Feb. 16, 2017

collegiatetimes.com

112th YEAR, ISSUE 208

February 16, 2017

COLLEGIATETIMES An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903

BEN WEIDLICH / COLLEGIATE TIMES

One of the buildings damaged by the fire at the Prices Fork Research Center, 4076 Prices Fork Rd., Blacksburg, Virginia, early Monday after emergency responders extinguished the fire, Feb. 13, 2017. Currently the causes of the fire are unknown, but Virginia Tech officials confirmed that the matter is under investigation. The Collegiate Times will continue to update the story as new information surfaces.

Hokies claw back to defeat Panthers 66–63 After the devastating news about Chris Clarke’s torn ACL and on little rest from their double overtime victory against Virginia, the Hokies came away with a challenging comeback victory at Pittsburgh.

CHASE PARKER sports reporter

The Virginia Tech basketball team showed its resilience on Valentine’s Day, as the squad fought and clawed its way back from a 13-point deficit to claim a 66–63 victory over the

Pittsburgh Panthers.

A little over 24 hours after finding out that star player Chris Clarke would be out for the final push of the season due to a torn ACL, the Hokies were undermanned and outsized when they took the court on Tuesday and it showed early on.

Virginia Tech had no answer for the Panthers, as it started the game in an 0–8 hole. Tech was hit with a litany of threepointers from Pitt, as the Panthers sunk four out of five shots from downtown in the first five and a half minutes of play.

The rest of the first half was much of the same, as the Panthers continued to make it rain from beyond the arc, shooting 72.7 percent from such distance, giving Pitt a comfortable 40–29 lead at halftime. Pittsburgh’s scoring assault was led by RS sophomore Cameron Johnson, who made 14 points in the first half (17 total).

In the second half, however, a very different Virginia Tech basketball team showed up — a theme reminiscent of the thriller against UVA last Sunday night.

Down double-digits with half of the game still to be played, the Hokies rallied together and began to efficiently execute their brand of basketball. Their up-tempo style of play began to wear down the Panthers, who were noticeably bigger in size.

Pittsburgh held the lead up until there was 9:06 left to go in DONNY FALK / THE PITT NEWS the game, when Tech guard

Virginia Tech head coach Buzz Williams points out instructions to his team in the Hokies’ 66–63 win at Pittsburgh, Feb. 14, 2017.

see HOOPS / page 6

Break in the ‘Burg: Day trips galore Not going away for spring break? Worry not, we’ve compiled a list of various local cities that are the perfect distance from Blacksburg for some day trips with friends as well as hiking trails from beginner to expert.

ALAYNA JONES lifestyles staff writer

When students think of spring break, their thoughts are usually of relaxing on a beach in Mexico surrounded by other college students. Don’t worry if you don’t have any plans that are similar to that, or any plans at all; there are plenty of fun activities and day trips you can do from right here in Blacksburg.

Here are a few cities that are close enough to Blacksburg for a day trip:

about a two-and-a-half hour drive from Blacksburg and hosts many activities and sites that you could easily see in one day.

The Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, located about 30 minutes west of Charlotte, is a nice getaway from the city. This Cha rl o t te, Nor th public garden features a tropical Carolina plant conservatory, pavilions This historic city is only for picnics, fountains and more. a modern facility that offers 11 galleries with featured artists ranging from Sally Mann to Norman Rockwell. The building itself — you can’t miss it. It’s known for its renowned architecture with a 77-foot glass peak atrium.

The garden is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission prices range from $7 to $13. For more information, check out its website.

The Mint Museum is another great attraction located in uptown Charlotte. This museum is great for all ages, showcasing international art, see BREAK / page 5

Roanoke If you’ve never taken a trip to Roanoke, spring break is the perfect time. The city is only about 45 minutes from Tech and has plenty of fun activities to fit into one day.

The Mill Mountain Zoo is open year-round with over 50 native and exotic animals. The zoo’s winter hours are Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ticket prices can be found online on its website.

The Taubman Museum of AUSTIN SCHERBARTH / COLLEGIATE TIMES Art is an attraction that visitors should seriously consider. It’s A view of downtown Roanoke from the Mill Mountain Star, Oct. 29, 2016.

LACROSSE VS. JMU Check out how the Hokies performed against their tough in-state opponents. page 6

out Automatic Flush Toilets .

“THEY POINT OUT SOME OF OUR SOCIETY'S WORST TRAITS:

WASTEFULNESS AND THOUGHTLESSNESS.”

AUTOMATIC TOILETS: THE CRAPPY TRUTH Are automatic toilets more sanitary? page 5

DAVID EISENHAUER

Eisenhauer’s reputation as ‘chronic liar’ Alleged killer of Nicole Lovell worried the 13 year old was pregnant weeks before she died.

RICHARD CHUMNEY AND LEWIS MILLHOLLAND news reporter and managing editor

Newly revealed court documents show that Natalie Keepers told police that David Eisenhauer worried 13-year-old Nicole Lovell was pregnant just weeks before Lovell’s death.

Eisenhauer and Keepers, both Virginia Tech freshmen at the time of their January 2016 arrests, are charged in the death of Lovell. Prosecutors believe Eisenhauer murdered Lovell with the help of Keepers. The two are now awaiting trial.

A party in Blacksburg Keepers told investigators that Eisenhauer first met Lovell at a high school party in Blacksburg during winter break in late 2015. According to Keepers, Eisenhauer did not remember what had happened the night of the party — hechange this to eisenhauer? confided to her that his friends told him that he and Lovell had made out, and he worried that they had had sex. Eisenhauer told Keepers that he awoke the next morning in a ditch.

However, according to those close to him, Eisenhauer had a reputation as a non-drinker.

“He’s the type of person that can’t even drink a beer without grimacing,” said one of Eisenhauer’s teammates on the Virginia Tech cross country team, who requested to remain anonymous.

Keepers told police that she and Eisenhauer, both Maryland natives, had a “fling” in summer 2015, but then became best friends once school started. She also said that Eisenhauer doesn’t drink because he is an athlete.

Despite his demonstrated aversion to alcohol, Eisenhauer’s teammate said he came to life at parties and “seemed more in his own” when he was around people who were drinking. According to his teammate, Eisenhauer frequently told stories about “crazy parties” he attended in high school.

“He was like a chronic liar. It just came like second nature. But it was never over anything big, it was just like dumb stuff,” the teammate said.

“There’s one story in particular that was a big joke until everything happened … he was on a cruise ship and ordered an orange juice or something, and he got like straight vodka is what he said, he see LOVELL / page 3

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PAGE 2 February 16, 2017

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column

Federal hiring freeze discourages college graduates President Trump recently instituted a hiring freeze for federal agencies, which some believe is only the beginning of the downsizing of civil service.

In

his first week in office, President Trump issued several controversial executive orders, one of which placed a hiring freeze on the federal government. This hiring freeze exempts military personnel and any positions deemed “essential to national security or public safety”; since it is an executive order, it will expire after 90 days.

At first glance, it would appear that this year’s upcoming graduates and those seeking co-ops and internships with government agencies and contractors will be safe from its effects. However, the order includes the criteria that no currently open federal positions can be filled and no new ones can be created. Thus, whether or not this will have an effect on internships and the like has been very uncertain over the past weeks.

More distressing still is that if one looks more closely, it seems that this could be simply the opening salvoa salvo is a simultaneous firing of guns, but what he’s describing is a sequential assault. Maybe “sally” or “sortie”? in a war against the civil service.

As a follow-up to the executive order, Trump has asked the head of the Office of Personnel Management to develop a longterm strategy to whittle down the size of the civil service through attrition by the time the order expires.

He claims the purpose of this is to stop

wasting taxpayer dollars in Washington, yet an increasingly aging federal workforce would become more and more of a financial burden since older workers tend to have higher healthcare costs. In fact, according to the Government Accountability Office, the two most recent hiring freezes, those enacted

by President Carter and President Reagan,

ended up costing more money than they saved.

Additionally, there would develop a serious age gap in the civil service that could have unintended consequences such as employees not having skills in currently developing areas in which young people are stronger, or even a disillusionment of

AHMED MUSTAFA / COLLEGIATE TIMES

Representatives from different employers talk to students during Business Horizons in Squires Student Center, Sept. 9, 2016.

the young toward government jobs and the government in general.

That is not the kind of news one wants to hear if one has gone one’s whole college career dreaming to get or planning to apply for a job in the federal government. Luckily for many, new information has been released stating that government pathways fellowships and internships would not be affected by the hiring freeze. Additionally, seasonal employees would be exempt as well.

Unfortunately, the Recent Graduates Program would not be exempt, and many will have to begin the difficult search to find new employment options. However, as with seemingly everything in the Trump administration, little is certain and this could change rapidly, so those who could be affected are advised to check for updates regularly.

President Trump’s hiring freeze not only squanders the potential of a myriad of young Americans who are eager to contribute to their country, it sends a signal that they are not considered and valued in policy decisions. It is a significant hindrance and misfortune for college students across the nation. Don’t let this act of incompetence prevent you from following your dreams.

ALEX MAZARR • regular columnist • freshman/general engineering

column

column

Removing USDA reports limits watchdog efforts

SNL promotes informed and engaged citizenry

The USDA has taken down animal welfare reports for the sake of privacy, causing many to worry about the organization’s behavior.

T

he United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s recent revocation of public access to a database of animal welfare reports, aimed to augment the agency’s commitment to transparency, has wrongfully and paradoxically concealed the identities of violators of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and compromised the welfare of countless animals living in establishments regulated under the AWA. Not only has the USDA itself been charged with enforcing the AWA, but the agency has also provided the public with access to animal welfare inspection documents for the past seven years. Signed into law in 1966, the AWA served as the first U.S. law adjudicating the minimal standards of care that must be provided for animals in a variety of settings. As the legislation stands today, commercial animal facilities such as breeding establishments, factory farms, research laboratories and zoos nationwide are obligated to extend humane treatment to all animals in their care through compliance with AWA. Just as these records have exposed many animal rights infringements in the past, they have also increased public awareness of the institutions that have been charged with harming animals. These annual inspection records, appraising the conditions faced by animals in all commercial facilities across the country, have been used by individual animal rights activists and several thirdparty organizations to catalyze the implementation of humane care standards within these industries.

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, an organization promoting preventive medicine and “higher standards for ethics and effectiveness in research,” previously harnessed these records for 2,000 primates to persuade Harvard’s primate experimentation facility to close its doors in 2013. Subsequently, Harvard closed the facility and sent all of the affected animals to sanctuaries.

Countless other organizations have also followed suit, applying pressure to various commercial animal operations practicing

maltreatment. Without access to these records, activist groups will not be able to pinpoint which regulated institutions are out of compliance with the AWA, nor apply pressure to these respective groups.

The USDA cites the decision as an effort to respect the privacy rights of individuals by remaining responsive to the “informational needs” of stakeholders. The claim has rightfully prompted a wave of public discontent, rising from animal advocacy groups in particular. These peaceful protesters assert that the revocation of these records does not communicate the agency’s commitment to privacy, seeing as the personal information contained within the documents has always been censored.

Many individuals and advocacy groups find the timing of the USDA’s decision a bit too coincidental, occurring three weeks after President Trump took the oath of office.

Critics have contended that the Trump administration itself has unjustly influenced the agency’s actions by appointing a longtime friend of the Humane Society to head the USDA transition. As articulated by Dan Ashe, the president and chief executive of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the removal “creates an impression that licensees by the Department of Agriculture have something to hide.”

Now, in a twisted chain of events, the public must tread through even murkier waters in order to find the elusive pearl of truth. As citizens, enduring the ever-fluctuating conditions of a contradictory political climate, it is up to us to break out of passivity and to call out injustice as it occurs.

We have a civil duty to demand for greater clarity and transparency in the treatment of all animals in commercial facilities. No longer should we apathetically forfeit this responsibility for fear of causing a storm.

For in truth, the rains of our call for truth will dilute these opaque waters, allowing us to carefully watch over the sentient beings within.

ALEXA WILLIAMS

S

aturday Night Live has been airing on NBC since 1975 and is currently in its 42nd season. Since this last election cycle, the show has been getting more and more attention for the way it has been tackling politics.

While the show obviously takes a more liberal standpoint and took Hillary Clinton’s side in the past election, this show has proven time and time again that even through the toughest of circumstances and under the greatest scrutiny (even in the form of tweets by the president of the United States), it is here to stay.

SNL has stood the test of time for many reasons, but its willingness to go where no one has been before (like Melissa McCarthy playing Sean Spicer) and address issues that no one else has is exactly what keeps it relevant throughout the years. This show always takes on the tough issues and makes them as lighthearted as possible, which is something our country really needs right now.

Ever since I was able to stay up until 11:30 p.m., I have been watching SNL. When I was younger, I didn’t understand nearly as many of the jokes as I led on, but I didn’t really care.

As I got older and continued to watch the show, I became more and more curious about the topical jokes that were being made, so I did what very few teenagers (or even adults) seemed to be doing at the time — research.

Whenever I did not understand a joke being made, I would do my research and figure out why they chose to put that joke in and why it was funny.

SNL forced me to be a more involved citizen in our society. It forced me to keep up with current events and stay tuned in to the world around me. While this has

become more and more important to do for so many different reasons since — this is where it started, with the need to be in on the joke when turning on my television every Saturday night. Because in order to find SNL funny, you have to be in on the joke. I believe that this is one of the reasons why this show is so important to our society. Because while making us laugh about tough situations, it also forces its audience to stay involved and keep in touch with the world around them.

“

This is where it started, with the need to be in on the joke when turning on my television every Saturday night.”

For many people, this show is currently serving as a light in the dark. When every day our phones, newsfeeds, newspapers and news stations are blowing up with horrifying news about our new administration, SNL is what keeps these things lighthearted. This show is what lets us laugh about the very serious things going on in the world around us.

Every day is a new executive order.

Another senior adviser slipping up. Another day of Sean Spicer lying to the press or telling them what its story should be. Another group of people marching in the streets.

I don’t know about you, but I’m just looking forward to Saturday night.

KATELYN MEADE • assistant lifestyles editor • senior/multimedia journalism

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February 16, 2017 PAGE 3

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Upcoming SGA election LOVELL: Keepers supplies booming with competition incriminating information The Student Government Association is in the midst of election season, which has demanded new campaign strategies to fill delegate positions.

MIKE LIU news reporter

As an important connection between the university and the student community, the Student Government Association (SGA) at Virginia Tech is planning to make some changes to the office. The SGA is hosting elections in March in a search for students with a passion for making Virginia Tech a better place for the student community.

According to Genevieve Lemley, the chief justice of the judicial branch of the SGA and a senior majoring in political science, the main focus for this upcoming election is to

increase student engagement.

“We really want to increase voter turnout among students,” Lemley said. “We think that if we can work on visibility of the elections, then more students will come out, so we are really pushing social media.”

Spencer Morris, the secretary of the SGA, also claimed that the SGA is trying to gain more attention in the student community.

“Right now I feel like there’s a lot of people (who) look at SGA as this elite club that they have no tangible relation to, and I know that is something we are actively trying to fix, because the SGA

is created for the students, by the students, so we are really trying to get that feeling into this upcoming election season. We want people (to) really be a part of it,” Morris said.

The SGA is divided into three major departments: the executive branch, the legislative branch and the judicial branch. In the upcoming election, the president and the vice president positions in the executive branch are up for election. In the legislative branch, there are an additional 60 to 65 positions available, as these positions are up for see SGA / page 4

LOREN SKINKER / COLLEGIATE TIMES

Virginia Tech’s SGA during a legislative session in Squires Colonial, Feb. 14, 2017.

from page 1

just drank a full cup of vodka without even noticing it was vodka.

“He’d tell a story like that. We’d catch him a lot and call him out on it, he would just fumble around and try to fix it, I don’t know, it was just something funny.”

There was always a certain distance between Eisenhauer and the rest of the team. The only time he got past his shyness was when he discussed running, his teammate said.

“A few of us reached out and were really inclusive with him, and (it) felt like that backfired on us,” the teammate said. “Personally, we thought that we were the ones who knew him, and not even we did.”

Keepers incriminates herself Keepers’ statements were filed in a brief to the Montgomery County Circuit Court last week by the Commonwealth’s Attorney Mary Petitt. The brief was filed in opposition to a motion by Keepers’ attorneys, who argue that Keepers’ statements were made without a Miranda warning and should not be admissible in court.

According to prosecutors, Keepers agreed to speak with investigators on the morning of Jan. 30. Keepers was escorted to the Blacksburg Police Department where she was originally questioned as an

alibi witness. Investigators testified that if Keepers had asked to leave, she would be free to go. In the afternoon, Keepers was told that she was not in custody.

Keepers volunteered her cell phone during the interview and at 12:45 p.m. admitted to helping Eisenhauer move and dispose of Lovell’s body. It was the first time police had confirmation of Lovell’s death.

Keepers spent the rest of the afternoon preparing a written statement with investigators. Later that evening, Keepers offered to show investigators where she helped Eisenhauer load Lovell’s body into his car.

According to prosecutors, Keepers accompa n ied investigators to the location off Craig Creek Road and later to her dorm room to recover items related to the crime.

“

Personally, we thought that we were the ones who knew him, and not even we did.”

David Eisenhauer’s former cross country teammate

Hours later at 1:09 a.m. on Jan. 31, Blacksburg police placed Natalie Keepers under arrest.

According to court documents, Keepers was read her Miranda rights on the afternoon of Jan. 31 and she

signed the Miranda form.

Later that day, Keepers voluntarily rode with investigators to the Wytheville Walmart to show where she and Eisenhauer had purchased clea n i ng supplies. As they returned to Montgomery County, investigators learned an attorney was waiting for Keepers. Investigators repeatedly asked Keepers if she wanted to continue spea k ing wit hout a n attorney, and she replied each time that she did.

Keepers then signed an addendum to her Miranda waiver form.

Keepers, who is charged with accessory before the fact to first-degree murder and concealing a dead body, never told investigators that she was present at the time of the murder, but did admit to helping Eisenhauer plan Lovell’s death. Keepers’ five-day jury trial is set to begin on March 27 in Montgomery County.

Keepers’ attorneys previously asked Circuit Judge Robert Turk to move the trial, but Turk said on Feb. 8 that he was confident he could seat an unbiased jury.

Eisenhauer is charged with first-degree murder, abduction and concealing a dead body. Turk recently g r a nt e d E is en hauer’s attorneys more time to prepare their case, and a new trial date has not been scheduled.

@CollegiateTimes

Session covers travel ban, downtown improvements Blacksburg Town Council gathers on Valentine’s Day to discuss general business, rescheduling the bulk of the agenda to the March 14 meeting.

LEWIS MILLHOLLAND managing editor

The Blacksburg Town Council had one of the largest agendas and shortest sessions of the year on Tuesday night.

The consent agenda was packed with items ranging from opposing President Donald Trump’s travel ban executive order to revising the town’s code regarding excessive noise (Mayor Ron Rordam stated this is not in response to the Diplo concert last fall).

However, nearly all items were pushed to the public comment segment of the town council session on March 14, four weeks down the road.

“As you can tell, March 14 is going to be a busy night, so you all might want to come back out then,” Rordam said before wishing everyone a happy Valentine’s Day and moving into the public hearings section of the evening.

The resolution on the importance of immigrants and international visitors to Blacksburg was one of the few items on the consent agenda that the council took action on Tuesday night. The council adopted the resolution, which states: “The council calls upon

President Trump and members of Congress to rescind these orders and implement immigration and homeland security policies that protect the nation’s borders while not unduly discriminating against particular ethnic and/or religious groups.”

The resolution also calls upon local, state and national officials to “do everything in their power” to protect members of the community from Trump’s executive order.

Public hearing kicked off with Appalachian Power requesting a supplemental utility easement adjacent to Ellett Road to increase space for electric transmission and distribution facilities.

Appalachian offered $4,800 for the half-acre easement and the council unanimously adopted the measure.

Next, a motion was proposed for AB & B Realty Services, LLC, to be granted a conditional use permit for the ground floor of 101 North Main St. AB & B is seeking to establish a real estate office in the 187.5 square feet in question.

The motion was passed 6–1, with only Councilman John Bush abstaining. He expressed concern for using downtown

commercial zoning district space for a general office.

“We continually ask the same question, (which) is: how do we know when we get to the point where enough is enough?” Bush asked. “I don’t know the answer to that, but I’m getting increasingly more nervous.”

The evening wrapped up with a presentation by Karen Blair, co-director of External Relations for The Big Event.

The second-largest event of its kind nationwide, 9,200 volunteers completed 1,102 projects in 2016 despite the snow that day. This year, event coordinators are anticipating approximately a 10 percent increase in both volunteers and projects completed.

The council moved into a closed session after adjourning the meeting to discuss the future of the old Blacksburg Middle School site.

The town council will next convene in a work session on Feb. 21. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Blacksburg Municipal Building at 300 South Main St.

@WithTheFancyGuy

BILLY CLARKE / COLLEGIATE TIMES

A concerned citizen brings up the issue of fecal coliform appearing in her water to the Blacksburg Town Council, Jan. 24, 2017.

PAGE 4 February 16, 2017

editor@collegiatetimes.com

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SGA: Officers hope changes will improve voter turnout from page 3

re-election every year.

The new president and vice president are tasked with appointing the rest of the executive branch after the election is over. The chief justice will also appoint the judicial branch at the end of this semester.

According to Joe Edens, assistant director for the student government, the SGA created an election commission, which is part of the judicial branch, to promote the voter participation from the student body this year. This commission was created because the SGA has been unsatisfied with the voter turnout in recent years.

Lemley said that they hope to make candidate videos this semester and would like to have more outreach with the organization. Specifically, Lemley believes that the SGA could benefit from new strategies so that potential voters will feel more invested and the student government can represent the views of Virginia Tech students.

This year’s election will be more competitive than the previous one because three or four different parties are involved in this year’s election.

“I think that’s gonna be a bit of a change,” Edens said. “You will see SGA a little more out on campus, whether it’s through advertising, through social media, but also

actually in your face out there with different booths and opportunities for students to learn about candidates, and to actually feel excited about voting this year.”

Information sessions for candidates were held Feb. 6–8. In order to apply, all candidates were required to collect a certain number of signatures to show their intent of running before Feb. 20. For positions in the legislative branch, the candidates need 50 signatures, while higher positions such as the president and vice president in the executive branch need 200 signatures or more.

Campaign approvals will be released on Feb. 24.

Along with signature quotas, the SGA requires candidates to submit their

campaign plans before March 10. The official campaigning process begins on March 12 and debates will commence on March 16. Although official elections begin on March 20 and end on March 24, the final results will not be revealed until March 30.

“I agree that it’s great that we are having several different pairs of students running because a competitive race is going to be more genuine, and students will have their choice of perspectives that they want to vote for,” said Anna Pope, director of academic affairs for the SGA.

@CollegiateTimes

BILLY CLARKE / COLLEGIATE TIMES

Hokies for Coca-Cola: ‘#tastethefeeling’

Thanks to senior marketing majors Kasey Chau and Kasey Casella’s winning Baracuda Bowl idea, students at Virginia Tech were given the chance to take a break and hang out in this Coca-Cola branded truck with photo opportunities and free drinks, Feb. 15, 2017.

study break Today’s Birthday Horoscope: This year is a journey of academic discovery and adventure. Strengthen your community connections to fly farther. Shift strategies with a collaborative effort this month, leading to a moneymaking boom. Make personal changes in September, before a romance heats up. Explore together.

Happy Curmudgeon* Day *Grumpy Old Man

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collegiatetimes.com

editor@collegiatetimes.com

February 16, 2017 PAGE 5

collegiatetimes.com

lifestyles collegiatetimes.com/lifestyles

The crappy truth: The story behind automatic toilets KATIE RICE fitness columnist

“It is estimated that toilets are by far the main source of water use in the home, accounting for almost 30 percent of residential indoor water use,” states the Virginia Cooperative Extension.

In an ongoing effort to save the planet, those who believe in climate change and a greener earth produce new energy-efficient products every year.

One particularly annoying invention in my opinion is the automatic flushing toilet.

After some research, I know that I am not alone in my disdain for the flush-happy monsters.

I find that I either must press my back against the stall wall to make sure the sensor registers my disappearance, or I cringe at the sound of the toilet flushing in the key of E flat four times before I even finish my business.

“I really appreciate that I don’t have to touch anything, but sometimes they flush when I’m not prepared and that’s disgusting,” said Jessica Walker, a senior literature and language major.

Are automatic toilets truly more sanitary? Do they save water?

The patent for the 1988 automatic toilet flushing system describes, “Such automatic flushing systems are particularly useful in public toilets, for example in restaurants, public buildings and so on, where users sometimes neglect to flush the toilet manually after use, resulting in an unsanitary condition for subsequent users.”

The question of sanitation brings to my mind the Mythbusters episode, “Mythbusters: Breakstep Bridge.” In the segment I am

referencing, Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage test the myth that flushing the toilet releases an aerosol spray of tainted water droplets. The concern of this myth was primarily on toothbrush contamination.

The myth was confirmed: there was fecal matter on the toothbrushes after a month of testing.

However, even the toothbrushes that never entered the bathroom had traces of fecal matter. Conclusion: everything is covered in bacteria.

Good thing most humans have functioning immune systems.

With this myth focused on the spray of the toilets, technically automatics are more unsanitary, since they flush unnecessarily so frequently.

Another downfall of automatic toilets is that children are terrified. I remember in elementary school when my friend told me she made her mother cover the sensor so that it would not flush while she was on the toilet.

Apparently, she is not alone.

NPR aired a podcast episode on this exact topic in 2007. It turns out kids are often too small to block the sensor, so the toilet frequently flushes multiple times while in use.

Jeffrey Kay, a father who was sick of the unnecessary terror trips, invented the Flush-Stopper, which does exactly what the name implies: stops the toilet from flushing by covering the sensor.

Essentially, it turns expensive automatic systems back into manual toilets.

That’s right, automatics cost more. “The case for flushing your own toilet,” a Washington Post article from 2016 cites that manual flush toilets are 48 percent cheaper than automatic toilets. true?

Where does Virginia Tech fall into this?

“In all restrooms in new construction and major renovation projects, touchless faucets on lavatories and touchless flush valves on commodes and urinals shall be used,” reads the Virginia Tech Design and Construction Standards.

The next criterion specifies that all touchless devices should be manufactured by Zurn or an equivalent brand.

Why Zurn? Well, they only use 1.1 gallons per flush (gpf) as opposed to the standard 1.6 gpf. Zurn toilets also propel waste farther than the standard.

“Norfolk Naval Base — the world’s largest naval base — asked Zurn for samples of our waterless urinal … As a result (of Zurn’s recommendation), the base reduced their water usage by 87%,” reads a success story on Zurn’s website.

“The decision to install this new Zurn system was based on the fact that the (Cleaveland) Zoo could replace the existing 3.5 gpf units and save 2.4 gpf for each one. That aligns with the Zoo’s mission to save water. On top of that, he says management likes the modern appearance of the new Zurn fixtures,” reads a case study of the Cleveland Zoo model advertised on Zurn’s website.

But when the toilet flushes three times per person, is that really more efficient?

In contrast, according to this study from 2010 of a building in Tampa, Florida, the gallon usage per day skyrocketed from 807 gallons to 1,243 gallons.

In the end, my favorite toilets on campus are the ones where I get to decide when I finish my business.

@KatieRice_CT

Five Common Complaints About Automatic Flush Toilets 1.

“THEY POINT OUT SOME OF OUR SOCIETY'S WORST TRAITS:

WASTEFULNESS AND THOUGHTLESSNESS.”

2. “THOSE MOTION SENSORS CAN BE PRETTY RACIST.” Early infrared sensors, especially from the '70s, had trouble reading dark colors because, rather than reflecting light back to the sensor, they absorb it.

3.

“HER EYES GOT REALLY BIG, AND SHE LEAPT OFF AND HUNG ON TO ME.” Understandably, some toddlers are terrified by automatic flush toilets — the noise and unpredictability are enough to make anyone jump — and in 2007, The New York Times even ran an article, "For Children, a Scary World Out There (in There, Too)," about the problem.

4.

JINA RO / COLLEGIATE TIMES

INFORMATION COURTESY OF MENTAL FLOSS

Easy ways to eat healthy on campus BREAK: Spring It’s no secret that the food on Tech’s campus is great — but it’s not always great for you. Here are some quick tips on how to eat healthy on campus while still enjoying all Tech has to offer.

GRETCHEN KERNBACH lifestyles staff writer

Eating healthy on campus can be difficult when there’s an unlimited selection of ice cream at Deet’s Place, pizza and fries to go at DXpress, Qdoba at Turner Place and hamburgers at West End. It is no secret that Virginia Tech is one of the top colleges when it comes to food, but the great food choices do not have to have a negative effect on your body.

The “freshman 15” is a very real thing, but anyone can gain weight at any time. The key is to pick smart options when eating on campus. However, dining hall nutrition is not something that is well advertised across the student body.

First, it is important to note that Tech offers food options marked “Y.E.S.,” which stands for “You’re Eating (and Living) Smarter.” These prepackaged products are available at DXpress and Hokie Grill at Owens Hall.

According to Tech’s dining website, “Throughout our venues you will find whole grain options, lots of fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy, and protein options.”

If the Y.E.S. options available do not sound pleasing, it’s OK to not eat them.

There are plenty of other ways to keep your

ABP mac and cheese might be one of meal plan in shape. Here are a few tips on how to eat healthy at some of the major the least healthy items offered. A small bowl of it exceeds 500 calories (590 to dining halls on campus. be exact), a medium is over 800 calories Owens and a large bowl hits 1170. Think twice The options for eating at Owens include before choosing this meal, as it should Flip’s, Frank’s Deli, La Cantina, Lotsa be considered a cheat-day food option as Pasta and the Carvery. Let’s address opposed to a regular one. everyone’s favorite first — chicken parm.

Like Owens, stay away from plain white According to the dining site’s nutrition bread. A plain bagel from ABP is 250 label, it is 541 calories alone. It could be calories alone compared to a skinny wheat worse, but it does contain 1717.8 mg of bagel which is only 90. And unfortunately, sodium, which is 72 percent of your daily the blueberry muffin is 480 calories. So all value. Instead, choose a lean meat option in all, try to stay away from bread products like rotisserie chicken and pair it with as much as you can. vegetables.

So what’s the solution? When ordering Besides the Carvery, you can get a a sandwich, opt for the multigrain bread grilled chicken sandwich at Flip’s or or baguette. Furthermore, an egg (white) choose a lower-sodium meat at Frank’s. sandwich in the morning can be changed Keep the bread whole grain or multigrain; for the better with a skinny wheat bagel always avoid white. Regarding Lotsa Pasta, topped with avocado. if you must have a sauce on your noodles, Turner go for a marinara-based one. And try to Soup Garden should be your go-to if resist the breadstick on the side. you find yourself at Turner most days.

Au Bon Pain Choose either a salad on the menu or create One of the easiest pieces of advice to your own. Remember, the more veggies give about ABP if you are trying to eat the better. However, your dressing choice healthier: stay away from all its pastries. could mess up the entirety of the salad, so No muffins, no pound cake, no cookies, opt for a low-fat dressing, like balsamic nothing. vinaigrette or cilantro dressing.

If Soup Garden isn’t your forte and you have to have Qdoba, at least be mindful of what you put in your bowl or burrito. For starters, get a wheat burrito instead of white. Also, lay off the cheeses; this means the shredded cheese and the queso.

West End We can’t all eat salads from Leaf and Ladle everyday; sometimes Bistro Firenze and Wrap World are must-haves. Pasta is doable if you get a small plate of it and keep the sauce marinara-based. Also, keep the pizza to one slice instead of two (or three) and avoid the added-on meats.

Believe it or not, caesar salad is not all that good for you. It’s the dressing that happens to be high in fat, so ask for it on the side next time so you can control how much of it you eat.

Opt for wheat wraps at Wrap World and pile on extra vegetables as opposed to rice. In addition, stay away from chicken tenders and go for grilled chicken.

ARMAHN RASSULI / COLLEGIATE TIMES

Students line up for food at Burger 37, located in Squires Student Center, Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016.

@gretchthecatch

day trips both near and far from page 1

live performances and programs. The hours change depending on the day of the week, but it’s closed on Monday and Tuesday. For more information and ticket prices, head to its website.

Don’t forget about fueling up your stomach for your jam-packed day. According to TripAdvisor, Pinky’s Westside Grill, known for its mouth-watering burgers, is a must visit. It has an extensive menu even if burgers are not for you, including salads, fish tacos and more.

“

If taking a road trip is not up your alley, the area surrounding Blacksburg is known for its great hiking trails.”

Greensboro, North Carolina Just like Charlotte, this city is only a two-and-a-half hour drive from Blacksburg.

One unique and wellknown attraction in this city is the International Civil Rights Center and Museum.

If you are a history buff, you know about the historic Greensboro sit-ins during the civil rights movement.

The museum is located in the same building where the historic sit-ins took place.

This is a must stop place when visiting Greensboro.

In Greensboro, remember to treat yourself — it’s spring break, after all.

Sarah’s Kabob Shop is rated No. 1 as best “cheap” eats in Greensboro according to TripAdvisor. Sometimes the cheap places are the best places though. It is known for its American, Mediterranean and Greek food. Its menu has something that will suit everyone’s needs — even picky eaters.

When you are finished with dinner, make sure you head over to Yum Yum Better Ice Cream. It has late hours, open until 10 p.m., to suffice your craving for ice cream if you happen to have a late dinner. If you are still hungry, reviews on Yelp say that its Carolina hot dog all the way is the best in the state.

Hiking If taking a road trip isn’t up your alley, the area surrounding Blacksburg is known for its great hiking trails. There are numerous options to choose from based on your comfort level with hiking. Two easy beginner hikes are the Cascades and Bald Knob. They are both about a 30 minute drive from campus and do not take long to get up and back.

Dragon’s Tooth is a more difficult trail for experienced hikers. According to alltrails.com, a Virginia hiking website, it’s a little over four miles to the top.

This hike usually takes about two and a half to four hours depending on how much you stop. Make sure to stop at The Homeplace Restaurant to eat after the hike.

@CollegiateTimes

PAGE 6 February 16, 2017

editor@collegiatetimes.com

collegiatetimes.com

sports collegiatetimes.com/sports

Sung takes first loss as a Hokie JORDAN HUTCHINSON lacrosse beat reporter

T he Vi rgi n ia Tech women’s lacrosse team fell to the James Madison Dukes, 9–6, in its first loss of the John Sung era. Tech played a very solid game, much improved from last year, as the Hokies fell to the Dukes 18–5 in 2016.

“We’re so close to just getting there,” Sung said.

“We had one kid foul out, which really hurt us because she’s one of our top defenders. This team is figuring out the system, like I said before.”

Attacker Zan Biedenharn led the way for the Hokies, notching three goals on four shots. Biedenharn is averaging 2.3 goals per game this year for the Hokies after today’s hat trick. Tristan McGinley, Marissa Davey and Mary Claire Byrne each scored one goal for the Hokies in their loss on Wednesday. Defensively, the Hokies looked superb against the Dukes. While Tech surrendered nine goals, the schemes looked really strong.

Foul trouble plagued the Hokies throughout the entire game. The Hokies com m it ted 4 0 fouls, compared to the Dukes’ 18. Kristen Kohles of Tech fouled out in the second period, which really hurt the Hokies down the stretch.

Other than that, the Hokies were a completely different team on the field compared to the 2016 match up versus

in-state foe James Madison.

“We’ve got to figure out how to play with the lead and composure, but we’re close.

It takes some losses to get some wins, so I think this was a really good game. We played 75 percent of a great game, but I really think we’re close,” Sung said.

Tech plays its first ACC game of the year on Saturday after going winless in 2016.

An ACC win would be a great confidence booster for Sung’s team going forward.

“Boston College is next, so if we can take a few days to get our legs under us, I’m really excited for the BC game,” Sung said. “We’re going to get them, and I think we’re so close.”

The Hokies will face the Eagles in the indoor practice facility at 11:30 a.m. Boston College is 3–1 on the year, with its sole loss coming to Syracuse last Saturday. Look for Boston College to give Tech all kinds of problems offensively, as the Eagles are averaging 14.5 goals per game. Whichever defense steps up will win the ball game.

Tech looks much stronger this year, but the winless ACC play last year could haunt it on Saturday. If the Hokies can get a win on Saturday it will be a really great litmus test to see just how good the girls are in 2017.

@JHutchinsonVT

AHMED MUSTAFA / COLLEGIATE TIMES

Freshman Taylor Caskey (28) tries to get around the Dukes’ defense in the Hokies 9–6 loss, Feb. 15, 2017.

HOOPS: Hill leads gutsy comeback over Panthers from page 1

Justin Bibbs drained a three-pointer to put the Hokies up by one.

From that point on, the game was in limbo.

Short bursts of momentum plagued both teams, setting the stage for an exciting finish.

With the clock dwindling down, Virginia Tech trailed by two points and needed a playmaker to step up. As the Hokies dribbled down the court, the ball ended up in Seth Allen’s hands — the same set of hands that shot the game-winner against the Cavaliers just two days prior. From beyond the arc, Allen gracefully pulled up and took the shot.

Virginia Tech’s bench rose to its feet and celebrated as the ball sailed through the air and dropped perfectly into the basket, giving the Hokies a one-point lead with 1:08 left to play.

In the final minute of the game, Tech

refused to break and clinched the allimportant victory in Pittsburgh.

Guard Ahmed Hill was the Hokies’ leading scorer, as he tallied up 17 total points, followed by Justin Robinson with 15.

A lot was riding on this game, as the NCAA tournament is quickly approaching.

The selection committee had its eye on how Virginia Tech would perform without Clarke. The Hokies showed that even though they’re not the tallest team, they have grit, heart and the ability to make difficult shots when it counts the most.

The Hokies now advance to 7–6 in ACC play and 18–7 on the year.

Next up, Tech will travel to Louisville on Saturday, Feb. 18 to take on the Cardinals.

Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

@ChaseParker_VT

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