CAMPUS
2013
thebattalion l tuesday,
february 19, 2013
l serving
texas a&m since 1893
l first paper free – additional copies $1 l © 2013 student media
ELECTIONS
Nerren and Joseph discuss issues SBP candidates hash out University solutions in final debate Aimee Breaux The Battalion
F
acing a crowd full of people dressed in “Gig ‘em with Garrett” and “Rowdy for Reid” T-shirts, student body president candidates Garrett Nerren and Reid Joseph participated in their second and final debate Monday night. The debate, which took place at the George Bush Library theater, brought
about candidates’ opinions and plans of action on issues such as the University’s “25 by 25” initiative, veteran affairs and Vision 2020, the administration’s plan to make A&M into one of the top 10 public universities in the nation by the year 2020. Both candidates had similar values and goals, but each proposed a different means to reach them. When election commissioner and mediator Allison Krenzien, senior biomedical sciences major, asked about the 25 by 25 initiative, both candidates expressed a need to bolster communication with the student body. Nerren focused on communicating the administration’s
decisions to increase growth and its effect on the student body and student government whereas Joseph focused on taking concerns of students to the administration. Nerren said there needs to be transparency in SGA and that he would work to ensure students are made aware of the changes from the beginning. He said communication is also important to make sure student government handles the expected growth well. “I think one thing that we can do to make sure that student government continues down this excellent path we’ve gone down is to continue to See Debate on page 2
COURTESY
SBP candidates Reid Joseph and Garrett Nerren acknowledge questions at the second SBP debate on Monday at George Bush Library.
Executive exchange Opposing candidates unpack personal propositions to campus issues Torri Clark & Jessica Smarr The Battalion
‘‘I
want to serve” — a common ground between the two candidates running for student body president. Garrett Nerren — the junior political science major fitted in his fresh suit and red tie — took a break as president of his fraternity to run for president of the student body. Reid Joseph — the junior industrial distribution major wearing the cadet’s uniform of formal tradition – is the academic chair of Squadron 17 in the Corps of Cadets and a thirdgeneration Aggie. Both candidates agree they want to increase communication between student government and the 50,000-member student body of Texas A&M — while Joseph wants to implement a new VP of community outreach, Nerren wants to be publicly present on campus once a week. Where they differ, from representative attire to post-election plans, the two candidates have out-
lined goals and responses to the challenges that await the next student body president.
Student Fees
A key issue discussed during the 2013 election is the use of student fees. With the anticipated renovation of Kyle Field, there is debate over whether student fees should increase in an effort to partially fund the renovation. Both candidates support an increase in mandatory student fees to help fund renovations to the east side of Kyle Field. “From an outsider’s perspective, Texas A&M football comes first and foremost and the students should also play a part in this initiative,” Joseph said. “If we didn’t raise student fees, then we would have major budget cuts from other areas supported by student fees.” Nerren said he wants student fees to be as low as possible, but
Photos by Tanner Garza — THE BATTALION
See Candidates on page 4
kyle field renovation
Poll to gauge opinion on Kyle funding
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life | 5 Baking for charity Texas A&M Cupcakes bakes for a purpose, combining carbs and charity in this non-profit organization.
Courtesy: 12th Man Foundation
The glass, brick and limestone exterior of conceptual designs of the east side of Kyle Field is interspersed with tributes to student organizations.
Mark Doré
The Battalion he Texas A&M administration is seeking student opinion regarding funding for the renovation of the student section of Kyle Field. The A&M administration will gauge student opinion independently of SGA via an email survey Wednesday. Jason Cook, University spokesman, said the A&M
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administration has concerns regarding the language in the Student Government Association referendum, which will ask for student opinion about the funding for the renovation of the east side of Kyle Field during student body elections this week. The difference between the SGA and A&M administration inquiries lies in the proportion to which the east side of Kyle Field will be funded by mandatory student fees through the University Advancement Fee, UAF.
Developments to the east side will include wider concourses and improved restrooms and concessions — renovations that Sam Torn, chair elect of 12th Man Foundation, said will not change the student experience, but enhance it. The SGA referendum will ask students whether they support increasing the UAF $1.55 per student credit hour ($23.25 for full time students per semester) See Kyle Field on page 3
w. basketball
Eight game streak snaps despite late Walker scoring flurry Charity Chambers
The Battalion hile Courtney Walker was scoring the final 10 A&M points, her coach told her to channel the game of a man who recently turned 50 years old. “We got in transition and I just told Walker to do her best Michael Jordan act,” Texas A&M women’s basketball head coach Gary Blair said. “And she was doing it. Walker’s a great kid, she works hard. She gave us a chance at
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the end.” Despite Walker’s 20 points, No. 10 A&M fell short after slicing a 14-point deficit to two in the last nine minutes. The last team to beat A&M struck once again as No. 8 Kentucky held on, 70-66. The Aggies’ last loss before their eight-game win streak came from Kentucky, which won 65-62 on See Basketball on page 3
Culture through dance The Texas A&M Philippine Student Association strives to raise cultural awareness through mediums such as dance. The club choreographs and incorporates Filipino culture into its performances.
campus | 6 Pay with your phone Junior center Kelsey Bone finds space in traffic for two of her nine points in the 70-66 loss. Tanner Garza— THE BATTALION
Transportation Services has provided a solution to help students avoid potential parking fines with Extend-by-Phone, a service that allows students to extend the amount of time allotted to their pay space by using their cellphones.
2/19/13 12:59 AM