112th YEAR, ISSUE 200 collegiatetimes.com January 19, 2017 COLLEGIATETIMES An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 Students omitted from SPOT Virginia Tech students who withdraw from a course are not able to submit feedback on the class or evaluate the professor. LEWIS MILLHOLLAND managing editor At the end of every semester, students are BEN WEIDLICH / COLLEGIATE TIMES bombarded with emails Alumni and their families plan their return to Blacksburg for the 10th anniversary of the April 16 shootings, but physically uninjured reminding them to evaluate their professors survivors might not receive the same assistance as those who were injured or killed and their families. on SPOT (Student Perceptions of Teaching). However, this system omits a critical group Reunion strife for survivors of students: those who withdrew from courses. One survivor of the April 16 shootings requests fi nancial support from Virginia Tech for the 10-year reunion’s travel expenses. Students withdraw from courses for a host of ALY DE ANGELUS Tech’s denial to this request has Hamp said. “I don’t think it’s has offered to cover hotel fees for reasons: the workload is news editor left Lisa Hamp, Virginia Tech Virginia Tech’s fault, but I do those physically injured, and she too much, the course turns alumna and computer analyst for think that the other survivors and sent a letter to this office in hopes out to not match the online On Sept. 7, 2016, a survivor of the Department of Defense, ques- I deserve some additional TLC, of a similar outcome. Additionally, description, the profes- the April 16 shooting wrote a letter tioning the extent of support being something extra that isn’t available Hamp had hoped that special sor’s style is not effective, to Virginia Tech on behalf of her offered for “uninjured” survivors to the public.” reservations could be made to etc. Regardless of reason, former classmates to request that as opposed to those physically According to Hamp’s blog, secure spots for all students who these students are lodging and travel expenses for injured and the family members of Virginia Tech’s Office of Family were in the buildings during the excluded from the univer- the 10-year reunion be paid for those deceased. Relations (formerly known as the sity’s “centrally supported by the school. Unfortunately, “I don’t blame Virginia Tech,” Office of Recovery and Support) see REUNION / page 5 method for gathering student feedback on courses and instruction.” Withdrawals constitute roughly 3 percent of all Fuente’s fi rst: grades each semester. In Replacing a football legend spring 2016 the tally was In his fi rst season at Virginia Tech, head coach Justin Fuente exceeded expectations, beginning a new era for the Hokies. 3,484 withdrawals. At a university with an average JORDAN HUTCHINSON Beamer’s magnitude. getting ready, knowing that this game While reports were still flying SPOT response rate of 30 football beat reporter Five days later, Frank Beamer was the biggest of their lives. Fans around with nothing confirmed, percent (the response rate announced he would retire at the end of waited in Scott Stadium for kickoff, there was a football game going on in made a surprising jump in Following a legend is never easy, the season. The questions then moved periodically gazing at their phones. Charlottesville. Virginia Tech played fall 2016 to 60.5 percent), but Virginia Tech head football coach from how to fire a legend to how to The fans were restless, and there was a hard until the very end, and pulled off this figure becomes Justin Fuente handled it as well as replace a legend, while still focusing on growing faction clamoring for change the 23–20 win over Virginia, which significant. anyone possibly could. the current season. at the top. There seemed to be a buzz secured a bowl for the Hokies. Fittingly, However, there are Flashback to October of 2015: Three weeks later, Virginia Tech around the stadium when it was leaked Beamer walked off of the field with his concerns that allowing Virginia Tech football falls in the was preparing to play in-state rival from a source that Virginia Tech would players after a victorious effort. students who withdraw to fourth overtime at home, to Duke Virginia. With the Hokies’ record at hire Justin Fuente as its new head The next day, all of the reports were evaluate their professors 45–43. 5–6, not only were bragging rights on football coach. Very seldom do college confirmed as Virginia Tech officially opens the door to weap- “Coming back from disappointment the line, there were also concerns about football fans encounter this much hired Justin Fuente as its football onizing the system. and showing a little character and being bowl eligibility. Beamer knew that it potential for awkwardness, as Beamer coach. Beamer would coach the bowl, Historically low response relentless, those things go a long way was his last game if it resulted in a loss. was being replaced during the most rates grant disgruntled in life,” said former head coach Frank The players were in the locker room important game of the season. see FUENTE / page 4 students the ability to skew Beamer. “If a guy doesn’t give in when a professor’s mean scores things are looking bleak, then you’ve — students who, by defi- got a chance. If you give in, I pretty nition, don’t get the full much know how the story is going to experience of the course. turn out.” For example, according Regardless of Beamer’s semi-opti- Mark Embree, a professor mistic words, the 3–5 Hokies were of mathematics, a student no longer a powerhouse in college frustrated by low test football. You could feel tension in the scores in the beginning of air, as Beamer was not performing a semester may not appre- up to the standards that he had estab- ciate a generous curve lished for himself since he raised the applied at the end of the bar at Virginia Tech over two decades year. This allows a student ago. Change was necessary, but tricky, “who didn’t complete the because of Beamer’s legendary status. class … to basically vote How do you fire a legend? Could on my performance,” he he even be fired? Would there be said. backlash if the relatively new athletic School of Visual Arts director Whit Babcock fired him? All BEN WEIDLICH / COLLEGIATE TIMES Assistant Professor of these questions had to be taken into Justin Fuente, the head coach of the Virginia Tech football team, holds the Belk Bowl trophy while Meaghan Dee suggests account when dealing with someone of surrounded by his players after beating Arkansas, Dec. 29, 2016. a balance: the feedback should be collected, but categorized separately from the rest of the survey responses. A how to guide: The Women’s March “You don’t want to … get evaluated by someone If you are planning on traveling to the capital for the Women’s March on Washington, prepare yourself with these tips. who may be vengeful towards you, like if they’re PAULINA FARLEY-KUZMINA cumulated into a national effort, protective presence is not expected to speech and assembly, there being almost forced to lifestyles staff writer with many sister marches spurring to be an issue. are some circumstances where drop the class. But it would up across the country and even Marshals trained in nonviolent these rights might be infringed also be nice to know — of Over 200,000 people RSVPed in other countries like Canada. crowd control will also be among upon in a protest. Check out the the students who drop the to march in the nation’s capital on Celebrities like Amy Schumer, the crowd. Portable bathrooms, American Civil Liberties Union’s class — this is what they Saturday, the day after President- Zendaya and Sky Ferreira have medical tents and disability website which goes over your First had to say,” Dee said. Elect Donald Trump’s inau- also committed to attending the accommodations will also be Amendment rights and has some SPOT evaluations have guration. The rally, officially rally and march. available along the route in the suggestions on what to do and how the potential to play a role titled the Women’s March on What to expect: spirit of comfort and inclusivity. to act if you or someone around in departmental budgets Washington by its organizers, is The rally starts at 10 a.m. at The organizers of the march also you is arrested. in the future. As part of aimed to send a message to Trump the intersection of Independence provided a hotline for legal help Pack smart and pack light. the Beyond Boundaries and the rest of the government that Avenue and Third Street and will in the case that anyone is arrested Backpacks and large tote bags initiative, Virginia Tech the destructive language present in have guest speakers and activists and needs consultation. are not permitted and other bags will transition to a perfor- this election cycle against women, present. The 1.5-mile march will Here are my six personal tips may be searched at any time, mance-based budget in the LGBT community and people start at 1:15 p.m. and go until 5 and things to consider when going which means that a fanny pack or the 2018–19 school year, of color will no longer be tolerated. p.m. to a march of this magnitude a small purse is going to be your in which the university What is the Women’s March, Similarly, because the Women’s that I’ve picked up from going to friend.