JANE PARK | news EDITOR
The town will use the American Rescue Plan to fund trails and sidewalks.
The Blacksburg Town Council will use funding from the American Rescue Plan to make North Main Street more pedestrian-friendly, according to WDBJ7.
“I moved here over 40 years ago, and it has always been a kind of unwalkable, a bit unsafe stretch of Main Street, so this should vastly improve the pedestrian experience,” said Blacksburg Mayor Leslie Hager-Smith. “That’s one of our priorities and our comp plan in any case.”
Hager-Smith also stated that the most needed paths are past Patrick Henry Drive.
In 2021, the Biden Administration implemented the American Rescue Plan to provide relief to Americans and communities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Blacksburg has received $13.3 million that will be allocated over
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the next three years. Some of this funding will be used to add more sidewalks and trails on North Main Street. The remaining funds will go toward ten other projects, such as new community gardens and an Affordable Housing Fund.
“We are going to put about $775,000 into it and that should get that stretch complete that will make a huge difference in the experience of the pedestrian on Main Street,” Hager-Smith said.
Any money from the American Rescue Plan must be used within the next two years before it expires.
“This was just a project that has been on the boards for a long time and it was very plausible to get it accomplished in two years,” Hager-Smith said.
The project may not have occurred without the Blacksburg community. After the town sent
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out a survey inquiring how funds should be used, input from Blacksburg residents showed a desire for pedestrian improvements. Other projects that will be funded by the American Rescue Plan can be found in the town’s
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The ban takes effect at Virginia Tech on July 1.
In April 2023, Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin signed into law an official prohibition on the use of TikTok, WeChat, and any other products created by ByteDance, Ltd. or Tencent Holdings, Ltd. on any stateissued electronic devices or any state-maintained network. This ban will officially take effect on Virginia Tech campus on July 1, 2023.
TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, currently ranks as one of the most popular entertainment apps on the App Store, hitting 1 billion monthly users in 2021, and used daily by youth and adults across the country. WeChat, owned by the Chinese company Tencent Holdings, is also used by over a billion individuals and is a primary method of digital communication for China’s residents and their diaspora.
However, more and more states are beginning to ban TikTok, WeChat and other apps originating from Chinese companies, citing concerns about national and personal security risks. NPR shared a quote from Governor Youngkin in 2022 about his worries regarding the vastly popular apps.
“TikTok and WeChat data are a channel to the Chinese Communist Party, and their continued presence represents a
threat to national security, the intelligence community, and the personal privacy of every single American,” Youngkin said.
The head of the FBI, Christopher Wray, warned of the potential for the Chinese government to unduly influence American users through apps like TikTok, as well as to gather “sensitive intellectual property, proprietary commercial secrets and personal data.”
Key Xu, a junior majoring in computational modeling and data analytics at Virginia Tech, is a frequent user of WeChat, which he utilizes to speak with his parents and his relatives in China. He is also a recreational user of TikTok. Xu states that he believes the concerns regarding the apps are overblown.
“The way the governor quotes this makes the situation feel more severe than it presently is. I feel like it is more of a power struggle than anything, since TikTok is a powerful vessel for influencing the masses and painting foreign powers in a positive light,” Xu said. “I do believe this is related to the technological cold war that is waging right now between the countries.”
According to an article published by the Guardian in 2022, TikTok collects more
personal data than is seemingly necessary, harvesting information such as a user’s contact list, calendars and hard drive and location information. However, this is by no means exclusive to TikTok or to Chinese companies in general.
Data privacy has become a topic of great contention in the past several years. Numerous social media apps, such as Instagram, Facebook and Tinder, have had complaints, investigations and fines leveraged against them for failing to adhere to data privacy laws and for gathering data from minors that they distribute to advertising companies who will then target personalized ads to them. Though many have expressed outrage over these violations and this extensive data collection and dissemination, others admit to not giving the issue much concern, accepting it as a normal part of the social media landscape.
“I usually don’t allow apps access to my data, like when it asks to access my camera, microphone, photos, etc.,” Xu said. “But one day I realized (that) if it was recording our conversations or recording us in the app, I would have no idea. Honestly, I have never done anything about it, I just kind of accept that they have this power, (which is) probably not good, but I never gave it much thought.”
Certain politicians, such as Florida senator Marco Rubio, have proposed a comprehensive, nationwide ban on the apps due to their associated security concerns. For now, however, they remain unrestricted on personal devices and networks. Users who are concerned can typically gain access to the data that TikTok and other social media apps have collected on them. Those interested can request a file of all data TikTok has accumulated on them and should receive a complete report within three days. Similar steps can often be taken with other social media applications.
For those who remain unfazed by the allegations of the Chinese apps being security threats or nefarious harvesters of personal data, the new Virginia law seems to simply be a minor annoyance.
“In my experience, there is 100 percent
propaganda-like content on TikTok that goes unnoticed … and it successfully promotes positive sentiments (towards China) for consumers,” Xu said. “From the perspective of the American government, of course I wouldn’t want China to bring people on board with their country, so I can see the security motive behind these laws. That being said, I am a simple consumer and don’t really care. I want to watch TikTok because it does a great job of tailoring to the tastes of the viewer.”
Although it won’t be your home for very long, there are many benefits to sprucing up your on-campus space.
There are many well-known excitements about being accepted into college. Picking out class schedules, figuring out your major, finding a roommate and what your upcoming dorm may end up looking like. A wonderful part about coming to a new place and meeting new people is the convergence of different styles and ideas; and hopefully making a space where you and your roommate can be individuals while also living together. To do this, it’s best to start preparing what you want to bring to college now, even if it’s just an idea of something small that you write down in your notes. Bring comfortable clothing, mementos and even
lights that give your room that personal touch and make you feel safe and comfortable in your space. Some people may argue that because it’s only a short-term living situation, it may not be worth your time to spruce it up. It’s important to remember, however, that no matter where you’re living you can express yourself through decor and make it feel the way you want to feel coming home. It’s easy for college to become overwhelming with classes and extra activities, so a living space where you feel comfortable is the key to truly unwinding.
A good item to bring to your dorm is something to remember home by. While you’re still
home enjoying summer and thinking about what’s to come, gather things that make you think of the place you love or good memories of the past. While moving away to college is an amazing and special experience, it’s okay to feel homesick, and it’s important to prepare for those feelings in advance. Even if it’s as small as a container in your desk drawer, as long as it’s filled with keepsakes, it’ll do the trick. A collection of photos and thoughtful cards gifted to me over the years give me a sense of peace and home when flipping through them. In the article “Look Back in Joy: The Power of Nostalgia”
written by Tim Adams for The Guardian, he
writes that “nostalgia is shown to be both a driver of empathy and social connectedness, and a potent internal antidote for loneliness and alienation.” Using photos as decorations invoke memories, and memories can make someone feel a little less alone. When you are preparing for a big exam or a project, be sure to remember the people who are in your corner rooting for you.
In addition, having pictures is a great way to make your room look better to visitors. Simply tape your photos to the wall or to your closet
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door in a decorative way. Lots of people living in dorms find new and interesting ways to incorporate their style into the dorm. Even just a simple frame on a desk can be perfect. Put multiple photos in the frame and switch them out when you feel like it; now you have a variety of photos while only having one frame. As far as incorporating cards, do the exact same thing. Tape decorative cards to the wall and flip them open whenever you need a reminder of the people that surround you. These two simple and meaningful things can provide a way to help you feel closer to the place you may be far away from.
Another way to brighten up your room — literally — is by improving the lighting. It’s a tale
as old as time; dorm lighting is fairly harsh and isn’t exactly screaming “home.” The best way to rectify this situation is to bring lights of your own. When you’re staying up late at night studying, it’s great to have a warm light desk lamp to brighten the room and keep it cozy. In addition, bring any LED or fairy lights that you might have kept in your room at home. Better to bring it and use it than leave it at home for sentiment’s sake. This ties into making your dorm feel as much like home as possible. You want things that remind you of the place where you feel at your most peaceful and comfortable. In addition, you want your space to be a place where you can kick back, and harsh lighting can negatively impact your focus.
In an article by Make Great Light called “How Lighting Affects Mood,” it states that different
levels of brightness, as well as colors of light, have different effects. “High-intensity lighting, something usual with fluorescent lights, has several adverse effects on room occupants,” the piece states. “Working in over-illuminated spaces can cause visual strain and migraine headaches. You might also find it hard to concentrate.”
Not only are the fluorescent lights in dorm rooms unappealing, but they can also actually keep you from focusing on school work and confuse your body.
According to the same article, “While artificial light increases the utility of areas that would be otherwise inaccessible due to darkness, it introduces some confusion in our bodies. It alters the natural way of bodies to respond to sunlight during the day and darkness at night.”
Using some sort of soft-colored lighting and
something without any strobing effects will produce better results in helping you relax, similar to a state you may feel at home. The closer your lights are to being a warmer color, the better you and your body will feel as a whole. Overall, moving into a dorm is one of the most exciting experiences a college student can have. You meet new people, explore new things, and above all live life in a whole new space. With all that exciting changes, it’s good to have pieces of where you came from to remind you of the things you care about and help you propel yourself forward in a new environment.
The various resources and centers on campus make getting involved easier than you think.
As a freshman, everything seems so scary and uncertain. You’re beginning the next chapter of your life at a place where thousands of others are doing the same. This is not an easy feat. Finding a balance between school and social life is hard and can often be discouraging. One of the most difficult adjustments for many students is making new friends. This can feel especially difficult even though you are surrounded by thousands of people. It can feel impossible to find people who share the same interests. In order to combat these challenges, there are a few places you should go and things you should do to ensure you make the most of your time at Tech.
Students who are involved in extracurriculars are proven to be more successful in all aspects of their life. Having an outlet for the stress that school can bring is essential. It has been shown that students who incorporate social activities into their schedules have better mental health. Humans are social creatures by nature; long periods of isolation are unhealthy for the mind. Taking time to engage with your peers is necessary and important for your overall well being.
Upon arrival at VT, many students will be eager to join the numerous clubs and organizations that Tech has to offer. The hundreds of campus organizations may seem daunting, but there are a few resources to help you find the best fit. In the fall, there is a large event hosted on the Drillfield called Gobblerfest. Here,
many of the university’s clubs can be found looking for new members. It’s a great way to meet new people, discover your interests and step out of your comfort zone. Another way to get involved is on GobblerConnect. If you are unable to attend GobblerFest or want to learn about upcoming events, this website is a perfect place to do just that.
One of the best ways to discover new opportunities is to visit the most popular places on campus. Joining other students in activities provides a great opportunity to make connections. Squires Student Center is a great place to start due to the many resources and organizations that it hosts. At Squires, there is always something going on; there are theaters, a food court, a rec area and multiple rooms for studying or group meetings. Here you can explore your likes with people who share your interests. On a nice day, there are some outdoor areas where many people gather. These include the Drillfield, Duck Pond, Horticulture Garden and many others. Exploring the many fascinating places on campus will not only familiarize you with the university but also with the people who frequent those spots.
Smirthi Satish, a junior studying environmental conservation and society describes her favorite outdoor spot on campus.
“My favorite place on campus is probably the Drillfield or Slusher Quad.” Satish said. “I used to put my hammock up there almost
every day during (my) freshman year.”
Being outdoors reduces stress and is proven to improve your mood. The sounds and sights of nature soothe your mind and can help you become present in the moment. Finding a spot on campus that you enjoy will minimize anxieties and better connect you to the school and students. By going to these places, you can get some fresh air and meet others while enjoying the beautiful Blacksburg campus.
In order to get involved in the Hokie Spirit, new students should attend the many events that Tech hosts. Football games are without a doubt the most popular. The games are an all-day affair and bring all students together regardless of their involvement in the sport.
Ashton Ingle, a junior triple majoring in national security and foreign affairs, Spanish and Arabic, talked about her love for the football games.
“My favorite place on campus is Lane Stadium.” Ingle said. “The energy is absolutely electrifying, and one of the places where the Hokie community comes together.”
Whether you like football or not, going to football games can be a transformative experience like no other. A huge part of college is taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone. If you don’t try new things or put yourself in uncomfortable situations, you may miss opportunities you didn’t even know existed.
“I decided to break out of that shell my
freshman year and I took so many chances that have led me to so many amazing opportunities,” Ingle said. “Who knew I would be able to live in Spain for 6 weeks, hang out with the CIA for an afternoon, or go line dancing with my best friends?”
Taking a leap of faith and trying new things will expand your horizons and improve your experience as a college student. It will open doors socially and academically in ways you never imagined.
“Try new things even if they don’t immediately seem like something you’re into,” Satish said. “I never ever thought I’d be a tour guide or join a sorority, but you change so much in college that you never know if something is up your alley until you try it.”
There is no better time to discover yourself than your time in college. Finding out what you want to do, what you like and who you want to be can only be accomplished through trial and error. You may not get it right on the first try, maybe not even the second but these failures and successes are what will lead you in the right direction. At a campus as large and full of life as Virginia Tech, the possibilities are endless. Sign up for that club, go to every event you can and just be yourself.
Dear Freshman,
Hi again — welcome to your student newspaper. During the academic year, we publish online and in print every week. The Collegiate Times is your go-to source for campus news, entertainment reviews, athletics reporting, event announcements and so much more. If you’d like, you can swing by our table at GobblerFest this fall and join in the fun. For me and many others on our staff, the ability to freely share knowledge with peers through the paper is one of the most rewarding experiences Virginia Tech has to offer.
This time last year, I wrote a letter to the Class of 2026 about my freshman experience. It talked about roommate relations, making friends, getting involved in the Hokie community and academics. Some of these
I’ll touch on again, but feel free to reference that article, too. Now, starting my junior year, I have some advice to share from being a sophomore. Know that your Hokie community is here to support you. Never be afraid to ask questions.
Hopefully, this sets you a little more at ease about the journey you’re about to embark on for the next few years of your life. Tech will hand you all the tools you need — it’s up to you to use those tools to make the most of your college journey.
Academic variety
Last year, my advice about academics talked about how to best get through your classes and your work, appreciating the courses you put yourself into and the fantastic flexibility that some of Tech’s degree programs offer. It also discussed defining academic success in
a way that works for you. This time, we’ll talk about the exciting unknown — adding to your degree track.
Most Hokies end up adding a minor to their degree track, but this possibility doesn’t have to be scary. Minors are like smaller majors that usually consist of six or seven classes. There are more than 130 of them at Tech, some unique to themselves, like astronomy or wildland fire ecology, and some offering a chance to sample an existing major, like creative writing or international relations. There are also pathways minors, like Appalachian cultures and environments, that are designed to cover multiple general education classes with a specific focus.
My two minors are biodiversity conservation and natural resources recreation, both housed in the College of Natural Resources and Environment. The coursework I’ve taken
with them has been the most rewarding of my academic career and has opened my eyes to so many experiential opportunities outside of my majors – multimedia journalism and professional and technical writing – which are both housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. Minors can be used to get outside of your degree, as mine do, or to expand upon what you’re already learning, like the green engineering minor that ties in neatly to some engineering tracks.
Adding a minor is as simple as filling out an online form through its residential College. Before making any final decisions, though, you should look through your academic plan for the next few years and see if and where you have time to fit in the minor coursework.
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If you’re lucky, you may have some overlap and have fewer credit hours to take. Many majors have built-in elective spaces or even a requirement to do a minor. If you have questions or concerns, your academic advisor should function as a resource and an advocate for you.
Research
Research, if you choose to take part in it, can be incredibly valuable. This can be done for credit, for pay or as a volunteer. You don’t have to run a project to be a part of one. With faculty research, I have volunteered with Dr. Kevin Hamed’s out-of-state four-toed salamander project and three semesters with Dr. Marcella Kelly’s on-campus wildlife habitat and population analysis lab, sorting through photo data from Belize and Botswana. With undergraduate research, I’ve volunteered in projects studying bird-window collisions, nighttime bird migrations and campus least weasel populations.
Many faculty or students in your college (or in other colleges) will have active projects and are often in need of help. If there’s a project that you have an interest in, go after it. If you have a passion that you don’t see being offered, see if you can pair with a faculty mentor to start an undergraduate research project for yourself.
Last year, I mentioned that I overdid it with organizations during my freshman year. Admittedly, I didn’t do much better this year. I did, however, learn how to pull back on things and devote time to the organizations that mean the most to me.
Quitting something may feel like a defeat, but I promise that it’s not. You’re an adult now, which means you’re being trusted to make choices about what is best for you and your time. You get to choose how to prioritize your social well being, your physical and mental health, your academics and whatever else you bring into your life.
Deciding to leave my sorority at the beginning of my sophomore year was a difficult decision. It was hard to let go of something that I had committed to and dedicated time toward. However, it was absolutely the right decision. This freed up my schedule to focus in the fall on becoming more involved in my other organizations, leading to my being able to move into a couple of leadership roles at the end of the spring semester.
Find the things you love, and let go of the things that you don’t. You have time to try so much. Don’t let anything you don’t need bog you down.
Right past Squires Student Center is downtown Blacksburg, and there are so many
things to do and places to go. Coffee shops, restaurants, bars, shops and more are right at your feet — no car required. The Milk Parlor, for example, has live music, dancing, poetry readings and more. Some of my favorite weekday nights as an on-campus resident have been spent there, following long afternoons studying at Bollo’s or Coffeeholics. Find a haunt in town. Sometimes you’ll get sick of campus and will want a place close by to go that feels like home.
Places beyond campus can be more difficult to access for those of you without cars. Chances are, though, that one of your soon-to-be friends will have transportation and will want to see new places as well — and they might appreciate your recommendations. If you need an escape, your friends might need one too, or will want to help you get where you need to be. Or, for places along or near its routes, Blacksburg Transit can always come in handy.
Additionally, student organizations, like the Bird Club and the Outdoor Club, often offer carpool for their events. This can be a great way to make friends with a couple of people before the event starts, and then you feel better already knowing people when you get there. Carpooling is pretty standard in college. In my freshman year, members of the Marching Virginians carpooled to Grayson Highlands just to hike for an afternoon. With the Bird Club my sophomore year, we went to Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory in West Virginia.
Whether you end up exploring downtown Blacksburg, the greater New River Valley or beyond — take every chance you can get. There’s so much to see in our little corner of the world, and you’re not too far from so many interesting places. Keep an eye on the CT during the school year; we might have some ideas for you.
Every freshman year is unique. Yes, you are following in the footsteps of so many Hokies, and there will be a lot of us walking around you while you are here. Many of us are going in the same directions, but all of our paths will be a little different.
You are going to have regrets, of course. However, you will also make lifelong memories. Some, you may have been waiting a long time for. Some you will have never expected.
Tech’s motto is “Ut Prosim,” meaning “That I May Serve.” Remember to serve yourself, too. This is your life. Live it to the fullest. We’ll all be here for you along the way.
Love, Junior
Notice of Availability - Draft Environmental Assessment: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has completed a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluating the potential environmental impacts of the Criminal Justice Testing and Evaluation Consortium (CJTEC) proposal to research, test and evaluate counter-unmanned aircraft system technologies (the Proposed Action). NEPA requires that federal agencies consider the effects of a proposed action and any reasonable alternatives on the human environment. This Draft EA describes the proposed project, defines the resources located in the project area, and evaluates the potential impacts that would result from implementation of the Proposed Action as compared to the No Action alternative. The Draft EA is available upon request. Please send an email request to info@clarkgroupllc.com. The Draft EA will be provided in electronic format unless a hard copy is specifically requested.
Project Title: Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Testing
Project Proponent: National Institute of Justice
Project Location: 5250 Whitethorne Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24060
Purpose of the Proposed Action: The purpose of the project is to is to provide robust experimental design, testing, and analysis of data on counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) technologies that will inform DOJ law enforcement components and assist them in defining C-UAS platforms that can protect critical infrastructure and soft targets against small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) threats.
Proposed Action Description: The Proposed Action evaluated in this Draft EA is testing by CJTEC of CUAS capabilities in Blacksburg, Virginia. The Proposed Action includes the utilization of commercially available off-the-shelf sUAS and four types of third-party C-UAS testing systems. The sUAS would be remotely operated during daylight and nighttime hours with short flight times, within the designated testing area, for the purpose of testing the effectiveness of the C-UAS technology. Regularly scheduled, long flight times are not anticipated during testing. The sUAS would comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations. The C-UAS systems being tested may be placed on the ground or mounted on a vehicle or building. The C-UAS systems would have a detection range of up to approximately 10 miles, and the evaluated sensors include radar systems, passive radio frequency systems, and electro-optical/infrared systems.
Public Comments: NIJ is accepting comments on this Draft EA from June 28, 2023, through the end of the day of July 28, 2023. Comments should be submitted by email to info@clarkgroupllc.com, or mailed to The Clark Group LLC, 137 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT 05602.
Date of Posting: June 28, 2023
writer Aidan Mason covers everything a new Hokie should know about on-campus living.
At Virginia Tech, like most schools, incoming freshmen for the most part are required to live in the dorms for the year. With 47 total residence halls, Tech offers a diverse range of new living experiences for incoming students. It’s an experience that marks a transition from adolescence to adulthood, as it’s many students’ first lengthy stay away from home.
Often, change doesn’t come easily, and that rings true here as well. There are countless worries and potential problems that students and parents have when it comes to dorm living. Thankfully, there’s existing wisdom that can help make this transition smoother. Whether you’re going into Slusher Hall, hanging out at the Creativity and Innovation District, or chilling at Pritchard Hall or the Eggleston Halls, these are tips that may help you on your arrival at Virginia Tech.
One of the most stressful parts of dorm life is that you’re going to be out on your own and largely responsible for your own needs. Instead of being situated at a house with parents to provide anything you may need, you’ll be in a room with fellow Hokies, and you need to prepare for that.
Bedding is one of the most important things to bring along with you, especially blankets given Blacksburg’s notoriously chilly winters. In the summer, depending on your residence hall, you’ll need a fan due to the lack of air conditioning.
Tech provides a checklist of everything you might need for your new home, so if you’re unsure of what to do, check it out! This is just a baseline, though; everyone’s needs are different depending on the individual.
Part of residing in a dorm is living with other people, sometimes people you might not even know. Even if you’re lucky enough to have a friend or acquaintance as your roommate, you still don’t know exactly how well you’re going to get along with each other. Living together can be very different from seeing each other at school or running into one another in the hallway.
Something that may help with this new situation is to sit down and talk before the semester begins. During this time, use it to explain your basic living habits (such as sleeping times, how often you’ll be in or out of the dorm, what you need privacy for, etc.) and establish boundaries and agreements over whatever you may need to. This is something that Virginia Tech requires you to do as well when going through the dorm selection process, so completing the agreement will ensure that you and your
roommates are on the right track to start your freshman year. Once completed, you’ll have a set of rules that will provide a solid foundation and routine that will ensure each of you is given the proper environment to have a smooth transition into college life.
In a way, it’s sort of like a hotel, with a hallway that connects multiple rooms on each floor. Most buildings have at least one common area or sometimes multiple, in the case of larger halls like Slusher Hall.
In terms of bathrooms, that depends on the building you live in. Traditional dorms, where two people share a room, have common hallway bathrooms with multiple stalls and showers, while suites and hotelstyle rooms have smaller bathrooms shared by fewer people.
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$10 STUDENT TICKETS
Find world-class performances that fit any taste — from theatre, dance, and cirque, to classical ensembles, jazz, and more!
FREE RUSH TICKETS
Free, last-minute rush tickets are available for Virginia Tech students who sign up for text notifications. To sign up, text “arts” to 833-966-1838. Free rush seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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How do I get into my room?
In order to enter your dorm building, simply swipe your Hokie Passport in the designated card reader, and the door will unlock for you. Similarly, to get into your room, tap the card against the reader and then enter your code to access your room.
Please note that you will only be able to enter the dorm building you are registered as living in; you won’t be able to enter other dorms with your card.
How do I get help if there’s a problem?
That’s where your friendly neighborhood SLs come in! Officially known as Student Leaders, these are essentially resident advisors that live in the dorms alongside residents and help guide them through their year.
To find your SL’s room, look for the one with the posters and signage on their door. They’ll have helpful information on who to call if you’re locked out of your room or in trouble.
Are there any rules I should know about?
While college is a time for fun and
experimentation, make sure your conduct in the dorms is appropriate. Make sure to keep your space clean, respect others’ boundaries and be respectful when quiet hours are in place.
One thing in particular to keep in mind is that the dorm is Virginia Tech property, and as such, any damages caused by students will be charged to them. Because of this, it’s a good idea to keep your room clean to avoid pests and exercise caution on what you put on the walls to prevent damage.
But above all, the best advice that one can give is to simply have fun! Enjoy this new experience and go with the flow. You may find that it’s much easier to adjust than you might think.
If you have any other questions, there’s resources available at the following link: student.advising.vt.edu/resources.html.
For more on the policies you are expected to follow as a resident, visit this website at the following link: housing.vt.edu/experience/Halls/ housing_policies.html.
“Whatever Kahan’s heavy lyrics mean to you, they always care to deliver life lessons and advice or provide a mirror to your own feelings.”
At midnight on June 9, just 20 hours before his largest show to date, indie-folk singer-songwriter Noah Kahan dropped the deluxe version of his third album, “Stick Season.” The deluxe features six new tracks and an extended version of “The View Between Villages,” a track from the original album. Kahan had begun playing songs from the deluxe at recent shows and dropping teasers online prior to the release date, raising excitement amongst his growing fanbase.
“Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever)” begins its 28 minute, 14-second expansion with “Your Needs, My Needs.” This angsty track showcases Kahan’s talent for putting heartbreak and impossibility — in this case, how it feels to watch someone leave and know they won’t come back — to words. The vocals, as with much of the album, take greater focus than the music
around them, drawing listeners to the words as though through a magnifying glass. In appropriate moments, the music behind the words stops altogether, leaving listeners held in the spaces between to feel what he’s saying without distraction.
Whether “Dial Drunk” is about the person who left in “Your Needs, My Needs” is up to Kahan or your imagination, but the ambiguity is a good transition into the next track on the deluxe. While not as explosively emotional as its preceding piece, “Dial Drunk” is clearly resonant with his audiences, having climbed to No. 2 on Kahan’s top five Spotify tracks in just the first week of the song’s availability. This beat-driven song weaves through the admittance of feelings and acceptance of flaws, describing one of the pit stops on a journey to change and moving on.
In “Paul Revere,” we feel the anticipation of getting closer and closer to somewhere that isn’t as it once was. The last line of the opening stanza is “We’ll drink til New Year’s, then they’ll leave me here to clean up,” which sounds like a continuation of the line “I’ll drink alcohol ‘til my friends come home for Christmas” from “Stick Season,” the titular song of the album. The narrator of the deluxe sounds more ready to leave than ever.
“No Complaints” sounds like another pit stop on that state road to anywhere else. The narrator’s faith seems to be failing him, with the chorus of “I saw the end, it looks just like the middle” and discussion of mental health issues and the numbness of medication. While it gives the idea that the narrator left the physical place he wanted to leave, it’s obvious that his mind hasn’t made a clean escape with him. The war of artistic
success against personal healing is one reminiscent of many famous musicians.
Personally, I found “Call Your Mom” to be the most potent new track from the deluxe. For anyone who’s been with a loved one through a hard time, it’s an acknowledgment of the often unseen dedication that goes into those long hours. For those who’ve been the one in need, it serves as a reminder of how much love is out there for them and where it’s coming from. With a simple, mellow sound and keening promise, this ballad shines through as one of Kahan’s most emotional tracks to date. This is one you’ll need to listen to yourself to truly understand.
The lyrics of “You’re Gonna Go Far” are inextricably linked with “Your Needs, My Needs.”
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Tweets from Kahan say that they’re the same story with two different endings — both opening with the car ride to the bus stop, he says, and going their separate ways from there. YNMN is undeniably painful, whereas YGGF, in clear juxtaposition, celebrates the escape of a loved one from a hometown while taking care to remind them that there’s always somewhere to come back to. The parenthetical name of
the deluxe, fittingly enough, derives itself from the chorus of YGGF. These two tracks bookending the completely new portion of the deluxe is a particularly suitable pairing, showing the evolution of acceptance and emotion over the course of the six.
The deluxe closes out with “The View Between Villages (Extended),” which is a little more than a minute longer than the original track. That extra minute includes a spoken bridge from Hazel Lewis and Melvin Coburn, residents of Strafford, VT – where,
according to WBUR, Kahan’s parents live. This hometown touch perfectly seals the album, and its overarching theme always comes back to how we feel about the places that we’re from and the people that came with them.
Whatever Kahan’s heavy lyrics mean to you, they always care to deliver life lessons and advice or provide a mirror to your own feelings. If you’re looking for an excuse to cry, be angry, or feel love and hope flow, give the deluxe a listen.
The Hokies will play some tough opponents in 2023.
The overall impression of Virginia Tech’s football team is nationally underwhelming heading into the season.
The Hokies, who are coming off of their first three-win season since 1988, enter the second year of the Brent Pry era with meager expectations. Their schedule isn’t loaded with powerhouse programs, but there are a few teams with championship aspirations.
With that being said, let’s explore the top three opponents on Virginia Tech’s schedule.
Head Coach Pat Narduzzi has arguably been one of the best defensive coaches in the conference during his time at Pitt. The Panthers have excelled at rushing the quarterback. Last season, they were top 20 nationally in sack percentage and opponent completion percentage.
Luckily for the Hokies, they won’t have to try to stop running back Israel Abanikanda. After rushing for 320 yards and six touchdowns against Virginia Tech last season, Abanikanda was drafted by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Perhaps the Panthers’ biggest move of the offseason was bringing in quarterback Phil Jurkovec. Jurkovec hasn’t had much success against the Hokies in his career (1–2 record), but he’s reuniting with offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. The Boston College transfer had a career year under Cignetti in 2020, throwing for just over 2500 yards and 17 touchdowns.
The Panthers should be a bowl team in 2023,
and it shouldn’t be surprising if they have the top defense in the ACC. The Hokies will visit Alumni Stadium on Nov. 11.
The Boilermakers are coming off a Big Ten championship berth. After consecutive winning seasons, head coach Jeff Brohm left for Louisville. Purdue’s new head coach, Ryan Walters, will return a talented team.
The wildcard for Walters’ squad this season will be transfer-quarterback Hudson Card. The former Texas Longhorn played well in Quinn Ewers’ absence. Card threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns against West Virginia last season. Ironically enough, Walters’ brought former Mountaineers’ offensive coordinator Graham Harrell in to unlock Card’s potential.
Card was 247’s fourth-rated dual-threat quarterback coming out of high school, five spots ahead of Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Purdue’s air raid offense could give Virginia Tech some problems, and the Boilermakers’ linebacker group should headline a stingy defense.
The Hokies will open Power Five play with a Lane Stadium matchup versus Purdue on Sept. 9.
The Seminoles haven’t had expectations as high as they are now since the Jimbo Fisher era. Florida State is currently the betting favorite to win the ACC title on Fanduel Sportsbook, BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook.
Mike Norvell has put the Seminoles back on the map. They won 10 games last year for the first time since 2016 and finished the season on a six-game winning streak. Florida State is returning a boatload of talent that includes First-team All-American Jared Verse.
Offensively, the duo of quarterback Jordan Travis and wide receiver Johnny Wilson should headline an absolutely electric offense. The Seminoles also benefited from the transfer portal, adding a versatile offensive player in Jaheim Bell. Bell may be listed as a tight end, but he can line up in the backfield and serve as a prolific runner.
Florida State was ranked in the top four of ESPN’s 2023 Way-Too-Early college football Top 25, and Virginia Tech will see the Seminoles in the fourth matchup of a five-week road stretch. The Hokies will visit Doak S. Campbell Stadium on Oct. 7.
Virginia Tech’s schedule isn’t a cakewalk by any stretch of the imagination, and the Hokies will likely need to win at least one of these matchups to be bowl-eligible.
Tech’s second-year football coach might be gaining some momentum.
Head Coach Brent Pry has relied on Virginia’s recruiting foundation during his career as a defensive coordinator, which he continued when taking the reins of Virginia Tech’s football program. Pry was an excellent recruiter at his last stop, prying several future professionals out of the Commonwealth.
The former Penn State defensive coordinator was believed to be the primary recruiter for future Carolina Panthers Yetur Gross-Matos and Brandon Smith. Some of his other notable recruits include Dallas Cowboys pass-rusher Micah Parsons and current Penn State linebacker Curtis Jacobs
Pry’s recruiting success thus far has instilled belief into the Hokies fan base — and that optimism is at its pinnacle right now.
On June 4, the Hokies nabbed one of the better linemen out of the transfer portal in
Clayton Frady. Frady was a pillar of consistency at Gardner-Webb, starting 14 games at tackle and earning All-Big South First Team honors.
Offensive tackle was an obvious position of need heading into the offseason. Frady’s presence on the offensive line should help a Virginia Tech group that allowed 33 sacks last season.
After landing a top transfer, Pry secured a commitment from four-star linebacker Gabriel Williams. 247 Sports tabbed Running Backs Coach Elijah Brooks as the primary recruiter, which makes sense, considering Williams and Brooks both have ties to Maryland.
The 6-foot-4 linebacker’s film showcased his ability to play multiple positions effectively. Williams’ versatility allowed him to line up in the box to bolster the run defense on first down, then man the secondary from the safety
position on third down.
The overall sentiment is that Williams could get him meaningful snaps early in his career.
“Going over the schemes and the defense, they told me that if I come in and do everything right that I could start as a freshman,” Williams told On3.
The Laurel, Virginia native knows that Virginia Tech is rebuilding, and he is determined to be a part of the turnaround.
“I could have gone to somewhere that was already built up, but I wanted to be an impact player and show people that Virginia Tech still has it,” Williams said. “The fans haven’t given up on the team and I think it’s time to change things around.”
Cornerback Marcellus Barnes was the second four-star commit the Hokies landed in as many days. The Chattanooga, Tennessee,
native shared many of the same sentiments as Williams, crediting Cornerbacks Coach Derek Jones with playing a pivotal role in his commitment.
“Coach Jones is a different type of coach,” Barnes told On3. “He’s a coach, but he’s also like another dad to me so I know he’ll be able to help me on and off the field once I get there.”
Virginia Tech’s “This is Home” motto resonated with each of its last two recruiting classes. Pry and company have created a family environment unlike others, and the 2023 and 2024 recruiting classes are evidence of that. The results may not be immediate, but both classes have the potential to leave a lasting impression on Pry’s program.
Looking back on the 2022-2023 sports seasons.
Hello, Hokies! If you’re a rising freshman sports fan or just want a refresher on how the last year went, I recapped how each of the Hokies’ 20 varsity teams did during their 2022-23 seasons.
Fall:
Men’s cross country
Tech finished in eighth place in the ACC championships, notching 251 points. Antonio Lopez Segura was the Hokies’ lone All-ACC runner, finishing the 8k in 11th place with a time of 23:19.0.
Women’s cross country
The Hokies also placed eighth in the ACC championships with 219 points. In the 6k, Lindsey Butler finished 26th, timing at 20:22.8, a personal best.
It was the first season of Head Coach Brent Pry’s tenure, and the team’s abysmal 3–8 record reflected the ripple effects of the previous coach. With that said, their record was the program’s worst since 1992. Another season without a bowl appearance is likely, but it’s not time to press the bright red panic button — yet — before Pry’s second season.
Men’s soccer
Their 2022 season didn’t go very well. They finished 3–14–1 overall, including 0–8 in conference play. Mike Brizendine, with 13 seasons at the helm of the program, might have had a down year. We’ll see how they do this year before determining if their previous season is part of a larger trend.
Women’s soccer
Finishing 10–7–2, they made the NCAA tournament before falling to West Virginia. Freshman forward Taylor Price scored a team-high eight goals and 19 points. It will be interesting to see how she and the other 11 rising sophomores play after completing a full season.
They’re rebuilding. Marci Byers is trending the team in the right direction, but they still finished last in the ACC with a 4–14 conference
record. The team featured 11 freshmen, so we’ll see how they play with a season under their belts.
Winter:
Men’s basketball
A seven-game losing streak in December and January didn’t help their NCAA tournament chances, but that was largely because senior guard Hunter Cattoor was injured for most of that stretch. They snapped a five-season run of NCAA tournament appearances but fell short of expectations after winning the 2022 ACC tournament.
Women’s basketball
After years on the verge, Tech finally launched into the conversation of national title contenders. They won their first ACC title and advanced to the Final Four for the first time in Virginia Tech basketball — women’s or men’s — history. They should be right back in the Final Four conversation and are currently the bestequipped Hokies team to make a national title run.
Men’s swim and dive
Highlighted by Youssef Ramadan’s national championship in the 100-yard fly, Tech finished No. 9 at the NCAA championships and No. 2 at the ACC championships. Ramadan, named the ACC Men’s Swimmer of the Year, led the Hokies to their highest NCAA championships finish in program history.
Women’s swim and dive
Women’s swim and dive finished 20th in the NCAA championships, their highest finish since 2012, and sixth in the ACC. They earned five All-American Honorable Mention selections: Caroline Bentz, Sarah Shackelford, Emma Atkinson, Carmen Weiler Sastre and Emily Claesson. Tech also broke two school records during the NCAA championships, in the 200 freestyle relay (1:27.89) and the 400 freestyle relay (3:12.76).
Wrestling
The Hokies finished No. 9 in the NCAA championships, including five All-American selections. With Mekhi Lewis, the 2019 national
champion in the 165 lb. weight class, returning for his fifth year, which the NCAA allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Tech will continue to be a top-tier program.
Softball
It’s really, really hard to follow up on a 2022 season in which the Hokies entered the NCAA tournament ranked No. 2 in the country. Tech’s rotation suffered, only having one reliable option in the circle — Emma Lemley — after Keely Rochard graduated. The Hokies were up-and-down, and while they were always ranked in the top 25, they didn’t make a run for the national title as many expected.
Similarly with softball, it’s hard to match the expectations that mounted after a historic 2022 season. In 2022, they were ranked No. 4 in the NCAA tournament and were a win away from the College World Series. But a lot of players, including All-American outfielder Jack Hurley, spent time out with injuries in 2023, which hurt Tech in the end.
Their 2023 season was an improvement from their 2022 season, and their 2022 season was an improvement from their 2021 season, and so on. Although they finished with a 10–9 record — which was a minor improvement — and were eliminated in the ACC tournament quarterfinals, they played better than their record let on. After a slow start, they began to hold their own in a competitive ACC. They lost three games — to No. 7 Boston College, No. 20 Duke and No. 2 Syracuse — by a combined five goals. Keep watching and Tech’s women’s lacrosse could soon be close enough to an NCAA tournament appearance.
Placing 12th in the ACC championships, the Hokies finished with a score of 896 in the tournament. Charlie Hanson led the team that weekend, finishing in 38th place with a score of 221, five over par.
First time since 2017 — excluding the canceled 2020 tournament — they didn’t field a team for the NCAA championships, although Morgan Ketchum and Becca DiNunzio competed as individuals. Ketchum finished the NCAA Raleigh Regional tied for fourth place, while DiNunzio finished tied for 49th.
Men’s tennis
Jordan Chrysostom and Ryan Fishback, ranked No. 24 in the country, advanced to the NCAA Round of 32 before falling to the No. 3 duo from the University of Texas. As a team, they finished 9–16 overall and 3–9 in conference play.
Women’s tennis
The team finished 10–14 overall and 1–12 in the ACC. Özlem Uslu was named All-ACC Second Team after finishing the season ranked No. 51 in the ITA singles rankings.
Men’s track and field
The Hokies ended their outdoor season with three All-Americans: Cole Beck, Antonio Lopez Segura and Nick Plant. Beck, who also plays on the football team, ran a 10.05 in the 100-meter finals. Lopez Segura clocked in at 14:27.70 in the 5,000-meter finals. Plant finished with a 1:49.17 time in the 800-meter semifinals.
Women’s track and field
Virginia Tech finished their 2023 outdoor season with six All-Americans: Essence Henderson, Cierra Pyles, Julia Fixsen, Kenna Stimmel, Journey Gurley and Hayley Horvath. Fixsen won the national title in the pole vault and was named USTFCCCA Women’s Field Athlete of the Year.
Going into the 2023-24 seasons, it will be interesting to see how teams either follow up on historic success (such as men’s swim and dive or women’s basketball) or how they respond to the challenges in their previous seasons (such as football or volleyball). You can see them compete in Lane Stadium, Cassell Coliseum, English Field, Tech Softball Park or the other athletic facilities on campus.
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APARTMENTS + TOWNHOMES
