Monday, June 24, 2013 Print Edition by Collegiate Times

COLLEGIATETIMES

june 24, 2013

TECH s l a t n e m funda 2013 tech from

A-Z FILE 2012 / SPPS

tech fundamentals june 24, 2013

3 Incoming freshmen, Welcome to Blacksburg, your home for (at least) the next four years. I hope freshman orientation is treating you well and getting you excited for what's in store this fall. The staff of the Collegiate Times has put together a guide that we think will help you navigate through what some believe to be a daunting undertaking: your first year of college. Inside, you'll find all sorts of content that's going to help you get through freshman year. We'll tell you all about which dining halls are the best, how to get a football ticket (trust me, if you want one badly enough, you can find one), the best places to explore in Blacksburg and southwest Virginia, and even how to deal with your roommate (who you're going to run into conflict with eventually). And, perhaps most importantly, you'll learn how to avoid the most common freshman mistake there is: making it blatantly obvious to everyone around you that you are, in fact, a freshman. Don't get me wrong — I mean no disrespect by that, because we've all been there. But do yourself a favor and let us help you get the most out of your first year away from Mom and Dad. Because despite what you may think now, it's not easy for most. If you come away with one thing after reading Tech Fundamentals, let it be this: get involved. It doesn't matter where, it doesn't matter who with — but put yourself out there and explore your interests (Tech truly does have something for everybody). I started writing for the CT a month into college, and it was the best decision I've ever made. Don't be afraid, even on a campus of almost 30,000 people — all that means is that you've got more room to leave your mark. Zach Mariner Editor-in-Chief

CREATIVE STAFF Kitty Schaffernoth Katherine Miller Special thanks to Skip Taliaferro for our cover art

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june 24, 2013

editor’sNOTE

4 june 24, 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS letter from the editor best of blacksburg recap he said/she said upcoming football season A-Z: amenities A-Z : blacksburg A-Z: corps of cadets A-Z: dining A-Z: employment A-Z: football traditions A-Z: getting there A-Z: hokiespa A-Z: intramurals

3 5 6 8 9 10 12 14 17 18 21 22 24

A-Z: jobs on campus A-Z: keeping the peace A-Z: looking back A-Z: math empo A-Z: not sticking out A-Z: outdoors A-Z: passport A-Z: quiz A-Z: residence halls campus ATM locator

tech fundamentals

Hokie Hair

A-Z: schiffert A-Z: tickets A-Z: ut prosim

25 26 28 29 30 33 34 35 36 38 39 41 42

A-Z: varsity sports A-Z: weight control A-Z: eXpectations A-Z: yearbook A-Z: advice from CT staff

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june 24, 2013

best of blacksburg

best place for a cheap date: 1. The Lyric 2. El Rodeo 3. Macados

best place to watch sports: 1. Big Al’s 2. Bull & Bones 3. Buffalo Wild Wings

best hiking trail:

best local band:

1. Huckleberry Trail 2. Cascades 3. McAfee’s Knob

1. Deral Renderson 2. Jug Busters

best breakfast place:

best golf course:

1. Gillie’s 2. Cracker Barrel 3. IHOP

1. Pete Dye River Course 2. Blacksburg Country Club

best bookstore:

best live music venue:

1. University Bookstore 2. Tech Bookstore 3. Bookholders

1. Sycamore Deli 2. The Cellar

best burger:

1. Carol Lee 2. Our Daily Bread 3. Next Door Bake Shop

1. Cook Out 2. Mike’s Grill

best sushi:

best bike shop:

1. Sake House 2. Green’s 3. Kabuki

1. East Coasters 2. Bike Barn

best karaoke:

best restaurant:

1. Top of the Stairs 2. Champs 3. PK’s

1. Sal’s 2. Outback

best subs:

best nail salon:

1. Jimmy John’s 2. Sub Station II

1. A Nails & Spa 2. Polished by Claire V

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best bakery:

6 june 24, 2013

HE SAID / BY ANDREW KULAK | news reporter

don’t forget to go out and explore

tech fundamentals

summer’s midpoint approaches, I’m sure many rising Hokies feel excited, but also perhaps a bit

trepidatious. You have, after all, just officially graduated from high school and now only a couple short months separate you from your undergraduate career. No doubt you have many pressing concerns: Will I get along with my roommate? Do I have to take 8 a.m. classes? Do I look good in orange? Although I can’t speak to your schedule and rooming situation, I’d like to try to assuage some of your anxiety and provide a few suggestions so you’ll be ready for an awesome four years before you even set foot on campus. And don’t worry — everyone looks good in orange. First, the food really is that good. I’m sure you’ve heard about it and maybe you were a bit dubious, but this isn’t your grandpa’s cafeteria food. Don’t be afraid to snag a big meal plan, especially considering how little space you’ll have to cook in your walk-in closet, which I believe your housing contract refers to as your “dorm room.” I’d also highly recommend investing in tickets to sporting events. Even if you don’t know the difference between a football and a hockey puck, you’ll have fun tailgating before games and jumping in the stands to “Enter Sandman” with your friends. Just make sure to stock up on Tech paraphernalia beforehand. And most importantly, try new things. Like writing for Tech’s premier student newspaper The Collegiate Times, for instance. And there’s other cool stuff too, I guess, so check out Gobblerfest — Tech-speak for our fall student activities fair — and get engaged as soon as you arrive on campus. Tech has an incredibly diverse student body with tons of different interests, so there’s bound to be something you’d like to get involved with. That whole “trying new things out” idea applies to life off campus, as well. Blacksburg is the most fun place you’ve probably never heard of, nestled in the scenic New River Valley

in beautiful southwest Virginia. We have plenty of great things to do, no matter if you’re into fly fishing and camping or shopping and eating out. And your entertainment options only expand once you turn 21. Of course, enjoying all that the Blacksburg area has to offer involves actually getting out of your dorm room and the dining halls from time to time and wandering a bit. Take a hike to the Cascades or spend some time on the Appalachian Trail. Skip D2 one day and hit up Souvlaki or Cabo Fish Taco downtown for lunch. See a movie or show at the Lyric. And don’t miss the farmer’s market on Wednesdays a n d

Saturdays. Take it from this college grad: don’t fall into the whole campus bubble mentality — get out and be a part of your larger community. College freshpeople tend to neglect their surroundings and it’s certainly understandable — there are a lot of new adjustments to make and sometimes exploring the “real world” takes a backseat. But in all the hustle and bustle of settling into college life, try not to forget about the big, exciting world outside of Tech’s Hokie-Stoned walls. Your Xbox and meal plan balance will be waiting for you when you get back.

7 june 24, 2013

SHE SAID BY CAMERON AUSTIN | news editor

embrace freshman mishaps

story right there and say. DON’T DO THIS. Why you ask? What’s so wrong about turning around on the Drillfield. It’s a one-way street. Literally, 10 people who were waiting for a bus in front of Burrus began waving their arms and shouting at me, “IT’S A ONE WAY STREET!” I looked up in horror as a bus was facing me, staring me down. Somehow I managed to get out of the situation and begin travelling the right — and only way — around the Drillfield, but my embarrassment stayed with me for the rest of the day. The lesson boys and girls — the Drillfield is one-way. Don’t try to make it anything else. Along with this lesson, I quickly came to realize some things that they never told me (or if they did I wasn’t paying attention) in my transfer orientation. Such as: the dining options in Johnson Student Center don’t take any form of dining plan. Or that there’s actually not one, but two libraries — Newman and the Art and Architecture Library in Cowgill. If you have 10 minutes to get to class, don’t waste your time trying to swing by Turner Place to get a bagel because the line is probably wrapped back around the building. My advice to new students? Fake it till you make it will work about 90 percent of the time. The other 10 percent? Suck up the embarrassment and learn from your rookie mistakes.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY KEVIN DICKEL / COLLEGIATE TIMES

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should be said that I was a transfer student to Virginia Tech. I didn’t get the quintessential freshman experience of walking across the Drillfield from the dorms in single-digit temperatures, and I never got the chance to eat DX at midnight after a night of shenanigans. My motto quickly became, “Fake it till you make it,” because how dare anyone think — gasp — I was a freshman. Oh no no, I had been to college before. This wasn’t my first rodeo. However, there’s only so much you can do to fit in before you stand out like a sore thumb in a sea of experienced Tech students. There are a couple events that completely traumatized me, and therefore made me easily remember not to ever do them again… I can distinctly remember driving to campus one day early in the semester last year to pick a friend up from class. If you’ve ever driven to campus during class change, you know the dysfunction that is campus around those heavy traffic times — bikes, students, dogs, anything you can imagine, crossing/darting across the street. It was madness. I turned down Drillfield Drive, and didn’t see a parking spot anywhere, so promptly turned around and began heading the other direction on the Drillfield, back to the main street. Let me stop m y

8 june 24, 2013

looking ahead:

hokie football BY ZACH MARINER | editor-in-chief

FILE 2012 / SPPS

J.C. Coleman (4) explodes through a gap at the line of scrimmage in last fallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s game against UVa.

tech fundamentals

012 was a disappointing year for Virginia Tech football, as the Hokies had to win their final three games just to continue their 20-year run of winning seasons. Tech finished at 7-6 after reeling off eight straight 10-win seasons from 2004-11. Quarterback Logan Thomas regressed from his spectacular 2011 season, a trend fans and media alike expect to change in 2013 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; due, in large part to the arrival of new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler. The Hokies cleaned house on the offensive coaching staff in January, firing quarterbacks coach Mike O'Cain, offensive line coach Curt Newsome and wide receivers coach Kevin Sherman. Bryan Stinespring also moved from offensive coordinator to recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach. Taking over will be Loeffler, offensive line coach Jeff Grimes and wide receivers coach Aaron

Morehead. Thomas will lead a revamped offense in 2013, albeit one that has to replace two of its big playmakers from 2012 in wideouts Corey Fuller and Marcus Davis, who combined for 94 catches and 11 touchdowns last season. Tasked with replacing them will be fift h-year senior D.J. Coles, who sat out almost all of 2012 with a knee injury. The 6-foot-4, 238 pound Coles is still getting back to full speed, but looked solid in spring practice. His health will be a big factor in the success of the offense. Redshirt sophomore Demitri Knowles and redshirt freshman Joshua Stanford will join Coles in an attempt to becoming go-to targets for Thomas in 2013. Knowles caught 19 passes for 240 yards and a touchdown in 2012, while Stanford impressed in spring ball. More importantly, Tech will look to re-establish its running game after an abysmal 2012. Thomas lead the team

in rushing with 524 yards and nine touchdowns. J.C. Coleman, Tony Gregory, Martin Scales and Michael Holmes all participated in the running back carousel, as each of them had between 52 and 109 carries last season. Scales graduated, and it looks like Holmes may not rejoin the team after getting into legal trouble this spring. That leaves Coleman, Gregory and redshirt freshman Trey Edmunds, who many Hokie fans believe to be the answer at running back. The 6-foot-1, 215 pound Danville native runs downhill and has impressed in open scrimmages. He figures to get the bulk of the carries in 2013, with Coleman and Gregory serving as changeof-pace backs. Along the offensive line, Tech has to replace three starters after losing Nick Becton, Vinston Painter and Michael Via to graduation. Right now, Laurence Gibson see FOOTBALL/ page 16

reakZONE is a student recreation center located on the first floor of Squires Student Center. It offers many activities, including billiard tables, bowling, table tennis, foosball, and darts. Activities are heavily discounted for students. Also included with the BreakZONE is the new EndZONE lounge. EndZONE is a TV and video game lounge where students can come to kick back, relax, and let off some steam. The BreakZONE and EndZONE are open from noon to 10 p.m., except for special bowling events which often continue until midnight.

irginia Tech’s writing center is located on the second floor of the Newman Library and is available by appointment for students who would like help with writing for any course in the university. Additionally, they offer help with writing that is not courserelated, although the availability of this help depends on how busy the center is. Patrons are strongly advised to make an appointment before coming, although every attempt is made to accommodate walk-ins. The writing center is open MondayWednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Thurday-Friday 9:00am to 5:00p.m. The center is also open on Sunday from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for drop-in service.

tech fundamentals

@collegiatetimes

BY BRAD KLODOWSKI | design editor

A-Z

june 24, 2013

nnovationSpace is a technology laboratory that is open to any Virginia Tech student, faculty or staff. The purpose of InnovationSpace is to “provide assistance through free and open access to soft ware, hardware and specially-trained staff.” Patrons of InnovationSpace can check out digital still and video cameras, tripods, audio recorders and other multimedia hardware as well as receive training on how to use it. Additionally, InnovationSpace offers more than 20 computer workstations with the latest Adobe Creative Suite soft ware for patron use. There are also seminars throughout the semester to teach patrons how to use many of the programs offered. InnovationSpace is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every weekday during the semester, and is located in 1140 Torgerson Hall.

amenities

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10 june 24, 2013

blacksburg BY CARLA CRAFT | summer lifestyles editor

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hen you’re new to an area, it’s very easy to find a small group of friends and stay within a comfortable bubble. In this case, those friends may be your roommate or hall-mates, and that bubble is the Virginia Tech campus. You’re going to want to expand your bubble and explore new horizons. Why not get out and visit the town of Blacksburg? Every year, the Collegiate Times puts on an interactive competition called the Best of Blacksburg. So, what better way to explore the town than to visit some of the winners of the 2012 Best of Blacksburg? Looking for a great place to hang out and watch sports? Head over to Big Al’s Grill & Sports Bar on North Main Street in Downtown. They’re open seven days a week and feature a DIRECTV sports package on their plasma TVs. Met a cutie on campus and now you’re trying to find the best pace for a cheap date? Take in a movie at the historic Lyric Theater on College Avenue. They feature mostly indie films, but you can also catch a few box-office hits or oldies from time to time. Go on a Monday and you’ll get KEVIN DICKEL / SPPS

tech fundamentals

see BLACKSBURG / page 11

Gobble Cakes is one of several unique Downtown locations that students frequent.

11 june 24, 2013

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blacksburg A-Z from

Blacksburg: Think outside of campus from page 10

free popcorn! Need a cozy coffee shop to hang out or study? Try Bollo’s on Draper Road. They feature premium roast coffee and on-site baked goods. They also offer gluten-free pastries and breads for our sensitive friends. Are you a lady in need of a new party dress or gifts for your friends? Go shop at Mad Dog on the corner of North Main and Roanoke Streets. They’ve been voted the best clothing store in Blacksburg, but they also carry gifts and accessories. If you’re lucky, you’ll even

get to pet the owner’s dog, Molly, in the shop. Need an oil change or some work done on your car? Take the vehicle to Auto Master on South Main Street. They were voted the best auto repair shop in Blacksburg. Do you like listening to live music on the weekends? Grab your friends and visit Sycamore Deli on Draper Road. The deli is underground and across the street from Bollo’s. They also have great daily sub specials and cookies, so try some of those, too. Sometime in the next four years, you’re going

to need to get a hair cut. Tivon Salon and Spa on Prices Fork Road was voted the best hair salon in Blacksburg. They are a full service spa and salon with cut, color, style, texturizing, wax, nail, massage and skin treatments. They offer their services by appointmentonly, so plan ahead! Tech is going to be your home for the next couple of years, but you will also be a member of the Blacksburg community. This little town is beautiful and unique, and you’d be remiss if you didn’t go out and explore all that it has to offer.

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BRAD KLODOWSKI / SPPS

Dorothy Egger, Tech alum and owner of Downtown’s Mad Dog Boutique, poses in her store.

12 june 24, 2013

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s t e d a c f o corps A-Z fr om

BY ALEX KOMA | sports editor

As dozens of multimillion-dollar construction projects dot Blacksburg’s skyline, it’s easy to forget that things all started for Virginia Tech with the Corps of Cadets. The campus may be home to nearly 27,000 civilian students now, but when the university formed back on October 1, 1872, every student attending what was then known as the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College was enrolled as a cadet. Ever since then, the group has been dedicated to preparing students for leadership roles as military officers or as civilians with a rigorous training program that lasts for the entirety of a student’s four years at Tech. Although the Corps currently only makes up a little over a thousand students at Tech today, the organization remains a big part of the school’s identity. The Corps began with just 132 members back in 1872, but things quickly escalated. By 1898, the group had substantially grown in size, and with outbreak of the Spanish American War, the group volunteered for active military service for the first time in its history. see CADETS / page 13

PAUL KURLAK / SPPS

tech fundamentals

Cadets line up in formation on the Drillﬁeld. The Corps of Cadets is made up of over 1,000 Virginia Tech students.

13 june 24, 2013

corps of tech cadets A-Z from

Cadets: Corps represents history of Virginia Tech from page 12

For further information contact: Professor Joseph Pitt, Director of Undergraduate Studies: jcpitt@vt.edu Mrs. Leisa Osborne, Undergraduate Coordinator: leisao@vt.edu

tech fundamentals

America’s entry into World War I called the cadets into service once again, and the Corps sent nearly 2,300 service members into active duty. As the war ended and the cadets began to return to Tech in 1919, the Corps’ band began to first go by the name the “Highty Tighties,” a moniker that has stuck with the group to this day. The Corps continued to develop its traditions over the ensuing decades, holding its first Ring Dance in 1934. The dance, which is meant for juniors to formally receive their class rings, has been held annually for the last 79 years, and is now open to both the Corps and civilians alike. By 1941, the Corps had swelled to include nearly 2,650 cadets, and the group sent 7,285 of its members to serve in World War II. As veterans began to return to Tech from the warfront, the university began to include a growing number of civilians. With the country placing a greater emphasis on voluntary military service, the university ultimately made Corps membership optional in 1964. While the school has gradually moved away from its

military roots, the Corps has remained a prominent part of the university. Corps enrollment has increased steadily for the last four years, and the group has undertaken a variety of initiatives to remain connected with the civilian student body. In 1997, the group began holding its annual “Caldwell March,” a recreation of William Addison Caldwell’s 26-mile trek to Tech to become the school’s first student. The event not only serves as a bonding experience for the cadets, but it’s also meant to remind students and community residents of the Corps’ place in the university’s history. The Corps has also instituted a new track in civilian leadership that’s meant to attract students that don’t wish to pursue a career in the military, and instead are looking for leadership skills for use in the private sector. No matter how futuristic Tech may become, there’s no doubt that the school will ever lose touch with its roots. Virginia Tech began as the quaint home of a few hundred military men, and the Corps of Cadets is dedicated to preserving that memory.

14 june 24, 2013

dining BY ANDREA LEDESMA | design editor

BUY

tech fundamentals

now, you’ve p r o b a b l y heard all about Virginia Tech Dining Services. The school has received numerous awards from the National Association of College & University Food Services and consistently scores a top three spot in the Princeton Review’s rankings for best campus food. But for a new student, this hype can get pretty overwhelming. Nothing screams “freshman” more than standing in the middle of West End looking wide-eyed at the menu. So, where to start? For many of you, D2 was your fi rst experience with Tech food. This is an all-youcare-to-eat facility open for FILE 2011 / SPPS breakfast, lunch and dinAn employee at D2 prepares for a student. D2 is one of nine dining halls on Virginia Tech’s campus. ner. But the general consensus on D2 is split. Some love its variety. Others say it sacrifices quality for quantity. Regardless, do yourself a favor and attend at least one D2 special meal. The kitchens will turn out anything — from a full Thanksgiving dinner to an all-chocolate feast. Just below D2, you’ll find two more dining halls. The first is Deet’s Place. As a fullservice coffee shop, Deets roasts all beans in-house and offers a variety of drinks, pastries and ice cream. The large side room also makes a great place to study. Be sure to get there early because seats fi ll up quickly. If you’re looking for heartier fare, look no further than DXpress (DX for short). As a grab-n-go style venue, DX is a staple for busy students.You can buy the usual pizza, subs and burgers, but DX also does offer lighter fare like salads, sushi and wraps. Looking for the lobster and steak often bragged about by Tech students? Go to West End. This dining hall actually houses six smaller “shops” each specializing in their own

EAT LIVE

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cuisine. For the aforementioned steak house fare, get in line at JP’s Chop House. The food is as great as everyone says, but it’ll definitely cost you. Finishing off the dining halls on the residential side of campus are Owen's Food Court and Hokie Grill. Located on two halves of the same building (yes, this will be confusing), both are structured in the same fashion as West End. Multiple shops offer a wide variety of foods. Most notably, the Farm & Fields counter at Owen's features a seasonal menu that uses predominantly local and sustainable ingredients. At Hokie Grill, you can use your dining dollars at three commercials chains: Pizza Hut, Chick-fil-A, and Dunkin Donuts. Those looking for food closer to their study hall can rest assured. There are options for you. For starters, you can stop by Au Bon Pain (more often referred to simply as ABP) for coffee, sandwiches and pastries. There are two locations conveniently located by the library — a full shop at Squires Student Center and a kiosk in the Graduate Life Center. And remember, those coffee cups are good for free refills until close (you’ll thank us for this info come finals week). But the most popular dining hall on the academic side — if not all — of campus is Turner Place at Lavery Hall. Opened just last year, Turner offers students franchise foods from Jamba Juice, Qdoba Mexican Grill and Bruegger’s Bagels, as well as original Tech shops. These include a pizzeria, teppanyaki grill and Europeanstyle cafe. Thanks to a diverse range of culinary options, Tech students can enjoy a first-rate dining experience at every meal. With nine dining halls currently in tow, the university is ready to cater to a new generation of hungry Hokies.

15 june 24, 2013

tech fundamentals

16 june 24, 2013

Football: Season hinges on play of revamped offense

blacksburg health & fitness at

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and Mark Shuman seem like the favorites to replace Becton and Painter at the tackle spots. Andrew Miller will probably retake his spot at center after missing half of 2012 with an ankle injury. David Wang, Brent Benedict and Caleb Farris will fight for the two guard spots. The Hokies did have a fairly successful season on the defensive side of the ball, especially down the stretch, coming up in clutch moments to secure victories against Virginia and Rutgers. Fortunately for Tech, they'll return nine starters from that same defense, most notably second-team All-ACC defensive end James Gayle and cornerbacks Antone Exum (honorable mention AllAmerican) and Kyle Fuller (second-team All-ACC). The Hokies return every defensive lineman from their eight-man rotation, with the exception of Antoine Hopkins. Gayle is joined by Derrick Hopkins, J.R.

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Collins, Luther Maddy, Corey Marshall, Tyrel Wilson and Kris Harley. All have seen meaningful playing time, and all have come up clutch for the Hokies at some point or another. The linebacking corps loses Bruce Taylor and Alonzo Tweedy, but returns second-team All-ACC standout Jack Tyler, along with Chase Williams and Ronny Vandyke. Most importantly, Tariq Edwards looked healthy in spring practice for the first time since 2011, after struggling with knee and hamstring issues during 2012. The entire secondary returns, as Exum and Fuller are joined by safeties Kyshoen Jarrett and Detrick Bonner, both of whom made huge strides in their first years as starters. The feeling in Blacksburg is that if the defense can continue to build on its impressive 2012, and Thomas can return to 2011 form, the Hokies will have a shot to start a new 10-win season streak in 2013.

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ollege is a time for exploring different career paths with hopes of fi nding the best fit. That will be the case for 80 percent of college students, as they change their major at least once in their four-year studies, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. During that time, students have the opportunity to use different resources provided by the university to succeed. Career Services, located across from McComas Hall, serves as one of those resources as they aim to help students move forward to jobs after graduation. “Our mission is to help students in really three key ways: to help students with what they want to do in their life

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BY PRISCILLA ALVAREZ | lifestyles editor

either choosing a major or deciding on a career, directing services and programs... helping prepare (students) whether going to work or graduate school programs,” said Claire Childress, Career Services senior assistant director. To succeed in that mission, Career Services provides personal assessments, departmental advisors, resume workshops, interview practice and basic advising. For those who may be uncertain about what they want to do, Childress recommends they take an assessment that may introduce them to ideas they never considered. “When you come as an 18-year-old, you’ve been exposed to a limited number of occupations, so those

assessments can be a tool to give students those ideas,” Childress said. Personality assessments are specifically useful for students looking to match their characteristics to a particular job. “It gives students a detailed report that not only recommends careers and changes but it also applies their type in what they can do in their college experience to be satisfied,” Childress said. Following the assessments, students can use departmental career advisors to place them in the major that fits best to study in the field of their choice. In addition to helping students choose their career and major, Career Services also

supports students already sure of a job. “We’re all about helping students follow their passion. If they’ve always wanted to be an art major but their family wants them to be an engineer. We can point them to places,” Childress said. Career Services has a plethora of data that demonstrates an average salary in a particular job as well as how many students have graduated into that job. They also help link students and employers as well as host interviews in their buildings whether virtual or in person. Career Services is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment and open noon to 3 p.m. for walk-in advising.

A-Z voices

17 june 24, 2013

t n e m y o l p m e

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“Certainly making that connection with faculty members in the same college or department would be one of the first things I would advise (students) to do.” Janice Chatham, university studies advisor

“The most important thing to do while you’re here is networking and span out. In high school you want to blend, in college you want to stand out.” Phoebe Peterson, advisor for international studies

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18 june 24, 2013

tech

s n o i t i d a r t l l A-Z footba fr om

must-knows: - jumping to ‘Enter Sandman’ - shaking your keys on third downs - doing the H-O-K-I-E-S HOKIES chant after big plays - covering your ears when Skipper goes off for any home team points scored - picking up your Collegiate Times’ Extra Point before each game PAUL KURLAK / SPPS

tech fundamentals

Give the gift of memories!

football traditions A-Z from

BY MIKE PLATANIA | sports media manager

TREVOR WHITE / SPPS

hear the Skipper Cannon fire every time the Hokies find the end zone, as it’s a tradition that date backs to the 1960s. And make some noise of your own when the opposition faces a third down by breaking out your keychain and shaking your keys furiously. There’s no better mid-game treat than a giant turkey leg from the concessions stands. Just try to ignore the fact you’re eating our mascot. The Hokie Bird will forgive you. Head coach Frank Beamer has built a program on defense and special teams. “Beamerball” is his personal style that emphasizes scor-

ing not only on offense, but also on every side of the ball. Countless games have been blown open by the Hokies’ special teams, so no play is worth sleeping on. Beamerball has helped carry the Hokies to 20 straight bowl games, and the Hokies will look to rebound back into the top 25 after a disappointing 2012 season. Hokie Nation takes pride in being considered one of the loudest, most intimidating crowds to play in front of, and it all starts with the student section. So show up early, cheer all game long and stay until the clock reads all zeros, regardless of opponent, weather, or score.

KEVIN DICKEL / SPPS

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ou’ve won the lottery — literally. You run to pick up your ticket between classes, and you can’t wait to stand (not sit) in Lane Stadium with 66,000 other Hokies. What’s next? Grab your Tech apparel and wake up Saturday morning to go check out the tailgating scene in parking lots all across campus. For sunny September games, it’s imperative to bring sunglasses and sunscreen, and for those cold November games, there’s no such thing as too many layers. Always be in your seat at least thirty minutes before kickoff. Funneling into the stadium and fi nding your section, gate and seat can be frustrating, and you don’t want to be the student that misses two awesome Tech football traditions: the “Let’s go Hokies” chant and “Enter Sandman” entrance. There’s no adrenaline rush quite like jumping to Metallica's hit song as the Hokies run through the tunnel and touch the Hokie Stone. It’s grown into a nationally recognized and admired tradition, and soon you’ll get chills even when it comes on the radio. Don’t be alarmed when you

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e r e h t g n i t t g e tech transportation A - Z fr om

BY LESLIE McCREA | news reporter

or most students, walking is the way to go when getting around campus. However, what do you do if you need to get off campus and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a car? There are endless transportation options in Blacksburg that make it easy to navigate around town and the surrounding areas, as we all as options to get home. Many of these options are a cheaper alternative to having a car on campus. Eliminate gas money and parking pass fees, which are $118 per semester, along with the walk to and from the on-campus parking lots, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got yourself a hassle-free option as well. Most students fi nd that to travel around Blacksburg and into Christiansburg, the Blacksburg Transit is the best option. It is free to students when they show their Hokie Passport, paid for through transportation fees, and 50 cents to non-students. Through 11 regular routes, the Blacksburg Transit buses make stops at multiple points across campus, the Math Emporium, Downtown, around the apartment complexes and in Christiansburg. Bus schedules during the school year run

every 15 minutes for most routes, and the times can be found online, by phone or through the Blacksburg Transit App found in iTunes. Aside from Blacksburg Transit, the Smart Way bus runs between Blacksburg and Roanoke for $4. Many students find that bicycling is also a great option to get to and from, or around campus. Bicycles fill up the bike racks on campus yearround, but to do so, each bike owner must register with Parking Services. This mandatory registration exists in order to prevent bicycle theft. Bicyclists must also keep in mind that all traffic laws apply to them, and that pedestrians always have the right of way. Another service that the campus provides through the Virginia Tech Police Department is Safe Ride, a free taxi service that operates from dusk to dawn. Safe Ride is only available on campus, including the Math Emporium and Oak Lane, and may be reached at 540-231-SAFE. When it comes to transportation, carless students not only look for options to travel around campus and town, but also how to get home

from Tech. The Home Ride bus is a very popular route for students to get to other locations in Virginia. The bus makes stops every weekend in Charlottesville, Richmond, Harrisonburg, Hampton and Vienna. For trips during the week, the Mega Bus travels from Christiansburg to D.C. daily. Students who are looking to make day trips, find a way to get home, or even to go visit a friend at another school, may want to use Zimride. This website, created as a ride-board for Tech students, allows students to sign in with their VT username and password and then offer or request rides to any location. Students with cars may offer an open seat to carless students to get to their destination. One final option for students to find a more personal level of transportation around Blacksburg is U Car Share. In a partnership with U-Haul, this service supplies six different types of cars to the Tech campus. The cars are available for all licensed students to rent 24/7, starting at an inclusive rate of $4.95 per hour, and offering daily rates as well.

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BRAD KLODOWSKI / SPPS

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22 june 24, 2013

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here are many websites that you will be advised to utilize during your time at Virginia Tech, but one of the most important of those websites is HokieSPA. HokieSPA is essentially the “Grand Central Station” of your student account. Th is website houses everything from your financial aid information to your meal plan information. You will log-in to HokieSPA using your PID and password. You will then select the “HokieSPA” tab, which will present you with a long list of menu options. One of the first things you are going to want to do before your first semester is update your personal information. Without the correct information in the system, you will not be allowed to sign-up for classes.

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BY CARLA CRAFT | summer lifestyles editor

Click on the Registration and Schedule option to view the timetable of classes, and access the course request and drop/add menus. After you’ve added and dropped your desired classes, don’t forget to review your schedule to make sure that everything went the way you meant it to. Don’t forget to keep track of your midterm and final grades in the Grades Menu. Inside this menu, you will not only find your grades, but you will find GPA calculators and your transfer or AP credits. The Transcripts and Certifications Menu will be useful to you if you are a transfer student, or if you are applying for a job or internship. Doublecheck your unofficial transcript information every once in a while. Nobody’s perfect—not even the people at the Registrar’s Office—

and the sooner you catch potential mistakes, the better. One of the most important tools on HokieSPA is the degree audit report system (DARS). Th is can be found under the Degree Menu. Th is tool allows you to see what classes you’ve completed, which will help you figure out what classes you have left to graduate. You will want to use this every semester. Don’t neglect to use DARS and visit your advisor, or else you may have an unfortunate surprise or two when you think you’re on track to graduate. Take some time to play around and explore the menus on HokieSPA. This website will be very useful to you over the next few years, so make sure you’re familiar with it as early in the game as possible.

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WWW.HOKIESPA.VT.EDU

The ‘Registration and Schedule’ part of Hokiespa becomes very important during the drop/add period when students create schedules using the website’s Timetable feature.

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o you enjoy sports, but don’t want to commit to just one? Well then intramurals are the way to go. Intramurals are fun way to get exercise and meet new friends. The sports are not too serious and only include two or three regular season games before tournament play begins. You can also play as many different sports as you like. There are beginner, intermediate and advanced options for most sports. There are also men’s, women’s, and co-rec leagues to choose from. Virginia Tech offers around 30 different sports a year, everything from basketball to inner-tube water polo to wollyball to dodgeball to volleyball. Some of the sports options aren’t even really sports like fantasy football, hearts or the t-shirt design contest. Different sports are played at different times throughout the year.

s l a r u m a r t in BY RACHEL FRANKS | summer sports editor The first sports that open up in the fall are flag football, fantasy football, eight-ball singles, tennis singles, putt-putt and NCAA football Pick ‘em. Registration for all these sports opens August 26. In order to register for any intramural sport, go online at sign up.recsports.vt.edu/signup/. You can sign up as a team or as a single player. If you are signing up as team, only your team captain needs to sign up. When registering, make sure to pick out a good team name, as there is a contest for the best name at the end of the season. Some of the sports have registration fees that can be paid online or at McComas. Make sure to spilt the fee with the whole team so your captain doesn’t end up paying it all. If you forget and registration closes you can still register late and your team will be put on the waiting list.

There are a lot of special rules unique to intramurals — make sure your team understands them before play starts. CoRec leagues have different conditions for men and women; so don’t forget that while playing. One reason many students play intramurals is to win. Winners of intermediate and advanced leagues receive champion t-shirts and get their pictures taken. With any sport that is played outside, there will be a chance games get cancelled due to weather. Make sure to check the Recsports website if the weather is bad. Intramurals also offer an opportunity for student jobs. If you are interested, you can become an intramural ref or score keeper. Don’t be afraid to try out any random intramural sport you are interested. You will end up having fun, learning a new sport, and making friends.

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PAUL KURLAK / SPPS

Volleyball is just one of 30 intramural sports offered by the Rec Sports department at Tech.

j oonb scampus A - Z fr om

BY BETHANY MELSON | contributing writer

student employment • • • • • • • • •

dining residence life summer conferences student calling center student IT employment recreational sports library work/study employment hokies4hire

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for more info check www.hr.vt.edu/employment The library is very similar, with a quiet work environment and is a less physically demanding than a job within Rec Sports. As long as the alphabet is something that is easy to recite, and the Dewey decimal system makes sense, shelving books should be the hardest part of the job. Squires also provides a lot of jobs that don’t require any particular skill. Jobs at Squires can including managing the desk, checking out keys to rented rooms, or a job in BreakZONE controlling the bowling lanes. Any of the places listed above are very willing to hire students. The hidden benefits of getting a job on campus can be surprising. For instance, someone working at Qdoba could become a close friend, study buddy, or going-out partner. Or working in the math emporium will allow workers to get ahead (or catch up) on school work. So getting a job on campus might just fulfill the branching out idea of college while building a bank account.

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efore you even get to campus you hear about “getting involved.” Your mentors, orientation leaders, advisor, etc. have probably told you to branch out and try joining a new club or two when you get to college. Unfortunately, for some, getting a job is one of the first things to accomplish after settling in on campus. Fortunately, campus provides good options for getting a job that is within reach of the dorm rooms. Dining halls are one of the most accessible areas of campus to get a job. The starting wages at a dining hall are typically higher than most off-campus jobs. Also, the free meal you get for every shift you work is a major plus. So if Turner Place looks like a good option for fi lling up on, maybe a job there could be beneficial in more than one way. Another area of interest that is not isolated to just recreation is Rec Sports. There are jobs for just about every sport or fitness lover within the Rec Sports department. Front desk attendants are responsible for checking students into the gym and some other office type work. Or you could referee the intramural sports games. No matter what you decide, these jobs oftentimes come with a free gym membership and a chance to stay active. If food or fitness is not an attractive job, look elsewhere. Squires, the library, and the Math Empo all provide a hodge-podge of jobs to meet the scheduling needs of every student. Some jobs within the math emporium allow students to work on personal homework after the needs of the job have been met; therefore, making the math emporium an easy job to manage among school work and social responsibilities.

Welcome!

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e c a e p e h t g n i keep A-Z fr om

For most freshmen, living in a dorm room for the first time means living with someone else for the first time too. Roommate situations can be tricky, especially when your first friends on campus also happen to live with you.

compromise

Having a roommate is all about compromise; deciding where to go for dinner, picking whose turn it is to play the music, hashing out which is the worse of two evils — picking up the groceries for the week or cleaning out the old ones from the fridge. While this is incredibly important, don’t forget about what you need. Don’t hesitate to tell your roommate that you need to turn off the lights early tonight, but think about promising to stay up and study the next night. Compromising is key, but make sure you still have a voice. Half the room is yours, after all.

cleanliness

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company The first key to having over guests is putting yourself in your roommate’s shoes. Does he have a huge test tomorrow? Probably not the best night for all the guys to come play Xbox in your room. Another situation that seems to come about a lot in college is overnight guests. Make sure to let your roommate know your plans, even if they’re last minute. If it were you, wouldn’t you hate showing up to your room only to be met with an unexpected third roommate? A good way to combat the overnight guest situation is to make friends with your hall-mates, that way you can crash close to your own room if your roomie needs time with their visitors.

communication One of the hardest parts about living with someone is difference of opinion. A lot of this has to do with background and how you grew up differently from your roommate. When you brush your teeth, do you leave the faucet running? You might, but your roommate may not. Little quips like this have the tendency to turn into bigger disagreements. When these kind of situations arise, just ask yourself if it’s worth the fight. Choose your battles. If you can’t stand the sound of brushing your teeth and have to make sure the water drowns it out, tell your roommate. They’ll understand. Don’t be afraid to speak your mind, but make sure to do it in a calm, helpful way.

Okay, the most common culprits: dishes, trash, clothing. The hidden surprise: personal hygiene. It might sound weird, but while it’s important to keep the room clean, while living in such close quarters with someone, you also have to be attentive to your own body. Shower regularly, change your sheets...the regular stuff. Seems like common sense, but that bathroom is all the way at the end of the hall. Room wise, just don’t be lazy. Your dumpster is right outside the building, use it. Vacuum two or three times a semester. Do the dishes so your roomie doesn’t have to brush their teeth on top of them. Put your clothes out of sight. When you take care of the basics, you’ll find that conflicts between you and your roommate are kept to a minimum.

courtesy It essentially all comes back to this, respect the person you’re living with. They’re here to get the same experience as you. Your roommate is a person, too. They have to make calls home to mom, they have to watch videos for class. Just be courteous. Turn your music down. Ask them to put in headphones. You’re now thinking for two people, and while it’s important to consider your own needs, make sure you think about what’s best for your roommate, as well. If you wake up early and your roomie sleeps in, go to the study room down the hall to do your homework. There’s always that cliche phrase, “Treat others the way you’d want to be treated,” but it’s a cliche for a reason. DANIELLE BUYNAK / COLLEGIATE TIMES

27 june 24, 2013

We Pick Up Students From Campus! Providing Round Trip Services from Virginia Tech to: - Northern Virginia - James Madison University - University of Virginia - Richmond - Tidewater Area

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28 june 24, 2013

k c a b g n i k o lo BY CAMERON AUSTIN | news editor

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you’re new to campus, or just lived in a cave last semester, here are some of the biggest headlines of the 2012-2013 school year. Read it, and finally understand what all your friends were talking about/pretend like you knew all along everything.

Superhero Obstacle Challenge r u o Y h s a e l ! s Un r e w o P r e Sup 5k with over 15 obstacles

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Have fun with friends, family, and complete strangers! Prizes awarded to Individuals, Teams, Best Suerhero Costume, and MORE

AUGUST

After much anticipation, Turner Place, the $35.7 million dollar state-of-the-art dining facility opened on campus. Waffle House comes to downtown Blacksburg, offering students a 24-hour, 365 days-a-year dining experience. Gobble Cakes cupcake shop opens.

SEPTEMBER

The U.S. Secretary of Education reinstated fines against Virginia Tech for violating federal law and failing to issue a timely warning in the midst of the April 16, 2007, shootings. Sweet Frog opens in University Mall. Nearly 17,000 students attended Victoria’s Secret PINK collegiate showdown concert. Gym Class Heroes, Chiddy Bang and DJ Irie performed on the Drillfield. Parking Services begins offering a multi-day parking permit option. The Hokies beat Georgia Tech 20-17 in the first ever overtime game held in Lane Stadium. Tech switched its primary mail carrier to Gmail.

OCTOBER

Virginia Tech paired with Zimride.com, a service for students to search for and communicate with possible carpool opportunities. Virginia Tech’s Alternative Transportation Program implemented the Bicycle Ambassador Program to encourage safe, responsible bicycle usage among Tech students and faculty. Downtown bookstore Bookholders has officially trademarked the infamous phrase "Stick It In.” “Sheer Good Fortune” is held by Nikki Giovanni in Burruss Hall. The event honored Toni Morrison’s achievements in literature. Special guests included Maya Angelou, Color Me Rad came to Blacksburg, drawing more than 5,000 people to the race. The organization announced it was the largest event per capita that it had held. Tropical storm Sandy ravaged the Northeast coast, but left Blacksburg mostly untouched except for minor power outages.

NOVEMBER

September 8th, 2013 Blacksburg, VA superherochallenge.net

Mitt Romney stops in Roanoke for a campaign event just days before the election. The Senate campaign comes to Virginia Tech when George Allen (R) and Tim Kaine (D) host a debate at Squires for the upcoming election. Tim Kaine ultimately receives the Senate seat. Election night arrives, with students and community members celebrating in various locations across the New River Valley. First-time student voters are discouraged after waiting over two hours in some locations to vote. see HEADLINES/ page 51

BY JAMES O’HARA | web editor

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29 june 24, 2013

math empo

tech

FILE 2011 / SPPS

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C.S. Lewis were to re-imagine Narnia for the 21st century, it would end up looking like the Math Emporium. The Math Empo as it is colloquially called, is located in University Mall, just a short bus ride away from campus, and is best described as a great big room of Macs. It’s open for 24 hours, seven days a week, when classes are in session, and has many uses, both for the school and for students. Its primary use is as a place to hold quizzes and tests for the large general mathematics courses that many students take their freshmen year. It is also used as a study space for students, as well as a place to go for tutoring if you are having trouble with a math course. To get to the Empo, just take the University Mall or University City Boulevard buses from in front of Burruss Hall to University Mall. Once inside, the Empo is on the left, fair warning, the first time seeing the 537 Macs all arranged into pods of six will leave you a bit awestruck. Remember your Hokie Passport, because you will need it to be allowed in. When you check-in, you have the choice of taking a quiz or proctored exam, if one is assigned to you, being assigned a computer or to just use the study space. If you get a computer, be sure to find your red solo cup nearby, it is your lifeline to getting help in the Empo. Whether you need to start a proctored exam, need help with a problem or just need help in general, the only way to get the staff ’s attention is by putting that red solo cup on top of your computer. It’s a simple, but effective, system. While the Empo is open 24/7, if you need tutoring you have to be there during specific times. From 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fridays and 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays, the Empo staff will be roving around helping students who request it. Many classes have their students complete quizzes and exams in the Empo. Quizzes can often be started and taken on your own within the timeline given by your professor. Exams are usually proctored and therefore must be taken at a specific time when the Empo has proctors available to administer the exam. If you are taking a proctored exam you must inform the staff in the front of this when you check-in so you can be placed in the proper area. While the Math Emporium can appear daunting at first it is a great resource for both math classes and studying in general. Make sure to advantage of all it has to offer, even if you aren’t taking a math class.

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BY BETHANY MELSON | contributing writer

fter climbing up flights upon flights of steps, and moving in and unpacking all of your boxes and dorm-approved appliances, you are finally ready to put high school behind you and start your new semi-independent life. However, the first step when transitioning into the collegiate realm is to camouflage your “freshmanness.” One of the biggest image killers for freshmen is the infamous lanyard. Sure, you are proud that you have a key to your own dorm and you are proud that you have a Virginia Tech-issued identification card. However, carrying these items around your neck is no way to show your excitement. Believe it or not, every student at Tech has a key and a Hokie Passport, you are no different, therefore there is no need to showcase yours to the world at all times around your neck.

Besides, if you are that afraid of losing whatever is on the end of the lanyard, maybe you should reconsider living without your parents. Just tuck that little sucker into your backpack or purse and retrieve it on an “as-needed” basis. Now that your lanyard is gone and you have liberated your neck, you are ready to go out on a Friday night. But no one actually likes going out alone, so it’s a good idea to call all of your new best friends to go out with you. However, this creates a freshman “pack.” So while your outfit doesn’t look like a freshman, the image of you walking with twenty friends most definitely does. Just call three of four friends to go out with you and when they try to invite other people just hand them this article and tell them that they will look like a freshman if they invite anyone else. After your successful Friday night,

you now need sweatpants to hide in while you recover from a long night. But whatever you do, don’t grab the high school sweats and t-shirts. Sure you can still hang on to the old high school embellished clothing but if you want to fit in, then leave those clothes for the days when you know you won’t leave your room. You might still be a freshman, but you are a freshman at Virginia Tech. So spend a few bucks and buy the Maroon and Orange Effect t-shirts and start dressing like a Hokie. Once you let go of your old high school identity, you can partake in the Hokie community as someone who's more than just a freshman. As you leave the safety of your dorm room, just avoid these common mistakes and you won’t exit looking like a freshman. Whether or not you chose to act like this is your first year here is totally up to you.

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a lower, more rigorous trail, both ending with a view of a 69-foot waterfall. McAfee's Knob is a moderately difficult 3.5-mile hike with its peak known as one of the most-photographed spots on the Appalachian Trail. More challenging than the rest is Dragon's Tooth, a 2.6-mile uphill hike on the Appalachian trail that reaches over 3,000 feet above sealevel at its highest point. For those looking for new and group-oriented adventures, Venture Out offers organized trips for all skill levels at low student rates, from skiing and snowboarding in January to horseback riding, climbing and rafting in April. Venture Out trips are available throughout the academic year and are guided by BRAD KLOWOSKI / SPPS trained and experienced stu- Dragonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tooth in Catawba is one of several premier hiking locations located in southwest Virginia. dent leaders. Trip costs can range anywhere from $12 to over $400 and include transportation, food, equipment and staff. Through the Venture Out office, interested students can also learn necessary outdoor survival skills in workshops led by student staff members trained in those skills, such as wilderness medical training and how to put up a tent. For information on trips, equipment, workshops or any outdoor activity, visit the Venture Out office Monday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m. or go online.

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is easy for new Hokies to become overwhelmed by fi nding McBryde Hall, living with roommates, navigating Blacksburg Transit and choosing meals at dining halls. However, Tech's prime location near the Appalachian Trail and the New River allows students a unique opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of campus life by exploring the large number of popular outdoor recreation locations in the New River Valley. Venture Out is a division of Student Centers and Activities dedicated to helping adventure-seeking and nature-loving students discover southwest Virginia. The Venture Out office, located in the first floor of Squires Student Center, provides rental equipment for most outdoor activities, such as camping, backpacking and canoeing. Some of the more popular local attractions that students can venture to on their own include the New River as well as the Cascades, MacAfee's Knob, and Dragon's Tooth. The New River is a destination that offers fishing, floating and swimming opportunities for people of every physical fitness level. The least treacherous of the three hiking destinations is the Cascades, part of the Jefferson National Forest, which offers a choice between an easier trail for less-experienced hikers and

BY MELISSA DRAUDT | news reporter

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passport

our Hokie Passport is your key to campus, both while living on campus and off. Its most basic functions are as an identification card, a holder of your meal plan and a way to access certain buildings on campus. Go to the gym? You need your passport to swipe in. Have student tickets to a football game? This is your way in. In addition to regular on-campus functions, your Hokie Passport also helps you off campus.

Certain businesses around town accept Hokie Passport as a form of payment, with vendors including places like Souvlaki and Food Lion to the less obvious, like CVS and Wendy’s. Be careful though, these places do not accept any form of dining plan as money, but only accept the debit function of the card. This can be tricky. To load money onto the debit function of your Hokie Passport, go to my.vt.edu and click ‘Personal Info.’

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Another hidden benefit of having your passport is that it identifies you as a college student. This can come in handy, as certain businesses also give a discount if you can prove you’re a student. Your Hokie P proves it. Your Hokie Passport also allows you to utilize the Blacksburg Transit without paying on a per-ride basis. The fee for the BT is already included in your bill, so to ride the bus, all you have to do is flash the driver your passport.

The back of your passport has a black magnetic strip, and effectively works the same way as any card - but with more perks. Passports swipe into buildings, hold your meal plan balance and can even act as debit cards to pay for certain things on and off campus.

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VirginiaTech Lastname Firstname X 9099-99999 01/01/01

VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY

This is your student ID number. You’ll need to know it for some exams, signing in to on-campus technologies and for other identifying purposes such as using Schiffert or the Math Empo. It helps to memorize this number, you’ll be using it often.

Your Hokie Passport also serves as a valid photo I.D. for other offcampus activities. If you lose your original passport and get another, you can choose to either reuse the same photo from before, or have another one taken. DANIELLE BUYNAK / COLLEGIATE TIMES

quiz

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easy

medium

hard

1. What year was Virginia Tech founded?

1. When did Frank Beamer take over as head coach of his alma mater?

1. What were Techâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s original colors?

2. What is the school's actual, full name? 3. Name the football and basketball stadiums. 4. What county is Blacksburg located in? 5. What's the name of Tech's newest dining hall that opened in August 2012?

2. What was the name of Techâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last president, who just announced his retirement this past spring? 3. The number of trees around the Drillfield represents what? 4. What were Tech sports teams called before they were the Hokies? 5. What group of students does the Upper Quad house?

s i s Oa arket M d l Wor

2. In what year did Hokie football make its only national title game appearance? 3. Virginia Tech is one of only two schools in the US to offer both fulltime military and civilian lifestyles. What is the other? 4. Name all eight pylons. 5. When Tech was founded as a state-supported land grant school, what was its name?

Take a study br eak!

Hard: 1. Black and grey 2. 1999 3. Texas A&M 4. Ut Prosim, Brotherhood, Duty, Honor, Loyalty, Leadership, Service, Sacrifice 5. Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College Medium: 1. 1987 2. Charles Steger 3. Each Tech graduating class 4. The Fighting Gobblers 5. The Corps of Cadets

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Easy: 1. 1872 2. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 3. Lane Stadium, Cassell Coliseum 4. Montgomery 5. Turner Place

answers

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BY DEAN SEAL | news editor

he first major transition incoming students will have to make as they enter the fleeting stage of existence known as “freshman year” is the devolution into “dorm life.” Living in the residence halls at Virginia Tech, especially during freshman year, can be a mixed bag of entertaining forced-bonding between your neighbors and autodidacticism regarding personal hygiene and microwave-only cooking. And of course, a freshman year would be remiss without the art of deception involved in lying to your hall’s Resident Advisor about your fledgling alcoholism. Repeat after me: “There’s certainly no alcohol in this room. Of course my friends will corroborate my story.” There’s always the formulaic series of complaints that accompany the residence halls: those inexperienced with sharing a room may be unprepared for having a roommate, laundry costs may eat into the extra cash that could otherwise be spent on “study aids” (bottles of pencils and flashcards, mostly) and what your neighbors are doing in the hall bathrooms may not always seem “communal.”

BRAD KLODOWSKI / SPPS

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The kitchen located in the crossover between East and West AJ provides students with a place to cook.

see HALLS / page 37

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BRAD KLODOWSKI / SPPS

The crossover between East and West AJ gives students a place to hang out away from their dorm rooms. from page 36

in, say, the honors dorms, remember: suck it up. The fact you need eight fans to keep your room cool in late spring is building character within you. Or…gumption, or something. Most halls are connected by quads, typically furnished with charcoal grills and volleyball courts. Whether you want to serve up a few aces on these sandy havens, or prefer to smoke hookah and fumble around with a hacky sack instead, be sure to get out and take advantage of these outdoor areas when the weather’s nice. In short, live it up while you’re in the residence halls. The privacy of your new apartment in Terrace View may be thrilling, but you’ll always remember the fi rst place you called home during your baby steps into the freedom that is adulthood. So bask in this glorious semi-adulthood, before you have to wander into the lurking evil known as “rent and utilities.”

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But in the end, some of the best friends and memories can be made within the confines of these two-windowed living spaces. Just be sure to keep a few things in mind. Sort out your roommate situation early on. Whether you chose your bunkmate, or destiny placed you with one, start figuring out if you can expect the dishes to get done, the trash to get taken out, and if you two will be touring in shameful apartmentparty escapades together, or separately. Set whatever ground rules you need, but be amicable and find some common ground — you never know if this roommate will be a groomsmen at your wedding, or just another awkward greeting when you inevitably meet Downtown senior year. Your hall will also likely become a melting pot of dif-

ferent musical tastes. Th is can be good and bad — you may have the opportunity to expand your auditory horizons, though at the same time, the meshing of rap, rock, indie and country resonating around the hall may sound just a few notches worse than Ke$ha performing an acoustic set. Keep your music down during the day if it bothers your neighbors, but you can pretty much figure out in the first few days which suitemates are down to jam and which ones aren't. More notes on residence halls: remember that you can only access your own residence with your Hokie Passport. To get into anyone else’s, you’ll need them to let you in from inside, or at least wait for someone to come out for a cigarette at an opportune moment. Every resident hall is a little different, but if you find yourself stuck in a hall not as extravagant as your friend

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ON-CAMPUS ATM LOCATIONS BRAD KLODOWSKI / COLLEGIATE TIMES

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e rt c h i f fhealth sstudent

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BY LEAH KOMADA | news reporter

Virginia Tech Department of Dairy Science Interested in science? Looking for a major with personal attention? Looking for a major with 100% placement of graduating seniors? Apply your science interests to solve real world problems Science curriculum appropriate for Pre-Med, Pre-Vet, or Pre-Dental

Personal attention & small in-major classes that oﬀer hands-on experience 70% of DASC majors have double majors, or minors, & 97% participate in internships 1 in 4 undergrads do research or serve as a teaching assistant

PAST. PRESENT. FUTURE. www.dasc.vt.edu knowlton@vt.edu 540.231.5287 @VTDairyScience

or suggest a scheduled one. Students pay for the services provided by Schiffert on a yearly basis, rather than paying per visit. You also pay a health fee, which is included in each year’s tuition. This fee covers the majority of services provided by Schiffert, such as an unlimited number of visits and most lab procedures. Some services require a minimal charge. These include: crutches, some lab tests, X-rays, allergy injections and prescriptions. Schiffert does not only exist to treat health issues, it also helps with prevention of health problems. Virginia Tech’s Health Education at Schiffert provides the necessary resources to gain knowledge surrounding any health concern, such as giving students quit-smoking aids and information on healthy eating. To reach Schiffert Health Center to make an appointment or to discuss any illness or injury, students may call 540-231-6444.

tech fundamentals

100% placement of graduating seniors

chiffert Health Center is an on-campus health facility open and available for student use. Schiffert is a place students can go when they have an injury or are simply feeling under the weather. There is also a small pharmacy where students can pick up or refi ll prescriptions. The health center is located in McComas Hall, at the intersection of Washington Street and West Campus Drive by the traffic circle. There are a variety of centers within Schiffert, including an Allergy and Immunization Clinic, the Primary Care Clinic and the Women’s Health Center. Schiffert is an appointmentbased health center. Students can call to make an appointment, or make an appointment online through the online student health portal. If there is an urgent need to be seen and the student does not have an appointment, they may call and talk with someone who will refer them to a same-day appointment

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BY RACHEL FRANKS | summer sports editor

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PAUL KURLAK / SPPS

ne of everyone’s favorite Hokie traditions is jumping to Enter Sandman in Lane Stadium. As a freshman, going to a home football game is something you don’t want to miss. There are a couple of different ways to get your hands on football tickets. For freshmen, it is kind of unfair, because you don’t have the opportunity to buy season tickets. Instead, one option is applying for the lottery. The lottery is a big pool where students without season tickets apply to win a ticket before each home football game. Not everyone who applies will win a ticket — the winners are chosen randomly. To apply for the lottery, students need to go to hokietickets. com and apply for tickets two weeks before each game when the lottery opens. The lottery is only open for a couple of days so make sure you remember to apply. If you are selected, you will get an email with a ticket to print out and take to the ticket office in Cassell Coliseum to receive your real ticket. Students who win the lottery and want to sit with other friends who win should bring their print outs in together to get seats next to each other. You can bring in groups of up to 20 tickets at once. If you don’t get a ticket in the first round of the lottery, don’t give up. Many students who win tickets don’t pick them up and you will have a chance to win in the second round. After the lottery, if you still don’t have a ticket, don’t panic — there are still other options. One option is to go online for tickets. Many season tickets holders don’t come to every game and sell some of their tickets on sites like stubhub.com and craigslist.com. Depending on the game, the tickets could be expensive. You can also go to social media, like Facebook, to look for tickets. Some students will sell their tickets and post notices in different Tech groups — although, if a student is caught doing this, ticket privilege's could be revoked by the university. If its game day and you still don’t have a ticket, scalpers are always an option. They are pretty expensive though, so only use them if absolutely necessary. First, try walking through tailgating areas. There may be some alumni giving away extra tickets or at least charging less for them. There might also be some tailgaters too drunk to go to the game. It may seem hard, but if you really try, you can usually find a ticket. All the effort truly pays off when you are watching the Hokies score touchdowns. Not all Tech sports are as hard to get into as football. Men’s basketball is the only other sport you need a ticket to get into. At the beginning of basketball season, any student can enter a lottery to get season basketball tickets. If you win season tickets you are set, if not there is also a lottery before each game. The lottery for basketball works the same way as for football, but there are usually less students who enter, so there's more of a chance to win tickets. Even if you forget to enter the lottery, once the game starts, they often let students into the game for free if you wait in the standby line outside of Cassell. Going to football and basketball games is one of the best experiences you can have as a Hokie. Don’t be afraid to put in a little extra effort to find a ticket — it'll be worth it.

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Z A im ut pros BY KELLY CLINE | summer news editor

PAUL KURLAK / SPPS

The pylons are an iconic part of Virginia Tech’s campus, and represent eight ideals set forth by the university, most notably Ut Prosim.

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B MONDAY SPECIALS

35¢ WINGS & 1/2 PRICE HINDENBURGS (4PM-CLOSE)

TUESDAY SPECIALS

$5.85 BURGERS (ALL DAY, ALL NIGHT)

WEDNESDAY SPECIALS $5.85 FIESTA FEAST (ALL DAY, ALL NIGHT)

THURSDAY SPECIALS

1/2 PRICE SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE DIP (4PM-CLOSE) 2 FOR 1 APPETIZERS & QUESADILLAS (9PM-CLOSE)

FRIDAY SPECIALS

$3 CON QUESOS (ALL DAY, ALL NIGHT) $3 CINNAMON SENSATIONS (ALL DAY, ALL NIGHT)

SATURDAY SPECIALS

$5.85 REUBENS (ALL DAY, ALL NIGHT)

SUNDAY SPECIALS

29¢ BONELESS WINGS (1-7PM)

eing a Hokie doesn’t simply mean becoming a student at Virginia Tech. As a Hokie, you’ll adapt many new qualities for yourself, especially through carrying out Tech’s motto — Ut Prosim (That I May Serve). Tech is dedicated to fulfi lling its motto, and to creating valuable community leaders that act as keystones for the service and betterment of our society. That being said, freshman can expect to participate in a number of service events during their time at Tech. For example, you can look forward to joining thousands of other participants in the world’s largest collegiate Relay for Life on the Drillfield every April, which has raised millions of dollars since it began in 2001. Relay for Life is merely a capstone event for yearlong efforts to raise money, efforts that even the Hokie Bird participated in during this past spring semester by forming its own team, posing for fundraising photos on Valentine’s Day and partaking in an annual date auction. You will also be able to par-

ticipate in Tech’s 13th annual Big Event during the spring of 2014, a community-based effort in the Blacksburg and Christiansburg areas dedicated to performing hundreds of volunteer service acts for locals. Volunteers chip in for practically any projects deemed safe by the Big Event committee, from landscaping to painting to cleaning up litter. During 2013, there were around 6,500 volunteers and about 825 projects were completed. Although there is a general trend of growth in participants and completed projects, the community’s high satisfaction with volunteers’ service remains constant. Hokies take a lot of pride in their service, and almost everyone participates in the traditional volunteer events. Seriously, everyone you know will do it. The connections you make and the people you meet are priceless experiences that will play a big role in shaping your experience at Tech. Don’t miss out! You’ll have all fall semester to sign up for them, and you’ll enjoy giving back to your community.

BY JACOB EMERT | sports editor

varsity sports: - baseball - basketball - cross country - football - golf

- lacrosse - soccer - softball - swimming & diving

- tennis - track & ﬁeld - volleyball - wrestling

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he reasons students are attracted to Virginia Tech are plentiful. Some come for the superb academics, others the serene campus in the New River Valley, and some for the dining hall grub consistently topping national ranking. Then there are those who have either heard stories about, or experienced firsthand, what it’s like to be a member of Hokie Nation. Whether it’s jumping in Lane on a Saturday in the fall, or packing the Cassell on a winter night, something special occurs when Hokies congregate to cheer on fellow Hokies. As soon as students return to campus in the fall, football is in the air. It’s the sport that garners the most national attention and therefore the most support on campus. Freshmen fortunate enough to win the ticket lottery should prepare themselves for an afternoon, or occasionally an evening, unlike anything they have every experienced. When Metallica blasts through the stadium’s speakers and the sold-out crowd, 66,233 strong, starts jumping in unison, the ground shakes and the opponents quiver. In 2013, the Hokies will look to bounce back from their worst season in two decades with a revamped offensive system and a more veteran squad. A consistent powerhouse in the ACC, Tech will try for their eighth conference title and attempt to continue what is currently the third-longest consecutive bowl streak in the nation. Though it may be the most popular sport on campus, football is just the beginning of varsity athletics on campus. The men’s basketball team continues the rebuilding process that started after the departure of Seth Greenberg in 2012. Last season, the Hokies boasted the nation’s leading scorer in Erick Green, who averaged 25 points-per-game, and will try to use a solid recruiting class to improve from a 13-19 season a year ago. Baseball, men’s and women’s soccer and some of the other less popular sports are some of the best, as intimate settings and superb teams create great environments. This past season, the baseball team experienced one of their best seasons in program history. Ranked in the top 25 nationally for a significant portion of the season, the Hokies finished second in the ACC tournament, upsetting perennial powerhouses like Virginia and Florida State on the way. They hosted their first regional tournament in school history, and under the leadership of head coach Pete Hughes, looks to continue the winning ways. Despite all the glory and accomplishment that has surrounded Tech sports and the faithful members of Hokie Nation, there is a solemn fact they cannot elude. Virginia Tech has never won a national championship in a team sport. In 2013-2014, they will begin the quest for number one.

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l o r t n o c t h weig A-Z BY RACHEL FRANKS | summer sports editor

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irginia Tech is ranked No. 1 in the nation in food; in some ways that is great, but if you are trying not to gain weight, it makes it tough. Luckily, one of the reasons Tech is No. 1 is because it offers many healthy choices. At Turner Place, there is a Jamba Juice that offers many healthy smoothies. There's also Soup Garden in Turner that makes fresh and healthy salads and soups. At the Owen's Food Court, there is a food stand called Farm & Fields that has organic, local and sustainably produced food as well as a salad bar. West End Market has healthy options as well. Leaf and Ladle offers a variety of light soups and salads. Wrap World creates healthy international meat and veggie wraps. D2, the all-you-can-eat dining hall, offers vegan and vegetarian options at the Olives shop. Though, be warned it’s hard to go into D2 and not come out completely stuffed. Eating healthy isn't the only way to fight off the pounds — Tech has many different fitness options available to students. McComas is one of the two gyms on campus. It offers a state-of-the-art weight training area with free weights and machines. If you don’t know much about how to use the equipment, you can get a personal training session or a group training session for a reduced price. McComas also has a cardio area with all kinds of treadmills, bikes, stairs and ellipticals. For those who pre-

FILE 2011 / SPPS

fer running on the ground, McComas has an elevated jogging track. If you are interested in burning calories and having a little fun, there are three basketball courts used for both pick up basketball and volleyball. Then there are two fitness studios and a spinning studio where Tech holds all kinds of exercise classes. You can buy a yearlong pass for the classes for around $90. The classes vary from Zumba to Body Pump to spinning. During the first week of each semester, and during finals week all exercise classes are free. For the swimmers out there, McComas has an indoor pool. War Memorial is the other gym on campus; while it doesn’t have air conditioning it is usually less crowded and closer to most dorms. War has a weight room with a small cardio section on the side. It also has four basketball courts, 12 racquetball courts, three wallyball courts, two squash courts, four volleyball courts and a gymnastics room for anyone who wants get a little competitive. There is also a pool at War that is open to students. If you are looking to burn some calories outside of the gym, Tech has 12 tennis courts on Washington Street and six tennis courts in the South Recreational Area. All the tennis courts are open for students to use as long as they are playing tennis and not other sports. There are so many ways to get exercise and eat right at Tech, there is no need to freak out about gaining weight.

expectation reality

everyone parties all the time in college

Yes, people go out and party during their time in college, but not everyone. While this campus knows how to have a good time, Tech students are typically very dedicated to their studies as well. You don’t have to party to fit in. There are plenty of other things to do.

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BY DANIELLE BUYNAK | managing editor

the classes are just like high school

Yes and no. Depends on the class. While some classes may seem very similar in capacity and time period, others are much different, with class populations ranging into the hundreds. The main difference is in college there is less hand-holding and the material is harder.

you will be best friends with your random roommate

This one can also go either way, and most of it is the luck of the draw. Random roommates can either be a match made in heaven, or disastrous. A lot of times roommates end up being acquaintances, two people that live in the same room but aren’t attached at the hip.

you will get lost all the time around campus

Yes. There’s no way around this one. The first few weeks will be difficult, and don’t think your two days of orientation make you a whiz. Tech has a big campus. Stop and ask for help if you’re lost. You’ll figure it out soon enough. Just don’t carry around your map. Please.

you won’t miss home at all.

Wrong. Though the end of senior year can be rocky with your parents in anticipation of flying the coop, it will always be nice to go home. Living in the dorms and eating campus food gives you a certain appreciation for Mom’s food and a personal washing machine.

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www.the-cellar.com

he Bugle yearbook has been a tradition of Virginia Tech since 1895. It is a tangible collection of your Hokie experience, showcasing stories about students’ lives paired with beautiful photography. The 300page book covers many different aspects of life at Virginia Tech, from both varsity and club sports, to events like Relay for Life, and to organizations on campus as well. We focus on topics that encompass events and traditions that every Hokie will remember. We also highlight interesting students stories, whether it’s an academic achievement, or something that contributes to the community at Virginia Tech. We encourage you to get your yearbook portrait taken during your first day of orientation at the Jamestown Room in Squires

Student Center. It’s a great way to ensure you will appear in the 2014 Bugle. Help us make our goal to get every Hokie in the yearbook! The 2012 Bugle was awarded a Gold Crown, the highest honor from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, where it competed with other college books across the country. We are always looking for talented and dedicated students to join our staff ! If you are interested in writing, designing or photography, we’d love to talk to you about joining our staff. Stop by the portraits session and ask for Nicole, the assistant manager, or e-mail Caroline Doss, the editor-inchief, at crdoss@vt.edu. Our staff is a tight knit group, and we’d love to have interested staffers as great, new additions.

BY CAROLINE DOSS | yearbook editor-in-chief

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COURTESY CAROLINE DOSS

*editor’s note: The Collegiate Times and Bugle are house under the same parent company umbrella, EMCVT . The editoral staﬀ still considers the yearbook to be a part of Tech freshmen need to know about.

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e c i v d a f f a t s ct A-Z fr om

After racking our brains, we couldn’t think of something speciﬁcally for the letter ‘Z’. Instead we asked our editorial staﬀ to give some advice to new Hokies about how to be successful during freshman year and beyond.

ourVOICES

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“

If you don’t do anything but go to class, you won’t enjoy college. I promise. But if you get involved and find people with similar interests to yours, you’ll end up just like everyone else that never wants to leave this place.” Zach Mariner, editor-in-chief

“

If you want to do something, do it. Go after your goals with everything you’ve got. This is a big campus, carve out a place for yourself.”

“

Leave your dorm room door open, it’s the best way to meet someone new.” James O’Hara, web editor

Danielle Buynak, managing editor

“

Work hard, but don’t take life too seriously. Make mistakes, have fun and be spontaneous.” Jacob Emert, sports editor

ourVOICES

“

We share your concerns

It sounds cheesy, but join a bunch of stuff. How else will you find people that are weird in all the same ways you are?”

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ct staff advice

health. ealtth. eemployment. mpl crime. music. sports. art. dorms. education. duc cation. housing. government. world politics. sales. travel. raveel. trafﬁc. tr construction. business. relationships. entertainment. ntertainmen virginia tech. ut prosim. construction.

Check us out in the paper or online at collegiatetimes.com

Alex Koma, sports editor

“

Professors are people too. Don’t be afraid to talk to them outside of class. Some of them have done really cool work and they’ll make great contacts when you’re looking for help and advice in the future.”

“

Feeling lonely? Out of place? Joining one of the 819 student organizations here on campus forces your to meet people, so it’s basically free friends.” Kevin Dickel, art director

“

Take the bull by the horns — find something that could be better? Then get involved and make it better. You might find something you love doing and make lifelong friends while you’re at it.” Try to find out more about yourself Brad Klodowski, and what you really design editor want to do, whether this is through classes, clubs or just talking to people.” If a day passes Sharath Rereddy, and you haven’t opinions editor had a truly unique experience, you need to seriously reevaluate your Make sure to have decisions.” fun. A lot of incoming Andrew Kulak, students can get public editor overwhelmed with the workload and the pressures to join clubs on campus. You’ll have You don’t plenty of years to stress always need out, enjoy your time.” someone to go with you places. Priscilla Alvarez, Branch out on lifestyles editor your own. You won’t be the only person there by Freshman year only happens once, and you’ll miss ss yourself, and you’ll expand it when it’s gone. Go a little your social crazy, don’t get arrested and circle.” never regret the mistakes Cameron Austin, you’ll inevitably make.” Andrea Ledesma, design editor

“

Dean Seal, news editor

news editor

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“

tech fundamentals june 24, 2013

from page 28

A Real Estate minor is approved by the Board of Visitors. First ever TEDxVirginiaTech talks are held. Dunkin’ Donuts opens in front of Hokie Grill. Virginia Tech retires two logos — the “TV” logo, and the Fighting Gobbler logo. Beloved owner of Mike's Grill, Mike Varelos, dies at age 77. Squires Student Center celebrates its 75th anniversary.

JANUARY

MARCH

Nobel-prize winning professor James M. Buchanan in the College of Science passed away at the age of 93 years old. Robert T. Sumichrast, current dean of the Terry College of Business at University of Georgia, has been appointed the new dean of the Pamplin College of Business Virginia Tech. College of Science approved the opening of the Center for Autism Research.

Backstreets closes its doors for the last time after serving the Blacksburg community for almost 30 years. Tickets for the 2013 Ring Dance sold out, leaving several juniors frustrated with the lack of accommodations for the annual tradition. BOV approves two major construction projects to beginUpper Quad renovation, and an expansion of Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. Tech point guard Erick Green is named the ACC Player of the Year, finishing the year as the nation's leading scorer.

DECEMBER FEBRUARY Virginia Tech installed 21 pet waste stations around campus to raise awareness on stormwater protection. Gary Long was named Associate Dean for the College of Science Ben Norris, an employee at Turner Place with an intellectual disability, took home the gold medal in the Special Olympics in the Super G event, with a winning time of 49 seconds. The VT Confessions Facebook page reaches over 6,000 followers in a span of 3 weeks. For the first time since 2001, Virginia Tech will not host a Thursday night football game.

APRIL In a freak April snowstorm, Virginia Tech closed for the day after over 4 inches of snow blanketed the New River Valley. The 12th Big Event brought

Board of Visitors raises tuition 4.9 percent for in state students; 5 percent for out of state students.

MAY Mellow Mushroom announces it will take over the site where Backstreets Pizzeria formerly occupied. Owners hope to have it open by Spring 2014. President Steger announced that he is stepping down next year as president. The Board of Visitors has already begun the search for a new president, and President Steger will continue to serve as president until a successor has been found. Sigma Phi Epsilon withdrew their charter from Virginia Tech due to “misconduct and underperformance.” This comes just one semester after the opening of their brand new $5 million house on Oak Lane.

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The Communication department announces that they will now offer a minor. Metallica raises over $33,000 dollars for the Morgan Harrington Scholarship fund after selling “Enter Sandman” t-shirts. Course and instructor evaluations are held online for the first time. Virginia Tech is ranked 14th in the nation for international students. The Hokies defeat Rutgers, 13-10 in an overtime victory over the Scarlet Knights in the Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando, Fl. It marked their 20th consecutive bowl game and winning season.

together 6,500 students for the largest run community service event in the country. Two women were injured after a gunman walked in to the New River Community College. The gunman, 18-yearold Neil MacInnis, was arrested and charged with two counts of malicious wounding and two counts of use of a firearm in a felony. 2013 is the first year that the university didn’t hold a schoolwide vigil in memory of the April 16, 2007 shootings. The community gathered together in support of the Boston bombings for a run on the Huckleberry sponsored by Runabout Sports. Sophomore running back Michael Holmes was arrested for malicious wounding and two counts of felony assault and battery after a downtown fight sent one man to the hospital. After a June 13 court date, Holmes was found guilty of a reduced misdemeanor charge of assault and battery.

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headlines: TOP STORIES OF ‘12-’13

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