editor’s note
Smaller paper size The Battalion has a new sized paper. The newspaper has been re-sized to 10 inches by 21 inches.
campus news
Mays accounting program recognized The Department of Accounting at Mays Business School has been ranked favorably for undergraduate and graduate program quality and quality and productivity of faculty research. Authors of a Brigham Young University paper analyzing research quality and productivity ranked the department No. 6 in the country when topics and methods were considered. Spanning the past 12 years, the program is ranked No. 4 and for the past 20 years, No. 6 using the same metric. This is an improvement over the department’s already notable 2009 ranks of No. 12, No. 8 and No. 8 in the country for its “all topics – all methods” overall ranking using the last six years, 12 years and 20 years of publications. Staff and wire reports
coming tuesday
thebattalion ● monday,
march 7, 2011
Jeff Pickering won the student body president runoff election with 62.88 percent of the votes.
Candidate wins student body president runoff election
With spring break approaching, some students feel pressured to look a certain way. However, some methods of dieting can be unhealthy and even lifethreatening.
Teams rolled up their banners and headed home after a long week of campaigning and voting Friday. Candidates were eager to learn who would be the winner for student body president. At 8 p.m., as the teams held their breath, Jeff Pickering’s name was called as Texas A&M’s next student body president. He is looking forward to serving the Aggies. “Going into runoff interviews was really just a dream. It was amazing, and I didn’t
tech talk | 3 Aggie creates phone puzzle
Chris Cantero, class of 2007, has created a mobile device game for iPhone, iPad and Android.
voices | 4 Working students, better students Studies have shown that students with part-time jobs actually have higher GPRs than those without.
Concealed carry vote in Students vote 57 percent against concealed carry on campus but faculty members have opinions, too.
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● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2011 student media
Samantha Virnau— THE BATTALION
Haley Lawson
b!
texas a&m since 1893
Pickering picked
Eating disorders
inside
● serving
The Battalion
believe it was happening,” Pickering said. He said he appreciated the support he received from groups. “I was honored to be trusted by the student body. It was great to get last minute help from the Corps and the MSC as well,” Pickering said. Pickering, his management team and his family enjoyed some time together before the winner was named. “Going into the night I just got together with my managers and my family and family friends at a house that my parents rented and
my managers and I went off and had some alone time and prayed over whatever was going to happen next,” Pickering said. After a night with family and friends, Pickering and his team headed to Sul Ross statue. “We went over and walked over to Sully, and when I heard my name called I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, and I felt that we could run the race and we did it well and did it with integrity, and it was so good to know that we had done it, it had been comSee Pickering on page 2
5 for Yell juniors win runoff Connie Thompson
The Battalion Following a challenging campaign season, Nelson Ingram and Josh Light were elected to spur the Aggies to their feet as junior yell leaders for the 20112012 school year. The A&M student body selected the two candidates in last week’s runoff election. Ingram, a sophomore business major, and Light, a junior chemical engineering major ran as part of 5 for Yell, a group of candidates selected by the Corps of Cadets. The two said they were excited to hear the election results at Sul Ross in front of Academic Plaza Friday night. “I’m proud to represent the student body next year,” Light said. Ingram thanked students who campaigned for 5 for Yell and those who voted for the group. He said he is thankful for all the support and looks forward to stepping in as a junior yell leader. “It is an honor, and I can’t wait to
serve this University. I can’t wait to be the best I can to represent A&M,” Ingram said. “Thank you for the opportunity to serve this University.” Ingram and Light were two of four final junior candidates along with Sterling Bennett, a sophomore international studies major, and Drew Nelson, a sophomore accounting major. David Benac, a senior business major, Patrick Ivey, a senior economics major, and Austin Walker, a junior industrial distribution major, will represent A&M as senior yell leaders alongside the junior elects. Although the group campaigned together, each candidate was selected individually for the yell leader position. “This was a great campaign season in general,” said Benac, who served as junior yell leader this past year. “We had a great opportunity to meet everyone else but it was exciting to hear the results and to see the hard work paid off when the names were announced.”
Josh McKenna — THE BATTALION
Josh Light and Nelson Ingram kneel while awaiting the announcement from Friday’s runoff elections. The two cadets were members of 5 for Yell. All members of 5 for Yell were selected.
Aggies celebrate International Week Rebecca Hutchinson
The Battalion Let’s explore a few of many cultures that can be found on campus. International Week allows Aggies to experience part of the diverse culture at A&M. From March 4 to March 10, the International Student Association, in conjunction with other international organizations, will be putting on events to bring students together and provide a chance to make the rest of the world a little more tangible. I-week will include cultural activities and a buffet.
“Food is one of the centerpieces,” said Zachary Gibson, a senior human resources development major and president of the association. “Organizations volunteer recipes, and the Sbisa chefs choose which ones to make.” The idea is to make a full meal, incorporating dishes from a variety of countries, though the main course focuses on cuisine from South America. The cost of the buffet is the normal cost of eating at Sbisa, Gibson said. Jesus Sanchez, a junior telecommunications major and vice president of operations for the association, said he is looking forward to the buffet most because they are doing something dif-
ferent this year. Other days will include a cultural and art exhibit, language dinner for Corps members, and a talent show to end the week. Students can buy tickets for the talent show at the MSC box office for $4. “Columbia and India are the largest organizations involved, and they have some awesome things planned for the talent show,” Gibson said. The language dinner is for the Corps of Cadets to practice the language they are learning with international students. Gibson, who was in the Corps as an undergraduate, wants to make it a regular occurrence and potentially
include other students. They have conversation nights once a month, Sanchez said, with languages such as Spanish, German, Russian, Japanese; they get as many as possible. “It’s a testing ground for Corps members to overcome fears and speak the language, and a chance for international students to make friends with English speakers. It’s a two-fold opportunity to use real conversation and learn dinner etiquette. Food and manners are the most important things,” Gibson said. When overseas individuals interSee International on page 6
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