Oct 21 2009 The Battalion Print

thebattalion ● wednesday,

october 21, 2009

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Perry and Gates out of consideration for A&M president Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Gov. Rick Perry are not possible candidates for the new president of Texas A&M University, said the chairman for the search committee. “Both were contacted and Gov. Perry is in the middle of a campaign for re-election and Dr. Gates is the secretary of defense so at this point in time that is where we are with both of those individuals,” Box said. Box said when looking at candidates’ academic record, Gates did not fit the criteria. “There was a concern about the academic qualifications and whether the person is from academia or business,” Box said. “I pointed out that Dr. Gates came out of the government, and he would not be considered an academic.” Box also said he could not disclose any candidates for president because of the effect it may have on their career or reputation. “We have a confidentiality agreement with people under consideration,” Box said. The 15 members on the Presidential Search Committee are expected to deliver three top candidates in early January 2010.

The committee was assembled in late July after former president Elsa Murano resigned.

Jan. 22, 1987– Oct. 16, 2009 Patrick Noel Jernigan II

Family remembers dad, student Vicky Flores The Battalion Patrick Noel Jernigan II, a senior industrial distribution major, was involved in a train accident just after 2 a.m. Friday and died in College Station.

Jernigan, born Jan. 22, 1987, graduated from Caney Creek High School in Conroe, Texas, in the top 3 percent of his class, which earned him a full scholarship to Texas A&M University.

“He was outgoing, fun loving and full of life,” said sister Alex Jernigan. “We were extremely close, were like best friends.”

The 22 year old was an active member in Professional Association for Industrial Distribution, an organization to help industrial distribution majors and was also involved in mentoring other students.

“His engaging smile and personality captures the hearts of many,” his family said in a statement.

Jernigan’s daughter Olivia, 4, was one of the most important things in his life, said Alex Jernigan.

“He was a wonderful dad that would do anything for his family and friends,” said his family.

Jernigan had received several interviews for jobs in industrial distribution, but it was important to him to stay close to Olivia, Alex said.

See Jernigan on page 4

Faculty, students experience Beijing ■ A&M co-hosts China-U.S. Relations Conference Katy Ralston The Battalion From College Station to Beijing, Texas A&M faculty and students make the 7,000-mile trip to participate in the China-U.S. Relations Conference Wednesday through Friday.

The conference series is designed to promote the countries’ relationship and to help strengthen and expand academic and business collaborations.

This conference brings together political, business and academic leaders from around the globe to discuss security, energy and climate challenges as well as economic and trade relations.

“What we have tried to do is put together some main people — on both the Chinese side and U.S. side, both from the industry and the government — to address some of the issues in China and U.S. relationships,” said Katherine Cantrell, International Programs Office program coordinator.

The theme of this year’s conference, the fourth of its kind, is “Looking Ahead After 30 Years,” celebrating the renewal of U.S. and Chinese relationships 30 years ago.

The conference is presented by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, George Bush School of Government and Public Service, the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation and Texas A&M University.

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Travis Lawson, staff writer

International students invited to community’s dinner table

Freshmen Leadership Conference accepting registrations The Freshmen Advancing in Leadership Conference will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in Rudder 301. The one-day leadership conference is open to freshmen at Texas A&M. “The conference helps examine and explore what it means to be a student leader at A&M,” said Amber Acosta, Memorial Student Center Aggie Leaders of Tomorrow, MSC Aggie Leaders of Tomorrow, adviser. The conference theme this year is “Leaders Under Construction.”

Students will have the opportunity to attend workshops focusing on transitioning into leadership at the collegiate level and diversity. MSC Aggie Leaders of Tomorrow, who will be sponsoring the conference, is a student leadership group that focuses on developing student leaders.

I

nternational students can take part in Aggie culture, and U.S. culture through a program developed by the International Student Services.

“Dinner in a U.S. Home” is a program that allows international students to be paired up with families around Bryan-College Station for a traditional meal.

“The mission is to give international students the opportunity to be part of the A&M community and be part of the Bryan-College Station community at large. They, of course, come here, halfway across the world, to study at A&M, and our mission is to make them feel more a part of our community,” said Katy Blackwood, assistant director.

Undergraduate and graduate international students who have just enrolled at Texas A&M or just arrived in the U.S. participate in the program.

“We’re trying to get hosts to actually bring international students into their home so they can learn the experience of what it’s like to eat dinner here and to create a cross-cultural connection with a family, maybe more about the U.S., and exchange their experiences from another country to the people that are actually hosting them. We’re trying to create dialogue between the two communities: the international community in Texas A&M, and their U.S. home,” said Pablo Hernandez, international student adviser.

Students apply for the program online and a match is made with a student and a host.

Register at the MSC Box Office for $12. Today is the last day to register. For more information go to http://alot@msc.tamu.edu.

Christina Fransisco, staff writer

See ee International students on page 4

voices | 7

Flu holds back Aggie interaction Spread of H1N1 interferes with campus life.

scene | 8 Thrill the world Organizations come together for a recordbreaking “Thriller” performance.

See Beijing on page 4 STOCK.XCHNG

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10/20/09 10:40 PM

Today 80% chance of storms High: 77 Low: 69 courtesy of NOAA

For daily updates go to thebatt.com ■ Facebook ■ Twitter @thebattonline

Thursday 70% chance of storms high: 73 low: 51 Friday mostly sunny high: 69 low: 49 Saturday sunny high: 72 low: 50

pagetwo thebattalion 10.21.2009

Speech issue to be settled TUCSON, Ariz.

— Arizona State University and an anti-abortion student group are being urged to consider settling a battle over a campus free speech issue. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ chief judge, Alex Kozinski, on Tuesday told lawyers representing the university and ASU Students for Life it might be better to settle than have a ruling imposed by the court. The student group argued that the university discriminated against students by imposing an insurance requirement for oncampus events.

Associated Press

corrections The Battalion welcomes readers’ comments about published information that may require correction.

We will pursue your concern to determine whether a correction needs to be published.

Please e-mail at editor@thebatt. com.

how to apply If you are interested in writing or contributing content in The Battalion apply at thebatt.com, or call 845-3313.

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Into the fire

Patrick Clayton — THE BATTALION

Senior kinesiology major Kevin Ondrasek works with Bill Merka on a double-jacketed flask Tuesday at the Texas A&M Scientific Glass Blowing Shop. The shop produces glassware for many of the research laboratories on campus. Merka has worked in the shop for 26 years.

NASA prepares for test flight CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA’s lofty new rocket arrived at the launching pad Tuesday for a test flight next week that comes at a time when the future of the country’s spaceflight program is up in the air.

It’s the first time in 34 years that a rocket other than the space shuttle has stood at Launch Pad 39-B. NASA modified the pad for this rocket, which is supposed to eventually carry astronauts to the moon.

But the White House may scrap those plans. A panel of aerospace experts that provided President Barack Obama with a list of possible exploration options is issuing its final report later this week.

The experimental Ares I rocket — taller than the Statue of Liberty — spent all night traveling from the hangar to the pad. The four-mile trip took more than seven hours.

The test vehicle will blast off next Tuesday on a 2½-minute ballistic flight to demonstrate how the partial first stage performs. It’s costing NASA $445 million.

Thin and exceptionally tall at 327 feet, the Ares I-X looks like

what will carry astronauts into orbit, possibly by 2015. But much of it is a mock-up, and no person or payload will be on board.

The shuttle, by contrast, is 184 feet tall. The Saturn V rockets that carried men to the moon in the late 1960s and early 1970s were a record-setting 363 feet.

Shuttle program manager John Shannon said the Ares I-X is safe enough to launch even though Atlantis is just 1½ miles away on the other pad. The impact zone if there is a launch explosion “just barely clips by” the pad holding Atlantis, he said.

He noted that there’s proven technology in the Ares’ first-stage booster. It’s the same type of solid rocket booster used to propel space shuttles.

The booster will parachute into the Atlantic and be retrieved for analysis. The rest of the rocket — all false pieces weighted with ballast — will crash, uncontrolled, into the ocean.

The rocket is rigged with hundreds of sensors.

“My personal opinion is that if we really thought that I-X was going to have a problem, that we’re not ready to launch it, even

ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Ares I-X experimental rocket approaches launch pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. on a test flight,” Shannon said late last week.

Associated Press

Va. Tech student missing after concert CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Police searched Tuesday for a Virginia Tech student who hasn’t been seen since she was separated from her friends at a Metallica concert Saturday.

Morgan Dana Harrington, 20, was last seen near the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville. Her parents said they talk to her every day and her disappearance is very out of character.

“Morgan is a pretty transparent kid, who’s had a really close relationship with us,” her father, Dan Harrington, said in a phone interview Tuesday. “I don’t think there are lots of secrets, so this kind of behavior of (her) missing is not something I think we would expect.”

Dan Harrington, who lives in Roanoke, said his daughter had asked him to help her study for a math test and go through the class schedule for next semester on Sunday. He called her friends around

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12:30 p.m. when he realized he had not heard from her.

Police said Morgan Harrington, a junior education major, was wearing a black T-shirt with “Pantera” across the front in tan letters, a black mini skirt, black HARRINGTON tights and black knee-high boots.

She has long blonde hair and blue eyes, is 5-foot-6 and weighs about 120 pounds.

She was not carrying an identification card or cell.

Investigators are treating the disappearance as a missing person case, said Virginia State Police Lt. Joe Rader.

“We have no evidence that a crime has been committed,” he said.

Associated Press

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Join the happy natives at

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10/20/09 8:18 PM

Career Panel The Career Center will offer a National Security Employment and Internships Panel from 6:30 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. Thursday in Rudder 601. Panelists include representatives from the FBI, DEA, CIA, Secret Service, Homeland Security and National Security Agency.

scene thebattalion 10.21.2009 page3

Q&A with Clay Harley The Battalion As many Aggies no doubt are aware, the popular rock band Cross Canadian Ragweed will play Wednesday at Hurricane Harry’s. Here’s what drummer Randy Ragsdale had to say about their latest album, their live shows and being a part of the band.

CCR

Question You’ll be playing here in College Station Wednesday. What can people expect from a live CCR show?

Answer Well it’s going to be as many new songs as we can probably remember. It’ll be a lot of the new stuff – we’ll try to mix it up as much as pos-

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|i’m hesitant to make a list this week| |because the theme is Dance| |and everybody knows| |that when it comes to gettin’ down| |and not only gettin’ down| |but friggin’ workin it, hard| |there’s just no competing with “Space Jam”| |but in the mild interest of variety…| |here are some other attempts|

1. Bar Kays “Too Hot To Stop” |bring the funk|

Question Let’s talk about your latest album, “Happiness and All Other Things.” How does it compare to some of your past albums?

Answer Well, I would say the difference on this one was that there was constantly something being done. We weren’t all focused on the same song at the same time. There could be two different songs at once going on. We could be laying down a part on a guitar or vocal in one room, and be practicing on another part in another room. We’ve never had that, so that was pretty cool and a new experience for us.

And we took a different attitude with this one too, we just kind of said “no rules” and let it happen. We brought in [to the studio] everything we had. There ended up being some steel guitar and some piano and organ [on the record]. We haven’t ever done anything like that on another record, but we still can reproduce it [live], I would say, very well.

Question Your brand of music is pretty original. I can hear rock ‘n roll, country and red dirt, but it also has this sort of groovy feel that sets it apart, I think. How would you describe your music?

Answer It’s really hard to explain. We’re obviously red dirt, that’s our territory. The older we get, the further away from country we get. A countryinfluenced rock band, I would say. There’s a lot of different mixtures brought to the table, and maybe that’s why it sets us apart a little bit. [Bass player Jeremy] Plato’s a big metal head, I grew up listening to old country, Cody [Canada]’s the guitar rock guy, like Skynyrd or Ted Nugent, and then Grady [Cross] listened to Waylon and Willie – that type of stuff. Everyone brought something different to the table, and I think that still shows a little bit. We just take what we grew up with, and what we like and just make music.

Hear Ye

2. Mae “Embers and Envelopes” |work your interpretative skills|

3. Gorillaz “Rock The House” |impossible to not look ridiculous|

4. Bill Monroe and The Bluegrass Boys “Footprints in the Snow” |think hoedown|

5. Trey Anastasio “Push On Till the Day” |pace yourself, it’s a marathon| Courtesy photo

Cross Canadian Ragweed will perform at 8 p.m. today at Hurricane Harry’s. The band released a new album, “Happiness and All Other Things,” Aug. 31. sible, lots of music; we play for a long time.

Question Do you have a strong following here?

Answer Yeah. I had some things go down in College Station a few years ago with my family and needed a place to stay, and the community just welcomed us with open arms and took care of us. I’ve always had a special feeling for College Station. And I’m not just saying that. They’re just good people, you know.

Question Have you ever played outside the United States?

Answer Yeah we’ve done France, we’ve done Mexico, and probably this spring we’re going to be doing our first Canada tour. Which is going to be funny because everybody always thinks we’re from Canada.

Question CCR started as a garage band right?

Answer Yeah, well, living room, really. We all grew up in Yukon, Okla., and I had all the drums

and amps at my house because my dad was a musician. So I finally got everybody over and that’s about all it took. Once we showed the interest, my dad was damn sure ready to tell us when we did it right or wrong. He kind of coached us along and helped us out. Those first few years, all we ever did was practice.

Question What’s been your favorite thing about being a part of CCR? Answer I’d have to say meeting John Fogerty and having him say that he always wanted to meet the “real CCR.” That was probably one of the coolest things that’s ever happened to me.

Question What’s in the future for CCR? Answer Well, getting the album out has been the main focus, so now we’re just getting ready for this next year and hopefully working on some tours – just gigs from here on out, and then working on that Canada thing.

6. The Temptations “I Can’t Get Next To You” |save your best moves for this one|

7. Jackson 5 “ABC” |you know it, now own it|

8. Galactic “Think Back” |feat. Chali 2na|

9. Robert Randolph & The Family Band “Ain’t Nothing Wrong With That” |you better turn it up loud|

10. Baby Bash “Early In the Morning” |he seems smart|

Buy them. or just buy “Space Jam”

charley

10/20/09 9:56 PM

news

page 4 wednesday 10.21.2009

International students

thebatt.com

Continued from page 1

“If the student’s application says they’re allergic to something, we get specific to make sure both parties are comfortable. After we match them that’s when we’ll give them the information and the host will contact the students, or vice versa,” Hernandez said.

The program is designed to give students another perspective of A&M besides academics. It is not only to educate international students on what life is like in the U.S., but to give a perspective to the hosts as well.

“I actually hosted an international student at my house not long ago,” said Krista Tacey, director for the service. “It was a really enlightening experience for me because even in my line of work, working with international students all the time, I don’t often get a chance to talk to them about their perceptions of what life is like in the United States in comparison to what life is like in their home countries.”

The student service tries to recruit members from around the Bryan-College Station area to be hosts for these international students including the Chamber of Commerce, rotary clubs and local organizations.

“We do take into consideration when filling out all the forms the dietary restrictions that an international student may have. Some of them of course come from countries that have religious affiliations that don’t permit them to have certain Texas meats, or meat at all. We try to educate the hosts as well and the students as far as what to expect from the experience,” Blackwood said.

thebattalion

Participants are able to request a host to dine with every time, or be paired up with the same hosts.

“If they continue and create some type of relationship, and if they would like to continue, then no one is stopping them from creating that friendship. So it’s up to them if they would like to continue. They can also request to go to a different dinner. There’s multiple times that a person can do this. We’re first trying to get people who haven’t experienced this, and letting them experience it first,” Hernandez said.

The program was piloted in the Spring 2009 semester and received positive feedback.

“It’s been all positive. Everybody’s had a great experience. They felt very welcome and some people have continued to talk to the hosts and the students,” Hernandez said.

The application to become a host consists of questions about children, pets, smoking and if transportation would be available to those international students who don’t have vehicles.

Future plans for the program include creating an orientation meeting at the beginning of the semester as a form of an icebreaker and then a reception at the end as a sort of feedback for the program.

“We hope that from the experience that the international student has a positive and rewarding experience and that they feel a part of the community,” Blackwood said. “Hopefully it will foster some type of relationship between the students and the hosts so they can perhaps e-mail each other or perhaps do it again in the future.”

To become a host for “Dinner in a U.S. Home” http://international.tamu.edu/ISS

Beijing

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“It is imperative that we do all we can to gain better understanding between the governmental, business, education and cultural leaders of our two countries, as well as by the general public, and promote mutually beneficial cooperation at all levels,” said Interim President R. Bowen Loftin, who will be speaking at the conference.

Started in 2003, the conference happens every other year. Previous conferences have taken place at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center at the George Bush Presidential Library Center on campus and in Washington, D.C. The 2009 conference will be held at the Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel. This is the second time it will be held in Beijing.

Attendees have the chance to hear presentations and keynote addresses by many major global players such as Zeng Peiyan, former vice premier of the People’s Republic of China and Gen. Brent Scowcroft, former U.S. national security adviser and president of The Scowcroft Group.

In addition to these large general audience sessions, the conference will also present many smaller discussions called research roundtables to engage dialogue between the two countries and build strategic research collaborations.

The roundtables will be led by professors from A&M who have a research relationship with someone in China.

“The research roundtables offer an innovative way to establish partnerships and further international experiences for our faculty and students,” said A&M Vice President for Research Jeffrey Seemann. “The discussions between Chinese and U.S. researchers provide a strong foundation for broadening and expanding mutual pursuits of research and scholarship.”

Some of the roundtable issues include women and HIV in China, long-term disaster recovery and

Jernigan Continued from page 1

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Jernigan enjoyed the simple things in life and loved playing video and board games and spending time with people he cared for.

He is survived by his daughter Olivia Jernigan, of Conroe, Texas; His sister, mother, and step-dad, Alexandra and Juanice Jernigan, Kevin Trujillo, of

Evan Andrews — THE BATTALION

resilience, environmental pollution, China’s foreign direct investment in the U.S. and sustainable future through bio-energy and biomass usage.

“This year we also have a very strong student component to the conference,” Cantrell said.

Twenty students from Texas A&M, along with six students from other Big 12 universities, will participate in the conference.

Paired with 24 students from Chinese universities, the students will be doing behind-the-scenes work running the conference and take part in the lecture sessions. The students will be documenting the entire process with video cameras and blogging throughout the conference.

The student’s stories and videos will be posted to the University News Web site, tamunews.tamu. edu.

Cantrell said the U.S. students, who arrived in China Friday, will be staying until Sunday, and will be gaining invaluable international experience rooming with the Chinese students.

“It’s a fabulous experience to get to know Chinese culture,” Cantrell said. “The students will get to know the Chinese students on a personal level; it gives them a whole new understanding when you are living day to day and sharing a room with someone who is not from your culture.”

Cleveland, Texas; his father and grandparents, Patrick Jernigan, Lolette and Charles Hallobaugh, of Leander, Texas.

Jernigan’s death is under investigation by the University Police Department.

His memorial service will be held Saturday at 3 p.m. at All Faiths Chapel.

A memorial fund has been opened in his name and donations can be made through Jessica Chagla with Wells Fargo Bank at 936-441-5510.

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10/20/09 10:34 PM

news

page 5 wednesday 10.21.2009

thebattalion

Labor of love

Natasha Sankovich — THE BATTALION

Junior biology major Kimberly DeAtley signed up for curbside recycling on Tuesday during One Love Palooza in front of G. Rollie White. One Love Palooza is an event put on by One Love that promotes the idea of loving others and yourself through art and music.

Who’s got the best stache?

Travis Lawson The Battalion The American Mustache Institute is presenting the “Mustache Mayhem Photo Contest” in an effort to challenge students to grow the most creative facial hair. The winner of the contest will win an all expense-paid trip to St. Louis, Miss., for “Stache Bash 2009.”

Students from across the country are asked to send in pictures of their mustaches via Facebook, picture text or e-mail, where they will be judged by a panel to determine who will represent the students of America with mustaches.

“There are a lot of variables that go into growing a mustache,” said Samuel Freeman, the ambassador for Zenagen Shampoo. “We look for creativity; we are looking for something that is unique.”

Josh Woodle, a junior finance major at the University of Iowa, said he saw the contest on Facebook last year and could not pass up the opportunity. Although he did not win the competition, Woodle says he still wants to attend “Stache Bash 2009.”

“I thought it was kind of funny,” Woodle said. “I’m dressing up for Halloween as Walter Cronkite.”

“Stache Bash 2009” is meant to commemorate the mustache and its purpose in American history. The event will feature musician John Oates

and is expected to draw about 1,500 adults to Orpheum Theater on Oct. 30. Tickets are $29 and a mustache is not required for entrance.

The proceeds generated from the event will go to “Challenger Baseball,” a baseball league for children with disabilities.

“Last year we raised about $10,000,” Freeman said. “We collect zero.”

The Chairman of the Board of the American Mustache Institute Aaron Perlut says the American Mustache Institute is a very political organization that fights for the rights of Americans with mustaches everywhere.

“The American Mustache Institute is the bravest organization in the history of mankind, behind the United States Marine Corps,” Perlut said. “We are the A.C.L.U. for the down trodden mustached American.”

In the Royse City, Texas, School District, near Dallas, a student was forced to shave his mustache because of a district rule outlawing too much facial hair. The student contacted the American Mustache Institute and they lobbied the school district to remove the rule.

The American Mustache Institute was founded in 1965 by Schnurrbart Snor. According to the American Mustache Institute’s Web site, Snor created the group in light of the Federal Mustache Tax Amendment, which charged a 3 percent income tax against men with mustaches.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW*

Illegal alien costume strikes debate MIAMI — A Halloween costume that depicts a space creature in orange prison garb emblazoned with the words “illegal alien” is reigniting debate over a long-used term based on the U.S. government’s designation of all foreigners as aliens.

The dispute has immigrant advocates calling on retailers to pull the costume from its shelves, while a group that supports strict immigration laws say it’s all a to-do over nothing, with freedom of speech being turned upside down by political correctness.

Since Friday, when the Coalition for Humane Immigration Rights in Los Angeles first raised the issue, companies including Target, Walgreens and eBay have removed the costume from their inventory. Still, many local retailers continue to stock the costume that also comes with a “green” card — which technically makes the alien legal.

At costume stores in Miami, the responses have been mixed.

Don King, whose mother immigrated from Cuba, bought pirate and Homer Simpson costumes Tuesday at Halloween USA in midtown Miami, where the costume is on sale but has attracted few customers. “It’s a joke,” King said. “I really don’t think much of it.”

A few miles away in the Little Havana neigh-

borhood, workers at a popular costume store said it was not something they would carry because it was discriminatory. They do stock a human taco costume, replete with a Mariachi hat.

Cashier Carmen Torres, who recalled facing discrimination after arriving from Cuba as a young girl in the 1960s, said the costume was tasteless.

“They haven’t done anything bad. You can punish those who are criminals, but not people who are trying to, trying to work,” Torres said.

Target has said it sold the costume online only and that it was posted by accident though it did not meet the company’s standards. eBay said it asked sellers to remove the costume because it “does not allow items that promote or glorify hatred, violence, racial, sexual or religious intolerance, or promote organizations with such views.”

Jorge-Mario Cabrera, a spokesman for the immigrant coalition, said the costume “perpetuates this idea we have about undocumented immigrants as alien foreigners, strangers, scary.”

Cabrera said he knew the costume could be taken as a play on words but the jumpsuit was too close to what many immigrants must wear in detention centers, “where they can spend months at a time, and where there is a lot of suffering.”

Associated Press

When it comes to good things, there isn’t much better than live music. But there is something better than being stuck in the back of a club next to that guy who looks like he’s never even heard of the band and a girl who only came because of the guy. So here’s a little secret: band equipment is heavy and there’s a lot of it. Go early–as in really early, wait by the back door and when the band shows up, offer to lend a hand. They’ll be grateful and you just might end up backstage. Best heavy lifting you’ll ever do.

* You go to college to learn stuff. But to make it at college you have to know stuff.

These things can be difficult. We’re here to help.

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10/20/09 9:13 PM

page 6 wednesday 10.21.2009

comics/people thebattalion

Psychiatrist: Smith was addict

Dec ’09, May ’10, Aug ’10

GRADUATING SENIORS AND GRADUATE STUDENTS Have your free yearbook portrait taken Oct. 6– Oct. 22 in Training Room 027 of the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center.

To schedule your appointment, go to www.thorntonstudio.com Go to School Portraits, Scheduling, click New User, complete with Login Password: tam Or, you may make your portrait appointment with the photographer. Walk-ins are welcome.

It’s your yearbook. Be in it.

AGGIELAND 2010 Official yearbook of Texas A&M University

LOS ANGELES – A psychiatrist who treated Anna Nicole Smith for drug dependency testified Tuesday the former Playmate fit the legal definition of an addict.

However, under questioning by a judge, Dr. Nathalie Maullin said she never used the words “addict” or SMITH “addiction” when discussing the celebrity model’s problems with her, her personal doctor Sandeep Kapoor or her boyfriend-lawyer Howard K. Stern.Stern, Kapoor and Dr. Khristina Eroshevich are charged with conspiring to provide controlled substances to Smith. All pleaded not guilty.

Oprah Winfrey to interview Sarah Palin CHICAGO – Sarah Palin is going to sit down with Oprah Winfrey. Harpo Productions announced Tuesday that the former governor of Alaska and Republican vice presidential candidate will appear on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” on Monday, Nov. PALIN 16. According to Harpo, the interview will be Palin’s first about her new book, “Going Rogue: An American Life,” and it will be the first time Palin and Winfrey will meet. Palin’s book was No. 4 on Amazon.com’s best-seller list on Tuesday. It’s slated to be released Tuesday, Nov. 17, the day after Palin’s interview with Winfrey.

Britney Spears, photographer settle suit LOS ANGELES – Court records show Britney Spears and a photographer whose foot she ran over have settled a lawsuit.

Ricardo Mendoza sued the pop singer in May, accusing her of assault, battery and negligently driving her car when she ran over his foot in Beverly Hills in October 2007. Court records filed in Los Angeles show a settlement notice was filed Monday. The records do not disclose the terms of the agreement.TMZ, who employed Mendoza at the time, auctioned his sock and donated the proceeds to charity.

Brown sets tour, Rihanna releases single LOS ANGELES — R&B singer Chris Brown announced a month-long “fan appreciation” tour on Tuesday — the same day that ex-girlfriend Rihanna released a new single seen by some as evoking their stormy relationship. Both Rihanna’s single “Russian Roulette” and Brown’s tour announcement were firsts since their relationship came to a violent end in February. Brown, 20, was sentenced to five years probation and community service in August for a bloody attack on Rihanna, 21, on the eve of the Grammy Awards in February. Brown’s record company Jive said the “Kiss Kiss” singer would play small venues in 19 U.S. cities starting in Houston, Texas on Nov. 14.

‘Big Brother’ charged with selling pills BOSTON – The ninth-season winner of the reality TV show “Big Brother” told a federal agent that he used his $500,000 prize to buy thousands of oxycodone pills and resell them, authorities said. Adam Jasinski, 31, of Delray Beach, Fla., has been charged with attempting to sell 2,000 pills in Massachusetts to a government witness.

Associated Press

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TOSUBMIT Direct all correspondence to: Editor in chief of The Battalion (979) 845-3315 | mailcall@thebatt.com

Mail call must be fewer than 200 words and include the author’s name, classification, major and phone number. Staff and faculty must include title. Guest columns must be fewer than 700 words.

voices thebattalion 10.21.2009 page7

Resisting H1N1 in Aggieland people, then you’re safer than I am. For those of us who spend several cramped minutes twice a day with our face shoved in some guy’s armpit (sometimes more literally than others), extra precautions need to be taken. First of all, if you sneeze or cough on a bus please cover your mouth. This one step can prevent the spread of a lot of germs. Secondly, whenever you ride a bus wash your hands as soon as possible afterwards. Remember, that guy who was conscientious enough to cover his cough grabbed the same pole you did to steady himself when the driver hit the brakes. Finally, if you’re sick, stay home. If you have to come to campus don’t take a bus during rush hour. Better yet, get a ride.

The H1N1 vaccine is due to arrive in the Brazos Valley sometime between now and midNovember. At that time the cases of flu will likely be decreasing. Don’t let the lull in cases prevent you from getting vaccinated. H1N1 has been found to spread in six to seven week waves of cases, so just because you dodged the bullet during the fall wave doesn’t mean you’ll be safe over the winter.

While it (probably) won’t kill you, any flu can certainly ruin several weeks of your semester. You won’t feel like getting out of bed, but no one will want to be around you anyway.

So be smart, Ags keep that cup to yourself, cover your cough and most importantly, get a flu shot. That is unless you want to be hustled onto a Transportation Services bus, taken to a classroom-turned-dorm-room in Blocker and fed only Dining Services food for two weeks of forced isolation. Doesn’t sound fun to me.

Kat Drinkwater

With the H1N1 flu still going strong, let’s stay cautious of germs and avoid having to lie in bed for days on end.

I

n June the World Health Organization declared the H1N1 flu a pandemic, and it has been all downhill since then. In the past month, cases on college campuses around the country have continued to grow, increasing by 2 percent to a total of 40,000 cases in seven weeks. Many universities, mostly in the northeast where there have been more cases, have gone to extreme measures to prevent an epidemic. Universities are designating empty dorms for quarantine where flu victims are delivered boxed meals, tissues and Tamiflu and transported by a segregated flu-bus to the campus health center. Aggies should take a cue from our northern neighbors and do whatever it takes to avoid the flu.

One of the easiest ways to avoid spreading the flu is to not eat or drink after anyone.

Parties have been cited as common breeding grounds for the flu because of the close proximity of people and the popularity of the national college sport, beer pong. Contrary to popular belief, the alcohol doesn’t sterilize the cups.

Keep your body in shape for regular partying by using safe beer pong practices. Fill the cups on the table with water and drink from your own

Osazuwa Okundaye — THE BATTALION

cup instead.

Another venerable Aggie tradition tragically affected by the flu pandemic is the practice of mugging down at football games and Midnight Yell. With flu fears curbing affectionate greetings and hugs, The New York Times has recommended elbow nudges and fist bumps as alternatives. Although an elbow nudge would certainly be safer, it’s unlikely to catch on as a celebratory gesture. Perhaps instead Aggies could adopt the practice of air kissing beside the cheek common in southern Europe, or better

yet, blowing kisses from a distance.

Philip L. Graham III, a pediatric epidemiologist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital said it best: “The closer your mucus membranes come to [someone else’s] mucus membranes, the risk is going to increase.”

So, let’s keep those mucus membranes at a distance.

A time when mucus membranes are always too close for comfort is on the buses during class changes. If you’re lucky enough not to ride a bus, or to ride one that isn’t packed with

Kat Drinkwater is a senior university psychology and neuroscience major.

The flu: a patient’s guide to survival MAILCALL From Jesse Gary, graduate Class of 2003 James Cavin

Getting sick is only the beginning of your troubles.

The doctor’s office is where the fun starts and never ends.

I

t’s getting to be that time of year when the human body decides to kill itself via the flu.

My advice is to just let it happen.

No matter how horrible you feel, you can always feel worse after going to a doctor. (Ah, you’ve got an open wound there, let me pour rubbing alcohol over it and stitch it up by hand with a needle). If childhood taught me one thing, it’s that hamsters don’t swim well, and doctors believe every medical problem can be solved with enough stitches. Let’s just be glad the medical industry hasn’t discovered the sewing machine yet.

Should the flu lead to a temporary insanity forcing you to seek medical treatment at A.P. Beutel Health Center (motto: the smaller the problem, the bigger the needle) there are a few guidelines you should follow.

Rule No. 1: Do not, under any circumstances, let the receptionist see you. I don’t know about you, but medical receptionists (and come to think of it, some regular receptionists too), have this odd habit of asking me to pee in things.

I’ve never had the courage to ask why, but I think that it’s some kind of huge practical joke competition in the Receptionist Union. “You’ll never guess what I got my patient to do,” they say at the water cooler in Receptionist Headquarters. “Oh yeah, well I did the same thing, and only gave him a thimble.”

Of course “giving a sample” is never so easy as it sounds. There’s an important scientific protocol that must be followed when it comes to peeing on things, filling out around 700 health history forms. I guess just to make sure I don’t have any conditions that would make peeing in a

James Cavin — THE BATTALION

bottle a life threatening procedure.

And there are certainly plenty of life threatening conditions on those forms. Everything from male pattern baldness to (I swear by my own grave I am not making this up) “bloody ejaculation.” How would blood get in there? Urethral parasites? Severe testicular hemorrhage? (Insert your own blood donor joke here). There was even a part asking me if I had ever had a “fecal occult blood test.”

Doctor: I need 20 cc’s of live chicken and four Eye of Newt STAT. Patient: Is that a pentagram on the syringe?

If you can get through the mountain of paperwork (helpful hint: treat the blank spaces like Mad Libs) they finally hand you a “specimen cup” and point to the restroom. Which brings us to the second most important rule of surviving A.P. Beutel.

Rule No. 2: Never, ever, even look at the restroom walls. I say this because doctors feel the need to decorate restrooms with handy health tips, like how to perform a self-exam for...well, let’s just say that I never ever want to see the phrase “like cottage cheese” again in my life.

(Ack. There it is.)

The second thing to keep in mind is that “specimen cups” have roughly the size and hold-

ing capacity of a bottle cap. And let me tell you, after spending three hours filling out paperwork, that bottle cap isn’t going to do diddly. Or rather it is. A lot of diddly. All over.

Moving right along, if you can survive giving a sample, it’s time to actually see the doctor. This is in fact the most dangerous part of the entire ordeal. Whatever happens, do not forget the most important rule of surviving A.P. Beutel.

Rule No. 3: Guys, if the doctor tells you to “Turn your head and cough,” for the love of all that is good and pure, don’t do it. You may find it hard to believe, but this instruction is just a devious ploy to catch people off guard. While you are looking away, the doctor will grab you.

I’m not joking. Outlandish as it may seem, this violation happens on a daily basis. “Well,” says the doctor as some sort of excuse, “No hernias.”

If I hadn’t hit him over the head with the bedpan when I did, I’m pretty sure he would have gone for a needle.

James Cavin is a senior English major.

EDITOR’SNOTE

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants in this paper do not necessarily reflect those of Texas A&M University, The Battalion or its staff.

I started at A&M in the fall of 2000, a time when I could at least expect our football team to be ranked, finish with a winning record, and go to a bowl game. I attended every minute of every home game, stood in the student section and screamed my lungs out, but every year we seemed to regress. Now, I expect the worst; no matter the opponent, I assume we will find a way to lose. I can’t even enjoy college football anymore. I dread Saturdays, and I just want this season to end. All I have to look forward to is hoping Texas loses (which they rarely do). It’s not only embarrassing for the football program and the athletic program; it’s embarrassing for the school. We have the money, the facilities, the history, the fan base; the only thing we’re missing is wins. It’s fairly obvious that this team just doesn’t care or prepare. There’s no other way to explain a 62-14 loss to a mediocre-at-best KSU squad. I’ve expended so much time and energy and emotion supporting Aggie football, trying never to quit or give up, but it’s difficult when the team quits and gives up. So for now, I’m done. I’m done caring about A&M football. If anyone attempts to continue supporting this sorry excuse for a football team, I both admire and pity you. Enjoy another wasted season filled with crushing defeats and lowered expectations. If and when this team decides to show up at regain a pulse, I’ll jump back in, but until then, I’m not going to care until this team does.

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Balcones Apartments, only 2 left!

1/1 on bus route $475/mo.

703-8282.

Casa Verde town-home 2/2 W/D connection. Near bus stop. Pest, water, lawn paid $695/mo.

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Close to campus 2bd/2bth. Washer and dryer. Fenced yard. www.aggielandleasing.com www.southwoodplace.com Pre-leasing Townhome Style Condos 2bd/2.5ba off Spring Loop and University Drive. River Ridge Townhomes. Close to campus on the bus route. Call 979-690-1504 or email Sieglipp@yahoo.com Quiet country setting 1.5 miles from A&M. Nice 3/2 double-wide.

Fireplace, deck, stalls available. $1000/mo. 979-846-5950.

Roommates needed.

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Mobile home for sale to be moved (Fleetwood) 16x66. Like new. $19,000. (979)-535-7524. Negotiable.

HELP WANTED AgniTEK looking for part time employee- responsible for creation of websites using content management system, customer training, and development. Experience in Photoshop and Fireworks a plus.

No programming experience required. Send resume and cover letter to work@agnitek.com Athletic men for calendars, books, etc. $100-$200/hr, up to $1000/day.

No experience. 512-684-8296. photoguy@io.com Cleaning commercial buildings at night, M-F. Call 979-823-5031 for appointment.

Experienced wait staff for new wine bar. Must be 21 w/wine knowledge or willing to learn.

979-204-6030.

Healthcare technology firm MEMdata now hiring part time IT Systems Analyst. Local, just minutes from campus. Flexible hours. Pay based on qualifications. Email resumes to careers@memdata.com or fax to 979.695.1954.

Healthcare technology firm MEMdata now hiring. Local, just minutes from campus.

Part-time openings (20 hrs/wk minimum), M-F 8 to 5. Flexible Hours. Good Verbal Communication and Computer Skills a Must. $8/hr plus bonus. E-mail resumes to careers@memdata.com or fax to 979-695-1954.

Local Medical Technology Firm MEMdata is seeking part time/full time graphic designers/web designers/video blog editors for our growing business. Local, just minutes from campus. Flexible hours.

Paid internship available if preferred.

Email resumes to careers@memdata.com or fax to (979)695-1954.

Notes & Note Takers wanted immediately. Freshmen & Sophomores in demand. We pay top dollar for notes & note takers. e-mail: tamunotes@gmail.com

ROOMMATES 1bd/1ba downstairs apartment. For lease! Wolf Pen Creek $475/mo. includes utilities. $400 cash back incentive. 713-253-3399.

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Contact Barbara 713-550-6560.

One roommate in duplex on bus route needed. $450/mo +1/2 utilities. Pets ok. 817-266-1286.

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Students practice the dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” in preparation for Thrill The World, a worldwide tribute to the late artist.

Nancy Barrera The Battalion Are you still looking for a way to pay tribute to Michael Jackson? Do you have a zombie costume for Halloween that you can’t wait to wear? Or maybe, do you just want to dance?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, Thrill The World is the event for you.

A tribute to Michael Jackson, Thrill The World is a worldwide attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the Largest Simultaneous Dance with Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

And A&M is taking part in it.

“Thousands of people in cities around the world will learn ‘Thriller’ and perform it together on the day that Thrill The World takes

“

Thousands of people in cities around the world will learn ‘Thriller’ and perform it together on the day that Thrill The World takes place.”

— Ines Markelle director and creator of Thrill The World

place,” said Ines Markelle, director and creator of Thrill The World.

The event originally became a category in Guinness World Records on Oct. 29, 2006, in Toronto, Canada, when Thrill The World was organized in only two weeks with 62 dancing zombies. The event in 2007 was the first worldwide simultaneous dance of “Thriller,” and Thrill The World 2008 had the most number of participants yet.

This year, the goal is to break the Guinness World Record with 270,000 participants. With more than 370 events registered so far, the registration process is open for anyone who wants to join for free.

“Even though the majority of participants

are A&M students, everyone should take part in Thrill The World 2009 as it’s a great program to unify the community,” said Elizabeth Lee, MSC Town Hall development executive.

Town Hall has invited students to attend workshops to help people learn and practice the dance. The last workshop will be from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Recreation Center Room 243, with contributions from Fade To Black.

“If people are unable to Thrill attend the workshops, they should go online to learn the the steps so they can take part World in Thrill The World 2009,” A&M’s Thrill the said Jennifer Tathorn, MSC World event is Town Hall’s music educafrom 7:30 p.m. tion executive. to 8:30 p.m.

“Thriller” is not a comSaturday at plicated dance routine and Sbisa grass. most participants who are involved in this project have Participation is been able to learn the steps open. in just a single workshop.

For students who learn at a slower pace and find the steps tricky, they are more than welcome to attend as many sessions as they wish or get external assistance to enhance their performance.

“When I first saw “Thriller” on YouTube the steps seemed very difficult to learn and carry out, but going to the workshops and practicing after hours with my friends has helped me learn the dance at my own pace,” said freshman biology major Elena Mares.

Thrill The World 2009 will be from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Sbisa grass. Participants are encouraged to come to the event as early as 7 p.m. to sign in and fill out the forms in order to be included in the official count.

Participants are also encouraged to come dressed as zombies to fit the role and make the performance extra thrilling.

“I am really excited to wear my zombie costume and hopefully be part of the new upcoming world record,” said freshman music major Amy Mireles.

puzzle answers can be found online at www.thebatt.com

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Spacious 2bd/2ba, washer and dryer provided, shuttle route, curbside parking. www.aggielandleasing.com www.southwoodplace.com

Adopt Pets: Dogs, Cats, Puppies, Kittens, Many purebreds. Brazos Animal Shelter, 979-775-5755, www.brazosanimalshelter.org

Spacious 3bd/3ba. Close to campus. Washer and dryer provided. www.aggielandleasing.com

Australian shepherd adults and puppies, 2 blue heeler females, reasonably priced.

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STUDIES IN PROGRESS DO YOU HAVE FACIAL ACNE? www.AggieNetwork.com

We are looking for volunteers to participate in a twelve-week research study of an investigational topical medication for acne. Those who qualify will receive at no cost: • Study related medical evaluations by a dermatologist • Study related medication • Reimbursement for time and travel, up to $250.

Participants must be 12-45 years of age.

For more information please contact:

RED DRY SCALY PATCHES OF SKIN ATOPIC DERMATITIS STUDY (ECZEMA) Volunteers ages 18 - 64 needed to participate up to a 12 week long clinical research study with an investigational topical medication for atopic dermatitis (RED, DRY, SCALY PATCHES OF SKIN). Eligible volunteers will receive at no cost: • Study related medication • Physical Examination • Dermatological Assessments • Compensation up to $675.00 for time and travel For more information please contact:

J&S Studies, Inc. 979-774-5933 1710 Crescent Pointe Parkway, College Station, TX 77845 www.js-studies.com

pg8-10-21-09.indd 1

10/20/09 10:33 PM

sports

Faculty Appreciation Night The Texas A&M volleyball team will be holding Faculty Appreciation Night at Wednesday’s game against Oklahoma.

Any faculty member can use the e-mailed promo code and get a ticket for $3.

thebattalion 10.21.2009 page9

Home is where the heart is No. 21 Texas A&M looks to continue its home unbeaten streak as Oklahoma visits Reed Arena Courtney Nelson

Ben Williamson— THE BATTALION

Senior outside hitter Mary Batis is third on the team with 3.08 kills per set. Texas A&M welcomes Oklahoma to Reed Arena at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

The Battalion The No. 21 Texas A&M volleyball team, with a 7-0 record at home, hopes to build on the momentum gained by beating Colorado, 3-1, on Saturday.

Senior outside hitter Sarah Ammerman said despite their struggles against Iowa State in Ames last week, the Aggies (13-4, 6-3 in Big 12) were ready for their three games at home, starting with Colorado.

“Every night we go out with the same mentality to win,” Ammerman said. “Against Colorado we were just clicking better. We did a good job of refocusing and bouncing back and playing our game.”

The Oklahoma Sooners (12-6, 5-4 in Big 12) will come to College Station on Wednesday off the heels of a win against No.19 Baylor in five games on Saturday.

Head Coach Laurie Corbelli knows what to expect tomorrow night.

“I know too much about them,” Corbelli said. “They return all six starters, so we have been playing the same team for years now. We match up really well because we have

similar styles of play. They have really good middles and a strong right side attack, so we have to get a solid block up.”

Though A&M has been working hard on their blocking and transition attacks, Ammerman said it is their defense that will be key against Oklahoma.

“One of our biggest strengths is our ball control,” Ammerman said. “When we do that well, we give ourselves opportunities to do all other parts of the game well.

To get past Oklahoma, we have to maximize our passing and work on splitting their blockers to give our hitters opportunities to find holes in their court.”

This past week, Oklahoma sophomore outside hitter Suzy Boulavsky was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week. Boulavsky reached career highs with 21 kills and 20 digs, hit .455 and was a major presence at the net assisting with five blocks.

Aggie sophomore Kelsey Black has some experience with two specific Sooners.

She played with setter Brianne Barker in high school at Amarillo and against Boulavsky for

years, so she knows what they are capable of.

“I played with her [Barker] from third grade through high school,” Black said. “She is extremely aggressive and uses her good court awareness to trick people really easily. I’ve also played Boulavsky since I was in fifth grade. Once she gets on a roll, it’s really hard to stop her. We just need to take care of her early.”

The explosive play of Boulavsky is no surprise to Corbelli; however, she knows the Aggies can effectively stop her.

“She really is on fire right now,” Corbelli said. “They go to her a lot, and she is responding beautifully. The only answer anyone has for that is a solid block and steady defense.

She’s really smart and hits some shots that are unfamiliar to many defenses.”

Texas A&M comes into the game in fourth in the Big 12 standings. They lead the country in assists per set with 14.28 and kills per set with 15.09.

Wednesday is also Faculty Appreciation Night at Reed Arena. All faculty can get into the game for $3 with the promotional code that was emailed to them this week.

A Friend Dies. Who Cares?

Toxic drinking is an epidemic on campuses all across America.

It means consuming so much alcohol the drinker passes out. But while “sleeping it off,” the victim may be quietly dying.

Working with experts, they fine-tuned a course in techniques to handle these alcohol emergencies. Red Watch Band members can act fast, when every second counts.They know the quick steps they can take to rescue a passed-out student from a drinking death, and can immediately summon professional help. Everyone completing the course is given the distinctive red watch for identification.

Since its inception at Stony Brook University in March 2009, approximately 40 schools across the country have signed on to implement this lifesaving program.

To prevent toxic drinking deaths, go to redwatchband.org

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Stony Brook University/SUNY is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer. 09090264

When you come right down to it, students themselves are the best ones to tackle this problem. So, in growing numbers, Stony Brook students have joined together in the Red Watch Band movement.

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At Chevron, we go to the far reac hes of the globe to find new answ ers to the world’s energy challenge s. You can be part of a team of engineers working together in some pretty amazing places— people who ha ve the tools and support to make a dif ference every day. Find out how far your talents can take you. For local and global opportunities, visit us onlin e today.

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CHEVRON, the CHEVRON HALL MARK and HUMAN ENERGY are registered trademarks of Chevr on Intellectual Property LLC. © 2009 Chevron Corporation. All rights reserved.

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