The Battalion: February 22, 2011

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2011 campus news University fights eating disorders Student Health Services and the Texas A&M Student Counseling Service sponsor an Eating Disorders Awareness Week this week. Activities include a panel discussion on eating disorders at 5 p.m. Wednesday in Room 281 of the Student Recreation Center and a “Don’t Fight Your Genes” jeans drive. Donations will be accepted Wednesday in the John J. Koldus Student Services Building and Friday in the Wehner Building.

● tuesday,

february 22, 2011

● serving

texas a&m since 1893

● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2011 student media

ENDORSEMENT

Albrecht best candidate, Tucker close second T

exas A&M is lucky to have two candidates who stand head and shoulders above the rest running to be Aggieland’s next student body president. Hilary Albrecht and Chris Tucker have all the right things necessary to be a successful student body leader. Albrecht, a junior political science major, is the candidate with the most experience, most knowledge and she is most poised to make an impact next year. After working closely with other student leaders and administrators through her position as speaker of the student senate, Albrecht is capable of accomplishing a great amount for

students. body president. Albrecht will focus on the issues most important to students, Tucker, a senior university studies such as academics, student services and major and member of the Corp of Cadets, has taken a different route to- communication. For far too long there have been ward candidacy. Tucker has excelled empty promises from student in leadership positions in nearly body presidents that never every organization he has Experience is become more than votejoined. He is also extremely the deciding garnering, feel-good easy to approach and will factor in The lines during campaign fight for students’ interBattalion’s season. Albrecht is a ests above his own. A&M endorsement. candidate who will break would be in good hands the mold and continue with Tucker. talking to and fighting Albrecht receives the enfor students after the votes are dorsement because she is the candicounted. date who is most prepared to be the Albrecht compiled a timeline for most effective as our next student her team’s goals, and the open com-

munication she has displayed this year through her current position will provide the accountability to these goals that other campaigns and past presidents have lacked. Her involvement in the student government association, college of liberal arts, Memorial Student Center and Greeklife provides her with much needed range of understanding. Student body presidents have to understand the needs and desires of a diverse student body of 50,000 plus, and Albrecht is ready for that responsibility. The Battalion recommends Hilary Albrecht for 2011-2012 student body president without reservation.

EDITORIALBOARD

The Battalion’s editorial opinion is determined by its Board of Opinion, with the editor in chief having final responsibility. Matt Woolbright Editor in Chief junior sociology major

Megan Ryan Managing Editor senior English major

Taylor Wolken junior economics major

Jill Beathard senior English major

Connie Thompson junior communication major

A fire broke out Monday afternoon in Zachry. Classes in the building were canceled for the remainder of the day.

Staff writer

coming wednesday

Yell leader profiles Profiles on the yell leader candidates will be in Wednesday’s paper. Check it out to learn more about each candidate.

Tyler Hosea — THE BATTALION

inside

b!

scene | 3 ‘Mamma Mia!’

MSC OPAS presents Mamma Mia! at 7:30 p.m. today in Rudder Auditorium. To purchase tickets call 979-845-1234 or log on to www. MSCOPAS.org.

sports | 4 Nothing stops Natasha Senior hurdler Natasha Ruddock, from Jamaica, has overcome a serious knee injury and is in the process of rewriting the A&M record books for Head Coach Pat Henry’s nationally ranked team.

Jeremy Northum — THE BATTALION

Courtesy photo

Fire in Zachry causes concern Christine Perrenot

The Battalion Fire sparked in the Zachry Engineering Center on Monday. Spence Street filled with emergency and rescue crews. “I could smell that the smoke was from something electrical,” said Robert Battleson, a senior electrical engineering major in the building at the time of the fire. The fire alarm sounded and many students left, leaving belongings inside the classrooms. “Smoke filled the classroom and

when we came outside at 2:10, there was smoke on the side of the roof,” said Renee Eimer, a senior electrical engineering major. After evacuating the building, onlookers saw black smoke and flames from the top of the southeast corner of the building. The fire was reported on the third and fourth floors. Eleven fire vehicles were on the scene. Eight of the vehicles responded from College Station and three came from Bryan. “Nobody will tell us officially what is going on,” said Jeana Goodson, aca-

demic adviser and Zachry evacuation team member. Students and onlookers waited for reports of what had happened. “At approximately 2:15 we received word of a fire in Zachry building with smoke in the southeast stairwell,” said Sgt. H. Allan Baron of the University Police Department. The number of students and faculty in the building at the time of the fire is unknown. There were no reported injuries to people in the building or firefighters.

“I was on the burning side of the building and saw firefighters axing on the roof and putting holes in it to put water in and vent the smoke,” said Matt Foster, a senior electrical engineering major who was on the second floor studying. University police informed onlookers and students the building would not open for the remainder of the day. “The fire was located in a chase pipe See Fire on page 2

community wellness

budget cuts

Program aims to enhance public health

Loftin petitions on behalf of A&M

Naila Dhanani

Special to The Battalion Texas A&M, a leader in academic excellence and innovation, has solidified its role in the commitment to bettering the overall health of society with progress made by Texas A&M School of Rural Public Health. “From water-treatment programs to HIV initiatives and workplace safety, public health professionals are incrementally changing the way the world functions, incorporating wellness

Courtesy photo

Students in the Texas A&M School of Rural Public Health are conducting research to better the health of society. principles and improving, or even saving lives,” said Kathryn Bennett, a public health graduate student. “Public health is thus incredibly important because it addresses these primary determinants of health: genetics, lifestyle, environment and availability of health care.” However, those in favor of recognizing the See Health on page 6

“Our message to the legislature is that Texas A&M is efficient, effective and a great The 82nd Legislature is in value; and we have a significant session assessing and deciding impact on the state of Texas,” solutions to the many challenges facing Texas, namely the Loftin said. According to Comptrolgeneral revenue shortage resultler Susan Combs, the general ing in budget cuts for numerous revenue, which is expected to state agencies, such as higher peak at $77.3 billion after a $4.3 education. President R. Bowen billion deficit and an $800 milLoftin petitioned the Senate Filion transfer to the Rainy Day nancial Committee on behalf of Texas A&M Wednesday. See Budget on page 5

Trevor Stevens

Special to The Battalion

TONIGHT, TOMORROW AND THURSDAY! FEBRUARY 22-24 • 7:30 PM • RUDDER AUDITORIUM

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