FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2017 STUDENT MEDIA
DEEP FROM THE HEART: ONE AMERICA APPEAL | 10/21 | 7 - 9 P.M.
Cassie Stricker — THE BATTALION
Eventful semester gives student leaders, administration new challenges to address By Luke Henkhaus @luke_henkhaus
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alfway through the Fall 2017 semester, Texas A&M has faced the wrath of Hurricane Harvey, anxiety over immigration policy, concerns about free speech and a host of challenges tied to the university’s ever-increasing size. The semester’s tumultuous first half has presented a unique set of challenges for student leaders as they work to build and maintain student representation at the higher levels of university decision-making. On Oct. 31,
student leaders will speak with University President Michael Young during their first formal meeting of the semester, presenting student perspectives on the issues shaping A&M’s campus and community. While student leaders will be entering the meeting with half a semester’s worth of topics to discuss, Memorial Student Center President Annie Carnegie said previous opportunities to exchange ideas with Young have been invaluable to fostering understanding between the administration and student body. “I think that when we go into a meeting, we definitely feel like we leave with a better understanding of the university and that President Young is able leave with a better understanding of what’s going on with the student body,” Carnegie said.
Though schedules have been strained by the extra commitments a chaotic semester brings, Student Body President Bobby Brooks said Young remains committed to understanding students’ concerns, taking time to speak with student leaders at other events and gatherings throughout the semester. “I do get to run into him quite frequently, so whenever I do bump into him, I bring up a lot of the ideas I have and a lot of those things I’ve been working on and I really try to get in as much time with him as I possibly can,” Brooks said. “He will listen to me when I track him down, he’ll talk and he does offer good suggestions and tips.” However, the settings of these unstructured meetings with the president can sometimes restrict the range of topics that can realistically
be discussed, said Matthew Etchells, president of Graduate and Professional Student Council, recalling a conversation with Young at the Aggie football game against South Carolina. “In that setting, you’re not going to say something that would lead to a deep conversation, you kind of keep it light because that is the social norm for those kind of spaces,” Etchells said. More consistent, scheduled contact with A&M’s administration comes through regular meetings with Daniel Pugh, executive vice president for student affairs, said Jasmine Wang, speaker of the student senate. “I get regular meetings with Dr. Pugh and that kind of helps to supplement that because LEADERSHIP ON PG. 4
Standing united for hurricane relief efforts All five living former presidents to attend benefit concert at Reed By Emily Bost @EmmyBost Texas A&M will host the five former living presidents – Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama – on Saturday for Deep From the Heart: The One America Appeal, a concert for hurricane relief efforts. Plans for the concert were announced by the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation earlier in October to aid in relief efforts for hurricanes that caused
SHARING THE STORY: RESEARCHING THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION PANEL | 10/20 | 1 P.M.
destruction in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Tickets to the event, ranging from $30 to $600, sold out in less than 24 hours with all of the proceeds dedicated to aiding in relief efforts. According to David Jones CEO of the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation, the idea for this event came from former President George H.W. Bush. “What was originally scheduled to be a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Bush Library and Foundation and Bush School of Government and Public Service quickly became an opportunity to raise money for hurricane relief following Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria,” Jones said in a press release.
UNLOCKING THE MYSTERY: DECLASSIFYING THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION DOCUMENTS PANEL | 10/20 | 3 P.M.
The ticket sale proceeds will go to One American Appeal, a hurricane relief fund started by the former presidents, which began in September to aid in the storm victims’ processes of healing and recovering, according to bush41.org. Funds raised will reach victims through the Houston Harvey Relief Fund, the Rebuild Texas Fund, the Florida Disaster Fund, Unidos Por Puerto Rico and The Fund for the Virgin Islands, according to oneamericaappeal.org. The event will feature musical performances by Alabama, Lyle Lovett, the Gatlin Brothers, Robert Earl Keen and more in Reed Arena, set to hold 10,800 seats after staging construction, according to an RELIEF ON PG. 4
FAMILY FEST | 10/21 | 2 P.M.
GROWING INTO HER OWN Kiara McGee discusses personal growth on court By Ryan MacDonald @Ryan_MacDonald2 Though today Kiara McGee is an incredible volleyball player who earned honorable mention All-American honors last season, volleyball wasn’t the sport she was the best at growing up. McGee excelled in volleyball, track and basketball in high school but ultimately had to narrow her primary focus down to one sport due to time conflicts. “I was honestly best at track, but I had time conflicts between track and club volleyball,” McGee said. “My dad was paying for my club volleyball so he made me choose which sport
I wanted to play,” The youngest of four, McGee came from a family of basketball players — her father played basketball at Oral Roberts and her oldest brother was a four-year letterwinner at Oregon State. McGee, however, never really found a passion for basketball like her Dad and brother and decided to focus on volleyball. McGee’s decision paid off, as she had an illustrious volleyball career at Taft High School in San Antonio. A four-year starter, McGee led her team to back-toback
playoff appearances after the school’s 10-year playoff drought. McGee was named to the 2013 San Antonio Express-News All-Area Super Team and was selected to play in the Texas Girls Coaches Association (TGCA) all-star match. After her volleyball success MCGEE ON PG. 3
Hanna Hausman — THE BATTALION
Senior outside hitter Kiara McGee led the Aggies with 334 last season, and her 21 kills against then No. 16 Florida State was the most kills recorded in a single game by an Aggie all season.