The Battalion: April 28, 2009 by The Battalion

thebattalion the battalion ● tuesday,

april 28, 2009

● Serving

Texas A&M since 1893

Shattered By Kevin Alexander | The Battalion

On Sept. 25, 1998, Don Mathews Jr. was beaten savagely during a random act of violence. When he woke 20 days later, he wasn’t the Don his family and friends remembered.

Lost in the night | 4 Photos by Kevin Alexander — THE BATTALION

Bill allows students to vote to approve environmental programs

WHO raises global swine flu alert level

Jill Beathard The Battalion Students from Texas A&M and University of Texas put aside their rivalry to speak in favor of a bill promoting environmentally sustainable programs on Texas campuses. The Green Fee bill would allow state universities to add a student fee of less than $5 to fund these programs if the student body votes in favor of such a fee. “It [the bill] allows students to vote if they would like to see [funding for] more environmentally sustainable projects,” said Environmental Issues Committee Chairwoman Amanda Grosgebauer, a senior English major. “All the power is in the students’ hands.”

Staff and wire The swine flu epidemic entered a dangerous new phase Monday as the death toll climbed in Mexico and the number of suspected cases there and in the United States nearly doubled. The World Health Organization raised its alert level but stopped short of declaring a global emergency. The United States advised Americans against most travel to Mexico and ordered stepped up border checks in neighboring states. The European Union health commissioner advised Europeans to avoid nonessential travel both to Mexico and parts of the United States. Three cases of the swine flu, now called North American Influenza, have been confirmed in Guadalupe County, Texas. No related deaths have been reported in the U.S., and no confirmed or suspicious cases exist Texas A&M’s area, said Dr. Martha Dannenbaum, director of Student Health Services. Symptoms include sudden fever, body aches, coughing and unexplained fatigue. Students with any of these symptoms or who have been around others who are ill are encouraged to schedule an appointment or walk-in at Beutel Health Center See Swine flu on page 2

Getting the job done Professionals share stories about career choices and paths Megan Keyho The Battalion

ASSOCIATED PRESS

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See Green Fee on page 8

Hemali Tanna — THE BATTALION

ven though becoming an author, columnist or spokesman of NASA might seem impossible, the basic standards remain the same. The professionals break it down to competence, experience and passion.

A family wearing protective masks walk in downtown Mexico City, Monday. A fatal strain of swine flu has been detected in Mexico while the virus has been confirmed or suspected in at least a half-dozen other countries.

In the A&M spring elections, 76 percent of the student body voted that they would like to see A&M invest more in environmentally sustainable programs and services. The EIC is working to implement a $1 per semester student fee at A&M. The EIC, a committee of the Student Government Association, was asked to speak by Reenergize Texas, a coalition of college students advocating conservationism in Texas. Reenergize Texas provides resources for and organizes students to unite and get involved in promoting environmentally sustainable programs. The students spoke before the Committee of Higher Education in the House of Representatives. Grosgebauer represented A&M, along with

The columnist: What does it take? “Competence, that is the main thing,” said John Kelly, a columnist at the Washington Post. “You have to be good at this, especially in journalism” Kelly said many young people have a tendency to be shy, and in the journalism world, there is no room for shyness. He said forwardness and directness are qualities that employers look for in journalists, along with a strong enthusiasm for the business.

Ethics are another aspect of the business that cannot be forgotten when pursuing a career in journalism. “There have been lots of [ethical] missteps lately: Jayson Blair and plagiarism, but even in this freewheeling culture it is a bedrock thing — you can’t make stuff up,” he said. As of right now, nobody knows what direction journalism is going to take, and even though it is harder for a young person to break into the business because of the lack of small newspaper businesses, people have the tools, Kelly said. They just have to use them. Web sites like Facebook, Youtube, Twitter and blogs, whether they are here to stay or just fads, are ways aspiring journalists can get their name out in the field. “Will these Web sites really amount to something? Nobody knows,” Kelly said. “We hope journalism will survive and thrive, but who is going to do it? That is what we have to figure out.” See Careers on page 2

Jonny Green — THE BATTALION

MSC Open House moves to Rec Center The Fall 2009 Memorial Student Center Complex Open House will be going on the road as it relocates to the Student Recreation Center because of MSC renovations. “We have more than 800 student organizations that come out and recruit, and promote their organization; its probably the greatest showcase of organizations that freshmen can come and see,” said MSC Vice President of Marketing Sarah Barnes. Barnes, a junior communication major, said the Open House will be a success but regrets that organizations will have to pay a $40 fee in order to have a spot at the Open House. “The size of [the Student Recreation Center] was big

enough; the only other place on campus that was big enough was Reed Arena, but we decided the Rec was a better venue,” said MSC Communications Coordinator Eric Blodgett. The Rec will be open during Open House. The organizations will be set up in one of the gymnasiums, the archery room and the garden room. Fall Open House will be from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6. Student organizations can register at mscopenhouse.tamu.edu. Vicky Flores

How to register Fall Open House will be from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 6. Student organizations can register at mscopenhouse.tamu.edu.

4/27/09 10:32:04 PM

Today T Thunderstorms

Wednesday Thunderstorms

Thursday Thunderstorms

30% chance of rain

High: 84 Low: 69

High: 84 Low: 70

High: 83 Low: 69

pagetwo thebattalion 4.28.2009

DINING SERVICES

Meal Plan 101 Today Rudder Plaza

12:30 pm - 2:30 pm Questions? Get answers about meal plans and dining on campus.

QUESTIONS?

For additional times and locations

Swine flu Continued from page 1

between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. North American Influenza is spread by close exposure to ill people, such as being coughed on, sneezed on or touched. The Center for Disease Control is developing a vaccine for the virus, which should be included in the new flu shot this fall. The 2008 flu shot did not contain a vaccine against North American Influenza. The disease does respond to antiviral prescription drugs commonly administered to flu patients such as Tamiflu and Relenza. The virus poses a potentially grave new threat to the U.S. economy, which was showing tentative early signs of a recovery. A widespread outbreak could batter tourism, food and transportation industries, deepening the recession in the U.S. and possibly worldwide. The suspected number of deaths rose to 149 in Mexico, the epicenter of the outbreak with nearly 2,000 people believed to be infected. The number of U.S. cases doubled to 42, the result of further testing at a New York City school, although none was fatal. Other U.S. cases have been reported in Ohio, Kansas, Texas and California. Worldwide there were 73 cases, including six in Canada, one in Spain and two in Scotland. While the total cases were still measured in hundreds, not thousands, Mexican Health

Secretary Jose Angel Cordova said the epidemic was entering an extremely dangerous phase, with the number of people infected mushrooming even as authorities desperately ramped up defenses. “We are in the most critical moment of the epidemic. The number of cases will keep rising, so we have to reinforce preventative measures,” Cordova said at a news conference. The WHO raised the alert level to Phase 4, meaning there is sustained human-tohuman transmission of the virus causing outbreaks in at least one country. Its alert system was revised after bird flu in Asia began to spread in 2004, and Monday was the first time it was raised above Phase 3. “At this time, containment is not a feasible option,” as the virus has already spread to several other countries, said WHO Assistant Director-General Keiji Fukuda. Putting an alert at Phases 4 or 5 signals that the virus is becoming increasingly adept at spreading among humans. That move could lead governments to set trade, travel and other restrictions aimed at limiting its spread. Phase 6 is for a full-blown pandemic, characterized by outbreaks in at least two regions of the world. It could take 4-6 months before the first batch of vaccines are available to fight the virus, WHO officials said. Russia, Hong Kong and Taiwan said they would quarantine visitors showing symptoms of the virus amid global fears of a pandemic, an epidemic spread over a large

area, either a region or worldwide. President Barack Obama said the outbreak was reason for concern, but not yet “a cause for alarm.” Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said that so far the virus in the United States seems less severe than in Mexico. Only one person has been hospitalized in the U.S. “I wouldn’t be overly reassured by that,” Besser told reporters at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, raising the possibility of more severe cases in the United States. “We are taking it seriously and acting aggressively,” Besser said. “Until the outbreak has progressed, you really don’t know what it’s going to do.” U.S. customs officials began checking people entering U.S. territory. Millions of doses of flu-fighting medications from a federal stockpile were on their way to states, with priority given to the five already affected and to border states. Federal agencies were conferring with state and international governments. “We want to make sure that we have equipment where it needs to be, people where they need to be and, most important, information shared at all levels,” said Janet Napolitano, head of the Homeland Security Department. “We are proceeding as if we are preparatory to a full pandemic,” Napolitano said. Staff reporter Jill Beathard contributed to this story

Slip ’n slide

Grateful Nation FoundationTM (formed by three Aggie Seniors) will host a weekend of events in College Station, TX May 1-2, 2009 to pay tribute to our veterans. Compliments of the Veteran’s Airlift Command, veterans and special guests from around the nation are being flown in to partake in this meaningful celebration of service and sacrifice!

You’re Invited: “A Colorful Celebration of Our Veterans” This exciting event, staged by student and community volunteers, will feature live multi-cultural artists, speeches from veterans, and dance. It is called “A Colorful Celebration of our Veterans” to show that our diverse country, with countless cultures, languages, ideals, and lifestyles can unify behind something positive.

Evening Event at the Hilton Hotel Oakwood Ballroom ($75.00 per person) * Cocktail Attire Friday, May 1, 2009 Address: 801 University Drive E. College Station, Texas 77840 6:00pm: Cocktail Social and Silent Auction 7:00pm: Welcome by Founders, Dinner, and Keynote Speaker: Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Michael Thornton 8:00pm: Live Multi-Cultural, Patriotic Performing Artists: Kaustavi Sarkar & Aparupa Chatterjee- Odissi- Indian Dancers • Texas A&M Singing Cadets • Emily Shield, Acoustic Guitar/Singer • Elizabeth Anne Russell, Jazz Singer • Allie Noelle, Acoustic Rock, Indie, Blues • Dillon Chevalier, Acoustic, Folk, & Indie • Lauren Grammer, Soul Singer • Victoria Teel, Belly Dancer • Vince Partida & Guitarist Misael Obregon • Javier Marimon & Njekwa Beasnael, Multi-Lingual Poets • Jonathan Sneed & Yesenia Andablo, Duet Salsa Dancing • Members of Susan’s Ballroom Dance • And much more! 11:00 PM: Evening Ends. Silent Auction Closes

Luncheon at Veritas Wine and Bistro ( 30.00 per person) $

Saturday, May 2, 2009 Address: 830 University Drive East, College Station, TX 77840 11:00am: Guest and Veteran Meet and Greet & Spare Change Singing Quartet 12:00pm: Brunch Served 12:30pm: Keynote Speaker: Veteran, Young & The Restless actor, Ric Maddox, shares his intimate military stories and transition to civilian life. 2:00pm: Event Ends. ** All tickets are pre-sold.

For more information on donating to our cause and ticket purchasing visit: www.usgrateful.org or jenna@usgrateful.org Proceeds Beneﬁt: Hope For The Warriors & Veteran’s Airlift Command & Wounded Warrior Project ** With modern advances in technology our servicemen & women are surviving injuries that would have been fatal in any previous war. However, the rehabilitation & recovery process for over 33,000 of our nation’s returning wounded veterans will require years and in many cases a lifetime of assistance. As citizens we have the opportunity to rally behind these men & women & their families. Don’t miss out on this positive, fun, and uplifting weekend! To each veteran: We Welcome You Home. We Are Grateful.

thebattalion THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT VOICE OF TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893

Nicole Alvarado, Editor in Chief THE BATTALION (ISSN #1055-4726) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Monday through Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University. Periodicals Postage Paid at College Station, TX 77840. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Battalion, Texas A&M University, 1111 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1111. News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in Student Media, a unit of the Division of Student Affairs. News offices are in 032 Memorial Student Center. Newsroom phone: 979-845-3313; Fax: 979-845-2647; E-mail: metro@thebatt.com; website: http://www. thebatt.com. Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by The Battalion. For campus, local, and national display advertising, call 979-845-2696. For classified advertising, call 979-845-0569. Advertising offices are in 032 Memorial Student Center, and office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fax: 979-845-2678. Subscriptions: A part of the Student Services Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. First copy free, additional copies $1. Mail subscriptions are $125 per school year. To charge by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express, call 979-845-2613.

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J.D. Swiger — THE BATTALION

Wet roads on Monday afternoon caused a white Chevy Trailblazer to lose control and hit two parked cars in the Community Center parking lot on the corner of Bizell Street and George Bush Drive. The driver had minor injuries.

Careers Continued from page 1

Kelly emphasized self-motivation in journalism. “Don’t wait for suggestions on what to do. If you have the enthusiasm, do it. If you have an idea, do it,” he said. The author: What do you need to succeed? Larry Heinemann is the visiting writer-in-residence at Texas A&M. He is a novelist and winner of the National Book Award for fiction in 1987. He said being an author is equal parts creative process and business. “It is not a get-rich-quick scheme,” he said. “The best money to be made as an author is in screen script writing, which is devilishly hard and has a tight market.” But if the passion is there, he said, no one should be talked out of it. The first thing about being a writer is having a broad background in literature. The second is a story idea. He said it doesn’t matter if a student has had a life long ambition to be a writer or if they wait until they’re in their 20s or 40s, it all comes down to the reading, the ideas and the learning. Getting a literary agent is the first step on the road to becoming a published novelist.

Agents are listed in an index called the Literary Market Place. When a writer finds an agent that looks like they might represent their interests, they write a query letter asking if they would read what they have written. Be wary of scams, Heinemann said. No respectable literary agent will ask for money before they have earned money for the writer. If a literary agent takes on the manuscript, they know they can sell it, and will send it to editors who are in the market to publish that type of book. Don’t get discouraged if a manuscript is rejected, he said. The example he gave was of Robert Olen Butler, winner of the Pulitzer Prize, who was rejected by 19 publishers before getting a short story published. “When you send your manuscript you may get a million no’s, but somewhere someone is walking down the street waiting for your manuscript,” Heinemann said. “Don’t give up — you’re never going to get revenge so don’t wallpaper your bathroom wall with rejection slips. Life is too short.” He also added that the quality of writing usually has little to do with the reasons why manuscripts are rejected. It is usually the subject matter, the point of view or the genre and the way those things fit into the publishing company and what

they are currently marketing. In the meantime, before finishing the novel or finding a literary agent, good practice for aspiring authors is to get things published in newspapers and literary magazines even if the pay is not enough to make a living. “Literary magazines have no money; you’ll get a handshake, not even a dinner,” he said. “You’ll get what poets refer to it as ‘career satisfaction.’ It is an undeniable tickle to get something published, but you also begin to build a career. Like any other profession, it takes a little patience and perseverance.” It is also important for success to have the moral support from family and friends. “You have to be around people who are supportive and understand what you want to do,” he said. “My wife supported me [fully]. She typed my manuscripts and became a superb editor for me.” For people with an undeniable passion to break into the industry, Heinemann said keep at it. “Keep reading, developing story ideas,” he said. “Having a passion for this [job] doesn’t hurt, it helps you through the hard times.” The NASA spokesman: How do I get there? Josh Byerly, who graduated from Texas A&M in 1990

with a bachelor of science in journalism started out working as a reporter and producer at KBTX in Bryan. He now is the public affairs officer and spokesman for NASA, at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Byerly said the biggest piece of advice he could give is to get as much experience as possible while still in school. “With the job market as competitive and limited as it is right now, you need to do everything in your power to get real-world experience in whatever field you want to go into,” he said. “This could be an internship, but it could also be getting involved in whatever student organization you are in.” He said it is a good idea to find any opportunity to gain experience, even if it is something small. It is helpful to have experience in the real world before going back to graduate school. “If you can hone those skills and then talk to a potential employer about how that experience can help them, you’ll have an advantage,” he said. “I’ve also noticed that graduate degrees are becoming more common, but from my own experience, I can tell you that if you want to get an MBA, it helps to have lived and breathed in the corporate world for a little bit.”

4/27/09 10:39:50 PM

scene

Have your friends or professors said something strange? Send comments to aggielife@thebatt.com

thebattalion 4.28.2009 page3

Last call for all dancers Organization ends semester with annual show Laura Sanchez The Battalion

he end of the year marks many things: finals, projects to turn in, degree audits, Ring Day and graduation. And the Dance Arts Society (DAS) marks the end of the semester with the annual Spring Curtain Call. Dance Arts Society, a student-run organization, welcomes students to either take weekly dance classes or participate in the Curtain Call at the end of each semester. “Some people do both or just participate in the show or just take classes,” said Emily Eye, senior biology major and DAS vice president. Near the end of the semester, three showings determine which members participate in and choreograph the show. “During the first showing you explain what pieces you will have, when you will audition and how many people you want. Auditions go on the next week; you go to whatever audition you want to go to, you make some, and you don’t make some,” said Kim Johnson, senior international studies major and president of DAS. Officers observe the dances and decide which pieces will be performed. “It really doesn’t have anything to do how advanced your piece is; it’s more to do with if we think it will add something to the show,” Johnson said. “If we think you have high energy or it looks really clean then those are some of the qualities we look for.” The maximum amount of dances a member can participate in is four. “For each dance, you practice once a week for one hour,” said Danielle Burleigh, sophomore business major and DAS public relations

coordinator. “We also offer dance classes, three on Wednesday and one on Tuesday,” Classes offered by the Dance Arts Society include jazz, hip-hop, contemporary and strength and flexibility. “The format of our show is the same every semester,” Eye said. “We go about it the same way, but the pieces are different every semester and the choreographers are different. Even though the structure is the same, the pieces are always very different from year to year.” Sunday’s Curtain Call included 18 dance pieces, along with three guest performances, including Chi O Productions, the Aggie Fiddlers and Aggie dance team. “After we decide which pieces will be in the show, we put down the show order. That has a lot to with trying to make sure people aren’t in dances back to back. Usually there’s only about 40 to 50, but this year there are about 70. So some girls will have really fast costume changes,” Johnson said. The Curtain Call lasted about two hours. “Usually, we try to open the show with a high energy piece and try to end it with a high energy hip hop or jazz,” Johnson said. “We just try to keep the audience attention and not try to do a lot of slow ones at once.” There are no auditions to become a member of the DAS, and any student can join. “There are all levels of dancers,” Burleigh said. “We have people who have never ever danced and people that have danced all their lives.” Many officers have been in the society since entering A&M and come from all levels of dance background. “I love the fact that in Dance Arts you don’t

Natasha Sankovich— THE BATTALION

Sophomore communications major Sara Lovell and junior interdisciplinary studies major Morgan Robilio dance to John Mayer’s “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room” during a Curtain Call dress rehearsal Thursday in Rudder Auditorium.

For more informationabout Dance Arts Society visit dancearts.tamu.edu have to be a perfect prima ballerina dancer,” Johnson said. Johnson said DAS gives A&M students an enjoyable outlet and organization to join. “We welcome everyone into our organization, but at the same time if you want to perform there are also those aspects. I danced every day of the week in high school, Dance Arts Society allowed me to really be creative and continue my love for dance throughout college without being graded on it like you would if

you majored it in or minored in it.” Eye said she likes the creativity DAS allows her to have with dance. “I think the best thing about Dance Arts and our show is that we give students free artistic range to choreograph pieces for the show,” she said. “We don’t put any restrictions on anything. It just really gives students a creative outlook that isn’t offered anywhere else on campus.” About 500 people attended the Curtain Call. “This semester is going to be really good,” Eye said. “It’s one of the best. I’ve been in Dance Arts for seven semesters now, and the level of performance has been the best that I’ve seen it.”

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4/27/09 8:55:28 PM

donmathews

page 4

thebattalion

4.28.2009

Don doesn’t remember the night he lost any semblance of his former life. He doesn’t remember the months of recovery it took to get him back to a functional level. He does remember, however, what he lost: nearly everything.

Among the many complications involving the attack was a brain clot that stretched throughout his brain. COURTESY PHOTO

Huntsville police officer Everett Harrel investigated and arrested the three men that attacked Don. It only took a few days to find the attackers.

Kevin Alexander— THE BATTALION

Lost in the night B

COURTESY PHOTO

Don’s recovery was made in fits and starts. He had to learn how to walk, talk and coordinate his body all over again.

COURTESY PHOTO

The doctor who stabilized Don, Dr. Darrel Wells, said Don’s head trauma case was the second-worst he had ever seen a patient survive.

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efore he was who he is now, Don Mathews was assured by his mom that he would need God someday. Before the attack, Don probably believed her — the Mathews family is devoutly religious, after all — but he never thought he would need God like this. He was well-liked, laid back, without enemies and he liked to party. Philosophical and religious questions weren’t things he gave much time to in September 1998. He was too busy enjoying life. “I had a lot friends. I lived a little fast,” Don said, now a senior psychology major. “I think in some ways, God was trying to knock some sense into me. You know, trying to wake me up.” The last time his mother, Regina Mathews, saw Don that night was at 10 p.m. at a Huntsville High School football game. Don, who was attending Sam Houston State University at the time, left the game to go to a party at a friend’s house to celebrate his 21st birthday. Later that evening, a group of people from Madisonville, Texas showed up and assaulted several of the partygoers. They had been invited by another party guest and were unknown to most there. They were forced to leave and left angry. “They started grabbing girls and no one knew who these guys were. When they told them to leave, a fight happened and they pretty much got their butts kicked,” said Huntsville police officer Everett Harrell. *** Don was escorting his girlfriend, Anne Park, back to his car. They were alone and out of sight. Don had no idea of what was going on at the party, and he wouldn’t fully comprehend what happened for months. “Grab the bitch!” Don turned around. Everything went black. The uppercut the first assailant landed knocked him into a deep, helpless slumber. He didn’t feel the three attackers kicking him repeatedly. He didn’t feel them jump on his head. He didn’t feel the catastrophic damage being inflicted on his brain. The assailants thought they had killed Don. At one of their trials, they said they thought he had “checked out.” “They basically took their frustrations out on Don,” Harrel said. *** Regina answered the phone. It was one of Don’s friends on the other end of the line. She couldn’t remember his name — Don had a lot of friends. “You need to get to the hospital fast. It’s pretty bad.” “What now?” she said to herself as she hung up and roused Don’s father, Don Mathews Sr., out of bed. Dr. Darrel Wells grew up with Don’s father in Huntsville. They were good friends. Wells was the emergency room physician the night Don arrived at Huntsville Memorial Hospital in a private vehicle driven by his friends. “Young white male, 18 to 20 years old.” Wells didn’t recognize Don until the ER doctors checked his identification. He was in the middle of examining him when he realized who the patient was. “Had he just walked into the emergency room, I would have recognized him, but his face was so beaten and distorted,” Wells said. He could tell Don had been attacked. His face was lacerated and his head and face were both extremely swollen. “It was probably the second-worst head trauma case I saw

where the victim survived,” Wells said. “The worst involved a guy that was beaten in the head with a crowbar.” He ran him through a CT scan. The results confirmed what Wells suspected: Don was going to need a neurosurgeon. The closest was at Herman Memorial Hospital in Houston. *** “No, this has to be a mistake,” Regina said. Parents are programmed to protect. They’ll deny physics, biology and reality if it will save their child. But this was no mistake. “We went over to the gurney they had him laying on, and the person laying there was so beaten, it was not recognizable,” Regina said. “It was so bloodied, and the nose was broken and swollen and the lips were cut all to pieces … blood was coming out of his eyes, ears and mouth.” Regina looked over the clothes the doctors had cut off him to administer treatment. His shirt, now bloodied and shredded, was a birthday present from the day before. Don was stabilized, even though he still lie close to death, and was being readied for a two-hour ambulance ride to Houston because heavy fog had grounded Life Flight. His prognosis was foreboding. “He’s got a 50-50 chance. I’ve seen many [like him] not make it,” Wells said. Regina could only think of one thing to do. “I walked to a side room adjoining the ER and on the hard tile floor, I got on my knees and prayed, because I knew that was the only hope I had, but I knew it was all I’d need.” *** Tom Petty’s buzz saw voice grinds in the background. It’s one of Don’s favorites. The nurses didn’t believe it was working at first. When the Petty is done, Regina flips the disc over and Mozart fills the Don’s headphones. Tubes weave in and out of his body. They look like snakes hiding their heads in his mangled figure. Don is in a deep coma, and if he doesn’t wake up soon, the doctors could take him off life support. Regina always told her sons they would need God someday. She bends down close to Don’s ear. “Don, we’re here. That’s who you need right now, honey.” *** For two weeks, Don’s condition doesn’t change and the doctors are telling Regina that she should take him off life support. One night, when she’s alone with Don, one of the doctors hands her a living will. “I remember walking that hospital for hours, and a guard asking me why I was shaking,” Regina said. “I couldn’t sign it. I just didn’t believe he was going to die.” She didn’t sign the will, but the doctors removed life support a few days later. They didn’t expect him to survive. But he kept breathing. “I have good news and bad news.” It was Don’s neurosurgeon, Dr. Guy Clifton. “It looks like he will live, but what you see is what you’ll get. He will probably be a vegetable for the rest of his life.” Regina couldn’t hug him because of the tubes, but she could cry. She fell across his broken and quiet body and sobbed uncontrollably. Suddenly, a moan escapes Don’s throat. It’s the first time he’s responded to the outside world.

Out of the coma, into the ﬁre Tomorrow, Don starts the long road back to recovery while struggling with his memory and identity, and narrowly avoids death when medical complications take control of his rehabilitation.

4/27/09 9:58:43 PM

sports

Medrano sets Mexican record in 100-meter butterfly Texas A&M freshman swimmer Rita Medrano broke the Mexican 100-meter butterfly record Sunday at the Mexican Long Course National Championship in Tijuana. With a time of 1:01.38, almost a full second faster than the previous record, Medrano qualified for the 2009 World Championships on July 18-Aug. 2, in Rome. Medrano

thebattalion 4.28.2009 page5

Aggies look for RPI boost against Texas Christian Michael Sullivan

Kaitlyn Dawson — THE BATTALION

Texas A&M sophomore right-hander Barret Loux pitches against Oklahoma State Sunday at Olsen Field. Loux pitched 2.1 innings in the 6-4 win against the Cowboys.

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The Battalion After going 2-1 against Oklahoma State over the weekend, No. 17 Texas A&M will continue a 13-game homestand against No. 18 Texas Christian Tuesday at Olsen Field. “Tuesday night is going to be a war and it is going to be another tough week,” A&M Head Coach Rob Childress said. “We will definitely have our hands full.” With the 6-4 win against the Cowboys on Sunday, the Aggies gained a half game lead over Texas in the Big 12 standings. Despite being first place in the Big 12, A&M is fighting for the chance to host a NCAA Regional tournament for the third consecutive season. In 2008, the Aggies were leading the Big 12 with a record of 18-3 going into a game against the Horned Frogs. In 2009, A&M is again leading the Big 12, but its record is five games worse at 13-8 going into Tuesday. “The Big 12 is as good as it has been and the records reflect that,” Childress said. “It is a war every time you take the field in the Big 12 conference. Everyone in our league is really good.” Because of the tough conference slate, midweek games become a factor in deciding whether or not the Aggies will host a Regional. The NCAA looks at a team’s Ratings Percentage Index when determining the 16 host schools for the tournament. The RPI formula takes into account a team’s strength of

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1. North Carolina, .635 2. Georgia Tech, .632 3. Rice, .630 4. Cal State Fullerton, .629 5. Miami, .627 6. UC Irvine, .616 7. Clemson, .615 8. Arizona State, .611 9. Texas, .611 10. Texas Christian, .610 11. Arkansas, .609 12. Georgia, .607 13. Florida, .602 14. Virginia, .601 15. Oklahoma, .599 16. Mississippi, .596 17. Louisiana State, .594 18. Hawaii, .594 19. Baylor, .589 20. Florida State, .589 21. Minnesota,. 587 22. Texas A&M, .586 BoydsWorld.com

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schedule and wins against other high RPI teams. “[Every game is] huge from an RPI standpoint from here on out,” Childress said. “Everyone we play has a great RPI.” BoydsWorld.com, a Web site dedicated to college baseball RPI, has the Aggies ranked No. 22 nationally with an RPI of .586. The Horned Frogs are ranked No. 10 with a .610 RPI. With the possibility of a Big 12 champion having at least nine conference losses, the conference could look average compared to other conferences. The Atlantic Coastal Conference and South Eastern Conference have had strong baseball programs every year, which helps when the postseason arrives. “The Big 12 is no different than any other league,” Childress said. “It is as good as the SEC, the Pac-10 and the ACC. Hopefully the NCAA will respect that come postseason time.” The Big 12 and ACC have six teams ranked in the Top 25 in RPI with the SEC close behind with five teams. The Aggies need to win games to be in contention for a chance to host a Regional when conference play ends. A&M has won seven of their previous eight games dating back to April 14 and looks to continue that pattern against TCU on Tuesday. “One thing they have always hung their hat on is pitching and defense,” Childress said. “When you look at their numbers this year they have been offensive as well, so we are definitely going to have a tough challenge on Tuesday night.”

may want to apply to work with Kids Klub Applications are available at the CSISD Community Education Office 1812 Welsh Street or online at www.cstx.gov/kidsklub Deadline for applications: April 29, 2009 by 4pm Training beginning on Aug, 17th and employment to continue through Dec. 18th, 2009

the

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

FOR RENT

HELP WANTED

Absolutely 1 Fun Laugh-A-Lot Defensive Driving! Ticket dismissal/insurance discount. W&Th (6pm-9pm) or Sat (8am-2:30pm). Walk-ins welcome. At Denny’s (across from TAMU). $25 cash, restrictions apply. 979-694-8888.

2/1 duplex Available August. Hardwood floors. W/D connection. Fenced. Pets. Close to campus. 979-204-1950.

3/2 House, all appliances, fenced yard, garage, close to Blinn & A&M, yard maintenance, available Aug. Call 979-204-2644 or email echrentalinfo@gmail.com

4bdrm/2bth house. Close to campus, wood floors, tile floors, ceiling fans, W/D, fenced yards. 776-6079, www.aggielandleasing.com

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FOR RENT $1275, PRE-LEASE, 3, and 4 bdrm houses near TAMU, pets ok. Call Agent Ardi 979-422-5660. $295 1-room in shared, furnished apartment. All bills paid. Short term leases o.k. Call agent Ardi 979-422-5660. $330/month summer sublease. All bills paid. Duplex close to campus on shuttle route. Call 713-384-9001 $375, AVAILABLE NOW and pre-lease. 1/1, 2/1. Free Wi-Fi, On Northgate, on Shuttle. Short term leases ok. Call agent Ardi. 979-422-5660. 1 acre, 5min. to campus, fenced yard, pasture. 4bd/2ba. W/D. $1100/mo. Owner/broker, 979-219-0405. 1-3/bedroom apartments. Some with w/d, some near campus. $175-$600/mo. 979-696-2038. 1/1 Adorable Duplex, wood floors, fenced w/lawn care, carport w/ext storage. www.twincityproperties.com 979-775-2291. 1/1 residences. Located in the heart of Northgate. Designed for upscale urban living. Gated community, amazing views, walk to campus/Northgate. Guaranteed parking space. $995/mo. includes water, high-speed internet, cable, W/D, &parking. Call 979-739-4930 www.secondstreetapts.com

2/1 duplex in Wellborn area. Best suited for individual or couple. Rural setting, pets ok. $420 plus electricity. 979-690-6161. 2/1 fourplex availble now, w/d, bus route, 1537 Pineridge, $510/mo plus $350 deposit, 450-0609. 2/1 House available August, sits on a half acre lot, perfect for pets, W/D conn, www.twincityproperties.com 979-775-2291. 2/1 w/study House, spacious rooms, storage/garage, fenced yard. www.twincityproperties.com 979-775-2291. 2/1.5 and 2/1 Duplexes, W/D conn, some have fireplace, fenced yard w/lawn care provided. www.twincityproperties.com 979-775-2291. 2/1.5 House in Wolf Pen Area, close to TAMU shuttle, wood flooring, W/D conn, carport, fenced w/lawn care provided. www.twincityproperties.com 979-775-2291. 2/2 1200sq.ft. Fox Run Condo. $1300/month close to campus, on shuttle route, large bedrooms, walk-in closets, patio, security gate, community pool, W/D included. Luther Street West. 972-742-8106. 2/2 available in 4/4.5 unit. River Oaks Townhomes. New, available August-2009. $490/mo. +1/4util. Females preferred. 830-456-6888. 2/2 duplex. W/D. On bus route. Large fenced yard. 308 Brentwood. $700/mo. 979-690-0384. 2/2 fourplex upstairs. Available August. Spacious. Tiled entry, water included, deck, W/D connection. Pets, close to campus. 979-204-1950. 2/2 fourplex. Available August. Tiled living, kitchen. Water included. Fenced yard. Covered deck. Pets. W/D connection. Close to campus. 979-204-1950. 2bd/1ba apartment, 800sq.ft. New appliances, carpeting and tile. W/D. Bus route. $550/mo. +$250 deposit. 210-391-4106. 3- 4 bedrooms, newer homes, close to campus. Homes limited. Call J.C. 254-721-6179. Realtor. 3/1 House in Wolf Pen Area, close to TAMU shuttle, W/D conn, GARAGE, fenced w/lawn care. www.twincityproperties.com 979-775-2291.

1/1 Study Duplex, recently remodeled, faux wood floors, W/D conn, fenced w/lawn care. www.twincityproperties.com 979-775-2291.

3/1.5 House, vaulted ceiling, W/D conn, huge fenced yards, most have privacy yards, www.twincityproperties.com 979-775-2291.

1/1 w/study 4-plex, recently remodeled, W/D conn, some have fenced yards, www.twincityproperties.com 979-775-2291.

3/2 Condo Fraternity Row. W/D. Fenced patio. All bills paid. On bus route. $1500/mo., w/one-year lease. 361-319-3448.

1/2-mile campus, on shuttle, 2/1, W/D, water included, ceiling fans, 1102-Welsh. 690-4181 or 219-2683. 2,3&4 bedroom houses w/yards. Great locations for students. Pets welcome. 492-3990. 2-bedroom w/ studies or 3-bedroom. 1.5 baths, fenced, tile, W/D connections, carports, on shuttle, C.S. aggieLandRentals.com 979-776-8984. 2/1 4-plex, great location, W/D conn, ext storage, fenced w/lawn care provided downstairs, balcony upstairs, some have fireplace. www.twincityproperties.com 979-775-2291.

3/2 duplex at 1425 Western Oaks. Close to west campus. W/D. Yard care. Spacious. Available June. Jennifer 713-854-2211. jennifer.treibs@gmail.com 3/2 duplex close to campus. Recently remodeled. W/D in unit. 832-527-9533 or dmthames@gmail.com 3/2 duplex. 5-minutes from campus, fenced yard, bus route, fairly new. Call 214-505-6534, 469-233-4653. 3/2 House available. Next to shuttle bus stop; W/D; big fenced backyard. $1100/month. Females only. Call 214-549-3739

3/2 Near campus. W/D included. Available in August. Call 979-224-1434. 3/2 Study House, W/D conn, huge living area, tons of windows for light, detached storage/garage, fenced w/lawn care. www.twincityproperties.com 979-775-2291. 3/2 Townhouses &Apartments, 1250sqft. Very spacious, ethernet, large kitchen, walk-in pantry &closets, extra storage, great amenities, on bus route, now pre-leasing for 2009, excellent specials. 979-694-0320, office@luxormanagement.com 3/2 w/study House available August, One of a Kind! 1800sqft, wood floors, 9ft ceilings, large rooms, www.twincityproperties.com 979-775-2291. 3/2 w/study, BIG HOUSE, 2500sqft., 2-sided fireplace, big privacy fenced yard w/lawn care provided. 979-775-2291, www.twincityproperties.com 3/2/2, fenced yard, appliances, pets OK with refundable deposit. $1100/mo. 1102 Paintbrush 979-690-0786. 3/3 Duplex for lease CS. For August, internet ready, all appliances including W/D, microwave. Graham Road. No pets. $1,000/mo. 979-778-6076. 3/3 Duplex for rent on Paloma Ridge, W/D, lawncare provided, ceiling fans, close to campus, tile floor, backyard.12 month lease $1000/mo. Pets allowed, 713-594-3787. 3/3 Duplex Oldenburg, CS. Available now or pre-lease for August. W/D. Internet &lawn care provided. Pets allowed. $1000/mo. 979-220-2129. 3b/1.5b, carport, on shuttle, pets ok, fenced, $750/month. aggieLandRentals.com 979-776-8984. 4 Rent. Close to campus. Everyone gets their own bathroom. $325/mo. Includes DSL/phone, W/D. 281-844-2090, Mike. 4/2 House available August, HUGE 4th room can be game room, fireplace w/flagstone hearth, huge fenced yard w/lawn care. www.twincityproperties.com 979-775-2291. 4/2 House in Wolf Pen Area, close to TAMU shuttle, W/D conn, fenced w/lawn care. www.twincityproperties.com 979-775-2291. 4/2 house, available August ‘09. Backyard is Golf Course. Great neighborhood $1600/mo. +utilities. Call 979-966-3913. 4/2 Studio, neat floor plan, 2 living areas, 2 refrigerators, fireplace, some have fenced yard w/lawn care. www.twincityproperties.com 979-775-2291. 4/3, 3/3 &3/2 Townhouses, Duplexes &Fourplexes, 1250-1700sqft. Very spacious, ethernet, large kitchen, extra storage, great amenities, on bus route, now pre-leasing for 2009, excellent specials. 694-0320, office@luxormanagement.com 422. Very desirable house in popular student area. $1450/month. Call Mrs. Ward for details. 979-774-1270. 4bdrm/2.5bth Spanish style duplex w/garage +off street parking. Security system, all appliances including W/D, $1450/mo. Available in August. 979-297-3720 or 979-292-6168.

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

www.AggieNetwork.com

806 Concho. 2/1, W/D included, nice and clean, large backyard. 690-4181, 219-2683. Apartment for rent, sublease for summer. College Main Apartments. Call Trent 618-334-4584. trentpearson@yahoo.com Available April: Spacious 2/1 duplex. Vaulted ceiling. Tiled kitchen, living room. W/D connection. Fenced. Pets. On bus route. 979-204-1950. Beautiful duplex, 2/1, new floors, many extras, oriental carpets (optional), granite counters, quiet, convenient to everything. Call for special, 1-week free. Fenced backyard, AC, and many ceiling fans. 979-422-3427. Callaway Villas. Need to sublease. Fall-2009. 4/2.5, W/D. $615/mo. 936-348-1561. Calloway Villas sublease 2bdrm/2.5ba townhouse. Close to pool/clubhouse. Available Furnished, W/D, May-Aug. $675/mo. Indiv. lease. $300 bonus for two people. Call 214-709-7688, 214-709-7690. Country Living Near A&M: 3/2 double-wide, large deck. Stalls available. $950/mo. 979-846-5950. CS 4bd/3ba house w/study. 1401 Lawyer $1650/mo. Close to campus. 979-219-6108. Duplex near campus. 2bed/2bath. W/D. No backyard. 307 Spruce. $750/month. Call 254-760-8242. Early Bird Special- sign a prelease in April for August move in and get special of $1050. Luxurious Country Living just minutes from A&M. 3/2.5 duplexes. Full size W/D in unit. Fenced backyards. Pets welcome! 979-485-0300. topdogmanager@hotmail.com or topdogmanagement.info Efficiency for sublease. Available 5/12-7/31. $469/mo. 830-279-5196. Fox Run condominiums room for lease, Female. Private bath, w/d, cable &internet provided. Fully furnished, gated, bus stops at front gate. $350/mo. utilities. 512-913-4094. Fraternity Row 3bd/2.5ba, 3 parking spaces, on shuttle route, W/D and all appliances. $1200/month. 254-760-6934 Grad or Vet Student Houses, Hardwood floors, yards. $600-$800/month +bills. Call 979-696-1444, visit www.stalworthonline.com Great 4bed/2bath house in popular area- 400 Pronghorn Loop. Comes w/ W/D, Ref, Ethernet in each room, large fenced bkyrd, pets OK w/ deposit, 2-car garage. Available in July or August. Call Joey at 979-218-4091. Great duplex. 3bdrm/2ba, off Graham Appliances plus W/D, lawn care provided. Pets ok. $950/mo. 910 Crepe Myrtle. 979-575-7891. PRICE TO RENT. 3/2 duplex. Large fenced yard, pets ok. 713-542-3049

y a d s e Tu50 ¢

PEPPERONI ROLLS College Station

979-693-2825 2418 Texas Ave & SW Pkwy (by Kroger)

Large 1/br apartment in beautiful, safe, private environment. Includes satellite t.v., internet and W/D. $500/mo 979-272-1952. Need summer sublease at The Trails, $350 all inclusive, W/D, 956-648-4061 New/newer Richmond Ridge townhomes. Wolf Creek Condos. 1/1,1/1.5 lofts, 2/2,3/3. Larger open plans, granite, ceramics, W/D. $720-$1450 broker/owner 979-777-5477 www.jesinvestments.com Newly remodeled 4/2 house. Walking distance to campus, tile &wood floors, great location, nice big deck &yard. 776-6079, www.aggielandleasing.com Newly Remodeled! 1/1 Apartment, faux wood floors, W/D conn, everything new. www.twincityproperties.com 979-775-2291. Pre-leasing for May& August. 3/2 duplexes, Treehouse Trails, Cypress, Pecan Ridge. www.c4properties.net Cathy, 979-268-1074. Rent Specials! 1br/ba & 2br/1ba. OAC. www.bryan-cs-apartments.com 979-703-7051 Ridgewood Village efficiency with loft. Uniquely designed floor plan. No pets. $385/mo., $250 deposit. 979-696-2998, 1211 -1213 Holik. Ridgewood Village, large very quiet tree-shaded 1bdrm/1bth studio, no pets, $435/mo., $250 deposit, 1201-1209 Holik. 979-696-2998. 4/4 University Place condo, W/D, private bath, pool, volleyball court, on shuttle. Prelease for summer or fall. $300/mo, Call 979-690-8213 or 979-422-9849. Save $140 a Month! Free Cable, Internet, Water, Trash. Hugh, Remodeled 2bdrm/1.5ba. $625/mo, Bryan. 979-402-0913. Summer sublease available. 1-month free. Call 361-790-3477 for details. Summer sublease June-July. 1-room in 4/2 house. Off of Graham Rd. Call 214-232-2165. Summer sublease, Sundance apartments Harvey Rd. $324/mo, plus 1/4 electricity. 512-753-5545 Super 3/2 duplexes for May. All appliances and lawn care. $900-$975. 979-324-5835.

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME SOFTBALL? Registration for C.S. softball leagues are forming now5/8/09, so get your coed, women’s or men’s team together. Individuals also welcome. Call 764-3486. Athletic men for calendars, books, etc. $100-$200/hr, up to $1000/day. No experience. 512-684-8296, photoguy@io.com ATTENTION STUDENTS! Semester Work! $14 Base/ Appt. Flex sched, cust sales/ service. All ages 17+, Call ASAP conditions apply. 691-4600. workforstudents.com Book buyers needed. Run your own business providing service to students around campus. Buy books at times and locations away from bookstores. Candidates need to have an outgoing personality, attention to detail, dependable transportation around town, and a flexible schedule. Temporary work period during finals. Must have a clear criminal history. Contact Paul Patti at 979-268-6002 or at ppatti@nebook.com to set up an interview. Briarcrest Country Club is now hiring the following positions: life guards, swim instructors, and summer counselors. Apply in person at 1929 Country Club Drive, e-mail: mgreen@briarcrestcc.org Fax: 979-776-5072. Child Care- FT &PT shifts available between 10am &3pm needed ASAP. Some nights &Saturdays required. Apply in person at 3609 E29th St. Bryan. Childcare workers needed. Full or part-time. Days, evenings, or weekends. Apply in person, Aggieland Learning Center, 206-Southwest Parkway East. Christopher’s World Grille is now hiring waitstaff, service assistants, hosts and cooks. Please apply at 5001 Boonville Rd Bryan. Cleaning commercial buildings at night, M-F. Call 979-823-5031 for appointment. COACHES WANTED! We need enthusiastic, positive, motivational coaches for YOUTH VOLLEYBALL. Season begins May 11, 2009! Call 764-6386.

Mac Mini, Display, Keyboard, mouse $700 obo. 979-587-0813.

Full & Part-Time Summer Advertising Sales. Seeking reliable, hard-working, enthusiastic students to sell advertising. Must be self-motivated, able to work without supervision. Sales Experience not necessary. Will Train. Automobile necessary. Internships may be Available! Texas A&M University Campus Telephone Directory. Email resume to: GVPubs@aol.com Call 1-800-288-3044.

Montelongo’s Jewelry Store Credit worth $1,200. Fully transferable, never expires -$1,000. Call 281-300-2003.

Hiring lifeguards and managers in Houston for the summer! Call today to apply 800-210-0049 or apply on-line at www.poolguardians.com

HELP WANTED

Household cleaning, ironing, organizing help needed. Min 6-8 hr/week $10/hr. Year-round commitment necessary, Fax info. to 979-690-8075.

FOR SALE 2bdrm/2ba Fox Run. Very $122,000. 254-717-2141. House Saturday April 3pm-6pm and Sunday April 12pm-3pm.

Nice. Open 18th, 19th,

A&M Recycling Services Student Workers wanted (TAMU/Blinn student). 24 hours/week. Must be able to work summers. Apply in person: 204 S. College Ave. 979-862-2069. Aggieland Outfitters is seeking an organized, customer service-oriented individual to be a web assistant! Job requirements include: a basic knowledge of the Windows operating sustem, Photoshop, and the ability to communicate clearly and focus on the job at hand. The web assistant will be responsible for maintaining all web orders, helping to keep track of inventory, editing product images, and assisting the web manager with other tasks as necessary. Your services will be required for 20-25 hours per week, and will work Mon-Fri. Knowledge of Quick Books is a plus, but will train if necessary. If you are a motivated, goal-oriented individual, apply today by calling 979-775-5030 or e-mailing brett@kalcorp.com with your resume. The Corner Bar &Grill now hiring. All positions available. Apply in person.

Lenny’s Sub Shop Now hiring for F/T and P/T positions w/flexible schedules. Apply in person @3700 South Texas Ave. Suite 550, Bryan. 595-1100. Like people? Have sales/customer service experience? We are looking for energetic Leasing Consultants who are outgoing! Send your information to kstahl@dtiproperties.net or fax to 979-694-2552. Medical technician: Full time medication technician needed for growing allergy practice. We are looking for an intelligent, positive, friendly person to join our team. We teach skills that are an asset for anyone interested in a career in health care and can help a candidate get into medical school. We offer a pleasant office environment, competitive salary, health insurance, and other benefits. Please fax resume to 979-776-5624. Classifieds continued on page 8

STUDENTS!

Work in Bryan/College Station!

$400-$500 A Week/Commisions Seeking reliable, hard-working, enthusiastic students to sell advertising. Must be self-motivated and able to work without supervision. Sales experience not necessary. Will train. Automobile necessary.

Texas A&M University Campus Telephone Directory

Email resume to: GVPubs@aol.com 1-800-288-3044

Internships may be available

STUDIES IN PROGRESS RECENT SPRAIN OR STRAIN? Volunteers from ages 18 to 70 are needed to participate in research study with an investigational medicated cream for new sprain or strain, without a fracture, injuries within 72 hours. Eligible volunteers will receive at no cost: • Study supervision by a board certiﬁed doctor • Study related tests and exams • Compensation for time and effort For more information please contact:

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

Pg. 6-04-28-09.indd 1

4/27/09 1:22:29 PM

voices

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.

thebattalion 4.27.2009 page7

GUESTCOLUMN

Four years of mayhem

Engineering support

Andrew Garcia

Science facility budgets are considered more important because they are more important.

his response is to defend the College of Engineering against blatant misrepresentation. The April 21 column, “Liberal arts, conservative budget,” starts by comparing the building conditions for the College of Liberal Arts versus the science and engineering colleges. There is no question that there have been significant improvements and construction projects for science and engineering facilities. However, this is because alumni and federal grants requesting that funds donated to the University go directly to specific colleges, departments and construction projects. Engineering and science are the bedrock of this University, and thus, a substantially large number of alumni are willing to donate to the school that seeded their success. Vision 2020 dedicates money, which has not been earmarked by donors for specific projects, for improvements and renovations. After comparing buildings, the article attacks the curriculum of those two departments. “Are Aggies being taught to place more value on knowledge or imagination?” All new technology has come from creativity and by extension of the imagination. If you believe that engineers are not creative, how could such things as the iPhone, the laptop (to Facebook in class) or the artificial heart have been invented? If only those inventors had been blessed with “priceless skills” including “the ability to create, to analyze and to think holistically.” I cannot imagine the inventions that could have been produced should those science and engineering inventors have been provided with such “priceless skills.” Now you might consider those expectations, but let me point out that every engineering major has a senior design project. Every design class focuses on finding a creative solution to a problem at hand, and using our engineering knowledge to make the solution work. In short engineering and science students are presented with plenty of opportunities to think creatively and turn their imagination into something tangible and beneficial to society. These ideas could not have come into existence without effective communication. The engineering department strives to meet and exceed national accreditation set by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). I implore readers to research what is required for a college to be certified. For easy reference, it is under Criterion 3 (g) “an ability to communicate effectively.” The University requires every Aggie to take a minimum of two English courses from the English department. To reinforce our communication skills, the mechanical engineering department has established writing intensive courses. While these courses are more technical than creative writing, they allow us to further develop our writing skills specifically for our intended media – journals, thesis and research papers and technical magazines. Regardless of class size, a student should learn through inspiring professors and a passion for learning. Our apologies that engineers have the appearance of hard working individuals that care to learn, and class size has no bearing on that. I regularly sit in classes of 30 to 40 students. Those are some of our smallest classes. Only when engineers begin to specialize do the classes become smaller. Some feel that engineers do not diversify enough, beyond the University core curriculum for English. Yet the English department does the same with math and science, and unbelievably one of those two math classes can be substituted with a philosophy class. Before suggesting change for another department, examine and ask what you can do to improve yours. Andrew Garcia is a senior mechanical engineering major

Jordan Bryan — THE BATTALION

Travis Holland

For some of you, he couldn’t graduate soon enough, but Travis has enjoyed all four years.

n the previous four years, I’ve been threatened, thanked, yelled at and yanked off the page. And it was the best job I ever had. To those who said nice things about my columns — thank you for your kind words. To those who said less than nice things — thanks for the laughs. To be perfectly honest, I was glad to see people show an interest in The Battalion. I hope all you mail-callers demand the same accountability from national and local news outlets in the future. In four years of opinion writing I told a few jokes, poking fun at everything from funeral strippers to obese animals. Hopefully, I also made Aggies think about serious

issues, like constitutional rights and problems with our politically correct universe. I even used The Battalion as a forum to come out as a straight man during Coming Out Week. It was a moment I will cherish forever. I learned a lot about myself by writing at The Battalion for four years. For example, I had no idea that I was a pawn of Fox News until I received mail call about my columns. Thank you to all those who informed me. (I’d actually never watched the Fox News Channel when I was first accused of that.) I’ve been threatened to be beaten with a rubber hose, told I was on crack and applauded for my “daring approach to journalism,” all in regard to one column. I’ll miss the comments questioning my sobriety the most. I recommended Willy Nelson for University president, poked fun at Vladimir Putin and documented at least one case of panda pornography – and got paid to do it. I’ve done my best to be the scourge of the liberal mindset and maintain a shred of common sense in a time that sees responsible citizens persecuted and an attempt at the complete degradation of moral values. I tried to raise the alarm for Aggies that their country is being run by idiots like

Nancy Pelosi and Pete Stark, who do things like call immigration laws unconstitutional and curse out Iraq veterans who dare to disagree with them. Albert Einstein once said: “All of us who are concerned for peace and triumph of reason and justice must be keenly aware how small an influence reason and honest good will exert upon events in the political field.” Sadly, this has never been more true than today. A few parting pieces of advice by an unknown author: “George Washington is the only president who didn’t blame the previous administration for his troubles.” Practice reading some satire. Way too many Aggies took me seriously when I proposed mounting a giant beer bong on the College Station water tower. If you don’t like what’s happening on campus, do something about it or stop whining. Speak your mind at all costs; the day someone makes you afraid to voice your beliefs is the day they no longer matter. Don’t forget to use a little common sense every now and then. I’ve had a lot of fun the last four years, so thanks for reading. Stay classy College Station. Travis Holland is a senior marketing major

Eternal sunshine of the sunburned student Jason Staggs

Summer break might be nice, but graduating from college in three years is even better.

fter three hours of lying on the beach in Matagorda during spring break, the thought occurred to me that I could get used to this. Vacation, that is, not sunburn. Being the morose fellow that I am, I dismissed the thought, and resigned myself to the inevitable onslaught of classes and backed-up schoolwork that could no longer be postponed, throwing in a curse at the administration for not giving us a comparable “Fall Break.” Then, like a ray of sunshine bursting through the clouds, my windshield and years of conditioning that told me more school is a bad idea, it hit me: year-round school. I know, I know, it sounds like a silly idea, but I’ve done my homework and it has its merits. Currently, fall and spring semesters include about 14 weeks of class and one week of scattered holidays and other excuses to skip school. Multiplied by the eight semesters that it should take to complete a “four-year” degree, that means about 112 weeks of school, not counting the assorted days off. Given that there are 52 weeks in a year, that works out to only two years and two months of actual school during the four years that we are “going to college.” What scientific reason is there for taking the extra 1 ½ years from students’ lives? Nothing more than an archaic agricultural-based tradition and our own comfort with the system. Semester-based school wastes students’ time, money and other

resources, and I don’t think it is just my impatience talking. Every summer, millions of college students head home for three months, packing up their entire college world and either towing it back home or forking over big bucks to store it. When they get home to mooch off the family for the next 90 days, most of us look for a summer (i.e. temporary) job. Employers waste time and money training us and just as soon as we’ve learned the right way to do our job, it’s time to pack up and head back to college. Once back, many of us sign a nine-month lease because who knows what we’ll be doing next summer, paying the price of uncertainty with a few extra $100 saved from our summer job. So far, I’ve managed to avoid the summer school that many of us take advantage of, because I have a good-paying summer job, but every summer I spend a considerable amount of time waiting for August to roll around so I can get back on the long road to graduation. This is how most of us spend four years of our life. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could speed things up, if we could spend less time and cash waiting around and get it all over with? I think so. What I think we should consider is simple: year-round school, with spring break-like mental health weeks every other month. Imagine a year like this: two weeks off for Christmas and New Year, spring break in March, a week off in May, a week off around the Fourth of July, another week off in September and a full week off for Thanksgiving. One month later, it’s time for Christmas again. And, you get to graduate in 2 ½ years. With a system like this, it would take two years and 22 weeks to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. So, juniors like me, who started attending in August 2006, would have graduated by now. Sound like a plan? Of course, there are some kinks to iron out, like when to begin “semesters” (and what to call them, as that label would be inaccurate), how to include the holidays and reading days we now enjoy, when to schedule Ring Days and such. But, getting eight weeks off from school during an academic year beats the one week that we currently enjoy. Jason Staggs is a junior history major

MAILCALL From Brian Jacobs, sophomore international studies major I understand people are afraid of another school shooting like at Virginia Tech. I am, too. Unfortunately, there is no actual way to prevent bad people from getting guns. Even if all guns in the world were banned, would that really stop people from obtaining them? I think not. If someone wanted to shoot up the school, I’m sure they wouldn’t think twice about spending a fortune to purchase one on the black market. A crazy psycho would certainly not be halted by an anti gun law.

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This legislation only applies to law-abiding citizens because they will be the only ones following it in the ﬁrst place. I also do not believe that the majority of human beings are “irrational and volatile.” People obviously must be responsible and follow the laws of concealed-carry — which are very, very strict — but you cannot take away other people’s right to life simply because you say, “Guns are bad.” To all you antigunners out there, learn about guns and learn about the actual laws surrounding legal use. I think you will ﬁnd that they are legitimate tools, used by responsible and good people.

From Matthew Stilley, senior nuclear engineering major Title 10, § 311. Militia: composition and classes (a) The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard. You are already a member of the militia. We won our independence in the American Revolution partly due to the fact that ordinary citizens, with

their ﬁrearms, could shoot better than the British Regulars. After all, the battles at Lexington Green and Concord were to stop the British from seizing the colonists powder. We were not invaded by Japan after Pearl Harbor because “there’s a riﬂe behind every blade of grass.” Our heritage is one of a well-armed citizenry. From time immemorial, disarming the population (gun control) has been about government controlling its people. The founders made it pretty clear that the U.S. was a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Besides, I would like for more people to carry guns — an armed society is a polite society.

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a representative from Reenergize Texas, the chairman of the University of Texas EIC and a neutral testifier who did not advocate the bill but spoke about the effects. He said the bill would be based on his experiences working for energy conservation at UT. The students arrived at 2 p.m. and waited until 8:30 p.m. to see the committee. Grosgebauer asked the committee to put aside their politics and come together to do what is best for Texas college students. “We see it as something for all people,” Grosgebauer said. “I gave my testimony based on how this would be good for A&M from what I’ve seen from my role at A&M.” Students called senators on Earth Day, asking them to approve the bill. The EIC made postcards that 500 students signed in petition of the bill.

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