thebattalion
campus news
University finds stray cats homes Nationwide, universities look to Texas A&M for humane and efficient ways to decrease the number of feral cats on university campuses. A&M has reduced its feral cat numbers from an approximate 3,000 in 1998 to nearly 115. The College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences has made a number of the previous feral cats adoptable.
Scavenger hunt shows media impact Texas A&M University stretched its already immense presence in the social media realm by 10 percent over a period of three days with its firstof-its-kind Social Media Scavenger Hunt. The event, designed to increase campus social media activity, enhance business relationships and vivify student life, exceeded expectations. Staff and wire reports
coming wednesday
David Chapman Director of Cushing Library, David Chapman, retired Jan. 28 after 39 years of working at Texas A&M.
inside
b!
trends | 3 ‘The Color Purple’
MSC OPAS will present two performances of the musical The Color Purple today and Wednesday. The show jazz and blues to tell the story of black women overcoming hardship.
sports | 5 Looking to rebound The No. 22 men’s basketball team has lost four of five games. Now, with their backs against the wall, they face a tough, twogame road trip. Head Coach Mark Turgeon met with the media Monday.
● tuesday,
february 8, 2011
Victoria Daugherty The Battalion
T
exas A&M is home to hundreds of student leaders, each of whom make the day-to-day functioning of campus easier for their peers. Their successful leadership stems from mastering the art of balancing tests and projects with meetings and events, but not at the expense of their free time.
● serving
texas a&m since 1893
● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2011 student media
Successful Read the paper
“Stay up to date with campus stuff as well as national and world events. Be knowledgeable about the meetings you go to or events you attend,” said Jacob Robinson, a senior leadership studies major and serves as the Texas A&M student body president. In overseeing the decisions that affect 50,000 students, Robinson has developed ways to balance his responsibilities.
Be passionate “I am glad to give my time and it is not a burden to me. I find joy getting to serve the conference,” said Savannah Drazkowski, a senior communication major and vice chairwoman for Abbot Family Leadership Conference. Among the responsibilities of planning the conference, she truly loves what she does. “I have found an organization I care immensely about and my passion for Abbott drives my success as a student leader on campus.”
Leave work at work “There is only so much that you can do. A lot is out of your control so don’t worry about it. You are in college; if your friends want to hang out, hang out. You will not get that time back and the e-mails will be there tomorrow. It is one of my pet peeves when student leaders say they are ‘too busy’ to do something. Have fun and enjoy college and your position,” Robinson said.
Make a schedule “A schedule allows you to make time for things that are important to you — social life, working out and time with family,” said Collin Laden, a graduate student at the Bush school for nonprofit management and president of the MSC. He leads 1,200 members working toward the success of the MSC renovation. He makes it a point to set aside time for himself amid his responsibilities. “I make a schedule each week to help balance everything.”
Be on time “If you want people to take you seriously, be on time. Actually, be early,” Robinson said.
Wake up early Christina Fuentes — THE BATTALION
Lead selflessly
“Over the past few years, I have gotten into the habit of waking up early and I have also realized I am most productive in the morning. This time gives me the opportunity to work on things and prepare for the day ahead, and also — drink coffee,” said Jill Green, a graduate accounting student and the chairwoman of the Muster Committee. Green leads her committee to enable one of A&M’s most honored traditions, and has found truth in the expression ‘the early bird catches the worm.’
“It is so crucial to remember that I am in a position of service, not of power, and I should therefore constantly be aware of what is in my chapter’s best interest,” said Kelsey Jones, a junior business major and president of her sorority, Chi Omega. She leads a chapter of 200 women and finds that her successful leadership is based on seeking the best interest of others. “I think the best kind of leadership is completely selfless and focused on showing God’s grace.”
international students
campus
Program aids in cultural exchanges
Students learn leadership, service Victoria Daugherty
Katie White The Battalion The home is where the heart is — where families come together at the end of the day to share in each other’s lives and to find a safe haven. But for the almost 3,700 international students from 130 countries, the traditional U.S. home is a mystery. Adrea Dottavio said that is why International Student Services started a program in 2009 called Dinner in a U.S. Home, in which Americans from the University and the surrounding community welcome international students in their homes to allow for cultural exchange and an insight into the everyday lives of Americans. Dottavio, an international student adviser and orchestrator of the program, said Dinner in a U.S. Home began when International Student Services realized most international students were not getting the opportunity to see different facets of American culture because they were living in residence halls on campus. “The purpose is to provide a cultural exchange opportunity,” Dottavio said. Yiming Wang, a junior economics major, participated in the program with her boyfriend. “The whole family welcomed us warmly and we went fishing together,” Wang said. “We had some steak, some shrimp and pecan pie. I think those are American foods.” Wang said the host family showed the group of international students its farm.
“P PURE URE
Photo illustration by Paul Mezier — THE BATTALION
Students and University faculty and staff can sign up to be a host on the International Student Services website. “We drove the 45 miles to my O’Baby Ranch in Milano,” said Jeanie Marshall, an office associate for the Graduate Student Office and a host for the program in the fall. “I had one student from India and three from China. I don’t think they had ever been on such a rough gravel dirt road before. I explained to them living in the country is my choice, for the peace and serenity and wildlife is what I like.” Wang said she kept in contact with her host family and exchanged Christmas greetings. Her host said she would contact her when she had a dinner this semester. “Some host families go all out,” Dottavio said, referring to Wang’s host family. “A lot also like to do it over Christmas and Thanksgiving for a look at how Americans celebrate different
H HEART E ! A BROADWAY WAY HIT HIT ” USA Today
See Dinner on page 5
The Battalion People find happiness in a variety of ways — through faith, friends and family. The pursuit of happiness for many, however, has been clouded with the need for wealth, success and power. Although promised to Americans in the Declaration of Independence, the pursuit of happiness is not as easily fulfilled as the rights to life and liberty might be. Andre Shapter, a filmmaker, writer and photographer, traveled from coast to coast in an attempt to discover true happiness and how to obtain it. He will be presenting the documentary about his journey, Happiness Is, at 8 tonight in Koldus 110. The documentary begins a week of events in honor of Social Justice Week. This year’s goal is to raise awareness about social issues within technology facing the world. As it continues to evolve and change, many more social justice issues are seen through the Internet and other mediums associated with technology. The Leadership and Service Center
Social Justice
◗ The purpose of Social Justice Week is to raise Texas A&M University students’ awareness of social justice issues. For more information, visit http:// studentactivities.tamu. edu/leadandserve/ programs/socialjustice.
will provide programs to give students the tools and information to implement social change. “We are a big institution, making it critical for us to contribute, give back and be innovative with society to formulate solutions to a lot of issues that are outside the four walls of Texas A&M,” said Jerry Parker, a graduate assistant in the leadership and services department. At the Volunteer Opportunities Fair Tuesday, there will be 22 community partners onsite looking to recruit A&M students and faculty for volunteer opportunities and service See Justice on page 5
TONIGHT & TOMORROW NIGHT ,/(% EB GJ99:G 6J9>IDG>JB Strong language, mature subject matter and adult situations.
ILLUSTRATION BY PETER SYLVADA
Sponsored by
Pg. 1-02.08.11.indd 1
*Rush tickets available from 10 AM – 7 PM today at MSC Box Office. Please limit 4 tickets per student. Student ID required. Limited availability. Not valid on previously purchased tickets. Rush offer not available on web.
I>8@:IH/ BH8 7dm D[[^XZ .,."-)*"&'() BH8DE6H#dg\
2/7/11 6:34 PM