thebattalion
this day in
rld wohistory
Feb. 11, 1990 In South Africa, Nelson Mandela, at age 71, was released from prison after serving 27 years of a life sentence on charges of attempting to overthrow the apartheid government. In April 1994, he was elected president in the first all-race elections.
thebatt.com
A&M v. Tech Recap of Wednesday’s women’s basketball game online.
coming friday
● thursday,
february 11, 2010
● Serving
Texas A&M since 1893
Laws of liquor A
Story by Kyle Cunningham
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Photo by Nicholas Badger
lcohol use among college students is the worst-kept secret in the country. Weekend in and weekend out, students, many under the legal age requirement, consume their drink of choice at parties, at bars or in solitude. Many students may not understand the legalities and rules regarding alcohol consumption, purchase and possessions.
scene
Over a century of tradition
Megan Ryan and David Harris discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being single and being in a relationship during the Valentine’s holiday.
inside sports | 5
Senior tennis star Elze Potgier, captain of the women’s tennis team, comes to A&M from South Africa and is finding life to be a tad busy.
voices | 7
Listening with open arms On Saturday, show support for those struggling with depression by writing “love” on your arm.
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The Battalion
The Texas A&M University Police Department reported the crime which received the highest amount of charges, 431, in 2008 and 2009 combined was Driving While Intoxicated. Although many think the only way to get charged with a DWI is with a .08 Blood/Breath Alcohol Concentration, or BAC, it is up to the arresting officer. Punishments scale up with each occurring offense. For the first offense, a Class B misdemeanor, a person can receive a fine not to exceed $2,000, jail time ranging from three days to six months – six days is the minimum if an open container was in the car – and between 24 and 100 community service hours. The second offense is considered a Class A Misdemeanor. For the second DWI infraction within a five year span, the owner will be required to equip their vehicle with a special ignition switch that will prevent the car from starting if the driver has been drinking, like a breathalyzer for an automobile. On top of that, the offender will be subject to a fine of up to $4,000,
“If you only learn one thing in your college career, learn responsible drinking.” - Kristi Hosea University Police Master Officer
Editor’s Note
Single or taken?
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See Laws on page 4
The Century Tree has stood in the heart of campus for more than 100 years and over time has accumulated many legends. Find out why the Century Tree is the most romantic spot on campus for Valentine’s Day.
voices
● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2010 Student Media
“Laws of liquor” is the second of a three-part series in which The Battalion examines the consequences of and recovery from inappropriate consumption of alcohol.
Big Event gets bigger Officers hope to up recruitment, job sites Brandi Tevebaugh The Battalion If being recognized by President Barack Obama at the Points of Light Forum in October was not enough, Big Event director Mallory Myers is trying to break the organization’s records for recruitment and jobs completed. “Our goal is to have 14,000 Aggies complete over 1,400 jobs,” said Myers, a junior political science major. “Last year, 12,500 Aggies completed over 1,200 jobs.” To reach its new goal, the organization began recruiting Tuesday morning and will continue recruiting for three weeks. Tables will be set up around campus to distribute participation forms. “We’ll be handing out stickers, buttons, cups, pens and sunglasses,
and then students can just sign up,” Myers said. “You can sign up as an organization, just a group of friends, or as an individual. If you sign up as an individual, we put you in a group.” To reach more students this year, the committee is trying new tactics. The organization will be recruiting in new places, such as the Student Recreation Center. The first 4,000 students to sign up will be given a free T-shirt. The Big Event committee is also trying to reach new groups. “We’re really reaching out to three areas of the student body that haven’t been reached out to as much: international students, graduate students and freshmen,” said Big Event recruitment executive Jake McDougal, a senior industrial distribution major. “Those three groups make up a large portion of the student body.” Big Event will be March 27. The
event began 28 years ago at Texas A&M and is the largest one-day student service project in the nation. “I think I am just most excited to be at kickoff to see 14,000 Aggies come together for one day,” Myers said. “It’s just going to be a wonderful thing to see all those Aggies ready to serve. It’s what drives me every day to get up and get ready. It’s just very exciting and very motivating.” Kickoff this year will include keynote speakers, a performance by the band Nelo, free sausage and drinks, Yell Practice and a cannon fire to send students to their worksites. Participants can expect to do anything from raking leaves to washing windows, but jobs cannot require power tools. Committee members check each site before the event. Big Event See Event on page 2
Investigation ongoing in student death Trigg Hughes, a sophomore physics major, was found dead in his apartment on Jan. 31. Officers at the College Station Police Department declined to comment on his death, saying the investigation is ongoing. Hughes’ friends remembered him as a student who was brilliant and passionate about finding answers. “Trigg absolutely loved the stars — he loved the universe and was fascinated by it,” said Ashley Tate, a junior industrial distribution major. “He was by far one of the smartest people I have met in my entire life. He would have done something
really incredible with his life.” While a student, Hughes was also an active member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Greg Luthy, a junior industrial engineering major and Beta Theta Pi brother, said Hughes is dearly missed by all who knew him. “He was a great guy and was always fun, always happy,” Luthy said. “He made everyone around him better and more comfortable. He had a whole world ahead of him. He was a happy person and we all loved him and miss him a lot.” Robert Carpenter, staff writer
File photo — THE BATTALION
Big Event volunteer Will Wilson applies white paint to the front side of a house on his group’s job site at a 2008 Big Event.
Hispanic dean honored for community work Joaquin Villegas
Funeral services Hughes’ funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Glen Meadows Baptist Church in San Angelo, Texas.
The Battalion The School of Rural Public Health was recently honored by the Latino Leaders Magazine when Dean Ciro V. Sumaya was named one of the “101 Most Influential Leaders in the Hispanic Community” out of more than 500 nominees. The list honors multidisciplinary leaders who are working hard to improve the Hispanic community at a national level in a wide range of fields. “The overall process is we make
a lot of phone calls to personal contacts and get a sense of who is important in their industry,” said Eric Baca, editor-in-chief of Latino Leaders Magazine. “We narrow the list to about 500 people, and we apply our own criteria.” Among the Sumaya various criteria for selecting the leaders, activity in philanthropies and national impact are among the See Sumaya on page 6
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