Thursday, April 11, 2013 Print Edition

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

Thursday April 11, 2013

COLLEGIATETIMES 109th year, issue 99

News, page 2

Weekend, page 6

Opinions, page 3

Sports, page 5

Study Break, page 4

‘Angel Fund’ bill revised, signed by Gov. McDonnell MICHAELA REARDON news staff writer

After a tumultuous journey through the Virginia state legislature, HB 1609 and its companion bill SB 1342 have been signed by Gov. McDonnell. Over the past few years, the Angel Fund has been working hard to prevent future tragedies through advocacy, education and program implementation. Earlier in the year, the Angel Fund contacted representa-

tives of the 39th and 40th districts to begin developing legislation that would address the problems highlighted by the Virginia College Mental Health Study conducted shortly after the shooting of April 16, 2007. “I introduced (House Bill) 1609, which will improve coordination between public four-year higher education institutions, mental health facilities and local hospitals,” explained Delegate Tim Hugo of the 40th District.

“My bill ensures that all four-year public colleges and universities will have the mechanisms in place to provide services to students seeking treatment. It is my hope that this will create a safer and more supportive environment for students and prevent further tragedies.” HB 1609 and SB 1342 require that the each public four-year institution creates a written memorandum of understanding with its local community services board or behavioral

health authority and with local hospitals and other local mental health facilities in order to expand the scope of services available to students seeking treatment. Each memorandum must designate a contact person to be notified when a student involuntarily recieves treatment from a mental facility, and also must include plans for students who are returning to campus after being discharged. see ANGEL / page two

Games unite cultures

COURTESY OF TIM HUGO

Angel Fund Board member Greg Richter testifies on behalf of the bill.

$1.56 mil granted for research group

COURTESY OF RANGASWAMY MUNIAPPAN

Farmers in Bangladesh, assisted by IPM’s research, work the fields.

International researchers are working in developing countries to aid in sustainable agricultural growth. ANUJA DAS

more info

news staff writer BRAD KLODOWSKI / SPPS

Participants in the 2013 Hokie World Games paraded around the Drillfield Tuesday, finishing at English Field for the opening ceremony.

BY JESSICA GROVES | features reporter

Three Virginia Tech organizations teamed up to host the first Hokie World Games

T

he Olympics aren’t just about getting gold — they’re about building relationships among diverse peoples and nations. That is exactly what the Hokie World Games aims to accomplish. The Cranwell International Center, Virginia Tech’s Department of Athletics and the Department of Recreational Sports — teamed up to celebrate sportsmanship and multiculturalism in the first-ever Hokie World Games. The Hokie Bird welcomed all participants at English Field Tuesday for the opening ceremony of the games, carrying an official replica of an Olympic torch. Kevin Shaw, owner of several Domino’s Pizza restaurants in the New River Valley, was a torchbearer in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. According to Tyler Carwell, graduate marketing assistant for the Department of Recreational

Sports, Shaw lent the torch to Tech for the World Games. Carwell named Nigel Harris, the assistant director of Aquatics and Instructional Programs with Recreational Sports at Tech, as the event’s coordinator. “I would say the idea came from the Division of Student Affairs’ aspirations,” Harris said. “It really piqued my interest about the way we could involve students outside of academics.” Harris sees the Hokie World Games as an essential addition to the university’s diverse atmosphere. “The main reason we do things as adults is curiosity,” Harris said. “We asked what we could do to inspire curiosity in our student population — what we could do to get them to take advantage of the services and programs in Rec Sports.”

Remaining events Basketball Shootout Today 5:30 p.m. at McComas 3.2 Run in Remembrance Saturday 9 a.m. at War Memorial Hall Baseball vs. UNC Saturday 2 p.m. & Sunday 1 p.m.** at English Field **Closing ceremony will be held at game Sunday

see GAMES / page two

The Office of International Research, Education and Development (OIRED) has been awarded $1.59 million by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to continue its research in developing countries. Virginia Tech has been conducting scientific research on Integrated Pest Management through the IPM Collaborative Research Support Program (IPM CRSP) since 1993. The purpose of this research is to raise the standard of living while creating sustainable development. The project takes place in 5-year cycles and is currently in its fourth phase. USAID funds the project by donating $3 million for each cycle. In addition to this “core money,” the USAID mission offices of Indonesia

IPM’s project has generated $388 million of benefits for the standard of living and sustainability of some countries. and Bangladesh donated the extra $1.59 million following the sky-rocketing success of the IPM CRSP. The project has generated about $388 million in benefits. Some specific projects, such as the release of a parasite to control the papaya mealybug in India, have generated enough money to pay for the entire research project throughout its lifetime. “The project is a huge one. We are working in collaboration with 15 universities plus 16 countries,” said Dr. Muni Muniappan, the Program Director of the IPM CRSP. see RESEARCH / page two

Student government uses surveys to address student needs JOSH HIGGINS news reporter

SGA is evading the legislative process and tackling issues on the ground after receiving the survey results of their “Extreme Makeover Campus Edition.” The survey, conducted during the fall semester, gauged students’ views on dining services, transportation, student centers and recreational facilities. With that, SGA has begun working with departments in the Division of Student Affairs — including Dining Services, Virginia Tech Libraries and Student Centers — and Blacksburg Transit to implement improvements based on the suggestions. “Our first step was sending

out information to the department heads,” said Kimberly Caputo, an SGA student outreach official. Since last fall, SGA has conducted two surveys. The first revealed what the biggest student issues were, while the second addressed more specifically the issues discovered in the first survey. The first found the biggest issues for students were dining hall crowds and hours, food options, 24-hour study spaces in on-campus student centers, electrical outlets at Newman Library, bus hour extensions on nights and weekends, and bus overcrowding. The second survey found that students wanted extended bus routes to additional loca-

tions and a conversion from Styrofoam containers to compostable to-go containers for an additional fee of 20 to 30 cents per to-go meal. Additionally, it found that students thought Squires Student Center’s location was convenient and students had “no basis to judge” whether Johnson Student Center adequately met commuters’ needs. SGA Student Outreach official Roy Abernathy said SGA has been trying to implement changes based on student opinion at the departmental level. He said SGA has been in contact with leaders in student affairs and Blacksburg Transit to begin making improvements. see SURVEY / page two

WHAT STUDENTS WANT A recent SGA survey asked students what they wanted more of on campus. Here’s what they said... DINING

TRANSPORTATION 53% would like additional locations for BT bus stops

38% want less crowding in dining halls

89% want extended late-night dining hours

46% would like to see more late night food options

48% want later bus hours on nights and weekends

31% would like less overcrowding on buses ANDREA LEDESMA / COLLEGIATE TIMES


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Thursday, April 11, 2013 Print Edition by Collegiate Times - Issuu