Friday, March 23, 2012 Print Edition by Collegiate Times

Friday, March 23, 2012

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

COLLEGIATETIMES 108th year, issue 35

News, page 2

People & Clubs, page 6

Opinions, page 3

Sports, page 5

Study Break, page 4

Tech chooses The show hits the road newest RAs SEAN HAYDEN news staff writer Housing and residence life has announced its latest class of residential advisors. The RA position is one of the most important and well-known positions in Residence Life. As one of the most competitive selection processes on campus for any leadership position, the question of what it really takes to be an RA is often raised. Carl Krieger, assistant director of housing and residence life, explained the extensive selection process for RAs and how competitive it is. “Three-hundred to four-hundred students send in the initial application and that number is cut down to 85 staff numbers along with a portion of students which will be held in reserve,” Krieger said. The application process begins with required information sessions, which are held at the end of every fall semester and the beginning of the spring semester. Then, the applicants are required to fill out an application including several short answer essay questions, and if they make it to the next round, they undergo several rounds of individual and group interviews. “In the group interview process, there will be six candidates in a room, and they go through different scenarios, which are typically teamwork scenarios presented to them by the Res Life staff. After we ask them to complete the scenarios, we observe them and see how they work as individuals and together as a group,” Krieger said. Rachel Stein, a freshman biology and biochemistry major, just went through the selection process. “As most applicants would agree, it is a very thorough process,” she said. “However, if you are selected, you receive numerous benefits and opportunities, as well as the chance to change residential life for the better — which is why I applied for the position.” As Krieger explained, the residence life staff has certain criteria

and qualities that they look for in the candidates including motivation, civility, self-understanding, integrity, community building, ability to work with others, a positive attitude, communication, writing skills, related experiences, good decision making, and the most important quality, interpersonal relationships. “Primarily what we are looking for is someone who shows the ability or internal drive to get to know others; someone who, without being prompted, will go out, get to know everyone on their hall and build a close relationship with them,” he said. Anthony Malizia, a junior finance major has been an RA for two years, and helped with the selection process. “You are either selected to conduct the individual interviews, group interviews or some other type of selection process where you evaluate candidates,” Malizia said. “It is a very long process, but you want to make sure you select the right people at the right time.” Despite the benefits of being an RA, the position comes with a great deal of responsibility and time commitment, according to Malizia. “Residential Advisors do much more than just stop students from drinking,” he said. “They try to develop relationships with the students on their hall, help students to get to know their hall mates, and help them to feel comfortable in their hall and at Virginia Tech.” Krieger explained that the application process has been very consistent with the format over the past few years, but has become more competitive, especially with the introduction of the specific traits and individual characteristics required to get the position. “There are so many leaders at Virginia Tech who apply, and we get amazing candidates every year, and although many students do not get the position, they should be proud of themselves for making it through the process, because they are competing with the best and brightest leaders on Virginia Tech’s campus,” he said.

Tech to renovate Newman Library CODY OWENS news reporter The Newman Library is exploring preferences for renovations, which will begin within the next couple of years. The assistant dean of learning and outreach is working with the dean of university libraries Tyler Walters to majorly renovate the library over a three-to-five year period, with a vision to create a unique learning space for which Virginia Tech will be known. In order to create a better library, the project heads are using the next three semesters, through spring 2013, to hear the wants and desires of the university. “What we’re working on is called 18-month R&D,” said Brian Mathews, who works at the library. “We’re taking the time talking to undergrads, grads, faculty, staff — a lot of really different people on campus — to see the direction that the library should be headed.” Library staff has worked with SGA and GSA to get a better idea of what the library should become. This semester, the renovation team held one focus group for faculty, one for graduate students, and four for undergraduate students to gauge what people think of the library and what people want to see in the renovations. More sessions will be held in the fall. To see how a similar project developed, Walters and a group of SGA members observed North Carolina State University’s library, which underwent a $60 million renovation. Features in its library

BRAD KLODOWSKI / SPPS

Joshua Edwards drives across the Virginia Tech campus on one of his routes with the goal of keeping students in an upbeat mood.

Blacksburg Transit bus driver Joshua Edwards entertains passengers with jokes and games EMMA GODDARD | features reporter After a few fun days off, going back to a stressful week of classes and homework is not ideal. Sometimes taking a step onto that 7:45 a.m. bus is the furthest thing from happiness Monday mornings can bring. Josh Edwards, a 25-year-old bus driver for Blacksburg Transit, makes it his goal to change this and to bring a smile to the faces of Virginia Tech students. Sporting a blue and brown plaid shirt, jeans and cowboy boots, Edwards’ appearance may not make him look like the average bus driver. However, through the scruffy beard and camouflage hat that often hides his face, it’s not difficult to see his excitement as someone steps onto his bus. “It’s rewarding knowing that I’ve actually brightened somebody’s day,” Edwards said. Having lived his life in Tobaccoville, N.C. since he was 11 years-old, Edwards found that he didn’t have many connections once he moved to Blacksburg, Va. Somehow though, he always had a strange connection to the state and had a feeling he would live in Virginia at some point in time. Growing up, he was raised in a family with three brothers and was the second eldest of the four. He was and still is

extremely close with his family and from them, he learned how to become the independent individual he is today. His mother, who went from a stay-at-home mom to a kindergarten teacher and eventually a professional caterer, was always busy. However, she always managed to be there for Edwards and the rest of his siblings. His father, equally close to the children, fed Edwards his love for machinery and cars. Edwards’ father, who raced go karts in the past, helped the boys move from remote controlled cars to go karts and eventually helped them graduate to cars and trucks. Like his mother, Edwards’s father was a major influence in his life. “He told me to ‘Always mark your work with excellence,’” Edwards said. However, even with the impact of vehicles through his time as a high school and college student, the path to being a bus driver hadn’t quite started. Edwards had played the violin since 6th grade and continued into 9th grade when he eventually took a school trip to Appalachian State University. There, he learned about their music program and his love for it began to grow. “I sort of always knew in the back of my head that I’d end up at that school one day,” Edwards said. “I had finally dropped the violin in 12th grade, and one day I got a random phone call from the orchestra teacher (at Appalachian State) and she needed help teaching a camp.” Driving ice trucks at the time — a job that had to grow on him — Edwards didn’t have to be

SEE VIDEO

SEE JOSH IN ACTION AT COLLEGIATETIMES.COM

see BUS / page two

Traditions live on with Ring Dance

include 100 bookable study rooms, five electronic display areas and a gaming lab. Sophomore international studies major Natalie Cruise said that the trip helped generate potential ideas for Newman Library. “They had quiet spaces, they had group spaces, they had spaces where you could go and play with big TV screens,” Cruise said. “It was kind of cool to see if we can put stuff like that in our library.” Much like N.C. State, greater technology implementation is desired in the project. Updating the library’s collection of publicuse desktop computers has been discussed, as has the idea of a room of computers installed with Rosetta Stone software. A primary design goal is to convert more information to the digital database, thus freeing up physical space in the library. Mathews has emphasized areas that foster both quiet individual work and higher-energy group collaborations. In pursuit of this, the project team spoke about increasing the number of study rooms available for reserving. Mathews liked the system he saw being used with the racquetball courts, which can be booked for the next day at midnight, preventing a few groups from dominating the same rooms. The number of available electrical outlets emerged as a widely desired addition, with students expressing frustration at the inability to plug in laptop chargers. Mathews explained that current power limits prevent the increase of outlets at the moment. “There is only so much power,”

No Hokie is especially happy to see their senior year approaching, as the transition from junior to senior inevitably signifies a nearing to an end of four years spent at Virginia Tech. However, to represent a constant connection between Hokies, both young and old — even after graduation — the tradition of designing the Tech class ring was created in 1911. Each year, the sophomore class selects a Ring Committee responsible for designing its class ring collection, which include elements of the Screaming Eagle, American Flag, campus buildings, an interlocking chain and, of course, a design unique to its particular class. Beginning in 1935, the ceremony of distributing these rings to the junior class was expanded upon to include a special dance and ceremony: the Ring Dance. This year’s Ring Dance theme for the Class of 2013 will be “An Evening Frozen in Time.” The formal Ring Dance night will be held tomorrow in Squires Commonwealth Ballroom and will begin at 8 p.m., followed by the Traditional Corp of Cadets Ring Figures presentation at 9 p.m. and finally a grand display of fireworks over the Drillfield at midnight to conclude the majestic evening. Formal attire is required, and tickets, which are free, are

see LIBRARY / page two

see DANCE / page six

ALLIE SIVAK features staff writer

FILE 2011 / SPPS

The Ring Dance for the Class of 2013 will be tomorrow at 8 p.m. in the Squires Colonial Ballroom.

news

march 23, 2012 COLLEGIATETIMES

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

Bus: Driver brightens students’ days from page one

be asked twice when he was offered the position. From there, he auditioned that fall and then attended App State’s campus in Boone, N.C. He majored in music education and became a classical violinist. While he was in college, Edwards met Kathryn Slaughter, who was a high school student at the time. With their strong relationship and a desire to be as close to him as possible, Slaughter chose Virginia Tech when applying to schools. With a aspiration to become a large animal veterinarian, her choice of schools was limited, and this college town was as close as she could get to Edwards. Upon college graduation, Edwards followed Slaughter to Blacksburg. Later, he proposed to her. Their wedding is set for June 1, 2013. “Since I’m a music person, (the proposal) had to involve music and it had to be big,” Edwards said. “I contacted Mixed Emotions and they said they would sing for us. One of her friends faked his car breaking down and being a mechanic, he called me up. I had basically planned that we’d be at the War Memorial at 6 p.m. and the group would be singing for us.” Pretending that this group of students was carolers, Edwards requested that the group sing “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers. They began to dance, and whilst dancing, Edwards got down on one knee and proposed. Edwards admits that this was one of the most vulnerable moments in his life, and yet he reveals a great sense of enthusiasm whenever he tells students on his bus about it. If not for his move to Blacksburg, Tech students who ride the Hethwood and University City Boulevard buses wouldn’t be able to experience the person Edwards really is. Thankfully, Slaughter was able to bring him into the Hokie community. When Edwards first moved

to Blacksburg without connections, a job and housing, he initially wanted to join the fire department because it was offering living spaces. Unfortunately, Edwards was unable to get in touch with them, but soon after, he was able to land a job at Snappy Lube. When they eventually cut back his hours, he was hired as an orchestra director for a music store and as a bus driver all within a week.

I thought ‘You know I’m not a student here and nobody knows me so… Hey! How is everybody doing?’” Shocked at first by the idea of a bus driver talking to them, students weren’t sure how to react. Fortunately for Edwards, many people seemed to respond quite well to this change. Edwards continued with this act of conversing with everyone and telling jokes and found that it really took off. Shane Wiseman, 21-year-old I actually ﬁnd it disappoint- a junior and foring in myself if i go a loop estry major is a and good and don’t say anything.” coworker friend of Edwards. The respect for Josh Edwards Edwards goes far BT bus driver beyond the passengers. As a bus Here, he began his journey driver and also engaged like his as one of the most social bus comrade, the two have a lot in drivers to grace Tech’s campus. common. He went through two weeks of “I met Josh at my first week of training where he had class- training this past September,” room time and then was shad- Wiseman said. “He’s a very cool owed by an instructor while guy and he’s laid back. He loves driving a bus. Although he was people and always has a joke able to get through this pro- to tell. I’m not so much of a cess without difficulty, his first jokester but I’ve tried to interday on the job proved that act (with my passengers) as being a bus driver isn’t all that well.” easy. Even other bus drivers have “My very first time on a route, become accustomed to the idea the machine that keeps count of of Edwards interacting with the passengers broke,” Edwards their passengers. said. “You have to radio to base While he is still the only to tell them it’s not working one to crack jokes over the so they can tell you what to intercom, his peers have foldo. My bus was packed full of lowed his lead and have tried to kids, and instead of the radio, become more social with Tech’s I was using the PA system. students. That was a very embarrassing Now that more people know moment.” about him, Edwards has had However, getting past the to find different activities to first day wasn’t Edwards’s only occupy students with so his obstacle. His goal to be more bus rides don’t become repetioutgoing aided him in his tive. Using Google as his priinteraction with the passen- mary source, Edwards searches gers. Stating that he had actu- for at least two jokes a week. ally been a shy person through- He also has an icebreaker out high school and college, game that he often plays with Edwards’s wanted to cheer up everyone. those around him and prove to “The name game is so much himself that he could be more fun,” Edwards said. “I would social. introduce myself to someone “If you ever want to see what and then ask them their name. a zombie apocalypse looks We’d go from there and when like, just take my 7:45 a.m. someone else got on the bus I’d to class — everyone is just introduce myself and say ‘Hi, dead,” Edwards said. “One day I’d like you to meet _________.

“

We’d go from a bus full of strangers to a bus full of people who began to know each other. A few couples even came out of that.” Although he seems to get a laugh out of people on most of his rides, nobody is perfect. He said that some days the entire bus will be silent or students won’t think the jokes are funny. Although these specific drives are rare, Edwards finds that this can be a downer. Fortunately, he has many students who support him. Destiny Lowder, a 20-year-old sophomore and political science major appreciates what Edwards has to offer. “The first time (I was on his bus) was probably about a month ago,” Lowder said. “The first thing I thought was that he was definitely one of the nicest bus drivers I’ve had. He wasn’t mean and didn’t ignore anyone when they thanked him while getting on or off the bus.” Edwards’ purpose is to make students like Lowder feel like this each day. According to Edwards, knowing that someone is actually paying attention to them and that a stranger cares is what he wants others to be aware of. Although the interaction initially began to bring himself out of his shell and to bring some entertainment to a boring bus ride, Edwards realized his actions were truly impacting those around him. Edwards knows he’ll end up pursuing something more music related in the future, but for now, he finds great pride and joy when he reaches out to someone as a bus driver. “I find it actually disappointing in myself if I go a loop and don’t say anything,” Edwards said. “I tried it once just to see, and when everybody got off I thought ‘You know, I didn’t make a difference in anybody’s life. I didn’t brighten anyone’s day.’ I hope I make everyone’s day a little bit better.”

what you’re saying On Paul inspiring anti-war sentiment in youth

Anonymous: I agree that Republicans and

Democrats are the same. Look at Obama’s and Romney’s top contributors: Goldman Sachs and the big banks. Until Americans elect REAL change to office (like Republican Ron Paul, Democrat Dennis Kucinich or anyone from a a third party), do not expect any hope or change. Just like Bush, Obama is a nightmare.

Library: University seeks student, faculty input from page one

Mathews said. “Even if we wanted to add a hundred more outlets, we might blow a fuse.” Other topics popular among focus group attendees included getting more comfortable chairs, better lighting, more lounge areas, coffee machines and a quiet, lowlight “nap room.” While N.C. State renovated its library all at once, Newman will be renovated in phases, so that construction can begin without shutting down the library’s accessibility. Money can be raised stageby-stage, preventing the possibility of running into financial problems, which plagued the N.C. State project. The current plan hopes to renovate during school breaks, when traffic is low, with students seeing new changes in the library every time they arrive back at school. The first phase of renovation will begin in August 2012, when the second floor of the library will be carpeted and repainted. Students from the architecture school suggested a gray carpet reminiscent of Hokie Stone with possible wooden tiles. A cream-colored paint is likely to be used to place more emphasis on the artwork or material that

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

will be on the walls. The collection on the second floor will also see changes, with some books being moved to higher floors and others being placed in an off-site storage facility. During this first phase of renovation, Mathews wants to implement, what he calls, an academic marketplace. The second floor already houses the Writing Center, but he wants to bring the communications lab, staff from Innovation Space and LISA, a support service for statistical analysis, to the same area. The whole point is to create a space where students can access expertise in a variety of subjects. “(We’re) putting (these experts) together and helping people in a dynamic way,” Mathews said. After the second floor phase is completed, the first and fourth floors will begin renovations. Walters and Mathews hope that the end product will become an area influenced by the university community which will foster education. “I want the library to be more than just a place to study,” Mathews said. “I want it to be an environment that inspires amazing academic experiences and transforms the way people think.”

Fri-Sat 7:00 & 9:30 Sun 3:00, 7:00 & 9:30 Mon 10:00am, 7:00 & 9:30 Tues 9:30 Wed 7:00 & 9:30 Thurs 7:00 & 9:30

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 23, 2012 COLLEGIATETIMES

The Collegiate Times is an independent student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 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 Collegiate Times Business Staff Business Manager: Philipp Kotlaba MCT CAMPUS

Day recognizes epilepsy disorder On

Monday, March 26, we will observe Global Epilepsy Awareness Day and recognize one of the most common neurological disorders in the world. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates epilepsy affects 50 million people worldwide, and a recent 2008 multistate study showed that nearly one in 100 adults in the United States suffers from recurring seizures. Look at this fact from a different perspective: for every 100 friends you have on Facebook, one of them likely has epilepsy. This number exceeds the CDC estimate of autism (one in 110 children), or the number of people affected by multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy combined. In spite of this information, it remains among the least understood, least discussed and least researched medical issues. Throughout history, epilepsy has been mistaken for many things, including punishment by the gods (in ancient Greece), possession by spirits (mentioned in the Gospels), and a Pope-approved method for identifying witches (during the Dark Ages). As recently as the 1960s, epileptics were persecuted by the U.S. and British governments by not being permitted to marry. In the United States, some states even mandated sterilization under such laws as Virginia’s Sterilization Act, passed in 1924 and not repealed until 1979, which aimed to prevent epileptics from having similarly “feebleminded” offspring. The reality is that seizures are a physical reaction to sudden excessive electrical discharges within a group of brain cells; the reaction depends on the location of the electrical discharge within the brain. Although modern society has a better understanding of the disorder, misconceptions still exist. A frequent misunderstanding of epilepsy is that there is only one class of seizures, known as “tonicclonic” seizures. These involve loss of consciousness and uncontrollable movements, and are likely what come to mind when one thinks of a seizure. In reality, there are dozens of other seizure disorders that can be considered epilepsy, including unnoticeable simple partial seizures, bizarre complex partial seizures, and “fainting” atonic seizures, to name a very few. The idea that strobe lights are a major cause of seizures is another common fallacy. Too many times have I heard someone use the line “I feel like I’m gonna have a seizure” after walking into a room with flashing lights. The organization Epilepsy Action estimates that photosensitive epilepsy affects three in 100 people with epilepsy, or .03 percent of the overall population, which is far from common. In a statistical sense, that means nine people at Virginia Tech have photosensitive epilepsy.

Seizures are more frequently caused by lack of sleep or stress, but in 70 percent of cases the cause is unknown. Epilepsy has numerous social and financial implications as well. According to the World Health Organization, epilepsy is a considered a valid reason to annul a marriage in China and India, and can prevent people from seeking treatment in developing countries due to associated stigmas. An Indian study cited by the WHO estimates that the annual total cost per epilepsy case was $344, or 88 percent of the average income per capita. Before the current U.S. presidential administration reformed health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, epilepsy was considered a high risk, preexisting condition and made it all but impossible for epilepsy patients to find affordable coverage, if any at all. Until about 20 years ago, there were only a handful of drugs that could potentially treat epilepsy and most of them were sedatives that reduced quality of life. Since then, new and more effective drugs with fewer side effects have entered the market, offering alternatives to the older generation of medication. However, the Epilepsy Foundation estimates that as many as one in three patients have refractory, or drug-resistant, epilepsy. In some cases medication can cause further problems like depression, anxiety or worsening of symptoms, forcing many with the disorder to suffer without treatment. The mortality rate for people with a seizure disorder is two-to-three times higher than the rest of the population, and the risk of sudden death is 24 times greater in people with epilepsy. The National Institute of Health estimates that just fewer than 40,000 women will die from breast cancer in 2012. At the same time, the NIH estimates that up to 50,000 people die each year from seizures and related causes. Despite these numbers, breast cancer awareness far exceeds epilepsy awareness. This isn’t to say that breast cancer awareness is too high, but that epilepsy awareness needs to increase. Because the effects of epilepsy are not always as visible as those of other disorders, it is up to those of us who are affected to bring it to the forefront. Funding for research will never reach levels required for a breakthrough in treatment without a widespread understanding of the effects this disorder has on individuals and society as a whole. Progress has been made in recent years, but these advances must continue in order to ameliorate the effects of epilepsy for those who suffer from it.

AARON BRADNER -guest columnist -graduate student -environmental and water resources

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

Ron Paul’s foreign policy ideas do not benefit nation R

on Paul is one of the four remaining politicians currently vying for the Republican Party nomination, and as a true libertarian, he is a bit of an outlier compared to most Republicans. One idea that separates Paul from most Republicans, as well as many Democrats, is that he is an ardent opponent of U.S. interventionism in other countries, and could reasonably be described as an isolationist. While many of Paul’s ideas on the role of government and how far our government has strayed from the Constitution are interesting, and perhaps compelling, his views on American foreign policy that preach strong isolationism are misguided, and would be dangerous if applied. Congressman Paul seems to believe that the U.S. should remove itself militarily from the rest of the world and cease most military operations outside our borders. He also argues against most forms of economic interventionism, such as foreign aid, or using assets and corporations for the country’s interests abroad. The problem with Paul’s isolationist rhetoric is that U.S. interventionism is extremely important to world peace and the global economic stability. The presence of the U.S. military in other parts of the world in the post-World War II era has helped ensure World War III doesn’t occur. ‘World peace’ is probably not a realistic goal, but ‘world stability’ is certainly within the realm of possibility. Thanks to U.S. interventionism, and the international organizations our involvement in global politics helped create, a general degree of political stability has existed in the world since the 1940s. There have obviously been conflicts since America began its interventionist policies, but overall, the U.S. presence politically and militarily in world politics has created a certain degree of political stability that has kept the major world powers from trying to annihilate each other again, like we almost did during World War II.

The United States’ economic presence in the world has created a generally stable world economy, the current recession notwithstanding, and is one of the major reasons products, capital and money have been able to spread so rapidly around the modern world. The stability interventionist U.S. economic policy creates in the world is helping people in poor and rich nations alike find success.

for that helps create a stable American economy. The U.S. can no longer find peace simply within its own borders either. The globe is too interconnected now for national peace to be wholly dependent on national affairs. Global political stability and security is necessary for our own national peace and stability. The United States cannot try to live in a little box where we put our hands over our ears and ignore the problems of the rest The United States cannot of the world. We to try and try to live in a little box have solve the probwhere we put our hands lems of the rest of the world so over our ears and ignore the that they don’t our problems of the rest of the become problems as well. world.” Now, that’s not to say the way the U.S. carries out interventionism is correct, and in Yet, Congressman Paul fact our history on intervenbelieves that the U.S. would tionism is rife with immoral be better off not interven- actions. ing in the global scene, in And we have not always regards to the political, mil- practiced economic interitary and economic policies ventionism well either, that have led to a somewhat often getting favorable stable system and benefit trade deals for our cormany countries around the porations in the developworld. He seems to believe ing world, and then havthat ceasing interventionist ing those corporations policies and minding our take that nation’s resourcown affairs within our own es with little profit going borders is the best thing for back to the people of that our country. country. This sort of philosoAmerica has not, and still phy, of keeping our eyes doesn’t, practice interventrained only on the lands tionism in the most moral and peoples in the bor- of fashions, and we could ders of the U.S., perhaps certainly stand to be far less would work in the 19th selfish in the way we are century, when a country as involved in the rest of the large as ours could survive world. without being involved in The solution, though, is the rest of the world, but not to cease our involveit certainly cannot work ment in global affairs all today. together, but to change the With globalization way we intervene on the eliminating individu- global level. We need to act al national economies in a less selfish and more and creating one world moral way, so that the globeconomy, it is impossible al good is focused on, which for any nation, especially will lead to our own good one as large as ours, to only as well. mind its own affairs without Trying to create a safer considering other countries. and more stable world is a The modern system is such good thing for us and for that economics are part of a our government to strive global system. for, especially since America There are plenty of nega- has the ability to create tives that come with glo- such a world, if we only balization, but it is the real- change the way we direct ity we face, and trying to our resources, power and hide within our borders effort. will no longer work. We have to look outward and DEVIN MILLER be involved in the world -regular columnist economy, meaning that it -senior is in America’s interest to see a stable world economy, -political science major

“

College Media Solutions Ad Director: Brandon Collins Asst Ad Director: Matt Freedman Account Executives: Johnson Bray, Kevin Jadali, Alyssa Brown, Brian Dickson, Janssen Claudio Inside Sales Manager: Mario Gazzola Assistant Inside Sales Manager: Adam Shata Office Manager: Kayley Greenday Assistant Account Executives: Alex Perry, Kacie Nolan, Jordan Peugh Creative Director: Casey Stoneman Asst Production Manager: Colleen Hill Creative Services Staff: Danielle Bushrow, Michael Craighead, Mary Dassira, Alyssa Morrison, Molly Vinson,

Voice your opinion. Readers are encouraged to send letters to the Collegiate Times. 365 Squires Student Center Blacksburg, VA, 24061 Fax: (540) 231-9151 opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com All letters to the editor must include a name and daytime phone number. Students must include year and major. Faculty and staff must include position and department. All other submissions must include city of residence, and if applicable, relationship to Virginia Tech (i.e., alumni, parent, etc.). All letters should be in MS Word (.doc) format, if possible. Letters, commentaries and editorial cartoons do not reflect the views of the Collegiate Times. Editorials are written by the Collegiate Times editorial board, which is composed of the opinions editors, editor-in-chief and the managing editors. Letters to the editor are submissions from Collegiate Times readers. We reserve the right to edit for any reason. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Have a news tip? Call or text 200-TIPS or e-mail newstips@collegiatetimes.com Student Media Phone Numbers Collegiate Times Newsroom 231-9865 Editor-in-Chief 231-9867 College Media Solutions Advertising 961-9860 The Collegiate Times, a division of the Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech, was established in 1903 by and for the students of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The Collegiate Times is published every Tuesday through Friday of the academic year except during exams and vacations. The Collegiate Times receives no direct funding from the university. The Collegiate Times can be found online at www.collegiatetimes.com. Except where noted, all photographs were taken by the Student Publications Photo Staff. To order a reprint of a photograph printed in the Collegiate Times, visit reprints.collegemedia.com. Subscription rates: $65 semester; $110 fall/spring. The first copy is free, any copy of the paper after that is 50 cents per issue. © Collegiate Times, 2011. All rights reserved. Material published in the Collegiate Times is the property thereof, and may not be reprinted without the express written consent of the Collegiate Times.

march 23, 2012

Regular Edition Today’s Birthday Horoscope: For the next 14 years, Neptune will be in Pisces in your twelfth house of spiritual debt. Honesty and integrity are the bottom line. Be true to yourself and your word. You may feel drawn to big changes, but think them over first. Get support from your partner, and consider the impact. Share peace.

Piled Higher and Deeper by Jorge Cham 3 6 3

1 2 9

8 3 4

8 1 5

2 4 9 5

1 5

8 6

XKCD by Randell Monroe This could be you . . .

Crossword

want your comics featured in the collegiate times?

submit them to: studybreak@collegemedia.com

Week ending March 16, 2012

Top tracks

( ) Last week’s ranking in top five

We are Young (Feat. Janelle Moneae) • Fun

(1) 1

Somebody That I Used to Know • Gotye

(5) 2

Glad You Came • The Wanted

(2) 3

Wild Ones (Feat. Sia) • Flo Rida

Stronger (What

Doesn’t Kill You)

(3) 5

• Kelly Clarkson

word

WORDSEARCH: The Hunger Games Locate the list of words in the word bank in the letter grid. W

UNSCRAMBLER

WORD BANK Katniss Gale Peeta Haymitch Districts Capitol Arena Fire Mockingjay Panem Hunting Games Tributes Victors Primrose Cinna Effie

Unscramble the letters to solve the category “Super Bowl Winners 2001-2011”

Have a set of words you want to see in puzzles section? Email your lists to ctadsproduction@gmail.com.

1. srcakep

2. anists DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE COUPLE OF THE WEEK?

3. rsslteee

SEND US:

5. sclot

YOUR NAMES WHEN YOU STARTED DATING WHAT YOU SAY ABOUT EACHOTHER ABOUT YOUR FIRST DATE

4. stagni

6. potrtsia 7.

t s s

ebcncerasu

8. rvasen

studybreak@collegemedia.com

Check out tomorrow’s paper on page 5 for the answers!

sports 5 Goodell cracks down on New Orleans

editors: matt jones, zach mariner

march 23, 2012

COLLEGIATETIMES

sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

BROOKS TIFFANY sports staff writer In the realm of media coverage, NFL reigns supreme, and this offseason has not been different. The NFL has knocked aside everybody else, demanding an unprecedented amount of attention and dominating the sports headlines — somehow overtaking other sports that are actually in season and leaving them in its wake. Unfortunately for the city of New Orleans, a sizeable portion of the offseason interest is at its expense, as the Saints lay stunned from a barrage of penalties intended to make an example of them and sink any hopes they might have of a successful season. In case you’ve missed it, “Bountygate,” as the Saint’s scandal has quickly come to be known, involves the team’s former-defensive coordinator, Gregg Williams, placing cash rewards, or “bounties,” on opposing players’ heads with the objective of knocking their intended targets out of the game — turning linebackers into hit-men stalking the gridiron. In a league that thrives on violent hits, but faces lawsuits from several former players who suffer from those hits, the NFL is trying to maintain a delicate balance. Dropping unprecedented penalties on the Saints is an attempt to delineate the acceptable violence from the unacceptable. The penalties, handed down by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, include a suspension of Saints head coach, Sean Payton, for the entire 2012-13 season, accompanied by an eight-game suspension of General Manager Mickey Loomis and a $500,000 fine. Furthermore, assistant head coach Joe Vitt received his own six-game hiatus and the Saints have been docked two secondround drafts picks over the next two seasons. The culprit of this whole debacle, Williams, who recently signed with the St. Louis Rams as their defensive coordinator, is suspended indefinitely and we have yet to hear of the penalties that will rain down on the players themselves. As you might expect, fans are divided into several camps concerning the harshness of the

punishment, ranging from “it wasn’t enough” to “way too far”. Regardless of your camp affiliation, we can all agree that the repercussions will be noticeable and have far reaching implications beyond just the Saints organization itself. The Saints are going to have to roll with the punches, starting with replacing their head coach for the season. The other penalties dished out to the Saints, while serious, are laughable when compared to the fact that they must now replace the offensive brains and mastermind behind the team that is Payton. The likely candidate is Steve Spagnuolo, the team’s new defensive coordinator who has head coaching experience, most recently with the Rams last season. It seems like a decent alternative and an easy move, but notso-easy for Spagnuolo, as he finds himself in the unenviable position of trying to decide whether or not to run things his way, as head coaches are naturally inclined to do, or continue with the successful blueprint Payton has implemented for several seasons. The other logical choice for head coach would be Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr., who has been with the organization since 2006 and would find an easier task than Spagnuolo in continuing Payton’s game plan. However, Carmichael does not have any head coaching experience. Regardless who takes over the head coaching position, one thing is irreplaceable and that’s the bond between coach and quarterback, shared between Payton and Drew Brees. Brees views Payton as a mentor and acts as his coach’s extension on the field, a virtual field general that blows holes in opposing defenses and the de facto leader of the Saints. Luckily, Brees is a proven leader and will surely use this unfortunate situation as a rallying point for the team to launch its counter-attack in the 2012 season. However, the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFC South have other plans for the Saints. These plans are best summed up by Tampa Bay columnist

Martin Fennelly, who puts a Buccaneer twist on the state of the NFC South. “The Bounty has sailed,” Fennelly wrote. “Sean Payton and New Orleans sleep with the fishes. There is blood in the water in the NFC South.” While the Bucs aren’t the heavy favorite to take the NFC South, they were underachievers last year and have made a flurry of roster moves to right their ship, including bringing wide receiver Vincent Jackson. The Falcons are the most likely contender to challenge the Saints for the NFC South belt as they ended up 10-6 last season despite their slow start. They return with their highly talented offense, primed with a new offensive coordinator, Dirk Koetter, who is expected to help Matt Ryan rise to the upper tier of NFL quarterbacks. Finally, there are the Panthers and their prodigy, Cam Newton. While they only went 6-10 last season, it’s not as bad as it sounds considering they had a rookie quarterback. We saw Newton’s brilliance on the field last year and know it will only get better this season as the offense congeals around him. With that in mind, the Panthers are one of the most likely teams in the NFL to perform a 180 degree turn and jump from the bottom of their division to the top. As long as the Saints have Drew Brees, though, the blood in the water could just be chum, luring opposing teams into a trap. So don’t get your hopes up on a changing of the guard in the NFC South just yet as those waters remain murky for all teams involved. One thing is for sure: the course the Saints are about to embark on has never been charted before and with the carousel of player and coaching moves happening throughout the NFL right now, it is difficult to accurately plot the final destination. Unfortunately for football fans, a season that promises to be more exciting and unprecedented than its offseason is still nearly a six months away. But in the meantime, stay tuned as the offseason juggernaut will likely offer a few more surprises to keep the NFL fanfare in a fever pitch.

MCT CAMPUS

Saints coach Sean Payton was suspended for the entire 2012-13 NFL season Wednesday by the NFL.

Lifestyle & Community have a big announcement, selling things, need help? Free for VT students! Place an ad or announcement at collegiatetimes.com, visit our business office at 618 N. Main St. 9 am- 5pm Monday-Friday, or call (540) 961-9860. Students can come into 618 N. Main St. to place a free ad. Rates as low as 32 cents per word, contengent on the number of days to run. Prepaid. 15 word minimum. Cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. Deadline: 3 pm 3 business days prior to publication.

For Sale

Have a DJ you want to nominate for ‘DJ Spotlight’?

VA. TECH SWEATSHIRT SALE!:

Email your nominations to studybreak@collegemedia.com with the title “DJ Spotlight.”

Heavyweight Va. Tech hoodies for sale at derrinusa.com. 10% off and free shipping! Use coupon code “vatech10freeship”.

word UNSCRAMBLER

solutions: “World Series Winners 2001-2011”

1) Cardinals 2) Giants 3) Phillies 4) Red Sox 5) White Sox 6) Marlins 7) Angles 8) Diamondbacks

Aries (March 21-April 19) Confusion could interrupt your tranquility and well-being. Slow down and take it easy to protect your health. When confronted with limitations, sidestep them or have some tea.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) Together you get more accomplished. Share ideas and write down procedures. Trouble with papers could frustrate. Cooperate to handle urgencies, and let the rest wait.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) There’s traffic on the communications highway. Set backup plans for important projects. Stand for service and health. Patience and courtesy get things moving.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Mercury’s retrograde returns to Pisces in your third house of communication, scrambling daily travel, family ties and self-expression. Check pressure levels. Take it easy.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Your idealism may get shaken today, or there may be disruption around some of your groups, clubs or organizations. Patience. Wait for more details.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) You may feel like withdrawing or hiding when it comes to love and creativity. Don’t let a little misunderstanding deflate the fun. Try compassion; forgiveness is divine.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Complete as much work as possible early on to allow for unexpected snafus with travel or a writing/publishing project. Later, put on something comfortable, and dance it all away.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Maintaining a philosophical outlook keeps you powerful through any communication breakdowns, especially regarding finances. Go over statements twice.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You’re on a roll at work and bringing in the bacon. Check financials. Untangle misunderstandings with your partner by repeating back what you heard. You can solve it.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) If things get confusing at home, slow down and repeat back what you heard ... chances are, it got mixed up. Keep messes to a minimum and mechanical equipment in good repair.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Whatever happens, don’t take it personally ... it’s unrelated. Don’t get stuck in your head about what others might think. It becomes clear later. You know who you are.

Gemini (May 21-June 21) If things don’t line up in your career, find shelter in the arms of a loved one. Receive affection, but also give it. It goes both ways. Share gratitude.

DJ Ashlee and Maddy! AIR TIME// Wednesday Nights 12-2 a.m. on 90.7 WUVT

WHY WE PLAY//

We just love music. We use WUVT to show other people are OUR STYLE// music and just have a good time! It has been a super cool New Age Triphop, Electronica, Dance, experience becoming college Dubstep, Old School radio Djs and wouldn't trade the experience for anything. Hiphop

people & clubs

march 23, 2012 COLLEGIATETIMES

he she

SAID

He said: Ut Prosim is now in full bloom S

pring has sprung. Put away the North Face jackets and bring out the shorts. No more snowball fights, but intense games of cornhole have taken their place. The outside, downstairs section of TOTS will no longer be reserved for those who would rather want to bear the bitter cold over the crowded dance floor, but for all. I’ll take warm sun over the ice on my car any day. Here are a few reasons why spring is one of the best times of year. The first is pretty obvious: the warm weather. Try to find me someone who would rather walk to class bundled up in layers through the snow than in shorts and a T-shirt. Something about the sun just makes people happy. Walks across the Drillfield are actually enjoyable. Who knows, I might even be more likely to go on a run in this weather. Maybe it is my origin in California, but warm weather can’t be beat. With this warm weather comes America’s favorite pastime: baseball. While pigskin will always be first in my book, there is something so simple and American about baseball. Going to the ballpark with my dad as a child is one of my best memories, and while

I don’t even play the game, I can’t help but enjoy a day at the park. So many great events around campus are marked by the emergence of spring, including Ring Dance, Relay for Life and Big Event. They are packed into a few months before school gets out and it’s impossible to not be excited about them. Hokie Spirit and Ut Prosim are in full force and it brings out the best in everyone. Two words wrap up the best part of the spring: spring game. It’s a glimmer of light every spring in a sea of darkness, a drop of water in an ocean of misery, a single day of football in the seemingly neverending offseason. While baseball is amazing, as stated above, it is hard to trump a day in Lane Stadium. Tents get brought down from the attic, grills are thrown in beds of trucks, and maroon and orange are once again part of mandatory attire. This sacred day each spring is a teaser. We get so excited to get the first look of our team only to

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

She said: Students enjoy beautiful weather, nature I

woke up to the sound of birds singing outside my window this morning and walked outside to the smell of flowers budding. The ride to campus is beautifully painted with blossoms and wildlife, yet spring always takes me back to when I was younger. Can we just think back four or five years to when we were accustomed to sitting in a classroom from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.? How the hell did we manage? My classes don’t start until 11 a.m. now and I find myself wishing they were later. When I walk outside during the peak of a beautiful day, it is so much harder to have the motivation to walk into a dreary lecture. During every semester, there are highlighted times. In the beginning of the year, you wait for Thanksgiving break and then Christmas. But Christmas comes and goes and you work toward spring break. This semester, my mind was on my spring break trip to Las Vegas. It was all I thought about during the late nights at the Math Emporium and the boring lecture classes. The trip was definitely a wild one that the girls and I will never forget. However, spring break and Las Vegas has come and gone. The only thing left to look forward to is the Class of 2013’s Ring Dance tomorrow and then summer. Fewer and fewer students show up beside me CHELSEA C CH H HEL EELLS SEEA G GU GUNTER UNT NTEER R/C COLLEGIATE OLLLE O L GIATEE TIME TTI TIMES IM MEES in my classes except for CHELSEA GUNTER/ COLLEGIATE TIMES test days, the Drillfield is becoming crowded and not see them until summer is over. My spring will be spent playing anxious, and high school juniors Now that I have reached a games of croquet in my front yard, are swarming the campus on mature age, summer comes with attempting to get my GPA up and tours. I always like to refer back to the the responsibility of having a job. I enjoying a Shultz breakfast or two no longer spend countless hours at while I can before the long-stand- famous phrase from the movie “For the Love of the Game.” The phrase the pool with friends, but instead ing establishment is torn down. “clear the mechanism” becomes my as a lifeguard. Internships that run motto when the intriguing ploys 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. are a bitter taste DANE to get me to TOTS are thrown my of the real world. But spring has a direction, or too many distractions certain mentality to it that allows HARRINGTON are happening while I should be me to enjoy all the warm weather - featured columnist working. of the summer without the added junior My greatest asset is I constantly responsibility of supporting myself - industrial & systems make sure my goals are within financially or pretending I’m ready engineering major reach. As long as I never lose sight to enter the workforce.

of why I’m in this beautiful town, the couple of personal days aren’t the worst thing in the world. Take the day and go to the river if the weather is nice, take a nap on the Drillfield, take to-go boxes to the Duck Pond and have a picnic. Enjoy your spring and let it take over a little bit. You only get four-to-six springs in Blacksburg, so try and do something you’ve never done every other weekend. Two weekends ago, I planned on spontaneously going camping. Although we got rained out, we have the plan set for the next available weekend. We’re planning on packing a bunch of couch cushions into the back of an SUV, grabbing some brews and enjoying a campfire under the stars. With a lot of stress building up for me lately, all I truly need are wideopen spaces — places to think, catch my breath and enjoy some calm before the storm. Everyone has the right to explore and enjoy the beauty of his or her surroundings. This is the first summer I will be on my own with a big-girl job in Florida. I will be working the hardest I ever have in my life, but I’m going to make sure to get out and enjoy the Sunshine State as well. Spring is an opportunity for you to take time for yourself and to do the things you love, but in moderation. In a few weeks, your closest friends will be scattered across America. If you’re a seni or, this is it. These last few weeks are going to be your most recent memories once you leave Virginia Tech. If you’re an undergraduate student, you won’t be seeing your friends until August, so try to enjoy the last few weeks together. We live in the perfect laid-back atmosphere for spring. I’m counting down the days until the spring game, Relay for Life, the Big Event and the 3.2 Run in Remembrance. The next month is going to fly by, but that’s what spring fever is all about. It’s a little crazy and a little hectic, but when it’s all over, it was more than worth it.

KELLEY ENGLISH - featured columnist - junior -marketing management major

Dance: Class of 2013 to celebrate from page one

being distributed all week in Squires. The event represents a connection between a class of students about to wrap up their years at Tech, and is especially meaningful for those participating in the planning of the dance and events leading up to it. Ellee Alexander, a junior management major is part of the decorating committee for the ballroom event and has been involved in the process since the fall of last year. Having been selected for her position early in the game, she was able to witness how last year’s Ring Dance committee operated and learn from their approach. “I saw what they were doing, things I wanted to change and things I wanted to keep.” she said. “From there, we chose our theme last year in about April or May and we started brainstorming ideas.” Outside of decoration and designing the ring itself, much effort also went in to advertising for the upcoming event. Kelly Murphy, a junior human nutrition food and exercise major, is one of two marketing co-chairs and has been in charge of designing table cards, banners and social networking avenues to advertise the dance. She has been working diligently on marketing events leading up to Saturday’s dance as well, such as the Hypnotist that performed a free showing in Squires Commonwealth Ballroom yesterday in order to get students pumped for tomorrow. “I mainly focus on getting the word out on all our events,” Murphy said. “We are really big on communicating with social media so that we can communicate with students in ways other

than the physical.” The committee in charge of ballroom design this year decided to maximize capacity in the room to allow for a larger dance floor and space to gather with friends. The ballroom will contain fewer large structures, and instead will be adorned with lighting to relay a “frozen” feel. “There will be many sparkly branches and trees and the whole Commonwealth Ballroom will be lit up,” Alexander said. “We are going for a feel that represents frozen, classy and elegant.” While the dance is in honor of the class of 2013, it is open to all students, regardless of class. In fact, many younger and older students have reached out to help the junior class in decorating and setting up the ballroom. Caitlin Nagourney, a sophomore human development major, has put much time and effort into this year’s Ring Dance and feels the experience will help her prepare for next year. But for now, she is excited to be involved in one of Tech’s biggest on-campus events and traditions. “The best part will probably be seeing all the Corps people get their rings and seeing all our hard work come together in the end,” Nagourney said. For the class of 2013, this event will be both heart-warming and memorable. “It’s bittersweet because this has been my life for the past year and especially this week has been pretty stressful and now it’s crunch time,” Alexander said. “However, the most rewarding thing will be to see all my classmates and what they think about how everything came together. I’m hoping they’ll appreciate and like everything we did.”