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May 1, 2018

COLLEGIATETIMES

Goodbye Grads

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

see pages 14–15 for graduation announcements

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COLLEGIATE

TIMES

NEWSROOM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-9865 Editor-in-Chief: Matt Jones (editor@collegiatetimes.com) Managing editors: Jessica Brady and Meg Connors Design editors: Sajanee Chithranjan and Ashley Long Copy editors: Hannah Goode and Becky Sutton News editor: Izzy Rossi Assistant news editors: Mike Liu and Sanskriti Neupane Lifestyles editor: Katelyn Meade Assistant lifestyles editor: John Battiston Sports editor: Jordan Hutchinson Assistant sports editor: Maddie Thompson Opinions editor: Neha Ogale Assistant opinions editor: Jack Meeks Photo editor: Kaila Nathaniel Assistant photo editor: Anthony Wu Social media editors: Anna Davis and Stephen Newman

PAGE 2 May 1, 2018

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BUSINESS STAFF. . . . . . . . . 231-9860 Business manager: Breanna Anderson (business@collegemedia.com) COLLEGE MEDIA SOLUTIONS . . 2319860 solutions.collegemedia.com advertising@collegemedia.com 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 Tuesday 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.

Samantha Smith Saying goodbye to the Collegiate Times

The Collegiate Times has shaped my college experience, and I have many to thank for that. SAMANTHA SMITH lifestyles staff writer

Throughout my four years at Virginia Tech, I have seen friends come and go and changed my major several times, but the one true constant has been the Collegiate Times. Before I even arrived on campus, I emailed then Editor-in-Chief Erica Corder about writing for the Collegiate Times and began as a lifestyles staff writer within my first week of college. I always thought about journalism as a career choice, but after my first year on the staff, I knew I had no choice. After my freshman year, I had the pleasure of serving two years on the editorial staff, one year as assistant lifestyles editor and the other as lifestyles editor. During these two years, I was able to mentor fellow journalists while growing as a journalist and leader myself. I grew more during this time than any other point in my life, and a lot of that is thanks to Payton Knobeloch, who truly pushed me to be the best version of myself I could be. I would be remiss not to mention my most recent co-editor, Katelyn Meade. As an assistant editor, she was the best teammate I could ask for. As a journalist she is passionate, courageous and well-spoken. As lifestyles editor over the past year, she has created a powerhouse of quality journalists and writers and has led them to do great things. It has been an honor to work with her, and it continues to be an honor to call her one of my closest friends. When looking back at my time at the Collegiate Times, it’s hard to believe that I am the person who has been on staff for the longest stretch of time, especially when reflecting on how far this publication has come. I came to the Collegiate Times during a particularly turbulent chapter in our history. In the wake of serious financial woes and

COURTESY OF ARMAHN RASSULI

the firing of the then-editor in chief, there was a period of time when those of us on the paper didn’t know if the Collegiate Times would still be publishing in a year’s time. The troubles the Collegiate Times has faced are not unique from other student newsrooms across the country. In the face of financial troubles, many student newsrooms have been forced to make sacrifices or dissolve completely. Without the Collegiate Times, and other student publications across various campuses, university officials would not be held accountable, stories would go untold, students would have no place to practice journalism on campus. I’ve been reflecting on this periodically as my time at Virginia Tech draws to a close, and I am beyond grateful that the Collegiate Times has persevered. Since then, this paper has seen the coverage of presidential elections, protests on the national stage, local tragedy and triumph — you could say we made quite the comeback. Without the work of previous editors Ricky LaBlue and Andrea Pappas, managing editors Lewis Millholland and Zack Wajsgras, and many others, none of this would have been possible. I could not be more proud of what the upper management team for the past year

has accomplished. At first, I was quite skeptical of Matt Jones — it’s not every day we see a math major in the newsroom. He quickly proved himself and has produced some of the highest quality journalism this newspaper has ever seen. As for Managing Editors Meg Connors and Jess Brady, also known as “Jeg,” I remember their first production. Those who know them now will be surprised to learn that they were timid upon their arrival. That didn’t last very long, and it has been a pleasure to watch them grow as journalists and leaders. Jess, I know you will serve the Collegiate Times well next year as editor in chief and I can’t wait to see what you have in store. Leaving Virginia Tech and the Collegiate Times is bittersweet, but I leave happy knowing that the Collegiate Times is in good hands. Discovering one’s true passion in life is rare, having that passion converge with your career is even more so, and I feel grateful every day that I have found my destined path. While saying goodbye is tough, I have the comfort of knowing that those who follow will have that same chance. @SSmith992

After 3 years and 124 stories, a farewell to the newsroom

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Matt Jones

Every editor, writer and photographer who steps through the door of the newsroom in 365 Squires Student Center leaves a lasting mark on the student newspaper and Virginia Tech as a whole. MATT JONES editor in chief

JOHN BATTISTON / COLLEGIATE TIMES

the other editors I’ve worked with at the Collegiate Times: Richard Chumney, Caleb Govoruhk and Zack Wajsgras. Among the current staff, I’d like to thank incoming editor-in-chief Jessica Brady, who I know will do a fantastic job, and Meg Connors. Both were amazing managing editors, and I could not have done this job without them. I’d also like to congratulate next year’s managing editors, Sanskriti Neupane and Isabella Rossi, and thank them for their work in the news section this year. I’d also like to say thanks to every editor who has worked with us in the last year; I think the list would be too long to write out in this column. Being editor in chief has been a lifechanging experience for me. It’s an honor to have spent so much time in the newsroom with so many wonderful people. I’m sad to be giving up the post, but I can’t wait to see what the next year holds for this campus and the Collegiate Times.

@Jones_MattRyan

May 1, 2018 PAGE 3

publish news and keep people informed about what is going on in Blacksburg. It also means that we print a physical paper, something that is increasingly expensive but we remain committed to doing. Finally, it means we’re students. We’re committed to learning and trying new things, which we are constantly doing at the Collegiate Times. Additionally, we are not committed to profits or to the university; our first priority has been and always will be the students of Virginia Tech. Being a full-time student makes running a newspaper difficult. But the people who I have worked with at the Collegiate Times have shown me how far dedication can go. I’m constantly amazed at the things our editors, writers and photographers do on a weekly basis. Even though I have been the editor in chief for the last year, I’m still excited when I see a new piece published. I’d like to thank Andrea Pappas and Ricky LaBlue, the two editors preceding me, for their guidance and for keeping the paper afloat. I’d also like to thank Lewis Millholland, a fantastic news editor, managing editor and friend, and

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The Collegiate Times newsroom has been in 365 Squires Student Center since 1991, when Squires re-opened after three years of renovations. Back then, Squires had a Hardee’s and a MaMa Jean’s Deli instead of Burger ’37 and Au Bon Pain. The paper published on Tuesdays and Fridays each week of the semester, with two sections full of ads for Hokie Grill and the University Bookstore. Some things change. For example, our campus email is no longer “COLLEGT@ VTM1.” We print only once a week, but we also have a website where new pieces appear every day. However, the newsroom is still here. Editors and staff writers are in and out of it throughout the week, discussing pitches, laying out pages and arguing about grammar. We’re constantly complaining about the messy state of the room — my desk has at least a dozen old newspapers, a handful of letters and illegible notes to myself. One of the desks is balanced on a marketing textbook with a copyright date of 2004. And when we’re not complaining, we’re fighting over who gets to sit in the good chair and who has to take the one that sinks when you sit in it. Part of the mess of the newsroom is all the stuff left behind from previous editors. There are boxes of old papers dating back to 2010, waiting to be recycled. People have left behind business cards, old boxes of tea bags, an Etch A Sketch, a Nerf dart gun, a game of Scrabble, a dart board, powdered non-dairy creamer, and other odds and ends. But there’s also a trophy from the Associated Collegiate Press naming

the Collegiate Times “Best of Show” at its 1995 convention. Above my desk, there’s a special citation from Ball State University recognizing the paper’s coverage of the April 16, 2007, shooting. Every person who walks through the doors of 365 Squires Student Center leaves a mark. Sometimes literally: We break our fair share of things in the newsroom. But whether it’s breaking an important story or designing the front page of a special section, everyone has had an impact on this campus. I joined the Collegiate Times three years ago, shortly after arriving on campus. Even though I am a mathematics major, I was enticed by the chance to write and learn more about Tech and Blacksburg. My first story, co-written with then-reporter Zach Hoopes, was published on Sept. 17, 2015. The piece was a fairly bland recap of the accounting and information systems department’s rankings in national polls. A quick look at Google Analytics says it has been read less than 1,000 times. Since then, I’ve had 123 pieces appear on the Collegiate Times’ website. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to cover the Blacksburg Town Council, trials and many other important issues facing Virginia Tech’s campus. More importantly, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the most brilliant people I have ever met. The Collegiate Times is an independent student newspaper, which means a few things for me. One is that we’re independent. Although we do receive some money from the university, we’re owned by an independent nonprofit. Tech has no say or control over what we publish. We’re a newspaper, which means we

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Katelyn Meade

My time at Virginia Tech: How I found my home in 365 Squires It had always been my dream to come to Virginia Tech, but it wasn’t until I joined the Collegiate Times and met these wonderful people that I really found a home in Blacksburg. KATELYN MEADE

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lifestyles staff writer

I’m a second generation Hokie. My dad went here and I’ve been visiting this campus for as long as I can remember. My childhood home was filled with Virginia Tech memorabilia, my mom’s license plate was “Four4VT” until we lived in Charlottesville for a few years and it got stolen. I have Virginia Tech shirts dating back to onesies and I cried with my whole family on April 16, 2007. I bleed maroon and orange. From the moment I knew what college was and that people came here to learn things (not just to watch football), I have wanted to go here. I grew up visiting this campus with my dad and hearing crazy stories about his days here, like the time he and his friends were at TOTS and he fell down the stairs in the rain with four beers in his hands and didn’t spill a drop (I only aspire to one day be that cool). The older I got, the crazier the stories became. The older I got, the more I wanted to come here. And the older I got, the more I started to picture what my life at Virginia Tech would be like. I finally got to transfer here after two years at a community college. When I arrived here in 2015, I made the decision to not join any clubs or organizations in order to focus solely on school and nothing else. Boy, was that a mistake. My first year here was super lonely. My boyfriend, Robert, moved here with me, and my sister had just moved here after graduating from Radford the year before. I had people here — but I had no

friends. I was so afraid of failing out due to the heightened standards compared to my community college that I worked my butt off. I barely slept; I didn’t go out; I didn’t have any friends. I did school and nothing else (OK, I watched my fair share of Netflix too). My second year here, I decided to join the Collegiate Times. I figured, as a journalism major, I wouldn’t get a job if I didn’t have any sort of experience writing for a paper. So upon returning to campus for my second year, I emailed Samantha Smith and Carson Bartlett in an effort to join the lifestyles and opinion sections of the paper — a true testament of how indecisive I am. Before my first meeting, I was so nervous. I just assumed I wasn’t experienced enough to write for a newspaper and was afraid that this would not solve my problem of having no friends on campus. I spent my first semester as a lifestyles staff writer and a regular opinions columnist. I learned more than I could have ever imagined and was finally starting to feel like I had found a place here. My second semester, I applied to be assistant lifestyles editor — even though I was endlessly intimated by the powerhouse that is Samantha Smith, a hardworking and passionate journalist that I feel honored to now call one of my closest friends. She taught me more about journalism and leadership than I could have ever hoped for, and for that I am eternally grateful. I was nervous and excited to take on this new position; I didn’t want to mess up my flow as a staff writer. But in that semester I met some truly wonderful

people and found a home in the Collegiate Times newsroom. I finally knew what my dad was talking about when he referred to his days at Virginia Tech as the best years of his life. This year, I have had the utmost privilege of serving as lifestyles editor. I poured my blood, sweat and tears into making the lifestyles section the very best that it could be. I was extremely blessed with some very talented journalists that made my job such a pleasure. I am one lucky lady to be able to pass the section to two wonderful people who are tailor-made for this job. Yeah, the Collegiate Times is a newspaper. As the lifestyles editor — I schedule content; I edit articles; I write articles. And that’s what most people here do. As editors, we edit articles. As writers, we write articles. It sounds simple. But the people at this newspaper are what make this place one of a kind. At this newspaper, I have made my greatest friends. At this newspaper, I found my home.

COURTESY OF EMILY WARREN

In my time at the Collegiate Times, I’ve had the opportunity to work on some great stories. I have met some wonderful people through the pursuit of journalism, and I know for an absolute fact I would be a lesser journalist, and person, if I had not emailed Samantha Smith and asked to join the lifestyles section. The Collegiate Times newsroom is in 365 Squires. This room holds many sleepless nights. It holds many arguments about music, politics and grammar. In this room you will find an endless amount of ABP receipts, stockpiled old newspapers and the loveliest people you will ever meet. So to everyone who also calls the Collegiate Times “home,” thank you. I am a better person for knowing each and every one of you.

@Meade_Katelyn

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Virginia Tech receives $1.9 million from EPA

Former Virginia Tech student sues university

The $1.9 million grant will be used for research to detect and control lead exposure in drinking water.

Yunsong Zhao, who is charged with having an illegal assault weapon, is suing the university for his dismissal.

JESSICA BRADY managing editor

@TheJessicaBrady

Former Virginia Tech student Yunsong Zhao, who is charged with having an illegal assault weapon, filed a federal lawsuit on Thursday against the university, a Blacksburg police officer, a campus police officer and a student conduct official. In the suit, Zhao’s lawyer Mario Williams claimed that he was targeted because he is a foreign student and “resembles a student who committed a mass shooting Virginia Tech’s campus in 2007.” According to The Roanoke Times, Zhao accused Virginia Tech police of engaging in a “pattern of harassment” and the student conduct board for falsely handling his dismissal in February. Zhao was arrested in January and is charged with possession of an AR-15 rifle with a magazine over 20 rounds, which is illegal for noncitizens and could lead to up to five years in prison. A trial has been scheduled for May 30 in Montgomery County Circuit Court. Blacksburg police officer Brian Wilson, who was named in the suit, was asked by the Virginia Tech Police Department to travel to the firing range where he said he saw Zhao with an AR-15 rifle and a 30-round magazine. Three days later, the campus police arrested Zhao. The suit claimed Wilson has no evidence beyond his testimony to prove Zhao was using a 30-round magazine and the Virginia Tech police were never able to find any 30-round magazines in Zhao’s possession.

YUNSONG ZHAO Three weeks prior to the arrest, a Virginia Tech police officer gave Zhao a warning for owning a 5-inch blade on campus. Zhao violated the campus conduct code banning all knives longer than 4 inches. The officer then referred Zhao to an enforcer of the campus conduct code. A disciplinary hearing was scheduled, but Zhao missed it because he was in jail on the gun charge. Zhao was later expelled and stripped of his student visa, which allowed him to stay in the United States and study at Virginia Tech. In the suit, Zhao presented a list of legal demands, including restoration of his student visa status and dropping the assault weapon charge. @Zelia_Liu

May 1, 2018 PAGE 5

AHMED MUSTAFA / COLLEGIATE TIMES Virginia Tech Professor Marc Edwards discusses his research, April 28, 2017.

MIKE LIU

assistant news editor

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded $1,981,500 to Virginia Tech for research to detect and control lead exposure in drinking water. Researchers will use this funding to work collaboratively with the public, creating a community science project to raise awareness of lead in water and plumbing systems. “Our team will establish one of the largest citizen science engineering projects in U.S. history to help individuals and communities deal with our shared responsibility for controlling exposure to lead in drinking water through a combination of low-cost sampling, outreach, direct collaboration and modeling,” said Marc Edwards, Charles P. Lunsford Professor at Virginia Tech and principal investigator. This follows the Flint water crisis in 2014, during which Flint switched from the Detroit water source to the local water source, the Flint River. Due to cost, the government did not use corrosion control, which caused

lead to contaminate the water. The investigation and research in Flint was headed by Edwards. Prior to the crisis in Flint, Washington, D.C., faced similar challenges in the early 2000s. The water was contaminated with lead, and the EPA had knowledge of it, and covered it up. In 2002, Edwards was hired by the EPA to investigate the lead issues. But then, after acting on his instincts, Edwards became a problem for the EPA and was fired. Fol lowi ng t hese cr ises, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt hosted members of the Trump administration to create a Federal Strategy to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures and Eliminate Associated Health Impacts. “Lead exposure is one of the greatest environmental threats we face as a country,” Pruitt said, “and it’s especially dangerous for our children.” The EPA also awarded a grant of $1,981,500 to the Water Research Center in Denver, Colorado.

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news

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Master plan update: A glimpse into the future After two years of planning, Virginia Tech has revealed some of the major changes that are coming to the campus including serveral major renovations in the academic district and the student life district. MIKE LIU

PAGE 6 May 1, 2018

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assistant news editor

Virginia Tech’s campus master plan has been a work in progress since May of 2016, and after two years of planning, Virginia Tech has revealed some of the major changes that are coming to the campus. “It’s been a very engaging process,” said Jason Soileau, the assistant vice president for the Office of University Planning at Virginia Tech, “and I think the result is we’ve developed what I think is a very bold but appropriate vision for Virginia Tech moving forward.” The campus master plan provides a long-term vision for the future of campus, extending all the way to 2047 and beyond. The Office of University Planning along with Sasaki Associates started the creation of the current master plan two years ago. The short-term goal of the plan is to build 3.7 million growth square feet, with the long-term goal being building 7 million growth square feet while still retaining the character of Virginia Tech. The master plan is currently in the plan revision and public comment phase. The final master plan is scheduled to come out in November of 2018. A full timeline for the development of the master plan can be found here. Framework The master plan includes eight main frameworks, which are the key elements that Virginia Tech wants to embrace in the master plan. “It’s imperative to know that we are retaining the sense of place that is so special at Virginia Tech,” Soileau said. “That sense of place comes from our unique architecture, from the relationship from those buildings to outdoor environment and how can we build upon that.” Here are the eight frameworks that were

outlined in the master plan: 1. Protect the land-grant legacy Virginia Tech was established as a landgrant university, and the master plan will protect the land-grant legacy of Virginia Tech. 2. Promote universal access The master plan is looking to create pathways on campus to open up access in more inclusive ways. The accessible path will become the main path instead of a separate path off to the side. The master plan hopes to make the campus a much friendlier environment to people of all ages and all abilities. 3. Plan for mobility The master plan includes plans to expand the size of the campus. Therefore, it is also looking to make it easier for students and faculty members to travel across the campus. The university will cooperate with Blacksburg Transit to make public transportation better for the community. 4. Accommodate smart growth The master plan will try to keep a dense walkable campus. The expansions are designed to fit the community needs instead of just simply make the campus bigger. 5. Improve student life experience One goal of the master plan is to have all student life facilities within a fiveminute walking distance of an academic or research area of campus. The student life facilities include dining hall, gym and library. 6. Foster an inclusive and diverse community Currently, the academic area is located north of the Drillfield and the student life

MIKE LIU / COLLEGIATE TIMES Jason Soileau, assistant vice president for the Office of University Planning at Virginia Tech, discusses the main goal of the campus master plan, April 19, 2018.

area is located south of the Drillfield. The master plan points out that this works well with a relative small population because the campus is walkable. As the campus expanded, the idea of keeping the student life area separated from the academic area became stressed. The master plan is looking to create a variety of facilities for students within every district on campus. 7. Learning and research The master plan will create new facilities to meet the needs of different colleges at Virginia Tech. 8. Notion of expending strategic partnerships Virginia Tech is currently receiving 25 percent funding from the state while generating the other 75 percent of the funding by itself. The master plan will identify portions on the campus for strategic partnerships to open up opportunity for additional revenue generation and provide more experiential learning opportunities for students by collaborating with corporations and civic leaders.

Academic district The academic district, which is located north of the Drillfield, has many projects going on within the district. Many of the projects are set to begin within the next five years. The master plan will add an intelligent infrastructure and smart dining facility to the district. The facility is scheduled for construction in 2019 and will have 1,000 dining seats, 15,000 square feet of innovation labs and 5,000 square feet of data visualization labs. Holden Hall and Randolph Hall will be torn down and replaced by two brand new facilities. Both projects are designed for the College of Engineering. The construction of the Holden Hall replacement project is scheduled to start in 2019. The expected date for the Randolph Hall replacement project has not been decided yet. A state-funded undergraduate lab building will be added to the district. The Office of University Planning is in the process of designing the building and waiting for follow-up construction funding from the state to continue PLAN / page 7

from page 6

the project. Construction is planned to start in 2020. Two multimodal transportation hubs will be added to the Perry Street Parking Garage. The facilities will house office space for Blacksburg Transit, space for alternative transportation and enclosed condition space for patrons of the transit system. The construction of the hubs will start in the next two or three years. The master plan will relocate the College of Architecture and Urban Studies to the Creativity and Innovation District. Cowgill Hall and Burchard Hall will be transformed into primary student columns on campus. The Cowgill lawn will be transformed into an event space in the future.

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renovation includes new doors for the first floor, a transformation of the outdoor space, relocation of the convenience store and the addition of a new dining center. The construction will be finished in the fall of 2019. The master plan is looking to transform every existing housing facility into a living-learning community to provide better experience for students. All housing facilities will receive renovations to improve the living conditions. Slusher Hall will be replaced by a new housing facility. Owens Dining Hall will receive two renovations in the next two summers. However, the master plan is looking to demolish Owens and transform it into a new dining facility in the next decade. The new dining facility will provide a better dining experience and mitigate some of the ballroom space lost from Squires.

Student Life District Dietrick Hall will receive a major renovation in December of 2018. The

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decade. The student organizations that are currently located in Squires, such as the Student Government Association, Virginia Tech Union, and New Student and Family Programs, will be moved to the current bookstore building. The current bookstore will be relocated to the P3 building. The Creativity and Innovation District will include a music and performance arts village. The village will incorporate the existing Architecture Annex and the Media Building. All the music and performance studios that are currently in the Squires Student Center will be relocated to the music and performance arts village. In addition, the master plan is looking to create a graduate life village within the district and transform the current Donaldson Brown building to serve as the honors college and faculty club.

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Creativity and Innovation District The Creativity and Innovation District will be located on the eastern edge of the campus close to downtown Blacksburg. The district will contain most of the

existing facilities that are already in the area. These facilities include the Moss Arts Center, Theatre 101, Squires Student Center, Newman Library, the Graduate Life Center at Donaldson Brown, the Media Building and the Media Annex. The district will house a new livinglearning community which can house 600 students. Two living-learning programs, Innovate and Studio 72, both currently located in Pritchard Hall, will move to the new residential community once the construction is completed. A public-private partnership (P3) building will also be added to the Creativity and Innovation District. The P3 building is designed to be a space to engage students with local entrepreneurs. The College of Architecture and Urban Studies will be relocated to the district. Squires Student Center will be demolished and replaced by the new College of Architecture and Urban Studies building. However, the plan of tearing down Squires is a long-term goal of the master plan which will not possibly start in the next

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PLAN: Dietrick Hall to undergo renovation in winter

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your views [letter to the editor]

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LTE: Virginia Tech must recognize Indigenous People’s Day

n open letter to President Sands and the Board of Visitors,

As Hokies, we pride ourselves in our Principles of Community. These principles guide our interactions with one another, but also require action when necessary. Our Virginia Tech motto, Ut Prosim, calls us to serve. It does not say whom to serve, for how long we should serve or after how many committee meetings held we can decide to serve. Abiding by our Principles of Community and Ut Prosim is part of what being a Virginia Tech Hokie means. It is in the spirit of our Principles of Community and Ut Prosim that, we, the undersigned

Indigenous students and faculty, call on President Timothy Sands and the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors to act immediately on our request to the Commission on Equal Opportunity and Diversity (CEOD) dated February 26, 2018, and replace “Columbus Day” with “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” on our academic calendar beginning with the 2018–2019 school year, and following each year thereafter. Indigenous students at Virginia Tech study in nearly every college on campus and represent at least 14 indigenous peoples: Tohono O’odham, Cherokee, Osage, Blackfeet, Delaware, Coharie, Quechua, Chickahominy, Lumbee,

ANTHONY WU / COLLEGIATE TIMES For the second year, Native Americans from the Monacan Indian Nation come to showcase their music and culture to Virginia Tech and residents of Blacksburg, March 31, 2018.

Shinnecock /Unkechaug, Hawaiian, Anishinaabe, Peepeekisis Cree and Navajo (Dine). Recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day at Virginia Tech not only affirms our existence, but also honors the MonacanTutelo peoples — the original stewards of the land now occupied by our university. Furthermore, “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” advances efforts toward reciprocal partnerships with the 11 tribal communities of the state, a goal established at last year’s Tribal Summit which was hosted by the Office of the President at Virginia Tech. Through our letter to CEOD, we have tried to create positive change through the appropriate university governance procedures. However, we have been discouraged and frustrated by the bureaucratic delays in this process. As new students travel to Blacksburg this summer for orientation, Virginia Tech cannot continue to embarrass itself by celebrating a colonial myth. Placing “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” on university calendars demonstrates a commitment to creating a positive environment for Indigenous students and visitors in accordance with our Principles of Community. Additionally, this effort is supported by students, faculty, staff and community members through their signature of an online petition. Therefore, it is imperative that outdated and impractical governance procedures be bypassed to ensure a speedy adoption of “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” in place of “Columbus Day” on university calendars and other

appropriate materials in time for the upcoming academic year. Virginia Tech must seize the moment and take proactive, rather than reactive, steps to lead the commonwealth of Virginia by adoption of “Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Respectfully, NATIVE AT VIRGINIA TECH MEMBERS: Jason N. Chavez Qualla Jo Ketchum Sarah Giles Woodward Christina Shammas Stacey Wilkerson Devin Ketchum Melissa Faircloth Lucia Chambi Caylin Stewart Shoa Deese Doris Brown Nizhoni Tallas Kai Baisden Dr. Samuel Cook Heather S. Gerrish Dr. Mae Hey Katharina Deiter Catherine Setaro Nathalie Groot THIS OPEN LETTER IS SUPPORTED BY: Latino Association of Student Organizations (LASO) National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Asian American Student Union at Virginia Tech Muslim Student Union at Virginia Tech Jewish Student Union at Virginia Tech

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Kick-start your summer playlist with songs for every occassion Need the perfect track for a day at the beach, a road trip or grilling out? Look no further than our writer’s picks. EMILY CARTER

lifestyles staff writer

Cookout: “Jessie’s Girl” by Rick Springfield At cookouts, a classic “oldies but goldies” playlist is a must. A perfect song for that playlist is “Jessie’s Girl.” If you’re not familiar with this song, your parents definitely are — and what’s a cookout without the family? This hit from the ‘80s will take you (and maybe your parents) back to a simpler time where you weren’t stressed about tests and papers. It’ll remind you that you don’t have to deal with all of that stress for the next three months.

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lifestyles staff writer

Many students here at Virginia Tech are unfortunately not aware of the International Peace Garden located on Clay Street behind the recreational tennis courts. The garden has such an interesting history — the area where this beautiful garden now stands was originally a trailer park for married World War II veterans who were enrolled at Virginia Tech. Bob and Esther Youngs founded this garden as a symbol of international peace. Bob partnered with the Cranwell International Center to curate the garden in April of 1994 as a metaphor for the world he hopes to see in the future. Plants from all over the world are now growing in peace in one place, and there are multiple plants with memorials next to them that people have donated to remember their loved ones. The YMCA at Virginia Tech maintains the garden today. I had the opportunity to meet with a YMCA representative, and the coolest gardener I’ve ever met, Jenny Schwanke, at the International Peace Garden to learn more about her role in maintaining the land. Jenny has been with the YMCA for eight years, and she started working with Bob and Esther around 2012. She explained to me that this space is a “community garden” open for anyone to use and enjoy. There are benches for relaxing, tables for studying, and paths for walking and admiring the plants. At the end of our meeting, Jenny

gave me some chocolate chip biscuits to take home, solidifying my statement that she is the coolest gardener I’ve ever met. About once a year there is a big maintenance project where students come and rake the paths, pull up weeds and plant new flowers. There is also a summer program where you can come weekly to do small care-taking tasks. I recently took part in one of these projects where my main task was to help manage the paths running through the garden along with other students. It was really cool to see others who care about this place working to keep it a beautiful spot on campus. Jenny even brought cookies for everyone to snack on while they worked. I have my own garden that I love to talk about, so, naturally, I told Jenny about all of my plants. She was kind enough to offer me some of the excess pachysandra, a perennial evergreen that enjoys the shade, from the peace garden. In return I’ve decided that I want to give back to the garden and work on more projects with them in the future. Anybody is able to get involved with the garden. Students can donate a plant in a loved one’s name or even just come to trim, weed or pick up trash. If you or your organization would like to get involved with the International Peace Garden, you can contact the YMCA at Virginia Tech or Jenny directly at jenny@vtymca.org.

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JOHN MCBRIDE / COLLEGIATE TIMES

May 1, 2018 PAGE 9

Beach day: “Cool for the Summer” by Demi Lovato This song may be the most well-known modern song on this list. This song also may not be the best if young children are around. Demi Lovato uses sensual summer lyrics to describe a budding summer romance: “Take me down into your paradise, don’t be scared ‘cause I’m your body type.” This song is great for a beach day or hanging around the pool with your friends. “Paradise” by George Ezra When I hear this song, I imagine running down the beach or cannonballing into a pool with friends. The song’s beat and lyrics will allow you to enjoy a nice day by the water with a few friends or a bunch of pals. “If it

Traveling: “Inside Out” by Camila Cabello Whether you’re going to Miami or Mexico, this song and its great Latin beat will get you in the mood to dance on the beach. Camila’s lyrics “Grew up in South, South Miami; that’s where I was when you found me” tell the story of her meeting a beau in her hometown. Maybe you will too this summer. Camila also sings in Spanish toward the end of the song. The lyrics and the beat will uplift your mood and get you energized for a great vacation — wherever you’re going. “Barcelona” by Ed Sheeran If you aren’t going to Spain, this song will make you extremely jealous that you aren’t there. If you are going to Barcelona, this song will make you appreciate the city even more. With the guitar, references to the city and some lyrics in Spanish (“Nosotros, vivir la vida, come on let’s be free in Barcelona”) you’ll have the best time if you listen to this song while you spend your time on vacation. Creating the perfect summer playlist isn’t always easy. If you want to update your playlist or want to start from scratch, hopefully this list of songs was able to get you started.

JOHN MCBRIDE

collegiatetimes.com

With summer quickly approaching, it’s assumed you’ll be listening to a lot of music over the next few months. With road trips, pool parties and cookouts, you’re going to want your music to match every occasion. Here are some specific summer songs to add to your playlist for every fun experience you may have this summer.

feels like paradise running through your bloody veins, you know it’s love heading your way.” George sings of a romantic love, but the song also means that if you’re having a good time and living in the moment, other good things will come to you. The song reminds you not to take things for granted, like being done with exams and not having to deal with them for another six months.

If you have an eye for gardening, here’s everything you need to know about getting involved with this tradition.

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lifestyles

Lend your services to Tech’s International Peace Garden

from page 10

on inside blitzes coming during camp). The Bills selected the guard with the 166th pick in the draft, just three spots behind Settle. While it’s difficult to guarantee anything for a fifth round pick, the Bills only have three other true guards on their roster, so he will at least have an opportunity to win a job.

Additionally, they aren’t necessarily settled on kick and punt returners, giving Stroman another track toward making the roster. Other notes In 2017, although four Hokies were drafted, none were taken before the sixth round. This year, four players were already off the board by that point. Virginia Tech also had five players drafted this year, the most for the program since 2010, a class which included Kam Chancellor. Players such as Brandon Facyson and Andrew Motuapuaka signed as undrafted free agents with the Chargers and Jaguars, respectively, while Joey Slye was invited to a rookie mini-camp with the Buccaneers. Cam Phillips still waits to see if he can catch on as an undrafted free agent as well. @Stephen_Newman1

WEIQI YUAN / COLLEGIATE TIMES Terrell Edmunds (22) running away from TJ Rahming (3) toward the end zone, Oct. 28, 2017

AHMED MUSTAFA / COLLEGIATE TIMES Virginia Tech linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) and defensive end Trevon Hill (94) tackle East Carolina’s Tyshon Dye (22). The Hokies would cruise to a 64–17 victory, Sept. 16, 2017.

It pays to haveCOVA HealthAware!

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Greg Stroman In the late stages of day three, Stroman finally got the call. He was selected by the Washington Redskins with the 241st pick, joining Settle, who was also his teammate at Stonewall Jackson High School, in their 2018 draft class. The Redskins lost two of their top three corners this offseason, include fellow Tech alum Kendall Fuller, and although they added Orlando Scandrick, there was a bit of a need to add bodies at the position.

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EDMUNDS: Most Hokies taken in draft since 2010

You can save up to 90% on your monthly premiums from the traditional PPO plan by selecting the COVA HealthAware Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) plan Commonwealth of Virginia Employee Health Benefits Program Open Enrollment is May 1-15, 2018 Visit www.covahealthaware.com/collegiatetimes to see how COVA HealthAware can work for you! © 2018 Aetna Inc. Plans are offered by Aetna Life Insurance Company and its affiliates (Aetna).

May 1, 2018 PAGE 11

from page 10

WEIQI YUAN / COLLEGIATE TIMES Terrell Edmunds (22) running away from TJ Rahming (3) toward the end zone, Oct. 28, 2017

It pays to haveCOVA HealthAware!

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EDMUNDS: Most Hokies taken in draft since 2010

May 1, 2018 PAGE 11

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study break

Today’s Birthday Horoscope (May 1): Your collaboration deepens for mutual support this year. Update skills and knowledge through higher education and travel. Weather unexpected transitions. Summer buzz and professional changes lead to family breakthroughs. Communications flourish. Winter investigations lead to incredible discoveries. Explore together.

FOR RELEASE APRIL 24, 2018

Summer Plans

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

PAGE 12 May 1, 2018

collegiatetimes.com

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

ACROSS 1 __ jacket: soldier’s protection 5 Reeded woodwinds 10 Like some humor 13 NASA prefix 14 Grow fond of 16 Elisabeth who played Finlay on “CSI” 17 Video game preview 19 Window section 20 Naturally bright 21 College sr.’s test 22 Elevator name 23 Exemplary 27 Commercial cow 30 Before, in verse 31 Many Louvre paintings 32 Columnist Maureen 33 End of most work wks. 34 Arresting image? 37 Boxing legend 38 Romantic jewelry item 40 “A Wrinkle in Time” director DuVernay 41 Sewer entrance 43 Past its prime 44 “My turn!” 45 Soccer score 46 Mineo of film 47 Muse of memory 48 Latin phrase about certain effects of alcohol 52 Johns, to Elton 53 Finish in front 54 Long look 58 Riga resident 59 Social sin ... and what 17-, 23-, 38- and 48-Across are guilty of? 62 Significant others, in modern slang 63 __ Creed 64 Windy City daily, familiarly 65 Take a wrong turn, say 66 “Spider-Man” actor Willem 67 Racy Snapchat message

4/24/18

By Bruce Haight

DOWN 1 Passing fancies 2 Oniony soup ingredient 3 Military force 4 Powdered drink mix brand 5 Be a debtor of 6 Place for mixed drinks 7 Surgery ctrs. 8 Political refugee 9 Shop 10 “Such sad news!” 11 Written in mystical, ancient letters 12 “Holy moly!” 15 Candy box size 16 Thread holders 18 Vague sense 24 Liveliness 25 Of the Great Lakes, only Ontario is smaller than it 26 Diana of “Game of Thrones” 27 Mild cheese 28 Kinks title woman with “a dark brown voice” 29 Campaign ad target 33 Naturally evolving

Monday’s Solved Previous Puzzle Puzzle Solved

Travel Hiking Abroad

Bliss by Harry Bliss

Swimming Pool Beach

Crabs Shark Attack

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34 Pop’s __ Vanilli 35 Fertility clinic egg 36 Sticky strip 38 Interlibrary __ 39 Strong sound from the savanna 42 Raises, as a sail 44 Newspaper extras 46 New York lake named for a Five Nations tribe 47 Yucatán native

4/24/18

48 “Gee!” 49 Musical shortcoming 50 Brightly colored 51 Snicker 55 Send packing 56 Computer operating system 57 Pride Month letters 60 NBA official 61 __ Balls: Hostess treats

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May 1, 2018 PAGE 13

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Alecys Courmela Wallace Marketing Management

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Alecys Girl with a Mind Woman with Attitude Lady with Class DREAM BIG BE AMAZING We LOVE and are VERY PROUD of You!!!! Mommy, Daddy, Brock & Alayna

Camille T. Schrier

Biochemistry & Systems Biology: Dual Majors Incredibly proud as you cross the finish line TWO degrees warmer! The broken road led to your Hokie Home, where you’ve grown more amazing with each year! We love you forever, Mom&Dad xox

PAGE 14 May 1, 2018

James Federica

Amber Koch

Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology Congratulations Amber! We are so proud of you. Next stop Vet School!! Live your dreams, be kind, Love like you’ve never been hurt! Love Mommy, Daddy, Brandon & Corey.

Evan M. Wentz Finance

Congratulations Evan! We are so very proud of you and your accomplishments. We love you very much! Dad, Sonya and Miles.

James O’Toole

Biological Sciences

Business/Finance

Dear James, VT was the best choice for you and memories of Lane Stadium and Relay will last a lifetime. So very proud of the man you have become.

James O’Toole, congratulations! Proud of you and know that Mom will be watching from heaven! from Dad, Joey, & Matthew

Love always, Mom, Dad, and Nicole

Industrial Engineering

Bachelor of Science

We are so proud of you Mikey! You are an amazing person! Always remember to follow your heart and be true to yourself! We love you! Congratulations!

From “sweet pea” to college grad, love you to the moon and back. Congratulations Kristyn, you will ALWAYS be my little girl. We are ALL so very proud of you.

Lauren Farrar

Oliver Stratton

Bachelor of Arts in Music and Multimedia Journalism Congratulations Lauren Farrar on your tremendous academic success, shining leadership and unmatched Hokie spirit. You truly live the motto Ut Prosim. We are beyond proud! Love, Mom and Dad.

Sean O’Mara Architecture

Congratulations Oliver! We are so proud of you. Love, Mom, Dad, Kent, Nanny, and Daisy

Stephanie Lynn Seibert

Finance

Stephanie, We are very proud of you and your accomplishments. We can’t wait to see what you achieve in life. We love you very much! Mom, Dad and Brittney

May 1, 2018 PAGE 15

Congratulations Sean! We are so proud of the young man you have become! Dream big, good luck, and know that we are always here for you!

Statistics AND Computer Modeling and Data Analytics (CMDA)

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Kristyn Ann Lucci

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Kevin Michael Stevens, Jr

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collegiatetimes.com PAGE 16 May 1, 2018

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