thebattalion l wednesday,
september 4, 2013
l serving
texas a&m since 1893
l first paper free – additional copies $1 l © 2013 student media
football
Chase Krumholz — THE BATTALION
Graphic by William Guerra — THE BATTALION
Traditions Council stands behind the bugle call Aimee Breaux
The Battalion ehind the echo of 21 shots fired, the haunting sound of bugles, and the somber moment of silence, the students of Traditions Council work to continue the century old tradition that is Silver Taps. Executive director of Traditions Council and senior business honors major, Kelsey Mckechnie, said Traditions Council coordinates with the Ross Volunteers and Student Assistance Services. They do everything from setting up tables around campus where students can write letters to the families of the deceased to guiding these families around during their time on campus before Silver Taps begins. “It’s a huge honor and a humbling experience to be a part of the organization that helps keep this tradition alive,” Mckechnie said. “It also makes me really reflect on my life and my time at A&M.” Alexandra Gonzalez, junior agribusiness major and member of Traditions Council, said beyond the preparations that take place a week before the first Tuesday of each month, the Council is continually contacting the families of students to be honored and making the appropriate arrangements to accommodate those who will be attending Silver Taps as family members of the deceased. “Our job as the Council is to really stress and emphasize just how much this tradition means to the families of the students we have lost,” Gonzalez said. “Some people might not realize how much 10 to 15 minutes of their presence can really mean to the family.” In addition to buying flowers for the families of the deceased, a subcommittee of Traditions council called Campus Relations assigns a small group of students to comfort each family attending Silver Taps, Gonzalez said. These students then explain to families the process of Silver Taps and present them with the gift of a series of images depicting Silver Taps traditions. “What the hosts do is guide and lead [the families] over to the academic plaza, and see that the students around them are all quiet, no one’s on their cellphone,” Gonzalez said. Mckechnie said, in her experience, families are usually grateful and over-
B
See Traditions Council on page 6
It’s a huge honor and a humbling experience to be a part of the organization that helps keep this tradition alive. It also makes me really reflect on my life and my time at A&M.”
Our job as the Council is to really stress and emphasize just how much this tradition means to the families of the students we have lost. Some people might not realize how much 10 to 15 minutes of their presence can really mean to the family.”
— Kelsey Mckechnie, executive director of Traditions Council
— Alexandra Gonzalez, member of Traditions Council
James Sullivan
The Battalion ational pundits have replayed since Saturday the incident, attacking Manziel for seemingly brushing off his head coach as he walked toward the sideline during the 5231 win over Rice. Tuesday morning, though, Kevin Sumlin was given the opportunity to clear the air regarding the incident. The 20-year-old quarterback received a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct midway through the fourth quarter and never returned. Manziel, 6-of-8 passing for 94 yards and three touchdowns on the day, said nothing as he came off the field, leaving some to speculate friction existed between Manziel and the coach. Sumlin said Tuesday, however, that Manziel was right to remain silent. “When [Manziel] came off the field, I made two statements to him, neither one of which should he have responded to,” Sumlin said. “They weren’t questions. They were direct statements I can’t repeat right now. The worst thing that could have happened is for him to reply, based on what I told him. A lot of people who made statements about that, they weren’t near that sideline. You can get a different perspective sitting in a studio or
N
glbt resource center
Rainbow fair to promote inclusivity John Rangel The Battalion
T
Tanner Garza — THE BATTALION
The Ross Volunteers Company practices marching and formations Monday afternoon at Academic Plaza.
thebattalion asks
b! The MSC Forsyth Gallery seeks to draw in students with atypical artwork. Current exhibits include works of commercial typography and glass etching.
Players break down Manziel, suspensions
See Football on page 5
inside
arts | 3 Galleries on display
Sumlin talks team issues, Sam Houston
Q:
Let’s be friends
inside | next page
Matt Wong — THE BATTALION
eats | 3 Burger bar
A former student traveled the country sampling burgers with the goal of bringing the best tastes back to College Station.
What are your goals and expectations for this year in Student Government?
@thebattonline
he MSC will play host Wednesday to the first ever Rainbow Resource Fair. The Rainbow Resource Fair is an event open to all students that aims to raise awareness of the resources available to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) students. Located in the MSC Gates Ballroom from 4 to 6 p.m., various organizations will be present to showcase their activities to those interested. Sidney Gardner, program coordinator for the GLBT Resource Center at A&M, said the fair is meant to showcase ways organizations are inclusive toward LGBTQ students. “The Rainbow Resource Fair is meant to be a place where students can come to see a variety of services that we offer on campus,” Gardner said. “It’s important for our students to feel welcome and know our resources.” Gardner described the event as a smaller version of the MSC open house but primarily for the GLBT community and allies at A&M. “It’s the culmination of a lot of things.” Gardner said. “Really, we wanted to find a way to get information to new students.” The fair, put on by the GLBT Resource Center and Aggie Allies, will consist of booths set up by student and community organizations active in Bryan-College Station. Faith communities that are affirming of LGBTQ people will also be present. One of the student organizations that will be present is LGBTQ Aggies, or LGBTQ-A. LGBTQ-A shows educational programming on the history of the LGBTQ movement and organizes GLBT Awareness Week in the spring. Katie Higgins, sophomore English major and vice president of LGBTQ-A, said the purpose of the fair is to spread awareness. “Having the Rainbow Resource Fair … combats some of the negative perceptions See Rainbow fair on page 4
BAT_09-04-13_A1.indd 1
9/4/13 12:09 AM