thebattalion ● monday,
Loftin names task force The Battalion Soon after becoming Interim President, R. Bowen Loftin began planning for solutions to improve Texas A&M’s national standing. Loftin named the Athletics Task Force members Friday, Oct. 30. The task force will seek to make A&M’s Athletics Department fulfill the fourteenth criteria for Vision 2020. Loftin made his decision to use task forces to share resources among A&M System offices and within the University early in his presidency. “Several task forces, with strong University representation, have been established to take a comprehensive look at many non-academic areas,” said Loftin in a news release eight days after becoming interim president. However, the Athletics Task Force was not announced until the Academic Convocation earlier this semester. The task force will debate more than four key considerations: the role of A&M student athletes,
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the comparison of our athletic program to the top 10 in the nation, recommendations for long-term financial plans for the department and the correct vision for creating excellence in the department. “We’re going back to look,” said Loftin during the Academic Convocation, “and make sure we understand how Athletics plays into the entire fabric of Texas A&M, especially how our student athletes integrate into our student body.” H. Russell Cross, professor of animal science and former executive vice president for operations, will become the chairman of the Athletics Task Force. Students and student-athletes are represented in the committee, as are members of the faculty and athletics department staff. “I expect that the Athletics Task Force will work quickly while conducting a thorough evaluation,” Loftin said. “I look forward to receiving their recommendations.”
Texas A&M 35, Iowa State 10
wonder
Photos by Patrique Ludan — THE BATTALION
Texas A&M Architecture Professor Pliny Fisk is known for his endeavors in “green” architecture.
Professor leads way in green design Travis Lawson The Battalion With interns from all over the country working on various projects, the Center of Maximum Potential Building in Austin, Texas, provides a glimpse into the world of “green” architecture. Pliny Fisk, a professor of architecture at Texas A&M University, is known for his work in the field of environmentally-friendly architecture. Fisk uses building methods such as roofs that collect rainwater, walls made of straw and clay and rooms lit with natural lighting. One building on site uses various materials for the floor that eliminate the need for Portland cement, which accounts for about 6 percent of greenhouse gases. “We are now the oldest non-profit doing sustainable architecture and building work in the country,” Fisk said. Fisk said using alternative materials to construct parts of buildings opens up a new market that will benefit businesses. By using “virgin” products, local businesses will be created to sell these materials. “There are a lot of things in the building that can be re-configured and re-used for all kids of things,” Fisk said. “A lot of sustain-
Pictured above is a futuristic view of industrial planning for Corpus Christi and to the left is a “dog trot” area which cools the building, and is an example of historical Texas architecture.
See Fisk on page 6
Schools ready for loan program Jane Lee
Jon Eilts — THE BATTALION
What’s Next Texas A&M vs. Colorado Boulder, Colorado Saturday, Nov. 7 12:30 p.m.
on TV
Taking the wind out of the Cyclones The Texas A&M football team defeated the Iowa State Cyclones 35-10 Saturday at Kyle Field. See the game story at thebatt.com
Fox College Sports
Sports | 5
One away The Texas A&M football team is one win away from reaching bowl eligibility. The Aggies have not made a bowl birth since 2007.
The Battalion Secretary of Education Arne Duncan sent a letter to thousands of colleges and universities around the nation in preparation for the government’s 2010-2011 school year Direct Loan Program. Congress, however, has yet to give final approval to legislation ending federal subsidies for private student loans for college. In September, the House of Representatives passed the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act which would expand the government’s direct lending and end the current program of government subsidies and loan guarantees for private lenders, said Joseph Pettibon, the assistant provost to Financial Aid and Scholarships at A&M. Pettibon said, under the bill, the
Direct Loan Program would replace the Federal Family Educational Loan Program. The program would eliminate the role of private banks in federal student lending and allow students to borrow directly from the federal government. But the Senate has yet to take action on the legislation, and it is uncertain when the transition will occur. The Federal Family Educational Loan Program has existed for almost 40 years, and the loans come from private banks and lenders. The Direct Loan Program has been in effect since 1993 and extends loans directly from the federal government, Pettibon said. “Texas A&M University has been preparing for the change if it occurs,” Pettibon said.
The University changed its student information system from the Student Information Management System to COMPASS, known to A&M students as the Howdy Portal. COMPASS allows the University to work with both the Federal Family Educational Loan Program and the Direct Loan Program unlike the older system, SIMS, which could only manage the FFELP, Pettibon said. Texas A&M University has never worked with the Direct Loan Program, but will be letting students know with ample time how the changes will affect their financial aid. “One of the biggest changes for students would be that they would have to sign a promissory note stating that they understand the changes and where their money is actually coming from,” Pettibon said.
After Dark to deliver music and message through free concert Vicky Flores The Battalion As the sun goes down tonight, Aggies from all walks of life will come together for an event that features a concert and shares the story of hope. After Dark is a free concert and event, taking place from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Nov. 2 at Reed Arena. “The purpose of After Dark is to put on an event where the music and the message meet,” said Adam Martin, event director of After Dark.
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After Dark will feature indie-rock artist Matt Wertz and speaker Joe White, president of Kanakuk Kamps. “Joe White is an amazing speaker,” Martin said. “He speaks to the NFL and major league baseball teams all over the country.” Jordan Pugh, a senior university studies major and defensive back for the Aggie football team, will address students about After Dark’s message. “I thought it would be a really good idea to share my faith,” Pugh said, “I just wanted to let people know about myself and my
faith.” One of the biggest highlights of the show happens when White carries a 250-pound cross he built across the stage to demonstrate the strength of the gospel, said Kassie Cessna, sophomore sports management major. Cessna, an After Dark staff member, also wants to spread the word that although the event centers around the message of the gospel, students from all backgrounds are encouraged to attend because the show has See After Dark on page 6
Sam Smith — THE BATTALION
Students promote After Dark, a free concert event, at Saturday’s football game in the student section of Kyle Field.
11/1/09 9:10 PM