The Battalion - October 7, 2021

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2021 STUDENT MEDIA

Community aims to reclaim Red Zone Students at high risk for sexual violence during fall semester

By Caroline Wilburn @Carolinewilburn As a crime alert appears in students’ inboxes, another Aggie is reduced to another statistic, used to warn campus members against the

danger of sexual violence on campus. Now, student organizations are getting involved to stop the risk of sexual assaults.

More than 50 percent of college sexual assaults occur in August, September, October and November when new students step foot on campus, according to the Step In. Stand Up. website. Texas A&M has identified this time period between move-in and Thanksgiving break as the Red Zone, when students

are at an escalated risk of sexual assault or violence.

Before attending classes at the university, A&M requires all incoming students to complete a sexual assault and sexual harassment training course so they themselves can see the signs. University Police Department, or UPD, Lt. Bobby Richardson said most sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim-survi-

EDITOR’S NOTE: SILVER TAPS

At the request of the families of Kimberly Nicole Hartfield and Kirstyn Katherine Ahuero, The Battalion will not be publishing Silver Taps articles in their honor until November’s edition.

RED ZONE ON PG. A4

Cause for concern FILE — THE BATTALION

Texas A&M University System hired MGT of America Consulting to assess university structure and funding. College of Liberal Arts, among others, are facing possible consolidation.

A&M to potentially face major administrative reorganization; Liberal Arts faculty urged to wait for further information

By Nathan Varnell @newsncv

T

o the tune of $600,000, Texas A&M hired a consulting firm to evaluate colleges and departments and has allegedly kept faculty in the dark about possible

changes.

Faculty of the College of Liberal Arts were urged not to panic in light of rumors that col-

leges at Texas A&M will be consolidated or outright eliminated, according to an Oct. 5 email from interim Dean Steven M. Oberhelman. A&M President M. Katherine Banks will soon review organizational recommendations from MGT of America Consulting considering “liberal arts and sciences consolidation” and “cabinet-level reorganization” as part of Banks’ transition, according to a contract obtained by The Battalion through an anonymous faculty member. The faculty member was frustrated by a lack of transparency from Banks, who they claim said on multiple occasions the changes would not involve colleges, they said in an email to The Battalion.

“Let me assure you the scope of the MGT report is limited to administrative structured operations with the explicit goal of maximizing efficiency to direct more funds to our core

purpose: teaching and research,” Banks said in the Sept. 13 Faculty Senate Meeting.

Rumors of consolidating and eliminating colleges are based in part upon wording from the contract, signed with MGT in June to conduct a “needs assessment” of academic and non-academic units, and of organizations like Human Resources, IT, Finance, Facilities and the Office of the Provost. MGT’s report will be delivered to Banks’ desk this week, who will then review the report over the next three to five weeks, Oberhelman said in the email to Liberal Arts faculty.

This report will be shared with the campus community; however, Oberhelman did not confirm when the report would be made public.

“I know you are stressed; I myself am anxious over what the coming months will

bring,” Oberhelman said.

Although it is still unknown what recommendations MGT will make, as said by Oberhelman in the email, the agreement provides a summary of the undertaking’s scope and what actions will be assessed by the firm.

“MGT Consulting, in partnership with Martin+Crumpton Group, will provide the following scope of work to support President Banks’ transition and optimize the organizational structure and key functional units of the university,” the contract reads. “Total cost is $600,000 and the contract term is upon contract execution — Dec. 31, 2021.”

Phase 1 of the contract included a “Current State Evaluation” of the university through interviews and surveys with leadership, as well as the aforementioned recommendations for CONSOLIDATION ON PG. A4

Fighting flu season Local officials share health tips for uncertain flu season with COVID-19

By Aubrey Vogel @aubrey_vogel With flu season around the corner, there is uncertainty in the air as the COVID-19 delta variant still runs rampant.

After a quiet flu season last year, Brazos Valley health officials are urging individuals to get vaccinated to help lower the number of influenza cases in the area. Student Health Services, or SHS, director Dr. Martha Dannenbaum said SHS saw no cases of the flu in the 2020-2021 school year, but expects this statistic to change.

“We do a lot of flu testing, because we have a combination COVID[-19]-flu test,” Dannenbaum said. “The reason we didn’t have a lot of flu is we didn’t have as many mass gatherings, we had people wearing face coverings and avoiding close contact and if they were sick, they stayed home. If some of those habits continue, individuals [who] begin to feel symptoms of any type of illness, and they choose not to go to class and not to go to work, then we won’t see as big of a spike as maybe we would in preCOVID[-19] era.”

Brazos County Health District Health

Authority Dr. Seth Sullivan said health officials are not sure what to expect for the upcoming flu season after the slow last year.

“We saw an uncharacteristically quiet flu year last year, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it. It was remarkably quiet, eerily quiet. This year, we have started to see a couple cases, but it really has not been much,” Sullivan said. “Typically we consider the flu season between October and April, so this is really when we can start to see it.”

Texas A&M SHS Chief Medical Officer Tiffany Skaggs said officials believe the low number of cases last year were due to the required COVID-19 precautions.

“I suspect the lower numbers last year were due to face covering and social distancing,” Skaggs said in an email to The Battalion. “Both social distancing and face coverings decrease respiratory droplet infections.”

With the ongoing variants of COVID-19, Sullivan said it is possible to be infected by both COVID-19 and the flu at the same time, though it is not certain if having one influences the other.

“We know that influenza and COVID-19 co-circulate, so a lot of times we’ll do these PCR tests that are a variety of tests,” Sullivan said. “If somebody comes to the hospital, we do one swab, but it looks for 10 different viruses and so that’s a way that we

Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION

Flu shots and COVID-19 vaccines are available on campus through Student Health Services.

FLU SEASON ON PG. A3

ridehitch.com

No car? No problem.

Hitch offers private and shared rides from Aggieland to Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and more.

First ride is free! CODE: AGSWIN5

LIFE&ARTS

A2

The Battalion | 10.7.21

Melanie McBride — THE BATTALION

Austin City Limits returns for the weekend of Oct. 9-10, featuring food, drinks, shopping and live music from several popular headliners.

Aggies take on Austin City Limits Students comment on return to Zilker Park, lack of COVID-19 precautions

By Lauren Discher & Kathryn Miller

@laurendischer & @KathrynMiller0

After a year of silence, the Austin City Limits music festival has returned, featuring diverse headliners and over one hundred performances.

The multi-colored flags of Austin City Limits, or ACL, premiered in Zilker Park on Oct. 1, making a reappearance after the hiatus caused by COVID-19. The festival takes place over two weekends, Oct. 1 through Oct. 3

and Oct. 8 through Oct. 10, offering tickets per day and per weekend.

In addition to live music, ACL offers food and drinks from Austin’s favorite restaurants, photo opportunities, various merchandise shops and a mini-fest for kids. Headliners for this year include Miley Cyrus, George Strait, Doja Cat, Billie Eilish, Tyler the Creator and Silent Disco.

Second-time ACL attendee biomedical sciences junior Maddie Maves said she has high expectations for Weekend Two, especially considering she had strep throat the first time she attended.

“It was such a long day,” Maves said. “I still had fun, but it was hard to stand while

How does the Texas A&M Foundation support students?

In more ways than you might realize. In fiscal year 2020 alone, we helped former students and friends of the university establish 306 new endowed scholarships and graduate fellowships that will support Aggies for generations. During the 2021-2022 academic year, more than 9,000 current students are benefiting from scholarships created through the Foundation. We also help fundraise for student organizations, college-based programs and study abroad initiatives to make every Aggie experience one worth cherishing.

Learn more at txamfoundation.com.

not feeling 100 percent. I’m excited to go to ACL this year because I haven’t been to a festival in a while, and I’m ready for the festival atmosphere and meeting all these people. My favorite thing to do is run into people, so it will be a lot of fun to meet people and see what people wear.”

Of all the artists, Maves said she is most looking forward to performances by Cyrus and Jack Harlow, and is hopeful for good weather.

“I heard a lot of good things about [Cyrus and Harlow],” Maves said. “Also, the weather is a lot better this weekend, so I’m looking forward to that, rather than the rain [delaying performances at] Weekend One.”

As soon as he saw the final lineup, marketing freshman Jase Powell said he purchased tickets for Weekend One. “Even if it had just been some artists that I had no interest in, I probably still would have gone because I’ve heard such good things about the experience, but as soon as I saw those headliners, I knew that I had to go,” Powell said. “I love Austin. I love what Austin does and embraces.”

Regarding the festival’s COVID-19 policies, Powell said he felt the safety measures were not well enforced.

“ACL had a vaccine and negative test requirement, but I think that it was performative on their end,” Powell said. “There was no one that was actually checking your ID or checking your vaccine cards or test results. I feel like it was put on social media to appease people.”

Despite the lack of follow-through on safety measures, Powell said it was surreal to be back in the concert atmosphere.

“It was amazing to see Miley Cyrus, Doja Cat and the other artists that I thought would never share the same stage,” Powell said. “I was hoping to see Stevie Nicks as well, but I respect her reasoning for why she dropped.

Once Sunday hit, I was just ready to go home and relax, and then Monday, I just slept the whole day, recovering.”

Powell said he got to see friends in a new light, and was glad to have created memories with them.

“I feel so much closer to them, just sharing those experiences,” Powell said. “We probably spent like 12 hours at the festival, and right when we got back home, we would all sit back and talk and order DoorDash and laugh the whole entire night, leading to the next morning.”

Long-time ACL attendee and finance junior Sydney Franklin said she would recommend checking the bag policy beforehand and bringing plenty of water.

“Staying hydrated would be my best piece of advice,” Franklin said. “Drinking water pretty much the whole time you’re there is super important, at least for me. Also, have minimal items because they can get taken or lost.”

Excited to see performances by Cyrus and Eilish in particular, Franklin said she has long anticipated the return of live music.

“My parents actually have been taking me to ACL since I was in sixth grade,” Franklin said. “I’ve always gone just because it’s been something that I’ve done pretty much my whole life, and being from Austin, it’s something that I’ve always loved doing and love attending, because it’s a great time. If people can go to ACL and have an opportunity to go, I would definitely suggest it.”

2501 Texas Ave S #101 2290 Boonville Rd #900 College Station, TX 77840 Bryan, TX 77808 (979) 696-0191 (979) 776-7171 Good through 10-24-21

Senior Boot Bag

Price Includes Embroidered Logo and Name (More logos available) Shop for Little Aggies for an Aggie Xmas etsy.com/shop/aggiesandbows

by Charlotte, Reveille’s Seamstress Aggie Mom & Grandma For A&M Sterling Jewelry: stores.ebay.com/charboeg979

1711 N Earl Rudder Fwy Bryan, TX 77803 979-778-2293 | charboeg@yahoo.com

OPINION

A3

The Battalion | 10.7.21

Letter to the community: Aggieland is unsafe Anonymous Texas A&M lecturer writes to community about why they feel unsafe in class, Aggieland Guest Contributor

I

am an instructor at Texas A&M, and I have always loved my job. But this semester, the classroom feels like a very unsafe space. In fact, it feels actively hostile.

At the beginning of the pandemic, I struggled through the isolation and panic of the situation like everyone else. My spouse and I stayed home as much as possible. All of my classes were taught remotely. I avoided any indoor venues or socializing with anyone outside our household. As the pandemic progressed, I followed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines carefully — I wore a mask indoors, I practiced social distancing and I got vaccinated as early as I was qualified. Finally, by early summer 2021, it felt like all of our concerted effort was going to pay off and everything was going to return to normal.

Unfortunately, it’s now early fall, and things in our town are anything but normal. At a time when most of our country is finally starting to see a decrease in COVID-19 rates, cases in Brazos County have skyrocketed, and are now at their highest level since the pandemic began.

What changed? Students returned to campus, and in-person classes resumed.

The return of in-person teaching doesn’t have to be a problem in and of itself. If people would pay attention to medical experts and conduct themselves according to the best practices, in-person learning can be conducted safely.

But that is not happening.

If you walk around campus, enter an academic building or participate in a classroom exercise, you would assume that everything is back to normal.

Very few people — students, faculty and staff — are wearing masks. Almost no one is exercising additional social distancing. Northgate bars and restaurants are as crowded as ever. Our football stadium and tailgate venues attract thousands of fans for every home game.

Everyone is behaving normally. But things are not normal.

As of Oct. 4, we have 120 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 people in Brazos County. That’s four times the current national average. It’s one of the highest rates of infection in the state and in the country. One in six individuals in Brazos County have gotten infected with COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. And those

numbers keep climbing.

I take great pride in delivering quality content to my students in the classroom. I enjoy group and individual interactions, and helping students achieve “lightbulb” moments, where the “aha” expression on their face is worth more than all the paychecks I’ve ever received. Achieving these moments in a remote environment is never as rewarding as it is in person.

So I was looking forward to this fall semester. But only if we could return to the classroom in a safe way.

That is not happening.

I can’t require my students to wear masks. Our governor and our school have outlawed mask mandates. I can “strongly encourage” mask usage, but students can ignore my encouragement, and many do. Furthermore, every time I encourage the use of masks in the classroom, the atmosphere of the classroom changes. The facial expressions of my students harden. They lean back in their seats and cross their arms. Several of them sneer at me. The belligerence is palpable. It’s uncomfortable. It feels dangerous.

I’ve been teaching for 25 years, and for the first time in my life, the classroom feels like an unsafe space.

And it isn’t just the classroom.

In other circumstances, I would discuss my worries with the head of my department. But after seeing my supervisor strolling the corridors of our building without a mask, I realize that our administration is unlikely to be a receptive audience for my concerns. For the first time in my career, I feel isolated and unsupported by my department, my college and my university.

The same problem is true across campus — our leaders are flaunting the strong advice of the CDC and infectious disease experts. Masks are absent at most indoor gatherings. Social events on campus are proceeding like everything is normal. It’s no surprise our students are following the bad example of our leadership.

Brazos County has suffered a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 infections since the beginning of the semester. In addition to vaccinations, mitigating future COVID-19 spread requires two additional, simple steps — increased social distancing and facial masks in enclosed spaces. Our community is suffering from needless sickness and death due to a blatant disregard for common sense and science.

And frankly, I’m sick to death of it all.

CHRISTIAN FACULTY NETWORK

We are a group of professors, instructors, lecturers, and administrators united by our common experience that Jesus Christ provides intellectual and spiritually satisfying answers to life’s most important questions. We are available to students, faculty, and staff who might like to discuss such questions with us. For more information about the Christian Faculty Network and its activities, please visit our website: http://cfn.tamu.edu Chris Carson 12th Man Foundation

Scott A. Socolofsky Civil Engineering

James Kolari Finance

Gerald Morrison Mechanical Engineering

Clint Dempsey 12th Man Foundation

Ralph Wurbs Civil Engineering

Adam Kolasinski Finance

H.J. Su Mechanical Engineering

Sharon Haigler Academic Success Center

Diane Oswald College of Architecture

Charles W. Lafon Geography

C. Steve Suh Mechanical Engineering

Gwendolyn M. Wilkins College of Education

Adam Barry Health and Kinesiology

Regina Greenwood Media Services

Jon Buchanan College of Engineering

Gregg Bennett Health and Kinesiology

Janet L. Parker College of Medicine (HSC) - Emeritus

John Campbell Health and Kinesiology

H. Wayne Sampson Medical Physiology (TAMHSC) - Retired

Joel McGee Academic Success Center Natalie L. Allen Accounting Jeannie Barrett Accounting Michelle Diaz Accounting

Steve Maxwell Molecular and Cellular Medicine

Walter Daugherity Computer Science

Maurice Dennis Emeritus Professor Health and Kinesiology

David Boyle Nuclear Security Science and Policy Institute

Sean McGuire Accounting

Timothy J. McGuire Computer Science & Engineering

Carl Gabbard Emeritus Professor Health and Kinesiology

Karen Beathard Nutrition and Food Science

Mike Shaub Accounting

Melissa Daigneault Construction Science

Diane Graham Health and Kinesiology

Sarah Stuber Accounting

Jonathan Houston Construction Science

Mike Hanik Health and Kinesiology

Pete Murano Nutrition and Food Science

Steve Smith Admissions

Lance Simms Construction Science

Mary Beth Henthorne Health and Kinesiology

James Boyd Aerospace Engineering

Tim Davis CSE

Leah Lintz Health and Kinesiology

Jimmy T. Keeton Nutrition and Food Science

Walter Haisler Aerospace Engineering

Richard K. Anderson Economics

John Valasek Aerospace Engineering

Tim Gronberg Economics

Steve Martin Emeritus Professor Health and Kinesiology

Steve Talcott Nutrition and Food Science

John Whitcomb Aerospace Engineering

Silvana Krasteva Economics

Leonard Ponder Health and Kinesiology - Emeritus

Byron Schlather Office of the Commandant

Oral Capps, Jr. Agricultural Economics

Steven Wiggins Economics

Rhonda Rahn Health and Kinesiology

Sharon Mena Offices of the Dean of Student Life

Nathan Harness Agricultural Economics

Mort Kothmann Ecosystem Science and Mgmt.

Matt Ege Accounting Mary Lea McAnally Accounting

James E. Christiansen Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication - Emeritus Kim Dooley Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication Alvin Larke, Jr. Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication Tobin Redwine Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications Dan Hale Animal Science

Larry Dooley Educational Administration and HR David A. Erlandson Educational Administration and HR - Emeritus Debra Howard Educational Administration and HR

Rob Heffer Psychological & Brain Sciences

Barry Nelson Health Science Center Jesús Palomo Health Science Center Hilaire Kallendorf Hispanic Studies Lorien Foote History

Jeff Haberl Architecture

Lisa Perrott Educational Psychology

Jay Holmes Athletics

Hector Ramos Educational Psychology

Colin Killian Athletics

Adam Birchfield Electrical and Computer Engineering

Michael C. Cochran Bush School of Government and Public Service

Wendy Kreider CEHD, Dean's Office Meagan Orsag Center on Disability and Development Kim Sutphen Center for Executive Development Ben Welch Center for Executive Development Greg Reeves Chemical Engineering Jack Lunsford Chemistry - Emeritus Jim Pennington Chemistry Micah Green Chemical Engineering Stuart Anderson Civil Engineering Lynn Beason Civil Engineering Gene Hawkins Civil Engineering Dallas N. Little Civil Engineering Lee Lowery, Jr. Civil Engineering Jose M. Roesset Civil Engineering - Emeritus Hayes E. Ross, Jr. Civil Engineering - Emeritus Donald Saylak Civil Engineering - Emeritus

B. Don Russell Electrical and Computer Engineering Tom Overbye Electrical and Computer Engineering Andrew K. Chan Electrical Engineering Robert Nevels Electrical Engineering John H. Painter Electrical Engineering Seth Sullivan Engineering Academic & Student Affairs Jerry Vinson Engineering Design - Emeritus

Marlan Scully Physics

Brian Colwell Health Promotion & Community Health Sciences

Cesar Malave Industrial & Systems Engineering

Jim Ji Electrical and Computer Engineering

Duane McVay Petroleum Engineering

Rob Heffer Psychology

Patricia Larke Educational Curriculum

James R. Wild Biochemistry and Genetics

Susanne Talcott Nutrition and Food Science

Wedi Zimmer Health and Kinesiology

David Greg Riley Animal Science

Cynthia Billington Career Management Center

can identify [those who have been infected].”

Neither the flu nor the COVID-19 vaccines guarantee complete immunity but work to lessen the spread and effects of the virus to reduce hospitalization as beds run short across the nation, Sullivan said.

“The flu vaccine works pretty similar to the COVID[-19] vaccine in the sense that it really does prevent severity and hospitalization. That’s the reason why it’s so strongly recommended in our elderly population, because that is the population that gets hit so strongly with influenza related illness.”

Skaggs said individuals can do their part in protecting themselves and the community by getting vaccinated for both the flu and COVID-19.

“Flu vaccines protect you and your community from a serious illness. It keeps you in the classroom, in your job, and generally in your life activities, and keeps you out of the hospital,” Skaggs said. “I would get them both at the same time — saves time and effort and the side effects are similar, so why not just get it over-with.”

According to its website, SHS will offer

Bryan Cole Educational Administration and HR - Emeritus

Wayne Wylie Emeritus Professor Health and Kinesiology

Richard Feldman Industrial & Systems Engineering

Kevin McGinnis Career Center

FLU SEASON CONTINUED

Misty Stiles Education & Human Development

Scott Waltemyer Health and Kinesiology

Robert "Trez" Jones Educational Administration and HR

Matt Upton Bush School of Government and Public Service

flu shots daily by appointment. Individuals who wish to receive their vaccination should bring personal identification such as their student ID or Government-issued ID. Additionally, SHS will host its “Tackle the Flu” shot campaign in the near future.

As for the current scene of the flu in Aggieland, Sullivan said the Brazos Valley has seen a few cases, but October is normally when the flu begins to make its way into the community.

“We’re definitely gonna see the flu this year. There’s no doubt about it,” Sullivan said. “We just don’t know how bad it’s going to be.”

Skaggs said she recommends taking precautions to avoid the flu such as getting a flu shot, eating a balanced diet, resting an adequate amount and getting exercise. Additionally, she urges individuals who do become infected to stay away from others and seek medical advice if needed.

“For flu season, stay home and away from others if you become ill,” Skaggs said. “Influenza treatment is recommended in cases of flu, especially in those with risk factors such as advanced age and chronic disease.

So, if there is a concern, please seek testing and treatment.”

Martin Carlisle Computer Science

Andy Herring Animal Science

Cindy Raisor Bush School

Health officials say mask use lessens the spread and effects of both flu and COVID-19.

Kelli Campbell Health and Kinesiology Stephen Crouse Health and Kinesiology

James M. Griffin Bush School of Government and Public Service

FILE — THE BATTALION

Vicky A. Keys College of Nursing

David Howell Molecular and Cellular Medicine

Don Phillips Industrial & Systems Engineering Aaron Becker Information and Operations Mgmt.

Della Whitcomb Information and Operations Mgmt.

Elsa Murano International Agrilife Research Program

Roger R. Martinez Public Partnership & Outreach Charles Johnson Public Policy Research Institute Louis Hodges Recreation and Parks Chris Harrist Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences Gary W. Maler Real Estate Center Katherine Smith RELLIS Lawrence Smith RELLIS Jessica Lennerton Residence Life Jim Burdine School of Public Health Heather Clark School of Public Health Brian Colwell School of Public Health

Steven Oberhelman International Studies

Jane Nelson Bolin School of Rural Public Health

Greg Graves Industrial & Systems Engineering

Kerrie Green Social and Behavioral Health

Michelle Brown-Link Libraries

Monty Dozier Soil and Crop Sciences

Ronald Chandler Management

Henrik Schmiediche Statistics

David Flint Management

Briana Wyatt Soil and Crop Sciences

Camille Hailey Management

Mike Nelson TEES Information Systems

Paul Busch Marketing, Emeritus

Andrea Kishne TEES Smart Grid Center

Walter Buchanan Engineering Technology

Stephen McDaniel Marketing

Emily Binks-Cantrell TLAC

William Bedford Clark English

Lauren Osborne Marketing

Amanda Ros University Libraries

Elizabeth Robinson English

Janet Parish Marketing

Donald A. Sweeney Urban Planning

Elizabeth Tebeaux English

Leslie Seipp Marketing

Craig Kallendorf English & International Studies

Rob Rahm Mathematics

Joe Arosh Veterinary Integrative Biosciences

Catherine McIntyre English Language Institute (CLLA) Terry Larsen Environmental Design Russell K. Biles Family and Community Medicine George McIlhaney Family and Community Medicine Lamar McNew Family and Community Medicine Matt Poling Family and Community Medicine David Segrest Family and Community Medicine

Robert Gustafson Mathematics

Sakhila B. Arosh Veterinary Integrative Biosciences

David Manuel Mathematics

Timothy Phillips Veterinary Integrative Biosciences

Eli Jones Marketing

Loren Skow Veterinary Medicine

Katy Lane Mays Business School

Michael Willard Veterinary Medicine

LTG (Ret) John Van Alstyne Mays Business School

Judith M. Ball Veterinary Pathobiology

Michael Alexander Mays Grad Program

Kenneth Pierce Veterinary Pathobiology - Emeritus

Janet Parish Mays Marketing Walter L. Bradley Mechanical Engineering - Emeritus

Karen Snowden Veterinary Pathobiology James E. Womack Veterinary Pathobiology

Dave Claridge Mechanical Engineering

Jim Jensen Veterinary Physiology

L. Roy Cornwell Mechanical Engineering - Emeritus

Linda Ladd Family Development and Resource Mgmt.

J.D. McCrady Veterinary Physiology - Retired

Harry Hogan Mechanical Engineering

Nicola Ritter VIBS

Shane Johnson Finance

Tillie McVay Mechanical Engineering

Richard Davison, Jr. Visualization

James Sterling Family and Community Medicine

NOTE: This ad presents the personal convictions of the individuals listed herein; the ad does not represent or support any view or position of Texas A&M University or any academic department. The ad does represent and acknowledge the diversity of academic contributions toTexas A&M University by men and women of various race, ethnic group, and cultural background who share the Christian faith.

NEWS

A4

The Battalion |10.7.21

Robert O’Brien — THE BATTALION

The Sexual Assault Resource Center works in tandem with Texas A&M’s Step In. Stand Up. campaign, as both work to combat the semester’s Red Zone.

RED ZONE CONTINUED -vor knows.

“We encourage individuals to watch for warning signs,” Richardson said. “Individuals exhibiting controlling behaviors, individuals who become angry when personal limits regarding physical intimacy are set, individuals who ignore personal limits set by others and individuals who deliberately and repeatedly ignore personal limits set by others and continue to make sexual advances. These are often danger signals exhibited by sexual predators. If you go out with friends, watch out for your friends and ask them to watch out for you. Have a plan to check on each other at set times.”

Richardson said only the perpetrator can prevent sexual assault. As a nationally ranked and evidence-based program, Green Dot’s prevention program presents students with the skills and knowledge to recognize and inter-

CONSOLIDATION CONTINUED “cabinet-level reorganization” to be included in the written report Banks will receive. In making recommendations, MGT has conducted research on the “best practices” and leadership at other national universities. This phase is concluded as of June 30.

Leadership shake-ups in the past month alone have included the appointments of Associate Vice Chancellor Mark Weichold, interim Provost Tim Scott, acting Dean of Faculties Patrick Louchouarn and John Hurtado, interim dean and vice chancellor of the College of Engineering.

vene in high-risk situations.

“UPD has always focused on education and awareness by informing our community of the issue and resources available to them, [such as Step In. Stand Up. and Green Dot],” Richardson said. “UPD offers free courses and presentations on personal safety and women’s self-defense.”

Richardson said there are multiple resources available to students to promote safety on campus and throughout Aggieland, including Carpool, Corps Escort Service and UPD. Richardson said if someone is a victim of sexual assault they can contact UPD or the Title IX Office to receive resources.

“Information regarding sexual assault as well as counseling and advocacy services can be provided to the victim,” Richardson said.

“UPD has its own victim’s advocate who can walk the victim through the reporting process and provide available services and resources.”

Dedicated to helping victims of sexaul as-

Phase 2 of the contract focused on gaining “staff and customer input” by interviewing faculty, staff and students and analyzing budgeting approaches and organizational structures, then making recommendations. This phase concluded Aug. 31.

Some of the assessments in Phase 2 were the “rumors” referenced in Oberhelman’s email, including conducting “analysis of national peer institutions with focus on budgeting approaches, liberal arts and sciences consolidation and shared governance structures,” Task 2.2 of the contract reads.

The non-academic assessments called for by

sault, the Sexual Assault Resource Center, or SARC, is a private non-profit that serves survivors across Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson and Washington Counties. SARC Executive Director Lindsey LeBlanc said though sexual assaults can occur at any time, the center sees a rise at the beginning of the school year, especially on college campuses.

“From our standpoint, we know that sexual assaults are happening throughout the year,” LeBlanc said. “There tends to be an escalation in reports as students come back. You have a lot of freshmen who aren’t familiar with the college scene and aren’t familiar with the layout of the community. You see a rise in cases at the start of each semester.”

Similar to UPD’s efforts, LeBlanc said SARC focuses its efforts on educating the community on consent and where the lines of consent are drawn.

“That’s important for students to know and understand,” LeBlanc said. “Not only for them to be able to advocate for themselves and speak up when they need to, but also for others to understand where boundaries exist and why consent matters. We educate a lot on that realm of things so that students and community members are aware of ‘yes means yes,’ and they are able to say no and stand up for themselves.”

For students, LeBlanc said she believes peer-to-peer support is important so the student body can protect each other, especially students who live on campus.

“The Step In. Stand Up. program with Texas A&M is really important so that students are able to step in if they see something happening that maybe [isn’t] appropriate or they step up and speak up for their friends or for other students on campus,” LeBlanc said.

The SARC offers free and confidential services, specific to sexual assault and sexual violence, including a hotline and counseling program open to Texas A&M students.

“Students are able to get engaged with us through those activities if they are in need of

crisis intervention or counseling [if] they have been a victim or survivor of sexual violence in the past,” LeBlanc said. “In addition to that, we always love our students to give back to us. We have fundraisers going on right now that they can get involved in, and we work closely with a lot of student groups around that as well.”

With the increase in use of ride-hailing services platforms such as Uber and Lyft, Cutter Law, located in Sacramento, Calif., released a “Ride Sharing Safety Guide” to educate individuals on how to safely use ride-hailing services.

“Ride-sharing has become a very popular and safe way to avoid driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” Cutter Law’s website reads. “Unfortunately, when you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you become more vulnerable to sexual assault by a rideshare driver or by a sexual predator posing as a rideshare driver.”

According to Cutter Law’s website, many college students contact a ride-hailing company late at night after they’ve been drinking alcohol, so their judgment and situational awareness may be reduced.

“In this state, they may be more susceptible to getting into a car without first making sure that it’s a legitimate Uber or Lyft driver,” Cutter Law’s website reads. “Sexual predators know this, so they often pose as Uber and Lyft drivers and frequent college campuses searching for victims.”

To recognize Domestic Violence Prevention and Awareness Month, the Health Promotion Department is hosting multiple events throughout the month of October, including Green Dot training. Additionally, the SARC is hosting an “Evening Under the Stars” Gala on Friday, Oct. 8, to offset losses in federal and state grant funds which totaled 35 percent of its annual budget.

As its annual “Be a Light for SARC” campaign, the SARC is currently collecting donations on its website and through mail contributions at P.O. Box 3082, Bryan, TX 77805.

the contract, as said by Oberhelman, include reviewing “needs for additional future phases of functional assessments (such as unit-level reviews of the HR, IT, Finance, Facilities and Provost offices to review staffing, resource allocation, processes, and systems to improve functional unit performance) [sic],” Task 2.7 of the contract reads.

The contract also mentions reviewing the “need for Faculty Affairs position and recommend position responsibilities and staffing requirement,” though Oberhelman did not mention this in the email to Liberal Arts Faculty Tuesday morning.

Phase 3 was dictated as an assessment of Liberal Arts and the Department of Marketing and Communications, according to the contract. MGT has previously reviewed A&M AgriLife, proposing measures to create a more efficient organizational structure, according to the consulting firm’s website.

“I do believe that the university will see changes in the months to come, but I am hopeful that if changes come our way in Liberal Arts, they will come after extended discussions and careful planning,” Oberhelman said in the email.

ARTSCRITICISM

A5

The Battalion | 10.7.21

Gabrielle Shreve — THE BATTALION

Publicly debuting on Netflix, Antoine Fuqua’s new film features Jake Gyllenhaal in limited settings, but provides a thrill for audiences.

‘The Guilty’ makes for riveting new take on suspense Arts criticism writer Katen Adams says new thriller challenges societal norms “The Guilty” Director: Antoine Fuqua Release Date: Oct. 1 Runtime: 1 hour 30 minutes

A+

By Katen Adams @Katen_ann Director Antoine Fuqua started off this year’s Halloween season with a

suspenseful and incredible thriller in “The Guilty,” released on Oct. 1. Jake Gyllenhaal, the star of the film, plays Joe Bayler, a 911 operator in Los Angeles, who receives a call from a woman in distress. Throughout the film, Joe handles the dire situation handed to him while battling his own demons.

The film focuses on Joe as he continues to answer and piece together several 911 calls pertaining to the woman who appears to have been abducted. As Gyl-

lenhaal receives these calls throughout the film, he migrates between the main operator call center, a private call room and finally, the office bathroom— the only three settings of the film. With little to no physical interaction with others, Gyllenhaal’s character is somewhat isolated, and most of the communication happens over the phone. The camerawork allows for a good change throughout the film while still focusing on the suspenseful dialogue.

In the beginning of the film, massive wildfires fill the main office screens as operators take their calls, and at the end of the film, the fires are extinguished.

The symbolism in this part of the film directly parallels the situations that build up and unfold throughout the storyline.

It takes incredible skill to give a fantastic acting performance by sitting in a chair for the majority of the film and talking to voices instead of faces. Throughout the film, Gyllenhaal portrays anger, frustration, urgency and anxiety, which can resonate with audience members. In the film’s run time, Gyllenhaal doesn’t blink in terms of his performance. Every tear, anxiety attack and outburst of anger was conveyed in such a convincing manner; Gyllenhaal pulled the audience into his world.

The film is dialogue-heavy, so much so that it doesn’t necessarily need to be watched, only listened to. The storyline and characterization are built through the dialogue, which is how the audience understands more about each of the characters over the phone. The only understanding of the situations is through the well-constructed conversations Joe has with other characters.

Even though this film seems as if it would focus more on the action and be filmed in more than three rooms, Fuqua uses that to his advantage. “The Guilty” is better than most action-packed films, with jaw-dropping plot twists. For those who crave an action sequence or a change in scenery, what Fuqua gives the audience is so much better. The assumptions created by initially watching the trailer or by societal norms are challenged, because not everything is what it seems.

Fuqua blurs the lines between the definition of good and evil. In “The Guilty,” humanity’s morality is challenged by demonstrating that these characters are not necessarily good or bad but a mixture of both. This film confuses the audience’s ability to objectively judge the characters right in front of them. Both the good and evil are concealed so well that when the truth is unveiled at the end of the film; it’s overwhelmingly shocking.

Katen Adams is a journalism senior and arts criticism writer for The Battalion.

Suicide Awareness & Prevention Office COUNSELING & PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES

SEPTEMBER IS SUICIDE AWARENESS MONTH

Get Involved!

caps.tamu.edu/NotAnotherAggie

OPINION

A6

The Battalion | 10.7.21

OPINION

FILE— THE BATTALION

Columnist Sam Somogye evaluates the substantial drop in voter participation during non-federal elections.

Odd election years, uneven playing field Opinion columnist Sam Somogye discusses one of three city amendments on Nov. 2 election ballot Sam Somogye

T

@samsomogye

he City of College Station is up to no good again — shocker, right?

Let me explain what they’re up to this time and why it’s bad news for the Aggie community.

During the Nov. 2 uniform election, several amendments will be on the docket. All are important; however, one deserves special attention — charter Amendment No. 3.

Simply put, this proposition would move local elections to odd-numbered years. On the surface, one might think this change is no big deal. Unfortunately, this amendment is troublesome for a couple of reasons.

To start, voter turnout is exponentially lower in odd-numbered years. This fact is true nationwide, but especially in College Station. For perspective, there was a 70.4 percent turnout rate in the 2020 election. In 2019, there was a mere 5.89 percent turnout, a near 65 percent difference. Some may argue turnout

was only so high in 2020 because of the contentious presidential election, which is fair.

But just for fun, let’s take a look at the comparison between the 2018 and 2017 elections. In 2018, 56.89 percent of registered voters turned out to vote, while in 2017, only 8.71 percent of voters showed up to the polls. There is a common, obvious trend here. People just don’t show up to vote on odd-numbered years like they do on even numbered ones.

The main reason there is such a stag-

gering difference in civil engagement is because federal elections are held on even years. And let’s not sugar coat it — most people are more interested in voting for federal representatives than they are local ones.

Some will argue the previous point is exactly why we should have elections on odd-numbered years. They believe it will bring more attention to local elections. Sadly, this sentiment is just wishful thinking. As the old saying goes, “numbers don’t lie,” and the data proves that statement true.

The next point which deserves the limelight is the election cost. Cash rules everything around us, including elections. In a city council meeting, College Station City Secretary Tanya Smith pointed out in even numbered years, elections cost around $90,000 to organize. However, that sum is divided up by other entities. So, the city isn’t the only one picking up the check. If elections were held on odd-numbered years, paying a small fraction of the bill would largely not be the case, therefore putting a high price tag on low civil engagement.

There is one important point that must be addressed before we part ways, though.

Some local residents have accused the council of making this decision as an act of voter suppression. Everyone gets passionate about politics, but throwing out terms like “voter suppression” is dangerous and should be done carefully. This mentality is especially important considering everything that occured in our last presidential election. To be completely candid, you cannot call something voter suppression when there is quite literally an election to vote on the amendment, full stop.

The residents of College Station need to get out and vote against this charter amendment. Certain council members and residents have good intentions in wanting election years moved. However, the cons heavily outweigh the pros in this situation, which is why this amendment must not pass. Any government entity’s goal should be increasing civil engagement to its highest potential.

Amendment No. 3 would do the exact opposite.

Get out and vote on Nov. 2. College Station has missed the mark in the past.

Let’s not let it happen again, Ags. Sam Somogye is a political science senior and columnist for The Battalion.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2021 STUDENT MEDIA

Rides between cities.

First ride is free! CODE: AGSWIN6

ridehitch.com

Facing off

Former colleagues turned competitors meet for A&M’s most anticipated conference game of 2021 schedule

By Kay Naegeli @kaynaegeli

I

t is no secret that Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban have taken the world of college football by storm.

On Saturday, Oct. 9, the two SEC powerhouse coaches will meet again, with Fisher seeking his first-ever win against his former boss. He and Saban are two out of five active head coaches with national titles under their belts and are responsible for dozens of active players on NFL rosters.

These two opposing coaches have plenty of winning seasons separately, but it all started with their first national championship together. In 2003, then-Louisiana State head coach Saban and offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Fisher led the Tigers to a 13-1 season and a national title. The coaches split the following year, with Fisher taking on the role of offensive coordinator at Florida State under head coach Bobby Bowden before winning a national championship as head coach with quarterback Jameis Winston in 2013.

In his statement declaring for the 2015 NFL Draft, Winston said Fisher helped shape him on and off the field.

“To the coaching staff and especially Coach Fisher, I am forever grateful for the ways you developed me as a player and a person as I have grown over the years,” Winston said. “I knew I made the right decision to come to Florida State.”

When looking at matchups between successful coaches, not many, including Fisher, can say they have beaten Saban.

In fact, none of Saban’s former assistant-turned-head coaches have beat him as he holds a 24-0 record against them. However, Fisher has edged closer in a different aspect — money.

With Fisher’s recently announced exten-

sion, his $9 million-per-year contract places him right behind Saban’s $10.6 million agreement, making them the two highest paid coaches in all of NCAA football history.

Saban is arguably the best coach college football has ever seen. With seven national championships, hundreds of wins and 40 years of coaching experience, his record of success speaks for itself. Before his time at Alabama, Saban spent four years as head coach at LSU and two seasons coaching the National Football League’s Miami Dolphins.

In his last 13 seasons, he has finished inside the AP Top 10 consecutively and compiled a 125-14 record with the Crimson Tide.

At this week’s press conference, Fisher said Saban has built an impressive program.

“It’s extraordinary. He’s built a great culture there,” Fisher said. “They understand how to win. They are extremely talented, but they are also very fundamentally sound.

They do the ordinary things very, very well.”

Fisher’s ability to turn programs around is sensational. At both FSU and A&M, he arrived to mediocrity, then turned both organizations into top-10 teams by Year 3. During the 2013 season, Fisher steered FSU to a national championship, and in the 2020-2021 season, pushed A&M into the playoff conversation and a No. 5 finish. In his 12 years of coaching, he sits at a 112-35 record and is building a culture of overcoming adversity at A&M. Saban said Fisher also has a strong coaching mentality.

“This is a very challenging game against a very good team,” Saban said. “They have 15 starters coming back from one of the best teams in the country last year. Jimbo [Fisher] does a great job getting his team ready to play, and he’s a very good offensive play caller.”

The two legends of Saturday football will meet once again in Aggieland to battle it out. Combining their salaries, the coaches make close to $20 million a year, making it the most expensive coaching matchup in college football history. The battle between A&M and Alabama’s successful coaches will kick off at 7 p.m. in Kyle Field.

Robert O’Brien — THE BATTALION

Texas A&M’s defense gave up 408 passing yards against Mississippi State, spelling potential issues for the team against Alabama.

Young, Robinson present challenge for A&M defense Alabama set to swap rushing for passing game against Aggies

By Michael Horton @mhhort Coming off another disappointing loss, the Aggies have their work cut out for them.

After a 26-22 home loss to Mississippi State that moved Texas A&M to 0-2 in SEC play, the freshly unranked squad is tasked with stifling the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday, Oct. 9.

This game will be the 10th installment of the A&M-Alabama rivalry since the Aggies joined the SEC in 2012. In this span, the Crimson Tide boasts an 8-1 record in the series. The Aggies have surrendered an average of 41.8 points per game in the annual meeting, by far their highest among yearly SEC opponents. A&M’s 52-24 defeat in Tuscaloosa in 2020 was its lone loss of the season and was largely responsible for the team’s exclusion from the College Football Playoff.

This year, the squads enter the matchup with varying backgrounds. Alabama is sporting a 5-0 record, including wins against three ranked opponents. In those three wins, the Tide averaged an 18-point margin of victory.

Alabama’s offense is led by sophomore quarterback Bryce Young. The California native has emerged as a Heisman favorite, tossing 17 touchdown passes, the most in the SEC, and just two interceptions through five games. Junior wide receivers Jameson Williams and John Metchie III have been his favorite targets, combining for 639 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

The Tide’s electric passing game is complemented by a bruising running back com-

mittee. Senior running back Brian Robinson Jr. has led the way with 379 yards and six scores, but sophomores Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams have picked up the slack, combining for 345 yards and two house calls.

Last week, Alabama dismantled the No. 12 Ole Miss Rebels at home, winning 42-21.

In the win, the squad leaned heavily on its running game, as Robinson tallied 171 yards and four touchdowns on 36 carries.

After the win, Alabama head coach Nick Saban said his offense emphasized the run to combat Ole Miss’ strong pass defense and that the team would not continue to stress the ground game to that degree going forward. “[Running the ball] is not really the personality of this offense,” Saban said after defeating Ole Miss. “It’s not really how we want to play, it’s not how we’ve played all year and it’s not going to be the style that we continue to play with. We have to do things to win the game, and playing the offense that we played today was how to win the game.”

A&M enters the weekend after a humbling end to September. After starting the season 3-0, the Aggies suffered two straight losses to Arkansas and Miss. St.. In the skid, their defense has looked lethargic, specifically against the Miss. St. Air Raid offense.

Against the Bulldogs, the Aggies surrendered season highs in completions at 46, passing yards at 408 and three passing touchdowns. While the Aggies recorded three sacks, two from junior defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal and one from senior defensive lineman Michael Clemons, the pass rush was underwhelming given that Miss. St. finished with just 30 yards on the ground.

In the Monday, Oct. 4 press conference, A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher said the team needed to get more pressure on the quarterDEFENSE ON PG. B3

Robert O’Brien — THE BATTALION

Running back Isaiah Spiller has rushed for 445 yards this season and will likely act as the core of the Aggies’ offense against Alabama.

A&M aims to up running game against nation’s best Young offensive line to face against Crimson Tide’s veteran defense

By Kay Naegeli @kaynaegeli Through the highs and lows of every Texas A&M football season, there is one roadblock the Aggies face every year, and its name is Alabama.

On Saturday, Oct. 9, A&M will face its most challenging opponent of the year — No. 1 Alabama. A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher and offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey will be put to the test against Alabama head coach Nick Saban’s powerful defense, coordinated

by Pete Golding.

From starting off the season ranked No. 5 to being kicked out of the AP poll in five games, A&M’s inconsistencies on offense have started to define the team. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Zach Calzada was thrown into the fire early in the season, and has put in his best efforts to follow Fisher’s

lead and perform as expected. But his young offensive line has yet to give him many opportunities to do so. Calzada has been sacked 13 times and holds the worst record for yardsper-attempt in the SEC. “I think [Calzada] is learning and growing,” Fisher said. “He is getting better and better each play, I think he believes in himself wholeheartedly and our players believe in him.”

When utilized, A&M’s running game consistently performs, with its two main attackers combining for a current season total 741 yards and four touchdowns.

Running backs junior Isaiah Spiller and sophomore Devon Achane play with speed and power, and they know how to slip out of tackles.

“Isaiah and Achane, and even Ainias [Smith], break so many tackles,” junior tight end Jalen Wydermeyer said. “I don’t know how they do it.”

Weapons like Wydermeyer and junior wide receiver Ainias Smith provide verOFFENSE ON PG. B3

SPORTS

B2

The Battalion | 10.7.21

Rides between cities.

First ride is free! CODE: AGSWIN6

ridehitch.com

Robert O’Brien — THE BATTALION

Wide reciever Ainias Smith will look for his third touchdown of the season, this one against the Crimson Tide, looking for A&M’s first Southeastern Conference win after two losses.

A&M hopes to turn Tide in its favor

Aggies look for SEC win over 5-0 foe to break mid-season slump

By Ryne Ryskoski @rusty_ryskoski_ In its most anticipated game of the season, Texas A&M will welcome the defending national champion Alabama Crimson Tide to Kyle Field as the only SEC West program with two conference losses.

Consecutive losses to Mississippi State and Arkansas have unranked the Aggies in the latest AP Poll for the first time since 2019. This weekend’s matchup was looked at in the preseason as a clash of undefeated top-five teams with College Football Playoff implications, but instead A&M will try to avoid falling to a 3-3 record and its first 0-3 start to conference play since joining the SEC. No. 1 Alabama’s Heisman candidate quarterback Bryce Young has thrown 17 touchdowns to two interceptions in just five games, leading the third-best scoring offense in college football in his first year as a starter. Fisher said his players cannot be intimidated by Alabama’s individual athletes, adding they need to put on blinders to the national attention this game will receive.

“Your opponents are faceless,” Fisher said.

“It’s great to be in a big game and all that, but you can’t look at that. You have to learn to do that.”

With injuries stacking in recent weeks, young players had to fill starting positions early in their development, which doesn’t always show positive returns going against conference opponents that are physically mature and well-coached. Junior tight end Jalen Wydermyer, who said his 2019 two-touchdown outing against Alabama was his breakout game, said the young Aggies can gain confidence for the future by making big plays against a high-quality opponent like the Crimson Tide.

“All that matters with young players is confidence,” Wydermyer said. “Years before [freshman year], I never thought I would even play against Alabama. It was crazy to score touchdowns on them, and it boosted my confidence way up.”

Fisher said in a perfect world, his younger players would be able to grow more before playing, but reality is different in the current situation. Junior offensive lineman Luke Matthews and senior defensive backs Myles Jones and Brian George are out for the remainder of the season with injuries, Fisher said at a press conference on Monday, Oct. 4.

“We’re having some guys [play] that you

wish could’ve grew up before they have to get thrown in there,” Fisher said. “But that’s football — you don’t know when those times are going to come.”

Fisher complimented the successes of Alabama head coach Nick Saban, who has earned a .884 winning percentage and lost only 15 conference games since taking over the Crimson Tide in 2007. Fisher said what has allowed Saban to be “extraordinary” in Tuscaloosa is his team’s attention to both detail and the basics.

“It’s extraordinary, he’s done a great job and built a great culture there,” Fisher said.

“They’re extremely talented, but they’re very fundamentally sound. They do the ordinary things very well.”

Wydermyer hopes his teammates can emulate Alabama’s preciseness by hammering down the smaller techniques in practice, and little things not being perfected are what is harming the maroon and white on the field, he said.

“I want to see us have a great week of practice, catch all our balls and make the right reads,” Wydermyer said. “That’s really what kills us is the little things. If we can knock out those little things, that’s how we can be successful.”

Saban said the Aggies have a lot of talent in

all three phases of the game, noting A&M is probably the most talented team the Crimson Tide will have had to face so far in 2021. Alabama has faced No. 17 Ole Miss and No. 20 Florida in two of its last three games. “[Kyle Field] is a very challenging place to play,” Saban said. “[A&M’s] got a lot of really good players. This is all-around a really good team, maybe the best team we’ve played to this point from a personnel standpoint.”

Significant criticism has been thrown toward redshirt sophomore quarterback Zach Calzada, who has thrown five touchdowns to four interceptions and has a 46.8 quarterback rating in his short time as first string. Fisher said his locker room has not lost any faith in his signal caller, and Calzada believes in himself as well, despite the hardships he’s faced from the outside in the last two weeks.

“Any time you’re a quarterback and don’t win, everything is going to be scrutinized,” Fisher said. “You’re touching the ball every time. I think he believes in himself wholeheartedly and I think our players believe in him.”

Alabama and A&M kick off at Kyle Field on CBS at 7 p.m. on Oct. 9. Alabama leads the all-time series 11-2 entering the 14th matchup between the schools.

Nourish Innovation AND WIN $25,000

Ideas we nourish today can feed the world tomorrow. That’s why Wilbur-Ellis is sponsoring the Wilbur-Ellis Innovation Award, which invites student teams from U.S. colleges and universities to propose innovative approaches to providing food for a growing world population. The team that submits the best proposal will win a $25,000 top prize, and $5,000 honorable mentions may also be awarded.

Find out more and register to participate at: www.wilburellis.com/innovation-award

SPORTS

B3

The Battalion |10.7.21

Robert O’Brien — THE BATTALION

In two years of play, junior running back Isaiah Spiller, a home favorite, has yet to defeat Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide.

DEFENSE/OFFENSE CONTINUED back to stop big plays before they started.

“We’ve gotta find ways to get a better pass rush,” Fisher said. “We brought pressure at times and didn’t get there. They blocked us pretty well … but we’ve gotta find ways to get more pressure and mix it up.”

Sophomore defensive back Antonio Johnson said the secondary needs to do a better job in coverage to allow the defensive linemen to

OFFENSE/DEFENSE CONTINUED -satility in A&M’s passing scheme. On average, Wydermeyer registers 11.7 yards per catch while Smith is right behind with 10 yards per attempt. These two veteran leaders have displayed to inexperienced A&M receivers how to make plays, and when given the ball, they are a force that Alabama’s defense will have to bring to a stop.

Alabama’s pressurizing and athletic defense shutout Ole Miss’ then-top scoring offense in the first half and swung the momentum of the game in its favor.

generate pressure against the Bulldogs.

“We knew we were going to have to cover longer,” Johnson said. “We knew that [the defensive line] would do its best to get to the quarterback and throw off his timing. They did a good job, we just have to do our part on the back end.”

Johnson leads the team with 41 season tackles. Leal and senior linebacker Aaron Hansford have also been disruptive, combining for 58 total stops.

The Aggies will need to generate consistent pressure to keep Young from airing the ball out. The Tide has tallied 27 total touchdowns in its first five games of the season, fifth in the nation among teams appearing in five games.

Fisher served as the offensive coordinator under Nick Saban’s Louisiana State Tigers for four years, including the school’s national title run in 2003.

Fisher said he respects the continued success of his former collaborator and the talented

personnel the Crimson Tide boast.

“He’s done a great job,” Fisher said.

“They’re extremely talented, but they’re very fundamentally sound. When you watch them, they’re a fundamentally sound football team.

Like I always say, they do the ordinary things very, very well.”

The game is set to kick off on Saturday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m. at Kyle Field in College Station.

A pair of linebackers guide Alabama’s defense with junior Henry To’oTo’o documenting 35 total tackles and sophomore Will Anderson Jr. right behind at 33. Additionally, senior defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis has 3.5 sacks and will try to find ways through and around A&M’s offensive front to get to Calzada. The Crimson Tide allows around three yards per rush attempt and about seven yards per pass attempt.

With that kind of resume of domination, it will be hard for anyone this year to put numbers up against Alabama. The 4 and 5-star athletes Saban recruited have

grown into his program and turned into college football standouts, allowing less than five yards per attempt.

“Each and every week, it’s [the defensive line’s] job to get better and better,” Alabama

junior defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe said.

“One of the jobs we have is to stop the run and make the team one-dimensional. We are playing to affect the quarterback and the runners in the backfield.”

2021 MCLANE LEADERSHIP IN BUSINESS AWARD RYAN M. LANCE

Chairman & CEO of ConocoPhillips

Wednesday, October 13, 2021 5:30 p.m.

Please join us to hear Ryan Lance, 2021 McLane Leadership Award recipient and chairman and chief executive officer of ConocoPhillips, the world’s largest independent oil and gas exploration and production company, discuss the energy transition and its emerging challenges and opportunities.

Annenberg Presidential Conference Center 1002 George Bush Drive West College Station, Texas Acceptances only by October 11, 2021 bush.tamu.edu/events/ 979.845.1927

SPORTS

B4

The Battalion | 10.7.21

AROUND THE SEC A LOOK AT THE CONFERENCE FOR WEEK 6 Casey Stavenhagen @CStavenhagen

Even as clear frontrunners have emerged in the SEC, Week 6 of conference play is laden with matchups between ranked teams that should provide viewers a thrill.

No. 13 Arkansas (4-1) at No. 17 Ole Miss (3-1)

No. 2 Georgia (5-0) at No. 18 Auburn (4-1)

Saturday, Oct. 9 — Vaught Hemingway Stadium — Oxford, Miss.

11 a.m. on ESPN

Saturday, Oct. 9 — Jordan-Hare Stadium — Auburn, Ala. 2:30 p.m. on CBS Georgia has made a statement by pummelling each and every opponent that lines up in front of it. The Bulldogs have the best defense in the country — allowing only 4.6 points per game — and the eighthbest offense in the country, combining to produce a plus-42 point margin through the last three games. The team shut out two consecutive SEC opponents, Vanderbilt and then-No. 8 Arkansas, for the first time since 1980, and is looking unstoppable, even with starting quarterback JT Daniels sidelined with an injury. While Auburn is coming

While Alabama and Georgia stand at the top of SEC West and East, respectively, each week provides an opportunity for the SEC’s landscape to shift dramatically.

off a win against LSU highlighted by junior quarterback Bo Nix having Heisman moment after Heisman moment, the Bulldogs seem to belong to a league of their own.

Nix’s dual-threat abilities will undoubtedly present a problem for the visiting team, but Georgia just shut down Arkansas’ similarly balanced offense. Auburn will be nothing more than a stepping stone on the Bulldogs’ way to an SEC championship matchup against the Crimson Tide.

Prediction: Georgia 38, Auburn 14

Arkansas and Ole Miss are both coming off disappointing losses to the SEC’s gatekeeper programs. Ole Miss fell to Alabama by a score of 42-21 as the Crimson Tide defense stifled the Rebels offense that has otherwise been firing on all cylinders in 2021.

Ole Miss junior quarterback Matt Corral still managed to complete 72.4 percent of his passes for 213 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. Corral — backed by a group of talented receivers — is the Rebels’ spark, and an Ole Miss victory depends on his success against an Arkansas defense that drops eight men in pass coverage. The

Razorbacks, on the other hand, have been a surprise in this year’s SEC competition.

Second-year coach Sam Pittman is working himself toward Naismith College Coach of the Year honors, but the Razorbacks’ ground-and-pound offense, led by junior Trelon Smith, will have to keep running smoothly to get there. The deciding factor in this matchup will be Ole Miss’ success on fourth downs, as the Rebels have converted 14-of-19 and were ultimately shut down by Alabama by turnovers-on-downs.

Prediction: Ole Miss 34, Arkansas 23

WEEK 6: STAFF PICK Texas A&M vs. Alabama

Myranda Campanella, Editor-in-Chief Julia Potts, Managing Editor Shelby McVey, Audience Engagement Abbey Santoro, Photo Chief Robert O’Brien, Asst. Photo Chief Aubrey Vogel, News Editor Nathan Varnell, Asst. News Editor Casey Stavenhagen, Sports Editor Jennifer Streeter, Sports Editor Ryan Faulkner, Asst. Sports Editor

Saturday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. on SEC Network

Cori Eckert, Design Editor & Business Manager Joshua Howell, Opinion Editor Caleb Powell, Asst. Opinion Editor Michaela Rush, Life & Arts Editor Kathryn Miller, Asst. Life & Arts Editor Annie Wells, Multimedia Editor Lauren Discher, Special Section Editor

THE BATTALION is published Thursdays during the 2021 fall 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.

THE BATT STAFF

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.

Do we have anything else to lose?

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.

classifieds see ads at thebatt.com

FOR RENT COPPER RIDGE RV PARK – a short 20-minute ride to Kyle Field!

979-595-4339, www.copperridgervpark.com complete online registration!

Friday-Saturday: $195 per 2-day weekend 2-day weekend: All seven homegames: $1,325.00 (prepaid) Non-refundable $25 Deposit (applied to stay once checked-in) Checkout Sunday by 11AM Thursday-Saturday: $275 per 3-day weekend 3-day weekend: All seven homegames: $1,875.00 (prepaid) Non-refundable $25 Deposit (applied to stay once checked-in) Checkout Sunday by 11AM RV HOOK UPS: Two 50 amp and one 30 amp RV space for rent in Bryan. Email Benjamin at brutland@brazoslink.net or call 979-774-9300.

STORAGE UNITS

CLOSE TO CAMPUS. $50 10x10 Call 979-696-4464

thebattalion

For information, call 845-2697

SPECIAL

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 TX A&M The 10/7/21 Crossword to non-commercial advertisers offering personal possessions for Battalion sale. Guaranteed results or you get an additional 5 days atPuzzleJunction.com 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.

Across

HELP WANTED Pepe's Mexican Cafe is an iconic, local, single-location restaurant.

Aggie owned and operated, and run by the same local family for over 50 years in that same location. We are looking for a few Good Ags to help us serve tacos and smiles. No experience necessary. We will work with your schedule. We hire for personality, character, and attitude. You'll need a Texas Food Handler's card (easy to get) and to be reliable.

We offer one week paid vacations after one year and every year, if you average 30 hours per week or more. Not a stiff corporate-culture sort of place, we like to have fun while getting a great job done. If you are an outstanding human, please come help us! - Kip Martin TAMU '86. To apply visit: bit.ly/workatpepes The owner of property used for recreation, hunting, and hay farming is looking for a dependable part-time self-starter for a variety of semi-skilled projects, most to be performed independently, to maintain the grounds and facilities of the property. The position has schedule flexibility estimated between 8 and 30 hours per week. Personal use of property for fishing and hunting could be discussed. Contact Kristi at CR430Ranch@gmail.com.

Need help with yard work every Friday for 4 hours. Prefer someone with experience mowing, weed eating, edging and flower bed maintenance. $15.00 per hour.

Call 979.777.0714 to apply.

thebatt.com

to todays puzzles

• Easy • Affordable • Effective

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday Insertion deadline: 1 p.m. prior business day

ANSWERS

Classified Advertising

WHEN TO CALL

to todays puzzles

Phone 979.845.0569 Suite L400, Memorial Student Center Texas A&M University

ANSWERS

PLACE AN AD

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

14 13 1 Taj Mahal city 12 5 Varnish 17 16 ingredient 20 21 22 23 8 Potluck choice 19 12 Barbecue 24 25 26 14 Sport with mallets 27 28 15 Sans purpose 32 33 34 16 1944 Gene Tierney classic 37 36 mystery 17 Commuter line 39 40 41 18 Harvest 42 43 44 19 U.S.N. officer 20 Kind of car 45 46 22 Crescent-shaped 24 So very much 49 50 51 52 26 Voting district 56 57 58 27 King, in Cádiz 55 28 Airline workers 60 61 62 32 Spa treatment 34 “Icky!”

64 63 35 Stew morsel Copyright ©2021 PuzzleJunction.com 36 Sacred Hindu writings 56 Lager 8 Gathered skirt 37 Sword 58 Mother-of-pearl 9 Inkling 38 Locker room 60 Identical 10 Bed board supply 61 Traveling 11 Ballyhoo 39 Chapter in 62 Shorthand system 13 Flowering tree history 63 Fair 14 Quarry 40 Bridge support 64 Hair raiser?

21 Devious 41 Occupy 65 “___ bien!”

23 “Trinity” novelist 42 Detectives 25 Field of study 44 Grimm character Down 26 Forest 45 Drags 28 Uncouth 46 Elated 1 ___-bodied 29 Milky white gem 49 Natural 2 Super-duper 30 Blab enclosure 3 Awaken 31 Small pouch 52 New Mexico 4 Publicize 32 Cuzco’s country Indian 5 Burden 33 Dutch export 53 Napkin’s place 34 Bonds 6 ___ Baba 55 Close to closed 7 Crumble 36 ___ out

8

9

10

11

29

30

31

15 18

35 38

47 53

48 54

59

65

37 Lunch transport 38 Minor quarrel 40 Red-bearded god 41 Above it all 43 Sound system 44 A billion years 46 Court group 47 Stomach woe 48 Supersized 49 Beer buy 50 Sophocles tragedy 51 Seductress 52 Passion 54 Coatrack parts 57 Ram’s ma’am 59 Frick collection

SPORTS

B5

The Battalion | 10.7.21

Buzz is back

FILE — THE BATTALION

Head coach Buzz Williams is entering his third year with men’s basketball and is looking to help the Aggies return to postseason play for the first time in his A&M career.

Men’s basketball refreshed, ready for new season with new players

By Brad Bennett @Brad_Bennett13 Texas A&M men’s basketball is looking forward to a new season joined by a number of fresh faces.

The Aggies are coming off a difficult 20202021 season with an 8-10 overall record and a 2-8 record in the SEC. A&M head coach Buzz Williams has made a number of changes in preparation for the 2021-2022 season. This was due to the Aggies losing most of their players during the offseason, including last season’s leading scorer Emanuel Miller.

Williams said the team’s look has trans-

formed from last season, in all aspects.

“Completely different,” Williams said. “A lot of brand new guys, brand new staff, brand new players. It’s been a lot of fun.”

Williams brought in a total of seven new players — three from recruiting and four from the transfer portal. Notable new players are 4-star shooting guard Manny Obeseki and transfer small forward Henry Coleman from Duke.

Due to recruiting and scheduling difficulties over the last 18 months, Williams said the upcoming season is a blank slate and compared the state of the team to his first season with the Aggies.

“It does feel like a reset,” Williams said. “So much [has] transpired. Some of it good, but a lot of it bad. And some of the bad was out of our control. I understand I won’t be judged

according to the reset and I’m accountable to that, but I feel the energy of what we’re doing is Year 1-esque.”

Williams said the team’s new additions have forced the Aggies to adjust their philosophy on both offense and defense. This pivot stems from Williams’ emphasis on the importance of adaptability, he said. “[We’ve changed] a little bit of what we’re trying to do on both sides of the ball relative to our personnel,” Williams said. “I think that’s the way you want it. I don’t think it needs to be based on how you would like to coach; it needs to be based on putting those guys in the best position they can be in.”

Williams said the majority of players are still learning what is expected of them while playing for the maroon and white.

“Everybody is kind of at a different point of

what they know relative to what we do on the floor and relative to what we do off the floor,” Williams said. “Through four practices, I do think [Andre Gordon] and [Quenton Jackson] specifically, Zach [Walker] and [Everett Vaughn] as well, have at least heard remnants of what we’re saying. Most of those other guys are hearing it for the first time.”

Williams said one of the differences with this year’s players is the improved speed, which should help them break away on offense while covering more ground on defense.

“I think we’re faster,” Williams said. “I think we have a lot of guys that can put the ball on the floor. Hopefully a lot of those guys can get fouled and create rotation. Hopefully we can get the defense in rotation and keep them in rotation.”

ALL-SPORT UPDATE Robert O’Brien — THE BATTALION

The 12th Man represents every sport at Texas A&M, including but not limited to football, volleyball, soccer, cross country, baseball and basketball.

By Ryan Faulkner @ryanfaulk03

Worlds collided at Kyle Field.

The head coaches of six different Texas A&M athletics teams met for a press conference on

Monday, Oct. 4. Each recapped their respective program’s progress through the semester while previewing goals and expectations of what is to

come.

Here is an update on each sport:

Football: Jimbo Fisher After starting with a three-game undefeated streak, the A&M football program has fallen, losing two consecutive games to the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Mississippi State Bulldogs and falling out of the AP Rankings entirely. With the Alabama Crimson Tide looming in the near future, A&M must get

back on track if it has dreams of saving its season. The Aggies still have hope, however, with seven games still guaranteed on this year’s schedule, giving A&M a chance to correct its trajectory. To do this, the Aggies must stop trying to “overperform” and instead place an emphasis on small, personal improvements

during practice each day, Fisher said.

“We’ve got to go back to fundamentals,” Fisher said. “I wish … there was some magical formula or potion, but it’s about going back and being fundamentally sound in the things we do, our concepts and schemes. We’ll get back to that.”

Volleyball: Laura “Bird” Kuhn The A&M volleyball program is fresh off its highest-caliber win of the season, taking down the No. 20 Tennessee Lady Volunteers in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sunday, Oct. 3. The Aggies finished their 2020 campaign with five consecutive losses, but already have 10 wins

in 2021 — one more than the total notched last season — showing great improvement for the team. Even still, Kuhn said she is confident the maroon and white can further improve and prepare before continuing with the remainder of its SEC schedule.

“We need to keep building on where we finished,” Kuhn said. “There is still some consistency we need to work on, and we’re going to play some pretty good teams. The SEC is strong. We still have to move forward and keep focusing on executing.”

Soccer: G Guerrieri Under Guerrieri, the A&M soccer program has struggled as of late, losing four consecutive games for the first time in program history, though all six of the team’s losses this season came at the hands of ranked opposition.

In addition to the maroon and white’s rigorous schedule, the Aggies were also plagued by a minimized roster, having lost sophomore midfielder Barabara Olivieri and freshman forward

Maile Hayes to injury. Three other players spent multiple games in quarantine after being exposed to COVID-19. Guerrieri said the Aggies’s losses so far do not determine the team’s season. Instead, the maroon and white must put the past behind it while focusing on the upcoming SEC and NCAA Tournaments.

The road to these contests is highlighted by three more home matches at Ellis Field and a

trip to Baton Rouge to take on the nationally ranked Louisiana State Tigers.

“The season is clearly not sunk, but we’re in unprecedented territory,” Guerrieri said.

“We still play teams that will be pelts on the wall. Those can be really good wins — great statement games. For us, it’s focusing on what we do every day so we can get these results and help our resume.”

Cross country: Wendel McRaven A&M’s cross country program struggled in 2020, with neither the men’s nor women’s team securing a first-place finish at any point in their campaign. The 2021 iterations of both rosters have looked completely different, with the women’s team sweeping all three meets in which it has competed thus far; the men have

medaled twice as well, captained by redshirt junior Eric Casarez’s multiple record-breaking runs. Now, the Aggies can use this cautious optimism as motivation, McRaven said. The maroon and white has just one meet left — the Arturo Barrios Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 16 — before the SEC Championships.

A&M must set its sights on the highest level of competition in the future, McRaven said.

“Our SEC season is one day,” McRaven said. “It’s championship time of the season.

Everything we do is preparing for that time of year. Our SEC season is one day. We’re always thinking that far ahead.”

Baseball: Jim Schlossnagle After officially starting its fall training regimen on Tuesday, Sept. 21, the A&M baseball program spent its time adjusting to the leadership style of new coach Schlossnagle.

Because the roster is almost entirely made up of freshmen and transfers, there was much uncertainty surrounding the program’s capacity

for immediate improvement.

Schlossnagle said this has not negatively impacted practices. Instead, having players from various coaching and learning backgrounds has allowed the team to make good use of its first two weeks as a unit.

“Every single kid has just been super hungry

Men’s basketball: Buzz Williams The A&M men’s basketball team had its first official practice of the semester on Sunday, Oct. 3, kicking off the team’s hopeful redemption arc. After winning just two SEC games in their 2020-2021 campaign, the Aggies must adjust to heightened expectations.

The team’s offseason, spent lifting weights, running drills and improving personal fitness, was the first step in its journey, Williams said.

“We had a very productive September, as far as what we typically do,” Williams said.

“It was good to be in the gym. All of the guys

have done great relative to what we’re asking them to do. We have October planned out, and hopefully we can stay in a groove like we did in September.”

to be a big part of developing culture — a big part of learning the way we like to do things,” Schlossnagle said. “Guys come to the ballpark every day excited. The effort and the attitude — the two things they can control — have been outstanding. It really, really has [been].”