Friday, March 16, 2012 Print Edition

Friday, March 16, 2012

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

COLLEGIATETIMES 109th year, issue 31

News, page 2

People & Clubs, page 6

Opinions, page 3

Sports, page 5

Study Break, page 4

Pub not opening on St. Pat’s, but soon

PAUL KURLAK / SPPS

Co-owners Faulds (left) and Castle are optimistic for the pub’s future.

Castle’s Kettle & Pub is now slated to open in April, but won’t be open for the holiday weekend PATRICK MURPHY features editor With a “Fall 2011” sign planted in the ground since last semester, watchful eyes have been kept on Castle’s Kettle & Pub, yet so far its doors have remained closed.

The pub will not be open for St. Patrick’s Day. Construction delays have set the pub back significantly, as it was originally set to open last November. Now, the pub is aiming to open to the public in April, but there is no firm date in place.

“I think it would have been great (to open on St. Patrick’s Day), but the luck of the leprechauns just wasn’t with us,” said Joe Castle, co-owner of the pub who has been overseeing the day-to-day construction.

While a little discouraged, Castle insists the delay is for the best.

He said the pub is not quite ready, and he did not want to impulsively open the establishment in apprehension of presenting a product that was not up to his standards.

“We just wanted to make sure the experience was right from the beginning,” Castle said.

“We didn’t want to rush the process.”

The reason for the holdup has mostly been because of construction issues. Castle had to redesign some aspects of the heating and cooling units for the building.

The kitchen also presented its own set of problems. It is a tight space that had to be remodeled to ensure it was fully functional.

Having to redesign the kitchen made for about a three-week setback.

“I think we all underestimated the difficulty of the project, especially the kitchen,” said Tony Faulds, the other owner of the pub, who is based in California. He is primarily handling the business side of things.

Faulds is in the Blacksburg area now helping out with the final stages of opening the pub and also expects to come back into town about once a month to monitor the business’ progress. Despite being on the West Coast, he does not feel it has made the process any more difficult.

“It’s just like managing any project,” Faulds said. “You get frustrated and want to know why there are delays ... but you (just have to) come up with some creative ways to make it work.” see CASTLE’S / page eight

UPSIDE

DOWN

DANIEL LIN / SPPS

VT SnowJam brought the unseasonable experiences of snowboarding and skiing to the Drillfield yesterday night. Check out our action-packed photo essay on page seven.

SGA changes Candidates outline vision for next year voting policy news reporter As the 2012-13 Virginia Tech SGA election campaigns for president, vice president and college senators begin, election changes and competitive campaigns will be the highlights of this year’s race.

Last year, the judicial branch of the SGA, in collaboration with the House and Senate, amended the SGA Constitution, bylaws and election code, eliminating the treasurer and secretary positions from the ballot.

In a referendum last year, the SGA proposed the amendment to the student body, which had to meet a 10-percent threshold to pass. About 13 percent of Tech students participated in the election, and 11.5 percent supported the measure, approving a change that would make the SGA elections more competitive.

“There are multiple tickets running, so there will be a better race, and more students should come out and vote,” said Kat Roberts, chief justice of the SGA. “This year, we have multiple tickets and a lot of senators — there will be a senator contest in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences this year.”

Gemma Wallnau, a freshman business major, supports the change.

“I noticed that in the freshman elections, there were some that went uncontested,” she said. “I guess it is a good idea that they want a contest for the SGA.”
 Candidates for president are Ryan Waddell, a political science major, and Dustin Dorph, a junior civil engineering major. Their vice presidential running mates are Caroline Gimenez, a junior mathematics major, and Anjelica Smith, a sophomore communication major.

Elections will be held from March 26 to March 29.

Candidates will campaign until the elections, and will participate in a debate on March 19 at 7 p.m. in Old Dominion Ballroom at Squires Student Center.

The vice presidential candidates discussed their and their running mate’s stances on different issues around campus with the Collegiate Times.

Caroline Gimenez is a vice presidential candidate and is running with presidential candidate Ryan Waddell. Their campaign developed a platform based on AGENCY — appreciation for diverse perspectives, governmental relations, enriching educational opportunities, collaboration and your voice.

Their campaign focuses on diversity initiatives, working with the Virginia and federal governments on higher education advocacy, academic advising and affairs, Hokie Spirit, collaborating with the Virginia Tech community and student outreach.

Gimenez discussed some of the top issues on campus.

Collegiate Times: How will you address the issue of parking and transportation on campus?

Caroline Gimenez: This is always an issue, and it has become increasingly difficult for students with all of the construction going on around campus. Based on our platforms, I think we would want to do a lot of collaborating with the administration to see what their plans are to address this issue, what their timeline is, and then communicate this information to the students.

We can then discuss with students about what specifically they want and their reaction to those ideas, whether it’s a new parking garage that won’t be up for another two years, or setting up interim parking to make up for what has been lost. And we can relay that feedback to the administration and work to solve these issues.

Anjelica Smith: The “Ticket to Win It” recognizes the difficult parking and traffic situation on campus.

Realistically, there is no quick fix to the situation at hand, but our campaign is looking to work with administration to plan for a future with more organized transportation. Some ideas are promoting alternate forms of transportation, proposing a form of U-Share bicycles and pushing the outside community to be more accessible to pedestrians.

CT: How will you change academic advising for students?

This is pretty much directly addressed in our platform, but we definitely want to keep the momentum going with everything the SGA has done this year to improve academic advising on our campus. Some students have had great advising experiences. However, a good percentage of students have had a completely different experience. It is important to really push and work with the administration to set up a form of mandatory training for advisors, or mandate that advisors must meet with their students at least once a semester.

Academic advising is an important part of students’ path to graduation.

The “Ticket to Win It” recognizes there is not a one-size-fits-all solution to meet the challenges of advising across colleges and majors. The “Ticket to Win It” will talk to deans and advisers of each college as well as departments to determine both sides of the issue. Solutions worth further investigation include requesting employment of more fulltime advisers and advocating for the improvement of advising websites. see SGA / page two

ANJELICA SMITH

JOSH HIGGINS

CAROLINE GIMENEZ

BY JOSH HIGGINS | news reporter

Anjelica Smith is a vice presidential candidate and is running with presidential candidate Dustin Dorph. Their “Ticket to Win It” platform focuses on connecting the SGA representatives with the student body. Their platform focuses on four categories: student life, diversity and inclusion, community partnerships and the internal structure of the SGA. They want to “make being a Hokie an involved and rewarding experience.”

They hope to revamp the F-6 program, which coordinates activities during the first six weeks of the school year, by working with Dining Services, New Student Programs and the Residence Hall Federation.

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news

march 16, 2012 COLLEGIATETIMES

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

Catching fire: Pokemon lives on Student club PokeTech provides way for Hokies to play Pokemon card and video games with friends MADELINE GORDON features staff writer While playing Pokemon may be a childhood memory for many, one club is keeping the past fad alive. PokeTech, a Virginia Tech student organization, meets weekly to engage in all things Pokemon.

Alex Sanyer, a junior English major and the PokeTech club president, founded the organization his freshman year with the help of two friends. The club has continued to grow ever since.

“There are about 12 people at any given meeting, but about 100 members in our Facebook group,” Sanyer said.

During club meetings, members gather to compete in the classic trading card game, as well as the Pokemon video game. However, every so often, PokeTech holds a tournament.

“People will either bring in their cards or buy cards to construct a deck (for a tournament), or people will bring in their video game and we will make a tournament using that,” Sanyer said.

PokeTech has also played against other colleges through the online video game. Sanyer said the club has competed against colleges such as Penn State, George Washington University, University of Texas and Grinnell College.

“We play against other clubs weekly, and eventually we will go to a championship game (as a part of an intercollegiate league),” Sanyer said.

Morgan Sebestin, a freshman computer science major and PokeTech member, said the club also holds drafts, which are similar to tournaments. Members bring in packs of cards and pass

the decks around, allowing each member to take one card.

“It’s kind of like a roulette of card games,” Sebestin said, “I’m collecting my cards through the drafts.”

Sanyer, whose favorite Pokemon are Epseon and Letios, said it is not hard to learn how to play Pokemon.

“It’s like most other card games where you play it once and you kind of know the basics,” Sanyer said.

A tip for being a good player in both the card and video game, Sanyer said, is to study up on Pokemon characters.

It is important for players to figure out what works against other Pokemon and learn their strengths and weaknesses.

“It helps to watch other people and learn what to do in certain situations of the game,” Sanyer said. “It also helps to have good cards when playing the card game.”

Sanyer has always been a huge Pokemon fan. He has been following the franchise since it launched in 1996.

“I watched the anime TV show at first, and then I wanted to do everything else related to Pokemon,” Sanyer said. “I begged my parents to get me the game.”

Pokemon is a family affair for Sanyer — his dad and brother are both avid Pokemon enthusiasts.

“My dad actually judges Pokemon tournaments,” Sanyer said, “My brother still plays and has been to the world championship multiple times.”

Sebestin, whose favorite Pokemon is Charizard, played the game as a kid, but is just now getting back into it. Like many, he stopped playing dur-

ing middle school. However, he does not think the trend ever completely faded out.

“I don’t think it ever really went away. But the nostalgia value for people our age is pretty big,” Sebestin said. “Everyone had (the cards) growing up.”

Most people don’t realize that Pokemon is still very active, he said. In fact, Pokemon is still coming out with new games and characters. Sebestin and Sanyer agree that Pokemon, as well as the players’ understanding of the game, are constantly evolving.

“For me, it’s more of getting deeper into the mechanical roots of Pokemon. I didn’t realize how much strategy went into it. Beyond the rock, paper, scissors of it all, there’s a lot going on,” Sanyer said.

Sebestin said the game is surprisingly deep and complicated.

The ultimate goal of PokeTech is to make competitive Pokemon more popular in the New River Valley.

“Most people are amazed to hear that there is a Pokemon club on campus,” S a ny e r said.

PokeTech, which meets Saturdays at 8 p.m. in Squires Student Center Room 145, is open to new members.

“PokeTech is just about having a good time, playing a game you love and meeting new people who share that interest,” Sanyer said.

more info For PokeTech, a student organization, trading cards and Pokemon games haven’t gone out of style.

Group members meet weekly on Saturdays at 8 p.m. in Squires Student Center Room 145 to embrace the game and its characters.

by vtcivilengineer: I hope whoever took this picture was using fall protection... considering there is a fall hazard here and no handrail on the stairs either. The picture might look pretty to some but it looks like an OSHA violation to me!

by ... (in response to vtcivilengineer): It's still under construction in the picture.

by Hokie 10: Oh, teppanyaki is great on a cold day.

Ramen too. Its hot fast food...completely unhealthy (carbs and salt) but also delicious. Noodle addict in NYC.

Wryly Reilly: Girls gone child

by Anonymous: You don't have to wait until spring break. This sort of behavior pretty much happened every weekend when I was at tech. But it's not just tech, it's pretty much the culture of "having fun". It's about getting hammered, completely trashed, and becoming trashy.

overall it wasn't very well written. The pseudo-Gonzo voice just didn't seem realized, and while the Newt Gingrich jab was funny, it seemed forced.

by Anonymous (in response to Anonymous): Agreed, this article might as well of been called Fear and Loathing on the Norwegian Pearl

April 16: Families win suits

by A Hokie Tired of the Blame Game:

SGA: Hopefuls aim to serve from page one

CT: What kinds of issues do you think exist for students, and how will you deal with them?

Anjelica Smith: Rather than trying to speculate what is important to students on campus, our ticket is focused on making students aware of the tools and resources the SGA has to address your concerns. Our ticket would like to create a more open-door atmosphere to understand what is important to students.

The day it happened was awful and it’s not any less awful five years later. Good professional people had to use the best judgment that they had and now everything is second guessed. If I were there and in charge, from this point forward if anyone is shot, stabbed, heck...maybe even threatened by anyone within 50 miles of campus I would lock it all down. Cancel classes. Close roads. Cancel all broadcasts to everything except public updates of the crisis. Because who knows...that domestic disturbance in Sturbridge Square COULD impact students if it’s not really a domestic disturbance and the campus doesn’t respond appropriately. Here’s the other thing...so if they HAD jumped to the conclusion that a crazy gunman was out for a blood bath and locked everyone in immediately as has been suggested they should have...and then he killed all the students trapped with him in Harper Hall, would these very same people not scream that they should have had the foresight to know that you need not make the students targets and that the killings were caused by the choice to lockdown campus?? This is TRULY a no win for those who had to make some difficult decisions on an awful day. I am thankful for VT law enforcement and leadership. May those who judge them so harshly never have to face a day of decisions like these brave individuals faced on 04/16.

by Anonymous (in response to A Hokie Tired of the Blame Game): I agree! It’s completely nowin on either side. I can totally see people suing that they weren’t “allowed to make their own safety decisions” if the university had locked them down in a building with Cho. They’d ask, “Why did they lock down the place SO SOON, without even knowing who it was? It could have been the

CT: How will you be involved with student activities?

SGA sponsors a lot of great initiatives and events across campus, and we definitely hope to continue those next year. This year, the SGA was one of four organizations that helped to bring John Legend to campus to be the Black History Month keynote speaker and perform a concert.

It would definitely be a goal to continue working closely with other organizations to make the most of our combined resources and do the most that we can for the student body.

New dining center set to open this fall

by Anonymous: Article raised some good points, but

ALCIA TILMAN / COLLEGIATE TIMES

Caroline Gimenez: There are issues that are present every year on a college campus like Tech, such as parking, class size and lines in dining halls. The SGA works every year to improve these as much as possible. One of the platforms we are most passionate about is being the students’ voice.

There are plenty of new issues that can arise every year that were not present before, and they can come up at different points throughout the year. That is why we really want to increase and improve student outreach and the lines of communication between students and the SGA. We want them to know that if they are struggling with anything, like an issue with a professor or trying to start a new green initiative, they can come to us. Even if it’s just to stop by the office and ask where a certain room in Squires is, we’re here to help the students any way we can. If we cannot do something directly, we will work to find someone who can help. We really want to be agents for the students to help them succeed here at Tech, and the best way for us to do that is by knowing what’s going on with students and what issues they’re currently facing, so that we can tackle them head on.

what you’re saying

Our ticket places a huge importance on the SGA’s opportunity to partner with organizations within the Tech community.

Collaboration is a great tool to make events larger and more efficient. The “Ticket to Win It” is planning on supporting events and organizations that complement the Hokie experience.

person sitting next to me in class!” Anyone was suspect at that point. So you see, it appears that pretty much any decision the university were to have made that day would have been wrong because Cho was going to wreak havoc somewhere on the campus or in town. Unless there was some ideal decision that could have 100% guaranteed Norris wouldn’t have happened, the university would have been targeted by litigation/accusations regardless of whatever they decided to do. If they’d taken 1,000 precautions immediately after West AJ and Norris still occurred, believe me, people would have found something to pin on the university.

Upward Bound Summer Counselors Needed: Responsible live-in counselors needed for the Virginia Tech Upward Bound Program. Counselors supervise dorm, plan ac vi es, give academic and social guidance, provide tutoring and monitor student performance. June 19-August 3, 2012, on the Virginia Tech campus.

Dorm Coordinator Needed: Dorm Coordinator is responsible for ensuring the smooth opera on of the Upward Bound Summer Program dorm, supervising Tutor/Counselors, scheduling employees, maintaining files, paperwork and other management responsibili es as needed. June 19-August 3, 2012.

For a link to the application, visit www.ubts.vt.edu. Click on summer experience. Applications accepted until all positions are filled; however, interviews begin in March. For questions, please call (540) 231-6911 or email Latanya Walker at latanya@vt.edu

opinions

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

march 16, 2012 COLLEGIATETIMES

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

Your Views [letter to the editor]

Family reaffirms support of Tech

We

are saddened that the headline had to read “Virginia Tech found negligent” — had to because the only judicial avenue for us to find the truth was to bring suit against the Commonwealth of Virginia standing in for Virginia Tech.

Our daughter, Julia (“Julie”), loved Tech. Had she survived — had she only been wounded — she would have insisted on finishing her education there. Our lawsuit was not intended in any way to tarnish further the reputation of this fine institution, but was to focus scrutiny on the decisions of two individuals who made the decision that the campus not be warned that there was a gunman on the loose, a gunman who had already shot and killed two students with a semi-automatic pistol.

Before the shootings in Norris Hall, a member of the policy group alerted the Governor’s office that: “We have one dead, one wounded, gunman on the loose.” A little later, the members of the Board of Visitors were told that two students had been shot, one fatally. Our daughter was told nothing. That was the kind of information our daughter needed.

The policy group had originally drafted a campus alert that two students had been shot that morning at West Ambler-Johnston Hall — one fatally. When the message finally went out, all reference to the homicide had been scrubbed from the alert. Instead, the campus was notified, not alerted, that there had “been a shooting incident this morning” at West AJ — a shooting incident not further defined or described.

Julie went off to class unaware of any risk, and her life was ended that morning on the second floor of Norris Hall by that gunman on the loose.

Our issues are not with Tech. It continues to have our support and our affection.

After the Norris Hall shootings, much of the Tech family was there for us. Mary Leigh Wolfe of the Biological Systems Engineering department was in constant contact with us on our nine-hour drive down on April 16, 2007. She was frantically trying to find her mentee, our daughter, Julia for us on that day. She rushed to the Inn at Virginia Tech when we told her our daughter Leah would be arriving ahead of us.

Our issues are with the two men who made the decision not to warn, Tech President Charles Steger and Chief Wendell Flinchum, and of these, principally Steger. The ultimate decision not to issue a warning was his. Chief Flinchum acquitted himself well, even heroically, in the subsequent shooting, but sadly many of those Norris Hall shooting deaths might have been avoided had the campus been warned before students headed to their 9:05 a.m. classes.

It was Steger whom we sought to hold personally accountable by our lawsuit, but Virginia law didn’t permit us to do that.

We have always been and will continue forever to be grateful to the faculty and students of Tech and the people of Blacksburg and Christiansburg who have shared our pain and supported us throughout this ordeal.

We are grateful to Judge Alexander and the members of the jury who gave so much of their time and effort to reach an impartial decision based on the facts and not on the spin created regarding that awful day in 2007. We thank the deputies and officers of the Court of Montgomery County for treating us with such respect and dignity during the grueling days of the trial.

We are, and will always be, sorry that the headlines got it wrong.

Most Sincerely, Karen and Harry Pryde, Parents of Julia Kathleen Pryde, deceased Editor’s note: This letter was sent to multiple media outlets. The Collegiate Times’ headlines did not contain the phrase in the letter.

we’re YOUR newspaper. send a letter to the editor and express your views.

send an email to opinionseditor@ collegiatetimes.com with your letter or guest column attached.

MCT CAMPUS

Bill forces views on women On

March 7, Gov. Bob McDonnell signed into law a bill passed by the General Assembly which legally requires abortion clinics to perform an ultrasound of a woman’s fetus prior to an abortion.

The bill, as it originally stood, includes victims of rape or incest and required an invasive form of the ultrasound, which many Democrats in the General Assembly equated to “legalized rape.”

In response to the wave of protests the bill originally engendered, McDonnell and his party revised the bill to exclude victims of rape and incest and required the routine transabdominal ultrasound instead. With the revised bill signed into effect, Virginia joins a myriad other states that have passed similar bills over the past few months, with the purpose of intentionally persecuting women who make the legal choice to abort their fetuses.

Virginia’s bill is certainly the most moderate of the anti-abortion bills passed this year, but the fact that it is not as extreme in its attack on reproductive rights does not justify its existence. Instead, it’s the opposite.

The moderate nature of this bill is far more dangerous to abortion rights than extreme variations.

As with all other freedoms, the slow chipping away of reproductive rights is far more effective at eradicating the free individuality of women than by extreme acts of persecution.

Forcing women to undergo a medically unnecessary procedure that seeks to only add more emotional suffering to an already arduous process shows how sadistically cruel some anti-abortion

advocates are in this country.

I understand being in opposition to abortion as a matter of moral principle. Indeed, I personally would prefer living in a world where no abortions ever occurred.

But personal feelings toward a political issue, whether they be feelings originated from religious orientation or moral sentiment, do not constitute valid reasoning behind an opinion on the topic in the public sphere.

Instead, the purpose of political discourse is to recognize the subjective differences between us and seek to establish an environment in which each individual can realize their full potential without the coercion of others.

This is what conservatives claim constantly behind their “small government” mentality, making their drive for stricter anti-abortion laws even less understandable.

I understand the anti-abortion argument as stemming from the belief held by many that “life” does begin prior to birth. I further hold that this opinion is one that has a great amount of merit and justification to it, and I understand why someone would believe in this proposition. My issue comes when an individual who personally feels human life begins prior to birth takes the further step to persecute women who are legally given the right to abort a fetus.

At the heart of this controversy is the fact that this nation is supposed to be based on laws — not personal sentiment. Regardless of the desires we may have to mirror our societies values, we can legally act on the base of reason oriented toward the public sphere of life.

Subjective sentiments are fine for our personal life, but the legal

structure that governs our political life must be structured on reasoning that is void of the moral and religious justifications used on personal levels.

Our ability to disconnect personal values from political and legal issues is the foundation for this nation’s ability to allow for a lifestyle of freedom. When we fail to do this and instead model our political and legal beliefs on our personal religious or moral values, we allow ourselves to fall into the destructive abyss of despotism.

If they are going to espouse limited government and radical individuality as their basic tenets, conservatives must see that granting freedom to the body politic comes with its unfortunate sides: People can do things that are often against our personal moral and religious sentiments.

At the heart of a free society is respect among individuals by making use of discourse over force, as well as a cultural mode of shaping society over political and legal ones.

Believing that abortion is an unfortunate part of our society and that it would be better for women to find other options regarding pregnancy than this is a perfectly respectable position. But by translating this belief into such degrading and offensive actions such as Virginia’s ultrasound bill does nothing to serve the cause of bettering society, and merely serves to further subject women to increased social abjection.

JASON CAMPBELL -regular columnist -junior -philosophy major

Ultrasound bill protects women’s health R

ecently, Gov. Bob McDonnell signed into law a piece of legislation that would require a woman to have an ultrasound before having an abortion.

While many liberals in Virginia have been fixated on the idea that the Republicans in Richmond have only focused on social issues and push their ideas down Virginians’ throats, the facts show this is far from the truth.

According to Delegate Joseph Yost’s office (Yost represents Blacksburg), more than 1,500 bills were introduced in the House of Delegates this legislative session, and only two of those bills dealt with abortion.

Most bills in the Republicancontrolled House focused on education, transportation and, of course, employment. So, do not believe the Democrats the next time they tell you the Republicans in Richmond are hijacking the General Assembly to push their “radical” socially-conservative agenda.

There are several other things to consider before you believe the Democrats when they say that this bill is relentlessly attacking women’s rights.

First, consider the fact that

3

Virginia is not alone on this front.

In a statement, McDonnell stated, “This bill does not legally alter a woman’s ability to make a choice regarding her pregnancy.

It does, however, put Virginia in line with 23 other states that have some type of requirement that a woman be offered a view of an ultrasound before an abortion can be performed.”

The keyword is “offer,” not “forced to look at.” It is also important to note that this bill does not change a woman’s right to choose.

Even after the ultrasound, if a woman still chooses to end the life of the child inside of her, then that is her own perogative.

Also, this is a women’s health bill — not a bill that takes away women’s rights. The idea of having an ultrasound before performing an abortion is not new.

Dr. Willie Parker, who performs abortions in the Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia regions, said ultrasounds are “pretty much common practice.”

Even Planned Parenthood routinely does ultrasounds before performing abortions. It is important for doctors to know exactly how far along a preg-

nancy is before an abortion is performed, for the sake of the woman.

Additionally, if the physician finds a transvaginal ultrasound is necessary in place of an abdominal one, the woman has the option to refuse the procedure.

Plus, it is the woman’s option to even view the ultrasound.

Nobody is being forced to view it.

So, let us review. Only two bills in the House of Delegates during the 2012 legislative session have dealt with abortion. Have Republicans hijacked the state government to push some sort of radically conservative agenda?

No. Is Virginia the only state requiring ultrasounds before an abortion is performed? No. Is the idea of performing an ultrasound before an abortion a new concept that is never performed by abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood?

No. Will women even be forced to view the ultrasounds? No. I support this bill because it further protects women’s health by allowing doctors to fully understand pregnancies and the development

of babies before abortions are performed.

I also have no reason to disagree with the law because it invades a woman’s privacy, because no woman will be required to view the ultrasound anyway.

Finally, I issue a challenge to my opposition. If you oppose this bill because you believe the government should not be legislating medical decisions, then you should also be pushing to repeal Obamacare.

If you think, like me, that it is OK for government to issue legislation protecting the health of individuals but not form bureaucratic panels to make healthcare decisions for us, then you can support this law and not support Obamacare.

Supporting Obamacare while arguing this new law in Virginia violates privacy in the doctor’s office, although no one is being forced to view the ultrasound, is hypocritical at best.

MATTHEW HURT -regular columnist -junior -political science major

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march 16, 2012

Regular Edition Today’s Birthday Horoscope: Collaboration is a good idea, and

partnership is key. Career and finances occupy your priorities for the first six months, while domestic bliss takes on new meaning after June.

Learning and leadership show up as recurring themes this year. Keep to a budget, and seal it with a kiss.

Piled Higher and Deeper by Jorge Cham 9 3 5 2

8 6 4 9 8 7 2 4 5 2 8 3 4 9 5 3 7 9 1 5

XKCD by Randell Monroe This could be you . . .

Crossword

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Week ending Feb. 18, 2012

Top tracks

( ) Last week’s ranking in top five

We are Young (Feat. Janelle Moneae) • Fun

(1) 1

Glad You Came • The Wanted

(3) 2

Stronger (What

(2) 3

Doesn’t Kill You)

• Kelly Clarkson

(5) 4

Set Fire to the Rain • Adele

5

Somebody That I Used to Know • Gotye

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WORDSEARCH: COMING SOON TO A THEATER NEAR YOU Locate the list of words in the word bank in the letter grid.

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sports 5 Hockey team looks to gain notoriety

editors: matt jones, zach mariner

march 16, 2012

COLLEGIATETIMES

sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

COURTESY OF LUKE MASON Defenseman Chris Vu (27) looks to go around a U.Va. defender in October 2011 in the Virginia Tech 10-2 victory at the Roanoke Civic Center. The club hockey team is prepared to travel to Florida, far from its home of southwest Virginia, for its upcoming tournament.

Virginia Tech’s club hockey team heads to Fort Myers, Fla. to compete in nationals for first time ALEX KOMA sports staff writer Blacksburg may certainly be cold enough for hockey, but it is unlikely that anyone would ever call it a “hockey town.”

However, when Virginia Tech’s club ice hockey team travels to compete in the American Collegiate Hockey Association National Tournament for the first time in its history, people will be forced to start thinking of it that way.

“This is a huge accomplishment for these kids,” said Christopher Arnold, director of

$

hockey operations and marketing for the team. “The team has been around since 1984, so to see it finally reach nationals is great.”

For a team that plays its home games in Roanoke, the opportunity to play on a national stage in Fort Myers, Fla. is incredibly important. “(Going to nationals) will really help us increase exposure of the program,” said Andres Morales, a senior forward.

“This should really let us build up the program in terms of what we want to achieve on a national level.”

Coaches say they have

already seen positive results from the increased visibility.

“It’s been really crazy the kind of effect it’s already had on us,” said head coach Joey Mullen.

“I just had a sophomore in high school up in New York call me about joining the team someday and that never would’ve happened otherwise.”

Team members attribute this year’s success to a tougher schedule.

“We’ve really continued to strengthen our schedule this year, and although our results haven’t been as strong as last year, we’ve won when it mattered,” Morales said.

The coaching staff agrees that the tough schedule, combined with some strategic adjustments, have served the team well this season.

“The tougher schedule we played this year helped us get used to the higher level of competition,” Mullen said.

“We also made some changes on the defensive line, and they’ve really exploded offensively.”

The team is slated to play William Patterson, Utah State and Lindenwood as part of its opening pool of the tournament, and players are optimistic about their chances.

“People aren’t expecting too much from us, so it’s a good opportunity for us to play with

a chip on our shoulder as the underdogs,” Morales said. “This is certainly an opportunity for more exposure, but we also view it as a chance to win the whole thing.”

David Standley, one of the co-founders of the team, views even the opportunity to play in the tournament as progress for the club.

“This team only started because a bunch of transplanted New Englanders tried to find a way to keep playing hockey,” Standley said. “The club’s maturation really started a decade ago, and this is a really strong step forward for the club.”

The club’s humble beginnings are part of what makes its recent achievements

all the more impressive to original participants like Standley.

“We’ve gone from literally scheduling random colleges to finding a group of coaches who have made this team into a powerhouse, and I think it’s really impressive what they’ve done here,” Standley said.

No matter how it performs in the tournament, team officials believe the team will come away improved.

“Even if we go 0-3, I think we’ll have a competitive three games,” Arnold said.

“It’s just great exposure and learning experience for the kids, so if they get there next year, they know what to expect.”

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Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Add some play to your work, and then leave work behind when it’s time to play. Focus on those projects you’re passionate about.

Aries (March 21-April 19) Passion or compassion? Your choice.

Have fun with an art project. Explore feminine images. Express beauty and affection. Make love and romance a priority.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Your home is your castle, and if you move quickly, you get a good deal on something special for it today.

Go ahead and get into homebody pleasures. Relax.

Gemini (May 21-June 21) Accept a bonus, and use it to ix up your home. There’s more abundance coming. Now’s the time to consult with your partners and team. Work out the plan.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) When love is your motivation, everything else falls in line. Even money. Let your intuition write your business plan. Inspire a boss or client with your care.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Positivity shines through. Indulge your appreciation for art and beauty.

There’s an element of the sacred about it. Lighthearted practicality suits you, while you get stuff done.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Friendship is the basis for a great partnership. The money’s available.

Figure out what you really want to do, and you have all the connections you need.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) A distraction could make you lose your north. Keep your objective in mind and increase your productivity and income. A penny saved is a penny earned.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Dr. Seuss, proli ic children’s author, knew a thing or two: “You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is inally better than your dreams.”

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) It’s not all about you, even if it seems so, and even if it’s working. Lend a helping ear and hand to those closest to you. You’re the one who has the most to gain.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) You’re looking very good and getting better. Your ability to communicate is gaining followers. Don’t hold back, express yourself fully. Do it for the better good.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) You may be in a phase of private selfexamination, but there’s still time to be romantic. Don’t despair if things don’t go right at irst. Honest charm wins out.

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6

march 16, 2012 COLLEGIATETIMES

he she

people & clubs

SAID

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

She said: Fans hop on monthlong rollercoaster T

he only basketball I believe in is collegiate. In my opinion, high school is about the fundamentals of defense. College highlights both, and the NBA is purely offense.

Most of the hard work, sweat and tears originate and rest at the college level, and what makes college ball the most fun to watch is the constant race to March. Their eyes are on the prize, regardless of how small the school may be.

brings people across the nation together. They put their friendships on the line as they create brackets and place bets. Friends betting money can be a sticky situation, but during an occasion such as March Madness, it is a necessity.

Although I neglected to submit a bracket this year, during spring break I found myself trying to find blackjack tables next to TVs. I could not get enough as I was rooting for the underdogs and betting high on my if two free ... I have found my days hand throws were made filled with craning my head, in a row. I ended up winning $200, searching for someone who so I would say my frenzy is watching a game in class basketball was my good luck on their laptop, checking my charm.

This obsession got ESPN application ... so bad that I swiped my credit card on the airplane coming back from Vegas My love for the game didn’t just so I could catch some highoriginate with my experience as lights, and here I am. That $7.99 a baller in middle school, nor did was the best spent money of my it come from merely watching it entire trip home. on TV. The movie “Glory Road” Now that we are back to reality came out while I was living in El in Blacksburg, I have found my Paso, Texas — the city where all days filled with craning my head, the magic happened. searching for someone who is I had been to the Don Haskins watching a game in class on their Center and watched plenty of laptop, checking my ESPN appliUniversity of Texas at El Paso cation or eavesdropping on other basketball before experiencing Hokies who are talking about it. the movie, but it was only after I won’t get into my top picks. watching the movie that I real- I’ll let you decide those for yourized how far the game of bas- self, but my uncle played for the ketball has truly come. It was school I’m rooting for, and that’s like getting LASIK eye surgery where most of my loyalty lies.

— there was a newfound respect The Hokies were always high for the players. on my list, and they put on a March Madness is as momen- very impressive show early on in tous in college basketball as the the ACC tournament, but like I Catalina Wine Mixer is in “Step always say, “There’s always next Brothers.” The championship is year, fellas.” almost as beautiful as Brennan The award for the best March Huff ’s inspiring performance. Madness bracket idea goes to my Although the regular season men at Benny Marzano’s. They helps with seeding, March is have created a competition in where it culminates. While a which teams compete in a pizzateam might have beaten another eating contest. Starting today, twice in the regular season, it all each round consists of a customcomes down to one game, and er eating half of a giant Benny’s anything can happen. pizza faster than an opponent.

The journey to the top, or Sound easy enough, right? should I say middle, is what Well, there are four rounds.

I hope the champions still love Benny’s pizza after two entire pizzas. Not only is this an innovative and fun idea, but it also brings together pizza lovers like none other. I will probably be on the sidelines for this bracket as well, but I am not above dressing up and rooting on the competitors.

It doesn’t hurt that pizza is probably my favorite food in the world. Not so good for my waistline, but it’s the perfect grab-andgo meal for watching games with friends. For $30, you can feed an army of your friends with the giant pizzas, and I plan to do just that as the tournament continues.

I’m a sports nut who lives for events such as March Madness.

It is a monthlong rollercoaster where the good gets ugly and anything can happen.

But, if I’m being honest, I’m beyond ready for baseball season, especially with this amazing weather. Bring on the ball caps, hotdogs and sunflower seeds.

“

CHELSEA GUNTER / COLLEGIATE TIMES

He said: March Madness appeals to everyone T

he sun has come out for the first time in what feels like forever. Birds are chirping once again.

But I am not excited for springtime because of the warm weather and shorts. No, I am most excited for the best sporting event of the year: March Madness.

Maybe it is because my roots are in North Carolina, the nation’s longtime hub of college basketball.

Maybe it is just my sincere appreciation for the hardwood. March Madness stands out as the premier tournament of the year. Sorry, Super Bowl; apologies, Stanley Cup. College football, you don’t even have one, so I’m definitely not going to apologize to you. What is the allure of this sacred championship, you ask? Where do I begin?

There is something about the bracket that draws people together, while also pulling them apart.

Everyone — from the ESPN bas-

ketball analysts to the middle school kid filling out his bracket for the first time — knows they can win their bracket pool each and every year.

Alas, that dream all so often falls through faster than you can say, “bracket busted.” But even when our hopes and dreams are crushed as one of our final four teams is eliminated in the second round, we don’t lose interest. Who will be this year’s Cinderella story? Will Butler be this year’s Butler? The story lines run deep.

While a good knowledge of the game will often help, chance plays an equal part in this tournament, making it fun for everyone.

Friendships are never stronger when you have the same pick and would do anything for that win.

They are also put on hold when your pick differs and the fate of the bracket pool winnings depends on

that one game.

In the end, it is not about getting the perfect bracket. All that matters is that you beat your friends.

So maybe you’re not into sports — March Madness is still for you.

This is your opportunity to embarrass your friend who claims to know everything about college basketball, as chance plays such a large part. The upsets are frequent, and it is truly anyone’s tournament to win. One piece of advice for you novices though, I wouldn’t pick a No. 16 seed over a No. 1 seed.

Back in high school, every teacher’s TV would be turned on to the games. You could hear yells all the way down the hallway when a buzzer beater was sunk for the win.

Work was put on hiatus because, I mean, come on, it’s March Madness.

My big upsets are VCU over Wichita State, N.C. State over both

San Diego State and Georgetown, and Florida State in the Elite 8.

My final four consists of Kentucky, Syracuse, Marquette and UNC, with Kentucky winning it all. Some of my decisions are based off of knowledge of the game; others are blind guesses. That’s the glory of it.

Many bracket pool winners don’t know the first thing about college basketball.

So get your picks in. Grab a bag of Doritos and a cold one. Get on the couch and don’t move until it’s all over. You won’t want to miss a minute of action.

DANE HARRINGTON -featured columnist -junior -industrial & systems engineering

KELLEY ENGLISH -featured columnist -junior -marketing management major

march 16, 2012 COLLEGIATETIMES

7

SnowJam 2012 KEVIN DICKEL / SPPS

DANIEL LIN / SPPS

KEVEN DICKEL / SPPS

AUSTEN MEREDITH / SPPS

One more time Yesterday, students had one last chance to strap on skis and snowboards — as the winter season is coming to a close.

However, instead of hitting the slopes, they showed off their skills on one of the most unlikely of locations: the Drillfield.

VT Snow helped bring in 70 tons of snow and a railjam style setup designed by Galvanic Design.

Weather threatened to delay the event, but the rain tapered off in time for the start and held off for its duration.

CJ YUNGER / SPPS

Mi s c h i e f M a n a g e d

Messrs.

CASEY, COLLEEN, SARA DANIELLE & ALYSSA

would like to congratulate

& on their engagement

MOLLY

VINSON

MICHAEL WOODWORTH

AUSTEN MEREDITH / SPPS

8

st. patrick’s day

march 16, 2012 COLLEGIATETIMES

In college, students often associate St. Patrick’s Day with wearing green and drinking beers on behalf of the Irish. But how much history do people truly know about the holiday? Here are a few fun facts about the day to help you become more aware of what you are celebrating.

Who is most dedicated to the holiday?

Who is St. Patrick?

Although Ireland and the United States take the cake for best St. Patty’s Day celebrations, Montserrat, Newfoundland and Labrador are not far behind.

Also, New York City is known for having the “largest celebration and parade in the U.S.,” according to TopTenz.com.

As it turns out, St. Patrick himself was not Irish. According to legend, he was kidnapped as an adolescent and sent to Ireland as a slave for sheep herding. He was originally born in Britain.

What do shamrocks represent?

Of course, while four-leaf clovers are highly uncommon, people have certainly heard of them. Everyone associates this small green plant with luck.

However, what many individuals do not know is that each leaf is representative of something different: faith, love, hope and luck. TopTenz.com writes, “When the Irish were under control of the English, many silent protests were held, and each person would wear a shamrock pinned to their shirt.”

featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

Irish Car Bomb

Learn the facts about St. Pat’s

BY EMMA GODDARD | features reporter

editors: chelsea gunter, patrick murphy

JIMMY HUDNALL | features staff writer Tired of your ordinary jager bomb? Celebrate this St. Patty’s Day by indulging in the Irish variant. Just make sure you don’t drink too many, or you may be reminded of where the drink got its name.

The Irish Car Bomb was featured in the movie “Ladder 49,” and as a result, remains popular among numerous fire departments. The mix of beer with whiskey and cream gives the drink an unusual dual taste — at first it tastes like a beer, but you’re quickly surprised with a milkshake aftertaste that is actually quite pleasant. Make sure you chug fast enough, however, as hesitation could lead to a scene that is both graphic and memorable ... in a bad way.

Directions 1. Pour the Guinness into a mug, and let settle.

2. In a shot glass, first add the Irish whiskey, and then top with the Irish cream.

3. Drop the shot glass into the mug, and chug.

Ingredients ½ ounce Baileys Irish Cream ½ pint Guinness Stout ½ ounce Jameson Irish whiskey DANIEL LIN / SPPS

The power of the color green There is no doubt that if you are not wearing the color green on St. Patrick’s Day, someone will pinch you. Green will overwhelm plenty of places, but Chicago goes to the extreme each year by dying its river green. Yes, a bright Irish green.

Oddly enough, green was not always the representative color for St. Patrick’s Day. In the past, it was actually blue.

The Irish themselves Thirty-six million U.S. residents have Irish blood in their family lines. The Chicago Tribune states, “This number is almost nine times the population of Ireland itself.”

What to eat — and drink — on the holiday On this day, corned beef with cabbage becomes the primary meal many people prepare to celebrate the Irish tradition.

Alongside this, Guinness is typically consumed in extraordinary quantities.

What are the snakes of Ireland?

BETHANY MELSON / COLLEGIATE TIMES

Rumor has it that St. Patrick once banished all the snakes from of Ireland. However, based on an article from History.com, “the island nation was never home to any snakes.”

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Castle’s: Pub to offer Irish beers from page one

The foremost construction issue was that this was a remodel — the owners were not starting with a blank canvas.

Originally, the building was a Kappa Sigma fraternity house, and Castle said the process of turning a residential space into a commercial one has not been easy.

“I think we’ve hit every single delay we possibly could have in this process,” Castle said. “A lot of it has been out of our hands.

It happens when you’re working with third parties ... but we don’t expect any further delays at this point.”

The pub’s construction is now nearly complete. The biggest task left to handle is moving in the furniture. It had its final inspection, and with a few minor tweaks, it will soon be ready to go.

To those wondering if the bar will be fully stocked, fret not. Castle’s Irish Red, a brew developed by Roanoke Railhouse exclusively for the pub, is ready to be delivered and placed on tap. The other usual suspects, along with a few Irish brews, will also be available.

In its final stages before the grand opening, the pub is beginning to focus on hosting a few VIP invite-only events before opening to the public.

Among the selected early bird guests will be members of the Mug Club, which is Castle’s group of beer enthusiasts who will earn rewards for the liquid bread they consume. The club costs $30 to join and offers other perks throughout the year, including information on special beers, events and promotions.

The Mug Club already boasts nearly 60 members and signups are active on the pub’s website, CastlesKettleAndPub. com. The Kettle Club, a free rewards program for dinner, and the Horseshoe Club, a $300 group for whiskey enthusiasts, will launch when the pub opens.

Castle says the Mug Club and other VIP events preceding the grand opening will also help work out any kinks and give the

PAUL KURLAK / SPPS

The Castle’s building was originally the Kappa Sigma fraternity house. kitchen and other staff members time to acclimate before opening to the public. A first round of staff has already been hired and is undergoing training, but more will be brought on later.

“We’ve had a lot of people who have applied and sent resumes in, and we encourage people to submit online so that when we do hire a second round of staff, (they’ll be considered),” Castle said.

Despite the final touches now being made, it almost goes without saying that there has been some backlash over the multiple delays, particularly from students who are eager to visit the new watering hole in town. “(My friends and I) had heard it was opening for St. Patrick’s Day and were really excited,” said Jenny Burns, a junior sociology major. “Then we heard it wasn’t and were really bummed because it seems like a cool concept. It’s something this area doesn’t have.”

The pub is located on North Main Street, a relatively short distance from the other bars

and restaurants, which Burns believes only adds to the excitement of its opening.

“If you’re 21 and go downtown, it’s kind of easy to get sick of the few places we have, so something new is exciting,” Burns said. “I think a lot of people are waiting for it to open.”

Many are waiting indeed. The pub’s Facebook page already has more than 2,200 fans chomping at the bit to get into the Irish establishment. Still, Castle believes overall the community has been very understanding of the situation.

“People understand that opening a restaurant isn’t easy,” Castle said. “Anticipation is high and everyone wants to walk through the doors and experience Castle’s, but at the same time, (I believe) the waiting and anticipation will pay off.”

Faulds echoed this sentiment.

“We have been welcomed with open arms by the community and other businesses,” he said.

“We’re here for longevity. We plan to still be here 20, 30 years from now.”