Wednesday, September 25, 2013 Print Edition

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Wednesday, September 25, 2013

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

COLLEGIATETIMES 110th year, issue 21 News, page 2

Lifestyles, page 6

Opinions, page 3

Sports, page 5

Study Break, page 4

Decades of information hacked Cycle class

mimics dance club atmosphere

BY MELISSA DRAUDT | news reporter

144,963 individuals affected

MADELEINE GORDON lifestyles editor

16,642 Randy Marchany, monitors and responds to cyber attacks against VT computers and IT services. “The Administrator account password did not follow VT’s password strength rules,” said Marchany, regarding how the attack was possible. “(It) was trivial and easy to guess.” Going forward, Hincker says it’s just a matter of doing the right thing. “We’re going to do what’s appropriate and what’s right as well as what’s required by law,” Hincker said. The only action the university was obligated to take by law was to inform the individuals of the potential threat to their security.

The beat drops and a chorus of excited cheers reverberate through the dark room. Sweaty bodies pulsate to the deafening music, while neon clothes glow under the blacklight. But this isn’t a scene from a dance club downtown — it’s CLUB CYCLE, a unique group fitness class held in McComas Hall’s Spin City. CLUB CYCLE is a twice-weekly cycling class that mimics a dance club atmosphere by playing Electronic Dance Music (EDM) and incorporating dance moves with the traditional spin workout. The idea behind the innovative class came to Ph.D candidate and fitness instructor Jordan Hill when he stepped inside the Spin City workout room in 2011. He knew he could use the space to combine his two loves: fitness and EDM. “I was blown away by the high quality sound system and the awesome lighting configuration,” Hill said. “It’s just like a club.” Hill, who is originally from Colorado, was also inspired to create the class because he saw the lack of an EDM community in Blacksburg — a sentiment echoed by CLUB CYCLE regular and junior finance major, Sarah Kowarski. “As someone who was already passionate about EDM, I came to Blacksburg and I couldn’t find any outlet for it,” Kowarski said. “But when I came across this class, I was like ‘This guy knows what he is doing.’” According to Kowarski, Hill is always upto-date on the latest EDM music. Much like a DJ, Hill said that he uses new music in every workout. Since the class started in January 2013, Hill has created over 42 fresh set lists for his classes.

see HACKED / page two

see SPIN / page six

drivers license numbers potentiallly accessed

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY KEVIN DICKEL / COLLEGIATE TIMES

partly through a Tech A server linked from Italy successfully hacked into a Human accessed server in Italy. Resources files, accessing application records dating to 2003. “The issue here is that someVirginia Tech announced Tuesday morning that a human resource server had been illegally accessed, potentially compromising over 16,000 job applicants drivers license numbers. The server contained sensitive information on 144,963 people who applied for positions at Tech between 2003 and 2013. Last week, Associate Vice President for Human Resources Hal Irvin, sent a letter to 16,642 people whose personal information, including name and drivers’ license numbers, may have been accessed on Aug. 28, 2013. University officials were noti-

fied in August by an email stating the server was involved in questionable activity. The other 128,321 applicants were not personally notified because their information on the server consisted of standard employment applicant information, by which no credit card, date of birth or social security information was compromised. According to Larry Hincker, associate vice president for University Relations, the attack was the result of human error in policy and protocol when dealing with sensitive information. A forensics investigation determined that the information was

one on our staff goofed,” said Hincker. “There really are no changes to be made to the pro-

The issue here is that someone on our staff goofed... There really are no changes to be made to the protocol” Larry Hincker University Spokesman

tocol. We have well-understood policies and procedures with respect to securing data.” University IT Security Officer,

Students enact Tech named Military Friendly school political change in different ways TREVOR PENKWITZ news staff writer

JOSH HIGGINS news reporter

Root canals, cockroaches and traffic jams have one thing in common: they have a higher approval rating than Congress, according to Public Policy Polling. With congressional approval hovering at 15 percent this year, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Americans by more than 2-1 say the best way to make change in society is outside of politics through volunteer organizations and charities, according to a USA TODAY/ Bipartisan Policy Center poll conducted in June. This trend is particularly strong among people younger than 30. Buddy Howell, a Virginia Tech communication professor who has conducted research in political communication and persuasion, said it’s no surprise young people feel this way. “We don’t give young people the view of politics as exciting, as promoting change, as influencing

NEWS

people’s lives and having an everyday impact,” Howell said. “When you’re young and haven’t had a job yet — a full-time, 40-hour-workweek job, trying to have a monthly budget, paying student loans, having taxes withheld, Social Security — many (political) issues are still a few years down the road.” Kelsey Jo Starr, a junior political science major, is one of such young people avoiding politics. Initially, she had interest in working in political consulting but switched career paths due to the political climate. “I was raised on a rather idealistic version of politics, in which there were at least some people that seem to be out for the greater good,” she said. “The more I see, the more cutthroat and partisan it’s getting. I don’t mind working in a bipartisan government — I just want people to get along or have basic decorum.” Starr now intends to pursue see CHANGE / page two

For the third consecutive year, Virginia Tech has been recognized for being in the top 20 percent of military friendly schools by Victory Media, the premier media entity for military personnel transitioning to civilian life. “Inclusion on the 2014 list of Military Friendly Schools shows Virginia Tech’s commitment to providing a supportive environment for military students,” said Sean Collins, vice president of Victory Media and a nine-year Navy veteran. The 2014 Military Friendly Schools list highlights 1,868 of the nearly 12,000 higher education institutions that are doing the most to embrace America’s FILE APRIL 2013 / SPPS military service members, veterans and their families as stu- Cadets discuss their roles in an upcoming training mission at the Army Field Traning Exercise in April. dents to ensure their success with the University. to serve as the first-stop for nection to the Veterans@VT tion accredited by the Virginia Dr. Patty Perillo, vice presi- veterans and their families. student organization — a Values Veterans Association, dent for Student Affairs, said The office handles all com- chapter of Student Veterans of dedicating at least five percent “Virginia Tech offers many pliance paperwork with the America. of all open job positions to programs on campus to help Veterans Administration and According to Colonel Chris veterans. veterans feel comfortable and coordinates with the Student St. Jean, a 26 year Army “When we feel valued and welat home, such as welcoming Success Center and University Veteran and Assistant Director comed, we are more inclined to receptions to meet other veter- Registrar to ensure student for Undergraduate Admissions, want to go somewhere,” Dr. ans as well as faculty and staff veterans are connected with “Virginia Tech offers guaran- Perillo mentioned, referring to that serve as advisors for aca- resources to help their transi- teed admission to any Marine Tech’s commitment to tradidemic support. (Tech also has) tion to academic and campus Corps soldier who earned at tion, history and the Pylons, student organizations, like the civilian life. least a 3.0 GPA in high school, which many military personStudent Veterans of America Those served have access to and scored a 600 or higher on nel live by every day. group on campus.” tutoring, mentoring, assis- the Math portion of the SAT.” In May 2012, the Office of tance navigating the Veterans Virginia Tech is currently @TPenkwitz Veterans Service opened Association system and con- the only education institu-

LIFESTYLES

SPORTS Check out the Indian Run Stringband, the local band that is reviving old-time music throughout Blacksburg.

How much will the Human Resource security breach cost Tech? see page 2 The 2nd Annual Hokie Hijinx Scavenger Hunt begins. Find out how to get involved. see page 2

ONLINE Wondering what news hit the Hokies football team this week? Check out the football notebook inside.

Check online for constant updates throughout the day. www.collegiatetimes.com

CollegiateTimes @collegiatetimes

see page 6

see page 5


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