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FENTY FOUNDATION With more than 40 shades, Rihanna is here to help you find yours. page 6
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Don’t rename Confederate buildings
A
n open letter to President Timothy Sands and the Virginia Tech Community,
The announcement of a committee to review the names of buildings and other school spaces raises concerns on the consequences, utility and purposes that actions, such as renaming, may have. On behalf of the College Republicans and those concerned, we respectfully express our opposition to such review. In this letter, we detail the reasons of why we do so, as we believe these actions waste resources, take away from the history and tradition of Virginia Tech, create unnecessary changes, and have the potential to expand and further stray away from a more preferable solution. We believe the committee to review the historical naming of buildings and spaces is a misuse of university resources. There are more pressing matters requiring attention that can benefit students’ daily life at Virginia Tech. These include issues such as the parking struggle off-campus students face to simply updating old desks many students currently use. A committee to review and potentially change building names does not benefit anyone. These committees should seek to benefit and promote the well-being of the Virginia Tech community. The most important thing to remember about the men whose names grace the hallowed halls of this university is that they are honored for their service to Virginia Tech, not to the Confederacy. Without the contributions of John McLaren McBryde, James H. Lane and Charles Erastus Vawter Sr., our university would be completely unrecognizable from where we are today, without the engineering program, school colors, university motto, the strong start of the Corps and even the “Hokie” nickname. Students don’t associate the names of the buildings with the Confederacy, rather they think of those
BILLY CLARKE / COLLEGIATE TIMES University President Tim Sands makes an appearance at the Hokies vs. Blue Hens game, Sept. 9, 2017.
buildings as structures of Virginia Tech history. Reviewing and changing the names of the buildings disrupts this association, a status quo that has contributed to Virginia Tech being ranked No. 1 campus for the Best Quality of Life by The Princeton Review. The history of these men is the history of Virginia Tech, and erasing their names from the buildings is doing the same to the history of this sterling university. The action this committee has undertaken is also concerning because it can lead to more eminent changes that would substantially impact Virginia Tech’s current and past culture, such as doing away with Skipper or the Corps of Cadets, both of which have ties to the Confederacy. Virginia Tech should not be shielding students from the university’s history, as various parts of it are what makes the Hokie community so special. Allowing this committee to decide which parts of Virginia Tech’s history are acceptable counteracts the very purpose of a college campus, which is to promote a free-thinking student body and a healthy flow of different opinions. When we look back into history, we see that it has been marred by tragedies and wrongful acts, yet the human spirit has endured and concurrently created
prosperity and peace. We have created societies that promised their people liberty, security and an amelioration of the impoverished natural state of man, that has plagued us since our origins. We look at ourselves, at the daily sacrifices that we make to become better than we were yesterday, without deprecation of the personal mistakes hidden by our past. We don’t seek to erase our history; we rather learn from it and seek to appreciate it for what it has given us. Bringing out past grievances unnecessarily opens wounds that should have been closed a long time ago. Polarization and social and political tensions will only increase unless we engage in civic discussions among one another on the issues that concern us. We believe Virginia Tech is better than this, that we can allocate our resources toward better uses, that we can learn from and appreciate all aspects of our history, and that we maintain the traditions that unite us all, despite our differences, as Hokies. Sincerely, College Republicans
COLLEGE REPUBLICANS Zach Etter, Carlos Marinkovic, Amanda Fields and Michael Getman
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Virginia Tech reveals new branding, logo design The new Virginia Tech branding does away with the “Invent the Future” tagline and features “subtle but auspicious” detail that the university believes will help to better communicate the true message of Virginia Tech. ALY DE ANGELUS news reporter
“
You test, and you retest and you retest again to make sure that you’re lining up and it’s the way you do it. You can’t rush it.”
Mark Owczarski assistant vice president for university relations
Last spring, seven focus groups of roughly 10 students each were conducted to produce qualitative data and assure the university that it was moving in the right direction. Mood boards with possible color palettes and photographics were brought in as well as scripted questionnaires to account for free think and a structure that is suitable for a researchtestable environment. “My feeling was … probably I would find people in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences that wouldn’t see themselves inside ‘Invent (the Future)’ and I was imagining places where our campus would say, ‘I don’t see ‘Invent the Future’ representing me,” Vosburgh said. “What we found interestingly enough is that there are areas of the university where inventing actually is a part of everyday mission and drill and purpose, (and) they disconnect with the word ‘invent’ because what they want to
do is be seen as innovators.” Vosburgh says that entrepreneurs also felt alienated by the word “invent” when loosely translated to mean pre-market or pre-moving to have an impact. This dialogue limited entrepreneurs to the benchwork of ideas as opposed to the application in everyday life. After a week and a half of these focus groups, the discovery phase yielded pieces of insight of which to work off. Some examples of inspiration included bits like “VT-shaped,” “raw Hokie DNA” and “driven to serve.” Mark Owczarski, assistant vice president for university relations, says that a good brand refresh uses a three-step process of discovering unique traits, defining strategies and launching with a discrete but powerful finish. “I’ve been involved in one (brand see BRAND / page 7
October 3, 2017 PAGE 3
“I think it did the heavy lifting for Virginia Tech … and then it was overtime that you started to see that it (broke) down and not everybody sees themselves in it and people are beginning to create their
COURTESY OF VIRGINIA TECH Virginia Tech recently unveiled the third edition of the university logo.
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Though many Virginia Tech students were too busy tossing school supplies into a duffle bag and taping down boxes full of textbooks to notice, August of 2016 initiated the first phase of a major marketing project across campus. In fact, the university unveiled its third edition of the university logo last Tuesday — Do you notice something missing? According to Melanie Schramm, director of marketing, this logo’s subtle but auspicious detail is what ultimately will allow the university to better communicate the true message from Virginia Tech to the world. Schramm and Tracy Vosburgh, associate senior vice president for university relations, hope that the “Invent the Future” campaign will continue to exist as another timepiece in a vintage Hokie collection.
own idea of what they thought Virginia Tech might better look or sound or feel like, and that is predictable if you don’t change,” Vosburgh said. The new university mark is a structure of symbolism, down to the letter. Michael Stowe, director of media relations, points to the “T” as a representation of disciplinary strength as well as ability to work across disciplines. The arms of the “V” represent real-world application of knowledge and the spirit of Ut Prosim. The shape and openness of the lettering highlight Virginia Tech’s inclusive community that thrives at the intersection of academic disciplines. “Interestingly enough, just the way that VT was redrawn gave us the ability to show a softness that didn’t exist with the flying VT. An intersection, a pathway, an openness, all of those things sort of came to life,” Schramm said. However, that’s not to say that there is not other meaning that can be found within the new logo. “Everybody sees something different in this, and I am not going to tell people what they should or shouldn’t see in it … We showed it to somebody who happens to be an engineer, he sees the square root in there,” Vosburgh said. The use of Chicago maroon and burnt orange in the university logo as well as a custom-made sans serif font are two significant details that have yet to be executed on other campus logos. In conjunction with these changes, the team of visionaries made sure that unique identifiers of Virginia Tech such as Hokie Stone or the campus colors were left untouched in the branding project.
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BILLY CLARKE / COLLEGIATE TIMES Defensive coordinator Bud Foster (RIGHT) stares at the field standing next to cornerbacks coach Brian Mitchell during the Clemson game, Sept. 30, 2017.
AHMED MUSTAFA / COLLEGIATE TIMES Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney shake hands following a 31–17 loss to the Tigers in Lane Stadium, Sept. 30, 2017.
Tech drops to 1–31 all-time against top-five teams Virginia Tech’s struggles against upper-echelon teams continued on Saturday with a loss to Clemson. CHASE PARKER assistant sports editor
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: Virginia Tech lost to a top-five team. No, the game wasn’t over-hyped. Yes, Virginia Tech fans had great reason to get excited for an opportunity to knock off the No. 2 team in the land. And sure, if the Hokies would have pulled off the upset, they would have pushed themselves into the College Football Playoff discussion. But none of that matters anymore. With the 17–31 loss to the Tigers, Tech’s record against top-five teams drops to 1–31 all-time. The lone win against a team of that caliber came in 2003 against the No. 2 Miami Hurricanes. Virginia Tech won the contest in dominating fashion, upsetting the ‘Canes by a score of 31–7 in Lane Stadium. But other than that one shining moment aga inst upper- echelon opponents, the Hokies have been
overwhelmingly disappointing. Unfortunately for Virginia Tech, the loss to Clemson just gives proof to the claim that the Hokies are just a “good” football program, but they’re not close to being national title contenders. This isn’t to say that Tech’s streak of 23 consecutive bowl appearances isn’t impressive — because it is. However, with the exception of the 1999 season, the Hokies have never been able to push themselves into the elite level of college football teams. The fan base, on the other hand, is widely considered to be one of the most supportive and loud groups in all of college football. It showed at ESPN’s College GameDay in the early hours of Saturday morning, when one member of the crew said, “This crowd is crazy. Hands down, the best GameDay crowd we’ve seen.” “I thought the show that Virginia Tech put on for the nation to see was fantastic,” said Tech head coach Justin Fuente. “The festivities earlier today, and the crowd, it was everything you could ever want and
more. I’m sorry that we couldn’t find a way to get it done and that we couldn’t play a little bit better.” However, a loud and passionate fan base won’t win football games — defensive stops and touchdowns do that. Other than some impressive plays in garbage time, Tech flat-out didn’t do enough to win the game. The longest offensive play of the night for the Hokies was a 35-yard pass to wide receiver C.J. Carroll — not quite what you would call “offensive fireworks.” But due to Clemson’s highly skilled defensive front, the Hokies’ game plan was to be a bit more conservative. “We knew that we would have to get the ball out quick and do some screens and misdirection and that sort of stuff,” Fuente said. “We knew that the sledding was going to be difficult no matter what they lined up in.” But of course, losing efforts can become building blocks for a football program. “There’s some things that obviously we can learn from, and we will,” said
defensive coordinator Bud Foster. “As we move forward into this league, the competition is going to be stiff each and every week and that’s where we’ve got to continue to improve and develop and play disciplined football.” While the hyped-up Clemson game didn’t turn out the way the Hokies wanted it to, there’s a possibility that Virginia Tech will have a shot at setting things straight later on in the season. The Tigers look poised to repeat as Atlantic Division champions, and the Hokies certainly have the potential to win the wide-open Coastal Division again. With the perfect recipe, Virginia Tech could have a date set with Clemson on Dec. 2, in Charlotte, North Carolina, for a rematch in the ACC Championship Game. In the meantime, Tech fans will have to sit back and wait on their team to somehow, some day, push its way through to the upper-echelon of college football programs. @ChaseParker_VT
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Protesters interrupt State of University Address
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news
A handful of people, chanting about an alleged white supremacist on campus, stopped Sands mid-speech. MATT JONES editor in chief
livestreams from various locations in order to complement Sands’ statements about the university. Groups watching at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute in Roanoke and the National Capital Region campus in Arlington were featured as Sands emphasized recent developments at those campuses. Deb Kelly, an associate professor at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, spoke via video from her lab in Roanoke about her research. And, a prerecorded video of Ella Rak, a recent graduate working with the Peace Corps in Cameroon, was also played to emphasize that Tech can take you to “unexpected places.” Sands also emphasized his “Beyond Boundaries” planning initiative, started in 2015, and how implementation of some of those ideas will start soon. “Virginia Tech has been a globally engaged university for much of the last century, but becoming a leading global
university will require sustained and intentional actions and resources,” Sands said. “Our Beyond Boundaries planning over the coming year will take our vision and turn it into action. Although we have much to consider, some of these actions are already apparent and underway.” No other protesters interrupted the rest of the speech. Afterward, Sands told reporters that he supported students’ right to express themselves, but that the university’s response would follow its stated principles. “It’s a classic case,” Sands said. “It’s not just Virginia Tech, we’re seeing this around the country; people have very strong opinions. The First Amendment allows them to speak those opinions in public and we have to deal with the conflict of that with our Principles of Community.” @Jones_MattRyan
October 3, 2017 PAGE 5
DAVID HONG / COLLEGIATE TIMES Virginia Tech President Tim Sands delivering the State of the University speech at the Moss Arts Center, Sept. 29, 2017.
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Virginia Tech President Tim Sands’ State of the University Address on Friday was designed to highlight the many accomplishments of the university and its goals going forward. However, a handful of protesters had other plans. A large crowd had gathered in the Anne and Ellen Fife Theater in Moss Arts Center to hear the president speak, including a number of university officials and prominent alumni. About 10 minutes into the speech, protesters began to shout over the president, forcing him to pause and address them while they were escorted out. The speech had kicked off with a performance by the Virginia Tech Chamber Singers and an introduction by Seyi Olusina and Brett Netto, the undergraduate and graduate representatives to the Board of Visitors. Sands started off with an acknowledgement that the speech had been slightly overshadowed by the presence of ESPN College GameDay and taping for an episode of the Jimmy Kimmel show going on about campus. He also thanked a number of leaders in the university including Menah PrattClarke, vice president for strategic affairs and vice provost for inclusion and diversity, and Charlie Phlegar, vice president for advancement. It was after acknowledging Phlegar’s fundraising work and the gifts of alumni that the protesters interrupted. “Together with our faculty,” Sands started. A person started shouting from the audience about a graduate teaching assistant that they alleged is a “neo-Nazi” and white supremacist (the Collegiate Times is not naming the graduate student because the university has not confirmed their identity with the media). Sands started again and then stopped. Another person started shouting another
question at Sands about the student. “Virginia Tech is committed to our principles of community and free speech,” Sands responded. “These are tough issues; not the time to discuss them here. But, I appreciate your perspective.” A small chorus chimed in. “No Nazi; No KKK; no fascist GTA,” the protesters chanted. Sands paused on the stage. Near the back of the auditorium, away from the stage, a handful of leaflets were dumped from an upper balcony. “Well, thank you,” Sands said. “I share your perspective, but this is not the right time to talk about it.” Once Sands had finished addressing the protesters, he resumed his planned speech, thanking Provost Thanassis Rikakis for his work with the development of Destination Areas, thematic structures designed to promote interdisciplinary work. He also emphasized the need for contributions from alumni to help make these plans a reality, calling for alumni giving to increase from 12 percent currently to 22 percent by 2022. One of the main themes of the remainder of the speech was Sands’ plans for growth for the university. He reiterated the goal of growing the undergraduate student body to 30,000 by 2023. However, Sands also said that growth would not all come at once in one place. “This will not all happen in Blacksburg; we plan for some of that growth to take place in Roanoke and the National Capital Region,” Sands said. “As is evident to everyone, we were extraordinarily successful at yielding first-time students for the class of 2021. We will have more moderate growth in future years to ensure that Virginia Tech maintains a small-campus feel with all of the advantages of scale. Our emerging Master Plan features several new residence halls, student centers, dining facilities and, of course, parking structures.” The speech used video and
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Finding your Fenty
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Rihanna is taking the beauty world by storm with her new foundation designed to work for all skin tones. SAMANTHA SMITH
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lifestyles staff writer
From standing up for women’s rights to being a fashion trendsetter, it’s no secret that Rihanna is a pop-culture icon. And just when you thought that Rihanna couldn’t get any better, she released the Fenty beauty line, complete with 40 shades of foundation. So, aside from Bad Girl Riri herself releasing this makeup line, what’s the big whoop? “Women, especially women of color, have always had a hard time finding shades of makeup, specifically foundation … that look good on their skin,” said Jennifer Turner, a doctoral candidate in the sociology and women’s and gender studies departments. “So, Rihanna decided to make this makeup not only for women with really, really
dark skin tones but also with really light skin tones.” However, it’s not all sunshine and glitter — for some, this foundation is out of reach. Unfortunately, high-end makeup and sticker shock go hand in hand — and Fenty is no different. Fear not — according to Sara Joy-Hogg, an aspiring makeup artist in the area and a Virginia Tech alumna, there are some drugstore alternatives that cater toward females with darker skin tones (Maybelline, Black Opal and Black Radiance just to name a few). Aside from the foundation, another product within the line that is creating quite the buzz is the gold highlighter, Trophy Wife. “I liked that product the most,” said Kathrinna Hammon, vice president of Glo Fleaux.
see FENTY / page 7
AHMED MUSTAFA / COLLEGIATE TIMES Virginia Tech tailback Travon McMillian (34) hypes up the crowd following a touchdown run against West Virginia at FedExField, Sept. 3, 2017.
Up next: Boston College Virginia Tech will try to get back to its winning ways when it faces the Boston College Eagles this week. CHASE PARKER
PAGE 6 October 3, 2017
assistant sports editor
COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Rihanna sings during The Concert for Valor in Washington, D.C., Nov. 11, 2014.
Last week’s matchup with Clemson was more than just a game; it was a spectacle. From ESPN’s College GameDay coming to town, to the excitement of a top-15 clash, the game quickly became one of the most highly anticipated in Virginia Tech football history. While the matchup ended in a disappointing 31–17 loss, the Hokies now look ahead to a much calmer and normal routine as they prepare to face Boston College. The Hokies haven’t lost to the Eagles since 2014, and the two teams seem to be treading in completely opposite paths. Boston College has consistently finished in the basement of the ACC in the past two years. In 2016, the Eagles tied for last in the Atlantic Division, and in 2015 they didn’t win a single game in
the league, putting them dead last in the conference. Virginia Tech, on the other hand, finished at the top of the Coastal Division last season and has the potential to repeat this year. The Eagles will enter the game with a 2–4 record with statistics that reflect it. So far this season, Boston College has been outscored 145–88. On the flip side, Virginia Tech enters the game with a 4–1 record and has outscored its opponents 177–72 this year. Despite this, defensive coordinator Bud Foster isn’t overlooking the Eagles as he prepares his defense to rebound from the Clemson loss. “We’ve got a tough environment to go to next week, and we’ll be ready for that,” Foster said. “Our kids will respond and do a great job, and I’m counting on our leadership to do that.” see HOKIES / page 7
from page 3
@RealSlimAD
She also had the chance to try the match stick and the foundation, stating that they were both a bit dry. For individuals who have a hard time finding their skin tone, there are some beauty pages out there for individuals who have a hard time finding their color. Joy-Hogg recommends Jackie Aina and Alissa Ashley, both on YouTube, while Hammon suggested
Nikkie Tutorials and Face Over Matter, also channels on YouTube. While Turner believes that the beauty industry still has a long way to go, she says that this is progress. “This tells the rest of the beauty world that everyone deserves to feel beautiful and comfortable, no matter their skin tone.” @SSmith992
Student discounts and where to find them
the game fresh off of completely different outcomes. Last week, the Eagles dominated Central Michigan, winning the contest by a score of 28–8. And of course, the Hokies will limp into the game after the heartbreaking loss to Clemson. While this game doesn’t have the glam and flashiness that last week’s did, the Hokies can’t afford to start ACC play off with an 0–2 record. It may be early in conference play, but in order for Tech to represent the Coastal Division in the ACC title game at the end of the season, consider this a must-win game. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 7, at 7:15 p.m. and will be aired on ESPN2.
@ChaseParker_VT
Students are surrounded by discounts — usually it is just a matter of knowing where to find them. EMILY HANNAH lifestyles staff writer
It’s no secret that college kids are broke. For those of us who don’t have a constant source of income, we desperately scrounge for coupons and discounts just to get by. There’s an abundance of discount opportunities for us penny-pinchers out there who need to save a few bucks. When money is tight, don’t resort to a diet of tap water and canned soup. There are ways to treat yourself while saving a considerable amount of cash. So yes, you can have your cake and eat it too. Eating out is usually the first luxury
to be tossed aside when funds are low. Study Breaks College Media conducted a survey with over 500 college kids and found that 99 percent of students spend money each month at restaurants. To avoid awkward situations at the dinner table, check out UNiDAYS. UNiDAYS is an app that gives free, exclusive discounts to students. All you have to do is create an account and verify that you’re a college student. From discounts on groceries to takeout, there’s probably a coupon code that will save your life. UNiDAYS also offers discounts on beauty, fashion, music, see DISCOUNTS / page 9
October 3, 2017 PAGE 7
Foster’s defense has already pitched two shutouts this season, and they’ll be looking to do the same against the Eagles come Saturday. Last year when the two teams faced off, the Hokies blanked Boston College by a score of 49–0 in Lane Stadium. With the way the Eagles’ offense has been sputtering this season, the goal seems attainable. The Eagles’ starting quarterback Anthony Brown has struggled so far in 2017, as he’s thrown more interceptions (seven) than touchdowns (six). Boston College’s rushing attack hasn’t exactly been firing on all cylinders, as its leadrusher Jon Hilliman is only averaging just over three yards per carry. However, the two teams are entering
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COURTESY OF SPOTIFY
HOKIES: Virginia Tech looks to bounce back from page 6
inclusive foundation
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refresh) here, ‘Invent the Future,’ and then I have been involved in one at Syracuse which frankly bombed,” Owczarski said. “The reason that it bombed is because people skipped the discovery, they skipped the research and they skipped the testing, and they went right to a logo or a mark, and they are like, ‘here it is.’ Within 24 to 36 months it was never to be seen again, so it really requires the work of a thousand people to talk to. You test, and you retest and you retest again to make sure that you’re lining up and it’s the way you do it. You can’t rush it.” Since analyzing the findings from Gallup testing and focus groups, Schramm has concluded that Virginia Tech’s brand is not currently delivering on brand promise. In other words, students feel that what Virginia Tech is commercializing is not accurate. Pointed feedback also suggested that storytelling through marketing shows room for improvement. Not so surprisingly, Virginia Tech’s preliminary data scored off the charts for one key component — school spirit.
“While Gallup showed us that we weren’t delivering on our brand promise, it also showed kind of an intimidating factor as a marketer — our affinity is very strong, probably the strongest I think of anyone in higher education, so lots of passion, but that affinity score also gives us a lot of hope because if you dial the knobs just so, you are going to hit a homerun with brand and you are going to have a fan base that’s going to carry that message forward,” Schramm said. Schramm and her teammates hope to finish rolling out the university’s brand refresh by the end of this fall semester. Change is difficult, but Schramm hopes that the students of Virginia Tech will be excited to re-energize Virginia Tech’s image. “I think by the end of these conversations people realize we come in peace,” Schramm said. “We are not taking something sacred apart; we are optimizing it because we are a force for positive change. We are going to do this and it’s going to be great.”
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BRAND: ‘Ut Prosim’ to stay FENTY: Rihanna’s new
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MUZAMIL MATTOO / TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
Land of the free, home of the biased media outlets
W
PAGE 8 October 3, 2017
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The eurocentric focus of American news sources ignores the plight of marginalized peoples in other parts of the world. ith Twitter and other social media platforms’ rise in global popularity, acts of terror, racism, and politically and culturally influenced violence have become prevalent in internet news coverage by major news sources. I would love to believe that with increasing global interconnectedness due to greater accessibility to the internet, we would have the world virtually at our fingertips. In an ideal world, that statement would be valid; however, good intentions are subject to malleability by influential hands. The terror attacks in Paris and Brussels did not grip America’s short attention span merely by chance, while the frequent bombings in Syria and ongoing genocide of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar go largely unmentioned. What factors dictate the amount of coverage an event will receive through news sources and social media platforms? Will this given event earn a synthetically sympathetic hashtag and a poorly photoshopped “pray for (insert Western European city here)” picture that will circulate the internet the following week? How exactly does the media want the general public to respond to the given event? During this time of prevalent yet selective American political dalliance in global affairs, American citizens must be critical in asking the questions: Why and what for? American interference in other countries has rarely ever stemmed from the
American government’s selfless desire to provide international aid, but more practically out of their desire to expand or protect a political, economic or cultural agenda. The Rwandan genocide is a perfect example of the United States’ turning of a blind eye on a horrific situation lying outside of Western politics. The events of Sept. 11, 2001, on the other hand, have been infamously glorified throughout the United States since their occurrence in the beginning of the new millennium. The terror attacks gained the general population’s fear and subsequent support to end terrorism, which enabled American military intervention in the Middle East. The American government has since declared a war on terrorism, eerily insinuating an existing connection between Islam and terrorism. The successful mission to kill Osama Bin Laden inspired a wave of euphoria among Americans. Let me ask: What were the local repercussions following the American government’s determination to end the terrorist threat from the Middle East? American citizens were, and still are, harassed, questioned and detained for simply following the Islamic faith. Hate mongering has only grown more prevalent and, I daresay, normalized since the American government shaped the events of Sept. 11, 2001, into an unforgettable icon. According to a survey conducted by Pew Research, 53
percent of Muslim Americans say that the Sept. 11 terror attacks have consequently made being a Muslim more difficult in the United States. In addition, the majority feels as if the government singles out Muslims for increased surveillance based on their faith. “Never forget,” we all say, but I recently began to question what we are remembering. As tragic as the terror attacks of 9/11 were, I contend that more harm has been dealt both locally and globally through the glorification and patriotism saturating the 2001 event. Media content has become almost solely representative of Western news while unrelated global news gains minuscule headlines and short blurbs on local news stations out of passive obligation. While the American media has recently fallen over itself to cover terror attacks in San Bernardino, London, Brussels and Paris, the news and other media seem to stutter when delivering stories on the constant chaos in Syria and the genocide taking place in Myanmar. Although the media does not cover mainstream news on global regions unconnected to America’s direct international affairs, condemning the entirety of the American population to Western apathy is too easy. A prominent cultural and geographic divide exists between the United States and most of the world excluding Western Europe, creating a natural sense of separation between the American people
and, say, Syrian refugees or Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. A lack of relatability may exist among the majority of the American people; however, media platforms still have the responsibility to provide informative coverage to educate the American people on all global events, not just those that the Western media deem important. The American media’s selectiveness stems from the belief that the American people do not care or do not have the time to educate themselves on events that do not concern themselves. New York Times columnist Timothy Egan wrote that as a result of the American public’s obsession with mindless listicles and fear-mongering political slogans which replace anything that requires sustained thought, the American people have ultimately began to think in “McNugget time,” giving way to pick-and-choose news from the “buffet line of our screens.” While the age of technology has sped up nearly all aspects of life, consequentially reducing overall attention spans, that is hardly an excuse for established media companies to become selective news distributors, and much less acceptable for the American people to become uninformed global citizens.
CELESTE ROGERS • opinions contributor • class of 2021
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Life is
BETTER IN A COTTAGE!
offer a 10 percent to students. And when you’re looking for the perfect interview outfit or business casual, higher-scale stores like J.Crew, Banana Republic, Limited and Kate Spade offer 15 percent off. For more discounts check out the master list at Insider.com. Those who enjoy making their own clothes or crafting can find discounts at Hancock Fabrics for 10 percent off. Jo-Ann Fabrics also offers a 10 percent discount when students sign up for the discount program. Discounts aren’t hard to find; many disregard the importance of research when it comes to penny-pinching. For kids experiencing life with financial responsibility for the first time, money can be wasted. Understanding budgeting and still living the life you want to live is how college should be. Take advantage of the student status and save money while spending it on the things you want.
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Wall Street Journal only charges students $1 a week for digital and paper access. The Economist and the Guilford Press also offer student discounts but vary by subscription. The “techies” out there also have a plethora of options when it comes to discounts. Dell offers students 20 percent online with other seasonal discounts, while Microsoft provides students and teachers with 10 percent off. HP, Lenovo, Apple and Adobe all offer varying discounts that are worth considering when purchasing your next laptop or tablet. Telephone companies also wrap their arms around the shoulders of us struggling students. Sprint offers a Sprint Discount Program that gives students several discounts in their phone plan, and T-Mobile discounts $60 off of mobile phones and a 20 percent discount for students and teachers. Check out your nearest Best Buy or bestcollegesonline.com to get a full master-list of the discounts you’ve been missing out on. Shopaholics and fashionistas also need not fret, there’s no need to sell a wardrobe because cash is tight. Stores like Charlotte Russe, ASOS, Topshop and Forever 21 all
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technology and so much more. Don’t pass up an opportunity to get the bang for your buck. Recently, Spotify has paired up with Hulu to give students the best deal of the school year. Spotify allows college students to pay a discounted price of $4.99 a month instead of $9.99. When the two companies paired together, students can get both services for one low price of $4.99. The student discount on Hulu is on The Commercial Plan, so students still have to watch ads when they stream. Competitor Netflix offers students a one-month free trial of streaming, but does not offer any other student discount. Apple Music also offers the same discount as Spotify, but without the added benefit of Hulu. Not only is streaming discounted, but many local theaters will offer students a discounted price for tickets. Cinemark Theatres and Regal Theatres give students with an ID a discount on their tickets varying by location, and AMC Theatres offers discounts to students on Thursdays
with the use of their ID. Amazon Prime and FedEx offer students with some significant deals. Amazon provides verified students with Amazon Prime two-day shipping for six months, and with a student ID, the FedEx Office will discount 30 percent on documents and 20 percent on shipping. Insurance is discounted in the easiest way — be a good student. Good grades can lower insurance rates significantly. Students with “good academic standing” can receive relief from Allstate, Farmers, Geico, Nationwide, State Farm and others. These discounts can range from 15 percent to 25 percent off insurance rates, and usually apply to students with a “B” average or higher. There are opportunities and discounts for every personality to suit every need. Avid readers and lovers of current events can save money by using the discounts provided by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. The New York Times offers students a $1 subscription rate for the first month of their subscription and 50 percent off after that period ends. The
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DISCOUNTS: How to shop like a student while saving
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COLLEGIATELIVING Helping your wallet by helping the environment It can be hard to be environmentally friendly on the go, but sometimes it’s as simple as identifying your waste. SARAH CARR lifestyles staff writer
avoid using plastic utensils and endless napkins. And trust me, you will not get as many weird looks as you think. Most people will look at you and simply think, “Hey, they care about the environment. That’s awesome.” Another small way that you can make a big difference is by bringing your own bags when you go to buy groceries. Plastic and paper bags are usually not recycled, and end up in landfills and oceans. Cloth or even the reusable plastic bags are cheap, and can easily fold up and fit in your car so you don’t forget them at home. Speaking of groceries, head to the Blacksburg Farmers Market. You can bring your reusable bags and stock up on produce on Wednesdays and Saturdays, while supporting your local farmers. Buying from farmers markets are super eco-friendly because they tend to be non-industrial farms and produce less environmental waste than the farms that ship to the grocery stores. If you are to take away anything from this article, let it be that you should try your best not to purchase single-use items, and that you should always keep a lookout for things you can be doing on and off campus to make a difference in the environment. We come to college to grow as people, but we won’t have anything to grow into unless we all become more eco-friendly and take the steps necessary to take care of our planet. @CollegiateTimes
October 3, 2017 PAGE 11
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY RICKEY LAM
eco-friendly. Instead of paper towels, lean toward things like kitchen rags that you can throw in the washing machine when they get dirty. Single-use items may be more convenient, but at the end of the day they are harder on your wallet and the environment than reusable items. The next thing that I want to touch on is recycling. It’s so easy to throw your plastic, paper and cans into a separate recycling bin, yet few people take the time to do so. The dorms at Virginia Tech usually come with a recycling bin, but if for some reason yours does not, start a recycling pile to make sure your recyclables go to the right place. If you live in an apartment like me, you might have to contact your office to find out if your complex provides recycling. If not, going a little bit out of your way to make sure all of your recyclables don’t end up in the garbage is the best thing to do. It might seem like a lot of work, but trust me, it isn’t. You’ll feel a lot better knowing you aren’t contributing to the waste. When it comes to your food, there are many ways you can be more eco-friendly, even in the dining halls. Virginia Tech offers the Reusable To-Go Program, which is a service that provides green, reusable containers for you to use whenever you want throughout the year. This is a lot more eco-friendly than the single-use containers used at dining centers otherwise. And while it may seem weird to carry around a cloth napkin with household utensils, the landfill will thank you. You can eat your heart out around campus and
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Most of us don’t think about it, but there are so many things we can be doing differently around our homes when it comes to being more eco-friendly. Look around you — see any plastic water bottles? Paper towels? How about lights that might not need to be on? These are just a few of the small things you can change that will make a big impact on the environment. Many people believe that being more eco-friendly involves more time and money when in fact, helping the environment can help out your bank account as well. No one is saying you need to start out extreme and jump directly into zerowaste living, but there are changes you can make within your dorm or apartment right now that can put you on track toward bettering the environment. First let’s start with things you can do on campus to be more eco-friendly. Water bottles are a must, of course,
and I’m not talking about the single-use ones. According to a website called Ban the Bottle, plastic water bottles can take between 400 and 1,000 years to decompose. It also takes three times the amount of water to produce a single bottle than it does to fill it. Carrying a reusable water bottle around campus is an excellent way to stay hydrated, help the environment and save money. There are water fountains all over campus, so there is no excuse for purchasing single-use water bottles. And reusable bottles are not limited to water. Those three cups of coffee you drank on campus yesterday? Imagine if you had a reusable travel mug to put that coffee in. Most coffee shops in the area have no problem with you asking them to refill your mug instead of giving you a single-use cup (ABP excluded). You can keep up with your caffeine addiction while being friendly to the environment. The same goes for paper towels. Anything that is single use is a no-go when it comes to being more
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Living with roommates: Rules you should follow What rules should you set when living with others?
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MADY MOORE
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lifestyles staff writer
S. Main Street S. Main Street S. Main Street S. Main Street S. Main Street S. Main Street S. Main Street S. Main Street S. Main Street
Giles Road Giles Road Giles Road Giles Road Giles Road Giles Road Giles Road Giles Road Giles Road
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Whether you live on or off campus, you live with a roommate or multiple roommates (unless you’re ballin’ like Kobe Bryant and can afford to live alone). With that being said, let’s explore how we can all keep the peace with our roommate. Control the volume Keep your volume at a manageable level for your roommate. Don’t blast your gangster rap when your roommate is studying.FaceTiming your boo at 4 a.m. while your roommate’s sleeping is beyond rude, and please don’t bring the hoopla to your crib when your roommate just wants to Netflix and chill. To avoid creating a noise conflict, establish some ground rules about when you can play your music, FaceTime your boo or bring the hoopla to your crib. You and your roommate can display each other’s schedules in a clearly visible place so that you can schedule a good time for the turn-up and avoid disturbing each other. Keep an eye out for each other If you see that your roommate is down, or if you notice a change in his/her mood, offer to be a shoulder to cry on or a helping hand. Even if your roommate is crying over their rap career that hasn’t taken off, or their sketchy significant other that smells like feet and bagels, offer to be the support that they may need and your relationship
as roomies will blossom. Unless they are trying to commit a felony, it’s best to help each other out in any way that you can, considering that you and your roommates are far away from home. Now if they are trying to commit a felony, just go ahead and move out, and use the “it’s not you, it’s me” excuse. When you support each other as roomies, you become homies. And this is the only instance in which you can pick your family. Be upfront about your living preferences If you don’t think of strobe lights as decor and your roommate does, say something about it. Designate communal spaces in the house and make sure that you can both agree on decor so that you create spaces that you can all live in and enjoy. No one wants to come home to pink shag carpet or to Bob Marley memorabilia unless they want it in their space. In the end, make sure you can all feel at home with everyone’s decor preferences in mind — if you are more shabby chic and your roommate prefers to have a hot tub in your living room with a grill beside it, as Tim Gunn always says, “Make it work.” Respect each other and your space and you shall both go far.
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6 easy meals, all under $25 When leaving home, we all must figure out how to grocery shop and cook for ourselves while on a budget. MADHU ARYA lifestyles contributor
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What you need for your place, and what you don’t Will you avoid the temptation that comes along with shopping for your apartment? Resistance can be hard. SAMANTHA SMITH lifestyles staff writer
Moving into a new apartment is exciting, but buying stuff for your new apartment is even better. However, you should beware: Pinterest and Target will trick you into thinking you need that really cute tapestry that costs $50 — or worse, you’ll get caught up on Urban Outfitters’ website and pay $90 for the same tapestry. We’ve all read pieces that tell you what you do need for an apartment — but what about what you don’t? Here are some of the things I’ve been tricked into buying in the past that I have yet to use. A whisk I make a lot of eggs because let’s be honest — eggs are cheap and versatile. On one of my many strolls through Target, I decided that I absolutely needed this bright purple whisk. It has yet to leave the junk drawer of my kitchen. If you’re an avid baker, you might use this; otherwise, it’s a waste of money. A drying rack for dishes First off, I have a dishwasher, so I don’t know what possessed me when
I bought this. If you don’t have a dishwasher, this might be handy. Keep in mind that this might also encourage you to take days to put away your dishes. If you have the option to put your dishes away right after you wash them or leave them out, I think at least half of us would opt to wait. That sixth blanket One of my favorite things is to curl up on the couch with a hot cup of coffee, a blanket and a movie. However, I love this activity so much that whenever I see a blanket I like that’s reasonably priced, I find myself buying it, bringing it home and realizing I definitely didn’t need another blanket. While having a few is useful, having five just makes your apartment look cluttered. Throw pillows Granted, throw pillows do make your apartment look more adult-like. But, when you’re a couch lounger like me, they honestly just end up on the floor or in the way. Having one or two might be nice to cuddle with on your couch, but having too many is just excessive and unnecessary. @SSmith992
October 3, 2017 PAGE 13
BILLY CLARKE / COLLEGIATE TIMES A kitchen space at The Edge Apartment Homes, Oct. 1, 2017.
BILLY CLARKE / COLLEGIATE TIMES A living room at The Edge Apartment Homes, Oct. 1, 2017.
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The school year has started to get into full swing, and as college students we begin to realize we can no longer eat as freely as we did during the summer time. Parents aren’t making our food anymore and all that eating out is starting to add up. Because of this, I challenged myself to come up with as many recipes as possible using a few basic ingredients that don’t break the bank. I headed to Kroger on a mission and returned with the following: tortillas, bread, black beans, guacamole, hummus, cheese, sour cream, salsa, shredded carrots and a cucumber. My grand total ended up being $23.80, and I came up with six recipes to make using only these ingredients. Burrito This is a classic that is super simple to quickly throw together. All you need are tortillas, beans, cheese, salsa, guacamole and sour cream. I started out by heating up my tortilla, then I added in a couple spoons of black beans, salsa, guacamole, sour cream and a sprinkle of cheese. What I love about burritos is that they’re super customizable and take less than 10 minutes to make. Hummus and guacamole sandwich This is a recipe that my mom always makes at home. The combination of ingredients is not something that I ever would have thought to try on my own, but it’s surprisingly tasty. All you need is hummus,
guacamole, tomato, cucumber and cheese. Take two pieces of bread, spread one with hummus and one with guacamole. Cut up the cucumber and put it on the hummus side, sprinkle with some salt and pepper, and add tomatoes on top of the cucumber. Add some cheese and put it together and you are good to go. Carrot and sour cream sandwich I recently discovered this recipe over the summer from my aunt who was visiting from India. All you need are shredded carrots, cucumbers, sour cream, tomatoes and cheese. Literally just put all of the ingredients on bread and consume. Or, you could use some of those tortillas and make it a wrap. Chips with dip Ever tried making your own chips? Now is the time to start. Cut your tortillas into triangles and bake them at 350 degrees for five to 10 minutes. Next add your beans, guacamole, sour cream, salsa and cheese in layers into a bowl. Once your chips are done toasting, pull them out of the oven and enjoy. Hummus wrap All you need for this recipe are tortillas, shredded carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, hummus and cheese. Put some hummus on the tortilla and add all of the above ingredients. Wrap and enjoy. Quesadilla This is another simple and quick recipe. All you need are tortillas, cheese, beans, sour cream, salsa and guacamole. Start off by heating up a tortilla on a pan in medium heat. Move it around so it doesn’t stick to the pan and flip it over to make sure both sides are warmed. Add cheese and beans, fold in half and enjoy with sour cream, guacamole and salsa. If you don’t want beans in your quesadilla, you can make one with plain cheese, or add meat if you want to drop a couple extra bucks at the store. Get cooking!
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LLC Studio 72 encourages engagement in the arts The new LLC Studio 72 aims to enrich artistic skills of students through activities like projects and guest lectures. MANUEL MARTINEZ news staff writer
The commencement of the fall 2017 semester included the opening of two new living-learning communities (LLC). Studio 72, located in Pritchard’s sixth floor, is among the new organizations. Officially named Studio 72: The Living Arts, the studio’s core mission is to provide an atmosphere where students can develop and enrich their artistic skills. Defined on Studio 72’s website, its mission states that “time and space to create art is the key to tapping into that creativity.” Additionally, its goal is to develop art that connects students with the community, through workshops or events. Studio 72 currently has 54 members, all of whom reside in Pritchard Hall, located in Virginia Tech’s lower housing quad. By Virginia Tech policy, membership in an LLC includes a $50 fee that is incorporated to students’ housing and residential
contracts. In addition, applications to join an LLC, including Studio 72, must be completed during the summer months, as final decisions and acceptance are determined prior to the beginning of the semester.
“
The space houses a wide range of artistic components, including an electric drum set, piano, writing surfaces, work boards and cabinets storing art supplies.”
At the beginning of the semester, Studio 72 acquired Pritchard’s sixth floor lounge and began the process of reconstructing and rearranging its space. Once a vacant room with a concrete floor, the room now has an abstract studio design. The space houses a wide range of artistic
components, including an electric drum set, piano, writing surfaces, work boards and cabinets storing art supplies. The area has been refurbished with dimmable studio lights and art pieces that generate a contemporary design that contrasts with the uniform dorm building. Although the studio’s space will continue to evolve in terms of design, its versatility remains an important consideration. Matt Ebert, Studio 72’s director, believes the studio’s interior arrangement will always be a “work in progress,” since the studio can be rearranged to suit the needs of any events, such as large group assemblies, speaker presentations or large art projects. The LLC will also host visits from multiple artists who share their passion and works of art with the community throughout the academic period. Among the first visitors was Omar Offendum, a hip-hop artist who visited on Sept. 7, 2017. Moreover, Studio 72 provides a gateway to the arts within Virginia
Tech. The studio periodically involves its members with the Moss Arts Center community and events that support its students’ development of artistic knowledge. Studio 72 members obtained a backstage tour of the Moss Arts Center as the semester began while viewing performer Demetri Martin, a stand-up artist who has appeared in multiple popular shows, including The Daily Show. These are among th events that Studio 72 has designed for its members in pursuit of artistic discovery. As Studio 72 embarks on its first academic year, the organization will continue to support the various domains that create and define art. As defined in its mission, the LLC will remain an inclusive art project supportive of performing arts, visual arts, creative writing and digital arts, among others, for present and future Hokies. @CollegiateTimes
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Mozaiko, one of the two new LLCs on campus, encourages students to experience other cultures and languages.
WEIQI YUAN / COLLEGIATE TIMES Harper Hall, where the new Mozaiko living-learning community is housed, Nov. 19, 2016.
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How does one prepare oneself for the ever-expanding onset of globalization, while also growing in one’s understanding of cultures and languages different from one’s own? Students living in Virginia Tech’s newest livinglearning community (LLC), Mozaiko, will be the first students in the history of the university to find the answer to this question. This LLC is located in Harper Hall, and provides a wide array of opportunities for students seeking to achieve fluency in an additional language. The meaning of Mozaiko is “Mosaic” in Esperanto, a constructed international language. In addition to speaking the language (or in some cases, languages) of their choice, students are exposed to a great deal of activities, seminars and guest speakers from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. The languages featured in this program vary in scope. This year, students have the choice of living in a “house” dedicated to one of the following languages: Spanish, French, German, Russian, Arabic, English or Italian. In addition, there is a house dedicated to Asian languages. Every house is located on the fourth floor of Harper Hall, and they serve as a medium for students to
sharpen their language skills and learn about other cultures. “The best part of living in Mozaiko is learning how to communicate in an intercultural manner and see other perspectives,” said Yasmin Dambo, a sophomore architecture major living in the Mozaiko French House. Dambo is an international student originally from Nigeria. International students make up about 40 percent of the students living in Mozaiko. Dambo serves on the Mozaiko executive board, a panel in charge of designing activities for students living in Mozaiko. One of the main sources of activities for students is Mozaiko’s “Monthly House Takeover,” which Dambo helped create. “My vision for Mozaiko is for students to practice languages, and also bring our community together,” Dambo said. Each month, a chosen house “takes over” the Mozaiko International Room, where they can display sayings, basic phrases and assorted information about the region they are studying. This month, it was the French House’s turn. They displayed the French flag, along with French poems, idioms, readings and information on French food and musicians. Included in the display were French board games for students to play, as well as French songs they could learn the lyrics to. For the month of October,
required, and they are not required to know another language prior to entering the program. This allows a great deal of flexibility for students who are aiming to improve their speaking abilities, as well as immerse themselves in an unfamiliar, albeit exhilarating, environment. “Students in Mozaiko are able to ‘cross pollinate,’” said Lia Kelinsky, the program director for Mozaiko. “They are all under one umbrella while practicing curiosity towards others, and they can focus on language they want to target. They can practice another language, and also not lose one they already have. For example, a student that speaks Italian can also go and speak German because the German house is just down the hall. “The most rewarding part of my job is working around students with what they are curious about.”
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the Asian Languages House will “take over,” in order to commemorate the Chinese Fall Festival and Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights. In addition to the House Takeover, guest speakers are regularly invited to give talks on their cultures. Speakers educate students about specific aspects of their culture, and what sort of cultural norms they have. For example, a recent guest speaker from India explained to students how it is considered customary to refuse food when entering as a guest in someone’s home several times before finally accepting it. This is just one example of someone communicating to students in Mozaiko about a culture they may not be familiar with. Perhaps one of the most beneficial aspects of Mozaiko is the chance for students to practice languages other than the one they are learning. In addition, majoring or minoring in the language the student resident is learning is not
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LLC Mozaiko dedicated to linguistic immersion
PAGE 16 October 3, 2017
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