thebattalion ● tuesday,
june 2, 2009
● serving
texas a&m since 1893
● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2009 student media
“The students, faculty and staff have anxiety for hurricane season because we don’t want to go through that again.”
Here we go again Scientists predict ‘near normal’ year for storms Megan Clark The Battalion
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This satellite image shows Hurricane Ike on Sept. 12, 2008, before making landfall.
Sea Aggies recall Ike damage as season begins Hurricane Ike Registry
Megan Clark
The school of Rural Public Health has created a Web site where victims of Hurricane Ike can share stories and participate in studies.
Nearly a year after Hurricane Ike hit, things are still not back to normal for Sea Aggies in Galveston. The A&M Galveston campus is recovering from the damage and the first-ever relocation to College Station. “The one thing that we underestimated is how hard this would be for our students,” said Stephen Conway, director of Computing and Information Services. “We expected things to be back to normal but we became basically behind. This whole semester has been a catching-up semester.” Relocation was a big change and was arduous for some, said Conway. “The main campus was extremely cooperative and we couldn’t have asked for more, but it was still difficult for the freshmen and other students,” Conway
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said. “We lost some training classes but we were really lucky.” Ninety-one percent of the student body was relocated and were back in classes within a week of relocation, Conway said. Ike showed the campus’ strengths in evacuation procedures but that there is room for improvement, said Assistant Vice President for Administration Brad McGonagle. “We have revised our hurricane plan and we have made some changes since Ike,” McGonagle said. “We are ready for another hurricane season. The season we prepare and become aware of really begins around Sept. 1 because that is the most severe time in the Atlantic.” Contrary to popular belief, most of the campus’ damage was confined to the waterfront. See Hurricane on page 4
With the results of Hurricane Ike finally coming to a close, June 1 marks the new hurricane season for the Atlantic. There’s a 50 percent chance of a normal hurricane season, according to The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “There is a 70 percent probability for the following scenarios: 9-14 named storms, 4-7 hurricanes and 1-3 major hurricanes,” said Atmospheric Science Research Associate Brent McRoberts. “If the ‘near normal’ forecast verifies, 2009 may actually seem like a below normal year based on the hurricane seasons we are accustomed to the past 15 years or so. We have actually been in what is considered the high activity era for hurricanes.” Despite the expected quiet season, hurricanes can arrive 2009 hurricane suddenly. “August and September names: are prime time for storms that Ana form in the tropical Atlantic Bill and march across to North Claudette America,” said John W. Danny Nielsen-Gammon, professor and Texas State climatologist. Erika “Storms can form in the Gulf Fred of Mexico as early as June, Grace and those can be a problem Henri because there’s often not Ida much warning. Some coastal Joaquin communities need three days Kate warning to evacuate, and Larry Gulf storms may not provide Mindy that.” Nicholas Potential trouble can be Odette predicted by a storm from 2007, Humberto, according Peter to Nielsen-Gammon. Hum- Rose berto made landfall near High Sam Island less than a day after it Teresa became a tropical depression. Victor It gave little warning. Wanda “If a hurricane were to affect the Brazos Valley worse than, say Ike, it would most likely have to make landfall between Matagorda Bay and Galveston,” said KBTX meteorologist Bob French. “The stronger the storm, the more likely that we would get hurricane force winds this far inland. The slower moving the storm, the more likely we would receive flooding rains.”
Rec center kicks off summer with outdoor activities, fitness classes Know before you go
David Harris and Macie Rushing
Hours: Monday-Friday 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday 12 p.m.- 10 p.m.
If you’re looking for a way to beat the heat this summer, or get in shape, or rehash that competitive drive that has been missing for so long, the Texas A&M Student Recreation Center is the place to be. The Rec, even with the decreased number of students enrolled in the summer, will have the same amenities offered during the fall and spring semesters. “During the summer, we don’t miss a beat,” said Marketing Director Connor Heim. “We offer the same programs as fall or spring. We still want to provide summer students with the same opportunities.” Most student organizations have put activities and events on pause as they plan for the fall semester, said Director of Student Activities Bill Stackman. “We still have some organizations that are up and running, but most of them are not,” Stackman said. “Aggie Wranglers have new members that will be busy training this summer.” Taylor Huff, a junior communication major and member of Project Sunshine, said she is looking forward
If you are not taking summer classes, go to recsports. tamu.edu for guest pass prices.
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to taking a break this summer. “I’m hoping that with a break from my organization I can focus more on the classes I am taking and maybe work on my tan a little at the Rec pool,” Taylor said. There are many outdoor activities going on during the summer, with the outdoor pool, sand volleyball and basketball courts. The golf course offers a discounted rate for enrolled students. Massages, at $45 per hour, are given to students $15 off. “There’s no time like the summer to kick back and relax,” Heim said. “A massage is a perfect compliment to a rigorous workout.” The center has returned to its summer hours, closing at 10 p.m. Monday through Sunday, until Aug. 15. However, fitness classes, lectures, intramurals and outdoor adventures will continue to be offered at the center. There will be 65 classes offered a week and more will be in the water, said Fitness and Programs Director DeAun Woosley. “We have more water classes in the summer using the outdoor pool,” said Woosley. “We are able to teach water See Rec on page 6
J.D. Swiger — THE BATTALION
Junior economics major Brandon Jordan, senior sports management major Tory Finley and sophomore pharmacy major Khashad McBean play basketball Friday on the indoor courts at the Rec center.
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