l thursday,
october 3, 2013
l serving
texas a&m since 1893
l first paper free – additional copies $1 l © 2013 student media
thebattalion Silent reminder Silhouettes showcase victims for domestic violence awareness Lindsey Gawlik The Battalion
T
Bryan Johnson — THE BATTALION
en silent witnesses stand poised in the entrance of West Campus Library. Each red silhouette has one thing in common — they represent local victims of domestic violence. These silhouettes are a part of the Silent Witness Project, an exhibit at Texas A&M University that strives to increase awareness and education about violent relationships. Each silhouette has a golden shield that tells the stories of victims. Nine of these victims were women killed by former partners and the remaining victim was a man who died trying to protect his sister who was also murdered. The Silent Witness Project is presented by the Texas A&M Women’s Resource Center and is a part of the Silent Witness National Initiative. The goal of the initiative and of the project is to eliminate domestic
The silhouettes of the Silent Witness project stand throughout the lobby of West Campus Library on Wednesday afternoon.
See Silent witness on page 5
poetry
I really hope that [the project] raises awareness about the reality that relationship violence is prevalent in some relationships of our college students and that it helps people in violent relationships realize where relationships like this will go.” — Heather Wheeler, program coordinator of the Women’s Resource Center
Money talks
Sound and rhythm of Hispanic heritage
Shelby Knowles — THE BATTALION
Jade Bedell — THE BATTALION
Poet Mayda del Valle recites her poems for Hispanic Heritage Month in the MSC on Wednesday night.
Jennifer Reiley The Battalion
H
ispanic Heritage Month is halfway over, but energy was high at Wednesday’s Hispanic Heritage Month poetry event. The event was hosted by the MSC Committee for the Awareness of Mexican-American Culture (CAMAC) and featured headliner Mayda Del Valle, a poet from Chicago, and local poet James Church. Del Valle’s performance to an almost full house in the Gates Ballroom
included both poems and personal stories from her childhood in Chicago and her life in recent years. To open the show, Del Valle said she encouraged reactions from the audience. “There’s no fourth wall here,” De Valle said in her opening speech. “Participation is not only requested and appreciated, it’s required. Hopefully you’ll enjoy it and laugh sometimes. If not, that’s okay because I still get a check.”
(From left) Junior psychology major Reena Kankaria, freshman Blinn Team student Mark Westfall and freshman international studies major W. Lander of the Student Government Association listen for their names to be called so the session can commence Wednesday.
I
n Wednesday night’s general meeting, Student Senate passed two bills, including the annual allocation bill. A majority voted to keep $5,000 of the $50,000 SGA budget reserved for emergency projects during the year. The Big Event committee received the largest allocation, totaling $11,357. The “Let the 12th Man Eat Bill,” which requests the ability to use dining dollars at Kyle Field concessions was also passed. Travis Walters, senior biomedical sciences major and bill author, said the use of dining dollars in the stadium is a reasonable request as it could bring higher profits to concessions. A bill that advocated for an American flag
Alexandra Slaughter, lifestyles writer, sits down with mathematics professor Rosanna Pearlstein THE BATTALION: What was your first day like in U.S.? Pearlstein: When I arrived at the airport at Boston, I got on the bus and at first I thought I was in the wrong place. There were no big buildings in Amherst [College] like what was on TV. I was expecting something different, but in a good way. I was amazed by the colors in the fall and the snow. [I grew up] in Southern Italy, which isn’t as hot as here, but you only see snow far away on the mountains.
BAT_10-03-13_A1.indd 1
For the full story, go online at thebatt.com
inside
Q&A: Every time I walked outside, I remembered I was in Texas. I think that people are friendlier here. I also like the fact that I can go for a walk outside and not always have to put overcoats on.
opinion | 3 Miley’s got nerve
THE BATTALION: What was the biggest cultural shock?
Pearlstein: I wouldn’t say cultural shock. One thing that I am curious about is the fences in front of all the houses. In Michigan and other places I have lived, they haven’t had fences. Sometimes it gives me a THE BATTALION: What was it like hard time to distinguish where when you first got to Texas? I am.” Pearlstein: I spent all of August in survival mode with the heat.
Annabelle Hutchinson, city writer
See Poetry on page 4
PROFESSOR SUMS IT UP Mathematician shares stories of travel and family
to be placed in every campus classroom for the recital of the pledge of allegiance during the first class period of the day was introduced and sent to committee to be voted on at a later meeting. A bill to keep Evan’s Library open until 2 a.m. on Monday through Thursday nights and a bill that would enable SGA to purchase and place scantron vending machines in the Wehner and Harrington buildings were also introduced. The “Maintaining Traditions Resolution,” which stands against the creation of a separate wildcat for graduate students, was postponed for a vote until the next meeting.
Mackenzie Mullis reflects on Miley Cyrus’ latest antics and public persona as her new album releases on Friday.
lgbt | 2 A month of celebration Jonathan Sheen — THE BATTALION
Rosanna Pearlstein is a mathematics professor at See Pearlstein on page 2 A&M and is originally from Italy.
Campus GLBT community gears up for Coming Out Week and LGBT History Month.
10/2/13 10:41 PM