September 29, 2020

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September 29, 2020

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

HOKIES WIN

(This is how we’d be celebrating if COVID wasn’t a thing.)

ALEX NAGELI / COLLEGIATE TIMES

PAGE 2 September 29, 2020

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opinions

editor@collegiatetimes.com

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You’re not alone: Prioritizing your mental health is a necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic

M

During these tough times, it is important to remember to take care of yourself and seek resources.

ental health has been a stigmatized conversation since its conception. It has been widely considered better to shut up and smile than to be true with others and ourselves on how we’re feeling, inside and out. In recent years, talks of mental health have increased considerably, but in a time like this where we are put into isolation for our own safety, mental health has become a concern for many. Now more than ever, we need to open up a conversation to learn ways to help ourselves and others around us.

While we need to keep ourselves safe physically, we also need to prioritize our health mentally as well. This mental toll can result in more than just temporary depression, but can be the cause of substance abuse and alcoholism.

While we were vastly unprepared for the novel coronavirus, we were even more unprepared for the impact it has had on people’s mental health. Studies show that only a small portion of the COVID-19 response funding has been allocated toward mental health.

Despite this statistic, how can we help each other during this trying time?

Emily Wilkinson Stallings, a senior instructor in the School of Communication, had insight on the topic.

“Relationships are what can give us needed care, love, and support; our own basic wellbeing as a human can come from a close friend and/or relative. This is especially true when we are feeling overwhelmed or stressed.

Because of the pandemic, people worldwide are feeling heavy levels of stress and anxiety.

This is especially true for college-aged

students.”

“I hear every day from one of my students here at VT who are feeling worry in the form of anxiety, stress, and loneliness.

Uncertainty is the culprit as well as overload of worry and tasks to complete. These overwhelming feelings are shared by peoples of the world and completely appropriate. It is difficult at times to reach out to others, but we must! Remember, those who care about us and we care about are our lifeline; we as humans need relationships: talk, silence together, simply being there for one another is essential for our physical and mental health,” Wilkinson Stallings said. “The best way to remain connected to other humans is what you already know, use the virtual programs that are at our fingertips: Zoom, Facetime, Skype, Google Hangouts, etc. Even a call on our phones to those we care about just to check in means a great deal toward our and their well-being. We need each other. This pandemic proves that we are relational beings, not solitary beings. Reach out.”

For those who feel depressed, lost or alone, know that there are resources for you.

Virginia Tech’s Cook Counseling Center is available for students who are struggling, as well as Hokie Wellness and even your RAs. Reach out to family and friends. Take a walk if you need to get out of the house. Prioritize your mental health. Recognize what you need and ask for it. There is nothing wrong with needing help.

ABBY DURRER • junior • communication science and social inquiry

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September 29, 2020 PAGE 3

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ALEXYS RIVERS / COLLEGIATE TIMES

Black Students in STEM’s Gobblerfest Zoom call targeted by Zoom bombers An unidentified group of individuals targeted the group with obscene images and racial slurs.

ADIAH GHOLSTON news editor

Black Students in STEM’s (BSS) Zoom Gobblerfest recruitment call was bombarded

by Zoom Bombers who targeted the group with obscene images and racial slurs.

Zoom bombing is when an unwanted individual or group enters a video call without the permission of the host.

Zoom bombings began as mild pranks or trolling at the beginning of quarantine, but have since esclated to hate speech and harrassment. Zoom bombing has become so prevalent that the FBI has issued a warning about the hijacking of Zoom calls.

On Sept. 4 at about 4:20 p.m., 20-30 unknown people bombarded BSS’s Zoom meeting within a two minute time span shouting obscene language and displaying graphic images and pornographic videos.

The obscene language included racial slurs such as the N-word with the hard R. “I know they couldn’t have said that to our faces, but the fact that they had it in their minds, it just shows me that people are still racist,” said Amber Mundy, a senior majoring in criminology and the BSS secretary. “They might not outwardly say it, but it’s still ingrained into their heads. If they can do it online, then they are definitely thinking about it when they’re walking past

us or when they see us on campus.”

BSS leaders attempted to kick the bombers out one by one and ignored the obscenities the bombers were yelling.

“I’m completely ignoring what they’re saying because I understand they’re obviously here to get a rise out of me, to get some type of angry reaction,” said Wynnie Avent II, senior majoring in geology and founder and president of BSS. Eventually the group decided to create a new call with stricter security measures.

The entire incident lasted for less than two minutes, according to Avent.

There is still little known about the identity of the Zoom bombers. Only some of the bombers had their cameras on, and from what members of BSS heard and observed, they suspected the bombers’ ages ranged from children to young adults.

“Some of them were 12 (years old), some of them were 7 (years old), some of them had fake pictures, so you couldn’t see their ages or what they look like,” Mundy said. “The fact that they were kids was honestly the most disgusting part for me.”

The group has received a vast amount of support from across the Virginia Tech community. Professors and department heads have offered class time for the group to come in and recruit. The office of the dean of students has also sent messages of support.

Dean of the College of Science Sally C. Morton addressed the situation on Twitter, condemning the Zoom bombers’ actions and promising to help find and discipline the bombers.

“The dean herself is doing all she can to provide resources in the sense that we’re being followed up with,” Avent said. “That this incident isn’t being ignored and that the Virginia Tech police and the dean of students is doing all they can to see who is behind this.”

BSS leaders have also collected a list of the bombers’ emails and are working with the Virginia Tech Police Department to attempt to track down the bombers via IP address.

It is unclear if the Zoom bombers are connected to Virginia Tech in any way or if they are a part of an outside organization.

“I’m not sure whether this was Virginia Tech related or not,” Avent said. “There is someone on this campus that would join in themselves if they could have. Knowing that alone, for me, tells me the work that I’m doing is necessary and we’re a necessary group at this point.”

Black Students in STEM is a community that aims to serve the needs of students of African or African-American descent who do not feel as if they’re getting adequate support from the college of science or the

university. The work the group does covers all aspects of the Black college experience: advocacy and activism, community building and academic development.

“Since we were a new organization, this was our first Gobblerfest,” Avent said. “That definitely ruined a lot of people’s mood.

The (BSS) executive board talked about it extensively afterwards … At first it was a bummer, but the more and more we sat on it, the more and more unsettling it became.

There is no reason why this had to happen or should have happened.”

In the end, members hope this incident concludes with appropriate consequences. “(I hope) that there’s consequences … and something that would impact them that makes them think, ‘What I did was wrong.’

That they can’t just get a slap on the wrist,” Mundy said.

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PAGE 4 September 29, 2020

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Virginia Tech implements new Title IX procedures The revisions approved by the U.S. Department of Education in May provide new guidelines for how colleges and universities should respond to reports of sexual abuse under Title IX. MACKENZIE WILLIAMS news reporter

Virginia Tech has adjusted its Title IX proceedings to ensure prompt responses and provide supportive services to survivors following the Department of Education’s revisions approved in May. “The new regulations lay out the framework of what we need to do to respond to sexual harassment when it falls under Title IX,” said Katie Polidoro, director of Title IX Compliance at Virginia Tech.

“They prescribed a process for addressing harassment under Title IX which was pretty far outside of the way we would normally do things.”

The revisions change the guidance for how educational institutions respond to potential Title IX violations. With a new definition of sexual harassment, the DOE has created an umbrella for how institutions recognize any misconduct. The changes also expand the geography of Title IX jurisdiction to anywhere within the U.S. in which the university or a recognized student organization holds substantial control. This extension helps to address any on- or off-campus incident such as a varsity football game — home or away — or a school-sponsored conference. Judicial proceedings under Title IX will require live case hearings and cross-examination of both parties.

According to the Department of Education, sexual harassment is considered

In congruence to the DOE’s mandated revisions, Virginia Tech has pursued alternative changes that are unique to the university. The university has adopted the Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy which focuses on any discrimination on the basis of sex or gender, solely applying Title IX law. This policy comes in addition to the university’s already preexisting Policy on Harassment, Discrimination and Sexual Assault.

Polidoro emphasizes that the Policy on Harassment highlights identities Virginia Tech has chosen to protect from discrimination that aren’t necessarily required by any federal civil rights statutes. Some of the identities protected under the Policy on Harassment include the LGBTQ, minority and religious communities. The university responds to any complaint that can be received either directly or indirectly to any administrator with “instructional responsibility” and provides impartial investigations. The separation between sex or gender-related violations versus discrimination on any bias enables the Title IX office to effectively detect cases appropriate for its authority.

Live case hearings and cross-examination mandated by the DOE establish a more thorough and active response by institutions. Hearings and cross-examination will be conducted through selected advisors.

The required hearings will continue to be held privately and will not mandate that both parties be in the same room.

“The new regulations lay out the

framework of what we need to do to respond to sexual harassment when it falls under Title IX.

”

Katie Polidoro Director of Title IX Compliance at Virginia Tech

any form of “unlawful sex discrimination” which includes sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking.

“Sexual harassment is any conduct that is either sexually explicit or targeted at someone on the basis of their sex or gender that is severe, pervasive and objectively offensive,” Polidoro said. With the inclusivity of these three principles, the definition can be applied to a larger scope of cases.

Advisors will represent Virginia Tech students, employees or faculty. These individuals can be appointed by the plaintiff or defendant themselves or be presented by external facilities. Polidoro notes the advisor role is completely new and that the office is currently searching to identify folks within the community who are outside of the university for students to be referred to.

Virginia Tech’s Women’s Center plans to

CAT PIPER / COLLEGIATE TIMES The Title IX administration walk away from protestors at the sexual assault walkout after receiving their demands, April 30, 2019.

connect survivors to the sought-out advisors.

“Historically, we have served as advisors in student conduct hearings. With the new Title IX changes, the Women’s Center will not be serving as advisors in Student Conduct hearing anymore,” said Christine DennisSmith, co-director of services for support, advocacy and educational programs at Virginia Tech’s Women’s Center.

Despite the Women’s Center’s adjusted role, it continues to provide a range of services such as coordinating meetings with external advisors and referrals to legal resources. The Women’s Center continues to help accusers navigate their options for reporting and supports them through any options process they choose to participate in, Dennis-Smith added.

Polidoro worked alongside on-campus organizations and representatives to gauge how the federal regulations will impact their communities. Some of the involved members included Student Government Association and the Graduate Student Association.

In these working groups, Polidoro asked how the regulations need to be written so that people understand them. Virginia Tech’s United Feminist Movement was among a few members of the working group who repeatedly asked this question.

“United Feminist Movement really would like to see these changes broken down and put into more comfortable language and

given to students rather than these huge policies posted on their website,” said Carolina Bell, a sophomore biology major and communications chair for the United Feminist Movement at Virginia Tech.

Legal jargon can complicate a student or employee’s ability to fully understand how to correctly follow Title IX procedures.

“It should never be on a student or employee, especially one who has experienced trauma, to try and figure out what the right policy is,” Polidoro said.

Resources like the Virginia Tech Women’s Center and Title IX office are available to anyone looking for guidance throughout the entire process.

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study break

Today’s birthday horoscope (Sept. 29): Domestic connections inspire and enrich this year. Steady action generates beautiful results. Expect financial challenges.

Resolve winter’s educational and travel changes, motivating a masterpiece. Revise and edit communications next summer, before your journey sparks anew. Flourish and grow at home with family. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

FOR RELEASE SEPTEMBER 29, 2020

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

ACROSS 1 URL ending for MoMA 4 Early film legend Greta 9 Pie crust fat 13 Even __: 72, often, in golf 14 Perfect 15 Off to the side, at sea 17 Dye type 18 *Where a strike usually isn’t lucky 20 “Madam Secretary” star Téa 22 Meadow sound 23 Sales rep’s customer: Abbr.

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68 Black or Caspian

September 29, 2020 PAGE 5

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Brewster Rockit: Space Guy! by Tim Rickard

9/29/20

By Catherine Cetta

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PAGE 6 September 29, 2020

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Online job hunting: How Hokies handled virtual career fairs Despite the switch to a virtual format, students were still able to make connections with potential employers.

MATTHEW HARRIS lifestyles contributor

The middle of September is an important time for some Hokies. Classes begin to ramp up, deadlines become less forgiving and the all-important career fairs are about to begin.

However, this scenario played out a little bit different this year. With COVID-19 taking its toll on Tech, many aspects of the school have been forced online. This included two of the biggest annual career fairs: Computer Science Source and Engineering Expo.

CS Source took place Monday, Sept.

14, and Engineering Expo took place from Tuesday to Thursday, Sept. 15-17. All company information sessions, chats on the days of the events and interviews were moved to a completely virtual format.

The move to a virtual format created some brand-new stresses for career fair attendees. Attendees had the option to enter multiple lines at once to talk with companies on a more efficient schedule. This created a hazardous balance for many attendees trying to talk to as many companies as possible while also trying not to stretch themselves too thin.

“In person you’re only standing in one line, you’re not standing in 10 lines at once.

The problem is if you get chosen at the same time, then you’re talking to two people and that can be difficult to do,” said Brandon Venable, a senior majoring in computer science, about CS Source.

Wait times increased rapidly as the day went on at each fair. Eventually each company’s queue was at a 30-minute cap, giving attendees little information on if they would be waiting for their chance for half an hour or the rest of their day.

Once the wait time was up, things didn’t get any easier for attendees. The abrupt nature of getting pulled into a text chat with little warning after an extremely long wait was nothing short of panic-inducing for some. Each chat came with a 10-minute time limit to make sure everyone got their turn.

While this was likely in an effort to ensure everyone got a fair shot, the strict nature of

this timer made what are normally casual chats feel, for some, like a race against time.

In past career fairs, this time crunch only existed through implicit pressure from long lines of fellow Hokies.

“Imagine if in person you were talking to someone and they (said), ‘Oh, time’s up,’ and they don’t talk to you at all,” Venable said.

However, the move to an online format wasn’t completely negative. For many, the tone of the events felt informal compared to previous years. Attendees were able to take a breather from the expensive and often uncomfortable aspect of career fair prep that is dressing business formal, which many appreciated.

“I was looking at representatives and they had polos on (or) T-shirts. I think there was definitely more of a relaxed online environment,” Venable said.

Beyond feeling more comfortable in their clothes, many attendees felt less stress lounging at home between chats.

“When I’m at home around all of my own stuff, I can have a water bottle next to me, maybe a snack for after I talk to people,” Venable said.

The shift to an online format created challenges for more than just the students attending the fairs. The first major hurdle the Student Engineers’ Council had to overcome was finding a suitable platform to host Engineering Expo on. This decision was made early into the planning process, soon after the spring semester was transitioned online in April. “(Brazen) felt like a comfortable choice at the time, and was something that (all organizations conducting career fairs) decided on together,” said Mariam Hasan, the Engineering Expo chairman of the SEC and a junior majoring in biomedical engineering.

The other major hurdle the SEC had to address in the planning phase was advertising this event to companies. It was unclear if companies would see value in coming to the Engineering Expo at all, considering its online format and the rough financial times many were enduring due to COVID-19.

Despite these concerns, companies did

ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES A Virginia Tech student prepared for a job fair, Sept. 9, 2019.

show up by the day of the expo and attracted many students to come talk to the recruiters.

“In the end, companies started trickling in and we even had a lot reach out to us the day before to ask if they could register,” said Shivani Bajaj, president of the SEC and a senior majoring in industrial systems engineering.

Brazen seemed like the safe choice at the beginning of the planning phase.

However, the platform crashed on the first day of Engineering Expo, which left the SEC performing damage control until the issue was resolved.

Normally during an in-person career fair, organizers have complete control over the venue and can help solve logistics issues, so it was hard for the SEC to simply sit back and wait.

“Students don’t really have that much time to wait, (and) companies don’t really have that much time to wait,” Hasan said. “(Companies) are paying to be here for an amount of time and expect to talk to students for that entire time.”

Despite the numerous struggles in moving the Engineering Expo online and the rocky start to the event, it ended up being successful in what it set out to do. Companies

were able to make meaningful connections with students, which is becoming increasingly difficult to do in an all-online era of job hunting.

“We had around 5,000 completed chats every day, around 15,000 completed chats (in total),” Bajaj said.

The overall experience for both organizers and attendees of the fairs this year was different than in years past. However, everyone was able to find a unique way to approach this challenge, and no one gave up just because they weren’t able to do things normally this year. This resiliency has always been present in Hokie culture, and certainly looks good for landing a job.

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September 29, 2020 PAGE 7

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Hokies’ women’s soccer falls 0-1 in overtime to No.11 Virginia Hokies set to head into Florida State matchup on Oct. 1 with 0-4 record.

CLAIRE CASTAGNO sports editor

A common theme for the Hokies so far this season is missed opportunities. Emily Gray and Tori Powell both had scoring chances to break the 0-0 tie, but could not get past Virginia goalkeeper Cayla White. Virginia took 11 shots on goal compared to Tech’s six for the game.

The Hokies now sit at 0-4 as they prepare for a big match against No. 2 Florida State to be played at home on Oct. 1. Virginia Tech has matches

against ranked teams lined up until Oct. 15, when it plays unranked Miami. There are six ranked ACC teams in the top 15.

“I’m not really concerned on the record; we’re out here playing top 10 teams day after day, and we’re growing,” Adair said.

@CTSportsTalk

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sports

Women’s soccer welcomed No. 11 Virginia onto Thompson Field on Sept. 25 looking for a win to get their momentum going. Virginia Tech fought hard against the Cavaliers, but ultimately fell short in overtime to lose 0-1. It was Virginia Tech’s first loss in a home opener since 2000 against Seton Hall.

“I think our team fought hard for 100 minutes, it was one of our

best efforts of the season,” said coach Chugger Adair. “This was the best cohesive unit that we’ve played so far.”

Freshman goalie Alia Skinner was able to hold off the Cavaliers for the entirety of regulation, and recorded a season-high nine saves.

Virginia’s Claire Constant sealed the game up in the 94th minute with a header that flew over Skinner. Lia Godfrey assisted the goal off her corner kick.

COURTESY OF HOKIESPORTS

Women’s soccer vs. UNC, Sept. 20, 2020.

Women’s soccer falls short to UNC, Tar Heels claim victory with 1-0 score Coach Adair highlights team’s consistent development.

KATIE SMITH sports staff writer

Virginia Tech Women’s Soccer suffered its third loss of the season, losing 0-1 to North Carolina at Dorrance Field on Sept. 20. The team entered the game with a 0-2 record after losing to UVA, 1-3, on Sept. 12 and falling short to Clemson, 0-3, on Sept. 17.

In her third start of the season, freshman goalkeeper Alia Skinner saved a season-high nine shots from the Tar Heels.

However, it was not enough to stop UNC junior midfielder Brianna Pinto, who chipped Skinner in the 15th minute to score the only goal of the match.

The Tar Heels maintained constant pressure on Tech’s defense, outshooting the Hokies 19-3. UNC also held the advantage in corner kicks with 13 compared to Tech’s one.

Junior midfielder Emily Gray had the chance to tie the match in the 57th minute with the Hokies’ only goal, but was stopped by UNC junior goalkeeper Claudia

Dickey who made the diving save to her left to keep the Tar Heels in the lead.

Despite the loss, head coach Chugger Adair is proud of the effort his team put forth against UNC, who is currently ranked third in the ACC. “They played together and eliminated some of the mistakes that we’ve made in the past couple of games, so that was good, because we’re showing some growth and development,” Adair said.

Adair also acknowledged the

accomplishments of freshmen defenders Victoria Haugen and Averi Visage, who both claimed their second start for the Hokies.

Although Tech did not come out with a win, the match is still a milestone for junior Emmalee McCarter, who started her 42nd consecutive match, the longest streak of anyone currently on the team.

@CTSportsTalk

PAGE 8 September 29, 2020

editor@collegiatetimes.com

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Hokies dominate N.C. State in season opener in Lane Stadium despite missing 23 players Braxton Burmeister and Quincy Patterson II step up to propel Hokies to a win.

AMBER WILLIAMS assistant sports editor

Despite the absence of quarterback Hendon Hooker, the Hokies executed a dominating game against N.C. State with a final score of 45-24.

Virginia Tech scored 17 points in five minutes during the first to capture the lead early. Khalil Herbert scored the first touchdown for the Hokies after running 37 yards. Barely over a minute later Raheem Blackshear acquired the second for the Hokies from 8 yards out.

Hooker’s QB replacement, Braxton Burmeister, was key for the Hokies in the first. The Oregon transfer completed six of his first seven passes. Tech was able to use this momentum to maintain the advantage throughout the entirety of play.

Heading into the second quarter, the Hokies led 17-0. Quincy Patterson II stepped in after Burmeister suffered a right hand injury. Patterson was responsible for three of the Hokies’ touchdowns. N.C. State scored and the Hokies responded with another touchdown making it 24-7 with 2:48 left in the first half. Tré Turner had an incredible 51-yard run which ultimately led

to a touchdown by James Mitchell to end the quarter. The Hokies entered halftime with a 31-10 lead.

With 1:17 left in the third, freshman Khalid Martin of the Wolfpack suffered a hip injury and was taken by ambulance to Montgomery Regional Hospital.

Play resumed and the Wolfpack was unable to overcome the Hokies’ tactics.

Virginia Tech rushed more than 314 yards to secure the victory; the second most for the team since Justin Fuente became head coach.

Jalen Holston, Herbert and Blackshear each had runs of 12 yards or more. Herbert accumulated the most yardage with 104; the 11th time a running back has had a 100-yard game since 2016.

The Hokies, who were ranked No. 20 in the nation, will likely move up when the new polls are released. Virginia Tech looks to carry this energy with it when it faces Duke in North Carolina on Oct. 3 at 4 p.m.

@CTSportsTalk

Virginia Tech Football vs. N.C. State, Sept. 27, 2020.

COURTESY OF HOKIESPORTS

Virginia Tech Athletics announces #LOVE initiative Athletes were allowed to pick a word or phrase that represents equality to them to be displayed on uniforms.

AMBER WILLIAMS assistant sports editor

COURTESY OF HOKIESPORTS Lecitus Smith (54) warms up before the season opener against N.C. State, Sept. 26, 2020.

Virginia Tech Athletics announced Sept. 23 its #LOVE initiative in order to promote equality, unity and love for all.

Warm-up shirts with a new design featuring the Virginia Tech logo embedded into the word “LOVE” will be given to all sports teams by the end of next week. Athletes were allowed to pick a word or phrase that represents equality to them that will be displayed on the backs of uniforms. Some of the phrases selected include “Justice,” “Love your Neighbor” and “Hokies.”

This along with opportunities given to athletes to learn together, to speak

publicly or privately about anything of importance to them, and the upcoming ACC Unity Week in October allows Hokie athletes to take part in the conversation on social injustice.

@CTSportsTalk