February 25, 2020

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February 25, 2020

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

HOUSING GUIDE

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PAGE 2 February 25, 2020

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Virginia Tech’s goals to promote diversity on campus not worthwhile without careful planning

W

Attempts to foster diverse communities are well-intentioned, but require attention to detail to have a true impact.

hen institutions begin to talk about diversity, it may seem a drab sort of affair or something that just needs to be said in order to appeal to the masses. While this can be the case, I would like to think that we talk about this because we appreciate others.

As stated in Virginia Tech’s Principles of Community, we affirm the “value of human diversity because it enriches our lives and the University.” There are many benefits to having people of diverse backgrounds in the community, but doing so can bring its own challenges. Some argue that there may not be enough diversity within certain areas, and others push for ideas that may seem more extreme than usual. Whatever the case, it is important to analyze how this affects our lives and studies.

We first have to define what we mean when saying diversity. A simple definition would be a collection of cultures, ideas, people and traditions within a group. From a technical standpoint, introducing people to diverse communities will help when entering the workforce, as it is estimated that half of workers will be people of color.

This goes along with the general trend of globalization, with certain companies incorporating this idea experiencing higher customer and employee satisfaction. This in turn leads to higher worker retention and a healthier work environment. The way colleges fail in taking advantage of this phenomenon is that they mainly focus on the recruitment and admittance of diverse peoples. Not following up on this can lead to self-segregation and a student body separating within itself. Encouraging close quarters living arrangements could provide a solution to such a set up.

Organizations such as the Mozaiko Living Learning Community that are tailored toward diverse peoples and thinking could serve as a model for future college development. Being a member of this community, I know the separate language houses engage in activities surrounding culture and encouraging conversations in their respective languages.

While the people are grouped into suites based on their language, the languages are largely mixed together on the hallways, and the many events held throughout the year are available to anyone who is interested. Benz Zhang, a freshman general engineering student, is a member of the Mozaiko LLC at Harper Hall, and he had some thoughts pertaining to the influence of diversity among the student body.

“Being in this type of environment has really fostered my communication skills and introduced me to new ways of seeing things,” he said.

There are, of course, certain drawbacks to the process of integration. Not having the right programs to support such a move can make situations awkward for those trying to integrate with the general populace. There may also be resistance to this change, as organizational disorder is often an unwelcome outcome for those in the community. Administration should aid in this process, but it should also evolve along with the student body, as in most U.S. colleges three-quarters of full-time faculty are white. Certain initiatives, such as Stanford’s ethnically themed dorms, seem good at heart, a similar theme to the Mozaiko LLC, but the self-selection into these dorms risks reducing interaction within its diverse community. Seeing

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how to mitigate and improve on aspects of these concerns is crucial to ensuring cohesive living and learning within our communities.

A somewhat overused concept still holds powerful connections to the way we work and live. Perhaps if we take more strides to incorporate this idea into incoming students, we will find greater progress in interpersonal relations, along with greater

work ability. Though it can sometimes be difficult to include everyone in the group, I am sure we will continue to stand out in our efforts and principles.

ADAM JAAFAR • freshman • mechanical engineering

CHRISTIAN STERLING / COLLEGIATE TIMES The sun shines on Burruss Hall on March 29, 2017.

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February 25, 2020 PAGE 3

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Terrace View faces resident backlash after sending mass email seen as passive aggressive Terrace View residents took to social media to express their irritation with the complex’s comments in the email.

ANTHONY WU / COLLEGIATE TIMES

Terrace View Apartments, July 12, 2018.

ASHLEY LONG AND EMILY HANNAH

editor in chief and managing editor

In the early morning of Feb. 18, Terrace View Apartments sent out a mass email to residents comparing their living arrangements as renters to homeowners in the area.

Sophomore a nd professiona l and technical writing major Alyssa Jorgensen posted a screenshot of the email in the Virginia Tech Memes for Chicken Parm Teens Facebook page.

The post received over 240 reactions, 56 comments and seven shares within six hours of being posted. Since the original screenshot of the email was posted, several students responded to the post with their own stories about living at Terrace View.

The m aj or it y of st ud ent s’ comments on the post express frustration with Terrace View’s email and its claim that students live a

“completely care free lifestyle” as residents. The complex’s reasoning for sending this email is unknown.

On Terrace View’s website, the complex claims to have 24/7 emergency maintenance, professional on-site management and customer support service among other amenities. The complex pointed out in its

aggressive, not everyone who works at the complex should be blamed.

“To be fair, some of the staff at Terrace View are great,” Jorgensen said.

“They’re just doing their best with bad management.”

Terrace View apartments switched ownership for the second time in two

“The majority of students’ comments on the post express frustration with Terrace View’s email and its claim that students live a ‘completely care free lifestyle’ as residents.

email that these are things homeowners do not get to take advantage of.

However, people are arguing that the email is passive aggressive and that those are all things they choose to pay for in their rent each month.

Jorgensen emphasized that while she also found the email to be passive

Live with up to 7 roommates in our 5 bedroom!

”

years in 2013, and the complex has been undergoing drastic renovations within the past few years.

According to an article published in The Roanoke Times, the Blacksburg Town Council unanimously voted in 2018 to approve plans to tear down 16 of Terrace View’s buildings and replace them with

two larger buildings that would provide housing for nearly three times the number of students.

These plans were approved in an effort to accommodate the growing Virginia Tech student body and added to efforts of an already ongoing $19 million renovation.

Terrace View Apartments is one of the largest apartment complexes in Blacksburg with 756 units and 1,720 bedrooms prior to the demolition and rebuilding proposed in the plans approved in 2018.

The Collegiate Times reached out to Terrace View’s management for a comment on students’ response to the email, but they did not respond within the required timeframe.

@CollegiateTimes

PAGE 4 February 25, 2020

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Oh the places you’ll ‘go’: A review of major apartment bathrooms Which apartment complex has the best throne?

BRANDON ALIMANESTIANO lifestyles staff writer

Not all restrooms are created equal, and you can’t judge a room by its smell or how long you spend in it. That being said, Blacksburg has bathrooms in all shapes and sizes, so a complex review is quite impossible.

This review is only going to cover the major off-campus housing complexes in Blacksburg; those that have an abundance of units, multiple buildings and are well-recognized among students. This also excludes complexes or neighborhoods that have multiple owners or have units independently owned or controlled by multiple management companies. That would be against the scientific method.

Sorry Center Street, we already know what you’re like.

I guess we never thought it would come to this, but here’s a review of the bathrooms at some of the major off-campus housing complexes around Virginia Tech.

Foxridge

Ah, Foxridge –– the kingdom in the cow pasture, the monotone village in the hills, a land of few buses. Known for its affordable rates and its location far away from campus, Foxridge is a vast

community of students, all of whom I assume use the restroom on occasion.

From personal experience, Foxridge has decent bathrooms. That’s based on a personal scale though, as queen and her court might find them repulsive. Foxridge has been in Blacksburg for a while, and every strange feature about the complex tells a story, especially the strange signs.

The balconies have signs warning of weight limits, while the bathrooms warn of leaving the fan on for too long. One can only speculate what happened in the

Once again based on personal experience, as in four strange semesters of residence, the bathrooms at Terrace View are, well, okay. Much like Foxridge, Terrace View indulges on the vernacular when it comes to the lavatory experience.

The showers have the water pressure of a weak bladder and the temperature control of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge –– not to “complain” about life without a mortgage.

“I wouldn’t take a bath in it,” said Sarah Richards, a sophomore creative writing

“Sure, they charge for water in util-

ities, but isn’t the wonderful feeling of being in a category four hurricane worth a few extra bucks? restroom in the past.

“I like my bathroom; it has nice water pressure, but my roommate’s bathroom is horrible,” said Sarah Carey, a senior geography major who has lived in Foxridge for three years. “Her shower drips a lot, and the pressure is bad.”

Foxridge can have a fair 3/5 stars.

Terrace View

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major who resides at Terrace View.

Thus, another good point: Is the bathroom “bath worthy?”

Terrace View can just take my 2.5/5 stars.

The Edge

The edge of what? Sanity? The bell curve of student housing rental rates?

“The bathroom at The Edge is huge and I love it,” said Jeyein Cepillo, a junior studying industrial and systems engineering. “It’s honestly bigger than my entire dorm was in my freshman year.”

I’d take a bathroom half the size of my former Pritchard broom closet if it was bath worthy, and I don’t even like baths.

Therefore, The Edge deserves it’s 4.5/5 stars.

The Village (Phase 1)

The bathroom at Phase 1 of The Village.

EMILY CARTER / COLLEGIATE TIMES

It takes a village, said once a wise man, or woman –– whomever said that.

Having been to The Village on multiple occasions, I still spend nights awake wondering why they decided to separate the sinks from the bathrooms like a cheap motel would.

Say what you want to say, but based

on personal experience The Village has excellent water pressure. Sure, they charge for water in utilities, but isn’t the wonderful feeling of being in a category four hurricane worth a few extra bucks?

The Village (Phase 1) deserves its 3.5/5 stars –– points lost for the strange layout.

The Village (Phase 2)

Having never lived in either of the “villages,” I cannot attest to all of the differences between the two so-called townships. I believe the countertops are marble of some sort, which might actually be a selling point for some.

If the builders of the second phase of The Village somehow predicted this review to appear, they sure considered my advice. The bathrooms have sinks located inside them. That’s all it really took –– lesson learned.

The Village (Phase 2) gets 3.8/5 stars for its abundant regular people bathrooms.

The Retreat

What is this place? An homage to Loudon County? Is it a “retreat” back to a beautiful countryside sprinkled with traffic and equestrians?

Whatever it is, it’s quite wonderful how the builders tried to emulate a pastel-colored ski town in the heart of Blacksburg, with an excellent view. The colors have a unique hue to them, similar to Soviet propaganda.

Marxism is quite far from the housing rates The Retreat employs, but its bathrooms are top notch –– bath worthy.

Nothing to complain about here.

Yes, of course they get a generous 4.7/5.

Well, there it is –– there are many places to be but only a few places to “go.”

Somebody actually managed to write a review of the bathrooms in off-campus housing complexes, which means you can go out there and pretty much accomplish anything.

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February 25, 2020 PAGE 5

Sorority report: What it’s like living in a Virginia Tech sorority house

AHMED MUSTAFA / COLLEGIATE TIMES

The Sigma Kappa sorority house on Oak Lane, Jan. 28, 2018.

Dorm life part two? Or is it a giant apartment? Our writer met with a member of Alpha Chi Omega to get the scoop.

CAREY OAKES

lifestyles staff writer

Sorority and fraternity housing is a different beast in terms of collegiate living in the wake of the dreadful first year being trapped in a minuscule dorm room.

While room size unfortunately doesn’t differ that much from the dorms, living in the sorority/fraternity house is vastly different than any other housing option.

Payton Hanna, a sophomore majoring in clinical neuroscience, describes all that you can expect from life in a sorority house: an on-campus/off-campus hybrid.

Although most Tech students opt to live in apartments their sophomore years, Hanna decided to live in her sorority house, Alpha Chi Omega, instead. “I was living in West AJ and was stuck in the two-year contract,” Hanna said. “I really wanted to get out of the small dorm, but the housing office didn’t let me out of my contract. They did let me transfer to the sorority house since that technically is on campus.”

Despite the fact that Tech’s sorority houses are considered on-campus, they are located on Oak Lane about a mile from the Drillfield. Some might say, however,

that living in sorority and fraternity houses is like dorm life round two.

Especially after living in an apartment for a year, it may feel like a big step back into freshman year, when you move back with a roommate into small bedrooms whose walls are made of the very cinder block that reminds you of a jail cell.

“Going back to dorm life after living in an apartment can be really challenging for a lot of people, and many girls, understandably, don’t want to go back to having a bunch of rules,” Hanna said.

With such a full and tight household, it is also difficult to find alone time — another feeling reminiscent of Tech’s residence halls.

“I miss having my own space,” Hanna said. “It can be tough, because there isn’t really anywhere private to retreat to if you need space.”

Similar to the dorms, many of the rules discuss alcohol possession, because the Alpha Chi Omega house is dry as mandated by nationals. In general, the rules that sorority houses follow are not too different than those of Virginia Tech residence halls.

Unlike dorms, however, there is no cleaning service, so the house can often

Live with up to 7 roommates in our 5 bedroom!

get relatively dirty, which is expected when you have 35-40 girls living under one roof. It is for this reason that the girls delegate chores so as to maintain a pristine household. The Alpha Chi Omega house has a rotating schedule which determines who is responsible for cleaning the house’s common spaces.

On the outside, the state of cleanliness can be much, much worse. When you’re surrounded by fraternity houses on either side, one can only imagine the sort of debris that must lay on the barren Oak Lane streets the day after a party. The sticky red solo cups and whatever items that might have fallen out of party-goers’ pockets that night litter the front yard.

On the nights of parties, the loud, droning beats that emanate from fraternity great rooms can keep those not in attendance up all night long.

“The frats are so loud,” Hanna said.

“It really sucks when I have an exam the next day, so I sometimes have to wear earplugs.”

Beyond the dorm-sized bedrooms and the inescapable sights and sounds of neighboring fraternities, Hanna said, “I love being around all my friends, and I feel like it’s a great way to stay involved

in my organization. I have made friends that I never would have interacted with otherwise.”

Coming from a big family like Hanna’s, living with a lot of people never leaves her bored, and she always feels supported.

After all, that is one of the main reasons many girls join sororities in the first place.

“Whenever I come into the house or leave, there’s people in the great room or cooking food; it’s really fun,” Hanna said.

“I feel a lot more connected to my sorority and would recommend this experience to everyone.”

Living in the sorority house really is an atmosphere in which you can bond with your sisters. Despite the often dirty and loud neighbors, the small bedrooms and the shared bathrooms, these are the very experiences that bring everyone closer together.

@CollegiateTimes

PAGE 6 February 25, 2020

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Everything to know before leasing an off-campus apartment The New River Tenant Union is on your side when it comes to disagreements between you and your landlord.

ELIA CHAVEZ lifestyles staff writer

As the spring semester flies by and plans for the future are being made, there is one thing on students’ minds for next year: Where am I going to live? Whether you are considering re-signing the lease on your apartment, obsessively cruising Craigslist for housing listings or calling up various leasing companies in the area for properties, it can be tough to find the right place.

But what happens when you find that perfect place? It is too often that tenants sign leases without reading and understanding the lease themselves. Most students are not equipped with the knowledge of the law to understand their rights as renters. This misinformation makes it easier for landlords to prey upon their tenants.

Have no fear –– there are resources to prevent hoodwinking, like the New River Tenant Union. NRTU has taken initiative in creating a supportive organization that aims to protect tenants against unlawful housing practices, even helping those in need of legal aid. They believe in the importance of any tenant knowing their legal rights.

Adam Ryan, one of the founding members of the NRTU, recognizes university students as a target group for landlords to take advantage of.

“They’re a transient population –– most students aren’t from here and it’s very easy for them to get away with things like taking away people’s security deposits and not giving it back,” Ryan said. “And that’s partly why students and tenants need to know their own rights. Because if you don’t know the entire process from moving in to moving out as a tenant, it’s very easy for them. It becomes your word against theirs.”

Some apartment complexes in the area have been notorious for not complying with lawful housing practices. In light of the recent emails Terrace View sent to its tenants, as well as presenting apartments in unsatisfactory conditions, it is crucial to understand your position as a renter.

Thoroughly read your lease It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a move and quickly sign a

Leasing office at The Edge apartment complex, Sept. 21, 2018.

lease without thoroughly understanding its parameters. As a tenant, it is your responsibility to know what you are agreeing to, like how much the monthly rent is, what repairs you might liable for and where to pay utility bills to.

If you find any red flags on the lease, it might be helpful to talk about them with your renter. After signing the lease, you are legally binded to follow its rules, so sign mindfully.

Take pictures of everything Upon moving into your new pad, it’s wise to inspect the space and take note of its condition. Snap pictures of each room and record all sorts of details like carpet stains, wall scratches, etc. Compile a list of everything you see, save a copy for yourself and give one to the landlord. This ensures that you have proof of the original condition of the place.

“It’s very easy for landlords to manipulate things, take folks’ security deposits, deny repairs, use the threat of eviction to keep a tenant from speaking out or trying to get some sort maintenance or remediation,” Ryan said.

BENJAMIN JUDELSON / COLLEGIATE TIMES

Hopefully your space is damage-free and ready to go. If not, know that it is absolutely within your rights to notify your landlord and have them rectify the situation.

When it comes time to move out, you and your landlord will know what sort of damage you may have caused versus what was already there. You can even be there for the move-out inspection to ensure that the report is accurate. This allows you to get as much of your security deposit back as possible.

Know your rights for repairs Under Virginia State Law, landlords must keep your house or apartment in a safe and habitable condition, appropriately following housing codes. If this code is not met, you as a tenant have a right to complain.

For example, if there is mold in the house or if there is a problem with the plumbing, water, heating, etc., your landlord should be able to take care of this within reasonable time. Here is a list of all the things that Virginia State Law recognizes as exactly what landlord

responsibilities to your domicile are.

If your landlord disputes or refuses to take care of the issues promptly, you have a right to take your landlord to court and even withhold your rent until these repairs are made. This may only be necessary for very severe cases, and not many college students have time to dispute these sorts of issues.

Alas, it is important to know that it is an option, and there are unions out there to support you. The New River Tenant Union has a comprehensive Tenants Defense Guide that is a reference that gives in depth information on tenant rights.

@CollegiateTimes

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February 25, 2020 PAGE 7

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Blue Devils blow out Hokies in Cameron after dominating first half, Tech loses second straight No. 7 Duke got off to a hot start after hitting four of its first five 3-point attempts. They ended up making 11 in the game.

ROBBY FLETCHER sports editor

From the tip, it was all Duke, who was able to generate offense both inside and outside the paint. Going into the first media timeout up 16-7, Duke hit four of its first five 3-point tries while Virginia Tech struggled to get anything going.

Center Vernon Carey Jr. was a particularly difficult assignment for the smaller Hokies, with P.J. Horne and John Ojiako being tasked with defending the hulking 6-foot-10 freshman. They were mostly unsuccessful, as Carey scored 11 points along with seven rebounds in the first half alone; he finished with 16 points and nine rebounds on the evening.

Guard Cassius Stanley also caused fits for the Hokies, especially from beyond the arc.

The freshman buried four of his five tries from three in the first half, and was playing some of his best basketball of the season.

Tyrece Radford and Isaiah Wilkins acted as the lone bright spots on the offensive end for Tech, scoring a combined 15 points out of the team’s 25-point performance. While credit should go to the Blue Devils for their swarming defense inside the paint, a lot of the Hokies’ struggles were self-inflicted.

Poor passing and bad shot selection plagued Tech, who turned the ball over five times and shot just 29% from the field.

Even worse, the team got little production out of some of its biggest scorers. Landers Nolley II missed on all five of his attempted shots in the first half while Wabissa Bede missed on all four of his field goal attempts.

Going into the half down 51-25, the Hokies faced the school’s second biggest halftime deficit since they joined the ACC

in 2004.

The second half was much of the same for the Hokies, though they were able to generate a little bit more offense, with Bede and Nolley finally getting on the board with a few nice buckets. Still, Nolley produced another clunker of a performance after, and he struggled to find open looks for much of the game.

Nolley’s recent shooting slump has been devastating to the team’s recent lack of success. Since his 29-point game against Boston College on Feb. 8, Nolley has shot just 18% from the field in the last three games; he’s taken an average of 14.6 shots per game in that span.

Hunter Cattoor had a notably strong stretch of play where he scored seven consecutive points, including a nice dunk with Carey going for the block behind him.

Duke continued to get strong play from

Stanley, who had one of his most efficient games of the season with 21 points on sevenof-12 shooting.

To sum things up, the better team played a better game at home. It was as simple as that.

With a chance at earning a one-seed spot in the NCAA Tournament with a strong finish to the season, the Blue Devils were able to add another dominating victory to their already impressive resume. Tech, meanwhile, played an overall sloppy game coming off a brutal triple-overtime loss to Miami this past week.

The Hokies will have another difficult ACC opponent this week when they match up with UVA at Cassell Coliseum on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. The Cavaliers bested the Hokies at home 65-39 on Jan. 4. @RFletcher_VT

Women’s basketball falls short in close game against UVA, loses Commonwealth Clash Despite Sheppard’s strong shooting game, Tech was unable to establish a rhythm, leading to a loss against its rival.

CLAIRE CASTAGNO assistant sports editor

The women’s basketball hosted Virginia for the second Commonwealth Clash of the season on senior day, Feb. 23. The first matchup in Charlottesville, Virginia, resulted in a 69-61 win for the Hokies, and they looked to repeat the same result.

After a hard-fought game, Virginia Tech fell just short of a win and season sweep of UVA. The final score was 76-86.

Coach Kenny Brooks and Aisha Sheppard noted post-game that the team never established a rhythm throughout the game.

Sheppard was a positive take away in the loss, though. She had 32 points, making eight 3-pointers, shot 45.5% from

the field and was perfect on the free throw line.

“We can’t just rely on one person in order to be successful. We need everyone,” Brooks said.

The first quarter of play was not strong for Tech; it was not able to take advantage of its possessions. The Hokies had repeated bad pass turnovers and Taja Cole racked up two fouls early and hit the bench. Numerous fouls were called on Tech that the fans, the bench and coaches were not fond of.

“We made countless mental mistakes,” Brooks said.

Sheppard was on her game shooting-wise, though. She had three 3-pointers in the first 10 minutes of play, but she also contributed three turnovers. UVA was shooting strong as well; it made 71.4% of

its field goals in the first quarter. Virginia Tech was down nine going into the second quarter.

A few solid defensive efforts from the Hokies got the momentum going late in the second quarter as they were able to turn defense into offense. Virginia Tech was starting to get favorable foul calls and made six shots on the line. The score was 40-45 heading into halftime, UVA on top.

A 3-pointer from Sheppard in the third quarter was quick to make it a one-possession game. UVA always had an answer, though, and the Hokies weren’t able to tie the game until Sheppard hit another 3-pointer at the buzzer. The score was 64-64 with 10 minutes to play.

The shots were not falling for the Hokies in the fourth quarter, but they were for UVA. Still down with 50 seconds

left, Virginia Tech started to foul. The Cavaliers hit three shots at the line, and Tech could not pull any clutch baskets.

“We’re still in the position we want to be in, we just dropped one today,” Sheppard said.

Women’s basketball has its next game in Blacksburg against Duke on Feb. 27.

On Jan. 12, the Hokies fell to Duke in overtime.

@CTSportsTalk

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