thebattalion
this day in
exas thistory
Jan. 28, 1861
● thursday,
Texas joined the Confederacy after seceding from the Union during the Civil War.
january 28, 2010
● serving
texas a&m since 1893
● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2010 student media
Bats’ stay in Aston over
coming friday
Aggie in Haiti Dr. Tom Rivers, class of 1992, who is an orthopedic surgeon went to Haiti with the Greene Team. He arrived five days after the earthquake hit to help survivors.
Students did not want mandatory move from dorms Beau Holder The Battalion Relocation. It loomed like a dark cloud — over the staff, over the residents, over the unwanted guests themselves. As with all storms, this one slowly approached. Spun each and every way, the saga of the bats that infested Aston Hall added up to one penultimate possibility: relocation. But thanks to Texas A&M Pest Control Services, the clouds lifted. On Tuesday night the nets that had been placed over the courtyard of Aston were removed and with the nets went the majority of the bats. “I don’t think the problem is completely resolved,” Varghese said. “But the course of action we took is going to help a lot.”
Tennis talent Two-time All American tennis player Austin Krajicek helps bring athletes to A&M.
inside
See Bats on page 4
news | 8
Senate: Open campus roads
Bush School gets a new dean Ryan Crocker comes to A&M to help continue school’s commitment to public service.
b! food | 3
Vietnamese spring rolls Learn how to make simple spring rolls. They are cheap and fun to make for any occasion.
sports | 5
Aggie basketball Coverage on both men’s and women’s games.
JD Swiger— THE BATTALION
Mary Bolton Eckles, who was born and reared on the Texas A&M University campus, turned 100 years old Jan 16th. She celebrated her birthday with friends and family.
Woman celebrates 100 years A&M campus was woman’s playground during her childhood years Brandi Tevebaugh The Battalion Mary Bolton Eckles remembers when College Station had a single red light, when Texas A&M only admitted male students, and when her house was the only place on campus with Christmas lights. Eckles celebrated her 100th birthday on Jan. 16, surrounded by family and friends. “I had a party, a big party,” Eckles said. “All kinds of family came. I just had a good time.” Eckles’ birthday party was a weekend-long event. Friday night began with country western dance lessons arranged by Mary’s son, Frank, for the visitors — who came from five different states. Eckles is still active, and said she thought that part of the weekend was wonderful.
“She tried to get up and do the chicken dance, but that didn’t last long,” said Vicki Eckles, Mary’s daughter-in-law. “It was like ‘what is this? This is not dancing.’” On Saturday, Jan. 16, family and friends including A&M President-elect Loftin and College Station Mayor Ben White attended a birthday tea party. Cards poured in from all over the United States. Gov. Rick Perry, President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush sent her letters, and she received the flag that was flown over the state capital in her honor. “It took us about an afternoon and a half to read all of her cards to her,” Vicki said. See 100-year-old on page 4
Melissa Appel The Battalion The Texas A&M Student Senate discussed various construction projects and campus road closures during their meeting Wednesday. Senators expressed concern about the current closure of Joe Routt Boulevard due to construction at the Memorial Student Center Complex. Presently, the westbound lanes are closed while under construction; eastbound lanes are not under construction at this time, but have been closed to through traffic. Authors of the Joe Routt Bill said this closure severely hampers traffic traveling from one side of the campus to another. The bill asks that the unaffected lanes of the street be opened to either one-way or two-way traffic during time of construction. “We want basically to alleviate traffic, because it is ridiculous, especially during rush hour,” said Rules and Regulations Chairman Mike Simmons. The bill also addresses the future closure of Joe Routt Boulevard. Under the plans for MSC construction, Joe Routt will be permanently shut down and transformed into a pedestrian mall upon reopening of See Senate on page 8
CARPOOL to run Thursday
Obama addresses nation’s struggles, fears in speech
CARPOOL will begin operations again Thursday. After the service shut down temporarily for the beginning of the semester due to lack of funding, Rebecca Orth, director of public relations for CARPOOL and a senior health major said they have reached their goal and should have no problems staying in operation for the duration of the spring semester. “We had goals set up to tell us when we could start running,” Orth said. “We didn’t want to start until we knew we were secure enough.” Although the organization has met its goal to start back up, Orth said the fundraising efforts are not over and they continue to ask for support from the Aggie community. CARPOOL will operate from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday through Sunday. To catch a ride, contact them at 979-693-9905. Vicky Flores, staff writer Courtesy Photo
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Nathan Alsbrooks
opinion | 7
Special to The Battalion President Barack Obama stood before the country Wednesday to deliver the first State of the Union address of his presidency. The president began by setting the stage for his message, reminding Congress that for more than 200 years, presidents have stepped forward to deliver the State of the Union in the midst of vastly differing circumstances. He said he was aware that
Thumbs up for Obama
See Obama on page 2
State of the Union address puts aside the differences of the year to focus on the future.
1/28/10 12:39 AM