THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2016 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2016 STUDENT MEDIA | @THEBATTONLINE
BATT CAFFEINE ON CAMPUS THE
THE BATTALION | THEBATT.COM
Rachel Grant — THE BATTALION
Rachel Grant — THE BATTALION
As Aggies increase studying time, coffee consumption increases on A&M campus By Kylee Reid @CoastalAg
F
inals week is the busiest time of the year not only for students, but for the three Chartwells Starbucks locations on campus — generating the most revenue of any college campus in the nation for the coffee giant. With finals about to begin, Texas A&M University students are approaching the final stretch of the semester. From meeting
deadlines to preparing for tests, more and more students are trading the campus libraries and everyday study tools for coffee mugs and campus coffee shops. Ben Walters, assistant director of dining services at Chartwells, said he has seen a sharp increase in caffeine consumption on campus recently. “[Students are] drinking more coffee,” Walters said. “We’re seeing more of, ‘I’ll have drip coffee with shots of espresso’ or, ‘Iced coffee with espresso in it.’ We’re constantly having people ask us how to get more caffeine.” Walters, who is based out of the Hullabaloo Starbucks, said the sales of the three A&M Starbucks locations — Hullabaloo, Evans and the Quad — are some of the busiest campus shops in the country.
BRYAN
“At the Hullabaloo location we do about 700 transactions a day,” Walters said. “At Starbucks Evans, they do close to 2,000 and the Corps store being close to 1,000.” According to Chartwells representative Courtney Bryant, all the campus locations combined go through an average of 119 gallons of coffee a day. Breaking down the coffee consumption, that number is equivalent to 15,232 ounces or 1,270 cups of tall-sized — 12 ounces — coffee sold. Meghan Windham, Student Health Services dietitian, recommended a daily maximum of 400 mg of coffee consumed per person. “Research and data show that drinking no more than 400 COFFEE ON PG. 3
INTERNATIONAL Originally from Mongolia, Buyandelger Davaajanstan studies international affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service.
Kevin Chou — THE BATTALION
Josh McCormack — THE BATTALION
Bryan resident Ed Davis is the owner of Ed’s Bookshop, a store which sells books that Davis has been collecting with his wife, Melissa, for his entire life.
A lifetime of collecting Owner of Ed’s Bookshop reflects on passion turned into business By Alice Corcoran @AliceJ_Corcoran Ed Davis and his wife Melissa have been collecting books all their lives. Now, they sell them. Ed’s Bookshop, which sits on Main Street in Downtown Bryan, celebrated its first anniversary Nov. 15. Davis and his wife opened the store after they decided to retire from teaching. Davis taught eighth grade U.S. history and his wife taught Spanish at Blinn College in College Station. “We retired at the same time and started this endeavor and started getting other
books,” Davis said. “Most people think we just brought our books from the house here but no, those are our books. We started getting books that we would buy if we were looking for books. So we built the cabinets and put the books in and the rest is history, as they say.” Ed’s Bookshop offers a rare book collection for those seeking older books or signed editions. The collection’s oldest book dates back to 1745 and includes books signed by authors like Ray Bradbury, Michael Crichton, Stephen King and former president Lyndon Johnson. But the collection Davis is most proud of is his Texas History collection. “I had to go back and revisit Texas history and I’d forgotten what a great story it BOOKSTORE ON PG. 2
FROM MONGOLIA TO AGGIELAND
Graduate student Buyandelger Davaajanstan shares journey By Jamin Goecker Contributing Writer @Jamin_Goecker
Some people know they will don maroon and attend Texas A&M from a young age. Some travel a few hours from home, some from the corners of Texas, some from across the country. Others, like graduate student Buyandelger Davaajanstan, venture from Mongolia to attend school in Aggieland. Davaajantsan, or “Buya,” studies international affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service. Professor Joshua Shifrinson, one of Davaajantsan’s instructors,
said he brings his unique perspective to the classroom. “For my students, it is good to have a reminder that the United States is a part of a much broader conversation with the rest of the world,” Shifrinson said. “Mr. Buya can speak to that from his perspective.” Davaajantsan said he sees similarities between Mongolia and College Station — they both have young populations, but Mongolians largely do not have the means to pursue their dreams. “Us Aggies are in a privileged position to use all these resources in College Station to achieve our goals,” Davaajantsan said. This perspective stems from Davaajantsan’s upbringing in Mongolia. He describes it as a DAVAAJANSTAN ON PG. 2
Locally brewed, hugely enjoyed
Blackwater Draw brews their seasonal beers in house at their Northgate location on Boyett and their six year-round beers at their Bryan brewery on North Main.
Craft beer enthusiasts encourage support of local craft breweries By Ana Sevilla @AnaVSevilla
Leah Kappayil — THE BATTALION
Don Gilman, Class of 1984, was attending his usual meeting with the Texas Aggie Brewing Club, or TABC, when two young, new attendees joined. Curious about their palettes, Gilman learned the new members were most fond of “ice cold” beers like Bud Lite and Coors — “The Big Bland,” as Gilman likes to call them. Gilman decided to conduct an experiment. Using an Imperial Stout, a dark beer that uses roasted malt or barley and hops, Gilman served the same beer twice to everyone, once cold and then at
room temperature. “The first taste was, ‘Wow’ for [the new members], but the second time I served it, I waited 45 minutes and the beer was at the perfect temperature. I poured another round, and told them, ‘Try this,’” Gilman said. “They were just shocked. They were smacking their lips and asked, ‘What beer is this?’ I told them it was the exact same beer, served at the correct temperature. Those guys have never gone back.” Gilman isn’t the only Bryan-College Station resident with a particular appreciation for craft beer. A growing number of craft beer drinkers has led to the growth of local craft breweries like Blackwater Draw. Chris Steel, Class of 2000 and co-founder of BWD, said the brewpub has seen a lot of growth since its doors opened in 2013, expanding BREWERY ON PG. 3
Senior Boot Bag Senior Boot Bag
NEWS “A World of Healthy Products for Your Family!” “A World of Healthy Products for Your Family!”
Fresh, Bulk Bin Foods
Price Includes g Logo and Name
(More logos available) Price Includes
Logoforand Name Shop Little Aggies (More available) to anlogos Aggie Xmas IShop havefor adult andAggies other Little things in between. to an Aggie Xmas I have adult and other etsy.com/shop/aggiesandbows thingsReveille’s in between. by Charlotte, Seamstress
979-778-2293 charboeg@yahoo.com 979-778-2293
For Sterling Silver Jewelry: etsy.com/shop/aggiesandbows bystores.ebay.com/charboeg979 Charlotte, Reveille’s Seamstress
charboeg@yahoo.com
gotAN ALE ORGANIC SWe’ve NProtein OOFFERING Powders ! FLOURS OW NALTERNATIVE • Garden of Life GRAINS MIXES • Vega All in One RICE RAW PROBIOTICS TO THE • Nutribiotic Rice Protein BEANS COLON CARE - VAGINAL CARE •ULTIMATE “SAMENESS” Nutiva CARE - 5 DAY MAX CARE Specializing in natural & organic foods, top quality • Manitoba Harvest vitamins, herbs, homeopathic remedies, bulkAT flours, OF SHOPPING • Living Harvest grains, spices, teas, coffees and much more. • Nature’s WEPlus ALSO Spiru-tein CARRY BIG-BOX ALL VARITIES GLUTEN
•
FREE
BREADS & PASTAS SUPERMARKETS Genesis Today
4303 S.S.100 TEXAS AT ROSEMARY LIQUID 4303 TEXAS AT ROSEMARY BRYAN • 979-846-4459 979-846-4459 4303BRYAN S. TEXAS AT ROSEMARY MON-FRI SAT9 9TO MON–FRI99TO TO 6 • SAT TO 4 4 BRYAN • 979-846-4459
Celebrating 25 of Serving the Brazos Brazos Valley! 28 26 Celebrating 21 Years Years of Serving the MON–FRI 9 TO 6 • SAT 9 TO Valley! 4
Owned Celebrating 21 25 Years 26Locally Celebrating the 22 Years of of Serving the Brazos Brazos Valley!
e
)
es
er .
dbows
Jump start your life sciences
mstress
93 career right here in Aggieland!
com
Enroll in the unique Master of Biotechnology program at Texas A&M University.
Attention, Science and Engineering Majors! The Biotechnology Industry Needs Science Managers! Learn cutting-edge biotechnology techniques in the lab. Earn Certificates in Business and/or Entrepreneurship with courses from Mays Business School. Complete a professional industry internship. Call (979) 8451448 for details or contact larissap@tamu.edu http://ppib.tamu.edu
Evaluate your courses. You profs want your opinion
2
The Battalion | 12.1.16
ED’S CONTINUED was,” Davis said. “I started collecting books and I guess my Texas collection is about 1,500 books now. It’s easy to go overboard. We’re really proud of it. I really like it and there are other people that seem to like it.” Davis said while he’s always been interested in history books, since opening the bookshop he’s had to learn more about other genres as well. “We have U.S. history and world history and I am learning a whole lot more about literature than I ever imagined. I’ve learned about other authors than just the ones I’m interested in,” Davis said. “I’ve learned young women love Jane Austen and Sylvia Plath, and they never crossed my mind. It’s a constant learning thing, it keeps us on our toes.” Samantha Janes, English junior, said bookshops are important because a physical book offers more than an electronic one. “I love Ed’s,” Janes said. “Picking up a used book is so much better than picking up a new one. You can mark what your favorite part was and you can see what touched other people by their markings. In a way, you become a phase of that book’s life rather than the other way around.” Alyssa Winborne, animal science senior, said bookshops provide a unique feeling. “I don’t have a lot of time to read, but there’s something about a bookshop that draws you in. It looks so warm and inviting,” Winborne said. “And I think that’s something a bookshop offers that not a lot of other places can.” To Davis, responses like these from college students provide a positive outlook for future generations. “When we opened the store we knew old people like ourselves would come in and occasionally purchase a book, but we didn’t know what the young people would do,” Davis said. “And refreshingly, they come in and buy books and look at books and so the idea that the book is dead is not true.”
Josh McCormack — THE BATTALION
The oldest book in Ed’s Bookshop collection dates back to 1745.
Davis said he loves to see people from the community walk in to support local business. “This is a shop. You can walk in it and there are books here. Maybe not
every book in the world, but there are books here,” Davis said. “And you can peruse and buy books that maybe you didn’t intend to buy and walk out the door with it thinking of it as a treasure.”
DAVAAJANTSAN CONTINUED
http://pica.tamu.edu
batt THE
The IndependenT STudenT VoIce of TexaS a&M SInce 1893
Mark Doré, Editor Editor in in Chief Chief Sam King, Aimee Breaux, Managing Editor Jennifer Reiley, Asst. Managing Editor Katy Stapp, Managing Editor Lindsey Gawlik, News Editor Chevall EditorEditor SamanthaPryce, King,News Asst. News Angel Franco, Katy Stapp, Asst.Sports NewsEditor Editor Chris Martin,SciSciTech Editor John Rangel, Tech Editor
Katie Canales, Life & Arts Editor Carter Karels, Sports Editor Leah Kappayil, Chief Shelby Knowles, Photo Photo Editor Alexis Bradshaw, Will, Multimedia EditorEditor Allison Asst. Photo Olivia Adam, Designer Meredith Collier,Page Page Designer Zuri Sanchez, Claire Shepherd,Page PageDesigner Designer
Rachael Saunders, Page Designer Gracie Mock, SciTech Editor Josh McCormack, Life and Arts Editor Kirsten Jacobson, Page Designer Grace Neumann, Page Designer
The BaTTalion is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Tuesday and Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University, College Station, daily, TX 77843. in Suite L400 THE BATTALION is published MondayOffices throughare Thursday during theoffallthe and Memorial Studentand Center. spring semesters Tuesday and Thursday during the summer session (except holidays news and department exam periods) at Texas byA&M University, News: University The Battalion is managed students at College Station, TX 77843. Offices are in Suite L400 of the Memorial Student Center. Texas A&M University in Student Media, a unit of the Division of Student Affairs. Newsroom phone: 979-845-3315; E-mail: editor@thebatt.com; News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M website:inhttp://www.thebatt.com. University Student Media, a unit of the Division of Student Affairs. Newsroom Advertising: Publication of advertising doeswebsite: not imply sponsorship or phone: 979-845-3315; E-mail: editor@thebatt.com; http://www.thebatt.com. endorsement by The Battalion. For campus, local, and national display Publication of advertising does advertising, not imply call sponsorship Advertising: advertising, call 979-845-2687. For classified 979-845-or endorsement TheareBattalion. campus, local,through and national display 0569. Officebyhours 8 a.m. toFor 5 p.m. Monday Friday. Email: advertising call 979-845-2687. For classified advertising, call 979-845-0569. battads@thebatt.com. 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 A part of the University Advancement FeeBattalion. entitles eachFirst Texascopy A&M Subscriptions: free, additional $1. of The Battalion. First copy free, additional copies $1. student to pick up acopies single copy
country with two lives: one the bustling life of the city and the other more rural and traditional. He remembers living in the city of Ulaanbaatar and also tending his uncle’s livestock in the countryside to learn about traditional nomadic life, which included horseback riding. For most Mongolians, horsemanship is an admirable skill. Public leaders who are thrown from their mounts are susceptible to the taunt of “not being Mongolian.” Another one of Davaajantsan’s uncles served as an economic advisor to the Mongolian ambassador to the United States in the 1990s and as the Mongolian ambassador to Russia in the mid-1990s, spurring Davaajantsan to seek a degree in public service. “He was a big role model for me because as a child, I often heard my parents and family had very high opinions of him,” Davaajantsan said about his uncle. “I believe that really affected my decision to choose international affairs as a major and now here in an MIA [Master of International Affairs] course.” Upon completing his undergraduate degree, Davaajantsan searched for opportunities to continue his education. His professor, a Fulbright scholar and an Aggie, encouraged him to apply at the Bush School. After researching the school, he applied to A&M and to the
Kevin Chou — THE BATTALION
Buya Davaajantsan is an international student from Mongolia who now studies on the Bush School.
Fulbright program. He was accepted by both. When Davaajantsan arrived at A&M, he said he appreciated how polite the people were and was amazed at the enormity of Kyle Field and the Aggie spirit at football games. However, he said a few things seemed odd — Americans drink their beverages with ice even when it’s cool outside, and people wear cowboy boots, which he thought was only a Hollywood thing. Paola Tinetti, president of the Fulbright Student Association, said being a Fulbright student requires a lot of work and a bit of cultural shock from being
from another country. “We do not regret it at all because we have the best opportunity to meet Fulbrighters from all around the world and that make us feel that all cultures can live together in one place,” Tinetti said. This is the first article of a series highlighting the diversity of TAMU’s population. The goal of this series is to foster an understanding with and appreciation for Aggies from all backgrounds. If you know someone who would be a great addition to the series, please contact Jamin Goecker at Jgoecker@gmail.com
Singing Cadets • Women’s Chorus • Century Singers and
STUDENT SENATE SNAPSHOT
THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT OF AGGIELAND
A quick look at the highlights of Wednesday’s Student Senate meeting
Texas A&M University Presents
THE ANNUAL CHORAL HOLIDAY CONCERT December 4, 2016 at 3:00 PM in Rudder Auditorium
TICKETS $6 AT THE MSC BOX OFFICE TICKETS $10 AT THE DOOR MSC Box Office: 979.845.1234 HTTP://MUSA.TAMU.EDU/CHORAL-ACTIVITIES OR CALL 979-845-5974 FOR MORE INFORMATION
Special presentations: 1. Campus Master Plan 2. Transportation Services
Old business: 1. The Executive Vice President Act 2. The Diversity Module Bill Olivia Krog sworn in as 3. The Online Voter RegisExecutive Director of Opera- tration Bill tions Committee 4. The Emails Bylaw Bill 5. EVP Code Act Bill Appointment of Ad-Hoc 6. The Interview Absence Diversity and Inclusion Com- Bill mittee Chair Emergency legislation: New Finance Chair elected 1. The MSC GrabNGo Compost Labels Bill FULL COVERAGE AT THEBATT.COM
FROMTHEFRONT
3
The Battalion | 12.1.16
COFFEE CONTINUED mg of caffeine a day which would be about four cups with eight ounces in a cup, is the maximum amount that can still be considered healthy,” Windham said. Windham said excessive consumption of caffeine for prolonged periods of time can cause side effects including increased heart rate, irritability and withdrawal symptoms that can make people feel like they have to drink coffee every day. “There are some good benefits in coffee,” Windham said. “We’re seeing that in the research. However, too much at one time from that caffeine standpoint can be detrimental.” The Starbucks’ nutritional caffeine value for a regular-brew 12 oz coffee is listed at 260 mg. Applying this fact to the daily amount of coffee consumed on campus, this is equivalent to a consumption value of 330,200 mg of caffeine daily. This is also enough coffee to fulfill the recommended caffeine intake for 825 people, based upon the recommended amount of 400 as given by Windham. This number does not include the caffeine consumed from beverages other than coffee that are sold at the three locations. According to Bryant, the Starbucks Evans location uses an average of 180 pounds of espresso per week. With one ounce equivalent to one shot and 16 ounces in a pound, this comes out to nearly 2,880 shots of espresso consumed on average per week from the Evans location alone. Instead of using excessive amounts of caffeine as a stimulus for alertness and energy, as well as appetite suppressants, Windham said students should drink caffeinated drinks in moderation to promote a healthier and more balanced life. “Some healthier alternatives I like to recommend is that if your gonna drink coffee, try to drink it without those added sugars,” Windham said. “Coffee without added sugars and creamers, even your hot teas, are a great alternative. There are added health benefits and even some antioxidants in the hot teas that are going to have some caffeine in them.” Windham also said hot teas have a lower caffeine amount, enabling students to drink higher volumes at one time, giving them the same sense of alertness without the overwhelming side effects of excessive caffeine consumption. Despite Windham’s healthy alternatives to gain more energy, the campus Starbucks locations expect an increase of business with finals around the corner. “We’ll see more traffic in the evenings when students are studying more,” Walters said. “A lot of people are trying to dump Dining Dollars. The end of the fall is different than the spring because Dining Dollars will carry over into the spring. A lot of locations — it won’t matter at the end of the fall. Just like a regular coffee shop, regardless of Dining Dollars, finals makes things pick up quite a bit.”
Leah Kappayil — THE BATTALION
Blackwater Draw offers a popular selection of beers in Bryan-College Station including Border Town, their Mexican-style lager, and Contract Killer, their porter.
at O’Bannons. It’s just a way to be personal with people ... because the beer we produce here says a lot about this company.” Computer science senior Jack Swink began to home-brew three months ago because he wanted the freedom to experiment with flavor, but it’s an economical hobby to have as well. “The good thing about home-brewing in college is it can be cheap,” Swink said. “All the equipment needed for the first five gallon batch is under $100, and brewing a batch of IPA [India Pale Ale] could run under $5 for a six-pack.” But there’s always a learning curve for brewers. Gilman admitted that during his third batch, he failed to clean the bucket spigots he used for brewing, which resulted in the batch being used for compost in his garden. Gilman encourages others to keep learning, and most of all, to keep tasting good brews and to support local breweries. “I would encourage people to open their minds, open their mouths and get a quality beer and let it warm,” Gilman said. “If you let the good quality beers warm up a bit they will taste better — and different.”
BREWERY CONTINUED its lineup from four beers to 10. “We went with the brewpub model before opening up this one [location in Downtown Bryan],” Steele said. “Craft beer definitely is more flavorful; it’s got a lot more going on with it and a lot more complexity than your traditional domestic beers. It’s smaller business; a lot of them are family run. But people enjoy craft beer because they know it’s handmade.” BWD taproom manager Tish Walling said she prefers to drink according to the season. Because craft beer is produced on a significantly smaller scale than big beer, batches tend to be made with more seasonal ingredients. She said wintertime is the best time to have dark ales, porters and stouts — beers with richer flavors similar to coffee, chocolate and dark malt. “Knowing more about craft beer, I became closer to people who also enjoyed craft beer and it became very personal,” Walling said. “I wanted to drink stouts with people, and I wanted to know what their favorite beers were, especially when I was working
classifieds
Place
an ad Phone 979.845.0569 Suite L400, Memorial Student Center Texas A&M University
BED AND BREAKFAST Romantic Getaways & Engagements, secluded cabin suites. All Day, All Night. www.7flodge.com 979-690-0073.
FOR RENT Beautiful two-plex for rent in CS, 2 bedrooms, ample with large fenced backyard, tranquil, 3 minutes from campus, remodeled, convenient to everything, call for special, 409-392-5212. New 4/2 barndominium, approximately 10 acres, horse barn and pen, furnished, outside Bryan, $3000/mo., dustyphillips52@yahoo.com
When
to call 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday Insertion deadline: 1 p.m. prior business day
FOR RENT Northgate 1/1, 2/2, 3/2, Walk to campus. aggievillas.net Available in now. Call 979-255-5648.
Six month lease available on ground floor 2bd/2ba apartment at Park Hudson Place. Clean, gated, quiet, and great amenities including salt water pool and workout room. Close to shopping and restaurant row on University. On site storage available at reasonable rates along with garages and covered parking. Available on or before Dec15th and NO Rent due until January. $1200/mo through June. Call 979-739-8708 for more info.
SPECIAL
see ads at thebatt.com
Private Party Want ads
$10 for 20 words running 5 days, if your merchandise is priced $1,000 or less (price must appear in ad). This rate applies only to non-commercial advertisers offering personal possessions for sale. Guaranteed results or you get an additional 5 days at no charge. If item doesn’t sell, advertiser must call before 1 p.m. on the day the ad is scheduled to end to qualify for the 5 additional insertions at no charge. No refunds will be made if your ad is cancelled early.
HELP WANTED Athletic men for calendars, books, etc. $75-$150/hr, up to $500/day. No experience. aggieresponse@gmail.com CDL Driver & Helpers!! Looking for dependable, hard working & trustworthy people. Apply at D&D Moving
thebatt.com
HELP WANTED Cheddar's and Fish Daddy's now accepting applications. Apply within, University Dr. Cleaning commercial buildings at night, M-F. Call 979-823-5031 for interview. Help wanted at Kurten Veterinary Service. Looking for part/fulltime help to perform technician duties at mixed practice clinic. Please send resumes to kurtenvetservice@gmail.com. 979-589-2777
HELP WANTED Local carpet cleaning company looking for part-time/full-time positions. Willing to work around class schedule, great pay for college students. Random drug testing. Must have clean driving record and pass background check. Call 979-693-6969 for more info. Work around your class schedule! No Saturday or Sundays, off during the holidays. The Battalion Advertising Office is hiring an Advertising Sales Representative. Must be enrolled at A&M and have reliable transportation. Interested applicants should come by our office located in the MSC, Suite 400, from 8am-4pm, ask to speak with Joseph.
REAL ESTATE Southwood Valley 3/2/2, granite, cul-de-sac, $168,000. Team McGrann TAMU'93 Civil Engineering 979-739-2035/777-6211, Town&Country Realty, Hablamos Espanol!
ROOMMATES
read the fine print.
the
battalion
Classifieds
Call 845-0569 To Place Your Ad
Female roommate needed, 4/4 University Place condo, W/D, private bath, pool, on shuttle, student community, $325/room, Call 979-690-8213 or 979-422-9849.
ANSWERS
to todays puzzles
NEWS
2017-2018 Parking Permit
DESIGN
CONTEST! DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE
123
TO SUBMIT A DESIGN AND EARN A
FREE 2017-2018 PARKING PERMIT!
456
7
?
1234
5678
9
Transportation Services is looking for a creative student, faculty or staff member’s design to be featured on the 2017-2018 parking permit. Contest entries must be submitted by December 9, 2016. Transportation Services employees not eligible. Other rules apply.
For more info visit transport.tamu.edu/permitcontest
thebattalion Ê*, /ÊÊUÊÊ" News News Sports Sports Opinion Opinion Mailcall
Lifestyles Lifestyles Photos Photos AP News Classifieds Classifieds
4
The Battalion | 12.1.16
Vanderbilt professor to lecture on gun violence, mental health By Luke Henkhaus @Luke_Henkhaus In recent years, a number of devastating mass shootings have sparked nationwide debate concerning guns, mental illness and what might be done to prevent similar attacks. Thursday, A&M students and staff will have a chance to learn more about various factors involved in this debate while examining potential courses of action for the nation’s future. Jonathan Metzl, professor of sociology and psychiatry from Vanderbilt University, will present a lecture called “Changing the Terms of Debate about Gun Violence: Mental Illness, Mass Shooting, and the Politics of American Firearms.” The event will be presented by the Glasscock Medical Humanities Working Group and co-sponsored by Aggie Agora, the Department of Communication, the Department of English and the Sociology Colloquium. Metzl said the lecture will primarily focus on how preconceived notions about mental illness have impacted the national discourse on gun violence and mass shootings. “Most of the talk will be about the
www.thebatt.com
implications for the relationships between our assumptions about guns and stereotypes, particularly stereotypes of mental illness,” Metzl said. “Because a lot of times there’s a big push to push for more weapons because of mental illness, so I’ll be — hopefully — debunking that stereotype, and asking the audience to think a bit more deeply about the relationships between guns and mental illness.” Metzl will speak about the future Trump administration’s potential approach to gun policy, as well the possible impact on college campuses. “I will be talking about a couple of things,” Metzl said. “One is the kinds of gun policies we can expect going forward in this Trump administration. The second — briefly — will be the implications for college campuses, because campus carry has been an issue on many campuses, but particularly here in Texas.” According to Metzl, Texas’ highly visible position within the nation-wide dialogue on gun policy makes it an ideal location for discussions like these. “I think that Texas is at the center of a big national debate about how [we can] balance gun rights with safety and people’s sense of safety,” Metzl said.
WHEN: Dec. 1 at 4 p.m. WHERE: MSC Ballroom 2300E “So I think that this is a perfect place to be having this kind of conversation.” Metzl said, in his view, it is crucial to take a well-balanced approach to these topics, even in the face of increased polarization. “As we expand gun rights, my personal position is that we need to find middle ground positions between, on one hand, respecting people’s second amendment rights, and on the other hand, making sure that everyone feels safe and secure,” Metzl said. “I think that in a way our conversation has been incredibly polarized and hopeful that going forward, we can work toward finding a common-sense middle ground that respects gun rights on one hand and take into account all of research on gun violence prevention on the other.”
THE
BATT SPORTS PRESENTS
GRADUATE STUDIES
MS Engineering & Technology Management (ETM)
Fast >> Forward
Your Future >> • • • •
2016 ETM leadership ropes course & team building workshop
Accelerated, one-year Master’s program for STEM graduates Enriched knowledge and career potential Access to contemporary management tools, analytic skills and insights Keep pace with rapidly changing, technology-focused enterprises
PODCAST COURTSIDE CONVO WILL TAKE LISTENERS THROUGH AGGIE MEN’S BASKETBALL’S 2016-2017 SEASON.
ON SOUNDCLOUD AND ITUNES APPLY NOW! Visit bit.ly/etmtxam
How big is this
20-60% Off Engagement rings and wedding bands Scan for instructions to win $500 off an engagement ring! www.davidgardnersjewelers.com - (979) 268 - 0800