thebattalion l wednesday,
february 13, 2013
l serving
texas a&m since 1893
l first paper free – additional copies $1 l © 2013 student media
SBP candidates push ideals Downplay Corps, Greek contrast as campaign issue Sarvesh Kaslay
The Battalion andidates for student body president, Reid Joseph and Garrett Nerren, fielded prepared and spontaneous questions at the first debate of campaigning Tuesday night in the MSC Flag Room. Kyle Field, student fees and the role of student government were the main topics of conversation. When asked about the topic
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of mandatory student fees, Nerren responded by asking the audience whether they knew what the University Advancement Fee was. A small portion of students raised their hands before Nerren himself admitted to only recently learning about the fee. “The university advancement fee is a cluster fee and most of the time students have no idea what the different components are for,” Nerren said. “But we want to make this information available to students by being approachable.” Joseph said the University Advancement Fee can be a helpful
The next debate The two SBP candidates will debate again at 6 p.m. on Monday in the George Bush Presidential Library theater. resource to cover the University’s expenses, including the renovation of the student section of Kyle Field. “We, without a doubt, support the renovation of Kyle Field. The architects have said that it is a disaster waiting to happen and it has to See Debate on page 6
Chase Krumholz — THE BATTALION
SBP candidate Reid Joseph (left) responds to a question during the debate, while Garrett Nerren (right) listens to his opponent’s response.
Backstage ambition
Obama focuses on economy, growth in national address P
Jenna Rabel — THE BATTALION
Alex Galewsky, senior sociology major, stands in front of the venue where many of the bands she works with perfom.
Student seeks behind-the-scenes future in music Emily Villani The Battalion
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he’s just a girl with a dream, a dream she admits may be far-fetched. Her hope is to one day play a prominent role in a big industry — receiving all-access passes to shows, meeting artists and pursuing her lifelong passion: music. “It’s probably impossible,” she said of her aspirations. “I’ll settle for just being involved in live music as much as I can.”
And that is exactly what Alexandra Galewsky is doing. Already, as a senior sociology major, she works in the music industry through her internship with Defacto Productions. Defacto is a concert production and artist management company in Bryan. “We don’t work with people that are already established,” said Jose Arredondo, founder of Defacto Productions and Class
of 2011. “We’re more like that springboard for independent indie bands to get out of the garage.” Galewsky’s involvement with Defacto began with her membership in MSC Town Hall, a student organization that promotes live performances and events on campus. However, she said it was her
resident Barack Obama urged a deeply divided Congress Tuesday night to embrace his plans to use government money to create jobs and strengthen the nation’s middle class. In his first State of the Union address since winning re-election, Obama conceded economic revival is an “unfinished task,” but he claimed clear progress and said he prepared to build on it as he embarks on four more years in office. “We can say with renewed confidence that the state of our union is strong,” Obama said. With unemployment persistently high and consumer confidence falling, the economy remains a vulnerability for Obama and could disrupt his plans for pursuing a broader agenda, including immigration overhaul, stricter gun laws and climate change leg“We can say with islation. Numerous times he renewed confidence urged Congress to act that the state of our quickly on his priorities union is strong.” — but vowed to act on — President some issues on his own if Barack Obama they do not. Obama also announced new steps to reduce the U.S. military footprint abroad, with 34,000 American troops withdrawing from Afghanistan within a year Obama called for increased federal spending to fix the nation’s roads and bridges, the first increase in the minimum wage in six years and expansion of early education to every American 4-year-old. Jobs and growth dominated Obama’s address. Many elements of his economic blueprint were repacked proposals from his first term that failed to gain traction on Capitol Hill. Obama broke little new ground on two agenda items he has pushed vigorously since winning re-election: overhauling the nation’s fractured immigration laws and enacting tougher gun control measures. “Each of these proposals deserves a vote in Congress,” he said. “If you want to vote no, that’s your choice.” On the economy, Obama called for raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $9 by 2015. Obama also called on Congress to tackle the threat of climate change, another issue that eluded him in his first term. Tackling voters’ rights issues, Obama announced the creation of a commission that will seek to make it easier and faster for people to cast ballots on Election Day. Obama also called on Congress to pass legislation giving the government more power to combat the rapidly growing threat of cyberattacks. The Associated Press
See Galewsky on page 3
inside life | 3 Binge watching
A&M seeks stable offense against high-scoring Ole Miss
Read more about the TV marathon epidemic sweeping A&M on page 3.
Drew Chambers
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voices | 4 Agriculture proud Anthony Pannone, agricultural graduate student, debunks misinformation surrounding modern agriculture on page 4.
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The Battalion ame-to-game shooting consistency has eluded the Texas A&M men’s basketball team of late. While A&M has been sporadic, Ole Miss hasn’t had a problem making shots. Junior guard Marshall Henderson — the leading scorer in the SEC and the subject of student-section ire everywhere he has gone — will lead Ole Miss into a contest at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Reed Arena against an A&M team looking for a rhythm. A&M — after following a 45 percent shooting performance against Missouri by making 20 percent against Georgia — aims for stability in its play. Head coach Billy Kennedy said his team has to work more on shooting.
Chase Krumholz — THE BATTALION
Junior guard Fabyon Harris looks to drive in the lane during a game against then-No. 21 Missouri.
“That’s what we’re going to do,” Billy said. “We’re going to get into the gym and shoot more and chart every shot. We’ve got to get consistent in making them. We had twenty really good looks when you break the film down, and missed them. If it’s a lay-up, an open jump shot, an open three, you’ve got to make those shots. But at this time of the year, when you get good ones you’ve got to make them.” Ole Miss comes to Reed Arena third in the SEC with an 18-5 (7-3) record. This has already been a historic season for the Rebels as they started off 6-0 in SEC play for the first time ever. Individually, the success of Ole Miss goes beyond Henderson’s SEC-leading 19.9 points per See Basketball on page 5
2/13/13 1:10 AM