thebattalion ● monday,
august 31, 2009
● serving
texas a&m since 1893
● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2009 student media
Special senate meeting introduces SBP Patrique Ludan The Battalion
Stephen Fogg — THE BATTALION
Student body president Kolin Loveless addresses the student senate Sunday in Koldus.
The student senate held an informal meeting Sunday night to discuss the issues surrounding the recent resignation of student body president Eric Beckham and his successor Kolin Loveless, former speaker of the senate. “Very few people know why Eric Beckham actually resigned,” said Joseph Reed, chief justice of the judicial branch, an entity within the Student Government Association. Beckham’s resignation marks only the third time in A&M history that a student
body president has left his office. The last occurrence was in 1977. According to the Senate Constitution, once the president is unable to perform his or her duties as president, the role falls to the senate speaker. Loveless and other high-ranking members within the SGA used the meeting to talk about plans for this year. The presidential search is the main priority for student senate, according to Loveless. As the SBP, Loveless will aid in the search for the next University president. There are many open forums that al-
low students to become involved directly with the presidential search, Loveless said. Those who wish to submit opinions regarding the search can do so through an online survey on the search committee’s Web site. On Friday the search committee is holding its first open forum regarding the search. Loveless also plans to work with many student leaders in order to distinguish attributes that a majority of students would desire in a new president. Another topic that was discussed was
Raw footage: Watch and listen to highlights from the student senate meeting.
thebatt.com
See Senate on page 6a
March 21, 1989 — Aug. 20, 2009 Colter Dean Bright
Family will miss proud Aggie Matt Woolbright The Battalion
Jeremy Northum — THE BATTALION
Construction blocks Joe Routt Boulevard due to the Memorial Student Center renovation and is set to last until summer 2012.
Traffic troubles Construction creates changes at Texas A&M Rebekah Skelton The Battalion The simultaneous reconstructions of the Memorial Student Center and Military Walk began this summer and are both now well underway. Though both projects will benefit students, for now it means numerous road and pathway closures, and more difficulty navigating around campus. “As students adjust to different routes around the MSC and Military Walk fences, it is a good idea to give your-
self a few extra minutes to get to class,” Memorial Student Center President Stephanie Burns said. “Bus routes and bike parking have also undergone a few changes, so stay on the lookout for signs or check the transportation Web site ahead of time to make sure you know where those services are.” Transportation Services has made changes that affect the 01-Bonfire bus route, which is now detoured south on Houston Street, and 08-Howdy bus route, which has added a stop at the Student Recreation Center.
Due to the MSC construction site, Joe Routt Boulevard is closed from Houston Street to Clark Street, and the MSC breezeway has been closed as well. Cyclists will now have to pedal around Rudder Tower to steer around campus. However, pedestrians can walk through Rudder Tower. Other changes that have been made on account of the construction zones include one-way traffic on West Lamar Street, and one-way traffic traveling west
The Battalion Since assuming the presidency, Interim President R. Bowen Loftin has had a busy summer making changes in administration, dealing with natural disasters and planning for the next decade with Vision 2020. “This happened very quickly, so even though I’m very familiar with Texas A&M and the administration here, the first, biggest task was getting my arms around what
Pg. 1a-08.31.09.indd 1
was going on,” he said. “Dr. Murano had been through a lot over the last couple of months of her administration and there was a lot of stuff pending.” Decisions that had been Loftin put aside due to the summer’s leadership changes were promptly addressed, Loftin said. “The first week or so was spent getting
thebatt.com
See Traffic on page 6a
Interim President Loftin reflects on summer Meagan O’Toole-Pitts
Video: Students sound off about the construction and problems it causes and solves.
acquainted with everyone in new ways and trying to begin to unwind the things that had to get done that had been pending for a while,” he said. “We made great progress on that — long days, and many days, no breaks for me.” Contrary to statements by local media, Provost Jeff Vitter was not asked to resign, Loftin said. See Loftin on page 5a
A week and a half before the start of his sophomore year at Texas A&M, political science major Colter Dean Bright died. College Station police responded to a call just after 7:30 a.m. Aug. 20. Bright was transported to the College Station Medical Center where he died a Bright few hours later. The cause of death is unknown. He was 20. Bright was close to accomplishing a life-long goal and continuing a decades-old tradition, which was originated by his uncle, Class of 1938. “Colter’s dream was to wear an Aggie ring,” said Mike Bright, Colter’s father. “He was inspired by his uncle and he wanted so dearly to be a part of that tradition and carry that spirit.” Colter’s twin brother Sam Bright said that he was always entertaining and made people around him happy and, to him, Colter was perfect. “Colter was my best friend and younger brother by seven minutes. I loved him so much. He had the brightest smile and was the life of the party,” Sam said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better twin brother.” Colter’s father said that while Colter was young, he made a big impact. “[Colter] was loved by many and touched so many lives in his short time with us — especially mine, I’ll never forget him,” he said.
scene | 3a
“The Twelfth Man” songwriter Ford Munnerlyn, the writer of the song, “The Twelfth Man,” inspired four of her great-grandchildren to attend A&M.
news | 5a
Dining services Former dining facilities relocated to different areas on campus to meet the needs of the student body.
8/31/09 12:01 AM