Friday September 28, 2012
An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 www.collegiatetimes.com
COLLEGIATETIMES 108th year, issue 21 News, page 2
Sinkland Farm season opens Sat. CAMERON AUSTIN news staff writer
The fall season is officially among us, and one local farm continues to make their festivities a local tradition. Sinkland Farms, a family owned and operated farm in Christiansburg, is holding its twentieth annual Pumpkin Festival from Sept. 29 to Oct. 28. For five weekends this fall, visitors can enjoy a variety of festive activities such as a corn maze, local live music and hayrides to the pumpkin patch. Susan Sink, owner of Sinkland Farms, said last year they had more than 35,000 people over the course of the five-week festival. “What better way to enjoy the fall season, after of course, Hokie football, than a visit to the country to find your very own ‘great pumpkin,’” Sink said. The opening weekend will also include the second annual 5K Pumpkin Run. Registration for the run begins at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 29. As a new feature this year, the New River Valley Rocketry Association will launch man-sized rockets every hour. Sinkland Farms was established by Virginia Tech alumnus Henry Sink in 1975. Now deceased, the family puts on the pumpkin festival annually to honor him. see FARM / page two
Features, page 4
Opinions, page 5
Sports, page 8
Study Break, page 7
r/Politicians on Reddit, students take note ANDREW KULAK news staff writer
Libertarian presidential candidate and former governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson spent an hour Wednesday morning answering questions posted by users of the social networking website Reddit. Johnson has appeared on the site previously, as has President Barack Obama, a sign that the offbeat online community may be growing in relevance. “We have been following the (Ask Me Anythings),” said Harrison Bergeron, sophomore biology major and vice president of Libertarians at Virginia Tech. Bergeron and the club were excited to hear from Johnson on Reddit. The club has 200 email subscribers and 50 active members. Libertarians at Virginia Tech believes Johnson offers the best solutions for the country, and especially for students preparing to enter the workforce. “The economy, unemployment, these are things that are going to affect us. We need a government that’s going to work to allow jobs to be created,” Bergeron said. Johnson’s online event Wednesday came during his campaign’s tour of the southwestern United States that included speaking engagements at Arizona State University and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Bergeron was hopeful the candidate would also visit Tech before the election. Jim Gray, the Libertarian vice presidential candidate, visited campus on Monday. Johnson was able to respond to more than thirty comments during his time on Reddit. The former governor touted his libertarian platform, which aims to limit government in both social and fiscal matters. During his appearance, he promised to balance the federal budget by cutting government spending almost in half if elected, to eliminate the IRS in favor of a national sales tax, to allow gay marriage and to end marijuana prohibition. He likened his positions to those
KEVIN DICKEL / SPPS
Redditors have witnessed the trend of political discussion, not only from fellow users, but from politicians themselves. of Ron Paul, the libertarian-leaning Republican congressman from Texas, who has also appeared on Reddit. While some praised Johnson’s positions, he also drew criticism from those who found his libertarian ideology problematic. Users questioned the privatization of the New Mexico prison system during his time as governor, which some feared might create a fiscal incentive for private prison owners to attempt to increase the number of inmates in their facilities. Health care and education were major issues as well. “I believe the only way we reform education in this country is to bring competition into public education,” Johnson said in response to a question about his stance on privatizing
schools. Critics countered that this would reduce funding available to schools, as well as accountability for educational performance, and that his general standpoint in opposition to many government programs was too extreme. “It’s sad that a small, limited government following its constitution is considered extreme,” Bergeron said in response to such critics. Despite mixed feedback, Bergeron and Libertarians at Virginia Tech were excited for the opportunity the Reddit appearance offered their candidate, and thought it especially beneficial for a third-party contender like Johnson. “It allows a less-known political philosophy to become mainstream,” see REDDIT / page eight
JOHNSON
Students brave mud for cause Newman Library MEGAN AMRAEN
still seeks new cafe
features staff writer
FarmHouse Fraternity will be holding its first Mud Run to close out their philanthropy week on Saturday. The three-day long philanthropic effort by the fraternity has consisted of a variety of events, including a percentage night at Moe’s on Wednesday and Public Displays of Affections, which encouraged other organizations to recognize them physically, verbally or virtually throughout the week. Now, Mud Run is bringing everything to a close by supporting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Thomas Williamson, a senior and internal philanthropy chair for FarmHouse, saw this as a perfect opportunity to make others more knowledgeable about LLS. “We want people to be talking about us and raise awareness for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society,” the crop and soil environmental sciences major said. This is the first year FarmHouse will sponsor the Mud Run for their philanthropy. The fraternity previously held other events to sponsor LLS, but decided a Mud Run would better support their cause. “A few years ago we had a chili cook-off and we found a lot of success with it,” said Chris Atkins, a senior agricultural sciences major. “But we found that with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, trying to bring awareness to the cause is a huge thing.” The upcoming Mud Run
MAX LUONG news staff writer
COURTESY OF CHRIS ATKINS
FarmHouse Fraternity promotes their organization on Drillfield to gain recognition around campus. will be a relay-style event where teams of five will have to complete various challenges in order to cross the finish line. “It’s not about winning,” Williamson said. “It’s about toughing out the run like many have to do with cancer everyday.” The event has captured not only the attention of the Greek community, but also other clubs and organizations on campus. “We have at least a dozen
different Greek organizations and a few clubs that will be participating in our philanthropy, many of which are entering multiple teams,” Williamson said. “Every day the number seems to go up.” FarmHouse hopes to spread the word about their fraternity, and hopes students will begin to see them as more than just an agricultural organization. “Obviously our roots are in agriculture, but we’re
way beyond that on campus,” Atkins said. “The other groups that reach out and show that they’re willing to support the same cause we support — that’s really inspiring.” The Relay for Life executive team has also submitted a team in support of LLS. “They’re really passionate about fighting all types of cancer,” Atkins said. “To see Relay reach out and see RUN / page fou
In July 2012, the Greenberry’s Coffee Co. on the first floor of Newman Library unexpectedly closed down. In its place remains a renovated, yet java-less student space. Since the Greenberry’s drop-out, Brian Mathews, associate dean for learning and outreach, has sought to secure a new tenant for the long run. His vision for the future of the space prioritizes student needs and efficiency. During Greenberrys’ short run, the independent company failed to reach its projected profit goals, according to library communications and marketing manager Laura Purcell. Students also expressed their aversion to the expensive coffee, as well as the shop’s exclusion from dining plans. “It just wasn’t the right fit,” Purcell said. Meanwhile, Mathews plans to completely reinvent students’ expectations for the average library cafe. “I want to cater to the particular students who occupy the library during late hours,” Mathews said. “Starting with the food, we are trying to introduce enticing night-time snacks, such as pizza bites.” In addition to catering, new furniture is on the renovation agenda as well. In a presentation to liberal arts undergraduates, Mathews
featured blueprints for futuristic seating and conference areas. These seating areas mimic high-tech corporate meeting rooms, equipped with laptop-to-TV hubs. “The idea is to create an enticing learning environment where students can collaborate efficiently,” Mathews said. The prospect of a new study hub seems to garner positive comments from students. “This gives me just another reason to stay in the library now,” said Billy Ozycz, a sophomore business major. “I’m pretty optimistic about the new renovations,” said Will Jones, a senior history major. “Hopefully we’ll be able to use our meal plans with the coffee shop.” The library staff, with Mathews at the helm, has been in contact with various potential vendors. They hope to complete the construction of an independent coffee shop by the advent of the spring 2013 semester. The project construction will be tedious, as optimum space is needed to allow for student traffic flow. “(There are also) future unforeseen circumstances that may add delay to the project,” said Purcell. Until then, Newman library fequenters must await their nightly coffee fix. Follow this writer on Twitter @MaxLuongCT.