thebattalion
news for you texas SMU murder trial begins The trial began Wednesday for a prison inmate charged in the 1984 killing of a Southern Methodist University student in her off-campus apartment. Donald Andrew Bess, 61, was already serving a life sentence when he was charged with capital murder in the death of Angela Samota two years ago. If convicted, Bess could face the death penalty.
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new students dallas
Old-time road trip The Galaxy Drive In Movie Theatre, located on the outskirts of Ennis, provides an old-fashioned venue for an evening under the stars.
The Battalion
The Collins Street Bakery of Corsicana is well-loved by locals for its decadent desserts. Sam’s Restaurant of Fairfield offers satisfying homecooking, including pies.
Former A&M basketball center, Joseph Jones hails from the small town of Normangee, population 719.
nation &world Russians begin Mars training
Feds approve new oil well Federal regulators approved on Wednesday the first new Gulf of Mexico oil well since President Obama lifted a brief ban on drilling in shallow water, even while deepwater projects remain frozen after the massive BP spill. The Minerals Management Service granted a new drilling permit for a site about 50 miles off the coast of Louisiana.
Graphic by Evan Andrews and photos by David Harris — THE BATTALION
Interstate Highway 45 winds its way through several relatively unnoticed points of interest.
B
ig D. Malls as far as the eye can see. Big city lights. America’s Team. But before you arrive at the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the charm of smalltown living is evident throughout the three-hour drive down Interstate Highway 45. There are decadent dessert stops, farmtowns and old-time drive-in movie theaters to indulge in.
David Harris | The Battalion
see story on page 3
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Matt Young — THE BATTALION
As part of a sales agreement between Texas A&M University and the city of College Station, grave sites at Luther Street and Marion Pugh Drive will be relocated to the Aggie Field of Honor. “Several years ago the University sold some property to the city of College Station to allow the development of a new cemetery,” said David Morrison, manager of facilities information at Texas A&M. “The University required the city set aside an area to allow for the remains of those individuals to be replaced in the new cemetery.” Among the bodies buried in the current obscure gravesite is former
energy
miles
Tank of gas ◗ This is the first part of a series “There and back on a tank of gas.” A staff member will travel to a different city each week and document the trip. If you’d like to submit an idea, go to thebatt. com/aboutus
University relocates century-old graves Vicky Flores | The Battalion
The first of 12 New Student Conferences for the nearly 10,000 incoming freshmen and transfer students begins today. The two-day orientations aim to help new students and their families transition to college life, providing them with information about everything from academic expectations to core university values and Aggie traditions. This year’s conferences have a recently enhanced PreConference Day with an evening social at the Clayton W. Williams Conference Center, where orientation attendees can get an early start on meeting other new Aggies, ask questions and even try on a Class of 2014 Aggie Ring. “I think our goal is to really help every new student feel welcome and included, no matter their background. We strive for the New Student Conference to represent a collective embrace of the entire Aggie family,” said Meredith Malnar, assistant coordinator of New Student Programs. “Our orientation leaders are reflective of the student body, including out of state and international hometowns.” Orientation leaders are selected in the spring and must atSee New students on page 3
cemetery
Staff and wire reports
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Class of 2014 visits A&M Rebecca Bennett
www.texasgasprices.com
A team of researchers will try to experience what a manned mission to Mars might be like by locking themselves up in a windowless capsule for 520 days. Starting today, the allmale crew of three Russians, a Frenchman, an Italian-Colombian and a Chinese will live in the spartan conditions of a mock spaceship and follow a harsh regimen of experiments and exercise.
The chance to really show new students and their families what it means to be an Aggie is such a great privilege. Kayla Lammert, senior chemistry major
Baby slings cause deaths The death of a 10-day-old boy in Round Rock in 2007 has prompted the recall of some handmade baby slings. The Consumer Product Safety Commission urged parents on Wednesday to immediately stop using the infant slings from Sprout Stuff in Austin, Texas, saying the slings pose a suffocation risk.
texas a&m since 1893
University President Lafayette Foster, who died in 1901. “For many years, the current site of those graves have been fairly neglected and only in the last several years has it been looked at again,” Morrison said. “It is important to the University that we make sure that the graves of these people are taken care of properly instead of having them stuck in the corner of a horse pasture.” The University has yet to hear any complaints from family members for moving the current gravesites to the Aggie Field of Honor, which is located in the center of the new cemetery at 3800 See Cemetery on page 6
Quick facts ◗ 11 graves are being moved to the Aggie Field of Honor. ◗ Former University President Lafayette Foster is one of the graves being moved. ◗ The new Memorial Cemetery costs $10 million to build.
Campus utilities go green These days, many people are making an effort to be environmentally friendly. As a part of this effort, the Texas A&M Utilities and Energy Management Department has introduced a combined heat and power project. “Over the past two years, A&M embarked on an evaluation to look at equipment for power and steam and to identify the best options for energy around campus,” said Jim Riley, Utilities and Energy Management director. Texas A&M has had on campus power generation since 1893. The project was $70.25 million. “You’re generating electricity and taking the waste heat, and you produce steam,” Riley said. “Take the steam and run it to the steam generator, and take the exhaust steam from that. And See Energy on page 3
Information For more information on the project and how it will affect traffic, visit utilities.tamu. edu and transportation. tamu.edu
6/2/10 8:59 PM
Festival Jazz Project
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CPR & First Aid Classes Health Care Provider CPR $35 Heart Saver CPR $25 Heart Saver First Aid $10
Y L L U F PED P I U EQ
The all-star Texas Music Festival Jazz Project presents the best in jazz with Noe Marmolejo, director, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. June 7 at Annenberg Presidential Conference Center.
Today 40% chance of storms
Register at TAMECT.org 1805 Briarcrest, Bryan
High: 90| Low: 72 courtesy of NOAA
Crosscultural diversity training
Expand your sci-fi mind at Cushing exhibit
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The International Programs Office is offering a Community of Respect Train-theTrainer Workshop, a cross-cultural diversity program June 24-25.
Exhibition features pieces from Cushing’s Science Fiction and Fantasy Research Collection, including manuscripts, first editions, pulp magazines and other items that capture science fiction’s influence on literature, media and popular culture.
Friday 20% chance of showers high: 97 low: 73 Saturday hot, clear high: 98 low: 76 Sunday hot, clear high: 100 low: 78
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thebattalion 06.03.2010 For daily updates go to thebatt.com ● Facebook ● Twitter@thebattonline
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First correct responses: Phil Dorsett, class of 2004 Sara VanHauen, senior civil engineering major
Need to have your wisdom teeth removed?
Kevin Bennett, senior economics major Matt Young — THE BATTALION
Think you know every nook and cranny at Texas A&M? The first people to get the answer correct will have their names published. Send your response with your name, class and major to photo@thebatt.com.
Don’t hope for hocus-pocus. We have a research study. Right now, PPD is looking for men and women for a post-surgical pain relief research study of an investigational medication. Surgery for qualified study participants will be performed by a board certified oral surgeon. Financial compensation is provided upon study completion and the surgery is performed at no cost.
Perry praises state air quality
The EPA seems to believe that federal controls and bureaucracy are more important than clean air results. Gov. Rick Perry, class of 1972
DEER PARK, Texas — Gov. Rick Perry, class of 1972, says the state should not be threatened with a take over of its air quality program but instead be lauded for regulating pollution. At a news conference Wednesday in the Houston suburb of Deer Park, Perry said the federal government should stop what he called a “power grab” by the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA’s regional director said it would remove Texas’ regulatory authority by midsummer if the state fails to comply with the Clean Air Act. “Last week, the federal government sent the very clear message that it seeks to destroy Texas’s successful clean air program and threaten tens of thousands of good Texas jobs in the process. The EPA seems to believe that federal controls and bureaucracy are more important than clean air results,” Perry said.
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Standing inside a warehouse that makes fluid sealing products for the petrochemical industry, Perry said the Texas program for permitting pollutants from petrochemical plants has helped improve air quality. “Texas’ commonsense approach to air quality permitting works because it avoids the damage caused by Washington’s command and control approach, while cleaning the air, helping create jobs and growing our state economy,” he said. The state and EPA disagree over the way Texas issues emissions permits. “I am eager to get back to the drawing board and have constructive, law and science based discussions with EPA, discussions that should have been finished 16 years ago,” said Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Executive Director Mark Vickery. Staff and wire reports
Read his letter to Obama ◗ In response to the EPA’s announcement last week, Gov. Rick Perry sent a letter urging President Barack Obama to stop the agency’s excessive overreach into Texas’ permitting process, which would kill thousands of Texas jobs and derail a program that has effectively cleaned Texas’ air. Go to thebatt.com to view Perry’s letter.
TAKE A PIECE OF A&M HISTORY WITH YOU · Reserve your 2011 Aggieland The 109th edition of Texas A&M University’s official yearbook will chronicle traditions, academics, the other education, sports, the Corps, Greeks, campus organizations and seniors and graduate students. Distribution will be during Fall 2011. Cost is $64.90, including shipping and sales tax. Go to the optional services box in Howdy when you register for fall. For info, call 845-2613.
thebattalion THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT VOICE OF TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893
Vicky Flores, Editor in Chief THE BATTALION (ISSN #1055-4726) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Monday through Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University. Periodicals Postage Paid at College Station, TX 77840. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Battalion, Texas A&M University, 1111 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1111. News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in Student Media, a unit of the Division of Student Affairs. News offices are in The Grove, Bldg. 8901. Newsroom phone: 979-845-3313; Fax: 979-845-2647; E-mail: metro@thebatt.com; website: http://www.thebatt.com. Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by The Battalion. For campus, local, and national display advertising, call 979-845-2696. For classified advertising, call 979-8450569. Advertising offices are in The Grove, Bldg. 8901, and office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fax: 979-845-2678. Subscriptions: A part of the Student Services Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. First copy free, additional copies $1. Mail subscriptions are $125 per school year. To charge by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express, call 979845-2613.
6/2/10 7:57 PM
news
page 3 thursday 6.3.2010
thebattalion
Energy Continued from page 1
that provides hot water for showers and food prep and heating water for the buildings.” The equipment A&M is replacing has been installed since the early 1970s. The project generation equipment is built to last for 30 years, so new equipment was a necessity. Design has been completed, and construction is under way.
Riley said one of the major benefits of the project is that it will significantly reduce carbon footprints. “We’re installing almost 2 miles of electrical duct bank — concrete encasement underground for conduit and electrical cable,” he said. “This will have a huge impact on traffic flow. It is a major impact, but there will be huge benefit for many, many decades.” The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2011. Megan Ryan, staff writer
Pointing out important buildings and sharing information about the New Student Conferences. Orientation leaders offer walking tours that depart every 15 minutes. File — THE BATTALION
New students Continued from page 1
tend weekly meetings and retreats where they learn how to be a welcoming and accepting figure to the diverse array of students attending the summer conferences. “The chance to really show new students and their families what it means to be an Aggie is such a great privilege. I love seeing the moment when students and families go from overwhelmed and nervous about their transition to college life to excited about being a part of the Aggie family,” said Kayla Lammert, senior chemistry major and co-director of the Aggie Orientation Leader Program. Not only do the conferences strive to ease freshmen’s anxieties about their newfound independence, but they also offer resources to alleviate parents’ worries. There are scheduled programs at the orientations to equip family members with the knowledge needed to aid in their student’s college success, and parents are able to hear from Aggie Moms Clubs about how to get involved in their local Aggie Network. “We absolutely recognize and appreciate that family members are often the most significant support system for our incoming students,” Malnar said.
New Student Conferences are a campuswide effort as representatives from Residence Life, Greek Life, the Corps of Cadets and others come to speak to the students about various ways to become an integral part of the Aggie Family. “While the New Student Conference is simply an introduction to Aggie traditions, history and culture for many students, for others who do not attend Fish Camp or one of the other extended orientation programs, it is their only opportunity to have these experiences,” Malnar said. Students attend tours to see where the history of the university began, and the Yell Leaders conduct a Yell Practice, where many students sing the War Hymn and the Spirit of Aggieland for the first time. “The transition to college is different for every student, but most students are most anxious about finding their niche at such a large university. They are worried about finding a group of friends, and they want to know how to get involved,” said Angelo Borges, co-director of the orientation program and senior applied mathematics major. “On the other hand, what they are most excited about is the prospect of being independent, of being away from home. They are ready to make their own choices and discover the opportunities presented to them at A&M.”
Small town charm Road trip to Dallas offers simple pleasures David Harris The Battalion Driving down Old San Antonio Road is the best part of the road-trip. The scenery is all farmland, but it stretches as far as the eye can see. The best part, of course, is that it leads you to Normangee. How can you not stop in “The Deerest Place in Texas”? The town of Normangee has a population of 719, so “small” isn’t even a fair description. But this place of 719 people was the hometown of “The Pride of Normangee,” Joseph Jones, who played center for the A&M basketball team from 2004-2008 and is widely regarded as one of the best big men in the history of the program. Now that you’ve been on the road for an hour and a half or so, your music is becoming repetitive, conversation is starting to lag and your stomach is empty. No worries, of course. In the small town of Fairfield lies Sam’s Restaurant, a true home-cooking kind of restaurant. Sure, it looks like a beaten-down shack, but don’t all the best eateries? A man by the name of Samuel Augustus Daniel started a small BBQ stand in the town in 1953. It was there that he figured out the perfect BBQ sauce recipe. His wife, Doris, was also in the process of perfecting her homemade pies and desserts. To this day, the recipes have survived and the food is as good as ever. The restaurant offers a daily buffet and a regular menu to go along with the mouth-watering, homecooked pies. But be prepared to leave feeling very fulfilled. “If you’re planning on coming here, I suggest you come
David Harris — THE BATTALION
A vendor sells locally grown produce at a roadside stand in Fairfield off of Interstate Highway 45. hungry,” said James Stuart, a Dallas resident. Sam’s is located off of Interstate Highway 45 at exit 197 in Fairfield. Driving down Interstate Highway 45, the stomach is starting to rumble—as if the buffet in Fairfield was not enough--and, out of nowhere, pops the billboard reading “The World Famous Collins Street Bakery.” World-famous, eh? That is all you’ve got to say to me. Founded in 1896 in Corsicana, the Collins Street Bakery has made a name for itself with freshly-made sandwiches, breads and, more than anything, delectable desserts. Their world-famous DeLuxe Fruitcake has been around since 1896 and continues to keep patrons happy. “The food is consistently delicious, but the fruitcake and cranberry squares are what make my day,” said James Wilson, Corsicana resident. “The staff is always friendly, and I can legitimately say that no dessert place compares.” The southern-style building
is located off of exit 229 on Interstate Highway 45, just east of Corsicana. The end of your drive is commencing. But, before you reach the metroplex, it would be nice to have one more glimpse of small-town, oldtime living. Drive-in movie theaters seem to have become a rarity in this day and age, but situated on the outskirts of Ennis, the Galaxy Drive In Movie Theatre does not look like much during the day. However, at night the hustle and bustle of many moviegoers makes it a one-of-a-kind experience. “It’s a heck of a place to take a date,” said David Smith, Dallas resident. “Out under the stars, it really reminds you of the good-ole days.” And like the good-ole days, the theater’s fields are equipped with authentic vintage car speakers. The theater is located on Interstate Highway 45, just north of Ennis at exit 255. It is open seven nights a week beginning at 6 p.m.
®
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sports
Senior quarterback Jerrod Johnson will throw out the first pitch prior to the Astros’ game against the Cubs on Friday.
thebattalion 06.03.2010 page4
Track and field
Baseball
Welcome to Miami
File— THE BATTALION
The Aggie baseball team begins the NCAA tournament in the Coral Gables Regional against Florida International at 11 a.m. Friday. All games will be televised on ESPNU.
Baseball begins regional action against Florida International Beau Holder The Battalion On the evening of Apr. 13, after an 8-0 home loss to No. 3 University of Texas, the team’s sixth in a row, not a soul would have predicted that the remainder of their season would unfold as it did. “[Good fortune] is going to come back to us, I truly believe that, and our players believe that,” A&M Head Coach Rob Childress said. “We’re going to continue to get out there and improve each and every day.”
Falling to 20-14-1 after that Apr. 13 loss, a 40-19-1 record and the No. 2 seed in an NCAA tournament regional seemed a long way from possible for a reeling team. Presently, the Aggies enter the NCAA tournament on fire as the Big 12 champions after rolling their way to a win in the conference tournament final and earning the conference’s automatic bid. Going 20-5 over the remainder of the season and 16-3 over the month of May, A&M fought
back to become the 18th team in school history to win 40 games in a season and swept its way through the Big 12 Tournament. Now they head to Coral Gables, Fl., to participate in their fourth straight NCAA tournament — the third time Aggie baseball has accomplished the feat — and 26th all time. Miami, Florida International and Dartmouth round out the regional group. “It’s always exciting to know that you have an opportunity to be one of the 64 teams that have a
chance to move on in the NCAA Championships,” Childress said. “We’re really looking forward to the challenge that the tournament in Miami will present.” Sophomore Garrett Wittels and his 54-game hit streak attract the majority of the attention surrounding FIU, winners of the Sun Belt Tournament and automatic bid. “They have the opportunity to go to the University of Miami, which has such tradition, and to go there and play will be a challenge,” Childress said.
No. 1 track teams prepare for national championships Kyle Cunningham The Battalion The Texas A&M track and field teams received a welcome piece of news Tuesday, as both the men’s and women’s squad were moved to the No. 1 ranking in the latest U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) polls. These rankings, which only include entries to the NCAA Championship meet, came out two days after the Aggies concluded the qualifying season with the NCAA West Regional at Mike A. Myers Track Stadium in Austin. At the end of the meet Saturday, the Aggies had tickets to the NCAA Championship meet in Eugene, Oregon punched for 25 athletes. Although the University of Oregon is the home team, the Aggies carry confidence coming into next week’s meet as not only the top-ranked team but also the defending team champions. The only other Big 12 team in the top 10 for the men is Texas Tech, ranked fifth. Other Big 12 men’s teams in the Top 25 are Oklahoma at No. 11, Nebraska at No. 16, Kansas at No. 17, and Texas, Baylor and Missouri ranked at 21, 23, and 25, respectively. By comparison, the Big 12 women are a little lighter in the rankings, with five teams other than the Aggies in the top 25. The highest rated team in this category is Oklahoma, which stands at No. 6. Including alternates for relays, the Aggies will bring 28 athletes – 13 for the men and 15 for the women. The A&M women have the most event entries in the women’s field with 21. The Oregon Ducks are tied with the LSU Tigers for second with 17. The next closest team, Penn State, only has 12 entries. Senior Ashika Charan, sophomore Dominique Duncan, senior Porscha Lucas, junior Gabby Mayo and sophomore Jeneba Tarmoh are tied for the most events for Aggie women with three each. The men’s grid, on the other hand, is more equally spread, with the Aggies and Ducks equal with 16 entries per team. LSU stands third with 15 entries, while Texas Tech and Oklahoma have 12 and 11 entries, respectively. With four entries (100 meters, 200 meters and part of the 4x100 and 4x400 meter relays), junior Curtis Mitchell leads the men’s side. Junior Melvin Echard will be competing in both the long jump and triple jump. The Big 12 leads all conferences in entries with 87, with the SEC in second with 82 and the Pac-10 rounding out the top three with 67 events. The NCAA Championships begin June 9 at Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus.
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FOR RENT $295, 1-room in shared, furnished apartment. All bills paid. Short term leases o.k. Call agent Ardi 979-422-5660. $375 Available Now or Pre-lease. 1/1, 2/1, 2/2 Free Wi-Fi, On Northgate, on Shuttle. Short term leases ok. Call agent, Ardi. 979-422-5660. $850 Available Now or Pre-lease, 3 & 4 bdrm. houses near TAMU, pets ok. Call Agent Ardi 979-422-5660. 1-3/bedroom apartments. Some with w/d, some near campus. $175-$600/mo. 979-696-2038. 2,3&4 bedroom houses w/yards. Great locations for students. Pets welcome. 979-492-3990. 2/1 duplex. W/D, bathroom and kitchen newly remodeled. Large backyard, lawncare provided. Pets o.k. $625/mo. 979-229-9890. 2bd/1.5ba w/study. Fenced, covered parking, pets ok, updated. 1714 and 1716 Leona. On shuttle and biking distance to campus. $750/mo. 979-739-4455. aggielandrentals.com
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FOR RENT 2bd/1ba apartment, 800sq.ft. New appliances, carpeting and tile. W/D. Bus route. $550/mo. +$300 deposit. 210-391-4106. 2bd/2ba 4-plex. Spacious floorplan, W/D connections, close to campus. $550/mo. www.aggielandleasing.com,979776-6079. 3/2 duplex, fenced, pets allowed. New carpet/tile, w/d, off Graham Rd., $930/mo. total. 210-687-5111. 3/2 duplexes. Prelease August. Very nice. 5mins to campus. W/D. Lawn care, security system. $900/mo. 979-691-0304, 979-571-6020.
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FOR RENT 3bd/3ba. duplex, both sides at 925/927 Crepe Myrtle. Pets o.k. Available July/2010, August/2010. $1050/mo. Call Dawn 936-499-7183.
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4/2 Country home, all appliances. $1500/mo. Available now, 979-229-6326. See photos and info at www.texagrentals.com
FOR RENT 4/3, 3/3 &3/2 Townhouses, Duplexes &Fourplexes, 1250-1700sqft. Very spacious, ethernet, large kitchen, extra storage, W/D, great amenities, on bus route, now pre-leasing for 2010, excellent specials. 694-0320. office@luxormanagement.com 4bd/2ba. House! 2 open rooms for girl or guy. Fenced yard, W/D, $400/mo. +1/4bills. Available Summer and Fall. 361-463-6763 or 361-463-1726. Duplex near campus. 2bd/2ba. W/D. No backyard. 307 Spruce. $695/month. Call 254-760-8242.
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FOR RENT 4bdrm/2bth house. Close to campus, wood floors, tile floors, ceiling fans, W/D, fenced yards. 979-776-6079, www.aggielandleasing.com Clean 3/2 available August. Rock Prairie area. 3703 Marielene, W/D, refrigerator, lawn-service provided. 979-450-5666. Duplexes near campus. 2 and 3/bedrooms and 2bd/2ba. in country. 979-229-3420. Master bedroom in nice mobile home with private bath and closet, $450, Central-air/ht, internet, cable, everything included. 210-364-7006.
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Ag Discount! 4bd/3ba brick 2100sqft house. New flooring, new applicances, on tree lot. $213,000. 979-595-5050, 979-690-1126. tlturner72@yahoo.com, nancy.turner@avon.com
3bd/1.5ba, carport, on shuttle, pets ok, fenced, $750/month. aggieLandRentals.com 979-739-4455.
Cleaning commercial buildings at night, M-F. Call 979-823-5031 for appointment.
HELP WANTED
Full-time night labor position, 11pm-5am. Transportation required. Call for interview. 979-450-0060. Household cleaning, ironing, organizing help needed. Minimum 6/week $10/hr. Heavy detailed cleaning inside and out, year-round commitment necessary, begin work immediately. Fax info to 979-690-8075. J. Cody’s Hiring kitchen and meat table help. Apply within, 3610 S. College. No experience necessary just common sense! Part-time permanent position in a busy shipping department for a computer software company. Responsibilities will include the shipment of packages, data entry, inventory management, and loading/unloading trucks. Hours are Monday-Friday, 1:00-6:00p.m. Email your resume to hrd@stata.com or fax to 979-696-4601.
Pg. 4-06-03-10.indd 1
HELP WANTED SUMMER WORK, Great Pay, immediate FT/PT openings, customer sales/svc, no experience necessary, conditions apply, all ages 17+, 979-260-4555.
MUSIC Party Block Mobile DJ- Peter Block, professional 22yrs experience. Specializing in Weddings, TAMU functions, lights/smoke. Mobile to anywhere. Book early!! 979-693-6294. http://www.partyblockdj.com
PETS Adopt Pets: Dogs, Cats, Puppies, Kittens, Many purebreds. Brazos Animal Shelter, 979-775-5755, www.brazosanimalshelter.org Chocolate Lab male and female puppies. Champion pedigree. OFA-CERF-DNA. $700-$900. Doug, 713-201-7731, madeley07@gmail.com
ROOMMATES 1 roomate needed. Spacious 2 story townhouse in Canyon Creek. Fully furnished. 4/2.5 $400/mo. +1/4 utilities. 713-823-9340. 1-female roommate needed for fall 2010. Privae bath, wi-fi, w/d, $500/mo. +utilities. For more info call 409-748-0400. Roommate needed. 1-block from campus. All amenities. 979-846-3376. Roommates needed. 4bd/4bth $325/mo., washer/dryer. University Place on Southwest Parkway. 281-844-2090. Wanted: female roommate to share 2bd/2b apartment, close to campus. $450/mo. 979-777-9751.
SERVICES A&M Alterations, professional clothes alteration same-day service, 30-years experience, guaranteed lowest prices, 3601 East 29th, #12, in Bryan, 979-260-2400.
6/2/10 7:27 PM
EDITOR’SNOTE The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants in this paper do not necessarily reect those of Texas A&M University, The Battalion or its staff.
MAILCALL GUESTCOLUMNS Make your opinion known by submitting Mail Call or guest columns to The Battalion. Mail
Direct all correspondence to: Editor in chief of The Battalion (979) 845-3315 | mailcall@thebatt.com
EDITORIAL
Don’t be incensed over A&M’s tuition increase
Matt Young — THE BATTALION
After $4 million in renovations, the Military Walk reopened in May to remind students of A&M’s past. Walk and point out older buildings’ histories, tell stories of buildings that no longer exist and talk about general campus facts. The kiosks were not the only addition to the walk, as extensive new landscaping, a wider walking space and beautifully layered bricks now form the actual walkway, a pleasant departure from the slick another sidewalk. cobblestones or mundane concrete The Military Walk tradition found elsewhere on campus. originates in the Corps of Ca“The whole project cost $4 mildets, back in the time of all-male lion, and the project came down to students. The Military Walk was budget,� said Bill Scott, an employee the traditional avenue the Corps of of Acklam Construction Co. and the Cadets marched down three times project manager of the Military Walk a day for chow at Sbisa, which at renovation. “But the whole idea of the time was the largest dining hall funding came from Dan Hughes. He in America. This march was a time wanted to restore it to how it was when the entire Corps would join originally.� in formation and was a cherished Hughes was a member of the tradition until World War II, Corps of Cadets and the Fightin’ when for obvious reasons student Texas Aggie class of 1951; he enrollment dwindled. donated the $4 million to fund The tradition of the Military As construction the project. In this fast-paced time of Walk was not changes our improvements and building reinstated due campus, the construction, it is important to the official remodeled for Aggies to reflect on the dining hall bemilitary walk past. The newly remodeled ing moved to reminds us of Military Walk seeks to reDuncan, located our past. store a beloved part of campus on the Quad. and highlight the past in a very The new and imaesthetically pleasing manner. It is proved Military Walk is complete with informative and intriguing nice to know that Texas A&M is not losing its roots in the dust of all information kiosks. These kiosks run along the border of the Military the construction.
here have been many changes to improve the overall appearance of campus in recent memory. There is the hotly contested MSC renovation project, the gargantuan Interdisciplinary Life Science Building and a few engineering buildings. Texas A&M is moving forward at such a rapid pace that some fear our traditions and history will be lost in the renovations. One recent renovation not only improves the general campus atmosphere but also seeks to preserve the rich history of Texas A&M. For most students, the Military Walk is a sidewalk anchored by a mediumsized bronze plaque on Richard Creecy either side. This plaque senior classics major attested the Military Walk and its significance, but was seldom noticed. For all intents and purposes, the Military Walk was simply forgotten. So many buildings, statues and memorials have cropped up around it that it was only logical that the Military Walk’s significance be lost in time, and without any explanation, the Military Walk simply became
voices
thebattalion 06.03.2010 page5
A walk to remember
T
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will be read, but not printed. The Battalion will print only one letter per author per month. No mail call will appear in The Battalion’s print or online editions before it is veriďŹ ed.
call must be fewer than 200 words and include the author’s name, classification, major and phone number. Staff and faculty must include title. Guest columns must be fewer than 700 words. All submissions should focus on issues not personalities, become property of The Battalion and are subject to editing for style, clarity and space concerns. Anonymous letters
The Board of Regents announced a 2.8 percent tuition increase for the 2010-2011 academic school year. Of course, with any announcement that more of your money will be taken, come the inevitable moans and groans of the student body. But before we get into whining mode, let’s remember that compared to the tuition increases of other universities, we are still far below average. Texas State University increased their tuition by 5 percent, The University of Texas 5.4 percent, and Baylor 6.5 percent. Even Texas A&MGalveston, San Antonio and Prairie A&M University will raise tuition by 3.95 percent. We still attend the University which can boast the most bang for our buck. Before we open our mouths with complaints, we need to consider what is important: we are getting one of the best educations in the nation. I am willing to pay an extra $4.81 per credit hour to ensure the same quality
education. Increases are a necessity as resources, staff and facilities all become more expensive with the coming years. The state of our economy was eventuWhile the ally going tuition increase to directly is unfortunate, universities impact across the state college are having to students. raise rates to Gov. cover state Rick Perry mandated ordered budget cuts. at 5 percent budget cut for state agencies and public institutions of higher education this year, issuing a directive for universities to prepare for a 10 percent cut in 2012 and 2013. This will cost A&M $25 million this year, and the money has to be made up somewhere. Instead of complaining, students should be grateful A&M was able to save them more than the other universities in the state.
EDITORIALBOARD
The Battalion’s editorial opinion is determined by its Board of Opinion, with the editor in chief having final responsibility. Editor in Chief Vicky Flores editor@thebatt.com
Managing Editor Megan Ryan battcopy@thebatt.com
Opinion Editor Ian McPhail opinion@thebatt.com
MAILCALL
From Chris Atkinson, junior university studies major
In response to the column “Swindled by textbook sales,â€? bookstores are not your Dutch uncles; they are businesses, not nonproďŹ t organizations. We cannot give you 75 percent for your book and maintain an operating budget. We have the same expenses other businesses have; rent, utilities, and salaries. If you don’t use the book it’s not the bookstore’s fault, it is yours. If you know you are not going to
use the book, then do not buy it. You do not buy a T-shirt, use it for ďŹ ve months, and then get 75 percent back do you? Getting $3 back? Don’t wait so long to sell it. We can only buy back so many of each book and as we near that limit, our buyback prices drop. Blame the professor or book publishers for new editions. Finally, please don’t be rude with the people across the counter, we are working, many of us for minimum wage, and have no input into any of it. We tell you whatever our computer tells us.
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Plans are under way to move centuryold graves to the city of College Station’s newly constructed Aggie Field of Honor.
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Raymond Stotzer Pkwy. The family members that the University has been in contact with have had no issues in the moving of the graves, Morrison said. In fact, one family member recalls the first time the grave site was moved from the original location at Duncan Hall that the current location would be temporary. There are no plans to do anything with the land that will be left behind. “Just to reiterate there is no sort of mysterious underthe-table thing going on that is causing the cemetery to be moved It strictly has to do with putting these remains in a proper burial place,” Morrison said. There is no budget that has been finalized which details what the move will cost the University, although there will be many variables to consider, such as the presence of an archeologist and the replacement of headstones.
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Matt Young — THE BATTALION
walls to protect shorelines from pollution, as well as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which projects the oil slick’s trajectory. Another agency is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which rescues oil-soaked birds. The center administers a federal trust fund that collects a tax from the oil companies for use in cleanups. Associated Press
6/2/10 8:35 PM