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April 20, 2017

COLLEGIATETIMES

An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903

ZACK WAJSGRAS / COLLEGIATE TIMES Members of the second battalion stand at attention just before the beginning of the march to the Westfield Cemetery for Matthew La Porte’s posthumous award ceremony, April 9, 2015.

Petition falls short

University denies cadets’ plans for building

In response to a petiton started by three cadets, university officials stated that the new cadet building will not be named for fallen cadet Matthew La Porte due to concerns about inclusivity. LEWIS MILLHOLLAND not to name the new managing editor

Six days ago, three Virginia Tech students launched a petition asking the university administration to name the new cadet residence hall after Matthew La Porte, one of the 32 slain 10 years ago in the country’s largest collegiate mass shooting. Keeping with university tradition of treating the 32 lost as a collective, the administration has decided

building La Porte Hall. A university spokesperson released the following statement to the Collegiate Times via email: “The university understands and respects the well-intentioned desire to name the new residence hall after Mathew La Porte. As we reflect on the observance of the 10th year since the April 16 tragedy, our thoughts are centered on the memories of each of the 32 lives lost on that day.

“For ten years, we have remembered and honored them together, because each individual was equally precious and their collective memory has become woven into the fabric of our community’s strength. Any future tributes and memorials considered by the university would seek to recognize and honor all 32 individuals equally, out of respect for their sacrifice, their family’s loss, and our spirit of community.” The petition, which

called to name the new residence hall after a fellow Hokie rather than “someone (who) makes a large enough donation,” remains active and climbed above 35,000 signatures earlier this afternoon. The three cadets behind the movement declined to comment on this article. Matthew La Porte was a sophomore studying political science who played tenor drum for the HightieTighties in 2007. According to interviews with survivors

of the Virginia Tech shootings, La Porte barricaded the classroom door to prevent the mass murderer from entering — and when the shooter did manage to get in, La Porte charged the man, “taking fire that would have been directed at his classmates.” He was posthumously awarded the Airman’s Medal for his actions. @WithTheFancyGuy

‘13 Reasons Why’ meets expectations

“13 Reasons Why” came out on Netflix on March 31, and while our writer says that it meets expectations, it doesn’t necessarily bring mental health issues to light the way it should. JESSICA BRADY copy editor

Beware — spoilers ahead. I loved “13 Reasons Why.” For me, it was one of those shows that becomes your life. Thank the Lord this came out before finals week because it occupied all my time. I watched it while I was eating, getting ready for bed, at the gym and even shower ing. My only wish is that its message could have been as effective as it was a piece of art. “13 Reasons Why” is a teen Netflix drama based on a book about a girl who committed suicide and left

behind 13 tapes, each with a reason for why she killed herself. The protagonist is a high schooler named Clay, and we follow him as he listens to the tapes to find out what he did to bring Hannah Baker to kill herself. The show had everything I need out of a TV show — drama, humor, intrigue, mystery. Every episode left me wanting more. I loved Clay, he was a genuinely nice character. This was one of those shows where you begin to feel like you’re friends with the characters. “13 Reasons Why” has many strengths. What I appreciate the most about

the show is that it does not romanticize depression. That was one of my biggest fears going into the show. There seems to be this trend today where depression is portrayed as artsy or cool, and it shouldn’t be. It is a scary mental health issue that can have serious consequences, and the show demonstrates that. Additionally, the characters demonstrate how harsh high school can be. High schoolers can be mean, mean, mean, and that is portrayed extremely well in the show. Playing off of that, “13 Reasons Why” has the powerful message that you never

know what is going on in someone else’s life. These characters are portrayed as human and have human problems, just like the rest of us.

was left open for another season, and I could not be angrier. The title of the book perfectly prepared for a 13 episode show — there are 13 reasons why! I am truly dreading the next season when it seems that Tyler may become a school What I appreciate shooter. Another issue I have most about the with the show, and maybe show is that this is more of an issue with the book, but it is is does not unrealistic. The individual romanticize events that take place during each episode are depression.” realistic, but added up, it is way too much. My last, but main, issue I My beef with “13 have with “13 Reasons Reasons Why” begins with the end. The show see REVIEW / page 4

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your views [letter to the editor]

Visitor sends solidarity from Sandy Hook

the Virginia Tech community, As I lie here in bed inside a tiny rented cottage in the not-so-tiny town of Blacksburg, Virginia, a candle is about to be extinguished. It’s 11:44 p.m. on April 16, 2017, and it is the 10-year anniversary of the Virginia Tech shooting when the lives of 32 students and faculty were cut far too short. On paper, I’m a UConn Husky. But I’ve probably watched and rooted for more Hokie football games in the past two years alone than Husky football games I ever attended in all the four years I was at UConn. I owe this adopted passion for the Hokies to my closest friend, who is a VT alumna of 2014. Her father is also a Hokie, Class of ’83. Being a Hokie is a way of life in their home and in their family. You

can always count on one, if not both of them, being decked out in at least one article of Hokie clothing every day. In fact, my friend currently has two piles of Virginia Tech T-shirts destined to be quilts, one for regular Tech shirts and the other solely for Tech Football shirts. I never completely understood their passion, steadfast and unwavering as it was. UConn is a wonderful school, but a strong sense of community was not its main attraction to prospective or even current students. So I have always had this desire to see the VT campus for myself and finally understand why Frank Beamer is king and if the Hokie Pokie really is what it’s all about. As the 10th anniversary approached, I was invited by my best friend and her family to Blacksburg to run the 3.2 for 32 race and be a part of the campuswide memorial

service. From the very first moment I stepped foot on (or even caught a glimpse of) Virginia Tech’s campus, I was in awe of its utter beauty. The expansive Drillfield scattered with students playing sports or instruments, studying and mingling; the buildings formed with stones from Virginia Tech’s own rock quarry, aptly

named “Hokie Stone”; and the quaint downtown Blacksburg with its restaurants and bars and shops, all with open doors that seemed to say, “There you are! We were wondering when you’d show up.” It took my breath away. From those first moments on

Picture this: Buzz uses pics to recruit Coach Williams is incorporating his love of photography in recruiting trips. JORDAN HUTCHINSON basketball beat reporter

The saying is that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” For most, this may be true, but for Buzz Williams and the Virginia Tech basketball program, every picture is worth so much more than a thousand words. Williams’ love of pictures stems from when he was young and his grandfather couldn’t read, so they would bond over pictures and photography. That love has evolved into an obsession with photos in every aspect of his life. In his second year in Blacksburg, Williams hired his own personal photographer, Christina Wolfe. Wolfe is a dairy science professor at Tech who had her own photography business. Williams and Wolfe met through the strength and conditioning coach, David Jackson, and the rest is history, as Christina has been at the hip of Tech basketball throughout the last two years. Wolfe, who is on sabbatical this semester, was tasked with making a book to represent the Tech basketball program on one condition: Williams wants nothing to do with putting the book together. “Last year, he never said anything,” Wolfe said. “He just sent them to me and I would try to figure out who sent it, try to decipher if it was something important and is it something that we should have in the book? All handwritten letters get scanned and put into the book for sure. Things that are typed, I will pick out sections of and put them in the book. That’s all up to my discretion. I asked him last year when the book was done, do you want to proof it? He said no. So the first time that he saw the book was when he opened it up.”

“

Williams’ love of pictures stems from when he was young and his grandfather couldn’t read, so they would bond over pictures and photography.”

see UNITY / page 2

COURTESY OF TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

REAL WORLD ROBOTICS IN THE CLASSROOM New class explores applications of robotics.

PURPOSEFUL PLANTS A heads-up on the perfect plants to keep indoors.

page 5

page 3

For Williams, the book isn’t just about the pictures for himself, it has turned into a tool for recruiting, for his players and for his staff. “The purpose was not just for the book,” Williams said. “That’s the end product, but it’s morphed into way more than I would have thought. I ended up see SNAPSHOT / page 6

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PAGE 2 April 20, 2017

opinions

editor@collegiatetimes.com

collegiatetimes.com/opinion

column

Media polarization may cause chilling consequences Biased media outlets make it easier for consumers to confirm their beliefs and simultaneously filter out truth.

IBRAHIM MOHAMED / COLLEGIATE TIMES

your views [letter to the editor]

UNITY: Newtown native recognizes Hokie spirit from page 1

campus to seeing the turnout for the 3.2 for 32 race and watching as a sea of Hokies suddenly coalesced at the memorial outside of Burruss Hall for the candlelight vigil, I began to truly understand what sets Tech apart from the rest: community. Even to this day, there is a sense of pride and commitment to honoring those who were lost in 2007. You don’t go to Virginia Tech just to get through school; you go there to be a Hokie, to serve and make the world a better place. You go there to jump avidly at the beginning of every football game and to joyfully throw snowballs at each other in an annual campuswide fight after the first snowfall. When we were approaching Blacksburg on my first day there, I asked my friend, “What is a Hokie anyways?” (which apparently is a question frequently asked at orientation), to which she simply and dutifully replied, “I am.” I know without a doubt that this sense of such a close community dates back prior to the 2007 tragedy, but I also know from personal experience that the horrors of April 16 have only brought that community closer together.

“

I felt a connection to the Hokie community because although we share different tragedies, we all share the grief and confusion of unnecessary loss.”

Because, what I have failed to mention until now is that I come from a family not unlike that of Virginia Tech. I too am part of a community that still grieves over too many lives lost too soon. I am from Newtown, Connecticut, where 20 children and six faculty were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary on December 14, 2012. Like many of the current students at Virginia Tech, I don’t have a direct connection to my tragedy — I did not personally know anyone who was killed beyond simply knowing of them. But also like many at Virginia Tech I was indirectly connected; I knew of someone who had lost somebody they cared for — my mother worked in the front office of Sandy Hook Elementary and lost many friends, coworkers and students she helped teach. It is in this sense, this indirect yet still direct connection, that we form our community. We support each other because we all have been affected in one way or another. We remain strong for one another because we each feel pain and grief in our own way. Coming to Virginia Tech and knowing the pain I have felt for my community in Newtown, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect for the memorial service this weekend. But during each service — the lighting of the memorial candle, the wreath laying and the candlelight

vigil — I was overcome with subtle yet powerful emotion each and every time. I felt a connection to the Hokie community because although we share different tragedies, we all share the grief and confusion of unnecessary loss. We all remember where we were when our lives changed forever, but we also all remember where we were when we came to find that, as a community and as a family, we would prevail. As I have become better acquainted with the Virginia Tech campus and family — because that is what it truly is — I have been amazed and inspired by the stories I have heard from 10 years ago and by the generous, kind and loyal people I have seen roaming these walkways for the past four days. I have nothing but admiration, love and gratitude for the Hokie Nation. In April of 2007, I was a sophomore at Newtown High School. I remember watching in shock and abject horror as the events of April 16 unfolded on news stations broadcasting on the televisions in our school’s lobby. I knew very little about life then (not to say that I know so much now), but the one singular thing that stood out to me throughout all of the aftermath was how quickly and how unconditionally the members of the Virginia Tech community — present, past and even future — came together to mourn, to help one another, and to prove to both themselves and the world that their tragedy would not define them. So I think I understand, or at least am beginning to understand, what my friend meant when she said “I am” to being asked what is a Hokie. Because she embodies everything that Virginia Tech stands for without fail — Brotherhood, Honor, Leadership, Sacrifice, Service, Loyalty, Duty and Ut Prosim (That I may serve). She stood for these ideals long before coming to Virginia Tech, but I also know that being at Tech brought them out in her. And I can only imagine this to be true for most, if not all other Hokies. This seed that, once in the right conditions, begins to grow and flourish. Because it is something in you, to be a Hokie. It is a type of person that is attracted to Virginia Tech. I am so proud to know that Hokie, to know the accomplishments she has and undoubtedly will continue to achieve, due in large part to the community that helped cultivate and instill in her the best qualities of humanity. I am proud to have been able to witness and participate in continuing to remember the 32 lives lost on April 16, 2007. And though I am not sure if any Hokies beyond the ones I know now will read this, I hope with every fiber of my being that the Hokie Nation knows that Sandy Hook, Connecticut, is and will continue to be there for them in whatever they may need. Because we are all Sandy Hook. And we are all Virginia Tech. Sincerely, Emily Kluga EMILY KLUGA • UConn Class of 2013

he evidence of political polarization has become increasingly prevalent, as the political parties and debates surrounding the political environment that dominate the United States are becoming more spread apart on the political spectrum. It appears that no middle ground for ideological identifications exists anymore. As we are seeing changes in the context of political polarization, we can assume that the media are also increasingly becoming more identifiable with specific ideologies and parties that individuals identify with. Daily news outlets have increased in numbers and tend to portray biased information to their subjective audiences — the audience which appeals to how the news story is framed based on the general perception of that political party. A theoretical approach has been established as an attempt to understand why individuals seek certain media and their uses of it. The Uses and Gratifications Theory was described by one of its advocates, Jay G. Blumler, as the uses that people make from mass media under their own circumstances for their own gratifications. However, this theory doesn’t specifically describe the dynamic changes taking place between partisan polarization and social media. However, this theory could potentially be applied to this phenomenon and attempt to explain the communicative gratifications and circumstances in depth. It is evident that since the establishment of social media, traditional sources of media have diminished among users and news consumption. News information is now more commonly observed through social media, and consumers obtain their daily news from social networking. This type of news consumption has allowed users, especially millennials, to customize their news consumption based on their ideological preferences about political issues prevalent in the news. Individuals can filter which outlets they wish to obtain information from. Generally, people are filtering sources that represent or support their pre-existing views of political issues and policy. Millennials are significant to this observation because we are in a dynamic stage of developing our ideological identifications and understandings of what is happening in the world around us. The credible knowledge we are gaining in the college environment enables us to change

Voice your opinion. Send letters to the Collegiate Times. All letters must include a name and phone number. Students must include year and major. Faculty and staff must include Blacksburg, VA, 24061 position and department. Other submissions must include city of residence and relationship to Virginia Tech (i.e., opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com alumni, parent, etc.). We reserve the right to edit for any reason. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Letters, commentaries and editorial cartoons do not reflect the views of the Collegiate Times. Editorials are written by the Collegiate Times editorial board, which is composed of the opinions editors, editor-in-chief and the managing editors.

EMILY GEORGE • regular columnist • senior/multimedia journalism

COURTESY OF TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE The cast of “Fox & Friends,” including Steve Doocy, Ainsley Earhardt and Brian Kilmeade on the set of the Fox News Channel, March 3, 2017, in New York.

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our pre-existing views, while shaping the way we perceive issues. We also examine the types of solutions that we evaluate as the most beneficial methods for alleviating political diversity and issues. The social media platform of obtaining news is a significant factor to the polarization of politics and framed media. Using media that reflects our views gratifies our need to seek the reality that others support our views and share similarities. But, in opposition, it is possible that the increasing use of social media by news consumers for their ability to customize and react to news information also causes increased polarization. If we are not exposed to the other side of issues, how are we to find a middle ground of ideological preferences or support? Individuals are only seeing framed stories about issues that they relate to. It is interesting that as society progresses through the modern era, our need to satisfy our desires for confirmation bias is becoming more about how one would prefer to see the problem, rather than observing it objectively. It’s not about what we interpret, but how we want to interpret the message. Media outlets are constantly emerging, each one seeming more polarized than the last. Outlets such as TheBlaze, BuzzFeed, Salon, Breitbart and the like are examples of the types of media becoming the primary sources of information and news for the modern generation. Should it be a concern that we are only interpreting media that is framed subjectively? Or, is it beneficial that we are strengthening the abilities of news consumers to control what they want to obtain from our news? The prevalence of these dynamic changes is only going to become more extreme through time. The question is — how extreme can we potentially be? The more politically polarized we are as a nation, the more we will witness media fuel the opposing passions people have within the political climate. Polarization and framed media will continuously feed from each other so long as their audiences continue pursuing their outlets for information on daily news. It’s an inevitable transparency. But how we interpret the world essentially lies in our own hands.

Assistant opinions editors: Neha Ogale and Alexa Williams

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The Collegiate Times, a division of the Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech, was established in 1903 by and for the students of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The Collegiate Times is published every Monday and Thursday of the academic year except during exams and vacations. 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 educational experience in business and production of mass media for Virginia Tech students. © Collegiate Times, 2017. All rights reserved. Material published in the Collegiate Times is the property thereof, and may not be reprinted without the express written consent of the Collegiate Times.

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April 20, 2017 PAGE 3

lifestyles collegiatetimes.com/lifestyle

Indoor plants: The perfect plant for every purpose All plants have a purpose, but unfortunately that also means that they also all have different maintenance routines. waterings. Despite what you may think, you want to water your Aloe plant even less in the winter My love affair with plants months to avoid rot. started when I moved into my freshman dorm room. It started out Lavender pretty rough — I would forget to Not only does this plant make water them, use the wrong soil or your whole space smell amazing, I would just have the wrong plants it also adds a pop of color to your for an indoor environment. It’s home. taken a while, but after three years Uses: Due to its pleasant scent, I’ve got apartment plants down to it has been scientifically proven a science. Don’t worry, I’ve made by some studies that when this all of the mistakes imaginable so you won’t have to. In celebration of Earth Day coming up on Saturday, here are some different plants with various uses and purposes that I’ve found to work well indoors when done right:

plant is kept in your bedroom, it can help induce sleep. Even if you don’t need help sleeping and are just looking for a plant to make your apartment smell nice, this is a great option. Growing Tips: Lavender is not traditionally an indoor plant, so be sure to tend to your plant often if growing it in your dorm or apartment. Despite what many think, the planter for your lavender should only be two inches larger

SAMANTHA SMITH lifestyles editor

Aloe vera

than the ball of roots. Be sure to place it by a window with a lot of sun, and if that’s not possible, feel free to use artificial light. According to HGTV, lavender is Mediterranean, meaning that this plant likes lean soil. If you want to create your own potting mix, HGTV recommends that you “fill the bottom of your pot with an inch or two of limestone gravel topped with a basic soilless mix made for containers. Blend a tablespoon of

While I no longer have an Aloe plant (it fell off of my desk, I’d rather not talk about it), when I did have one I thought it was great. Uses: Not only is this plant visually appealing, it also has a variety of different uses. Of course, it is mostly used for sunburn, but it can also be used to help with heartburn when ingested, to promote clear skin when the gel is used as a lotion and you can even coat your produce in it to keep it fresh. Growing Tips: Be sure to plant this little guy in a wide container, with potting mix that allows for a lot of drainage. You can put it on a windowsill, but you don’t want it to be in direct sunlight 24/7, so be sure that the windowsill provides indirect sunlight. If you want, you can also substitute sunlight with artificial light from a lamp. As far as watering goes, you want SHRAV RABI / COLLEGIATE TIMES to water the plant deeply, but allow the soil to dry in between Green houses at Virgina Tech grow an assortment of plants, April 19, 2017.

lime into soil to give it more of an alkaline edge. Monthly, blend dried and ground eggshells into the top of soil to add lime.”

Peppermint

W hen p eople t h i n k of peppermint, they often think of the flavoring in chewing gum — but peppermint is much more complex than that. Out of all of the species of mint, peppermint is supposed to be the most medicinally useful. Uses: The scent of peppermint can be extremely strong, and when inhaled, the scent can help to assuage headaches and even deter insects like flies and ants. It can also be brewed into tea to help tame your stomach and can even help with sunburn. In order to help with sunburn, brew a strong peppermint tea and refrigerate it for a few hours before applying to the sunburned area with cotton. Peppermint can also be a nice touch to any drink or meal in the summertime or when you’re just looking to add a kick to your diet without the spice. Growing Tips: Unlike Aloe, this plant must be kept moist — that means if the top layer of soil is dry to the touch, it’s time to water your plant. In order to make sure your plant stays at the proper level of hydration, be sure to mist your peppermint between waterings or keep it on a tray of pebbles filled with water. Beware if you plan on moving this plant to your outdoor garden because peppermint has a tendency to spread. If you do want to move it outdoors, plant it in a container. Place your peppermint in partial sunlight and enjoy. @Smith992_CT

Undergraduate Honor System 2016-17 Academic Year Data Academic Misconduct Cases Resolved

Resolved By:

# of Cases

Percent

314

81.1%

Hearing Panel

14.9%

Charge(s) Withdrawn (After Investigation)

3.5%

.5%

387

100%

Faculty-Student Resolution

Found Not Responsible Total Adjudicated:

Academic Misconduct Cases Resolved by Charge Resolved By:

# of Cases

Percent

Cheating

211

54.5%

Plagiarism

107

27.6%

Complicity

5.2%

Falsification

5.2%

Fabrication

0.3%

Multiple Submission

1.0%

Violation of Rules

6.2%

Total Adjudicated:

387

100%

426

Cases Reported

D A Y S

351

Students Assigned the AI Education Program

20.8% Increase in F* Sanctions When Compared to 2015-16

Case Resolution Time

70%

Of Students Reported Academic Integrity Sanctions as Severe

Honor the Code

The Pamplin College of Business Apex Systems Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Apex CIE) is rapidly growing. We are recruiting top notch talent for the following new positions:

Associate Director of Innovate Associate Director of Industry Engagement and Outreach Innovate Program Coordinator Project & Operations Manager Professor of Practice in Entrepreneurship Apply at www.jobs.vt.edu. For additional information please visit www.apexcie.vt.edu or contact us at cie@vt.edu/540-231-1328.

Virginia Tech is an equal opportunity employer.

PAGE 4 April 20, 2017

REVIEW: ‘13 Reasons Why’ does not bring light to mental health from page 1

Why” is that its goal is to bring light to issues surrounding mental health, but ultimately fails. It seems like the intention of the show is good, but it is poorly executed. It is extremely problematic for me that “13 Reasons Why” portrays depression as something that other people can pull you out of. “13 Reasons Why” does not talk enough about how depression is a mental health issue that requires help from a professional, not just people randomly being nice. It does touch on this in the last episode, when the school counselor fails to help Hannah, but overall, the show did not look realistically enough at depression and its impacts.

However, the suicide scene was too much for me. There is a content warning at the beginning, but it was still too over the top. This show is aimed at teenagers and very few teenagers are going to have the selfawareness to know not to watch something for their own good. I did not think this scene functioned effectively in the show; it was simply unnecessary and turned me away from watching. Overall, I really enjoyed watching “13 Reasons Why,” but I wish it had addressed depression more accurately. I give it three and a half out of five stars.

@_Slim_Brady

COURTESY OF NETFLIX

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Recycling: The do’s and don’ts

Virginia Tech has many different types of recycling bins, each of which may or may not be able to pick up what you’re putting down. ALAYNA JONES lifestyles staff writer

Reduce, reuse, recycle — this phrase has been drilled into our brains since elementary school. The problem? The majority of us still don’t follow that rule. In 2015, the recycling rate, or proportion of materials recycled, dropped from its highest at 44.1 percent in 2012 to 37.58 percent in 2015, according to reports the university releases each year to the public on its progress to become a more sustainable, green campus. There is no explanation for this decrease in recycling, but in 2015, Virginia Tech changed composting facilities to one off campus since the on-campus site went out of business. Virginia Tech is currently trying to bring back an on-campus composting facility. In 2013, the university brought in a plan, the Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment, which intended to guide the university toward a greener, more sustainable future. The Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment plan consists of about 14 goals the university is currently working toward. Some include a commitment to reaching a 50 percent recycling rate by 2020, improving energy efficiency, achieving a minimum LEED rating (a rating system that evaluates the environmental performance of a building) of silver for all new construction and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 80 percent by 2050. “We still have a lot of work ahead of us. It is clear that not all of the material put in recycling containers on campus actually ends up being properly recycled,” said Meredith Hickman, a member of the Environmental Coalition. “We also do not have any receptacles to properly recycle the plastic bags that are not able to be recycled within the single-stream system.” The single-stream system

means all recyclable materials are allowed to be put into one single recycling bin. The materials are then sorted at the materials recovery facility mechanically. Not having the option to recycle plastic bags is harmful to animals and the environment, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. In the single-stream system, other items like electronics, Styrofoam, food, batteries and more products are not able to be recycled in the bins on campus.

“

We still have a lot of work ahead of us. It is clear that not all of the materials put in recycling bins on campus actually end up being properly recycled.” Meredith Hickman Earth Week coordinator

There are other options the university provides if students need to recycle the items that are not allowed in the bins on campus. E nv i r on m ent a l He a lt h and Safety is responsible for disposing computers, cell phones, printers, unwanted cables, batteries and other electronics. Students can call the number on their website to schedule a time to pick up the items. According to the Environmental Health and Safety Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz, it is especially important to not recycle your batteries on campus because the toxic materials within the batteries can be released into the environment and pose serious threats to human health and the environment. If placed in landfills, the toxic material can leak into the soil which can reach our water supply. Items that can be recycled in

study break

single-stream bins on campus include newspapers, cardboard boxes, glasses, cans and plastic containers can all be recycled together in the bins. W hen out a nd about throughout campus, students have two places of where to recycle their items that qualify in the single-stream system: the solar-powered trash compactors and the “tulip” recycling bins. Outside throughout the busiest parts of campus are solarpowered trash compactors which have a landfill and recycling side of the bin to collect a variety of waste. According to the Facilities Department on the Virginia Tech website the solar panels have power sensors on both sides of the can which inform Virginia Tech Recycling (VTR) which bins are full and need to be emptied. This saves the university time and fuel. Additionally, the department says the solar panels power a trash compactor on the landfill side of the bin. Compacting the trash means the bins fill up more slowly and do not require to be emptied as often. There is no compacting on the recycling side of the bins since it takes glass. Compacting the glass leads to broken glass, which can be dangerous for the collection crews. In other parts of campus, you will see more traditional “tulip” recycling bins, which accept any of the allowed single-stream materials. Take a second to think before you throw away your soda can in the trash. That aluminum can will still be a can 500 years from now according to Recycling Revolution. More information on what you can and cannot recycle here at Virginia Tech can be found on the Virginia Tech website under recycling. @CollegiateTimes

TH(IS) HOME

Today’s Birthday Horoscope: Inner transformation pays off this year. Nurture your health and finances for June blooming. Release outdated philosophies that no longer serve. Career changes in August lead to a domestic renewal phase. A yearlong partnership growth cycle flowers in October. December begins a two-year educational adventure. Collaborate.

go for a ride, it’s beautiful out there R

W K

W I

W V

ACITIVITIES

MAROON

COMMUNITY

PARADE

CONCERT

QUEEN

DONATE

SPIRIT

FOOTBALL

TAILGATING

HOKIES

TRADITION

KING

VICTORY

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April 20, 2017 PAGE 5

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Robotics in the real world, a classroom of exploration In the next semester, students can expect to see a new robotics lab that promotes robot and human interaction. MIKE LIU news reporter

Virginia Tech created a new robotics lab to enhance students’ real-life experiences with robots. Cur rently located in Randolph Hall, the robotics lab contains mobile robots and different types of robot manipulator arms that are worth more than $175,000. Pinhas Ben-Tzvi, associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, first pitched the idea of creating the robotics lab. The university acquired the equipment last fall and set up the lab over this winter break. “This (Robotics theory) is very theoretical, mathematical, very analytical and I figure it’s not enough for students to get a good grasp of what robotics is about especially when they continue on to graduate school or go to industry to work,” Ben-Tzvi said. “I figure that it would be a wonderful idea to come up with this robotics lab where students, in additional to seeing the theoretical material, the math and

everything, they are actually able to apply those concepts to real robots and interact with real robots to appreciate and understand how these things are done in real life.” According to a VTNews press release, Ben-Tzvi is currently teaching robotics and automation, specifically, ME 4524 and ECE 4704 for juniors and seniors. Ben-Tzvi claimed that the course is made of two parts: lecture and lab. Students are divided into two groups. One group attends the lecture while the other goes to the lab. The two groups rotate their roles back and forth. “Being able to instill that knowledge or that skill set in students, it’s gonna make them so much more better, more marketable, more skilled, more prepared to tackle real problems in real life,” Ben-Tzvi said. According to Ben-Tzvi, there is a big chance that the university will approve a one credit hour, separately scheduled lab session as a requisite to the main course next semester. “The plan is effective next

year. I submitted a proposal for creating a stand-alone laboratory session which is one credit, and it will be requisite with the course itself,” Ben-Tzvi said. “There is the lecture component and the lab component itself. It’s gonna be a separate lab scheduled separately so students have more time to spend in the lab and interact with the robots and even learn more and probably can add more experiments.” The lab is open to students who are enrolled in the course, and they can work on their projects in the lab whenever they want. According to Rosaire Bushey, communications and outreach manager in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, there are three rooms in Randolph that will be renovated with the financial support of both the mechanical engineering department and the Provost — 7E, 7F and 7G. In addition, Bushey claimed that there is a big chance that the new space will be ready for students. The university is currently working on renovating a

bigger space for the robotics lab which can accommodate more students and provide more space for the students. After the renovation, students who are taking courses in mechatronics will be able to use the lab as well. The new lab will be called “The Teaching Robotics and Mechatronics Lab.” According to Ben-Tzvi, the

purpose of the robotics lab is for students to be able to interact with real robots as part of the learning process. Students are able to apply theories they learned from the lecture to robots in real life. “I think we can better educate students. I feel that nowadays teaching students just the theories is simply not enough,” Ben-Tzvi said.

“Getting the hands-on experience is extremely important. It doesn’t matter where they go, whether they go to graduate school, or go to work right away and then come back to graduate school.”

@KacheeMMM

BILLY CLARKE / COLLEGIATE TIMES A look into the Wendy & Norris E. Mitchell Robotics Laboratory in Goodwin Hall, which houses a large portion of the mechanical innovation that occurs on Virginia Tech campus, April 11, 2017.

Hokie lands investment from CNBC’s ‘The Profit’ Following the lecture from millionaire entrepreneur Marcus Lemonis, an unexpected business deal was made. ANDREW YOUNG news staff writer

Virginia Tech students, along with local business owners and residents alike, packed into Davidson Hall auditorium for a lecture from Marcus Lemonis, a millionaire businessman and star from CNBC’s reality TV shows “The Profit” and “The Partner” on April 7. The event, however, was less of a traditional lecture and more of a discussion, facilitating a conversation with real people about their own stories, purposes and goals. Lemonis’ visit was a long time in the making. Virginia Tech initially collided with Lemonis when the Virginia Tech football team was set to compete in the 2015 Independence Bowl — an event put on by Camping World, of which Lemonis is CEO. Prior to the game, thensophomore Miya Grimaldi began a social media campaign to bring Lemonis to campus, saying that if the Hokies prevailed, Lemonis would have to come to Blacksburg. When Grimaldi initially came to campus her freshman year, her living-learning community, Innovate, asked every student the same question: “If they could bring anyone to campus, who would it be?” Grimaldi’s response was Lemonis, her longtime inspiration and role model to become an entrepreneur. So, when the Hokies were slated to play at the Independence Bowl, Grimaldi saw her opportunity. “I started a social media campaign (to bring Lemonis to Virginia Tech),” Grimaldi said. “That’s the moment

where I thought, ‘This could actually work.’” The challenge gained a following on social media, with over 200 people supp or t i ng G r i ma ld i’s proposal, which Grimaldi says “definitely got his (Lemonis’) attention.” And it certainly did grab the attention of the millionaire businessman, as he responded, agreeing to Grimaldi’s challenge. The Hokies ended up defeating Tulsa in a shootout game, 55–52, which Grimaldi says left her “absolutely, very nervous, the whole time.” Lemonis’ lecture had interactive elements, regularly talking to audience members about their lives, their purposes and motivations and their aspirations in business. He even went so far as to call particular students up to the front of the auditorium to address the questions they had and to create a true relationship with those in the audience. The session was divided into two parts — the first hour began with Lemonis talking about his personal experiences with life and business and the second half was a Q&A session, which included Hokies from the Apex Systems Center for Innovation and E nt r e p r e n eu r sh ip pitching their own ideas to Lemonis, in the hopes of obtaining an investment from him. Grimaldi remarked that the second half of the lecture really brought out the idea of Lemonis’ purpose, to serve others instead of himself. “It’s not for him, it’s really not about the money,” Grimaldi said. “He’s a very personable person, and he’s there to help these people, and all of their employees, and he

cares about their livelihood.” One of the individuals that Lemonis had significant interaction with during the session was sophomore Danielle Jeffers, who founded “Dough 4 Degrees” in 2016, a scholarship coaching service that helps students that are seeking scholarships. According to the D4D website, these students “earn scholarships and graduate (college) debt free.” So far, D4D has helped more than 30 families earn over $60,000 in scholarships. The idea grew out of Jeffers’ personal experiences of applying to college. Through her hustle to find scholarships, she managed to obtain over $100,000 for her education, and amassed 14 different scholarships. Jeffers was one of the students to ask a question, raising her hand with a question about how to approach her own business which intrigued Lemonis, and soon had him inquiring questions of his own about Dough 4 Degrees. What happened after, Jeffers described as “truly a blessing,” as Lemonis proceeded to offer a sizable investment of $30,000 in Jeffers’ business. Through the talk, they established how the money would be spent, constructing an app version of the scholarship coaching system. Jeffers became instantly emotional upon hearing Lemonis’ proposal, saying that his investment meant the world to her. For Jeffers, this opportunity not only helped her receive valuable financial assistance, but also gave her a strategic partner and someone that she can go to for advice on how to make her business successful.

COURTESY OF FACEBOOK

“I was not expecting an investment,” Jeffers said. “I was nervous while pitching (Dough 4 Degrees), but I felt more comfortable as the conversation (with Lemonis) progressed.” When Lemonis began hearing and possibly investing

in the entrepreneurial ideas from Virginia Tech students, Grimaldi felt particularly touched, especially given that many of the students that pitched their ideas were close friends of hers. About the investments that occurred at the session,

Grimaldi said, “After that, I realized that I started this campaign, and it turned into so much more than I would have expected.” @CollegiateTimes

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PAGE 6 April 20, 2017

Bragging rights: Lacrosse battles UVA on the road MADDIE THOMPSON sports reporter

Women’s lacrosse will play its final regular season game Saturday at 1 p.m. in Charlottesville against the University of Virginia in an effort to become the winningest women’s lacrosse team in program history. Not only are in-state bragging rights at stake, but much more is on the line for first year coach John Sung. It has been 18 years since women’s lacrosse at Virginia Tech has been at the level of success it has achieved this season. To put this in perspective, the last time the team had an 11–6 record, Bill Clinton was president and Frank Beamer had just completed his third season as head coach at Virginia Tech. Coming into their game Saturday against the Cavaliers, the Hokies are ranked No. 19 in the country following a pair of losses to Louisville and Notre Dame. However, numbers don’t often lie, so despite these losses, Virginia Tech’s team is going into the weekend’s matchup strong with the stats to back it up. Though the Hokies are coming in as the underdogs, grit and determination for the Virginia Tech women are clear, as their season stats demonstrate, and they are right on par with their commonwealth neighbors. Their ground ball and clear percentages are almost identical, indicators of great defenses. Virginia Tech even has the No. 11 ranked team beat in average number of goals scored per game, where the Hokies average 13.82 compared to the Hoos’ 12.62. Led by sophomore Mary

Claire Byrne, who currently ranks No. 14 in the country (and No. 1 in the ACC) for caused turnovers, a notable amount of Hokies have reached national recognition for their seasons. Senior goalie Meagh Graham has been another major player throughout the season, and is currently ranked 34th in the country for her .467 save percentage. This confidence and skill in the net is critical for the Hokies as they arrive in Charlottesville, where the Hoos average around 34 shots on goal per game. These are not the Hokies’ only strong suits, either. Draw control is another crucial element to success in a lacrosse game, and is something Virginia Tech’s women already know. Junior Tristan McGinley has racked up 87 draw controls on this season, at an average of 5.12 a game, putting her right at No. 22 in the nation. Of course, goals scored are an important factor to the game as well, another detail of which the Virginia Tech team is conscious. Senior attacker Kristine Loscalzo represents the Hokies well in this particular area, totaling 47 goals on her season, putting her at No. 14 in the country. Known as a women’s lacrosse powerhouse, the Cavaliers have their own strengths to bring Saturday as well, but neither team will go down without a fight. Following this weekend, the Hokies will travel to Richmond next Thursday for the women’s lacrosse ACC tournament.

@CTSportsTalk

editor@collegiatetimes.com

COURTESY OF CHRISTINA WOLFE The Virginia Tech men’s basketball team prays with coach Buzz Williams prior to its first NCAA tournament game against Wisconsin.

SNAPSHOTS: Buzzketball includes a lifelong love for photography from page 1

using this in the fall to recruit, not to show the pretty pictures, but to show a singleparent mom, who wonders what their son will do at Tech, how they travel or what they will learn about life as a Hokie. All of the things that you think a single-parent mom would ask, but then it bled into the kids loving it too because the kid foresees themselves in it.” Only Williams and the book itself could explain how these pictures have such an impact on the program. As mentioned above, the book has played a big part in recruiting and far beyond that. An example of that would be when Williams told a story of him visiting a new recruit, Wabissa Bede. “Hey, I want to show you this picture book,” Williams said to Bede’s mother. “She doesn’t know me and I don’t know her, and I said that this is what Bede will be doing

this time next year. By the time we get to the end, she says, ‘I feel like I’m part of the family.’” Williams also mentioned that every player to go through his program gets a book when they graduate.

“

You’re going to graduate and you’re going to have a book. Your book is going to contain four years worth of pictures.”

Buzz Williams head coach

“You’re going to graduate and you’re going to have a book,” Williams said to Bede. “Your book is going to contain four years worth of pictures, this book is only one year. (Bede) then said, ‘Yeah, I didn’t think about that.’” As you flip through the

book, which was bound by leather and in mint condition, you can notice the quality and detail put into it. For example, each page’s background was the tie that Williams wore at that game or event. “There’s no book like this in the world,” Williams said as he flipped through the chronologically arranged pages. The book wasn’t the only way that pictures made an impact on the Tech basketball program, as the Hahn-Hurst practice facility has turned into a canvas for Williams’ love for photography. “The walls were white, so wherever you walk up, if you were to walk this way, there was nothing on the wall. All of the walls looked like that white wall over there,” Williams said. The motto for the team is #getBETTER, and Williams uses photography to embrace that mentality too. “How can we capture what you think #getBETTER looks like versus me

always telling you what #getBETTER looks like? That’s how it all began as far as the intent in my heart and my thought process. I wonder how I can take what I learned from year one and translate that to our staff, where our staff will #getBETTER and have ownership in it,” Williams said. Another t radition stemming from Williams’ programs is the “road game picture.” The “road game picture” is a picture that Wolfe will take on any away court that the Hokies play on. A neat aspect of these pictures is that every person in the building is told to be in the shot, no matter who it is. In the years to come, Williams and the Virginia Tech men’s basketball program will tell many stories, and Wolfe will be there to capture every second of it. @JHutchinsonVT

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