Tuesday COLLEGIATETIMES 101st Year, No. 58 ▪ Blacksburg, Virginia ▪ December 9, 2003 An independent student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 www.collegiatetimes.com Insurance woes dampen spirits Fall keynote by Tiffany Hoffman “The health insurance changed for every- loopholes for something like serious financial Managing Editor one,” Gjata said. “And everyone knew, except hardships. However, no such loopholes were speakers set they didn’t send any letter to let me know it found. According to section 125 of the IRS changed. When it changed, I started paying code, if Gjata’s case is considered and her For many people in Blacksburg, $70 isn’t the for (my husband and my daughter) with $70 I appeal is accepted, it could in turn jeopardize by Aaron Blackwell Tech mathematics professor difference between having heat and having need to pay for energy and water.” the no-tax premium all state employees with Associated News Editor Ezra “Bud” Brown will be the presents to give at Christmastime. Right now, Gjata said she was on sick leave for five health insurance appreciate. keynote speaker at the under- as students focus on finals, their major con- months, during which time the plan changed. “It is $99 for COVA Care,” King said. “And graduate ceremony. cerns are passing grades — not water bills. But Since that time, she has filed for an appeal, but it’s a big advantage not to pay taxes (on health Virginia Tech will hold its Brown has been a faculty for Hava Gjata, a housekeeper in Derring Hall, according to the state department of human insurance). The IRS set this up as an advantage 2003 Fall Commencement cer- member at Tech since 1969 Christmas is an afterthought to be considered resource management, nothing that can be for group health plans, but they can make the emonies Dec. 19. This will be and said he looks forward to once she divides her money between house done. employer drop the plan.” the first time undergraduate speaking at commencement. payments, basic ultilities and doctor’s bills for “You can make changes in your type of King said the agency director makes the and graduate fall ceremonies “It’s a great honor,” Brown her poor health and asthmatic difficulties. membership during open enrollment or when decision whether or not to grant an appeal, have been held on the same said. He said he welcomes Gjata is concerned because $71 is being you have a qualifying mid-year event,” said but it’s not very likely. day. the opportunity to be in the deducted each month from her paycheck that William King, senior health benefits specialist. “If the agency director denies her request, it Budget constraints and the company of other great com- she said should not be taken. “And eligibility for Medicaid is a qualifying can be taken to a higher level,” King said. event’s close proximity to the mencement speakers — Bud Both Gjata’s husband and her daughter are event, but (a person) must apply for change The open enrollment period is a one-month holidays caused the ceremo- Robertson, Tony Distler and covered by Medicaid in addition to Gjata’s within 31 days. (With Gjata), it was several time period where policy holders can make nies to be moved to the same Lucinda Roy. insurance from Virginia Tech. However, Gjata months.” any changes to their plans. Outside of that day, said Ed Henneke, chair of “These are people that I said she should only be paying $28 for her per- King said he approached the associate the university commencement sonal coverage — not for their’s too. director of policy and asked if there were any See SPIRITS, page 2 committee. See KEYNOTE, page 2 Greek council holds charity event for children by Ellen Biltz ness management double major. News Assistant “It just makes (the children’s) hearts that much lighter.” Activities for the occasion For many, the holiday season include a visit from Santa Claus. is a time for joy, but for some “A member of the NPHC will families in Blacksburg, it is a time be dressing up as Santa and will when need shines through. come see the kids,” Vanloo said. The National Pan-Hellenic There was a toy drive done by Council at Virginia Tech will be the council last month so the chil- hosting a Christmas party tonight dren could receive toys. Fourteen to help the under- toys were collected privileged children at the drive and of Blacksburg. NPHC will be pro- “We wanted “ If it wasnʼt for viding the remain- ANNEBELLE OMBAC/SPPS to do something the party, some of der so that each Tank (left) and his bodyguard were part of the Rockafella hip hop concert that played at Burruss Hall on Saturday. for the local com- the kids wouldnʼt child will receive a munity,” said gift. The toys will The Young Gunz showed up too late for the concert, and promoters of the event are filing charges. Monique Vanloo, see a Christmas. It be handed out as NPHC special just makes (the chil- part of Santa’s fes- events chair and drenʼs) hearts that tivities. a senior interdis- “I think the party Show promoter to fi le charges ciplinary studies much lighter.” is really important major. because it’s great The party Tavaris McCoy just to see the smile transportation and performance fees for the artists to appear. will be held in on their faces,” ▪ G-Town Entertainment said they followed NPHC President According to Hamden, G-Town Entertainment, the company Old Dominion McCoy said. the contract, and they could not guarantee responsible for providing the artists, did not live up to their Ballroom in A face painter what time the artists, the Young Gunz, would end of the contractual agreement between the two compa- Squires Student will be providing nies. Center at 7 p.m. tonight. entertainment, posing as “Santa’s arrive in Blacksburg because of bad weather Hamden said the duo known as Young Gunz was initially The event will cater to about little helper.” The painter will also supposed to leave Philadelphia on Saturday morning, but 27-30 children. Parents of the be doing caricature pictures for by Eliot Kriviski almost two feet of snow prevented the artists from depart- children are invited to attend the the kids. Games and balloons will Features Editor ing until later. Hamden said he then arranged for a tour bus party along with the members be provided, along with food and to leave Philadelphia at 12:30 p.m., so that the artists would of NPHC. All families were cho- drinks for the families. arrive at Blacksburg at 7:30 p.m., and postponed the concert sen from low-income housing in The party is an annual event the Moe Hamden, owner of Ascension Entertainment, said in order to allow the artists time to arrive and to complete a Blacksburg. council holds. he plans to file a civil suit against G-Town Entertainment, sound check. However, the artists did not arrive until 11:15 “If it wasn’t for the party, “We’ve done this as long as because he said the booking company is the reason he had p.m., said Hamden, who had just announced he had to cancel some of the kids wouldn’t see a I’ve been here and I think it to cancel the appearance of Young Gunz at Saturday night’s the Young Gunz act just minutes before. Christmas,” said NHPC President just gives the less fortunate a concert in Burruss Hall Auditorium. Tarvaris McCoy, a junior business place to come together,” McCoy Ascension Entertainment is responsible for handling See CHARGES, page 3 information technology and busi- said. Gov. Warner to visit Santa’s got a brand new sleigh Blacksburg next week by Christina Peña Warner’s tax plan through the news, includ- News Assistant ing that some state Republicans are against it. Warner’s tax plan claims to make the tax Gov. Mark Warner will visit the system more fair, meet Virginia’s constitu- Montgomery County Chamber of tional commitment to provide quality public Commerce on Monday, Dec. 15, to discuss education and protect the Commonwealth’s his new tax plan. fiscal integrity, according to Warner’s web- Warner is touring the state to discuss site. the plan, and he asked the Chamber Warner stated that working families of Commerce to sponsor his visit to pay more taxes than they should, and his Montgomery County. new plan would cut taxes for 65 percent of Warner plans to stay at the Event Centre Virginians, especially the working class. from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. There is also a pos- He plans to accomplish this tax cut sible question-and-answer period at the end by lowering the income tax for “most of the presentation, Adams said. Virginians,” reducing the food tax by 1.5 Invitations were extended to 11 of the cents, increasing the sales tax by one cent, members of the Chamber of Commerce, closing corporate loopholes and increasing which is mainly made up of businesses. Virginia’s well-known low cigarette tax to “We are always honored to have the pay for healthcare needs. governor visit our area, but it doesn’t nec- According to Warner’s website, he also essarily mean we’re going to agree with his plans to complete the abolition of the car tax plan,” Adams said. “But we’re always tax first proposed by his predecessor Jim JAMES LANG/SPPS pleased to give our members a chance to Gilmore in 1997, end the estate tax for farms hear him.” Santa Claus made an appearance at the annual Blacksburg Christmas Parade, held Saturday.