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lifestyles | 3 Moulin Rouge preview MSC OPAS presents the ballet adaptation of Moulin Rouge at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Rudder Auditorium. Get a sneak peek at the show in the preview on page three.

thebattalion VirusKiller ● tuesday,

january 31, 2012

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Compound dissolves HIV on contact

lifestyles | 3 ‘The Grey’ wows

JJessica Orwig The Battalion T

It’s only January, but “The Grey” is already one of the year’s best ﬁlms.

A faint cough oor minor cut m may not seem like a cause for concern conce to most Americans, America but for the more than th 1 million diagnosed with human hum immunodeficiency virus (HIV), (HIV) coughs and cuts can be far from minor. For decades, humans have battled HIV — whethe whether fighting the AIDS-causing virus after diagnosis or searching s for a cure. A group gr of scientists from A&M, A the Scripps Research Institute in Res C California and Drexel U University College of Medicine in Pennsylvania recently introduced a new weapon. Researchers developed a synthetic, molecular compound known as “PD 404,182” that kills HIV on contact. They reported their findings in a paper published in November. ing

lifestyles | 3 Best Picture nominees The Academy posted its nominations for best picture. What’s your pick for the best ﬁlm of 2011? Tweet your thoughts @thebattonline and you may see your views printed in The Batt this week.

Clinical testing process ◗ After the drug undergoes initial tests, it is tested on animals. ◗ Then, during clinical trials, the drug goes through three phases of human testing. ◗ It costs a total of $1.3 billion to put a drug to market.

◗ Clinical testing usually takes 10-15 years. ◗ The drug can prove undesirable at any stage of testing, including after it has been released on the market.

Jorge Montalvo — THE BATTALION

campus news

Program lessens threat Thanks to $65 million in funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Texas A&M Blue Angel program will research ways to mitigate the threat of widespread disease outbreak by working to increase the efﬁciency of vaccine distribution. The Caliber Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Facility in Bryan is home to more than two million hydroponic plants that researchers hope will expedite the vaccineproduction process. Dr. Brett Grior, the vice chancellor of Strategic Initiatives at Texas A&M, said plant-grown vaccines will allow the country to be protected in the event of a bioterrorist attack.

See Compound on page 5

campus

Lawmakers, University seek textbook cost solutions In 1990, the MSC Bookstore signed a contract with Barnes and Noble to operate the bookstore. Jowever, students can still purchase books from other vendors.

Barrett House The Battalion Students may have noticed changes in University practices while registering for classes, a result of legislation passed at the state and federal levels. Passage of the Higher Education Opportunity Act in 2010 required “textbook publishers and institutions of higher educations to provide greater transparency of pricing information at the time faculty members select texts for the classes they teach and when the students register for classes.” Transparency efforts include professors posting course syllabi that include textbook requirements at least one week in advance of the first day of class. This gives students the opportunity to enroll in classes knowing how much it will cost to purchase study materials. As a result of similar legislation in Texas, the University instituted policy to align with state law, including when faculty should have their required and recommended textbook list submitted to the Memorial Student Center bookstore.

Jay Kapadia — THE BATTALION

“When the Texas legislator said, ‘OK, there’s a federal bill. We need to create our rules for how Texas is going to do,’ they added the element that the book list be posted 30 days prior to the first day of the semester,” said Chad Wootton, associate vice president for the Department of External Affairs. “The spirit of the law is helping students make informed decisions.”

Wootton said a separate state law requires the University to inform students that they do not have to purchase their textbooks from the campus bookstore. The MSC bookstore was created in the 1980s to centralize the book-buying process as a service to faculty and students. Instead of individually going to vendors to order books, University administration decided that faculty

See Bookstore on page 7

campus

Damaged water line shuts down Blocker Robby Smith

Joanna Raines, staff writer

Roger Zhang — THE BATTALION

Hallways in Blocker were covered in water from the damaged valve.

Pg. 1-01.31.12.indd 1

should go through one place to order textbooks. “It could be an auxiliary source of revenue for the University, but more importantly, we had each department making contracts; we had other vendors setting up shop,” Wootton said. “What we ought to do is have one

The Battalion Classes in the John R. Blocker building were canceled Monday after a break in a water line flooded parts of the structure’s bottom floors. At approximately 10:13 a.m., a two-inch pressurized, chilled water line broke between the second and third floors of the building. “A contractor was working on one of the remodeling projects and was removing drywall when they hit the water line,” said Karen Bigley, communications manager for the Division of Administration.

Bigley said the water was turned off, and the building was immediately evacuated. At 1:15 p.m., the fire alarm system was restored. Faculty and staff were allowed to reenter the building with escorts to retrieve personal items until 5 p.m. Custodial crews worked through the day to vacuum up water and clean carpets while police and security kept students out of the building. The contractor for the remodeling project sent additional personnel to help with the cleanup. “This should not set back the reSee Flood on page 7

1/31/12 12:40 AM

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THE BATTALION (ISSN #1055-4726) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Monday through Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University. Periodicals Postage Paid at College Station, TX 77840. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Battalion, Texas A&M University, 1111 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1111. News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in Student Media, a unit of the Division of Student Affairs. News offices are in The Grove, Bldg. 8901. Newsroom phone: 979-845-3313; Fax: 979-845-2647; E-mail: metro@thebatt.com; website: http://www. thebatt.com. Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by The Battalion. For campus, local, and national display advertising, call 979-845-2696. For classified advertising, call 979-845-0569. Advertising offices are in The Grove, Bldg. 8901, and office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fax: 979-845-2678. Subscriptions: A part of the Student Services Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. First copy free, additional copies $1. Mail subscriptions are $125 per school year.

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4303 S. TEXAS AT ROSEMARY 4303 S. TEXAS AT ROSEMARY BRYAN BRYAN•• 979-846-4459 979-846-4459 MON-FRI SAT 99 TO TO44 MON–FRI99TO TO 66 •• SAT Celebrating 22 Years Years of of Serving Celebrating 23 Serving the the Brazos Brazos Valley! Valley!

Roger Zhang — THE BATTALION

Due in large part to the unusually warm weather, plants have been blooming across campus causing bees to swarm flowers for their nectar.

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Redistricting talks stall as officials clash, Texas primaries at risk SAN ANTONIO — Negotiations between minority groups and Texas ofﬁcials in a lengthy clash over new political districts appeared stalled Monday as both sides prepared to argue in Washington over whether the Republican-drawn maps violate the federal Voting Rights Act. An attorney for the League of United Latin American Citizens, one of nine groups suing to block the maps, said negotiations to create temporary maps so Texas could salvage an April 3 primary date hit an impasse over the weekend. Both sides have another week to work out a deal, but Luis Vera, LULAC’s general

counsel, said he was not optimistic. “It just doesn’t seem feasible,” he said. A federal court in San Antonio last week gave the sides until Feb. 6 to draw up the temporary maps that would remain in place through November’s election. If they don’t, Texas’ primaries will be pushed back for a second time. They were originally scheduled for March. Closing arguments in the Washington trial are set for Tuesday. Many of the principal negotiators involved in the interim map talks traveled to Washington on Monday to prepare for that case. The three-judge panel in Washington has given no indication

on when it might rule. The San Antonio court had previously drawn interim maps while the Washington trial took place. The U.S. Supreme Court threw them out earlier this month, saying the San Antonio court did not show enough deference to the map crafted by Texas lawmakers and adjusted parts of the map where there was no Voting Rights Act argument. The later Texas’ primaries are held, the less inﬂuence the state is likely to have on who emerges as the Republican presidential nominee. The Associated Press

campus

Nativity figurine returned Jesus doll appears at chapel doors Robbie Smith

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The Battalion During winter break, campus is deserted and quiet. All the buildings are locked and dark. No one walks to and fro. No one except for John Ellison, a faithful patron of All Faiths Chapel and the owner of the nativity scene there. On Dec. 26, Ellison was surprised to find the oncestolen, porcelain baby Jesus Nativity figurine lying on the ground in front of the Chapel’s doors. “They lock down All Faiths altogether over the holidays,” Ellison said. “I went up there the day after Christmas and was walking around checking the doors to make sure they were locked. When I got to the front doors, there was the figurine on the ground there just as pretty as you please.” During early December, the baby Jesus figurine was stolen from the manger and a

seemingly mocking note was left in its place. Frustrated with such disrespectful behavior, Ellison contacted The Battalion to spread awareness of the theft in hope of its return. Ellison said he didn’t think the figurine was there the day before, but he is uncertain how long it had been there. “It was porcelain,” Ellison said. “It could have been smashed or thrown away, but it was perfect — just fine.” Many students who regularly visit the Chapel are glad to hear that the baby Jesus figurine was returned. “It makes me happy that someone got in the Christmas spirit and returned baby Jesus to his rightful home,” junior kinesiology major Michelle Wesley said. Another student sees it as bittersweet. “It still upsets me that they took it in the first place,” said sophomore biomedical sciences major Annette Isidori.

COURTESY PHOTO

The porcelain Jesus figure layed at the entrance of the All Faiths Chapel. “But I am glad that they did the right thing and returned it.” Ellison could hold some bitterness inside, but he has chosen only to look at the situation positively and enjoy the figurine’s safe return. “I’m not interested in finding the culprit,” Ellison said. “I would like to meet them and know what was going through their mind and

know what motivated them to bring it back, [and] if there was any work of the Lord in their life convicting them and motivating them to bring it back.” University police said they had no information on the theft since it was not reported. But they did say that theft is a legitimate campus problem.

1/31/12 12:24 AM

Lady Marmalade Ballet adaptation of Moulin Rouge at Rudder Jennifer DuBose The Battalion Moulin Rouge – The Ballet will be performed in Rudder Theatre Wednesday night, promising a flurry of fishnets, ruffles and French flair. Students like Alli Morris, a junior allied health major, are gearing up to see the high-kicks and garters that make up a true cabaret. “To me, it sounds like it would be a great experience since I’ve heard the movie is so good,” Morris said. “The fact that it’s a cabaret sounds exciting — I’ve never seen one!” Contrary to what it may seem, the ballet will exactly follow the plot of the movie “Moulin Rouge.” The show takes place in turnof-the-century Paris at the electric red mill of Montmartre. Nathalie, a launderette with a hidden talent for dancing, meets a starving, young painter named Matthew. The two fall in love while dancing, but are separated when Zidler, owner of the Moulin Rouge, drafts Nathalie to become a showgirl. During her first evening of rehearsals, she proves herself as the best dancer in the cabaret, involuntarily winning the dangerous infatuation of Zidler. Matthew, still struggling to sell his paintings, meets a more experienced artist, Toulouse-Lautrec, who invites him for an evening at the Moulin Rouge. Nathalie and Matthew meet again, and rekindle their romance. They leave to be alone, but Zidler, in a possessive fury, becomes suspicious, and closes

Don’t miss it Tickets are still on sale, ranging from $32-$68. Special pricing is available for students. Curtains will open at 7:30 pm. the Moulin Rouge to search for Nathalie. The rest of the show is spent with Nathalie and Matthew finding ways to be together, despite Zidler’s maddening obsession. Students are excited that such a riveting love story will be told through talented song and dance. “I heard that a really famous dance company is going to perform it,” said Bryan Le, a junior applied mathematics major. “It sounds legit.” The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, performing Moulin Rouge – The Ballet, has a promising track record. It is both the oldest ballet company in Canada and the longest operating ballet company in North America. The show will feature the dances of choreographer Jorden Morris, famous for his work in Cats and Peter Pan. Many are looking forward to the lavish costumes, designed by Anne Armit, who has had experience in both the fashion world and on Broadway. “I love how the costumes are so detailed and flamboyant, I think it adds to the character of the show,” said Ciara Scott, sophomore education major. “As for the time period, I’m just a fan of that era in general.” The ballet will feature a classical

very year, Hollywood allows its peers to formally pat themselves on the back during the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Because the show has no host, it is generally in the running for the blandest telecasted awards shows of the season. However, this year’s 18th-annual SAG Awards propped up the entertainment value with a few unexpected shake-ups that have placed the race to the Oscars in full swing. The evening’s first awards for best supporting actor and actress went unsurprisingly to the “Beginner’s” Christopher Plummer and “The Help’s” Octavia Spencer, respectively. But the predictability came to a sudden halt when last summer’s unexpected hit “The Help” shook up the night. Viola Davis, who plays Aibileen Clark — an African American woman who cares for the children of white families in Mississippi in the 1960s — received the award for best actress in a leading role, upsetting Meryl Streep, whose performance in “The Iron Lady” merited the category’s Golden Globe just weeks ago. Davis emotionally accepted her award to a standing ovation, stating her struggle to pursue acting was

b! 1.31.2012 page3

culture 2012 Academy Awards

COURTESY PHOTO

The ballet rendition of “Moulin Rouge” will exactly follow the plot of the feature film. music score with numbers such as “La Vie En Rose,” “CanCan” and “Claire de Lune.” “I was a huge music nerd in high school, and I love classical music. I haven’t seen any live, but I’ve seen recorded ones and liked them,” said

Nominations for Best Picture

Scott. “I definitely like the story line and music.” The ballet cannot be more appropriate for the times, as this year marks the 120th anniversary of the Moulin Rouge Theatre in Paris. “The Artist” Directed by M. Hazanavicius Total nominations: 10

Going for Oscar gold Melanie Starling : SAG surprises make for exciting race to this year’s Oscars. overcome by her passion for it. “What is there but a dream, you can’t trade in a dream for another,” Davis said. Davis finished her speech by powerfully urging the young children from her hometown to “dream big and dream fierce” — with an acceptance like that, Meryl officially has a worthy Oscar contender. “The Help” really rocked the boat by taking home the evening’s highest honor — best cast in a motion picture — and knocking this awards season’s love child, “The Artist,” off its coveted pedestal. Even though “The Artist” swept the Golden Globes and Director’s Guild Awards, “The Help” has officially opened a door of mystery as to who will take home this season’s Oscar for best picture. The night took another interesting turn when “The Artist’s” Jean Dujardin dethroned this sea-

son’s Critic’s Choice and Golden Globe winner, “The Descendant’s” George Clooney, for best actor in a leading role. The critically acclaimed silent film has made a name for itself this awards season, and Sunday’s recognition could be the push it needs to carry it all the way for an Oscar win. With the Academy Awards less than a month away, and voting by members of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences in full swing, these shakeups play an important role in figuring out who will take home this season’s coveted Oscars. With actors holding the largest voting block, this year’s SAG Awards gave exciting indication that this year’s Oscar race is only getting started. Melanie Starling is a senior marketing major and lifestyles writer for The Battalion

“The Descendants” Directed by Alexandar Payne Total nominations: 5

“Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close” Directed by Stephen Daldry Total nominations: 2

“The Help” Directed by Tate Taylor Total nominations: 4

‘Live and die on this day’ Hayden Stringer: ‘The Grey’ is a cold hit that starts the year off hot

“Hugo” Directed by Martin Scorsese Total nominations: 11

s the month with the lowest box office returns of the year, January is a barren wasteland populated by films that studios expect to be financial and critical duds. However, in what has almost become an annual tradition, Liam Neeson returns COURTESY PHOTO to the multiplex to deliver another pulse-pounding action flick. This year’s adrenaline-laced thriller is the Liam Neeson stars as Ottaway, an oilrig worker who must battle a pack of wolves after a terrifying plane crash, in “The Grey.” Alaskan survival tale, “The Grey.” Academy bait The movie follows a group of oilrig workers featuring extended shots of Liam Neeson battling in Alaska who work on the edge of civilization. Liam Neeson plays John Ottway, whose job is to kill the wolves that threaten the workers. Following one of the most harrowing plane crash sequences ever created for film, the few survivors are left stranded in the Alaskan wilderness. Exposed to the harsh elements, the men soon discover the crash site intrudes upon territory belonging to a vicious pack of wolves. While the plot brings to mind similar survival narratives like “Alive,” “The Edge” and “Cliffhanger,” “The Grey” is operating on a much higher philosophical level. It’s not just about a group of men searching for rescue, but a man searching for his beliefs in the wake of devastating tragedy. There is a lot more going on in this movie than just testosterone and blood, although adventure junkies will not be disappointed. “The Grey” features several standout action scenes, including a nail biting leap over a chasm and the aforementioned plane crash. Despite all the traditional action tropes, “The Grey’s” most surprising strength comes from its multiple character-driven story arcs. Liam Nee-

Pg. 3-01.31.12.indd 1

As a result of “The Grey’s” critical acclaim, the ﬁlm’s distributor Open Road has recently announced it will be theatrically re-released in October to maintain relevancy for the 2013 Oscar nominations.

son portrays Ottway with fragility and brilliance. Brief flashbacks flesh out Ottway’s past, and his internal struggle elevates his character above the stock action hero. But “The Grey” is not just Neeson’s show. All of the other men bring a different element to the story and each actor plays their characters extremely well. They are more than just stereotypes phoned in to die one by one. While the behavior (and CGI) of the wolves is suspect, the characters react to their dire situation realistically, displaying a well-grounded amount of common sense not found in most survival/action films. The men build improvised weapons, establish fortified locations in woods and follow the river while searching for civilization. However, this movie may become a casualty of its own marketing campaign, With a trailer

a pack of wolves, many audience members will be disappointed that the film’s climax is not a brutal showdown, but a man coming to terms with his own mortality. The ending will certainly be controversial, especially for those who crave closure, but for those who understand the message of the film, “The Grey’s” climax is both satisfying and rich for potential conversation. It’s not “Taken with wolves, ” but “The Grey” is full of fear — both the fear of dying and the fear of living. It’s raw, visceral and competent filmmaking, featuring an ending that will stay with you long after the final reel. And besides, it’s January. What else are you going to go see? “Joyful Noise?”

Hayden Stringer is a junior industrial distribution major and lifestyles writer for The Battalion

“Midnight in Paris” Directed by Woody Allen Total nominations: 4

“Moneyball” Directed by Bennett Miller Total nominations: 7

“Tree of Life” Directed by Terrence Malick Total nominations: 3

“War Horse” Directed by Steven Spielberg Total nominations: 6

1/31/12 12:11 AM

news

page 4 tuesday 1.31.2012

thebattalion

news for you campus news Stewart named 2012-2013 MSC president After concluding the interview process on Sunday, the Memorial Student Center announced Monday evening that the 2012-2013 MSC president will be Tyler Stewart. The junior biomedical sciences major serves as chair of the MSCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s freshman leadership organization, MSC Fish, and sits on the 62nd MSC Council. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m excited. I think the MSC has a chance to really do something great and come back into the lives of every Aggie on campus,â&#x20AC;? Stewart said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think the biggest challenge is ďŹ nding our ďŹ t, our personality in the building, as well

ÂŽ

as on campus.â&#x20AC;? Because the building has been closed since August 2009, Stewart said it is important for his organization to communicate the A&M student unionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tradition and signiďŹ cance. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just a Stewart building. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s part of the Aggie way of life.â&#x20AC;? The grand reopening for the MSC is scheduled for April 21. Robert Carpenter, staff writer

nation&world Romney picks up two delegates in South Carolina WASHINGTON (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Mitt Romney has picked up a consolation prize from the South Carolina Republican presidential primary: two delegates. Newt Gingrich handily won the Jan. 21 primary GINGRICH and got 23 of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 25 delegates. South Carolina Republicans awarded 11 delegates to the statewide winner and two delegates for winning each of the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seven congressional districts. Gingrich won six congressional districts, but the vote in one district was too close to call

on election night. State party political director Alex Stroman said Monday the party had determined Romney won the district by about 1,400 votes. Romney now has 37 delegates, including endorsements from Republican National Committee members who will automatically attend the convention. Romney recently added an RNC delegate when he was endorsed by Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuno, who is a member of the RNC. Gingrich has 26 delegates, Rick Santorum has 14 and Ron Paul has four. It takes 1,144 delegates to win the nomination. The Associated Press

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news

page 5 tuesday 1.31.2012

thebattalion

COURTESY PHOTO

Assistant professor Zhilei Chen works on the compound she helped discover, which dissolves the HIV virus on contact.

Compound Continued from page 1

HIV attacks the body by injecting its own, unique genetic material into the infectionfighting (CD4) cells of the immune system. Once infected, the cell eventually dies, weakening the body’s ability to resist infection. The CD4 count in a person who is HIV-positive can at times be less than one tenth of someone without the virus. During tests, PD 404,182 destroyed HIV before it could reach and infect a cell. Essentially, the molecular compound rips the virus apart so that it no longer has any genetic material. This renders the virus non-infectious, said assistant professor of the A&M chemical engineering department, Zhilei Chen. So far, tests have only included tissue samples and are still in the preliminary stages. If future testing on animals and humans is successful, PD 404,182 could become a preventative medicine for HIV. Despite many studies conducted on the issue, this would be the first preventative medicine for HIV. Chen hopes to develop the compound into a vaginal gel to prevent HIV transmission during intercourse. But there are many steps that must be taken, she said. “For something to actually work in a human it still has many more hurdles it needs to go through,” Chen said. “One of the steps is we want to optimize the compound to see if we can improve its potency. The next thing we need to do is form the compound into a gel and then test variables, such as: At what temperatures it is stable and how the compound is released from the gel.” From there, the drug will be tested on multiple animals, including mice and monkeys. If all goes well, the drug will then reach clinical trials where it will go through three phases of human testing. In addition to the potential that any drug may prove undesirable during clinical trials (or any other stage for that matter), the time and money required can be extremely daunting, said A&M professor and chairman of pharmacy practice Mary Chavez.

“It’s going to take a long time to get this thing on the market,” Chavez said. “All this clinical testing usually takes 10 to 15 years … and according to the Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development in 2006 it would cost an overall total of 1.3 billion dollars to put a drug to market.” Even after a drug has passed the obstacles and received the Federal Drug Administration’s stamp of approval, follow-up studies continue to test the drug’s effects. If the drug appears harmful it may be recalled, which can lead to a net loss in finances. Despite the potential downsides, developing a medicinal HIV preventative could help many, said Project Unity’s program director Ella McGruder. Based in Bryan, Project Unity helps families and individuals through a variety of difficulties, including learning to live with HIV/AIDS.

actually

For something to in a human it still has many it needs to go through. One of the steps is we want to the compound to .”

work more hurdles

$20, $25, $25, $40

optimize improve its potency

— Assistant professor Zhilei Chen

Living with HIV is a “pretty devastating road to go down,” McGruder said. Being HIV positive is a life-long condition that requires medication be taken multiple times per day, every day. Although medication has shown to improve the health and lengthen the otherwise shortened lifespan of those with HIV, it can have severe side effects and cost up to $2,000 per month, she said. While cautious measures can be taken to prevent HIV transmission, having a medicinal product that can ensure no transmission may help to reduce future victims of HIV — especially in countries where the virus runs rampant. With multiple hurdles to overcome, “PD 404,182” may prove to be a new ally in the battle against HIV.

Veterinarians: Pets can help with cancer research HOUSTON — Leading Texas veterinarians are mobilizing to enlist pets in the testing of experimental cancer therapies, a potential beneﬁt to not just dogs and cats but people. The veterinarians recently set up a registry they hope will connect pet owners and cancer researchers and show that diseased pets — dogs in particular — are better predictors of the efﬁcacy of new cancer drugs and devices in people than mice, oncologists’ favorite test subject historically. “Dogs may be man’s best friend in more ways than one,” said Theresa Fossum, a Texas A&M professor of veterinary surgery and founder of the Texas Veterinary Cancer Registry. “Because they suffer from cancers that are nearly identical to those in humans, but quicker to run their course, they

can speed up and make more reliable the process of determining whether a therapy will work.” Veterinarians are just starting to get the ear of cancer researchers, who don’t reﬂexively think of naturally occurring disease models that go home with their owner, Fossum said. The idea of using animals’ naturally developing cancers as models for human disease goes back a decade but has never taken off. The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas recently rejected a grant application because “housing the dogs would be so expensive,” says Fossum. The application will be resubmitted to specify that the treated pets would remain with their owners. Associated Press

(if you haven’t)

order your 2012 yearbook today. The 110th edition of Texas A&M University’s official yearbook — the Aggieland — will chronicle the 2011-2012 school year: traditions, academics, the other education, sports, the Corps, Greeks, campus organizations, and seniors and graduate students. By credit card go online to http://aggieland. tamu.edu or call 979-845-2613. Or drop by the Student Media office, Bldg. #8901 in The Grove (between Albritton Bell Tower and Cain Hall). Hours: 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Monday–Friday.

Pg. 5-01.31.12.indd 1

1/31/12 12:05 AM

news

page 6 tuesday 1.31.2012

thebattalion

news for you

campus news Student Affairs amends advising, graduate rules Student Affairs announced its most recent amendments to three student rules. The ﬁrst rule states that academic advisors will now add minors to the student’s academic record, instead of on SIMS. The second rule states that students of G6 classiﬁcation (nondegree graduate students) whose GPA falls below a 3.0 will be suspended from further study in their home department, instead of being suspended from the

University. The ﬁnal new rule states that students who have disabilities will be given an ofﬁcial Letter of Accommodation from Disability Services and will be expected to work directly with the instructor, instead of Disability Services contacting the instructor. David Parrott, executive associate vice president and chief of staff in the division of student affairs, said that all rule changes and additions go through

an extensive process, beginning with the rules and regulations committee. If they vote to change or add a rule, it goes to the faculty senate. If they also vote ‘for,’ it goes to President Loftin. If he votes ‘for,’ the change or amendment becomes a rule. To read the new rules in detail, and the justiﬁcation of their passage, students can visit student-rules.tamu. edu/changes.

nation&world Alleged member of Mexican drug gang captured MONTERREY, Mexico — Police in northern Mexico have captured 35-year-old suspect Enrique Elizondo Flores, an alleged member of the Zetas drug gang who confessed to killing at least 75 people, authorities said Monday. Northeastern Mexico has been engulfed by a turf battle between the Gulf Cartel and the Zetas since they split in 2010. More than 47,000 people have been killed nationwide since President Felipe Calderon launched a crackdown against drug trafﬁckers in December 2006. In the border city of Ciudad Juarez, police ofﬁcers killed three men and detained a fourth Monday

after being attacked at a gas station, authorities said. Last week, messages signed by the New Juarez drug cartel and left in several parts of the city claimed Police Chief Julian Leyzaola is favoring a rival cartel. It said that one officer would be killed daily if their members continue to be arrested. Five police officers have been killed since. As a safety measure, police officers are now required to leave precincts wearing street clothes and are allowed to take their guns home. The Associated Press

Emily Davis, staff writer

classiﬁeds

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HELP WANTED J. Cody’s hiring cashiers, apply within, 3610 S. College. Must be able to work Tuesday/Thursday nights. No experience necessary, just common sense! NINFA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT COLLEGE STATION. Now accepting applications for Wait/Servers and Hostess Staff. Will train. Flexible schedules available. Good communicators and strong customer service skills preferred. Apply in person Mon-Fri 11am-4pm at 1007 Earl Rudder Freeway South, College Station. Part-time job helping handicapped. Male student preferred. $360/mo. 10hrs/wk. 979-846-3376. Receptionist/Cashier needed: Must be customer oriented, able to work Saturdays. Flexible hours. Apply at Readfield Meats & Deli 2701 S. Texas Ave, Bryan.

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thebattalion

Bookstore Continued from page 1

place, and that one place on campus should be in the MSC, and we ought to try to minimize the contract administration risk with every department doing their own thing.â&#x20AC;? With the addition of the bookstore, departments ordered textbooks through the MSC, as opposed to setting up multiple contracts with publishers and booksellers. In 1990, multiple textbook vendors approached the University about running the bookstore. In exchange for assuming the risk associated with contract administration â&#x20AC;&#x201D; including the possibility of annual losses â&#x20AC;&#x201D; vendors sought convenient access to the student body. Administrators selected Barnes and Noble from the applicants. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The contract with Barnes and Noble includes oncampus exclusivity and the MSC Bookstore continues its role as collector of the required and recommended course material list,â&#x20AC;? Wootton said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Texas A&M makes Jorge Montalvo them share listing with other â&#x20AC;&#x201D; THE BATTALION vendors so that students have Quick facts choices.â&#x20AC;? As the exclusive vendor on â&#x2014;&#x2014; The University decided campus, Barnes & Noble profits to outsource the MSC from textbook sales, as well as Bookstore to Barnes and from A&M merchandise. Wooten said the store shares profit Noble in 1990. with the University annually â&#x20AC;&#x201D; â&#x2014;&#x2014; State textbook sometimes more than $1.5 millegislation was passed lion per year. in 2011 to align Texas Matthew Davis, an English colleges with federal graduate student, said the bookstandards. store should be run independent-

ly from any partners, allowing students access to books outside of the mainstream. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bookstores on university campuses are at their best when they are independent and not tied to a particular mass-market bookseller or textbook company,â&#x20AC;? Davis said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;An independent bookstore is more likely to stock weird, interesting books in quantity than a mass-market bookseller is.â&#x20AC;? Davis said the university press is an example of uncommon publications that are not carried by the MSC bookseller. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Did you know that Texas A&M has its own university press? We do, and they do excellent work,â&#x20AC;? Davis said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But their books arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to sell tons of copies so they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tend to get stocked in any quantity at the MSC bookstore.â&#x20AC;? As a graduate student, Davis has taught English classes and said faculty members do consider cost when choosing course material. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We do think about how much it costs our students to buy books for class, and ways that we can help keep the price down,â&#x20AC;? Davis said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This contract, as I understand it, is not helping to make that any easier.â&#x20AC;? Although the University is most concerned with the courses achieving the learning objectives and encouraging faculty members to choose the best resources in order to help the student achieve, the price of books still remains a factor. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Price is sort of secondary,â&#x20AC;? Wootton said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what the functionality of this listing is. We tell the faculty members, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry about the price, tell us what you need and what you want to require for the students to be successful in your course.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Now, a lot of our faculty do that extra step too, and they worry about price.â&#x20AC;?

THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT! 63 Â&#x160; 8;**+8 ';*/:58/;3

96+)/'2 :/)1+: 68/)+9 ,58 9:;*+4:9

39) (U^ 5LLOIK Â&#x160; 5TROTK GZ 39)56'9 UXM

â&#x2014;&#x2014; An advisory committee was established in the Fall of 2011 to share input and awareness for MSC Bookstore operations.

Flood Continued from page 1

modeling project,â&#x20AC;? said Eric Brewer, manager for building facilities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The project is on the third floor and the leak occurred on the second floor stairwell. I know we have some ceiling tiles to replace on the first floor, but we really donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any way of knowing until we get everything dried out.â&#x20AC;? Brewer added that no one was injured in the incident. Stacey Rossow, sophomore nutrition major, said she was disappointed that the University didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t communicate the closure to students. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I went to Blocker, and University Police stopped me at the door and said that it was closed for the rest of the day,â&#x20AC;? Rossow said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t giving out an information. They just said it would be open again tomorrow.â&#x20AC;? Rossow said her professor sent an email canceling class about 30 minutes before it was scheduled to start. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was surprised that they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use Code Maroon because professors canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always email their students right away,â&#x20AC;? Rossow said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And Blocker is such a huge place; it affects a lot of people. It was still something that people need to know.â&#x20AC;? Chris Meyer, assistant vice president for safety and security, said the University elected to not use Code Maroon after considering the context of the situation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When it comes to Code

Pg. 7-01.31.12.indd 1

Maroons, it has always been our stated intent that we would use and reserve it for emergency situations â&#x20AC;&#x201D; when people need to take actions to protect themselves,â&#x20AC;? Meyer said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There was no danger to building occupants or people who had classes in there. We decided that Code Maroon was not necessary because there was no ongoing danger.â&#x20AC;? Meyer said administrators were mainly concerned about the seriousness of peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reactions to Code Maroon. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When a Code Maroon goes out, it immediately creates a lot of attention and a sense of alarm,â&#x20AC;? Meyer said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We try to be very careful when we use it. To prevent inconveniences is different than trying to give people an opportunity to protect themselves.â&#x20AC;? Meyer said the Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Facebook and Twitter would be more appropriate avenues through which to distribute

the information â&#x20AC;&#x201D; rather than Code Maroon text messages and Twitter alerts â&#x20AC;&#x201D; because it was not an emergency. Bigley said that they sent a message out via Twitter and Facebook. â&#x20AC;&#x153;[Communications] wanted to make sure they had enough information in order to make a decision on stating closing the building for the remainder of the day,â&#x20AC;? Bigley said. The University did not post anything on the A&M Facebook page and tweeted information at 1:55 p.m., approximately three hours after the waterline break. According to an update provided by the A&M vice president for administration at 5:30 p.m. Monday, classes are scheduled to resume Tuesday morning and fans and de-humidifiers will be scattered through the building as workers continue the cleanup process.

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basketball | The men play Baylor at Reed and the women travel to Lubbock. Read the previews Wednesday.

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thebattalion 1.31.2012 page8

Aggies prep for Bears

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Practice culture changes as A&M surges

7X .SWITL &VE^SW :EPPI] &YFFE 1SSVI 7X .SWITL 1IQSVMEP %9&$6$ 'EXLSPMG 'EXLSPMG )POW +VSYT -RG 'LYVGL 7GLSSP Austin Meek The Battalion In multiple press conferences after losses early in the season, Texas A&M head coach Billy Kennedy cited a lack of intensity in his team’s practices. After having won two of their last three games, including a dominating 76-61 victory over Oklahoma State on Saturday, it seems like the players have finally bought into Kennedy’s preaching. “Our practice habits have been a lot better — I don’t know if it’s because we have fewer guys, or the guys that we have practicing have just raised their level of intensity up,” Kennedy said. “The culture of what we’re trying to develop here as a program has been much better the last two weeks because of our practice habits, guys paying attention to detail and probably more than anything, developing a relationship with me and my coaches. We’re just getting to know each other a little bit more.” Kennedy said he felt the players have grown increasingly more comfortable with his system as the season has progressed. “At shootaround that morning there was great intensity and enthusiasm, which you have to have on a day-to-day basis,” Kennedy said. “That’s what we were trying to create, that kind of environment. We had that. Now, can we continue it? We’ll find out. But I expect them to continue it, especially this week.” Injuries, however, continue to nag the Aggies. In addition to the absence of freshman forward Kourtney Roberson, the team could also be without junior forward Khris Middleton and IN PRINT • ONLINE senior guard Dash Harris, Photos News neither of whom have made Comics Sports

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What to watch ◗ The Texas A&M men’s basketball game will face the No. 6 Baylor Bears 8 p.m. Wednesday at Reed Arena.

◗ The game will be televised on ESPN2. significant improvement in their injuries. “We’ll know a little more about Dash today,” Kennedy said. “I don’t anticipate Khris being ready for Wednesday and Kourtney is not going to be ready. Dash is day-to-day, we’re hoping he can practice today but we don’t know to what extent yet.” Middleton’s knee, on which he had preseason surgery and re-aggravated against Oklahoma, has not healed as quickly as the initial 2-4 week prognosis would have indicated. Kennedy said his star small forward’s longterm health takes precedence over the short-term boost of his on-court presence. “He’s had swelling in his knee after a workout, and it’s stiff or sore the next day,” Kennedy said. “Every day it’s getting a little less sore with a little less swelling. We want him to get to where he can have back-to-back days and be good. I think he could play tomorrow, but then he may not be good in practice the next day. I want him to be good in practice before he gets to games, because I think that’s how it should be.” In their absence, the Aggie bench has come alive. On Saturday, freshman forward Danny Alexander, freshman forward Jordan Green and senior guard Alex Baird all made significant contributions. Kennedy said that playing time, however, will always be determined by

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Freshman guard Jordan Green dunks a basket in the Aggies’ 76-61 victory over the Cowboys. the matchup. “We don’t know what the lineup will be like, so we’ll evaluate it in practice and see who gives us the best chance at the best start,” Kennedy said. “But the positive thing is all those guys have a lot more confidence than they had a couple of weeks ago. We’re going to need all that against Baylor.” The Aggies’ next challenge comes on Wednesday night when Perry Jones and the Bears travel to Reed Area. “Perry Jones is obviously one of the best players in the country — and he’s a tough matchup for anyone — but their guards have made them a tough matchup, no ques-

tion … We’re going to need a great performance against a good Baylor team.” Kennedy noted the crowd’s positive influence on Saturday’s game and said the Twelfth Man was out in full force for Sunday’s women’s game against Iowa State. “Even at yesterday’s women’s game, at the end — I had a chance to be at that game — that was the difference in them winning,” Kennedy said. “The girl didn’t get a shot off. We need Baylor to not get a shot off (laughing). It’s important. Everyone says home-court advantage is 10 points a game. We need those 10 points.”

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