The Battalion - April 8, 2021

THURSDAY, APRIL 8 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2021 STUDENT MEDIA

Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION

A&M’s Green Dot program offers bystander training to protect from sexual assault.

Supporting survivors of sexual assault Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION

April’s Ring Day has been extended to a three-and-a-half day event to accommodate COVID-19 protocols.

Embracing tradition with modifications April Ring Day continues with two-guest limitation, required face coverings, additional COVID-19 safety protocols

By Myranda Campanella @MCampanella_

N

early 6,400 Aggies are receiving their Aggie Gold this weekend during the year’s largest Aggie Ring distribution period.

Traditionally a one-day ceremony held at the Clayton W. Williams Jr. Alumni Center, the Association of Former

Students has extended this April’s Ring Day to a three-and-a-half-day event from Wednesday, April 7, to Saturday, April 10, to accommodate COVID-19 protocols.

Similar to last November’s Ring Day, students will be allowed to bring up to two guests inside the Alumni Center for their ring pickup, which Kathryn Greenwade, vice president of the Association of Former Students, said allows students to still have an in-person Ring Day experience.

“It’s yet another positive step toward returning to normal operations, while there are still modifications in place,” Greenwade said. “It is allowing for in-person gathering … and that face-to-face celebration of the ring.”

Greenwade said the association is hopeful

Community offers resources, education regarding consent

By Lauren Discher @lauren_discher

next September’s Ring Day will be more traditional if the global COVID-19 situation continues to improve as vaccines roll out.

“We are hopeful that conditions will be such that we can go back to our traditional format of having a one- or two-day ring distribution,” Greenwade said.

However, for this weekend, masks and social distancing will be required inside the Alumni Center to ensure the safety of Aggies receiving their rings as well as those volunteering to help with distribution, Greenwade said.

“We respectfully ask that everyone wear a mask when they come to get their rings, in compliance with university protocols,”

This Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, Aggies and the Bryan-College Station community are highlighting resources for victims and survivors.

April 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. April is dedicated to creating awareness and fostering education in hopes of decreasing cases of sexual assault while increasing understanding and prevention. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five American women and one in 38 men have experienced attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. These statistics make it clear consent needs to be prioritized.

To clarify what constitutes consent, Aggie Feminists for Reproductive Equity & Education President and sociology senior Shelby Wilkins said her organization offers free consent workshops for other student organizations as well as dorms on campus.

“We have been doing consent workshops for a few years now,” Wilkins said. “We give an introduction to consent, Title IX at Texas A&M, self care and resources for survivors.”

Due to the ongoing pandemic, Wilkins said the workshops are being held virtually to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19.

RING DAY ON PG. 2

AWARENESS ON PG. 3

Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION

As the Class of 2021 prepares to walk the stage, the effects of COVID-19 remain.

Kaylee Cogbill — THE BATTALION

Family Weekend will host both in-person and virtual events this year in order to accommodate families unable to visit Aggieland.

A&M shares Aggie Spirit through Family Weekend Aggieland hosts several in-person, virtual events for visiting families

By Aubrey Vogel @aubrey_vogel Following suit of many events hosted on campus this spring, Texas A&M is hosting a hybrid option for Family Weekend on April 9-11.

Family Weekend will kick off with 6,400 Aggies receiving their Aggie Rings from the Association of Former Students beginning Wednesday. Other events include several

home sporting events, a Yell Practice and a drive-in movie hosted by New Student & Family Programs and MSC Aggie Cinema.

Assistant Coordinator of Family Programs Alex Jantz said the organization is excited to provide both in-person and online events to promote safety and community.

“We are excited to provide a hybrid Family Weekend this year as it makes the event more accessible to our families,” Jantz said.

“By providing both in-person and virtual events, we are able to curate an experience that celebrates the Spirit of Aggieland while also connecting with more members of the Aggie families.”

Aggies reflect on senior experience Graduating students discuss effects of pandemic on final year at A&M

By Kathryn Miller @kathrynmiller0

Coordinator of Family Programs Libby Daggers said one of their main focuses is to safely put on events with precautions including face coverings and physical distancing.

“We are following all local and university COVID-19 protocols for our in-person events. We have tried to maximize using outdoor spaces as much as possible,” Daggers said. “Most events require registration this year so that we made sure we were prepared to accommodate families within the spaces we have.”

With many activities canceled due to COVID-19 this past year, political science

As spring graduation approaches, many members of the Class of 2021 are reflecting on how COVID-19 restrictions and online learning have pervaded the last year of their college experience.

Texas A&M’s spring commencement ceremonies will take place over the course of several days to ensure social distancing. Many seniors also saw modified versions of other campus traditions that graduating Aggies have participated in for decades, such as the last home football game and Elephant Walk.

Public health senior Anais Guitierrez said despite COVID-19, all four of her years at A&M have lived up to her expectations.

“I have gotten to meet so many wonderful people that I will take with me as I move onto

FAMILY WEEKEND ON PG. 2

SENIORS ON PG. 3

NEWS

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The Battalion | 4.8.21

FILE

Several on-campus and virtual events are lined up for students and their families to enjoy this Family Weekend.

FAMILY WEEKEND CONTINUED

FILE

The five stars on an Aggie Ring symbolize the development of an Aggie: mind, body, spiritual attainment, emotional poise and integrity of character.

RING DAY CONTINUED Greenwade said. “This will just help us to ensure that we have a safe Ring Day.” Orders from the classes of 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 are being represented this Ring Day, with Aggies from the Galveston,

Law, Qatar and McAllen campuses in addition to the flagship campus receiving their rings.

Distribution times for Wednesday-Friday will be from 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and from 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, with each Aggie assigned a 15-minute time slot for pickup.

senior and Corps of Cadets Commander Tanner Cedrone said the Corps is excited to have an audience for the Corp of Cadets Review and a Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band drill.

“As much as the Corps Review on Kyle Field is about us, it is even more so about the folks who got us through this year, our parents and families,” Cedrone said. “We are unbelievably grateful for the opportunity to get them into Kyle Field where they can safely watch their cadets march, some even for the first time.”

In addition, the Fish Drill Team, Ross Volunteers and Parsons Mounted Cavalry will perform this weekend.

“While this year was a sizable challenge for us, the Corps has proven time and time again, whether it’s world wars or a global pandemic, that we aren’t going anywhere,” Cedrone said. “We will continue to be the Keepers of the Spirit, the Guardians of Tradition and to produce leaders of character prepared to lead wherever they go with whatever it takes.”

Off campus, many community businesses are also offering deals and events for students and their families to enjoy. C.C. Creations is hosting “Hullabaloo at Holleman” where both The Warehouse and Maroon U will have activities and special discounts. Vice President of Marketing for C.C. Creations Ashleigh Krause said they will have free food as well as picture opportunities with the big maroon chair and Reveille IX. “What we really love about those week-

ends is it’s drawing people into College Station who may not be familiar with [the area] or they may not get to come except for those specific weekends,” Krause said. “We have a big family line, so this is a great time for us to promote that line but also promote our store as more than just random stuff but that onestop-shop for any and all Aggies.”

The Warehouse will host its Guinness World Record Ceremony as it is honored for having the largest collegiate merchandise store on Friday, April 9, at 11 a.m. after the event was delayed last year due to the restrictions on gatherings.

“We wanted to attempt this record because we really use in our tagline that we are the largest selection of Aggie merchandise with over 20,000 square feet of retail space,” Krause said. “It is a great thing to add to our reputation, and we do pride ourselves on that because it is really big and a lot of hard work that we put into it.”

With a full schedule of events, Daggers said there is something for everyone to enjoy, whether in person or virtually.

“The purpose of Family Weekend is to celebrate the Aggie Family and allow students to show gratitude to those who support them in their journey at Texas A&M,” Daggers said. “Family Weekend started in 1919 and is a long-standing tradition. It’s unique in the fact that the focus is celebrating families. We love that we get to share this weekend with families.”

For a full schedule of events, please visit familyweekend.tamu.edu/events.

l a u e r e P tion Mo

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This performance is made possible thanks to grant funding provided by the Academy for Visual and Performing Arts.

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NEWS

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The Battalion | 4.8.21

SENIORS CONTINUED the next phase of my life,” Guitierrez said. “But COVID[-19] brought a sense of chaos and uncertainty for our remaining year.”

Despite having to miss out on a number of traditions, Guitierrez said her COVID-19 semesters at A&M taught her how to cherish her past college experiences and to not take normalcy for granted.

“I wish that our last year at A&M could have been normal in terms of attending events and not having to distance from friends,” Guitierrez said. “I wish I could have experienced Kyle Field at full capacity during football games and go to my organization’s formals for the last time.”

Psychology senior Maggie Hoffman said adjusting to online courses was difficult because she was accustomed to attending classes in person for over two years.

“It took a while for me to figure out how to continue to have the college experience while I had to stay home. It was a big change being COVID[-19] cautious,” Hoffman said. “But now that I have a more flexible schedule, I’ve had time to prepare for graduation and my career outside of college.”

Mechanical engineering senior Chiedu Nwaobi said he was satisfied with his college experience at A&M leading up to the pandemic.

“Until COVID[-19] hit last spring, I was involved in many different organizations and had plans to study or spend time with friends all the time. I met so many amazing people,” Nwaobi said. “A&M managed to exceed my expectations for college, even with the rough days.”

COVID-19 devastated the final stretch of college that many students begin dreaming about well before graduation, Nwaobi said.

“As a junior, you start making a mental list of what you want to do with your friends before you graduate because it hits you that you may never see them, even in a year,” Nwaobi said. “I had high, but still realistic, expectations set for my senior year and was excited to finish my junior year smoothly. Unfortunately, things did not go smoothly at all.”

Missing events that seniors traditionally experience was difficult to deal with, and Nwaobi said before COVID-19, he was greatly anticipating experiencing his “lasts” with loved ones in person.

“I wish I would have been able to have my Ring Day in person,” Nwaobi said. “I got my ring when COVID[-19] hit, so it was shipped home to me. Seniors didn’t experience things like last football and basketball games and Ring Day events in the typical fashion with friends and family. Especially at a school that values traditions more than almost anything, it just feels weird.”

AWARENESS CONTINUED “These workshops are completely free and last around 45 minutes,” Wilkins said. “People can request them by filling out the Google form in our Linktree.”

The workshops, Wilkins said, make the definition of consent comprehensible in order to eliminate potential misunderstandings.

“Consent means clear, voluntary and positive verbal or nonverbal communication that all participants have agreed to at the time of the activity,” Wilkins said. “Student Rule 24 also clarifies that a bit more.”

Student Rule 24.1.6 says consent must be given for current sexual activity. The rule also states that the existence of a prior relationship or activity does not ensure consent for current or future activities.

Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION

As the Class of 2021 prepares to graduate, they reflect on experiencing their final semesters of college during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There must be consent for each specific type of act throughout the activity,” the rule reads. “Consent must be given by each participant involved. A person must be 17 years of age or older to be able to consent to sexual activity if the other participant(s) involved are more than three years of age older than that person. A person who is clearly or visibly incapacitated is not able to give consent to sexual activity.”

A&M offers resources for survivors of sexual assault and bystander intervention services like Green Dot training. The Brazos Valley also offers resources for survivors such as the Sexual Assault Resource Center.

A&M’s Sexual Assault Survivors Services Committee member and former chairperson Kristen Harrell said in an email to The Battalion there are a variety of resources both on and off campus.

o May Minimester classes begin May 17 o Summer I classes begin June 7 o Summer II classes begin July 12

“On-campus resources include Civil Rights and Equity Investigations, Counseling and Psychological Services and Student Health Services,” Harrell said in an email.

“Off-campus resources include the Sexual Assault Resource Center and local hospitals.”

For those seeking forensic exams following an assault, Harrell said the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in College Station has trained sexual assault nurse examiners in its forensic medicine unit.

When supporting a survivor, Harrell said the biggest priority should be to listen to and give the survivor as much control as possible over what and how much to share and their next steps.

“A supporter can educate themselves on resources to be able to provide options to a survivor and consider ways to provide those options so that the survivor can choose to ac-

cess them when they are ready,” Harrell said in an email. “Individuals should always seek consent to touch others, but should be especially thoughtful about, if wanting to physically comfort a survivor, ensuring that is what the survivor wants.”

For those looking to learn more about supporting survivors, Harrell said there are additional resources available on A&M’s campus.

“Students, faculty and staff who are interested in learning more about supporting survivors are encouraged to attend a STAND Up Workshop developed by the Sexual Assault Survivors Services committee and hosted by Health Promotion in the Offices of the Dean of Student Life,” Harrell said in an email.

The National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached by calling 800-656-4673.

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RINGDAY

4

The Battalion | 4.8.21

PROVIDED

Editor-in-chief Brady Stone receives his Aggie Ring at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday. He dedicates his ring to his Mom and Dad, Ken and Crissy, his twin sister Chloe and younger brother Asa.

The weight of Aggie gold

Editor-in-chief Brady Stone looks back on the people, experiences that helped shape his A&M experience Brady Stone

Brady Stone, Editor-in-Chief Myranda Campanella, Managing Editor Julia Potts, News Editor Bec Morris, News Editor Hannah Underwood, Sports Editor Jennifer Streeter, Asst. Sports Editor Casey Stavenhagen, Asst. Sports Editor Shelby McVey, Life & Arts Editor Jessica Le, Asst. Life & Arts Editor Amina Butt, Maroon Life Editor

Joshua Howell, Opinion Editor Caleb Powell, Asst. Opinion Editor Will Nye, Photo Chief Abbey Santoro, Asst. Photo Chief Mitchell Beddingfield, Multimedia Editor Annie Wells, Multimedia Editor Cori Eckert, Design Editor

THE BATTALION is published Thursdays during the 2021 sprint semester (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. Offices are in Suite L400 of the Memorial Student Center.

News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in Student Media,a unit of the Division of StudentAffairs.Newsroom phone: 979-845-3315; E-mail: editor@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 979-845-2687. For classified advertising, call 979-845-0569. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Email: battads@thebatt.com.

Subscriptions: A part of the University Advancement Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. First copy free, additional copies $1.

@bradystonex

I

’ve never been one for jewelry.

Unless you count the puka shell necklace I wore all of the time circa 2010 (don’t judge me, I was 11), I’ve never really worn accessories of any kind. That will change this weekend.

This Saturday, I’ll get my Aggie Ring and will finally match my cousins and so many of my friends who cherish the benefits of the Aggie Network.

I have a lot of people to thank for this milestone, the first of which is my parents.

Throughout my teenage years, I watched my dad pursue his bachelor’s degree and my mom her master’s, and was reminded of the importance of education. Funding not only my Aggie Ring but my education as a whole, I am indebted to my parents both literally and for all of the things I’ve been able to accomplish with their support.

Mom and Dad, thank you so

much for my Aggie Ring, and I promise I will not lose it!

Coming to Texas A&M from a small town in east Texas, I had no idea I would be attending a school so rooted in tradition. Although I probably still don’t know all of the traditions — sorry to The Battalion’s Facebook commenters — I have my friends to thank for teaching me what I do know about A&M. The Aggie Ring traditionally symbolizes the Aggie Network and A&M’s Core Values, but for me, it will symbolize much more. It will symbolize meeting my friends in a huge lecture hall. It will symbolize standing next to strangers in Kyle Field and sawing ’em off at the end of a football game. And most of all, it will symbolize all of the people I met after wandering into The Battalion’s basement newsroom my freshman year.

When I look at my ring, I will be reminded of all of the good times I’ve had in Aggieland as well as the bad that inherently comes with college life during a pandemic. Perhaps the most important

thing I will take away when looking at my ring, though, is that I’ve persevered through it all.

My college journey has been a difficult one, dealing with some loss and failure, but it has also been one full of laughter and joy, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

The next time you read a column written by me, it’ll be my Swan Song as I prepare to graduate from A&M, but I’m not nearly as excited about getting my diploma as I am my ring.

I do have some concerns about my ring, though. Maybe my ring will be too small because my right ring finger has gained weight in the last month, or maybe my ring will be too big and fall off because my right ring finger has lost some weight.

But whether it’s the perfect fit or I’m looking up how to resize my ring as you read this, Saturday will provide me a memory I’ll cherish for a lifetime.

Brady Stone is a journalism junior and editor-in-chief for The Battalion.

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RINGDAY

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The Battalion | 4.8.21

PROVIDED

Opinion writer Kaelin Connor receives her ring on Thursday at 2 p.m.

Here’s to me

Opinion writer Kaelin Connor reflects on how far she’s come to receive her Aggie Ring Kaelin Connor

I

@KaelinAC

n 2018, I was riding the Aggie Spirit bus on the way to tour on-campus apartments when I noticed a girl sitting adjacent to me wearing an Aggie ring. I remember thinking, “That day is leaps and bounds away for me.” Yet, here I am, experiencing the landmark Aggie tradition I never thought would happen.

I have dreamt of becoming an Aggie

since I was a little girl. Specifically, all it took was one game at Kyle Field that sealed the deal, and from that moment on, I knew I would be an Aggie. But that wouldn’t be the entire story. I have a long history of Texas A&M in my blood. Our family tradition was born with my great-grandfather, who was Head Yell Leader in 1934. I stand proudly as a fourth-generation Aggie, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

As the saying goes, “From the inside looking out, you can’t explain it,” and that rings true. Many people don’t understand the Aggie family, but I know

to my core that this will forever be my home.

It wasn’t an easy journey to say the least, getting to where I am now.

My freshman year was one of the hardest periods I have ever experienced.

I suddenly went from a near-perfect high school student to a college freshman who couldn’t for the life of her pass MATH 141 (I ended up taking it three times — thank you, Blinn). I quickly lost the one part of my identity that I believed to be solid: my grades. Soon after, I grappled with the loss of my own self. For most of my life, I have danced with depression,

but in college, I was met with a ball.

Nothing could have prepared me for the destruction that awaited me in college.

To put it plainly, my freshman year was miserable. Comparatively, I had just got into a phenomenal organization with brand-new friends. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect situation, but that’s the thing about depression, it can turn off even the brightest lights.

My struggles in college continued into my sophomore year. By that point, my GPA was a laughing-stock. The once picturesque student met the opposite end of the spectrum, and I didn’t even care.

My parents were heartbroken at what seemed like a perfectly happy daughter soaking in her college experience. My grades were deplorable, and my light was out. I often considered dropping out. I saw no end to my dark tunnel and few reasons to continue my time at A&M. But that’s the thing about college: It’s hard, and (sometimes) you manage to drudge on.

I’d hardly consider myself a strong person, but I’d categorize what I overcame as nothing short of impressive. I somehow did what I never thought I could do, and that was to stand up tall again. I accepted the things I couldn’t change and focused on what I could create anew. It wasn’t easy, and I’m still grappling with the negatives. But hey, I’m still here, and maybe as you’re reading this, I will have a slightly heavier hand and a lighter heart.

I look forward to looking down at my ring and recognizing (and even appreciating) all that it took for me to receive it.

For those of you who may not know, there are five stars on the ring that symbolize the development of an Aggie: mind, body, spiritual attainment, emotional poise and integrity of character. In the center sits an eagle that represents the ability to reach any height and ambition.

I will look at these elements and beam with pride, simply because it rings true: I achieved what I didn’t think I could do.

To my professors who supported me through those tough times, to my best friends who pushed me to succeed, to my family who taught me that I can accomplish anything and everything, I thank you. To all of you who knowingly or unknowingly helped me believe in myself, thank you.

But most importantly, to me. I did it.

Kaelin Connor is a psychology junior and opinion writer for The Battalion.

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RINGDAY

6

The Battalion | 4.8.21

PROVIDED

Managing editor Myranda Campanella receives her Aggie Ring Friday at 11 a.m.

Finding my place in the world

Managing editor Myranda Campanella says A&M may not have been her Plan A, but it’s where she belongs Myranda Campanella

W

@MCampanella_

hen I was five, I wanted to go to Penn State because it was my mom’s alma mater and the only college rural-Pennsylvanian-little-me had ever heard of.

When I was 10, I wanted to go to Harvard because I may or may not have been influenced by a certain Reese Witherspoon movie.

When I was 14, I wanted to go to

Stanford Law School to become the next President of the United States.

By the time my senior year of high school came around, I was living in England and felt like the world was at my doorstep. I didn’t know where I wanted to go to college simply because I wanted to apply everywhere .

Newsflash to 18-year-old me, the world can wait.

I ended up applying to seven American universities along the East Coast hoping to major in finance because I wanted to be the next girl boss bonds

broker on Wall Street.

I additionally applied to Texas A&M because tuition was cheaper than all of the East Coast schools I applied to and I had some family ties in Texas, though contrary to most Aggies’ stories, it was not, to say the least, my top choice school. But after eight months of filling out applications from across the pond, discovering I’d rather work for the United Nations than ever breathe on Wall Street and receiving seven out of eight acceptance letters (let’s take a moment to hiss a certain Tarheel school), I took a

picture with a banner that said “Howdy!” and enrolled in my New Student Conference.

I had never even stepped foot in College Station before.

Although A&M was originally my cost-effective college choice — which many may laugh at, until you realize every other school I applied to cost over $50,000 a year — three years later I have never once regretted my decision (not even after the time my friend and I accidentally walked onto the Quad during Howdy Week freshman year looking for a dining hall and instead got screamed at/hit on by a bald fish in combat boots who pulled out of his rank).

There have been ups and downs, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

My high school didn’t have any traditions that weren’t straight out of “Harry Potter,” — no, I’m not kidding — so coming to THE Texas A&M University was like a dream come true to me, a pseudo-military brat who’s never before had a place that’s felt like home. From Fish Camp, to Midnight Yell, to Bonfire Remembrance and more, I’ve tried my hardest to get the full Aggie experience during my time at A&M, including joining The Independent Voice of the Student Body (wink wink, The Battalion).

Even though COVID-19 disrupted some of that experience, such as a study abroad to Paris and my first “Whoop” in Kyle Field, getting my Aggie Ring is that last tradition which will solidify Aggieland as my one true home.

Despite my random journey to A&M, the one person who knew from the very beginning this was where I belonged was my dearly missed grandmother. She told everyone she met that I was an Aggie, and she was so excited for me to get my Aggie gold and, eventually, my diploma.

Unfortunately, she will not be there for either occasion, but I know I’ll make her proud this Friday.

From Lechner Hall to Help Desk Central and everything in between, this campus is my home. I’ve loved every class I’ve ever taken for my major, I’ve made lifelong friends thanks to student organizations and the ever-powerful Aggie Network and along the way, I’ve built up a pretty decent resume, too.

My Aggie Ring symbolizes my place in the world, because even though I’ll be leaving Aggieland in about a year’s time, I’ll forever be an Aggie.

Myranda Campanella is an international studies junior and managing editor for The Battalion.

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