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UNDER ONE FLAG Those impacted by Caribbean catastrophe discuss the difficulty of being away from family, home territory By Andrew Little @drewlitt In the wake of the devastation of Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rican students and staff at Texas A&M have struggled to contact their families, provide them with support and raise awareness and funds for the U.S. territory. Maria hit Puerto Rico on Sept. 20, causing massive devastation and nearly destroying the power grid that supplied electricity to the island. Many areas lacked running water and gasoline, and diesel supplies were limited, according to The New York Times. Armando Vendrell-Velez, international studies and Spanish senior, said he made contact with his family in Puerto Rico the Sunday after Maria hit. “They’re doing good, everyone’s doing okay, but obviously just the effects are pretty bad,” Vendrell-Velez said about his family. “My uncle, for example, his house, the roof was blown off and then the rain was just ridiculous and so the rain got all into the house.” As of Oct. 10, only 16 percent of the island has power and approximately 43 deaths recorded, according to The New York Times. The biggest problem the island currently faces is restoring power to the territory. Unlike most, Zuleika Carrasco-Martinez, an international studies and sociology academic advisor, was able to stay in contact with her family during the storm. Several of her family members’ homes were also practically destroyed, their roofs torn off and insides flooded. Carrasco-Martinez said she is concerned about the power outage, but at the same time is anxious for when her family and others have full access to the Internet and can see the damage Maria has done. The hurricane tore across the island, destroying countless homes and properties and stripping it of its vegetation. “A lot of people don’t have access to Facebook, the access to the news, don’t know the extent of what the storm did,” Carrasco-Martinez said. “They don’t know that the rainforest, it’s not there … pretty much it’s like it burned.” In response to the crisis, Carrasco-Martinez has been actively work-
ing to bring aid to the island. Aside from individually sending packages of batteries and other goods to her family, she and a friend organized a donation center in College Station on Sept. 30. The center collected goods that were then transported to a nonprofit in Houston and flown to the island. “Literally, it was a last minute thing,” Carrasco-Martinez said. “It was more to kind of help our mental state, because we feel, ‘Okay, we’re doing something for our people.’” Ricardo Mercado, political science junior and the president of the Puerto Rican Student Association (PRSA), which he re-established last spring, has also been active in his efforts to support the island. PRSA will accept donations for the island at their screening of the Emmy-award winning documentary “The Last Colony,” a film that outlines the complex political relationship between the U.S. and Puerto Rico, on Oct. 24 in PUERTO RICO ON PG. 2 (top to bottom) Armando VendrellVelez, Zuleika Carrasco-Martinez and Ricardo Mercado‘s families were directly affected by Hurricane Maria. Creative Commons, Cassie Stricker — THE BATTALION
Stopping NCAA corruption Kennedy speaks on ongoing FBI investigation of college hoops By Alex Miller @AlexMill20 College basketball was shaken last month by the ongoing FBI investigation that rocked several top-tier programs with allegations of using improper recruiting methods with major athletic shoe companies through fraud and corruption. Texas A&M head basketball coach Billy Kennedy summed up his reaction to the findings in one word – surprised. Surprised it took so long to crack down on the scandals within the billion-dollar sports industry. “I’m involved with recruiting on a daily basis. I would hope to know that I would know some of that was going on. It’s disappointing,” Kennedy said Tuesday morning. “There’s a lot of slime in our game.” Four schools directly involved – Arizona, Auburn, Oklahoma State and Southern
California – each appear on the Aggies’ schedule this season. The main sportswear company tied into the allegations, Adidas, sponsors A&M. One day after the investigation was uncovered, fellow Adidas-sponsored school Louisville placed head coach Rick Pitino on unpaid administrative leave after the school received complaints about a current player being involved with the scandals. “I’m not totally surprised because it’s some of the programs that have great players. Great players are hard to get,” Kennedy said. “I’m not saying they cheated on all of those players by any means, but it’s really surprising that the FBI got involved.” As for A&M, Kennedy said he and his staff has followed all the rules, noting freshman TJ Starks is the lone player on roster to even play on an Adidas travel team while in high school in Dallas. “I just know we’ve done it the right way. We’ve always done it the right way,” Kennedy said. “We’re not perfect by any means, but we don’t have any of the players BASKETBALL ON PG. 3
Green Fund continues growth Environmentally friendly projects continue to spread across campus By Elaine Soliman @ElaineSoliman_ Solar powered phone chargers, automatic bathroom doors and water bottle filling stations are all on-campus projects funded by the Aggie Green Fund, a committee that finance students’ environmentally safe improvement ideas for campus. Any student on campus can apply for a grant and submit their ideas on an abstract to the Aggie Green Fund. The committee then reviews all abstracts and select which few they will invite to apply. Once a student’s application is accepted, it gets funded. Then the student can lead the project and implement it on campus. Kaitlynn Richter, university studies senior and the Chair of the Aggie Green Fund encourages students, faculty and staff to submit their ideas. The organization then finances these innovative, eco-friendly projects so they can become a reality.
A&M will face four opponents this season who are under investigation — Arizona, Auburn, Oklahoma State and Southern California. FILE
Maryam Tajali Namileh — THE BATTALION
Water bottle filing stations are one of the campus improvements that are funded.
“If you have an idea of how to improve A&M and make it more green you can come to us,” Richter said. “We will give you money to do it because we want to see GREEN FUND ON PG. 4
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Shayla Rivera broadens Aggie engineers’ experiences through the ENGR[x] program.
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The College of Engineering now offers a program to help Aggie engineers excel in areas other than education. ENGR[x] is a non-credit program that focuses on leadership, innovation, service and knowledge. Texas A&M former student, aerospace engineer, stand-up comedian, motivational speaker and program director. All of these words encompass one person — Shayla Rivera, Class of 1983, who is leading the program. With an extensive past chock-full of variance, Rivera is the current director of ENGR[x] at the engineering department of Texas A&M University. “We selected Ms. Shayla Rivera as the director for ENGR[x] because her perspective as a former student, a practicing engineer and outstanding female graduate will enhance the ENGR[x] program,” N.K. Anand, executive associate dean for the College of Engineering, said. “She is a dynamic, positive person that will be able to convey the importance of high impact learning.” Rivera grew up in Puerto Rico, but her family moved to the United States. Once stateside, she enrolled at A&M, graduating with a degree in aerospace engineering. “My family was always really tuned into tinkering and learning how to make things,” Rivera said. “Aerospace engineering was the sexiest thing I could think of.” With doors wide open, Rivera found her way to NASA, which she compared to rock ’n’ roll. After working for NASA, she found a new calling — the social side of her work. “I wanted to stay in a technical field, but I wanted to work with people more,” Ri-
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Rudder Theater. They will be accepting monetary donations along with items such as water filters, solar-powered lamps, canned goods and other necessities. Mercado hopes to use the event not only to raise donations for Puerto Rico, but to also raise awareness about the complex political reality of the U.S. territory. “I want to make the most out of the current tragedy, because two weeks ago nobody was talking about Puerto Rico, nobody knew anything about it, nobody cared,” Mercado said. “Now that we’re in the national spotlight, I think it’s imperative that the community get educated because Puerto Rico has been under the U.S. flag for 119 years, Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens for 100 years.” Mercado said that he hopes that PRSA, which has grown from only six members in
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vera said. “People interaction was more of a challenge to me than a space mission. Can you imagine that?” Kindling this realization, Rivera began to work in technical sales. She sold instrumentation, environmental systems, gas chromatic graphs and water treatment chemicals to the oil and refining industries in Houston. “I moved from white collar to plants,” Rivera said. “I had to buy steel-toed shoes and I had to wear a hard-hat all the time.” After her stint in sales, Rivera got into stress-management training in Houston, moonlighting as a motivational speaker. A few years ago, Rivera made a presentation at A&M and was encouraged to teach here. Now, Rivera has recently relocated to A&M, where she will administer and instill the new ENGR[x] program. “ENGR[x] is a high-impact learning experience outside the classroom, outside our students’ current curriculum to help enhance their educational experience, foster entrepreneurship, leadership, global understanding and/or community service,” Anand said. This program was established in hopes to provide a beyond valuable education, which will prepare students for success, according to Anand. Mark Weichold, senior associate dean for Academic Affairs of A&M said the advantages of this program are numerous. “I think this ENGR[x] program is going to be very beneficial to our students because it allows our students to get more formal recognition,” Weichold said. “One of the upsides of that is that it would be something that could be easily shared with prospective employers when they are pursuing a job following graduation.” Weichold said this program will be beneficial when students are seeking internships, research opportunities and future jobs.
the spring to over 40 members, can act as an anchor for the Aggie Puerto Rican community in the face of the devastation. “A lot of people are looking for family and friends and people that can relate to their experience since some of them haven’t been able to communicate with their family,” Mercado said. “These wounds are still very fresh, so I want [PRSA] to be the support group.” The fact that the island can come together in this time of need is part of the culture, Vendrell-Velez said. “It’s about loving the people around you,” Vendrell-Velez said discussing Puerto Rican culture. “Even if you don’t like someone, you know, even if y’all aren’t friends, you still come together in times of crisis, you know?” Carrasco-Martinez said the strength of the people of Puerto Rico is evident, especially now. “That’s one thing about Puerto Rican people, and it’s across the board. This won’t take us down,” Carrasco-Martinez said. “When things happen like this, we come together.”
Graphic by Alexis Will — THE BATTALION
Specialties Photography will be set up to have your FREE portrait taken for Texas A&M University’s 2018 Aggieland yearbook.
Should any student be unable to make the specified times on campus they can contact Specialties directly to set up a complimentary in-studio appointment at 979-696-9898.
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Any graduating seniors who wish to set up a cap/gown photo will need to contact the studio at 979-696-9898. Cap/Gown sessions cost $21.95.
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Coming Out Day encourages acceptance of sexual orientation Human Rights Campaign promotes openness to private LGBTQ people By Katherine Garcia @katiegarcia2018 This Wednesday will mark the 29th year for Human Rights Campaign’s National Coming Out Day, which was first established on the anniversary on National March for Lesbian and Gay Rights of 1979. This day is designated in two-fold: A day for people to begin living openly, whatever that may mean to them and a day to celebrate the courage it takes to live an open life, according the to the HRC. National Coming Out Day was created based on the idea that coming out is a basic tool of power, per the HRC website. One out of every two Americans has someone close to them who is gay or lesbian. For transgender people, that number is only one in 10, according to the HRC. When people know someone who is LGBTQ, they are far more likely to support equality under the law. Beyond that, personal stories can be powerful to each other, according to HRC. The HRC website lists different situations in which people may come out, including coming out to one’s boss, a situation that Leora Hart, communication junior and vice president of LGBTQ Aggies, has encountered. Neither federal nor state law bars discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. As as a result, an LGBTQ Texan has no recourse if an employer, landlord, or shopkeeper discriminates against them, according to the ACLU of Texas website. Out of uncertainty of her employer’s reaction and fear of being fired, Hart said she hasn’t disclosed her sexuality at work. “It’s easier, safer and more comfortable to keep my sexuality private in professional settings, for me personally,” Hart said. “If I was
BASKETBALL CONTINUED because of Adidas.” Kennedy noted that staying true to the code has been tough over the years while recruiting many kids from families of low-socioeconomic backgrounds that are sometimes dependent on their success as a player. “It’s been difficult for years, something that’s been going on for a long time. It’s been going on ever since I’ve been in the business,” Kennedy said. “You can get blown out of the water in recruiting real quick and it’s a variety of ways that can happen.”
asked directly, I would be honest about my sexuality.” Hart said she would like to see equal treatment with people who are straight in disclosing one’s sexuality. “I really would like for coming out to not be an event that queer people feel they have to do,” Hart said. “Straight people don’t feel the need to come out as straight to their friends, peers and family and ideally I would like for queer people to have that same privilege.” The reminder of an existing gender and sexual minority is a good outcome of Coming Out Day, according to Hart. However, she said she is worried that the day itself may create stress or safety issues for those who may not be ready to come out. Although Hart said there are many accepting and supportive Aggies, she added that it can be difficult to feel immediately comfortable at A&M as a queer student, especially when considering she began to come out to her peers in high school. “I avoid bringing up my sexuality unless asked, but I don’t hide anything from professors or classmates,” Hart said. Because every story is different, each person needs support in different ways, according to Katie Stober, Aggie Allies president and associate director of graduate student services at the career center. Knowing how to respond to someone after they come out to you can be difficult, but Stober said showing appreciation of their willingness to come out is the ideal option. “Well first of all, just let them know that you are honored that they have shared this, that they have entrusted you with this knowledge,” Stober said. “So the first thing I would say is ‘Thank you so much’ for telling me this. I’m very honored and privileged that you selected me as a trusted person to tell this to.” Allies can be a resource on National Coming Out Day, according to Stober. “Sometimes families or friends are not as accepting or loving as we would like them to be, so it’s important to have allies there to
The next step in cleaning up college basketball may be finding ways to amend rules already in place, according to Kennedy. “The NBA one-and-done rule that’s in place now probably needs to go back to let kids come and go right away or be in college for two years,” Kennedy said. For now, Kennedy said that coaches need to step up and find solutions to solve these problems. “There’s a lot of things that can be done and changed,” Kennedy said. “We’ve got to adjust to those times and figure out a plan.”
Texas A&M students first officially participated in Houston’s Pride festival and parade on June 24.
FILE
celebrate coming out day, but it’s also important to have allies there if someone’s coming out day did not go they way they hoped it would,” Stober said. Considering the idea that some people are more public about their sexuality than others, allies should try to ask questions that show interest in how open the person is, according to Stober. She added that education is a way to become more involved in the LGBTQ
community. “Get to know people. Go outside your comfort zone and come to an allies workshop. Maybe even attend a meeting of a student organization,” Stober said. “There’s various student organizations on campus for LGBTQ students and allies.” For more information about resources on campus, visit the GLBT Resource Center webpage at www.studentlife.tamu.edu/glbt.
A&M is sponsored by Adidas, who is under investigation by the FBI for allegations of using improper recruiting tactics with schools. Photo of Admon Gilder.
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GREEN FUND CONTINUED it happen. Every project we’ve funded, I am genuinely interested in its success because I think they’re great.” Project grants are awarded in two different categories – major and micro grants. Major grants are awarded annually and involve a significantly larger sum of money than micro grants. Micro grants are aimed towards projects with costs at or under $1,500 and are awarded on a rolling basis. The Aggie Green Fund has approximately $10,000 set aside for micro grants for which students can apply for this semester. Olivia Wolford, environmental studies senior and marketing co-chair for the Aggie Green Fund, said students from all majors have contributed ideas in the past, impacting the campus as a whole. “I would encourage people from a variety of different majors or interests to apply for grants,” Wolford said. “It’s not just people who are environmental science majors or engineers. You could be a business major and have an idea that could positively impact campus. We’ve awarded grants to all different types of people.” Students can also apply for a role on the Aggie Green Fund committee. According to Richter, any role on the committee is for a one-year term. Students interested submit an application and go through an interview process in April. Positions are awarded in early May. Alicia Grahmann, agriculture economics senior and information chair of the Aggie Green Fund, said the program is a great way to help campus become sustainable and anyone on campus can have an idea that could turn into an innovative project. “The Aggie Green Fund is a way to help our campus become more sustainable and kind of get students, faculty and staff in the mindset of living a sustainable life,” Grahmann said. “Whether it’s just instead of using plastic water bottles you carry around water and fill it up or it’s trying to use solar panels. I think it’s just a very forward way of thinking of something and it’s something that needs to be pushed and it’s important in future years.”
Tom Ridge, former S`ecretary of Homeland Security, said the threats facing security today are more complex than those faced in the past.
Cassie Stricker — THE BATTALION
Bush School hosts lecture on national security Political experts spoke on issue as part of lecture series
By Taylor Fennell @TaylorPFennell On Tuesday evening, Tom Ridge, former Secretary of Homeland Security under the George W. Bush administration and former governor of Pennsyvania, visited the Bush School to discuss national security. His lecture, “What’s Next for National Security?,” part of the George H.W. Bush Foundation Distinguished Lecture Series, focused on modern national security challenges and highlighted possible solutions to those problems. The event was held at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center and was moderated by the Dean of the Bush School, Mark Welsh. As the event began, U.S. Senator for Utah Orrin Hatch gave a brief address to the audience via video. He called on those in attendance to use their strengths for the nation’s benefit. “Threats against our great nation will always exist,” Hatch said. “The name of the threat may change, but there will always be people in this world who want to destroy our country and its people. I encourage all of you to continue investing in your professional development. Continue preparing to serve our collective se-
curity.” Ridge began his lecture by explaining that national security risks have evolved throughout his lifetime. “The threat is so much more complex in this world than when I was a soldier in Vietnam,” Ridge said. “Then, there was a triad — air, land and sea. Since that time, you can add space and the cyber world.” On all regions and issues he discussed, Ridge said that the United States and its allies should lead the change. “I think it is important for us to engage,” Ridge said. “I think that America is stronger when it can act together with others.” The topic of cyber security was discussed, and Ridge explained why it is such a major issue. “It’s the fifth dimension of war and it goes on everyday,” Ridge said. “We know who the actors are. The challenge in cyber warfare is pretty simple, in my opinion. We can, with greater accuracy everyday, attribute where an attack originated. But, with even the most accurate attribution, what’s our response? How do we hold those actors accountable? Is anyone willing to say that’s an act of war?”
Lori Taylor, director of the Robert A. Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics and Public Policy at the Bush School, said why she believes this event was extremely important. “We’re so excited and grateful to get this chance to hear from Governor Ridge, because he is at the core of the issues of national security and homeland security,” Taylor said. “I think that it is very important to be informed about the policy issues of our time and national security, in this day and age, is a particularly important issue.” Samantha Brittain, international studies junior, said that the lecture was eye-opening, and inspired her to stay informed on these issues. “I love coming to these events because you get to hear from people who know so much about what they’re talking about,” Brittain said. “They’ve actually been to these countries, so they have that firsthand experience.” While Ridge presented the national security challenges at hand, he said that he did not want to inspire fear, but rather motivation. “All these risks are real, but they are manageable,” Ridge said. “I’m a believer in the United States. We identify a risk, figure out a way to tackle it and we tackle it.”