Wednesday, April 3, 2013 Print Edition

Page 1

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

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

COLLEGIATETIMES 109th year, issue 94 News, page 2

Food & Drink, page 5

Scantron costs may pass on to students

Opinions, page 3

Sports, page 6

Study Break, page 4

Downtown faces changes

BRAD KLODOWSKI / SPPS Scantrons will be available at the bookstore for no more than 25 cents.

LEAH KOMODA news staff writer

The transition to new scantron software, effective the first of August, could pose added costs for students. The new software, which replaces a 25-yearold single machine, will use new scantron sheets. The cost of purchasing the new scantrons will be taken over by each of Virginia Tech’s colleges, who will then make the decision whether to pass that cost on to their students. The grading of exams currently takes place in one office using a single, out-of-date machine. The university gives professors scantron sheets for exams. After the exam is given, faculty brings the completed forms to Testing Services where they are graded. The graded scantrons are then organized in a filing cabinet, arranged by professor’s last name, for faculty to later pick up. The machine malfunctions often, a symptom of its age and many operating parts. There is no back-up plan when it breaks. “For the cost of a single year of maintenance on the older machine, we can put 10 or 11 new machines across campus,” said Director of Emerging Technologies and New Ventures, Jennifer Sparrow. “(With the new system) faculty will run the scantrons

themselves and will have instant access to their scores.” Along with the new and revamped scantron software comes the determination of who will pay for the scantron sheets. “We have let the departments know that they will be responsible for funding the paper for their colleges,” Sparrow said. Some of the colleges have already said they will absorb the cost of the scantron sheets in order to provide them for their students, while others have yet to decide, and are still looking at what the cost will be for their department. If the departments decide not to provide students with these forms, students will be responsible for purchasing scantrons at the bookstore. “I think the policy will be a hassle for students and faculty as well,” said sociology professor Ted Fuller. “(A hassle for faculty) in terms of a few students forgetting to bring opscans and in terms of opscan forms which are crumpled as a result of spending hours in someone’s backpack but which faculty need to put through a reader.” Students also feel the responsibility of purchasing scantrons themselves is unnecessary. “We already have so many fees,” said freshman biological sciences major Elise Fegler. “It is see COSTS / page two

RYAN SUTHERLAND / SPPS

Len Comaratta stands in front of Moe’s, the space where he was once assistant manager of the music and video store Crossroads.

Downtown Blacksburg evolves as chains move to occupy spaces once filled with local businesses ANDREW KULAK news reporter

Generations of residents and Virginia Tech students alike have been attracted to Blacksburg by its small-town vibe, but some local businesspeople fear the town’s homegrown culture could become a thing of the past, as large-scale brands and franchises snap up downtown real estate once occupied by local companies. “Blacksburg used to be a nice

mixture of restaurants, bars, and retail,” said Gary Walker, Tech alumnus and proprietor of Cabo Fish Taco. “All the new stuff that’s opening up like Moe’s, Chipotle, Jimmy John’s. … These places are taking over spots that used to be really cool, locally owned businesses.” As The Mellow Mushroom, a nationwide chain, seems poised to open a new location where local-favorite Backstreets once operated, many, along with Walker, are left wonder-

ing about the future of small retail and dining in downtown Blacksburg. Downtown at a Crossroads Tech alumnus Len Comaratta remembers a different, more vibrant Blacksburg, filled with small businesses, before a property auction 11 years ago saw many buildings downtown change hands. A longtime Blacksburg resident, Comaratta was an assistant manager of Crossroads at the time, a locally owned and operated music and video store that had several area locations.

In 2002, HCMF Corp., mired in financial problems as well as federal legal trouble, sold off its downtown properties in a hotly contested auction that saw Martinsville-based Lester Group feverishly outbid smaller-scale buyers. “It was deemed by many as really shady,” said Comaratta of the events. When Lester Group took ownership of the properties downtown, the company said it had no plans to make significant changes, but Comaratta claims the company did just see LOCAL / page two

Hokies come from behind to beat VCU MATT JONES sports editor

The Virginia Tech Hokies learned their lesson about overlooking non-conference opponents last week, and defeated the VCU Rams 11-5 on Tuesday. Last Tuesday, the Hokies (21-9, 7-5 ACC) fell behind after starter Colin O’Keefe failed to complete two innings. Early walks led to early runs and the Hokies lost to the VMI Keydets 8-0. Brendon Hayden made his first start of the season Tuesday against the VCU Rams and before the Hokies recorded their first out, it

seemed as if they were destined for the same fate. Hayden’s first pitch drilled Ram’s leadoff hitter Bill Cullen square in the back and he walked the next batter on four pitches. Two batters later Brent Mikionis smashed a ball down the left field line and the Hokies trailed 2-0. The Hokies escaped the inning allowing just two runs but Hayden, who walked or allowed a hit to six of the 11 batters he faced, was pulled after just 1.2 innings of work. “I always worry,” said Hokies head coach Pete Hughes. “It was an emo-

game stats

tional weekend and immature kids can’t handle success, and they want to come out and be complacent on a Tuesday. We had close to 3,000 people here (on Saturday), and you come out here and there’s not the same crowd, and you can get sucked into that atmosphere and sucked into thinking you’re really good and not respect your opponent.” Luckily, the Hokies had Chad Pinder and Tyler Horan on their side. Pinder tied the game in the bottom of the first with

Batting Chad Pinder: 3-for-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI Tyler Horan: 2-for-4, 1 HR, 5 RBI Mark Zagunis: 2-for-3, 1 RBI, 2 BB

Pitching Jake Joyce: W (4-1) 3.1 IP, 4 H, 1 BB

see TECH / page six

Apartment complex will offer quiet housing location CAITY GONANO

likely potential tennants. “In terms of location,” Meredith explained, “The Reserve at Knollwood, as well as our other properties in the area, are not in the middle of anything, although still close to everything.” Current residents have enjoyed the quiet environment of the complexes in the area, but many have said that they never even knew they were back there—a concerning thought for property managers since Knollwood Condominiums have been in that location since 1999. The Reserves at Knollwood will offer one-to-three bedroom apartments. Currently, only two or three bedrooms are available for lease, ranging from $1,140-to-$1,190 for two bedroom units and $1,351-to$1,395 for three bedroom units. Completion of the Reserve at Knollwood is expected to be by July 15, 2012. Follow the writer on Twitter: @caitygonano

VT

US

46

0B

yp

as

s

St.

Students will have a new offcampus housing option next year, as a new apartment complex finishes up construction. Located right across from the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, the Reserve at Knollwood will offer premier apartment complexes for students. “We wanted to break the barrier of what is available in Blacksburg. We wanted more of a resort feel,” said Tammy Meredith, property manager. CMG Leasing manages several apartment complexes in Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Radford. One of its leasing offices — located two miles from Lane Stadium and near the CRC — manages a variety of complexes such as Knollwood Condominiums, The Crossing at Knollwood, Cedarfield Apartments and Townhomes, and most recently The Reserves at Knollwood. The buildings are available for

residents looking to be secluded from the noise and traffic of downtown and other highly occupied complexes. Competing with other new and premier complexes like Maple Ridge and Smith’s Landing, The Reserves at Knollwood is designed to offer high-end amenities with a resort style. With the rise of competing premier complexes in the Blacksburg area, managers and planners worked with current residents of other Knollwood properties to gauge what residents would want in a newer complex. The complex will feature a fitness and yoga center, coffee bar, student study area with interactive media table, tanning salon and a gaming area. The Reserves at Knollwood, and the other CMG properties, in the area are taking applications for tenants once construction is finished. Due to the location, CMG thinks graduate students and students in the veterinary and medical programs are

S. Main

news staff writer

Ex

ec

uti

ve

VT Corporate Research Center

Air

po

rt

Knollwood

HANNAH CAO / COLLEGIATE TIMES

The complex, The Reserve at Knollwood, is located by the CRC and is expected to open by mid July.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.