Thursday, February 21, 2013 Print Edition

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Thursday, February 21, 2013 An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 www.collegiatetimes.com

COLLEGIATETIMES 109th year, issue 76 News, page 2

Weekend, page 3

Opinions, page 5

Residents challenge new entrance policy

Sports, page 8

Study Break, page 6

Police make arrest in Pritchard thefts MICHAELA REARDON news staff writer

Virginia Tech police have made an arrest after a string of theft s that occurred in Pritchard Hall on Feb. 2. Akhil Patel, a 20-year-old fi nance major, was arrested at his off-campus residence Tuesday and charged with three counts of breaking and entering. Earlier this month, it was reported that a male entered several rooms in Pritchard Hall and stole various items from rooms that were unlocked and unoccupied. The suspect went through the hall checking doors to see if they were unlocked. When he encountered occupants, he claimed to be a resident looking for a roommate or an RA doing rounds. T.J. Davis, a freshman chemistry student, was in his dorm at the time. “On Saturday night, my friends and I were hanging out in the hallway when a guy asked us what we were doing and claimed to be an RA doing rounds. We didn’t recognize him, and he didn’t have a badge on, but we didn’t think much of

LEAH KOMADA news staff writer An attempt to strengthen community for Virginia Tech's residential college seems to have partially backfired, angering some students and spurring the creation of an online petition. Beginning this semester, university administrators have limited door access to residents in West Ambler Johnston. Now, residents of West AJ may only enter the dorm through the main entrances of the building, while all winged entrances remain locked. The purpose of this policy is to increase student interaction and develop a stronger sense of community. West AJ is a residential college, meaning most students apply to live in it and it has a unique governing structure. “The residential college model deals a lot with building community and having a family aspect rather than a dorm aspect,” said West AJ co-president Erica Bennett. “If people are funneled through the main doors, it will increase random interactions.” Several years ago, associate vicepresident of Student Affairs, Frank Shushok, formed a planning committee for the residential colleges of

it,” Davis recalled. “Later that night, my friend told us her wallet was stolen, and that was when we knew something was up. The next morning, we went to our senior RA and told him what happened.” Lt. Deborah Morgan of the Virginia Tech Police said the investigation was based on witness statements that led to Patel’s arrest. Under Virginia law, breaking and entering while the dwelling is occupied, with the intent to commit another misdemeanor, is a class six felony. The VT alert informing students of the arrest was sent to students yesterday morning with a warning for students to continue being cautious and lock belongings in their rooms. Another alert was sent out later yesterday, alerting students to a string of burglaries in Cochrane Hall. These burglaries date back to December 2012 but went unreported until Feb 18. As of now, there are no leads or suspect descriptions for those thefts. In the alert, VT police reminded all students to report crimes immediately. Follow the writer on Twitter: @MReardonCT

Tech sets date for remembrance run

see AJ / page four

PAUL KURLAK / SPPS

Ryan Johnson, sophomore biological systems engineering major, enters East Ambler Johnston through the front door. Students can now only enter East AJ through this main entrance. Beginning this semester, the side doors have been locked to residents.

Club embraces new atmosphere ABBEY WILLIAMS features staff writer

During the day, downtown Blacksburg is a family-friendly locale, but at night, it transforms into an environment for of-age college students — something one business is trying to change. A group of Virginia Tech students have taken over management at O’s Lounge, located at 204 Draper Rd., changing it into an 18-andover club. Michael Chang, a junior computer science major, along with a group of dedicated friends is working to give the club a new image. “It’s one of the best venues here in Blacksburg,” Chang said. “The owner hasn’t had enough time to manage it himself so we approached him about trying to create a new brand.”

NICK SMIRNIOTOPOULOS / COLLEGIATE TIMES

New student management for O’s Lounge, a downtown Blacksburg club and bar, took over on Feb. 4. Rebranding for change will play a mix of hip-hop, major — is another student In order to draw larger top-40 and house music. dedicated to revamping O’s crowds, the club is hosting “We’re having awesome Lounge. several events. Every Tuesday, events, and people should “We saw a void in pretty O’s Lounge will feature jam come out,” Chang said. “It’s a much all the downtown bands for Ladies Night, guaranteed good time.” businesses for a place where Thursdays will feature elecThe club’s headliner DJ everyone is able to party,” tronic dance music and on DatBoi — a.k.a. Marcus see CLUB / page seven “Turn it up” Fridays, the club Damon, a junior economics

MALLORY NOE-PAYNE news editor

Virginia Tech announced its plans for the annual 3.2 mile Run in Remembrance this week. The race, which always loops around campus and even goes through Lane Stadium, is meant to honor the 32 victims of the April 16 massacre. This year, the race will be held April 13, beginning at 9 a.m. on the Drillfield near War Memorial Gym. The race will end near the April 16 memorial in front of Burruss Hall. Those interested in participating can pre-register online at the Department of Rec Sports website. The first 4,000 people to pre-register get a free T-shirt. The event costs nothing to participate, and participation is not limited to students. People may walk or run the course. The event does require a large volunteer base to provide support for participants, do prerace set-up, help with registration and post-race clean up. Those interested in volunteer-

more info Online pre-registration for the Run in Remembrance is available at: run.recsports.vt.edu Sign up to volunteer at: recreation.ivolunteer. com/runinremembrance ing can also register online at the Rec Sports website. All volunteers will receive a T-shirt. In past years the race has begun under Torgersen bridge. While that has changed this year, the moment of silence and release of balloons before the race begins has not. The 3.2 mile Run in Remembrance is organized annually by Tech’s Department of Rec Sports and the April 16 Student Planning Committee.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @MalloryNoePayne

Poll reveals potential tie in Virginia’s gubernatorial race SEAN HAYDEN news staff writer

Virginia’s governor race is neck and neck between Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican State Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, according to a Quinnipiac University survey released Feb. 20. One poll put McAuliffe and Cuccinelli in a statistical tie at 38 percent of the vote. However, a second poll — one that factored in Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who could possibly run as an

CUCCINELLI

MCAULIFFE

independent candidate — had McAuliffe with 34 percent of the vote, compared to Cuccinelli’s 31 percent. Bolling was in a distant third place with 13 percent. Bolling had previously conceded the Republican nomina-

tion to Cuccinelli, but has not yet decided or commented on the possibility of running as an independent candidate. According to a release detail, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,112 registered voters from Feb. 14-18 using live interviewers who called land lines and cell phones. The poll has a 2.9 percent margin of error. The poll is very similar to the one done on Jan. 9, which had McAuliffe holding a marginal lead with 40 percent and Cuccinelli at 39 percent. When Bolling was factored in, the Feb.

20 poll mirrored the one done Jan. 9. The release detail from Quinnipiac University Polling Institute also stated that Cuccinelli has a 30-to-25 percent favorability rating. McAuliffe got a 23-to-16 percent rating, but 60 percent of those surveyed said they don’t know enough about him to form an opinion. In a two-way race, McAuliffe is projected to win Democrats 83-4 percent while Cuccinelli will take Republicans 87-2 percent. Independent voters are predicted to vote 33 percent for Cuccinelli

and 29 percent for McAuliffe. As Gov. Bob McDonnell enters the fourth year of his term, he also remains popular with voters. In a three-way race, Bolling would likely get 10 percent of Republicans, but only 5 percent of Democrat voters. The different demographics of voters polled were analyzed. Women are expected to choose Democrat with 42–33 percent, while men will vote Republican with 44–34 percent. Cuccinelli is projected to win over the white voters with 47–31 percent, while black voters are predicted to vote

for McAuliffe with 64-11 percent. The state’s gubernatorial race will continue to heat up as November elections approach. Virginia law limits governors to one consecutive term, meaning that the current governor, republican Bob McDonnell, will be stepping down when his term ends. Virginia is the only state to limit governors to one consecutive term. Follow the writer on Twitter: @shayden


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