Tuesday, December 11, 2012 Print Edition by Collegiate Times

Tech remembers Crouse

see page 3 Tuesday, December 11, 2012 An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 www.collegiatetimes.com

COLLEGIATETIMES 109th year, issue 56 News, page 3

Arts & Entertainment, page 4

Opinions, page 5

Sports, page 7

SGA sets up study space for students

At a crossroads As year progresses, student government at Virginia Tech works to solve identity crisis and streamline policy process to be more effective

LESLIE MCCREA news staff writer

SGA is providing a study space to students during exams this year by renting out t he Commonwea lt h Ballroom. Complete with study tables, power outlets, and free stress-relieving snacks, Reading Day with SGA to provide a new accessible study area option for students. Beginning on Wednesday, Dec. 12, and running through Friday Dec. 14, the C om monwe a lt h Ballroom in Squires will be open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day to all students for studying. “This time of year the library and Math Emporium get pretty overcrowded, so we wanted to provide a centralized study space for all students, on- and off-campus, to come study,” said Dustin Dorph, president of SGA. By partnering up with the Student Centers and Activities sector of Student Affairs and contacting local vendors such as Campus Cookies, Panera and Jimmy Johns, SGA is able to provide the space and the food for around 400 students at any given time throughout t hose t hree days. There will be different types and sizes of tables set up and available for study groups as well as individuals. “I am most excited about the students having a place where they can come have individual study time,” said Paige Waltz, SGA secretary. “It will be a

KEVIN DICKEL / COLLEGIATE TIMES

BY PRISCILLA ALVAREZ | news reporter

t is a vicious cycle. Influencing the university has become a challenge for the Virginia Tech Student Government Association. Every government struggles with bureaucracy in passing legislation and initiating change and, in past years, the SGA has faced that obstacle consistently. The SGA, founded on the principle of representing the student body and affecting change on campus, has seen their power as an organization dwindle as their two main projects, Relay for Life and the Big Event, have broken away. Both Relay for Life and the Big Event are major events on Tech’s campus, and their split from SGA’s control was a mutual decision. “Those programs specifically stayed away from what Student Government

has tried to be as an organization, as an advocate for students and as an organization and resource to help really speak to student issues,” said Dustin Dorph, president of SGA. Relieved from the burden of organizing and handling the events, SGA has instead turned inward, taking the opportunity to self-evaluate and consider ways to change and become more effective. But change is not easy. The SGA and Graduate Student Assembly have been combating issues of governance since the beginning of the year. Specifically, Dorph and Angelica Smith, vice president of the SGA, reviewed the organization’s history over the summer to evaluate the university’s governance structure.

Study Break, page 6

“There have been times in our history where we were extremely strong,” Dorph said. “It’s very dependent on the type of people and the caliber of student leaders we have in the organization.” In 1972, the organization was able to create and pass legislation that admitted Greek life on campus, a huge accomplishment for the group. However, in recent years, they have struggled with sustaining a strong influence on campus. “A reoccurring theme has been questioning the purpose of student government on this campus,” Smith said. With that in mind, Dorph and Smith began the year by placing more emphasis on student governance and reviewing their organization as a whole. They have see SGA / page three

Hungry? SGA will be providing free food during study hours in the Commonwealth Ballroom in Squires Student Center Campus Cookies Friday, 2 - 3 p.m. Pizza Hut Wednesday, 1:30 2:30 p.m. Moe’s Thursday, 4 - 5 p.m. Jimmy Johns Friday, 6 - 7 p.m. Panera Thursday 10 - 11 p.m. comfortable study lounge with free food provided, which is the perfect set up for studying.” Dorph and Waltz, along with the rest of the SGA staff, have been working with the deans of each college as well. On Thursday morning around 10 a.m., several deans will be stopping by the ballroom to pass out refreshments, interact with students and be a part of the event. “I think this event is a great way to utilize the open space for a good purpose. Our hope is that students are comfortable there and use it and enjoy it,” Dorph said. Follow the writer on Twitter: @lesliemccrea

Searching for sustainability: Reporter works with farmer NICK SMIRNIOTOPOULOS features editor

There are many misconceptions of what today’s famer does. That is partly because there is a huge difference between the way many farmers practice today — comparing large agribusiness farmers with smaller, local farmers — and today’s consumers are so far removed from where they get their food. Over the last several decades, more small farmers have been taken over by large agribusiness firms like Monsanto and Tyson, replacing traditional farming techniques with streamlined manufacturing processes. While many journalists have aimed to document the processes undergone by agribusi-

ness, I sought to find out what the day in the life of a local, small farmer looks like. I recently profiled Jason Pall and Sally Walker, a married couple who own a small farm that uses sustainable growing practices called Glade Road Growing (to see it, visit bit.ly/ Pall-Walker). I wanted to know what a real day at their farm looked like, so I went out not only to see for myself, but to work on the farm with them. When I arrived at the farm, just a few miles down Glade Road from University Mall, I admired the landscape. There is a steep slope that leads down to the main growing area, which spans about an acre, a washing station at the top of the hill, and bee colonies down the hill off to the right.

NICK SMIRNIOTOPOULOS / COLLEGIATE TIMES

Pall (right) and a local volunteer survey the assortment of fresh vegetables they picked from the ﬁeld I was amazed at how tightly packed the growing area was, with a large field of vegetables and a line of apple tress with

various spices growing in the rich adjacent soil. December looks very different for Pall and Walker

compared to their busy growing season, which lasts from February to October, but there is still a lot of work to be done.

The main work includes picking and washing produce that is still good, reorganizing the layout of the land plot and preparing for the upcoming growing season Pall and Walker had two volunteers helping them pick vegetables from the garden and place them in plastic carts. After picking a full tractor’s worth of fresh vegetables, they drove the tractor up the hill to the washing station. Because of the dropping temperatures in the winter months, Pall and Walker cannot grow anything new outside, but they can continue to pick the vegetables they have already grown — about half their field is still full of fresh produce, ready to be picked and washed. They can also see FARM / page two

december 11, 2012 COLLEGIATETIMES

weekend

editors: emma goddard, nick smirniotopoulos featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

Farm: Sustainable farming provides efﬁciency, integrity

3 2 from page one

keep the current produce alive with small, insulated tents that line the fields. Once they had finished washing all the vegetables, they started a new project with which I was able to help. The project involved changing out the contents of their insulated tent, in which they grow seedlings. The tent has a plastic cover to trap in heat, and since the temperature drops at night, Pall uses an authentic heat source — manure. The inside of the tent had a pile of manure, surrounded by bales of hay to contain it, and seedlings lined on the side. Our job was to completely clear out the tent and make room for their compost pile. Because Pall and Walker are committed to sustainable farming, they do everything in their power to reuse materials and maximize land usage. Next to the tent there is a large compost pile, about 30 to 40 feet long and 5 feet tall. 4 This pile contained a mixture of mulch, leaves, hay and produce from the two previNICK SMIRNIOTOPOULOS / COLLEGIATE TIMES ous years’ growing seasons. (1) Pall stands next to his tractor, taking a break from a day of work and surveying the open ﬁeld. (2) While composting, which uses natural Pall and two volunteers pack up the tractor with crates full of fresh picked vegetables, including carmaterials to decompose into reusable soil, usually requires rotating mechanisms, Pall rots, onions and spinach. (3) After removing the seedlings, manure and hay stacks, the insulation tent is empty, ready for the next project. The 8-inch lines down the center were made by the machine to the relies on a consistent layering technique bottom right, and they are the beginnings of the massive trench that will be used to store the compost that takes this labor out of the equation. By balancing the carbon from old produce material. (4) Walker makes holes in the ground and softens the soil for the vegetables. and the nitrogen from other organic prod-

ucts and layering them a certain way, they are able to get a rich soil with a consistent chemical composition that will be good for the plants. We spent more than an hour clearing out the tent — delicately placing the seedlings off to the side in trays, carrying bales of hay over to the compost pile to line the edges and shoveling the manure into wheelbarrows to add to the compost. Because the work completed in the winter is all to prepare for the growing season in February, there was no immediate time constraint to finish the work. So unlike the summer season when the heat is smoldering and everything has to be done in a timely fashion, we were able to operate at a leisurely pace, making conversation and discussing future plans for the farm. Once we had cleared out the tent, Pall used a machine to dig two equidistant ditches lining the middle of the tent. The plan, according to Pall, is to dig a ditch in the middle of the tent where they can place their compost pile, using worms to speed up the decomposition process. Thus, when spring comes around, they will have fresh soil for the growing season. Though I only got a taste of what it is truly like to be a farmer, albeit in the off season, I have a greater appreciation for the labor that goes into producing the food and the practices by which it is produced.

editors: mallory noe-payne, victoria zigadlo newseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

news

december 11, 2012 COLLEGIATETIMES

SGA Officer Crouse honored evaluates policies

A year after Virginia Tech Police Officer Deriek Crouse was killed on Tech’s campus during a traffic stop, the university community honored his memory during a dedication ceremony Saturday morning in the parking lot outside Cassell Coliseum.

from page one

have taken a close look at their bylaws to simplify processes, ensure consistency and clarify positions within the organizations. After addressing changes within SGA, they held a joint-presentation with GSA in September to introduce their concerns to the student body. Their turnout was not promising. In their fight against student apathy, they gathered a small crowd that mostly consisted of students in the organizations. SGA’s “identity crisis”, as Dorph called it in September, stems from their lack of power in the university governing structure. Their inf luence in policy making is limited due to the long process required to pass legislation. Unlike most universities, legislation created in SGA needs to proceed to the Commission of Student Affairs for a vote before going to University Council for the final vote. If the readings go accordingly and votes are taken when scheduled, the process can take up to 12 weeks minimum. But things rarely move so fast. For instance, earlier this month, two pieces of legislation from SGA about adding evergreen trees on campus and expanding electrical outlets in new facilities reached University Council. Both resolutions were drafted and voted on in SGA during spring semester of 2012, but did not continue the process until this semester. They were passed again in the SGA legislative body on Oct. 16, but they did not reach University Council until Dec. 3. In contrast, other universities create and vote on legislation within an SGA and then pass it to a University Council for a final vote to make it policy without an intermediate body. Initially, this frustrated Smith and Dorph, but it wasn’t the first time SGA had expressed concerns about the structure. According to Dorph the conversation has been going on for more than 20 years. “It hasn’t been clearly defined which organization is the true organization that makes the true decisions for the undergraduate students,” Dorph said. However, these constraints haven’t halted the passing of all legislation. In 2010, Torgersen bridge opened 24/7 due to the initiative of an SGA senator, Melissa Yates. She started the project of making Torgersen bridge a 24 hour facility in 2008 and worked with administration until its passing two years later. As SGA continues to review the university’s governance structure, they have also initiated meetings with student leaders of university chartered organizations to discuss their concerns as a collective group. According to Smith, the idea is to focus on a small scale to encourage conversation among the group In the end, SGA hopes to create a coalition among student leaders that focuses their attention on assessing student governance and eventually solidifying solutions, Dorph said. Follow the writer on Twitter: @priscialva

BEN WEIDLICH / SPPS A crowd admires the new permanent memorial honoring slain police ofﬁcer Deriek Crouse that was dedicated Saturday and replaces the make-shift one that had remained well cared for for the past year.

TREVOR WHITE / SPPS

Tech President Charles Steger addresses the crowd at a noon service.

TREVOR WHITE / SPPS

Virginia Tech Police Chief Wendell Flinchum spoke during the small ceremony Saturday morning.

TREVOR WHITE / SPPS

The permanent memorial is made from a piece of Hokie stone.

Students ‘End the Hunger Games’ in West AJ MICHAELA REARDON news staff writer

Members of the Residential College at West Ambler Johnston volunteered as “tributes” this past weekend at the Montgomery County Christmas Store in the first “End the Hunger Games” service project. Planning for the project began in September, and the event was launched in October with a canned food drive inspired by the popular book series “The Hunger Games.” “Our whole mission with this project is that, 10 minutes down the road, people don’t always know where their next meal is going to come from. We didn’t want to just call it a canned food drive — it’s hard to get college students excited about philanthropy

sometimes so we wanted to make it something that was pop-culturally relevant to college students, something that would catch their attention,” said Lauren Anderson, residential advisor for Holly House of West AJ. West AJ is a residential learning community divided into four houses that aim to foster a supportive environment for residents of all years. The food drive was part of the West AJ inter-house competition that began earlier in the year. Hawthorn House won the event by collecting 375 cans, and by the end of the drive, the 800 residents of the college had collected approximately 900 overall cans. More than 100 residents responded to the call to volunteer at the Montgomery County Christmas store. These “tributes” volunteered

on Dec . 7 and 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. “It blew my expectations away. I would have been happy if two people showed up at the Christmas Store and spent the day hanging out,” Anderson said. During their time at the store, volunteers restocked shelves and assisted families as they shopped. The fi rst 75 volunteers received a free “End the Hunger Games” T-shirt. “Once you participate in a program like this, you don’t look at the world the same way and it provides an opportunity that a classroom can’t,” said Benjamin Sax, faculty principle of West AJ. Originally, the project was going to involve preparing a meal for the underprivileged in the Blacksburg community, but due to logistics, the project shifted course.

“We were going to have college students sitting next to adults, sitting next to little kids, sharing a meal together. Around late-October or November we decided we would work with the Christmas store (instead) because they always need volunteers,” Anderson said. “It started as a totally different vision but the ending result was equally as beautiful.” Instead of making a meal, all of the food raised in the drive was donated to the Montgomery County Christmas store, a nonprofit organization that helps lowincome families during the Christmas season by providing a shopping experience that families may not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy. “People will come to Virginia Tech for four years and never know what happens outside

the walls of this institution,” Sax said. “That should pay a role in their education as well ... (the fact that) their neighbors are living in conditions that are unfathomable.” Families eligible to shop at the Montgomery County Christmas store receive an income no greater than 25 percent above the poverty line. Some families that shop at the store are elderly, disabled or dealing with emergency circumstances. “There was so much support from students and leadership, and we are so proud of West AJ ... We’re so thankful to be a part of a community that cares about bringing Christmas to people that don’t always get Santa Claus coming down their chimney,” Anderson said. Follow the writer on Twitter: @MReardonCT

december 11, 2012 COLLEGIATETIMES

arts & entertainment

Playing for Keeps disappoints Movie Review

I have no qualms admitting I love a good romantic comedy just as much as the next girl or sensitive guy. But there are few things less entertaining than a poorly done “rom-com.” “Playing For Keeps” tells the story of has-been soccer star George (Gerard Butler) who tries to redeem himself in the eyes of his ex, Stacie (Jessica Biel), by coaching his young son Lewis’ (Noah Lomax) soccer team. Predictably, the plan goes off-course as George gets distracted by myriad lusty soccer moms (Uma Thurman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Judy Greer) and Stacie gets engaged to the nice guy Matt (James Tupper). Gerard Butler, starring in films such as The Ugly Truth and The Bounty Hunter, seems to have a knack for truly awful rom-coms and he certainly does not disappoint here. His stock character is a vaguely gross, immature manchild with an awful attitude that for some inexplicable reason, women just cannot resist. Admittedly, “Playing for Keeps” is only slightly more misogynistic than the average Hollywood movie, but that does not make it any easier to sit through the stereotypical scheming of sex-crazed middle-aged women. The depictions of men are hardly stellar either, considering they are either womanizers pursuing anything with a pulse, or lunatic husbands with violent reactions toward anyone who so much as look at his wife. These painfully common gender stereotypes are not even well-acted. Everyone is clearly

just there to recite some lines and pick up a paycheck. Gerard Butler, who has proven in the recent Coriolanus that he can actually be a serious dramatic actor, is wooden and unoriginal. Biel is in the same position of merely playing her latest in a long line of rom-com love interest roles, and she cannot even do that convincingly. Every performance she gives seems even blander than the last. Butler’s three soccer-moms — and keep in mind that Thurman and Zeta-Jones have both been nominated for Academy Awards and Greer was hilarious in the Emmy-winning “Arrested Development” — are essentially stand-ins, useful only as plot devices. There is little to say on the script and even less on direction. The screenwriter, Robbie Fox, is best known for the great cinematic achievement “So I Married an Axe-Murderer.”

I could perhaps scrape up a compliment by saying that Fox seemed able to keep the script on an even pace, but let us be honest: Any mediocre firstyear film student could have produced this script. Even more bizarre than getting a script from the guy who penned “So I Married an Axe-Murderer” is the choice of director, Gabriele Muccino. Muccino has worked almost exclusively in Italian-language cinema, with the exception of two Will Smith fi lms, the acclaimed “The Pursuit of Happyness” and the panned “Seven Pounds.” In “Playing for Keeps,” Muccino appears to have done little more than point the camera in the right direction. So, good job on getting that part right. At the end of the day, “Playing for Keeps” is just another cliched and uninspired romantic comedy that is designed to appeal to the lowest-commondenominator in mainstream audiences. Given its opening weekend debut at sixth place in the boxoffice with only a $6 million gross (on a budget of $35 million), it seems that even the most undiscerning of moviegoers are finally weary of these insipid and unoriginal romcoms. KATIE WHITE -regular movie columnist -junior -history major

editors: emma goddard, nick smirniotopoulos featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

Also out this week... Movies

Games

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Starring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellan, Richard Armitage Dec. 14

Halo 4: Crimson Map Pack Dec. 10

Zero Dark Thirty Starring: Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, Joel Edgerton Dec. 19

Assassin’s Creed III: The Hidden Secrets Pack Dec. 11 Dishonored: Dunwall City Trials Dec. 11

Walking Dead provides interactive story Game Review

The first time I shot a zombie in the face was one of the most memorable moments of the game — I kicked my way out of a crashed police car and loaded a shotgun that I immediately used on an approaching walker. I had not expected an adventure game to actually require aiming a weapon, let alone fast thinking and button mashing. “The Walking Dead” is a popular TV show, comic book and now a five episode video game series. Telltale has worked its trademark pointand-click adventure magic in “The Walking Dead” universe with a story that revolves around Lee Everett, a university professor on his way to jail for a murder charge. This is not your run-of-themill video game. As a pointand-click adventure, “The Walking Dead” manages to successfully modernize the genre. Puzzles are not simply static screens with which you interact by clicking. Lee moves around the 3D environments while interacting with walkers, weapons, people, and everyday objects in satisfying ways.

Telltale’s system works really well for what it is. Conversations are not just cut scenes — they are an interaction between you and the characters in the game. Dialog options usually involve picking sides in fights or highlighting a specific emotion, but playing a storyfocused game that actually gives you some control over the story is great. The decisions you make during the course of the game do not alter the ending, but they do change the characters you will see along the way and how they will react to you. “The Walking Dead” does a good job of telling you how you are changing the experience, as it warns you in moments when someone will remember your actions or responses. These are not technically advanced games, and the basic gameplay does falter at points. I found myself getting tired of the sometimes aggravatingly slow movement in certain scenes. Being forced to open every cabinet in a kitchen to look for supplies is not fun either. What really makes “The Walking Dead” an incredible experience are the characters that fi ll the game. Early on in the first episode, Lee finds a little girl named

Clementine and takes her under his wing. Their relationship is the highlight of the entire series. Although the other characters fi ll different roles and complete the story, Lee and Clementine are the focus throughout. All of the characters are interesting, and Telltale leaves it up to you to decide how Lee responds. This adventure game opens the door to the genre; there are few moments that require you to hunt for pixels, and the story is not at all humorous. This is a serious game that manages to conjure up meaningful situations that end up telling a sad and inspiring, yet beautiful, story. Aside from some tedious puzzles, “The Walking Dead” is a series of polished games that put the plotline above all else. BEN KIM -regular game columnist -sophomore -communication major

editors: josh higgins, bethany melson opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

opinions

december 11, 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: Michelle Sutherland Managing Editor: Nick Cafferky Design Editors: Andrea Ledesma, Alicia Tillman Special Section Design Edtitor: Danielle Buynak Public Editor: Erin Chapman Web Editor: Chelsea Gunter News Editors: Mallory Noe-Payne, Victoria Zigadlo News Reporters: Priscilla Alvarez, Cody Owens Features Editors: Emma Goddard, Nick Smirniotopoulos Features Staff Writers: Ben Kim, Katie White, Kara Van Scoyc, Allie Sivak, Jacob Wilbanks Opinions Editors: Josh Higgins, Bethany Melson Sports Editors: Matt Jones, Zach Mariner Special Sections Editor: Cody Elliot Copy Chief: Nora McGann Copy Editors: Allison Hedrick, Kristin Gunther, Mackenzie Fallon, Alexis Livingston, Kayleigh McKenzie Photo Editor: Kevin Dickel Collegiate Times Business Staff Business Manager: Ryan Francis Circulation Manager: Travis Neale MCT CAMPUS

Cynicism stems from Environment needs students’ help good acts gone wrong T I “ t was with sadness, though not much surprise, that I learned the homeless-and-barefoot fellow who caught the sympathetic eye of a Manhattan cop is actually a bit of a fraud. He apparently has dibs on some governmental benefits (which will be expanded if President Obama has his way,) an apartment somewhere in New York, family members who want to take him in and an admirable appreciation for the free market. No sooner had that heartwarming photo of Officer DePrimo's selfless act of charity become public than Mr. Size 11 to sell his footwear for some quick cash. And so, another uplift ing parable about Good Samaritans and grateful sinners becomes a cheap joke for the Internet age. That's not to say the act itself wasn't noble. Regardless of the unworthiness of his beneficiary, NYPD's finest did an amazing imitation of the Christ that I studied in catechism class. The unfortunate part of the story is that instead of focusing on the kindness of good people, we are forced once again to ruminate on the futility of expecting grace in a world overrun with manipulators. Let us pause for a moment in this joyful Christmas season to give the Pollyanna readers a chance to cluck their tongues and say, "Oh Christine, why so jaded?" And I do hear you, earnest friends. I, too, want to channel my inner Tiny Tim and say "God Bless us everyone!" and hold hands with the other Whos in Whoville to sing that unintelligible yet classic song "Pha-room, Phoray." But it becomes harder and harder to see the good in a world where there are so many others who are willing to exploit that native compassion for their own benefit. Yes, the homeless exist and Sister Mary Scullion (who is probably disgusted with the way this Mercy girl turned out) is a saint. Indeed, there are people who through no fault of their own have lost jobs to downsizing and are finding it harder and harder to make it to the end of the month. And yes, the 47 percent probably do manage to pay taxes, after all. But knowing that there are so many people out there able to impose upon our better angels and then make a mockery of our good will like the big-footed clod in Times Square makes it that much harder to feel empathy, an evanescent thing that can disappear as quickly as it forms in the soul. I think the real reason I'm disturbed by the sour ending to the New York story is that it confirmed my deepest suspicions, the ones that I'd pushed to the back of my mind when I first heard what had gone down on that dark corner. My

There are open hearts and open wallets. But each time such goodness is twisted and mocked, and each time we are made to feel guilty for having a bit more than our neighbors, it makes it that much harder to bend down and help the next time around.”

initial inclination was to think that, perhaps, this homeless person was going to sell those shoes for drugs or some other unsavory contraband. But buoyed by the unnatural innocence of this inner-city cop and his unprecedented humility, I abandoned my Scrooge-like cynicism and celebrated this small triumph of humanity. It took only a few days to realize that once again, pearls had been thrown before swine. That fellow in Times Square did not deserve the kindness shown to him by the police officer. This doesn't diminish in any way the grandeur of the act. It does, however, show us that the saying "whatsoever you do to the least of my children, you do to me" doesn't always translate well on the mean streets. Of course there are those who will say it doesn't matter that Lawrence Hillman has a place to stay, a family that wants to help and now, apparently, some cash in his pocket. He is still, to these warm-hearted ones, a child of the same God that looks down with love upon us all. And yet, not all of us are on a street corner somewhere accepting the favors of strangers or, worse yet, accosting people on the subways and, most threateningly, lunging at people from dark doorways as happened to me a few weeks ago. I have to tell you that when that deranged man hit me in the head and slammed my cell phone into the ground after I refused to give him money, my desire to help him was about as strong as my desire to get hairstyling tips from Debbie Wasserman Schultz. There are good people out there, people like that New York cop. There are open hearts, and open wallets. But each time such goodness is twisted and mocked, and each time we are made to feel guilty for having a bit more than our neighbors, it makes it that much harder to bend down and help the next time around. CHRISTINE FLOWERS -mcclatchy newspapers

he International Energy Agency released its World Energy Outlook this November, outlining the changes in global supply and demand for energy. One of the big revelations in the report was the United States will surpass Saudi Arabia and Russia in oil production by the year 2020, due mostly to the fact both Saudi Arabia and Russia’s projected oil output decreased significantly from previous years. This puts the United States ahead by default. Within a few days of the release of the WEO report, the World Bank released another report, titled “Turn Down the Heat.” It outlines the effects of allowing the world to heat up by 4 degrees Celsius by 2100 — the effects range from rising sea levels to extreme heat waves and droughts. The WEO projections of the U.S. becoming a leader in oil production could be seen in a positive light, with the creation of more jobs and oil exports increasing through 2020. However, the implications of increasing our fossil fuel dependence are a much dimmer prospect: current projections show most of the emissions allowable in order to keep the world under a 2-degree-Celsius increase are already locked in. Most members of the international community agree warming must be held below 2 degrees Celsius to avoid disastrous environmental and economic repercussions. Currently, the world has heated by an average of 0.8 degrees Celsius

from the pre-industrial era, which itself is an unprecedented increase. We have already seen weather patterns consistent with the effects of increased global temperatures. Heat waves in the past couple years have occurred globally, notably in the Middle East, Russia and the United States. The magnitude and

Here at Tech, students should pursue sustainable goals to reduce their environmental footprint. There are many ways students can get involved in the movement toward a better environment.” increased occurrence of these heat waves in the past decade are consistent with global warming. While not all natural disasters, such as Hurricane Sandy, can be attributed to global warming, our response to such events shows how ill prepared we are to deal with more intense weather patterns. As the world’s population and the demand for energy continue to grow, our current energy reserves — fossil fuels — will become depleted at a greater rate. Emissions will continue to be a problem — even if industrialized nations switch to natural gas and renewables, many developing nations will con-

tinue to depend on coal and other dirty sources of energy. It is easy to dismiss the dangers of global warming and pass the buck on to future generations, but it is very likely its effects will manifest themselves within our lifetimes. There will either be a crisis of energy — supply not being able to keep up with demand — or enormous economic and environmenta l damage to various parts of the world. Neither of these options is palatable, but until collective security measures are proactively pursued, we will remain on course for an enormous energy crisis within our lifetimes. Here at Tech, students should pursue sustainable goals to reduce their environmental footprint. There are many ways students can get involved in the movement toward a better environment. Beyond Coal and the Environmental Coalition are two organizations working to create a more sustainable lifestyle. These organizations, along with others, are worth exploring and can help you find out what you as a Virginia Tech student can do to help the environment. Their websites — vtbey o n d c o a l .w o r d p r e s s . com and theecvt.com, respectively — can provide you a way to move forward. This is where change can be made — right here at home. SHARATH REREDDY -regular colomnist -economics -sophomore

Student Publications Photo Staff Director of Photography: Brad Klodowski Lab Manager: Trevor White College Media Solutions Assistant Ad Director: Carla Craft Account Executives: Elizabeth Dam, Emily Daugherty, Taylor Moran Inside Sales Manager: Amanda Gawne Assistant Account Executives: Andrew Newton, Jordan Williams Creative Director: Danielle Bushrow Assistant Creative Services Director: Alyssa Morrison Creative Staff: Mary Dassira, Chloe Young, Cameron Vaile, Diana Bayless

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 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.

we’re YOUR send an email to newspaper. opinionseditor@ send a letter to collegiatetimes.com the editor and with your letter or guest express your column attached. views.

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. The first copy is free, any copy of the paper after that is 50 cents per issue. © Collegiate Times, 2012. 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.

december 11, 2012

Regular Edition Today’s Birthday Horoscope:

M W

H Thursday F X N

December H Z S 13Q

2012

FnX PNuzzPlesH EdRitio

Piled Higher and Deeper by Jorge Cham Quote of the Day See your ad on the most popular page of the Collegiate Times You can never be overdressed or overeducated. - Oscar Wilde

Send us your quote and see it here! creative.services@collegemedia.com

XKDC by Randall Monroe collegiatetimes.com | 540.961.9860 | advertising@collegemedia.com

6 7 8

5 4

8 1 3

3 6

4 5

3 3 4 6

3 1

9 8

7 4

67 Dust Bowl migrant 68 Denoting a loss, as on a balance sheet 69 Every twelve mos. 70 Unites 71 Napoleon, ultimately

Complete the grid so that each column, row and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1-9. For a greater challege see how fast you can complete the puzzle. Copyright 2007 Puzzles by Pappocom Solution, tips and computer program at www.sudoku.com

Week ending December 7, 2012 By James Sajdak

ACROSS 1 Finish using TurboTax, say 6 They have scales and keys 10 Avon lady, e.g.? 14 Pitch man? 15 Little bit of everything 16 Tip-top 17 Latitude between the South Frigid Zone and South Temperate Zone 20 Surfboard fin 21 Native of Lima 22 Novelist Kesey 23 Hindquarters

Top Tracks Locked Out of Heaven • Bruno Mars

(1) 1 (2) 2

Girl On Fire (feat. Nicki Minaj) • Alicia Keys

(3) 3

Ho Hey • The Lumineers

Home • Phillip Phillips

Gangnam Style • PSY

12/11/12 25 Arms treaty subjects, briefly 27 Tried something out 32 Cleaned one’s plate 33 Indian megalopolis 34 Copious 38 Agent under M 40 Highways and byways 42 Chimney sweepings 43 Lipstick mishap 45 Springs, in a way 47 Ref’s decision

Locate the list of words in the word bank in the letter grid.

W H WORD BANK

W T

W O

W D

W A

W V

W K

W C

W I

W B

W O

W P

W E

W Q

H Coming F X N

Z S Soon! X

12/07/12

-Snow -Sleet -Snow Day -Snowman -Snowball -Sledding -Skiing -Snowboarding -Winter Break -Christmas -Chanukkah -Kwanzaa -Bodhi Day -New Years -Scarf -Gloves -Hat -Boots

Send your pet’s name, breed/age, interests, and a picture to creative.services@collegemedia.com

C V R D Qforget N to P pick H upRyour F copy X of H theF Take a Break! Don’t K Collegiate O H GTimes’ U Puzzles Y K Section N HDecember G J 13th, A H2012 Z

Ed G Puzz K les O H

Friday’s Puzzle Solved

LOVE YOUR PET TELL US ABOUT HIM!

WORDSEARCH: Winter Stuff Q

48 Test-drove, with “in” 51 Environmental activist Jagger 54 Copyeditor’s catch, hopefully 55 Commentator Coulter 56 16th-century Spanish fleet 60 Science fiction prize 63 Macroeconomic theory to explain inflation 66 Faded in the stretch

DOWN 1 Guesstimates at Maryland’s BWI 2 Name on a dictionary 3 Involve oneself 4 Roughly three miles 5 Push the wrong button, e.g. 6 Candlelight visitor? 7 Et __: and others 8 Trillionth: Pref. 9 “You’re not the only one!” 10 Block 11 Is way cool 12 Coastal area 13 “The Wonder Years” years 18 Whirlybird 19 Prefix with mural 24 Near the center 26 Shady group? 27 Ties up the line 28 Element element 29 High, as a kite 30 Quay 31 Pitcher Nomo 35 “Jeopardy!” category 36 Mischief-making Norse god 37 Henry VI’s school

52 “. . . the bombs bursting __ . . .” 53 California pro 57 Karaoke prop 58 Stomach product 59 Unenviable grades 61 Highlands native 62 Merrie __ England 64 Joseph of ice cream fame 65 Diner dessert

39 “Rosy-fingered” time of day, per Homer 41 “Counting Sheep” mattresses 44 Postgame rundown 46 “I just had an idea!” 49 __-minded 50 Egyptian with a riddle 51 Like some limericks

M W

G L

X P

ition

editors: matt jones, zach mariner sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

sports

december 11, 2012 COLLEGIATETIMES

Hokies pull through after halftime, beat Delta Devils ZACH MARINER sports editor

Erick Green paced Virginia Tech with 23 points, as the Hokies coasted by Mississippi Valley State, 70-49 on Monday night in Cassell Coliseum. Playing just two days after a devastating 68-67 loss to West Virginia in Morgantown, the Hokies experienced a bit of a hangover, struggling out of the gate. “A win is a win,” said head coach James Johnson. “When it goes down, it’s not going to be a W with a U for ugly or a W with a P for pretty. “We found a way to pull it out tonight. It was a tough start, a little bit of a hangover, but our guys found a way to pull it out.” Despite being outrebounded 24-17 in the first half, Tech was able to get by in a game where the Delta Devils (0-6) had a rough night shooting the ball, as they finished just 18-of-70 from the field. The Hokies (8-1) jumped out to an early 14-6 lead before Davon Usher hit three three-pointers in four possessions for MVSU to cut the lead to 16-15. The Delta Devils then took a 22-20 lead with six and a half minutes remaining in the first half, due in large part to second-chance points. “We have to get better (rebounding the ball),” Johnson said. “There was a little sweet talking at halftime. Our guys know the deal. We looked at that stat sheet, and said, ‘This is where we’re at guys. We have to do a better job with (rebounding).’” But Tech battled back, going on a 33-8 run that spanned both halves and gave them a 53-30 lead. The Hokies never looked back. “Coming into halft ime, we all woke up. We got into each other,” Green said. “Coach didn’t have to really get into

TREVOR WHITE / SPPS

Erick Green (11) reacts after he is hit in the chest and loses the ball. Green scored 23 points in the ninth game making him tied for the school record. us. He said his words, but me and Jarell (Eddie) as leaders, we said what we had to say and we came out in the second half and picked it up. After starting big man Cadarian Raines got into foul trouble early on, redshirt freshman Joey van Zegeren saw crucial minutes for Tech in the first half, notching seven points and four rebounds before the break. He finished with nine points, seven rebounds and three blocks. “(Joey) played big minutes

for us tonight,” Johnson said. “Big minutes, big plays. Erick Green drove and when the double team came, Joey was ready to make the play. Rebounded the ball for us, blocked shots. He played big for us tonight. Sophomore guard Marquis Rankin also had a big game for the Hokies, joining Green as the only other Tech player in double figures with a career-high 10 points. “I played with confidence,” Rankin said. “I just came out and played my hardest

tonight and made plays for myself and my teammates.” Johnson came away impressed with Rankin’s performance. “He needed to step up and the team needed him,” he said. “He responded tonight and that was huge for our team and it was big for Marquis and his confidence. That was the Marquis that I know.” The Hokies retake the floor against Georgia Southern in Cassell on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.

Lifestyle & Community have a big announcement, selling things, need help?

Upcoming Games Dec. 15 v. Georgia Southern

Jan. 5 @ Maryland

Dec. 22 v. Bradley, @ Las Vegas

Jan. 9 v. Boston College

Dec. 23 TBA

Jan. 12 @ Georgia Tech

Dec. 29 v. BYU

Jan. 19 v. Wake Forest

Free for VT students! Place an ad or announcement at collegiatetimes.com, visit our business office at 618 N. Main St. 9am - 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, contingent on the number of days to run. Prepaid. 15 word minimum. Cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. Deadline: 3pm 3 business days prior to publication.

For Sale

For Rent

NEED FINALS HELP?!?!?! AWESOME TUTOR QUALIFIED IN PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL WORK, ENGLISH+++ $30/HOUR FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE AND PRICING!! EMAIL JZENIT1@GMAIL. COM/ CALL 410.371.4900

PHEASANT RUN CROSSING TOWNHOME For Rent 2013-2014. 4 bdrm. 2.5 baths. Refurbished. www. techtownhomes.com, techtownhomes@ gmail.com PHEASANT RUN TOWNHOME For Rent 2013-2014. 4 bdrm. 2.5 baths. Refurbished with hardwood floors. For more information email: dbushrow@vt.edu.

tip of the week

LESSON 1: LIGHTEN UP YOUR KEY CHAIN QUESTION: Does having a lot of key chains on my keys have any effects?

PICK UP THE COLLEGIATE TIMES TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

ANSWER: The weight, combined with bouncing while you drive, can wear out the tumblers inside the ignition and eventually lead to ignition switch failure.To add years of service to your ignition switch, purchase a lightweight key chain that allows you to separate your ignition key from the others. Drive with only the ignition key in your ignition. If your ignition key “sticks” when you try to turn on the car, it’s a warning that your ignition switch is about to fail. Replace it before you get stranded.

LESSON 2: PARKING IN THE SHADE Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) You’re gaining authority today and tomorrow. You have the mental advantage. Let yourself get infected by someone’s enthusiasm. This is the fun part.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is a 9 -- Career opportunities abound. It could be confusing for the next two days. Wait, and adapt as needed to avoid con lict. A lucky break is available.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Keep studying. Traveling isn’t as easy now. Spend easily, but only the amount you planned. Don’t fund a fantasy. If you are patient, the truth will be revealed.

Aries (March 21-April 19) You’re getting the information, inally. Financial worries inhibit creativity, so stay organized. It’s empowering. For the next three weeks, travel beckons ... very romantic. You can make it happen.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Resolve a worry with help from friends; success comes in groups. You’re very attractive now ... compose your fabulous out it for an event.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Building a savings plan is easier these days. It’s empowering. Don’t believe everything you hear. The team comes around to your way of thinking eventually.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) For this next phase, rely more on others. All is not as it appears, and multiple views give perspective. Cinch the deal for a welcome assignment. Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Find ways to work more on practical goals. Get into action, one concrete step at a time. Postpone a inancial discussion. Schedule it. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Communications take on a more thoughtful, even spiritual tone. Physical exercise works wonders, and you look good. Work on creative arts or crafts.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Your listening calms another’s anxiety. You’re extra charming. It feels like you’re on the road full time. Finish an old assignment. Postpone nonessential trips. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) For the next three weeks, investigate assumptions. You’re sharp as a tack, and your team’s hot. Don’t make expensive promises today; postpone romance. Ask questions. Believe you can. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) The next two days are good for money. Add glamour at home. For the foreseeable future, keep close track of earnings, and watch out for spills.

QUESTION: Do UV rays effect my car’s interior? ANSWER: Of course, a garage is always the ideal place to park your car. But if one isn’t available, minimize interior damage from UV sunlight and heat by always trying to park your car in the shade. If no shade is available or if you find parking under a tree results in bird droppings, use a car shade to minimize the sun’s impact. As a bonus, you’ll have a cooler car to step into on hot sunny days. Car shades come in two basic types: those that you unfold and place on the front windshield and rear window, or pleated types that attach to the windshield posts, window frames, or the windows themselves (with suction cups). -http://www.rd.com

YOUR AD HERE! sponsor the car care tip of the week to help readers know where to go

advertising@collegemedia.com

december 11, 2012