Aug. 14, 2018

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August 14, 2018

COLLEGIATE TIMES

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

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231-9865 Editor-in-Chief: Jessica Brady (editor@collegiatetimes.com) Managing editors: Sanskriti Neupane and Izzy Rossi Design editors: Sajanee Chithranjan and Ashley Long Copy editors: Alyssa Gilman, Hannah Goode and Becky Sutton News editor: Mike Liu Lifestyles editor: John Battiston Assistant lifestyles editor: Emily Hannah Sports editor: Maddie Thompson Assistant sports editors: Dillon Campbell and Robby Fletcher Opinions editor: Neha Ogale Assistant opinions editor: Justin Redman Photo editor: Kaila Nathaniel Assistant photo editor: Anthony Wu Social media editors: Meg Connors and Anna Davis

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We were all freshmen once: Embody the spirit of Ut Prosim by helping others

The smallest acts of kindness can make this huge school feel a little bit more like home.

DONYA MOMENIAN opinions columnist

Au Bon Pain (ABP) in Squires Student Center was the focal point of countless memories from my freshman year. It is where I formed some of my closest friendships, had the deepest conversations, studied the most and made the most difficult decisions — mostly about what soup I wanted, but sometimes about the more important parts of life as well.

However, with those good times, there were low points.

It was the second day of classes and I had stopped at ABP for lunch for the first time. As I was checking out, I realized I didn’t see utensils anywhere. I asked the clerk and they pointed me in the general direction of the utensils. Still, I could not find them anywhere. After walking back and forth a ridiculous amount of times, someone was nice enough to stop and ask me if I needed help. I told her what I needed, and she took the time to walk me over to the utensil dispenser and then to another one after the first was empty.

Even though it was such a small, silly thing, she was so kind and genuine about it that it’ll always be one of the memories that sticks with me forever. Knowing that someone saw me, a freshman, struggling and decided to stop what they were doing to help — without any judgement — made college a little less scary.

This experience is something that I try to keep in mind whenever I meet incoming or potential students because it reminds me of two things that everyone new to campus should know: Don’t burden yourself with expectations of a picturesque freshman year, and even in your hardest moments there are always people willing to help you. Your first year will be hard, but you don’t have to go through it alone.

Even though people’s Snapchat stories and Instagram posts don’t show it, freshman year isn’t always fun and games. People will try to give off the impression that everything went perfectly for them, but that isn’t reality. Between

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all the exciting events, new friendships and interesting classes, there were times when we felt scared, lost, lonely, homesick and confused. We have all slept through a class, had a laundry mishap, cried to our parents on the phone, or found ourselves sitting alone in our rooms watching a sitcom for the millionth time. There’s nothing wrong with any of those things and there’s no reason to be ashamed of them.

Once we’ve gotten familiar with the campus, figured out how things work and made more friends, it’s easy to forget those moments. We’ve gotten used to things that were brand new when we were freshmen.

When we see freshmen struggling with something or doing something awkward, we often fail to remember how we felt when we were in their position. But, as much as we may love to yell “freshmen!” and laugh at them, we’ve all been in their shoes once and had those embarrassing moments ourselves.

Instead of trying to use their misfortune as a punch line, a helpful hand, a smile and a little guidance can go a long way for a new student. After all, we are a school instilled with the spirit of Ut Prosim — serving others. There’s no better way to do this than to help each other and set an example of how it’s done. In those moments, we represent Virginia Tech.

We’re showing these new students that they’ve made the right choice in coming here, that they belong here, that they have our support and that this is how we treat each other. Freshmen hear these things a million times, but it means so much more to experience them. It exemplifies that this is not just a college, but a community where we lift each other up and not tear each other down.

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Virginia Tech established a new parking policy for the Perry Street area and Uber Eats is coming to Blacksburg.

MIKE LIU

news editor

Fall semester begins on Aug. 20.

During the three-month summer break for Virginia Tech students, many major changes took place at Virginia Tech and in Blacksburg that will greatly impact the community.

Parking permits Starting Aug. 15, Virginia Tech students will be required to purchase a new special permit in order to park in the Perry Street area, which includes the Perry Street surface lots and the parking garage. The new permits are $389 a year, which is $100 higher than the normal

permits for commuter and graduate students.

The commuter/graduate student permits will remain the same price as last year, at $289 a year, and. The commuter/graduate student permits will allow students to park in all other designated areas of campus except the Perry Street area.

In addition, Virginia Tech has designated the area between the Corporate Research Center and the expansion of the Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive Airport as a remote lot for students to park for $30 a year. The remote lot is about 2.8 miles away from campus, and a Blacksburg Transit bus will visit the lot every 15 minutes between 7 a.m. and

Plastic Recycling policy As of July 1, the Montgomery Regional Solid Waste Authority (MRSWA) no longer accepts plastic numbers 3 through 7, and accepts only plastic number 1 (PET) and 2 (HDPE) in Montgomery County, Christiansburg and Blacksburg.

The recycling rule change affected only a small amount of materials.

According to a press release from the Montgomery County Government Center, only about 3–5 percent of the materials that enter MRSWA are 3–7 plastic recyclables, while the majority of the plastic recyclables are numbers 1 and 2 plastic.

Uber Eats Uber Eats will launch its service in Blacksburg in August. According to WSLS 10, Uber Eats has 20 available spots open for restaurants for the official launch in August. More information about where the service will be available and what restaurants it will deliver through Uber Eats will also be released at the official launch.

The Uber Eats service is not available for Blacksburg at the moment, but the Uber Eats app shows a highlighted area for delivery in Blacksburg, which includes most of the Virginia Tech campus and downtown Blacksburg. It is not clear whether the company will expand its service range to the rest of the Blacksburg area or not.

Uber Eats is a food delivery service that offers a range of restaurant options,

including major chain restaurants such as McDonald’s and local restaurants. Uber Eats charges an extra fee for delivery service in addition to the price for the food.

Carilion School of Medicine The Carilion School of Medicine became the ninth college of Virginia Tech on July 1. The Carilion School of Medicine is now under the authority of Virginia Tech’s Board of Visitors, and Virginia Tech now has the ability to award the M.D. degree through the college.

The process of moving the Carilion School of Medicine into the university started two years ago. The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine operated as an independent institution in the past decade. The institution was not fully a part of Virginia Tech or the Carilion Clinic.

President Tim Sands The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors voted to extend president Tim Sands’ contract through 2024 during the board meeting on June 4.

Sands became the 16th president of Virginia Tech in 2014 after the former president, Charles W. Steger, retired.

During Sands’ time at Virginia Tech, the university’s total research and expenditure spending has grown to $521 million, which is the highest in university history.

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DAVID HONG / COLLEGIATE TIMES A Blacksburg Transit bus stops for passengers in front of Burruss Hall, Feb. 8, 2018.

6:45 p.m. to shuttle students to campus.

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What you’ve missed: Major changes in Blacksburg that students didn’t get to experience this summer break

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Hokies at home: Fun ways to set up your new room in Blacksburg Make yourself at home and use these decorating tips to make certain you feel comfortable in your new space.

SAMEERA SUNKARA lifestyles staff writer

As the first day of school approaches, it is once again time to leave home and come back to Blacksburg. For some, the new school year means moving into a brand-new dorm room or apartment, and living in a new place often leads to missing home. One way to avoid homesickness is to make your new place feel more like home.

Not all decorations need to be bought; one of the best ways to make an apartment or dorm room feel more homey is by bringing a certain aspect of home with you to college. One great idea is to bring along some old blankets and pillows. Having a couple soft throw blankets not only keeps you cozy when working in bed or at a desk, but also adds warmth to the room itself. Pillows also add an element of calmness and comfort; a body pillow specifically is great to put up against the wall on your bed.

Anybody who drinks tea or coffee should definitely bring a couple of their favorite coffee mugs. Mugs not only hold your coffee, but also serve as a great decoration on a desk or by the sink, and you can even save money on a pencil cup or toothbrush holder. Bringing a mug from home is also a great way to bring along old early morning memories.

A desk hutch is a great accessory to any room; it not only holds books and other office supplies, but also fills up empty space on a desk. You can add some personal touches to a desk hutch by adding your own belongings like your favorite books and journals, maybe even a baseball cap or mug. Also, despite the fact that most dorm rooms and apartments come with lighting built-in, you should definitely bring along some lighting of your own since it adds to the aesthetic of the room. A desk lamp is extremely beneficial, especially for late-night studying, and it fills up empty space. String lights are another way to brighten up the room, and you can even put them around your desk or bed.

A small potted plant, even a fake one, adds a lived-in feel to any room. You can

even place some fake flowers in a vase, mason jar or even an old wine bottle to add brightness to the room. Candles are another homey decoration that add a wonderful scent to the room, as well as warmth and aesthetic. For dorm rooms, electric candles and candle warmers are excellent replacements, especially for when things start to smell. Tapestries are another great way to pull the room together, and there are a variety of options that you can hang up on the wall.

You can turn your room into a home with wire, wooden, or wicker baskets, racks and bins, which not only look nice in a room, but also serve as storage.

Wooden crates are great-looking, store your items and can even be used for seating. Small pots and bowls, glass or ceramic, also add some beauty to a room and serve as a place to hold watches, electronics or jewelry.

Rugs are another great addition to a dorm or apartment that have the ability to bring any room together and make any place feel more like home. Having a nice rug makes it much more comfortable to sit down and study on the ground,

and provide visiting friends with a nice place to sit. If there’s enough space in a dorm room, you should also bring along a couple extra chairs and bean bags. In an apartment, these can be placed in the living area and add some much needed color to the room. A pullout couch is another great thing to put under a dorm room bed, or in front of a television in the apartment to provide an extra bed as well as another study spot; sometimes having another study spot that is not a desk makes you feel more relaxed.

Cork boards and whiteboards provide a great place to write or hang important information. In regard to cork boards, you can get them in several different shapes and sizes or occasionally even multiple colors. Whiteboards not only add white space to a wall, but also provide a place to keep track of important things.

You can use colorful markers to write down important dates or assignments, or pretty magnets to hang up papers. (Just make sure your whiteboard is less than 200 square inches if you’re in a dorm.)

Of course, the best way to bring some of home with you to Blacksburg is in

the form of pictures. Photos can be used to decorate a room in several ways, the most obvious being photo frames, which can be placed on a desk, hutch, dresser, etc. If you want to be more creative, photo collages are a great way to combine multiple memories into a single large frame. Another option is make a photo chain using some clothespins and a piece of string and then hang it up around a window.

In the end, homesickness is essentially unavoidable; it’s something that happens to the best of us. However, having some of these decorations may help you feel better by turning a room with four blank walls into a place that you can eventually call home.

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ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES An apartment living room in the Chasewood Downs complex, Aug. 11, 2018.

The Hokies will be looking for players to step up in what’s looking to be a tough ACC schedule ahead.

ROBBY FLETCHER

assistant sports editor

Josh Jackson It seems pretty obvious to start with the man under center as a breakout candidate, but Josh Jackson is certainly an intriguing quarterback prospect.

Despite having an admirable freshman campaign where he displayed solid intangibles and leadership ability, Jackson’s ceiling looked to be little more than a game manager for Tech. Jackson’s flaws, such as a lack of consistent deep ball and an unwillingness to go beyond his first read, certainly came to the forefront of the offense against better opponents like Clemson, but what people seem to forget is that he was a freshman playing in arguably the hardest conference in all of college football.

With another offseason under his belt, I’m expecting Jackson to come out

Phil Patterson I’ve had Phil Patterson on my radar for quite some time, even writing last offseason that he would immediately step up as Isaiah Ford’s replacement as the offense’s go-to deep threat. That prediction never came to fruition, partly due to a nagging injury, with Patterson playing in only five games and recording nine receptions for 88 yards. However, Patterson displayed the skillset I’ve been raving about in the Camping World Bowl against Oklahoma State, where he had seven catches for 59 yards.

The 6-2 junior will have every opportunity to be Cam Phillips’ replacement as Tech’s go-to wide receiver this season. He’s the deep threat target this team desperately needs on its offense, with a good build and an ability to track the ball in the air. With such inexperienced wide receiver depth this season, someone needs to step up to make Josh Jackson’s job as easy as possible, and I still think that Phil Patterson is that man.

Dalton Keene Dalton Keene is the type of hardworking, do-everything player that Fuente just loves to have on his team.

Like a Swiss Army knife, Keene poses a threat both as a receiver and as a blocker.

As a true freshman, Keene started in 12 games, shuffling between playing tight end and fullback for the Hokies. I see Keene’s potential being the highest as a tight end, where Keene displayed solid blocking ability as well as solid receiving skills. I can see him being a really good security blanket for Jackson on underneath routes.

While Keene wasn’t asked to do too much as a pass-catcher last season, he still showed his potential in the field after recording 10 receptions for 167 yards.

His best performance came in the 23–10

defeat of Boston College in October, where he had four catches for 66 yards.

The 6-4, 246-pound sophomore has the potential to be a star for the Hokies as a receiver, but we can’t forget the value of having a tight end that’s capable of being a contributing factor in the run game as well. Last season it was evident that as a blocker Keene was a huge asset to the offense, and it showed the kind of wellrounded athlete that Fuente needs to have on the field at all times.

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Football season is fast approaching and the Hokies still have a number of question marks on the offensive end heading into the season. This is a big year for coach Fuente’s squad, who are coming off a promising 9–4 season. It’s clear the Hokies have been trending in the right direction during Fuente’s tenure, but the team has to show continued progress to compete with the top teams of the ACC. The Hokies are a young team full of unproven talent, so they will look for guys to step up and carve out roles for themselves this fall. Here are three potential breakout players who have the chance to make the Hokies a team to be reckoned with this season.

this season as an improved quarterback who will hopefully display a greater feel for the game, as well as Fuente’s offense.

Really, this offense will ride or die with Jackson, who’ll have to show that he’s more than what we saw last season, considering Tech has former four-star quarterback Hendon Hooker as well as incoming freshman Quincy Patterson sitting behind him waiting for a shot at the starting gig. It’s certainly hard to just buy into Jackson before we see him take a snap this season, but there’s hope that we see a quarterback ready to take the next step as Virginia Tech’s leader under center.

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With young, unproven offense, who will step up for the Hokies?

ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES Tyrone Thornton (39) attempts to tackle Phil Patterson (8) as he dives for a touchdown, April 14, 2018.

August 14, 2018 PAGE 5

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Commentary: Kaine remains favorite in Virginia U.S. Senate race, but both candidates have a path to victory Each Virginia U.S. Senate candidate must run a different campaign to reign supreme in the swing state.

JUSTIN REDMAN

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assistant opinions editor

It feels like there’s been an election a week over the last two years, but really, since Donald Trump took office, we’ve just been paying more attention. It’s all leading to perhaps the most important midterm election season in our lifetimes, and maybe even our parents’ lifetimes. Here in Virginia, we’ve got ourselves quite the U.S. Senate race: Sen. Tim Kaine vs. Corey Stewart — two candidates that share a home state

(Minnesota), but little else. In advance of the Collegiate Times’ KaineStewart Senate Forum on Aug. 24 in the Commonwealth Ballroom of Squires Student Center, it’s time to talk politics.

Kaine is the classic center-left Virginia Democrat, capable of gathering a broad coalition in a deeply purple but increasingly liberal state. Meanwhile, Stewart, who has been called neo-Confederate by some, has come to take down the establishment on both sides of the aisle by tapping into the passion of the Trump coalition. The most recent Real

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Clear Politics average has Kaine leading by 14.5 points, but as we saw in 2016, trusting the polls too much can be an exercise in futility.

That brings us to the question supporters of both candidates are asking themselves these days: What must each do to win the general?

For Kaine, the answer is relatively simple: He must do what all other Democrats have done. He needs to run up margins in Northern Virginia and other urban centers, and he needs to hope for a high turnout. But beyond Election Day numbers, he just needs to continue to be who he’s always been: the perfect candidate to win in New Virginia. Kaine is liberal enough to appeal to progressives, moderate enough to appeal to moderate and non-affiliated voters and likable enough to bring in establishment Republicans who find themselves unable to support Stewart’s rhetoric.

But perhaps most importantly, he can’t let Stewart dictate terms or control the narrative. Virginia, thought of as a state that mirrors the national political landscape, doesn’t look quite the same these days. In 2016, Hillary Clinton won the state by over five points in a losing effort nationally — though she did win the overall popular vote, she only did so by about two points. Virginia is close to becoming reliably blue. Kaine does not need to scrape and claw his way to victory — he needs only to hold serve.

Stewart’s path to victory is much more interesting, because he cannot rely on a similar roadmap. When turnout is lower in midterm elections, Republicans generally benefit, but Stewart probably can’t rely on that. For one, he lacks the support from establishment Republicans.

In a state like Virginia, with a huge government presence, anti-establishment doesn’t really play well.

Clinton beat both Trump in the general and Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary in 2016. Even with a far greater national profile than any of his opponents, Stewart only won his primary by less than two points. Even if Stewart did have the backing of establishment Republicans, given the scorching temperature of the national political climate, turnout probably won’t be all that low.

“

Virginia, thought of as a state that mirrors the national political landcape, doesn’t look quite the same these days.”

With all those roadblocks, while Kaine’s path is akin to I-81, Stewart’s is more like a tightrope across the New River. But he does have one thing working in his favor: his connection to Northern Virginia. Stewart has served as the chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors since 2006. Being a powerful political figure in the second most populous county in Virginia, and one that borders Fairfax County — the most populous — is not insignificant. If he can cut into Kaine’s margins in Northern Virginia enough, as well as turn out his entire base, he has a fighting chance. While improbable, it isn’t impossible. Even though this remains Kaine’s race to lose, nothing is guaranteed until the ballots are fully counted, and we have a long way to go.

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Virginia Tech has lost its way: Why future plans prioritizing money and research over students are a bad idea

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opinions

The university has not allocated funds efficiently, with university officials continuing to receive large compensations.

THOMAS THORGERSON opinions columnist

TUAN TRAN / COLLEGIATE TIMES Officials discussed the new master plan for the university at an open session.

Plans for construction throughout the campus include easier movement across campus in an “infinite loop” with new dining halls and new student centers in mind, March 17, 2017.

technological advances and impacted the daily lives of Americans. Since then, higher education means much less and America has fallen behind compared to many other countries around the world.

Many universities have begun to focus on generating money from research conducted by students and professors. Virginia Tech claims that a Giving Day will “provide big opportunities for our students,” but what that really means is that the university will invest more into the programs that will benefit it the most.

Private companies have been investing and funding research at public universities all across the United States, including Virginia Tech. Under Sands, Virginia Tech’s overall research expenditure has risen to $521 million. Author Christopher Newfield writes about this effect in his book titled, “How We Wrecked Public

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August 14, 2018 PAGE 7

logos and pay its athletic coaches’ ridiculous salaries. Yet, it cannot keep tuition at a reasonable rate to help maintain students’ financial well-being.

It is becoming harder than ever to afford higher education. The cost of public college is growing faster than median income, yet federal student aid and tax credits have not kept up with these increases. Funding for public two-year and four-year universities is $10 billion less than it was just over 10 years ago. These are problems on the state and federal level that have yet to be resolved or properly addressed.

It is important to note that Virginia Tech was founded in 1872 as a land-grant university. This was made possible by the Morrill Acts, which were sets of policies enacted to expand agricultural and industrial education in the United States. Degrees that were earned had a profound effect on

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On Monday, March 26, the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors approved a 2.9 percent increase in tuition and mandatory fees for undergraduate students. This is no surprise, as it marks the 17th year in a row that the university has increased tuition fees.

Virginia Tech is not alone — colleges all around the United States are seeing similar increases in tuition and fees. The average college tuition has nearly tripled since the 1980s, and it appears that this trend will not change any time soon.

Nonetheless, the university always finds the time to celebrate the annual Virginia Tech Giving Day, when the university receives gifts and donations from students, faculty, alumni and even the general public.

On March 20, 2018, the university received over $1.6 million in donations. But even so, increasing tuition rates and enormous debt awaits students after graduation. President Sands and other faculty, however, are sitting very comfortably. With an annual base salary of over $500,000, Sands actually receives over $700,000, which includes compensations from the university.

While the average pay of a Virginia Tech employee is about $69,000, the ex-Provost Thanassis Rikakis will continue to receive his annual salary of $408,000 until August 2018, even after his lack of performance and inefficient programs that led to his resignation. Rikakis will stay employed with the university due to tenure and will be demoted to the position of Presidential Fellow for Academic Innovation, receiving a very generous annual salary of $275,000.

These gross inequalities occurring at our very own university are reminders of the bureaucracy that exists at many universities across the nation. Increases in tuition rates are just the tip of the iceberg of problems that occur at this school. Virginia Tech will allocate millions of dollars to develop new

Universities and How We Can Fix Them.”

Newfield argues that universities’ transition into private sector funding has led schools into acting and operating as businesses, which inevitably leads to inefficient spending and higher tuition costs.

Ironically, 25 percent of college presidents have business backgrounds yet no experience managing a university whatsoever.

Although the 2.9 percent increase actually weighs heavier than 2016 and 2017’s overall tuition increases, Sands calling it the “smallest increases this century” is quite deceiving. There must be a way to allocate funds more efficiently, but surprisingly enough, President Sands and the Board of Visitors have once again failed to do so.

With the Board of Visitors’ recent decision to renew Sands’ contract through 2024, it is quite evident what the future of Virginia Tech is going to look like. Plans to expand the university population to 43,000 by 2026 have already been set in motion.

Ironically enough, the university has also planned to eliminate two parking locations on campus. There are also plans to construct a brand new student center and an infinite 2.1 mile transportation loop to accommodate the campus expansion.

Virginia Tech’s aim to “improve student life and create a more open and central space for students to gather” is nothing short of comical. It is merely trying to attract more students and generate more money for the university. Virginia Tech’s focus on diversity and inclusion is just another example of corporate world policies bleeding over into higher education. The university continuing to act like a business will only harm the quality of education and will continue to discredit Virginia Tech’s reputation.

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PAGE 8 August 14, 2018

Bail on these on-campus bathrooms at Tech Not all toilets are created equal, so be sure to steer clear of these bathrooms this year.

JOHN BATTISTON AND RACHEL KISER

lifestyles editor and lifestyles staff writer

Amid the constant movement and anxiety of college life, nothing can ruin your day quite like a (pun intended) crappy trip to the bathroom.

Escaping an overcrowded dining hall, a tedious lecture or a “Fortnite”-addicted roommate to do your business is one of the easiest ways to have a quick bout of muchneeded alone time as a student. Everyone deserves to ride the porcelain pony in peace, and while most bathrooms on Virginia Tech’s campus are more than adequate in fulfilling such a need, there are a few that simply don’t hold water, often quite literally.

Here are a few not-so-accommodating commodes you should steer clear of on campus this year.

Men’s rooms

Turner Place, second floor If you’ve decided to take on Virginia Tech’s most popular dining facility in between classes, you’ve already proven yourself a brave soul. However, your mettle is only truly tested if you attempt to leave one of the stalls in the second-floor men’s room (between Dolci e Caffe and Soup Garden) entirely dry. These spacious and clean compartments appear amenable enough, until you’ve finished the job and stand up and the toilet turns into a whirlpool with a ferocity tantamount to the maelstrom from the end of the third “Pirates of the Caribbean.” It simply won’t be able to contain itself and will inevitably give you your own personal shower unless you have mad pull-up-pants-and-run game. If you don’t want to get back to your friends looking like the victim of horrendous urinal back-splatter, head to the restroom downstairs (tucked behind Atomic Pizza) instead.

Squires Student Center, third floor This bathroom is the most compelling evidence in my argument that self-flushing toilets are useless contraptions patented

by Satan. Located down the hall from the Collegiate Times newsroom and mere steps from WUVT FM Blacksburg, many a journalistic mind has had the displeasure of

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popping a squat in this passable substitute for purgatory. If you’ve got a doozy of a two-sey on its way and you make your way here, you will be treated to a premature below-the-butt flush with every millimetric movement you make. Gotta sneeze? There’s a flush for that.

Checking your email? There’s a flush for that. Texting your lousy class project group to hopelessly try to keep everyone in line?

There are, like, three flushes for that. Save yourself some trouble and take a trip to the second-floor restroom behind Colonial.

Owens Dining Hall Picture this: You’re at a table enjoying the company of friends after a long week of classes, when General Tso and his spicy chicken start to lead a surprise charge through your digestive system. You discreetly slip away from whatever “Rick and Morty”centric debate you were just partaking in and power-walk past the silverware station to the facility’s only men’s room, all the while keeping as tightly clenched as you can. You burst through the door to find the stall on the adjacent wall vacant, and blindly, desperately perch yourself on your throne. Just as a look of sweet relief comes over your face, it is quickly replaced with the abject horror that preceded it as you look right into the

eyes of dozens of passers-by on Eggleston quad. That’s right — there’s a crystal-clear, untinted, unfogged window inside what should have been your blissful getaway, and you’re the star of a peep show for which you never signed up. Do yourself (and your audience) a favor, and just make sure your system is as cleaned out as possible before you order your chicken parm.

Women’s rooms

Newman Library, first floor Walking into the library’s women’s bathroom perfectly describes the feeling of walking into the first day of fall classes. You feel hopelessly optimistic, wondering how it could be worse than last semester, until you step on a dirty tampon and realize: This is an omen, and it’s time to change your major. A library should be a place to write the first line of that 20-page paper, or abandon your hopes and dreams, not somewhere you witness a bloody crime scene smeared all over the stall door. If you don’t stub your toe on the 1-inch stoop to get into the bathroom, at least two stalls will be overflowing with the remnants of someone’s D2 brunch as you squeak around the slippery, seaweed-green tile. The yellow walls, resembling dehydrated urine, compliment the off-white sink that either

refuses to work or expels water like a fire hose. If this was designed by the VT interior design program, then it might be time to pick a real career, like religious studies. Skip the Newman Library bathrooms altogether, and walk to Torgeson.

Wallace Hall, basement I wouldn’t say that Wallace was a hidden gem, but a fun dungeon. For years, it has been a haven for forgotten fashion scholars, random English classes that couldn’t fit into Randolph, and frazzled finals fanatics who escape the masses that plague Newman and Squires. However, lurking by the elevator, and to the left of the sewing labs with windowless lecture rooms, there is the women’s bathroom. Despite the fact that there is no men’s room in site to accommodate the three guys in the fashion program, the smell of processed quesadillas and moldy kitty litter lingers outside the bathroom door. If you don’t get jabbed in the face by the spring-loaded door, an awkward bench lays adjacent to a 6-foot-long mirror that stars in every Wallace bathroom photoshoot.

BATHROOMS / page 9

from page 8

However, any fashion student knows that having the same 30 classmates and five teachers in the same intimate and awkward space is what makes this bathroom one of the most dismal dung-houses at Tech. If you don’t think witnessing your TA send a sexy pic or refusing to wash their hands makes you want to drop the class, listening to your adviser doing her business takes the cake.

Young Democrats and College of Republicans

“

If there were an official constitution for college students, the right to a serene squat would be toward the top of the list.”

the only thing preventing some stranger from witnessing your personal hygiene ritual.

However, talk of science is enough to keep any peace-seeking porcelain patron well cleared of this latrine.

If there were an official Constitution for college students, the right to a serene squat every now and again would be toward the top of the list. You work hard, so be sure to treat yourself to Tech’s top-tier toilets and none of the fiendish facilities listed here; you owe it to yourself. @CollegiateTimes

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Litton-Reaves Hall, first floor Having had the pleasure of taking a class that marries corn and economics with 300 other somnambulic students, retreating to this agrarian lavatory made Litton-Reaves even worse than perceived. The 1950s pastel blue tile mixes well with the storm-cloud stall doors that hang lopsided and askew, another great style choice from VT’s finest interior decorators. Most of the time, the lock on the door is inexistent or clanks to the ground as you fumble to take your seat on the throne, so holding the door closed with your elbows is

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BATHROOMS: Lousy latrines at Virginia Tech

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PAGE 10 August 14, 2018

Justin Fuente faces his toughest season to date

As many coaches have discovered, replacing a legend is never easy. Can Justin Fuente save the day this season?

DILLON CAMPBELL assistant sports editor

In his first two seasons as Virginia Tech’s head football coach, Justin Fuente has enjoyed a relatively smooth road on his way to a 19–8 record, including an ACC Coastal Division title and Belk Bowl victory.

However, with Galen Scott’s resignation, Jeremy Webb’s achilles injury, Adonis Alexander’s academic ineligibility, the Josh Jackson drama and Mook Reynolds’ dismissal, Fuente and the Hokies have had a rocky offseason that they will quickly want to forget.

Add in that the Hokies lost eight starters from last year’s defense and quarterback Jackson performed worse as the season progressed, and you come to the conclusion that there is reason for concern in Blacksburg.

The Hokies will have fresh faces at nose tackle, free safety, and the top three

linebacker and cornerback spots.

Playmakers on both sides of the ball like Tremaine Edmunds and Cam Phillips are gone without definitive replacements for them.

6-foot-5, 249-pound linebackers that run a 4.54 40 and can rush the passer, stop the run, and cover running backs and tight ends do not grow on trees.

At wide receiver, Eric Kumah, Sean Savoy and Phil Patterson have shown flashes of breakout ability, but none have yet proven they can provide the consistency at wideout that Isaiah Ford and Phillips afforded the Hokies in previous seasons.

The Hokies have high hopes for Ball State transfer Damon Hazelton as well, but he has yet to play a snap in the Chicago maroon and burnt orange.

Just like last season, nobody in the backfield has separated themselves from the pack, and the Hokies don’t have a vertical threat at tight end like a Bucky HEAT POO ED L!

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After starting off last season red hot, Josh Jackson cooled down as the season progressed. Without clear-cut playmakers at his disposal, Jackson may see those season-ending struggles carry into the new season.

Even with the help of another legend in defensive coordinator Bud Foster, Fuente

may find out just how hard it is to replace a legend like Frank Beamer. The Hokies start the season with a tough test against Deondre Francois and the Florida State Seminoles in Tallahassee, Florida.

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August 14, 2018 PAGE 11

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PAGE 12 August 14, 2018

Sugar Magnolia: Sugar, spice and ice cream flights The store made a grand entrance this summer, creating the perfect match between ice cream and home goods.

BECKY SUTTON copy editor

In my opinion, downtown Blacksburg had been looking a little bleak in the last few weeks of spring semester. It seemed as though stores and restaurants (RIP Mike’s Grill) were closing left and right, but not much was opening up in their place. Then summer came, and with it new places began to pop up up and down Main Street.

My personal favorite of them all is Sugar Magnolia.

Located right across the street from Sundee Best Boutique at the corner of Main and Roanoke Street, Sugar Magnolia is a sanctuary of sweets with the vibe of a bustling boutique.

The shop sells paper goods, gifts and sweets, and is owned by Tom and Michelle Raub, who are, yep you guessed it, the owners of T.R. Collection in downtown as well. Let me tell you — they definitely brought the feel of T.R. Collection to Sugar Magnolia with them, and I am oh so glad

they did.

Half of the store is home to paper goods ranging from the cutest planners I’ve ever seen — including ones from the Kate Spade collection — to cards, pens, coffee mugs and just about everything in between.

There is also a gift section with bags, wrapping paper and handmade Virginia Tech stationary cards.

The other half of the store will help you satisfy your sweet tooth through all the ice cream and fudge your heart desires. The ice cream servings are pretty large, and they certainly aren’t as good for your wallet as a quick trip to Deet’s might be, so I suggest splitting a cup with a friend, especially if ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES you’re on the fence about what flavor to get. Sugar Magnolia in downtown They also offer ice cream flights — yes Blacksburg, Aug. 11, 2018. you read that right — ice cream flights.

You can get a taste for a variety of different The first time I was in the store, I was just flavors and figure out which one will be looking around with my friend when she your new go-to. asked who owned the store — out popped Although the sweet treats will draw you Tom Raub to introduce himself to us and in the door, it’s the management that will tell us a little bit about the place. make you want to stay and chat for a while.

We stayed and talked to him for almost

20 minutes about life in Blacksburg and why they wanted to open another store downtown. Even though we didn’t buy anything that day (although I still remember the planner I vowed to get before classes start), he showed us around the store, told us about some of the best aspects of the place (including the free Wi-Fi) and made us feel welcomed and comfortable.

As Blacksburg gets busy again, I imagine Sugar Magnolia will as well, so be sure to stop in as soon as you’re back in town to try a flight, purchase a calendar you may (or may not) use for the year, or just take advantage of the free Wi-Fi and lovely atmosphere.

To me, Sugar Magnolia really encompasses the vibe of downtown Blacksburg, and it has quickly become one of my favorite shops to stop by on a lazy Sunday afternoon — I hope to see you there soon.

@CollegiateTimes

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August 14, 2018 PAGE 13

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PAGE 14 August 14, 2018

Roam New River Valley bike share comes to Montgomery County The program is a collaborative effort between Christiansburg, Blacksburg, Montgomery County and Virginia Tech.

ISABELLA ROSSI managing editor

The towns of Christiansburg and Blacksburg, Montgomery County, and Virginia Tech have teamed up to introduce the Roam New River Valley (NRV) bike share program. They are working in conjunction with the private, South Carolina-based company Gotcha and local bike shop Bike Barn, to bring the bike share system to the area.

“The residents and leaders involved in this project share Gotcha’s core values of bringing communities together through sustainable, alternative forms of transportation. As a result, we’ve already seen enthusiasm for Roam NRV, and I’m certain a regional bike share system will enhance the already high quality of life of the New River Valley,” said Sean Flood, CEO of Gotcha.

The smart bikes are tech-enabled, tracked with GPS technology, equipped with anti-theft devices and can be locked

at any bike rack. Once registered on the mobile app or website, a rider can access a map of the hubs, which will show how many bikes are currently available at each.

When patrons sign up, they are given a six-digit account number and four-digit pin code. Users enter the code and PIN, unlock the bike and begin riding. Once at their final destination, users can return and lock the bike at a designated station.

The program has different levels of pricing based on how long the bike is being rented for. Patrons can rent bikes for 15 minutes for one dollar or a whole 24 hours for 10 dollars. Monthly and annual plans are also available.

“Roam NRV, operated by Gotcha and administered by Blacksburg Transit, will begin with 12 hubs and 75 bikes distributed across the towns, and university campus,” said Ken Tucker, Blacksburg Transit marketing manager, according to a news release. “The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation is supporting the program with start-up funding of $200,000,

along with $50,000 in matching funds from the local participating partners.”

The program kicked off with a ceremonial ride on Aug. 1, when the orange bikes hit the road for the first time.

Community members were invited to ride on the Huckleberry Trail from the New River Valley Mall to downtown Blacksburg as part of the celebration. Participants could choose to ride the approximately 1.8 miles to the Merrimac Road trailhead, or make the full 7-mile ride to Miller Street in Blacksburg and then on to Market Square Park.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to offer our region yet another option for alternative transportation,” said Tom Fox, Blacksburg Transit director. “Not only is a bike share program an environmentally sound solution, but it speaks to the quality of life in our communities and meets the ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES needs of our citizens and visitors alike.”

Christiansburg Mayor Mike Barber @CollegiateTimes

speaks at the launch event, Aug. 1, 2018.

collegiatetimes.com/opinion

We must not judge students’ character by their job status Just because some students do not have jobs does not mean they are spoiled.

NEHA OGALE opinions editor

You have tried the rest, now try the best!

Our undergraduate years are supposedly some of the best and worst we will experience. There are plenty of things to keep me up at night — academic pressures, romantic woes, my insufferable upstairs neighbors — and college life is stressful enough without adding financial struggles to the turbulence. If students who don’t have to work decide not to do so, who is anyone to judge that decision?

I doubt that most so-called credit card kids — at least, where I come from — were raised that way to be the posterchildren of overindulgence and leniency. That’s not to say that some parents don’t spoil their children, but for the most part, I think they just want to give us better than what they had growing up. This often entails paying for our college education, including tuition, room and board, and other living expenses. Some can afford to do so, while others are not as fortunate.

Still, the fact that some students live on their parents’ dime does not mean that they wake up whenever they want and do whatever they want just because everything is paid for. It also does not mean that they treat their parents as walking ATMs or take their generosity for granted.

While I’m sure it can be frustrating to be around more financially well-off peers,

self-righteous spitefulness never looks good on anyone.

The point is, whether or not people choose to work in college is neither a fair nor accurate reflection of their integrity.

There is no right or wrong way to go — if having a job is important or necessary to you, then by all means, do it. Conversely, if you don’t need to work and decide to focus your time on other pursuits, that is perfectly acceptable too.

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Money. As college students, we all want it, we all need it and there just never seems to be enough. The increasingly exorbitant costs of higher education push many students to accept part-time jobs while juggling academic and social life.

A small minority, however, go through college without ever having to work. It seems to me that a rift exists between these two groups, with the latter often written off as privileged, spoiled and grossly out of touch with the harsh financial realities facing the average college student.

I’ll be frank: This trope might have applied to me a few years ago, albeit to a lesser extent. My hometown sits in a particularly affluent area of Loudoun County, about 35 miles northwest of Washington, D.C. With our abundance of shopping malls, luxury gas guzzlers and overzealous soccer moms, Northern Virginia — NOVA, to us locals — is the much-hated epitome of upper middle class suburbia. We are the definition of “bougie,” though funnily enough I wasn’t even familiar with the word until I came to Tech.

Contrary to popular opinion, though,

students who don’t work their way through college are not, as a rule, spoiled. Everyone has their priorities, and for some students, school is their job. In lieu of taking on part-time work, for example, some people channel their efforts into academics, extracurricular activities and undergraduate research to make themselves competitive for graduate or professional school.

What’s more, the “lazy, entitled college student” argument is tired, and honestly kind of a cop-out: It places unreasonable parameters on the meaning of conscientiousness, and perpetuates seriously outdated blue-collar ideals. After all, is an unemployed student taking 21 credit hours in a semester while doing research any less diligent than one who takes on a lighter course load but works 20 hours a week? I should think not. Both are obviously hardworking people, just in different ways.

For the record: Yes, I have a job, though I work purely out of choice. It’s nice having a disposable income to cover some of my own expenses, and having a job teaches you time management skills and fiscal responsibility. However, not everyone has the luxury to choose; I have always admired the independence and grit of those full-time students who pay their own way.

editor@collegiatetimes.com

opinions

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PAGE 16 August 14, 2018

Volleyball head coach Jill Wilson ready to tackle sophomore season After a winning season, the head coach is moving forward with her program-building plan and looking to win.

MADDIE THOMPSON sports editor

With one season down, Virginia Tech volleyball head coach Jill Wilson is starting her plan to create a winning tradition. After last season’s 10–21 finish (4–16 ACC), Wilson is moving forward with her program-building plan and is not looking back.

For starters, at home, she instituted an offseason strength and conditioning regimen that she hopes will keep the team healthy and ward off potential injury late in the season. New hire Allison Randall from Morgan State helped with the overhaul, creating the team’s winter boot camp that she says will keep the team “healthier.” This emphasis on strength and conditioning, paired with a nutritional plan Wilson helped create, will help the team get a leg up before the season really begins.

“Our team is stronger and more fit, so we will be able to increase the pace of practice which will change the pace we compete,” Wilson said.

The program, which historically has zero finishes inside the top five in the ACC and has made it to the NCAA Tournament just once in 2010, has nowhere to go but up. Wilson wants to see the team show out not only on the court, however.

“One goal that remains steady in our

AHMED MUSTAFA / COLLEGIATE TIMES Virginia Tech Hokies’ Kai Young (22) and Ester Talamazzi (14) attempt to block FSU’s Natasha Calkin (3). The Hokies dropped the game 3–1 to the Seminoles, Nov. 17, 2017.

program is that our players are working towards becoming future CEOs in their lives,” she said. “Each aspect of their life affects the other areas, and we have to learn how to earn success in all areas to win on the volleyball court.”

Besides just new offseason regimens,

Wilson also began the recruiting trail during the winter. The second-year head coach had to search out several new players, after losing six seniors in the fall.

Despite all the fresh faces, there will still be a strong core of returning

players who share Wilson’s mindset.

Sophomores Ester Talamazzi and Kaity Smith help to hold down the hitting corps, with both holding the ACC Freshman of the Week title, and Smith earning a spot on the All-ACC Freshman Team at the close of the season.

Not only that, but the front row also holds middle blocker Jaila Tolbert, who competed on the U.S. Collegiate National Team this June, and was a preseason All-ACC team selection.

“The returners did a great job this summer of showing the freshman how practice is run, so we don’t have to spend as much time with those logistics,” she said.

With a load of already solid players and a strong offseason overhaul, Wilson and the volleyball team could be in for their most exciting season yet.

As the season gets closer, it will soon just be up to the team to put its skills into play. The team begins its regular season Aug. 24 at the Charlotte Invitational in North Carolina, and returns home for the Hokie Invitational Aug. 31.

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PAGE 18 August 14, 2018

Budgeting hacks to remember before beginning a new semester How to track your finances, make budgeting easy and stay afloat during the upcoming academic year.

EMILY HANNAH

assistant lifestyles editor

Budgeting, believe it or not, is a simple concept. Though the idea of saving money and tracking your spending seems easy, actually putting thoughts into action have proven to be more difficult than expected. Budgeting, tracking finances and saving money is actually something many college students fail to do, usually because they just don’t know how to begin. Tracking spending and planning out finances is important for all college students, freshmen and seniors.

Budgeting is something a large percentage of people truly don’t have to start worrying about until college picks back up in the fall. There is a long grocery list of costs: tuition, books, gas, car payments, etcetera, etcetera.

Many students spend their entire summers working long hours to save money for the impending semester back at school, but all of that time could be wasted if the money isn’t budgeted properly. It’s ridiculously easy to spend petty cash every day; it’s increasingly more difficult to actually stow money away into a savings account.

It’s universally known that an easy way to save money is to pick up a job and stash at least 10 percent of your paycheck each month. However, there are many other ways to become financially savvy as school picks up again. For those who are newly financially conscious students, here are some easy budgeting hacks to keep you afloat as you begin another semester at Virginia Tech.

Micromanage your goals Having set financial goals and a means to reach them is a step in the right direction. Of course, taking action to achieve these goals is easier said than done. Nobody truly wants to micromanage in their free time, but micromanaging applies to budgeting the same way it does to studying or even a fitness plan. If you don’t track your progress and practice discipline, how can you expect to reach your goals?

Download a budgeting app There are several apps out there that are completely free and trustworthy. A popular app is Mint. This app lets you write out all of your financial costs and responsibilities, while tracking your spending. Financial apps like these help you see where you stand financially for the month, so you can limit your overspending and track your bill payments.

Stay away from credit cards Credit card applications are something that every college student receives in the mail several times a year. Though they may seem tempting, and putting off payments may seem convenient, it’s really not. Having a credit card is OK if the debts are small and payments are made on time.

If payments are late, you could fall into a terrible financial cycle that only credit cards can get you stuck in.

Hold a garage sale Before you head back to Blacksburg, dig through your childhood bedroom and pull out some things you know you could definitely live without. Remember, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.

Holding a garage sale is a smart way to make some extra cash before heading back to Virginia Tech in the fall. If garage sales aren’t your thing, try out OfferUp or another online selling platform to make some extra money.

Learn how to cook Though this may seem tiring, cooking over eating out every night is actually a blessing to your bank account. Unless you are able to eat on campus through a dining plan for each meal, one trip to the grocery store each week saves a considerable amount of money over buying Chipotle for dinner every night.

Recognize needs over wants This is a no-brainer: Everybody wants things, whether it be clothes, games or awesome Virginia Tech merchandise. An easy way to save money is to recognize your needs over your wants. One hack is to avoid stores you know are your weakness, for example, Target. The next time you

find yourself stuck in your favorite store, ask yourself this: Do I need this? I have lived my life perfectly fine without it. It’s cool, but do I need it?

Limit decorations spending Everyone wants their perfect dorm room or apartment, often planning out the decorations before move-in actually begins. To save some money this semester, don’t buy every little decoration you think would look cool. An empty room is better than an empty wallet.

Still feeling in the dark? Virginia Tech extends a helping hand to students who need an extra boost with their finances, whether it be answering simple questions or setting up financial aid. One of the most important things to begin doing in the beginning of a semester is to organize finances. If you find yourself in the midst of confusion when organizing student loans or financial assistance, Virginia Tech allows students to schedule an appointment with a finance counselor in the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. If tuition costs are acknowledged and organized, your financial well-being increases.

Not only are you able to set up an appointment with a counselor, Virginia Tech also offers several financial

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management classes during both the fall and spring semesters. As someone who has taken the class, I can say it was very beneficial and eye-opening. Don’t have room in your schedule for an extra class? No worries — Virginia Tech Hokie Wellness also provides several financial well-being workshops during the school year.

Though saving money is important, having fun should also be of somewhat importance. Sitting inside all weekend, counting nickels and dimes, eating ramen for every meal isn’t the most exciting way to live as a college student. Splurging is OK every once in a while, as long as it is done responsibly. If you’re an avid shopper, at least recognize your spending habits and take advantage of the plethora of available student discounts.

While you get ready to head back to Blacksburg, plan out your budgeting needs and start tracking your finances for an easier, stress-free transition back into the school year. Though this requires some time and effort, you’ll thank yourself in the future.

@CollegiateTimes

The Pamplin College of Business received a $2.1 million donation from Marriott Foundation to establish the HOKIE Lab. BENITA LUKE

news staff writer

of Business.

“Together, with the advisory board, we wanted to brainstorm ideas not only for the needs of students currently, but also look to the future and anticipate what this lab could do eventually.

We were finally able to come up with a proposal for the Marriott Foundation,” McGehee said.

The HOKIE Lab will be placed in a high visibility area to increase the visibility of the program itself. It will be used for research and analyzing significant consumer behavior while also giving business students the space and resources to do more with what they learn in a classroom setting.

“This multi-million dollar facility will intertwine the efforts of technology and people in our industry. For example, the Marriott has already looked into incorporating artificial intelligence, like Echo, into hotel rooms to complete tasks like starting a bath or making a bed. In terms of the food and beverage industry, data analytics are important. We want

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to do more research on what food items look more appealing to consumers at certain times of the day to increase the profit margin. Also, our faculty has already done research on eye-tracking technology to help understand what consumers look at first when given a menu,” McGehee said.

All these initiatives need a home, and the HOKIE Lab has proven to be the missing link. However, even though the lab looks like it’ll be targeted toward business students, the advisory board hopes to expand its resources and projects to eventually allow it to be interdisciplinary.

@CollegiateTimes

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The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation granted $2.1 million in light of the long-term construction project that Virginia Tech has undertaken: the Global Business and Analytics Complex (GBAC).

While the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute supported the faculty and students in health sciences and the SyNeRGY Lab supported those in computing, the Pamplin College of Business had yet to have their own research-orientated facility on campus until now.

“Historically, (the Pamplin College of Business) has had strong faculty and students; however, the facility has not been state of the art. At one point, it was, but right now, it does not meet expectations of our program, which is top five in the United States. This facility is our missing link in regards to the program,” said Nancy McGehee, department

head of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

The Marriott Foundation, wellknown in the Virginia Tech community for its continued support, offered to help where the university was lacking currently. Fortunately, this project coincided with GBAC. “The foundation recognized the potential of GBAC and suggested we develop a new lab. It wasn’t until we were talking, did the acronym HOKIE came to me, which stands for Hospitality Operations Kitchens Interactive Experience. We also have an advisory board made of people from the restaurant, hotel, linen services, food industry and so much more to contribute in the development of this project,” McGehee said.

With numerous industries coming together in the planning stages of the project, the HOKIE Lab, a building block of the GBAC project, is designed to to accommodate students from all different facets of the Pamplin College

editor@collegiatetimes.com

Marriott Foundation donates $2.1 million to construct HOKIE Lab

YOU'LL FEEL CONFIDENT IN EVERY FIELD.

www.hokiehandbook.vt.edu

August 14, 2018 PAGE 19

As members of the Hokie Nation, we hope that you will uphold the standards and values of our community. Make sure to read Virginia Tech's Student Code of Conduct in the Hokie Handbook at:

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PAGE 20 August 14, 2018

To go abroad or to not go abroad: Answers for incoming freshmen Virginia Tech offers many study abroad options, making the option doable for a wide range of students.

MICHAELA KREITER

tension of not graduating on time.

Students may also decide to go on a completely different path by studying abroad via third party. If Virginia Tech’s programs aren’t exactly what you’re looking for, Tech will still work with the student through Direct Enroll to make sure the trip is still of value. When a student studies through Direct Enroll, they are considered as a student on a leave of absence.

For more information, the Global Education Office is also a great resource for eager and confused students to ask questions about studying abroad.

Studying abroad is one of the many wonderful things Virginia Tech has to offer its students and is something all incoming freshmen should seriously consider to truly fulfill their college experience.

lifestyles staff writer

Virginia Tech, home to approximately 27,000 undergraduate students, doesn’t just offer a typical academic career.

Many students choose to challenge their inner explorer by choosing from one of the many study abroad options Tech has to offer.

Orientation leaders and tour guides alike can’t stress this extraordinary opportunity enough to students, but whether or not incoming freshmen actually follow through with the desire is a whole new question.

With study abroad comes various questions that budget-seeking and timesaving students bring to the table: Isn’t study abroad expensive? Will my credits transfer? Will I graduate on time?

Thankfully, Virginia Tech extends many options allowing study abroad to be doable for a wide range of students.

The Lugano trip is one of the most popular programs that students seek out when deciding to study abroad. The fall and spring session of the trip includes a portion in Switzerland with an additional couple weeks experiencing different parts of Africa.

This specific program that Virginia Tech offers places students in a beautiful place full of enriching opportunities; however, since the trip is one of the most popular at Virginia Tech, it may seem overdone for some students looking to study abroad. Also, it’s not the cheapest trip to make.

The Lugano trip is also offered in the summer for a much shorter and cost friendly experience. The trip spans about two weeks, granting students the opportunity to experience Switzerland in a much briefer time. For some, it’s a perfect trip. As for others, it sounds like a complete waste of time — it’s completely dependent on personal preference.

For example, Virginia Tech extends a variety of summer programs beyond Switzerland. These programs may catch students’ eyes due to their course of study or desired destination.

London Calling is a program

FILE 2008

sponsored by the English department at Virginia Tech. For students who are wanting to put their native roots to the test, this is a great option. The distance traveled is very reasonable because it’s not an insane amount of traveling, but it’s also just far enough for students to be assimilated into another culture.

This trip includes a considerable amount of live performance exposure as well as opportunities to study British architecture and literature. It attracts the interests of many by covering a variety of subject matters, as explained in the itinerary of the trip. This leads into another big question for many students: What will the coursework be like?

The answer to that is that the coursework varies. The London Calling trip calls for open-minded students to come up with a project that they will then gather information for throughout the course of the trip. For many students, this sounds a lot better than doing tedious homework assignments and cramming for exams while studying abroad.

This also leads to more questioning about the amount of credits students can earn during the program, and whether or not those credits will still allow them to graduate on time. In this case, students may want to look into trips that offer a full course load of credits to ease out that

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McClease looks to lead running back committee Redshirt-junior Deshawn McClease will be looking to step up amid a crowded backfield this coming season.

DAVIS CARBAUGH sports beat writer

Virginia Tech will have a running back committee once again in 2018 as Justin Fuente enters his third year as head coach of the Hokies. Redshirt junior Deshawn McClease appears to be the early favorite to start at running back after a solid 2017 season.

In 2017, Travon McMillian and Steven Peoples were the primary backs until injuries and a struggling McMillian opened the door for McClease to step up. Peoples returns for his senior year, but McMillian has since transferred to Colorado.

The Hokies will need to improve their running attack this season in order to contend in the ACC, but there is plenty of potential with this year’s unit.

McClease finished the season with a team-high 530 yards off of 108 carries.

McClease made the best of the second half of last season, gaining the trust of Fuente and Josh Jackson. In his breakout game

against Duke, McClease rushed the ball 15 times and gained 75 yards. In the Camping World Bowl against Oklahoma State, McClease carried the load on offense and put up 124 yards. With such a strong finish to the season, McClease will look to carry the momentum into the upcoming season as the primary running back.

Senior Steven Peoples will look to be a consistent all-around back behind Jackson. Coming off a nagging foot injury, Peoples’ presence on the field will elevate the overall offensive production due to his blocking, receiving and rushing abilities.

Sophomore Jalen Holston enters the 2018 season following a solid freshman campaign in 2017. Holston rushed the football 70 times and gained 226 yards.

Against Pittsburgh in 2017, Holston carried the ball 12 times for a career-high 52 yards. Holston is a young talent who adds depth to the running back committee and provides a spark off the bench.

Redshirt junior Coleman Fox made the best of his opportunities in 2017, tallying

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223 yards off of only 39 carries. Fox has the experience and reliability to step up this season and contribute to the overall rushing attack.

Local talent Cole Beck is a new addition to the Hokies’ backfield who could work his way into the rotation this season. The Blacksburg native rushed for just under 5,000 yards during his time at Blacksburg High School and excelled in track and field. Beck is an exciting young talent who could see his name called as the season progresses.

Despite losing primary ball carrier Travon McMillian, the Hokies maintain a committee of running backs that can elevate Tech’s offense this season. With the mobility of Josh Jackson and the explosiveness of the receiving corps, this year’s running back committee will look to supply a more consistent rushing attack than that of years past. @CollegiateTimes

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Virginia Tech Hokies running back Deshawn McClease (33) runs through a hole as Eric Kumah (83) blocks in a 20–14 victory over Pitt, Nov. 18, 2017.

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Is “faith” at odds with “reason”?

We don’t think so!

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