thebattalion ● friday,
may 8, 2009
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Photos by Jeremy Northum — THE BATTALION
Study break
Hundreds of Texas A&M students and staff gathered at the final Memorial Student Center Baker’s Night before the renovations to endulge their sweet tooth. At the event, workers handed out a variety of cookies, croissants, muffins and other baked goods, as the students chatted with friends. Students were also able to sing karaoke in the 12th Man Cafe. Meredith Zdenek
A&M officials on H1N1: no foreseen closures ■ CDC alters guidelines, Mexico travel remains restricted Meagan O’Toole-Pitts The Battalion Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated guidance does not suggest school closure for confirmed or suspected cases of the H1N1 virus, but Texas A&M travel restrictions to Mexico remain and graduation ceremonies might be altered.
“At this point, we don’t foresee any significant changes to the schedule of final exams or classes. Administration will make a decision on Monday, in ample time to announce any changes to graduation ceremonies,” said Chris Meyer, emergency preparedness assistant vice president for the Office of Safety and Security. “We do not anticipate any [closures to] the remaining semester schedule. The CDC does not recommend any changes to events.” Previously identified as the Swine Flu, cases of the H1N1
virus in the U.S. have not been severe and are comparable in severity to seasonal influenza, according to interim CDC guidance for schools and childcare facilities, updated Monday. According to a news release, A&M researchers and Dr. John Quarles, head of the Department of Microbial and Molecular Pathogenesis at the Health Scien are working on a vaccine for influenza as well as trying to understand how the virus mutates. After College Station ISD closed Pebble Creek Elementary Tuesday because of a sus-
pected case of the H1N1 virus, the CDC updated interim guidance to discourage school closures unless there is a magnitude of faculty or student absenteeism that interferes with the school’s ability to function. Pebble Creek opened Wednesday, earlier than scheduled, as a result of the guidance changes. “The only way we’ll close the schools now is if schools could not function due to the flu,” said CSISD superintendent Eddie Coulson. “[H1N1 virus] is still out there, but it’s been determined not to be a serious health threat; it has
mild symptoms.” CSISD lifted travel restrictions limiting field trips and other events to Brazos County. “Everything is back to normal. UIL has changed their stance, too. As a result, there will be baseball and softball games this week,” Coulson said. “I would encourage everyone to take all the normal precautions to prevent illness, but I don’t think there’s a need to restrict travel based on the latest and greatest information we’ve received.” In light of the updated CDC
Keep up For instructions on contributing specimens visit
brazoshealth.org For further information on he H1N1virus and preventative measures visit
cdc.gov
See H1N1 on page 8
Astronaut to address Aggies at ceremony Fossum to introduce Maj. Gen. Bolden Calli Turner
J.D. Swiger — THE BATTALION
Members of the Texas A&M Gas Turbine Society experiment with the possibility of building a gas turbine engine from scratch.
Aggie fueled Society seeks to build turbine engine Joaquin Villegas The Battalion Texas A&M’s engineering department has received awards for its outstanding performance; some have ranked it as one of the best engineering programs in the nation, and some students are willing to protect that reputation, even if it means starting from scratch. The A&M Gas Turbine Society, an organization run by students, is experimenting with the possibility of constructing a gas turbine engine from scratch. Ben Carpenter, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, serves as president for the Gas Turbine Society. “The organization was started so that [students] could have a fun and good way to get hands-on experience,” Carpenter said. He said the main purpose of the organization is to design, model and build a gas turbine engine that could power a truck. Additionally, the Gas Turbine So-
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ciety has specific goals for the selfmade engine. “Our intent is to at least build an 80 horsepower engine,” Carpenter said, “with the possibility of making it a hybrid engine.” The organization’s mission has caused enough of a stir in the field that a possible intercollegiate competition could be in the works. “Our adviser has talked with professors in other universities,” Carpenter said. “And it has turned into a pilot program for a larger competition between universities, the goal now is to see if it’s feasible.” The organization has started looking into viable solutions to create the turbine. “Our hope is to buy an old military turbine engine and take it apart,” Carpenter said. “Then we could use reverse engineering to construct our own.” Juan Menendez, a senior mechanical engineering major, said See Turbine on page 4
The Battalion Former astronaut and retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Charles Bolden Jr. will be the speaker at the spring commencement convocation. Bolden will be introduced by Aggie astronaut Mike Fossum, Class of 1980, and will speak at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Reed Arena. While Bolden was a pilot astronaut, he worked with Fossum, who was an engineer at the Johnson Space Center. Bolden was born in Columbia, S.C., but relocated to Texas for his career. His ties to Texas began when he spent approximately six months as an advanced flight student at the Naval Air Station in Kingsville. Bolden received his wings as a Naval Aviator in May 1970. When Bolden was selected to be a NASA astronaut he moved with his family to Houston for an assign-
ment at the Johnson Space Center. Bolden and family lived in the Clear Lake area from 1980 to 1994. Their children graduated from Clear Lake High School. Bolden’s speech will kick off the three-day graduation celebration for 5,900 students. “My remarks will be generally motivational in nature with a slight hint at spirituality in one’s life in the establishment of a moral compass by which to be guided,” he said. Bolden received a bachelor of science degree in electrical science from the United States Naval Academy in 1968, and a master of science in systems management from the University of Southern California in 1977. “I do not remember my commencement speaker, although I do remember the speaker for my son’s graduation from the Naval Academy in 1993, 25 years after my own See Speaker on page 4
Courtesy NASA
“My remarks will be generally motivational in nature with a slight hint at spirituality in one’s life in the establishment of a moral compass by which to be guided,” — Maj. Gen. Charles Bolden Jr.
Senate against finance major limitation Melissa Appel The Battalion The Texas A&M Student Senate passed emergency legislation at a meeting Wednesday in response to a concern from business students about recent limitations on degree plan possibilities. Mays Business School sent an e-mail April 29 informing students that they would no longer be allowing double majors in finance. Senators were quick to draft a bill showing support of the finance double major option. “This is completely unacceptable,” said Rules and Regulations
Chairman Mike Simmons. “This is something that we need to address now. This is something that affects students now.” The policy affects current students in the finance department who desire a double major outside of the department and students in another field wanting to get a double major in finance. Senators said the policy was extremely limiting to business students, who wait to declare a degree concentration until junior year. Under the established double major limitations, students who entered A&M with the goal of a finance
double major are facing an altered academic course schedule. Senators said communication needed to be opened to hear the explanation for the decision. “Take a step back. Talk to us first,” said Matthew Wey, a senior accounting major and academic affairs chairman. “Send an e-mail explaining why [Mays Business School] made this decision.” The Mays Double Major Support Bill passed unanimously through the Senate. Senators also debated emergency See Senate on page 4
5/7/09 11:07:46 PM
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Freshman music major Kate Horton performs Thursday in the Forsyth Gallery in the Memorial Student Center. The Student Voice Recital was hosted by the Department of Performance Studies and served as a partial fulfillment for the requirements of music 351.
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x Create, maintain, and enhance business applications, including databases and user interfaces
x Assist with maintenance of intranet sites
For a look at what goes on behind the scenes of The Battalion’s studentled newsroom, check out Editor-in-Chief Nicole Alvarado’s blog. battsports.wordpress.com Sports Editor Brad Cox will be blogging live from Texas A&M’s baseball series against Texas Friday, Saturday and Sunday in From the Press Box blog.
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x BS in Computer Science or Management Information Systems x Familiarity with: SQL, JAVA, PERL, or C++ preferred
If you are interested in writing or contributing content in The Battalion apply online at thebatt. com, or come by MSC 032, 845-3313. The Battalion welcomes any Texas A&M student interested in writing for the arts, campus, metro or sports staffs to try out. We particularly encourage freshmen and sophomores to apply, but students may try out regardless of semester standing or major. No previous journalism experience is necessary. Check us out on thebatt.com, Facebook
thebatt batt.com Check out a profile of MSC OPAS with executive director Anne Black and hospitality/transportation manager Nick Arney. Black says OPAS is a performing arts organization that teaches students leadership skills and brings programs of international quality to the community. See the video at thebatt.com or http://youtube.com/user/ battmedia.
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THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT VOICE OF TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893
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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 032 Memorial Student Center. 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 979-845-0569. Advertising offices are in 032 Memorial Student Center, 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 979-845-2613.
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Feeling the strain ■ Suicide second leading cause of death in college students; SCS offers Aggies helping hand Romy Misra The Battalion Suicide is often thought to be a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Yet the figures on suicide may suggest otherwise. The American Association of Suicidology reveals suicide is the second biggest reason for death among college students (accidental driving being the first). Even further, one in every 12 college students has had suicidal thoughts during college. There are more than 1,000 suicides across college campuses in the U.S. every year. “The main reason behind suicide is clinical depression. The majority of all suicide cases stem from clinical depression,” said Kerry Hope, suicide prevention program coordinator at the Student Counseling Services. “Surprisingly, up to one in every four Americans suffers from clinical depression.” There are times when we all feel overwhelmed and depressed but one contemplates suicide when they lose hope, Hope said. “Research has shown that hopelessness is the major predictive variable for cases of suicide. Whenever one feels helpless, he always feels that there is hope that the situation will change,” Hope said. “For a person who commits suicide, he feels that the helpless situation he is in is permanent, and that makes him commit suicide, thinking that is the only way out.” The American Association of Suicidology says at least 70 percent of people committing suicide give some clue as to their intentions. However, those closest to the person are either unaware of the significance of these warnings or do not know how to respond. Colleges across America have started to implement measures to reduce the occurrence of suicides in campuses. New York University has implemented software called At Risk, developed by Kognito Interactive, which helps train faculty and staff to understand signs of suicide among students. “Students experiencing mental distress tend to exhibit behavioral patterns that are detectable in academic settings,” Ron Goldman, CEO of Kognito Interactive, said.
An estimated 80 percent of students who commit suicide go unnoticed, Goldman said. “Many schools have begun to train faculty, staff, and RAs on how to identify, approach and refer students who exhibit signs of mental distress to their campus counseling center,” he said. Hope said A&M does not require simulation software of this kind. SCS provides training for students and faculty to help identify and refer cases of suicide. “We have a QPR program in place, which stands for Question, Persuade and Refer, for all students held once a week in the SCS free of cost,” Hope said. “We teach students how to tackle cases of suicide and be aware of the people around them. Any student in Texas A&M can register online for this training and complete it in two hours.” Hope said there are two basic ways everyone can help bring down suicide numbers. “The first thing we can do is to be aware of the people around you and notice the people we talk to,” Hope said. “The next is never to hesitate to ask anyone if he is OK and talk to
thebattalion
them. In case a person requires professional help it is best to refer them to the SCS or ask them to call the Helpline.”
In general, statements about feelings of depression, helplessness, loneliness or hopelessness may suggest suicidal thoughts. This may be accompanied by outward changes in their behavior. “If a person you know is going through a particularly stressful time, perhaps having difficulty maintaining a meaningful relationship, having consistent failure in meeting goals or even experiencing stress it is important to watch out for these points of crisis,” Hope said. “Outward changes in behavior may include withdrawing from those around them, losing interest in activities and changes in eating and sleeping patterns.” However, Hope said there is no better way to prevent suicide than getting professional help when required. “It is best to go to a trained psychologist when needed because firstly they have the ability to best handle the situation and secondly they
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Causes of depression: ■ Difficulty adjusting to a new and unfamiliar environment ■ Pressures both academic and social ■ Feelings of failure or decreased performance ■ Alienation ■ Family history of mental illness ■ Lack of adequate coping skills ■ Difficulty adjusting to new demands and different work loads The American Association of Suicidology
can listen to your problems without any bias and from your perspective,” Hope said. “We have one of the premier counseling services in the country and students should make use of it when required.”
Osazuwa Okundaye— THE BATTALION
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graduation,” he said. “His speaker was the Honorable Honorable Sen. John McCain and he talked about his journey from the happy-go-lucky, unfocused Midshipman to the experiences as a Vietnam POW and on to the Senate of the U.S.” In addition to his career accomplishments, Bolden’s name has been mentioned as a potential for the chief position within NASA as the administrator for President Barack Obama. “While I am not campaigning to move to Washington, D.C., it is an honor to have my name mentioned as one potentially being considered by the president to become the NASA administrator. I have no word as to the status of the president’s deliberations on this position,” he said. The convocation is open to
Senate legislation regarding the Sustainability Survey on the April election ballot. In the referendum question, students were asked if they supported greater efforts by the University to increase sustainability measures using existing budget funds. Seventy-six percent of participants — 10,560 students — voted “yes” to the question. Recently, however, senators have shown concern that the positive results from this referendum have been used in a different light. The Texas Legislature is considering a bill that would allow Texas universities the option to implement a fee of up to $5 for sustainability practices. Under the bill statutes, such a fee would be applied at a university after approval through a student referendum. Senators worried that the referendum could be used as evidence that A&M students supported such a fee. “We need to make sure that we clarify as Student Government what this referendum was for,” Simmons said. “This was not a preapproval of that fee. It was a preapproval of sustainability programs.” The Environmental Issues Committee, EIC, who originated the referendum, also echoed the fact that the question was not meant to reflect student opinion on a sustainability fee.
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Bolden became an astronaut in 1981 and his space flight experiences include four missions aboard the Columbia, Discovery and Atlantis space shuttles. He logged more than 6,000 hours of flying time. He received the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Defense Superior Service Medal, among other honors. all spring degree candidates and their family and friends and will be followed at 6:30 p.m. by The Next Tradition graduation party, which is hosted by the Association of Former Students.
The Sustainability Referendum Opinion Bill passed with a vote of 43 for, 14 against and one abstention. “EIC initiated the referendum in order to gage student input on sustainable services, in order to propose to the campus administration asking them to give higher priority and an investment so students can have access to these services on campus,” said Amanda Grosgebauer, senior English major and EIC chairwoman. “And thus far, that is exactly how the referendum has been used.” Student Senate did not take an opinion regarding the possible future enactment of a sustainability fee. Senators and bill authors desired to clarify for the Texas Legislature that the previous referendum did not specifically address a fee. “When a student votes on a referendum, there should be no worry about what this vote means; that should be explicitly stated,” said Tanner Wilson, junior applied math and science major and student services chairman. “The purpose of this bill is so that the Texas Legislature knows that this was not a referendum for a bill; it was for sustainability out of the existing budget.”
How to join
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FIRST YELL 2009
Meet Maj. Gen. Charles Bolden Jr.
Vote breakdown
Continued from page 1
BREAKING NEWS
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the organization is a great idea to help the students obtain field experience. “I wish that an organization like this would have existed to help me make the transition easier into the real world of engineering,” he said. Alice Lee, a sophomore political science major, said she agrees with Menendez. “I think it’s really great how Texas A&M can be of so much help towards the engineering students by providing these types of opportunities,” she said. “And it shows to what extent A&M is willing to help its students.” The organization has sought help from the resources available from Texas A&M. “Recently, we had a tour of the turbo machinery lab,”
For more information on how to join the A&M Gas Turbine Society, contact Ben Carpenter at tamugts@gmail.com Carpenter said, “to see what kind of research is involved.” Though the A&M Gas Turbine Society has been in progress since January, the response to its goal has been outstanding. The Gas Turbine Society’s membership ranges from students in the mechanical, electrical and nuclear engineering programs. However, the organization is not limited to students in those areas of study. “There is absolutely no experience required,” Carpenter said. “The organization is open to anybody who is interested in the program.”
Reserve your 2010 Aggieland yearbook Your year. Your memories. Your book. The 2010 Aggieland — the 108th Texas A&M University yearbook — will be a 700-page record of the 2009 –2010 school year. Distribution will be during Fall 2010. Cost is $64.90 including shipping and sales tax. Four easy ways to order: as a fee option go to optional services box when you register for fall by credit card (VISA, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) go online to http://aggieland.tamu.edu (plus 75¢ fee) phone 979-845-2613 stop by the Student Media office in 032 MSC
Current TAMU ID required. Limit 4 tickets per ID. Individual ticket price, $18 & $30. Pg. 4-5.8.09.indd 1
A Texas A&M tradition since 1895.
5/7/09 10:18:01 PM
Women’s golf team in second place at NCAA regional Sophomore Stephanie Smith hit a three-under par first round in the first day of the NCAA West Regional tournament Thursday in Tempe, Ariz., to lead the No. 39 Texas A&M women’s golf team to second place after 18 holes. With 36 holes remaining, the Aggies are tied with Arizona and Texas at even par behind No. 1 Arizona State. The Sun Devils hit 15-under par as a team in the first round. Smith
sports thebattalion 5.8.2009 page5
Softball team eyes Big 12 Championship T.D. Durham
Jon Eilts — THE BATTALION
Texas A&M sophomore southpaw Brooks Raley pitches against Dallas Baptist on April 30 at Olsen Field.
Longhorns, Aggies meet in critical series Michael Sullivan The Battalion More is at stake for No. 16 Texas A&M this weekend than the Lone Star Showdown. The Aggies’ series against No. 8 Texas will be a key factor in deciding the 2009 Big 12 regular season champion. Trailing the Longhorns by one game in the Big 12 race, A&M will play Texas in a split location series starting today at Olsen Field. “This is the way we want it,” senior center fielder Kyle Colligan said. “I wouldn’t want [to win the Big 12] any other way than to go through Texas to show that we really deserve it.” With two weeks remaining in conference play, the race for the Big 12 regular season title and Colligan top seed in the Big 12 Championship is a three-team contest between Texas, Kansas State and A&M. The Longhorns hold the No. 1 spot in the conference with a 15-8-1 record and will be playing their final regular season series this weekend against the Aggies. Texas has swept A&M in the three consecutive seasons. No. 21 Kansas State is tied with the Aggies for second place in the conference with a
12-7-1 record. The Wildcats have two series remaining with a home series against Texas Tech and a split series against Kansas. Kansas State can win the Big 12 regular season title by winning out, giving them a record of 18-7-1. If the Wildcats win five of their final six games and the Longhorns win two games against A&M, Kansas State would still take the conference title. The Aggies are looking to win their second consecutive Big 12 regular season title and third consecutive overall. A&M needs to win its final six games and Kansas State needs to lose at least one game for the Aggies to take the title. A&M will have to sweep the Longhorns for the first time since 1991. The Aggies haven’t won a three-game series against Texas since 2003. “I have said it year after year that we want to beat Texas and we haven’t, so this is the time to do it,” Colligan said. “This is my last go around and I really want this.” Starting on the mound Friday at Olsen Field will be A&M sophomore southpaw Brooks Raley and Texas sophomore right-hander Chance Ruffin. Raley leads the Aggies with a 1.96 ERA and Ruffin leads Texas with 73 strikeouts. After the Lone Star Showdown, the Aggies will travel to Norman to face No. 17 Oklahoma
Series No. 16 Texas A&M vs. No. 8 Texas
The Battalion Riding the momentum of a pair of road wins to finish the regular season, the Texas A&M softball team will compete in the Big 12 Conference Tournament Saturday in Oklahoma City. The No. 6-seeded Aggies will play in their first game of the single-elimination tournament against No. 3-seeded Baylor, which A&M defeated in its final regular season game Sunday. Freshman pitcher Rebecca Arbino led the Aggies in the victory at Waco, pitching seven innings and allowing two runs on four hits to the Lady Bears. The win marked the second time A&M defeated Baylor in 2009 and the first back-to-back victory for Arbino in her freshman season. A&M Head Coach Jo Evans said sweeping Baylor in the regular season is a bittersweet fact going into the Big 12 tournament. “Every coach will say it’s hard to beat a team three times in a row,” Evans said. “But, we’ve beaten them with both pitchers and we feel confident going into the game Saturday.” The Aggie squad won three of its final four games to earn the No. 6 seed in the conference tournament. Sophomore Rhi Kliesing and Arbino received the Big 12 Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, in the team’s final week of regular season play. Kliesing, who leads the A&M pitching staff in wins, ERA and strikeouts, won the award not on the mound, but at the plate. In the Evans Aggies’ final five games, Kliesing posted a batting average of .538, recorded six RBIs, and extended a seven-game hitting streak. Arbino, who struggled with consistency in early appearances, earned A&M two road victories in Big 12 play by holding opponents to three runs in 14 innings and recording an ERA of 1.00. The occurrence marked the second time in the 2009 season the Aggies have swept the Big 12 weekly awards. Evans said her team has had players step up and is playing at a high level of performance. “We’re playing our best right now,” Evans said. “Rhi and Holly Ridley have been spectacular at the plate and Arbino has not only been giving us a chance to win, but has really taken opposing line ups out of the games.” If A&M defeats Baylor, the team will face the winner of the No. 2-seeded Missouri and either the No. 10-seeded Texas Tech or the No. 7-seeded Oklahoma State in the semifinal round. Evans said her team, ranked No. 32 nationally in RPI, is not worried about making the NCAA Tournament, but is focused on now. “We’ve solidified our team as one of the best in the NCAA with our play this season,” Evans said. “But our goal right now is to win this tournament. We’re focusing on the Big 12 right now.”
6:35 p.m. today at Olsen Field 12:06 p.m. Saturday at Disch-Falk Field 2:05 p.m. Sunday at Disch-Falk Field in the final Big 12 series of the season. In 2008, the Aggies swept the Sooners at Olsen Field and will need to do the same at L. Dale Mitchell Park to challenge for the Big 12 season title. “It comes down to the last two weekends,” A&M Head Coach Rob Childress said. “We just need to go play like we’ve played the last three weeks. It doesn’t matter who is in the other dugout.” The Aggies have won 11 of the previous 13 games. During that stretch, the Aggies have defeated three Top 25 teams including No. 1 Rice, No. 21 Texas Christian and No. 25 Oklahoma State. “This is what we play for,” Childress said. “We’ve got to go play the game at a high level and execute, and do all the routine things well and get the big hit which is what we’ve done for the most part over the last three weeks.”
Jon Eilts — THE BATTALION
Senior catcher Erin Glasco attempts to make a play at the plate against Nebraska on March 22 at the Aggie Softball Complex.
Men’s tennis team stays home for first round Brett Sebastian
File photo
All- American senior Conor Pollock is ranked No. 18 overall in the ITA singles rankings and is 24-12 in singles matches.
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The Battalion Hosting their first NCAA regional since 2006, the No. 15-seeded Texas A&M men’s tennis team will play Binghamton today at the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center. “We are very excited to get to stay home and play on our own courts,” A&M Head Coach Steve Denton said on AggieAthletics.com. “Obviously, it’s a huge advantage for us. Our guys get to sleep in their own beds and we get to play in front of our own fans. The familiar surroundings help you out a lot, but ultimately, you still have to go out and play.” Binghamton went 17-4 in the regular season and won the America East Conference championship. This is their second consecutive tournament appearance and fifth in seven years. “Everybody at this level has a top-notch pro-
gram,” Binghamton Head Coach Adam Cohen said on BUBearcats.com. “Obviously it will be a tough match for us, but our guys compete no matter who they face and we will work hard this week and be ready to play.” America East Player of the Year Sven Vloedgraven and America East Championship MVP Gilbert Wong lead the Bearcats. Vloedgraven was 26-9 in singles and Wong was 31-7. The pair plays doubles together. A&M senior team captain Conor Pollock is an All-American and ranked No. 18 overall by the ITA singles rankings. Sophomore All-American Austin Krajicek is ranked No. 44 and participated in the U.S. Open. Krajicek and Pollock are ranked No. 7 as a doubles team and reached the NCAA Doubles Championship in 2008. Denton earned Big 12 Co-Coach of the Year honors for his work in leading the team. He split
the award with Baylor’s Matt Knoll. The Aggies were 15-8 overall against the No. 3 schedule in the nation and finished in second place in the Big 12 conference. They are making their 16th consecutive tournament appearance. “They have played really well,” Denton said. “We’ve certainly had a great season and beaten some really good teams. This team has showed a lot of character and great chemistry. I am very happy with what we have done thus far. We just have to keep it going when the new season starts next week for us.” The winner of the match will advance to play the winner of Arizona and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Saturday. Saturday’s winner will proceed to the combined men’s and women’s championship on May 14-25 in College Station at the George P. Mitchell Tennis Center.
5/7/09 9:38:30 PM
voices
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants in this paper do not necessarily reflect those of Texas A&M University, The Battalion or its staff.
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Raving goodbye GUESTCOLUMN
Matt Tredinnick
Aggies came together to give the MSC a worthy send off with enthusiasm and respect.
A
s one of the organizers of the Memorial Student Center rave, I would like to elaborate on our side of the story. The first thing I would like to do is thank everyone who came and made it a successful and fun event, especially everyone who helped plan and run the event. The first word in MSC may be memorial, but the second is student. It is not alumni, nor is it administrator. This building is for us. The building is a student center. It is not meant to be looked at, but instead, meant to be used. We are supposed to have a good time and enjoy ourselves. It is the heart of campus. There are no classes in this building because it is a home to get away from all that. The MSC is host to many events. Ring Dance plays music in the MSC, as well as the Hip Hop society. In addition, there are concerts as well as video game tournaments that take place in the Flagroom all the time. This music
Photos by Stephen Fogg — THE BATTALION
Students say goodbye to the Memorial Student Center with a flash rave on April 30 in the Flagroom.
is no less offensive than what was played during the flash rave. This event was intended to help ease some stress before the rigors of finals week, as well as celebrate the MSC itself — everything we have experienced in the MSC and the memories we have made. There were administrators who were charged with protecting the traditions of the MSC in the area. They had prior knowledge of the event and decided not to stop it. Some even appeared to enjoy themselves during the event. We tried to accommodate everyone’s concerns prior to the event. When we heard the Student Conference of National Affairs had an event in the same room around the time of our event, we made sure our playlist was short enough so we would be done by the time of the speech, and hoped the location would encourage people to stay for SCONA’s speech. We heard some, but very few questions on the appropriateness of the event taking place
in the MSC, so we made every effort to make sure the fact that we were saying goodbye to the MSC was prominent. I say all this because we do care about this school and we do care about the MSC. I spend more time in the MSC than I do anywhere else in College Station, including my own apartment. We heed the words of the past as guidance, but will not let those who came before us choose our destiny. I am sorry if our actions have offended you in any way, but I do not regret them. I still believe that our actions were appropriate and a unique demonstration of our love for the MSC and the memories that were made in that building. When the Aggie War Hymn played that Thursday, the Aggie Spirit in the room was palpable. Some people often feel disenfranchised from the Aggie Spirit because they have different tastes and interests than the “typical Aggie.” Seeing those people and the passion that they
had still moves me, even days after the event. I believe when that many Aggies get together and show that much passion for their school and their Memorial Student Center, they are the embodiment of the Aggie Spirit. Not everyone honors those who have passed the same way. Some decide to celebrate their lives, while others mourn their passing. There is no right or wrong — just different. I am not saying we are a majority, but we are a large group. We decided this was the best way for us to celebrate our love of the building we have spent our lives in and come to love, something I believe everyone should be able to do in their own way.
Matt Tredinnick is a sophomore nuclear engineering and economics double major and one of the organizers of the MSC Rave.
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page 8 friday 5.8.2009
H1N1 Continued from page 1
interim guidance, residents should be cautious when considering international travel, said A&M Flu Expert Janie Harris, a Texas AgriLife Extension Service family and consumer sciences specialist. “Where there are many confirmed cases, there’s a risk of bringing it back to our area,” Harris said. “When traveling within the U.S., people should practice good hygiene and social distancing.” As the CDC continues to learn more about the H1N1 virus, restrictions in reaction to the pandemic may change, Meyer said. “There is still a restriction against the summer programs in Mexico. That may be reevaluated at anytime as the situation changes,” Meyer said. On April 29, Texas Gov. Rick Perry issued a disaster declaration in response to the pandemic. “The Strategic National Stock Pile has provided antiviral drugs and other things if the state needs them, as a result of the disaster declaration,” said Brazos County Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator Mike Paulus. “[The declaration] just makes it easier to take protective actions.” Paulus said that although the two deaths in the nation due to the H1N1 virus have been in Texas, there are other factors to be considered in the deaths. “The term ‘pandemic’ refers to the reach of the disease, not how severe the disease is. H1N1 has spread to several continents.” she said. “That is the basis for the use of the term.” Paulus said that the cause for concern over the H1N1 virus is that there is no vaccine, and if enough Americans contract the virus it could cause a tremendous amount of societal disruption. “There is no vaccine for the new H1N1 virus. It will not be in next year’s flu shot; it has already been formulated,” Paulus said. “We do have several medications
news thebattalion
that interfere with the viruses ability to replicate (Tamiflu and Relenza). They can help lessen the effects of the virus.” Paulus said that the H1N1 does not look like it has any more severity than the usual flu. “The difference is that seasonal flu attacks 10 [percent] to 15 percent of the population over a given year. Most folks have some level of immunity to seasonal flu, especially if they have had flu shots in the past. We have no apparent immunity to H1N1,” Paulus said. “We worry that a new strain of flu will burn through the population in a very short period of time. This could cause a 30 [percent] to 50 percent decrease in the work force. The rush on the health care system could cause it to temporarily fail.” Immunity to the H1N1 virus can only be developed by exposure to the virus environmentally or through vaccination. “This is a long-term problem. We will probably see H1N1 sporadically through the summer. In the fall, when conditions are better for propagation, we may see it affect more folks,” Paulus said. The H1N1 virus will evolve and its symptoms could worsen, Paulus said, but it is not a virus unlike many others. “Viruses change. It could make it easily transmissible or not transmissible at all. Those are the two extremes. The reality is it will probably be somewhere in the middle. This happens with the flu every year; we have to be concerned with every viral disease out there,” Paulus said. “We monitor every viral disease, see how they’re changing and develop defenses as to what we see. You can’t be worried about it all the time. There’s always going to be a virus out there that can do us harm, it’s just how fast we pick it up and building a defense to it.” The Brazos County Health Department asked residents to bring in specimens from individuals with flu-like illnesses. “It is important to track the spread of the disease to learn as much as we can about it, how it behaves,” Paulus said.
5/7/09 10:14:51 PM