effective abandonment of space exploration. He may joke that NASA’s low-Earth orbit flights “boldly go where hundreds have gone before,” but underneath the humor are worry and a clear sense of

melancholy about the emasculation of America’s once-proud beacon of scientific excellence. In a time when technology has finally caught up to the power of imagination, we should be advancing the space frontier to Mars and beyond, inspiring a new generation to work in science. Instead, NASA’s budget is continuously slashed even as military expenditures skyrocket. On the “Daily Show” this past Monday, Tyson cautioned that it was imperative for America’s economic future that the government make serious investments in science and technology. “Without it,” he said, “we might as well slide back to the cave, because that’s where we’re headed right now — broke.” More than a decade into the 21st century, America faces a choice that will shape our future. Do we continue to put aside our pursuit of excellence until a “more convenient time” that will likely never arise? Or will the nation that charged fearlessly into space once again set the global standard for scientific progress? Advocating for future investment will never be easy in a country that primarily values short-term success, but with Tyson leading the way, at least science has a fighting chance.

ANDREW REILLY -featured columnist -senior -communication major -@wrylyreilly

march 1, 2012

Regular Edition Today’s Birthday Horoscope: Saturn spends most of 2012 in Libra,

It’s no puzzle what Blacksburg is doing on Thursday and Saturday night.

your Eighth House of joint resources. Target debt reduction this year, and then build savings and retirement funds. Saturn’s about learning and responsibility. Career and education both sparkle. Love and social life’s not bad, either.

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Week ending Feb. 18, 2012

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WORDSEARCH: London Olympics 2012 Part 2 Locate the list of words in the word bank in the letter grid.

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W W G WORD BANK M E O X 1Handball 2 Weightlifting I N H E 3 Soccer S K S V 4 Fencing W Z W E 5 Cycling Track 6 Pentathlon Q S I N 7 Equestrian F E Y T Dressage E G S I 8 Tenis 9 Volleyball N X Q N 10 Wrestling C L D G 11Cycling Road I H F V 12 Equestrian Eventing N A F J 13 Gymnastics G M J R Rhythmic 14 Rowing Y J E A 15 Cycling I C S Z Mountain Bike C X Y Y 16 Canoe Sprint 17 Hockey N F I K 18 Equestrian E R D L Jumping

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march 1, 2012 COLLEGIATETIMES

Hokies attempt to sweep Tigers MIKE PLATANIA sports staff writer The Virginia Tech men’s basketball team will make its last road trip of the regular season when it tips off against the Clemson Tigers. Over the weekend, both teams experienced thrilling overtime games. The Hokies fell to Duke — a team that could possibly be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. And the Tigers were able to pull out a win over N.C. State, which has been on the tournament bubble for a few weeks now. This season, neither team has played itself into a position to get an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. In fact the Hokies are more likely to get a bid to the National Invitation Tournament — a destination all too familiar for Hokie fans. Both Clemson and Tech have had trouble going through the gauntlet of ACC play, posting conference records of 7-7 and 4-10, respectively. Hokies’ head coach Seth Greenberg admits it’s been a rollercoaster of a season in the ACC. “We haven’t improved as quickly in the area of ACC play as I would’ve liked. But we made very good progress early, then we really leveled off or even took a step backward,” Greenberg said. “Now it seems like we’re starting to move forward again.” For the Hokies it’s been a season of “what ifs.” Nine of the Hokies’ 14 losses have come by five points or less, most recently falling at Duke and coming two points short of beating rival Virginia at home. These close finishes have given Greenberg confidence that his team is still a strong unit and capable of playing well in the postseason. “We’re getting better, our young players are playing with more confidence and we’re running better offense,” Greenberg said. “I’m concerned about us winning as many games as we can and going as far as we can in the ACC Tournament.” The Tigers have also been

FILE 2012 / SPPS

playing some of their better ball lately. Clemson has won four of its last five games, with its only loss coming against No. 6 North Carolina in Chapel Hill, a place where the Tigers have never won. The matchup to watch will be between both starting point guards: Tech’s Erick Green and Clemson’s Andre Young. Tech’s offense goes as Green goes, and luckily for the Hokies, he’s been playing well lately. In his last five games, he’s been averaging more than 15 points and has been shooting nearly 50 percent from behind the arc. Young sunk the game-winning three-pointer in overtime in Clemson’s win over N.C. State and has been the Tigers’ go-to guy all season. Young not only leads all Clemson players in scoring, but he also protects and distributes the ball well with an assist to turnover ratio of 2.6 to 1. For Tech, senior Dorenzo Hudson will be looking to continue to end his career in Blacksburg on a high note. After draining a last-second three pointer to beat Georgia Tech in overtime last weekend, the third-team All-ACC

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guard was the Hokies’ second leading scorer against Virginia and put up 16 against the Blue Devils. Coach Greenberg knows Hudson’s value to the team. “He’s just been an unbelievable teammate. Anything and everything we’ve asked him to do, he’s done and accepted it with a smile on his face,” Greenberg said. “Not everyone can do that.” Earlier in February, the Hokies beat the Tigers in Cassell Coliseum, 67-65. Tech nearly let a 14-point lead slip away in the last four minutes, but they were able to hold on and win before Clemson could complete its comeback. Green, Jarrell Eddie and Dorian FinneySmith all scored in double digits, and the Hokies will need their starters to deliver again against a Clemson defense that allows less than 60 points per game. The Hokies will have their hands full trying to slow down Clemson, but they certainly have the ability to leave with a win. If Tech starts pulling out close games now, it can provide some much-needed momentum heading into the ACC Tournament.

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Send your information and a photo to the Collegiate Times at studybreak@collegemedia.com to make an announcement.

dating since: March 11, 2007 he says: She is a very beautiful woman and the best girlfriendin the world. I love her very much!

You are my rock, the only thing that keeps me going when everything is falling apart. I love you!

she says:

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Your family helps you to overcome a dif icult situation. Lean on them more than you might normally. Thank them. They know you’d do the same. Don’t take it personally.

Gemini (May 21-June 21) Impulsiveness can cause accidents, so slow down a bit. Check your footing, and play strong. Refuse to be suppressed. Charge batteries when low.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Don’t jump the gun; listen for the timing. Step carefully, and watch where you’re going. Pay attention, and you master the dance. Now you’re jamming.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) At irst, the task may seem impossible. Create teamwork to make it happen, and exceed expectations. Don’t forget to give thanks. There’s room for love.

Aries (March 21-April 19) Finish a job carefully. A solution to an old problem becomes apparent, and reviewing the cards again reveals new strategies that weren’t obvious before.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) Think it over a little longer. It should be ready to go later. Traf ic’s blocked for now. Stick close to home, and take care of some lingering responsibility.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Imagine the inished product, and you can spot potential problems before they arise. If you get stuck, take a walk and think it over. Calm down to untangle.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Keep working on it with as few distractions as possible. But don’t cut corners to get the job done. Pay attention to detail. Slow down to get it done faster.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Wait until later to discuss an upcoming purchase... the timing’s not right. Heed a friend’s warning. When choosing, consider the impacts on your health.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Belt it out: You’ve got something to say, and they’re listening. You have some wonderful friends. The best things in life are free. Enjoy them with gusto.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Stay close to home, but make sure to recharge with a stroll outdoors. Don’t miss the forest for the trees. Look at the big picture. Get plenty of rest.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Don’t throw your money away; be creative with what you’ve got. Open windows and let a romantic breeze ill your heart. When all else fails, use humor.

how they met: We met the first day of 9th

grade, he was the class clown and I was the new girl.

Have a couple you want to nominate for ‘Couple of the Week?’ Email your nominations to studybreak@collegemedia.com with the title ‘Couple of the Week.’