Howdy Week kicks off UPD changes marijuana enforcement

By Caleb Elizondo @CalebElizondo7

University Police Chief Mike Johnson notified the Texas A&M System Board of Regents of changes to the department’s marijuana enforcement in a meeting Wednesday, Aug. 16.

Johnson said marijuana possession under two ounces is infrequently pursued. The University Police Department, or UPD, would no longer be arresting individuals with under two ounces of marijuana, Johnson said.

Instead, the UPD will confiscate the marijuana and release the person. The case will then be presented to the county attorney. If the attorney decides to pursue charges, the UPD will make contact. Johnson said this protocol is intended to better manage department resources and help out-of-state students unfamiliar with Texas law.

Campus events bring new, returning students together in Aggieland

By Nicholas Gutteridge @nico_gjc

Starting Aug. 17, Howdy Week welcomed students to Texas A&M with informationals, giveaways and new openings, including an Ice Cream Carnival and the debut of a “Champion Station” at the Memorial Student Complex, or MSC, Barnes & Noble.

The Aug. 18 carnival hosted over 25 booths and thousands of students, according to the Communications Manager for Student Life Mariah Patrick.

“The ice cream carnival is a resource fair intended for students, so they get to know about all the resources and activities that are available on campus,” Patrick said. “We have all sorts of free items as well as giveaways here at the end for students to come enjoy, get free ice cream, cool off in the shade, as well as collect some good resources that might help them.”

Patrick said she thought the event was a success.

“I mean, it’s packed — we’re getting rid of our hats and our towels, all the resource tables are very busy with students,” Patrick said. “It’s an event we’ve built on year-over-year, and I think it keeps getting better and better.”

Many of the resource tables were for the various offices and departments available for students, such as the Office of Sustainability.

“At our table today, we have a couple of activities,” Kelly Wellman, the director of the office, said. “One is educational, in that you can spin the wheel, get a number [and] answer a trivia question to learn more about [A&M] and all the great things we’re doing.”

Wellman said the purpose of the tabling was to raise awareness about what the Office of Sustainability does at A&M, including their intern- ship and job opportunities.

Technology management senior Nathan Armour worked at multiple tents, including a station giving ice cream to students.

“I’m just happy to serve the people, you know,” Armour said. “The main goal is to make students feel welcome to A&M. To tell them we are a family here, that we care for them and that we want the best for them. We’re here to support them throughout their entire academic journey.”

Coinciding with the carnival, A&M also debuted a “Champion Station” at the MSC Barnes & Noble location, furthering the already-existing partnership to include additional Champion apparel at a set location.

“Welcoming Champion Station into our great university bookstore, directly across from Kyle Field, makes it more convenient than ever for Aggie fans to show their spirit,” Shane Hinckley, A&M’s vice president for brand and business development, said in an interview with

CHAMPION ON PG. A4