CSI: College Station
thebattalion ● monday,
september 28, 2009
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■ New forensic science major and organization offered at A&M Christina Francisco The Battalion College Station is putting the “CS” in CSI. Texas A&M University now offers a forensic science major. Although the major itself is new, the interest in forensics has been present on campus for some time. Originally, the Department of Entomology at A&M offered a forensic science track. But as student interest grew, the department saw it fit to create a full major. “The development of the major was really student driven. There’s been an interest in forensics for over 10 years here at A&M,” said Jeff Tomberlin, assistant professor with the forensic science program and Department of Entomology. “Over the course of time and due to the interest in the field, the Department of Entomology took the lead and developed it.” A degree in forensics isn’t just about blood, bodies and the TV show “CSI.” A degree gives students an opportunity to enter a wide variety of career options that can have students “go anywhere from working in laboratories to working in the business world,” Tomberlin said. One of the ways the program is gaining student attention is by the development of the Aggie Forensic and Investigative Sciences Organization. Known as AFIS, the organization focuses on giving network opportunities and helping students learn what they can do in the field of forensics. Along with fundraisers and meetings, AFIS has a range of activities in line for this year, including a field trip to watch an autopsy in Tarrant County and having speakers from the field. Tomberlin, the adviser to the organization, said the group is “the bridge to the student body.”
Jeremy Northum — THE BATTALION
A&M 56, UAB 19
Undefeated Gameday sunset The sky was lit up during Texas A&M’s victory against UAB Saturday at Kyle Field.
Field general Following junior quarterback Jerrod Johnson’s Saturday performance, he might be a Heisman candidate. sports | 5
Aggies move to 3-0 The Aggies’ 56-19 victory over the Blazers keeps A&M undefeated in 2009. Check out the game story at
thebatt.com
What’s Next Texas A&M vs. Arkansas Cowboys Stadium 6:30 p.m.
On TV: ESPN2
See Forensics on page 4
Parking tickets turn into parking garages Travis Lawson The Battalion
Video: Texas A&M Forensics Society President Raneca Henson.
thebatt.com
The parking sector of Transportation Services at Texas A&M University brings in approximately $13 million a year between parking permits and violations. Transportation Services assures students that not a dollar is wasted. Executive Director of Transportation Services Rodney Weis said the budget for fiscal year 2009 is $11,192,022 and is going into a parking account, which is used to maintain garages and pay for traffic enforcement. “The funds go to paying debt service, operating costs and capital improvement to surface lots
and garages,” Weis said. “Violation and fines is held in the same parking account and funds, to a large extent, the enforcement and traffic cost to the department.” Since 1988, Transportation Services has borrowed close to $77.63 million for capital improvements on the campus garages and pedestrian passageways. Nearly half of the revenue generated every year goes into paying debt services. Garages and other facilities were built with about $6.5 million a year. Repairs and renovations will add approximately $3.5 million in the 2010 fiscal year said Weis. See Parking on page 4
Photo Illustration by Stephen Fogg — THE BATTALION
The A&M Transportation Services department uses millions of dollars from permits and violations to renovate parking garages and pay for traffic enforcement.
FLiC narrowly makes FLO cut
Ahn Trio brings new form of classical music to Rudder
After being cut from FLO list, FLiC fights for recognition
Jane Lee
Katy Ralston The Battalion Student Activities approached FLiC on May 27 with news that the organization did not meet the requirements for recognition. After countless hours of application reviews and interviewing, Freshman Leadership Organizations revealed the final choices to anxiously waiting freshman. But for one FLO, Freshman Leaders in Christ, the journey to revelation night was more complicated. Without recognized organization status, FLiC could no longer be a FLO; therefore, exacerbating recruiting and losing use of University facilities, a campus cubicle, Student Activities resources, free banking, eligibility to apply for special funding and distributing materials on campus. The controversy stemmed from membership requirements that stated those “who declare themselves as Christian, are following Christ in their daily walks, and whose desire is to serve others as a way of following Christ’s example of leadership.” Texas A&M membership policy states an organization must “be open in its membership unless otherwise permitted under applicable federal law.” Texas A&M General Counsel ruled that FLiC’s membership terms were too limiting and not permitted under federal law.
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File Photo
Although the membership policy is not new, this is the first time FLiC has been contested. FLiC directors Lauren Shook and Brett Newman, faced with the first problem before the semester had started, weighed the different courses of action. “First off, Lauren and I were hesitant to fight A&M. There was a lot of uneasiness with the thought of fighting, until we were approached by an attorney with ADF (Alliance Defense Fund),” Newman said. “Once he told us that he wanted to fight for us, we started to See FLiC on page 4
The Battalion Musical sisters the Ahn Trio will be taking the stage Tuesday in Rudder Auditorium. They will be accompanied by Australian brothers Thorry and Isaac Koren, known as The Kin. “We are terribly excited to be kicking-off our season with The Ahn Trio because they are young, classicallytrained musicians who approach classical music from a fresh, hip perspective,” said Anne Black, executive director for MSC OPAS. The Ahn Trio, Maria (cello), Lucia (piano) and Angella (violin) Ahn, were born in Seoul, South Korea, and received a musical education from Julliard in New York City. The sisters have redefined the traditional view of chamber music by creating new styles with commissioned works from composers like Pat Metheny, Nikolai Kapustin, Mark O’Connor and Michael Nyman. The sisters have graced the covers of GQ, Vogue and People magazine and have been featured in ads for Gap and Anne Klein. The sisters’ newest album, “Lullaby for My Favorite Insomniac,” has reached No. 8 on the U.S. Billboard charts. “The Ahns are the future of classical music and we are so happy to welcome them on our season,” Black said. “The sisters will visit with orchestra students at A&M Consolidated High School on Monday and then spend the rest of their time preparing for the concert.”
If you go Tuesday, Sept. 29 7:30 p.m. For ticket information, log on to www.mscopas. org or call (979) 845-1234
Maria, Lucia and Angella of the Ahn Trio, will play Tuesday night in Rudder Auditorium.
9/27/09 9:47 PM