Wednesday, September 4, 2013 An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 www.collegiatetimes.com
COLLEGIATETIMES 110th year, issue 8
News, page 4
Lifestyles, page 7
Opinions, page 5
Sports, page 3
Driverless car hits Smart Road DEAN SEAL news editor
Automated driving is stepping closer to reality, and Virginia Tech is researching with Google to make it safer. A small crowd gathered Tuesday afternoon at the Smart Road at Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) to watch as Rep. Morgan Griffith and Rep. Bob Goodlatte, of the 9th and 6th districts respectively, boarded the automated-driving car. The car performed two quick test laps on the 2.2mile track and went through a test of the vehicles automation in response to a decelerated second vehicle. The two Congressional representatives spoke alongside Susan Molinari of Google and Myra Blanco of VTTI, and discussed the benefits coming from the cooperative research between the two institutions. The cooperation between institutions is just one part of a larger project run by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an agency that’s part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The goal of the project is to study various aspects of vehicle automation. The NHTSA is funding the project with approximately $1 million, according to Blanco. A technical staff runs the Google car project jointly
Study Break, page
Warrant leads to one arrest CAMERON AUSTIN
BEN WEIDLICH / SPPS
Google’s high tech driverless car, which uses radars and lasers to navigate roads, stopped at VTTI on Tuesday for a test drive. from Google and the Automated Vehicle Systems team of VTTI, led by Blanco. As the automated Google car undergoes a series of test runs with an array of changing conditions and human interactions, the group continues to research both technical algorithms and the user
interface of the Google car. The Google car has been tested on public and private roads across “about half of a million miles nationally,” said Molinari, Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs for Google. She stated that Google was excited to have the opportunity to uti-
lize the VTTI Smart Road, praising its functionality as a controlled test area and stating that the whole partnership had been “very unique and very much appreciated.” The car has been tested over the past month with both technicians and random experiment participants to see
how a diverse amount of users affect the reactivity and functionality of the car. The local Congressional representatives were invited to participate in the latest tests to provide feedback on how the research has progressed.
news editor Police carried out a search warrant on Progress Street Tuesday that involved the New River Valley Drug Task Force. The warrant was taken care of around 9 a.m. to the residents of 615 Progress Street between Giles and Turner Street. According to neighbors, five males and two women in their mid 20’s were escorted from the home, cuffed, and seated in a line on the front lawn. LaDale Winling, a resident of the street, was bringing his son to day-care when he witnessed the commotion occurring on Tuesday morning. Winling just recently moved to the street this past summer, but noted that it had always been very calm. “There’s been very little activity or commotion in the area since I’ve moved in,” he said. Winling wasn’t familiar with the tenants of the house, but had noticed that some of the windows in the house had been painted with orange and maroon paint, which prevented anyone from being able to see into the house. No names were released due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, but Tim Stuart of the Virginia State Police confirmed one subject was arrested.
@CameronOAustin
see CAR / page foour
Baking bread for Blacksburg Student explains off-campus meal plan costs MATT MINOR news staff writer
BEN WEIDLICH / SPPS
Sweet Water Baking Company takes its business to the Blacksburg Farmer’s Market to expose the community to its fresh bread and granola
Sam Siller takes pride in hard work, putting in effort behind breadmaking to bring products to market. JESSICA GROVES lifestyles reporter
One of the benefits of a trip to the local farmer’s market comes in the form of free samples. College students, local families and even pets make sure to take advantage of this opportunity, gathering Saturdays and Wednesdays at Blacksburg Farmer’s Market to sample fresh goods and embrace the warm weather. Yet the samples from Sweet Water Baking Company, based out of Floyd, Va., didn’t last though the morning Saturday. Children at the farmer’s market gobbled up
NEWS
the available bread samples as if they were pieces of candy rather than whole-wheat sourdough. With the amount of work that goes on behind-thescenes at the company, it’s not surprising that the bread samples found such easy popularity. In fact, Sam Siller, coowner of Sweet Water Baking Company, said it takes a lot of work to bring the bread to the table. Even when the market closes and farm products are packed away, the business gets right back to work to ensure quality products. Breadmaking has always been a family enterprise for
Siller, ever since his sister began the process nearly two decades ago. Although Siller has been baking bread using family recipes for nine years, he admits that the first five were full of practice.
“
I kind of thought I’d pick it up within a couple of months. I was kind of cocky.” Sam Siller co-owner of Sweet Water Baking Company
“I kind of thought I’d pick it up within a couple of months,” Siller said. “I was kind of cocky.” Siller and his sister both
LIFESTYLES
learned to bake from Alan Scott, a celebrated Australian baker who built brick ovens that were designed to evenly bake bread. Scott brought about the modern renaissance of the wood oven baking method, Siller said. He made sure to take Scott’s aid to heart, exposing a passion for breadmaking that even friends can see reflected in his work. Bill Egan has known Siller for at least 15 years. Although Egan mostly helps with customers at the Sweet Water Baking Company’s market stand, he knows the breadmaking process is arduous from start to finish. “(Siller) even goes out to chop the wood from his own see MARKET / page seven
OPINIONS Various Hokie organizations take time to help community members in need by holding food drives and collecting donations.
Meet Lola, the “Invent the Future” horse on a treadmill. see page 4 Are you overpaying for your off-campus meal plan? see page 4 see page 7
Virginia Tech boasts the best collegiate dining in the country, but when money is a scarce luxury for upperclassmen, the meal plan you choose may end up costing you more than you think. According to John Echols, a graduate student in Materials Science and Engineering, students living off campus may actually be getting less bang for their buck with the offered dining plans. He took time to calculate the value of the available meal plans and discovered the best option for students who eat on campus. “It seems most people don’t look into the actual cost and understand that the 50% discount comes at a much higher price,” Echols said. “I’ve always been bothered by the way students spend their meal plans, and seeing the data laid out really solidified things.” Echols recently sat down and created an informative graphic that describes the exact long-term costs of the meal plans for students living off campus, and submitted it to Virginia Tech’s Reddit page, which allows anonymous users to submit links or topics and converse through a message board
“
I’ve always been bothered by the way students spend their meal plans, and seeing the data laid out really solidified things.” John Echols Graduate Student
The most attractive feature of meal plans are the discounts, which correlate to 67 percent off at D2 and 50 percent off a la carte facilities, such as Turner Place or Au Bon Pain. “The separate meal period structure at the all-youcare-to-eat (facilities) versus the continuous service of the a la carte locations provide a lower operating cost,” said Ted Faulkner, Director of Dining Services. see MEAL / page four
ONLINE New Netflix original series takes a careful look at how to portray women in mass media. Find out why other TV shows should be taking notes.
see page 3
system. There are multiple options for students living off campus when it comes to food. Minor flex plans are generally recommended for students who live off campus and costs $803. However, students only see $321 of that when they go to buy their favorite pastry or sandwich.
Check the website for coverage of the women’s volleyball team.
CollegiateTimes @collegiatetimes
2
sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com
September 4, 2013
collegiatetimes.com
SPORTS
Men’s soccer tries to rebound with returning stars DANIEL NOKES sports staff writer
Last fall, the Virginia Tech men’s soccer team’s season ended in the second round of the ACC tournament at the hands of the #2 Maryland Terrapins. The loss to the Terps capped off a frustrating season for the Hokies, bringing their season record to 7-10-3. Coming into the 2013 season, Tech looks to improve and take the next step toward playing for a championship in the alwayscompetitive ACC. The Hokies return all but one player from last year’s squad, with the lone departure being senior midfielder David Fiorello. The key player that the Hokies get back for another season is senior goalie Kyle Renfro. Coming into his third full season as the starting goalie for Tech, Renfro brings loads of experience to a defense that tallied five shutouts last season. “Being a senior on this team, I’ve gone through it for three years. I know what kind of a leader I have to be and I have to be demanding of my teammates," Renfro said. "I just have to keep communicating constantly with guys in front of me, make sure they’re doing their job, and make sure I do my job." Tech opened up its season on a positive note at the JMU Tournament last Friday night with a 1-0 win over Binghamton. On Sunday, the Hokies fell to Fordham 2-1 in their second game of the tournament, bringing their season total for goals scored to three despite being able to get off a total of 34 shots. “I could tell you that our finishing was, and is, a concern for me,” said head coach Mike Brizendine. “We just weren’t sharp enough. Goal scoring is an art and it takes a special person to be able to do it consis-
tently. Just some days that’s the way it falls.” The lone goal scored for Tech was off the head of sophomore Dan Lauretano. “It all started from a good run from one of our forwards, Robert Ablerti," Lauretano said. "He was able to beat his defender and dribble the ball across the line and I positioned myself to get into the back post because I knew he was going to cross it. He played a good ball — I just put a good head on it." The Hokies get a chance to post a big conference victory when they come home to Thompson Field Friday night for a showdown with one of their newest ACC foes, Syracuse. “We’re playing Syracuse, a Sweet 16 team, top 20 in the country, undefeated," Brizendine said. "They’re bringing a lot of pros in here. I’m very excited about this game." Renfro expressed some of his expectations for the rest of the season saying, “As a team we expect to make the ACC tournament.” The format for the ACC tournament this year is much different from years past. Instead of every team making the tournament, only eight teams will be able to play for the ACC championship because of the addition of Notre Dame, Syracuse and Pittsburgh. Renfro went on to say, “Last week the (preseason) All-ACC came out and I was named to the second team. I want to, at the end of the season, be named to the first team and prove them wrong. I just want to do the best I can and help this team win.” Tech was able to build on their 2011 campaign by nearly doubling their win total in 2012. With such a strong returning cast, it's looking like the upward trend will continue on through 2013.
FILE 2012 / SPPS
Freshman midfielder Daniel Amar will be part of a men’s soccer squad that will rely on both experienced veterans and newcomers.
SPORTS
sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com
September 4, 2013
collegiatetimes.com
3
Sellout streak ends amidst coaching complacency Why one CT sports editor believes poor ticket sales are the result of a football program that settles for less than national championships
FILE 2012 /SPPS
V
irginia Tech has sold out of tickets to Lane Stadium for every home football game since Nov. 21, 1998, and that’s all about to change on Saturday. When the Hokies take the field against the Western Carolina Catamounts for their home opener this weekend, they’ll likely be doing it in front of a stadium that isn’t filled to its typical capacity of 66,233 screaming fans. Athletic director Jim Weaver freely admitted that the sellout streak was about to come to an end during his appearance on the “Tech Talk Live” radio show on Monday, bringing a 93 game sellout run to a close. Ticket sales have lagged all season, as the program has offered season tickets to freshmen and is still struggling to sell out alumni tickets, but no one is entirely sure why fans aren’t engaged for this opener or for the season as a whole. The quality of the opponent surely isn’t drawing anyone to the game, as the Catamounts managed to win just one game in FCS last season. The level of competition is surely different from last week’s matchup against Alabama.
“
No, this lack of fan engagement can be laid squarely at the feet of the coaching staff and athletics department.
Yet, the game is still Tech’s home opener, and this isn’t the first time the Hokies have opened with a subpar opponent. Just two years ago, the team played FCS school Appalachian State in its home opener, and the sellout streak was never in jeopardy for that game. Granted, that game immediately followed Tech’s Orange Bowl appearance against Stanford so there was plenty of hope surrounding the season. But the team was still breaking in some new players after losing stars like Tyrod Taylor, players which included a complete unknown at quarterback: Logan Thomas. If fans were truly disheartened by a recent blowout loss to a quality opponent like the Crimson Tide, then the Cardinal’s 40-12 dismantling of the Hokies in primetime should’ve scared away some fans when the team faced the
lowly Mountaineers. Instead, fans packed Lane to watch the squad win in a thoroughly enjoyable 66-13 blowout. While the offense might’ve struggled against the Tide’s dominant defense, there is a certain attraction to seeing what offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler’s new scheme can do to a less talented defense, especially at home. However, that attraction doesn’t seem to be at play here. Fans just don’t seem willing to come sit in the Blacksburg heat for a glorified scrimmage, whether it opens the season or not. A common gripe among fans this offseason is the poor quality of the home schedule, and that’s also often been pointed to as a factor in Tech’s ticket woes. There’s little doubt that the home slate is underwhelming this year: hosting ACC doormats like Maryland, Duke and Pittsburgh in games that likely won’t excite anyone. Weaver has also frequently been blasted for turning down a chance to host the program’s traditional Thursday night game, causing a negative reaction from the student population in particular. But the argument that the schedule is scaring away fans just doesn’t hold water. Last year, Tech hosted marquee games like a Monday night matchup against Georgia Tech to open the season and a Thursday night tilt with ACC powerhouse Florida State, yet the program still struggled to sell tickets. The team preserved its home sellout streak throughout the depressing 7-6 season, but had to open ticket sales beyond athletics donors to do so. If two prime night games and a home matchup with hated rival Virginia weren’t enough to attract fan interest in 2012, then clearly this problem isn’t related to the schedule. No, this lack of fan engagement can be laid squarely at the feet of the coaching staff and athletics department. Weaver and Frank Beamer frequently talk a big game about wanting to win a national title and achieve greatness, yet they’ve done precious little to actually reach that goal. It’s all well and good to rack up 10-win seasons and ACC championships year after year, but eventually fans start to expect something more.
They start to wonder when the program can reach the next level, and if they don’t see the effort being made, they won’t respond by forking over their hard earned cash. For far too long, Beamer was willing to keep around the same offensive coaching staff that held the team back. It took a truly disastrous season last year to spur some changes that should’ve happened years ago. It speaks to the team’s complacency: a willingness to settle for “good enough” instead of taking a risk to achieve greatness. The Alabama game was a perfect microcosm of this issue. No one expected that Tech would be in the game, yet the Hokies used a superb defense and rejuvenated running game to draw within 14-7 of the defending national champions in the first quarter. Then the team managed to blow the game with some special teams blunders and an atrocious passing offense, a pair of issues that shouldn’t have been an issue with this team’s coaching and personnel. One might expect the staff to be furious; instead, Beamer projected his normal calm demeanor after the game, satisfied by his team’s unusually strong performance rather than enraged over a blown opportunity. Fans aren’t expecting fire and brimstone, but when an underdog blows a shot at upsetting the champs and vaulting into the national conversation, that should be met with more than just a shrug. After years of struggling to prove that this rural Virginia school can play with college football’s big boys, the staff now seems to have given up and consigned the Hokies to ACC dominance and not much more. Fans have taken notice, and unless they see some sort of change in the culture, it’s unlikely that a new sellout streak will be starting any time soon. ALEX KOMA - sports editor - communication major - senior
ontwitter Uses on Twitter weigh in on the impending end of the football ticket sellout streak. Here’s what they have to say:
“
Sellout Streaks: 1-Nebraska (326 games since 1962) 2-Notre Dame (232, 1973) 3-VT (93, 1998). Keep the streak going! Bill Roth, @VTVOICE
“
Our players have worked hard & deserve a PACKED Lane Stadium Sat. DO NOT let our 93 game sell out streak end #HokieNation 93 games! Let’s go! Shane Beamer, @CoachSBeamer
“
#Hokies coach Frank Beamer on potential end of sell-out streak at Lane Stadium: “I’m hoping we’ll get that thing sold out by Saturday.” Mike Barber, @RTD_MikeBarber
“ “
Hokies want to keep a sellout streak going, they need a quality product on the field. John Boggs, @hokieflanker
Wow that would kind of suck if the 93-game sellout streak ended that goes all the way back to ‘98 #Hokies Patrick Brizendine, @Anihl8r
4
newseditor@collegiatetimes.com
September 4, 2013
collegiatetimes.com
NEWS
Meet the ‘Invent the Future’ horse Meal: Dining dollars may be a better option from page one
PHOTO COURTESY OF VT.EDU / SCREENSHOT
Lola, the famed ‘Horse on a Treadmill,’ has become somewhat of a mini celebrity among VT football fans MATT JOHNSON news staff writer
Hold your horses Virginia Tech community — someone let the dogs out. Even though the famous horse on a treadmill has been removed from the NCAA halft ime spots, something equally as fascinating may soon be taking its place — an underwater dog on a treadmill. A yellow Labrador, Baxtor, has been working with Flori Sforza, a veterinary technician, at the certified canine rehabilitation center at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.
Despite the popularity of the horse featured in the promotional spots for Virginia Tech, the dog will most likely replace the image during the commercials. “A lot of people like (the horse),” said Dr. Sherrie Whaley, director of communications at the VirginiaMaryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. “The addition of the dog is a relatively recent one,” Whaley said. “The underwater treadmill is used quite often to help with rehab for dogs that have had surgery and that type of thing.” The underwater treadmill is located in Blacksburg in
the veterinary school. Whaley referred to it as a “therapy service for canines” complete with everything you might have in a physical therapy facility for humans. As part of his physical therapy, Baxtor does work on yoga balls, balance boards and on the underwater treadmill, which helps remove the pressure on his joints. The water can also be heated to provide thermotherapy, and the water level can be changed to manipulate resistance. However, the popular “Invent the Future” horse on a treadmill has been featured on NCAA halft ime spots since 2010 and has built up somewhat of a following with its own Twitter account, and now with t-shirts made available from The Key Play,
an online community that reports on Hokie football. Lola, the horse, was also set to appear in “Real Cowboys” on The History Channel. The History Channel visited Lola, a six-year-old thoroughbred mare at the time, in 2008 at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center to determine how far and how fast a horse could be expected to go. Lola’s top speed was recorded at 30 miles per an hour, which she maintained for approximately 15 minutes. It’s currently uncertain whether or not the horse will continue to be featured in the sport, or if the underwater dog will take over.
“The discounts are based on the operating costs, services, menu selections, production complexities and offerings across the entire department.” According to the Dining Services website, more than 11,000 off-campus students purchased some sort of meal plan last year. According to Echol’s data, however, most of the students would most likely have been better served putting the same amount of money into a Dining Dollars account, which fetches a 5% discount along with the designation of being tax-free. Echols’ data concludes that unless you’re eating more than half of your
meals this semester at D2, it would be unwise to purchase any sort of structured dining plan. While the 67 percent discount at D2 may be too good to pass up, the majority of off-campus students are looking for a quick snack or lunch in between classes. Faulkner, however, prides the system on its flexibility of the off-campus plans that are offered. “Flexibility is key to today’s student, hence the term Flex,” Faulkner said. “It empowers the student to have complete control where or when to use their individual dining plan and which plan is right for them.”
@MBMinor
@Mattmatician314 GRAPHIC BY JOHN ECHOLS
Car: Politicians praise partnership for innovative research from page one
While the Lexus-model Google car idled in the background, the quartet expressed their opinions regarding the implications of the joint research that has been conducted over the past month. Describing their experiences in the Google car to the crowd, Rep. Goodlatte spoke excitedly about the ability of the Google car to respond to both the highway setting that the VTTI Smart Road provides, as well as the city setting, alluding to his recent escapade through Washington D.C. in the Google car. “To see it out here operating on more highway conditions really tells you that Google is a pioneer in an area that most people don’t think about Google as doing, but it’s technology that’s going to revolutionize transportation and automotive industry,” Rep.
Goodlatte said. Rep. Griffith agreed, speaking with pride about the advances and success of VTTI with the Smart Road. He recounted that he, alongside other legislators during his tenure in state legislature in the mid-1990s, voted to move forward with the smart highway project years ago and was excited in its research potential. “There were many skeptics at that time that this technology would ever take off or that there would ever be real uses for it,” Rep. Griffith said. “The test bed, all the different safety factors they’ve been working on, and now this Google car project prove that the vision … to build this Smart Highway, to make the Virginia Tech facility one of the best in the country, was a wise decision.” Griffith noted that the effects of the project could not only create benefits for the safety of Americans, but has the
potential to benefit the residents of the 9th district in the employment sector, with Rep. Goodlatte lightheartedly commenting “and the 6th (district)!” The representatives were amused by the car’s overwhelming proficiency, with Griffith quick to state the car drove more adequately than he did. “No one has ever accused me of being a good driver,” Griffith laughed. Molinari shared Griffith and Goodlatte’s enigmatic fervor on the partnership, describing the people involved with the project as technological leaders in using innovation to make people “safer, stronger and smarter.” “(Testing) it here in Virginia has been an honor,” Molinari concluded.
@JDeanSeal
PHOTOS BY BEN WEIDLICH / SPPS
Top: Google’s driverless car moves down the Smart Road with a minimal amount of human interaction. Bottom: Representatives Morgan Griffith (left) and Bob Goodlatte (right) pose with Myra Blanco of VTTI.
OPINIONS
September 4, 2013
opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com
collegiatetimes.com
5
The Collegiate Times is an independent studentrun newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 Collegiate Times Editorial Staff Editor in Chief: Priscilla Alvarez Managing Editor: Danielle Buynak Art Director: Kevin Dickel Design Editors: Brad Klodowski, Andrea Ledesma Public Editor: Andrew Kulak Web Editor: James O’Hara Multimedia Editor: Nick Smirniotopoulos News Editors: Cameron Austin, Dean Seal News Reporters: Melissa Draudt, Leslie McCrea News Staff Writers: Kelly Cline, Josh Higgins, Matt Minor Features Editor: Chelsea Giles Features Reporters: Madeline Gordon, Jessica Groves Opinions Editors: David Levitt, Shareth Reddy Sports Editors: Jacob Emert, Alex Koma Sports Media Manager: Mike Platania Assistant Photo Editor: Ben Wiedlich Collegiate Times Business Staff Business Manager: James Dean Seal Circulation Manager: Keith Bardsley
MCT CAMPUS
New television series breaks traditional mold of female characters
T
he amount of Netflix I can consume in a single sitting seems to straddle a very delicate line between remarkable and clinical. However, my binge-watching did lead me to my newest conquest, the Netflix original television series “Orange is the New Black.” This show, depicting the lives of inmates occupying a women’s federal prison, has been all the buzz lately, and I finally fell victim to the epidemic. First off, the show is absolutely brilliant. It has the perfect combination of wit, character development, and intrigue that keeps viewers frantically reaching for the “next” button to begin another episode. Interestingly, you would be hard pressed to find a character on this show that can fit nicely into a template that the entertainment industry has created for females. Sophia, for example, is a transgender ex-firefighter who regularly displays courage while defending herself against guards and fellow inmates. In every episode, more layers of the characters are revealed, thereby creating multidimensional people which viewers can easily identify and sympathize with. When programs such as “Orange” have a platform that has the potential to reach such a substantial audience, it is the duty of directors and producers to advocate change. The amount of influence mass media has on our culture is astounding, and if shows are in a position to promote a progressive social agenda and chose not to, they are doing a great disservice. Along with many other issues, television, and this show in particular, have the capability to bring the continuous inequality between men and women in the United States to the forefront of the viewer’s minds. Can a single television show alter the way our society regards women over night? Probably not — but it can get people to discuss the issue. From discourses such as these,
transformation can occur. “Orange” is exceptional at humanizing women. It’s refreshing to have a show that highlights the complexity of life instead of having women play into certain molds based on factors such as their age, race or economic standing. I’m not saying that Jenji Kohan, the creator of both “Orange” and the hit-series “Weeds”, is completely revolutionary in having a femalecentered television program. In the past decade various women have emerged as leaders in the entertainment world, the names of Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Mindy Kaling and Lena Dunham being at the forefront. Although it pains me to say anything critical against my idol Ms. Fey, during the seven glorious seasons that 30 Rock was on the air, the emotional depth of Liz Lemon was not even remotely explored at the intensity of the main characters of Orange is the New Black. While it may be unappealing to some to view such forthright content, it is imperative for women’s issues to be exposed on a larger scale than they currently are. Of course there are male characters throughout the show, but their roles are usually limited to furthering a female inmate’s story. In Orange is the New Black the women are without a gallant knight swooping in and saving them from the perils of the world, demonstrating what is actually the case in life. “Orange is the New Black” is definitely a step in the right direction by breaking many well-worn TV stereotypes. If more networks can create shows with the same candidness regarding women, our entertainment industry will be reformed for the better. ALEX HILL -regular columnist -sophomore -political science
Your Views [letters to the editor]
US action in Syria must come only after careful weighing of ethics against long term consequences
I
am writing in response to the column written by Eric Jones, where Mr. Jones proposed that the United States must strike in response to the use of nerve gas in the ongoing Syrian Civil War. I find this proposal to be dangerous, and it shows a lack of consideration for the aftermath of the proposed strike. Hezbollah, a Lebanese group that has been labeled a terrorist organization by many western nations, has mobilized its forces and threatened to attack Israel if the United States carries out its plan to strike Syria. What does Mr. Jones propose the United States do if Hezbollah carried out such an attack? Strike inside Lebanon in retaliation? Additionally, Mr. Jones says a lack of action would threaten our image as the “policeman of the world”, which he does point out is something of the United States’ own creation. However, he assumes that this title is something the United States wants to keep. Our recent involvement in Libya being the exception, recent American police action has been disastrous and has done much to damage America’s reputation abroad. Our actions in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past decade have done more to damage America’s reputation than a lack of action in Syria could ever hope to do. I wish to also note that I do not endorse
the use of chemical weapons in any form. Whoever used them, be it the government of Bashar Al-Assad or the rebel groups, deserves to be punished. However, I wish this uproar over the deaths of civilians had happened sooner. It shouldn’t take the massacre of civilians with chemical weapons for the world to take notice, but instead it should be the massacre of civilians with any type of weapon, be it Sarin gas or an AK-47, that should make the world take notice and get involved. I am happy that the Obama administration is seeking congressional approval before a possible strike on Syria. As our past engagements have shown, American involvement in the affairs of the Middle East at first appear to be relatively simple and straight forward, but later turn out to be far more complicated and long term than we originally planned. President Obama has tragically continued many of the disastrous policies that were put into place during the Bush administration. I hope he chooses not to add warmongering to the list of policies he chooses to continue. MITCH SHERMAN - guest columnist - freshman - economics
College Media Solutions Ad Director: Michelle Sutherland Account Executives: Taylor Moran, Stephanie Morris, Danielle Pedra Inside Sales Manager: Amanda Gawne Assistant Account Executives: Catie Stockdale Jordan Williams, Emily Daugherty, Emily Reina, Becca Schwartz Creative Director: Diana Bayless Creative Staff: Mariah Jones, Samantha Keck, Kitty Schaffernoth, Seden Craig. Katherine Miller
Voice your opinion. Readers are encouraged to send letters to the Collegiate Times. 365 Squires Student Center Blacksburg, VA, 24061 Fax: (540) 231-9151 opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com All letters to the editor must include a name and daytime phone number. Students must include year and major. Faculty and staff must include position and department. All other submissions must include city of residence, and if applicable, relationship to Virginia Tech (i.e., alumni, parent, etc.). All letters should be in MS Word (.doc) format, if possible. Letters, commentaries and editorial cartoons do not reflect the views of the Collegiate Times. Editorials are written by the Collegiate Times editorial board, which is composed of the opinions editors, editor-in-chief and the managing editors. Letters to the editor are submissions from Collegiate Times readers. We reserve the right to edit for any reason. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Have a news tip? Call or text 200-TIPS or e-mail newstips@collegiatetimes.com Collegiate Times Newsroom 231-9865 Editor-in-Chief 231-9867 College Media Solutions Advertising 961-9860 The Collegiate Times, a division of the Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech, was established in 1903 by and for the students of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The Collegiate Times is published every Tuesday through Friday of the academic year except during exams and vacations. The Collegiate Times receives no direct funding from the university. The Collegiate Times can be found online at www.collegiatetimes.com.
we’re YOUR newspaper. send a letter to the editor and express your views.
send an e-mail to opinionseditor@collegiatetimes. com with your letter or guest column attached.
Except where noted, all photographs were taken by the Student Publications Photo Staff. To order a reprint of a photograph printed in the Collegiate Times, visit reprints.collegemedia.com. The first copy is free, any copy of the paper after that is 50 cents per issue. © Collegiate Times, 2013. All rights reserved. Material published in the Collegiate Times is the property thereof, and may not be reprinted without the express written consent of the Collegiate Times.
6
September 4, 2013
your ad here. interested? call us for the deets!
Today’s Birthday Horoscope: Today’s Birthday (09/04/13). Your social life provides the gold this year. Grow your network and cherish old friendships. Finish up old business, and plan new fun. Practice your chops. Put up stores from a healthy harvest, and stash for winter. Save and invest conservatively. Connect spiritually and romantically with someone admired.
(540) 961-9860 Piled Higher and Deeper by Jorge Cham Quote of the Day
Help Wanted
You think your pain and your heartbreak are unprecedented in the history of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the things that tormented me most were the very things that connected me with all the people who were alive, or who had ever been alive.
SELL YOUR
SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS
HOOPTIE RIDE The Hooptie Ride is currently hiring drivers with good driving records. Drivers must be at least 23 years old. Earn $ while having fun! Call Ken @ 540-9985093 hooptieride@verizon.net
- James Baldwin Send us your quote and see it here! creative.services@collegemedia.com
XKDC by Randell Monroe
HERE Don’t have edible East Asian mushrooms? Totally cool. Sell something else!
540-961-9860
66 “P.U.!” inducer 67 Willy-__: sloppily
By Johanna Fenimore
Week of September 3 through 6
ACROSS 1 Thumbs-way-up reviews 6 Knocks with one’s knuckles 10 Not feral 14 Low-budget, in company names 15 Happily __ after 16 October birthstone 17 Hexes 20 Dined 21 Twosome 22 Heart chambers 23 Positive thinker’s assertion 25 Cleopatra’s river
Hot Songs Go Outside - Cults Bombay - El Guincho Doses and Mimosas - Cherub Heartbeats - The Knife Cathode Ray - Blonde Summer
9/4/13 27 Surprised party, metaphorically 32 Beelzebub 35 Oboe or bassoon 36 Baled grass 37 “Jurassic Park” terror, for short 38 Meanspiritedness 40 Home plate, e.g. 41 Above, in verse 42 Apple computer 43 Showed on television 44 Destination not yet determined 48 Detest
49 Oscar-winning film about Mozart 53 End of __ 56 Yard sale warning 57 British mil. award 58 Beatles song, and a hint to the hidden word in 17-, 27- and 44Across 62 Opera solo 63 Like a steak with a red center 64 “That is to say ...” 65 Double O Seven
DOWN 1 Satisfy, as a loan 2 Like most triangle angles 3 Chooses at the polls 4 USNA grad 5 Slight trace 6 Symbol of financial losses 7 State firmly 8 For each 9 Málaga Mrs. 10 Best-seller list 11 Mimic 12 West African country 13 Jazzy Fitzgerald 18 Indian bread 19 “To your health,” to José 24 Big-screen format 25 Russian rejection 26 “That’s clear now” 28 Angels shortstop Aybar 29 Sear 30 Operate with a beam 31 Kept in view 32 Halt 33 Zone 34 Alaska, once: Abbr. 38 Obscene material 39 Glazier’s fitting 40 Tough spot 42 Newton or Stern 43 Inundated with 45 Needle’s partner
46 Sadat’s predecessor 47 Leave out 50 ’50s Ford flop 51 Typical 52 Hot-headed Corleone brother in “The Godfather” 53 Moby Dick chaser
54 Fiddling emperor 55 “__ Brockovich” 56 Flying prefix 59 Gold, in Granada 60 Insane 61 Record label initials across the pond
Tuesday’s Puzzle Solved
(c)2012 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
9/3/13
WORDSEARCH: Fashion Designers Locate the list of words in the word bank in the letter grid.
H
S
I
L
L
E
Y
R
R
E
P
W V
L
V
G
N
R
U
B
E
I
E
F
P
M
L
K
R
C
H
A
N
E
O
V
E
O
H
X
M
I
C
H
A
E
L
K
O
R
S
R
E
T
F
C
L
Q
W C
U
F
S
Y
N
A
V
H
A
N
A
B
B
A
G
D
N
A
E
C
L
O
D
X
F
L
S
U
R
S
M
J
I
S
G
V
B
F
W A
D
V
P
N
C
N
B
B
A
C
G
E
A
I
F
D
R
O
V
H
T
W T
B
G
O
F
R
U
G
M
F
J
P
T
J
L
W B
N
M
E
K
S
L
A
P
R
V
X
P
L
M
A
G
A
R
A
V
A
N
I
L
M
A
E
B
I
F
O
U
C
G
F
F
C
T
Z
L
L
C
W R
B
I
Q
U
R
D
I
G
E
L
H
U
O
L
N
F
A
V
L
T
J
E
S
R
Z
H
S
L
R
O
Q
N
U
W X
S
H
N
N
U
N
Y
E
N
T
R
A
C
C
M
A
L
L
E
T
N
Z
A
C
P
O
S
E
N
C
E
K
N
A
M
T
Y
H WORD BANK L 1 Betsey Johnson A 2 Perry Ellis B 3 Chanel E 4 Versace 5 Garavani T 6 Stella McCartney S 7 Ralph Lauren E 8 Vera Wang Y 9 Prada J 10 Dolce and Gabbana O 11 Michael Kors H 12 Marc Jacobs N 13 Zac Posen 14 Tom Ford S 15 Gucci O
L
G
Q
I
R
W M
R
W E
K
J
G
F
K
B
X
N
I
T
J
S
J
M
X
A
H
T
O
M
F
O
R
D
K
M
K
I
C
C
U
G
V
I
O
U
I
B
F
T
C
H
Q
Q
Aries (March 21-April 19) It’s back to work big time. The pace jumps with demand. Test colors or spices before committing to expensive ingredients. Don’t get stopped by a friendly disagreement. Help others do the same. Taurus (April 20-May 20) Go for substance over symbolism. Stock up on basics. Continue to repay obligations. Fantasies pop. You score big with creative output. Ignore a critic. Love comforts when money’s tight. Gemini (May 21-June 20) This phase is good for domestic projects. First, discover something new. Add structure and infrastructure to your home to increase functional comfort and ease. Research and implement solutions. Realize a simple dream or two. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Things fall into place this week, a time of intense learning. Resist the temptation to splurge. Gather up and study new information privately. Let it feed your imagination. Capture your ideas.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) A new assignment brings in more revenue. Accept coaching. This can get very lucrative. Start your shopping list, and keep it basic. Associates show that they believe in you.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Plan for two days in the spotlight. Abandon old fears, and take on more responsibility. Something you can’t ind nearby is abundant farther away. Call ahead to avoid running all over town. Stay alert.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You’re more assertive. Take advantage of this, and ask for what you want. Include details. There’s more to the picture than meets the eye. Avoid unnecessary work by planning out steps.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Plan your vacation or just escape and go. Travel conditions are favorable. Get down to the essential. Carve out time for yourself. Encourage others to swim on their own.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Pay attention to dreams. Review your plans. Call if you’re going to be late. It’s getting easier to stick to your budget. Too many people wreck an intimate moment. Forgive them.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) There’s a choice to make, a disagreement over style. Keep your objective in mind. Review inancial arrangements. Firm up your opinions after you have more data. Fall in love all over again.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Team projects go well. A disagreement about priorities arises from a higher level. Develop a strategy based on hard-hitting news. Clean up a mess by working together. Keep the goal in view.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Negotiate your way through some minor adjustments. Reality and fantasy clash. Get your message out. Stick with reality as much as possible. Dreams stimulate and inspire imagination. Keep it practical.
it’s your ad space, use it! (540) 961-9860 collegemedia.com
LIFESTYLES
featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com
September 4, 2013
collegiatetimes.com
7
Hokies fight hunger with local efforts ABBEY WILLIAMS lifestyles staff writer
With so many dining halls and surrounding Blacksburg eateries, it may seem difficult for anyone living near Virginia Tech to imagine going hungry. According to the World Food Programme however, approximately 870 million people in the world don’t have enough to eat. In response, students are getting involved to help fight the hunger crisis. From long-standing organizations like the Marching Virginians’ Hokies for the Hungry to new programs like the 2013 Hokie Food Drive, many students are providing their services to local food banks through a variety of different efforts on campus. However, now approaching its 17th year, Hokies for the Hungry is one of the longest standing food drives at Tech. Katie Unkle, a sophomore psychology major and piccolo player for the Marching Virginians, has done her part for the cause. “We walk around the parking lot where people tailgate and ask them to donate money or canned goods,” Unkle said. “It’s a lot of fun. If people donate we play songs for them.” Another well-established donation program on campus
is Hokies Against Hunger. Since 2009, Virginia Tech Services Inc. has offered students the opportunity to donate $1 when they check out at places like the University Bookstore and Dietrick Convenience Store. In the four years since the program began, over $58,000 dollars have been raised and given in the form of food donations to local food banks. “It’s human nature to try to go out and help,” said Don Williams, executive director of Virginia Tech Services. “My staff is very motivated. We have friendly competitions between the stores to see who can raise the most money.” Every dollar donated to Hokies Against Hunger is used to purchase food items for local organizations such as the Montgomery County Emergency Action Program and Blacksburg Interfaith Food Pantry. The organization is also considering expanding its efforts to Pulaski County and encourages student input and ideas. The Hokie Food Drive 2013 is a new organization, which also embodies Tech’s spirit of service. On Sept. 7 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. before the first home game of the season, volunteers will be out at the University City Boulevard
Kroger collecting donations from shoppers and those driving by the story. All non-perishable food items are welcome from cereal to peanut butter, and will be donated to The Giving Tree Food Pantry. “We want to teach our children the importance of community,” said Tom Wallace, Hokie Food Drive coordinator. “Montgomery County schools are just starting back and there is such tremendous need. The Hokie community is so strong and great and we just want to take advantage of people’s willingness to give.” While all three programs focus on encouraging the Blacksburg community to help its neighbors in need, they each donate to different food banks and go about the collection process differently. Hokies Against Hunger only accepts monetary donations, while “Hokies for the Hungry” places more of its focus on canned goods. Alternately, the new Hokie Food Drive 2013 asks for donations of all non-perishables. Whether you can only donate a dollar, a can of soup or your time, there are plenty of ways to help the hungry throughout the community. BEN WEIDLICH / SPPS
@AbbeyWilliamsVT
Hokies for the Hungry volunteers brave the cold Blacksburg weather to collect donations for those in need.
Market: Company Flash Fashion! showcases bread Quick looks at on-campus style to local customers from page one
land in Floyd,” Egan said. Egan explained their style of breadmaking requires a specific thermodynamic atmosphere. Sweet Water Baking Company heats up their ovens three days before baking begins. Even the last dying embers of firewood serve a purpose. When the blackened chips of wood burn down, their heat creates an ideal thermodynamic atmosphere for the bread to bake evenly. The hard work doesn’t stop at collecting firewood for the ovens, though. Siller and his wife Alison spend two weeks feeding the starter dough, which is made of ground wheat and ingredients that vary by loaf. Because every loaf is different, some turn out better than others. “The bread has really been the best teacher,” Siller said. And if bread is Siller’s perpetual teacher, then class is almost never out of session. Siller’s typical workday involves 15 hours of intensive labor. From cutting firewood to hand-mixing large batches of dough, Siller’s hands are always busy. “I think I’ve slept 14 hours in the past three days,” Siller said. Even so, Siller and the other employees of Sweet Water Baking Company haven’t let any demands in quantity reduce their standards of quality. For instance, all of the products sold by Siller’s company are chemical-free and free from genetically modified organisms, and even though it adds to the company’s expenses, they import flour from halfway across the country. Whether they’re aware or not, many Tech students have had a taste of Sweet Water Baking Company’s bread. Owens Food Court’s Farms and Fields Project uses Sweet Water Baking Company’s bread in a variety of dishes, including their Panini sand-
wiches. More than seven types of bread were available at Sweet Water Baking Company’s market stand on Saturday in Blacksburg, and even more exist on their website. The company also makes their own granola mix and energy bars, and sells to retailers across the United States. Ingredients are only half the recipe, though. In the five years it took Siller to learn the art of making bread, his sister’s original breadmaking instructions began to develop and take on a life of their own. Thanks to a fortunate accident, Siller developed a starter dough recipe that surpassed the original. “We feed the starter dough every day, and I fed it a massive amount the day before (it went in the oven),” Siller said. “It was the best mistake.” However, Siller gets help from a variety of sources. Besides his employees, who Siller pays more than himself, Siller’s four children are becoming more knowledgeable about making bread and granola each day. “It’s an education, and they’re also bread connoisseurs,” Siller said. “They’ll know if something’s wrong or right with the bread.” In particular, Siller cherishes the time he gets to spend with his family in and out of the kitchen. “When I was growing up, my dad went to work all day,” Siller said. “I’m present there with them.” While the responsibility of running a company never lifts from Siller’s shoulders, the enjoyment he and his customers experience make the long hours worthwhile. “I think a lot of people obviously appreciate it, but most people have no idea how challenging it is,” Siller said. “It’s kind of crazy to get into it and be so involved.”
@jessicahgroves
Grade: Junior Major: International Studies Morgan says she focuses less on a specific style and more on following the trends. Pairing a beaded romper from Urban Outfitters with a pearl headband from Forever 21, she explains the accessory was a gift from her mom. “My birthday was recently and my mom sent me an insane package as my gift, with all sorts of stuff, and the headband was one of the things I got.”
Morgan Alstan
Emileigh Kiefer Grade: Sophomore Major: University Studies Emileigh’s outfit inspiration came from an unexpected place. “It was really hot in my apartment when I was getting ready,” she said. “How hot it’s going to be definitely affects what I wear.” Wearing a dress from Urban Outfitters, shoes from Target and accessories she picked up at the beach, Emileigh describes her style as urban and thrift-shop inspired.
8
September 4, 2013