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March 19, 2019

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ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES Virginia Tech will face St. Louis in the first round of March Madness on Friday, March 22, sitting at the four-seed in the East Region. See page 4 to read more.

lifestyles

Community at odds with How Ut Prosim supports Stadium Woods rezoning your living community American Campus Communities requested to rezone the oldgrowth forest behind Lane Stadium for student housing. DYLAN HANES news staff writer

Members of the Blacksburg and Virginia Tech communities are resisting a request by American Campus Communities to rezone 3.8 acres of the Houston-Harrell Street neighborhood for student housing. If approved, the rezoning request would allow the d evelo p e r, A m e r ic a n Campus Com munities, to build a high-density apartment building adjacent

to Stadium Woods, the old-growth forest behind Lane Stadium. Friends of Stadium Woods, as stated on its website, is an “all-volunteer, grassroots organization dedicated to protecting the woods from development.” They are against the rezoning. According to Rebekah Paulson, executive director of Friends of Stadium Woods, the old-growth forest “is a forest that has existed for hundreds and thousands of years,

ANTHONY WU / COLLEGIATE TIMES The Town of Blacksburg Municipal Building, Feb. 14, 2019.

continuing as it is.” There are several reasons why the Friends of Stadium Woods are upset with the request. Some of the trees in Stadium Woods predate Vi r g i n i a Te c h. An old-growth forest like Stadium Woods is rare as many have been cut out for logging or development. “On the East Coast, there is less than half a percent of old-growth forest remaining,” Paulson said. “To have a remnant on the VT campus ... is just exceptionally rare.” The proximity of the proposed apa r tment building to Stadium Woods is why Paulson is urging the Town Council to reject the rezoning. “We’re concerned about several things, one is just the density of the building and how many people will be there that might impact the Woods,” Paulson said. “I think the density problem with the housing is different because it’s the density, not just of the students, but of the STADIUM / page 3

APARTMENT BUDGET Don’t break the bank with these budget tips. page 8

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Whether a freshman enjoying dorm life or a senior preparing to head out into the world, Hokies serve wherever, whenever. EMILY HANNAH

assistant lifestyles editor

If you’re a Hokie, you already know the ins and outs of Virginia Tech’s motto: Ut Prosim. The phrase has been ringing in our heads since the day we received our acceptance letters, and continues to play out in our lives in the Virginia Tech community. Ut Prosim, or “That I May Serve,” is the backbone of what it means to be a Hokie: giving back to the community as much as possible. Hokies do this through many avenues, from events of campus-wide involvement, like The Big Event, or as small as volunteering with Campus Kitchen every week. Hokies can also live out Ut Prosim by starting in square one: the place they live. If you are a freshman living in a dorm, you may feel like there isn’t much for you to do in your living community if you aren’t an RA, or if you aren’t serving on Student Staff Council. Though your options may be limited, fret not. There

BAD NEIGHBORS Learn how to deal with the worst of the worst. page 11

are plenty of ways for you to include Ut Prosim in your dorm.

the easiest job in the world –– maintaining a positive environment in a hall can be

“If you want to have a

bigger hand in the happenings in your community, consider checking with your front office for any volunteer opportunities. The first small task you can complete is helping out the cleaning staff. Your dorm’s janitorial staff work incredibly hard to keep the environment clean and welcoming for all residents. Maintaining a clean environment is difficult when hundreds of college freshmen are cramped t oget her, c ol le ct ively making messes. To take some of the workload off of the cleaning staff, pick up any trash you see on the floor, keep your space clean and mind the mess you make in the communal bathrooms. On top of being kind to the cleaning staff, take it easy on your Resident Advisor. RA’s don’t have

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”

more difficult than it looks. The next time you pop into your RA’s room, ask them how they are doing. They’re always so busy checking up on you, it may be nice to change things up and make sure they are being taken care of. I’m positive your RA will appreciate it. In order to create a warm and content climate in your dorm, spend a few minutes introducing yourself to a few new people you’ve never met before. Though it’s pretty far into your freshman year of school, it doesn’t hurt to make a few new friends. Visit some of the quieter people on the hall SERVICE / page 9

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column

Being honest with friends necessary, even if painful The benefits of being truthful in friendships always outweigh the costs — truthfulness creates more genuine relationships.

n my barely-19 years of life, there’s one lesson that has been particularly difficult for me to learn: the best solution to a problem isn’t always the easiest or most popular one. Doing what’s right for you more often than not takes a bit of work, and it’s probably not going to be very fun. When it comes to applying that concept to friendships, I find most people unwilling to try it. It seems that the majority of my peers have a hard time facing reality. We’re wrapped up in and insulated by social media that only shows us what we want to see, invested in TV shows and YouTube videos that transport us into a world so different from our own, and obsessed with creating a better version of ourselves to show off to others, even if that’s not our authentic selves. That’s not an indictment on Generation Z — real life is terrifying right now, and I know there are many days where the latest episode of “Santa Clarita Diet” seems so much more appealing than reading another headline about our dying planet or perilous political situation. But reality eventually finds us, and that’s where the value of friendship comes in. My friends are there to joke with me and ease my mind when I’m feeling anxious, yes, but they are also there to ground me and talk me down when I’m about to make a bad decision. Here’s the thing, though — a significant percentage of Gen Z doesn’t appear to want that from a friendship. The amount of classmates and acquaintances I’ve encountered who would prefer a “yes man” or “yes woman” — someone to solely placate and, frankly, baby them through life — is staggering. I’ve said this before in other columns, and I still stand by it now: the best things in life, including our relationships

with others, require effort, and they aren’t always fun and games. The friends I’ve known the longest and trust the most aren’t the ones who say, “Yes, girl, do it!” to every idea I have. My closest friends are the ones who aren’t afraid to tell me, “That isn’t a great idea,” when I’m going down the wrong path. I value their input because I know their opinions come from the heart, not from their idea of what I want to hear. That’s what friendship should be. Researchers agree, too. One study conducted by Wellesley College’s psychology department found that the degree of authenticity in 14-year-old girls’ relationships could predict the quality of each individual friendship and the girls’ psychological health. According to the study, as the number of authentic relationships in a girl’s life increased, her self-esteem and depression-related symptoms improved. It can be hard to discourage a plan when your friend’s feelings are at stake. However, sugarcoating the truth is only going to hurt him or her in the long run. I’ve heard people say, “Well, even if I don’t tell them they’re making a bad decision, someone else definitely will.” Depending on other people to do your job as a responsible friend is a risky plan, and it could backfire. What if the next person your friend talks to about his or her life choices has the same reaction, and the next person after that? The chain of enablers might never break, and it could lead your friend down a never-ending path of poor decisions. Being honest and upfront with your friends about the quality of their decisions might evoke some anger from them, and it might cause a conflict or two if you associate with people who aren’t great at handling constructive criticism. You may even earn

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the label of the “mom friend,” a term simultaneously endearing and dismissive. I’ve certainly faced times where I wondered if it would make everyone happier for me to just stay quiet when asked for my opinion. In fact, there have been instances where I have sat idly by and watched my friends screw up. It’s because I’ve had those experiences that I know the role of the “yes woman friend” isn’t for me. When I don’t say something and my friends make mistakes they regret, I can’t ignore the guilt I feel. That’s not to imply that my friends don’t make great choices 90 percent of the time. I am lucky to have intelligent, responsible and overall incredible people in my life, and I could not be prouder of them. But I know that even the best of us have moments of crisis, times where we slip up and can’t see the right path clearly, and those are the moments where we need our friends’ insight most. If not for my roommate, I may never have embarked on formal recruitment and joined the sorority I am so blessed to be a part of today. If not for my best friend of five years, who inspired me to get involved in activism, I may not have felt the deep passion that inspired me to join the Collegiate Times’ opinions section. If not for my confirmation mentor, I may not have strengthened the ties to my faith that have gotten me through some of my darkest times over the past few years. We can all have a positive impact on the people in our lives, whether they’re passing through or here to stay. It’s up to us to have the courage to tell them the truth, even if it hurts.

LEXI SOLOMON • opinions columnist • freshman, national security and foreign affairs and Russian

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column

Online groups of fans help foster special connections Internet communities like the BTS Army give fans a safe place to express themselves freely and escape toxic circumstances.

itting inside a Korean barbecue restaurant with my family, I received a notification from our editor-in-chief congratulating me on a piece. Too caught up in the beef brisket and K-pop music, I replied with a quick “thank you” and returned my attention back to the sizzling grill. I had gone through an entire bowl of rice before I realized what had happened: An article that I had written about my appreciation for BTS and its music had received an overwhelming response on Twitter. Just as its song “Idol” played over the sounds of the lively restaurant, I sat and scrolled through an overwhelming number of kind, supportive tweets reacting to the article without even realizing my spicy pork was burning. Though I am a sophomore, some unfortunate freshman experiences have led me to need to mentally refresh — it has been more challenging than I anticipated. Feeling isolated and overwhelmed,

lyrics that taught me to love myself and messages empowering me to “speak myself.” I had seen other fans of BTS on social media, but I had never interacted with them other than with a like or follow. When my article went up on the Collegiate Times’ Twitter account, I realized that for the first time, I was contributing my thoughts to a much greater conversation. I was shocked by the numbers of retweets, likes and comments from the BTS Army. I couldn’t help but smile as people offered their words of support. I was amazed by the response, but I was far more surprised that the kindness and community that I had desperately been seeking for on campus, I had found on the internet amongst strangers I had never met before. BTS has created a community that transcends borders, age differences and language barriers. With their shared appreciation for the group, people all around the world have found their

“BTS has given its fans

a space to come together, find friendship and be a part of something greater than themselves or their immediate surroundings. I decided to go home to Northern Virginia that weekend on a whim, partly for seasoned food and partly for some peace of mind — the stress of college had caught up to me. I was in the right place for the former, but I found the latter in a place I didn’t expect: the internet. In times of struggle in college, I found comfort in

”

place, formed friendships and created a space to express themselves on the internet amongst other fans. However, this isn’t the only fan army with a large internet presence. The internet offers an endless space for all fans to share their interests, interact with each other and find a sense of belonging. You may wonder how

one can find friendship and solidarity while sitting at their laptop. The thought of having friends that you’ve never met in real life may seem ridiculous, but it is far more common and meaningful than you may expect. Your friends might live in different time zones and speak different languages, but with the internet, none of that matters because you are able to share your stories and stay connected. Yes, it’s almost more work to keep these relationships going, but that makes them all the more worthwhile and meaningful. Especially for introverts like myself, these internet communities can be a place for people to find their voice. The passion you have for something can serve as motivation to speak up in a comfortable space, which could happen to be online. And in the process, they may just encounter a supporting, welcoming community like I did. The purple heart emoji has come to embody a sense of belonging and community that has been created by a shared love for a band that has given us far more than we ever expected. Beyond its contribution to music and culture, BTS has given its fans a place to come together, find friendship and be a part of something greater than themselves or their immediate surroundings. These internet communities represent a greater future of our interconnected society where relationships aren’t defined by physical space, but rather the bonds we share. DONYA MOMENIAN • opinions columnist • sophomore, economics

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DAVID HONG / COLLEGIATE TIMES Two girls talking while walking on Drillfield, Feb. 8, 2018. Voice your opinion. Send letters to the Collegiate Times. All letters must include a name and phone number. Students 365 Squires Student Center must include year and major. Faculty and staff must include Blacksburg, VA, 24061 position and department. Other submissions must include city of residence and relationship to Virginia Tech (i.e., alumni, opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com parent, etc.). We reserve the right to edit for any reason. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Letters, commentaries and editorial cartoons do not reflect the views of the Collegiate Times. Editorials are written by the Collegiate Times editorial board, which is composed of the opinions editors, editor in chief and managing editors.

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STADIUM: Town does not have authority over rezoning from page 1

building and the parking lots and vehicles traffic that is going in there.” Another concern of hers is the storm water runoff from heavy rains. “The location where they want to build is at the very lowest point in that neighborhood,” Paulson said. “Currently there is already flooding that comes from the top of the hill down to the bottom at that point and then floods through Stadium Woods.” The developers want to pave a path through Stadium Woods to give residents easier access to campus. Paulson is concerned this will have a negative impact on Stroubles Creek. “We’re concerned about that because that’s the location where the water will run off and it’s at the

headwaters of Stroubles Creek,” Paulson said. A headwater is the source of streams and rivers. Paulson also thinks rezoning this area to highdensity would set a bad precedent. “Our concern is that if this project were approved, all the developers, all the people who own property there, when they get ready to redevelop their property, it would be high-density as well,” Paulson said. Paulson and Friends of Stadium Woods are not against rezoning areas to high-density on principle. Their goal is to raise awareness for the old-growth forest and protect it. “I mean, clearly, it’s right next to Virginia Tech so it’s ideal for student housing. But I think (development) needs to be a smaller impact on the area,” Paulson said.

“But unless they’re properly protected, and in my opinion legally protected, they’re going to continue to degrade.” A mer ican Campus Communities executives who have been involved in

contribution; the necklace I’m wearing today was actually bought at auction to support the Stadium Woods,” Hager-Smith said. Blacksburg Town Council doesn’t have the authority to protect Stadium Woods.

“I have been a passionate supporter of saving the Stadium Woods. I’ve paid for my yard sign; I made a contribution.

”

Leslie Hager-Smith mayor of Blacksburg

the rezoning could not be reached for comment. Mayor of Blacksburg Leslie Hager-Smith spoke about the proposal and said she is in full support of preserving the Woods. “I have been a passionate supporter of saving the Stadium Woods. I’ve paid for my yard sign; I made a

Virginia Tech owns the land, so that power belongs to the university administration. “At the end of the day, the town has no control over those woods,” Hager-Smith said. “It’s owned by Virginia Tech, they have not put it into a conservation easement which is what we hoped they would do.”

The Houston-Har rell neighborhood has been around for almost a century. The roads there were first paved in the 1920s, which is also when the root systems of the trees in Stadium Woods were first disturbed. “There would be some disturbance if you put in an apartment building,” Hager-Smith said. “(But) the amount of square footage you need for the ground level of a two-story or a one-story building is approximately the same as for a four-story building. So the idea that there’s going to be density and they’re going to build up high doesn’t necessarily represent a greater threat.” To Hager-Smith, there is a bigger problem underlying this rezoning debate. Virginia Tech announced in 2017 its intention to grow the student population of the university, and that presents obstacles the Town Council

has to navigate. “I think there are all those sensitivities to deal with the amount of growth we’re having, the speed of the growth that VT is basically imposing on us, and that, I think, is what is an issue,” Hager-Smith said. “This is our constant job, is to pay for services for a town much larger than the 19 or 20,000 tax paying, working citizens.” A public hearing on the rezoning was postponed on Feb. 12 at the request of American Campus Communities. The hearing will now be held during the April 9 Blacksburg Town Council meeting.

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Tech alum deported after detainment in Venezuela Freelance journalist Cody Weddle flew back to the U.S. last week after Venezuelan military arrested him for his reporting.

COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Virginia Tech alum and international freelance journalist Cody Weddle was arrested in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, Venezuela, where he has been living since 2014.

DYLAN HANES news staff writer

Virginia Tech alum and international freelance journalist Cody Weddle made headlines last week when Venezuelan military counter-intelligence agents arrested him and raided his Caracas apartment.

United States just hours after his arrest. Despite recovering from deportation and a cold in Florida, Weddle spoke about being interrogated by the Venezuelan military, the political reality in Venezuela and the precarious power struggle that indirectly led to his deportation.

“So far, raiding journal-

ists’ apartments has not become a norm, especially foreign journalists, so it was a strange case.

”

Cody Weddle Virginia Tech alumnus After five years of covering Venezuela, Weddle was deported from the Latin American countr y on Wednesday, March 6, after his arrest. Weddle flew back to the

His interrogators wanted him to identify sources from recent reports he did regarding the impact of the country’s economic crisis on Venezuelan security forces. “First of all, they were

just going through everything I had, and when they took me into their headquarters they seemed interested in any contacts I had in the military,” Weddle said. “They were looking to find my sources for that story, which I didn’t name them by name in that story, so I think that’s what sparked it all.” Weddle had no suspicions that he would be targeted for a raid. In fact, he found it highly unusual. “In general, the conditions have deteriorated for most journalists,” Weddle said. “So far, raiding journalists’ apartments has not become a norm, especially foreign journalists, so it was a strange case.” The order to raid Weddle’s apartment came from a military tribunal rather than one of Venezuela’s civilian courts. “Accord i ng to t he Venezuelan Constitution, military tribunals should

only be used with people who are involved with the military, but, increasingly, Maduro and his government have been using tribunals instead of regular, civilian courts to carry out (his agenda), especially in cases to deal with politicians or political figures,” Weddle said. Nicolas Maduro, the cu r rent president of Venezuela, was elected last year in elections criticized by many in and out of the country. President of Venezuela’s National Assembly, which Maduro stripped of power, Juan Guaido, has decla red h i mself Ve n e z u e l a’s president. “(Guaido’s) using an article of the Venezuelan Constitution that says that if the presidency is vacant then the President of the National Assembly can assume that role,” Weddle said. “He’s asking for the

country’s armed forces to sort of recognize him or at least defect against Nicolas Maduro, so that I think is creating a lot of paranoia for Maduro’s forces as we have seen some defections, but not on a massive scale yet.” There is strong international and domestic support for Guaido. Arresting journalists has only resulted in verbal critiques of the government, but it is believed that there would be military intervention should the Maduro regime move against Guaido. “I think Guaido has created such a name for himself internationally so far; we’re so on the verge, so close to some type of military confrontation, military intervention, that now the regime is worried about what would happen if they were to arrest Guaido or harm him in any way,” Weddle said. Most Venezuelans lived

a middle-class life under Hugo Chavez, the previous Venezuelan president; less people lived in poverty and most saw their lives improve as a result of government social spending. That was when oil was priced near $100 a barrel. “People were still living well under (Chavez), but mainly just because of the high oil prices,” Weddle said. “When the oil prices collapsed, everything here just collapsed as well. All of that corruption and that whole system was revealed because of that.” While he likely won’t be able to return to Venezuela, Weddle hopes to return to South America and continue covering the situation there from neighboring countries like Colombia or Brazil.

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sports

PAGE 4 March 19, 2019

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No. 16 Hokies go dancing for third straight season Will the third time be the charm for Virginia Tech? As Justin Robinson returns, Hokies look to win first tourney game since 2007. DILLON CAMPBELL assistant sports editor

On Selection Sunday, the No. 16 Virginia Tech Hokies (24-8, 12-6) packed inside of Cassell Coliseum to await its NCAA Tournament fate. Announced around 6:00 p.m. on CBS by the NCAA To u r n a m e nt s el e c t io n committee, Virginia Tech learned its fate as a four seed the same day it learned of Justin Robinson’s return. Projected as a four seed by ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi before Sunday’s NCAA selection show, Virginia Tech is set as a four seed and will play 13th seeded Saint Louis in the East region on Friday, March 22 at 10 p.m. with the game televised on

truTV. The Hokies’ opponent, the Saint Louis Billikens (23-12, 10-8), traveled a similar path this season, battling through adversity and injuries of their own and rallying as sixth seed to win the Atlantic 10 Title. Although the Billikens shoot just around 30 percent from long range on the year, they got hot in spots during the Atlantic 10 Tournament, aiding their dom inant rebounding effort as they averaged about 40 boards per game, including games where they outrebounded their opposition by over 20. If the Atlantic 10 champs can continue to shoot well and crash the glass, they will be a tough out for the Hokies. In the wake of Justin

Robinson’s foot injury in Virginia Tech’s 82–70 Jan. 30 win in Coral Gables against the Miami Hurricanes, the Hokies’ postseason fate was in a bit of limbo. Sitting at 17-3, (6-2) at the time of the point guard’s injury, Virginia Tech was staring at a chance for a possible one or two seed. However, Virginia Tech struggled at times to find its identity, but the Hokies kept their legs churning, going 7-5 without Robinson in the lineup, including hardfought losses to Clemson, No. 2 Virginia and No. 12 Florida State and big-time wins over No. 5 Duke and NC State in regular season play. After lighting up Miami 71–56 in the second round of the ACC Tournament,

Virginia Tech fell once again to a No. 12 Florida State squad that is 10 deep and filled out with athletic, lanky veteran players that made an Elite Eight tournament run last year. The Hokies had the Seminoles on the ropes, leading 56 –53 with 18 seconds left to go in regulation and 63–60 with 1:43 remaining in overtime. But they couldn’t finish the job, falling 65–63 behind a Terance Mann jumper with a second left. Florida State went on to defeat Virginia and give Duke all they could handle for the majority of the ACC Championship. Robinson’s absence left a huge void to fill on the offensive end and as an

on-court coach and leader. Kerry Blackshear Jr. became the Hokies’ go-to scorer, averaging 18 points a game, which is more than three points higher than his season average. Nickeil AlexanderWalker, Ahmed Hill and Ty Outlaw continued their great plays, and Wabissa Bede got more experience going up against some the nation’s top players as well, including drawing the assignment of guarding R.J. Barrett. The Virginia Tech career assists leader’s return to the lineup provides the Hokies an additional playmaker to allow Alexander-Walker to play more off the ball, affords them additional bench depth with Bede returning to the bench and brings back Virginia

Tech’s on-court coach and leader. With the tournament berth, the Hokies go dancing for a third consecutive March under the stewardship of Buzz Williams. Despite making the “Big Dance” in three straight seasons, Virginia Tech will look to win its first NCAA Tournament game since its 54–52 win over Illinois in the 2006-2007 season with ESPN’s Seth Greenberg at the helm.

@DillonHCampbell

Justin Robinson No.16 Hokies fall to No.12 ‘Noles announces return in ACC Quarterfinals, 65–63 in OT The senior will come back to the court after missing over a month due to injury. ROBBY FLETCHER assistant sports editor

Virginia Tech point guard Justin Robinson announced Sunday afternoon that he has been cleared to return to the team for the NCAA Tournament on Twitter. Robinson has been recovering from a foot injury he suffered in Tech’s matchup against Miami on Jan. 30. Before the injury, the senior guard was having a phenomenal season, averaging 13.7 points per game and 5.2 assists per game at the forefront of a Virginia Tech team that was ranked No. 12 in the country at the time. Head coach Buzz Williams told reporters during the ACC Tournament that Robinson would meet with doctors Sunday to see his injury’s progress after he was not cleared to return for the conference tournament. “Similar to any athlete, you have to continue to make progress, and that progress is based on the doctor’s timeline,” Williams said after Virginia Tech’s loss to Florida

State. The Hokies have gone 7–5 since Robinson’s injury and were expected to still be a strong competitor in the NCAA Tournament with Nickeil Alexander-Walker taking over at the point guard position. Robinson will join Alexander-Walker and Kerry Blackshear Jr. as the three players on the roster that started in a NCAA Tournament game. In Robinson’s absence, sophomore Wabissa Bede came off the bench to help fill the empty spot on the roster, starting in almost every game since Robinson’s injury. While the duo of AlexanderWalker and Bede initially struggled to adjust to the increase in playing minutes, with the team averaging just 54 points in their first three games starting, they eventually showed significant growth in their new roles, helping the team win five of their last seven regular season games. @CTSportsTalk

AHMED MUSTAFA / COLLEGIATE TIMES Virginia Tech Hokies’ Justin Robinson (5) looks for an open man as Wake Forest’s Brandon Childress (0) defends him at Cassell Coliseum, Jan. 19, 2019.

Leading late in regulation and overtime, Virginia Tech couldn’t topple Florida State. DAVIS CARBAUGH sports staff writer

The Virginia Tech Hokies were defeated 65–63 in overtime by the Florida State Seminoles in the quarterfinal round of the ACC Tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Hokies struggled mightily from three-point range and were significantly outrebounded by the Seminoles. “If there was some category for effort across the country regardless of sport in college, I think we would win,” head coach Buzz Williams said after a hard-fought loss. “I’ve never seen in my career as a coach the connectedness and the effort these guys play with.” The Hokies came into this matchup having lost their last four meetings with the Seminoles, including a 73–64 overtime loss in Tallahassee this season. Tech is now winless in overtime this season, and both losses came at the hands of Florida State. Terance Mann of Florida State was tough to stop early, scoring or assisting in all seven of Florida State’s opening points. The Seminoles went on an early 11–0 run and jumped out to a 15–4 lead as a timeout was called with 12:27 remaining in the first half. A strong run by Tech midway through the first cut Florida State’s lead to 19–17 with just over five minutes left in the half. Ahmed Hill made two straight baskets and Isaiah Wilkins scored an and-one to cap off a 13-to-four run. Hill finished the game with 16 points while Wilkins scored five. “Everybody was going back and forth and we

were aggressive, they were aggressive and it was a physical game,” sophomore Nickeil Alexander-Walker said. “They made shots down the stretch and did what they had to do.” The Hokies fought back and cut Florida State’s lead to 26–24 heading into halftime at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte. Alexander-Walker led all scorers in the first half, tallying seven points and adding two assists. Despite overcoming an early deficit, Tech shot a collective 0–11 from beyond the arc in the first half. Coming into this matchup, the Hokies led the ACC in three-point percentage at 39.9 percent and three-point field goals per game with 9.8. Of Tech’s 24 first-half points, 18 came from points in the paint compared to six for Florida State. Florida State came out hot at the start of the second half, taking a 33–25 lead after a quick run to start the half. A signature Hill fast-break dunk got the Hokies back on track before cutting the lead to 39–37 with just over 11 minutes left in the game. With 4:06 remaining in the second half, AlexanderWalker tied the game at 48 after going one-for-two at the free throw line. Tech struggled at the line as a team, shooting seven for 13. The Hokies gained a 54–53 lead with 1:06 remaining in the game after an emphatic dunk by Kerry Blackshear Jr. The late advantage was the first lead of the entire game for the Hokies. A clutch lay-in by Blackshear Jr. with 18.6 left in the game put the Hokies up 56–53 before a clutch three by Seminole freshman

ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES Kerry Blackshear Jr. (24) nails a slam dunk against Miami during the ACC Tournament, March 13, 2019.

Devin Vassell sent the game to overtime. Both matchups with the Seminoles have gone to overtime this year. Mann hit a game-winning fadeaway from the wing to put the Seminoles up 65–63 with 1.8 seconds remaining in the game. A final attempt by Alexander-Walker missed as the Hokies’ tournament chances were diminished. Florida State’s 65–63 victory moves them into the semifinals to face Virginia. Florida State outrebounded Virginia Tech 42 to 30 and responded well to Virginia Tech’s momentum shifts in the second half. The Hokies missed six crucial free throws out of 13 attempts in a game that came down to the last possession. “I think that was a great test for what’s coming up next for us,” senior Hill said. “That was a great, tremendous team and I think that if we go out there and play like that next week, we’ll get a W.” The Hokies now await Selection Sunday for their

fate in the NCAA tournament. Tech is predicted to be around a five-seed after being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament. It remains to be determined if starting point guard Justin Robinson will return for the tournament. “I think it’s good to have reps in that environment, playing against a really highcaliber team,” Blackshear Jr. said. “Winning close games is what it’s about in the tournament. Everybody is capable and everybody can go on runs.”

@CTSportsTalk

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Duke pushes past ‘Noles to win ACC Tournament After an exciting week for one of the most competitive conferences in the country, Duke takes home the championship trophy. DAVIS CARBAUGH sports staff writer

The Virginia Tech Hokies concluded their stay in the 2019 New York Life ACC Tournament with a quarterfinal exit at the hands of Florida State in overtime. The Hokies defeated the Miami Hurricanes the previous day in the second round. Following Tech’s defeat, other elite ACC teams battled in Charlotte for the ACC title with NCAA Tournament seedings on the line. “If we want to win in the tournament, you have to win two big-time games in three days,” said Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski. “Our league is as good as any. We have some really good teams and really good players.” The Duke Blue Devils won the ACC Championship against Florida State by a score of 73–63. Duke narrowly edged North Carolina in the semifinals in a highly contested rivalry matchup. Zion Williamson stole the show in the Charlotte, throwing down colossal dunks and averaging 27 points and 10 rebounds per game throughout the tournament. Wi l l ia m s on’s p e r formance broke the freshman scoring record in the ACC Tournament. “When you’re a little kid

North Carolina pushed the tempo early in front of a raucous crowd of local fans and jumped out to a 12-point lead midway through the first half. Cameron Johnson was a standout for the Tar Heels, but the Blue Devils were able to claw back and tie the game at halftime. Johnson finished the game with 23 points and five rebounds. In the second half, Williamson found a groove in the low post and outperformed North Carolina’s interior defenders. The p ot ent ia l nu mb er- one overall pick in the NBA draft finished the game with 31 points and 11 rebounds. North Carolina head coach Roy Williams served up one of his best games of the season, keeping the Tar Heels in the game until the final buzzer despite late foul trouble. However, Duke scored the final basket of the game off the hands of Williamson and edged North Carolina 74–73. A final three-point attempt by Johnson appeared to be a game-winner for the Tar Heels, but the shot rolled off the rim and the Blue Devils prevailed. Duke moved on to the ACC Championship to face Florida State as Krzyzewski aimed for his 15th ACC Championship title. “To make the game winning shot, honestly, I

“If we want to win in the

tournament, you have to win two big-time games in three days. Our league is as good as any.

”

Mike Krzyzewski Duke men’s basketball head coach

watching Duke on TV cut down nets, you want to be a part of it,” Williamson said after the tournament. “To actually grow up and be a part of it is why we come to Duke: win championships and get banners.” Following its win over the Hokies, Florida State upset the number-one seed Virginia in the semifinal round. The Seminoles jumped out to an early lead and held Ty Jerome scoreless in the first half. The Cavaliers fought back in the second half, but Kyle Guy was held scoreless in the second and Virginia lost 69–59. Florida State’s surprising win punched the Seminoles’ ticket to an ACC Championship matchup against the winner of Duke vs. North Carolina. The second semifinal matchup was one of the most highly anticipated college basketball games of the season between the Blue Devils and Tar Heels. Freshman phenom Williamson returned to the court for the heated rivalry after an incredible performance against Syracuse in the quarterfinals.

have to give credit to RJ (Barrett) because the read was for him to fake the ball and take it to the basket,” Williamson said after the game. “He read the defense and he gave me the ball, and my teammates trust me to make the shot.” In addition to hitting the winning basket, Williamson remained in the national spotlight with another stellar performance. Through his first two games in the tournament, Williamson shot 26 of 32 from the field for 60 points and 25 rebounds. T he f inal matchup between the Seminoles and Blue Devils cemented Duke’s position as a one-seed in the NCAA Tournament as Krzyzewski’s squad won the game 73–63. Florida State gave Duke a fight early in the game, as 7-foot-4-inch center Christ Koumadje was effective in the low post early. The Blue Devils were stiff to start the game as the Seminoles created an eightpoint lead in the first half. Similar to Duke’s win over North Carolina, the Blue Devils settled in after a slow start and came back to tie the score at halftime.

ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES Florida State’s Trent Forrest (3) eyes the ball after Isaiah Wilkins (1) loses control after attempting to grab a rebound, March 14, 2019.

Florida State and Duke headed to the locker rooms tied at 36. Strong performances by Barrett and Williamson pushed Duke ahead in the second half as the Blue Devils won 73–63. Duke outscored Florida State 37–27 in the second half to run away with the game despite shooting two for 14 from three-point range as a team. Williamson scored 21 points while Barrett tallied 17. Point guard Tre Jones provided a spark by scoring 18 points and dishing out six assists. The Blue Devils were crowned ACC champions in front of a strong showing of Duke fans at the Spectrum Center i n Cha rlot te. Williamson received ACC Most Valuable Player of the tournament following Duke’s victory. “He has to be one of the top five athletes I’ve seen on a basketball court,” said Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton of Williamson after the loss. “You heard of Michael Jordan? This guy is a world class athlete. He deserves the recognition he’s getting.” The ACC Tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina, spanned five days and included many of the nation’s elite basketball programs; roughly half the conference will be present in the NCAA Tournament. While the Hokies went 1–1, the potential return of Justin Robinson is a promising sight for the NCAA Tournament. Duke’s victory sends a statement to the nation and the return of Williamson makes them the team to beat as March Madness begins. @CTSportsTalk

ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES Nickeil Alexander-Walker lunges to catch a pass thrown to him during the ACC Tournament at the Spectrum Center. Virginia Tech ultimately fell short, losing 65–63 in overtime, March 14, 2019.

ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES Ahmed Hill (13) looks to shoot over Miami’s Sam Waardenburg (21), March 13, 2019.

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Save some dough on your domain: Budgeting for your first apartment Though intimidating, creating a budget for your first off-campus home is not as difficult as it might seem. It’s all about balance. SAMEERA SUNKARA lifestyles staff writer

Congratulations, you have officially signed the lease for your new apartment. What’s the next step? Well, unlike living in a dorm room, when living in an apartment, electricity, water, gas, cable, wifi and air conditioning are not free. In order to ensure that you do not go broke, it is crucial to carefully manage your budget and make sure that every single bill is paid on time, as late payments result in fines or other possible consequences. Luckily, there are a few tips and tricks that can help a student maintain a balanced budget without going broke. The best way to manage a budget is to document it thoroughly whether it be on your laptop, a budgeting app or even via pencil and paper for those who prefer to do things old school. One recommended method of managing a budget is the use a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to keep track of monthly earnings and spendings. The first step in creating an apartment budget is to figure out exactly what the rent entails. For some apartment complexes like The Edge, gas, wifi, water, electricity and cable are all included in the rent. However, others, like the Village, include a separate bill for some utilities that must be paid along with rent. If cable and wifi are not free, a resident must decide whether or not they are truly needed. Of course, wifi is practically mandatory for any college student these days; however, those who

rely on Netflix and other websites for television may not need to spend extra money on cable television. Add it iona l ly, it is important to figure out whether there is a washing machine and dryer in the apartment or if laundry must be done at an external location for an additional charge. While laundry is not usually too expensive, it is still something that should be taken into consideration when managing a budget. Months and months of quarters add up. Another factor is food. Those who live farther away from campus may prefer to eat off campus or prepare their own meals instead of purchasing a meal plan. It is important to put aside a portion of monthly earnings to spend on groceries and food to cook. However, even for those who do not plan to purchase a meal plan, having a few dining dollars in your school account is a good idea, especially if you’re stuck on campus for long periods of time or spending a late night at the library. Along with food, there are other materials needed when living outside a dorm, including cooking utensils as well as toilet paper and cleaning supplies. When living in an apartment, it is your own responsibility to clean the kitchen and bathroom because there is no janitorial staff. And for those who plan on bringing their car, a number of apartments do offer free parking, but parking on campus is rather expensive. Those who want to save money may prefer to make use of public transportation

A student using a calculator, March 8, 2019. like Blacksburg Transit. Although, even without an on-campus parking pass, maintenance of a car makes a serious dent in total monthly spending. In additions to all these costs, you should put aside a certain amount of money for miscellaneous reasons, perhaps a dress you really like or a late night craving for Insomnia Cookies. It’s important to put some money aside for these types of impulsive purchases so you can treat yourself. Overall, it’s crucial to keep track of each individual cost and calculate the amount of money spent as well as money earned. The money you earn each month includes any money earned from jobs or internships, as

well as money provided by parents for extra help. If the amount spent exceeds the amount earned that month, it is important to figure out what went wrong as soon as possible. Where did you overspend? Was the food budget not enough? It’s crucial to know where the overspending occurred. Either way, the next step is to figure out where to cut spending from the next month. Obviously, rent and utility bills aren’t going to change, but other portions of the budget can be altered. Any of the miscellaneous portion saved up over the past couple months should be used to pay for rent and utilities as well as any other immediate needs. In addition, you might have to

ALEX NAGELI / COLLEGIATE TIMES

avoid making any impulsive purchases for the next couple months. The grocery budget can also be shortened for a short period of time in order to rebalance the budget. Also, know when you need to ask for help. If you are having trouble paying for rent and utilities, do not be afraid to ask your parents for help, and if not, sit down and talk to the leasing office and see if they are willing to work with you. Of course, these are all short-term solutions to the problem; the long term solution is to earn more money. If your parents are willing to provide you with a little more money, then that solves the problem; however, if not, the next best answer is to get a part-time job to

supplement your income. Another quick tip is to shop more carefully. This particularly applies to grocery shopping, where you need to pay closer attention to prices; perhaps purchase Kroger brand products instead of those with brand names. Just ma ke sure to maintain that financial balance and everything should be fine — at least as far as your new apartment goes. As long as the earning exceeds the spending, your budget is under control.

@SameeraS97

Exercise your inner interior decorator with these DIY home furnishings Got an artistic eye and a home to spruce up? These common items could make for some aesthetically pleasing decor.

HEATHER HARTZELL lifestyles staff writer

Decorating on a college student budget can seem like a daunting task. After freshman and sophomore year, many students choose

to move off campus and live in an apartment. Leaving the safety and security of your dorm room can be an uncomfortable transition, and there are many different factors to consider: Will the apartment be furnished or

Apartment decor, March 13, 2019.

unfurnished? How much space will you have? One of the most important aspects of moving into your first apartment is your decor, and trying to make it your “home away from home” can be challenging,

especially when most of us are attempting to do it on a budget. Thankfully, there are many do-it-yourself hacks available. Here are some easy and inexpensive ways to decorate your apartment, DIY style. Patterned Wallpaper If you want to add some personality to your furniture, you can pick up wallpaper from stores like Target and Home Depot. It’s an easy addition because all you have to do is roll it on the furniture piece of your choice. Adding a patterned wallpaper to your desk, bedside table or dresser can bring color and character to your furnishings. Ladders It may sound bizarre, but a ladder can be used as a great storage space. You can find one at a home improvement store or flea market and paint it whatever color you want. Then, you can use it to hold books, pillows or as a place to drape blankets or towels. The best part is, once you’ve found the right place to put your ladder, it will hardly take up any space.

VICTORIA CARTER / COLLEGIATE TIMES

Wooden Boxes A wooden box might not be your first choice for

decorating, but they don’t always have to be used to store things that don’t belong anywhere. If you paint them a nice color, you can use them as shadow boxes or picture frames. If you’re able to hang them without damaging your walls, even better — you can place other small decorative items inside. Pillowcases A pillowcase can serve more than one function. Along with the ones you’ll use on your actual pillows, a nice looking, patterned pillowcase can easily become a laundry bag. If you attach a small hoop, it can be hung up on a hook discreetly without taking up too much space in your apartment. Regular hampers can be pricey and bulky, but with a pillowcase, doing your laundry will look better than ever. Clothesline Many college students are already in the know about this picture-hanging hack, but if you’re not, I’ll clue you in. Hanging pictures of your friends, family and loved ones is easy when they’re strung up on a clothesline attached with clips. You can get creative with your

clothesline, too: Adding ornaments to the strings or arranging them in different patterns will add flair and originality. There’s no need to purchase picture frames when a clothesline will do the trick. Whether you consider yourself skilled in interior decorating or not, it’s important to make your college apartment feel like home. Deciding how to decorate your first apartment can be exciting, and many approach it with enthusiasm. But if you feel daunted by the thought of furnishing and accessorizing your new place, fear not. There are so many ways to get crafty and make your apartment unique without breaking the bank. Whether you utilize these tips or find some ideas of your own, the most important thing is that your living space is comfortable and reflects who you are. Get inspired to create your perfect apartment, and make it a place where you truly want to live.

@CollegiateTimes

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March 19, 2019 PAGE 9

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SERVICE: Ut Prosim still applies after going off campus from page 1

and introduce yourself if you haven’t already. If you feel that your dorm is a closed-door isolated hall, try organizing a hall dinner or create a study group to help build a stronger sense of community. Living out Ut Prosim doesn’t stop when you move off campus. Including Ut Prosimin your everyday life includes activities on campus and in your apartment as well. Living out Ut Prosim in your apartment community can range anywhere from picking up trash to organizing a community event. The first step to embrace Ut Prosim off campus is to analyze your own actions. For example, take it upon yourself to brush up on your parking skills. If parking is limited in your apartment complex, be a considerate parker. Don’t block more than one space and don’t block another car in. You don’t necessarily have to parallel park perfectly; however, you have to admit –– it is incredibly annoying when the car next to you is

obnoxiously parked. Help your neighbors a bit and sharpen your parking skills. In addition to being respectful in the parking lot, be a considerate neighbor. Maybe don’t use a hammer to hang any paintings in the middle of the night, or blast your playlists at eight in the morning. Being a considerate neighbor doesn’t just stop with being polite and respectful –– be sure to help out your neighbors if you can. If you see a neighbor struggling to carry their bags, offer to help. At the end of the year, see if anyone needs help moving furniture. Small favors like carrying in groceries and helping a neighbor move in or out can open opportunities to make new friends and give back to your neighborhood. If you want to have a bigger hand in the happenings in your community, consider checking with your front office for any volunteer opportunities. Maybe the office needs some help with day-to-day organization or paperwork, or maybe they just need someone to hand out pamphlets to potential apartment tenants. It doesn’t

ANNA FRIESEN / COLLEGIATE TIMES Students arrive on Washington Street SW to move into their dorms for the 2016-17 school year.

hurt to ask. If you see trash on the ground, pick it up. There may be a few times during the year that you will notice a considerable amount of trash littered around your apartment. If this is the case,

maybe talk to your front office or your neighbors to organize a neighborhood clean-up. Take initiative to make your community a better place, one small step at a time. Ut Prosim is a tradition

that connects with every Hokie at Virginia Tech. Though these seem like small tasks lost in the bigger picture of Ut Prosim, building a welcoming sense of community in your dorm or apartment complex

circles back to helping Hokie Nation in more positive ways than you can imagine.

@HackySack_Em

Irate with rambunctious roommates? Take some much-needed action Patience is a virtue, but every Hokie has a breaking point. If you’re suffering an obnoxious roommate, it’s time for change.

JOHN BATTISTON lifestyles editor

We’ve all been there. We’ve been jolted awake at 4 a.m. by the sounds of

“Battlefield 1” and “Game of Thrones.” We’ve opened the fridge to find that a

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JOHN BATTISTON A student holding up duct tape, March 18, 2019.

month-old, uncovered, raw chicken breast has started growing hair. We’ve found the kitchen trash bin overflowing, and asked why it hasn’t been taken out only to be met with this week’s third recitation of, “Oh, I thought you were going to do that.” We’ve all dealt with lousy roommates. I’m all for the idea that enduring hardship results in growth, but sometimes you reach a point with an insufferable roommate when the only thing you really need to grow is a pair. Thankfully, it isn’t too difficult to do this without broaching the bounds of common decency or legality. Sure, you may come to be seen as “extra” or “uptight” or “the sociopath down the hall,” but sometimes you have to take that kind of hit to ensure domestic harmony. Here are some basic steps to take when dealing with pesky roommates. Set some boundaries. Duct tape can work wonders. It’ll patch up that ever-growing hole in your backpack, make a missing passenger-side window look at least somewhat

respectable and let’s just say Tom Hanks really could have used it in “Cast Away.” It’ll also lay down the law for a roommate who doesn’t know the meaning of the words “personal space.” To fix this issue, take a roll of duct tape and make a dividing line down anything you and your roommate share. Does he share a bedroom with you and can’t keep his mess to himself? Set a border down the middle of the floor so he knows where his dirty laundry belongs. Does she take up 95 percent of the fridge with half-empty bottles of kombucha? Divide it in half so she realizes your rainbow of Hawaiian Punch flavors deserves some love, too. Tired of him enjoying “The Office” just as much as you do? Split your TV screen into two equal rectangles and make it clear which half is for your eyes only. This will give a whole new meaning to the phrase “divide and conquer.” Be sure to communicate. The only way to guarantee that a relationship remains healthy is through clear communication. While

it’s common to think this rule only applies to romantic relationships — fellas, if that dress does make her butt look big, it’s best to just buy her a StairMaster on the spot — it’s just as applicable to friendships between roommates. If there is something your roommate does that drives you up the paper-thin shared wall, make sure you get your frustration across in a clear, emphatic manner. Sometimes, this will mean getting creative. If she leaves the oven on after baking up some DiGiorno, see to it that the next time she opens the fridge, she finds the leftover slices mysteriously burned to a crisp. The next time his sopping-wet clothes sit untouched in the wash for 12 hours straight, give all of his white gym socks a lovely shade of lilac. And if you notice that she, once again, went downtown late at night without taking her keys, lock the front door with only the chain so she hopefully learns her lesson — bonus points if it’s below freezing outside and she’s stuck in a crop top, mini skirt and no jacket. ROOMMATES / page 10

PAGE 10 March 19, 2019

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LIVI DEL VALLE / COLLEGIATE TIMES

A student studies in the lounge in Pritchard Hall, a freshman dorm, April 15, 2015.

Giving dorm life another chance? Learn from my second-year mistakes Have no fear for your second year on campus; life in the residence halls can still be great your second time around. a commodity than you ever anticipated. Tip No. 5: Make other friends on campus Sometimes, living on campus as a sophomore is

Tip No. 2: Enjoy the proximity to your classes and dining halls while you can Alright, so your parents might not view this as the most matureadvice, but let’s face it — college is exhausting, and most mornings getting up for class Burruss. If you really need lonely. One way to remedy is a drag. If you end up in a to go to Christiansburg, that is to end up in a dorm dorm for a second year, take there’s even the Two Town with a greater population advantage of your greatest Trolley that runs every of upperclassmen, but if blessing: You can wake up hour. Not only is the whole that doesn’t pan out, keep 10 minutes before your class town of Blacksburg at your begins and still make it to fingertips, but taking the bus class on time. The benefits will keep your carbon footof living within walking print in check. distance to all on-campus buildings and the downtown Tip No. 4: Make friends area go beyond your classes, with car owners PROPERTY PROPERTY PROPERTY MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT MANAGEMENT too; making it to extracurChances are, some days, PROPERTY MANAGEMENT PROPERTY MANAGEMENT PROPERTY MANAGEMENT PROPERTY MANAGEMENT ricular meetings, grabbing a the bus still won’t cut it, but PROPERTY MANAGEMENT bite to eat from VT Dining, chances also are that most or even meeting up with of your friends who moved friends downtown is much off campus brought cars less stressful when it only with them. Hopefully, your takes you a few minutes to friends are kind enough to Giles Road get to any of those places.N. Main Street understand your dorm-life plight when you need a ride, Giles Road Giles Road Giles Road N. Main Street N. Main Street N. Main Street Giles Road N. Main Street Giles Road Giles Road Tip No. 3: Ta k e but it never hurts to grant N. Main Street Giles Road N. Main Street N. Main Street Giles Road N. Main Street Giles Road N. Main Street advantage of the bus system them a thank-you gift in Another benefit of living return. Learn how to barter on campus is that you’re your on-campus status in close to every bus line in exchange for free rides — Blacksburg since they all give your friends the occaCenter Street Center Street Center Street Clay Street Clay Street Clay Street stop on campus at some sional meal-plan swipes, Center Street Clay Street Center Street Clay Street Center Street Clay Street Center Street Clay Street Center Street Clay Street Center Street Clay Street Center Street Clay Street point. You’ll likely end up for example, or offer up taking the bus more than your room as a naptime you did as a freshman, oasis when they’re between now that most of your classes. Your tiny dorm friends live off campus, but room might become more of

“Your tiny dorm room

might become more of a commodity than you ever anticipated.

”

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 All  All locations  All All locations locations near near VT near VT VT  locations near   All locations near VT locations near VT All All locations near VTVT Giles Road  All locations near VT Clay Street  A wide A  wide Aselection wide selection selection of 1-4 of1-4 1-4 bedroom ofbedroom 1-4 bedroom bedroom floor floor plans floor plans plans  A wide selection of 1-4 bedroom floor plans t All locations near VT A wide selection of floor plans   A wide selection of 1-4 bedroom floor plans  Awide selection of 1-4 bedroom floorfloor plans A wide selection of 1-4 bedroom plans  No  No Application  No Application Application Fee Fee Fee  Application No Application Fee No Fee   No Application Fee  No Application Fee tNoAApplication wide selection of 1-4 bedroom floor plans It’s simple, really: All your intentions known  Fee  Most  Most  units Most units have units have dishwasher, have dishwasher, dishwasher, garbage garbage garbage disposal, disposal, disposal,  Most units have dishwasher, garbage disposal,  Most units have dishwasher, garbage disposal, you need to do is create more immediate Most units have dishwasher, garbage disposal,  Most units have dishwasher, garbage disposal, a Amight wideyield selection of1-4 bedroom floor plans  Most units have dishwasher, garbage t No Application Fee washer/dryer, washer/dryer, washer/dryer, on-site on-site on-site laundry laundry laundry room room room spreadsheet keeping track results, but we’re talking washer/dryer, washer/dryer, on-site laundry roomroom disposal, washer/dryer, on-site laundry on-site laundry room washer/dryer, on-site laundry room washer/dryer, on-site laundry room of the things your roommate about permanence here. If  No Application Fee High  High  speed High speed internet speed internet internet  High speed internet  High speed internet t Most units have  High speed internet does right and wrong, then over time your roommate  High speed internet  High speed internet treat him or her to some- becomes accustomed  to 24/7 Maintenance 24/7 24/7 Maintenance 24/7 Maintenance Maintenance  24/7 Maintenance   24/7 Maintenance  Most units have dishwasher, garbage disposal, dishwasher, Maintenance thing nice when you’ve household chores being met  24/7  24/7 Maintenancegarbage  allowed atatsome locations  Pets Pets  allowed Pets allowed allowed at some some locations locations  Pets allowed atatlocations some locations awarded a certain number washer/dryer, with a Deet’s milkshake,  Pets Pets allowed at some some locations on-site laundry room  Pets allowed at some locations  Pets allowed at some locations disposal, washer/dryer, of points. Assign point soon enough you’ll have an 1108 North Main Street; Blacksburg, VA 24060 values to different good obedient Pavlovian dog sali1108 1108 North 1108 North Main North Main Street; Main Street; Blacksburg, Street; Blacksburg, Blacksburg, VA 24060 24060 VA24060 24060 1108 North Main Street; Blacksburg, VA  High speed internet 1108 North Main Street; Blacksburg, VA VA 24060 1108 North Main Street; Blacksburg, VA 24060 on-site laundry room www.bcrpropertymanagement.com deeds: I suggest awarding vating at your feet. 1108 North Main Street; Blacksburg, VA 24060 www.bcrpropertymanagement.com www.bcrpropertymanagement.com www.bcrpropertymanagement.com www.bcrpropertymanagement.com www.bcrpropertymanagement.com www.bcrpropertymanagement.com three points for emptying true peace www.bcrpropertymanagement.com  24/7Attaining Maintenance t High speed internet the trash without needing a within a college dorm or reminder, five for cleaning apartment isn’t an easy feat,  Pets allowed at some locations t 24/7 Maintenance out the sink after a dinner but with a little cunning party and so on. Don’t forget and a lot of dedication, you, t Pets allowed at some locations to include a demerit system too, can become the Alpha 1108 North Main Street; Blacksburg, VA 24060 as well — adjusting the Hokie of your quiet, clean www.bcrpropertymanagement.com thermostat without asking domain. clearly cancels out any points earned by scrubbing the shower. Believe it or not, this tactic 1108 North Main Street; Blacksburg, VA 24060 is most effective when you @JB3Writes www.bcrpropertymanagement.com keep it a secret; sure, making

S. Main Street

Ac k n owl e d ge t h e i r efforts. You might be reading this and thinking, why all this negativity? While it’s common sense that you’ll catch fewer f lies with honey than with manure, I still think there’s a place for positive reinforcement within an unpleasant roommate dynamic. When your roommate is truly doing his or her best to make life with you as comfortable as possible, surely it’s important to make clear that you appreciate the effort. So take the most obvious approach to expressing your gratitude and set up a pointsbased reward system.

to keep them in mind. Above all, if you find yourself gearing up for Move-In Day 2.0, remember that you survived your first year in a dorm — you can survive this one, too.

(540) 951-2141

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT BCR

S. Main Street S. Main Street S. Main Street S. Main Street S. Main Street S. Main Street S. Main Street S. Main Street S. Main Street

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in mind that you still aren’t alone — you can plan movie nights with your friends who became RAs, visit friends who stayed in East or West AJ for another year or even get to know the other freshmen on your hall –– they won’t bite. Making friends all over again sounds like a daunting task, but hopefully if freshmen year taught you anything it’s that making new friends isn’t impossible. Living in a dorm for another year might not sound thrilling. There are a surprising number of benefits, however, and a few tips and tricks are all it takes

Tip No. 1: Choose your dorm wisely I made the mistake of only loosely researching which dorms housed both f resh men and upperclassmen, and I randomly decided to request East Eggleston. I hated it. The rooms were tiny, the student population was almost entirely freshmen and I felt completely out of place. Instead, aim for those dorms that house upperclassmen andfeature more luxurious amenities: East and West Ambler Johnston,

fortunately, there’s a bus for every neighborhood: for example, you can hop on Main Street North or South from Squires, take Progress Street from McBryde or catch Hethwood A from

Most freshmen can’t wait to get out of their dorm rooms by the time May rolls around. The prospect of living in an off-campus apartment for the first time is almost too enticing to believe. Still, there are always a rare few who find themselves on campus for another year — some stay on as RAs, while others are bound to a two-year housing contract. And some, like I was, are simply presented with the option to live in a dorm as a sophomore, and they take it. If you’re one of those few, don’t fret. Living on campus as a sophomore is a mixed bag, and I wasn’t always thrilled with my choice, but I did learn a few survival tips. I ended up mostly reaping the benefits of one more year of dorm life — you can, too.

for example, or New Hall West. They’re a bit more expensive, but they’ll make your freshman-to-sophomore dorm transition much smoother.

JAYNE ROSS

lifestyles staff writer

editor@collegiatetimes.com

March 19, 2019 PAGE 11

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Thou shalt love thy neighbor, but choose thy neighborhood wisely Brushing up on neighborhood etiquette never hurt anybody. Clean your dog’s poop and turn down your music, you hooligans. HEATHER TROBRIDGE lifestyles staff writer

Fences ma ke great neighbors, at least that’s how the saying goes. There are already enough roommate trials and tribulations to go around without having to deal with nosey, loud and all- around bad neighbors. Whether you live in a house off Main Street, the

townhouse style apartments of Maple Ridge or the traditional apartments of Foxridge, you’re bound to come across some bad neighbors with no sense of common courtesy. The way I see it, there are three types of neighbors: the good, the bad and the meh. You could probably see yourself hanging out with “the good,” and you

The Reteat at Blacksburg, March 7, 2019.

probably are friendly enough with “the meh” to say hello when you pass each other getting mail, but “the bad” is a whole different story. Loud neighbors are usually at the top of the list when it comes to bad neighbors. Living next to party animals can really kill the mood when you’re trying to study for an exam

ALEX NAGELI / COLLEGIATE TIMES

on a Thursday night. They’re noisy and couldn’t care less about it; not to mention that you may even be salty about not getting a party invite. Party animals may be the worst of the worst, but rowdy neighbors take on many forms. You could live above roommates that have arguments so loud that you feel like you’re a part of them. If you live below someone who walks like they have cinder blocks where their feet should be, you may just be out of luck. You could even live next door to someone with a significant other that you may hear a bit too much from at night. We are living in apartments built for students –– keep in mind that walls are thin, and you can hear everything. On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have the snitch. Snitches get mad at everything you do; sometimes it’s warranted, but most of the time it’s not. Have you ever had a group of friends over for a movie night or a small party and had the cops show up out of nowhere for a noise complaint? That came from the tattletale next door. They can’t talk to you like an adult

and instead chose to get someone else to do the work for them. Maybe they think you won’t listen to them –– you would –– but that makes living in harmony very hard. Communicate when you have problems with your neighbors in this case. Some neighbors just drive you nuts by being overly-friendly. I’m sure we’ve all experienced being stopped by that one person on our way back from the gym or from class and they just don’t let you go. They want to gossip, talk, overshare and talk more until you’ve lost most of your day. Don’t get me wrong here; be nice to your neighbors and maybe even try and be friends. Just be wary of whether or not it’s the right time for it. We love when apartment complexes let you have dogs, cats and other pets. What we don’t love is when our neighbors can’t take care of their furry friends. If you know you have a dog that barks a lot, be mindful of those who live around you and try your best to keep it quiet with bones, toys or anything entertaining. That being said, big

animals mean lots of walks around the apartment. Please pick up after your dogs. Nothing is worse than coming from a poop day of classes and stepping in actual, ahem, poop. If you do choose to keep your dog tied up on a rope on nice days and let it roam in your part of the yard, make sure it doesn’t leave anything behind. You can classify your neighbors as bad for many different reasons, but the truth is that you know them when you live by them. Maybe they’re loud, maybe they want to get into your business or maybe they’re just so perfect that it raises red flags for you. Whatever it may be, we’re all students who are on our own for the first time. Nobody is the perfect neighbor, and it’s important to keep that in mind. Stay mindful of one another and if you do have a problem, speak up. I’m sure they’d be more than willing to work on their behavior. And if you suspect you may be a bad neighbor, take these complaints and work on them. @Heather__Tro

Shopping for your dorm room? Don’t forget these overlooked essentials Nobody told you to bring flip-flops to college, but they might just save your neck ... or, rather, your toes. JUSTIN ROCHA

lifestyles staff writer

Coming to college for the first time is exciting, but also intimidating. One of the experiences that most college freshmen get to enjoy is living in a dorm. Living away from home for the first time can be stressful, but having these items should make the experience much better. Shower caddy Having something to hold your items in when you go to the shower is essential. Shower caddies are usually sold in plastic or mesh styles and can hold your soap, shampoo, clothes, towels, washcloths and other things that you need. Shower shoes/flip-flops Sharing a bathroom with multiple people day after day can lead to some nasty conditions, so one of the best ways to combat the germs is to wear shower shoes or flipflops. They don’t have to be anything fancy, but they do need to be easy to wear when wet and easy to clean.

Extra towels Laundry can be a hassle during long, strenuous weeks of class, so an easy way to deal with some of that stress is to bring extra towels. This way, instead of having to repeatedly wash your towel, you can easily swap it out with a fresh one. Drying rack Sometimes, the only available dryer in your dorm laundry room will not work at all. An alternative to putting your clothes in the dryer for a second time is to hang them up and dry them the old-fashioned way. Extra seating Extra seating options for when you have friends coming over are extremely nice to have. Something foldable would be optimal, as it’s easy to store when it’s not in use. Printer A quality printer is one of the most important and useful tools to have as a college student. It can be a hassle to go to the library, sign into its computers and pay to print your essay.

Instead, printing from the comfort of your dorm room can be much quicker and less stressful. Just make sure that you have extra paper and ink. Water filter Hydration is key to living a healthy lifestyle, and having a water filtration system in your fridge is the perfect way to easily get cold, fresh water cheaply. Make sure that you also get extra filters, as you have to change them every few months. Bedside lamp A light that you can turn on and off from the comfort of your bed is very useful for multiple reasons. Getting out of bed, especially when you are in a lofted bed, to turn off the lights can be a hassle, so having the convenience of turning the light off right there is great. It also allows you to read in your bed. Speaker Having a Bluetooth speaker in your room can liven up the place when you have guests. It doesn’t have

Creekside at Hearthstone Brand New Construction!

Dorm room appliances, March 13, 2019.

to be a giant, expensive one, but having Bluetooth compatibility makes it easy to connect and control the music from anywhere around the room. Alarm clock Although our smartphones have alarm clocks built in, having an actual alarm clock may be the better option. You don’t have to worry about it dying, the

VICTORIA CARTER / COLLEGIATE TIMES

volume being too low, or any other potential disasters that can happen with a phone. Decorations Anything that you can think of that would make a dull dorm room lively is a plus. Many students go for posters, picture frames, lights, tapestries, sculptures and more. Although I have listed a variety of items to have

during your freshman college living experience, there are still many more to get. Make sure to put time and research when shopping to make the best of your living situation.

@JustinRocha00

1 bedroom 1 bath Walking distance to VT! All inclusive (Electric, Gas,

Water, Trash, Recycling, Cable, Internet)

$975 per month Leases Start Aug. ‘19

hearthstoneapts@verizon.net • www.hearthstone-apts.com

PAGE 12 March 19, 2019

editor@collegiatetimes.com

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