thebattalion
Early voting The early voting period began Monday and will last until Nov. 2. Students can cast a ballot in room 526 in the west wing of the MSC.
● wednesday,
october 24, 2012
● serving
texas a&m since 1893
● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2011 student media
news for you campus Company scams students Scholarship and Financial Aid office was notified about a scam from a company known as the Student Financial Resource Center, which is contacting students through postal mail requesting they pay fees to determine financial aid eligibility. The Scholarship and Financial Aid office said the free application for Federal Student Aid, FAFSA, is the only application form used to determine financial aid eligibility. Micah Mills, staff writer
sports A&M falls in football ranking Despite their loss to No. 6 LSU Tigers, Texas A&M remains in the Top 25 entering this week before their game against the Auburn Tigers (1-6, 0-5). Texas A&M (5-2, 2-2) sits at No. 22 in the country according to the new BCS Standings. In the Associated Press Poll, the Aggies are No. 22 and in the USA Today Poll the Aggies are No. 21. Michael Rodriguez, staff writer
The long run
Photos by Tanner Garza — THE BATTALION
Wiener Fest showcases lengthy dogs in short sprints Jennifer Dubose The Battalion
C
ompetitive racing is no longer reserved for Thoroughbreds or Greyhounds. Instead, short-legged, long dogs of German descent have nuzzled their way into the sport and show no sign of retreat. Dachshund racing, better known as “Wiener Racing,” has earned a prominent spot in College Station. Competitors are gearing up for the heat as the sixth annual Wiener Fest approaches Saturday, Oct. 27. Enter Vito, a 12-pound, six-year-old Miniature Dachshund with four-inch legs and a zeal for running. Vito began competing in wiener races at the age of two and he’s been unstoppable ever since. “I just thought we would do it for fun, but he turned out to be pretty good,” said Vito’s owner, Jeremy O’Sullivan. “He was winning and placing very high. So I started searching for other
wiener races online to compete in.” O’Sullivan discovered Vito’s talent during his first Wiener Fest experience in 2008. Vito has competed in more than 20 dachshund races and has secured many top titles. He holds a record at the Sam Houston Race Park Wiener Dog Races for earning three first place titles and two second place titles. Last year Vito earned a Top 10 spot at the Buda Wiener Dog Race, the largest race in Texas, where more than 700 dachshunds See Race on page 3
Vito, a 12-pound, six-year-old Miniature Dachshund, leaps for his favorite squeaky toy for training.
wicked woods
Fraternity scares up charity profits Camryn Ford The Battalion
Courtesy photo
Members of the Mu-Gamma chapter of the Kappa Sigma fraternity construct and operate Wicked Woods.
Screaming and frantically running in fear of masked men with bladeless chainsaws frequently renders the minds of college students useless as they think back on ghosts of Halloweens past. Halloween is not just for kids. College students may celebrate it differently, but with the same idea centered on costumes and ways to get a good scare for the year. Wicked Woods in College Station is the fifth largest haunted venue in the state. Constructed by the Mu-Gamma chapter of the
Kappa Sigma fraternity at Texas A&M, Wicked Woods is more than just a fun time of frightful thrills; it serves as a way to give back to the Brazos Valley. “I think the event is so popular with students because it is planned and operated by other students, allowing us to design the event with other college students in mind,” said Chris Anderson, senior civil engineering major and president of the fraternity. This year marks the 17th year that Wicked Woods has been in operation after its founding in 1994 by Kappa Sigma members lacking a philanthropy event to raise money
while helping people in need. The proceeds accumulated from the frightful entertainment benefit several different organizations around the area. These include The American Red Cross, CARPOOL, Brazos Valley Food Bank and the Fisher House Foundation. “Usually [they donate] around 4,000 pounds of food [every year]. We took them some barrels out last week and they will continue collecting food for us until after Halloween,” said Rhonda Behrens, Brazos Valley Food Bank distribution manager. “4,000 pounds is a really good See Wicked Woods on page 4
football
campus
Coaches address turnovers, Auburn at press conference
Anti-diversity advocate expresses racial opinions Jessica Smarr
Chandler Smith The Battalion After a close come-from-ahead loss Saturday to No. 6 LSU, the Texas A&M football team realigned its focus to a downtrodden 1-6 Auburn team — a squad coaches and players warn is more talented than they appear. The Auburn Tigers — with head coach Gene Chizik at the helm — have underperformed considering the caliber of the players on their roster, accumulated through several years of highly-rated recruiting classes. Despite being two years removed from a national title appearance, Auburn possesses the second-worst offense in the country, garnering less than 300 yards of total See Presser on page 2
Pg. 1-10.24.12.indd 1
Roger Zhang — THE BATTALION
Jared Taylor, an advocate of “racial realism,” criticizes Texas A&M’s Vision 2020 plan Tuesday evening in the MSC Ballroom.
The Battalion When questions were called for, hands of different colors shot up in the crowd. Some were rough and calloused while others were young and graceful, but all were ready to seize answers from anti-diversity advocate Jared Taylor. Taylor, a Yale graduate and the founder and editor of the American Renaissance journal, came to Texas A&M to speak about what he sees as the dangers of racial diversity within America and the University. “Diversity does not achieve the kinds of things [the Texas A&M
administration] pretends it will,” Taylor said. “It doesn’t make your education any brighter and it doesn’t make you any more competitive. At the same time, it’s achieved by racial discrimination.” He said race was the most apparent illustration of differences among the human population. “What is diversity? It’s supposed to include quite a large number of things: religion, race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation,” Taylor said. “But the one that is most important from an institutional point of view in the United States is race.” See Diversity on page 4
10/24/12 12:03 AM