thebattalion
inside tradition | 3 Hall of Honor
The Memorial Student Center’s legacy is tied to the former students who died in the course of military service.
! thursday,
march 29, 2012
! serving
texas a&m since 1893
!"first paper free – additional copies $1 !"© 2012 student media
Photos Courtesy of Cushing Library
Through the ages
Chase Carter
Memorial Student Center chronicles A&M growth, change Robby Smith
The Battalion “In humble reverence, this building is dedicated to…” reads the original dedication plaque of Texas A&M’s Memorial Student Center. More than a building, the MSC is a memorial, living room, dining room, meeting space, dining center and bookstore. It remembers fallen Aggies and serves the current needs of Aggieland. “Our MSC has two kinds of components to it,” MSC Director Luke Altendorf said. “First of all, it is a memorial for Aggies who gave their lives in World Wars I and II, which brings reverence and respect. Secondly, it is a student
Flag Room serves as iconic campus home
union full of a celebratory aspect.” The dual aspects of memorial and student union are intertwined into the history of the MSC. According to Jane Bailey, development relations coordinator for MSC Student Programs, the need for a student union dates to the 1930s. Amy Bacon, author of the A&M history work, “Building Leaders, Living Traditions,” wrote that until the opening of the MSC in 1951, the YMCA building (built in 1914) and the Aggieland Inn (formerly across Houston St. from Sbisa) met the needs of students on campus. Bacon wrote that although some colSee History on page 5
As time goes by ... 1947 Il On Sept. 20, Texas A&M President F.C. Bolton turned the first shovel of earth, breaking ground for the MSC 1951 Il The MSC is formally dedicated on April 21, Aggie Muster Day 1971 Il First major renovation to MSC begins
1977 Il A fire breaks out in the MSC basement and destroys several documents that belonged to the Association of Former Students 1986 Il MSC is shut down during Christmas Break for the removal of asbestoscontaminated ceiling tiles
1974 Il Construction is completed; renovations included doubling of dining facilities and creation of the Flag Room
1989 Il Second major renovation begins; it included the construction of a three-tiered addition that linked the building more fully with Rudder Tower
1976 Il MSC is rededicated to all Aggies who had died in all wars past, present and future
2009 Il Third major renovation begins, and is scheduled to be completed on April 21, 2012
The Battalion The Memorial Student Center long stood as the center for student activity on campus, touted as the “home of the University.” The Flag Room, originally known as the promenade, was considered the heart of that home. Students met, lounged, studied and slept among the columns and globes, cowhide benches and lanterns, within a welcoming structure. That welcoming feeling was the main focus when construction of the original MSC began in the 1940s. With the promenade, the builders wanted to provide the students and faculty a functional space within the MSC separate from meeting rooms and other formalities. The room’s tall ceiling created an open atmosphere, while the regal furniture made the room appropriate for receiving special guests to the University. The room quickly became a favorite place within the MSC. In 1971, construction began to expand the MSC to meet the demands of an ever-growing student body. While the original building became a venerated place on campus, its meager size was no longer sufficient for the needs of the University. Still, many groups on campus utilized the See Flag Room on page 5
campus
student senate
Brake error bad news for stop sign
Senators elect Bowen amid political party accusations
A parking brake error caused a minor bus crash near H2O Fountain Wednesday afternoon. A Route 01, Bonfire, vehicle was parked at a bus stop when it experienced a problem with the back door. The bus driver exited the bus to fix the problem, but failed to set the parking brake. “When he finally got the door shut, the bus went on without him,” said Doug Williams, director of Transportation Services. Junior aerospace engineering major Jason Mathis, who saw the incident, said when the bus started rolling forward the driver tried to open the door from the outside, but that didn’t work.
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Jake Walker
Kalee Bumguardner — THE BATTALION
Bonfire Bus, Route 01, ran over a stop sign and lamppost on Ross Street near H2O fountain Wednesday afternoon. “He ran around the bus to the window, and was opening the door through that I guess,” Mathis said. “Then he ran back around to the front of the bus and finally got in and pulled the brake.” A stop sign and a light pole were broken because of the incident, and the bus sustained minor damages. No students or pedestrians were harmed.
“The wheels were turned slightly to the right, so it got up on the curb, knocked out a stop sign and a light pole and was driving toward H2O pond,” Mathis said. Williams said it was too early to estimate the cost of the accident. “I’m sure we’ll investigate and deal with it appropriately,” Williams said. Kalee Bumguardner, staff writer
The Battalion In the first meeting of the 65th Student Senate session, Scott Bowen was elected Senate Speaker speaker over Amanda Hatheway. Bowen won with approximately two-thirds of the vote, but the evening was not without controversy. Terrance Edmond, senator for University Apartments and former associate justice on judicial court, said messages were sent out prior to the election meeting calling for an informal gathering of senators in the theater room of the offcampus dormitory, The Tradition at Northgate. Edmond, who attended the meeting, said the meeting turned
into a primary election headed by former senator Thomas McNutt and former members of his student body president campaign staff. The action, according to Edmond and several others, was characteristic of a political party, though the A&M student government does not recognize parties. McNutt denied involvement, saying both Hatheway and Bowen contacted him while seeking support prior to Wednesday’s meeting. Both speaker hopefuls were involved in the McNutt student body president campaign, he added. “I am no longer in the senate or involved in SGA right now,” McNutt said. See Student Senate on page 9
3/29/12 1:20 AM