thebattalion
news for you nation &world Bailout votes count against re-election Longtime Republican lawmakers — tarred by their votes for the emergency aid to banks, insurance and auto companies — have been sent packing in primaries. Fresh political attack ads are lambasting candidates from both parties for supporting the $700 billion package that Republican President George W. Bush pushed through Congress at the height of the financial crisis in October 2008.
Witness barred in CIA case The judge in the first civilian trial of a Guantanamo Bay detainee barred the prosecution’s star witness Wednesday from testifying, dealing a major setback to the government’s effort to build criminal cases with evidence obtained through harsh CIA interrogations overseas.
Funding found for theater building A performing arts center envisioned as one of the jewels of a rebuilt World Trade Center is at last getting a major funding boost. State and city officials announced Wednesday that they will use $100 million in surplus federal disaster funding for the long-stalled theater project.
Smoking chimp dies Charlie the smoking chimpanzee has died. Qondile Khedama, a spokesman for the central South African city of Bloemfontein where Charlie had been a fixture at the small zoo, said the chimp died Tuesday, apparently of old age. Charlie was believed to be 52.
texas Houston channel reopened The Houston Ship Channel was reopened Wednesday, restoring access to one of the nation’s busiest ports three days after it was shut down by a barge accident, the Coast Guard said. Associated Press
Pg. 1-10.7.10.indd 1
● thursday,
october 7, 2010
● serving
texas a&m since 1893
● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2010 student media
Graphic by Josh McKenna — THE BATTALION
Job-seekers work toward goals Connie Thompson The Battalion With the end of each semester comes a new beginning for Aggie graduates, many of whom embark on their careers by landing their dream jobs. “Students at Texas A&M have access to a large network of individuals who can help them to realize their dreams,” said Samantha Wilson, director of campus programs at the Career Center. The Center is just one of many resources students have when planning their careers. Opportunities abound on campus, off campus and online. For Tara Zandy, class of 2010, interviewing was a necessary skill she rehearsed to help secure her sought position.
“I went online and looked up common interview questions and then I wrote out the answers to them,” Zandy said. “If you can think [of answers] on the spot [during an interview] then that’s wonderful, but for some who can’t, like me, this comes in handy.” One of the most daunting tasks for job-seeking Ags is snagging an interview. Whether this consists of résumé updating or networking at job fairs, receiving an interview offer is essential. “I signed up through the Career Center on http://hireaggies.com and dropped my résumé with any company that had a position I was interested in,” Zandy said. Fortunately for Zandy, her strategy helped her land an interview and subse-
Students to win travel with team Beau Holder The Battalion This weekend, students have the opportunity to be the not only the Twelfth Man in the stands but on the bus. For the second straight year, four students will be selected at 7 tonight at a special Yell Practice to spend Friday and Saturday with the football team as part of a package that 12th Man Team Rewards calls “The Aggie Experience.” The event is planned to allow the student body to see the Aggie football team off to its marquee game against the No. 11 Arkansas Razorbacks in Arlington. Attendees must bring their student ID for validation; they will then be allowed to enter the contest upon arrival at the stadium and the winners will be announced at the end of the night. “The ‘Aggie Experience’ is an opportunity for four students to be guest coaches at the Arkansas game at the Cowboys Stadium,” Molly Fleming, program coordinator and senior market-
ing major said. “With this opportunity they’ll be able to travel with the team, they’ll be able to attend various walkthroughs at Cowboys Stadium, sit in on various team meetings and also stay at the team’s hotel. They’ll also be able to wear Twelfth Man jerseys that will be provided for them.” The idea of student guest coaches debuted in the 2009 season in conjunction with the instatement of the yearly game against the University of Arkansas. Then, as now, four students were selected for the chance to become part of the team. Head Coach Mike Sherman planned it as a way to bring students closer to the team and thank them for their support. “Without a doubt, with the Twelfth Man, we have the very best student body in the country,” Sherman said. “I believe the four students enjoyed the behind the scenes experience last year.” Senior business management major Kelsey Williams works as a program coordinator for 12th Man Team Rewards. She spotlighted the benefits of the experience and the importance of the student body to the team. See Aggie on page 4
quently a job. For James Howard, class of 2010, student teaching in Bryan ISD helped him attain his dream job as a high school teacher and football coach for San Angelo ISD. However, this was not always Howard’s dream. “I originally majored in biomedical science to become a veterinarian because the salary was much better than a football coach [and] teacher,” Howard said. “After a year I realized I was letting my wallet decide what I wanted to do and not my heart, so I changed my major to kinesiology to become a teacher and coach.” Howard’s new objectives influence not only his job, but the students he teaches as well.
“My new dreams have become the desire for my students to succeed in my classroom and in life,” Howard said. “I try to not only teach them the material but to establish a relationship and give them someone that they can trust and come to with any problems they might be having.” While some Aggies are lucky enough to land their dream jobs right out of school, others are given opportunities to work towards their goals. Howard said persistence is key. “There are going to be ups and downs, don’t let the ‘downs’ question your ability and don’t let the ‘ups’ make you over confident in your abilities,” Howard said. “Never let up on your desire to achieve your dreams.”
Coalition to stand against violence Katy Ralston The Battalion Amidst the soft glow of candlelight burning in honor of lives lost, four silhouettes will stand in vivid memory of the tragedies brought about by domestic violence. At 7 the Brazos County Coalition Against Domestic Violence and The Texas A&M University Women’s Resource Center will have an annual candlelight vigil at the Rotunda of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum. This year’s vigil will include the unveiling of new Silent Witnesses, wooden cut-out silhouettes of victims of domestic violence bearing the names and summaries of their deaths. BCCADV media chairperson Beth Milam said the Silent Witnesses help people know the back story of the victims and not just have them be statistics. Texas A&M’s Women’s Resource Center Student Development Specialist Ryan Kubec echoed this idea. “Many of us have heard statistics about domestic violence and though the numbers are alarming, they remain just numbers to us,” Kubec said. “By attending a candlelight vigil people can put names, faces and sometimes voices to those numbers which helps us understand that these awareness months
are not about colored ribbons, they are about real people.” The memories of these silhouettes belong to lives lost in the Bryan-College Station area, making the message hit close to home. Two of the Silent Witnesses are in memory of Rachel Joiner, class of 2010 and Travis Joiner, class of 2009, whose murders in 2009 shocked and grieved the campus. Kubec said the reason this year’s candlelight vigil was on campus is because they will be inducting the Joiners into the Texas A&M Silent Witness project. “Our focus this year was on integrating the university into the coalition,” Milam said. “We really wanted the focus this year to be on college students and how [domestic violence] affects you too and they can see unfortunately how their peers and classmates fell victim to such a horrific act.” Sgt. Allan Baron of the University Police Department said the highest age group for both victims and perpetrators of domestic violence are single adults ages 18 to 24, which is the majority of the student population. Less than 3 percent of college-age victims of sexual assault report the offense to police. “The vigil helps to increase comSee Vigil on page 4
Students help Habitat for Humanity Victoria Daugherty The Battalion The Bryan-College Station chapter of Habitat for Humanity is seeking help from the community and the A&M student body after suffering from crimes of theft and forgery in excess of $153,000. Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that partners with local communities to eliminate substandard housing by building and renovating homes that were previously unsafe or insufficient for healthy living. In an attempt to combat these difficulties, Habitat will have a fundraiser on November 13 involving both the A&M student body and the BryanCollege Station community. “I think Habitat for Humanity is a great program that helps a lot of people. I would definitely take part in any fundraiser and help in any way that I can in order to help someone else’s future,” said Merann Pitcock, senior agricultural journalism and
communication major. Despite a weakened budget, the volunteers and workers of Habitat still have high ambitions and expect to complete the yearly goal of building or renovating 20 houses. “There is an upside and a downside to everything and despite the unfortunate events, we are excited about our new executive director and we have new safeguards in place to control and ensure that an issue like this doesn’t happen again,” said Abbey Johnson, Habitat for Humanity director of communications. Habitat still has 20 families anticipating home renovations this year, and with the given setbacks, is in great need of the help and support of the community. “I am excited to help Habitat for Humanity overcome these setbacks, and will absolutely be taking part in any fundraising event that they hold,” said Lindsey Roberts, senior psychology major.
April Baltensperger — THE BATTALION
Student volunteers for Habitat for Humanity stand at a build site. They built 20 houses for local families.
10/6/10 10:14 PM