International Community Tailgate Flyer

Distributed flyer for an event hosted in part by Global Education Office and Cranwell International Center at Virginia Tech. Created using Adobe Illustrator.

The first version is optimized for print distribution, featuring a QR code. 

The second version is optimized for web distribution, featuring a shortened link to a survey.

Making students feel at home: the first year of flexible housing

Originally published by the Collegiate Times as News.
Published in print edition, front page centerspread, on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015. 
*one of the top viewed stories online.

For the first time in Virginia Tech history, Housing and Residence Life has offered a gender-neutral housing option, allowing students of different genders to room together.

The flexible housing option is currently available in two co-ed dorms: Pritchard Hall and New Hall West, both of which have full gender-neutral bathrooms either in the room or hall. On-campus students 18 years and older and of all academic years are invited to apply, free from judgment.

“We were very happy to be able to offer a housing option that does not focus on the gender designation,” said Eleanor Finger, the director of Housing and Residence Life. “It’s been wonderful because people want to live together for a variety of reasons, which could include gender identity, but sometimes it’s siblings or friends.”

The program became possible after the Resident Hall Federation voted unanimously to approve a resolution for flexible housing on Feb. 24, 2014. The flexible housing option does not question reason on its application, but students who are in relationships are discouraged from applying. Based on the number of students who signed up, only three rooms on campus are considered part of the program.

“We really try to discourage partners and people in relationships from pursuing it,” Finger said. “If we even knew, we don’t ask, but we say sometimes relationships don’t always end up staying for the long term, so housing can be complicated when that’s the case.”

Paul Faust, a junior chemical engineering major, and Raelynn Scherer, a senior biochemistry major, share a room in New Hall West.

“All of my friends are guys. I get along better with guys, generally speaking. I have, like, two female friends,” Scherer said. “I just get along better with guys.”

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Raelynn Scherer sits at her desk adjacent to her bed against one wall of the dorm room she shares with her male roommate, Paul Faust. Photo by Ben Weidlich/Collegiate Times

Gender Neutral Housing Both have known each other since they were freshmen, became friends sophomore year and are very close but completely platonic. Both prefer to interact with people of the opposite gender.

“I really don’t like hanging out with guys,” Faust said. “I’d rather hang out with a girl because it’s more interesting to me, just because of the social dynamics of what women tend to talk about socially, as opposed to what men talk about socially. Guys don’t have that, ‘let’s talk about social upbringing,’ where women do, so it’s a lot easier for me to be living with Raelynn, who’s got that, instead of with a dude, who I cannot connect with emotionally.”

Faust was previously a cadet his freshman year and a Resident Advisor in Pritchard Hall for two years. Both have only lived on-campus with people of the same gender during their time at Virginia Tech.

“We live in the 21st century. No one is really going to be upset that these two are rooming together,” Faust said. “You know who’s going to be upset by it? Parents and old people. That’s it.”

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Paul Faust sits at his desk adjacent to Scherer's bed. Photo by Ben Weidlich/Collegiate Times

Gender Neutral Housing Both Faust and his girlfriend, who is also a student, are comfortable with the understanding. Faust gets along better with his mom than his dad, and Scherer was born into a family as the first and only girl.

“I only have uncles and all my cousins are boys,” Scherer said. “It was my mom and a boatload of men, so I grew up watching football and playing sports and doing guy things, so I just get along with guys a lot better than girls. I don’t have that ‘girly connection’ to girls that girls have.”

After being denied from Virginia Tech’s buyout deal with Foxridge Apartments because they were of different genders, they turned to the flexible housing program. Both have received support from friends, family and the community.

“When I told my mom, she said ‘Go ahead, it’s probably better for you anyway,” Scherer said. Scherer’s hair on the floor and using more toilet paper are the only challenges they have encountered as a result of different genders. Otherwise, they are like any other friends who simply share a room.
Coming into college, Scherer would have taken advantage of the program had it been available.

"Aw heck yeah,” Scherer said. “I feel like girls overreact a lot, and there’s a list of 400,000 things that could be going wrong. If you see a guy crying, sh-- is going down – like there’s actually something wrong and you need to fix it. Guys are just a lot easier to deal with.”

The program aims to accommodate all students, from siblings to students who prefer to interact with the opposite gender and those who do not identify with traditional gender binary.

“The main thing people were coming back at us (during the process) with was if boyfriends and girlfriends live together, and that wasn’t our intent at all,” said Jackie Fisher, the vice president of membership and legislation of the Residence Hall Federation (RHF) last year. “The goal wasn’t to let just anyone live together; it was to make sure that if someone was really close to their brother, they have that option.”

The Residence Hall Federation is the main programming and governing body for the on-campus community. “This pilot holds promise for increasing inclusion in student housing, and we look forward to following its progress,” said David Travis, the interim vice provost for inclusion and diversity, in a statement to the Collegiate Times.

“We hope that students considering the flexible housing environment have the support they need as they reflect on this decision.”

 While there are not yet concrete plans to expand the program for next year, the University has received positive reception and will continue to strive to accommodate students.

“The community members have just been very receptive,” Finger said. “We’ve got bed space for both of these options, and we really like the way the housing options differ.”

Plans were started by the RHF in the 2013-2014 academic year and were submitted to Housing and Residence Life. The multistep process included the creation of the Committee on Gender-Neutral Housing.

“It’s been such a pleasure working with RHF and to see student leaders recognize that we had a gap,” Finger said. “To see student leaders recognize that we had a gap and their own leadership helped us be better in what we can provide for our students.”

While many students have not yet participated in the program, the option continues to make itself available to interested students.

“The University has been striving towards more inclusivity lately, and we realized that by forcing people to live with people who are of their biological gender isn’t the most inclusive thing because there are a lot of people who aren’t necessarily comfortable with that,” Fisher said. “We want to make sure that everybody here is able to succeed, and without ensuring that everyone is here living comfortably, we can’t make sure that they succeed academically.”

The goal of the program is to make all students feel welcome and included, regarding gender an arbitrary divider between students.

“Men and women who are either related or they’re friends or if students don’t identify with the traditional continuum of gender, they have a space that allows for them to be who they are with a wonderful, caring community where they can be engaged in everything that goes on in our residence halls,” Finger said. “I think it speaks to our emphasis on providing diverse housing options to meet the needs of our really diverse students.”

Kylie Gilbert, a Virginia Tech graduate and former president of the committee, was passionate about the cause and began the movement two years ago.

“She was the one who started the movement and it was super important to her,” Fisher said. “She was in tears the day it passed.”

After brainstorming and finalizing language, the reality of this year’s pilot program is an idea-turned-reality. Virginia Tech adds itself, along with another Virginia school, George Mason University since last fall, to the expanding list of schools that offer a gender-neutral housing option.

“It’s just another normal part of our residential community: we value diversity. We really want students to have a sense of belonging and care and to love where they live,” Finger said. “This is yet another way to offer a living experience where students can learn and engage and not have gender impacting their decisions in that space.”

So far, the program has allowed for students to room together more comfortably without any problems.

“This is just a long time coming,” Faust said. “It’s been a really great experience – all you have to do is change in the bathroom, that’s about it.”

TOTS expands to lower level as BOTS

Originally published by the Collegiate Times as Lifestyles.
Published in print edition, front page, on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015. 
*one of the top three most viewed stories online.

BLACKSBURG, Va. — TOT's sign announcing BOTS hangs at the entrance on the lower level, with a projected opening in spring 2016. Photo by Loren Stinker/Collegiate Times

A staple of the Virginia Tech college experience, with its iconic light-up maroon and orange flag photo-op and Tuesday night karaoke, Top of the Stairs (TOTS) will be expanding to the Bottom of the Stairs (BOTS, of course).

Mike Whaley owns PK’S Bar & Grill and has owned TOTS for 20 years. He also owns the building and has started construction on the bottom portion of the building, with the projected completion being next spring.

“I think because we’re going to close at 11, even though a full bar will be offered down there, there won’t be a bar you can stand at, and it’s going to be more focused on the dining part,” Whaley said. “What I’m hoping it’s going to do is bring a more diverse clientele in. It is geared toward students, but it’s also geared towards adults and families and that kind of thing.”

Traditional TOTS Tuesdays will remain the same but with additions to the menu, especially for BOTS.

“I’m most excited about expanding the kitchen and expanding the food options and being able to offer more choices,” said Chaz Oldfield, a manager at TOTS.

Students frequent TOTS more in the evenings, but Whaley is excited for the bigger kitchen and expanded restaurant, which will allow for new menu items and an additional capacity of 45 people inside and up to 40 people outside on College Avenue. The theme of the first floor will be similar, with the idea of a gourmet barbecue shack.

“I’m going to have the capacity to do a lot of food down there with the smokers, so it’s going to be fun and it’s going to be a lot easier,” Whaley said. “The quality of the food is excellent now, but it’s going to get better and more consistent.”

In addition to a larger kitchen, the downstairs will feature a “menu replacement counter,” where customers can get to-go meals and order ahead for pick-up. “Blacksburg isn’t really known for its barbecue – most barbecue restaurants have the same stuff,” Whaley said. “We’re going to do some fun stuff, like brine a pork loin and lightly smoke it and slice it, put it on a jalapeño roll on top of a potato pancake and put apple chutney on it.”

TOTS classics, including their pulled pork and chicken, brisket, sausage and traditional barbeque sides, like macaroni and cheese, will be available both upstairs and downstairs. BOTS will also offer new menu items with a focus on seasonal recipes, including brine, pork loin, turkey legs, honey-baked ham and sauces of the week, inspired by international cuisine.

“I feel like our food’s really good but not as many people come to eat because they consider it a big college bar hangout – and it is, after 11, and all day on football games,” Whaley said.“Hopefully more people will give it a try.”

Construction has already begun and will continue to progress at a steady pace to prevent disrupting the current business and adjacent businesses, including Jimmy John’s. “TOTS isn’t the TOTS people think it is until after 11 at night,” Whaley said. “That’s how all the places are in town – we’re just like every other restaurant before 10, 11 o’clock, and then the atmosphere changes later at night, and we start having karaoke, DJs and bands and all that kind of stuff.”

Some students have not yet heard rumors of expansion to the TOTS they know and love.

“I had no idea they even had food until my friend told me last year. They have an all-you-can-eat rib night, and I went with all my roommates,” said junior Caroline Cleary. “I think it’s a smart idea, and they should definitely advertise it a lot because I don’t think anyone knows about it."

Students who typically visit TOTS only at night have also heard about the expansion. “It’ll be interesting to see what’s going to happen,” said senior Tyler Thrift. “It’s pretty good – I like their mac and cheese. Given the opportunity, I would try their food again.”

Established in 1978, this new addition to a long-time downtown destination aims to expand the menu and dining space of TOTS. In the coming years, Whaley has ideas about off-site cuisine and large-scale catering. But for now, TOTS is focusing on taking the restaurant to another level.

 “BOTS is going to make all of TOTS look a little better without getting rid of the rustic charm that it has,” Whaley said.

Battling the "Blacksburg Plague"

Originally published by the Collegiate Times as Lifestyles.
Published in print edition, Friday, Sept. 18, 2015. 

The advent of fall and sweater weather brings with it coughs, sneezes and congestion, spreading rapidly across the Virginia Tech campus. It’s enough to garner the nickname “the Blacksburg Plague,” in reference to an ambiguous sickness that often goes undiagnosed.

Se Jin Lee, a junior neuroscience major and member of the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad, became ill after the Ohio State football game on Sept. 7. “I probably got sick from someone at the Ohio State game since I was working with rescue, and I was interacting with a lot of sick people,” Lee said. “I wore gloves and washed my hands between each call, but I think just being in a stadium full of more than 66,000 people had enough germs to make anyone and everyone sick.”

Students who are past the point of prevention might consider measures to contain the spread of germs, including washing hands, not sharing food and drink and getting enough rest.

“One of the biggest things a student can do is to get enough sleep,” said Laurie Fritsch, MS CHES and assistant director of health education at Schiffert Health Center. “A lack of sleep directly compromises health, and you have a harder time fighting off germs and simple viruses.”

Fritsch also references the impact of smoking on health, as it compromises the respiratory system and exists as another opportunity to share germs.

“A lot of times, people will go downtown and share drink and share water bottles,” Fritsch said. “They don’t think twice when they say, ‘Oh, you can have a sip.’”

Flu season typically begins in November, but can start spreading earlier in October. Flu vaccines are available for $23 and flu mists are available for $40 through Schiffert Health Center at McComas Hall, as well as in all local pharmacies. This year’s flu clinic will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7, in McComas Hall Gym.

“I would recommend students to get a flu vaccine,” Fritsch said. “Researchers work very hard to figure out what strains are for this year, and sure, they’re not right every year, but it’s very easy to get a vaccine.”

Students who are unsure of their condition but may be suffering from a runny nose, sore throat, congestion or more can visit the cold care clinic inside of McComas Hall to learn more about their symptoms.

Schiffert Health Center can provide four different symptom-relief medications, including cough suppressant, cough drops, nasal decongestant and pain relief. These resources are already included in tuition charges for full-time students. If symptoms persist, Fritsch recommends students see a doctor or provider at Schiffert.

“I don’t remember how it feels to be not sick, to be honest,” Lee said. “But the day my cough disappears and my throat and nostrils are mucus-free, I will be the happiest person in the world. Being sick makes me really appreciate health in general.”

For those who are already sick or still of good health, frequent hand washing, opening bathroom doors with a paper towel, keeping food and drink separate and avoiding direct contact with potentially contagious students are safe and clean practices that can help keep your body healthy.

Virginia Tech ranked No. 70 in the nation

Originally published by the Collegiate Times as News.
Published in print edition, page 3, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015.

In the 2015 U.S. News & World Report, Virginia Tech ranked No. 70 of all national universities, tied with Texas A&M University, and No. 26 of public institutions. Both rankings are one position ahead from last year.

The report’s rankings review undergraduate programs in the fall and graduate programs in the spring. This year marks the 31st year for the U.S. News & World Report.

The Virginia Tech college of engineering ranked No. 8 among public institutions and No. 15 among all national institutions, defending its titles since last year and tying again with Texas A&M University.

“The thing about rankings is that it’s always a good thing when other people are talking about you and saying you’re pretty darn good,” said Mark Owczarski, assistant vice president for news and information.

Virginia Tech’s department of biomedical engineering and mechanics, which was established in 2014 as a product of a merge between the department of engineering science and mechanics and the biomedical engineering program, was ranked No. 4 among engineering science programs. Several of Virginia Tech’s engineering programs, including civil and industrial, were among the top 20 undergraduate engineering programs in the nation.

Along with the highly ranked school of engineering, the Pamplin College of Business earned a No. 27 spot among public universities and No. 43 among national institutions. The U.S. News & World Report went on to describe Virginia Tech as a “research powerhouse.”

School rankings are based on these measures: A formula for academic quality comprises 77.5 percent and is based on graduation rates, faculty information and admissions data. The remaining 22.5 percent is based on academic reputation determined by top college academics and high school counselors.

Surveys from high school counselors from more than 2,200 schools nationwide put Virginia Tech as one of the “High School Counselors’ Top Picks.” Virginia Tech’s welcoming military accommodations also put it as one of the “Best Colleges for Veterans.” Virginia Tech is new to both of these lists this year.

Data was collected from 16 areas related to the college experience and then weighted by the most important qualities from both spring and summer of 2015.

The ranking takes into account a variety of factors, including high school counselor score (4.1 out of 5 for Virginia Tech), average freshmen retention rate (92 percent), class sizes, student-faculty ratio (16:1), acceptance rate (72.6 percent) and graduation rate.

“Rankings are great but the ultimate connection is when the individual comes and explores and learns and you see yourself being a part of Virginia Tech,” Owczarski said. “We want students to come here and invent the future in a Virginia Tech way.”

From some of the best food on campus to the fittest students, Hokies continue to excel in every aspect of their experience and education, bringing dimension to the ranking and making this school much more than a number.

“We are who we are, and rankings are one of a hundred different ways you can learn about us,” Owczarski said. “What’s most important is that we attract the students that will be most successful and that they will continue to do wonderful things for the rest of their life.”