Freshman Guide 2013 by Maroon Weekly

Issue 252 | Freshman Guide 2013

attn: High School Seniors

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Luke Murray Brandon Nowalk Amanda L. Reynolds INTERNS Kathleen Callison Sally Francowiak Claire Hand Chandler Hodo Cheyenne Mueller Catherine Neil Michelle Otero Kaitlin Vickers Dani Wilkins DISTRIBUTION Chris Frank Caleb Holt

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Well, dear freshmen, it’s the same in Aggieland. There are so many traditions that Aggies hold deep within their hearts it seems you will never get the hang of them all. But we’re here to help you get a head start. Here’s a quick guide to some of the more important traditions that should help prepare you for life as an Aggie. One of the most important traditions among Aggies is the traditional greeting, “Howdy!” You’ll hear it as you walk around campus, on and off the bus, and most definitely at one of the numerous sporting events. While the importance and significance of the greeting is unchanging, its use has seen a decline in recent years. So pick up the torch and carry it proudly! Something else you need to know is that Texas A&M used to be an allmale school aimed at military education—much like West Point or the Naval Academy. With that in mind, most of Texas A&M’s prominent former students are male. Also, one of the most prominent positions held by a student at A&M is as a “yell leader.” There are no cheerleaders for Aggie sports teams. Instead, A&M (stemming from their all-male student years before 1964) has yell leaders who lead the student body in yells—not cheers—to support our teams. That leads us to another important tradition Aggies love: Midnight Yell. Midnight Yell is Texas A&M’s version of a pep rally the night before a big game—held mostly for football games, though other sports have Midnight Yell from time to time. As the name suggests, it is held at midnight at Kyle Field. The Yell Leaders lead thousands of students and Aggie fans in yells to drum up energy before the big game. To experience your first yell in Kyle Field at maximum capacity is highly intimidating and exciting. It is definitely a moment when being a part of the Aggie family sinks in. It’s important you take the time to learn the yells; it’s part of what makes A&M so unique. Silver Taps is a ceremony honoring current students who have passed away. It’s held on the first Tuesday of every month at 10:30pm in the plaza in front of the Academic Building. Hundreds of students and members of the community come together to support the family of fallen Aggies. It is a serious and somber time, and it reminds the families of fallen Aggies just how much love we have for each other. Another important tradition is based upon our special canine mascot. Reveille, the first lady of Aggieland, is a collie. She symbolizes our pride and multiple traditions at Texas A&M. Although she is a mainstay now in Aggieland, that has not always been the case. It was in the 1930s that a group of cadets hit a small black and white mutt on their way back from Navasota. They brought this dog back to school to take care of her while she healed. The next morning, when a bugler blew “Reveille,” she began to bark. Thus, Reveille was named after the morning wake-up call. The following year, during football season, Reveille was officially named the school mascot when she led the Aggie band onto the field during their half-

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time performance. Aggies love her so much that when each mascot passes away, she is buried at the north end of the Zone in front of the football stadium and given a militarystyle funeral. Although these are wonderful time-honored traditions, it is the tradition of the 12th Man that’s most prominent in Aggieland. The tradition was born January 1922 when an outmatched Aggie football team was playing #1 Centre College. As the game wore on and the Aggies dug into their limited reserves, Coach Dana X. Bible remembered a Corpsman who was not in uniform. The cadet was in the press box helping reporters covering the game as they tried to identify players. His name was E. King Gill, a former football player who was on the basketball team at the time. Gill was called from the press box, suited up, and stood ready throughout the rest of the game to relieve a player from the team when needed. The Aggies won the game, 22–14. When the game ended, E. King Gill was the only man left standing on the sidelines, waiting patiently to relieve his teammates. The idea of the 12th Man is that although there are 11 men on the field fighting to win the game, the students are in the stands ready at a moment’s notice to help support the team in any way possible. To be an Aggie is such a remarkable thing because there is such a feeling of family in Aggieland. It’s difficult to explain it to others, because they don’t always understand what we are doing or even why it is important to us. Just remember:

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adventure. discovery. identity. These are but a few keywords that’ll describe the beginning stages of freshman life. For many, the transition to college is simple: move in and go. For others, there’s a bit more trepidation. It’s okay to be wary of what the first few days and weeks of the college experience will look like. Bumps and bruises are sure to come as you find your way to class, figure out how to use the sports pass, learn all of the nuances of being on your own, and learning the traditions that make Aggieland unique. Networking. Connection. Potential. All of these things are possible in your time here. Everyone who finds his or her way to A&M has heard of the Aggie Network. But one network often overlooked is the faith-based network that is so prevalent at A&M. Some students grew up in the pews of their hometown church. Every time the doors were open, they found themselves somehow involved in what was going on. For others, it was the occasional visit on major holidays; Easter, Christmas, a few other days a year. No matter where you fall on the scale, there is a place for you to call home. If you grew up in Texas, you are used to a church on every corner. If not, Aggieland might present a different scene than you’re accustomed to. Whatever your religious background, one thing is certain: You have plenty of options to get involved. Just one of the many ways is through faith-based organizations on and around campus. Each Tuesday throughout the semester, thousands of students join together for live music and a short talk at Breakaway.

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Breakaway Ministries offers students a chance for a midweek break from the insanity of studying, work, family and personal stress. In a high-energy environment, Breakaway mixes loud music with a brief talk that will challenge the committed, the convert, and the critic alike. Breakaway meets on campus and is geared toward all students. On any given Tuesday, you will find athletes, yell leaders, classmates, and strangers cramming into Reed Arena, Kyle Field, Rudder Tower, or wherever Breakaway is being held that week. Breakaway is more than happy to connect students with local churches, but they don’t force anything on anyone. Because of their laid-back, non-denominational approach, Breakaway is home to more than 5,000 students each week. In Aggieland there are churches to fit every person, too. Brazos Fellowship on Harvey Road offers a great worship experience. Their Sunday service offers an opportunity to connect with peers and to worship in a large group setting. Pastor Will Lewis is relatable, friendly, and engaging. They also offer a small group Bible study for college students on Thursday night at 8pm. For more info, check them out at brazosfellowship.com If you are looking for something that reminds you of home, there are many options. A&M Church of Christ is located right by campus on George Bush across from the campus golf course. The church offers multiple ways for students to plug in. Or you can check out University Lutheran, Grace Bible Church, or First Baptist Church

College Station. Each church offers unique opportunities for students to get involved and to feel at home. Whatever your preference, there are places in Aggieland that can offer a safe haven from the craziness of life. College creates

a unique opportunity for students to find out who they really want to be, to discover truth, connect with a cause, make moments count. Getting involved in one of these ministries, or any of the numerous other options available, gives students an instant connection and a place to belong.

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So you have a penchant for Picasso, you’re mesmerized by Mondrian, but you’re a little worried that the nearest art museum is 1.5 hours south in Houston. Well, that’s not exactly true. BryanCollege Station has a vibrant visual arts scene, and as Texas A&M continues to bolster its humanities side—especially with the opening of a new Arts and Humanities building last semester—more and more artists are populating the region. In the past year, the newly renovated Memorial Student Center also opened its doors, and behind those doors the University Art Galleries wasted no time presenting exhibitions by world renown artists. In the past year, works by Picasso, Dali, Magritte, and many more world renown, regional, national, and international artists have hung from the MSC’s walls. There are two major galleries in the MSC—the Forsyth and the Stark Galleries—on two separate floors. On the first floor, the Stark Galleries’ vast exhibition space extends from the flag room and snakes around to the MCS’s east end. The galleries have hosted excellent exhibitions recently, including a traveling Surrealist collection that visually charted the history of the movement with representative works of art by leading artists of the era. The Stark Galleries’ permanent collection has a number modern and contemporary paintings that are rotated within the space seasonally. Sculptures and installations are also frequently exhibited. On the second floor, the Forsyth Galleries are home to a permanent collection of English cameo glass works, Louis Comfort Tiffany, and paintings by American masters such as Winslow Homer, Joseph Henry Sharp, and Frederick Remington. The annex gallery attached to the Forsyth Galleries plays host to a number of smaller, intimate traveling exhibitions. In the past year, the small gallery exhibited a selection of works by George Rodrigue, known for his Blue Dogs series of paintings. If you’re a student of the visual arts, the art galleries also host numerous painting, photography, and sculpture workshops throughout the school year. And you might also want to exhibit your work at ArtFest, the annual juried art contest held in March. Aggie artists compete in drawing, painting, digital arts, and mixed media categories for best of show. The art galleries are always looking for docents, or volunteers who learn about the collections and educate visitors about works exhibited in each gallery. It’s a great way to get involved in the campus arts scene. You can learn more about the university’s permanent art collection and learn about upcoming exhibitions at the MSC by visiting uart. tamu.edu.

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1. ATTEND YOUR CLASSES AND READ THE MATERIAL

9. USE PICK A PROF OR ANY SERVICE THAT USES STUDENTS TO RANK PROFESSORS

Seems obvious, right? But this is the most important rule because most professors’ tests are over material covered in class. Going to class means staying awake, paying attention, and taking notes. Texting, tweeting, and Facebook stalking do not count as paying attention in class.

Normally, this service costs around $30 for four years. However, get a group of friends together and all pitch in for the service. The professor you get in your classes will make a huge difference in what you learn and how you’re graded. For example, you could work hard for a C teaching yourself the entire course when your friend that has only paid attention in class received a B. Lots of majors also have peer advisers. They are there to help you when making class decisions. So take advantage of the help and make smart choices.

If you don’t read the assigned reading, you will most likely suffer on the tests. Lots of professors will test you on stuff they assume you read. Read your syllabus frequently and make sure you keep up, at least most of the time.

10. HAVE AN OPEN MIND 2. FIND A BUDDY IN CLASS IN CASE YOU MISS NOTES Also, consider finding a study buddy from each class. Normally, if you have someone to study with, you feel more inclined to actually study. If you study by yourself, you are more likely to procrastinate.

3. IF YOU ARE HAVING PROBLEMS IN A PARTICULAR CLASS, CONTACT THE PROFESSOR OR TEACHING ASSISTANT IMMEDIATELY If you tell them in a timely manner, they are more likely to help you. Most professors will not help you if you wait until finals to tell them you are struggling with the class.

4. USE THE UNIVERSITY WRITING CENTER FOR YOUR PAPERS The writing center will assist you with clarifying your thoughts, outlines, and drafts; however, they will not write the paper for you. They will teach you the skills to write a college-level paper for free on the 2nd floor of Evans Library.

5. TO PERFORM SUCCESSFULLY ON A TEST, YOU NEED A FULL NIGHT OF SLEEP Do not go out the night before a test or pull an all-nighter. Many studies have proven that rest helps you perform better on tests. A full night of sleep is better than a night of cramming with Red Bull.

6. GO TO TUTORING It’s a big jump from high school to Texas A&M classes, so use all the services that are included in your tuition. There is free tutoring on campus, and most math and science classes offer free supplement instruction sessions. There are also many off-campus tutoring services in College Station.

7. LEARN TIME MANAGEMENT Freshman year is when you should learn to balance studying and hanging out with friends. Some students learn faster than others. Figuring out how to manage your time by finals is too late. It’s not cool to flunk out of college. It’s time to readjust your expectations of your workload from what you had in high school. In college, teachers expect you to put in 2-3 hours—and sometimes more—of work outside of the classroom for every credit of coursework.

8. JOIN AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS DIRECTED TOWARD YOUR MAJOR OR INTEREST On-campus organizations help you learn more about your major and interests in a social environment. Guest speakers and networking are the key points to student organizations. If you do not enjoy what you are learning, you are only a freshman and haven’t wasted any hours yet. College gives you an opportunity to try out lots of new things and befriend lots of new people, so explore!

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On campus, you’re going to be exposed to all kinds of ideas that are different from your own and all kinds of people you never thought you’d encounter in one place. While this may be uncomfortable at first, it’s one of the reasons why college is such a great learning experience.

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FISH CAMP 2014 You may think you know everything about Texas A&M, or you may know nothing about where you’re about to spend four or more years. Either way, Fish Camp will provide you with the opportunity to meet new friends, ask questions about life as an Aggie, and begin your college career confidently and enthusiastically.

Texas A&M students who are passionate about making the first year of college a success for incoming freshman. Every counselor has valuable personal experience, so they can offer advice about classes, fun things to do in College Station, and anything else students need to know as they begin their journey. Fish Camp takes place at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center in Palestine, Texas. Students ride buses from the Texas A&M campus to Lakeview, where they stay in air-conditioned, furnished cabins.

“You have so many opportunities to make connections with at least one person,” said Catie Cottingham, a class of 2013 Fish Camp counselor and co-chair. “Fish Camp is for every one; so no matter what your background or personality, you’re bound to at least find one person in your DG, cabin, camp, or even session that you connect with.”

“Fish Camp is a great time to learn about all the resources we have at A&M,” said Cottingham. “The recreation center, the writing center, the student counseling helpline--just to name a few-come to camp and put on great presentations. You learn about a lot of things available on campus that you might not have known otherwise. Freshmen will even get to meet the student body president and the yell leaders for the first time while at fish camp!”

Every Aggie is a unique individual, yet we are all members of the Aggie family. Often, the friendships forged at Fish Camp live on long after graduation. “I came into fish camp being a very close-minded, shy freshman and didn’t know what to expect at all,” said Cottingham. “As soon as I arrived to Reed though, the counselors immediately made me feel comfortable by talking to me and making sure I had everything I needed. I quickly learned why so many people said A&M felt like one big family--everyone

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is so friendly and accepting of each other. A lot of my best friends to this day are people I’ve met through Fish Camp, and they’re people who are so different from me that I might not have been friends with them otherwise.” Fish Camp is a four-day orientation program led by

At Fish Camp, you can expect to learn all you need to know about traditions, yells, organizations, campus life, academics, and what being an Aggie is truly all about. Don’t miss out on a great opportunity to get connected as you make your entrance into the Aggie family.

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You packed your television, DVD collection, and your shower bag is filled with all the toiletries you might need, but there are 10 things you absolutely must not forget to bring to college.

1. Quarters:

6. Change of Address Form:

Doing laundry costs you more than your Sunday afternoon. It costs anywhere between $.50 to $1.50 to wash one load and sometimes more than that to dry.

If you receive any monthly magazines or bills in the mail, it’s best to have them forwarded to your new residence a few weeks before you move in.

2. Extension Cords:

7. Umbrella:

Most dorm rooms aren’t the newest pads in town. Coming prepared with cords and power strips means you’re ready to plug in faster than everyone else.

Getting caught in the rain can be fun. But getting caught in the rain with a freshly typed term paper in hand is not. In Texas, you never know when the rain will fall.

3. Air Freshener:

8. School Supplies:

Nobody wants to be the smelly kid. Having cleaning supplies doesn’t actually mean you’ll use them. This should buy you a couple extra days until cleaning day.

You can buy most of your pens and pencils on campus. You can buy them off campus cheaper. Much cheaper.

9. Bike: Top bunk, bottom bunk, lofted beds—choosing a room arrangement doesn’t guarantee a comfy night’s sleep. Buy a mattress pad and make your own pillow top.

Getting to class faster means you get to sleep in longer. Back-toback-to-back classes all over campus means you need wheels to make it to class on time. Longboard skateboards are also becoming a popular transportation method.

5. Water Filter:

10. Can Opener:

College Station doesn’t have the best water no matter where you live. So bring a filter to avoid the hard water taste.

Canned food makes for quick, easy meals. Make sure you can open those containers.

4. Mattress Pad:

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College is a defining time in everyone’s life. From choosing a major to finding friends, every decision molds your future. One huge decision that can affect your time at Texas A&M is whether or not you rush a fraternity or sorority. The Greek system can be a great asset to making friends with common goals and interests, to trying on leadership roles, and also becoming an active philanthropic member of the community. Entering the Greek system is no easy task. From forms to letters of recommendation to shopping for new clothes for rush, going through recruitment can be confusing and draining. However, for most, the

tedious work pays off once you receive the coveted invitation on bid day to the chapter of your choice. If you are on the fence regarding recruitment, below is a list of questions that may help you decide if going Greek is the right choice for you.

Also, take into account that dues will not be the only financial contribution you’ll be making. From t-shirts for every occasion to buying outfits for formal events, membership can be costly. What

How big is the commitment? Every chapter is different. However, your level of involvement depends on what kind of impact you want to make. Other than the mandatory weekly meetings and once or twice a semester philanthropy events, the time invested is up to you. If you’re looking for an opportunity to make a change, running for a leadership position will greatly increase the time involved. D o G reek

organizations

opportunities

for

allow

service

should you expect from the

recruitment process ?

Everyone is nervous, so don’t panic. Everyone has a unique rush experience; but the most important thing to keep in mind is to be yourself. When meeting individuals from each chapter, they will not grasp a good sense of your personality if you are acting how you think you should act. Rather, try to put your anxieties aside and let your true self shine through. Also, remember: You are evaluating Greek organizations as much as they are evaluating you.

and

leadership ?

Yes. Every Greek chapter at A&M has their own specific philanthropy, and through fundraising events, every chapter’s charity and event is unique. Whether it’s a national charity or a local organization, there are always opportunities to take on a leadership role and be active in the creative/ logistical process of fundraising. C an you afford membership ? Joining a sorority or fraternity is a big financial commitment. Remember to take that into consideration before making an emotional investment.

C an you take rejection ? The truth is, recruitment is basically an extensive interview process and you may not like some chapters just as much as they don’t like you. Don’t take it personally; it all comes down to whether or not you will be a great fit for their group. It always works out in the end, and each chapter has the process down to such a science. Every individual will end up where they fit; so if initially you feel you got rejected unfairly, just be optimistic and know that it just means you’re closer to finding the group where you’ll be happiest.

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Take

a journey around campus through the eyes of an alum

Just like your own neighborhood, over time you learn every crack in the cement, familiarize yourself with landmarks, and discover clever shortcuts to beat someone home. Earning your stripes on campus works much the same way. Let’s take a walk together, so we can introduce you to your new neighborhood: Aggieland. First, for reference, any direction on campus you may be given will be in the form of Northside, Southside, West Campus, and Main Campus. Easy, right? The major Southside attraction can be found nestled in the tangled web of corps, all-girl, co-ed, and engineering dorms (also perceived as a Harry Potter-like maze of hallways)—it’s called the Commons. It’s the place you go to eat the best pasta bowls (among other various, um, edible items), to chill out with friends, listen to someone try to play the piano (it’s really hit-or-miss, but sometimes Beethoven’s heir starts playing and all of your problems disappear), travel downstairs for some studying, watch TV, or to play foosball. But most importantly, you’ll visit the oh-sogreatly-appreciated Rattlers store when you need a last-minute, pre-test Scantron and a post-test pint of rocky road. They have those little highlighters, too. You’ll also be greeted with “Howdy” everywhere. And if you aren’t familiar with “Howdy,” the word is a tradition in Aggieland; a tradition that most Aggies take with them long after they walk the stage. So “Howdy” back. No more “Hi” or “How ya doin’.” Those greetings are for T-sips. Oh, and a T-sip is another word for those people over in Austin, at that other school with sawed off horns. that for the next four years). You’ll spend quite a bit of time in this never-ending sea of After you’ve had your fill of chop sticks and bowties with marinara, you might take desktops, mouse pads, keyboards, and rolly chairs (it should be advised that pedestrians do a gander at the SCC (Student Computing Center)--that’s the place where you had not have the right-of-way down the aisles and aisles of rolly chairs). This place is your printer to make up your username on the spot during New Student Conference (Twinkle_ heaven, too; keep up with your 300 free prints. Berry17 was the only thing you could come up with? Too bad. You’re stuck with You might notice the Quad in this area—or hear the Quad is more like it. This is the home for your very own Aggie Corp of Cadets. From fish to leather senior boots, most cadets reside on campus, march, practice, and run drills in the Quad. Lucky you, you get front row seats. The Corp also has a book of their own lingo, which you’ll learn as needed if you’re a “non-reg.” A special feature in the Quad is the Aggie Honor Code Statue. It reads, “An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal; nor tolerate those who do.” You will live by these words as an Aggie whether on or off campus. It’s taken so seriously that you’ll give your John Hancock on the first page of most tests you take at A&M, testifying to your honor (so don’t cheat; the guilt is everlasting). Look a little further past the newly developed road in front of Rudder Tower, also where most of your college theater experiences will be performed (also known as extra credit assignments), and you’ll see the pride of Aggieland: Kyle Field. It’s your place to stand and be the 12th Man. This is where you’ll learn how to say “Hullabaloo” like it’s your first name. It’s crazy to think that 80,000 fans yell and sing the Aggie war hymn in a concrete slab you will walk by almost every day. Perks of being an Aggie, we suppose. Look to your right and it’s almost like the heavens have beckoned you with this cloud-

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to “place a penny on Sully.” This is especially useful on test days! Watch out for bikes. The worst day ever is a rainy one when the front wheel of a bike tire crashes between your legs on your way to class. Wham! Let us not forget about the little coffee shop, Poor Yorick’s, tucked inside Evans Library. Oh how delicious is their frozen mocha explosion. It’s a frappuccino, basically, but it’s not $5 and it’s the best dang coffee-flavored ice cube you’ve ever had in September when getting to class means sweating through your socks. The Chemistry Building, Blocker, HECC, Psychology—these are pretty basic buildings and landmarks. Learn those and you’ve got Main Campus down. Then there’s that Coke Building before the Bell Tower. You’ll never have a class there but you will always wonder about those basement windows. Now, as you walk out of nostalgic Main Campus, you’re getting awfully close to the smell of stale beer. Well, then—you must be on Northside, named strategically after its black sheep brother, Northgate—the Aggie bar crawl just steps away from campus. Northside is an odd side of campus that you can’t ever drive into far enough to get anywhere. You’ll see what we mean. Sbisa (suh-bee-suh)--some people call it Suhgreasa—is one of the biggest and most poppin’ places on campus to eat. This is the epitome of buffet. Try it. reflecting, architecturally-suave building with chiseled words above the doors such as Now we’re headed over to West Campus. What’s that? You hear a train? That’s a “Loyalty” and “Respect.” What is this place of such wonder and might? That, our remarkably complicated thing, to have train tracks in the middle of campus. But the tracks friend, is the new MSC, the Memorial Student Center. Walking into the building, you’ll notice the “Hat’s Off, Please” signs greeting you. Out of respect for fallen Aggies, the Memorial Student Center is a reverential center devoted to leisure, eating, studying, Starbucks sipping, art gallery hopping, and more. Not only are you able to see more history on the walls of the MSC than in the Lascaux cave paintings, but you can sit, relax, and enjoy the mellow setting of the quiet flag room, play video games downstairs on flat screens, play pool in the lounge, buy that t-shirt for your brother you’ve been meaning to buy, and have your Mac checked out. And don’t forget about the food! You’ve got that “freshman 15” to put on. Oh, and no—you can not walk on the grass. Sorry. Making your way between Rudder and the MSC, you’ve now planted yourself on Main Campus. You’re surrounded by cool, old buildings under towering live oak trees. The lovely libraries and crowded, pebble walkways will remind you that you’re a student. Someone is usually giving a speech or selling raffle tickets on the sidewalks or in the plaza. You might catch a proposal or two in this neck of the woods, too, under the famous Century Tree. It is said that whomever you walk with under the tree will remain with you for a century (and that’s grand...until you’re walking with your class buddy and you both realize the trajectory of your path. Do you stop and make an awkward motion to avoid the arching limbs? Or....). While you are looking around Academic Plaza make sure you find Sully. This statue is a tribute to the former president of A&M Lawrence Sullivan Ross. As the story goes, he would tutor students on a regular basis for a penny. So now we make weekly treks

were here before most of the campus. College Station used to be just a train station with a small college. Us Ags built around them, and the train tracks (still operational) divide the campus to this day. So, yes; you need to beat the train. Sometimes you need to beat the train in the rain. With all the construction recently, you might need to beat the train in the rain while dodging a crane. Coolest thing about the train is the yell at baseball games. Go to the baseball games and hear what we mean. While you’re on West Campus, your goal is to walk through the doors of the West Campus Library and return without any Greek affiliated friends. It won’t happen. Also, you’ll want to remember there is a Which Wich in the cafeteria. Mmmm-mmm goodness. You can take your sandwich over to the gardens made for you by the horticulture students, near the West Campus cafeteria. Look across the parking lots and you’ll find Reed Arena. Just know where that is and you’ll be fine. A note: You should think of it as that place where you’ll turn your Aggie Ring around for the rest of the world to see. That place is where you’ll walk in one day and walk out a Texas A&M University Former Student, an Aggie Alumni. Now that’s some Good Bull (an expression used to promote the Aggie Spirit, y’all). Aggieland is your neighborhood now. Get to know the cracks in the concrete. This is your stomping ground and where some of the best memories of your life will be forged. Gig’ em, and good luck!

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Intro Just two hours west of College Station is the “Live Music Capital” of the world. But you don’t have to drive to Austin to be inundated with live music and festivals. Bryan-College Station is home to numerous music venues and hosts several music festivals throughout the year. As you can imagine, country music is a staple of the region. Many artists, including Randy Rogers and Roger Creager, credit the Brazos Valley with being the birthplace of Texas country music. But in recent years, BCS has also become a hot destination for popular rock, electronic music, rap and hip hop, indie, folk and international performers. Aggieland is a cacophony of local and transient musicians. Each school year, new students bring their musicianship with them, start bands, and create new scenes. The local scene is predominately singer-songwriter. However, there are numerous indie, folk, metal, country, and emo bands that call Aggieland home all year long. You won’t have to search far for live entertainment; every night of the week, BCS has live music playing in bars and music venues across the region. Below is in an introduction to some of the best venues to catch live music in Aggieland as well as an overview of some of the most popular annual music festivals.

Venues Hurricane Harry’s:

When the venerated Texas Hall of Fame closed its doors last year, there was only one true country music venue left: Harry’s. It’s the capital of country, by default. It’s also across the street from main campus and walking distance from Northgate, which keeps the place packed with Aggies and locals. Each year, the venue hosts the most popular Texas country musicians— Pat Green, Jason Boland, Wade Bowen, Randy Rogers, Kevin Fowler, Cory Morrow, Aaron Watson, Brandon Rhyder, Cody Johnson, Roger Creager— and many up-and-coming performers, too. Harry’s also mixes it up with surprise alt-rock shows—Bush, Papa Roach, All American Rejects, and Stone Sour all played Harry’s in the past two years. For more information about Harry’s and for upcoming entertainment schedules, visit Harry’s website at harrys.bcsclubs. com.

Hurricane Harry’s 313 College Ave. College Station, TX 77840 Daisy Dukes:

Dukes is nestled right in the heart of Northgate, with a location central to the bar crawl. Consequently, the venue sees a lot of in-and-out traffic. Although live music at Dukes is infrequent, it hosts a range of different acts during the semesters. Recently, it’s been a hot spot to

catch EDM performers. Electronic dance music is making a resurgence nationally, and Dukes is a suitable home for traveling DJs, with its grand dance floor and balconies. Dukes also hosts country and rock bands from time to time. When live music isn’t on stage, the venue plays a mix of country and top 40—and the dance floor is always packed with two-steppers and club dancing.

Daisy Dukes 217 University Dr. College Station, TX 77840 The Grand Stafford Theater:

Recently re-opened under new ownership, the Stafford in Downtown Bryan is a 10-minute drive north of Northgate. It’s really the only venue dedicated to live music in the region, and every Thursday-Sunday the Stafford hosts everything from indie, folk, alt-country, metal, EDM, hip hop, experimental, and more each week. You never know what you’re gonna get when you walk through the door, so it’s best to visit the Stafford’s website (grandstaffordtheater. com) or pick up a Maroon Weekly before heading Downtown—unless you thrive on surprises. In the past year, the Stafford has hosted Ben Rector, Two Tons of Steel, Cody Johnson, Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights, Black Pistol Fire, Quiet Company, Cody Canada, and so many more.

Grand Stafford Theater 06 S Main St. Bryan, TX 77803

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Schotzi’s, Zapatos Cantina, Revolution Cafe and Bar:

and

These three joints have an irregular live music schedule. However, they each end up having surprise shows that you wished you’d attended, except you most likely don’t hear about them until days after. Don’t let this happen to you. We would recommend checking each venue’s website and Facebook page for show information, but we’ve learned firsthand that they hardly every make updates consistently. Instead, pick up a Maroon Weekly and join our Facebook page for up-to-date schedules. We’ve taken the work out of tracking down the entertainment rosters for these places. You’ll see some of the best reggae, folk, rock, jazz, and country acts that make last-minute stops at these places along their tour routes. Also, make sure to check out Revolution’s Open Mic Night on Wednesdays; it’s a great night to catch talented students and locals playing their hearts out. You can hop on stage, too, and they even have a house guitar.

Shotzi’s 205 University Dr. College Station, TX 77840 Zapatos Cantina. 211 University Dr College Station, TX 77840 Revolution Cafe and Bar 211 S Main St, Bryan, TX, 77803

Music Festivals Ziegfest:

Ziegfest’s one-day festival of beer and music is held in September, just as the semester is underway. It’s the first big party of the school year, and the event hosts some of the biggest names in Texas country. The location of Ziegfest has hopped around town in recent years, but it found a new home last year at Lake Bryan. We hope it stays there, since there’s nothing like a music festival with a backdrop of the sun setting over a lake. Last year, Shooter Jennings and the Turnpike Troubadours headlined. Make sure to stop by the Maroon Weekly section for free swag and to get free pictures of you and friends in our free photo booth. More info at facebook.com/ZiegFest2012LakeBryan.

Chilifest:

One of the biggest events of the spring semester, Chilifest is a two-day event that marks the end of winter and the inevitable end of the semester, too. Hosted annually in Snook, Chilifest is split into a Friday and Saturday event. Friday night is solely for Chilifest team

members, as they have access to an exclusive concert the night before the main event. Saturday is open to the general public and has the most stellar line-up. Chilifest is strictly country, and the Snook stage has seen some A-list talent in recent years, with Josh Turner headlining last year. Previous years have had George Jones and Billy Currington take the stage, and you can expect someone big in 2014, as the event continues to grow in size since it’s inception in 1991. All proceeds benefit a number of local charities. More info at chilifest.org.

LOUD!FEST: Held in May, just as the semester has wound down and students begin their massive exodus from Aggieand, LOUD!FEST takes over the newly quiet streets of Downtown Bryan and hosts a 3-day event of—you guessed it—loud music. If you’re into metal, punk, and hardcore, this is the annual event for you. It’s put on by a group of bands and locals each year, and for the price of only $5, you get access to all three days of the festival. It might just be the least expensive festival in Texas. And that’s great; you can spend the extra dinero on earplugs. More info at facebook.com/bcsloudfest.

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The Texas A&M University Watch by If the dorm room or library isn’t your study atmosphere of choice, it might be nice to find a place to relocate for a while. Even if coffee isn’t your style, the atmosphere and great snacks available at the wide variety of coffee houses in College Station are excuses enough to ditch the dorm room.

Sweet Eugene’s

This is a great hangout for studying or for a group of friends who are looking to get together on a random night to catch up. There are a number of small rooms with extremely comfortable furniture. Be sure to grab a muffin and a frozen drink. Because it’s a popular place, it can fill up fast; but there is seating outside and couches can be shared.

MugWalls

If cozy spaces and a friendly staff are a prerequisite for studying, MugWalls is the perfect spot. It has patio seating, a living room space, and a loft area upstairs. It’s much smaller than other places but offers a cozy environment. With quirky mugs and great coffee and pastries to go along with it, studying here is ideal for one or a small group.

Muldoons

One of the newest coffee shops in town, Muldoon’s is Aggie owned. It’s one of the largest coffee house venues in town and it’s a great place to study with groups. With a large amount of table space, it’s ideal to sprawl out with books and notes. They just added a cupcakery which adjoins the cafe space, which means you can buy multiflavored cupcakes to snack on while you’re knee-deep in homework.

Starbucks

If chains are your thing, head to one of the many Starbucks in town. If you’re in a hurry just to grab a drink be sure to get there before or after the morning rush hour, because the lines get long quickly. This is a great place to head if you’re planning to study by yourself, because seating is limited. There’s also a Starbucks directly across from campus, too!

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Hasting’s and Barnes and Noble

Both bookstores house small cafés that offer some of your favorite coffee drinks. These are great places to go if you’re looking to sit and read for a while. While the chairs are wooden, unpadded, and not the most comfortable, the stores are usually always quiet and not packed. Bring books from school or grab one from the store. Hasting’s recently added more space to its cafe for students. It also has a cozy fireplace for those cooler winter months.

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No introduction to Aggieland would be complete without introducing incoming students to Bryan-College Station’s frozen yogurt culture. In the past two years, the nation’s self-serve frozen yogurt craze arrived in Aggieland and is now one of the fastest growing consumption trends in the region. As of this story, there are nearly 10 frogurt stores now open--with more on the way. If you stand on the corner of Texas Avenue and Harvey Road, down the street from campus, you can literally walk to three different frozen yogurt businesses. The self-serve frozen yogurt craze began over 6 years ago, when the concept-originally conceived in South Korea--made its way across the Pacific and landed in California. Pinkberry, the first chain to introduce the modern froyo concept to America, opened its first 650-square-foot shop in West Hollywood in January of 2005. Owner Hyekyung Hwang opened the store in a location with bad parking options, never anticipating how successful her business would be. Long lines formed shortly after opening, with scores of people--desperate for a froyo fix--parking illegally for blocks around the store. The city was reportedly raking in $15,000 a month in parking tickets from Pinkberry customers. The Pinkberry story in West Hollywood is similar to our own froyo beginnings here in BCS. When Spoons Yogurt (the first of the BCS froyo businesses) opened in the summer of 2009, it didn’t take long for lines to snake their way out the door and into the parking lot. It also didn’t take long for other businesses to recognize the potential Spoons had created. Within months, other companies marched into BCS with frozen yogurt machines in tow. In February of 2010, Red Mango opened; in October of 2010, Froyoyo opened--and with several others popping up in rapid succession, the streets of Aggieland were soon paved in froyo. The success of frozen yogurt isn’t owed simply to the tasty, tart dessert itself; it’s owed more to the self-serve, pay-by-weight concept. Giving customers free reign over their sweet tooth is like giving your inner child the key to the candy store. When you walk into each establishment, you’re confronted with a wall of frozen yogurt machines. You can preview each store’s flavors with complimentary tasting cups before you begin filling your bowl with the flavors you like. To make things worse (or better), as you make your way to the weigh station, you’re confronted with even more options: tubs of toppings to sprinkle (or shovel) onto your frozen yogurt. Most stores offer a plentiful selection of freshly chopped fruits, candy bar bits, nuts, granola, cereals and sugary sauces. If you stay away from the high-calorie toppings, like crumbled candy bars and sugarcoated cereals, most of the yogurt alone is about half the calories of ice cream (or less), non fat, high in calcium, and teeming with millions of probiotics--like lactobacillus bulgaricus and streptococcus thermophilus. Live and active cultures offer a variety of health benefits, including support for a healthy immune system as well as aiding joint health and flexibility. It’s these health benefits that have made modern frozen yogurt palatable both for the tastebuds and the health conscious. In the following pages, we’re going to introduce you to five froyo companies currently open in town. Even though they’re all selling frozen yogurt, each place has its own story and offers its own unique take on the product and concept.

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Spoons currently has three locations open in Bryan and College Station. The first selfserve froyo vendor in the region was Spoons, located on 1509 South Texas Avenue. Spoons Yogurt was originally conceived in a Mays Business Fellows program on campus. A group of students working on a school project came up with the business model and then pitched the idea to entrepreneur David Mebane, a former Aggie looking to open a business in College Station. Within weeks of opening its doors, Spoons was one of most successful new businesses in town. An Aggie favorite and a winner of a Best of BCS Award for Best Froyo, Spoons is already becoming a big franchise. The company now has many locations, with two stores outside the Lonestar State--in Kansas and South Carolina. The interior of the store is standard for the froyo business, with clean tile floors and walls, bright lighting, clean glass panels on the walls that provide nutritional information, and flat screen TVs that show rotating slides of featured flavors. Like most froyo joints, the place feels like you’re inside the deep end of a tile swimming pool. That’s not exactly a bad thing; the design concept exudes a feeling of cleanliness and order in what could otherwise become a messy ordeal. Spoons offers 12 flavors of froyo and rotates new flavors frequently. (If you “like” their Facebook page, you’ll get updates about what flavors are on rotation in your newsfeed.)

Red Mango is one of the forefathers of the froyo business. The Korean-based chain with US headquarters in Dallas is now a huge franchise internationally. It was one of the first to land on the West Coast and start the frogurt revolution along with Pinkberry. The Red Mango store in College Station is locally owned and considered one of the most healthy frozen yogurt options offered in town. Located below the Lofts at Wolf Pen Creek on Holleman Drive, Red Mango’s outdoor seating plaza (with a fountain) and Wolf Pen Creek Park across the street make it a kind of dessert vacation spot. (It’s also a great date spot.) You can get your dessert and either sit and enjoy it peacefully in the plaza, or you can burn off the few calories you’re eating while walking through the park. In addition to serving froyo and having 48 toppings to choose from, Red Mango is also popular for its fresh fruit smoothies and meal replacement parfaits. If you’ve ever had a bubble tea (another dessert trend--a smoothie with tapioca balls on the bottom that you slurp through a wide straw), then you’ll love Red Mango’s “Popping Boba” in the toppings bar. The little tapioca balls are filled with strawberry mango juice that “pop” and splash juice in your mouth when you bite down on them.

The third establishment to open in C-Stat, Froyoyo is independently owned by husband and wife team Dave and Joan Duce. The store in College Station is #2 of two stores they own. After the pair opened their first Froyoyo in Austin, Joan wanted to open one in College Station, where she was born and raised. She runs the store in C-Stat; Dave runs the store in Austin. In addition to the regular frozen yogurt they sell, Froyoyo also serves a special blend of frogurt called “Only 8.” No, it doesn’t mean only 8 calories (that would be impossible). According to their product information cards (available in stores), the following 8 things make up their yogurt: water, fructose, grade A Kosher whey, whey protein concentrate, maltodextrin, natural flavoring and stabilizers, calcium, and active yogurt cultures. We know what you’re thinking: “So…it doesn’t taste good, then.” Let’s put it this way: When Coca Cola used to advertise that you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between Diet Coke and Coke Classic, no one was fooled. From the first sip, Diet coke tasted…well, like Diet Coke. But the same isn’t true with Froyoyo’s Only 8 yogurts. Their Only 8 chocolate flavor, for example, has no residues of that “Diet Coke” flavor to it--at all. It’s light, creamy and delicious like regular chocolate froyo.

Project: Yogurt is one of the newest froyo houses on the block, opened in January of 2011. The term “Project” in the name refers to a completely new concept in the biz: The place not only sells yogurt but it also donates 10 percent of its sales to local charities. The philanthropic dessert concept was the brainchild of owner Audrianne Doucet, a 2011 Women’s and Gender Studies major at TAMU. Doucet revealed to us that she had changed her major six times in an effort to discover a way to fulfill her passion for resolving social issues. She also revealed to us that she’s a froyo junkie. Put the two together and you get Project: Yogurt. Each quarter, Project: Yogurt partners with five local non-profit organizations. In addition to giving 10 percent of sales to the non-profits selected each quarter, customers can also drop change and bills in five slots at the cash register representing each organization. For the first quarter the store opened, Project: Yogurt donated $1,300 to charities just from customer donations. Like many of the other establishments in town, Project: Yogurt has flat screens--except they are smaller and on the walls at each table. As you’re eating your froyo, you can read about each charitable organizations’ community projects on the screens and feel even better about the dessert you’re eating.

One of the most popular frozen yogurt businesses in the country, Yogurtland came to College Station in December of 2010. There are currently hundreds of Yogurtland locations nationwide. But just because they’re big, doesn’t mean they’re not involved locally. The Yogurtland in College Station is locally owned and--like many of the other frogurt businesses in town--they help A&M student organizations raise funds through profit sharing events. Student groups can schedule and promote a two-hour fundraiser at Yogurtland and they’ll receive 25 percent of the purchases made by attendees. Yogurtland has eight machines serving a total of 16 flavors each day and 48 toppings at any one time. You can always expect new surprises in their topping bar (like Asian red beans and lychee fruit) as their development team always looks for new ways to treat your sweet tooth. Unlike other stores in the area, Yogurtland actually makes and serves their own proprietary frozen yogurt, allowing them to charge the least amount of any other froyo store in the area. Their yogurt is also made with natural ingredients that you can visibly see. For example, their pistachio yogurt has real grinded pistachios in it. Yogurtland also provides berry-infused water free to all guests at a self-serve dispenser in the store’s seating area. And if you haven’t tasted College Station’s water yet, you’ll appreciate this very soon.

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The 12th Man is not a myth. It’s a living, breathing, integral part of what makes Texas A&M so amazing and unique. Current and former students all play a huge role in the movement that is the 12th Man. But there are some special groups that go above and beyond the 12th Man call of duty. The Sugar Daddies, for example, have been creating a unique softball atmosphere at the Aggie Softball Complex for years. They began when some Fish Camp staffers started attending games. They noticed there wasn’t a fan group, so the Sugar Daddies were born. “The Sugar Daddies are all about 100% supporting the TAMU Softball Team,” Bob Locke, one of the head Softball Sugar Daddies said. “We do this by creating an atmosphere in the stands to pump up the team and also to give them the best home field advantage possible.” Other groups such as the Raggies and the Diamond Darlings promote attendance, serve as bat girls at both home and road games, sell programs, hand out promotional items, help in the recruiting process and more at baseball games. Membership is open to anyone who is in good standing with the university and will be a full-time student during the upcoming fall and spring semesters. The Raggies, like the Sugar Daddies, are all about making Olsen Field a tough place to play. Even sports such as tennis draw a faithful crowd. The Mitchell Maniacs ensure that the game atmosphere at the Mitchell Tennis Center will be unlike any other in all of college tennis. The same can be said for the Reed Rowdies for Men’s Basketball and the Women’s Rowdies for the Women’s Basketball team. “First and foremost, we attend every home game and make as much noise as possible. We also work with the marketing department to develop strategies for attracting students to WBB games,” Women’s Rowdies President Paul Rodgers said. The Women’s Rowdies do their best to make sure any team that visits Reed Arena knows whose house they’re in. Rodgers, who noticed a low student turnout for WBB, said that you could find the Rowdies at all the home games, selling shirts, yelling loud, and just having fun. “We really got our start out of necessity. There was a need for a student support group, so we started the Women’s Rowdies. Now anyone can be a part and help us grow bigger and better.” Another support group for the Texas A&M basketball team is the Aggie Angels. According to aggieathletics.com, the Aggie Angels “assist in increasing the awareness of the Aggie Men’s Basketball Program and assist in increasing attendance.” And even our football team has a support group. According to their website, the Aggie Hostesses “are an elite student support group whose main goal is to support the Texas A&M Football program.” The Hostesses work year-round, assisting the coaching staff in a variety of ways, including game day assistance and with special events, such as Chalk Talk, Coach’s Clinic, kick-off events, and summer football camps. No matter who you are, there is a place for everyone in Aggie sports. The 12th man is about more than just being an Aggie; it’s about being there for your team.

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CrossFit is a culture. When you join a typical gym and are assigned a personal trainer, you’re most likely going to be treated not as an individual but as an anonymous body. CrossFit is different. When you join CrossFit Aggieland, you—all of you—becomes an integral part of a community. Before you begin your training regimen, your body is assessed for everything from dexterity, muscle mass, and age, to limiting injuries you may have sustained. But on top of being assessed physically, CrossFit evaluates who you are, what you want to be, and what you think you’re incapable of being. The latter assessment is what truly makes CrossFit different than any other workout routine. The trainers learn who you are, they connect with you. Consequently, being treated as a complete human being rather than just a body results in one of the best programs for physical self improvement. CrossFit Aggieland trains seasoned athletes at the height of their physical health and even elderly individuals with heart disease. The programs are scaled for load and intensity based upon each person’s physical and mental signature. Take CrossFit Aggieland trainer and former Aggie football standout, Seth McKinney, for example. After an illustrious career in maroon and white and then as a professional football player for 8 years, Seth left the NFL, gained 15 pounds over his playing weight (he weighed a total of 325 pounds), and suffered from a significant decrease in physical activity after sustaining injuries during his career. In short, he was out of shape. He was also reluctant to try CrossFit. But after making the commitment and becoming a part of the family, Seth lost 85lbs and is in the best physical shape of his life. CrossFit taught him how to work hard and how to eat right, supporting him throughout his journey. And today he is now a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer and competitor. Seth is just one example of the results you can achieve at CrossFit Aggieland. He and the other trainers on staff—Paige McKinney, Will and Rebekah Shaub, Jesse and Melody Shulse, and Lance Yancy—comprise a team that will nurture your inner athlete and help you achieve peak results beyond your expectations. You don’t have to take our word for it though; you can try CrossFit Aggieland for one week free. Visit their website at crossfitaggieland.com and sign-up for a trial. It might turn into the best decision you—all of you—has ever made.

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1000 GEORGE BUSH DRIVE WEST COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS 77845 979.691.4000

bushlibrary.tamu.edu/students

S T O P B Y T O D AY F O R A T O U R great location • 2-story townhomes with outdoor living areas • leather-style sectional sofas • stainless steel appliances & granite countertops • pet friendly

NEW STUDENT TOWNHOMES

U CLUB TOWNHOMES.COM • 979.703.1923 • 801 MARION PUGH DR

@bushlibrary

ADMISSION

Get Great Seats to Broadway Shows and Concerts with

Sparks will

The OPAS Student Ticket Option

O PA S 2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 4

Get OPAS tickets for the low price of $200. This special price is for tickets to OPAS Main Stage events only. Students have the option to select 7 tickets (Zone D - Balcony) or 4 tickets (Zone B - Middle Orchestra/Side Mezzanine). Some restrictions apply.*

ANN COBB WIATT MAIN STAGE CIRQUE DREAMS ROCKS TUE & WED, SEP 17 & 18 Sponsored by

Aggieland Credit Union

To register for the OPAS Student Ticket Option, follow these steps: (1) Visit Howdy.tamu.edu