COLLEGIATE112th YEAR, ISSUE 165 collegiatetimes.com TIMESApril 15, 2016 An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903

FILE 2007 A member of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets plays Taps at the candlelight vigil on April 17, 2007, in the fi rst publicly held memorial service to honor the victims of the tragedy. On Wednesday, April 13, 2016, Gov. Terry McAuliffe proclaimed April 16 to be the “Virginia Tech Day of Remembrance.” Read the full story on page 3. Remembrance Day Events Midnight Women’s rugby Lighting of the Ceremonial 9:43 a.m. Candle Moment of April 16 Memorial Silence Campus tackles ALS 9:45 a.m. 3.2 for 32 Run in Virginia Tech women’s rugby will host the fi rst-ever Tackling ALS Remembrance tournament to honor a team member’s mother. Campus 11 a.m. Community SIERRA HUCKFELDT that many close friends that could really sports editor help me through everything, so I ended up Professor Marc Edwards speaks Picnic during a conference to address Commonwealth joining the rugby team at the beginning of Ballroom, Squires 12-2 p.m. Being an athlete on a team sport is about my junior year.” another issue with the water system Reading of the more than catching a pass or setting up a Abbey quickly became immersed in in Orleans, New York on April 12. good pick. It’s about being part of a family, rugby and connected with members of the Bios GLC Auditorium one which supports each other both on and team. In the spring of 2015, she was with her off the field. team on a weekend retreat when she heard 11:59 p.m. Both fans and the media alike often focus of her mother’s passing, two years after her New York Extinguishing on the challenges that athletes face within diagnosis. According to Abbey’s father, of Ceremonial the sport in which they compete, but they Cindy had been doing well just a few days Candle often ignore much more painful challenges, prior. Abbey’s boyfriend traveled seven town faces April 16 Memorial such as emotional and personal battles that hours to the cabin to give her the news, arise off the field. What many people don’t where there was no Internet connection, cell read or hear about are the bonds that are phone service or electricity. Flint-esque made through being on a team, especially “My friend’s family has a cabin up in Open burning in college when young people’s lives are the mountains. I was up there hanging out changing the most. with the team and everyone was getting to struggles When women’s rugby player Abbey know everybody, hanging out and having in Radford Coleman’s mother passed away from her fun. We all went to bed, and in the middle of LEWIS MILHOLLAND brave battle against ALS last year, the team the night there was a banging on the door,” news editor banded together to create a philanthropic Abbey said. “I looked out the window and prompts local event to raise money for ALS awareness. was like, ‘Oh my god, that’s my boyfriend Citizens of Orleans, a small town ALS stands for amyotrophic lateral scle- and his friend.’ I looked at my friend and was in upstate New York, have suspected rosis, and it is a progressive neurodegener- like, ‘This can’t be good. There is no way he for a long time that the Department of controversy ative disease that affects the spinal cord and is driving seven hours from my house unless Transportation’s nearby salt storage brain. Once diagnosed, Cindy Coleman was it’s bad news.’” facilities have been contaminating CLARE RIGNEY given six months. The team united around Abbey and did its their private wells. Fed up with her environmentalism beat reporter Abbey, a senior loosehead prop, was a best to comfort her through this devastating local government’s lackluster response, sophomore at Virginia Tech at the time of time. Orleans resident Stephanie Weiss called “One of the most dangerous and her mother’s diagnosis. After hearing the “We were all there when Abbey had to go on the aid of Virginia Tech. toxic facilities in the nation” is how the news, Abbey decided to join the women’s home a bunch of weekends, and we were all Weiss and her husband Andy Greene famous environmental activist Erin rugby team. supporting her and we were all there when have lived in their current home for about Brockovich referred to the Radford “It was really a lifesaver, to be honest. My she was balancing rugby, work and her mom 15 years and have received inconsistent Army Ammunition Plant. On March 23, family lives in Richmond, so when Mom was being sick. We all didn’t know how she did results from testing their private well-fed Brockovich posted on Facebook about diagnosed, when she was first sick, my sister it because it was so much,” junior Backs tap water. Sometimes lead levels soared, the plant, which is located along Prices was in school here with me,” Abbey said. “I Captain and Treasurer Jordan Winston said. sometimes not so much. But what they Fork Road and the New River, and criti- had about a semester with her here, but then and the rest of the community were really cized its practice of open burning. she graduated and left. I didn’t really have see ALS / page 9 looking at was salt in the aquifer — it was For years residents of the New River only after reading about the crisis in Flint, Valley have been protesting against the Michigan, that Weiss began to suspect open burning at the Radford arsenal. lead contamination. Meanwhile there has not been much At that point, the next step was a communication between the plant and Diverse panel discusses no-brainer. locals. “Who did I reach out to?” Weiss said. “Most people who are environmen- “I guess I reached out to people who could tally conscious and aware, when they manifestation of racism help me answer that question. People like learn the truth of what’s happening at CALEB GOVORUHK Marc.” the Radford arsenal ... they generally news staff writer Marc Edwards, Virginia Tech want to help,” said Devawn Bledsoe, professor and face of the Flint Water who began researching the arsenal eight Squires Student Center’s Commonwealth Study Team, has championed the charge years ago. Ballroom turned into a think tank of to expose the corruption surrounding As the founder of the Environmental erudition on Thursday, April 14 as the water contamination. He’s also advocated Patriots of the New River Valley, NAACP’s Virginia Tech chapter presented to improve water infrastructure across the Bledsoe said that her goal is not to its second annual event, “Racism: The country. As Edwards puts it, “Civilization completely stop the Arsenal from open Power of Illusion.” as you know it can end if you don’t have a burning but to reduce the amount they The event was co-sponsored by VT good operating water system.” burn, conduct a general cleanup of the Dreamers and the Muslim Student When Weiss reached out to Edwards, facility and to facilitate transparency. Association and featured three different he put her in touch with Virginia Tech The Radford Army Ammunition panelists, all from different departments researcher Kelsey Pieper, who published Plant began operations in 1941 as the on campus and with different fields of a study last fall that revealed lead levels in Radford Ordinance Works, a manufac- experience. 19 percent of Virginia’s tap water drawn turing plant for the armed forces during The three panelists were Khaled from wells exceed the EPA action level. World War II. Today it manufactures Hassouna, the associate director for Middle The EPA standard is a guideline propellants and munitions. East and North Africa initiatives for the though, not a legal requirement, since The practice of open burning office of international research, education the EPA does not have the authority to involves the collection of waste too and development; Dennis Hidalgo, an regulate private wells. This also means large to dispose of through normal assistant professor in the department of that there are not a lot of data available on means and gathering it into pans, of history; and Natasha Cox, the assistant well water quality, and there are no stan- which the arsenal has 16. The pans are director of the Intercultural Engagement dardized sampling protocols. On top of then doused with fuel and set on fire; the Center. that, because the wells are private, testing resulting 45-second burns are known as “According to an online article published must be done with the explicit consent of “flash burns.” in January of 2016, Pew Research Center the homeowner. The DEQ, the Virginia Department estimates that there were 3.3 million “A lot of my work relies on engaged of Environmental Equality, has granted LOREN SKINKER / COLLEGIATE TIMES Muslims of all ages living in the U.S. in homeowners. So I’ve worked with some the arsenal a permit to burn up to 8,000 Khaled Hassouna, associate director for 2014,” said Rayan Salih, the president of really wonderful people,” Pieper said. pounds a day. Since 1988, the Radford Middle East and North Africa Initiatives, the Muslim Student Association at Virginia “It’s a growing conversation. One of the plant has had a permit to open burn and speaks on behalf of the Islam Student Tech. “And yet, people still don’t know the things I always like to say is, we do a lot of open detonate, which was meant to last Association this past Thursday evening, basics of Islam, the religion that these developing work, and we still have April 14, 2016. see BURNING / page 3 see RACE / page 10 see WATER / page 10

STRING PROJECT HOKIES BASEBALL The VT String Project HOSTS PITTSBURGH /CollegiateTimes ctlifestyles received a grant from Tech will play three games the CMF Association. against the Panthers. @collegiatetimes CT MOBILE APP page 6 page 8 iTunes / Google Play PAGE 2 April 15, 2016 collegiatetimes.com [email protected] opinion collegiatetimes.com/opinion column your views [letter to the editor] Campus policies fail to aid Desolation Row: decline of health risks of poor posture

e’ve all expe- Australia brought light to product’s satisfaction the composition program rienced the a shocking truth about tele- because there seems to Wexcruciating vision. People who watched be a silent understanding irst-year composition matters. devoted their lives to helping VT pain that comes with long an average six hours of TV that roller backpacks are Composition prepares deliver on its promise. By removing hours of studying. For the a day lived approximately designed for elementary Fstudents with the foundational this mentorship, we are decimating the record, I am not alluding 4.8 years less than those school students or elders writing skills they need to succeed in network created to ensure that students to mental exhaustion, who didn’t watch any tele- with back problems. We college, which is why these courses succeed. Let’s put this into perspective: although cramming infor- vision. Also, every hour live in a generation where are required for a myriad of majors, this semester, the GTAs teach approxi- mation into your brain does of TV that participants the practicality of tools and more than two-thirds of students mately 1,150 students. The GTAs are sound both uncomfortable watched after age 25 is and clothing thrives, such take them. Composition also prepares divided into a smaller group with an and dissatisfying. believed to be associated as Crocs, Hoverboards and students for the world beyond college adviser, who works under the coordi- Instead, I refer to the with a 22-minute reduction even the rebirth of fanny — a world in which the ability to nator of GTA education, to properly back aches that come after in their life expectancies. packs, so what makes roller communicate is a threshold skill. The read, comment and approve every curling over textbooks in These hours, paired with backpacks less appealing composition program cannot be under- GTA’s syllabus, three major writing the middle of the night, the amount of time spent than the rest? valued or underappreciated; unfortu- assignments and daily calendars. Due the intolerable posture that sitting for a job, school and Along with the rein- nately, the structure of this program is to our smaller class size (necessary to comes with the territory of transportation, leave the troduction of roller back- about to change. teach composition), we become one of maintaining good grades. average person to spend packs, I believe we could the few faculty members who actually In a world framed by a relatively small portion implement a few other know their names; and because of that, demanding intellectual of the day in an upright practices, such as adult we are able to help them negotiate standards and unwavering position. Even when people recesses, stand-up lectures The question is not whether problems that other instructors simply job protocols, a bad case are on their feet, most are or redesigning school “damage will be done by this do not see. Our pastoral care load is of the slumps has conse- crushed by bags that are desks. Class chairs are heavier and harder, but we can face the quently evolved into a twice the weight doctors often constructed with a change but rather how much challenge because we have support. full-fledged epidemic. recommend they carry. slant in the back, which damage will be allowed That support cannot be lost without As I trudge across the Television should no makes it harder to sit negatively affecting our students and Drillfield, methodically longer be the go-to luxury up straight when a class before recognizing this our capacity to serve them. Those searching for the peace activity we pursue when is filled at maximum alteration as an error.” running the composition program are of mind that comes from we have finished an eight- capacity. For people like stretched thin, but they continue to admiring the leaves or the hour work day. We must me who care about their work diligently and tirelessly because Hokie Stone buildings glis- look for alternative solu- posture, close quarters In the past few weeks it has come they understand and value the purpose tening with pride, I can tions to regain control of make it impossible to both to light that the Virginia Tech of their work. no longer ignore the thou- our posture and find the fit everything on your desk Composition Program will undergo While many freshmen may groan sands of shoulders hanging time to exercise because and take notes in an upright significant changes. In short, Virginia at the thought of having to take an low and fighting gravity to these changes will produce position. Tech’s award-winning teaching English class, these students soon pull a stern load of supplies quantifiable results. There simply isn’t mentorship program has been discover that the lessons taught in to class. Slouching is more In conjunction with the enough space, unless you dismantled — a team of experienced these courses are vital. In Forbes’ than an occasional fluster adverse effects of tele- slant backwards so you mentoring staff (collectively respon- “Employees Who Stand Out,” a former in the spine. We need to vision, I firmly believe can read your penmanship sible for over 45 Graduate Teaching CEO of a large corporation remarks, prepare for the serious that we as a society should while you write notes in Assistants) has been replaced with a “During my 38 years in the corporate consequences that can reevaluate the path we class. single staff member. These changes sector, I have found that as employees come from mistreating our have paved to breeding I understand that both appear to have been decided and progress in a career, it is these broad bodies. successful applicants in stand-up lectures and implemented opaquely, but regardless liberal arts skills — the ability to think I’m sure by now we have the workplace. It seems to adult recesses sound a of our concerns about the decision- critically and communicate clearly — all experienced moderate me that our physical well- bit farfetched for college making process (and we have many), it that differentiate their performance ... harassment from friends being has been less of a students, but I think it is the outcome that is most worrisome. These are also characteristics desired and family members to concern over the last few would be a healthy way to I am a small part of this compo- by employers. According to a 2013 stand tall, sit up straight or years. Meanwhile, intel- keep blood flowing, and sition program. I teach 40 students study by the Association of American push our shoulders back. lectual abilities and tech- students would feel more this semester, take three courses, and Colleges and Universities, 93 percent It’s commonly understood nological advancements compelled to engage in in May, I will receive my master’s of the survey respondents said, ‘a that shrugged shoulders have blossomed into a conversation with their degree. In the fall I will be at another demonstrated capacity to think criti- and craned necks are unfa- primary concerns. teacher when they are university, working toward my Ph.D. cally, communicate clearly and solve vorable in society, for both Don’t get me wrong: already on their feet. and teaching courses there as well. complex problems is more important social and health concerns. Being brilliant is never a Another way for schools However, my experiences here are than (a candidate’s) undergraduate With significant scien- bad thing, but ignoring the to add an element of what have given me the ability to major.’” tific findings that prove relationship that your body exercise to their teaching continue on in a doctoral program. Of In light of 1) the importance of how good posture is meant has with your mind is a programs would be intro- course, my classes have challenged me critical thinking, effective writing and to alleviate tension in the dangerous dissolution. ducing stability balls and pushed me to grow as a student and the research process across multiple spine as well as help the According to Dutch for chairs, like Bauder as an educator, but it is the mentorship disciplines and 2) the substantial body receive higher oxygen behavioral scientist Erik Elementary school in that I have received in my teaching responsibilities of the first-year levels, why is sitting up Peper, we are more likely 2009 and later the Grand that has helped me to build my future composition program to teach students straight so hard to manage? to remember positive Valley State University. and the future of my students. Many at Virginia Tech, plans to reduce Most people can’t go longer memories, or think of Students from Grand schools prepare their graduate students support given to GTAs will have than a few minutes before something positive in Valley State University to teach courses with an email, maybe disastrous results. Clearly, one indi- they can no longer resist general, when we sit up were surveyed about their an orientation or, if lucky, a week of vidual cannot take on a job currently the temptation to slouch. If straight. This is because experience and admit- instruction. Virginia Tech, which being done by four, all of whom fully good posture helps regain there is a higher quality of tedly enjoyed the change prides itself on cultivating strong, understand the program and its intri- our bodies’ natural func- oxygen finding its way to that the balls brought in engaged individuals, dedicates an cacies, without a drop in the quality tions, then why does it feel our brain cells when the the classroom, both for entire semester to the English GTAs in of instruction and, ultimately, student more natural to slouch? airways are not cramped controlled attention and the order to prepare them to teach English success and preparedness. The inclination to slouch after hunching most of the pleasure it brings, reducing 1105/1106. I was originally enrolled in If, as its mission statement suggests, has been brought on by a day. With nearly three- the negative connotations classes at another university in another Virginia Tech wishes to maintain its variety of New Age activ- fourths of our day spent of sitting. part of the country for the 2014-2015 status as a “comprehensive university” ities, such as increased sitting, the least we could Growing up as the kid school year, but then Virginia Tech in which students receive an education television consumption, do is work on having who had uncomfortably notified me of my acceptance and the conferring the diverse skills necessary bodies leaned over elec- healthy posture. bad posture, I never thought ability to teach composition. I switched to succeed within a competitive work- tronics and prolonged It seems to me that there I would see the day when I my plans within 24 hours. force, it must maintain practices heavy lifting. According to are many possible solu- would be embarrassed to In my first semester, I took 18 that are consistent with this mission. Nielsen numbers in 2012, tions to this problem, all of sit up straight in class, but credit hours, worked in the writing Consider this from Virginia Tech’s Americans spent 34 hours which would, to this day, be I couldn’t feel more self- center for 2 hours a week and had 3 mission statement: “Through its focus a week watching live tele- rejected under the preface conscious for trying. nervous breakdowns. I succeeded on teaching and learning, research vision, adding a couple of social stigmas or the fear In a classroom where that semester due to the mentorship and discovery, and outreach and extra hours if you count of changing traditions. For I am the only one whose of knowledgeable and supportive engagement, the university creates, taped video programs. example, roller backpacks chest doesn’t hang as low instructors who truly wanted not only conveys and applies knowledge.” If In 2010, The Australian are one of the smartest as the corners of the desk, I to see me succeed but also to ensure we accept the premise that a compre- Diabetes, Obesity and inventions ever fashioned. now realize that our gener- that my teaching would be as strong hensive university education involves Lifestyle study reported Could you imagine the ation has a real problem at as possible as a first-year GTA. It was high-quality writing instruction — to a correlation between relief you would feel no stake. in my teaching courses and meetings convey the knowledge it produces — the amount of time spent longer lugging four text- with my adviser that I entered my own then Virginia Tech cannot ask GTAs watching television and books and a laptop up four ALY DE ANGELUS laboratory — a laboratory in which I to strongly or even adequately teach mortality rates. flights of stairs every day? • regular columnist could test ideas, devise lesson plans our freshmen without support from Just one year after these Sadly, few individuals • sophomore/multimedia and develop effective writing assign- nurturing and qualified mentors. findings, another study in take advantage of this journalism ments. I naively came to the program Without aiding its instructors, thinking that I could use “A Tale of Virginia Tech clearly cannot promise Two Cities” to teach students, mostly students and their families that they’re non-English majors (and many from receiving the highest-quality writing COLLEGIATETIMES non-English speaking backgrounds), instruction the university can provide. how to write. It was after my “Teaching The question is not whether damage NEWSROOM ...... 231-9865 BUSINESS STAFF ...... 231-9860 Composition” class that I understood will be done by this change but rather Editor in Chief: Ricky LaBlue ([email protected]) Business Manager: Haley Keen ([email protected]) Managing Editors: Gautam Rao, Andrea Pappas that my own passions of literature were how much damage will be allowed COLLEGE MEDIA SOLUTIONS ...... 231-9860 Design Editor: Jina Ro not necessarily going to be successful before recognizing this alteration as an Creative Director: Hannah Murray in the writing classroom. I was not error. Copy Editor: Melissa Fairfax Assistant Creative Director: Casey Phillips alone in this idea. News Editors: Lewis Millholland, Richard Chumney Creative Staff: Matt Cox But this is not about me. This is Lifestyles Editors: Payton Knobeloch, Samantha Smith about my students — and the other Sports Editors: Sierra Huckfeldt, Faizan Hasnany solutions.collegemedia.com 1,110 who take composition courses. PUBLIUS Opinions Editor: Carson Bartlett [email protected] This is about the dedicated professors • Concerned graduate teaching assistants Photo Editor: Zack Wajsgras and instructors who have completely Assistant Photo Editor: Catie Carreras Social Media Manager: Rachel Freeburger Have a news tip? [email protected] Voice your opinion. Send letters to the Collegiate Times. 365 Squires Student Center All letters must include a name and phone number. Students must include year and major. Faculty and staff must include position and department. Blacksburg, VA, 24061 The Collegiate Times, a division of the Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech, was established in 1903 by and for the Other submissions must include city of residence and relationship to Virginia students of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The Collegiate Times is published every Tuesday through Friday of [email protected] Tech (i.e., alumni, parent, etc.). We reserve the right to edit for any reason. the academic year except during exams and vacations. The first copy of the Collegiate Times is free, any copy of the paper after Anonymous letters will not be printed. that is 50 cents. To order a reprint of a photograph printed in the Collegiate Times, visit reprints.collegemedia.com. The Collegiate Times is a division of the Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit with a mission to provide Letters, commentaries and editorial cartoons do not reflect the views of the Collegiate Times. educational experience in business and production of mass media for Virginia Tech students. Editorials are written by the Collegiate Times editorial board, which is composed of the opinions editors, editor- © Collegiate Times, 2016. All rights reserved. Material published in the Collegiate Times is the property thereof, and may not be in-chief and the managing editors. reprinted without the express written consent of the Collegiate Times. [email protected] collegiatetimes.com April 15, 2016 PAGE 3 news collegiatetimes.com/news Gov. Terry McAuliffe honors memory of April 16 victims MATT JONES marked by the ringing for the families of those Town of Blacksburg beat of the bell at the Capitol that lost their lives,” reporter Square Bell Tower in said Mark Owczarski, Richmond 32 times. assistant vice president Virginia Gov. Terry “While we will never for university relations. “I McAuliffe issued a procla- forget the tragedy of April know governors before him mation this week declaring 16, 2007, we will honor the have done similar sorts of April 16, 2016, as “Virginia victims by also remem- observances and proclama- Tech Remembrance Day.” bering the light that came tions, and it’s just extraor- out of the darkness,” dinarily special that people McAuliffe said in a press continue to remember While we will never release. “We must also those people that lost their build on the progress we’ve lives now nine years ago.” “forget the tragedy made in Virginia, ensuring In the press release, of April 16, 2007, this type of tragedy never McAuliffe encouraged BEN WEIDLICH / COLLEGIATE TIMES happens again.” those interested to partic- Blacksburg Town Council convenes for bimonthly meeting, April 12, 2016. we will honor the This is not the first time ipate in blood drives spon- victims by also a Virginia governor has sored by the Virginia remembering the made similar proclama- Tech Alumni Association tions. McAuliffe issued in Richmond and Falls Town council considers light that came out declarations in advance of Church. A number of of the darkness.” April 16 in 2014 and 2015. events will occur in Terry McAuliffe Former Virginia Gov. Bob Blacksburg and on next fi scal year’s budget Virginia Governor McDonnell made similar Virginia Tech’s campus, proclamations for April 16 including the 3.2-Mile Run MATT JONES citizens, that we can take as an entitlement community, every year he was in office. in Remembrance and a Town of Blacksburg beat them into account next week the town receives some funds The day will mark Former Gov. Tim Kaine midnight lighting of a cere- reporter when we meet in our work from HUD each year to events throughout Virginia also called for remem- monial candle at the April At 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, session to see if we want to develop the community. in remembrance of the brance on April 16 every 16 Memorial. the Blacksburg Town make any changes or tweaks As part of the program, the 32 people who lost their year he was in office after More information on Council convened for its first to these two ordinances.” town submits a plan annually lives in shootings at the the shooting. April 16 events can be meeting in April. The agenda Deputy Town Manager and a long-term plan every university on April 16, Nevertheless, the act is found at weremember. was packed with items for the Steven Ross then gave a five years of how it will spend 2007. Flags at government appreciated by members vt.edu. council’s approval, ranging presentation on the two the money. In addition to buildings throughout the of the Virginia Tech from amending the leases proposed ordinances. The several smaller programs, state will be flown at half- community. for cell phone antennas on first ordinance increases fees roughly 73 percent of the staff on April 16 this year. “Again, what a town-owned water towers to install connections to the $1,052,160 it has received At 9:43 a.m., a moment of thoughtful act; what a @jones_mattryan to changing the prop- town water service and water from HUD will be spent on silence will be observed, thoughtful recognition erties included in the town meters. It also decreases the Bennet Hill and Progress Agricultural and Forestal the flat rate for water while Street neighborhood. District. increasing the usage rate Hanratty told the council However, most of the and the sewer fee. According that around 71 percent of the meeting revolved around to Ross, the changes work houses in the neighborhood BURNING: Residents fi ght budgetary matters. The out to an increase of $2.93 are rented out, which some- council considered raising per month for the average times causes “lifestyle fees at the town-owned Blacksburg household. conflicts” between college Radford Arsenal pollution cemetery, changing water Ross also addressed students and homeowners. and sewer rates, next year’s the proposed roughly $61 To help with this problem, proposed budget, and the million budget for the town. the town is using the CDBG propellant, missiles, fire- be dangerous to human usage of funds from the U.S. According to Ross, the funds to help Community from page 1 works and explosives, health. A Superfund site, Department of Housing and budget anticipates revenues Housing Partners purchase although it is also found in identified under CIRCLA, Urban Development (HUD). from meal taxes and other several houses in the neigh- until it found a safer mundane items like deter- is a location that has been During the public hearing revenue sources to increase, borhood. The houses will alternative. gents. According to the identified by the EPA as a section of the meeting, the allowing property taxes to then be sold with deed Bledsoe said that she Scientific American, trace site required to clean up its council voted unanimously remain the same. The budget restrictions to prevent them is worried about the fires amounts of perchlorate in own waste. The arsenal was to approve an ordinance that also allots more money from being rented out for the that are allowed to smolder drinking water have been classified as a Superfund raised rates at Westview than initially proposed to next 99 years. for several hours, which shown to potentially cause in 1999 but is currently a Cemetery. The ordinance community agencies such “So far, it’s been very well- can introduce poisonous thyroid diseases and repro- RCRA site. raised both the price for adult as Friends of the Farmers received,” Hanratty said. chemicals from the mate- ductive problems. It is Under CIRCLA, sites lots and cremation spaces as Market. “The neighborhood has been rials burned into the considered a “likely human must perform offsite well as the price for opening No members of the public involved every step of the surrounding groundwater carcinogen” by the EPA. testing, community health graves on weekends. Susan came forward to comment on way, and that is, we feel, the and atmosphere. California restricts tests and studies while also Kaiser, Blacksburg director the ordinances, but council way for it to be successful.” The Cease Fire perchlorate in drinking having accountability for of finance, told the council member Susan Anderson did The council also Campaign was the creation water at the maximum of the pollution. The RCRA that the rates would put the have something to add before considered other ordinances of Laura Olah in response one part per billion, but qualification insinuates cemetery on the same level the council moved on. in the meeting, including to the ongoing pollution most states, including less of an impact on the as similar public cemeteries. “I just wanted to make adopting its strategic goals at the Badger Army Virginia, have no environment and requires She also said these prices sure that any number for 2016-2017. It also heard Ammunition Plant in restrictions. the people and local matched those at Sunset crunchers out there like me citizen comments from Wisconsin. Olah organized The arsenal has denied government to be respon- Cemetery in Christiansburg. might notice that on page two several community members the group Citizens for Safe allegations that it burns sible for the cleanup. The Town Council of (the budget ordinance), we concerned about proposals Water Around Badger to materials with perchlorates “We need the resources considered ordinances did have a typo in our contin- to redesign the intersection stop the plant, which had on several occasions. that were made available to intended to change water and gency fund,” said Anderson, at U.S. 460 and North Main a Superfund designation, Superfund sites that were sewer rates while simultane- who is also a senior instructor Street. Afterward, the from continuing its open denied to the community ously adopting a proposed of mathematics at Virginia council went into a closed burning practices. here,” Nelson said. “The budget for the next fiscal Tech. “But that has been meeting to discuss acquiring The Environmental The community was community was denied the year. Although the council corrected. So, anybody out property on Patrick Henry Patriots are taking notes “denied the ability ability to have their wells allowed public comment on there that’s been using their Drive, where the old from Olah, as well as the tested when they should these ordinances during this calculator and crunching, it Blacksburg High School is success story of Camp to have their wells have had this testing done meeting, it will not vote on adds up correctly.” located. Minden, a base near tested when they 20 years ago when I was a them until the next meeting. “Did anybody do that?” The Town Council will Shreveport, Louisiana, should (have) had kid.” “What we always do with Rordam asked. No one next convene in a work which had its open burning A contained burn these ordinances is, since it responded. session on April 19. The next shut down by community this testing done 20 structure, used by the deals with budget, we won’t Finally, the council also regularly scheduled meeting protests. years ago when I United States’ NATO vote on it tonight,” said considered the usage of is on April 26 at 7:30 p.m. in Greg Nelson, a allies, could not only Mayor Ron Rordam before Community Development the Blacksburg Municipal Ph.D. candidate in the was a kid.” control heat and oxygen the council took up the Block Grant (CDBG) funds Building at 300 S. Main St. science and technology Greg Nelson but could also reduce toxic matter. “That way, if you have from HUD. Matt Hanratty, studies department at Ph.D. candidate releases from tons to grams. any comments tonight or if assistant to the town @jones_mattryan Virginia Tech, has been Nelson said that, from a we get any comments from manager, told the council that helping Bledsoe and the chemistry perspective, it Environmental Patriots increases efficiency of the with their goal. On April 6, the Roanoke burn. “Many people in the Times reported that Bledsoe says that she community are in denial although perchlorate just wants the arsenal to about this,” Nelson said. was found in two public “buy (a) contained burned “They don’t want to talk drinking wells two weeks chamber ... tomorrow.” about it because they came prior, they were not at “We’d like to see the here to get away from the dangerous levels. The open burning stopped with cities, and then they find findings were reportedly contained burn structure out they’re the largest below the requirement for a used by our NATO allies polluter in the state and one health advisory, according ... We’d like to see commu- of the largest polluters in to the Montgomery County nities’ wells tested for free, the nation.” Public Service Authority. and we’d like to see VT ININ NORTHERNNORTHERN VA.VA. Nelson is a Blacksburg Nelson said that if there take a lead,” Nelson said. native and currently lives are toxins, it could affect According to a Facebook OVEROVER about half a mile northeast the New River Valley post by Montgomery Board $2600$2600 of the arsenal, which he Water Authority, which of Supervisors member ININ 2-32-3 WEEKSWEEKS says is within the human pulls its water from within April DeMotts, the Board health risk assessment. range of the fallout of the will potentially conduct Excellent According to a test burning. a review on the arsenal’s opportunity conducted by Montgomery Bledsoe and Nelson open burning renewal. County, perchlorates were agree that identifying the Virginia Tech has also for school June 17th found in wells reaching up arsenal as a Superfund site agreed to test the wells for teachers and through to nine miles away from the could help solve some of toxins on its Kentland Farm arsenal. He says that this the perceived issues. property. college students! July 7th may also affect Kentland The Comprehensive Farm, an experimental Environmental Response Must be 18 years old and willing to work agricultural property Compensation and long hours. owned by Virginia Tech. Reliability Act and Dining Services also Resource Conservation Locations available For more information and online applica- operates a six-acre farm on and Recovery Act statutes throughout the site. were established to control tions, go to Perchlorate is a chemical facilities that handle toxic Northern Virginia @CollegiateTimes ZZZWULVWDWHÀUHZRUNVFRP used in the creation of waste that could potentially PAGE 4 April 15, 2016 collegiatetimes.com [email protected] study your ad space aren’t you going to use it? break call us. 540-961-9860.

Today’s Birthday Horoscope: Go for what you Piled Higher and Deeper by Jorge Cham most want this year. Detail plans for a work initiative launching after 5/9, with travels and studies after 8/13. Partnership fl ourishes over the next two years, beginning 9/9. High energy work after 9/1 leads to an introspective phase after 9/16. Find peace.

xkcd by Randall Munroe

1 4 5 6 4 1 9 2 4 7 8 4 6 4 8 2 3 2 5 1 4 6 9 3 7 6 8 1 6 4

Now Hiring!

The Town of Blacksburg is currently accepting applications for the following part-time positions: Indoor Lifeguard, Swim Instructor, and Summer Camp Counselor WORDSEARCH: Automobiles For more information, please visit our website: Locate the list of words in the word bank in the letter grid. www.blacksburg.gov An EEO Employer M/F/D/V RQDWI DR J ST ZGZGE RZDWORD BANK Now Hiring! OSTEUYWNOSEPXUGOHE1 GPS Love children? TPEKY JPODBGSGRNJCB2 Merge 3 Warning VA Tech Gymnastics in TIJTYOCALXONEVOMTP 4 Brakes WTFVTKMHBFKY I TBCYO Christiansburg is hiring 5 High-beam part-time coaches and office staff. EZGUMEGARPHRYVLNOM6 Overpass Experience with preschoolers or martial IOWFAXRWSOVOAKLAME7 Expressway arts is a plus! LRPKXPCWUGKUUDQBMR8 Seatbelt Send resume to [email protected] LFAVPTANEDFPMNRNYA9 Park 10 Yield EXPFWJDBFTCEHRDTXN WALK TO CAMPUS 11 Hybrid RVIQRHOGCBOZDE IHL I12 Toll SPL I BKELKHOUNDXIQA13 Highway Montgomery Street! Close to GKLCNEWFOUNDLANDUN14 Curve downtown! LGOWFPAWMLHFRXVSRV15 Steer 3 Bedroom, Large Backyard QBNBJOTUTVOVXSNY JW Available July 1 PEKINGNESEUPNBVWXM $900/month UVLDOBERMANLVDBDOZ Call: 540-355-6862 XBCYGNRBRPDHBZGKGV

540. 961.9860 [email protected] collegiatetimes.com April 15, 2016 PAGE 5 Phi Alpha Delta argues Evenwel v. Abbott Virginia Tech’s pre-law fraternity holds mock Supreme Court based on the divisive “one person, one vote” argument.

ANNA DAVIS news staff writer Virginia Tech’s chapter of ou can finally the pre-law fraternity Phi Alpha put away those Delta (PAD) held a mock Supreme Ywinter jackets Court trial on Tuesday, April 12. because spring is offi- Evenwel v. Abbott, a case decided cially back and here to by the actual Court earlier this stay. It will be absolutely month, was used as the basis for beautiful, which is great the trial. news for the many people Most voting districts in the who will be traveling in for U.S. are based on a state’s total this emotional weekend. population. In Evenwel v. Abbott, Friday will be the coolest Texas residents Sue Evenwel and day of the weekend with a Edward Pfenninger argued that high temperature hovering this practice violates the Equal around 60 and sunny skies. Protection Clause of the 14th With clear skies Friday Amendment, which mandates the night, it could get pretty “one person, one vote” principle. chilly with lows dropping The pair proposed that voting to the mid-30s. districts should be based on a The weather looks population count that solely relies perfect for the 3.2-Mile on citizens who are eligible to Run in Remembrance on vote. Children, felons and non- Saturday. For the run, look citizens would be excluded from for temperatures in the the number. LIVI DEL VALLE / COLLEGIATE TIMES mid- to upper 40s for the Virginia Tech’s pre-law fraternity participates in a mock Supreme Court on Tuesday, April 12, 2016. race with almost no wind and sunny skies. High temperatures will reach We already knew the the 14th Amendment because the arguments you hear,” said Gries, a meetings. Past speakers have around 65 in the afternoon, “offi cial outcome of the analysis and interpretation of it political science and criminology included deans of admissions so it will be a perfect day to is really what is debated to some double major. “If the team who from University of Richmond walk around campus and case, but the whole point extent in this case,” said Pande, an won in the Supreme Court didn’t and Wake Forest University’s downtown Blacksburg. of mock trials is to make international studies and finance present a good argument (in our law schools. Additionally, they The low for Saturday will your decision just based double major. court), we could easily side with showcase representatives from be 38 degrees. The petitioners first presented the other team.” Tech’s legal services and profes- Sunday will also be a on the arguments you their side, followed by the respon- This is the first mock trial PAD sionals who have had experience great day to spend outdoors hear.” dents. Each side was given the has hosted this semester, but Gries in the legal field. whether it’s hiking, Rachel Gries opportunity to offer a rebuttal, plans to increase this number New members are recruited golfing, fishing, whatever! Phi Alpha Delta president and the justices were permitted to next year as well as advertise the during the fall and spring Look for completely sunny interject and ask questions as they events to the public by increasing semesters and must be inter- skies and a high temper- saw fit. the fraternity’s social media viewed by PAD’s executive ature that could reach 70 Senior Trey Bloomfield and When PAD first chose Evenwel presence. board before joining. However, degrees. Looking ahead freshman Trevor Lamb served as v. Abbott as the mock trial’s case, She also hopes to collaborate the interview does not determine to next week, Monday and the mock trial’s petitioners and the Supreme Court had not yet with other academic fraternities whether a new member is Tuesday look great again argued in support of Evenwel and released its verdict. The mock on campus. accepted or not; rather, it is more with high temperatures Pfenninger. Sophomore Nicholas trial’s original date had to be “We haven’t (worked together) so designed to introduce them to in the low 70s. Make sure Work and junior Rasika Pande pushed back, however, and the in the past, but that’s something the group. to follow us on Twitter @ were the trial’s respondents and Supreme Court’s decision was I want to look more into doing “Anyone can join (PAD),” HOKIEwxWatch for all of defended Texas’ method for published before PAD’s event took because I know there’s a ton of Gries said. “It’s mostly geared the latest updates. drawing voting districts. Four place. Just as the U.S. Supreme other academic fraternities across towards people who are trying to PAD members acted as justices, Court ruled unanimously in favor campus,” Gries said. “I know a go to law school, but honestly we and the fraternity’s newly elected of the respondents, PAD’s justices ton of them interact with each love anyone who is just interested president, sophomore Rachel did the same. other, and I would like to get us in the process.” TRAVIS BURKE Gries, was the Chief Justice. “We already knew the official doing that too.” • weather correspondent “(To prepare), I personally outcome of the case, but the whole PAD has roughly 50-60 • @HOKIEwxWATCH went back and looked at each indi- point of mock trials is to make members and frequently hosts vidual amendment, particularly your decision just based on the guest speakers at its weekly @AnnnaDavis PAGE 6 April 15, 2016 collegiatetimes.com [email protected] lifestyle collegiatetimes.com/lifestyle

ZACK WAJSGRAS / COLLEGIATE TIMES

Rays of light poke through the clouds during an afternoon view at the summit of Mountain Lake View Bald Knob, April 2, 2016. First Music Day The Virginia Tech String Project brings performers receives grant to serve students LAUREN FARRAR to Tech campus lifestyles staff writer

MEGAN MAURY CHURCH year they will start planning The Virginia Tech String lifestyles staff writer further in advance in order to Project has reached new work out more involvement. heights with guest artists, In addition to sunny skies “It’s a pretty ambitious community service and and temperatures in the event,” Yee said. “What I a grant from the Country 60s on Friday, every corner want is that (Music Day) Music Association of Virginia Tech will be is just good enough that Foundation. String Project refreshed by the sounds of everyone will want to do it offers fun and exciting music throughout the day. again next year and every musical instruction for On Virginia Tech’s first- year after that. I want it to young students interested in ever Music Day, musicians be a tradition. I want it to be string instruments. are lined up to perform, but kind of a culture shift, that we “We exist to serve a anyone who feels inclined aren’t just an engineering and need in the community,” is encouraged to grab their science university, but that said Nicole Paglialonga, instrument and start playing things like music and the arts director of String Project for the whole campus to see. are going to play a good part.” and instructor at Virginia Groups are signed up from As a student, Fry under- Tech. “The community 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for loca- stands the need for an event doesn’t have a string tions all over campus, such like Music Day. orchestra program in the as the steps of Burruss, War “Tech can be really public schools as part of LIVI DEL VALLE / COLLEGIATE Memorial Gym Plaza, Turner stressful, especially this their curriculum or as an TIMES Place and Newman Library time of year, for everybody,” after-school program. The Participants of the Plaza. Groups include Fry said. “I think we can get only opportunity for K-12 Virginia Tech String quintets and quartets, indi- really focused on … classes students to learn string Project offer musical vidual performers, a ukulele so much that artistic talents instruments would be to lessons every Tuesday group and bands like The and appreciation get shoved enroll in private lessons, but Rusty Seesaws. under the rug. We really want those can be quite expensive. and Thursday. Two nights before the (Music Day) to be a day … String Projects all over the debut of Music Day, Logan to just go and enjoy yourself, country exist in areas where class effectively. Their job is Fry could do little to hide her to play music or just enjoy orchestra programs don’t incredibly important.” excitement. A sophomore music, to just take yourself exist in public schools so “If it weren’t for String majoring in hospitality and out of your work and have an that we can be all-inclusive.” Project, I would have no tourism management with art day.” The String Project has (teaching) experience a minor in theatre, Fry is a Yee explained that he is a two-fold mission that until the spring semester member of the Moss Arts optimistic about the contin- serves undergraduate of my junior year,” said Ambassadors, a newer orga- uation of Music Day since music educators and young Katie Heltzel, a sophomore nization that has helped bring most of the students he is students. Kids of all ages music education student at the event to life. working with are freshmen have the opportunity to Virginia Tech and under- “My friends are sick of who may be able to put in learn their instruments, graduate student teacher for me,” Fry said, “because I three more years. He finds while music students at String Project. constantly talk about Music the design of Virginia Tech Virginia Tech practice Recently, String Project Day.” to be the perfect scenery for teaching. received a grant from the Fry has worked with a such an event, particularly the “Getting to work with CMA Foundation, an orga- team of students to bring stone arches that decorate the kids in a classroom setting nization that supports music Music Day to life, and the residential side of campus. and getting to know them education programs. The original idea came from Fry explained that beyond each personally so you can group will appear in a video Gordon Yee. Since coming to the impromptu involvement know how to best teach them montage at the 2016 CMA Virginia Tech 15 years ago, of musicians, the success of is rewarding,” said Matthew Awards. this chemistry professor has Music Day is also dependent Johnson, a junior music String Project has children. The Virginia Viola April 25, the honors quartet, hoped to start an event of this on the presence of spectators. technology and composition utilized its grant by bringing Society and String Project the four students who have caliber. It wasn’t until two of “If (students) have any student at Virginia Tech in guest artists for the young will present one such event been in String Project his students, Isabella “Izzy” break between classes and and undergraduate student students to observe. Low on May 5. Voila-Viola, an the longest, will perform Ulate and Emily Barritt, took aren’t bombarded with teacher for String Project. and Lower, a cello and evening of workshops for for Virginia Tech Adult a special interest in the idea homework — or even just String Project offers bass duo, performed for violists, is free and available Day Services. Virginia that Music Day was able to want to go do their homework musical instruction for the children at the Squires to musicians of all ages. Tech Adult Day Services, come to life. outside on that day — (they two hours on Tuesdays Student Center Recital String Project will hold offered by the Department Ulate is a double major in should) come and watch,” Fry and Thursdays. Master Salon on Tuesday, April a concert May 12 at the of Human Development, chemistry and music. Barritt said. “We are going to have teachers, who have earned 12. The room was full of Moss Arts Center. This provides for New River is a double major in chem- volunteers walking around their college degrees and laughter and applause as concert will feature all Valley older adults and their istry and neuroscience. It all day in blue shirts with the are already teaching, coor- the duo incorporated humor four orchestras of the orga- families. was Barritt who got the Arts Music Day logo … They can dinate with the under- into their performance. nization. Additionally, Paglialonga encourages Ambassadors involved. direct you (to the different graduate students to teach “We have a lot on the students enrolled in private young students to get “It was a lucky confluence shows).” technique and orchestral docket now, thanks to that lessons will showcase their involved, as the program is that I had two students who “I’m hoping people are music to the young students. grant,” Paglialonga said. work in a recital for soloists. for kids of all ages. were both chemistry majors just going to be entertained,” “(The undergraduates) “The Julius Quartet is Mimi Zhang, a sophomore “It’s about watching and very musical and who Yee said. He doesn’t expect have to meet with me and coming next year. Shana piano performance and the students improve and wanted to continue that part the day to be perfect; he just send me their lesson plans Tucker is also coming in. music education student at watching them get excited of their lives,” Yee said. wants it to be fun. “As the in advance,” Paglialonga She’s a singer-songwriter Virginia Tech and under- about music,” Paglialonga In just one semester, a small event grows, I hope people said. “Then they have to go and cellist. She does song- graduate student teacher said. “It’s both watching group of students has put this will just want to participate in there and tune a bunch of writing workshops for for String Project, will them improve and watching event together. They reached informally by just going instruments, field about 100 children on the instruments accompany the children on our undergraduates out to a cappella groups, local outside and playing music on questions a day on average that they play.” piano. improve, too.” bands, the music department Music Day.” and offer assistance to our According to Throughout their busy and various other groups and master teachers. They have Paglialonga, String Project season of concerts and individuals to come out and to be on top of things so the is working to incorporate events, String Project still play. Fry explained that next @CollegiateTimes master teachers can run the more fun events for the serves the community. On @Farraray [email protected] collegiatetimes.com April 15, 2016 PAGE 7

The Great Outdoorscollegiatetimes.com/lifestyle Digging deep to climb to the top Senior Sidney Burleson shares her experiences and lessons learned through rock climbing.

AMANDA TINKLEMAN lifestyles staff writer

Blacksburg and the New River Valley are commonly known for a plethora of outdoor activities. Especially on a perfect spring day, many Hokies will find themselves hiking or playing outdoor sports. However, for this senior wildlife conservation major, SAMANTHA SMITH / COLLEGIATE TIMES free time outdoors is spent Virginia Tech senior wildlife conservation major Sidney Burleson poses in her cap and gown on top of Fool’s Face next to the New River. doing something a little different — rock climbing. Christiansburg,” Burleson walls there. There’s like a and carabiners and such.” It’s different for every type of and climbed Mount Baker Sidney Burleson started said. “I kind of just taught 4,000-foot wall. You have Burleson has competed in person — heights change how on a mountaineering trip,” climbing her freshman year myself and took classes on top- to camp on the wall too,” rock climbing competitions you climb, and personal styles Burleson said. “It was a lot of here at Virginia Tech and hasn’t roping and lead climbing.” Burleson said. “So you go up and has even placed first a evolve with it.” ice climbing and traversing stopped since. Not limiting herself to for a day, and then you have number of times. Burleson encourages through snow and glaciers.” “The first time I climbed, just the rock climbing gym, this tent that’s suspended on the “(For the competitions), anyone to try rock climbing, Burleson plans on climbing I actually went with the Burleson has discovered side of the wall. Then you keep there’s just a bunch of different believing that the benefits long after graduation. Her Women’s Health and Fitness numerous favorite outdoor going the next day. It sounds routes of different difficulties,” outweigh the fear. advice to those who want to Club on a trip to climb,” climbing spots. really intense. You have to train Burleson said. “Whoever does “I think it’s a great sport to pick up climbing? Just do it. Burleson said. “After that I “There’s a place next to the a lot before that.” the top five of the hardest ones get into,” Burleson said. “It’s She advises anyone who is really got into it and started New River called Fool’s Face Even without scaling wins.” a lot of personal perseverance serious about rock climbing going outside.” that I really like,” Burleson 4,000-foot cliffs, Burleson has Along with her favorite and getting over fears. It’s not to reach out to students in the Burleson has always been a said. learned that climbing is not sport comes her favorite part. like a stressful thing — it helps climbing club on campus. fan of the outdoors, especially Along with Fool’s Face, always easy. Burleson has many reasons you forget about all the stress of “Anyone can learn how to since her four years of running Burleson is a fan of Pilot “I think the most difficult to love rock climbing, but one school and focus on doing one rock climb; you don’t need to cross-country in high school. Mountain in North Carolina; part is getting over the fear of reason stood out more than task.” have any special qualities about After her first climbing trip, however, it is a bit farther away. falling,” Burleson said. “I’m others. Burleson’s climbing expe- you,” Burleson said. “You just Burleson took matters into her If she could climb anywhere not a huge fan of heights, but “I like how it’s a personal rience is not just limited to have to want to go out there and own hands and started going to in the world, Burleson would I’m more comfortable knowing sport,” Burleson said. “You rocks. She’s an experienced learn.” a climbing gym herself. climb in Yosemite National that I set up a system of anchor work on one problem, and you climber of mountains with “I went to Crimper’s Park. so I’m not going to fall — I’m keep on working on it until elevations of over 10,000 feet. @mandatink Climbing Gym in “There’s just some massive secured to the wall with ropes you figure it out for yourself. “I went to Washington state Stepping out of the spotlight to serve in the sunlight From the ‘Get on the Bus’ program to The Farmacy Project, learn how to get outside while doing some community service through VT Engage.

EMILY CARRIGAN office sponsors “Get on the assistance from the department with gardening tasks such as Trail Conservancy was estab- Current Homecoming lifestyles staff writer Bus” service trips, which of social service,” the VT preparing the garden for spring. lished in 1925 as a nonprofit Queen Heather Fernandez, provide students with trans- Engage website reads. Registration for the trip on to create the Appalachian the Virginia Tech Sustainable Nothing quite compares to portation to community The group of students Sunday, April 24 from 1:30 to Trail. They have continued Food Corp, and New Student how you feel after spending service projects throughout the assisted in painting a fence 5:30 p.m. is also required and is a legacy of dedication to the and Family Programs will a little time enjoying the community. that surrounded the garden, limited to five participants. protection and stewardship also all be partnering to host a outdoors, soaking up some “The ‘Get on the Bus’ and another group of students, “There are individual plots; of the trail and have it as their community garden beautifi- vitamin D and breathing in program is designed as an including junior industrial however, there’s a lot of general mission to ‘promote, construct cation day on April 24 from 11 fresh air. Studies have shown opportunity for folks that may systems engineering student work that’s done to maintain and manage the Appalachian a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Smithfield that spending time outside not know the area or may not Sean Pruden, volunteered at the the garden as a whole,” Adams National Scenic Trail.’” Plantation. boosts creativity and focus, have been involved in service garden during The Big Event. said. Participants are required The Facebook event improves mood and self- before to get involved in service “Our project consisted of This summer, VT Engage to apply for the program by describes it as “a fun-filled day esteem, and has healing and learn about the New River spreading mulch around the is offering students the oppor- April 20. Semel estimates the of refurbishing the Smithfield potentials. Valley and social issues in the garden and reorganizing the tunity to serve for six days on trip will cost somewhere in the Plantation community garden But what many people may New River Valley,” said Lucy toolshed. We worked with three the Appalachian Trail from range of $50-$100. through weeding, mulching, not realize, however, is that Adams, engagement program of the ‘farmacists’ and got to May 21 to June 5. The Catawba Sustainability planting a flower garden, doing good for others is also associate for VT Engage. “It’s know more about the garden The trip is being led by Center also offers an array of prepping the garden for use and good for you. designed as an introduction to while we worked,” Pruden said. Taylor Vashro and Audrey volunteer activities for groups by participating in a few inter- Stephen G. Post, Ph.D. service, and it’s easy to partic- “The Farmacy is a communal Semel. “interested in getting their active activities to learn more and author of “The Hidden ipate in. Transportation is garden where community “We will be assisting with hands dirty and participating about hunger, food insecurity Gifts of Helping,” says people provided, projects are usually members plant, weed and trail maintenance involving in sustainability projects,” the and what each of us can do to who volunteer regularly have three to four hours long, and help out around the garden in trail cleanup and clearing. website states. It continues mitigate this issue.” healthier hearts, less ongoing they’re usually things for exchange for food. While the The goal is to connect on to say that most projects Participants are also pain and bolstered immune people with a lot of energy and garden has helped promote students with the means to include some kind of farmwork encouraged to bring a canned systems. Luckily for volunteers passion but maybe not a lot of healthier eating, its biggest support the Appalachian or landscape maintenance. food item to support a local and outdoor enthusiasts alike, skills … so we do a lot of garden impact is in bringing the local Trail Conservancy in main- People interested in learning food bank. there’s no shortage of oppor- projects and building projects.” community together.” taining the Appalachian about volunteer opportunities tunities to combine time in the Recently, a group served The The VT Engage office also Trail,” said Audrey Semel, are encouraged to contact Josh great outdoors with practicing Farmacy Garden, which was sponsored two trips to serve a senior majoring in micro- Nease, manager of the Catawba “Ut Prosim” (That I May Serve) “designed to provide healthy with the Mayapple School, a biology. “The Appalachian Sustainability Center. @EmilyKCarrigan in the New River Valley. food to families receiving nonprofit preschool in Giles For instance, the VT Engage WIC and SNAP (food stamps) County in April. “Mayapple School is a preschool in Newport, Virginia, in Giles County, and it’s one of the only preschools serving Tackling grand challenges through Giles, which definitely has some higher-need students,” interdisciplinary research. Adams said. “Preschool and early childhood education is incredibly important ... so We nurture innovation in high impact Solution Spaces there’s a really important need and cross cutting Platform Technologies: in Giles County.” The first trip took place Solution Spaces on April 2, but there are still openings for a second trip on Energy and materials April 30 from 8:30 a.m. to Engineered health 12:30 p.m. Students interested The food, energy, and water nexus must register for the event on National security GobblerConnect. Resilience and climate change Volunteers should expect to help with revitalizing a play- ground for the school that Platform Technologies is currently dangerous and Nanoscale science and engineering unusable. Autonomy and social robotics “The playground is rusted, so they don’t use it … but the Discovery analytics and data visualization teacher has applied for a great Emerging science and technology many grants to make it usable Sensors and sensor networks for the students at the preschool and in the community, so we’ve volunteered twice this semester to help her with that,” Adams said. BEN WEIDLICH / COLLEGIATE TIMES Students can also partic- A Virginia Tech student participates in Buddy Howell’s ipate in trips to the Hale YMCA The Big Event group on April 9, 2016. Community Gardens to assist PAGE 8 April 15, 2016 collegiatetimes.com [email protected] sports collegiatetimes.com/sports Baseball looks for ACC redemption against Pittsburgh Coming off of a 5-1 loss to Radford, the Hokies will host the Pittsburgh Panthers this weekend. Tech is 2-13 in the ACC going into this series.

MIGUEL PINEDA ACC teams they have played. sports staff writer Luckily for Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh is not a ranked This season has not opponent and currently sits exactly been ideal for only two spots above with Virginia Tech. With an a 6-8 conference record. If unstable pitching rotation, the Hokies manage to sweep lack of scoring ability and the series this weekend, inconsistent fielding, the they would not only double Hokies were on a 17-game their conference wins but losing streak stretching back also double their winning to March 12 against No. 5 percentage, which currently Miami. However, the Hokies sits at .133. Even with a series snapped the streak with a 4-3 sweep, however, Pitt would win against No. 11 North still be ahead of the Hokies. Carolina, a win they desper- Duke, the team that ately needed. But once again currently sits between the the Hokies were on the losing Hokies and Pitt, has been on end and dropped a game a three-game winning streak. against Radford three days However, this weekend the later. Blue Devils will play Miami, the coastal conference leader, and will most likely not get a win against such CAT PIPER / COLLEGIATE TIMES The Hokies are tough opponents. Grant Majorana (4) bats against Notre Dame at “currently last in This scenario is just what English Field at Union Park on March 26, 2016 the conference and Virginia Tech needs in order (above). Jon Woodcock (23) pitches the ball on to not only turn its season English Field at Union Park against Notre Dame on have been swept around but also to gain some March 26, 2016 (right). by three of the last momentum going into the last part of the regular season four ACC teams they and possibly the post-season. game because even when Hokies’ best opportunity have played.” This is perfect territory for it manages to score runs, it for the rest of the season. Of the Hokies to strike; all they gives up just as many during course, if the Hokies do not have to do is pull out the wins the course of the game. win a couple against Pitt, This weekend, the Hokies to make it happen. Finally, the Hokies’ then Head Coach Patrick return home and look to Of course, the things that pitching rotation must step Mason, who is already in gain a few conference wins the Hokies need to focus on up and not give up so many the hot seat, will not have a against the Pittsburgh have not changed much this runs. Their opponents are strong case to keep his job Panthers, something that this season, and their weaknesses scoring almost four runs in for next season. The Hokies 2-13 conference record team continue to show in every each of their last five games, will be in action at 5:30 p.m. desperately needs if it wants loss they garner. First Tech and most of those runs come on Friday and 1 p.m. on any chance of going forward needs to put up more runs, as in the beginning of the game Saturday and Sunday. in the ACC. The Hokies it is averaging only 1.5 runs or at the very end. Closing are currently last in the in its last five games. Second, is vital if the Hokies want to conference and have been it needs to cut back on error beat Pitt this weekend. @miggyp123 swept by three of the last four and tighten up its defensive This weekend will be the

OFFICIAL BOOKSTORES OF VIRGINIA TECH

for spring, summer, fall semester ‘16 retail sales staf Some positions available NOW!

WE NEED DEDICATED, FRIENDLY RETAIL SALES STAFF to operate cash registers, stock merchandise, and assist customers in our textbooks, computers, and clothing and gits departments and become baristas at our VT Starbucks at the beginning of the semester or earlier. This is temporary employment; however many positions become regular part-time jobs that last through the semester, or longer!

UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE VOLUME TWO BOOKSTORE

VT STARBUCKS HOKIE CENTRIC

DIETRICK CONVENIENCE STORE SQUIRES C-STORE

VIRGINIA TECH SERVICES, INC. WWW.BOOKSTORE.VT.EDU

WHY HERE? • Earn extra cash at $7.80/hr. • Flexible scheduling options. • 10% discount on Textbooks, Clothing, Gits, and Supplies. • Gain relevant resume-building work experience. • Support the Hokies! Since 1968, we have returned surplus funds to Virginia Tech valued over $46 million for purposes such as scholarships, facility improvements, etc.!

REQUIREMENTS • Desire to work part-time, particularly during the three to four week period from August 15, 2016 to approximately September 11, 2016. MANY TEMPORARY POSITIONS BECOME REGULAR PART-TIME JOBS. • Be available to work day, evening, and weekend shits. • Be available to aend one paid cash register training session ofered periodically May - August.

HOW TO APPLY • Visit one of the stores listed above. • Visit our website at www.bookstore.vt.edu, select Employment at the botom, then Bookstore Rush Clerks.

Positions open until closed or filled. Virginia Tech Services, Inc. does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political ailiation, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. [email protected] collegiatetimes.com April 15, 2016 PAGE 9

BEN WEIDLICH / COLLEGIATE TIMES Der’Woun Greene carries the ball during a practice, March 24, 2016. Greene started at kick returner last year and could play at safety as well. Foster expects breakout season from safety Greene

RICKY LABLUE in who we depend on.” thinks that as a redshirt Porch,” Foster said. “He special teams. there at those spots.” editor in chief Foster said the move to senior, the expectations understands his strengths “I think that’s the best Greene said that he likes play more zone is an effort are high. and his weaknesses well, thing,” Greene said. “You working with Shibest on With greater depth in to keep a lid on big plays “A lot of younger kids just a heady guy back get to start the offense off. special teams and that he the secondary, Defensive by opposing offenses. look to fifth-year seniors there.” I do got a knack for it; it brings a lot to the team. Coordinator Bud Foster Just against Ohio State for support and stuff like Foster said that Greene just came natural. Once I “Always amped up,” has talked this spring last season, Virginia Tech that,” Greene said. “I think is currently working at got to it, it was fun.” Greene said. “Probably about playing more zone allowed four plays of 40 the role is big but nothing free safety behind Chuck New Special Teams one of the loudest coaches defense instead of straight yards or longer. Overall, we can’t handle.” Clark, although Greene Coordinator James Shibest we got right now. He just man-to-man. Tech allowed 5.5 yards per Foster said he hopes can also play at rover. said that Greene is still comes full of energy, and Playing more zone play, which was middle of Greene comes into his own “He’s great at attacking working at kick returner we try to feed off that.” coverage would certainly the pack in the NCAA. in his last year of eligi- the line of scrimmage. but that no job is secure. This spring, Greene be a different look from “We’re looking at maybe bility, just like another He’s just got some expe- “You try to evaluate said his focus is to improve a Bud Foster defense, playing with a few more senior safety in Tech’s rience back there that what the returners do more as an athlete and in the and hard-hitting safety eyes on the ball a little bit,” past. I really like and trust,” on offense and defense,” weight room. Der’Woun Greene is Foster said. “Particularly, “Der’woun’s high Foster said. Shibest said. “We don’t “That’s big in anybody’s one player looking to in today’s game, people are school film was Greene isn’t afraid of go down and cover live game,” Greene said. “If capitalize. spreading you out, and if outstanding,” Foster said. contact. He started at kick kicks or anything, obvi- you don’t lift, you can’t “I think it will benefit you’re always playing man “He was just a vicious returner last season, and ously with Stroman we’re make it. Just lifting, getting all of us,” Greene said. “In coverage, and a play pops, hitter, and he still is. He’s a in high school he broke an excited about him at punt bigger, faster, stronger.” man-to-man, you depend there’s not much back guy I’m hoping will come opposing player’s helmet returner, but we’d like to on the defensive line a lot there to defend against it.” along and have a big-time on a hit. Greene enjoys the see the ability for him to do more. In zone, they depend Greene hasn’t seen the senior year like we had physical parts of the game, that at kick return. It takes @RickyLaBlue on us, so I think it’s equal field much defensively but with guys like Dorian both defensively and on special people to be back ALS: Women’s rugby hosts fundraisers to tackle ALS from page 1 whatever we could.” “It’s actually a physical This round robin-style thing (the ice bucket chal- “And so even then we tournament will feature lenge) because when you get wanted to support her, and Virginia Tech, Appalachian dumped with ice water, for we were all there when she State and Virginia Military that split second, you’re kind got the news and every- Institute. It will take place of paralyzed. So you get the thing, so I think it was then on April 16 at 1 p.m. on the feeling that an ALS patient that it hit all of us, when it Upper SRA Rec Fields after has. That was the idea happened to her.” the 3.2 for 32 Remembrance behind it, to let someone feel Initially after Cindy Run. There is no cost to what a patient would feel passed away, the team was attend the tournament, but like,” Abbey said. able to raise around $1,000 donations are encouraged Nothing in life prepares to donate in her name. This and will be donated to the you to lose a loved one, but year, though, the ruggers had Virginia/Maryland/DC having a support system is plans to do something much ALS Association Chapter. paramount in the grieving bigger. Abbey found out at a The team is currently fund- process. The women’s rugby team meeting that the rest of raising on Tilt as well: team has become more the team had come together https://www.tilt.com/tilts/ than a group of athletes to create the Tackling ALS als-association-virginia- who come together to play event in her mother’s honor. chapter. a sport. They are a unified “This year we decided Women’s rugby has team who support each other we wanted to do some- been spreading awareness through the best and worst, thing bigger, and so, I this week about ALS by playing the game they love know everyone on the team handing out wristbands and all the while. wanted to do something, flyers for its tournament on “They’ve become my but as an officer group Saturday. On Wednesday, family,” Abbey said. “The we got together and we the team hosted an event on relationships that I have decided, ‘Hey, what can we the Drillfield, an Ice Bucket made and the support that do?’ We actually brought Challenge for Tackling I’ve gotten from all of them, on a community service ALS. For every $10 donated, it got me through the worst chair this semester because one of the team members got of it. Without them, who we wanted to do more,” a bucket of ice thrown on knows where I would be Winston said. “We all just her head. Abbey explained right now.” got behind it and decided the real meaning behind the to do it. We’re all basically event that goes far beyond a 30-plus-member family, the social media trend it has so we just wanted to do become. @CTSportsTalk

COURTESY OF VIRGINIA TECH WOMEN’S RUGBY PAGE 10 April 15, 2016 collegiatetimes.com [email protected] RACE: Speakers talk evolution of racial prejudice from page 1 as she discussed how a 2012 Gallup poll revealed Muslims practice, believe that a large proportion of in and follow every single LGBTQ people are non- day.” whites who are drastically Panelists provided underrepresented. perspectives on oppression “Thirty-two percent of and how to create solidarity children being raised by beyond demarcations of gay, black men are living in difference. poverty,” Cox said. “If we are BEN WEIDLICH / COLLEGIATE TIMES to combat racism, we must Marc Edwards fi elds questions on water contamination concerns from the phone line during the press combat all forms of discrimi- conference at The Inn at Virginia Tech on Tuesday, April 12, 2016. nation against black people, Violence is based specifically LGBT black “off of fear. The people.” The event featured WATER: Orleans residents criticize prevention of two parts: a lecture and a violence is through discussion, facilitated by multiple moderators across lackluster government response education.” the various tables in the Khaled Hassouna ballroom. participate in water quality that they caused the aquifer Virginia Tech will spur Associate director for from page 1 Middle East and North The questions for testing and increase their contamination,” Weiss said. action. “I would hope that Africa Initiatives discussion included, “What struggles in the United awareness about what their “They have not, so far, fixed they would respond enthu- are some examples of how States.” water quality looks like so the problem.” siastically to try to help to institutionalized racism has The Virginia Tech team they can be empowered to “Lead, just, it seems like figure out what their role “Violence is based off affected the upward mobility sent 126 water testing kits to make changes.” it makes people crazy,” is in the problem and own of fear. The prevention and condition of minority the citizens of Orleans, and The Flint Water Study Edwards said. He has up to that, if necessary, and of violence is through peoples?” and “Why do you Pieper anticipates receiving was born in June 2015 testified before Congress then to find solutions.” education,” Hassouna said. think people shy away from the results toward the end of when Flint resident LeeAnn numerous times about the As a citizen of a town According to Hassouna, the term ‘white privilege’ April. Those data will shed Walters’ son was diagnosed EPA’s rules on contami- with fewer than 3,000 resi- issues that marginalized instead of admitting its light on the specific problem with lead poisoning. Weiss nated water. “Not people dents, Weiss appreciated people face are based upon existence?” in Orleans and determine “can’t think of a worse who are exposed to lead, but the prompt and involved folly perceptions. Students mentioned the whether or not high chloride way to find out we have a people who are supposed to response from a man “Every day is historic, incident last semester when levels from the road salt are problem” than discovering protect us from it … Why who has testified before maybe not for you, but for an anti-Islamic slur was causing plumbing materials lead in a child’s blood. have these environmental Congress and the aid of a someone,” Hidalgo said as discovered on campus. to leak lead into the water Thankfully, the situation policemen turned into envi- university more than 10 he introduced himself to the When closing his presen- supply. hasn’t escalated quite that ronmental criminals?” times the size of her town. audience. tation, Hassouna used an Pieper, who admitted far in Orleans. According to According to Weiss, “It’s very moving to “When we start thinking example about typical human to “nerding out” over her Weiss, most of the residents citizens of Orleans have deal with people who don’t about issues of race, we behavior when encountering father-in-law’s specialized don’t drink the water from been reaching out to their care what your title is or think this has always existed; a snake to illustrate his point. septic tank, is glad the their tap, instead opting for government for decades what your role is or who however, this is not true,” “What would happen subject of water contami- local spring water suppliers. to address issues with you are, but just that you’re Hidalgo said as he proceeded if you found a snake on nation has been thrust into However, both cities are the drinking water. The trying to do work for your to discuss the evolution of the ground in the front the national consciousness. similar in that their govern- Orleans government, as of community,” Weiss said. racial prejudice throughout of you? Jump back? You She traced this back to ments did little to address a few months ago, started “I think that it’s easy to the most recent centuries, are defending yourself Virginia Tech’s actions in the problem. The crisis in supplying the town with be cynical in this world of specifically Haitian, by jumping back, but the Flint. Flint led to the resignation clean drinking water from trying to get things done, of Mexican and African expe- snake has interpreted that “Because of Flint, people of Emergency Manager outside sources. trying to get people to listen riences with European colo- as a motion of attack, so he have become very aware Jerry Ambrose and spurred “I do feel like this is to you, and I feel like there is nialism and the American strikes,” Hassouna said. and been better under- calls for the resignation of an opportunity for our a real value to an institution Colonization Society. “Everything that we do is standing what it means to Gov. Rick Snyder (R-MI). government to make a that is responsive to people.” “When we think of the interpreted and acted upon.” have lead in water,” Pieper “We have a government choice about how to orient LGBTQ community, we said. “What we’re doing is that has not been responsive to an issue in general,” think of young, white men we’re providing an oppor- to its citizens because there’s Weiss said. She hopes the living in cities,” Cox said @CalebGovoruhk tunity for homeowners to a very strong likelihood town’s new connection to @WithTheFancyGuy

With COVA HealthAware, it pays to be healthy!

Why pay more than you have to?

You can save up to 90% on your monthly premiums from the traditional PPO plan by selecting the COVA HealthAware Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) plan.

$PNNPOXFBMUIPG7JSHJOJB&NQMPZFF)FBMUI#FOFĂUT1SPHSBN Open Enrollment is May 1st – 23rd

Visit www.covahealthaware.com/2016 to see how COVA HealthAware can work for you!

É"FUOB*OD1MBOTBSFPƊFSFECZ"FUOB-JGF*OTVSBODF$PNQBOZBOEJUTBƋMJBUFT "FUOB