June 22, 2020

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June 22, 2020

HELLOhokies

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

a Collegiate Times special section

Page 3: Blacksburg Farmers Market

Page 9: Hokie gameday traditions

Page 16: Black Lives Matter protests

PAGE 2 June 22, 2020

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THROUGH THE LENS: The latest in Blacksburg

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June 22, 2020 PAGE 3

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Blacksburg Farmers Market gives students a safe place to land during COVID-19 pandemic

T

In a pandemic characterized by uncertainty, the Blacksburg Farmers Market provides students with a source of comfort. he COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to ponder whether we’ll ever return to what we once considered normalcy. As a collective, we’ve been grieving publicly about the demise of our lives as we knew them. The first stage was shock and denial; pundits on both ends of the political spectrum initially doubted the virus was any worse than the flu. Then anger descended as many stir-crazed individuals protested lockdown regulations by gathering on the steps of Capitol Hill in a maskless congregation. It’s hard to tell what stage we’re in now, but with students getting a better idea of what life will look like in the fall, one could say we’ve already struggled through the depression stage and finally reached acceptance.

Being in the acceptance stage means we have thought long and hard about the hand we’ve been dealt and are working to exist again within the parameters of our

new reality. Who’s to say whether we’ll have another concert on the Drillfield or what homecoming will look like, but one staple of the Blacksburg experience is sure to welcome new students in the fall

livelihoods.

Strong relationships like these are bound to stand the test of time, even through a global pandemic. In the initial response to contain COVID-19, the

with their fresh fruits and veggies: the Blacksburg Farmers Market.

There’s a beautiful relationship that exists between the students of Virginia Tech and the Blacksburg Farmers Market.

Hokies cooking their own meals for the first time can be taught the benefits of introducing organic produce to their diets by our local farmers. Conversely, those curious students help uphold the local economy and support vendors’

farmers market started slashing its hours, prepackaging produce and restricting the occupancy of the market to 10 people at a time. Since then the market has been able to scale back many of its protective measures, welcoming back Wednesday markets, extending its hours back to normal and serving more customers.

But this is in no way to say things are back to the way they were before this crisis. The Blacksburg Farmers Market

“The farmers market seems like it’s gearing up to serve a new class of students at Tech. ”

The Blacksburg Farmers Market, Oct. 21, 2019.

has made some big changes in the way of adapting to a post-COVID-19 world. For starters, the market has transitioned to a “producers only” market, strengthening the connection consumers have to their food’s source. Additionally, the farmers market is strongly encouraging shoppers to use its newly established pre-order and pickup service as an alternative to attending the market in person.

Though students won’t be able to wade through the rows of produce stands and mingle with members of the community as carefree as they once did, the farmers market seems like it is gearing up to serve a new class of students at Tech and teach them the benefits of eating and shopping locally.

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June 22, 2020 PAGE 5

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Hardworking Hokies: Locations on and off campus that can help you bring in some extra change Take advantage of jobs in the area to beef up your bank account.

ISA DIAZ

this semester. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not an opportunity worth looking into.

Whether you’re an incoming freshman or a returning upperclassman, we’re all struggling with what it means to be coming to Blacksburg in the fall in the midst of such uncertain times. While you probably have a host of concerns on your plate, a big one on your mind might be making some extra money to save up or spend during the semester. Whether you have to think about tuition, textbooks or just some extra savings, it can be overwhelming to try and dig through all the options for jobs you can get around campus and in town. Here are some ideas to help you get started in your search.

Department of Recreational Sports Rec Sports at Virginia Tech employs over 500 students every year for various jobs, including over the summer. From working at the front desk at McComas Hall, to teaching a group exercise class, to even being a lifeguard at the pool, there’s a job for everyone in rec sports. Many of the applications are on a rolling basis. You might even inspire yourself to make some healthy changes to your own lifestyle.

lifestyles staff writer

Virginia Tech Dining Services Working in one of the many dining halls at Virginia Tech might not seem like a very appealing idea at first, but the job comes with a surprising amount of benefits that you might not have considered. Hours are flexible at most dining centers.

Pay starts at $10.50 an hour for student wage workers, and additionally, you get a voucher for a free meal with every single shift you work. Working in Dining Services can save you a lot of money on your student meal plan if you have one.

Additionally, you’ll be working with a lot of other students, so it’s a surprisingly good opportunity to meet new people and work somewhere fun and energetic.

You’ll learn to work well with a team, gain experience in customer service and much more. Plus, you’ll probably gain some fun skills: ask anyone who’s worked at Qdoba to roll you the perfect burrito and they can do it, no problem. It is worth noting that due to recent changes to on-campus dining policies in response to COVID-19, student jobs in dining will look a little different

The Writing Center Whether you’re an English major or an engineer, you have the opportunity to flex your writing skills as a coach for the writing center through the university library system. Just take a tutor training course through the English department and you’re on your way to making $10.00 an hour by helping students with their writing assignments and class essays.

Work-study opportunities are also available if that’s something you’re more interested in.

Waitstaff /Hostessing a t local restaurants While it’s definitely a tough job to get the hang of, waitressing or being a host at one of Blacksburg’s many downtown restaurants can prove to be a valuable and rewarding experience. Whether you choose to take your skills to Cabo Fish Taco, Mellow Mushroom or elsewhere, weekends in Blacksburg are always packed with visiting families, prospective students and more. While restaurant service might look a little different right now because of the circumstances, there are still plenty of valuable opportunities to be found if you do your research.

TAYO OLADELE / COLLEGIATE TIMES An illustration of a student bringing money out of his wallet, Sept. 11, 2018.

Doordash and other food delivery services If you have a car, delivering for Uber Eats or Doordash is a great way to make extra money on your own time. Busy students and families are ordering delivery more than ever now that many restaurants are closed for dine-in, so delivery is a great way to familiarize yourself with the Blacksburg area while making extra cash. Best of all: you’re your own boss, so you can set your own hours and deliver whenever you have the time.

The Student Call Center Located just outside the Math Emporium, the Student Call Center is an easy way to make money through the University. You’ll be calling alumni about donating to the university. It’s a low-stress job that doesn’t involve a lot of moving around, so if you need a job that allows you to sit back and relax for a few hours while still feeling productive, the Call Center might be something good for you to look into.

Pet-sitting or babysitting Blacksburg isn’t just home to college students; it’s home to families and pet parents who need people to watch their kids. Whether you create business cards, advertise on Facebook, or simply go by word of mouth, there’s always babysitting

or pet-sitting work to be found in the Blacksburg area. Make sure you’re CPRand first-aid-certified, but if you’re experienced and ready to watch someone else’s kids or pets, there’s good money to be made.

Creative endeavors/running a small business This is for the more entrepreneurial, but if you have a talent or product that other students might be interested in, you can use Facebook groups as a way to get yourself out there. From selling hand painted denim jackets or records to renting out your dresses for date parties and events, Hokies are always happy to support each other. Put your creativity to work and see where it takes you.

This is just a sampling of the many different ways you can make a little extra money while you live and study on campus. Just make sure you take care of yourself; the most important thing you can do is find a balance between working, studying and simply taking time for some self-care. Happy job hunting, Hokies.

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PAGE 6 June 22, 2020

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Amenities all around: Take advantage of what’s on campus Exercise at McComas, study in Newman and talk to professionals at Cook Counseling Center.

KYLE BASSETT

lifestyles staff writer

As a Virginia Tech student, there are a wide variety of locations around campus that are intended to benefit your overall experience here. Oftentimes, students neglect to take advantage of what is available to them, either due to a lack of knowledge or a lack of time and effort.

Whether you’re an incoming first-year student or graduating soon, the time to familiarize yourself with everything around you is now. While we don’t know how many of these amenities will be open to the public yet due to COVID policies, here are some to take advantage of if they’re open.

If you’re looking to get, or stay, in shape or maybe just have some recreational fun with friends, Virginia Tech has two on-campus gyms that are free to use for all Tech students.* Near the Drillfield is War Memorial Hall, a newly renovated gym

that hosts athletic activities of all kinds.

With multiple courts that can be reserved for games such as basketball, racquetball, volleyball, and squash, cardio and weight training rooms, as well as swimming pools and more, War Memorial Hall is home to activities that cater to a variety of interests.

Near Lane Stadium is McComas Hall,

“Whether you’re an incoming first-

year student or graduating soon, the time to familiarize yourself with everything around you is now. a gym that has some of the same as well as different offerings than that of its aforementioned counterpart. While it does have weight training rooms, cardio equipment areas, a pool, as well as volleyball and

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basketball courts like War Memorial Hall does, this gym has an indoor jogging track, an spin cycling room, and two fitness studios.* For those seeking to participate in some fun outdoor exercising, the fitness park located at the Prairie Quad near residences halls Lee, Peddrew-Yates, and New Residence Hall East may be the

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place for you.* It’s newly renovated with basketball and sand volleyball courts, and has upper-body equipment such as rings and bars for anyone who wants to get in some extra exercise.

“My advice is (that) the gym basketball courts can get really crowded and cluttered, so bring a ball to the outdoor courts

by Pritchard and you’ll have a much easier time finding a game, and you’ll make some friends too,” said Robert Brinker, a rising senior at Virginia Tech studying management.

The go-to place for getting work done, having group meetings, and studying for that upcoming test of yours is definitely Newman Library, Virginia Tech’s premier location for getting on your academic grind.* Aside from being able to check out books and rent academia-related resources, the library is the perfect place to be your place of work. Study spaces, group work rooms and studios are some of the numerous options available among the five floors that the library has.

Similar to Newman Library, New Classroom Building, commonly referred to as “NCB,” is a popular on-campus spot for getting work done. Located near Perry Street Parking Deck, New Classroom Building is a building that serves various purposes. A number of classes are held in its lecture rooms, while other spaces allow students to study, hold group meetings and get work done.* For any personal health concerns that arise during your time at Virginia Tech, the Schiffert Health Center is your

on-campus clinic option. You need to schedule an appointment to see a care provider, which can be done via a phone call or on its website. For those who take prescribed medications, a number of options are available to be fulfilled through the health center’s pharmacy.

Services such as STI testing, health screenings and various other healthcare-related needs are also available.

Cook Counseling Center is an on-campus resource that’s covered under tuition for any students seeking counseling or other forms of personal help.

Options such as individual counseling, group workshops and referral services are some of the many offerings that the center provides.

While you may be here as a student for years, time does fly by, and you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not taking advantage of the resources available to you on campus. Get the most out of your tuition and time at Virginia Tech by using the amenities around the area to your benefit. *It should be noted that these amenities still exist at Virginia Tech.

However, final decisions as to whether they will be available for student and/ or faculty use this fall have not yet been announced by the university.

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PAGE 8 June 22, 2020

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How fall football could be impacted by COVID-19 Jumping to “Enter Sandman” with a full Lane Stadium may not be possible during the college fall football season.

CLAIRE CASTAGNO sports editor

With the coronavirus lockdowns extending to June, there is a question in the back of everyone’s minds: What does this mean for the upcoming college football season? The NCAA is doing its best to start the college football season on time, but it is important to take all necessary precautions regarding the coronavirus. Unfortunately for incoming Virginia Tech freshmen excited to attend their first football game in Lane Stadium, this may delay that feat.

On June 1, Tech’s football program took an exciting step toward normality, along with many of the nation’s football programs. Virginia Tech prepared to begin voluntary workouts on campus.

“Our foremost priority continues to be the health and welfare of our student-athletes and staff, as well as the Virginia Tech and surrounding communities,” said Dr. Mark Rogers, chief medical officer for Virginia Tech Athletics. “We will continue to evaluate our protocols to ensure these workouts are conducted in strict adherence with current health and safety guidelines.”

Other colleges have gotten unlucky,

though. Players at the University of Alabama and Auburn University have started to test positive for the coronavirus after returning to campus for voluntary workouts.

T he NCA A Col lege Footba l l Oversight Committee has come up with a timeline with the goal of starting the football season on time, Labor Day Weekend. The committee recommends that coaches can begin interacting with their players July 13, and start training camp August 7, but with hours in contact limited. But, canceled Spring Games will not be rescheduled.

The issue of having fans in the stands

has not been decided on yet. Coaches are suggesting that conferences make their own decisions on the matter, including how much occupancy it will allow at games, if any. There is also the possibility of coaches being required to wear facemasks on the sidelines.

Virginia Tech freshmen, and Hokie football fans in general, can be hopeful the college football season will carry on, but getting to jump to “Enter Sandman” in Lane may not be a possibility in 2020. @CollegiateTimes

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June 22, 2020 PAGE 9

Virginia Tech football traditions you need to know before attending your first game as a Hokie From “Enter Sandman” to key plays, there’s a lot to remember when it comes to Virginia Tech football traditions.

AMBER WILLIAMS assistant sports editor

A sea of orange and maroon greets you and the aroma of turkey legs are in the air.

The Blue Ridge Mountains are visible, peaking between the stadium seating. It is Hokie gameday. This scene is where you will make some of your greatest memories as a member of Hokie Nation. In order to fully immerse yourself in the experience of a football game in Lane Stadium, it is important to participate in and understand the traditions honored during the course of the game.

The most legendary part of a Hokie football game is the iconic entrance of the players. When Metallica’s song and Virginia Tech’s anthem “Enter Sandman” starts blasting throughout the stadium, it is imperative that every student and fan start jumping. This tradition ends with the continuation of singing the lyrics well after the music has stopped playing. This song has been used at all home games since 2000 and is played before basketball games at Cassel as well.

Not long after the excitement of singing your lungs out, comes the next Hokie tradition. A chant of “we’re ready . . . we’re ready . . . we’re ready for y’all.” starts to play. Students and fans all put their arms around one another’s shoulders and begin swaying back and forth. This all leads up to the highly anticipated kickoff.

The rest of the game is filled with other rituals that culminate the unique gameday experience. The loudest part of the game is the Skipper, a cannon that is fired during opening ceremonies and everytime the Hokies score. The blast sparks even more excitement from the crowd, electrifying the energy in Lane.

The downs of football are part of the excitement of the game, but mixed with Virginia Tech tradition these milestones are even more enjoyable. Third-down plays and their importance are laminated with the “key play” routine. This is when all of the fans take out their keys, hold them high in the air, and shake them until the play is complete. First-downs are celebrated with a specific chant. The letters “H-O-KI-E-S” are spelled out followed by the

shouting of the word “Hokies!”

Other important moments of the game are marked with distinctive rituals as well, such as when the players are in the red zone.

“Stick it in!” is yelled by all of the fans in attendance, encouraging the team to score.

At the end of the third quarter the infamous “Hokey Pokey” song is played and fans are encouraged to dance. The famous “Let’s Go Hokies” is divided into a chant between the east and west sections of the stadium.

Some traditions surrounding the Virginia Tech football team are symbols and require no participation from fans other than cheering. One of these, the metal lunch pail, is a representation of the “blue collar defense” that Hokie football players aspire to. This was started by defensive coordinator Bud Foster. The iconic lunch pail will usually be seen on the video board in pre-game productions.

Game day in Blacksburg is like no other sporting event in the nation. The excitement that fills Lane Stadium before and during the game is unmatchable.

Virginia Tech relies on fan participation to make this possible, and every season Hokie Nation delivers.

Virginia Tech and its fans are currently awaiting the announcement from the NCAA which will determine the fate of the Hokies’ 2020-21 football season.

COVID-19 will affect how Tech conducts normal campus operations in the fall and may leave its mark on gameday as well.

These exciting traditions that take place at games could likely look very different this football season if the Hokies play.

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ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES Fans cheer on the Hokies at Lane Stadium as they play against Miami. Virginia Tech would ultimately lose 38-14, Nov. 17, 2018.

WELCOME NEW AND RETURNING HOKIES! As we come back to campus this fall, in-person and remotely, the spirit of our motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) takes on new meaning. Hokies are known for serving our communities, the commonwealth, and the world.

This fall we must deepen our dedication to service by taking personal responsibility for the health and safety of those around us. And now, more than ever, we must take the lead in establishing a society free of hate, violence, and racism, in keeping with our Principles of Community. Hundreds of people have worked over the summer to prepare our campuses for a successful and fulfilling fall experience together. The rest now depends on you.

I ask each of you to do your part to help us grow stronger as a university, as a community, and as individuals. Hokies can do this! You can do this!

We look forward to seeing you soon, President Tim Sands

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June 22, 2020 PAGE 11

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Previewing Virginia Tech’s fall football season A quick look at the expectations and players to watch for the upcoming Virginia Tech Football season.

DEVIN SHEPARD sports editor

As of right now, we are only three months away from the start of the college football regular season if all goes well. It has been a while since we last saw football in Blacksburg, and with a lot of new faces on the field and the sidelines, it’s time to take a look at the team and set expectations for the upcoming season. The team went 8-5 last season, returns 17 starters and has high hopes for 2020. Can head coach Justin Fuente finally get the team over the hump in his fifth year or will the Hokies fail to meet expectations in the ACC? What happened last season: Senior quarterback Ryan Willis, the incumbent starter, started the season for the Hokies and got off to a rough start. Through the first four games, Virginia Tech went 2-2 and Willis turned the ball over five times. After a 45-10 thrashing by the Duke Blue Devils, coach Fuente made a change at quarterback and inserted redshirt sophomore Hendon Hooker into the lineup.

Hooker sparked the offense, leading the team to a 6-2 record throughout the rest of the regular season and accounting for 17 touchdowns. Unfortunately, the Hokies season would end on a sour note with a loss to rival UVA and a bowl loss against Kentucky.

Names to know for this season: QB Hendon Hooker: Hooker stepped into the lineup last season and stabilized the position. As the likely starting quarterback for 2020, his play will be extremely important in determining whether or not this team will be successful. Hooker is a smart quarterback with good accuracy who doesn’t turn the ball over, (only two interceptions last season). However, he lacks aggressiveness with the ball and doesn’t have the greatest arm in the world. If Virginia Tech gets down and can’t run the ball, this will be an issue (as evidenced by the UVA and Kentucky games last season). Hooker’s best asset may be his legs, as he is a highly elusive runner at quarterback, running for five touchdowns last season.

WR Tré Turner: If Hooker does gain a willingness to

throw the ball downfield, it will be in large part thanks to junior receiver Tré Turner.

Given the nickname “Big Play Tré” for his propensity to make plays 20-plus yards downfield the past two years, Turner is the new leader of a receiving corps that has lost some talent the past couple of years (Damon Hazelton, Eric Kumah, etc.). Turner was plagued by drops last season in what seemed to be a sophomore slump, but his flashes of brilliance still showed through. Turner will have to take on a bigger role than ever this season as the No. 1 receiver in Blacksburg.

Expect to hear his name called a lot on Saturdays this fall.

LB Rayshard Ashby: Ashby is the heart and soul of this team, and more specifically this defense. The team’s leading tackler the past two years is a fast linebacker with a mean streak. His ability to get downhill and make plays in the backfield is crucial to the team’s success and he proved he can do it with consistency by racking up 17 tackles for loss last season. His bowling ball tenacity and consistency are everything you want in a modern linebacker.

New defensive coordinator Justin Hamilton should enjoy having a weapon like him on the roster.

CB’s Caleb Farley, Jermaine Waller and Chamarri Conner: This is the highlight of the team and the main reason for high expectations going into the season. PFF ranked the Hokie secondary as the fourth-best in the country (tied with TCU), and this group of corners is why.

These three led a Hokies’ secondary that ranked second in the ACC with 14 interceptions last year. The trio includes Farley, who some are calling the best cornerback in the country and a potential top 20 NFL Draft pick, Waller, who had three interceptions last season and is also a potential high draft pick, and Conner, who plays the slot and makes plays all over the field, recording 10 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, one interception and a forced fumble last season. Opposing quarterbacks should be scared out of their minds to throw against this unit in the fall.

Expectations: ESPN ranks the Hokies as the 18th best team in the country in their offseason Power Index. Virginia Tech should have a good offense and an elite defense in 2020. If health

permits, the team should be able win the ACC Coastal Division for the first time since 2016. The mix of experience and talent on the roster should lead to success for the Hokies.

The only questions come with a coaching staff that has underwhelmed the past couple of years. With a tough matchup against Penn State early in the season and two tough road ACC games against Louisville and UNC, the

schedule isn’t a cakewalk but the team should finish with a decent record. I expect Virginia Tech to lose two of those three games and to have one surprising loss later in the season.

Record Prediction: 9-3 (6-2 in the ACC) @CTSportsTalk

ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES Lane Stadium in the fall, Oct. 22, 2019.

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PAGE 12 June 22, 2020

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COVID-19 SECTION

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Virginia Tech to resume in-person instruction in August, send Hokies home before Thanksgiving President Sands announced June 8 that at least some classes will be taught in person during the fall semester.

ASHLEY LONG editor in chief

President Tim Sands released a statement outlining details for the fall 2020 semester. In efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 and respond to the anticipation that a second wave will hit late fall, the university has decided to resume in-person instruction starting on

Aug. 24, but end in-person instruction prior to Thanksgiving break. Classes and final exams will continue online after Thanksgiving break, and the fall semester will end on Dec. 16 as originally planned.

Otherwise, the fall 2020 academic calendar has not been changed.

Planning for class capacity President Sands emphasized that the

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current plans accommodate the possibility that the 50 person gathering limit imposed by the governor’s order will stay in place throughout the fall semester.

More specifics on in-person versus online instruction based on class size will be published by July 13.

“Our faculty, teaching assistants and instructional designers are actively planning for a fall semester that utilizes a combination of in-person and online teaching and learning that preserves, to the extent possible, the experiential learning that distinguishes Virginia Tech’s ‘hands-on, minds-on’ approach,” Sands said in the statement.

Testing, contact tracing and isolation plans According to the president’s message, Virginia Tech now has a surveillance work group that will be charged with finding solutions to testing, contact tracing and the isolation of people infected with the novel coronavirus.

Residential living Residence halls will take on single and double occupancy and roommates will be considered like family members who live together. According to the statement, it is estimated that approximately 9,100 students can be accommodated for on-campus housing. Separate housing arrangements will be made for those in quarantine or isolation, and accommodations will be made to ensure those students can continue with their academics successfully.

Support through academic department leaders and advisors will be available to those who feel uncomfortable or are unable to return to campus in the fall. However,

not all courses will have a remote option.

Personal hygiene Face coverings are still required in all indoor places where people are close to each other, according to the governor’s guidelines, and they will be made available to faculty, staff and students. There will also be 2,000 new hand-sanitizer stations installed at the university, which will be located outside buildings, general assignment classrooms and other gathering locations. Additional details on how this will affect students and faculty will be released as the semester approaches.

Dining Grab-and-go, mobile ordering and pick-up will be available to those who have dining plans, and strict protocols will be put in place once indoor dining is permitted again in Virginia.

Athletics According to the statement, it is not possible as of now to have the normal high-density crowds such as those that fill Lane Stadium, Cassell Coliseum, Burruss Auditorium and the Moss Arts Center.

As for football, the NCAA and the ACC are assessing return-to-play models, but if practices cannot be safely resumed by mid-July, the start of the football season would likely be delayed.

Adjustments to these plans will be made as needed as the fall semester approaches.

Everyone can stay up to date on the latest developments at vt.edu/ready.

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June 22, 2020 PAGE 13

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Hundreds of students placed on housing waitlist due to reduced capacity for on-campus living Previously existing housing contracts were canceled, and hotels will not be used as extra housing for students.

ASHLEY LONG editor in chief

On June 8, following President Sands’ announcement regarding fall semester operations, several students received emails notifying them they were not selected to live in on-campus housing for the 2020-2021 academic year.

According to the Virginia Tech Housing and Residence Life’s most recent COVID-19 updates, the first-year residency requirement was waived for the 2020-2021 school year and all previously existing housing contracts were cancelled following President Sands’ announcement.

In a typical fall semester, the university can accommodate 10,400 students living on campus. However, due to efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 such as designating quarantine areas, only about 9,100 students can be accommodated with on-campus housing this year.

The locations of the isolation spaces are not being released publicly in order to uphold the privacy of anyone who may need to take advantage of those areas in the future.

While some students were able to re-sign their housing contracts, others were not and were told to consider registering for the Blacksburg COVID-19 fall 2020 waitlist or look at off-campus housing options.

According to Virginia Tech’s Assistant Vice President of University Relations Mark Owczarski, approximately 800 students were immediately affected by this.

“Housing did that sort of blanket-cancel and then sign-up,” Owczarski said. “When things got rebooted back, 800 students ended up being put on the waitlist for housing.”

While 800 students were immediately affected by the reduction in on-campus housing, approximately 30-40% of those students have already been taken off the waitlist.

“I can report that over 300 in the last

48 hours have been accommodated with on-campus housing,” Owczarski said. “One of the things that housing is trying to do is to try to accommodate particularly the first-year students in university housing.

The 300 plus students in which we’ve been able to locate housing have been first-year students.”

The Inn at Virginia Tech and the Holiday Inn that were both used to house students after over-enrolling last year’s freshman class are both returning to their normal operations. The university is not currently looking into using similar off-campus spaces to house students for the 2020-2021 academic year.

“We’re very confident that we’ll be able to meet the needs of all of our first-year students,” Owczarski said. “We’re also working with the returning students –– sophomores, the juniors and the seniors to help meet their needs in whatever that might look like.”

While this situation is not ideal, the university emphasizes that administrators are working hard to find the best solutions possible for students.

“We are working literally around the clock to meet the needs of all of our students,” Owczarski said. “The guiding principle of all of this, the rudder of this ship, is to protect the safety of our community and the community at large. To continuously flatten the curve, to continuously keep people safe in all that we do in a future that we can’t even begin to predict.”

Housing and Residence Life will be hosting a live Q&A on Thursday, June 11 at 6 p.m. to answer any further questions, and Virginia Tech Off-Campus Housing and the Dean of Students will be hosting a virtual Q&A on June 15 at 6 p.m. to discuss off-campus housing for fall 2020. @CollegiateTimes

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June 22, 2020 PAGE 15

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Upperclassmen unfairly impacted in latest saga of Virginia Tech’s on-campus housing issues

E

Virginia Tech continues to prioritize freshmen at the cost of upperclassmen’s experience.

very year, Hokies new and old hunch over their computer screens awaiting the Virginia Tech equivalent of Harry Potter’s invitation to Hogwarts — the email containing their housing selection timeslot. With fewer spots available for continuously larger classes, this tradition is more anxiety-inducing than exciting. Add a historic pandemic to the mix, and students face a uniquely frightening housing situation.

Three weeks ago, Tech announced that the class of 2024 would be the “second largest incoming class in history,” with approximately 6,675 freshmen arriving in August. Those of us who recall last fall’s panicked frenzy of packed dining halls, overcrowded buses and converted hotel lodgings were nervous hearing this news.

Preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus seemed even more impossible with extra freshmen joining us in the neverending line for Jamba Juice or crowded lecture halls in McBryde. Plans released by the university June 8 detailed the shocking cancellation of all on-campus housing contracts and the reissuance of new ones, resulting in an unlucky minority of students forced to join a housing waitlist.

I anticipated problems with housing this fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic and understood that drastic modifications would take place to ensure student safety. I’ve declared college dorms a “verifiable petri dish” to many friends. Having succumbed to various mutations of the Hokie Plague freshman year, I advocate for cleaner, less-cramped student living spaces. I acknowledge that administrators are struggling with a mountain of financial and logistical problems the COVID-19 pandemic has created. However, we cannot ignore that the solutions our university comes up with to alleviate their own over-admitting and under-planning highlight the discounting of students’ needs and the discrepancy in how upperclassmen and

freshmen are valued by Tech. Issues that often impact upperclassmen just as much as freshmen, though perhaps in different ways, are commonly resolved with changes that only address freshmen’s concerns. Each new admissions cycle leaves those counting on the university to uphold its motto of “Ut Prosim” and provide a quality undergraduate experience wondering if they still can.

As much as I love our university, I fear that multiple admissions of excessive freshman classes over the past five years exemplify that there has been a deliberate decision to brush aside student experience in favor of increasing the student population. In 2017, Tech faced huge challenges upon admitting what was, at the time, its largest freshman class on record; as far back as 2015, construction delays resulted in another housing crunch. And who could forget last year’s issues, which made national headlines? I question why Tech continues to push for larger and larger freshman classes when even the slightest delay or changed circumstance results in massive ripple effects.

“We’re very confident that we’ll be able to solve (housing issues), particularly for the first-year students who really benefit the most from that on-campus experience,” said Mark Owczarski, Assistant Vice President of University Relations. While, as of June 12, the university has taken off over 40% of the 800 students initially on the waitlist, the emphasis on first assisting freshmen is concerning. Yes, the first-year experience is crucial, with freshman retention rate often used as a key point of measurement by institutions, but when it comes to receiving an education in the midst of COVID-19, incoming freshmen frankly have more options than upperclassmen.

It is much easier for a freshman who has yet to begin their course of study to take a gap semester or year than for an upperclassman to interrupt their academic plan

because they can’t find housing. Some would argue that freshmen could be better served starting their college careers next year and live out the true undergraduate experience when universities can resume normal operations. Since freshmen are more likely to transfer or drop out, it seems odd that Tech refuses to make a reciprocal commitment to provide housing to the upperclassmen who have already proven theirs by remaining at Virginia Tech.

Administrators appear to be gambling that enough freshmen will move off-campus with the release of their on-campus living requirement to free up on-campus space for upperclassmen who need it, or that rooms will open up as some make the difficult decision to take the fall semester online at home. In a normal year, approximately 400 students drop out over the summer.

The university has stated it is not currently looking into finding off-campus housing options for impacted students. “The needs are actually much less than they were a year ago,” Owczarski said. Still, the lower number of students in need of housing this year shouldn’t merit praise, lest we forget the philosophy of “No Hokie Left Behind” heavily advertised by Tech.

Why are freshmen being encouraged to find off-campus housing themselves when Blacksburg’s housing market is notoriously tricky? Many students begin apartment-hunting a year and a half before the start of a prospective lease to secure a good spot, and Montgomery County has suffered from a major housing shortage in recent years. “There may be students out there who say, ‘I prefer to live off campus,’” Owczarski said. But when it is difficult to do in a normal year, how can we expect any students with dorm contracts to find off-campus housing and free up their assigned rooms in a pandemic?

Blacksburg’s hotels offered a logical solution for off-campus housing last year but will be returning to normal operations.

“The Inn at Virginia Tech has been returned to the Inn at Virginia Tech for when people feel safe to travel … and conferences pick up again,” Owczarski said.

While Housing and Residence Life may resolve most issues this year, this incident should highlight the housing problems that Tech continuously faces yet doesn’t address.

When the Creativity and Innovation District residence hall is completed, Owczarski said housing will gain “about 680 beds,” but if the university continues to admit massive freshman classes, this will not be enough.

Virginia Tech needs to give upperclassmen the same respect as freshmen, recognize that not every upperclassman can afford to or wants to live off-campus and stop admitting students it cannot adequately house.

An education at Virginia Tech is a wonderful opportunity — but it’s one that every student deserves to enjoy to the fullest, and that’s simply not possible when you’re constantly scrambling for shelter.

LEXI SOLOMON • junior • national security and foreign affairs, Russian

PAGE 16 June 22, 2020

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Blacksburg joins nationwide protests calling for an end to police brutality and systemic racism Black Lives Matter demonstrators demand police reform following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

ADIAH GHOLSTON news editor

Hundreds of protesters, with signs in hands and chants in mind, gathered at Henderson Lawn at noon on June 1. The protesters migrated to the Blacksburg Police Department chanting, “Black lives matter” and “no justice, no peace” before having a moment of silence in honor of the recent police brutality killings.

George Floyd and Breonna Taylor’s killings sparked protests all over the country and brought police brutality conversations back in the national spotlight. In Minnesota, officers responded to a call reporting that George Floyd gave counterfeit money to a convenience store.

George Floyd was then pinned down with an officer’s knee on his neck causing his death. The entire incident was captured on camera and went viral.

Breonna Taylor was killed in her Louisville, Kentucky, home by police who forced their way in, surprising her and

her boyfriend who thought the officers were burglars. A lawsuit filed against the Louisville metro police department claimed that three officers blindly fired more than 20 shots into the apartment after Taylor’s boyfriend fired at the officers in self-defense.

Blacksburg protesters chanted George Floyd and Breonna Taylor’s names as they walked from the police station to main street. Alongside their chants came honks of support from cars stuck in traffic and people waving “Black lives matter” signs from inside their cars. The crowd eventually came to a stop at the College Avenue intersection and chanted a mixture of “Black lives matter,” “I can’t breathe” and “George Floyd” chants.

“I was crying earlier, but when you see the look on people’s faces when they’re protesting and see how much everyone really cares about this, it really touches you,” said Michael Wrig, Blacksburg native. “I don’t understand why the U.S. government doesn’t see that look on our

TAHREEM ALAM / COLLEGIATE TIMES Vigil and Die-In for Those Killed by Police, June 6, 2020.

faces that this is serious and change needs to come. Black people have rights, we’re people.”

From College Avenue, the protesters made a loop through Virginia Tech’s campus, eventually ending up at the police station station again. Individual protesters spoke about the Black Lives Matter movement and their experiences.

There were multiple protesters who emphasized the importance of using privilege to help the Black lives movement.

There was also immense encouragement for fellow protesters to continue to educate themselves about Black perspectives and issues. They also asked non-black people of color to call out friends, family and their community on their bias and racism toward Black people.

“White people, you can tell them to educate themselves, but if they don’t want to be educated then they won’t be educated,” said Myleah Akers, a sophomore at Virginia Tech. “We as Black people can’t train white people to educate themselves. I can encourage you to educate yourself, but I can’t make you educate yourself and that’s where I draw the line.”

Several protesters encouraged others to acknowledge the good work police do. The speakers pointed out how police officers helped block streets off for them as they marched throughout Blacksburg and acknowledged the part Blacksburg Police play in New River Valley’s “Dialogue on Race” conversations.

Protesters also reminded people that they have to keep authority figures in check through election or by calling them out in general.

“After (Virginia Tech’s sexual assault walkout) we wanted changes, we wanted something to happen,” said Anna Cheema, political science, psychology double major and rising Virginia Tech senior. “Tim Sands did send out an email, but he said in the email that ‘us as a community need to be better.’ What does that mean? That

doesn’t mean anything. You have to make sure you recognize the authority figures and their long messages about how they’re so heartfelt — recognize that means nothing. Call them out on it. We need the authority figures to do something.”

Francesca Shaer, a student at New River Valley Community College and NRV local, organized the event. “I was tired of watching my Black siblings die,” Shaer said.

Shaer made a flyer and spread it around social media, which was shared, liked, loved thousands of times resulting in the crowd that came out.

“I was not expecting this many people to come,” Shaer said. “I was worried not a lot of people would show up. I am so amazed and proud of everyone who came out.”

President Sands and Vice President for Strategic Affairs and Diversity Menah Pratt-Clarke released a joint statement addressing the recent police killings.

Shaer is open to participating and organizing more protests in the New River Valley in the future.

“Police brutality needs to stop, but we need to start with the system,” said one of the organizers of the protest and Blacksburg resident Juliana Krtlma. “We need to change the laws that are in place, and we’re not going to be able to do that if people are sitting in their homes, sitting on their boats, going to the river, posting instagram pictures of their leisure when an entire revolution is going on. Join the revolution or stay in the past.”

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